Chapter 69: Exposed?
“I’m telling you, you’re just overthinking things. Little Shinichi might be a bit clumsy normally, but he has this much discernment!”
“How can you be so absolute in matters like this? He’s had too little experience in romance.”
“As if your experience is that vast!”
“You…”
The conversation between a man and a woman came from the doorway. The hospital room door opened again, and Hamano Tsukasa and Dragonji, who seemed to have finished their conversation, walked in from the corridor, preparing to continue questioning Sato Shinichi about the reasons for yesterday’s events.
However, the scene they saw upon pushing open the door left these two veteran heroes, who had experienced countless battles, frozen in place with awkwardness.
The bandaged young boy lay straight on the hospital bed, his azure pupils shimmering as he looked at the girl within arm’s reach. Beside him, the thin and small girl, wearing a uniform, propped herself up with her small hands behind the pillow, a faint smile on her lips as she also looked directly at the boy before her, her eyes filled with emotions that couldn’t be hidden.
Seeing the young boy and girl almost kissing each other from a distance, Dragonji reached out and tugged at the bewildered Hamano Tsukasa, saying softly.
“Did we come at the wrong time?”
Tugged by Dragonji, Hamano Tsukasa finally snapped out of his shock. He looked at the two of them, who were oblivious to his presence and only had eyes for each other, and let out a rather displeased, heavy cough.
“Cough, cough—”
The deep, resonant cough rang out in the hospital room, disrupting the intimate atmosphere brewing between the two. Like two startled rabbits, their faces flushed red as they retreated to their respective sides.
“Old… old man, you’re here.”
Sato Shinichi scratched his head awkwardly, his heart still replaying Kazumi’s unique gaze. If Hamano Tsukasa hadn’t arrived at that moment, perhaps…
“What, you think this old man ruined your good deeds?!!”
Seeing Sato Shinichi still lost in a daze, Hamano Tsukasa became furious, his beard bristling. He glared at the unfortunate fellow on the hospital bed.
…
Meanwhile, Kazumi stood alone, her flushed cheeks proving that her inner thoughts were not as calm as they appeared on the surface.
[What am I doing?!!]
Kazumi’s mind was roaring. She had thought her willpower was strong enough to overcome physical desires; she had acted that way before.
But she hadn’t expected that after trying to intentionally close the emotional gap between them with actions aimed at gaining favor, her rising emotions would make it impossible to suppress her most fundamental desires.
Perhaps it was because it was the first time the two of them had been so close physically, or perhaps the emotional atmosphere was just right. At that moment, Kazumi had genuinely wanted to kiss the boy before her!
[Why would I get emotional over this un-matured kid? If you’re a backup, just play your part and don’t jump around!]
This time, Kazumi admitted defeat. If Hamano Tsukasa and Dragonji hadn’t arrived so suddenly, she might have given away her first kiss for her lifetime, and to a guy at that!
Of course, for Kazumi, Sato Shinichi wasn’t someone she disliked. After all, someone like him, who seemed to have stepped right out of a passionate shonen manga, was the kind of person none of his friends would object to being friends with.
Or perhaps, he was missing a typical shonen manga protagonist power-up?
[How is that possible! It’s already lucky enough that this guy has a retired hero for a grandfather. As for abilities, if they aren’t innate, they’re useless!]
Her mind wandered to strange thoughts. Perhaps because her feelings had been exposed, Kazumi’s usually cold cheeks were still tinged with a faint red, and she felt strange, her thoughts feeling more “high” than usual?
The daily bickering between the grandfather and grandson by her side was slowly coming to an end, with Sato Shinichi being scolded thoroughly once again. Looking at the girl beside him, Hamano Tsukasa finally remembered what he had come to say. He cleared his throat and looked at the two of them.
“Get up, you brat. I have something serious to ask you!”
After routinely scolding Sato Shinichi again, Hamano Tsukasa shifted his attention to Kazumi, a kind smile appearing on his face as he spoke.
“Little Kazumi, I’m sorry for calling you here because of this brat. There’s also another matter that concerns you a little, so I brought you along.”
[Here it comes!!!]
Kazumi’s eyes flashed. The old man’s kind smile was like a concealed dagger. As expected, Sato Shinichi’s injury was definitely not that simple!!
“It’s nothing. I was worried when I couldn’t reach him all day.”
Nodding obediently, Kazumi maintained her basic composure, playing the role of a young girl concerned about her boyfriend.
“Well, I won’t waste any more time. A teacher at the school told me about what happened. Did you have a conflict with Hishiyama’s daughter?”
Hamano Tsukasa nodded, looking straight at the frail girl before him, and asked.
“We met on the playground. That classmate was making things difficult for us, and then some arguments ensued. Finally, Teacher Ishitang appeared and stopped us.”
As expected, the old man before her had come about this matter. Kazumi could even venture a guess that Sato Shinichi’s current predicament was likely related to the incident with Hishiyama Minako.
But regardless, since the school had notified the parents, they must have known everything. Kazumi had no reason to be in the wrong, so she would just state everything as it happened.
“Well, I will help explain things on her end. Even though your uncle is a wanted criminal, you have undergone investigation by the police department and have been confirmed to have no connection to that organization, so don’t mind the rumors. No one will target you with this matter anymore.”
Hamano Tsukasa nodded with satisfaction. The girl’s composed and humble response earned him considerable favor. He had a good understanding of the situation, and Kazumi’s personality was quite to his liking. He had previously worried that the brat would bring back a withdrawn, inarticulate girl.
“Thank you, Grandpa Sato.”
Looking at the determined little girl before him, Hamano Tsukasa’s eyes flickered with a trace of reminiscence before quickly returning to normal. Tiny arcs of electricity emanated from his body, unknowingly spreading across the entire floor of the room. Hamano Tsukasa smiled, but his expression suddenly turned serious as he asked.
“Last question, Kazumi Shimizu, have you ever hinted for Sato Shinichi to deal with the [Crimson Flame]?”
