The comments section all think I'm a really good person.

"Is it my fault?" Kita Kirihara asked, embarrassed. "Have I caused you any trouble?"

Saki Koizumi blinked, then made a "hmm" sound, seemingly understanding the situation, and walked over.

Ignoring the dusty clothes Kita Kirihara had gotten on while cleaning, she opened her arms to him and said frankly, "Then hug me."

Kita Kirihara: "...Eh? I'm filthy..."

Although puzzled, Kita Kirihara obediently bent down and carefully reached out to hug her.

I can smell the fresh scent of lavender. It's the scent of the laundry detergent we share.

It smells good.

The subtle fragrance emanating from Saki's hair also made her ears turn red.

Even though they were using the same bottle of shampoo and shower gel, Saki smelled particularly good.

Kita Kirihara knew that Koizumi Saki had noticed her unusual behavior, and a rare sense of calm settled in her heart. She gently closed her eyes and brought her nose close to the other's hair.

She bent down slightly and buried her head in Koizumi Saki's shoulder, her fair neck showing a hint of fragility.

"Give me a hug, and then?" she asked with a smile.

“Then, I’ll take you out to play.” Koizumi Saki earnestly recalled for Kita Kirihara, she slightly tiptoed, placed her hand on Kita Kirihara’s head, and gently stroked it, “Just like before.”

Before the two parted ways, during that precious time, Saki Koizumi often had to stay quietly in her hospital room due to her health condition.

However, children just can't stand being alone and like to run out to play.

Therefore, whenever Koizumi Saki wanted to go out, she would ask Kita Kirihara for help.

Kita Kirihara wasn't the type to completely spoil children, but if Koizumi Saki was willing to hug her and feel Saki's body temperature, she would be very swayed.

For example, right now, she is also feeling a long-lost sense of unease.

As we got closer, I could feel the pounding of her heart through the touch, and I could also vaguely sense Saki's breathing and her incredibly gentle body temperature.

Kita Kirihara felt a sense of contentment as he felt the warmth of the person in his arms.

Then, unnoticed by her, a hint of cunning and mischief flashed in Saki Koizumi's eyes.

She practically bit Kita Kirihara's ear and whispered, "Let's go on a date later, Kirihara."

It's different from the usual Saki.

Almost immediately, Kita Kirihara realized this.

She sensed a hint of unsettling unfamiliarity in the other person's tone, but more than anything, a strange, tingling sensation crept up her spine.

Damn, something just feels off.

I felt there was something wrong with the dialogue just now.

"Hug"... Turns out I wasn't overthinking it.

That makes sense, Chief Koizumi is well over 18, so it's normal for him to have physical needs.

Kita Kirihara's ears turned red almost immediately. She subconsciously took a step back, covered her ears, and a look of panic and...shyness crept onto her face that she herself was unaware of.

“…Saki?”

The other person simply looked at him with the same familiar and frank gaze, their eyes clearly showing innocence: "I'm just giving you a little reminder, A-Yuan."

Of course, speaking in that tone now would be somewhat offensive.

"Just to remind you of the deeper meaning of 'hug'."

Saki Koizumi had long since learned how to be a composed adult, and she was well aware of its essence.

"You should have realized it by now, A-Yuan. I'm an adult now. In this relationship, I'm the older one."

The Chief Hero's eyes reflected the silent figure of Kita Kirihara, and then she scratched her cheek somewhat awkwardly.

"Actually, if anything happens to A-Yuan, he can rely on me completely. Although I'm not exactly a reliable adult either..."

...But it will definitely not be like before, where I couldn't help at all.

Ah Yuan must feel uneasy and fearful after arriving in this era due to the changes of the times.

In that case, if I can put myself in a way that A-Yuan is more familiar with and continue to let her take care of me, A-Yuan might get more used to it.

Saki Koizumi had long ago learned how to become a composed adult.

Although her emotional intelligence may seem to fluctuate to outsiders, it simply depends on whether she wants to put more effort into communicating with people.

Most of the time, Saki Koizumi was too lazy to waste her breath on others.

When you're surrounded by familiar faces, there's even less need to expend energy thinking.

She just needs to express what's on her mind.

However, that alone is not enough.

If we keep playing the role of our past selves... neither I nor A-Yuan can live properly in this era.

It is essential to make Ahara realize that she is no longer the Koizumi Saki she once was, and that she has grown up.

Therefore, A-Yuan can be bolder to leave her side and pursue her own dreams.

I will support her without hesitation...

However, before Koizumi Saki could finish speaking, Kita Kirihara suddenly interrupted her, cutting off her carefully prepared words.

Kita Kirihara blinked blankly, her dark red eyes filled with confusion. She subconsciously took a step back, her expression hidden in the shadows.

She asked almost cautiously, "...So, you don't need me anymore, Saki?"

P.S.: This chapter is so laggy, it's killing me!

63. If this is your wish

Koizumi Saki's carefully cultivated composure was shattered by Kita Kirihara's weak question. She hurriedly explained, "No, I just hope you can better integrate into your current life and don't need to stay by my side all the time..."

Then, her gaze fell on the pile of manuscripts and DVDs behind Kita Kirihara, and she quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Kirihara, we can go see the latest movie that's been released..."

"Pfft." Seeing Koizumi Saki's flustered explanation, Kita Kirihara finally couldn't help but laugh. "I'm fine. Saki, I know very well that what you're saying is for my own good."

She smiled, the gloom on her face melting away, and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Of course I know you're a more reliable adult than I am now. When I bought your new phone, I spent the whole night searching for information about you. Countless people love and trust you."

Her gaze was warm, filled with complete trust.

“My Saki has become a remarkable adult.”

Saki Koizumi was a little embarrassed by the praise. She scratched her head and said, "Actually, it wasn't that good. I just did my job..."

“Let’s go.” Kita Kirihara took off his rubber gloves and placed them next to the shelf. “Wait for me a moment, I’m going to change my clothes.”

"...Huh?"

"Let's go on a date." Kita Kirihara was quite excited and in high spirits. She smiled at Koizumi Saki, "Since Saki is working so hard, I can't fall behind."

Saki Koizumi was somewhat bewildered by the other party's rapid change in mood, but this was indeed all of Kita Kirihara's original personality.

She's become more cheerful and outgoing, more optimistic and positive than before. She also enjoys going out alone, and is always in a good mood on dates, as if a tail is wagging behind her.

Could it be that... my words of encouragement worked?

Saki Koizumi stared blankly as Kita Kirihara walked into the bedroom, closed the door, and began to change her clothes.

[Ah Yuan's mindset is better than I expected]

This is true.

[Perhaps it was truly enlightening because of Koizumi's three years of age?]

I have reservations; that shot just now felt like it had a deeper meaning.

[Ah Yuan's personality is just too weird... sometimes it gives me the creeps.]

But it's possible for this kind of gentle to the point of being twisted to occur.

After all, we don't know much more about A-Yuan, and she may have experienced a lot during those time gaps, which may have caused changes in her personality.

[Perhaps it's more accurate to say that those who become protagonists are all somewhat mentally unstable.]

I actually wish Kita Kirihara were a truly ordinary person; he would be happier that way.

However, now I understand why she was able to gain the trust and love of so many people in other timelines.

Why?

Because of her personality—so gentle and considerate, and such a loyal dog…no wonder she's loved.

I like it too wwwww

When will I get a loyal dog like that?

[Damn it, both Ms. Koizumi and Ms. Mirai have found loyal dogs... Why am I still all alone?]

Are you going to curse me again?

Perhaps it's because you're not a top-tier member of the tower.

I'm starting to suspect that the Tower really does guarantee job placement; is Tianjing's lover also this type?

What? Such a good thing?!

[Can the official team release prequel comics for all of them? I'll buy them all.]

What is the Tower of the Goddess?

This is very unkind to the only boy we have now.

This organization has an extremely high concentration of lesbians!

The live chat was buzzing with discussion about the conversation between Kita Kirihara and Koizumi Saki.

Due to Kita Kirihara's abnormality, many people have noticed that her personality may differ significantly from that shown in other timelines.

However, because there is very little information about Kita Kirihara in other timelines, Kita Kirihara is currently only showing an unusual dependence on Koizumi Saki.

Viewers, considering Kita Kirihara's experiences, believe that she may simply not have been able to truly move on from the past and start a new life.

After all, suddenly arriving from seven years ago, your lover has grown a lot more than you have. Under such circumstances, anyone would feel uneasy.