Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

......

PS: This chapter is worth 10,000 words. I wrote it in an internet cafe while eating. Although it is not as updated as before, I still ask for votes.

Chapter 100: Easy Way to Conquer Takamatsu Deng (?)

Looking at Takamatsu Deng, who was still immersed in her own world and nibbling rice, Kujo Renji was curious and began to look through Miss Toyokawa's memories.

Well... I have to say that, putting aside the family changes and personality distortion that followed, the former Shoko Toyokawa, in some aspects, did fit other people's definition of the image of "white moonlight".

She comes from a privileged family and is extremely talented. Although she is a little reserved like a young lady in her dealings with others, she is also gentle and polite. Especially in front of her truly recognized friends, she occasionally reveals her sincerity and enthusiasm.

Although she is not as good as herself, considering Takamatsu Deng's introverted and sensitive personality, it seems natural that someone like Toyokawa Shoko, who takes the initiative to approach, give encouragement and recognition, would become the "white moonlight" in her heart.

In the fragments of memory, he even saw a very interesting scene.

On the overpass, two girls in school uniforms stood side by side. One of them was junior high school student Toyokawa Shoko, who seemed to be shouting something...

If you listen carefully, it seems to be... "I really want to be a human"?!

He couldn't help but say to the real Toyokawa Shoko deep in his mind, in a teasing and mocking tone:

"Xiao Xiang, what does it mean to want to be human?"

There was a moment of silence in my mind, and then I heard Toyokawa Shoko's embarrassed and angry voice:

"...What do you care!" Her voice was a little weak.

"No wonder you became the 'white moonlight' that Miss Deng couldn't forget."

"Shut up!" Xiangzi was furious. "Don't use those weird words to describe me! And... don't talk about the lamp like that!"

"Okay, okay, I won't tell you."

Jiujo Renji stopped teasing her and returned to a calm tone.

"However, it seems that the 'misunderstanding' between you and this Takamatsu-san is indeed quite deep."

Xiangzi's voice deepened:

"Those things are in the past. Besides, Deng...she is also moving towards a better future."

Kujo Renji didn't say anything else.

Just as Kujo Renji and Toyokawa Shoko were having a brief "communication" in their minds, Takamatsu Deng on the opposite side seemed to have finally mustered up the courage.

She stood up suddenly, and the chair legs made a slight sound as they scraped against the floor.

"Xiao, Xiao Ai...um, Xiao Xiang..."

Her voice was still low, with obvious nervousness and the intention to escape, she didn't even dare to look up at them:

"I, I'm done eating. I'll...I'll leave first."

After she finished speaking, she almost immediately wanted to pick up her plate and turn around to leave. Her eagerness to escape was as if there was some ferocious beast chasing her.

"Huh? Tomorin, are you leaving so soon?"

Seeing this, Chihaya Aine was a little surprised, and subconsciously wanted to ask her to stay, or at least ask her if there was anything urgent.

But Kujo Renji saw Takamatsu Deng's strong desire to "let me go" that was almost overflowing from the screen.

Forcing her to stay would only make her more uncomfortable and embarrassed.

So, before Aine could speak, he spoke in a gentle and considerate tone:

"It's okay. The light should be doing its own thing."

He nodded slightly towards the lamp, with an understanding smile on his face:

"If there's a chance, let's have dinner together next time."

His words were like a pardon, making Takamatsu Deng, who had been stiff, visibly relieved.

She nodded quickly, carrying the plate as if running away, and quickly disappeared into the crowd in the cafeteria.

Watching Deng hurriedly leave, Chihaya Aine's face showed a look of worry. She turned her head and looked at Kujo Renji, wanting to say something but stopping herself:

"Xiaoxiang...light her..."

She originally wanted to explain a few words on Deng's behalf, saying that Deng was not intentionally rude, she was just introverted and...afraid of getting along with Xiaoxiang.

But when the words came to her lips, she hesitated again.

Behind these words, what is involved is CRYCHIC, the past that she does not fully understand, and the complex and delicate relationship between Xiaoxiang and Deng.

As a "latecomer", am I really qualified to explain anything?

I may not know as much as Xiaoxiang himself. The entanglements and knots in this matter cannot be explained in a few words.

Just as Aine was struggling with how to phrase it, Kujo Renji seemed to see through her thoughts and spoke in a gentler and more understanding tone:

"I know, Aine."

His eyes fell on Aine’s face which was filled with worry and bewilderment.

"I have a rough understanding of Deng's personality. What she did just now wasn't directed at anyone, it's just... she's a little uncomfortable."

He paused, and continued in a sincere tone:

"Aine, don't worry about what's going on between us. There are indeed some misunderstandings and rifts between me and Deng... left over from the past. It's not your fault, and it can't be resolved in a short time."

He chuckled and said in a thankful tone:

"But I really appreciate you, Aine. You're willing to worry about what's going on between us and want to work on reconciling... You really are a very gentle child."

Being praised so directly for her "gentleness" by "Xiao Xiang", Chihaya Aine's cheeks turned red in an instant, like a ripe apple.

She lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, playing with the corner of her clothes with her fingers, and muttered softly: "No, no... I, I didn't do anything..."

"No, you did a lot."

Jiujo Liansi shook his head:

"Your presence itself is a positive force for the lights and for... many people."

This compliment, which made no sense but sounded very impressive, made Aine's heart flutter and her cheeks felt hot for a long time.

Xiaoxiang's words are too overwhelming! !

So foul!

At this moment, the bell for class rang. The melodious melody echoed over the cafeteria, interrupting the somewhat subtle atmosphere between the two.

"Ah! Class is about to start!"

Aiyin woke up as if from a dream and quickly picked up her schoolbag and the half-read comic book.

"Xiaoxiang, then, I'll go back to the classroom first!"

"Well, let's go."

Kujo Renji nodded.

"Then...see you this afternoon!"

Aine waved her hand reluctantly before turning around and trotting out of the cafeteria.

Watching Aine's energetic figure disappear at the door, the gentle smile on Kujo Renji's face gradually faded, replaced by his usual calmness.

He cleared his tableware, picked up his plate, and stood up to leave.

........

After hurriedly saying goodbye to Xiaoxiang, Chihaya Aine ran back to her classroom carrying her schoolbag and the half-read comic book.

There was not much time left for lunch break, and she had an English class in the afternoon, which she was not very good at, so she had to adjust her state quickly.

However, once she sat down at her seat, her thoughts drifted back to the scenes in the cafeteria.

When Aiyin thought about how she had seriously discussed the possibility of soul swapping in reality in front of Xiaoxiang, she felt her face getting hot again.

Oh my god! What was I thinking?! This is so embarrassing!

Fortunately, Xiaoxiang did not think she was a weirdo, and he patiently explained the "scientific principles" to her as if he was coaxing a child.

Although... although after she heard Xiaoxiang's words, she seemed to still have a little bit of... indescribable sense of loss in her heart?

Maybe it’s because... the comic book she’s been reading recently is really addictive!

Aine couldn't help but secretly flip through the shojo manga she'd been holding tightly all the way. It was a popular comic among girls recently, titled "Intersecting Parallel Lines ~ Until the Day I Met You ~."

The story tells about an ordinary, introverted, and even somewhat inferior high school girl named "Hara", who, due to an accident, swapped souls with a rebellious bad boy named "Lian" who was famous for fighting in school!

As a result, Lian, now in Huali's body, has to learn how to wear skirts, navigate the complex interpersonal relationships of girls, and even deal with the gentle senior that Huali had a crush on, causing countless hilarious jokes. Huali, now a delinquent "Lian," has to adapt to fighting, skipping classes, and Lian's seemingly menacing friends. Every day is filled with fear, but in the process, she gradually discovers the hidden gentleness and loneliness of Lian beneath her menacing exterior.

In the latest chapter of the comic, the plot is progressing to the love part - the two people who exchanged bodies, after experiencing all kinds of misunderstandings, conflicts and facing difficulties together, seem to have developed different feelings for the soul that "occupies" each other's body.

At the end of the comic, the suspense left is: If one day their souls can be exchanged back, what will happen to the feelings that have sprouted between them?

And after the soul exchange, how will the supporting characters who develop different emotions towards the two of them end up?

Who do they like, the original person, or the "stranger soul" who lived with them day and night and experienced everything together during the exchange?

This question seems to be tailor-made for Chihaya Aion!

Every time she saw this, she couldn't help but put herself in the story and started to have wild thoughts: If... if Xiaoxiang really has another soul living in his body like in the comics... then what exactly do I... like... ?

This thought made her feel guilty and confused. Soul swapping was truly too bizarre! How could it possibly happen in real life?

She shook her head vigorously, trying to drive these unrealistic thoughts out of her mind.

“Aine? What are you looking at? So engrossed?”

A gentle voice sounded beside him.

Aine raised her head and saw the green-haired girl looking at her with some curiosity.

"Ah, Eri!"

Aine quickly closed the comic book, a look of embarrassment on her face, as if she had been caught:

"Nothing, just a comic that's been very popular recently..."

"Is it the book Intersecting Parallel Lines?"

Eri smiled and said, "My sister likes watching it too."

“Huh? Eri knows that too!” Aine’s eyes lit up, and suddenly, on a whim, she said, “Then… Eri, can I ask you a… somewhat strange question?”

"Hmm? What's the problem?" Eri blinked her gentle eyes and waited patiently.

Aiyin hesitated for a moment, thinking it was not a good idea to ask directly about Xiaoxiang, so she decided to use the plot in the comics as an analogy.

She organized her words and asked carefully:

"It's just... hypothetical, just hypothetical! What if... you have an ordinary friend who you knew a long time ago and had a pretty good relationship with, but later on, for some reason, the relationship became a little distant. And then one day, you suddenly discovered... or rather, you suspected... that her body might have... exchanged souls with another person?"

Eri was stunned, but still listened patiently.

"Then what..."

Aine continued, her voice trailing off, "While you were spending time with that 'new' soul, you found yourself...very fond of her, even...considering her your best friend, or 'best friend'. So...here comes the problem."

She took a deep breath and asked the question that had been bothering her for a long time:

"If that's really the case, then who should you choose? If you choose this 'new' soul, then for that 'ordinary friend' before... wouldn't that be considered a betrayal?"

After asking this question, Aine looked at Eri nervously, waiting for her answer.

Eri blinked, seemingly amused by Aine's wild assumption. She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then spoke in a matter-of-fact, slightly cheerful tone:

"If something like this really happened... then 'betrayal' is inevitable."

"Eh?!"

Aine didn't expect Eri to give such a "cruel" answer.

Eri smiled gently and continued to explain:

"Aine, think about it, if it's really like you said, their souls have changed, then they've become two completely different people. You can't think of them as the same person anymore."

"Two...different people?"

"Yes."

Eri nodded. "At least for me, relationships between people are inherently close or distant. Friendships also need to be cultivated and maintained. It doesn't mean that knowing someone earlier is necessarily more important than meeting someone later."