Hmph, a fever!
No wonder someone who's never been sick in years is suddenly "unwell" today!
So well-prepared, even anticipating I'd check on him at lunch!
If not for running into Mrs. Mouri downstairs, I'd have been fooled.
Furious, Hii Eri kicked Hayashi Shuichi's bedroom door.
"Hayashi Shuichi, you liar!"
She kicked a few more times but, realizing she'd be late for afternoon classes, suppressed her anger and stormed back to Teitan High.
Entering the classroom as the bell rang, her grim expression made Mouri Kogoro uneasy, though the teacher's presence kept him from asking.
No way, is Shuichi really faking it?
…
After lunch with Kurazumi Kyouko, unaware his ruse was exposed, Hayashi Shuichi and Fujimine Yukiko headed home.
The return train wasn't at peak hours. Though still crowded, it was less packed than the morning.
Onboard, Fujimine Yukiko chattered about her audition experience.
Today was unforgettable for her, and Hayashi Shuichi listened with a smile, not minding her excitement.
He understood her thrill. In his past life, catching his first thief after starting work felt the same.
"…I wonder if I'll pass," Yukiko said, her earlier confidence turning to worry. "Shuichi, what if I fail? I bragged too much. What'll Kyouko think? And that glasses girl—she'll mock me."
"What's the point of worrying now? The audition's done," Hayashi Shuichi chuckled. "If you fail, just try harder next time."
"You think I might fail?" Yukiko fixated on his last words.
Hayashi Shuichi sighed, knocking her head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Yukiko rubbed her head, glaring.
"Stop overthinking," he said, exasperated. "I'd say you've got a 90% chance of passing. Why stress yourself out?"
"Really that high?" Her eyes sparkled.
"Your looks and acting cover 50%," Hayashi Shuichi analyzed. "Your Mihama City Hall stunt made you a media darling, boosting marketability—another 30%. The crew's not dumb; they'll see the benefits. Plus, your parents are famous actors, adding 10%."
"What about the last 10%?" Yukiko pressed, unwilling to let it go. "Am I lacking somewhere?"
"That's luck," Hayashi Shuichi shrugged. "If some rich heiress wants the Sakamoto Otome role to play at filmmaking…"
He didn't finish, but Yukiko, with actor parents, understood.
"My luck's not that bad, right?"
"So stop worrying. Just wait for the results," Hayashi Shuichi reassured. "Even if you fail, it's just luck, not your ability."
"…Fine," Yukiko sighed, dejected.
Hayashi Shuichi felt helpless. He knew Yukiko would become a world-famous star but couldn't recall her exact roles.
He couldn't guarantee she'd pass this audition.
For the rest of the ride, Yukiko quietly pondered her luck.
Hayashi Shuichi left her to it, expecting a calm return to Mihama. But after two stops, something felt off.
A heavyset woman with heavy makeup stood beside him.
Despite ample space, she stayed close, brushing against him whenever the train swayed.
What the—am I being harassed by a female train pervert?
Hayashi Shuichi groaned inwardly.
If she were attractive, he might not mind.
But she looked like Zhu Bajie—how could he stand being groped by her?
Frowning, he subtly shifted, putting Yukiko between them.
Seeing Yukiko's delicate face and figure, the woman's expression turned sour.
We're both perverts, so why act all high and mighty?
You moved to her because she's pretty and curvy, huh?
Ditching me for her just because I'm not as good-looking!
Men are all shallow jerks!
Fuming, the woman assumed Hayashi Shuichi and Yukiko were strangers since they hadn't spoken.
With space in the carriage, she, with her perverse mindset, thought Hayashi Shuichi chose Yukiko for her looks.
And Yukiko's troubled expression? Clearly, she was being harassed by him.
I threw myself at you, and you looked disgusted.
She's reluctant, yet you're all over her!
Her jealousy flared.
As the train hit a sharp curve, passengers swayed, and Yukiko and Hayashi Shuichi bumped together.
Seizing the moment, the woman shouted, "Pervert! With all these people, you dare grope this girl!"
Every eye in the carriage turned to Hayashi Shuichi.
"You're calling me a pervert?" he asked, half-laughing.
Japan's trains indeed had molesters exploiting crowds, even inspiring related games.
But Hayashi Shuichi never imagined this woman, who'd been groping him, would turn around and accuse him?
Talk about bold-faced lies!
"…What's going on?" Yukiko, lost in thought, hadn't noticed the situation.
"This lady says—"
Before Hayashi Shuichi could finish, the woman yanked Yukiko to her side.
"Don't be scared, sister! I've got your back!"
(Chapter End)
------------------------------
"Behind the scenes, there's a world of exclusive content waiting for you on Patreon. Get early access, to see the latest chapters!!! That's where it all happens 🚀.
👉 Check it out: [patreon.com/TripleCrown07]"