Maybe the experience of a completely tearful goodbye can make the memory of a rejection more profound, maybe a sad look can make the other person feel more sorry, but, obviously, Isshiki is not a person who puts down his pride for such a pleasure.

As she did in the end, her memories were to be expressed through her one-of-a-kind movements, and this uniqueness had to be in a distinctly one-of-a-kind style.

The girl's lips are very soft, just the light touch on the forehead, which does not bring too many physical feelings, but more of a spiritual shock. When Isshiki retracted her head, took three steps back, and distanced herself from me in the usual way of a normal relationship between a boy and a girl, I knew that her goodbye was over.

The kind of memory she wanted, I understood, even though I didn't have to touch the place on her forehead that still had a trace of warmth, but I really felt her emotions.

"Then again, we always seem to be in a cycle of making a contract and then breaking each other, doesn't it?"

"Looks like that!"

"Actually, it seems that I am the one who asks to break the contract every time, but in fact, Kazuya is the main person in charge of making the contract collapse, do you admit it?"

"There's no denying it. ”

"If you admit it, then I'll be merciful to you," Isshiki blinked and whispered, "Allow me to send you my last help for what you're going to do next!"

"Last help?"

"Now, Kazuya, we're still friends, right?" asked suddenly, Isshiki.

"If you will—" I replied, stunned for a moment.

"So, would you take a suggestion from a friend?"

"Suggestions?"

"Well, just a suggestion, after all, I just want to tell you some thoughts about this thing that I've been in charge of for so long - to be honest, I wanted to keep it all in my heart, but sometimes girls are so emotional. ”

I didn't say anything, but listened quietly as Isshiki narrated everything in a calm tone.

This is respect for her, I believe, there must be turbulent waves and heart-rending pain in her heart, but if she is unwilling to show it, then maintain her dignity to the end, the meaningless gentleness at this time will only bring unrealistic hope to people, and the calmness and cruelty at this time are the real gentleness.

"Actually, this request of Xiao Mu Yu's predecessor is expected by me, so I think if you really think carefully about the possible consequences of this matter, it should also be within your expectation - maybe you don't want to admit this possibility, but you must have thought about it, thought about it, so you agreed to the senior's request, and realized that you need to find a fake girlfriend who can help you get through the trick. ”

"In hindsight, when you set this trap for me, you were actually very clear about the conditions that this so-called 'temporary girlfriend' needs to meet - one of the most important conditions is that you can't have too strong feelings for you. You can see very clearly, although you rejected the predecessor of Xiao Mu Yu, but your refusal is a strategic refusal to solve the problem, and you can't accept the actual betrayal of your feelings, so you are trying to beware of the possibility of 'fake shows', right?"

Analyzing the setback I had just experienced in a calm tone, like an outsider—it suddenly reminded me of the same tone when Ichishiki thanked everyone in the closing speech of the festival, thanking the executive committee members who embarrassed her, thanking me for abandoning her, and thanking Yuki for ignoring her significance. Temporarily closing a relationship in an almost cruel way may also be a brutal upbringing.

"Maybe so. ”

"If you don't know, then I can tell you that the first condition for your next goal is this, and the relationship with you is okay, but it will definitely not rise to the level of affection between men and women. ”

It's not an easy thing to do, in fact, I've always felt that you're the best person for this person, aren't you?

"Next is the person who must be able to fully understand the core of this matter - that is, you still like Yukina Kogi, and your refusal is forced by helplessness, I don't know how many people in your social network know about it, but people who don't know this must not be able to form a tacit understanding with you. ”

"It feels like the range is getting more and more limited. ”

"And then there are people who are willing to do this kind of seemingly boring thing - that is to say, people who can't have much impact on her, being asked by you to do such a thing, which means that the goddess is likely to be implicated in this turmoil with Xiao Mu Yu's predecessors to a certain extent, for that person, what is the point of meaninglessly getting involved in this turmoil - this can be linked to the first question, if a girl is willing to help you take this risk unconditionally, you need to consider what her intentions are. ”

"I feel that according to your conditions, all the girls I know can pass!"

"I'm just saying what I think needs to be noticed – in fact, as I told you, I didn't think I needed to talk about it at the time, because if you had chosen me from the beginning, the problem would have been solved. ”

"Uh-"

Of course, if you really feel helpless, you can come back to me. ”

"Hey—"

I was ready to complain about this joking remark as usual, but I forgot that the person who would make such a dangerous joke with me no longer exists.

"Sorry, just kidding, I know you won't take it," Isshiki's eyebrows sank as she kept raised, "and I can't say it easily." ”

"I'm sorry, Kazuya, I'm really sorry, although I've tried hard, but I can't face everything about you calmly. ”

The last sentence, like a final declaration, seemed to drain all of Isshiki's energy in an instant, and the previous illusion of easy chat came to an end.

Can you be friends after rejection, can you still talk calmly after a breakup? It's all a lie.

Emotionally invested, expecting a response, and ultimately failing – there is no option for a middle ground here, at least not for a short time.

When you look at each other, you may be able to temporarily freeze a memory that you will never forget, but you can't deceive yourself for long.

When I looked into Isshiki's eyes, I instantly understood the meaning of her words.

I think I can understand her feelings.

"Kazuya, chaotic mood, I want to vent. Picking up the microphone, Issei deliberately turned his back.

"Well, I see. ”

This is a manifestation of the eviction order.

"I'm sorry, I just, didn't want to cry in front of you. His voice trembled, but at least it wasn't crying.

Before I could leave, the melody of a song rang out.

It's a tune that's unexpected, somewhat ironically in line with the mood of many people nowadays.

Under different skies, different people, for different people, for different things, doing a common thing, a common sadness and helplessness experienced.

In the name of liking, the "優しい嘘" (gentle lie) said:

よく待ち合わせしたカフェでもいつも立ち寄ったコンビニでも

[Waiting in a café or wandering at a convenience store all the time]

いつのまにかいつからかあなたを思い出さない

[I can't recall you unconsciously]

次生まれ変わったらその時こそ死ぬまで

[If there is an afterlife until I am gone]

そばにいるよと約束した別れのあの日に

[I still promise to be with you when I leave]

優しい兮あなたが最後にくれた大切な私の宝物だよ

[The last 'white lie' is the most precious treasure you left me]

傷ついた私の心は今も癒されている気がしています

[My wounded heart is now healed]

雪降る空は切なく綺麗だねあなたと同じ空に続いてるから

[The snow is flying in the air, and it is very beautiful, and I am under the same sky with you]

あなたが選んだその人を恨んでも羨んでいても

[The person you choose whether you envy or hate]

諦めずに頑張ってもその人にはなれない

[I still can't be that person even if I try my best]

心から誰より君だけ好きだったと

[I like you more than anyone else in my heart]

忘れないよと約束した別れのあの日に

[I still promise you not to forget when I leave]

優しい嘘あなたが最後にくれたこれからも私の宝物だよ

[The last "white lie" will also be my treasure from now on]

傷ついた私の心は今も癒されている気がしています

[My wounded heart is now healed]

空を見上げて私は願いますあなたがずっと幸せでありますように

[I look up at the sky and make a wish, but I hope that happiness will always be with you]

あの優しい囻笑顔で頷いた私の方がずっと嘘つきだったね

[Smiling at the 'white lie', I'm the biggest liar]

優しい兮あなたが最後にくれた大切な私の宝物だよ

[The last 'white lie' is the most precious treasure you left me]

傷ついた私の心は今も癒されている気がしています

[My wounded heart is now healed]

雪降る空は切なく綺麗だねあなたと同じ空に続いてるから

[The snow is flying in the air, and it is very beautiful, and I am under the same sky with you]

忘れないよ優しい嘘を

[Don't forget the 'white lie']

---------------------------------PS------------------------------

I put a color line ed (spread hands).

I know that the most suitable for this song is, of course, the Yukina version with the last two CG kills of the game Koharu Line, but it feels quite appropriate to put it here