Close Quarters and Closer Lies – Chapter 147
Mei Mei stood up gracefully, her long legs crossing one over the other as she stepped forward with a forced smile.
"Oh, would you two please excuse me and Ren for just a second?"
Her tone was velvet-smooth, polished like a perfect hostess, but her fingers gripped Ren's hand a bit too tightly—enough to send a clear message.
'You and I are going to talk.'
Ren rose without protest, that damnably smug grin still carved into his face like it had never once left. He followed her without missing a beat, walking into the kitchen as if he owned the place.
The second they entered and the door swung shut behind them, Mei Mei inhaled—ready to unleash—
—but she didn't get the chance.
"Huh—?"
Ren suddenly spun, stepped in, and pushed her back against the counter.
His arm rested beside her head, and he leaned in—so close that his breath tickled her cheek, sending goosebumps racing up her arms.
Mei Mei blinked, completely caught off guard.
'What the hell is he doing?!'
But before she could speak, Ren lifted a finger and gently tapped her lips, his whisper brushing past her ear like silk.
"Hush, hush now. I know too much, right? Anyway, both of those people? Not the higher-ups. Just pretend we're kissing so they don't peek."
Mei Mei's eyes widened. She stared at him, lips parted.
'What? They're not the higher-ups?! How does he know that? Was that why he was playing around so much earlier? That cocky act... all of that was part of his plan? This brat!'
Still flustered, she narrowed her eyes.
But before she could scold him, her hands moved almost on instinct. She wrapped her arms around Ren's neck, dragging him even closer, her lips hovering right near his ear.
She whispered back, her voice low and sharp.
"Well, why didn't you tell me earlier, you idiot?! And what the hell was with calling that hag beautiful?! Do you just call every woman that looks your way 'gorgeous' or 'lovely'? You manipulator!"
Her face brushed against his cheek, and from the outside, it looked like they were deeply locked in a passionate kiss. Or more accurately—it looked like Mei Mei was about to devour him.
Ren stifled a chuckle, staying still, letting her act as she pleased.
Across the house, in the quiet living room, Ogami folded her hands on her lap and spoke softly to Jiro.
"What do you think? Hmm… he's bold, right?"
Jiro grunted and leaned forward, arms crossed, not bothering to hide his irritation.
"Bold? Sure. But clearly weak to skirts. One smile and he melts."
Ogami laughed faintly.
"Yes, I know. He called me beautiful. It's been a while since anyone used those words on me…"
She sounded almost wistful.
Jiro rolled his eyes, barely hiding a muttered scoff.
"Yeah. Anyone would look beautiful… with a fake face."
Ogami's eye twitched.
"Did you say something?"
Jiro gave her a flat look and muttered,
"Nope."
A tense silence filled the room for a moment. Then Jiro exhaled sharply.
"They're taking their sweet time."
Ogami gave a sweet smile, but her eyes flicked toward the hallway.
"Well… no harm in stretching my legs."
And with practiced elegance, she stood and strolled out—not stretching her legs at all. She moved with a purpose, silent as a cat, toward the kitchen.
She stopped just before the threshold, keeping her footsteps light, peering in from the side like a curious old aunt—
And her eyes widened.
Her cursed technique nearly flickered.
There, in the kitchen, Ren was pressed against Mei Mei, arms placed firmly around her.
Mei Mei's hands were wrapped around his neck, lips hovering beside his face, their cheeks nearly touching.
It didn't look like acting.
It looked like desperation, like they were kissing as if the world would end tomorrow.
Ogami's jaw dropped.
Her breath hitched. She nearly stumbled backward.
'Mei Mei!! You were supposed to SEDUCE him, not MAKE OUT with him! In the kitchen!! While we're here!!'
She stared for half a second more, brain short-circuiting.
'Wait, wait, this isn't Mei Mei's fault… No, no, no, it's Ren! Look at him! He's the one pushing her onto the counter!'
Ogami snapped her head away, fanned her face with her hand like she'd seen a ghost, and quickly walked back to the living room. Her footsteps were faster than before, and when she sat down, it was with a slightly dazed look.
Jiro looked up and narrowed his eyes.
"What did you see?"
Ogami's voice was clipped.
"Nothing."
But her cheeks were pink. She adjusted her sleeves and cleared her throat like a proper lady, burying the image from her mind.
And Jiro?
He could tell something had rattled her—but he didn't push.