Chapter 58: Rui Tachibana Wants to Be Embraced
Arriving smoothly at Hina Tachibana's home, Shunsuke found the house empty except for Rui Tachibana, who had just returned from school. Their mother was not around.
"Is he... the one, sis?"
Seeing her sister bring a man home, Rui immediately jumped to conclusions, her expression darkening.
Hina quickly explained the situation and changed the subject, while Shunsuke pretended not to notice anything.
"A tutor? I don't need something like that."
"Don't call it something! Fujii-kun is someone I had to work hard to invite! He's really busy!"
Once Rui learned the truth, her tone was less than polite, prompting Hina to put her hands on her hips and scold her. Rui, however, didn't seem to care.
On the side, Shunsuke rolled his eyes. Oh, so you do know I'm busy.
"Fujii? You mean the Fujii you're always talking about, sis? The one who's always top of the class and also a bestselling light novel author? Wow, he's just as handsome as you said."
Hearing Shunsuke's last name, Rui's uncooperative attitude did a complete 180. Suddenly, she seemed much more agreeable about having a tutor.
Shunsuke wasn't particularly surprised that Rui knew he was a light novel author.
He hadn't kept it a secret from his family, and once Mrs. Izumi knew, Chihiro naturally found out, which meant her best friend Shizuka did too.
And as the saying goes, once three people know something, it's no longer a secret.
While most students were unaware, nearly all the female teachers at school knew Shunsuke was a high school light novel author.
Hina, coming home drunk after work, bragging to her sister about her impressive acquaintance, was hardly unusual either.
Watching Rui's sudden shift in attitude, Shunsuke felt pleased.
Being a mere light novel author for now is fine.
Once he publish Norwegian Wood and it becomes a massive hit, winning awards, the inherent literary appeal alone should give me a +50 boost in goodwill from literary-minded girls. Earning points will be effortless then.
Hina, satisfied with her sister's sudden change in demeanor, said a few more words before pushing Shunsuke into Rui's room and shutting the door with a loud bang.
—Is it really okay to leave us alone like this? And why the rush to close the door?
Feeling something was off, Shunsuke decided to test the waters.
"You two don't seem to get along," he remarked, noticing Rui's cold attitude toward her sister.
"What? So you weren't sent here by her to convince me?" Rui exhaled, as if relieved.
"Convince you? Convince you about what? I was just asked to help you with your studies."
Although he had a vague idea of what might be going on, Shunsuke decided to stick to the truth.
"Is that so? Then—"
Rui's eyes lit up, as if she was about to say something, when Hina suddenly knocked on the door.
"Oh, Fujii-kun, I'm so sorry! Something urgent came up at school, and I need to head back. Rui's in your hands!" Hina stepped into the room, looking apologetic. "Rui, make sure you treat Fujii-kun well. Mom and I won't be back until dinner, so I'm leaving him with you."
Shunsuke found this a bit odd. Sure, we know each other well, but isn't this a bit too trusting? Honestly, is this tutoring or some kind of matchmaking?
Rui, meanwhile, didn't even turn to face her sister, sitting at her desk with her back to the door, completely ignoring her.
Hina chuckled, seemingly unfazed by Rui's attitude, then closed the door and left in a hurry. She had, after all, snuck away and genuinely needed to return to work.
Within seconds, Shunsuke heard the sound of the front door opening and closing. Now, the entire Tachibana household was empty, save for him and Rui.
Is Hina really okay with this? Did she invite me here to teach, or is this some kind of blind date setup?
"Hey."
Rui's voice interrupted Shunsuke's train of thought. She still had her back to him but had spoken up.
"I want to ask you for a favor. Is that okay?"
Shunsuke frowned at her casual tone. "First of all, don't call me 'hey.' My name is Shunsuke Fujii."
Rui froze for a moment before turning around. She walked over to him, standing close and staring straight into his eyes. "Fujii-kun, I have a favor to ask."
"...Go on," Shunsuke replied, sensing something off.
"Right here, right now… please hold me."
"…Huh?"
Shunsuke thought he might have misheard.
Of course, as someone perfectly healthy, mishearing wasn't an option. So… could this be one of those infamous setups?
No wonder Hina left so suddenly. Was this her plan all along?
Wait for Rui and him to be mid-situation, then come back with their mom to catch him in the act, sue him for misconduct, and extort money from him?
Or worse, use the scandal to blackmail him, a bestselling light novel author, into becoming their cash cow?
Due to certain experiences in his past life, Shunsuke's mind raced through these possibilities. He even sent his ability, The World, out for a quick survey, but the surroundings were completely empty.
"If you're not willing, then forget it. You can leave now."
Rui's tone was laced with frustration when Shunsuke didn't respond.
She felt a sense of humiliation and anger. I'm a girl, and I've already said this much—yet you're still hesitating? Do you know how much this hurts a girl's pride?
If Shunsuke had known what Rui was thinking, he would have immediately countered.
This is the modern era, with gender equality!
Why are you still clinging to such outdated notions that this sort of thing always disadvantages women?
Clearly, the one putting in the hard work during these situations is the guy, isn't it?
One drop of semen is worth ten drops of blood, Shunsuke thought.
Just once, and it's like a massive hemorrhage.
Girls only need to lie there—it's obvious who's at a disadvantage here!
That's why boys must protect themselves when out in the world.
Who knows when they'll encounter a situation like this—being targeted by a predator with their chastity on the line, just like now.
—Still, considering I'm friends with your sister, even if this feels like a bit of a loss, I'll take one for the team. For Hina's sake, I'll just let it go.
With this mental resolve, Shunsuke sighed internally.
From Rui's tone, it was clear this wasn't some kind of trap.
Deciding to sacrifice himself for the greater good, he rationalized, Fine, I'll just reallocate what I've saved from avoiding Minagawa-sensei. After all, you're Tachibana-sensei's little sister—it's only right to take care of you.
...
"This is our first time meeting, isn't it? Why did you come to me?"
Shunsuke pretended to light a cigarette, though he didn't smoke, striking a sage-like pose as he asked.
"No particular reason. You're famous, talented, and handsome. If I have to give it to someone, better you than some sleazy guy I met at a mixer," Rui replied casually, collapsing onto the bed as if it didn't matter. She tried to appear indifferent. "So this is what adults call grown-up stuff. It's nothing special, really."
Click.
Shunsuke smacked his tongue in irritation.
Excuse me? Did you forget how desperate you looked a second ago?
Eating out of the bowl and then complaining about the food, are we?
That's not how this works.
Fine, today I'm going to teach you a proper lesson!
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