My love is abyss mode

Chapter 137 Camping at Mount Takao (4)

In the cramped dressing room, the dry autumn air absorbed the moisture, and soft light flowed over her fair and delicate skin, which was flawless.

Hatsushiro Ryo put on a soft yukata, with a white belt tied around her slender waist, outlining her curvaceous figure.

Hearing the sound of the wooden sliding door opening, she turned her head to look at Kuronuma, who was walking towards her. She pursed her lips and stared at him with her wine-red eyes.

"You seem to be in a bad mood." Kuronuma Kiba walked up to Hatsushino Ryo, facing her directly, and reached out to help straighten the collar of her yukata.

Her clothes weren't properly folded together, and below her delicate collarbone, exposed to the air, the soft outline of her breasts was faintly visible in the shadows.

"Hmm." Hatsushiro Ryo responded with a nasal tone, his calm and indifferent eyes like a carbonated drink, filled with dense bubbles.

A sense of helplessness and anguish mingled with the faint sound.

"Camping should be a happy thing."

Beneath the brief words lay a turbulent undercurrent of emotions.

The band successfully reunited, and everyone went camping together. Most importantly, her boyfriend was also by her side. As long as Shirakawa Momo didn't steal her food, it felt as warm as soaking in a hot spring.

But this is what happened.

This shouldn't have happened.

Hatsushika Ryo raised her arms and hugged Kuronuma Kiba, slowly resting her head against his chest, and asked somewhat awkwardly, "Did I do something wrong?"

She inevitably began to wonder if, had she not stopped Toyama Chitose back then, they wouldn't be hostile to each other now, completely disregarding their past ties.

"No, that's not true." Kuronuma Kiba gently patted Hatsushino Ryo's back, unsure how to comfort him.

As expected, it still provoked her. It wasn't just the pressure of declaring war, but also the twisted relationships within the band. In the past, even just the argument between Chitose Toyama and Momo Shirakawa would make Ryo Hatsushino uncomfortable, let alone now.

Newly budding feelings cannot withstand such a storm; they must be carefully nurtured.

"I'll change into a bathrobe, then I'll go eat some mashed yam and buckwheat noodles."

"it is good."

"I'll help you with the band."

"Mmm." Hatsushiro Ryo rubbed her head against his chest, seemingly feeling a little better.

Kuronuma Kiba took off his bath towel, put on a bathrobe, and led her to the Japanese-style room next to the changing room. Since it was a private hot spring, it naturally also had a private small rest room.

Ordering food is quite convenient; you can do it using a phone fixed to the wall.

Hatsushiro Ryo was sitting at a low wooden table, arranging the tea utensils in the room in an orderly manner, lighting the stove, and starting to brew tea in the teapot.

Her movements were skillful and unhurried, her spotless white short hair reflecting a soft light.

The air is filled with the delicate and lingering fragrance of flowers and fruits, carrying a strong sense of the wild mountains.

Hatsushiro Ryo brewed the tea, pushed the teacup in front of Kuronuma Kiba sitting beside him, and looked up to meet his gaze: "It's old tree black tea."

"Looks pretty good."

Kuronuma Kiba and she looked at each other closely. Just as he was about to ask Hatsushino Ryo about her thoughts on the band, Kuronuma Kiba ran lightly into the Japanese-style room.

The two looked at each other at the same time. Shinkai Shionai stood in front of the door, her hand on the door frame, biting her lower lip tightly.

She wasn't wearing a bathrobe; she had already changed into casual clothes. Her chestnut-brown hair was tied into low pigtails, and she had a hesitant expression on her face.

"Um, may I...can I leave for a moment?"

"..." Hatsushiro Ryo tilted his head in confusion, asking with his eyes.

"I want to go back to Tokyo this afternoon. I have important things to do. I'll be back at the camp before dark."

As she said this, Shinkai Shiona stared intently at Kuronuma Kiba with her watery eyes, her turquoise pupils filled with fervor, almost coalescing into pink hearts.

Hatsushino Ryo nodded, but Kuronuma Kiba ignored her and quickly disappeared through the door.

Not long after Shinkai Shiona left, the onsen staff brought over five servings of soba noodles and mashed yam. While introducing the "local yam of Mount Takao," her gaze remained fixed on Kuronuma Kiba. Seeing that he showed no interest whatsoever, she left with regret.

Hatsushika Ryo ate two bites of soba noodles, tasted a little bit of mashed yam with a spoon, and then pushed the whole thing in front of Kuronuma Kiba, quietly drinking her tea—she only liked seafood.

After Kuronuma Kiba finished eating two servings of mashed yam, Shirakawa Momo and Toyama Chitose walked into the Japanese-style room together and sat opposite each other across the low wooden table, both in the same formal sitting posture.

"Aren't you tired?" Kuronuma asked.

He sits cross-legged, and sitting upright requires pressing his buttocks against his ankles, which is very uncomfortable.

"got used to."

Chitose Toyama picked up her chopsticks and examined the thin, willow-leaf-like buckwheat noodles closely: "Don't forget, Momo used to be from a wealthy family."

"Yes, I'm the only one who's from the countryside in Hokkaido."

Kuronuma Kiba turned to look at Shirakawa Momo, who was eating yam puree with a spoon, and even her cold expression was cute.

After finishing one serving, Shirakawa Momo's gaze fell on the last untouched serving of mashed yam, and she asked softly, "Where's Shionai-chan?"

"Back to Tokyo, back to camp before dark."

Hearing Kuronuma say this, she unceremoniously took the last portion of mashed yam: "No need for extras. We'll hike back via Route 6 this afternoon and save on the cable car fare."

None of the three had any objections. After leisurely finishing their food, Kuronuma went to change his clothes and waited for them in the hot spring lobby.

In the afternoon, the four of them hiked along Route 6. Without Shinkai Shiona's cheerful laughter, the quiet forest was particularly desolate. No one started a conversation or tried to liven things up; it was lifeless.

No one appreciated the scenery along the way. When we returned to the campsite, the wiring was already in place, outdoor lights were hung around the sunshade, and a stew pot and a small refrigerator were added, so we could even have iced cola while camping.

Shirakawa Momo sat at the wooden table writing her lyrics. After a short rest, she went to stew wild boar meat by herself.

Chitose Toyama lay on a folding chair, covering her face with a comic book to block out the light, her two long legs propped up on the table as she took a nap, exuding a relaxed vibe.

While eating snacks, Black Numa was playing Pokémon on a handheld game console, trying to devise a strategy to defeat Shikano Ryo.

Hatsushiro Ryo stared at him for a while, noticed a pen tucked into Shirakawa Momo's notebook, leaned over to pick it up and flip through it, then got up to go find Shirakawa Momo, and the two began to talk in hushed tones.

Meanwhile, Shinkai Shiona takes the train to Bunkyo Ward, and thinking about Kuronuma Kiba's attitude towards her, she feels utterly hopeless.

Why is this happening?

Even if he disliked her a little, he wouldn't have rejected her so explicitly.

Shinkai Shiona racked her brains for the reason, dragging her heavy steps out of the train station and onto the uphill road leading to the private Seiran Academy.

When I entered the gates of the private Qinglan Academy, it was not yet time for school to end.

Against the backdrop of a clear sky, the broad-leaved forest in the courtyard, its leaves long since fallen, looked particularly desolate. The shadow cast by the teaching building was oppressive, and the cawing of crows annoyed her greatly.

When I came to my senses, I was already standing in front of the classroom of Class 1, Grade 2.

Finally, they arrived—Shiona Shinkai leaned against the wall of the corridor, exhausted, closed her eyes, and waited for the school bell to ring.

Now that things have come to this, she has no choice but to ask Matsusaka Kanon for help.

The dry, cool autumn breeze blew in through the corridor windows, ruffling his chestnut hair. The hum of the vending machine disturbed his senses, and in a daze, he heard the voice of Kurozuma Ya again.

There's really nothing about you that appeals to me.
What should I do? It's going to break.

Shinkai Shionai slowly squatted down, hugged her knees, and stared down at the corridor floor, pondering why he would say such hurtful things.

Pain, resentment, jealousy, feelings of inferiority
A mix of emotions overwhelmed her fragile heart. She struggled to suppress extreme thoughts, and the clarity in her eyes gradually shattered, leaving only foolishness in the end.

It must be because I wasn't devout enough, otherwise the tooth would have accepted it.

That's right, that's exactly it. He clearly said he'd be the first fan, but he broke his promise, which is why Ya hates himself. That must be the reason.

How can I win his favor?
If her sister helps explain things clearly, Ya definitely won't refuse again.

Lost in her own thoughts, Shinkai Shiona completely ignored the school bell until she heard a soft voice clearly in her ear, at which point she slowly raised her head.

"Shionai-chan, didn't we go camping today?"

Matsuzaka Kanon stood in front of Shinkai Shiona, extending her hand to her, her beautiful gray eyes looking at her with concern: "Did you have a bad time camping? Or did something else happen?"

Shinkai Shionai shook her head, supported herself on her knees with her hands, and slowly stood up from the shadows by the wall.

Her fragmented turquoise eyes reflected Matsuzaka Kanon's beautiful face. After staring blankly at her for a long time, Shinkai Shiona finally managed to squeeze out a voice from her throat: "Sister, why didn't you let me go to the game yesterday?"

"Hmm~ Is that really necessary? The match ended in less than a minute."

Matsuzaka Kanon looked around and saw people coming and going in the corridor. She smiled gently and pulled Shinkai Shiona's arm toward the stairs: "This is not the place to talk. Let's go to the student council president's office to rest for a while."

"I'm not going!" Shinkai Shionai shook off her hand and suddenly shouted, her usually sweet voice turning shrill.

Seeing her agitated, Matsuzaka Kanon frowned in distress and gently reminded her, "Shiona-chan, mind your manners."

Shinkai Shiona has a very emotional personality, and it's normal for her to go to extremes if she's not careful. Matsuzaka Kanon is well aware of this.

Judging from the current situation, we absolutely must not provoke her.

Matsuzaka Kanon was well aware of the situation; she did not want to see Shinkai Shiona become Kuronuma Kiba's lover.

In that case, deception is the best option.

We must prevent Shinkai Shionai from getting caught up in an even more complicated vortex; Kuronuma Kiba's side is not a suitable place for her to live.

Matsuzaka Kanon gently stroked Shionami's cheek, coaxing her in a low voice, "A lot of people are watching, isn't Shionami-chan the most concerned about her image?"

"never mind."

Shinkai Shionai looked around. It was dismissal time, and students were coming and going in the corridor. Naturally, many people were paying attention to her, the social butterfly.

So what?

Kuronuma now hates her intensely, even when she comes to him, he rejects her and says those kinds of things.

Compared to his aversion to even being called by his "name" directly, does it even matter how others perceive him?

Shionami forced a smile, her turquoise eyes fixed on Matsuzaka Kanon: "Sister, it's because you wouldn't let me go to the event that Kiba hates me. It's all your fault!"

An invisible pressure loomed over her, and Matsuzaka Kanon quickly wove a lie in her mind, saying without changing her expression, "No, actually, it was Kiba who told me that he didn't want you to go to the scene."

If I just tell Kuronuma, he probably won't mind covering up the lie for me; then, the lie will be the truth.

"So that's how it is."

Shinonome Shionai easily believed the lie, lowered her head dejectedly, and deeply reflected on herself, her eyes filled with humility.

So it wasn't because I didn't go to cheer for them. Then why was Kuronuma Kiba acting that way?

Even if he hates me, he wouldn't say such things. He accepted Matsuzaka Kanon and Shirakawa Momo so easily, didn't he?

Tao also said that he has great limitations. Is it because he is not straightforward enough?

A jumble of chaotic thoughts tangled in his mind, and his battered heart was fragile and vulnerable, with dark, viscous liquid overflowing from the cracks.

Faced with the reality of "giving away freebies only to be rejected," Shinkai Shiona racked her brains and finally found a clue.

It must be because of the band.

In Kuronuma's view, he cares more about the band, and he said things like, "Now that the band has been reformed, let's cherish it."

As long as he understands that he cares more about him than the band, that's enough.

Thinking of this, Shinkai Shiona looked up at Matsuzaka Kanon with hopeful eyes, took a step closer to her, and said anxiously, "Sister, Kiba hates me a little now, can you help me?"

"How can I help you?" Matsuzaka Kanon asked with a smile, her gray eyes filled with displeasure.

She thought that after finding her home, Shinkai Shiona could go and find her own happiness without worry. Why did it turn out like this?

Shin-chan ignored this detail and was lost in her own daydreams:

"I want Kiba to like me. Sister, please whisper some sweet nothings in my ear. If we can explain things clearly, I can compete with Ryo-senpai. With you there, we can definitely drive everyone else away. You understand, right? Living with Kiba would be so wonderful."

Completely disregarding the fact that other students in the corridor could hear their conversation, she gradually increased her speaking speed, and her innocent face became twisted and ferocious.

Snapped--

The crisp sound interrupted Shinkai Shiona's words. She raised her hand to cover her burning cheek, stared wide-eyed at Matsuzaka Kanon with disbelief.

Against the backdrop of his deathly pale skin, the beauty mark at the corner of his eye stood out sharply.

"Sister?" Shinkai Shiona was confused. They had lived together since childhood, and this was the first time Matsuzaka Kanon had ever hit her.

Even when she occasionally did something excessive, Matsuzaka Kanon never looked at her with that kind of gaze.

"No, Shionai-chan."

Matsuzaka Kanon sighed sadly, a deep shadow falling over her gentle smile: "There's only one thing I can't promise you."

She didn't want to provoke Shinkai Shionai, but that was a wrong idea that had to be corrected.

"why?"

"Shionai-chan is not suited for this kind of life. You should pursue your own happiness."

“My sister is too selfish.” Shinkai Shiona lowered her head thoughtfully, her already ferocious expression becoming even more distorted.

So, the reason Ya dislikes herself is because of her older sister.

From the very beginning, when Ya and her sister met for the second time, they displayed an inappropriate familiarity.

Back then, Ya didn't care about her emotional personality, but now she hates herself so much. It must be partly because of her sister.

If it weren't for Matsusaka Kanon's interference, Kiba wouldn't have said those hurtful things today.

Crack——

The container of her heart shattered completely, and a dark, viscous substance spread out. Shinkai Shiona looked up and met Matsusaka Kanon's gaze, her emerald eyes dull and lifeless: "Sister, this is the last time I'll call you sister."

"Shionai-chan, listen to me."

Matsuzaka Kanon gently took her hand, which was hanging limply at her side, and said in a soft voice, "I understand what you're thinking, but that's not the truth. Even without teeth, I can still protect you—"

"You don't understand anything at all!"

Shinkai Shiona raised her hand and forcefully pushed Matsuzaka Kanon to the ground, her hoarse voice revealing a sense of hysteria.

Ignoring the gazes around her, she lifted her heavy steps and walked towards the stairs, her pink lips murmuring in a barely audible voice.

"It doesn't matter if there's no band, and it doesn't matter if Matsuzaka is the enemy."

"unimportant."

"I can do it alone."

"As long as you are sincere enough, Ya will definitely be able to sense your feelings, and he will understand, right?"

Watching Shinkai Shiona's figure disappear around the corner of the stairs, Matsuzaka Kanon closed her eyes in anguish. After a long silence, she took out her phone and dialed Kuronuma Kiba's number.

(End of this chapter)