In Tokyo: They are heavily dependent on me

Chapter 20. Hoshino Kaoru is willing to be an ordinary high school student.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Hoshino Kaoru asked Shoko-sensei for leave from school due to health reasons and did not go to school.

It wasn't until Friday that he was able to get out of bed and do some simple exercises, unlike the previous two days when even simple movements like turning over would cause him excruciating pain in his muscles.

He probably had a ton of homework to do at school, and besides, he was going to Minami-chan's concert with Rin today. After lying in bed for two days, he didn't want to waste any more time, so he decided to go to school today to finish up his tasks and have a nice weekend.

After quickly finishing his washing up, Kaoru went downstairs. His younger sister, Rin, was startled to see him come down and rushed over to support him, even stopping what she was doing.

"Brother! Honestly, why did you get down here? Go lie down properly!"

Rin looked worried. His older brother had driven his bicycle into the bushes by the roadside. Although the passenger in the back was not seriously injured, he was badly hurt and couldn't get out of bed for two whole days.

I really don't know how this guy rides his bike!

Rin was somewhat dissatisfied. Her brother was clearly an adult, yet he still made her, his younger sister, worry.

"I'm fine... I'm really fine."

Xun waved her hand, staggered, bent down, and changed into outdoor shoes.

The entryway is too small to accommodate two people walking side by side, so it would be awkward if a guest walked in while he was changing his shoes.

Fortunately, his worries did not come true. He changed into outdoor shoes, and no guests appeared. Kaoru put the shoulder strap of his backpack on his left shoulder and prepared to go out.

However, as soon as he put on his backpack, he felt a sharp pain coming from the injured area.

Kaoru leaned against the shoe cabinet, thinking that Rin was watching him. If she knew that he hadn't recovered yet, his plan to go out would be completely hopeless.

So, he gritted his teeth, put on a leisurely expression, and hummed an unknown tune as usual before going out.

The bicycle was still parked in front of the store, and a chubby black cat was lying on the black seat. When it saw Xun appear, the black cat jumped off the seat and circled around his feet, meowing incessantly.

What it's trying to say is clearly—hey, where have you been? I haven't seen you for two days.

"Okay, okay, I have to catch the tram. I'll play with you again when I get back."

Kaoru grabbed it by the scruff of its neck with one hand, put it back on the cushion, scratched its round belly that had probably devoured countless mice, and left the ramen shop.

After passing through a narrow alley that can only accommodate three people walking side by side, the scenery ahead brightens up, and the bustling streets of Shinjuku come into view.

A large GG sign hanging overhead, neon lights that were off, a pachinko parlor that was still closed and not yet open for business, and a large crowd of people dressed in various costumes.

Compared to that crowded alley, it felt like entering another world.

It was still early, and Shinjuku Station was packed with people. Kaoru was quickly squeezed into a corner.

Even on the tram, he didn't rest; he took out a sticky note filled with words and started memorizing them.

In less than a ten-minute drive, he memorized all thirty words.

Upon arriving at school and going to the third-grade shoe locker area, Kaoru opened her shoe locker to change into indoor shoes. At that moment, a pink love letter fell out from inside.

He opened it and glanced at it; the handwriting was unfamiliar, and the sender had not written a name or class.

This wasn't the first time he'd received something of this type.

The disposal method is also very simple; just throw it into the trash can as waste paper.

Arrived at the classroom.

The first lesson was a Japanese language class taught by Ms. Shoko.

She placed her lecture notes on the podium and immediately noticed Kaoru sitting by the window. Out of concern, she casually asked, "Are you alright, Hoshino-san?"

"I'm strong, I'm full of energy, this minor injury has long since healed!"

"lie."

Upon hearing this, Mizukami Orina casually uttered these words.

"Oh, so you've already recovered." Ms. Shoko thought for a moment, then smiled. "Although Hoshino was the top student in this month's exam, I can't just stand by and do nothing about her being lazy at home even though she's clearly recovered. As punishment..."

"Teacher! By recovery... I mean psychological recovery, not physical recovery! So please don't punish me!"

Kaoru's brain was racing.

"A smooth-talking guy."

Not far from his seat, Kobayashi Chio, whose face was covered with a large bandage, glared at him.

After class, he was all alone except for Kaoru.

Despite his handsome looks, charm, and excellent grades, no one was willing to comfort him after he was injured. Just thinking about this made Kaoru feel sad for himself.

He took out the bento box his sister had made for him, unpacked the chopsticks, and thought to himself that his sister was indeed the best.

The aroma of the bento box wafted into Mizukami's nose at the next table. She sniffed it gently, like a greedy black cat that often lingers outside a ramen shop.

"Hoshino-kun, do you know what quality you lack most right now?"

She had another purpose in mind, staring intently at the Chinese dishes in the bento box, unable to look away.

"What is it?"

"Hoshino-kun should learn to share with others."

Hearing her say that, Xun immediately understood what the young lady was thinking.

"Want some?" He turned his head and gave a creepy smile.

She took a step back on the water, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of the food and nodded gently.

"Then beg me, or say something nice."

"Hoshino-kun, don't push your luck."

Shui Shang's face regained the cold expression befitting a mafia boss's daughter.

"I'll have Rin make an extra one for you tomorrow."

Hearing him say that, Mizukami blinked, clearly showing interest in his suggestion.

So she began to mentally craft words to praise him.

For delicious food, I don't care if I do something against my conscience!

She thought this through, and at the same time made up her mind—

"Hoshino-kun, you're so handsome, your cooking is delicious, and your personality is great too..."

Just as Kaoru was enjoying the praise from the young lady, Mizukami, after a few compliments, suddenly felt a little nauseous and continued to focus his attention on his bento.

"Is that enough? I've said a lot of nice things. This is the first time I've ever complimented someone."

"Really? You've never praised anyone before in your life?"

"It's true, my father told me that in order to hide my identity, I should communicate with as few people as possible, so from childhood to adulthood... I have no friends to play with, and no one to praise."

"Oh... I understand."

Xun handed her the chopsticks, intending for her to eat first.

Seeing that the two were going to share the same bento box, all eyes immediately turned to them. Mizukami nonchalantly picked up food with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, while Kaoru frowned, the system task still indicating that it was not completed.

He suddenly realized that the life of a young lady wasn't as good as he had imagined.

Yeah, it's still more comfortable to be an ordinary high school student.