The Final Farewell

Night had already fallen.

Walking along the dimly lit road, she occasionally glanced at the sea to her right.

A gentle breeze brushed against her face, as if trying to wake her from a dream.

They had played for so long today, yet it felt like it had passed in an instant.

As expected, time always flies when you're with someone you like.

But deep down, she didn't want this day to end, though reason filled her mind.

Feeling the warmth from the hand holding her left, she still found it unbelievable.

At the very beginning, even a single glance or an accidental touch would make her shy.

Now, even if she never let go of that big hand, all she felt in her heart was peace.

This method does let me get close to him, but what about the future?

Was she supposed to tell him that her intentions from the start weren't pure?

That would definitely make him hate her, right?

"Hey."

Already near the dorm, Mori Nening, reluctant to let the day end, stopped in her tracks.

Gojo Satoru, holding her left hand, stopped as well.

Turning around, he found her staring at the sea.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing.

I just don't want the day to end so quickly. Love really is strange—if you're not careful, you fall deep into it."

She didn't turn her head, just spoke with a hint of melancholy.

"Want to sit on that bench over there for a while longer?"

Understanding her little thoughts, Gojo Satoru didn't call her out, instead going along with her wish to stay a bit longer.

"Mm."

Resting her head on his shoulder, Mori Nening felt a comfort she had never known before.

As her friends had said, as long as you're by the side of someone you like, even doing nothing feels like happiness.

Nothing happened. They sat like that for a long time. He seemed to understand what she was thinking and didn't disturb her.

"Satoru-kun, can I still call you that from now on?"

In this atmosphere, he probably wouldn't refuse, right?

"No can do. After today, we're strangers."

He said it with a smile, but his words cut into Mori Nening's heart like a blade.

The unexpected answer made her pupils contract. Realizing the problem, she grew anxious.

"Why?

Even if we're not in a relationship, shouldn't we at least still be friends?!"

"But wasn't that what you said from the start?

Don't get emotionally invested. If we keep in touch, you might end up liking me, right?"

I said that?

But isn't that too cruel?

The whole day had been so happy, this time so blissful—why throw it away?

"Can I take it back?"

She couldn't bear to let it end like this. She had already gotten this close. If they couldn't even talk anymore, she would surely be pushed further and further away.

'Fessing up now means you have to accept the punishment.'

Gojo Satoru looked at the agitated girl with some helplessness.

Since she had started with lies to get close, it was only fair that he got deceived a little too, right?

"No can do. I told you from the start.

It's no use even if you take it back.

I can't bring myself to deceive a woman."

Is that so?

After some internal struggle, Mori Nening finally spoke again.

"So, are we still dating now?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"Haah~"

Taking a deep breath, Mori Nening stared at him with firm eyes and said seriously, "Then let's kiss!

That much is okay, right?

We are dating."

Asked like that, Gojo Satoru couldn't hold it together, but he still explained carefully.

"We're fake dating. You need to understand that. The furthest we go is hugging.

Anything more is what a gigolo does."

Bam!

'So it really won't work, huh?'

Knowing he wouldn't budge, Mori Nening had no choice but to hold him tightly, seeking one last bit of comfort.

After who knows how long, the person in his arms still hadn't moved—maybe she'd fallen asleep.

But it was already late. If she didn't go back soon, it'd be trouble. Xiao Mako would probably worry.

"Classmate, time to get up. You've still got an exam tomorrow."

Patting her on the back, Gojo Satoru called softly.

"Nening."

????

"Call me Nening. Today isn't over yet, is it?"

Pulling away from his embrace, she looked straight into his eyes.

There was still time! She didn't want to become a stranger so soon!

"Fine, Nening. Now it's time to head back to the dorm.

Don't forget you have an exam tomorrow."

"Mm."

This time she didn't argue anymore. She simply stood up and left.

If she kept indulging in this, she might mess up tomorrow's exam. Then, forget about being together—she'd be facing expulsion.

But just two steps in, tears started streaming out stubbornly.

'I can't look back now! He'll laugh at me!'

"Nening!"

Yet the call from behind made her betray her own resolve. Thinking he'd changed his mind, Mori Nening put on a smile and spun around.

But his next words completely shattered her state.

"You forgot to pay the points."

?????!!!!!!

Do you even hear yourself?

In this kind of atmosphere, you're talking to me about this?

"Take out your student ID terminal! I'll send it to you right now, okay?! How much?!"

All the sadness and fleeting joy vanished, replaced by nothing but anger.

No matter what, his personality was still that awful!

"Just 5 points. Think of it as a god's reward."

As he spoke, he pulled out his phone.

"Huh?"

Those meaningless words made Mori Nening's mood flip again as she stared at him in confusion.

What was this supposed to be?

Still puzzled, she transferred the points, but then suddenly realized something and quickly asked, "Then can I use points to find you again later?"

"No, it's a one-time use.

You can't trade it multiple times."

The last resort was shot down.

But Mori Nening wanted to struggle one more time.

"Even if it's just for a moment, will you think of me sometime?"

She faced Gojo Satoru, but her head was lowered, her voice trembling slightly, not daring to meet his eyes.

She hoped he might comfort her a little, but his reply cut like a blade.

"People who can't take a hint aren't popular."

Without lingering, Gojo Satoru turned and left after saying that.

Staring blankly at his retreating figure, Mori Nening wanted to scream, but feared he'd hate her for it.

If even falling apart requires weighing the consequences, is that maturity or helplessness?

May 24th, Friday.

Today was the day of the midterm exams—all subjects would be finished in one day.

Just as expected, I'd been set up.

After the last exam ended, cheers erupted in the classroom.

"Whew! Thank goodness Kushida gave us those practice papers, or I'd have no clue how to handle this test."

Ike Kanji stood up, arms raised high, saying excitedly.

A chorus of agreement followed behind him.

"Yeah, thanks to Kushida, someone like me would've been eliminated for sure!"

"I never expected the exam content to be this complicated—a lot of it wasn't even covered in study groups."

"Lucky that Kushida guessed the papers wouldn't be swapped, or most of the class would've been done for."