Mori Minami, after all, is just an outsider and shouldn't overstep her bounds.
Togawa Sakiko didn't understand why Aunt Mori Minami, who was just happily gossiping about her love life a moment ago, now suddenly seemed listless and downcast.
'Is it because she is worried about Mutsumi?'
'But it doesn't quite seem that way.'
The sadness in the other's eyes, though fleeting, was still sharply caught by her.
It was as if, through Sakiko, she saw someone else.
Togawa Sakiko hesitated for a moment, then still asked, "Aunt Mori Minami is there something you want to say to me?"
"Sakiko."
Mori Minami didn't answer directly. After a moment's thought, she tentatively asked, "Ever since you left 'there,' haven't you ever considered it? Mmm I mean, the idea of going back to visit?"
"...", Togawa Sakiko turned her face away, not letting her see her expression, "Why are you asking this?"
"It's been some time since you left, hasn't it?", Mori Minami sighed, "There are always people who worry about you."
"Did Mom ask you to ask me this?", Togawa Sakiko said quietly, "Or Grandpa?"
"In Sakiko's heart, is it only Grandpa and Mom, those close relatives, who care about you?"
Mori Minami discontentedly pinched her cheek, "Calling me 'Aunt Mori' so politely, in the end you still treat me like an outsider. Sakiko, that's so mean!"
"That's not what I meant", Togawa Sakiko, a little embarrassed, tried to escape her clutches, mumbling vaguely, "Aunt Mori, stop pinching"
"Fine, I won't argue with you," Mori Minami snorted softly and returned to the topic, "You're still young after all, and have no experience living independently. Living outside alone is always dangerous."
She didn't mention Togawa Kiyotsugu, that scumbag. Just being able not to drag Sakiko down is already a blessing, let alone taking care of her.
"I'm not alone," Togawa Sakiko didn't mention her father either. She just shook her head, "I'm living very well now, and safely too. There's no need to worry."
Compared to constantly being scolded in customer service, working convenience store shifts, or handing out flyers in costume being a secretary is a respectable job. No overtime, no worries about delayed wages, and even better benefits.
Although it's a bit busy, the thought that her hard work in business helps make Kaito's student life easier fills her with motivation.
'She actually rejected it?'
Mori Minami was a little surprised.
'So that means Sakiko isn't living alone right now?'
'But besides Togawa Kiyotsugu, she doesn't seem to have any particularly close friends outside?'
As if realizing something, this famous actress suddenly widened her eyes, "W-Wait! Don't tell me it's that Kaito?!m"
"You two are living together?"
Although cohabiting while unmarried has become quite common in this society, as a traditionalist, Mori Minami still found it hard to imagine Sakiko doing such a thing.
"How could that be!", Togawa Sakiko sighed helplessly, "We're just neighbors, not as dramatic as you think."
"In any case," she didn't want to continue discussing this topic, "I'm doing fine now, and I have no plans to go back. Please tell Mom and Grandpa, there's no need for them to worry."
Of course Sakiko misses her family, especially after cutting ties with that scumbag father.
But she still hasn't figured out how to face her mother, so the only thing she can do is avoid it.
Seeing Sakiko faintly resisting, like a little blue hedgehog curled up to fend off the world, Mori Minami sighed too, and didn't force her.
And just at that moment, the tightly shut door suddenly opened, and Kaito stepped out.
Mutsumi, in a thin nightgown and barefoot, was following closely behind him.
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Chapter 88: Togawa Sakiko: Mutsumi, you did great!
"Mutsumi!", Mori Minami felt a burst of joy and quickly rushed forward.
Seeing her daughter's complexion normal, with healthy color on her face, the previous listlessness and weakness had also vanished without a trace.
She finally let out a sigh of relief, then looked to the side at Kaito, and said expectantly, "Now, there shouldn't be any more problems, right?"
Kaito nodded slightly, "The dream demon is already dead. In the upcoming period, as long as she rests and doesn't overexert herself, there shouldn't be any major issues."
Mutsumi's physical constitution was still too weak. Even though he used spiritual power to replenish the consumed vitality, the psychological scars couldn't be easily erased.
"Mutsumi, during this time, don't go to school. Also, stop all extracurricular tutoring. Rest peacefully at home. I'll take care of your leave," Although Mori Minami was sometimes gossipy, the fact that she had become a famous Japanese actress, active in the entertainment industry for decades, naturally meant she wasn't the indecisive type.
School could be attended anytime, but she only had one daughter. If a lack of rest left some kind of aftereffect, it would be a regret she could never undo.
After arranging all this, she didn't forget to pay the fee. She swiftly transferred 50 million yen.
Then she warmly insisted that Kaito stay the night, so she could properly show her hospitality.
Upon hearing this invitation, even Secretary Sakiko glanced over with some anticipation.
'If the President can stay overnight, even if nothing happens, just being able to chat with him a bit more will be nice.'
But then she suddenly froze.
'Mutsumi why is she also looking at the President with an expectant gaze?'
She blinked, and when she looked again, the green-haired girl had already returned to her cold, expressionless face, as if that moment of expectation had been her own illusion.
'Is that so?'
Recalling Mutsumi's usual personality, Togawa Sakiko suppressed the odd feeling in her heart and gently shook her head.
'It was just an illusion, right?'
If it had only been Mori Minami's invitation, rejecting it would've been easy. But the feelings of a trusted subordinate still had to be considered.
For Sakiko's sake, Kaito pondered for two seconds and nodded, "Then I'll accept the hospitality."
The Wakaba family's villa was very large. In terms of area, it even surpassed the Nagasaki family's spacious flat.
There were many vacant guest rooms. Not to mention one person, even ten more could stay comfortably.
Kaito didn't have any requirements for the room, anything livable was fine, and was about to randomly pick one.
At this moment, Togawa Sakiko suddenly said, "As it happens, the room next to Mutsumi's bedroom is vacant. Why not stay there?"
The cucumber fairy(because her hair is green) looked up at her, then lowered his head again, speaking softly, "Then what about Sakiko?"
"I'm going back to my own room, of course," Togawa Sakiko smiled lightly. She had a room in the Wakaba household as well. It was also on the third floor, just at the far end.
"After all, you need to rest peacefully now. If we continue sleeping together, it might disturb Mutsumi, right?"
"It won't be a disturbance," Wakaba Mutsumi said very frankly, "I want to sleep with you."
Her expression was unchanged, and her tone equally flat.
'Could it be I am really overthinking?'
Her friend's reaction made Togawa Sakiko slightly relax and even feel a little guilty.
'Did I actually suspect Mutsumi might do something to Kaito-kun'
'I was just scaring myself, oof!'
With this in mind, Togawa Sakiko shook her head, "There will be other opportunities in the future. Right now, you need proper rest."
Mutsumi seemed a little disappointed. She let out an "oh," then fell silent.
Dinner was meticulously prepared by the maids. The long dining table was filled with exquisite Western dishes, all of which looked quite expensive.
Halfway through dinner, Mori Minami received an urgent phone call. Apparently, there was a problem she had to handle. She apologized quickly and left in a hurry.
All the maids had already been dismissed. In the spacious living room, only Kaito and Mutsumi, quietly sipping mango juice, remained.
As for Secretary Sakiko she had accidentally gotten oil on her sleeve earlier and had gone upstairs to change clothes.
Seeing the green-haired girl across from him staring intently, not at him, but rather at the mango juice beside him, Kaito felt a bit puzzled, "You want to drink this?"
"Mm."
Mutsumi nodded honestly, then asked, "Is that okay?"
"But I just took a sip," Kaito coughed lightly, "Let me get you a fresh glass."
"No need," The green-haired girl raised the straw in her hand, "I have this."
Kaito had no particular preference for juice. He didn't mind whether he drank it or not. Seeing that Wakaba Mutsumi didn't mind either, he didn't overthink it and pushed the mango juice over to her.
But at that moment, Mutsumi also pushed her own empty glass over, pulling a switcheroo.
Facing Kaito's confused gaze, she explained with a straight face, "No good. Sakiko will find out."
'This anti-detection instinct is way too strong, isn't it?', Kaito didn't know what expression to make. He could only silently cut the steak on his plate with a knife.
Mutsumi had already inserted the straw into Kaito's cup. Her cherry-pink lips gently wrapped around the round end, and she took a small sip.
The bright yellow liquid flowed through the transparent straw into the girl's mouth. Her slender neck slightly moved as she swallowed, and a satisfied smile appeared on her otherwise emotionless face. [T/N: This paragraph sounds better without context]
'Is it really that good?'
Kaito recalled the taste he had just sampled. It really was just ordinary mango juice.
Secretary Sakiko had changed into a new dress by this time and came down the stairs. Seeing the empty glass in front of Kaito, she couldn't help but chuckle, "Didn't expect even the President to be like Mutsumi, fond of mango juice."
'No, that is originally her half-finished glass.'
Kaito wanted to explain, but after thinking about it, he let it go and just asked, "Does Miss Wakaba like mango juice that much?"
"Exactly," Sakiko sat back in her chair and tapped her cherry lips with a slender finger, "When we used to go out, she would basically always order a mango juice, rarely choosing any other drink."
The girl spoke generously, "If the President likes it, I can give you my glass too."
"No, it's fine," Kaito shook his head and refused. Just as he was about to say more, he suddenly felt an itch on his calf, as if something brushed against it.
'Is it Wakaba-san?'
Looking at the green-haired girl's calm expression with no hint of guilt, he didn't pay much attention.
'Maybe it was just an accidental touch?'
.
.
.
After dinner, it was still early.
Seeing that the weather was nice, a rare clear day during the rainy season, Togawa Sakiko suggested taking a walk in the garden to help digest the food.
"I haven't touched the guitar in a while," Wakaba Mutsumi shook her head, "I want to go to the basement and play the guitar for a bit. You guys go ahead."
'Then'
'We two are alone?'
Togawa Sakiko once again felt guilty for her earlier suspicions.
Mutsumi really was her loyal bestie, not forgetting to play wingwoman even at a time like this.
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Chapter 89: Protective Jade Pendant
The luxurious Wakaba residence had a garden specifically for relaxation.
Though it lacked artificial hills and flowing water, it was filled with dense greenery and many blooming flowers of unknown names. In one corner, a small clearing had been deliberately opened up and filled with vibrant, dewy cucumbers.
It happened to be springtime. Summer cicadas had yet to shed their shells, and the garden was very quiet, with only the faint scent of flowers drifting on the soft breeze, making one's body and mind feel at ease, as if all anxiety and unrest could be purified away.
Walking forward along the cobblestone path, the black leather shoes stepping on the uneven stones made crisp "tada tada" sounds.
A girl with blue pigtails and a shawl lagged half a step behind, secretly peeking at the boy beside her with the corner of her eye. After a long silence, she quietly said something.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"/"Tsuki ga kirei desu ne?"
This was a subtle way of saying "I like you" in Japanese culture. Secretary Sakiko always felt the timing to confess wasn't quite right, and only dared to use such multi-meaning wordplay when alone together.
But Kaito completely failed to catch the implication, simply lifting his head in confusion:
"But there's no moon tonight, right?"
Togawa Sakiko: "_"
'Stupid president! Big Baka!'
The girl huffed softly, unusually coy, "Then the stars are beautiful, isn't it?"
'Can this really count as beautiful?'
Looking at the few scattered stars on the horizon, sparser than hairs in a bald head, Kaito didn't quite understand.
Facing Secretary Sakiko's resentful gaze, he wisely chose not to say more.
After all, an employee who willingly worked hard to create a good life for her boss wasn't easy to find, practically a 21st-century SpongeBob.
"What's this?"
A hand suddenly appeared in front of her, fingers spread open, with a rabbit-shaped jade carving resting quietly in the palm.
Exquisitely made, lifelike. It was unclear what type of jade it was carved from, but the surface shimmered with a watery glow, looking anything but ordinary.
Togawa Sakiko liked the little rabbit jade sculpture at first glance.
"A protective charm for you."
Sure enough, young girls couldn't resist cute accessories like this. Kaito's effort hadn't been in vain.
Previously, he had asked Ms. Nagasaki to help acquire a batch of good-quality jade. This career woman had long regarded Kaito as a future son-in-law and naturally took his request seriously. She didn't even delegate it to her assistant, handling it personally instead.
On the day Kaito returned from the town of Hoori, someone had already delivered the goods to his door.
These past few days had been full of light rain, and the weather remained gloomy. Aside from gaming at home, Kaito had also taken time to carve many jade sculptures of various shapes, imbuing each with a trace of his spiritual power to create simple magical tools.
