Chapter 152: The Conquest Backfires: Checkmate in Ginza
Today's lunch tasted like nothing to Hayasaka Ai.
The rice was fluffy, the miso soup was rich, and the grilled fish was perfectly seasoned—yet she couldn't taste a single bite. Her chopsticks moved mechanically, the food vanishing bite after bite, but her mind was elsewhere.
At first, she had planned for their lunch to be full of subtle gestures: witty quips, meaningful eye contact, a delicate brushing of shoulders. But now, none of that mattered. Her plan—crafted with the precision of a military operation—had collapsed like a house of cards.
As someone who prided herself on being two steps ahead, Hayasaka Ai had thoroughly investigated Yukima Azuma. She left no stone unturned. She had studied his habits, interests, speech patterns, psychological tendencies—everything. After yesterday's interaction, she was confident. She believed she had him figured out.
She had even developed a multi-layered plan, with each interaction building upon the last. A strategy of slow-burn seduction, designed to escalate naturally. And yet...
None of the steps connected.
It was as if the progress bar for conquering Yukima Azuma flickered wildly—full one moment, vanished the next. His behavior defied her expectations, breaking her rhythm. He smiled when she expected him to look confused, remained indifferent when he should've blushed, and teased her just when she was trying to stay composed.
Fuming, she stabbed a piece of grilled daikon and shoved it into her mouth with unnecessary force.
Meanwhile, Yukima Azuma sat quietly beside her, amusement dancing in his eyes as he watched her flustered fury.
She was trying too hard. That much was obvious.
Her intentions—normally well-masked—were practically written on her forehead. But the funny thing was... despite her overcalculated approach, it still tugged at something inside him. He had to admit, the effort was charming in its own way.