Chapter 374: People Who Are Opposite, Yet Similar

"Just drop me off here. Thanks for everything today, Rinji."

"No problem."

After dinner, Rinji, Hayasaka, and Kaguya had left the restaurant together and were now at the parking lot, seeing off Hayasaka Nao.

Nao was headed back to Kyoto tonight—handling the Shinomiya family's affairs was no easy task, especially in her position as a subordinate.

Since Hayasaka and Kaguya would be staying together for a few more days, both girls got in the car with Nao.

The driver's side window rolled down as Nao leaned out and spoke to Rinji. "Want me to give you a lift home too?"

"No need. I'll walk."

Rinji smiled, resting his elbow on the roof of the car.

"Miss Nao, I really hope you'll give what I said some thought."

"I will," Nao nodded. "And I suspect you already know why I'm here in Tokyo."

"I do. I'll deal with him sooner or later. You don't have to worry."

Rinji paused, glancing at Hayasaka in the back seat before continuing. "If you have time, you should spend it with Hayasaka. You don't get many chances to be together."

"You really care about my daughter, huh?" Nao's rare smile flickered.

"I do," Rinji admitted plainly.

"Rinji… this might sound rude, but based on what I've heard about your past, you seem like the kind of guy who plays by no one's rules."

"Correct."

"But now… are you being held back by something?"

"…Huh?"

Rinji froze at the unexpected question.

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind, don't overthink it."

Nao turned the key in the ignition and rested her hands on the steering wheel. She looked at Rinji through the window one last time.

"Oh, one more thing. When Hayasaka's staying at your place… you'd better take the proper precautions."

"…Huh?"

"That's all. See you."

She rolled up the window and backed out of the parking lot.

Inside the car, Nao turned to her blushing daughter in the back seat. "You once told me Rinji already had a girlfriend, right?"

"…Yes."

"And even so, you're not giving up?"

"I don't want to let go."

"I get it… come to think of it, hasn't he and his girlfriend not done anything yet?"

"…Correct," Hayasaka replied softly, then asked:

"Mom… what did you mean earlier, about Rinji being 'bound' by something?"

"Just what I said. I've always known—since four years ago—that kid is dangerous. But today, I found him surprisingly… interesting," Nao said while driving. "These days, it's rare to find a guy with a girlfriend who still hasn't made a move."

"…And that's related to being 'bound'?"

"One step across that line, and it means taking responsibility. Rinji's bound by responsibility. Maybe he doesn't know whether he can make a girl happy… or maybe…"

"Maybe what?"

"…My daughter really can be dense sometimes. Figure it out yourself."

Nao smiled.

"All I can say is, as long as nothing actually happens between them, you still have a chance."

"…Eh?"

"But don't get too happy yet. If he does cross that line, your chance will disappear. And that applies to every girl, not just you."

"…"

Plip.

A single raindrop tapped the window, and soon the rain began to fall in sheets.

"Ah, it's raining."

---

After seeing them off, Rinji walked home alone.

The sky had darkened completely.

Plip.

A raindrop landed on his nose, followed by a steady downpour.

"Clickbait forecasts again. Useless."

Rinji didn't bother covering up, letting the rain soak through his clothes as he continued walking.

Most pedestrians had ducked under store awnings. Rinji alone walked into the storm.

"Another rainy day…"

Rainy days always soured his mood, reminding him of the scene when Uncle Amano committed suicide.

Eager to get home and take a hot shower, he picked up the pace.

But just as he was about to run, the rain above him suddenly stopped.

A red umbrella appeared over his head.

"Rinji-nii, you'll catch a cold if you keep walking in the rain like this."

"…Kei?"

Rinji turned around and saw Shirogane Kei in her white Shuchiin uniform, holding the umbrella above him.

"I just got back from Harajuku. Saw you walking here in the rain," Kei said.

"Ah, the forecast said no rain today, so I didn't bring an umbrella," Rinji laughed. "I'm surprised you brought one."

"Tokyo weather's been weird lately, so I always carry one just in case."

Her voice grew quieter.

"Um… let's go home together."

"Sure."

Rinji took the umbrella from her, and the two of them walked side by side under it.

"Kei, what were you doing in Harajuku at this hour? Shopping?"

"Not really. I was checking out some part-time job options, but most places don't hire middle schoolers." She sighed.

"Need money? I thought I gave you my card."

"It's not about that. I just want to be prepared. Thanks to you, our lifestyle has improved, but we shouldn't let our guard down."

"I'd rather you and your brother lived a bit more comfortably. Your dad's already got a good post at the company—he should be fine until retirement."

"You're probably right."

"So don't overwork yourself. As family, I just want you and your brother to take it easy."

"You really care about my brother, huh?"

"Huh?"

"Even back at home, your eyes are on him more than on me or Dad," Kei muttered. "You could at least give me a bit of attention too…"

"…My bad."

Rinji smiled and apologized, not catching the deeper meaning.

"I do care about the president. Probably because… we're polar opposites, yet we've lived through similar things. I failed back then. So I hope he can succeed."