Tokyo: Love Begins with Controlling the Rich Girl

There might be some awkwardness after you're honest, and the way you interact with each other will change afterward.

If we get too close, we'll most likely be targeted by the Kamishiro family.

But compared to seeing her depressed all day, Shimada Sho felt that he could put these concerns aside for the time being.

"Would Mr. Thug be willing to tell me?"

In his mind, the young lady's words were no longer just one or two words.

Her voice was ethereal, carrying a hint of anticipation, as if all things were silently reviving in spring.

Upon hearing this, Shimada Sho nodded and said, "There's nothing I can't say, but there's one condition."

"What are the conditions?" Yukine Kamishiro immediately pressed.

Hearing her voice, which was noticeably higher than before, Shimada Sho felt a little relieved.

He carefully considered his words before speaking earnestly: "You must pull yourself together... at least not like this."

This is the only condition.

Shimada Sho didn't want to see her in this half-dead state.

It's not that he's a particularly warm-hearted man, but he's the one who single-handedly brought about this outcome.

When the young lady first transferred here, even though she seemed aloof and cold, she was at least willing to communicate with the girls.

She would also proactively share snacks and respond to her classmates' enthusiasm.

This was a performance she had never shown at Sacred Heart Women's College.

This represents her optimistic attitude of being willing to integrate into the class and start her life anew.

But then, because of his actions, he completely shut himself off again.

I haven't spoken to anyone since yesterday afternoon.

This state is no different from the hollow doll that Shimada Sho initially bound to her.

It's even worse than it was back then.

At that time, she still had the desire to seek thrills.

just now……

The young lady became like this because of him.

Therefore, it is now his responsibility to break this status quo.

"What do you think I am, Mr. Thug?" The young lady's voice echoed in my mind.

Calm, yet tinged with a hint of self-mockery.

He subconsciously wanted to recount her performance in class.

But considering that he was still a possessing spirit, he changed his words, "I hope you can make a change and stop being the same as when you were in school. At least talk to your classmates more and try to make some friends."

This is Shimada Sho's truest thought.

When I first transmigrated, all I could think about was making money to pay off my debts, and I didn't have time to pay attention to other people's mental state.

But after spending so much time together, even if he's slow to notice, he can see that the young lady's exterior is hollow and she's not the real her at all.

The real Yukine Kamishiro has emotions and desires, and also her own thoughts.

"it is good."

After a brief silence, the young lady's voice rang out again.

With unusual decisiveness, he said, "I agree to Mr. Thug."

"We can't just talk the talk," Shimada Sho emphasized.

"Hmm." Yukine Kamishiro's voice carried a faint hint of amusement. "I won't ignore people anymore."

Then he added, "Starting this afternoon."

Upon hearing this, Shimada Sho breathed a sigh of relief.

She is still willing to change.

"It's settled."

"Ah."

The two made an agreement, and Yukine Kamishiro's voice was noticeably lighter than before.

"So now..." she asked expectantly, "Can Mr. Thug tell me now?"

What's meant to happen will happen eventually.

Shimada Sho was mentally prepared.

Not wanting to disappoint her again, he said to himself, "I am..."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a figure rushed to the table.

It was Kiryu Ichiyo dressed as a maid.

"Miss."

She stopped in front of Yukine's desk and said with a serious expression, "I'm sorry to disturb your rest, but there is something I need to report to you."

Shimada Sho frowned.

"Is there something you need?" he asked coldly, using the same tone as Yukine Kamishiro.

Kiryu Ichiyo nodded and was about to lean closer to whisper in his ear.

But at this moment—

[Remaining time for this connection: 00:00:01]

The login time limit, which I hadn't paid much attention to, has unknowingly reached its final second.

"..."

Feeling the dizziness unique to when consciousness leaves the body, Shimada Sho swallowed his words.

He wanted to reveal his identity, but not just give a name in a hurry.

So in the end, the exit message became, "It's time."

There was no sound in my mind.

The young lady seemed to fall silent again.

However, Shimada Sho never received a reply from her.

As the thought left my mind, my consciousness was pulled away from my body.

Just as they were about to completely break free, Yukine Kamishiro's ethereal voice drifted over, "Alright, I'll be waiting for Mr. Thug."

Hearing his voice, which had completely returned to its clear state, Shimada Sho's mood improved as well.

Tell her tomorrow.

After Shimada Sho left, Kamishiro Yukine's amber eyes refocused.

She first looked up at Shimada Sho, who was slumped over the desk in front of her, then looked away before turning to Kiryu Ichiyo, who was still leaning close to her ear. "Go ahead and say it."

Before she knew it, she had regained her usual aloof demeanor.

……

【Ding! 】

[There is no reward for this connection as you have not completed any tasks.]

【Ding! 】

[A significant change in the character "Kamishiro Yukine's" mindset has been detected; her character development progress is now being updated...]

【Kamidai Yukiyin】

Age: 16

[Tags: Lack of common sense, Tokyo delinquent speedrunner, Ellie Benli, copycat madman, Bloodhound, transfer student, cloudy to partly cloudy (NEW)]

Current progress: 51% (+6%)

[Connection Cooldown: 11 hours 59 minutes 03 seconds (Reset)]

Shimada Sho's consciousness returned to his body, and a familiar light screen appeared before his eyes.

His gaze immediately fell on the progress of the training.

After discovering the increase, it landed on the label below.

The label of "heartbroken girl" has disappeared.

Instead, a new sign reads "Cloudy to Partly Cloudy".

It must mean that the young lady's mood has recovered, right?

He breathed a sigh of relief, and his whole body relaxed.

The progress of the training also increased from 45% to 51%.

It's not as high as the previous 65%, but it's a good start.

This shows that his words had an effect.

The young lady's mindset is improving.

Shimada Sho lay on the table, slowly adjusting his breathing.

As is customary, he should wait a while before "waking up" to avoid arousing suspicion.

But since I've already decided to tell her, there's really no need to pretend anymore.

Or perhaps it was his body's natural instinct to be tired that made him lie there a little longer.

The classroom remained quiet.

Kiryu Ichiyo whispered in his ear, so he couldn't hear her.

With his eyes closed, Shimada Sho recalled the conversation he had just had.

If Kiryu Ichiyo hadn't suddenly barged in, he would have finished speaking by now.

But there's no rush.

We've already come this far, a dozen or so more hours won't make a difference.

Shimada Sho told himself this in his heart.

Hearing footsteps beside him, Kiryu Ichiyo left, and then he pretended to have just woken up, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.

"Shimada-kun is awake?"

Haruko had returned at some point and was now lying on her desk, curiously watching him.

"You were sleeping so soundly just now, I called you but you didn't respond."

"I'm too sleepy," Shimada Sho replied casually.

Haruko didn't pay any attention and turned back to continue chatting with the girl next to her.

Shimada Sho stretched his neck and glanced behind him out of the corner of his eye.

Yukine Kamishiro sat in her seat, holding chopsticks and slowly eating the bento box on the table.

Perhaps noticing Shimada Sho's gaze, she looked up.

Their eyes met, and Yukine Kamishiro's lips curled up slightly.

The expression on her face became incredibly vivid in that instant.

Looking at Shimada Sho, the young lady asked softly, "Is there something you need, Shimada-kun?"

“…It’s nothing.” Shimada Sho shook his head, turned around and sat down.

Returning to his former status as a classmate, he struggled to adjust to the young lady's sudden change.

To cover his embarrassment, he took out his phone and pretended to check his messages.

And sure enough, there was a new message on Line.