For some time afterward, Mai Kashiwagi kept giving Jiu Ming strange looks, leaving even him feeling rather helpless. He shot a fierce glare at Kaguya, who was hugging the alloy keyboard and yawning innocently.
Innocent? What a joke!
As for the keyboard she had no intention of returning to him, that was merely a personal necessity... certainly not a hobby. She was planning to take this piece of evidence back and complain to someone.
Jiu Ming curled his lip. As if he were afraid of her. "You've been holding that thing for so long. Don't tell me you've fallen in love with it?"
The question he tossed out was brimming with malice.
"Believe me! One day, I'll make you grind it smooth!"
Kaguya glared at Jiu Ming in displeasure and made her vow with utter conviction. "In this lifetime, I'm not worried about that."
Jiu Ming said it casually. It was only an alloy keyboard—was grinding it smooth really such a big deal!?
The bar... remained open as usual!
In the middle of the night, several figures sneaked in furtively. A small stone flew in from outside. Jiu Ming casually caught the pebble hurtling toward him. It was wrapped in a layer of paper; after peeling it off, Jiu Ming read what was written on it and immediately tossed the stone into the trash. "We're closing!"
Though the timing differed from usual, Mai Kashiwagi said nothing. What puzzled her was that Jiu Ming did not take his usual route home today, instead heading toward a secluded alley...
"What's wrong?" Noticing the girl's steps behind him gradually becoming somewhat stiff, Jiu Ming suddenly stopped and turned back in confusion.
"If that's what you think, then it's nothing."
"..." Jiu Ming fell silent. Although Mai Kashiwagi's expression had been perfectly calm when