Akimoto-kun, have you seen Yuecai?

Akimoto Yoichi hadn't walked more than a few steps when he heard the sound of a sliding door behind him.

He turned back to see, of all people, Fukayama Natsuki.

What was the meaning of this middle schooler, who had always "eyed him like a tiger," suddenly approaching him on her own initiative? No matter how he looked at it, it couldn't be anything good.

And the moment she opened her mouth, she said exactly what he had expected.

"Corrupting the Suzuran family? Why would you say something like that? Even if I have a good temper, I don't like being falsely accused for no reason."

He had long guessed that there must be a reason for Fukayama Natsuki's targeted attitude toward him.

It wasn't just simply about protecting her childhood friend Suzuran Ayano from a blondie like Akimoto Yoichi, as she did for her brother Fukayama Midori.

Looking at it now, was Fukayama Natsuki working so desperately hard not to protect Suzuran Ayano, but to protect Mrs. Suzuran?

"It's no use trying to talk your way out of this! I have proof!" Fukayama Natsuki looked like a ruffled animal, her voice trembling but her stance firm.

"What proof? Did you see me with Mrs. Suzuran? Or did you take some photos?"

Back when he was in Mrs. Suzuran's room, Akimoto Yoichi had indeed heard the sound of Fukayama Natsuki and Suzuran Ayano running up to the second floor.

Fukayama Natsuki had been worried about him being with Mrs. Suzuran at that time.

However, Akimoto Yoichi had jumped directly out of the window in the married woman's room and hadn't been caught; Fukayama Natsuki shouldn't have actually seen him.

"Because you smell like the curry I made! But that curry scent was also on Mama Mari! So you must have had contact with Mama Mari!"

Fukayama Natsuki stated her reasoning with absolute confidence; she had total faith in her nose.

Although she couldn't produce physical evidence, Natsuki was treating herself as the evidence now.

This kind of person was the most troublesome—smart and annoying.

"Well, since you made the curry yourself, you must have that same curry scent on you too. Why do you think it was me who caused it? Why not you?"

Akimoto Yoichi denied it with a casual air.

He looked down at the little middle schooler in front of him, who looked like she could be swallowed in one bite, and a sense of oppression naturally radiated from Akimoto Yoichi's body.

At this moment, Fukayama Natsuki deeply realized just how terrifying this blondie in front of her was.

"No! That's impossible! The open window and the slippers you wore were both in Mama Mari's bedroom, and the way Mama Mari acts toward you—it's obvious you've already secretly touched Mama Mari!"

For the sake of her favorite Auntie Mari, Natsuki was going all out.

The current Natsuki was "Super Natsuki," fighting to protect her Mama Mari.

Because the biological parents of the Fukayama family and the father of the Suzuran family worked abroad year-round and rarely returned home, it was Suzuran Mari who took care of the children of both families during birthdays, holidays, and even New Year's.

When they were sick, during parent-teacher conferences, or home visits, it was always Suzuran Mari who stepped in to help Natsuki.

Suzuran Mari wasn't just the mother of her beloved Ayano-nee, not just a neighbor or her mother's best friend; in Fukayama Natsuki's eyes, she was no different from her own biological mother.

In fact, Suzuran Mari felt more like a mother than her own mother did.

Many times, Fukayama Natsuki had wished she could change her surname to Suzuran Natsuki.

Compared to her biological mother working abroad, Fukayama Natsuki was much fonder of this neighbor auntie with whom she shared no blood relation.

However, Fukayama Natsuki hadn't expected this blondie to appear.

His appearance not only shattered the peaceful days of the Fukayama and Suzuran families, but it even crossed Fukayama Natsuki's bottom line—he had laid his hands on Mama Mari!

"Mama Mari didn't tell me the truth; she must have been threatened by you, right?"

"You blondie must have snuck into Mama Mari's room while she was taking a bath, which is why the bedroom door was open and why your slippers were by Mama Mari's bed."

"I'm right, aren't I? Akimoto Yoichi!"

Hmm, this kid was indeed smart.

Akimoto Yoichi had to admit that Fukayama Natsuki was truly clever, with a very sharp mind.

Although her guess was only half-right—Akimoto Yoichi had indeed bumped into Mrs. Suzuran, but he hadn't "violently ravaged" her—it was still impressive that she had deduced all this just from the smell of curry, the door, the slippers, and the window.

After all, Fukayama Natsuki was only a middle schooler.

However, Akimoto Yoichi didn't want to be saddled with the reputation of sneaking into a classmate's house and assaulting her mother.

But if things continued like this, he would be pestered by Fukayama Natsuki forever, and there was no telling how she might interfere with his relationship with Suzuran Ayano.

Looking at the tiny Fukayama Natsuki in front of him, Akimoto Yoichi suddenly smiled.

"I did run into Mrs. Suzuran on the second floor, I didn't expect you to figu..."

Before Akimoto Yoichi could finish his sentence, Fukayama Natsuki jumped up in excitement, shouting "Yay!"

He saw her pull her phone out of her pocket; the screen showed that it was currently recording.

Clutching her phone with both hands, Fukayama Natsuki couldn't contain her excitement any longer.

"You admitted it! You finally admitted it! I'm going to give this recording to Ayano! And then I'm going to call Ayano-nee's father! You're finished, Akimoto Yoichi. Once this matter is exposed, you won't even be able to stay in high school! I won't compromise with you; I'm going to make sure you can never..."

Akimoto Yoichi narrowed his eyes, while Fukayama Natsuki ran toward the sliding door, unable to wait a second longer.

All she had to do was send the recording she just made to Ayano.

By then, no matter how much Ayano trusted Akimoto Yoichi, she would surely understand his "true colors."

Just then, the sliding door between the yard and the living room opened first.

"Akimoto-kun, I thought I heard Natsuki's voice just now? Have you seen Natsuki?" Ayano poked her head out from the sliding door.

From her perspective, Akimoto Yoichi was standing there with his back to her, slightly hunched over.

"Hm? No, I haven't seen Natsuki."

Akimoto Yoichi's voice came through, and his figure swayed slightly, as if he were hanging something out to dry.

"Oh, I see." Seeing that Akimoto Yoichi didn't turn around, Ayano assumed he was unhappy about hearing Natsuki's name.

"I'm sorry, Akimoto-kun. I know I've apologized several times, but I'm still sorry. Natsuki-chan is actually a good girl, it's just that she can be a bit self-righteous. I will make sure to teach her a lesson."

Akimoto Yoichi still didn't turn around, and Ayano only felt a sense of guilt.

"She is indeed a bit self-righteous. She doesn't know her place. She isn't quite at the level of a brat, but she's not far off. I'm not angry, so you don't need to go and teach her a lesson."

Akimoto-kun is truly magnanimous; he isn't even angry after Natsuki acted so recklessly.

"Then we're heading to the convenience store. You should get some rest at home, Akimoto-kun," Ayano said, feeling slightly relieved.

Soon, the sound of the front gate opening came from the side of the yard.

Then, the voices of the girls could be heard clearly.

"Hurry up! I'm hungry again, I want to get some snacks!"

"Alright, alright, aren't we already going?"

"Suzuran-san, where is that Fukayama Natsuki? Isn't she in the yard?"

"I don't know. She probably ran into Mom's room."

"Oh~"

"What's wrong? Nishida-san, if you have something to say, just say it."

"No, it's nothing. I suddenly want to go to the convenience store too. Let's go together."

"How strange, why are you suddenly so eager?"

"It's nothing, I just want to go out for a walk and leave some space for Akimoto-kun."

"Are you ready yet? Hurry up! I'm hungry again!"

"I know, I know. You really are a glutton, Maya-chan."

"..."

The sound of the girls' footsteps drifted away along with their chatter.

Standing in the yard, Akimoto Yoichi finally relaxed his grip slightly. He looked down at Fukayama Natsuki, who was limp in his arms like a ragdoll.

Fukayama Natsuki was unable to make a sound, her hands and legs were pinned, and her entire body was suspended in the air.

She stared at Blondie behind her with a face full of terror, her expression one of utter despair as she listened to the sound of Ayano and the others walking away.