Dongye Yue Bleeds Her Wallet

Dōza is the largest commercial street in Sakurano Town.

Although it’s a city, it still has streets that represent its prosperity.

Among them stands another famous landmark besides Sakuragami Mountain—the Round Needle Tower.

It’s known for its needle-like shape and stands at 300 meters tall.

It’s said that it took more than ten years to build.

As for its purpose—

It really just exists as a landmark.

Though surely, we won’t actually go up there to look around, right?

Sorry to keep you waiting, Sora-senpai.

It’s fine, Xiaoyue.

Amano Sora shook his head.

He seemed to have dressed up a bit more than usual, looking more casual and handsome.

To outsiders, he would definitely seem like a qualified partner.

Unfortunately, for me, I only paid slight attention.

Making sure he didn’t notice anything unusual about me, I pretended to fix my hair while quietly speaking into the wrist badge.

Have you arrived, Ichijō?

Ah, Noriyuki hasn’t come yet.

What about you, Dongye?

Looks like you’ve been waiting for quite a while.

Ah, did we come too late?

From the time I left home until meeting Amano Sora, I had been with Ichijō Rikō the whole time.

To the neighbors, it probably looked like another outing date.

Though we were actually with different partners.

Anyway—

Let’s head out.

I showed a faint smile.

On the surface, it looked like I was happy to be shopping with him.

Noriyuki—

Sorry to keep you waiting, Rikō.

I haven’t been waiting that long.

But Noriyuki—

What is it, Rikō?

Did you put on makeup?

Well, my aunt insisted on taking me to get makeup done when she heard I was going out with you.

That’s why I’m late.

I see—

Their conversation flowed naturally.

Since they were already familiar with each other, there were no awkward pauses.

You’re doing great, Ichijō.

But it’s still not enough.

Sora-senpai.

I acted slightly shy, but it was actually to guide the conversation.

What’s wrong, Xiaoyue?

Amano Sora, who had been holding back from talking to me, turned his head with visible excitement.

It was obvious.

If this were a game, it would be like having no dialogue options available.

Kind of pitiful.

Well, I couldn’t really stimulate his already stagnant heart anyway.

What is it?

He smiled gently.

It was clearly a practiced expression.

For some girls, it might feel comforting.

But it didn’t matter to me.

Sora-senpai.

I adjusted my hair.

How do I look today?

This question might sound ambiguous.

But it was actually meant to guide him.

I actually wanted to say this earlier, Xiaoyue, you look—

He took the bait immediately, smiling.

Very beautiful.

When I saw you earlier, I was a bit captivated.

A perfectly appropriate response.

So, Ichijō, did you learn something?

I deliberately said this.

Actually, my focus was already on the earpiece.

You look great with makeup.

Ichijō’s voice came from the other side.

It seems he understood my hint.

I smiled and accepted the compliment.

Thank you, Rikō.

Even amidst the noisy street, Noriyuki’s voice could still be heard clearly.

She answered seriously, with a rare hint of shyness.

This should help increase affection points nicely.

Thank you very much, Xiaoyue.

I also gained some affection points here.

Amano Sora’s gaze flickered.

He seemed touched.

Thank you for putting effort into this date.

You too, Sora-senpai.

I covered my mouth and laughed softly.

So, Xiaoyue, do you have any plans?

As for plans—

I narrowed my eyes.

In reality, I was still listening to Ichijō’s side.

Noriyuki, is there anywhere you want to go?

My aunt mentioned there’s a newly opened bookstore in Dōza.

I want to take Rikō there.

Then let’s go there.

A new bookstore, huh.

Sora-senpai, why don’t we go check out the bookstore too?

I remember there’s a new one.

You want to read books?

Amano Sora was a bit surprised, but still smiled.

Then let’s go.

Do you usually like reading, Sora-senpai?

I’m not really that kind of literary person.

I’ve been holding a wooden sword since I was young.

So you started kendo early?

Yeah.

My grandfather runs a dojo.

He teaches a lesser-known style, but it was my introduction to kendo.

Honestly, dealing with Amano Sora is similar to dealing with Kaoru.

As long as you bring up a topic he likes, he’ll keep talking on his own.

That makes him much easier to handle.

While listening to him talk about kendo, I also listened to Ichijō occasionally mentioning locations so we wouldn’t lose track.

The bookstore Noriyuki wanted to visit was called Uwuya.

It was fairly well-known.

Inside, there was also a café that served desserts and drinks.

It allowed customers to comfortably immerse themselves in books.

It seemed like service was their main focus.

Its location was a bit remote, so it wasn’t crowded.

Since the place was large, there was little chance of running into Ichijō and the others.

Unless—

Something unexpected happened.

But life doesn’t always have so many coincidences.

Otherwise, there would be no point in making plans.

This is the place, Sora-senpai.

What kind of books do you like?

The shop was quiet, like a school library.

I actually preferred this kind of calm atmosphere.

I’m not someone who enjoys noisy places.

I’ll just look around myself.

Amano Sora looked troubled.

He clearly wasn’t someone who enjoyed reading.

After I picked my book, he was still browsing aimlessly.

But that had nothing to do with me.

Rikō—

Let me make you a coffee.

Rikō had already arrived earlier and was deeper inside the store.

Rikō… reading light novels.

Then, thank you, Rikō.

You’re welcome.

Still talking so normally… that won’t do, Ichijō.

You finally got a chance for a date.

Shouldn’t understanding Noriyuki better be your priority?

Without an event trigger, it’s hard to progress the relationship.

Anyway, I opened the book in front of me.

Though I picked it randomly, it reflected my mood.

For example, this book—Confessions.

Maybe I subconsciously wanted to confess for what I’ve done.

Even though I don’t feel guilty at all.

Everything is their own doing.

My rotten heart won’t feel any remorse.

But—

Maybe I am a bad person.

I never act according to others’ expectations.

To others, I appear kind and friendly.

But they don’t see how twisted my thoughts are.

No matter how many people I help, it doesn’t change the fact that I am a bad person.

I flipped through the pages.

Gradually immersing myself in the book.

Want some dessert, Noriyuki?

Are you hungry, Rikō?

Not really.

I just thought you might like sweets.

If it’s desserts, I do like them.

Then… I’ll go buy them for you, Rikō.

It looked like they were competing over who would pay.

For Noriyuki, the cost didn’t matter.

But for Ichijō, even with scholarships, it wasn’t something he could spend freely on.

Especially since he was also covering my meals.

Noriyuki might not mind, but he definitely would feel awkward.

Maybe—

It’s time for me to step in.

Amano Sora had just picked a book about weapon combat, including Western fencing.

Xiaoyue?

He looked surprised as I stood up.

I’m going to get some coffee, Sora-senpai.

Without waiting for his reply, I left.

Desserts here were much more expensive than outside.

Even with mental preparation, I was still shocked.

I only bought the most basic pudding.

I could barely maintain a smile.

A small cup costs 2500 yen?

Two cups cost 5000 yen.

That’s several hours of work.

In the end, Dongye Yue is poor.

Still, I handed them to Ichijō.

How much?

Are you going to pay me back?

It’s not much.

Just 500 yen is fine.

The meals you make for me cost more than this anyway.

I said it naturally.

Unlike him, I didn’t feel any guilt lying.

Just make more of your energetic fried rice for me.

You really like it that much?

I didn’t before.

But now… I kind of do.

As for why—

Rice is getting too expensive.

At this rate, I’ll end up eating like people in ancient times.

Pickled radish with bran.

In a way, I’ve already achieved rice freedom thanks to Ichijō.

Thinking about it… it’s kind of funny.

Though not that funny.

By the way, what were you reading earlier?

Hmm, Confessions.

It suits me.

What about you, Ichijō?

Me?

He flipped through his book stylishly.

What is that?

Seeing you read that in front of Noriyuki makes me want to laugh.

Why this book?

Because I want to understand the people I care about.

Both Noriyuki and you.

Sometimes, I want to understand you.

There was a brief silence.

Then you should be reading about human psychology instead.

I’m not exactly a normal girl.

I’m just a fake playing a role.

Oh right—

Remember to take Noriyuki to the cinema.