Chapter 390

Although she had run away early yesterday like a frightened bird and hadn't seen him lift his mask, she quickly realized that he was the person who performed yesterday.

The one who's with Nozomi...!!!

Thinking of this, her pupils contracted, and she sprang to her feet, like Shiro-chan fleeing from a hungry wolf, ready to escape this place.

But the plan quickly failed.

With Himemiya Chihaya grabbed her slender, soft arm wrapped in her sailor uniform, pulled her back, and Kabe-don her against the glass behind her.

He was somewhat surprised to see her trembling, shrinking back, afraid, and avoiding his gaze. He hadn't done anything wrong, so why did she run away as soon as she saw him?

But then, he narrowed his eyes and chuckled playfully, gently rubbing her chubby, adorable face, and whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid, I'm not a bad person."

"Next, let's have a more in-depth discussion!"

Chapter 398 The ill-fated relationship between the Oboe and the Flute.

"..."

Tsuruzuka Mizore kept her eyes closed, but after hearing his words, she opened them and peeked at him a few times, but remained silent.

"First, tell me, why are you so afraid of me?"

"I ask casually," said Himemiya Chihaya, her large hand still restlessly playing with her collagen-rich skin.

"..."

"Not going to talk? Do you think I'm afraid to do anything to you?"

He chuckled wickedly, breathed into her ear, and threatened in a low voice, "Look, the school is almost deserted this morning, and you're so shy. If I were to really do something to you..."

Sensing the strange sensation in her ears, Tsuruzuka Mizore hurriedly closed her eyes again, gathering her strength to charge forward and try to escape.

But after crashing into the seemingly flimsy yet incredibly sturdy wall in front of her, her escape plan was once again thwarted.

Oh~ She looks frail and delicate, with skin so pale it's almost bloodless, and she looks like she'd collapse at the slightest push—but she's actually quite something, thank you.

After silently expressing his gratitude, he cupped her plump cheeks in his Hands, forcing her seemingly mysterious eyes to meet his gaze.

He whispered, almost touching her nose, "If you don't tell me, I'm really going to attack you, okay? After all, you're so cute~"

"No, no!"

Suddenly, he Tsuruzuka Mizore his head and hugged himself tightly.

"Then answer my question obediently. First... what is your name?"

"... Tsuruzuka Mizore."

"Oh, that's a very nice name. My name is Himemiya Chihaya. Nice to meet you."

"... I know."

She tilted her head, her eyes darting around, and whispered her reply.

The sound was so soft that it would have been inaudible if no one else was around.

"Really? It seems I've become quite famous!"

He puffed out his chest proudly, somewhat satisfied with the achievements he had made the day before.

"Then the next question—why did you run away after you saw me? I don't think we've met before, have I?"

He looked down at the girl who had curled up in a corner and thought that her Social Anxiety Disorder and isolation meant she could probably sit at the same table as Gotou Hitori...

In a sense, she might be the most difficult person to win over among everyone here—he's referring to her friendship.

Not only is she aloof, taciturn, and expressionless... she also harbors a strong sense of vigilance towards outsiders, only revealing her true feelings when she is with those who have accompanied her through many years.

What's worse is that, although she may not realize it now, she's already someone who follows Kasamaki Nozomi around and wants to be with her 24/7!

Although they haven't seen each other for a long time since Kasamaki Nozomi left the club last year, she still only has Kasamaki Nozomi as a special friend in her heart—everyone else can only be considered acquaintances.

Ku~! The incredibly wicked succubus, Nozomi!

Unfortunately, your brother, who owns an umbrella, has friends all over the neighborhood, and he doesn't need you anymore. He doesn't even take you to and from school with him...

"..."

A long silence followed, Himemiya Chihaya wanted to urge her to hurry, otherwise others would arrive soon—

Tsuruzuka Mizore a trembling voice, Mizore Kaizuka slowly parted her red lips. "You, yesterday, were with that person..."

"That person?"

Himemiya Chihaya, then quickly realized that there was only one person who could elicit such a strong reaction from her.

"You mean Nozomi?"

He suddenly realized that she had projected some of her feelings for Kasamaki Nozomi onto him as well.

Because Kasamaki Nozomi only flirted without cleaning up the mess, her feelings towards her are now quite complicated. There's a mix of reluctance to let go, affection, and resentment at being "abandoned" without a word...

"..."

Tsuruzuka Mizore silently acknowledged.

"Oh, I met her yesterday when I was watching your performance. You guys performed wonderfully!"

Having identified the problem, the rest was simple; he released her from the Kabe-don position.

"I remember—you were a cheerleader back then, right? You were one of those guys who were in front, holding a hand-held flower and doing some kind of Mysterious Dance Steps!"

Tsuruzuka Mizore nodded, relaxing slightly. It seemed the other party had really watched the performance carefully, even knowing what position someone as unremarkable as her held.

--But in reality, he only paid close attention to a few people.

"Then, after your performance, I saw a very happy Nozomi. I asked her if she was connected to people from Kitauji, and that's how we met."

He then went on to briefly describe their relationship.

"..."

"I think she's really happy for you two. What? You and Nozomi have a conflict?"

"No!"

After raising her head and forcefully retorting, she buried her head in her knees again and remained silent.

"Mmm~ Ugh~"

Himemiya Chihaya stared at her helplessly, feeling that talking to someone with Social Anxiety Disorder was really tiring. She'd have to ask her ancestors for more Star Power next time!

"I've vaguely heard Nozomi mention something that happened a year ago, is it related to this?"

"..."

"Look at you, you fall silent again when faced with a difficult question."

"..."

"If you don't answer, I'm going to continue with the attack from before, okay? Do you hate Nozomi?"

Whether the threat worked or not, Tsuruzuka Mizore trembled slightly and obediently replied, "... I don't dislike her, it's not like that."

"What did she say that hurt you?"

"No!"

She continued in a voice that, even when forceful, sounded like a coquettish plea, "No, Nozomi didn't do anything wrong... The fault lies entirely with me; I'm afraid to see Nozomi..."

Tsk, what a simp!

Where she couldn't see, with her head bowed, Himemiya Chihaya gave her a disdainful look with her cold, large eyes.

But the questioning had to continue, "Why?"

"Because I'm afraid to face reality..."

"Reality?"

"To me... Nozomi is special, she's my most cherished friend."

She peeked out from under her knees and began to slowly recount her story. "I'm not good at communicating with people, I have a gloomy personality, I have no friends, and I've always been alone..."

"I can tell."

He nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"..."

She glanced at him with a complicated expression, then continued, "Until one day, Nozomi ran up to me and said, 'Hey, Yoroizuka- san, do you participate in any clubs?'"

I shook my head, and she said, 'That's the Homecoming Department? You didn't participate in anything?'...

"That's how Nozomi and I became friends. It was because of Nozomi's invitation that I joined the Wind Ensemble Club... I was really happy back then, every day was so much fun!"

"But—to Nozomi, I'm just one of her friends, one of her many friends..."

"That's why I didn't even know she had left the department! Back then, I was the only one who didn't know..."

As she spoke, her voice trembled slightly, and her delicate shoulders and back shook a little.

"She didn't say anything. I'm terrified that to her I'm just a stranger... I don't understand, I don't understand why I'm here ( in the Wind Ensemble Club)."

"If you're feeling this bad, is it even worth staying in the Wind Ensemble Club?"

He bent down and gently patted her back, his eyes filled with sympathy.

"... Only musical instruments, because only musical instruments are proof of the bond between Nozomi and me..."

"..."

Himemiya Chihaya remained silent.

To put it so euphemistically, what I really mean is, you come all the way here every day just to fantasize about a long-distance romance with Kasamaki Nozomi while playing your musical instrument, right?

The atmosphere and the conversation have gone this far, who would believe you if you said you weren't aluminum and copper? I certainly don't.

Honestly, of all the aluminum-copper alloys I've seen so far, I would call you the strongest!

That said, if Kasamaki Nozomi were to have a normal relationship with someone in the Mirai, then this Little NEET would... well, that's kind of interesting to think about!

He swallowed hard, trying to suppress a laugh, and coughed a few times before offering comfort, "Oh, is that so? Do you want me to help you?"

"?"

Tsuruzuka Mizore glanced at him sideways, looking confused.

I have two options for you to choose from!

He winked his left eye smartly and held up two fingers.

"First option! Forget about that Kasamaki Nozomi, and let's be new friends! How about it?"

"..."

"Hey? Why are you looking at me like that? It hurts my heart... Don't you like it?"

"..."

"I just can't do anything with you,"

He rubbed his chest, forcing himself to stop his forced smile, and withdrew one finger. "Then the second one!"

"Let me secretly ask her what she's really thinking, and then I'll tell you the result, okay?"

"... don't want."

She pouted her lips in refusal.

"Huh? You don't want this either? Why?!"

Himemiya Chihaya was taken aback; she had assumed the suggestion would definitely work.

"Because I'm scared..."

She didn't explicitly say what she was afraid of, but it was easy to deduce from the conversation just now.

"Hmph, how naive!"

He smiled, his eyes narrowing, a playful look on his face, and once again lifted her chin with his finger. "Do you think that now that I know your secret, I can resist asking her?"

"..."

"So, given that's the case, don't you think it would be a huge loss if you didn't know?"

"..."