"Then why did you say you didn't know her earlier with that punchable expression?" Hayato Ren couldn't help but ask.
"I was only acting like that to stand up for you. You should know that I, Mei Terumi, am always kind to others and known as the school's great benefactor."
Although the latter part of Mei Terumi's statement was pure boasting, her earlier attitude toward Ameyuri Ringo was undeniably connected to Hayato Ren.
Thinking of this, Ren couldn't help but show a gentle expression.
"Thank you. If no one wants you in the future, you can come find me."
Hearing this, Mei Terumi immediately made a disgusted face.
"Hmph, is this what they call repaying kindness with enmity? With my looks, why would I worry about not finding a man? You should worry about yourself, old man. Don't be a toad dreaming of eating swan meat."
"You misunderstood. I meant if you become a lonely old woman in the future, I can have my son support you in your old age."
Mei Terumi's face changed like magic, alternating between green and white.
After taking several deep breaths, she suppressed the impulse to throw all the coffee in front of her onto Hayato Ren's face.
As an apology gift, Hayato Ren ordered several extra small cakes for Mei Terumi.
However, although Mei Terumi ate all the small cakes, she showed no intention of forgiving Hayato Ren.
...
In the evening, after dinner, Hayato Ren went for a walk alone by the small river not far from the inn.
Just as he was taking leisurely steps and enjoying the evening breeze, an angry voice suddenly came from behind.
"Hey, you damn bastard, stop right there!"
Turning around, Ren saw a figure rushing toward him at incredible speed.
It was Ameyuri Ringo.
Soon, Ameyuri Ringo reached Hayato Ren and began looking around.
"Where's that Mei Terumi? Get her out here now. I'll show her why flowers are so red."
However, Ameyuri Ringo was destined to be disappointed this time because Mei Terumi was still sulking and naturally wouldn't be accompanying Hayato Ren.
After searching fruitlessly, Ameyuri Ringo grabbed Hayato Ren's clothes and demanded fiercely:
"I'm asking you, where's Mei Terumi?"
Actually, Ameyuri Ringo wanted to make a more intimidating gesture, but her height clearly didn't support such actions.
Compared to Mei Terumi, Ameyuri Ringo was indeed quite short.
When the two stood together, they looked like they were several years apart in age, completely unlike peers.
Meanwhile, Mei Terumi's situation was the complete opposite of Ameyuri Ringo's. Not only did she grow up to have a tall figure, but even at this time her height was among the top of her peers.
Getting back to the main point, faced with Ameyuri Ringo's questioning, Hayato Ren put on an innocent expression.
"How would I know where Mei Terumi is? I'm not her."
Seeing that the expression on Hayato Ren's face didn't seem fake, Ameyuri Ringo had no choice but to release his clothes and said:
"Fine, but if you meet Mei Terumi, remember to tell her that next time I definitely won't lose to her."
Looking at Ameyuri Ringo's serious expression, Hayato Ren actually thought her chances were quite slim.
Although Ameyuri Ringo was indeed a genius, Mei Terumi's talent was undoubtedly higher than hers.
It's worth noting that Mei Terumi came from a commoner background, yet she later developed two Bloodline Limits.
This kind of talent could be considered outstanding even in the entire Shinobi World. For Ameyuri Ringo to surpass her wouldn't be an easy task.
Seeing Hayato Ren's expression, Ameyuri Ringo gritted her teeth so hard it seemed like her molars would shatter.
"You don't believe me, do you? What's so good about Mei Terumi anyway? Why don't you become my subordinate instead? I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury."
Ameyuri Ringo patted her chest, which was even flatter than Mei Terumi's, as she made this promise to Hayato Ren.
In Ameyuri Ringo's view, Mei Terumi undoubtedly valued Hayato Ren highly.
Otherwise, Mei Terumi wouldn't have been so nervous when she used Ninjutsu on Hayato Ren at noon.
If she could snatch Hayato Ren away, wouldn't that prove her charm was far superior to Mei Terumi's?
Thinking of this, a sly smile like a weasel stealing a chicken appeared on Ameyuri Ringo's face.
She reached out and patted Hayato Ren's thigh, sweetening the deal:
"Whatever Mei Terumi gives you, I'll double it. How about it? Want to think it over carefully?"
Hayato Ren naturally saw through Ameyuri Ringo's little scheme immediately. He then gestured measuring Ameyuri Ringo's height and burst out laughing.
Although Hayato Ren didn't say anything, Ameyuri Ringo felt immensely insulted.
Ameyuri Ringo had two sore spots: one was her height, and the other was the nickname "Little Apple."
Before this, anyone who had offended either of these two sore spots had already suffered heavy retaliation from Ameyuri Ringo.
And Hayato Ren was the only person who had simultaneously offended both sore spots. With old and new grudges mixing together, Ameyuri Ringo shouted loudly:
"Go die! Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!"
Anger indeed could enhance one's combat power. At this moment, Ameyuri Ringo's hand seal speed was actually much faster than it had been at noon.
However, this time Hayato Ren didn't plan to sit still and wait for death.
In an instant, Hayato Ren moved and appeared in front of Ameyuri Ringo, then reached out and tapped her neck.
With Hayato Ren's finger movement, the Chakra in Ameyuri Ringo's body immediately became chaotic.
Naturally, her Ninjutsu failed to execute.
This move was inspired by the Hyuga clan's pressure point technique. However, the Hyuga clan relied on the Byakugan to see through the body's pathways to perform pressure point attacks.
Hayato Ren, on the other hand, executed it based on his familiarity with the human body. After all, his many years of medical experience weren't wasted.
Ameyuri Ringo widened her eyes, looking at Hayato Ren with a panicked expression as she questioned:
"What have you done to me, you bastard?"
In response, Hayato Ren simply placed his hands behind his back, assuming the demeanor of a transcendent master, and replied with casual indifference:
"Nothing much, just a minor disruption of the Chakra within your body. After all, I'm merely a writer with no physical strength to speak of—how could I dare wander this dangerous Shinobi World without some means of self-defense?"
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "LegendaryTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!