Chapter 335: 138. The Struggle under the Table and Time Management
"Bang——"
A long, ripping sound echoed through the air, followed by the blossoming of brilliant, enormous fireworks.
Set against the pitch-black night sky, the multicolored lights bloomed extravagantly, and the tourists strolling around the stalls looked up and cheered. Even those enjoying horse meat hotpot in the VIP section raised their heads to watch.
The flames illuminated the ground, casting illusory and stunning shadows. Mrs. Kasahara’s face was also lit as she gazed at the night sky.
"Among the haikus that sing of fireworks, there’s one I particularly like," she said softly.
"Teach me," Mrs. Hoshimi, her cheeks flushed like a bashful young girl after a sip of wine, responded.
"It’s by a female poet named Nakatomi Fumi," Mrs. Kasahara said, curling her lips into a seductive smile directed at Fujiwara Reya. "Mr. Fujiwara, would you like to hear it?"
Fujiwara Reya nodded.
In the orange firelight, her hair shimmered like strands of gold.
"Deafening they cry, fireworks hanging high in the night sky, blooming round after round, all my soul and flesh are yours to capture," Mrs. Kasahara recited, grasping his arm gently, "It is said this poetess, though married, fell in love with a young man..."
"So beautiful," Mrs. Hoshimi praised.
Perhaps a bit tipsy, she might not have heard her friend’s words clearly, clapping her hands in admiration, "On a night of fireworks, loved by a man, she melts away with the pyrotechnics..."
"I also hope Mr. Fujiwara would do the same," Mrs. Kasahara tugged his hand.
"Of course, I will capture the entirety of madam’s heart and soul," Fujiwara Reya shifted his position accordingly.
This was a rectangular table with two pairs of mother and daughter sitting opposite each other. Fujiwara Reya had been sitting alone, but with Mrs. Kasahara’s pull, he moved to her side, facing Mrs. Hoshimi.
In an instant, the other three women glanced over.
"Senpai!" Kasahara Asuka pouted, "You should come over and sit by Asuka’s side."
"No! You all heard just now, right?" Fujiwara Reya steadfastly refused, addressing the three women who seemed ready to make a move, "All my soul and flesh are yours to capture—what she meant by that was calling me a monster! I must sit here and give her a lesson!"
"Hmm?" Mrs. Kasahara half-jokingly threatened him, then continued watching the fireworks.
In the sky, fireworks in the shape of willow trees sparkled, the golden branches hanging like lines. Mrs. Kasahara looked up at the fireworks, her expression seemingly reminiscing, a little melancholy. Her classic hairstyle was pinned at the back, and her side profile illuminated by the fireworks was as delicate as a freshly peeled lily.
Moments later, the fireworks curtain fell, and the sky returned to ink black.
Mrs. Kasahara turned her gaze back, her eyes smiling as she looked at Fujiwara Reya.
The somewhat wistful expression from before suddenly became coquettish, and her leg reached out beneath the table.
"See how you can give me a lesson!" she whispered so only he could hear.
I won’t be tempted... Fujiwara Reya remained unmoving.
The horse meat hotpot on the table bubbled, with steam obscuring the view across the table. The group, enjoying their leisure time, ate hotpot, drank Shizuoka tea, and chatted and laughed. Kasahara Asuka didn’t eat anything but hugged a fruit plate to her chest, continuously nibbling fruit.
"Here, Rinko, have a cup of tea," Mrs. Hoshimi brewed a cup of tea and handed it to her daughter.
Hoshimi Rinko brought the cup to her lips, the tea was very light and tasted delicious. Mrs. Hoshimi, like a TV shopping salesman, said, "Shizuoka tea can be classified as green tea, but unlike the usual leaf shape, it is processed into pieces. Brewing Shizuoka tea has its intricacies. You need a porcelain teapot, water at 80℃, and after one or two minutes in the water, it must be strained out, or it easily overbrews."
"So particular?" Fujiwara Reya asked curiously.
"When brewed by a gentle, young lady, the tea tastes even better," Mrs. Hoshimi said, gently tugging her daughter’s sleeve and glancing towards Fujiwara Reya.
Hoshimi Rinko shook her head slowly but said nothing.
"Oh dear, be proactive..." Mrs. Hoshimi leaned over and whispered in her daughter’s ear, "Since you both feel the same way, why not seize it sooner? You’re going to worry your mom to death... Huh? Himeko?" At this, she noticed Mrs. Kasahara’s face was slightly red and asked, "What’s wrong with you?"
"Nothing..." Mrs. Kasahara picked up a piece of horse meat and stuck out her tongue, "The well-balanced fat on this horse meat is delicious, bit my tongue in haste."
Fujiwara Reya pinched her thigh tightly.
Even through mourning dress, the touch was still fleshy.
"Ah!" Mrs. Kasahara’s hand jerked, and the horse meat dropped back into the pot.
Immediately, she glanced sideways at Fujiwara Reya, her eyes expressing annoyance.
You little rascal!
It’s fine if I seduce you!
But you can’t take advantage of me!
Humans really are double standards... Fujiwara Reya fumed inside but couldn’t do anything about her in a short time, so he released his grip.
"Hmph!" Mrs. Kasahara picked up the horse meat again and slowly brought it to her lips.
Opposite, urged by her mother, Hoshimi Rinko finally began to make tea herself. First washing her hands and tea set with clean water, then delicately drying them with a handkerchief, her movements elegant and pleasing. The sea breeze blew up from the hillside, making her jet-black hair and clothes dance gracefully.
Fujiwara Reya temporarily forgot the lady’s leg and focused on her performance.
The brewed Shizuoka tea was a clear light green, exuding a faint, fresh fragrance.
"Please." Hoshimi Rinko slowly extended her snow-white arm, like the tender buds of cherry trees in early spring, robustly growing.
"Thank you, senpai." Fujiwara Reya removed one hand from beneath the table, making it easier to take the tea with both hands.