Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

She saw herself clearly.

I saw clearly the extreme desire for light deep in my heart, and... the despicableness that I would do anything for this desire.

"Lian Si..." She whispered the name.

She threw back the quilt and stepped barefoot on the cool floor. The sunlight outside the window was no longer so glaring.

She walked to the window and drew aside the heavy curtains.

The sunlight suddenly poured in, illuminating the entire room.

.

The agreed time is three o'clock in the afternoon.

The location is a safe house designated by "Toyokawa Shoko" located in a high-end apartment building in the city center.

Yutenji Wakamai arrived half an hour early.

She stood downstairs of the apartment building, looking up at the modern building that shone with a cold and hard luster in the sun, her heart beating like a drum.

She dressed up specially today.

It's not the casual T-shirt and jeans that you wear on a daily basis, nor is it the gorgeous and complicated performance costumes that you wear on stage.

She chose a dark blue dress, simple and elegant, yet able to outline the girl's delicate curves. She wore light makeup on her face, and her carefully drawn eyebrows and eyes made her already delicate features even more delicate.

She wanted to make herself look more mature, calmer, or at least not like a frightened kitten.

But the sweat oozing from her palms still betrayed her nervousness.

Enter the elevator and press the designated floor number.

The elevator rose steadily, and in the enclosed space, the only sound was her own slightly rapid breathing.

With a "ding" sound, the elevator door opened.

She took a deep breath and walked out.

Following the instructions in the message, she found the corresponding door.

The door was dark in color, without any unnecessary decorations, and exuded a cold aura that kept strangers away.

She raised her hand and was about to knock on the door, but it opened from the inside.

The person who opened the door was "Toyokawa Shoko", or rather, it was Kujo Renji who occupied Toyokawa Shoko's body.

He was wearing a fitted black shirt with two buttons undone at the collar, revealing a small patch of fair skin and delicate collarbone.

"Ms. Yutenji, you are very punctual."

His voice was the clear voice that was unique to Xiangzi, but his tone was so steady that it didn't sound like that of a teenage girl.

Yutenji Wakamai felt his heart skip a beat the moment he heard this name.

She forced herself to calm down: "Xiaoxiang..."

She still used the band's name, and didn't dare change it without clear instructions.

Kujo Renji moved sideways to let her in.

The interior decoration of the apartment is in a minimalist modern style.

Black, white and grey are the main tones, with strong lines and not many pieces of furniture, but each piece exudes low-key luxury.

"sit down."

"What would you like to drink?" he asked without turning his head.

"I...I'll just drink some water."

Yutenji Wakamu sat somewhat awkwardly on the edge of the sofa, his hands clasped nervously on his knees.

Jiujo Renji didn't force her. He poured himself a glass of juice, then took out a bottle of mineral water from the refrigerator and placed it on the coffee table in front of her.

He held the wine glass and sat down on the single sofa opposite Ruomai.

Legs crossed, posture casual.

For a moment, the living room fell into silence.

There was only the slight sound of ice cubes clinking in the wine glass, and... Ruomai's own heartbeat which was getting louder and louder.

She knew he was observing her, examining her inch by inch with eyes that seemed to penetrate everything.

This feeling made her feel very uncomfortable.

"Yutenji-san..."

Finally, he spoke, breaking the suffocating silence. His voice was calm, with no emotion in his voice:

"The story of 'The King and the Witch' you told me last time was very interesting."

coming!

Yutenji Ruomai's heart suddenly tightened. She knew this was the beginning of a test.

She tried to make her voice sound calmer:

"It's just... a random fable I came across. I thought it was a little... special, so I told it to Xiaoxiang."

"Special?" Jiujo Renji raised an eyebrow, a smile on his face: "What's special about it?"

"that is..."

Yutenji Ruomai's mind raced, trying to find the right words:

"I just feel that the general is... a little pathetic. He possesses immense power, but all he cares about is his dependence on the king."

She deliberately led the conversation towards sympathy for the witches, trying to conceal her true intention when she told the story.

"is it?"

Jiujo Renji gently swirled the wine glass in his hand, and the golden juice left streaks on the glass wall. "I think that general is quite ambitious."

Yutenji Wakamu felt beads of sweat begin to appear on his forehead.

"Ambition... maybe," she replied vaguely, "Everyone's understanding of the story may be different."

"Well then, Miss Yutenji..."

Jiujo Renji put down the cup and leaned forward slightly:

"Do you think that if that general really got what she wanted...for example, the king's trust, or even...a portion of power, would he be satisfied?"

The girl felt that Jiujo Renji was pushing her towards the cliff step by step.

And this is exactly Kujo Renji's strategy.

He wanted to gradually approach the girl's psychological defenses, and use a strong attitude to force Yutenji Wakami to panic and reveal more things.

Yutenji Wakamu forced herself to meet his gaze, even though it made her feel a wave of palpitations:

"I...I don't know. People are hard to please, aren't they?"

"well said."

Jiujo Renji suddenly smiled. But that smile didn't reach his eyes:

“People are never satisfied. Some people, after getting the moon, still want the stars.”

His words were meaningful.

Yutenji Wakamu's heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and she could hardly breathe.

She knew that he had seen through her.

We can't be passive like this anymore!

She must do something to break this completely oppressive situation!

She took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and took the initiative to fight back:

"Xiao Xiang asked me to come here today. It shouldn't be just to discuss a fable, right?"

Kujo Renji looked at her, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, as if to say, "Finally, this is interesting."

"Of course more than that."

He leaned back on the sofa, his posture returning to its previous composure.

"I'd like to know, Yutenji-san, what do you think of me... or rather, of the current 'Toyokawa Shoko'?"

Here we go! More direct questions!

Yutenji Wakamu felt that the palms of his hands were already wet.

"Xiao Xiang... has become stronger."

She chose her words carefully and answered cautiously:

"Both his musical talent and his ability to lead a band are truly admirable."

She tried to use some positive words to express her "loyalty".

"Just admiration?" Kujo Renji's tone was a little playful. "I thought you would have some... other ideas."

"For example..." He paused, his gaze fixed on her face as if it were real: "For example, doubt? Confusion? Even... fear?"

Every word was like a small hammer, hitting Yutenji Wakami's tense nerves.

She knew that there was no point in pretending to be stupid any longer.

He had already broken half of the window paper.

Rather than being pushed step by step into a corner by him, it is better to...

Yutenji Wakamu raised her head and looked him straight in the eyes, her tone filled with a hint of determination. "What do you want me to think?"

The corners of Jiujo Liansi's mouth slowly curled up, forming a dangerous and charming arc.

"I hope you tell the truth."

He said.

Then he stood up and walked towards Yutenji Ruomai step by step.

His figure seemed a little blurry in the backlight, but it carried a suffocating sense of oppression.

Every step seemed to be stepping on the heart of Yutenji Wakamaki.

Her breathing began to quicken, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.

It’s over.

These two words were the only ones in her mind.

Kujo Renji stood in front of her.

His hand slowly rose and reached towards her cheek.

His fingertips, cold and with a faint electric current, gently touched her cheek.

At that moment, Yutenji Wakamu felt his brain went blank.

All rationality collapsed at this moment.

An unprecedented panic and confusion swept over her whole body.

"Kujo, Ren... Renji!"

This name almost came out of my mouth!

With a trembling voice, with fear, and also with a hint of... a desperate madness that she herself didn't even notice!

The moment she called out this name, Yutenji Wakamugi seemed to have lost all her strength. She swayed and almost fell.

Kujo Renji paused.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

He anticipated many possible reactions from Yutenji Wakamaki: panic, denial, or even... resistance.

But he didn't expect that she would call out this name directly.

This should have been the biggest secret in her heart, and also the name of his biggest flaw.

The air seemed to freeze at this moment.