Chapter 228

"Why?"

"But she's a very nice person, and you two might actually get along very well."

Why is that?

You'll find out soon enough.

Kanade Kotone took a mysterious detour and led Yukina to the second floor.

The café has two floors; the second floor has partitioned booths, and it's just as crowded as the downstairs area.

"Senior!"

Kanade Kotone waved in a certain direction and led Yukina to a corner with practiced ease. A girl in a school uniform was sitting there. The girl's school uniform was the style of a third-year high school student. She sat upright and elegantly in her seat, holding a cup and saucer with her slender, fair hands, her movements gentle, as if she were savoring the coffee in her hand.

Behind her stood four women dressed in maid uniforms—their uniforms seemed somewhat different from the other maids' uniforms. Even though they were all maid uniforms, they had some extra details on the hem, cuffs, and thongs. In addition, their unique demeanor made it hard to look away. They stood like statues behind the girl in the uniform, quietly holding trays.

The feeling these people gave Yukina was completely different from that of the maids and waitresses. Yukina keenly sensed a subtle, sharp aura emanating from them—a feeling that was extremely subtle and something that Yukina would never have been able to detect before. However, after becoming an agent, she became increasingly sensitive to such subtle changes in aura, and couldn't help but glance at them a few more times, just in time to meet the eyes of those maids.

A hint of surprise flashed in Yukina's eyes, and she and the maid simultaneously looked away.

Yukina leaned closer to Kanade Kotone and whispered, "This senior you mentioned definitely has an extraordinary background..."

"Huh? What are you saying?"

"The maids behind her were all highly trained personnel."

Yukina was very certain of her judgment.

After all, a person's eyes don't lie. In that brief eye contact, Yukina saw a similar sharpness in the maid's eyes as that of Shinomiyami Nami.

"I've never heard of such a thing before..."

Kanade Kotone's expression immediately became amusing.

At this moment, upon seeing Kanade Kotone and Yukina, the girl whom Kanade Kotone called "senpai" smiled slightly and put down her cup and saucer. The maid on her left bent down and whispered a few words to her. The maid nodded and stepped aside. Then someone led Kanade Kotone and Yukina toward the girl.

Yukina glanced at the maid, seemingly unintentionally. The maid's posture wasn't particularly upright, but every step she took was measured as if it had been taken with a ruler. The distance between her steps and the weight of her footfalls were exceptionally consistent—she was clearly a well-trained soldier.

It's quite intriguing why someone like this would be following that young girl as a maid.

"Kotone, you're here! Please have a seat." No one knew what Yukina was thinking. The girl Yukina was more interested in was more enthusiastic than she had imagined, and seemed to know Kanade Kotone very well. She beckoned a maid and looked at Yukina with a smile. "--This must be Kotone's 'closest friend' whom she always talks about? It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you. My name is Shiomi Yukina."

"Oh, I'm Huachao Cai. You can just call me Cai, or you can call me 'senpai' like Kotori does," Huachao Cai's voice, like her personality, gave off an elegant feeling. "Please have a seat. Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Huh? I... I don't really like this kind of drink..."

Rather, it's more accurate to say that Yukina doesn't drink coffee much at all, not because she can't afford it, but because she spends most of her allowance on other things.

Compared to coffee, Yukina was much more interested in chocolate, which was also not cheap.

"Senior, she's not really used to coffee..."

"Oh, that's alright. Let me recommend one to you," the girl said with a smile, speaking fluent words in an Old Era language spoken by a maid beside her. Before Yukina could understand, the maid bowed slightly and left.

"Oh, by the way, Xiaoqinyin, you seemed to have said something about something?"

Yukina and Kanade Kotone exchanged a glance. Kanade Kotone lowered her voice, "I forgot to mention, senpai is great in every way, except she's a little forgetful..."

146. Hidden Fans

The Kanade Kotone was helping Huachao Cai "restore her memories".

"Oh!" After Kanade Kotone's explanation, Huachao Cai finally showed a look of realization, but her eyes remained fixed on Yukina's face, making Yukina inexplicably uncomfortable. "So it's about the ring. I almost forgot."

It wasn't "almost," it was obvious she'd completely forgotten about it— Kanade Kotone silently grumbled to herself.

It was something she had called to inquire about just three hours ago, something that Huachao Cai herself had personally agreed to, yet she couldn't remember anything about it at all right after afternoon classes... Anyone else would find it hard not to think that Huachao Cai n't deliberately making this excuse.

Kanade Kotone knew that Huachao Cai had genuinely "accidentally" forgotten.

"In that case, please wait a moment while I go get something..."

Huachao Cai gracefully, her gaze fixed on Yukina, and smiled gently. "By the way, Miss Shiomi, please be sure to try the coffee I recommended. I'm sure you'll love it."

After speaking, Huachao Cai left, surrounded by four maids.

"Kanade..." Yukina glanced in the direction Huachao Cai had left, then looked at Kanade Kotone, "Hanazane-senpai gives off a slightly different vibe than she seems..."

Why do you keep staring at yourself?

Although there's nothing wrong with him... and he doesn't seem like a dangerous person, something just feels off.

Yukina crossed her arms and touched them, feeling a chill run down her spine.

"Um..."

Kanade Kotone clearly didn't understand Yukina's restraint. After a moment of hesitation, she thought that Yukina might be surprised by Huachao Cai's forgetfulness, so she leaned close to Yukina's ear and whispered something.

"That's just how she seems on the surface; you'll be very impressed once you get to know her."

Yukina misunderstood Kanade Kotone's meaning, "On the surface?"

Is it intentional to keep staring at someone you've just met? That's certainly impressive...

"I wonder if you've ever heard of the Huachao Consortium on TV Shiomi- san?"

"Hanacho... Conglomerate?"

"That belongs to my senior's father."

"Why?"

Huachao Cai – beautiful, wealthy, and of noble birth. As a student, she excels in all subjects and is also a shrewd businesswoman. With a gentle, elegant, and generous personality, she is truly a perfect all-around beautiful girl.

"But this all-around beautiful girl has one very special trait—she's forgetful."

"Is... is that so..." Actually, Yukina thought the most peculiar thing about Huachao Cai was her unblinking gaze; it was a bit too strange. However, Yukina didn't say it aloud, only thinking that perhaps wealthy people had a special way of treating guests, and awkwardly agreed, "No one can be perfect in every aspect..."

"This is different."

Kanade Kotone's lips curled slightly as she began to speak eloquently—rather than "complaining," she was now taking on the role of a serious and earnest "explanatory persona." Her expression was like that of a little girl who had just learned to cook, explaining to her classmates how much water to add to a cup of rice...

"Actually, Senior Huachao has a very good memory; she can remember almost everything she has seen."

"Photographic memory?"

"This is no exaggeration; it's the only thing I've witnessed firsthand."

"Babble?"

Yukina finally sensed a bit of surprise.

If "photographic memory" is not some kind of exaggeration, then it is undoubtedly a very rare and useful talent.

"Although some of the information was only heard from other seniors, it's highly credible. I heard that Senior Huachao's family was a large family that moved here from turbulent overseas during the last few years of the Old Era. As the daughter of the entire family's conglomerate, Senior Huachao is fluent in two languages, and the family culture inherited from the Old Era has given her a deep understanding of the history and culture of that Old Era. She can even remember the exact book on which shelf, which page, and which paragraph it appears in with precision."

This can no longer be explained by simple talent.

Kanade Kotone smiled and said, "But... she seems to remember nothing at all when we talk to her about anything."

"Could it be that Senior Huachao only has a vivid memory of things she has personally witnessed?"

Are you referring to some kind of special memory technique?

"How should I know...?"

The maid/waitress brought over the coffee.

Kanade Kotone paused for a moment, glancing at the coffee the maid had placed on the table. "But speaking of which, she has another incredible skill—she can recommend a coffee that perfectly suits the taste of even a complete stranger she's just met."

"Hmm... it really is delicious..." Yukina tasted the coffee in front of her, a little cream foam sticking to the corner of her mouth. "I can't quite describe the taste... I don't know much about coffee, but the feeling it leaves is very nice."

Right?

Kanade Kotone smiled smugly, as if boasting about herself, "Senior Hanazono is always very persistent about the things she likes, coffee is one, and 'maid' is another."

That's why this coffee shop came into being.

Huachao Cai completely ignores the family business, instead focusing all her energy on the coffee shop, demonstrating her dedication to what she loves.

"I see..."

Yukina nodded thoughtfully.

Actually, the biggest reason she came here was because of Huachao Cai, whom Kanade Kotone had mentioned. She was a "mature and elegant woman"—which was also the name that Efnir was used to describe Yukina.

Yukina was just trying it out, thinking that perhaps only a "mature" woman could understand another mature woman?

Just like Shinomiyami Nami, perhaps Hana Aya, whose background and age are different from hers Huachao Cai, can also offer some insightful advice?

However...

At this moment, Huachao Cai appeared alone in an elegantly decorated room, holding a mobile phone and video chatting with a slightly plump middle-aged man.

"I don't care... I want that! Dad, get it for me! Hurry up!!"

Huachao Cai pouted and complained, a stark contrast to the composed and elegant young lady described by Kanade Kotone. Meanwhile, the man on the other end of the line wiped the sweat from his brow, his expression one of utter helplessness. "I've already sent them to you... but what do you need them for? They're just recently delivered samples of new models; they haven't been released yet, there aren't any finished products... Taking these things is useless to you..."

"Then don't worry about it, I have a use for it."

"Is it about that Fan Club thing?" the man said, then his expression tightened as if he'd just remembered something. "Wait... daughter, you don't actually have a boyfriend, do you?"

"Pah, pah, pah! What are you thinking! So eager to marry off your daughter? Your daughter isn't even an adult yet! How can you be so heartless!"

"No, no, no... that's not what Dad meant..."

"Don't worry about it. Just let them treat it as a private order. I'll pay for it myself."

Huachao Cai pouted, not caring at all.

Anyway, my family has so many businesses, it's not just jewelry. Besides, what's a little money?

--You know, the person sitting outside is the idol's sister! The idol's sister herself!!

This is the closest I've ever gotten to my idol's (sister's) side of the world, and it's undoubtedly an opportunity to win her favor and get closer to her in person!

Shiomi Yukina's true identity might go unnoticed elsewhere, but it couldn't be hidden from Huachao Cai —her father's business covered all sectors of Xijing City, making her a source of information for the Huachao Consortium everywhere.

Although there had been no results until a month ago... after all, the Orderkeepers Organization is not to be underestimated, and they have always done a good job of keeping information confidential.

But coincidentally, a month ago, she somehow got the news that the personal information of several agents had been dug up and placed on Huachao Cai's desk. So when Huachao Cai heard Kanade Kotone casually mention the name "Shiomi Yukina", she was immediately attracted to it. As everyone knows, Efnir cherishes his younger sister very much. Any fan of Efnir knows how much Efnir loves and protects his younger sister.

Getting close to Efnir directly is naturally very difficult, and it's unlikely that an idol will develop a good impression of her through unreasonable pursuit—as a young lady from a prestigious family, Huachao Cai already understands this perfectly well.

So... what if we bypassed Efnir herself and instead disguised ourselves as an "ordinary person who knows nothing" to approach her sister?

Since then, Huachao Cai has been getting closer to Kanade Kotone little by little, and has been inquiring about her intentionally or unintentionally, and has even sent people to inquire about her. In the end, she was almost about to follow her. Originally, Huachao Cai wanted to go by herself, but after investigating, she found out that Kanade Kotone and Yukina had both left the school, so she had no way to do so.

Even a behemoth like the Huachao Consortium is no match for the violent apparatus of the Orderkeepers Organization.

But today, the opportunity has arrived.

Huachao Cai returned, carrying a black box in her hand.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Huachao Cai smiled quietly and elegantly, but Yukina inexplicably felt that Huachao Cai's cheeks seemed slightly flushed.

Yukina didn't think much of it.

"What are you holding, senior?" Kanade Kotone asked curiously, looking at the box in Huachao Cai's hand. Huachao Cai just smiled and didn't say anything. Instead, she placed the box on the table and opened it in front of Yukina and Kanade Kotone.

Kanade Kotone and Yukina were both stunned.

The box was densely studded with dazzling light—it was filled entirely with diamond rings.

"From thirty to fifty, or custom-made," Huachao Cai explained, "I wonder if Miss Shiomi has any that she likes?"

"Ah?..."

Yukina waved her hand, somewhat bewildered. She couldn't understand Hana-senpai's intention at all—the surprise of being blinded by the sudden display of wealth was no less than when facing countless enemies. On the contrary, she was caught off guard because she had been relaxed just a second ago—those were all diamond rings, not a handful of sand.

Kanade Kotone.

"Um... senior... isn't this a bit inappropriate?"