- Warm, courageous, and kind
- I'm not used to it. I prefer to get along with people who are the same on the inside and the outside
After thinking about it, I feel like this kind of thing is quite common. For example, it's only when a friend who is usually cheerful and talkative has a breakdown that you realize they have always been under tremendous pressure, or when you only realize after a kind colleague leaves their job that your relationship has only been good because they have always been accommodating you one-sidedly...
[player]I remember a saying about how a person only needs an instant to break down. Everyone wears too many masks for work, studies, and various activities in daily life.
[player]That's why we often don't expose others even if we know they are wearing a mask. It's because everyone has their own difficulties.
[player]What's more, if someone is willing to show you their true self, doesn't that mean we are people who trust each other the most?
[Kurone Toujou]You're more open-minded than I imagined. No wonder I feel so relaxed and happy when I'm with you. It must be the influence of your emotional state.
During the remaining time, Kurone Toujou and I chat a lot about mahjong, and I learned a lot from her insights on mahjong.
Before I know it, it's already time for the afternoon tea to end, and a staff member is already at the door.
Kurone Toujou is both skilled at reading people's moods and finding things to talk about. I get the feeling that any person can have a very pleasant time here with her. I think this is what makes her so charming and why everyone wants to have afternoon tea with her.
I get up and prepare to leave. When I say goodbye to Kurone Toujou, she suddenly asks me about my clothes.
[Kurone Toujou]The pattern at the hem of the clothes you're wearing today is unique and ingenious. Can you tell me which famous designer did this?
I think about the sensitive nature of Noah's identity as a core member of Strix, so I tell her the address of Chaque Jour.
[Kurone Toujou]Thank you for sharing this information with me. I simply must go shopping at a shop that can make such good designs.
When I finally leave Countless Springs, Noah is already waiting for me at the entrance.
After returning to Chaque Jour with her by car and changing into my own clothes, I get ready to tell her everything I saw and heard today. Suddenly, she carefully removes something from the shoulder of the clothes I just changed out of.
[Noah](Text message) This is a spy camera. It has recorded everything that happened today, so you don't need to report anything back to me.
Just as I'm about to ask her when she planted the camera on me, I suddenly remembered that she patted this exact spot on my shoulder just before I went to see Kurone Toujou.
I feel like saying something, but then I stop myself. After swallowing the things I want to say to her, I decide to give up. I should have already gotten used to the way Strix does things over these last few days anyway.
The good side of this is that I won't need to report on this to Kutsuji in person.
After I return home, I decline a bunch of mahjong invitations and collapse on my bed, probably because I'm so tired and relieved after completing the task.
Suddenly, I receive a text message from Kutsuji.
[Kutsuji](Text message) I'm very pleased with your performance today. I'll come and pick you up to complete the last part of the transaction in a few days.
To be honest, I actually don't know what useful information he got from this process. The closer I get to these legendary Four Greats, the more mysteries there seem to be. Moreover, these mysteries collide and merge with each other to create new mysteries.
Perhaps I'll find out the truth of all these things one day. I gradually fall asleep with this thought in mind.