The things Shirakawa Natsu took out were all small items, including an airplane pillow and some Yan Guo currency: “Although they use electronic payment over there, you can still carry cash with you for emergencies.”

　　He then took out an electronic pen and said, “This electronic pen has a real-time translation function. If there are any unexpected situations in my schedule, I can use it immediately.”

　　Hojo Maki remained silent, sitting on the sofa and quietly watching him.

　　Shirakawa Natsu had expected her to refuse, but she hadn’t expected this reaction. Fortunately, she had prepared enough things, so she picked up another medicine box containing two kinds of medicine, white and yellow: “The white one is for the stomach. There are too many delicious foods in Yan Country, and some of them are quite strong in flavor. You might not be used to them at first. If you feel better, take two white pills.”

　　”The yellow medicine is for colds. The temperature is different over there than here, and the temperature difference can easily cause a cold.”

　　”Hmm.” Hojo Maki nodded slightly, looking at him with her beautiful eyes, and smiled, “Is there anything else?”

　　”…” Shirakawa Natsu was stunned for a moment. It was a little different from what he had expected. Shouldn’t Aunt Maki have politely declined?

　　Is there anything else? What’s going on? How can they be so brazen about getting something for free?

　　Moreover, he had seen the Yan Kingdom currency she exchanged a couple of days ago, so taking it out was actually to show that he had put in the effort.

　　Judging from Aunt Mafei’s appearance now, it seems she really intends to accept it.

　　Stared at by a pair of beautiful eyes, Shirakawa Natsumi couldn’t look away: “I also applied for the communication software they use over there. Let me download it for Aunt Maki. If you encounter any problems, you can contact me in real time.”

　　”Okay.” Hojo Maki nodded and handed over her phone.

　　He picked up his phone and started using it. Hojo Maki also came over and looked at the screen. The two of them were very close.

　　Shirakawa Natsu could smell her intoxicating fragrance, which was stronger than usual.

　　Aunt Mafei specially wore perfume today.

　　The two leaned together and talked about Yan Country. Shirakawa Natsu’s gaze fell on her high chest, which pushed up her black women’s suit jacket.

　　Their feet were only one centimeter apart, just enough for them to touch the jade-like feet wrapped in black stockings.

　　”Shirakawa-kun, you’ve arrived.” Mukai Yu’s voice came from behind.

　　He came out of the room, dressed casually, his hair clearly carefully styled, and saw Shirakawa Natsu and Hojo Maki sitting together.

　　An awkward expression flashed across her face, but she quickly concealed it.

　　Shirakawa Natsu stood up and nodded, saying, “Yes, today is the last day. We need to check if we’ve forgotten anything. After all, it’s quite helpless to encounter trouble in a foreign country.”

　　”Yes…yes.” Yu Mukai gave an awkward laugh, realizing he had shouted loudly yesterday.

　　Compared to Shirakawa Natsu’s meticulous preparations and genuine concern, it seemed he hadn’t done anything at all.

　　He glanced at Hojo Maki out of the corner of his eye and saw her smiling as she sat on the sofa with her beautiful legs in black stockings crossed.

　　There’s a type of anime protagonist who encounters the awkward situation of a real-life “simp.”

　　The male lead doesn’t need to do anything; he only needs to do one thing that the female lead sees, and she will love him for a lifetime.

　　In reality, a “simp” is someone who does everything he can to please the female lead.

　　This is Shirakawa Natsu’s strategy: a two-pronged approach, directing Arishima Ryoko’s actions while simultaneously going to great lengths to please Hojo Maki.

　　Yutaka Mukai stood there, momentarily at a loss.

　　”Do you have time today, Mukai-kun?” Shirakawa Natsumi asked, quickly changing the subject when she saw his embarrassment.

　　He wouldn’t go and step on Xiang Jingyu for no reason.

　　Aunt Mafei watched from the side, and he admitted that his skill level was more than one level below hers.

　　He deliberately created comparisons, but he couldn’t fool Aunt Mafei. He ended up in a lower position. What he needed to do was use Mukai Yu’s personality to make him court disaster.

　　Seeing that Shirakawa Natsu had taken the initiative to change the subject, Yu Mukai looked at her with a hint of gratitude: “Yes, is there anything I can help you with, Shirakawa-kun?”

　　”It wasn’t me.” Shirakawa Natsu glanced at Hojo Maki and said apologetically, “Aunt Maki originally planned to come to Yan Country today to celebrate her daughter’s birthday, but my plans were delayed, so I’m planning to have a birthday party together tonight. Of course, it’ll just be a simple cake party.”

　　He already mentioned this yesterday, so it’s not surprising that he brought it up now.

　　Unlike yesterday, Hojo Maki sat quietly on the sofa, smiling at the two of them without saying a word.

　　“Of course, it’s the weekend, I don’t need to be on duty.” Xiang Jingyu nodded.

　　”Then it’s settled, 8 PM tonight.” Shirakawa Natsumi smiled.

　　“Okay.” Yu Mukai nodded firmly, looking at Maki Hojo as if making some kind of promise.

　　He said just yesterday that he was devoted to Hojo Maki and loved only her.

　　Having just experienced an awkward situation, he is now eager to express his thoughts.

　　Shirakawa Natsu smiled and sat on the sofa to continue chatting with Hojo Maki, while Mukai Yu sat beside her, occasionally chiming in with a few words.

　　Shirakawa Natsu behaved very gentlemanly and would take the initiative to agree with him, so that he wouldn’t feel too embarrassed.

　　A hint of anxiety flashed across Yu Mukai’s face. Hojo Maki was leaving tomorrow, and he had just confessed his feelings yesterday.

　　He really wanted to have some time alone with Hojo Maki today.

　　He even suspected that Shirakawa Natsu might have done it on purpose.

　　Shirakawa Natsu noticed his expression; the young man in his twenties didn’t seem to have much cunning.

　　After he finished explaining everything he needed to, he stood up and said with a smile, “Then I’ll be going now. I’ll come over after dinner; I’ve already ordered a cake.”

　　”Okay.” Yu Mukai’s eyes flashed with gratitude. He had just suspected that Shirakawa Natsu also liked Hojo Maki, but he had been judging others by his own petty standards. “See you tonight, Shirakawa-kun.”

　　Shirakawa Natsu greeted Hojo Maki again before leaving her house.

　　Back in the jeep, I closed the door and immediately put on my headphones.

　　He closed his eyes and began to listen to the conversation between the two people in the room. He knew he had to give Mukai Yu enough space in order to carry out the next step of his plan.

　　After Shirakawa Natsu left, only Mukai Yu and Hojo Maki remained in the room.

　　Hojo Maki sat on the sofa. From the moment Shirakawa Natsu entered, she remained calm, like a judge sitting on a stage watching the performance below.

　　After Shirakawa Natsu left, Mukai Yu became noticeably more reserved. He sat on the sofa, glancing at Hojo Maki out of the corner of his eye. He quickly looked away after seeing her high breasts and long legs in black stockings.

　　Hojo Maki poured herself a glass of water, sat quietly on the sofa, crossed her legs, and let her black-stockinged feet swing freely in the air.

　　Unable to hold back any longer, Yuichi Mukai opened his mouth, his tone cautious: “Sister Maki, about what we talked about yesterday…”

　　Hojo Maki put down her water glass and looked at him.

　　Yu Mukai swallowed hard: “Can you give me an answer?”

　　”What kind of answer do you want?” Hojo Maki asked. “If I told you not to come near me, would you give up?”

　　”I…” Yu Mukai’s expression was complicated, unsure how to answer.

　　Hojo Maki shook her head: “You said some impressive things yesterday, but your eyes are still like a child’s, aren’t they?”

　　Yu Mukai’s expression changed several times.

　　Shirakawa Natsumi, sitting in the car, almost burst out laughing. Aunt Maki had done a great job.

　　The male protagonist in the anime enjoys women taking the initiative to approach him, and then he just has to make a choice.

　　In reality, it seems that this is not the case. Hojo Maki has feelings for him, but reason prevents her from being with Mukai Yu.

　　Shirakawa Natsuya also began to wonder what Hojo Maki’s purpose was in saying those things.

　　He didn’t think Aunt Mafei would say anything meaningless.

　　He was glad that he had hidden the listening device under the coffee table, so that he could hear their conversations clearly whenever Hojo Maki sat in that spot.

　　Yu Mukai’s expression gradually hardened, and he said earnestly, “I love Maki-nee, and I will wait for your answer without causing her any trouble.”

　　Hojo Maki put down her cup and gave him a deep look: “I will give you an answer when I return from Yan Kingdom.”

　　”Thank you… thank you!” Yu Mukai quickly stood up and bowed deeply to Maki Hojo.

　　”I don’t dislike liking someone with all my might.” Hojo Maki glanced deeply under the coffee table, a smile playing on her lips. This smile was full of the mysterious charm of a mature woman, and no one could understand the secret behind it.

　　Yu Mukai was stunned for a moment, and after regaining his senses, he nodded quickly: “I like Maki-nee, and that’s the only thing I have no doubt about.”

　　Shirakawa Natsu sat in the jeep, listening to the two finish their conversation, while Hojo Maki had already gotten up and gone back to her room.

　　He put down his listening earpiece, picked up his phone, and dialed Ryoko Arishima’s number.

　　After talking with the other party, Shirakawa Natsu drove to the pastry shop. Since he had nothing to do in the afternoon, he decided to make a cake himself.

　　At 5 p.m., Yu Mukai suddenly received a call from Ryoko Arishima.

　　After hesitating for a while, Yu Mukai said, “I’m sorry, Ryoko, I have something important to do tonight.”

　　”Is it someone Kazuhiro likes?” Ryoko Arishima asked softly.

　　Yu Mukai’s expression stiffened for a moment. The person on the other end of the phone was his ex-girlfriend, who clearly expressed her desire to get back together with him.

　　Admitting it directly would hurt the other person.

　　As he hesitated, Ryoko Arishima’s voice came from the other end of the phone again.

　　”Don’t worry, I don’t mean to bother Yu, I just want to talk.” Ryoko Arishima said softly, “Like before, we would take a walk together every day. I’m at the University of Tokyo, not far from Yu’s place.”

　　A struggle flashed across Mukai Yu’s face. He raised his wrist to check the time. It was 5 o’clock, and there were still three hours until 8 o’clock.

　　It only takes half an hour to walk from here to the University of Tokyo.

　　He can go there now, finish dealing with Ryoko Arishima’s matter, and then come back.

　　Yu Mukai nodded: “Okay, I’ll go over now.”

　　Meanwhile, Shirakawa Natsu was making a cake when she received a message from Arishima Ryoko that Mukai Yu had already gone to meet her.

　　”It really is…” Shirakawa Natsu shook her head, not surprised at all. Mukai Yu was a typical anime protagonist.

　　No one would refuse, pulling in the extreme tug-of-war among various women.

　　Shirakawa Natsu felt that she was much simpler, with a clear goal from beginning to end: to get rid of Hojo Maki.

　　However, Huang Mao’s photography skills are truly impressive. He’s only at the beginner level, yet he managed to fool Hojo Maki, a police officer. Once he upgrades to the intermediate or advanced level, wouldn’t that be incredible, reaching the level of a secret agent in a movie? That would be just around the corner.

　　In the room, Hojo Maki, with a deep gaze, carefully arranged all the little trinkets that Shirakawa Natsu had brought her.