novellhall 50. A battlefield where only the parties involved are absent.
50. A battlefield where only the parties involved are absent.
Special Building, Fifth Floor, Department of Psychological Problems Research.
[Aoyama: Sorry, Saki, I have something to do this afternoon and can't go to the activity room.]
When Izumo Saki saw the message from Aoyama Genji, her cheeks instantly puffed up.
She clearly changed into an outfit with lace trim today!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and her slender white fingers rapidly typed on the keyboard.
[Saki: What's wrong with you?]
[saki: Angry Rabbit Emoji]
After receiving a barrage of messages, Izumo Saki stared at the chat interface with satisfaction.
[Qingshan: Please forgive me, I really have something to do today, I'll definitely come tomorrow!]
"Never mind, I'll go to the band later!"
Excess energy always needs to be released, and Izumo Saki is well aware of her condition.
Before Aoyama Genji arrived, this club's activities only lasted until 4 p.m., and she would spend the rest of the time participating in activities that required her to expend energy.
But Aoyama Genji didn't come today, and Izumo Saki even felt that waiting until 4 o'clock was already a torment.
She tidied her things and prepared to get up from her seat.
Then there was a knock on the door.
Mr. Qingshan?
Saki Izumo subconsciously thought this way—this activity room is in a remote location, and usually no one comes here for ten days or half a month.
Still knocking?
Looks like they're planning to surprise me!
Saki Izumo put down her schoolbag, her superhuman stealth instincts kicking in. She tiptoed to the door, then suddenly flung it open—
Instead of Aoyama Genji, a girl came into view.
Moreover, Izumo Saki knows him.
She remembered that this girl had come for relationship counseling the previous week.
That's not important. What's important is that this girl is Genji Aoyama's official girlfriend!
"Why is it you?"
The moment she saw who it was, the light in Izumo Saki's eyes dimmed.
"Um?"
Yuko Asahi was puzzled; she couldn't understand where Saki Izumo's inexplicable tone and expression of disappointment came from.
Despite her confusion, she still bowed slightly and greeted them, "Hello, Izumo-senpai, I need to get some psychological counseling."
As she leaned forward, getting closer to Saki Izumo, Yuko Asahi's brow furrowed slightly—the scent that brushed past her nose seemed familiar; she felt like she'd smelled it somewhere recently…
She glanced at Izumo Saki again, and their eyes met.
"Hmm—please come in then."
After a brief moment of disappointment, Izumo Saki seemed to remember something, and a smile returned to her face.
Avoidant attachment.
Saki Izumo still remembers this girl's question; Genji Aoyama consulted her about it.
It seems they've realized this and want to proactively seek a solution.
The two sat down inside and outside the long table.
Asahi Yuko's beautiful face showed a hesitant expression, as if she didn't know where to start.
Izumo Saki didn't urge her, but just smiled and looked at her.
"Knock knock..."
A knock on the door outside the activity room broke the silence between the two.
A strange look appeared on Izumo Saki's face, but after thinking about it for a moment, she even began to feel a little excited.
"Please come in." She controlled her emotions, making her voice sound less excited.
"Sorry to bother you."
The door opened, but instead of Aoyama Genji, whom Izumo Saki had expected, there was yet another girl, whom Izumo Saki didn't recognize at all.
"Um?"
The girl at the door seemed to make a questioning sound, and her pretty brows seemed to furrow slightly.
Then, the girl who arrived first turned her head slightly and met the gaze of the girl at the door.
"Ms. Asahi?"
"Miss Minatsuki?"
Do the two people know each other?
Saki Izumo glanced at Yuko Asahi, then turned her gaze to Haruka Minazuki.
"A friend?" Izumo Saki asked with interest.
Yuuko Asahi simply looked at Haruka Minatsuki, seemingly pondering the question.
Haruka Minatsuki hesitated for a moment, her gaze first sweeping over Saki Izumo's face before finally settling on Yuuko Asahi's: "I guess we're friends."
"We just know each other."
Yuko Asahi spoke almost simultaneously.
Haruka Minatsuki paused for a moment, then laughed.
Almost ignoring Izumo Saki's presence, Minatsuki Haruka moved lightly and sat down next to Asahi Yuuko.
"Genji promised to show me around the campus, but I can't find him anywhere. Does Asahi-san know where he went?"
Haruka Minatsuki wore a gentle smile, her gaze fixed on Yuuko Asahi's eyes.
"have no idea."
Asahi Yuko frowned on her beautiful face, then shook her head.
She once again sensed inexplicable hostility from Haruka Minatsuki, even more intense than the hostility she felt during their first meeting.
Moreover, Yuuko Asahi remembers that Haruka Minatsuki wasn't wearing Hakutsuru High School's uniform back then.
A sense of unease inexplicably arose in her heart.
Izumo Saki also sensed that something was wrong.
Genji-kun?
There is only one person in the entire school with this name: Genji Aoyama.
Even she never called Aoyama Genji by his name directly!
Saki Izumo got excited just from guessing in her mind.
She looked at Haruka Minatsuki.
"I see... then I won't bother you any longer."
Haruka Minatsuki stood up, glanced at Yuko Asahi one last time, and a meaningful smile appeared on her beautiful face.
The source of Qingshan is not here.
Haruka Minatsuki has no intention of causing trouble for Yuko Asahi, nor will she try to persuade Yuko Asahi to give up Genji Aoyama.
What she wanted was for Aoyama Genji to give up on his own and then submit to her; that was the outcome she desired.
As for this club, it's the Department of Psychological Problems Research.
Haruka Minatsuki sensed something was wrong, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Unable to understand, she decided to leave.
"Wait a moment!"
Saki Izumo stood up, her voice growing louder with excitement.
Haruka Minatsuki paused in her steps as she was about to leave—she felt like she'd heard that voice somewhere before…
"Is there anything else?"
She glanced at the slightly excited Izumo Saki, and for a moment couldn't remember.
"This is the Department of Psychological Issues Research. We not only offer psychological counseling, but also relationship counseling and other types of consultations. If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact me anytime!"
Saki Izumo's voice carried a hint of excitement.
Haruka Minatsuki narrowed her eyes, and the corners of her lips began to curve upwards.
Oh--
It's that philandering cat.
At first, the slightly excited voice sounded familiar to Haruka Minatsuki, but when she heard the speed of her speech and the excited string of words she uttered, she realized something was wrong.
In an instant, she recalled the voice she heard from Genji Aoyama on the phone that day in the hotel.
Girlfriend, and a cheating cat...
So that's where they are.
Haruka Minatsuki decided to stay.
"Then I'll bother you. I need to consult about some relationship-related issues." She sat down again.
Asahi Yuko looked at Minigetsu Haruka.
"I was here first, Miss Minatsuki."
"Is that so—" Haruka Minatsuki drawled, a meaningful smile on her face, "Ms. Asahi, may I go first?"
"Sorry, this won't work."
The two looked at each other in silence.
Saki Izumo became even more excited, and she even secretly picked up her phone and sent a message to Genji Aoyama while the two were talking.
[Saki: Aoyama-kun, come to the clubroom quickly, something terrible has happened!]
◇
Genji Aoyama was on his way back on the train when he suddenly received a text message from Saki Izumo.
?
[Aoyama: What happened?]
Saki Izumo did not reply immediately.
Aoyama Genji began to consider whether he should get off at an intermediate stop and go back to school.
[Saki: Your girlfriend is here]
Genji Aoyama was about to reply that everything was fine when another message came in.
[Saki: And what's with this guy named Minazuki? He calls you so intimately! I've never called you that before!]
Aoyama Genji: "..."
Saki Izumo seemed very excited and gave him a live text message on LINE.
[Saki: Their eyes look like they're fighting!]
[Saki: Oh no, I feel like the way that guy named Minazuki is looking at me is weird!]
Inhale—exhale—exhale—
Genji Aoyama pinched the bridge of his nose; it felt a little numb.