Chapter 134: Senior Saeko
Saeko Dokushima simply smiled and listened quietly, occasionally murmuring her agreement. Only after Tsukasa Aoki finished speaking did she sigh and say, “Aoki-kun, deliberately provoking their dislike and making yourself the target so that they turn their fear of you into a passionate challenge—that’s truly remarkable.”
“But wouldn’t that make most of the kendo club hate you?” Saeko’s gaze softened, even carrying a hint of admiration as she spoke gently. “It was just a verbal favor; you really didn’t have to go that far.”
Tsukasa Aoki smiled indifferently. “I don’t really care how they see me. Whether they like me or hate me, it’s not like they’ll take a piece of me. I only care about the opinions of my friends and family; everyone else’s view means nothing to me.”
If it were anyone else, being feared like a demon every day would certainly cause unease. Though Aoki occasionally grew frustrated from misunderstandings, those feelings quickly drifted away like the wind, never lingering in his heart.
Come to think of it, perhaps the reason the system shamelessly refuses to restore his hair is precisely because of his personality? Aoki’s eyelid twitched; he felt he might be onto something.
“Is that so?” Saeko’s expression darkened slightly at his words, but soon she wore a faint smile, sincerely saying, “What I admire most is exactly the mindset you have. Not caring about others’ opinions, living life on your own terms, having clear goals in your heart and refusing to be easily swayed by outside forces. Only such people can achieve what others cannot. I often think, if only I had your mindset.”
“Whenever I think about it, I feel I’ll probably never be as carefree as you, Aoki-kun. It’s such a pity.” Saeko took a sip of tea and quietly regarded him.
Aoki was a little embarrassed by the praise but responded earnestly, “I’m really not as good as you say. I used to care a lot about what others thought, chasing goals for others and seeking happiness in the way others told me to.”
“But at a certain moment, I felt reborn,” he described his story aptly. “From that day on, I realized how wonderful it is to live for yourself—to strive not for others’ expectations, but for what you truly want. That kind of life is what people ought to have.”
“As long as you care about the people who matter to you, you can live happily, and it becomes only natural.” Seeing Saeko still seemed a bit puzzled, he smiled and said, “Look, most people at school fear me. Some because I look fierce, others because I’m the leader of the delinquents. But you don’t, and you even make tea for me. Isn’t that enough?”
“No matter how much they dislike me, they won’t make me lose a piece of myself. You don’t dislike me, and you give me tea to drink. Isn’t that a happy thing? So why should I care about their opinions?”
Raising his tea cup, Aoki smiled brightly. “Would you distance yourself from me just because I fight or look fierce?”
Saeko lowered her head, pondered for a moment, then looked up and smiled gently, “No.”
“That’s enough for me.” Aoki cheerfully finished his tea, and Saeko was quick to refill his cup.
“You don’t have to envy me, Saeko-senpai,” Aoki said calmly. “Find someone who accepts every part of you, and then trust them. You won’t have to try so hard to be like me.”
“When you feel that no matter what you do, someone behind you understands you, you’ll realize you have nothing to fear facing the world.” Aoki smiled softly.
Saeko was silent for a moment before asking suddenly, “Does Aoki-kun have such a person?”
Aoki thought seriously for a moment. “Maybe not yet, but I will someday. So I just have to keep doing what I do, and when someone sees me like this and still doesn’t mind, that’s when I’ll have found them.”
Perhaps Sora could be that person? Thinking carefully, Sora never got angry because Aoki fought or did something reckless, but because he got hurt or from her own worries. And so far, every time she got mad, she eventually forgave him. Though she was a bit tsundere, Aoki was sure she cared about him deeply.
“Maybe I’ve already found that person now,” Aoki smiled, recalling the past.
Saeko’s hand holding the tea cup froze slightly, her eyes flickering imperceptibly.
Was he talking about someone else? His beloved? Or...
Seeing Aoki staring at her with a somewhat dazed gaze, Saeko’s heart suddenly pounded fiercely.
Could it be me? But...
Recalling Aoki’s previous attitude of keeping his distance, Saeko pushed aside those thoughts.
Her mind twirled endlessly, yet she kept a composed smile. “That’s wonderful. I hope I can find such a person, too.”
Aoki chuckled and raised an eyebrow at her. “You definitely will. Saeko-senpai, you’re amazing—much more than me.”
Really... amazing? Saeko glanced at her thickly bandaged right hand and remained silent.
Noticing her dazed expression, Aoki sipped his tea. “Saeko-senpai, have you been eating well lately?”
“Huh?” Saeko looked up, startled, then answered, “I occasionally buy something to eat at the store.”
Looking at her hand, Aoki smiled. “If you haven’t had dinner yet, could you give me a chance to show off my cooking skills?”
“Well...” Saeko was about to refuse, but then Aoki’s sly smile revealed a small plastic bag from behind his back. “I’ve already bought the ingredients. If I carry them here and then have to bring them back, wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”
Saeko looked at his smile and helplessly nodded. “So this is your way of repaying me for last time?”
“No.” Aoki turned his head away, staring at the wall beside him, his eyes slightly embarrassed. “Come to think of it, the advice you gave me last time was actually pretty good...”
What advice? Saeko blinked and thought for a moment before realizing it was about addressing each other by first names. She couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, gazing at Aoki’s averted profile, her voice gentle. “Alright... Tsukasa-kun.”
“Then it’s settled! Saeko-senpai! Just call me Tsukasa, since I’m the junior here...” Aoki stood up, blushing, trying to hide his embarrassment with eagerness. “Where’s the kitchen? Today, you’ll see my cooking.”
“Follow me,” Saeko said, rising and lightly grasping the hem of her kimono, her eyes also quietly shy. But soon, that shyness turned into a trace of sadness.
Will you be the one who stands behind me, always understanding me?
Tsukasa, unlike you, the things I hide are far more terrifying than you can imagine.
Saeko silently looked at her hand, biting her lip.
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P.S.: After a full day of hard work, the author wiped sweat from their brow, carefully looked around to make sure no one was watching, and quietly opened their phone.
Today, I can once again soothe my thirst with “recommendation votes,” feeding myself illusions... Wait!
Where are the votes? ﾍ(;´Д｀ﾍ)
Where are the votes? (/ﾟДﾟ)/
My votes? Σ(っ°Д°;)っ