Chapter 54 – Picking Up Girls Is a Profound Art

Shinguu Yō stood before Shinguu Kanade, gazing in a daze at the sincere smile blooming across her face.

He had thought he would never see that beautiful smile again. Yet here it was—today, in this place, right outside their home.

She seemed completely unaware of his presence. Her head was lowered as she stared at her phone, occasionally stifling a laugh. Her long lashes trembled gently, and even her lovely eyes had curved into little crescents.

He had no idea what she was looking at that could make her so happy.

Today, Shinguu Kanade was wearing a sailor uniform—the standard attire of a high school girl, more commonly known as a JK.

The light gray uniform clung to her delicate, slightly slender figure. Her long, fair fingers held the phone gracefully, her nails neatly trimmed and immaculate. She hadn't done her nails, perhaps because she was still in school. Her white wrists peeked out from the cuffs, so slender they inspired a faint sense of pity.

Her feet were clad in simple uniform leather shoes, and her shapely legs were wrapped in knee-high black cotton socks. The expanse of exposed white thigh in the so-called zettai ryouiki—the "absolute territory"—was smooth and flawless.

It was the quintessential Japanese schoolgirl outfit, but on this girl, it carried a contrast of immaturity and elegance. That subtle contradiction only served to highlight her gentle, graceful aura.

Shinguu Yō stood silently in front of her, not wanting to disturb this peaceful moment.

Watching her carefree smile, the hesitation and guilt that had plagued his heart slowly began to dissolve.

"Ahem…"

Still engrossed in her phone, Shinguu Kanade suddenly heard a familiar cough. She startled, clutched her phone tightly, and stood up in a flurry, brushing off the specks of dust on her skirt without care. Slightly nervous, she bowed politely and said:

"Apologies, I didn't mean to bother you."

The apology slipped out instinctively, a testament to her impeccable manners. But as soon as the words left her mouth, she froze.

She suddenly realized—she was sitting in front of Shinguu Yō's home. She wasn't in anyone's way. Why had she apologized?

She lifted her refined, pretty face to look at the figure in front of her. The fluster in her eyes faded, and the smile on her lips slowly vanished. Her entire demeanor grew cold, even the light in her translucent pupils dimming.

Seeing Shinguu Yō again, the earlier unease and worry were surprisingly absent. She was shocked to find she could face him so calmly, even with a blank, unreadable face.

Watching Kanade's radiant smile disappear into this frosty exterior, Shinguu Yō felt a flicker of disappointment.

Such a warm girl… this cold expression didn't suit her at all.

"What are you doing here?"

Shinguu Yō asked the question casually, as if nothing unpleasant had ever happened between them.

Since he had decided to face things head-on, there was no need to waver or force anything. He would just be his usual self.

"My uncle asked me to come."

Clutching her small handbag, Kanade crossed her hands in front of her in a composed, lady-like posture. Yet her voice was unnaturally stiff.

Her voice was still as pleasant as ever. Even forced into this chill, it rang like jade beads falling onto a frozen plate—cold, yet still beautiful in its own way.

"You…"

Shinguu Yō hesitated for a moment, then carefully controlled his tone to keep it steady.

"…When did you arrive?"

"After lunch."

"After lunch?"

He blinked in surprise. That was just after he'd gone out with Okata.

"You weren't… sitting here the whole time, were you?"

His tone held disbelief. He couldn't wrap his head around the idea that this girl had sat here all afternoon waiting for him.

"That was Uncle's request!"

Kanade bit the words out, putting particular emphasis on Uncle, as if everything she had done was solely at Shinguu Yō's father's command.

Warmth surged in his chest, tinged with a subtle tenderness.

No matter the reason, this beautiful princess had spent the whole afternoon sitting outside his door, indifferent to the strange looks of passersby. That kind of persistence… wasn't something just anyone could manage.

Yō reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. As he opened the door, he noticed the bouquet of flowers in his hand—the ones Okata had given him earlier. Inspiration struck.

Offering the bouquet, he said, "These are for you."

Kanade only gave the pale pink blossoms a brief glance before saying coolly:

"Dahlias? Are you wishing me a bright future?"

"Eh? They're dahlias? That's what their meaning is?"

Startled, Yō looked down at the bouquet and shrugged with a faint look of realization.

So that's why Okata gave me these flowers…

Yep. He really was no good at picking up girls. What he thought was a smooth gesture turned out to be an obvious bluff—and it had been called immediately.

Seeing the genuine surprise on Yō's face, Kanade felt both irritated and amused.

This man was clearly just making things up as he went along.

"Come in."

He opened the door and gestured politely.

Kanade hesitated slightly, then bit her cherry lips and gripped her handbag tighter before stepping inside.

What must come would come.

Even if she wanted to avoid it, she couldn't run forever.

"Woof woof!"

JOJO, their Labrador, came bounding down the stairs in excitement as soon as he saw Yō return. He wagged his tail enthusiastically, circling around Yō. But when he noticed Kanade, he seemed to recall her scent, remembering how she had sat outside all afternoon. He let out a soft "woooo" toward her.

"Alright, JOJO. She's family. Don't bark."

Yō patted the dog's head and stroked it affectionately as he spoke.

Labradors are smart. The moment Yō finished speaking, JOJO started wagging his tail toward Kanade in a friendly, welcoming manner.

"Hmph."

Kanade snorted, but didn't argue.

"My place is a bit plain, so please excuse it."

"The heir of the Shinguu family calling his house 'plain'?"

The sarcasm in her tone was unmistakable.

"Compared to the imperial palace, sure. It's pretty plain."

Though usually respectful toward women, Shinguu Yō was inherently a strong-willed person. His instinctive reply was sharp and unyielding.

"Ugh…"

Kanade choked on her breath, lips parting—but no retort came.

The Japanese imperial palace spans over 200,000 square meters and was once called Edo Castle. Though it couldn't compare to the Forbidden City, in Tokyo—where every square meter is worth a fortune—its location in Chiyoda Ward alone made it mind-boggling in value.

It was, undeniably, the pride of the Japanese imperial family.

After saying that, Yō rubbed his chin.

Was I being too aggressive again?