Tokyo: To reiterate, this is not a dating system.

Unlike weekdays, Friday's trams are not even as crowded, and there are far fewer office workers and students who have just finished club activities than usual.

Genji Aoyama sat in his seat, fiddling with his phone.

[Aoyama: Are you home yet?]

It was sent to Haruka Minatsuki.

This isn't about caring for her; it's about caring for oneself.

A yandere? This is the first time I've ever heard of one—though it's just a guess from Genji Aoyama.

However, a wise person does not stand under a crumbling wall.

[Aoyama: I bought a strawberry cake at the station's cafe, and I thought it was pretty good.]

[Qingshan: I'll be home in about ten minutes]

Girls are probably more accepting of desserts.

I wonder if Yuko Asahi will like it.

[Aoyama: I hate leggings!]

Just kidding, he deleted the post after sending it to Saki Izumo.

But it seems like they saw it.

Still replies instantly.

[Saki: Well... next time we go out together, I won't wear it~]

[Aoyama: No way]

[Saki: Does that mean we have a chance to go out together?]

Genji Aoyama sighed.

I shouldn't have paid any attention to her in the first place.

Starting at 5:30, Aoyama Genji went to the coffee shop to queue for a cake, and it wasn't until the train's arrival announcement came on that day.

Izumo Saki's messages never stopped; if I ignored her, she would send me crying emojis.

The conversation veered from live performances to suggestive topics.

Of course, Aoyama Genji also has problems.

Reflection.

[Qingshan: Going to take a bath]

After sending the message, the tram slowly pulled into the platform, and Genji Aoyama stepped out of the carriage.

On his way home, no matter how much his phone vibrated, he didn't look at it.

◇

With twenty seconds remaining until the ten-minute deadline set by Genji Aoyama, Yuko Asahi heard a knock on the door.

She opened the door, and there stood Genji Aoyama, who hadn't even put his schoolbag back in his room yet.

"It smells so good!"

After entering the room, Genji Aoyama sniffed around before skillfully taking off his shoes in the entryway. "Good evening, Yuuko."

"Good evening." Asahi Yuko's voice sounded somewhat indifferent, but it was still very pleasant to hear.

Something feels off—when I take off my shoes in the entryway, even if my feet don't smell, she still says "They smell awful."

Genji Aoyama stared at Yuko Asahi for a moment.

It felt like we were back to the first time we met; her clear, beautiful eyes seemed to still hold a hint of indifference, like a secluded mountain spring in summer.

"Did you have a bad day at the club?" Genji Aoyama asked, handing over a strawberry cake. "I bought it at a coffee shop. The exaggerated Korean female owner said, 'No girl who comes into the shop can resist my strawberry cake!'"

Yuko Asahi just shook her head and took out a bowl and chopsticks for him from the cupboard.

"No complaints? Or do you not want to eat?"

Genji Aoyama took the bowl of rice that Yuko Asahi had filled and went to the desk, also putting down the bag of cake.

The side dishes were Mapo Tofu and Shredded Pork with Green Peppers, which smelled delicious as soon as you entered the door, as well as a plate of Stir-fried Vegetables with Garlic.

Genji Aoyama glanced at Yuko Asahi again, seemingly having no intention of sitting down to eat with her.

He sighed softly to himself.

Forget it.

Since things have come to this, let's eat first.

Aoyama Genji was thinking about this question while eating.

Time is like the cleavage between a young girl's flat chest...

No, they had lunch together, and Asahi Yuko even jokingly complained about Ichinose, whom she didn't know well.

There doesn't seem to be anything else.

Genji Aoyama reached out and touched his own head, then reached out and touched Yuko Asahi's head. Her skin was smooth and delicate, and the wisps of hair on her forehead tickled the back of his hand. She didn't have a fever.

Then the spring water poured down, extinguishing Aoyama Genji's desire to ask a question.

He said he understands that girls have those few days every month when they get inexplicably irritable.

After mentally noting the time, Genji Aoyama continued to eat.

He can even eat without using his phone.

In about ten minutes, Genji Aoyama had finished his dinner.

"Well... goodbye, I'm going back to my room now."

Normally he might stay a little longer, but during this time, he was reluctant to risk trouble—just now, while eating, a cold, deep gaze had been fixed on him.

It's like a girlfriend suspecting her boyfriend of cheating.

"You can take the cake."

Asahi Yuko stared at the cake box, memories of that afternoon outside the cafe resurfacing, and the emotions from that time welled up in her chest again.

Genji Aoyama was a little angry. He stopped halfway through putting on his shoes and stared at Yuko Asahi.

But after thinking about it, I decided against it; it's not gentlemanly to get angry with a young girl.

Anyway, he left, and the door closed gently behind him.

Wait, I think I forgot my schoolbag.

Never mind, I'll rest tomorrow, no need to rush to do my homework.

"Snap"

Turn on the switch, and the bright white light shines into the room, making the street scene outside the window, which is not yet completely dark, even darker.

Genji Aoyama slumped in the chair—it was brand new, he could lie down or lean back, it was super comfortable.

I didn't turn on the computer right away.

Take a look at LINE first.

Unsurprisingly, Saki's message bar already showed more than a dozen unread messages.

Ignore her for now.

The girl had so much energy and her thoughts were so unrestrained that they could talk on and on.

One second they say "the band's goal is to reach the Budokan," and the next second they might send you a photo of upskirt.

Genji Aoyama recalled his sleepless night last night, realizing that chatting with her at night was bad for his health.

I'll just reply to her "asleep" tomorrow morning.

Haruka Minatsuki also sent a message saying that she had arrived home.

I gave a perfunctory reply, and received a reply instantly.

[Haruka Minatsuki: Genji-kun, are you free the day after tomorrow?]

[Aoyama: Things might be a bit difficult the day after tomorrow, what's wrong?]

Genji Aoyama has a date with Yuuko the day after tomorrow—although for some reason, she ignored him today.

[Haruka Minatsuki: Hmm? Are you going on a date with your girlfriend?]

How did she guess?

Genji Aoyama found it unbelievable.

Just as my finger was about to press the 'Yes' key on the keyboard, a sudden inspiration struck me.

Could it be that...

In the afternoon at the coffee shop, Minatsuki Haruka suddenly ate a bite of his cake while saying something inexplicable. Could it be because she saw Asahi Yuuko?

Genji Aoyama began to recall the scene in his mind, while Haruka Minatsuki glanced outside intentionally or unintentionally.

Bad woman!

I've already read your message, but I won't reply for a while.

Genji Aoyama opened his chat with Yuko Asahi again, deciding it would be better to explain.

Although I didn't cry or make a scene last time, I still wanted to break up.

I glanced at the message I sent on the tram and it was still unread. I thought it would be better to clarify things face-to-face.

What if they break up again without saying a word this time, and the mine explodes?

Who will fill in the missing piece of currency for him?

Genji Aoyama got up from his chair and went to the entrance.

As he opened the door, he vaguely noticed a figure through the peephole at his doorstep, who neither knocked nor seemed to be leaving.

The lights outside the apartment hallway are motion-activated and last for 30 seconds.

The lights are not on now, which means they've been here for a while.

I'm getting nervous.

He moved quietly to the door, pressed his face against it, and began to look through the peephole.

It wasn't completely dark outside yet; you could still see to a certain extent.

The other person is about 160cm tall and has a slender figure. Oh, it's Yuko Asahi. Then it's fine.

Genji Aoyama did not open the door immediately; he intended to observe for a while longer.

◇

Asahi Yuko took small breaths while trying to calm herself down.

I originally thought things would be better once I got out.

However, the heavy feeling in my chest, like a gloomy cloud, still could not be dispelled.

She was carrying Aoyama Genji's schoolbag and a tote bag containing cakes.

The scene I saw outside the coffee shop that afternoon involuntarily surfaced in my mind, and the emotions from that time spread to my chest again, making me feel a soreness in my chest.

"I can't say it, just like before."

I'll just send a message on Line.

[Your schoolbag and cake are at the door. Remember to come over for breakfast tomorrow morning.]

Would it be better to send it after I get back?

Just as she was thinking this, the door suddenly opened—Genji Aoyama was looking at her with a smile.

Yuko Asahi shrank back like a startled wildcat.