Tokyo Sick Girlfriend

Chapter 126 Seeking fragrance
Hojo Shione's voice has always been very gentle.

Seemingly afraid that her sudden voice would frighten him, she deliberately lowered her tone.

"Ah, no."

Meeting the girl's questioning gaze, Shiratori Seiya put down his pen, shook his head, and said:
"I was cooking very well, but I was thinking about some things, and before I knew it, I was overthinking it."

Upon hearing this, Hojo Shione smiled helplessly, her face showing an expression of 'I really can't do anything with you,' and hung the bag she was carrying on the back of the chair next to her before sitting down.

She picked up the chopsticks that Shiratori Seiya had placed beside his bowl, picked up a piece of chicken leg and put it in his bowl. Glancing out of the corner of her eye at the book on photography in his hand, she asked softly:
"Are you thinking about Ms. Takahashi?"

"Ah, almost."

Shiratori Seiya tucked the notebook into the book, closed the pen cap, and knew in his heart that although Hojo Shione didn't seem to dislike Takahashi Mio on the surface, the two of them actually didn't get along.

The other day, the two of them ran into each other in the morning and still argued, even in front of each other. If they met in private, who knows how much they would argue.

But Shiratori Seiya felt that a fight was unlikely, since Mio was all talk and no action, but was actually a coward to the core.

Regardless, he didn't want to mention the other person in front of them, and after thinking for a moment, he said:

Actually, I was thinking more about you.

"?"

Hojo Shione was taken aback, a ripple appearing in her moist eyes.

After realizing what had happened, she subconsciously swallowed and gave a forced, light laugh, saying:

"Me? Why would you be thinking about my own things?"

Although she was already in control, Shiratori Seiya could still hear that her voice was trembling slightly.

He didn't answer, but asked directly:
"I remember your contract is about to expire, right? It should be in January next year, right? Have you decided which company to sign with?"

"I……"

Hojo Shione opened her mouth, then slowly lowered her gaze, staring at her clenched, white hands, and said:

"I'm still thinking about it."

As she spoke, she raised her face and smiled at Shiratori Seiya, saying:

"Anyway, there are still three months left. Given their terrible performance at the last concert, they might not be willing to sign a contract according to the original terms..."

She paused, then couldn't help but ask again:
"Why is Kiyoya suddenly asking about this?"

Seeing that she insisted on asking, and perhaps because she was emotional, Shiratori Seiya pursed his lips and said:
"Is this something so strange? Even as a friend, wouldn't it be okay to show some concern?"

friend?

Hearing Shiratori Seiya utter that word, Hojo Shione felt a pang of pain in her heart. She was about to say something when he continued:

"I know, Xiyin, you still resent me, but now that things have come to this, I simply can't ignore you."

So, if you can't let go, why did you break up with me in the first place? Is Mio Takahashi really that great? What makes her better than me?
Hojo Shione roared the question twice in her mind, but did not say it aloud.

She knew that even if she brought up these questions, Shiratori Seiya wouldn't tell her, and it would only make the current situation between them more awkward.

He took a deep breath, his eyes darted around, and he tried his best to calm down and analyze the intention behind Shiratori Seiya's question.

After a long pause, she smiled and said:

"It's alright. We can just hire a lawyer to check for any loopholes in the contract. As for the compensation, we'll have to discuss it. If it really doesn't work out, there's nothing we can do..."

She paused for a moment, then looked at Shiratori Seiya and said:

"However, did Kiyoya ask me today if you were interested in helping me negotiate the contract later?"

Shiratori Seiya did not hesitate and said directly:

"Hmm, I feel like your manager isn't very experienced. She didn't even memorize the contract terms for the last concert. She's a bit unreliable."

"Ah, Kiyoya is talking about Ms. Fukada. She works really hard and is very dedicated to her job. As for the contract, she was probably just too nervous that day, right?"

She paused, then gave Shiratori Seiya a meaningful look and sighed:

"However, it would be too unfair to compare him to Kiyoya. No one can compare to Kiyoya."

Shiratori Seiya exchanged a glance with her, understanding that she was testing his attitude. After thinking for a moment, he didn't want to spoil her mood and smiled:

"I'm not as good as you say, but I think there might be opportunities to cooperate in the future." "..."

Upon hearing his words, Hojo Shione's eyes froze for a moment. Realizing what was happening, she clenched her fists even tighter under the table, her fingertips digging into her flesh.

Although she only received a vague answer from him, she had been waiting for these words for a long time; she dreamed of going back to the days when they were together...

The poor design of his own concert was not in vain.

However, Hojo Shione was merely excited; she was far from being moved to tears of joy.

It's too late, these kinds of promises...

Kiyo, I can't believe it anymore.

A strange emotion flickered in her eyes, and she smiled gently at Shiratori Seiya:

"If there is an opportunity to cooperate in the future, that would be wonderful."

"Will do."

Seeing that she didn't seem to care, Shiratori Seiya repeated himself, then asked as if he had thought of something:
"By the way, Xiyin, why didn't you ring the doorbell today?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Hojo Shione's smile froze.

Are you afraid I'll ruin your good time with those two bastards, Hasegawa and Takahashi?

"Ah, I'm sorry, I... I just didn't think much of it because you told me the password last time, Kiyoya. I thought you hadn't come back yet..."

She explained for a moment, then said earnestly:
"I'll ring the doorbell first next time."

"No."

Shiratori Seiya waved his hand and said:
“It has nothing to do with that. I remember you once said that you liked to ring the doorbell and then ask me to come out and meet you. I just wanted to say that there’s no need to go through all that trouble.”

"..."

Upon hearing his words, Hojo Shione paused for a moment, and memories of the past flooded back.

He still remembers...

The softest spot in my heart was touched.

It felt like chewing a plum, the sourness exploding in my mouth, followed by a sweet aftertaste after swallowing.

She opened her mouth, forcibly suppressing the surging emotions within her, and explained with a smile:
"Ah, no, I know that Kiyoya probably works from home most of the time, so I didn't want to disturb you and just entered the password without permission..."

Upon hearing this, Shiratori Seiya continued:

"Actually, whether you come in directly or ring the doorbell, Xiyin, you can come however you like..."

Seeing that her jealousy had subsided considerably, Shiratori Seiya glanced at her handbag on the back of the chair and changed the subject:

"By the way, I saw your message. What were you getting just now?"

"what."

Upon hearing this, Hojo Shione snapped out of her reverie, her eyes gleaming. She presented the handbag to herself like a prized possession, pulling out two long wooden boxes from it, saying:
"Dangdang."

"After what happened to me, a friend heard that I was under a lot of pressure and specifically recommended that I go to Tianshui Temple to get a piece of sandalwood incense, which is said to be very effective."

“I know that you usually forget to rest when you’re working, and it’s not easy for you, so I went to the temple a couple of days ago to ask for an extra set of incense.”

She opened the wooden box, inside which were neatly arranged dozens of sandalwood sticks. Unlike ordinary sandalwood with a yellowish-brown surface, this incense was vermilion red.

"The master inside said it has the effect of calming the mind and relaxing the body. I heard it's very effective. After you finish eating, Qingzai, we can light a couple of sticks and see if they work."

As she spoke, Hojo Shione took out two sticks of incense and held them up to Shiratori Seiya's nose, saying:

"Kiyoshi, smell this, doesn't it smell quite nice?"

Hearing that she had also asked for one for herself, Shiratori Seiya was touched and took the incense to smell it.

"It's pretty good..."

……
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(End of this chapter)