The boy's smile was clearly fake, and Ai wasn't stupid; she could see that.

His appearance made Ai feel even more sorry for him, and she couldn't help but curse inwardly, "Just like he said, you really are a complete idiot."

The two walked slowly toward the alley. During this time, Ai tried to get closer to Kousuke, but each time he would take a small step to the side.

After trying twice, Ai gave up and kept a step's distance from him as she slowly walked into the alley.

"There are a lot of people here, I have to hold back, hold back..." Ai took a deep breath as she listened to the conversations of the pedestrians around her. "I can't attract attention, otherwise those people might notice me..."

She had already thought of her response before letting go of Kōyū's hand; letting go was simply a way to more formally tell Kōyū her answer.

Taking a step back is merely a prelude to future actions.

To Ai's surprise, before she could even speak, Kousuke suddenly turned into that.

Seeing Guangyou's expression, she panicked a little and wanted to tell him that things weren't as he thought.

But reason told her that saying it on the street would easily attract the attention of passersby and cause them to gather around. If it were then uploaded to the internet, that would be terrible.

So Ai suggested that they talk in a different place.

By this time, the two of them had already entered the alley.

Guangyou still had a sunny smile on his face: "Go ahead and say it, but I really don't care, and I think it might be better not to say it."

"Don't you care? You still don't care?" Xiao Ai felt even more sorry for you. "You're still putting on a brave face at this point. I really don't know what to say to you."

Another evening breeze blew by, seemingly disturbing the cats living in the alley, and the two heard a meow.

The meow pulled Ai back from her reverie. Her icy blue eyes met Kousuke's forced smile, and she smiled slightly.

Without much hesitation, Ai took two steps forward, hugged Kousuke tightly, pressed her head against his chest, and whispered repeatedly, "You're so silly..."

...