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Who is Hazuki Soda? I don't know her! Right now, in his heart, there's only one sun: Mana Junda!
He suppressed the pounding in his heart, deliberately put on a stern face, and said in a cold tone, "Come with me."
After saying that, he turned and walked out of the Toyokawa family's gate, heading towards a quiet alley nearby. Although Junda Mana was a little confused, she quickly followed behind him, taking small steps, her eyes full of obedience.
The two walked into the alley, where the walls on both sides were very high, blocking out the sunlight and making it somewhat dim.
Banami stopped in her tracks, turned around abruptly, and braced herself against the wall, trapping Junta Mana between herself and the wall, creating a perfect wall-slamming pose.
He leaned down slightly, getting close to the girl's cheek, a wicked and arrogant smile playing on his lips. His eyes were full of amusement and a sense of oppression, and his voice was low and husky: "You really want to be my aunt?"
Junda Mana's heart leaped into her throat, trembling slightly. She instinctively shrank back, but was blocked by the wall, with nowhere to escape.
She looked like a bullied little bird, timid and pitiful as she looked at the "big villain CEO" in front of her, her eyes filled with panic.
But then Hatsune's image suddenly appeared in her mind. She bit her lower lip, clenched her hands into small fists, mustered her courage, and said firmly, "I...I want to!"
For Hatsune Miku's sake, she must persevere, take Hatsune Miku's place in the boy's heart, and give her the maternal love she lacks!
The next moment, Banami tilted his head slightly, brought his nose close to the girl's neck, took a deep breath, and greedily inhaled the faint scent of shampoo on her body, along with the girl's unique sweet fragrance. He raised his head, his eyes growing even deeper, and asked with great interest, "Now, do you still want to be my aunt?"
Warm breath fell on her neck, carrying a faint minty scent. A tingling sensation spread throughout her body, and Junda Mana's legs almost went weak. Her eyes became even more watery, and her cheeks turned so red they seemed about to bleed. But she still gritted her teeth and said bravely, "I... I am Xiaoxi's aunt. I said I would fulfill your wish."
As soon as she finished speaking, she felt Banami lean closer again, her nose pressed against her neck, desperately seeking her breath, which made the girl's legs go weak.
Junda Mana gently bit her lip, slowly closed her eyes, her heart pounding wildly, like a saintly maiden carrying a sacred mission, letting him take whatever he wanted, her eyes filled with determination and shyness.
However, neither of them noticed that at the corner of the alley, a slender figure was pressed tightly against the wall, her head sticking out, her eyes wide open, almost bulging out—it was Hatsune Miku, who had secretly followed them because she couldn't bear to leave.
Looking at the two people pinning each other against the wall in the alley, at the way Banami was leaning against Mana's neck, at Mana's shy yet submissive demeanor, her self-comfort in the restaurant just now instantly crumbled.
Hatsune's body trembled uncontrollably, her hands gripping the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white, her eyes brimming with tears: My lover is pure and innocent, my partner is unparalleled in loyalty, I haven't been cuckolded, I haven't been cuckolded—!
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Junda Mana is the Enemy
The ambiguous atmosphere in the alley hadn't dissipated yet, and Banami finally gave in and agreed to go on a date with Mana.
It's not that our army is incompetent, it's just that the donuts are too tempting.
Young married women's skirts and stuff like that are just too much!
Mana's eyes lit up instantly, and most of the shyness on her face faded away, replaced by undisguised joy.
"So, where do you want to go on your date today?" Banai asked, hands in his pockets, feigning indifference, but a hint of anticipation flickered in his eyes—he wanted to see what kind of surprise this silly donut could prepare.
Normally, the date itinerary is decided by the guy, but at this moment, Mana, with a hint of humility, quickly said, "Uh, I've already thought of a place, no... but it's a secret for now, I'll give Yu-kun a surprise later!"
As she spoke, she put her hands behind her back, stood on tiptoe, and her eyes were full of joy, like a child hiding a little secret.
Seeing this, Banai raised an eyebrow, didn't ask any more questions, and followed Mana towards the subway station.
Even though it was the off-peak season after the morning rush hour, the subway was still packed with people. In the narrow carriages, there was almost no space between people, and the air was filled with a faint smell of perfume, sweat, and the unique mechanical smell of the subway.
As soon as she got on the bus, a surge of people rushed in, and Mana lost her balance and instinctively fell next to Hanami.
Seeing this, Banai reacted quickly and reached out to pull her into his arms, holding her tightly in front of him and using his back to block the crowd.
Mana was held tightly in his arms, her cheek pressed against his warm chest, and she could clearly hear his strong heartbeat, "thump-thump," like drumbeats striking her heart.
Her body stiffened instantly, her cheeks flushed crimson, the redness spreading from her cheeks to her ears, and even her breathing became rapid.
She could clearly feel the strong arms of Banami surrounding her, and smell the faint scent of mint on him, mixed with the refreshing scent unique to young men, making her heart pound. She didn't know where to put her hands and feet, and could only stiffly lean against him, her hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Banami also sensed a subtle atmosphere. The girl in his arms was slender yet had just the right amount of fullness. Usually, she was wrapped in a large performance costume, so it was impossible to tell. But now that he was close to her, he realized that Junta Mana's figure was actually quite good.
He instinctively tightened his arms around her, shielding her even more tightly, but deliberately looked out the window, pretending to be nonchalant. Yet, his heart was beating a little faster.
In the crowded carriage, the two embraced tightly, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding noise, with only their rapid breathing and heartbeats remaining. An ambiguous atmosphere quietly spread in the small space.
Unbeknownst to them, in a corner not far from the carriage, a slender figure was huddled there, wearing black sunglasses and a baseball cap, covering herself up completely, with only her taut jawline showing.
Hatsune stared intently at the two embracing figures, her fists clenched tightly, her teeth grinding together.
***
About half an hour later, the subway arrived at the station. Mana pulled Hanami along and excitedly walked out of the subway station, crossed several streets, and finally stopped in front of a building.
When Banami looked up, he was instantly stunned. The coldness on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by surprise. The building in front of him was none other than the observatory that Hatsune Miku used to take him to.
"Why...why did you bring me here?" Banami's tone was full of doubt.
Did you do it on purpose, or was it an accident?
Or was it intentional or accidental?
Seeing Banami's reaction, Mana was slightly puzzled and said, "Because this place is perfect for bringing your family. When I was little, my mother often brought me here, and even now that I'm older, I still come here occasionally to look at the stars."
So, you didn't want Hatsune Miku to give you a greater sense of involvement?
"Uh, then why didn't you ask Hatsune to come with you before?" Banami was even more puzzled.
Mana said somewhat shyly, "But...but Hatsune looks very mature, doesn't she? Looking at the stars seems childish to me. I...I don't dare to tell Hatsune-chan about my hobbies."
These words immediately made Banami unable to hold back.
So you've had a crush on Hatsune Miku for so long, but you didn't know that your hobby was the same as Hatsune Miku's.
Moreover, you two have been to the planetarium so many times, yet you've never run into each other.
Banami subtly gained a deeper understanding of the saying, "Aspiration is the furthest distance from understanding."
Mana didn't want to bring up Hatsune Miku before meeting Hachi, as it would make her feel inexplicably immoral.
"So... therefore, when I think about going on a date with you, Xiaoxi, the first place that comes to mind is the planetarium."
"Hmph, how childish!" Banami said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Mana's eyes instantly dimmed, and the joy on her face vanished. She lowered her head, her voice tinged with grievance: "Then... then let's go somewhere else, anywhere is fine, as long as you like it, Xiaoxi."
"But never mind." Seeing her pitiful look, Banai said with feigned smugness, "Anyway, I don't have any expectations. Let's just stay here and keep you company."
Mana immediately smiled again, the gloom on her face vanishing like sunshine after rain: "Great! Then... then Xiaoxi, let's take a picture in front of the observatory as a memento!"
She was completely unaware that she was being pulled by the boy.
"Okay, okay." Banami waved his hand impatiently, but took the phone from Mana's hand. "I'll take the picture. You make a peace sign and smile."
Mana obediently did as she was told, raising one hand in a silly manner, making a peace sign, with a shy smile on her face and her eyes curving into crescents.
"Are you unhappy today?" Banai looked at her on the phone screen, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said deliberately, "Why are you only raising one hand? Raising both hands together makes you look more energetic."
"Okay...okay!" Mana didn't notice his teasing at all. She quickly raised both hands, made a big peace sign, and her smile became even brighter, with two shallow dimples appearing on her cheeks.
In a state between tension and vulnerability, Hanami took her first ever photo with Junda Mana.
Soon after, the two entered the planetarium; the stargazing activity was about to begin.
However, what the two didn't know was that Hatsune was secretly following them. When she realized that Mana had actually brought Hanami to the planetarium, her heart felt like it had been hit hard.
Mana-chan, are you trying to make me feel more involved?
Hatsune's heart is bleeding.
***
The stargazing event officially began, and the venue was completely dark. Then, the dome overhead lit up, and countless stars were projected onto it, dazzling and spectacular, making it feel as if you were truly in the vast universe, tranquil and romantic.
The guide's gentle voice slowly echoed throughout the venue, introducing the constellations on the dome.
Banami and Mana sat side by side on the bench, so close they could feel each other's body heat.
Mana turned her head to look at the boy beside her. In the dim light of the stars in the dome, she could clearly see the outline of his profile. He was listening attentively to the explanation, his eyes focused on the stars above him. He had shed his usual wickedness and stubbornness and had become more gentle.
Suddenly, Banami turned his head and his gaze fell on her face, their eyes meeting.
By the faint starlight, Mana saw his dark eyes, clear and bright, reflecting the starlight and her own reflection.
Mana's heart began to race uncontrollably again, her cheeks flushed slightly, and her heart pounded as if it were about to leap out of her chest.
"Um... Xiaoxi, do you know about the summer love triangle?" Mana quickly spoke up, breaking the ambiguous silence.
A slight smile appeared on Banami's lips. He seemed to be thinking of something. Mana, unaware of his unusual behavior, simply used the conversation to escape the unsettling feeling in her heart.
"The Summer Triangle consists of Altair, Vega, and... Deneb. I... I've always felt that Hatsune Miku is like Deneb, very bright, dazzling, and distant, while I am Vega, always chasing after the brightest star, Deneb. And you, Xiaoxi, are Altair; it's because of Deneb's light that we were able to meet..."
As she spoke, she could hardly understand what she was saying anymore; her mind was foggy.
However, she didn't realize that the Hatsune Miku sitting behind her, disguised as a baseball cap, had a dark light appear in her eyes when she heard her words.
"Hehe...hehe...I'm such an idiot...so that's why..."
Mana is the enemy!
Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Golden Retriever Rises Up
The sunset glow bathed the streets in a warm orange hue, and a gentle evening breeze carried a touch of coolness. Banami escorted Mana downstairs; the smiling girl before him seemed utterly content today.
Mana tilted her head slightly, the starlight from the observatory still lingering in her eyes, and said in a light tone with a hint of shyness, "Thank you so much for meeting you today, Mana. I had a lot of fun."
She repeatedly told herself that she was doing all this for Hatsune Miku, but a strange, unsettling feeling welled up inside her.
It must be an illusion! Mana shook her head vigorously, silently repeating in her heart: There is only one sun in my heart, Hatsune Miku. Everything I am doing now is to protect Hatsune Miku-chan!
She composed herself, stepped forward, and looked at Hanami earnestly, specifically instructing her, "By the way, Hanami-kun, don't tell Hatsune-chan what happened today! Absolutely don't let her know!"
Banana's lips twitched. The two of them had a date at the observatory today. If Hatsune found out, she wondered how the blonde would react, since that place held special significance for her.
"I know, I know, you're so long-winded," Banami waved her hand, feigning impatience.
Speak of the devil, and he appears. The two had just arrived at the entrance of SUMIMI's dormitory when they saw Hatsune Miku wearing a light-colored apron, holding a soup spoon in her hand, her hair casually tied back, revealing her smooth forehead, looking every bit the virtuous wife.
She was standing at the door, a gentle smile on her face, her voice so soft it could melt your heart: "You're back! You must be tired from your journey. Wash your hands and get ready for dinner."
Mana was stunned when she saw this scene. Her cheeks flushed slightly. Looking at Hatsune-chan, who was gently preparing dinner for the two of them, she felt a strange sense of guilt. She couldn't figure out why, but this inexplicable sense of immorality just welled up in her heart.
What she didn't know was that Hatsune's gentleness was merely superficial. Deep within those seemingly gentle eyes lay a dark abyss that coldly stared at her, almost impossible to conceal, though she had disguised it perfectly.
Banami also sensed something was off. Today, the golden retriever didn't seem like its usual goofy self. Although it was still gentle, it had a strangely mature, feminine quality that made him feel a little unfamiliar with it.
"What's wrong, Yu-kun?" Hatsune noticed Yanami's gaze, her smile growing even gentler as she lightly shook the spoon in her hand. "Is there something strange on my face?"
Banami quickly looked away, coughed lightly, and said in a seemingly calm tone, "N-no, let's eat quickly, I'm starving."
***
The table was laden with exquisite dishes, their aromas irresistible, especially the mushroom soup, which exuded a rich and savory fragrance. Seeing this, Banai, ever cautious, didn't touch the food first. Her fingertips lightly traced the rim of the bowl, her eyes occasionally glancing at Hatsune Miku—
This guy is acting so strangely today that it made him hesitate for a moment.
But the simple-minded Mana didn't notice anything unusual at all. After sitting down, she picked up a spoon, took a sip of the mushroom soup, and her eyes lit up instantly. She said to Hachiman with a sincere look, "Toyokawa-kun, you should try it. Hatsune-chan's cooking is really good! Ah, the donuts are so delicious."
Hatsune even prepared a few donuts for Mana as a dessert, but she immediately grabbed one and ate it.
Seeing her bewildered expression, Banai couldn't help but facepalm. But it was just a gut feeling without any evidence, and he was indeed hungry. After hesitating for a moment, he picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
Hatsune sat to the side, a gentle smile always on her face, quietly watching the two eat, her eyes so tender they could melt your heart.
After a while, she casually asked Mana, "By the way, Mana-chan, where did you guys go today? Did you take any nice photos?"
Mana paused slightly as she scooped the soup, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, but she pretended to be calm and said, "I-I just went to the park, strolled around, took a couple of photos. After all... after all, I was just pretending to be Toyokawa-kun's aunt, just going through the motions."
As she spoke, her eyes darted away, avoiding Hatsune's gaze, and the guilt on her face was almost impossible to hide.
"So that's how it is." Hatsune smiled, silently thinking to herself: If it was just an act, why was your face so red when you were lying on the bench in the observatory looking at Yuuki?
"Mana-chan, what a bad girl," Hatsune Miku suddenly said.
"Huh?!" Mana's eyes widened instantly, the color draining from her face, her eyes revealing unbelievable terror.
"He actually went on a date with his own 'nephew'."
Hatsune Miku was still smiling, her tone slightly teasing, as if she were just joking.
"Ahahaha... Ahahahaha..." Mana breathed a sigh of relief, but after the initial shock, her tone became somewhat stiff.
Banami sat to the side, watching the interaction between the two, and felt increasingly strange.
***
As night deepened and all was quiet, only the moonlight outside the window shone through the gauze curtains, illuminating the sleeping figure on the bed.
Seeing that Banai was sleeping soundly, perhaps due to exhaustion from the day, or perhaps due to unease in his heart, he suddenly opened his eyes, his heart pounding wildly.
The next second, he was so frightened by the sight before him that he froze, almost screaming out loud—
Hatsune was sitting on him, her hands on either side of his body, looking down at him with a smile on her face, but her eyes were like a bottomless pool of cold water.
"You...you also need to have a life consultation?" Banami subconsciously shuddered.
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