Chapter 315: Intimacy

“Do you guys think I’ve lost some weight?” Aiko asked proudly, striking a pose.

“You really have slimmed down! How did you manage to lose weight over there?” Takeshima Shinobu immediately asked.

Smiling with satisfaction, Aiko replied, “Every day, we not only had to go through various training sessions, but our diet was also strictly regulated. We weren’t even allowed to eat snacks—it was so hard! But it paid off. I weighed myself before leaving and found I had lost four kilograms!”

Both Takeshima Shinobu and Shiraishi Akira’s younger sister, Shiraishi Yoko—still a high school senior—couldn’t hide their envy. For girls like them, constantly lamenting their struggles to lose weight, this number was highly appealing.

“You remind me of famine-stricken refugees. Naoko, let your poor sister eat a full meal tonight; what a pitiful child,” Lei Yin remarked, glancing up from his newspaper with an exaggerated expression of sympathy.

Naoko couldn’t help but laugh.

“Damn it! Can’t you say anything other than these infuriating remarks?” Aiko, who had just endured a week of rigorous etiquette and posture training, glared at him, looking on the verge of exploding.

“That’s right, Masashi, you’re too much! Aiko worked so hard to achieve this, and you, who barely even pay attention, have no right to say such things!” Takeda proclaimed righteously.

“Shut up, you spineless yes-man. By the way, when is the next round of the competition?” Lei Yin asked as he placed the newspaper on the table.

“This Saturday. I heard reporters from the TV station will be there for live coverage. I’m really worried about making a fool of myself if I don’t perform well,” Aiko said, visibly anxious.

“You’ll do great. I believe in you, and I’ll be cheering for you with all my heart from the audience,” Yoshikawa said, gazing at her passionately.

Though she was familiar with his personality, Aiko couldn’t help but blush under his fiery gaze. To hide her embarrassment, she pulled a stack of what looked like tickets from her pocket and placed them on the table.

“These are tickets to the newly opened ‘Jungle Adventure’ theme park. It’s a gift from the competition organizers for all participants. I heard the park hasn’t officially opened yet, but we can go check it out early. Who’s interested?”

※※※

“Does this feel okay?”

“Mm, just perfect.”

Watching him lie face down on the bed with his eyes closed, seemingly relaxed, Naoko’s lips curled into a soft smile.

“Shouldn’t we wake up Amy and Bibi? It seems like they wanted to go there too.”

“Let those two little troublemakers sleep a bit longer. They stayed up late playing games last night. If you want to go, I can accompany you now.”

“I don’t want to go anywhere,” Naoko said softly. Since arriving here, this was her first time being alone with him, and she didn’t want to give up such a rare opportunity.

Lei Yin slowly turned over to face her. Taking her hand in his, he toyed with her fingers as he spoke. “Do you know why I don’t want to go with those guys?”

Feeling something burning in his gaze, Naoko’s heart began to race, and a strange warmth spread through her body.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to go out during the hottest part of the afternoon?” Naoko lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes.

Seeing even her ears turn red, Lei Yin’s lips twitched slightly. Then, before she could react, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

“Naoko, you’re becoming less and less honest. It seems I’ll have to punish you,” Lei Yin murmured in her ear.

Hearing his words, Naoko’s body temperature rose even higher, her skin turning red even around her neck.

In a voice that didn’t sound like refusal at all, she whispered, “Lei, I’m afraid Amy might suddenly come in.”

“She’s napping in Tani Akiko’s room with Bibi. As long as no one wakes them up, that won’t happen. Naoko, come here…” As Lei Yin spoke, his hand slipped under her skirt, caressing her long, beautiful legs.

Although it was lively to be around so many people, the downside was that he had to live like a monk, restraining himself from his desires. With such a stunning beauty by his side, he had been holding back for her sake to avoid making her uncomfortable. Now, finally alone with her, his patience had reached its limit.

Naoko didn’t stop his wandering hand but instead suppressed her shyness and softly said, “Lei, can I close the curtains first?”

Understanding her reserved nature and her discomfort with being in such a brightly lit room for this, Lei Yin released her momentarily.

Once the curtains were drawn, the room dimmed significantly.

Turning back to him with a gentle, blushing gaze, Naoko slowly began to remove her dress and clothing.

Lei Yin didn’t speak but watched her every move intently, as if admiring a rare masterpiece.

When her clothes were fully removed, leaving her only in her undergarments, Naoko shyly walked toward him.

As she reached him, Lei Yin noticed the black lace lingerie she had never worn before. A playful glint appeared in his eyes. “So, you already knew why I didn’t go out with them and even prepared for it in advance. Has my frustration been that obvious?”

Naoko’s blush deepened. After a moment, she mustered the courage to lean down, resting her head on his shoulder as she whispered, “Lei, may I serve you?”

“And how do you plan to serve me?” Lei Yin asked, tilting her chin upward.

Unable to meet his gaze, Naoko’s trembling hands began to unbutton his clothes. While he admired her shy, delicate expression, he didn’t rush to remove her lingerie. Instead, his hands gently explored her sensitive body, moving slowly and thoroughly, as if savoring every inch.

Though the air conditioning in the room was working, the temperature continued to rise.

※※※

“Lei.”

“What is it?” Lei Yin asked while his hands traced the smooth, alabaster skin of her back.

Though it wasn’t quite a case of absence making the heart grow fonder, it had been a while since they’d been intimate. After their passionate encounter, Naoko was left utterly spent, while Lei Yin, with his ever-improving inner strength, looked utterly relaxed and content.

Holding this naturally enchanting woman in his arms, he couldn’t bring himself to let her go.

“I want you to answer me honestly about something. Will you?” Naoko gazed at him gently.

“There are a few people in this world I would never lie to, and you are the first among them. What do you want to ask?” He brushed her hair behind her ear and looked at her softly.

“Do you… really not want children? Please don’t lie to me.”

Sighing, Lei Yin stroked her left cheek. “Naoko, after all this time, can’t you tell when I’m being truthful or not?”

“It’s just…” Naoko trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

Gently pulling her into his arms, he whispered in her ear, “I’ll say it again. I don’t want children. Having you is more than enough for me.”

Silent tears rolled down her cheeks, dripping onto his bare chest.

After a while, Naoko leaned close to his ear and spoke in a sorrowful tone, “Lei, sometimes I feel so scared. I’m afraid I won’t grow old with you. I’m afraid I’ll die long before you. I’ve always believed the world is fair. Even if people aren’t fair to someone, fate eventually balances the scales. When someone gains something, they’ll lose something of equal value in return. Maybe they just don’t realize what they’ve lost at the time. Lei, I…” Her voice broke, and she began sobbing uncontrollably.

“Foolish girl, what are you saying? We’ll grow old together, and when the time comes, we’ll die together. Our ashes will be mixed so no one can separate us. Are you really made of water?” Lei Yin gazed at the delicate and sensitive woman in his arms with deep affection.

Naoko didn’t respond, only holding him tightly.

※※※

“Is this really just a park? It’s way too big!” Takeshima Shinobu exclaimed, staring at the seemingly endless forest ahead.

“Maybe the land here is cheaper,” Kazumi replied calmly. “Still, using such a massive area for a theme park feels like overkill. But if it’s a tax evasion strategy, it makes sense.”

“Tax evasion? What kind of tax?” Takeshima Shinobu asked, puzzled.

“Landowners have to pay high taxes, but if unused land is designated as a public facility, like a park, they can receive tax breaks. That’s why a lot of unused land is temporarily turned into parks or public spaces before being developed into buildings,” Kurata Ryoko explained from the side.

“Kurata-san, you’re amazing! You even know stuff like this. It’s like you’re a lawyer!” Shiraishi Akira’s younger sister, Shiraishi Yoko, clung to her with admiration.

Kurata Ryoko looked a little embarrassed. “Actually, this is just common knowledge. I’m a journalist, after all.”

“Technically, you’re an intern journalist, which means you’re not officially hired yet,” Kazumi interjected from the side.

“Darn it, Kazumi! When did you become as sharp-tongued as your brother? You’ve really been corrupted by him,” Kurata Ryoko said with a mock expression of heartbreak.

Her overly dramatic response made Kazumi roll her eyes. “Cousin, don’t you have an interview to do? If you keep this up, you won’t even remain an intern journalist for long.”

Kurata Ryoko pouted in protest. “Do I look like I have that much free time? I only rest after finishing my work. Since the semifinals aren’t until next week, I have some free days.”

As they continued walking and chatting, Kazumi noticed that Rumi seemed a bit down. She immediately guessed it was because her brother hadn’t come along. Taking her hand, Kazumi smiled and said, “I’d love to see the scene you mentioned, with fireflies everywhere. How about this? Let’s invite my brother to go see it together in a few days.”

The kendo girl’s eyes lit up at once, and she eagerly nodded. “Yes! Let’s ask Senpai! Then we can all catch fireflies together—it’ll be so much fun!”

Kazumi smiled. “Just don’t be surprised if that guy ends up focused on catching snakes for wild game. I can’t say I approve of my brother’s odd hobbies.”

The more Rumi thought about it, the more likely it seemed. She couldn’t help but laugh at the idea.

Meanwhile, Kurata Ryoko turned her head and noticed Shiraishi Akira, remembering that there was a boy walking with them. She couldn’t understand why this handsome young man was so quiet. Then again, she also found it hard to imagine him chattering nonstop like that Takeda guy.

Elsewhere, Aiko, Murashima Mami, Takeda, and Yoshikawa were chatting as they walked ahead. The group naturally split into two clusters as they entered the massive theme park.

Once inside, they noticed the park wasn’t very crowded. However, there were quite a few pretty girls, likely participants who had advanced through the preliminary round, along with their friends.

In the center of an open space stood a stage with a banner reading “Jungle Adventure Treasure Hunt: Let’s Go!” hanging overhead.

Although the slogan on the banner wasn’t particularly inspiring, with the help of a loud young host and a pair of powerful speakers, it managed to draw the park visitors’ attention.

Seeing that a sizable crowd had gathered, the host grabbed the microphone and began shouting enthusiastically, “Hello, everyone! We’re thrilled to welcome so many beautiful ladies and handsome gentlemen here today for the pre-opening of this theme park. To ensure you all have an unforgettable experience, we’re unveiling the park’s most exciting and anticipated attraction: the Jungle Adventure Treasure Hunt…”

The host’s long-winded monologue, peppered with a local dialect, successfully piqued many people’s interest. However, to Kazumi, he was just noisy and irritating. If she had come alone, she would’ve walked away long ago.

After hearing the rules of the game, most of the young people, having nothing better to do, signed up. Even those who were less interested were dragged into it by their companions. Kazumi and Shiraishi Akira were two such reluctant participants.

The rules were simple: participants would form teams of two or three. Each team would receive a unique map and use it to find the items marked on it. Clues from these items would lead them to the next until they uncovered the so-called “ultimate treasure” in the shortest possible time. Along the way, participants might face obstacles or traps that they’d need to overcome as a team.

When it was time for Kurata Ryoko’s group to prepare, the young intern journalist suddenly proposed a strange idea: instead of forming teams freely, participants had to draw lots to decide their teammates.

Most people opposed this suggestion, but Kurata Ryoko, playing the senior card as the oldest in the group, overruled the objections with her assertive tone.

Kurata Ryoko’s reasoning, as she saw it, was meaningful.

Earlier, as the group was walking, Kurata Ryoko noticed that Kazumi, Rumi, and Takeshima Shinobu hadn’t really spoken to Aiko and Murashima Mami. Even when they walked together, there was a clear divide, suggesting they weren’t very close. Takeda and Yoshikawa naturally stuck with Aiko and her friends, while Shiraishi Akira, the only boy, stayed with Rumi and her group.

To the earnest intern journalist, it seemed wrong for a group of friends vacationing together to remain distant. They should bond and grow closer!

While Kazumi found this kindergarten-teacher-level idea exhausting, she knew arguing with her overzealous cousin was pointless. Resigned, she simply hoped to be teamed up with Rumi.

Because of this unnecessary suggestion, their group ended up at the back of the registration line, as they had to take time drawing lots to form teams.

In the end, the teams were as follows:

Team 1: Aiko, Murashima Mami, and Rumi.

Team 2: Yoshikawa, Shiraishi Yoko, and Kazumi.

Team 3: Shiraishi Akira and Kurata Ryoko.

Team 4: Takeda and Takeshima Shinobu.

The most dissatisfied with this outcome were Takeda and Takeshima Shinobu, but under Kurata Ryoko’s sharp gaze, they quickly fell silent.

And so, the group was divided into four teams, departing at staggered intervals to begin the treasure hunt.

※※※

“Hmph, just my luck. I can’t believe I got stuck in the same group as you. I’d rather head back right now.”

“That’s exactly what I was going to say,” Takeda shot back, unwilling to back down.

“Tch, no originality at all. You’re just parroting what I said.”

The infuriating woman made Takeda grit his teeth in anger.

“Hey, what’s the first thing we’re supposed to find?” Although Takeshima Shinobu didn’t want to continue, the ever-annoying Kurata Ryoko had suggested yet another terrible idea before they set off: the group that failed to find the “treasure” or complete the game would have to treat everyone to dinner. For the sake of her wallet, Shinobu had no choice but to go along.

Takeda, also unwilling to lose, looked at the map in his hand and said, “According to the map, there should be a statue at the next corner. We’re supposed to find a blue envelope under it. Inside the envelope, we’ll find the map to the next location.”

Shinobu glanced at him and asked, “You don’t want to lose, do you?”

“Of course not. Who wants to lose?”

His attitude almost made Shinobu lash out, but for the sake of her wallet, she swallowed her anger. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she said, “If that’s the case, why don’t we set aside our personal grievances and just finish this game as quickly as possible?”

“Deal.” Takeda immediately agreed.

“Then let’s get moving.” Shinobu turned and started walking.

“Oh.” Takeda followed behind her, sounding like a scolded schoolboy.

※※※

“Hey, why don’t you ever talk? Let me tell you, being too quiet isn’t good for boys. At the very least, it’ll put you at a disadvantage when it comes to chasing girls,” Kurata Ryoko, fully embracing her role as the senior, couldn’t help lecturing the silent Shiraishi Akira.

Akira glanced at her and replied, “I’m not good at dealing with women older than me.”

Hearing this, Ryoko nearly tripped over her own feet.

“Damn it! Don’t make it sound like I’m so much older than you. I’m only one or two years older! And anyway, you’re usually this quiet, so don’t make it seem like it’s my fault you’re not talking!” The young journalist’s voice grew more and more animated.

After a brief silence, Akira asked, “Are you really Masashi’s cousin?”

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” Ryoko immediately felt a hint of sarcasm in his words.

“Nothing,” Akira said flatly and continued walking without looking back.

Watching him walk ahead without acknowledging her, Ryoko started regretting her decision not to let the “Take-Shi duo” redraw the lots earlier.

※※※

“Are you really Akira’s younger sister?”

“Of course I am. Why would Yoshikawa-senpai ask that?” Shiraishi Yoko asked, looking confused.

“Because your personality seems so outgoing, completely different from Akira’s.”

“Yoshikawa-senpai, are you implying I’m not my brother’s real sister and that I was picked up off the street?” Yoko asked, looking as though she was about to cry.

“No, that’s not what I meant. Don’t misunderstand me. I just meant that your personality is very different from your brother’s. That’s all. Nothing more,” Yoshikawa hurriedly explained, feeling flustered.

“Really?”

“Of course, really!” Yoshikawa replied with the most serious expression he could muster.

Yoko stared at him for a moment before suddenly bursting into loud laughter.

Yoshikawa was stunned as he watched her laugh so hard she seemed to be on the verge of passing out.

After a while, Yoko managed to rein in her laughter. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she said, “Yoshikawa-senpai, you’re hilarious. I was just joking, but I can’t believe you took me seriously. I originally thought you were a clever playboy, but it turns out—oops, sorry, I mean it turns out Yoshikawa-senpai is actually a very honest person.”

Hearing this “compliment” from the high school girl, Yoshikawa felt an overwhelming urge to bury himself alive.

“Sis Kazumi, can I ask you a question?” Yoko said, walking over to Kazumi.

“What is it?”

“Do you know how to get rid of a clingy boy? The thing is, there’s this boy at my school who keeps pestering me. I’ve already made it very clear that I’m not interested, but he still follows me around like a shadow every day. It’s driving me crazy. Sis Kazumi, do you have any advice?”

After thinking for a moment, Kazumi replied, “Does he come from a wealthy family?”

“Not really, I think. His grades at school are average, and he’s not particularly remarkable—except for being super clingy.”

“That’s easy. Pretend to date him, then make him treat you to expensive meals every day. Occasionally, ask him to buy you pricey gifts. Once he runs out of allowance, he won’t dare to bother you anymore,” Kazumi suggested, her expression calm and composed.

As Yoko listened, she nodded enthusiastically. “Sis Kazumi, you’re so clever! Way smarter than Yoshikawa-senpai—oh no, I mean smarter than most men.”

Once again, Yoshikawa had the urge to bury himself alive.

※※※

“Your name is Rumi, right?”

“Yes, my name is Nagakawa Rumi. I’m from Hokkaido. Pleased to meet you.” The kendo girl bowed respectfully as she introduced herself to Aiko.

Seeing her bow so formally, Aiko felt a bit embarrassed. “You’re too polite; I was just casually asking.”

Murashima Mami, noticing her friend’s reaction, couldn’t help but smile. Then she turned to Rumi and said, “I heard you’re a member of the kendo club and even won an award in a national high school competition. Is that true?”

“Yes, but that was a long time ago.”

Mami chuckled. “You’re too modest. You’re only a first-year university student, so it couldn’t have been that long ago. Have you adjusted to university life?”

“For the most part, yes. May I ask, how long have you known Aiko-san?”

Aiko thought for a moment before replying, “If I remember correctly, I met Mami in second grade. I had just transferred to her school, and we ended up sitting next to each other. After that, we became best friends, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.”

Rumi said with admiration, “It’s so nice to have a friend like that.”

Aiko asked, “You seem so outgoing; you must have plenty of friends too, right?”

Rumi shook her head. “I’ve been training in kendo with my grandfather since I was little, so I didn’t have much time to play with other kids. I actually don’t have many friends, especially ones I’ve known since childhood.”

Hearing this, Aiko was surprised. “You’ve been training in kendo since you were a child? That must have been tough!”

“Not really. I love kendo, so it didn’t feel difficult. I just had less playtime compared to other kids,” Rumi said lightly.

Seeing how casually she spoke, Aiko found it even harder to understand how someone could be so passionate about kendo.

After chatting for a while, Aiko suddenly asked, “Rumi, do you know Shiraishi Akira? What kind of person is he?”

Although a bit puzzled by the sudden mention of Akira, Rumi replied, “Shiraishi-kun is in the kendo club with me.”

“Does he not like to talk much?”

“Yes. Aiko-san, do you know him?”

“Sort of,” Aiko replied vaguely.

From the moment she first saw Shiraishi Akira, she had recognized him as the one who saved her that night. Later, she privately arranged to meet him and thank him. But to her frustration, he didn’t even remember who she was.

During her interactions with him, she noticed that he was a man of few words. Faced with this peculiar and somewhat aloof individual, she truly didn’t know how to interact with him.

After chatting lightheartedly for a while, Aiko and Murashima Mami realized that this girl, a year younger than them, held many innocent and childlike ideas. Yet, some of her thoughts were unexpectedly profound—far beyond what one would expect from someone her age. This peculiar yet pure girl left them feeling refreshed.

Gradually, however, Aiko noticed that the word “senpai” was appearing more and more frequently in Rumi’s conversations. Each time she mentioned it, a subtle but distinct sparkle seemed to light up her eyes.

Finally, Aiko couldn’t resist asking, “What’s the deal with you and that guy—I mean, Gennai Masashi? How did you two meet?”

Rumi smiled and said, “Senpai’s master was a close friend of my grandfather. When his master passed away, Senpai delivered my grandfather’s sword back to us on his behalf. That’s when we first met. Later, I came to Tokyo from Hokkaido to study so I could learn kendo from Senpai. I’ve been here ever since.”

“Gennai had a master?” Aiko said, surprised. It was the first time she had heard about this.

“Yes. Unfortunately, Senior Lei passed away, or I would have had the chance to witness his greatness,” Rumi said, looking regretful.

Aiko sighed. “How many secrets does that guy have?”

After walking for a bit longer, Aiko suddenly looked at her and asked, “Rumi, can I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“Do you… like Gennai?”

The kendo girl froze, her face instantly drained of all color. After a moment, she panicked and stammered, “I—I have to go!” With that, she turned and ran toward another path.

Aiko hadn’t expected such a strong reaction. She quickly ran after her and grabbed her hand. “Rumi, that’s the wrong path. Never mind—I won’t ask anymore. Pretend I never said anything, okay? Let’s just keep looking for what’s marked on the map.”

At that moment, Rumi seemed like a helpless child overwhelmed by insecurity, and Aiko felt a pang of guilt.

For the rest of the time, the three of them remained silent, the atmosphere heavy with tension. Stealing a glance at Rumi, who kept her face lowered, Aiko felt she had made a terrible mistake by asking something she shouldn’t have.

Hoping to lighten the mood, Aiko gave her friend a pleading look. Murashima Mami sighed helplessly, then walked over to Rumi to change the subject.

But just as she was about to speak, Rumi, who had been silent, suddenly said in a timid voice, “Miss Aiko, how did you know about this?”

Aiko smiled bitterly to herself. Women are naturally sensitive to these things, especially pure girls like Rumi—it’s just easier to see through them.

Not wanting to frighten the sweet and endearing girl further, Aiko spoke as gently as possible. “Rumi, I’m sorry. I was too impulsive and asked something I shouldn’t have. Can we just forget about it? Pretend this conversation never happened.”

Rumi stayed quiet for a moment before taking Aiko’s hand and whispering, “Miss Aiko, you’re a really kind person—just like Ms. Naoko. You’re both such good people. And yes, you’re right—I do like Senpai. But please don’t misunderstand. I have no intention of causing trouble for Ms.Naoko. I know… I know there’s no outcome for me in this. I don’t want to come between the two of them because there’s no space there for me. I just want to stay somewhere I can see him. That’s enough to make me happy. Truly.”

As tears streamed down her face, Aiko felt her heart ache.

Once, she had also desperately wanted just to see him, hoping his gaze would fall on her. But compared to the girl in front of her, Aiko realized that she had only been dreaming.

Passing the tissues her friend handed her to Rumi, Aiko suddenly noticed her own vision was blurring as well.