Kei Karuizawa Has Seen Through Everything

Kitagawa Ryo felt that Horikita Suzune seemed to have a thing for his right hand, her fingertips occasionally rubbing against his palm, so he simply took Horikita Suzune's hand in return.

Horikita Suzune seemed to sense that for a moment many people's eyes were fixed on their hands. She subconsciously tried to hide them behind her back, but Kitagawa Ryo had already taken a step ahead. The two of them, one in front of the other, left their clasped hands hanging there conspicuously, like an expensive watch hanging in the air, deliberately meant to be seen.

"Hmm? Did you forget something?"

Kitagawa Ryo noticed that Horikita Suzune hadn't moved, turned around, glanced at her questioningly, and asked.

Horikita Suzune was wearing a casual outfit with sky blue and pure white as the main colors today. Due to the subtle height difference, when she turned around, she could just see the other person's delicate collarbone and just the right chest shape.

"No, I just spaced out for a moment."

Coming to her senses, Horikita Suzune quickly took two steps forward and walked into the Keyaki Mall side by side with Kitagawa Ryo.

Horikita Suzune recovered quickly and soon accepted the two holding hands.

It was just holding hands, yet many of the couples I saw had the girls clinging to their boyfriends' arms like koalas, while those sitting on the benches in the rest area were practically entwined like snakes, kissing each other oblivious to everyone else.

Does Suzune often go shopping?

Kitagawa Ryo casually started a conversation.

"I come quite often, because I used to live alone and would come to the mall to buy daily necessities about every two weeks."

Remembering his past confusion about shopping, Kitagawa Ryo took the opportunity to ask:

"Why do you Suzune girls like shopping?"

"Um?"

Horikita Suzune seemed surprised by Kitagawa Ryo's sudden question, and after thinking for a while, she answered:

"If I had to summarize it, it's probably because shopping gives people a sense of authenticity?"

"It's like the saying goes, 'Go to a market when you're in a bad mood.' But small markets tend to have a more down-to-earth, lively atmosphere, while these shopping malls tend to have a more bustling, vibrant feel."

Worried that Kitagawa Ryo wouldn't understand, Horikita Suzune pointed to the various shops on the first floor of the shopping center and explained:

"A dazzling array of goods easily provides sensory satisfaction, both visually and aurally. Sometimes, even if you don't buy anything, just looking at, asking about, touching, and appreciating the products makes you feel like you've been immersed in this bustling atmosphere."

"A very distinctive Suzune -like answer."

Kitagawa Ryo commented, stroking his chin.

"... What is meant by 'unique Suzune '?"

"I knew it was Suzune who would say that just by listening to it."

"But that makes a lot of sense."

As Kitagawa Ryo pondered the "realism" in Horikita Suzune's words, he took a step forward:

Where to?

"Let's try the two places I looked at before."

Horikita Suzune raised her face, looking confident and as if she had made thorough preparations beforehand.

"Since we don't have anything else to do today, let's try them all. After all, the more we try, the better we'll find the one that suits us best."

"Did Suzune really not take any kickbacks from the store?"

"I'll take it. I'll give half to Liang as soon as I buy it."

The two chatted and joked with each other as they walked towards the men's clothing store on the third floor. Because the elevator was a bit crowded and the floor wasn't too high, they walked up the stairs one step at a time.

The fitting room is an extremely enclosed space.

Although many people like this small space where they can see everything around them at a glance, they believe it gives them a strange sense of security because everything is known.

However, for a considerable period of time, Karuizawa Kei was unable to agree with this viewpoint.

In her view, narrow and enclosed spaces had never been associated with the word "safety"; they were more often linked to dangerous phrases like "nowhere to escape."

But that's all in the past.

The fitting room was still cramped, but my mindset had completely changed.

Stepping out through this door will change everything, giving you a completely different impression.

With this in mind, Karuizawa Kei quickly changed into the new clothes she had just picked out, then pushed open the fitting room door again and nodded to the female shop assistant waiting outside.

How could Horikita Suzune possibly ask her out shopping? In fact, the call she received was from Kitagawa Ryo. She only learned about Horikita Suzune's plan to go shopping with him for new clothes over the weekend during their casual conversation.

She had already laid the groundwork for pretending it was a "chance encounter".

I just happened to go out to buy new clothes today, since it's the weekend.

"I think it's perfect for you!"

The voice of the female sales clerk at the clothing store interrupted Karuizawa Kei's thoughts. Even as a saleswoman with extensive experience working there, and having seen many beautiful women on a daily basis, this was the first time she had sincerely praised someone like that.

It was a simple white sleeveless dress with a plain color and simple pattern, but when worn by the other person, it seemed to exude a certain aura, enough to make every girl next to her feel ashamed.

Aside from her clothes, Karuizawa Kei's own temperament also contributed a lot to her appearance. Even when she was just standing there, her posture was naturally upright, without the slight hunchback that is common among women her age.

What's even more captivating is Karuizawa Kei's infectious confidence, emanating from within.

Thank you for your compliment.

Karuizawa Kei saw her reflection in the full-length mirror. Over the years, she had worn all sorts of costumes and gowns in the Theater Troupe, and she had seen and worn many with more exquisite workmanship and more intricate patterns, but she still liked this style of pure white sleeveless dress the most.

Leaning slightly forward, Karuizawa Kei carefully checked her light makeup, which she had applied that morning, in the mirror once more.

She wasn't wearing lipstick, just a light touch of lip gloss; her jelly-like, translucent red lips looked like they were already waiting for a kiss.

Her honey-colored long hair flowed smoothly down to her waist, and her wispy bangs were meticulously styled to create the perfect volume.

"Let's settle the accounts then."

Nodding contentedly, Karuizawa Kei made no further plans to change her clothes. She simply had the clerk cut off the price tag, paid a substantial amount of Private Points at the counter, and then left the store.

Shiina Hiyori is a quiet girl who doesn't like to move around. Although she had previously trained in drama with Kitagawa Ryo for a period of time and was strongly advised by him to pay attention to daily exercise, her physical strength is still slightly below average.

Even so, Shiina Hiyori still carries her schoolbag everywhere she goes, which is always heavily filled with all sorts of mystery novels. And because she recently joined the Tea Ceremony Club, her schoolbag also contains a tea set for two and tea leaves.

Although she doesn't mind communicating with others, Shiina Hiyori still slowly walked through the shade of the trees with her schoolbag on her back.

It was the weekend, and there were quite a few couples walking towards the Keyaki Mall. Shiina Hiyori saw a chubby boy and a girl walking hand in hand. The boy was talking while desperately sucking in his stomach, trying to make his belly look a little smaller.

Always wanting the other person to see your best side.

This seems to be the first step for lovers.

Shiina Hiyori gathers all sorts of information like a detective.

It was really just to provide some topics for conversation with Ryo later.

Realizing her own thoughts, Shiina Hiyori couldn't help but lower her head slightly, her ears turning a little red.

Before entering Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, she had been studying in London with her parents, and her relationship with Kitagawa Ryo was limited to video chats and text messages on social media.

Shiina Hiyori likes Kitagawa Ryo's plays, but she didn't expect that he also likes the mystery novels she loves.

She cherished every moment she spent with Kitagawa Ryo.

They could talk about Ellery Queen, Lawrence Black, Cornell Woolwich Shiina Hiyori marveled at how many of the same books they had read, which gradually pieced together in their words.

Those mysteries, those stories, those plots, together formed an enormous moon, enveloping Kitagawa Ryo and Shiina Hiyori, even though for a long time, one was in London and the other in Tokyo.

But the eleven-and-a-half-hour time difference seemed to disappear. Whenever they talked about books, Shiina Hiyori could feel that they were still living under the same bright moon, within reach.

And they were full of enthusiasm.

As Shiina Hiyori recalled their past conversations, something strange inexplicably came to mind:

[The third of the Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories: Detective novels should not involve ambiguity or romance; otherwise, they become entangled and complicate a purely intellectual contest. The detective's task is to bring the criminal to justice, not to help lovers get together.]

From this perspective, neither she nor Kitagawa Ryo are suited to be detectives.

The girl's face flushed slightly.

Because I like it.

I need to take a day off to adjust my schedule.

I've been working on my graduation thesis proposal and literature review these past few days, and I haven't had time to write much until very late. That's why you've seen updates lately, sometimes around 1 a. m., and sometimes even close to 2 a. m.

I'm so tired today, my mind is completely blank, and I don't think I can write anything I want in this state, so I'm going to sleep now. I'll start adjusting tomorrow and try to update earlier.

Chinese New Year is really tiring _(:з"∠)_

Chapter 130: Karuizawa Kei had already seen through everything.

Horikita Suzune gradually got used to the hand that Kitagawa Ryo was holding. At first, it was cold and quiet, like a pebble at the bottom of a river, reminding her of a stone step on an autumn morning. She could clearly feel its presence.

But after holding hands tightly and for a while, their hands, as if connected from the beginning, hung weightlessly between them, sharing each other's warmth. Their fingertips intermittently brushed against the backs of each other's hands, like fish lips brushing against swaying water plants at the bottom of a river.

Horikita Suzune has always felt that she is not the type to gradually realize her own feelings through long-term interaction with others. It may sound unbelievable, but she does long for a moment when she falls in love with someone instinctively, like the love at first sight depicted in fairy tales or even on the theatrical stage.

This is an extremely pretentious and incomprehensible idea, especially for a girl like Horikita Suzune.

Because Horikita Suzune has always planned everything meticulously since childhood, and her sense of time and self-discipline far surpass that of her peers. Perhaps at first it was just to imitate Horikita Manabu, but later it became her own habit.

But what she really wanted was a surprise attack. Love is inherently the most unpredictable emotion, and yet Horikita Suzune was still pursuing the most unpredictable of all—a fairy tale in reality.

Even though Horikita Suzune knew very well that variables were a terrifying thing, because they meant that all the planned steps would be disrupted, the clear sense of time would be destroyed, the prepared backup plans would become invalid, and she would be forced into a state of panic.

Just like the goldfish she tried to catch with a paper net at both Cultural Festival, even with the utmost care and gentleness, no one could predict when it would struggle and splash water in your face before actually taking it out.

But Horikita Suzune would try again and again, just like when he pulled himself out of the water.

Before she met Kitagawa Ryo, others had already met him.

But it's alright, Horikita Suzune held Kitagawa Ryo's hand, his profile was very close to hers.

The third floor of the Keyaki Mall has the most students, perhaps because of the popular summer vacation rumors. A large number of First Year students gathered on the third floor, which has the most clothing stores.

The sounds of footsteps, laughter, and twirling in the store while showing off new clothes to friends.

Soft background music played from the mall's speakers. A student finished his drink and tossed the can into the trash can with a crisp sound.

Horikita Suzune remembered the question Kitagawa Ryo had asked her downstairs earlier. She gently waved their clasped hands, turned her head, and answered again:

"What I just answered was probably the reason why someone likes to go shopping."

"There must be another reason why two or more people enjoy shopping together."

Kitagawa Ryo also cooperated by asking in return:

What is that?

"It's a strange, captivating feeling."

Horikita Suzune strained her mind for the right words to describe her thoughts as best she could:

"... it's a feeling of walking through the world, making people feel that there's still time to arrange everything as one pleases--"

"For a moment, you might feel that life is still quite long."

"This time, it's not a typical Suzune- style answer."

Kitagawa Ryo couldn't help but chuckle at Horikita Suzune's scrunched-up face.

"Alright, it was just a random thought anyway. Let's go buy some new clothes first."

"Okay, let's go to one of those over there first."

Horikita Suzune didn't think it was a trivial matter. After figuring it out, she felt much more at ease and subconsciously quickened her pace, walking into a nearby clothing store with an air that seemed to be pulling Kitagawa Ryo in.

"Hello, are you two also here to buy summer clothes?"

Although they said that, the sales staff in this men's clothing store took a liking to Kitagawa Ryo at first glance. Beautiful things always give people a healing experience, and some people have a charm that makes people feel good just by standing there.

"Which one did Suzune have her eye on? I'll try it on first."

Kitagawa Ryo has always felt that he has no taste in clothes, and he had no experience in this area before, so he simply handed it all over to Horikita Suzune, much like a customer sitting there telling Tony the hairdresser, "Just cut it however you like."

"Let's try this one first."

Horikita Suzune glanced around and spotted a men's summer outfit she had seen in the shop window when she passed by earlier. She pointed to it with her right hand, and the salesperson immediately came forward and took the sample down.