Kazumitsu Akihara stood outside Akemi Miyano's apartment, holding an exquisitely packaged box, and knocked on the door.

Just an hour or two ago, he was in his mentor Masami Hirota's office.

After earnestly persuading his apprentice to dress as a woman, Hirota Masami suddenly seemed to remember something and told Akihara Kazumitsu that during the three days he was away, his senior, Miyano Akemi, had been kidnapped at a shopping mall. She was alright, but he was subtly hinting to Akihara to go and visit her.

Akihara's surprise seemed genuine, but his ribs were still throbbing with phantom pain. If he hadn't redeemed Lancet-2 in a secluded spot yesterday to heal himself, he really didn't think he, with his low pain threshold, could have endured the bone fracture to visit his beloved mentor.

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Akihara nodded solemnly and told the other person that he would contact Miyano-senpai right away.

After confirming over the phone that Miyano Akemi was home, Akihara Kazumitsu took out a beautifully packaged mermaid amulet from his system space—purchased in bulk as souvenirs in the American Island instance—and then walked to her apartment.

Although the amulet itself is only the size of two or three coins, thanks to the excessive packaging by the seller, it looks quite presentable.

Besides, he had given his most valuable dugong arrow to the other party's sister. Thinking of this, Akihara Kazumitsu suddenly felt much more justified.

As Akihara knocked on the apartment door, a series of light footsteps came from inside, followed by a click as the door opened.

Akemi Miyano appeared at the door, with faint dark circles under her eyes, but her face still radiated a gentle smile.

"Akihara-kun, please come in."

Akihara Kazumitsu expressed his gratitude, changed into slippers in the porch, and entered the other party's apartment.

While changing shoes, he noticed that the other person had added several pairs of shoes that were clearly men's shoes to their shoe cabinet. But he just raised an eyebrow and said nothing.

As Qiuyuan walked through the foyer, sure enough, he saw the long-haired gentleman, who was still wearing a knitted hat indoors, sitting on the sofa and looking at him.

...Shouldn't you have already been scared away by Su Dai, Shuichi Akai?

Akihara inwardly scoffed, but outwardly maintained a surprised expression and asked, "Ah, who is this gentleman?"

“He’s my cousin, and he’s currently staying at my house,” Akemi Miyano replied with a smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Although the two seemed to have rehearsed their story before she arrived, Miyano Akemi's slightly hurried answers and subtle movements betrayed her guilty conscience.

Akihara glanced sideways, wondering if Miyano Akemi had a special ability called "precognition," even more powerful than "perfect" three-second prediction. Otherwise, how could she have predicted the truth that was only revealed hundreds of episodes later?

"I see." Akihara put on the act of a well-behaved junior. "Hello, cousin. I am Akihara Kazumitsu, the junior of Miyano-senpai. Please take care of me from now on."

Shuichi Akai was slightly taken aback by the other party's overly familiar way of addressing him, before bowing slightly and replying with a polite smile, "Hello, Akihara-kun, I am Dai Moroboshi."

A subtle scrutiny flickered in his eyes, a habitual assessment of Akihara Kazumitsu's true identity and intentions, a passive skill of the FBI.

Akihara Kazumitsu pretended not to see the other's gaze and instead handed the exquisite gift box in his hand to Miyano Akemi.

"Senior, Professor Hirota told me that you had some unpleasant experiences yesterday. I specially brought this little gift back for you when I went on my trip, hoping it will bring you good luck."

Akemi Miyano accepted the gift box and gave her sensible junior a grateful look.

"Thank you, Akihara-kun. Actually, it's nothing serious, the rescue came just in time..."

Akemi Miyano didn't want to delve into the topic, mainly because the man staying at her house had demonstrated excellent shooting skills in the previous incident. Although he later explained to her that he had experience in the yakuza, it was clearly not something she should tell her junior.

So she made way for Qiuyuan to sit down, and changed the subject, saying, "Please sit down first, I'll go make you a cup of tea."

Akihara sat down on the sofa next to Shuichi Akai, watched Akemi Miyano go into the kitchen, and then turned to look at Shuichi Akai.

Unlike the other party's subtle scrutiny, Akihara's gaze was open and unabashed as he looked the other person up and down.

"Cousin, with hair this long, are you in the rock music scene?" Akihara Kazumitsu asked jokingly, his words revealing obvious curiosity and amusement.

Shuichi Akai's lips curled into a subtle smile as he replied unhurriedly, "Akihara-kun is quite witty. But it's just a personal preference, nothing more."

Akihara nodded as if he understood. "I see. My cousin certainly seems to have quite a story. Master, what do you do for a living?"

“…A freelancer.” Shuichi Akai pondered for a moment before speaking carefully.

"Oh, I understand, I understand. The job market is tough right now, it's normal to not be able to find a job." Qiu Yuan reached out and patted the other person's shoulder, looking like he understood.

However, he then changed the subject. "But my senior has just graduated and started working. She's very busy, and it's not easy for her to bear all the pressure of life alone... My cousin should find a job as soon as possible, which can not only reduce her burden but also make his life more fulfilling and meaningful."

The last sentence was obviously added to make up the number.

Akai Shuichi looked at the other person, and a complicated expression flashed across the face of this junior, Akihara. His words seemed to be implying that he should not be a gigolo.

He was silent for a few seconds before finally replying, "Thank you for your concern, Akihara-kun. I will consider your suggestion."

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