"I told you, don’t get involved with him!!"
Looking at the Chumi Hodashima in front of her, Eiriri’s good mood from Fang Zheng returning and dating her was half ruined.
"But Zemura-senpai, and Tomoya-senpai have turned out like that!"
"That’s their own fault, and considering what he did to Megumi, dying a thousand times wouldn’t be enough."
Snorting slightly, Eiriri spoke. Her relationship with Kato Megumi was better than with Shiyu of Misty Hill, and now without the relationship layer with Aki Tomoya, the two were as close as best friends.
"What exactly did Tomoya-senpai do to Senior Kato?"
"That’s personal privacy, I can’t tell you."
Eiriri wasn’t one to gossip, and indeed this matter wasn’t worth telling outsiders, so even when Chumi Hodashima asked, she didn’t say.
In fact, Shiyu of Misty Hill had also asked before, but was similarly refused by Eiriri, though she did give a little hint... After that, Shiyu of Misty Hill left with a disgusted look, clearly she had mostly guessed even if Eiriri didn’t say it outright.
That woman only has such sharp intuition in these matters.
"In any case, Megumi already has a new boyfriend, it’s over between her and that guy, you get it, right? You want Megumi to change her mind now, it’s impossible. And you should understand what kind of person Kato Megumi is, I can clearly tell you, this time it’s entirely that guy’s fault, Megumi was not wrong at all!"
"But..."
Chumi Hodashima was not a fool. She could hear from Eiriri’s tone that the relationship between Eiriri and Aki Tomoya was completely broken, and Chumi Hodashima also somewhat understood that once Eiriri and Kato Megumi might have been rivals in love, but now Eiriri actually defended Kato Megumi, and instead, saw the man she once liked so unfavorably...
What really happened?
"Is there really no chance at all?"
"None, none at all, I can tell you not at all, so you’d better not look for Megumi either. Moreover, here’s my personal advice: stay away from that guy. He... never mind, although he’s a past man, I’m just too lazy to speak ill of him, but you remember, getting close to that guy as a woman is simply a nightmare."
(".....?")
Listening to Eiriri, Chumi Hodashima was completely confused, but Eiriri clearly didn’t want to explain anything more, quickly summoned the waiter over to settle the bill and then bid farewell.
Even though she wanted to call Eiriri back, Chumi Hodashima ultimately gave up.
Could I really be wrong?
Walking on the street, Chumi Hodashima was still pondering this question. Her impression of Aki Tomoya only lingered on more than a year ago, but at that time Aki Tomoya wasn’t much different in her impression, yet why had such a transformation occurred in just one year?
No one knew the reason for Aki Tomoya and Kato Megumi’s breakup, the only ones who knew were Fang Zheng, Kato Megumi, Aki Tomoya, and Eiriri. Others only knew that Aki Tomoya broke up with his long-term girlfriend Kato Megumi— even Chumi Hodashima’s brother only told her this.
Although Eiriri said a bit more, she was equally reluctant to discuss the reasons for the breakup.
But Chumi Hodashima wasn’t a child anymore, she was now a high school student and knew that if even Eiriri didn’t want to discuss the topic, it probably wasn’t something as simple as "breaking up due to misunderstanding and argument", and although according to the plot of the girl games Chumi Hodashima liked, this should be where other women want to monopolize Aki Tomoya and intentionally create misunderstandings forcing the two to break up— but it’s not, right?
Clearly, Eiriri had no intention of being with Aki Tomoya again, and Misty Hill-senpai also seemed long out of touch with Tomoya-senpai, so they simply didn’t have the kind of motives commonly seen in girl games.
While pondering, Chumi Hodashima walked along the street, and at this moment, her gaze unintentionally caught sight of a pair just exiting the cinema.
Upon seeing that pair, Chumi Hodashima couldn’t help but widen her eyes.
"Although it’s not my first time watching this movie, I still want to say, what’s so good about this thing?"
Exiting the cinema, Fang Zheng once again turned his gaze to the movie poster. The title read "Potter and Alice", a name devoid of novelty, and according to Asuna, this movie was a currently popular romance film, even nominated for an Oscar, but after Fang Zheng watched it...
"You don’t like this type of movie, Mr. Fang Zheng?"
Walking beside Fang Zheng, Kato Megumi looked at him curiously.
"Not really. It’s just another story of a poor guy and a Young Lady falling in love. Ordinary folk might enjoy it, but for the record, the audience’s reaction is actually more interesting than the movie itself."
Fang Zheng chuckled. In his view, popular romance movies in the world were nothing more than three types: either a Romeo and Juliet-style tragic antagonistic stance, Cinderella turns into a Phoenix, or a poor guy and a Young Lady. In short, all three are set to fulfill the general ordinary person’s wishes.
In contrast, the audience’s reactions were much more intriguing to Fang Zheng.
After returning to Heavenly Dao Palace this time, Fang Zheng had made plans. After all, it had been a long time since he had accompanied his harem, so he compressed the time difference between Heavenly Dao Palace and other Free Worlds to the extreme, to maximize his time dating his harem.
Up until now, Fang Zheng had already dated Kurumi, Eiriri, Asuna, Black Cat, and other members of his harem, and next were Kato Megumi and Chiyo, girls although not confirmed in romantic relationships, yet very close.
By the way, the only reason Fang Zheng didn’t get sick of watching this movie repeatedly was that each girl’s reaction next to him while watching was different.
Asuna was very orthodox, watching the entire film with tears— by the way, this movie ends tragically, similar to "Are You There, Wife?", where the male lead sacrifices himself for the female lead and ends up dead.
This was very typical; aiming for the Oscars, without sacrificing the main characters you’d be embarrassed to win an award, right?
As for others, there were differences.
For instance, Eiriri kept grabbing Fang Zheng during the movie, excitedly discussing which scene could be used in a book, or which would fit a certain narrative better— like the scene where the female lead is accosted by thugs and escapes with the male lead, Eiriri expressed "that’s too boring, they should both be stopped, then do this or that to the female lead in front of the male lead!"
Meanwhile, Black Cat watching declared herself as a Deity, frequently asking "You foolish mortals, how will you face the challenge I’ve set for you?", and at the movie’s end, stylishly declared "Ultimately, it’s all the same, I will take your beloved man’s soul!"
As for Kurumi... well, she didn’t watch at all. Upon seeing the lead couple’s intimate scenes, she merely asked Fang Zheng how many times they had done this and then demanded ten times the compensation— what kind of remuneration scheme is this?!
By the time the movie finished, Kurumi’s skirt was soaking wet.
That’s why Fang Zheng didn’t mind these things, taking different girls to date repeatedly, since each of their responses was more interesting than the repetitive movie.
By the way, Kato Megumi too, during the entire movie she was constantly reacting with "Oh" "Ah" but ultimately conveyed a vibe as if a nearby bystander observing, displaying a very "it’s interesting but unrelated to me" peaceful attitude.
"Wouldn’t you want to be the female lead?"
"Huh? Wouldn’t that be too troublesome? Also, the female lead had to climb over walls..."
Kato Megumi referred to the part at the movie’s start where the female lead felt constrained by her Nobility life and wanted to see the outside world, so she climbed the wall while the servant wasn’t looking, to which Kato Megumi remarked "why go out on purpose to suffer? Isn’t staying home nice? Plus, her skirt got torn, doesn’t she consider the servants at home would get scolded after she sneaked out?"
"True, generally thinking about such a romance is fine, but actually getting involved would be a pain."
"Exactly, plus facing rivals in love... sigh..."
Thus, Fang Zheng and Kato Megumi continued their conversation as they left the cinema, while Chumi Hodashima stared utterly dumbstruck at their silhouettes.
Who is that man?
Chumi Hodashima didn’t know Fang Zheng, but she could see their relationship was very close. Could it be siblings... no, siblings wouldn’t be holding arms like that.
Could he be Senior Kato’s new partner?
He indeed seemed like a very young and handsome man, but... is that really the case? Senior Kato and Senior Tomoya have been together for several years, so why would they break up at this moment? Is it because of that man’s pursuit? A political marriage? Eh? But Senior Kato’s family is just ordinary, and she’s not some president’s daughter...
With these thoughts in mind, Chumi Hodashima followed behind the two, watching them stroll along the shopping street, then visit a nearby arcade, and finally arrive at a... love hotel on the entertainment street.
"Uh........."
Seeing this, Chumi Hodashima’s face turned red. Regular siblings or friends wouldn’t come to such a place, which means their relationship is indeed that kind of relationship...
Chumi Hodashima didn’t even remember how she made it back to Aki Tomoya’s apartment, but she still wanted to ask clearly.
"Um... Senior Tomoya."
"........."
"I saw Senior Kato, um... she was with a man, a very handsome and elegant man, um..."
"Are you one of them?"
"Eh?"
However, before Chumi Hodashima could finish her sentence, she was interrupted as Aki Tomoya raised his head, staring at her fiercely, which made Chumi Hodashima feel a bit scared, as this was the first time she saw Aki Tomoya like this.
"Senior Tomoya...?"
"Were you also with him like Megumi? Is that right? Then let me have a taste of you!!"
"Wait, Senior Tomoya, what are you doing!"
To Chumi Hodashima’s surprise, Aki Tomoya suddenly lunged at her, pinning her to the ground, and desperately tearing at Chumi Hodashima’s clothes, leaving her in a daze, not knowing how to react.
"Senior Tomoya, pull yourself together, Senior Tomoya! Wake up!"
"Stop babbling, you’re the same, right? Falling head over heels for that man, then exposing your shameless expression as a sow under him! Then let me see your depravity... !!"
"No!!!"
Along with the sound of ripping clothes came Chumi Hodashima’s scream...
"So... what’s going on?"
Standing in the police station, Fang Zheng looked puzzled at Eiriri with Kato Megumi in tow, while Eiriri sighed helplessly and looked at Kato Megumi.
"That idiot got arrested."
"Ah... I see..."
Upon hearing Eiriri’s words, Kato Megumi remained calm and composed. In fact, not only her, but even Eiriri also appeared calm at the moment.
"But why are you at the police station? And you brought us here as well?"
"It’s not specifically for Mr. Fang Zheng; I mainly wanted to call Megumi, actually..."
Saying this, Eiriri looked at Kato Megumi.
"Do you remember a girl named Chumi Hodashima?"
"...Mm, somewhat remember."
"She seemed to have heard about your breakup with that guy, so she came to me to ask about it. Later... I’m not sure what happened, but she was attacked by that guy."
"Eh?!"
Hearing this, Kato Megumi finally seemed a bit surprised and widened her eyes.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, I don’t know what else to say. Honestly, when I got the call from the police, I was also completely confused."
Eiriri felt frustrated; after all, this matter was originally unrelated to her at all. But indeed, back then Chumi Hodashima hadn’t been taken advantage of by Aki Tomoya, partly because other residents in the apartment heard Chumi Hodashima’s screams and came out to stop him and called the police, and partly because... Aki Tomoya completely lacked the "ability to commit the crime."
And as the victim, Chumi Hodashima was naturally taken to the police station for investigation. When it was time to notify her relatives or friends, she chose to notify Eiriri because she didn’t want this incident to be known by her family.
This left Eiriri feeling helpless, not knowing how to respond, feeling like she was caught in the crossfire while lying down.
What’s it got to do with me? We’re not that familiar, okay!
Though Eiriri wanted to say that, looking at the tearful Chumi Hodashima with torn clothes, she ultimately agreed to her request to "want to talk to Senior Kato," and called Kato Megumi, while Fang Zheng, who was already in a date with Kato Megumi, naturally tagged along at that moment.
"Sorry, Mr. Fang Zheng, I hope it’s okay to borrow Megumi for a while."
"No problem, go on."
Watching Eiriri take Kato Megumi into the adjoining room, Fang Zheng shrugged his shoulders, knowing that such matters certainly couldn’t be spoken to outsiders. Yet Chumi Hodashima almost got attacked, under such circumstances, it’s obviously not the time to hide these things, and Fang Zheng didn’t care about such matters, so he let them handle it.
After a while, Eiriri came out alone, evidently Kato Megumi planned to chat with Chumi Hodashima.
"Wow, never thought something like this would happen."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I always felt that guy was a bit much, but at least... forget it, there’s no use talking about it now. Mr. Fang Zheng, how many years do you think that guy might get sentenced?"
"I wouldn’t know, but since it was attempted, the time shouldn’t be too long."
"That’s true, ah, I really don’t want to tell his family about this, better let the police notify them, I’ll go leave a contact number."
Eiriri quickly left with a look of "get rid of the trouble swiftly," and shortly afterward, the room door slowly opened, and Kato Megumi came out.
"Sorry for the wait, Mr. Fang Zheng."
"No worries... What’s wrong?"
Seeing Kato Megumi’s somewhat hesitant expression, Fang Zheng was slightly taken aback, asking, while Kato Megumi...
"That girl... wants to talk to you."
"........."
What’s it got to do with me?!

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