If you really wanted to condemn me, you should point your finger at my nose and scold me, then throw a chawanmushi at my face, instead of saying this while blushing and making such adorable sounds.
Sorry," Kisaragi Chiyo suddenly reached out, grabbed Matsuda Jinpei's collar, pulled him close, "I couldn't bring myself to do that.
Then she bit down hard on Matsuda Jinpei's shoulder.
Matsuda Jinpei laughed, his chest vibrating as he pulled Kisaragi Chiyo into his arms.
“Is it because you can't bear to part with me? Or is it because you can't bear to part with the chawanmushi?”
Faced with such a difficult dilemma, Kisaragi Chiyo bit Matsuda Jinpei's shoulder and chose to remain silent.
Matsuda Jinpei was not surprised that he failed to get an answer. His hand reached under the young man's clothes, sliding up his back and groping bit by bit along the spine, admiring the incredibly vivid expression that appeared on the young man's face under his touch.
"Anyway, we'll have plenty of time in the future," Matsuda thought happily.
*
The chawanmushi ended up getting cold after all, with a heavy heart, Matsuda Jinpei finished it off under Kisaragi Chiyo's watchful gaze.
“I hate you..” Kisaragi Chiyo, unable to eat the chawanmushi, let out a weak voice.
"How can moving from hate to dislike not be considered a form of progress?" Matsuda Jinpei affectionately stroked the young man's head.
He sent Hara a message, skipping over some of the trivial details, telling him that the chawanmushi had gone cold and was already in his stomach, asking Hara to make another portion to bring over.
Hara quickly replied with a question mark, but he didn't ask anything else, simply replying "received" before going offline.
Because Kisaragi Chiyo needed someone to stay with her while she was hospitalized, many matters that needed handling were entrusted to Hara Kenji.
This included the renovation of the villa.
Yes, during her period of hospitalization and recuperation, Kisaragi Chiyo finally achieved her wish and bought the ocean-view villa she was currently living in from her landlord.
At that time, after Kisaragi Chiyo shared her bargaining plan with Morofushi Hiromitsu, he immediately sent a message asking if she needed his help.
Then, Editor Morofushi expressed to Kisaragi Chiyo in a very humble tone that he had some experience when it came to haggling.
Although Kisaragi Chiyo didn't know why Editor Morofushi had such insights, he could understand—who doesn't experience financial difficulties?
So, he very readily entrusted the entire matter to Morofushi Hiromitsu.
And Morofushi Hiromitsu did not disappoint, as expected, securing the villa at a price even lower than what was in Kisaragi Chiyo's budget.
"As expected of Editor Morofushi." When Morofushi arrived at the hospital in a hurry to hand over the house contract to Kisaragi Chiyo, the young man's eyes sparkled as he looked at him.
Former editor," Morofushi Hiromitsu corrected Kisaragi Chiyo with a smile, "We are friends, just call me Morofushi.
"Alright, Morofushi," Kisaragi Chiyo nodded with a smile, signaled Matsuda to pour water for the guest.
Keidan-sama, please enjoy," Matsuda Jinpei said, placing a cup of warm water near Morofushi Hiromitsu's hand. "It's a Hokkaido Hospital exclusive; you won't be able to taste it anywhere else once you leave here.
Is that so?" Morofushi Hiromitsu put on a look of curiosity, playing along. "Then I'll have to savor it properly.
After speaking, Morofushi Hiromitsu picked up the paper cup and took a small sip, smacked his lips, finally commented, "It truly lives up to its reputation; it tastes exactly like plain water."
Of course." Matsuda Jinpei raised his chin triumphantly, he held up a package of brown sugar. "If you like it sweet, I can add some sugar for you.
No, thank you," Morofushi Hiromitsu said, shaking his head in refusal. "Just plain water; I still prefer the original flavor.
"That's a real shame." Matsuda Jinpei wore a disappointed expression at not being able to add three large spoonfuls of brown sugar to his colleague's water.
"And Hara?" Morofushi Hiromitsu waited for a while without seeing Hara Kenji, so he turned to ask Kisaragi Chiyo, who was currently looking at the house contract.
"Oh, Hara has gone to Hell," Kisaragi Chiyo said calmly, as if going to Hell was the most normal thing in the world to them.
I see." Morofushi Hiromitsu nodded thoughtfully. "Is working in Hell interesting?
"You're interested?" Kisaragi Chiyo put down the contract in her hands and turned to look at Morofushi Hiromitsu, revealing a satisfied expression after scanning him from head to toe.
Perhaps you could go see for yourself; my superior, that Hell Assistant Official, actually quite likes people with your level of extensive work experience.
"If I have the time, I would indeed be very interested." Morofushi Hiromitsu smiled and nodded slightly, accepting Kisaragi Chiyo's proposal.
But would an ordinary person like me be able to do it?
Well.." Kisaragi Chiyo frowned, a look of slight distress on his face, stared into Morofushi Hiromitsu's blue eyes. "Although I can sense a faint spiritual power from you, if you want to meet the standards my boss requires, I'm afraid it might be difficult while you're still alive.
“That is quite a pity.” Morofushi Hiromitsu didn't actually have any intention of taking on extra work; he had only asked Kisaragi Chiyo about this out of curiosity.
However, if it's just a quick trip to Hell to take a look, it's relatively simple." As she spoke, Kisaragi Chiyo's excitement surged again. "You can stop by on your way here to attend our wedding.
"Has the date been set yet?" Having been warned in advance, Morofushi Hiromitsu accepted this well.
“Not yet.. but even at the earliest, it will have to be scheduled for the second half of the year, once everything regarding the human world is settled.” Kisaragi Chiyo shrugged at Morofushi Hiromitsu, gesturing to the hospital gown she was wearing.
"So soon?" Matsuda Jinpei, being one of the parties involved, widened his eyes, a rare look of helplessness appearing on his face.
I thought..
"Think what?" Kisaragi Chiyo turned her head and looked at him curiously.
I thought this was a bit far-fetched," Matsuda Jinpei said, his expression looking somewhat awkward. "We.. we haven't officially met each other's parents yet.
Ah, well.." Kisaragi Chiyo also became conflicted, "My parents are in Hell, so it's quite convenient to meet them, but as for you and Hara..
If, say, your families received a dream message inviting them to Hell to attend the wedding of the three of us.. what would their reaction be?
At the mention of this question, the three people in the hospital room fell silent at the same time.
"I think we should have revealed some news in advance, so that Matsuda and the Hara family could prepare themselves mentally?" Morofushi Hiromitsu said very tactfully; at the very least, he himself couldn't imagine such a scene.
“You'd think it's a real nightmare, wouldn't you?” Matsuda Jinpei said with a cold laugh.
"Anyway, this matter needs to be discussed carefully over time." Kisaragi Chiyo sighed, deciding to leave this problem for her future self to worry about.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Thank you for the support, my little angels. Kisses to everyone! 030
Chapter 154
Kisaragi Chiyo's discharge from the hospital was scheduled for three days later, according to the weather forecast, it would be a sunny day with gentle breezes.
The temperatures in Hokkaido during March are really not high, it occasionally even snows, but according to Matsuda, the cherry blossoms in Shizuoka Prefecture have already bloomed at this time of year. The Kawazu cherry blossoms covering the mountains and fields look redder and more beautiful than ordinary cherry blossoms, in Izu, there is a vast area of cherry blossoms blooming along the riverbanks. Every year at this time, many people choose a perfect spot to have a picnic or fly kites.
I want to see the cherry blossoms too," Kisaragi Chiyo said to Matsuda Jinpei. "I also want to eat Izu's number one Atami pudding and Atami fish cake.
"I shouldn't have mentioned this to you." Matsuda Jinpei glanced at the bare branches outside the hospital window; at this moment, a light snow was falling outside. The weather wasn't particularly good or bad; the sunlight was obscured by heavy clouds, creating a feeling that was both bright and gloomy.
I haven't left the hospital in almost three months." Kisaragi Chiyo held up three fingers and complained to Matsuda Jinpei, "I grew tired of seeing the same scenery outside the window every single day a long time ago.
It's clearly because you personally find the weather too cold and don't want to go out," Matsuda Jinpei ruthlessly exposed the truth. "A few days ago, the nurse even urged you to go for a walk outside the hospital; who was it that pretended not to hear her back then?
Kisaragi Chiyo said nothing, instead feigning interest by shaking his head and looking around the ward, deciding to commit fully to his selective hearing.
"Do you really want to go that much?" Watching the young man's eyes dart around, clearly plotting something, Matsuda Jinpei sighed helplessly; he was certain the other man was definitely up to something. Although Kisaragi Chiyo always acted quite lazy, preferring to curl up in one spot without moving, if he suddenly had an idea, his drive would be terrifyingly strong—he was definitely the type who wouldn't give up until he saw results.
So, in order to prevent Kisaragi Chiyo from changing her mind in an instant, Matsuda Jinpei agreed to her request after some deliberation.
How about going in three days?" Matsuda Jinpei said to Kisaragi Chiyo in a negotiating tone. "Three days from now will still be in time, I heard the weather will be nice too.
No." Kisaragi Chiyo shook her head coldly, her tone somewhat unreasonable, "I want it now.
Now?
Now.
It's already too late." Matsuda Jinpei glanced at the clock on the wall to remind Kisaragi Chiyo not to let her imagination run wild: "The fastest way to travel from Hokkaido to Izu is by plane, it takes two hours from Shinsei Airport to Haneda Airport. Then, the fastest flight from Haneda to Izu Oshima takes at least forty minutes.
Even if we buy tickets now, the earliest flight isn't until the afternoon. By the time we reach Izu, it will already be night.
"We won't be taking a plane." Kisaragi Chiyo suddenly flashed a smile, her beautiful heterochromatic eyes looking at Matsuda Jinpei as she gave him a suggestive wink.
Matsuda Jinpei, instantly understanding her meaning, said, ".. If Hara Kenji finds out, he'll definitely beat me up; he won't agree to us doing this."
Ever since Kisaragi Chiyo was hospitalized, Hara Kenji had been acting extremely tense in private. Although the doctor had stated more than once that Kisaragi Chiyo's physical recovery was going very well, returning to a state almost identical to before the injury, Hara still continued to treat her with extreme care, as if she were a fragile piece of glassware.
Well, although Kisaragi Chiyo still quite enjoyed his lover's attentiveness and care, occasionally some rebellious thoughts would arise in his heart, just like right now.
"Then don't let him know." Kisaragi Chiyo propped himself up and leaned closer to Matsuda, his warm fingers gently hooking around Matsuda's hand. As the distance closed, Matsuda Jinpei had to open his arms and pull Kisaragi Chiyo into his embrace, lest he accidentally fall off the bed.
"Hara Kenji told me he would be going to deliver documents to Hozuki today." The young man's lips brushed against Matsuda Jinpei's ear, his breath carrying a moist warmth. The young man's hair had grown a bit long, with several strands falling across his neck. As they pressed close together, Matsuda Jinpei felt his heart itch with every breath the other took.
"Are you seducing me?" Matsuda Jinpei wrapped his arms around the young man's waist, because he was barefoot, he had Kisaragi Chiyo sit on his lap.
"What do you think?" Kisaragi Chiyo looked up at Matsuda Jinpei. The light blue and white striped hospital gown she was wearing was a bit too large for her, hanging loosely in a way that seemed perfect for doing something.
Matsuda Jinpei thought of what happened yesterday. He lowered his head and bit a small piece of soft flesh on the other's neck, the slight pain causing Kisaragi Chiyo to let out an unconscious moan.
Matsuda released his mouth and lifted his head, his lips brushing against the young man's cheek. "It's impossible for you not to know.. The amethyst earring you're wearing on your right ear right now hides a trace of his scent. He could find you through that scent at any time.. Not to mention, how did you know he hadn't left an eye behind here?"
As he spoke, Matsuda Jinpei opened his mouth and bit the man's left earlobe, which also held a blue-green gemstone—the gemstone closest to his own eye color that Matsuda could find.
If one were to say that since his hospitalization, Hara Kenji's protective instincts and desire for control have increased significantly, Matsuda Jinpei is also absolutely the type who is no match for him.
Once Kisaragi Chiyo was out of Matsuda Jinpei's sight for more than thirty minutes, he would start searching everywhere, eventually finding Kisaragi Chiyo hiding on the rooftop to sneak a snack of spicy dried squid.
"As long as we make it back before the original hospital, it's fine." Kisaragi Chiyo's words sounded somewhat rogue.
Does it mean that if you aren't caught red-handed, you can act as if nothing happened?
Matsuda Jinpei really wanted to ask that question, but looking at the expectant expression on the young man's face, as his gaze met those bright heterochromatic eyes, the words suddenly died on Matsuda Jinpei's lips.
"Okay." Matsuda pursed his lips, cupped Kisaragi Chiyo's face, kissed his eyes.
*
To ensure Kisaragi Chiyo wouldn't catch a cold, proper warmth had to be provided. After helping Kisaragi Chiyo put on a sweater, Matsuda Jinpei wrapped another coat around her, only after wrapping her scarf so tightly that no draft could get through, did he nod in satisfaction.
"Actually, I've been able to dress myself for a long time now." Kisaragi Chiyo's face was half-buried in the scarf, her voice sounded somewhat muffled.
"Alright, let's go." Matsuda Jinpei pretended not to have heard those words just now, instead reached out his hand toward the young man.
There are a total of three rounds of ward rounds a day, once in the morning, once at noon, once in the evening. The morning round already took place at nine o'clock, the doctor will not come for the second round of rounds until four in the afternoon.
So, there were still six hours in total for the two of them to squander. But given Matsuda Jinpei's speed, even after subtracting the travel time to and from the destination, there would still be plenty of time left for them to fully enjoy the food and cherry blossoms of Izu.
The glass window of the hospital room was pushed open, a cold wind rushed in from the outside. Matsuda Jinpei hovered in mid-air, his large black wings spread out behind him.
The curly-haired man with black wings and handsome features could not help but remind one of a Western Fallen Angel.
Kisaragi Chiyo leaned against the window and jumped down, only to be caught steadily by him the very next second.
"We're setting off." Matsuda Jinpei wrapped the young man in his arms, shielding him from the cold wind as much as possible.