Am I being simulated by their love affair?

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The girl pondered for a moment, "Is it because of Mochizuki-san?"

"Ah."

Although he had reminded Mochizuki not to be too intimate at school, the willful girl certainly wouldn't listen completely.

Just like the time Tomatsu Yuka explained math problems to him before, Mochizuki Haruka would appear around the two of them from time to time, asserting her actual sovereignty in her own way—for example, asking Matsueda Jun to play tennis with her during PE class, or dragging Miyamura Aya over to share a table when they were having lunch.

Although it wasn't exactly intimate, the girl's "interfering" behavior was still a bit strange. Fortunately, she and Matsueda Jun were usually quite close, so not many people cared.

However, each time, Tomatsu Tomoka's face showed a gentle expression that didn't seem to mind at all—this was what made Matsueda Jun particularly concerned.

"I see." Tomatsu Yuka smiled and continued to check the documents.

"You scared me! I thought Tsun-kun was saying that he wanted to break up with me."

"..." The boy twitched the corner of his mouth.

"It's alright, actually." The girl lowered her eyes, surrounded by dust particles that shimmered slightly in the light.

"Of course I felt resentful, but there was nothing I could do. If I had to say, I think I was the one who benefited."

"For me, no matter what, it's much happier than just watching Tsunkun from afar."

She raised her head, her eyelashes fluttering, her black hair tied up at the back of her head swaying slightly, and the delicate luster of her neck skin was particularly captivating.

"If Tsun-kun lets me catch up with Mochizuki's progress, wouldn't I be able to confidently drive her away?"

Jun Matsuoka's gaze paused for a moment, then he lowered his head, pretending not to hear what he was saying.

"I know you definitely won't agree." The girl's breath, tinged with laughter, gently brushed against his shoulder.

"But if you want me to be happier, how about you come shopping with me this Sunday?"

"As Ms. Kominato said, we need to prepare for the school trip."

It would be really troublesome if Mochizuki found out... The thought flashed through the boy's mind.

However, this did not stop him from considering the possibility of the girl's invitation. Matsueda Jun quickly went through the work schedule, the filming arrangements for Imokawa, and Mochizuki Haruka's behavior and habits.

"Sunday afternoon should be fine," the boy finally said.

His response was a radiant smile from the girl.

"Then it's settled!"

Chapter 592 The Plan, the Threshold

The next day after school, Jun Matsue went into the activity building alone.

Saturdays only require half a day of classes, so it's still a sunny midday. The boy walks forward in the shadows of the corridor, the slight coolness seeping from the doors and windows of the classrooms touching his arms.

His destination was the second practice room of the Light Music Club on the fourth floor, where Aya was. The girl, now a second-year student and the club president, got along well with the new members and was currently practicing intensively for a livehouse performance.

As he passed the third-floor stairwell, a chorus of music drifted down the corridor, emanating from the closed doors and windows of the wind band. Jun Matsue continued walking upstairs without stopping.

After his senior and Tomatsu both left the club, the brass band he once dreamed of no longer existed.

Speaking of which, does Tomatsu still play the saxophone? She once received an invitation to become the principal player of the Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra.

As he walked up to the fourth floor, the music in the hallway was scattered and disordered. The boy knew that the girls' practice had ended—back when he was in the band, they would play randomly like this to relax after each practice session.

After knocking heavily on the door twice, Jun Matsue entered the room, and the girls holding musical instruments all turned to look at him.

"Matsueda-sensei!" Kazane, who had taken over as drummer, immediately stood up from her seat.

"Isn't this a pine branch?" Xiaoxing's bass guitar emitted its final, deep hum. "A rare guest~"

"I'm here to see Aya-chan." The boy waved to the girl standing in the center of the room.

Things are different now. Aya Miyamura, who has grown two centimeters taller, now carries a light green guitar. In addition to being the lead singer, she has officially taken on the role of rhythm guitar in the band.

"Did Chun want to see me about something?" The girl standing in front of the sheet music turned her head. "Then let's call it a day."

The girl standing in the corner looked at the two of them curiously. She was the lead guitarist chosen by the previous department head, Izumi Mizuki, and had a soft, sweet face.

"Is this Cai-senpai's brother?"

"Senior Aya..." Jun Matsueda blinked, and Aya Miyamura puffed out her chest proudly, clearly enjoying the way her club member addressed her.

"That's right, he's Jun Matsueda—my older brother who's become increasingly distant from me since he started dating!"

"Where have we grown distant?" The boy rolled his eyes at her. "We were having lunch together in the cafeteria just two days ago."

"It was Yao-jie who dragged me there..." the girl muttered, taking off her guitar and stuffing it into the large backpack on the ground.

"I'll be going now. Remember to meet at the shelter on time tomorrow night!"

"Oh--"

Amidst the girls' drawn-out, synchronized responses, Aya Miyamura led the boys out of the clubroom.

"So, what did Chun-ge want to see me about today?"

Jun Matsue looked at the girl walking in front of him—even with a large violin bag on her back, her steps were still so light that it was as if she was about to jump.

He smiled and said, "It's almost one o'clock. Let's have lunch first."

Entering a café near the school, Aya Miyamura sat by the window, biting a straw, her eyes blinking as she stared at the boy in front of her.

"Why is Chun all alone today? There isn't a single girl with him."

The boy, who was biting into an onion ring, was silent for a moment. "What are you talking about? I spend a lot of time alone too, don't I?"

The girl blinked doubtfully. "Where's Sister Yao? Don't you go to and from school with her every day now?"

"A bunch of new shops opened in Shibuya, and Mochizuki went shopping with her friends."

"I knew it~" Miyamura Aya took a sip of orange juice. There must be a reason why Jun-ge is never seen with girls.

"Hey—" She suddenly leaned down, getting closer to the boy, "What's going on with Chun-ge right now?"

"Didn't you not break up with Yuka-neechan? Why does it feel like you're dating Haruka-neechan too?"

Last week when she went to Matsueda Jun's house, Mochizuki Haruka simply opened the door with her own key and walked in with her tank top dangling over her shoulders.

Jun Matsue remained silent for a while until the creamy pasta the girl had ordered was served.

"It's a bit hard to explain, but in short, Tomatsu and I are still in a romantic relationship."

Although he had already spoken to Natsumi Imokawa once, he still found it difficult to speak to Aya Miyamura.

Whether it's studying, living, or interacting with others, I've always been Aya-chan's role model since I was little—now she's suddenly saying "your brother is two-timing me," how can I still be her role model...?

However, teenage girls have boundless imaginations, and seeing Matsueda Jun's evasive gaze, Miyamura Aya subconsciously widened her eyes.

"Could Chun be cheating on me?!"

Although surprised, she subconsciously lowered her voice, her gaze lingering on the boy's face.

"Even though you and Yuka aren't a real couple, you can't be with Haruka without breaking up, right..." the girl said, covering her mouth with her hand.

“…It’s not what you think.” Jun Matsueda picked up the onion ring in front of him. “My relationship with Mochizuki is a bit complicated, but Tomatsu knows that too.”

Aya Miyamura's eyes widened even more as she forked a piece of pasta and put it in her mouth, trying to hide her surprise.

The girl chewed slowly and swallowed the food in her mouth before continuing to speak.

"Okay... as long as Chun-ge doesn't deceive girls' feelings."

The boy looked down at the golden, crispy onion rings in front of him.

It's precisely because he never intended to deceive anyone that he's in this situation now.

"So what did Chun-ge want with me?" Cai-jiang got back to the point.

"You don't have any plans for tomorrow afternoon, right? How about we go see a movie at Mochizuki's?"

The girl froze, and Jun Matsue raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you call her 'Sister Haruka' so affectionately? Don't you want to go see her?"

“Sure, but I usually wait for Haruka-neechan to come to me. She’s a bit aloof…” Miyamura Aya said, with a shiny silver fork in her mouth.

"I'd rather go play with Sister Yang Shi, why won't you let me go to her?"

Jun Matsue stopped chewing and met the girl's curious gaze.

This girl must have done it on purpose, since she's always liked Kurusu a little more.

"Kurasu is very busy right now." The boy glanced at the speaker in the restaurant, which was playing a song by Yosei Kurusu.

"We can only wait for her to come and play with us."

"Don't make it sound so pitiful~" Miyamura Aya smiled and shook her finger, "Jun-nii can also go and find her!"

"Detonate the landmines on purpose...?" Jun Matsue didn't speak. He swallowed the onion ring in his mouth, and for some reason, the sweet and crunchy taste was a little bland.

"Okay, okay, I'll buy the tickets now." The girl took out her phone and started working on it. "Hmm... Tomorrow at 1 PM, Kill Bill 1 & 2 are showing back-to-back, four hours. I'll also have lunch with Sister Yao, that should be enough time, right?"

The boy nodded.

"I'll message her right now." The girl typed rapidly on her phone with her left hand while using her right hand to twirl a pasta ball soaked in sauce into a ball with her fork.

"Just say I'm afraid the scene will be too bloody, so I want to find someone to watch it with."

After the two finished their lunch, Aya Miyamura received a reply. She looked up and winked playfully with her right eye.

"It's done!"

Jun Matsueda put down his chopsticks. "I'll pay for the movie tickets and the meal."

"Too late~" Aya stuck out her tongue. "Sister Yao said she'd treat me, so she doesn't care about you~"

The boy smiled helplessly, "Then I'll treat you to lunch first."

The girl immediately raised her hand, "Then I'll have another ice cream!"

The double scoop ice cream was served quickly. She scooped up a big spoonful of strawberry flavor and put it in her mouth, then pushed the ice cream in front of her brother.

"So, Chun-ge, what are you doing tomorrow afternoon? Are you going on a date with Yu-hua-neechan?"

Scooping a spoonful from the vanilla bean at the other end, Jun Matsue instinctively wanted to nod, but immediately held back.

"Go out with Tomatsu to buy some things we'll need for the school trip."

"Ah!" Aya Miyamura's eyes lit up. "Let's go to Izu! That's great~"

"We second-year students will be going in July or August, and it'll be unbearably hot there—but I heard we can go to Okinawa."

"That's not bad either." The boy thought for a moment, "Since we can't escape the heat, we might as well enjoy the heat to our hearts' content."

"I'll have to wear a parasol and sunglasses when I go out then!"

The girl hummed the melody of the band's new song as she finished the rest of her ice cream. Jun Matsueda pushed open the restaurant door and accompanied her slowly back to her apartment in Kugayama.

After saying goodbye to Aya, the boy walked alone towards the Mitakadai housing complex. He passed by the school gate, but didn't go to get his bicycle—Mochizuki Haruka, who was shopping in Shibuya, had also left her bicycle at school, so he could walk to school with the girl tomorrow.

The afternoon sun was particularly bright, causing beads of sweat to appear on his forehead. Jun Matsuoka swept his bangs back and glanced at the blazing fireball hanging on the rooftop.

The boy stopped at the intersection, looking at the road in the distance, which was crouching behind the traffic lights and trembling slightly.

The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and he stood quietly in front of the zebra crossing, waiting.

His body under his shirt began to sweat, and when the bird-like beeping sounded, Jun Matsue gently exhaled and stepped across the street.

The so-called "two-timing" didn't seem to bring him double the happiness; on the contrary, he felt a significant increase in responsibility and expectations.

Don't neglect either party, try not to cause them any psychological distress, and don't be intimate with one person in front of the other, otherwise she will be jealous. Be careful of gossip and protect their image...

Even so, why do some people still dedicate themselves to conquering the dating scene, enduring hardships yet finding endless joy in it?

Perhaps letting go is the more difficult thing, Jun Matsuoka thought.

Because they couldn't ignore the outstretched hands they were reaching out...

He took out a tissue and wiped away the fine beads of sweat on his arm.

When the apartment building in the residential area came into view, his cell phone rang in his pocket.

Jun Matsueda stared at the flashing "Kirakira" avatar on the screen—just what he feared most had come to pass.

"Songzhi, why haven't you been chatting with me lately?"

The directness of the question made it even harder for the guy to speak.

Even the matters concerning Mochizuki and Tomatsu haven't been resolved yet. If Kurusu were to join in now, the calm waters that have finally settled down would definitely be stirred up into huge waves again.

"There are a lot of exams these days, so the school is quite busy," was the only reply he could give.