Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

"—Luckily, I can understand."

To everyone's surprise, after seeing her reaction, he simply smiled, revealing an even gentler and brighter smile on his face.

"Others might find it hard to understand, but I understand all of Lixi's little thoughts."

That's a classic example of a self-righteous statement.

Although his heart was racing uncontrollably because of what he said, another possibility surged into his mind, making Lixi feel particularly down.

Actually, he probably said similar things to other people as well.

She might later confide similar feelings to Hailing—this understanding is not a personal gift unique to her.

"...This has nothing to do with you, Kazama."

Li Xi coldly distanced himself from the relationship between the two and took a step back to create distance.

"Also, don't say things like we've known each other for a long time. You don't know me that well."

He clearly didn't need to go to such lengths.

Shiina Tatsuki knew that this inner conflict was the most urgent thing she needed to resolve, so from the very beginning she didn't expect to be able to connect with anyone or gain anyone's understanding.

Because once she gets used to the comfort and tolerance the other person gives her, her base human nature will make her want more.

Even though the boy in front of her treated her so gently... this was not a reason for her to become dependent on him and expect to receive more care and favor from him.

This is a life challenge that only she can handle.

"Is that right?"

However, unsurprisingly, her aggressive gestures did little to diminish the smile on Kazama's face.

"We've probably known each other for much, much longer than you think, Lixi. Also, you were probably thinking again that this is your life lesson, and no one else has the right or responsibility to cover for you, right?"

"...Kazama, are you a tapeworm in my stomach?"

Shiina Riki was not as calm and composed as before, but even though her thoughts had been seen through, she still pretended to be calm and composed.

But why is that?

To her, Kazama was an enigmatic man whose thoughts and actions were impossible to fathom, yet her own feelings seemed to become completely transparent in his presence…

"I don't have any high-tech or surreal stuff with me, you know. I just know Lixi very well—maybe even better than you think."

Kazama once again saw through her thoughts and explained with a smile.

"Of course, if I were a tapeworm in your stomach—since the host is so good at twisting, I'd definitely twist even more vigorously. At that time, Miss Lixi, please take the initiative to turn me around and don't let this tapeworm get away."

"What a disgusting metaphor! Don't let it get into my stomach."

Li Xi frowned, but her tense mood actually relaxed a lot because of Kazama's teasing.

"If you want to form a band with that guy... I have no right or reason to stop you, do whatever you want."

This is a lie.

Although Shiina Riki appeared nonchalant and indifferent when she said those words, her heart was actually as congested as a subway during rush hour.

"He still wasn't telling the truth."

Kazama shook his head. He didn't need to scrutinize Riki to see whether he was putting on a brave face or not; a single glance was enough to see through it.

"...So what if it's not the truth?"

She remained stubbornly unwilling to reveal her true feelings, after all, her long-established way of thinking couldn't be changed overnight by a few words of comfort.

Besides, telling the truth won't change the situation.

Kazama's decision wouldn't be easily reversed because of her obstruction, and Riki didn't want her thoughts to interfere with his.

No matter how complicated their relationship is, he is free.

That's enough.

“If you tell me, Lixi, I won’t leave you—at least I won’t leave you.”

But no matter how sulky she was, Kazama could always pinpoint her thoughts immediately and offer a solution with a smile.

"And all I want to hear is you say you care about me, is that so hard?"

He subtly stirred her emotions with what seemed like a mere joke.

"...You're a really awful person."

Lixi didn't want her defeat to be so obvious, so she could only keep up a stubborn facade.

"Only someone as awful as me can become the mind reader in the stomach of the twisted Miss Lixi."

"I hate you……"

"Fine, fine, you hate me again. Fine, then I'll go with Hailing?"

Kazama smiled and pretended to leave, but he felt his clothes being pulled back to the spot by some force.

"...You're not allowed to leave."

Lixi grabbed his sleeve.

The girl still awkwardly turned her head away, but her body straightforwardly held him back.

Oh my... was Aunt Lixi this cute when she was young?

Chapter Thirty-Six: Cat Lixi's Guide to Conquering Her

As is widely known, Shiina Tatsuki is actually more like a cat than Rakuna in some ways.

If Lenai's most cat-like trait is her unpredictable comings and goings, and her actions entirely dependent on her mood, then Lixi's most cat-like trait is that while she verbally tries to escape, her body honestly leans in.

The same is true now.

"...I only said I wouldn't stop you from going with that guy, I never said I allowed you to just leave like that."

The girl with long black hair maintained a tough stance, but there was a slight, almost imperceptible tremor in the force with which she gripped Kazama.

You're all bark and no bite, Miss Lixi.

"Okay, okay, then I won't go anywhere."

In his memory, Aunt Lixi had rarely shown such a girlish expression. In a great mood, Kazama simply stared straight at her—after all, this was a rare moment of shyness for Lixi.

Even with her face flushed with embarrassment, she still maintained a serious and handsome demeanor. Her seemingly sharp purple eyes were actually constantly glancing around, and her words were undeniably authoritative, yet she was also afraid that Kazama would just leave her behind.

She seems completely different from the dignified and authoritative Aunt Lixi I remember.

"Don't use that tone of voice you use to coax a child."

Lixi's voice still sounded a little dissatisfied, but it was much smoother than when Kazama had petted her.

"I'm serious. I... of course I don't want you to leave like this... otherwise I wouldn't have brought up that idea with Lixi and the others in the group chat. But, if you don't want to stay here any longer..."

She would reluctantly respect his decision.

That was all Shiina Tatsuki had in mind; there was nothing else.

Yes, really not.

"So... don't treat me like someone you can easily get rid of."

When she looked up again, she finally met Kazama's eyes directly.

"And don't take my feelings for granted."

Straight ball.

Without warning or any fancy moves, Li Xi blurted out a straight line.

Perhaps she is not yet clear whether this feeling is a friendship that has naturally developed over this period of time, an inseparable dependence, or something even more difficult to describe and obscure—

In short, she didn't want Kazama to leave everyone like this, and also to leave her side.

She sensed it and said it aloud.

Although he can be as indirect and enigmatic as a cat in normal times, Shiina Ritsuki is surprisingly straightforward when it matters, unburdened by feelings of inferiority.

"So? Are you willing to just give us up and go to a new environment... or are you, like me, reluctant to part with the feelings we've built up over this time? You have to give me an answer, right?"

Perhaps sensing her own embarrassment, Lixi, blushing, decided to throw caution to the wind and raise her hand—

And just like that, he grabbed Kazama by the collar.

Although it was a bit aggressive, by using such a bluffing amount of body language, she could frankly express her feelings.

Kazama offered no resistance whatsoever.

The reason is also very simple.

"...Lixi, so cute."

"W-What are you saying...!"

"You're just naturally adorable! Don't you understand that this clumsy but sincere quality is what makes people's hearts flutter the most!"

"Don't try to change the subject with your smooth talk! I'm asking you for an answer in a serious and earnest way!"

It was clearly just a matter of whether she would drift apart from her group and find someone new, but Li Xi made it sound like she was checking if her boyfriend had cheated on her before breaking up.

"The answer? Lixi, you've already given it to me."

Kazama not only showed no intention of struggling, but instead revealed an expression that seemed to be willing to remain in this position with Riki grabbing his collar.

"Since you need me, I will definitely stay by your side and won't leave."

“I never said that…and…”

"Yes—you'd rather not have feelings that come from charity, right? I know, I know. I know your personality."

It's really infuriating.

Shiina Tatsuki doesn't actually like others acting as if they know her personality inside and out, but if that person is Kazama, she can only helplessly acquiesce.

After all, as he himself said, he knew her better than Lixi imagined—sometimes even better than Lixi herself.

Very unwilling.

"So this is not charity. It's simply because I realized that Lixi needs me more than I thought—I couldn't help but feel happy about it and wanted to continue to be with Lixi."

Yet, I would feel at ease because of his answer.

"……snort."

Shiina Riki silently released her grip on the boy's collar, while he looked at her with a doting smile the whole time.

"Glib."

Lixi's gaze remained stern, but it seemed to have softened considerably because of Kazama's answer just now.

"So, would you say my answer is perfect?"

"You barely passed, don't get carried away."

"Oh, so there's a scoring system for me? In that case, I'll have to create a scoring system for Lixi too. If he's not honest enough, he'll have to resubmit his answers until I'm satisfied."

"I would never participate in this kind of exam or assessment..."

Lixi grumbled and temporarily changed the subject. She was always sharp-tongued, but Kazama's answer had reassured her somewhat.

Well... he's gone this far, so as long as he's not deliberately trying to amuse her or intentionally deceiving her, he's definitely not joking, right?

"You have to keep your word, Kazama."

"That's natural... Wait, so my credit rating is really that precarious with Lixi?"

"I was just afraid you'd change your mind. After all, even bands that promise to stay together for life can fall apart due to various unforeseen circumstances, so verbal promises aren't very credible anyway."

"Verbal promises have little credibility, but at least they can put people at ease, right?"

Kazama chuckled and shook his head; this wasn't the first time he'd guessed Riki's awkward thoughts.

“I actually know all of this. This kind of thing has never been about what I objectively said—it's just about whether you, Lixi, are willing to believe me. Of course, I will never betray your trust, okay? Even if Su Shi fiercely kicks me out again, I will definitely cling to your leg and refuse to leave.”

"You're more like a tapeworm than the tapeworms in my stomach, Kazama."

Li Xi pursed his lips, and after a long while, he solemnly continued the story.