Chapter 654
In a way, Asagami Fujino, like this apartment, was something that Touko Aozaki abandoned.
Three years ago, Touko Aozaki suddenly called Fujino:
"You've already mastered how to use your eyes, so you don't need to come anymore. You can leave this to me and Shiki."
Touko Aozaki must have realized that Asagami Fujino was not suited for this world, and she herself understood this.
Therefore, Fujino really wanted to know Shirou's opinion on the same thing.
"..."
Shirou glanced at Asagami Fujino, then revealed a mischievous smile.
"What exactly happened?"
"..."
Fujino felt inexplicably shy and turned her burning cheek away.
"But... but, if this place is no longer Miss Touko's property, isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to continue staying here?"
"Oh, don't worry, I've rented this place."
"Huh?"
"Although Touko doesn't want this place anymore, I don't want it to remain abandoned like this, so I took the liberty of renting it."
"Shirou..."
Asagami Fujino felt her heart beat slightly faster.
It's so wonderful that the boy I like is such a gentle person.
"So, Shirou planned to bring me here from the beginning today?"
"Yes, I originally planned to bring you here today for a tour."
From now on, this will be our secret base -- I can't believe that guy actually stood me up.
Shirou said indignantly, while Fujino covered her mouth and chuckled, "Now I have something to brag about to Miss Shiki."
That guy deserved it.
After that, Shirou and Asagami Fujino went to a nearby supermarket to shop.
I bought slippers for three people, toothbrushes, and other daily necessities, as well as coffee machine supplies.
By the time they returned to the office, it was already evening.
The street was bathed in the crimson glow of the setting sun, and a woman's figure stood at the entrance of the office building.
If Asagami Fujino Flower of Takamine exuding an elegant fragrance, then she is a salt-type beauty who is completely out of place with everything around her.
Her short, silky black hair, delicate and well-proportioned androgynous features, and upright posture were all flawless.
Even more striking than her appearance are her eyes.
A calm yet sharp gaze, and an incredible eye color that seems to absorb all the light around it.
She is--
"Shiki! You're here!" Shirou waved to her happily.
Ryougi Shiki, her hands tucked into the pockets of her red leather jacket over her kimono, frowned impatiently.
"It's all because you keep making those harassing phone calls."
"We've all come all this way to Kanbushi City, I'd be so disappointed if we didn't get to see the costume."
Are you satisfied now?
"Yes, I'm satisfied."
Unlike Asagami Fujino, who transformed into a mature beauty, Ryougi Shiki's outward appearance did not change as much.
No, actually there have been some changes, and the kimono itself... has probably evolved a lot as well.
However, her personal impression and temperament are so strong that they can even withstand the passage of time and physical growth.
No matter how many years pass, Ryougi Shiki will still be the same girlish Ryougi Shiki; no one can change her essence, Shirou firmly believes this.
"By the way, did you wear that red leather jacket specifically to see me?"
"No way, you idiot."
Ryougi Shiki's tone was as rude as ever. She frowned and said, "Did you call me out here just to listen to your nonsense? If there's nothing else, I'm going back."
Shirou chuckled and said, "No, that's not true. Fujino also wants to see you, right?"
"It's been a long time, Ms. Shiki." Asagami Fujino bowed slightly politely.
"Fujino, you're still the same as before, following Shirou around like a little shadow."
Ryougi Shiki curled the corners of her mouth, a smile that conveyed more nostalgia than mockery.
After exchanging a few brief pleasantries outside, the three entered the abandoned building.
Shirou: "I'll go prepare dinner."
Fujino: "Then I'll go clean the room."
Shi: "I'm tired, go lie down on the sofa for a while."
They each found their own tasks, and the firm disbanded right there on the spot.
Shirou used ingredients he bought at the supermarket to make dinner for three people, and then invited Fujino and Shiki to eat together.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was quite pleasant. The three of them talked a lot about the past, and then about their current situations.
After graduating from Reien Asagami Fujino went to Tokyo to attend university.
After graduating from university, and after careful consideration, he ultimately returned to work at his adoptive father's company.
Today, she is an outstanding professional woman working for a large construction group.
As for Ryougi Shiki, she was designated by her family as the next successor to Ryougi more than a decade ago.
After barely completing high school, he did not continue his studies.
The Ryougi Family's businesses are similar to the Fujimura Family's; they are essentially local yakuza.
Unlike the Fujimura Group, the Ryougi Family's income appears to be mostly derived from loans in the financial industry...
Shirou thought to himself, "I'd better not get too involved in this."
Because they mastered ways to make money that kept pace with the times, the Ryougi Family became the only one of the Four Great Demon Hunter Families that was not swallowed up by modern civilization.
"If Fujino inherits the Asagami Family, the Asagami Family will be effectively revived... Do you need my help?"
Ryougi Shiki jokingly asked Fujino if she wanted him to help her get rid of her half-siblings.
"No, I'm not interested in that kind of thing..."
"There are many benefits to becoming an heir, for example—"
You don't need to care about your family's opinions; you can choose your partner based on your own will.
"...!"
Asagami Fujino's pupils widened slightly.
She glanced at the red-haired boy beside her out of the corner of her eye.
Indeed, if it were me now, there would be no way I could have any further development with Shirou.
While it's nice to meet up for meals, chat, and catch up every now and then, this kind of relationship is also...
Asagami Fujino, are you satisfied now!?
Do you think you'd be content with just stopping at this point, simply becoming Shirou's "female friend"!?
Recently, my family has started looking for blind dates for me.
To be honest, it's really annoying; she has absolutely no interest in any man other than Shirou.
After meeting Shirou, a boy who is both outstanding and gentle, Asagami Fujino's worldview became distorted.
In her eyes, other men were no different from talking pieces of meat.
Although I really dislike blind dates, if I go against my family's wishes, the relationship I've finally managed to rebuild with my parents will be ruined...
If I could inherit the Asagami Family...?
Unlike the Asagami Family, which declined in fortune, the Asagami Family is now a well-known conglomerate in Japan with businesses spanning real estate, education, healthcare, and many other fields.
I want to be a woman worthy of Shirou...
Ryougi Shiki's words were like the devil's seductive whispers, planting the seeds of crime in the young girl's heart.
"... pain."
Asagami Fujino covered her head, which had been struck by Shirou's karate chop.
"Shirou?"
"Don't overthink it. As long as Fujino stays the way Fujino is now, that's best for her."
The boy looked into her eyes and said this.
"Waaah..."
Asagami Fujino bit her lip, nodded as if to encourage herself, and then said solemnly.
"I'll turn down blind dates."
Shirou looked completely bewildered. "How did this suddenly turn into a blind date?"
"I just checked again..."
Asagami Fujino blushed, took a deep breath, and then mustered her courage to speak.
"--I really do like Shirou the most."
"... Well."
Shirou was well aware of Fujino's good intentions towards him, but he didn't expect the introverted girl to say it so directly in public.
The boy was a little embarrassed, scratching his cheek and muttering, "Oh... I see, thank you."
"You two, if you want to show off your love, go somewhere where there's no one around, okay?" Ryougi Shiki rolled her eyes.
Asagami Fujino felt she couldn't be the only one embarrassed.
"Even though that's what she says, Miss Shiki probably likes Shirou the most too."
Huh?
"Listen to me, Shirou, Miss Shiki, before..."
"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
The black-haired girl let out a mournful cry while stopping Asagami Fujino from continuing.
"Shirou, how are you getting home tonight? The trams back to the city will stop running in about an hour."
After that, I spent another three months at the dinner table.
It was already 7:30 PM, and the tram service stopped at 9:00 PM.
If you want to take the night bus back to Fuyuki City, you must catch the last tram.
As Shirou cleared away the dishes, he said, "Hmm? I won't be going back tonight; I'll stay here."
"Since we've paid to rent it, it would be a waste not to live in it."
Ryougi Shiki frowned and said, "You're going to spend the night alone in a building that hasn't been used for years? You really have quite the inclination."
"What are you saying? You want to come too, Shiki, and Fujino too."
"Okay, I contacted my family when I went to the supermarket. I probably won't be going home tonight."
Asagami Fujino answered in this way, while Ryougi Shiki showed a very troubled expression.
Shirou said, "While you were sleeping on the sofa, I already used your phone to text the butler to let him know you'd be staying out tonight."