A Battlefield of Love / Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Chen Tian took in her reaction, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile.

He reached out and gently ruffled the crown of her golden head, offering a little comfort.

Only then did he pick up his phone and answer the call.

A sweet, respectful voice came through at once. "Good morning, Tian Jun. Have you had breakfast?"

Hearing the familiar greeting, as if it had stepped straight out of some old-fashioned drama, Chen Tian sighed silently. "Good morning, Kaguya. I'm eating right now."

"Ah, that's wonderful." Kaguya's voice seemed to grow even gentler, with a hint of anticipation. "Then may I ask you to wait at home for a little while?"

Chen Tian raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"My driver and I," Kaguya said clearly through the receiver, "are on our way to your home."

Love Triangle

Chen Tian hung up and casually set his phone on the table.

When he looked up, he saw Kitagawa's cheeks puffed out like a little hamster with its mouth stuffed full of nuts. Her lips were slightly pursed, and the ruby eyes that had been sparkling moments ago now stared at him reproachfully. Her expression clearly said, I'm upset. Hurry up and make it better.

Seeing her like that, Chen Tian let out a quiet laugh.

"Hmph!" Kitagawa caught his amusement and immediately turned her face away, deliberately refusing to look at him. She put on a show of being angry, her voice tinged with a pout.

"The Young Miss of the Shinomiya Family is coming to pick you up? She's certainly 'enthusiastic,' boyfriend." She put extra emphasis on the word "enthusiastic."

Chen Tian shrugged, his tone relaxed and casual. "She's already coming, right? It's a free ride. At least I won't have to cram onto the subway." He sounded completely unapologetic.

Kitagawa wrinkled her little nose and huffed twice more. She "fiercely" prodded the remaining porridge in her bowl with her chopsticks, looking like she was angry but still going to finish her breakfast.

How could Chen Tian not see her little sulk? Without saying anything, he slipped a hand into his pocket and felt around. Then, with a soft click, he placed the Black card Satoru Gojo had given him on the dining table and slid it in front of Kitagawa.

He lightly tapped the card with his fingertip and looked at the puffed-up girl. "Xiao Meng."

Kitagawa's attention was drawn to the soft click, and her gaze naturally fell on the Black card, which represented an unlimited credit limit. Her ears twitched, but she didn't immediately turn around.

"Once classes are over today," Chen Tian continued, "how about we go buy a car?"

The words seemed to have magical power.

Kitagawa's puffed cheeks deflated instantly. She whipped around, and her ruby-like eyes lit up, shining even brighter than they had when she'd looked at breakfast.

"Really?!" The words burst out of her, full of delight and anticipation.

But the next second, the light in her eyes dimmed a little. As if remembering a practical concern, she looked uncertain, her little face drooping slightly. "We can, but..."

She hesitated, then looked at Chen Tian. "Should we tell Sister Tatsuzuka?"

The "Sister Tatsuzuka" she meant was Chen Tian's manager, Tatsuzuka Yayoi.

A manager's involvement was always something they had to consider in their daily affairs.

Chen Tian picked up his spoon and took a mouthful of porridge. Only after swallowing did he reply casually, "Hm? There's no need, really. Buying a car is our own business. If you want to tell her, you can just send her a message."

Kitagawa looked at the Black card on the table, then thought about the new car that would soon be hers. (Most importantly, it would be bought with Gojo's money!) The gloom from the Young Miss's call was swept away by her excitement over shopping.

Her expression brightened again, and a smile returned to her face. She nodded enthusiastically, her voice clear and lively.

"Mm-hmm! Okay! I'll message her in a bit! What kind of car should we get? A sports car? Wouldn't that be too flashy? I heard they're not very comfortable."

Watching her mood shift from cloudy to sunny in an instant, Chen Tian said nothing more. He simply picked up his bowl and quietly continued eating breakfast.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell across the dining table, illuminating the Black card and the girl's bright, cheerful smile.

In high spirits, Kitagawa hummed a tune from an anime and quickly polished off the rest of her breakfast. Then she trotted off to get her phone, ready to message Tatsuzuka Yayoi.

Chen Tian watched Kitagawa bouncing impatiently over to grab her phone and smiled faintly as he shook his head. He neatly gathered their bowls and chopsticks. Water rushed through the sink, and he soon had the kitchen spotless.

He had just dried his hands when his phone rang again. The words "Young Miss" flashed on the screen.

"Are you here?" Chen Tian answered, his voice calm.

"Yes, Tian Jun." Kaguya's voice came through the receiver. "My driver and I are waiting outside your gate. There's no need to hurry."

The brief call ended, and Chen Tian turned to look at the living room.

Kitagawa was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, her fingers flying across her phone screen. An excited smile lingered at the corners of her mouth. She was clearly in the middle of an animated discussion with Tatsuzuka Yayoi about buying a car.

"Xiao Meng, it's time to go," Chen Tian reminded her.

"Ah! Just a second!" Kitagawa replied without looking up. Her fingers tapped out a few more words before she finally pressed send, satisfied.

She hopped straight off the sofa and grabbed the two school uniform jackets hanging by the entrance.

Chen Tian was already at the entryway, putting on his shoes. Kitagawa ran over and handed him his jacket, then bounced around as she put on her shoes and slipped into her uniform.

The moment they stepped out of the gate, Kaguya came into view.

She wore a well-tailored dark dress, with a conspicuous red bow pinned at her chest. Her hands were elegantly folded in front of her, and she wore an impeccable smile, every bit the heiress of a wealthy family.

Kitagawa glanced at her and muttered under her breath, "Doesn't it get tiring, acting so proper all the time?"

Chen Tian didn't answer. He simply took her hand and walked straight toward Kaguya.

Kaguya's gaze fell on their clasped hands. Her perfect smile froze for an instant, but she quickly replaced it with an even more polished one.

She bowed slightly to Chen Tian. "Good morning, Tian Jun. It's been quite a while."

"Yeah, it has." Chen Tian gave a slight nod. "Thanks for coming to pick us up today."

At that, Kitagawa stepped half a pace forward to stand beside Chen Tian. She put on a dazzling smile and spoke in a bright voice. "Why, good morning, Young Miss Shinomiya! I'm so sorry to have someone of your distinguished status personally pick up two 'commoners' like us. I really feel terrible!"

She enunciated "commoners" especially clearly. Her tone sounded apologetic, but it was hard to hear it as anything other than teasing.

Kaguya's smile didn't change, as if she hadn't heard any hidden meaning. She turned to Kitagawa and bowed slightly in return. "You're too kind, Kitagawa. It's my pleasure to drive Tian Jun."

She said "drive Tian Jun" casually, but with pointed emphasis, deliberately ignoring Kitagawa as if she were merely an accessory.

Then she turned to Chen Tian, her tone just the right mix of concern and familiarity. "Shall we get in, Tian Jun? I had the chef prepare the soy milk you like. It's still warm."

The smile on Kitagawa's face stiffened for half a second. A flicker of displeasure flashed in her ruby eyes.

She deliberately tightened her hold on Chen Tian's arm.

Chen Tian seemed not to notice the silent clash between the two girls. He simply answered, "Mm."

Taking Kitagawa by the hand before she could say anything else, he headed straight for the back seat.

The driver had already opened the car door respectfully.

Kaguya maintained her polished smile as she watched Chen Tian bend down and get in first. Kitagawa quickly climbed in after him like a victorious little peacock, claiming the seat beside him.

The door closed, and Kitagawa was quietly pleased with herself for getting the seat beside Chen Tian and keeping Kaguya out.

But the next moment, the door on the other side of the back seat opened, and Kaguya slipped inside with smooth, swift movements, taking the seat on Chen Tian's other side.

Kitagawa's smug expression froze. Her eyes widened as she stared at Kaguya, who had claimed the empty seat beside Chen Tian.

Kaguya sat upright, her hands resting lightly on her knees, her perfect smile still in place. She acted as if she'd done nothing more than make the most natural choice in the world.

She even gave Kitagawa a slight nod when she noticed her staring. "There's plenty of room in the car. It'll be more comfortable for everyone if we sit apart."

She made it sound perfectly reasonable, as if she were simply observing basic etiquette.

Seeing Kaguya take the seat on Chen Tian's other side, sandwiching him between them, Kitagawa's cheeks puffed up like a pufferfish. Her ruby eyes seemed ready to spit fire.

She tightened her grip on Chen Tian's arm, silently voicing her furious complaint. This woman! She's so sneaky!

Chen Tian felt the pressure on his arm and the sudden flare of "anger" beside him. His expression remained unchanged, though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

He'd been too careless. He shouldn't have agreed to let Kaguya pick them up.

Kaguya seemed completely oblivious to the scorching glare. She took a delicate porcelain cup from a small, elegant insulated box at the front of the car. Steam curled from its rim.

"Tian Jun, your soy milk." Her voice was gentle as she held the cup out to him, its fragrance wafting through the car.

Just as the cup reached Chen Tian, a hand shot out and snatched it away!

Kitagawa grabbed the insulated cup with astonishing speed, before Chen Tian or Kaguya could react, and tipped her head back to take a big gulp.

"Ptooey!" The next second, she stuck out her little tongue, wearing an exaggerated look of disgust. "Goodness, it's so sweet! It's sickening! Tian Jun doesn't like such sugary drinks anymore!"

As she spoke, she casually put the cup back into Kaguya's hands, a little smugness in her eyes.

Kaguya's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the cup, but the smile on her face remained as perfect as ever. Only the warmth in her eyes had faded a little.

"Is that so?" Her voice was still gentle, though it carried a hint of retaliation. "But I remember very clearly that when Tian Jun and I used to have breakfast together, he always preferred his soy milk this sweet."

She put a little extra emphasis on "used to" and "have breakfast together."

Kitagawa immediately reacted like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on. Her eyes widened further, and she shot back, "That was 'back then'! Sister Tatsuzuka said Tian Jun needs to watch his uric acid levels. He's switched to milk now, right, Tian Jun?"

As she spoke, she shook Chen Tian's arm, seeking his support.

At that, Kaguya seemed to have been ready for the question. She elegantly lifted a handkerchief to her lips, her expression regretful and faintly pitying, as if Kitagawa simply didn't understand. "Oh? What a shame. I remember Tian Jun has always preferred the warmth of a traditional breakfast. Fragrant soy milk with freshly fried dough sticks, or steaming hot pork buns..."

She paused, her gaze drifting lightly over Chen Tian, and continued with a smile, "So today I specifically asked the chef at home to prepare a fresh Chinese-style lunch, which will be brought to school for. Tian. Jun."

The moment she said that, Kitagawa's smug expression froze. The little flame in her ruby eyes flared up even higher. She instinctively clung tightly to Chen Tian's arm, as if staking her claim.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her. An image of what she'd seen in the mirror that morning surfaced in her mind, and a sly smile crept across her lips.

The hand that had been clinging tightly to Chen Tian's arm suddenly let go.

She deliberately fanned herself with one hand beside her neck, drawing out her words in a soft, flirtatious voice. "Oh my, is it warm in here? I'm feeling a little hot..."

Before she'd even finished speaking, her slender fingers deftly undid the top button of her shirt, exposing her fair neck.

She slowed the movement on purpose, with a clear target in mind: the two fresh hickey marks. They were laid bare in the slightly stuffy air of the car, where Kaguya, sitting just inches away, couldn't miss them.

Kitagawa could practically feel Kaguya's gaze freeze the moment it landed on those suggestive red marks. Success!

She immediately pretended to have just realized what she'd done and let out an affected little gasp. "Oh my..."

Her fingers quickly refastened the button, as if the unbuttoning had been nothing but an accidental lapse.

Two faint blushes appeared on her cheeks at just the right moment. She shot an exaggeratedly bashful glance at Chen Tian, who sat beside her with an expressionless face, and spoke in a voice sweet enough to drip with honey. "I'm so sorry. How rude of me... It's all because my boyfriend is too passionate. He makes me keep my buttons tightly fastened."

She laid extra emphasis on "passionate" and "tightly fastened," then gave Kaguya a smug, challenging glance.

The air inside the car seemed to plummet to freezing.

For the first time, Kaguya's perfect smile showed a genuine crack.

Though she still managed to maintain it, the amusement had vanished from her eyes, replaced by coldness and a roiling darkness.

Her hands, folded on her knees, went faintly white at the knuckles from gripping too hard. It seemed as if she might crush the expensive handkerchief in her fingers.

She took a deep breath and turned her head extremely slowly, no longer looking at the glaring marks on Kitagawa's neck. When she faced Chen Tian again, her voice sounded even gentler than before, yet held the calm before a storm. "Tian Jun, it seems your tastes have... changed quite a bit. But that's all right. The chefs of the Shinomiya Family are best at adapting to all kinds of changes."

Her gaze rested calmly on Chen Tian's face, as if she hadn't seen a thing. But the emotions brewing deep in her eyes were frighteningly intense.

Caught between them and bearing the silent storm from both sides, Chen Tian clearly felt the sudden chill on his right and the smug little flame on his left that was almost tangible.

He closed his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing once. In the end, all he managed was a meaningless syllable:

"...Mm." His voice carried the weary resignation of a man who had given up. Riding in this car was more exhausting than getting into a fight.

Seeing Kaguya struggling to keep her composure, Kitagawa was practically bursting with joy. Like a little cat that had successfully stolen a bite, she hugged Chen Tian's arm again and rested her face against his shoulder, making a tiny face at Kaguya through the window.

The car window faintly reflected Kaguya's cold profile, the smile she could barely maintain, and the murderous intent almost ready to spill from her eyes.

The Past and Being Possessive

With Chen Tian's resigned "Mm," an eerie silence settled over the car. Only the faint rumble of the tires rolling over the road could be heard.

Nestled against Chen Tian's shoulder, Kitagawa felt the faint warmth radiating from him and the chill coming from the other side. In her mind, her little self was already dancing a victory jig with its hands on its hips. She deliberately rubbed her cheek against Chen Tian's shoulder and sighed contentedly. "Mmm, this is much more comfortable." Out of the corner of her eye, she shot a smug glance in Kaguya's direction.

Kaguya's posture remained impeccable, like an ice sculpture carved with exquisite care.

Her signature smile had steadied again, its curve precise. She gazed calmly at the back of the seat in front of her, as if she couldn't care less about anything around her.

But beneath that outward calm, raging waves were crashing.

Hickeys!

That glaring red mark burned across her retinas like a brand. This blonde bombshell... Kitagawa Marin!

She had... They had...?!

A bitterness and sharp pang she had never felt before mixed with surging fury, crashing wildly against the shell of "elegance" she had built around herself.

Her fingernails nearly dug into the expensive silk of her skirt as her hands remained folded in her lap.