Ishida failed to notice the tense atmosphere; he was lost in the performance, frequently glancing at a short-haired girl, who was likely his main focus.
The short-haired girl's expression was the worst.
Fortunately, before he could say anything more, Hara Kenji subtly shifted the topic to recent popular movies and music, the atmosphere in the private room returned to normal.
The man, whose topic had been diverted, gave Hara Kenji an annoyed glare before interjecting unwillingly, "Wow, as expected of your female friend, Hara-kun, you know so much about topics involving girls. One look and it's obvious your past experiences were anything but ordinary. Unlike me, I know nothing; I haven't had a girlfriend from childhood until now."
Hara Kenji took a sip of tea, his violet eyes appearing obscure under the warm yellow light. "Ah, that is where you went wrong, Ishida. A mixer certainly requires thorough preparation. When so many lovely girls dress up so carefully to attend, it is quite rude for a gentleman like you not to have a strategy for such an occasion."
Just like your suit, Ishida, we aren't going to a banquet; you can relax a little.
The others burst into laughter, the short-haired girl looked at Hara Kenji with a gaze full of gratitude.
Only Ishida was in a bad mood, but who wanted to bother him.
It would have been even better if he weren't here; he had no good intentions to begin with.
Whether it was due to frustration or not, he remained silent for the rest of the time, watching everyone laugh with a gloomy expression. During this period, Hara Kenji endured his gloomy gaze more than anyone else, but it was as if Hara Kenji couldn't feel it at all, continuing to joke around with everyone.
The second most frequent was Sawada Tsunayoshi.
No, why is he involved in this too?
His gaze was so intense that it made it difficult for Sawada Tsunayoshi to even enjoy himself.
After about an hour, the short-haired girl stood up to go outside for some fresh air. Without knowing when, Ishida also followed her out. Unsettled, Sawada Tsunayoshi also went out after them.
The girl stood outside, facing Ishida, while Sawada Tsunayoshi hid behind a tree to eavesdrop.
Can you stop following me? It's annoying. I've already made my refusal clear, haven't I?
Cut the nonsense. Isn't it just because you like that pretty boy Hara Kenji? Otherwise, why would you come over so eagerly the moment I said he was the one who organized the gathering? Heh, in the end, I misjudged you. You're such a shallow woman.
First, I don't like Mr. Hara. Second, whether I am shallow or not is none of your business; that is my freedom. Third, can you stop pestering me? I'm giving you some face because you're a police academy student, so have some dignity and don't mistake my kindness for evidence that I love you.
The short-haired girl's tone grew even colder, her actions proving that she didn't have the slightest interest in him.
This attitude caused Ishida to lose his composure.
In the end, aren't you just looking down on me? I'm so rich; it's your good fortune to have me interested in you. Don't be ungrateful.
And don't think I don't know that you have a crush on Hara Kenji. Do you think he's some kind of good person? He's nothing more than a playboy who's good with sweet words. He's the one who organized this mixer, he's playing multiple sides, he has countless ex-girlfriends, he..
Stop, don't make me say it to you a third time." This time, the short-haired woman's eyes were filled with disgust. "You truly make me sick.
Ishida could not stand the way she saw nothing but herself in her eyes, instead looking at him with such disgust, raised his arm.
“What are you doing?” Sawada Tsunayoshi raised a hand to stop his next move, his gaze cold and mechanical.
First of all, she expressed her disagreement, so you cannot continue to pester her.
Secondly, do I need to tell you why this mixer is happening, or who the mastermind behind it is?
Ishida tried to pull his hand away, but Sawada Tsunayoshi's grip remained immovable, harder than steel. His face flushed red as he shouted, "What does this have to do with you? Get lost!"
Sawada Tsunayoshi increased the pressure, causing Ishida's body to go limp, his expression pained: "Because you are bullying others, because Hara is my friend."
The short-haired girl took a deep breath and said to Sawada Tsunayoshi, "Thank you, classmate."
Let go first, I have things to do.
Sawada Tsunayoshi let go, the girl slapped Ishida across the face in response, then delivered a vicious kick to his lower body.
Sawada Tsunayoshi's eyes instantly turned dazed and cute.
Wow, so impressive.
Ishida was already rolling on the ground in pain, but the girl wasn't satisfied and went up to give him another kick. "Pah, you dog!"
After finishing this series of movements, she straightened her clothes and gave Sawada Tsunayoshi a sweet smile.
Sawada Tsunayoshi took a step back.
The girl covered her mouth and laughed: "Thank you, handsome. It wasn't a waste to meet you today, even if I have to see that disgusting face of his and his disgusting behavior."
If I didn't have a thing for older men, I might have pursued you instead.
Sawada Tsunayoshi's face turned bright red as the girl said, "So cute."
You're such a charming, handsome guy. Let's exchange contact information; I want to be your friend too.
Sawada Tsunayoshi was forced to exchange contact information. The girl walked a few steps away before stepping back and making a friendly gesture toward Ishida: "Idiot, there is no way I would ever fall for you in my entire life. Calling you a toad would be an insult to that entire species."
If you dare to bother me again, I'll break your third leg.
After saying that, he really left.
Sawada Tsunayoshi stayed behind to watch Ishida in that place, stepping back slightly.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Hara Kenji standing by another tree, arms crossed, watching him with great interest.
After noticing Sawada Tsunayoshi's gaze, he waved at him and walked over.
Wow, I saw everything, Sawada Tsunayoshi is amazing.
Hara Kenji blinked at Sawada Tsunayoshi. "Thank you for defending my reputation, thank you for standing up for me."
Sawada Tsunayoshi scratched his cheek. "It's nothing. We're friends, after all. I won't just stand by and watch my friend get bullied by others."
Hara Kenji nodded and smiled with squinted eyes, "Right, I know."
Chapter 65: Conan Live Day 25
As for the word "charm," Sawada Tsunayoshi was no stranger to it. Ever since he was a child, he had never been a charming person. In school games, he was never the prince or the great villain; those roles were always played by the popular students. An obscure, ordinary student like him could only ever be a prince's foot soldier or a villain's henchman.
Or perhaps it's a stone or a tree.
He thought Hara Kenji was charming and a very good person.
The short-haired girl had said just now that he was very charming, but Sawada Tsunayoshi didn't take it to heart; it was just an excuse, a mere politeness.
Facing Hara Kenji's thanks, Sawada Tsunayoshi didn't feel like he had done anything special; he had only done what needed to be done.
Oh dear, if I had known I'd run into something like this, I shouldn't have come to the mixer. I've even dragged Sawada Tsunayoshi into it; I'm truly sorry.
Hara Kenji leaned against the tree trunk, his collar slightly open, looking unrestrained and carefree.
Sawada Tsunayoshi, however, knew he was joking: "No, the classmate I know will definitely come."
“Eh, why do you have so much confidence in me, Sawada Tsunayoshi? Do you also think I'm some lecherous demon, a playboy, or a scumbag juggling eight different women?”
Hara Kenji lowered his eyes aggrievedly. He possessed good looks, while such a gesture would appear pretentious on an ordinary person's face, he carried it off with a certain charm.
Well, at least Sawada Tsunayoshi couldn't appreciate it.
No, quite the opposite. I feel that classmate Hara is a very sincere person, which is why I came.
Because of his sincerity, he did not expose Ishida's lies; knowing that the other party was using his name to form a social club, he endured the disgust and came anyway, because he did not want to let others down.
Because of his sincerity, he came here and maintained a pleasant atmosphere to avoid hurting anyone's feelings.
Therefore, this is not a playboy tendency, but rather a sign of kindness and friendliness.
Sawada Tsunayoshi pressed his hand against his chest. "My heart told me what classmate Hara was thinking."
Hara Kenji gasped, clutching his chest. "So dangerous, so dangerous."
Sawada Tsunayoshi looked around, "An enemy?"
No, no, no, it's not that kind of danger. I mean, Sawada Tsunayoshi, you are very dangerous.
Hara Kenji asked curiously, "Are you like this with everyone? I mean, this way of speaking."
Sawada Tsunayoshi scratched his head dizzily. "Is there a problem?"
No problem, uh, I mean, there's no problem at all.
That's fine, keep it up.
Sawada Tsunayoshi didn't know what he was talking about; the way Hara Kenji was muttering to himself was very unusual.
They each had their own thoughts, for a moment, no one noticed there was another person lying on the ground. Ishida glared at them resentfully, whether out of spite or something else, still lying on the ground despite the pain, remaining silent just to see when they would finally notice there was someone else on the floor.
But they just kept chatting and chatting, chatting and chatting, without noticing for a single moment that there was still another person here.
Ishida glared at them.
Sawada Tsunayoshi didn't notice, or maybe Hara Kenji didn't notice, who knows.
Anyway, the two of them were having a very pleasant chat.
Finally, Ishida could no longer tolerate this cold treatment and spoke up, "Are you two happy now? Are you satisfied?"
Sawada Tsunayoshi was startled; it turned out there was someone else here, he blurted out, "Why are you still here?"
Ishida said resentfully, "I've been here all along."
Sawada Tsunayoshi: "Sorry, I didn't notice you just now."
Sawada Tsunayoshi spoke with such sincerity, but it was precisely this sincerity that made Ishida so angry he felt like he would vomit blood—he was being serious!
Hara Kenji watched from the side, laughing so hard he couldn't even straighten his back.
What are you laughing at? It's all your fault. If it weren't for you, I would have pursued her long ago.
Ishida hated Hara Kenji most of all, he aimed his gun at him.
Hara Kenji straightened up, walked to Ishida's side, looked down at him as if he were looking at a pathetic creature: "How tragic."
Do you think it's because of me? It's actually not. The reason you are ignored and rejected is because of yourself; it's because you are too inferior.
Too foolish, too arrogant.
Do you think people reject you because of money? Is it possible that the problem is simply you?
A slight smile curled the corners of Hara Kenji's mouth, cold and sarcastic; he used the gentlest voice to say the most hurtful words—though, of course, only Ishida felt hurt.
Ishida said resentfully, "What do you know? You pretty boy don't know anything."
Hara Kenji nodded. "Right, I don't understand, but I should remind you, this outfit is a knockoff. The person you rented it from charged you a high price; remember to bargain when you return it."
Also, your watch has some dirt on it; remember to clean it thoroughly, otherwise you won't get your deposit back, finally, the car—you'd better pray that no one who gets out of here scratches it or vomits on it, otherwise you're going to have a very rough two years.
Bye-bye. I don't need your praise, I'm just being kind. Just make sure you take care of yourself, okay?