Chapter 125 IF Option: Intertidal Zone If Yukimura hadn't existed, Risa and...
Rikkai University's Umihara Festival is always a lively and bustling event.
Niou Masaharu, a second-year high school student, was assigned to a job at the haunted house by Yanagi Renji under the pretext of "club honor," where he played the role of a vengeful vampire count.
He leaned against the coffin listlessly, listening to the screams outside, his dark blue fox-like eyes filled with the thought of escaping.
“Puli~ Liu, I request a shift change.” He lazily protested into the walkie-talkie, “This job is just not my style.”
A completely emotionless voice came from the other end of the walkie-talkie: "Data shows that the vampire you played is the most frightening attraction in this year's haunted house. Please stay at your post, Niou-kun."
Niou clicked his tongue, just as he was about to continue haggling, the curtain at the entrance of the haunted house was lifted, and the moment light streamed in, he instantly got into character, putting on a ferocious expression and letting out a low growl.
However, the person who walked in was not the younger generation who was expected to be frightened to tears.
It's Risa Matsuno.
She is Akaya's cousin. She transferred to the school this April and occasionally waits for Akaya outside the tennis court after his training so they can go home together.
She was a very quiet girl who never cheered for the regulars on the tennis club, nor did she seem to show any particular interest or admiration for any of them. This made her stand out from the crowd.
Sometimes when the tennis club has group activities, Niou would jokingly ask Akaya to bring his cousin along. But Akaya would always scratch his head and say that he had invited her several times, but she had always refused with various excuses.
It was as if she was deliberately maintaining a certain distance.
At that moment, she was holding a handmade badge she had just completed as a volunteer, as if she was planning to take a shortcut through the haunted house to the other side of the teaching building.
Their eyes met. Niou stiffened his vampire fangs, while Risa slightly widened her dark, clear eyes. More than fear, her expression suggested she was seeing something new and exciting; she blinked.
Silence lingered for two seconds amidst the haunted house's set design.
“Lord Renwang, did you just finish lunch?” She pointed to the corner of his mouth. “The blood plasma doesn’t seem to have been cleaned up yet, a little on the right side.”
"......"
Niou Masaharu, Rikkai University's invincible con artist, suffered a major setback in his life in a haunted house due to a shoddy prop.
He dropped his aggressive demeanor, but his tone remained lazy: "Pfft~ Oh well. Matsuno, are you going to the drama club?"
“Hmm, I’m going to deliver something.” Risa nodded, but instead of leaving, she took two steps closer and curiously examined his vampire costume. “Niou-kun is very suitable for this role, although… well, the props are a bit of a hindrance.”
Her tone was very sincere, as if she were stating a fact, like, "The weather is nice today."
That's the attitude! Niou felt inexplicably frustrated, yet strangely relieved. No matter what he transformed into—whether imitating Yagyu or playing a vampire—he always seemed to be completely exposed in her presence.
She wouldn't make a fuss like others, nor would she think he had a perverse sense of humor. She would simply say calmly, "Suitable," "Unsuitable," "How interesting," "Is it Niou-kun?" and so on.
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, deliberately leaning closer and lowering his voice, trying to regain some ground. "So, what kind of role does Matsuno think would be most suitable for me?"
Unexpectedly, she actually tilted her head and thought for a moment. The light was dim, but her eyes were very bright.
“Hmm… The con artist himself is great.” She said with a smile, “The one and only Niou Masaharu is more interesting than any other character.”
Renwang was slightly taken aback. His heart felt like it had been gently tickled by a feather, a little itchy, but he couldn't quite grasp it.
Just then, the voices of other tourists came from outside. Risa smiled at him: "I won't disturb your work anymore, good luck, 'Count'."
She walked briskly through the haunted house and left through the other exit.
Niou stared in the direction she had disappeared for a long while, then raised his hand to touch his fangs and suddenly chuckled softly.
It doesn't seem so boring anymore...
-
From then on, Niou would occasionally "bother" her.
Sometimes he would disguise himself as Sanada to deliver club notices to her, only to be exposed by her saying, "Sanada-kun wouldn't be this kind to me." Other times, when she encountered a problem, he would use his unconventional thinking to provide her with some bizarre but surprisingly effective solutions.
Risa always played along. She seemed to enjoy the process of "guessing the riddle" and "countering the tricks," and would even give him some "deceptive ideas" on her own initiative.
During their university years, they both went to Tokyo.
Niou went to Waseda University, while Risa went to an art university. Distance didn't distance them; in fact, Asuka's presence brought them together even more.
Niou became LUMIERA's free technical and public relations consultant and laborer, often being dragged by Asuka to debug equipment, build websites, and even work as a model. He would complain, "Puri~ you're exploiting me again," but he always did a great job.
He watched her transform from a talented student on campus into a well-known independent artist. He watched her stay up all night for an exhibition, witnessed her unwavering determination in the face of doubt, and saw the light in her eyes after her success.
Sometimes, he would see her leaning against the railing, lost in thought. When she gazed into the distance, her eyes held a quietude that was hard to define. Like an isolated island, no one knew what she was thinking, nor what kind of scenery was passing through her heart.
He became increasingly certain that she was extraordinary. Like a plant with extremely tenacious vitality, she grew silently and dazzlingly on the path she had chosen, needing no one to depend on.
He found himself spending increasingly longer and longer nights in the studio with her, not because Asuka asked him to, but because he wanted to stay there himself.
Even if they were just doing their own thing, chatting occasionally, or he would deliberately perform a clumsy little magic trick to make her laugh, that atmosphere made him feel very accomplished and comfortable.
It was an attraction he had never experienced from anyone else, a blend of calm and fun.
-
On Risa's twenty-second birthday, Niou asked her out. There was no grand party, just a quiet café she liked.
He took a small box out of his pocket and pushed it in front of her.
"Birthday present, poop~"
Risa opened the box, and inside was not expensive jewelry, but a very delicate fox-shaped brooch made of silver wire. The fox's eyes were set with two tiny emeralds, making it look cunning and lively.
“This is…” she said in surprise as she picked it up.
“Handmade, one of a kind.” Niou rested his chin on his hand, looking at her. “Just like you said, it’s a gift from the con artist himself.”
Risa looked at the brooch, then at him, her eyes curving into crescents: "It's beautiful, I love it. Thank you, Niou."
She carefully put it away, then took out a small, slender box from her own bag and handed it to him.
"Hmm?" Niou raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Give it to me? It's not my birthday today."
"A return gift," Risa said with a smile, "to celebrate...our fifth anniversary?"
Nioh opened the box, and inside lay a woven pink rubber band.
He was stunned.
Risa smiled at him, her eyes clear and frank: "I don't know what I can give you, but this... is perhaps the most useful thing for you?"
Niou stared at the pink rubber band, then looked up at the bright-eyed girl opposite him. Something incredibly soft suddenly struck his heart, making it pound wildly.
He suddenly understood.
Many years ago in the haunted house, later in the studio, and all the little things in between, what is that feeling of being "seen through" but not offended, but instead feeling relaxed and happy?
What is that feeling of always wanting to get close to her, make her laugh, help her solve problems, and see her shine?
"Risa".
"Um?"
Let's be together.
Risa was stunned. She looked at him quietly, then nodded gently.
"good."
There was no earth-shattering confession, no dramatic plot twists.
Five years after they met, on a sunny afternoon in a quiet café, the conman gave up his only true feelings, and the only person he couldn't deceive accepted them with a smile.
-
Niou used that pink rubber band for a long time.
It once tied up his sweaty, silver hair and accompanied him to victory in countless matches; it was also once casually slipped onto his wrist, becoming a low-key yet private declaration.
During that time, the air seemed to be filled with sweetness. Finally, I no longer needed to keep my distance; I could stand beside her without a second thought, embrace her, and share all the little joys and inspirations.
When Risa is exhausted from work stress, he will gently hug her from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head, giving her strength. When he loses a competition and shows vulnerability, she will kiss him first, like a gentle sanctuary.
Their intimacy often begins with an emotional need rather than a physical impulse.
Just like their relationship itself, it was not a passionate, whirlwind romance, but rather like two streams calmly and naturally merging into a deep, tranquil ocean.
I first realized something was off when they held hands.
His hand brushed lightly against hers as if by accident. She instantly understood his silent probing, her slender fingers loosening slightly and naturally slipping between his fingers, their hands intertwining.
There was no missed heartbeat as I had anticipated, no palpitating tension.
All I felt in my palm was a familiar warmth and a reassuring sense of comfort.
This shocked Niou.
He clearly loved her so deeply, longed to be close to her, to protect her, and hoped to see her smile.
This calm, devoid of physical desire, once puzzled him, even making him wonder if there was something wrong with his emotions or body. Later, they tried other forms of intimacy.
Their first kiss happened in her apartment.
Risa had just finished an online meeting, and her face showed signs of fatigue. Niou handed her a glass of warm milk, his fingers gently brushing away a stray strand of hair from her forehead.
"Phew~ The great artist has finally decided to take a break?"
Risa took the cup.
"Mr. Fraudster is being quiet today too~"
She didn't drink, but just looked up at him. Those eyes that always seemed to see right through him were now reflecting a warm light, looking tired, fragile, and soft.
The air suddenly became thick and quiet, and a silent tension slowly spread between the two of them.
Those deep blue fox eyes were like a still lake. He rarely let down his playful facade and revealed his true self to her like this.
He slowly lowered his head.
It was an extremely slow process, so slow that Risa could clearly see his trembling eyelashes and feel his warm breath gently brushing against her cheek.
There was no sudden impulse; as if afraid of startling her, he asked gently and silently, probing her questions.
Risa closed her eyes, which could be considered a tacit agreement.
His kiss finally landed.
There was no aggression, nor any skillful teasing. It began with a gentle touch of lips, tender and tentative.
For Masaharu Niou, this was an unprecedented experience. He was adept at creating illusions and controlling situations, but at this moment, he relinquished all control. Like a gambler who had laid down all his cards, he awaited judgment from his opponent.
And this "judgment" was Risa's slight response. Her lips moved softly, like the fluttering of butterfly wings, making his heart skip a beat.
He deepened the kiss, cupping her cheeks in his palms, his thumb gently caressing her earlobe, while his other hand pulled her even closer into his embrace.
Time seemed to stretch out, intertwined with silence.
When the two separated slightly, their foreheads touched and their breaths mingled.
Niou opened his eyes and looked into Risa's eyes, which were so close to his. There was no infatuation, no panic, only a deep, gentle, and serene tenderness, like water.
She reached out and gently stroked the corners of his reddened eyes with her fingertips.
“Niou Masaharu,” her voice was as soft as a dream, “So you were here.”
Just that simple sentence.
Niou's heart felt as if it were enveloped by a warm tide, then struck hard, pounding incessantly. The heart that had been calm and still during their intimate embrace was now awakened by her words, throbbing uncontrollably.
He chuckled softly, pulled her into a tight embrace, and rested his chin on the top of her head.
“Ah,” he replied in a hoarse voice, “I’m right here.”
-
The tide always recedes.
The problem wasn't that they "didn't love each other anymore." Quite the opposite, they appreciated each other, and one could even say they understood each other's souls better than many others.
However, "understanding" and "suitability" are two different things.
Just like moths drawn to light, when they actually get close to a light source, they instinctively retreat because of the heat, and even fear losing themselves in the bright light.
In Risa's presence, Niou's art of deception, upon which he relied for survival, lost all meaning. No matter how meticulously he crafted the atmosphere or displayed his charm, he ultimately needed to be "approved" by her gaze.
With just a clear look in her eyes and a simple word, she could instantly melt away all the swindler's glamorous illusions, bringing him back to his most primal and honest self.
Her very existence was like a clear mirror that defined what he meant by "reality." This unique mirror, while giving him peace of mind and a sense of belonging, also quietly sowed the seeds of unease.
He began to have a vague suspicion that her ability to easily see through all his pretenses might one day lead her to gently deceive him in order to maintain this peace.
One night, Niou attempted a deeper, more deliberate intimate encounter. Risa did not refuse, responding with equal fervor. However, before that moment, her body, before her consciousness, betrayed the secret in her heart.
In just a moment, Niou keenly realized that they were both playing the role of a "normal" couple.
One is a con artist trying to play the role of a yearning person, the other is an insightful observer trying to play the role of an intoxicated person. They are both deceiving each other, and perhaps even more so, deceiving themselves.
He didn't expose it, but slowly stopped, gently transforming the kiss that was originally full of desire into a long and warm embrace.
Risa buried her face in his chest, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist. His notice and pause made her feel loved, yet also stung, more than any kiss.
She longed to be able to fully engage with him, to respond to him simply as an ordinary lover.
But even something as simple as this, she couldn't do. Neither could he.
At that moment, they both clearly saw reality—the flame of passion could not be ignited between them. Forcing it might only burn everything they already had.
That tacit understanding, like that of "kindred spirits" and "confidants," that resonance of souls that transcends physical attraction and romantic fantasies, becomes an obstacle when lovers need to be closely integrated.
The breakup happened on a very peaceful afternoon. It was in a coffee shop, just like when I confessed my feelings.
There were no arguments, no betrayals, and not even a third person.
They are both too special, too insistent on being themselves. One is a never-ending, unknown ocean, the other yearns for a tranquil harbor after the stormy seas.
Like two perfectly matched gears, they rotate in opposite directions. Neither is willing or able to change its course for the other.
“Niou…” Risa looked at the rising steam in her cup and said softly, “I’ve received an invitation to stay in Paris for a year to create art.”
After a moment of silence, Niou gave a knowing yet complicated smile: "That's good~ Take good care of yourself over there."
"Aren't we... better suited to be friends?" she asked him.
He didn't answer immediately, but instead reached out and untied the hair tie, placed it on the table, and pushed it back in front of her.
"Ah, I guess so." He forced his usual lazy smile, but the light in his eyes dimmed. "If this keeps up, we might not even be able to be 'best friends' anymore. Pfft~"
These words stung them both, and revealed the truth. What they feared was not losing a romantic relationship, but losing each other as unique individuals.
Risa didn't take back the rubber band; she just stared at it, her eyes gradually reddening.
"You can keep this. Or you can throw it away."
Even when they ended their relationship, they were so in sync, calm and dignified.
As dusk approached, they walked silently to the center of the cross-sea bridge. The salty sea breeze whistled through the steel cables.
“Let’s stop here.” Niou stopped, his voice carried on the wind. “Before, you were always the one who saw me off. This time, it’s my turn.”
Risa nodded, turned, and blended into the flowing light and shadow. After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, ran back without hesitation, and crashed heavily into his arms, hugging him tightly with all her might.
“Niou,” her voice muffled on his shoulder, hoarse with a sob, “I probably… like you more than 99% of the people in this world.”
She looked up, tears welling in her eyes and streaming down her cheeks.
"It is precisely because I love you so much that I cannot bear to bind you in the name of 'love.' That would taint your innate freedom and distort the most precious thing between us."
Niou gazed at her, his azure eyes like a calm sea, rippling with tenderness.
"Yes, I know."
He always knew. Because he shared the same paradoxical feeling.
"Risa must be so happy in the future that I'll be jealous," he said with a smile, his fingertips brushing against her damp cheek.
The last kiss, like a falling feather, gently touched her forehead.
They embraced at the end of the twilight, like two ships that had gone astray, briefly meeting before returning each other to the vast sea of people.
-
Time is the best solvent.
Even after stepping back into the role of friends, they remain each other's most trusted confidants and sources of inspiration for each other's most imaginative ideas.
Niou will, as always, offer her his wildly imaginative and "terrible" advice; Risa will also pinpoint his bottleneck when he gets stuck on a rut.
Five years later, Niou changed to a purple rubber band.
Risa saw it and smiled, saying the color suited him well. Then they started talking about her new project ideas.
As the sun set, Niou looked at her profile as she spoke eloquently and suddenly thought, "This is really nice."
He remains the one and only Masaharu Niou. She remains the one and only Risa Matsuno.
The tide never submerged the reef, but gently surrounded it, reflecting each other's truest and freest selves.
Years later, they are still each other's names in each other's contacts, names that require no small talk, that can be dialed anytime, and that can be spoken frankly.
When your partner occasionally expresses confusion or wonders why you have such a close "friend of the opposite sex," he or she simply smiles knowingly and answers frankly:
"Because he/she is Niou/Risa."
Simply because the other person is unique and irreplaceable, they chose a more eternal way to keep each other in their lives.
Some encounters are not meant to last. Rather, they are meant to witness each other's brilliance in that fleeting moment of intersection, before each person heads off to a wider world.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Originally, I wanted to make up for the regrets in another timeline, but I don't know why it turned out this way. Let's give the fox a sweet romance in "Love Diary".
That concludes the extra chapters. There are still approximately 45,678 more bonus chapters featuring Mura and Sasa; I'll figure out how to publish them.
Thank you all for your continued support. The entire text will be revised later. Chapters 1-13 are now complete. Those interested can take a look; it's less melancholic and archaic (in my opinion).
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