Mao Nakaizumi watched the entire scene unfold from the side, her mature and lovely face etched with confusion and puzzlement.
The confusion stemmed from why Taro Takahiro knew Ho Fei-yu and spoke to him so kindly, even with a hint of respect. The puzzle was why he had left without a word, after she had called him over.
She had only met Taro Takahiro during a company sales pitch, introduced by a friend. At the time, he shamelessly asked for her phone number. Reasoning that more friends meant more opportunities, she exchanged numbers with him. Since then, Taro Takahiro liked to send her caring messages and express concern, even when nothing was wrong.
Unfortunately, he wasn't her type, so she tactfully mentioned that she had a daughter. After that, Taro Takahiro became more reserved, and their relationship stalled at the friendship level. It wasn't until recently, when she needed to find a job for her irresponsible younger brother, that she asked Taro Takahiro for help again.
She was conflicted because she would owe Taro Takahiro a favor, but for the sake of her useless brother, she felt compelled to do it. Yet, she never expected it would almost harm Shiori-chan.
On the way to the police station, she called Taro Takahiro. Not knowing the specific situation, she was afraid something bad had happened and hoped Taro Takahiro could help intercede.
Mao Nakaizumi was a weak woman, a widow. Her parents were gone, and her husband had died young. At first, she single-handedly raised two people, and then three. She had considered finding a new partner to rely on, but her pride wouldn't allow it. Why can't I find someone I genuinely love?
She had married and had a child early in life due to her parents' urging after college graduation. Even though she didn't love him, she had no other intentions after marriage; she followed her husband's path. But who would have thought her husband would die in an accident just as she became pregnant?
Her heart and body had been lonely for over a decade, but she was not promiscuous. If she couldn't find someone who made her heart flutter, she would rather be alone forever.
"Well... if everything is alright, I should be going now."
"It's getting late, after all." Ho Fei-yu pulled out his phone and checked the time. It was almost nine o'clock.
Shiori Fuyutsuki's hand twitched when she heard Ho Fei-yu's words. But thinking that she could see him again tomorrow, her small hand stopped.
"Right, Okaa-san, why don't we drive Fei-yu-kun home first?" Yui Nakaizumi raised her hand and suggested.
"Hmm... that's fine." Mao Nakaizumi considered it for a moment and then agreed. Ho Fei-yu had saved Shiori Fuyutsuki, and she should show her appreciation.
"Alright, my place is at Yari-ma Apartment. Have you heard of it, Auntie Mao?"
"Yes, and it's not far from our house, just about a kilometer or two away."
"Then thank you, Auntie Mao."
"Hiss—" Just as Ho Fei-yu was about to follow Mao Nakaizumi to her car, he heard her groan in pain. He looked at Mao Nakaizumi and saw her squatting down, pressing both her ankles with her hands. Remembering how she had walked with a limp earlier, she must have twisted her ankle.
"Okaa-san, what's wrong?"
"Auntie Mao..."
"It's nothing, I must have run too fast and twisted my ankle." She was wearing high heels. No wonder...
"It's all my fault..." Shiori Fuyutsuki guessed Auntie Mao had rushed because she was worried about her, and she blamed herself again.
"Shiori-chan, we are family. You are not allowed to say things like that in the future, do you hear me!" Mao Nakaizumi said sternly, her mature and lovely face expressing her disapproval of Shiori Fuyutsuki's self-reproach.
"Mhm." Shiori Fuyutsuki sniffled, her eyes red, and nodded heavily.
"Heh heh, actually, I have a way." Ho Fei-yu felt touched by their deep affection for each other. He saw a resemblance between their family and the Yarima family.
"Ah!? What way, Fei-yu-kun?" Yui Nakaizumi blinked, her moe face full of expectation.
"Heh heh, it's not convenient here. Let's talk in the car." Of course, it's the invincible Stand!
"Ah!" Mao Nakaizumi tried to stand up, but a sharp pain shot through both ankles, making her squat back down. Both girls were too petite to help her properly.
Seeing this, Ho Fei-yu walked up and asked, "Auntie Mao, do you need me to carry you?"
Mao Nakaizumi's heart skipped a beat at Ho Fei-yu's words. It felt a little embarrassing to be carried by a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, her being an over thirty-year-old woman. But she had no choice.
"Then I'll trouble you, Fei-yu-kun."
Ho Fei-yu bent down, one arm cradling Mao Nakaizumi's back and the other tucked under her knees, which were covered in black stockings. He lifted her strongly.
Mao Nakaizumi was in Ho Fei-yu's arms in a princess carry. A scent of youthful male hormones wafted up, making her body feel weak. Even though Ho Fei-yu's hands weren't directly touching her skin, the heat radiating from his arms on her back and under her legs made her heart pound fiercely.
Mao Nakaizumi's head felt dizzy, and her mind was racing with disorganized thoughts. The last time she was this close to a man was probably over ten years ago.
She was still dazed when Ho Fei-yu carried her to the car.
"Okaa-san? Open the door." Only when Yui Nakaizumi's puzzled voice sounded next to her ear did she blush, take the keys from her clothes, and unlock the car door.
Ho Fei-yu bent down and gently placed her in the driver's seat.
"Ahem, Auntie Mao, I might need to take liberties with you next..."
"If you don't want me to, I will stop right away." Ho Fei-yu looked at Mao Nakaizumi, slightly embarrassed.
"It's okay, go ahead." Mao Nakaizumi replied, blushing. It was a good thing the night concealed the redness on her face, otherwise Ho Fei-yu probably wouldn't have been able to handle it. After all, who wouldn't like a mature and lovely widow?
"Then I'll start." Ho Fei-yu gently removed the high-heeled shoe from one of Mao Nakaizumi's feet. A small, delicate foot, encased in black stockings, was revealed. A wave of heat, mixed with a hint of perspiration, wafted toward Ho Fei-yu.
His nose instinctively inhaled the scent. It was refreshing. A rush of heat rose from his lower abdomen. Suppressing his impulse, he began to gently massage the silky foot, moving from the instep to the arch, the sole, and finally the ankle. He worked patiently and seriously, as if polishing porcelain.
At first, Mao Nakaizumi was slightly self-conscious, wiggling her five long, cute toes. Later, the warm, comfortable sensation spreading from her foot made her less awkward. But then she remembered that she had been busy from morning till night, only rushing over immediately after receiving her daughter's call before she could even wash up.
Her feet must have been very sweaty. Would Fei-yu-kun find it disgusting?
With this thought, she rigidly moved her head, finding an angle where she could see Ho Fei-yu's expression.
Mao Nakaizumi happened to see Ho Fei-yu's throat bob, a sign of wanting to taste a delicacy, and his eyes held a hint of fascination. A delicacy? Could it be...
Thinking of this, Mao Nakaizumi felt a strange sense of delight. She just stared at Ho Fei-yu's face.
The two girls on the side were both flushed and their hearts were pounding. Yui Nakaizumi just felt shy, as the boy she liked was massaging her mother's feet. Shiori Fuyutsuki, on the other hand, subconsciously compared her own thighs to Mao Nakaizumi's. Although her own thighs were not as plump as Auntie Mao's, they were straighter and longer, and equally fleshy. Seeing the focused look on Ho Fei-yu's face, she smiled, lost in her own thoughts.
Ho Fei-yu massaged one foot for a while, then moved to the other, massaging it similarly. Then, he activated the power of Crazy Diamond.
"Auntie Mao, do you feel better now?"
"Ah? Oh." Mao Nakaizumi had been enjoying Ho Fei-yu's massage and was still immersed in the strange sensation until he took his hands away. She snapped back to attention and replied with a blush.
"Wow, that's amazing! It really doesn't hurt anymore~" Mao Nakaizumi moved her foot around, discovering that the pain in her ankle was truly gone. Her mature and lovely face showed disbelief.
"Heh heh, it's a secret family recipe." Ho Fei-yu instinctively rubbed his nose. The residual scent on his hand was an added pleasure for his sense of smell.
Mao Nakaizumi also saw this movement, and a flash of shyness crossed her eyes.