6:50 PM.
Shuichi Hayashi arrived early at the entrance of Mihama Central Tower.
"Hiss…" He winced, rubbing his lips.
Christmas Eve? More like Chaos Eve, he grumbled to himself.
Teeth marks on his neck, a bitten lip—how was this remotely peaceful?
Earlier, at the amusement park entrance, his cousin Reiko had parted with him by demanding a kiss. Without thinking much of it, Shuichi had leaned in. But mid-kiss, Reiko bit his lip—hard enough to draw blood.
With her lips stained red, Reiko had walked away, looking smugly satisfied.
Shuichi, stunned, had stood there for a while, wondering when his little cousin had developed such bizarre habits.
With his date with Eri Kisaki looming, he'd hurriedly caught a taxi to Mihama Central Tower.
Five minutes before seven, Eri pulled up in her car.
Seeing her step out, Shuichi remembered the bandage on his face and ripped it off before approaching.
"Eri!"
The lawyer didn't respond at first, her eyes scanning his cheek for the lipstick mark she'd left. Satisfied it was still there, she nodded, hooked her arm through his, and led him into the tower.
…
At the Sky Restaurant, after ordering, Eri noticed Shuichi occasionally touching his lips. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Bit myself at lunch," Shuichi said.
"You're a grown man and you bite yourself eating?" Eri chuckled. "By the way, about that offer from the police department…"
"Let's wait," Shuichi said, shaking his head. "I haven't decided yet."
"The terms Director Hakuba offered are already generous, Shuichi…" Eri pressed.
"No rush," Shuichi said with a smile. "The detective scene's getting crowded, and the police are feeling the heat. If we hold out, they'll sweeten the deal."
"Don't mess this up," Eri warned, frowning.
"If I do, so what?" Shuichi shrugged. "I can always go private detective. Money's not an issue."
"You…" Eri huffed. "I don't even know what I saw in you."
"I'm curious too," Shuichi teased. "Why would a genius like you give up studying abroad for me?"
"Making fun of me now?"
Eri, flustered, kicked at him under the table, but Shuichi caught her ankle, slipping off her high heel.
"Shuichi! This is a restaurant, don't…" Eri's pale cheeks flushed as he caressed her foot.
"What's the big deal? Others here are having more fun than us," Shuichi said, nodding toward a nearby table.
Eri glanced over. A lone man sat there. "What's off? He's just waiting for someone."
"Waiting?" Shuichi laughed. "His date's been here for a while."
"Where? I don't see her."
"She ducked under the table a minute ago."
"What?"
Eri froze, then blushed deeper as she caught his meaning.
Eri's feet, delicate and soft, were a favorite of Shuichi's to tease. Normally, even in private, a touch there could unravel her. In a crowded restaurant, it was overwhelming.
Biting her lip to stay silent, Eri reached her limit. Knowing she'd embarrass herself if this continued, she lunged forward, grabbing Shuichi's collar.
"Forget dinner! We're… we're going…"
"Where?" Shuichi teased, grinning.
Eri, past caring, glared at him, face crimson. "To the hotel!"
Shuichi released her foot. Eri slipped her heel back on, and they stood to leave just as the waiter arrived with appetizers.
"You're leaving?" the waiter asked.
"Bill, please," Shuichi said, handing over a gold card.
…
In the hotel room, Shuichi and Eri lay sprawled on the bed, fast asleep, their clothes strewn across chairs and the floor.
Eri had booked the room in advance, and they'd headed straight there from the restaurant.
Despite her bold claim that neither would sleep, Eri was no match for Shuichi's stamina. After over two hours, she'd collapsed, exhausted.
Shuichi had planned to rest briefly before slipping out to pick up Yukiko Fujimine at the airport. But he'd fallen asleep too, waking only at 11 PM.
Crap—Yukiko's probably landed by now!
Carefully disentangling himself from Eri's arms and legs, Shuichi eased off the bed, groping in the dark for his clothes.
My underwear? No, that's lace…
It took ten minutes to find his outfit. Dressed, he slipped out of the room.
Unbeknownst to him, the moment the door clicked shut, Eri stirred, her hands searching for him. Finding only empty sheets, her eyes snapped open, her face darkening.
"Hmph, you think I don't know that curly-haired fox is back in Tokyo tonight?"
…
Outside the hotel, Shuichi flagged a taxi and raced to the airport.
He'd feared Yukiko's New York flight had already landed, but the taxi's radio reported a weather delay—her plane wouldn't arrive until 1 AM.
Shuichi breathed a sigh of relief.
"Need a tissue, sir?" the driver asked, stifling a laugh.
"What?" Shuichi frowned.
"Your face…" The driver handed him a pack of tissues.
Shuichi checked the rearview mirror and groaned. His face was covered in kiss marks from Eri's passionate moments.
He frantically wiped them off.
All three women today seemed determined to leave their mark on him.
By the time he'd cleaned up, the taxi reached the airport. With ten minutes until the flight landed, Shuichi dashed to a bathroom, scrubbing his face to erase any lingering lipstick scent.
At 1 AM, the plane touched down.
In the arrivals hall, Shuichi spotted Yukiko Fujimine, sporting large sunglasses.
Compared to the teenager of six years ago, Yukiko was now radiantly mature, her figure captivating.
Unlike her original worldline, where she retired after becoming a global movie star, this Yukiko was still thriving in the film industry.
"Shuichi!"
Yukiko waved, dragging her suitcase and jogging toward him in high heels. Worried she'd trip, Shuichi hurried to meet her.
Just as he'd feared, a few steps away, Yukiko stumbled with a yelp, pitching forward.
Shuichi, prepared, caught her in his arms. "You're not a kid anymore. Why so reckless?"
"Who're you calling old?" Yukiko huffed, pinching his waist. "I'm still in my prime!"
"Right, right, blooming youth," Shuichi chuckled, taking her suitcase. "Let's go home."
"Wait." Yukiko leaned in, sniffing him. "You smell like that Glasses Girl," she said with a cold snort. "Just came from a date with her, didn't you?"
"Uh…" Shuichi gave an awkward laugh, scrambling for an excuse, but Yukiko wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close.
"Whatever. At least you didn't spend the night with her. This Christmas Eve, I win!"
"There's a scoreboard for this?" Shuichi asked, half-laughing, half-exasperated.
"I can lose to anyone but that Glasses Girl!" Yukiko declared. Then, with a sly smile, she added, "Darling, guess what's in my suitcase?"
"Costumes from your shoots?" Shuichi ventured.
"Nope, try again!" Yukiko licked her lips, her tone teasing. "Stuff you're always begging me to…"
"You actually got them?" Shuichi's eyes lit up.
"All for you! Some outfits were impossible to find, so I had to make them myself," Yukiko said with a playful huff. "As your reward tonight, you can pick any outfit from the suitcase. You love teasing me, don't you? Well, tonight, I'll let you…"
Before she could finish, Shuichi, unable to resist, pulled her close and kissed her.
After a passionate kiss, they linked hands, ready to leave the airport. But as they turned, they froze.
Ten meters away stood Eri Kisaki, her face like thunder.
"You swore you'd only be with me tonight!"
Under Shuichi's stunned gaze, Eri pulled a dagger from her coat and charged.
A sharp pain stabbed his abdomen, accompanied by Yukiko's scream. A song from his past life's Christmases echoed in his mind—To the Shores of Sorrow.
"I… I just wanted everyone to be happy!"
…
In the hotel room, Shuichi bolted upright, drenched in sweat.
In the darkness, he frantically touched his abdomen. No pain—nothing.
Had he… transmigrated again?
Glancing around, he saw Eri, still sound asleep beside him.
He checked the bedside clock: 11 PM.
Phew, it was just a dream…
Wiping his brow, Shuichi realized Yukiko's plane had likely landed. He carefully disentangled himself from Eri's limbs and crept out of bed.
Before leaving, he glanced back at Eri, the nightmare still lingering. To be safe, he tucked his pillow into her arms for her to hold, then slipped out of the room.
The moment the door clicked shut, Eri stirred, her hands groping for him. Clutching the pillow tighter, she hugged it close, mistaking it for Shuichi…
(End of Chapter)
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.