Hikari poured her a cup of freshly brewed hot tea.
After Miyuri finished drinking, Hikari then spoke up and asked Miyuri, "Aunt Miyuri, do you know why you were in targeted by those hooligans on the mountain?"
Hearing Hikari's words, Miyuri, who had originally been looking at Hikari's handsome face and wondering whether to have another secret tutoring session with this nephew tonight, was immediately taken slightly aback.
After thinking for a moment, Miyuri shook her head and said, "I don't know…"
But just as the words left her mouth, Miyuri suddenly remembered something seemed off with hospital director Yoshizawa Eigen this morning, and she blurted out, "Hikari-kun, those hooligans targeting me, does it have something to do with that guy Yoshizawa Takeo?"
Hikari nodded, confirming her words, "Yes, Yoshizawa Takeo is already dead. His father, Yoshizawa Eigen, discovered he was missing and is investigating his situation. Those hooligans were commissioned by Yoshizawa Eigen."
He hadn't interrogated them deliberately, but while being tormented by the Four, those hooligans confessed everything, so Hikari was very clear about this information.
Hearing Hikari's words, a look of panic immediately appeared on Miyuri's face, "Ah? Yoshizawa Takeo is dead? Was it because I hit him with a rock in the bamboo grove the other day?"
Thinking about what happened a few days ago, Miyuri immediately became somewhat flustered.
After all, she had never contemplated something like killing someone.
And Yoshizawa Takeo was Yoshizawa Eigen's son. Yoshizawa Eigen, as the hospital director, had considerable financial resources and certain influence. Offending such a person rarely leads to a good outcome.
Seeing Miyuri, frightened, leaning close to him, her delicate body trembling, Hikari had no choice but to first gently pat her back, then soothe her, "It's alright, Aunt Miyuri, don't panic just yet."
"That guy Yoshizawa Takeo deserved to die anyway. As for any clues or things like that, I've already taken care of everything. There won't be any problems; that guy Yoshizawa Eigen won't be able to find out anything."
"The reason I'm telling you about this is because that guy Yoshizawa Eigen already has some suspicions about you. That's why he sent those hooligans to investigate you. He cares a lot about Yoshizawa Takeo."
"So, Auntie, be more careful recently. Try not to be alone with others, and try to only go to crowded places. I'll help you."
Hearing Hikari's words, Miyuri finally calmed down.
"Mhm! Auntie will listen to you! Auntie also believes Hikari-kun will definitely protect Auntie!"
Miyuri subconsciously rested her head on Hikari's shoulder, her tone full of dependence.
Despite being an aunt and nephew relationship, in this situation, Hikari seemed more like the elder.
Hearing Miyuri's words, Hikari smiled, gently patting her rounded shoulder and saying, "Mhm, Auntie, don't worry. If anything happens, contact me immediately."
"Mhm! Hikari-kun, you also need to be careful and stay safe," Miyuri looked at Hikari with concerned eyes.
Although she already knew this nephew of hers was now very capable. Not only skilled in fighting but also meticulous and very reliable, much more capable than her, a useless aunt. Her excessive concern still made her worry about him.
To this, Hikari smiled and nodded, indicating he would be careful.
After instructing Miyuri a few more times, he finally left her house.
And because Hikari mentioned Yoshizawa Eigen might seek revenge, making Miyuri a bit nervous, she also forgot to propose wanting to conduct secret tutoring with Hikari tonight again.
Only after seeing Hikari off and returning to her own room, lying on her maidenly bed, did Miyuri realize she seemed to have forgotten to brush her teeth after coming home.
Feeling the residual soreness and swelling in her mouth, and the occasional intense scent that wafted out, Miyuri suddenly couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.
Even though this scent wasn't particularly pleasant, just thinking about it made her heart flutter with emotion.
Her heart pounding wildly, Miyuri's emotions rose and fell uncontrollably.
'Things went too far with Hikari-kun. I can't continue like this; I am his elder.'
A thought filled with guilt surfaced, but the young man's handsome face and strong physique stubbornly occupied her mind.
Slender jade-like fingers slipped under the bedsheet.
Hazy moonlight filtered through the lace curtains, illuminating Miyuri's delicate face. Tonight was destined to be another sleepless night.
———
On the other hand, after leaving Miyuri's house, Hikari walked quickly towards the direction of his own home.
He still remembered the promise he made with Arisa before going to the festival today.
Sure enough, when he arrived at the gate of his rural house's yard, a beautiful figure was already waiting under the moonlight.
Golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, her lithe figure curvaceous, her beautiful legs under her skirt pressed tightly together.
"Hikari-kun!"
Seeing Hikari's figure appear, Arisa immediately happily reached out and greeted him.
"Arisa," Hikari also responded.
Then he quickly walked towards the beautiful figure, his tone carrying a slight apology, "Sorry, I went with Aunt Miyuri and the others to the shrine festival today, so I came back a bit late. I kept you waiting."
Arisa hurriedly shook her head, "No, no! I'm the one disturbing you. And I actually haven't been waiting here for long either, it's fine. By the way, Hikari-kun, how was that festival you went to? Was it fun?"
Seeing this foreign beauty from Russia looking so curious, Hikari smiled, "If there's a chance, I'll take you to see for yourself."
"Really? Thank you, Hikari-kun!", Hearing this, Arisa immediately nodded happily.
Then she looked somewhat curiously at the clothes and pants Hikari was wearing, asking with concern, "Hikari-kun, the legs of your pants, and the bottom part of your shirt here… why are they wet?"
Hikari looked down. The pant legs were probably from the stream, and the lower hem of the shirt… probably related to Aunt Miyuri.
Facing Arisa's confusion, Hikari explained offhandedly, "On the way to the shrine festival, I accidentally stepped in a puddle and splashed myself. It's nothing serious."
"Oh! I see," Arisa nodded.
After casually chatting for a bit, Hikari also opened the yard gate.
He naturally took half of Arisa's luggage, then led her inside the house.
"You can sit in the living room for a while, or put your luggage down. I need to take a shower first."
Hikari's clothes were somewhat wet now, plus the earlier 'oral exchange' with Aunt Miyuri left his lower body feeling a bit sticky, so after greeting Arisa a few times, he first walked into the bathroom.
Arisa also knew Hikari wanted to shower quickly now and nodded obediently in the middle of the living room.
———
After comfortably washing himself clean, Hikari, wrapped in a large bathrobe, came out of the bathroom.
Arisa, who had originally been sitting on the sofa watching TV, upon seeing Hikari's figure appear, instinctively looked up first, then immediately lowered her gaze, her pretty face unable to suppress a blush.
Secretly staring at Hikari's post-bath appearance, Arisa's toes curled slightly inside her stockings, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt. The little movements all over her body revealed inner nervousness and unease, yet her eyes flickered with some expectation and curiosity.
Although already engaged, practically a soon-to-be wife, Arisa truly hadn't seen another man's body before.
And Hikari's physique was clearly more upright and slender than other men's, inherently very attractive to women. Coupled with the fact that Arisa, having been helped by him multiple times, already harbored unusual feelings for Hikari.
For Arisa, Hikari's just-out-of-the-bath appearance was like a teenage boy seeing a mature, captivating goddess emerging from her bath, making her heart pound.
Instinctively, Arisa very much wanted to keep staring at him, even to pull open the bathrobe and carefully examine every inch of skin, every muscle.
But that would be far too presumptuous and rude, and would also make her seem shameless and brazen.
So, torn between instinct and shame, Arisa could only blush deeply, stealing glances now and then, not daring to actually look up.
Sensing Arisa's awkwardness vaguely, Hikari also gathered the front of his bathrobe, which had been hanging open at the chest, a bit tighter, trying not to make her so flustered and discomposed.
"Is this tea you just made?", Sitting on the other side of the sofa, Hikari took the initiative to open the conversation with Arisa.
Hearing his voice, Arisa also instinctively set aside her embarrassment and picked up the thread, "Ah! Yes, I just made some barley tea! Would you like a cup, Hikari-kun?"
"Sure. Having a sip of tea after a bath is really refreshing. Nice," Hikari took the teacup Arisa handed over, took a sip, then politely complimented.
After Arisa modestly demurred a bit, somewhat embarrassed, Hikari began discussing serious matters with her.
"Arisa, that guy Suzumura Kenta is already dead, and your fiance Suzumura Kouta is still abroad. What are your specific plans?", Hikari asked.
"Ah! This…"
Originally, Arisa was still immersed in the indescribable charm of the young man beside her, smelling the faint scent of shower gel in the air, her cheeks tinged with a flush.
Suddenly hearing Hikari bring up that 'sinful mistake' she had been subconsciously avoiding in her heart, she froze completely, her flushed face instantly turning pale.
Realizing he might have startled her by being too abrupt, Hikari added an explanation, "Bringing this up isn't to frighten you, but to understand your plans going forward. Don't worry, regarding this matter, I will help you. Arisa, if you have any thoughts or plans, you can tell me."
Hearing Hikari's calm words and seeing that still somewhat youthful yet reliable young face, Arisa's emotions gradually calmed down.
She nodded and said, "That guy Suzumura Kenta is de… dead, I haven't thought too much about the specifics."
"Following your previous advice, Hikari-kun, I have completely given up on the idea of turning myself in. Bu-but if this matter gets exposed, I haven't figured out what to do either…"
Probably because she subconsciously hadn't dared to think about Suzumura Kenta's death before, Arisa seemed somewhat incoherent when discussing it now.
Seeing Arisa so nervous, Hikari spoke calmly, "Are you worried about being arrested if this gets exposed? I have an idea. How about I send you back to Russia?"
Hearing Hikari's words, Arisa realized this idea was indeed viable.
If she went back to Russia, then even if Suzumura Kenta's death was discovered, she would be fine.
After all, there likely wasn't solid evidence she killed Suzumura Kenta, and Japan would absolutely not handle a cross-border case to arrest someone over such a minor matter.
Hikari's suggestion was indeed very good; she could seemingly rest easy.
But Arisa quickly shook her head, "No, I won't go back to Russia."
"Why?", Hikari asked.
Arisa said, "If I go back to Russia, the responsibility for Suzumura Kenta being killed would fall on you, Hikari-kun, right? I can't watch you bear the sin for me."
Hearing this, Hikari smiled and said, "It's fine. If you want to go back to Russia, go ahead. The matter of Suzumura Kenta, I will resolve it. It won't implicate me."
Arisa couldn't help but ask, "Hikari-kun, can you resolve Suzumura Kenta's death?"
Hikari nodded, "Mhm. This guy was practically an unemployed drifter in Ino Village, hardly anyone knew him. It's easy to handle. You can go back to your country without worry."
But Arisa shook her head, "If that's the case, then I really can't go back to my country."
"Hmm? You still don't believe me?", Hikari was puzzled.
"No, that's not it," Arisa shook her head, explaining, "It's precisely because I trust Hikari-kun very much that I don't want to go back to Russia. I don't have any relatives in Russia. Before coming to Japan, I had already sold off all my assets, so going back now would be meaningless."
"Since Hikari-kun can resolve this matter, I'd rather stay and live in Japan. I'm very interested in the culture here, and I also want you... um, that, anyway, if it won't affect Hikari-kun, I still want to stay in Japan!"
Pinching the hem of her skirt, Arisa stared intently at Hikari. Actually, there was another reason she didn't want to leave Japan: she was somewhat reluctant to part with Hikari.
Since becoming sensible, apart from the deceased old lady from the orphanage who adopted her, the person who had treated her best and made her feel most reliable was Hikari.
So compared to returning to Russia, where she was also without any relatives, she really would rather stay in Japan, as long as… she could see Hikari, talk to him.
Hearing that Arisa seemed to have already made a decision, Hikari didn't try to persuade her further.
He just said, "Alright, if you want to stay, then stay. If you don't want to go back to the Suzumura residence and have nowhere else to go, you can stay here with me for now."
"Thank you, Hikari-kun!", Arisa bowed gratefully.
Hikari waved his hand, then suddenly noticed the floor was much cleaner and asked offhandedly, "You cleaned up the house?"
Arisa nodded, "Mhm, I saw the floor was a bit dirty earlier, so I swept and mopped, and also tidied up some clutter on the table by the way. Ah, that, I didn't cause any trouble, did I?"
Hikari shook his head, "No, I should thank you for your help instead."
Arisa somewhat sheepishly touched her head, then suddenly remembered something. She hurriedly ran into the kitchen, brought out a pot of noodles, and said to Hikari:
"Um, Hikari-kun, I saw you came back so late and thought you might be hungry, so while you were showering, I thought of making you a bowl of ramen. That… did I do too much? Was it unnecessary?"
Standing by the dining table with her hands held together, Arisa's expression was somewhat apprehensive.
Seeing her nervous look, Hikari smiled and waved his hand, "It's fine, how could it be unnecessary? I am indeed a bit hungry. And here I just took a shower, but you've already done the housework and made a midnight snack. Rather than unnecessary, I should say Arisa, you're just excessively capable and considerate."
"In men's eyes, you'd definitely be the kind of wife they'd most want to marry."
"I… I'm not that great!", Hearing Hikari's praise, Arisa's pretty face flushed slightly, and she somewhat embarrassedly scratched her head.
Under Arisa's gaze, Hikari leisurely finished the ramen.
After sitting and playing with his phone for a bit, he headed towards the bedroom.
Arisa, like a considerate and capable maid or housewife, quickly picked up the pots and bowls and went into the kitchen to wash them.
Back in his bedroom, Hikari opened his phone's messaging app.
There were already several unread messages from relatives and friends he knew in the city, like Yukino, Ms. Mira, etc.
It was just that while attending the Ino Shrine festival today, he had been quite busy and hadn't had time to check them.
Now, seeing their concerns, Hikari replied to each one, and even attached some pictures he took at tonight's festival f
or Ms. Mira and the others.
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