CHAPTER 28: L HATE WAKING UP ON TIME (⁠ ⁠･ั⁠﹏⁠･ั⁠)

(7:35 a.m)

They both left their apartment complex...

The sun was still coming up from the horizon, casting long shadows down the street, and the atmosphere was surprisingly cool for what promised to be another warm day...

The usual morning bustle was yet to fully kick in, giving the streets a peaceful, and almost deserted feel...

Sarah rubbed her eyes as the morning breeze swept through her hair... She let out a big yawn, covering her mouth with the back of her hand as she and Leo walked slowly toward the bus stop...

Leo looked at her sideways. "You didn’t sleep well?"

"I didn’t, my body might be here but..." she mumbled, blinking slowly. "My soul’s still in bed."

He laughed out loud and stopped walking. "Do you want me to carry you?"

She gave a sleepy grin. "If you do, I’m not walking for the rest of the day."

"Nah... I’m good." He adjusted his backpack and added...

"Babe, you are actually evil," she added, stomping on his shoes as they continued to walk.

Minutes later...

Sarah groaned playfully, pulling her hair band tighter. "Yamamoto’s idea of ’fun’ usually means I end up smelling like the ocean."

Leo laughed out loud; he wasn’t expecting what she said. "What happened between you guys at the movie set?"

Sarah rolled her eyes dramatically. "She once pushed me into the water on purpose because I said sushi was overrated."

"Really?" Leo raised an eyebrow, amused by her speech.

"Yup." Sarah crossed her arms with mock offense. "I barely finished the sentence before she grabbed me and tossed me straight into the pool."

Leo chuckled. "I thought she was just rude to me because I was a staff member at the mall, but it turns out that’s just her character."

"It is. But somehow, the director loves her." Sarah glanced at him. "Probably because she’s wealthy."

"Hmm." Leo nodded while listening to her rambling.

"Babe, you think she’ll bring snacks?" she asked, her voice still heavy with sleep.

Leo raised an eyebrow. "We’re going fishing, not to a picnic."

She pouted. "It’s the Same thing, if you plan it right."

He nodded in agreement, while covering his face with his right hand..

Then they reached the bus stop a few minutes after seven.

There was no sign of Rika, or any tour bus for that matter. Leo leaned against the bus stop sign, checking his phone. "Are you sure she said the bus stop?"

"Babe, yes, I’m sure," Sarah confirmed, pulling out her phone. "Unless she went to a different bus stop. With Rika, anything’s possible." She started typing a message, her brow furrowed slightly.

Just then, a sleek, black SUV drives to a stop directly in front of them, its windows tinted black.

It was a vehicle far too luxurious for a regular bus stop. The back door slowly opened, revealing Rika-Yamamoto in the passenger seat, already looking impatient. She was dressed in a stylish, athletic wear, a designer baseball cap pulled low over her eyes...

"Sarah, you’re late," Rika responded, her voice dry. She didn’t offer a morning greeting, just a blunt statement...

Leo felt a familiar prickle of annoyance, but quickly suppressed it. Sarah, however, just rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Good morning to you, too, Yamamoto. Nice car. Going fishing in style, I see."

Rika just smirked, a hint of amusement in her eyes, like she was enjoying it, the praises. "Get in. We’re already running behind schedule."

Leo exchanged a quick glance with Sarah. The fishing trip already felt less like a casual outing and more like an organized event...

They climbed into the spacious back seat, the plush leather seats a stark contrast to the standard taxi or bus they usually took. The scent of an expensive car, Leo could tell, mixed with Rika’s expensive perfume, filled the confined space...

As the SUV pulled away, Rika turned slightly, her gaze was steady and composed...

"So, Leo Kuroko," she exclaimed, her voice calm and measured, "congratulations on your successful interview with HexaSoft."

Leo’s heart skipped a beat. He turned to Sarah, who appeared just as taken aback...

"How did you know about that?" he asked quietly, and still unable to hide his surprise...

"My brother spoke about you at home. At first, I didn’t realize it was you...until he showed me your CV," Rika turned around looking at him, her tone casual, though her eyes remained sharp as the car moved steadily forward.

Sarah glanced at her, jealousy flickering across her face...

The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, forming a picture that made Leo’s jaw drop.

Rika’s brother... the one she just mentioned... was actually the guy Leo had met during his HexaSoft interview. The one with the tablet. They were around the same age...

"He was quite impressed with your work," Rika continued, a little, almost imperceptible smile touching her lips...

"Especially your passion for game design. You were lucky I didn’t mention anything about the coffee incident at the mall." Her eyes were full of a hint of suppressed pride and neglect.

"Alright, Yamamoto, that’s enough," Sarah responded with a soft chuckle, ending the conversation. She leaned in and rested her head on Leo’s shoulder, letting out a quiet sigh...

For some reason, Rika treated Sarah’s words like royal commands. Sarah could say, "The sky is purple," and Rika would nod instantly, "Yes, Your Majesty, and the color is purple."

Leo forced a fake smile. Knowing deep down that this was going to be a long trip...

After a while, the car stopped at a massive Japanese-style hotel...

Leo and Sarah stepped outside the SUV, both a little unsure if they were supposed to stop here.

Rika also stepped outside of the car, yawning while covering it with her right arm.

Sarah glanced at Leo, and Leo glanced at Sarah...

"Ohio... Rika, I thought you said we were going fishing today," Sarah exclaimed, her voice filled with confusion since they stepped out of the car. Leo stood beside her, still speechless, trying to piece things together.

"Yes," Rika replied quickly, her tone elegant and filled with excitement. She was trying to hide it, but her gestures clearly showed she was a spoiled brat.

Sarah narrowed her eyes and walked up to her. "Then why are we at a hotel?"

Rika gave a slow, knowing smile and nodded. "We’re all having a sleepover together."

Leo blinked. Sarah blinked twice. "Are you fucking kidding me?"