In the world of anime with the power to stop time.

Chapter 043: This Must Be Love

Lin Ye got up, washed up, and changed into his clothes.

He wasn't in a rush to head to Chiba right away.

"If Mai is in Tokyo, I'll go see her. If not, I'll wait for a better opportunity later."

Ding-dong...

Lin Ye arrived at Hoshino Ai's room next door and pressed the doorbell.

After several rings, there was no response.

"Did something happen?"

He immediately took out his phone and called Hoshino Ai. After a moment, a drowsy voice answered.

"Morning... Lin Ye-kun."

"Uh, I'll... I'll open the door right now."

She quickly jumped out of bed and ran to the door. With a soft click, the door opened.

"Sorry, I'm still half-asleep."

Hoshino Ai's long, messy purple-black hair was in disarray, her eyes showing faint dark circles. What stood out most was her pink underwear, revealing her slender figure and fair skin. The slight curve in her form subtly hinted at her ongoing growth.

Noticing Lin Ye's gaze, Ai blushed, lowering her head in embarrassment and quickly retreating to her room.

Even though Lin Ye had seen everything, she still felt shy.

Ten minutes later, Ai had freshened up and was sitting on the edge of the bed, her cheeks flushed.

"So, what's the plan for today?"

"I want to visit Mr. Saito at the hospital. A friend told me he's still hospitalized and not doing well."

"Okay, I'll take you to the hospital!"

"Thank you. What are your plans today, Lin Ye-kun?"

"Looking for Mai."

Hoshino Ai: ???

She felt like crying.

"Y-you're really going to look for Mai Sakurajima?"

"Of course. But for now, I don't know where she is."

Ai let out a sigh of relief.

Lin Ye couldn't go if he didn't know where she was.

"So, Ai, I need your help. As an idol, you probably have ways to find out where Mai Sakurajima is, right?"

She almost burst into tears.

He wanted her to help him gather information? That was too much.

"Ai-chan, are you unwilling?"

"It's not that I'm unwilling..."

In the end, she gave in.

"I'll ask around, but I can't guarantee I'll find anything."

"Okay."

Hoshino Ai sent inquiry messages to several possible contacts, silently hoping there wouldn't be any news about Mai Sakurajima.

The two headed to the hotel restaurant for breakfast.

It was a buffet-style meal.

Lin Ye chose milk, bread, fried noodles, and some fruit for breakfast, while Hoshino Ai only picked milk and fruit, avoiding high-carb foods entirely.

"Being an idol must be tough. You can't even eat much."

"Sometimes I eat a little more. I love cake and bubble tea, especially strawberry cake. It's so good."

However, to maintain her figure, her daily diet was strictly controlled.

"You should eat more. Your body needs extra nutrition for growth. It's better to exercise more to stay in shape."

Hoshino Ai nodded. She then grabbed some bread and sausages to eat.

She knew Lin Ye genuinely cared about her and wanted the best for her, so she was willing to follow his advice.

Buzz buzz...

A new message arrived.

Hoshino Ai immediately opened her phone. After reading the message, she couldn't hide her smile.

"Um, Mai Sakurajima is currently filming in Kyoto. So if you want to see her, Lin Ye-kun, you'll have to go to Kyoto."

From Tokyo to Kyoto, the Shinkansen ride takes three hours, plus train transfers, which means at least half a day of travel.

Lin Ye nodded, acknowledging the news. He decided to put off his plan to see Mai Sakurajima for now.

He wouldn't force it.

If she were in Tokyo, he'd go. But Kyoto was too far.

It was time to return to Chiba.

Later,

they checked out of the hotel and took the train to the hospital where Saito was admitted.

At the hospital entrance,

Lin Ye and Hoshino Ai stood facing each other.

It was time to say goodbye.

"Goodbye. Call me if anything comes up."

"Okay."

Just as Lin Ye turned to leave, Hoshino Ai gathered her courage and spoke,

"Lin Ye-kun, I... I'll definitely become an even bigger star than Mai Sakurajima in the future. I'll make you support me again!"

With the gentle breeze blowing, Ai's long purple-black hair swayed in the wind. She pressed her slender right hand down on her hair, her violet eyes sparkling with hopeful light, and her small, cherry blossom-like lips curled into a faint smile.

In that fleeting moment, Hoshino Ai seemed to merge with her surroundings, becoming a perfect, timeless image.

"Good luck."

"Mm."

Hoshino Ai watched Lin Ye's figure disappear into the distance, reluctantly retracting her gaze.

Placing her hand over her chest, she felt the rhythmic thump-thump of her heart.

"Is this... love?"

"This must be love!"

So this was love

She could feel it too!

What a wonderful feeling.

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