Since Mai had already decided to talk to her mother face-to-face, Mori Shinra naturally had no reason to stop her.
The time quickly reached the appointed five o'clock. Mai had already noticed a figure walking towards her in the distance.
"That person is coming."
Shinra squinted and looked in the direction of her gaze. There were many people there, but he had never seen her mother before, and the distance made it difficult to see clearly. However, since she said she was coming, then she probably was. Perhaps this was the bond between a mother and daughter.
Mai let go of his arm and then pointed in the opposite direction. "You go over there."
Killing the donkey as soon as it's done grinding, so to speak.
"It's a rare opportunity. Shouldn't I get to know her..."
"..."
Mai didn't reply. She pointed her left finger in the direction he was supposed to go, while her right hand made a 'twisting' motion.
The meaning was: If you don't go, you'll get what's coming to you.
"I'll continue the date with you after this is over. I'll treat you to something delicious then. Before that, just wait on the side for a bit."
"Alright~"
Shinra found a piece of driftwood that had been washed ashore and sat down. Although on the surface he was watching the scattered groups of people on the beach, he was actually paying attention to the movements on Mai's side.
At this moment, she had taken off her mask. Her graceful figure stood on the shore, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkling on her, making her look as if she were glowing.
But unfortunately, the people around were all immersed in their own worlds. Only he was able to appreciate this beautiful scenery.
...As if.
He understood the human creature very well. Appreciating beauty is a biological instinct. Especially for a peerless beauty like Mai, who was in the prime of her life, even a casual glance from a passerby would be enough to be stunned by her beauty.
Even if they didn't proactively strike up a conversation, a few secret glances wouldn't be a problem, right?
However, the current situation was that the passing crowd seemed to not see her at all.
So, has the old problem come back again?
Shinra sighed. It seemed this negotiation would not go smoothly.
After she realizes this problem, I'll step in and act as a translator.
What identity should I use to approach her mother?
Mai's boyfriend?
I feel like I'll be torn to shreds by an angry mother...
Of course, he wasn't afraid.
The figure in the distance grew closer, and he could now clearly see her mother's face.
She looked very similar to Mai, and was much younger than he had expected. At least, she didn't look like the mother of a third-year high school daughter.
Her makeup was exquisite, her attire professional. Standing next to Mai, those who didn't know might have thought she was her older sister. Every move she made was filled with the confidence of a strong career woman. She gave off the impression of a chic urban professional rather than a classmate's mother.
Her mother walked step by step towards the waiting Mai. Just as they were about to be face-to-face, Mai moved first. She opened her mouth, looking as if she were about to say a greeting like 'long time no see'.
The distance was too great, and with the interference of the sea breeze and waves, he couldn't hear clearly.
But it was obvious that her mother hadn't heard her greeting and continued to walk forward without stopping.
Mai was taken aback, then realized something. She leaned forward, her mouth opening and closing rapidly, as if she were desperately trying to say something.
However, her mother was completely oblivious, and instead looked around as if searching for something.
Soon, her mother's gaze locked onto Shinra's side. Because on the entire beach, he was the only one staring in their direction, which was far too conspicuous.
Seeing her mother walk towards him, Sakurajima Mai stood frozen in place, then quickly ran to get in front of her, gesturing frantically, as if to say—Can't you see me?
But the end result was still her brushing past her. Even when their bodies touched, her mother only slightly turned to the side, not feeling that anything was wrong.
In a sense, this ability of hers was quite strong.
Finally, her mother stopped about two meters in front of Shinra, a hint of displeasure on her face, which was seventy percent similar to Mai's.
She said, "Is it you?"
You had to admit, the mother and daughter's tone and expression when angry were exactly the same.
"Why did you call me to a place like this? Who are you? You look like a high school student, but we haven't met, have we? How do you have my contact information?"
A series of questions were fired off without any pause. Even Mai, who looked like she had reached her limit, broke into a sweat for him.
"I'm Mori Shinra, a second-year student at Sobu High," he introduced himself.
"I see. So what is it, Mori Shinra-san? I'm very busy," her mother's tone softened slightly, but it was still not very polite.
She was indeed very busy. The company was preparing a new project recently, and her own daughter was still refusing to make a comeback. She had no time to play guessing games with an unknown high school student.
Shinra's gaze went past the mother-who-wasn't-acting-like-a-mother. Behind her, Mai had a troubled expression, but she still nodded at him.
Clearly, she had figured out the current situation and had also made a thorough contingency plan—bringing him here.
"I'm sorry, it's not me who has business with you," Shinra shook his head.
Her mother frowned and asked patiently, "Then, who is it that's looking for me?"
Shinra found her question very strange. And also her earlier question about how he got her contact information. Logically speaking, she had come here because she had received an email. Even if she couldn't see Mai now, that fact certainly hadn't changed.
He had a bad premonition and decided to answer in a risky way.
"It's my girlfriend, your daughter, Sakurajima Mai."
"..."
Her mother fell silent. Just as Shinra thought he was about to face a storm of questions from a mother, he found that she was looking at him intently.
Is she sizing up her daughter's boyfriend?
Not at all.
He didn't see any anger or doubt in her. There was only confusion and impatience.
"Could you please say that again? Who was it that asked me to come here?"
"Sakurajima Mai. My girlfriend."
"I see."
"Yes."
Her mother pressed her temples and finally voiced her confusion.
"So, who is this Sakurajima Mai?"
"!"
Upon hearing this, even Mori Shinra couldn't help but show a look of astonishment on his face. He looked at Mai at the side. The expression on her face was exactly the same as his. An emotion called 'panic' began to emanate from her.
It was only natural for her to feel this way.
After all, her own biological mother was asking, 'Who is Mai?'.