Saotome Hideyoshi's Residence
Carrying a broom and a rug, Hideyoshi cleaned the three-story building alone. The first floor is composed of a traditional dress store. The second is for the kendo training room. Three rooms and a living room on the last floor. He's been running the business for three years with five employees. Two for the dress store and three instructors for kendo. Since it's a holiday, he's the only one that's left.
The kendo room makes him feel nostalgic. "Good Morning! Mr. Saotome!!!", the door flung open. Hideyoshi threw the rug he is carrying to the yellow banana. "Why in the world are you here?!", Hideyoshi shouted. Junichiro, fortunately, evaded it. "Hey, you're throwing a rug on the future emperor", Junichiro whined. "Who cares. Get out of here", Hideyoshi lazily said and ignored the guy. "My modeling agency is just around the corner so I decided to visit here", Junichiro explained. "So, are you working as a janitor here or what?", Junichiro removed his shoes and grabbed the bamboo sword. "Hey, get your filthy hands off our bamboo sword", Hideyoshi finished cleaning the tatami mats. "Wha! How come you're so rude to me?! I'm a customer. Where is your manager? I'm going to talk to him...or her", Junichiro crossed his arms. "You're talking to him right now. Why?", Hideyoshi stood firm slightly towering over the other guy. "Hide, you freak! Are you really the manager?", Junichiro ran towards him and shook him. "Why? Is that information you would die for?", Hideyoshi sighed and started to walk away.
Junichiro followed him to the last floor. He removed his shoes as well and sat in the living room. "You're not getting any tea or coffee", Hideyoshi opened a can of juice and drank it in front of Junichiro. "This is my ancestor's land and I'm allowed to do anything", Junichiro ransacked Hideyoshi's kitchen and grabbed a can of juice as well. "I'll sue you for trespassing", Hideyoshi said from the living room. "Heh. Trespassing is not applicable with friends", Junichiro stuck his tongue out. "Then, again. Why are you really here?", Hideyoshi had crumpled the can with one hand. Junichiro laughed nervously and sat opposite him. "You see, I've got a cousin who likes you a lot. She knows that I'm bar-hopping every now and then. If she tells my parents, then I'm dead. My card will be cut off and I won't be allowed to continue my modeling career", Junichiro explained seriously. "You expect me to believe that? So what if your parents know? You reap what you sow", Hideyoshi slapped it on his face. "You don't understand. If my cards get frozen, I won't be able to hang out with my girlfriends. Also, my friends will laugh at me the fact that I'm not allowed to drink and party. They'll think I'm lame", Junichiro furthermore explained. "Then if that's the case, they're not your friends", Hideyoshi's words are really sharp as swords.
"I can pay you. How much do you want?", Junichiro opened his wallet. Hideyoshi grabbed his collar and pushed him towards the door. He also threw his shoes out. "You're such a rude guy!!!", Junichiro gave up and left the building.
"Aren't you looking for a yukata rental? There's a shop", a guy in glasses pointed to the building. "Nope! That shop's manager is such a monster", Junichiro commented then totally disappeared. Emi and Ren looked at each other. "Isn't that the model, if I'm not mistaken... Oikawa Junichiro?", Emi remembered. "What a waste that the only male descent is such a brat", Ren sighed and raised his eyeglass.
Emi and Ren were both disappointed that the shop is closed.
Mall
They continue walking and stopped by a bookstore. "I'll be on this side", Ren informed. "Okay, let's meet at the cashier", Emi gave an okay sign. Emi went to look for newly published mangas. She grabbed romance books. "There's a good-looking man in the other section. He looks sharp. Want to try and hit on him?", Emi heard some girls talking to each other. "He doesn't seem to be someone who would flirt with any girls", the other one cowered. Emi chuckled. She's aware that it's impossible to approach the guy unprepared. "Just give up. He's really a scary guy. He'll ask you about the political issues in this world", Emi warned the girls. They looked at Emi from head to toe then left. They assumed that she was going out with him.
Emi and Ren purchased the books. "What are you reading this time?", Emi asked. "Well, I just bought a novel", Ren answered. Emi blinked for few times. Since when did Ren get interested in other people's stories? "Fictional or maybe true to life?", Emi stopped walking. "To kill a mockingbird", Ren answered. "You read that when we were in 2nd Year High School", Emi was startled. "You've got a sharp memory. Why don't you use that with your studies?", Ren continued walking. Emi ran after him. "How about you?", Ren looked at the bulk of the paper bag. "Well, just some research materials", Emi chuckled. "Let's exchange. Your books seem to be heavy", Ren offered help.
They reached the train station and separated. Ren felt that there was something wrong. He didn't exchange the books. He opened the paper bag and saw a lot of manga. Research material? You say... His eyes twitched and just have a short laugh.
"Ichijou-san?", Ren heard a soft voice and looked beside him. "Nakara, I haven't seen you there", Ren closed the bag embarrassed that Mio sees it and misinterpret it. "You're quite dressed up", Ren noticed Mio in a floral pink knee-high dress. "Someone asked me to play at their wedding", Mio explained. Ren can't find usual matters to talk with an 18-year-old lady. What do they usually talk about? There was an awkward long pause. "Emi told me that you're from the countryside. How do you find the city?", Ren opened. "Well, it's far too different", Mio answered. "Yeah, like the meaning of justice have a large gap", Ren grabbed the pole. He realized what he just said. "I mean... like how?", Ren cleared his throat. Why does he feel obligated to entertain the girl? Well, she's Emi's friend. "You're right as well. Justice here is different. We don't have any courts to sue everyone. That's why we try to fix it on our own and reconcile", Mio supported his answer.
They went out of the train. Ren tripped on signage lying around the entrance. The security went to apologize for placing it in an inappropriate place. The books flew all over the place. Mio helped in picking them out. She recognized the cover since she also read them. She passed them back to Ren. "It's not what you're thinking", Ren facepalmed. "That's so rare. Well, they're really fun to read. I recommend that you'd start with this", Mio raised one of the books. There was no use explaining so Ren just nodded and watched the girl walk away.
Street
Mio walked down the street and called someone.
"You called, Mio. How are you?"
"Aki, I just missed you. That's why. I'll be visiting next week. Do you want something?"
"Really, well. Why not buy me some mochi? Also, get me a lot of sweets".
"Will that be alright? I'll ask your doctor first".
"That's fine. I can eat anything I want".
Mio dropped her phone when she saw someone climbing the bridge. "Hey, what are you doing there?", Mio ran towards the female student. She knew she was a student since she was wearing a school uniform. Mio caught her hand just in time. "You see... it might not be alright now...but you're going to be. Hold on tight", Mio struggled to pull her. Some passersby also ran to help. "How?! I failed to be on the top. This is such a disgrace to my parents", the student cried. "Disgrace is when you stop trying. That's why... you have to live and redeem yourself", Mio was able to pull her close but her feet are no longer on the ground. The student was able to grip the railings. Mio lost her balance and was the one who fell on the bridge. Luckily, she fell on the water.
At the same time, Hideyoshi passed by carrying his groceries. Why is everyone just standing? "Call the ambulance!!!", he shouted. He looked down and saw the lady trying her best to stay afloat. He bit his lips and let the female student hold onto his groceries. He jumped as well.
Chapter end.