Bye, bye, Ryuichi-kun. See you later.

Come back anytime.

Yup. Ill be back for the good food and good women.

With those parting words, Ryuichi left Shizunas home. Feeling the illusion of being thrown out of their warm atmosphere into a cold one, he realized that he was being changed by these women. It wasnt an unpleasant sensation, but rather one that made him want to immerse himself in it even more.

You watching this, you bastard of a mother? There was a time when I wanted this from you too.

He muttered without any sort of emotion. The more time he spent with Shizuna and the others these days, the more he felt the gap between his present and past memories.

Once told by both his father and mother that he wasnt needed and that they didnt want to think of him as a son, Ryuichi had now been changed by the influence of others.

What would his late parents think if they saw Ryuichi now, and what would they think if they saw the girls who were attracted to him?

Ugh, fuck it.

He spat those words and continued walking.

There was no way anybody couldve noticed his mental turmoil. However, despite that, perhaps Shizuna had felt something as the door behind Ryuichis back opened with abang.

There was no way anybody couldve noticed his mental turmoil. However, despite that, perhaps Shizuna had felt something as the door behind Ryuichis back opened with a

bang

.

Huh?

Of course, even Ryuichi was surprised as he turned around.

Wait, Ryuichi-kun.

Shizuna?

She walked out of the house. She then jumped straight into his chest and hugged him. Unlike Ryuichi, who was in his school uniform, she was in her pajamas without a jacket. Even though it was cold at night, her light outfit made him wonder if she was trying to catch a cold.

Sorry. I just wanted to do this for a bit.

I see

He held her body tightly so that she wouldnt feel cold as she hugged him. Her body was supposed to be warm, but it was getting colder and colder because she was outside. Sakie was probably waiting for Shizuna with worry on the other side of the door.

Cmon, you better head back fast or else youll get a cold.

Youre right. Thank you, Ryuichi-kun.

You dont have to thank me for that.

In fact,hewas the one who wanted to say thank you to her. He had been feeling a little sentimental about having to leave the warm place Shizuna and Sakie had given him and being thrown out into the cold outside.

Her kindness permeated his heart and distracted him from that mood, even if only slightlyand he was reminded once more that the person in front of him was someone very important to him.

In fact,

he

was the one who wanted to say thank you to her. He had been feeling a little sentimental about having to leave the warm place Shizuna and Sakie had given him and being thrown out into the cold outside.

Her kindness permeated his heart and distracted him from that mood, even if only slightlyand he was reminded once more that the person in front of him was someone very important to him.

Shizuna.

Mmm.

But, he did have a slight desire to tease her.

Although he was wearing a uniform, his appearance was clearly one of a man who liked to play around. Ryuichi couldnt talk for the woman who had deliberately called out to him despite knowing he was a student; however, he himself had no intentions of doing

that

with her. But, he did have a slight desire to tease her.

Well, what about you? Would that stop you from sleeping with me there tonight?

Oh

He placed his hand on the shoulder of the woman dressed in a revealing outfit and pointed toward a love hotel.

The woman seemed surprised for a moment, but then she looked at Ryuichis face and her cheeks blushed. Perhaps if he kept pushing, she would follow him even though she was supposed to be soliciting him.

Well, as hed said before, he had no intention of doing that with her at all, so he warned her against being swept away by a bratty juvenile like him and removed his hand from her.

Ahh Hey, are you really a high school student? Youve got to be cosplaying, arent you?

Why would I be cosplaying in a uniformwell, I guess there are some people who actually do that.

But your body is oozing so much sexiness that my female instincts are telling me to let you sweep me away, even if youre a high schooler.

Oh really? Well, thats flattering to hear.

Ryuichi started walking away from her just as she reached out for him. He bought a can of juice from a nearby vending machine and quenched his thirst. As he was drinking, Ryuichi suddenly had this thought.

Come to think of it, I know my fathers parents, but I dont know anything about my mothers.

He hadnt given it much thought before, but now that he thought about it, he knew absolutely nothing about his mothers family.

Well, it was possible that her family could have cut ties with her because she was such a bitch, or it was also possible that she could have cut ties with them herself because she was such a cunning woman.

He was sure they were alive and well, just like his fathers parents, but still, he shook his head and thought that it didnt matter to him at all. But at the same time, it loathed him to think that no matter how many years had passed, the memories of his childhood still clung to him.

Even though I get it in my head, why do those assholes keep haunting me like this?

Ryuichis parents were no longer with him. Even though itd been this way for years now, he could still vividly recall their faces and voices. It was a testament to just how much hatred and disappointment he felt toward them, but would a day ever come when he was freed from this curse?

Guess Ill head home. Were all gonna gather at her place come this weekend anyways, so Ill just let loose then.

Ryuichi cackled conspicuously as he tossed his empty can in the trash and walked away.

?

Just as he started moving his feet to return to his apartment, he saw a couple of parents with their child. It was a young boy walking hand in hand with his mother and father. All three of them were smiling, seemingly on their way home from a meal out.

He was slightly envious of this warm scene of a family, which he himself had never had, but it did not make him feel bitter.

You better not turn out like me.

Although he never said it out loud, he muttered those words in his mind. Perhaps he shouldnt have glanced at him like that, since the boy turned his attention to Ryuichi and waved his hand at him.

The boys parents then hid him from Ryuichi, scolded him to stop, and then quickly strode away, not wanting to get involved with Ryuichi at all.

Dont turn into a delinquent like me in the future.

His words were tinged with a hint of melancholy.

HamletJr's notes:

I'm so sorry for the mess that happened earlier today. I conked out for like 8-10 hours and only noticed after I woke up. I'll try my best not to let it happen again, and I'll be releasing an extra chapter this week to make up for it.

Thank you to everybody who let me know in the Discord server, readers and staff alike.