Tokyo: My debt collection methods are a bit off.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at that handsome face that was as annoying as ever to boys, and Gao Liucheng snorted coldly: "Don't think that complaining will make me make up with you. I never accept such threats."

That's really awesome.

If Takayanagi Cheng really wants to reconcile with Hoshino Jun, how can Hoshino Jun continue to use him as a money-making machine in the future?

Hoshino Jun's lips curled up almost imperceptibly: "That's such a pity, Shiro-kun. I always thought we would still be good friends."

The echoes of footsteps lingered in the quiet stairwell.

"Ha, friend." Gao Liucheng scoffed at Hoshino Jun's words: "I've already permanently removed you from my list of friends."

"Why? Can you give me a reason?" Hoshino Jun, though seemingly indifferent, still had doubts.

Because he hadn't done anything to wrong Gao Liucheng, he was inexplicably disliked, which felt quite baffling.

Could it really be because of that girl?

Suddenly, Takayanagi stopped in his tracks, his angry gaze fixed on Hoshino Jun.

"Why did you reject Xun in the first place? She clearly liked you so much. Do you know how heartbroken she was the day you rejected her? You bastard!"

"You've committed such a heinous crime without even realizing it. You've truly disappointed me, Jun Hoshino."

Gao Liucheng's sudden roar left Xingye Jun stunned for a long time, his mind filled with countless question marks.

ha?

Damn it.

It really is because of that girl.

I originally thought that "Boiling Sheep" was just a joke, but I didn't expect that there are actually people like that in the real world.

You like her, I reject her, and instead of secretly being happy, you get angry.

Hoshino Jun could never understand such an absurd thing in either of her two lives.

Out of respect for others' fate and setting aside any feelings of helping others, Hoshino Jun did not utter the words "simps never get a good death."

She then smiled and raised her lips to ask Gao Liucheng another question: "Cheng-jun, I have another question I would like you to answer for me."

As the saying goes, you can't hit someone who's smiling.

Even the furious Takayanagi Castle couldn't bring himself not to answer Hoshino Jun's question when faced with his polite demeanor.

"Say!"

"I want to ask, what exactly is the conflict between me and Takasaki-kun that would make him deliberately frame me?"

Know thyself, ever-victorious.

Only by understanding your opponent can you make sound plans for the future.

While Gao Liucheng's actions against Hoshino Jun in Boiling Sheep had some justification, Takasaki Yusuke truly left Hoshino Jun completely bewildered.

So he asked Gao Liucheng about this, since Gao Liucheng, who had committed the crime with him, should know something.

“There’s no conflict,” Gao Liucheng replied. “Yusuke just simply doesn’t like you, you scum.”

Ok?

Was it a deliberate cover-up, or was it truly just a malicious act?

Before Hoshino Jun could figure it out, Takayanagi Shiro added, "Just a friendly reminder, if you see Yusuke in the future, you'd better avoid him, or you won't be so lucky next time."

Good luck probably refers to someone helping Hoshino Jun report him and Takasaki Yusuke.

After saying that, a hint of mockery flashed in Gao Liucheng's eyes; he certainly wasn't offering a kind reminder.

He just wanted to see Hoshino Jun helpless in the face of being bullied.

The morning wind is always strong.

The boy's eyes were slightly closed, his dark hair was being blown by the breeze, and his handsome face showed a determined look.

Life is like a game of chess. Though I am but a pawn, have you ever seen me retreat a single step?

No, perhaps I should take a step back now.

I need to go back to the fourth floor to find Mrs. Takayanagi and settle yesterday's debts.

"Since you dislike me so much, I think we should stop traveling together. You should go first."

Hoshino Jun's sudden change of expression caught Takayanagi Shiro off guard, but he quickly recovered.

Perhaps Hoshino Jun is afraid.

Thinking this, Gao Liucheng raised his fist at Xingye Jun: "Don't you dare tattle on me to my mother anymore, or I won't let you off easy."

【Ding! 】

[Threatening remarks detected from Gao Liucheng!]

Choosing not to pursue the matter will result in acquiring a D-level debt of affection.

Thank you, Gao Liucheng.

You are such a good person.

Hoshino Jun's smile spread to her eyes as she watched Takayanagi Shiro's departing figure. She silently took out her phone, turned off the recording, and murmured softly:

"We will not pursue this matter."

[It has been determined that Gao Liucheng is unable to repay this debt of gratitude, and the debt has been automatically transferred to his mother, "Gao Liu Youxi".]

[Note: "Yuki Takayanagi" has incurred debts twice.]

Please expedite the collection of this person's emotional debt. You will receive a reward upon successful collection.

Chapter 9 Aunt Yuki is easy to fool.

The weather was lovely this morning.

The sky was clear, and the blue canopy looked like a giant silk covering the sky. Through it, you could see white clouds floating in the air like cotton candy.

A gentle breeze caressed her cheeks, and the soft monsoon made Yuuki Takayanagi feel comfortable and at ease.

"Let's work hard today too!"

"From now on, look in Mei's direction, go work an early shift, and save up more money."

After changing into a standard gray suit and putting on her cashier badge, Yuki Takayanagi clenched her fist to cheer herself up.

"Ding dong, ding dong!"

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Hmm? Who would be looking for me at this hour?" Takayanagi Yuuki walked to the door in confusion and saw that familiar handsome face through the peephole.

It's Jun Hoshino.

Didn't Xiao Chun go to school with Xiao Cheng?

Why did you come back again, and ring the neighbor's doorbell?

Yuki Takayanagi's ears felt hot. She could still vaguely recall the burning sensation of being held in the boy's arms yesterday. After falling asleep last night, she even had a dream about it.

Xiao Chun is the same age as my son, it's really embarrassing.

"Ding-dong~ding-dong~"

"Aunt Yuki, are you still there?"

Hoshino Jun rang the doorbell again. This apartment building had no elevator, only a stairwell, and when he and Takayanagi Shiro came downstairs, they did not leave the apartment building.

Therefore, Hoshino Jun can be 100% certain that Takayanagi Yuuki is still alive.

"Crack!"

The sound of the lock turning filled the air as the security door opened inwards, releasing the fresh scent of cherry blossoms from downstairs.

Mrs. Takayanagi appeared, dressed in a business suit. Her eyes were slightly evasive and turned away. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with her slender fingers.

"Um, Xiaochun, is there something you need?"

Mrs. Takayanagi, the widow, looked even better today than yesterday. She wore light makeup and her pink lips were painted with peach-pink lipstick.

The fitted suit has a small black lining, but it can't reduce the visual size of the body. Against the black background, the skin from the neck to the collarbone is as white as jade.

"I have some things I'd like to discuss with Aunt Yuki. Would it be convenient for us to go inside and talk?"

Auntie and Yuki Takayanagi work in a large supermarket two kilometers away. They have to arrive before 8 a.m. for the early shift and close to 11 a.m. for the late shift.

It's already 8 o'clock. If Takayanagi Yuuki hasn't gone to work yet, she's on the night shift.

She still had three hours, plenty of time, enough to chat with Hoshino Jun for a while.

Given the friendship between Mrs. Takayanagi and Mei Asahi, Jun Hoshino bets that even if there was a slight awkwardness yesterday, she won't refuse Jun Hoshino's request.

"Please come in."

Yuuki Takayanagi, whose overtime work plans had been disrupted, pursed her red lips and stepped aside to make room for someone to enter.

The floor of the Takayanagi house was a little damp, and there were water stains left on the table and coffee table, which Takayanagi Yuki had just cleaned not long ago.

She does housework first thing in the morning; she's such a virtuous woman.

Both being women, she was much more diligent at home than Hoshino Jun's aunt, Asu Mei.

"Xiao Chun, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Hoshino Jun sat down.

Yuuki Takayanagi politely brought tea from the kitchen. Her long brown hair, tied in long braids, fell to her chest as she bent down to pour tea for Jun Hoshino.

This hairstyle seems to be considered "dangerous" in the otaku community.

“Aunt Yuki, I prefer to present evidence, so before we talk, just like yesterday, please listen to this first.”

After skillfully taking out her phone from her bag and playing the recording, Hoshino Jun leisurely picked up the tea that Mrs. Takayanagi had poured and took a small sip.

It tastes astringent at first, but after three to five seconds it becomes sweet.

The tea from island nations is far inferior to that from China.

The recording on the phone continued to play, showing how Gao Liucheng's vicious threats to Hoshino Jun and Hoshino Jun's gentlemanly gestures of goodwill were completely proportional.