"Ah!!!! Huh? Oh… you scared me. Wha… what's wrong?"
Himeno's expression was very bad. She had a gloomy face, extinguished the last bit of cigarette butt in her hand, and then tossed it aside like trash.
Immediately after, she rushed behind Renji in a few quick strides, extended her hands, and forcefully pushed him, making him quicken his pace.
"Hey… hey, wait a minute, Himeno, what's wrong with you?" Renji was somewhat at a loss due to this sudden push. His body staggered forward a few steps, almost falling to the ground, and he asked with great confusion.
"Stop talking nonsense! Don't stand there overthinking things. Hurry up and walk properly!" Himeno reprimanded loudly.
"Alright, alright, I know, I know!" Renji shouted while steadying himself.
Only then did Himeno stop pushing him and walk alongside Renji.
Renji breathed a sigh of relief. He noticed that Himeno still had a stern, displeased face, clearly sulking.
The two walked slowly side by side, neither speaking. The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.
Renji looked around, checking for passing taxis. After confirming there were none, he turned to Himeno and cautiously asked again.
"Himeno, what exactly is wrong with you? Did something bother you? Although saying this might make me sound like a jerk, but… but Himeno, you couldn't possibly be jealous, could you? Hahahaha…"
"Yes, I'm jealous."
Himeno replied, speaking the words naturally and smoothly, releasing the long-suppressed, inexplicable emotion. After saying it, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
"Eh…? Really?"
"Really. Especially when I see you with that infatuated, idiotic smile, I just inexplicably get angry."
"But… but didn't you tell me before that you didn't care about these things?"
"That depends on who it is." Himeno's voice grew sharper. "Is her name Reze? Thinking about it, I'm not familiar with her at all. And I really can't imagine—she wanted to kill you before, but now she's being so intimate with you. And the most crucial thing is… is that Renji, you actually… actually still… still enjoy it so much? Is your brain broken?"
Himeno reached into her pocket, pulled out a cigarette case, skillfully drew out a cigarette, and then took out a lighter, ready to light it.
But then she suddenly realized she might have said something wrong, that she had been too harsh, and quickly added.
"I didn't mean to belittle Reze. I don't want you to think of me as a petty woman who only badmouths others behind their backs. I just… I just don't quite understand… I feel that Renji, you are too reckless with your own safety." She paused. "Sorry… my tone was too aggressive just now…"
After speaking, Himeno still felt something was off. She looked at Renji, then irritably ran her hand through her hair.
A notification chimed in Renji's mind.
"Ahhh… really… what am I doing? I feel so uncomfortable all over…"
Himeno was about to light the cigarette when Renji grabbed her wrist, stopping her from lighting it.
"Don't smoke, don't smoke. Himeno, you haven't stopped smoking since we left the shop, and you've had a strong smell of smoke on you since then. It's very bad for your health."
"So annoying. I just like to smoke when I'm in a bad mood."
Himeno grumbled discontentedly, struggling to break free from Renji's grip. But Renji held her wrist tightly, showing no intention of letting go. Himeno gradually stopped struggling.
"What… Renji, are you bullying me because you're stronger?" Himeno's voice was very faint, gradually becoming inaudible.
Renji looked at Himeno in front of him, his heart full of helplessness.
"Hasn't it always been you, Himeno, bullying me? Every time I call your name, I have to add 'Senior.' I never had these habits before. But no matter what, please listen to me first. I beg you."
Renji slowly released Himeno's wrist, took a deep breath, and began to recount every little detail that had happened between him and Reze.
Time passed by second by second. Renji grew more excited as he spoke, immersed in his memories, and talked for a long time without realizing it. When he finally stopped speaking, he found Himeno looking at him with a bewildered expression.
"Anyway, that's it. Himeno, even if you don't believe Reze, you can believe me, as long as… Himeno, are you listening?"
"Hmm…? What did you just say? Sorry, I didn't hear a word."
Himeno's words were like a bolt from the blue, instantly striking Renji like five thunderclaps.
"What?! No way!!! Were you not listening to me at all?!"
Facing Renji's questioning, Himeno let out a chuckle, then burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha… Don't be angry, don't be angry. I was just joking with you. I was listening very carefully to everything." Her laughter subsided into a warm smile. "I'm really sorry about just now. I was thoughtless and said things out of anger. I understand what you mean. The next time you and Reze meet, please remember to convey my apologies to her."
"But… sigh… the feeling of jealousy is even stronger now…"
Himeno's voice softened. "Also… the reason I lost my temper with you before was because I was too worried about your safety. That was the worried me. The me now is the me who knows the truth, which is the understanding me. These are two different versions of myself, so please forgive me."
As she spoke, Himeno's lips curved slightly upwards, and her eyes crinkled into a smile as she looked at Renji. Her smile held a hint of flattery and coquetry, like a cute little kitten trying to charm its owner.
Whenever Himeno felt bad, she would want to light a cigarette. But when she was in an extremely good mood, she would also unconsciously have the urge to smoke.
Her hand unconsciously reached for the cigarette case in her pocket again. Renji grabbed her wrist just as she was about to take out a cigarette.
"Don't smoke. Smoking less is good for your health."
Being stopped and told this by Renji again, Himeno seemed to recall something and suddenly asked with great interest. "Renji, have you… never smoked before?"
"No, I've never smoked. I'm not used to it."
A notification chimed in Renji's mind.
Hearing this, Himeno's cheeks actually flushed slightly. She excitedly continued to press the question. "So, does that mean your 'first time' smoking is still preserved?"
Faced with Himeno's somewhat direct question, Renji paused for a moment, then hesitated before replying. "Uh… that's a strange way to put it. But if you insist on saying it that way… I guess it's possible."
Himeno quickly pulled a cigarette from her own pack and offered it to Renji, urging him with a face full of anticipation. "Oh, well, in that case, why don't you try smoking one? Maybe you'll like the feeling!"
Renji shook his head, indicating refusal. "Let's not. I don't think I'm suited for smoking."
However, Himeno didn't give up. She still persistently tugged on Renji's sleeve and cooed coaxingly. "Ehh Just one puff, please? Just try one Just one, just one~"