[181] Rita Wants Mashiro to Feel Pain

Chapter 181: Rita Wants Mashiro to Feel Pain

In British news and reports related to art, the main names mentioned were Mashiro and Rita, while others were rarely brought up.

Rita looked up at Shunsuke in shock. She had wanted to say something—to share her thoughts, to confess—but before she could, he had already seen through everything. He had even spoken the very words she wanted to say. Now, what was left for her to say?

Thump.

But having someone truly understand her, someone who genuinely paid attention to her feelings—this joy…

Rita couldn't help but clutch her chest with her right hand. She knew she shouldn't feel this way. This was someone Mashiro liked. Yet, despite knowing that, she couldn't suppress the surge of happiness welling up inside her.

Thump.

—He said he liked my painting more than Mashiro's.

It wouldn't stop. Rita realized her heart was racing uncontrollably.

Shunsuke gently led Rita a few steps away, clearing the space in front of Jealousy.

"See? There are still people appreciating your work."

After some time, he pointed toward Rita's painting. Though the crowd wasn't as large as the one in front of Mashiro's work, there were still people standing there, admiring it.

...

By the time Rita came back to her senses, she realized she was already standing at her doorstep with Shunsuke.

"By the way, I'm actually curious—how did you convince Mashiro to stay home alone? She was okay with letting me go out on a 'date' with you?"

Before opening the door, Shunsuke asked the question.

Rita gave a bitter smile. "Something like that… it was actually pretty simple."

"I just told Mashiro that if I took you out for a day, I wouldn't interfere with her decision anymore. That it would be up to you whether she stays or leaves. And if you still chose to have her stay in Japan to draw manga… then I would leave on my own."

"I actually thought this through quite well," Rita said. "Shunsuke, you're a mature person. I figured you wouldn't let your personal feelings get in the way of Mashiro's brightest future. That after careful consideration, you'd make the decision that's best for her and let her go."

Shunsuke almost felt embarrassed from the praise. Don't mistake me for a good guy—I'm just a playboy dreaming of a harem!

And besides, Rita was still too naive. Anyone who's been in a relationship or has some experience in society knows—you should never give someone else the right to decide something important for you. Otherwise, you'll be the one left in pain.

Rita had held a trump card—Mashiro's father's authority. She might have had a chance. But by leaving the decision in his hands, she had already lost from the start.

"And the result…?" Rita asked. "Shunsuke, would you be willing to let Mashiro go?"

"Of course not."

"Yeah… Just like you said, I was being too presumptuous. No wonder Mashiro agreed so painfully—it's because she trusts you completely, doesn't she? Even though you've only lived with her for a month, while I've been with her for ten years. I was here first. It was me first!"

"Rita, are you jealous again?"

"Yeah, I am. Of both you and Mashiro. Right now, I'm jealous of everything."

As they chatted, Shunsuke pulled out his keys to unlock the door. But before he could, Rita suddenly spoke.

"I'll keep my promise. I'll leave tomorrow. And once I'm back, I'll do my best to convince Mashiro's father."

"…Huh…"

His hand paused on the doorknob. He wanted to ask her to stay, but he wasn't sure what to say. In the end, he just said it outright.

"Can't you stay?"

Rita blinked her beautiful blue eyes before flashing a mischievous smile.

"What's this? Shunsuke, are you reluctant to let me go?"

"Mmm… This way, you can help me take care of Mashiro. I'll have a much easier time in the future."

Her smile froze instantly. After a moment, she puffed up her cheeks in frustration.

"Ugh, Shunsuke, a man acting tsundere is really unattractive, you know. No one's going to like that."

"Is that so…?"

Shunsuke wasn't convinced. After all, wasn't Akutagawa Ryuunosuke a prime example of a tsundere guy who was surprisingly cute?

"So stay," Shunsuke said bluntly. "We've only slept together for two nights. We haven't even gotten to know each other properly yet. Leaving now would be such a waste."

Rita's face turned bright red at his straightforward words.

"Shunsuke, Rita—"

Just as the door opened, Mashiro came running out barefoot. Judging by her expression, she hadn't been able to focus on painting at all today.

Seeing the worry on Mashiro's face, Rita forced a smile, pretending to be indifferent.

"Alright, Mashiro, this time you win. I won't pressure you anymore."

A faint smile appeared on Mashiro's face. Despite her "Shin Kuro" side, her emotional deficiencies made her heart rather unguarded. She truly believed Rita's words.

Shunsuke glanced at Rita. When she faced him, her smile was far more genuine. But the moment she turned back to Mashiro, it became that familiar, repressed, almost artificial smile again.

Of course, that didn't mean Rita didn't care about Mashiro. Their bond was like that of sisters—something that couldn't be severed. But at the same time, it was natural for them to have complicated feelings toward each other.

What Rita truly needed now was to have an open and honest conversation with Mashiro, to release all her pent-up frustrations, instead of continuing to suppress herself for Mashiro's sake. But as an outsider, it wasn't Shunsuke's place to push that discussion.

Mashiro, completely oblivious to Shunsuke's thoughts, happily ran back to her room. Moments later, she returned—this time carrying his pillow.

"Mashiro, what are you doing?"

"Shunsuke, from now on, you're sleeping in my room!"

Hugging his pillow tightly, Mashiro declared her intentions.

Shunsuke covered his face. "That room was mine to begin with, you know."

"Then from now on, I'll sleep with Shunsuke in his room."

Rita's smile disappeared.

But it didn't vanish entirely. It simply transferred—onto Mashiro's face.

Watching Mashiro's lighthearted footsteps, Rita made up her mind.

Before she left, she was going to stir up some real trouble.

Her jealousy toward Mashiro was unbearable.

This time, she was going to make Mashiro suffer. To let her experience the heartbreak Rita once felt.

To let her know what true despair was.

...

"Mmm… Mmm… Chu-pu… Chu-pu… Shlurrrp…"

The next morning, Shunsuke was woken up by the sound of water. At the same time, his body felt like it was wrapped in a warm bath—cozy and comforting.

"!?"

Shunsuke's eyes shot open. Right in front of him, the blanket had a suspiciously large, human-sized bulge.

Carefully lifting the edge of the blanket, he gritted his teeth and whispered, "Miss Rita, didn't you say you were British?"

"Mmmph… British women are European too, you know," Rita replied, pulling back with a mischievous little grin. "And European women can be very bold with the ones they care about."

She licked her lips, her signature devilish smirk in full display.

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