CHAPTER 32: THE INNOCENT FOX

The group began packing for a new round of distribution.

Volunteers moved crates of peaches and protein bars, as they chatted and laughed. Renji worked near Hana, stacking boxes and bags of old toys.

His eyes occasionally darted to her curves. Sometimes, even when he didn’t mean it. She was just too sexy.

"I see what you’re doing, you know?"

"Huh?" Renji turned around and saw Miyu standing there, arms folded, glaring at him.

"You’re trying to make her like you so extorting money from her will be easy." She leaned forward comically, causing Renji to pull backwards.

"I’m on to you, you sly fox!"

She smirked. "You think I didn’t notice the subtle message in your painting. A fox with a halo? Hah! You’re a cunning fox who’s pretending to be an angel! You think I wouldn’t sniff that out?!"

Renji rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Look, Mrs. Ishikawa. If you think I’m a threat to Mrs. Hoshizawa, why don’t you go tell her bodyguard. He’s meant to protect her, right? This would be valuable information for him."

Miyu’s eyes widened, then she scoffed. "Pfft. Maybe I will."

Renji stared at her with indifference and turned away. "Eh, whatever."

He carried on with the job.

A few minutes later, outside the building, they were onloading the last few cartons of essentials, Hana, was standing by the side of the bus.

Suddenly, a motorbike roared through the street, but it seemed that the rider swerved out of control and was barraging straight to Hana!

Renji, who was close by, after placing a crate of egg in the trunk, saw the danger in time.

But Hana was frozen, her eyes widening as the bike veered toward her, the tires screeching on the concrete.

"Watch out!" Renji shouted.

He ran as fast as he could, and lunged forward with a burst of adrenaline.

He held her waist, pushed her forward and rolled over so she would fall on him.

The bike whizzed past, missing her by inches.

The next thing Hana knew, she was on top of Renji, her hands trembling, her breath ragged with fear as he held her, his arms wrapped protectively around her thick frame.

"Are you okay?" he asked her.

Gasps filled the room, volunteers dropping their loads, their faces pale.

Renji held her up and attended to her as she squatted on the floor.

"That... was terrifying," she murmured to him.

"Don’t worry," Renji told her. "You’re fine."

Her security guard, who had been distracted by Miyu’s complaints, hurried over.

Renji could see the fear on his face, even through those ugly sunglasses.

"Mrs. Hoshizawa! I’m so sorry... I— I didn’t see..."

Miyu stood nearby, staring at everything like she couldn’t believe it. "Mrs. Hoshizawa. What happened?"

Hana, still shaking, looked up at Hideo, her voice quivering with disappointment. "Hideo... It’s your job to protect me. Where were you?"

Her words cut deep, and Hideo’s face lowered in shame. "I am truly sorry, ma’am. Please, forgive my disgraceful actions."

Hana didn’t say anything, she only turned to Renji, her hands clutching his arms.

"Renji... Thank you. You’ve become someone who I think I can count on. You saved me." Her eyes glistened with relief, her body pressing closer, her warmth seeping into him. "Thank you so much!"

She hugged him.

Renji didn’t even expect that. But gosh! Her skin! Her mommy breasts pressing into his chests! Her heart-fucking perfume!

This was amazing.

Hideo and Miyu watched it with hidden anger in their expressions.

"It’s fine, Mrs. Hoshizawa," Renji cleared his throat and said. "I only wanted to help."

He assisted her in getting up, and relief filled the Center when they confirmed that she wasn’t hurt.

"Do you still want to join us in the distribution, Mrs. Hoshizawa?" a volunteer asked.

"Yes of course. I wouldn’t miss helping people because of a little fright."

So they packed the last of the supplies into the bus. At this time, the tension had eased, and everyone carefully gathered their things from the Center as they prepared to leave.

When the driver honked, the group filed onto the bus for the distribution run.

Renji quickly wore his bag and hurried into the bus, he made sure to stay close to Hana as her bodyguard followed behind her.

When she took a seat, both he and the guard moved toward her, intending to sit beside her.

The guard looked at him, his face like iron. "What are you doing?"

Renji ignored him completely. He looked at Hana who was staring at the both of them.

"Mrs. Hoshizawa," he started, "if it’s fine with you, I’d like to sit beside you today."

Hana’s brow perked, surprised by the suggestion.

"Get another seat, kid," the bodyguard said, but Hana raised a hand, causing him to fall silent.

Renji could see the look of disbelief in his eyes.

’She can’t really be considering this!’ the bodyguard thought.

"Hideo, please find a seat in the back," Hana said. "I’d like to sit with Renji today."

Hideo’s jaw tightened, veins formed around his forehead, and his hands clenched to fists.

"Yes... ma’am."

His head turned, his glare piercing through his sunglasses, a silent threat aimed at Renji, who met it with a steady gaze.

After a tense moment, he turned the other way, his lips a thin line, and retreated to an empty seat, a couple rows behind her, his presence now a brooding shadow.

Renji slid into the seat beside Hana, his heart thumping wildly.

Finally! He was getting closer and closer to his big target!

He felt her thick lap press faintly against his thigh, and it sent goosebumps through his skin, the warmth of her body igniting a fire in his core.

A smile spread across his innocent face, his mind racing with possibilities.

If things went on as smoothly as this, he would be in her house in no time, and would finally be able to write her name on the Note’s.

The thought of it thrilled him.

Soon, the bus rumbled to life, the engine’s hum blending with the chatter of volunteers who were happy to spend another day helping the less fortunate.

But for Renji, the world narrowed to the woman beside him.