Page 17
The two of them flattered each other and became more and more excited, gradually talking about their common interests and hobbies.
Eriri has a heart full of love for the second dimension, and only one person, Kasumigaoka Utaha, can she confide in in real life. However, that woman is a weirdo. Not only does she find excuses to run away halfway through listening, she is even indifferent to the new anime and comics released every month!
Natsume is similar. Totsuka Ayaka is a hidden celebrity who only occasionally shows some interest in light novels.
As for Yukino, if he talked to her about topics like anime, this literary girl would surely look at him with kind and concerned eyes.
Damn it, talking to her about anime means having to endure those awkward moments when she doesn't understand the gags at all.
"Once Mr. Enjo's new work is out, it should be able to sell over a million copies! Then you'll be a very famous light novel writer."
"No, no, Mr. Kashiwagi, you are too kind." Natsume Rinno said modestly, "I am just a newcomer in the industry. The famous light novel writer is more suitable for me, Mr. Kasumi Shiko."
"that's humble."
……
Yukino yawned out of boredom, as she really couldn't understand the jargon between the lines.
Is it possible that she is really out of date?
She wrote down a few words that appeared most frequently, intending to look up information on them when she got home. Thinking of his nickname, Yan Shang, a smile appeared on Yukino's lips.
Obviously, this is the opposite of Yukinoshita.
"Then, Mr. Yan Shang, I will take my leave now."
Ying Lili stood up reluctantly to say goodbye. While walking, she stepped on the corner of her black robe and almost fell to the ground.
"Phew, it's done." Natsume Rinno let out a long sigh and leaned back in her chair with satisfaction.
Among the ordered dinner, only Yukino was slowly eating it. After noticing his gaze, Yukino raised her fork innocently.
"Teacher Yan Shang~"
The steak on her plate was already empty, and looking at the sauce on the corner of her mouth that she hadn't had time to wipe, it was obvious who had taken it away.
"You'll get fat if you eat so much." Natsume Rinno threatened her.
"That's great. I've been feeling like being too light lately isn't good. And I'm so tall, so gaining a little weight shouldn't have any effect." Yukino gestured at her waist, a little dissatisfied with her thin waist.
Although her figure looked good, she was really bothered by the fact that she was missing some key parts.
It wasn't that Yukino cared too much about vulgar things like breasts, but it made her angry that Haruno had such a great figure and she didn't improve at all.
"Yukino, accept your fate." Natsume Rinno's voice suddenly became serious, and she stared at her intently.
"what?"
"If you haven't developed by the time you reach high school, it means there is no room for growth. Don't worry, we won't laugh at you." Natsume Rinno said earnestly, glancing at her thin body.
"I'll strangle you to death..."
Of course, Yukino would not strangle anyone to death. She just used the ribbon she carried with her as a rope for hanging to give Natsume an experience.
Just consider it as a punishment for his nonsense!
"You really did it!"
Walking on the way home, Natsume Rinno rubbed her neck.
"If Natsume-san keeps talking nonsense, it will be more than just that. Do you want the police to come find you or for Haruno to come over?"
"...I don't want any of them." Natsume Rinno said angrily.
The former will bring shame, the latter will cost your life.
"It seems that you still cherish your life. Let's stop here. Goodbye."
Standing at the intersection, the little face that had turned red during the confrontation with Natsume returned to its snow-white complexion.
Yukino stood at the traffic light and waved at him. Although she was standing in the crowd, she gave Natsume the illusion of loneliness. Her pretty face changed to a calm expression again.
No matter how much he teased Haruno, it only brought about temporary improvement, and when she was alone, she gradually returned to her snow-like state of mind.
This stepsister is really difficult to deal with.
"Minister Yukinoshita, Shinjuku is not safe at night. Do you want me to take you home?"
Chapter 25: Pride and Prejudice
"It's not as dangerous as you say."
Having said this, Yukino did not react further when Natsume caught up.
After passing the traffic lights and crossing the overpass, there were fewer and fewer pedestrians around and the sky became darker.
The apartment she rented was very high-end, with many green plants planted in front of the door. Just by being nearby, one could feel the air became much fresher.
And it wasn’t far from the place he rented, only about ten minutes.
Under the light of the street lamp in front of the apartment, Yukinoshita Yukino stood there motionless.
"It's time to go back."
"Ah."
After watching her slender figure disappear in the apartment, Natsume slowly walked towards home.
……
In mid-April, Tokyo finally welcomed its first rain.
Students in Class 2, Grade 1 were complaining about the rain. Originally, they had physical education class this afternoon, but now they had to study on their own in the classroom.
"I was talking about playing tennis with Natsume, but it looks like that's out of the question."
Totsuka Ayaka moved a stool and sat next to him, feeling a little regretful as the weather outside showed no signs of improving.
"You can't win, so why are you so persistent?" Natsume Rinno built a bridge with textbooks and piled erasers on top.
Although he did not put much effort into sports, he had a good level in activities like tennis thanks to the experience and wisdom from the clubs in junior high school.
"Hey, don't underestimate me!"
Totsuka Ayaka's voice became louder, but it was not too noticeable in the chaotic classroom.
Because physical education classes were cancelled, the classroom was in chaos and it was normal for people to sit in groups of two or three and chat.
When a group of people like Yumiko Miura gather together, they are truly eye-catching.
"Everyone, go back to your seats."
A stern voice sounded, and Shizuka Hiratsuka walked in with a book in her arms, and the classroom became quiet with just one voice.
"Mr. Miyamoto is busy today, so I will be teaching this class. Everyone, take your seats."
The classmates complained quietly, but under the teacher's gaze, Natsume Rinno obediently dismantled the bridge she had just built.
Damn it, the venue was gone before he could even ride the roller coaster.
Amid the boring sound of flipping textbooks, Natsume looked out the window. The light spring rain seemed to be getting heavier and heavier, and even the glass was covered with a hazy mist of rain.
“Is rain a good thing or a bad thing?”
In the activity classroom, Natsume Rinno held a steaming cup of black tea and talked to herself.
There was a book in front of Yukino, and after hearing his question, her slender fingers touched the warm teacup.
"Minister, do you like rain?" He asked in a different way.
"If it's just a light rain, it's fine. But if it's too heavy, it will affect my mood." Yukino flipped through the papers.
Natsume looked at it a few more times, but still couldn't guess the title of the book based on the content.
“Like reading on rainy days?”
"Don't add hobbies to others without permission. I would still be reading even if it wasn't raining." Yukino glared at him, turned the book over and put it on the table, then picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"Pride and Prejudice"
After getting the answer, Natsume stopped teasing her and just sat in his seat obediently.
After the flyers were posted, there was no change in their club life. It seemed that the Service Club was still not well-known enough within the campus.
However, some gossipy classmates noticed that there were new members in the Service Club and even asked him for an interview, but were all rejected by Natsume.
Just kidding, it would be so nice to just live like this. If she really becomes a jack of all trades, Natsume will cry out loud.
The rain outside was gradually getting lighter, and it seemed like it was time to leave.
Yukino picked up her umbrella from the rack, closed the door, and looked down from the club building. There were only a few people left on campus.
"It feels like there aren't many activities in the first year of high school." Natsume complained beside her.
When he was in junior high school, he experienced the rich extracurricular activities of the island country's students. About a quarter of each semester was spent outdoors.
It has been nearly two months since the start of the school year, and he has been just staying in the classroom studying. He almost suspects that he is attending a fake high school.
"Are you anxious to retire?"
They opened their umbrellas, and the raindrops fell on the umbrellas, making a crisp sound.
"Until I make enough money, living in seclusion is just a dream in my heart. Minister Yukinoshita, please don't comment on other people's dreams without permission." Natsume Rinno protested.
"It shouldn't cost much to live in seclusion."
"It's a superficial point of view. The villa I need to use alone will cost hundreds of millions of yen. Besides, I am living in seclusion, not surviving in the wilderness. There is absolutely no reason to lower my quality of life."
Natsume corrected her wrong view. The house he found on the Internet had no intention of lowering the price just because it was located in a remote area. The numbers made his heart beat faster and he wanted to grab a gun and rob a bank.
"Why don't you just buy a house in Tokyo and live in seclusion there." Yukino carefully jumped over the newly appeared puddles on the road.
Yukino didn't react much to the fact that the goal of high school students is to earn hundreds of millions of yen.
"Minister, it seems that you still don't know the current housing prices in Tokyo."
Yukino, whose family actually owned a mine, ignored his complaints and walked through the area with the most water, lifting her skirt. A few splashes of water fell on her pretty little leather shoes.
"Instead of complaining, you might as well think about returning to your family. I will convince your sister to leave a secluded place for you." Yukino smiled faintly, tempting him to turn back.
In fact, the question should be reversed. He should convince Haruno to leave a room for Yukino to live in.
It's a joke that the sister-in-law has to worry about her brother-in-law's residence.
"Ha." Natsume Rinno sighed, "Thank you for your kindness, Minister, but I won't go back until I feel it's appropriate."