My love index is at its maximum.

Tsukasa Tazaki sighed, "I really just want to be a quiet, handsome man..."

The sound was very soft; only I could hear it.

This is indeed Tazaki Tsukasa's current wish. For the past three years of high school, he just wants to quietly trade stocks on his own. He absolutely doesn't want to have any contact with the Kikawa family anymore, but it's as if he's been tricked by some mysterious force, and they've run into each other again after only a few days.

Sigh... I was just young and impetuous. If I had been more patient, maybe none of this would have happened.

However… Tsukasa Tazaki let out a deep breath and asked himself, “Why should I endure it?”

The original owner endured it for a full ten years, which was humble enough, but what was the result? He still ended up committing suicide by overdosing on pills.

I'm not his father, why should I put up with him?

Tsukasa Tazaki made up his mind and prepared to leave the school when suddenly someone called his name from behind.

"Tsukasa Tazaki..."

Looking back, Kuriyama Sakura stood in the crimson glow of the setting sun, a faint smile almost imperceptible on her face. Just by standing there motionless, the dust particles in the air seemed to transform into sparkling particles of light around her, making her appear like an angel descending to earth.

Damn it... This stock is definitely going to surge in the future. I wonder when they'll be able to issue more shares. 1000 shares is just too few!

"Your eyes are both wicked and lewd right now!" Kuriyama Sakura covered her collar with one hand and glared at Tazaki Tsukasa.

Although her expression showed disgust, her voice was as melodious as a stream.

Tazaki Tsukasa wanted to retort, "You don't even have any breasts, what are you yelling at me for?" But then he thought about how he had just invested 1000 shares in her, and he couldn't let them go to waste. So he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth and instead conveyed his question with an inquiring look.

Kuriyama Sakura raised her pretty little face: "There are some things I want to ask you."

Tsukasa Tazaki checked the time: "Sorry, I have to go to work."

"Let's talk as we go," Kuriyama Sakura said nonchalantly, leading the way with Tazaki Tsukasa following behind, carrying his schoolbag.

After walking down the slope from the school gate, their footsteps gradually matched, and the two strolled side by side along the bustling streets of Shinjuku-dori.

As the long day gradually came to an end, the sky was dyed a brilliant crimson. A flock of crows flew overhead, and the aroma of stir-fried garlic wafted from a cubicle in a mixed-use building ahead.

Along the way, Kuriyama Sakura would occasionally turn her head to look at Tazaki Tsukasa.

Take a look every three steps, take a look every five steps...

They were just like a middle school couple who had just started dating, constantly stealing glances at each other, wanting to speak but feeling shy, and repeatedly missing the opportunity to speak.

No, this can't be a romantic comedy, and Kuriyama Sakura is definitely not the kind of girl you can just bump into in a hallway and win over.

At the bottom of the overpass steps, Tsukasa Tazaki stopped, looked up and said, "Kuriyama-san, I'm not from Mars. You don't need to look at me with such a strange expression."

“I’m curious,” Kuriyama Sakura said, turning around from five steps above Tazaki Tsukasa. “According to the information I have, you can’t possibly be a match for Kichikawa Shinhiro. Why did you say such a thing? Was it because you felt slighted and insulted in front of a beautiful girl, and that’s why you acted impulsively?”

This woman really has an inflated sense of self-importance.

Tsukasa Tazaki remained as calm as possible and did not reply.

The gentle breeze on the overpass dispersed the lingering car exhaust fumes and brought cool air to the two of them.

Kuriyama Sakura stared into Tazaki Tsukasa's eyes: "Tell me... have you been hiding your true self all along, or are you just saying this out of anger?"

With his hands in his pockets and a blank expression, Tsukasa Tazaki walked onto the overpass.

"Why aren't you answering? Are you ashamed because I caught you?"

The wind brushed against her cheek, carrying with it her faint fragrance.

As they passed each other, Tsukasa Tazaki heard her say, "Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, Shinhiro Kikawa will be waiting for you at the kendo club. I hope you won't back out at the last minute."

[Because I'm a little curious about you, the Kuriyama Sakura stock index rose 10 points. Current stock price: 20]

well.

Let's just maintain this aloof and mysterious demeanor.

Dear Kuriyama, as a seasoned trader, I believe you have the potential to become a stock market king. Please don't disappoint me.

After crossing the overpass, the two walked in opposite directions.

The convenience store where he worked was just around the corner under the overpass. Tazaki walked into the store at the same pace.

Kuriyama Sakura turned around and glanced at his somewhat aloof back, her scrutinizing gaze revealing deep doubt.

She didn't know much about Tsukasa Tazaki's past, but through the descriptions of her classmate Yui Kikawa, she could roughly piece together a vague outline in her mind.

Living aimlessly with no goals in life.

There are no skilled techniques.

An athletic failure is out of breath when walking.

I just sleep during class every day.

He often has wild and unrealistic ideas.

My temper is easily flared.

Too thin.

coward.

No money.

lazy.

Aside from being reasonably good-looking, she has no redeeming qualities; frankly, she's the kind of "trash that society doesn't need."

Logically speaking, this is a person who is both physically and mentally fragile, so why would he dare to say such boastful things?

Is it a sense of impunity or a fit of rage?

Hopefully it's the former, otherwise this person is too boring.

Kuriyama Sakura gazed at the streets and buildings bathed in the setting sun, and smiled almost imperceptibly. The sun, as vibrant as a salted egg yolk, cast its rays down, and shimmering light fell into her eyes.

……

Hello!

As soon as he entered the store, Tsukasa Tazaki was startled.

"Tazaki-kun, do your best today too!" Sachiko Tono, who was just about to leave, greeted him warmly, and one could hear a hint of spring returning to her life in her voice.

Today, Sachiko-nee was dressed very formally, wearing a striking lemon-yellow bodycon skirt that revealed her thighs clad in flesh-colored stockings, and white high heels.

Her makeup was quite heavy, and her bangs were swept to one side, covering half of her eyes, which made her red lips look especially sexy.

Looking at the glamorous and mature proprietress, Tsukasa Tazaki asked curiously, "Is Sachiko-nee in a relationship?"

“No…” Sachiko Tono turned back and smiled as she walked to the door. “I’ve been waiting for Tazaki-kun to grow up.”

"Then you'd better pray I don't get robbed by a high school girl on the way..."

Haha!

After watching the proprietress leave, Tsukasa Tazaki changed into the convenience store uniform and moved back and forth between the shelves and the warehouse.

We're missing a few flavors of instant noodles; we need to hurry and get some from the warehouse.

Pocky is out of stock too, and it seems there's no stock in the warehouse... Oh no, I forgot to ask for it to be delivered yesterday...

After wandering around for a while until seven o'clock, Tsukasa Tazaki went to the deli section and put discount tags on the bento boxes that were past their best-before date. If there were still bento boxes left to sell by nine o'clock, he could take one home to eat himself, which was considered a kind of employee benefit.

The fried pork cutlet and chicken skewers in the deli section are out of stock from the warehouse; they'll be delivered tomorrow...

Uh, I almost forgot to refill the fridge with some Coke.

Tsukasa Tazaki went into the warehouse and came out carrying a case of canned cola. The sound of girls talking could be heard from the doorway.

"Huh...where's that handsome guy from yesterday?"

"Hey Shiori, you don't actually have a crush on him, do you?"

"It's obvious you're interested in her; you offered her a drink on your first meeting."

"It was just... something I bought on a whim... I didn't specifically invite them..."

After listening for a while, Tsukasa Tazaki identified the girl with long hair as Shiori Ninomiya and the girl with short hair as Kanae Kasuga.

Chapter Ten: Shiori Ninomiya and Kasuga Kanae

Tsukasa Tazaki, clutching the cola, quietly moved toward the refrigerator, but Shiori Ninomiya caught a glimpse of him through the gap in the shelf and exclaimed excitedly, "Handsome, we meet again!"

Kasugana also peeked out and smiled at him: "Hello."

"Wait a minute..." Tsukasa Tazaki carried the cola to the refrigerator before turning back to them with a flat, professional smile: "Is there anything you need?"

"I want a handsome guy!"

"I'm sorry, I am the only item in this store that is not for sale."

Shiori Ninomiya laughed and said, "Give us two servings of Oden from Set Meal A."

Tsukasa Tazaki went to the deli section and prepared oden for them using eco-friendly lunchboxes.

“My name is Ninomiya Shiori, what’s yours?” Ninomiya Shiori followed him to the deli section and asked him his name.

Tsukasa Tazaki pointed to the pocket of his work uniform, where a small name tag was pinned with a safety pin.

Shiori Ninomiya leaned over to take a look; it had three kanji characters written on it: "Tasaki Tsukasa".

"Such a rare surname, is it pronounced Tazaki... or Dasaki..."

Tsukasa Tazaki corrected him, "Tasaki, the full name is pronounced Tasaki sukasa."

“Tasaki…” Kasugano Kanae also came to the deli section. She stared at the daikon radish pieces on the counter and murmured in a very soft voice, “Tasuki…”

“Tasuki…” Shiori Ninomiya murmured to herself, her eyes immediately lighting up.

The pronunciation "suki" in Japanese often means "to like". For example, "sukidayo" means "I like you".

Tazaki Tsukasa calmly placed chunks of daikon radish into the lunchbox, and casually asked, "Would you like any extra dishes?"

"I'd also like to add kelp rolls, cabbage meatballs, and bamboo shoot rolls to my order. What would you like to add, Xiangmiao?"

"I'll add a crispy sausage..."

Tsukasa Tazaki added the corresponding dishes according to their requests, skewered them with bamboo sticks, and placed them on the counter: "There is salad dressing, ketchup, and chili sauce in the dining area. You can add whatever flavor you like."

As Ninomiya Shiori took the two servings of oden, she winked at him and said, "Suki-kun, thank you."