Are you confessing?

"Explain quickly, or I won't forgive you."

Hasebe stepped closer again, pinning him against the wall.

The posture looked a lot like a Kabedon, but the girl lacked that kind of atmosphere, looking at him with complete seriousness.

However, he had nothing to say.

After all, he had almost never lied about matters like this.

And if he were to answer according to the current atmosphere that he had absolutely no thoughts about Hasebe's body, let alone whether he believed it himself, Hasebe certainly wouldn't.

That is why girls' questions are sometimes completely unreasonable; no matter how you answer, it's wrong.

Especially since Hasebe was unusually sensitive about the topic of her own body, which only increased the difficulty.

So, he simply played dead, looking at Hasebe with a helpless expression, trying to trade his sincerity for her remaining conscience.

After a moment.

Hasebe let out a snort of laughter and took two steps back, releasing him.

"Just kidding. How could I possibly be angry at little Bai Ye? Even if you really had those kinds of thoughts, I... wouldn't mind."

"Don't you hate things like this?"

"I do, but..." Hasebe looked up at the starry sky and said leisurely, "When I saw Ichinose from Class B, seeing how she could have so many friends who trust her, I started to wonder if all of this was my fault... if I was just being too serious."

"Actually, sometimes there's no need to care so much, don't you think, Bai Ye-kun~"

This was the first time Hasebe had called him by his name.

Looking into those bright eyes that were blinking slightly at him, Bai Ye replied with a smile:

"It's still better to care a little. If you get a boyfriend in the future, I believe he wouldn't want other men coveting your body."

"Why is that such a weird thing to say, little Bai Ye? You wouldn't happen to be... confessing to me, would you?"

Hasebe gave him a playful glare and smiled slightly.

"If I were, how would you answer?"

"Uh... that wouldn't be for real, would it?" Hasebe's eyes widened slightly. "I think... I probably wouldn't refuse, but I'd still prefer you to call me 'big sister', is that okay?"

He said speechlessly, "Do you have some kind of weird quirk? Why are you always pestering me to call you 'big sister'?"

"Who told you to be so cute when you call me 'big sister'? I'm serious, can't you? Just once, just once is fine. After that, I'll do whatever you want. Please~"

Hasebe tugged at his sleeve, swaying back and forth with an expression that suggested she wouldn't give up.

"No."

He pulled his hand away, looking indifferent.

"Why?"

"Because it's too embarrassing."

Even if he were to call her 'big sister', there would at least need to be the right atmosphere for it. He imagined calling Hasebe 'big sister' in this situation and felt a chill run down his spine.

Perhaps the other party just wanted to see him looking shy, which would be exactly what she wanted, but his own face would be thrown to the ends of the earth.

He wouldn't do it even if it killed him.

"Fine, I'm already used to you being so cold to me." Hasebe said, acting pouty.

He chose to ignore it. "Take out your phone, I'll transfer the points to you."

"Oh."

Hasebe took out her phone and handed it to him readily.

After he finished the transfer, Hasebe said, "I'll keep this money for you for now. You can ask me for it when you're short on cash later."

"..." He didn't say anything. "Let's head back."

After parting ways with Hasebe at the dormitory building, he arrived at his own room.

He was the only one in the dorm.

Ever since he had that conversation with Wang Meiyu, she had understood his true intentions. Although she would occasionally come to find him to hang out, she no longer insisted on sleeping with him like she used to.

This was a good thing for him.

Although it was a bit of a pity that he couldn't tease the little cutie as often, thinking about the mission, he decided to put that matter aside for now.

Currently, his mission targets were Horikita Suzune and Hasebe Haruka, and he had decided that his target for conquest was Hasebe.

Hasebe had said today that if he confessed, there was a high probability she would agree.

He thought that the reason for this, aside from a small factor of romance, was mostly her pity and affection for him.

That's right, just like how it was between him and Wang Meiyu in the past. Back then, he had agreed to Wang Meiyu immediately; aside from the mission, it was mostly because he didn't want to see her sad.

The relationship between people is so fragile. Friends can still get along peacefully, and whether it's ambiguity or physical contact, one can always find a justifiable reason for it.

But once things are laid bare, there are only two paths to take: either start dating, or cut ties completely.

Being with someone who has rejected you—even if you don't mind it in your heart—makes every future interaction feel like a knife being dragged across your broken heart.

And in the end, there was only one possible outcome: letting go.

If he were to truly confess his feelings to Hasebe now, he might successfully complete his mission, but given that their bond had not yet reached such a profound depth, the moment he proposed a breakup, it would be a final farewell.

Even if they were to reconcile, Hasebe would never dare to open her heart to him again.

After all, the depth of that scar would far outweigh the breadth of their romance.

Everyone is an independent individual, and he did not want to force her to stay by his side out of selfishness, only to watch her suffer every day.

He only wanted to see himself and the people around him happy; otherwise, what would be the point of him becoming stronger?

Having lived two lifetimes, he no longer wanted to be a foolish, immature little boy.

Therefore, he could only continue to nurture his relationship with Hasebe until the day came when, even if they were to break up, she would never let him go.