[166] Rita Ainsworth

Chapter 166: Rita Ainsworth

It was evening when Shunsuke returned home, only to find a blonde woman standing quietly by his front door, a sight that took him by surprise.

Her striking blue eyes, full lips, and a face that bore the sharp features of a Westerner yet softened by a hint of Eastern grace were all captivating.

Even through her clothing, her ample bust and shapely figure were evident, and her height—taller than most women of Japan—further accentuated her allure. She was undeniably a stunning beauty, someone who would turn heads at first glance.

This was Rita Ainsworth, Mashiro's roommate and only friend in England, who had arrived in Japan three months ahead of schedule.

"Hello, Miss. May I ask why you're standing at my door?" Though Shunsuke recognized her, he feigned ignorance, addressing her in fluent, non-Japanese English that even a Brit would understand.

"Oh, sorry. Are you Mr. Fujii?" Startled out of her reverie, Rita turned toward him. Her long golden hair shimmered under the moonlight as she replied in clear, standard Japanese.

"Yes, that's me. And you are?"

"Pardon me, my name is Rita Ainsworth." She offered a slight curtsey in the style of a British lady.

"What—Ainsworth?" Shunsuke asked in confusion.

"Ainsworth," Rita corrected, her polite smile twitching slightly. "There's no Holy Grail War, no homunculi, no Einzberns. My family has no silver hair or crimson eyes. Mr. Fujii."

It was clear that Rita had been asked this question one too many times since arriving in Japan.

Shunsuke couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her, a British artistic soul turned into an unwitting otaku just to fend off endless queries from the local fans of Japanese subculture.

"Sorry, sorry," Shunsuke apologized quickly. "I'm sure it's a well-established surname in England, but it's quite a mouthful for folks here. Miss Ainsworth, are you—"

"Just call me Rita." She smiled, her expression as radiant as a blooming flower.

Shunsuke nodded and went along with it. "Sure, Rita, just call me Shunsuke. Are you the friend Mashiro had in England?"

"Oh, so you just casually call her Mashiro already? This guy's a bit dangerous," Rita muttered softly. However, when she looked up, her face was all smiles. "Yes, I'm Mashiro's former roommate and only friend."

"Nice to meet you. Mashiro's probably painting right now, so she won't hear the doorbell—or might just ignore it—so I'm sorry. Rita, how long have you been waiting here?" Shunsuke asked as he pulled out his key to unlock the door.

"I figured she was painting. She's always like this." Rita's smile was tinged with affection. Whether it was just Shunsuke's imagination or not, he felt as if Rita's words subtly conveyed that she knew Mashiro better than he did.

As Shunsuke opened the door and invited Rita inside, he set out a pair of slippers for her just as Mashiro stepped out of the studio.

"Mashiro, are you hungry? Sorry I got back late. I'll start cooking right away," Shunsuke said. He knew hunger or sleepiness were the only things that could make Mashiro put down her paintbrush.

But this time, Mashiro didn't respond immediately. Instead, she looked up at Rita with wide eyes.

"Rita!"

"Mashiro!"

As soon as Rita called her name, Mashiro's usually stoic expression changed dramatically.

Thump, thump, thump—

Mashiro kicked off her slippers and ran barefoot toward Rita, throwing herself into her friend's arms. The two embraced tightly, arms wrapped around each other's backs as if making sure the other was truly there.

Mashiro buried her face in Rita's shoulder and closed her eyes with relief. Since Rita was a fair bit taller, Mashiro had to stand on tiptoes, her petite toes pressing into the floor, her soft, pink soles exposed. Her expression was like a wild kitten nuzzling a familiar sibling.

"You look well. That's all that matters."

Rita pulled back slightly, one hand gently brushing Mashiro's golden hair as she spoke with the warmth of an older sister.

Even though they were the same age, Rita appeared much more mature than Mashiro—perhaps just a difference in their backgrounds.

"Yeah, you too, Rita," Mashiro murmured softly, still leaning against Rita with her eyes closed. "Shunsuke has been very good, always taking care of me."

Rita cast a complicated glance at Shunsuke before taking a deep breath and turning back to Mashiro. "If that's the case..."

"Rita?" Mashiro sensed something was off.

Letting out a long sigh, Rita fixed her ocean-blue eyes on Mashiro, who looked uneasy, and said, "Mashiro, the magic spell on Cinderella is over."

Mashiro tilted her head in confusion, thinking, who's the real Japanese native here?

"In other words, I've come down from the moon to take back the bamboo princess."

Despite being English, Rita's fluency in Japanese—complete with a touch of chuunibyou flair—left Mashiro utterly baffled. "Rita, what are you even talking about?"

At Mashiro's innocent deflection, Rita felt like covering her face. Finally, she abandoned the poetic metaphors and said bluntly, "The game of running away from home is over. You're coming back to England with me right now."

"Why... why would you say that?" Mashiro's pupils quivered. She instinctively took a step back, distancing herself from Rita.

Pain briefly flickered in Rita's eyes, but her expression remained firm and commanding. "Because your parents have found out. They saw your manga published in the magazine, and now they know you came to Japan to become a manga artist."

So Rita's early arrival was my fault! thought Shunsuke, who suddenly grasped the whole situation, unable to insert himself into the tense space between the two girls.

"I'm not going back! Rita, you supported me!" Mashiro's voice was sharp, her emotions running high. It was the first time Shunsuke had seen her so animated. This girl, usually so out of touch, looked like any ordinary girl when it came to her manga.

"I knew you'd say that," Rita said, her tone calm yet piercing. "But, Mashiro, think back. Think of the people who stood in front of your paintings in that gallery, moved to tears by what they saw. They're waiting for you to return, anticipating your next work. Please answer their hopes."

"Why... why are you saying this?" Mashiro asked, her voice trembling.

"This isn't just some idle remark. It's important."

"But, Rita, I thought you were on my side!" Mashiro clung to that one thought.

"That was..." Rita lowered her head. "That was just a misunderstanding on your part. I never supported this from the beginning."

Oh no.

Shunsuke could tell that Mashiro had been hurt.

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