21st Century Necromancer
Chapter 817 - 813: In the Laboratory

There will naturally be no problem when conducting experiments in the laboratory.

Chen Yu and Inomata Naoki finished eating their bread and enthusiastically plunged back into their work.

Watching the two engrossed in their tasks, Kohinata Kaori pulled up a chair nearby and sat down. Just like in the past, she watched the two of them work, a soft, lingering smile on her face, as though she could never tire of this scene.

Back then, she enjoyed watching Chen Yu and Inomata Naoki doing experiments together. Now, it was still the same two people, but the feelings had long since changed.

Perhaps back in her school days, Kohinata Kaori had a fleeting affection for either Chen Yu or Inomata Naoki. But after so many years, both Chen Yu and Inomata Naoki had found their respective life partners, and the faint emotion that had existed but never blossomed in Kohinata Kaori's heart had naturally drifted away with time.

Now, Kohinata Kaori's feelings toward Chen Yu and Inomata Naoki were those of camaraderie and brotherhood. She regarded them as her closest brothers and friends.

Regarding Chen Yu, Kohinata Kaori harbored deep admiration. From the very beginning, she had felt that Chen Yu was an extraordinary person, and had even wondered about what kind of individual could possibly deserve him.

Only after witnessing the enviable marital bond between Chen Yu and Hiromi Jounouchi did she come to understand that matters of the heart aren't about "deserving" someone—they're simply about whether you like each other.

What's more, the relationship between Chen Yu and Hiromi Jounouchi could easily be described as a match made in heaven. Not only were they harmonious as a couple, but both had achieved admirable accomplishments in their careers. Now, with the addition of a child, it was hard to imagine a couple more enviable than theirs.

That said, Kohinata Kaori felt envy when it came to Chen Yu's relationship, but she was filled with worry when it came to Inomata Naoki and Tokairin Yuko.

As someone who used to chase after Inomata Naoki yelling "Second Senior Brother," Kaori knew him well and understood her senior brother's personality deeply.

On the surface, everything seemed fine between Inomata Naoki and Tokairin Yuko. He had come to Tokyo and even moved into Tokairin Yuko's home. Their relationship appeared quite steady, just shy of transitioning into marriage naturally.

However, in reality, even the slightest unexpected event could disrupt or even destroy such seemingly stable feelings.

If everything proceeded smoothly, there wouldn't be much to worry about. But reality often deviates from people's expectations, and Kohinata Kaori was acutely aware that Minami had feelings for Inomata Naoki.

Though Minami had expressed indifference and put on an attitude of not wanting to interfere in someone else's relationship, Kohinata Kaori still felt uneasy about the situation.

What if Minami suddenly changed her mind? What if Inomata Naoki developed feelings for Minami?

These possibilities couldn't be ruled out, and Kohinata Kaori couldn't help but worry.

Even if Inomata Naoki were to end up with Minami, Kohinata Kaori would still offer her blessings to the two of them. Yet, deep down, she sincerely hoped her friends wouldn't disrupt her senior brother's relationship. Even if Minami truly loved Inomata Naoki, Kohinata Kaori couldn't agree with such an outcome.

These concerns, however, were ones Kohinata Kaori couldn't voice. After all, they were merely her worries, and Minami had shown no intention of acting on them.

At this stage, this issue existed only between Minami and Kohinata Kaori. The bond between Inomata Naoki and Tokairin Yuko remained intact. If Kohinata Kaori were to expose this matter, it would truly render the situation irreparable.

So Kohinata Kaori could only bury these thoughts deep within her heart, pretending as if nothing had ever happened.

As Kohinata Kaori mused over these random thoughts, time slipped away quickly. While all the researchers remained busy, a closer look revealed that many had already finished their tasks and were now idling, waiting for Chen Yu to leave so they could clock out and go home.

Although everyone willingly worked overtime for the sake of their ideals and prestige, those who voluntarily worked through the night were few. Once their duties were done, most people simply wanted to return home.

Yet no one dared leave while the professor, their leader, was still there.

Leaving work before your leader? Did they want to throw away their jobs?

However, Chen Yu showed no intention of leaving the lab. At that moment, he was working with Inomata Naoki on cultivating tumor cell samples, preparing for another comparative experiment.

Perhaps sensing the mood of the others, Kohinata Kaori approached Chen Yu and whispered to him, "Senior Brother, don't you think you should let those who've finished their tasks go home first? Everyone's waiting for you to leave first!"

Given Kaori's remark, Chen Yu naturally perceived the emotions of the other lab members.

Feeling faintly amused, he shook his head helplessly. But Chen Yu wasn't the type to deliberately keep people staying late, so he raised his voice, loud enough for everyone to hear, and said, "Those who've finished their tasks can leave first."

Upon hearing Chen Yu's words, many displayed joyful expressions. After hesitating briefly, they began packing up under the lead of a few bolder individuals.

Watching the researchers grab their belongings and leave, Chen Yu turned to Inomata Naoki and quipped, "These young folks—where's the drive we had back in the day? All they care about is clocking out."

"They're just working for a paycheck. Back in our day, we were driven by our research," Inomata Naoki replied empathetically, followed by a jab, "Also, Brother Yu, calling them 'young folks' makes you sound old. You're only a few years older than them, aren't you?"

"Haha! It's just that sitting in this professor's position has made me unconsciously feel older," Chen Yu burst out laughing.

In the lab, no one else dared to talk to Chen Yu like this—he was, after all, the star professor of the moment. And the other professors, already older, wouldn't banter like this anymore.

So now, only Inomata Naoki could joke around so casually with him, which naturally brightened Chen Yu's mood.

Seeing Chen Yu and Inomata Naoki joking around, Kohinata Kaori couldn't help but tease them, "Who else but the two of you would spend twenty-four hours a day practically living in the lab, not even stepping out for meals?"

"Isn't that how research gets done? Without total immersion, how would you get results?" Chen Yu's expression became briefly sarcastic and playful, but he returned to his usual cheerful demeanor, suggesting, "Ah, but that fried noodle bread just now wasn't very filling. How about we grab some late-night snacks? My treat!"