My roommate turns out to be the heiress of a triad!

Eight o'clock in the morning.

The rising sun had just evaporated the dew from the pine trees, flowers, and rocks in the Japanese garden.

With a full head of silver hair, Yuji Koyama walked along the wooden walkway of the mansion.

The main structure of the corridor is made of black walnut wood from the United States, making it sturdy and heavy.

The full-cell preservation process greatly increases the lifespan of these woods outdoors.

In addition, the Kujo family's servants maintain it every day.

Despite having withstood decades of wind and rain, this connecting corridor shows no signs of decay or dilapidation.

He arrived at the door of a room where a servant was already standing.

"Is the lady inside?"

The old man's face was as if carved by a knife and axe, and the wrinkles were the marks of time etched on this stone.

His voice was booming and full of energy.

As the butler of this mansion.

Despite the need for multiple people to serve the household, he managed to keep the Japanese-style garden, which covered an area of ​​approximately 2,800 square meters, in perfect order with only less than 30 people.

Furthermore, because he was the head of a branch family of the Kyujo family, the owner of this mansion, and the former head of the Koyama family, the old man's status in this family was somewhat different from that of ordinary servants.

Therefore, when giving them instructions, they will not appear hesitant or indecisive.

"I'm currently practicing calligraphy inside."

After receiving a reply, Yuji Koyama indicated that the servant could go about his other business, and that he would wait outside.

Yuji Koyama, who comes from a yakuza background, has an extremely complete and strict hierarchy system in his heart.

Despite having entered the modern era, he still adhered to the old-fashioned way of serving his master, sitting cross-legged outside the sliding door and speaking in a deep voice.

"Lady Mao, may I come in now?"

After speaking...

A clear, cold adult female voice immediately came from inside the door.

"Oh, it's Mr. Koyama! Please come in."

"Yes."

Even though the people inside couldn't see what was happening to him outside, Yuji Koyama still bowed respectfully.

The reason he was so particular about etiquette was not just because of his own old-fashioned and conservative nature.

More importantly.

He knew that the woman inside was the actual head of the Kujo family, the true leader of the century-old yakuza organization, the Edo Toonsha, and a major entrepreneur who supported the livelihoods of over 50,000 people in the Toonsha and its affiliated businesses.

The door was then opened from the inside by a servant.

Yuji Koyama entered the room and sat cross-legged on the tatami mat.

This is a room that is about 20 square meters in size.

The interior furnishings were arranged very meticulously.

A scroll painting of flowers and birds, a white porcelain vase, a samurai sword, and a talisman—each item was placed in its proper place.

The door on the east side of the room was open, allowing sunlight to stream into the room.

In the very center of the room knelt a noblewoman who was as cold as ice.

Kujo Mao faced the rising sun, wearing a floral and bird patterned tomesode.

Her long, jet-black hair was styled into a bun, revealing her fair nape.

He was almost forty years old, but there wasn't a single wrinkle on his face.

In front of her was a sheet of Xuancheng paper from a neighboring country.

The servant had tied her right sleeve with a thin rope so that it wouldn't stick to the wet ink when she wrote.

With slender fingers holding a Huzhou brush, dipped in Huizhou ink ground on the inkstone, she wrote the four Chinese characters "上善若水" (meaning "the highest virtue is like water") in regular script on the paper with a flourish.

"The Tao Te Ching?"

Upon seeing the four Chinese characters on the paper, Yuji Koyama said the following.

This surprised the woman who had just finished the last stroke, and she turned her cold and beautiful face to Yuji Koyama.

"Oh? Mr. Koyama has studied Chinese literature?"

"Yes. I wouldn't call it research. I just read a few classic Han Dynasty literary works in my early years and found them very rewarding."

"Oh, I see."

After saying this, Kujo Mao slowly placed the brush on the inkstone.

Then, with a slight lift of his right hand, he moved his body in a small motion and turned to kneel facing Yuji Koyama.

Upon seeing the lady's actions, the maidservant immediately moved behind her, deftly untied the rope on the right side of her elegant irotomisode, put away the writing implements beside her, and then returned to her original position.

After all the actions were completed, Kujo Mao finally parted her lips and slowly spoke.

"Today is a rare good day, and it's also a holiday."

Mr. Koyama doesn't need to come here.

Spend more time with Kenji.

"Mrs. Mao, you are too kind. It is an honor for our Koyama family to serve the Kujo family, and we do not distinguish between holidays and weekends."

As for Kenji, he understands.

Yuji Koyama answered Mao Kujo's question with utmost respect.

"Um."

The woman nodded slightly, satisfied with what Koyama Yuji had said.

He is an elder of the Kujo family.

He has been serving the Kujo family since Kujo Mao's father, Kujo Hiroki.

From the very beginning of the chaotic period, he served as the vanguard of the Kujo clan, fighting in the north and south.

Later, he was transferred to the Kujo family to serve as a butler.

Nearly fifty years have passed in the blink of an eye.

His son, Kenji Koyama's father, was at the forefront of a gang operation and died a violent death.

Grateful for the contributions the Koyama family had made to the main family, the former head of the Kujo family, Kujo Hiroki, brought his grandson, Koyama Kenji, to Tokyo to accompany his granddaughter, Kujo Mayu, and they received their education together.

This can be considered as providing a guarantee for Xiaoshan's family.

Seeing that Koyama Yuji showed no sign of leaving, Kujo Mao spoke up.

"Mr. Koyama, is there something you want to say?"

"To be honest, I do have something to discuss with Mrs. Mao."

As soon as Yuji Koyama opened his mouth, Mao Kujo knew what he was going to talk about.

He knew that his daughter, Kujo Mayu, had run away from home.

He was trying to mediate when they were arguing that morning.

However, Kujo Mayu was extremely angry at the time, and Koyama Yuji tried to stop her repeatedly, but to no avail, and she still managed to run away.

He always treated Kujo Mayu like his own granddaughter.

However, Kujo Mao made it clear that no one was allowed to interfere with her, not even Koyama Yuji.

He did not take any action to contact Kujo Mayu without authorization.

Just last night.

After his grandson, Kenji Koyama, told him about Mayu Kujo's recent situation at school, he decided to talk to his wife about it today.

This is no longer the time to be temperamental.

"Miss Mayu has been missing from home for three days. Shouldn't we send someone to bring her back?"

"Mr. Koyama, didn't I tell you? Don't worry about her. She'll come back when she's figured things out."

Kujo Mao answered Koyama Yuji's question with a cold, emotionless expression.

It was as if only one of their dogs, the Kujo family, had run away from home.

"Excuse my bluntness, Madam Mao. Miss Mayu's intentions were good."

If you don't agree with her aspirations, you should at least guide her onto the path you've designed.

Letting the young lady run away from home is the worst possible course of action.

Even someone as shrewd and capable as you was impulsive in your youth, wasn't you?"

Because there were servants present who had not experienced that incident, Yuji Koyama did not speak too directly.

That happened when Kujo Mao was still a girl.

She once arranged to meet a pen pal at Tokyo Station through their correspondence.

In order to keep her appointment, Kujo Mao climbed over the blue-tiled white walls of the mansion under the cover of night, but was discovered by the security personnel on patrol and was taken back.

The old man was so angry that he immediately revoked her right to send letters to the outside world.

More than a decade has passed, and Kujo Mao still hasn't gotten over this incident.

She naturally knew that Yuji Koyama was referring to this matter.

They also knew why Yuji Koyama brought this up.

But her mind was made up, and no one could change it.

"I have already made my stance clear, so Mr. Koyama doesn't need to say anything more."

If Mr. Koyama came to see me specifically for this matter, you can now attend to your business.

Kujo Mao's attitude was very firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Knowing he could not change Madam's mind, Koyama Yuji bowed and took his leave from Kujo Mao before leaving the room.

But waiting to die is not his style.

After walking a distance, he took out his phone and dialed the number of the man who was far away in Kumamoto.

"Sir? This is Yuji Koyama. Thank you for your hard work..."

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"Huh? Want to go out and have some fun?"

Kujo Mayu appeared quite surprised when she heard Sugawara Ryoichi's schedule for her day.

"Damn it, I just kicked the door open."

"Spit out the foam in your mouth before you speak, I didn't understand a single word."

Upon hearing Mayu Kujo's protest, Ryoichi Sugawara picked up his plastic cup, took a sip of water, rinsed his mouth, spat out the toothpaste foam, and repeated what he had just said.

"Yes, that's what I think."

It just so happens that today is Saturday, a day off, and I don't have any plans.

I haven't gone out for a long time since I came to Tokyo, so I thought I'd take advantage of the nice weather today to go out and have some fun.

However, I haven't made a decision yet; I'm still undecided.

Ryoichi Sugawara deliberately added a last sentence.

If unexpected developments occur, he still has room to maneuver.

He turned on the button on the washbasin with his right hand and used both hands to scoop up a handful of water to wash his face.

The cool sensation instantly activated his brain, dispelling the last trace of sleepiness.

Before going to bed last night, Sugawara Ryoichi thought about what Kujo Mayu had said to him in the park.

She then realized that there were many things that her peers had experienced that she had never experienced.

Even going to the children's park when you're a child is nice.

Whether it's shopping with friends or not.

This is a completely new experience for Mai Kujo now.

Since this little bird is destined to return to that cage-like home.

Why not take advantage of her lucky escape and let her fly free?

So last night, Ryoichi Sugawara planned out his entire day's route without his permission.

Why is it said to be unauthorized?

Because he couldn't be 100% sure that Mai Kujo was willing to go out with him.

If, after this plan is revealed, Mayu Kujo suddenly says something.

"Alright then, have fun by yourself. I'll stay home and look after the house."

Is he really going to leave Kujo Mayu alone at home while he goes out shopping by himself?

Moreover.

A decent guy wouldn't go shopping alone.

However, based on Sugawara Ryoichi's assessment after considering multiple factors, it's not 100% certain.

There's a 9 out of 10 chance that Kujo Mayu wants someone to take her shopping.

But he didn't dare gamble on that one point of possibility.

The memory of almost becoming a clown because of a reckless act is still fresh in my mind.

Only three days have passed, have they already forgotten the pain once the wound has healed?

No matter how you look at it.

Whether Kujo Mayu goes or not, she has prepared for both possibilities.

The advantage lies with me!

"Hey? What are you still hesitating about?"

Kujo Mayu's tone was clearly anxious, and her big, watery eyes were full of anticipation.

well.

Her performance was exactly what Sugawara Ryoichi had expected.

After all, she was a canary that had been kept in a cage since she was a child.

Given the chance to come into contact with the outside world, they would naturally flap their wings and be eager to do so.

But this level is far from enough!

Can I go out with you?

Can I come with you?

I want to go too, can I come with you?

She has to say it herself!

"Because I've only been in Tokyo for less than two months, the only close friend I've made is a brat in my class."

But I don't know if he's free to go out with me today.

If I contact him now and he has other commitments, then today's plans will have to be canceled.

Sugawara Ryoichi feigned despair, uttering logically consistent statements that nearly brought Kujo Mayu to tears.

"Me, me, and me too. Can't I go out with you?"

"Huh? Shall we go shopping together?"

"If someone we know sees us going shopping together, won't they misunderstand?"

They didn't pay attention to Sugawara Ryoichi's teasing tone.

When Kujo Mayu heard that Sugawara Ryoichi didn't want to take her shopping because he was worried about some trivial things, she was almost frantic.

Mayu Kujo, who had been standing by the bed talking to Ryoichi Sugawara, rushed to him in a few steps, grabbed a towel hanging on the wall, and was about to wipe Ryoichi Sugawara's face, as if Ryoichi Sugawara would leave as soon as he finished washing up.

What are you talking about?

Didn't we go to the shopping mall together the day before yesterday afternoon? The misunderstandings that should have arisen and those that shouldn't have arisen have already occurred.

Besides, the only people we know in common are the students from Kitasakano High School, right? They already know about our relationship.

so.

Take me shopping, please.

However, in the next second, Kujo Mayu, who had been sincere and pleading with Sugawara Ryoichi, suddenly drooped her eyes, looked completely lifeless, and said in a low voice.

"But I didn't bring any pretty clothes with me..."

In an instant, Sugawara Ryoichi's heart turned ice-cold.

A word came to mind.

Fall short.

The sudden emergency caused Sugawara Ryoichi's brain to go into overload mode and operate at full capacity.

How can we cleverly gloss over this problem?

Before Sugawara Ryoichi could figure it out, Kujo Mayu convinced herself.

"It's okay. Kitasakano High School's uniform is also very nice."

Since students wear their uniforms to school for club activities during holidays, it wouldn't seem strange to wear them out shopping.

Okay, that's decided then~

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