Am I being simulated by their love affair?

Page 586

The boy tilted his head slightly and exhaled towards the light on the attic ceiling.

"...That's how it is for now."

The giant speaker, which was as tall as a floor in the tea shop, stopped vibrating. He turned his head and watched as the shop manager walked to the record player on the side and carefully took out a record to change the record.

The silver-haired old man, having changed the record, looked up and loudly announced the song title in the dimly lit space—

"Naked Dance"

This is a melody that remains vivid in the memory of a couple deeply in love on a date.

The light and airy piano music rose and fell gently and intermittently, like raindrops slowly falling from the tips of leaves, or the graceful steps of a woman descending a spiral staircase.

"Pine branch." Natsumi Imokawa's sweet, red bean paste-like voice was somewhat deep and astringent amidst the piano music.

Jun Matsue watched as her eyelashes trembled slightly—the girl's clear, unadulterated eyes revealed an unprecedentedly complex emotion in front of him.

"I've changed my mind." Natsumi Imokawa pouted slightly, looking somewhat aggrieved.

"From now on, Songzhi doesn't need to tell me about these things."

Before the boy could speak, she went ahead and gave him the reason—

"Because I like you."

Chapter 817 Natsumi Imokawa's Wholehearted Devotion

Even though he had heard Natsumi Imokawa say "I like you" many times, Jun Matsueda was inevitably moved by the girl's confession every time.

Because of her actions, her expression, and the "determination" in her eyes—

The kind of "like" that comes from someone who is wholeheartedly devoted to you is completely different from the "like~ like" that those frivolous guys say all day long.

So this time, Natsumi Imokawa's expression of affection is no exception—

"Because I like you."

Jun Matsue looked at the girl in front of him. Her voice seemed a little loud in the calm and soothing piano music, but neither of them paid any attention to it.

“It feels so strange…” Natsumi Imokawa lowered her head slightly.

Her bangs fell down, blocking some of the light that fell on her glossy lips.

“I even complained to Songzhi that you were hiding something from me.”

"But now that you're talking about these things, I don't want to hear it anymore..."

The girl's pouting lips seemed to express more confusion about her own mindset than grievance, but they were still quite endearing.

“It was my fault,” Jun Matsue said gently. “I didn’t consider Imagawa’s feelings.”

Actually, he didn't talk much about male-female relationships just now; he only talked about the conflict between his senior and her family, as well as his conversation with Miss Yuxiang.

However, to make Imokawa feel better, the boy didn't mind apologizing—it's the most worthwhile thing in the world to make the person you care about happy just by talking.

"Ah, I wasn't blaming the pine branches—"

Natsumi Imokawa looked up and hurriedly waved her hands, "After all, I asked you to say it."

"I just realized that I don't seem to be the same Natsumi Imokawa I used to be..."

Her gaze became complicated again, revealing a lovely melancholy.

Jun Matsue pushed the hot chocolate from Imogawa forward, and the girl obediently took it, holding it up and sipping it while maintaining a thoughtful expression.

"I used to hear Songzhi talk about other girls, and I was really interested in them..."

“Yes.” The boy nodded. “You listened to it like a story and even made a film called ‘White Line Flow’.”

Natsumi Imokawa nodded, holding her cup. "I used to be able to use Matsue's love story as fresh and interesting material, but I can't anymore."

"Because I like pine branches."

Jun Matsue moved his hand that was resting on the table.

“I want Songzhi to pay more attention to me—” The girl’s tone was not as curious or doubtful as usual, but rather firm and fluent, flowing naturally like a dance tune in the ear.

"I want Songzhi to go on dates with me, spend more time with me, and talk about you and me when we're together, instead of other girls."

"So when I heard Matsue talking about Yamami-senpai just now, I suddenly felt a little envious..."

As Natsumi Imokawa gazed at the boy in front of her, the color in her eyes was no longer transparent, but rather murky yet exceptionally vivid and rich.

"I envy her, even when she's not here, she can still be mentioned by Songzhi, making you so troubled you're speechless..."

She straightened her chest and spoke in a firm and straightforward tone.

"I also want to be cared for like this by Songzhi!"

As if his mind was captivated by the girl's innocent yet persistent eyes, Jun Matsueda felt that the "Naked Dance" playing in his ears was no longer so clear.

"Because I love pine branches, I can't just listen and look at them; I can't treat the stories about pine branches as interesting material for my own writing..."

Natsumi Imokawa put down the white porcelain cup in her hand.

"I want to become part of your story!"

She, who is usually obedient and docile, was unusually willful this time.

The surrounding piano music ended with a heavy note—like a rest—and the boy and girl sitting opposite each other fell silent again.

However, unlike before, this time it wasn't Jun Matsueda waiting for the girl's action, but Natsumi Imokawa waiting for the boy's reaction.

Driven by the passion surging in her chest, she talked a lot without thinking. When she came to her senses, the girl relaxed and slumped her shoulders. After seeing the frozen expression on Songzhi's face, she leaned towards the boy again and stared at him intently.

"So... Matsueda isn't allowed to talk to me about other girls anymore, okay?"

“Ah,” she added.

"Unless we're officially dating—then I probably wouldn't be interested in hearing about these things."

As if just coming to his senses, Jun Matsue blinked, braced his hands against the edge of the table, and leaned back against the soft backrest.

"..." He picked up the cooled hot chocolate and took a sip.

"I understand," the boy replied.

That was the only answer he could give.

In fact, Jun Matsueda had a lot to say, and he couldn't even organize it all at once—

For example, there are many stories between the two of them, such as the sunset they walked together on the Ginkgo Avenue, the movie in the dimly lit living room on a rainy night, and every behind-the-scenes scene of "White Line Flow".

For example, he could understand the girl's feelings, which is why he was so moved.

such as--

Actually, I'm also very concerned about your situation.

Looking at the girl in front of him, Jun Matsueda had a headache.

You can't say that to Imokawa right now unless you've really confirmed your relationship.

The cooled hot chocolate had a slightly bitter taste, and he remembered what Tomatsu had told him earlier—

"Fortunately, although Tsun-kun said that, he was still aware of his own charm."

"...Then it's settled, okay?" Natsumi Imokawa carefully observed his expression.

"Does Songzhi dislike me?"

“…No.” Jun Matsueda said, trying to keep his tone nonchalant.

"Then you won't distance yourself from me, will you?" The girl remained wary. "Can I still give you today's gift?"

“…Okay.” The boy suppressed the corners of his lips that were turning up—this timid Imokawa was just too cute.

"That's good." Natsumi Imokawa breathed a sigh of relief, bending down to let the table support the weight on her chest.

"Let's deal with the pine branch problem first—I'll give you the gift after that."

"..." Jun Matsue blinked in surprise.

"Didn't Imagawa just say he didn't want to hear about these things?"

"But I've already listened to it all." The girl blinked innocently.

"I think it's more important to solve the problem of pine branches first."

The boy smiled, as if he had seen a rabbit bravely emerging from its hole.

"Does Imokawa have any suggestions?"

"Yes!" Natsumi Imokawa answered a question as if in a classroom, "Why does Matsueda care about what Yamami-senpai's family says?"

"Whatever her purpose, she's telling you all this to use you, right? Wouldn't it be better if Songzhi just ignored her?"

“That’s not a good idea.” Jun Matsueda shook his head.

Because he still cares about his senior—even if they don't get back together, he still hopes that she can live a happier life.

Because of his "blindness," the arrogant Yami Maki later regretted her estrangement from her family—he didn't want that to happen.

"..." The girl staring at him puffed out her cheeks.

"Then just tell my senior sister directly, just like you would tell me," she said without any hesitation.

"Tell your senior all these things and let her make her own decision."

"Anyway, whether Songzhi says something or not, it will still affect her, so I think I might as well make myself more comfortable—"

Holding the warm porcelain cup in both hands, listening to the piano piece she had been looking forward to for so long, Natsumi Imokawa squinted her eyes comfortably.

"Both Matsue and Yamami-senpai surely hope to have a good exchange and figure out each other's thoughts, right?"

This time, Jun Matsueda did not deny it. He rested one hand on his cheek, listening to the piano melody that drifted by casually.

Even if he hadn't told Natsumi Imokawa all this, the boy was planning to send Maki Yamami a message tonight to arrange a meeting—but back then, his thoughts might not have been as clear as they are now:

The senior student definitely doesn't want to spend the New Year alone, and he has only recently started a relationship with his idol, so it's impossible for him to immediately accept a new relationship.

Therefore, Jun Matsueda definitely cannot give the girl the option she wants most.

Since that's the case, even if he agrees with the Yamagami family's wishes, as long as his senior sister really wants to go home for a visit, he will first persuade her to go back.

"Then let's do as Imokawa says."

—At least, this is how Jun Matsue believes the story should be going.

“Okay!” Natsumi Imokawa immediately sat up straight, adopting a serious expression that seemed out of place on her.

"So the pine branch has no more worries now?"

Matsueda Jun laughed, "Anyway, there's no one left in front of Imagawa now."

"So, I should give a gift?"

Finally… the boy nodded.

Despite Imokawa's antics, he didn't lose interest in the gift; on the contrary, he became even more excited.

Only then did Natsumi Imokawa reach out and pick up the thick booklet that was placed on the chair next to her.

She held the photo album to her chest, glanced at the pine branches opposite her, and first looked through it under the table herself—only after confirming that there were no problems did the girl put the album on the table with peace of mind and push it across to the other side.

"Here, Pine Branch's Christmas present!"

Trying not to look at her overflowing breasts, which were flattened on the table and wrapped in a knitted sweater, Jun Matsue reached out and picked up the photo album that had finally come to her.

"..." It did feel quite heavy. He curiously tiptoed over it—it wasn't much lighter than the original exam papers for the Department of Humanities at Tokyo University.

The boy moved the white porcelain cup in front of him aside, put the photo album back on the table, and carefully examined its cover.

The photo album has a sturdy leather cover with embossed patterns on a pure black background. After gently stroking it, Jun Matsue looked up.

The girl across the table stared at him—Natsumi Imokawa was lying on the table, her chin resting on her folded arms, her expectant eyes blinking.

"Open it quickly~", she said with her eyes.

The boy smiled again, then looked down and opened the photo album.

The first page contains only one horizontal photo, which is the podium at the opening ceremony, with a row of dark heads facing it below.

As freshman representative Jun Matsueda spoke on stage, the bright spring sunshine gilded his ordinary black and white school uniform with a golden hue.

The young man giving the speech had slightly lowered eyebrows and eyes, and his demeanor was no longer that of a naive and immature person of his age. He simply stood tall in the center of the picture, enough to attract the attention of everyone inside and outside the frame.