A pair of long, slender legs descended gracefully, and a delicate hand lifted the curtain. A lovely young woman appeared before them, standing tall and graceful as her long twin braids swayed.
The flowers she held in her arms made her look all the more fresh and lovely.
"Noriko, do you know this, um... gentleman?" the old woman asked first.
"Oh, Big Brother Li? What are you doing here?" Noriko's eyes lit up, her voice full of delighted surprise.
Hearing that, the elderly couple relaxed.
"Where are you headed?"
"I'm going to my flower-arranging class~"
"On foot? How about I give you a ride?"
"Thank you very much, but I can manage on my own. It's not far."
"What was the name of the man who gave you a ride that day? Isn't he coming to pick you up?"
"Mr. Kogure? I don't know. He's willing to, but I've never troubled him."
Mentioning Mr. Kogure in front of everyone left Noriko looking shy and bashful.
"I left in a hurry that day and didn't get to speak with him. When does he usually come?"
"I'm not too sure about that either. He usually comes to see me on his own."
In the kitchen, Kintaro stretched noodles while listening intently, privately puzzled. Why is the old guy so interested in that man? Could he feel the same way I do?
If Tetsuhiro had known what he was thinking, he would have been furious enough to slap him dead on the spot!
"Jingle, jingle..."
Tetsuhiro was about to probe further when someone lifted the curtain.
Speak of the devil-Hiroshi Kogure walked in, handsome and dashing in a gray suit.
"Noriko, I'm here to pick you up."
The old woman bowed and greeted him warmly. "Mr. Kogure, this way, please. Have you eaten?"