Chapter 323: 135. Natsuki Kuri’s Little Scheme
Returning to the windbreak forest, Fujiwara Reya pretentiously sketched Kasahara Asuka.
The sunlight filtering through the treetops moved along the beach, a silver airplane heading towards the glistening sea, and the necklace on Natsuki Kuri’s neck also gleamed with the same light.
Opposite her, Mrs. Kasahara looked straight at her with warm and bright black eyes, eyes that had seen much of the world. Natsuki Kuri returned the gaze with a level of politeness.
"Come over here and sit for a while." Mrs. Kasahara pointed to a deck chair behind the windbreak forest, signaling for her to sit there. After Natsuki Kuri sat down, she also sat on the chair opposite, almost without making a sound, like a clever mother fox tiptoeing through the forest.
"Would you like a drink?" Mrs. Hoshimi asked.
"Iced herbal tea," said Mrs. Kasahara, then asked Natsuki Kuri, "And you?"
"The same." Natsuki Kuri nodded.
Then, she slightly moved the corners of her mouth as if to smile, but in fact, she did not.
"Just a moment." Mrs. Hoshimi gently nodded and left the windbreak forest, walking elegantly back to the dojo as if stepping out of a social dance.
"Chairman Hoshimi and you have a great relationship." Natsuki Kuri spoke with apparent surprise.
"Yako and I have been playing together since childhood," Mrs. Kasahara chuckled softly, "Hey, Mr. Fujiwara," she glanced at Fujiwara Reya and again showed a pleasant smile, "What a dazzlingly beautiful little aunt, and you kept this from your sister for so long."
"I’m drawing." Fujiwara Reya said, looking at the drawing board.
The model, Kasahara Asuka, pouted towards her mother, seemingly signaling something. Mrs. Kasahara nodded knowingly, which puzzled Fujiwara Reya greatly. Did this mother-daughter pair have some special way of communicating?
Hoshimi Rinko, meanwhile, leaned against a tree trunk reading a book so thick one would have no interest in reading it. Yet her ears were perked up, and when Fujiwara Reya glanced over, she happened to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear with her fingers, a gesture that appeared quite intellectual.
The focus of the conversation returned to Mrs. Kasahara and Natsuki Kuri. Kasahara Fumi still looked at the two like a robot, her slender fingers gracefully clasped together on her knees, looking very elegant.
"May I call you Kuri?" Mrs. Kasahara asked.
"It would be my pleasure." Natsuki Kuri’s demeanor was that of a well-mannered and etiquette-minded woman.
How come you’re not so reserved when you’re with me... Fujiwara Reya muttered in his heart.
"Do you like this place?" Mrs. Kasahara continued to ask.
"You mean Minami-Izu Town?" Natsuki Kuri asked back.
"Yes."
"The impression score is good, although I haven’t been around to see much. I’ve only randomly passed by things, the seaside, small convenience stores, fields planted with sunflowers... that’s about it."
"Don’t you find Minami-Izu Town boring?"
Natsuki Kuri shook her head and said, "Frankly, I have no time to feel bored, and besides... is this place boring?"
Mrs. Kasahara made a slight shrugging motion, "I’ve been here a few times when I was young and found it quite dull. But now, it’s fine, there are more special things and more interesting people here."
"More interesting people?"
"Well, look at him," Mrs. Kasahara pointed at Fujiwara Reya, "my long-lost younger brother."
"Here." Fujiwara Reya replied.
Natsuki Kuri’s face only showed a social smile, avoiding making a statement.
It was apparent that when confronting Chairman Kasahara, the more cunning fox, even the little aunt became more cautious. Fujiwara Reya’s eyes darted between the two women, a bold idea forming in his mind—having Mrs. Kasahara help train his little aunt!
The air on the beach was warm and humid, filled with the oppressive smell of the sea.
"Here, have something to eat." Mrs. Hoshimi brought over a tray with a green porcelain teapot and matching teacups, along with napkins and two small plates filled with cookies and fruits. The scent of herbal tea blended well with the summer seaside.
"Thanks, Yako. Leave the rest to me." Mrs. Kasahara smiled gracefully and mildly.
"I am the older sister." Mrs. Hoshimi habitually retorted, then placed the tray on the garden table, gently pulled out a chair to sit down, with movements as light as a schoolgirl’s.
Mrs. Kasahara lifted the lid of the teapot, sniffed the aroma, confirmed the leaves had unfurled, and poured the tea into the cups slowly.
"Here, Kuri, you first." She handed the first cup to Natsuki Kuri, "On a hot summer day, why not enjoy a glass of chilled herbal tea while watching the sea view? If you wish, please join us in the dojo later for lunch, don’t stand on ceremony with me."
"Thank you." Natsuki Kuri accepted the teacup with both hands, "Such a home-style dojo, I certainly will linger."
"Haha, welcome, Kuri." Mrs. Kasahara smiled, tucking her front hair behind, "Compared to a regular dojo, my place might really be called home-style. A cozy space for peace of mind, except for our family, no one else can enter."
"To family." Natsuki Kuri raised the cup slightly, then took a quiet sip of the tea. Tasting the freshness of the tea, she gently nodded, placed the cup back on the table, and softly pressed the corners of her lips with the napkin before putting it on her lap, each movement flawlessly executed.
This one feels excellent... Mrs. Kasahara thought, intelligent, tidy, cultured, and very beautiful.
Beside the table, the other two women also quietly sipped the tea as Natsuki Kuri did. Then the four women began eating cookies, freshly baked gingerbread, still with the taste of fresh ginger.