My love game with them that will lead to certain death

I don’t know if it’s my illusion, but I always feel that Yamada and Yukinoshita are somewhat confrontational.

As the saying goes, three women make a drama - although neither Yamada nor Yukinoshita is the kind of noisy, arrogant or unreasonable person, the subtle atmosphere of dislike between them still makes Toru Narumi, who is caught in the middle, feel a little headache.

He didn't like watching the atmosphere gradually descend to an awkward freezing point. The feeling of this situation gradually spiraling out of control was unpleasant, but frequently being the conspicuous person who adjusted the atmosphere was indeed a bit energy-consuming.

After selecting records at the record store, Yukino, who never forgot her original intention, took everyone to the accessories store with a wide variety of goods on the pretext of buying a gift for Yuigahama.

It is normal that young, beautiful and energetic high school girls would like these fancy yet playful and cute things. Most of the customers in the store are energetic high school girls.

Although she has an odd and withdrawn personality, Yamada's taste in private clothes can be said to be quite good. Although she also comes from a pampered family, her clothing style tends to be cold and loose, with genderless black, white and gray. This is completely different from Yukinoshita Yukino, who occasionally wears cute clothes in private. Therefore, when the two walk together, they will inevitably attract the attention of passers-by.

But Pochi-chan, who was wearing a loose pink sportswear, was not so lucky in this special area that seemed to have sealed the fashion beast - although others could find that she had a cute and pretty face upon closer inspection, her outfit, which had nothing to do with fashion, was really tacky and a bit eye-catching.

However, as the only male in the group (and his clothing was totally unfashionable), Ming Hai probably received the most attention.

There is no way around it. When you are the only person of the opposite sex in a group of people, you will always be looked at sideways by others - and their looks are more or less mixed with some impolite speculations and delusions. This is the impact of the deep-rooted cognition of this society that overemphasizes sexual relationships.

But it doesn’t matter. How others view him is actually not important to Minghai.

If we explain it in a more idealistic way, it means "as long as other people don't influence or interfere with me through their actual behavior, then their thoughts have nothing to do with me."

It is not a good thing to care too much about other people's eyes, not to mention that he doesn't want to waste his precious energy on such trivial matters.

Although he can justify himself with such free and easy thinking, it is difficult for Pochi-chan who is silently following at the end of the team to do so.

Since leaving the record store, the pink-haired girl has been like a fish out of water, following the curly-haired boy silently with her head hung down, her eyes hidden by her thick bangs, constantly examining everything around her.

"Ah - I almost forgot that Pochi-chan isn't very good at dealing with situations like this."

Although both of them are loners, the biggest difference between Goto Ichiri and Yamada Ryo is that Ryo is a free-spirited person who enjoys this kind of solitude and actively embraces his time alone, while Pochi is reluctantly left behind by everyone and can only hide in a small corner where no one cares and observes everyone else's every move.

This was not her own choice.

Ryo is a "weirdo" who really doesn't care about other people's eyes, while Pochi is actually a poor kid who just wants someone to play with her.

In fact, Toru Narumi has always known this.

"Pochi-chan."

So when Pochi stepped into this real-life area, he felt like he was on guard and fell into a passive situation where he dared not even breathe. Ming Hai, who had been walking in front, deliberately slowed down his pace.

He paused until his steps were in step with Pochi's small, broken steps.

"Xiao Hai...Senior?"

Pochi, who did not expect that he would stop and wait for him, raised his head and met the boy's gentle gaze.

"We are wearing the same outfit in different colors."

The curly-haired boy revealed a refreshing and cheerful smile and tugged at his loose black sweatshirt.

"Don't you feel comfortable being so rustic?"

"Pfft."

The pink-haired girl was a little amused by the boy's humorous expression, and she gradually came out of the state of being extremely concerned about other people's gazes.

Yukino was concentrating on choosing a gift for Yuigahama, while Yamada was looking at the various accessories like a curious baby. The two of them were able to get together and talk in private that only the two of them could hear.

Pochi knew that Ming Hai had noticed her helplessness, and started a conversation with her in the social way she preferred - no one would dislike this thoughtful consideration.

"I always feel that Xiao Hai, who is so considerate of others, seems to be really suitable to be a gigolo kept by a rich woman."

Of course, Pochi-chan only dared to keep this secret in her heart.

"Did you have fun today? Did you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

The boy's question also contained a hint of comfort, and the pink-haired girl just shook her head vigorously like a rattle.

"No, nothing. I was having a lot of fun...! I went to a record store and watched a movie I really liked... um."

Having said that, Pochi paused thoughtfully.

“Although there was another movie I wanted to watch… I’ll wait until next time!”

"Another one...oh."

Narumi raised an eyebrow, recalling another promotional poster he had just glimpsed at the cinema.

It seems like it was a romantic comedy movie where a boy and a girl swap identities?

Chapter 69 Who knows him better?

By the way, if you could exchange bodies with someone else, what kind of life would you want to live?

"Ah, that movie where the male and female protagonists swap bodies? It's being re-released now, I think. I saw it when it was first released. It's a very clichéd romantic comedy, but it's good for killing time."

After choosing the gift, Yukinoshita Yukino took the selected hairpin in her hand. She seemed to know that Yuigahama's family had a dog, so she carefully selected a collar for the pet.

"Swapping bodies - that sounds interesting."

Miss Yamada, who was standing nearby and almost falling asleep, suddenly woke up as if from a dream. After searching her eyes, she looked straight at Minghai.

"But if it's Xiao Hai, he must want to exchange bodies with a beautiful girl."

Hearing this, Yukinoshita Yukino frowned.

"That's not important. Isn't the point to live a completely different life, to experience a new life from other people's perspectives—"

"I want to swap bodies with a beautiful girl."

Unexpectedly, the curly-haired boy gave an affirmative answer in a righteous manner.

"...and look at your own life from the perspective of others, learn to think from their perspective, and put yourself in their shoes—"

"I want to swap bodies with a plump older lady."

"…Finally, I came to terms with my original life and cherished the present and the people around me…"

"I want to swap bodies with a busty, black-stockinged older sister with full sexual tension!"

Miss Yukinoshita Yukino, with her face flushed red, could no longer hold back, and several obvious blue veins appeared on her forehead.

“I’m talking to you…!”

Liang, who was no longer sleepy, whistled and smiled, "As expected."

"What a pity, no one here meets the above conditions. Xiao Hai, you can only think about it in your dreams."

I don't know if her words contained any hint of sarcasm, but in general, Miss Yukinoshita Yukino's face was not looking good.

Only Pochi-chan looked left and right, and finally lowered her head to look at her chest which was tightly wrapped in a pink sports jacket.

"As for my figure, I'm barely... not bad, right?"

It was rare that Miss Goto Ichiri found a little confidence from her two outstanding tablet predecessors.

"Ahem - at a young age, it's normal to be obsessed with the opposite sex with overflowing hormones, right?"

Ming Hai cleared his throat and expressed his thoughts in a resounding voice - he didn't care even if the JKs passing by gave him strange looks.

"Swapping bodies may be old-fashioned, but it's worth it if I can experience the life of a girl!"

"Oh, what a pervert's talk! You are worthy of being me, Xiao Hai!"

Yukino looked at Yamada and Nagisa helplessly as they sang in unison. She slowly began to understand why these two could get along so well together.

In the end, under the stern gaze of Minister Yukinoshita Yukino, Ming Hai obediently restrained his cheerful and casual temper and picked out a gift for Yuigahama Yui that she would definitely use - a dog leash.

"Since you're giving me a collar, then if I add a dog leash, it would be a perfect match, right?"

He packed the gift using this as an excuse, and Yamada, who didn't know Yuigahama at all, also started to make a fuss, "How about I give a bag of dog food to complete the family bucket meal?" However, this suggestion was not accepted by Ming Hai - after all, Miss Yamada couldn't afford a penny, and he would definitely be the victim when the bill came.

All in all, the main mission of this trip - to choose a gift for Ms. Yuigahama Yui and thus strengthen the relationship with her - has been accomplished.

Although the development of things was a little beyond Yukinoshita Yukino's expectations (mainly due to the participation of Yamada Ryo and Pochi), but all in all the trip ended smoothly.

"The route that Pochi-chan is going to is different from our train exit. I'll go and see her off and come back later."

Since the four people's homes are not in the same direction, Ming Hai plans to send Pochi-chan to the platform for home first, so he takes the pink-haired girl to wave to Yamada and Yukino who are standing there as a brief farewell.

"Be careful on the road."

"Waiting for you to come back."

Both of them stretched out their hands to signal him, but when the curly-haired boy disappeared in the crowd, they both kept silent.

Yamada Ryo was playing with the small pendant on his clothes with a bored look on his face, while Yukinoshita Yukino looked down at the watch on her wrist. Neither of them looked at each other, nor did they speak to the other.

This awkward silence continued until the bustling crowd pushed them closer and closer, and Yukino had to move closer to Yamada.

"From what I know about Xiao Hai, he doesn't look like he would join any clubs anyway."

Thanks to this, the blue-haired girl with a wandering gaze was able to speak calmly.

"Can I ask what activities your club usually holds, Minister?"

Her tone was calm, but Yukino didn't take it as a polite and friendly greeting.

Unlike the completely harmless and cute creature like Goto Ichiri, the woman in front of her who was very low-key and whose actions could not be guessed or predicted should not be underestimated. This was her first reaction.

"The Service Club is a club formed specifically to solve difficult requests from classmates."

Yukinoshita Yukino remained calm and briefly explained the nature of the club.

"Eh, the Service Club? Is it that kind of... erotic..."

"It's not that kind of place... I just simply solve the request!"

Yukino quickly cleared her throat, maintaining a steady tone and trying not to panic.

"So that means helping others realize their wishes... that sounds like a lot of trouble."

Yamada Ryo sighed and looked away.

"Anyway, Xiao Hai definitely didn't sign up to join this kind of club on his own initiative. That guy is most afraid of trouble."

Yes, that's true. Toru Narumi only joined the club because Hiratsuka Shizuka threatened him with physical means.

However, this indisputable fact made the silent Yukinoshita Yukino extremely annoyed.

Ultimately, what annoyed her was Yamada's tone, which sounded like he knew a certain boy very well.

"Excuse me, but how long have you known Narumi-kun, Yamada-san?"

"Hmm? Not long, maybe more than half a year... almost a year?"

Yamada raised his head, concentrating seriously as if he was recalling the past.

"Normally speaking, it's hard to get to know a person thoroughly in more than half a year."

Yukinoshita Yukino seems to be stating the facts in a tone without any personal emotions, but there seems to be a hidden meaning between the lines.

"Although I haven't known Narumi-kun for long, only about ten days."

"But it feels like you two have known each other for a long time?"

Yamada seemed to have completely ignored the underlying meaning of Yukino's words and continued speaking along with them.

"...That's right."

If one-sided recollection and remembrance for decades can be considered as acquaintance.

"From that point of view, I am almost the same. Half a year is just a short period of time and doesn't mean anything."

Yamada expressed her feelings calmly. After all, she had also experienced what it felt like to lose someone in a long life.

"After all, a few decades of life pass by so fast that it seems like a dream."

"Dream..."

The two fell into silence again, but this time it was not out of a tit-for-tat confrontation with a hint of hostility, but rather because they subtly empathized with each other.

Chapter 70 A New Storm Has Appeared

If there is one thing that can most hinder Ming Hai from falling in love, it is probably the troubles that will inevitably ensue after officially starting an intimate relationship with someone else.

"After all, I'm not the kind of person who can trample on the other person's feelings as I please in a formal relationship. Since we've started, we must see it through to the end and be responsible for each other like a man."

However, as an indispensable part of the love experience, these troublesome troubles will also make him feel discouraged.

You have to give up some of your time that originally belonged to you to share it with another person, work out her behavioral habits that may conflict with yours, and deal with big and small problems that don't belong to you...just thinking about it is troublesome.

So in order to prevent the flower from withering, Toru Narumi chose not to plant it.