Whereas Hanagaki Akari's loyalty was torn between her love for her beloved king and her friendship with the king's strongest adversary.
Who will she choose?
Sequel to The Boss Queen.
Read the first book to understand the story better since this is...
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PRESENT TIMELINE. February 2007.
"Hm... I see... Alright... Sure... I'll be there..."
Akari was sitting comfortably on the sofa in the living room while watching an episode of Doraemon on the TV when she heard her boyfriend talking to someone over the phone outside of the balcony.
"Who is that?" she curiously asked the moment he was done with the phone call and stepped inside. Her face was stuffed with taiyaki.
Izana went to sit next to her. "It's Kisaki. We'll meet up the day after tomorrow."
She frowned in displeasure upon hearing that guy's name. "Again? You've been seeing him awfully a lot these past few days," she pointed out candidly. To be honest, she didn't want her boyfriend to be associated with someone like him. "Is there a problem?"
"Yeah, something like that," the tanned male replied briefly but didn't elaborate on the details.
Akari only hummed softly and nodded her head. "Can I go with you, then? I'm also planning to visit Auntie Chiako."
"Sure. But this time, I'm using my bike. I don't want to ride on that train anymore, understood?"
Her lips protruded into a cute pout. "Fine. Just don't drive so fast, okay?" When he didn't reply, she smacked his arm. "Hey, I mean it!"
Izana let out a boyish laugh and ruffled his girlfriend's hair. "I'm just kidding, shrimp." Then, he snaked his arm around her waist and tugged her closer to him. "How about you give me a kiss? Hm?" he cooed playfully, his eyes glinting with mischief. "And perhaps, I'll try my best to drive slowly, just for you."
Heat spread across the girl's cheeks. "Quiet, you. You are always looking for a chance, do you?" she scoffed.
His lips curled up into a whimsical grin. "Maybe, yes. Maybe, no."
Akari rolled her eyeballs at his deviousness and heaved a defeated sigh. "Fine. Only this once, okay?" She closed her eyes and leaned her face toward him. "Make it fast."
Izana only chuckled at her forced demand. He cupped her flushed cheek and slowly drew his face closer to her, their lips almost touching.
Only to be interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing.
Akari shot her eyes open and whipped her head toward the coffee table. "Wait, Iza. My phone's ringing. I need to answer it first," she said and gently pushed him away from her.
Izana merely clicked his tongue in annoyance. He had no choice but to move back and reclined in his seat. He could only watch the girl grab her phone from the top of the coffee table and flip it open.
Her face perked up to see who the caller was. "Oh, it's my cousin." She was quick to answer the call. "Hello, Take-chan? Wassup?"
