When Sakurajima Mai's footsteps stepped into Michiya Gōshin's familiar apartment, a fragrant feminine scent, like a silent tide, instantly drowned all her senses.
Ladies' soft-soled slippers arranged side-by-side in the entryway, women's clothing casually draped over the living room sofa, a thermos cup with a cute pattern on the coffee table, and a script covered in Kurokawa Akane's handwriting...
Every detail was like a cold needle, accurately piercing into her eyes and stabbing into her heart.
And the most glaring thing of all was none other than Kurokawa Akane, who was following behind her, wearing a knitted cardigan that belonged to Michiya Gōshin.
That oversized male garment was like an obvious symbol; it tightly wrapped around another woman's body, radiating a suffocating intimacy.
Sakurajima Mai felt her breathing suddenly become difficult, but she tried her best to tense her body, not showing any signs of losing composure.
Click.
The study door was pushed open, breaking this embarrassing silence.
Michiya Gōshin walked out rubbing his slightly stiff neck; the fatigue from high-intensity creative work still lingered between his brows.
When his gaze swept over that figure in the living room who could hardly conceal her stiffness, a trace of clear astonishment flashed through his eyes.
Immediately, his gaze flew quickly over Sakurajima Mai, then landed on Kurokawa Akane behind her, who was wearing his own conspicuous cardigan.
Although this scene was somewhat subtle, it only took Michiya Gōshin a few seconds to instantly realize what the current situation was.
He saw the shock in Sakurajima Mai's eyes, and also saw the trace of vigilance hidden deep in Kurokawa Akane's eyes, beneath her seemingly docile and calm face.
In a flash of lightning, Michiya Gōshin made a decision.
He could not let these two women, especially the proud Sakurajima Mai, continue to face this strange and subtle situation.
The next moment, Michiya Gōshin's face rapidly switched to an expression carrying work fatigue and just the right amount of surprise. He walked forward quickly, his tone natural and gentle, his gaze falling first on Kurokawa Akane.
"Akane, since you happen to be free, could you help me check the kitchen? There should still be some ingredients in the refrigerator. Could I trouble you to simply prepare something to eat? I'm a bit hungry. And while you're at it... please host Mai-san as well."
How clever was Kurokawa Akane.
She immediately read from Michiya Gōshin's eyes that unquestionable request and the deeper meaning of hoping she would temporarily withdraw.
Although a trace of subtle sourness and insecurity flitted through the girl's heart due to Sakurajima Mai's sudden visit and Michiya Gōshin's obvious 'defense' of her at this moment, what ran deeper was trust and cooperation with Michiya Gōshin's decision.
She knew very well that there were some things that the two of them had to say in private.
Kurokawa Akane had always considered Sakurajima Mai a very powerful rival, but ever since becoming a couple with Michiya Gōshin, she had gained more peace of mind, so she wasn't as paranoid as before.
Thus, an impeccable, gentle smile immediately bloomed on her face, as if that momentary scrutiny just now had never existed.
"Okay, Yu-kun. You and Sakurajima-san chat slowly; I'll go prepare some tea and snacks."
She even turned to Sakurajima Mai, lowering her posture extremely low, and asked politely, "Does Sakurajima-san have any dietary restrictions or preferred tastes? Please don't stand on ceremony."
Sakurajima Mai took a deep breath before barely suppressing the lump in her throat and the surging emotions. Then she spoke slowly, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible raspiness and detachment.
"No need to trouble yourself. I will leave after sitting for a moment."
Her refusal carried a stubbornness to maintain her final dignity.
"Then I'll see about preparing some wagashi."
Kurokawa Akane followed the advice naturally and said no more, turning around and walking toward the kitchen.
Her steps were light, and the hem of that oversized men's cardigan swayed slightly with her movements, like a flag declaring sovereignty, deeply stinging Sakurajima Mai's eyes.
After watching Kurokawa Akane's figure disappear into the kitchen doorway and hearing the faint sound of the refrigerator opening and closing, Michiya Gōshin finally refocused his gaze completely on Sakurajima Mai.
He turned sideways, made a 'please' gesture, and spoke in a very soft tone.
"Mai-san, let's go to the study to talk. It's not too convenient to speak here."
Sakurajima Mai's gaze lingered on Michiya Gōshin's face for several seconds before she moved her legs, which felt as if filled with lead, following him into that study she had once stepped into as well.
Michiya Gōshin gently closed the study door, isolating all subtle sounds from the outside.
In an instant, the world seemed to be split into two parts.
Inside the study, only the two of them remained, along with the room full of the scent of books, the lingering smell of caffeine, and the faint blue light of the computer screen.
Sakurajima Mai looked at Michiya Gōshin silently. Her face held none of her former bright smiles, nor were there any pleasantries; there was only a stagnant, water-like calmness.
She did not sit down, merely standing in the center of the study, separated from Michiya Gōshin by a few steps, yet that distance felt like a chasm.
Sakurajima Mai gazed quietly at Michiya Gōshin. Time seemed to have passed for a long while, yet it also seemed like only an instant.
Finally, she spoke. Her voice was very light, yet like an ice pick hitting the ground, it was clear and cold, carrying a tremor she could not suppress.
"Yu-kun..."
She called his name. "Have you... already made a choice?"
Her gaze swept meaningfully toward the door; everything was left unsaid.
That glaring cardigan, those ubiquitous traces of a female, Kurokawa Akane's posture as the mistress of the house... all evidence pointed to that reality she did not wish to face.
Michiya Gōshin looked at the profound sorrow in her eyes, and his heart felt as if it were being fiercely gripped by an invisible hand. He had always known of Sakurajima Mai's fondness for him, which went beyond admiration. He himself, during those days of struggling together, had also felt real palpitations and vague expectations toward her.
Although he had made a decision to walk a milder, more complete path without hurting anyone...
But at this moment, the pain in Sakurajima Mai's eyes was like a cruel mirror, reflecting that his inner choice would inevitably cause this result.
Especially after facing such reckless bravery and devotion from Kurokawa Akane, he could no longer use an ambiguous attitude to hurt anyone.
Thus, Michiya Gōshin took a deep breath. He did not avoid Sakurajima Mai's gaze that pierced straight to the bottom of his heart, nor did he try to use any hypocritical words to whitewash the peace.
He knew that at this moment, any circumvention or explanation would be an insult to Sakurajima Mai's sincere emotions.
"Mai-san."
He continued to use the unique form of address between the two of them. This in itself was a clear signal. Michiya Gōshin's eyes were frank and heavy, carrying a determination to burn his bridges.
"I am very sorry."
Michiya Gōshin paused for a moment, as if accumulating the courage to face a storm, then continued.
"The occurrence of feelings, many times, does not completely follow reason and the rule of first-come-first-served."
He saw a deeper pain flash through Sakurajima Mai's eyes, but he knew he couldn't stop.
"I saw Akane's feelings and could not continue to turn a blind eye, so I chose to take the relationship between the two of us a step further."
Michiya Gōshin frankly dissected his own mental journey, his tone calm yet carrying a blade-like truth.
"However, I admit, Mai-san, your feelings are the same... I have similar feelings for you. Everything we have experienced together is equally precious and irreplaceable to me."
At this moment, his conversation took a turn. His eyes became as firm as bedrock as he threw out that earth-shattering expression.
"Admiration and fondness, and that emotion I have already confirmed I want to respond to—they exist simultaneously. This made me realize one thing: I might be an incomparably greedy person."
"Greedy?"
Sakurajima Mai muttered deeply, repeating the word. For the first time, an obvious emotion exceeding sadness appeared on her pale face.
"Yes, greedy."
Meeting her gaze, Michiya Gōshin's tone was categorical, carrying a very pure frankness.
"I know this sounds absurd, very selfish, and even a blasphemy against the emotions of you and Akane. But, looking at the sadness in Mai-san's eyes, I cannot deceive myself, nor can I deceive you."
"I cannot accept a conclusion where, because of my choice, someone must be happy while the other is destined to be in pain."
He took a small step forward, his gaze burning, as if burning with some kind of firm flame.
"I like Akane. She let me feel the warmth and courage of being loved unreservedly. But similarly, towards you, Mai-san... my feelings are about the same."
"So the path I want to walk is a path that perhaps won't be recognized by worldly standards, perhaps fraught with difficulties, but a path I must try to walk."
"I hope the people I cherish can all obtain happiness, rather than enduring the pain of loss because of me."
Once these words came out, Sakurajima Mai was thoroughly stunned.
She had anticipated various reactions from Michiya Gōshin—feeble explanations, or indifferent admission.
But she absolutely never expected that what she waited for was not a rejection, but such an excessive declaration!
After the shock, a wave of memories suddenly surged in Sakurajima Mai's mind. She directly associated this with her own parents.
Although she didn't know the true reason for her parents' divorce, the fact that her father had formed a new family with someone else and had a daughter was an ironclad fact.
On the other hand, she was Sakurajima Mai, a national actress, possessing status and strength craved by countless entertainers. What she craved was a complete, pure, unique love, not a love shared with others.
The next moment.
"Greedy?"
She repeated this word, her voice rising steeply, carrying a trace of sharp disbelief.
"Yu-kun, do you think I would agree to such a thing? In your view, am I the kind of person who can accept... this kind of absurd arrangement?"
Her pride was like an unsheathed sharp sword, flashing with cold light in the air.
Michiya Gōshin looked at Sakurajima Mai's appearance. In fact, he had anticipated this in his heart long ago, but a strange tenderness and deeper determination surged in his heart instead.
He knew her pride. Precisely because he knew, he had to be honest at this moment.
"I know. I have always known Mai-san's pride, known that you deserve the best love in the world. I am clearer than anyone on how offensive and unfair this thought is to you."
Michiya Gōshin paused, his eyes profound as the night sky, yet his tone carried an unquestionable firmness.
"Therefore, I didn't expect you to agree right now, or accept it easily. I just... wanted to tell you my true thoughts. I don't want to deceive, nor do I want to hide. As for the future..."
"What do you plan to do in the future?"
This time, Sakurajima Mai crossed her arms and looked coldly at Michiya Gōshin's face.
"Heh, if Mai-san really isn't willing to accept it, then it doesn't matter. When the time comes... just let me chase you!"
Michiya Gōshin suddenly smiled, his face wearing the ease of having spoken his heart.
"Hmph, chase me?"
Sakurajima Mai couldn't help but tremble in her heart, but she quickly tightened her thoughts and continued to look at him coldly. "Unless you completely cut off contact with Kurokawa, don't even think about it."
"As for specifically how to do it, I will think of a suitable method."
Michiya Gōshin looked at her beautiful eyes and spoke word by word.
"Saying such things is indeed very excessive, and I know this is also a form of coercion towards Mai-san, but I have no better way."
"If in the end, Mai-san still refuses me..."
Hearing this sentence, Sakurajima Mai stared dead at his eyes, as if whatever Michiya Gōshin said next would thoroughly tear apart the affection between the two.
"Then... I won't give up either. Just like the words Mai-san once said, I will try hard again... to make you fall in love with me."
Sakurajima Mai fell silent.
The other party's words were absurd to the extreme, but the flame in his eyes was so real, so scorching, as if he truly believed he could achieve that impossible thing.
She loved Michiya Gōshin. The other party's gentleness had long ago, like a vine, silently wrapped around her heart.
To ask her to abandon it easily was like carving out her heart and scraping her bones.
Precisely because she loved deeply, it was even more painful, more angry, and more emotionally complicated at this moment.
She bit her lower lip fiercely, almost tasting the scent of blood. Sakurajima Mai's long eyelashes trembled violently, concealing the overwhelming emotions in the depths of her eyes.
Finally, all words turned into a long sigh carrying endless fatigue and a sense of absurdity.
"Heh..."
She let out a short, cold laugh of unclear meaning and shook her head, as if to shake all this chaos out of her mind.
"This kind of thing... is really too absurd."
She did not look at Michiya Gōshin again, as if looking one more time would make her collapse. Then she turned abruptly, put her hat and mask back on, and rewrapped herself in that cold protective shell.
Sakurajima Mai pulled open the study door, her footsteps not pausing at all.
However, just at the moment she was about to step out of the study door, the girl's footsteps paused slightly. With her back to Michiya Gōshin, she spoke in a voice that strove to maintain calm but still carried a trembling tail note.
"Next week... the promotional activities for Alice in Borderland will begin."
Sakurajima Mai's voice was very light, but like a stone thrown into a lake surface, it rippled circles in Michiya Gōshin's heart.
"See you then."
After speaking, she stayed no longer. She walked straight toward the entryway, not even glancing at Kurokawa Akane standing in the direction of the kitchen again, and quickly opened the apartment door, her figure resolutely merging into the light outside.
Michiya Gōshin stood in place, gazing at that study door which was already closed, and didn't move for a long time.
He knew that his words just now had undoubtedly slashed another fierce knife across Sakurajima Mai's proud heart.
But he did not regret it.
Concealment and deception would only bring longer, deeper pain.
He had spread the power of choice, and his seemingly impossible ambition, directly in front of the other party like this.
This way, more possibilities could be generated subsequently.
After an unknown amount of time passed, the study door was pushed open gently.
Kurokawa Akane walked in. She was still wearing that oversized men's cardigan on her body. She looked at the complex expression on Michiya Gōshin's face, which mixed fatigue and a trace of imperceptible confusion, without asking, nor offering words of comfort.
She simply walked forward quietly, extended her arms, and gently encircled his waist, pressing her cheek against his chest, which currently appeared somewhat thin and cold, as if she wanted to transmit her body temperature and strength to him.
Michiya Gōshin felt the warmth and reliance coming from his arms, and his stiff body slowly relaxed.
He lowered his head, resting his chin on the top of Kurokawa Akane's hair, which emitted a fresh fragrance, and closed his eyes.
Silence spread between the two, yet it wasn't awkward; instead, a kind of silent understanding flowed.
For a long while, Michiya Gōshin's low and raspy voice sounded in the quiet room, carrying a trace of uncertain hesitation.
"Akane..."
He asked softly, as if asking her, and also as if asking himself, "Do you think I am a jerk?"
Kurokawa Akane shook her head gently in his arms. Her cheek rubbed against the fabric on his chest, her voice muffled, yet unusually clear and firm.
"Of course not."
She didn't press about what they had discussed, nor did she reveal any jealousy or unease.
Kurokawa Akane possessed a skill named "Profiling"; her intelligence had long ago faintly glimpsed the struggle in Michiya Gōshin's heart from clues.
However, the girl still chose tolerance, chose to wait, and chose to believe.
This concise and affirmative answer was like a warm current, instantly surging through Michiya Gōshin's limbs and bones.
He forcefully tightened his arms, embracing this warm and soft body in his arms even tighter, as if she were the only reliable driftwood in a violent storm.
"Thank you, Akane."
Kurokawa Akane raised her head, looking into his profound eyes. Her gaze was clear and calm, yet deep inside hid unquestionable deep affection and a trace of hidden worry.
She had long been unable to leave the other party. From the moment he responded to her feelings, she knew she had already completely fallen.
So, even if she vaguely guessed the other party's shocking thoughts, even if there was unease and stinging pain in her heart, she also chose to stand on his side.
The next moment, Kurokawa Akane reached out her hand, gently smoothing out her boyfriend's slightly knitted brow, her tone as calm as if saying something perfectly natural.
"Whatever Yu-kun wants to do, just do it."
Her voice was very light, yet it carried a rock-like firmness.
"As long as in the end... you can remember to come home, that's enough."
Michiya Gōshin gazed at those eyes written full of understanding, tolerance, and infinite deep affection, and the last trace of hesitation and hesitation in his heart was also dispelled.
He nodded heavily and held her tight again.
"Mn."
He responded, his voice deep and firm.
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