Kitagawa's Distant Cousin

"All right, our heartwarming moment ends here." He snapped his fingers, his eyes shining. "Last item, the main event! Once we've tried this, our skipping-school plan for today will be over!"

Without giving them a chance to object, he took one still-dazed girl by each hand—Kaguya and Yukino—and strode purposefully ahead.

Soon, a massive shadow fell over them, accompanied by the ear-splitting grinding of steel and the tourists' screams, rising and falling until they seemed to tear the sky apart—

A gigantic roller coaster loomed before them like a steel monster, its winding tracks twisting and coiling like a massive serpent!

The easy smiles that Kaguya and Yukino had worn after their earlier rides froze on their faces. They stared up at the towering slopes and rapidly looping tracks, completely dumbfounded.

The screams seemed to explode right beside them!

Chen Tian watched the two girls freeze. The mischievous smile he'd planned began to form as he prepared to enjoy the sight of them losing their composure—

"That's wonderful!"

Two completely different but equally energetic exclamations rang out at once!

Kaguya's beautiful eyes lit up in an instant, as if someone had charged them with a hundred thousand volts. Her earlier bewilderment vanished, replaced by unconcealed excitement!

She reached out and grabbed Chen Tian's sleeve, shaking it urgently. "Tian Jun! Tian Jun! Is this the one?! I've always wanted to ride it! I've never had the chance!"

Her pretty face flushed with excitement, and her ponytail bounced along with her lively movements.

At the same time, Yukino's cool voice sounded beside them, full of relief and a hint of lightness. "At last, we can get away from those childish rides."

Her icy blue eyes held a glimmer of eagerness, and the corners of her mouth even lifted in a distinct little smile. She looked nothing like she had when she'd resisted the carousel.

The mischievous smile on Chen Tian's face froze, and one corner of his mouth twitched.

"...Huh?"

He was stunned. His brain had stalled.

Wait... this wasn't how the scene was supposed to go.

Weren't these two young ladies supposed to scream and back away like ordinary girls?

Why was Kaguya reacting like she'd won the lottery?! And how was Yukino's disdainful tone concealing such excitement?

Were they really not afraid, or...?

He looked at Kaguya, who was practically bouncing with excitement, then at Yukino, who was trying hard to keep a straight face despite her shining eyes. His carefully prepared plan to make them drop their pretenses seemed to have fizzled out like a firecracker that hadn't gone off.

"Come on, Tian Jun!" Seeing him dawdle, Kaguya tugged hard at his sleeve and pointed to the roaring steel beast. "Let's hurry and get in line!" Faced with her anticipation, the young miss's usual poise had completely vanished.

Yukino had already started toward the entrance, walking briskly. She left him with just one remark: "Don't waste time, Chen Tian."

Chen Tian stood still, watching the two young ladies charge toward the roller coaster entrance, one after the other, each with a clear purpose. It was as if Yukino hadn't just resisted the carousel, and Kaguya hadn't just been so elegant and restrained.

He raised a hand and rubbed his brow, then could only laugh helplessly and hurry after them. "...I'm coming, I'm coming."

With a click, the roller coaster's safety bars lowered, locking the three of them firmly in place.

Kaguya sat at the very end, clutching Chen Tian's hand and staring at the steep track ahead with shining eyes. Her little face was flushed with excitement. "Tian Jun, it's starting!"

Yukino sat on Chen Tian's other side. Both her hands had instinctively gripped the safety bar in front of her, her knuckles faintly pale. Her gaze was fixed on the track, and her pressed lips hinted at a touch of nerves—but more than that... anticipation?

Chen Tian felt Kaguya's grip on his left hand squeezing painfully. On his right, Yukino's fingertips trembled faintly against the safety bar. He looked at their completely different expressions, both of which seemed to say "let's go," and couldn't help smiling again. Well, he'd been turned around on his own prank, but... it didn't seem so bad.

The engine roared louder, and the train began to climb slowly up the steep slope...

Kitagawa's Distant Cousin

Kaguya bowed deeply, her manners impeccable. When she raised her head, though, her little face was flushed, and her ponytail seemed to bounce with excitement. "Thank you so much for today, Tian Jun." Her voice still carried the breathlessness left by the roller coaster, and her eyes shone brightly. "I'm... looking forward to another day when we can go out together."

Yukino stood quietly beside her, her usual cool demeanor restored, her hands neatly folded in front of her stomach. But the lingering excitement in her icy blue eyes and the blush that had yet to fade from her cheeks quietly revealed that she was just as happy.

Chen Tian looked at the two young ladies, so different from one another, and smiled naturally. Skipping the usual pleasantries, he reached out and casually ruffled Kaguya's lively high ponytail. "Sure." He readily agreed, then added, "Next time, let's go on a picnic."

Kaguya's eyes shone even brighter. "A picnic?"

"Yeah, a picnic." Chen Tian withdrew his hand and glanced at Yukino, who appeared calm. "If you're free, Yukino, you can come too."

Yukino lowered her eyes, her long lashes fluttering once. She neither accepted nor refused, merely giving a soft "Mm."

Chen Tian's smile deepened.

He really hadn't expected that when the roller coaster hurtled down its first steep drop, Kaguya's carefully styled ponytail would instantly fly apart, and the usually elegant "Shinomiya young miss" would cling to his arm and scream through her giggles. "We're going to fall! Tian Jun!"

The honor student who always called amusement park rides "childish" had been gripping his hand tightly from the moment the roller coaster started.

When the train flipped 360 degrees, he clearly felt her cool little hand suddenly tighten, her nails nearly digging into his palm.

The most ridiculous part came after they got off. Kaguya was still so excited that she hadn't let go of his hand, while Yukino seemed frozen in place, still holding his hand with their fingers interlaced.

Watching Yukino try to act composed, Chen Tian couldn't resist reaching over and ruffling her hair too. It was unexpectedly soft, and smelled faintly of shampoo.

"All right, Yukino," he said, deliberately imitating her usual serious tone. "How about I take you to see that little calico next time?"

Yukino pursed her lips slightly, but the corners of her mouth still rose a little despite herself.

She gave a light nod, and a hint of warmth flashed through her icy blue eyes.

The scene reminded Chen Tian of the first time he'd met Yukino in high school. That rumored "ice queen" had been crouching along the road after school, feeding bread to a scruffy little calico from the palm of her hand.

Sunlight had fallen on her through the gaps in the leaves. She'd smiled so gently, completely unlike the cold, distant girl she was at school.

"Meow~" The little calico rubbed against Yukino's fingers.

"You like cats too?" Chen Tian had asked, unable to resist starting a conversation.

Yukino had looked up suddenly, like a startled rabbit, instantly resuming her usual unapproachable expression.

But her reddened ears and the hurried way she put away the milk carton had already exposed the true nature of this "flower on a high peak."

After that, Chen Tian often "happened" to run into Yukino while she was feeding the cat.

Gradually, they'd gone from acquaintances who merely nodded at each other to friends who could pet cats together.

Yukino always insisted that she "just happened to be passing by," but Chen Tian knew she went out of her way every Wednesday to feed that little calico.

"Hey, what are you spacing out for?" Yukino's voice brought Chen Tian back to the present. She was looking at him with an exasperated expression, though a trace of her earlier softness still lingered around her eyes.

Kaguya leaned over curiously. "What little calico?"

"Secret." Chen Tian winked at Yukino, earning an exasperated eye roll.

He suddenly felt that being a "playboy" wasn't so bad after all—at least he could get these proud young ladies to show their true selves.

Kitagawa might tease him for "flirting with girls everywhere" if she found out, but who cared?

"See you." Chen Tian waved and turned to leave without hesitation.

The sunlight stretched his shadow long across the tree-lined path on campus as he walked away.

He glanced at his phone. Kitagawa had already sent three messages:

"Where are you, Tian Jun?"

"I checked. That car dealership's having a sale."

"(.o﹏o) Hurry up!"

The corners of his mouth lifted before he knew it.

The lively girl had been excited since yesterday. Even while they'd been making love last night, she'd been looking at the car specifications on her phone.

Every time she opened the details page, though, one deep kiss from him interrupted her, and before long, her phone would slip off the bed...

As Chen Tian walked, scrolling on his phone, it vibrated again.

Kitagawa had sent a selfie. She was smiling with her eyes curved and flashing a peace sign at the camera. In the background were her neatly packed bag and jacket.

"I'll wait for you by the school gate~"

He could picture her looking around, her golden hair swaying.

Chen Tian smiled and replied, "Almost there. P.S. Your smile is really cute."

As soon as he sent it, another message popped up. Kaguya had sent a photo of herself and Yukino standing below the school building, holding cotton candy they'd bought at the amusement park.

"Tian Jun, I'm looking forward to hearing when the picnic will be."

Chen Tian was about to reply when a third message appeared.

Yukino had sent a photo of the calico. Her caption consisted of just two cool-sounding characters: "Wednesday."

He turned the final corner.

At the school gate, Kitagawa was on tiptoe, looking around, her golden hair fluttering in the breeze.

The moment she spotted Chen Tian, her eyes lit up, and she bounced as she waved at him like a cheerful little rabbit.

Chen Tian switched his phone to silent and put it in his pocket. Now it was Kitagawa's time.

Kitagawa barreled into Chen Tian's arms like a little cannonball, bringing with her the sweet scents of sunshine and shampoo. "You're late, boyfriend!" She tilted her face up, her golden hair brushing his chin, her smile dazzling.

Chen Tian said nothing, simply resting a large hand on the back of her head and feeling the softness of her hair beneath his palm. The girl in his arms wriggled, then looked up at him, her eyes curving into crescents. "But it's okay! You've always been the one waiting for me, so today I'll wait for you."

"All right, all right," Chen Tian said with a laugh, brushing his fingers over her slightly puffed-up cheek. "Thanks for waiting, Xiao Meng."

"Hehe." Kitagawa immediately beamed. Her nimble little hand slipped into his palm, and she interlaced their fingers before tugging him toward the school gate. "Hurry, hurry, hurry! I made an appointment with the dealership for a test drive. We absolutely can't be late!"

She walked quickly, her golden hair and pink-tipped ends bouncing behind her. She kept chattering as they went. "The salesperson said they're still offering a special deal on that red sports car today..."

The car door closed, and the taxi headed for the dealership.

Kitagawa hugged Chen Tian's arm and rested her head on his shoulder, like a little cat looking for a place to curl up.

Suddenly, her small nose twitched. She leaned toward Chen Tian's collar and sniffed, then frowned.

An alarm rang in Kitagawa's mind. It's Shinomiya Kaguya's scent! It's such a pain being in the same major as Tian Jun. Who knows if she took the opportunity to get close to him again while I was away...

She couldn't help imagining the young miss Kaguya approaching Chen Tian with her usual elegance and scheming ways. Pouting, she hugged his arm a little tighter without saying anything.

If Kaguya knew what Kitagawa was thinking, she'd probably cry foul—she'd been scared out of her wits today, for goodness' sake!

The car soon pulled to a stop.

As soon as they got out, a bald, middle-aged man in a crisp suit hurried over from the dealership entrance, his face wreathed in a professional smile. He bowed slightly to Kitagawa. "Miss Kitagawa! We've been expecting you!"

He turned to Chen Tian and inclined his head. "You must be Mr. Chen Tian. Please, come right in. The red sports car you reserved is all ready for a test drive."

Kitagawa's eyes lit up instantly. Her little bit of jealousy vanished into thin air, and she tugged Chen Tian inside. "Come on, come on, Tian Jun! I can't wait to try out Little Red!"

The bald man led them to the test-drive waiting room with a wide smile. He poured them some water, then respectfully excused himself, saying he'd go prepare the car keys.

They were alone in the room.

Chen Tian took Kitagawa's hand and gently drew her closer. Looking down at her still-sparkling eyes, bright with excitement, he smiled teasingly. "Hey, why are you so excited? Do you even have a driver's license?"

Kitagawa waved a hand dismissively, the other unconsciously mimicking the shape of a steering wheel. "I don't, but you do! And this is our first car together! Of course I'm excited!"

Her voice was filled with pure happiness.

Her shameless, childlike confidence amused Chen Tian. He stretched out an arm and drew her into his embrace, his warm breath brushing her bangs.

"I have a license and you don't. That won't do." He tightened his arm and watched the tips of her ears turn red. His voice was full of affection. "If you really like this car, then you'd better hurry up and get your license."

He paused and gently brushed his chin over the top of her head before adding the most important part. "After all, this car will be yours."

The girl in his arms stiffened for a moment, then suddenly lifted her head, her golden hair brushing his neck.

Her big eyes widened in disbelief, then lit up like fireworks, shining even more brightly than they had when she'd been anticipating the test drive. Delight practically spilled out of them.

"R-really?! It's for me?!" Kitagawa's voice rose, and a brilliant smile bloomed across her face. Like a little animal overwhelmed by happiness, she instinctively rubbed against him again and again. "Tian Jun, you're the best!"

Her earlier "little obstacle" about the driver's license instantly vanished beneath this enormous surprise.

Chen Tian's heart softened as she rubbed against him. He couldn't resist pinching her cheek, slightly puffed with excitement, and chuckled. "Mm. It's a promise."

The bald man soon returned with the car keys, beaming as he led them outside. A brand-new 2018 red Audi R8 Spyder stood there, its sleek lines gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.

"Wow! Little Red!" Kitagawa immediately let go of Chen Tian's hand and darted over to the sports car like a cheerful little bird. She pressed her face almost against the window to peer inside, her big eyes full of wonder. "It's so pretty! The inside is amazing too!"

Chen Tian took the keys and gestured for the salesperson not to accompany them.

The test drive began shortly after.

Chen Tian drove first, steering smoothly along the city streets as he got a feel for the car's handling and power. Kitagawa sat in the passenger seat, excitedly touching and looking at everything around her. Not even her seat belt could restrain her enthusiasm.

When it was Chen Tian's turn to sit in the passenger seat and check the ride comfort, he looked over at Kitagawa.

She gripped the steering wheel tightly—even though the car was still stationary—and nodded over and over, her eyes shining and her little face flushed with excitement. She looked as if she were saying, "This is amazing! This is amazing!"

Chen Tian smiled and didn't hesitate. He rolled down the window and spoke crisply to the bald salesperson, who was waiting by the showroom entrance with anticipation written all over his face. "All right. I'll take this one."