Chapter 131: The Past

In the spacious and beautiful campus, just like in high school, Kazumi, wearing black-framed glasses and with shoulder-length hair, was quietly walking.

It was now May. A month ago, after an exciting opening ceremony, Kazumi officially became a regular student at the Hachioji campus of Teikyo University.

Now that she had achieved her dream of becoming a student at a prestigious university, Kazumi found that she wasn’t as excited as she had imagined. Her expression remained indifferent, making it difficult for others to approach her.

In February of this year, her mother finally married Maeda Ryutaro. Kazumi sincerely wished them well. She was the only one who truly understood how lonely her mother had been over the years. As for Maeda Ryutaro, her now stepfather, although she didn’t force herself to call him that, he was a stubborn yet principled man. He treated both her mother and herself very well, and she would consider him a good man.

The wedding that day was simple and warm. Her mother, Rumiko, and Maeda did not invite too many people, only a few close relatives and friends.

At the wedding, Rumiko smiled beautifully. Kazumi, for the first time, noticed how stunning her mother looked in a wedding dress. Was it that every woman becomes especially beautiful at such moments?

But later, in the bathroom, Kazumi heard her mother’s suppressed sobs.

Her crying was full of sadness, though the sound was so soft.

Kazumi knew that her mother was thinking of that person, the one who should have been there at that moment but never showed up.

More than a year had passed, and he still hadn’t returned.

After a continuous investigation by Maeda Ryutaro, they were only able to confirm his departure records and nothing more could be found.

It was certain that he was neither kidnapped nor confined; he had left on his own, and staff at the airport had confirmed this. But why did he go to America, such a distant place?

The investigation reached a deadlock. In the end, he was even classified as a missing person by the police.

He was a liar. He had said he would return soon. But in the end, he didn’t keep his promise.

Didn’t he know how worried his mother and Rumi would be, shedding tears for him?

Perhaps he had known all along that he would never return, which was why, on the night they last saw him, he had given Kazumi a bank card with a large sum of money and asked her to give it to her mother. If she had stopped him from leaving that night, nothing would have happened.

If not for Maeda Ryutaro being there to support her mother, Rumiko might have already collapsed.

But what about Rumi? What would become of that innocent, slightly reckless girl?

During this past year, Kazumi often heard the soft sound of that girl crying in her room in the middle of the night.

Kazumi’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by her phone ringing.

※※※

In a bright and clean restaurant, the beautiful and serene young girl attracted the attention of all the young men around her, whether intentionally or not.

She was not the type of woman whose presence immediately sparked desire in men, but no woman standing beside her could hide her existence. She seemed like a pearl, emitting a subtle yet captivating glow.

She looked like a high school student. Her long black hair, reaching her waist, was casually tied back. Aside from a light yellow hairband, there were no other adornments on her head. Her skin was fair and delicate, without any trace of makeup. But anyone who had seen her would think that it would be a waste to put makeup on such beautiful skin.

She sat quietly, occasionally lifting the teacup on the table to take a sip. The scene itself was like a beautiful, aesthetic advertisement.

At that moment, a girl wearing black-framed glasses walked up and sat down at the table opposite the young girl.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

“Kazumi, you’re here.” Rumi looked up, a little surprised, as she saw her.

“What are you thinking about? You didn’t even notice when I arrived,” Kazumi asked.

“Nothing, you must be hungry. Let’s order first,” Rumi said, pushing the menu in front of her.

Kazumi nodded and casually picked up the menu to flip through it.

After ordering, Kazumi looked up and stared at the girl across from her.

“What’s wrong, Kazumi? Do I have something on my face?” Rumi instinctively wiped her face with her hand.

“No, it’s just that it’s been a while since we last met, and I suddenly noticed how much more beautiful you’ve become,” Kazumi said with a smile.

The kendo girl’s face immediately turned red, and she stammered, “No, don’t say that.”

Seeing her still shy as ever, Kazumi found it amusing.

“How have you been lately? Is university fun?” Unable to stand Kazumi’s gaze, Rumi quickly changed the subject.

“It’s fine, just a little freer than high school. How about you? You’re already a third-year student now. What’s it like being a senior?” Kazumi said after taking a sip of her tea.

“It’s okay. At first, I was a little uncomfortable being called ‘senpai,’ but I’ve gotten used to it,” Rumi smiled as she spoke.

“How’s my mom? I’ve been so busy with school that I haven’t been home for almost a month.”

“Auntie is doing very well. But Uncle Maeda has been traveling a lot lately. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her,” Rumi reassured her.

“You need to take care of yourself too. Have you been going to your club lately?”

“Because of my studies, I can only go to kendo a few days a week, and as for the baseball club, I’ve basically stopped going,” Rumi replied.

Hearing this, Kazumi felt a little relieved. She had been worried that Rumi, being such a good-natured person, might neglect her studies because she didn’t want to turn down people from the clubs.

“Hey, Kazumi, if you have time later, can you go with me to buy some reference books?” Rumi asked as they ate.

“Sure. Are you thinking of applying to the same university I’m at?” Kazumi asked.

“Yes, I want to go to the same university as… you, Kazumi,” the girl said, her voice trailing off as she fell silent.

“Really? I’m looking forward to being your senior,” Kazumi said quickly, seeing Rumi’s head lowered.

“Sorry, I need to use the bathroom,” Rumi said before getting up and leaving.

Watching her walk away with faster footsteps, Kazumi sighed.

To avoid touching on painful topics, they both tried not to mention that person when they were together. But was this really helpful?

In the bathroom, Rumi slapped her cheeks lightly, then whispered to her reflection in the mirror, “Rumi, don’t cry. Remember, don’t cry.”

But the tears still stubbornly fell from the young girl’s face.

“It’s better to cry it out,” a voice suddenly said from nearby.

Rumi turned to see a beautiful woman slowly washing her hands.

After finishing, the woman handed Rumi a tissue. “Tears are a woman’s treasure. The older you get, the fewer chances you’ll have to cry. While you’re still young, let yourself cry as much as you need.”

With the warmth in the woman’s eyes, Rumi’s tears flowed more freely.

“Did you break up with your boyfriend?” After a moment, the woman offered Rumi a tissue.

“Thank you.” Rumi gratefully accepted the tissue.

“To abandon a girl like you, that kind of man isn’t worth your tears,” the woman said after carefully studying Rumi’s face.

“That’s not it.” Rumi tightly gripped the tissue in her hand and shook her head.

Seeing her expression filled with sadness, the woman said nothing further and slowly left the restroom.

“Sorry, Kazumi, for making you wait.” After coming out of the restroom, Rumi said apologetically.

Kazumi pretended not to notice her slightly swollen eyes and smiled. “It’s fine. Let’s eat quickly, we still need to go buy some reference books afterwards.”

“Mm.” Rumi lowered her head and started eating.

After paying the bill, the two girls walked out of the restaurant.

Not far from the door, Rumi saw the same beautiful woman about to get into a red sports car. Without thinking, Rumi quickly ran over to her.

“Thank you so much earlier,” Rumi said, bowing to the woman after running up to her.

The woman turned around, smiling as she looked at the slightly out-of-breath girl in front of her.

“You ran over here just to say that?”

“Yes,” Rumi nodded.

The woman smiled and got into the car.

After starting the car, the woman spoke to her through the window. “You’re still a child, but I like you.” She then rolled up the window and drove away.

Rumi stood there, confused, watching the car drive farther away.

“Rumi, do you know her?” Kazumi walked up and asked.

“Not really. I just saw her once in the restroom earlier,” Rumi replied.

“I see,” Kazumi said, glancing toward the direction the car had disappeared into.

If she remembered correctly, that woman seemed to be the same one she had seen at the funeral, the mistress of a family elder. She hadn’t expected to run into her here.

※※※

“Madam Hachimiya, this is my daughter, Hasegawagawa Naoko. Please take good care of her,” Naoko’s mother, Hasegawagawa Kyouko, said to the middle-aged woman across from her.

“I’ve heard so much about President Hasegawagawa’s two beautiful daughters. Now that I see your daughter, she truly is exceptionally lovely. This is my son, Hachimiya Kawashiro, who just graduated from Harvard University in the United States this year. When he graduated, his professor wanted him to stay and teach, but he refused because he wanted to help his father manage the family business,” Mrs. Hachimiya said proudly as she introduced her son.

Hasegawagawa Kyouko admired, “Your son is indeed impressive for his age. He will certainly be a strong asset to Mr. Hachimiya in the future. Naoko, quickly greet Mrs. Hachimiya and Mr. Kawashiro.”

“Hello, Mrs. Hachimiya, Mr. Kawashiro,” Naoko said, bowing respectfully.

“You’re too kind, Ms. Hasegawagawa,” Kawashiro said, looking at the stunningly beautiful girl before him with a bit of excitement.

Having grown accustomed to the free atmosphere in America, Hachimiya Kawashiro despised the idea of arranged marriages. But under his parents’ pressure, he reluctantly agreed. After enduring two previous matchmaking sessions, he had had enough of the pretentious young ladies. One of them even insisted on asking her mother’s permission before eating a snack.

Moreover, not all young ladies were as beautiful as one might imagine. At least, the ones he had met before had not been particularly attractive.

For this arranged meeting, he had come with the mindset of simply going through the motions.

But from the moment he laid eyes on Hasegawagawa Naoko, his heart had not stopped racing. He was extremely glad he hadn’t rejected this match, otherwise, he would have missed the chance to meet such a gentle, breathtakingly beautiful woman.

While the two middle-aged women exchanged the usual polite remarks, Kawashiro’s eyes were fixed on Naoko, without blinking.

Seeing the intense look in Kawashiro’s eyes, as though he wanted to devour Naoko, Hasegawagawa Kyouko and Mrs. Hachimiya exchanged amused glances.

“What’s the point of making these two young people stay here to chat with us old ladies? Kawashiro, why don’t you take Ms. Hasegawa outside for a walk? What do you think, Mrs. Hasegawa?” Mrs. Hachimiya asked Hasegawa Kyouko.

“That’s a wonderful suggestion. Naoko, go ahead and accompany Mr. Kawashiro,” Hasegawa Kyouko quickly responded.

“Ms. Hasegawa, shall we go out?” Kawashiro asked, filled with anticipation.

Naoko thought for a moment before looking up. “Then I’ll trouble you, Mr. Hachimiya.”

Seeing her agree, Kawashiro’s face lit up, and he immediately stood up.

“Mother, I’ll be leaving now,” Naoko said to her mother.

“Alright, have fun,” Hasegawa Kyouko said with a beaming smile.

After bidding farewell to Mrs. Hachimiya, Naoko left the serene restaurant, with Kawashiro following closely behind.

“Ms. Hasegawa, is there any particular place you’d like to go?” Kawashiro asked eagerly as they got into the car.

“If possible, I’d like to sit at a nearby café,” Naoko replied.

“Of course,” Kawashiro said and quickly drove toward a café just a few hundred meters away.

After parking, the two of them entered the café.

Once they had ordered their coffee, Kawashiro enthusiastically tried to strike up a conversation, hoping to learn more about this beautiful woman’s preferences.

After answering several of his questions, Naoko sipped her coffee and listened politely as he recounted stories from his time studying in the United States.

When she finished her first cup of coffee, Naoko seized the moment while the server was refilling it and said, “Mr. Hachimiya, there’s something I’d like to say.”

“Ms. Hasegawa, please feel free to speak. And if you don’t mind, just call me Kawashiro,” he said earnestly.

Naoko looked up and said, “Mr. Hachimiya, I believe that, like me, you were forced by your parents to attend this matchmaking session. With your qualities, I’m certain you can find an ideal partner who truly suits you. If there’s nothing else, I’d like to leave now. Thank you very much for your hospitality.” She bowed politely and stood up.

Kawashiro was stunned, unable to believe she had suddenly said she wanted to leave.

“Ms. Hasegawa, do you have an urgent matter to attend to? If so, I can drive you back,” Kawashiro said quickly, recovering from his shock.

“It’s not that I have something urgent, but I don’t want to waste your time,” Naoko replied.

“How could this be a waste of time? I truly enjoy being with you, Ms. Hasegawa,” Kawashiro said, standing up as well.

Naoko replied firmly, “Mr. Hachimiya, you should seek someone more suitable for you. Please don’t waste your time on me.”

“No, Ms. Hasegawa. From the moment I first saw you, I’ve already liked you. Please, give me a chance,” Kawashiro confessed directly.

Naoko frowned slightly and said seriously, “Mr. Hachimiya, I already have someone I like. Apart from him, I won’t accept anyone else. Please don’t waste your time on me.”

“What? Is that true?” Kawashiro asked in disbelief.

“It is true. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now, Mr. Hachimiya.” She bowed again before turning toward the door.

Kawashiro stood there, staring blankly as her graceful figure walked farther and farther away, unable to say a word.