Tokyo Yandere Girlfriend

Chapter 33

Hojo Shione pulled the car to the curb a block from H University. While unbuckling her seatbelt, she leaned over and brushed the back of her hand across her sister's forehead.

"You'll be fine. The fever should break this afternoon."

She was too close. Two soft obstacles filled Suzune's field of vision. Annoyed, the younger girl pushed her away.

"I wasn't that sick to begin with."

Shione let herself be shoved back into the driver's seat, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Sulking because I hauled you home last night?"

"Hmph."

Suzune turned her face to the window, cheeks warm. Exactly right—if you hadn't come running the minute he called, I'd have stayed at Seiya's place. A little more wheedling and I might've slipped under his blanket and scored.

Instead I climbed a mountain, rode an open-air cable car, and spent thirty minutes under an ice-cold shower. Barely tasted his pity before you dragged me back.

The thought that she might have missed her chance to sleep next to Shiratori Seiya made Suzune's heart ache; she wanted to claw her sister's heart out.

"Tch."

Shione chuckled at the pout on her kid sister's face. "Even if I hadn't shown up, do you really think Seiya would've let you spend the night?"

"Sure, I got sick on purpose, but he'd have fussed over me. If you'd been out of town, maybe. The second he could reach you, he'd have driven me straight here."

Caught red-handed, Suzune only felt her face burn hotter. She sniffed. "Worth a shot."

I tried the same stunt, dummy. Shione sighed inwardly. Last year she'd pretended to be ill just to stay at his apartment; he'd rushed her to the ER instead. Watching him worry had been sweet torture, but the rejection still stung. And now that Suzune was involved—no matter how much Shione tried to give Seiya space—their blood tie made any real transgression impossible.

That was why she'd let Suzune spend the day with him, after all. Even though the very idea of them touching made her chest tighten.

Still, she hadn't expected Suzune to go so far as to give herself a fever.

Good. You'll need that kind of grit to beat the competition.

Shione swept her gaze over Suzune's flushed cheeks. "So you're really going to meet Takahashi Mio?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

Suzune shot back, eyes narrowing. "Only a coward would dodge her."

Shione only smiled. "Aren't you afraid she'll tell Seiya?"

"Let her. I just want to see what she's like. We've known him forever; I'm allowed to vet his girlfriend."

Suzune stuck out her lower lip, but her pulse fluttered. They were officially dating now; any interference might backfire. Yet she had to look Mio in the eye.

Ever since she'd seen the couple's cozy photo, the night before coming to Tokyo, resentment had peaked. She needed to know what made this girl worthy—why Seiya had chosen her over both sisters.

With a deep breath, Suzune reached for the door handle.

Her sister's hand clamped around her wrist.

"Wait."

"What now?" Suzune snapped, light-headed from the lingering fever.

Shione said nothing. Her fingers slipped beneath Suzune's collar and drew out the pendant hidden between her breasts.

"What are you doing?" Suzune bristled, clutching the red cord like a cat guarding its prize.

"He gave you this?"

"Yes. Jealous? He wrote you a song on your birthday, remember?"

Shione's gaze lingered on the tiny jade knife. So he still keeps that design in mind.

"Done staring?" Suzune yanked the necklace back under her blouse, slid out of the car, and slammed the door. The younger girl marched toward campus, leaving her sister staring after her.

A keepsake like that... and he gave it to my sister? A flicker of confusion crossed Shione's eyes.

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Outside Literature Department Building No. 1, Takahashi Mio shifted from foot to foot, stomach in knots.

Human beings fear the unknown.

The cryptic text about Shiratori Seiya had ruined her morning. She couldn't help recalling how she'd first met him—different form of notice, same gut-wrenching uncertainty.

Crap. Is someone blackmailing me?

Why is my life always like this?

She frowned, imagination running wild. After running through every possible sin, she could only land on one: the online loan.

Did they find out? Those damned lenders leak client data—report them later.

Lost in her spiral, she didn't notice the petite figure until it spoke.

"You're Takahashi Mio?"

Mio's heart lurched. She turned toward the voice.

"What are you staring at?" the girl demanded.

Mio lowered her gaze—and blinked. A child?

That was her first thought at the girl's tiny frame. Then she noticed the fever-bright eyes, half-lidded yet sharp.

"Are... are you the one who texted me?" Mio ventured.

Hojo Suzune said nothing. She folded her arms beneath her chest and circled Mio like a scanner. One slow revolution, then a dismissive snort.

"Hmph. Nothing special."