After saying that, Banami opened a bottle of beer and chugged it down in one go. There were girls whistling and cheering nearby, which stood out in the noisy environment.

Su Shi looked at the man with some surprise, but heard him say, "Alright, you can tell me if you have any complaints."

Su Shi couldn't help but chuckle; this was probably the first time she had laughed during this heartbreaking night.

She said, "You seem quite skilled at drinking; you used to do this all the time."

After a moment of silence, Banami said, "Yes."

With a slightly dazed look in her eyes, Su Shi said, "As expected, you are not worthy of someone as noble as SAKI-chan."

Thinking of this, Su Shi felt a dull ache in her heart.

Banami lowered her head and said softly, "That's what I think too."

Su Shi paused slightly upon hearing this, seemingly somewhat surprised.

Sure enough, he really was a pitiful man. He probably thought that Xiangzi divorced him because of his problems, but in reality, it was all an act by Xiangzi, and this man was probably still blaming himself...

Su Shi's heart ached once again.

“You know what…” Su Shi picked up her glass again, poured herself a full glass of whiskey, the liquid swirling and splashing a few drops onto the back of her fair hand, cool and refreshing, “SAKI-chan… is the most important person in my life.”

As she spoke, she tilted her head back and took a large gulp of wine. The spicy taste made her cough violently, and tears welled up in her eyes.

But she didn't stop. She coughed and spoke intermittently, as if she wanted to pour out all the words that had been hidden in her heart for a long time.

Then, Su Shi began to tell Banami about her past with Xiangzi.

She has wine, and she has stories.

The night is still long.

Hmm, haven't we said this somewhere before?

Chapter Thirty: Reconciliation

As the alcohol took effect, Su Shi opened up completely, and the past, which had been sealed away, gradually became clear under the influence of alcohol.

She made no attempt to hide anything, recounting her life story almost from the bottom of her heart, her voice filled with an unyielding bitterness.

"My parents' relationship has always been very distant, so distant that it's like strangers living together."

She picked up her glass and took a sip. The spiciness of the wine couldn't hide the loneliness in her eyes. "I rarely saw my father when I was little. He was always busy with work. When he came home, he would just stop for a quick rest. He never celebrated my birthday with me, and he never heard me talk about anything at school."

Su Shi talked about her parents' indifference to each other and how she lacked her father's company since childhood.

She talked about her mother's busy life and homeless days after the divorce.

"For a long time, I took sleeping on the sofa for granted."

When she said these words, her lips were even more bitter than the wine.

Banami sat quietly opposite, not interrupting, only occasionally taking a sip from the bottle, like a good listener.

Only after Su Shi finished speaking did she let out a long sigh, then looked up at him and asked softly, "And you? What were you like when you were a child?"

After a moment of silence, Banami ran her fingertips along the cool bottle a few times, her voice as flat as if she were talking about someone else: "I grew up in an orphanage in the countryside."

A short sentence, without any unnecessary embellishment, yet it made Su Shi's pupils tremble slightly.

She fell silent instantly, staring blankly at the boy in front of her.

He didn't say a word more, but Su Shi already understood how much untold bitterness and helplessness was hidden behind this simple sentence, a weight that her childhood regrets could not compare to.

Su Shi gave a self-deprecating smile, her eyes filled with apology: "I'm sorry. In your opinion, my complaints just now were probably a case of not appreciating what I had."

Although her childhood had its regrets, at least her parents were alive, and she never experienced the feeling of being helpless and alone.

But the boy in front of us, whose childhood lacked even the outline of a "home," must have been even more lonely and difficult.

That's why he came to Tokyo after growing up, wanting to rewrite his life and find his own place there.

Hearing Su Shi's words, Banami gently shook her head, her eyes serious and gentle: "I don't think pain needs to be measured."

Xiangzi lost her mother and had to leave the Fengchuan family; that was her pain. Your regrets about your childhood are also real sorrows, never just sentimentalism untouched by reality.

Su Shi was startled and stared at him blankly.

Suffering can lead to two outcomes for human nature.

One outcome is becoming increasingly indifferent and self-centered, which is the result most people would choose.

The other type is like the boy in front of us, who has excessive empathy for the suffering of others, which is why he took the initiative to help Xiangzi, who had run away from home.

Aine, who previously helped Nagasaki Motoyo drown her sorrows in alcohol, is now equally worried that Nagasaki Motoyo might encounter an accident.

Of course, this is not a healthy psychological state, but in Su Shi's eyes, once the previous prejudices are removed, the way she looks at the boy has a special flavor.

People who experienced childhood deprivation tend to unconsciously feel a sense of "companionship" closeness towards others who have had similar experiences.

"And what about you, Yana Miyu?" Nagasaki Motoyo subconsciously revealed a hint of natural maternal instinct.

Banami gently raised his head, looking slightly lost. He had never shown his inner pain, not even in front of Xiangzi. He had to be someone's support, not the other way around.

He simply shook his head slightly, seemingly unwilling to say more.

Su Shi realized that Banami didn't seem to know why Xiangzi had dumped her, and a pang of pity rose in her heart.

"Does your boyfriend rental service include hugging?" Su Shi asked.

After a slight hesitation, Banami replied softly, "If it's just a simple hug, that's fine."

However, the next moment, Su Shi stood up, walked to Banami's side, and gently stretched out her arms to pull him into her embrace.

This action stunned Banami instantly. He had originally thought that Suze wanted him to hug her.

“I’m not pitying you.” Su Shi’s voice was muffled, with a hint of self-pity. “I just think it’s nice for two people in the same boat to find warmth in each other.”

Banai felt stiff and somewhat at a loss. He and Xiangzi had been intimate countless times, a passionate and sweet tenderness between lovers. But the feeling of being held by Su Shi at this moment was completely different. The warm touch enveloped him, like soaking in a warm bath, or returning to his mother's amniotic fluid, so reassuring that his tense nerves gradually relaxed.

After a long while, he let out a soft sigh of relief, his voice much gentler: "Thank you, Miss Nagasaki."

Su Shi slowly released his hand, sat back in her seat, and seeing his slightly embarrassed appearance, couldn't help but tease him, "Unlike you, I won't charge you."

Seeing that she was amused by her, Banai smiled helplessly, picked up her beer and took a sip, and the stuffiness and awkwardness in the air quietly dissipated.

Then, Su Shi started talking again, recounting her experience of meeting Xiangzi: "At that time, my mother's job finally stabilized, and she took me back to her side and sent me to Tsuki no Mori Academy. That school was very prestigious, and the people there were all rich and powerful. At first, I felt very inferior and thought I didn't belong."

“Until I met Saki-chan.” Su Shi’s eyes lit up when she mentioned Shoko, her tone full of longing. “She was like the sun, dazzling and confident, reaching out to me without reservation and illuminating my dark path. She was the one who led me to form a band and helped me find the meaning of my existence.”

Su Shi rambled on, recounting everything from the initial spark of attraction to the passion of forming a team, finally concluding with the unwavering statement, "I am the person who loves SAKI-chan the most in this world."

As Banami listened, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly, her expression showing a hint of nonchalance.

"Hmph, I knew you'd make that face. You're not happy, are you?" Su Shi raised an eyebrow at him, asking defiantly, "And you? How did you meet Saki-chan?"

Banami didn't want to say anything more, but her provocative look aroused her competitive spirit, and she retorted softly: "In my opinion, the Xiaoxiang I know is different from the one you know. Back then, she was like a canary that flew out of the greenhouse but accidentally got hurt."

“She was really clumsy at first. She didn’t know how to use many common appliances, and occasionally she would show her extravagant habits as a young lady, which made a lot of jokes.” Banami’s eyes softened as she recalled the past. “But she never felt sorry for herself. She tried her best to adapt to ordinary life and worked extra hard.”

“That’s how I was attracted to her.” He paused, his tone incredibly certain. “Who wouldn’t like Toyokawa Shoko like that? I’m probably the person in the world who likes Shoko the most.”

Su Shi was initially quite moved by Banami's sharing of Xiangzi's experiences, but Banami's last provocative remark angered her.

"What a joke! I was the first friend SAKI made, the first person she was in a band with, and the first bandmate she had at a live performance... I have so many precious memories with her!"

Banami smiled slightly: "Xiaoxiang's first kiss was mine, her first experience was mine, her first time... was mine too. I've done many, many intimate things with her."

He even took wedding photos with her.

Upon hearing this, Su Shi's eyes immediately turned red, and she cursed a few times.

Clearly, he won the championship in the first "Who is the most fond of Xiao Xiang" competition.

After cursing a few times in a fit of anger, Su Shi looked at the boy with some sadness.

Actually, he's quite pitiful; he doesn't even know why Xiangzi divorced him.

"What's wrong? Still want to compete?" Banami provocatively asked.

Su Shi took a swig from the bottle and said, puzzled, "Never mind, I won't argue with you."

As Banami looked at the other woman, she thought to herself, "This Miss Nagasaki is quite pitiful. In order to make up for the lack of her childhood, she has been yearning for Sho but has never been able to get him. She probably doesn't have any bad intentions."

In the end, the two inexplicably reconciled and gently clinked glasses.

Chapter Thirty-One: Though I am not talented, I wish to become your godfather.

Making peace with others is not a bad thing, Banami thought to herself.

However, this relief did not last long. He soon remembered the misunderstanding when Xiangzi saw him taking the drunk Aiyin home last time.

To avoid repeating the same mistake, before leaving the bar, Banami made sure to find out Suze's address. She planned to drop her off downstairs and then leave, trying not to leave any room for speculation.

When the two walked out of the bar, it was already late at night. The cool evening breeze blew on their faces, which made Su Shi less drunk and his consciousness was still relatively clear.

But Banami couldn't bear to leave a half-drunk woman home alone, so she accompanied her to hail a taxi. Before getting in, she checked the time on her phone, wondering if they could catch the last train.

The taxi driver's driving skills weren't exactly smooth; the car swayed slightly in the night, as if trying to lull someone to sleep. Before long, Su Shi, who was leaning against the passenger seat, couldn't help but lean to the side, her head gently resting on Banami's shoulder.

Warm breath brushed against her shoulder, carrying a faint scent of alcohol. Hanami stiffened, instinctively wanting to steady her, but then heard Suze, eyes closed, murmur, "Hanami... I really, really love Saki-chan... I love her so much I'd do anything for her..."

Banami paused, listening in silence.

He could hear the deep-seated obsession in Su Shi's tearful murmur. He said softly, "Now... you can actually go after her."

Strictly speaking, Xiao Xiang is currently single.

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Shi slowly opened her eyes, her gaze still unfocused, but she stared at him intently, a bitter smile playing on her lips: "You idiot...you're so pathetic...we...we were all deceived..."

Hanami tilted her head slightly, full of doubt. Just as she was about to ask what Hanami meant, Suze looked away, her gaze drifting to the neon lights flowing outside the window. Her voice was filled with unspeakable pain: "But... Hanami, I've realized... I don't think I can let go of Aine at all..."

“Every time I desperately miss Saki-chan… that idiot’s voice and smile automatically appear in my mind. I should love Saki-chan the most… why is this happening…” Suze’s voice grew softer and softer, with suppressed sobs, as if she was talking to Hanami, or questioning herself.

He said softly, "People... probably don't even know what they want."

These words seemed to strike a chord with Su Shi. She nodded with a bitter smile, her eyes reddening. "Yes... For Saki-chan, I abandoned Aine and pushed away that idiot who was always so good to me. But when I finally had the chance to pursue Saki-chan, I found that I couldn't forget her at all... And now... And now..."

She then discovered that her two favorite people were secretly together and were even deliberately trying to induce her to break up with them.

It hurts, it hurts too much.

Su Shi stared intently at the man beside her, at this fool who was still in the dark and immersed in the guilt of the divorce, and a strong sense of resentment suddenly arose in her heart.

I feel sorry for Banami, this affectionate guy, and also for the youth and sincere feelings I've given up.

The taxi quickly arrived at the apartment building where Su Shi lived. Just as Banai was about to wake Su Shi, who was leaning on her shoulder, she found that she was already asleep, breathing evenly, but her brows were still tightly furrowed, as if she was having a bad dream.

Left with no other choice, he could only gently help Su Shi up, pay the fare, and then help this young, wealthy woman, who reeked of alcohol, into the apartment building.

Arriving at the designated floor in the private elevator, Banami tried calling out to Suze a few times, but there was no response. Having no other option, he carefully took the key from Suze's pocket, inserted it into the lock, gently turned it, and pushed open the apartment door.

He gently turned on the living room light, and the warm yellow light illuminated the entire space.

The apartment's interior exuded luxury, much like the high-end clothing stores that Xiangzi had taken him to.

Despite the apartment's large size, it lacked any sense of life, giving him a desolate feeling.

Banami gently helped Su Shi onto the sofa, found her a cushion to put behind her head, then placed the keys on the coffee table and turned to leave.

But at that moment, he heard the other person's clear voice.

"Hana Mimi, don't go yet. Today's 'rent-a-boyfriend' service isn't finished yet." When he turned around, he saw that the girl seemed to have made up her mind.

Banami frowned slightly, her tone tinged with wariness: "I've said it before, I don't go to hotels, nor do I provide services that cross the line." Her meaning was clear: she didn't want any more ambiguous entanglements.

Su Shi chuckled and gently shook her head: "It's not that kind of thing. I have another wish that I want you, as my rented boyfriend, to help me fulfill. Don't you think that renting a boyfriend is actually a profession that can help people realize their dreams?"

Banami was curious about what she wanted to do, but being alone in a single woman's apartment late at night could easily lead to something suspicious.

The problems between Xiangzi and Aiyin have already left him in a very difficult situation.

"If you stay with me, I'll tell you the reason I got drunk today, and the secret between Saki and Aine that they didn't tell you."

The secret between Xiangzi and Aine? Banami's heart was instantly piqued. He hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

Seeing this, Su Shi smiled with relief, stood up and went into the bedroom, leaving behind the words, "Wait here for a moment."

Banami sat on the sofa, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the leather surface, her mind filled with doubt.

What secret lies between Xiangzi and Aiyin? What does Su Shi mean when she says she was "deceived"?

Just as his thoughts were racing, the living room lights suddenly went out with a "snap," leaving only a dim nightlight in the entryway, creating a hazy atmosphere. Then, Nagasaki Motoyo slowly emerged from the bedroom.

Upon seeing Su Shi's appearance, Banami almost widened her eyes in disbelief and froze on the spot.

The Nagasaki Motoyo standing before them was not wearing the clothes from before, but rather a tiny kindergarten uniform. A small round hat, a brown pleated skirt, and a white shirt—the ill-fitting size made her already full figure appear even more voluptuous.

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