Chapter 56

(Third pov)

"Anyway, you seem to be having fun, Chizuru?"

Masamune glanced at Chizuru, ignoring Mami.

"Erm... yes," Chizuru lied.

"Wait, did he say Makabe Investment?"

"That private company? No way! I heard from my senpai that it's really hard to get an apprenticeship there, even though we're from Tokyo U."

"Is he for real?"

"But he said his name was Makabe, right? He has the same last name as Makabe Hachiro, and there's a rumor about his grandson running the company. So that might be true."

"Wait, I saw him driving an LFA before. It makes sense now."

Behind Nami, everyone was whispering about it and getting excited about Masamune.

As Mami watched Masamune and Chizuru talking together and ignoring her, she thought, 'How did I not realize he was a big shot? This bitch!' Mami glanced at Chizuru briefly, regretting why she decided to date Kazuya again. 'This random bitch. It's her fault! I see it now. I get why she quit her job as a rental girlfriend. She's after his money!'

"Uh, Mami-chan..."

Mami glanced back. Her boyfriend, Kazuya, was approaching her, but she ignored him and went back to Masamune.

"Oh my! What a pleasure to meet you, Makabe-san! Let me pour you a drink or something. Are you okay with sake, or maybe gin?"

Masamune smiled. "Thank you, but I avoid alcohol."

"I see... hahaha." Then Mami noticed Chizuru bringing a glass of orange juice.

'Tch! She's getting in my way. That's right. I'll tell him everything and make them break up in front of everyone!' Mami smiled inwardly.

"Uh, Makabe-san. Actually, did you know that your girlfriend has been doing a suspicious job, like being a rental girlfriend?"

Mami spoke, and everyone fell silent. Chizuru and Kazuya looked bewildered by her words.

"Mami, stop!" Kazuya exclaimed, but Mami continued, "That's right. Even my friend Kazuya called her many times before she quit that job. Isn't that awful? I didn't want to say this, but I have to. It's better if you leave Chizuru-chan for your own good."

'Fr-friend....?' Kazuya thought.

"Ugh..." Hearing this, Chizuru lowered her head as she felt everyone's gaze on her.

But then, a big hand touched her shoulder. "Lift your head, Chizuru. Because I'm really proud of you."

Chizuru looked at Masamune. She thought he would wash his hands of her and leave after Mami revealed everything in front many eyes.

"Huh?" Mami was bewildered.

Masamune's lower his eyelashes, "Chizuru's mother passed away not long after giving birth to her. Furthermore, Chizuru doesn't even know why her father left her. Not to mention her grandfather, who took her in, passed away after a car crash when she was in middle school."

Masamune placed the half-empty glass of orange juice down and stared deeply into Mami's eyes as he continued.

"Despite how awful her life has been, she's endured every inconvenience, working hard and proudly. She's been providing for her sick grandmother while still pursuing her dreams, even though she's had to endure so much. I don't need to explain further—these reasons alone are more than enough. That's why I'm so proud of her."

Chizuru listened to what he said.

Even though she felt humiliated, why was her chest pounding so hard now...

On the other hand, Masamune kept his sharp gaze directed at Mami. "After what you just did, you should be ashamed of yourself. It's pathetic to think that exposing someone else's secrets would make you feel better. Let's go home, Chizuru."

Masamune took Chizuru's hand, and the crowd instinctively stepped back, parting to make way for them. As the two walked away together, everyone's eyes shifted to Mami.

"Fuck, she's pathetic. I'm done here."

"She's been exposed now."

One by one, everyone left, walking past Mami, whose head was bowed, her eyes empty. She thought she'd get everyone's sympathy and support, but no one took her side. No one. Even Kazuya was no longer there after she dumped him for Masamune. Her living room went from busy to quiet in an instant.

---

Chizuru felt dizzy. Her heart was throbbing uncontrollably. She should've felt the cold air, but why... why did it feel so hot when the clock almost passed 9 PM?

"Hey, are you okay?"

Since she was shorter than him, she had to lift her head. Masamune looked at her with concern.

"Yeah... I'm fine, thank you."

"My bad. Sorry for asking."

"N-no! I mean it, I'm serious. I'm okay."

Masamune sighed. He took off his suit jacket and threw it at her. It landed perfectly on her head.

"Cover up, or you'll catch a cold."

As Masamune stood waiting for a taxi, he expected Chizuru to react violently like she usually did. But now, her behavior was really concerning. He glanced back at her, and he was bewildered.

"What?" Chizuru asked.

"Uh..." Masamune turned his head back to the road. "Nothing. Don't just stand there, come closer."

He then heard the sound of her heels stopping beside him.

'For real?'

He questioned Chizuru's behavior, wondering why she was being so obedient. His eyes shifted to the side. He noticed her brown hair moving as she put on his suit, but she only draped it over her shoulders like a coat.

Soon, a taxi stopped in front of them, and Masamune opened the back seat door.

"Get in."

Chizuru nodded meekly and entered without a second thought, leaving Masamune wondering, 'She's not broken, right?'

After all, she had just been roasted back there. Masamune sighed inwardly, feeling bad.

"Please drive us to this address," Masamune said to the driver.

"As you wish, sir."

Chizuru looked at Masamune. "You don't need to walk me to the front door of the apartment. I don't want to be a bother."

"Your place is closer than mine, and it's late. Gramps would kill me if I let you walk alone."

Chizuru hummed in a low tone, "Thank you..."

He nodded, then glanced out the window on his right. Chizuru's having a breakdown. Just seeing her like this sent chills through Masamune. The proud woman named Chizuru had become so subdued.

'CHIZURUUUU. W-WHY AM I DOING AS HE SAYS?! He's a brat, and I'm five years older than him, so why am I acting like a teenager around him?'

While Masamune thought Chizuru was having a mental breakdown, the real reason for her behavior was him!

'Hmm... his suit is so warm, soft, and... it smells goo—NOOOO! GET A GRIP, CHIZURU! Stop smelling it already!' Chizuru screamed in her inner thoughts.

'Why is she trembling?' Masamune glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Chizuru was even clutching his suit tightly. 'I knew it! Chizuru's still traumatized. Her face is as red as a tomato. Now I remember—Grandma Sayuri told me she easily gets sick when she's stressed, but she rarely gets sick, which means...' It's too much for her; she might need some care, Masamune thought.

"Hey, look here."

Chizuru glanced to her right, and suddenly, Masamune touched her forehead.

"It's a bit warm... Are you okay?"

Chizuru's face turned even redder as she froze, but her mind was screaming, 'You brat! It's your fault! I don't even know why I'm acting like this. Stop touching my head already! I'm not sick!'

"Maybe I should make you some soup when we get there."

"No, I'm fine," Chizuru said calmly, pushing his hand off her head.

"Uh... okay. But why are you sitting in the corner like that?"

Masamune looked at Chizuru. After he said that, she scooted away, creating some distance between them.

"I'm fine. It's just a bit hot, so..."

"..."

Then why are you hugging my suit like you're cold? was written all over his face.

'Ah... youth...'

The taxi driver uncle just smiled, watching these youngsters' love quarrel as he drove silently.

Soon, they arrived at Chizuru's apartment complex. Even after getting a better job and a higher income, she had decided to stay here since it was cheap and close to Tokyo U, where her college was.

"Okay, make sure you eat something if you're not feeling well," Masamune said inside the taxi.

Chizuru couldn't look him in the eye and nodded a little. Then she sighed, gathering some courage, "Do you want to eat something with me?" She asked, blushing slightly. "Maybe we could... watch something to help with your acting."

'Did she just said Netflix and chill? No, this is Chizuru. She hates stuff like that.'

But Masamune got out of the taxi, paid the fare, and decided to go to her place once again, after all, he'd been invited.

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