"Maybe it looked bad but wasn't serious," Hayashi Shuichi said with a smile. "I don't need more ointment."
"Alright, I'll take it back then," Orisaka Midori nodded. Seeing his arm healed, she thanked him and left confidently.
"Onii-chan, she's pretty, huh?" Reiko said with a knowing tone.
"Midori's good-looking, sure," Hayashi Shuichi replied, noticing the three girls glaring at him. "We're just acquaintances. What's wrong with stating facts?"
"Onii-chan sure meets pretty girls everywhere," Reiko huffed.
"No matter how pretty others are, they don't compare to you three," he said. "That's the truth too."
Eri and Yukiko, unused to such direct praise, blushed. Reiko, accustomed to her brother's flattery, was unfazed.
But eyeing the embarrassed Eri and Yukiko, Reiko's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Onii-chan, who's prettier, Eri-nee or Yukiko-nee?"
"This…" Hayashi Shuichi started, feeling two sharp gazes on him. Both girls awaited his answer.
He shot Reiko a frustrated look. What kind of deadly question is this?
Heh. Reiko grinned, recalling the Greek myth of the golden apple, fought over by goddesses to be named the fairest. She didn't believe Eri and Yukiko wouldn't clash over this. Once they're both out, Onii-chan's all mine…
Giggling to herself, Reiko's plan seemed perfect.
After a pause, Hayashi Shuichi spoke. "The prettiest girl in the izakaya right now…"
Eri and Yukiko watched him tensely, but he continued, "…is my adorable little sister, Reiko! So cute as a kid, you'll be a stunner when you grow up!"
"Really?" Reiko blinked, thrilled. I'm the prettiest in Onii-chan's eyes! But then she realized he'd dodged her question about Eri and Yukiko, spotting his sly smirk.
Before she could speak, Yukiko fumed, "That little brat's prettier than me?"
"Your taste is questionable!" Eri added, displeased.
"I am prettier than you two!" Reiko retorted, knowing her brother was deflecting but unable to resist.
The izakaya erupted in bickering. Hayashi Shuichi sighed, stuffed tissue in his ears, and focused on prepping ingredients.
The three argued fruitlessly until Mouri Kogoro walked in with a baseball bat. "Sounds lively out here. What's up?"
"Mouri-kun!" Yukiko bit out. "Me, glasses girl, or this kid—who's prettiest?"
"Huh?" Kogoro blinked. "What?"
"Who's prettiest!" Eri clenched her fist. "Think carefully."
"Kogoro-niisan, it's me, right?" Reiko smiled sweetly.
"Uh…" Kogoro hesitated, eyeing their distinct beauty. "You must've asked Shuichi too, right? I'll go with his answer!"
"Haha, I win!" Reiko bounced gleefully.
"What?" Kogoro froze. "Shuichi said…"
"Onii-chan said I'm the prettiest!" Reiko boasted, hands on hips.
"What kind of taste…" Kogoro muttered. To him, Reiko was cute but immature compared to Eri and Yukiko's beauty.
"Enough!" Hayashi Shuichi flicked Reiko's forehead. "Eat. We're opening soon."
It was a busy Saturday night. The four were swamped, eventually pulling Reiko downstairs to serve.
By 10 p.m., the place was packed. Yukiko's parents, faces half-hidden by sunglasses and hats, entered but found no seats.
"Didn't expect the izakaya to be this busy," Mrs. Fujimine said, surprised. "I thought a kids' shop would just break even."
"Lin-kun's got skills," Mr. Fujimine nodded approvingly. "Even if he doesn't become a cop or detective, Yukiko won't struggle with him."
"Kousuke," a middle-aged man with them asked, eyeing the counter, "that's Lin Shuichi? Kinda young."
"He's Yukiko's classmate, just started high school," Mr. Fujimine said. "He solved the Miyagi case last night and told Yukiko. He can definitely help with your issue."
"Hope so…" the man sighed. For over half a year, he'd sought help from police and detectives with no results.
Yukiko spotted her parents and rushed over. "Mom, Dad, no seats yet. Wait a bit, someone'll leave soon."
She set out stools for them. Mrs. Fujimine wanted to ask about her work but Yukiko hurried back to the counter.
"She's never this diligent at home," Mrs. Fujimine huffed.
"She's working, can't slack off," Mr. Fujimine defended. "We shouldn't have come to distract her."
"Not check on her? What if she's being fooled?" Mrs. Fujimine glared. "Kids today are bolder than we were. I don't want to be a grandma too soon!"
(End of Chapter)
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