"Doesn't want to live?!"
The two high school girls hadn't expected this so-called "casual chat" to involve such a heavy topic.
Vermouth, meanwhile, had the calm detachment of someone who had seen through everything. She echoed their surprise, then silently picked up the teapot to pour herself some water, only to find it empty.
Remembering how Jiang Xia had poured cup after cup earlier, Vermouth turned to him and asked softly, "Why do you keep drinking water?"
Jiang Xia raised his teacup and took another sip. "Spicy."
The level of spice that normally seemed perfectly ordinary somehow felt increasingly unbearable today.
Vermouth remembered something. "I recall you caught a cold too. Watch out for acute pharyngitis."
Jiang Xia said, "It's fine. I'm healthy."
Vermouth: ...Really? Your voice sounds a little hoarse to me.
The others nearby were clearly focused on something else.
Jodie cautiously confirmed, "Did he really say he didn't want to live?"
The Tennis Coach shrugged. "My mother and my wife both passed away early, so people have always said my dad brings bad luck to his loved ones. Maybe those remarks got to him."
Seeing the worried looks on the two high school girls' faces, he hurriedly added, "But don't worry. I already talked him around. He's started eating now."
No matter what, this seemed to be someone else's family matter.
The group didn't interfere further and helped Akashi Hiroto clear away the dishes.
While Akashi Hiroto was busy washing up, the landline phone in the living room rang. Suzuki Sonoko happened to pass by, saw a familiar number, and casually answered it.
—It was her family's driver.
Suzuki Sonoko had assumed the driver was about to arrive and was calling to let her know. But reality proved that she had been overly optimistic—the driver brought