"Is that so?" Fujimine Yukiko froze, her lively eyes dimming as she recalled Hayashi Shuichi mentioning his parents' passing when he was young.
Guilt flooded her. "I'm so sorry, Shuichi. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."
"It's fine. It's been over a decade. I barely remember their faces," Hayashi Shuichi said calmly, waving it off.
He spoke truthfully, but the others assumed he was downplaying it to ease their worries.
Hii Eri shot Yukiko a glare. Yukiko, unusually, didn't retort, lowering her head in shame.
Doiwaki Ruri, watching the scene, felt her concern for her friend ease slightly.
Seated at the counter's high stool, she twirled her spoon, her gaze drifting among the group.
Truthfully, her visit to Mihama wasn't just for her date with Mouri Kogoro—she was also worried about Eri.
Though the two friends had been apart for over two months, they often chatted by phone.
Lately, Eri had been venting about the "curly-haired vixen" who clung to Hayashi Shuichi like a shadow.
From Eri's anxious ramblings, Ruri sensed her friend's growing unease.
Before high school, plenty of girls had sent Hayashi Shuichi love letters or boldly confessed, but he'd rejected them all, passing their letters to Eri.
To Ruri, Hayashi Shuichi and Eri were destined to be together.
Mouri Kogoro likely thought so too, or he wouldn't have suddenly changed his mind and asked her out.
But this "vixen" who appeared in high school was different—beautiful, graceful, with a personality that meshed perfectly with Hayashi Shuichi's.
Seeing Eri's anxiety, Ruri wanted to help.
She used to avoid dressing up, thinking Kogoro preferred smart girls, so she focused on studies, sporting a plain ponytail and thick glasses that hid half her face.
After her failed confession in junior high and moving away from Tokyo, Ruri let go of her hang-ups. Learning makeup from her theater-working mother, she transformed from a studious girl into the radiant beauty she was now.
Ruri had worried Eri was losing ground in this "emotional battle" and planned to help her outshine the vixen.
But seeing things now, Eri clearly had the upper hand.
The izakaya fell quiet, everyone lost in their thoughts.
Then, with a creak, the door burst open.
Mouri Kogoro, hair a mess and panting, rushed in. "Ruri? Is she here?"
"What do you want with her?" Eri asked, glancing at her friend, who sat with her back to Kogoro, visibly nervous. A mischievous smile crept onto Eri's lips. "Weren't you two on a date?"
"I got the meeting spot wrong," Kogoro said, scratching his head awkwardly. "I was halfway to the station when I remembered it was the izakaya."
"Good thing Ruri hasn't arrived yet. I was worried she'd be mad and leave if I wasn't here."
Kogoro wiped sweat from his brow as he spoke.
"You're spot on," Hayashi Shuichi said, playing along with Eri. "Ruri was here earlier, but when she saw you weren't, she left, looking disappointed…"
Before he could finish, Kogoro spun around, ready to bolt. "I'll go find her!"
He nearly tripped over a chair in his haste.
"Wait, Kogoro!" Ruri called, unable to hold back.
Nervously clenching her fists for courage, she stood from the stool, smiling at him.
"Y-You are?" Kogoro gaped at the stunning beauty before him, mouth agape in disbelief. "Ruri? No, wait, Ruri's not this gorgeous, but that mole by your lips is exactly like hers…"
His words left Ruri unsure whether to be flattered or hurt.
Biting her lip, a mix of emotions flashed in her eyes. Kogoro hadn't recognized her but remembered the mole by her lips.
"It's only been two months," Ruri said, stomping lightly, her cheeks flushed as she pouted. "Kogoro, you really don't recognize me?"
"It's really Ruri?" Kogoro's eyes widened, filled with awe.
He laughed nervously, apologizing with a broad grin, eyes crinkling. "I didn't not recognize you—I just couldn't believe it. You used to dress so plainly, with those thick bottle-cap glasses…"
"This is the first time I've seen you all dolled up!"
His final compliment visibly lifted Ruri's mood.
She lowered her head shyly, fiddling with her dress hem, toes tapping lightly. "Is it really that different?"
"Different? It's night and day!" Kogoro exclaimed, voice brimming with excitement. "You look absolutely stunning now. Back in school, you seemed so plain…"
Seeing his friend about to blunder, Hayashi Shuichi coughed loudly. "Alright, Kogoro, Ruri's here. Get going on your date—don't waste time."
"Right, right!" Kogoro nodded eagerly, his grin stretching ear to ear.
He'd heard from Hayashi Shuichi and Eri that Ruri was pretty without glasses, but seeing her in person, he wanted to slap his two-month-ago self for rejecting her confession.
"Eri, Shuichi, I'll…" Ruri said, a bit embarrassed.
"Go on," Eri said, giving her friend a playful push. "Haven't you been waiting for this since kindergarten?"
(Chapter End)
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