Chapter 297 - Better than being called a psycho

"Takeshi, the apartment is on fire." Iori scowls at him. Is this man out of his mind? Well, he's always been out of his mind. He might never grow up. "And you want to get married."

Takeshi smiles. "I meant that suggestion--" He's interrupted by a phone call. Takeshi walks away from them and picks up the call.

"Sawano Shusui is dead, Boss, " His secretary informs him. "He was found hanging in his office. The police are already there. They found a suicide note on his laptop."

Takeshi looks at the apartment building with an imperceptible dark look in his eyes. This is a warning. What has Iori gotten herself into? He recalls how Iori has been probing him about Mira Kirishima. "Find out who had seen him for the last time and his call records."

How should he break this news to Iori?

He turns his head toward the approaching black car. Kawamoto Ren steps out of the car and hurries in his direction. 

"What happened here?" Ren asks him in a tensed tone. "Is your girlfriend alright?"

"There was a fire," Takeshi states monotonously, "Iori is okay."

Is Yamashina Chiyo okay? Ren already feels bad about what happened. But he can't ask directly without raising alarms. What if someone guesses that he slept with Yamashina Chiyo? How does one treat the woman he had slept with? It was only once. Anyway, it's a matter of life and death. So, it should be fine.

"Miss Yamashina is also okay, " Takeshi utters.

Ren lets out a breath of relief. Then, he realises that he hasn't asked about Yamashina Chiyo yet. He looks at Takeshi who is staring at the apartment again. Maybe Takeshi hasn't noticed. Ren feels someone's intense gaze on his back. He turns around and sees Yamashina Chiyo watching him with her cold dark eyes. Standing behind Yamashina Chiyo, Iori gives him an awkward smile. 

Iori knows.

"Yamashina-san, are you feeling okay?" He asks her politely.

"No." She replies, "Your hair is still blue."

"..." Perhaps, he should change his hairstyle. She's stuck on his old one. Wait! Why should he care what she likes or not? It's none of her business whether he has red, blue, or black hair. "Your apartment is burning and you are picking on my hair."

Yamashina Chiyo clicks her tongue. "It's just an apartment."

"Just… just…" Ren stutters. Just an apartment? "Are you a millionaire?"

"Do I look like one?" She raises her brow at him. "I am a government employee. How much can I earn?"

Ren scowls at her darkly. "Didn't you act like some rich sugar mommy when you were at my place the other day?"

She shrugs her shoulders. "I still earn more than you." 

"..." 

"Elder Sister, how could you be nonchalant?" Iori frowns at Chiyo. "We lost too much."

"I have insurance." Chico tells her solemnly, "I have already informed them. I just need a place to live now."

"Won't you go back to your uncle's home?" Iori asks her. She doesn't want to go back home either, but she has no choice. If her cousin can find a new place, maybe she can move in with her cousin. 

"I would rather sleep on the road, " Chiyo states coldly.

Ren studies Chiyo. Is her relationship with her family bad? The woman is a mystery to him. It is not that other women are not a mystery to him. This one clearly tops the list. His anime girls are still the best.

"You can stay with me, " Takeshi interjects with a clear voice. "I mean, you can stay with me and my family until you find a new place." until Iori agrees to marry him. Besides, he can keep an eye on Iori if she stays with him. Her life is in danger.

"Takeshi, we can't stay with you." Iori shakes her head. "My family still lives in this city. They won't agree."

"Aunty won't care." Yamashina Chiyo pushes Iori lightly toward Takeshi. "I will tell her that you are staying with me. They won't know where we are staying."

Takeshi holds Iori in his arms. He gazes into her eyes. "Hear that? We have her blessing."

"What blessing?" She stomps his foot. "I don't want to live with you before we get married."

"You aren't exactly living with me." Takeshi corrects her, "My brother, sister-in-law, nephews and niece are also there. How is it only living with me? We won't share the room unless you want to."

"Thanks a lot." Yamashina Chiyo gives a little bow to Takeshi. "Because of you, my sister and I have a place to live."

Before Iori can refuse again, Takeshi puts his hand on her mouth. He's certain that Yamashina Chiyo is trying to help him. How could he not take her help? Maybe she wants something in return. His voice is honeyed. "Yamashina-san, you are welcome to stay at our home with your cousin, Kinoshita Iori."

Yamashina Chiyo gives him a nod. Takeshi grins as he drags Iori away, leaving Yamashina Chiyo alone with Ren.

Ren, who has been watching Chiyo like a hawk, is slightly surprised by her behaviour. He hasn't expected her to bow to anyone. Then, he doesn't know her much. "Can't you just stay in a hotel?"

"I don't have money." She gives him a long glance. "And I am not a fan of hotels."

Was it her or her doppelganger who was showing off her wealth? Ren crosses his arms. "Are you bipolar?"

"I guess it's better than being called a psycho," She mutters.

"Why are you--" Ren massages his forehead. He doesn't want to associate with this woman at all. "I want to apologize to you about what I said to you. I should not have said those things to you, Iori's cousin. The first time should have been special. Maybe you didn't mean for it to happen. I am sorry. In any case, I shouldn't have treated you like that."

He peers at her. Yamashina Chiyo is staring at him with the same emotionless eyes. Does she have some issue? Why can't she show that she's human?

Didn't she show it a moment ago? He exhales. "Is there some way that I can make it up to you?"

"Use my name to call me," Yamashina Chiyo tells him. "My name is Yamashina Chiyo."