ALL NOVEL Chapter 57: Chapter 52
This meal cost Akira 90,000 yen. He felt a pang of distress—Tokoyami Koji was truly a seafood expert who could eat endlessly.
However, Akira gained a clearer understanding of the underground Heroes. After bidding farewell to Tokoyami, Akira took a car home.
When he opened the door, he saw Yaoyorozu Rei lounging on the couch, munching on potato chips while watching a drama. She seemed completely unaffected by the events of yesterday, as if nothing had happened.
"Is it enough? If not, I'll get more," Akira said with a smile as he walked in.
Rei noticed Akira and beamed. "Enough is enough! With the Fujiwara Convenience Store being rebuilt, you don't even have a salary right now. How can you afford to buy me so many snacks?"
Akira sat on the sofa, watching her happily curl up on the bed with her knees drawn up, immersed in the show.
"We'll have plenty of money soon," Akira said casually. Seeing Rei happy made him feel content. Money wouldn't be a problem for him.
Rei offered him a chip, smiling. "Why?"
"That's my secret," Akira chuckled.
"A secret?" Rei leaned closer, narrowing her eyes. "You're keeping secrets from me now?"
"Haha, of course not!" Akira said, laughing. "Don't worry, the money's legit."
Naturally, Akira didn't mention his underground boxing matches. He also didn't share that he bet 50,000 yen on the Barbarian Mountain's victory over Cannonball earlier that day. He had good instincts and trusted his judgment.
If Akira played his cards right, he could turn this into a fortune without even fighting. When his funds grew, he could bet larger amounts and earn massive returns. He even envisioned a future where he lived in a big house, with Tokoyami acting as his representative, handling errands on his behalf.
Rei knocked him on the head playfully. "What are you grinning about?"
"Just thinking about good things!" Akira replied. He checked the time. It was past 11 p.m. "It's late, Rei. You should get some sleep. Rest well to recover."
Rei stood up, but then paused, realizing there was only one bed.
Akira noticed her hesitation and smiled. "You take the bed, and I'll sleep on the sofa."
"How could I let you do that?" Rei hesitated, then added, "It's fine; you can sleep here. We can share."
"Share...?" Akira froze, then quickly shook his head. "Nope, nope! I prefer the sofa. Please, don't insist."
In the end, Rei couldn't argue and went to bed. Once she fell asleep, Akira began his nightly training. He felt that the third level of Qi training was within reach.
By dawn, Rei stirred awake and saw Akira sitting cross-legged on the sofa, exactly as he had been the day she was hospitalized.
"Akira?" she called softly.
Snapping out of his meditation, Akira smiled at her. "You're up early. Why not sleep a little longer?"
Rei looked at him in shock. "Did you sit like that all night? Didn't you sleep at all?"
She couldn't believe it. Sitting cross-legged all night without dozing off seemed impossible.
Knowing that some things couldn't remain hidden, Akira decided to explain. "I'm practicing a type of energy cultivation," he said. "It strengthens the body by absorbing energy from the air. It's perfectly fine."
Rei frowned skeptically. "Cultivation? You're making that up."
"Sister Rei, you're a university student! Don't insult my intelligence," Akira laughed, diffusing the tension.
Rei hesitated, then asked, "Was it you who saved me that night?"
Akira paused, then admitted calmly, "Yes. That's why I said cultivation has its benefits—it helps in dangerous situations."
Tears welled up in Rei's eyes. She felt overwhelmed. Her parents never cared about her or even asked if she needed help. Since her brother's death, they had abandoned her entirely, leaving the country to pursue their own lives abroad.
Yet Akira, who wasn't even her blood relative, treated her like family. He was always there for her.
Unable to hold back, Rei flung herself into Akira's arms, crying her heart out. Akira froze, feeling her warm embrace and soft form. Clearing his mind, he patted her back gently, letting her release all her emotions.
Minutes passed, and the warmth of the moment made time feel frozen.
When Rei finally pulled away, she wiped her tears and thanked Akira. Embarrassed, she ran to the bathroom to wash her face. Staring at her swollen, tear-streaked face in the mirror, she sighed.
Even without makeup, Rei's natural beauty shone through. She was one of those people who looked flawless without effort.
Her tears marked a turning point. Rei felt reborn, filled with hope for the future. She was ready to leave her past behind and move forward with new resolve.