Am I being simulated by their love affair?

Page 306

He had similar thoughts when he received the message "I can't fall in love" on the night of his farewell performance.

“Right?” Tomatsu Yuka tilted her head, then picked up her phone.

She took a few deep breaths while looking up at the sky, then gently pinched the boy's shirt on his arm with her left hand and dialed a number.

"Hey Dad~ Good afternoon, have you had lunch yet?"

Jun Matsue heard a male voice coming from the girl's phone receiver. It was muffled, but it didn't sound old or weary; he seemed quite young.

Tomatsu Yuka exchanged a few pleasantries and quickly got down to business.

"Um, I heard from Mom that you have someone you like now..."

The girl was silent for a while, probably listening to the person opposite her. The boy looked at her face. Tomatsu Yuka lowered her head slightly, and her bangs cast shadows around her eyes.

The sun shines especially brightly today, making the shadows all the more pronounced.

It is clearly not a "no" answer.

"I see... um, umm..."

All that remained from the girl's lips were empty words of agreement. A few minutes later, she hung up the phone.

"What did he say?" Jun Matsue moved a little closer to her.

“Mom is right.” Tomatsu Yuka smiled weakly. “It’s just that Dad was a little hesitant when he told me.”

I don't know if it's because they're embarrassed to tell me these things in person, or if there's some other reason.

The boy sighed inwardly, "Do you want to stay on the rooftop a little longer? I'll stay with you."

"No need," the girl shook her head. "Let's go back to the classroom."

The stairwell was unusually quiet, and the sound of their footsteps echoed softly. When they were almost on the fourth floor, there was no sound behind Matsueda Jun.

He turned around, and Tomatsu Yuka stood on the platform in the middle of the stairs, her left hand holding her right arm.

"Tomatsu?"

"...I think Dad's stammering is suspicious." The girl looked up, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

She is never one to give up easily, whether it's in love or family.

"I want to go find him. Jun-kun, will you come with me to find him?"

"Now?" Jun Matsuoka was caught off guard.

"How could that be?" Tomatsu Yuka smiled. "I still have to go to class, and I have a part-time job after school today."

"Let's wait until tomorrow, or during the Golden Week holiday."

"As long as I'm free." The boy breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed Tomatsu was still quite rational.

"Fortunately, Chun-jun is still here." The girl took another step and walked to his side, gently tugging at the hem of his clothes.

"Also, please don't call me Tomatsu, just call me Yuka, okay?"

“…Tomoka.” Matsueda Jun obediently changed his address.

"Tsun-kun is the best~" the girl said sweetly.

Chapter 539 The Two's Secret Investigation

On the afternoon of May 2nd, it was physical education class before school ended.

Jun Matsue stood in front of the goal on the green field, watching the boys huddled together in the distance, the white soccer ball flying around at their feet like a pinball in a 3D pinball game.

"Isn't Matsue going to play soccer?" Sitting by the goalpost, Natsumi Imokawa looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to her before speaking up.

"I'm not really interested in football, that's why I'm a goalkeeper here," the boy said, waving his hand.

"Oh……"

The girl looked up. The sunlight was dazzling, and the tips of the tender green grass on the field were shining. The boy standing in front of the goal raised his hand to wipe a bit of sweat from his neck. The muscle lines on his arms seemed to be more pronounced because of the light.

It's a pity it's PE class now, and I don't have my camera with me... Imokawa Natsumi thought regretfully.

Seeing that the ball showed no signs of moving towards him, Jun Matsueda relaxed and walked over to the girl.

"We're starting another long weekend tomorrow, shouldn't we start preparing for filming?"

"Hmm? Hmm!" Natsumi Imokawa controlled her gaze as she looked at the boy, trying to keep it from being too presumptuous.

"I've already spoken to Mochizuki-san about it, as for Tomatsu-san..."

"Is she in a good condition to be filmed?" the girl wondered.

"It's hard to say. Let's film my scenes with Mochizuki first." The boy shook his head.

"In order to facilitate your filming, I need to help her solve a few problems first."

“…Pine branch!” Natsumi Imokawa placed her hands on her chest, her eyes sparkling with emotion.

The girl's grateful gaze gave Jun Matsue another reason not to abandon Yuka Tomatsu.

At 3:20 p.m., the bell rang promptly, signaling the end of get out of class for the third-year students. They grabbed their bags and hurried out of the classroom, not even changing out of their gym uniforms—everyone was eager to enjoy the Golden Week holiday.

"Are you free after school, Matsue?" Mochizuki Haruka walked to the boy's seat, her hands behind her back, a rather cute pose.

"Rion and the others asked me to go to the movies, do you want to come with me?"

Jun Matsue paused in packing his bag. "I might not be free today."

"What are the arrangements?" The girl frowned slightly.

She even planned to trick Songzhi into sitting in the couple's seat with her.

“We have a part-time job today.” Tomatsu Yuka stood up and gave her an apologetic smile.

"Working again..." Mochizuki Haruka muttered in dissatisfaction, "So I'll have dinner by myself tonight?"

The boy nodded. "There's still some meat sauce and noodles left over from yesterday in the fridge. Why don't you buy some vegetables?"

The girl pouted, "Then I'll ask my aunt to come over tonight. Let me know when you get back."

"Okay." Jun Matsueda glanced at the chattering girls in the front row of the classroom. "Shall I go now?"

"Oh."

Watching the boys and girls pushing their bicycles toward the school gate, Mochizuki Haruka, sitting by the window, hummed softly and abruptly drew the curtains shut.

After leaving the school gate, Tomatsu Yuka looked at the boy beside her and said, "I still have to keep this a secret from Mochizuki-san. I'm so sorry to trouble you, Tsun-kun."

“If she finds out, it will definitely cause more trouble,” Jun Matsue said helplessly. “Imokawa is still waiting for you with bated breath.”

"It's okay, I'll try not to interfere with Imokawa's filming!" the girl said with a smile.

"After all, I feel much better when Tsunku is by my side~"

The boy listened to the soft rolling sound of the bicycle chains on both bikes, but he didn't say anything and got on his bike.

"It's time to go."

They certainly didn't go to the Shitaya Literature Museum. The boy and girl parked their bicycles outside Kugayama Station and quickly boarded the tram.

"Do you know where your father works?" Jun Matsue asked the girl sitting next to him.

“Yes, I asked him when I called him yesterday.” Tomatsu Yuka looked at the blurry silhouette of green bushes outside the carriage. “He said he works for a financial company in the Chuo Ward.”

Surprisingly, she looked very glamorous and presentable... The boy blinked.

Seemingly sensing his thoughts, the girl leaned close to Matsueda Jun's ear and whispered something.

“When my father hadn’t finished paying off his debts, he was watched every day. Apart from necessary meals and sleep, he had almost no rest time, let alone entertainment.”

“Working overtime was the norm. He used to live in the cheapest rental house in Edogawa Ward, and someone would pick him up and drop him off every day to prevent him from wandering off…”

"I see," Matsueda Jun nodded. "They're super-high-class slaves who have lost their human rights, probably being exploited by their creditors to make money every day."

"Fortunately, he has now paid off his debts and his life has become free." Tomatsu Yuka pursed her lips slightly, looking a little nervous.

"It's good that you can go back to a normal life," the boy comforted him.

"Hmm..." The girl nodded gently, leaning her body against Jun Matsueda's shoulder—the real physical contact made her relax a little.

The two transferred to a train bound for Chuo Ward at Shibuya Station. As they passed through the transfer passage, a face that they both recognized appeared on the electronic advertising screens on both sides.

"Has Yang Shi-san become this popular already?" Tomatsu Yuka looked at the young men and women who had stopped in front of the advertising screen to shoot videos.

"She should be considered a hard-working genius." Jun Matsueda stopped in his tracks. On the screen were music video clips from Yosei Kurusu's new album, as well as some performance footage.

Although it only lasts for a dozen seconds, this is the transfer passage of Shibuya Station—the girl's influence should not be underestimated.

"Speaking of which, I think I saw her new album on a friend's social media feed." Tomatsu Yuka continued walking forward, with the boy following behind her.

"Yeah, her new song 'Say So' seems to have become a hit."

Jun Matsue recalled the melody he had just heard in the passageway. It had a sweet and retro feel, similar to vaporwave music. It was hard for it not to be popular when sung by Kurusu.

"That's amazing!" the girl exclaimed.

Inside the Ginza Line carriage, the two saw the poster of Yosei Kurusu pasted on the door once again. Jun Matsueda took out his phone and took a few photos, intending to send them to Kurusu later.

As for why not send it now—it would be troublesome if she had just finished work nearby and was planning to come looking for her.

Although it was a little strange to be watched by Yosuke Kurusu's smiling face, thanks to the girl's poster, the atmosphere on their way was less oppressive and tense.

Get off at Neon Bridge Station and walk out of the station. Before you are towering, silver-blue buildings. It's not yet dark, and the lights in those densely packed windows are not yet obvious. Only when night falls will the bustling yet alienating atmosphere of the modern city be fully revealed.

After walking along the main road for a few minutes and entering Kayabacho, the girl next to Jun Matsueda stopped and looked at a building diagonally opposite the intersection.

"Is this the place?" the boy asked.

"Hmm." Tomatsu Yuka looked around. "It's not time to get off work yet. Let's find a nearby coffee shop to sit down for a bit."

"What does Yuka plan to say when she meets him later?" Jun Matsue asked casually.

"Meet?" The girl blinked. "Why would we meet?"

"I need to observe Dad carefully first—aren't actions always more real than words?"

"..." Jun Matsue turned his head to look at her face.

What observation? Isn't this just surveillance?

In a coffee shop in Kayabacho, Jun Matsueda checked the time on his phone.

It's 5:16 PM now, almost time to get off work.

The boy looked up and saw that Tomatsu Yuka, who was sitting opposite him, was looking out the window, staring at the entrance of the building across the street.

The girl chose a pretty good spot—a window seat in the corner on the second floor of the coffee shop, which was secluded and undisturbed while also offering a good view, ensuring she wouldn't miss anyone leaving the building.

"So what do you plan to do after Mr. Tomatsu comes out?"

Tomatsu Yuka turned around and thought about it seriously. "If Dad really has someone he likes, of course we need to find out what stage they've reached, such as whether they're living together or wearing rings."

"If it hasn't reached that point, we'll have to find out who he actually likes. Let's observe for a while before making any decisions."

"Then why don't you go to your father's house?" Jun Matsuoka took a sip of coffee.

"I haven't asked him for his address yet." The girl blinked. "I feel like it might be awkward to ask. Anyway, as long as I keep following my dad, I'm sure I can find out where he lives."

"...Did you follow me like this back then?" the boy couldn't help but ask.

Tomatsu Yuka's expression suddenly became flustered. She lowered her head, her guilty tone filled with deep regret.

"Feel sorry……"

Jun Matsue waved his hand. "The reason I can ask this is because I've already let go of these things."

So much had happened in those two years that even if his memories were still vivid, his anger and indifference had long been squeezed out and flattened by other emotions.

The girl timidly raised her head, and only continued speaking after confirming that the boy was not really angry.

"Back then, I secretly followed behind you; this was the only clumsy way I could resort to."

Indeed, Mochizuki's methods were far more effective than hers back then... Matsueda Jun took another sip of coffee and looked at the building across the street.

"These kinds of companies probably require overtime too, right? What if your father comes out very late?"

“Then Jun-kun should go back first,” Tomatsu Yuka said decisively. “I’ll keep an eye on things for a while longer. If it gets too late, we can do it another day—Dad won’t run away anyway.”

"Why do we feel like some kind of private detectives?" the boy thought to himself, feeling a bit strange.

I wonder if Mr. Tomatsu ever imagined that his daughter would become so adept at stalking people...