Chapter 533: 186. Aunt’s Boat Ticket
The next half month was a period of calm.
On October 18th, at 8 p.m., in a western restaurant in Shinjuku.
By the window, Yukino Ritsuko, with her long hair draping like a shawl, donned an elegant skirt and a gray blazer, embodying the urban lady style. From the side, she looked like the cover girl of some fashion magazine.
After the waiter placed down the dishes, Yayako leaned back on the sofa, crossed her beautiful legs, clasped her fingers in front of her, and scrutinized the Snow Woman she hadn’t seen for some time. That delicate oval face appeared even more translucent than the last time, with features so exquisite they seemed meticulously arranged by the gods.
Her skin was like white porcelain, and within her gentle and serene demeanor, there was a subtle hint of maternal aura.
"What’s the matter with calling me out?" Yukino Ritsuko picked up the knife and fork, slicing the shrimp on her plate into small pieces.
Her fingers were as white and tender as if they were art carved out of ice and snow.
"Mainly just wanted to chat with you." Yayako pinched the wine glass with her fingers, taking a sip of brandy.
Yukino Ritsuko shook her head decisively, "There’s nothing between us worth chatting about."
"Why?" Yayako sipped her brandy, "Just because I spoke ill of that little boy of yours, you’re going to disregard our years of friendship?"
"Yes." Yukino Ritsuko admitted frankly.
"As expected of the Snow Woman, so faithful in your approach to feelings." Yayako chuckled brightly.
The waiter brought the soup, interrupting their conversation, which resumed after the waiter left.
Yayako took out two tickets and pushed them across the table, "Tomorrow night there’s a cruise going out to sea, you’re invited to go have fun with your little boy for free."
Yukino Ritsuko shook her head silently.
"Don’t want it?"
"It’s missing two tickets."
Yayako’s mouth gaped in surprise, "What?"
Yukino Ritsuko didn’t explain the reason, she just said, "Need four tickets, and whether to go or not is up to Fujiwara to decide."
"Turns out it’s a big family..." Yayako took out two more tickets from her bag.
With the tickets safely stowed away, Yukino Ritsuko ate dessert, drank espresso, and then left early.
Yayako looked out through the window, watching as she exited the store and headed straight to the Honda Cub under the streetlamp. She exchanged a few words with the young man, playfully thumped his back with a laugh, then sat on the rear seat with her arm around his waist.
※※※※※
"Ah~"
Fujiwara Reya yawned.
At the restaurant entrance, Yukino Ritsuko came out carrying a small cloth bag, gently brushing her bangs that had been tousled by the night wind. The number of pedestrians on the street was just right, and the streetlights shone with perfect brightness, making her look like a quietly blooming fresh little flower.
"Hey~!" Fujiwara Reya whistled, asking with a flippant expression, "Hey beauty, how about a ride on my little motorbike? Only 300 yen to take you to Brazil!"
The passersby around looked at him as if he were insane.
Yukino Ritsuko’s delicate face slightly reddened, she went over and lightly patted him with her handbag, "So many people are watching."
"Let them be envious." Fujiwara Reya said proudly.
Yukino Ritsuko rolled her eyes at him, handing him the tickets, "Yayako wants to invite us to a cruise party."
The tickets bore the logo of the Natsuki Consortium.
Fujiwara Reya was puzzled, "The fox is up to no good!"
Indeed!
Including Auntie, that fox too!
"Not going?"
"I’ll go home and discuss it with Fukaeri and Miki."
"Mm, you decide what’s best." Yukino Ritsuko slid onto the backseat, affectionately wrapping her arms around his waist, "Take me home."
"Alright~!"
The Honda Cub merged into the Tokyo street traffic.
The streetlights were as precise as clock ticks, evenly spaced, as if they stretched endlessly to the world’s end.
Under the Asakusa Bridge, passing by a small stall selling takoyaki, Yukino Ritsuko craved it, and asked Fujiwara Reya to stop and buy a serving. They sat by the Sumida River. She ate one herself, then forked one to feed Fujiwara Reya, the corner of her mouth curling up as if a sprite was dancing there.
"Here, hold the takoyaki in your mouth, don’t bite down, let me take a picture."
She held her phone, posing Fujiwara Reya for the photo, her fingers tapping swiftly, occasionally letting out joyful laughter.
"What are you doing?" Fujiwara Reya asked.
"Sending the photos to Miki." Yukino Ritsuko rearranged her posture, resting her head on his shoulder, looking at the phone screen, "Miki just got out of the Empress, I asked if she wanted any takoyaki, she said yes."
Eating takoyaki, breathing in the cool breeze sweeping through city streets, it was simple and wonderful.
Fujiwara Reya held her waist, suddenly thinking of something.
The shoes and clothes he made for her were ready; perhaps they could treat this cruise as a honeymoon and give her the gifts.
Heading home, Yukino Ritsuko’s little mischievous spirit suddenly started to stir.
She moved Fujiwara Reya to the backseat... and began riding the Honda Cub that she once drove into the Sumida River herself.
"Hey, hey, hey... watch the road, keep both hands on the handlebars, don’t hit anyone!"
"I am watching, ah, it tickles. Put your hands higher, ah... only at home can you touch!"
"It’s not that I’m misbehaving..." Fujiwara Reya naturally wouldn’t admit to any misconduct, solemnly refuting her, "In light of your history of driving into the river, I must hold onto you to maintain balance."
"Annoying, clearly being naughty and making excuses, touch again and we’ll tip over... ah——"
Before the words were finished, the Honda Cub wobbled into the greenbelt.
Holding her waist, Fujiwara Reya fell onto the grass with her, laughing ruefully, "What did the Honda Cub do wrong? Why does it have an owner like you? Just when it got rid of you, you became its mistress again..."