Hearing Hikari's words and seeing Takahara Ren's puffed-up, angry expression, Tani Ichiro showed a look of panic.
After all, Hikari had witnessed everything with his own eyes. With no way to explain himself, Tani Ichiro suddenly moved closer to Hikari, "Hey, when grown-ups are handling business, since when is it your place, a little kid like you, to speak?"
"I was clearly just trying to reason with her. If you didn't see it, fine, but don't just spout nonsense. Get lost, get lost. I want to sleep. I don't feel like talking to you people!"
Tani Ichiro reached out, preparing to forcefully shove Hikari out of the room and end this dispute that he clearly had no moral ground in.
But the self-proclaimed adult's outstretched hand hadn't even touched Hikari before Hikari grabbed his arm in one swift motion.
"If you want to talk, then talk. Don't go around putting your hands on people, uncle. Sure enough, you say you're just reasoning with her, but actually you were trying to mo!est Miss Ren, weren't you? What a disgusting old man," As he spoke, Hikari slightly twisted the hand that was gripping Tani Ichiro's arm.
Crack!
The sound of a bone popping out of joint rang out along with a scream.
"Ahhhh!"
Tani Ichiro howled as the sharp pain shot through his right arm, stumbling backward again and again.
He stared in disbelief at Hikari, who had injured his arm with a single move.
"Kid… you… you…"
Tani Ichiro clutched his arm, glaring at Hikari through the pain, his face full of fury.
[Ding! The host has successfully stopped the NTR perpetrator Tani Ichiro from attempting to mo!est Takahara Ren, successfully promoting the spirit of pure love!]
[Reward obtained: Pure Love Points +50!]
Hearing the system's notification, Hikari looked calmly at Tani Ichiro, "What about me?"
Just as Tani Ichiro, burning with rage, seemed ready to lash out again while Hikari waited for him to make another move, a series of hurried footsteps came from the hallway.
"What happened here?"
Hikari turned his head and saw a mature, alluring figure appear at the doorway.
It was Madam Rurie. She must have heard the commotion just now and hurried over.
Seeing Hikari and Tani Ichiro facing off like drawn swords and cocked crossbows, Madam Rurie quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "If you have something to say, say it calmly. Don't start fighting in the house, alright? Ren, what exactly happened?"
Hearing Munakata Rurie's question, Takahara Ren quickly went to her side and explained, "Just now Mr. Tani got upset because I didn't prepare milk for him in advance. He said I was discriminating against him, and then he tried to touch me inappropriately. Hikari-kun saw it and helped stop him."
Takahara Ren briefly explained what had happened.
After hearing her explanation, Munakata Nakoto, who had come along and was standing behind Munakata Rurie, looked at Tani Ichiro with obvious contempt, then cast a somewhat surprised glance at Hikari.
But after hearing the whole story, there was no expression on Munakata Rurie's mature, beautiful face. She remained rather calm.
She turned her head slightly and asked Tani Ichiro, "Mr. Tani, is that what happened, as Ren said?"
Cold sweat formed on Tani Ichiro's forehead as he hurriedly shook his head, "N-No! That's not it! I did have a small complaint about Miss Ren, but I only wanted to reason with her. I never intended to do anything to her. She misunderstood! Madam, please don't misunderstand!"
Even though Munakata Rurie was a woman and always seemed gentle, she was still the mistress of the Munakata household, a noble lady of high status. Tani Ichiro still felt some fear toward her.
"I see," Munakata Rurie nodded, as if accepting his explanation, and didn't say anything more.
Seeing that she didn't continue the topic, Takahara Ren also found it difficult to pursue the matter further.
"Alright, it's getting late. Everyone tidy up and get ready for bed," Madam Rurie said with a smile after calming everyone's emotions a bit, displaying the demeanor of a proper hostess.
Hikari turned and walked out of Tani Ichiro's room, and the maid Takahara Ren quickly followed after him.
"Hikari-kun, wait!"
Seeing him about to leave, Takahara Ren hurried to catch up beside him.
"Miss Ren, what is it?", Hikari asked in confusion.
"N-Nothing. I just wanted to thank you, Hikari-kun. Thank you so much for just now," Takahara Ren said gratefully, lowering her head slightly.
"I've lived in the Munakata residence since I was little, taking care of Madam Rurie and Miss Nakoto's daily needs. I haven't really had much contact with men. When Tani suddenly came close like that just now, I was really scared. If Hikari-kun hadn't been there, I don't know what I would've done."
"So thank you, Hikari-kun. I'm really grateful," Takahara Ren bowed deeply to Hikari.
"It's nothing, really. Miss Ren helped open the door for me today too. Otherwise I might still be lost in the forest. So we just helped each other," Seeing her still bowing deeply, Hikari reached out and held her slender shoulders, helping her up.
"Oh right, Hikari-kun. Madam secretly asked me to tell you something just now," Takahara Ren suddenly said after expressing her gratitude.
"Hm? What is it?", Hikari asked curiously.
"Madam said she believes me, and she also thinks someone who did what Tani Ichiro just did isn't a good person. She doesn't want that kind of person teaching Miss Nakoto anymore."
"So she hopes that if you have time, Hikari-kun, you could replace him and handle all of Miss Nakoto's tutoring yourself," Takahara Ren explained.
"I see… I can't say how long I'll stay here, but if I have time, teaching Miss Nakoto shouldn't be a big problem," Hikari replied.
"Alright, thank you very much, Hikari-kun," Takahara Ren bowed to him again before hurrying away.
While the two of them were talking, Munakata Nakoto stood not far away, quietly watching them.
"Maybe… he can…"
Munakata Nakoto's emerald-green eyes flickered slightly as she silently murmured to herself, seemingly thinking something.
After Takahara Ren left, Hikari also noticed Munakata Nakoto's gaze and looked toward her.
Their eyes met, but Munakata Nakoto seemed faintly flustered. She quickly looked away and then turned and hurried off as well.
Hikari didn't think much of it and turned back toward his own room.
But at that moment, behind him, there was still another alluring gaze watching him.
Looking at Hikari's departing back, and at Tani Ichiro, who had said that Hikari injured him with a single move and was still crying out in pain, Munakata Rurie revealed a thoughtful look in her eyes, as if contemplating something.
Her seductive eyes remained fixed on Hikari until his tall figure completely disappeared into the darkness. Only then did she slowly withdraw her gaze.
At that moment, seeing Munakata Rurie smiling faintly, Tani Ichiro, whose arm still ached, couldn't help stepping forward to complain.
"Madam Rurie, I'm really sorry something like this happened in your home."
"But I truly didn't mean it. Ren had some prejudice against me, and that kid named Hikari also showed no respect to me as an adult, so things ended up like this."
"I really didn't have any bad intentions. Truly."
Hearing this, Munakata Rurie suddenly covered her mouth and chuckled, "Mr. Tani, don't you know that the more a person emphasizes something, the more it's exactly what they lack?"
"Ah?", Hearing her words, cold sweat immediately appeared on Tani Ichiro's forehead.
Because that single sentence from the beautiful noblewoman had struck directly at his heart.
As a wanted criminal who had embezzled public funds, how could he possibly be a good person? Tani Ichiro knew himself well. His mind was indeed full of bad intentions.
But he thought he had hidden it well. Could it be that this gorgeous noblewoman had already seen right through him?
Just as Tani Ichiro was sweating nervously and his legs even began trembling slightly, Madam Rurie suddenly smiled and said, "Oh my, Tani-kun, don't be so nervous. I was just joking."
"I believe Tani-kun isn't a bad person. The servants in the house do lack a bit of discipline."
"They actually offended a guest. I'm sorry about that, Mr. Tani."
"How about this. Later tonight, come to my room. I'll personally apologize to you, alright?"
Munakata Rurie spoke with a charming smile. Her fair oval face, flushed with a hint of red, was as gorgeous as a blooming peony.
"To your room, Madam Rurie?", Hearing her sudden change in tone, Tani Ichiro froze for a moment, not quite reacting yet.
"Yes, come to my room. What, Mr. Tani, are you unwilling?", Madam Rurie suddenly revealed a captivating smile.
Seeing that smile bloom on her mature and beautiful face like peach blossoms in full bloom, Tani Ichiro stared blankly for several seconds.
Then, finally coming back to his senses, his heart burning with excitement, he hurriedly nodded and stammered, "N-No, no! I'm willing! Of course I'm willing! How could I not be willing! I'm willing! I'm willing! I'll definitely come tonight!"
Seeing how excited he was, Madam Rurie smiled faintly and then turned to leave.
Watching her graceful steps and alluring figure sway as she walked away, Tani Ichiro swallowed several mouthfuls of saliva in a row, so excited he almost started dancing with joy. Even his twisted arm didn't feel as painful anymore.
"I knew it! That seven-colored light was the guidance of God. It led me to this happy mansion."
"Haha! What incredible luck! I'm really lucky!"
"Madam Rurie, I'll definitely satisfy you tonight!"
At that moment Tani Ichiro's emotions surged wildly with excitement.
He believed he had already vaguely guessed Munakata Rurie's intentions. Even though she said she was apologizing on behalf of the poorly disciplined servants, in reality she must have taken a liking to him, a mature and reliable man.
After all, Madam Rurie's husband had been dead for who knows how many years. Guarding such a huge mansion alone, she must be unbearably lonely.
Thinking about how he was about to enjoy such an unbelievably stunning mature noblewoman, Tani Ichiro couldn't help pitching a tent already.
"Better take a bath first, take a bath first."
"Hehehe!"
Humming a cheerful little tune, Tani Ichiro walked into the bathroom.
———
Meanwhile, after stopping Tani Ichiro's NTR behavior and saving Takahara Ren, Hikari planned to return to his room to rest.
But just before he entered, he was suddenly blocked by a slender figure.
"Miss Nakoto, why are you standing here blocking the door?", Hikari asked with confusion as he looked at the graceful figure standing in front of his room.
Every previous time they had met, Munakata Nakoto's eyes had faintly shown hostility and dislike.
But this time, standing in front of Hikari's door, her expression was friendlier than ever before.
The cute twin-tailed girl spoke in a very gentle and friendly tone, lowering her voice and pleading softly with Hikari.
"Hikari-kun, there's something I want to discuss with you. Could you come to my room for a moment? Please."
"Hm? Another problem you can't solve and need help with?", Hikari asked, puzzled.
"N-No… that's not it. There's something very important I want to tell you. Please!", Munakata Nakoto clasped her hands together, her tone humble, even using honorific speech.
Seeing the serious look on her little face, Hikari thought about it for a moment and nodded, "Alright. Let's go."
Munakata Nakoto's face lit up with joy as she quickly led Hikari toward her room.
Hikari followed behind her, entering her room once again.
The first time he had tutored her, Munakata Nakoto had appeared gentle and well-behaved outside, but the moment they entered the room she changed her face like a Sichuan opera performer, instantly acting like a spoiled and unreasonable young lady.
But since Hikari had expected that, he wasn't particularly surprised.
This time, however, the moment Munakata Nakoto entered the room, her attitude changed again.
But this time, Hikari was actually a bit surprised.
"Hikari-kun! I'm sorry!"
"My attitude toward you before was terrible, and I even insulted you in all kinds of ways. That was all my fault."
"I'm sorry, Hikari-kun! I hope you can forgive Nakoto!"
Not only did she apologize verbally, but the moment they entered the room and the door closed, Munakata Nakoto dropped to her knees on the carpet. Her full, rounded hips slightly raised, she bent forward deeply, her hands overlapping in front of her, her forehead pressed against the back of her hands.
She was actually apologizing to Hikari in an extremely humble dogeza position, completely serious and sincere.
Seeing Munakata Nakoto suddenly "perform such a grand gesture" of apology, even Hikari couldn't help being a little stunned.
Listening to her apology, still somewhat bewildered, he waved his hand and said, "It's fine, it's fine. I didn't take what you said earlier to heart anyway. Alright, get up."
After receiving Hikari's forgiveness, Munakata Nakoto slowly stood up from the ground. Because she had moved too quickly, her well-developed chest was still swaying slightly.
"Miss Nakoto, what exactly do you want to say?", Seeing her gently patting her reddened knees, Hikari knew she must have something she wanted to tell him.
Otherwise, how could this young lady who had glared at him coldly before suddenly kneel the moment she entered the room? That was definitely abnormal.
Hearing Hikari's question, Munakata Nakoto opened her mouth as if certain words were about to come out.
But after hesitating for a moment, she first explained, "Hikari-kun, please don't be nervous. The reason I apologized so formally is because I've always felt guilty toward you."
"Nakoto truly apologizes. I really didn't have any hostility toward you before, Hikari-kun. I only misunderstood you, and I was also protecting myself."
"Hm? What do you mean by that?", Hikari asked, confused.
Munakata Nakoto said to him, "Hikari-kun, there was another reason why I deliberately treated you so badly before."
"In truth, I've never disliked you, Hikari-kun. The reason I kept showing a distant and hateful attitude, like I didn't want to get close to you, was something I had no choice but to do."
Seeing that her attitude was completely different from her previously spoiled demeanor, Hikari grew interested and asked, "So why exactly did you do that?"
Munakata Nakoto said in a low voice, "Before answering that question, I want to ask you something first, Hikari-kun."
"What question?"
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