Chapter 127: The Anomaly Within Juhui, and Saori Amemiya Gets Her Way

The sun dipped low in the west as the train trundled slowly along the tracks toward the suburbs of Tokyo. The scenery outside the windows shifted constantly, transitioning from bustling commercial streets to quiet residential neighborhoods, and from towering skyscrapers to narrow, winding alleys. As the train left the urban sprawl behind, the once-cramped carriage gradually began to feel more spacious.

"Aren't you getting down yet?"

Anhe gently patted Saori Amamiya, who was sitting on his lap. Because the carriage had been so crowded earlier, she had simply opted to perch there. To Anhe’s surprise, Saori didn't comply immediately. Instead, she turned her head, wiggled her hips, and giggled, "Do you really want me to get down now?"

His nose was filled with the girl’s unique, delicate fragrance, and the soft sensation against his thighs made his Adam’s apple bob involuntarily. The refusal he had been about to voice was swallowed back, replaced by a resigned, "Just keep sitting there, then."

"Heh heh heh~"

Saori let out a triumphant laugh, continuing to wiggle occasionally. However, she soon seemed to sense something, instantly settling down, her exquisite, pretty face gradually flushing with a tint of crimson.

Noticing the sudden stiffness of her body in his arms, Anhe felt helpless. After all, his "brother" had a mind of its own; he could hardly stop it from making its presence known.

[A moving carriage, a corner unnoticed by others, a shy yet expectant girl in your arms; in such a situation, perhaps you could do something. As it happens, Hoshino Chie nearby can shield most of the view for you. I believe that as long as you keep the movements subtle, no one but her will notice...]

The narration was as irreverent as ever. Anhe ignored it and turned his gaze to Hoshino Chie, who sat beside him. The girl’s hands rested flat on her knees, her head bowed and bobbing slightly with the sway of the train. Through the gaps in her hanging hair, one could faintly see her eyes were closed.

"Looks like she’s tired, too."

With nearly ten minutes left until the train reached its destination, Anhe shifted his body closer to Hoshino and reached out, gently pressing her head so it rested against his shoulder instead of dangling awkwardly. Although his movements were light, Hoshino snapped awake.

Seeing her questioning gaze, Anhe whispered, "It’ll be more comfortable if you lean on me."

Hoshino froze, her dark brown eyes flickering. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded silently and rested her head on the shoulder of this boy she had known for less than a few hours. It was a strange, unprecedented experience, infused with the faint, clean scent radiating from him—like a spring of clear water in a mountain stream, slowly washing away the dark world she had known.

The train continued on. The urban landscape had vanished, replaced by fields of budding greenery. It was early spring, and the warm sunlight spilled into the empty carriage through the windows.

When the train arrived at the station, Anhe ushered Saori off, tied his jacket around his waist, and woke the sleeping Hoshino. The three of them exited the station together. A spring breeze swept by, and the fresh air always had a way of lifting one’s spirits.

Anhe led the way. Saori stuck close to Hoshino, chattering away about various interesting things like a little lark. Because the station was not far from Anhe’s home, they arrived in less than ten minutes.

Standing before the villa gate, Hoshino looked at the massive structure with a dazed expression. It was only when Saori tugged at her that she came back to her senses.

"I’m sorry, how rude of me," she murmured, subconsciously bowing her head, looking somewhat unnatural.

In truth, when Anhe mentioned living in the suburbs, Hoshino had imagined a rural, detached wooden house. She had never expected a luxurious, classic villa like this.

*Maybe... maybe I should just forget it,* she thought, wanting to retreat. Even the smallest room in a villa like this would likely cost a fortune in rent, and she worried she would never be able to pay it back.

However, before Hoshino could speak, Saori—sensing her unease—grabbed her and pulled her through the gate. As they walked toward the front door, Saori said excitedly, "Hey, Chie-chan, let me introduce you to my sister. She’s a very cute and gentle girl."

Feeling the firm grip on her hand, Hoshino’s lips parted, but she couldn't bring herself to say she wanted to leave. She instinctively followed behind Saori.

Entering the villa, they changed into slippers in the foyer and walked down the hallway into a spacious living room. A magnificent crystal chandelier, plush leather sofas, a fireplace with a crackling fire, a sleek LCD screen—which she had only heard classmates talk about—and an exquisite marble coffee table filled the space.

Hoshino only gave these things a fleeting glance before her attention was drawn to a woman sitting on the sofa.

She wore a black office lady uniform, her slender, beautiful legs wrapped in black silk beneath a pencil skirt. Her figure was graceful and curvaceous, and her long, raven-black hair was pinned up high. Combined with a cold, expressionless face, she exuded an inexplicably alluring aura of dominance.

*A difficult person to deal with,* was Hoshino’s first reaction.

Saori, perhaps sensing her nerves, tightened her grip on Hoshino’s hand and led her to the center of the living room. She raised an eyebrow and spoke to her sister, Sagiri Amamiya, who was still looking at a file in her hands. "The world’s cutest little sister is home! As my older sister, shouldn't you welcome me?"

"Yes, yes, welcome home, Saori," Sagiri said dismissively, putting down the file and looking up. However, upon seeing that the person beside Saori was not Anhe, but a strange girl, she paused in surprise.

"Hmph~"

Saori hummed in dissatisfaction, then draped her arm around Hoshino’s waist to introduce her. "This is Chie-chan, my best friend. From today on, she’s going to live with us." Fearing her sister might refuse, she quickly added, "Brother-in-law already agreed to it."

"Oh?" Sagiri arched a brow. She didn't answer immediately, instead looking toward Anhe, who had just entered the living room. Seeing her gaze, Anhe gave a wry smile, shrugged, and gestured toward the kitchen before heading in. Sagiri stood up and followed him inside.

With them gone, Hoshino felt a surge of nervousness, but Saori began to comfort her in a low voice.

In the kitchen, Anhe greeted Sagiri with their usual kiss, only releasing her when she gave him a gentle nudge. Catching her breath, Sagiri wiped the corner of her mouth and asked softly, "Tell me, what’s going on?"

"It’s just as Saori said." Anhe briefly explained their meeting in the infirmary earlier that day and Hoshino’s current situation.

After listening, Sagiri fell silent for a long time. She didn't ask more about Hoshino, but instead looked at Anhe with a playful expression and a smirk. "Why were you and Saori hanging out in the infirmary in the middle of the day, anyway?"

"That is..." Anhe was momentarily tongue-tied.

Sagiri had expected this reaction. She gave his waist a light pinch and let it go. "Let's go. Staying in here too long will make Saori’s friend, Chie-chan, start overthinking things."

Anhe nodded.

When they returned to the living room, Sagiri no longer wore the cold expression she had for strangers. She took the initiative to step forward, warmly taking Hoshino’s hand to chat. Saori, meanwhile, found herself unable to get a word in. Anhe had never seen Sagiri be so close to someone she had just met.

*Perhaps she sees a reflection of herself in Hoshino Chie,* he thought, and felt at ease.

He glanced around, and not seeing Tachibana Eri, he headed upstairs. Her bedroom door was tightly shut. He knocked, and a slightly flustered, childish voice came from within.

"Sa... Sagiri-nee, is there something you need?"

"Hm?" Anhe sensed something was off, but didn't speak up immediately. A moment later, the door opened, and Eri peeked out, wearing a white T-shirt. When she saw it wasn't Sagiri standing there, she froze, clearly wanting to slam the door shut, but Anhe held it open with his hand.

"Eri-chan, surely you aren't doing anything bad in there?" As he spoke, he applied more pressure. Even though the little girl tried her best to push back, the door slowly creaked open.

Seeing that her secret was about to be exposed, Eri pleaded, "Anhe-niisan, please, don't come in."

"Hiss..." Hearing the highly suggestive words combined with her tearful, childish voice, Anhe pulled back the foot he had been about to step inside with. He sighed and let go of the door.

With a "bang," the door slammed shut. Even through the door, Anhe could hear the girl inside let out a heavy sigh of relief, which only made him more curious about what she was up to. But seeing her stubbornness, he didn't force it, opting instead to coax her.

"Eri-chan, can you tell brother what you're doing in