16 Let’s Go for a Drive!

"Chief!"

As Kyosuke Hojo descended the steps, the officers waiting below immediately shouted in unison.

"Don't you guys need to keep an eye on those people? They look so worked up, I'm worried something might happen."

With over two hundred people suddenly appearing on the streets, Kyosuke suspected it would cause a massive commotion.

"Haha, don't worry, Chief. It's fine. We already filed a report with the police station before the gathering; it's a completely legal assembly," Masaki Kyosuke said.

"That's good. But why are you all still waiting here? You're not planning to race me while my skills are still rusty, are you?"

Looking at his subordinates, Kyosuke felt conflicted. He wanted them to leave quickly so he could take the girls for a ride on his motorcycle, but he didn't want them to leave because his bike could only carry one passenger, and choosing who would be a real problem.

"Chief, do you know where we usually go to race?"

Masaki Kyosuke could roughly guess what Kyosuke was thinking, but he also knew that their "Chief" was completely ignorant of the ways of biker gangs.

"Uh, aren't we just cruising around Tokyo?" Kyosuke scratched his head. The flag he had been holding had long since been taken by Eikichi Onizuka.

"Hahaha, of course not. How could we have any fun running on city roads? We always race on the Tokyo Loop."

"I see. In that case, go ahead. I just want to take a slow ride through the city," Kyosuke said.

"Chief, this is a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other," Kisaki Tetta reminded him.

Kyosuke looked at the duo from Oya High and the Haitani brothers; sure enough, they were all looking at him with anticipation. Oh, so that’s what them staying behind meant.

"No, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. You guys have fun."

Seeing the three girls approaching, Kyosuke decisively rejected the all-male gathering. After all, why wouldn't he prefer the company of sweet, cute girls?

Seeing the Chief’s "family" approaching, the officers tactfully took their leave.

"Wow! Kyosuke, you were so cool just now! I recorded the whole thing for you!"

Seeing the delinquents leave, Sakura trotted over to Kyosuke, holding up her phone to claim credit.

Kyosuke glanced at the screen, which showed the exact moment he had cringingly declared himself "the strongest in Tokyo."

So embarrassing, so embarrassing—Kyosuke felt like he could die of shame on the spot. He reached out to grab the phone to delete the video, but Sakura was prepared and pulled it back before he could touch it.

"Hehe, this was Auntie Mikiko’s mission. She’s the one who ordered me to record it."

Sakura hid the phone behind her back, wrinkling her cute nose triumphantly.

*Sigh.* Kyosuke lamented inwardly. His mother would definitely gather all their relatives back home to watch this shameful video together. He could already picture the scene: the spacious living room, his mother playing the video on the TV, while his grandparents, aunts, and uncles sat on the sofa, sipping tea and eating snacks, watching his "chuunibyou" speech with great interest.

"Heehee, just accept your fate, my dear Second Generation Chief."

Sakura was well aware of Auntie Mikiko’s personality, and she couldn't stop laughing at his misfortune. Her silvery laughter echoed through the shrine at night, sounding just like a sprite.

"Kyosuke, can we go for a ride now?"

Standing nearby, Naoka Ueno saw their intimate posture and immediately began to feel jealous.

The situation Kyosuke feared was happening. He began to curse himself for inviting the girls to the ceremony a few hours ago—what a loose mouth he had!

"Um, Kyosuke-kun, if it's inconvenient, I can just take a taxi home alone," Shoko said. Understanding and considerate, she had sensed Kyosuke’s predicament. Shoko and Naoka didn't live in dorms; they were sharing an apartment together.

"Sigh, how could I let you go home alone? This is Tokyo, the capital of Japan—the place with the most perverts."

Kyosuke patted Shoko’s head, making her already slightly messy hair even more disheveled. Shoko lowered her head with a gentle, serene smile, silently enjoying his touch.

"So you’re the most cunning one, Shoko! I haven't seen you in so long, and the moment we meet, you’re being this intimate with Kyosuke right in front of me! I'm going to tell on you to Auntie Mikiko!"

Sakura tugged at the straps of her overalls with both hands. Before he could think further, Naoka’s voice came from nearby.

"Ah, I think a mosquito bit my leg."

Kyosuke turned his head, only to see Naoka bending over, one hand brushing against her fair, straight leg, while her slightly loosened collar revealed a beautiful view.

His throat bobbed, and with great willpower, Kyosuke looked away.

"Let’s just get out of here. There are too many plants; it’s no surprise there are mosquitoes."

With that, Kyosuke ignored the bickering girls and led the way out.

Naoka straightened up, watching Kyosuke’s hasty retreat with a triumphant smile. *As expected, Kyosuke can't resist my legs. He likes me the best.*

"Heehee."

Sakura looked at Naoka, then at Shoko, as if thinking of something fun, and was the first to follow after Kyosuke.

...

The four of them stood in front of Kyosuke’s motorcycle and fell into deep thought.

"Let's just walk home together!" Kyosuke said decisively.

"Great! There’s a famous udon place nearby; let’s go eat there!" Sakura immediately seconded the motion. This girl could never resist good food.

"That sounds lovely. It’s been a while since we all ate together," Shoko said gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I don't mind. That’s in the direction of my and Shoko’s apartment anyway."

Naoka looked at the massive black motorcycle. Although she really wanted to go for a ride with Kyosuke, there was no helping it. Neither she nor Kyosuke could leave Shoko behind. Funnily enough, at the very beginning, she had been furious that Kyosuke was drawn to Shoko’s pitiful appearance. Now, even she found herself involuntarily attracted to this strong and kind girl. If Shoko really ended up with Kyosuke, she might not even have the heart to compete with her.

Walking down the street, Kyosuke noticed Shoko adjusting her hearing aid and immediately asked nervously:

"Shoko, is your ear uncomfortable?"

"No, no," Shoko shook her head. "It just slipped a little, so I adjusted it."

"I remember you went for a check-up just before the semester started, right? What did the doctor say?"

"Don't worry, don't worry. The doctor said there’s no change."

A warm, serene smile played on Shoko’s face as she raised her hand and gave a thumbs-up. Although such outward emotional expression made her feel shy, she wanted to use her actions to put Kyosuke-kun at ease.