Chapter 355

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui waved her hand, interrupting him, and laughed:

"It's okay, it's okay, we know you didn't do it on purpose."

"And Miss Konoe actually had a point; having professional coaches guide you is definitely better than us fumbling around on our own."

"Since you're free after school tomorrow and have no other plans, and Miss Konoe hasn't called you again... can you go with us tomorrow?"

Natsume Chikage thought for a moment and nodded in agreement:

"Sure."

"But I have something to do after five o'clock, so I might only be able to stay with you until five, and then I'll have to leave."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui was stunned; she had been looking forward to playing with Natsume-kun for a while longer.

But since he had something to do at five, there was nothing she could do.

It didn't matter, though; as long as she could play with him, she would be happy even if it was just for a little while.

Although Yukimura Suzune and Saionji Nanase would be there too, those two didn't seem to have any special feelings for Natsume-kun.

Looking at it this way, this was almost like an opportunity specifically created for her to be alone with Natsume-kun and cultivate their relationship!

Tee-hee!

"That's fine, we were only planning to play baseball for about an hour anyway."

"But... what do you have to do after five o'clock?"

"Are you going to see Ruri-chan?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head:

"No."

"Actually, I found a new part-time job these past few days."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui blinked her large eyes:

"A new part-time job?"

"What do you do?"

Natsume Chikage explained:

"I'm teaching a little girl how to play shogi."

"It's that opponent I met in my first official shogi match, Furukawa Saio. Do you remember her?"

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui realized, clapping her hands:

"Oh! That very cute little girl!"

"I remember!"

"But... how much is the hourly wage for playing shogi with her? 800 yen? Or 1000 yen?"

Natsume Chikage smiled and held up five fingers:

"More than that, it's 5000 yen an hour."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui's eyes widened immediately:

"5000 yen?!"

"That high?!"

"Could it be... that little girl's family is very wealthy?"

Natsume Chikage recalled what the old Mr. Furukawa had said:

"It seems so... I heard her grandfather mention it before, they definitely aren't short on money."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui felt a strange "thump" in her heart, and a tiny bit of panic welled up.

If Natsume-kun really found such a high-paying part-time job...

Would he quit his job at the coffee shop because of it?

If that happened, wouldn't they be unable to get off work and go home together every day like they do now?

"Natsume-kun..."

"Hmm?"

"That... this part-time job... is it every day?"

Natsume Chikage smiled and shook his head:

"That seems unlikely."

"Her grandfather said that each visit is at most two hours of guidance."

"And he only mentioned going to guide her once; he didn't mention any follow-up arrangements."

"Maybe they just want to find me to play shogi and 'get revenge' while they're at it."

"After this time, there might not be a next time."

"Even if there is, the frequency probably won't be very high."

Hearing this, Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui breathed a slight sigh of relief, and a sweet smile bloomed on her face again:

"Regardless, being able to find a high-paying part-time job is a good thing after all."

Natsume Chikage nodded and smiled:

"Yeah."

Soon.

A familiar high-end apartment building appeared in view.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui's gaze habitually swept toward the curb and green belt near the apartment entrance, her tone carrying a hint of regret:

"Shiro isn't here today."

"Looks like it went to sleep somewhere else again."

Natsume Chikage also sighed softly:

"What a pity."

Actually, he had specifically prepared cat treats today, intending to continue his plan to "conquer" that mysterious white cat.

Unfortunately, the little guy's whereabouts were unpredictable; it wandered around every day and didn't have a fixed location.

And Natsume Chikage's own time was very limited; he couldn't spend a lot of time specifically looking for it.

It seemed this matter would just have to be left to fate.

"Well, it's getting late, so I'll head back first."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui had actually wanted to use the topic of Shiro to stay with Natsume Chikage a little longer.

But now that the little cat wasn't there, it seemed she had to say goodbye.

She waved her hand reluctantly:

"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Natsume-kun."

Home.

Natsume Chikage used his key to unlock the door and pushed it open to enter.

"I'm home."

"Brother, welcome home!"

Natsume Ruri, wearing white socks, happily stepped onto the tatami mats, running over like a light little bird and hugging Natsume Chikage.

Natsume Chikage gently ruffled his younger sister's soft hair and closed the door behind him.

"Brother, are you hungry? Do you want Ruri to make you a late-night snack?"

"Now that you mention it, I am a bit hungry, so I'll trouble you, Ruri."

"Mm-hmm!"

Just as the siblings were about to turn and head toward the living room.

A faint yet clear scratching sound came from the door.

Hearing this sound.

Both of their footsteps stopped at the same time.

A hint of fear flashed across Natsume Ruri's face, and she subconsciously hid behind Natsume Chikage, her small hand gripping her brother's hem tightly:

"Brother... there seems to be a scratching sound at the door... could there be something strange? Or... is someone at the door?"

Natsume Chikage's expression also became solemn in an instant.

He held his breath and carefully leaned toward the peephole on the door to peek outside.

However, as far as the peephole's view reached, there was no one there.