"Hot springs?" Kaito was a bit stunned that Lumine would want to go to a hot spring.
After all, he had just suggested strolling around, and going to a hot spring didn't seem quite the same as wandering about.
Of course, it wasn't that they couldn't go, it's just that he'd never been in one before and had no idea where to find one.
"Is it not okay? If not, we can do something else."
Seeing Kaito's reaction, Lumine immediately said they could change their plans.
In truth, the idea had just popped into her head; she hadn't made any preparations herself.
"It's fine, it's just that I've never been to a hot spring, and I don't know where to find one. We'll have to look for it." As he spoke, Kaito glanced around as if searching for a hot spring nearby.
Should I go ask Miko?
Not seeing any hot springs in the vicinity, Kaito couldn't help but think this.
He knew Miko would definitely know where to find a hot spring, but she wasn't here right now.
That's right...
I'll have Wendy ask Miko... she's not doing anything anyway...
As this thought occurred to him, on the other side, Wendy immediately sprang into action.
Although she had said she was going for a stroll earlier, she hadn't actually done anything, just returned to the inn to read a novel.
But now, she had something to do.
In any case, she was very fast, so finding Miko wouldn't be a problem.
Then, Wendy put down the novel in her hand and vanished from the inn.
"Miko."
"What is it, Acheron?" Because they were still keeping up the act, Miko continued to call Makoto by the name Acheron.
"Why are you calling her Acheron again? Isn't it Mei?"
Paimon, at the side, blurted this out subconsciously after hearing Miko.
There was no helping it; she was very confused.
"What do you know? And don't interrupt when adults are talking, little one."
Glancing at the confused Paimon, Miko had no intention of explaining, instead telling her to just shut up.
No matter what, Miko wasn't going to tell Paimon too much. It would be troublesome if Paimon ended up causing problems.
"Fine, I won't interrupt. Just make sure you pay me my Mora later."
Seeing that Miko had no intention of telling her anything, Paimon didn't ask again.
All she wanted was Mora; nothing else mattered.
"Seeing you bustling about for Kaito and Lumine today, are you trying to play matchmaker?" Makoto asked, looking at Miko with a smile.
"Eh?"
Paimon couldn't help but let out a sound upon hearing Makoto's words.
"What 'eh'? Don't talk." Seeing Paimon about to say something again, Miko once more told her not to speak.
"I didn't..." Halfway through her sentence, Paimon saw Miko's frightening glare, covered her own mouth, and said no more.
"I'm just helping them out, you can't call it matchmaking."
Ignoring Paimon, Miko finally answered Makoto's question.
She wasn't being modest; she really wasn't playing matchmaker, just doing them a favor.
"Then can you do me a favor?"
"What favor... hmm?" Suddenly realizing something was off, Miko immediately turned her head to look at Wendy, who had appeared at their side at some unknown time. "When did you get here, you little girl?"
Looking at Wendy, who was floating in mid-air just like Paimon, Miko was also bewildered.
Especially what Wendy had just said about a favor—what was this about? What favor did she need?
"She just arrived."
At that moment, Makoto answered Miko's question.
"Then what favor do you need me to help you with?"
After learning Wendy had just arrived, Miko wanted to know what favor she needed.
Honestly, she was very curious about the answer.
"Do you know where we can find a hot spring?" Wendy didn't beat around the bush and asked her question directly. Right now, she just wanted to know where to find a hot spring.
"A hot spring?"
Obviously, Miko hadn't expected this to be the favor Wendy needed.
What is going on? Why does this little girl suddenly want to go to a hot spring?
These two questions popped into her mind, and Miko had a feeling Wendy was trying to mess with her.
There was no helping it; this was just too sudden.
"Yeah, a hot spring." Seeing Miko's confused expression, Wendy nodded and repeated the words "hot spring."
"Why does a little girl like you suddenly want to go to a hot spring? Got tired of wandering around?"
Because she really couldn't figure out why Wendy wanted to go to a hot spring, Miko decided to ask.
"Just tell me where to find one. Why ask so many questions?"
Seeing Miko taking her time to answer, Wendy said this.
Wait!
Could it be that Kaito sent Wendy to ask?
Suddenly, Miko thought of this possibility.
But if that's the case, doesn't that mean Kaito is planning to take Wendy along?
That guy...
Can't he secure the girl first before bringing others along... Who does things like that?
After all, she had just found an excuse to lead Makoto and Paimon away specifically to let Kaito and Lumine be alone, and what does that guy do? He goes and calls Wendy over.
Although it was normal for him to bring his girlfriend, that little girl Wendy, along, his relationship with Lumine wasn't confirmed yet. Wouldn't it be a bit strange to have them together under these circumstances?
Has this happened before?
"What are you thinking about, little fox? Hurry up, I have other places to be."
Seeing the strange expression on Miko's face, Wendy knew she must be thinking something weird, so she mentioned she had to go elsewhere.
This would imply she was asking for someone else—namely, Kaito—and not that she herself wanted to go to a hot spring.
"Oh, so you're not the one going." After hearing Wendy's words, Miko understood that Wendy was just here to ask where to find a hot spring on someone's behalf.
But even so, she still found it a bit strange.
After all, Wendy's current actions were tantamount to helping Kaito get a new girlfriend, which was simply incredible.
Of course, she also knew that neither Mei nor Wendy seemed to mind Kaito getting new girlfriends; they would even provide assistance.
"So hurry up, little fox."
"Who are you calling 'little fox'?"
At that moment, Miko suddenly realized this little girl Wendy had been calling her 'little fox' all this time.
"Alright, Miko, just hurry up and tell Wendy where she can find a hot spring."
Seeing the two about to start bickering again, Makoto quickly interjected.
No matter what, they should help solve the person's problem first.
____
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