"Makoto, darling! This year's Valentine's chocolate!"
"Look forward to next year's too!"
Ran had barely walked out the door when, right in front of Akemi's dumbstruck face, superstar Okino Yoko came bounding straight into Makoto's arms.
Her whole face was a cloying pout, every bit the Coy and Calculating act.
"Here, for you!"
Makoto popped the trunk and pulled out the third bouquet of roses.
"Wow, such pretty flowers!"
"Yoko is so, so happy!"
Okino Yoko's words and gestures turned even more Coy and Calculating on the spot.
"All right, I know you've got a variety show tonight, better hurry along."
Makoto gave her a firm swat.
Smack!
"You're so bad!"
Okino Yoko fled at once, her face bashful and blushing.
"You..."
"You know Okino Yoko?"
Akemi stepped out from the corner, still wearing a dazed expression, not yet recovered from her shock.
A red-hot star, crowned the "National Girlfriend"—and Okino Yoko, of all people, was on such intimate terms with this guy.
That tone, that manner—she was practically his kept mistress!
But didn't he already have an incredibly cute girlfriend?
"You saw all that?"
Makoto asked.
"Obviously!"
"You two were talking so loud, it was impossible not to notice."
Akemi shot back.
Today alone, she'd already taken ten thousand points of critical damage.
And just now, another ten thousand!
"You heard me and Ran talking about Sonoko too?"
Makoto pressed on.
"Hmph, scumbag!"
"How many girls does it actually take to satisfy you?"
The look Akemi gave him grew even more contemptuous.
Lured in by Mizunashi Rena's looks, joining the Black Organization that did nothing but evil.
The first time he'd ever met her, he'd already been putting his hands where they didn't belong, trying to take things further.
And now, even with a girlfriend, he was still getting tangled up with her best friend.
His girlfriend had barely left, and already a beautiful young superstar mistress had shown up right behind her.
Just how much of a scumbag could one man be?
Woman after woman, endlessly.
"No, you've got it wrong!"
Makoto shook his head.
"Wrong?"
"I saw it all, heard it all. What could I possibly have wrong?"
Akemi nearly laughed out loud.
As if he could talk his way out of this.
"These days, it's genuinely hard for a guy to like a girl, to be in a relationship."
"Meals, cab fare, clothes, shoes, booking hotels, breaking a sweat over every little thing."
"Valentine's Day, Christmas, birthdays, New Year's...every holiday, every important date, you need an extra gift and a carefully planned date."
Saying this, Makoto sighed helplessly, his face heavy with melancholy, brimming with deep concern for his suffering fellow men.
"The reason I know so many girls is that I want to help shoulder the burden for other guys."
"With great power comes great responsibility!"
"I have the money, the time, the energy. It's only right that I take on more of the responsibility."
"Every girl is a free person. No one can own another person. I'm just looking after them for their future husbands, temporarily."
Stunned!
Akemi was completely stunned.
For a moment, she genuinely had no idea what to say.
"So basically, you're not actually planning to get married at all?"
The corner of her mouth twitched as she demanded, dumbfounded.
"True love is priceless. It can't be measured by a piece of paper, a marriage certificate!"
Makoto said, completely straight-faced.
"You..."
Akemi opened her mouth to speak, then stopped herself, and finally shut the door weakly and retreated to her own room.
Knock knock knock!
Before long, a knock sounded at her door.
"Higashino Makoto-san, who has long maintained improper relationships with numerous women!"
"What do you want?"
Akemi asked, frowning.
That guy's image in her mind had already sunk from rock bottom straight into the abyss.
She had never once met a bigger scumbag than Higashino Makoto in her life!
Creak!
The door swung open gently, and what greeted her was...
A huge bunch of fresh flowers!
Bright red roses, giving off a faint fragrance, held out right in front of her.
"T-this is..."
Just as no woman could refuse a diamond, no woman could hate a bouquet of roses either.
Surprise flickered in Akemi's eyes, tinged with a touch of panic.
For a moment, she had no idea what to do.
"For you!"
Makoto said with a smile.
Back at the flower shop, on the surface, he'd only bought two bouquets.
One for Ran, one for Sonoko.
In reality, he'd bought five, with three more hidden away in the trunk.
Better safe than sorry!
A man with this much responsibility on his shoulders had to prepare more gifts than an ordinary man on every important occasion.
Even for something as simple as roses, he'd bought five whole bouquets.
And later, he still had to deliver one more to Mizunashi Rena!
"You think this is going to make me..."
Before Akemi could finish spitting out her scornful reply, she froze, stunned into complete silence.
Her innocent, lovely face just stared blankly as the scumbag crouched down and fished a heart-shaped chocolate out of the trash can.
He ate it!
Ate it with obvious relish, not the least bit put off.
"It's actually pretty good. Why'd you throw it out?"
Makoto gritted his teeth, forcing himself to look composed.
Starting tomorrow, and clear through next year's Valentine's Day, he never wanted to see chocolate again.
…
…
Higashino Makoto — Protagonist. Transmigrated.
Miyano Akemi — Miyano Shiho's older sister. Series: Detective Conan.
Mouri Ran — Shinichi's childhood sweetheart. Series: Detective Conan.
Okino Yoko — Idol. Series: Detective Conan.
...
...
I apologize for making you guys wait. I have a situation to deal with.
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