Chapter 121: Coffee Shop

As Lei Yin leaned against the wall, he couldn’t help but smile slightly as he watched groups of students walking together in excitement, discussing how they would spend their summer vacation. Being a student really was nice—no worries about life’s problems, and two long vacations every year.

“Sorry, Senpai, I made you wait,” the energetic kendo girl was the first to run up to him. Kazumi followed behind her, smiling as she walked slowly.

“It wasn’t a long wait. Let’s go,” Lei Yin stretched lazily.

“I’ve been looking forward to summer vacation for so long, but it’s a pity I have to go back to Hokkaido,” Rumi said, a little down.

“Your parents haven’t seen you for so long; of course, they want to check if you’ve lost or gained weight. But they should be at ease; since you arrived, I haven’t seen you lose your appetite. It’s all Kazumi’s doing, keeping you plump and healthy,” Lei Yin smiled as he pinched her cheek.

“Senpai, you’re so mean, always making fun of me,” Rumi said, blushing.

“We’ll go to the airport to send you off the day after tomorrow. Don’t cry then,” Lei Yin affectionately pinched her little nose.

“I won’t! Anyway, we’ll meet again next semester. But Senpai, you have to call me often,” the kendo girl said, pulling at one of his hands coquettishly, enjoying his affectionate gestures.

“Alright. By the way, I bought some tea leaves and a few bottles of alcohol. Take them home as souvenirs.”

“Thank you, Senpai,” Naomi said, not being modest and expressing her gratitude.

“Let’s go, then. We’ll go to the supermarket now. Tonight, I’ll ask Kazumi to cook you some of your favorite dishes.” Ruffling her hair, Lei Yin walked toward Kazumi, who was standing at the school gate.

Thinking that she wouldn’t see him for the entire summer, Rumi’s eyes began to redden. Watching his figure in the sunlight, she quickly ran up to him and tightly held his right arm as they walked together.

※※※

“Miss, you really have a good eye; this just arrived yesterday. It’s the latest style from ‘Diane von Furstenberg,’” a saleswoman in uniform enthusiastically introduced.

“I’d like to try it on.”

“The fitting room is over there, please follow me,” the saleswoman said politely.

“Thank you.”

In the fitting room, as Naoko looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but blush.

This lingerie seemed a little too much. What would he think if he saw her in it?

Imagining the scene of him seeing her in this set of lingerie made Naoko feel a rush of heat all over her body.

“Please wrap it up for me,” she said to the saleswoman at the counter.

“Thank you for your purchase. Will you be paying by cash or card?” the saleswoman asked.

“Card,” Naoko replied, handing over her card.

Seeing her credit card being handed over to the saleswoman, Naoko couldn’t help but show a soft smile.

After leaving the lingerie store, she checked the time—it wasn’t even 3 PM yet.

Remembering what he had said yesterday, that he would be at the airport this afternoon, she realized that he might not come today. With that thought, she found herself unsure of where to go. Eventually, she walked into a nearby coffee shop to rest for a bit.

Not long after she entered, a red sports car pulled up outside. A rather handsome young man got out of the car and walked into the coffee shop.

“Naoko, hello. I didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” Junichiro Nishinaka smiled as he walked up to her table.

“Mr. Nishinaka, hello. You’re not going to tell me you happened to see me again, are you?” Naoko said, a bit coldly.

“I came specifically to find you,” Junichiro Nishinaka said as he sat down in the chair opposite her.

“May I ask what this is about?” Naoko raised her head to look at him.

“Am I being too sensitive? It seems like lately you’ve been quite cold towards me,” Junichiro Nishinaka said with a smile.

Just as Naoko was about to speak, a waitress in a uniform walked over and placed a cup of coffee in front of Junichiro Nishinaka.

“Sir, here is the coffee you ordered. Please enjoy.”

“Thank you,” Junichiro Nishinaka said, but his eyes never left the beautiful woman sitting across from him.

Once the waitress had walked away, Junichiro Nishinaka continued, “Naoko, do you really have no interest in me at all? You must know why I’ve been trying so hard to get close to you.”

“Mr. Nishinaka, I already made myself clear when we were in Nagoya. I have someone I like, and I will never love anyone else besides him. So please, don’t seek me out anymore,” Naoko said sincerely.

“The person you like—are you referring to that high school student, Gennai Masashi?” Junichiro Nishinaka sneered.

Upon hearing his words, Naoko’s expression immediately changed. “Mr. Nishinaka, you’ve even gone as far as investigating me? I’m extremely disappointed in your character,” she said, standing up and turning to leave.

“I’m really curious, Naoko. If President Hasegawa knows that his daughter is living with a high school student, I wonder what he would think?” Junichiro Nishinaka said, watching her from where he sat.

As expected, Naoko stopped in her tracks.

“Are you trying to threaten me?” After a pause, Naoko asked.

“I don’t mean it that way, Naoko. I’m concerned about you. That guy is just a poor, powerless high school student, and his mother is just an ordinary office worker. Do you really think he can give you happiness?” Junichiro Nishinaka said slowly.

Naoko turned her head back to look at him, her face showing a look that greatly surprised Junichiro Nishinaka.

She was… smiling?

“Mr. Nishinaka, I just don’t want my father to find out about this, but I’m not afraid of him knowing. So, do whatever you want. I’m leaving now,” she said, picking up her handbag and the shopping bag she had brought with her.

This time, Junichiro Nishinaka was truly starting to panic. He never imagined that this woman would be so resolute. Watching her walk away, her devilishly attractive figure slowly disappearing, a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

“Naoko, please wait. I apologize for what just happened.” Just as Naoko was about to leave, Junichiro Nishinaka hurried over and blocked her way.

“Please move, Mr. Nishinaka,” Naoko said, addressing the man in front of her.

“Naoko, I’m really sorry. Please let me say a few words. I promise I won’t mention this to President Hasegawa,” Junichiro Nishinaka insisted, not giving way.

Looking at his sincere expression, Naoko couldn’t help but hesitate.

“I just want to say a few things. After that, I won’t bother you anymore. Okay?” Junichiro Nishinaka quickly added, seeing her wavering.

“Fine,” Naoko finally nodded.

Once back at their seats, Junichiro Nishinaka turned to the waiter standing nearby and said, “Please bring us some more coffee.”

“Certainly,” the waiter replied.

Junichiro Nishinaka then turned back to Naoko and said, “Naoko, I know that feelings can’t be forced. Since you truly love that person, I’ll just wish you happiness. But can we still be ordinary friends? I really don’t want to lose you as a friend.”

Hearing this, Naoko finally relaxed. She smiled and said, “You’re the cousin of my younger sister’s classmate, so we’ll still be friends.”

“Thank you, Naoko,” Junichiro Nishinaka said, looking at her.

Seeing the intense gaze in his eyes, Naoko felt a bit uneasy.

Fortunately, at that moment, a waitress holding a coffee pot came over and refilled their coffee cups, easing her discomfort.

After the waitress left, Junichiro Nishinaka smiled and raised his coffee cup. “To celebrate our newfound friendship, will you drink with me?”

“You’re still such a jokester.” Not wanting to spoil his mood, Naoko reluctantly raised her own cup to clink with his and then took a slow sip.

Seeing her drink, Junichiro Nishinaka gave a slight, hidden smile.

Naoko remembered Lei Yin’s words and didn’t want to stay alone with him any longer, so she stood up and said, “Mr. Nishinaka, I have something to do, so I think I’ll leave now.”

“I should be going as well. How about I give you a ride?” Junichiro Nishinaka stood up as well.

“No need, my car is parked nearby,” Naoko politely declined.

Junichiro Nishinaka didn’t insist but said, “Well then, can we at least walk out together?”

“You’re joking.” Naoko said as she placed the money for the coffee on the table, picked up her things, and walked toward the door.

Junichiro Nishinaka followed her.

Seeing him get into his own sports car without following her, Naoko breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t think much of it and walked toward her own car.

Just a few meters away from her car, she suddenly felt a bit dizzy, and her body became weaker and weaker.

What was going on? Was she having an episode? But why didn’t her chest hurt at all?

After taking a few more steps, she felt that the dizziness and fatigue were becoming more intense.

Finally, she reached her car. Leaning against the blue body of the vehicle, she felt incredibly tired, her body sweating profusely.

Raising her right hand, which felt like it weighed dozens of kilograms, she pulled out her phone from her pocket and, with trembling fingers, searched for his number.

Just as she saw his name, suddenly, a hand snatched the phone from her grasp.

“Naoko, what’s wrong? Are you alright?” Another hand wrapped around her waist, and a familiar but unwanted male voice rang in her ears.

Seeing the triumphant smile on his face, Naoko’s heart instantly sank.

“You… put something in my coffee?” Naoko weakly glared at him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You seem unwell, but don’t worry. I’ll take you back to my place to rest,” Junichiro Nishinaka emphasized the words “my place” clearly.

Naoko’s vision suddenly went black.

As she slowly fainted, Junichiro Nishinaka’s smile grew even more pleased.

Afraid of being seen, he hurriedly placed her in the front seat of the sports car he had just driven over, then quickly ran to the other side and sat in the driver’s seat.

After closing the door, he looked at her stunning face, his excitement growing as it twisted into a distorted expression.

Bitch. I told you, one day I’ll ruin you.

Suddenly, he thought he heard her mumbling something. Curious, he leaned in to listen.

“Lei… save… me…”

Lei? Wasn’t it Gennai Masashi? Never mind, it didn’t matter.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Junichiro Nishinaka quickly started the car and drove off.