The next morning, it was still raining.
Early in the morning, a call from Kawashima Miki came through.
"You’re going home today, why aren’t you up yet?"
"Fukaeri and I are coming to pick you up."
Kawashima Miki hung up without any hesitation.
Fujiwara Reya lay in bed, rubbed his eyes, and then got up to wash his face and brush his teeth in the bathroom.
The minty toothpaste was always so annoying.
After washing his face, Fujiwara Reya sat on the sofa, ate an apple, and thought about how to introduce Yukino Ritsuko to the other women.
On the table to his left, there was a stack of Proust’s "In Search of Lost Time." A total of five volumes, not new, showing signs of having been read. He picked up one and flipped through it, along with a few magazines, both weekly and monthly.
Within half an hour, the sound of a supercar’s engine roared outside.
A yellow Ferrari was parked in front of [lemon] bakery.
The first to step out was Kasahara Fumi, her knees together, body swiftly turning out of the car, moving with flair. A moment later, Kawashima Miki got out from the driver’s seat, closing the car door with a frustrated, petulant kick, and then she glaringly stared at the bakery.
In terms of age, the two didn’t differ much.
Their temperaments were a bit different.
Their graceful demeanor as they walked side by side added a splash of brightness to the gloomy rainy day.
Fujiwara Reya secretly observed the two women through the gap in the blinds.
Today was the day to go home, and clearly, these two had come to corner him... but now was not a good time to go out since Yukino Ritsuko was also on the first floor, and he didn’t want to get scolded early in the morning.
The rain continued to fall, the slightly chill breeze gently swaying the soft hair of the two women.
"What’s going on..." Kawashima Miki complained as she brushed aside the hair that had fallen on her forehead with her hand.
Inside the bakery, a young woman with her hair tied in a ponytail was sitting at the counter reading a book.
She wore a blue thin sweater, delicate enough to clearly reveal the shape of her chest.
Her face was charming, with beautiful pink nails holding the page corner, looking quite amiable.
The rain was still falling silently, and Kawashima Miki neither carried an umbrella nor wore a yellow raincoat.
After standing for a few seconds, she took a paper bag from the car and briskly walked into the shop.
Kasahara Fumi hesitated about whether to go in.
From the upstairs window, Fujiwara Reya leaned out and waved at her.
Kasahara Fumi gave him a cold glance.
Today’s Miss Kasahara was dressed conservatively in long jeans, black high heels, matched with a white blouse, and a belt around her waist. She held a small black patent leather bag—women always seem to have something to carry. Whatever was inside, Fujiwara Reya certainly couldn’t guess, and Fukaeri probably wouldn’t show him.
The bell rang, and Yukino Ritsuko looked up from behind the counter.
With beautiful features and a quiet demeanor, she gave off a very comfortable feeling upon first meeting.
"Where’s the person?" Kawashima Miki wiped the water from her hair with a handkerchief.
She wore a dark blue skirt, with blue tights of a darker hue underneath. Her chest beneath the blouse formed an alluring shape, although not as large as Mrs. Kasahara’s, she lost nothing in appeal.
"What person?" Yukino Ritsuko tilted her head slightly with a puzzled expression.
The innocent, naive look was quite disarming.
Kawashima Miki, who had been full of grievances, instantly lost her anger about catching the mistress.
Kasahara Fumi also entered and explained, "We are friends of Mr. Fujiwara."
Yukino Ritsuko narrowed her eyes, a look of sudden understanding. "Oh, I see... ah, sorry, sorry, I neglected you," she said apologetically, standing up and coming out from behind the counter, "Please have a seat here, and I’ll call him down."
After saying that, she took out some cups and started boiling water for coffee.
Of course, it wouldn’t be hand-brewed coffee or siphon coffee, just instant coffee.
While she was making coffee, Fujiwara Reya came down from the second floor and greeted Kawashima Miki, "Good morning, you came quick."
"It’s not like you want to see me at all." Kawashima Miki’s lifeless voice came, unsettling to hear this early in the morning. Her legs under the olive green ultra-short skirt were crossed beautifully.
Come on, we just didn’t see each other for one day, don’t be jealous... Fujiwara Reya walked over, sat next to her, and patted her arm, motioning for her to lean over.
Kawashima Miki snorted and turned to look at the rainy street outside the window.
"I was here to find Fukaeri, she insisted on coming here to wait for you." Her stubborn demeanor was genuinely amusing.
"Got it, you always have a reason." Fujiwara Reya chuckled, hooking her waist and pulling her into his arms, giving her a little squeeze along the way, "Yesterday I went to the Onmyo-ryo Headquarters and sorted out your paperwork. I’ve also asked my aunt to make the priestess outfit, so you can move to Asakusa Shrine by September."
Kawashima Miki’s eyelids fluttered lightly.
Pleased with his gesture, she didn’t protest even as he took liberties with her chest.
In the kitchen, Yukino Ritsuko finished making coffee and brought it out. As soon as the footsteps were heard, Fujiwara Reya let go.
Kawashima Miki’s expression changed, and she gave his thigh a hard slap.
"We brought some food." Kasahara Fumi opened a big white paper bag, "Eat it, then we can get on the road."
Yukino Ritsuko looked at Fujiwara Reya with a puzzled expression, seemingly asking, "What road?"