Tokyo: Oreimo

She led the applause, and the other members followed suit, filling the banquet hall with applause and whistles.

Congratulations, President!

"Treat us to a meal!"

Ryosuke raised his other hand and made a downward pressing gesture to signal everyone to calm down.

"Alright, alright, stop fooling around and let's eat."

He said that, but he never let go of Saori's hand.

Phoenix Inu Saori also gave up resisting, her fingers slowly closing to grasp his hand back.

Ling Nai saw all of this.

She kept her head down, not touching the food in front of her, her chopsticks resting on the rim of the bowl, in the same position they had just picked up.

"Takashiro-sensei, why aren't you eating?" Inoue Rina asked softly from her other side.

"I have no appetite," Ling Nai said.

"Are you still hungover?" Inoue Rina asked with concern. "Would you like me to get you a glass of hot water?"

"No need, I'm fine."

Ling Nai picked up the sake glass in front of Inoue Rina and drank the sake in one gulp.

The spicy liquid slid down her throat, burning her and making her wince.

"Hey, my glass is filled with alcohol. Didn't Professor Takashiro say he would never touch alcohol again?"

"Teacher, drink slowly..." Before Inoue Rina could finish speaking, Ling Nai had already poured herself another glass.

Ryosuke noticed the commotion, frowned, glanced at Ling Nai, and snatched the wine bottle from her hand.

What's wrong with this guy? If he drinks like this, he'll definitely get drunk again tonight.

It's a minor issue that I'll end up in that difficult state; the main problem is that it will be very harmful to my health.

"You must have had a hangover yesterday. You're not even an adult yet, don't drink this stuff like it's a beverage."

This sentence was like lighting a fuse.

Ling Nai turned her head, stared at Ryosuke for two seconds, and a rather unfriendly smile appeared on her lips.

"Leave me alone?"

The banquet hall fell silent for a moment.

Several club members who were nearby looked at each other, wondering what had happened. Inoue Rina shrank back, glancing at Ryosuke and then at Ayano, not daring to breathe.

Something feels off about the atmosphere.

Her brother is in a relationship, shouldn't Ms. Takashiro, as his sister, give him her blessings? Why does she look so angry?

Rina Inoue covered her mouth, her eyes darting back and forth between the three of them, her pupils dilating rapidly.

Ryosuke was taken aback by her words, but he wasn't angry; he just glanced at Ling Nai.

"As long as I'm here, you're not allowed to drink."

He then acted as if nothing had happened and continued eating.

Ling Nai was taken aback by his reaction.

She had expected Ryosuke to say more, or at least ask her what was wrong, but he didn't say anything and simply changed the subject.

It seems like she just threw a little tantrum, nothing to worry about.

This feeling is even worse than being scolded.

What? What's so great about him? Does he really think he's the older brother?

She's only one year older than me, and we're not related by blood!

Ryosuke's voice wasn't loud, but the banquet hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and his words clearly reached everyone's ears.

With the president speaking, Ritsu Saito gave a signal, and immediately a member took away the drinks from Ryosuke's table.

Ling Nai stared at him for a few seconds, her lips moved, but in the end she didn't say anything and turned her face away.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

Rina Inoue looked around, trying to break the silence: "Um..."

Ling Nai stood up, the chair making a dull thud on the tatami mat. "I'm full, I'm going back now."

"Huh? But Mr. Takashiro, you barely ate any...."

Ling ignored her and walked straight to the door.

She paused for a moment as she passed by Ryosuke.

“What kind of older brother are you?” she whispered, her voice barely audible to the two of them. “Don’t talk to me like that.”

After saying that, she opened the door and went out.

The wooden door closed behind me, shutting out the noise from the banquet hall.

......

The corridor was quiet, with only the sound of her footsteps echoing on the wooden floor.

Ling Nai walked very slowly, her mind a jumble of chaotic thoughts.

She walked to the rest area at the end of the corridor and sat down on a bench.

Ling Nai stared at the calm Ureshino River for a long time.

"What is that?"

She muttered something, curled her legs up, and rested her chin on her knees.

That giantess actually ended up with that guy.

"What terrible taste..."

“Takashiro-sensei.” Inoue Rina’s voice suddenly came from behind.

Ling Nai neither turned around nor responded.

Rina Inoue walked over cautiously and sat down next to her, holding a plate of untouched dessert.

"This... red bean and rice cake soup, I brought it over for you, it's still hot, would you like some?"

Ling Nai glanced at the steaming bowl of rice cake soup but didn't take it.

“The president sent me to check on you.” Inoue Rina placed the bowl on the bench between them, her voice soft. “He said you didn’t eat anything tonight.”

"You come just because he told you to?" Ling Nai's tone was unfriendly. "Are you his lackey?"

Rina Inoue was taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained her composure, unharmed by Inoue's attitude.

“Not a follower, a friend.” She tilted her head to look at Ling Nai. “Besides, I’m also Professor Gao Cheng’s friend. Isn’t it normal for a friend to come and check on things when they’re unhappy?”

Ling Nai didn't say anything.

"Takashiro-sensei," Inoue Rina hesitated for a moment, "do you... dislike Hououin-san?"

"No."

"That means... you don't want the president to be in a relationship?"

"Not at all."

"Then why...?"

"Can you please stop asking?" Ling Nai interrupted her, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Rina Inoue fell silent.

She looked at Ling Nai curled up on the bench, stubborn, disheveled, and unwilling to let anyone get close.

"I understand," Inoue Rina said softly. "Then I won't ask anymore."

She stood up and pushed the bowl of red bean and rice cake soup toward Ling Nai.

"Remember to drink the rice cake soup, it will clump together when it gets cold."

Then she turned and left, her footsteps fading into the distance in the corridor.

Ling Nai sat alone on the bench, the night breeze blowing in through the window.

She glanced down at the bowl of rice cake soup. The white rice cakes were soaking in the deep red broth, and a small pinch of osmanthus flowers were sprinkled on top, their golden petals unfurling slightly in the steam.

It's her favorite flavor.

She picked up the bowl and took a sip.

Sweet.

The warm soup slid down my throat and warmed my stomach, but my eyes started to sting.

"I hate it so much."

She put the bowl down, wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, but it wasn't clean after the first wipe. She wiped them again, but it still wasn't clean.

Tears, once they start flowing, are like a dam breaking; you just can't stop them.

There's really nothing to cry about.

He's just a cheap older brother; who would care about someone with such a terrible personality?

Ling buried her face in her knees, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Chapter 182 Why are you so skilled?

The following day was Sunday.

Aniplex's team-building trip ended after breakfast, and the group took a bus to Ureshino Onsen Station to board the JR line back to Tokyo.

Inside the train, the members chatted relatively cheerfully, still carrying a relaxed atmosphere after just finishing a team-building activity. However, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle in Ryosuke's row.

Ling Nai sat by the window, and Inoue Rina sat beside her, looking at her with a worried expression.

The blonde girl had her face turned towards the window from the moment she boarded the bus, whether she was admiring the scenery or hiding from something was unclear.