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

As the sun rises, people enjoying the weekend leisurely stroll out of their homes, and the narrow streets gradually become more crowded.

The Taishan Bow and Arrow Shop was bustling with people. The breeze from the noren curtain stirred the wind chimes inside, producing a clear and melodious sound from time to time.

Genji Aoyama held his phone and opened his chat with Yuko Asahi.

Except for the last message, every other one was very long, long enough to take up most of the screen.

Genji Aoyama scrolled up a couple of times, starting with the first item.

[Yuko: I've been thinking about this for a long time these past two days, and I've finally mustered up the courage to send this to Aoyama-kun.]

After self-examination, I realized my own problems and gradually understood the logic behind Aoyama-kun's behavior last night.

I couldn't control my instinct to avoid the problem, but my actions have already hurt Aoyama-kun, and I'm truly sorry!

This is the first one, sent 40 minutes ago.

After reading it, Aoyama Genji's brows gradually relaxed.

Prior to this, he had not spoken up about the problem because he was worried about causing further harm or because he had some reservations.

He lowered his gaze to the second message that had arrived five minutes later.

[Yuko: It's not just feelings, but also Aoyama-kun's constant dedication, which I can't reciprocate right now.]

However, I felt I needed to respond, so I decided to change and try to be as honest as possible when facing Aoyama-kun, and also decided to become better.

Deep down, I still want to escape, I desperately want to escape, and I can't even describe my current feelings in words.

Therefore, please allow me to quote a passage to express this:

"If someone like that wrote a novel, they'd definitely be great at writing disjointed chapters."

As the thought flashed through Aoyama Genji's mind, his fingers couldn't help but scroll down.

Yuko: "I may be defeated, I may lose myself, I may never reach anywhere, I may have lost everything, and no matter how I struggle, I can only cry out in vain."

One thing is clear: at least I have something worth waiting for, something worth seeking.

There should be a line in the middle saying "it doesn't matter," but I can't be indifferent right now.

The first half of the sentence describes my inner predicament, while the second half represents the opportunity I wanted to change.

I hope these words convey my current feelings to Aoyama-kun. If they don't, I'll be very troubled.

[The message has been delivered]

The message was sent five minutes ago and still seems to be warm.

Genji Aoyama wanted to reply like that, but he quickly deleted it and sent a different message instead.

After sending the message, he put his phone in his pocket.

As for photos, let's not take them yet.

Yuko Asahi must have exhausted all her mental energy to send him such a long and rambling message.

Expressing goodwill at this time might make her want to back down.

Aoyama Genji even pictured it in his mind—Asahi Yuko holding her phone, her pretty face showing a troubled expression, struggling to type and then deleting and revising.

"Why did Aoyama-kun suddenly start laughing? There's something... off about it?"

Mami Ohara observed Genji Aoyama's reactions throughout and offered her evaluation at the end.

"I wasn't laughing." Genji Aoyama said expressionlessly.

The gold mine has become self-aware, and he may not even need to worry about it anymore. Is this something that can be said?

Mami Ohara suppressed the urge to retort—she discovered that Genji Aoyama and Yuko Asahi shared the same problem: stubbornness.

They're such an awkward pair.

……

After paying at the counter, amidst farewells of "May the Cat God bless you with good fortune in battle! Welcome to visit again," Genji Aoyama walked out of the Oyama Bow Equipment Shop.

Although the bow and arrow shop is an old establishment, it keeps up with the times and the equipment you buy can be delivered directly to your home.

This saved Aoyama Genji some trouble.

He bought two complete sets of equipment, including a bow, a shirt and trousers, protective gear, arrows, gloves, and a bunch of other accessories.

Although it's not heavy, it's not very convenient to pick up.

Back on the narrow street, sunlight filtered through the trees, leaving dappled patterns on the road.

"If you don't mind, how about I treat you to a coffee, Kohara-senpai? As a thank you for your help today." Aoyama Genji walked onto the path and looked at Kohara Mami, who was keeping a distance from him.

Genji Aoyama felt a little guilty about bothering someone on his day off and asking for their help, especially since it was a senior colleague—mainly because they weren't very close.

Mami Ohara is quite outgoing and occasionally says things that don't fit her senior's image.

"Please, Mr. Aoyama, let me off the hook," she simply waved her hand, a wry smile on her face. "Your girlfriend will definitely be angry if she finds out you've been seeing other girls alone. Let's talk about it another time."

It seems that's indeed the case?

Genji Aoyama realized the opportunity that led to Yuko Asahi's change of heart.

Although the two had never openly discussed this matter, he knew it in his heart.

Yuuko Asahi most likely saw him with Haruka Minatsuki, and her feelings were probably mixed with some indescribable emotions.

The thought of this incident inexplicably brought to mind the face of that wicked woman.

If we're meeting tomorrow, shouldn't we agree on a time in advance?

"Never mind, I'll stop thinking about it now."

After saying goodbye to Mami Ohara, Genji Aoyama walked to the end of the tree-lined path, turned at the fork in the road, and headed towards the tram station.

Tokyo in April was already showing signs of getting warm.

The sun overhead is no longer gentle, and you can see ladies on the street carrying parasols and wearing light clothing.

Genji Aoyama plans to go to Omotesando to buy some casual clothes for summer, and also needs to get some formal attire.

At the station entrance, he randomly chose a family-run restaurant. While waiting for lunch, he felt a slight vibration in his pocket.

Genji Aoyama took out his phone; it was a message from Yuko Asahi.

◇

hum.

A slight tremor came from my palm.

After spending more than an hour mentally preparing herself, Asahi Yuko finally mustered the courage to convey her feelings.

Now that she has received a response, she can't help but want to escape again.

"Yuuko, do your best! You can wait half an hour to watch, but you can't run away!"

Yuko Asahi mentally encouraged herself.

She recalled the warm moments between the two of them in her mind.

Half an hour later, she woke up her phone screen. The lonely profile picture in the message bar indicated that there was an unread message, the content of which she could see without opening it.

[Aoyama: So please do your best, I'll be looking forward to it.]

"Honestly, you're saying things like that again."

She brushed a stray hair behind her ear, her fingers gently tracing the screen.

Her feelings now are completely different from what they were at the beginning.

That sentiment awaits her response; that warmth she longs to pursue.

These feelings melted into a small amount of courage in Yuko Asahi's heart.

[Yuko: Yes, I will.]