Reaching a Consensus

Shuya nodded.

He knew Li Shuhong was only trying to give him some well-meaning advice.

In this age of advanced technology, the importance of individual combat ability had been reduced to almost nothing.

...But not completely.

As long as a skilled fighter was willing to lower himself to carry out covert operations and assassinations, the damage he could cause would be devastating.

Just like the Dahua Special Forces of the past...

Back then, there was no Shuke, nor any Qidian light-novel section—only Qidian fan fiction.

That was where it all began, where the dream started.

Back then, everyone wrote out of love. No one had any concept of getting published, and the comment sections were harmonious. There weren't many people who'd flame you.

I had started a Ga-Rei fanfic back then, and I was having a blast writing it. There was no pressure at all, and no one complained if I went on hiatus. It felt like everyone had come together out of shared interest and a chance connection.

Everyone wrote because they loved it.

In my heart, that place would always be a sanctuary.

Sadly, there was no going back.

Lastly... Were there any brothers from different fathers and mothers who followed Love and Sorrow of the Phoenix with me back then? Come on out and let's find out if we're related.

Reaching an Understanding

Li Shuhong and Shuya successfully reached an understanding.

He would teach Shuya for a month, and Shuya would work hard to learn and carry on Ikeda Ichinosuke's school.

As for when they would start, they settled on tomorrow.

"Kid, have you ever seen Tokyo at four in the morning?"

Li Shuhong said mysteriously.

Shuya smiled and played along with his act. Then, after asking Shuya for his address, Li Shuhong left.

He said he'd come pick him up tomorrow.

After finishing his dealings with the expert, Shuya called Aoki Shin. After all, he'd left without a word earlier, so he needed to let him know.

Over the phone, Aoki Shin didn't say much. He just told Shuya to study hard. He was partying in Kabukicho with Jackie Chan and the others, and it wasn't convenient for Shuya to come over.

He knew what kind of person Li Shuhong was, too, so he didn't press Shuya for details about their conversation, afraid he might hear something he shouldn't.

Aoki Shin chatted with Shuya for a while before Jackie Chan took the phone.

Jackie Chan congratulated Shuya a few times, but didn't say anything else.

Still, Shuya could tell that he sounded much friendlier. It seemed that even though Li Shuhong had only agreed to teach him for a month, Jackie Chan already considered him one of their own.

Having such a powerful backer felt great.

Shuya chatted with him for a few minutes, then the phone went back to Aoki Shin. He didn't have much to say either, just letting Shuya know that Mai-chan was still waiting for him at the TV station.

Shuya was surprised.

He looked around, but had no idea where he was, so he went out, hailed a taxi, and rode back to the TV station.

The moment he got out, he saw Mai standing there with her arms folded, glaring at him in annoyance.

"Shuya! You took off so suddenly! Don't make people worry so much!"

"Sorry, sorry. I'll let you know next time."

"There's going to be a next time?!"

"I figure there probably will be."

Shuya knew himself pretty well.

"You... Hmph! Forget it. It's not like I can control you."

Mai rolled her eyes at him. When she saw how sweaty he was, she frowned. "You should pay more attention to your appearance."

As she spoke, she took out a little scented handkerchief, rose onto her tiptoes, and leaned toward Shuya to wipe the sweat from his face.

"Oh."

Shuya suddenly saw her delicate little face leaning close. A fresh fragrance wafted toward him with the breeze.

This lonely single guy's heart began beating faster, despite himself.

Mai-chan's fair little hand moved in front of his face, and her raised hair brushed against his arm.

The somewhat intimate gesture left Shuya feeling flustered.

"What's wrong, Shuya... Ah."

Mai tilted her head, realizing what was going on.

She cleared her throat and stepped back, then said solemnly, "Sorry, you're a good person."

"I know! And I'm not interested in you! I already like someone, okay?!"

Shuya was furious.

I didn't even say anything! What's that supposed to mean?

Do you think my peerless beauty is a turnoff, or what?!

"Eh—Shuya, you already like someone?"

Mai was startled, then leaned closer with a mischievous smile.

She smiled sweetly and wheedled, "Shu-chan-senpai, tell me about her. Who is she? Do I know her? Come on, come on, do you have a picture?"

Oh no! I shouldn't have said that!

Shuya's expression darkened. He'd actually let this little temptress find out.

Judging by how gossipy Mai-chan was acting, there was no way he could bluff his way out of this.

Shuya knew Mai wouldn't let him off unless he told her something, so he reluctantly said, "How about we find somewhere quiet and talk?"

"Sure!"

Mai nodded eagerly.

Soon, the two of them found a quiet dessert shop and sat down to talk.

Mai ordered a cup of ice cream and listened to Shuya tell his story.

Shuya began telling her about the Quintuplets, about Rena, and about his relationship with them.

At first, Mai listened with great enthusiasm, eating her ice cream the whole time.

But as the story went on, her excited smile gradually faded, and her hand stopped moving.

Mai pushed her cup aside and slumped over the table.

Her face gloomy, she clutched her stomach. "Sorry, I've got a bit of a stomachache."

She swung her legs as she muttered glumly, "Agh! I knew I shouldn't have listened. I thought it was going to be a sweet and sour love story! But... I regret it. I regret it!"

Shuya smiled wryly. "I-is it really that bad?"

"No. The fact that you think you have a chance is what I admire you for."

Mai waved weakly, feeling as if even the ice cream had turned bitter.

"Would any normal woman in her twenties be interested in a six-year-old kid?"

"Hey, what kind of thing is that to say? Can't you at least encourage me? Is that any way for a good friend to act?"

Shuya said, annoyed.

"It's because I'm your good friend that I don't want you to keep doing this," Mai said rationally. "Give up, Shuya."

"How do you know it won't work if you haven't tried?"

Shuya snorted.

"Sigh, you're great in every other way, but you're so stubborn."

Mai-chan rested her cheeks in her hands and looked at Shuya with a worried frown.

"How about this? I'll take one for the team. I'll pretend to be your girlfriend and go on a few dates with you, to correct your twisted tastes."

"No need. I'm not interested in little girls with no chest or legs."

Shuya refused outright.

"Hmph! You don't appreciate a kind offer!"

Mai-chan kicked him.

"Anyway, don't worry about it. I've made up my mind."

"..."

Mai sighed and picked up her little handbag. "Then I'm leaving. I don't want to get involved anymore. Good luck."

But Shuya pressed a hand over hers and smiled kindly. "Wait. Mai-chan, you heard my secret... and you think you can just walk away that easily?"

"...Then what do you want?"

Mai eyed him warily, sensing trouble ahead.

"Help me come up with a plan," Shuya said without a hint of embarrassment. "You may be a different age from Miss Rena, but at least you're a woman. That has to be better than me sitting here racking my brains alone."

"Eh? No way." Mai's face fell, and she gazed at Shuya pitifully.

She didn't want to get dragged into this kind of mess. She'd only wanted to hear the gossip and enjoy herself.

...Now she couldn't even enjoy that. All that was left was trouble.

"Mai-chan, I'm your good friend, right?"

Shuya launched an emotional attack.

"...Yes."

Mai answered dejectedly.

"Then would you have the heart to see your good friend suffer?"

"...No."

She shut her eyes and answered with difficulty.

"Then don't you think it would betray the trust I placed in you if you heard my secret and ran off?"

"I don't think so... Ahem, I do."

Mai-chan's voice turned lifeless.

"Very good. I like honest, well-behaved girls."

Shuya patted her hair. This time, Mai-chan didn't resist.

She was despairing over the mess she'd gotten herself into.

Her own life was already busy enough. Now she had to help Shuya with a romantic predicament that had little chance of working out.

...I shouldn't have been curious in the first place! Now I've gotten myself dragged into this!

Mai-chan regretted it deeply.

Shuya, on the other hand, felt the opposite. He was delighted to have gained an assistant he could use.

And so Shuya and Mai began their pleasant conversation—or so Shuya thought.

Shuya kept talking about how wonderful Rena was, while Mai listened with drooping eyes, half asleep.

It was already afternoon by the time Shuya finally let her go.