The sudden voice from behind startled Yukino.
She turned around in a panic. When she saw it was Toru behind her, she let out a quiet sigh of relief, bowed politely, and said, "Oh, it's Fujiwara-senpai."
On the surface, Yukino maintained perfect manners, but Toru still caught a hint of complaint in her tone.
He was about to say something, then instinct kicked in. His CIA training told him someone was nearby, eavesdropping on their conversation.
Toru shifted his eyes slightly and quickly spotted the culprits.
One of them was Haibara. Using her petite size, she blended easily into the crowd, pretending to stare elsewhere, but her ears were clearly focused in their direction.
The other was a tall girl in a women's suit with a single ponytail and sharp presence, like a beautiful knight.
Toru thought for a moment and figured out who she was.
That should be Hayasaka, Kaguya's personal maid.
Eavesdropping for her mistress?
Toru muttered to himself but didn't call them out. He just smiled and said to Yukino, "Yukino, why are you calling me that again? Back at the hospital, you didn't call me that."
There was obvious teasing in his tone, and Yukino frowned slightly. "That was just because my mother requested it."
Her personality was like this—prideful and guarded. She appreciated that Toru had saved her, and she had a good impression of him, but she couldn't stand being teased like this.
"Really? Then I should go call your mother over to confirm."
Saying that, Toru pretended to turn toward her mother.
Yukino panicked, immediately grabbed the edge of his sleeve, and said urgently, "Don't!"
She had always been afraid of her mother. If she really came over, and Toru exaggerated the story, who knew how badly she'd get scolded?
"Then give me a reason not to call your mother."
"Is bullying girls that much fun?"
"Not all girls. Just bullying you is fun."
"Why?"
Yukino looked even more annoyed.
"Because you're cute."
Toru replied after pretending to think about it.
Yukino pouted. "Of course I know I'm cute, but that's not a reason to bully me."
"If I say it is, then it is. Fine then, I'll call your mom."
"You... Brother!"
Yukino gave in. She stomped her foot softly and whispered.
"Sorry, that was too quiet."
She clenched her teeth. "Brother~"
"Now that's more like it."
Seeing that Toru had given up on calling her mother, Yukino finally relaxed.
Toru looked around the lively venue and said softly, "Do you think these people are hypocrites?"
Yukino's eyes lit up. She nodded lightly. "Yes, very much so. You think so too?"
In that moment, Yukino felt quietly happy. She finally felt understood. In this world full of drunk, empty people, it turned out there was someone else who was awake, like her.
Toru smiled. "Yes, they're hypocrites. Do you think your mother and sister are also hypocrites?"
Yukino hesitated slightly, then firmly said, "Yes. Just as hypocritical."
Even if he went and tattled to her mother, she wasn't going to change her stance.
"But, Yukino, that's just how society works. From ancient times, hypocrisy has been a part of human relationships."
"You flatter others, you cater to the people around you. It's always been this way. That hasn't changed."
Yukino didn't accept that. She responded angrily, "Just because something has always been that way, doesn't mean it's right."
Toru chuckled. "You've definitely got the spirit of a literary giant."
He paused, then continued, "But I'm not arguing about right or wrong here. Debates like this can go on all day and all night without conclusion. It ends up just being sophistry."
"All I'm saying is, whether it's right or wrong depends on yourself."
"If you're strong enough, you can ignore all the unwritten rules, live however you want, and not care about anyone's judgment."
"But if you're not, you have no choice but to go with the flow. If you can't change society, you have to adapt to it."
Yukino looked up with determination. "Then I'll become that kind of person. If being strong means I can reject these false things, I'll become strong."
She raised her chin, her fair skin glowing under the light.
"That's a good goal. But whether you can achieve it or not, only time will tell."
"Yukino, do you think your mother and sister enjoy being this way? Do you think they're happy putting on these masks? No. But they do it anyway. For the family, for your future, for your happiness, and even your studies, they choose this path."
Toru's tone turned gentle. "You can hold onto your ideals. But at the same time, you should understand the effort and sacrifices your mother and sister make."
"I heard you're living alone now, in a luxury apartment? Your sister said it was because you wanted independence and to experience the real world."
"But, Yukino, who pays the rent for that apartment? Isn't it still your mother?"
His words hit her like a brick. Her face turned red. "Why does my sister tell you everything?"
She turned away, not sure if it was from anger or embarrassment. Either way, she wanted to escape.
Toru didn't stop her and simply watched her disappear into the crowd.
He shook his head and was about to leave when a figure appeared in front of him.
It was Haruno.
She wore a light purple kimono with vertical black stripes, held a small folding fan, and smiled with elegance. Her eyes sparkled with poise and grace.
"Did you two just have a fight?"
"If running away counts as a fight, then yeah."
"I heard everything you said to her."
"I know you were eavesdropping."
Haruno gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. "Fujiwara-kun, please don't be upset with Yukino. She's still young. There are things she doesn't understand."
"I'm not mad at her."
People tend to forget that Yukino had just started high school. It was normal to have some idealistic, chuunibyou thoughts at that age.
Plenty of students go through a rebellious phase, thinking they don't need help and can do everything on their own.
"Yukino has always been emotionally fragile. I've always been strict with her because I don't want her to get hurt."
"Being isolated at school is one thing. But once she enters society, the bullying she faces will be on a whole different level. If she doesn't toughen up, she'll eventually break."
Haruno sighed.
"You're a good sister."
"I've always been a good sister. Did Fujiwara-kun misunderstand something?"
She gave him a playful smile.
Then she added, "There's a sports festival coming up at Sobu High School. I used some of my connections to set up an exchange event between Tokyo University and Sobu."
"Sobu High School?"
"It's my alma mater. And where Yukino currently studies. In Chiba."
"Not to doubt you, Yukinoshita-senpai, but I don't think you have the pull to make Tokyo University agree to something like that."
Getting Tokyo University involved in an exchange, even with a top school, was extremely difficult. Regular students couldn't pull that off.
Even if someone had influence in high school, once they got to Tokyo University, they were just one among countless elite students. Gaining their recognition was almost impossible.
"These people all have their pride."
Haruno pouted. "Can't you just praise me for once?"
"The truth cuts deep, senpai."
"And don't think I didn't hear you just now. You called Yukino by her first name. If you call me 'Yukinoshita-senpai' again, I'll get mad."
"Haruno-senpai?"
"There we go. I like that."
Haruno smiled radiantly. "Of course, it's not an event organized by the entire university. I don't have that kind of influence. It's just an exchange arranged under the name of the Tokyo University Karate Club."
"Fujiwara-kun, you're a national celebrity now. You've got to show up."
Toru didn't mind her calling him that. He smiled. "Do I have a choice?"
"Nope. I'm the Vice President of the Karate Club. You're a member. That means you follow my orders."
Toru shrugged with mock helplessness. "Haruno-senpai, if you say so, I have no choice but to obey."
"Fujiwara-kun is so obedient. What reward do you want from your senpai?"
"There are too many people around. Can I claim it when no one's watching?"
"Then I'll hold onto it for now. Think carefully about what you want."
As Toru and Haruno continued their ambiguous but business-like banter, the phones of both the Osaka Prefectural Police Inspector General and the Kyoto Prefectural Police Inspector General rang at the same time.
They answered immediately, their expressions serious, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)