The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

A rat-like sound? ... Anyway, it doesn't look like a bear, Higuchi Enka thinks she understands. But regardless, seeing the two pandas waving and greeting each other is still a joy. After all, who in Japan doesn't like pandas?

...Could it be someone pretending to be him?

Although she always thought such an idea was stupid, it didn't seem impossible for him!

Chapter 55: Just a simple cat video

Ever since his appearance, Asuka Ma has repeatedly broken Higuchi Enka's expectations. He always brings her surprises again and again, but this is not just about the good aspects. There are also impressions like this one that lower the limit -

"Hey, man... what do you think of this movie? Did you enjoy it? Do you want to try it yourself?!"

"Mea~"

"Huh? No feeling, no problem. Let's learn this technique first. After all, wouldn't it be awkward if you finally get the feeling but don't know how to 'operate'? Take this apple, it's big and red. Eat it while you look at it. You're sure to be happy."

"Mea ...

"..."

It feels like some nefarious friend secretly watching a movie at home, luring an innocent student down this path of no return. Asuka-san, are you awake? While I can probably guess this is preparation for panda breeding, the way he's seen him arm in arm watching Panda XV with a panda...

It's totally impossible to take it seriously, really. Why is everyone watching so carefully?

It's obvious that no matter how much you imitate him, you will never be able to become him, forever—

The man and the bear just sat there and watched the movie for a while, then they rested when they got bored and tired. The so-called national treasures are so willful, and they can be so willful. After all, they don't need to understand human principles, and animals also have their own way of life.

......

...

..

Ping Xin, who had walked out of the cage, was surrounded by the apprentices outside. He looked like a big star appearing at the airport and surrounded by reporters, cameras, and enthusiastic fans. It was indeed the same face...

After a few brief words and some reminders on some points that needed improvement, the staff dispersed. After all, they knew that the master didn't like this, and he brought his beautiful girlfriend with him today.

But what does this have to do with them? Panda enthusiasts only need to understand how to raise pandas. They don’t need to understand the rest of the things, because it’s best not to think too much when you don’t even understand it yourself.

"Have you been waiting for a long time?"

"...Nothing, less than 30 minutes."

Pingxin patted the dirt off his body. He had just sat directly on the rocks and the ground. Although they were good brothers, his butt was as dirty as a panda.

"But speaking of which, what was that just now? Are other animals like this too?"

After all, watching an "action movie" with a human arm in arm was too shocking, and it would damage her image of pandas even more than the first time she heard them. Since she couldn't sleep at night if she didn't hear them, Higuchi Enka asked simply and directly.

"Ah, well... panda mating is very difficult. They're only in heat for 2-3 days a year, and only about 2 hours of that is the optimal time for fertilization. Sometimes, if the male and female's timings don't align, they can get too excited and end up ignoring each other.

Moreover, if the males perform poorly during mating, they will be disliked by the females. Once disliked, the consequence is that the females will refuse to mate with them and may even cause violence.

Moreover, because the cubs are very small when they are not born, weighing only about 0.1% of their mothers, it is difficult to detect them in the early stages with existing scientific and technological means. Usually, we can only know whether they are pregnant and the approximate time of delivery a few days before the due date.

The pregnancy cycle is not fixed. Some give birth after 83 days of pregnancy, while others give birth after more than 200 days. In the most extreme case, it may even take 324 days to give birth. Not to mention that sometimes there is a false pregnancy, but now the use of artificial insemination technology can reduce the probability of this, and the chance of twins will be even greater.

You know, they usually have one baby per litter, and twins were rare in the past~"

It's rare for Ping Xin to talk so much at once, and it's about a topic that has nothing to do with either of them directly. But does this count as tearing off his mask?

No, that shouldn't be the case, because the real him must be even more——

"...So, why were you approached? Given your personality, you should have a better plan."

"Hmm...it's a coincidence, I guess. When I was at the zoo before, I pointed at the animals and told the staff about their problems. We got to know each other over time...that's probably how it all started."

"'Initially' means... now you have a new idea?"

"Ok!"

Ping Xin nodded with some satisfaction, then continued with a smile, "After all, the popularity of giant pandas is really exaggerated. What if there are even more adorable newborn panda babies here? Popularity will definitely skyrocket in the next few years, right? And there will be a lot of things to plan and arrange here..."

So that's how it is... even superpowered beings (alien beings) can't escape the human habit of profit-seeking? Being human-like is good, but being human-like isn't good either, because humans are the species that always know how to hurt humans the most.

It was in the past, it is now, and it will be in the future.

"...So how do you explain your abilities?"

"Eh... this... no need to explain, they'll figure it out on their own. Honestly, the Easterners' inherited chuunibyou personality is really 'convenient'. And the smarter people are, the easier it is to fall for it, and the more likely they are to believe me—"

Now, in their eyes, I'm probably just... a child of nature, naturally loved by animals, with the ability to understand and communicate. Something like that? It sounds incredible, but I think it's easier to accept than just saying it's a superpower.

"...Anyway, no matter what they say, you won't admit it, but you won't deny it either, right?"

Higuchi Enka understands this tactic well, because it's so common. It's like your superior giving you a hint: if it works, it's all their credit, but if something goes wrong, they can claim they never gave such an order and it's just a matter of understanding. It's a shady trick, but it works, and it's truly common...

Ah--

Society, rules... and people.

"So..how did you do that?"

"Ah, well... I told you before that I was developing this power in a non-combat direction, right? Since I thought it was a power that could be transformed by emotions, I tried it in the emotional and spiritual direction. And it just worked, after a few tries."

"..."

What is this, the power of my thinking?

Although he had something to complain about, he managed to remain calm on the surface and spoke calmly as always.

After all, after Hirayuko's training (torture), Higuchi Enka's purity has greatly increased~

Chapter 56: Things Reflected in the Eyes

"But there are some things I didn't lie about~" Ping Xin continued, sitting in the passenger seat of the beautiful female driver. "...It's true that I'm loved by animals. It's also true that I'm naturally sensitive to the emotions and attitudes of animals and humans. It's also true that I like animals. It's also true that I can help them and want to help them—"

I just didn't explain some things clearly. How could I have lied? ...Although Ping Xin didn't say that directly, she could understand the meaning accurately.

"Actually, I could sense someone familiar looking at me from time to time at the station, but I never thought it would be you, naughty Miss Higuchi~"

"...Stop it, I'm driving now."

"Great~" Pingxin leaned back in his seat, admiring the scenery along the way. Although he had walked this path many times, every day was slightly different, just like our lives.

But seriously, isn't that what a boyfriend should normally say? How come you're the one saying it all... So you're the type who prefers being on top? In every sense of the word. Wouldn't that make me a gigolo? Although being cared for by someone might be nice, especially by a beautiful girl~

......

...

..

We drove all the way to Benten Gate, where we walked a short distance to the Shinobazu Exit of JR Ueno Station, essentially the opposite direction of the station we came from. After returning the car to the waiting staff, we left Ueno Zoo.

Shinobazuguchi is named after the Shinobazu Pond next to Bentenmon Gate, which is full of water birds with oriental characteristics. You can buy food here to feed the birds.

The most surprising thing should be that there is a temple called Benten in the center of the pond where the goddess Benzaiten is enshrined. If you want to know why he knows this god, it is probably because of a card deck that could once have a 7-counter attack.

In the summer, the lotus flowers in the pond bloom together, allowing for boating and other fun activities. The water music hall also hosts concerts and other performances. I didn't go this time, not because I forgot, but because I'm looking forward to the opportunity to revisit the place together in the future.

"...Ms. Higuchi, let's take a car back home. After all, you have some souvenirs with you, right?"

In addition to the panda keychains and panda-themed snacks she bought herself, she also received a plush toy from the staff before leaving the panda enclosure. It seems to be a limited edition. While the supply is stable, there are only a few available each day. Fortunately, you can pre-order them through the official website. Anyway, it's quite difficult to get one, especially four of them.

"It's okay for me...but the taxi fare...doesn't seem to be a problem for you, but there aren't many taxis here, right?" After all, the two of them had been dawdling for longer than five in the afternoon. Even if there were tourists who stayed until the last second, they would have left long ago, so there should be very few cars passing by to pick up passengers now.

"I know, so someone is already waiting for us—"

A tall woman in plain clothes got out of a black car on the roadside, but if you look closely, you can easily recognize that it is Delta. In fact, she also played in the car for a whole day and even took a walk around the area, which can be regarded as a short vacation.

After all, compared to other shifts, this personal guard's job had no days off, so whenever there was an opportunity, Ping Xin would let her go out for some "fresh air." If anyone worked harder than her, it would probably be Alpha, the year-round "Grand Chamberlain" and the top shadow maid.

"Let me introduce you. This is Delta, and this is Ms. Higuchi."

The two greeted each other and got to know each other. Then Hirashin sat in the back seat first. Ignoring the hand he extended, Higuchi Enka sat in the back seat herself.

The car's engine started, and the two of them set off on their journey home.

......

...

..

"If you have time after this, would you like to go to the livehouse? There are fewer performances in the afternoon, so I didn't mention it. There are a lot of interesting bands in the evening. You can go and watch them with me~"

"...No need. Besides, you're the most dangerous one, right?"

"Eh~..While it's true, and praising me for my abilities is nice, I'd be hurt if you said that, you know? After all, no matter how dangerous I am, I'm harmless to you...I guess."

...You're not even sure of yourself, are you? You're such a hard-to-judgment person. Higuchi Enka sighed at this thought, then continued, "...Besides, you've already taken up enough of my time today, haven't you?"

"Ah...that thing I told you about back then...I didn't expect you to still remember it. I'm so happy." Ping Xin's profile looked a little lonely in the sunset. There was only one sun in the entire galaxy, so he should feel lonely. I just don't know which is lonelier, the sun in the sky or the person whose eyes reflect it—

"So maybe next time... I'm already tired today, so let's stop here."

Asuka doesn't lie, but Higuchi does. And when she returns, she will tell lies one after another, even deceiving herself.

"Well...next time then~"

Then there was a silence. Sometimes, a small response from the other party would allow the two of them to talk for half a day. But sometimes, silence would suddenly fall, and then we would fall into a situation where no one wanted to speak first. Perhaps everyone needs some space in their interactions.

Compared to Hiranobu, who was accustomed to solitude and even learned to enjoy it, she was obviously more impatient. After being silent for an unknown period of time, only to return to the city, Higuchi Enka finally spoke: "Do you... really like me? Or rather - do you really love me?"

"Eh...well, of course." Ping Xin answered without thinking after a moment of hesitation.

It was like this on the tram when we came here, and even when we were holding hands the whole time in the first half of today, you seemed to be looking at me, but not really looking at me.

Although I don't have any superpowers, I know you are watching me, from any angle I can't see, at any moment I can't perceive, and even using a power that I can't perceive.

If you really love me, then why am I not reflected in your eyes every time I look at you?

Although I cannot see through you, your wisdom, your vision, or your strength, I can see you in front of me. I can see your face, your eyebrows, your eyes, and I can feel the generosity and warmth of your palm.

But I can't see myself--

"...Then why aren't you looking at me?"

"..."

"If you love me, then why...why is there no trace of me in your eyes——"

Chapter 57: Just Talking to Myself

"Well... you'd be shy if someone stared at you closely on the train, wouldn't you? You might even find it offensive. It's the same now when we're sitting in the car. If I kept staring at you at the zoo, you'd definitely say something like 'Since you're at the zoo, you should be looking at the animals, not me', right? On a date, I really do want to act like a gentleman, right~" Ping Xin replied with a smile, looking out the window, the window on the other side of the seat.

Here it comes again, appears again.

It goes on and on, full of nonsense, truth and falsehood mixed together, even using truth to describe falsehood, using truth to interpret falsehood, using truth to protect falsehood—

"...Liar, you just lied."

A positive tone, positive results, and positive people. Even if it is true that gentlemanly behavior can improve impression points as he said, it may only be 1% or 2%, or at most no more than 20%.

"I do not--"

"You're lying! If you want to prove to me that you're not lying, that you still have that 'honesty' in you, then look at me—really look at me, and reflect me in your eyes."

"...Alas - I give in. Just treat it as a lie."

Tsk... Higuchi Enka clenched her teeth, truly irritated at the moment. She deliberately feigned indifference, devaluing the beliefs she had always held onto as if they were worthless. This "I'm giving in to you" attitude, this statement she didn't want to explain—

"...As expected, you still make me angry, you guy."

"..."

Hirayuko turned his head, as if to see who was speaking so arrogantly, and in what manner. But what good was that? At least not for "Miss Higuchi" at that moment, because she still couldn't find herself in his sight.

As he turned his head back and continued to look out the window, the two of them fell into silence again. But this time it didn't last long before it was broken by someone using the most direct and cruel words -

"..Are you—that afraid of me?"

"!"

On the road, the black luxury car's trajectory suddenly lost control and then quickly returned to normal, just like the other cars around it. Fortunately, there were no accidents beyond a scratch, so Ping Xin only closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again.

Finally, her figure appeared in those dark eyes. Looking at her silent yet telling purple pupils, Ping Xin was silent for a moment before finally speaking, "You're right... I'm scared, really."