CHAPTER 33: TWO SWORN ENEMIES

The bus rumbled along the uneven streets of the city, its engine groaning under the weight of supplies destined for new foster homes and homeless centers they had planned for today.

Through the clear, expensive windows of the vehicle, the late afternoon sun casted long, golden streaks at every one inside.

They were all chatty and smiley, the air thick with the mingled scents of canned goods and toiletries. It was a simple, calm, uneventful ride as it usually was.

But not for Miyu Ishikawa.

From her seat near the back, she sat rigid beside Hideo, the security guard. She was completely tensed up, her brown bun pulled tight as if to mirror her coiled frustration and her hands folded.

Her eyes hadn’t moved since she entered the bus.

Sharp and narrowed, they were fixed on the front of the bus where Renji and Mrs. Hoshizawa sat side by side, their heads bent close in animated conversation.

Hana pressed her lips together, unable to stand the sight.

She could hear the laughter spilling from Hana’s lips. It was a warm, melodic sound, but all it did was grate on Miyu’s nerves.

Even worse, she could see that weasel, Renji smiling, an innocent smile that she saw right through.

She noticed his hand occasionally brushing Hana’s arm as he pointed out the window. Or sometimes, Hana would lean over and her head would rest on his shoulder as she laughed, clearly enjoying his company.

She couldn’t stand it.

Miyu’s face twisted into an angry scowl, her lips pressing into an even thinner, bitter line, her fingers digging into the armrest until her knuckles whitened.

Finally her eyes moved, noticing Hideo who was sitting beside her.

She couldn’t see because his sunglasses were covering them but his eyes were also glued to the image of Renji and Mrs. Hoshizawa.

At that moment, they both shared the same anger.

Miyu leaned toward Hideo, her voice low and venomous when she spoke.

"Look at them... all smiley and chatty. Mrs. Hana is being deceived because I promise you that boy is up to no good."

Hideo didn’t say anything.

Miyu’s gaze didn’t waver from the pair, she continued to gossip, suspicion and disdain dripping from her words.

"I can see the guilt hidden all over that fake innocence on his face. He doesn’t fool me."

Hideo still said silent, his broad shoulders stiff, his sunglasses hiding his eyes but not the tight clench of his jaw.

He might have been quiet, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t enraged by all of this, silent fury was simmering beneath his stoic exterior.

Still, he remained mostly silent, his gloved hands resting on his knees, but the tension in his posture spoke volumes.

Miyu looked at him, expecting a reply. But when he said nothing, she pressed on, her tone hardening.

"We should work together to take him down. That sneaky kid won’t stand a chance against both of us. He’s coming between my friendship with Mrs. Hoshizawa and your work relationship with your boss. Working together is the best way to stop him."

Her eyes flickered to Hideo once again, searching for agreement, her anger fueling her resolve.

Hideo was silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed ahead, the reflection of Renji and Hana dancing in his sunglasses.

The bus jolted over a pothole, causing everyone to shake.

He saw Renji and Hana laugh over the funny incident. That was the last straw for him.

Finally, he spoke, his voice a deep, reluctant rumble. "What do you suggest?"

Miyu grinned.

The distribution began with a team effort, the bus pulling up to the first foster home, a weathered building with peeling paint and children peering curiously from the windows.

Volunteers spilled out, unloading crates of peaches, protein bars, ramen, rice, and toys.

They handled everything with coordination, making sure the allocated supplies for this foster home were given in full.

Renji joined the distribution, but he also wanted to spend more time with Mrs. Hoshizawa. The problem was his two sworn enemies had decided to work together.

Miyu and Hideo shadowed him like hawks, ensuring he never had a moment alone with Hana.

As she handed out bags to a grateful mother, Miyu kept Renji in her peripheral vision, stepping in whenever he drifted too close to Hana.

Somehow she always found the perfect excuse to get in the way.

Something like: "Mrs. Hoshizawa, the inventory list needs your signature." Then she’d drag Hana over to another corner and thrust a clipboard forward.

Renji would lock eyes with her, and then moments later with the security guard. They both glared at him, promising him that they weren’t stepping back.

They’ll stop him all the way.

On the bus, they took things up a notch.

Knowing Renji had all the time to talk with Hana, they exchanged seats with the volunteers in the front. Now they were directly behind Hana interjecting in their conversation.

Hana, who was unsuspecting of anything, didn’t really mind Miyu’s interjections. She took it as a volunteer who really wanted to be close to her and was just being friendly.

But Miyu didn’t even allow them to speak to one another. She chimed constantly, her voice syrupy, cutting off their laughter and conversation each chance she got.

Renji did his best to hide his frustration. He smiled when Hana smiled, and glared at Miyu and the guard when she wasn’t looking.

At the second location—a homeless center with tattered tents and hopeful faces—the distribution continued, the team working under the fading light.

The same thing happened. They kept intruding, sometimes they would send someone else to butt in, just so Hana wouldn’t get suspicious.

Renji, now fed up with the constant surveillance, decided it was time to act. He reached into his bag, fingers brushing the Milf Note, and pulled out his phone.

But only seconds after that, Hideo’s phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with a message.

His face hardened as he read it. "Shit."

He hurried over to Hana.

Renji furrowed his brows. Why is he pestering her now? I’m not even there.

"Ma’am."

Hana looked at him with a worried expression. "Hideo? What is the problem?"

"Mr. Hoshizawa requires the bus for an emergency transport. He needs it now."

Hana’s face darkened, like something terrifying had just happened. Everyone glanced at Hideo, the weight of the boss’s command settling over them.

They knew not to play around with Mr. Hoshizawa’s orders. He was their sponsor; the one who allowed for them to do this.

And he owned the bus. If he needed it, it was their duty to relinquish it immediately.

Hana’s face fell, her warm smile fading into a mask of disappointment, her hands pausing over a crate of cans.

"Oh... his political endeavors again," she murmured, her voice tinged with sadness.

It was heartbreaking to her that her husband’s political goals came before helping the unfortunate, but she knew she must obey if they wanted his funding to continue.

Her eyes glistened with regret, her voluptuous figure slumping slightly as she turned to the team. The volunteers exchanged uneasy glances, the urgency of the situation sinking in.

After telling everyone the news, they understood that donations would have to be paused today.

But for now, they needed a place to store the remaining supplies until tomorrow.

Hiroshi scanned his clipboard. "We need to check nearby volunteers’ homes. Miyu, you’re the closest. Can we use your place?"

Miyu’s face brightened. Her anger was instantly eclipsed by the presence of a chance to help Mrs. Hoshizawa.

"Of course, I’ll gladly help," she said, her voice warm, her eyes softening as she glanced at her friend.

She turned to the group. "But I’ll need some help packing some of the things."

No one offered.

"I don’t know... your house is pretty far from mine."

"I’m already too tired."

"Oh..."

Renji, seizing the opportunity, raised his hand. "I’ll do it. I’ll help Miyu pack."

Everyone looked at him.

"Really?" Hiroshi asked.

"Yes," Renji nodded.

Miyu stared at him, surprised, her brows lifting as she studied him warily. After a beat, she nodded. "Okay... fine."

Hana’s face lit up, her disappointment forgotten as she beamed at Renji.

"Renji, your kind heart just keeps shining! Thank you again! You’re a treasure to us here at Sunshine Group"

"I agree!" someone else said.

"Such a nice kid!"

"I wish my son was more like him."

Renji smiled at Hana and she gave him a loving smile of her own.

Miyu scowled.

"Alright, everyone, get in the bus! Boss needs the vehicle ASAP!" Hiroshi barked, clapping his hands.

The team scrambled aboard, the bus lurching into motion, its tires crunching over gravel as it sped toward Miyu’s home.

Minutes later, the house came into view.

It was a simple, single-story structure with weathered beige siding, a small porch adorned with potted plants, and a red-tiled roof that sagged slightly under years of neglect.

The bus screeched to a halt, and the volunteers hurriedly unloaded the supplies, stacking crates of sardines, peaches, and rice on the porch in a chaotic pile.

The engine revved again, and with a wave from Renji, Hana waved back, her smile radiant through the window as the bus pulled away, leaving a trail of dust.

Renji turned to Miyu, who stood on her porch, her arms crossed, her glare returning as she surveyed the mess.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Pick up a box, come in, and place it in the kitchen," she snapped, then entered inside.

Renji stood there for a moment. A sigh finally left him and he bent down, picking up a carton of sardines.

"Don’t mind if I do," he mumbled as he stepped through the door.