Chapter 344: Going to Your House for Dinner |
Evening, just before sunset.
Inside the antique shop, the cool air conditioning swirled alongside the lingering aroma of food.
Hoshino Gen and Shimizu Yu sat across from each other at their usual low table, eating just as they always did. After experiencing such an ordeal, the meal on the table naturally wasn't cooked by Shimizu Yu. Although she was usually quite carefree, she wasn't so thick-skinned that she could come back and casually cook as if nothing had happened after an assassination attempt.
In fact, even when faced with a table full of specially catered dishes from a star-rated restaurant that excelled in color, aroma, and taste, she had very little appetite. She only occasionally picked at the vegetables and took tiny bites of rice.
From the journey back until now, Hoshino Gen had not asked Shimizu Yu about the man named Wadagawa Shu. Perhaps he was being considerate of her feelings, or perhaps he simply lacked the interest to ask.
But right now, looking at this idiot resembling a wilted little cabbage was starting to affect his own appetite. He casually asked, "Why do you think your father's friend wanted you dead?"
Shimizu Yu's hand paused on her chopsticks. With her head drooping and her lips set in a slight pout, she said sadly, "I heard my dad mention it before. Uncle Wada is also his competitor for the position of Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police..."
He didn't need her to continue. Hoshino Gen understood immediately upon hearing this and gave a slight nod. "I see. The difficulty and cost of hiring someone to directly assassinate a high official of the state's law enforcement apparatus were too steep for him to manage. So, he decided to shatter your father's career ambitions by getting rid of you... Tsk, tsk."
Since that Wadagawa Shu was a friend of this idiot's father, he naturally knew that Shimizu Yu was an only child and deeply cherished at home. For a father who acted like a complete daughter slave, having his daughter murdered would undoubtedly be a devastatingly crushing blow.
Hoshino Gen couldn't help but chuckle. "Being plotted against is certainly a sad thing, but I've already solved the problem for you. That guy named Wadagawa Shu won't live past twenty-four hours. In fact, he might already be dead by now."
"Your family has lost a scheming, treacherous threat, your dad has lost a competitor, and your safety is guaranteed. No matter how you look at it, it is a happy ending to everyone's great satisfaction. You honestly have no reason to be pulling a funeral face right now."
Shimizu Yu nodded weakly. "Yeah... I know. Thank you for saving me again. If I died, my mom and dad would definitely be incredibly heartbroken. You didn't just save me; you saved them too. I am very grateful to you, really."
"But Uncle Wada was usually so nice to me, and his relationship with my dad was very close..."
Hearing her say this, Hoshino Gen understood immediately. She felt betrayed! If she had said that earlier, he would have understood right away. He couldn't help but grin again. Shaking his head gently, he lowered his gaze and proceeded to eat heartily.
As a boss with excellent morals and upstanding character, Hoshino Gen was quite considerate of his employee. Taking into account the late hour and her emotional state, he straightforwardly gave Shimizu Yu a day off. After they finished eating, he didn't make her clean the shop. He merely asked her to clear the table, after which she could clock out and head home.
Shimizu Yu obediently followed Hoshino Gen's instructions and tidied up the aftermath of their meal before bidding him farewell.
But after exiting the alleyway, Shimizu Yu endured it for a while before finally failing to hold back. She turned her head toward Hoshino Gen, who was walking behind her and looking around to admire the bustling evening city streets. "Isn't your way home in the opposite direction? Why are you following me?"
Hoshino Gen smiled at her and casually replied, "You kept wearing a funeral face during our meal just now, which ruined my appetite and made me eat poorly. So, I am planning to head over to your house to see if I can catch another dinner."
"...Huh?"
Shimizu Yu was stunned for a moment. She opened her mouth, slightly flustered. "A-are you... are you serious?"
Hoshino Gen just looked at her with a beaming smile.
Shimizu Yu took it seriously.
But bringing a boy home for dinner... It would be fine if no one was home; she had even actively invited him before. But right now, there was undoubtedly someone home! She didn't know if her dad was back yet, but her mom was definitely there!
What would her mom think? This was so embarrassing!
Then again, this guy had just saved her life. Now he merely wanted to go to her house for a meal. By comparison, this request really wasn't much to ask for at all!
Even if it came down to explaining it to her mom, she was completely justified. Though, if possible, she didn't want her parents to know she had almost been murdered. After all, the incident was over, and telling them would only cause them unnecessary worry.
But ultimately, Hoshino Gen was the one calling the shots. He had saved her life, so whatever he wanted to do, she ought to cooperate. As for him wanting to eat at her house... fine, he could go!
Shimizu Yu took a deep breath and pulled out her mobile phone. "I'll let my mom know..."
Shimizu Yu took a deep breath and pulled out her mobile phone. "I'll let my mom know..."
Hoshino Gen stopped her. "There's no need. I prefer letting nature take its course."
"..."
...
Along the way, Shimizu Yu felt extremely uneasy, but there was also an inexplicable feeling she couldn't quite articulate.
Regardless of what was going through her mind, the distance from the antique shop to the residential area was relatively short, and they arrived before she knew it.
After entering the residential area, Shimizu Yu became so nervous that her breathing grew rapid. She glanced at Hoshino Gen's profile several times, wanting to say something, but ultimately kept quiet. Several times along the way, she had wondered if this guy was just joking around and trying to tease her. But they had already made it this far, and he still hadn't turned back.
Shimizu Yu accepted her fate. She mentally prepared herself to endure a bombardment of questions from her parents after Hoshino Gen finished eating and left.
However—
"Eh? My house is this way..." Shimizu Yu couldn't help but call out a reminder as she watched Hoshino Gen walk toward a different block of houses after entering the residential area. Since Hoshino Gen had been to her house before, she assumed he had simply remembered the way incorrectly.
But Hoshino Gen only smiled at her and continued walking along his own route. Sensing that something was wrong, Shimizu Yu hurriedly chased after him. "You really were just messing with me!"
Hoshino Gen ignored her.
Shimizu Yu pressed further, "What are you really doing here?"
Hoshino Gen continued to ignore her.
"Do you know anyone else in this residential area?"
Hoshino Gen glanced at her, then picked up his pace.
He strode forward with large steps, forcing Shimizu Yu to jog just to keep up. "Why are you staying silent again?!"
"Woof, woof—!"
Suddenly, the sound of a dog barking rang out. Shimizu Yu instinctively looked toward the source, only to spot a remarkably familiar Samoyed in the courtyard of a villa just ahead. It was squatting at the gate, its tongue hanging out, staring right at them.
"Shiro?!" Shimizu Yu spun her head to look at Hoshino Gen in sheer shock, her mouth unconsciously dropping wide open.