Tokyo: My Girlfriend

Kyoko Tamura, wearing a bodycon skirt and off-the-shoulder short-sleeved top, also spotted Shinichi Kitagawa and his sister among the crowd.

Although she still felt a bit scared of the silver-haired girl's cold face because of what happened last time.

But Tamura Kyoko was no ordinary person; her fear didn't stop her from waving and greeting Kitagawa Shinichi.

Shinichi Kitagawa lowered his head and said to Rena, "I'm going to chat with my friends for a while. I'll come find you and Akemi later."

Kitagawa Rena was full of doubts as she watched Kitagawa Shinichi walk away to meet his so-called friend. She also saw that familiar-looking guy—that woman, wasn't she Haruhi Hina's best friend?

How did I end up here?

Just as Rena was about to think about it further, Aoki Akemi and Aoki Hirano ran over from a distance: "Rena-chan! Good afternoon! It's so lively today!"

Hirano Aoki also said, "Are there any new activities at this year's gathering? There are so many people helping out; it's never been this lively before."

Kitagawa Rena was drawn by the two people's shouts, but when she turned around, she found that her brother and the woman had already disappeared into the crowd.

There were just too many people.

Akemi Aoki asked curiously, "Where's Shinichi? I haven't seen him."

"Yeah, where's your partner?"

Rena Kitagawa turned away helplessly and walked towards Kana: "She went to chat with someone and said she'd come back to us later. Let's help Kana first."

What did that woman want? It's obvious what she wanted, but she should be fine... This breakup should be quite formal.

The siblings on the side exchanged a glance, wondering who Shinichi Kitagawa could talk to, since he usually only had a few friends with them.

The streets where the gathering took place were adorned with lanterns and strings of small neon lights. Although they weren't lit yet since it wasn't dark, one could already imagine how beautiful the gathering would be that evening.

Aunt Sato and Kana Sato stood at the front of the line and clapped their hands:

"Thank you all for coming to the shrine to help! Please split into teams and set up your assigned areas as instructed. Tonight, those who wish can have dinner at the shrine, where there will be special chocolates and other sweets."

Under the arrangement of Aunt Sato and Kana, the noisy crowd split into several groups and went to work.

Shinichi Kitagawa approached Kyoko Tamura and greeted her, then subconsciously glanced around to make sure Hina wasn't there: "Kyoko-nee? What brings you to Kabasaki-cho? When did you arrive?"

With her short hair, Tamura Kyoko looked at the handsome young man in front of her and said with a smile, "Didn't we say before that you could just call me Kyoko? Let's go help out at the shrine first, and we can talk while we work. Even though I know you and Hina have broken up, we're still friends, right?"

Kitagawa Shin nodded: "Of course."

Shinichi Kitagawa and Kyoko Tamura went to the entrance of the shrine to hang up some wooden plaques.

Because there were so many people helping, each person could only get a small amount of work.

Kyoko Tamura held up a chair for Shinichi Kitagawa, who then stood on it and tiptoed to hang the wooden sign.

After a brief period of busy work, the two sat down side by side on the curb to rest. Tamura Kyoko took out a canned drink and handed it to her: "Here, it's peach flavored. Haruna said you're not picky about drinks, so I just bought two bottles."

"Thanks."

Tamura Kyoko also popped open a bottle of drink and took a sip: "I must say, the gathering here is quite lively. There are already so many people this afternoon. It doesn't seem that different from Tokyo. I've been in Kabasaki Town for a week now, and everything here is quite surprising."

Shinichi Kitagawa was attending this gathering for the first time, so he couldn't say what it was like in previous years.

Kyoko Tamura looked at Shinichi Kitagawa: "Don't you have anything you want to ask me? Since I'm here, I'll basically tell you the truth whenever you want to ask."

Shinichi Kitagawa hesitated, though he did have some questions he wanted to ask, but upon reflection, he realized there wasn't really anything he wanted to ask.

"Kyoko-nee is here this time..." He had barely finished speaking when he saw the puzzled look on her face, so Kitagawa Shinichi immediately smiled and changed his words, "Kyoko is here to attend the gathering this time, Hina-sensei probably doesn't know, right?"

Tamura Kyoko repeated his words in surprise: "Hina... teacher? It seems you're really disappointed in Hina, you even used a respectful title. Yes, I did sneak over today. I was supposed to go back to Tokyo today, but I thought I should come and talk to you."

Kitagawa Shinichi recalled that day and laughed helplessly: "She told you everything?"

The other person gently shook their head: "No, Haruna gets unwell every time she talks about you, so I didn't ask her in detail. But I've been in the dating scene for many years, and even if she doesn't say anything, I can guess a lot just by looking at her reaction."

Kyoko Tamura rested her chin on her knee with one hand, her tone wistful:

"That's true. Shinichi has made his feelings for Hina very clear, but Hina is still inexplicably internally conflicted, and even pushed you away. If I were Shinichi, I would also be disappointed in a woman like that." She added, "But actually, Hina doesn't really mean that. It's just that she loves you so much that she's acting like that."

Kitagawa Shinichi frowned, but only for a moment before relaxing again, twirling the beverage can in his hand:

"It would be too arrogant to say that I understand her, otherwise she wouldn't have turned out like this. But I can actually understand what Hina is thinking. With her personality, she probably did this because she was thinking that she was willing to give up for my happiness."

But even though I understand it, it's still really uncomfortable to actually do it. She made the decision for me on this matter without my consent. I've already told her I like her, but she doesn't seem to feel my persistence at all. She even said that I really like Reina.

Kyoko Tamura observed Shinichi Kitagawa's expression: "I understand. So you're not going to try to win her back anymore, are you? Even if I dare say that if you were a little more assertive, you might be able to get back together immediately, and she would come back to you right away."

Shinichi Kitagawa countered, "But even if you get back together with Hina, it will be against your will, right? You'll probably continue to fight each other because of Reina, and you won't be happy being with me."

Kyoko Tamura sighed, "That's how it is. That's just her personality. No one can change her. She can only rely on herself. Only when she starts to value her own happiness can she truly find it."

Shinichi Kitagawa looked at the drink in his hand.

After a long silence, Kyoko Tamura finally asked, "Will you always love Hina, Shinichi?"

Shinichi Kitagawa froze, unsure how to answer the question.

Kyoko Tamura couldn't press the matter further, because neither answering yes nor no would be the best one, and feelings can't be judged by words alone.

But if Shinichi Kitagawa really gives up on Hina, then Hina will probably never like anyone else in her life.

"Can you give Hina a little more time? She'll figure it out eventually. She'll realize that love is selfish. Don't be too angry with that idiot."

Shinichi Kitagawa didn't answer, because it seemed impossible to represent Hina with a single emotion like anger.

He recalled something Kyoko Tamura had just said: "You just said she hasn't been feeling well lately?"

"Yeah, I've had a stomachache for a week now. I've been tossing and turning in bed and can't sleep well. I've never had this happen before. I guess I was too heartbroken after the breakup. I've ruined myself to the point of almost losing my life."

Kitagawa Shin's eyes still betrayed his concern: "Have you been to the hospital?"

"I've seen it, but stomach problems can't be cured completely. Maybe all the medicine they prescribed isn't as effective as a single word from you."

Kyoko Tamura finished her drink and stood up.

"Alright, I've said everything I needed to say. At least I know your attitude now. If Hina takes the initiative to ask to get back together and apologize to you, I think you still have a chance, right?"

Observing Shinichi Kitagawa's expression, she felt a little relieved and reminded him, "Oh, by the way, she should be at the gathering tonight. She was just busy with work this afternoon, so she didn't come. I wonder if you two will run into each other by chance. I'm leaving now, bye Shinichi."

Kitagawa Shinichi stood up: "I'll see you off."

"No need! You two have given me a stomachache this week. I need to go back to Tokyo to spend some time with my boyfriend. I still have to prepare a surprise for him at the end of the month. Goodbye!"