Just as the resentment that had been building up in her heart resurfaced, a crisp clapping sound came from behind her, instantly shattering her thoughts.
"Aunt Jinghua, you're as charming as ever!"
Yuzuru, who had been watching silently from the side, clapped his hands and got up from the edge of the steps, walking quickly over.
"You... Yuzuru-kun, what is this...?"
Ikeba Shizuka recognized the person who came, and her eyes showed surprise.
"Aunt Jinghua, you can just call me Yuzuru."
With a smile on his face, Yuzuru sat down cross-legged next to her naturally.
This action brought the two very close, close enough that they could clearly smell each other's scent.
Ikeba Shizuka subconsciously wanted to sit a little further to the side and create some distance, but the friendly and warm aura emanating from the boy made her stop.
"Kazuha is going back to Osaka today, and I was worried about her, so I came back with her."
Yu Shengnan turned his head, his gaze fixed intently on the dignified and elegant woman with a few strands of hair clinging to her temples, a fleeting look of amazement flashing in his eyes.
Putting aside her outstanding temperament, her fair and delicate skin, which is still as fair as a young girl's at the age of 40, is enough to amaze people.
Chibo Jinghua nodded slightly. She knew about Kazuha's trip to Dongdu, and she had even asked him to attend her classmate's son's wedding in her place.
She looked at the gentle and polite young man beside her, her eyes filled with gratitude: "So that's how it is. I haven't thanked you yet for what happened in Dongdu. It's all thanks to you, Yuzuru."
As she spoke, Ikeba Shizuka was about to stand up and express her sincere gratitude.
Yu Shengnan reached out and pressed her shoulder in time, still with a gentle smile on his face, and said, "It was nothing, Aunt Jinghua, please don't be so polite with me. He Ye has always respected you."
He deliberately brought up Kazuha to make Ikenami Shizuka understand that he was only doing this because of Kazuha, and not because he had any other ulterior motives, in order to prevent her from becoming suspicious.
Although, he really does have it~
"Well, I still want to thank you properly, Yuzuru. Bring Kazuha to my house another day, and I'll cook you a big meal."
While extending a warm invitation, Ikeba Shizuka subtly removed the large hand from her shoulder.
She had been wondering for the past few days why this young man who had stolen her intended daughter-in-law was so enthusiastic in helping her. Now, after hearing this explanation, she understood that it was because he loved her so much that he loved everything about her.
He is a smart, sensible, and polite child.
No wonder Kazuha gave up on Heiji.
Thinking of Hattori Heiji, Ikenami Shizuka couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Her son, whom she had always regarded as her pride and had carefully nurtured for many years, had recently brought her endless disappointment time and time again.
She actually went out to attend a wedding and then called the police to report it – such an absurd thing! It was the wedding of her best friend's son.
If it weren't for the Morizono family's consideration for her, or rather...
Ikenami Shizuka turned to look at the boy beside her, or rather, out of consideration for Hanyu Nan, she did not delve into Hattori Heiji's act of secretly planting a listening device.
Even so, she doesn't know how to face her deceased classmates in the future.
“Great! I heard from Kazuha that you, Aunt Jinghua, are known as the ‘Queen of Dinner’. I’ve always really wanted to try your dinner.”
Yuzuru tilted his head mischievously, his eyes sparkling, making a look of eager anticipation and drooling.
"Then Auntie will be waiting for you to come."
Upon hearing this, Ikeba Shizuka couldn't help but chuckle softly, her laughter as clear and melodious as a silver bell. Her mood improved as a result, and the gloom that had been lingering in her heart seemed to dissipate somewhat.
Then, she looked at the kendo uniform on Yuzuru's body, parted her lips slightly, and asked softly, "Yuzuru, are you here to practice kendo?"
"Oh, Aunt Jinghua, you mean this!"
Yuzuru tugged at his kendo uniform and explained, "I was on my way back just now when I passed by here and suddenly decided to learn some kendo, so I came in to take a look."
"Is that so..."
Chibo Jinghua nodded thoughtfully, thinking to herself, "I was wondering why someone would come to practice swordsmanship without even bringing a sword. It turns out it was a spur-of-the-moment decision."
"However, after watching Aunt Jinghua's match just now, I suddenly felt that I should learn kendo properly. It is a skill that is very worthwhile to master and study in depth."
Yuzuru changed the subject, looking at Ikenami Shizuka with a solemn expression, his eyes filled with longing for the way of the sword and admiration for Ikenami Shizuka.
"Um?"
Upon hearing his words, Ikenami Shizuka sat up straight, a hint of surprise on her face, and asked, "Hanyu, have you practiced kendo before?"
"No, this is my first time practicing. I've only ever watched others practice before. I don't know why, but when I passed by here, I just couldn't help but walk in."
Yu Shengnan shook his head, feigning confusion. "I was just planning to play around with it casually, but after seeing your swordsmanship, Auntie, I think I should seriously learn it."
Hearing that she wanted to learn because of him, Ikeba Shizuka frowned. "In that case, Yuusuke, you'd better be prepared to suffer. Learning kendo is not something that can be accomplished overnight."
"Of course, once a man has made a promise, it is hard to follow him."
Yuzuru straightened his chest, patted his chest forcefully, and made a solemn promise.
Hehe~
Ikeba Shizuka couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh. The boy's feigned maturity was truly full of childishness and cuteness.
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