Chapter 153: Shadow
Minor, similar experiences are difficult to retain long-term.
Only unique, deeply emotional memories tend to linger in the heart.
Ryo felt that even after a long time, the experiences of this semester would not easily sink into the sea of the past like previous ones.
The very beginning of everything had already left a deep impression on her.
And being in this place where they first met made her quickly recall every scene from that time.
It was when she and Nijika had just decided to form a band and were recruiting members.
A boy, who looked like he had just run out of a school sports club, suddenly appeared before her and Nijika, asking to join the band.
At the time, she suspected he joined with the idea of becoming more popular or something similar.
After talking for a while, seeing that he simply wanted to learn, she agreed.
But later, she discovered that he was an anomaly among ordinary people.
An eccentric person who followed his heart.
Yet, he was similar to her, and at that time, she had some thoughts of wanting to get to know him more.
But anomalies are often the most dangerous.
People with unconventional thoughts and those who interact little with others are always the most dangerous existences.
However, it wasn't until she learned about his past and after their first performance that she confirmed it.
This anomaly was indeed someone who genuinely wished for everything to improve.
Although he said strange things about wanting a harem, relatively speaking, it was already quite good.
She gradually tried to get closer to him.
This was a rare, harmless kindred spirit.
After going out to the countryside with him for the first time, feeling the ease of being with him and the gradually increasing telepathy between them, she felt a sense of happiness rooted in tranquility.
And later, learning of his past, and his friends who were still willing to come see his performance even after such circumstances, that's when she truly understood what kind of person he was.
She clearly realized that this person might be a rare individual with whom she could get along and feel comfortable with.
Not just someone who she could get along, but someone who she could cooperate with.
She was well aware that this feeling wasn't one-sided.
They weren't unilaterally adjusting their pace, but both naturally accepted each other's existence.
But she also realized that he was serious about building a harem.
She had thought that perhaps after some time, either she would give up her persistence, or he would choose to give up the harem, and regardless of the form, they would eventually naturally be together.
But in the end, she still worried about unexpected events and chose to give up her persistence early.
Yet, she didn't expect to still be a step too late.
The first one to date him.
It should have been her.
...
Hearing Ryo's indifferent tone about him dating multiple people, Ishikawa Hayato didn't show any happy emotions.
He probably understood her feelings.
He also didn't continue to provoke Ryo here.
Instead, he continued to search for books.
Until he found a book, he paused, then took it directly to the boss to pay.
After he walked back, Ryo asked without turning her head,
"Found it?"
"No, it's an old book I was interested in."
After a long while, finally finding the textbook the boss mentioned, vaguely remembered, in a remote corner.
The two left the used bookstore, one after the other.
As soon as they walked out of the bookstore, Ryo yawned.
"I'm a bit sleepy. I'm going back first."
She said without even looking at Ishikawa Hayato, and turned to leave before she even finished speaking.
Ishikawa Hayato knew this was Ryo's usual way of dealing with things when she is in low spirits.
But in this situation, it was already extremely rare for her not to be angry.
If he were to further disturb her mood, it would only make her displeased.
Letting her go back and then compensating her was the best option.
But Ishikawa Hayato, even knowing this, still walked up to her.
Her concession was not a reason for him to ignore her.
He also knew that in this situation, it would be impossible to resolve the resentment in Ryo's heart with just a word or two.
It might even make her erupt.
Before she walked out of the cool shadow, Ishikawa Hayato took her hand.
He saw the sunlight falling through the gap in the building, illuminating her bangs.
After her hand was taken, she stiffened and didn't move.
In the stifling air of a summer afternoon, Ishikawa Hayato pleaded,
“Just like this—just let me finish what I have to say.”
Ryo retracted her half-step, but didn't turn around.
"I'm really sorry for causing this situation, for accepting it prematurely..."
Ryo suddenly interrupted him, saying in an angry but also merely reminding tone,
"You could have kept it from me."
After she finished speaking, Ishikawa Hayato, a few beats slower, said in a very calm tone,
"Does Ryo think that would be appropriate?"
Ishikawa Hayato didn't like to hide things, especially important matters.
Those so-called white lies were only for children.
He finished speaking and watched Ryo's back, seeing her suddenly quiet down.
A moment later, her shoulders relaxed, and she let out a long sigh.
"Liking someone similar to oneself always brings various troubles."
As if she had accepted it, she turned around, the light in her eyes slightly dimmed.
“I’m really sorry for getting angry without good reason.”
"No, I'm the one at fault. As a philanderer, I actually made Ryo feel unhappy while we are dating."
Ishikawa Hayato said this seriously.
He clearly knew that he hadn't comforted her.
Instead, she had resolved her own conflict and even apologized to him.
Was this the magnanimity of an older sister?
Ryo gave him a disdainful look, as if saying,
"Listen to what you're saying."
Before Ishikawa Hayato could say anything, she fanned herself with her small hand.
"It's so hot."
"Then since you're full, shall we go back and listen to CDs?"
Ishikawa Hayato weakly cooperated with her.
"The boss will think we're very strange."
Ishikawa Hayato knew she wasn't angry at all, but was deliberately teasing him.
He shook Ryo's hand, which he had still been holding, and said coquettishly,
"Ryo-neechan~"
In this scorching weather, Ryo shivered in disgust.
She stared fixedly at Ishikawa Hayato.
He quickly dropped his disgusted expression, smiling sheepishly.
“There’s no rule that only Ryo can tease me and I can’t retaliate, is there?”
Ryo thought for a moment, then suddenly revealed a sly smile.
“Speaking of which, don’t you keep your promises? Ikuyo told you not to say anything, yet you still told me about dating her.”
“I never agreed to her, you know.”
Seeing herself once again at a disadvantage in their back-and-forth, and feeling disgusted again, Ryo let out another long sigh.
She wondered if this guy thought he could take an inch and ask for a mile just because they were dating.
She pulled out her phone and started typing.
Ishikawa Hayato leaned over to look, but she pushed him away with her hand.
Her soft palm felt very comfortable.
After finishing her typing, she held up her phone to show him.
“So, the afternoon itinerary is like this.”
Ishikawa Hayato looked at her phone.
From one to three o’clock was at the CD store, which was normal. At four o’clock, they would go to Jojoen,
Seeing the last place that could make his wallet bleed, Ishikawa Hayato cautiously probed.
“Ryo-neechan…?”
Ryo looked at him expressionlessly, “You don’t mean to say you’re broke, do you?”
Ishikawa Hayato couldn’t guess how she would react if he said he had no money.
Ryo was an easygoing person, but if you step on a landmine in her line of thinking, her outburst would be all the more fiercer.
But he watched Ryo for a moment and found that she showed no sign of impatience.
Immediately, he made a decision.
His face fell, and he said with a look of wanting to cry but no tears coming out.
“Alright, then the number of times I owe you is cleared.”
He knew it was fine even if he didn't treat her.
She wouldn't mind.
He simply felt that meeting Ryo and having her confess to him was such a happy occasion that treating her once was no big deal.
Besides, he had been making mistakes, so it was time to put himself on the chopping block.
Ryo looked at him, completely unconvinced by his feigned pitiful expression, and leaned closer to him.
“Let me see your wallet.”
“No.”
Ishikawa Hayato refused outright.
But Ryo’s next words made his denial less resolute.
Suddenly, a faint smile appeared on her face. She looked up at him slightly, her lips parted a little.
“This is a request from your girlfriend.”
Her low, lazy voice instantly stirred Ishikawa Hayato’s heart.
He had to admit, Ryo’s move was very effective.
She, who usually showed little emotion, suddenly displayed a cute smile, and while calling herself his girlfriend, she looked at him coquettishly.
The extreme contrast with her usual demeanor and the overwhelming, undefendable feeling of being smitten were too strong, leaving Ishikawa Hayato stunned.
He stared blankly at Ryo.
She stood in the shadow of the house, in front of him, holding his hand, showing him a sweet smile he had never seen before.
The light from the sky made her eyes sparkle, but it also revealed some of her thoughts.
Teasing, playing, testing.
Ishikawa Hayato looked at the beautiful yet handsome young woman in front of him, feeling that they were so close he could embrace her without even reaching out.
Too shameless.
Not only was her personality good, but someone who was usually expressionless was now deliberately acting cute.
It was truly too shameless.
But Ishikawa Hayato ultimately protected his wallet.
Suppressing his wavering feelings, he teased back.
“Only my wife can see my wallet. How about calling me ‘Husband-sama’ to hear it?”
Ryo quickly put away her smile and looked at him silently.
Just as he thought she would give up and was about to change the subject, Ishikawa Hayato noticed she had been looking at him for too long, so long that he wondered if she was preparing herself mentally.
His heart began to pound faster.
It was only after a little while longer that Ryo spoke.
“It’s hot. Let’s go to the CD store.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
Ishikawa Hayato let out a long sigh of relief.
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