We didn’t talk much the rest of the way to the station. We didn’t need to. Every few steps, her fingers flexed in mine like she was checking I was still there. Every ti I squeezed back, her shoulders loosened a little more.
At the ticket gate, she finally let go. But not before stepping close again.
“I’ll ssage you tonight,” She said, voice steadier now. “And just in case you’re wondering why I changed the ti... I’m going to visit my aunt, Dad’s younger sister. She’s working in another city and only has ti during weekends.”
“She just heard what happened. My dad hid everything from his family. He’s ashad of what he has beco. She wasn’t close to us or anything but she contacted yesterday, asking to bring my father to her place. Maybe she’s also going to help us.”
“I see. Will you be fine going there with that bruise?” I asked.
“Uhm. Kinda, I already told her about this... she even scolded my father for endangering . Although... It’s not like she’s well-off. She also had a failed marriage. She’s probably just worried that things would get worse if no one talks sense to him, and she’s taking it as her responsibility as his younger sister.”
“She sounds like a good person.”
Tsuba nodded, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
“Un. She’s the only one who still calls Dad ‘nii-chan’ even after everything. I rember she’s blunt, loud, and smokes too much, but she’s... kind. In her own way.”
She glanced at the ticket gate, then back at . The train announcent echoed overhead, reminding us that the clock was still running.
“I’ll be back tomorrow night,” she said quietly. “I’ll ssage you tonight. Just... to give an update.”
“Mhm. Don’t feel pressured. I’ll wait for good news. In the anti, I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you, Ruki. Really...”
“There you go again. Save that for when I actually helped you.”
“You already did, idiot. Don’t downplay what you just did...” The girl pouted. Clearly annoyed that I kept denying helping her.
She looked around us and then closed in, tiptoeing just enough to reach my cheek. Her lips pressed on my cheek but only for a mont, as she’s quick enough to pull back and cover her reddening cheeks.
“Next ti, I’ll give you a proper kiss.”
“Proper kiss, huh? Reminds of how you’ve beco so responsive before.”
“T-that’s because of you! It’s been so long... and I don’t know if I’m still soone who can satisfy your desire.”
The words tumbled out of her in a rush, cheeks burning crimson, eyes darting everywhere except my face.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Tsuba,” I said, stepping in close enough that the noise of the station faded to a dull hum. I tipped her chin up with two fingers, so she had no choice but to look at . “You satisfied the second you let hold your hand again. Everything else is just a bonus.”
Those gray eyes went wide again.
“...You’re really not allowed to be this smooth,” She muttered, voice cracking on the last word. “It’s illegal. I’m filing a complaint.”
“Sure. I’ll face that complaint head-on and satisfy you,” I teased, brushing my thumb across her lower lip just to watch it tremble. “But until then...”
Without waiting for her to be ready, I leaned down and kissed her.
Not on the cheek this ti.
It’s the kind of kiss that said everything we didn’t have ti to say out loud. Her lips parted on mine felt exactly like I rembered. They were warm, a little hesitant and then suddenly desperate when she realized I wasn’t pulling away.
She grabbed onto my shirt, perhaps to support her weakening knees. When I finally broke it, she was breathing hard, forehead pressed to mine, eyes still closed.
“Y-you... You’ve changed for the better. And I like this version of you.” She stuttered before taking a step back and pulling on her hoodie to quickly hide her already crimson face.
“Ah. Sorry, I got tempted to kiss you,” I said. “But don’t worry, I still plan on collecting a lot more of those.”
“... You’re terrible. What will you do if I fall for you again?”
“Simple. If you’re fine with being like this, I’ll take care of you again.”
“Really shaless.” As she said that, the sound of the incoming train echoed. She needed to get up to the platform soon or she’d have to wait for the next one.
“I have to go,” She said.
“Mhm. Take care, Tsuba.”
“You too. And... I’ll ssage you,” She promised again, backing toward the gate. “Tonight. And... thank you. For everything.”
I watched until she disappeared down the stairs, the crowd swallowing her small figure.
Only when the train rumbled beneath the platform did I finally exhale.
The bruise on her temple flashed in my mind again.
Accident or not, it didn’t matter.
No one was laying a hand on her again. Not her father in a drunken haze. Not so sleazy creditor with wandering eyes.
I pulled out my phone and typed a quick ssage to Mizuki.
“There’s a change in the situation. Can I ask you for a favor?”
It didn’t take a minute before the girl replied.
“Anything for you, hon. Let guess. Problem with that girl?”
“Kinda. I an, I expected it considering how she called last night.”
“There goes the guy who can’t help but get restless knowing one of his girls is in trouble. Looks like she’s the sa as us. Soone who fell for you despite your perceived selfishness for your desire.”
“I’m still not sure yet, but I owe her just as much as I owe all of you.”
“Sure. Sure. What’s this favor?”
“The Hasegawa Family owned banks and collection agencies, right? I need to check which of those agencies bought the right to collect her father’s debt. If they’re part of it at all. I promised to help her but not to magically erase everything. She wants to work hard for it, and perhaps her father too.”
Mizuki’s reply ca three seconds later.
“I see. You’re choosing that thod, huh? I’ll ask around. And I assu you already have sothing planned for the father?”
“Mhm. If he just needs a paycheck, I think my parents can do sothing about it if he’s willing to start at the bottom again.”
“Good. Glad to see you using what you’ve learned from . I’m looking forward to our empire, Ruki.”
Empire. That goal was still so distant, but her confidence in it was also getting a little enthused to do better.
Mizuki’s next ssage popped up before I could pocket my phone.
“By the way, Kyoka already sent the contract draft. It’s... aggressive. It’s different from what I told you.”
“What is it?”
“She’s offering you 0.5% equity in one of the holding companies if you get Hassen to publicly back her. That’s real money, Ruki. Like, ‘never have to work again’ money.”
I stared at the screen for a long second.
0.5% of a Mitsui holding company.
Even I knew that was stupid money. Their conglorate was valued in the hundreds of billions. Or so that’s what the publicly acquired information says.
0.5 will be enough to buy a small island or that palace that Elizabeth wanted to have, so we can all live together.
Is she serious though? Maybe there’s a catch but then again, she seed to believe in my ability. I’ll attribute it to Mizuki hoisting up my banner, selling my na like I’m a prodigy like her.
I typed back.
“Tell her I’ll look at it tonight. But I’m not selling my soul for equity.
If Hassen backs her, it’ll be because he wants to. Not because I twisted his arm.”
With that, our conversation concluded. Before putting my phone away, I sent a ssage to Akane and the other girls. Updating them on the situation. Of course, I only summarized it but to those curious enough to know who the girl is, especially those who weren’t with us last night, I patiently explained who she was to them.
Once that’s done, I checked the ti. A few minutes past ten o’clock. We didn’t actually stay too long in that cafe, and our conversation was even less than that.
As I was deliberating whether to go ho and relax with the girls before I prepare for my part-ti job later, I heard a voice calling behind .
“Onoda-kun? Whoa. What are you doing here? Are you out on a date with one of your girls?”
Standing near the station entrance was Watanabe Tomiko. The treasurer of the Student Council.
Before responding, I looked past her shoulder, checking if she was not alone. Once I failed to see the figure of Masato-senpai, I shook my head as my lips curved up.
“Date. I won’t call it one. But what about you, Watanabe? Are you going on a date with your boyfriend? Are you eting Masato-senpai sowhere?”
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