"Could you send me the photo after we land?"
Kato Megumi gave an "OK" hand gesture.
As the altitude continued to climb, the view outside the window transitioned from clear skies to thick layers of clouds.
Once the plane rose above the clouds, it stabilized.
A flight attendant approached, offering everyone a menu of complimentary food and drinks with a polite smile.
The most premium drink available in first class was top-tier champagne.
However, unfortunately
None of the four passengers here were over 20 years old.
In Japan, drinking alcohol is prohibited for those under 20.
Thus, Yukima Azuma ordered iced tea, Kato Megumi chose orange juice, and Kasumigaoka opted for black tea.
As for Eriri?
It felt unnecessary to mention her drink choice specifically.
Regarding food
Given the short flight time, none of the four felt hungry or thought about making the most of their first-class fare.
Instead, they only ordered some sweet, fruit-filled mochi.
"Are we going out tonight?" Kato Megumi asked curiously about the plans ahead.
"Of course! Tanuki Koji Shopping Street is famous as a shopping paradise. Exploring it at night will definitely be fun."
"And we can eat ramen too. Hokkaido is the birthplace of miso ramen, and the taste must be amazing."
Before boarding the plane, Eriri had been sulking about not being able to go on a private date.
But now, she was entirely in the mood of an elementary schooler on a field trip.
She grabbed Kato Megumi and chattered non-stop.
If Kasumigaoka didn't always tease her, she might have been chattering endlessly with her too.
Sitting across from Yukima Azuma, Kasumigaoka Utaha reached out and lightly touched his cheek.
"What are you thinking about?"
Yukima Azuma tilted his chin slightly, gesturing toward the window.
"I'm thinking about comets. If one flew by here, the scene would be stunning."
Above the clouds, aside from the radiant sunlight, there was only the endless expanse of the blue sky.
The clouds below, refracting the sunlight, shimmered with a mystical white glow.
Kasumigaoka imagined a comet streaking across this setting with its vibrant colors.
Umu, it would indeed be beautiful.
"Cough, cough, cough! It's so bitter!"
At that moment, Eriri choked and started coughing violently.
A small puff of light green powder escaped from her mouth, and her tiny tongue, now sticking out, had turned green.
Yukima Azuma glanced at the matcha mochi on the table.
Hmm, found the culprit!
The culprit was none other than the matcha mochi!
"Baka," Kasumigaoka said as she pulled a tissue from the side.
"Cough, cough." Eriri was still coughing uncontrollably, even showing signs of matcha powder spewing from her nose.
Yukima Azuma reached out and gently patted her back.
When Eriri felt a bit better, Kato Megumi handed her own lemon tea to Eriri.
After taking a sip of lemon tea, Eriri finally felt much more comfortable.
While her body recovered, she was thoroughly embarrassed.
Covering her little nose with her hand, Eriri hurried to the restroom to fix her makeup.
The remaining three exchanged glances and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
When Eriri returned from the restroom, adhering to the principle of not wasting food, she resumed her challenge with the remaining half of the matcha mochi.
This time, while she didn't choke to the point of creating a meme-worthy expression, it was clear that the matcha coating on the surface was indeed very bitter.
Her dainty nose wrinkled completely in response.
"Is it tasty?"
After taking a large sip of lemon tea, Eriri looked at the strawberry mochi in Kato Megumi's hand and curiously asked.
Kato Megumi nodded.
Although it couldn't compare to the desserts in Yukima Azuma's fridge, it was still quite delicious.
So, Eriri grabbed another strawberry mochi and happily began eating.
Hearing the girls' conversation, Yukima Azuma also became a bit intrigued by the strawberry mochi.
He instinctively rested his chin on one of the girl arms and let out a soft "Ah."
This action made Kato Megumi pause momentarily.
Then, she took her remaining strawberry mochi and held it to Yukima Azuma's mouth.
Yukima Azuma took a bite.
"Umu umu, not bad, not bad," he murmured as he evaluated it.
The result?
Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha were left staring in shock.
The fork in Eriri's hand dropped into her bowl.
"F-Feeding each other like an indirect kiss... How are you all so familiar with this?!"
Eriri was so stunned that she stuttered.
Yukima Azuma froze for a moment, then quickly realized something was off.
Recently, he'd gotten used to being cared for by Kurokawa Akanemeals brought directly to him, clothes prepared in advance.
He'd forgotten to recalibrate his behavior.
'Damn it, have I fallen this far?'
'Am I about to be spoiled into uselessness by Guardian?'
Yukima Azuma let out a soft cough.
"Ahem, isn't this just normal?"
Eriri's eyes widened, her small mouth slightly agape. "What's so normal about"
Before she could finish her sentence, he quickly poked the remaining mochi from her bowl into her mouth.
Eriri's words were blocked by the mochi, leaving her to mumble as she chewed.
Yukima Azuma raised his hand.
"See? I told you it's perfectly normal."
At this moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha handed her mochi, along with her bowl, directly to Yukima Azuma.
Then, with one hand, she tucked a few stray strands of hair behind her ear, leaned forward slightly, and parted her rosy lips.
Yukima Azuma, of course, didn't hesitate. He picked up a perfectly sized piece of mochi and brought it to Kasumigaoka Utaha's mouth.
Kasumigaoka Utaha took a bite.
When no one else was paying attention, her tongue briefly licked Yukima Azuma's thumb.
Yukima Azuma withdrew his hand and gently rubbed his thumb.
The feeding game gradually calmed down.
"Megumi, what's wrong? Do you want a piece too?"
Noticing Kato Megumi staring at him intently, Yukima Azuma picked up the last piece of mochi from his bowl and offered it to her mouth.
Kato Megumi flinched, then bit into the mochi.
She murmured softly, "It's fine."
So, what is Kato Megumi thinking?
Others only think Kato Megumi is very skilled at feeding him.
But Kato Megumi knows well that she can only truly understand Yukima Azuma's intentions.
After all, she understands this young man quite deeply.
Just like how, with a single glance, Yukima Azuma can understand her thoughts.
She also knows exactly how to coordinate with his actions.
Even so, she can't help but wonderwhere did Yukima Azuma's habit of being fed come from?
Judging by his reactions, it doesn't seem to be from Kasumigaoka-Senpai or Sawamura-san.
Kirisu-sensei is still training at Shuchiin, and Yukinoshita-san spends her days at the company.
Could it be from Shimokitazawa? But Kita-san mentioned that Azuma-san hasn't been to live house STARRY these past few days.
So, who could it be? These days, Azuma-san doesn't even seem to be home. It's strange.
Kato Megumi pondered these things in her mind.
"Megumi, your gaze... looks a little scary."
"Eh? Really? But there's nothing I can do; after all, I'm an Assassin."
She said this while putting on a serious face.
The other three couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Kato-san, have you read the Fate series?"
"Umu, I have a bit of interest in light novels, so I asked Azuma-san to recommend some famous ones for me to try."
"That's great! We share the same hobby now! Megumi-san, what have you read so far? Let me suggest some books girls would enjoy!"
"How realistic of youseeing signs of someone 'entering the field' and immediately changing your way of addressing them. You really live up to your title, otaku Eriri."
"AHH! You rough brute! What's wrong with being an otaku? Did I eat your family's rice or what?"
Clearly, in modern life, living without the internet would be quite uncomfortable.
However, for these people here, even without the internet, they laughed and joked throughout the entire flight.
Until the moment they felt a slight bump.
That's when everyone realized the plane had landed.
Yukima Azuma pulled out his phone and turned it on.
"Let's go; the person picking us up is already here."
Hearing that, the three girls were a bit curious.
"Azuma, do you have a friend in Hokkaido?"
Eriri asked, curious.
Yukima Azuma shook his head and replied.
"No, but I found a local university student with a driver's license and hired them as a guide and driver."
"This time in Hokkaido, I've booked a seaside villa instead of a hotel in the city."
"That way, it's convenient for beach activities, though getting to the city center will be a bit harder."
"Since none of us have a driver's license yet, I thought of this solutionit's convenient, isn't it?"
Hearing this, the three girls were amazed.
This arrangement was quite thoughtful, truly providing a sense of safety and maturity.
After all, the young man before them was the same age as they were (except for Utaha), yet he seemed so mature and considerate.
Meanwhile, some of their peers might still have a touch of chunnibyou and remain quite naive.
Chapter 127: Kitagawa Marin, the Girl Who Loves Cosplay
After getting off the plane, they waited for their checked luggage and then walked down the long airport corridor.
As soon as they reached the pickup area, they saw a cute blonde girl holding a sign with the name Yukima Azuma.
Seeing the blonde hair, Eriri had a slight startled reaction.
"Azuma! Are you hiring her as a guide just because she's pretty?" Eriri exclaimed, questioning sharply.
However, when she looked at Yukima Azuma, she noticed he also seemed a bit surprised.
"No, I've only chatted with her on Line, this is the first time I've met her in person," Yukima Azuma replied.
Hearing that, the other three girls were somewhat skeptical.
After all, who would hire a guide and easily end up meeting such a beautiful girl?
The blonde girl holding the sign also noticed the four people and tentatively waved at them.
Yukima Azuma raised his hand in response.
Soon after, the two sides met.
"Hello there, are you Yukima Azuma-san? I'm Kitagawa Marin, you can call me Kitagawa or simply Marin," Kitagawa Marin said.
"I'm the Hokkaido tour guide introduced by MEM, hehe. Although I've only been studying here for a year, I look forward to working with you."
Kitagawa Marin appeared very energetic.
Whether her personality had always been like this or if she was just passionate about her job, she displayed a very enthusiastic attitude.
At least, she made a very good impression on the four of them.
"Kitagawa..." Eriri felt like she had heard that name before.
Yukima Azuma nodded normally and asked, "Has the car been rented?"
"Umu, it's just nearby!" Kitagawa led the group toward it.
Yukima Azuma had rented a large car that could comfortably fit the four of them.
However, the procedures were handled by Kitagawa Marin.
She opened the trunk, and Yukima Azuma began placing the three girls' luggage inside.
Kitagawa wanted to help, but Yukima Azuma politely declined.
Normally, the girls' luggage would be quite heavy.
But this time, there wasn't anything heavy in the suitcases.
Shower products and villa supplies would all be provided fresh.
Products like sunscreen were also available.
Sleepwear and similar items were also prepared.
The only things they needed to bring were the clothes they wanted to wear.
With this light load, Yukima Azuma had no trouble carrying the luggage.
Once in the car, the three girls immediately fell silent due to the presence of a stranger.
They had been talking non-stop on the plane, but now, no one said a word.
Yukima Azuma noticed the atmosphere and decided to break the ice.
If he let the girls feel uncomfortable throughout the trip, it would be better to have Kitagawa Marin quit her job.
After thinking for a moment, Yukima Azuma chose a topic that could create an opportunity for communication.
"Kitagawa-san, you're studying at Hokkaido University, right? Why did you take up a tour guide job?"
Hearing this, Kitagawa Marin, who was driving, froze for a moment.
She quickly replied:
"Did MEM not tell you, Yukima-san? Actually, there's no special reason, I'm just a bit short on money."
After saying this, she sighed.
"Haizz, I love anime and am passionate about cosplay, but cosplay costumes and wigs are really expensive!"
This topic immediately caught Eriri's attention, being a long-time otaku.
After all, she was a stranger, and they were in Hokkaido.
Eriri instantly switched from her refined oujou-sama persona to that of a veteran otaku.
"Kitagawa-san likes anime too! I'm a fellow enthusiast! It's so hard to find someone with the same interests!"
"I knew it, your name sounded so familiar! Kitagawa-san, were you the one cosplaying a character from 'Fantasy Demon Sword Legend' at the Tokyo anime exhibition last year?"
At this, Kitagawa Marin, who had been sighing, instantly became lively.
"Yes, did we meet at the exhibition?"
"I even collected your stamps!" Eriri exclaimed.
"Hehe, stop flattering me, it's a bit embarrassing," Kitagawa Marin chuckled.
The two immediately hit it off.
Their relationship progressed quickly.
In fact, when Kitagawa Marin learned that Eriri loved anime but had never tried cosplay, she offered to bring her own cosplay costumes for Eriri to try out.
"Right now, my favorite characters are Sayaka and Kujou Megumi!"
"I took this tour guide job specifically to prepare a Sayaka cosplay!"
"Kujou Megumi is just so gentle, with her white dress and beret, it barely costs anything, she really made me cry!"
Kitagawa Marin seemed to be healed from her worries.
While the two girls, Kato Megumi and Kasumigaoka Utaha, didn't quite understand what was happening, they were suddenly pulled into the conversation.
Kasumigaoka Utaha crossed her arms in front of her chest, with an expression that seemed to acknowledge Marin's ability to judge people.
Normally, when this icy-senpai made such a face, it meant that even if someone started a conversation, they wouldn't be scolded mercilessly.
Kato Megumi, meanwhile, placed her hand on her white beret.
With her other hand, she secretly reached over to Yukima Azuma's hand, lightly scratching the palm of his hand with her pinky.
