Chapter 102: Bad Luck

The ceremonial hall was meticulously arranged. Behind the altar stood a large wall of flowers, while the altar’s center featured an enlarged photograph of an elderly man. Though aged, his eyes radiated a certain sharpness. It was unclear whether this was how he looked in life or if the photo had been edited. A dark-colored coffin was positioned not far from the altar.

On either side of the hall, monks chanted sutras. Those present moved in an orderly fashion, taking turns approaching the altar to light incense and pay their respects by viewing the deceased’s remains.

When it was the turn of Masashi and his family, Rumiko first respectfully lit a stick of incense, bowed deeply to the coffin, and then stepped away. Kazumi maintained her usual cold expression, lighting the incense without even glancing at the coffin before walking off.

When it was Masashi’s turn, he sighed inwardly. What bad luck—this was already the third funeral in less than two months.

After lighting the incense, he glanced at the unfamiliar yet faintly recognizable face in the photograph—one of Rumiko’s so-called family elders. In his mind, he muttered: Farewell, or not.

Shortly after sitting back down, a small commotion broke out in the hall.

The source of the disturbance was a woman—a strikingly beautiful one.

“That woman has no shame! How dare she show up here?”

“I heard Uncle Taro left her a significant portion of his estate in the will. She must be overjoyed now.”

“What? She’s just a mistress, yet he actually gave her an inheritance? He must have been senile.”

“They say she’s involved with other men, too. What a shameless woman.”

As the whispers of scorn from the women swirled and the men cast lustful glances, the woman—seemingly oblivious—calmly made her way to the altar. She lit a stick of incense and stood for a long time, staring at the elderly man in the coffin.

Her outfit was modest: a simple black knee-length dress with a plain white blouse underneath. Yet her alluring figure, which no clothing could conceal, left many men swallowing hard.

Her ambiguous status as a mistress only fueled their fantasies, while the deceased’s family members appeared visibly awkward.

After gazing at the coffin for a few minutes, the woman lowered her head and quietly exited the hall.

As she left, the hall gradually returned to calm. However, the men who had admired her felt a lingering sense of loss.

When the ceremony ended, Gennai Taro’s family carried his memorial tablet and, following the portrait and coffin, departed for the crematorium.

As the family left, the other attendees also began to disperse.

“Auntie, are you heading back home now?” Rumiko’s niece, Kurata Ryoko, a first-year university student, approached and asked.

“Yes, Ryoko,” Rumiko replied.

“Don’t go back so soon! Come hang out with us,” Ryoko suggested.

“No, you young people can enjoy yourselves. I’d rather go home and rest,” Rumiko said with a smile.

“If you’re not coming, how about letting Masashi come with us? I haven’t seen him in so long and would like to spend some time with him,” Ryoko said.

“Alright then. Masashi, go with Ryoko and the others, but don’t come home too late,” Rumiko instructed.

“Kazumi, why don’t you come along too?” Masashi said as he removed his black suit jacket and handed it to Rumiko.

Kazumi glanced at Ryoko and shook her head. “Rumi might get scared being home alone. I’d better stay with her.”

“Alright. Call me if anything comes up,” Masashi replied.

“Auntie, you don’t need to make dinner for Masashi. We’ll eat out,” Ryoko added.

“Let’s go, Masashi!” Ryoko said with a smile after bidding farewell to Rumiko.

“If possible, just call me by my name,” Masashi said calmly.

This is exactly why I hate reincarnating as a kid—always being treated as someone’s junior.

“Masashi, you’ve changed so much! If Auntie hadn’t introduced you, I wouldn’t have recognized you,” Ryoko remarked.

“I don’t see what’s so different about him. He’s just grown taller,” said Masashi’s current cousin, Nishino Nagatoshi. He couldn’t understand why Ryoko wanted to include this guy.

“Cousin Ryoko, where are we heading now?” asked Nagatoshi’s younger brother, Nishino Nagahisa.

“I want to visit Harajuku. Hiromi, where do you want to go?” Kurata Ryoko asked Kawakami Hiromi, who was standing beside her.

“I don’t really mind. I haven’t been to Harajuku in a while, so it’d be nice to check it out. But before we go, I’d like to head home and change clothes first,” replied Kawakami Hiromi, who was Masashi’s cousin in name.

“Alright, anyone who wants to go home and change can do so, but we’re meeting at the Flower Goddess Café on Omotesando by 2 PM. If you’re late, we won’t wait,” Kurata declared in the tone of a group leader.

“Flower Goddess Café? I’ve heard it’s expensive. Just so you know, I’m almost out of my allowance for this month. Unless someone’s treating, of course,” Kawakami Hiromi said with a mischievous smile.

“You little rascal. Fine, I’ll treat you,” Kurata Ryoko replied with mock irritation.

“Thanks in advance!” Kawakami Hiromi said smugly.

“As usual, anyone with a boyfriend or girlfriend can bring them along. The more, the merrier,” Kurata Ryoko added.

“You said it! I’ve recently met a really handsome guy. Don’t try to steal him from me later,” Kawakami Hiromi said, winking at her cousin.

“Tch, your type might not even catch my eye. Wait until you’re in college—there are all kinds of great men there,” Kurata Ryoko shrugged.

“Talking so big—why don’t you bring your boyfriend out and show us later?” Kawakami Hiromi said, slightly unconvinced.

Kurata Ryoko blushed and protested, “Do I seem like that kind of girl? There are plenty of boys chasing me, but of course, I want to take my time and choose carefully. What’s the rush? I’m only a first-year, after all.”

Kawakami Hiromi scoffed, laughing, and the Nishino brothers joined in. Seeing their reactions, Kurata Ryoko became even more annoyed.

“Masashi, aren’t you going to change clothes?” After parting ways with the other three, Kurata Ryoko turned to Masashi.

“No need. This is fine,” Masashi replied.

“Alright, then head to the café and wait for us. I’ll catch up soon.” With that, she flagged down a taxi and left.

What a drag, Masashi thought, yawning as he raised his hand to flag a taxi as well.