Tokyo Sick Girlfriend

Chapter 52 The Truth
After leaving Mio Takahashi's apartment building, Seiya Shiratori did not go home.

I took out my phone and glanced at the meeting address provided by Fujiyama Keio. I casually made a few sarcastic remarks and strolled leisurely under the neon lights.

At this moment, Shiratori Seiya had stopped thinking about the events of the day. If someone asked him why he was letting his mind go blank, he would probably answer with something like, "I've thought about it enough," or "I'm too tired."

First it was the Hojo sisters, now it's Saori Hasegawa. Ex-girlfriends have come one after another in a short period of time, especially the strong emotions that Saori Hasegawa showed today, which has had a great impact on me.

It came too fast, too suddenly, too swiftly.

As a result, I couldn't help but feel a sense of exhaustion, and I had an urge to let go of the steering wheel while driving on the highway.

However, such a thought only lasted for a moment before Shiratori Seiya immediately regained his senses and reason took back control of the steering wheel.

This has happened more than once.

When my parents passed away and I was left all alone, when I was staying with my aunt, when I was undergoing surgery, when I was facing financial difficulties, when I faced failure time and time again...

These thoughts of giving up on myself always come up, but controlling myself and staying rational has become a habit.

There will definitely be better options.

Taking a deep breath, Shiratori Seiya's eyes hardened. He glanced down at the navigation on his phone, confirming that he would reach the location where Saori and the others were having dinner after just one more traffic light.

However, just as he looked up, with his right foot only halfway up, he saw a figure stop in front of him.

Using the streetlights, Shiratori Seiya recognized the person approaching and instinctively called out their name.

"Saori?"

"Ah."

The girl nodded blankly. She had changed into a black and white tracksuit and had her hair tied in a high ponytail.

Perhaps because they were too close, Shiratori Seiya could smell the fresh scent of laundry detergent on her.

He took half a step back, then realized what was happening and asked in confusion:

"What are you doing here? Didn't you go to the club dinner with your friends?"

"Well……"

Saori Hasegawa hesitated for a moment, her clear eyes flickered, and she pursed her red lips as she softly said:
"Because...because Kiyoya said he would treat Saori to dinner, so Saori didn't go..."

She didn't dare say that she had actually been following Shiratori Seiya the whole time, watching him escort Takahashi Mio home.

As she followed, she discovered that after Shiratori Seiya saw the thief off, he didn't go home but instead headed towards his club gathering. She finally realized what was going on and quickly jumped out.

Listening to the girl's explanation, Shiratori Seiya gave her a deep look, not asking why she had run into him by such a coincidence, but nodding and saying:
"I meant I wanted to treat Saori to dinner, but you'll have to answer my questions properly first, right?"

Upon hearing this, Saori Hasegawa unconsciously widened her eyes, her breathing became more rapid, and she swallowed hard.
"It's Saori, did I answer incorrectly?"

Looking into her eyes, Shiratori Seiya calmly began to speak:

"Lying is wrong, isn't it? And stabbing people with a sword is wrong too, isn't it? I remember telling Saori before that you should never stab someone with a sword unless you are threatened or in danger. Have you forgotten what I said?"

Upon hearing his words, the girl felt a sharp pain in her heart, as if she were about to lose something important.

Her face turned deathly pale with fright. She bit her lip tightly and raised her hand to try and pull on Shiratori Seiya's sleeve.

"I'm sorry, Saori made a mistake..."

Saori's voice choked up, her tone full of pleading:

"How about Saori treats Kiyoya to dinner...?"

"Where did you get the money to treat us to dinner?" Shiratori Seiya felt somewhat helpless. Whether it was high school or university kendo competitions, since their core purpose was education and talent selection, they didn't offer prize money at all.

In other words, Saori's sources of income are living expenses and money earned from part-time jobs.

Considering her family situation, her living expenses are estimated to be meager, with most of her income coming from part-time jobs.

Moreover, given her appetite, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she spends all her living expenses on food.

Shiratori Seiya glanced at Saori's sportswear and shoes; although they were clean, it was easy to tell they were old.

There was no trace of makeup on her face, but she was naturally beautiful and looked good even without it.

"Ugh……"

Turning his gaze away from Saori, Shiratori Seiya shook his head and said:
"Let's go."

"Oh."

Along the way, Hasegawa Saori followed Shiratori Seiya like a wronged little wife.

Looking at the empty space between them, Saori pursed her lips, hesitated for a long time, and timidly raised her hand to grab the hem of Shiratori Seiya's clothes.

Sensing her movement, Shiratori Seiya stopped.

Noticing his actions, the girl felt a jolt in her heart, and a look of helplessness flashed in her beautiful eyes...

Fortunately, Shiratori Seiya only paused for a moment before continuing to walk forward.

Seeing this, Saori breathed a sigh of relief, her lips unconsciously curving upwards, and her eyes narrowing into crescent shapes.

As expected, Kiyoya is the best; he wouldn't abandon Saori...

…………

Across the street from where the kendo club had their meal, Shiratori Seiya chose a ramen shop he frequented.

This shop isn't very big, and it only offers a few types of ramen, but its signature premium ramen is quite delicious.

When Shiratori Seiya first ate here, he felt the taste was similar to that in Kyoto, so he started coming here often afterward.

"Please give me three bowls of tonkotsu ramen, three chicken skewers, three beef skewers, and a seafood soup..."

Shiratori Seiya and Saori chose a corner spot and called over the owner to order.

"Uh, are there only two of you...?"

Shiratori Seiya was a regular at the shop, but when he heard how much he had ordered, the owner couldn't help but look up at him again, instinctively wanting to ask if it was too much.

However, upon noticing the girl beside him, a look of understanding flashed in the boss's eyes. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, quickly noting it down and asking:
"Um, is there anything else you need?"

Shiratori Seiya noticed his change and glanced at Hasegawa Saori again.

Noticing the gazes of the two, Saori Hasegawa turned her face toward the wall like a quail, her hands on her thighs unconsciously clenching.

That's all for now. We'll order more if we need more later.

"OK, just a second."

Knowing that this regular customer wasn't an outgoing person who liked to chat, the boss didn't say much, politely nodded and smiled at him, and then left.

Shiratori Seiya poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of Saori, then took a sip himself, staring at her fair forehead and asking:
"Saori, you've been following me since college, right?"

……
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(End of this chapter)