I'm here to form a band, what do you want to do!

[In order to enhance Nijiga's sense of strategy and reduce her doubts, Goto Ichiri, who seems to have the least presence, is given the most troublesome role.]

"Pochi-chan, do you remember what I told you?" You whispered, looking at Goto Ichiri in front of you.

"Remember... remember!" With everyone's expectations resting on him, Goto Ichiri subconsciously hunched his shoulders, then gradually straightened his back under the gentle gaze of his senior.

"Very good. Please repeat your character."

[Under your expectant gazes, Goto Ichiri spoke haltingly.]

"I'm a woman who was born under a heavy burden. After Kita-chan betrayed me, I took him to the basement to protect him!"

Volume 1: Chapter 28 I can’t tell the difference! (Please read it later)

"Yes, remember your identity, and what I've taught you about a woman. If necessary, you can even lock me up. Of course, we're not really incarcerating me; it's enough to deceive Hong Xia."

[Yes, the gloomy Goto Ichiri does fit the superficial characteristics of a heavy girl. Perhaps deep down in Pochi-chan's heart, she also has this tendency, but due to her introversion and current situation, she has never shown it.]

"Is it possible?" Goto Ichiri couldn't help but ask after hearing your words. After all, your physical condition couldn't withstand such a disguise.

"It's okay. My doctor has already made the final diagnosis. Even if I mess around, it won't affect the outcome."

“Senior…Senior!”

“Just think of this as your last lesson for Guitar Hero. From now on, your band will get better and better.”

【And so, Goto Ichiri became the last line of defense.】

About a week later, Kita Ikuyo informed you that she had received information from Nijixia. According to your plan, it was a gradual process to make everyone stay away from you.

[You don't know what Hong Xia is thinking right now, but I guess if there's revenge, then she won't be so sad.]

Yamada Ryo occasionally meets with you in private.

Although she stood on Hong Xia's side, the kind-hearted Hong Xia had not yet grasped the true rules. Without sufficient monitoring of her, she was completely free to act, becoming a perfect double agent.

After discussing the betrayal scene with Kita, Yamada Ryo found you and told you all about Nijika's thoughts and state. After hearing Nijika's energetic attitude, you were relieved.

"Tsk, how much do you like her?" Yamada Ryo stroked her cheek and said in a teasing tone.

"This will not only free her, but also free me." You argued, looking at the look of disbelief on her face, and shook your head.

Many things cannot be clearly described in words and are closely related to each person's personality.

"But is it really okay to let Pochi-chan play the villain? I think I'm the best fit." Perhaps out of concern for Pochi-chan, or perhaps out of the novelty of wanting to be a villain, she volunteered and raised her hand.

[Amid her enthusiasm, you insist on being optimistic about Pochi-chan, believing that she can bring surprises to everyone.]

[When Yamada Ryo finished two cups of tea and was about to leave, his cell phone suddenly rang.]

"Ryo, you should be with Ito. Let him answer the phone."

【“…”】

[Looking at Yamada Ryo's clearly panicked look, you took the phone and listened to the cold voice on the other end.]

　"Let's go out and meet each other."

【"good."】

After the call ended, Yamada Ryo was still surprised and kept asking, "Has Hongxia already known everything?"

[But after seeing the agreed location, you rejected this idea. If I could tell, you wouldn't have said it in that tone.]

[“Hongxia, what do you want to talk to me about?”]

[While you were thinking, Pochi-chan had already prepared a basement for you. It was the Goto family's garage, now unused.]

"Don't really put Senior in a place like this!"

"But he asked for it."

[After the typhoon passed through Tokyo, the entire city was cleaned up and the air felt much fresher.]

"Ito, over here?"

[You push open the car door, and Hong Xia, who is sitting by the window, waves to you calmly.]

There were few customers in the cafe, and music was playing from the speakers. It was a song by an unknown band.

【悴んだ心ふるえる灗世界で】

"It's strange that you would call me out."

"Really? It's even weirder that you agreed to this now. Aren't you afraid I'll hit you?" Unlike the pain she felt during their last meeting, Hong Xia was clearly much more confident this time.

Finally, Hong Xia overcame the negative emotions of impending separation and betrayal by her friends, transformed hatred into motivation, and regained some of her former spirit.

【After all, hatred lasts longer than love. 】

"What am I afraid of?" You laughed uncontrollably, "The dead aren't afraid."

Is there anything else that can defeat someone who is about to die?

[The more a person possesses, the more flaws he or she has. The person who has nothing is the one who has nothing to worry about.]

"That's what bothers me." Hong Xia poured you coffee, her voice gentle yet firm.

"Tell me more in detail."

"Even if they all wake up, it won't cause you any harm, right? Is that something you're concerned about?"

[Looking at your face, Ichichi Hongxia was worried. It seemed that she also hoped to truly defeat you once before your life ended.]

"Sorry, this look is flawless. Even in terms of wealth, you're not as rich as I am."

【Perhaps there really is a flaw.】

[But even Hong Xia today is not capable of resorting to any means necessary.]

[Unless she can muster up the courage to stab you to death first.]

"Ito, you're still too confident." Ichichi Hongxia sighed.

[Yes, ever since you made that choice in high school, you've been a confident person. No matter how many people try to dissuade you, they can't change your opinion.]

"Because I can't lose."

[Simple words reveal powerful confidence.]

【But in fact, I have lost before. 】

"Ito, is this true?"

Your pupils suddenly constrict as you watch her pull a knife out of her bag.

"Hongxia-senpai, this isn't funny." You sat back, leaning against your chair, but didn't stand up.

[The disease has long since ravaged your body. Facing the young Hong Xia, you have no confidence of victory.]

[“So you’re afraid too, Senior…”]

"No, it's not fear. I only have this short time left to live. If you act rashly, you'll end up wasting the rest of your life in prison."

【“…”】

[Hearing your words, Ijichi Hongxia looked at you hesitantly. ]

She couldn't tell.

Are these words out of self-protection or genuine concern?

She can't tell the difference!

[Everything started on the day Ito Rin was diagnosed. Was it her true nature that was revealed, or was there something else going on?]

[Since you can't tell the difference, just give the knife away. That way, there's no need to tell the difference.]

[Seeing Ichichi Hongxia's moody face, you rang the dining table bell and called out loudly.]

“Waiter, waiter!”

[Her knife was put away. Before leaving, she said coldly: "Ito, I will take everything from you before you die."]

Volume 1: Chapter 29: Urging Marriage

You smiled and didn't take her threat seriously.

[Yes, how can someone who can't bear to lose any more be afraid of threats?]

【You returned home before the heavy rain came. 】

[Everyone is gone, and you are the only one left in the empty room.]

[You, accustomed to this, lean against the wall and walk upstairs.]

"What did you say?" Yamada Ryo, who appeared from the bedroom, asked with a smile.

She had the key to the house the whole time, but you were still surprised to see her there so late.

"She said she wanted to take everything from me. Why are you here?"

You looked at Yamada Ryo, feeling helpless about her eccentricity. Even though you knew it would easily expose you, you still came here.

[Sitting on the bed, watching the rain outside the window gradually getting heavier, a feeling of fatigue hits you.]

【Yamada Ryo looks at you with a strange and amusing look.】

【"you guess."】

"I don't have the energy to play this kind of game anymore. Is it boring?"

[Faced with Yamada Ryo's teasing, you gave a heavy reply. Although your body was restrained, your mind was exceptionally clear. Following her lead, this was the answer you could come up with.]

【However, it seems that your guess was correct. 】

"Hongxia's attitude towards me is strange. I'll be scolded again if I go home. I might as well come to you. At least you won't push me to get married."

[“Urging marriage? Such an old-fashioned term.”]

You seem to be in another world. Yamada Ryo holds your hand, a smile of mischievousness forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Ito, before you die, would you mind doing me one last favor? As my lover, please go meet my parents!"

【A night of silence.】

Yamada Ryo's unreasonable request makes you feel very embarrassed.

"Yamada's parents are very aware of your condition. As a lover, this means she doesn't intend to develop this kind of relationship."

[This kind of thing will naturally make people dislike it.]

"Of course you're not afraid of being disliked. And considering Yamada Ryo's personality, if she's unwilling, even her parents can't force her. The fact that she's found you and pretended to be okay is already a concession, so you feel relieved."

【However, when you accompanied me to meet Yamada's parents, they were so enthusiastic.】

"If Liang were with you, we'd be relieved. This child has a very strange personality, and only you can control her."

Yamada's parents' enthusiasm makes you wonder, is a son-in-law with a certain lifespan really that popular?

【Or……】

"Don't overthink it. They just confirmed that I can still like men. Even though you have a lot of money, it's still not as much as these two."

"Do you really have to be so blunt?"

Even though you think you have no scruples, you feel dizzy listening to Yamada Ryo's words, especially in front of your parents.

"What did she just say?"

】

"I didn't hear it clearly at all."

[“By the way, let’s go prepare lunch while you guys chat.”]

If you were to describe the Yamada family's relationship in one word at this moment, it would be strange.

[No wonder Yamada Ryo has become such a strange person. Family factors must be a big factor.]

[It is precisely because her parents are doctors that she has a more optimistic view of life and death, and she does not shy away from this when chatting with you.]

“That’s just how they are, Ito,” she said.