"It was just a small favor."
"Maybe to Kurumizaka-kun it really was a trivial matter, but I can't think of it that way~"
Soyo clasped her hands together, her beautiful brows and eyes curved into crescent moons, "Gratitude is still gratitude. Hmm I think there's an old saying from your country, something like: 'Don't forget small favors,' right?"
"Actually, it's: 'Do not refrain from doing a small good deed.'"
Kaito corrected her mistake, "It comes from Records of the Three Kingdoms, Biography of the First Sovereign. It was the dying words of Emperor."
"Sorry, I got it wrong."
The girl bit her lip in slight embarrassment, but quickly put on perfectly-timed sparkly eyes, "But Kurumizaka-kun even knows such obscure knowledge! That's really amazing!"
Master of tea artsthis is the art of praise.
Soyo's history grades were pretty good, so of course she knew this reference too. But being too smart only creates distance.
A little feigned ignorance actually helps human interactions.
Especially when it's a pretty girl looking up in admiration, this always triggers a boy's pride and satisfaction.
Mm... at least that's what shoujo manga says.
Soyo was a girl with strong drive. She would go all out for a goal. Just like back when she learned of Sakiko's whereabouts, she immediately went for a solo offline match, and after being cut down by little Sakiko, she delivered that shocking kneel on Asuka Mountain, leaving behind an unskippable monument in the history of Band Club arcs.
Now was no exception. Since she had already confirmed her feelings, of course she had to make a move early.
Standing on the edge of the balcony, in front of her was Tokyo's brightly lit night view. The dazzling neon lights flickered endlessly, illuminating the busy figures inside the office buildings, and also lighting up the pale profile of the girl beside him. Her brown hair gently swayed in the night breeze, adding several layers of quiet beauty to Soyo.
"About that last time, I still haven't properly thanked Kurumizaka-kun," She spoke softly, still looking out toward the distant nightscape. In those sapphire blue eyes, flickered a captivating glint of rainbow light.
"You've already thanked me many times."
Soyo smiled. It was a light, shallow smile, "It's all just words. Doesn't Kurumizaka-kun feel like it's insincere?"
Kaito thought for a moment, "Then a special offer of five million yen?"
"Sure~", Soyo lightly tapped her cherry lips with a finger and smile, "Actually, you could offer more too. How about ten million yen? If that's not enough, I can add more~"
Mrs. Nagasaki had always felt guilty about not being able to spend more time with her daughter, so she was quite generous materially.
Soyo received about two to three million yen in pocket money every month. She didn't really have any expensive hobbies, and her personality was very thrifty. Most of her allowance had been saved.
After all this time, even she didn't know exactly how much she had saved, but it was definitely tens of millions.
"So generous?"
Kaito raised an eyebrow, 'Should I say, truly mother and daughter? Even their straightforward personalities are inherited down the line.'
"It's just some external belongings. To me, it's still far from enough to express my gratitude," Soyo brushed aside a strand of hair by her ear. Her long lashes curled up like butterfly wings touched by morning dew in spring.
'Kurumizaka-kun, you probably don't know, right?'
'Actually, after that day's farewell, I was very scared.'
'Being possessed by a ghost. Something I had only seen in movies, actually happened to me in real life.'
'That feeling of becoming a marionette was truly unbearable. If it weren't for Kurumizaka-kun entering that music classroom in time, I would definitely have been badly harmed under Mizusaki-senpai's possession. Even if I miraculously survived, I'd have likely fallen seriously ill.'
Soyo didn't dare imagine. If her working mother were to hear bad news of her being gravely ill, how devastated she would be.
But the fear didn't stop there.
Since a grounded spirit like Mizusaki existed in this world, then other types of ghosts must also exist. That's a very simple deduction.
That night, Soyo suffered rare insomnia. Every time she closed her eyes, she would see terrifying figures baring fangs and claws, rushing toward her eagerly.
It continued until she reached for her phone and happened to see that cute ragdoll cat avatar among her contacts.
And then, her panicked heart magically calmed down.
Soyo had lost her father at a very young age. Throughout her growth, the "fatherly love" role had been absent.
But in that dusk-tinged evening, in Kurumizaka-kun's embrace, she experienced for the first time a sense of calm and reliability, like that of a father.
'Luckily, there's you.'
'Luckily, it was you.'
Even if he did nothing, just silently looking at their brief chat history, those ordinary exchanges, was enough to settle her panicked heart, letting her close her eyes and fall asleep.
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Chapter 61: Ciallo( )
The trope of a hero saving a beauty, though old-fashioned, but for unfamiliar members of the opposite sex, it is indeed one of the fastest ways to close the distance.
Especially when the man is good-looking, the effect is extraordinary.
"So", Soyo slightly raised the corners of her lips, "Whether it's ten million, twenty million, or even more."
"As long as it's a request from you, Kaito-kun, I'm willing to do anything."
The wind stirred across the four seas, under the flowing moonlight, her azure pupils resembled fireflies glimmering at midnight.
Soyo didn't take advantage of the victory to press forward.
She had spent too little time with Kaito, and the favor she had built up was not enough.
Pursuing the boy she liked was a long and meticulous endeavor that required patience.
Soyo still remembered her friends once seriously saying: a confession is the triumph song after victory, not the horn of charge.
Without being fully prepared, rashly confessing would only make the relationship slide into worse territory. If it failed, they might not even remain friends.
So she very naturally passed over that topic, then used the excuse that it was too late to invite Kaito to stay overnight.
"There's no need to stay overnight."
After all, he had already made plans with Yumiko and the others to travel to Hoori Town during Golden Week.
And tomorrow was the first of May, the start of the Golden Week holiday.
Even though the invitation was tactfully declined, Soyo wasn't discouraged. She simply bit her lip gently and said with a slightly troubled expression, "But, I really want to find a time to repay Kaito-kun's kindness. At the very least let me treat you to a meal?"
"But I just ate the dinner you made earlier."
"That's different."
Soyo gently shook her head, "That was due to an invitation from Mom, not my own repayment."
Kaito thought for a moment, then didn't refuse again, and just honestly said, "Recently, I might not have much free time."
Soyo didn't press the issue, cupped her hands at her chest, and said with a gentle smile, "As long as you give me a chance to repay you, it's enough. Even if I have to wait a few more days, it's no problem."
"Then let's set it for May 6th."
Kaito's travel plan was five days and four nights. After all, Hoori Town wasn't very big; just a simple stroll was enough. Departing on May 1st and leaving on May 5th would still leave a few days of vacation left for free use.
"Then pinky promise?", Soyo extended a slender pinky finger, playfully hooking it, "It's not that I don't trust Kaito-kun, it's just for the sense of ritual, sense of ritual~"
The pinky-promise that "breaking it means hanging for a hundred years," may seem childish to elementary schoolers, but to a female college student, it was just right.
Kaito didn't think much about it either and likewise extended his finger to hook with hers. The two pinky fingers intertwined like entangled spirit snakes, thumbs pressed together like a seal, signaling that the promise had been made.
Soyo's pretty face slightly reddened.
The last time she was possessed by Mizusaki, she had more intimate contact with Kaito, interlocking ten fingers like a couple.
But that kind of experience didn't last long. The two separated quickly, leaving the girl quite disappointed.
All this time, Soyo had been constantly reminiscing about that enchanting warmth.
Now, it finally felt like she had recovered what was lost.
Even if it was just a simple skin-to-skin contact again, it was like parched earth welcoming a rainbow, a thirsty traveler finding an oasis, every cell in her body radiated joy, craving more.
"Pinky promise, one hundred years, no change~"
The girl used great willpower to suppress the impulse within, her voice sweet and clear like the gentle March wind.
[The Next Day, Early Morning]
Hoori Town was about two hundred kilometers from Tokyo. If a high-speed rail were available, the distance would be no big deal.
Unfortunately, the town played the charm of an old-time aesthetic. People's lifestyles remained traditional, like a Peach Blossom Spring detached from the world. Most residents still lived a simple life of returning home at sunset.
Plus, traveling while enjoying the scenery along the way was a form of entertainment, so the final transportation method was decided to be a bus.
There were still thirty minutes before the appointed time, but many people had already arrived at the gathering place.
Even when traveling, Bocchi still wore her pink tracksuit, together with Nijika, who carried many bags, and Kita, who had changed into a blue dress and looked like a proper lady.
And then there was Miura Yumiko, who was clearly dressed up and looked radiant.
Compared to these girls who arrived early, Kaito was actually the last to show up.
But no one minded such a small thing. Sleepy-headed Nijika and Ryo, who was secretly yawning, all perked up upon seeing the handsome boy who looked like he came straight from a painting.
"Kaito-kun, Ciallo( )", The most energetic Kita greeted him first. Thanks to the dress change, her ladylike vibe was gone, and she instead seemed like a lively sunshine girl.
"Good morning," Kaito nodded to her, feeling a bit strange inside, 'Ciallo? Is this kind of greeting used in Japanese?'
"Hehe," The considerate, socially adept Kita explained warmly, drawing a subconscious retort from Nijika, "Seriously? Why have I never heard anyone say that before?"
"Well then, the answer is already obvious."
Beside her, Ryo solemnly said, "Nijika, you're actually a young boy, aren't you!"
Smack!
'Ryo, every time I want to give you a shred of respect, you open your mouth.'
Nijika angrily pulled her fist back, noticing the others' eyes drawn by the commotion. She awkwardly put her hands behind her back, "Sorry, that was rude of me"
Should've noted this debt and secretly taught Ryo a lesson once they checked into the inn tonight.
'Ugh what if Kaito-kun misunderstands me as a violent girl?'
[T/N: I am not using Kurumizaka anymore, will just use kaito everywhere]
Kaito didn't think much of it. In fact, he found it quite amusing.
Watching youthful girls bicker felt like listening to a comedy skit.
Not saying much more about that, he turned his eyes toward Bocchi, the little social-phobic girl with pale skin, making her dark circles even more noticeable.
Seeing her constantly yawning with eyes she could barely open
'Did she not sleep at all last night?'
"Bocchi, didn't get enough rest?"
"Ah!", Bocchi jolted, the little social-phobe stood at attention, "I-I-I I'm fine! Please don't worry, Kaito-kun!"
'You really don't look fine right now, it feels like a gust of wind can blow you over.'
'Could it be that, because it is her first time traveling with friends, she got too excited and ended up tossing and turning all night?'
Kaito figured that was probably the most likely reason.
And indeed it was. For Bocchi, who usually could only swap lunchboxes with her teacher, going on a long-distance trip with friends, just thinking about it kept her too nervous to sleep.
Barely enduring until the early morning, she finally got a little sleepy, but before long, it was already time to get up.
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Chapter 62: When the Kitty Gets Hungry, It Will Pick Up Trash and Eat It on Its Own
"Since everyone's already gathered, let's head out," Kaito didn't mind. Since he hadn't gotten much sleep last night, he figured he could catch up on sleep on the bus later.
He did a headcount. All four members of the band were present, and including himself and Yumiko, that made six people as expectedno more, no less.
Originally, he had planned to bring along his secretary, Sakiko, for a fun outing too, but the girl had been invited to stay over at Mori Minami's house for a few days and couldn't get away.
The only slight issue was with Kirara at home, but the kitty was very understanding. Yesterday, it had meowed at him for quite a while, and after Kaito "translated," the general meaning was as follows, 'Boss, have fun with your women outside, nya~ Don't worry about meow~'
'If kitty gets hungry, it'll pick up trash and eat it! It's super tasty, nya!'
'Love you the most, boss~'
The kitty's so understanding. Doesn't give its owner any trouble. What a good kitty!
And the owner even remembered to say goodbye to the kitty before heading out. Such a good human!
A perfect episode of "Best Kitty with Best Human."
'On the way back, I'll bring it lots of dried little fish it likes,' Sitting on the bus, Kaito rested his chin on his hand and thought this.
The steel cityscape outside the window retreated at high speed, soon replaced by an endless stretch of lush greenery and fields.
The girls were either napping, chatting, or taking pictures. It was a lively scene.
In this joyful atmosphere of chatting and laughter, time passed quickly.
.
.
.
[Three Hours Later]
The bus stopped in front of a small town surrounded by mountains, this was their destination for the day: Hoori Town.
