The Underworld, Starting with Debt

Kasumi Haruno was startled. Her delicate little feet, clad in silky black socks, stepped onto the cool, smooth floor. She kept backing away, her intertwined legs accidentally crossing over, and she fell backward.

"Be careful."

Seeing this, Ito Koshi immediately reached out and supported her soft waist, pulling her into his arms.

"Sorry, I scared you with my prank."

Ito said apologetically.

The air was filled with a fresh and clean scent. Haruno Kasumi looked up blankly at the boy standing so close to her, feeling her heart pounding. For a moment, she didn't know whether she was surprised or embarrassed.

"No, it's okay."

The girl lowered her head, feeling the boy's large hand on her waist. Her round, doll-like face was flushed red as if it had been dyed with rose petals. Her small hands frantically grabbed her soft, flowing hair and twirled around.

The boy lowered his head and looked at the girl's blushing face. Ito Koshitoshi couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.

'So cute...'

He took her hand and squeezed her soft waist. Ito Koshichi lowered his head and gently touched her smooth, fleshy face with his lips, kissing her forehead, the tip of her nose, and her cheeks tenderly, until he stopped on her pink lips.

"Um, Zhi-jun, I, I, you, you, um~"

Kasumi Haruno, like a frightened little rabbit, was incoherent and powerless against the boy's gentle advances.

After a deep kiss, Ito Koshiki leaned against Haruno Kasumi's shoulder, his warm breath brushing against her delicate earlobe as he whispered, "Kasumi-sensei, the biology of male and female anatomy is too profound. Could you teach me?"

"Hmm~"

A shy, soft response escaped her lips. Haruno Kasumi didn't pause at all; it seemed she, too, was quite fond of that warmth.

With her misty eyes closed, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and Haruno Kasumi gently bit her pink lips with her pearly teeth.

......

......

The setting sun was like blood, and the sky was embroidered with a stunningly beautiful blood-red scroll as the sun set.

On the telephone pole, birds chirped and chased each other, and the slanting, dim light cast long shadows on Tsubakizon Jinna as she walked slowly down the road.

"Ugh, I'm so tired..."

The shoulder bag slung over her right shoulder clearly only contained a track and field gymnastics outfit, yet Tsubakizon Nina carried it as if it were a thousand-pound boulder, making her feel utterly exhausted.

The competition is next week...

With her lips pursed, Tsubaki Nina couldn't help but feel immense pressure.

'Recent training hasn't been going well, even though I've been putting more effort into it.'

Thinking of her good friend and rival, Kato Mio, who was getting better and better in training and completely suppressing her, Tsubakizono Nina felt very unwilling.

A hint of grievance flashed in her clear blue eyes, as blue as a lake, and tears involuntarily streamed down her face.

"Niina?!"

A familiar voice came from behind her. Tsubaki Nina quickly wiped away the tears on her cheeks and turned around.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After kissing Kasumi goodbye, Itō Koshichi left the Haruno family home before Haruno Ayato returned. Although his clothes were wet and sticky, it did not affect Itō Koshichi's happy mood at all.

'Speaking of which, Kasumi's house and Aunt Mira's house are in the same direction, shall we go to Tsubaki's house...?'

Thinking it over, Ito Koshino glanced down at his shirt, which was now soaked and almost transparent, and dismissed the idea.

"go home."

As he stepped into the crossroads, Ito Koshino subconsciously looked in the direction of the Tsubaki family's house, only to see a familiar figure from behind.

Her long orange hair shimmered in the afterglow of the setting sun, and her graceful figure was slightly...

Ito Koshito narrowed his eyes, carefully trying to identify her.

'Is it Yuna? No, it's Jinna.'

"Niina?!"

Chapter 155 Tsubakizō Nina: 'Me too!'

"Niina?!"

The orange sky was filled with swirling clouds, and fiery clouds were reflected in Ito Koshitoki's eyes. However, compared to the wonders and beauty of nature, it was all quite different.

The pretty young girl under the sunset attracted Ito Koshito's attention even more.

On the distant horizon, the sun gradually sank, and as night fell, wisps of afterglow spilled from the sky onto her fair, jade-like face.

Her deep blue eyes were brimming with tears, and round teardrops slid down her delicate, elfin cheeks. Tsubaki Nina sniffed, her clear glasses fogged up.

Looking at that pitiful and beautiful face, Ito Koshitomo's heart skipped a beat.

'Oh, so cute. No, now's not the time to think about that!'

Ito Koshito rushed to Tsubakizon Nina's side and gently reached out to wipe away her tears.

"Rina, what happened?"

Looking closely at those slightly reddened eyes again, Ito Koshitoshi felt a surge of violent anger rising within him.

Taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, Ito Koshichi embraced Tsubakizon Nina and gently stroked her soft, long orange hair.

"Woooo..."

Surrounded by his warm embrace, Tsubaki Nina's tears flowed uncontrollably like a collapsing dam, her inner grievances amplified from ripples into raging waves.

Ito Koshito carefully wiped away her tears until she gradually calmed down.

Ito Koshigi grasped Tsubakizon Nina's shoulder, making her look at him: "Nina, tell me, what exactly happened?"

His deep, magnetic voice seemed to possess a magical quality, bringing a sense of calm and inexplicable warmth and comfort. Tsubaki Nina's tears instantly subsided.

Recalling her embarrassing behavior of losing control of her emotions, Tsubakizono Nina's face turned so red it was almost bleeding.

'How embarrassing...'

Her heart trembled slightly, but Tsubaki Nina felt much lighter.

That warm embrace felt like a safe harbor, making her linger and unable to resist burying her face in Ito Koshitomo's arms once more.

'How embarrassing, Nina, you're such a grown woman, yet you still act like a little kid and love to act cute~'

Tsubaki Nina did not reply, which led Ito Koshito to misunderstand, and he gently stroked her trembling back.

'No matter who you are, daring to bully Rina, you're asking for death!' (Funny~(￣▽￣)~)

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Ah ha ha......"

Although it was embarrassing, he was Shizuku, so Tsubaki Nina stammered out her embarrassment.

"What's so funny! Humph~"

Tsubaki Nina gritted her teeth in hatred, glared at him fiercely, and pinched the soft flesh on his waist and twisted it.

Seeing Tsubaki Nina's actions, Ito Koshito felt relieved. It seemed that what she said was true, but the pressure was too great, so she didn't hide it from him.

"Waaah, have mercy! I wasn't laughing at Rina. I was laughing because Rina wasn't being bullied the way I thought she was."

Ito Koshitomo's concern warmed Tsubakizon Nina's heart, and she gave a haughty hum.

"I won't let anyone bully me!"

"Oh, really? I still have the video Yuna sent me of you crying!"

"Ah! Delete it for me!"

"Hahaha......"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Chunyuan's family.

"I am back."

"excuse me."

Ito Koshitoki skillfully took out his slippers from the closet, put them on, and walked into the Tsubakien house.

"Welcome back, oh my, Shi-chan is here too."

A languid and charming mature female voice came from the kitchen, and Tsubaki Mila poked her head out.

Her long, flowing hair cascaded down like an orange waterfall, and her deep blue eyes, even more profound than Nina's, held a gentle smile, brightening even more when she saw Ito Koshitomo.

"Stop it~"

Mila Tsubaki happily approached Ito Koshitoshi with her rubber slippers pattering on the floor. She stood on tiptoe and gently ruffled Ito Koshitoshishi's hair with her small, white hands.

"Aunt Mira..."

Ito Koshino reluctantly stopped her.

"Waaah, does Shizue-chan hate Auntie?"

My hair is a little oily.

"Hehe, so Zhi-chan was concerned about me. I'm so happy."

......

Tsubaki Nina rolled her eyes at her old man, then watched as he snuggled close to Shizuku, gave a soft snort, and slung her bag over her shoulder before walking into the room.

The weather was too hot, and coupled with the playful fight she had with Zhijun on the way, she was now all sticky.

"Zhi-chan, go take a shower first. Although you look sunny with hot sweat on you, it must be very uncomfortable."

After teasing Ito Koshitomo for a while and expressing her dissatisfaction that he didn't come to the Tsubakizono house often, Tsubakizono Mira thoughtfully pushed him towards the bathroom.

"Okay, Aunt Mira, I'm going to take a shower now."

"So nice."

After Ito Koshitoki's figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor, Tsubakizon Mira took a deep breath.