My love index is at its maximum.

The young man, dressed in simple and clean casual clothes, stood ramrod straight, ignoring the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, and walked straight into the room.

With his delicate and handsome features, athletic build, and a hint of arrogant sharpness in his expression, he resembled a noble warrior preparing for battle. This caused the ladies and young women who were staring at him to blush and their hearts to race, and they couldn't help but have wild fantasies.

Following behind him was Kana Shimamoto, whose beauty was very eye-catching, exuding the captivating charm of an intellectual beauty.

In her hands she held a bouquet of white roses, symbolizing pure and devoted love. She nestled obediently against Tsukasa Tazaki, appearing to revolve around him, sparking endless speculation among the onlookers.

All eyes were on her. Shimamoto Kana was slightly pale from nervousness, which contrasted with her plain kimono. Her face was dignified and elegant, but her figure was still beautiful and charming.

“I’m here, don’t be afraid.” Tazaki Tsukasa took her arm and sat down cross-legged in front of the head of the Kikawa family.

Shimamoto Kana suddenly felt as if she were floating on clouds. Without thinking about the cause and effect, she obediently knelt down, gently leaning against him and smiling softly.

Now it's all up to Tsukasa Tazaki.

From tomorrow onwards, I'll never have to see annoying people again, or engage in pointless conversations. I can freely link arms with him without worrying about causing him trouble or bringing misfortune upon myself.

The head of the Kikawa family sat upright, silently watching Tsukasa Tazaki.

The gaze was neither scrutinizing nor scanning, nor was it sharp enough to pierce the body; the emotion remained in a neutral zone between hot and cold.

It's just watching; there's no emotion involved.

An unspeakable silence began to envelop the room, the air thick with dust, carrying a peculiar sense of suffocation.

Tazaki Tsukasa looked around the room as if searching for someone, then turned to the old man and asked, "Where is the governor?"

“Go deal with the chaos you caused.” The head of the Kichikawa family still stared at him and said quietly, as if he had a complete grasp of his thoughts. “This level of counterattack will damage the Black Dragon Group’s strength considerably, but it’s nothing to Mr. Shimamoto.”

“I know that better than anyone,” Tsukasa Tazaki said, his tone as if he were answering a news interview on the street.

“Your performance during this period has surprised me greatly,” said the head of the Kikawa family, his face always turned at the same angle to Tsukasa Tazaki. “Whether it was quickly deducing the opponent, finding Miss Tono, or persuading Yui to act with you, it has all surprised me.”

"If that's all you're saying, then I'm leaving."

What are you going to do next?

"Go home and sleep."

"Shouldn't we be thinking about how to prepare for Mr. Shimamoto's revenge?"

“Since you already know what I’m going to do…” Tazaki Tsukasa rolled her eyes at him, looking slightly bored, “why ask so many questions?”

The head of the Kikawa family stared blankly for a moment, then fell into a suffocating silence once again.

"Tasaki..." Shimamoto Kana called softly, scratching his palm with her finger, signaling him to be careful with his words.

"Don't be so formal." Tsukasa Tazaki shook his head and poured her a cup of tea. "Nominally, this is meeting the parents, but in reality, you don't need to care about what this old man thinks at all. In the Tazaki family, only I make the decisions."

"What about Hoshino Hanami?"

"Uh……"

"Who makes the decisions at home, her or yours? From now on, should I listen to her or yours?"

"I plan to change my surname to Hoshino from now on..."

“I understand, teacher.” Shimamoto Kana took a small sip of tea, a teasing smile on her face, and said, “You’re planning to change your surname and marry into the Hoshino family, and then make me change my surname to Tazaki, right?”

“Yes, yes.” Tazaki Tsukasa excitedly squeezed her hand and said gratefully, “As expected of the most understanding Shimamoto-sensei, you are so gentle and considerate.”

Kana Shimamoto smiled gently: "I won't agree!"

"...?" Tsukasa Tazaki leaned close to her ear and whispered, "With so many people watching, let's discuss this when we get home."

"Humph."

Kana Shimamoto let him off the hook for the time being, and picked up the white roses, inhaling their fragrance with delight.

Finally, the villain had suffered a setback, and Shimamoto was extremely pleased with herself. At the peak of her womanly charm, her fair, oval face shone even more brightly against her joyful and jubilant mood.

As everyone listened to their conversation, their expressions grew increasingly complicated.

Does that mean... such a dignified and elegant woman willingly became his mistress?

In an instant, Tsukasa Tazaki was the target of the angry, murderous, and jealous gazes of all the men in the room.

The head of the Kikawa family watched the two silently for a long time before speaking to Tsukasa Tazaki: "You're a smart man." As he spoke, he crossed his fingers on his knees, tapping them slowly. "Japan is a democratic country in terms of its political system, but it's also an extremely dog-eat-dog hierarchical society. If you don't become one of the people at the top, there's no point in living in this country; you'll just be slowly crushed and crushed in the cracks of a millstone. You can't be unaware of this, so why don't you accept my or Yui's arrangements?"

"I wouldn't even glance at something I don't want, even if it were given to me for free," Tazaki Tsukasa said, a slight smirk that could be interpreted as a smile.

The head of the Qichuan family pursed his lips and slowly exhaled: "Are you willing to live a mediocre life?"

“That’s good,” Tsukasa Tazaki said. “I don’t pursue other people’s liking, admiration, or respect. I’m the kind of person who only acts on my own thoughts and ideas, and I don’t care about anything else.”

What's the point?

"free."

"Freedom?" The head of the Qichuan family coughed lightly, his fingers still tapping his knee. "Ignoring the constraints of the world's rules, that is indeed quite meaningful."

"Thinking that ignoring the rules of the world is freedom is a thought that only an immature fifteen-year-old would have." Tsukasa Tazaki stretched and sighed, "You are nominally my grandfather, so please don't lower my standards."

"Tell me about it." The unchanging expression on the face of the head of the Qichuan family finally showed a slight change.

"The ability to disregard the rules of the world while simultaneously imposing rules on oneself, and to live freely on that basis—that is the freedom I envision!"

What are your own rules?

Tsukasa Tazaki softly uttered two words: "Be cautious when alone."

Everyone looked at each other awkwardly, trying to guess the meaning of the two words.

Kana Shimamoto, understanding the meaning behind it, stared blankly at Tsukasa Tazaki's face, her expression gradually turning into one of infatuation.

The head of the Qichuan family said nothing. After a full thirty seconds of silent contemplation, he sighed slowly and said, "Let's go. From now on, the family will not interfere in your affairs. If you have time, come back often and spend more time with Xiaowei."

"Goodbye."

Tazaki Tsukasa led Shimamoto Kana out the door. As soon as they reached the corridor, Shimamoto Kana impatiently pressed him against the wall, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him, her expression slightly confused and infatuated.

Their bodies pressed together, their lips meeting in a kiss.

"I really liked what you just said..." Shimamoto Kana said breathlessly, her warm breath falling on Tazaki Tsukasa's face. "Although you're a bad guy, the idea of ​​'being cautious when alone' is really good."

Tazaki Tsukasa hugged her tightly: "Based on my own actions, this description is certainly not bad."

"Where have you found the practice of self-discipline when alone?" Shimamoto Kana's round and cute face was full of smiles. "Or is it that the self-discipline you're talking about isn't the same as the self-discipline I understand in the Doctrine of the Mean?"

“Of course it is that one,” said Tsukasa Tazaki. “Nothing is more visible than what is hidden, nothing is more manifest than what is minute. Therefore, a wise man is cautious when he is alone. When he is alone and no one is watching him, he is consistent in his words and deeds, strictly adheres to his duties, does not do bad things, and does not deceive himself.”

"Have you been able to resist the temptations of various material desires, including wine, women, wealth, and power?"

"Uh……"

“You couldn’t resist at all, right? Otherwise, what would have happened to me…” Shimamoto Kana smiled gently, her fingertips lingeringly stroking his cheek: “But it’s okay, the current Tazaki Tsukasa is good enough, gentlemanly enough, and enough to make people willingly be captivated by you.”

Tsukasa Tazaki took her hand and smiled calmly: "Let's go home."

What he didn't tell Shimamoto Kana was that he would most likely possess the power to disregard the rules of the world in the future. When nothing could restrain him, he would have to have extremely high moral standards to restrain himself, otherwise he would be devoured by desire and become a devil without any moral bottom line.

I'm not telling you because I'm trying to hide anything, but... you idiot, hurry home and cuddle your wife, all this explanation is a waste of time.

Dark clouds rolled in, and the sky grew increasingly gloomy.

Before it started raining, the two rushed back to Higashi Shinjuku and went on a shopping spree at the supermarket, buying a ton of fresh ingredients and emergency food. Kana Shimamoto herself also bought a bunch of women's underwear and pajamas, as well as toothpaste, towels, face wash, slippers, and everything else.

When she no longer needed to think about anything, her mood lightened so much that her body felt light and airy, as if she had grown wings.

I got home around 3 p.m.

"I'll go prepare dinner. You can rest for a bit." Tsukasa Tazaki carried the ingredients into the kitchen, then boiled water and made a cup of black tea before bringing it out.

Kana Shimamoto looked around the room, flipping through things like a Ragdoll cat that had just adapted to its new environment and was about to embark on a full-scale adventure in its new home.

The room was small, with three chairs in total: two on the square dining table and one on the rectangular desk. There was a green-shaded lamp on the desk, and the yellowish walls were bare of paintings, photos, and calendars.

It was cleaned spotlessly.

I tested it with my finger, and both the tabletop and windowsill were spotless, and the windowpanes were crystal clear. All the furniture was old, but it had been handled with great care and was kept very clean.

He's a clean-cut, handsome young man; the more you look at him, the more you like him.

A faint rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance.

Kana Shimamoto pulled the curtains open a crack and looked outside. The sky was already pitch black at three o'clock, with large black clouds drifting by one after another.

A thunderstorm is coming soon...

Kana Shimamoto turned around somewhat timidly, looking for the light spilling from the kitchen, and spread it across the living room floor like a sheet of light. The light was old and warm, carrying a hint of dust.

The boy was cooking, his back to the door, bending over and tasting the saltiness of the pot with a spoon. A light bulb hung from the ceiling above his head, with a simple lampshade, the glass of which had long been yellowed from being heated.

This is the life I want!

Kana Shimamoto sat down at the dining table, watching the busy figures inside with a satisfied smile.

He's truly outstanding, possessing an unparalleled handsome face, attracting countless girls who are drawn to him, with many even actively pursuing him. Given this, it's no wonder that even knowing he's a scumbag, she willingly offered herself to him.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, continuous thunder began to rumble outside the window. Each time there was thunder, the glass window would shake, causing the air inside the room to tremble.

"It's finally ready! Come and try it!"

Tsukasa Tazaki brought out the prepared dinner: roast beef, steamed sturgeon, a pot of duck soup, and a vegetable salad.

"It smells so good." Kana Shimamoto sniffed with her small, delicate nose.

"I'm not bragging, but when it comes to cooking, I'm..."

While boasting about himself, Tsukasa Tazaki took out juice and ice from the refrigerator and poured her a full glass.

With everything ready, Shimamoto Kana picked up a slice of beef and put it in her mouth. After chewing it carefully for a moment, a look of surprise appeared on her face: "Fantastic! This is countless times better than what I've had in many high-end restaurants!"

"It was worth the effort to receive such high praise from Sister Shimamoto."

"Haha, serve me some rice."

Just as Tsukasa Tazaki took the bowl, Kana Shimamoto's phone rang.

Who knows?

The name of the flower that was concealed

She glanced at the caller ID and immediately added the number to her blacklist.

To hell with the past!

"Who would have known that Kana Shimamoto, this hidden flower... this song is 'Girl's Apprentice'?" Tsukasa Tazaki didn't ask who was calling, but instead followed the ringtone and said, "The lyrics are based on Osamu Dazai's novel of the same name, 'Girl's Apprentice.' Does Sister Shimamoto also read that novel?"