Revisiting an Old Haunt

Shuya sighed, "Luckily, I'm strong enough; even a chaotic battlefield can't hurt me."

Yukino glared at him in a fit of impotent rage, while Mai observed Yukino with interest, vaguely sensing something.

Shuya took the bag upstairs first, put the things in the room, and then returned to the living room.

Ayase and Kirino had finished washing up and were talking to Mai.

"Mai- senpai! You have to teach Shuya- senpai a lesson for me, he was really rude before!"

Shuya entered, he heard Kirino complaining.

"He's really bad."

Mai echoed in agreement.

Ayase said, "But that was your senior helping you, Kirino, it doesn't seem right for you to say that."

"Seya will help me?"

Kirino's eyes were watery.

Ayase paused for a few seconds, then decisively said, "I think it's Shuya- senpai's fault."

"Indeed, Inoue's crimes are heinous."

Yukino nodded slightly.

"Hey, what are you saying behind my back?"

Shuya spoke up helplessly.

Ayase Kirino hid behind Mai and Yukino at the same time.

"You guys are really..."

Shuya shook his head, casually placed a large stack of scripts on the table, and sat down to study them.

"Shuya- senpai, what is this?"

Kirino, who was clinging to Mai, peeked out.

"Script."

Shuya answered casually.

Ayase asked in surprise, "Senpai is making a comeback?"

"No, I was just browsing casually. I mainly wanted to see what Mai- chan thought."

Before Mai could speak Shuya added, "Except for strange characters."

She shut up, feeling annoyed.

"Oh."

"Then you can take a look, senior."

Then the four of them sat together and started talking about girls, Shuya didn't quite understand.

He began studying the script in his hands.

At first glance, most of these scripts are campus romance dramas.

Shuya, on the other hand, showed little interest in it; he had developed a resistance to it after acting in it so many times.

He looked at some others, including one script with a silly, comedic style. The director wanted him to play the lead role, hoping to attract the audience with his exaggerated facial expressions.

Just like that thousand-year-old beauty playing Kagura.

Shuya wasn't interested in this. He didn't care about his idol image; what mattered was his status—how could he be so lacking in dignity?

He pushed the script aside and quickly read through all the scripts.

Section 502, Chapter 467: Revisiting a Familiar Place

Shuya read all the scripts, and the only one that interested him was a detective story, but the plot wasn't anything special.

He didn't mention it to Mai after he finished studying the script.

He wanted to see what Mai decided to act in first, and didn't want to offer his opinion to her so as not to influence her judgment.

Shuya put down his script and asked Mai and Kirino, who were chatting, "Mai- chan, Kirino- chan, how's your training going?"

The four stopped chatting.

Kirino answered uncertainly, "It should be alright, right?"

Ayase puffed out her chest and said, "Kirino- chan digests very quickly, I think that's great!"

"Ayase, you're too kind, hehe."

Kirino rather happy.

Mai said, "I think I'm alright."

"What did Yukino- chan say?"

Shuya looked at Yukino and said, "Miss Mai doesn't have much time to focus on training. So far, she's making steady progress, which is alright. The only thing worth mentioning is... her invisibility technique is really amazing."

Is that so?

Shuya nodded slightly. He recalled the invisibility technique he had seen before, which was indeed something even he couldn't detect.

Mai's skill level is terrifying if she uses it for assassination.

... But it also depends on who the opponent is. If it's a master like Shuya, she can't even break through his defenses, so naturally it's useless.

If used for stealing intelligence, that would be quite terrifying.

Shuya and said, "I figured I have some free time anyway, so I'll help Ayase and you guys train tomorrow. Mai- chan, do you want to come along?"

"It would be best if Shuya- senpai could join us."

Ayase has a very real understanding of the benefits of having a skilled mentor to assist in training.

Shuya and Tsuruko helped her a lot, which is why she improved so quickly. Of course, she agreed.

"Shuya- senpai has time."

Kirino also said something.

She wasn't that eager, because she had heard from Ayase that her training was still in its early stages and she didn't really need guidance from a master.

If you're just laying the foundation, Ayase is more than capable of teaching her.

Yukino looked at Mai: "What does Mai- san think?"

Mai was quite interested. "I've never tried training together before, and I'm also interested in trying martial arts training."

She was simply curious.

She knew she didn't have the talent to be a martial artist, but she could use it as exercise.

Shuya nodded. "In that case, let's invite Motoko and Haruno too, and have them join us... But then, my place won't be big enough."

Although Haruno might not come.

Kirino then interjected, "I heard from Ayase that you had a special training place back in Tokyo."

Upon hearing this, Yukino raised her head and stared at Shuya.

When she heard him call Haruno, she was initially reluctant and frowned, thinking about something.

But after Kirino said that, she stopped paying attention to Haruno.

She was undoubtedly familiar with the training grounds in Tokyo where Shuya trained, and had been there many times.

The Unfinished Building where Li Shuhong taught him martial arts back then.

That place was a deep and memorable place for Shuya and Yukino.

It all started there...

For Shuya, that place wasn't all pleasant memories.

"Kirino!"

Ayase became a little nervous. Kirino wasn't quite sure what that meant, but she had heard Tsuruko mention it.

She was afraid Shuya.

Shuya was only stunned for a moment before quickly regaining his senses.

He waved his hand. "I'm fine, it's been so many years. Hmm... it's good to go there, the place is bigger."

Yukino: "But it'll take a while to get there from here."

Shuya said, "Then how about we stay at my hometown tonight? We can get to the Unfinished Building soon tomorrow."

"Your hometown?"

Mai couldn't help but speak up.

She knew that Shuya was referring to the house he lived in when he was a child, but in fact she had never been there.

Of those present, only Yukino had been there and had stayed overnight.

"It's been a long time since I've been back."

Shuya stood up. "It's a good opportunity to go take a look... You guys can do as you please, come along if you want, or go by yourselves tomorrow."

He walked out of the living room on his own, grabbed his phone and wallet, and went out.

The girls exchanged glances and followed him out without prior arrangement.

Everyone except Yukino was very curious.

Whether or not I stay overnight is another matter; there's no conflict in going to check it out.

Shuya leisurely flew back to Tokyo and soon arrived at the apartment he used to live in.

He originally intended to go directly to the apartment, but from the air he saw a small park on the ground.

When he came to his senses, he was already on the ground.

He hadn't been to this area in a long time, so this was a return visit for him.

Yukino, Mai, and Ayase, who was holding Kirino, landed on the ground.

Yukino had never been to this park before, so she looked around.

It's just a small park, not luxurious at all; in fact, it's a bit run-down and doesn't have many facilities.

A very ordinary park.

The park was quite crowded, mainly with children and their parents.

Shuya strolled through the small park with his hands in his pockets.

Mai and the others followed behind without making a sound.

Shuya had always intentionally avoided contact with Rena and the Quintuplets, but after coming to this park, he couldn't help but think of what happened back then.

He often brings his Quintuplets here to play.

This small park holds many wonderful memories.

Although he liked Rena, his time with the Quintuplets wasn't entirely unpleasant.

Shuya looked at the slide and the sandpit from the side.

There were quite a few children playing, making a lot of noise and creating a lively atmosphere.

His gaze was both on them and not on them.

Shuya watched quietly for a while.

Suddenly...

"Huh? Shu-chan? Is that Shu-chan?"

"Um?"

Shuya looked over at the sound and saw a middle-aged woman who looked vaguely familiar.