Half an hour later.
Ryūmonen Tōka and Kageyama Sora sat stiffly on opposite sides of the sofa, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Tōka had changed into a pristine white dress, returning to her usual elegant self, though her expression remained sour.
Sora, looking down at his phone, glanced at data his assistant had sent, a subtle expression flickering across his face.
He had come for the national tournament and had his assistant gather intel on popular players—this cousin, recently seen unclothed, was last year's county champion and had consistently topped his company's mahjong software rankings.
The contrast between her dazzling achievements and her tsundere, spiky-haired appearance was amusing.
Tōka, unaware that Sora was reviewing her data, was only infuriated by his cold, nonchalant demeanor after seeing her earlier unclothed. Her hair spikes bristled with anger.
The proud, self-centered young lady had never been treated this way.
Especially seeing him scrolling indifferently, she was even more irritated.
She stomped onto the floor beside the sofa, striking a high-handed pose.
But standing so high, Sora caught a clear view of her pink little strawberry beneath her skirt.
Tōka had no idea he had seen it again and shouted:
"How rude! Don't you know how to apologize?! Or are you a pervert used to peeking at girls?"
Sora thought: if an apology were needed, now would be the time. Apologies were endless…
"I've already apologized. You might have missed it in your haste," Sora said, lifting his gaze to the flustered cousin's little strawberry.
"I didn't intentionally intrude; I had planned to shower and didn't know you were inside."
As they faced off, the butler Ogiwara approached with hot tea, sensing the tension and smiling awkwardly to mediate:
"Miss, please don't be angry. The young master didn't mean to; he didn't know you were inside… and he happens to be the designer of your favorite mahjong software."
This surprised Tōka:
"You? The designer?"
Seeing her interest, Ogiwara continued:
"Yes. The chairman said, despite his age, the young master is very talented. His company invested in the national tournament, and he came for that reason."
"Really?" Tōka looked skeptically at Sora, doubting someone her age could truly be a genius.
"Yes…" Sora answered candidly.
"I wanted to upgrade some software, but found top players weren't that interested in online mahjong. So, I came to observe… perhaps I might even enroll at Ryūmonen High."
At this, Tōka explained:
"Of course! Mahjong players are either data-oriented or luck-oriented. Luck-based strategies don't work online, which is why many players avoid online mahjong."
"Luck-based?"
Seeing Sora confused, she teased:
"Oh? Even the so-called genius cousin doesn't know everything…"
When discussing topics, she cared about, she seemed to glow. Her golden hair shimmered; her pink little strawberry almost seemed to breathe.
Sora thought, "…You know a lot?"
Before she could respond, Ogiwara added:
"Many luck-oriented players are in the mahjong club, and Miss has played against them… if she helps you…"
Sora remained silent, regretting not being nicer earlier. After all, this was all for money.
Orphaned and focused solely on money, he considered taking a shortcut.
Unexpectedly, Tōka cheerfully said:
"We're family. Since my grandfather values you, I, as the eldest Miss, cannot be unthoughtful. Let me show you the unique ways luck-based players play!
Her hair spikes shook violently, showing her good mood.
She wasn't pleased to show off—internally, she was plotting revenge on this perverted cousin.
Sora sensed her intent but wasn't afraid of a little girl's schemes.
Tōka smiled falsely sweetly:
"Since it's decided, cousin, rest up. Tonight, I'll arrange a match with a top luck-based mahjong player."
Though smiling sweetly, the scheming was obvious.
For Sora, it was harmless; he found the young lady quite charming—after all, who openly shows their intentions to scheme?
Still… out of familial courtesy, Sora warned:
"Pink."
"What?" Tōka was caught off guard.
Sora pointed gently:
"Your pose… shows your little strawberry."
Realizing, Tōka hastily lowered her leg from the sofa, cheeks flushed:
"P-Pervert!"
-End of Chapter-
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