Chapter 820

"You'll know when the time comes."

After saying this.

She gave Natsume Chikage no further opportunity to ask questions.

Holding her folding fan, she slowly rose from the cushion.

The hem of her kimono spread and fell like flowing water, without a single wrinkle.

Konoe Hitomi, standing by, stepped forward almost the instant she moved.

With skilled and respectful movements, she straightened the slightly loosened collar, smoothed out any subtle traces on the cuffs, and gently returned a stray lock of hair to its place.

Midou Orihime seemed to remember something.

Before stepping away, she turned her head again and said to Natsume Chikage, who was still in a state of confusion:

"You, if you encounter any troublesome matters recently, you can go find Hitomi."

"She can help you handle them."

Natsume Chikage was even more confused.

Troublesome matters?

Find Hitomi to handle them?

What is this all about?

However, before he could organize his language to ask again.

Midou Orihime had already turned her head back.

She took a step, the hem of her red and black kimono swaying gently with her pace, like a night flower blooming and closing.

Her footsteps were neither hurried nor slow, walking straight toward the exit of the Furukawa family mansion.

Konoe Hitomi, like her most loyal shadow, followed silently, not a half-step behind.

The figures of the two soon disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

They came and went like the wind, mysterious and unpredictable.

Furukawa Masahiro, upon hearing the last sentence Midou Orihime said to Natsume Chikage, shook violently.

His aged face was instantly filled with unconcealable shock.

The next head of the Midou family... actually gave such a promise?

Just... because of a painting?

Or was it that Natsume-kun, unknowingly, had already done something he failed to notice that was enough to move this unfathomable young lady?

That was the Midou family!

The Midou family, which possessed huge influence in Japan!

The promise of its next head was as heavy as a thousand jun.

And listening to that tone, it seemed to be a promise that could be fulfilled immediately, without clear upper limits or harsh conditions.

This meant that as long as Natsume Chikage was willing, he could now use the power of the Midou family to solve many predicaments that ordinary people could not overcome in their entire lives—money, connections, or even troubles in certain gray areas...

But... why?

Why would someone like Midou Orihime give such heavy "favor" to a boy from an ordinary background?

Furukawa Masahiro's brain turned rapidly, trying to find a reasonable explanation.

Could it be... that Natsume-kun's elders had old ties with the Midou family?

So the Midou young lady was taking care of him for the sake of an old friend's son?

It seemed... only this explanation made a little sense.

As for other more outrageous guesses, such as Midou Orihime having developed feelings beyond the ordinary or even love for Natsume Chikage...

Furukawa Masahiro almost instinctively and firmly denied this thought.

This was the next head of the Midou family!

And the marriage and emotions of the head of the Midou family were never something an individual could decide; they inevitably involved huge family interests and strategic layouts.

Therefore, throughout the generations of Midou heads, there had never been a precedent for combining with a commoner.

This was absolutely impossible!

He shook his head secretly, throwing this absurd thought out of his mind.

Natsume Chikage stood where he was, his brows slightly furrowed, looking in the direction where Midou Orihime and Konoe Hitomi had disappeared.

These two came and went in a rush, played a game of chess, had him paint a picture, said a few words that were misty and unclear in meaning, and then left quickly.

Their style of doing things was mysterious and unpredictable.

He really found it difficult to fathom what these two women, who came from prominent backgrounds and had extraordinary temperaments, intended to do.

What exactly did Midou Orihime's last sentence mean?

Natsume Chikage couldn't sort out his thoughts for the time being.

However, he did remember that Konoe Hitomi had indeed vaguely mentioned before that if he encountered "particularly troublesome" matters, he could try to find her.

It was just that at the time, she also hinted that a corresponding "price" would need to be paid.

He knew clearly that with the unfathomable power of the Midou family, on this land of Japan, they might really have the ability to "settle" most troubles.

But that "price"...

It was very likely not something he could easily bear now, and might even drag him into a more complex and dangerous whirlpool.

Therefore, even though he had now received Midou Orihime's clearer permission, Natsume Chikage did not feel much joy or reliance in his heart.

He had originally intended to try to have as little entanglement as possible with people like Midou Orihime and Konoe Hitomi, who had backgrounds that were too deep and whose actions were difficult to grasp.

Unless absolutely necessary, he would never use this "connection."

That, perhaps, was the greatest protection for himself and his sister.

For now, the painting matter could be considered to have come to an end, right?

The other party paid the "reward," which was that ten-tsubo house.

He delivered the "work."

So this counts as the transaction being completed?

It should be, right...

Natsume Chikage thought so, feeling a little relieved.

He was not a person who climbed the social ladder.

Deep in his heart, he always maintained a clear understanding.

The "extraordinary treatment" that Midou Orihime and Konoe Hitomi showed him must have their reasons and purposes behind it.

It was just that he couldn't see through this purpose now, nor could he guess it.

Perhaps... after the "Jade Dragon Flag" kendo competition ended, and he collected the last piece of "special equipment" for chess... he would be able to know.

Also, with the improvement of his own abilities, he felt that the subtle and passive relationship between him and these two people should also be able to find a suitable opportunity to withdraw calmly.

That would be the best ending.

After leaving the Furukawa family.

The afternoon sun had become gentle.

Natsume Chikage stepped onto the train returning to Shibuya.

The carriage swayed slightly, and the city scenery outside the window swept backward rapidly.

He planned to go to the Midnight Publishing House first to bring the completed "Snow Country" for editor Takahashi Jun to look over.

At the same time, it would be a good opportunity to ask, or go directly to a nearby bookstore to see how the sales of "The Devotion of Suspect X" were on its first day on the shelves.

However, he had not agreed on a specific time with Editor Takahashi in advance.

To avoid a wasted trip, or arriving at the publishing house and not finding anyone, Natsume Chikage decided to contact him in advance.

He took his phone out of his pocket and unlocked the screen.

His fingertip tapped lightly on the LINE app icon.

He found the avatar labeled "Takahashi Jun" in the contact list.

He clicked it to enter the chat interface.

【Natsume Chikage: Editor Takahashi, good afternoon. I expect to arrive at the publishing house around four o'clock. Is that time convenient for you?】

The message was just sent out.

Almost instantly, the status showed as "Read."

Immediately after, the reply popped up. ===== CHAPTER 821 =====