Chapter 113: Dinner Gathering

“You look quite energetic, so I’m relieved,” Lei Yin said casually, sitting leisurely by the hospital bed in the women’s ward, looking at his cousin.

“Are you really here to visit me? You didn’t even bother to bring flowers; you just came empty-handed,” Kurata Ryoko retorted irritably.

“Hey, I’m a patient too, you know.”

“Give me a break. You don’t look like a patient at all. I’ve been lying here for a day, bored out of my mind,” Ryoko said, rubbing her face in frustration.

“What did the doctor say? When can you be discharged?” Lei Yin asked, picking up an orange from the table and starting to peel it.

“They said I can be discharged after two more days of observation. Ugh, another two days—I can’t take it anymore.”

“How are your two classmates?” Lei Yin handed her half of the peeled orange, which she accepted without hesitation.

“They’re about the same as me. After two more days of observation, they can leave too. But Sayaka’s situation isn’t as good. She’s already a patient, and she inhaled a lot of smoke that day. According to Tomoko, she’ll need another two weeks of observation before being discharged. I still can’t believe something like this happened,” Ryoko sighed.

“As long as no one got hurt, it’s not so bad. Two weeks will pass quickly.”

“Can’t you show some sympathy? By the way, there’s something I want to ask you.” Ryoko’s expression grew serious.

“Go ahead,” Lei Yin replied, already having a good idea of what she wanted to say.

“Your actions that day were far from normal. I promised to keep it a secret, but there’s no way an ordinary person could shoot and kill someone with such precision. I need you to tell me the truth.”

“The truth? Maybe it’s because I play a lot of shooting games. You should know headshots are pretty common in those games,” Lei Yin said nonchalantly.

“I knew you wouldn’t give me a straight answer. Fine, if you don’t want to talk, I won’t force you. But I want you to know, I’m your cousin. No matter what happens, I’ll always be on your side,” Ryoko said sincerely.

“This is quite the touching moment. But honestly, have you been watching too many soap operas? It’s so cheesy,” Lei Yin laughed.

Ryoko’s face flushed red, and she immediately stood up in embarrassment and anger. “You jerk! Always making me mad. Go to hell!” She aimed a kick at him.

Lei Yin, already anticipating her move, slid back with his chair, easily dodging her attack.

“What are you two… doing?” The door suddenly opened, and Tachibana Sui, also dressed in a hospital gown, looked at Ryoko, who was standing on the bed, utterly confused.

“Sui, you’re here.” Realizing how ungraceful her position looked, Ryoko quickly sat down and shot Lei Yin a glare.

“I’m so frustrated. I want to be discharged early, but my parents won’t let me,” Sui complained as she walked in.

“Same here. If you two weren’t in the next room, I don’t know how I’d survive these past two days. Is Tomoko still with Sayaka?” Ryoko leaned back against the headboard.

Sui nodded. “She’s such a caring sister. Masashi, are you stuck here for two more days like us?”

“Sorry, I’m being discharged today. Can’t you tell I’m already in regular clothes?” Lei Yin replied leisurely.

“What? How come you get to leave so soon?” Ryoko asked in surprise.

“Because I convinced my mom. I told her I’m perfectly fine and that I need to go back to prepare for my finals. So, she helped me with the discharge paperwork. As for you guys, just take this time to rest and recover,” Lei Yin said, smirking slightly.

“That’s all it took? If I’d known, I would’ve said the same thing!” Sui said, clearly regretting it.

“Don’t get too smug. As your cousin, I’m ordering you to visit us every day from tomorrow until we’re all discharged,” Ryoko said bossily.

“I’ll come if I have time. My mom should be done with the paperwork by now, so I’m heading out.” Lei Yin stood up.

“You jerk! I’m serious. If you don’t come, I won’t let you off the hook,” Ryoko shouted after him.

“I already said, I’ll come if I have time. You’re so naggy. Bye.” Lei Yin waved dismissively as he walked out of the room.

“Ryoko, it seems like your cousin saved us this time,” Sui said after a moment of silence.

“I just asked him about that, but he didn’t answer. I have no idea what’s happened to him in the past two years. I don’t understand him at all,” Ryoko said, sounding a little dejected.

“Well, whatever the case, he’s doing fine now. Honestly, if he weren’t a high schooler, I’d totally chase after him,” Sui said with a laugh.

“Not bothering with you. Let’s go check on Sayaka,” Ryoko said as she got out of bed and put on her slippers.

“Okay, wait for me.”

※※※

“Sis, what are you doing?” Aiko asked after finishing an episode of her drama, turning her head toward her sister.

“I’m knitting a scarf,” Naoko replied, keeping her head down as she concentrated on her work.

“Oh my gosh, it’s summer right now, and you’re knitting a scarf? I’m getting a heatstroke just thinking about it!” Aiko felt hot just hearing the word “scarf.”

“Silly girl, of course, it’s not for now. I’m making it for someone else. I’m not very good at knitting, so I need to practice more. Once I’ve done it right, I’ll give it to him,” Naoko said, her voice softening noticeably at the mention of “him.”

“Who’s ‘him’? Sis, do you have a boyfriend?” Aiko immediately caught on, staring at her sister in surprise.

Faced with her sister’s astonished expression, Naoko blushed and nodded shyly.

“When did this happen? You’re so mean, Sis, keeping such a big deal like getting a boyfriend from me!” Aiko said, clearly unhappy.

“It’s a recent development, so I haven’t had the chance to tell you. Aiko, can you keep this a secret for me? Please don’t let Dad know,” Naoko pleaded, holding her sister’s hand.

“Why not? It’s a good thing—why shouldn’t Dad know? Oh, I get it. You’re worried Dad might oppose it, right? Hmm, yeah, Dad can be pretty stubborn sometimes,” Aiko said thoughtfully.

Naoko nodded in agreement.

“Fine, I’ll keep your secret, but on one condition—you have to introduce him to me. I want to see who this guy is that managed to win over my beautiful sister. By the way, do I know him?”

Naoko hesitated, unsure of how to answer her sister’s question.

She thought about it for a moment and was just about to reply when the phone suddenly rang.

“I’ll get it,” Naoko said, relieved for the interruption.

As Naoko went to answer the call, Aiko turned back to her drama.

Not long after, Naoko returned, sitting on the couch with a soft sigh. It seemed like her movie plans for tomorrow night had just been canceled.

“Sis, who was on the phone?” Aiko asked casually.

“It was a university classmate. She’s organizing a class reunion and invited me to join.”

“That sounds like fun. Did you say yes?” Aiko pressed.

“Yes, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen any of them, so I felt bad turning it down. Tomorrow night, I’ll ask the housekeeper to prepare your dinner. Be good and don’t wander off, okay?”

“Got it. You always treat me like a little kid, but I’m already a high schooler,” Aiko pouted.

“Even when you get married one day, you’ll still be my little sister. Oh no, it’s already so late!” Naoko glanced at the clock on the wall and got up.

“Sis, are you kidding me? It’s not even 10:30 yet. How is that late?” Aiko checked the time and dismissed her sister’s comment.

“I promised him I’d be in bed by ten. Aiko, you should get to bed early too since you have school tomorrow.”

“Fine, I’ll finish this last half-hour and then go to sleep,” Aiko said with a sigh.

She then muttered, “I really don’t understand why you listen to that guy so much. If I had a boyfriend who nagged me like that, I’d dump him in a heartbeat.”

“You’re still young—you wouldn’t understand. He only says these things because he genuinely cares about me. Don’t stay up too late,” Naoko said as she picked up her yarn and headed to her room.

Watching the gentle smile that lingered on her sister’s face, Aiko felt bewildered.

If Gennai ever asked me to do the same, would I really listen to him? As she thought about it, Aiko became lost in her thoughts, completely forgetting about the show she was watching.

※※※

Unlike the budget-friendly gatherings of high school students, Naoko’s reunion was held in an upscale restaurant.

Upon entering, she was greeted by dazzling lights and a sea of men in suits and women in evening gowns. As she looked around at the mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces, she felt a strange sense of stepping back in time.

“Naoko, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting for you forever,” a short-haired woman said enthusiastically as she approached.

“You are…?” Naoko looked at the woman in confusion.

“Silly, it’s me, Matsumi—Fukuhara Matsumi. You’ve forgotten me? That’s so mean!”

“What? You’re Matsumi? But you used to wear glasses! And your hair wasn’t this short. I’m so sorry—I didn’t recognize you.” Naoko felt embarrassed.

“Don’t worry about it. Hardly anyone recognizes me at first. I wear contact lenses now; that huge pair of glasses is long gone. No wonder you didn’t recognize me. But wow, you’ve become even more beautiful—no surprise, since you were always our school beauty.”

“Stop it. You’re just teasing me. If you keep saying things like that, I’m leaving.”

“You’re as shy as ever, I see. Come on, let me introduce you to some of our old classmates. They definitely haven’t forgotten you.” Matsumi grabbed her hand and led her further into the restaurant.

“Be careful, Naoko. Some of your old admirers still haven’t given up. I can’t wait to see how they react when they see you,” Matsumi teased as they walked.

“Stop saying such things. Besides, I already have… someone I like,” Naoko said shyly.

“Unbelievable! Our school beauty has finally been won over. Back in school, you didn’t care about any of the guys chasing you. I’m dying to know who this person is. Why don’t you bring him along? Plenty of people here brought their partners tonight.” Matsumi’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Sorry, he’s busy tonight and couldn’t make it,” Naoko said hesitantly.

“Well, if he couldn’t come, that’s fine. No need to apologize. Let’s go!”

As Matsumi led Naoko, dressed in her elegant evening gown, into the main hall, all eyes turned toward her. Within moments, someone recognized her as the stunning Hasegawa Naoko, their school beauty from years ago.

Almost immediately, the men without dates began to gather around her.

“You’re Naoko, right? It really is you! I’m Yamakawa—do you remember me?”

“Hello. It’s been a long time,” Naoko replied with a polite smile.

“You’re still as gorgeous as ever. Do you remember who I am?” another man asked, flashing a toothpaste-commercial-worthy smile.

“You’re Ishida from the track team, right?” Naoko said after thinking for a moment.

“That’s right—it’s me! I can’t believe you still remember me.” The man beamed with pride.

After enduring a whirlwind of introductions and small talk, Matsumi, ever loyal, dragged Naoko to the restroom to escape the overly enthusiastic crowd.

“So, was I wrong? Looks like your charm hasn’t faded a bit. Imagine what they’d say if they knew you already had a boyfriend,” Matsumi said with a mischievous grin.

“By the way, is Kyoko here?” Naoko asked, changing the subject.

“How would I know? It’s better if she doesn’t show up,” Matsumi replied with a cold sneer.

“Matsumi, it’s been so many years. Are you still holding a grudge? We were all good friends back then,” Naoko asked, concerned.

“I’ll never forget how she stole my boyfriend,” Matsumi said through gritted teeth.

“You two…” Naoko sighed.