Mr. Paints
episode 18's

Since the incident, Minami decided to move into a building adjacent to her old apartment.

There, he chose to occupy a medium-sized room with ventilation that is not too large.

He acted like a fugitive. Every time he finished cooking, the windows and some narrow gaps would be closed as soon as possible, as if sunlight was forbidden to peek at his personal activities.

If forced to go home at night, Minami awkwardly contacted Yoshio to just ask to be escorted to the front of the apartment fence.

Although it was a waste because Yamashita was not human, she did not care at all. Minami often drives away the cats around her just to calm her heart.

"Is something bothering you?" yoshio asked when Minami had contacted him for the last time that night.

The weather is quite humid and windy signifies summer is coming to an end.

The man, the reincarnation of Hiroshi-looking at the lover in his previous life with a probing look.

Minami shook her head in confusion, she couldn't possibly tell Yoshio about the typical anime story. He may be considered insane. After all, in the neighborhood where he works, Yoshio is already considered by everyone as his girlfriend.

"All right, come on. I'll take you. At least I don't need a reason to see you." Yoshio's smile suddenly rose, indicating that he did not bother. In contrast to the misbehaving Minami, Yoshio calmly, took the girl's arm to quickly follow her towards the nearest stop.

The motor is being damaged due to brake problems that often do not work properly. But feeling that Minami is not in good shape emotionally, Yoshio decides to pick up Minami even if he only takes the bus.

"Yoshio, thank you." Minami slightly bent her body as they sat on one of the bus benches.

"No problem. I just hope you're not in any big trouble, "that Yoshio held out a packet of mint candy from his jacket pocket.

Minami surprised. That

it was his favorite candy when he was a kid. He did not expect Yoshio to still hold memories that even he himself had long forgotten about.

"Why? You don't like it?"Yoshio stared puzzledly, opening the candy wrapper in his palm to the front of Minami's mouth.

"Why just one? You should've given me two at once." Minami tries to manage her feelings, ignoring her voice mixed with the sound of candy shards in her mouth. Somehow he is very sad because touched by a candy worth 50¥.

"Sorry, I don't think you like it. Sometimes our tastes change when we become adults."Yoshio looked at Minami, he really did not know how it could be due to the trivial matter of the sudden mellow atmosphere.

The roar of bus engines that sounded louder than usual mixed with the horns of private vehicles along their journey.

Both Yoshio and Minami were silent, enjoying the time by exploring the contents of each other's minds.

Ten minutes later, they came down, down the path of dozens of Chery trees.

"You're just moving to another building, it really can't be said to be avoiding someone. But, do you realize, Mina-san? Even if you've changed a lot, I still know when you're lying, pretending or hiding something."Yoshio opened his voice after a long silence.

"Don't think too far. I'm just afraid of the crime that's on television. Sorry, it's been a hassle."Minami tries to lie.

The man reminded her of something sad.

"I'm just wondering what's scarier than Kotomi. All this time you've been avoiding me for reasons you don't want to get in trouble. But, look, you've been ignoring all that lately." Yoshio looked curious. But, Minami had no good reason to describe the situation now. He is only able to duck, feeling guilty for using Yoshio to protect himself.

"Yoshio, can you not ask that reason now? I can't answer that."

"Do you like me?"

The question of spontaneity from the man's lips before him, made Minami's head look up in surprise, "What?"

"That's the most reasonable reason. Just tell me, I can't possibly reject you right now" Yoshio said approaching Minami. He furrowed his brows, waiting for the answer of the question that appeared in his brain just like that.

Minami stammered confusedly, "I certainly like you, but...,"

"But, what? I've been waiting for you too long. What do you think I'd come for if I didn't like you?"cut Yoshio impatiently. In the past, Minami refused to know him because of Kotomi. Now what else? What makes his childhood friend mysterious?

Minami should be surprised like a girl when she heard the statement of love from the man she was targeting. But what he felt was completely different. Minami seemed to have known that for a long time. Either when they were little or when Yoshio greeted him again after 10 years of not seeing each other. Clearly, his heart did not move in the slightest.

"Yes, it should be like that. I should have liked you, but unfortunately I'm not sure how I feel." Minami hurriedly took her eyes off Yoshio. Avoiding may be better than saying the hanging thing.

The night was getting colder and the wind was blowing from the other direction. It was no ordinary air. Behind the dry twigs of the Cherry trees, the figure of Yamashita in the form of a cat appears, scraping its sharp claws on the side of the tree in front of it.

He began to realize where his feelings of hatred came from and that night felt something ready to explode, splashing his wounds.

Memories in his previous life, it could be said, have not proven anything, but Yamashita believes Minami hurt him a lot first.

Now that he has made a promise to protect the princess, he is no longer sure he can do it. How could Yamashita possibly be toyed with by a ridiculous fate deliberately made to unite the two of them? Even though he died, Yamashita was not willing to fulfill his obligation to protect the reincarnation of Kaguya-his unfaithful ex-wife.

Just below the Chery tree where Yamashita was perched, Minami smiled slightly, like hearing something pleasant from Yoshio's mouth.

What are they talking about? Yamashita's mind rests its head on the lower end of the twig.

"I think it's time we had more relationships than friends. You can visit my house without having to give any reason. My mom wanted you to visit."Yoshio pulled his lips to a corner. Formed a wide smile that seemed to reconcile Minami's heart.

They then both lowered their heads, trying to neutralize the state that turned nervous.

Time shows at eleven o'clock. Minami at Yoshio's tail runs one-on-one through the last slum alley.

Yamashita followed them while putting on an angry face. Fortunately he was still in the form of a cat, if not for sure there would be spontaneity magic that made the atmosphere chaotic.

Perhaps with me continuing to be near Yoshio, the rude prince will come to his senses and quickly return to the past. Minami muttered in her heart. Before long he turned his head, letting Yoshio grab his hand.