Chapter 93: Moonlight

“Am I doing the right thing, Avi?”

Late at night, a young man sat alone on the rooftop, staring blankly at the bright moonlight in the sky. Beside him lay several empty beer cans.

He couldn’t help but recall the events at the café earlier that day.

After a long period of contemplation, the young man finally looked up at Naoko-sensei.

“Naoko, like I said before, no man can resist a woman as beautiful as you. I’m no exception. To say your request didn’t move me would be self-deception.

I admit that I have feelings for you to a certain extent. Otherwise, I wouldn’t care so much about you. A long time ago, another woman said something similar to me. But later, she died. When she passed away, I didn’t even attend her funeral. Yet, on many nights when I woke up in the middle of the night, I realized she was still alive in my heart.

Compared to her, my feelings for you probably don’t even amount to one-tenth of that. Are you really willing to stay with a man whose heart holds another woman?”

Looking into the young man’s clear, water-like eyes, Naoko-sensei suddenly smiled. “I’m willing.”

“You’re really foolish. With your qualities, you could find a better man,” the young man said helplessly.

“There’s no one else. Besides you, I don’t think I could ever accept anyone else. I don’t intend to replace her in your heart, but I will make up for the feelings you have for me,” Naoko-sensei said, gently caressing the young man’s face.

“Fine then, do as you please.” The young man found her soft, delicate hand comforting as it touched his face, so he didn’t stop her.

“Masashi, I’m really happy.” Tears began to fall from her eyes again.

“Actually, I have another name. When no one’s around, you can call me Lei Yin,” the young man said, gently wiping away her tears.

“Lei Yin? I really like that name.” Naoko-sensei smiled radiantly, her tear-streaked face glowing with beauty.

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you home.”

“Okay,” Naoko-sensei replied softly.

The young man’s heart began to race again. Suddenly, he recalled a line he had read in a book: When you see the girl you like, you’ll know exactly where your heart is.

“Big brother, what are you doing here?” A voice pulled Masashi out of his thoughts.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet, so late at night?” Masashi asked the figure.

“Aren’t you the same? What’s on your mind?” Kazumi, dressed in her pajamas, walked over to him.

“What could I have on my mind? I’m just a man enjoying the beautiful moonlight tonight.”

“Liar. But if you don’t want to say, fine. I’m already used to your eccentric personality.” Kazumi leaned against his shoulder, smiling mischievously.

“What’s so eccentric about my personality?” Masashi took the opportunity to flick her on the forehead.

“Don’t deny it. Tell me, is there any boy at school as weird as you?”

“Why compare me to those kids?” Masashi yawned.

“Big brother, it feels like it’s been ages since we last chatted like this, just the two of us,” Kazumi said nostalgically.

“It’s just you avoiding me because you think I nag too much,” Masashi said, smiling.

“How dare you say that! You’re always sneaking off to other places, sometimes for weeks or even months. I haven’t even started holding you accountable for that.” Kazumi playfully pinched his arm in mock anger.

“Fine, next time I’ll let you know before I go. Hey, take it easy! Are you trying to kill me?” Masashi yelped.

When pinching him didn’t work, Kazumi bit him instead. Seeing his exaggerated reaction, she burst into laughter.

“You kids really have a thing for biting people,” Masashi said, rubbing the sore spot.

“So, someone else has bitten you? Who was it?” Kazumi, ever the top student, quickly caught on.

“Hey, you’re too sharp!”

“Hmph. I know—it must’ve been Naoko-sensei’s younger sister. Tell me honestly, do you like that girl?” Kazumi stared at him intently.

“I refuse to answer such a silly question.” Masashi stood up, preparing to leave.

“No way! You have to answer!” Kazumi grabbed his shirt, refusing to let go.

Not understanding why she was so fixated on this question, Masashi finally relented with a sigh. “For the last time, I’m not interested in kids. I don’t want people whispering behind my back, saying I’m an old cow eating young grass. Happy now? Honestly, you kids need to stop throwing around words like love and like so casually. Can’t you be a little more reserved?”

“You’d better not be lying to me,” Kazumi said with a frown. If he was telling the truth, then Rumi might still have a chance.

“Go to bed already. It’s late.” Masashi stopped engaging and headed downstairs.

“Ugh, can’t you wait for me?” Kazumi ran after him, linking her arm through his as they walked down the stairs.

“By the way, big brother, did you hear about the fire at transfer student Nagasaki Meiichi’s house a few days ago?” Kazumi asked as they descended.

“I heard about it at school.”

“Serves them right. I heard from my classmates that, for some unknown reason, the fire broke out suddenly in the middle of the night. The flames were intense and spread quickly, burning down a large part of the house by the time the firefighters arrived.” Kazumi sounded vindicated.

“That serious? Was anyone hurt?”

“I heard no one got hurt. Nagasaki and the others in the house all escaped in time. Lucky for him,” Kazumi continued.

“It seems his luck is indeed quite good.”

In the darkness, Kazumi failed to notice the slight twitch at the corner of the young man’s lips.

***

Around 3 PM, Naoko was sitting in front of her computer, lost in thought. Suddenly, she heard the sound of the doorbell.

Looking through the peephole, she immediately opened the door at lightning speed.

“You… why are you here?” Naoko was momentarily overwhelmed with surprise and joy.

“Not welcome?” the young man asked with a smile.

“Of course not! Come in quickly.” Naoko almost dragged him inside.

Unexpectedly, she pulled him directly into her room.

As the young man glanced around the elegant and distinctly feminine room, he smiled and said, “Bringing me in here, aren’t you afraid?”

Hearing this, Naoko’s face turned bright red.

“Fool, I’m just joking.” The young man stepped closer, gently picking up a strand of her hair and stroking it lightly.

Naoko leaned quietly into his chest, completely still, savoring the unique scent that lingered on him.

“What would you like to drink?” After a while, she raised her flushed face to ask.

“If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like some tea.”

“Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

“No rush, I’m not that thirsty.” The young man said as he sat down at the edge of the bed.

Just as Naoko was about to leave the room, she suddenly turned back, her face even redder. “Lei, if it’s you, I… wouldn’t refuse.”

With that, she hurriedly ran out.

What a dangerous woman. Doesn’t she know how tempting she is? The young man smiled wryly. If it weren’t for considering her current physical condition, he might not have been able to resist. He quickly calmed himself, using his inner strength to suppress the surging emotions within.

Five minutes later, Naoko returned, her face still flushed, carrying a tea set.

After handing him a cup of tea, she sat beside him and asked, “It’s Monday. Don’t you have classes?”

“I wanted to see you, so I skipped.” The young man took a sip of tea.

That simple sentence nearly moved Naoko to tears.

“Don’t do that again. You’re still a student,” she said softly, holding his hand.

“You sound just like that little brat at my house, always worrying about such trivial things. Don’t worry, as long as I want to, I can get top marks anytime. What about you? What were you doing? Just woke up?” the young man asked.

“No, I was working on translating something for an English magazine. When I have time, I also write articles and submit them to publishers.”

“Keeping busy is good, but don’t overwork yourself.”

“I won’t.” Naoko leaned her head on his shoulder, quietly gazing at his profile, completely entranced.

***

“Mr. Moriki, please try to recall carefully. Have you or your family ever offended anyone in the past?” a police officer in his thirties asked a middle-aged man seated across from him.

Sitting beside the man was a strikingly handsome young man. At the moment, the young man stared silently at the wall with a gloomy expression, not saying a word.

“I’m sorry, officer. I really can’t think of anyone. The master of our house is an upright and kind businessman, unlikely to have made enemies. As for our young master, he’s an exemplary student both in academics and conduct, so it’s even less likely. We truly have no idea,” the butler, Moriki, replied hesitantly.

“Mr. Moriki, Nagasaki-kun, there’s something I need to inform you about. Based on expert analysis at the scene, we preliminarily believe this fire was likely caused by arson. At the site, we found several of these.” The officer placed a plastic bag on the table. Inside was a blackened object resembling a soda can.

“What is this?” the butler asked.

“Tests show it contained diethylaluminum chloride, a substance that ignites within a minute of being exposed to air. We found similar containers in multiple locations at the scene. Therefore, we have reason to believe this fire was deliberately set.”

“Who could have done such a thing?” the butler exclaimed in shock.

“We’re still investigating. If you recall anything, please inform us immediately,” the officer said.

“I understand. If we find any leads, I’ll contact you right away. Thank you for your hard work,” the butler said with a bow.

“You’re too polite. This is our duty. If there’s nothing else, you’re free to leave.”

Before the butler could respond, the handsome young man silently stood up and walked out.

“My apologies. The young master is understandably shaken by this incident. Please forgive him,” the butler said awkwardly.

“I understand,” the officer replied with a nod.

After leaving the police station, the butler watched the young master walking farther ahead and sighed. Picking up his pace, he quickly caught up to him.