Hayashi Shuichi was engrossed in touching Eri's foot until her soft moan snapped him out of it.
Damn, am I awakening another weird fetish? His past life's exposure to questionable books—like that one about airline stewardesses or immortality techniques—had led him astray. Curse you, Uncle Liu!
He quickly released her foot. Turning, he saw Eri biting her lip, face flushed, eyes sultry. "Shuichi…"
"I'll get you ice water," he said, bolting to the kitchen, hunched over to hide his reaction. Gotta cool down before I mess up.
"…Coward," Eri muttered. Realizing her own thoughts, she buried her burning face in the sofa, embarrassed.
In the kitchen, Hayashi Shuichi chugged two glasses of ice water, lingering until he calmed down. Checking himself, he returned with a glass for Eri.
Seeing her sprawled on the sofa, his gaze drifted to her long, fair legs and delicate feet. What's wrong with me today? It's not like spring's here, stirring up mating season…
"Eri, drink some water," he coughed, setting the glass on the table. "It's getting late. I'll head to the izakaya. Stay home tonight."
"No, I'm going!" Eri tried to stand.
"Your knee's injured," he said, holding her back.
"It's just a small injury," she insisted, standing and limping a few steps. "See? I'm fine."
Unable to stop her, he sighed, turned, and crouched. "Hop on."
Eri hesitated, then climbed onto his back, blushing.
As he carried her out of the apartment, she giggled suddenly.
"What's funny?" he asked.
"That story you told me," she laughed. "The one about Zhu Bajie carrying his wife."
Hayashi Shuichi groaned, realizing he'd walked into her trap. Her laughter grew as he admitted to being the "pig."
Outside, their position drew stares. Thick-skinned, Hayashi Shuichi didn't care, but Eri, embarrassed, pressed her face into his shoulder. "What if classmates see us?"
"So what? Your knee's hurt. Me carrying you is normal," he said.
"You know what I mean," she huffed. Noticing his silence, she tilted her head, about to get mad, but softened seeing sweat on his forehead. "Shuichi, put me down."
"Almost at the izakaya," he replied.
Eri pulled a tissue from her pocket, wiping his sweat. "Sorry, I'm being stubborn, making you work so hard…"
"No big deal. At the izakaya, you'll work for me," he teased. "I'll squeeze every bit of labor out of you to make up for this."
Laughing, they reached the Mouri residence. As he prepared to set her down to unlock the izakaya, Reiko appeared with Wangcai. "Onii-chan, what's…"
"Eri hurt her knee and can't walk," he explained. "Reiko, grab the izakaya key from my pocket."
"Okay," Reiko nodded obediently.
Inside, Reiko fumed as Hayashi Shuichi, sweating, carried Eri. When Eri shot her a provocative smile, Reiko's anger flared. That smug woman! Already upset about Eri trying to take her brother abroad, this display pushed her over the edge. But with Hayashi Shuichi there, she could only glare.
What did I do now? Eri frowned, confused. Having watched Reiko grow up, she knew much of their tension stemmed from Hayashi Shuichi. After their kiss, thinking of their future, she'd smiled to ease things with Reiko. Yet, the girl's face darkened, glaring back.
Eri, no pushover, glared in return.
Unaware of their silent standoff, Hayashi Shuichi set Eri on the counter seat, relieved. "Eri, have you gained weight? I don't remember carrying you being this tiring."
"You're the heavy one!" Eri snapped. "My weight's perfectly stable."
"Onii-chan, water," Reiko said sweetly, handing him a glass and wiping his sweat with a handkerchief. Smirking at Eri, she added, "Eri-nee isn't heavy. Your sweat's just from the hot weather."
That little brat's being snarky! Eri clenched her fists.
Hayashi Shuichi sensed the tension and changed the subject to avoid worsening their rift. "Reiko, did you eat lunch properly? No snacking only?"
"Don't worry, Onii-chan, I ate well," Reiko said shyly. "Unlike Eri-nee, I don't gain weight easily. I'd hate for you to sweat carrying me!"
As Eri's face darkened, Hayashi Shuichi pinched Reiko's cheek. "Enough, Reiko! I chose to carry Eri."
"I'm not blaming Eri-nee," Reiko said, feigning innocence. "I know her work at the izakaya is crucial. Only she can handle the accounts with basic math. Too bad our elementary math skills aren't up to par…"
(End of Chapter)
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