MC Bookstore Chapter 33 Mom Arrives
Chapter 33 Mom Arrives
Mai Shiraishi was, after all, an honest person. Without thinking, she followed Rito's words and called him "senpai." Qiuqiu blushed with embarrassment and repeatedly said that there was no need for that. She glared at the culprit who was secretly laughing to the side with her almond-shaped eyes.
Li Ren remained calm and waved his hand, saying it was only a matter of time, and that no one he had his eye on could escape him, which made Qiu Qiu cough several times beside him.
The three of them walked to the entrance of the yakiniku restaurant, laughing and joking. Qiuqiu, with her sharp eyes, immediately spotted several familiar figures sitting by the window—Takayama Kazumi was holding a menu and discussing something with Wakatsuki Yumi, while Saito Yuri and Kawago Hina were sitting next to them.
"President, I told you we came out too late! Look, everyone else has already started eating!" Qiuqiu tugged at Rito's sleeve and started walking in that direction. After taking a couple of steps, she suddenly remembered something, turned back to look at Shiraishi, and said, "Shiraishi-san, do you mind if we eat together? Or you and the president can eat alone, and I'll go find them?"
Bai Ma hesitated for a moment, then subconsciously glanced at Rito, seemingly seeking his opinion. Rito smiled at this and said to Qiuqiu, "Then go ahead and tell them I've bought this order."
Qiuqiu gave the two of them a meaningful look, then ran over with a grin. From a distance, they could hear Takayama Kazumi exclaim, "Eh, the president is here too?"
"Shall we go and find a private room?" Rito turned his head and looked at Shiroma's knuckles, which were slightly white as she gripped the bag strap.
"Okay." Bai Ma nodded honestly. The two were led to a private room by the waiter. The room was not big. The paper-covered sliding door blocked out most of the noise outside. Only the sizzling of the beef tongue on the grill and the low hum of the exhaust fan could be heard.
Shirama knelt upright on the cushion, her back straight, her chopsticks neatly placed on the chopstick rest, looking as serious as if she were filming a promotional video about a Yamato Nadeshiko (a Japanese woman who is devoted to her love for her lover) surrounded by cameras.
Li Ren was quite casual, one leg crossed and the other propped up. He picked up a piece of grilled pork belly, dipped it in sauce, glanced at her, and smiled: "Relax, it's not time for the interview yet."
"Ah, sorry." Shirama finally snapped out of her daze and tried to relax her shoulders, but after a few seconds she subconsciously straightened them again. Realizing this, she felt a little embarrassed, lowered her head and pursed her lips. "I'm used to it. I haven't gotten out of student mode yet."
"Then your teacher must really like you." Rito cut the grilled meat into small pieces and pushed them to the edge of the grill where they weren't so hot, making it easier for her to pick them up.
Bai Ma thanked him, picked up a piece of meat, and ate it in small bites. Because she was so beautiful, even eating looked like a magazine photoshoot. Rito occasionally looked up at her, but didn't say anything more, focusing on turning the beef tongue on the grill. Occasionally, he would pick up a piece of lettuce and stuff it into his mouth, his movements unhurried.
The silence lasted for a while. Shirama, seemingly feeling a bit awkward about remaining silent, touched the cool rim of her cup and spoke up, "Um, Kubo-san, has the date for the second-generation auditions been set?"
Rito glanced at her, swallowed the meat in his mouth, and said slowly, "Around November or December, is there something you need?"
"Oh, it's like this. Actually, before I came here today, a friend called me." She slowly began, "It's a friend I met when I was working at a convenience store. She's from Asahikawa in Hokkaido."
"Asahikawa?" Rito's chopsticks paused for a moment, then he calmly continued flipping through the empty spaces on the grill, which were now almost empty. "Is he studying in Tokyo?"
"Yes, it's a very good art university, but her family isn't well-off, and they've run into some trouble recently." Bai Ma's tone became much more natural when talking about her friend. "Her mother has never really supported her going to Beijing, so she's been working part-time while studying, but even so, she's had a tough time."
"It must have been tough," Rito said, her tone devoid of emotion.
"It's very tough." Bai Ma nodded, then suddenly looked up at him, her eyes hardening with determination. "So I was thinking, if..."
"What's your friend's name?" Before she could finish speaking, Rito's expression suddenly changed, and he interrupted her.
"Hey, that's her name."
"Nanami Hashimoto"
"Nanami Hashimoto"
The two said the same name in unison, but their tones were completely different. After her initial surprise, Mai Shiraishi was somewhat delighted, thinking that Rito also knew her friend. Rito Kubo, on the other hand, carried a hint of unspeakable fear, like a mortal who had heard the true name of a demon.
"Hashimoto, Nanami." Rito separated the surname and given name and repeated them. The name seemed to possess some kind of magic; just saying it consumed all his energy. As the most unforgettable woman in the entire Sakamichi, he was 100% certain that he had never pulled her out of the pool, but she had just appeared in his world so suddenly, as if it were the world's way of retaliating against his reckless behavior.
"Kubo-san?" Shirama called out uncertainly when he saw that he hadn't spoken for a while.
"It's a nice name, I feel like I've heard it somewhere before." Rito snapped out of her reverie, smiled at her, then took out her phone from her pocket, opened the notes app, and pushed it in front of Shiramas. "I understand what you mean. Give me your friend's contact information and address first, and I'll contact her separately later. There are some things I need to confirm in person."
Although Bai Ma was somewhat surprised, she only thought it was a beautiful coincidence. She was delighted, took the phone, and carefully dialed Nana Min's number. She checked it twice to make sure she hadn't dialed it wrong before returning the phone to him.
"I've already confirmed with her, and she does seem interested in learning more, but she hasn't made up her mind yet," she said tentatively, looking at Rito.
"I understand. Don't worry, I'll talk to her and let her decide for herself." Rito put away her phone, stood up, and casually picked up her coat hanging on the back of the chair. "So, what about you? Will you be coming at the end of the year?"
Bai Ma also stood up, letting down her hair which she had tied up for the barbecue, and nodded: "Yes. I've already discussed it with my teacher and family, and they are all very supportive."
Her tone was calm and resolute. Looking at her, Li Ren suddenly felt that she vaguely resembled the hegemon of the Warring States period.
"Then it's settled." Rito pushed open the door to the private room, and the noise from outside rushed in again. "Let's go. Do you live in Saitama now? Do you need me to give you a ride?"
"No need to trouble yourself, I can take the train myself." Shirama politely declined and followed him out of the private room. When it was time to pay the bill, Rito swiped the card at the counter for an extra amount, paying for the members' table as well. Then he told the waiter, "Tell them I have to go," and led Shirama out the door.
On the streets of Tokyo at night, neon lights spread colorful patches of light across the wet pavement. A rain shower had just passed, and the air still carried the damp scent of earth and the faint aroma of grilled meat.
"When I first met Kubo-san, I just thought it was luck," Shirama suddenly said as the two walked side by side on the sidewalk. "But now that I think about it, it wasn't really luck. Even if I hadn't met you that day, I would definitely have come to participate in the audition. Ever since I first saw Nogizaka on TV, my heart has been itching to join."
"Thank you for the compliment," Rito said with a smile, "though I don't know if you're just flattering your future boss."
Bai Ma's eyes crinkled into a smile, and her steps quickened. The two parted ways on a crowded street, each merging into opposite streams of people.