Chapter 576: Sakurajima Mai Chooses to Let Go and Face the Future!
Ren sent a group message: "Going to the beach tomorrow. Prepare swimsuits." He received uniform replies like "OK~~" and "Alright." Only Kaguya's was special.
[Kaguya: Ren-kun, should I ask Ai-chan to arrange a private beach?]
[Ren: No need. I found an uninhabited island. I'll create a villa there so everyone can take a vacation.]
[Kaguya: By the way, Ren-kun, do you think this should be brought? Ai-chan said it's necessary for the beach. [Image]]
He thought it was sunscreen, but the image was a fluffy tail with a silver-white metallic, obconical structure at one end. He was too familiar with this. The kind Yukino had played with before. A must-bring for the beach? He laughed; she was clearly being pranked by Ai-chan. He chose not to expose it.
[Ren: Yes, you must bring it. I'm really looking forward to it.]
[Kaguya: Okay! See you tomorrow. [kiss.JPG]]
"Ai-chan, he said he's looking forward to it. What is this for?" Kaguya examined the tail.
"A game…" Hayasaka Ai savored the word. It was quite fitting. She just looked at her foolish young mistress with a sympathetic gaze. The young mistress is going to be thoroughly played with. However, she didn't foresee that she herself would become one of those played with.
"Mai-san, did Ren-kun tell you to go to the beach?" Hiratsuka Shizuka had gotten used to Sakurajima Mai living with her.
Mai put down her phone and hesitated. "Mm, he did."
Shizuka-sensei noticed her unusual mood. "Did you encounter trouble?"
Mai pursed her lips. "It was a call from my mother. I might have to go home, so I can't go tomorrow." She didn't want to meet her mother at all.
"Mother, huh…" Shizuka-sensei had heard about their conflict from Ren. "Then did you reply?"
"…" Mai gently shook her head.
Shizuka-sensei could tell she wanted to go. She patted her shoulder. "If you want to go, let's go together. As for your mother, I've heard about it from Ren-kun, and I think he can help." Saying that, she sent a message to him.
"Eh? Don't…" Mai wanted to stop her, but it was too late.
"Ding-dong!" Shizuka showed her the reply. [Ren: I'll be there soon.]
She comforted her. "Well, you are Ren-kun's girlfriend, after all. He'll definitely help."
Mai was dumbfounded. "Shizuka-sensei… I… I'm not his girlfriend…"
"Who wants to be my girlfriend?" Ren suddenly appeared. The atmosphere froze.
"…" Shizuka was instantly awkward. After a long while, she asked, "You're not his girlfriend? You haven't done it?"
"Huh? Mai is my girlfriend? How come I don't know?" Ren was also confused.
Mai's face instantly flushed. "Shizuka-sensei, what are you talking about! Of course we haven't… done it!"
"That's true," Ren nodded in agreement.
"Cough." Shizuka coughed. "It seems I misunderstood, haha." At the same time, she winked at him. Why haven't you won her over yet?
He spread his hands. I wanted to, but I just haven't had the time.
Back to the main topic. "You said your mother is looking for you?" he asked Mai. She silently nodded.
"Then what are your own thoughts? Putting aside your mother, do you want to go?"
Putting aside mother… Mai pondered. She wanted to go with Shizuka-sensei and Megumi. She wanted to accept his invitation. She didn't want to refuse her friends or him. Thinking this, she couldn't help but softly say, "I want to go…"
He grinned. "Since you want to, then let's go see your mother now."
"Ah?" she was stunned. But in that instant, she and Ren were already standing on a familiar street, in front of a familiar house. It was her own home.
"Escaping will never solve problems. Knock or open the door. You decide," he said softly.
"…" She gazed at the door for a long time. She took a deep breath to calm her emotions, then stepped forward and reached out.
"Ding-dong!" She pressed the doorbell. Even though she had the key, she chose to press it. She chose to let go of the past and face the future.
[Inorin Note:
If you wish to support me so I can continue to survive and afford proper food, you can join my membership on Patreon [patreon.com/InorinTL]. Be sure to check out "The Founding Pillars"—a special, limited-time tier that offers all the benefits of "The Plot Uncoverer" at a discounted price! Slots are limited, so grab yours before they run out. Besides membership, you can also donate via Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/inorintl].
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]