It's a romantic comedy for everyone, so why am I the only one single?

The cherry blossoms lining the path are still in full bloom, creating a beautiful and comfortable scene against the backdrop of the azure sky.

The sweet scent of cherry blossoms blends perfectly with the aroma of grass and earth, making you want to take a few more deep breaths.

For some reason, the melody of the song "Kizuna no Kiseki" suddenly popped into Iura Hide's head, and he couldn't help but hum along.

"By the way, this song is also a duet, and it's perfect for a live band performance."

"If it can shine, add this song, 'The Miracle of Bonds'."

"If we add one more song, we could make a mini-album."

While thinking about the band, he soon arrived at Mashiro's apartment building.

I walked briskly upstairs, opened the door, and as expected, Mashiro was already sitting on the steps in the entryway, hugging her knees, having been waiting for who knows how long.

"Tadaima!"

"Oka eiri".

With just a simple "right?", the moment their eyes met, Iura Shu couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, alright, stop acting out scenes from romance comics, okay? Can't you see there's a 29-year-old girl next to you who doesn't have a boyfriend yet?"

Just then, Chihiro Sengoku's lazy, sarcastic remark came from the side.

This time, however, Iura Hide replied with a 'very impolite' laugh, 'That's because the criteria for choosing a partner you set are too strange, teacher.'

Chihiro Sengoku paused for a moment, then, as if she were seeing Hideaki Iura in a new light, she looked him up and down and teased, "How about I set my criteria for a partner to be a young man like you?"

Chihiro Sengoku deliberately increased the volume of the word "little boy".

Upon hearing this, Iura Hide exaggeratedly made a disgusted face and retorted, "Then I'd better not. Teacher, you're too unreliable. I can't handle you."

Immediately after, Iura Hide, who had already changed his shoes, shoved the fried rice he was carrying into her hands before she could speak again.

"This is fried rice I made myself. It should still be warm now, but it will get cold if it's any later."

Chihiro looked at Hideki Iura, then at the golden fried rice in her hand, which looked incredibly appetizing even through the transparent plastic box. In the end, she decisively swallowed back what she was about to say.

After all, you're obligated to someone who feeds you.

"Alright, let me taste your fried rice and see if it's good. You'd better go help Mashiro change her clothes now~"

"Cough cough!"

As Iura Hide led Mashiro to the room door, a hint of embarrassment flashed across his eyes.

Clearly, Chihiro Sengoku knew that he had taken advantage of Mashiro quite a bit during this period.

so.

"Chihiro Sengoku is such an unreliable guy! Thank goodness she chose me! If it were any other guy, Mashiro would probably have been completely taken advantage of by now."

Iura Hide secretly complained to himself.

However, he overlooked the fact that Chihiro Sengoku had to find a boy.

After a series of blush-inducing actions, Iura Shu finally brought Mashiro, who had washed up and changed her clothes, to the dining table.

At this moment, Chihiro Sengoku had finished her own fried rice and was now staring longingly at Mashiro's.

Seeing Iura Hide approach, she quickly stopped drooling and calmly commented, "The taste is not bad. Although it can't compare to the fried rice sold in restaurants, it's about average. The only downside is that the portion is a bit small."

Objectively speaking, Chihiro Sengoku's assessment was not wrong.

Iura Hide himself felt that his fried rice skills were just average, nothing amazing or delicious, and definitely not as good as those restaurants that specialize in fried rice.

But it should taste a bit better than the bento boxes sold in supermarkets.

As for the quantity

"Please, I've already prepared double the amount for Mashiro, okay? This amount is almost enough for me to eat."

Unable to accept that she had eaten so much, Chihiro Sengoku gulped down the last mouthful of beer and complained, "Don't forget I'm an adult! Is this a lot for an adult?"

Iura Hide didn't mince words, giving her a big eye roll and retorting, "Now you're not saying you're a girl anymore?"

Chihiro Sengoku was speechless and could only reluctantly and dejectedly skip the topic, then her eyes darted around and she started talking about cleaning the room.

This originally had nothing to do with Hideaki Iura.

But who could blame me for being caught red-handed yesterday? In my panic, I accidentally agreed to Chihiro's request.

"Okay, I'll do it as soon as possible."

Iura Hide didn't explain to her that he had been really busy lately.

Chihiro Sengoku, on the other hand, seemed to have been inquiring about him all along. Upon seeing this, she raised an eyebrow slightly and took the initiative to ask about the novel.

"I heard from Nikaido that your novel is highly regarded by the editor. Not only has it been signed, but it's also due this weekend?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

"Come on, Nikaido bragged about it to everyone in the office yesterday, you know~"

"Uh"

Iura Hide felt inexplicably embarrassed.

He simply couldn't imagine that Yuri Nikaido, who usually exuded a stern, aloof, and queen-like aura, would do something like this behind the scenes.

"That's not surprising. As a teacher, it's natural to be proud when your students achieve such success. Otherwise, why would I have gone to such lengths to persuade Mashiro to come here?"

"Huh?" Iura Hide's eyes widened, as if he had discovered some incredible truth.

"Why are you glaring at me? In the end, you're the one who got off easy, you brat~" Chihiro Sengoku glared back defiantly, which made Hideki Iura rub his nose awkwardly.

"Besides, without Nikaido's endorsement and intercession, do you think you could sleep through class every day without any teachers intervening? Teachers would have talked to you long ago, and even your parents. After all, you're considered a 'star' in the school. If you suddenly become like this, the teachers will definitely inquire about it."

"Uh"

Iura Hide was stunned again, completely unexpected that Nikaido Yuri had done so much for him behind the scenes.

After the initial surprise, he felt a surge of emotion.

"But if you ask me, you're making yourself so busy and tired for these things, it's really putting the cart before the horse." Chihiro Sengoku suddenly dropped her lazy expression and revealed a serious look.

"Writing novels, drawing comics, making music—you can do these whenever you have the ability. As long as you don't give up, you can keep doing them for the rest of your life."

"But this carefree and wonderful high school life, if you miss it this time, you may never have a second chance in your life."

Iura Hide stared blankly at Sengoku Chihiro, completely unable to believe that such philosophical words came from the mouth of this unreliable guy.

until

"So, I brought Mashiro to Japan for her own good. Otherwise, if she stayed in England and did nothing but draw all day, her life would be too boring, right, Mashiro?"

"Ok!"

While munching on her fried rice and listening to the two chatting, Mashiro glanced at Iura Shu beside her and nodded seriously.

Although she possesses world-class painting talent, she prefers drawing comics to oil paintings.

Just like Saori Himegami, who has piano talent comparable to Kousei Arima in "April", but prefers to play the violin.

Over time, she became quite tired from her grandfather's earnest teachings and her parents' caring greetings every day.

Arriving in Japan and staying at Chihiro Sengoku's house brought her an unprecedented sense of ease and freedom. What's more, she also met a very special boy there.

On the other side, Hideaki Iura couldn't help but chuckle.

So, what Chihiro Sengoku just said was to make amends for herself.

However, it must be admitted that what Chihiro Sengoku said makes a lot of sense.

As a time traveler, he should have plenty of opportunities to achieve financial freedom in this world, but if he misses out on this carefree and enjoyable high school life, he will never be able to relive it again.

"Hmm, after I finish writing 'April,' I'll slowly write the next one!" Iura Hide thought to himself.

Perhaps because of Chihiro's words, he had a different feeling about the scenery he saw on his way to school with Mashiro.

Especially when you're almost at school, you see groups of classmates walking to school together passing by on the roadside.

A wave of youthful energy washed over him, causing him to unconsciously slow his pace.

"Hey, Iura, Mashiro, Ouch!"

"Ohayo".

A familiar voice suddenly came from behind, making Iura Hide stop in his tracks.

Turning around to look at Yoshikawa Yuki, who was waving her cute sleeves with a grin, even her simple greeting was adorable, Iura Shu couldn't help but smile.

Despite being at different times and taking different routes, they were still able to meet here, which gave him a strange feeling.

But in reality, most coincidences in the world are actually deliberate.

For example, Yoshikawa Yuki just spent a full 7 minutes and 28 seconds in the convenience store that she would definitely pass by on her way to school, debating whether to buy juice or milk. In the end, as she and Mashiro passed by, she grabbed two cans of coffee and paid as quickly as possible.

"By the way, Iura, you're going to the recording studio to record a song after school this afternoon, right?"

"Yes."

"Can I come along?" Yoshikawa Yuki pointed to herself, suppressing her anticipation, and asked casually.

"What are you going there for? A recording studio isn't a karaoke bar, it's boring, okay?"

"It's okay, I've never been to a recording studio before, and I just wanted to see what it's like!"

"Alright then, but I think you'll definitely be disappointed."

"No way."

Yoshikawa Yuki secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and the smile on her face seemed to become even brighter.

Actually, she could have waited until lunchtime to ask about this.

But perhaps out of fear of being rejected by Iura Shu, or perhaps for some other reason, after agonizing over it all night, she couldn't help but come over early.

"Will Mashiro come along too?" Yoshikawa Yuki glanced at Mashiro beside her and asked casually.

"Please, do you think everyone is as free as you?" Iura Hide retorted without any politeness.

"And after I finish recording the song, I still need to discuss forming a band with someone, so you might have to go back first."

"Eh? Is that so?"

Yoshikawa Yuki blinked, her mood suddenly feeling like she was on a rollercoaster, the slight elation that had just appeared turning into disappointment in the next second.