Being together is so torturous, it's the first time between the two of them, but this torment is like a bashful writer having to go on stage tomorrow to deliver an acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

As long as he is with Kiyono Lin, even if it's torturous, it's a happy kind of torture—Dubian Che really wants to know if Kiyono Lin feels the same.

The beech trees on both sides of the road have entered the leaf-falling period.

As long as they endure this winter, with the south wind blowing next year, they will be able to sprout and leaf again.

The two stand behind the yellow line, waiting for the trains they are about to take.

Dubian Che is heading to "Shinano Town," west of Shibuya Station; Kiyono Lin is going to "Nishioi Town," east of Shibuya Station.

If he hadn't gone to "Ochazuke" that night, he wouldn't have moved out; he would have continued living in that rental with a balcony too small to stand on.

Through the window, he could see the light from Kiyono Lin's place.

Occasionally, going to the convenience store late at night, he would run into her in casual clothes, maybe even wearing earphones.

"What song have you been listening to recently?" Dubian Che asked.

"Why suddenly ask this?" Kiyono Lin responded.

"I just remembered running into you late one night, seeing you with your earphones, so I wanted to ask."

"Are you thinking of that night when you and Senior Hua Tian went to my apartment and saw my underwear?"

"I wasn't thinking about it, but since you mentioned it, I can't help it now." Dubian Che turned his face to look at Kiyono Lin.

Black school uniform, white shirt, pleated skirt, a graceful figure, and an aloof demeanor, she had a unique charm.

"Where are you looking?" Kiyono Lin crossed her arms, her voice cold as if they were at the boarding spot for the Snow Country train.

"Miss Kiyono, why are you so perfect?" Dubian Che was utterly puzzled.

"Do you take me for Meiji? Do you think sweet words will brush me off?" Kiyono Lin laughed coldly, "Saying that will only make me more upset."

"I'm telling the truth. The proportions of your body are so perfect that even among a crowd, including myself, everyone can distinguish you at a glance because you have a unique aura."

"I like people who admit their mistakes when they're wrong."

"Even when you're angry or unhappy, it's so cute."

"Calling me cute repeatedly, you already used that tactic during last year's National Wind Music Competition. I won't be fooled the same way twice." Kiyono Lin's stance with her arms crossed grew more composed.

"Kiyono, you're really interesting."

"Are you mocking me?"

"I mean it in a good way," Dubian Che said, "Actually, it's quite simple for a boy to fall for a girl. Facing a girl who eats slowly and with elegance during a meal, he suddenly becomes smitten—this kind of thing definitely happens."

"Why do you like me? Because I'm interesting?"

"Your legs are long and smooth, without a flaw."

"As expected." Kiyono Lin nodded knowingly, "You're such a superficial person."

"Your eyes, large and just right, are clear and cold. Sometimes when you smile, they seem to draw people in like a magnet."

"What kind of analogy is that? Don't sully my eyes."

"Your hair always reminds me of mechanical pencil lead, jet black and shiny."

"Why lead?" Kiyono Lin asked.

"Your ten fingers, anyone would find them beautiful."

"Are you planning to compliment me from head to toe?"

"Your voice is like a celestial melody, heavenly and pure, even if you're scolding me, it makes me feel good."

"Hmm."

"A slender figure, delicate, refined features, simple yet stylish clothing."

"Thank you." Kiyono Lin said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Even your 'thank you' sounds so pleasant."

"..." Kiyono Lin pressed her forehead with her hand, like she couldn't deal with him, "Just how infatuated are you with me?"

"If I had ice cream in my hand, I'd want to smear it on your face."

"Your metaphors are getting stranger lately."

"After so many compliments, I can't think straight anymore." Dubian Che laughed.

"Try another one."

"With just one of your hair strands, I could eat three bowls of rice."

"It's not a potion that lets you turn into me."

The station bell rang, signaling that the train departing for "Akasaka Misaki Station" on the Marunouchi Line was about to leave.

The joy from the previous conversation was immediately squeezed out of the platform by the bell.

After a moment of silence, Kiyono Lin looked at Dubian Che, her face slightly smiling, and said, "I'm leaving."

"Mm."

"Anything else you want to say?"

"See you tomorrow?"

"...See you tomorrow." Kiyono Lin walked towards the electric car, her long hair blowing backward.

"Shibuya, Platform 1, Marunouchi Line, heading to Akasaka Misaki Station."

"Shibuya, Platform 1, Marunouchi Line, heading to Akasaka Misaki Station."

The voice of the female announcer came through the broadcast.

Kiyono Lin stood near the train door, looking at Dubian Che who remained on the platform.

She waved her hand lightly.

Dubian Che smiled, and before the train doors closed, he stepped inside.

"Why did you get on?" Kiyono Lin looked at him in surprise.

"Because you asked me, 'Is there anything else to say', so I decided to come up," Dubian Che grabbed the handrail.

"Anything else you want to say?"

"Can't think of anything for now."

"Where do you want to go?"

"Can't think of anything for now." After a brief pause, Dubian Che continued, "In any case, I'll just follow you first and make sure you get home safely before considering anything else."

"Stalking?"

"I thought it was eloping."

"Get off at 'Akasaka Misaki Station', there's a river on the way to my apartment, want to jump in together?"

"Isn't that a lover's suicide?"

"What I meant was..." The train started moving, and Kiyono Lin, who hadn't grabbed the handrail, lost her balance and fell backward.

Dubian Che reached out, wrapped his arm around her waist, and held her in his arms.

The train clattered and clanked, heading towards "Akasaka Misaki Station."

"...Idiot, how long do you plan on holding me?"

"Idiot," Dubian Che inhaled the scent of her hair, "When was the last time a stalker willingly gave up this opportunity?"

"You're the idiot. So you admit to stalking?"

"Idiot, I'm not admitting to it; I just remembered our promise by the Uji River—as long as you fall into any kind of river, I'll jump in to save you."

"We're both idiots." Kiyono Lin rested her forehead against Dubian Che's chest, lightly grabbing his open school uniform.

"Why are you leaning over?" Dubian Che asked.

"Because you remembered the past, I've decided to take a step toward the future."

The train sped along, and a certain impulse inside Dubian Che grew stronger and stronger.

When that impulse managed to make its way from his heart to his lips, he opened his mouth:

"Kiyono..."

"Next stop, Akasaka Misaki, Akasaka Misaki."

"That was fast?!" Dubian Che swallowed his words.

"You've gotten used to going to Shinano Town and forgot this train only takes four minutes?" Kiyono Lin laughed.

"...If I'd known, I would've walked."

"If we walked, I wouldn't be leaning against you." Kiyono Lin said in a voice she didn't intend for Dubian Che to hear, then left his embrace and stood straight.

Dubian Che watched her.

Her slender figure, her graceful movements, could truly be described as the art of female beauty.

"Yes, Miss Kiyono is the embodiment of beauty, the symbol of female beauty."

"Continue?" Kiyono Lin asked.

"Sure, we'll keep going until the last stop, whatever that is." Dubian Che reached toward her slim waist.

"By continue, I meant 'praising me'." Kiyono Lin waved away his hand, "The last stop is Ikebukuro Station in Toshima District, go on your own."

"Alright."

The train arrived, Kiyono Lin got off, leaving Dubian Che inside.

"Are you really planning to go to Ikebukuro Station?" she asked, somewhat surprised.

"I heard before coming to Tokyo that Tokyo Ikebukuro, Shibuya, and Harajuku have the most fashionable girls; I've long wanted to see them myself."

Kiyono Lin nodded silently.

Dubian Che stayed on the train.

"I'm close to Ikebukuro. Checking it out today; want to go shopping here on Saturday? Look for cute girls together?"

"..."

"Don't want to?"

"Shopping is fine, I'm just curious how you ended up in Ikebukuro."

"What do you mean?"

"The last stop is indeed Ikebukuro, but you're headed the wrong way."

"???" "Where am I going now?"

"Tokyo • Shinbashi District • Oiwake Station."

"Alright, alright, Shinbashi District again."

"You've been to Shinbashi District?"

"Didn't we go together? To buy stuff for the Cultural Festival, and you lent me a handkerchief to wipe my eyes."

"...That was Itabashi District. Mr. Dubian, what's wrong with your brain?"

"I'm still savoring the feeling of holding you earlier; my hands still smell fragrant, and my brain has stopped functioning."

"Goodbye, disgusting classmate."

"I'm coming back—"

The train clattered away, taking Dubian Che towards Shinbashi District.