Ichirou Gotou didn't say it out loud, but her resistance was written all over her face.
Rafiel was puzzled. Was she the kind of person who would repel people?
Yan Xi said, "You can call her 'Pochi-chan' to make things better."
"Pochi-chan?" Rafiel thought, what a strange nickname.
"Hehe…"
Pochi, who was being called by this nickname, giggled foolishly.
This guy is super easy to understand!
Rafiel disrupted Yan Xi's plan. He had wanted to play a prank on Pochi-chan, but it looked like there wouldn't be a chance today.
Yan Xi said to Ichirou Gotou, "I called you over because I wanted to talk about the band. But this guy suddenly showed up, so let's chat another day."
Yan Xi was sincere and genuine in his tone. With him saying this much, Ichirou Gotou no longer misunderstood that she was being deliberately played, and nodded.
"You too, get out of here!" Yan Xi glared at Rafiel.
"So scary~" Rafiel acted pitifully again.
Comparing Yan Xi's attitude, Ichirou Gotou suddenly realized that he was a little gentler towards herself.
Oh no, I almost self-sabotagingly fell for him!
"Ding~"
It wasn't the doorbell, but Yan Xi's phone ringtone.
Yan Xi took out his phone and saw that it was Mai Sakurajima.
Ichirou Gotou pretended to turn her face to the other direction, but her eyes occasionally glanced towards this side.
Rafiel smiled mischievously. Yan Xi felt like she was up to no good.
Yan Xi answered the phone, and Mai Sakurajima's voice came through.
Mai Sakurajima asked, "Why are you answering so late?"
Yan Xi felt guilty and said, "Well, I was a little busy."
"You're not home?"
"I am…"
"I'm working here today, want to have dinner together?"
"Of course, I'd love to."
Mai Sakurajima said, "Then come downstairs and get some things for me."
Yan Xi was dumbfounded and said, "Ah, now? You're already downstairs?"
Mai Sakurajima said, "Why else would I ask if you're home?"
Yan Xi was speechless.
Mai Sakurajima discovered something from this short silence.
"…Are there other people at home?"
Yan Xi felt even more guilty.
This feeling of being caught cheating by the wife…unpleasant!
He and Mai Sakurajima were clearly innocent, at most they were just friends-with-benefits in a period of ambiguity!
What adultery!
Thinking about this, Yan Xi suddenly woke up and his confidence grew a little.
"There are two friends here, although one of them came uninvited," Yan Xi said.
Mai Sakurajima was good at reading people, and she could tell from Yan Xi's tone that he didn't have a special relationship with the so-called 'friends'.
But words and expressions can be deceiving, and Mai Sakurajima, an actress by profession, was well aware of this.
Yan Xi's words might be a 'disguise', and she kept this in mind.
"If it's not convenient, I'll go back," Mai Sakurajima said 'considerately'.
Yan Xi, of course, wouldn't fall for this simple ploy of using retreat to advance.
"Why would it be inconvenient." Yan Xi said easily, "If you hadn't called, I would have already chased them away."
Mai Sakurajima said, "After all, they are guests at home, you can't be rude."
What's with this domineering hostess act?
This kind of Mai Sakurajima was especially charming, just a thought from Yan Xi.
Mai Sakurajima was, of course, doing it on purpose.
She didn't know if the 'guests' at home could hear their conversation, but she was subtly asserting her dominance, and the love defense war had already begun!
"I'm at the door, open it for me." Mai Sakurajima said.
"Ah? So fast?" Yan Xi was dumbfounded.
Even though it was only two floors, wasn't Miss Mai a little too quick?
Are you really here to catch someone?
Yan Xi helplessly hung up the phone and opened the door for Mai Sakurajima.
Mai Sakurajima, carrying groceries, appeared before Ichirou Gotou and Rafiel, and there seemed to be an invisible clash in the air.
Of course, that was an illusion.
Yan Xi simply believed in the saying 'three women make a play', and felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward.
"I'm back," Mai Sakurajima said.
Yan Xi was stunned and tentatively responded, "Welcome back?"
Mai Sakurajima nodded, "Hmm."
Rafiel was scrutinizing Mai Sakurajima, and Mai Sakurajima was scrutinizing her as well.
As for Pochi-chan?
Because she kept her head down, she was temporarily ignored.
"A-xi, who are these two?"
Mai Sakurajima handed the groceries to Yan Xi, and he naturally took them. Then he said, "This is Rafiel, a friend of a junior at my workplace. She happened to know my home address today and came to visit."
"The other one is Ichirou Gotou, a friend from the downstairs exhibition hall."
Mai Sakurajima nodded and introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Mai Sakurajima."
People usually use the phrases 'My name is' and 'I am' when introducing themselves.
Although there's not much difference, you can still taste different flavors if you examine it word by word.
For example, ordinary people introduce themselves as 'My name is so-and-so', while celebrities would say 'I am so-and-so'.
Another interpretation is the difference between 'My name is' and 'I am' in terms of confidence.
Of course, this is not absolute, and there are also factors of personal habit.
"Is, is, is that Mai Sakurajima!?" Ichirou Gotou looked up in shock.
Even someone who is a shut-in like her has heard of Mai Sakurajima's name, because she often appears on television programs.
Mai Sakurajima smiled and said, "I do have activities related to the film industry. You know me, Gotou-san?"
Ichirou Gotou was so excited that she couldn't speak, like a fishbone got stuck in her throat.
"Is Pochi-chan okay!?" Rafiel patted her back to help her catch her breath.
"Whew…whew…I'm alive."
Even though she was alive, she wanted to die!
She made a fool of herself in front of Mai Sakurajima!
Honestly, Ichirou Gotou wasn't a fan of Mai Sakurajima.
Compared to the dazzling stars on the screen, she preferred the band that played in the dark sewers.
But…her family liked Mai Sakurajima!
Her mother and sister were both fans of Mai Sakurajima, and they even continued to be fans for those few years when she stopped her activities, the kind of die-hard fans!
If she could, Ichirou Gotou wanted an autograph.
I wonder if the money in the piggy bank for the wedding will be enough in the future…
Ichirou Gotou wanted to speak, tried to open her mouth several times, but only managed to make sounds like 'ah', 'I', and 'um'.
It's over, she's going to be seen as a weird person!
Ah, Mom, I-ri, I'm sorry~ Forgive me for being such a useless daughter and sister!
…………
PS: This is the second chapter today. Please support with monthly tickets and donations.