Are you, as meal replacement users, ready for the consequences?

Page 35

Mu nodded obediently, then turned and walked into the kitchen without looking back.

"Huh? How come you know my house better than I do?"

Ningzi froze for a few seconds before following Mu inside, but before she could even step into the kitchen, Mu had already come out.

"Xiao Ning...take your medicine quickly."

"Okay, okay, I'll eat it, alright?"

If Ye Mu looked at Ningzi with a pitiful gaze, much like a puppy, Ningzi's heart would melt.

"But, can I pat Mu's head? Please, dear sister! Just once!"

Mu nodded slightly, indicating his compliance.

"Then, I'll start."

A small, pale, almost sickly hand tentatively rose up, hovered over Mu's head for a moment, and then gently fell back down.

Oh...it feels so warm and cozy on the top of my head, just like petting a little puppy!

"water."

Mu handed over the water carefully, without disturbing Ningzi's enjoyment at all.

"Okay, I'll take my medicine."

Reluctant to part with Mu's head, Ningzi took out a small medicine bottle, poured out two pills, and swallowed them with water.

It feels similar to taking sleeping pills.

So even if you eat a whole bottle of this stuff at once, you can still die, right?

"I'm done eating, Mu, look at my mouth! It's gone, isn't it?"

He slipped his fingers inside her lips, parted the corners of her mouth to reveal her oral cavity, and Ningzi's small, fragrant tongue was laid bare before Mu.

"Okay, remember to eat on time next time."

He visibly relaxed, like a little sea turtle that had crawled back to the sea after half a night, all the tension and unease he had just felt vanished.

"Okay, Ningzi, I'm not stupid, Mu-neechan, do you want a bento? I'll go heat it up for you!"

Mu did not refuse Ningzi's kindness, even though the bento box was actually bought by her yesterday.

When I opened the fridge to look for the cup that Xiangzi had frozen, I didn't see yesterday's fruit platter... Was it eaten? Ningzi really loves the fruit platter I bring.

From now on... I'll take care of Ningzi for the rest of my life.

The sofa behind him was very soft; Mu had bought it for Xiangzi with his own pocket money.

Xiangzi naturally disagreed, but when he brought up the advice of the renowned doctor from Arkham who had treated Ningzi twice, even the stubborn Xiangzi had no choice but to compromise.

If you want a mental patient to recover, a good environment is essential, especially for Ningzi... She needs a clean, spacious room without empty bottles and plenty of sunlight.

Mu watched Ningzi busily heating up her bento box, and her guilt lessened slightly.

Despite all that I've done... it's still not enough.

One's sins can never be fully repaid.

With her fists clenched, Mu's thoughts were drawn back to that night.

If only I had held on a little longer back then.

I'm sorry... Xiao Ning...

I am sorry…

If it weren't for me, Xiao Ning wouldn't be in so much pain.

Ch43. Toyokawa Shoko's Excellent Tune

"Another day has passed."

At 9:30, Toyokawa Shoko was walking home when her cell phone started buzzing in her skirt pocket.

Xiangzi opened his phone and saw a harmonious photo sent by Ningzi.

Ningzi looks so cute in the photo; it warms my heart.

Mu is very reliable. Without such a trustworthy friend, I probably wouldn't be able to manage on my own, having to take care of Ningzi, work, and go to school all at the same time.

Fortunately, I only need to support one person now.

Xiangzi lowered her head and looked at the photos over and over again. She zoomed in and out of the photos, feeling that Ningzi was perfect from every angle.

As expected of my sister.

Mu... She's gone to so much trouble for me, helping me buy medicine and changing Ningzi's furniture. This favor is really snowballing, getting bigger and bigger.

When will I be able to pay off this inescapable debt? If it weren't for Ningzi, I would never have accepted this help, even if it meant my death.

But for Ningzi's sake... her self-esteem is something she can now try to let go of.

As long as my sister is okay.

"I'm so useless."

A sense of powerlessness constantly gripped Toyokawa Shoko, and the streetlights along the way guided her toward a place where the pain was less intense.

That place was her and Ningzi's home, a home where she could always relax and rest peacefully. There was the person she loved most in the world there, a fool who promised to stay with her for life.

"Xiao Xiangzi, why are you walking so slowly?"

"!!!"

Xiangzi felt a chilling sound coming from behind him. The voice was slow and steady, like that of an old man in his forties or fifties.

In the dead of night... why would a stranger call my name?!

Xiangzi quickened her pace. She didn't turn around, afraid that she would be caught by the person behind her if she did.

"Don't run away. Am I that scary? By the way, have you been under a lot of pressure lately?"

Why, why is the sound getting closer?

Xiangzi started to jog, even though the road home wasn't long, it gave him the feeling that it would never end.

Wait! No! I can't go home!

In a panic, Xiangzi turned a corner and ran in the opposite direction from home.

Ningzi is still at home, and I can't let the stalker know the exact location of our house... Otherwise, I won't be able to leave Ningzi alone at home in the future.

Are you afraid that your sister will get hurt?

"Who are you? What else do you know?"

Ningzi is Xiangzi's bottom line. You can follow her like a coward, but you absolutely cannot bring up her sister Ningzi's affairs.

Xiangzi turned around and roared in a low voice behind him, while simultaneously turning on his phone, ready to call the police at any moment.

But things took a turn for the worse; there was no one behind her.

"what?"

Where are they...?

"Are you tired lately, Xiao Xiangzi?"

The voice came from behind him again, but when Xiangzi turned around, he still couldn't see anyone.

Is this some kind of ghostly illusion? Or is it just that I'm too tired and hallucinating?

"What's your business."

Xiangzi tried to stay calm and backed away, placing her back against the wall of a roadside building. She used the lamplight to observe her surroundings as much as possible, hoping to find someone to talk to.

Unfortunately, we still didn't see a single person.

"You've been really tired lately, haven't you?"

"So what."

"Would you like to relax a bit?"

"do not know."

"That's such a cold response."

"Correct."

"Never mind, you can go now, it's nothing."

Xiangzi glanced down at his phone. It was 9:45. If he kept wasting time like this, he wouldn't be able to get home on time.

I can't let Ningzi worry.

Taking advantage of the silence around her, she turned and fled.

I'll drive around a few times before going home; hopefully I'll make it in time.

The blue twin tails swayed and disappeared under the streetlights, while the occasional soft sound of the wind blowing through the street could be heard nearby.

From beginning to end, there was only the high school girl working part-time here.

……

What do you think it felt like after taking that little purple pill?

Haha, I'm great! Hehe.

Ningzi felt like something was about to jump out of her head. She leaned back weakly on the sofa, staring blankly at the small tentacles growing from the ceiling.

So beautiful, so beautiful! I love it so much! I love you!

"Xiao Ning, it's time to go."

Mu, sitting to the side, spoke somewhat awkwardly.

If Ningzi hadn't held her small hand tightly for five hours without letting go, she wouldn't have been in that position.

My palms have been sweating for days, I hope Ningzi won't mind.

"Wait for your sister to come back before you leave. I like you, please spend more time with me! Please, Sister Mu."

"…it is good."

boom--

There was a noise coming from the gate, three light, quick sounds.

"Ning, I'm back."

Xiangzi, still shaken, hung his bag by the door and slipped into the living room in his slippers.

She saw the two holding hands, pursed her lips, and said nothing.

I almost didn't get to see Ningzi just now. Is the security situation in Tokyo really that bad?

"Mu, thank you. Let the family driver pick you up when you get home. Ning, there's a stalker around here lately, be careful."

Xiangzi wanted to ask the other person to stay overnight, but when he thought that the other person's parents might worry about their daughter, he didn't try to persuade them to stay.

"Ah."

"Okay~ Sister, I want a hug!"

Ningzi threw herself into Xiangzi's arms and rubbed against the heart of her beloved.

More than anyone else's most private space, only her sister's place could give Ningzi a sense of security and peace. Here, she could absolutely find all the happiness and comfort she needed.

Mu remained seated on the sofa, his back ramrod straight, staring blankly at Ningzi.

Her right hand was slightly red and hot. After being exposed to fresh air, her hand, which had been closed, felt relaxed, giving her a sense of regaining her freedom.

The warmth that belonged to Ningzi was disappearing, not quickly, but it still made Mu pause in surprise.

She couldn't stop the loss of warmth, and clenching her fists again was just a futile struggle.

Ruoye Mu felt a little empty inside.

However, seeing the two embracing, she still silently offered her blessings in her heart.

"Hey, Mu, want a hug too? But I'm not sharing my hug with you, you can only hug me."

Ningzi reluctantly left her sister's embrace and stretched out her hands to welcome Ruoye Mu's arrival.