Faced with the blackened heroine, they actually stopped time

It seems like torture, but it is actually fun.

He still kept his distance, but did not sit opposite.

This made Asagiri Ran feel very uncomfortable.

Not only did she feel the distance was too close, but the other person would see every move she made while eating, so she couldn't enjoy her meal smoothly.

I can't muster any of my usual courage.

And...I can't look up at him after taking a bite of food like I used to.

I don't even need to turn my head around specially, this action is too obvious!

If he noticed me, I would inevitably show off for a long time and disgust myself for a while.

I don’t want it.

Hold back!

Asagiri Ran, hold on!

The girl endured it for the entire meal.

The meal was uncomfortable, but the dishes tasted so good... It can be said that it was a mixture of enjoyment and torture.

Until Oreki Gen finally put down his chopsticks first.

Leaning comfortably in the chair, Asagiri Ran had space to relax, and her eating speed increased significantly as if she had obtained some incredible buff.

However, Oreki Gen looked at the other person while he was eating and said something.

"I went to see Yukino-senpai today."

Asagiri Ran's eating action paused for a moment, then continued.

Swallow it as if nothing happened.

"Oh, what's wrong?"

Oreki Gen said with a smile.

"She asked me out."

Asagiri Smo turned her head and glanced at Oreki Gen. Actually, it would be more appropriate to say that she glared at him.

Although she tried hard to act as if it had nothing to do with her, her eyes were not good at lying.

"Do you want me to agree that you are so charming that Sayuri Yukino can ask you out?"

Oreki Gen smiled and shook his head.

"Didn't you say you weren't jealous?"

"I did not eat."

"Okay, okay, whatever. But that's not what I wanted to say. She told me she wasn't going to college."

Asagiri Ran was very calm and was not surprised at all to hear this.

"Oh, that's exactly what she would do."

"Aren't you surprised?"

"Why are you so surprised? It makes me feel like I don't know her at all."

Oreki Gen thought about it.

"She said she wanted to live a freer life and achieve more goals and aspirations, so she didn't plan to waste time in college. What about you? Will you go to college?"

Asagiri Ran did not hesitate.

"I can."

"why?"

Asagiri Ran looked at the empty bowl in front of her and said softly.

"There's no reason. I haven't gotten much, and I don't have anyone to rely on. Only by learning more and gaining more knowledge can I feel safe. Even if it may be in vain."

After saying this, she looked at Oreki Gen.

"You don't need these things. You can do everything well anyway."

I didn't expect the other party to praise me like this.

how to say.

Sayuri Yukino praised herself, Sakuraba Mitsuki also praised herself, and she also praised herself.

What happened?

The world has turned upside down?

I don’t know. He just leaned comfortably in the chair and looked at the girl’s pretty face with a smile.

"Then I'll go to college too. How about going to the same university as you?"

Asagiri Ran said unhappily.

"You can go if you want to. Why are you asking me? You're talking as if you're going just for me."

Oreki Gen nodded.

"Of course it's for you. You're an idiot who can't even cook or do housework. What would you do without me?"

Chapter 21: Ending under the Light

What would happen without him?

This was a question that made Asagiri Ran ponder after dinner.

Life without Oreki String seems simple.

A life of going from one place to another, a journey without any surprises.

It's like you're traveling to a destination you already know what it looks like, but what you have to go through is a long tunnel and you can't see any other scenery.

Maybe this is what my life was originally like.

Apart from going to school, apart from going home, apart from occasional wandering around.

She will still be the same Asagiri Ran who has no friends, no leisure time for entertainment, and is still not fun at all to others.

Perhaps a face is enough to make her special in her youth.

But what happens next?

After leaving school and entering society, I became a social animal like most people, and as time went by, I slowly grew old.

Now that my beautiful face is gone, I finally look no different from everyone else.

Will it leave a significant mark in your life?

Is he just the top student in the grade who is always there every year? Or is he just a figure passing through someone else's youth?

It seems like there is nothing else besides this.

This might be the reason why I am truly thankful for the appearance of this young man.

He didn't just change things, he literally saved the world.

But the girl's expression still looked a little unnatural, and she lowered her head with a slightly blushing face.

"You sound so nice, but it's still up to Sakuraba Mitsuki to decide where you want to go."

Obviously, he is still scared about some things.

Or it could be said that there must be an insurmountable mountain between the two of them.

But for Oremu Xian, how could the glacier that he had worked so hard to carve through stop just because he encountered a mountain?

The meaning of life is to keep fighting, keep moving forward, and keep achieving your goals.

The most enjoyable moment is when you climb to a high place and look down at the mountain, looking at your achievements and all the things you have done.

It's all enjoyment.

Even the few scars will become your medals.

The boy stood up and cleared the dishes.

"Why can't you decide? You think too complicatedly. Think simple. Life is still long and many beautiful things are waiting for us."

It sounds like some childish and naive words.

It's like a supporting role in a film or TV series, who always provides universal comfort like panacea when the protagonist is confused.

Such consolation is often met with disdain, after all, in everyone's eyes, talking is useless.

It is impossible to provide direct help, but the power of words is often only effective after things are successful.

But in Asagiri Ran's opinion, there is a fact that has to be acknowledged.

This young man did everything he said, or promised, and he almost never failed.

This seems to be the source of the greatest sense of security.

Asagiri Ran had to admit that after getting used to the boy's presence, she couldn't help but rely on the sense of security he gave her.

After collecting the dishes, Asagiri Ran returned to the sofa early. She didn't know what to do.

I am a girl with no interest in romance. Well, you can also say that I am really not good at taking the initiative.

So basically everyone follows the other person's rhythm, the only difference or limitation is...if this person is someone else, it won't work.

Only folding wooden strings.

It can only be him.

"Any plans?"

After washing his hands, Oreki Gen came back and sat down next to the girl casually and naturally, feeling very comfortable.

It feels like I am a part of this family.

Asagiri Ran was too lazy to remind the other party not to be so casual. There was no point in reminding her anyway.

This young man is so shameless that he doesn't care about these things at all.

Asagiri Ran thought about it.

"I don't have any plans, but what plans do you mean?"

Oreki Gen said with a smile.

"School is about to start. Is there anything in particular you want to do during the holidays?"

“Why do we have to do things during holidays?”

"It's simple. I have to go to class during the week and don't have much time. I can only travel, indulge myself, and relax without restraint during holidays."

Asagiri shook his head.

"I have no such plans. I don't like traveling and I have no intention of indulging myself."

Well, this is indeed the girl's character.

Oreki Gen turned his head slightly.

"So wanna go for a walk?"

"where to?"

The fact that she didn't refuse but asked where to go was enough to show what the girl meant.

In fact, the reason is very simple.

Although the weather outside is still very cold and it is not yet the spring season when flowers bloom, it does not seem to be a suitable night for a walk.

But my more sincere thought was to stay with this boy for a while longer.

"I don't know, it's just a walk... just a casual walk."

So Asagiri Ran didn't even change her clothes.

As usual, Oreki Gen picked up the other person's garbage and went downstairs together.

There was a cold wind and it was already dark outside.