An Unexpected Encounter!

In the pitch-black room.

Natsume Chikage took out his phone and lit up the screen.

He carefully checked the document's current word count and found that it had already accumulated to around 30,000 words.

His fingertips brushed the screen as he swiftly scrolled through the densely packed text.

At this pace, he would probably be able to finish The Devotion of Suspect X this week.

If he could get his hands on Yukimura Suzune's special equipment within the week, it would definitely take the novel's quality to the next level.

But Natsume Chikage could clearly sense that Yukimura Suzune did not seem to like socializing. She only preferred quietly reading alone.

Not to mention finding a chance to approach her and obtain the "ink trinket" hanging from her schoolbag—at the moment, even figuring out how to strike up a conversation naturally without making her dislike him was a problem.

He sighed softly and shook his head.

Whatever. Things would work themselves out when the time came.

Maybe some opportunity would arise later.

Natsume Chikage temporarily pushed those chaotic thoughts aside and refocused on his phone screen.

His slender fingers began tapping rapidly across the virtual keyboard as he devoted himself to writing.

He planned to write as much as he could before going to sleep at midnight!

What many people feared most was not being able to find a direction for their efforts.

But Natsume Chikage was different. His current goal was crystal clear—earn enough money as quickly as possible to buy back the house and the IT company.

Take back everything he had lost!

With such a clear goal, his motivation was inexhaustible!

As for writing novels and competing in shogi tournaments, they were merely means to achieve that goal.

"Big Brother, it's already so late. Aren't you going to sleep?"

Ruri's sleepy mumble came from beside him, her voice soft and syrupy.

Natsume Chikage turned toward the sound.

He discovered that Ruri had woken up at some point and was rubbing her bleary eyes as she looked over at him.

"I'm not sleepy yet, so I wanted to write a little more," Natsume Chikage explained softly before asking with concern, "But why are you awake? Can't you sleep?"

Natsume Ruri instinctively tucked her head farther into the blanket, leaving only her bright eyes exposed.

"I'm going back to sleep now. You should go to bed early too. Don't stay up too late writing your novel."

Her muffled reminder came through the blanket, carrying a slight nasal tone.

"Mm."

Natsume Chikage answered gently.

After hearing his reply, Natsume Ruri secretly poked her head out and saw that Natsume Chikage was still focused on writing his novel on his phone, his fingertips flying across the screen.

She could not help feeling a little sulky, and her lips unconsciously pursed.

Her brother used to go to sleep punctually at around ten-thirty.

But after he started writing novels, he had begun going to bed later and later.

Although she knew that any novel her idiot brother wrote probably would not be very good, and she did not have much expectation of him making money by submitting his writing either.

Still, she had never expected him to take it so seriously this time, persisting with his writing even late into the night.

But on second thought, this was a good thing too. After all, it was rare for her brother to care so deeply about something.

She quietly decided that once her brother finished this novel, she would praise him.

The next day.

At the subway station.

The platform was packed with students hurrying to school and office workers commuting to work.

"Ruri, I can already see your train coming. Hurry to the front of the platform," Natsume Chikage said, tilting his head slightly toward his younger sister, who was tightly hugging him from behind.

Natsume Ruri was pressed against Chikage's back, her arms wrapped around his waist, still unwilling to let go.

She buried her face in his school uniform jacket and muttered softly, "Ruri is so sleepy today. Let me lean on you a little longer. When the train is about to leave, I'll get on by myself."

Her voice was thick with sleepiness.

Natsume Chikage raised a puzzled brow. "Didn't you go to sleep earlier than me last night? Why do you look even sleepier than I am?"

Ruri lifted her face, pouting as she complained, "I didn't sleep well because I dreamed that Big Brother got completely fooled by a bad woman. I was angry all night in the dream."

She suddenly tightened her arms, her tone turning serious. "So, Big Brother, you absolutely cannot let women get close to you so easily, understand?!"

"What kind of nonsense is that?" Natsume Chikage did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Just then, the arrival chime sounded, and the train slowly pulled up alongside the platform.

Ruri reluctantly released Chikage from her embrace, straightened her clothes, and prepared to board the train.

But the moment she turned around, she keenly noticed several girls nearby secretly sizing up her brother.

"Big brother, you have to remember what I said!" Natsume Ruri narrowed her eyes and reminded him again, her tone clearly wary.

"You silly girl, stop overthinking everything... Hurry up and get on the train." Natsume Chikage smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair.

Natsume Ruri waved goodbye reluctantly. "Big brother, I'm leaving now."

"Mm." Natsume Chikage raised a hand in response.

The moment Ruri stepped onto the train, she saw through the window that a girl had approached Natsume Chikage to strike up a conversation.

Fortunately, she saw that Natsume Chikage merely shook his head politely and turned the girl down. He then quietly leaned against a pillar, tapping on his phone, clearly continuing to write his novel.

Only then did Natsume Ruri let out a sigh of relief. She nodded repeatedly, an approving expression appearing on her face.

Letting her brother immerse himself in writing novels really was a good choice. At least that way, he would not be tricked by bad women.

Some time later.

While waiting on the platform, Natsume Chikage finally saw the train he needed slowly pulling into the station.

He followed the crowd into the carriage and found it as packed as ever.

Aside from a small number of office workers in suits, most of the passengers were students dressed in various school uniforms.

Among them were quite a few familiar Moonlight Academy uniforms.

Every seat was occupied today, leaving many people no choice but to stand.

Natsume Chikage carefully squeezed through the crowd and found a relatively open corner near the connection between carriages.

He had barely steadied himself and breathed a sigh of relief when, just as he was about to take out his phone and continue typing, he unexpectedly noticed a cool-looking, beautiful girl standing before him—Yukimura Suzune.

Yukimura Suzune was still wearing her standard school uniform today.

Her black stockings perfectly outlined the slender curves of her legs, while the gently swaying hem of her skirt and the stockings created a faintly visible absolute territory between them.

She leaned against the carriage wall, her head lowered as she focused intently on the book of literature in her hands.

Perhaps she had sensed his gaze.

At that moment, Yukimura Suzune looked up and met the eyes of Natsume Chikage, who had only just found his footing.

They stared at each other, both stunned for a moment.

Neither had expected to run into the other by chance in such a cramped space.

Yukimura Suzune unconsciously straightened her previously relaxed posture against the wall.

"Good morning." Natsume Chikage felt it would be rather awkward not to greet his deskmate.

Yukimura Suzune fell silent for a moment, turning her gaze aside before replying softly, "Good morning..."

Her voice was so quiet it was nearly drowned out by the noise of the carriage.

After saying that, she returned her attention to the literature book in her hands, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing along the edge of the pages.

Seeing this, Natsume Chikage did not disturb her further. He took out his phone, opened his document, and resumed typing with focus.

Since they were standing so close together and wearing the same Moonlight Academy uniforms, their outstanding looks drew frequent glances from the surrounding passengers.

Quite a few students from other schools whispered among themselves, assuming the two were a couple.

Even several Moonlight Academy students secretly cast curious looks in their direction.