The distance quickly shortened as Sen Getsusa chatted with the little Boy.
Yukino, following behind, was lost in thought and didn't notice what the girl ahead was asking.
There are few dark and dilapidated places in Tokyo's Chuo Ward—the reason "few" is used is that they can still be found if one looks carefully.
Da Yong led the two girls through several turns until they found his home.
A very dilapidated house.
At this moment, his grandmother was waiting at the door.
The old woman's face was full of wrinkles, her eyes bulging almost out of their sockets, the eyeballs bloodshot—combined with a stiff smile, she truly possessed the ability to 'repel bratty kids' in the dim night.
"Hello, I am Sen Getsusa, and this is Yukino."
Da Yong let go of Sen Getsusa's hand and threw himself into his grandmother's arms.
Sen Getsusa and Yukino stood side by side, exchanging pleasantries.
In fact, it was mostly Sen Getsusa speaking, while Yukino only nodded or occasionally uttered phrases like "That's right" or "Exactly."
"I'm old, my memory isn't what it used to be. Thanks to you both... Look at these two girls, so beautiful. Come in, if you don't mind, please have a cup of tea."
The old woman smiled kindly and said to Sen Getsusa, "Young people nowadays are so warm-hearted. You don't mind, do you? Come in, come in!"
The old woman reached out, wanting to lead Yukino inside, but Sen Getsusa suddenly grabbed the girl's soft hand.
Yukino was stunned and turned to look at Sen Getsusa—her own hand was being held by a slender, soft little hand.
It was quite soft.
The old woman looked up and found that not only had Sen Getsusa not moved, but she had also held back the other girl.
She blinked. Although there was still a smile on her face, she said something quite rude: "Sorry. It's too late, so we won't come in as guests. My mother is already very worried."
"Oh, just sit for a while. Let an old woman with one foot in the grave show some gratitude. If you leave just like this..."
"Yeah, yeah, Big Sister, come in."
Da Yong, holding the old woman's hand, also spoke up. This Child had a very cheerful personality, and with his cute looks and childish voice, he was particularly likable.
At least he hit Yukino's moe spot.
She looked back at Sen Getsusa, her eyes deliberately avoiding their joined hands.
"Let's go in, I'm not in a hurry," she said tentatively to Sen Getsusa.
Sen Getsusa shook her head.
"I have something to do, I have to leave.
Miss Yukino, come with me.
Since we came together, we should go back together."
Sen Getsusa rejected the proposal and, without waiting any longer, pulled Yukino directly back toward the way they came.
Yukino was pulled along, stumbling, and her inner pleasure was instantly dissipated.
This feeling of being controlled was so familiar.
Her face darkened, and she forcefully pulled her hand away.
"Miss Sen Getsusa, I still have time, and I want to go in for a cup of tea."
Sen Getsusa:...Sometimes, unuttered swear words are like lipstick.
You've already applied it to your lips, but others can't see it.
Sen Getsusa tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, took a deep breath, and repeated her persuasion: "Miss Yukino, please come with me. I'm actually a bit afraid of walking at night."
However, Yukino wasn't buying it. Perhaps something had triggered her, but the girl was determined to stay.
She took out her phone and said emotionlessly, "Do you need me to call a taxi for you?"
Sen Getsusa gave her a deep look.
The other party returned a stubborn gaze.
After a long while.
"Fine."
Sen Getsusa nodded. "I suddenly have nothing to do again. We can go in for a cup of tea.
This... Granny?"
She ignored Yukino, who was still being difficult, and with her hands in her pockets, she took the lead and walked into the house.
Seeing that both girls could stay, the old woman was overjoyed and hurried to welcome them inside.
Pushing open the door, there was a very small living room: a table and a few chairs.
There were water stains on the walls, dark red paint splattered on the lower part of the cabinet doors, the lighting was dim, and there were used toothbrushes and cigarette butts on the floor.
It was as if the owner didn't care at all; the already cluttered floor was covered with many old pieces of stationery of various sizes.
Sen Getsusa sat down calmly on a chair, kicking away the mess at her feet with her shoe, and curled her lip in disgust.
"Where is the box you were carrying just now?" Yukino frowned and also found a place to sit.
She seemed quite satisfied that Sen Getsusa had accompanied her inside. She was about to turn and speak to her when she noticed the girl's hands were empty.
Sen Getsusa answered without looking back, staring at the hallway where the old woman and the Boy had disappeared: "I left it at the door."
Yukino was puzzled: "Left it at the door? Why—"
"Shh..."
There was a coldness in Sen Getsusa's voice.
Yukino tilted her head, her ice-blue pupils widening in surprise as she listened to the girl's slightly rebuking words.
"I thought you were just a girl with an excess of kindness," Sen Getsusa said slowly and softly with her back to Yukino, her clear voice like flowing water brushing past Yukino's cheek.
"It turns out you're actually an ignorant and willful person." Sen Getsusa took out a hair tie, her small hand smoothing her hair from her ears to the back of her head, tying her long hair up high.
After rolling up her sleeves, she flexed her wrists a few times.
"Not that it's surprising, though."
Yukino didn't understand the meaning behind the girl's words, but she could hear her dissatisfaction.
The other party turned around and stared at Yukino with her dark pupils. The beauty mark under her eye, paired with the high ponytail, highlighted a certain sharp beauty at this moment.
"If you mean that I forced you, I can't apologize for that."
Yukino struck back without showing any weakness: "I made it very clear just now. There's no reason I must listen to you, is there? And wasn't deciding to come in your own decision as well?"
Sen Getsusa didn't answer, and the room fell silent.
Yukino felt a bit uneasy.
Is she angry just like that?
What I said was the truth, wasn't it?
Why, upon our first meeting, does she insist that I must follow her lead?
Although she is indeed very cu... no, she's just good-looking. There are too many beautiful people in the World.
She's just that and nothing more.
Yukino, wake up!
While the girl was encouraging herself, Sen Getsusa in front of her completely ignored her.
Things had already reached a troublesome point; it was too late for any remedy.
"Remember to go to the corner in a bit. You can handle such a simple instruction, right?" Sen Getsusa pointed to a cabinet in the corner, speaking as if coaxing a Child.
"You'll open the cabinet door, get inside, and then close it—"
"Right? Miss Yukino."
Sen Getsusa's distant tone no longer held the warm and cute manner she had just shown.
Her eyes were lowered, and her indifferent mouth produced a monotone voice.
"What are you talking about? Besides, we've only just met for the first time, right?"
"Do I have any reason to listen to you?"
Yukino puffed out her cheeks and glared at Sen Getsusa.
"I'm coming! I'm coming!"
Da Yong shouted.
The little Boy carried two cups of tea, wobbling as he walked quickly toward the two girls.
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