A Smile in the Rain - Chapter 79

A Smile in the Rain - Chapter 79

The restaurant smelled of butter, garlic, and something faintly smoky—like someone had over-seared the steak one table over. Ren sat by the window, hood still up, eyes on the menu but thoughts far elsewhere. The place was warmer than outside, cozy even. Dark wood walls. Candlelit tables. Gentle music playing overhead.

He leaned back in his chair.

"Pasta," he muttered, eyes flicking to the server who nodded and scurried away. Simple. Filling. Comfort food.

Outside, the clouds cracked open.

Rain. Cold. Sudden.

Ren clicked his tongue.

"Tch. Of course. I didn't bring an umbrella."

The droplets splattered hard against the glass window beside him. People on the street scattered, pulling out umbrellas, ducking into shops, or covering their heads with bags.

He sighed. "Whatever."

But then—

Something caught his eye.

Amid the gray, a flash of white.

Not lightning.

A woman.

She walked slowly. Calmly. Not rushing like the rest of the crowd. The rain didn't seem to touch her. Silver-blue hair tied neatly into a ponytail, strands framing her face. She wore no lipstick, just the faintest trace of foundation and blush. Minimal makeup, still breathtaking. Her white dress clung lightly to her figure, a cream-colored handbag hanging from her wrist. Black heels tapped against the wet stone.

And then—she looked up.

Right at him.

Her eyes met his through the window.

And she smiled.

Innocent. Warm. Perfectly placed.

Ren blinked.

"...Huh?" he muttered under his breath.

The woman entered the restaurant. Walked with practiced grace.

Sat.

Not across from him, but at the table beside his. Alone. Back straight. Composed.

She ordered something softly, and the server left her with a slight blush.

Ren didn't take his eyes off her.

"What is Mei Mei doing here?" he thought, watching her sip from a glass of water. "Shouldn't she be making money or manipulating some client right now?"

He shifted slightly in his seat, lowering his gaze toward the rain outside. His eyes moved past the glass, subtly scanning the surroundings.

Crows.

Not one. Not two.

At least six. Perched on the streetlamps, trees, telephone wires. All facing the same direction.

"...Oh."

His jaw tightened.

"So this is what they send?" he thought, a scoff hidden behind a sip of water. "A dirty-ass trick… trying to seduce me?"

He glanced sideways again. Mei Mei hadn't looked back. She was casually checking her phone now, legs crossed, expression placid.

"No wonder the manga made more than one comment about how rotten the core of Jujutsu Society is."

Ren's eyes narrowed.

"This isn't random."

She was too calm. Too perfect. Not a hint of cursed energy out of place.

She was here for him.

He watched her raise her glass again, her movements exact, like someone who'd practiced every motion thousands of times.

"Wow. She's actually good at acting, too. She should've gone into theater. Probably would've made a fortune as an actress."

He tapped the side of his glass.

"Too much work, I guess. This pays better."

And then—

A more dangerous thought.

"...She could be useful."

He leaned back, posture casual, eyes half-lidded.

"She has money. Influence. And honestly, she's not that strong. She should be Grade 1, not special grade-adjacent. But she has reach. Contacts across Japan."

He looked at her again.

Still composed. Still polite. A gentle thank-you to the server.

"If she's here to seduce me… or control me…"

He grinned faintly.

"...Maybe I can turn it around."

His fingers tapped the table. A beat. Another.

"I need pawns."

The thought landed with a weight that surprised even him.

"Not friends."

He looked out the window again. Rain pounded against the glass.

"People who would give their lives for me. That's the only kind of person I can trust in this world."

His breath slowed.

"I've been so focused on growing stronger—on surviving—I didn't think about this part yet. But if I want to truly become something in this world, I'll need people."

The thought turned sharper.

"I liked Mei Mei when I first watched the anime. She was cool. Clever. Manipulative, yeah, but I respected her game."

"Until… Her brother..."

His eyes darkened.

"But right now? She probably hasn't done anything. She's still… moldable."

He stared at her, studying every inch of her expression.

"Maybe I can sharpen her. Turn her into something better. Make her a real weapon. Not just a greedy mercenary."

He chuckled quietly.

"Besides. Who am I to say no to a beautiful woman with money and an interesting cursed technique?"

She turned her head—just slightly.

He caught it.

A glance. Barely a flicker.

She knew he was watching. And now she was letting him know that she knew.

The game was on.

Ren reached up.

Pulled down his hood.

His hair spilled out—messy, wild, a touch damp from the walk in the rain.

He smiled.

Direct.

Right at her.

Mei Mei's eyes met his.

And she smiled back.