That night, Lin Feng did not return home.
Coincidentally, the world's mother had to work overtime until the next morning, so the two continued their frenzy.
So happy. Every time Lin Feng hugged her, she felt as if an invisible happiness was in her hands.
…But, even though they were together until dawn, Lin Feng still didn't say, "I will break up with Yan Ye."
"What the heck! Aren't we just friends with benefits now?!"
"What are you complaining about? You were the one who seduced me, World."
"Hmph, it was clearly you…"
Just as Xiyuan Temple was about to flare up, Lin Feng kissed her again.
After indulging in the sweet afterglow for a while, time was pressing. "Alright, I'll head out first."
"Okay, I'll get ready and take the next train."
"Sorry…"
Lin Feng apologized while putting on his black uniform.
Xiyuan Temple watched Lin Feng leave, suddenly pulled back to reality by a heavy gravity, and her mood somehow became a little low.
"Don't apologize to me. Don't worry, I won't tell Gui-sensei."
Xiyuan Temple forced a smile, stood up, and said to Lin Feng.
…
When Xiyuan Temple arrived at school for morning classes, she sat next to Ito. The object of Xiyuan Temple's gaze was no longer scum-Makoto. Now, even if Xiyuan Temple saw Ito and Taisuke embracing and passionately kissing, she wouldn't react much.
When you like someone, even a hint of their sadness can ignite a girl's pity, but if you don't like them, even if they become gay, a girl can remain indifferent.
The opposite of love is not hate, but indifference…
It was lunchtime.
"Xiyuan Temple-sensei…"
Just at this moment.
Hearing someone call her name, Xiyuan Temple looked towards the classroom door without thinking. What her eyes caught was Yan Ye standing not far away.
"Gui-sensei…"
Xiyuan Temple's heart pounded wildly. She absolutely couldn't let her notice her abnormality. She wondered if it was guilt at play. Xiyuan Temple just couldn't look Yan Ye in the eyes.
"Whoa, isn't that the big-breasted girl from the next class? Xiyuan Temple, she's calling you, you know?" Qihai said loudly.
"Xiyuan Temple, do you want me to go with you?"
Xiyuan Temple showed a cautious expression and spoke, but Xiyuan Temple slowly shook her head. It's fine, she shouldn't know. As long as she didn't say anything, everything would be as usual.
"…Xiyuan Temple-sensei, why do you look so tired?"
A gentle breeze rustled her hair, and Yan Ye spoke in her usual gentle tone.
"Yeah, that's right. I'm sorry, because of some things, I haven't replied to your messages."
"No, it's fine. Xiyuan Temple-sensei is so busy, and those were just my one-sided messages."
Yan Ye was still so calm and elegant, as if she had no intention of questioning Xiyuan Temple at all. The breeze of the changing seasons gently blew, and she gazed at the clear blue sky above with her big eyes.
Xiyuan Temple said nothing more, only silently bit into the sandwich in her hand.
She had thought there would be no more opportunities for the three of them to eat lunch together. Why did things turn out this way?
When Yan Ye invited her, there should have been many excuses to decline. But Xiyuan Temple just couldn't say it.
Looking at Yan Ye's clear eyes, she felt as if her own defiled heart was completely seen through by her.
"…We've been progressing very smoothly recently."
"Huh?"
A sudden remark made Xiyuan Temple momentarily unsure how to respond.
"Progressing very smoothly… Are you referring to with Lin Feng?"
"Of course. Actually, I just invited Lin Feng for our next date. I asked him, 'Do you want to go see a movie tomorrow?' and he replied, 'No problem,' which made me so happy."
"Hmm… Isn't that great? Lin Feng must be very happy too, right?"
"Yes, he said he's looking forward to it too."
"Congratulations."
Unconsciously, Xiyuan Temple found that she had also become accustomed to wearing a fake smile, and it was no longer difficult to casually say things that went against her true feelings.
"By the way, didn't you say you had something to discuss with me?"
"Ah, the reason I asked Xiyuan Temple-sensei to come today was actually about this…"
Yan Ye stopped drinking her tea and turned to face Xiyuan Temple. Her expression, which had been so cheerful just a moment ago, seemed to be tinged with a hint of sadness.
"What's wrong…?"
"Um… Is it true that just a simple relationship isn't enough to satisfy a guy?"
"What?"
Xiyuan Temple completely failed to understand what Yan Ye meant. But her serious tone made Xiyuan Temple realize that she shouldn't take this question lightly.
"Is just chatting and shopping with a guy still not enough to satisfy him?"
"Ugh—I don't know about that. Is Lin Feng trying to force you to do something? Like suddenly pinning you down, or dragging you into a dark alley or something…"
"No… When we were on a date before, he wanted to kiss me…"
"What? It's fine to just kiss, right?"
Xiyuan Temple continued in an indifferent tone. She hadn't expected Yan Ye to seek her out just to show off her relationship with Lin Feng.
"Yeah… You're right. A kiss is really nothing."
Yan Ye sighed deeply.
"But I've never been very good at that kind of thing… In elementary and middle school, I really disliked physical contact with boys."
Yan Ye seemed genuinely troubled.
Xiyuan Temple wasn't entirely unable to understand Yan Ye's feelings. It wasn't uncommon for girls to develop androphobia from being bullied by boys when they were young. But as they grew older, those shadows in their hearts would naturally fade, right?
"Then... you don't like kissing Lin Feng either?"
"No, if it's Lin Feng... I'd be startled if it was too sudden, but I don't dislike it. If it's Lin Feng, I think I should be able to endure it..."
Endure?
Her way of speaking was too strange, wasn't it? Even with androphobia, she could still choose her partners based on her own will. But to have to 'endure' being with a boy she liked, that was too odd, wasn't it?
"What should I do? I clearly like Lin Feng, but sometimes I can't satisfy his needs. If this continues, he'll definitely start to dislike me..."
"Even if you say that, I... I'm not Lin Feng, how would I know what he's thinking?"
Yan Ye looked at Xiyuan Temple with a tearful expression. I'm the one who wants to cry, Xiyuan Temple thought; the more she talked to Yan Ye, the more Xiyuan Temple disliked herself.
Ultimately, if Katsura Kotonoha couldn't accept Lin Feng's touch, it would actually be a good thing for Xiyuan Temple, wouldn't it?
I want to be touched by Lin Feng more than you, and I want to be embraced by Lin Feng more than you.
But you, who rightfully have the privilege to be touched and embraced, why do you refuse Lin Feng's closeness?
This is truly too cunning. Katsura Kotonoha, you are truly too cunning...
"I'm sorry... because you, Xiyuan Temple, are the only person I can talk to. Actually, I know very well that in the end, I can only resolve this kind of thing by myself."
"It's okay... I'm really sorry I can't help you. But I think there won't be any problems, because Lin Feng really likes you, and he'll definitely understand."
Xiyuan Temple murmured.
Just then, the door to the stairs opened, and Lin Feng came in with food.
"Sorry for making you wait."
He was holding a pile of rice balls and sandwiches.
"Oh, Xiyuan Temple is here too?"
"Yes, sorry for disturbing you two while you're getting hot and heavy."
"What do you mean 'disturb'? I invited you here."
"Then I won't be polite. Lin Feng, I want that sandwich."
"This one is Yan Ye's."
The laughter of the three echoed on the rooftop. Yan Ye, who had been so melancholic just moments ago, instantly regained her sweet smile, happily taking the sandwich Lin Feng handed her.
From an outsider's perspective, their relationship probably hadn't changed much from before. It was just a common, ordinary, peaceful lunch break...
"Oh, right! Lin Feng, I called you yesterday, were you already asleep then?"
"Huh?! Yes." Lin Feng said, scratching his head.
"So that's how it was. I thought something might have happened and was a little worried."
"Sorry, next time if I don't pick up, I'll definitely call you back."
Xiyuan Temple glanced at Lin Feng.
Their eyes met for just one second.
Yan Ye knew nothing. Xiyuan Temple and Lin Feng had made love all night, and now, just feeling him by her side, Xiyuan Temple was almost pushed to the peak of ecstasy by the pleasure coursing through her body...