Washing his face, Lin Ze looked at himself in the mirror, seeing that his complexion was much better than yesterday. The doorbell rang. Looking at the Kayako at the door, Lin Ze remembered the Kayako in his dreams, the kind of future she would never allow.
“Lin Ze, how are you feeling today?” Kayako had worried all night yesterday. She even wanted to go directly to Lin Ze, but fearing she might disturb his rest, she had to hold back.
“Much better, but Kayako, let me check your bento today first.”
“I… I listened to your words and bought new bento boxes.” Placing the handbag on the table, Kayako took out two identical bento boxes from it, both with labels, one with Lin Ze’s name and one with Kayako’s name.
Kayako opened the bento boxes. Inside were identical side dishes and white rice, but it felt like Kayako was a bit uneasy? Glancing at the bento, not noticing anything unusual, Lin Ze thought it was his own illusion, “That’s right, otherwise I’ll be very uneasy.”
This time when going out, Lin Ze suddenly pushed out his bicycle. Kayako asked in a curious whisper, “Lin Ze, are you going to ride your bicycle today? It’s close to school, right?”
“I’m not riding this part of the road, but I can ride to send you home after school. By the way, Kayako, do you know how to ride a bicycle?” Lin Ze reached out and took Kayako’s handbag, hanging it on the handlebars and asked casually.
“I… I don’t know how to ride.” Seemingly feeling a bit embarrassed, her habitual action caused her to lower her head again. Her childhood was always alone. Later, Little Black was her companion. Her parents never bought her a bicycle, let alone taught her.
“It’s okay, I’ll teach you. I’ll hold you steady on this part of the road, and I’ll continue teaching you after school. Then you can take the bicycle home, so you won’t have to rush so early in the morning when you come to find me.” Kayako needs to walk a considerable distance every morning to find him. Lin Ze also understood that not letting her come would make her even more disappointed, so he simply gave her the bicycle.
“It’s okay, I… I…” Kayako instinctively wanted to refuse, but Lin Ze’s words about holding her steady while teaching her to ride a bicycle were too tempting. She couldn’t say no.
“No, Kayako, how much extra distance do you have to walk every day to find me? Then just go to school directly, Kayako, we can meet at school.” Lin Ze deliberately suggested that Kayako not come to find him in the morning.
As expected! As soon as Lin Ze spoke, Kayako became anxious, “I’ll learn, I’ll learn, Lin Ze…” Before she could finish, looking at Lin Ze’s beaming smile, Kayako blushed.
“Just call me by my name in the future. I’ve been calling you Kayako, and you still call me Lin Ze, Lin Ze, isn’t that too formal?” Lin Ze lowered his head to look at Kayako’s face. This action made Kayako bury her head even lower, like an ostrich, “Okay.” The inaudible voice trembled slightly.
Lin Ze didn’t continue teasing her. He patted the seat, inviting Kayako to get on, and began teaching her how to ride. Little Junsuke, who was going out, saw this scene and came up to teach Kayako some of his own experiences learning to ride.
Kayako learned very seriously. Lin Ze was teaching her personally, and she must learn! She absolutely did not want to disappoint Lin Ze, even if Lin Ze didn’t care about these little things! Lin Ze was behind, holding the back of the bicycle seat. He was very strong, holding the bicycle very steady, occasionally secretly letting go.
Kayako got off the bicycle at the school gate. Lin Ze gave her a thumbs up, “You learned quickly, Kayako. I actually secretly let go just now, you actually rode a short distance on your own.” Kayako was relieved after receiving Lin Ze’s praise, and happily said, “It’s because Lin Ze taught me well.”
A figure suddenly blocked Lin Ze’s path, “Hello, Lin Ze.” A playful and charming voice came from behind. Fūka Kawakami casually asked yesterday, and a well-informed person told him some basic information about Lin Ze.
Yesterday’s incident was just a small episode for Fūka, but she was full of thoughts about how he had retreated and avoided her. Being alone at home after returning, she became even more upset! Especially when she learned that Lin Ze was very concerned about a freak named Kaya Kawaguchi in the class, the girl beside him, although Fūka didn’t think there was anything strange about her… No! She’s strange too! Lin Ze was unwilling, so Kaya Kawaguchi didn’t even look at her!
“No, why? Am I not attractive enough? I’ve endured that girl, after all, not everyone can’t walk when they see me, but why did he have that kind of reaction?” Lying in bed, Fūka tossed and turned. She hadn’t died yet, her evil had not amplified, and her abilities weren’t as ridiculous as in the future. Although passersby would take a few extra glances at her from afar, they would definitely fall under her charm when they came into physical contact with her. So, she was very careful usually. Yesterday was an accident.
“Could I be worse than a freak?” That girl wasn’t ugly, she looked meek and easy to bully. Fūka didn’t know why she was called a freak, but even “freaks” were better than her, which made her unhappy.
So, after sending away a group of people who wanted to please her today, she deliberately blocked Lin Ze here, “Try it again! I don’t believe it!”
That’s right, Kayako was very normal in Fūka’s eyes. Fūka’s charm didn’t affect Kayako, “I was wrong for bumping into you yesterday, so how about I treat you to something as an apology?” Fūka smiled brightly, “Hmm hmm! My charm, plus a personal invitation, you’ll just obediently…”
“No need.” Lin Ze rejected decisively, catching Fūka off guard, “Kayako has already worked very hard to make me a bento, and I was also at fault yesterday, so no need.”
Kayako’s lips couldn’t help but curve upwards, while Fūka’s lips fell. Looking at Lin Ze leaving, she felt as if something had shattered in her heart? It was her pride!
“Lin Ze, I paid attention to nutritional balance!” Lin Ze decisively choosing her bento made her feel very happy, and her gaze towards Lin Ze was sparkling.
“I know, that’s why I don’t want to eat outside. I’ve seen Kayako’s efforts.” After complimenting Kayako, Lin Ze considered Fūka’s problem. He had noticed that those who looked at her had longing in their eyes, while those who looked at him were filled with envy, but he didn’t sense the kind of terrifying malice from the original work. Could it be because Fūka hadn’t died yet? Fūka’s weirdness began from the moment of her death, and her charm also became overwhelming after death. Lin Ze felt he had to find a chance to understand her.
After all, Lin Ze didn’t want to be surrounded by countless Fūka’s in the future, swarming towards him from all directions. Thinking about the scene of those faces twisting, slaughtering each other, stepping on countless Fūka’s flesh and blood to rush towards him, Lin Ze felt a chill. He would deal with this tomorrow.
Class started, Hanako’s seat was still empty. Did Hanako also take leave today? Lin Ze thought he’d still call her at noon and ask.