Chapter 59: Mahiru's Jealousy

Shiina Mahiru placed her hands on her hips and glared at Renji, a faint pink tinting her cheeks. She asked in a hushed voice, a slight pout in her tone, "Are you happy getting kissed on the cheek by a super pretty older sister?"

Renji waved his hands quickly, trying to calm the brewing storm. "No, no, she didn't kiss me because she likes me. I was used as a shield." He gestured with his chin. "If you don't believe me, look at our classmate Hayato Hayama over there. His face has turned green."

Shiina Mahiru glanced at him from the corner of her eye and indeed saw that Hayato Hayama's usual smile was gone, replaced by a grim expression, his lips thinned. She immediately looked surprised. "Renji, do you mean Hayato Hayama likes Haruno-onee-san? She treated you like this, using you as a shield, wanting to make Hayato give up?" Mahiru paused, her eyes narrowing. "But how do you know?"

"Yeah, how do I know?" Renji repeated, an awkward smile on his face.

"Don't play dumb! Tell me the truth, are you interested in Yukinoshita Yukino?" Shiina Mahiru glared at him angrily, her "angelic" aura dimming slightly.

Renji offered a wry smile. "I don't think there's any man who wouldn't like Yukinoshita Yukino's cute face."

Shiina Mahiru thought about it, and it was true. She was already very popular, and Yukinoshita Yukino's appearance was no worse than hers. Her grades were also quite good. "Renji, tell me the truth, what did you find when you secretly investigated Yukinoshita?" After saying that, Shiina Mahiru showed a curious and gossipy expression, the anger on her face fading, replaced by curiosity. It seemed she wasn't truly angry.

Perhaps it was because he had good taste. After all, Yukinoshita Yukino was no worse than her, so she was more likely to accept it. In any case, she had already accepted Sayu, and he had also said he would give him a chance to prove himself. If he could truly coax her and let her feel warmth all the time, she didn't want to leave him. Another thing was, she was already close enough to him, and she just needed to find an opportunity to fully surrender herself to him. Shiina Mahiru also understood Renji's personality, so she thought there was nothing wrong with him liking Yukinoshita Yukino. However, there was definitely a pang of jealousy.

Seeing her curious face, Renji didn't hide it. He told her part of what he knew. "It's said that Yukinoshita Yukino, Hayato Hayama, and Yukinoshita Haruno-onee-san are childhood sweethearts." Renji explained, his eyes slightly focused. "Yukinoshita Yukino and Hayato Hayama were Haruno-onee-san's followers, and they were often made to cry because of Haruno-onee-san's mischief." He shook his head. "Just now you saw Haruno-onee-san's perfect demeanor. You know, Hayama learned from her, but he didn't learn it well, perhaps that's why Haruno-onee-san doesn't like him."

Who would want a replacement for themselves? Haruno didn't become the perfect socialite she was now because of love. And Hayato Hayama had learned from her, but he hadn't learned the essence. He only knew to be a "good person" and be kind to everyone. In elementary school, because of this trick, his beloved younger sister Yukino was ostracized by everyone in the class.

From this perspective, it was impossible for the cunning older sister Haruno to like Hayama. One could say that Hayato Hayama had been completely eliminated as a potential husband for Haruno since elementary school.

"Hayama's father seems to be the legal advisor to the Yukinoshita family. The parents on both sides often meet, so they have this relationship and are childhood sweethearts," Renji concluded.

Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but frown after hearing his explanation, her face showing concern.

"If Hayama likes Haruno-onee-san, what about Yumiko?" Mahiru asked, her voice softening slightly. She knew that Yumiko Miura had always liked Hayato Hayama. What was the saying? You can't hide the expression of liking someone. What's more, Yumiko Miura showed it very clearly. She would express goodwill from time to time and invite Hayama to hang out. But on second thought, it seemed that every time Hayama would find an excuse to decline those solitary invitations, or find a reason to include "everyone" with him.

"Don't you understand? Hayama has imitated Haruno-onee-san, so it's clear that Miura is also a shield he chose," Renji explained, his tone flat. "I don't need to tell you how popular Hayato Hayama is with the girls at school." He sighed. "It's said there are girls from other schools who used to attend the same school as Hayama and always secretly fell in love with him. For example, back in middle school, there was a girl Hachiman Hikigaya pitied. Poor Hachiman Hikigaya was cruelly rejected and suffered psychological trauma from then on."

Shiina Mahiru's face changed, her eyes widening. "If Hayama only intends to use Yumiko as a shield, wouldn't Yumiko be very pitiful?" She truly considered Yumiko Miura a good friend. She still remembered when she was surrounded by some gangsters, Yumiko Miura's legs trembled and she was terrified. But Yumiko Miura still bravely stood in front of her and Yui, trying to protect them. Such a good Yumiko Miura, such a good friend, she really couldn't bear to see her hurt.

Renji shrugged. "What else?" He shook his head. "Who made her like Hayato Hayama, who uses her as a shield and won't date her?" Renji sighed. "I guess she'll cry very sadly if she gets rejected after 5 years of loving him." He muttered, "Such a waste of love, 5 years of youth."

It could be said that if Hayato Hayama didn't accept Yumiko Miura's confession after graduating high school, Yumiko Miura would definitely be very sad, crying and heartbroken.

Mahiru Shiina bit her lip and was very annoyed with Hayato Hayama. You say that if you don't know that someone likes you, and there's someone else in your heart, it's understandable if you don't accept it. But you clearly know that there's a good girl who likes you, yet you deliberately turn a blind eye, just using her to prevent others from confessing, and you have no intention of responding to those sincere feelings. That makes this person very disgusting. Even more disgusting than a cheating scoundrel. At least the scoundrel responded to the girl's feelings. In the end, because he cheated, the girl found out and broke off the relationship, which ended it. The girl could also leave this scoundrel and find someone willing to treat her well. However, Hayama just relies on others and has no intention of responding. How is this any different from playing with feelings?

"Alright, don't overthink it, let's go to class." Renji complained about Hayama's flirtatious actions, but he didn't care. He returned to class with Shiina Mahiru.

After Shiina Mahiru greeted Miura and the others, she returned to her seat and pondered various things. Miura was indeed very kind, especially as a friend, one could say she had no cunning plans whatsoever. Usually, Yui and Hina only said a few words and praised her, and she would immediately believe them. And for her friends, she paid close attention to everything. Also because of Yumiko Miura's personality, Shiina Mahiru chose to join this small group and be friends with them.

But now that she knew her friend was waiting and entering a relationship destined for hurt, she couldn't remain indifferent. So, during the break, she asked Yumiko Miura a question, her voice soft and cautious.

"Yumiko, if someone has been liking a boy for a long time, but that boy is destined not to accept their confession, how can their friends stop them from pursuing such an impossible relationship?"

Hearing this, Hina Ebina's eyes sparkled. So Shiina also sees it? What if Hayama is using Yumiko as a shield?

Yui Yuigahama shivered, a bad premonition creeping over her. She felt that the person Shiina Mahiru was talking about was Shiina herself, and the person Shiina Mahiru wanted to pursue was Renji! Well, the pink bun-haired woman had successfully fallen into a misunderstanding.

Yumiko Miura was more innocent. She truly believed that what Mahiru was saying was about another friend, and didn't think about herself at all. So, she waved her hand indifferently and said directly, "It's foolish to pursue a relationship that you know is impossible. I would find a way for my best friend to let go of the guy it's impossible with."

Mahiru Shiina nodded enthusiastically, her eyes gleaming. She thought so too. So she deliberately asked Yumiko Miura, which was considered asking for her opinion.

"But my friend really likes that boy. How can I persuade her to give up?" Mahiru Shiina continued to ask questions, her tone enthusiastic.

Yumiko Miura smiled confidently. "Isn't this easy? Just introduce her to a better guy. There's more than one good guy in this world. No matter how much she likes that guy, he always ignores her. She's not stupid. How could she not see other guys who are good to her?"

Shiina Mahiru's eyes lit up. If she asked who she thought was better than Hayato Hayama, or even the best boy, it seemed there was only Renji!

Ah, wait! Renji? Shiina Mahiru immediately became entangled again, a dilemma overwhelming her. Though she secretly agreed with his cheating thoughts, that didn't mean she could accept the fact that he already had many girlfriends now? How could he have so many arms to hold several girls? Shiina Mahiru still wanted to enjoy this warm embrace more.

But... Besides Renji, who else could be better and more charming than Hayato Hayama?

Shiina Mahiru thought throughout the morning, her mind churning, and finally said to Renji beside her during the break, "I'll give you a task, and you have to do it."

"Go and get Yumiko, and make her forget Hayama."

Renji's mouth fell open, surprised. "Mahiru, do you not want me anymore? Or do you really hate me and despise me?" They actually wanted him to pursue Yumiko Miura? What was going on?

Seeing his panic, Shiina Mahiru knew that he cared about her, and she felt much better, a faint smile gracing her lips. So she smiled and said, "Silly, I'm not planning to leave Sakurasou, but... don't you want to prove to Sayu and me that you can definitely make both of us happy and accept your greedy idea?" Mahiru looked at Renji with a meaningful gaze. "Catch Yumiko, make her fall in love with you wholeheartedly, and make her accept what's happening between you and me, and I'll... do anything you want!"

Renji swallowed, his eyes wide. "Angel-sama, are you serious?"

"Pfft, what angel? I'm Mahiru, just an ordinary girl who wants to be loved," Mahiru snorted amusedly. "Then why are you ditching me for someone else? And... Miura-san has liked someone since middle school, how can she fall in love with me wholeheartedly?" Isn't this embarrassing for Renji? Although Hayama was great at snatching girls who liked this guy, he was also quite interested. This was very difficult.

"I don't care. Yumiko is my friend. I don't want to see her heartbroken after being rejected when she confesses her love after graduation." Mahiru insisted, her tone soft yet determined. "Renji, help me, okay?"

Renji looked at her seriously. Seeing that she was so sincere and genuinely wanted to use his power to help her friend, he couldn't help but sigh. "Tonight, I want Mahiru's lap pillow."

Seeing him make a request, Mahiru knew that he was agreeing to her request and immediately smiled, her heart warming. "Thank you."

"Idiot!" Mahiru said, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't know what to say to you. I... I'm the one!" She looked at Renji, her eyes welling up. "I know! I wasn't thinking about you. Who made you such a pervert?" She took a breath. "Although we haven't had it yet... But I can't hold it anymore. I... I don't want to let you go, but I don't want... you to feel uncomfortable."

Renji took a deep breath, a smile spreading across his lips. "If this wasn't class, I'd really want to hug you right now." How could you be so cute? He was truly falling head over heels for her.

Shiina Mahiru blushed and looked at him, whispering, "Let's talk about that when we get back." You can hug me as much as you want. She also liked being close to him. As for what she had said earlier, asking him to pursue Yumiko Miura as proof before letting him touch her, that was just an excuse.

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