94 A Ride Without a Single Stir in the Heart

It was already three in the afternoon, and the sun had begun to tilt slightly westward, allowing more sunlight to pour onto the street.

Since the arcade was on the edge of the shopping street, Hojou Kyousuke quickly found his motorcycle.

"Wow, it's a Triumph. I didn't expect you to have such good taste." Eriri commented, impressed.

"What?"

"Your motorcycle, though I can't recognize the exact model, there's no doubt it's a Triumph."

Even though she wasn't interested in motorcycles, a lot of girls were fascinated by the British "upper class," so they often asked her about it.

Eriri, unsure how to explain that, despite being half-Japanese and half-English, she could barely speak English, had studied the topic through her father and the internet.

Triumph, the largest motorcycle company in Britain and a brand loved by Hollywood stars, was certainly within her research scope.

Hollywood—now that was a place neon stars could only dream of entering.

"Oh, you mean this one? It was a gift, and its name is Rocket 33."

Instead of having Eriri get off first, Kyousuke just hopped onto the bike with her still on his back.

Though convenient, their positions were rather awkward.

With him sitting, Eriri's legs ended up wrapped around his waist.

Noticing this, Eriri quickly dropped her legs down, flustered.

"Where to?" Kyousuke asked, handing her a helmet.

"Old Koganei Park," she replied.

Kyousuke hesitated for a moment, surprised.

He turned his head to look at her, now wearing a helmet far too large for her.

'Wait, for real? Is this a diplomat's residence? Or is her family really some sort of British aristocracy?'

"Is it the same one—the Old Koganei Park that the country wants to turn into a tourist spot?"

"Ugh! Stop talking! How could anyone want to turn someone's home into a tourist attraction? Are those bureaucrats out of their minds?!" Eriri exploded in irritation.

"Got it. Hold on tight, I'm going now," Kyousuke said, his voice a little more serious.

"Mm." A muffled reply came from under the helmet, and Eriri's slender hands gripped his waist firmly, holding on tight.

Her hands were so tiny compared to the muscles in his waist, she couldn't help but admire them.

If he weren't on a bike, she'd want him as a model for her figure drawing class.

In contrast, Kyousuke's mind was completely clear.

This was, probably, the first time he had ridden without any distractions while carrying someone.

Why? Well...

[TL Note – Lol www]

The brisk wind on their ride whisked away the midday sun's oppressive heat, and with the street scenes blurring past, Eriri felt a strange sense of detachment.

This was her first time riding a motorcycle, and her first time being so close to a man other than her father.

Wasn't it just like a knight riding with a princess through the wild fields?

Lost in thought, she found herself reminiscing.

Since it wasn't rush hour, Kyousuke quickly arrived in front of the gorgeous mansion.

"It's beautiful." He commented, eyes catching the sight of a typical British garden from above.

Following Eriri's instructions, he rode up to the entrance.

The gates were already open, probably because of the prior message she had sent.

"Your place is so big, don't you have any help?" He asked casually as they rode through the Japanese-style garden.

"Pa-Father hates that aristocratic style, so we only hire staff when absolutely necessary."

Well, considering she was the one making doujinshi, her British diplomat father probably wasn't all that typical.

At the parking area, a very graceful woman was already waiting.

"Ma-Mom." Eriri waved one hand, and her mother quickly approached.

Kyousuke stopped the bike, dismounted, and then naturally helped Eriri down, cradling her gently.

Eriri, who couldn't get off alone because of her injured leg, was carried like a doll, her small figure in his arms looking delicate.

"Idiot! What do you think you're doing?" Eriri blushed deeply as she pulled off her helmet.

Her cute little fangs were showing, and she seemed like she wanted to bite Kyousuke out of embarrassment.

When it was just the two of them, it wasn't such a big deal, but now her mother was right there.

If her mom saw them like this, she'd never hear the end of it.

"No big deal, you're not that heavy."

'Wait—what do you mean "no big deal"? Hojou, you rude idiot!'

"Oh my," Sawamura Sayuri, who had been standing by to help her daughter, chuckled softly as she pulled her hand back.

Upon hearing her mother's teasing voice, Eriri flushed even redder, casting a side-long glare at her, only to quickly be disarmed by the amused look in Sayuri's eyes.

"And this is?" After teasing her daughter, Sawamura Sayuri turned to look at the boy Eriri had brought home for the second time.

"Hello, I'm Hojou Kyousuke. Sorry for the trouble." He bowed slightly, one hand still resting on Eriri's shoulder.

"Hello, Hojou-san, I'm Lily's mother, Sawamura Sayuri. Could I trouble you to carry Lily inside?" Sayuri requested with a polite smile.

"Lily?"

'Ah that was the nickname for Eriri used within the family.'

Since the large garden also meant a long distance from the garage to the main house, it made sense.

Entering the large, brown-themed Western-style house with white windows, Kyousuke placed Eriri gently on the sofa.

As Sayuri went to prepare an ice pack, Kyousuke glanced around the interior.

Everything was solid wood, with a high-ceilinged, winding staircase and intricately carved pillars.

Two words: rich.

"Well, now that you're home, I guess I should take my leave."

After finishing the tea Sayuri had poured him, Kyousuke stood up.

"Are you leaving already, Hojou-san? It's almost dinner time. Please stay for a meal." Sayuri said, catching him just as he was about to go.

After all, he had brought her injured daughter home safely, and it wouldn't be right to let him leave without thanking him properly.

Besides, Eriri and Kyousuke seemed to get along surprisingly well.

Seeing her daughter interact with this Kyousuke, remembering the shy, almost embarrassed look on her face while he carried her, Sayuri, who had always been worried about Eriri's lack of friends, was now eager to support this connection.

"Hojou, stay for dinner. You're not leaving just yet, right? Didn't you want to ask me something about light novels?"

Eriri, sitting on the sofa, turned her head slightly to look out the window as she spoke to Kyousuke.

"Alright, I'll stay then." Kyousuke replied, immediately understanding her unease.

"Lily, why don't you show Hojou-san to your room? I'll prepare dinner." Sayuri said as she made her way to the kitchen.

She'd personally cook for their guest.

"Why do I have to take this guy to my room?" Eriri muttered under her breath but then naturally raised her arms, signaling Kyousuke to follow her.

Looking at the way she was acting, it reminded Kyousuke of the shy and embarrassed Eriri from earlier.

Smiling slightly, he bent down, picking her up, and followed her directions to her room.