Hayato's eyebrow twitched. Although he knew silence was better at this moment, he still spoke up and asked:
"Is it okay if it's Ayaka-senpai?"
"It's not okay," Nanao Akane pouted, "but it's better than the others!"
After all, compared to those other unfamiliar people—no, it should be said that Nanao Akane wasn't very familiar with Kobayashi Ayaka either, but after an encounter in Chapter 297, Nanao Akane had a very good impression of Kobayashi Ayaka.
Nanao Akane thought for a moment, then asked with some concern and hesitation:
"If I go, will I bother Ayaka-senpai?"
Although she had a very good impression of Kobayashi Ayaka, perhaps the other person only wanted to invite Hayato, and merely mentioned her out of politeness.
If she went along without that self-awareness, it would be quite presumptuous.
Hayato sighed, his eyebrow continuing to twitch slightly:
"Guess why I came back to call you instead of just calling?"
"Eh?"
This was something Nanao Akane hadn't considered.
Hayato's mind replayed his memory of eating noodles with Kobayashi Ayaka.
'Do you want to come soak in the hot springs? You haven't been to Amagi Onsen yet, have you? It's quite comfortable.'
'Hmm... I'll ask Akane.'
'Oh, right, and Nanao... I almost forgot, you're accompanying her back to her hometown... Eh, what are you doing?'
'Calling to ask. If she wants to go, I'll have to go home and pick her up.'
'Just go back and ask her directly!'
'That's too much trouble.'
'What I mean is, if Nanao isn't coming, then you don't need to come either.'
Kobayashi Ayaka's firm gaze seemed to still be before Hayato.
Facing such a gaze, Hayato instinctively choked on his saliva.
An immature and absurd thought popped into his head.
Could it be that he was the outsider?
Perhaps Ayaka invited him not because she wanted him to bring Akane out?
"I want to go!"
Nanao Akane quickly raised her hand.
If Ayaka-senpai made such a gesture, not going would be disrespectful.
"Okay, then get up, change your clothes, and get ready."
"Okay~"
Nanao Akane used her core strength to do a carp jump. Her previous sports club foundation was still there, and she easily stood up, humming a light tune.
Although her hometown was in Yaso Inaba, the young people there weren't very familiar with her, so having Ayaka-senpai invite her to the hot springs was also a nice experience.
"Mm-hmm-hmm~~?~~ The sparrows outside the window~~ Are chirping on the utility pole~~?"
"Happy?"
"Happy, yes..."
Nanao Akane was taking off her pajamas, revealing her delicate yet firm body.
Then she was startled, because Hayato's tone of questioning was a bit too sinister.
"Huh?"
Before Nanao Akane could even react, she was knocked to the ground by a great force.
Fifteen minutes later.
Hayato got out of bed.
Nanao Akane was sprawled on the futon.
"That's a lesson for you."
Hayato turned around and slapped Nanao Akane on the back: "That's for being so jumpy these past few days."
"I... I know I was wrong... I already said I know I was wrong..." Nanao Akane murmured.
"Heh."
Hayato chuckled lightly. He naturally had things under control: "Get up, I'm going to put the futon in the washing machine."
"...Oh."
Although she agreed, Nanao Akane remained sprawled for about five or six more minutes before slowly and wearily getting up.
By this point, she had completely lost the strength to do a carp jump like before. After weakly forcing herself to stand, she paused for a moment before finally steadying herself.
"...Thirsty." Nanao Akane seemed a bit lost, as if she was crossing a river by feeling for stones.
"There's ice cream in the fridge that I just brought back. Go get some to eat."
"...Okay."
Nanao Akane replied, then looked back at Kobayashi-chan, who was picking up the futon, preparing to carry it into the bathroom.
Ah, Kobayashi-chan seemed perfectly fine, he has such good stamina.
But it was impossible to tell from his slender appearance.
He looked like the type to be bullied, but in reality, he was the type to bully others...
Is this what they call a contrast?
Hayato carried the futon on his shoulder. The futon wasn't heavy, but certainly not too light either. Yet, Hayato could easily pick it up as if it were nothing.
"...Just tell Grandma that you sprayed salt soda on the futon and got it wet after I told you a joke... Or just say you played with fire too much and wet the bed. Hmm, Japan should have this story too, right...?" Hayato murmured to himself.
"No!" Nanao Akane shouted at Hayato, her face flushed with embarrassment: "Grandma will die laughing... No, Grandma won't believe it!"
...
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