"This... how are there so many people?" Yukiko stared at the long queue outside the door in sheer disbelief.
Akane Koizumi was seated at her divination table, which was draped in a luxurious purple velvet cloth. She was keenly aware of Yukiko's gaze. The red-haired girl looked up, her lips curling into a triumphant smirk as she pointedly winked at the older girl.
"Tch, it's nothing more than a few cheap tricks."
Yukiko bit her lower lip and spun around, marching back into the kitchen. She grabbed a kitchen knife and began chopping vegetables with an aggressive thud-thud-thud.
Calling it "chopping" was generous; it was more of a venting session. The cutting board vibrated under her force, and the carrot slices were coming out thick, uneven, and jagged. A few even went flying off the counter and skittered across the floor.
Seeing this, Hayashi Shuichi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What is there to be so angry about? Akane having a lot of customers is good for the shop too. Look, every single table is full now."
"But this makes it look like I lost to her," Yukiko pouted, the force behind her knife increasing even further. "All these customers are here because of her. Just a moment ago, I thought..."
Her voice trailed off, sounding a bit dejected. "I thought so many people came because I had finally returned..."
"Alright, stop acting like a spoiled child." Shuichi shook his head with a faint smile. "Once your movie is released, you'll be the star attraction of our Izakaya. If people saw you in this state, who knows what those media reporters would write about you?"
Yukiko let out a soft huff. Thinking about her public image, she listened to his advice and gradually slowed the pace of her knife.
"By the way," Shuichi looked at her, and after a moment of hesitation, he lowered his voice. "You mentioned earlier... that blonde friend you traveled back with..."
"Are you trying to ask if I came back with Sharon?"
Yukiko spun around suddenly, the kitchen knife hitting the board with a loud clatter. She stood with her hands on her hips, her light blue eyes staring directly into Shuichi's, as if trying to peer into the deepest recesses of his mind. "She's already ignoring you, so why do you still care about her?"
"Who said I care about her?" Shuichi naturally couldn't admit it. "I'm clearly caring about you. I was worried she might have been bullying you."
"Caring about me?"
Yukiko narrowed her eyes like a suspicious kitten. She drew out the words slowly while using a rag to aggressively wipe down a counter that was already polished to a mirror shine. "Well, you don't have to worry then. Because the person I came back with wasn't Sharon at all."
"It wasn't her?"
Shuichi blinked, his brow furrowing slightly. "Was there another foreigner in your film crew?"
"Who says only foreigners can have blonde hair?" Yukiko rolled her eyes and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "The one who came back with me was Kyoko!"
"Kyoko?" Shuichi paused, then it clicked. "You mean Kyoko Kurachi?"
"Who else would it be?" Yukiko began plating the chopped carrots, skillfully garnishing them with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. "Did you forget? Kyoko went to the same audition I did. She passed too and played a supporting role in the film."
Shuichi certainly hadn't forgotten Kyoko Kurachi. Back then, because it was Yukiko's first time attending an audition, she had been so nervous and terrified that she practically dragged him along to the studio. That was where they had met Kyoko.
"I forgot she dyed her hair blonde," Shuichi nodded to himself.
Seeing him look slightly dazed, Yukiko curled her lip, feeling a pang of jealousy. She shoved her knife back into the rack with unnecessary force. "As for that Miss Sharon you're thinking about, she left the film crew a long time ago."
"Left?" Shuichi looked up sharply, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Her scenes were finished. Why would she stay if there's no work left?" Yukiko crossed her arms, her toe tapping impatiently on the floor. "She's a big star they invited for a guest appearance. She didn't have many scenes to begin with, and the crew prioritized her filming schedule. Naturally, she wrapped up her part early."
If Sharon left the crew early, she's probably gone to find the Miyano couple. I hope they can escape that entanglement...
Shuichi gazed out the window at the deep night sky, his brow unconsciously knitting together.
Yukiko, watching his distracted expression, assumed he was still daydreaming about Sharon. She puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. "Is that older foreign woman really that attractive to you?"
Shuichi snapped back to reality. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Eri Kisaki's gaze drifting over from the register.
He didn't dare linger on that topic. Clearing his throat, he quickly pivoted. "Since you're back today, I was actually planning for us all to go to the beach this weekend—you, Kogoro, Eri, and Reiko. I was worried you wouldn't make it back in time."
"The beach? Really?!"
Yukiko's eyes lit up instantly. She clapped her hands in excitement, her previous irritation vanishing in a heartbeat. "Summer really is the best time to relax at the seaside. Where are we going? Maehama? Isshiki? Or Enoshima?"
"We haven't decided yet," Shuichi said, his own lips curving into a smile at her infectious energy.
"Let's go to Enoshima then!" Yukiko clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I heard you can see Mount Fuji from the beach there, and the snack street is famous too!"
"Works for me," Shuichi agreed, taking the carrot salad from her. "I'll go check with the others and see what they think."
Friday afternoon. The school bell had just finished ringing.
Eri Kisaki efficiently packed her schoolbag. Instead of heading to the library as was her usual routine, she walked briskly toward the school gates.
At the same time, Yukiko politely declined an invitation from the drama club. She waved as she ran, shouting back, "Sorry, guys! I've got big plans this weekend!"
Hayashi Shuichi and Mouri Kogoro walked home side-by-side. The latter was gesturing excitedly. "I heard a new shooting gallery opened up in Enoshima. I've gotta try it this time!"
"You should worry about bringing your life jacket first," Shuichi teased. "Who was it that almost sank to the bottom of the pool last time?"
"T-that was an accident! I had a leg cramp!" Kogoro argued, his face turning beet-red, much to the amusement of the passing schoolgirls.
Since they planned to stay at the coast for two days, Shuichi instructed everyone to pack enough luggage. While the others went to their respective homes to get ready, Shuichi and his sister were busy at their own place.
"Onii-chan, how about this one?" Reiko held up a pink bikini, measuring it against herself.
"No!"
Shuichi took one look at the garment and shook his head decisively. "Little kids aren't allowed to wear something so revealing."
With that, he reached into Reiko's wardrobe and pulled out a modest blue one-piece swimsuit. "You're wearing this instead."
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