Chapter 370

Chapter 103 A Ring Incident

“Tsukikage Lily, this response is rather lackluster—too indifferent!”

“I have no intention of watching a grown man display his middle school delusions…” Lily responded with a cold, expressionless face to Ash, who was grinning.

Her eyes, hidden behind glasses, swept over Ash from head to toe, and after confirming he was fine, her heart relaxed slightly.

“If your delusional state persists even after middle school, you might as well go back and repeat it.”

“Oh, I felt something was off. It’s reassuring to see Lily still maintains her sharpness.”

“Since middle school memories are almost non-existent, such education isn’t necessary for me either. After all, I am a genius!”

The person lacking even a junior high school education laughed triumphantly, as if it were an honor.

Seeing Ash’s smug attitude, Lily, who had been worried, first paused, then sighed softly as she smiled; the other half of her heart gradually calmed down.

It seemed that Ash noticed her previous lackluster state and was trying to cheer her up in his own way. Indeed, it had the manager style of doing things.

“Don’t say such irresponsible things to children, manager. If they start thinking reading isn’t important like you do, it will be negligent.”

“Haha, does Lily think that I, as a manager, would corrupt young minds?”

Lily gave Ash a glance, letting him understand on his own.

“If such a character appeared in a children’s anime, it would be disastrous for small friends. Parents’ complaints would flood OOO’s mailbox.”

Just as Ash was about to continue arguing, he unexpectedly couldn’t find a rebuttal. But if he thought differently…

“Can turn the entire animation around with one’s strength alone? How impressive!”

“Such confidence is unnecessary.”

At that moment, both of them, meeting each other’s gaze, chuckled.

Ever since being picked up during that heavy rain, how many months had they spent together? This jokingly light-hearted interaction had become very familiar.

Gradually, part of my life and daily routine had been deeply influenced by the other person.

Lily could feel these emotions, but unlike the newcomers on her life’s path, who had only experienced life for under 17 years, facing her father’s disappearance, Lily wasn’t as hasty. As long as she stayed by Ash’s side, they would create wonderful memories—like a family… Hm?

Lily’s pupils contracted as she stared directly at it. She kept blinking to confirm if she was seeing things right.

Manager Ash’s finger, more accurately, his ring finger, was adorned with a golden ring.

I remember, a ring on the left ring finger means…

What is this?

“What’s wrong, Lily? You’re like Tatsunosuke when he wants pudding, opening your mouth wide.”

Did you intentionally shake this ring in front of me?

What do you mean, Ash? What do you mean?

“Ash… looks really happy today?”

She could tell from his tone, even though he was hurt, he sounded happier than usual. So that’s why.

“Yes, why are you asking suddenly? But I am genuinely happy today!”

Without noticing the change in Lily’s address, Ash honestly responded.

After all, Lei and Erika made up under my “encouragement,” and their strength has increased even more. How could I not be happy?!

“Is that so…”

“Yes, Lily, what’s wrong? Although we don’t plan on operating today, are you leaving already?”

“Ah…”

Tsukikage Lily hid her gaze behind her reflective glasses, tilting her head away, avoiding contact with Ash.

Manager Ash was smiling, a genuine and joyous smile—very, very sincerely happy…

There wasn’t enough time to think about whom he might be. But surely an outstanding woman like him would be someone I could rely on, more suitable than this ‘loser.’

How could a woman in a relationship like this, producing such feelings? I must be truly worthless… I should walk away, lest my mood troubles him. I need to stop, I have to…

“Lily?”

Only when Ash called out did Lily return to her senses, realizing her feet hadn’t moved at all.

“Ring…”

With trembling lips, she spat out the two words she least wanted to speak.

“Huh?”

As if not hearing, Ash reflexively asked again.

“The truth I said…”

“That ring!”

Tsukikage Lily suddenly raised her voice, startling Ash, even louder than the rumbling of a train passing by outside.

“Really, why are you yelling so suddenly?”

Ash patted his ear idly, which was usually a quirky gesture, but now it infuriated Lily.

“As for this ring… Haha, I’ve been waiting for you guys to notice!”

When Ash’s self-satisfied voice entered Lily’s ears, it felt like a cotton barrier—so near yet so far.

“It seems you were startled. But I’ll keep wearing it anyway. Look, cool, right? Perfect fit!”

“Yes, like that?”

Am I dreaming?

There is a bothersome ring on his hand, flaunting it, boasting about it in front of me.

Oh, so that’s it. That’s why Manager never seemed to notice our feelings, because of this reason?

Now everything makes sense.

“Though it can’t be used with the belt for magic spells, it’s decent decoration-wise. Only I wonder where it came from…”

Her face remained calm but her whole body was rigid. She could hardly listen to what Ash was saying anymore.

This can’t be a dream.

“Ah—”

When Ash’s self-satisfaction ended, his eyes met Lily’s. He saw those lifeless eyes through the glasses.

Wait, did I get it wrong?

“Manager I’m feeling unwell, I’ll go back home. I’m going!”

Lily left the coffee shop abruptly, her face frozen mid-sentence, without any punctuation.

“Though we don’t plan on operating today, Lily, it’ll be nice if you stay to keep me company… Hey, Lily, where are you going?”

Seeing Lily walking straight ahead, Ash, bewildered, hurriedly followed her.