"An omen of misfortune!" Yukiko watched the milky white melted ice cream trickle down her fingers, her expression turning increasingly grim.
"You really weren't wrong about one thing; you are indeed unlucky enough today." Yabuuchi Hiromi hurriedly took out a tissue to help her best friend wipe her hands.
"Hey, Hiromi," Yukiko suddenly asked, "If Fukuda Hidekazu took advantage of your absence to find another woman, what would you do?"
"What else could I do? I'd break all three of his legs!" A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Yabuuchi Hiromi's eyes as she clenched her fists and sneered. "Do you think we Gunma women are easily bullied?"
"Well said!" Yukiko waved her hand vigorously, the fighting spirit reigniting in her eyes. "I'm going to find the director right now to ask for leave. I definitely have to go back to Beika and demand an explanation!"
"Huh?" Yabuuchi Hiromi's mouth hung open, completely dumbfounded. "Yukiko, just because of some wild paranoia, you're planning to go back to Beika? Why don't you just give Hayashi-kun a call first?"
"Hmph, if I call in advance, that guy will be prepared." Yukiko crossed her arms over her chest, her face full of stubborn determination. "Anyway, the production crew doesn't need me tomorrow. It's decided! I'm going back to Beika tonight!"
After more than two hours of strenuous effort by the firefighters, the fire at the Beika Library was finally extinguished.
The air around the library was filled with the pungent smell of burning and water vapor. The entire five-story building had been essentially swallowed by the fierce flames; the outer walls were scorched black, and gray smoke was still rising from some areas.
The book collection inside had also been destroyed in this act of arson, leaving only charred, black pages scattered everywhere.
The only fortunate thing was that there were no casualties.
Kisaki Eri stood in front of the library, looking at the scene of devastation with a dejected expression. "Ever since my mom brought me here to read in the first grade, I've been coming here often. It's been over ten years... I didn't expect the library to be burned down by that bastard just like that!"
By the end of her sentence, the girl had grit her teeth, her face filled with anger.
"Out with the old, in with the new," Hayashi Shuichi gently patted the girl on the shoulder. "The government will definitely rebuild the library later. Let's go; it's time to head back."
"...Mn." Kisaki Eri nodded. She took a few lingering looks at the library, as if to carve this once-familiar place into her heart, before following Hayashi Shuichi into the police car.
In front of the Mouri family's small building.
As soon as he stepped out of the police car, Hayashi Shuichi saw his little cousin sitting on the steps with a dark scowl on her small face.
She was swinging her legs, her chin resting in her hands, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction and grievance.
"Didn't you say this little girl wasn't coming back until tonight?" Kisaki Eri gently nudged her childhood friend with her elbow.
"How was I supposed to know why she came back early..." Hayashi Shuichi shook his head in depression.
He had originally planned to take advantage of his cousin's absence to get intimate with Kisaki Eri again, but that plan was obviously ruined now.
Reiko, seeing her brother, immediately trotted over. "Big Brother, where did you go yesterday?"
Hayashi Shuichi opened his mouth to speak, but his little cousin immediately reminded him with an unhappy expression, "You promised never to lie to me."
"...Eri and I went to Moon Shadow Island yesterday," Hayashi Shuichi had no choice but to tell the truth.
Kisaki Eri rolled her eyes and walked past the two of them with a speechless look, heading toward the izakaya.
Reiko huffed at her retreating back, then kept her sullen little face turned toward her brother, staring at him without a word.
"Alright, alright, I know I was wrong," Hayashi Shuichi hurriedly picked his little cousin up. "It was my fault. I should have taken you with me, okay?"
"Big Brother, you actually left me behind to go out and play by yourself?" Reiko looked at him suspiciously. "You and Sister Eri... nothing happened between the two of you on that Moon Shadow Island, right?"
"What could have happened?" Hayashi Shuichi shrugged helplessly. "Since you know about this, you must have seen the news already, right?"
"Mn," the little cousin nodded. "We saw your interview on TV while eating lunch at home. Mom and Dad even praised you."
"The news should have mentioned the Moon Shadow Island incident. We went there yesterday at noon and took a police boat back in the middle of the night," Hayashi Shuichi asked innocently. "Even if I wanted something to happen, there wasn't any time."
"It's best if nothing happened." Reiko wrapped her arms around her brother's neck and nuzzled his cheek affectionately. "Big Brother, you are not allowed to leave me alone and go out to play in the future."
"Deal!" Hayashi Shuichi laughed, spinning her around in his arms, a doting smile on his face. "From now on, wherever I go, I'll take you, little rascal, with me!"
Only then did the little cousin smile happily, revealing two cute little canine teeth. "In a few more years, I won't be a little rascal anymore."
"Can you get down now?" Hayashi Shuichi wanted to put his sister down, but she continued to cling to his neck.
"No. I haven't seen Big Brother for two days. Hold me a little longer."
Hayashi Shuichi had no choice but to carry the girl into the izakaya.
Upon seeing Kisaki Eri, Reiko immediately let out a soft humph as a demonstration of dominance.
If it were before, Kisaki Eri would have certainly glared back in annoyance. But now, she only felt that this little girl was childish. She didn't even bother to turn her face fully, merely tilting her head slightly with a look of disdain in her eyes.
Reiko looked at Kisaki Eri, then looked at Hayashi Shuichi, her small face filled with confusion. "Big Brother, did really nothing happen between you and Sister Eri?"
"Didn't you just ask that question?" Hayashi Shuichi said with a slightly guilty conscience. "Why ask it again?"
"Sister Eri isn't acting right," Reiko said, crinkling her small nose. "Her heart is so small; seeing me provoke her, her reaction shouldn't be this dull..."
"You brat, who are you saying has a small heart!" Kisaki Eri glared at the little cousin grumpily, then looked at Hayashi Shuichi and said, "I'm hungry."
"I'll go cook right now," Hayashi Shuichi nodded. Seeing that his sister still refused to get down from his arms, he could only remind her helplessly, "Neither of us has eaten lunch."
If only Kisaki Eri were starving, Reiko would definitely have continued to cling to him. But hearing that her brother hadn't eaten either, the little cousin reluctantly let go, her face showing her unwillingness.
After placing her on the ground, Hayashi Shuichi went to the counter to prepare dinner.
Reiko found a chair and sat down, propping her chin on one hand, her gaze fixed tightly on her brother's childhood friend.
Kisaki Eri frowned slightly and asked in an unpleasant tone, "Why do you keep staring at me?"
"You've been a bit strange these past few days," Reiko looked her up and down suspiciously, her gaze gradually moving from Eri's face down to her chest. "Could it be that those got bigger?"
(End of Chapter)
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!