Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 196 A Wall Slam on the Tram
"Come closer to me, let's walk side by side!"

Hearing Ji Yexue's reckless remarks, Qiuyue Cheng inwardly groaned, but he could only obediently comply and move closer to Shiraishi Rin once again.

"Eh, eh?"

Shiraishi Rin was already confused by Akizuki Makoto's sudden slowing down and getting closer to her, and now that he was getting closer again, she panicked.

"Aki, Akizuki-kun, what's wrong all of a sudden? Why... are you getting so close?"

She stammered as she hurriedly distanced herself, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Being suddenly approached by Akizuki Makoto brought not only shock but also a racing heart.

"Hug, sorry..."

Akizuki Makoto didn't explain why he suddenly got so close. After apologizing, he moved a little distance away.

Indeed, closing the distance so abruptly was too hasty.

It's normal for Shiraishi Rin to be startled. They suddenly closed the distance between them. Who knows what Akizuki Makoto is up to?
"Ah, I'm not blaming Akizuki-kun, I was just suddenly startled. It's okay."

Seeing Akizuki Makoto's embarrassed expression, Shiraishi Rin mistakenly thought he had misunderstood something, so he quickly explained.

If Akizuki Makoto thought that she was keeping her distance because she disliked her, it would seem a bit too rude.

"Yeah……"

Hearing Shiraishi Rin say that, Akizuki Makoto seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and the embarrassment on his face eased a bit.

After calming himself down, he continued, "I was thinking about something and didn't notice the distance."

"It's alright, I don't mind, and you shouldn't worry about it either, Akizuki-kun."

"Um……"

After that, both of them fell silent, except for Ji Yexue, who was lying on Qiuyue Cheng's back, who was giggling and found their flustered appearance amusing.

Sure enough, teasing Akizuki Makoto and seeing his embarrassed expression was really amusing.

Ji Yexue pressed her cherry lips to Qiu Yuecheng's ear and whispered, "Your reaction is so strange, isn't it? Could this also be part of your plan?"

"..."

Qiu Yuecheng remained silent and did not answer Ji Yexue's question.

No matter what, you can't talk to Himeyasu in front of Shiraishi Rin.

Being mistaken for a weirdo who talks to himself is fine, but if Shiraishi Rin notices something amiss, then things will get complicated.

Furthermore, isn't his panicked state entirely Ji Yexue's fault?

It's all her fault for letting him get close to Shiraishi Rin, which made him feel guilty, and that's why he did this.

"By the way, isn't Akizuki-kun bringing his sister along? I'd really like to thank her and have a chat with her."

Perhaps feeling that remaining silent was too awkward, Shiraishi Rin took the initiative to start a conversation.

"She..."

After considering his words carefully, Akizuki Makoto replied, "Touko is not free today. Maybe next time. She has an appointment with a friend today."

"Well, then there's nothing we can do about it."

Shiraishi Rin nodded, showing no suspicion.

However, the topic seems to have cooled down again?
At that moment, they passed by a bookstore. Shiraishi Rin glanced inside casually and noticed a poster of Akizuki Makoto displayed at the entrance, which sparked a new topic of conversation.

"Speaking of which, today is the release date of Akizuki-kun's new book. It should generate some buzz, right?"

"is it?"

"I was really shocked when I first saw the original manuscript. Akizuki-kun's ideas are always imaginative and his themes are very bold and novel."

Rin Shiraishi sighed, thinking of Makoto Akizuki's two works, both of which caused a huge stir in the industry.

There are genius high school students, but those are light novels, which are either about school romance or an overpowered protagonist in an alternate world.

It's hard to imagine that a high school student could write documentary-style realist literature like that of Makoto Akizuki, let alone a work with such delicate emotions.

"Excessive praise."

Akizuki Makoto smiled. This was all thanks to his knowledge from his previous life, and had little to do with him personally; he was simply recreating it.

"By the way, where did Akizuki-kun get the inspiration to suddenly make a comeback and write such a work?"

"Hmm... a flash of inspiration, perhaps?"

Makoto Akizuki's answer was as always. When he submitted his manuscript, the editors at Shinchosha had asked him the same question, but he had always given vague answers.

In terms of creative work, he has never given a decent answer; when asked, he always responds with a flash of inspiration or a sudden whimsy.

Of course, Akizuki Makoto couldn't give a decent answer either. He couldn't very well say that he was a time traveler who plagiarized his previous life's work, could he?
"Akizuki-kun is always like this."

Shiraishi Rin puffed up her cheeks, looking quite displeased.

She is a typical literary girl who loves reading and has read all kinds of books.

She really likes Makoto Akizuki's works, whether it's "Snow Country" or "Journey Under the Midnight Sun".

These two works express completely different ideas, and there is no superior or inferior one. But if asked which one she prefers, she might choose Snow Country.

The reason is simple: I just like that futile, illusory feeling and atmosphere.

"It really was just a flash of inspiration."

Akizuki Makoto scratched his head and smiled with a puzzled look, "It can't be based on real locations or personal experiences, can it?"

"That's right."

Shiraishi Rin nodded, but was still dissatisfied. It was truly painful that she couldn't fully communicate with her favorite author, even though he was right beside her.

"You're really popular, great writer."

Ji Yexue seemed a little jealous, hugged Qiuyue Cheng's neck tightly, narrowed her eyes slightly, and said softly, "Bai Shi would never have imagined that the great writer she admires is a complete scumbag, would she?"

"..."

Qiu Yuecheng listened silently to Ji Yexue's sneer, his eyes darkening slightly.

This change was fleeting, returning to normal in the next second.

At this moment, they had arrived at the station and were preparing to take the train to Shinjuku.

During this time, Akizuki Makoto had gotten used to taking taxis, so taking the tram after so long felt quite novel to him.

"It seems... a bit crowded."

After boarding the train, Shiraishi Rin kept looking around. All around her were students in uniforms or adults dressed in various ways.

"I send you……"

Just as Akizuki Makoto was about to suggest sending Shiraishi Rin to the women's carriage, Himeyasu suddenly chuckled and said, "Makoto, don't you think this is a good opportunity?"

"Eh? What?"

Shiraishi Rin, who was looking around, turned to look at Akizuki Makoto after hearing his voice, and said apologetically, "Sorry, Akizuki-kun, it's a bit noisy here, I didn't hear what you said."

"……fine."

After a second or two of silence, Akizuki Makoto gently shook his head.

During this time, Ji Yexue also expressed her thoughts.

Ji Yexue's idea was simple: to let him create an ambiguous relationship with Shiraishi Rin in this crowded tram.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Akizuki Makoto knew how to manufacture it, after all... he had experience with it.

He still remembered the day he brought Shiina Maki home, and what happened on the train. But replicating it seemed difficult; times had changed. It wasn't rush hour, and while the train was crowded, it wasn't so crowded that you couldn't stand up.

"Should I go to the women's carriage first?"

Shiraishi Rin asked this question. Although it was somewhat impolite to leave Akizuki Makoto alone, wouldn't her staying here only cause him trouble?
"No, no need!"

Qiu Yuecheng quickly stopped her. Ji Yexue had just given an order, and if he didn't complete it, he would be punished.

He doesn't want to be punished, so now he has no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it?

"Eh?"

Shiraishi Rin looked at Akizuki Makoto with surprise and confusion, asking, "What do you mean by 'no need'?"

"follow me."

Akizuki Makoto gritted his teeth, no longer hesitating, and immediately grabbed Shiraishi Rin's hand. While apologizing to the people around him, he pushed through the crowd and led her to the innermost corner of the carriage.

"Eh?! Eh?! Eh?! Eh?!"

Shiraishi Rin stared wide-eyed, not even having a chance to resist, before Akizuki Makoto led her to a corner.

Then, she was leaning against the carriage when Akizuki Makoto pinned her against the wall!
"That way, you won't get squeezed."

Akizuki Makoto braced himself and gave what he thought was a decent smile, saying, "That's what I mean. There's no need to go to the women's carriage. I'll protect you."

"..."

At this moment, Shiraishi Rin's brain had completely shut down, and he could only stare blankly at Akizuki Makoto with wide eyes.

Her mind was in complete chaos; she couldn't understand why Akizuki Makoto was doing this.

"Haha, you really have a knack for this!"

Hime Yuki, who was lying behind Akizuki Makoto, couldn't help but laugh. She didn't expect Akizuki Makoto to be so bold as to turn into a train wolf and take Shiraishi Rin to a corner.

If he hadn't been wearing the same uniform, was handsome, and looked like he and Shiraishi Rin were a couple, he probably would have been stopped and questioned by kind passersby long ago.

"I'm sorry, I made this decision so suddenly."

Akizuki Makoto endured the faint, almost imperceptible chuckles in his ear and bowed his head to apologize to Shiraishi Rin.

In short, let's apologize first!

In island nations, an apology can resolve many things... at least it's not something unforgivable, and an apology can fix it.

"No, it's okay..."

Shiraishi Rin answered blankly, clearly still reeling from the shock.

Looking at Akizuki Makoto, who had pinned her against the edge of the carriage so close to her, her heart began to race.

She has very poor immunity to men; she blushes and her heart races whenever someone gets close to her, let alone when the person who gets close to her is Akizuki Makoto.

She herself harbored a faint affection for Akizuki Makoto.

"No, no, Akizuki-kun is Maki-chan's lover!"

Shiraishi Rin kept telling herself that she shouldn't blush or feel her heart race, but she couldn't control her body.

At this moment, the tram slowly started moving, and a swaying sensation followed.

Lost in thought, Shiraishi Rin was caught off guard and fell to the side with the swaying sensation.

"careful!"

Fortunately, Akizuki Makoto had anticipated this, and after exclaiming in surprise, he quickly reached out a hand to support Shiraishi Rin.

His hand precisely wrapped around Shiraishi Rin's waist, and he smoothly wrapped his arm around her with one hand.

Having had experience before, even though it had been a long time, I was able to do it with ease.

Ji Yexue, who had been observing silently, was surprised and somewhat displeased when she saw Qiuyue Cheng embrace Baishi Lin and hug her.

Actually, her initial plan wasn't that complicated; she could have simply had Akizuki Makoto confess to Shiraishi Rin without needing to get close to her and create any ambiguity.

However, in that case, Shiraishi Rin will most likely consider Shiina Maki and reject Akizuki Makoto.

Moreover, even if Shiina Maki finds out that Akizuki Makoto confessed to Shiraishi Rin, she probably wouldn't believe it from the bottom of her heart; she would definitely guess that there was something fishy going on.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Ji Yexue had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure.

Although she didn't want to see Makoto Akizuki being ambiguous with other women, she had to endure it so that Maki Shiina could understand her feelings.

Since Akizuki has already been unfaithful, even if he doesn't flirt with Shiraishi Rin, he'll still be all lovey-dovey with Shiina Maki in private.

That philandering cat probably already went to home run with Akizuki Makoto, right?
After all, they've been dating for a month and a half. Given Shiina Maki's reserved and reserved personality, it would be strange if she didn't take the initiative.

Makoto Akizuki isn't one to say no, and he'll definitely agree so as not to hurt Maki Shiina's feelings.

Ji Yexue wouldn't normally think about these things, as they would only cause her more annoyance, but she couldn't control her thoughts.

The thought that during her painful, sleepless nights, Shiina Maki could hold Akizuki Makoto, feel his body temperature, and whisper sweet nothings to him filled her with resentment.

Obviously...

She came here first.

She was the one who came first in everything.

But why does she have to be a loser? Why is she forced to share Akizuki Makoto with another woman?

"Well……"

Akizuki felt the hands that were wrapped around his neck suddenly tighten, and he couldn't help but frown.

"W-What's wrong? You suddenly look a little pale?"

Shiraishi Rin observed Akizuki Makoto's expression and cautiously asked, "W-why don't you let me go and let me go to the women's carriage?"

Bunkyo Ward is a distance from Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden; it takes about seventeen or eighteen minutes by train.

She didn't dare to imagine what would happen to her if she continued to be held like this.

"...It's alright, don't worry about me."

Akizuki Makoto shook his head, forcing a smile, but the feeling of suffocation grew stronger and stronger.

Ji Yexue seemed unaware that her unconscious exertion of force with both hands was making Qiuyue Cheng almost suffocate.

It wasn't until Akizuki Makoto couldn't help but cough that she came back to her senses and realized that she had just been immersed in hatred, which had troubled and affected Akizuki Makoto.

"..."

Ji Yexue silently released her arm. For a moment, panic and guilt welled up in her heart, but it was only for a moment.

No matter how terrible she was to Akizuki Makoto, or how much pain he was in, she should not feel guilty about it.

The one who hurt her first was Akizuki Makoto, and Akizuki Makoto has no right to make her feel guilty.

In particular, Akizuki Makoto even came up with the cruel torture of having the three of them together.

How could she bear to watch her beloved have an affair with another woman?

What a joke.

Can Akizuki Makoto accept that she is being intimate with another man in front of him?
Because Akizuki Makoto couldn't accept it, and because of his double standards, Ji Yexue hated Akizuki Makoto immensely.

Of course, even if Akizuki Makoto could accept it, her hatred would only increase.

Rather, it's that her ability to accept it made her even angrier and more resentful.

(End of this chapter)