Chapter 284, Wish

"Good morning!"

"morning."

After Halloween, time enters November, but again, the holiday is over and school starts again.

After Zhuo arrived at the classroom, he put his things on his seat, and then Kanda and Ren, who had already arrived at school, came over with a smile. He felt an evil thought from Ren, and it was not an illusion.

Sure enough, after Zhuo was carried out of the classroom by the two, Ren's smiling expression turned into a smirk, and Zhuo almost accidentally let out a click of the tongue.

"Have you told Aunt Sa Chiko?"

"There's nothing to explain, but your smile is really annoying."

"Hey, didn't everyone go home after the meeting the day before yesterday? Or did you two not leave, or did something happen yesterday?"

Because Kanda came with Ren to "confront the culprit", so he didn't know why Ren was grinning.

Zhuo didn't understand what Ren was doing, and was too lazy to explain it, so he shrugged at Ren with an embarrassed and anxious expression.

"Nothing, this guy didn't wake up, and we really haven't met since then."

"I'm telling you... I'm so kind as to give you a chance to confess yourself."

"Thank you, but you mean well but end badly."

Ren still kept crying fakely for a few times, muttered "I'm being rude", and then resumed his smirk: "Come to think of it, Ah Zhuo, Romanov is helping you with your three meals a day, right?"

"so what."

"In order to share the pressure, Zhuo handed over his wallet to Romanov, right?"

"Speak directly if you have anything to say."

"So I was thinking that Romanov is now completely responsible for the Utsunomiya family's finances. It might be very hard for him. I was also wondering if Zhuo has moved in with Romanov or something. After all, it's more convenient to be responsible for three meals a day~"

"What, what, what? I thought we were just secretly dating, has it come to this?"

Although Ren's smirk seemed frivolous, and Kanda's supporting role also had a joking tone in it, what they said was almost completely true, so Zhuo couldn't think of any better rebuttal for a while.

His perfunctory smile froze immediately, "Here you go again, don't talk nonsense, you speak as if it were true."

"No! No! No!" Ren suddenly straightened his expression while speaking, looked at Zhuo carefully from head to toe, then moved in front of Zhuo and sniffed twice, then he revealed his signature smirk.

Ren shook his finger mysteriously and began to point at Zhuo:
"The school uniform is neat and clean, with no stains on the collar and cuffs, and it smells a bit like bleach. The double collar is three-dimensional, with obvious cuts. This clothing must have been hand-washed and the collar has been ironed, something that a mere Utsunomiya Shuo cannot do. Look at your shoelaces, do they look like a Chinese knot with the edges removed? This fancy tying method with double ties is generally preferred by girls, and the direction is reversed, which means it was not tied by the wearer herself. From this, we can infer that the person who washes clothes, cooks, and ties shoelaces is not you, but a woman who lives a refined and well-organized life."

Zhuo listened to Ren's analysis in amazement, then looked down at his shoelaces. After Ren's reminder, he realized that Ling had tied a very special pair of shoelaces for himself, which looked quite beautiful.

"What's this, new wife?"

"Tell the truth, Zhuo. We won't tell anyone."

"..."

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Zhuo lowered his head helplessly and raised his hands to show surrender.

"Okay, okay, I surrender. I admit that it was indeed Yamamoto Yurina."

"..."

"..."

"You do it again!"

"Alright, alright. Even if Ren teases people, it's with love. I guess, maybe."

"Why am I still being suspected? Everything I said is true! I saw with my own eyes that Romanov went to Zhuo's apartment after working outside yesterday~"

Zhuo brought up their mutual friend, Yamamoto, who was also Ren's secret crush. Kanda thought that Ren's nonsense had made Zhuo unhappy, so he was angry and tried to smooth things over.

Ren's teasing never crossed the line, or really made Zhuo angry and unhappy; at most, it just made Zhuo feel a little unhappy and wanted to give Ren a light beating. When Zhuo fought back, Ren would not complain, which showed that he was really clear in his mind.

This ability to distinguish right from wrong and not cross the line is the virtue of benevolence, but it is also what makes him irritating.

It was obvious that Ren was not joking this time. Instead, he had seen Ling returning to Zhuo's home after working part-time. Then, when he questioned Zhuo the next day, he came up with an impromptu "analysis". In the end, Zhuo denied it and Kanda mistakenly thought that there might be a misunderstanding, so he had to tell him what he saw yesterday.

"Okay, okay, Ren has been a bit fussy for a while now."

"Kanda, you have a dagger hidden in your words. When did your mouth become so poisonous? I really met that person at 'Lily's Grocery'--"

"I've recently felt that it's better to be a little more venomous towards Ren."

"Too much! We firmly protest!"

"Hahaha……"

Jin exaggeratedly acted indignant at Kanda who just smiled, but it was clear that he wasn't really angry.

After hearing the news about Ling's part-time job from Ren, Zhuo began to pay some attention to "Lily Grocery" consciously or unconsciously.

Both of them were very good at guessing other people's moods, so they both avoided the topic in a joking manner... They told Zhuo everything they knew without gossiping, and did not ask too many questions... Even in places like this, Zhuo could not be cruel to Ren and could only smile bitterly.

"Then let's put Ren aside for now."

"Don't leave me alone!"

"Jen, please take care of your mouth for a while. We can't talk about business when you talk. Look, we are about to enter the senior year, and I wanted to make some memories with you two. How about we all go to the light show together on Christmas?"

Ignoring Jin who kept his mouth shut like a rabbit character, Kanda asked, “Is it not possible?”

To be precise, the second year of high school will end after the midterm exam in December. In between are the Christmas holiday, New Year's Day holiday, and the weekend... It seems like there is more than a month left, but in fact it is not that long.

Zhuo thought that since he didn't have much to do anyway, it would be a memorable Christmas if he was with Kanda. Just when he was about to nod, he stopped.

There was no problem with her washing herself, but the problem was that day was Zero's birthday, should she go?

And since we want to see the light show, we naturally have to go there at night.

It would definitely not be appropriate to decide the plan for the day without authorization, so Zhuo smiled vaguely and said, "Let me ask over there first?"

"Oh, yes, you have to say hello first."

"It's a newlywed after all."

"Shut up, I'm serious." "What if someone hears us?" Zhuo glared at Ren. Fortunately, Ren was careful to speak softly, and it seemed that no classmates were paying attention to this.

"Really." Zhuo sighed, thinking of Ling who was still sitting in the classroom, and lowered his head.

……

"Um, Rei, Ren and Kanda are going to the light show together early on Christmas morning. Is that okay?"

After finishing the meal, Zhuo and Ling carried the dishes to the sink together. At this time, Zhuo asked Ling who was carrying the dishes together.

Considering that it was also Zero's birthday, and the light show was best viewed at night, if he went that day, Zero's birthday might not be possible. Zhuo felt a little embarrassed, but Zero first blinked hard, and then his eyes softened.

"It's okay with me. I don't need to cook at home that day, right?"

"But it would be best if I could save you some energy...but wouldn't that be a bad idea?"

"It's just a birthday. I didn't have the habit of celebrating before. It's okay."

It's easy to say, but it's not hard to imagine how much of the past is contained in this matter. When she was a child, her parents sold the experimental institution, and the only birthday gift she received afterwards was the one she begged the captain of the transport team to bring from the mainland. Even so, she still cooperated with the arrangements here, and it really couldn't be thanked enough.

"Can I come with you?"

"Jin and the others said that if Zero doesn't mind, they don't mind either... How about inviting the others as well? But my only friend of the opposite sex besides you is Yurina, and I'm not sure if she'll come that day."

Zhuo felt that it was a little inappropriate to let Ling be the only girl, but if he had to call someone, he only knew Yurina. Besides, even if Zhuo didn't call Yurina, Ren might have called her. So it didn't make much difference.

"Then trouble you."

"No problem, but does Zero mind if it makes some noise?"

"will not."

Zero shook his head slightly and put the leftovers in the refrigerator.

The dinner in the refrigerator will be Zhuo and his friends’ breakfast tomorrow... Due to the tight financial situation, Zhuo and Ling have to save every penny, so even leftovers cannot be thrown away... Therefore, while Zhuo was washing the dishes, he was also praying to Ling in his heart.

Not only dinner, but also breakfast, he would eat the leftovers with him. Of course, Zhuo didn't think it was a hard life. On the contrary, being able to do this with Ling made him feel like they were living together. Zhuo was sure that he lived a fulfilling and healthy diet every day.

"Have you ever thought about what you're going to do after high school?"

"Well, I have thought about it, like opening an internet cafe or something, but the rent in Tokyo is quite expensive, so it will probably take a long time to get the start-up capital."

"Ever thought about going to college?"

"No, no, no, it's totally unnecessary for me. Just finishing high school is enough. I don't want to continue studying."

"Is that so... Then do you want me to give you some motivation?"

"power?"

"Yes, Sa Chiko told me to keep an eye on you. If you make it into the top 100 in the midterm exam, I'll agree to whatever you say."

"……Why?"

Regardless of when Zero got in touch with his mother Sachiko again, or have they been in contact all the time?
Zhuo didn't understand what Ling said for a moment, and was distracted for a moment, and almost dropped the plate in his hand into the sink.

Considering that this already poor family was almost made worse off, Zhuo finally came to his senses and took a deep breath.

Then he glanced to the side.

Ling closed the magnetic door of the refrigerator, his expression remaining calm.

She looked at Zhuo: "Last time I said that I can satisfy anything you want. I will basically do whatever you want me to do. I think it's time to remove the word 'basically'. I am also willing to work hard to do things that Zhuo would never ask me to do."

Zhuo then remembered that the last time Ling mentioned was probably the first time they made an agreement.

...'I can satisfy anything you ask for...as long as I can do it...not including me.' Zhuo exchanged this agreement on the condition of not disturbing his life. If Zhuo understood correctly now, Ling meant that the last two sentences could be removed...right? ! ?

"...Why do you always say such nonsense? Even if you are Zero..."

"I didn't say anything nonsense. I understand what you mean, and I won't tell anyone else about it in the future, so please rest assured."

Although he knew what Zhuo meant, Ling still tilted his head deliberately and waited for his answer. His calm eyes were always staring at Zhuo, as if to say, "Have you always wanted me to do something with the opposite sex?"

In her heart, she seemed to have determined that what Zhuo wanted her to do would not be "dangerous".

Zhuo slowly looked towards Ling, and she looked up at Zhuo gently, and walked to Zhuo's side step by step. There seemed to be a sense of expectation hidden in her, and she didn't know if it was excessive.

"…If I ask you to do something between opposite sexes, what will you do?"

"It depends on the content. Most people will sigh that it's great that Zhuo is a boy, and then help you realize it." She said calmly without any tone.

Zhuo felt complicated.

He felt that Ling really wanted to help him realize his wish. Of course, this was because she was sure that he would not make unreasonable requests. However, as a listener, Zhuo could not help but feel conflicted.

Although I don't want to force it, when the girl I like says she's willing to do anything for me, all kinds of desires will emerge. Although I absolutely can't say it out loud, a little bit of the boy's delusion begins to flash in my mind.

Glancing at Ling, her flawless little face showed no worry at all, and she looked like "come on".

Such complete trust seems to highlight one's own shallowness.

"...Then, let's use the knee pillow, as we did before."

After barely holding back his worries, he expressed a coquettish wish that was a little bit of desire, not forced, and not usually mentioned.

If you want to blame someone, blame it on the fact that reason did not fully control him, causing Zhuo to make up his mind but then go back on his word. This should not be considered a wish with impure motives.

As soon as he spoke, Zhuo felt embarrassed and wanted to scream out loud (like a groundhog's scream) because of the wish he had made.

Ling blinked quietly, then looked up and stared at Zhuo's face.

Zhuo hurriedly looked at her, then quickly turned his head away, not daring to look at her again.

Firstly, it was because of the embarrassment of the previous request, and secondly, Ling's eyes were still focused on him, which always made Zhuo feel that Ling seemed to be waiting for him to continue talking and make some more requests or wishes.

Really, how can I bear this?

Zhuo complained in his heart.

(End of this chapter)