Chapter 21: The Hotel

The three close friends turned and walked away without a trace of hesitation, their figures blending seamlessly into the bustling crowd of Shibuya, vanishing in an instant.

Though they left with ease, Ryuichi Sugawara faced a troubling dilemma: how to deal with Tsukiko Yamabuki, who was drunk.

Restricted by the pretense of being her boyfriend, he couldn’t even ask her close friends for her address.

After all, it would be laughable for a boyfriend of a year not to know where his girlfriend lived.

“What am I supposed to do now?”

Carrying her over his shoulder, Ryuichi glanced around the street, feeling utterly lost.

It was nearly 9 p.m., the liveliest hour in Shibuya, filled with the roar of countless voices.

Despite being surrounded by people, he felt isolated from the world, unsure of where to go.

In his previous life, he had experience escorting drunk friends home, but those were close buddies whose addresses he knew.

Even if he didn’t know the exact address, he could always squeeze in on a bed with his friends without issue.

But this situation was entirely different.

“Tsukiko, the party’s over. Wake up.”

After some thought, Ryuichi chose not to immediately follow Risa Nanda’s suggestion, instead trying once more to rouse Tsukiko.

Perhaps her tolerance wasn’t great, but she had only drunk seven large beers—not any strong spirits—so she shouldn’t be unconscious.

“Tsukiko.”

To improve his chances, Ryuichi gently tapped her cheek with his palm.

“Hmm? Annoying.”

With his gentle prodding, Tsukiko stirred slightly, letting out a confused, reluctant murmur.

“The gathering’s finished. Your friends have all gone home. Where do you live? I’ll take you back.”

Seeing some reaction, Ryuichi hurriedly explained the situation and made his request.

But once he stopped the uncomfortable tapping, Tsukiko slipped back to sleep, not listening to a word.

“Looks like I’ll have to take her to a hotel.”

After waiting without a response, Ryuichi resorted to his last option.

If possible, he would have avoided bringing Tsukiko to a hotel, but having tried everything else, this was his only choice.

---

Without hesitation, Ryuichi recalled passing a hotel on the way to the karaoke bar. After scouting the route carefully, he placed a hat over Tsukiko’s head and half-carried, half-supported her along.

Nothing untoward happened en route.

Though carrying a drunk woman through the streets might seem suspicious, Tokyo’s social atmosphere was indifferent; most people kept to themselves with an attitude of “none of my business.”

Even if curious, they’d only glance briefly before returning to their own pace.

In the countryside, perhaps strangers might draw more concern.

---

Beauty grants privilege everywhere.

Though Ryuichi’s act of escorting a drunk girl into a hotel room could raise eyebrows, he managed to check in smoothly.

*Click.*

The door opened, and Ryuichi supported Tsukiko as he stepped inside.

The lights came on, revealing a neat room with two beds.

He had chosen a twin room—not wanting to take advantage of her nor force himself onto a sofa.

Perhaps after settling Tsukiko, he could still catch a train home, but he couldn’t leave her alone in the hotel while intoxicated.

“Thank you.”

Unfussy about the surroundings, Ryuichi simply turned to express his gratitude.

“No need to thank me. If you have any requests or questions, please contact the front desk. We’ll be glad to assist you promptly.”

The attendant who had brought him to the room smiled warmly at his handsome features.

Though Japan’s service industry required polite smiles as a matter of course, hers seemed genuine this time.

After all, this guest was exceptionally good-looking—even with a mask, his refined brows and aura were unmistakable.

Moreover, she had heard from colleagues at the front that he was a major heartthrob.

After some brief pleasantries, though reluctant, the attendant left, closing the door behind her.

Ryuichi moved toward the nearest bed and gently laid Tsukiko down.

“Finally here.”

Having secured her safely, he exhaled deeply, rubbing his right shoulder with his left hand to ease the strain.

---

The karaoke bar was about 800 meters from the hotel.

Though not far, carrying a sleeping person made the distance exhausting.

“Now, I just need to help her lie comfortably and cover her with a blanket. Then this will be done.”

Rubbing his arm to relieve the fatigue, Ryuichi looked down at Tsukiko—mostly on the bed, but with one leg hanging off the edge.

He tended not to talk to himself, preferring to think things through silently, but this time he voiced his plan.

Not so much self-talk as speaking to Tsukiko.

Whether she heard him or not, stating his intentions aloud couldn’t hurt.

He lowered his gaze along the hem of her skirt, taking in her slender, straight calves and the flat, open-toed sandals on her feet.

Her skin was pale—not the sickly kind, but pure and smooth like fine jade, luminous under the overhead light.

Though she had beautiful legs, Ryuichi only glanced briefly before looking away.

He wasn’t new to seeing her calves in class and was long accustomed to them.

“Quick and efficient.”

He first removed her mask, then bent down, lifting her feet with both hands to swiftly take off her sandals.

But before he could set the shoes down, the sight before him halted him.

Tsukiko wasn’t wearing socks; her bare feet were exquisite—arched gracefully, toes delicate and slender like willow branches.

Her skin was translucent enough to reveal faint veins beneath, and the pale pink crescents on her toenails were endearing.

Such beautiful feet, snow-white and soft as satin, toes tinged with a gentle blush like petals.

Caught off guard by the sudden beauty before him, Ryuichi froze, momentarily dazed.

“Hmm~”

A soft moan startled him, and he hastily withdrew his gaze.

He looked up anxiously to see Tsukiko shift her head slightly, instinctively adjusting to a more comfortable position.

“That was close...”

Relieved she hadn’t awakened or noticed his glance, Ryuichi finally relaxed.