Tokyo Psychic

Page 312

That's just how cats are.

If you like something, you'll want to have it.

So she moved even closer, almost kneeling on Lai Qixiao's knees, "Xiao, Le Nai likes you."

"...Why did you suddenly say that?" Akira was startled, but he didn't really read any romantic feelings or affection between a man and a woman into it.

As always, Rakuna gazed at the Phantom Thief of the Mind with her innocent, heterochromatic eyes.

"Don't ignore Lena."

She reached out and grabbed Lai Qixiao's collar, then actually used him as a cat tree, climbing onto his lap and kneeling in his arms.

“I’ve had matcha parfaits on Lena Road…” She suddenly remembered the tip Akira Kurusu had taught her: “Share desserts with your best friend.”

So Rakuna tiptoed and kissed Akira Kurusu's lips very affectionately.

You should also boldly use your delicate pink tongue to pry open Lai Qixiao's lips and try to let him feel the lingering sweetness of the matcha parfait.

296. A cat can easily fall in love with someone, but only with one person.

The original agreement was:

If Akira Kurusu can achieve a five-game winning streak against Ann and Subaru in Street Fighter 6, she can be asked to wear a cosplay outfit, and then...

Anwa Subaru shook his head, shaking off those chaotic thoughts, and stared at Kaname, who was kneeling opposite him, with an awkward and inexplicable gaze.

Given how things have turned out, it's only natural to list Akira Kurusu's seven deadly sins.

After thinking about it for a moment, An and Subaru decided there was no need to pursue the matter further.

Anyway, Rakuna seems to be the type who isn't interested in anything related to "competition," so she probably won't take up too much of Akira's time...

But why did her long-awaited, thrilling "role-playing game" turn into a leisurely and uneventful afternoon tea time, like a "forest tea party" in a fairy tale?!

......

The "Ring" café.

Akira Kurusu placed the large matcha parfait that had been ordered in front of Kaname Rakuna.

Let's ignore the strange look from the receptionist for now.

Mr. Phantom Thief looked at Yoro, whose eyes were practically glued to him and who barely glanced at the matcha parfait, and a vague sense of guilt arose within him.

However, he quickly dispelled this sense of guilt on his own.

As the leader of the Phantom Thieves, who is capable of taking on everything, he has no reason to desert his post.

Even if it seems like she's trying to fool a young girl, there's no doubt that... Akira Kurusu knows for sure that she likes Rakuna.

Perhaps Lena's feelings for him right now are more like the dependence of a small animal clinging to its owner, or the worship of a feline for its powerful kin...

But a cat's heart has a very limited capacity.

After Rakuna puts all her feelings for Akira Kurusu into her heart, it is destined that she will never feel the same way about others again.

Just like countless kinds of desserts, nothing can stop her love for matcha parfait.

A cat-like girl with white hair and heterochromatic eyes lay on the table, the soft light of the indoor lamp illuminating her childlike face.

When eating the matcha parfait, Yoro Nai will show a soft and lovely smile that makes people feel like their hearts are melting.

An and Subaru noticed the change in Akira Kurusu's eyes and expression, and remembering their lost "midday fun," An sullenly kicked Akira's shin.

Feeling guilty, the phantom thief didn't dare to meet An and Subaru's eyes this time.

An and Subaru didn't seem to have any intention of pursuing the matter further, but they whispered something slyly in his ear, "Xiao... when are you planning to keep her at home?"

"Isn't it already being kept at 'SPACE'?"

"Hmph... You certainly won't be satisfied with just this, will you?" Anwa Subaru quickly adjusted his mindset and began to try to join Akira Kurusu's despicable scheme to steal his heart.

"Subaru, you must have been an angel in your past life, right?"

Akira couldn't resist and turned around to hug his exceptionally gentle girlfriend tightly.

An and Subaru noticed that Yoro Nai across from them suddenly left the matcha parfait's sight, and also noticed the subtle scrutiny from the counter, which made them feel a little embarrassed.

But An and Subaru did not refuse Akira's hug; they simply blushed and threw themselves into his arms.

......

Looking at the young couple embracing each other across the street.

Suddenly, Kaoru realized that the matcha parfait in her hand wasn't as delicious as she had imagined...

Holding the glass in my left hand, I could feel its icy coolness, while scooping up ice cream with a small metal spoon in my right hand, the sweet aroma of matcha parfait already wafted around my nose.

But she just couldn't bring herself to eat it.

A strange pang of sadness welled up inside me, as if another cat had taken the catnip ball I hadn't even had a chance to take home...

Just as Lena's mood was starting to turn somber, the phone on the table trembled.

The screen lit up, displaying a message from Shiina Tatsuki.

[Shiina Tatsuki: Rakuna, remember to rehearse at "Ring" this afternoon!]

Yao Lenai was clearly taken aback. She slowly put down her spoon, then picked up her phone and awkwardly typed on the keypad to reply to the band's drummer.

[Yao Lenai: I don't want to go today.]

[Shiina Tatsuki: Are you feeling unwell?]

It's hard to believe that Yao Lena would say something like "I don't want to participate in band training," given that her passion and pure pursuit of rock and music often makes the girls in the band feel ashamed of themselves.

Shiina Tatsuki, both logically and emotionally, would guess that Rakuna's health might not be good...

[Yao Lenai: I have more important things to do.]

【...】

After giving that reply, she turned off her phone and looked at the boy and girl who had already parted ways.

Kaoru suddenly stood up and walked towards Akira Kurusu.

"dawn......"

The petite and slender girl suddenly got very close.

Those beautiful, alluring heterochromatic eyes met Lai Qixiao's gaze without blinking.

Xiao, I don't want to go back to school.

"What's wrong, Lenai?"

I want to play with you.

After saying that, he made Lena hold her small hands and look at An and Subaru next to Akira with hostile eyes.

Neither Akira Kurusu nor Subaru Anwa probably expected that Rakuna would take the initiative to express her opinion.

Seeing Kaname's innocent eyes, An and Subaru couldn't help but kick Akira's heel again.

"It looks like you don't need to entice her; she'll just follow you home on her own."

Akira Kurusu originally wanted to laugh, but when she saw an elderly woman with white hair, still charming, walking in from outside the coffee shop, her smile vanished as soon as it appeared.

Since he had purchased the performance hall "SPACE", he would naturally learn about "Ring", "SPACE", and the connection between their owner and Kaname.

She was a titan in the Tokyo rock scene, the guitarist who inspired Kaname Rakuna, and her maternal grandmother...

Normally, driven by her childhood dreams, Yoru Nai would probably leave her friends behind and head straight for her grandmother without hesitation.

But now, although she has noticed the appearance of the Tsuzuki Poetry Ship.

Kaname, however, seemed oblivious, clinging to Akira's arm. She only winked at Shifune Tsuzuki as she entered, as if to say hello.

It’s over.

Akira Kurusu had to admit that when she was caught red-handed by the little girl's guardian, a flicker of panic still crossed her mind.

Despite his enigmatic management, the girls gradually came to accept each other and tacitly condoned his misdeeds.

As the name "Kurasu Akira" becomes increasingly well-known, his philandering behavior is gradually being romanticized to some extent.

But undeniably, it contradicts the mainstream ideology.

It is perfectly normal for people to stand up and oppose or criticize.

In Akira Kurusu's mind, this kind of obstacle was bound to happen...

Looking at Shisen Tsuzuki's sharp, blade-like gaze, he never expected to start by igniting everything with Kaname.

297. One day of raising a cat, one night of using a cat.

It was originally a rehearsal room frequently used by "MYGO".

Now it has turned into an awkward scene of teenagers sitting upright.

Shifune Tsuzuki, Rakuna's guardian, sat with her arms crossed opposite Akira Kurusu and Subaru Anwa, glaring sharply at the couple who were trying to abduct her granddaughter.

Yoroi herself was completely unaware of this.

She leaned against the back of the chair, her warm gaze fixed on Akira Kurusu's profile.

In contrast, Tsuzuki Shisen's gaze grew increasingly cold.

But unexpectedly—

The old man did not lecture or reprimand Lai Xixiao; instead, after a long silence, he let out a heavy sigh.

"Can you take good care of Lena?"

His voice carried a sense of helplessness in the face of the current situation.

Tsuzuki Shisen had always been watching over his innocent and naive granddaughter, who was also extremely wary of those around her.

She knew very well that Lena possessed a level of vigilance and sensitivity towards others' approach that even experienced adults lacked.

Observing Rakuna's almost completely unguarded and intimate attitude towards Akira Kurusu, it's clear that her young granddaughter is already deeply immersed in the wonderful life Akira Kurusu has brought her...

As a prominent figure in the music industry, Shisen Tsuzuki could easily find out about Akira Kurusu's connection with the large conglomerate.

At this level, it's impossible for someone to toy with a young girl's feelings and then irresponsibly leave; taking responsibility would be a piece of cake for them.

Moreover, the fact that Akira Kurusu could get so close to Rakuna proves that he truly makes the child feel an irresistible sense of happiness and security that surpasses her original family...

that's enough.

Even in Tsuzuki Shisen's view, this kind of "love" is not very healthy and does not conform to common sense.

Its appearance signifies that these young men and women cannot receive blessings from the outside world...

But if Lena can enjoy this happiness and grow up happily, it is already enough to make her, an old woman living in the last era, feel gratified and satisfied.

Akira Kurusu was prepared to accept criticism or scolding.

Unexpectedly, Tsuzuki Shisen ultimately chose to handle the matter lightly, asking some questions that would not seem out of place even if the scene were changed to a wedding, and then got up and left.

Just before leaving, she suddenly followed Qi Xiao and whispered her thanks.

An and Subaru, who were completely bewildered, and Kaname, who was equally confused, were left in the rehearsal room staring at each other.

Akira Kurusu recalled the look in Shisen Tsuzuki's eyes before he left, and vaguely felt a weight pressing down on his shoulders again.

This is also a sense of heaviness that has never appeared in memories "outside of time".

"Akatsuki?" Anwa Subaru looked at Akatsuki Kurusu with concern.

The phantom thief sat in the chair for a while before standing up. "Subaru, let's take Rana to the amusement park."

He looked out at the bright sunlight that filled the corridor inch by inch.

"We should cherish these peaceful moments even more before summer ends."

An and Subaru hesitated for a moment, then walked over and hugged his shoulders. "We have no reason to lose."

"Yes... we absolutely cannot fail again this time."

Akira Kurusu thought about Takuto Maruki's gradually perfecting persona, and then she remembered the Phantom Thieves members making the most of their spare time to train, and the grand scene of all the contractors from past generations gathering in the Velvet Room...

Summer is quietly drawing to a close.