Hibiki Sakura · Love Shattered · Murderous Intent Surging

Tanaka Yukishin!

He was Tanaka Yukishin, the one who brought news of her second brother!

He's not here for a date! He's here to see his older brother!

In other words... he's now a "free agent"?!

At that moment, Sakura Hibiki knew that she had forgiven her foolish second brother.

I never expected that even though my second brother is at a boarding school, he still wouldn't forget to provide such top-notch benefits for his dear sister!

Great, fantastic!

Later, she'll take the opportunity of learning about her second brother's situation to legitimately and naturally deepen her contact with Tanaka-kun!

Then...

Let's take down Tanaka-kun in one fell swoop!

Sakura Hibiki was secretly calculating her next move.

But before she could put her "battle plan" into action, Sakura Ibuki, the current head of the Sakura family and a man of great social skills, had already taken the initiative to naturally build a closer relationship with her.

He smiled sincerely and warmly at Tanaka Yukishin and said, "Tanaka-kun, I am Sakura Ibuki. Since you've come all this way to deliver a message for Sae, you must have a good relationship with him. If you don't mind, please call me Sakura). It'll sound more intimate. If you feel that's too familiar, you can just call me by my surname Sakura."

As he said this, he walked closer and patted Tanaka Yukishin on the shoulder in a natural gesture.

"Given your relationship with Sae, there's absolutely no need to address her as 'sir' in such a formal and distant way. That's too much of a formality. Don't you think so?"

Tanaka Yukishin somewhat surprised by this sudden enthusiasm and the title of "big brother".

A hint of surprise flashed in his clear eyes, but looking at Sakura Ibuki's sincere smile and the purpose emanating from her, he understood.

He accepted the kindness, readily nodding in agreement, his clear voice tinged with a smile.

"Well, okay. Hello, Sakura- nii-san."

Sakura Ibuki smiled with satisfaction.

He then turned to his younger sister, who was still immersed in great surprise and future plans, and gave her instructions in a tone of unquestionable parental authority.

"Hibiki, go to the break room and call the manager out. I'll talk to Tanaka-kun for a bit. Come over when you're done."

"Huh? Oh! Okay! Coming right away!"

Sakura Hibiki wake from a dream, nodding repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, her face beaming with a dazzling smile.

She immediately turned around and, like a nimble little deer, quickly ran towards the staff break room.

Watching her younger sister run away, Sakura Ibuki turned to Tanaka Yukishin again.

She casually reached out and gently placed her hand on Tanaka Yukishin's shoulder, leading him toward the reserved private room.

"Let's go, Tanaka. I've prepared a quiet private room; we can eat and chat later. It's our own property, so please don't be shy."

"Oh, no need. I'll wait a bit..."

Tanaka Yukishin quickly waved her hand, appearing somewhat resistant.

After all, his time is precious; he doesn't have time to spend having meals with people.

Sakura Ibuki interrupted him, her tone firm yet tinged with just the right amount of gratitude.

"That won't do, Tanaka-kun, your time is precious. Hibiki and I are extremely grateful that you're willing to come."

As she reached the relatively quiet corner near the entrance to the private room, Sakura Ibuki paused slightly.

He lowered his head slightly, leaned close to Tanaka Yukishin's ear, and lowered his voice even further.

With a solemn air of entrusting a heavy responsibility, she casually slipped a uniquely textured card into Tanaka Yukishin's shirt pocket with her other hand.

"If my younger brother needs anything at school, please lend him a hand, Tanaka-kun. I will definitely repay you handsomely."

Chapter 145, Section 144: Sakura Hibiki - Broken Heart, Boiling Killing Intent

Inside the private room, under the bright lights, Sakura Ibuki was chatting casually with Tanaka Yukishin.

The air was filled with a faint aroma of tea, and the atmosphere was fairly relaxed.

With a creak, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Sakura Hibiki walked in carrying a large tray, on which were neatly arranged marinated raw meat and slices of beef from various cuts, their colors enticing.

"The meat is here! We've kept you waiting!"

Sakura Hibiki's voice was filled with joy, and her face was beaming with a warm smile.

She carefully placed the tray next to the oven and quickly began arranging the food.

"Oh! It's finally here, I'm starving!"

Sakura Ibuki exaggeratedly rubbed her stomach, her eyes fixed on the fresh slices of meat.

Tanaka Yukishin nodded slightly and thanked her politely.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sakura."

"It's not hard at all!"

Sakura Hibiki quickly waved her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed.

She skillfully picked up a few slices of meat and placed them on the preheated baking tray.

Sizzle—the moment the oil touches the scalding hot iron plate, a rich aroma of meat bursts forth, instantly filling the entire space and completely replacing the previous tea fragrance.

The warm fragrance seemed to have a magical power, dispelling the slight awkwardness of the three people's initial meeting, and the atmosphere visibly became more harmonious and relaxed.

Sakura Ibuki watched her younger sister's busy figure and the effortful yet somewhat clumsy smile she gave Tanaka Yukishin.

They were handing out seasonings and eagerly grilling the meat; their attentiveness was practically overflowing.

He couldn't help but put his hand to his forehead, sigh silently, and press his throbbing temples with his fingers.

Why...?

Why is it that someone as charming and adept as me, who moves effortlessly among women, seems so... so "humble" when my younger sister is pursuing a boy?

This is completely out of line with the style of the Sakura family!

I can't watch anymore, I really can't watch anymore.

As the eldest brother, he felt obligated to help his younger sister, who was in a state of "love-induced madness," to find a way out and salvage her image.

He cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation to a safer direction.

"Ahem, Tanaka, well... don't mind her, Hibiki just misses Sae too much. That kid Sae has been gone for a year without a word, and she, as his younger sister, has been worried sick, so this time... uh... she acted a little anxious."

Sakura Ibuki carefully chose her words, trying to attribute her sister's "excessive enthusiasm" to her longing for her second brother.

Upon hearing Tanaka Yukishin nodded in understanding, a gentle smile appearing on her lips.

"Ah, I completely understand. I also have a younger sister. So, I can totally empathize with the deep longing a sister has for her older brother."

"Eh? Tanaka-kun, do you have a younger sister?"

Sakura Hibiki's eyes lit up instantly, as if she had discovered a new continent, and she immediately replied.

"How wonderful! I really want a little sister too! It's a pity... Mom and Dad are such disappointments, they only had the three of us siblings and then they gave up trying!"

"Pfft--cough cough!"

Sakura Ibuki almost choked on her own saliva, coughing violently, her eyes twitching uncontrollably a few times.

Why are you so disappointing?

Reversing the Heavenly Gang!

This girl really knows how to say anything to start a conversation!

Girls in love really do experience a sharp drop in IQ...

I used to only laugh at other girls, but I never imagined that this boomerang would one day hit my own little sister so accurately!

Sakura Ibuki turned to look at Hibiki's matter-of-fact expression, which even carried a hint of "it's all Mom and Dad's fault," and a sense of powerlessness welled up inside her.

Forget it, this silly little sister is beyond saving. I can't be bothered to help her anymore. Good luck to her.

With a mix of amusement and mischief, he added slowly, deliberately emphasizing a particular word.

"Yes, the relationship between those two siblings is so good that they can talk about anything."

Sakura Ibuki deliberately emphasized the volume of her words.

He pointed meaningfully at his younger sister.

That idiot Sae was driven away by your relentless tongue.

Xiang, so now you're thinking about someone?

Sakura Hibiki Tanaka Yukishin when she heard this and suddenly stopped.

She almost immediately and keenly caught the strong malice in her elder brother's words, as well as the undisguised mockery and warning in his eyes.

Click me?

He pointed at me in front of my crush, Tanaka-kun?!

Brother, you've gone too far!

She suddenly turned her head, her emerald green eyes meeting precisely those of Sakura Ibuki, whose eyes were also emerald green.

The siblings' gazes clashed silently in the air, crackling as if lightning flashed between them.

Xiang clearly read the provocation in his older brother's eyes, "Let's see how you handle this."

Okay, brother, you forced me to do this!

Sakura Hibiki a deep breath, a resolute glint in her eyes.

She decided to unleash her ultimate weapon—the one that had always worked against her older brother since childhood—calling his parents!

Her eyes instantly turned pitiful, filled with silent accusation, as she stared intently at Sakura Ibuki.

The lips move silently, conveying information clearly through their shapes.

Big brother, you don't want me to tell Mom and Dad, do you?

As the eldest brother, he personally sabotaged his younger sister's relationship.

If your parents find out, you know what the consequences will be.

"..."

Mean!

That's despicable!

They actually used my parents to pressure me!

Seeing Hibiki's posture, Sakura Ibuki's playful smile froze instantly, then collapsed.

A bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He lowered his head dejectedly, avoiding his sister's victorious gaze, and picked up the tongs to poke the meat on the grill in frustration.

Seeing her elder brother admit defeat and Sakura Hibiki immediately brightened, and a bright, slightly sly smile bloomed on her face, like a clever little fox.

The emperor loves his eldest son, while the common people love their youngest.

As the youngest daughter of the Sakura family!

Standing behind me are my invincible mom and dad!

She raised her chin triumphantly, silently announcing with her eyes.

This little brother is weak!

Tanaka Yukishin witnessed the entire silent yet intense exchange between the brother and sister.

He said nothing, but simply picked up his teacup and took a sip.

A faint, knowing smile played at the corners of his lips.

The reason he accepted the invitation from the stranger, Sakura Ibuki, was largely because he sensed Ibuki's subconscious concern and protectiveness towards her younger siblings, which reminded him of his own feelings for his sister, Yuexin.

Otherwise, with Sakura Ibuki's limited strength, there would be no way she could have pulled him.

So at this moment, watching the Sakura siblings playfully teasing and "threatening" each other, he didn't feel bored or embarrassed at all; instead, he felt a unique warmth and amusement.

Sakura Ibuki noticed Tanaka Yukishin's smile and scratched her head somewhat embarrassedly.