Chapter 701

It is obvious that Date's ambition ends here.

This fierce man was suffering from an anal fissure, and in his anger and embarrassment, Date felt his chrysanthemum might have split open again; he wanted to blame Okada Masayoshi and the others for ruining things, but couldn't say what had happened, furious enough to want to strike someone, yet he still had a bleeding buff and his fists were no match—huh? Surely it's you guaranteeing this and using a bit of authority? The result is you came just to pay respects? Saying this is big or small isn't trivial—be careful someone reports you for abusing power! And as a public servant and idol under a love ban, your relationship is unclear!

"I, I'm not…… I just……" Date suddenly realized he couldn't explain himself with a hundred mouths.

"Alright, go back and remember to write the report!" Okada Masayoshi said casually: "Write a detailed report about this incident for us; we won't pursue this matter, and you shouldn't bring it up again to bother us, Date—you should know we're at a critical moment when our Special Duty System is upgrading to Special Duty Division, so don't give anyone any leverage!"

"……" Date Nagamune nodded dejectedly.

Wuwu wu, Akane-chan, my Akane-chan, take me away, Akane-chan!

"Steamed bun? You're not supporting the vessel?" Kai Toru reached out with "good intentions" to embrace Date: "Do we need to report this?" "No no…… I, I understood." Date replied listlessly, but in his heart he imagined beating the three guys who ruined his fun a hundred times over.

His first (and possibly last) "private date" with Akane-chan hadn't even begun when it was tragically ended in rocket-team style (or perhaps the Metropolitan Police Department's special edition).

This grudge, I, Date Nagamune, have recorded!

But while a few people were making noise, the already-departed Moriya Akane leaned against the stone lantern outside the shrine, covering her still-flushed face, feeling both annoyed and amused, plus a faint, indescribable emotion toward that clumsy yet somewhat cute policeman. He truly was infatuated with himself, and indeed quite ideal—noble birth, proper public service, limitless future.

This type is probably called an "economically applicable man," right?

Well, if he's truly willing, I wouldn't mind considering him—this kind of person, I just need to slightly pursue him, and I'll easily win him over!

After so many things happened today, Moriya Akane changed her mind for the first time; this is likely the most absurd interlude in her idol career, yet it also made her realize many things—even as an idol, one day she must graduate and marry.

An idol like this being able to marry a regular employee is already quite good……

(Note: What Japanese women consider a "regular employee" refers to a male regular employee who is 172cm or taller, not greasy or overweight, with normal facial features, under 35, both parents have pensions, and annual income over 6 million yen—not just any male called "regular" in class.)

She secretly opened her Iine and placed Date Nagamune's name at the top.

Meanwhile, after Okada and the others finished laughing and joking, they finally realized something.

"Could it be, Date, you really plan to marry her?" Saito Asuka said blankly.

"What else would I do?" Date Nagamune said seriously.

"But…… she's still an idol, isn't she? Idols are forbidden from dating!" Igarashi Shinobu couldn't help but say.

"I can wait for her to graduate!" Date said seriously.

"But how will you handle your family?" Okada asked.

"I'll work hard!"

"What if hard work fails?"

"Then I'll endure! Anyway, my legs are on me—worst case, I'll board first and buy tickets later; if really impossible, I'll elope?" Date Nagamune said even more seriously. "Come on now!" Saito Asuka couldn't help but blurt out a Kyoto phrase, thinking this little idol would give you something, not just because you're of noble birth and have a promising public career?

So-called loving the country more than beauty—actually, only with the country can you have beauty; without the country, even beauty can't be kept. If you truly abandon your noble status and public office, they may not be willing to elope with you.

A merchant playing with leftover geisha you treat like a treasure bringing home—your Date clan's 18th-generation ancestors' faces are all ruined by you! *3 Okada, Date, and Igarashi simultaneously had this thought pop into their minds.

And indeed, it's truly the 18th generation.

The one-eyed dragon of Ōshū, Date Masamune, was the 17th head of the Ōu Date clan, while Date Nagamune is currently the 35th person of the Ōu Date clan; following Date Masamune's eldest son splitting off to form the Uwajima Date clan, he happens to be the 18th!

Isn't that a coincidence?

At this moment, Saito Asuka glanced at Okada Masayoshi and Igarashi Shinobu, gesturing that no one should laugh at anyone.

He's done well enough—he at least found a proper flight attendant, while Okada Masayoshi found a little delinquent who caused such a big case afterward, and Igarashi Shinobu remains single to this day.

Yeah, nobody should laugh at anyone—Okada Masayoshi silently lowered his head, he hasn't looked for anyone since, possibly due to a bit of PTSD.

Igarashi Shinobu has a pure expression, thinking, "Still got my things to do?"

But just then, Date Nagamune spoke, his expression somewhat dazed, as if speaking to Okada and the three, yet also as if speaking to himself: "Actually, I also know this is a bit strange, but……"

"I don't know how to say this feeling, how to say it……"

"It's like a kind of faith—you're in front, I'm behind, you radiate ten thousand zhang of light, while I hide in the shadows."

"You don't know my name, you don't know my affairs, you don't know I like you—you're just being yourself."

"But whenever I hear your voice, your stage presence, I feel my current life has meaning. I know my passion may very well go unrewarded, but that doesn't matter, because in this relationship, I seek, I learn, I strive, I grow—I don't need to touch you, I only need to grasp this little thing to be enough."

"You perform, I cheer for you; you act, I applaud you; you burn your life, while I enjoy your firelight. You may never know I like you, but it's fine—I like you, I like you the most, just like the dancing girl of Izu—those beautiful moments, those days we traveled together, that hair comb and farewell on the steamboat—will forever stay in my heart."

Okada Masayoshi and Saito Asuka listened and fell silent.

Yeah, this is love.

Knowing brilliance comes before dullness, still expecting to start everything over from the beginning.

Since we once had it, my love doesn't want to pause.

In every dream, there's your dream—we jointly await an eternal spring.

Spring~

So when one day dreams become reality, Date's impulsiveness can be understood—after all, Okada and Saito have experienced it, love coming too fast like a tornado.

Only Igarashi Shinobu has a confused expression.

Hearing Date say that, does that mean I can interpret Moriya Akane's significance to Date as……Gundam?

Meanwhile, Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai also returned to the guesthouse.

Black heavens draped over the Mizawa Snow Mountains; Uesugi Shinai's lanterns were lit one by one, orange-red light shining on the thick snow, creating an ancient and mysterious atmosphere.

Shirakawa Mai, Saito Asuka, and Miyawaki Sakura were personally guided by Uesugi Muneyuki through the approach path, entering the shrine's rear guest lodgings. "Tonight we stay here." Uesugi Muneyuki smiled at Mai Xuejie, Asuka, and Sakura.

"So the shrine actually has such a great place? I still didn't know this!" Mai Xuejie said excitedly.

"You're the Head of the Kanto Shinai Alliance and you didn't know?" Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but retort.

"Although I'm the Chief Priest, I don't have a reason to visit every shrine individually." Mai Xuejie casually retorted: "Just like a shogun doesn't need to actually visit every country to make sense."

"Too bad, but as a forensic pathologist I indeed need to go to every crime scene." Uesugi Muneyuki retorted.

………… Asuka had already anticipated what would happen; the girl lowered her head, silent, her small face full of blush, not daring to say a word.

This day finally arrived.

Finally, finally!

However, Sakura was equally excited; she originally planned to return to participate in the Kohaku Uta Gassen, but didn't expect this to happen, so she "had to" stay an extra day here!

And she's just like Asuka! The New Year's bell rang, and she officially turned eighteen!

Looking forward, looking forward, nervous, nervous!

Nervous, nervous, looking forward, looking forward!

Uesugi Muneyuki saw this scene and smiled slightly, saying nothing.

The belated dinner took place in the tatami mat room inside the shrine, with exquisite kaiseki cuisine paired with steaming hot sake; Mai and the three others took off their heavy coats, revealing their elegant winter attire.

Mai Xuejie's black silk stockings glimmered with a deep luster in the candlelight, her legs wrapped in thick yet silky black velvet-like pantyhose crossed over each other, the leg lines long and strong, extending from the thigh roots down to the slender ankles, each movement producing a faint rubbing sound; Asuka's pure white velvet pantyhose revealed a natural skin glow, matching her slender, delicate legs, making her legs appear especially long and well-proportioned; Sakura's gray polka-dot silk stockings reflected slightly under the light, wrapping around her energetic yet graceful legs, the ornaments on her wrists and ankles lightly tapping the floor, producing a tinkling sound.

Uesugi Muneyuki watched the second half of the Kohaku Uta Gassen with them, merely smiling.

After the meal, each of the three soaked in their private hot springs; amidst the rising steam, Mai's black silk stockings had already been removed, revealing her flawless white legs immersed in the hot water, while Sakura and Asuka relaxed and chatted.

The night had deepened completely.

They were all waiting, waiting for the moment the New Year's bell would ring, and also waiting for everything to officially begin.

Hatchling's first cry!