The investigation into Director Nakajima's shooting left Hayashi Shuichi and Kudo Yusaku with little to contribute. After speaking with Officer Odagiri, they left.
Yukiko went to find her parents, while Hayashi Shuichi, Hibari Eri, and Mouri Kogoro waited for Officer Megure to drive them home.
"Oh, almost forgot," Hayashi Shuichi said, pulling a signed photo of an actress from his pocket and handing it to Eri. "I grabbed this while wandering City Hall. I know you like her lawyer role."
Eri took the photo, her face lighting up with a smile.
"Just grabbed it?" Kogoro teased with a smirk. "You just happened to carry her photo too?"
"I promised Reiko I'd get autographs, so I brought it along," Hayashi Shuichi explained.
"Either way, I love it," Eri said, blushing slightly. "Whatever you and that curly-haired fox did in the lounge, I forgive you."
The next day, Hayashi Shuichi was up early, busy in the kitchen.
"Onii-chan, why're you up so early?" Reiko, in pajamas, rubbed her eyes. "It's Saturday."
"I've got an exam at school with Eri," Hayashi Shuichi said. "Breakfast's ready, lunch is in the fridge—just heat it up."
"Okay," Reiko nodded obediently. "What exam? School just started."
"Teitan High recommends top students to foreign universities. Today's test is for that," he explained. "I didn't want to go, but Eri signed me up."
"Foreign universities?" Reiko's eyes widened, anxious. "You're going abroad?"
"No way," Hayashi Shuichi laughed. "Unlike Eri, who's already self-studied all three years of high school, I'm just tagging along for her."
"But what if you pass?" Reiko's face was full of worry.
"I won't go even if I do," he said, ruffling her messy bedhead. "How could I leave my cute little sister?"
After some chatter, he grabbed his bag and left.
"That awful woman's trying to steal Onii-chan!" Reiko muttered, glaring in the living room. "Hibari Eri, I won't let you win!"
Wangcai, their dog, peeked out of its kennel, saw her expression, tucked its tail, and scurried back inside.
Teitan's recommendation exam covered four subjects: Japanese, math, foreign language, and science (or humanities). All four tests were on Saturday—two in the morning, two in the afternoon.
Though Hayashi Shuichi aced his entrance exam, he hadn't studied high school material. His past-life knowledge was long forgotten. Looking at the morning tests, he couldn't answer half the questions and ended up napping at his desk.
Few students took the exam. Eri, taking humanities, was in a different room. But after the morning sessions, she learned from a teacher that Hayashi Shuichi slept through them.
"Not my fault," he said, stretching. "I haven't studied most of it. Couldn't answer much."
Eri wasn't upset—she knew his study progress from their time together. She'd dragged him to the exam to preview the questions for next year.
"Let's get lunch," she said, heading out of school.
"Off-campus?" Hayashi Shuichi asked, surprised. "What if we're late for the afternoon tests?"
"I told the teacher I'm unwell," Eri said, glancing back regretfully at the school. "I'm skipping this year's exam."
"What?" Hayashi Shuichi paused. "If it's for me, you don't have to—"
"If you feel guilty, study hard this year," Eri said, glancing at her childhood friend. "Next year, we'll pass together and study abroad!"
Seeing her resolve, Hayashi Shuichi didn't argue.
"Fine, to make up for it, what do you want to eat? I'll—" he started, but Eri shook her head. "I don't want your cooking today."
Seeing his confusion, she blushed, huffing proudly, "I want to go shopping. Come with me."
"Sure," Hayashi Shuichi smiled. "It's been a while since we hung out."
Two hours later, at Rice Flower's commercial street, Hayashi Shuichi, laden with bags, trailed Eri, looking glum. "We've been at this for ages. Aren't you tired?"
"Not really," Eri said casually. "How could shopping be tiring?"
Women are all the same, Hayashi Shuichi sighed. "You usually don't care about dressing up. Why buy so many clothes and cosmetics today?"
"They're for Ryuri…" Eri stopped mid-sentence, coughing to cover it, then changed the subject. "Since you're tired, let's rest at the bookstore. I need study materials. Then we'll hit the glasses shop—I'm thinking of trying contacts."
"Forget contacts," Hayashi Shuichi advised. "They're a hassle. Just get lighter glasses."
"Won't that look bad?" Eri touched her frames, worried.
Last night, after a long call with Ryuri, learning about the pretty, curvy classmate around Hayashi Shuichi, Ryuri suggested a makeover.
"Nah," Hayashi Shuichi said sincerely. "With glasses, you're not just pretty—you've got this intellectual charm."
"Really?" Eri blushed, then squinted at him thoughtfully. "No wonder your hidden photo stash had so many girls with glasses. Quite the specific taste."
Sorry, dear readers, I caught the flu and have a fever. Only one chapter tonight.
(End of Chapter)
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