"Hm?"
Hayashi Shuichi froze slightly, not quite understanding.
Behind him, Yukiko's cheeks flushed with shy redness.
She gently wrapped her arms around Hayashi Shuichi's waist, pressing her entire body against his back.
The girl's soft, graceful curves transmitted clearly through her thin summer clothes...
Whoosh!
Feeling what it truly meant to have peaks gathered like clouds, Hayashi Shuichi pedaled the bicycle with even more vigor.
Just then, Yukiko suddenly asked: "By the way, what exactly did you do to make Sharon that angry?"
"Last time I didn't help—"
Hayashi Shuichi stopped mid-sentence, finally realizing he'd fallen for a honey trap. He sighed helplessly, his voice tinged with wry amusement.
"After all that, you just wanted to ask this?"
"What else?"
Yukiko playfully poked his back repeatedly with her finger, light as tickling.
Hayashi Shuichi felt a tingling numbness in his back and unconsciously straightened up.
"Last time I rode in Sharon's car back to the set," Yukiko continued, "she cursed you the whole way. What exactly did you do to wrong her?"
"This..." Hayashi Shuichi gave a dry laugh, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "Can we not talk about it?"
"What do you think?"
Yukiko suddenly hugged his neck from behind, her voice turning dangerous.
"You didn't... do something with her, did you?"
"How could that be possible!" Hayashi Shuichi hurriedly defended, his voice rising an octave. "Sharon and I are completely innocent!"
"Innocent..."
Yukiko huffed lightly, releasing her arms. Even without turning, Hayashi Shuichi could imagine her puffed-up angry look.
"If I believe you, then I'm Wangcai!"
"You should be Pudding," Hayashi Shuichi couldn't help laughing. "I'm the one who should be Wangcai. Woof woof."
"Stop joking," Yukiko punched him good-naturedly. "Hurry up and tell me—what happened between you and Sharon?"
"Fine, I'll tell," Hayashi Shuichi took a deep breath. "Actually, I ruined her work. Sharon thought I was helping outsiders against her, so she got mad."
"Work?" Yukiko tilted her head. "Sharon's a big American star. Her work in Japan..."
The girl suddenly widened her eyes: "You messed around on the set where Sharon was filming?"
Hayashi Shuichi gave a dry laugh, his gaze evasive, saying nothing.
Yukiko persisted unhappily: "Sharon thinks you sided with outsiders... The outsider wouldn't happen to be another great beauty, right?"
"She is indeed a beauty..." Hayashi Shuichi recalled Elena's appearance and nodded involuntarily.
"I'm not in Mikan, and you really went provoking other girls!"
Yukiko threw a tantrum in the back seat, shaking the bicycle forcefully.
The wheels drew dangerous arcs on the road, startling a stray cat that "meowed" and darted into the bushes.
"Elena isn't some girl," Hayashi Shuichi gripped the handlebars tightly. "She's a foreigner, and already married."
But this only made Yukiko angrier: "Great! Hayashi Shuichi, you've even started going after married women now!"
"Where's your mind going!"
Hayashi Shuichi quickly stopped the bike—if he let Yukiko continue, they'd definitely crash tonight.
"Hmph, I'll walk home myself!"
Yukiko jumped off and stormed ahead angrily.
"Wrong direction," Hayashi Shuichi kindly reminded. "Your home isn't that way."
The girl's pretty face instantly turned bright red: "None of your business! I can still get home this way!"
"You're planning to circle the Earth?" Hayashi Shuichi pushed the bike to catch up. "Actually, I've only met Miss Elena once. She's not only married but has a daughter too—the couple's relationship is great. How could anything happen between us?"
"If it's as innocent as you say," Yukiko stopped, turning around. She questioned angrily, "Then why is Sharon mad?"
"I just told you," Hayashi Shuichi helplessly scratched his head. "She's mainly angry because I ruined her work. Simply put, the company behind Sharon wanted the Miyano couple—"
"Madam!" Yukiko glared at him. "She's married—stop calling her miss! You're clearly not over it!"
"Fine, Madam Miyano!" Hayashi Shuichi raised his hands in surrender. "The company behind Sharon wanted the Miyano couple to work for them, but they refused. Sharon went to them, and I messed it up."
"Just that simple?" Yukiko eyed him suspiciously.
"Just that simple," Hayashi Shuichi nodded seriously. "If you don't believe me, ask Sharon yourself."
"...Of course I'll ask," Yukiko huffed, her gaze unconsciously falling on the bike he was pushing. "I'm tired from walking! Pushing like this, when will we get to my place!"
"Your highness, please take your seat," Hayashi Shuichi steadied the handlebars and gestured invitingly.
Yukiko lightly hopped onto the back seat. This time, she didn't press close, just demurely holding the hem of his clothes.
"Shuichi," the girl asked curiously, "What does Sharon's company want with the Miyano couple? Filming a movie?"
"Sharon isn't just a big star," Hayashi Shuichi's tone grew serious. "In the crew, don't get too close to her—just normal interactions."
"The company behind Sharon is multinational and wants to research biological agents. The Miyano couple are experts in that field."
"Is there something wrong with Sharon's company?" Yukiko caught his implication.
"That company might be involved in some international crimes," Hayashi Shuichi said gravely. "Anyway, keep your distance when dealing with Sharon."
"Oh," seeing his seriousness, Yukiko nodded obediently. "You investigated all this?"
"Something like that," Hayashi Shuichi answered vaguely.
"...Now I know why Sharon's angry," Yukiko said in sudden realization. "She must suspect your reason for approaching her was to investigate her."
"Maybe," Hayashi Shuichi replied noncommittally, inwardly marveling at how quickly women reacted to such things.
...
The rainy season's downpour came sudden and fierce.
Just as the bicycle was about to turn onto the road before the apartment building, a pale flash of lightning tore across the night sky, followed by a "boom" of thunder. Bean-sized raindrops instantly poured down.
Hayashi Shuichi felt a chill on his back as icy rainwater already trickled down his collar...
(End of chapter)
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"