Chapter 32 Blind Date 1 Helping the Gentleman Finish (or Screw) This Scene 1...
On May 30th, the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the monthly exams.
Risa stretched and loosened her fingers, which had become stiff from holding a pen for a long time.
"Matsuno, come out with me for a moment." Yagyu's voice came from beside me.
Risa turned her head and met the emotionless eyes behind the glasses. She blinked, put her stationery into her pencil case, and followed Yagyu out of the classroom.
In the corridor, the early summer breeze, carrying a slight warmth, brushed against my cheek.
After confirming that no one was around, Yagyu spoke up, "You haven't forgotten about tomorrow, have you?"
"Don't worry, I'll remember." Risa raised the corners of her mouth, her fingers gently twirling a strand of hair. "But Yagyu-kun, are you sure you don't need me to do a little more?"
"No need." Liu Sheng pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light. "Just stick to the original plan, don't do anything unnecessary."
The next day, at a high-class tea house in Kanagawa.
Risa stood in front of the shop, gazing at the understated yet luxurious wooden signboard, and paused for a moment.
A gentle breeze blew by, and the wind chimes on the eaves rang out with a clear, crisp sound.
"Hello, do you have an appointment?" the woman in a kimono asked respectfully.
"It's Mr. Yagyu's appointment," Risa announced.
"Please follow me." The female general bowed slightly and led her through the hall.
The shop is decorated in an elegant and sophisticated style, with calligraphy by famous calligraphers hanging on the walls and Zen-inspired flower arrangements in the corners.
These aren't completely enclosed private rooms, but rather semi-open seating areas, each cleverly separated by an elegant screen. This ensures privacy while maintaining an overall sense of openness.
(Yagyu says the other person is an "ordinary girl"...)
(But this place is members-only! Can ordinary people really meet here for blind dates?!)
(As expected, XF's world-building is flawed; "ordinary" is anything but ordinary.)
Risa followed behind the female general; the best seats by the window were already occupied by two people. Yagyu Hiroshi sat upright as always, calm and composed. And opposite him...
Risa blinked.
It was a woman dressed in a dark blue kimono, bowing her head to pour tea for Yagyu. From her angle, all she could see were the man's slender wrists and loose strands of hair.
I see......
Meeting here is neither impolite nor too intimate—truly the style of a gentleman.
Risa sat down in an empty seat not far from the two of them, where she could hear their conversation but wouldn't easily be noticed.
The waitress brought out the menu. This tea house is known for its blend of tradition and modernity, offering traditional Japanese tea snacks as well as exquisite Western afternoon tea.
After ordering an iced coffee, Risa pricked up her ears—
"...So, does Yagyu-kun intend to inherit his father's business in the future?" The woman's voice was very gentle.
“It’s still under consideration. My father does hope for it, but I think he needs more experience.”
That's a really official response...
Risa quietly took out her phone from her bag and sent a LINE message to Yagyu:
[Risa: Is it my turn? Or would you like to chat a little longer?]
【Risa: [Animated emoticon] smirk】
A few seconds later, the phone vibrated—
[Yagyu: Wait five more minutes.]
Risa raised an eyebrow.
Oh? An unexpected development?
She turned slightly to the side and looked through the openwork pattern of the screen.
Yagyu had his back to her, so her expression was not visible.
And that girl—
Risa finally saw her in full.
She had delicate features and a gentle temperament; her long, black hair was loosely tied up with a cherry blossom hairpin.
(Wait... that profile...)
Risa's pupils suddenly contracted.
When the woman lowered her eyes, a small mole was faintly visible at the corner of her eye.
Isn't she the wagashi master I saw on Instagram last month?
On the other side of the screen, the conversation continued:
"I see that Qingshuixuan's business has been doing very well recently, and it has received a lot of praise on food blogs."
"Yagyu-kun actually cares about these things? My father would be very pleased if he knew."
Qingshui Pavilion?
Is it really her?
I really want to rush over and ask.
Risa took a big gulp of iced coffee to calm her excited heart.
The phone vibrates in my palm:
[Yagyu: You can come over now]
Risa put away her phone, got up and walked towards Yagyu's table.
"Oh my, isn't this Yagyu-kun?" She stopped in her tracks, feigning surprise. "What a coincidence, you're here too?"
Liu Sheng looked up, his eyes behind his glasses showing a hint of helplessness.
(...Aren't you playing the girlfriend? Why are you addressing me so awkwardly?)
He adjusted his glasses, his expression calm: "Risa? What are you doing here?"
“I arranged to have tea here with a friend, but she had something come up at the last minute.” Risa gave an apologetic smile, then turned to the woman. “And this is…?”
Just as Yagyu was about to speak, the woman bowed slightly and said softly, "Nice to meet you. I am Shimizu Kazuko, and I run a wagashi (Japanese sweets) shop in Kanagawa."
Risa's eyes lit up: "Ah! It really is 'Kiyomizu-ken'? I love your strawberry daifuku!"
Kazuko Shimizu was somewhat surprised: "You know our shop?"
“Of course! I even queued up to buy it last month.” Risa sat down at the table. “I never expected to meet the shop owner here in person. I’m so lucky!”
Yagyu: "..."
(Risa Matsuno, what are you doing? This isn't what we agreed on!)
Risa completely ignored Yagyu's gaze, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the matcha daifuku on the table: "Wow, this looks delicious!"
"Would you like to try some?" Shimizu Kazuko enthusiastically pushed the dessert plate towards her. "This is a new item from our shop."
"Huh? Really?" Risa blinked, took the sweet, took a bite, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction: "Hmm! The filling... is cherry blossom red bean?"
“Yes.” Shimizu nodded happily. “I added a little salted cherry blossom leaf to balance the sweetness.”
“I saw you mention it on Instagram, and it’s really amazing.” Risa took another big bite and mumbled, “It’s sold out now, and I can’t get one every day.”
Risa left Yagyu aside and chatted enthusiastically with Shimizu Kazuko about making desserts. From ingredient selection to seasonal specialties, they got along very well and even exchanged LINE accounts.
"I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Matsuno Risa, and I'm Yagyu-kun's classmate," Risa introduced herself with a smile.
"Cough cough—"
Liu Sheng cleared his throat at the right moment, reminding her not to forget her persona.
“Actually…” Risa suddenly lowered her voice and leaned closer to the girl.
"I came here today to ruin your date."
Yagyu: "...!"
(I want to die... I should have just gone to Niou instead (ˉ▽ˉ；)...)
Shimizu asked in confusion, "Did you mess it up?"
Risa: "I'm a little worried because I heard that Hiroshi is going on a blind date today... After all, he always acts like he's not interested in dating."
"I see. But don't worry, I was urged to come by my grandfather today." The girl covered her mouth and chuckled, winking playfully. "Actually, I already have someone I like."
Risa: "!!!"
Yagyu: "..."
Things took an unexpected turn, but for Yagyu, it was a relief.
"The other person is my business partner in running the dessert shop, but my family still can't accept it..."
At this point, Shimizu Kazuko lowered her head, revealing a troubled expression.
After a moment of silence.
Risa suddenly clapped her hands: "Isn't this perfect?!"
She grabbed Qingshui's hand, her eyes sparkling: "Let's put on a show. You might have to suffer a little, but that way, your family shouldn't force you to go on blind dates anymore."
Kazuko Shimizu was stunned: "W-Is this okay?"
“Of course.” Risa turned to look at Yagyu, grinning. “Right, Yagyu-kun?”
Yagyu pushed up his glasses and sighed, "...Whatever you want."
Half an hour later, the three of them discussed their plan. After thanking him repeatedly, Shimizu Kazuko left with Yagyu.
Risa sat in the ryotei for about twenty more minutes.
Until the phone vibrates—
[Yagyu: Get ready to come over. Third floor of the Ginniang Pavilion, private room name: Bamboo Chamber.]
She smiled slightly, put down her teacup, paid the bill, and went out.
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