Or perhaps, it was because she had stared at that plain face for too long, so every change was so vivid and eye-catching.
"That's enough."
[Oh my, so sweet!]
[If this isn't a CP, then what is?]
[Whether you two little lovers are dating or not, you know in your hearts.]
[Now, please have the other four, who don't know what they are doing, give their failure speeches.]
[Can't group up, no way, tried my best, couldn't hold on, failed (Shiori), but at least we loved (Misaki, Yui), and in the end, I had to forgive her (Sakurano).]
[Genius!]
The train continued to move forward.
The lights outside the window flashed by frame by frame, cutting the light and shadow in the carriage into flowing fragments. Reina looked at the quiet white figure beside her.
"Rin."
She spoke again.
"Hmm?"
"It's the weekend tomorrow, do you have any plans?"
Reina wanted to hear Rin's plans and see if she could get a little inspiration.
Rin was silent for a few seconds.
"...I haven't thought about it."
"Eh? You haven't thought about it at all?"
"Yeah, I usually just stay at home."
"You don't go out?"
"I don't want to."
Reina stared at her for a few seconds and suddenly laughed out loud.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She shook her head, the smile still lingering on the corners of her mouth, "It's just that... Rin really is just like this, huh."
Rin didn't ask for the reason. She just gave a soft "hmm," as if acknowledging it, and her gaze returned to the window.
[Speaking of which, the other four heroines have all shown the pain of their original families to some extent. Sakurano is because of high expectations from her family, Shiori is because of the lack of love from a single-parent family, and Yui is seeking surprises outside of her plans...]
[What about our Misaki?]
[Misaki, she's just a silly dog, no need to talk about her.]
[And that's not the point. I'm more curious about Rin's family situation. What kind of family could raise such a personality?]
[Maybe she doesn't have a family?]
[Doesn't that make her a natural-born bridge-blocker?]
[...Don't say that, my father-in-law and mother-in-law... you must not have anything happen to you.]
[Sigh, delusions.]
Has someone finally started paying attention to these things?
This is the benefit of being a popular character... everyone cares about every move you make.
If it were an extra, I bet even if their whole family died in front of the camera, no one would care, right? After all, for those viewers, these are just virtual things.
They might feel heartache, they might feel sad, but that's about it. After all, reality is already magical enough; who would have the energy to keep obsessing over virtual characters?
Hmm... since the issue of family has been noticed, then next, I should find a suitable time to reveal it.
When would be the most suitable time... It definitely can't be too late; I have to take advantage of the viewers' interest while it's still there.
The weekend? Or next week?
If I choose the weekend, how should I bring it up?
Invite Reina again directly? That's not very appropriate.
I've already invited her once today; if I invite her again, it will seem too proactive, and it might make her wary...
Then, next week?
That's too late... And, based on her performance during this time, as long as those four aren't stupid, they will definitely try every way to make contact with Reina.
They won't let the weekend pass by. It will likely trigger a battle for her, and the camera won't miss such exciting scenes; it will definitely count as an episode.
In that case, this show won't have many episodes left...
Rin frowned slightly, calculating with some distress.
Reina leaned against the seat back, her gaze passing through the glass, watching the rapidly receding streetscape.
The residential area in the distance was lit with twinkling lights. Behind every point of light, there were people, there was dinner, there was the sound of television.
Her home was also under one of those lights.
Someone would be waiting for her to return, to accompany her.
There would be a "Welcome back," there would be dinner left for her, and there would be sleeping in tomorrow without having to wake up early.
She suddenly felt very happy.
"Rin."
"Do you want to... go out together tomorrow?"
Once the words were out, Reina herself was stunned.
She had just been thinking, "Rin doesn't have many friends, it seems pathetic for her to stay alone on the weekend," and then it just blurted out.
She hadn't considered at all whether the other party would refuse.
Rin turned her head and looked at Reina.
There was no special emotion in those azure eyes, just a calm gaze at her.
...Did a pie fall from the sky? She thought.
"Where to?"
Rin replied immediately.
It seemed she was afraid Reina would abandon the plan, so she even skipped the step of agreeing.
"Eh?" Reina didn't expect her to ask that directly, "Uh... this... I haven't thought about it yet..."
She began to search her memory for places to go in a last-minute panic.
A newly opened mall? No, too far.
That bookstore nearby? Doesn't seem to have anything special...
A movie theater? There are no movies worth watching lately...
Rin looked at her face, which was gradually wrinkling in thought, and was silent for two seconds.
"That's fine."
"Eh?"
"Tomorrow," she added, "Anywhere is fine."
"It's fine to just walk around."
Reina blinked, not having reacted yet.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Rin turned her gaze back to the window and didn't speak again.
Then... let's leave it at that for now.
Reina looked at the white silhouette beside her, recalling the calm yet vaguely eager look on her face when she heard the invitation, and she suddenly understood why she had spoken up.
...Ah, how stupid, I was actually struggling with those things just now.
I just wanted to share the happiness with you, that's all.
...How silly.