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

In the classroom, Toyokawa Shoko looked up as if waking from a dream and saw a long-haired female classmate staring at her curiously and cautiously. This was the classmate sitting in front of her.

"Is there something you need, Nishimura-kun?"

"Well, it's nothing really, it's just..."

Toyokawa Shoko rarely interacted with anyone in class and carried an inexplicable air of nobility and aloofness. Therefore, the female classmate who took the initiative to speak to her seemed a little uneasy and nervous, and she carefully considered her words.

"I just feel like Toyokawa-kun has been... a little different lately? She doesn't seem to be... well, how should I put it, withdrawing herself off? Has something good happened to her?"

If it weren't for this change in her, she wouldn't have dared to ask the question.

"very good mood?"

"Yes, Toyokawa-kun has been smiling more these past few days—I hadn't noticed before, but you look especially beautiful when you smile, so elegant and gentle, even the young lady from Tsukimori can't compare to you!"

"Am I smiling...?"

She couldn't remember the last time she genuinely smiled, so how could she possibly smile?

Toyokawa Shoko was completely stunned. At this moment, Nishimura thoughtfully took out a small mirror and handed it to her. The mirror clearly reflected a delicate and beautiful face—the girl in the mirror had a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth—she was smiling, like the first melting of ice and snow, and spring buds quietly blooming under the deep snow.

She touched her cheek in disbelief, finally realizing what had happened.

——Qingye.

Lately, Kiyono has been appearing in her world quite unreasonably, like just the right amount of sunshine. Without realizing it, she is no longer so resistant to boys, and is even secretly looking forward to and relying on them.

But is it really okay for me to continue contacting Kiyono like this?

Toyokawa Shoko asked herself honestly, with her father in this state, she had no energy left to touch upon beautiful emotions. She wanted to maintain her remaining dignity and didn't want to add to Kiyono's burden, but, but, she couldn't control her feelings.

Just like how she couldn't control her smile.

This was clearly a source of trouble, yet it was the only trouble that brought her happiness.

*

However, Toyokawa Shoko was alarmed to find that Kiyono was no longer coming to see her.

?025. Absolute Kill - Great Auspiciousness

Another quiet night.

Toyokawa Shoko lay on her side on the tatami mat. The only light source in the room was her phone, which displayed her chat with Kiyono. The last message was from the boy, and she had read it over and over again countless times.

She was in agony. It had only been two days since she last saw Kiyono, but it felt like two years had passed. She missed him, felt heartache, and felt upset. His face was in her dreams, and she would suddenly wake up, instinctively taking out her phone to see if he had left her a short message.

If I see that unread message, I'll be happy all day; if I don't, I'll be disappointed all day. Even when I'm studying or working, I can't control my overthinking. I wonder if I made a mistake, or if my attitude was too bad and made him dislike me.

For the first time, Toyokawa Shoko experienced this burning pain in her heart.

This feeling is completely different from when I made up my mind to stay away from Kiyono and Crychic. Although I was also very sad back then, I didn't have this feeling of constant pain and struggle.

Because he showered her with sunshine and care during her most despondent time, but when her emotions began to intensify and she began to habitually rely on him, he withdrew his radiance, leaving only a dark cloud. His hot-and-cold attitude made her want to kill him first and then commit suicide.

Why does she feel this way?

Is this like it?

Just being with him made me happy, and being apart for even a moment made me feel lonely. All those ordinary experiences—joyful, sweet, annoyed, and sad—seemed to have been enhanced by a beautiful filter, becoming unforgettable memories. And those accidental, lucky, and beautiful things were even given the name of destiny.

Is this a longing?

Because she was going through the darkest time of her life, she wanted someone to support her and accompany her. Kiyono was the only person who could touch her heart, so was she trying to hold his hand to ease her pain?

she does not know.

The phone screen kept turning off and then on again with her finger, and the girl's amber eyes looked somewhat listless.

She knew that if she asked him directly, Kiyono would definitely give her an answer and explanation, and she wouldn't have to be tormented anymore. But she couldn't do it. Silently accepting the boy's kindness was already her limit. Her last bit of pride and reserve prevented her from throwing herself into someone's arms.

Toyokawa Shoko turned off her phone and let out a long sigh.

...

Meanwhile, Kiyono is...

[Groups without Toyokawa Shoko]

[Nagasaki Motoyo: How are things going between Kiyono-kun and Sho lately? Have you encountered any problems? If you're having any difficulties, feel free to discuss them with us. After all, we're all girls, and we understand the little things that only girls have.]

[Kiyono: I've been a bit busy these past two days and haven't been able to see Shoko, but please rest assured, Commander Nagasaki, the progress is steadily going forward. PS, not the walkthrough progress.]

[Shiina Tatsuki: If this really is a strategy guide, then it means your taste in women isn't very good.]

[Wakaba Mutsu: Sho is a good girl.]

[Takamatsu Akari: Kiyono-kun, good luck...]

[Nagasaki Motoyo: Haven't seen Sho for two days? Kiyono-kun, you should be a little more enthusiastic towards girls.]

Looking at the burst of laughter on his phone, he couldn't help but mutter, "Why does it feel like none of you care about the band anymore?"

—This is a Line group that Nagasaki Motoyo initiated. He reports his progress every day. People who don't know the situation might think they're gossiping about him and Toyokawa Shoko.

Kiyono put away her phone, tied her apron, and soon the sound of kitchen utensils clattering came from the kitchen again.

...

the next day.

Around noon, Toyokawa Shoko was doing the most tiring time of restocking the shelves at the convenience store. The repetitive bending over made her back so sore that she could hardly straighten up. But to be honest, these jobs were not too tiring, at least much easier than playing a teddy bear or being a customer service representative.

She even had a feeling of being quite lucky. Was this something she was used to?

In this meaningless and monotonous environment, is the person she is, named 'Toyokawa Shoko,' becoming increasingly insignificant...?

Shoko Toyokawa silently filled the shelves with strawberry pudding. She suddenly realized that she seemed to be sighing more than usual today, as if subconsciously she felt that she would be trapped in this kind of life. If she continued to dig deeper to find the reason...

He didn't come today either. She has to face everything alone.

The thought of this made her feel that time would stretch on forever, until she reached the other side of the world to finish these assignments.

Even so, she would meticulously adjust every item and label to the perfect position.

This is her pride and stubbornness, and even though it has caused her to suffer losses, she will not choose to change.

With her work finally finished, Toyokawa Shoko stretched, her slender and perfect figure subtly revealed where no one could see. She went to the break room to change her clothes and prepared to leave the convenience store.

Just then, a curious voice came from behind the counter.

"Ms. Toyokawa, there seems to be a guy who's been trying to hit on you."

Toyokawa Shoko was taken aback. She turned her head and looked at the senior colleague on duty, frowning.

"……is that so?"

The older sister nodded confidently. "He's come to the store to buy things more than once, and each time he takes the opportunity to glance at you, looking hesitant and conflicted. You were too busy with work to notice before..."

Upon hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko wasn't particularly concerned, as she had seen similar scenes many times before.

But her senior's next words made her suddenly stop in her tracks.

"Ah, speaking of which, he's quite a cute and handsome boy. His eyes are clear and bright, and his smile is sunny and cheerful. He's definitely a high-quality, gentle man. Ms. Toyokawa, I think you should really consider him—"

The older sister was still rambling on, but Toyokawa Shoko's body trembled, and her heart started pounding uncontrollably. The description sounded so familiar; there was no mistake!

He came to find me! He didn't give up on me!

Overwhelmed with joy, the twin-tailed girl thanked her senior and then, before her senior's eyes widened in surprise, suddenly started running.

The heavy glass door of the convenience store slid open automatically, and the scorching air instantly engulfed Toyokawa Shoko, yet she felt so warm.

She quickly scanned her surroundings, and the next second, a familiar figure came into view.

The boy had his back to the convenience store and was facing the street, carrying a large, lunchbox-like object in his hand.

Boom, boom, boom.

The moment I saw Kiyono, my heart finally settled down, followed by a joyful pounding.

No, this feeling is just... just...

Perhaps it was because the outside temperature was too high, because Toyokawa Shoko's pretty face flushed slightly pink. She tried to calm herself down by giving herself a reason.

...Wait, what is this idiot doing right now?

Shoko Toyokawa snapped out of her daze and tilted her head in confusion. Kiyono seemed to want to leave, but hesitantly paced around, circling in place and scratching his head from time to time. It was rare for her to see Kiyono so indecisive.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, the boy slowly turned his head.

Eyes facing each other.

Kiyono coughed, his face showing a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness at being caught.

Toyokawa Shoko didn't know why he had that expression, but she knew what she had to do: she took a deep breath, took a step forward, and walked towards the boy.

The heat wave, carrying the smell of car exhaust, hit her in the face. Every step she took landed on the scorching pavement, and also on her frantic heartbeat.

Ah, what should she say? Where have you been these past two days? Why are you sighing?

Forget it.

When she saw Kiyono, a feeling that was buried deep beneath her pride and that she herself had not fully realized quietly flowed into her heart.

This time, however, the positions of the two seemed to have reversed. Toyokawa Shoko approached step by step, while Kiyono subconsciously took a step back and put the box in his hand behind his back.

Da da da.

Boom, boom, boom, boom.

The blue-haired girl, listening to her own clear heartbeat and footsteps, stopped in front of Kiyono.

At such close range, she could smell the faint scent of sunshine on the boy, mixed with a strange food smell. She also saw sweat on Qingye's forehead, and wondered how long he had been walking back and forth there.

The two were silent for two seconds, and then Kiyono revealed his usual cheerful expression.

"Xiangzi, you've come..."

"what are you doing?"

Toyokawa Shoko twirled a strand of her hair with one finger, her gaze sweeping straight behind him. She didn't speak of the unease and torment of the past two days, but unconsciously let out a soft, coquettish hum, as if complaining.

"Ahaha, well, this is a bento I made for myself on a whim, I was just getting ready..."

Kiyono remained expressionless, but before he could finish speaking, the girl gracefully interrupted him.

"fraud."

Toyokawa Shoko shifted her gaze upwards, looking into his eyes. Her clear eyes seemed to see into the deepest part of his heart. Connecting this to what her senior had said earlier, the girl had already vaguely realized something.

"Is this... made for me?"

It was clearly a question, but she spoke it with an air of certainty.

She felt a sense of bewilderment and disbelief. Kiyono had been hesitating and sighing all this time because he wanted to give her this.

Kiyono's face stiffened, and his gaze couldn't help but wander for a moment.

Then, as if he had given up struggling, he let out a big sigh and looked at the girl in front of him.

Toyokawa Shoko saw her own reflection in his eyes.

then.

She heard the boy say:

"Didn't I try making a cake last time? I succeeded after just a few tries, so I wanted to make you a treat, but I didn't expect..."

She saw the boy smile at her in the bright midday sun, a smile that looked so embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, I've tried many times these past two days, but I still only managed to make a failed product..."

026. Xiangzi's Gentle Touch Only for You [Two-in-One]

Toyokawa Shoko's pupils trembled.

In that instant, all her doubts were answered: why had Kiyono hesitated all morning, why had he seemed so flustered? It wasn't the shyness she had imagined, but rather the result of a failed attempt.

She could even picture the scene: the boy, full of confidence, ran into the kitchen to deliver her a bento box, then accidentally overcooked the food, added too many ingredients, and the kitchen caught fire.

He must have practiced repeatedly, but in the end, he only managed to make a barely presentable meal, and he was struggling with whether or not to give it to her...

why?