The socially anxious girl doesn't want to stick to me!

Thinking.

"Igarashi-san!" The Emperor of the East Sea quickly ran over from behind and shouted, "Wait for me! Igarashi Sakuraba-san!"

Being called, Igarashi Sakuraba shivered like a fertilized little rabbit and stood there in silence. Not knowing what to say, she didn't turn around, nor did she try to pretend she didn't hear and leave, because that would only make things worse...

Until the Emperor of the East China Sea caught up with her.

The two walked side by side.

"How was the competition just now? Hehe, not bad, right? My ultimate emperor dance steps! Super awesome!" The Emperor of the East China Sea smiled brilliantly once again. This infectious smile could make people who saw her feel better, just like a little sun shining all around.

Igarashi Sakuraba was silent for a long time, then he said, "It's really amazing."

The Emperor of the East Sea clapped his hands and said, "That's a relief! I thought Igarashi Sakuraba-san thought I was too weak, so she left first."

Say it.

"No...The Emperor of the East China Sea is so awesome!" After a long time, Igarashi Sakuraba continued speaking, even stuttering a little. The meaning he expressed was also not precise enough, and he swallowed some words.

seriously.

The language function has deteriorated a bit.

This is the degradation caused by not communicating with others for a long time. On the other hand, it can be seen how bad Igarashi Sakuraba's personality is. Or maybe her inferiority complex outweighs all those who love her.

The Emperor of the East China Sea seemed to understand something.

He didn't continue talking.

Humming a relaxing song, just walking side by side.

The two walked like this. Now is the time of the devil. The sun has plated the world with a soft golden edge, and the whole world has become much softer.

Until Igarashi Sakuraba stopped first. +

miss you.

Still want to.

Want to... make a change.

In fact, the Emperor of the East China Sea thought she was about to separate and stopped... he was fully prepared.

She also stopped walking and stood there for a long time without saying anything.

Just smiling quietly and gently, this comfort gave Igarashi Sakuraba great courage. She clenched her fists until her nails pierced into her flesh, but ignored the pain and let the pain numb the cowardice in her heart. She mustered up the courage and said, "Want to... go out for ramen together? Or something like that."

It took a lot of effort to say it.

Igarashi Sakuraba bit his lower lip, his face in the hood full of tension.

This should be the last time she mustered up the courage - because she was really afraid of being rejected. She was also afraid... of encountering those nightmare-like things again.

just.

The Emperor of the East Sea instantly jumped for joy: "Okay! Let's go together!"

Chapter 9 Sweet

——There is a concept that must be mentioned.

——It’s not just the quality that makes Uma Musume far superior to ordinary people.

And the appetite.

Let’s put aside all these meaningless and trivial things… Just one thing, the training intensity of Uma Musume is extremely high, and it is all hard and diligent, so sufficient energy intake is a must, such as carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fiber, all of which need to be maxed out.

It is even less likely that Tresen College would be stingy in this regard.

……

Just like now.

Igarashi Sakuraba and the Emperor of the East China Sea walked side by side.

All around you are colorful lights, LEDs from the neon city, and the smell of fireworks and woks from hawkers. All of these conflict and harmonize with each other, forming a unique flavor.

while walking.

Igarashi Sakuraba would glance at the East China Sea Emperor from time to time. Of course, she would look at him out of the corner of her eyes when the other party wasn't paying attention. She didn't even dare to look him in the eye openly - that would put too much pressure on Igarashi.

but.

Why does it feel like classmate Di Wang is in a good mood?

There was always a smile on his face... and it was very easy to feel that even his walking was full of energy and excitement, and he was humming a song. I couldn't hear the lyrics, but the melody was pretty good.

It's like I enjoy shopping with myself.

No no no… Impossible.

just.

As soon as this thought appeared, it was cut off.

Igarashi Sakuraba rejected it directly - stop being narcissistic, how could it be possible? No one would like me, no one would like me who is so gloomy and self-abased that I can't even speak, and who has accomplished nothing.

It's just an illusion.

Even if I am really happy, it should be just the happiness brought by the delicious food, and it has nothing to do with myself at all!

As everyone knows...

The Emperor of the East Sea was happy because of Igarashi Sakuraba.

Even... eating together, it was all because of Igarashi, nothing more. To be honest, the emperor had long wanted to communicate with Igarashi Sakuraba. The two were known as the two geniuses of the intermediate department. In fact, they had never communicated with each other. The Emperor of the East China Sea was very curious about what kind of person the other party was and what kind of weapons the other party had. Now, there was a chance for close communication, why not hurry up and get close to each other?

……but.

After close contact with Igarashi Sakuraba.

The Emperor of the East China Sea was actually a little surprised. She felt that... he was not as cold as she said. On the contrary, inviting her to dinner gave the emperor a very good feeling, the feeling that he was a good person. It was both a feeling and an intuition.

The Emperor of the East China Sea always trusts his intuition.

and so.

She is not opposed to establishing a close relationship with Igarashi Sakuraba-san... a close, sticky relationship.

Thinking about it.

The Emperor of the East China Sea suddenly noticed a very familiar shop, and his eyes immediately lit up!

"Hey!" She made a two-dimensional voice, pointed to a place not far away, and said happily: "Over there, my favorite honey drink! Igarashi, do you want some? It's super delicious! I'll treat you!"

Igarashi Sakuraba hesitated for a moment: "Ah...?"

We didn't talk much just now.

He can actually maintain this enthusiasm... Moreover, compared to myself as the initiator, the Emperor of the East China Sea is more like the initiator. He is too familiar and powerful... I want to learn from him.

"Drink it! It's super delicious!"

Seeing the other party hesitate, the Emperor of the East Sea did not hesitate, and directly picked up Igarashi Sakuraba's arm. He held Igarashi Sakuraba and spun around, dragging her towards the honey drink.

——Are you acting like a spoiled child, sister?

Igarashi Sakuraba fainted.

Under this attack, she couldn't even utter a word of objection: "...Okay."

"hey-hey."

After hearing the response, the Emperor of the East China Sea came to the boss with a chuckle and said, "Here I am again, boss! Double honey drink! One cup of super lethal concentration! One cup is just a normal amount!"

"Ah - didn't you just drink Emperor a few days ago? If you consume too much sugar, you will become obese and unable to run fast. President Emperor will also come to hold you accountable." Seeing that the visitor was an old customer of the store, the boss also advised her earnestly. This shows that she has a good relationship with the store owner and can make the other party give up sales and consider things from her perspective.

The Emperor of the East China Sea touched his chin and seemed to be making up an excuse: "I'm treating my friends to drinks today, hehe."

……friend?

Igarashi Sakuraba did not join in the conversation.

However, when I heard these two words, my heart was inevitably touched. Are they... already friends? I think so... and you should buy yourself a drink.

No, no, what if the Emperor of the East Sea is so outgoing, and everyone is her friend? What if she has treated everyone to a honey drink? You can't think like that.

I almost fell into it.

so far so good.

Igarashi Sakuraba slapped his face and forced himself to wake up.

Well, no matter what, I have to give the money for this cup of honey drink to the Emperor of the East China Sea. My relationship with him is not that good yet...

Bu didn't finish.

No words came out.

Igarashi Sakuraba saw the conversation between the Emperor of the East China Sea and the shop owner again, biting his lower lip lightly.

……

The shop owner scratched his head and said, "Is this your first time bringing a friend here to drink? This classmate, you need to supervise the Emperor of the East Sea more, and never let her drink too much honey drink!"

"Now that you mention it, it's indeed the first time." The Emperor of the East Sea bit his nails, looking solemn and thinking seriously. He then confirmed in his memory that he had never treated anyone else to the honey drink, and then said with a smile: "Because Igarashi is special! Very, very special!"

——Special.

——Very, very special.

Words were like weapons, like sharp blades, piercing directly into Igarashi Sakuraba's heart. However, this time, they did not bring any harm. She bit her lips lightly, feeling a bit like a dream.

…It was obviously the first time we met.

The relationship between the two is not that good... In other words, it is very, very special.

...You're just lying to me.

I bit my lower lip tightly and thought so.

seriously.

Igarashi Sakuraba has tried very hard to push away this tenderness. She is afraid that it will bring worse pain as in the past, and she is even more afraid that she cannot bear it.

only……

I haven't had time to finish.

At the same time, two cups of honey special drinks were ready. The Emperor of the East China Sea took them and handed the normal amount to Igarashi Sakuraba. The smile on his face was as bright as the sun: "Here, try it, it's delicious!"

Igarashi Sakuraba hesitated for a moment.

And then.

He took it carefully, holding it in his hands. It was just a drink, but he treated it as if it were some rare treasure. He gently opened the lid and started drinking in small sips.

“…It tastes good!”

After taking a bite, Igarashi Sakuraba exclaimed without reservation.

The shop owner next to him also laughed. Seeing that his work was recognized by others was a kind of inner recognition. He also smiled and said, "How is it? Sweet, right?"

——It’s really sweet.

Just like my heart right now - sweet.

just.

I will still be very happy.

Chapter 10: Reincarnation: Chameleon

My plan is to remain indifferent unless that someone has to be me once in a while.

-

Two hours later.

"Ah...so full."

The Emperor of the East Sea touched his bulging belly, and now he stopped smiling and said with a bitter face: "It's over. I was thinking of going back to practice more tonight... With this look, I'm going to vomit after just a little practice."

Igarashi Sakuraba said timidly: "Well... you can take a day off."