Chapter 218: Voice

“When did you get back, brother?” Kazumi asked as soon as they arrived at Lei Yin’s apartment. She hadn’t even had time to sit down before blurting out the question. She had held back from asking earlier in the taxi since Takeshima Shinobu was with them.

“Just got off the plane,” Lei Yin replied, stifling a yawn. Although he had assigned additional protection to Kazumi and Rumi before leaving to find Lei Li, he still felt the need to personally confirm their safety. However, with some loose ends yet to be tied up, he couldn’t bring Naoko back just yet.

After a moment of silence, Kazumi asked softly, “Now that you’re back, will you have to leave again?”

“Things are mostly settled. I shouldn’t need to go anywhere else.”

Kazumi’s face instantly lit up with joy. “Really?”

Lei Yin smiled and nodded.

Kazumi’s eyes slowly reddened, but she quickly lowered her head, not wanting him to see.

After taking a moment to collect herself, she looked up and said, “Brother, how about I cook something for you?”

Although he had eaten dinner on the plane, the portions were typically small. Now that she mentioned it, he realized he was a bit hungry, so he agreed.

“Wait just a moment—it’ll be ready soon.” Kazumi stood up happily and headed to the fridge.

Since Lei Yin had been away for nearly three months, most of the food in the fridge had expired, and Kazumi had already thrown it out. Fortunately, there were still some fresh eggs and noodles she had bought a couple of days ago. With these, she headed into the kitchen.

As the water in the pot gradually came to a boil, Kazumi felt a deep sense of peace. A light, relaxed smile appeared on her face.

It’s such a relief—brother has finally come back safe and sound.

It had been two months. He had been away for two whole months. During that time, she hadn’t received a single call from him and didn’t even know where he was.

After overhearing his conversation with Sasako-sensei, she was no longer the clueless little sister she used to be. She had begun to faintly understand the hidden things her brother was involved in, and she instinctively felt that his trip this time was to deal with something dangerous.

This realization filled her with unease, an anxiety that had only grown stronger with each passing day.

Though she could come up with excuses to keep Rumi from worrying, she couldn’t calm herself. She was genuinely terrified—afraid that she might never hear his familiar voice again or see his kind smile.

But now, he was back. Everything she had feared hadn’t come to pass.

Lost in thought, Kazumi didn’t notice the water coming to a boil until she snapped back to reality. She added the noodles to the hot water and gently stirred them with chopsticks to keep them from sticking. Once the noodles were almost done, she cracked in two eggs and added some seasoning. Soon, a simple bowl of egg noodles was ready.

After removing her apron, Kazumi placed the noodles in a bowl, set it on a tray, and carried it to the living room.

Just as she was about to speak, she noticed that Lei Yin had fallen asleep, leaning back against the sofa.

Setting the bowl on the table, Kazumi used the remote to turn off the television, then quietly sat down beside him.

He must be exhausted. Kazumi gazed tenderly at his peaceful sleeping face.

Brother, do you know? Everyone thinks I’m strong, but they don’t realize it’s only because you’re by my side.

Kazumi gently leaned her head on his shoulder and silently watched his not-so-handsome face.

“You bastard, where have you been these past two months? You didn’t even make a single call! I thought you were dead!” Takeda shouted furiously, grabbing Lei Yin by the collar in the school cafeteria.

“Idiot, let go! You’re about to tear my shirt!” Lei Yin could almost hear the sound of the buttons on his collar straining to pop off.

“I don’t care! If you don’t give me a reasonable explanation, I’ll never let this go!” As Takeda yelled, Lei Yin helplessly realized that one of the buttons had indeed snapped off.

Sitting nearby, Yoshikawa commented nonchalantly, “Hey, you two, don’t act like that in public. People might think there’s something improper going on between you.”

Seeing him sipping tea while making snide remarks, Lei Yin’s temper flared. “You jerk, all you do is sit there and throw shade. And you—let go already!” He gave Takeda a hard knock on the head.

The move worked. With a loud yelp, the rebellious youth released his collar and clutched his head, cursing loudly.

Lei Yin ignored him, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

After venting for a while, Takeda felt a bit defeated and sat down as well, glaring at the friend who had disappeared for over two months without a word.

Kazumi, sitting beside them, chuckled softly before handing a bag to her brother.

Lei Yin casually accepted it and pulled out a beautifully wrapped gift box, placing it in front of Takeda. “A souvenir.”

“Don’t think you can get off the hook just by giving me a gift,” Takeda grumbled while unwrapping it.

“There’s something for you all as well,” Lei Yin said, taking out more gifts from the bag and handing them to Yoshikawa, Shiraishi Akira, and Takeshima Shinobu.

“For me too? Thank you!” Takeshima Shinobu exclaimed in delight, accepting her gift.

Suddenly, Takeda let out a loud gasp. “Is this—could it really be the legendary limited-edition Dual Pistol Lighter?” The rebellious youth stared in disbelief at the sleek, elegantly designed lighter in his hands.

“You’ve got an eye for quality. The salesperson at the store said this is one of the earliest Pearl Series models, with only 3,000 ever made worldwide. But only smokers or enthusiasts would truly appreciate its value.”

Takeda immediately flipped open the lighter’s lid with a “click” and examined it closely. After a while, he exclaimed excitedly, “It’s real—it’s the Dual Pistol! Masashi, you’re amazing!”

Seeing him about to rush over for a hug, Lei Yin promptly pushed him back into his seat. “Sit down properly. If you dare come any closer, I’ll take the lighter back.”

Takeda froze at the warning and didn’t dare move, gripping the lighter tightly and admiring it like a treasure. He was so absorbed in playing with it, muttering praises, that he completely forgot about holding his friend accountable.

For Yoshikawa and Shiraishi Akira, Lei Yin had prepared a finely engraved fountain pen and a Swiss Army knife, respectively. Meanwhile, Takeshima Shinobu was thoroughly captivated by the brooch she had received, holding it as if it were a cherished possession.

After dinner, Lei Yin and the group wandered around the campus.

Even after being away for over two months, the school didn’t seem to have changed much. However, the one noticeable absence was Sasako-sensei, who had bewitched countless male students and teachers alike. She had already resigned. Apart from Lei Yin, no one knew where she had gone.

Among those affected by Sasako’s sudden departure, Takeda was one of the most reluctant to let her go. However, to be fair, his attachment was solely to Sasako’s beauty and figure—hardly anything resembling true feelings. Consequently, he quickly moved on not long after she left.

For Lei Yin, however, Sasako’s absence didn’t mean her lingering issues had disappeared. These unresolved matters were like a small, dangerous bomb waiting to explode at any moment. Lei Yin was carefully considering how to handle it and eliminate any future trouble.

Perhaps, he thought, it might be necessary to rely on their assistance.

As Lei Yin’s eyes filled with deep contemplation, Kazumi couldn’t help but feel a little worried. She asked softly, “Brother, is something wrong?”

Lei Yin smiled. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”

“Okay,” Kazumi replied, though she instinctively hugged his arm tightly. She feared her brother might once again be planning something dangerous.

Meanwhile, about a hundred meters ahead, a beautiful girl was clinging to a strikingly handsome young man, whining, “Yasuda, you’ve been so cold to me lately. I’ve asked you out several times, but you’ve refused every time. Have you met another girl?”

“Don’t bother me.”

“What kind of attitude is that? You were so gentle when you pursued me. Why have you changed? Have you really fallen for someone else?”

“That’s none of your business. And… Kazumi…” Ogata Yasuda’s voice trailed off as he spotted Kazumi walking toward them.

“Kazumi, is he your friend?” Lei Yin asked, glancing at her.

“No, ignore him,” Kazumi said quietly, then continued walking forward.

Ogata Yasuda shook off the girl’s hand and stepped in front of Kazumi. “Kazumi, please listen to me—”

Kazumi’s voice was cold. “Your affairs have nothing to do with me. Please move aside.”

But Yasuda acted as if he hadn’t heard her, his eyes fixated on Kazumi’s hands, which were tightly holding onto Lei Yin’s arm.

Takeda, who had already disliked Yasuda, immediately stepped forward and shouted, “Hey, didn’t you hear her? She said move aside!”

Recently, Takeda had heard rumors about a notorious playboy, highly popular among girls, pursuing Kazumi. Since their academic departments were far apart, he hadn’t encountered him until now. Finally seeing him in person, Takeda felt even more irritated.

“Kazumi, is he your boyfriend?” Yasuda asked, glaring at Lei Yin as if looking at a mortal enemy. He had recognized Lei Yin as the man Kazumi had been holding tightly the previous night.

Kazumi’s tone was icy. “Your matters have nothing to do with me. Likewise, you have no right to interfere in mine.”

“Kazumi, what’s so good about him? Are you rejecting me because of him?” Yasuda demanded, his voice filled with emotion. The memory of Kazumi crying in Lei Yin’s arms the night before replayed vividly in his mind, causing a sharp, inexplicable pain in his chest.

At this moment, the girl Yasuda had been with seemed to realize what was happening. She marched over and shouted, “Yasuda, is this why you’ve been treating me this way? Have you fallen for this woman?”

“Shut up!” Yasuda snapped irritably.

The girl flinched in shock, and after a moment, she began crying. “I can’t believe you’re treating me like this for someone like her. You’re awful!”

Not wanting to witness any more of the drama, Kazumi pulled Lei Yin forward, walking past Yasuda without another glance.

When Kazumi tried to walk away, Yasuda immediately reached out to grab her.

Just as his hand was about to touch her arm, a firm grip clamped down on his wrist. A young man’s voice came from the side:

“I’m not entirely sure about the situation here, but someone like you, a playboy who can’t stop stringing girls along, has no right to pursue my sister.”

Ogata Yasuda, who had been seething and ready to lash out at the man, suddenly froze in place when he heard those words.

“You… did you just say sister? You’re Kazumi’s brother?” Yasuda stared at Lei Yin with wide eyes.

Kazumi glanced at Yasuda with visible disdain and said quietly to Lei Yin, “Brother, don’t bother with him. Let’s just go.”

Lei Yin released Yasuda’s wrist, and the group began to leave. Takeshima Shinobu, standing at the back, gave Yasuda a complex look before following them.

Yasuda, however, didn’t chase after them. Instead, a peculiar smile appeared on his face.

The girl he had been with, frustrated that Yasuda hadn’t come to comfort her, was about to lash out at him. But as she got closer, she overheard him muttering to himself:

“She called him brother just now? So they really are siblings. I remember now—she does have a brother studying at Teikyo University too. I can’t believe I forgot something like that…”

“Yasuda, you bastard!” the girl yelled before storming off in fury after hearing his self-talk.

Meanwhile, Takeda was walking along and grumbling, “That’s the thickest-skinned guy I’ve ever seen. I seriously don’t get why girls like that type of man.”

His lifelong best friend, Yoshikawa, who knew exactly what he was thinking, gave him a sidelong glance and said, “I think you’re just jealous. Professionally speaking, guys like him are natural chick magnets. Good looks, a fancy sports car, and a smooth way of flirting—he’s practically a lady-killer. Compared to him, even I come up short. But don’t get me wrong—I only lose out to him in terms of money. My family’s stubborn old man is so afraid I’ll waste money that he only gives me a tiny allowance every month. I can’t even afford a decent car.”

Hearing this, Takeda’s face turned red, and he yelled in anger, “You idiot! Who would be jealous of a playboy like him? So what if he drives a fancy sports car? One day, I’ll bring out my own beloved car, and it’ll definitely outshine his. Why haven’t I done that yet?!” The more Takeda thought about it, the more he regretted not bringing his car sooner.

Lei Yin turned to Kazumi with a smile. “Even if your suitor’s a playboy, it at least shows that people are starting to appreciate you. Seems not everyone is blind.”

Kazumi rolled her eyes and said, “Who needs appreciation from a playboy? Just seeing someone like him, who thinks he’s every girl’s dream, makes me want to puke.”

“You’ve got a point. Playboys are unreliable. The man who becomes my brother-in-law will not only need to treat you well, but also pass my test. At the very least, he should be able to last a full minute without getting knocked flat by me.” Lei Yin grinned mischievously.

“Brother Lei Yin, are you serious?” Takeshima Shinobu asked anxiously.

“Why? Do you have someone in mind to recommend?” Lei Yin teased.

“N-no, I don’t.”

Annoyed, Kazumi protested, “Are you so eager to marry me off? Are you getting tired of me already?”

“It’s just a joke. If I were to ‘marry you off’ now, who would help me with the cleaning?”  

“You jerk, treating me like a cleaner!” Kazumi glared at him, gritting her teeth.  

“I swear, I’ve never thought of you that way. After all, cleaners get paid, but you work for free. There’s a big difference,” Lei Yin said with a mock-serious expression.  

Kazumi, unable to hold back her frustration, bit his shoulder hard.  

“Are you kidding me? I was just joking! You actually bit me? Let go—it hurts!” Lei Yin cried out.  

Takeshima Shinobu couldn’t help bursting into laughter. The three people walking ahead turned around in surprise to see the normally cold-faced Kazumi angrily biting her brother’s shoulder.  

Takeda, amid his astonishment, suddenly felt that Kazumi seemed different from before. But he couldn’t quite pinpoint how.  

Hearing the doorbell, Lei Yin got up from the sofa and walked toward the door.  

Looking through the peephole, he saw a young woman wearing a hat pulled low over her eyes.  

“Who are you looking for?” Lei Yin opened the door and carefully studied her.  

“Are you Mr. Gennai?”  

“I am. What can I do for you?”  

“I need to talk to you about something urgent. May I come in?” the woman asked, keeping her head lowered.  

Lei Yin looked at her for a moment before stepping aside. “Come in.”  

Once in the living room, the woman removed her hat, revealing a beautiful yet unfamiliar face to Lei Yin.  

“Please have a seat.”  

“Thank you,” she said, sitting down on the sofa.  

“Wait a moment. I’ll get you some tea.”  

“That’s not necessary.”  

Lei Yin didn’t respond and walked toward the kitchen.  

As the woman sat upright on the sofa, she suddenly felt a cold sensation on her neck. At the same time, a firm hand clamped tightly around her throat.  

“Don’t move, or I’ll kill you on the spot,” Lei Yin’s icy voice sounded in her ear.  

The sudden turn of events left her trembling with fear, but the grip on her throat prevented her from making a sound.  

“Tell me, who are you?” Lei Yin slightly loosened his grip, allowing her to speak.  

“What… what are you doing?” the woman stammered, tears streaming down her face.  

“Such great acting—it’s been a while, hasn’t it, Ms. Sasako?” Lei Yin suddenly whispered into her ear.  

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. My name is Tomohiro Ryoka, not Sasako,” the woman said nervously.  

Lei Yin sneered. “You know, when you cried just now, you momentarily forgot to alter your voice. For a brief second, your true voice slipped out.”  

Hearing this, the woman abruptly stopped crying, then sighed and said, “I didn’t expect you to see through me so quickly. That takes all the fun out of it. But there’s one thing you got wrong. I didn’t forget to alter my voice just now; your grip on my throat made it impossible to do so. To be able to detect this, you must also be quite skilled at voice modulation.”  

As she spoke, her voice changed completely, reverting to the unmistakable tone of Sasako.