Kyoto, Station.
The four-day, three-night school trip had officially come to an end today. Well, not entirely, because after returning, they still had to write a reflection on this trip. However, this was familiar territory for students, and they could just muddle through it casually.
The relationship crisis of the riajuu group was also resolved following Ebina's "no romance" declaration. Although Shinra felt this wasn't even a crisis—if rejecting a confession could break up the riajuu group, then their relationship was only so-so, not worth pitying at all.
But what the client thinks is the client's business. Shinra only needed to handle things well and get the wish-power points he deserved.
Sitting on the return train, Shinra stuffed his luggage onto the overhead rack. Compared to the half-empty suitcase before, Shinra's suitcase was now packed full.
It contained nothing else but Kyoto specialty souvenirs he bought with Yukino at the shop yesterday.
Yukino bought souvenirs for her parents, while Shinra bought them for Uncle Li, Mai, Rio, and some business partners. By the way, Miura Yumiko's father was also among them.
Of course, he couldn't forget Haruno. Although Shinra had already ordered a large batch of 'souvenirs' for Haruno online, bringing souvenirs back personally showed more sincerity.
When Haruno received those gifts Shinra bought online and thought he wouldn't bring her any souvenirs, he would take out a carefully prepared souvenir. Wouldn't her favorability skyrocket?
Lowering expectations first, then surprising—these are tired old routines.
But routines become routines because they are effective, enduring, and tried-and-true.
"Need help?"
After putting away his luggage, Shinra looked at Kawasaki Saki dragging a somewhat worn suitcase beside him and asked.
"...Trouble you."
Kawasaki Saki tried to lift it and found that with her strength alone, it was indeed difficult to put the luggage on the rack. After hesitating, she chose to accept Shinra's kindness.
Anyway, she owed him so much already; this little bit didn't matter.
Holding this thought, Kawasaki Saki handed her suitcase to Shinra.
Speaking of which, the reason Kawasaki Saki couldn't lift the suitcase was largely due to Shinra. Besides the souvenirs she bought for her family, her luggage also contained gifts Shinra bought for her younger siblings.
Kawasaki Saki didn't know about these things initially. It wasn't until packing this morning that Shinra found an excuse to call her out alone and handed the prepared gifts to her.
At first, Kawasaki Saki refused, but Shinra rendered her speechless with just one sentence.
—This is for Taishi (younger brother) and Keika (younger sister), not for you.
The implication was that these were gifts from Shinra to her siblings, not to Kawasaki Saki. Therefore, Kawasaki Saki was not qualified to refuse on behalf of her siblings. Even if they really didn't want them, Taishi and Keika had to refuse face to face.
But the problem was Taishi and Keika were in Chiba; how could they run over to refuse face to face?
It was just an excuse to shut Kawasaki Saki up.
Moreover, although Shinra said these were not gifts for Kawasaki Saki, he knew very well that for a bro-con and sis-con like Kawasaki Saki, preparing gifts for her siblings was ten thousand times more useful than preparing gifts for her.
Just learn from it; one learns, one silences.
After helping Kawasaki Saki arrange the luggage, Shinra clapped his hands.
"Thank you, um..." Kawasaki Saki still felt Shinra buying gifts for her siblings was somewhat inappropriate.
But Shinra anticipated Kawasaki Saki's move and pointed like a husky:
"Eh—again? Don't say it, close that small mouth."
You, Kawasaki Saki, are so pretty; won't you allow him to farm some favorability?
Outrageous!
Seeing Shinra like this, Kawasaki Saki had no choice but to swallow the words she wanted to say, feeling inexplicably sweet inside.
The seating arrangement on the return train wasn't as particular as when they came. There were many empty seats in their class's carriage. Almost every now and then, people would swap seats to chat. Perhaps feeling the school trip was ending, everyone's desire to talk was unprecedentedly high, seeming to want to say everything they wanted to say during this tail end; otherwise, there would be no chance later.
Thanks to this, there was almost no quiet time along the way; it was extremely noisy.
To this, Shinra could only say they thought too much. After all, although the school trip is also called a graduation trip, it's not really graduation. After resting for a day, everyone would meet again in the classroom; couldn't escape even if they wanted to.
"Yumiko, don't rush to leave after getting off later. I have something for you." Shinra found Miura Yumiko and said straight to the point.
"Something for me?" Miura Yumiko was curious, "Can I ask what it is?"
"Mm, souvenirs for Uncle and Auntie. Thinking of asking you to help bring them back later." Shinra said.
Because there was only one day of rest after the school trip, Shinra wasn't sure if he could attend to Miura Yumiko's side after visiting Uncle Li and Mai.
Lacking the ability to be in two places at once.
"Eh! Souvenirs! For my parents?!"
Hearing this, Miura Yumiko immediately showed a surprised expression.
Shinra bringing souvenirs for her parents, what did this mean?
This was treating her as one of his own. What is 'one of his own'? In ancient times, it meant wife, family.
If reason didn't tell Miura Yumiko that Shinra bringing souvenirs was most likely because her father was his partner and subordinate, not because of herself, Yumiko would probably have started imagining the name of their first child.
"Mm, not expensive, just a token of my regard." Shinra explained.
"Regard is enough!" The smile on Miura Yumiko's face couldn't stop. Although brought for her parents, who could guarantee there wasn't a token of regard for her in it?
Most importantly, Shinra brought souvenirs for her parents; did he bring souvenirs for Yukino's parents?
What? You say he brought them for Yukino's sister.
Hehe, can that be the same?
Win!
"By the way!" Miura Yumiko suddenly remembered her independent apartment was renovated. Why not take this opportunity to invite Shinra to her house as a guest?
"I'm preparing a housewarming party in my new home. Can you come?" Miura Yumiko invited generously.
"No problem." Shinra knew about Miura Yumiko wanting to live alone, but didn't expect her action to be so strong, moving out already.
Obviously still worrying about how to persuade her father last month, but found a house and renovated it this month?
Since Miura Yumiko was moving out, her wish-power commission should be unlockable, right?
Shinra opened the commission bar and checked the wish-power commission about Miura Yumiko, but it still displayed 'Locked'.
...Okay, knew it wasn't that easy.
Actually, regarding how to unlock Miura Yumiko's wish-power commission, Shinra already had some guesses. It definitely wasn't as simple as letting her move out, but not too difficult either; it was actually related to himself.
"When exactly?" Shinra asked.
Miura Yumiko thought for a moment and said: "Moving tomorrow... how about next Saturday?"
Because just moving, plus it was the first time Miura Yumiko lived away from parents for a long time, she needed an adaptation period.
Moreover, entertaining Shinra also required some preparation. She tried hard to find a way to move out and invite people over; it couldn't be just for inviting the other party to a housewarming party, right?
Miura Yumiko felt she should find a reason to invite Shinra to her house from time to time after the housewarming party.
Mm... studying?
Would it be too ordinary? Besides, Miura Yumiko's academic performance wasn't bad, and she was very hardworking. Although not comparable to Yukino, she could occasionally enter the top ten in the grade, a proper top student.
Using this reason felt a bit... artificial?
Forget it, talk about reasons later.
Miura Yumiko shook her head. As the saying goes, the boat will straighten when it reaches the bridge; take one step at a time.
"Saturday... I got it. I'll come then."
Shinra thought about the schedule for that day, found no obvious conflict, and agreed directly. Then he asked casually: "Who else will be there that day?"
This question stumped Miura Yumiko directly. She only thought about pulling Shinra over first and didn't consider who else to invite besides Shinra.
If possible, Miura Yumiko actually only wanted Shinra to come alone. But the problem was although she was a love dump truck, it didn't mean she was a silly sweet girl who only knew to give herself away.
Calling it a housewarming party but only inviting Shinra alone, the intention was too obvious.
Sometimes one should be direct, but sometimes one should also show some reserve.
Therefore, after pondering for a moment, Miura Yumiko replied: "There should be Yui and Ebina too. Probably just this many for now. Hayama and the others... you know about Ebina's matter, so better not."
Actually, even without Ebina's matter, Miura Yumiko didn't plan to invite Hayama and the others. Even if inviting, it would be in the name of the group, not her personal name.
This housewarming party was a small gathering initiated in her personal name. Unless necessary, Miura Yumiko wouldn't invite other opposite sex besides Shinra.
"I see... then just contact me when the time comes." Shinra nodded, indicating he would attend on time.
While the two were chatting, the train began to broadcast the arrival announcement.
Tokyo Station arrived.
After getting off, under the arrangement of teachers, students did the final headcount. After confirming the number was correct, teachers said things like 'be safe on the way back', 'remember to finish homework on time', and then announced the team dismissed.
Hachiman and the others agreed to take the train back to Chiba together, while Shinra separated from the main group because someone came to pick him up.
Also separated was Yukino; someone came to pick her up too.
Although she herself didn't want that person to come.
Because she took Shinra's car when coming, Haruno actively proposed to pick them up when returning.
Based on reciprocity, Shinra didn't object.
Soon Shinra and Yukino met at the private car waiting area of the station. Not long after meeting, a black luxury car drove towards them.
The black car window lowered, and Haruno's exquisite and moving face came into Shinra's view. Meeting was that familiar greeting method.
"Hello hello~~~"
Sitting in the back row, Haruno had a bright smile on her lips, her slender white hand waving slightly in front of her.
Yukino ignored her sister's slightly jumpy greeting method. After putting the luggage in the trunk, she sat directly into the car.
Shinra sat in the passenger seat. After all, the Phantom only had four seats. Excluding the driver, the Yukinoshita sisters occupied the back row, leaving him only a front passenger seat.
"Let's go."
After sitting down, Yukino gave orders to the driver directly bypassing her sister.
However, the driver didn't start the vehicle directly but looked at Haruno in the back row through the rearview mirror first. After getting Haruno's clear nod, he started the vehicle.
Although the interval was short, this detail was still captured by the keen Yukino. To this, the girl just pursed her lips and didn't say anything more.
This kind of thing had happened more than once. Although Yukino was the second young lady of the Yukinoshita family, as long as Haruno was present, the drivers and servants at home would always listen to her orders first. Only after getting Haruno's approval would these people carry out Yukino's orders.
Hierarchy was strict.
However, although knowing this situation wasn't a day or two, every time encountering it, Yukino always felt indescribably uncomfortable. Not saying jealous of her sister.
Just feeling... unfair.
However, she couldn't voice such unfairness because this wasn't Haruno's intention but the rule set by Yukinoshita Mother.
Essentially, these people weren't listening to Haruno's orders but carrying out Yukinoshita Mother's will.
"How was the school trip? Anything interesting happen? For example..."
After the vehicle started, Haruno asked smilingly.
"No." Yukino interrupted.
Because the sisters knew each other too well, Yukino knew what trouble her sister was going to make without Haruno finishing her sentence.
Leaving aside there wasn't, even if there was, she couldn't tell her sister here.
It must be known that besides Shinra, the person involved, there was also a driver in the car.
Don't treat the driver as nobody. If passed to Mother through the driver's mouth, Yukino didn't know how to explain.
"Eh, such a good opportunity, you didn't grasp it." Haruno said to Shinra with dissatisfaction in her tone.
"Nee-san!" Yukino raised her voice a bit, and her cold expression couldn't hold anymore.
Is there such a way to incite others to pick up her own sister?
The kind that you have to pick up.
Doing this made it seem like she, Yukino, was easy to get.
"Okay, okay, just a joke." Haruno knew where her sister's bottom line was very well, so she changed the subject and asked: "Where is my souvenir?"
"Is there such a way to ask for gifts from others?" Yukino complained about her sister dissatisfiedly, but explained afterwards: "Things are in the suitcase; give you when back."
Haruno nodded satisfied, then looked at Shinra in the front row.
"What about Shinra?"
"Also in the suitcase."
Shinra in the front row originally didn't want to participate in the sisters' war, but unfortunately, Haruno obviously didn't mean to let him go. To this, he had to reply helplessly.
Yukino was stunned hearing Shinra's words. Didn't he say the souvenirs bought for sister were all online shopping?
Why in the suitcase now?
Man's mouth, deceiving ghost, right!
But soon Yukino figured it out. This guy Shinra should plan to use online shopping things to fool her sister that they were bought from Kyoto.
Thinking her sister would later treat the things Shinra bought online as souvenirs he bought personally and brought back hard, the corners of Yukino's mouth couldn't stop rising.
This guy is really bad!
Bad as he was, Yukino didn't mean to expose Shinra. Just a bit curious what her sister would think if she knew those things were bought online by Shinra.
The answer was no thoughts.
Leaving aside Shinra indeed brought souvenirs back, even if bought from online shopping platforms, Haruno wouldn't feel slighted or perfunctory.
Because in her opinion, Shinra willing to spend money on her actually showed his attitude. As for how much money, whether energy was spent on it, she didn't care.
Only little girls would value those vain things.
Even putting it harshly, if Shinra really became Haruno's official boyfriend, Haruno would absolutely not let him spend energy on this. This was completely a waste.
With the effort of buying gifts, better accompany her more, or do some meaningful things.
Amidst Haruno's sporadic gags, the car quickly drove downstairs to the apartment.
Shinra planned to say goodbye to the sisters here. After all, just returning from the school trip, not only did he have to pack his luggage, but Yukino also had to put things home, especially since she bought so many panda dolls...
However, just as the elevator stopped and Shinra pushed his luggage out of the elevator, Haruno jumped lightly and actually followed.
Walking out of the elevator, Haruno waved to Yukino still in the elevator behind her and said: "Yukino, I have something to tell Shinra. You go up first; I'll be back later."
Yukino frowned and wanted to say something, but at this time the elevator door began to close. Helplessly, Yukino had to watch her sister enter Shinra's home.
Should be fine, right?
Yukino thought.
...
Entering the door, Shinra signaled Haruno to sit casually, while he went to the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks for reception.
"Eh? Your house is so clean. Obviously out for four days, not a speck of dust." Haruno was a bit surprised.
"Only four days; how can there be dust? I closed windows and doors before leaving." Shinra replied casually.
However, the actual situation was that Shinra's main body went on the school trip, but his Quantum Clone stayed at home working.
"Is that so..." Haruno walked to the sofa and sat down, taking the tea cup handed over at the same time, but didn't drink. Instead, she put it aside and talked about business.
"I came over to tell you something."
Speaking of business, Haruno's expression became serious, without the cynicism in the car earlier.
Seeing the other party like this, Shinra became serious.
"What is it?"
"Actually, on the day you and Yukino set off for the school trip, I received an email..."
Haruno simply told Shinra what happened these days, including asking someone to investigate Sakurajima Mai without any concealment, but said it directly.
There was nothing to hide. Even if Haruno didn't say, wouldn't Shinra know she would investigate?
In that case, rather than concealing, better be frank. Telling Shinra directly she investigated Sakurajima Mai wouldn't arouse the other party's disgust.
And after listening to Haruno's statement, Shinra's first reaction was that his affair was exposed. The second reaction was thinking who snitched.
Mai?
No, impossible to be her.
Because with Mai's character, she didn't need to send anonymous emails at all. Just calling Haruno directly, or running over to ask him personally would do.
Rio?
Also impossible.
If she wanted to snitch, she would have done it long ago; no need to wait until now. Moreover, from her standpoint, she was the one who hoped for the Yukinoshita sisters' existence more.
In that case, who would it be?
Besides this meddlesome snitch, more important was Haruno's thoughts after knowing this.
Although Shinra and Sakurajima Mai had no intimate behavior in the photo, with Mai's gaze almost pulling threads, anyone could see the relationship between the two was not simple, let alone Haruno.
For a moment, Shinra's thoughts flew. He fixed his eyes on the photo Haruno sent him, closed his eyes, and according to the shooting angle of the photo, relying on the Photographic Memory ability, began to recall and retrieve people who might have taken this photo at that time.
Director, field manager, other actors...
Producer!
Shinra opened his eyes. This photo should have been taken by the producer at that time. And that producer... Shinra remembered should be from the Mori Group. In fact, that advertisement was ordered by a company under the Mori Group.
After locking the general direction, Shinra noted this matter first, preparing to deal with it later.
The urgent task now was Haruno's side.
What exactly did she think?