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

Chapter 138, Question 134: Why is it this?

Kujo Mao essentially left Sugawara Ryoichi with no choice; the only option he had was to agree to the other party's proposal.

Her tone on the phone was unusually gentle, but what she said sent chills down Sugawara Ryoichi's spine.

Before their call ended, Yuriko Ogiso had already arrived at the door of Ryo Sugawara's house.

They didn't arrive a few minutes later; they arrived almost as soon as the words were spoken.

It was as if they had been waiting downstairs for a long time.

They waited until Kujo Mao finished speaking before showing himself.

This precise timing made Sugawara Ryoichi feel that Kujo Mao had already arranged everything before making the call.

He paused for a moment when he opened the door.

Yuriko Ogiso stood at the door, wearing a pale yellow polka-dot dress and light makeup, looking completely different from usual.

She usually wears a black OL outfit, has a meticulously styled haircut, and a blank expression, like an emotionless bodyguard machine.

But today, she looks like an ordinary young woman on vacation—if you ignore the two burly men in black suits behind her.

The two men stood ramrod straight, their hands hanging at their sides, their faces expressionless.

Their gazes were fixed on Ryoichi Sugawara.

The way they were acting made it seem like if Sugawara Ryoichi dared to say no, these two men would drag him away.

Ryoichi Sugawara is a pragmatic person.

His greatest strength from childhood to adulthood is knowing when to be firm and when to be gentle.

You can be tough with your classmates, you can be tough with your teachers, and you can even be tough with those unreasonable baseball team managers.

But with Kujo Mao?

It can't get any harder.

That's not a matter of courage, it's a matter of intelligence.

If you anger them, they might actually send people to impale you in a concrete pile and drive you into Tokyo Bay.

He preserved his dignity.

After putting the sukiyaki ingredients they had just bought into the refrigerator, they followed Yuriko Kogiso and the others downstairs and got into the black Toyota Vellfire parked in the yard.

The vehicle drove smoothly through Tokyo under the night sky and soon entered the elevated highway.

The Toyota Vellfire has excellent suspension, filtering out road bumps so well that you can hardly feel them.

Ryoichi Sugawara sat in the second row of seats, sinking into the soft seats as if he were sitting on a ball of cotton.

The car was quiet; the engine noise was blocked out by the soundproofing material, leaving only the faint hissing of the air conditioning vents and the low hum of the tires rolling over the road.

The city unfolds beneath the bridge in the night, its myriad lights like scattered gold dust.

In the distance, there are tall buildings with flashing red aviation obstruction lights on their rooftops, like sleepless eyes.

Further away, the lights of Tokyo Tower stand out against the night sky, its red structure resembling a burning torch in the darkness.

Yuriko Ogiso pressed the accelerator, and the Toyota Vellfire began to accelerate.

The engine was a little louder, but it was still a deep and powerful roar that wasn't harsh; instead, it gave people a sense of inexplicable reassurance.

The streetlights on both sides were left behind as the vehicle sped up, their lights flickering on and off, faster and faster, as if keeping time for Sugawara Ryoichi's thoughts.

compensate?

Sitting in the second row, Ryoichi Sugawara began to mutter to himself.

When does inviting someone to your home count as compensation?

If it's really just a matter of expressing gratitude, is it really necessary to make such a big fuss?

Yuriko Ogiso came to pick them up personally, accompanied by two burly men in black. The whole procession looked like an escort.

Sugawara Ryoichi couldn't figure it out.

He looked around the car.

The driver's seat is occupied by Yuriko Ogiso.

Her profile was flickering in and out of the light of the streetlights, making it difficult to discern her expression, but she appeared relaxed, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting against the car window.

The two men in black were sitting in the front passenger seat and the second row seats near the door.

The two of them remained silent the entire way, completely ignoring Sugawara Ryoichi, the boy whom Lady Kujo Mao had specifically chosen to take away.

From the moment they got on the bus until now, they haven't said a single word, or even glanced at him.

Their eyes were fixed straight ahead, or occasionally they would glance out the window, their expressions remaining unchanged, as if they were wearing masks.

For them, going on this trip with Yuriko Ogiso was entirely for the purpose of completing a mission.

As for why Lady Mao sought him out at this time and for what reason, they didn't care at all.

Or rather, it hasn't yet attracted their attention.

All they need to do is ensure this person reaches their destination safely, and then they can go back and report.

Of the three people in the car, Sugawara Ryoichi was more familiar with Yuriko Kogiso, who was in the driver's seat.

She is Mayu Kujo's driver and bodyguard.

According to Mayu Kujo, Yuriko Kogiso was on her side when she ran away from home.

Although Sugawara Ryoichi did not believe that a smart person like Kujo Mao would place someone whose ideals contradicted his in such an important position.

Regardless, this at least shows that Kujo Mayu trusts this refreshing and capable urban woman to some extent.

Perhaps I can ask her about the reason why I was invited to Kujo Mao's house.

With that in mind, Sugawara Ryoichi considered the wording of his question before asking it directly.

"Um, Ms. Ogiso."

Upon hearing Sugawara Ryoichi's voice, Ogiso Yuriko, who was driving, glanced at the rearview mirror and looked at Sugawara Ryoichi in the back seat through the reflection before immediately turning her gaze back to the road in front of her.

Her movements were natural, without any unnecessary pauses.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling a little carsick?"

Her voice came from the driver's seat, carrying a hint of concern.

Although Yuriko Ogiso did not show much emotion on her face, one could hear a hint of restrained gentleness in her tone.

"No. The car was driven very smoothly, and I didn't feel any discomfort."

Ryoichi Sugawara responded to Yuriko Ogiso, and then continued.

"I just have a question I'd like to ask you."

"You want to know why Mrs. Mao wanted me to take you back, right?"

Before Sugawara Ryo could even utter a word, Ogiso Yuriko guessed his question.

Her voice was calm, as if she were saying something she had long expected.

Sugawara Ryo paused for a moment.

"Yes."

Since Yuriko Ogiso had guessed it, Ryoichi Sugawara didn't hide it and openly admitted it.

The advantage of talking to smart people is that you don't have to beat around the bush.

Since others already know the content, saying a bunch of polite words would be superfluous.

Admitting it directly would make one appear more open and honest.

"I don't actually know much about this, but I have some clues."

Instead of directly answering Sugawara Ryoichi's question, Ogiso Yuriko gave some ambiguous answers.

Before answering your question, I'd like to ask you one.

She paused after speaking.

"Can you tell anything from the clothes I'm wearing right now?"

Upon hearing this, the three men in the car, including Ryoichi Sugawara, all turned to look at her.

Yuriko Kogiso, who was in the driver's seat, was wearing a pale yellow polka-dot dress. The dress was just below her knees and had a well-fitting waist.

She wore light makeup, with neatly trimmed eyebrows, thin eyeliner, curled eyelashes, and light lipstick.

She looked more feminine than usual.

Compared to her usual capable and reliable image, she had an unexpectedly cute charm at this moment.

The two men in black exchanged a glance upon seeing this, seemingly reaching some kind of consensus.

[Was called back to work during a date?]

[Was called back to work during a date?]

That resentment must be terrifyingly strong, almost frightening.

Imagine it.

I finally managed to get a date with someone of the opposite sex. I wore my new dress, put on exquisite makeup, and was ready to enjoy a romantic evening.

Then the boss called.

"Go pick someone up."

Anyone would be angry in this situation.

The next second, they quietly looked away, pretending nothing had happened.

His expression returned to its professional calm, as if the eye contact from before had never happened.

The two of them looked straight ahead again, one looking at the road and the other looking out the window, their expressions perfectly controlled.

But in their hearts, they had already begun to silently pray for this complete stranger, Ryoichi Sugawara.

Hopefully, he won't die a horrible death later.

Amen.

However, this is merely their conjecture that deviates from the truth.

Ryoichi Sugawara didn't think that much about it and frankly stated his first impression.

However, upon hearing his praise, Yuriko Ogiso became unusually flustered.

"Cute or something," a blush suddenly spread across her cheeks, as if someone had splashed a light pink layer on her face.

Her fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel, and her breathing skipped a beat, but she quickly regained her composure.

Fortunately, she was inside a car, and the only person watching her was Ryoichi Sugawara behind her.

Therefore, no one could detect this change.

Yuriko Ogiso quickly regrouped and adjusted her mindset.

She took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled, as if exhaling the panic of that moment.

Relax your shoulders, grip the steering wheel again, and refocus your gaze on the road ahead.

"Calling a girl cute can certainly win her over. But that's far from what I'm trying to say."

The same sentence might sound like a coquettish remark from other women, but when she says it in such a calm manner, it makes it seem like she's scolding herself.

Sugawara Ryo paused for a moment, then immediately flipped over his previous high-EQ remarks and continued speaking along the lines of Ogiso Yuriko.

"Hmm. Well, I really can't guess, Ms. Kogiso. Just tell me directly."

Yuriko Ogiso didn't hold back. After thinking for a moment, she told Ryoichi Sugawara everything she knew about the whole story.

"This afternoon, I received orders to go to school with Mrs. Mao and watch a baseball game with Miss Mayu."

Her voice was flat, as if she were reading a work report.

"I changed into this outfit so as not to reveal my identity."

Upon hearing this, Sugawara Ryoichi finally had a part of the question in his mind answered.

No wonder she dressed like that.

Kujo Mao needed to go to school, but she couldn't parade around with a group of men in black. Kogiso Yuriko's outfit was just right.

She looks like an ordinary young woman who came to the school to watch her brother's competition.

"As for why Mrs. Mao didn't take you with her when she ran into you at the baseball field."

Yuriko Ogiso paused.

"I suspect that something happened when I was taking Mr. Koyama and his grandson, Kenji Koyama, home."

Her tone carried a hint of uncertainty, but she was generally confident.

"After I escorted Mr. Koyama and the others home, before I could even return to report, Mrs. Mao sent me to pick you up."

"As for why you were asked to go there..."

She glanced at the rearview mirror, her gaze lingering on Sugawara Ryoichi's face for a moment.

"Didn't Mrs. Mao just speak to you on the phone? So you should know."

Ryoichi Sugawara did not respond.

After listening to Yuriko Ogiso's series of words, some things finally came together in Ryoichi Sugawara's mind.

When I went to Class 1-C this afternoon to find Mayu Kujo to go to the library, wasn't she looking at her phone in the classroom?

At the time, Ryoichi Sugawara thought she was just casually scrolling through LINE or reading the news.

Looking back now, I guess she was probably replying to her mother, Kujo Mao's, message at that time.

Therefore, I can no longer go to the library to study with myself.

Ryoichi Sugawara guessed.

There are two possibilities for why Kujo Mao knows that Koyama Kenji has a baseball game today.

One option was for Kenji Koyama, who already had a good relationship with him, to directly explain the situation to Mao Kujo.

It's quite normal for him to be able to talk to Mao Kujo and invite her to watch the game.

Another one was what Kujo Mayu told her.

It's perfectly normal for a daughter to mention school to her mother.

However, it was actually Koyama Kenji's grandfather, Koyama Yuji, who told Kujo Mao that.

The old man probably thought his grandson had performed well and wanted his wife to see him, so he mentioned it.

I just didn't expect that Kujo Mao would actually go.

Therefore, Sugawara Ryoichi guessed wrong in this regard.

And this is combined with what Kujo Mao said on the phone earlier.

"This is to make up for the time I spent tutoring Mayu Kujou this afternoon."

I'm reminded of a line Daisuke Kujo said at the end of chapter 86:

【I heard everything from Mayu. Your class's teacher, Hirotaka Hasegawa, asked you to tutor Mayu, right?】

Put in a little effort and put in more work. If you handle this well, you'll definitely get your share of the rewards.

Could it be that...?

Is Kujo Mao sending him over to offer the "benefits" that Kujo Daisuke mentioned?

Thinking of this, Sugawara Ryoichi felt as sweet as if he had eaten honey.

Ryoichi Sugawara leaned back in his chair, a slight smile unconsciously playing on his lips.

Yuriko Ogiso saw that smile in the rearview mirror, said nothing, just shook her head slightly, and then turned her gaze back to the road ahead.

The Toyota Vellfire continued driving on the elevated highway, getting closer and closer to the Kujo family's mansion.