You call this a love game?

After hearing Mami Tomoe's words, Shiraha felt a wave of dizziness, realizing that the chances of this mission succeeding were once again extremely slim.

Chapter 50: Companionship is the deepest confession (4k)

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the classroom windows and onto the desks.

Bai Yu yawned as he flipped through his textbook, but his mind was elsewhere.

Yesterday, I asked Mami Tomoe to help contact magical girls in other cities, but with little success. As expected, no one was willing to come and help in such a short time.

However, she could only contact a few people to begin with, and most of them were not very familiar to her, so this result was normal.

"Ugh……"

With a sigh, Bai Yu slumped limply onto the table.

Why do I suddenly feel so weak?

Good morning, Bai Yu!

Suddenly, a vibrant voice came from the classroom door. He looked up in surprise and saw Homura Akemi with a healthy blush on her cheeks and a bright, unprecedented smile on her lips.

Upon closer inspection, although the girl was still wearing her familiar school uniform, her black pantyhose had been replaced with over-the-knee socks, which, combined with the pleated skirt, revealed a conspicuous and alluring section of her "absolute territory," making her fair and delicate thighs irresistible to kiss.

However, she still wore her signature red glasses, and her braided hair was exquisitely styled with a brand-new purple ribbon tied to the end, swaying gently with her movements.

"Xiao Yan today..."

Bai Yu's question was interrupted by the lunchbox shoved into her hand. The pink lunchbox had a bear sticker on it and still felt warm.

"I...I made tamagoyaki..." Homura Akemi's voice trailed off, but this time she didn't run away as usual. Instead, she mustered her courage and looked him straight in the eye. "I don't know if it suits your taste."

While Bai Yu was still in a daze, the girl had already walked quickly to his side, which was her seat, without giving him a chance to refuse.

Although he never intended to refuse in the first place.

But the girl's appearance made him feel that something bad was about to happen.

Like a death row inmate's last good meal before execution, or a critically ill patient's last indulgence before death, the girl's behavior, so different from usual, all foreshadowed something big about to happen.

While eating tamagoyaki, Shiraha silently observed the girl. He spent the entire morning secretly observing Homura Akemi's unusual behavior.

For example, when she was called on by the teacher in math class, she actually answered the question fluently. Usually, even if she knew the answer, she would still stammer and be extremely nervous when the teacher and classmates were watching her.

Then, during the relay race in the afternoon PE class, she volunteered to be the last runner for the first time ever. Although she eventually collapsed on the roadside, almost fainting, it was still incredible. In the past, she would usually rest after warming up and doing a little practice.

Even when he teased the girl about her new stockings, she only blushed slightly, unlike her usual self who was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into the ground. This made Bai Yu want to reach out and touch them to see how they felt, and then see how she would react.

However, considering that it wasn't appropriate to do this in the classroom, he pulled Xiaoyan to the rooftop to do it.

Even when he gently touched and savored the girl's slender and delicate legs, she only blushed more as she looked at him. She did not run away or resist. In fact, a hint of joy could be seen on her face.

"Did Xiaoyan take the wrong medicine today?"

During lunch break, Shiraha couldn't resist poking Madoka Kaname.

The pink-haired girl winked mysteriously, about to speak, but then immediately covered her mouth, hesitating for a moment before finally uttering a few words, "You took the right medicine~"

After saying that, she skipped away, leaving Bai Yu completely bewildered.

But it wasn't all just a question mark; he did have some guesses.

Based on the three girls' behavior and questions yesterday, combined with Homura's changes today, anyone who wasn't an idiot could guess what they were up to. And with Madoka Kaname's mysterious demeanor, it was probably true.

They wanted to deceive themselves into going to Thailand for gender reassignment surgery to become magical girls!

Haha, just kidding.

However, since he had already anticipated what was going to happen, he had nothing to worry about. In fact, he had been looking forward to this day for a long time, and all his efforts had finally paid off.

He's finally able to legitimately (not really) win over a female lead? It's been such a difficult journey, he must have worked so hard.

While Homura Akemi was indeed very easy to handle, his constant harassment, his deliberate act of being overly familiar, and his boundless closeness and physical contact all contributed to bringing her closer to him.

However, it's all Homura Akemi's fault from the last simulation. Who told her to do that kind of thing right away? So it's no wonder he copied her. He didn't fast forward to the last step like she did. It wasn't that he was afraid of the police; he just didn't want to leave a bad impression on the current Homura Akemi.

After all, although the two look alike, their personalities are completely different. If you treat her the way she treats you, it will probably only have the opposite effect.

For someone with such a timid and insecure personality, only gentle and attentive care can win her favor.

As for his frequent teasing of Homura Akemi, it was purely a matter of personal quirks, but it inadvertently made it easier for the girl to think about him.

……

Half past three in the afternoon.

The school bell had just rung when Homura Akemi appeared in front of Shiraha's desk. Her fingers were nervously gripping the hem of her skirt, but her voice was firm.

"Um... Bai Yu, I'm not feeling well today. Could you walk with me for a bit?"

A pleading look appeared in the girl's bright eyes, as if she was afraid he would refuse her.

"Of course you can, Xiaoyan. Do we need to say such things about our relationship?"

After saying that, Bai Yu quickly packed his schoolbag, pushed the girl's shoulder, and left the school.

on the way home.

As the sun sets, it paints the sky a gentle orange-red.

Bai Yu deliberately slowed his pace, allowing Akemi Homura's shadow to completely envelop his own. He turned his head to look at the girl beside him; the setting sun had already gilded her with a layer of gold, and even her hair shone with a warm glow.

Homura Akemi seemed to notice his gaze, and a blush gradually rose on her cheeks. Unconsciously, she leaned closer to him.

The cherry blossom trees by the roadside swayed in the wind, and pink and white petals fluttered down. A petal playfully landed in Akemi Homura's hair, and Shiraha reached out and gently brushed it away, then ruffled her hair.

"Shiraha-kun..." Homura Akemi protested, her face flushed, but her voice was soft and lacked any intimidation.

"what happened?"

Bai Yu feigned ignorance, looking at her with an innocent expression.

"It's nothing." Homura Akemi stared at him for two seconds and shook her head. "I just suddenly realized that the cherry blossoms are blooming so late this year, and they haven't completely withered yet."

Holding a cherry blossom petal that had fallen from above, Homura Akemi spoke in a slightly melancholic tone.

"Maybe the cherry blossom season is delayed just for you, Homura." Shiraha reached out and patted the girl's head again. "How have you been settling into school life lately?"

"Yes, everyone is very nice. Madoka takes good care of me and even introduced me to her friends. Mami-senpai is also very gentle and makes delicious black tea." Homura Akemi nodded, blushing.

"what about me?"

He mentioned it to everyone but not himself, so Bai Yu simply took the initiative to ask.

"Bai Yu is also very good, but..."

"Just what?"

As she pressed for answers, Homura Akemi suddenly pointed to a willow tree not far away and exclaimed, "Ah, this is it!"

"This is the road. Bai Yu saved me."

Homura Akemi seemed to be staring blankly at the tree, murmuring softly, "It was from that moment that I started thinking, why, why is this person so kind to me... even though we've only just met..."

Bai Yu turned her head and noticed that the girl's eyes were slightly red. She casually tossed a petal in her hand, and it fluttered freely in the air like a butterfly dancing.

"because……"

Just as he was about to answer, Homura Akemi suddenly grabbed his arm, her hands clenched tightly, looking very nervous.

"Can Bai Yu-jun trust me?"

“Of course,” Bai Yu replied without hesitation.

"Could you please close your eyes for a moment, and I'll lead you a short distance?"

He had no reason to refuse, so he obediently closed his eyes and surrendered his body to Homura Akemi.

"Thank you."

A barely audible thank you drifted into Bai Yu's ears.

The world was pitch black when he closed his eyes, but Homura Akemi beside him was like a lighthouse at sea, always guiding him in the right direction.

The girl's pace slowed down, and as she rounded a corner, she suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?" Bai Yu asked in confusion, but he didn't open his eyes yet.

A series of light, quick footsteps approached from afar, followed by a rustling sound, before quickly disappearing.

Homura Akemi took a deep breath, her hand gripping his arm trembling slightly. "Shiraha-kun, you can open your eyes now."

The first thing Bai Yu saw when she opened her eyes was a giant heart made of colorful paper flowers, shining brightly in the twilight on the red and yellow brick floor of the sidewalk in front of her.

Homura Akemi was holding a bouquet of violets, her eyelashes trembling with nervousness.

"Bai Yu," her voice trembled slightly, "do you still remember the first time we met, when you helped me out of that awkward situation in math class?"

The fresh and sweet scent of violets filled the air between them, blurring their vision as if they were in a dreamlike fantasy.

"Perhaps it was from that time that I realized I was already drawn to you and could not escape."

"You said you like simple days and want a bento box that you can see when you wake up in the morning. Although my cooking skills are not very good now, I will work hard to learn and try to make dishes that will satisfy you."

"You said we'd argue about the discounted strawberries on the weekend. It's okay. I don't actually like strawberries, and I wouldn't want to argue with Bai Yujun. If Bai Yujun likes strawberries, I'll prepare them for you myself."

"Besides, I'm not as tall as you, Bai Yujun. Even on rainy days, you don't need to lean towards me and don't have to worry about getting wet because of me."

"My wish is very small, I just want to be the first ray of sunshine in the morning for you, the last star at night, to become a gentle breeze when you are happy, and an umbrella when you are sad. If magic really exists in me, I hope that our time can be frozen at the most beautiful moment, not as a magical girl, but just as... someone who likes you."

“Even now, you’re still willing to patiently listen to me say these silly things…” Homura Akemi suddenly looked up, tears streaming down her face. “So… please let me be the one who makes you a bento every morning, okay? Not as a friend, but as…”

Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost a whisper, "As lovers..."

Time seemed to stand still as the distant cawing of crows echoed, and the evening breeze carried flower petals between the two.

Bai Yu sighed, and a smile returned to his face.

He reached out and took the bouquet, gently wiping away her tears with his other hand. "I should be the one saying that."

"Ugh..." Homura Akemi mustered her courage and grabbed his sleeve, "So, the answer is..."

"Of course..." Bai Yu deliberately dragged out his words, and seeing the girl's tense expression that made her almost faint, he finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Okay."

In an instant, Homura Akemi almost burst into tears of joy. Her tear ducts seemed to burst into a flood, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, making her face covered in tears in a moment.

Unable to contain her joy and excitement any longer, she threw herself into Bai Yu's arms, her tears soaking a large part of his shirt.

Bai Yu gently wrapped his arms around her trembling shoulders and lowered his head to place a light kiss on her hair.

"But there is a condition."

"Huh?" Homura Akemi looked up in a panic, her nose still red.

"From now on, I'll be the one to braid your pigtails."

He spoke the softest words in the toughest tone, and Homura Akemi immediately stopped crying and started laughing, a bubble popping out of her nose and hitting his chest.

With a slightly disgusted look at his chest, Shiraha simply pressed Homura Akemi's head against his chest.

"Then it's settled. If I ever see you braiding your own hair again, I'll be furious with you."

The tears that had almost stopped flowing started flowing again from nowhere.

She nodded vigorously, causing a dull thud against Bai Yu's chest, and mumbled through her, her voice trembling with tears, "I even prepared a super-long confession..."

"Then tell me slowly on the way home?" Bai Yu wiped away her tears, held the fragrant bouquet of violets in one hand, and put his arm around her shoulder with the other, and walked forward.

"Um……"

Homura Akemi clung tightly to Shiraha's clothes, fearing that this was just a dream and that he would leave her at any moment.

Noticing the girl's small movements, Bai Yu grabbed her small hand, opened her fingers and interlocked them, their large and small hands tightly clasped together.

"I'm right here, don't worry."

As dusk fell, their shadows gradually merged into one, becoming indistinguishable from one another. The paper flowers by the roadside were blown by the evening breeze, like a belated cherry blossom rain.

Chapter Fifty-One: Illness

What is love?

Love is a deep stirring of the soul, like the sudden warmth of spring sunshine, unexpectedly sprinkling onto the heart, instantly bringing forth blooming flowers from barren land. It is the first ray of dawn, carrying the freshness and gentleness of dew, quietly brushing against the cheek, awakening slumbering dreams.

Love is a bright spot in life, a seasoning for ordinary days. After a busy day, seeing your partner's smile can instantly dispel your fatigue. Preparing a dinner together, with the ingredients bubbling in the pot, is like your heartbeats merging, and the rising steam is the spread of love.