Am I being simulated by their love affair?

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"But I will try my best not to disappoint Yuka."

Tomatsu Yuka nodded with a smile.

"We'll see when the time comes."

The very first thing Natsumi Imokawa said in the newspaper office the next day at noon gave Jun Matsueda a headache—

"Songzhi, what do you want for Christmas?"

"..." The boy blocked the girl's view across the conference table.

"I came to see Imokawa during my lunch break not because of this, but to ask about the conflict in the class that you mentioned before."

"Oh!" Natsumi Imokawa placed her hands on the table, supporting her ample bosom covered by her knitted vest, adopting a posture of attentive listening.

"I did as Songzhi said—"

"As soon as get out of class is over, I put on my headphones to do my homework or do my own thing, or I take my camera out to take some random photos..."

"Anyway, I can't hear them talking, which definitely makes me feel much more comfortable."

Jun Matsue nodded. "That's the simplest and most direct way."

"Imokawa is still in the first stage and needs to rely on external forces. People like Tomatsu and me can already talk to the other party with a smile, and even if what we hear is stupid, we can ignore it."

However, given Imokawa's current situation, her ignoring her might only embolden the sarcastic remarks from her classmates...

Fortunately, just as Tomatsu said yesterday, time flies. Most of the students who can get into Haneoka High School have the goal of further education. The final and most important exam is just around the corner, and there is not much time left for them to stir up trouble.

"Amazing!" The heartfelt exclamation brought him back to his senses.

Sitting opposite her, Natsumi Imokawa leaned forward, her chest pressing against the table, making her look even more prominent, as if she were eager to learn.

"So what Christmas present does Pine want?"

"..." Matsueda Jun placed his hands in front of him in a defensive stance.

"Speaking of which, has the bonus music video that Imokawa participated in been completed yet?"

The girl opposite immediately glared at him with wide eyes and puffed-out cheeks in displeasure.

"Was what I said stupid? Why doesn't Songzhi take it to heart?"

The words he had spoken earlier instantly transformed into sharp blades that pierced through his defenses. The boy put one hand to his forehead and rubbed his temples.

"I don't want any Christmas presents."

“How could that be!” Natsumi Imokawa frowned at him. “Doesn’t Matsueda want anything?”

“What I want…” Jun Matsue thought seriously for a moment, “Imokawa can’t give it to me.”

He wanted Mochizuki and Tomatsu to be able to get along truly—no matter how many times Director Imokawa made them act out scenes, it would be useless.

The girl across the table wasn't discouraged. "There must be a gift that will make Songzhi happy, right?"

“In previous Christmases, I would eat fried chicken and cake with my parents. This year, my mom told me that I could give Songzhi a gift to increase his affection for her, which is why I remembered to do it.”

"I think it would be easier to just ask Songzhi directly—after all, I'm not good at figuring out what other people are thinking."

Why didn't Auntie advise Imokawa to turn back sooner, but instead encouraged her to be like a moth drawn to a flame? Matsueda Jun helplessly pondered a solution.

A direct refusal won't dampen the girl's spirits at all; it's better to find a way to downplay the importance of the Christmas gift...

A few girls walked by in the corridor outside the department building, carrying ice cream and happily shouting "So cool!" "So icy!" before walking away.

"Just send some food, you know Imokawa, right? I actually really love to eat."

"Recently, pastry shops have started advertising—Christmas cakes, Christmas candies, Christmas cookies, I'll happily accept them."

“Snacks…” Natsumi Imokawa propped herself up with her hands and sat up straight, picking at her black hair that was adorned with a sunflower hair clip.

"Actually, I did think about that too, but all I know how to cook is fried rice and noodles..."

"Then let's try cookies!" The girl clenched her small hands into fists in front of her chest, looking very enthusiastic.

"Cookies should be easier, I'll ask my mom to teach me!"

“…Wait a minute.” Jun Matsue, holding onto the table, called out to stop her plan.

"Imokawa, are you planning to make it yourself? I mean, I'll just buy some from the store."

"Buy some?" The girl picked up her camera from the table and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"How can buying a little something show your sincerity? In movies and TV dramas, do people always make things themselves?"

"...How come you suddenly have common sense at a time like this?"

"What?" Natsumi Imokawa leaned closer, her tall, fitted knitted vest following suit.

The news department only had a maximum of ten people, so the conference table was naturally small. Jun Matsueda leaned back in his chair to avoid the approaching menacing evil.

"It's nothing, let's change the gift then."

"Imokawa came directly to ask me because he wanted to save time, and I don't want you to spend too much time thinking about it."

"..."

A silent silence fell over the newsroom, and the young man and woman sitting opposite each other stared at each other strangely.

The 20-degree heating made Natsumi Imokawa's cheeks feel warm, giving them a soft, intimate pink hue.

Looking from Matsueda Jun's position, the girl's back was framed by a bright window. The midday winter sun wasn't very strong, but it dappled the withered grass outside the window, casting delicate rays that clung to the outline of Imokawa's hair, making her look exceptionally beautiful.

Her eyes were unblinking, her clear and transparent gaze not dull, staring at the boy as if trying to peel back the layers of clothing that enveloped him.

Matsueda Jun recalled the way Imokawa held her camera, ready to take a picture. Her eyes seemed to be trying to bring out the most essential and pure form of things. The things in the girl's lens were indeed stunningly beautiful, but it was her eyes and her persistent and focused face that attracted him even more...

Natsumi Imokawa blinked, her sweet, red bean-like voice breaking the monotonous sound of the heating in the room.

"Then let's send the photos?"

Like the giant screen in a movie theater finally going dark, Jun Matsueda's shoulders relaxed.

"……photo?"

"Hmm!" The girl shook the camera.

"I've taken quite a few photos of pine branches, but I haven't shown them to you many."

"Let's just print them out this time and give them to Songzhi."

“That sounds good.” Jun Matsue breathed a sigh of relief. “It just feels a little strange to look at my own photo.”

“I understand, I understand!” Natsumi Imokawa nodded.

"Although I look at myself in the mirror every time I finish showering, it feels strange if I take a picture and look at it."

I wasn't talking about nude photos... The guy suppressed his urge to complain, got up and turned off the air conditioner.

"It's about time to go back. If Imokawa runs into any trouble in class, remember to tell me immediately."

"Okay." The girl put on the coat on the back of the chair and picked up the camera.

"I feel a bit hot from the heating, Pine, would you like some ice cream?"

"My treat!"

"I'll have one."

After locking the door with the borrowed key, Jun Matsuoka turned around.

Natsumi Imokawa stood not far away in the corridor, holding the camera in her hands, taking a picture of him in the sunlight.

"..." He gazed at the girl who was also bathed in sunlight.

Jun Matsue originally thought that Imokawa's feelings for him would gradually fade with time and reality, just like the rising tide, which will naturally recede eventually.

However, Natsumi Imokawa's feelings seem to have become even more resolute after each setback.

The girl took the opportunity to snap a few more photos before tilting her head and asking.

"what happened?"

The boy, who had stopped in his tracks, shook his head and walked towards her.

"Let's go get some ice cream."

Chapter 800: A Weekly Summary at the Beginning of December

On Friday evening, three people sat at the Songzhi family's dining table.

Yosuke Kurusu swallowed the sweet, buttery clam meat that filled his mouth and looked excitedly at the boy opposite him.

"Songzhi Songzhi, 'Happy End' has surpassed 10 million views!"

"...Didn't you tell me that at noon?" Jun Matsue mumbled as he chewed his rice.

Sitting next to him, Mochizuki Haruka put down her chopsticks, looked up at the idol who was eating with great enthusiasm, and seemed to be disgusted by her unrefined eating manners.

"Did I mention that at noon? I forgot~" Kurusu Yosei took a sip of the sake placed to the side.

This is the wine that her agent gave her today; it's from the same series as the previous refreshing fruity wine.

"Aha--"

The girl let out a satisfied moan, and having eaten and drunk her fill, she picked up her phone.

"Matsue, do you know? Our song seems to be quite popular in Hokkaido, you know?"

"Oh?" Jun Matsue blinked as he swallowed the last bite of food. "What does that mean?"

"It seems to be because of the heavy snow over there—"

The idol showed him her phone screen, which displayed a snowy Hokkaido street scene accompanied by her own heartfelt singing.

"It must be because of the previous promotional activities. Everyone says that this song is perfect for snowy days, so it's especially popular in Hokkaido."

“Not just Hokkaido.” Mochizuki Haruka and the boy put down their chopsticks and elegantly sipped their drinks.

This was originally intended for Matsueda Jun by Kurusu Yosei, but since the boy didn't want to drink it, she accepted it.

"And in Aomori and Akita, Nagoya and Gifu, it's snowing in the Tohoku and Chubu regions, and Happy End is especially popular."

“Right!” Miss Idol proudly raised her chin.

"I'm going from Tokyo to all over the country!"

The girl, sipping her sake, glared at her.

"It's all because the Song of Pine Branches is so well written!"

"Kurusu's singing was also very moving," Jun Matsueda said, quickly cutting off any potential argument between the two.

"Moreover, the production team at the agency is also very capable. Their ideas on instrumentation and arrangement are much more sophisticated than mine—we all deserve half the credit."

"Are you all finished eating? I need to clear the table."

The girls tacitly picked up their wine glasses and placed them aside, then stacked the bowls and plates together for him—watching their actions, Jun Matsuoka felt a surge of accomplishment.

The idol and the young lady, who were active in apartment 507, left and returned several times, and now they can finally eat together at the same table in a barely harmonious way.

Wang Yueyao picked up the glass and drank the rest of the wine in one gulp.

Two alluring blushes appeared on the girl's face, and she licked her lips.

The sake that Kurusu brought was pretty good.

"I'll go back and feed the cat first."

Yosei Kurusu's face still showed obvious good mood as she watched the boy pick up the bowls and plates and walk into the kitchen.

"Songzhi, are you going for a walk after dinner?"

"No, thank you." Matsueda Jun turned his back to her and tightened his apron. "It's drizzling outside, isn't it?"

"I'm going to take a shower first~"

A few minutes later, Jun Matsue, who was washing dishes by the sink, keenly sensed someone approaching from behind.

"Weren't you going to take a shower?" He didn't turn around. "You didn't come running over naked, did you?"

"Pine Branch, dream on!" The idol behind her snorted.

How did you know it was me, and not Mochizuki?

"Wangyue, please keep your footsteps soft." The boy answered without any hesitation.