The Underworld, Starting with Debt

"You should be free on Monday!"

Natsumi Murasaki glared at Ito Koichi with a snarling grin, her cherry lips slightly parted, her cute little tiger teeth flashing with a cold light, as if she would bite Ito Koichi to death if he didn't have time.

Seeing how cute Murasaki Natsume looked like a little hamster, Ito Kozue was amused and said with a smile.

"Yes, yes, as long as you don't mind that my house is small."

"Hehe, no way!"

"By the way, Zhijun, how's the soundproofing in your house?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Just wanted to say something~"

…………

As night fell, darkness quietly enveloped the earth, and lights gradually illuminated the boundless night. In a brightly lit room of the Haruno family home, a slender, fair-skinned boy lay on a soft blue bed. Listening closely, the boy seemed to be having a nightmare, muttering to himself incessantly.

"No, no! Let her go! Kasumi-nee... Kasumi-nee!"

Haruno Ayato woke with a start, his forehead already soaked with sweat. He looked around in terror, his eyes revealing deep fear.

"..."

"Is this...home? Where is Kasumi-nee! Kasumi-nee!"

"Ayato."

The room door suddenly opened, and there came Kasumi Haruno, who had rushed over after hearing Ayato Haruno's shouts.

"Kasumi-nee! Kasumi-nee, are you alright!" Haruno Ayato hurriedly got up, wanting to grab Haruno Kasumi, but found himself weak and powerless, and involuntarily fell to the floor.

"Ayato!" Haruno Kasumi called out worriedly, rushing to Haruno Ayato's side and helping him up.

"Ayato, you just woke up, rest for a while. You drank those beverages laced with sedatives. You'll feel weak and limp after waking up, but you'll recover after a few hours of rest."

"Kasumi-nee, where are those bad guys!" Despite the pain from his fall, Haruno Ayato held Haruno Kasumi's hand and looked at her worriedly.

"Kasumi-nee, are you... alright...?"

Ayato Haruno's voice trembled slightly, as if he were worried that the worst-case scenario had occurred.

"Thanks to Zhi-jun for defeating those bad guys, I was spared from their clutches! No, I should thank you properly another day. Let me think, what kind of gift should I bring... Today's thanks were not sincere enough."

Mentioning Ito Koshitomo, Haruno Kasumi seemed to recall his dashing figure in the karaoke bar, and her face flushed, a faint blush gradually spreading.

"call--"

"I'm so glad you're alright, Kasumi-nee." Haruno Ayato breathed a sigh of relief, his worries about Kasumi-nee's safety finally easing. Then, remembering the name Kasumi had mentioned, he asked curiously:

"Did Zhi-kun save us? Is Zhi-kun the same as Ito-kun?"

“Yes! Hehe, thank goodness for Shizuku. Ayato, we have to thank him properly. We must thank him when we go to school on Monday,” Kasumi said with a smile.

"OK, all right!"

Haruno Ayato nodded, his heart filled with gratitude towards Ito Koshitomo.

Thinking of Ito Koshitomo, Haruno Ayato's eyes dimmed slightly. He couldn't help but feel envious of Ito Koshitomo's tall and strong physique.

'If... I could become that strong, then this time I could protect Kasumi-nee on my own...'

"Um... Ayato, could you invite Shiki-kun to lunch with you during Monday's lunch break? I'm planning to make him a bento to thank him."

"Okay, I'll talk to Ito-kun."

"Okay! Okay! Ayato, I won't bother you anymore, you should get some rest!"

After patting Ayato Haruno's head, Kasumi Haruno happily hummed a little tune and skipped away from Ayato Haruno's room, as if today's events had not left any shadow on her.

'Kasumi-nee, she acted like a child just now... I've never seen this side of her before... Was it because of Ito-kun?'

The thought that the person he loved might fall for someone else made Ayato Haruno's heart clench slightly.

But then he remembered what had happened today. If it weren't for Ito Koshino, their fate would have been unimaginable. So he knew that he couldn't protect Kasumi-nee on his own.

"Sister Kasumi..."

Softly murmuring Kasumi Haruno's name, Ayato Haruno silently closed his eyes, tears of relief slowly streaming down his face.

"If this is Kasumi-nee's choice, I will help Kasumi-nee find happiness!"

Thinking of the girls who had been flirting with Ito Koshitomo, Haruno Ayato silently made up his mind.

Although giving up one's loved one is despicable, but...

There's nothing I can do! I can't protect Kasumi-nee!

Chapter Sixty-Five: Kato Mio

"Baba..."

In a secluded and quiet grove park, a black sedan was parked under a dilapidated street lamp. The owner inside was leaning back in his seat, looking bored and lost in thought.

Suddenly, a tall young man dressed in black walked out from the alley in the distance. My confused mind instantly cleared up. I honked the horn and turned on the headlights to attract the young man's attention.

侁 "Tap~ Tap~~"

Reaching the driver's side of the car, Ito Koshino knocked on the window.

As the car window slowly rolled down, Tsukishima Matsuichiro, still dressed in a neat suit, appeared before Ito Koshitomo's eyes with his serious and unyielding face.

"Mr. Matsuichiro, could you please come and pick me up?"

"Xiao Zhi, get in the car first and we'll talk later."

"it is good."

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.

On the bustling streets, various car lights and neon lights reflect each other, creating a vibrant and busy night scene.

Slowly following the flow of traffic, Tsukishima Matsuichiro found topics to chat with Ito Koshitomo.

"Xiao Zhi, how are things going with Kyoko at school?"

"Well... we still need to be careful at school. Kyoko and I rarely have a chance to be alone together."

"That won't do. You only come to my house once a week. How can you develop a relationship if you don't visit Kyoko at school!"

Ito Koshito was speechless. It seemed like Tsukishima Matsuichiro had become even more obsessed after just one week!

"Xiao Zhi, let me tell you, don't let Kyoko's aloof demeanor at school fool you, she actually loves that kind of thing the most..."

"Mr. Matsuichiro! You should focus on driving."

"Hey, don't interrupt me, I'm telling you..."

…………

"click"

"Kyoko, I'm back!"

Tsukishima Matsuichiro, accompanied by Ito Koshitomo, opened the door and entered the house.

"Matsuichiro, you're back."

A pleasant, magnetic voice came from the study, followed by the familiar "tap-tap..." sound of Ito Koshitoshi's high heels.

Ito Koshito looked up and was taken aback. Tsukishima Kyoko was wearing the blue office lady uniform she often wore at school.

Her blue office lady uniform accentuated her graceful figure. The V-neckline was slightly open on both sides, revealing glimpses of black lace trim beneath the blue fabric, adding to her allure and mystery.

Her black high heels accentuated her long, slender legs, while sheer black stockings hugged her full thighs, giving them an alluring sheen.

Her long, dark blue hair cascaded down her back, subtly obscuring her snow-white neck and collarbone, exuding a mysterious charm. Standing there, arms crossed, showcasing her perfect curves, she resembled a noble ice goddess, looking down upon all others.

Her long, narrow, and affectionate eyes gazed at Ito Koshino with a smile, radiating an elusive charm. She seemed aloof, yet exuded an irresistible allure.

Standing in the entryway, Kyoko Tsukishima ignored her husband, Matsuichiro Tsukishima, and only had eyes for Koshitomo Ito. She waved her pointer, which produced a slight sonic boom in the air.

"Ito boy, are you ready? Our upcoming tutoring is going to be really tough~"

Her magnetic voice, now as if nourished by honey, was charming and alluring, like a delicate silk ribbon gently caressing Ito Koshito's eardrums.

Silently, a fierce flame rapidly gathered within Ito Koshitomo's calm heart, radiating a restless heat...

Ito Koshitoshi slightly turned his head and secretly sized up Tsukishima Matsuichiro.

Faced with his wife Kyoko Tsukishima's dismissive insults, Matsuichiro Tsukishima seemed somewhat angry. He bent over slightly, trembling with rage, but forced by Kyoko's authority at home, he could only pant heavily to quell the fire of 'slave' in his heart!

Turning back to look at Kyoko Tsukishima, Ito Koshitoki stood at attention and said with firm confidence, "Always be prepared! Kyoko... no, Tsukishima Morisei!"

Nodding in satisfaction, Kyoko Tsukishima smiled even more charmingly, turned around, and strode towards the study with cat-like steps.

"Then come with me."

"Today I will teach you how to arrange flowers. Flower arrangement is an ancient art form that originated in China and Egypt and was initially related to the offering of flowers in Buddhism. It is not only a decorative art, but also a way to express emotions and cultural connotations."

"Today... I'll first teach you how to appreciate the beauty of jujube flowers..."

…………

The hazy sunlight fell on Ito Koshitomo's gently trembling eyelashes, like a butterfly about to take flight.

Ito Koshito woke up in his familiar little rented room. Although he had stayed up late "tutoring" last night, he was aware that Tsukishima Matsuichiro next door had been eavesdropping all night, so he hadn't fallen asleep.

In preparation for his "secret boyfriend" job the next day, Ito Koshitoshi did not stay overnight at Tsukishima Kyoko's house, but instead asked Tsukishima Matsuichiro to take him back.

On the way back, Tsukishima Matsuichiro was quite excited, his mouth was almost constantly talking, and he also drove a little faster, which startled Ito Koshinobu.

It was already 3 a.m. when Ito Koshi returned home. As Ito Koshi returned to his small rented room, he seemed to catch a glimpse of a white nightgown on the second floor, but it disappeared so quickly that Ito Koshi thought he had seen it wrong.

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.

Kato Mio: [Ito-kun, are you up yet? Remember to go for a morning run with me!] (Read)

Ito Koshitomo: [I understand! I'll head to the private St. Hua Girls' Academy right away.] (Read)

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 meeting with Sumeragi Rikka last time, Sumeragi Rikka sent the Line information of the person he needed to serve this time to Ito Koshitomo, also known as Kato Mio.

Originally, due to an upcoming track and field competition, Kato Mio felt a lot of pressure and was worried about whether she could achieve good results, which caused her to often lose focus during training and perform poorly.