RNP Page 41
Page 41
She recounted how her mother taught her to control her emotions after the kitten went missing.
She explained how she began to observe the people around her, analyze their expressions, and imitate their way of speaking.
"I've discovered it's actually quite simple," she said with a self-deprecating laugh.
"Most people's emotional reactions are predictable. You should laugh when you hear a joke, cry when you see a sad movie, and show surprise when you receive a gift..."
“I bought a lot of DVDs, all kinds of movies and TV series, and watched them in my room every day, then practiced in front of the mirror. Happiness, sadness, anger, surprise... I designed a standardized performance plan for each emotion.”
“The hardest thing is to like something.” She looked up at Yuto Itsuka.
"Because it's a very complex emotion, it contains so much. A racing heart, possessiveness, longing... I researched a lot of information and watched a lot of romance movies before I could barely piece together what a 'girl in love' should be like."
Wuhe Yuuto: "..."
He recalled all her previous behavior, and realized that... all of this was a carefully rehearsed performance?
He was even smug about it, thinking his self-deceptive threat strategy was flawless...
I want to burrow underground.
"So, when I approached you, you..."
"Yes." She nodded, admitting quite frankly, "From the very beginning, I've been 'performing' for you."
Yuto Itsuka was at a loss for words. Was it too late to go to Gotham and confront Batman? Would Batman beat him up?
"Wait, Mai, if it was just a performance, you didn't need to save me back then, did you?"
He was referring to the incident involving the self-sacrificing gauze.
Mai Sakurajima shook her head, looking confused, and said, "I don't know..."
"I don't know why, but by the time I realized what was happening, I had already rushed up and pushed you away."
"Hmm... even so, you didn't have to give in to my 'threat' and agree to take care of me later, did you?"
“I don’t know—Yi Emu Jiuqi VI Jiu I (Three) Dad knows.” She repeated, “I only know that when the image of you dying appears in my mind, it will hurt a lot here.”
She pointed to her chest.
Yoto Itsuki remained silent.
Given their relationship at the time, he certainly wouldn't have thought that Mai's heartache stemmed from her uncontrollable love for him.
Perhaps it was out of instinctive kindness that she didn't want to watch him die, even though he was just a somewhat familiar junior from the same school in her eyes at the time.
“However…” Sakurajima Mai changed the subject, her clear eyes gazing intently at him, “As I was acting, I think I made a mistake too.”
"Where did we go wrong?" (eryishanwuqijiuVIyisaner) - Yueyi
"My heart is starting to beat out of control," she whispered.
"Seeing you talking to other girls makes my chest feel tight and uncomfortable."
"When you're not around, I can't help but miss you."
"When you're nice to me, I feel... a very warm feeling. None of this is in my script."
"My performance also went wrong."
Itsuki Yuuto was both amused and exasperated.
The performance went wrong... This was probably the most touching love confession he had ever heard.
He took her hand, which was resting on the table, and said, "That's 'liking'."
"Really?" She was a little confused, but also relieved. "So that's how it is... I always thought that I didn't imitate well enough, which is why I had these extra reactions."
"You idiot." Itsuka Yuto couldn't help but reach out and punch her on the head.
“You’re not imitating, you’re feeling. Your heart is much more honest than your brain.”
The food arrived, interrupting their conversation.
The elderly shop owner noticed Mai Sakurajima's red and swollen eyes and asked with concern, "Young lady, did you have a fight with your boyfriend?"
Just as Yuto Itsuka was about to explain, Mai Sakurajima shook her head and then gave a faint smile.
“No, Grandma,” she said. “I’m just so happy.”
That smile, so genuine and unforced, was as pure as the sky after the rain.
He thought he was willing to give anything to protect that smile.
……
Volume 1: Chapter 53: First Blood (Second Update)
After dinner, the two strolled aimlessly along the beach.
The coastline under the night sky has a unique sense of tranquility. The waves surge onto the beach in layers and then slowly recede, making a gentle rustling sound.
"Yuto." Mai Sakurajima suddenly stopped. "Why...why are you so good to me?"
"Because I like you," Yuto Itsuka replied matter-of-factly.
"But do you like the 'performed' version of me, or... the me who was crying and making a scene just now, acting all useless?"
He looked at the distant sea and said, "Your question is like asking whether the chicken or the egg came first."
"I can't tell you what part of you attracted me at first. Maybe it was your face, maybe it was your aura, or maybe... it was just your long legs in black stockings?"
Yuto Itsuka smiled nonchalantly: "Anyway, none of this matters to me. I like it, that's all."
"In the process of getting to know you, I grew to like your strength, your clumsiness, your loneliness, and the tenderness deep in your heart that you yourself had almost forgotten."
"I see the complete Mai Sakurajima. So, whether it's the perfect idol or this crybaby, I love her."
He turned his head, looking intently at her: "So, what about you? Miss Sakurajima Mai, are you willing... to fall in love with me, who has no money or power, only knows how to use petty tricks, and once even tried to win you over with despicable means?"
The sea breeze tousled her long hair, brushing against her cheeks, making them tickle.
Mai Sakurajima didn't say anything; she simply rested her head on Yuto Itsuka's shoulder.
A single action speaks louder than a thousand words.
The two sat by the sea for a long time, until late at night.
"Where...are we staying tonight?" Mai Sakurajima asked softly. She didn't really want to go back to the old house, as it was uninhabitable for the time being.
"Don't worry, it's all arranged." Itsuka Yuto stood up, patted the sand off his butt, and then held out his hand to her. "Come on, I'll take you to a nice place."
He booked a Japanese-style inn hidden deep in an alley.
double room.
The two of them soaked in the hot springs, washing away their fatigue and grime.
When Mai Sakurajima, dressed in a yukata and covered in steam, walked out of the bathroom, Yuto Itsuka felt his heart begin to race uncontrollably.
Only a dim floor lamp was on in the room, and two quilts had been laid out on the tatami mat, with a small distance between them.
No one spoke, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.
"Well..." Itsuka Yuto scratched his head, trying to break the silence, "Get some rest, we have to catch the train back tomorrow."
"Mm." Mai Sakurajima responded, walked to her bedding, and knelt down.
She didn't lie down, but just sat quietly, looking at the moonlight outside the window.
Yuto Itsuka knew what she was thinking. Everything that had happened today had a huge impact on her. She needed companionship and a sense of security.
He sighed, got out of his bed, and moved to her side.
"Can't sleep?"
She nodded.
"Then...would you like me to tell you a bedtime story?"
She shook her head.
Then, she turned her head, looked at Yuto with her big, watery eyes, and asked softly, "Yuto, tonight... can I sleep with you?"
!
He felt a little dry in his throat.
He seemed to see some meaning in those hazy eyes.
He nodded and said in a hoarse voice, "Okay."
Yuto Itsuka threw off his blanket and moved to the side to make enough space.
Mai Sakurajima silently lay down inside, the two of them lying side by side, with a fist's distance between them, and they could clearly hear each other's heartbeats.
The room was so quiet that only the sound of breathing could be heard.
After a while, Yuto Itsuka felt a small, cold hand gently touch his hand, then quickly withdrew it.
He acted on impulse, instantly reaching out to grab it and holding it in his palm.
Her fingers trembled slightly, but she didn't pull away.
After a while, Mai Sakurajima moved closer to him and gently rested her head in the crook of his arm.
what do you want?
At this moment, Yuto Itsuka thought that, faced with such an alluring body in his arms, he found it hard to imagine whether he should act like a beast or something less than a beast tonight.
Devil Yuuto: It really won't work, will it? That kind of thing? How about we talk about it another time?
Angel Yuuto raised his hand and slapped the devil on the head: What do you know! Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, how many tomorrows are there!
Devilish Yuuto rubbed the back of his head: But... we should only do this kind of thing after we're married...
Angel Xiaoyou angrily rebuked: "Get out of Reiwa, you old feudal stubborn!"
After saying that, he kicked the demon away.
“Yuto…” the girl called his name with a dreamy look in her eyes.
The voice seemed to whisper in his ear, and his heart melted.
Yuto Itsuka slowly reached out his hand, wanting to cover the girl's cheek, but just as he reached halfway, the girl's hand guided him to touch her face.
He gently stroked her soft cheek, feeling his palms grow increasingly hot.
Mai Sakurajima squinted her eyes, savoring the sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time.
Since her parents divorced, her mother's personality changed drastically, and she has never experienced the warmth of her childhood again.
She wanted him to stay by her side forever.
Thinking of this, Mai opened her eyes and, under Itsuka Yuto's surprised gaze, straddled him.
The two looked at each other.
Yuto instinctively placed his hand on her waist.
The tingling sensation from her waist made Mai's pretty face slightly flushed. She reached out and tucked her stray hair behind her ear, then slowly leaned down and pressed her lips to his.
Yuto did not back down and responded to Mai's enthusiasm wholeheartedly.
The temperature in the bedroom gradually rose.
……
The next morning, Yuto Itsuka was awakened by a slight itch.
He opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Mai Sakurajima's peaceful sleeping face. She was curled up in his arms, a strand of hair playfully scratching his chin.
The morning light shone through the shoji doors onto her face. Her breathing was steady, her eyes were a little red, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.
This wasn't the first time Itsuka Yuto had seen her sleeping face, but it was the first time he had seen her so unguarded.
Without the aura of a national idol, without that deliberately disguised cold exterior, she is just an ordinary and lovely girl sleeping next to him.
He felt his heart filled with an indescribable tenderness.
He couldn't help but reach out to brush the strands of hair from her cheek, but his fingertips stopped just before touching her skin.