She Wanted the Sun

Under the blazing sun, a beautiful woman in red spoke to the somewhat timid boy at her side, while a tall, burly man held up a paper umbrella to shield her from the sunlight.

To passing pedestrians, it was a warm and harmonious scene.

But for those involved, it was nowhere near as friendly as it appeared.

After telling Iguro Obanai her address and reminding him that he could come find her in Asakusa anytime, Hongyue gracefully rose to her feet and looked at Kurozawa with a beaming smile.

Her cool, peerlessly beautiful features stood in stark contrast to her slightly gentle expression at that moment, making even Kurozawa's breath catch as he found himself unable to look away.

The woman before him was simply too beautiful. He felt a little regretful—if only Hongyue were human.

"Come to think of it, you asked for my name last time, but I still don't know yours."

Hongyue looked at Kurozawa and spoke softly.

Unlike her cold, aloof attitude when they first met, Hongyue's personality had undergone a strange change. She had become somewhat gentler toward Kurozawa, though her appearance and voice remained cool and distant.

"Kurozawa Danryu. You can call me Kurozawa."

Kurozawa noticed Hongyue's change. Though he was somewhat baffled, his manner of speaking became much more natural. He felt no hostility from Hongyue, so there was no need to remain on guard at all times. Besides, Hongyue seemed to be actively trying to deepen their relationship?

Otherwise, why would she ask his name? A random passerby did not need a name. If Hongyue asked what he was called, it meant she truly intended to remember him.

Whether that was good or bad, Kurozawa could only take things one step at a time.

"Mhm. Then, Kurozawa, are you engaged?"

"No."

"Then, would you be willing to marry me?" Hongyue's voice was soft and gentle.

Because he was busy wondering why Hongyue was acting so strangely, Kurozawa was not paying much attention to the conversation. He casually went along with it and replied, "Of course. I couldn't ask for more."

The moment the words left his mouth, Iguro Obanai tugged on Kurozawa's sleeve and looked up at him with a puzzled expression.

From their conversation, he understood that Kurozawa and Hongyue had only just met. Yet what they were saying had gone far beyond Iguro Obanai's understanding. Seeing that Kurozawa did not seem to realize what he had said, he could not help reminding him.

"What is it?" Kurozawa lowered his head and glanced at the confused Iguro Obanai after his sleeve was tugged.

The next second, Kurozawa came to his senses and his entire body stiffened. Then, inch by inch, he turned his head to look at Hongyue, whose cheeks had reddened slightly.

A hint of shyness appeared on that stunningly beautiful face, along with feigned composure. When she saw Kurozawa looking over, Hongyue tilted her head slightly, too embarrassed to meet his gaze. That contrast left Kurozawa dumbfounded once again.

His eyes widened as Kurozawa wondered if he was dreaming. What are you talking about? I spaced out just now.

Those words never left his mouth, because Hongyue looped her arm around his. Lowering her head, she spoke in a cool voice touched with unmistakable delight. "That day, when you smiled at me, I felt that you were a gift Heaven had given me."

"I'm so glad you agreed. I'll fulfill my responsibilities and duties as your wife properly. Please take care of me from now on."

After saying that, Hongyue raised her head and gave the stunned Kurozawa a faint, satisfied smile. At the same time, she glanced at the brilliant sun overhead, and her eyes flashed with a heart-pounding, bone-deep hatred and longing.

Kurozawa did not notice the change in Hongyue's gaze. His mind was in a daze.

This is bad, bad, bad... But maybe it's not that bad? Hongyue is beautiful, after all. If she's willing to marry me, it's not like I'm losing out—ptui! What are you thinking, Kurozawa?!

Calm down, calm down. First, find a time machine and stop yourself from saying "I couldn't ask for more."

"Well, I personally couldn't ask for more, but I'm not the only one who gets a say."

"My family members all have extremely fiery tempers. They definitely won't agree."

After taking several deep breaths—and even relying on his Breathing Technique to calm himself down—Kurozawa forced an awkward smile. Unfortunately, bolstered by his high Charm, the awkwardness in that smile was instinctively ignored. It still looked dazzling.

At the sight of Kurozawa's radiant smile, Hongyue's breathing grew imperceptibly heavier. Then she leaned closer to him and held him even tighter.

"It's alright. Kurozawa, your family will accept me. I believe in myself."

If they don't accept her, they'll probably all disappear, won't they?!

Even now, Kurozawa was still utterly confused. He had no idea what Hongyue saw in him. Can't I just change it?

He simply did not understand how much attraction and temptation a smile as brilliant as the sun held for someone who hated the sun, yet craved its light more than anyone else.

Beside them, Iguro Obanai was already stunned. The adult world was too crazy, moving far too quickly. He could not understand it at all.

"Since this is a major life decision, I don't want you to make it just because of a smile." After careful consideration, Kurozawa chose his words and spoke to Hongyue with a serious expression.

At the same time, with nearly 80 Potential Points invested, the convincing, trustworthy quality in his voice grew even stronger.

"What matters most about a person is their character, not their appearance. Today, you want to marry me because of one smile. Tomorrow, might you change your mind again because of someone else's smile?"

"This is too sudden. I hope you'll think it over carefully."

Kurozawa's words made perfect sense, but Hongyue only wanted his smile. She had no intention of being reasonable, and her attitude was exceptionally firm. "This is a decision I have considered for a long time."

"Kurozawa, were your words just now all lies? Were you only playing with my feelings?"

By the end, her soft and gentle voice had turned completely cold, returning to the icy severity she had shown when they first met in Asakusa. Though it was a scorching day, Kurozawa felt chilled to the bone.

Looks like she really has latched onto me... I'll just have to take things one step at a time. Forcing himself to smile, Kurozawa said, "How could that be? I was only thinking of you. If you've already made up your mind, then my answer remains the same—I couldn't ask for more."

"Mhm, I knew it. You're the gift Heaven gave me. You wouldn't make me sad, would you?" Hongyue's voice became gentle again. Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought it was affectionate teasing between lovers.

"...Right."

Unable to make heads or tails of it, Kurozawa could only answer in agreement.

"It's just that, Hongyue, I promised my family that I would bring Iguro Obanai back as soon as possible. They'll worry if I stay away too long."

"So I wasn't planning to remain in Asakusa for long, which means..."

Agree verbally, then find a way to slip away—that was what Kurozawa truly intended.

Hmph. Once I'm strong enough to suppress Hongyue, so what if I really marry her? I won't be afraid at all! But for now, since I can't figure out what Hongyue wants, it's better to be careful.