The night was clear, with the bright moon hanging high and a cool breeze blowing gently.
Since April hadn't fully passed yet, although the evening wind carried a slight chill, it wasn't unbearable. Mixed within the breeze was the faint, sweet fragrance of late cherry blossoms, making people involuntarily reminisce about the scent of spring.
"You've got good taste, young man. Want to race big sis for a round? If you can beat me, I might not mind giving you a little reward, you know~"
Under the cover of night, the female rider whose face was hidden inside her helmet spoke seductively to Shuya.
Even though he couldn't clearly see her appearance, just from the alluring curves visible beneath her black leather suit and the confident tone in her voice, one could tell that this female rider was definitely attractive—if not stunning.
Shuya was somewhat surprised.
At first, when someone rode up beside him, he thought it might be some ill-intentioned thug. He had almost wondered if he was about to enter some weird side quest.
It wasn't until she spoke that he realized with surprise that the rider was actually a woman.
Though it might sound harsh, people naturally let their guard down more when facing women—especially beautiful ones.
Why did Zhang Wuji's mother tell him that the more beautiful a woman is, the better she is at lying?
Simple. If an ugly person tells the truth, you might not even believe them, let alone if they lie.
However, for some reason, looking at this unfamiliar female rider, Shuya felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Seeing that Shuya wasn't responding, the female rider seemed worried he didn't believe her and teased, "What's wrong? Don't tell me you're scared that big sis is ugly?"
As she spoke, she reached up and lightly lifted her helmet.
A head of smooth, flowing purple hair emerged first.
But what caught attention immediately were her sharp, orange-red eyes.
Her gaze was full of aggression and wild arrogance, carrying the kind of confidence that looked down on everything.
Only after that did one notice her actual appearance.
Far from being ugly, the female rider was far more beautiful than most women her age. Combined with the overwhelming confidence she radiated, she unconsciously stirred a strange desire to conquer in people's hearts.
If she had any flaw, it would be her healthy wheat-colored skin.
But to Shuya, that wasn't a flaw at all. On the contrary, he found her tanned skin had a special kind of beauty.
It matched his tastes perfectly.
However…
Looking at the female rider who had just revealed her true face, Shuya hesitated for a moment before tentatively asking in a low voice:
"…Rika?"
Yes. The moment he saw her face, the first name that popped into Shuya's mind was Shizuka's mysterious best friend who had always been like a dragon—rarely seen—Rika Minami.
"You know me?"
Rika was visibly stunned when Shuya called out her name.
Her first thought was that he might have raced against her before. But after glancing at Shuya's handsome features and the cool motorcycle he was riding, she immediately dismissed that idea. There was no way she wouldn't remember someone like him.
Could he be a former protection target?
Countless possibilities flashed through Rika's mind in an instant, but she rejected them all.
In the end, she could only look at Shuya curiously, waiting for his answer.
Shuya scratched his cheek with his index finger and said weakly, "Is it possible… that the reason you thought this motorcycle looked familiar is because it actually came from your own house?"
"Eh?!"
Rika's pupils shrank dramatically.
No wonder she suddenly felt interested in this motorcycle, thinking it perfectly matched her taste the more she looked at it. She had even gotten excited and offered to give him a reward if he won.
Turns out… this was her own bike?
Of course it matched her taste—she had personally modified it!
Rika blurted out, "You're that little white face Shizuka always talks about? The one called Shuya?"
"Little… white face?"
The corner of Shuya's mouth twitched slightly.
Thinking about it carefully… she wasn't really wrong.
Ever since he transmigrated to this world over a year ago and was picked up by Shizuka, he really had been eating her food, drinking her drinks, living in her house, and spending her money.
Besides cooking for her and sleeping with her…
Shuya nodded frankly. "That's right. I'm the little white face being kept by Shizuka-nee."
Rika was a bit surprised that he actually admitted it so openly.
However, when she glanced at the pink-haired girl sitting tightly behind Shuya with her face buried in his back, she still couldn't help grinding her teeth.
"You've got some serious guts, kid."
"You already have such a good woman like Shizuka, and you still dare to fool around outside?"
"I'm warning you—Shizuka is my best friend. I don't care if your feelings are real or fake. Even if you have to lie, you'd better lie to her for the rest of her life."
"If you ever dare to toy with her feelings, eat her dry and wipe your mouth clean, then abandon her…"
"I will personally have someone break all four of your limbs and send you back to Shizuka until she gets tired of you. You'd better not doubt whether I can do it."
Shuya broke into a cold sweat.
He lightly wiped away nonexistent sweat from his forehead.
Shizuka's best friend really was…
Even though Rika was clearly threatening him, Shuya didn't feel angry at all.
Instead, his favorability toward this tanned, fierce beauty increased dramatically.
Maybe because of the "love the house and its crow" effect?
Originally, he had been cautious about Shizuka's suggestion to contract Rika. After all, compared to young girls, the feelings of a mature woman like Rika tended to be less pure. It might be difficult to truly enter her heart.
For Shuya, whose contract conditions were extremely strict, that was something worth serious consideration.
Unless it was a natural airhead beauty like Shizuka.
But after hearing Rika's words, he suddenly became very interested in this sharp, tanned onee-san.
The fact that she would threaten him like this for her best friend showed just how deep their bond was.
Since he and Shizuka were basically one package now, not contracting Rika almost felt wrong.
Contract! She must be contracted!
However, for now he still had to send the girl behind him home first.
"You're misunderstanding," Shuya said calmly. "I'm just sending her home. And even if there was something going on, it shouldn't concern you, right?"
"But I can guarantee one thing—in this entire world, no one will care about Shizuka-nee more than I do."
"You really dare to say that, huh."
Seeing the completely natural expression on Shuya's face, Rika felt a little stifled.
But she also knew she couldn't interfere too much in Shizuka's relationships. Threatening him once was already her limit. She could only snort coldly at him.
Finally, she left these words:
"You'd better mean it!"
With that, she twisted the throttle and sped off on her motorcycle.
Right now!
She had to get home immediately to see Shizuka's condition and confirm a few things.