After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

Ai Cheng Hua Lian, what kind of existence was she to Kagura Hikaru?

A friend?

No, that explanation was merely a lie.

Although he often said such things, he clearly knew in his heart that the word could not simply describe her importance to him.

She was someone he could entrust with his trust, a close friend who would definitely be invited as a bridesmaid when he got married.

However, that future was shattered by Sakata Asahi's own hands at this moment.

The worst situation he had imagined had occurred.

The very thing he least wanted Ai Cheng Hua Lian to know was blurted out carelessly.

In that instant, he even felt a murderous impulse.

When dealing with other people, Kagura Hikaru was not afraid of his dark past being known, nor was he afraid of being misunderstood.

Even when Ayakoji Chiyoko first learned of it, he didn't feel too much pain, but rather worried about possibly not being able to fulfill Hina's request.

But for some reason, he specifically did not want Ai Cheng Hua Lian to know.

His own bad sides, his troubled past, he specifically did not want her to know.

Suddenly, he recalled the note he had caught during the relay race.

[The person who makes you feel the most at ease when together].

Yes, that's right.

At school, he had to face Hina and Ayakoji Chiyoko.

At home, he did not know how to face his stepmother.

Only when he was with Ai Cheng Hua Lian could he truly be himself and show the real 'Kagura Hikaru'.

People only despair when they harbor hope, similarly, one only fears loss when they have something to lose.

It was precisely because he did not want to leave that sanctuary that he feared Ai Cheng Hua Lian learning about his past, feared the unknown changes in their relationship.

"Kagura's girlfriend... are you talking about President Hina...?" Ai Cheng Hua Lian incredulously stepped back.

"Do you know what the worst part is?" Since it had been said, Sakata Asahi decided to spill it all, "The person he had an affair with was one of Hina's closest friends at the time." Find your next adventure on empire

"I don't know anything about this..."

"Enough!" Kagura Hikaru stepped forward, placing his body between Sakata Asahi and Ai Cheng Hua Lian, and glared at her darkly.

"...Well, whatever."

Sakata Asahi indeed felt she had said too much today, making herself seem like a gossipmonger. She did not want to leave that impression on others.

"Don't talk to me ever again."

With those words, she tightened her clothes and quickly left.

The maple tree in the courtyard was stirred by a gentle breeze, and a few dry leaves fluttered down onto the path.

The two left behind did not speak a word.

A long silence...

Meanwhile, Sakata Asahi had not yet left the school gates when she was stopped by someone.

"What does it mean that Kagura Hikaru went to the same elementary school as us?"

The person had a tall stature, a fiercely beautiful face, and an imposing aura that warned others not to come close.

It was indeed the last person Sakata Asahi wanted to face right now—Ayakoji Chiyoko.

"What... what are you talking about?" Sakata Asahi broke out in a cold sweat, hanging up what she thought was a perfect fake smile, "Kagura Hikaru went to our elementary school? That's quite a coincidence, where did you hear that from?"

"From your own mouth, you said it yourself."

Ayakoji Chiyoko stepped closer, her shadow from the backlight enveloping Sakata Asahi completely.

She moved so close that their noses almost touched, their eyes locked on each other.

"I can see lies in your eyes, Sakata Asahi, clear as day," Ayakoji Chiyoko said in a low voice, like a lion's growl, "Tell me, what does it mean that Kagura Hikaru went to the same elementary school as us? What does it mean that Hina and I ended up like this because of Kagura Hikaru? Tell me."

"..."

Sorry, Hina, it looks like I can't keep it a secret anymore.

Sakata Asahi lamented in her heart.

This was the irony of fate, a rare slip of the tongue, and it was overheard by the least appropriate person.

"I hope it doesn't come to the worst outcome in the end."

She slowly revealed the truth.

.................

On the third day, the sports event concluded peacefully.

Saijo Mari had been busy for a while, work finally took a break, and she found Kagura Hikaru again to thank him specifically.

"This is a thank-you gift from my mother." Saijo Mari handed a box of chocolates to him with both hands, "She knew Mr. Kagura accompanied me to pick up Midori and Riko, and also helped with the sports event, so she asked me to bring this to you."

"...I see, thank you."

Kagura Hikaru accepted the chocolates, "How is your family doing now?"

Saijo Mari forced a smile, "Not too good, not too bad."

In fact, it was much worse than just "not too good, not too bad."

Ever since the incident with Mari Enterprises, the Saijo family fell into hard times overnight.

Saijo Mari's father was detained in preparation for trial, leaving Mrs. Saijo and their three daughters to face the criticisms from the outside world.

All around them, people were adding insult to injury, and those whose deposits had been swallowed by Mari Enterprises bombarded them with messages, and some creditors even came knocking on their door, making them afraid to go home, so they moved in collectively with their grandparents in Tokyo.

Strangely, the local bank, which was owed up to three hundred million, was the calmest and even sent a handwritten letter of condolence.

But the numbers were there, making it impossible to feel at ease.

Saijo Mari also heard from her mother that they planned to sell the original house to cover the debts.

The pressure from all sides was overwhelming.

Saijo Mari even felt fortunate that she was already in her third year, or else given her current family situation, she might not have been able to afford the school fees, and transferring to a public high school midway might have been a possibility.

The hardest hit were Midori and Riko, who were still in elementary school, and it was uncertain what would happen to them in the future.

Kagura Hikaru was a man who could read the room well.

Even without mind-reading, one could see Saijo Mari's forced smile.

The Saijo family was facing difficulties.

"You mentioned earlier that your mother resigned from the company, has she found a new job yet?"

"No...she was busy dealing with people from the National Tax Agency, and she only just started looking for work again, but the situation isn't ideal, she said she might have to take up a temporary job..."

"If that's the case, maybe I can help."

"Eh? Mr. Kagura, are you going to help find temporary work?"

"Idiot, of course not."

Kagura Hikaru took out his cellphone, "I'll prepare and visit in a few days, tell me where you're staying now."

"That could be possible..."

Saijo Mari gave him her current address with confusion, then was sent on her way.

After she left, Kagura Hikaru leaned on the corridor windowsill and dialed a number.

It was quickly answered.

"Hello, hello? Mr. Kagura?"

"Ruzaki, do me a favor."

Kagura Hikaru told Saijo Mari he would visit in a few days.

But in fact, he went the very next afternoon.

After school, he and Saijo Mari took the train, first picked up her two younger sisters from elementary school, and then went to her new home.

It was a much smaller and older ordinary house than before, made of wood.

"I'm back."

"Excuse the intrusion."

After entering, what left a deep impression on Kagura Hikaru was the extremely narrow entranceway.

Past the short corridor was the living room, entirely in Japanese style, covered with tatami mats, with a low table in the middle, an old TV, and two elderly people sitting in front of the low table drinking tea.

Saijo Mari said they were her grandparents.

The two little girls were left in the care of the elderly, and Kagura Hikaru followed her upstairs, finally meeting Mrs. Saijo in a room.