Chapter 57 Slower and Slower

She curled up even more obediently in Matsuda Jinpei's arms, her head resting quietly against his broad chest.

"Thump" "Thump"

I couldn't tell whose heartbeat it was anymore, or who skipped a beat first, and my heart started pounding wildly.

Clinging tightly to Matsuda Jinpei's sleeve, Takanashi Chinatsu no longer felt the soreness in her body, and cautiously peeked at Matsuda Jinpei through the folds of his clothes.

Matsuda's face also turned a little red.

The blush started from the base of his ears, a deep red like rouge. The rouge spread across his cheeks, forming a light pink. Because his skin was so fair, even the light pink was noticeable.

Nestled in this person's arms, Takanashi Chika unconsciously thought of her childhood, when Matsuda Jinpei wasn't so mature yet, awkwardly coaxing her and carefully expressing his kindness.

Compared to that time, Matsuda seems to have been enlarged proportionally, and this mature and composed feeling is even more attractive than when he was a child.

Her fingers tightened even more, and she felt not only her cheeks but also her neck begin to burn.

The scalding heat traveled down my neck and spread throughout my body, leaving me with a tingling, itchy sensation.

"China-chan, Jinpei!" A cheerful voice rang out.

Takanashi Chinatsu immediately buried her face in Matsuda Jinpei's arms, only her bright red ears showing, and felt Matsuda Jinpei's body suddenly tense up.

Kenji Hagiwara's voice suddenly disappeared.

Have they left?

Takanashi Chika buried herself blankly in Matsuda Jinpei's arms, clearly wanting to know but refusing to look up and see what was going on, only feeling Matsuda Jinpei's muscles getting tighter and tighter.

"China." Matsuda Jinpei had already stopped.

Takanashi Chika twitched her ears in confusion, finally lifting her head from Matsuda Jinpei's embrace to face the handsome face of the second-year graduate student.

Luckily, she almost cried out, and Takanashi Chinatsu immediately looked away from him.

Looking at the floors, there are still several floors to go before she is there. Why did Matsuda-san stop now?

"Um... while I'm away for my second year of graduate school, I want to tell you something." Matsuda Jinpei said hesitantly.

Takanashi Chinatsu then glanced blankly at Hagiwara Kenji.

Kenji Hagiwara immediately put on a gossipy expression and held up a finger to her lips, signaling her not to betray him.

It's not that I'm not here!

Matsuda-kun, Kenji-chan is right next to me!

Kenji Hagiwara has made rapid progress after his training and is now able to cross several floors to come here to play.

“I was worried about you because you had some trouble abroad, and people in your organization have ulterior motives towards you.” When it came to business, Matsuda Jinpei’s voice became much smoother.

Takanashi Chinatsu glanced at her bracelet subconsciously. Was this what she meant by having ulterior motives?

"Anyway, I don't mean anything by it. I just hope to send you my blessings and wish you better luck."

Huh? What?

"I really didn't mean anything by it." Matsuda Jinpei held Takanashi Chika in one arm and took out a jewelry box with the other, deftly opening it to reveal two earrings inside.

The tsavorite was crisp and clear, and its delicate color was full of liveliness and romance. Whether it was Takanashi Chinatsu's imagination or not, for a moment she felt that the two earrings flashed in his hand.

Give her... an earring?

"Tsk tsk tsk~" Taking advantage of the fact that his childhood friend couldn't see him, Kenji Hagiwara complained from the side: "How lame, Jinpei, you should be giving her a ring right now!"

"Don't talk nonsense," Takanashi Chinatsu retorted instinctively.

Matsuda Jinpei was taken aback: "What?"

"N-nothing."

But Matsuda Jinpei, being a perceptive person, immediately scanned the surroundings, his tone somewhat annoyed and angry: "Is Hagi here? Don't make wild guesses. This is just to express my gratitude, after all, China has helped you so much."

"Oh, you're using me as a shield~" Kenji Hagiwara said casually.

Takanashi Chinatsu didn't look at Matsuda Jinpei or Hagiwara Kenji; her eyes darted around, unsure of where to look.

Help...help me!

Don't do that, second-year graduate student!

"The heart sees everything as dirty, so I don't deliver it in front of you because I'm afraid you'll overthink things."

"Am I overthinking things, or are you just afraid to admit it?"

"It's just a regular earring, what are you thinking?"

"Regular earrings? If I buy these, I'll be eating rice balls for the next few months, right?"

Even though Matsuda Jinpei couldn't hear Hagiwara Kenji's voice, the two still managed to keep up with each other's conversation.

"Chika, don't listen to his nonsense, put it on." Matsuda Jinpei glared threateningly at Hagiwara Kenji, warning him not to talk nonsense anymore.

Kenji Hagiwara pretended not to see it and floated over to Chinatsu Takanashi, whispering to her, "Chinatsu-chan, Jinpei is just so awkward. He keeps telling you not to overthink things, but I've never seen him give any girl a gift before. Look how well the gemstone on your earring matches you. He didn't even consult me; he must have picked it out carefully on his own."

Chinatsu Takanashi felt her face getting hotter and hotter.

Is she the first? Is this the first time Matsuda has given a girl a gift?

I glanced at it out of the corner of my eye; it was a beautiful earring, a vibrant green, like a newly sprouted willow bud, symbolizing vitality and romance.

Tsavorite... Does Matsuda-san know the meaning of this gemstone?

"Anyway, you should put it on first." Matsuda Jinpei moved the earring closer to her.

Seeing the earring so close to her, Chizuru Takanashi's heart pounded, and she tilted her head slightly.

"Wow, did China ask him to put it on for you?" Kenji Hagiwara exclaimed in surprise.

She lowered her eyes, not daring to look at Kenji Hagiwara, while also feeling a bit resentful in her heart. What was the point of telling her? Matsuda-san should know!

Matsuda-nii... he's such a blockhead, surely he can't understand what she means?

Fortunately, someone touched her earlobe soon. Matsuda Jinpei's fingers were quite nimble, and he quickly put on one earlobe for her with one hand, and then the other.

The earrings were on, but the atmosphere between the two was a little awkward, with only Kenji Hagiwara taking pictures like crazy with his phone.

"This is a landmark moment! Jinpei has finally learned how to pursue girls. As his father, I am so gratified." Kenji Hagiwara exaggeratedly wiped away imaginary tears, his face full of relief and vicissitudes.

Chinatsu huddled even tighter, almost curling herself into a ball, nestled in Jinpei Matsuda's arms like a quail.

Matsuda Jinpei didn't say a word. He carried Takanashi Chika upstairs, put her on the sofa, and then lit the rhinoceros horn incense.

This was perhaps the first time he felt no remorse for the precious rhinoceros horn.

As Kenji Hagiwara's figure appeared, Jinpei Matsuda cracked his wrists and angrily shouted, "Die, hagi!" Take his face-breaking iron fist!

"Aaaaaah, help! Chinatsu-chan, help! Someone's killing a demon!" Kenji Hagiwara cried out as he ran.

"Shut up, do you want people to know this place is haunted?"

"You look so ugly when you're angry and embarrassed, Jinpei!"

"Bang, bang," were the sounds of fists finally striking flesh.

Chinatsu Takanashi remained on the sofa, pretending to be a quail, as if she couldn't see or hear anything, until the two finally quieted down.

Matsuda Jinpei went to the kitchen to cook, and Hagiwara Kenji awkwardly crawled and struggled on the ground, pitifully crawling to Takanashi Chinatsu in front of her.

"China-chan, is Hagi no longer your beloved best friend?" Kenji Hagiwara asked, his eyes brimming with tears, as he grasped China Takanashi's hands in both.

Takanashi Chinatsu coughed awkwardly, as if nothing had happened, and said, "Of course, Kenji-chan is my dearest best friend!"

"Then why didn't you stop Xiaozhenping just now? I was about to be beaten to death!"

"Was there a fight just now? I didn't see anything." Takanashi Chinatsu looked around exaggeratedly.

Kenji Hagiwara shook off her hand and turned his head away, saying, "It really is a fake friendship."

Takanashi Chinatsu then gave him a big smile and said, "You're right, Kenji-chan!"

With such a foul mouth, why doesn't Matsuda beat you into a pulp?

Kenji Hagiwara quickly stood up and mischievously poked at the earring she was wearing.

Chika Takanashi didn't dodge; she just glared at him defiantly.

"Why are you glaring at me? Jinpei is such an awkward person. Giving you earrings is probably the most understated gift he could think of. I guess he likes you," Kenji Hagiwara whispered in Chinatsu Takanashi's ear.

She silently turned her head away, but her gaze couldn't help but drift towards the kitchen.

Do you like...?

Ever since the boy she had a crush on had an accident, she has tried her best to avoid the affections of the opposite sex. The only men she comes into contact with on a daily basis, besides those in the organization, are Touya and Yukito.

She's already in college, but she's never had a proper relationship.

Everyone around her harbors ill intentions, and members of the organization are everywhere. Because she cannot tell whether someone is a member of the organization or not, and because she does not know whether those around her will be implicated, Takanashi Chika deliberately grows thorns to drive away everything that tries to get close to her.

But Matsuda Jinpei is different.

He wasn't part of the organization; he appeared when she was at her lowest point, before her thorns had fully formed.

But he was a policeman, not tolerated by the organization, and would surely die if the organization discovered him.

The heat on her face quickly faded, and a chill ran through Takanashi Chinatsu. The chill made her feel cold all over, and she almost shivered.

No, we can't let the organization find out!

She and Matsuda have been in too much contact lately. No matter what their relationship is, if the organization finds out, or if that seemingly omnipotent and omniscient man finds out, Matsuda will be doomed.

They can't keep interacting like this. In any case, Matsuda-san has to stay away from her.

Takanashi Chinatsu's gaze instantly fixed on Hagiwara Kenji.

Kenji Hagiwara looked bewildered and couldn't help but shiver.

After dinner, Chinatsu Takanashi went back to her room, leaving Matsuda Jinpei and Hagiwara Kenji in the living room.

After the man and the ghost cleared the table, and Matsuda Jinpei was washing the dishes, Hagiwara Kenji stood hesitating at the kitchen doorway.

He stepped in, then stepped back.

Step in again, then step back.

Repeatedly.

After several attempts, Kenji Hagiwara still hadn't made up his mind when Jinpei Matsuda couldn't take it anymore: "What's wrong with you, going in and out like this? Do you want to come and help or not?"

"It's not about whether I'll help or not, Jinpei. There's something I need to tell you, but I don't know how to bring it up." Hagiwara Kenji clung to the kitchen door, looking at him pitifully.

Matsuda Jinpei glanced back at him, speechless.

He finally finished washing the dishes, and as he passed by Kenji Hagiwara, he deliberately flicked his hand, splashing water droplets from his hand all over Hagiwara's face.

"Ugh!" Kenji Hagiwara made a sound of being bullied.

"Speak up, what are you trying to do with all this nonsense?" Matsuda Jinpei sat down on the sofa and wiped his hands with a tissue.

"Jinpei, don't you feel like something's not quite right?"

"where?"

"Chinatsu-chan is only a freshman this year. If it weren't for her entanglement with the organization, she would just be an ordinary freshman female student, right?" Kenji Hagiwara coaxed patiently.

Matsuda Jinpei clenched his fist and said, "That's right. I also want to eliminate the organization as soon as possible, for the sake of Chika and everyone else, but Chika is clearly resistant to my involvement in the organization, so I can only guide her slowly."

Hagihara Kenji:…

No, that's not what he meant.

"Kijinpei, look outside." Kenji Hagiwara pointed out the window.

"It's pitch black, what are you showing me?"

"Yeah, it's already dark!" Kenji Hagiwara immediately raised his voice: "She's only a freshman! You stay out this late every day, is it appropriate for a man and a woman to be alone together like this?"

Matsuda Jinpei was immediately dumbfounded: "What do you mean, a lone man and a lone woman? You're here too."

“But others don’t know. They only know that you go in and out of female college students’ rooms every day. What about China’s reputation? And wouldn’t it be even worse with me around? Is it any good to have two men going in and out of her room? I had no choice because I was restrained, but you walked in on your own.”

Realizing this suddenly, Matsuda Jinpei immediately blushed: "I... I didn't mean anything by it. I just came to see you and take care of her."

"Heh." Kenji Hagiwara let out a cold laugh. Would anyone believe that?

Matsuda Jinpei immediately became restless.

"It's one thing if you two are boyfriend and girlfriend, but you're nothing to each other now. Isn't it inappropriate to be interacting like this? You gave her those earrings and then tried to evade the question. Jinpei, can't you just be more direct in your confession?" Hagiwara Kenji was very dissatisfied with his cowardly behavior.

Matsuda Jinpei almost jumped up. "That really was out of gratitude; it was a thank-you gift!"

"Do you think I believe you?" Kenji Hagiwara rolled his eyes at him.

Matsuda Jinpei was so angry that he was breathing heavily, and seemed to want to punch Hagiwara Kenji to prove his "innocence".

"Kijinpei, actually, it was China who asked me to talk to you. Your coming here every day is bothering her, after all, she's a woman living alone." Kenji Hagiwara sighed helplessly.

Matsuda Jinpei was taken aback: "China? I'll go talk to her."

He was about to leave when Kenji Hagiwara stopped him.

Kenji Hagiwara gripped his shoulder tightly, looking at him speechlessly, and complained, "Can't you understand the atmosphere? Why did Chinatsu-chan hide back in her room? It's because she didn't know how to tell you, and you actually chased after her."

Matsuda Jinpei immediately realized the inappropriateness of his behavior and, thinking that he might have really caused trouble for China, felt at a loss.

"So are you leaving or going to confess?" Kenji Hagiwara teased. "If you're boyfriend and girlfriend, of course she'll welcome you to come over every day."

“No need.” Matsuda Jinpei immediately stood up and walked quickly toward the door.

Kenji Hagiwara panicked and immediately caught up with him, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going back now. She's right. It's not right for me to keep bothering her. I'll reduce the frequency of my visits in the future."

Kenji Hagiwara was stunned. No way? That's not what he wanted!

"What are you really thinking? If you like her..."

Matsuda Jinpei immediately interrupted, saying seriously, "She's still young, Hagi. Growing up in that unhealthy environment of the organization, it's hard for her to develop healthy values. But you and I are both police officers. Don't you understand things she doesn't understand?"

Looking into Matsuda Jinpei's sharp, cold eyes, Hagiwara Kenji reluctantly fell silent.

“She doesn’t understand what a healthy romantic relationship is like at all, and I can’t take advantage of her while she’s still naive. Chika… she’s very cute, but I have to be patient with her, go slowly, go very slowly.” Matsuda Jinpei looked at the door to Takanashi Chika’s bedroom, his eyes filled with longing and reluctance.

He... had no choice.

He couldn't bring himself to say whether he loved or not at that moment.

Her environment and her experiences are all unhealthy, so we have to be extra careful when dealing with someone like China. Besides, he is already twenty-five years old this year, a full six years older than China. China may not have thought about such a big gap, but he can't help but think about it.

"I'm leaving now. Take good care of him." Matsuda Jinpei patted Hagiwara Kenji on the shoulder and left.

Kenji Hagiwara watched his childhood friend leave, a smile slowly appearing on his lips.

Jinpei has really matured. He never used to think so meticulously, so it's clear that he really likes Chika.

Because I like him, I am cautious and even more afraid to confess my feelings without thinking.

"Knock knock," he knocked on the door of China's room.

"It's me. Kojinpei has already left."

With a "click," the door was opened, and Takanashi Chika cautiously peeked out.

It looks like a little raccoon; it's so cute peeking around like that.

Kenji Hagiwara's smile deepened as he patted her head and said, "He's already left. I've already told him what China wanted me to say, and he'll come here less often in the future."

"Oh, that's good."

"Jinpei agreed, so why does China seem a little unhappy?" Kenji Hagiwara teased with a smile.

Chinatsu immediately shook her head, "No, I'm very happy."

"Stop lying to me. Why can't you even tell me if Jinpei isn't here?" Hagiwara Kenji put his hands on his hips, pretending to be angry.

Chinatsu licked her lips, seemingly a little nervous.

"Chinatsu-chan?"

“I’m worried the organization will cause trouble for him. If they find out about my close relationship with him, they definitely won’t let Matsuda-nii off the hook.” Takanashi Chinatsu finally voiced her concerns.

Kenji Hagiwara was surprised: "But Gin knows, doesn't he? And everyone here is from the organization."

"But Gin won't complain, and everyone here listens to Gin."

"Since that's the case, let's just say Xiao Zhenping comes..."

"What if... what if someone tells the rest of the organization? He'll definitely die." Takanashi Chinatsu's hand trembled slightly as she spoke. She wasn't confident she could save a policeman, even with Karasuma Renya's indulgence.

Matsuda Jinpei will face a life-threatening misfortune.

Just thinking about this, and then connecting it to the organization, makes it hard for Takanashi Chinatsu not to overthink things.

She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously touching the earring in her left ear, sliding down her earlobe, and finally slowly caressing the four-leaf clover pendant on her chest.

She couldn't let Matsuda be a burden. She hoped that Matsuda would live on and live well, no matter what, even if they never saw each other again.

"Don't underestimate us, Chinatsu-chan." Kenji Hagiwara placed his hands on her shoulders, his voice low and serious: "Neither I nor Jinpei will stand idly by and watch you wander aimlessly in the organization. But now that you've told me your concerns, I'll keep it a secret for you. We'll keep it from Jinpei together."

Takanashi Chinatsu looked up in surprise, not expecting Hagiwara Kenji to choose to help her keep it a secret.

"I'm on Chinatsu's side~" A sparkling wink.

Very handsome and full of energy.

The dazzling display made Chinatsu's eyes sparkle.

"Yes!" She nodded emphatically.

"So, in order to always stand by Chinatsu-chan's side, starting tomorrow, you'll have to keep me by your side~"

Upon hearing this, Takanashi Chinatsu rolled her eyes in exasperation.

So that's what she was waiting for!

That second-year graduate student is so mean, she actually set a trap for her.

"So? Shall we take Kenji-chan to the organization?" Kenji Hagiwara looked at her with sparkling eyes.

"No way!" Takanashi Chinatsu drew a big "X" on her chest with her arm.

Don't even think about it!

In the end, all she wanted to do was go to the organization to investigate. Although the second-year graduate student was a ghost, he could now contact Matsuda-san, so she dared not actually take him to the organization.

"I won't, I won't, Chinatsu-chan! I promised to keep it a secret!" Kenji Hagiwara pleaded pitifully, clasping his hands together.

Chika Takanashi refused again: "No way, absolutely not."

"Chinatsuba-chan, Kenji-chan can really help you~"

"Thank you, but no need." Takanashi Chinatsu appeared indifferent; she knew what she should and shouldn't do.

Kenji Hagiwara kept making a fuss until very late, but Chinatsu Takanashi still wouldn't budge. In the end, she had no choice but to agree that she could take him with her in case of a crisis.

That time will never come!

Chinatsu Takanashi is very well-connected in the organization. Not only does no one dare to mess with her, but even the organization's second-in-command, who targets her, is repeatedly refuted by her.

As long as Karasuma Renya protects her, no one else poses any threat to her.

The next day, under Kenji Hagiwara's resentful gaze, Chinatsu Takanashi left for the base.

It was still stretching, and it was still an unbearable half hour.

Chinatsu Takanashi felt like her body was about to break. She didn't want to get up at lunchtime and just lay on the bench next to her, being fed by Scotland bite by bite.

"Are you feeling unwell? Should I tell Gin that his special training should be a little gentler?" Scotland held a thumb-sized, strawberry-shaped wagashi and gently offered it to China's lips.

Chika took a bite; it was soft and fluffy, filled with sweet strawberry jam.

She shook her head, declining Scotland's offer; Gin's rigorous training was for her own good.

"Look, taro boba milk tea, want some?" Bourbon rushed over in his wheelchair with a can of milk tea in hand. His gaze involuntarily swept over the pair of tsavorite earrings, and his bright smile made people forget that he was now a "disabled person".

"Thank you, Bourbon." Chinatsu Takanashi immediately accepted it.

The two of them, one feeding food and the other giving drinks, occupied the space on either side of Takanashi Chika, making Rai, who was standing to the side, seem to have nothing to do.

He really didn't do anything, because Gin was training nearby, occasionally throwing him a glare. He had a feeling that if he did something, Gin would immediately call him over for extra practice.

Because he had been on guard against Gin, Rae noticed the moment Gin's attention shifted.

Following Gin's gaze, a silver-haired woman, about the same age as Takanashi Chinatsu, walked in from afar.

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Author's Note: This chapter is about a mature Mazda!