Hayashi Shuichi's cheek twitched. Everyone seems to know about my hidden photo stash?
"If you didn't want me to find out, don't show Kogoro," Eri said with a sly smile. "He can't keep a secret."
That traitor Kogoro! Hayashi Shuichi was speechless. As best friends, they'd always shared their favorite photo magazines. Guess I'll keep them to myself now…
"No more looking at those!" Eri said with mock disgust, though her lips curved up, clearly pleased he liked glasses-wearing girls.
At Eri's favorite bookstore, Hayashi Shuichi grabbed a stool and sat by the entrance to rest, while Eri browsed study materials.
The weekend crowd was sizable. After picking her materials, Eri headed to the legal books section, preparing for her future as a lawyer.
Focused on selecting books, she accidentally bumped into someone. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention… Huh?"
"No problem," the person replied, absorbed in their book.
"You understand these?" Eri asked, curious. The reader was a boy, barely six or seven.
Kids that age usually read manga, not dense legal texts.
"Some words I don't know," the curly-haired, thick-browed boy admitted. "But I can use a dictionary."
Intrigued by their shared interest, Eri asked, "You like legal texts? Want to be a lawyer or prosecutor?"
"Lawyer, of course!" the boy said proudly. "I'll be Japan's greatest legal scholar."
To prove it, he added, "I've memorized lots of simple laws. Test me!"
Eri grabbed a book, asking three basic legal questions. He answered the first two fluently, stumbling but mostly nailing the third.
"Not bad, huh?" the boy said smugly, eyes fixed on Eri, waiting for praise.
"Impressive," Eri smiled encouragingly. "I want to be a lawyer too. Let's both keep at it."
The boy nodded shyly.
A squinting middle-aged man approached. "Master Ninsaburo, time for your tutoring."
"Got it, Mr. Yagai," the boy handed him the book. "Pay for this." Turning to Eri, he said, "Bye, lawyer lady."
"Bye!" Eri waved, watching him leave. She imagined how great it'd be if Hayashi Shuichi also aimed to be a lawyer. Together, they'd dominate Japan's legal world.
Smiling at the thought, she glanced at Hayashi Shuichi by the entrance—only to freeze. He was engrossed in a beauty magazine.
This guy's been corrupted by Kogoro!
After paying for her books, Eri stormed over, snatching the magazine. "Let's go!"
"Already?" Hayashi Shuichi said. "I wasn't done."
Eri huffed, marching out with her books.
Hayashi Shuichi grabbed the bags and followed. "Eri, what's wrong now?"
"You've been ruined by Kogoro," Eri snapped. "Before high school, you never looked at those magazines! Damn Kogoro, I'll make him pay!"
Actually, I started reading those in elementary school, Hayashi Shuichi thought. I didn't share with Kogoro back then because he was too young, so you didn't know…
Blinking, he didn't dare admit he'd corrupted Kogoro. "You're right. Kogoro's bad influence ruined me! I'll cut ties with him tonight."
Placating Eri, they visited an eyewear shop. Knowing Hayashi Shuichi's glasses preference, Eri skipped contacts and picked a lightweight black frame with his input.
He walked her home, carrying the bags, planning to leave, but Eri stopped him. "Sit in the living room. We'll head to the izakaya later."
Nodding, he went to the kitchen, brewing two cups of tea and setting them on the living room table.
A loud clatter came from Eri's bedroom, followed by her pained yelp.
"Eri, you okay?"
"I-I'm fine…" Her voice trembled.
Sensing her distress, he rushed to her door. "I'm coming in."
He entered, finding Eri, in new clothes, sitting on her bed, rubbing her knee.
"Let me see," he said, gently moving her hand. Her knee was bruised and swollen. "How'd this happen?"
"I'm not used to the new glasses," Eri said, wincing. "I tripped and banged my knee."
"Wait here." He returned with a plastic bag of ice. "I'll ice it."
"No, I can—" Eri started, but he placed the ice on her knee, making her shiver. "Yah!"
"Relax, I've got it," he said, sitting on the floor, gently applying the ice to her bruise.
"Am I clumsy?" Eri said, frustrated. "I wanted to show you my new clothes, but I messed up."
"If you're clumsy, what are Kogoro and I? Super clumsy?" Hayashi Shuichi chuckled. "It happens to everyone. I nick my hands or burn myself cooking sometimes…"
(End of Chapter)
----------------------------------------
If you'd like to follow the story earlier than the public release, come join my Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/TripleCrown07
There, you can read up to 40 chapters in advance, enjoy exclusive content, and help support me to keep releasing chapters more regularly.
Thank you so much for your support and for being part of this journey! ❤️