Chapter 354: Chapter 352: The Boy Rindō-senpai Likes
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Hearing the conversation, Sui couldn't help but glance at Rindō. Memories of her bold, unexpected kiss from a few days ago flashed through his mind.
Rindō was typically carefree, often teasing him and making playful, intimate gestures. But he hadn't expected her to be so audacious that day.
"Well, I'm not so sure about marriage," Rindō responded after a moment of thought. "A free spirit like me isn't keen on being tied down by family responsibilities."
"But, Rindō-senpai, won't you have to get married eventually?" Megumi asked with a soft smile. "Won't your parents expect it?"
Over the past few months, Megumi's family had begun calling her frequently, urging her to bring Sui back home for a visit. It was clear they had already started thinking of him as her boyfriend, a situation that left her conflicted. After all, she did have a special relationship with him...
Rindō sighed, glancing briefly at Sui before speaking. "You're right. It's a bit... troubling."
"Hehe, I bet when Rindō-senpai gets married, she'll turn into a gentle and loving wife," Alice teased with a playful giggle.
The country's traditional culture often depicted women as devoted to their husbands after marriage, transforming into good wives and mothers. In most cases, once a woman married, she would stop working to manage the household while her husband took care of financial matters. It was an unspoken rule that men earned the money while women tended to the home and children.
"Hmph! I'm not like some people who get tamed so easily by a man, going from a fierce young lady to a submissive wife!" Rindō scoffed, her prideful smile revealing her sharp little canine teeth.
Erina's cheeks flushed pink. She knew Rindō's remarks were directed at her but couldn't find the words to argue.
"You know, it's hard to believe. Erina had such a fiery temper—like a wildcat," Alice said mischievously, her voice rising with amusement. "Now look at her, she's become so docile."
Erina ground her teeth in frustration and gave Sui a pinch.
Sui was left speechless. 'Why is she pinching me when she's mad?' he wondered. 'Just wait until we get home and see how I deal with you!'
"I'm no wildcat! I'm a cheetah—a wild cheetah roaming the jungle! You can't tame me that easily!" Rindō declared confidently. Her long blood-red hair, gleaming golden eyes, and pointed canines made her resemble a fierce predator—like a cheetah lurking in the tall grass, exuding wild beauty.
"Who's the wildcat now?" Erina snapped, still fuming. She twisted Sui's arm, clearly angry with Rindō's teasing.
Sui gave her a helpless look.
"I wonder who Rindō-senpai will marry one day," Megumi mused, touching her cheek as she spoke softly.
The others nodded in agreement, all curious about who could possibly be a match for someone as fierce and untamed as Rindō.
"I imagine he'd be a strong, adventurous guy with a cool demeanor—maybe dark-skinned, full of daring spirit," Megumi fantasized aloud. "Someone like that would suit Rindō-senpai perfectly."
However, after thinking for a moment, Megumi realized there wasn't anyone at school who fit that description.
Rindō simply smiled, remaining quiet.
"But I read somewhere that girls tend to fall for boys who complement their personalities," Alice said matter-of-factly, raising a finger as if revealing a secret.
"Eh? Is that really true?" Erina asked nervously.
'So... does that mean the reason I fell for Sui is because our personalities balance each other?' she wondered, her face heating up as she stole a quick glance at Sui.
Meanwhile, Megumi's thoughts drifted in the same direction. Her face turned a light shade of pink as she looked at Sui shyly.
"Hm! Based on that theory, the boy Rindō-senpai likes must be a quiet, handsome type!" Alice deduced with a sly grin. "Am I right, Rindō-senpai?"
Sui, intrigued, began to wonder if there might be some truth to Alice's theory. Perhaps Rindō really was drawn to boys who were calm and composed. Was that why she seemed interested in him?
Sui cast another quick glance at Rindō, just as she happened to look his way. Their eyes met briefly, and a flicker of panic crossed Rindō's face. She quickly turned her head and, with an air of pride, replied, "That's not the case!"
The group fell into thought, agreeing that it was indeed hard to imagine Rindō liking quiet boys like Tsukasa.
Later that evening, after everyone had finished eating and gone their separate ways, Sui stayed behind to help Erina clean up her restaurant.
As they reached the entrance, Sui crouched down naturally and said, "Hop on."
Erina's cheeks flushed pink, but she obediently removed her shoes, revealing her lavender socks, and then leaned onto his back.
Carrying the tsundere girl back to the mansion had become something of a nightly routine. Once there, Sui poured some hot water and prepared to give Erina her nightly foot massage.
Given how long Erina spent on her feet each day, it was only natural that Sui would help her relax every evening with a massage.
Erina sat quietly on the sofa, her face burning red as Sui gently rubbed her feet. Even though this was far from the first time, she always felt a little shy. Her feet tingled as his large hands cradled them, sending a soft, numbing sensation up her legs.
She couldn't help but think back to what Alice had said earlier. It seemed surprisingly accurate. She knew she could be a bit stubborn and demanding, but Sui always indulged her whims with patience.
"Erina?" Sui called softly, breaking her thoughts.
"Mm?" Erina responded with a delicate tenderness in her voice.
"You've gotten a little heavier than yesterday," Sui teased. "I nearly collapsed carrying you back."
Veins bulged faintly on Erina's pale forehead as her temper flared. She couldn't believe it—'What Alice said was utterly unreliable! Sui is the worst, always managing to make me so mad!'
"You're so infuriating!" she huffed, raising her foot in annoyance and giving him a kick.
"All right, you've misbehaved again, haven't you?" Sui smiled, catching her delicate foot.
"Ah! What are you doing, you bad guy?!" Erina yelped, her face flushed with embarrassment as Sui held her foot firmly in his hands.