262: Crisis Averted

Chisato was glad that his conversation with Haruno did not last long, and he was also relieved that she was an egoistic, fun-loving person rather than a so-called messenger of justice. 

Otherwise, if all his current affairs were exposed, the consequences would definitely be tragic and abnormal.

After sighing softly and greeting several guests, Chisato dialed Eriri's number.

Her tone was no longer panicked because the Dark Wing had just spat out a slightly larger walnut kernel into her palm, and it was no longer as languid as before. 

She suspected that the Dark Wing had been like that earlier due to the card stuck in its throat.

However, as a precaution, she still planned to take it to a nearby pet hospital for a check-up.

Chisato chatted with her for a while and made an appointment to meet her directly at home. He planned to go back early tonight.

After the phone call, he found another free moment and walked directly into the recording room.

Kazusa was carefully wiping the microphone with disinfectant wipes.

Seeing this, Chisato walked over and held the back of her hand, prompting her to stop.

"The plan has suddenly changed. The band had some accidents and can't make it tonight, so I don't have to be busy anymore. Thank you for your hard work."

That band was originally a temporary excuse he had made up, but now he could arrange things however he wanted.

"They're really a bunch of willful guys, with no sense of contract at all."

Kazusa complained gloomily. Chisato took the disinfectant tissue from her hand, and the two of them walked out of the recording room together.

A real band was performing in the exhibition hall now, and the atmosphere was lively.

Thanks to the excited crowd, Ichi Seika and the others were out of sight and didn't notice this small situation.

Since then, Kazusa had been sitting obediently in a seat next to the wall, enjoying the desserts and drinks provided by Chisato. 

When she felt bored, she would look at her lover's work status and the performances on stage. Time passed quickly.

Then it was 8:40 p.m.

Hiratsuka and Haruno left together, and there were far fewer people in the exhibition hall.

Seika noticed Kazusa's presence because she was wearing the same school uniform as Chisato, clearly indicating she was a student from the same school.

After realizing this, she glanced at Chisato thoughtfully, but in line with her character, she didn't ask anything.

Once Chisato finished the work at hand, he walked over to tell her that she could clock out for the night.

The two of them left the store. Even though Kazusa repeatedly insisted it wasn't necessary, Chisato still boarded the train with her, insisting on taking her home.

As they walked side by side on the way back, the starry sky hung above them, and both deliberately slowed their pace.

"Didn't you say it would end at nine o'clock?" she asked.

"The store manager is very nice and knows that I am a student, so sometimes if the store isn't busy, she lets me go early."

"I see. So the bento in your hand is also a bonus?"

"Well, that's right. Working for her and getting a free meal is nothing."

Chisato spoke half-jokingly, causing the jealousy in Kazusa's heart to quickly dissipate, replaced by a toothy chuckle.

"By the way, I forgot to bring you something to eat," he said.

"Insincere guy! You're just saying that now. I'm almost home, and it's a shame I helped you today."

"I'll make a note of it for today, and I will definitely pay you back in the future."

"It better be that way."

"You're home."

"Oh..."

Unconsciously, they both stopped at the same time.

In front of them stood the mansion bearing the "Touma" name.

Kazusa lowered her head and kicked at the stones, feeling miserable.

Normally, she wouldn't be like this.

She felt affected by the external environment.

The moonlight tonight was too bright and beautiful, but without the company of stars, she felt a little lonely. There was no reason for her to feel lost because of this.

But the mood soon dissipated.

Without giving her a chance to react, Chisato leaned down and lightly touched her lips with his.

This unexpected kiss made Kazusa's eyes widen.

For a moment, the wind rushed past her ears, and her slender hair was lifted by the breeze.

The kiss broke at the first touch, and when they separated, Kazusa finally noticed the sly, smiling face in front of her.

"I've been thinking about this all day, and now I'm finally satisfied. Let's go to bed early tonight," he said.

"Bang!"

Kazusa's face flushed, and she raised her left arm to cover her blood-red cheeks while her right hand clutched her schoolbag to avoid bumping into Chisato.

The thunder was loud, but the raindrops were small, causing little damage.

Without saying a word, she walked directly into the courtyard. Chisato watched her enter the house before turning around and leaving.

He hadn't walked far when his phone rang with a message.

It was from Kazusa.

[Good night! And don't come up to me like that without any warning next time!]

It was accompanied by a cute dog grinning in anger.

[I know; I won't dare to do it again next time.]

After replying, Chisato smiled and put his phone back in his pocket.

Sitting at the entrance, Kazusa gently touched her lips with the fingertips of her left hand, looking at the message from her lover, her face lighting up with a smile.

She sat there for a long time.

Until a very familiar teasing voice unexpectedly came from behind her.

"It's so sweet to send you to your doorstep so late."

Startled, Kazusa jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Don't sneak up behind people!"

Youko shrugged innocently.

"I walked over normally. You were too immersed in the farewell kiss you just had with your boyfriend to hear me coming."

"You! You actually peeked!"

"It's just that I hadn't seen my daughter return after waiting for a long time. As a mother, it's completely normal for me to glance out the window subconsciously."

Youko crossed her arms over her chest, a teasing smile spreading across her face.

"But are you really my daughter? It would be too embarrassing for such an innocent kiss to leave you so flustered for so long." 

"Why not invite him in for a cup of tea and let him spend the night? It wouldn't matter if you lived here." 

"If you're embarrassed because I'm here, just tell me directly. As long as I can hold my grandson as soon as possible, I will gladly give you two space."

"What nonsense are you talking about, idiot!"

Kazusa quickly changed her shoes and dashed away from the entrance.

"No one calls their mother that."

Youko exclaimed loudly, dissatisfied.

"You're the one! No mother would say such things to her child."

In the distance, Kazusa's voice echoed.

"Hmph~ She's really grown up, this kid..."

Thinking back to the scene she had just witnessed from the window, Youko felt a mix of emotions.

Suddenly, she felt warmth in her nostrils, and her relaxed expression quickly turned serious.

Just a quick swipe with her fingertip confirmed it—a dazzling dark red.

She covered her nostrils, grateful that her daughter had not witnessed this situation.

With a deep sigh, she no longer felt as energetic as before and quickly walked toward the second floor.

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