Whether it was from crying exhaustion or the sachet's effect, Ichiko slept quite well in the latter half of the night.
Not only that, she also had another dream.
In the dream, Haruko was just like she had been for the past half month, incredibly well-behaved, nodding in agreement to everything Ichiko said.
For some reason, this level of docility made Ichiko feel a bit scared.
Her nerves were so tense that she even felt there might be a knife hidden behind Haruko's compliant figure.
Fortunately, nothing like that happened.
In the dream, she fully enjoyed Haruko's obedience and cuteness. Dan burrowed into the covers in the middle of the night. The warmth combined with the scent from the sachet made her feel as if she was holding that adorable girl.
By the time she woke up the next day, her body and mind had recovered considerably.
Even though signs of exhaustion and slight dark circles were still visible.
Just as Akina remarked indifferently with a glance after Ichiko left the room, "It seems you slept quite well in the latter half of the night. Finally, you don't look like you're about to die."
"Thank you," Ichiko said again. She noticed the apron on Akina and the smell of porridge coming from the kitchen.
"Miss Qian, did you make breakfast?"
Akina nodded lightly, "After all, I was ordered to take care of you. What you buy outside might not be nutritious enough. Inari is coming over too, which is really letting him off easy."
She really looked unwilling.
Ichiko kept this act of kindness in mind and quickly washed up and tidied herself.
She would definitely go to the Hospital today. If Haruko woke up today, she didn't want Haruko to see her looking so lost and dejected.
After washing up, Ichiko wanted to go into the kitchen to help, but Akina pushed her out.
Sitting on the sofa on an empty stomach, she took out the suicide note again.
Every line of text deeply pierced her heart.
Haruko.
She had already sensed that her mental state was a bit abnormal, but she still smiled so as not to worry Ichiko.
She knew Ichiko liked her to be well-behaved, so for the past half month, she had suppressed her pathological side, being obedient and good to make Ichiko happy.
She felt that Ichiko's life was busy, so for half a month, she preferred not to go out and not disturb Ichiko. And every time Ichiko came back, she would offer a hug and a cute smile to cure the week's fatigue.
She confessed and was rejected. She realized it would bring pain to Ichiko, so she preferred to say goodbye quietly by herself, not wanting Ichiko to suffer because of her yandere tendencies.
Just like those two sentences said.
Her chains, she gave them to herself, and from then on, she had a reason, her eyes filled only with you.
The chain named "Yandere's Love" was too heavy, so she wanted to return to the beginning, preferring to bear the pain alone rather than hold Ichiko back.
You said you were the uninvited wind, disrupting my peaceful days.
But you don't know that many times, it was precisely this warm breeze that carried away my worries and loneliness.
Clearly, you were a wind I could grasp, yet I didn't even dare to reach out.
Especially the last paragraph.
—Your little (crossed out).
—Haruko.
Does the final departure signify that you no longer belong to me?
She placed the suicide note against her chest, seemingly wanting to feel the beautiful writing through touch.
Ichiko sighed with heartache, "Was that goodnight a farewell to the world, or a'see you never again' to me?"
Akina carried a bowl of porridge and glanced at Ichiko.
She slowly said, "In love language, 'goodnight' has another meaning."
"wan, an."
"The first letters can also be read as [I love you, love you]."
"Perhaps it wasn't a farewell, but another kind of confession?"
Akina brought out some light side dishes and untied her apron at the same time, "Time for breakfast. I don't want to eat with Inari later."
Ichiko was stunned for a while, then broke into a smile through her tears.
She reached out a finger to wipe away her tears, "Does Inari eat very rudely?"
Akina rolled her eyes, "He likes to burp when he eats."
"You two seem to have a really good relationship."
Akina pouted and handed Ichiko a tissue, "Alright, eat breakfast. You don't want Haruko to see you looking haggard and unrecognizable when she wakes up, do you?"
"Yes!"
Ichiko nodded vigorously. After experiencing heaven and hell several times last night, and constantly fluctuating between hope and despair, her body couldn't take it anymore.
Even though the lean meat porridge was very hot, she still gulped it down in large mouthfuls.
Only the content of the suicide note and Haruko's past smiling face remained in her mind.
After the two of them had finished eating, Inari arrived late.
As soon as he entered the door, he couldn't help but click his tongue and complain, "I came specifically to pick you up to go to the Hospital, and you didn't even wait for me to eat breakfast!"
Ichiko squeezed out a faint smile, "Miss Qian said you burp when you eat."
"That was when I was a child. I've already gotten rid of that bad habit." Inari naturally sat down at the dining table, picked up a steamed bun, and started eating it. "Although your smile is forced, you can still joke. It seems you're alright."
"Much better, thank you both very much!"
Ichiko lowered her head, her tone sincere.
Inari and Akina exchanged a smile.
They didn't say much more.
After breakfast, Ichiko tidied up the living room again, and then left with Inari in her best state.
Inari said, "Regarding you being chased and blocked last night, Shin and I are already investigating. The police have also stated that they will definitely give you an explanation, don't worry."
Ichiko pursed her lips and still voiced her suspicion, "I think... it might have been Lin Fangya who did it. She's the only one I've had conflicts with recently."
Inari said helplessly, "We've already found out it was her, but it wasn't just her. A discarded daughter of a second-rate family doesn't have the ability to hire that many people to surround you."
"There must be someone behind her. Shin is still fishing right now."
After waiting for a while, the elevator door opened, and a mother and a little girl came out carrying a cake.
Inari stood at the door and showed a hearty smile, "Little Sister, is it your birthday today?"
His familiar smile and handsome face quickly won the little girl's favor. She raised a bright smile, "Today is my 5th birthday! Big brother, do you want to come to my house for cake?"
"Hahaha, big brother won't steal your cake. Happy birthday!"
He ruffled the little girl's head, then nudged Ichiko's shoulder and whispered, "Why are you spacing out? Let's go."
Ichiko came back to her senses, forced a smile, and said, "Little one, happy birthday."
"Thank you, pretty sister! Sister, do you live next door in 502? Mom and I are in 504. Remember to come for cake tonight!"
The mother smiled dotingly, "This girl is quite spirited. Sorry, we just moved into 504. Please take care of us."
"Bye-bye, pretty sister!"
"Bye-bye."
Ichiko walked into the elevator and became silent again.
Inari looked at her in confusion, "Why are you getting depressed again? Aren't you happy that someone invited you for cake?"
Ichiko pursed her lips, "Sorry, I just remembered that yesterday was also Haruko's birthday."
Inari opened his mouth but didn't say any words of comfort, "If you want to apologize, wait until you get to the Hospital and she wakes up to tell her."
Ichiko nodded, "Okay."
Not just an apology.
Perhaps, there would also be a response to her confession.
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