I won't be a loser.

Sitting in the living room was Mari Fukaoka, but Sonoko Machida was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Machida?"

"She's working overtime today. The author's new volume is about to be released. She'll be quite busy for the next while, so you probably won't be able to see her at home."

"About what time will you be back?"

"She might have to stay overnight at the publishing house. She might be back around ten o'clock, depending on how busy she is at work, this girl?"

Noticing the pigtailed girl standing timidly behind Kento, Mari Fukaoka was a little concerned. The girl's style seemed a little different from Kento's. She looked very "rustic", which was quite rare in today's cities.

"Yoshida Saki, the girl from the class next to mine will be staying here for a while. Can you take care of her for a while? Where's Rio?"

"She went home to get some daily necessities and will be back in a while."

"I see."

He nodded to show his understanding, and his eyes turned to Yoshida Saki beside him.

"This is Mari Fukaoka, a resident here. If you need any help, you can ask her. Of course, she needs to work during the day, so she won't be here. At night-"

"If you don't work overtime, you can."

"Yi, Yoshida Saki, please give me some advice."

"Don't be so shy. The people who live here, except for the one who works overtime, are all very gentle, so please give me your guidance."

Mari Fukaoka was a little surprised when she looked at the shy girl. She didn't expect that Xianren knew such a girl. Looking at Xianren's eyes, it seemed that he had something to tell her.

But when she was about to speak and ask what was going on, Kento, who was standing next to Yoshida Saki, poured a cup of tea and handed it to Yoshida Saki, saying that he had something to talk to Mari Fukaoka about, and then led Mari Fukaoka into his bedroom.

"The girl was a little frightened at home and ran away from home—no, her family knew about it, so it shouldn't be considered a runaway."

"What happened? A shock?"

"Almost by her drunken father—hmm."

She spread out her hands and did not explain the matter clearly, but looking at the wise man's attitude, Mari Fukaoka frowned and had a vague guess in her heart.

"When the mother found out about what happened, she didn't react and asked her daughter to leave home and live with her grandmother. But she was very uneasy, so she asked me for help, and I let her live here."

"And you are—"

"We are classmates, there is no impure friendship. I don't deny that she has some attachment to me and some affection for me."

"understood."

Mari Fukaoka also understood the situation, and looking at the wise man in front of her, she couldn't help but sigh.

"Including Futaba, there are two runaway girls here?"

"Rio doesn't count. Her family has accepted her current situation, and it's not as bad as what Yoshida is experiencing."

"Think about how to explain it to Futaba. I understand. During my time here, I will take care of this girl named Yoshida."

"sorry to bother you."

"Could you consider reducing the rent?"

"Then wait until I think about it."

- - - -

Thanks to Baihe Xiaoniao, Shijian Fanhua, Luoyang Miracle, and zt126 for their monthly tickets! Thanks to everyone for their recommendations!

Another year of budding: 318. Miyamizu Futaba's little thoughts

After settling Yoshida Saki, Kento, who had nothing to do in the coffee shop, waited for Futaba Rio to come back and talked to her about Yoshida Saki. The rational science girl's expression suddenly became as depressed as a cloudy day.

"......"

She wanted to vent her emotions, but looking at the calm sage in front of her, coupled with the things she had encountered most, she bit her lip and groaned.

"So, what is your relationship with her now?"

"We have no relationship at all, just simple acquaintances, barely friends? She did have a crush on me, but nothing happened. Now that something like this has happened, I'm helping her out."

"You don't have any feelings for her, but she may not have no feelings for you. When the time comes, can you control yourself?"

"should......."

After thinking about it, Yoshida Saki actually has an excellent figure, and it seems that she fits well in black stockings.

"can."

"I wish your tone could be a little firmer when you answer, tsk."

At this point, everything has been handled. What inappropriate words can Futaba Rio say?

"I understand. During this time, I will pay attention to and take good care of her."

"Actually, you can just have Mari-san take care of you. You don't usually interact with her, so there's no need to force yourself. I'll be going back to my apartment tonight. I can't stay here until my mother returns to Itomori."

"Ah."

Looking at the luggage that Futaba Rio had brought here, it looked like she was moving, with packages and suitcases of all sizes, which made Kento feel a little weird, but he didn't feel that there was anything wrong with it. This was a good thing.

"Don't your parents have any objections?"

"After I told my parents that you were a writer and had already bought a house in Tokyo, they weren't as resistant as they were at the beginning."

"So simple?"

"Maybe deep down I still mind, but since I already made it clear that I was the first one... I don't have any objections."

"......"

He almost forgot that it all started when the science genius girl in front of him mixed a bottle of unknown liquid that made him faint all of a sudden, and that's when so many things happened.

Of course, he started to take the initiative in the following matters.

"Anyway, you're the type who won't refuse someone who takes the initiative. If that girl takes the initiative, you won't resist at all, right?"

"Ah, that's just my personality. There's nothing I can do about it. Not everyone can easily refuse meat that's offered to them."

"You're so honest, you don't even deny it."

"Isn't this my trust in you? It's normal for couples to have some secrets, but I've already hidden too much from this person. Suppressing it deep in my heart, sooner or later I'll give way. So I want to be a little more straightforward, even with you."

"I don't like your bluntness."

"I'm sure no girl would appreciate such bluntness. I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you."

"Does an apology help?"

After taking a look at the wise man in front of her, she knew that even if she said so, he would not change at all. The only psychological comfort she had was probably knowing that he still cared about her.

He glanced towards the door and his eyes fell on the girl in front of him. Xianren raised the corners of his mouth, opened his arms, and hugged the girl in front of him. Under Futaba Rio's slightly disgusted look, he lowered his head and carried the girl towards the bed.

When I came out of the room, I saw Mari Fukazaki in the living room, and Saki Yoshida, who was holding a teacup and looked a little lost.

"Well, I'll leave it to you for the time being, Mari-san."

"here."

Mari Fukaoka faced Xianren who walked out of the bedroom and pointed at her neck, which made Xianren stunned for a moment. As if he thought of something, he put his hand on his neck and wiped it. He saw a hint of crystal luster in the palm of his hand - it was lipstick.

Without any shyness, she saw the virtuous man wearing lipstick, smiled slightly, and didn't care.

"I have something else to do, so I'll go back to the apartment first. Contact information, if there is anything, Yoshida you can contact me directly."

"Uh-huh."

Since Yoshida Saki had his contact information, there was no need to pay special attention to it. At the same time, after having explained everything to Kazeoka Mari, Kento left the "coffee shop" and walked on the street towards the subway station.

When I came here, I walked a little more, but it was also faster. When I went back to my apartment, the time was not so tight, so I didn’t need to walk such a long distance. After a leisurely transfer, it took about half an hour to reach my apartment again.

I pushed the door open and entered the house, and saw my mother and Qingpu Setsuna sitting inside.

"moment?"

"A wise man."

"Welcome back."

Looking at the returning sage, Miyamizu Futaba looked up at her son and smiled.

"What are you talking about?"

"Xianren is planning to enroll in Chiba University?"

"Hmm...ah, you did have that thought. Did you tell Setsuna?"

Looking at his mother, Xianren was a little surprised. He didn't expect that his mother would tell Shanshan about this matter.

It wasn't that he was dissatisfied. Sooner or later he would have to tell his girlfriend about this matter, it was a matter of sooner or later. He sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. Looking at Shanna's calm expression, it seemed that she didn't care much.

"I think it's better to finalize this matter as soon as possible, so I wanted to talk to Setsuna briefly. Now that you're back, I also want you two to finalize it."

It is indeed necessary to tell Setsuna. Without Miyamizu Futaba, Kento himself probably doesn't know when he will tell his girlfriend. Judging from his own personality, it will probably be when everything is confirmed.

"It's true that I should discuss this with Shanshan. However, it's just an idea and nothing has been put into practice yet. What do you think?"

“I want to jump in, too.”

"......"

Stunned for a moment, Xianren looked at his girlfriend and blinked.

"It may be a little difficult for now, but there's still half a year left. I will work hard and go to Chiba University with Xianren."

"...Actually, there's no need to be so anxious."

"Why is the wise man so anxious?"

"I'm a year older than you, Setsuna. It's normal for me to go to university earlier. During my time in private school, I was tested to be above my level. If I stayed in high school, I would simply be wasting my time. So, if I go to university earlier, I'll have more room to develop my abilities."

It cannot be denied that there are actually a lot of things to deal with in college, and academic work is not that simple and easy. However, compared to the easy but meaningless high school life now, it is more appropriate to enter college early.

"Of course, I won't stop you from thinking of this, Setsuna. If you're willing to jump in with me, I support your idea, and you can go to the private school with me."

Sitting in the room, Qingpu Setsuna, who heard the wise man's words, did not show any joy.

"I understand. I will work hard and achieve our goal together with Xianren."

"Why are you home so late tonight?"

After talking about further studies, Miyamizu Futaba found that Kiyoura Setsuna and her son seemed to have reached an agreement, so she did not continue the topic and asked why Kento had returned home just now.

Qingpu Setsuna slowly turned her gaze towards her boyfriend. Being stared at by both her mother and girlfriend, Xianren was not at all panicked at the moment.

"I met a classmate who needed help. She had a bad experience at home. I spent some time to help her deal with her problem. After it was resolved, I returned home."

"Female classmate?"

"Ah."

Not knowing what was wrong with his mother, and feeling as if she was targeting him, Xianren looked at Miyamizu Futaba, who smiled and did not ask any further questions.

The three of them ran out of topics to talk about. Qingpu Setsuna also noticed that the atmosphere was a little strange, so he suggested going home, and Xianren stood up.

"I will send you back."

He followed Qingpu Setsuna to the door and sent the girl out of the house. As they walked up the stairs, Qingpu Setsuna didn't know how to start the conversation. He had just felt something strange, but he didn't know where it came from.

Standing on the street, Qingura Setsuna came to the stairs in front of Qingura's house, stopped and looked towards Xianren's apartment.

"A wise man."

"Ok?"

"I will work hard."

"come on."

"Good night."

"Good night."

Looking at the girl in front of him, when she turned around, the sage stretched out his hand and gently touched her shoulder. When the girl turned back, the sage moved closer to her and gently kissed her tender cheek.

The girl covered her cheek with one hand in surprise, then looked at the wise man in the light. She was in a strange mood, and she couldn't help but smile as she pursed her lips.

"Good night."

"Ah."