A rather fashionable coffee shop in Shibuya, Tokyo.
A brother and sister were sitting in the window seat.
The brother in a suit and tie has medium-long hair and is handsome.
The sister wearing a Nizi coat has long brown hair and is pretty and cute.
They sat facing each other, with the bustling Omotesando outside the window.
Even in such a place where handsome men and beautiful women gather together, the image and temperament of the two people have attracted the attention of many people.
Especially since there were two burly bodyguards sitting across the table from them, they looked even more eye-catching.
Needless to say, these siblings are Isa and Sayu who came all the way from Hokkaido.
As for the reason why they are here...
That's because today is February 23rd, which is the day Sayu takes the Aoyama Academy exam.
"So--"
Ogiwara Kazusa looked at his sister in front of him, and said with a gentle face: "Thank you for your hard work, Sayu, how do you feel? Did the exam go well?"
"Hmm~! I think it's pretty good. The scope of this exam is not very broad, and the question types are similar to those I've seen before, so I think it's okay."
"Well, how does the difficulty of the exam here compare with that over there?"
"Brother is referring to Seigaku and Hayei, right? Hmm~~ If I have to say it, the exam for Hayei University is indeed more difficult."
"Ahaha, of course, it's ranked higher after all. So what? Sayu, which one do you want to go to?"
"No...brother said this as if I had already passed the exam. We won't know until the results come out, right?"
"Don't you have faith?"
"It's not like that..."
Sayu took a sip of the sweet matcha in the cup and said after worrying for a while: "Although I don't really want to say this... I never thought that I would fail the exam."
"Oh~ What a strong self-confidence. As expected of my sister, Xu Gao's hero~"
"Please don't call me that nickname! I'm serious, brother!"
Seeing Sayu's cute reaction, a companion at the next table couldn't help laughing.
"Oh, time flies so fast. Little Sayu will be going to college before I know it. Isn't your sister Yishayou very good?"
The person who spoke was Mr. Lin, the bodyguard hired by their family.
As a bodyguard, such a tone is obviously inappropriate, but Ogiwara Kazusa has become accustomed to it and sincerely respects this strong man with extraordinary skills.
"Mr. Lin, you are so grateful. Sayu's excellence is all achieved through his own efforts. This brother of mine is really ashamed."
"Don't say that. As a man, it's already amazing that you can make money to support your family. Besides, didn't you specifically give up your job to accompany your sister to take the exam?"
"Thank you, but those are what I should do."
Mr. Lin grinned and said no more.
Yisa turned his eyes to his sister again and said:
"Anyway, mother has always been very concerned about the situation here. I'm going to report to her. Before that, Sayu, can you sit here for a while?"
"Well, I understand, brother."
Sayu nodded slightly to express understanding,
Mr. Lin said again: "Don't worry, Yi Sa, I will keep an eye on Xiao Sayu and prevent her from being bullied by men in Tokyo."
"Then it's up to you."
Ogiwara nodded with a smile and walked outside with his mobile phone. Another bodyguard followed him consciously and opened the door for him.
This phone call took a little longer than expected.
When they returned to their seats, Sayu had finished the drink in the cup and was chatting with friends on his mobile phone.
"I'm sorry, Mom explained a lot of things at once and kept you waiting, Sayu."
"No, anyway, I was chatting with Yuko... Mom, what did she say?"
"Well...actually it's just those things."
Ogiwara Kazusa smiled bitterly, took two sips of his own black coffee to soothe his throat, and spoke loudly.
"I won't mention things like paying attention to safety. Mother asked me to take you to actually inspect a few apartments. If there is a suitable one, rent it for you to use when you live alone in the future."
"...Isn't it too early for that to happen? School starts in April."
"I think so too, but it's a pity that my mother asked for it this way. We can place the entrustment with the agency first and wait until Sayu's test results come out before making a decision. What do you think?"
"It doesn't matter to me...but that seems to be too much trouble for my brother. In fact, I can handle this kind of thing myself."
"Don't think so, you deserve this."
"...Deserve it...?"
Sayu murmured to himself, his eyes dazed for a moment.
Ogiwara smiled, then thought of another thing, and said after careful consideration: "And Sayu...have you heard of the name Kato Yusuke?"
"--Eh?"
Sayu's movements stopped, and her amber pupils lost focus for an instant.
Ogihara Kazusa took out a passbook from the inner pocket of his suit, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it to the opposite side with his fingers.
"this is for you."
"...Hey, this is it?"
"This is your bankbook. You can keep it by yourself from now on."
"...Brother? Well, about what you just said..."
"——Actually, I have always wanted to talk to you before, but because you were still concentrating on preparing for the exam at that time, I postponed it until now."
Ogiwara Kazusa clasped his hands on the table and asked his sister: "Now, can I talk to Sayu about this passbook?"
"This bankbook...?"
Sayu subconsciously glanced at the bankbook in front of him, then raised his eyes blankly to look at the opposite side, waiting for the next sentence.
"I hope you won't be surprised by this. In fact, Sayou, your bankbook had a sum of money deposited in September, totaling 27 million."
"What!?"
When Sayu heard this, he couldn't help but stood up, and his chair made a knocking sound.
"Then, that...brother, could that person you are talking about be..."
She asked stutteringly, her lips twisted slightly unconsciously, fearing she would hear a certain answer.
Ogiwara Kazusa looked at his sister thoughtfully, frowned slightly, and then nodded with a hum,
"...I did some research and found that the person who deposited the money for you is named Yusuke Kato. The specific time was September 18th. Do you know him?"
Suddenly, Sayu's mind went blank.
She opened her eyes wide in shock, and her heart felt as if it was being grasped.
September 18th…
Wasn't that just shortly after she drove him away?
Memories float before my eyes like a revolving lantern, and the pictures are pulled back frame by frame.
In the autumn when the leaves are covered with golden leaves, the sun sets on the river bank.
The girl stared at the boy with hatred on her face and cast the vicious Cruciatus Curse at the top of her lungs.
‘You are the most annoying person!’
'...Do you like him? This boy.'
"At least compared to strangers, Izumi-san is more trusted by me!"
What finally settled in front of him was a pair of deathly black eyes and the shaky figure on the back.
"…………how come."
Sayu's face turned pale, and he fell down on the chair without any strength.
She reached out with trembling hands, bit her lips, and picked up the bankbook from the table.
Opening the loose leaf, my eyes fell on the string of numbers...
"…………"
Her eyes suddenly turned red, she covered her mouth, and a tear slipped silently down her cheek.
In order to hide her tears, she buried her head lower and her shoulders shook uncontrollably.
What a mistake...
That person is an out-and-out liar...
He was clearly protecting her until the end, wasn't he...?
Such a discovery made her happy and sad at the same time.
"...Why do you have to do this for me..."
She choked weakly, hugged the bankbook tightly to her chest, and uttered silent syllables in her mouth.
"...Sayu?"
"...sayu-chan?"
Her brother and Mr. Lin who were sitting on the seat called her name softly, their voices full of worry.
"...Well, I'm fine."
Sayu said in a thick nasal voice, wiping away the tears from the corners of his eyes without leaving a trace, and pretending that nothing was wrong, he raised his head and smiled.
"Sorry, brother."
She said: "I know that person, can I solve this matter by myself, please."
After finishing speaking, he bent down deeply.
"Sayu..."
Ogiwara Kazusa couldn't help but feel moved, staring at his sister for a moment, and after a while, he said:
"Is that so...you seem to have something to hide?"
The girl remained silent and still lowered her head.
Seeing that she didn't want to explain, Yi Sa rubbed her temples and sighed helplessly.
"...I understand. Since Sayu said so, let you handle this matter yourself and I will not interfere.
In addition, I also deposited the money for your college education according to mother's instructions, and I will also give you living expenses regularly in the future, is that okay?"
"...Well, thank you brother...really."
"There's no need to be so outspoken with your family. If you encounter any difficulties that you can't handle yourself, remember to tell us at any time."
"……good."
Sayu responded with a weak voice and finally raised his head.
Then, she requested: "I'm sorry, brother... I have a place I have to go to. Can you excuse me for a while?"
"Is there a place I must go to..."
Ogihara thought for a moment and said, "Can you be alone? Otherwise, let Mr. Lin accompany you..."
"-No, please let me go alone."
"..."
Ogihara Kazusa couldn't help but frown slightly, while Sayu took a deep breath.
"Don't worry, I will pay attention to my own safety. I am just going to find a friend I met in Tokyo. He is also a girl. There is no danger."
"...Can you tell me where you plan to go?"
"This... is near Takadanobaba station."
A brief silence.
"...So, can you promise to return to the hotel before dark?"
"Brother..." The girl showed a happy expression and nodded vigorously, "Yes! I will!"
"I understand." Ogiwara smiled softly, "Then go ahead."
"Thank you brother!"
Sayu said, stood up, hugged his backpack and hurried out of the store, even forgetting to say goodbye.
"Mr. Lin."
"I understand, Yamamoto-kun, go follow the lady and be careful not to be discovered."
"yes!"
After receiving the order, the bodyguard bowed respectfully and hurried after him.
After the two of them left the store, Mr. Lin couldn't help but say: "Is this really okay? Yisha."
"What do you mean?"
"That's a lot of money after all. Is it okay to just give it to Sayu-chan like this?"
——Knock knock.
Ogiwara Kazusa knocked on the table with his knuckles and said: "Rather than giving it to Sayu, the money originally belonged to her, and she has the right to handle it herself."
"However, Sayu-chan didn't seem to know the existence of the money at first, but you told her everything. It's amazing."
Mr. Lin said this, but a sincere smile appeared on his face, and then he changed the subject and said:
"However, if you secretly find someone to investigate that boy, Isa, Xiao Sayu will be angry if she finds out about it, right?"
"My original intention was just to find out the source of the money. It was not my purpose to investigate that person."
"Having said that, didn't you still find a private detective in the end?"
Ogiwara Kazusa did not deny this. He picked up the cup and took a sip of coffee, and said calmly: "It doesn't matter, Sayu won't know."
◇
Ding dong ~ ding dong.
Ding dong ding dong ding dong.
The doorbell rang rapidly.
Sayu took a deep breath, patted his stiff face, tried his best to hide his impatience, and put a polite smile on his face.
About ten seconds later, the door to room "101" cautiously opened halfway.
A girl with short brown hair and wearing a princess-style long-sleeved jumpsuit and tight pants from Amazon appeared behind the door.
There was a hint of wariness in the girl's eyes, and she asked in confusion: "...Who are you?"
"……Huh?"
Sayu couldn't help but be startled, and then immediately leaned forward slightly and said, "Um, I'm sorry to bother you, but is Miss Shinjo here?"
"Miss Shinjo...ah, are you talking about Xiaoxiang?"
"Yes! Hello, I am a friend of Miss Shinjo. I'm sorry for the unexpected visit... Is she here?"
Sayu chose polite words to express his intention.
After hearing her explanation, the guard in the girl's eyes dissipated a little, and then she said awkwardly: "Well... Xiaoxiang and the others are not here now?"
"That's it, has she gone out? Can I wait for her at the door?"
"Well, it's true that she has gone out...but you probably won't be able to wait for her."
"……Huh?"
"Because, Xiaoxiang, Xiaoxi and the others have been away from home since yesterday, and it seems they won't be back for three days."
"Three days later...does it actually take that long?"
"Yes, aren't you Xiaoxiang's friend? Don't you know about this?"
The girl said with a slight suspicion on her face.
Sayu quickly explained: "Ah, no, because I came here temporarily and haven't contacted Miss Shinjo yet, so..."
"That's it..."
The girl nodded doubtfully, obviously having doubts about this statement. After thinking for a moment, she said:
"But, even if you are looking for Xiaoxiang, she doesn't live here? Her and Xiaoxi's room is upstairs, why would you knock on the door here?"
"that is because……!"
Sayu unconsciously raised her voice, then pressed her chest and said in a sincere tone:
"Actually, I was brought here to stay for one night before... The person who took care of me at that time was Ms. Shinjo."
"Huh……?"
The girl made a surprised sound, took the initiative to walk out from behind the door and held her hand. For some reason, her face suddenly became filled with recognition.
"Is that so? So you've also received help from this association? I'm new here. I'm glad to meet you. You can just call me Muzi."
"Uh... Well, hello, Miss Muzi, the association refers to..."
Looking at the girl shaking hands with him enthusiastically, Sayu was about to ask further.
At this time, a suspicious voice suddenly came from behind.
"Eh...Xiao Muzi? Have any friends come to play with you?"
Looking back.
A girl with long dark blond hair and healthy wheat-colored skin was looking at them with her head tilted.