The Stand User Of The Daily World

Chapter 139: Take a Bath First After Coming Home

Time passed unnoticed, and soon it was time for the banquet to come to an end. Although those who had mutual interest could continue their interactions in private rooms at the back, many had already left midway through the event. It was clear, however, that Shunsuke was not one of those people.

"Fujii-kun, let big sister give you a ride home." Haruno waved her car keys playfully. "Don't underestimate me — I'm actually a skilled driver. How about going for a ride with big sister?"

"Onee-san!" Yukino called out unhappily.

Shunsuke wasn't particularly interested in Haruno.

She was no longer a high school girl yet not quite a refined lady either — neither remarkable nor terrible.

Coupled with her troublesome personality, she was more of a burden than anything else. He declined decisively. "No need, Kirari's waiting for me."

Maki clicked her tongue. "Since everyone here already knows you're just pretending to be her boyfriend, can we drop the act? It's unpleasant to listen to."

"Still, since I got some benefits out of it, I should at least maintain a good attitude," Shunsuke said, demonstrating his professional spirit.

"What benefits? That person doesn't care if you live or die." Maki scoffed. "If that weren't the case, Auntie and I wouldn't have stayed by your side throughout the entire banquet. We were only here to make sure you didn't suddenly get diagnosed as a suicide case or go missing."

"Don't say such terrifying things all of a sudden." Shunsuke chuckled, surprised that Maki, despite being a so-called "loser," seemed knowledgeable about the darker side of things.

"I'm only here because Secretary Fujiwara is here," Kaguya said calmly, her tone devoid of any emotional fluctuations, giving an air of complete credibility.

At least Chika believed it. Hugging Kaguya, she began nuzzling against her affectionately again. Kaguya clenched her fist tightly.

"Miss Kaguya, sometimes helping others means being honest about it," Hayasaka Ai, who had been quiet throughout the banquet, suddenly stabbed with a sharp remark. "If you're feeling guilty about what happened and want to make up for it, there's no harm in admitting it."

"Ha-hah, Hayasaka! What are you talking about? I don't know anything!" Kaguya, as if turning into an ice sculpture, instantly began to shift towards an awkward, clueless stance. "I just stayed here because I judged this man had enough value to be useful, no other intentions at all!"

"Ah, now you're stammering," Hayasaka Ai remarked coolly, like a robot. "If it's about using him, isn't it fine to just say it outright?"

"That's all your fault, Hayasaka!"

"Miss Kaguya, tsundere is already an outdated version," Hayasaka Ai added, her tone casual.

"Huh? Hayasaka, stop changing the subject!"

Naturally, Kaguya had no idea what those "professional" terms meant, as she couldn't even operate a smartphone. Otherwise, she'd surely transform into a steam-powered princess.

"Senior Shinomiya, you're completely different from before," Sanae whispered to Eriri.

"Yeah, I never knew there was such a standard tsundere in this world," Eriri nodded in awe.

Maki also agreed. "Auntie's like that—she never says things properly and always wears a cold face."

Shunsuke shot a sideways glance at the two oblivious tsundere "losers." You two have the least right to say anything like that!

Both Maki and Eriri noticed Shunsuke's gaze, but they just found it bewildering.

Haruno continued to wear her "perfect" social smile as she watched the scene unfold, but inwardly, she was quietly sighing: It's rare for Yukino to show any interest in a guy, but this way, she won't stand a chance. And a guy like this, Yukino can't even handle. When we were younger, Fujii-kun didn't seem like this at all.

"Chika, Moeha, it's about time we head out. You've got school tomorrow, you know," a middle-aged man with black-framed glasses walked over and greeted them. "I know you want to keep hanging out with your friends, but you can always meet up again another time."

"Hello, Mr. Fujiwara."

"Goodbye, Uncle Fujiwara."

The group greeted him according to their level of closeness.

Although he appeared rather unassuming, Fujiwara Daichi was actually the successor of his late father, the former prime minister.

Despite his young age, he was already a provincial minister, and with his humble and courteous demeanor, he was not someone to be underestimated.

It should also be noted that the Fujiwara sisters' ample chest genes came from him—truly a man of profound depth.

Fujiwara Daichi responded to each greeting, his smile never fading as he turned to Shunsuke. "I can't believe how much you've improved over the years, Fujii-kun. And, of course, you're even more handsome now."

—I may be great, sure, but what exactly makes you think I'm so impressive? Is it because I'm surrounded by a bunch of girls?

Shunsuke was internally full of sarcasm, but on the surface, he appeared genuinely surprised. "Uncle Fujiwara still remembers me?"

Ugh, this shameless man just started calling me "uncle."

"Well, Fujii-kun left quite an impression on everyone when you were younger. Your father even said you would surely amount to something great," Fujiwara Daichi chuckled, possibly exaggerating a bit. "Make sure to visit us whenever you have time."

Based on the expressions of people around him, like Haruno's, it was clear this was an important statement.

But Shunsuke didn't feel particularly moved by it. After all, he could only receive such high praise because he was living another life—otherwise, he'd be nothing more than an average person with a bit more talent than most.

So, he didn't feel any reason to be proud.

After Fujiwara Daichi took Chika and Moeha away, it was as if the start button had been pressed, and one by one, the others began to leave.

Mrs. Sayuri even asked Shunsuke if he wanted to rest at their house for the night, but he firmly declined with determined resolve.

When Sanae was about to leave, Shunsuke leaned in and whispered, "Sanae-chan, I'm the Stellar Hunter, a contract partner of the Evil King's Eye. Whenever you have time, let's go deal with the Invisible Boundary together."

The atmosphere around Sanae changed instantly. If she had previously given off the aura of a graceful, sophisticated young lady, now... she seemed almost a bit clumsy?

"To think you're the contract partner of MASTER... What a surprise, death. Perhaps this is fate, death."

Though she still called him "Shunsuke-nii," the distance that had been there due to their years apart had disappeared in that brief moment.

"It's been 3,000 years since I last saw MASTER. Usually, we can only stay in touch through the electromagnetic ocean's resonance. I never imagined we'd meet again. Is this the miracle created by the Stellar Hunter who connects the stars in the heavens? As expected of MASTER's contract partner... You're so powerful!"

"....."

Shunsuke, having already passed the age of youthful enthusiasm, found it hard to keep his composure.

Later, Shunsuke was driven back to Mrs. Izumi's house by Kirari. Mashiro was also there, and after school, it had been Eriri who took her back before heading to the banquet.

When Shunsuke got out of the car, Kirari gave him a meaningful glance without saying a word, then left.

Once home, Shunsuke took a shower.

And then... enjoyed himself.

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