The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

"Okay, let's get on with it."

Not giving her a chance to escape, Ping Xin stopped and continued walking ahead, acting as a path-clearer and flower protector. The waiter who had been waiting outside the door turned around when he saw it open, and greeted them with a smile. Enka also smiled and nodded in response.

If only you could smile at me sometime... The two of them left, leaving only the waiter standing there in a daze, not knowing what mistake he had made.

"As expected, accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger—"

Hmm... I don't know what went wrong, but I'll write a review in advance anyway~

......

...

..

"So, where are we going next?"

"Hmm... shopping street."

"...Didn't we walk along the shopping street when we came here?"

"Then it's another shopping street."

Without stopping, she just took a look. Through this instant observation, Higuchi Enka was sure that this person was teasing her again, but he was not lying either, which was strange.

"...Then you really do like shopping streets."

"No nicknames this time, like 'Shopping Street Ambassador' or something?... After all, it's our home, so a little favoritism is normal, right?" Within two seconds, Ping Xin paused as if remembering something, then said, "No one—knows—Shopping Street better than me."

"...You should be thankful this isn't copyrighted."

It's different from the Mickey Mouse series, which is great, Mr. Shopping Street Ambassador.

"Haha...how do you know I don't know him in person?"

"..."

He is indeed a weird guy... Asuka Ma, a guy who is hard to understand.

The scariest thing is that you can never guess whether what he said is true or false——

Chapter 8 Mask

After bringing Higuchi Enka to the shopping street where Hayase Shokudo is located, the two stood at the intersection, staring at each other in bewilderment.

"So, what should I buy?"

"Well...I don't know either. After all, I don't know what you're having for dinner."

"?"

"Since you're here, why not buy some food for home before you go back~... If your mother knew, she would definitely be happy too."

“Are you the aunt in the community?”

How boring are you that you still worry about other people's family affairs?

"By the way, there's a New Year sale going on here. If you don't buy it now, your mother might have to make a special trip later. It's really not easy~~"

"..."

Higuchi Enka didn't respond to his "provocation" but took out her phone to send a text message, and then immediately received a call. She signaled with her eyes to keep quiet, and then she saw that she was still speaking coldly. Is this the same tone she usually uses to her family?

So, rounding up, I = her family, the plan was a complete success~

"...I got the list. Let's go. You should be prepared, right?"

"Well—not this time."

"?"

I've even taken out my pants...my wallet, and you're telling me this?

"But I'm pretty familiar with it, and with a beautiful girl like you around, it should be fine."

"...You are such a terrible person, the lowest of the low."

The problem could have been solved in an ordinary way, but they had to use this kind of plot. It's also very annoying with too many twists and turns.

"Having said that, I'm not kidding you. Although I don't have a specific plan... after all, I'm not usually responsible for grocery shopping. But I know a thing or two about the stores in this area, from sourcing and transportation to displaying the goods for sale in the store, so as long as you buy according to the list, there will be no problem." This time he didn't smile, but answered very calmly. His unexpectedly serious attitude caught her off guard.

...Aren’t you just teasing me after all?

He was just like an elementary school boy who used pranks to attract girls' attention. With just this face—

"..What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not lying."

"...Lead the way, Mr. Shopping Street."

Hey, hey, are you finally not even a human this time?

"Okay..By the way, I hate lying, and I like you very much, so I won't lie to you."

After all, I can't even be sure whether this statement is true or not.

Tsk, what a difficult guy...

......

...

..

"Haha, just like I said, you bought a good thing, right? And at this price." Pingxin took the packaged fish and put it into the shopping bag, while Enka bowed and said goodbye. The division of labor was clear.

"...You probably know that uncle from earlier, right? Why was he looking at you like that?"

"Ah, well... maybe my daughter met a jerk. It's a common occurrence for fathers of this age. At least she didn't end up in jail for her boyfriend, which is good enough."

"?"

Please speak human language, thank you!

He wasn't lying, but he wasn't going to tell everything either. Given his style, at least some of what he just said was true, right? It was just that the "foreign matter" he'd mixed in was so bizarre that I didn't want to delve into it any further.

"what--"

"what happened?"

"No, nothing... just feeling tired."

You clearly don’t have anything in your hands?

"Haha...Do you want me to carry you on my back? Or would a princess carry be better?"

"No, that's not necessary. I'm just tired..."

"Someone told me, 'Thinking too much can make you unhappy.' It turns out that learning from others about things you don't understand is useful. Higuchi, it's okay for you not to think so much, right?... At least when you're with me."

"...I'm afraid your 'friend' and I won't get along."

"Maybe you two will become good friends? After all, the relationship between people is such a wonderful existence—"

......

...

..

"The one in your hand... didn't you just say you don't usually buy groceries?"

“Ah, well… I don’t know how to buy groceries, but I’ve been learning to cook lately. If I’m given the right ingredients, I can make something.

The sense of accomplishment from cooking is very satisfying, and eating delicious food is also very satisfying. But lately, I’ve discovered that when I cook for others and get a response like, “This is delicious!”, I feel even happier.

"...he's serious yet approachable when dealing with them (others), and he's a beloved young man wherever he goes—no wonder he receives so many gifts."

But there is a sneer on your face, Ms. Higuchi, although you are very cute in my eyes.

"He's impeccable in his approach to others, handling everyone with equal grace... He's truly first-rate."

"Hmm...thank you for the compliment? So, is this your reaction to me getting a bunch of freebies without spending any money? Or is it jealousy?"

"You're welcome, but please don't start talking in your sleep in the middle of the day."

After their rambling conversation, the two continued their "clear division of labor" shopping for ingredients for their respective families' dinners. Although they were walking together, they were also somewhat distant, though they were walking together, not like fellow travelers. Despite this, they still maintained a certain tacit understanding, like twin stars drawn to each other by gravity.

These two people are strange, the fruit-selling lady who was sitting in the store doing nothing thought to herself, but if it was that strange boy, this kind of thing would probably be very common.

But in the end...what is the so-called ordinary?

After a long pause, Enka spoke again, "You're able to turn your own mistakes and shortcomings into opportunities to showcase your strengths. As a result, in the eyes of others, you're only regarded as a 'good person' or a 'powerful person'. You truly are the man who 'everything goes to plan'."

"Well, thanks for the compliment."

"You are welcome."

After that, they walked for a while and bought some things. This time, Ping Xin started to talk to him and even started to promote his delicious bento and ingredients. It turned out that he had a deep obsession with food.

"Although you might find it hypocritical, I think this kind of 'you are good, I am good too' atmosphere is also good... Because so-called reality is naked and cruel. If you don't create a sense of ease for yourself, then life will definitely be tiring... I am very clear about this, even though I don't want to admit it."

"..."

"If you peel off that 'filter,' this is what I deserve, because I did a lot of things when you weren't watching... and I'm still doing it now. Because I created this kind of atmosphere for everyone, they also 'give back' to me. I think this is quite reasonable and fair...

It's easier for you to accept it that way, right? The 'realistic' thing... But I do prefer a more romantic approach~. After all, sometimes life is bad enough that if you don't be positive, you really can't survive."

Even though he pretended to be lighthearted, a certain heaviness still made Higuchi Enka and even the passersby around him feel it. When his power reached a certain level, his every move would affect those around him, so he basically spoke in a lighthearted manner and did not overthink things.

"At least now, in front of you, I want to appear smart and capable." Ping Xin took the dish handed to him by the owner and put it in the bag. "So, do you want to try it... take off my 'mask'?"

"...Thank you, but I'm not interested in that." Higuchi Enka bowed slightly and said goodbye to the vegetable owner.

"And not everything is in my plan... For example - you"

At least not right now... No.

Chapter 9: Okay, it was fun chatting!

"Sister, these are for you."

After exchanging glances with Hiranobu, Higuchi Enka accepted the bag of fried meatballs.

"Thank you..Ikumi-chan."

"Hey, welcome to come play again next time!"

Under Kitazawa Ikumi's expectant gaze, Enka picked up a piece of fried meat cake and walked away with Hirashin while eating.

"That kid... can you really make money like this?"

"Overall, it's fine. It's just a matter of making more or less money... and she got something much better than just a few hundred yen (a few dozen dollars), didn't she?"

"..."

But you also want to say, 'We also got some great things,' right?

...it tasted great, but was a little hot.

"In order to protect people like this, to fight for those who cannot 'fight', I have to be strong, strong enough to bring them 'illusions', and strong enough to protect that false tenderness." Unlike her who was still blowing, Ping Xin had already finished eating what he was holding.

I reached out to take it again, but she slapped it away.

"So, you only think you're capable when you're in front of others, right?"

"...no."

"That's what you said, right?"

"At least that's my wish."

The freest man on earth means he can do anything, at least that's what I hope -

......

...

..

"The little things I bought while shopping, the ingredients for dinner, the fried meat patties that Ikumi sent me... and finally the bread from this Yamabuki Bakery for breakfast. Well, your three meals a day are all taken care of by me." Under the climbing frame in the old park, Pingxin was about to say goodbye to her.

Of course, it's temporary.

"Although now doesn't seem like the right time to say this, you're a bit too obsessed with food."