On the train ride back, Tanaka Masao saw Yukinoshita Yukino looking a bit downcast and preoccupied, so he couldn't help but ask.
"Yukino, what's wrong? You look so unhappy. Is it because you're sad to part with your friends?
If you're that reluctant, we can come again tomorrow."
Listening to Tanaka Masao's way of addressing her, Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't be bothered to correct him anymore.
Anyway, looking at Tanaka Masao, he seemed determined not to change, so she might as well let him be like everyone else.
"No, it's just that seeing Tanaka-kin not running back, but comfortably sitting on the train, makes me incredibly uncomfortable.
After all, if Tanaka-kin isn't suffering, I'm not happy."
Tanaka Masao's mouth fell open.
"Yukino, you've changed! Where did my gentle, kind, understanding, thoughtful, and virtuous Yukino go? Give her back to me!"
Yukinoshita Yukino tilted her head.
"Am I that kind of person?"
"Exactly."
Tanaka Masao nodded with great certainty.
"Yukino, you might have amnesia. You used to call me Masao, prepare lunch for me every day, and even feed me yourself."
Listening to Tanaka Masao's outrageous statements, Yukinoshita Yukino didn't show any anger. Instead, she smiled and asked with interest.
"Anything else, Masao? Your last words."
Tanaka Masao's expression became as serene as if he had achieved enlightenment, as if he had fulfilled a long-held wish.
"Ah, you called me Masao! I can truly die without regrets.
By the way, I haven't finished my last words yet. I might need a little more time to prepare my wording."
"That's a shame. Rather than letting Tanaka-kin pass away peacefully, I'd prefer you to die in great pain.
So, disappear from this world now."
Saying this, she even raised her hand and 'shot' Tanaka Masao in the chest.
Tanaka Masao cooperatively clutched his chest.
"Ah, I can't go on! It feels like a bullet to the heart! My life is over!"
Passerby character: "Heh, I finally finished overtime, dragged my tired body onto the train, and now I have to deal with this death act late at night.
What kind of bullet was that? A magic bullet of love?
I work so hard, so why can't I find a girlfriend? Am I not working hard enough?
Explode, normies!"
Unfortunately, Tanaka Masao couldn't read minds, otherwise, if he heard the thoughts of the passersby, he would definitely...
Get even worse.
After dealing with the harmful bacteria Tanaka Masao, Yukinoshita Yukino fell into deep self-reproach.
"Actually, I bear some responsibility for this incident.
It's all because my stamina isn't good enough to personally supervise Tanaka-kin's running, so I've decided: I'm going to buy a car."
"No, is that all you reflected on?"
Yukinoshita Yukino ignored Tanaka Masao and continued her analysis.
"Cars that require a driver's license are out. For those that don't, there are only bicycles and electric bikes.
Bicycles are a bit strenuous to ride, so I'll just buy an electric bike."
"No, Yukino, when did you evolve into the most despicable creature on Earth?"
"Of course, it was under Tanaka-kin's influence, little by little. You should thank yourself for that."
"Hmph, damn it, is this me reaping what I sow? But Yukino, at least buy a bicycle."
"Why?"
"This is all for your own good. Look, your stamina isn't very good right now, right? It's a good way to exercise."
"Based on my understanding of Tanaka-kin, you definitely wouldn't be so kind.
Let me guess, do you think I'd be too comfortable riding an electric bike, so you want me to ride a bicycle and suffer with you, just to feel balanced?"
Tanaka Masao turned his head sideways.
"How could I possibly think that? Yukino, you really don't understand me at all."
This was a lie. This man's true thoughts at this moment were:
"Yukino really understands me too well. I really did think that, but thankfully, she didn't guess my most hidden thought.
I genuinely want Yukino to exercise and then get all sweaty..."
Tanaka Masao awkwardly coughed twice and began to negotiate for his own benefit.
"Yukino, look, if I run for a long time, won't it hurt my knees? So, how about I ride a bicycle, and you ride an electric bike to supervise me?"
This was a lie. Tanaka Masao had added two points to his physique through the system, and his physique was now nine points. He wasn't worried about knee wear or hidden injuries from high-intensity training at all.
Yukinoshita Yukino pondered for a moment.
"What you said makes a lot of sense. Suggestion adopted. We'll go shopping and start training tomorrow afternoon after school."
"I knew Yukino was the best to me! I have no way to repay you, so I can only..."
"Ugly rejection."
"That's so mean! I haven't even said how I'll repay you yet."
"Then I'll reluctantly listen to what you have to say. I hope you don't say anything that disappoints me."
"Of course."
Tanaka Masao was always a person who knew his limits and when to advance or retreat. Right now, he was incredibly serious.
"How about, I draw you a Painting?"
"You can draw?"
"Just a little, a little."
Yukinoshita Yukino became a little interested.
"Then let me see Tanaka-kin's Painting skills."
Tanaka Masao took out paper and a pen from his bag.
"Although I don't have all my tools, I can draw a simple one. If Yukino likes it, I can specially find time to draw for you."
"Stop with the nonsense. Let me see your skill first."
Tanaka Masao said no more and started drawing with the paper and pen.
Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at Tanaka Masao's sketch. It looked quite professional, which made her somewhat anticipate the result.
She also quieted down, trying to maintain one posture without moving, cooperating with Tanaka Masao's drawing.
To maximize efficiency, Tanaka Masao only drew a simple sketch. Plus, he was quite skilled, so he finished in less than five minutes.
"It's done."
"So fast."
"I call that high efficiency, alright?"
Tanaka Masao was a bit helpless. Why did girls instinctively say those few words?
He handed the finished drawing to Yukinoshita Yukino.
"See how it is."
Yukinoshita Yukino reached out and took the paper, looking at Tanaka Masao's drawing of herself, and couldn't help but frown.
It wasn't that Tanaka Masao's drawing wasn't beautiful; on the contrary, he had drawn her very beautifully. But there were those slightly reddened cheeks, lustrous lips, and sparkling eyes.
It was beautiful and very much like her, yes, but why did it feel so off?
Looking further down, what was originally unremarkable now had a certain curve under Tanaka Masao's brush. Although not large, it looked very harmonious.
After all, Tanaka Masao's drawing skills were inherited from that great person. He was better at drawing curves, but drawing straight lines... sorry, not capable enough.
"Hmm, this drawing is almost identical to me. I didn't expect even Tanaka-kin to have a special skill."
"It's rare for Yukino to praise me, but I have more than one special skill, for example..."
My learning ability and perseverance are both quite good."
"Now that you mention it..."
Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't help but exclaim.
"Tanaka-kin, who seemed utterly useless, upon closer inspection actually has so many good qualities. Indeed..."
"Indeed, I am a very excellent person?"
"No, indeed, I am truly too excellent. I can already subtly change the people around me. Could it be that I have already reached the level of a god?"
...
Meanwhile, in another part of Tokyo, Hiratsuka Shizuka finally sent Goto Hitori home.
The long distance made Hiratsuka Shizuka sigh.
"Wow, Bocchi-chan, your house is really far away."
Upon hearing this, Goto Hitori bowed and apologized.
"I'm so sorry for causing you trouble."
"What trouble? I'm practically your elder, and ensuring your safety is my duty. Alright, hurry home."