Chapter 200: Why Is That, I Wonder?

"What kind of question is that?"

"Oh, I'm just curious." Kaguya smiled. "Takamine-kun, you can do anything you want without concern, but you're strangely serious about relationships. So I'm interested in your views on choosing a partner."

"What good does it do you to know my type?"

Rinji didn't understand why she was suddenly asking, but still replied, "I told you a long time ago—anyone who can accept my sins is enough. Unlike you high schoolers, I don't carefully pick my partners."

"Is that so?"

"It is. After what happened four years ago, I know love is a hassle. So I don't want to waste effort choosing a girlfriend. If someone confesses to me and accepts my sins, that's perfect."

As he spoke, Rinji turned to continue smoking.

"As for your question—whether I need to be indulged or restrained—it makes no difference to me."

He flicked his finished cigarette to the ground and stomped it out.

Rinji didn't believe anyone in the world could truly restrain him. When he set his mind on something, no matter the obstacle, he would achieve it.

Even if he listened to Sagara Kaya at school, it wasn't because Kaya could control him.

Well—there was one exception.

That was Hayasaka Ai.

She was the only one who had ever made Rinji genuinely restrain himself.

Even now, she might not know it, but she still had a certain influence over him. Like when they met again at Shuchiin, she easily took the cigarettes from him.

And Rinji had sharp instincts—trained for survival in warzones. Most people wouldn't even get the chance to act before he noticed.

But Hayasaka was the only one who could bypass his awareness.

That said, Karura could probably do it too. If she ever told him not to do something, Rinji would definitely restrain himself. But Karura preferred letting him do as he pleased.

"Finding someone who could restrain me might be better for society... but I'm not someone who cares about society. You should know that well, Shinomiya Heiress."

"Very well."

Kaguya knew this all too well. Rinji was deeply self-centered. As the saying goes, habits are hard to change—his flaws would likely stay with him for life.

"Then that's that. To me, Karura is a rare happiness I've finally found. I want to protect her and care for her. Now that she's in my life, emotional problems no longer matter. They're resolved."

"Well then, congratulations."

Kaguya smiled, leaning against a nearby pillar beside him.

"This might be the longest conversation we've ever had."

"Yeah. Even though you're from the Shinomiya family, you're not my enemy." Rinji smiled too. "Though who knows—maybe one day you will be."

"I hope that day never comes."

Looking up at the darkening sky, only Rinji and Kaguya remained in that place.

"I was only able to attend the fireworks festival because you helped me, right? I never thanked you for that. So—thank you, Rinji."

[Note: As I've said Translating using Ai is kinda problematic with the naming errors. First they would address distantly by adding Mr. Or Miss or just addressing by surname. But it would suddenly transition to a first name basis. So please don't mind if sometimes I'm not consistent with my namings and addressings.

In this part, I decided to switch how kaguya and Rinji address each other:

From Takamine-kun to Rinji.

And from Shinomiya Heiress to Miss Shinomiya or Shinomiya.

I also change how chika address the MC from Takamine-kun to Rinji.

They have been addressing eachother like that since 100 chapter back but I decided keep the way they address each other based on their relationship.]

"No problem. Punching your father was pretty satisfying for me. Let's call it even."

Rinji wouldn't mention that he did it because Shirogane wanted Kaguya to be at the festival. If he said that, Kaguya might accuse Shirogane of having feelings for her.

And knowing Shirogane, Rinji knew he'd definitely worry about something like that.

"But I've always wondered, Miss Shinomiya—since the day we met. Why weren't you afraid of me?"

"Hmm... that's a good question."

Back then, Rinji had killed one of the main family's bodyguards right in front of her.

By his logic, the sheer bloodiness of that moment should've traumatized her more than it did her two brothers.

Strangely enough, her brothers were terrified of Rinji, but Kaguya seemed largely unaffected.

"Yeah... why is that, I wonder?"

Faced with Rinji's question, Kaguya only smiled without answering.

"There was a time I was very scared, but I quickly stopped being afraid. I wonder why that is..."

As the only one in the student council who knew Rinji's darkness, even she couldn't fully answer that question herself.

---

Rinji walked home alone.

Though it was rush hour, because this was a school district, there weren't many cars around.

Staring at the empty street, Rinji couldn't help but imagine—if only Karura attended the same school as him, then they could go home together every day after class.

Whether Karura would be willing to transfer schools, however, was uncertain. She had her own friends at her current school, and Rinji didn't want to control her life just because of his own feelings.

But if she were willing, that would be a different matter.

The streetlights had already come on, and Rinji walking beneath them looked a bit solitary.

Buzz~

"Hmm?"

Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, Rinji took it out and checked.

It was a LINE message from Hayasaka Ai.

[Are you free right now? I want to talk to you about something.]

Rinji was about to reply with "Yes," but stopped with his finger hovering over the screen.

"Wait a minute. I have a girlfriend now. Should I be keeping some distance from girls who aren't coworkers?"

Only now did he realize—being new to a relationship, there were still many things he didn't understand.

Forget it. If you don't know, just ask.

Rinji exited Hayasaka's message and dialed Karura's number instead.

The call connected within seconds.

"Hello? Rinji~ Are you missing me? If you are, I can ask Grandpa if I can come home early."

"No need to worry about me. Just follow your original plan."

Hearing Karura's voice already lightened Rinji's mood.

"By the way, I wanted to ask you something. We're officially dating now, right?"

"Yup."

"Then… how much distance should I keep from other girls?"

"…Up to you?"

"Really?"

"I don't get why you always ask these weird questions. Just do what you like," Karura said with a laugh.

She always felt that most of the things Rinji asked about were either things she didn't understand or completely trivial.

Rather than caring about such stuff, what Karura really hoped was for Rinji to start seriously thinking about having kids with her.