Tokyo: Love Begins with Controlling the Rich Girl

Even after entering the new corridor, Shimada Sho did not pull his hand back.

Once she grabbed it, she showed no intention of letting go.

Later, instead of grabbing the wrist, they started holding hands palm to palm, their ten fingers naturally intertwined, just like the last time in the mall.

The two of them walked hand in hand through the corridor and into one room after another, which was set up as a ward, a morgue, and an autopsy room.

In each new scene, Ayase Yuki's pace would slow down, her body would unconsciously move closer to Shimada Sho, and her fingers would unconsciously tighten.

Her body tense was transmitted through her clasped hands, but she maintained a calm demeanor on her face.

Shimada Sho observed this, but smiled without saying a word.

As they approached the exit, Yuki Ayase turned her head to look at Sho Shimada.

"Xiang Jun."

"Um?"

"Did you bring me to this haunted house on purpose today?"

Shimada Sho tilted his head to look at her, a slight smile playing on his lips. "What do you think?"

"Yes," Yuki Ayase answered without hesitation.

He did not deny it, saying, "You could say that."

Why?

"Because you don't seem very happy today."

She stopped asking questions and walked forward in silence with her head down.

Only when he saw the sign with the exit arrow did he slowly look up and ask, "And now?"

“It looks a little better now,” Shimada Sho answered truthfully.

She didn't say a word before entering the haunted house.

Now at least they will proactively ask questions.

If you just relax your mindset a little, you can gradually relax completely.

The two walked out of the haunted house, which was located in the northeast corner of the amusement park, directly in the sunlight. Shimada Sho couldn't help but squint.

His hand was still being held tightly, and he showed no intention of pulling it away.

They continued strolling through the amusement park.

Looking at it now, the changes in Yuki Ayase are clearly visible.

She was no longer as absent-minded as she had been in the morning.

Although he still doesn't talk much, his eyes have a light in them, and he no longer walks with his shoulders hunched over so straight.

Occasionally, I'll stop and take a look at any amusement park ride that interests me.

They would also ask him if he wanted to give it a try.

Shimada Sho was naturally happy to accompany him and agreed to everything.

They rode a carousel together, played ring toss and balloon popping together, and Shimada Sho even helped her win a palm-sized white rabbit doll.

Then came a multitude of activities, which Ayase Yuki seemed quite interested in participating in, and her mood gradually returned to normal.

It was already evening, the sun was gradually setting in the west, and the number of visitors to the amusement park was increasing.

Yuki Ayase stood by the railing beside the carousel, watching the Ferris wheel in the distance slowly slowing down, and suddenly spoke: "Sho-kun."

"Um?"

"It's about time to head back."

Shimada Sho turned to look at her. "So early?"

I promised to spend half a day with him last time, and the time is indeed about the same.

But there's still some time before dark, so we can play a little longer.

Yuki Ayase met his gaze, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "That's enough for today. I'm happy just to be able to get out for a walk."

She has fully recovered.

"Thank you, Xiangjun, for spending time with me today," she added.

Shimada Sho looked at her and couldn't help but smile: "Are you just going back like this?"

"Um?"

"I haven't eaten yet."

Yuki Ayase paused for a moment, then blinked in confusion, "Sho-kun wants to have dinner with me?"

Shimada Sho smiled wryly. "Otherwise what?"

"...I thought Xiangjun would want to go back sooner." Her tone was unusually surprised.

"Why?"

“Because…” she turned her head and answered softly, “the time has already come, and Xiangjun probably doesn’t want to stay a second longer.”

Shimada Sho looked at her profile and was speechless for a moment.

Reflecting on my past actions.

Although I was constantly thinking about how to get away from her when she got involved with me.

But he didn't expect that Yuki Ayase would actually see through it.

"Was it that obvious before?" he couldn't help but ask.

Yuki Ayase turned to look at him, as if amused by his words, a smile appearing on her lips, and nodded slightly, "It's obvious."

"Alright." Shimada Sho didn't ask any more questions, turned around and walked straight towards the amusement park entrance, saying, "Let's go, I'll treat you to ramen."

Chapter Nineteen: A New Part-Time Job, Familiar New Colleagues

Sho Shimada took Yuki Ayase to a ramen shop in the back alley of the amusement park.

This ramen shop is small, with only a few tables, but it has quite a few customers.

Upon entering, a rich aroma of pork bones greets you.

The owner was a middle-aged man with gray hair, wearing an apron, scooping noodles at the stove. When he saw them come in, he raised his chin and said, "Make yourself at home."

"Two servings of signature ramen." Shimada Sho led Ayase Yuki to a corner seat and said this towards the stove.

The boss nodded in response.

Yuki Ayase sat opposite her, placed the white rabbit doll she had won on the corner of the table, rested her hands on the table, and looked around curiously.

After Shimada Sho sat down, his gaze swept over her in front of him.

The warm yellow light shone down from above, casting a thin halo around her.

She regained her spirits and was no longer as listless as when she first came out.

Noticing his gaze, Ayase Yuki suddenly smiled and looked at him, saying, "Is it pretty?"

"It's alright." Shimada Sho nodded and looked away.

Ayase Yuki asked slyly, "Why don't you watch it, Sho-kun, since it's so good?"

"...The food is here." Fortunately, the ramen arrived quickly, so he didn't have to answer the question.

The two bowls of ramen that the owner brought were very large, with a thick white broth and a layer of oil floating on the surface.

The char siu slices on top were cut very thick, and there was also half a soft-boiled egg and a few pieces of seaweed placed next to it.

"Not bad." Shimada Sho broke open his chopsticks, took a bite, and gave his evaluation.

Seeing this, Yuki Ayase also picked up her chopsticks, took a pinch of noodles, and put them in her mouth.

After tasting it, her eyes lit up. "This restaurant is really delicious!"

"Right?" Seeing that she liked it, Shimada Sho thought to himself that all his research hadn't been in vain.

Yuki Ayase picked up another half egg, took a small bite, and asked curiously, "Has Sho-kun been here before?"

"No, it was recommended online."

"Xiang-jun would even specifically look up restaurant guides just for the sake of eating out?"

Sometimes.

The two ate and chatted, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

Yuki Ayase's appetite was much better than in the afternoon; she ate most of a bowl of noodles and even drank several mouthfuls of soup.

When he was almost finished eating, Shimada Sho put down his chopsticks.

Yuki Ayase ate slowly; there were still some noodles left.

She wasn't in a hurry to eat, picking up only one at a time and savoring it slowly.

Taking advantage of this moment, Shimada Sho reached into his pocket and rummaged around.

Sensing his movement, Ayase Yuki paused with her chopsticks and looked up.

Just then, he touched something, took it out, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it forward.

It was a palm-sized, deep blue velvet gift box, tied with a thin silver-gray ribbon, exquisite and elegant.

This is the box he specially prepared before he came out.

"Happy birthday."

Just as Ayase Yuki's gaze was drawn to him, Shimada Sho spoke softly.

As soon as she finished speaking, Yuki Ayase looked up in surprise.

She seemed unable to believe it.

His complex expression was filled with surprise and delight.

"How did Xiangjun know it was my birthday today?" she asked, still unsure.

"I inquired about it at school before," Shimada Sho said, reciting a prepared statement.

He learned about Ayase Yuki's birthday when he possessed her body.

Without revealing one's identity, a reasonable explanation is definitely necessary.

But this reason is easy to find.

Seeing that Ayase Yuki was still looking, he continued, "When I was injured last time, you helped me so much. I've been wanting to find an opportunity to thank you. I happened to see your birthday when I was looking through your file."

Shimada Sho spoke naturally, with little variation in his tone.

Yuki Ayase clearly believed it.

The confusion in her eyes turned into joy as she looked down at the velvet gift box on the table.

She picked it up but didn't open it immediately. Instead, she looked up and asked, "Can I open it?"

"Yes." Shimada Sho nodded.

She then untied the silver-gray ribbon on it.

The contents of the box were placed there by Shimada Sho himself.

What appeared after it was opened was exactly the same as when he put it in.

A thin, silvery chain lay at the bottom of the box, with a small flower-shaped pendant hanging in the center. The petals had a simple outline and a warm, matte finish.

The chain was thin and its design was not elaborate; it lay quietly on the white satin.

Yuki Ayase watched it for a long time.

Looking up, she asked in a slightly strained voice, "Did Xiang-jun choose this?"

"Yes, you can change it if you don't like it."

Yuki Ayase clutched the box tightly as if she had heard something terrible. "I love it!"

"..."

She didn't put it on immediately. After putting the box down, she looked up at Shimada Sho and a genuine smile appeared on her lips. "Thank you, Sho-kun."