Tokyo: My Girlfriend

The moment the two, who hadn't seen each other for a week, locked eyes, both Shinichi Kitagawa and Hina Kasuga couldn't help but dilate their pupils and tremble in their gazes.

Haruhi Hina's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

Her beloved was right in front of her, and there was no one else around. She really wanted to just throw herself into his arms.

She held him tightly in her arms.

She and Shinichi Kitagawa would stay together forever, never to be separated for all eternity.

However, Haruhi Hina knew she couldn't be so selfish. Because she loved Kitagawa Shinichi, he was the only one who had to be happy; happiness was her top priority.

Haruhi Hina knew there was no way to avoid him anymore; he had been waiting for her all along. She forced a smile and said, "Shinobu... Kitagawa-kun, you're still here? It's so late."

This was the first time Shinichi Kitagawa had ever heard Haruna Kasuga address him like that.

Even if they pretended not to know each other at school, she still referred to herself as Shin-yi.

"Why are you crying?" he asked, ignoring the question.

Haruhi Hina was stunned. She wiped her eyes with her fingers and realized that she had unconsciously shed tears. She hurriedly wiped them with the back of her hand and made up an excuse: "I just... I was watching a TV series in the office and I saw a touching part... Teacher is someone who is easily influenced by emotions."

Shinichi Kitagawa couldn't believe it: "I seem to recall Hina using that excuse before?"

Haruhi Hina clenched her fingers, pressed her lips together, and instead of stopping, her tears flowed even more freely, her voice choked with emotion:

"I'm sorry... I have to go home, it's very late."

She hurriedly tried to escape from Shinichi Kitagawa's presence; she knew she couldn't maintain her lie in front of him.

The quickening footsteps of her high heels left the teaching building, but when she reached a secluded patch of grass, Shinichi Kitagawa still grabbed her slender wrist.

He pulled her into his arms.

Her heart skipped a beat, and Haruhi Hina instinctively hugged him tightly, pressing her face against his chest.

After embracing, they gazed deeply into each other's eyes, their lips slowly drawing closer.

But the next second she realized she really couldn't do that. She lowered her head, the shadow of her bangs obscuring her eyes, pushed Kitagawa Shinichi away, and tried to keep her tone cold: "Kitagawa-kun, please don't do this. This is school. Please let go of the teacher, or I'll really get angry."

She pushed him away again with all her might: "Please show some respect for your teacher..."

Kitagawa Shinichi frowned, scrutinizing Haruhi Hina, who seemed to have made up her mind, before releasing her:

"Don't you think Hina owes me an explanation? She just sent me a simple message and then never replied. If we really wanted to break up, there was no need for this kind of avoidance."

Haruhi Hina took a few steps back from his embrace to create some distance:

"Didn't I explain it clearly already...? I just feel like there's nothing left to talk about. Breaking up doesn't require both people to agree, right? Besides, Shin-yi and I are quite different—there's an age gap, a difference in status. Maybe we're best suited to be just friends. Haven't you thought about that?"

"It was there at the beginning, I thought about it a few years ago when it was first added."

Haruhi Hina seemed to have finally found a breakthrough, and anxiously said, tears welling up in her eyes again:

"See? You've thought about it too. Maybe this is the right way. If the school finds out about our relationship, it'll be bad for everyone. Rena is still waiting for you to come home, isn't she? Let's go back..."

Kitagawa Shinichi clenched his fist tightly with one finger as well:

"I will go back, until everything is clear. But... Hina, are you sure? Even though it seems like there are no obstacles left, and it's only a matter of time before Rena agrees to be with us, I really don't know how to give up at a time like this... You're even still texting me..."

Haruhi Hina hesitated, her eyes never meeting his: "The message? Oh, that 'I love you, Hina' was just a polite thing to say. It wasn't a lie, but lovers are supposed to be loyal when they're together, right? Since we've broken up... there's no need to keep that message in mind..."

Shinichi Kitagawa remained silent.

Haruhi Hinata's hands were clenched so tightly that her nails turned white from the force.

She forced a gentle smile and finally looked up, but her vision was already blurred by tears.

"Besides, Shinichi doesn't really like me, does he? He only tried to keep me because he invested too much emotionally. Maybe you haven't even realized your own feelings for Reina. Breaking up is a relief for both of us. This way, we can both pursue our own happy lives. Isn't that right...?"

"Is the emotional investment too high?"

As she spoke, she suddenly seemed lost in thought for a moment, noticing that Shinichi Kitagawa's eyes were also red, filled with intense disappointment.

And for some reason, that gaze reminded Haruhi Hina of a line from Tamura Kyoko: "Hina...haven't you thought about the possibility of Shinichi hating you? You definitely wouldn't be able to handle that."

A look of unexpected fear flashed in Haruhi Hina's eyes.

Shinichi Kitagawa looked at the person he thought he would be with forever, his voice gentle, even tender:

"I never really thought I would be disappointed in Hina... I know what you just said was half true and half false, or even entirely false except for one sentence, but for me, even when Reina's situation was so difficult to resolve, even during the time we were briefly apart..."

I never imagined we'd truly separate, because I genuinely love Hina—her personality, her hobbies, everything about her. I used to think Hina felt the same way... But now you're telling me you think I did all this just because it was too costly... It seems my feelings weren't truly conveyed to Hina."

Haruhi Hina instinctively reached out to take it back, but realized she might have gone too far. However, she put her hand down just as she raised it.

She gave a soft, hoarse "hmm," as if she had used up all her strength.

"That's it, Shinichi..."

Shinichi Kitagawa saw the movement in her hand and his eyes were full of disappointment: "Then I wish you a happy life. Although it's not necessary, I still thank you for taking the liberty of bringing Rena and me together. Goodbye, Hina-sensei, or rather, Hina-nee."

Haruhi Hina slowly squatted down, covering her red lips with her hands, tears falling drop by drop onto the school's stone path, her sobs continuing.

Listening to the sound of Shinichi Kitagawa's footsteps as he left.

She really felt like she could hardly breathe.

I felt so nauseous that my stomach was churning. I covered my mouth, frowned, and clutched my shirt tightly to my chest. Suddenly, the world spun before my eyes.

Saturday.

Kyoko Tamura once again took the train to Kabasaki-cho and knocked on her best friend's door, but no one answered.

Remembering that the other person had given her a key, she opened the door and saw Hina lying on the sofa, pale-faced and with bloodless lips.

He rushed over immediately: "Hina!"

Wearing the same clothes as yesterday, Haruhi Hina's voice was weak, as if she hadn't slept all night: "I'm fine...it's just that my stomach hurts a little."

"You're practically dead and you're still saying you're okay! I'm taking you to the hospital!"

After a long day of fussing, Tamura Kyoko looked again at Hina, who had returned from the hospital but was now lying in bed barely alive.

Kyoko Tamura is holding the stomach medicine and painkillers prescribed by the doctor:

"Thank goodness I only gave you alcoholic beverages the other day, which had no alcohol content at all, and you still got stomach cramps. If I hadn't come to see you, were you really planning to die in your rented room? Even if that was the case, weren't you going to call Shinichi Kitagawa?"

Haruhi Hina looked out the window, tears welling in the corners of her eyes: "Can stomach cramps really kill someone...?"

"Stomach cramps won't kill you, but heartbreak can be deadly. Are people who commit suicide for love an isolated case? I've heard of many suicides for love, but Hina is the first one to do so. She clearly loves Kitagawa Shinichi but still insisted on giving him up. Fortunately, nothing unusual happened on Friday, right? I also suggest that you avoid him for a while. Since you've made up your mind, it's better for you two not to see each other."

Haruhi Hina's stomach ached again at the thought of Kitagawa Shinichi, and she turned over. "It's okay... I've already seen him. I had a brief chat with him. Shinichi just seems to dislike me a bit, saying I don't trust him, but that's not true..." She sniffled, her fingers gripping the blankets tightly. "How could I not trust Shinichi... I remember every single word he said so clearly."

"Hmm, as expected." Kyoko Tamura hadn't entirely underestimated the possibility of them meeting on Friday. After all, Shinichi Kitagawa wasn't the type to be easily dismissed; he'd definitely investigate. "How does it feel to be disliked by Shinichi? First time experiencing this, right?"

Haruhi Hina started crying again, burying her face in the blankets: "Stop...stop talking..."

Kyoko Tamura knew that the other person had reached their limit. Although she wanted to ask what they had talked about, she figured it probably wasn't a conversation that would make her happy.

Looking at the stomach medicine in her hand, Kyoko Tamura put it aside.

"Go to sleep. I'll stay home with you for the next couple of days. It won't be as effective as Xin Yi's company, but it's better than nothing."

"Thanks.."

Kyoko Tamura was surprised: "Why are you being so polite with me? If Shinichi might come to take care of you, you can thank him then."

"It's impossible..." she choked up, her voice rising even louder, "I just never imagined it would hurt this much... I feel pain all over my body..."

Kyoko Tamura sighed and reached out to stroke and soothe Hina Haruhi's head.

-------------

The sun was still shining brightly on Saturday, but Shinichi Kitagawa felt the sky was a bit overcast and it might rain tonight.

As agreed, at the beginning of this month, he had to accompany Aoki Akemi to Tokyo for a simple job interview.

After that, Mingmei officially became a signed singer with New Star Entertainment.

Although due to her student status, Aoki Akemi was destined not to be able to participate in all of the company's activities and training, and even part-time singers like her would mostly be left to their own devices.

However, as long as a legitimate company helps her promote and expand her fame...

With the guidance of Shinichi Kitagawa and the writing of original songs, becoming famous is not a problem given his absolute talent; the only question is how long it will take to achieve fame.

I've lost count of how many times I've taken the train from Kabasaki to Tokyo.

On the train, Shinichi Kitagawa sat next to Akemi Aoki. Today, Akemi wasn't wearing her school uniform; instead, she was wearing a dress similar to the one worn by Hina Haruhi.

Kitagawa Shinichi felt a pang of heartache as he recalled yesterday's events, but thankfully his heart condition had been cured.

Otherwise, after what happened yesterday, I'm afraid I'd be lying in the hospital again today.

"Shinichi-kun, I'm so nervous..." Aoki Akemi hugged the documents she was going to bring, pursed her lips, and trembled with excitement: "After all, it's such a famous entertainment company. I never thought I would be able to get into it in my life."

Shinichi Kitagawa's voice sounded slightly tired as he softly comforted him, "There are still several hours before we arrive in Tokyo. Don't be nervous now."

Akemi Aoki looked at Shinichi Kitagawa, her hands trembling: "Shinichi-kun, are you nervous?"

He laughed: "Of course I'm not nervous. What's the question? This is just a formality. I passed all the interviews."

Akemi Aoki stammered, "That's true, but I still can't help being scared... Can I hug Shinichi-kun? Just a quick hug will do, otherwise I feel like I could stay like this for hours!"

"Akemi's reaction is a bit exaggerated... but..." His eyes looked at the color of Aoki Akemi's red lips, which were exactly the same as Hina's: "Okay, let's just give her a simple hug, otherwise it will be troublesome if something unexpected happens."

The two embraced on the tram.

Shinichi Kitagawa knew that he was holding Akemi, and that the scent on her body was Akemi's.

But it still feels a little familiar.

Aoki Akemi eased her inner tension, while her fox-like eyes secretly observed Kitagawa Shinichi's subtle movements.

Shinichi-kun... he did talk to Haruna-sensei yesterday, although I don't know the specifics, judging from Shinichi-kun's reaction.

It's definitely completely disconnected...

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so heartbroken since we met this morning; she probably didn't sleep much last night either.

She gently grasped Shinichi Kitagawa's back with her fingers, snuggling close to him.

Unexpectedly, Shinichi Kitagawa hugged her even tighter, as if he had temporarily entrusted some kind of emotion to her.

A faint blush rose to Aoki Akemi's face. Shinichi's embrace felt so warm... and he smelled so good...

And he hugged me so tightly the first time... Even though I know he might not be thinking about me, I still really like it.