The Stand User Of The Daily World

Chapter 129: The Parking Lot Assassin

"Heh, heh heh heh, how amusing. Besides you, Shunsuke, no one else would dare look at me like that."

Kirari naturally saw through Shunsuke's thoughts and let out a cheerful laugh.

Shunsuke couldn't understand these lunatics' way of thinking.

If anyone dared look at him like that, he'd make sure they learned exactly why flowers are so red.

"Well, since you're already here, let the vice president teach you some proper party etiquette."

"No thanks. Just hearing about it sounds like a hassle."

Shunsuke opened the door and left the student council room.

Standing in the hallway, he began to think about what he could do next.

Go back to Mrs. Izumi? No way. That'd just depress him even more.

Find Eriri, Utaha, Yukino, Marin, or Honoka? Nah, they're all in class right now.

And those who were still free at the moment...

"Hiiragi Suzuna, Kaede, Natsuno Kirihime, and Mrs. Sayuri, huh? Hmm, guess I'll ask Suzuna to go see Natsuno Kirihime together."

Shunsuke felt like he didn't know enough people.

Just one class period was enough to block him from seeing so many.

No, that wouldn't do.

He needed to expand his circle—find some reliable older women who could keep him company anytime.

Otherwise, wouldn't times like this just be incredibly dull?

With this in mind, Shunsuke dialed Suzuna's number.

"Nishio... I mean, President, have you forgotten I already switched to your company? I'm not Akiyama-sensei's editor anymore."

Suzuna's tone was filled with resentment.

She had almost convinced Akiyama-sensei, her long-time partner, to go along with the transfer.

But once Akiyama-sensei found out the new employer was Shunsuke, they outright refused, no matter what.

"So this is exactly the time for us to show our sincerity again," Shunsuke shamelessly replied.

"Fair enough. I'll drive to pick you up... Wait a minute, President, shouldn't you be in class right now?"

"Yep, which is why you should come to Hyakkaou Academy and pick me up."

"???"

...

"Nice car, Suzuna! Why haven't I seen you driving it before? Don't tell me you just bought it. Did you embezzle funds as soon as you became editor-in-chief?" Shunsuke teased, eyeing the luxury European car Suzuna had driven over.

Suzuna shot him an annoyed glance. "I've had this car for years. Back when I was just a small-time editor at the publishing house, it didn't feel right to drive it to work. But now that I'm the editor-in-chief and the secretly appointed executive of the company that funded the acquisition, I couldn't care less."

Ah, one of Japanese's twisted workplace norms—the unwritten rule that you can't drive your own car to work.

No one knew exactly when this bizarre rule came about.

Regardless, during scorching summer days when outdoor temperatures soared past 40°C, office workers were still expected to squeeze into crowded trains in full suits and then walk under the blazing sun to their workplace.

It was practically torture, yet everyone conformed.

On the rare occasion someone did drive to work, they wouldn't dare park near the office.

Instead, they'd leave their car far away, making sure no coworkers were around before stepping out.

Then they'd pretend they arrived via train—like a thief sneaking around.

For those who didn't follow these norms? Well, nothing drastic happened.

They'd simply be labeled as "odd" by their coworkers, who'd gossip behind their backs.

To other people, this might seem trivial. But for them, it felt like a public execution-level punishment.

Even the seemingly carefree Shizuka couldn't escape this norm. On the night of the school trip, when she took Hachiman for a spin in her luxury sports car, Hachiman was stunned.

He never would have guessed that Shizuka, who never drove to work, was secretly living the life of a bold, wealthy woman.

It wasn't just Hachiman—Shunsuke had also never seen Shizuka drive to work. In fact, none of the teachers at Sobu High ever drove to school.

Suzuna had been no exception—until now. Now, as the editor-in-chief handpicked by the mysterious investor, she could do whatever she wanted.

If anyone dared to gossip about her, well, if she didn't hear it, fine. But if she did? Heh, they'd regret it.

After driving around near Natsuno's house for several loops, Suzuna finally found a spot in a parking lot.

"Didn't we just pass another parking lot that had open spaces? Why go out of your way to park so far away?"

"Take a closer look at the rates for that lot."

"One hour, 600 yen? That's a bit steep, but it's doable for us... Wait, 600 yen for 10 minutes!?" Shunsuke rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "What the hell? Is this what they call a parking lot assassin? This is outright robbery!"

Sure, he had money, but having money didn't mean he was willing to be blatantly ripped off.

What I give you is yours. What I don't give you, you can't take!

And this parking lot? It was clearly the robbery kind.

"Who owns this land? I think I need to have a nice little chat with the owner."

"Alright, alright, President. Let's not make trouble and just go," Suzuna said, pulling on Shunsuke's arm. "At least they're letting people park. They could've just robbed you outright. I'm practically in tears over their mercy."

"Suzuna, I feel like you're not respecting me enough."

"Fine, fine. Tonight, I'll wear a reverse bunny girl outfit and play puppy games with you outside, okay?"

"I feel like, given our relationship, we don't need to be so formal. Things are fine the way they are now."

When they arrived at the entrance of the luxury apartment building where Natsuno lived, Shunsuke glanced around and asked, "Why not set me up with a place here too?"

"Unless you're offering three times the market price, I doubt anyone living here would be willing to sell."

Suzuna pressed the doorbell. After a moment, the door opened, revealing a petite, pale beauty wearing a black, edgy coat that screamed "chuunibyou," even at home.

She was Natsuno, and judging by the black-rimmed glasses perched on her nose—almost glowing with a timeless aura—she'd likely just stepped away from her writing.

Unlike their last meeting, Natsuno now exuded an air of intelligence and gentleness, a calm sophistication radiating from her entire being.

"I was just struck with inspiration and writing with abandon, and now here you two pests show up to ruin it. How unpleasant," she said.

Unfortunately, that serene demeanor shattered the next second.

Natsuno toyed with a pair of scissors in her hand, her tone dripping with irritation, as if she might actually stab someone in the next moment.

Shunsuke could somewhat empathize.

It was like being constipated for three days and finally finding relief, only to have someone interrupt you halfway through.

It's the kind of frustration that could genuinely make someone homicidal.

Even if it were your parents interrupting, a few repeat offenses would make anyone snap, ruining your mood for the whole day and obliterating any inspiration.

But still, he couldn't help but feel annoyed.

Seriously, why can't black-haired heroines in this world be a bit gentler? Golden-haired heroines are so much better.

The delicate excitement he'd felt just moments ago completely vanished.

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