The incident happened suddenly
I'm disliked.
This was Yuko's first reaction.
Why?
This was Yuko's second reaction.
Yuko mentally searched for any connections she had with Emma.
Our second meeting.
The dialogue should not exceed three sentences.
And he even ate two of my dorayaki?
She came up with a reason for this: perhaps it was just a natural incompatibility, since she didn't seem to have done anything wrong. Besides, everyone probably has things they inexplicably dislike; for example, she herself inexplicably disliked carrots and tomatoes. Emma's brother was probably in the same boat…
Then she should just avoid appearing in front of him as much as possible. Putting herself in his shoes, she would be unhappy if she saw carrots at every meal. Yuko thought to herself.
Just then, a commotion arose in the crowd. The previously scattered people began to line up in an orderly fashion, clearing a path in the middle, just like when an ancient general traveled and everyone made way for him.
Led by Mikey, followed closely by captains such as Draken, Keisuke Bachang, Kazutora Hagiya, Takashi Mitani, and Apa, the group passed by under the watchful eyes of their underlings on both sides. As if they had been trained, they shouted in unison, "Thank you for your hard work, Commander!"
The sound was enormous, and the scene was spectacular.
"Am I right, Yuko? Don't you look like an idiot?" Nono whispered from the side.
Yuko didn't know how to answer. Tears welled up inside her. "Nono, I guess I'm one of those fools too, because that's how my family welcomed me..."
"The purpose of today's gathering is only one: to introduce everyone to the new vice-captain of the Fifth Division, Santu," Mikey said to the crowd, standing in front of the steps. The person standing next to him with his hands behind his back had light blonde hair that was almost white due to its light color, and his eyes were a blue that was not typical of Asians. He was wearing a black mask, so only the upper half of his face could be seen.
Sanzu Haruchiya greeted everyone: "I am Sanzu Haruchiya."
Yuko whispered to Emma and the others, "Haruchiyo (kun'yomi), what a cute name, and her eyes are blue."
Even though they were some distance apart, Yuko and the others could see them because they were standing on higher ground.
"Could they be mixed race?" Emma whispered in response. "Their eyelashes and hair are both blonde, it looks so unique."
"The Fifth Division, I remember it's a special team, responsible for investigating spies within Touman." Nono had known Manjiro and the others for a long time because of the location, and she was someone who had witnessed the establishment of Touman.
"How could there be a traitor? Didn't we all drink from the same cup before?" Yuko's words immediately revealed her background. After all, as far as she knew, leaders and their subordinates usually drank from the same cup.
This brings us to the organizational structure of the Meteor Society.
The headquarters is the main body, below which are several medium-sized groups, and below these medium-sized groups are several small groups, forming a support structure in the shape of a pyramid. Among these, the ritual of exchanging cups of wine to establish a relationship is very important. To put it another way, it is similar to the meaning of the bride and groom drinking from the same cup. After drinking the wine, they have established a parent-child relationship or a brotherhood relationship, to the point that they can entrust their lives to each other.
Nono and Emma quickly covered Yuko's mouth, afraid that others would hear, as they didn't want anyone to know about Yuko's shady background.
Emma said, "They're underage and can't drink!"
"Besides, only the executives and the boss drink the nuptial wine together; not everyone is qualified for that. In Dongwan, there shouldn't be any traitors among the executives, but we can't guarantee that there won't be spies from other factions among the subordinates," Nono explained.
Yuko, whose mouth was covered, did not struggle, but simply blinked to indicate that she understood.
Seeing this, Ye Ye and Emma let go of each other's hands.
"Yuko, you can't say things like that to people so casually in the future," Nono said to her very seriously.
Yuko thought for a moment, was it referring to the parent-child cup? Suddenly she realized that Nono and Emma already knew what her family did.
"You all know?" Yuko asked, a little embarrassed. Then, she added curiously, "But you all seemed perfectly normal when you came to my house last time?"
"That was all an act, okay?" Nono said helplessly. After all, for them who were still young, such things only existed in movies and novels. Being able to remain calm was already the limit.
Emma, recalling her visit to Yuko's house, couldn't help but say, "But it's really exaggerated! Yuko, your house is practically Himeji Castle from the Ooku."
"Ooku" is a historical drama that aired on Fuji Television last year. The series tells the story of the interpersonal relationships, loves, and hates of the women within the Ooku, depicting the rise and fall of the Tokugawa shogunate. (Encyclopedia entry)
When it aired, the viewership rating once reached 30%, and it was so popular that even if you hadn't watched a single episode, you could still learn about the plot from your classmates or acquaintances.
Himeji Castle is a real-world ancient building located in Hyogo Prefecture. Perched atop Mount Hime, it is also known as the White Heron Castle due to its white walls and elegant shape.
Yuko thought Emma's description was an exaggeration. Although her house was in a relatively remote location with no other residents nearby, it wasn't built on a mountain, nor did it have whitewashed walls. She simply understood that Emma and Nono were protecting her.
Yuko looked at Nono and Emma and wondered what she had done to deserve these two friends.
Even though I knew about her family background, I could still be friends with her.
There was no exploitation, no deception.
This gentle approach of treating everyone equally, and this careful protection.
Yuko felt as if she were soaking in warm water, her heart softening completely. She walked up to the two of them and gently hugged them: "I knew it, I love you the most."
Yuko rarely revealed her feelings so openly. She was always shy and cautious, like a small animal hiding in a cave, timidly peeking out, wanting to go out but not daring to.
This unexpected and heartfelt confession struck them both like a direct hit to the heart. Emma and Ye Ye were deeply moved, as if they had finally reached the summit after a long climb and witnessed the most beautiful view.
The three of them hugged each other silently for a while, and then Nono suddenly remembered: "Yuko, it seems to be quite late now."
“Oh right, Xiaoyou, doesn’t your house have a curfew?” Emma realized as well.
Yuko loosened her grip and glanced at her watch; it was indeed 8:33. How could she explain that her house didn't have a curfew, and that she rushed home every day just to catch the TV drama her beloved was watching…?
The gathering in Dongwan had already ended, and the others were walking over here. Nono called out to the crowd, "Kei, take Yuko home."
"Huh?" The venue looked completely bewildered.
“No way, if we send Yuko home from the venue, then Nono, you’ll have to wait here.” Emma immediately objected.
"Ah, then I'll go deliver it." Draken said casually. He was always mature and caring, so he didn't think it was troublesome; it was just delivering someone. Little did he know that his words were immediately rejected.
"No." Mikey, who was always by Draken's side, appeared from behind him. He stared at Yuko, his eyes unreadable, and said, "Shall I take you?"
Kazutaka, who had originally intended to speak up and offer to help Yuko, shut his mouth after hearing Mikey's words. He looked at Emma, Draken, Mikey, and Yuko, wondering what was going on.
Mikey seems to be intentionally reducing Yuko's contact with Draken.
Because Xiaoyouzi glanced at Draken a few more times last time?
He noticed Yuko's curious and interested expression at the time.
Emma and Draken have a mutual crush on each other again. Although they both think they're hiding it well, everyone else has already figured it out.
So that's how it is. Mikey thinks Yuko is interested in Draken and is afraid that Draken will be attracted to Yuko? That makes sense. After all, Yuko is very pretty, well-behaved but not boring, the type that boys would like.
Things seem to be getting more and more interesting~
Yi Hu decided to add fuel to the fire and started causing trouble: "Just let Draken deliver it. Mikey, aren't you taking Emma back with you?"
Mikey ignored Ichigo and stared intently at Yuko.
Yuko, who couldn't get a word in edgewise, was getting increasingly anxious.
No, she doesn't need to send it at all!
Waaaaah, he looked at me with that terrifying look again!
Yuko had a bitter pill to swallow, and in this predicament, she could only put on a fake smile.
"You're too kind..." because they were afraid to use honorifics.
"You don't want to?" Mikey asked, though it was a question, but it carried an air of undeniable authority.
Yuko was racking her brains for a way to refuse, but now she couldn't even say a word and could only accept: "Then, thank you for your trouble."
–
Before getting on the bus, Mikey gave her his helmet. Holding the helmet, Yuko felt a little more at ease, but this gesture also made her wonder if she had misunderstood him—maybe he was a good person?
She asked cautiously, "Don't you need anything?"
Mikey replied, "I think you'll need it more."
"Make sure you get Yuko home safely and don't let her get lost," Emma instructed anxiously as she sat in the Draken car before they left.
"I know, I know," Mikey said nonchalantly.
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