"Going back on our agreement?"
Toru was momentarily puzzled, then quickly understood and smiled. "...Hiratsuka-sensei is talking about taking you for a drive, going to the racetrack."
"I haven't forgotten about it. It's just that I've been running into all sorts of troublesome things, so I haven't been able to fulfill your request."
Shizuka chuckled. "It's good that you remembered. Some things don't necessarily have to be done."
Shizuka was very open-minded now.
At first, she had met Toru by chance at a ramen shop.
At the time, Shizuka had thought he was an outstanding young man, handsome, good at studying, and with a good character since he had not made any moves on her at the hotel.
Shizuka felt that he was someone worth getting to know.
Even if it was not with the intention of becoming boyfriend and girlfriend, Toru was still a friend worth associating with.
At that time, Shizuka had indeed been a little moved.
But as Toru's fame grew and his identity gradually became known, Shizuka's feelings for him also grew fainter.
Toru was too outstanding, so outstanding that he made Shizuka feel a little inferior.
Whether it was ability, family background, appearance, or personality, Toru was almost the most perfect man in a woman's heart.
Then there was herself, an old woman nearing thirty, seven or eight years older than him, completely without any advantage in terms of appearance, family background, and so on.
There were too many women who liked Toru, so many that Shizuka did not even have the courage to make a move.
Her gaze drifted to the side, and when she saw the Yukinoshita sisters, she laughed inwardly.
It was quite interesting that both sisters had feelings for Toru.
Would Toru end up becoming their brother-in-law or one sister's husband?
Of course, it was more likely that he would become neither.
The Yukinoshita sisters might look like goddesses in the eyes of ordinary people, but in front of Toru, they actually seemed quite ordinary.
That was rather interesting.
That was what Shizuka was thinking at the moment.
Since she could not pursue him, she might as well become good friends with him. Sometimes, friendship led to a more harmonious relationship.
She was no longer young, and she was gradually starting to feel a woman's needs. If she could not find a boyfriend, and there was such an outstanding man right in front of her, then perhaps they could satisfy each other's needs.
Thinking that way, Shizuka became even more open-minded. She laughed heartily and said, "I'll be heading back to Tokyo soon."
"I'll come find you for drinks at night then, don't refuse me."
Shizuka said this as she flicked the cigarette in her hand.
That was right, smoking was not a good habit, especially for a woman. Many men disliked it.
It was just that she had been smoking for too many years and could no longer quit.
She had so many flaws, so it was only natural that she could not find a boyfriend. But if she had a lover like Toru, it would definitely make countless women jealous.
Shizuka reaffirmed this thought once again.
Before Toru could answer, Yukino asked nervously, "Hiratsuka-sensei, why are you going back to Tokyo?"
"Yukino, I wasn't originally from Chiba. I'm from Tokyo. The reason I came to Chiba Prefecture to teach was because of an assignment from above."
"I'll be transferred soon, and this time it'll be back to Tokyo," Shizuka explained to Yukino.
This was also part of Japan's policy. Public school teachers had a rotation system, which prevented a teacher from staying at the same school forever.
The official reason was that outstanding teachers should be moved around to minimize unfairness.
But families with real wealth and ability would send their children to private schools.
Yukino felt a little sad.
She did not want to admit it, but Shizuka had helped her a lot. In her heart, she had already acknowledged this teacher.
Now that she was about to be transferred away, Yukino felt even worse.
Seeing through Yukino's thoughts, Shizuka said, "Tokyo and Chiba are close. Yukino can come to Tokyo to see me in the future."
"When you graduate from high school and get into a university in Tokyo, we can meet often. By then, I won't be your teacher anymore, but your friend."
"Okay," Yukino replied, her mood easing a lot.
Haruno changed the mood and said, "Alright, alright, you're making it sound like we're parting forever. Once you're in Tokyo, Shizuka, we can go out drinking every day."
After a pause, she then said to Toru, "...Toru-kun, come along too. With two girls like us, we'll need a big man like you to protect us."
Toru laughed heartily and said, "No problem. Call me anytime, I'm free whenever."
"Let's go, let's go to my house. My mother has already finished making dinner and is waiting for us. Are you taking our car or Shizuka's?" Haruno cut off the topic at the right time and pointed at the Yukinoshita family's Maybach.
"I'll take Hiratsuka-sensei's car."
Toru did not think too much about it.
The karate preliminary matches were in the next few days, and Toru would be staying at the Yukinoshita family's place, which was basically living together.
He could talk to the Yukinoshita sisters at any time, so right now he should prioritize Shizuka's feelings.
"No problem. Yukino, let's get in the car."
Haruno was also good at reading the situation, and she pulled her sister into the car.
Toru sat in the passenger seat of Shizuka's car, followed the Maybach in front, and drove into the streets of Chiba.
"Chiba isn't as bustling as Tokyo, but there is a pretty good bar and a few nice ramen shops. After your matches, if you have time, want to go have a look together?"
Shizuka had the car window open, one hand on the steering wheel and the other flicking cigarette ash out the window.
"Sure. Just send me a message then, I'm free anytime."
"Then it's settled. Let's hope nothing messy happens again this time."
Shizuka complained. The series of major cases and incidents happening in Japan lately had really made her feel that things were unbelievable.
"Oh, there's something I probably shouldn't say, but I still think I should remind you. The Yukinoshita family's situation hasn't been very good recently," Shizuka said hesitantly.
She was only good friends with Haruno. Their relationship was good, but there was no friendship between families.
Since she regarded Toru as a good friend, she felt that as a friend, some things should still be said.
"What's wrong with the Yukinoshita family?"
Toru was puzzled.
"I'm not too sure either, but it seems to be related to their finances and the family's political situation. Haruno and Yukino's mother is very strong, a capable person. I'm just reminding you not to get tricked by her."
"Thanks for the reminder, but don't worry. Ordinary people can't trick me."
Shizuka thought about it and realized that was probably true. It would likely be very difficult for anyone to trick Toru.
She gave a bright smile. "That's good then. As a friend, I feel like I've given you enough warning."
"Just friends?" Toru asked with a smile.
"What else could we be besides friends?"
Shizuka glanced at him from the corner of her eye, then pretended to stay calm and looked straight ahead.
But in that instant, her heart skipped a beat.
Toru smiled without saying anything.
Not long after, the two cars stopped in front of a high-end apartment building.
"We'll keep in touch then, Hiratsuka."
Toru got out of the car and waved to Shizuka.
Shizuka coolly waved her hand, then stepped on the accelerator and drove away.
This woman could be melancholy at times, and overly cool at others.
"Toru-kun, over here!"
Haruno called out to Toru with a bright smile.
After waving goodbye to Shizuka, Toru returned to where the Yukinoshita sisters were standing in front of the high-end apartment building.
He had not paid attention earlier, but now that Shizuka had left, Toru noticed what the Yukinoshita sisters were wearing.
Haruno was still dressed in a refreshing and neat shirt with casual jeans. Her makeup was exquisite, and she had even put on earrings for once, making her look more mature and charming.
Yukino's outfit looked younger by comparison, an academy-style short-sleeved shirt, and beneath her plaid skirt were her fair, beautiful legs wrapped in delicate black stockings, making Yukino look very much like a student.
Perhaps because Toru had once said her twin tails did not look good, Yukino was not wearing them today like she usually did in daily life. Instead, her long black hair was let down, making her look cold and captivating.
"Toru-kun, I never asked before, but how did you meet Shizuka?"
After entering the apartment building with the Yukinoshita sisters, Haruno asked casually.
Yukino pricked up her ears, trying hard not to look curious.
"When I first returned to Japan from America, I was eating at a ramen shop near my home and happened to share a table with her. That's how we met."
"Then you and Shizuka really do have quite a connection."
"Yes, we do have a strong connection."
"Shizuka was chatting with me before and said she had met a man and had the thought of getting a boyfriend. So that person was Toru-kun, huh?"
Haruno smiled. "...If it's Toru-kun, then I understand. Not to mention Shizuka, even I have thought about finding a boyfriend like Toru-kun."
This was not a hint. It was practically a direct confession.
Yukino stared at her sister in astonishment. She had already been upfront with her sister and stated her decision. The two sisters had not said it openly, but in private they had already acknowledged each other as rivals.
But while Yukino was still struggling over how to proceed, Haruno had already launched a direct attack.
Her own skin was still too thin. In this regard, she really was not as good as her sister.
Toru pretended not to understand what Haruno meant and chuckled. "Haruno, hearing that makes me embarrassed."
Seeing Toru step into the elevator, Haruno's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Hadn't they said that for a woman pursuing a man, the barrier was only a thin sheet of paper? Then why did this sheet of paper feel so thick? The difficulty was far higher than she had expected.
She had no experience in love and only half understood certain things.
But Haruno did not care. The more challenging something was, the more motivated she became.
They took the elevator and arrived on the sixteenth floor.
Housing prices in Chiba were much lower than in Tokyo. With the Yukinoshita family's wealth, they could easily afford a large apartment of more than three hundred square meters.
"Mother, we're back."
As soon as she entered, Haruno called loudly into the house, full of energy.
Mrs. Yukinoshita, dressed in a beautiful kimono, hurried to the entrance and greeted them with a smile. "Fujiwara-kun, you're here, please come in."
"Excuse me for intruding."
"Not at all, not at all. It's our family's honor that Fujiwara-kun could come to our home."
Mrs. Yukinoshita was extremely enthusiastic.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
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