I am the emotional sustenance of your deceased

　Has she solved all of Qiansui's troubles in one go today?

　It seems that from now on, no matter whether inside or outside the school, there will be no factors that will cause her to have more wounds.

　perhaps?

　"A bit excited, huh? You must be happy that I'm staying with you, but please be forewarned that I'm only seeking refuge."

　"I know, I know. Can I help you change the wound dressing and put on the band-aid?"

　"Are you even listening to me?"

　Qiansui was forced to change the bandages used to treat the wounds on most parts of his body.

　Aine noticed that some of Chitose's Band-Aids hadn't been changed for a few days. Was it because she didn't dare to take too many in the infirmary?

　Meanwhile, Aine was still counting something.

　"Are there two patches on your neck? And there's a long wound on your elbow... You've worked hard, Xiaosui."

　"This is the first time I've received sympathy or anything like that."

　Chitose was stunned for a moment, but she still managed to continue speaking in a tone that Aine could tell was forced, "But the only thing I don't want is sympathy from you, my only friend... That would make me feel like you're just taking care of a dog, not a friend."

　What?! Thinking like that is really too much.

　"That's too much! Sui Sui!"

　[Is it too much? It’s right.]

　Qiansui stretched her delicate body, wandered around the living room, and then looked towards the kitchen.

　"Then as compensation, I'll go cook. I see you're tired today too... Have a good rest."

　Her soft and gentle tone hammered Aine's heartbeat.

　"Thank you so much for what you did just now... Thank you for helping me escape... Xiao Ai, without you, I really can't take this step..."

　"You are the most reliable person I have ever met. I think, I... never mind, I'm going to cook."

　Chihaya Aine realized it later. It was the first time she was praised so much that her face blushed and her heart beat fast.

　This sense of accomplishment cannot be brought to her by other people's praise!

　"Huh? How can we let the guests cook?"

　"My pleasure."

　Only when Chitose Noshiro appeared in the kitchen did Chihaya Aine breathe a sigh of relief.

　Her palms were sweating when she was talking to Chitose's mother on the phone just now. But she still risked her life to let Chitose take shelter in her home for a night.

　"Hey, I'm very reliable. And did you call me Xiao Ai?"

　Doesn’t this mean that our relationship is already super awesome?

　At this moment, Aine no longer seemed to be trying to prove anything.

　She sincerely hoped that the girl who was born on Chitose would be safe and sound.

　"Sui Sui! I'm here to help you cook!"

　……

　"Sui Sui, am I so clumsy?"

　The dishes on the table are so delicious that just looking at them can warm your stomach.

　"Strictly speaking, your clumsiness is just right. It's because of your clumsiness that I can eat dinner without working, and I won't be spoiled by you and forced to rely on you."

　Chitose brought some of his best dishes, such as ginseng chicken soup and fried pork cutlet, to the table.

　"Just do what you can yourself. I don't want to owe you too many favors, nor do I want to bother you all the time. It would just seem like I'm taking advantage of you."

　"So unfortunately, Chitose still doesn't need to rely on you today, Aine."

　She's so cute.

　She spoke like she was acting coquettishly.

　When she opened her mouth, she was like a moving cold-faced and arrogant

　Encyclopedia of science.

　"Hey! That's too much! And why don't you call me Xiao Ai anymore?"

　She's so cute.

　Do you always like to say things like this to cover up your shame?

　In fact, it feels like I've always been acting like a spoiled child.

　Tsundere and independent, I always feel that Chitose Noshiro is the kind of guy suitable for marriage.

　If I weren't a girl, I would definitely marry her... Huh? Doesn't being a boy mean I can't marry a girl?

　"That's just your illusion. Whether it's "I'm too much" or "calling you Xiao Ai", it's all just your illusion, scumbag."

　"Tsk."

　Aine patted her barren chest. She was in a good mood today so she didn't bother with Chitose.

　"The dishes are all here, Sui Sui, why don't we start eating?"

　They sat face to face, the sweet and delicious smell of the food made Aine's taste buds stir, but Chitose seemed to have no intention of eating.

　She sat there blankly, staring at the table full of food in a daze.

　"Come on, Sui Sui, tell me 'I'm eating' and then we can eat!"

　The food was so tempting. Both the person dining with her and the food were delicious. Aine put her hands together and said with Chitose, "I'm eating!"

　The chopsticks were quickly picked up, and Aine couldn't wait to put the smoked salmon cooked by Chitose into her mouth.

　I ate during the day but was discussing something so I didn't have time to savor it properly. Now that it's evening, everything has returned to normal.

　The fish was sweet and the smoking technique was so delicious that it took only a moment to transport Aine’s thoughts to that distant heaven above.

　"It's so delicious, it's just...eh? You're 18 years old, you..."

　After swallowing the food, Aine hurriedly pulled out a tissue from her side and handed it to Chitose.

　Is the girl across from me crying? She's crying so quietly, just like when she's being bullied.

　A lot of secrets and grievances were kept in my heart, and finally they overflowed from my eyes.

　"It's been a while since I've had a hot meal... and with someone else, Aine, thank you for giving me this experience, but please don't look at me in such a mess..."

　Chitose was breathing heavily. Aine felt that this was more than just a simple breath.

　[It's the feeling of being extremely heartbroken, unable to cry or vent, and gasping for air.]

　"Really? He usually looks tough, but sometimes he acts like a child."

　Aine remembered Noshiro Chitose at this moment.

　Today, Chitose Noshiro only had a few band-aids on her face and a wound dressing on her chin.

　[She looks so pretty when she cries. It seems like... I make her cry every day.]

　I am such a bad woman.

　[I really hope that most of the scars on Sui Sui's body will become less and less.]

　Ch286. Aiyin: I was insulted

　My name is Chihaya Aine, and today is the anniversary of the first time Chitose Noshiro stayed at my house!

　I can’t remember the last time a friend stayed over at my house. Maybe it was last summer vacation, but I can’t remember it anymore.

　She is so cute.

　Why hasn't anyone discovered this treasure?

　However...if I were to describe what kind of person she is in my mind, it would be really hard to summarize.

　When we first met, she was sensitive and alert, but as I gradually started to care about her, her frozen heart finally opened up for me.

　Almost all of my memories of Sui Sui are related to wounds. So you can probably understand that these are not very good memories.

　At least when I think back to Chitoshi Noshiro, it was very difficult for me to keep smiling. There were always moments when my smile collapsed and I felt complicated.

　I have met many people who are not as good as me.

　Regardless of ability or experience, it is because of this that I understand that I must maintain a passionate heart in dealing with people, and always remember my responsibility to help others when dealing with friends in different environments.

　But Chitose Noshiro made me truly understand that many times there are fragile and broken little hearts hidden in places I can't see.

　[Sometimes helping someone may only continue to destroy their life.]

　"Alas, I never thought that the word 'high and mighty' would one day be used to describe me. Actually, I'm not that high and mighty, am I? After all, there's a lot of information that I really, really, really don't know."

　I said this, but I was still constantly reflecting on myself in my heart.

　Maybe I should have investigated Chitose the first time she showed any signs of abnormality? For example, the wounds she had that day—

　I kept thinking, what if I were to forcefully interfere with Chitose that day, and go directly to her house and confront her stepmother face to face?

　Ah, it seems unrealistic. I’m just a junior high school student.

　But being a junior high school student still can't stop me! I must help my friend Chitose Noshiro!

　She is my... very good friend.

　But is she my best friend? I'm not sure.

　But I know one thing, that is...

　Chihaya Aine tilted her head. To be honest, Chitose was the first person who could touch Aine's emotions just by shedding tears.

　She would be excited because of Qiansui's joy, and her eyes would turn red because of Qiansui's sobs.

　She is Chitose Noshiro's only friend. Does this mean that Chitose Noshiro belongs to her?

　scare--

　Ah, why would I think that!

　Aine was shocked by her own thoughts, but that was what she really thought just now.

　It's the same logic as if a cat's only friend is you, then the cat belongs to you...

　Chitose Noshiro is just a little cat.

　Why do I always think of cats when I see Chitose?

　But it's hard not to think of cats, right? Look at her now, she's so cute.

　……

　Look at how she looks now, so... furious.

　Ruffling the cat's fur is also a must-try part of teasing the cat.

　"Are you okay, Sui Sui?"

　"I told you not to look at me..." Although Chitose said this, his expression was not cold at all.

　Now she is just acting like a spoiled brat.

　“Why do you have to worry about everything? It’s not as serious as you think. I just spoke my mind…” She lowered her head, not daring to look at Aine. Finally, she whispered, “When was the last time I ate something so warm? I miss it so much.”

　"Don't you want to enjoy the food? You didn't even eat a single bite of the smoked salmon, you gave it all to me! Don't you like it?"

　No, it’s just because you like to eat it, so I gave it all to you.

　Chitose wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and chose to tell a little lie: "I don't like it... but if you like it, I will make it for you next time. I just learned this recipe in the past few days, so remember to tell me if there is anything I need to improve in the future."

　“Okay, okay—”

　After dinner, it was Aine who washed the dishes. This was Aine's strong request, otherwise Chitose really wanted to take care of all the housework for her.

　After dinner, Qiansui sat uncomfortably on the sofa, like a confused little animal.

　"Go take a shower, Kitty."

　"It's not a cat... If you say that again I will..." Chitose wanted to retort, but Aine pulled her upstairs.

　Aine gently peeled off the bandages and Band-Aids she had put on the wound.