My love is abyss mode

Chapter 88 The Bonds of the Band?
After paying and receiving the paper bag packed by the clerk, Kuronuma Kiba and Shirakawa Momo walked out of the dessert shop together.

The dry autumn air was clear and bright, and the dazzling sunlight shone with warmth. From the shadows in front of the grocery store next door, the laughter of girls could be heard.

"Shionai-chan, what a pity."

"Let's go to Harajuku together after we get back to Tokyo."

"Remember to get Kuronuma's autograph for me, it's the only thing I still care about."

"Okay, I might forget. See you in Tokyo."

Shinonome waved goodbye to the girls who had come to Higashi-Izu with a smile, then skipped over to the two of them with light, bouncy steps.

Today she wore a chunky knit sweater, the color of the sky, the loose fit of which couldn't hide her impressive bust. She paired it with soft, cloud-like straight-leg pants and brown sneakers, looking pure, cute, and incredibly sweet.

"Hey, can you wait a minute?"

Shinkai Shiona stopped a few steps away from Shirakawa Momo, bypassed her cold gaze, and walked from behind to the other side of Kuronuma Kiba: "I want to buy a cake to share with Momo when I get back tonight."

Momo Shirakawa is also an indispensable part of the reorganized band, and Shinkai Shiona naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to please her.

Upon hearing this, Kuronuma Kiba turned to look at Shirakawa Momo, asking for her opinion with his eyes.

"Oh, no need."

Faced with Shinkai Shiona's attempts to please her, Shirakawa Momo decisively refused, grabbing Kuronuma Kiba's arm and walking deeper into the shopping street: "We have no intention of shopping with you, goodbye."

"Don't say that, um~ are Kuronuma-kun and Momo on a date?"

Shinkai Shiona stepped to the other side of Kuronuma Kiba, and, as if she couldn't understand human speech, persistently pestered him, asking in a sweet, cloying voice with a smile:
Am I getting in the way too much?

Generally speaking, out of politeness, most people would choose to respond tactfully after hearing such remarks to avoid making the atmosphere too awkward.

Shirakawa Momo is clearly not considered a "normal person".

She glanced disdainfully at the bulge in Shinkai Shionai's sweater, her pink lips parted slightly, and her words were sharp and barbed:
"Since you have the self-awareness, take your useless fat and get lost."

What's so good about such a cumbersome thing?

The cat is very unhappy today.

"Huh? Well, it's already noon. How about I treat Kuronuma-kun and Momo to lunch?"

Shinkai Shiona continued to fawn over him, her blue eyes sparkling with sincerity: "There's a famous ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) on this street, their specialty is the golden-eye snapper set meal."

"Tsk, it's already the end of the month." Shirakawa Momo's lips curled into a faint, cold smile, seemingly not intending to refuse.

"I can borrow some from my sister."

"Don't follow us anymore after lunch."

"Okay, let's go to the beach together later."

Shinkai Shiona hinted that she wanted to go shopping with the two of them, which made Shirakawa Momo's expression turn even colder.

Kuronuma walked between the two with a blank expression. To his left was a warm smile, and to his right was a cold, indifferent sneer. All around them were envious glances from tourists.

Should we take this opportunity to find out information about Matsusaka Kanon?

It's really intriguing that even the fox-like senior feels pressured by someone like that.

Just as he was thinking about how to start the conversation, Shinkai Shionai suddenly hugged his arm tightly. The soft touch enveloped his skin through the fabric of his clothes, along with the resistance that made him unwilling to move forward and the weight pressing down on him.

Kuronuma stopped and turned to look at her with displeasure.

Shinonome Shiona stared straight ahead, her innocent smile gradually becoming strained, her lips twitching slightly, and a layer of fear settling into her emerald eyes.

"Is that Shinkai? Long time no see."

A affected female voice came from ahead. Kuronuma turned around and saw a man and a woman wearing blue hoodies walking towards him. The woman with long black hair dyed red practically had "I have ill intentions" written all over her face.

She strode up to Shinkai Shiona, a dangerous glint in her eyes: "You still recognize me, right? Otani Saya. It's been so many years since we last saw each other after you transferred schools."

"Well, long time no see."

Shinonome Shionai nodded slightly, giving a polite but somewhat listless smile, and hugged Kuronuma Kiba's arm tightly. Her usual cheerful and outgoing personality, which she displayed in interacting with everyone, had completely vanished; she seemed like a different person, transformed into a gloomy, withdrawn, and reclusive character.

"Hey, Shinkai, you're still the same as always, you haven't changed at all."

Otani Saya raised her hand and nudged her shoulder. Seeing Shinkai Shiona stagger backward, her smile became even more smug: "You look so happy in the photos on social media. I've been keeping an eye on you."

Shinkai Shiona remained silent, her innocent face turned to the side as she nestled in Kuronuma Kiba's arms, her emerald eyes filled with fear.

Shirakawa Momo stared at the two who had suddenly appeared with disgust, frowned and pondered for a moment, her golden eyes gradually turning hostile.

"So it was you who pushed Xi Nai down the stairs?" she asked coldly.

"Oh, you actually told others about such old things?"

Otani Saya reached out and tucked Shinkai Shiona's chestnut hair into her hand, her face completely unconcerned: "It was just a joke, no one got hurt. Speaking of which, Shinkai, your hair is still as beautiful as ever."

Despite it being a perfectly normal topic, Shinkai Shionai's body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Shirakawa Momo noticed Shinkai Shiona's change before Kuronuma Kiba did. Knowing the "secret," she stepped forward and slapped away Otani Saya's restless hand, coldly saying in a threatening tone:

"We don't want to dwell on the past, you'd better get lost."

"Who are you?" Otani Saya took two steps back, grabbed the arm of the man next to her, and glared at Shirakawa Momo with displeasure.

"Who I am is not important, what is important is that Shionai's boyfriend is a monster."

Shirakawa Momo directly threw the question to Kuronuma Kiba, turning back to give him a meaningful look: "He has a bad personality, to be precise, he's a bit violent."

All four eyes focused on him simultaneously. Kuronuma Kiba looked down and met Shinkai Shiona's pleading gaze for a moment, then turned to Shirakawa Momo and asked:
"What can I get?"

Does he think he's a child? He's willing to stand up for Shinkai Shionai with just a few words.

Not saying that he wasn't Shinkai Shionai's boyfriend was already giving Shirakawa Momo face.

The tense atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Shirakawa Momo rubbed her forehead in exasperation, at a loss for what to do. The two standing opposite each other looked at each other, confused about the situation. Shinkai Shiona pursed her lips tightly, unable to offer a price.

"The relationship between the two of you is really strange." Kuronuma Kiba pushed away Shinkai Shionai's head that was pressed against his chest and shrugged indifferently.

Since no one provoked him, there was no need to pay him any attention.

However, it was indeed somewhat unexpected that Shirakawa Momo would speak up for Shinkai Shiona.

Is it a bond that belongs to the band?

Otani Sami and the other two disagreed, covered their mouths and chuckled, their eyes full of mockery as they looked at Shinkai Shiona: "Looks like your relationship isn't that great, Shinkai. You didn't just force yourself on her, did you?"

"At least Xi Nai has good taste; her boyfriend is more like a human being than this weak and powerless monkey next to you."

Shirakawa Momo stood in front of Shinkai Shiona, her face cold as she retorted with harsh words: "I don't want to hurt you, but my conscience won't allow me to lie."

“My boyfriend is a fourth-dan kendo player, and he’s not participating in some childish competition like the Jade Dragon Flag,” Otani said through gritted teeth, while the man beside her also raised his head arrogantly.

"A certificate you bought with money? It must have been very expensive."

"We're currently training at the Tsuchiya Dojo in Minami-Izu. If you're not convinced, you can come and have a match with us."

"Okay, I hope you can hold out for more than three seconds."

Momo Shirakawa readily agreed on behalf of Shiona Shinkai, showing no fear and confidence in Kiba Kuronuma's swordsmanship.

As for how Shinkai Shionai managed to get Kuronuma Kiba to help, that was not something she needed to worry about.

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The following word count is free of charge.

PS: Kendo ranks are divided into 8 dan levels. In addition to passing the exam, there are also age requirements. To obtain 4 dan, you must be 20 years of age or older.

(End of this chapter)