Parasitic Love

"H-Honami... is what he said true?"

Shiranami Chihiro pressed on, still wearing an expression of disbelief.

If Ichinose was willing to speak up and prove herself, she would unwaveringly choose to believe in Ichinose.

But Ichinose clearly wasn't going to speak.

Ever since Suzuki Tsubame's laugh, like a Soul Hall Protector's, her upper face had been hidden in the shadow of her hair.

Completely cutting herself off from the outside world.

The two sides stood frozen for a long time.

"Ha... hahahaha!"

Suzuki Tsubame suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, reminiscent of the Uchiha Clan.

His laughter drew both of their thoughts back to him.

Suzuki Tsubame withdrew the hand he had placed on Ichinose's shoulder.

His expression was no longer sinister; instead, he looked at Shiranami Chihiro with a playful glint.

"Shiranami, you like Ichinose, don't you? How come you believe someone else's random nonsense so easily?"

Hearing this, Shiranami's expression shifted, and she turned her head to look at Ichinose.

Ichinose's face had indeed improved a lot, though it still seemed somewhat melancholic.

Shiranami simply assumed Ichinose was blaming her for not trusting her firmly.

Taking in their subtle movements, Suzuki Tsubame continued:

"Sigh... I'll tell you the truth. Ichinose wanted to test how sincere your feelings for her were, so she specially asked me to put on that little act just now."

"Tsk... too bad. Looks like your feelings for her aren't sincere enough."

"No, that's not it."

Shiranami Chihiro quickly grabbed Ichinose's hand, wanting to explain but not knowing what to say.

"Honami, I..."

Ichinose twitched the corner of her mouth, forcing a very strained smile.

"It's okay, Chihiro. It's fine if we're just friends."

Hearing Ichinose's words, Shiranami's tears immediately poured out like they cost nothing.

"No!"

Her voice carried a sob. Women really are born actors, aren't they?

When Ichinose's face was ashen earlier, she hadn't reacted.

But the moment she heard Ichinose's rejection, she burst into tears.

Suzuki Tsubame said he couldn't stand it anymore. Wasn't this just pure foolishness?

His tone turned sarcastic:

"Shiranami, right? You didn't cry when you doubted Ichinose earlier, but now that she's rejected you, you start crying."

"Do you actually like Ichinose herself, or are you just clinging to the power of staying by her side?"

There was nothing wrong with Suzuki Tsubame's question.

Without Ichinose, she wouldn't even count as a background character in the class.

It was precisely because she was close to Ichinose that no one dared to bully her.

"Th-That's not true! I like Honami herself."

Shiranami Chihiro tightly hugged Ichinose's arm, afraid she would leave her.

She couldn't imagine how she would survive in the class if Ichinose left her.

"Tsk... Do you even believe that yourself when you say it?"

Suzuki Tsubame certainly didn't.

In her current state, Ichinose was both gentle and strong, attracting a large number of followers.

But when Sakayanagi started targeting Ichinose, not a single person in Class B could step up.

"Honami, please believe me."

Shiranami looked at Ichinose with pitiful eyes, hoping Ichinose would comfort her like before.

Suzuki Tsubame watched this scene and shook his head inwardly.

This was completely exploiting Ichinose's kindness to guilt-trip her.

How come he suddenly felt that these Class B people were even sicker than Kamito from Class D?

They were a bunch of complete man-children.

Ichinose looked at the pitiful Shiranami Chihiro, her face full of exhaustion.

All traces of her former warmth were gone.

She just wanted to go back to the dormitory and rest now—she didn't even want to attend afternoon classes.

"Suzuki-kun, thank you very much for today. I'm a bit tired, so I'll take my leave first."

After Ichinose finished speaking, she didn't even glance at Shiranami Chihiro. She shook off the hand clinging to her arm and walked away without looking back.

"Honami..."

Shiranami Chihiro's tears fell like they cost nothing, drop after drop streaming down her face.

She wanted to say something to hold her back, but the words wouldn't come.

"We were once envied too~"

"We measured the road shrouded by night~"

"That tall tree isn't far away."

"We once stopped before it~"

Just as Suzuki Tsubame was moved by the scene and burst into passionate song, a small fist suddenly slammed into his chest.

Then came a storm of blows, fierce and relentless.

Unfortunately, her strength didn't even qualify as a massage.

"It's all your fault... If it weren't for you, Honami wouldn't be angry. If it weren't for you, Honami wouldn't have left!"

As she kept hitting, she grew tired. She crouched down, buried her head in her arms, and started crying.

"It's all your fault... waaah..."

"Huh? What do you mean, all my fault? Do you have no responsibility at all?"

Suzuki Tsubame had no intention of coddling this little parasite. He launched straight into his standard opening.

"If it weren't for your parasitic love, would Ichinose be under this much pressure?"

"Do you even know how much burden you've placed on her?"

The little girl cried even louder. Anyone listening would think Suzuki Tsubame had bullied her.

Though, to be fair, he had.

Reluctant as he was, worried the little one might do something drastic, Suzuki Tsubame still had to take responsibility and calm her down.

He crouched down and poked his head into the gap between Shiranami Chihiro's arms.

"Hey, are you really crying?"

Unfortunately, her eyes were blocked by her arms. All he could see was a face covered in tears and snot.

"Baka!"

Feeling Suzuki Tsubame's proximity, Shiranami tried to use her nails to give him a fresh "makeup."

Suzuki Tsubame wasn't about to let that happen—after all, he made his living off his looks.

With one hand, he caught the hand that was about to commit a crime. After all, trying to damage a work of art—how was that not a crime?

"Do you want to stay by Ichinose's side forever?"

"Since you look so pitiful, I can help you out."

Staying by her side was simple enough—Ichinose had a kind heart.

"R-Really?"

Shiranami Chihiro trembled as she slowly moved the hand covering her face. Her eyes, soaked in tears, were already red and swollen.

"Really, really."

Suzuki Tsubame nodded in assurance.

"Then what should I do?"

Her voice was thick with sobs, and as she spoke, tears streamed down again unbidden.

"Simple. Retreat in order to advance."

"Today, don't go find Ichinose. Tomorrow, when she comes back to class, tell her, 'It's better if we just stay friends.'"

"Will that let me stay by Honami's side forever?"

Shiranami looked at Suzuki Tsubame through tear-blurred eyes, hoping for a definite answer.

"Of course. Let me tell you something."

"Liking someone doesn't mean you have to be with them. As long as you can watch them be happy, that's enough."

That was pure nonsense. Anyone who believed it was doomed for life.

Shiranami seemed to half-understand. Judging by her expression, she'd bought it.

[Ding! Long-term quest: Fragile Child, completion: 10%. Reward: Cupid's Arrow. Once stuck into someone, that person will subconsciously think of the host every moment. Note: This arrow is visible only to the host. Once bound, only the host can retrieve it.]