Why wasn't I the one who got the male lead's script?

"Yeah, yeah..." (stiff smile)

"Really, Senior! Act a little happier."

Standing in front of the photo booth machine, Xingjian made a forced "yeah" gesture with a smile and pulled the corners of his mouth, completely ignoring Isseki who was pouting and looking at him angrily and dissatisfiedly.

"Your smile looked so fake in the photos we just took. Can you please be more serious? Seriously. This photoshoot is quite expensive."

She tugged at Xingjian's sleeve somewhat indignantly, then took the initiative to move closer and stare at the camera of the machine - although this action was proactive and easy to be misunderstood, but Isshiki actually looked more like she wanted to take a photo that she was satisfied with.

Helplessly, Xingjian had to cooperate with her and forced a smile, then relaxed his brows to make his expression look less stiff.

After a click, wait a few seconds and the photo will slide out from the exit.

"Well, this time it's okay. At least Senpai looks like a normal person instead of a kidnapped machine."

"So I've always been a machine in your eyes..."

Xingjian withdrew his hand with a look of despair when Isshiki was busy flipping through the photos, and then took a look at the photo of the two of them leaning against each other in the profile picture.

"I didn't expect you to like these things, Isshiki."

"What kind of existence do the seniors think of me?"

"Well...if I have to say it...I think she's a girl who likes to act according to other people's wishes, but she doesn't have any bad intentions."

Originally, my impression of Isshiki was that he was the kind of person who would try every possible means to make others like him, pursue various fashion trends, and shape himself to cater to the eyes of others.

But in fact, she seems to be just an ordinary girl who willfully drags her boyfriend to retake her profile picture again and again because she is not satisfied with the result, and will smile happily when she gets a satisfactory photo.

"Eh... it's not a derogatory term to act according to other people's expressions, right? In this environment where school is like a small society, isn't learning to read people's expressions a basic skill?"

Isshiki put away the sweet smile that usually appeared on her face. Instead, a melancholy and fatigue appeared on her face at this moment, making her delicate face, which still had a bit of childishness, look a little depressed.

"Not everyone is like you, Senior... who can go through something like that and still remain calm and composed..."

"Well?"

"It happened not long ago. Don't you remember it?"

Isshiki paused for a moment, and then hesitantly started the topic that might not be very friendly to Xingjian.

"It's about that time when you... didn't have a good reputation in school."

"Oh, you're talking about the trouble that Tomoya Aki caused."

By the way, Isshiki is not completely willful and does not consider other people's feelings. When he mentioned that incident, he was still worried that Hoshimi would feel uncomfortable, so he used some unclear, ambiguous and restrained words to describe it.

"If you're asking why I can still ignore those rumors as if nothing happened...it's actually very simple."

Hoshimi calmly took the photo sticker handed to him by Isshiki and looked at his expression in the photo - it did seem a bit stupid.

"In the final analysis, there's no need for me to feel ashamed of something I didn't do. The one who should be ashamed is Aki, who did those things. If someone can't even discern that, then I don't care what they say about me... Hey, my expression in this photo looks really dumb."

He spoke his thoughts nonchalantly, but Isshiki beside him was a little dazed, and then his expression gradually became complicated.

"...You have such an enviable insensitivity. You don't care what others think. It sounds simple, but it's not easy to do."

"What's wrong with being a little slow? Besides, as long as you successfully convince yourself, you won't need to take anything others say to heart."

The black-haired boy returned the photo to Isshiki and glanced at her disapprovingly.

“If you live your whole life in the eyes of others and cannot be yourself, are you living for yourself or for their eyes?”

"------"

Noticing that Isshiki's expression was slightly dull, Xingjian immediately coughed lightly.

"Well, that might sound preachy, but that's not my intention. The bottom line is, don't give up your comfort zone to others and force yourself to do things that please others but you don't like. Ultimately, being comfortable with yourself is the most important thing."

"...Pfft."

"...was there anything funny in what I just said?"

"No, no, I just really didn't expect such words to come from a guy like you who looks like a nobody. So I can't help but have a slightly different opinion of you, huh?"

"Hearing this kind of words will only make the person being praised feel unhappy, so Isshiki, please say less next time."

Besides, you don't need to change your mind.

"Don't worry~ I'd only say such harsh words to you, Senior."

"That seems even more excessive."

They walked out of the photo booth room, bantering with each other. In the eyes of those around them, they looked like an ordinary couple strolling leisurely through the crowded streets of the amusement park.

Although this amusement park is newly built, it has a complete range of recreational facilities.

Roller coaster, pirate ship, Ferris wheel, bumper car, carousel - in short, there are all kinds of projects with tourists of all ages enjoying them, so you have to wait in line for a while.

"Okay, then next up is the roller coaster...!"

Isse, who took out a small notebook and started writing and drawing, still looked energetic, but Xingjian seemed a little dull.

"Hey, you... you've been playing all day, how come you're not tired at all?"

"Hmm? Because today I'm going to do everything I've wanted to do but haven't done yet. The anticipation is greater than the fatigue, right?"

"We can always do these things later...why do we have to pile them up all day?"

"Because there won't be such an opportunity again in the future."

Isshiki, who was standing in the queue for the roller coaster with Hoshimi, put away his notebook and a smile appeared on his face again.

""

[Futaba Line] Different Paths to the Same Destination: Chapter 5: The End of One-Day Lovers (Part 2)

"After all, Senior, your mind is not on me at all."

"...So you actually know everything. Then why do you continue to make me accompany you in this boring drama?"

“…Yes, why?”

She lowered her head somewhat melancholy, but finally put a refreshing smile back on her lips as if nothing had happened.

"I think it must be because I can't stand being lonely."

"........."

Then why do you always pretend to be innocent and play the pig to eat the tiger? If it were someone else, they would have surrendered long ago with that sweet and cute smile.

"Well...it doesn't have to be me. Why not just let someone you really like take you out to play? Wouldn't it be better to let someone you truly like go on a date with you?"

The black-haired boy touched the back of his head, then turned his gaze towards the queue for the Ferris wheel, which was favored by many couples.

"But then again, I can imagine you, Isshiki, must be into the kind of handsome, gentle, and popular prince-type characters... well, your requirements are a bit high."

"What are you talking about, Senpai? That's quite hurtful. Are you implying that I'm unworthy of such a popular character?"

"Well... Anyway, you just like the type that shines like stars, right?"

Xingjian sighed helplessly, then turned his head to look directly at Isshiki, who had a slightly dissatisfied expression.

"But the truly important things are invisible to the naked eye."

"… This kind of thing is definitely known to everyone."

Not sure if her thoughts were exposed or for some other reason, but the flaxen-haired girl looked away bewilderedly, slightly frowning her long eyebrows.

"But everyone likes dazzling things, right?"

A person who is handsome, gentle and considerate like the moon surrounded by stars will definitely be very popular wherever he goes.

And if you can fall in love with such a person, this relationship will definitely be an experience that others will envy.

"so--"

"idiot."

The black-haired boy rudely said these two words to the girl with his eyes half-closed, and his expression did not soften at all.

"Ha ha?"

Naturally, Isshiki, who had never been treated so ruthlessly before, was stunned for a moment, and then obvious shame, anger and confusion appeared on his face.

"Hey, you want to date someone because you like him, or do you want to date him because everyone likes him?"

"Well……"

"In any case, has this fawning mindset become ingrained in you? Can matters like love be swayed by competitiveness and herd mentality?"

After mercilessly blasting all of Isshiki's "crimes" as if to vent his emotions, Xingjian let out a weak sigh, lowered his head and supported his chin with his hand.

"Really...why on earth did I put Futaba aside for now and play house with you?"

If it were in the past, Hoshimi, who never took what others said too seriously, might have just laughed off Isshiki's idea - after all, at that time he could be said to be a love novice who knew nothing about matters of the heart.

But that’s not the case now.

My mood will be led by someone's every move, and I will often care more about the other person's feelings than my own. Every time I finish the work at hand, the other person's face will appear first in my mind——

When I think of her, my ordinary life becomes much easier and happier, as if every day is the most gentle and sunny and coolest summer night in the endless summer.

It was with this thought in mind that he uttered the words of confession that he thought he would never have the chance to say in his lifetime.

In Issei's eyes, what's more important is actually the value and pleasure that can be added to oneself after interacting with outstanding people?

"Don't underestimate a serious relationship, you young high school girl."

"...So it's Futaba-senpai after all."

Isshiki just hummed softly, his calm expression as if he was stating a fact that he was well aware of.

"Yeah, I was actually dating her seriously—but when I came to my senses, I found myself becoming your boyfriend without realizing it."

Xingjian curled the corners of his mouth. At this point, there was actually nothing to hide.

"...So that's it."

Isseki pondered for a while with a gloomy expression, and then, somewhat unexpectedly, he said—

I bowed my head slightly and apologized to him.

"That's indeed a bit unfair to you, Senior."

"........."

What a trick this guy is playing.

"But this was somewhat unexpected. Actually... I'm in the same state as well."

When I came to my senses, I found myself interacting with the other person without realizing it.

"...So this also happened to you unconsciously?"

"Uh-huh……"

Looking at Isshiki's vaguely uneasy and slightly apologetic look, it certainly didn't look like he was lying.

"So if I've caused you any trouble, Senior... I'm truly sorry."

Although Isshiki usually has the image of a frivolous little devil who loves to tease others, he still seems to be able to clean up his own mess frankly - although he still looks uneasy.

“Well, well…”

This also made Xingjian reluctant to treat her with a tough attitude. For a moment, he scratched the back of his head feeling a little at a loss.

"I'm not sure if my explanation will convince you, but this isn't really your problem... and ultimately, this kind of paranormal phenomenon isn't something you can control."

"Paranalyst phenomenon... How could Senior know about it?"

"Ha, I've experienced so many paranormal phenomena. This kind of paranormal phenomenon is difficult to explain, and I don't want to say too much to people who are not involved... But since you've been involved, Isshiki, it's not a bad idea to explain a little."

The black-haired boy waved his hand nonchalantly, then glanced casually around at the people coming and going.

"Simply put, this paranormal phenomenon causes reality to develop in the direction of a certain wish you want to achieve. To put it more simply, it distorts reality to achieve the purpose of fulfilling your desired wish."

And the expression on Yi Se's face, which was originally a little surprised, gradually became interesting.

"Could it be that even after knowing all this, Senior still chose to agree to my request?"

"Well, isn't it obvious? Isshiki, what you're dreaming of is surely a relationship that's not just ordinary but also fulfilling, right? I know I'm not some dazzling celebrity—but at least I was somewhat famous in the past due to some embarrassing incidents, so it's completely understandable that you came to me."

He paused, then spoke his most important thought.

"However, relying solely on yearning for beautiful fantasies and the indifferent opinions of others will not allow you to determine your own direction."

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