Unlike Ichiko, the petite girl's pupils had completely lost their highlights. She looked like she had lost her spirit and was emotionally devoid, staring at Ichiko in disbelief.
Every step she took felt like it was stepping on Ichiko's heart.
She looked down at Ichiko, who was sitting on the ground, and asked from above, "Ichiko Jie Jie, didn't you say last time that Elder chichi just went to a very far place and would be back in two or three months at most?"
"What does it mean that she died for you?"
"Was what you said last time a lie?"
"You clearly promised me you'd tell me when she came back."
Her tone was incredibly declarative, making it hard to tell if Emi was blaming Ichiko.
The girl propped herself up on the floor with her hands, pursed her lips, not daring to look at Emi. She just lowered her head, using her hair to hide her facial expression.
Emi reached out and grabbed Ichiko's shoulder, forcing her to meet her gaze, "Hey Ichiko Jie Jie, tell me, okay? Is Elder chichi really dead?"
What kind of eyes were those?
Hollow, lifeless, as if facing impending death, filled with the despair of the sky collapsing.
The words Ichiko wanted to use to argue were stuck in her mouth. In the end, she just stiffly uttered three words.
"I'm sorry."
"So you really lied to me?" Emi gently released Ichiko.
The latter closed her eyes tightly, preparing to be hit by this little loli, or even used as a vent for anger.
However, to her surprise, Emi didn't explode in rage or complain about her. She just asked very calmly, "Then where is Elder chichi now?"
"She... is already dead."
"I'm asking about the body, or the ashes, or the grave, anything is fine." Emi said expressionlessly, "I want to confirm it with my own eyes."
Her heart was like Ichiko's at first, not wanting to admit or face such a thing.
Holding onto that sliver of hope in her heart, thinking maybe it was a lie?
However, Ichiko had already experienced the pain of gaining hope and then falling into despair.
Twice.
She gritted her teeth and said loudly, "Haruko is dead. She died protecting me. I didn't lie to you about this!"
"You... you don't need to go confirm her body either."
Emi tilted her head, "What does it have to do with you if I go see my Elder chichi? I call you Ichiko Jie Jie because Elder chichi wanted me to call you that. Since you couldn't protect her, please don't point fingers at me, okay?"
"Her body, where is it?"
"Inari's... private Hospital, at Da Taiyang Hospital."
After hearing this, Emi left without looking back.
Ichiko watched her receding back, and her right hand immediately clenched into a fist, slamming heavily onto the ground.
Her silver teeth bit her thin lips, drawing drops of fresh blood.
Tears didn't fall, but her words were heartbreaking: "Why... why don't you scold me either!"
Flashbulbs began to flicker around her. The campus belle, the White Moonlight who was once loved by countless people, was now in such a pathetic state.
Not long after, as Ichiko was about to get up, a hand reached out.
"Why are you sitting here? What happened?"
Ichiko looked up and saw Yuri, who was holding lunch and fruit. She had just returned from the cafeteria.
Ichiko looked at the outstretched hand and at Yuri, who was blocking the sunlight and seemed very superior. She didn't reach out to take it.
She propped herself up on the floor and stood up, explaining in a somewhat listless tone, "It's nothing, I just... fell."
"Oh, I see. Have you had lunch?" Yuri didn't know that Haruko was already dead. She just naturally reached into the bag and took out a Orange.
"Want some fruit? This stuff is really expensive in the cafeteria."
Looking at the Orange Yuri handed over, Ichiko was in a daze and didn't take it.
Instead, she slowly asked, "Yuri, let me ask you a question. Do you think... I am worthy of Haruko?"
Yuri looked at Ichiko in confusion, "Why are you still asking this kind of question now?"
Ichiko was puzzled, "Can't I ask this kind of question?"
It wasn't that she couldn't ask.
It's just that Yuri didn't know what crazy idea Ichiko had now.
But after all, she was a "Orange faction" and a lover of drama. Since she asked, she answered accordingly, "From a best friend's perspective, and considering your feelings, I would say you are worthy."
"After all, you're good-looking, you're the campus belle, and although your personality is occasionally a bit slow, it's very good among girls these days. You are the type that can be worthy of anyone, there's no need to be overly modest."
Ichiko pursed her lips, biting the part that was bleeding, "Then... not from a best friend's perspective, and not considering my feelings?"
Yuri shrugged, "Then there's even less to say. Ever since Haruko and Sento argued in college, and you ignored her for several months after that, I felt you weren't worthy of her."
Ichiko's eyes were somewhat dull, "So you... thought that?"
"Just being honest. You said she was yandere and you didn't dare to accept it. If I remember correctly, I advised you many times, right?"
Yuri looked sideways at Ichiko, "If you don't like her, refuse. If you like her, agree and bear with her yandere. Although you might be very conflicted yourself, in our eyes, you are just a scumbag girl stringing Haruko along."
"You want everything, and you don't want to pay anything."
After she finished speaking, she tossed the Orange she was holding again, "Forget it, let's not talk about this. Talking too much will hurt our feelings. Do you still want the Orange?"
"I..."
Ichiko was about to reach out, but then she heard Yuri's words.
"I forgot you never really liked Orange. Sorry."
The Orange, was taken back by her.
And as Yuri turned and walked away, getting further and further.
Yuri didn't care what Ichiko would think. She only cared if what she had just said was problematic.
It should be fine, right?
Whether Ichiko had paid anything or what her real thoughts were didn't matter anymore. Anyway, saying this, Haruko should be satisfied.
She wondered if, before the end of the semester, she would give herself another black technology pill that could improve her looks and change her figure?
One friend after another left her. Ichiko's hand, which had reached out to take the Orange, remained outstretched.
Only her expression became increasingly painful, and her walking movements gradually became lifeless.
"Am I really, not worthy of Haruko?"
She didn't go home, but returned to the cat cafe again. She didn't even eat lunch or dinner, sitting there for a full day.
She wanted to sort out her thoughts, but her mind was a mess.
In her mind, all she saw was Haruko's figure.
Beautiful memories seemed to be forever frozen in childhood.
Ever since the basement...
No, even earlier.
Ever since they argued during the summer vacation, when she stood with Sento and ignored Haruko for those three months.
The girl with amber-colored eyes only brought her pressure and fear.
Ichiko didn't know how she got home. By the time she arrived at Haruko's neighborhood, it was already 11 PM.
Snow was falling heavily, painting her beautiful hair white.
Before Ichiko even stepped through the neighborhood gate, she saw another small figure standing at the entrance.
It was Emi. She had left without a word at noon and had been waiting here for a while.
Ichiko quickly walked forward, wanting to show concern and also wanting to explain to her.
She just reached out to brush the snow off Emi's shoulder, but her outstretched hand was directly slapped away by this little loli.
The eyes staring at her were no longer hollow, but filled with an indescribable disgust.
"Miss Ichiko, please don't come here, okay? This is not your home, and you are not worthy of living in Elder chichi's home!"
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