Chapter 27: Swearing with an Adult’s Soul, Absolutely Not Falling in Love

“Sorry.”

A low apology rippled through the air between them.

Yuki Asahi abruptly let go, his hand unusually hot from gripping too tightly.

The lingering sensation in his palm and the inexplicable sourness in his chest left him flustered and helpless.

He felt the blood rush to his head, his cheeks burning.

He lowered his head, not daring to look at Jiang Jian Yue before him, afraid his awkward expression would betray his hidden thoughts.

Regretfully, he stared at the ground, his fingers unconsciously curling and uncurling.

Heh…Chunan.

Jiang Jian Yue stood still, her gaze falling on his lowered, reddened cheek and neck.

Her blood-red eyes flickered with a hint of desire—a mischievous desire.

She really wanted to tease him a little.

If she suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand again, or even went further, forcefully intertwining their fingers…

How embarrassed would Yuki Asahi become?

But unfortunately.

The dangerous thought vanished in an instant, and the heat of mischief in her heart quickly cooled.

Jiang Jian Yue was a responsible adult.

She definitely wouldn’t do something so misleading.

Yes, “misleading.”

Maybe it was a word she used in her heart to set boundaries, but she knew clearly that she would never fall for a man.

Overly ambiguous actions would only give this awkward, sensitive boy more unrealistic fantasies.

Why flirt if you don’t intend to marry, comrades.

So, the hand that almost reached out was finally stuffed back into her pocket, and the slight evil smirk on her face faded into calm.

“Let’s go.”

Jiang Jian Yue spoke, her voice returning to a steady tone, as if the ambiguous moment between them had never happened.

The two walked silently side by side, stepping under the dense shade cast by tall trees along both sides of the Sando.

On a weekend afternoon at the Meiji Shrine, the emptiness felt strange—where crowds should have been shoulder-to-shoulder on the main approach, now only a few scattered tourists remained.

Only the rustling of autumn wind through leaves filled the air, replacing the usual clamor.

Due to the frequent supernatural incidents, tourist numbers had sharply declined.

The atmosphere of fear hanging over Tokyo Metropolis was enough to scare away those wanting to visit.

The sudden silence added an indescribable sense of loneliness to the solemn shrine.

They strolled along, passing through the Sanno Torii.

In Jiang Jian Yue’s mind, the image of a traditional Japanese wedding—bride in Shiro-muku, groom in Kuro-mon-tsuki Haori Hakama—sadly remained unseen.

Apparently, these days weren’t auspicious for such ceremonies.

Unknowingly, they wandered to the Ema offering area.

Rows of tall wooden racks surrounded a large tree, colorful, densely packed Ema hanging and swaying gently in the wind, making soft clinking sounds.

Jiang Jian Yue glanced around, not finding any Sakura plaques—it seemed this world had no Yangzhi.

The two bought Ema—small wooden plaques—and planned to hang them up.

If only life could always remain peaceful.

After writing, Yuki Asahi felt a small curiosity, so he sneaked a look at Jiang Jian Yue beside him.

She quickly covered it with her hand.

His gaze moved up.

Her blood-red eyes stared at him, not with anger or shyness, but with a faint teasing glint.

“Want to see what I wrote?”

“I can read it once you hang it up, too.”

Oh, that’s true.

Jiang Jian Yue tilted her head, releasing her hand.

On the plaque, it read: May the Shinmei be used as paper today.

A punny joke?

How much does Senior Jiang Jian like puns and wordplay…

If Jiang Jian Yue could hear Yuki Asahi’s inner complaints, she would definitely wag her finger: NO! This is actually a triple pun! Even stronger than a double one!

After leaving the Meiji Shrine, the two wandered into the commercial streets of Harajuku nearby, each holding a famous crepe.

However, this sweet dessert was quite unfamiliar to Jiang Jian Yue, who forced herself to finish it with a frown, determined not to waste food.

Most shops on both sides of the street were clothing stores—after all, this was Harajuku!

On domestic PDD, Japanese-style clothes would often be labeled “Harajuku style.”

But for penniless Yuki Asahi and shopping-indifferent Jiang Jian Yue, there wasn’t much to do.

“Do you like cats, Senior?”

Yuki Asahi pointed to a cat café.

“I don’t like animals that defecate.”

“Is that so?”

Yuki Asahi sighed a little.

Senior Jiang really was different from other girls.

Buzz—

The phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.

Yuki Asahi pulled it out and saw it was a call from “Mr. Honda from Tokubetsu Ouyouhonbu.”

“Yuki-kun, could you please come to the Tokuyōmoto Base?”

Yuki Asahi knew Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu had been attacked yesterday, but not the details.

They must have just finished dealing with the aftermath.

“I’m on a date,” Yuki Asahi muttered weakly.

“Is it very important?”

“Ah, sorry! Didn’t mean to interrupt you! You can come tomorrow, too.”

“I have school tomorrow…”

“Then tonight?”

“Okay.”

Helpless, Yuki Asahi agreed.

He actually wanted to ask about Masakazu Kinoshita as well.

After all, he hadn’t been killed, but had been taken in by Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu.

“What’s wrong?”

Jiang Jian Yue, stroking a silk scarf on a display rack, turned to ask.

“Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu wants me to go over. I’m not sure what it’s about yet.”

Yuki Asahi shared openly.

From his perspective, Jiang Jian Yue was aware of the situation at Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu.

So there was no issue sharing their cooperation.

“Then go.”

Jiang Jian Yue continued to examine the scarf in her hand.

“Don’t worry about me.”

“The appointment is at night.”

“Japanese civil servants don’t usually work at night.”

“They’re a bit special?”

Jiang Jian Yue used the map app to find a nearby well-rated trendy restaurant.

The two settled dinner before the rush, knowing it was almost time to part.

At the station, Jiang Jian Yue waved goodbye, but was stopped.

“Um…”

Yuki Asahi hesitated, gripping the shopping bag tightly to steady his nerves.

“Can I invite you out again next time?”

Jiang Jian Yue, as always, revealed no emotion, but her blood-red eyes seemed to see through him.

Yuki Asahi grew more nervous, certain she would reject him.

No matter how dense, Jiang Jian Yue could tell that Yuki Asahi liked her.

Ah…what a love-starved child.

To fall in love just from being treated like a friend?

This must be the Chunan syndrome, as Sister Yue said.

Jiang Jian Yue wanted to roll her eyes, but feared Yuki Asahi would misunderstand and hurt his sensitive heart.

As an adult, sometimes seeing through things without pointing them out isn’t wise.

Dragging things to the point of no return only causes more trouble.

But there was no reason to reject him now—it was just “hanging out.”

Before he could no longer hold back and confess, she had to lower the favorability, or make her stance clear.

I, Jiang Jian Yue, absolutely, absolutely will not fall for a man, nor accept a man’s confession!

I swear on my soul as an adult.

“Whatever.”