Waking Up Engaged to a Cool Yandere Beauty: My Wild Journey with a Love-Obsessed Senior - Episode 45: Gossip Among Beauties, and the Arrival of a Beautiful Girl

Episode 45: Gossip Among Beauties, and the Arrival of a Beautiful Girl

“So, what should we do now?”

On the deck beside the bar, sitting between Shion and Utakata, Mariri took a sip of her ginger ale, her sharp eyes glinting as she spoke.

“…Well, for now, let’s leave it to them and hope for the best,” Utakata replied, holding a glass of orange juice with floating ice cubes.

“Indeed. That’s a sensible approach. But more importantly, Utakata, was it? What exactly is your relationship with Rei-kun?”

Shion’s probing gaze settled on Utakata as she pressed the question.

It had been over twenty minutes since Rei and Akira had set off to apprehend the thief. They should be back soon, but…

“Still, narrowing down the culprit on this luxury cruise ship won’t be an easy task,” Utakata muttered, breaking into a cold sweat under Shion’s gaze.

If memory served, there were 150 crew members on board. Interviewing each one in just two days was an impossible feat.

“If only we had someone particularly skilled at investigations…” Utakata’s lament barely had time to linger.

“Hmm? I know just the person,” Mariri chimed in effortlessly, as if the answer had been obvious all along.

“Eh?” “You know why tonight’s party is being held, right?”

“It’s for the birthday of some heiress from a major conglomerate… at least, that’s what I’ve heard.”

That much was clear. Utakata had been brought here by an acquaintance of the heiress, who’d received the thief’s challenge.

“That heiress happens to be someone I know. Actually, Shion, you’ve met her too,” Mariri said confidently.

“Oh? Is that so? Heiress… hmm, the only one I can think of is you, Mariri,” Shion replied skeptically.

“Alright, let’s call her over. She should be free by now,” Mariri said, already reaching for her phone and typing a message.

Several minutes later… “Oh my! What a beauty!”

“…Words fail to describe her allure.” Passengers nearby turned their heads, sighing in admiration or looking as though they were worshipping a goddess.

“What… what’s going on?” It was as if a celebrity had appeared in the midst of a bustling city. Everyone seemed captivated by the figure.

“──My apologies for keeping you waiting, dear sister.” Before the three stood a girl.

She wore a deep blue gown that exuded luxury at a glance, adorned with a brooch featuring a large gemstone on her chest.

“Oh, happy birthday, Rin.” “Rin? The Rin Sunahashi from the tennis club?”

Rin Sunahashi, a second-year member of the tennis club.

“Not much to go on,” Utakata thought. Judging by the familiarity between them, she must have known Mariri since childhood—practically a younger sister to her. Their dynamic conveyed that much.

“Thank you very much. But for you to summon me directly, dear sister, what could the matter be? Ah, not that I find it bothersome! Quite the opposite—I was so thrilled I nearly made a faux pas!”

Rin fidgeted as she spoke, her voice tinged with excitement.

Let me explain something abruptly: Rin Sunahashi has two faces.

One is her introverted side, which she shows at university. She avoids eye contact and mumbles so much that it’s hard to understand her.

But she has another side—a persona known as “Ojousama Mode”.

“Of course I know, Rin. Have you finished your duties as the guest of honor?”

“Yes, I’ve greeted all the necessary parties. All that’s left is to change and go to bed.”

“Got it. In that case, would you mind joining us for a bit?” “Joining you!? Dear sister, are you asking me on a date!?”

Oh no. Rin’s other persona was running rampant. She began panting slightly, her breath quickening with excitement before catching herself with a cough.

“…I must have misheard. Surely, you meant ‘accompany,’ not ‘date.’ Accompany… accompany… hehehehe.”

“Hey, Rin—come back to us!” “She’s quite… unique,” Utakata remarked.

“I agree,” Shion said. But… accompany for what? It was better not to dwell on it. Utakata averted his gaze.

“Mariri, perhaps Rin should change her outfit? That attire is bound to attract too much attention,” Shion suggested.

“Good point. Alright, Rin, let’s go get you changed.”

“Eh!? Changing clothes with my dear sister!? How much would that cost per hour!? I-I can spend half my savings on this!”

“It won’t take that long. Alright, we’ll be back soon. You two wait here.” “Got it,” Utakata replied.

What an odd person. Not Rin Sunahashi, but Mariri Anzai.

She had seemed brash and unruly at first, but interacting with her revealed a vastly different side. She was perceptive, considerate, and genuinely good-natured.

“This could be a rival in love,” Utakata muttered to himself. “A rival in love? …Well, perhaps. Rin is quite charming,” Shion said with a nod.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” As for Shion Nishionji…

She was always composed, intelligent, and athletically gifted. Her beauty was, to put it lightly, extraordinary. Yet, when talking to her, her endearing qualities stood out more.

She was deeply devoted to her boyfriend, Rei, and had an almost childlike tendency to feel jealous over the smallest things.

And above all… “Now, back to what we were discussing earlier—what exactly is your relationship with Rei-kun?”

“Ehh…?” ──Her eyes were a little scary when it came to Rei.