All the people who like me are other people’s girlfriends! ?

"It's been so long since we last met, why is your reaction like this the first time we see each other?"

Kiyono didn't quite understand girls' hearts, but he knew what he should do, so he didn't let go of the girl's hand.

Toyokawa Shoko did not respond; he continued:

"I'm here to give you a gift."

Gift?

Kiyono raised his other hand, and although Toyokawa Shoko pretended not to care, she couldn't help but steal a glance. It was a semi-transparent box, through which one could see an exquisite two-tiered cake, with a small chocolate bear on top.

It turned out to be the cake she wanted to eat the most.

But Toyokawa Shoko's eyes turned cold, and so did her heart. She felt a sharp pain in her heart, so intense that she wanted to stop breathing, because she felt charity and pity.

She just didn't want to be pitied by this person!

"I don't need it!" She abruptly shook off Qingye's hand, her face contorted with anger like a cat with its fur standing on end. She would rather starve than do that!

With such a ferocious and intense attitude, the boy had clearly made the wrong choice. At this moment, Toyokawa Shoko was like a hedgehog, and any kindness from those close to her would make her bristle. He was already in a hellish predicament, and if he was not careful, it would lead to the worst possible outcome.

But Kiyono's expression remained unchanged; he simply said:

"Are you sure?"

With a cold expression, Toyokawa Shoko turned around and took a step without hesitation, demonstrating her attitude through her actions.

A voice came from behind.

"I spent a whole day making this for you myself. The first time I forgot the oven timer, the second time the egg whites wouldn't whip up, and the third time I finally succeeded..."

The girl paused in her steps.

Made for me? Wasn't this originally purchased?

"Really don't want it?" She couldn't see Qingye's expression, but she could hear him say leisurely, "It's a Children's Day present from Santa Claus."

Toyokawa Shoko bit her lip. She didn't speak, glanced in Kiyono's direction, and then quickly looked away, but didn't take another step forward.

“From the moment this cake was born from the oven, it bore that person’s name,” Kiyono continued. “If a girl didn’t want it, it would probably just rot in the trash, right?”

This time, Toyokawa Shoko remained silent for an even longer time. Then, she took a deep breath, turned around, her face flushed, and quickly stretched out her hand in front of Kiyono, her expression a mix of fierceness and softness.

"Give me……"

024. Xiangzi's Gradual Fall into Oblivion

Shoko Toyokawa's rented room was in a slightly remote residential area. When she got home, the night outside the window was so dark that she could hardly hear anything.

With a click, she turned on the light, and the dim light illuminated the living room. Apart from a closet, a low table, and a small refrigerator, there was almost no other furniture. The walls were mottled, and she could hear her father snoring from the bedroom.

However, the girl didn't care about any of that today. She sat down at the low table and carefully placed what she was holding on it: a fragrant strawberry cake.

"Seriously, I'm not a child anymore, why would I give you a Children's Day gift..."

Shoko Toyokawa lay on the table, stretched out a finger, and gently poked the transparent outer box of the cake, as if it were someone's face.

She examined the cake for a long time as if it were a precious treasure before finally unpacking it—she even put the box away—and then cut off a piece and put it in her mouth.

The cream, like honey, clung to and melted on her lips and teeth.

It was the sweetness she had been longing for.

......

After deciding to live with her father, Toyokawa Shoko's life became unusually pale and busy. She went to school during the day and looked for various part-time jobs after school. Although she was pretty enough to enjoy many privileges, she tried her best not to show her face in public. The income from her multiple jobs was just enough to cover the rent and her father's food expenses. She personally experienced what it meant to survive.

Occasionally, when she looks at the glamorous, smiling band girls, she wonders if everything she's done is worth it, and whether she should return to her family... but she still has no answer.

Today is another day of selling youth for money.

At 10 p.m., the blue-haired girl, wearing a uniform with the convenience store logo, arranged the rice balls in the store neatly, then stood in front of the cashier, waiting for the next customer.

This is a part-time job she recently found. Because there was a staff vacancy, she only needs to work two hours in the evening, and there is a night shift allowance. It is close to home, and she doesn't have to worry about running into acquaintances at night. She can also get priority to buy discounted food in the store... It's a job she's quite satisfied with.

Just then, the automatic door rang with a ding. Toyokawa Shoko looked up, instinctively wanting to say "Welcome," but her voice caught in her throat, her face blank—Kiyono, wearing short sleeves and shorts, had just casually walked in.

The next second, their eyes met.

"What a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into Miss Xiangzi here."

The boy raised his hand and said in a very affected manner.

—Liar! This place is more than half an hour away from your home! How remote does your route have to be to get here by chance?!

And, moreover, how did you know me...?

But that's not the point right now. The important thing is how to respond.

Toyokawa Shoko was in a state of utter confusion. The first two times she encountered Kiyono, she had at least managed to conceal her true feelings, but this time, Kiyono had seen the side of her that she had been desperately trying to hide in the most direct way...

Sure enough, I still have to proudly express my attitude as before, telling this nostalgic past to stop having anything to do with me.

Finally, she took a deep breath—

"Sir, what would you like to buy?"

By the time she came to her senses, the words had already slipped out.

Huh……?

"Don't come looking for me again," "Sorry, I don't understand what you're saying," "Please don't talk about things unrelated to work"—these were the sharp, barbed attitudes that originally came to her mind.

But why was my response so calm?

Was it because he had witnessed her most embarrassing moment? Was it because of the cake Kiyono gave her? Or... was she subconsciously yearning for the boy's approach?

"I'd like a milk pudding."

Hearing this, Kiyono smiled, picked up a discounted pudding from the corner, and a carton of banana milk, and placed them on the cashier's counter.

Xiangzi didn't speak, but silently lowered his eyes and skillfully scanned the code.

Kiyono handed over the banknotes, and the girl exchanged them for coins to make change; the coins still carried a trace of the warmth of her palm.

The two went through the process in silence. Toyokawa Shoko turned her head to organize the shelves, but she was surprised to find that Kiyono did not leave. Instead, he tore open the pudding packaging on the spot, scooped out a spoonful, and placed the bottle of milk on the counter.

Sensing the girl's questioning gaze, Kiyono, biting her spoon, said:

"Is this... a token of my appreciation?"

Toyokawa Shoko suddenly stopped. These words touched the soft and proud part of her heart again. Although her first experience made her less sad, her cheeks remained cold and hard, as if they were made of ice.

But this time, before she could even get angry, she heard Kiyono say:

"I just wanted to comfort my good friend, is that not allowed?"

She saw the boy staring at her without flinching, a bright light shimmering in his dark pupils.

"Seeing my good friend working hard, I can't help but want to encourage her, comfort her, and give her a hug. Is it not allowed to just have such feelings?"

His intentions were so sincere.

Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but look away, and the anger bar that had been building up instantly cleared out, turning into a different pink bar.

She remembered what she had said to Kiyono before, and how she had helped him with the same feelings back then. The boy had accepted it readily. Why was it that when the roles were reversed, and she became the one being comforted and helped, she found it so hard to accept? Why was she so sensitive and proud?

Did she overlook the boy's feelings?

He was just feeling the same way she did back then!

Shoko Toyokawa was silent for a few seconds, then hesitated and moved her cherry blossom-colored lips, stammering. Then, as if she had made up her mind, her face became firm and pink. Across the counter, she reached out her hands to the boy and made a shy gesture as if to hug him.

If it's just a hug, it should be fine, right...?

After all, she has worked so hard for so long, so it's only right that she gets some comfort, isn't it?

A crack was quietly opened in the girl's heart.

then.

Then... instead of hugging her, the boy looked at her strangely.

"Miss Xiangzi, what are you doing? Although I don't mind hugging you, there are security cameras here, aren't there? Are you sure you're okay?"

Toyokawa Shoko remained in that position, blinking blankly:

"? Didn't Kiyono-kun say he wanted to..."

"That was a metaphor."

In other words, eh eh eh eh!?

Xiangzi finally understood everything. Her pretty face and neck were flushed red at a visible speed, and even the top of her head seemed to be steaming.

"Kiyono-kun is an idiot! You're such a fool who flirts with innocent girls! And, and... in short, you're an idiot!"

Seriously, how did he manage to turn a chance encounter that could have hurt both of them into something like a boyfriend visiting a girlfriend at work and flirting with her?!

......

Unbeknownst to us, our dreary lives have suddenly been brightened by a splash of color.

Although she still experiences sleep deprivation, hardships in life, heavy academic workload, and many unpleasant and heartbreaking things, a dazzling light always appears at these times, supporting her to keep going.

Just like now.

6 month 4 day.

Saturday.

Toyokawa Shoko doesn't like weekends anymore because her time at school is a rare opportunity to relax—she can catch up on sleep, read books, and occasionally secretly play the piano. Looking at girls her age, she feels that she hasn't been abandoned by the world.

Once it's a day off, she's forced to leave the fairy tale world and enter the adult world.

At that moment, Shoko Toyokawa, who had just finished working on the teddy bear, walked on the hot street and felt the world in front of her was spinning slightly.

She knew why: she was dehydrated and had too much sugar. She walked up to a vending machine and decided to splurge. She put in two coins and pressed the button for orange soda—she usually brought her own water bottle, which was both healthy and saved money, but now she just couldn't resist.

Under the girl's expectant gaze, the vending machine swallowed the coin, but no iced drink fell out.

Toyokawa Shoko's eyes widened as she pressed the button several times in a row.

However, there was no response.

No, no way...?

Feeling the burning sensation in her throat, the sweat on her forehead, and most importantly... my 200 yen! This was money she had worked so hard to earn!

Shoko Toyokawa frantically pounded on the vending machine's exterior, but her elegant nature prevented her from using too much force, and all her efforts were in vain. The girl suddenly felt as if the whole world had drifted away.

But suddenly, a voice came from behind.

"At this time—this is what you should do."

Toyokawa Shoko was startled and instinctively moved aside. Then, she saw Kiyono, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, walk up to the vending machine, turn sideways, lower his center of gravity, and decisively lift his foot—

Bang! Clang!

A beautiful side kick!

With a muffled thud and the sound of metal clashing, a miracle occurred—the can of orange soda that should have fallen out, along with the two 100-yen coins she had inserted, rolled out of the dispensing slot!

Kiyono bent down, picked up the drinks and coins, and triumphantly handed them to the still bewildered Shoko.

"Hmph, look, it knows it has neglected the young lady, and it has even obediently offered compensation."

Don't look like you've just completed a sophisticated technical operation!

How did this person manage to appear anytime, anywhere, and save her?!

Although she really wanted to complain, Toyokawa Shoko just silently took the can. A refreshing coolness instantly spread along her arm, calming her down completely.

She looked at Kiyono, whose cheeks were also covered with fine beads of sweat, her long eyelashes trembled, and she suddenly put the two coins in her hand into the vending machine and bought another bottle of apple soda without hesitation.

"You drink too."

She handed the soda to Kiyono, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"Ah."

The surrounding air was still scorching under the blazing sun, the cicadas chirped impatiently, and pedestrians hurried along, their restlessness barely concealed. Yet, in the small shade beside the vending machine, amidst the silent exchange of cool touches, the girl felt her mood soothed and refreshed, like the bursting bubbles of soda.

......

"Toyokawa-kun? Toyokawa-kun!"