Full-time comic artist

Only then did they truly believe it.

First, the drawing is really good; second, there's no need to take a joke so seriously.

Having wasted a lot of time, and with the sun having moved some distance westward, Higashino Hibiki said goodbye.

Asakura and the others reluctantly bid farewell to Hibiki Higashino.

Nishimura followed. He was very familiar with Sapporo and could be considered a local, so he could show people around.

……

During a parent-teacher conference, Higashino Shio met Nishimura and was deeply impressed by him. She was very satisfied with such a lively and cheerful young man.

After all, Higashino Hibiki used to be frighteningly mature, and she was worried that her child might have some psychological problems. Having Nishimura moderate her would be the best thing ever.

6 o'clock in the afternoon.

Meet in the lobby.

“Hey, Higashino,” Nishimura nudged Higashino Hibiki, pointing at Higashino Mei with her twin tails, her eyes shining, “Is that your little sister? She’s so cute.”

Higashino Hibiki's gaze turned menacing as he pondered where to bury Nishimura.

This bastard's got some tricks up his sleeve. He used to like Asana, and now he's got his eye on his sister. Higashino Hibiki can't allow his brother-in-law to be someone like Nishimura.

Fortunately, Mei wasn't interested in Nishimura. Instead, she clung to Hibiki Higashino's arm and curiously looked at the scenery on both sides of the street.

Higashino Ichiro and Higashino Shio walked behind. Higashino Ichiro crossed his arms and looked straight ahead, while Higashino Shio looked at the local specialties of Sapporo, wanting to buy them but then shaking her head.

The restaurant recommended by Nishimura is a mid-range barbecue restaurant.

"Because Hokkaido is particularly suitable for animal husbandry and has the largest ranch in Japan, the beef in Sapporo is very good, and most importantly, it is very cheap."

After inquiring about dietary restrictions, Nishimura first ordered beef chuck and beef tenderloin.

"Hokkaido is also an important fishing base, producing king crab, flowering crab, herring, salmon, and trout, which are delicious and cheap. They are really delicious when grilled over charcoal."

Nishimura was practically drooling as he spoke.

The experience was exactly the same as when Hibiki Higashino met "Napoleon".

The dishes were served, and the meat was very fresh. It wasn't marinated much, so you could mainly enjoy its natural flavor.

Higashino Shio pried open Higashino Mei's small hand and took over the role of the griller, worried that such good meat would be wasted.

The beef was grilled in no time.

She gave everyone a slice, then grilled some fresh meat before eating her own portion.

"Mmm~ It's really delicious!" Higashino covered her mouth and smiled happily. "The aroma of beef fat can be felt as soon as it enters the mouth. It's so tender and mellow, it melts in your mouth."

“Really,” Higashino Ichiro nodded in surprise, “It’s not greasy at all, and it’s much tastier than the roast beef I had in Tokyo.”

He ordered a bowl of rice, poured on a raw egg and soy sauce, added some delicious beef, mixed it all together, and then ate it in big mouthfuls.

"I'm so glad that Uncle and Auntie are satisfied," Nishimura said happily. "But the barbecue at the Faculty of Agriculture at Hokkaido University is even better. They're raised with great care, and every bite is a truly delightful experience."

Mei Higashino ate quietly, squinting her eyes with each bite, stomping her feet as she ate.

Higashino glanced at Nishimura, and he had a bad feeling.

Where did all those well-cared-for livestock come from?

He and "Napoleon" are about to be separated by life and death, aren't they?

Chapter 142 Return to Tokyo and the Gift (Without the Silver Key)

After dinner, it was already dark.

Everyone enjoyed the meal, and even Higashino Ichiro had a smile on his face.

As for tourist attractions, when you come to Sapporo, you must visit the Sapporo Tower located in Odori Park.

At night, the tower is lit up with lights and has a huge clock.

Higashino looked up; it was 20:10 PM.

Because it was summer vacation, there were many tourists at Sapporo Tower, taking pictures with their cameras.

The first, second, and third floors are all the same old shops, restaurants, and local specialties.

Nishimura led the way, and the Higashino family took the elevator directly to the 90-meter-high exhibition platform, where they could enjoy a panoramic view of Sapporo.

After seeing the scenery, one's mind and heart become more open.

Mei Higashino went to a souvenir shop and bought some Sapporo specialties.

Sapporo Agricultural School Cookies, Shiroi Koibito Chocolate, and Sapporo Beer.

"To express my gratitude for the guidance of my seniors."

Higashino Hibiki also bought some; it wouldn't be right to go on a trip without bringing gifts for his assistants.

Because it was purchased at a tourist attraction, it was expensive.

There was a lottery machine at the doorway where you could draw a ticket based on your receipt. Mei was very curious and drew a ticket with great anticipation.

It was actually the first prize.

She jumped up happily, realizing for the first time how lucky she was.

This is a discount coupon. The silver jewelry, originally priced at 129999, can now be purchased for only 12999, which is an incredible deal.

Without a second thought, Mei Higashino pulled out her small wallet, ready to pay.

Higashino Hibiki quickly stopped her and said to the salesperson, "I'm sorry, we don't need it."

"It would be a shame to miss such a great opportunity," the salesperson said with a smile.

"Mmm!" Mei Higashino nodded repeatedly.

"What a stupid little sister..." Higashino Hibiki tapped her on the forehead.

"Ouch!" Mei clutched her forehead, looking extremely aggrieved. "Why?"

As Higashino Mei struggled, Higashino Hibiki pulled her away, while the salesperson kept calling out "Customer! Customer!" from behind.

This is a very simple scam, and few people would fall for it in the future. However, it is 1996 now, and Higashino Mei, who has just graduated, was easily fooled.

“What silver jewelry worth 12999?” Higashino warned her, “You should be lucky to have something worth 1299.”

Similar to the tactics used by Taobao's 618 and Double Eleven shopping festivals in the future, the strategy is to first raise the price of goods, and then use discounts to make customers think they are making a profit, thus selling items of higher value.

However, these discount coupons from shopping malls are more often scams, and far more unscrupulous than online shopping.

After Higashino Hibiki explained things to Higashino Mei, Mei was shocked.

"There's such a trick?"

With an air of having seen through the world, Mei lowered her head, her twin tails drooping.

"Do you think that accessory is pretty?" Hibiki Higashino asked.

“No,” Mei shook her head, “it’s just because I had a discount coupon…”

Seeing that she understood, Higashino Hibiki didn't say anything more.

After strolling around Odori Park for a while, Mei's mood improved, and around 10 p.m., the Higashino family began to return to their hotel.

As for Nishimura, he went back to school.

……

After spending three days in Sapporo, the Higashino family returned to Tokyo, and Hibiki Higashino returned to his beloved studio.

The dormitory door was unlocked. Higashino Hibiki opened the door and found Akemi Akemi cleaning.

"Higashino-kun, you're back so soon?" she asked, somewhat surprised, considering the week-long holiday.

“Three days is enough, there’s no point in staying any longer,” Higashino Hibiki said, putting on slippers and putting down what he was carrying. “Besides, I miss you too. A day apart feels like three autumns.”

"You really know how to talk..." Akemi Akemi put her hands on her hips. "Instead of wasting your time, why don't you help me clean up?"

“Let me rest a bit now that I’m home,” Higashino Hibiki complained.

He crouched down and rummaged through the Sapporo specialties, finally taking out a gift with an exquisitely wrapped package.

Please accept this.

Hibiki Higashino handed it to Akemi Akimiya.

"What is it?" Akemi Akemi asked curiously, taking the box. "I opened it?"

"Please go ahead."

These are two gifts; the one on top is Sapporo white chocolate, which Akemi Akemi was very surprised to see.

"I've been looking forward to this for a long time!"

She took one out and put it into Higashino Hibiki's mouth, then savored it herself.

"Rich and smooth, Sapporo white chocolate is indeed famous for a reason." She was very satisfied.

Then she discovered another gift, which was much smaller than the chocolates.

Looking at the gift's packaging, Akemi Akemi roughly understood what it was.

She raised an eyebrow. "A necklace?"

"Mm." Higashino Hibiki nodded.

Akemi Akemi eagerly opened the outer packaging box; it contained a platinum necklace that glittered in the sunlight.

Akemi Akemi liked the simple and exquisite design concept very much.

"Let me put it on for you."

Hibiki Higashino picked up the necklace and walked behind Akemi Akemi.

Akemi Akemi did not refuse. She lowered her head, cupped her hair in her hands, and let Higashino Hibiki do as he pleased.

"What a beautiful neck..." Higashino murmured to himself.

Fair-skinned, slender, and long-legged, with veins faintly visible beneath the skin in the sunlight.

Higashino Hibiki wanted to kiss him.