However.

There is no right answer to this kind of thing.

Unknowingly, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Megumi, Shiyu, Kano, and Sayu in memory flashed in my mind one by one.

A shadow appeared in Kato Yusuke's heart, and at the same time he felt a dull pain and indescribable self-loathing.

"Can I leave Shiyu-senpai and Kano-chan alone?"

He asked himself in his heart.

Logically speaking.

Hasumi Kanoko's life has become much easier now that she no longer has the pressure of a house. She can take care of herself even without him.

As for Senior Shiyu.

The relationship between the two has not yet reached its final breakthrough, and perhaps they can use other methods to compensate each other...

But--!

That’s not how things work out, right—?

Thinking of this, Kato Yusuke's expression couldn't help but become distorted, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth tightly.

He can indeed make up for it materially, but what about other aspects?

To put it bluntly.

After experiencing so many things.

Can he live up to Shi Yu, who has never looked back for him, and can he live up to Xiao Kano, who is devoted to him?

But on the other hand.

Can he afford to lose Kei?

"..."

The young man raised his head fearfully and looked at the girl in front of him who had said she would stay by his side. His Adam's apple kept rolling up and down.

The other party's eyes were still as indifferent as before, but they also showed a hint of thinking, as if they had been silently observing his reaction.

"benefit……"

He took a deep breath, and the sound coming out of his throat was dry and inexplicable.

The girl looked at his tense face, her expression changed for a moment, and then she lightly pursed her lips.

"...I'm sorry, I seem to have said some nasty words that bothered you so much."

"No, this is me..."

Kato Yusuke was only halfway through what he said when the other party interrupted him.

"Otherwise this would be better."

Hui tilted his head slightly and said thoughtfully:

"Actually, I've been thinking about how to get along with you and how to treat our relationship...and then, I finally thought of it just now."

Kato Yusuke said nothing, but listened carefully.

"Yusuke...no, Kato Yusuke-san."

The indifferent tone suddenly became formal.

"Basically, our recent relationship is indeed not quite right, and I don't think it's good, so I should explain it clearly to you."

Hearing this, Kato Yusuke subconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva, but still nodded.

Based on the following conversation, it will be decided where their relationship will go in the future.

He clearly recognized this and felt a little nervous for no reason.

While Hui studied his reaction, she lightly pressed a hand on her chest and took a shallow breath.

"...Anyway, you don't need to make a decision now. After all, we are still high school students...I will wait until college."

"University……?"

Kato Yusuke murmured to himself, and his thoughts stopped for a moment.

Ignoring his reaction, the other party stared down at the table and continued talking.

"That said, I can wait until we go to college.

If you still like me, Yusuke, I would like to be your...lover and date you.

Before that, you have a long time to think about it carefully. I will wait patiently for you to make a decision and try not to interfere with you.

That’s basically it.”

Kato Yusuke opened his mouth in astonishment, his mind was drained by this unexpected development, and he couldn't help blurting out: "What about before college?"

As if she had read through his inner thoughts, Hui's tone softened slightly, and her light hair flowed downwards.

"It's okay, just like we agreed, I will continue to stay with you."

"..."

Kato Yusuke closed his eyes in silence, thinking quietly.

Judging from the results alone, it seems that he got on base safely.

In a quite clear manner, the other party clearly gave him a conclusion.

He didn't have to make an immediate decision; the issue was deferred to college.

Before that, he had about two years to think about it, or to make arrangements and deal with it.

Then, he needs to make the final decision at that time.

To sum it up in one sentence, it's like changing from the death penalty to a suspended death sentence.

After clarifying the key, Kato Yusuke slowly opened his eyes. In his heart, he felt both the joy of surviving the disaster and some kind of indescribable loss.

Megumi Kato is always Megumi Kato and will not compromise easily just because she has a good impression of someone.

Think of this.

Whether it was joy or disappointment, it all turned into a long sigh in the end.

"……I see."

Kato Yusuke nodded slightly.

Hearing his sigh, Hui frowned slightly for a moment, as if she was a little dissatisfied, but she immediately returned to her original state.

"...By the way, today is actually the first time in my life that I have been confessed to by someone. Although I refused, but..."

Crystal clear eyes stared at him.

"...This is my first love affair since childhood. It would be great if the partner could be someone I like..."

The girl said in a thin voice, then lowered her eyes quietly.

Kato Yusuke's breathing stagnated slightly.

The feeling Hui gave him at this moment was like looking at the moon underwater through thick ice.

She seemed far away, yet so clear.

"...Okay, anyway, I've said everything I want to say, so let's do it, Yusuke. I will temporarily forget about this matter from tomorrow on, so bye~"

Without giving him a chance to respond, Hui said goodbye in one breath, and then hurriedly left as if running away, leaving him where he was.

◇

After leaving the shopping mall.

The girl got into her cousin's car and went home together.

The newly purchased Audi S6 drives smoothly on the road.

"Let me tell you, Xiaohui."

Kato Keiichi looked at the co-pilot with his peripheral vision and asked, "Is it really okay to just leave Kato-kun alone?"

"Huh? But I said goodbye properly."

Hui, who was playing with his cell phone, replied without looking up, his tone full of confusion.

"I'm not talking about that."

Kato Keiichi smiled bitterly.

"It's just that he is your friend after all, and he is also someone you like. You can actually chat with him for a while, don't worry about me..."

"Well, I think it's better for Keiichi-nii to concentrate on driving? Also, I don't think I've ever talked about the person I like with anyone, right?"

Hearing the displeasure and resistance in the girl's words, Kato Keiichi couldn't help but feel a little speechless, and then sighed with emotion.
To be continued...