Before the Fujiwara family's private elevator.
"My apologies for the inadequate hospitality this time."
Daichi Fujiwara smiled apologetically at Luo Shu, who was about to leave.
"The one who should apologise is me, coming to eat and then taking things away too."
Luo Shu lifted the items in his hands. In his right was an obviously high-quality wooden lunchbox containing some small desserts prepared by Toyomi Fujiwara, while his left held a plastic bag filled with water, inside which three large red goldfish swam about.
"No, no, it's nothing at all. We're just glad you liked them." Daichi's smile didn't falter in the slightest, as if it were perfectly natural.
Meanwhile, Toyomi Fujiwara waved her hand with a smile: "If you enjoy the snacks, just let me know."
After saying this, Toyomi glanced towards their apartment door before adding cheerfully:
"Moeha gave you her LINE ID, didn't she?"
"...She did." Luo Shu recalled the note with the contact number that Moeha Fujiwara had slipped him before leaving, paused briefly, then nodded.
Hearing this, Toyomi continued smiling as she waved:
"Well then, travel safely."
Luo Shu nodded, thanked Daichi once more, then turned to enter the elevator.
Once the elevator doors closed and Luo Shu had disappeared, Daichi's expression immediately turned serious as he addressed Toyomi:
"Toyomi, you go back inside first. Father has some matters to attend to."
Toyomi glanced at Daichi but didn't inquire, simply nodding:
"Understood."
As Toyomi turned to re-enter the apartment, just before closing the door, she noticed Daichi taking out his phone as if preparing to call someone.
Click.
The door shut.
"Toyomi-nee~~" Chika Fujiwara deliberately drew out her words playfully. "So? What did you think? Isn't Luo Shu-kun handsome?"
"Chika-nee, that's such a basic question!" Moeha Fujiwara rolled her eyes at her sister before addressing Toyomi directly: "Well? Did you feel like asking him out?"
"Ouch!"
Moeha rubbed her head where an embarrassed Toyomi had smacked her.
Before Moeha could complain, Toyomi said with a smile:
"One more word and I'll send all those e-books hidden in your E drive to Mother's computer."
Moeha remained completely unfazed: "That would indeed be cruel... except I originally copied them from Mother's computer in the first place?"
"Eh?!" Chika exclaimed in shock. "Mother likes younger men, too?"
At this, Toyomi and Moeha fell silent.
Then Moeha remarked casually:
"Mother's computer didn't originally have them. I downloaded them there."
Toyomi paused, highly suspicious: "And then deliberately walked in when Mother was viewing them to get leverage over her?"
Moeha looked genuinely surprised: "Toyomi-nee is so wicked to think of something like that."
'Why are all my little sisters such chaotic, mischievous personalities?'
As Toyomi stood speechless, Moeha asked curiously:
"Speaking of which, Toyomi-nee, you're only 20 this year and already being set up for an arranged meeting? I thought they'd wait until after university graduation."
Hearing this, Toyomi Fujiwara's expression didn't change at all as she reminded Moeha:
"If you're getting excited, Moeha, that won't do. You'll have to wait at least until high school graduation, after turning 18."
Moeha Fujiwara tilted her head: "But after high school, I won't be able to make men pursue me with that sense of moral transgression anymore."
"Moral transgression..." Chika Fujiwara covered her nose, her cheeks burning red as she stared at her younger sister: "Moeha, how can you think like that?!"
"It's just making reasonable use of age advantages!" Moeha waved her hand dismissively: "Anyway, we sisters are destined only to choose one person to spend our lives with, so we might as well pick someone who won't break easily!"
"In that case, shouldn't we test their psychological resilience before dating?"
Chika couldn't help but interject:
"No, this sounds more like screening potential criminals than choosing life partners."
Ignoring Chika's comment, Moeha turned her gaze to their eldest sister Toyomi:
"Speaking of which, Toyomi-nee never shares her thoughts. Does that mean you're okay with this arrangement?"
"...Well, let's at least meet first?" Toyomi rested her cheek on her right hand: "I keep feeling Luo Shu might not like me anyway."
'Hmm, he looks at Chika much more often than at me. He even glances at Moeha more than me. Could it be that Luo Shu, like me, prefers younger partners?'
As Toyomi pondered this, Moeha glanced at Chika, who was now bleeding from her nose and sighed:
"Chika-nee really is too pure..."
"Sorry for being so easily affected... I'll go to the bathroom to deal with this."
"Go ahead."
With Moeha's dismissive wave, Chika hurried towards the bathroom, still clutching her bleeding nose.
...
By the elevator, near the window.
Daichi Fujiwara watched Luo Shu's departing car through the window as he called his father:
"Father."
"Ah, Daichi? I heard you took Director Luo to meet Toyomi today? How did it go? Any reaction from her?"
"Toyomi seems willing to meet him," Daichi replied casually.
"Oh? Toyomi likes that type? Good. Let them try spending time together. If it works out, great. If not, no matter. Our Fujiwara family isn't desperate enough to sell our daughters."
Daichi didn't argue, only furrowing his brows as he added:
"Before leaving, Luo Shu specifically asked for the goldfish you sent from Kyoto."
After a pause, the elderly Fujiwara patriarch responded:
"I understand. I'll dispose of all the fish at home."
Daichi didn't object, merely exchanging a few pleasantries and inquiring about his father's health before ending the call. Rolling up his sleeves, he muttered while looking towards the apartment door:
"Just finished setting up the aquarium, and now I have to clean it again."
Shaking his head, Daichi turned and entered the entryway.
...
On the streets of Chiyoda's city centre.
Luo Shu, who was driving, glanced at the goldfish placed in the glove compartment, the corners of his lips curling into a mocking smile.