Chapter 73: Interaction and Emotional Turmoil

Renji returned to class, and shortly after, a gentle poke touched his waist. Shiina Mahiru glanced at Miura Yumiko, who was seated not far from them, then whispered with a worried tone, "How is she?"

Renji gave a thumbs-up. "For now, it's done. It's not too serious. It might make her uncomfortable for a while, but it's better than being rejected outright later." He knew very well that now that Miura Yumiko knew Hayato already had someone else in his heart, she would no longer waste three years of her youth thinking about someone whose heart was not at all in her favor. How could you see a rainbow without going through a storm? Knowing the truth behind Hayama's bright and warm exterior, she could see him more clearly in the future.

"That's good," Mahiru said, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. Previously, she had only thought about how to prevent Yumiko from getting hurt early on, but how could this happen? If she still liked Hayama, she would get hurt sooner or later. How could Renji pursue Yumiko if she already had someone in her heart? Unless he forced her. This might confirm a physical relationship. But Renji was a gentle and kind person, and would definitely not do such a thing. So this method was the most suitable at the moment.

Renji glanced at Yumiko. Her eyes were red, and her cheeks were also flushed, but she was no longer crying.

Although the girl Hayato liked wasn't Yumiko, as a friend, Hayato still noticed Yumiko's expression. From her red eyes, it was clear that she had cried a lot. With his usual gentle and bright smile, Hayato asked, "Yumiko, what happened? You don't look well."

"Uh... it's nothing, my eyes accidentally got some dust in them earlier, and I rubbed them for a long time until the dust came out." Yumiko forced a smile and found an excuse.

In the past, perhaps she would have directly told Hayama without hesitation when she felt wronged. After all, she never cheated on her friends, and was always honest with them. Especially since Hayato was the one she liked, she trusted him even more. Basically, even if he didn't ask, she would tell him everything at once. When she was hurt, she would complain to him and ask for comfort. Hayama was also very helpful. He always used gentle gazes and reliable words to soothe her emotions. After some time, Yumiko became even more attracted to Hayama.

But now. She knew.

Hayama was not special to her alone, and he didn't act this way towards her because he liked her. He was gentle and kind to everyone.

How funny. Why didn't I notice it before?

Yumiko replied to Hayato, and the faint bitterness on her face made people feel distressed.

Hayato couldn't ask anymore. Because his character was a thoughtful and warm man, as a friend, he couldn't touch the secrets in his friends' hearts, and couldn't force his friends to ask about things they didn't want to say. Therefore, he could only continue to face her with a gentle smile, and say thoughtfully, "If you have any difficulties, you must tell me, we're friends, right?"

"Yes, I know, Hayato." Yumiko tried her best to show the same attitude as usual, and responded casually, then stopped looking at Hayato. Now she was no longer the old Yumiko. She saw more clearly. Hayama's concern for her was merely that of a friend.

But... what about that person?

She subconsciously turned her head and glanced at Renji, and her cheeks flushed again. Renji's words echoed in her mind.

"If you cry again, I'll kiss you!"

Covering her cheeks, Yumiko trembled and lay on the desk, feeling incredibly complicated for a moment. Renji's attitude towards her was completely different from Hayato's. That bastard. He even threatened her by saying he would kiss her if she cried again. And he hugged her.

Yumiko was a little confused about herself. She felt bewildered. She had always paid attention to Hayato before, and there was only Hayato in her eyes. But when she realized Hayato didn't have her in his eyes, she was sad and cried inconsolably. She felt ashamed of herself for being so sentimental. She felt ashamed to look at people. Why was she so foolish? It was obvious that people didn't like her, but she didn't notice it at all. She was still foolishly protecting him, fantasizing that sooner or later she would successfully confess her love, and that he would confess his love someday. But reality gave her a heavy blow. It woke her up.

She glanced at Hayato. After expressing his concern for her, Hayato began to talk and laugh with Tobe and the others. He was like a king in the social circle. Tobe, Oyama and the others surrounded him like followers, praising human friendship. Hayato was truly captivating. As the center, he dealt with everyone with ease. Just as he once dealt with her before.

Yumiko now saw a different Hayato. This was a warm, hypocritical man. He only cared about maintaining his position as the center of the social circle, and teased others with his gentleness and brilliant smile. But he had no intention of taking responsibility at all.

She secretly looked back at Renji. Unlike Hayato who was talking and laughing, Renji sat quietly in his seat reading a book. He and Shiina Mahiru sat together, and there was an inexplicable harmony. Yumiko, who was with him, knew that Renji was a talkative person. But he seemed so quiet in class.

Yet he was different from Hayato, who had been fooling her all this time. This person was very sincere. So sincere that his good friend Shiina Mahiru allowed him to be unfaithful. No comparison. No harm.

Hayato was even more active now. The more hypocritical Miura Yumiko felt. Gentleness was poison. It would make people addicted. And Hayama, who poisoned her, provided no explanation from beginning to end. Perhaps he still didn't want to destroy their friendship and wanted her to continue being a shield.

But Hayama could have said it clearly. As long as Hayama said that he had someone he liked and didn't want to date girls in high school. As long as Hayama asked her to be a shield and stop other girls from bothering him. As long as he uttered a single word.

Even if she was sad, she would still agree for the sake of her friend and try her best to be a good shield.

But no.

Hayato never said such a thing. He always used that gentle and handsome gaze to make her misunderstand and let her take the initiative to be a shield.

Thinking of this, Yumiko suddenly realized. What hurt her the most was not the fact that Hayato liked someone but didn't tell her.

What hurt her the most.

She felt deceived. She had always been like this. Deceived by the person she liked.

This sadness made her gasp, and then she cried. And a scoundrel hugged her tightly. She had to stop crying. He said he was very kind. He said he admired her.

At that moment she realized. Turns out I'm not that bad, and I'm only worthy of being Hayama's shield. There was still someone who liked her and recognized her.

So, she regretted rejecting his confession yesterday. Is it too late now?

Thinking of this, Yumiko was shocked by her own thoughts. I actually had such thoughts about Renji? How shameless!

Her mood became even more complicated, like tangled threads. Girls are indeed sensitive, especially those of her type, who can't stop crying when they're sad or angry.

Just as she was feeling complicated, a message came from her mobile phone.

Renji Kamisaka: "Don't let me see you crying sadly, or else I won't be able to resist kissing you."

"Puh!"

Yumiko blushed, covering her mouth, her cheeks burning. Look at what this person said! He even threatened her.

But why did she suddenly feel better?

Turning around, she glared fiercely at Renji and sent him a message.

Miura Yumiko: "If you dare to kiss me, I'll destroy your tool!"

Renji Kamisaka: "So cruel?"

Miura Yumiko: "Hmph~!"

Renji Kamisaka: "I'm relieved to see you're still so arrogant. Yumiko, you're so cute."

Miura Yumiko: "Who... who's arrogant? Don't talk nonsense. It's rude to say such things to a girl!"

Renji Kamisaka: "Those are my true thoughts. I already said it at the beginning. I admire Yumiko very much."

Miura Yumiko: "Don't say that. It's embarrassing! Forget everything you saw today, and that I cried!"

Renji Kamisaka: "Yes, yes, I've forgotten. So... Yumiko, get well soon. Mahiru, Yui, Hina, and the others are worried about you."

Seeing this, Yumiko pouted. They're all worried about me, what about you? She asked this question inwardly, but she already had the answer in her heart. Sending messages to care for her, this behavior already represented his concern.

With a curved mouth, Miura Yumiko tapped her finger happily and finally replied.

Miura Yumiko: "I know, I'm fine. I'm afraid you'll do something to me, so I won't keep crying."

Renji Kamisaka: "What a shame..."

Yumiko raised an eyebrow. What a shame for you. Do you really want to see me cry and then kiss me? A small, almost imperceptible smile, played on her lips.

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