28. Party

The party was held at the home of one of the college student.

It was a single-family building with a large lawn in a pretty good location.

Mouri Ran pressed the doorbell.

"Here you are, we have been waiting for a long time!"

A loud voice came from behind the door, and while speaking, it opened the door from inside the house.

He was a very tall, muscular man.

He has an average appearance, but his chest muscles and arms are very big. He pushed open the door with a smile on his face, but found that there was a boy standing behind Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko.

"Who are you?"

"Nice to meet you. My name is Hayashi Yoshiki, and I am here to accompany these two ladies to the party."

"..."

Facing Hayashi Yoshiki's gentle smile, Wakamatsu Toshihide felt his expression begin to become stiff.

He looked at Mouri Ran, whom he liked very much, and then looked at the incredibly handsome Hayashi Yoshiki behind her. His original expectations were immediately reduced.

"Can we go in please?"

"Wakamatsu, stop blocking the door. Didn't you says two little girls were coming over...ah! Are you the mystery novelist Hayashi-Sensei!?"

Just as Wakamatsu Toshihide froze at that moment, a female voice came from behind his broad back.

The girl pushed Wakamatsu Toshihide aside, and the moment she came out, her eyes lit up instantly when she saw Hayashi Yoshiki.

"That's me."

"Is this true? I'm your fan!"

"It's my pleasure. But can you let us in first?"

"Oh, okay, okay, please come in!"

The girl immediately retreat from the door.

The three of them walked into the house, excused themselves and put on their indoor slips.

By this time a small group of people had gathered in the living room.

The girl walking in front approached and shouted with great joy: "Yoshimi, guess who's coming?"

"Who is it?"

The girl then move aside to show the person behind her: "Tada~!"

"Ah! Hayashi-Sensei!?"

A pretty girl in the crowd stood up in surprise.

"Hello."

While Hayashi Yoshiki was greeting everyone, he looked around the room.

Except for the girl named "Yoshimi", most people around her had expressions like "Who is this person?" and "Never heard of him". There was also a boy who looked surprised but didn't say anything...

Judging from the proportion, Futaba Publishing's publicity is still sufficient, but the audience it attracts now are mainly female.

"Let me introduce to you. This is a mystery novelist that Kaori and I like very much, Hayashi-Sensei." The girl stood up and introduced him to everyone.

"A mystery novelist!"

"It looks about the same age as us."

"Welcome."

"Ah, everyone please introduce yourselves."

The girl who led the others into the room said, and then pointed at herself and said, "My name is Sekiya Kaori, and we are all medical student and members of the Tennis Club in Beika University."

"My name is Minagawa Katsuhiko, and I'm the club president. I'm glad you can come to my house for the party."

Minagawa Katsuhiko was a handsome young man. He raised his hand and greeted him.

"My name is Watanabe Yoshimi, thank you for your guidance." The pretty girl nodded.

Next came another boy who was sitting next to her and drinking silently. Although he came to the party, his face was very gloomy and he had no intention of introducing himself.

"This guy has always been so gloomy, please don't mind it." Sekiya Kaori laughed and covered him.

Then Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko each gave their names.

When the muscular college student who followed from behind heard that Hayashi Yoshiki was only here to accompany Mouri Ran to the party as her cousin, the depression in his heart was instantly relieved and he was filled with smiles.

"Have you all finished introducing yourselves? Okay, then it's my turn to be the finale!" He grinned with a cheerful mood, raising his hands to show off his developed biceps, "I'm a sentimental seed who is both gentle and strong, but also loves to cry, Wakamatsu Toshihide!"

"..."

Hayashi Yoshiki glanced at him and smiled politely.

Then he leaned over to Mouri Ran's ear and asked, "Is he the one who invited you to the party?"

"Yes." She nodded, a little embarrassed.

Hayashi Yoshiki nodded to show his understanding.

Minagawa Katsuhiko quickly told everyone to sit down. After Suzuki Sonoko and Mouri Ran sat down, Wakamatsu Toshihide hurriedly sat down next to Mouri Ran.

He was very goal-oriented.

Hayashi Yoshiki reached out and patted his shoulder, smiling, "Mr. Wakamatsu, could you please give up your seat? Ran is not used to having a strange man sitting next to her."

"...Ahaha, Ran and I are not strangers, it's okay." Wakamatsu Toshihide scratched the back of his head and laughed, then turned to look at Xiaolan and asked: "Am I right, Ran?"

"Well..."

"I'm sorry, but the smell of your sweat is actually a bit strong."

Hayashi Yoshiki still smiled and asked, "Can you make way for me?"

Wakamatsu Toshihide turned and looked at Hayashi Yoshiki.

It was easy to understand why he immediately became angry, but under Hayashi Yoshiki's gaze, he finally moved to the side.

At least he can understand what I say.

If he doesn't give up his seat, Hayashi Yoshiki will probably have to write his name in the Death Note to make him move.

"How tasteless..."

Suzuki Sonoko leaned over to complain in Mouri Ran's ear.

The college students nearby felt a little embarrassed when they saw this. Hayashi Yoshiki sat down, everyone looked at each other and Sekiya Kaori raised her glass first.

"Come on, have a drink."

"Try the things here too. Some of them were made by Yoshimi and I. Let's see how good our crafts are."

"Cheers to Valentine's Day!"

"Cheers!!"

The cups on the table clinked together.

While everyone raised their cups to drink, Mouri Ran turned her head slightly and said, "Thank you, Brother Yoshiki."

"It's nothing, just enjoy the party."

He smiled.

His eyes suddenly turned to the glass door behind him and saw that the bushes in the yard shook unusually conspicuously.

Turning back, a young woman in a kimono came out of the kitchen carrying a pot and said with a smile, "Sorry for the wait, today's main dish is here."

"Wow! Sukiyaki? It's so filling!"

"There's some sushi in the back. I'll bring it out."

"I'm really sorry to bother you, auntie."

Watanabe Yoshimi thanked the woman, and Suzuki Sonoko looked at her in surprise:

"Eh? Auntie... Is this Mr. Minagawa's mother? She looks so young——!"

"Haha, young miss, you have such a sweet mouth."

The woman covered her mouth and laughed.

Indeed, the woman in front of him looked to be around thirty years old, but Minagawa Katsuhiko was already a college student.

Hayashi Yoshiki noticed that Minagawa Katsuhiko was frowning at this time and seemed to be in a bad mood.