The ramen shop was not big. At an empty table, a woman in a kimono sat elegantly, with an oval face and fair skin.
Her brown hair was neatly pinned up, her face had light makeup, and her narrow, upturned eyes carried an alluring charm.
She looked quite young on the outside, but her mature demeanor made it hard to guess her true age.
It was Heiji's mother, Hattori Shizuka.
"Mrs. Hattori, what a coincidence. I didn't expect to see you in Asahikawa."
Hattori Shizuka, who was sitting at the table waiting for her ramen, also looked at Toru in astonishment and said in surprise, "It really is a coincidence to see Fujiwara-kun at a ramen shop in Asahikawa."
"And Ms. Ooka, and this... I remember, Ms. Hayasaka?"
Shizuka's posture was elegant. Even though she had only met Hayasaka once, she still remembered her name.
With just a few words, the beautiful woman instantly made people feel good about her.
"Ms. Ikenami, I really didn't expect to see you in Asahikawa!"
Momiji looked both surprised and delighted. She quickly walked two steps to Hattori Shizuka and bowed in greeting.
Ikenami Shizuka. This was Hattori Shizuka's name before she got married.
"Ikenami... It really has been a long time since anyone called me that. I was a little slow to react for a moment."
"Is Ms. Ooka on a date with Fujiwara-kun?"
Shizuka's charming, beautiful eyes moved back and forth between Toru and Momiji, her slightly curved lips carrying the teasing implication of an elder.
Momiji was not shy at all. She said generously, "Mm, I invited Toru-kun to come to Hokkaido for a trip."
"Ms. Ikenami... Mrs. Hattori, just call me by my name. There's no need to use my surname."
Toru also smiled and said, "You can just call me by my given name too."
Hayasaka bowed. She stood behind Toru and did not speak.
Hayasaka was not familiar with Hattori Shizuka. She did not even really know her, only that she was the wife of the Osaka Police Superintendent.
"Then, Momiji, Toru-kun, why don't we sit down and have lunch together? It's on me."
Shizuka smiled slightly, her demeanor noble and gentle.
Toru and the others joined her table and sat down.
"The miso ramen here has an excellent reputation, but Asahikawa is a small place, so not many people know about it. I presume someone introduced you to this place, right?"
"Since you're here, you must try their signature dish."
Shizuka warmly greeted Toru and the others.
"Does Mrs. Hattori come to Hokkaido often?"
Toru asked curiously.
"Not often, but I occasionally come here to ski. I found this ramen shop by chance. The taste suits me very well, so every time I come to Asahikawa, I have to come and have a bowl."
Shizuka's tone was gentle. "Last time, Toru-kun saved Heiji. I kept saying that I wanted to visit and thank you, but due to certain political reasons, it isn't convenient for me to go directly to the Fujiwara family. I hope Toru-kun doesn't mind."
The Hattori family did not take sides, so it was not convenient for Hattori Shizuka to visit the Fujiwara family directly. It could easily send a signal to others and cause trouble for the Hattori family.
"Mrs. Hattori, you're too kind. Saving people is what should be done, and I didn't do it for anyone's gratitude. By the way, did you come to Hokkaido by yourself? You didn't come with friends?"
Toru found it a bit strange that Shizuka was here alone.
Generally, women of this age rarely traveled alone. They usually brought close friends with them.
"Actually, I came to Hokkaido with Heiji for a kendo competition."
"The competition venue is in Hakodate, but the child is grown up now and doesn't like being with his parents. Heiji is currently competing in Hakodate, so I came out to have some fun by myself."
"Ah, that child Heiji always makes people worry. If he had even a little of Toru-kun's ability, I would be so grateful."
Shizuka said this with a headache, while also politely praising Toru a few times.
Both she and Heiji's father hoped that Heiji could get into the Faculty of Law at Tokyo University. Even if he could not, he should at least study at a school related to law.
Once he graduated, he could directly enter the Osaka Police Department and pursue a career as a police officer.
However, Heiji's grades were average, and he liked being a detective. He also looked down on the career path of a police officer, which gave Shizuka quite a headache.
"Hattori is still a high school student. After a few years, when he goes to college or enters society, he will understand your painstaking efforts, Mrs. Hattori."
"Hearing Toru-kun say that makes me even more despairing about that child. He really should spend more time with you, Toru-kun, and learn more from you, instead of calling that Kudo Shinichi every day."
Shizuka complained a few times, but she inadvertently revealed her true purpose in her words.
That was to have Heiji interact more with Toru.
Whether it was Toru's family background or ability, being on good terms with him would be of great benefit to Heiji's future.
This Mrs. Hattori was also not someone to be underestimated. Amid the casual conversation, she mixed in some of her personal goals.
It could only be said that for her child, Mrs. Hattori truly worried herself sick.
Toru understood what Shizuka meant, but he pretended not to know.
Sometimes it was better to act ignorant. Besides, Mrs. Hattori had no ill intentions. It was just human nature.
While they were talking, the owner of the ramen shop served ramen to the group.
Under Mrs. Hattori's warm hospitality, the group enjoyed the miso ramen.
During the meal, Momiji excitedly chatted with Shizuka, her face full of admiration.
Because Hattori Shizuka was the former Karuta Queen, she was the object of Momiji's admiration.
"What Karuta Queen? That's all in the past. I haven't played karuta for a long time."
"I watched your last competition in Kyoto all the way through. I think the future Karuta Queen should be you, Momiji."
Shizuka covered her lips and smiled elegantly. Her praise made Momiji excited, but also shy and embarrassed.
Looking at the stunningly beautiful and noble young girl in front of her, Shizuka also sighed inwardly.
She liked Momiji very much. Although her personality was proud, she was not arrogant, and she liked karuta just like herself. Her family background was also impeccable.
If only Heiji could find a girlfriend like this.
Unfortunately, Momiji already had someone in her heart. As for the boy she liked, Heiji really could not compare to him.
Shizuka's eyes inadvertently glanced toward Toru.
The Hattori family also knew about the Fujiwara and Shinomiya families breaking off their engagement.
Now it seemed the Fujiwara family was preparing for a strong alliance with the Ooka family. By then, the Kansai region would truly be completely dominated by the Fujiwara family and the Ooka family.
Perhaps she should also suggest to her husband that sometimes, when one should make a visit, one should make a visit. Besides, Toru's father was her husband's direct superior.
"Since Mrs. Hattori is by herself, how about we go sightseeing together?"
Toru invited her.
Facing her idol, Momiji also nodded repeatedly. "I also booked a private hot spring. Mrs. Hattori, let's go to the hot spring together tonight."
Shizuka also became interested. "I won't be disturbing you two young people on your date, will I?"
"What's there to disturb? It's livelier with everyone together. Besides, Mrs. Hattori also looks young. Walking with us makes us look like peers."
Toru said this with a smile.
"Oh my, Toru-kun has such a sweet mouth."
Shizuka beamed at Toru's words. She was also quite confident in her appearance.
(To be continued.)