Chapter 367: The Plight of Kurayoshi Rino and the Transformation of Hiyama Shunka
A flicker of a smile, then a subtle pout—the rapid shifts in Sōryūin Shion's expression didn't escape Lucifer's notice. She tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Shion," she began, her voice a low hum, "what has you so lost in thought? One moment you're smiling, the next you look as if you've tasted something sour."
Sōryūin Shion shook her head, a wistful look in her eyes. "Nothing, really. Just reminiscing about some old things. By the way, Lucifer, how did you and Ren meet?"
A muscle in Lucifer's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. How was she supposed to answer that? The truth was… less than dignified. Should she confess that she had fled her duties, overwhelmed by stress, only to find the human world so pleasant she decided not to return? That she had drifted aimlessly for ages until an unusual aura of power and a captivating scent led her, by pure chance, to Ren's restaurant?
To admit that would be mortifying. It was so careless, so utterly lacking in grace. After a moment's consideration, Lucifer offered a heavily simplified version. "It was nothing special. I just happened to come here for a meal and met him."
The explanation felt flimsy even to her own ears, yet the Sōryūin sisters simply exchanged a knowing glance, their acceptance immediate and unquestioning. The reaction left Lucifer momentarily speechless.
After a brief hesitation, she couldn't help but ask, "Don't you two find that a bit… casual?"
Sōryūin Shion let out a soft sigh. "Not at all. Rindou, Kirari, and the others… they all found their way to him in a similar fashion. At this point, it seems perfectly normal."
Lucifer's smile tightened. Good heavens. If that was the case, then her own story wasn't suspicious in the slightest. After all, Esdeath and Yumiko Fuji had practically stumbled into his life as well.
A new thought surfaced, and Lucifer voiced it. "Shion, I've been meaning to ask. Why do you, Kirukiru, and Momobami Kirari take such pleasure in teasing that woman, Kurayoshi Rino?"
At the mention of Rino's name, Sōryūin Shion let out a bright, unrestrained laugh that seemed to fill the room, momentarily shattering her usual icy presidential demeanor. In the privacy of their circle, she was far more relaxed.
Sōryūin Akemi rubbed her temples with a weary sigh. "Sister… you and Kirari really couldn't resist, could you? If you keep this up, the poor woman is going to develop an aneurysm."
Shion waved a dismissive hand, her smile sharp with amusement. "Lucifer, since you're one of us now, I'll let you in on the secret. But first… did you just call Rino a 'woman'?"
Lucifer nodded. "Yes. She carries herself like a mature, charming woman. And I assume her fighter is her lover, correct?"
"No, no, no," Shion said, shaking her head emphatically. "First of all, she's still a maiden. A true one, believe it or not. Secondly, Mikazuchi Rei is little more than her pawn. That woman has always enjoyed toying with men's emotions. She's been single her entire life."
Lucifer blinked, processing this. "But if that's the case, why do you all tease her so relentlessly?"
"Because Rino has been pursuing Ren for a very long time," Shion explained, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Her reputation used to be… quite poor. It's improved, certainly, but she can't seem to shake her old habits in how she treats her fighters."
She paused, letting the implication hang in the air. "But the real reason we enjoy teasing her is because of her insatiable need for control, that suffocating possessiveness. She believes she can conquer any man with her charm, and she fully intended to make Ren submit to her as well. To her credit, she treats Ren more like a man than a fighter, which means her interest is genuine, but…"
Lucifer's eyes lit with understanding. "So, Rino wanted Ren all to herself, but her famed charm had absolutely no effect on him. In fact, it backfired. And as fellow members of the Kengan Association, you all find this endlessly amusing."
Sōryūin Shion's grin widened. "Precisely. Another thing you should know is that Rino has a pattern. She dangles the prospect of winning her affection in front of her fighters, whispering sweet nothings to keep them winning. But the moment they lose, she disposes of them."
Lucifer's expression grew serious. "Disposes of them? In the way I'm imagining?"
Shion nodded, her tone chillingly casual. "Mmm. Her fighters, once they lose, have a habit of… mysteriously disappearing. One or two might be a coincidence. But dozens? One doesn't need to be a detective to see the pattern."
"So, she's surprisingly cold-blooded," Lucifer murmured, a newfound respect and caution in her voice.
"That's irrelevant," Shion said with a wave of her hand. "Just look at Kirari. She's a fanatic and just as ruthless, but she reserves all her tenderness for those she considers her own, and her most precious emotions are saved for Ren. That part isn't the problem."
"Then what is?"
"The problem is that Rino has hired countless fighters, many specifically to provoke Ren. Yet she continues to overestimate her own influence and only ends up making the situation more and more awkward for herself."
"She knew all this and still hired Mikazuchi Rei?"
At this, Shion subconsciously reached for her pocket, only to remember that Ren had made her throw away her cigarettes. She sighed in mild frustration. "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this is Ren's final Kengan Tournament. She came here to meet him, to make things clear once and for all, but…"
"Her old habits kicked in?" Lucifer finished for her. "She started cooing and whispering sweet nothings to her new fighter?"
"Exactly," Shion confirmed, a spark of mirth in her eyes. "That's why she's so infuriatingly amusing. When she gets angry, the effect is magnificent. That cute, delicate face she uses to lure men in—seeing it contorted as she grits her teeth or pouts is just too interesting to pass up."
"You all have a rather twisted sense of humor."
"The feeling is mutual."
While they chatted, miles away in a lavishly appointed hotel suite, Kurayoshi Rino stretched languidly, the silk of her bathrobe whispering against her skin. She turned and smiled at Hiyama Shunka, who, also clad in a matching robe, trailed behind her like a shadow.
For reasons no one could quite explain, Hiyama Shunka, a woman defined by her deep-seated insecurities, had suddenly latched onto Kurayoshi Rino with an unnerving devotion.
"Little Shunka," Rino cooed, her voice like honey. "Do you want to find Ren now, or shall we wait and find him at the Kengan matches tomorrow?"
"Rino, you decide…" Hiyama Shunka replied, her voice barely a whisper.
"Mmm, what a good girl."
"So… when are we going to find Mr. Ren?"
"Tomorrow," Rino purred, stroking Shunka's hair. "I'm far too tired today. I need a proper rest. Little Shunka, as the president of Wakazakura Life, you must have a perfect internal clock. You know how to give a massage, don't you? Come, help me with my back."
Hiyama Shunka's eyes widened, her expression shifting to one of eager anticipation as she nodded repeatedly. Kurayoshi Rino simply smiled, taking the other woman's hand and leading her further into the suite.
"Akoya Seishu…" Rino murmured, her voice soft and laced with a predatory pity. "He's truly a madman who doesn't know how to appreciate what he has, is he not, little Shunka?"
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