Chapter 332: Got Scolded? |
Moonlight poured into the sea like water, and gentle ocean waves softly lapped against the shallows.
The boy and girl on the sandy ground by the coast seemed to be using unpredictable supernatural power as a toy, engaging in water manipulation and shape-shifting, creating a unique mood.
However, this dream-like scene was not without an audience.
On the third-floor balcony of the villa, the faint silhouettes of several girls gathered together, secretly gazing at the scene by the coast.
And those possessing such lively, girlish curiosity were naturally Hoshino Gen's classmates.
Because they had deliberately turned off the lights on the balcony, feeling they were well-hidden, they peeked without any reservations. Even so, due to the distance and angle, it was impossible to clearly see the water suspended over the sea surface, taking on various forms in the dark night.
"What do you guys think those two talk about when they are alone together?"
"I do not know, but they can be considered a couple, right? Maybe they are just talking about normal things couples discuss?"
"Tsk... First of all, they are not an ordinary couple, but an engaged couple who will definitely get married in the future. Secondly, I honestly cannot imagine those two talking about couple stuff."
"Yu-chan, what do you think?"
"Ah... huh?"
"So you haven't heard a single word we've been saying this whole time. We were discussing, what do you think Hoshino and Sasaki talk about when they are alone together?"
"...Maybe something related to studying?"
"..."
The voices on the balcony quickly dissipated. The reason was quite simple; after all, this group had come to peek with the mindset of watching a good show, but ended up only seeing Hoshino Gen and Sasaki Ayane stand by the coast for a while before turning around and heading back to the villa together. Since there was nothing left to watch, it was naturally time to disperse.
On Hoshino Gen's side, he had just pushed open the front doors of the villa and was about to go inside when he saw Asaba Shinichi walking over with a careless and sloppy attitude, an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips. He looked exactly like a street hooligan getting ready to head out and beat someone up.
Hoshino Gen certainly did not care where he wanted to go or who he wanted to beat someone up, but helplessly, upon seeing Hoshino Gen, Asaba Shinichi chuckled, walked straight over, and threw an arm around his shoulder. "Finished your private little chat? If you are free, let's go check out a commotion together."
Hoshino Gen brushed his hand away and asked flatly, "What happened?"
"Hah, nothing much," Asaba Shinichi said, his mouth curled into a grin, his face full of reckless disregard. "You know that shopping mall in the center of the island, right? It belongs to my family. Someone is causing trouble there right now, so I am going to see what is going on."
Understood. He was not just putting on the attitude of going out to beat someone up; he was heading out with the express purpose of beating someone up.
And for this kind of matter where the outcome was obvious without even looking, he had no interest.
Without a verbal response, Hoshino Gen rolled his eyes, bypassed Asaba Shinichi, and headed upstairs on his own. As for Sasaki Ayane, she had already left when Hoshino Gen was stopped by Asaba Shinichi.
Asaba Shinichi curled his lips and shouted toward Hoshino Gen, "It is not just one person causing trouble, I heard it is a whole group! It is one thing for that Yusuke kid to be cold and heartless, but do you really have the heart to let me go alone and get outnumbered?!"
Hoshino Gen vanished at the top of the stairs without looking back. Asaba Shinichi felt a bit of helplessness, but he had no choice but to prepare to face a multitude alone, lonely and helpless, his retreating back seemingly filled with a desolate and tragic aura...
...
Although the sky had already grown dark, it was still early, so naturally, Hoshino Gen would not just wash up and go to sleep immediately upon returning to his room.
After taking a shower and changing into a clean, refreshing set of clothes, Hoshino Gen leaned back on the bed, casually picked up the remote control from the bedside table, and turned on the large television mounted on the wall. He picked a random horror movie, turned off the bedroom lights, and quietly began to enjoy it.
Regardless of the movie's overall quality, without too many restrictions on explicit content, the horrific atmosphere it tried to build was certainly present. While it could not frighten Hoshino Gen, it did keep him entertained.
Right on cue, on the giant television screen, a hand dripping with beads of blood knocked on the door of the room where the protagonist was hiding—"Knock, knock, knock."
Naturally, the sound of knocking echoed out, but Hoshino Gen's gaze instantly shifted away from the television and toward his own bedroom door. He was absolutely certain that the knocking just now had come from outside his door.
As for whether the one knocking outside his door was also a ghostly hand dripping with blood... Before he could even respond, the answer revealed itself. The door was pushed open, and Hoshino Rin barged in, bringing Tamamo-no-Mae and Monica with her.
"A-Gen!"
Tamamo-no-Mae immediately hopped onto the bed, her small body moving swiftly to Hoshino Gen's side, and she tightly hugged his arm. In an instant, the horror movie's atmosphere was utterly gone.
Hoshino Gen cast a sidelong glance at the giggling little girl affectionately rubbing her small face against his arm. His gaze then swept over Hoshino Rin and Monica, who had both taken seats on the edge of the bed. This time, he did not ask if they needed him for something. If they had a purpose, they would naturally bring it up; if not... it did not matter.
Monica cast a look of curiosity at Tamamo-no-Mae, who was so intimate with Hoshino Gen, but soon shifted her attention to the television mounted on the wall. Perhaps it was because she also loved horror movies, but her gaze was quickly captivated by the screen.
As for Hoshino Rin, she lacked her usual lively energy. She was likely still worried about Daihaku biting someone else's dog. Although she had quickly contacted people over in Tokyo to handle the situation after hearing the news, it was just like how Hoshino Gen used to mock Shimizu Yu: people with kindness always harbored baseless worries.
And a villain like him would never waste a single shred of energy on such trivial matters.
Tamamo-no-Mae was amusing herself while clinging to his arm, and Monica was watching the terrifying scenes on the television with great interest. Only Hoshino Rin had not said a word since coming in, merely sitting on the edge of the bed with her head lowered, fiddling with her perfectly fair and pretty fingers.
However, for some unknown reason, Hoshino Gen's gaze remained steadily fixed on her.
"You want to go back and check on Daihaku?" Hoshino Gen suddenly spoke up. Hoshino Rin froze for a moment before reacting. She lifted her small face to look at her brother, then puffed out her cheeks without saying a word.
"...Then we can just go back tomorrow," Hoshino Gen said.
Anyway, they had already accomplished everything they wanted to do here. He had engaged in another sparring match with Asaba Shinichi, helped Sasaki Ayane take a massive step forward on the path of the mystic side, and also witnessed some incredibly beautiful scenery.
For him, this trip had already been fulfilling enough.
But upon hearing Hoshino Gen's words, Hoshino Rin did not end up beaming with joy. Instead, she still appeared completely depressed. With an incredibly sorrowful voice, she spoke up, "The owner of one of the dogs that Daihaku bit managed to contact me. She told me that her dog died."
Hoshino Gen paused for a moment, then calmly asked, "Got scolded?"
"Yeah..."