"What kind of question is that?"
"Oh, I'm just curious." Kaguya smiled. "Takamine-kun, you can do anything you want without concern, but you're strangely serious about relationships. So I'm interested in your views on choosing a partner."
"What good does it do you to know my type?"
Rinji didn't understand why she was suddenly asking, but still replied, "I told you a long ti ago—anyone who can accept my sins is enough. Unlike you high schoolers, I don't carefully pick my partners."
"Is that so?"
"It is. After what happened four years ago, I know love is a hassle. So I don't want to waste effort choosing a girlfriend. If soone confesses to and accepts my sins, that's perfect."
As he spoke, Rinji turned to continue smoking.
"As for your question—whether I need to be indulged or restrained—it makes no difference to ."
He flicked his finished cigarette to the ground and stomped it out.
Rinji didn't believe anyone in the world could truly restrain him. When he set his mind on sothing, no matter the obstacle, he would achieve it.
Even if he listened to Sagara Kaya at school, it wasn't because Kaya could control him.
Well—there was one exception.
That was Hayasaka Ai.
She was the only one who had ever made Rinji genuinely restrain himself.
Even now, she might not know it, but she still had a certain influence over him. Like when they t again at Shuchiin, she easily took the cigarettes from him.
And Rinji had sharp instincts—trained for survival in warzones. Most people wouldn't even get the chance to act before he noticed.
But Hayasaka was the only one who could bypass his awareness.
That said, Karura could probably do it too. If she ever told him not to do sothing, Rinji would definitely restrain himself. But Karura preferred letting him do as he pleased.
"Finding soone who could restrain might be better for society... but I'm not soone who cares about society. You should know that well, Shinomiya Heiress."
"Very well."
Kaguya knew this all too well. Rinji was deeply self-centered. As the saying goes, habits are hard to change—his flaws would likely stay with him for life.
"Then that's that. To , Karura is a rare happiness I've finally found. I want to protect her and care for her. Now that she's in my life, emotional problems no longer matter. They're resolved."
"Well then, congratulations."
Kaguya smiled, leaning against a nearby pillar beside him.
"This might be the longest conversation we've ever had."
"Yeah. Even though you're from the Shinomiya family, you're not my enemy." Rinji smiled too. "Though who knows—maybe one day you will be."
"I hope that day never cos."
Looking up at the darkening sky, only Rinji and Kaguya remained in that place.
"I was only able to attend the fireworks festival because you helped , right? I never thanked you for that. So—thank you, Rinji."
[Note: As I've said Translating using Ai is kinda problematic with the naming errors. First they would address distantly by adding Mr. Or Miss or just addressing by surna. But it would suddenly transition to a first na basis. So please don't mind if sotis I'm not consistent with my namings and addressings.
In this part, I decided to switch how kaguya and Rinji address each other:
From Takamine-kun to Rinji.
And from Shinomiya Heiress to Miss Shinomiya or Shinomiya.
I also change how chika address the MC from Takamine-kun to Rinji.
They have been addressing eachother like that since 100 chapter back but I decided keep the way they address each other based on their relationship.]
"No problem. Punching your father was pretty satisfying for . Let's call it even."
Rinji wouldn't ntion that he did it because Shirogane wanted Kaguya to be at the festival. If he said that, Kaguya might accuse Shirogane of having feelings for her.
And knowing Shirogane, Rinji knew he'd definitely worry about sothing like that.
"But I've always wondered, Miss Shinomiya—since the day we t. Why weren't you afraid of ?"
"Hmm... that's a good question."
Back then, Rinji had killed one of the main family's bodyguards right in front of her.
By his logic, the sheer bloodiness of that mont should've traumatized her more than it did her two brothers.
Strangely enough, her brothers were terrified of Rinji, but Kaguya seed largely unaffected.
"Yeah... why is that, I wonder?"
Faced with Rinji's question, Kaguya only smiled without answering.
"There was a ti I was very scared, but I quickly stopped being afraid. I wonder why that is..."
As the only one in the student council who knew Rinji's darkness, even she couldn't fully answer that question herself.
---
Rinji walked ho alone.
Though it was rush hour, because this was a school district, there weren't many cars around.
Staring at the empty street, Rinji couldn't help but imagine—if only Karura attended the sa school as him, then they could go ho together every day after class.
Whether Karura would be willing to transfer schools, however, was uncertain. She had her own friends at her current school, and Rinji didn't want to control her life just because of his own feelings.
But if she were willing, that would be a different matter.
The streetlights had already co on, and Rinji walking beneath them looked a bit solitary.
Buzz~
"Hmm?"
Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, Rinji took it out and checked.
It was a LINE ssage from Hayasaka Ai.
[Are you free right now? I want to talk to you about sothing.]
Rinji was about to reply with "Yes," but stopped with his finger hovering over the screen.
"Wait a minute. I have a girlfriend now. Should I be keeping so distance from girls who aren't coworkers?"
Only now did he realize—being new to a relationship, there were still many things he didn't understand.
Forget it. If you don't know, just ask.
Rinji exited Hayasaka's ssage and dialed Karura's number instead.
The call connected within seconds.
"Hello? Rinji~ Are you missing ? If you are, I can ask Grandpa if I can co ho early."
"No need to worry about . Just follow your original plan."
Hearing Karura's voice already lightened Rinji's mood.
"By the way, I wanted to ask you sothing. We're officially dating now, right?"
"Yup."
"Then… how much distance should I keep from other girls?"
"…Up to you?"
"Really?"
"I don't get why you always ask these weird questions. Just do what you like," Karura said with a laugh.
She always felt that most of the things Rinji asked about were either things she didn't understand or completely trivial.
Rather than caring about such stuff, what Karura really hoped was for Rinji to start seriously thinking about having kids with her.
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