After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

In the morning, Kagura Hikaru woke up on time from his bed.

A habit maintained over the years saved him the need for an alarm clock.

He sat up in bed and the blanket slid off, revealing a streamlined figure.

Kagura Hikaru seldom exercised, but he managed his diet well, so his figure hadn't gone out of shape, maintaining a just-right condition with abdominal muscles faintly visible.

Paired with a face that seemed to have been kissed by an angel and a unique cool aura, it was enough to make any woman's heart flutter.

He got out of bed, then turned around to tuck in Suse, who was revealing a graceful back, to keep her from catching cold since she was undressed.

Then he walked to the window and drew back the thick curtains.

Sunlight seeped into the room, dispelling the chill.

The sky was unusually clear, without a single white cloud, almost absurdly resembling an oversized blue dome.

It gave him the illusion that he was actually living inside a glass sphere.

Kagura Hikaru stared blankly for a long time before he came to his senses, got dressed, and woke the sleeping Suse.

"Mmm... Stop bothering me, let me sleep a bit more..." With her head buried, Suse clutched the blankets, her voice growing weaker.

"If you sleep in any longer, we'll be late. Get up."

"...I want a kiss to wake up."

"Stop it."

"...Kiss!"

She even rolled over, facing up with closed eyes and a slight blush on her cheeks.

Kagura Hikaru found that the low-blood-pressure Suse, just after waking up, seemed much more childlike than usual.

What could he do but indulge her?

Kagura Hikaru bent down and pressed a kiss on his girlfriend's lips, which she then tried to turn into a French kiss, but he pushed her away, disgusted.

Even if she was a goddess, her mouth wouldn't taste sweet first thing in the morning before brushing her teeth.

He rummaged through the closet for a set of white underwear and the girls' school uniform, then slipped them onto Suse who had just sat up in bed and was rubbing her eyes.

During this process, his fingers often brushed against her soft skin, even touching sensitive areas a few times, but neither of them minded as if it was nothing significant.

After helping his girlfriend get up, they went downstairs to wash up.

Both of them stood side by side in front of the mirror, brushing their teeth and washing their faces, passing each other the toothpaste.

There was only a little left in the toothpaste tube; he squeezed some out for Suse first. When it was his turn, Kagura Hikaru folded the tube from bottom to top and squeezed hard, but nothing came out for a while.

A little bit of white toothpaste would peek out then retreat back in, happening several times, which changed his expression.

Suse, who had been sleepy until then, immediately became alert after washing her face and, chuckling, handed him a new tube.

The toothpaste tube that brought Kagura Hikaru humiliation met its fate in the trash can.

After washing up, they grabbed their school bags and turned left to the Kagura Family's for breakfast.

They had arranged this the day before.

The stepmother had said that from now on, Kagura Hikaru could sleep next door, but they must return here for breakfast and dinner every day.

In Suse's eyes, this was a gesture of goodwill from her future mother-in-law, and of course, she would not refuse.

She had heard of many bad relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, some even infamous, and Suse certainly didn't want to become such a negative example; maintaining a relationship with the family was essential.

Plus, if possible, she also wanted to avoid cooking, which was an embarrassing little secret wish.

Like Kagura Hikaru, Suse was also skilled at cooking but didn't like to do it, except on holidays or on a whim. Except for such occasions, both of them, honestly speaking as Reiwa Era youth, were too lazy to enter the kitchen.

If it weren't for the stepmother's suggestion, they probably would have lived mostly on takeout.

By the time they reached home, Kagura Hikaru's father had already left for work, but the stepmother had set the table and was waiting for them.

The three of them sat down to eat, with the stepmother constantly watching them with a smiling gaze from across the table, making the young couple feel a bit guilty and embarrassed.

There were no sounds leaking out last night, right...

After breakfast, it was just the right time to go to school, so Kagura Hikaru and Kohinata Suse left home and headed to the train station.

They passed through the ticket gate with their commuter passes and entered the platform.

Kagura Hikaru immediately spotted the conspicuous yellow "Do not cross" line and thought about the scene from the day before yesterday when he crossed it in a daze.

He admired his own courage from that time.

Having realized the preciousness of life, he would never again do something so stupid.

Suse, seeing him stare fixedly at the caution tape, couldn't help but remember that day's scene and subconsciously tightened her grip on Kagura Hikaru's hand.

Feeling the unease of the person beside him, he reflexively held her hand and soothingly whispered, "It won't happen again, don't worry."

".....Mhm, I believe you," Suse said with a deep look at him, then a slight mischievous smile crept across her face, "Don't make me a widow, okay? I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to resist joining you."

"We're not even married yet...."

"Hmph, we've already done it, are you trying to escape responsibility? Prepare to face the wrath of the Kohinata family!"

Kagura Hikaru's cheeks took a playful punch, and he couldn't protest quickly enough.

"Uh, Kagura, Kohinata student, good morning....."

A familiar voice came from behind, and the couple turned to see Ai Cheng Karen raising her hand stiffly, her face awash with embarrassment.

Even Kohinata Suse felt a flush on her face for a moment when seen by an acquaintance being affectionate with her boyfriend, quickly pulling Kagura Hikaru to face the 'friend of her boyfriend' with a smile.

"Student Ai Cheng, you're here too."

"Mhm, I usually take this train to school....." Ai Cheng Karen stole a glance at Kagura Hikaru and muttered.

"Doesn't that bother you? I remember the Red Pepper Band being very popular lately."

You're not even trying to cover your face, you'll definitely be recognized—Kohinata Suse's eyes conveyed such kindness.

Ai Cheng Karen's heart skipped a beat.

Of course, she was aware of the risk and had indeed encountered several times when fans on the train requested autographs and pictures, making it almost impossible for her to get off.

If not for the chance to meet Kagura Hikaru, she might have chosen to bike to school instead.

But she didn't want her little scheme to be read by others.

Especially not in front of Kagura Hikaru's current girlfriend.

Ai Cheng Karen awkwardly said, "Um, well, actually, I didn't pay much attention, the fans are quite restrained, and I'm not that famous....."

"Student Ai Cheng is too modest, who doesn't know that Red Pepper Band is this year's hottest girl band, and aren't you starting your first concert soon?"

Suse smiled and cheered her on, making a 'fighting' gesture: "I'm a fan of yours too. I'll definitely be there to support you, good luck."

"That day isn't on the weekend, we have school....."

"I'll take a day off to go!"

"Ah? Thank, thank you...."

Ai Cheng Karen was startled by Suse's enthusiasm.

Maybe she wasn't just being polite, she really was a fan of the band?

But Kagura Hikaru just quietly watched the smiling Suse, lips sealed.

As an old friend who'd known her since junior high, he could see that Suse was deliberately trying to get closer to Ai Cheng, and also probing something, like a hunter with bow and arrow patiently eyeing a fox.

Kagura Hikaru sighed inwardly; he really wanted to tell his girlfriend that Ai Cheng was just a friend, who harbored no ambiguous feelings, and that she didn't need to be so vigilant, but he figured she wouldn't listen.

Confident people only believe what they see.

As for whether Suse was really a fan of the Red Pepper Band?

That didn't need to be doubted, as Kagura Hikaru had seen the band's CDs at Suse's house; she must have really listened to them.

But whether her true concern was for the band itself, or for the band's 'mysterious' composer, there was no need to voice that—knowing in one's heart sufficed.

The train arrived.

The three boarded together, but unfortunately only managed to snatch two seats.

Kagura Hikaru ceded the privilege of sitting to the ladies and stood playing with his phone—after seeing Ai Cheng, he remembered he hadn't finished writing the lyrics to his new song and decided to look for inspiration then.

Suse didn't pay him any mind, engrossing herself in conversation and laughter with Ai Cheng Karen, and soon they began to address each other by their surnames alone, dropping the honorifics.

This was Suse's suggestion.

Few could refuse her, and Ai Cheng Karen was no exception.

The more Ai Cheng Karen learned about Kohinata Suse, the more she felt inferior. This girl was too perfect, whether in looks, demeanor, knowledge, talent, or ability, she simply couldn't compare.

When Suse spoke about her recent trip to Paris to audition for a famous theater troupe, Ai Cheng Karen stuttered, feeling the topic was too sophisticated and out of place for a student like herself.

She suddenly wondered if Suse was showing off on purpose, indirectly putting her down, but upon seeing the other's enthusiastic storytelling about the theater masters she admired, she felt Suse was genuinely passionate, truly in love with drama.

Her own suspicious thoughts seemed petty and dark.

With this in mind, Ai Cheng Karen's feelings of inferiority grew even stronger.