Chapter 65: Don't Look at Them Next Time

At the same time, outside the bustling yakiniku restaurant, the enticing aroma of grilled meat wafted, beckoning appetites. A neatly dressed young man, Hazuki Yasuo, waited patiently in the long queue. His patience was tested, yet a faint smile never left his lips. He finally managed to buy a portion, then stepped out of the crowd. His eyes swept around, searching for a particular figure, but he didn't find the person he wished to meet. His once bright eyes immediately dimmed, a shadow passing over them.

"Yasuo-kun, get to go back!"

A pink-haired, large-chested girl, Momo Sakurabara, ran up, slightly out of breath. Seeing Yasuo's expression, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly, a bitter pang of regret.

Since junior high graduation, Sumireko Sanshokuin had vanished from their lives. Momo and Runa Kusami thought that with the disappearance of their biggest love rival, they would have a chance. But it seemed that wasn't the case. Hazuki Yasuo knew Sumireko liked grilled meat from this shop, so he came to buy it occasionally, hoping to meet her again. But Sumireko was gone, clearly not wanting to deal with Yasuo-kun anymore, and would hide if she saw him. How could he find her?

By the way, it was Momo Sakurabara who suggested that Yasuo and Sumireko pretend to date. Sumireko neither refused nor agreed at the time, which meant she tacitly accepted their help and Yasuo-kun's. People at school saw Momo and Runa often taking Yasuo-kun to the library to find Sumireko, and they all thought Sumireko was dating Yasuo-kun.

Alas, Momo and Runa never expected it. Sumireko Sanshokuin, who had always been aloof and indifferent to everyone, still managed to attract Yasuo-kun's attention, making Yasuo-kun curious about Sumireko. Finally, he fell in one-sided love with Sumireko, which led Yasuo-kun to later ask Momo and Runa to help play matchmakers and create opportunities for the two of them.

In reality, both Momo and Runa had realized that Sumireko wasn't interested in Yasuo-kun, so they both hoped that Yasuo-kun would be rejected by Sumireko and then return to them. But unexpectedly, Sumireko did reject Yasuo-kun, but also disappeared afterward.

Unrequited love. It made Yasuo-kun unable to forget Sumireko even to this day, and his heart couldn't accept anyone other than Sumireko. A tormenting loyalty for Momo and Runa.

Hazuki Yasuo looked at Momo Sakurabara, displaying his typical bright smile, a smile that could always stun the girls around him. "Sorry, I was just fantasizing about the possibility of an unexpected encounter, but this grilled meat is really delicious. Let's eat it together later."

Momo Sakurabara's nickname was Momo, usually called Senior Momo.

"Okay." What else could Momo Sakurabara say? She could only agree, a bitter taste still lingering on her tongue.

At this moment, a blue-haired, large-chested girl glided closer, her movements graceful. She was Runa Kusami, and because her name read backward was similar to "Tsukimi flower," she was called "Runa."

"I think I just saw someone who looks a lot like Sumireko..." Runa said, her tone slightly hesitant, but her eyes scanning Yasuo's reaction.

"Where?" Hazuki Yasuo instantly perked up, his eyes gleaming with hope, and he couldn't help but grasp Runa Kusami's shoulders and ask excitedly, even shaking her slightly.

"Ow... Yasuo-kun, you're hurting me." Runa Kusami complained, annoyance flooding her. Seeing her childhood friend so anxious over another woman, her despair deepened, piercing deep into her heart.

"Sorry, Runa. You know, I really want to see Sumireko. Can you tell me where you saw her?" Yasuo pleaded, his apologetic smile etched on his face.

Runa Kusami felt a little sour hearing this, but after thinking about it, she decided to tell him. After all, he was her childhood friend, and she couldn't bear to see Yasuo-kun continue to suffer.

"On a park bench... But..." After Runa Kusami spoke, she hesitated, unsure whether to continue.

"But what?" Senior Momo looked at her curiously, her expression full of questions.

"But I saw that girl who looks a lot like Sumireko, sitting on a boy's lap... and they were kissing." Talking about this, Runa Kusami couldn't help but blush, her cheeks as red as cherries. It was too bold. Kissing on a park bench, seriously?

"No way! That's not Sumireko!" Hazuki Yasuo looked at her nervously, his gaze almost pleading, as if trying to convince himself. "Runa, you saw wrong, right?"

Runa Kusami smiled helplessly, shaking her head. "Yes, I saw wrong. I was just joking to tease you." Thinking about it, it was true. Sumireko Sanshokuin had always been aloof towards boys, even with Yasuo-kun's approachable nature, she barely exchanged a few words before lowering her head to read, completely ignoring people.

How could the usually cool Sumireko Sanshokuin passionately embrace a boy on a park bench? That's what Runa Kusami thought. Hazuki Yasuo and Senior Momo thought the same, relief implicitly on their faces.

But after a moment of silence, Hazuki Yasuo still pleaded with Runa Kusami to take him to that park bench, because he wanted to confirm it himself. However, when the three arrived at the scene, the bench was already empty, leaving only the cold wooden seat. The three could only return to school, their steps feeling heavier.

As their figures disappeared, Renji walked out from a corner holding Sumireko Sanshokuin's hand, a faint smile on his lips.

"Were those two the childhood friend and senior who were openly competing for Hazuki Yasuo?" Renji asked, turning to Sumireko, his eyes a little mischievous. "They both have big breasts."

"Hiss~" Renji's soft waist was pinched by Sumireko, a small warning.

"It's a shame my chest is flat right now! You're not interested in Senior Momo and Runa, are you?" Sumireko glared, her eyes full of questions.

"Nonsense, how could I be interested in two people who have problems in their heads? Besides, they once made Sumireko suffer because of the strange atmosphere, it's good enough that I'm not punishing them." Renji immediately stated his position, his face serious, yet tinged with amusement.

"That sounds really bad." Sumireko glanced at him, but the corner of her mouth curved slightly upwards, a faint smile etched on her face. "But I like it."

"Because of their strange behavior, I wanted to leave, and Hazuki Yasuo was the biggest problem, he's the one who made Runa and Momo like this." Thinking about this, Sumireko felt a pang in her heart, something that never truly disappeared. To make two girls who liked him hide their feelings and help their love rival set up dates. Yet, the person they liked remained oblivious. Both of them were sick, didn't they know that they could directly confess and tell him? What was the point of staying by someone's side who would never bear fruit, who would never respond, other than to make themselves even more desperate?

Sumireko wouldn't be like that; she would just run away and not meet these people. Sumireko didn't tell Hazuki Yasuo that the two of them liked him, also at Runa and Momo's request. It was considered a promise to accept their help. As someone receiving help, she couldn't directly tell Hazuki Yasuo that the two of them liked him. So she could only choose to run away.

Because Hazuki Yasuo was so stupid, he couldn't understand other people's intentions. Perhaps in his world, there were no lies at all... Everyone treated him sincerely. She couldn't actively explain her feelings to make him realize, and hinting indirectly was useless, Hazuki Yasuo didn't understand at all. This made Sumireko Sanshokuin very distressed at the time.

As soon as she graduated from junior high, she immediately ran away, giving those people no chance to entangle her.

"Alright, alright, stop thinking about those strange people, Sumireko, we can't eat yakiniku today, why don't you visit Sakurasou Dorm tonight?" Renji proposed, his tone softening. "I want to introduce you to everyone."

"NO." Sumireko immediately refused, her tone firm.

"Why not?" Renji was very confused, his expression bewildered.

"Because I'm angry." The girl puffed out her cheeks and glared at him unhappily, her eyes radiating a comical annoyance. "Why are you so skilled?" Thinking of the kiss just now, her face flushed and her heart felt a little sour.

"Uh, alright, do you believe me if I say it's natural?" Renji tried to defend himself, an awkward smile plastered on his face.

"NO."

"..."

Seeing his speechless expression, Sumireko couldn't help but burst into laughter, the sound of her laughter a beautiful melody. "Alright, I'm just teasing you, I'm a woman with a mischievous heart."

"Let's go back, you probably still need to coax Shiina, right? Be careful, I like the atmosphere around you." She said it very seriously, her gaze intent. "So, if you want to get promoted from prospective boyfriend, maintain that good atmosphere, otherwise, I'll stay away from you."

She said it very seriously. After experiencing the desperate and oppressive atmosphere around Hazuki Yasuo, she had psychological trauma. Just think about it. Two desperate friends, hiding their sadness, using various reasons to set her up with someone she didn't like. It was clear that both of them didn't want to give blessings. At most, they just needed one reason to completely despair. After all, everyone has self-esteem. If you've been pursuing someone for a long time, and you don't get a strong push, you certainly won't want to give up.

But Sumireko didn't want to be a tool for their open games and competition. She hated that ambiguous and oppressive atmosphere. So she didn't want Renji to be like Hazuki Yasuo. If he wanted a harem, let him have it. As long as he had the ability to make the girls around him happy and give them hope. Why not? This was also a manifestation of a man's charm.

Renji escorted Sumireko to her doorstep, and after a closer inspection and comparison, he said, "Sumireko, if you live on the second floor, your direction seems to face directly towards my room window."

Sumireko smiled mischievously, her eyes twinkling. "That's why I told you not to close the window when you're doing something."

Renji was a little speechless, a wry smile forming on his lips. "You spied on me with a telescope and blamed me for it?"

"Hmph, I'll just blame you, you playboy, pervert!" She retorted impolitely a few times, then leaned closer to his ear. "Next time, don't stare at Senior Momo and Runa's breasts, mine are better than theirs," she whispered, a subtle challenge.

Renji was instantly excited, his eyes sparkling. "Can I see them now?"

"What do you think?" Sumireko looked at him with a half-smile, the corner of her mouth slightly upturned, a small mystery.

"Alright, next time!" Renji kissed her lips like lightning, short but passionate, then turned and left, his steps light.

Sumireko touched her lips, smiling, and turned to go home, the ghost of her smile still lingering in the air.

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