hapter 157 Collateral Mischief-2
Chapter 157: Collateral Mischief-2
Claim
Harper groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Kenji, that ‘face’ you’re talking about belongs to
Ashcroft. The last person on earth I want anywhere near me right now.”
He tilted his head, feigning thought. “Mmm… you sure about that? Because the way you yelled ‘No!
Of course not!’ sounded like a little too much conviction.”
Her eyes widened, mortified. “Oh my God, you’re insufferable.”
Kenji grinned wider, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. “You like him.”
“I do not!” she snapped instantly, voice pitching higher than intended.
He laughed so hard he nearly fell off the couch. “Wow, defensive much?”
“Kenji-”
“Don’t worry,” he cut in, feigning innocence. “I won’t tell Dad.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’d better not.”
Kenji tilted his head with a teasing smile. “Depends. What’s in it for me?”
Harper glared daggers at him, but her lips twitched despite herself. “Kenji, I swear, if you breathe a
word-”
He lifted a finger. “You’ll tell Mom about summer camp, I know,” he said, chuckling. “You’ve been holding that over me for five years.”
“Because it works,” Harper shot back, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
She leaned forward, narrowing her eyes, a slow, wicked smirk curling her lips. “And I’ll also tell Mom about-” she tilted her head thoughtfully, as if savoring the memory, “-the magazine she
found under your bed.”
Kenji groaned. “Oh, come on-”
“-the girl you cried over in sophomore year. What was her name again? Mika, right?” Harper
added, eyes glinting with delight.
“Oh… and don’t forget the time you stole Dad’s car for midnight boba,” she continued, voice dripping with faux innocence.
Kenji winced. “That was one time!”
Harper’s eyebrow shot up, her grin going wicked. “And we absolutely can’t forget your shodo
15
DOIG
O
Chapter 157 Collateral Mischief-2
–
disaster what a train wreck. I had to secretly video call your principal to wrangle a make-up
Churn
project so you could pass. You owe me big time. Wait until Mom and Dad hear about this – you’re
so dead.”
Kenji froze, eyes wide. “You wouldn’t.”
Her grin widened, sharp and merciless. “Try me.”
Kenji pouted, shoulders slumping in mock surrender, shaking his head. “Fine, fine. Truce… for now. But shouldn’t you be more worried about finding that cure than about your boyfriend showing up-?
“He’s not my-!” Harper groaned, cutting herself off before she could give him more ammo. Forget it. I’m focusing on the cure. That’s what matters.”
Kenji smirked, glancing out the window as their car pulled into the Takahashi estate. “Sure. Whatever helps you sleep tonight, Ane.”
Harper muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest. “I’ll sleep just fine, thank you very much!”
Kenji grinned, clearly unconvinced. “Sure you will,” he said, stretching lazily against the seat. “You’ll toss and turn, replaying every word that man said-probably dream about him lecturing you in that bossy tone of his.”
Harper shot him a murderous look. “You’re delusional.”
“Am I?” he asked innocently, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Because I saw the look on your face, Ane. That wasn’t anger. That was panic-and maybe a little something else.”
Her jaw dropped. “Excuse me?!”
Kenji only smirked, glancing out the window as the city lights streaked by. “Just saying… if this Ashcroft guy really shows up, you might want to prepare your heart along with your lab.”
Harper groaned, slumping back in her seat. “I’m going to poison your coffee tomorrow,” she
muttered, half-threat, half-joke.
Kenji just laughed. “Hey Anko-be honest. Is my sister dating that guy?”
Anko, sitting stiffly in the front seat, had been quietly observing the siblings’ banter in silence. He didn’t look up at first, his gaze steady on the road ahead. After a moment, he shifted slightly, fingers lacing together, and finally gave a small, careful shrug.
“Mōshiwake arimasen ga, watashi wa jōshi no kojin-tekina kotogara ni wa kan’yō shimasen,” he said evenly. (“My apologies, but I don’t involve myself in my employer’s personal matters.”)
15
OOG
|||
O
୮
Chapter 157 Collateral Mischief-2
Claim
Kenji groaned, throwing his head back dramatically. “A~a! Anko wa tsumaranai ne! Anko!” (“Ugh, Anko, you’re no fun! Come on!”)
Anko’s only response was a faint, almost imperceptible twitch of his lips-so subtle it could’ve been a trick of the light.
His mouth tightened-caught between professional restraint and the awkwardness of being dragged into sibling drama. He kept his eyes on the road, hands folded on his knee, voice low and measured. “Mōshiwake arimasen, Kenji-sama.”
(“My apologies, Young Master Kenji.”)
Harper’s eyes flashed at her brother. “Drop it, or I’ll drop you off-push you out of this moving car.”
She jabbed a finger at him for emphasis, then immediately huffed and covered her face when Kenji
whooped with glee.
Kenji threw his hands up in mock surrender, grin wide and dimples on full display. “Truce! Truce!”
he crowed, still laughing as Harper pretended to glare him down. The tension broke into a ripple of laughter, the moment as ridiculous as it was affectionate.
Anko’s stoicism cracked for the smallest beat-a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth, the ghost
of a smile that vanished before anyone could claim it. He returned to watching the road, the
silence now more companionable than tense.
Harper turned her face to the window. The city lights smeared past in streaks of orange and white,
and despite herself, a faint, reluctant smile tugged at her lips. Beside her, Kenji’s laughter had
softened into quiet, contented breathing; Anko’s presence remained steady, silent, almost
protective.
For a moment, the car hummed with ordinary life again-teasing siblings, exasperated sighs, small, fleeting moments that made the world feel less like a battlefield and more like home.
Comments
LUCK DRAW >
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.