After leaving Seika Girls' Academy.
Rai Hikaru figured he'd hit a hotel.
But nah—better sort the apartment mess first, then scoop up Shino Miyama Natsuka.
Her place was probably still a disaster zone.
Decision made, Rai Hikaru hailed a cab to Showa Apartments.
...
Showa Apartments, third floor.
Manager Takahashi pounded on Yukina Fuyuno's door nonstop.
"Open up! Yukina Fuyuno, open this damn door!"
"You got the balls to owe rent, but not to face me?!"
Behind the deadbolted door, Yukina Fuyuno snapped back furiously. "Rai-kun already covered the back rent! I'm square!"
Takahashi kept hammering, bellowing. "Yeah, the kid ponied up two months."
"But you know late fees stack monthly? Contract says 10% per month!"
"20k total—cough it up, and I'm gone!"
Ever since failing to bully Yukina Fuyuno and eating Rai Hikaru's fists...
Takahashi had sulked a bit. But her killer curves and stunning face haunted his nights—tossing, turning, hard as rock.
Today? New excuse: interest. Here to press.
Widow like her? No cash flow. Couldn't scrape 20k.
Work the angle right, he'd taste paradise!
Contract in hand, he rushed over.
"Rent's paid—interest later!"
Yukina Fuyuno caved, reluctant reply.
Takahashi sneered. "Heh! Broke as hell, huh, Miss Yukina? That kid face-saved for you—fattened wallet or not."
"Even if he could, why keep bankrolling your ass?"
Yukina Fuyuno raged. "Rai-kun's a good man—not scum like you!"
"He's not bankrolling—just loaned it. Get lost!"
Takahashi laughed cold. "Heh, loan? Stingy punk."
"Won't hold it against ya, Miss Yukina."
"Here's the deal: invite me in for tea, we negotiate interest. Or I call breakers to smash the door!"
Yukina Fuyuno snarled. "You wouldn't dare!"
Snow woman or not, she was boiling—power slipping control.
Takahashi's hand on the door iced over bone-chill. He yanked back.
"Frostbite feel? Nah, imagination."
He shook it off, demanding entry again.
Yukina Fuyuno itched to fling the door, thrash the Rai-hater...
But Rai Hikaru's words stuck: if Takahashi bugs you, don't open. Call me.
"Right—call Rai-kun!" Eyes lit, she whipped out her phone.
Finger hit dial...
Familiar voice boomed outside. "You again at Miss Yukina's door? What the hell?"
Yukina Fuyuno beamed, pocketing the phone—door flew open.
"Rai-kun!!!"
Gazing at his handsome face, she squealed joyfully.
"Miss Yukina." Rai Hikaru grinned back.
Ignored like air—her ignoring his yells all day, now flinging wide for him?
Takahashi gnashed teeth to shards.
He crashed their reunion, venomous. "My business—what's it to you, punk?"
"Here for late fees—legal as fuck, got it?"
He waved the contract.
Then backpedaled—bracing for punches.
Rai Hikaru ignored him, sidling to Yukina Fuyuno—got the rundown.
"He banged the door 30 minutes, demanding 20k interest."
Their spat drew tenants—hallway crowd formed.
Eyes on him, Takahashi swaggered. Public stage—no way he swings!
He sneered at Rai Hikaru. "Damn right! Miss Yukina owes 20k interest. What—you covering again? Got the dough? Nah!"
Yukina Fuyuno opened to say no more trouble—she'd handle it—but Rai Hikaru hushed her.
To Takahashi: "Yeah, can't pay."
"But no need. Interest waived."
Takahashi barked. "What kinda bullshit?!"
"Not just interest—that purple palace tenant's pad? You trashed it! Caught on hall cams last night!"
"Interest and repairs—on you!"
Rai Hikaru cool. "Not your lane. I said—waived."
Takahashi cut in before more. "My lane! I'm the manager!"
Rai Hikaru: "Cleared it with owner—Principal Kōroku Rika. Miss Yukina's rent, Shino Miyama Natsuka's fixes? Off your plate."
Tenants blinked—Kōroku Rika? The hands-off landlord? Some didn't even know.
Takahashi paused, then scoffed. "Heard the name somewhere? Think dropping a principal scares me?"
As manager, he knew her: elite heiress, power player. No way this high-schooler connected.
Rai Hikaru pulled Kōroku Rika's ownership docs—tossed 'em. "See for yourself."
Takahashi fumbled the catch, eyes bugging. "Th-this... Showa deeds?!"
Crowd gawked at the fresh-faced kid—linked to that tycoon babe?
Takahashi shook it off, stubborn. "No way a high-schooler gets Principal Kōroku Rika's okay. She wouldn't hand apartment reins to punk like you."
"Fake—stolen!"
Murmurs echoed the doubt—too wild.
But as Takahashi dug in...
Rai Hikaru dialed, voice light. "Principal Kōroku Rika—Manager Takahashi won't buy it. Says docs stolen."
Phone blared haughty ice-queen timbre: "Put him on. I'll handle."