Dong Hazuki Is Very Happy

When people are poor, they really do end up eating grass—

That is talking about me right now.

When preparing lunch, I hesitated for a long time over the choice of ingredients.

In the end, I chose to further reduce the proportion of rice.

After all, its price has already soared to an unbearable level, and it shows no sign of going down.

It is not that I cannot abandon it as a primary source of energy.

It is just that compared to rice, other foods are even harder for me to swallow.

Things like noodles will clump into a single mass after sitting for an entire morning.

When swallowing them, it feels like eating a bun made entirely of noodles, carrying a faint greasy smell, with side dishes mixed inside.

Just thinking about it is enough to make my stomach protest violently, completely unwilling to let it enter my body.

And I believe in its protest.

I know that once I dare to eat such food, it will definitely launch the fiercest counterattack.

After all, we have finally adjusted to each other over many years, and I have no intention of breaking that balance.

So I hold this lunch that is ridiculously tiny compared to my bento box.

[Dongha classmate, you’re early again.]

Ichijou Rikou is always a bit late.

He sits beside me now and opens the bento box he brought.

An enticing aroma wafts out from inside, then slips into my nose along with the breeze, once again drawing my attention to his lunch.

Compared to my simple meal of a small clump of rice with some common side dishes, his is clearly much more plentiful.

And it is prepared with great care.

After all, it is something that would make anyone say it is delicious.

In the game, it was only described in a single sentence, giving it an absolute attribute.

But now, I can truly feel that attribute.

Even though I have eaten with him many times already, I am still influenced by it every time.

Now, I am outright staring at his food.

Perhaps because of the contrast, my own meal—so shabby it cannot be shown to others—has become even harder to swallow in my eyes.

[Dongha classmate—]

Seeing that I did not respond for a long time, he called out to me softly again.

[If I didn’t come early, I wouldn’t be able to wait for Ichijou classmate.]

I shift my gaze to his face and curve a gentle smile.

[Being waited for by a beautiful girl like me, Ichijou classmate should be quite happy, right.]

Ichijou Rikou’s eyes flicker slightly, as if responding to my words.

This scene satisfies me greatly.

His psychology is actually very easy to control.

In other words, he can be guided in certain aspects, fulfilling his mission as a tool person.

I straighten my back slightly.

Clothes stretched tight over a full chest that attracts most men.

After the spring breeze passes, my perfect body lines can be faintly seen, full of beauty, enough to make hearts flutter.

My legs, wrapped in black sheer stockings, are set to the side.

The skirt lifts slightly, vaguely revealing a patch of pale skin.

Even he, the male lead, cannot help but glance over.

Then he looks away awkwardly.

[Although you already know that inside this body is a hopelessly rotten shut-in, appearances can always influence people’s judgment of things.]

[That is, they will subconsciously treat me as the real Dong Hazuki.]

I narrow my eyes slightly.

[Actually, you can completely ignore this unusable inner self.]

[Even a counterfeit like me can give you enjoyment just like the real thing.]

[Before the real Dong Hazuki returns, you can also demand compensation from this body, and that is fine too.]

[Of course, if Ichijou classmate really minds it, then just pretend nothing happened.]

At the most critical moment, I suddenly change the subject.

At the same time, I move slightly away from him, pulling out a safe distance.

And at the same time, I carefully observe his expression.

As for why I am doing this—

Probably because I have been bored for far too long, so I want to find something that can make my heart feel a bit of pleasure.

Just as expected, Ichijou Rikou freezes in place at my actions.

Then—

My already withered heart does not react at all.

After all, this is a boring matter that does not make my thoughts veer toward any special direction.

Hmm—

That is not quite right.

It seems there is something—

I look at him as he awkwardly tries to hide something.

From his face, I can tell he seems to be thinking about something rather improper.

Hehe, it seems I can feel it now.

I did not expect Ichijou classmate to react to a counterfeit like me.

And this is even after knowing that I used to be a man.

Thinking this way, I suddenly feel like laughing.

And I cannot suppress it.

[Hee, hehe hehe.]

A strange laugh escapes my mouth.

Well, I did not intend to suppress it anyway.

[Sorry about that, Ichijou classmate, I couldn’t help laughing again.]

[Ahem, although I already said it once, I still want to say it again.]

Only now does Ichijou Rikou fully recover from that awkward state.

He clears his throat.

[In the future, don’t do things like that in front of other boys, Dongha classmate.]

[Of course I won’t do this in front of other boys.]

[Doing this now is simply because I trust you, Ichijou classmate.]

[Trust me—]

At these words, he becomes embarrassed again, mixed with a bit of shame.

Ah, did he recall that scene just now.

That really does warrant some shame.

[I trust that Ichijou classmate, who knows I was originally a man, won’t actually make a move.]

[After all, you don’t look like someone with an abnormal orientation.]

I add one more line.

He is completely flustered now.

That serves as a neat ending to this round of pleasure.

The truth is, I do not dare push things too far.

He is my hope for getting home.

If he gets angry because of my momentary boredom, or even cuts off contact and stops helping me, then I would truly be an idiot.

[Actually, I was just joking because lunchtime was too quiet and boring.]

I stick out my tongue slightly, full of playfulness.

I tilt my head and clasp my hands together in apology.

This is a carefully designed cute pose that can calm many people down.

It also helps maintain his relatively good impression of me.

[I don’t really think it’s that boring.]

[Chatting with you from time to time, Dongha classmate, is actually quite nice.]

In other words—

He enjoys the days of eating together with me.

I blink and grasp the meaning of his words.

Then—

[Hehehehe.]

Another strange laugh escapes me.

I really cannot help it.

As expected—

You really are an idiot, Ichijou classmate.

To start enjoying time spent with a counterfeit.

Even though I have never once shown you my true self.

Being able to feel happy like this can only mean you are a fool.

Or perhaps it is just a trait of galgame protagonists.

When they see a beautiful girl, they will accommodate her without hesitation.

Even when they already know her background.

Maybe right now he is even thinking that this girl will be moved by his words.

Thinking of that makes me want to laugh out loud.

Such an old-fashioned gentle archetype, Ichijou classmate.

But at this moment, it is enough to make my necrotic heart ripple with joy.

Even if it can only last for a very short time.

Ichijou Rikou freezes under my unabashed laughter.

[Actually—]

I restore that gentle expression that only appears when dealing with him.

[Being by Ichijou classmate’s side gives me a very comfortable feeling.]

I look at the cherry-colored petals drifting through the air.

It is a scene I am already used to seeing, yet it always draws my gaze.

[At lunchtime, I look forward to your appearance.]

[Even though it is just simple chatting, it nourishes my body and mind like a hot spring.]

[We didn’t even say much, yet it somehow makes me very happy.]

[Hey, Ichijou classmate.]

I look at the dazed Ichijou Rikou.

[Could you accompany me like this, always?]

My eyes narrow slightly as I smile softly.

[—Is this what Dongha classmate means by “acting”?]

After a moment of silence, Ichijou Rikou says this.

It brings me a bit of surprise.

It seems he is not as stupid as I imagined.

However—

The gentle smile remains.

[Then Ichijou classmate, don’t say things that can be misunderstood either.]

[Otherwise, I’ll have to start doubting your orientation.]

[Ahem, I was just speaking honestly.]

[Hm hm.]

[Let’s eat first.]

He picks up his bento box again.

The aroma melts into the air and drifts around.

[Ugh—]

I press on my uncomfortable stomach and slowly let out a breath.

[By the way, Dongha classmate, is it really okay for you to eat so little?]

[If I eat too much, I won’t be able to stop myself from throwing up.]

[I don’t want Ichijou classmate to see that scene.]

[Is that so—]

He looks thoughtful again.

Even while eating such delicious food, he seems distracted.

What is he thinking about?

Curiosity rises once more, then fades away.

I look at the sky, spacing out and sighing about life.

Ichijou Rikou eats very quickly.

From my perspective, it feels like only a short while passes before I see him packing up his bento box.

[Oh, right.]

He suddenly looks up and takes something out.

It is a wireless earphone and a small object that looks like a badge.

[This can be worn on the wrist and can eavesdrop on surrounding sounds.]

[Dongha classmate, you can use this to tell me how to respond.]

[And I can listen through this earphone.]

As he speaks, he takes out another pair.

[Why don’t we try it now?]

He suggests.

And I look at them with curiosity.

[Alright then, Ichijou classmate.]

We cross-wear the corresponding earphones.

Because they are very small, they are easily hidden by my long hair hanging down.

The badge is made into a wristband and worn on the wrist.

Then—

I realize something.

[This could easily make people think we are a couple.]

I shake the wristband slightly.

When people see a man and a woman wearing the same thing, they subconsciously assume there is some kind of relationship between them.

That is how most people think.

If Nishimura Kiyono misunderstands, that would not be good.

[Let me think—]

He thinks for a moment, then tucks the device into his collar.

[This should do it.]

It is indeed hidden.

However—

A faint sound enters my ears.

Subtle, but once noticed, very clear.

It seems to be his heartbeat.

Full of vitality.

[Hello, hello, Dongha classmate, can you hear me?]

The tiny earphone delivers a surprisingly loud sound, coming through clearly.

I raise my right hand and bring the badge closer.

Then—

I gently breathe onto it.

[Eh, eh, eh, Dongha classmate.]

[I can hear you, Ichijou classmate~]

I lower my voice and let it flow softly.

[That’s good—eh, Dongha classmate, why are you laughing?]

I completely lose control and burst out laughing.

Because—

His heartbeat suddenly speeds up.

Thump, thump.

Super obvious.

[Hee, hehe hehe hehe.]

This thing is pretty fun.