Do I really have a thing for female voice actors?

229. Because I like Ms. Tachibana...

Shinagawa Station.

Tazaki Toru stood quietly in place, while other young girls around him would occasionally stop and stare at his face.

When they saw Tachibana Rin standing in front of Tazaki Toru, they secretly approved of her.

Indeed, the combination of handsome men and beautiful women is always incredibly pleasing to the eye.

"Miss Tachibana, this is my way of seeing you off."

"Of course you can only take me this far. Do you expect me to come all the way back to Osaka with you?"

Tazaki Toru smiled faintly; he was already quite used to Tachibana Rin's way of speaking.

Rin Tachibana took the other suitcase from Toru Tazaki.

"Alright, you should go back and keep Hina company, lest she throw another tantrum and take it out on me."

"It's a rare long holiday, Miss Aoki should take a rest. Even if she goes back, there's probably no need to give her composition lessons."

Rin Tachibana thought to herself, "This isn't the composition class I want to take."

But she couldn't say that in front of Toru Tazaki, so she could only purse her lips slightly.

The day after tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

If everything goes smoothly, their relationship might change when I return to Tokyo.

Thinking of this, Tachibana Rin felt a sudden tightness in her chest for no reason.

She thought this must be because the space that was originally meant for the three of them to spend time together would eventually become a place for them to show off their affection.

It would make her seem superfluous.

Suddenly, the words my sister once said echoed in my mind.

She immediately denied it in her mind. Tachibana Rin firmly believed that she just didn't want to be ostracized and had no other thoughts.

She admitted that Toru Tazaki was a decent man.

He is exceptionally talented, honest, kind-hearted, and incapable of lying or being perfunctory.

He was also born with a handsome appearance.

But compared to his many excellent qualities, his handsome face, which would make girls yearn for him, is actually the least noteworthy advantage.

It's not surprising that Hina Aoki would be attracted to a man like that.

If that time really comes, will I still be able to maintain the current relationship with them?

Rin Tachibana lacks confidence.

Unlike Hina Aoki, who chose to make changes after experiencing this period.

Rin Tachibana seems to still be the same gloomy, socially awkward, and nerdy girl she always was, without much progress.

She remained in the same place, but when faced with a situation she could no longer cope with, she chose to run away.

"Miss Tachibana, have a safe journey."

Rin Tachibana, dragging the handle of her suitcase, turned and took a step forward.

But after taking only a few steps, she suddenly turned back and saw that Tazaki Toru was still standing in the same spot, with a gentle smile on his face, as if he was seeing her off.

Her slender fingers gradually closed, slightly tightening their grip on the suitcase handle. Her expression shifted as she turned back.

Tazaki Toru looked at Tachibana Rin who was approaching and asked in confusion, "Did you leave something behind?"

Rin Tachibana raised her beautiful face and looked directly into Toru Tazaki's eyes.

Even she herself couldn't explain why she had turned back.

Suddenly, Miss Tachibana opened her mouth softly.

"Tazaki, don't you... have anything else to say to me?"

Tazaki Toru thought for a moment and said, "Be careful on the road, and let me know when you arrive safely."

That's not what she wanted to hear.

In fact, no matter what Tazaki Toru says now, she can always find a reason to be dissatisfied.

"What if, if I go home this time, and then I can't return to Tokyo?"

Tazaki Toru didn't quite understand the meaning of the question, so he said, "Are you trying to say that I should buy a Shinkansen to pick you up again?"

"Anything is fine: the Shinkansen, a ship, an airplane, or even a magic flying carpet."

"Putting everything else aside, I really can't handle the last one."

Rin Tachibana remained silent, continuing to gaze at Toru Tazaki, as if trying to find an answer on his face.

It's just going home for the Chinese New Year, why act like it's a life-or-death situation?

But when he saw the worry and unease in the girl's eyes, Tazaki Toru put away his thoughts.

He took a shallow breath and exhaled wisps of white mist that dissipated.

In this cold winter, Toru Tazaki's smile radiates the warmth of spring.

"Then I will go to Osaka and bring you back."

"With Miss Aoki."

Rin Tachibana was initially quite pleased, but after hearing the second half of the sentence, she couldn't help but pout slightly.

"Why are you bringing her along?"

“I worry that I am not enough to persuade you.”

"It's as if I don't want to go back. I mean, what if my family objects to me continuing to be a voice actor?"

“Just like my sister, my parents are not easy to persuade.”

"Then I'll have no choice but to go and beg them in person, promising them that I'll definitely get you into the martial arts hall."

"Actually, I didn't really want to go to the Budokan."

Tazaki Toru slowly shook his head.

At this moment, only Tachibana Rin's beautiful figure was reflected in his pupils, and nothing else could be found.

A gentle voice, devoid of any lies or deception.

"It's what I want to see."

Miss Tachibana paused for a moment.

Fortunately, the cold wind shielded her, each time it brushed against her soft cheeks, it took away the remaining warmth from her face.

Her cheeks were thus prevented from flushing red.

"I was just saying it casually, why are you taking it so seriously? Do you think you've become my fan?"

"Not allowed?"

"...I didn't say that."

The girl turned her face away in slight panic.

As she calmed her disordered breathing, Tachibana Rin's eyebrows furrowed together fiercely.

She seemed to want to show a fierce expression, but once it appeared on her face, it was filled with a cute, coquettish charm.

"You must never forget what you told me today."

"Unforgettable."

"If you spend all your time with her after I come back, and leave me like a lonely little dog in a broken cardboard box, then..."

"I'll just do the opposite of what you want. I'll deliberately slack off during rehearsals and even put on a sour face when recording shows, giving the audience the cold shoulder. In the end, I'll be removed from the project."

"You'll never see me on stage in your entire life."

"It's come to this?"

"Don't think I'm exaggerating."

After saying that, she puffed out her chest to show her fierceness.

Tazaki Toru was amused by this.

"What's so funny?" Tachibana Rin said unhappily.

"Ms. Tachibana is a very hardworking girl, and at the same time, I can tell in my heart that you can't do that kind of thing."

"What's with that confident look on your face, like you have me completely under your thumb?"

"Because I really like Ms. Tachibana's piano playing."

[Passengers on the MR925 Shinkansen from Shinagawa to Shin-Osaka (within the city) will soon be boarding.]

The announcement that came through the station was perfectly timed, so that Tachibana Rin didn't have to react to his words.

The girl turned around quickly, her voice faltering.

"I...I should go."

"be careful."

After she walked away, she looked back several times, but Tazaki Toru remained standing in the same spot.

"Tazaki!"

Finally, the girl raised her arm and waved it gently, as if saying goodbye to something.

At the moment of parting, she finally revealed a joyful smile.

See you next year.

230. On Christmas Eve, give him a cat punch!

After exiting Tsukishima Station, Toru Tazaki walks home alone, talking on the phone with a female voice actress.