Tokyo Sick Girlfriend

Chapter 31 Can you help me put on my kimono?
After finishing their noodles, Hojo Suzune insisted on taking an open-air cable car so she could take a photo with Shiratori Seiya in mid-air.

Fearing the camera might slip and fall, she took countless photos with her phone.

She was smiling happily, but after getting off the cable car, she was clearly chilled and couldn't help but hug her arms and shiver.

Shiratori Seiya frowned and reached out to touch her forehead with some concern.

After confirming there was no fever, he breathed a sigh of relief and then said in a serious tone:
"Will you still listen to me in the future?"

Hojo Suzune gritted her teeth, rubbing her arm repeatedly as she stubbornly insisted:
"No, it's not cold."

"..."

Shiratori Seiya was speechless and could only pull her along quickly toward his car.

Once in the car, Shiratori Seiya turned on the heater, and Hojo Suzune became noticeably warmer and completely quieted down, sitting in the passenger seat staring out the window without saying a word.

Where do you want to go now?

Shiratori Seiya looked at the girl's profile and asked.

Lingyin turned her face, her pretty cheeks slightly flushed, and smiled:

"Go to Kiyosuke's house."

"?"

“I live alone and there’s nowhere to go for fun.”

"what the hell……"

Hojo Suzune pointed to the paper bag on the back seat and said:

"I need to find a place to change my clothes, Kiyosa."

As she spoke, she narrowed her eyes and smiled:
"Besides, even if there's nothing fun to see, I still want to check out Kiyoya's house..."

After all, I'll want to experience the atmosphere of Kiyoya's family home before I get married.

Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, the smile on her face vanished instantly, her eyebrows furrowed into a deep V-shape, her hands clenched, and she asked nervously:

"You're not living with that... person, are you?"

Shiratori Seiya glanced at her, then started the car and chuckled:
"What's wrong? Can't we live together?"

Upon hearing this, Hojo Suzune's pupils constricted sharply, and she gritted her teeth and turned her head away in resentment.

That damn green tea vixen.

How could it be so fast?

How come you're living together so quickly?
Hojo Shione, you're so stupid! You're living together and you didn't even know. I really don't know what use you are.

A strong sour feeling welled up in her heart. Hojo Suzune was so angry that she turned her head to look at Shiratori Seiya's profile and said:

"How could you... how could you live with me?"

"Hmm? Why not? A lot of couples live together in college, right? Sharing a place can even reduce rent expenses."

The white bird is clear-eyed and does not look to the side.

"Just...just..."

Perhaps she was truly anxious, because Hojo Suzune stammered with anger, her cherry lips twitching a few times before she deflated and said in a coquettish tone:

"No means no..."

"Don't you think it's too fast? You don't even know what kind of person she is... I'm not saying she's bad, but you have to get to know her first, right?"

"You said yourself that she's greedy, right? What if she's only after your money and then swindles you out of everything? And if someone dies, then you're completely finished, and you'll never be able to get rid of her..."

"If you don't have money for rent, you can tell me. Even if I don't have money, I can borrow from my sister. And if she doesn't lend it to me, I can just go find a job..."

As Hojo Suzune spoke, she became increasingly aggrieved, and eventually her voice choked with emotion.

"How can you say we can live together..."

While waiting at a red light, Shiratori Seiya glanced at her, and seeing Rin's tearful expression, decided not to tease her anymore, so he said:

"But, Suzune, I didn't say I was living with someone."

"Eh?!"

Upon hearing this, the sorrowful expression on Hojo Suzune's face froze instantly. After realizing what she had said, she still asked with some doubt:

"So you just said..."

"That was what you said, Lingyin, right? I never said we were living together, and you're really planning to support me?"

Her face flushed red all the way to her neck. She turned her head away, blushing and indignant, and said:

"You jerk! I'm ignoring you!"

…………

"I'll come in."

As if she was saying it on purpose for someone to hear, Hojo Suzune stood at the door and called out to someone inside, then 'whoosh' she disappeared into the house.

Upon entering the room, she first wrinkled her nose and sniffed hard.

The air was calm, without any strange perfume scents, and Hojo Suzune breathed a sigh of relief.

She wasn't completely relaxed yet. While changing her shoes, she scanned the shoe rack with her eyes. But that wasn't all. She walked around the house inside and out, and only after confirming that Shiratori Seiya lived alone did she finally relax completely.

It seems they really didn't live together.

That vixen was smart enough to know her place.

Shiratori Seiya watched as Hojo Suzune examined the place meticulously, like a little detective, and teased her with a smile:
"Finished checking? Are you sure no one's there?"

"Hmph, you're just lying."

The girl pouted, then reached for the paper bag, looked into his eyes, and asked:

"Bathroom, I'd like to take a shower. How do I use your bathroom?"

"I don't have that many bath products for women at home."

"It's okay to skip applying body lotion once. It's not as delicate as you think."

"Ok."

As Shiratori Seiya spoke, he led Suzune into the bathroom.

Although it's a single-person apartment, it's not small, especially the bathroom. Because he has a habit of taking baths, he specifically chose a spacious bathroom and bought a bathtub before renting the apartment.

After giving a general introduction, Shiratori Seiya looked at her face and asked:
"Would you like to take a bath? It's still early, I'll run the water for you."

"No need, I'll just take a quick rinse..."

As Hojo Suzune spoke, she turned around and pushed him out of the bathroom, saying shyly:

"Don't come in, I've locked it."

Shiratori Seiya said helplessly:
Do I look like a pervert?

"Fool."

Hojo Suzune stuck out her pink tongue at him, and then the bathroom door slammed shut.

She even brought her kimono with her.

The sound of running water in the bathroom was loud and clear. Shiratori Seiya glanced at the time and figured that by the time Rin finished showering, the cake he ordered would be arriving soon.

After all, she had watched Shion grow up and finally managed to come to Tokyo.

How could he not prepare anything for such an important birthday?
We ordered a cake in advance, spent a lot of money on fireworks, and hired someone to set them off at night.

He carefully considered the location for setting off the fireworks, ensuring that it would be visible from either his home or a park.

It's 3 o'clock now. By the time Suzune finishes washing up and changing into her kimono, it will probably be around 5 o'clock. After eating cake and then going out to watch the fireworks, that would barely be considered passing.

After mentally reviewing the situation and confirming that there were no problems, Shiratori Seiya sat on the sofa and checked his phone.

Time passed slowly, and Hojo Suzune said that she only needed to rinse it once, but the sound of running water lasted for more than half an hour before it stopped.

Then came the sound of a hairdryer blowing.

About half an hour later, the bathroom door finally creaked open. *Thud, thud.*

The girl's footsteps caught Shiratori Seiya's attention.

He looked up, and the first thing that caught his eye was a pair of delicate, pea-sized toes. His gaze moved upwards, and the hem of her kimono revealed the girl's slender, snow-white legs.

However, looking further up reveals a sense of incongruity; the entire kimono is practically draped over her body, especially the puffy, loose area around her waist.

"Kiyoshi, could you help me put on my kimono?"

With one hand pressed against her chest and the other holding her wide belt, Hojo Suzune blinked her watery eyes and cast a pleading look at Shiratori Seiya.

'This is also my birthday request.'

Such an expression was clearly revealed in her alluring eyes.

Whether it was a misperception or not, Shiratori Seiya felt that Rinne's face seemed redder than at noon, and she looked somewhat sickly.

Formal kimonos and yukatas are different; one cannot put them on properly by oneself.

She had probably already prepared herself to have someone help her dress.

Shiratori Seiya had anticipated this, and as he walked behind her, he said:

"I might not be that skilled."

"Um……"

Perhaps the kimono she was wearing suppressed her true nature, as Hojo Suzune was noticeably less active than before.

As I took the belt from her palm, I accidentally touched her fingers.

Shiratori Seiya felt a chill, paused for a moment, frowned, and asked:

Why is it so cold?

Hojo Suzune quickly withdrew her hand and placed it on her face, asking in confusion:

Is it cold? No, it's not.

She paused, then continued explaining to herself:
"He probably just came out, it's normal, right? Don't worry about such small things, hurry up and help me get dressed, we have to go out in a bit..."

Hearing her say that, Shiratori Seiya looked at her suspiciously, met her bright eyes, hesitated for a long time before reaching out to put the belt through her slender waist.

Although it's been a long time since I helped someone put on a kimono, I just checked my phone and brushed up on the technique. The process was a bit bumpy, but once it was tied up, there weren't any problems.

That wasn't all; I also helped her tie her hair into a simple bun.

He had done this countless times for Hojo Shione before, so it was second nature to him.

Hojo Suzune turned around and stood gracefully in front of him, tilting her head slightly and smiling brightly.

In an instant, a completely different temperament emerged from her, unlike her previous naivety.

Shiratori Seiya was taken aback, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
She's grown into a graceful young lady...

'Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling.'

Suddenly, a series of doorbell rings brought Shiratori Seiya back to his senses.

"Wait a moment."

He said something and then quickly walked towards the door.
-
Hojo Suzune stared blankly as Shiratori Seiya arranged the cake on the table, lit the candles, and turned off the living room lights.

Although the sun hadn't completely set yet, there was a semblance of a birthday atmosphere, with the candlelight illuminating their faces.

Shiratori Seiya smiled and looked at Rinne, saying:

"Alright, make a wish."

Hojo Suzune snapped out of her daze, biting her red lips lightly, and said coquettishly, suppressing the soreness in her eyes:
"What? I didn't say I wanted cake. I shouldn't have made a wish beforehand."

"Making a wish in advance?"

"Yes, I made a wish at the shrine halfway up Mount Takao before."

"Then let's make another one."

Upon hearing this, Hojo Suzune pursed her lips and said:

"Ok."

Anyway, it's the same if I make another one.

She closed her eyes, crossed her arms, and after a few seconds opened them, puffed out her cheeks, and blew out all the candles in one breath.

'Clap. '

Shiratori Seiya turned the light back on, reached into his pocket, opened a wooden box, and placed it in front of Hojo Suzune.

Happy birthday, Rin.

The girl didn't speak, her gaze drawn to the necklace in the box.

The necklace wasn't exquisite; it was a short knife carved from some unknown jade material, strung together with a red cord.

"I wish you peace and good health in the future."

Even though she was biting her lip, tears still welled up in her eyes.

Hojo Suzune nodded vigorously, took a deep breath, and managed to calm herself down. She smiled at Shiratori Seiya and said:
"Could you take a picture of me?"

As she spoke, she put the necklace on her fair neck.

"I'll go get the camera."

"You can just use your phone to take the picture if you don't need to."

After Hojo Suzune got into position, Shiratori Seiya raised his phone.

‘Crack. ’

I took several photos, selected the best one, and handed over the phone, saying:
"How is it? Is it alright?"

"Great."

Hojo Suzune answered while holding her phone.

However, as soon as she finished speaking, the smile on her face suddenly disappeared, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she covered her forehead with her hand, about to fall to the side.

"?"

Shiratori Seiya reacted quickly, standing up and supporting her shoulder.

His gaze swept over the sickly flush on her face, his brows furrowed, and he began to have some guesses in his mind.

He reached out to touch her forehead, then touched his own.

Although it wasn't particularly hot, it was clearly a fever.

What the heck? I was just wishing her peace and health, and now she has a fever?

Unable to suppress a mental rant, he helped Hojo Suzune to the sofa and said:

"Wait a minute, I'll go get the first-aid kit."

"..."

Hojo Suzune nodded, squinting as she watched him disappear before her eyes.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she was sure he wasn't paying attention to her.

He quickly grabbed Shiratori Seiya's phone.

I forced myself to stay alert despite feeling dizzy, and first opened my chat window to download an app, then hid it.

Then I opened my contacts...

My fingertips slid across the screen, my gaze settling on the words "Mio Takahashi".

……
-
　Thank you all for reading, voting, and recommending!

　　thank you very much!

　　Thank you to that sick cat for the 500-point donation!
　　Thank you for the 500-point donation from "Don't Like Onions, Ginger, and Garlic"!
　　Thank you for the 100-point reward for discovering 100 ways men lie!
　　Thank you for the 100-point reward from Mercury, who is 18 years old!
　　Thank you to R for the 100-point donation from "This World Is in Danger"!
　　Thank you to PigeonCallingWhiteGugu for the 100-point reward!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)