Changes in the Last Five Years

"Kamikawa-san, it seems like you often say things that can lead to misunderstandings."

Holding her chest and feeling her heart pounding, Fumino deliberately said this to conceal her emotions.

"Is there a misunderstanding?"

After carefully considering it, Ren didn't feel that what he said was misleading.

He usually spoke the truth, rarely lied, and certainly didn't say things that would lead others to misunderstand.

"Yes, like the sentence just now." Fumino explained, "But I could easily be misunderstood to interpret it differently."

"What's the misunderstanding?" Ren asked.

"...Anyway, those are just some bad thoughts that I can't express openly." After a moment of silence, Fumino changed the topic, "But anyway, I'm still very grateful in every aspect."

"You're welcome."

After saying this first, Ren continued, "Earlier, you've thanked me multiple times. There's no need to keep thanking me."

This had been happening for a long time; every time Fumino talked about tutoring, she had to thank him.

"Because besides saying thanks, I don't know what to say or do to express my gratitude." Fumino said helplessly.

She wanted to repay Ren, but the question was, how could she repay him?

She wasn't as good as Ren in studies, so giving him money directly wasn't something he wanted. Moreover, she couldn't think of anything else she could do for him.

Should they make a commitment to each other?

Thinking about this, Fumino looked at Ren again and then dismissed this strange idea.

Really, why did she suddenly get such a weird idea?

"No need to repay." Ren whispered, "If you can, you don't need to thank me in the future."

"Forgive me for declining." Fumino refused without hesitation.

The other party had done so much for her, and it would be excessive if she didn't express gratitude.

"Okay."

Seeing her firm attitude, Ren didn't insist.

"I'll continue to drive you home." He didn't forget his main task.

"Um."

······

After sending Fumino home and declining the invitation to come in, Ren began to wander aimlessly.

(Have I really been saying misleading things?)

While walking on the street, Ren was still thinking about what Fumino had just said to him.

If that were true, then he needed to correct this bad habit.

"Kamikawa-san!"

At that moment, Yotsuba wearing a denim jumpsuit, jumped out from the front corner and looked in his direction.

"Are you scared of me?"

"No."

Seeing Yotsuba in front of him, Ren shook his head.

He had sensed her presence when she approached, and it was almost impossible to scare him through this method.

Unless Yotsuba could deceive his perception.

"Too bad, I finally found an opportunity to scare you." Yotsuba looked a bit disappointed.

Ren said expressionlessly, "It's very scary; I'm scared."

"Your acting skills are too fake; I can't even see that you're panicking." Yotsuba complained.

"Sorry."

There was no other choice; Ren wasn't good at acting.

"It's okay; I don't care about that."

Yotsuba waved her hand casually and asked with curiosity, "But, Kamikawa-san, are you going somewhere?"

"I don't have a destination; I'm just wandering." After Ren answered, he asked, "What about you?"

"I just came back from school and was heading home. The basketball club needs my help." Yotsuba explained hurriedly, "But don't worry; I'll only assist, and it won't delay my studies. I've also finished my after-school practice."

"It's fine; you can help as much as you want." Ren didn't mind.

"By the way, Kamikawa-san, why did you suddenly recognize me earlier?"

After chatting for a while, Yotsuba suddenly remembered something and asked with concern.

She was worried about why Ren suddenly approached her and said that he was the boy she met five years ago. Did it have any connection to her? Now that they finally had a chance to be alone, she had to ask.

"There's no reason; I just wanted to tell you that." Ren answered quite seriously.

When you meet someone very important to you, isn't it normal to know each other from the past?

"Just for that?" Yotsuba couldn't believe it.

She cared so much about this matter, but in the end, Ren just wanted to get to know her, and nothing happened.

For some reason, she felt emotionally deceived.

Ren nodded, "Yes."

"Sorry, I was too worried."

Yotsuba lowered her head weakly, and even the ribbon on her head lost its energy.

"It's okay."

It didn't take long for Yotsuba to regain her vitality, and she enthusiastically suggested, "Well then, as compensation for my misunderstanding about you, how about I go for a walk with you?"

"Sure." Ren didn't refuse.

"Are you still wandering aimlessly like before?"

Walking side by side with him, Yotsuba asked.

"Yes."

After walking together for a while, Yotsuba said with a bit of nostalgia, "Come to think of it, Kamikawa-san hasn't changed much in the last five years."

"Yes." Ren answered in a low voice, "But you've changed a lot."

"What changes have happened to me? Tell me?"

Hearing this, Yotsuba became instantly interested and looked at him joyfully.

"The ribbon on your head, you weren't wearing it five years ago." Ren pointed to the ribbon on her head that he always paid attention to.

"True. I'll put it on later." Yotsuba touched the ribbon on her head, "How do you find it, Kamikawa-san? Cute, right?"

"Very cute." Ren agreed.

"Ehehe..."

After receiving his answer, the smile on Yotsuba's face became even brighter.

"What other changes have I made? Just saying one thing isn't enough."

"Your clothes have changed. You used to wear a dress." Ren said.

"That doesn't count. I'll definitely change your clothes. Kamikawa-san, you're so cunning. Even though your clothes are different from five years ago, you still blame me."

Seeing Yotsuba continuing to talk, Ren's mind drifted back to five years ago without realizing it.