CHAPTER 47: SECURITY GUARD TAKEDOWN

The cab screeched to a halt outside the Sunshine Community Center, its glass doors reflecting the late afternoon sun in golden hues, the parking lot bustling with volunteers unloading crates of canned goods and a bus driving away to bring in more products.

Renji paid the driver with crumpled bills and turned to face the Center, his face as twisted as his heart.

It was still pounding from the chase. And the injury he’d gotten from his scraped elbow stung under his sleeve, but fury boiled hotter than any pain.

’Those fucking pricks. Those ugly morons. Pathetic rich-boy bullies with their daddy’s money and empty heads. Insulting my family? Fuck, I’ve never hated anyone as much I hate them.’

’I’ll ruin them. Every last one.’

His mind seethed with insults, visions of revenge flashing. Kaito’s swollen cheek from the punch only the start.

’They’re nothing. Just insects in my way. And today? Hana Hoshizawa becomes mine. No matter what! I’m tired of her dealing with her waste of space as a son. Whatever happens, she’s my bitch by night’s end.’

Determination hardened his nerdy features, his steps purposeful as he stormed through the doors, the cool AC blasting against his flushed skin.

But the moment he entered the lobby, there was one blaring difference.

To his surprise, Mrs. Hana Hoshizawa was already there, early today before most of the staff, standing in the center of a small gathering of volunteers: murmuring concernedly.

Hana’s voluptuous figure was draped in a simple yet elegant white blouse that hugged her massive tits, the fabric straining over her curves, paired with a flowing skirt that accentuated her wide hips and thick thighs.

Her purple hair cascaded in soft waves, but her warm brown eyes were distant, her motherly face almost glaring at him..

Renji’s blood ran cold.

There was something weird with how they were gathered there and how she was watching him.

Fuck, had he been caught? Do they know about yesterday? The bus, Miyu, the supplies?

Panic surged; he froze mid-step, half-turning toward the exit.

He wondered if it was best to run now before they corner me.

Mrs. Hoshizawa’s gaze was still locked on him, and it held a troubled look, something unreadable that twisted his gut. ’She knows. Shit.’

But the closer he got, he noticed something.

There was no towering black suit, no sunglasses. The bodyguard, Hideo, was nowhere to be found.

Renji double-checked, peering around crates and doors. But he couldn’t find him.

’Where’s the shadow?’

Too intrigued to bolt, he stepped fully into the circle.

That was when he noticed Hana’s eyes.

She hadn’t been looking at him at all; her eyes stared blankly at nothing, lost in thought, her beautiful face a portrait of quiet sorrow.

Her plump lips were downturned, brows furrowed, her voluptuous body slumping slightly as if carrying a weight that no one could see no matter how they tried.

Yet even in distress, she was stunning as usual: her skin glowing softly, her curves a siren call, her sadness only amplifying her vulnerable allure.

"Mrs. Hoshizawa?" Renji greeted tentatively, his voice steady despite the knot in his stomach.

Hana blinked, recovering herself. The moment she noticed Renji in front of her, a faint light sparked in her eyes, a small smile tugging her lips.

"Renji! You’re here... it’s good to see you."

It really was a smile. Barely even reached her eyes.

Renji frowned. "Are you okay, Mrs. Hoshizawa? You look... upset."

She waved a hand dismissively, though her voice wavered. "Oh, don’t worry, dear. Just... family stuff. Nothing for you to fret over."

Renji felt guilty.

Mrs. Hoshizawa had suffered enough and was a really kind woman, yet here he was using her as a means to an end; his revenge.

His conscience ate at him as he cleared his throat to ask, "Where’s your bodyguard? He’s usually glued to you."

Hana bit her lip before replying. "Oh, we fired him. Yesterday."

Renji’s brows shot up. "Why?"

She sighed deeply, glancing at the group who nodded sympathetically before dispersing to tasks.

"He fabricated the whole thing about my husband needing the bus. It caused an unnecessary fight between Taiga and me. It was..." She lowered her head, "...embarrassing, really."

—---—

Last Night at the Hoshizawa Mansion

Inside the opulent foyer of the Hoshizawa family, Taiga Hoshizawa, popular politician, sat like a king, his tailored suit rumpled from a long day.

Bad news had reached his ears today, so his sharp features were twisted in quiet fury.

Worth millions from tech empires, Mr. Hoshizawa was dangerous when crossed. And today, someone was going to testify to that.

Hana entered the home, her gown from the center still on, her face distraught. Hideo trailed nervously in his black suit, sunglasses off, head low in shame.

"I just received a call of a commotion at my company headquarters," Taiga said, slamming a palm on an antique table, vases rattling. "My investors and foreign partners saw one of my busese parked out front like a damn taxi service. What is the meaning of that?!"

Hideo stammered, bowing deeply. "S-Sir, I received a message from your contact! It said you urgently needed the bus."

"That is a ridiculous lie!" Taiga cut in, pulling out his phone, scrolling. "I never sent you a message. I’m worth millions. If I needed a bus and Hana was using it, I would just buy a new one instantly! Didn’t that cross your pea-brain?"

Hana’s eyes widened, turning to Hideo with betrayal. "Hideo? Why did you lie? Is it because... I told you to sit in the back? So I could sit with Renji?"

Taiga froze. "Who’s Renji?"

Hana looked at her slightly worried husband and explained. "He’s a classmate and friend of Kaito, he volunteers at the center."

Taiga seemed relieved.

"He’s also the boy who saved my life from the motorcycle when Hideo was... elsewhere." Her tone sharpened as she faced Hideo. "You’ve disliked him since, haven’t you? Even more when I made you switch seats."

"What kind of act is this?" Mr. Hoshizawa demanded. "This is not why I hired you. You sabotaged my wife over a boy?"

Hideo’s face paled, and his eyes widened with realization.

The grinning face of Renji appeared before him like a mockery.

"It’s him! He did this. I don’t know how, but he orchestrated it!"

"Who did it?"

"Renji. It’s him."

Hana gasped. "Hideo, you’re hysterical! How could Renji—a kid—even have your contact? How would he organize this?"

Taiga’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "What kind of character is this bodyguard? Obsessive? Possessive? Lying to isolate my wife from a boy who saved her?"

He advanced on Hideo, voice lethal. "You weird pervert! You’re fired. For harassing my wife and her friend. Pack your things now! Security will escort you."

Hideo’s eyes remained wide, dumbfounded and defeated, "It was him... that kid. It was him all along..."

——

Back to the Center

Renji’s eyes widened in surprise. "Oh. So that’s what happened. I can’t believe he could do such a thing. Who expected a weirdo was literally the one hired to protect you?"

Hana shuddered, wrapping arms around herself, sad eyes downcast. "I know. Thankfully it’s settled now. I’ll never see him again."

Renji looked at her, then asked a warranted question. "But you can’t just be on your own, right? Without a security guard, who will protect you now?"

Hana looked up, her sad expression softening into a warm, trusting smile, her eyes lighting with affection.

"Why, you silly!" she said.

"Huh?" Renji froze.

"You seem up to the task." She leaned closer and smiled wider, brighter. " So take good care of me, okay, Renji? My life is entirely in your hands."