Chapter 60 Straight to the Point
A slightly heavy snoring sound came from inside.
Realizing something, Hana looked down and saw Rukawa Kaede tilting his head and lying on the side of the sofa.
Her face was cold and pale, her lips were very light in color, and she looked weak from just recovering from an illness. Her eyelashes were thick and long, giving off an air of "Don't wake me up even if the world ends."
The way he held her hand was possessive, as if even in his sleep he was wary of her being taken away.
Hana sat up straight, placed her left hand on his forehead, and carefully sensed his body temperature.
After a few seconds, she breathed a sigh of relief; the temperature had finally come down.
Rukawa Kaede was sleeping soundly. Right now, he was like a beautiful but fragile piece of porcelain, making people unconsciously like him yet requiring careful handling.
There was no trace of the fierce, aggressive style he displayed when playing.
Hanon gently pressed down a handful of her frizzy black hair; it felt very soft to the touch.
Then he stretched out his index finger and poked Rukawa Kaede's cheek.
She tried to pull her right hand away, but he gripped it even tighter. His eyes were still closed, but his cheek unconsciously brushed against her hand.
Huayin called him, "Rukawa."
Rukawa Kaede gave a nasal "Mmm" without even trembling his eyelashes.
"Rukawa".
Now, they're too lazy to even hum in response.
Kanon didn't say anything more, but instead reached out her left hand and pinched Rukawa's nose.
Rukawa closed his eyelids, a hint of restlessness in his eyes, and seemed somewhat impatient.
Hanon stopped moving.
Recalling the incident where Rukawa was woken up by the teacher while sleeping, she raised an eyebrow slightly, wondering if his morning grumpiness was about to lash out at her.
Thinking about it that way, it actually sounds kind of exciting!
"Rukawa, wake up."
Unexpectedly, the next second, Rukawa Kaede naturally grabbed her left wrist, rubbed it against his cheek, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Nini, what's wrong?"
"You get some rest, I'm going home now."
Rukawa Kaede raised his head, blinked his dry, beady eyes, and his black hair became even more frizzy.
Hanon tried to pull her hand back.
Rukawa Kaede didn't release it.
Perhaps because they had been holding hands for so long, their palms were covered in sweat and were intertwined in a damp manner.
Hana didn't quite understand what he wanted to do, and looked somewhat bewildered: "Let go."
She could clearly sense a fleeting hint of melancholy and frustration in Rukawa Kaede's eyes as he looked at her.
After a few seconds, Rukawa Kaede shook his head, looking dazed, "If I let go, you won't want me anymore."
Her voice was hoarser than usual, with a deep bass that gave her a sexy quality beyond her years.
Hana's heart pounded intensely. She looked up at him, wondering if he was still asleep.
He seemed to sense her strong reaction to those words, his gaze fixed on her, adopting the air of a heartless man: "You don't want me anymore."
They looked at each other.
His mood wasn't very high; his eyelashes drooped, making his eyes appear even narrower and droopier; his gaze was stubborn yet moist, making him look somewhat pitiful.
Oh my god, that expression again.
In that instant, Hana felt as if her heart had been slightly struck by something, and an electric shock-like tremor spread from the inside out.
"No."
Rukawa Kaede immediately sat down on the sofa, staring intently and directly into Kanon's eyes, pressing for an answer, "Nothing?"
Hana's eyelashes curved, and as he wished, she finished speaking, "I don't mean I don't want you."
"Um."
Rukawa Kaede's voice rose slightly at the end, filled with the ecstatic joy of regaining what he had lost.
Hanon tried to pull her right hand away, but couldn't. The person next to her gripped it even tighter.
The proud fox lowered its head: "I'm sorry."
An apology.
It's about facing yourself honestly, and it's also about respecting others.
Hana was taken aback.
A brief silence.
Rukawa Kaede gently rubbed his fingertips against her palm, a gesture of affection like that of an animal: "These past few days, it's been my fault."
Hanon's heart skipped a beat for a moment.
In interpersonal communication, many problems can be easily solved as long as one party is willing to back down.
This is the area where Rukawa Kaede is least skilled. Because of his mindset and environment, he's simply too lazy to think about many problems.
Kain is an exception.
He didn't actually think that much about it; his mind automatically conjured up all sorts of methods and tricks to seduce her into liking him.
Hana asked, "So, what's gotten into you these past few days?"
The fox's face stiffened, and it remained silent.
Kanon: "Then, shall we make up?"
This sentence is just like in my dream—
Recalling that dream, Rukawa's expression stiffened even more.
In the turbulent years of adolescence, those colorful little thoughts are hard to suppress, and the mind is full of indescribable images.
Rukawa Kaede's serious expression was about to crumble, and even his breathing became erratic.
Hanon was completely confused, but didn't delve into it. She only knew that these awkward few days had passed.
Rukawa Kaede suppressed his intense shame and said calmly, "Nini, if I do something wrong, tell me and don't ignore me, okay?"
Although the phrase "good or bad" was used to modify the ending, it clearly did not allow Kanon any room for choice.
"Can I give a bad answer?"
"cannot."
That's really domineering.
Hana inwardly grumbled, but she knew it was because she had indulged him—
His actions sent a signal to Rukawa that he could do this and express any demands in a domineering manner.
How far can she go in indulging him?
Hanon doesn't know either.
Rukawa Kaede spoke again, "Nini."
Her train of thought interrupted, she turned to look at Rukawa Kaede, "Hmm?"
"Give me back my wristband."
"...I didn't bring it."
Besides, it was originally hers, so what's this about returning it?
Rukawa looked at her almost accusingly, as if blaming her for not bringing such an important item with her.
"Remember to return it to me tomorrow."
Huayin:……
You know how to push your luck.
"Xiao Feng brought a friend back? Wait a minute, does this kid even have friends?"
A familiar, neutral, low-pitched voice came from the doorway, tinged with obvious disbelief.
Hanon and Rukawa Kaede turned their heads at the same time, their eyes meeting those of the Rukawa couple at the door.
Keiko Rukawa was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, "Oto?! Oh my god!"
Hanon shook off Rukawa's hand as if she'd been electrocuted and stood up: "...Hello, Uncle and Aunt."
Rukawa Kaede stood up with her, put his hands in his pockets, and greeted her, "Father, Mother."
It was Rukawa's usual indifference, as if he had no connection with the couple at all.
But every decoration and photo wall in the house exudes a strong sense of love and happiness.
When she met her elders, Hana felt inexplicably embarrassed.
During the small talk, Hana observed for a while and noticed—
This family of three is all incredibly good-looking.
Keiko Rukawa has a sweet appearance with slightly round cheeks and round eyes with droopy corners, making her look very youthful and innocent, like a child who will never grow up.
If it weren't for her unique voice, Kanon would never have recognized that Rukawa Kaede's mother looked so young!
The man embracing Keiko Rukawa exuded a noble and elegant air, both in his demeanor and attire.
Rukawa Kaede's appearance is mostly derived from his mother.
With fair skin, jet-black hair, and narrow, fox-like eyes, he combines the upturned phoenix eyes of Rukawa's father with the slightly drooping corners of Rukawa's mother's eyes.
Hanon had never seen anything so complex and contradictory, yet ultimately all of it culminated in a single, beautiful individuality.
It is both full of tension and aggressive, yet also possesses an endearing quality.
Inappropriately, Kanon recalled Kana's comment on Rukawa's appearance, saying that he was particularly pure.
At the time, I really couldn't understand how the coolest guy in Kanagawa could be described as such. But now, seeing Rukawa and his wife, I suddenly understand.
Rukawa Kaede has a cool, aloof air, like the dawn, and a very distant presence.
It is also like glacial water, clear and transparent, giving people a sense of purity and innocence.
This little fox has perfectly inherited the best features of its parents.
Keiko Rukawa grinned from ear to ear: "What's going on here in broad daylight...?"
Hanon said guiltily, "Rukawa had a fever, so I brought him back to rest."
This morning, Rukawa gave her his umbrella, which is why he got caught in the rain and caught a cold.
Suddenly it dawned on her that it was Rukawa Kaede who was sick, while she was comfortably lying on that luxurious sofa!
Even the usually composed Hanon couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
So it wasn't a date after all!
"It's not what I expected," Keiko Rukawa thought with a hint of disappointment. She waved her hand dismissively.
"Oh, it's nothing. Xiao Feng is in good health and has a strong immune system. Naturally, his fever is higher than that of an average person, but he recovers quickly. It's a pity you made this trip for nothing."
Hanon's lips twitched slightly. "...Of course."
Rukawa Kaede remained expressionless.
Keiko Rukawa: "Oto, let's have dinner together?"
Kanon: "I'm so sorry, Hanamichi is probably still waiting for me."
Keiko Rukawa's heart softened a bit when she thought of the two siblings who depended on each other for survival: "Alright, bring Hanamichi over for dinner another day."
Hanon agreed, politely said goodbye, and then rushed out of Rukawa Kaede's house as if her life depended on it.
Rukawa Kaede followed behind with his hands in his pockets at a leisurely pace.
You can see your own reflection through the clear, clean glass window.
Her once smooth and soft hair, after a night's sleep, was now a tangled mess, like a swarm of bees.
Hanon unconsciously scratched her head: "Oh my god! I look... awful!"
I even ran into a parent! How embarrassing!
Her hair was dyed a light pink, and when the sunlight shone on it, her cheeks were covered with fine, golden downy hairs, a natural makeup look that made her unbelievably beautiful.
Her beautiful fox-like eyes were clean and pure: "Very beautiful."
Who doesn't love to hear praise?
Hanon was secretly pleased, but managed a weak reply, "I'm alright... I'll head back now. You should rest well today, and join the practice again once you're better from your cold..."
Her words came to an abrupt halt as she lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the hand being held by Rukawa Kaede.
The person pulling her was clearly not very strong, and the force was very light. It seemed that he would let go as soon as she struggled slightly.
"Nini."
Hanon was a beat slow to react: "Huh?"
He tightened his grip on her hand slightly, his gaze burning and direct, and he said decisively, "Only lovers can hold hands like this."
The sudden, direct attack completely stunned Hanon: "...Hmm."
Rukawa Kaede went straight to the point, speaking with utmost seriousness: "I like you. Please go out with me."
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