66 "I’m Investing in You by Selling My Bike"

"Ah, that silly Shizuka, she's drunk again. Doesn't she worry about some creepy guy picking her up and taking her home?" Okudera Miki complained, looking at the now-drunk Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"Hehe, if anyone dares, I'll knock them straight to the hospital," Shizuka said, leaning on Okudera Miki and laughing foolishly as she threw a mock punch.

Surprisingly, even though she was clearly drunk, her punch still seemed strong, cutting through the air with impressive force.

"Miki, you drove here, right?" Okudera Miki asked.

"Yeah, the car's parked in the lot behind," Shizuka responded, her head spinning.

If she were sober, she never would have drunk so much, but with Miki there and constantly talking to that Hojou kid, she had unintentionally drunk too much.

"Sorry, Hojou-kun, I need to find a designated driver to get Shizuka home, and I might have to return your jacket another day," Okudera Miki said apologetically.

"Why don't I come with you, take her home, then drop you off afterward? It's late, and I can't let you two drunk women go home alone," Kyousuke offered, holding Shizuka steady.

"Right, Hojou-kun, you're sober, but do you have a driver's license?"

"I don't, but I have friends nearby. I'll get in touch with them now."

Hojou Kyousuke pulled out his phone and started typing in the chat room of the "Rampaging Angels" group.

Even though he didn't have a license, he knew some of the older guys in the high school department had one.

"Sorry for the trouble," Okudera Miki said, a bit embarrassed.

"It's nothing, really. I should be thanking Hiratsuka-sensei for treating me to food," Kyousuke replied.

Indeed, Shizuka had already paid the bill when she was still sober.

Kyousuke had almost said something when Okudera Miki interrupted him, laughing, saying that Hiratsuka Shizuka was a rich lady, and drinking with her was the best way to show concern for her.

By then, four of Kyousuke's underlings had accepted the job.

As they left the bar, they found two motorcycles and four of his subordinates waiting outside.

"Hojou-kun, who are they?" Okudera Miki asked, glancing curiously at the four who were greeting Hojou Kyousuke.

"They're my juniors from school, uh, motorcycle enthusiasts," Kyousuke answered.

The motorcycles they had were quite a sight—one more bizarre than the next.

He quickly delegated tasks: one of his underlings, who could drive, would follow him, Okudera Miki, and Shizuka to get the car, while the others, on motorcycles, would follow them.

Once they arrived at Shizuka's home, the four would head back.

The reason for all these people was simple: Kyousuke had plans to ride Okudera Miki home on his bike afterward.

At the parking lot, Okudera Miki pressed the car key, causing the lights of a large white vehicle to flash.

"Hiratsuka-sensei likes this kind of car?" Kyousuke asked, holding Shizuka steady as they approached the white SUV. Even Kyousuke, with his limited knowledge of cars, recognized it as a Toyota Land Cruiser.

"Ha ha, given how Shizuka loves fighting, I guess it's not surprising," Okudera Miki said, opening the door and helping Kyousuke get Shizuka into the back seat.

Maybe it was because Okudera Miki was near, but Shizuka had already fallen asleep with a peaceful expression.

"Right," Kyousuke nodded in agreement, recalling how fierce Shizuka looked when throwing punches.

"But she also has a red sports car. She usually drives that one," Okudera Miki added, sitting in the back and resting Shizuka's head on her lap.

"She really is a rich lady," Kyousuke said.

Sitting in the front passenger seat, Kyousuke reminded his subordinate to drive slowly.

"If you speed, you're going to practice a hundred rounds with me in kendo tomorrow."

As for the other three, Kyousuke had already sent them the address.

As expected, it was a luxury neighborhood, not far from their current location—just a few kilometers to Bunkyo ward, next to Shinjuku.

Okudera Miki explained that the apartment was close to the Tokyo Sōbu High School where Shizuka worked, and her family had bought it for her.

After dropping off a few subordinates, Kyousuke followed Okudera Miki upstairs.

She expertly found Shizuka's keys and led him to the bedroom, where they laid her on the bed.

Sitting down in the living room, Kyousuke idly played with his phone while waiting for Okudera Miki.

He had asked earlier if she needed to stay and look after the drunk Shizuka, but Okudera Miki had laughed, saying Shizuka would just sleep soundly until morning and the only concern was whether she'd be late for work.

"Shall we go, Hojou-kun? Sorry for all the trouble," Okudera Miki said as she returned from the bedroom.

"Do you want to rest for a bit? I'm worried you might catch a chill after sweating," Kyousuke asked with concern.

"I'm not that fragile. Besides, you're going to lend me your jacket, right?" Okudera Miki laughed.

"Well then, let's go."

They made their way downstairs, Kyousuke found his motorcycle, and they drove off.

Soon, they reached Okudera Miki's apartment building.

"Want to come up for a bit? I'll also bring your jacket, it's been washed," Okudera Miki asked, a little nervously, holding down her hair that the breeze had blown up.

"I'll take you up on that," Kyousuke said as he quickly parked the motorcycle.

The building had designated spaces for bicycles and motorcycles, which made it easy.

"The jacket's already washed? You really didn't have to," Kyousuke said, entering the elevator with her.

"It's nothing. I'll give it back to you after I clean it," Okudera Miki replied, tightening her grip on the brown jacket she was wearing.

"You're too kind," Kyousuke said, realizing that the jacket was just an excuse to visit her apartment.

He didn't mind, though.

Once inside, Okudera Miki offered him disposable slippers and apologized for the mess, since she usually didn't have anyone over.

"It's not messy at all. It's clear you've been putting effort into your studies," Kyousuke said, glancing around.

The apartment was small, but the kitchen was large and well-equipped, with various tools for cooking and even some chemistry lab equipment.

Books on chemistry, biology, and nutrition were scattered around.

Okudera Miki mentioned that she had always wanted to run her own restaurant, making healthy and delicious food.

It had been her dream, even though her family didn't support it.

She joked that she might only be able to open a small shop in a remote area, and it might fail quickly.

"I'll invest in you! I believe in you, Okudera-senpai!" Kyousuke smiled confidently.

"Really? You believe in me that much?" Okudera Miki laughed, a little touched but unsure.

"Absolutely. I'd even sell my Rocket 33 to fund your dream!" Kyousuke said, shaking the motorcycle keys in his hand.

"Rocket 33? That's such a cute name," Okudera Miki giggled.

"Time's late, I'll be going now," Kyousuke said, taking his jacket, which still smelled faintly of laundry detergent.

"Ah, it's that late already?" Okudera Miki exclaimed softly.

"Next time I'm here, I'll bring some food for you," she said as he put on his shoes.

"Looking forward to it," he smiled, waving goodbye as they shared a quiet understanding.

"Take care on the way back," she said.

"See you tomorrow, Okudera-senpai."

"See you."