youth
Even though there were study sessions, they could only serve to reinforce learning, so Yuko still hired a private tutor to help her. She spent one morning of her two-day weekend in class and the afternoon at the dojo.
After her lunch break that day, she made some quick preparations and was about to head out.
"Miss, the gatekeeper says there's a girl outside who wants to see you," the maid said to Yuko.
Yuko paused, a look of confusion on her face. If it were Nono or Emma, the servants would have brought them in without announcing them, indicating that the visitor wasn't someone she knew. Nevertheless, she decided to go and see them. Yuko picked up her bag and walked out of the room. The man who had been guarding the door silently extended his hand. Yuko handed him the bag and walked ahead, the man following behind. Only after crossing the courtyard and exiting the gate did Yuko meet the visitor. The person who wanted to see her was none other than the girl who had received her favor.
"Rina?" Yuko asked after a moment of surprise, "What's wrong?"
The girl standing under the lantern in the entrance hall looked very haggard. Upon seeing Yuko, she took a step forward hastily, but then restrained herself and stopped.
Yuko was worried about her extremely poor condition, but instead of pointing it out, she said, "It seems like this can't be explained in just a few words. Come in first." Yuko invited her in, feeling somewhat helpless. It seemed she wouldn't be able to go to the dojo today and would have to ask her teacher for leave later.
After entering the house, the maid served hot tea.
Rina held the teacup, looking dazed, and remained silent.
Yuko waited for a while, and seeing that she didn't speak, she spoke first and changed the subject: "Is the tea not to your taste? Should we change it to a beverage?"
Rina didn't answer. She suddenly stood up and knelt down before Yuko: "Please let me stay here! I want to repay your kindness!"
Yuko was surprised by her actions and quickly went to help her up, saying, "Get up, I don't need you to repay me."
Rina seemed to be stung by Yuko's words, her hands trembling as she grabbed Yuko's arm: "I can do anything, even be a maid, please... If even you don't need me, how am I supposed to live..."
Yuko finally understood Rina's problem after hearing this.
The trauma caused by this incident is too great to heal on her own. Her soul has nowhere to go. The only thing keeping her alive now is that she has not yet repaid Yuko's kindness. Her life is still useful, and she cannot die.
"I understand." Yuko held out her hand, and someone handed her a tissue. She took it and carefully wiped Rina's tears. "You can stay here starting today."
Rina's eyes welled up with tears of gratitude, and she felt at peace knowing she had a belief to live for. She said to Yuko, "I will definitely be obedient and won't cause you any trouble."
Yuko responded with a smile, but she was actually unsure of herself. No matter how smart she was, she couldn't make up for her lack of experience, and she was at a loss in the face of this situation.
Fortunately, there are many people in her family who are more experienced than her.
After learning about this, Takiya Hideo first told Yuko that since she had chosen to do this, she shouldn't regret it and should take responsibility. He also told her that even if Rina followed her for the rest of her life, she shouldn't complain. Then he went to find Rina.
"Your fear stems from your lack of strength. If you had the power to fight those scumbags, your fear would dissipate on its own. However, my family doesn't support idlers or welcome half-hearted individuals. If you want to repay this kindness, you should give it your all."
The imposing presence of Takiya Hideo, with his absolute authority and commanding manner, did not frighten Rina; on the contrary, it made her feel at ease because of his clear instructions.
She will do it.
Since then, Yuko's driver has changed to Hanma, and the passenger seat is occupied by Asakura Rina, now called Riko, who changed the last character of her name to the same character as her benefactor.
The energy unleashed when a person abandons everything and focuses solely on a single goal is immense. Riko grew rapidly, and with Kuroki's help, she discovered her special talent.
After dropping Yuko off at school, Riko, who had been smiling and saying goodbye, turned around and showed an impatient expression. After getting into the car, she slammed the door shut, and upon seeing Hanma, who was the driver, she completely abandoned the obedient demeanor she showed in front of Yuko.
"Tsk, can you please stop dragging me down?" Riko casually started picking a fight.
Hanma, completely unfazed and even shameless, replied, "I wish I could, Riko, but I've never been to school." This was the truth, and it delayed their academic progress as a result.
Banjian has no home; he's been alone since he can remember. Just surviving is a struggle, and going to school is a luxury for him. But to say he feels inferior because of this is utter nonsense.
Riko, who was originally prepared to say a few more sarcastic remarks, was unable to speak again because of the meaning behind his words.
But I still told myself that.
You are not worthy to be by Yuko's side at all.
You scum.
Riko didn't just dislike Hanma. She disliked every single thug, especially those who swarmed around Yuko like flies.
Only in front of Yuko could she hide her true feelings and maintain basic respect for these people.
Yuko was completely unaware of this.
After school, she didn't have her family pick her up; instead, she went out for curry with Draken and Mikey.
During the meal, Yuko picked out carrots one by one for Mikey, while Mikey picked out onions for Draken.
Draken's temple bulged with veins: "Food isn't for you to play with like this."
Yuko, feeling guilty, said, "Ah... I'm just not very good at eating carrots."
Mikey said frankly, "I hate eating onions."
draken: "You guys are short because you're picky eaters."
This statement struck a nerve with both of them.
Mikey: "You're lying! I took a nap!"
Yuko: "I-I drink milk every day too!"
draken: ...
Gradually, their dates, which involved only three people and were constantly bumping into each other by Emma, turned into dates for four. Draken didn't know if Mikey had noticed, but…
"Was it Yuko who told Emma where we were?"
On the riverbank, Yuko sat with her knees bent, Mikey had one arm around her shoulder. Hearing his words, they both turned to look at him.
Draken seemed oblivious, looking at the river. He picked up a pebble and threw it over, saying, "There's no need to do this to match us up."
"No." Yuko made an X with her hands.
Draken was somewhat speechless, not expecting Yuko to refuse so bluntly: "This is between her and me..."
“It’s my business if I tell Emma,” Yuko replied with the same statement.
Draken looked at Mikey, signaling him to intervene on Yuko. Mikey shrugged, indicating he couldn't, and even sided with her, saying, "Yuko is quite right, isn't she?"
Draken scratched his head in frustration: "I'm telling you..."
Yuko interrupted him, "Ken-kun." A gentle breeze blew, ruffling their hair. Yuko looked directly at him. "Time is precious. Since you like her, you shouldn't make a girl wait like this. If you can stand by and watch Emma and others have what you consider happiness, a happiness you definitely can't have, then look me in the eyes and tell me."
Draken was intimidated by Yuko's imposing presence. He was an orphan who grew up in a brothel; he had nothing, he didn't deserve it. He told himself that, but why... why was there still a tiny, tiny bit of resentment in his heart?
It was this resentment that he couldn't bring himself to say. No matter how eloquently he spoke, claiming it was for Emma's own good and that she deserved someone better, it all stemmed from his insecurity and the suffocating guilt and panic that followed the thought of Emma's misfortune because of him.
Just as he was lost in thought, he received a flick on the forehead.
"pain!"
"What are you thinking about, Jianzi?" Mikey squatted down in front of him without him noticing. "You still have us, don't you?"
Yuko peeked out from behind him: "Yeah, we'll do our best to support you, don't worry."
Looking at their laughing faces, Draken realized with a start that Yuko and Mikey were strangely similar in many ways. No matter which one of them said it, people couldn't help but believe that they could do it.
"Stop nagging." Draken rubbed his forehead, then realized what he meant. "Mikey..." He rubbed his fist, his face contorted with rage. "Shouldn't I return the favor for the hit you gave me while I was distracted?"
Mikey: "Oh no." He looked at Yuko, only to see his girlfriend smiling at him and giving him a thumbs-up.
So you could see two boys on the riverbank surrounding a girl, King Qin, and making a ruckus for a very long time.
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