Chapter 44: Embrace
Of course, all of this was the result of Kazumi’s deliberate performance. After all, no matter how much the body’s subconscious was influenced, the soul was currently Su Jun’s, and Kazumi could never do something like this.
She had been in this world for several days. Although she had the memories and habits of the previous Kazumi Shimizu, due to the difference in the underlying soul, even though the body was still largely dominant, she was inevitably influenced by Su Jun’s past life memories to some extent. The former body’s cold demeanor and extremely weak interpersonal relationships had given Kazumi some breathing room. At least she wouldn’t be easily exposed by others.
However, in front of familiar people, her deliberate disguise was somewhat lacking. Especially in front of her boyfriend, whose methods of liking were somewhat peculiar, even though Kazumi had paid the utmost attention to controlling the small details of her expressions and speech patterns, she could tell from Sato Shinichi’s uncharacteristic expression that he had seen through some of it.
What Kazumi had to do now was to rationalize everything. After all, the boy’s mind was still pure; he might just think she had changed for some reason. At least the people in this world weren’t so imaginative as to readily consider visitors from other worlds. A reclusive girl who had suffered a severe psychological blow and was gradually opening up to her boyfriend was precisely the role Kazumi needed to play with all her heart.
Unexpected events happen when you least expect them. Failure leads to sighs and complaints about the unfairness of the world. Success, however, comes from using every available method to turn unfavorable situations into advantageous ones. Kazumi had never expected Fukada Akihiko’s exposure. Reality was not as fantastical as novels.
The first time she met Uncle Fukada, her boyfriend Sato Shinichi happened to run into them. And unfortunately, Sato Shinichi’s adoptive grandfather was a retired hero active in the last century. He immediately recognized Fukada Akihiko’s true identity. In an instant, Kazumi’s plan was completely thrown off, and she was placed in an almost insurmountable predicament.
Although Kazumi had temporarily resolved the situation with her skills, what she had to do now was to leverage everything she had encountered to better achieve her goals. Sometimes, advantages and disadvantages can be mutually exchanged. Just like before at home, when Kazumi used her sadness to a great extent to strengthen their relationship and successfully coaxed words out of Sato Shinichi.
Now, Kazumi, by using her self-deprecating tone as a way to retreat and advance, could accomplish a great many things. If the other party developed a dislike for her because of her affectatious reclusive tone, that would be even better! This way, Kazumi could amicably break up, portraying herself as the victim. She could even use Sato Shinichi’s guilt later to leverage his background for more gains.
Of course, based on Kazumi’s understanding of Sato Shinichi, the probability of such a thing happening was almost zero, so this outcome was only in Kazumi’s imagination. More likely, Sato Shinichi would empathize with his girlfriend’s actions and try to comfort her in his bewilderment.
As Kazumi expected, Sato Shinichi did just that. All she needed to do was suppress the faint disgust she felt towards men and lean gently into his embrace, saying a few light words. The persona of an ordinary high school girl whose world had collapsed due to a family tragedy would easily be established. Especially now that Sato Shinichi understood her family circumstances, he would surely speculate about the reasons for her personality.
Then, it would be logical for her personality to gradually recover its usual cheerfulness under the boy’s “attentive guidance.” This way, in the future, she could slightly reveal her personality and do things that didn’t quite fit the original character’s persona without seeming out of place. To outsiders, it could even be attributed to “sweet love healing everything.” At least her Uncle Fukada thought so.
[But if that’s the case…]
[Doesn’t that mean I can’t easily get rid of this guy in the future? I have to keep him as a shield?]
Burying her head in Sato Shinichi’s embrace, Kazumi couldn’t help but think of this. The faint traces of aversion from the depths of her soul were completely offset by her body’s reaction, and she even felt disinclined to leave his embrace.
“Shinichi-kun…”
The young girl gently broke free from the boy’s embrace, her cheeks flushed, her eyebrows tinged with shyness. She looked at the boy in front of her with embarrassment, yet couldn’t help but do so.
“Kazumi…”
Looking down at the girl within arm’s reach, like a ripe apple, exuding the alluring aura of “youth” that belonged to her age, making one unable to resist the desire to possess such beauty. However, Kazumi’s lack of romantic experience left Sato Shinichi completely unsure of how to proceed, only able to stare blankly at the girl in his arms.
“Thank you, Shinichi-kun, for caring about me so much… I, I’m happy!”
Taking a subtle step back to prevent the boy from making any more strange moves, Kazumi lowered her head, pursed her lips, and awkwardly swayed her body, bashfully expressing her gratitude.
[It’s just acting!!! Body, don’t get emotionally involved so easily!! How can hugs and embraces make one’s heart pound so easily!!]
But in a place Sato Shinichi couldn’t see, the little person in Kazumi’s heart was shouting in frustration. Kazumi, who had already planned all the scripts, was on the verge of breaking character the moment she came into contact with Sato Shinichi, almost wishing “if only I could stay in this embrace forever.”
Forcing herself to suppress her body’s desires, the longing for the boy that emerged from her heart was so intense it was almost overflowing. Coupled with their physical contact and the boy’s love-filled gaze, waves of excitement surged through her mind, giving rise to impulses that she shouldn’t have.
“Shinichi-kun, it’s getting late. Let’s… let’s go back to the classroom!”
Staggering to her feet as if drunk, Kazumi completely broke free from the boy’s embrace, stuttered out the words, and then fled as if escaping from the rooftop exit. Only Sato Shinichi, looking at the small receding figure with a doting smile, found it somewhat amusing.
