Chapter 540
"..."
Under the dim streetlights, Futaba Rio stopped in her tracks, her fair and delicate face appearing and disappearing in the dim light.
But perhaps for a moment, she thought that being like Sakurajima Mai wouldn't be so bad, and she stopped resisting it so much.
A few seconds later, she started walking again.
If reading between the lines is a skill, then he might sometimes score full marks and sometimes fall short—like right now.
Himemiya Chihaya then blurted out the question that had been bothering her most that day, "Futaba, do you like Mai- san?"
"..."
"By the way, I was referring to the 'like' in 'Love'."
"..."
The two continued walking side by side without stopping.
Futaba Rio wouldn't tell him how to get there in advance, and every now and then they would encounter a turn. He would have to take a few wrong steps before he realized what was happening, and then turn around and continue following her.
After a long pause, as if she had finally reconnected to the internet, she parted her red lips slightly and said, "To be able to make such unfounded speculations about a girl without any concern, Hinomiya, you really are a pig's head."
"If all pigs looked like me, then pigs would definitely be the most popular characters in the world."
"..."
After a while, she sighed softly, "Why do you think that?"
"Just as you said, it's just baseless speculation."
"..."
She found that this guy really left her speechless.
"It's just a crush, nothing more. I'm not good with words, and she's basically my only friend at school."
"You and she both have very problematic understandings of 'friends' and 'acquaintances'... just because she gave you half a plum rice ball before?"
"... Sakurajima- senpai told you about this?"
"That's what I said when I introduced you to each other."
"I guess so. I guess I was going through puberty back then. That's when Sakurajima- senpai struck up a conversation with me since I hadn't bought lunch."
In the moonlight, she adjusted her glasses.
"However, Sakurajima- senpai's orientation is obviously normal, and mine... I'm probably normal too, so we're just ordinary friends."
"This is the first time I've met a friend I haven't even spoken to much in a year... Speaking of which, I've never bought plum rice balls at a convenience store before. How much do they cost now?"
"If it was specially made for Sakurajima- senpai, it would probably be worth several hundred thousand yen, right?"
"That's true—but what about the regular kind?"
"150 yen..."
"Even if we buy two, it'll only be 300 yen? Futaba- kun, you're surprisingly cheap."
"To be precise, one and a half... well, I admit I'm just that simple of a woman."
"So, if it had been a guy who approached you back then, you'd probably be in a state of unrequited love or a wonderful romance after confessing your feelings?"
"If it were you, Hinomiya, I definitely wouldn't agree."
"Why? My looks are top-notch, aren't they?"
"I think it probably depends on the timing. I was really disappointed at that time..."
Her voice was still low, weak, and pale, hardly like that of a normal high school girl. If you had to describe it, it was probably the feeling that Gotou Hitori gave off, but with her Social Anxiety Disorder removed.
She gave him a slightly sharp look. "Besides, you give me a very unreal feeling, and I don't like that."
Without the slightest hint of displeasure, he smoothly replied, "So, my beauty has made you feel that I don't belong to this world? Thank you very much."
"..."
After being speechless for a moment, she retorted with a hint of resentment and anger, "It's my turn to ask! What's your relationship with Sakurajima- senpai?"
We're just friends for now.
"A friend I've known for a week?"
Mimicking his tone, she scoffed dismissively.
"Friendship may not have much to do with how long you've known each other."
He wasn't angry and continued strolling casually with her, taking a walk to digest their food.
Why were you willing to help Sakurajima- senpai? Was it just because she's a celebrity?
"There is a reason, but it's not what you think—to sum it up, it's just that I wanted to do it this way."
"I want to do that..."
She looked up at the night sky, seemingly accepting the answer.
There's no need to explain everything according to purpose and rules; that would only result in cold, hard data.
Whatever the reason, it all boils down to "what one wants"...
In many small cities in Japan, as long as you are located within the city, you may not need to take a car to travel between two places; at most, you might have to walk for a little longer... like now.
Even if the trams stop running and there are no subways or buses, it is still quite convenient.
Of course, it might not actually be that convenient; it's just a matter of getting used to it.
Making people in convenient locations experience a 30-minute to an-hour walk each way is probably a fatal mistake.
"Arrive."
Upon entering the villa area, Futaba Rio stopped in front of a villa that looked extremely high-end and spoke softly.
The villa consists of a huge garage on the left and a pedestrian entrance on the right. The building inside appears to be about four stories high, one story taller than his house. Aside from its size, its structure resembles a college building on a university campus.
A warm yellow cylindrical headlight hangs at the entrance, and the sign below it reads "FUTABA" (the Romanized form of the word "Futaba").
I almost forgot, her family is also a typical wealthy family. Are there really no ordinary people around her?
"The lights don't seem to be on inside. Are your family members not home?"
"My father went to another city to attend a conference, and my mother is also abroad on business."
"Really... It's completely different from my home?"
He realized once again just how rare it was to have a wealthy family like his, where both parents were busy with work but still managed to take excellent care of their family.
However, if I were to explain it to her here, she would probably react like Touma Kazusa did back then, immediately losing her temper and becoming completely vulnerable. So, I'd better not.
"This happens often in our family."
Futaba Rio clearly didn't understand him either, and went straight to open the door, saying, "Then I'll go in. Thank you for today."
"Etc!"
He called out to her as she was about to close the door.
"Um?"
She turned around and looked through the iron gate.
He expertly pulled out his phone and gestured, "Anyway, becoming friends has nothing to do with how long we've known each other. How about becoming my friend too?"
"By the way, Ms. Mai and I also exchanged contact information on the first day."
"..."
After a full minute of silence, she calmly spoke again, "It's my parents who are rich, not me."
That's not what I meant!
"..."
After successfully obtaining Futaba Rio's contact information, he returned to his apartment.
After walking around, I realized that my own home is definitely the best place to eat.
But soon, his smile vanished, for he remembered something important.
Today's appointment schedule isn't over yet... and it's probably the biggest trial in recent times.
Five minutes later.
He carried the tea to the two stunning beauties who had rushed over to him as soon as they learned of his return.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, ladies."
He spoke nervously to Ouka Mai and Koto Satsuki.
Although he had been prepared, his heart still started pounding when the moment actually arrived.
Is this the Shura Field where countless heroes have fallen?
Terrifying!
"Thanks."
They each accepted the gift, and in the occasional exchange of glances, a spark of mutual antagonism flashed.
"..."
Just how far have things progressed between these two?
He sighed silently, then got to the point. "So, ladies, what's the reason you two came together today?"
Judging from their appearance, their relationship has not improved; on the contrary, it may have become even more strained.
As for the reason... Ouka Mai look at the playful and disdainful look in Koto Satsuki.
Ouka Mai put down her teacup and sat up straight. "It's about me Kazusa Satsuki. I'd like to borrow Talent's place for a bit and ask Talent to be my witness."
"Um?"
It's not about me?
"Safe? That can't be..." He glanced at Koto Satsuki with a troubled look, a bad feeling creeping over him.
"Oh, oh, I don't know why you chose me, but please continue."
Ouka Mai didn't notice anything unusual, or rather, she didn't think it was anything serious... She looked at Koto Satsuki sitting on the other side of the sofa.
"Satsuki, I think I've done something to upset you again recently, haven't I?"
"..."
Koto Satsuki turned her head away, her eyes lowered. "It's nothing."
"You're still the same as ever..."
Ouka Mai frowned. "That might sound a bit despicable, but I didn't do it because I liked it."
"At least tell me why you're angry, so I can still improve the situation."
The other two people in the spacious living room remained silent; they deeply understood this sentiment.
She doesn't intentionally provoke others; it's just that her nature makes her unconsciously attract trouble...
Her confidence, competence, sincerity, and honesty were fine in front of outsiders who needed to wear masks, but to those close to her, they almost all became antonyms.
"Well..."
Koto Satsuki looked troubled, knowing that this wasn't something that had been going on for just a day or two.
But similarly, after years of enduring, she was unwilling to show weakness this time.
Before she could finish speaking, Ouka Mai continued, "Especially this time, it's dragged on for quite a while. Usually, it only takes about three days to recover."
This incident, from the time she "caused trouble" to the time she "bragged" about it, has been more than two weeks.
What's more, they had already had a falling out before that and were in a cold war... Yes, it was because of him, because he went to Koto Satsuki's house to meet her parents without saying a word.
Is this considered a case of a handsome man causing trouble?
Chapter 488 Objection!
"Looks like you're really angry this time, aren't you?"