Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

"Aine, have you ever thought that maybe...some things would be easier if you didn't know the truth?"

His voice had a magical power that could bewitch people.

"It's like... watching a great magic show. If you knew all the magician's secrets and tricks, wouldn't the surprise and fun be greatly reduced?"

"Sometimes, being a little 'muddle-headed' can actually help us enjoy the present moment more purely. Isn't that right?"

Chihaya Aine listened in a daze. His words were like a key that quietly opened a room in her heart that had been locked for a long time.

Yes... If she didn't know about the existence of those "labels" and the terrible speculation about "soul possession", would she be able to enjoy the time with Xiaoxiang without any scruples now?

Could she now treat him as her most important and trusted friend as before and confide all her troubles and joys to him?

What if...what if she chooses to "forget it for now"?

What if she chose not to break that thin layer of window paper and let all this...false, yet slightly sweet illusion, continue for the time being?

This idea, like a dangerous seed, once took root in her heart, began to grow wildly.

She knew that this was an escape and a self-deception.

But... she couldn't help but be tempted by the momentary peace brought by this "escape".

She was greedy for the feeling of being treated gently by "Xiaoxiang".

She was afraid that once that layer of window paper was broken, everything... would burst in an instant like a bubble.

That guilty conscience, that complexity, that greed...all kinds of emotions, like a tangled mess, intertwined in her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Kujo Renji looked at her quietly without saying another word.

He knew that he had put the choice in her hands.

Whether she chooses to face the cruel truth or indulge in false tenderness depends on herself.

And he had enough confidence that this kind, soft-hearted girl who desperately wanted to be loved and recognized would make...the choice he expected.

After a long while, Chihaya Aine took a deep breath, as if she had finally made up her mind.

She raised her head and looked at Jiujo Renji, a smile that seemed a little forced but with a hint of relief on her face.

"Xiao Xiang..."

She said, her voice still a little hoarse, but no longer panicked and frightened:

"The ramen...is getting cold. Let's...eat it quickly."

She didn't answer his question, nor did she mention those "labels" and "secrets" again.

She simply brought the topic back to the ordinary bowl of ramen in front of her in an almost evasive way.

But Kujo Renji knew that she had made her choice.

A choice that satisfies him.

The corners of his mouth slowly curled up into an imperceptible arc of victory.

"Well, eat quickly." He responded with a smile and picked up the chopsticks again.

The night outside the window deepened. The lights in the ramen shop remained dim and warm. The rich aroma of tonkotsu broth still filled the air.

Two girls, or rather, a girl and a man who occupied the girl's body, sat opposite each other, eating ramen in silence.

After a thrilling "confrontation", the atmosphere returned to a superficial calm.

In Chihaya Aine's heart, the door to the "truth" was gently closed a crack by herself.

What showed through that gap was her guilty desire for this "fake" friendship, and a little bit of luck that she did even though she knew it was impossible.

......

After eating ramen, the two walked side by side on the way home.

The night breeze blew, bringing with it the unique freshness of autumn, and also blew away some of the depression that had accumulated in my heart.

Chihaya Aine felt much more relaxed than when she arrived. Although her doubts and fears about "Xiao Xiang" had not completely disappeared, Kujo Renji's clever guidance and his unquestionable, protective promise were like a powerful tranquilizer, temporarily calming the waves in her heart.

She secretly raised her head, and her eyes once again uncontrollably glanced at the top of the head of "Toyokawa Shoko" beside her.

Still those frightening words, [Kanto Underground Emperor], [Yakuza Arbitrator], [Black Gold Manipulator]

These labels are like a group of crows hovering over Xiangzi's head, exuding an ominous aura.

But the strange thing is, looking at these labels again at this moment, Chihaya Aine found that they seemed... no longer as hateful and scary as before.

Perhaps it was because she had already felt a hint of... "warmth" from the owners of these labels, which was completely different from these cold words?

Or perhaps, subconsciously, she has begun to accept what Kujo Renji said, "Labels cannot define a person"?

she does not know.

only...

Huh?

Chihaya Aine's eyes suddenly widened slightly.

She seemed to...see a new label?

The label was very light in color and flashed by so quickly that she thought she was dazzled.

She blinked and tried to look more carefully, but she couldn't find it.

"Maybe...I saw it wrong."

She muttered quietly, but didn't take it too seriously. After all, the labels that already existed were enough to give her a headache.

After parting with "Xiao Xiang" at the station, Chihaya Aine walked slowly on the way home alone.

The street light stretched her shadow very long, which was then cut off by the next street light, repeating over and over again, just like her chaotic thoughts at the moment.

The evening breeze blew on her face, bringing some coolness, but it couldn't blow away the inexplicable heat in her heart.

She suddenly felt... a little despicable.

Yes, despicable.

She couldn't deny that in the ramen shop just now, when "Xiao Xiang" spoke those words in a gentle and sincere tone, which seemed to be true but hit the softest part of her heart, her heart... was shaken.

She was greedy for the time she spent with her current "Xiaoxiang".

I crave the maturity and wisdom he occasionally reveals, the feeling of being valued and understood that he gives me, and even... I crave the strength in him that carries a hint of danger.

Moreover, there is no doubt that she is deliberately "ignoring" the earth-shaking changes that have taken place in Xiaoxiang.

Even if the other party's performance is close to "showdown"

——He did not deny those terrible labels, and even hinted that he was carrying a "heavy responsibility"

Chihaya Aine still chooses to pretend that she knows nothing.

She chose not to break that thin layer of window paper.

She chose to keep this fake yet strangely sweet friendship going for the time being.

By doing this...is it a betrayal to the "real" Shoko Toyokawa?

If the soul named "Kujo Renji" truly resides within Xiaoxiang's body, then does her current "acquiescence" and "cooperation" amount to...acknowledging the existence of this "occupier"? Does it also mean...giving up on finding the "real" Xiangzi?

This thought made her feel a little guilty.

But...

What would happen if she really broke that window paper?

If she questioned "Xiao Xiang's" true identity, if she told more people about her suspicions...

How would that "Kujo Renji" treat her?

She couldn't imagine it.

And...if the current "Xiaoxiang" disappears, that gentle and considerate "best friend" who would accompany her to eat strong-flavored ramen and would advise her not to care about labels, will he...never come back?

When she thought of this, her heart felt like it was being tightened by an invisible hand, and waves of fine pain came over her.

She doesn't want to lose the current "Xiaoxiang".

Even if this friendship is false, even if this closeness is built on lies.

She also...can't bear to do it.

“Ah ...

Chihaya Aine rubbed her cheeks vigorously, trying to drive out the tangled and conflicting thoughts from her mind.

She quickened her pace and returned to her home.

At the entrance, her mother had already prepared slippers for her. The air was filled with the aroma of food.

Everything was as usual, warm and peaceful.

But beneath this calm appearance, she hides the turbulent waves in her heart.

She decided to take a shower first, using the hot water to wash away her fatigue and...the thoughts that made her feel guilty and uneasy.

The bathroom was filled with steam.

Warm water poured down from the top of her head, wrapping around her body and bringing a brief comfort.

She closed her eyes and let the water wash over her cheeks, as if wanting to wash away all those chaotic thoughts.

After taking a shower and changing into clean pajamas, Chihaya Aine felt a little more awake.

She walked to the sink and prepared to blow-dry her hair.

In the mirror, she reflected her slightly chubby, childish face. Her long pink hair clung to her cheeks, and her grey eyes were hazy from the moisture.

She looked at herself in the mirror and was stunned for a while.

Suddenly, her gaze froze.

In the mirror... above her own head...

A... a pale golden, vague text box was floating there!

Eh? ?!

Chihaya Aine's eyes opened wide in an instant!

This... is this a label?!

She even has a label on her head...?!

This is the first time that Chihaya Aine sees the label on her head!

In the past, she could only see the labels on other people’s heads, but never thought that she would have one too!

She subconsciously stretched out her hand, wanting to touch the text box, but her fingers passed through without any hindrance.

The label just hung there quietly, like a silent declaration.

Chihaya Aine's heart began to beat wildly uncontrollably.

She squinted her eyes, trying hard to see what was written on it.

The label was very light in color and the font was a little blurry, and it looked even more vague under the mist.

She leaned in close to the mirror, almost pressing her nose against the cool glass.

For a long time...for a long time...

She finally...deciphered the words above——

【Kujo Renji's Loyal Dog】

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh?

.......

The night is like a huge piece of velvet soaked in ink, hanging heavily over the sky of Tokyo, the city that never sleeps.

The halo of the street lamps spread in the humid air, stretching the figures of pedestrians into strange shapes and adding a bit of bizarre urban feeling.

The warmth brought by the bowl of steaming ramen just now has not completely dissipated from the body. The evening breeze blowing on my face does not feel very cold.

Kujo Renji and Chihaya Aine exchanged a few pleasantries at the entrance of the ramen shop before parting ways.

After watching the pink figure disappear around the corner, he slowly walked to a lonely vending machine on the side of the road.