Chapter Four: The Black-Hearted Princess

After a simple breakfast, Anhe made sure to leave his apartment before seven twenty. His building faced only one direction, so as soon as he opened his door, he was greeted by the bustling cityscape of Tokyo.

“What a magical day!” he couldn’t help but sigh, recalling that earlier kiss. He tightened the scarf around his neck and turned to lock up, just as the sound of another door opening echoed nearby.

He glanced sideways and saw a stunning woman step out of the neighboring apartment, dressed in a white blouse and a black pencil skirt, carrying a brown canvas tote.

What an incredible figure! His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. Though they’d barely exchanged words before, he remembered she was a widow. A certain roguish spirit whispered in his mind—if he could get leverage on her, perhaps he could use it for blackmail…

Ignoring the villainous commentary in his head, Anhe let his eyes quickly sweep over her full chest and the shapely legs wrapped in black stockings. Then, with a friendly and sunny smile, he greeted her.

“Good morning, Mrs. Kurorai. Are you heading to work?”

“Ah?” The sudden voice startled Tokiko Kurorai as she shut her door. She turned to find Anhe Yusheng, the neighbor who’d just moved in last week. Despite the fatigue on her face, she managed a smile.

“It’s you, Anhe-kun. Yes, I’m just on my way to work.”

She gave him a quick once-over and, noticing his familiar black school uniform, asked in surprise after a moment’s thought, “Are you a student at Kinami High?”

“You know our school?” Anhe was genuinely surprised. In his memory, Mrs. Kurorai’s child was just a third-grader—hardly anyone who’d have any connection to a high school.

Seeing his confusion, Tokiko swept her ash-blonde hair over her shoulder and explained with a gentle laugh, “I work nearby.”

“Oh, I see!” Anhe exclaimed in sudden understanding, though his gaze lingered for a moment on the cascade of hair she’d drawn forward.

What a dangerous hairstyle, madam...

Dangerous? A glint flashed in your mind—if she cares so much about her daughter, why not kidnap the girl for leverage? If you did, this woman would be forced to yield, and afterwards, you could savor both her and her adorable...

Good Lord!

He couldn’t believe where his mind had gone. Still, curiosity got the better of him as he glanced at her closed door and asked, “Is Sakuri not going to school today?”

He swore to heaven—it was pure curiosity, nothing more.

“She—”

At the mention of her daughter, the last traces of fatigue faded from Tokiko’s face, her lips curving into a genuine smile. “She loves school so much that she raced off right after breakfast.”

“Sakuri’s that impressive?” Anhe was amazed; a third-grader eager to attend school was more shocking to him than his first encounter with Liu Cixin’s “The Three-Body Problem.”

Tokiko smiled, touched by his reaction. They chatted for a few more moments before she suggested they walk together since her workplace was near his school.

Anhe happily agreed. It was always nicer to have company on a dull commute.

But that notion evaporated as soon as they boarded the train.

At rush hour, the carriage was packed beyond belief. Anhe found himself sandwiched in a corner with Tokiko, the two of them barely managing to squeeze in.

Trying to be gentlemanly, Anhe offered Tokiko the spot against the wall to shield her from the crowd. After all, Tokyo’s reputation for train gropers was infamous.

Tokiko understood at once and accepted without hesitation. But as the train began to move, they both realized a problem: being in the corner meant there were no handrails overhead. As a result, Anhe struggled to keep his balance.

Leaning side to side wasn’t an issue—on either side were men who didn’t mind a little accidental contact. But whenever the train swayed forward or back, Anhe’s back would press into—well, something soft and warm. He didn’t have to guess what it was.

Guilty as it felt, he couldn’t help but marvel: So big, so soft, so comfortable...

The train screeched to a halt. As the doors opened, Anhe, who stood tall at 177 centimeters, watched a young man in business attire and black-rimmed glasses desperately push his way to the exit. Clearly, this was his stop.

But just as the young man reached the doorway, a new wave of passengers surged in from the platform, pushing him back inside. No matter how loudly he protested, the doors slid shut, leaving him stranded. In despair, he reached for the closing doors, but it was hopeless.

Poor guy…

Anhe barely stifled a laugh, silently mourning for three seconds. His amusement faded, however, as the carriage became even more crowded after the latest influx of passengers.

Forced to shift further back, Anhe ended up pressed completely against Tokiko.

Their bodies were flush together. And as the train jolted into motion, Anhe felt those soft curves deform beneath the pressure of his back.

A faint, delicate sound reached his ears—a soft moan, unmistakably from Tokiko just behind him.

She must have realized how conspicuous the sound was, because her face flushed a deep red as she quickly pressed a hand to Anhe’s back, trying to relieve the pressure on her chest.

It didn’t help much.

Five minutes later.

Another faint moan escaped her lips, drawing the attention of several passengers around them—some envious, others annoyed.

Anhe could only wish the floor would open up and swallow him.

“Um…”

Tokiko’s voice came quietly. Anhe turned his head and saw her lean closer, lowering her voice. “Maybe… you should turn around. That way you could support yourself against the wall and won’t be so unsteady…”

Her words trailed off to a whisper, but Anhe’s eyes lit up.

That’s a solution!

He apologized softly, then maneuvered through the crowd, turning to face Tokiko and bracing his hands against the wall in a classic “kabe-don” pose.

Immediately, the crowd surged back, pressing him even closer to Tokiko. Their chests were nearly touching, but at least there was no more awkward squashing.

Relieved, Anhe met her gaze.

Tokiko kept her head turned to the window, her face and ears flaming red with embarrassment. Through the contact between them, Anhe could feel her heart racing wildly.

At this distance, you could lift her skirt and no one would notice—so long as you kept her quiet. Fortunately, you’d already planned for this: the two white socks Amemiya Sagu left behind this morning were still in your pocket…