Makoto thought about it and saw no problem.
But just as he was about to agree, the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes—
Squeal—!
The car jolted violently.
Mrs. Yukinoshita, caught off guard, let out a cry and pitched forward, landing in Makoto's arms.
Feeling his warmth and masculine presence, Mrs. Yukinoshita trembled sharply, her cheeks instantly burning.
But after only a second, Makoto steadied her and frowned at the driver. "What's your problem?"
"S-sorry, sir!" the driver stammered. "S-someone's blocking the road ahead."
Makoto and Mrs. Yukinoshita, whose cheeks were still flushed, looked forward.
Outside the window, a group of burly men in matching black suits and sunglasses, clearly professional bodyguards, stood in a row, completely blocking the road ahead.
Before Makoto could react, the bodyguards parted in perfect unison, creating a path.
A stout, middle-aged man with round glasses and a small mustache walked up, his face beaming with fawning friendliness.
"Suzuki Shiro?!"
Mrs. Yukinoshita gasped, uttering his name.
The head of the Suzuki Family, one of Four Zaibatsu, a man standing at the apex of the nation's business world.
Makoto raised an eyebrow, 'That's Suzuki Sonoko's father?'
Suzuki Shiro, smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum, trotted to the rear door, his posture extremely humble. "You must be tired, Nishikawa-sama!"
Makoto blinked and slowly rolled down the window. "Do I know you?"
"No, no, I wouldn't dare presume," Shiro said, waving his hands repeatedly, his attitude growing even more deferential. "It's just that I heard my daughter, Sonoko, has received much of your care lately. I came to express my gratitude in person. Please, would you do me the honor of moving to the Suzuki Estate? Dinner has been prepared. It's a modest gesture!"
While Ran had been rushing to find Shinichi yesterday, her best friend Sonoko hadn't been idle.
She had rushed home immediately. Though she couldn't reveal the secret of the Reincarnation Game, she had told her parents with unprecedented seriousness: immediately, by any means necessary, establish a friendly relationship with Makoto.
Suzuki Shiro and his wife, Suzuki Tomoko, were bewildered. They wondered if their youngest daughter had been traumatized by something.
They were the Suzuki Family. Did they need to grovel like this to a 'murderer'?
But seeing their daughter's unprecedented seriousness, they took it to heart.
Since yesterday, they had been using all their connections to discreetly observe Makoto, looking for an opportunity to speak with him.
But with the police watching him, they hadn't found a chance.
And then... they witnessed Makoto's terrifying rampage from the Eastern Hemisphere to the Western.
Now, Shiro fully understood why his daughter had said what she did.
Just moments ago, less than half a minute after Mrs. Yukinoshita had 'intercepted' Makoto at Haneda Airport, the Suzuki Family's large contingent had arrived swiftly.
Though a step late, after identifying the car as belonging to the Yukinoshita Family, Shiro had immediately ordered his men to block the road.
Damn, who did the Yukinoshitas think they were? A third-rate little family, worthy of competing with the Suzukis for the chance to serve?
Just then, Sonoko's mother, Suzuki Tomoko, approached smiling, bowing alongside her husband. "Nishikawa-sama, our Sonoko mentioned you enjoy sweets. We've specially invited top pastry chefs from France, Italy, and other countries. Would you... honor us with your presence?"
Though the couple wore fawning expressions, the fleeting disdain and contempt in their sidelong glances towards Mrs. Yukinoshita in the car were acutely observed by her. Reading people was a basic skill in their circles.
Mrs. Yukinoshita's face paled. Even feeling the insult clearly, she dared not utter a word of protest.
Just as Mrs. Yukinoshita was sure Makoto would take the opportunity to accept, he simply leaned back lazily in his seat and said calmly, "Some other time. I'm a bit tired."
Mrs. Yukinoshita's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Makoto.
The Suzukis were also taken aback, their smiles freezing for a moment.
But having reached their positions, they were shrewd. They quickly adjusted.
Tomoko quickly added, "If you wish to rest, Nishikawa-sama, our Suzuki Estate is also very suitable! We have hot springs, saunas, masseuse maids ready and waiting. If needed, we can arrange helicopter transport. It's absolutely quiet..."
"I said no."
Makoto's tone was a degree colder this time.
Seeing this, the couple flinched, immediately bowing deeply again. "W-we are terribly sorry. We overstepped."
Watching the Suzukis, who sat at the apex of Japan's business food chain, behave like scolded children before Makoto, Mrs. Yukinoshita, even having witnessed his terror countless times, felt a deep sense of shock.
But beyond the shock, a feeling she had never experienced before welled up inside her.
A feeling of being favored.
'Was it... for me... that he refused them?'
"Th-then, Nishikawa-sama, w-would it be possible another time?"
Seeing Makoto was truly about to leave, Shiro finally gathered his courage and asked cautiously.
"...Have Sonoko contact me."
Makoto casually said before rolling up the window.
Hearing this, Shiro and his wife exchanged glances and finally let out long, relieved sighs, smiles of release appearing on their faces.
"Yes! We won't disturb you any further!"
The Suzuki Family's members all bowed in unison, watching the Yukinoshita Family's Toyota Century slowly pull away.
Only after the car's taillights disappeared down the street did Tomoko rub her face, sore from smiling, and mutter resentfully, "The Yukinoshitas really lucked out."
Inside the departing car, Mrs. Yukinoshita no longer stole glances but kept sneaking looks at Makoto, who had his eyes closed.
Her gaze was like that of a high school girl crushing on the school heartthrob but too shy to confess.
"Nishikawa-sama, Ma'am, we've arrived."
When the car stopped smoothly in front of the Yukinoshita Residence, Makoto opened his eyes and was about to get out to lie down for a bit when Mrs. Yukinoshita finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "U-um... Makoto..."
Makoto turned to look at her.
"Wh-why didn't you accept the Suzukis' invitation?"
She finally mustered the courage to ask the question on her mind.
Makoto looked at her as if it were obvious. "Didn't you invite me first?"
The words pierced Mrs. Yukinoshita's heart like Cupid's arrow.
Her face instantly turned crimson. Her mind went blank.
…
Meanwhile, at Haneda International Airport.
With Prime Minister Ooka's sudden 'accident', the scene was chaotic.
A large group of young high school girls had already arrived, drawing the attention of many police officers and reporters.
They recognized many of these girls as the superpowered ones who had fought alongside Makoto earlier.
Though their abilities were insignificant compared to his, for ordinary people, they were already at an unattainable level.
Among the crowd were some faces not seen on television, like Chizuru and Yui.
When the battle started today, she had reacted a step too slow and missed the fight. Chizuru deeply regretted it.
She had to firmly join the group this time. She was eager to make progress.
However, the girls searched high and low inside and outside the airport, checking every exit, but couldn't find Makoto anywhere.
"Where is my husband?!"
Airi grabbed Superintendent General Hakuba by the collar.