Chapter 81

Yuki leaned down next to Rin'ou, almost unconsciously extending his arm to gently stroke Rin'ou's head.

"You shouldn't say you hate yourself. I really think you're amazing. You even took care of Mizuho... Come to think of it, I haven't properly thanked you for the test. Thank you."

"That's not it, it's not like that, I..."

Rin'ou shook his head like a child, denying it.

Despite this, Yuki continued to stroke his head patiently, and gradually, Rin'ou became more and more calm.

Eventually, Rin'ou tentatively lifted his face, looking straight at Yuki with tear-streaked eyes.

"I... I said such terrible things just now... Aren't you angry?"

"I'm not angry. I thought you might have misunderstood something again. Besides, I'm used to dealing with stubborn kids."

Yuki glanced at Eri, who returned a puzzled look.

"Trying hard behind the scenes is good, but you should really say it honestly. Otherwise, no one will understand."

"That's right, being honest is what prevents you from being disliked. I'm not strong at all. I've always been running away and justifying myself. But... I really don't like being alone..."

If you don't say it clearly, no one will understand.

This was something Yuki himself had been told by Mizuho.

Rin'ou looked at him with a pleading gaze.

Yuki smiled back, just as he had done for Mizuho, and the tension in Rin'ou's eyes eased, his tear-soaked eyes shining faintly.

He has such beautiful eyes, Yuki couldn't help but be captivated.

As they continued to look at each other, Eri suddenly inserted herself between them, pushing Yuki's hand away and started stroking Rin'ou's head.

For some reason, she had taken over the position with force.

"Rin'ou, just say what you feel. I won't get angry or dislike you for it."

And she even mimicked the lines a bit.

Still, Rin'ou began to speak to Eri as if he had found a savior.

"...When I said I liked you, you didn't notice even though I studied secretly... When I became more knowledgeable, you acted like you knew everything and said things like 'I'm kind of over that already'..."

"That's how it was... I'm sorry."

"You cancel plans but don't get angry, and you use underhanded methods... You tell pointless lies... You push your jokes with a childish, smug face..."

"That's how it was... I understand how you feel, Rin'ou."

"You touch me in a weird way... Sometimes your actions are so adult-like... And you're really bad at games."

"Okay, I get it, I understand."

Rin'ou didn't seem to be stopping, but Eri tried to end it by forcibly hugging his shoulders. Yuki warned her from the side.

"Eri, listen to him until the end."

"Are you trying to make me overkill?"

She glared at him.

It seemed to have some effect.

"Are you angry? Do you dislike me?"

"What? I wouldn't get angry over something like that."

He laughed and said this, but it seemed he was a bit upset. His cheeks were slightly tense.

A woman who couldn't pretend to be a saint. A sense of self-inflicted consequences that couldn't be defended.

Seeing Rin'ou looking worried again, Eri seemed to sense the situation turning sour.

"Ah, no, Rin'ou, that's not what I meant. I, I can't help it, so let me..."

She stood up, moved toward the sofa as if to escape, and started rummaging through her bag.

"Wait, that's fine now."

"Eh?"

Yuki stopped Eri before she could take out what was probably a gag notebook. Just as Eri froze with a "Why?" look, the door was roughly opened, and noisy footsteps rushed into the living room.

"Hey, you two are already back!?"

Saying this, Mizuho appeared, sounding surprised, carrying a bulging eco-bag.

Mizuho looked around, first at Yuki, then at Eri, and finally at the crouching Rin'ou.

The book version will be released today! Thank you very much!

I've posted a commemorative SS on my activity report, so please check it out if you like.