A world only known by the God of Lost Love

"Ahem, let's be serious, you don't need to prepare anything for going out this time, you just need to follow Xiao Mashiro honestly!"

"It's really because of you."

After hearing Misaki Kamiigusa's answer, Renya Suzuki immediately exclaimed, "It's true."

"Let me just say that with Shiina-san's personality, it is absolutely impossible for her to take the initiative to ask me out."

"..."

"Hey! Although it was indeed my idea this time, who can say for sure what will happen in the future!"

Misaki Uekusa crossed her arms and said:

"Maybe next time Mashiro-chan will take the initiative to ask you to go out with you! Right, Mashiro-chan?"

"……I--"

"Don't instill this idea into Shiina-san."

As a result, before Mashiro Shiina could respond, Ren Suzuki shook his head to express his objection:

"Shiina-kun, she just needs to focus on herself and don't force her to do something she doesn't like."

"..."

"Eh... Suzuki-kun's statement? It seems a bit... hmm?"

After hearing Ren Suzuki's response, Misaki Kamikusa stared at his face for a while, then shook her head.

"I hope it's my imagination. Anyway, this weekend's itinerary has been decided. Suzuki-kun, just relax and go out with her with peace of mind!"

"Well, since the itinerary has been planned, there is nothing we can do."

Although there are still many unclear things, Ren Suzuki finally accepted the trip plan with Mashiro Shiina this weekend.

As for the destination... now that both of them can stay in suspense, there is no need for him to continue making random guesses.

Thus, under the smiling gaze of Misaki Kamiigusa, Ren Suzuki and Mashiro Shiina's trip was confirmed.

Chapter 28: Start from a familiar place

On the Sunday of the scheduled trip, Ren Suzuki changed into casual clothes early and was completely ready to go out.

For the sake of convenience, Suzuki Ren's outfit was almost exactly the same as when he traveled with the members of "The End Band". The only difference was that this time he brought a bag that was even more bulging than last time.The satchel contains all the spare items that can be used when going out - such as paper towels, wet wipes, handkerchiefs and umbrellas...

And the reason why he was so prepared was naturally not just for himself.

Based on his understanding of Shiina Mashiro, it is absolutely impossible for that child to have the awareness to carry spare supplies when going out.

And sure enough, when he saw the figure slowly walking down the second floor with empty hands, he was immediately more sure that his preparations were absolutely necessary——

At first glance, there are no patterns or decorations on the light green dress, but if you look closely at the cuffs and skirt, you can clearly see the unique and delicate embroidery.The white sunhat dotted with red flowers and the white sandals on her feet, together with the light green dress, complete this spring-like outfit.

Low-key, refined, pure and elegant.

Just like Ren Suzuki felt when she first met Mashiro Shiina.

However, after taking care of her for a month, no matter how gorgeous she was, Suzuki could not feel the stunning feeling at that time again.

"Shiina-san, turn around a little."

"Well?"

"Sure enough, the ribbon here is not tied properly. Come and raise your arms a little..."

Suzuki Ren tied the loose ribbon around her waist again, and then looked up and down at Shiina Mashiro's appearance.

"Well, that's good."

"…………"

It was obvious that Suzuki Ren had just tidied up her appearance a little as usual, but for some reason, Shiina Mashiro was completely unable to accept it as calmly as usual.

She frowned slightly and looked down at the belt that Suzuki Ren had re-tied. Her eyes looked like she had many complaints that she had not yet expressed...

Unfortunately, Ren Suzuki, who had looked away at this time, did not notice Shiina Mashiro's rare display of emotion.

"Then, I will follow Shiina-san's arrangements."

After making all preparations for the trip, Ren Suzuki smiled and said to Shiina Mashiro, and then he walked around half a step behind Shiina Mashiro, as if he hoped that she would lead the way for him...

"...This is my first time standing in front of Lian."

Facing this unprecedented view before her, Shiina Mashiro whispered:

"It always feels a little bit fresh."

Although she was just leading the way, she had always been guided and cared for by Suzuki Ren on one side. Now for the first time, she felt the sense of responsibility of walking in front of others.

Feeling the burning fighting spirit in his heart, Shiina Mashiro held up the brim of his hat and cast his unprecedented firm eyes forward.

"Let's go, Lian."

Ren Suzuki, who couldn't see Shiina Mashiro's face, just nodded lightly and said:

"Well, let's go."

Driven by this mysterious sense of freshness and "sense of mission", the two began their weekend outing...

........................

As soon as Ren Suzuki walked out of the gate of Sakurasou, he was immediately startled by the taxi parked at the door——

"Guess, a taxi?! Isn't it a bus or a tram?"

"Well? Is there any problem?"

"Well, it's okay, just follow Shiina-san's plan."

For this talented painter who comes from a privileged background and is also famous and wealthy, it is probably not too strange to take a taxi to go out...

Probably because Shiina Mashiro's usual words and deeds really lacked the feeling of a lady, Ren Suzuki subconsciously forgot about this child's identity and worth.

At this moment, looking at Shiina Mashiro's expression without any change, Suzuki Ren once again realized the difference in concepts between himself and Shiina Mashiro——

"...Isn't it weird to take a taxi?"

After seeing the shock on Ren Suzuki's expression, Mashiro Shiina couldn't help but ask:

When Ren Suzuki saw this, he quickly shook his head:

"It's not surprising...it's just that I made too much of a fuss."

He didn't want his ordinary people's consumption concepts to affect the other party.

After all, just like the last strategy, after this strategy is over, he will eventually leave Shiina Mashiro.

He didn't want this talented girl to be infected with any unnecessary "mundane world" because of his influence as a passer-by.

"It's...coffee color again."

On the other side, facing Ren Suzuki's answer, Mashiro Shiina lowered her head slightly and whispered in a voice that only she could hear:

"As long as she is with me... Lian has always been like this. Why is this..."

"kindness?"

"……nothing."

Mashiro Shiina shook her head and signaled to Ren Suzuki:

"Get in the car, Lian."

"okay."

Ren Suzuki nodded, and then took the lead in getting into the back seat of the taxi.

As expected, Shiina Mashiro sat next to him.

"Uh...Shiina-san?"

"what happened?"

"Well... I think the back seat of the taxi is pretty spacious, so there's no need to lean against me like this."

"? But, wasn't that how we sat on the tram before?"

"That's because there are many passengers on the tram, so we stay close together like that so as not to cause trouble to others. If it were a taxi, there would be no need for us to do this."

"………………Oh."

After listening to Suzuki Ren's explanation, Shiina Mashiro slowly sat down on the other side.

(Next time, it’s better to take the train.)

Looking at the unpleasant distance between the two, Shiina Mashiro thought in his heart with an expressionless expression.

........................

For Ren Suzuki, who has never taken a taxi several times since he was born, this trip can be said to be a quite novel experience for him.

Feeling this sense of comfort and comfort that was different from before, Ren Suzuki couldn't help but look out the window.

As the taxi continued to move forward, familiar scenery began to gradually flow from the field of vision.

Familiar trees, streets, and houses continue to disappear from the field of vision, and followed by a new batch of familiar trees, streets, and houses...

Ah, he has been to this convenience store before... I really miss it...

kindness?

Wait wait wait wait wait?Something is not quite right!

Why...after driving so far, everything on the roadside looks so familiar to Suzuki Ren? !

The one in front is the shopping street in Shimokitazawa, right?

The one further ahead seems to be the place I visited with everyone from [Ending the Band] before, right?

"That! Master driver!"

Full of surprise and suspicion, Suzuki Ren hurriedly leaned forward and asked the taxi driver.

"Where is our destination this time...?"

The next second, with Suzuki Ren's dull expression, the taxi driver replied calmly:

"Oh, it's a livehouse called [STARRY] located in Shimokitazawa."

"……Eh?!?!?!"

Looking at the familiar street scene approaching him constantly, Suzuki Ren let out an extremely undignified exclamation.

The Sunday that belongs to Ren Suzuki has probably just begun from this moment on.

Chapter 29: Entering as a “strange” person

Ren Suzuki had indeed heard the saying "the world is small" more than once, but it was only at this time that he realized the true meaning of this sentence.

When he got out of the taxi and looked at the [STARRY] sign in front of him, which had not seen many changes, he even had the illusion that he had returned to the first time he conquered it.However, at the same time, the descending stairs, which looked a little dim in the evening twilight, also reminded him of the "trial" he faced before entering the second strategy...

Just recalling the way Goto Ichiri looked at him at that time, Ren Suzuki couldn't help but feel a chill creeping up his spine.

"...That, Miss Shiina."

Ren Suzuki showed an indescribable and complicated smile.

"Why did you bring me here specially?"

"Because... Lian said that she is a fan of [End Band]. So, I want to take you to watch their performance."

At this time, Mashiro Shiina's amber eyes staring at Ren Suzuki seemed to glow with a charming light as she took a half step forward:

"How's it going, Lian? Are you happy?"

"You said you were happy..."

Although returning to the old place did make Suzuki Ren feel more cordial, but other than that, his mood may be closer to "panic" than happy.

After all, he has seen with his own eyes how difficult the full-power Goto Isri is. If he is targeted by her again, let alone this [Strategy], Suzuki Ren feels that his daily life will change. It's hard to move even an inch...

Imagine if that enhanced version of Goto Ichiri knew that he had moved into a large mixed-gender apartment and had to take care of the daily life of a girl every day...

For a moment, unspeakable fear struck Ren Suzuki's heart.