21st Century Necromancer

"Mom, I'm heading out." After breakfast, Hiromi Jounouchi called out to her mother, then changed her shoes, ready to leave the house.

"Wait a second!" However, just as Hiromi Jounouchi was about to step out, her mother suddenly ran over from the kitchen and handed her a bag: "Since you're going out, could you do me a favor and take this to your aunt?"

"What's this?" Hiromi Jounouchi took the bag, peeked inside with curiosity, and saw that it only contained some rice cakes.

"Your aunt mentioned a few days ago that she wanted to eat rice cakes, so I made some for her. I was planning to deliver them in the next few days, but since you have time today, please take them to her," Hiromi Jounouchi's mother told her daughter as if it were a matter of course.

With her mother saying so, Hiromi Jounouchi could only nod and set out with the bag of rice cakes.

Today, she had arranged to meet Yuiko Tsuina to give her the wedding invitation.

Arriving at the agreed spot, Hiromi Jounouchi found that Yuiko Tsuina was already there, sitting expectantly at the table, waiting for her arrival.

"Hey, kitty cat, how come you're so early?" Just as in their student days, Hiromi Jounouchi greeted Yuiko Tsuina and sat down across from her.

Yuiko Tsuina, looking at Hiromi Jounouchi sitting before her with her long hair and a completely different aura from their high school days, felt a sense of alienation, especially knowing that Hiromi Jounouchi had a boyfriend now, which made everything seem even more changed.

But she still greeted Hiromi Jounouchi with a big smile: "Hiromi, you've arrived! How could I not come out early when you invited me?"

Hearing this, Hiromi Jounouchi laughed and asked Yuiko Tsuina, "Speaking of which, kitty cat, how have you been lately? Has your health improved?"

"Much better! Ever since I took the medicine you helped me get, I haven't had any pain. The doctors at the hospital said there's no problem." As Yuiko Tsuina replied to Hiromi Jounouchi's question, her smile revealed a touch of happiness: "Thank you, Hiromi. Without you, I could never have received such effective treatment—I might have even died by now!"

"Don't talk about dying. As long as I'm here, I won't let you die," Hiromi Jounouchi instinctively protested out of her professional ethics as a doctor when Yuiko Tsuina spoke of death.

However, as soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them, realizing that she shouldn't be saying things that could cause misunderstandings to Yuiko Tsuina anymore.

True enough, after Hiromi Jounouchi's remark, the look in Yuiko Tsuina's eyes changed.

Feeling somewhat awkward under Yuiko Tsuina's gaze, Hiromi Jounouchi tried to change the subject: "I'm a bit thirsty. Let's order something to drink!"

"Sure! Hiromi, do you still drink the same as before? I remember you always liked oolong tea with honey," Yuiko Tsuina replied, remembering Hiromi Jounouchi's old habits and preferences.

But Hiromi Jounouchi shook her head slightly: "As a doctor who often has to stay up late, I've gotten more used to drinking coffee without sugar."

This admission caused a brief change in Yuiko Tsuina's expression, but she quickly smiled again.

When the waiter brought the beverages they'd ordered, Yuiko Tsuina had already adjusted her mood and asked Hiromi Jounouchi, "So, what brings you back this time?"

"I... am getting married," Hiromi Jounouchi looked at Yuiko Tsuina across from her and revealed the purpose of her visit.

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"I'm getting married, here's the invitation." In the UDI office, Chen Yu, who had come specially, handed over the wedding invitation to Misumi Mikoto and Director Kamikura.

"Professor Chen Yu, you're getting married! Congratulations!" Taking the invitation, Director Kamikura immediately beamed at Chen Yu, and his smile brightened even more when he saw that the wedding venue was the Imperial Hotel: "The wedding is at the Imperial Hotel? They're famous for their hamburgers, you know!"

"Director Kamikura seems to care a lot about good food!" Director Kamikura's words drew a laugh from Chen Yu. Indeed, as the most famous hotel in all Japan, even James Bond once said he liked the Imperial Hotel's laundry service. So naturally, Chen Yu was also looking forward to the wedding banquet, assured of the world-class service and food the hotel would provide.

However, compared to Director Kamikura, Misumi Mikoto had a more typical reaction to the invitation in her hand: "Teacher, your engagement with Doctor Jounouchi is quite a milestone! Congratulations! But aren't you Chinese? Aren't you going to have a wedding in China?"

"Hiromi and I have discussed this issue. We plan to have the wedding here in Japan, and then we'll hold another banquet in China. This way, we can accommodate everyone," explained Chen Yu, something he and Jounouchi Hiromi had decided long ago.

Hearing Chen Yu's explanation, Misumi Mikoto didn't say much, but Director Kamikura seemed intrigued: "A Chinese banquet, huh? I've always wanted to experience authentic Chinese cuisine! It's a pity that it's hard to get genuine Chinese Cuisine in Japan."

"Heh, as far as I know, there are still a couple of places in Japan that offer quite authentic flavors. If Director Kamikura is interested, I can give you the address," Chen Yu understood Director Kamikura's sentiment and, with a smile, actually took a piece of paper, writing down the names and addresses of two Chinese Cuisine restaurants he remembered had authentic taste.

As Chen Yu was writing down the restaurant addresses, Tokairin Yuko edged closer to Misumi Mikoto, glancing at the invitation in her hand and quietly asking, "Mikoto, is Professor Chen Yu really going to marry Doctor Jounouchi? Doesn't that mean you no longer have a chance?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? I never had that kind of intention towards the professor!" Misumi Mikoto hastily knocked Tokairin Yuko, well aware their teacher could hear them even if Tokairin Yuko thought she was speaking sotto voce.

Perhaps at the beginning, Misumi Mikoto did entertain such thoughts, but as time passed, she had long given up on these unrealistic ideas, because she had come to the clear realization that there was no room for a third party between Chen Yu and Hiromi Jounouchi.