A Disturbing Shadow?

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    In no time at all, mealtime was over.?

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    Time at the Shimotsuki household was very warm and kind.?

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    I felt as if I had not felt a “family gathering” in a long time.?

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    My parents are workaholics, so they are not as interested in raising children as the Shimotsukis are. They are currently on a business trip overseas, leaving me and Azusa behind.?

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    They do the bare minimum for us, and we have never had any financial difficulties, so I am grateful to them. But I would be lying if I said I don’t feel lonely sometimes.?

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    (Maybe I should bring Azusa with me next time.)?

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    I would love for her to come. I am sure Itsuki and Satsuki would accept Azusa kindly.?

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    –I was thinking about that as I headed back home.?

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    After saying goodbye to Shiho and her parents, I was walking alone in the night.?

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    The time was 8:30 p.m. Since it was a little late, Satsuki offered to drive me home, but I declined.?

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    I felt like walking.?

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    “Phew…….”?

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    I take a breath and inhale the slightly cooler air. I cooled my burning body and caught my breath.?

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    September. It is almost the time for autumn to arrive. It used to be hot even at this time of the day not long ago, but recently it has become more comfortable.?

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    The temperature is just right for relaxing without thinking about anything.?

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    So I walked around in a daze. Well, it’s not a big distance since I only have to walk to the bus stop. I soon arrived at the nearest bus stop and sat down on a bench to wait.?

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    –And just then, I saw something.?

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    “…………Hmm?”?

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    A black limousine, looking very expensive, slowly passed in front of me.?

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    The car looked out of place in the quiet residential area. I had only seen them on TV, so I was looking at it, thinking how amazing it was. ……About ten meters ahead, the limousine stopped.?

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    Then a man in a suit comes out of the driver’s seat. He was a classy-looking old man who opened the back passenger door with a relaxed gesture.?

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    And out of it came a beautiful, blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl.?

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    “Seriously?……”?

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    I was struck by the Western-style beauty, with her well-built body and striking aura of cleverness.?

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    There is no doubt about it. She was Mary, the new heroine.?

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    I never expected to meet her.?

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    “Hello?… What a coincidence on a night like this, right?”?

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    And she was talking to me.?

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    “Eh? Ummm…..”?

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    The unexpected event makes me falter in my response.?

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    Because I have no contact with her. We have never exchanged a single word at school, but she suddenly spoke to me….. It is natural to be surprised.?

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    Seeing me like that, Mary laughed.’?

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    “Oh, no? Is it that surprising that I spoke to you? Or are you surprised because you didn’t think …… I recognized your existence? But we’re classmates, so isn’t it obvious that I should at least remember your name and face?”?

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    Mary, who shrugged her shoulders, looked a little different than she did when she was in front of …… Ryuzaki.?

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    She looks a lot more innocent when she’s in contact with that guy. She exudes a “foreign girl’s” air of generosity and innocence, but she didn’t look so much like that now.?

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    “And …… I’ve been wondering about you. ……. Hey, Kotaro?”?

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    Name, called.?

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    The new heroine, who had quickly appeared as the new heroine and is currently the closest to the protagonist, recognizes my presence.?

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    That was very eerie.?

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    “I’m just saying, since we’re here, why don’t I give you a ride? I’ll drop you off?”?

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    –I knew that Ryuzaki’s story would not leave me alone.?

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    The new heroine’s forceful appearance and her implied lines made me sigh.?

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    I really don’t want to be with her, but I’m sure ……the story won’t let me.?

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    I’ve been the villain for Ryoma Ryuzaki ever since the overnight learning program incident.