Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

Jiujo Renji smiled slightly, that smile was peaceful and warm:

"No, I just arrived."

As if she didn't know what to say, Chihaya Aine's eyes wandered a little, and she said casually:

"Come to think of it, Xiaoxiang said last time that this restaurant is very much to your liking."

“So I thought, let’s come here this time.”

When she finished speaking, she probably remembered some interesting past events, and her tone became a little more lively, but her eyes still did not dare to look at Jiujo Rensi for a long time.

Hearing this, Jiujo Liansi felt inexplicably touched.

This "touching" feeling certainly includes the relief of not having to endure the bland ramen from that internet-famous restaurant, but more importantly, it is an appreciation of the delicate thoughts of the girl in front of me...?

Kujo Renji thought to himself as he looked at her trying to act like usual but still revealing guilt and nervousness everywhere.

Chihaya-san's acting skills weren't particularly impressive. The panic and anxiety she felt from having discovered a "secret" were clearly written on her face.

He didn't point it out, but just smiled and nodded: "Then let's go in."

As he spoke, he took the lead in lifting the door curtain.

The store still had that familiar look.

Dim lights, a greasy bar, yellowed posters covering the walls, and a few middle-aged men slurping noodles.

Perhaps because it wasn't the peak meal time yet, there were fewer customers in the store than last time.

The bald boss was still wearing the greasy apron. When he saw them come in, he just raised his eyelids slightly as a greeting, then lowered his head and went back to his own business.

This kind of hospitality, which was neither too close nor too distant and had a bit of "stubbornness", made Kujo Renji feel somewhat at ease.

The two of them sat down at the same spot at the bar where they had sat last time.

Chihaya Aine seemed a little embarrassed, with her hands resting uneasily on her knees. From time to time, she would secretly glance at Kujo Renji beside her, then quickly look away.

"Xiao Xiang...you...what do you want to eat?"

She picked up the equally greasy menu, her voice a little tense, and tried to break the slightly awkward silence by ordering.

Kujo Renji didn't look at the menu. He just turned his head and looked at Chihaya Aine's evasive eyes. There was a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, but his tone was as calm as ever.

"Aine, you look... a little nervous?"

This sudden, direct question, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirred ripples in Chihaya Aine's heart. She raised her head abruptly, her cheeks flushing bright red, her eyes becoming even more flustered, and she waved her hands repeatedly, saying:

"Eh? No, no! I... I'm not nervous at all! Ahaha... maybe... maybe it's because the weather is a little hot today!"

As she spoke, she tried to fan herself with her hands, pretending to be calm. However, her slightly trembling fingertips and her voice becoming increasingly quiet made her defense seem pale and powerless.

Jiujo Liansi looked at her, trying to hide her true intentions, and laughed inwardly, but his face still showed a gentle and concerned expression:

"Really? If you're not feeling well, don't force yourself."

"No, no, no! I'm not feeling well! I'm fine! Very good!"

Afraid that he would misunderstand, Chihaya Aine quickly denied it, her voice rising a few notches with her urgency, causing an older man who was drinking beer next to them to look at them curiously.

Realizing her own loss of composure, Chihaya Aine's face turned even redder, and she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. She lowered her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito:

"I...I'm just...just a little...um...hungry!"

"So I'm hungry."

Kujo Renji nodded as if suddenly realizing something, with a hint of understanding in his tone:

"Then let's order quickly. I remember Aine ordered chashu ramen last time?"

"Ah...yes! Yes!" Chihaya Aine responded quickly as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw.

Then, Kujo Renji said to the boss in a familiar manner:

"Boss, one triple spicy tonkotsu ramen, with firm noodles, salty vegetables, double the minced garlic, and lots of oil. Also, one regular chashu ramen."

Upon hearing this, the bald boss raised his head and glanced between Kujo Renji and Chihaya Aine. A barely perceptible smile appeared on his "stubborn" face, and he responded with full energy:

"Okay! One special strong flavor, one regular flavor! Wait a minute!"

Hearing the boss's teasing look, Chihaya Aine's cheeks felt hot again, but the tension in her heart dissipated a little unconsciously.

At least...Xiaoxiang is still the same as Xiaoxiang, and likes to eat that kind of "wild" ramen. This does not seem to have changed because of his "terrible guesses".

While waiting for ramen, Kujo Renji did not rush to get to the point, but casually chatted with Chihaya Aine about some interesting things in school, the band's rehearsals, and some popular music and movies.

He noticed that when Chihaya Aine talked about her favorite fashion bloggers, new cosmetics, or some cute accessories, her eyes would unconsciously sparkle, and that kind of genuine love could not be faked.

When talking about the hard work of band practice or some complicated music theory, her eyes would reveal subtle fatigue and... a hint of confusion.

Soon, two bowls of steaming ramen were served.

It still has the familiar "ferocious" appearance, which forms a sharp contrast with the mediocre bowl of char siu ramen.

"I'm gonna start now!"

Jiujo Renji picked up his chopsticks and, without hesitation, scooped up a large handful of noodles soaked in red oil and minced garlic, slurping them up with satisfaction. The familiar, overbearing, rich, spicy, and salty aroma once again filled his mouth, causing him to squint in pleasure.

In his mind, Toyokawa Shoko's crying voice of protest, "It's so spicy! My tongue is going to break!", also arrived as expected, adding a different kind of "fun" to this delicious ramen.

Chihaya Aine ate her ramen in small bites, but her eyes couldn't help but glance at Kujo Renji and the bowl of red "Hell Ramen" in front of him.

"Xiao Xiang..."

She hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but ask:

"You...you seem to really like spicy food?"

Jiujo Renji swallowed the noodles in his mouth, took a sip of the ice water beside him, and then said with a smile:

"Yeah, I guess so. Maybe they think that this stimulating taste can make people forget their troubles for a while?"

When Chihaya Aine heard this, her heart moved slightly.

Troubles...Does Xiaoxiang...also have troubles?

Is it because of...what's behind those "labels"?

She suddenly remembered what Kujo Renji had said about "labels" when they parted last time.

He said that labels cannot define a person, what matters is the true self.

But now, when she knew the possible heavier and more dangerous "labels" on "Xiaoxiang", could she still believe those words as easily as she did last time?

“Aine.”

Just as Chihaya Aine was lost in thought, Kujo Renji's voice sounded again, interrupting her thoughts.

"You seem to be worried about something today?"

Chihaya Aine's heart skipped a beat and the chopsticks in her hand almost fell into the bowl.

She hurriedly raised her head and met Kujo Renji's eyes that seemed to see through everything. She opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

Admit it? Admit that you knew his "secret"? Admit that you felt fear and insecurity because of those "labels"?

No... No! If Xiaoxiang really was that... that "Kanto Underground Emperor," then wouldn't doing this be tantamount to provoking him? The consequences... She simply couldn't imagine it!

However, if she didn't say it, she would feel suffocated.

The feeling of carrying a huge secret but pretending nothing happened in front of the other person is really torturous.

Looking at the girl's dilemma, Kujo Renji thought the time was almost right.

He put down his chopsticks, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice a bit, with a sense of intimacy that only the two of them could hear:

"Aine, do you remember what I said last time when we were eating ramen here?"

Chihaya Aine was stunned for a moment when she heard this, then nodded. Of course she remembered.

"I said, we are not made of those labels."

Jiujo Renji's eyes were gentle yet firm: "Whether it's the 'label' you see of me or the 'label' others put on you, it doesn't matter."

"I know you may have heard or seen something recently that confused you or even frightened you."

Kujo Renji's wording was very clever. He didn't point it out directly, but at the same time, he hinted at what he had noticed: "Those things may sound strange, incredible, and even... dangerous."

Chihaya Aine unconsciously held her breath.

She could feel that Xiaoxiang...or rather, the person in front of her, was touching upon the secret that frightened her step by step.

"But, Aine,"

Kujo Renji's tone suddenly became extremely serious:

"I want you to know that no matter what you heard or saw, I am still the 'Xiao Xiang' you know."

He paused, as if he was considering his words, or as if he was giving her time to digest them.

"Perhaps... I'm not as simple as you think. Perhaps... I really am carrying something... that you can't understand for the time being."

"But my kindness towards you and my cherishment of you are real. I hope you can be my friend, and this feeling is also real."

He reached out his hand and gently placed it on the back of Chihaya Aine's hand that was resting on the bar.

His hands were a little cold, but they held a reassuring strength.

"Aine, you are a very kind, hardworking, and lovely girl."

This action gave Aine a subtle, electric-like sensation:

"You deserve to be treated gently, and you deserve happiness and joy. I don't want you to lose this joy because of some... unnecessary speculation and fear."

Chihaya Aine stared at him blankly, feeling the cool temperature on the back of his hand.

She could feel that Xiaoxiang...or rather, the "Jiujo Liansi" who occupied Xiaoxiang's body, was conveying some information to her in a way she had never imagined.

He did not deny the existence of those "labels", and even... to a certain extent, acknowledged their authenticity.

But he was also telling her not to be afraid and not to distance herself from him because of this.

He was telling her that his friendship for her was genuine.

This feeling... is amazing.

Chihaya Aine pursed her lips.

She wanted to express her guess about "soul possession", but found it difficult to say it.

Jiujo Renji seemed to have seen through her thoughts. He changed the subject and his tone became relaxed again:

"Aine, do you think that I am different now than the 'Toyokawa Shoko' before?"

Upon hearing this, Chihaya Aine subconsciously began to recall.

The previous Xiangzi was gentle, elegant, and talented, but also a little...out of reach.

Although I can't say it's inhumane, I always feel like... there's an invisible veil between us.

And now "Xiao Xiang"... will stand up for me when I'm in danger. She will remember what I like, will accompany me to eat that "hardcore" ramen, will enlighten me in a unique way when I'm confused, and will give me peace of mind when I'm afraid.

She seems... more approachable? And... more real?

"Now...Xiaoxiang..."

Chihaya Aine spoke hesitantly.

She racked her brains but could only come up with these poor adjectives, and in the end she said nothing.

Seeing this, Kujo Renji asked directly:

"Do you like 'me' now?"

This question, like an electric current, instantly struck Chihaya Aine's heart.

Do you like...?

she does not know.

She only knew that, although she would occasionally feel nervous and scared when she was with the current "Xiao Xiang", more often than not, she would feel an unprecedented sense of security and a sense of being valued.

She would be happy all day because of his compliment, would feel warm because of his smile, and would no longer feel lonely because of his company.

This feeling...is it considered love?

Looking at the girl's conflicted and somewhat shy look, Kujo Renji knew that his "psychological strategy" had been half successful.

He did not press the issue further, but instead steered the topic in another direction: