She was sitting on one side of Kobayashi Ayaka, and Miyajima Tsubaki was sitting on the other.
The latter also cast a questioning gaze at her.
Ayaka said this child once rejected Kobayashi... She thought it was because this child didn't want to be in a relationship, or perhaps already had a suitable partner.
After hearing it was the man she had seen in the hallway... Miyajima Tsubaki understood the principle of not meddling in others' relationships, but... this child was still somewhat unappreciative.
Now, seeing Hachisuka Hidemichi drinking like a madman, her impression of him worsened.
He's nowhere near as good as Kobayashi... Hmm, meaning as a son-in-law, of course.
But if she were to imagine it for a moment, if she were Kurashiki Reina, she would have definitely agreed at that time...
Tsubaki, Tsubaki. Miyajima Tsubaki quickly admonished herself, it's not bedtime yet. Why are you already dreaming?
"It's not that I'm praising that kid, nor do I have any feelings for him," Kobayashi Ayaka said unenthusiastically. Not far from her, Hayato was still soberly pouring alcohol into Hachisuka Hidemichi, whose eyes already showed dizzying spiral patterns. "But he's so much better than your boyfriend."
"Ayaka," Miyajima Sakura reprimanded, then frowned, indicating to Kobayashi Ayaka how she could say such things in front of Kobayashi-kun's boyfriend.
But then, fearing Kobayashi Ayaka might misunderstand, she quickly explained, "Ah no, I mean... I also think Kobayashi-kun is better, of course. But..."
She cautiously glanced at Nanao Akane.
What was Nanao Akane doing now?
Nanao Akane was concentrating on eating her meal.
She was enjoying her carbonated drink while stuffing fish into her mouth.
She would have to exercise properly, control her diet, and work hard to lose weight two weeks later.
If she didn't eat her fill now, how could she have the energy to exercise then?
So, in these three weeks, she had to eat everything she wanted to eat.
Only then could she undergo rigorous training a month later!
As for the conversation between the seniors and Kurashiki.
She heard it all clearly, of course.
But what did it matter? Kobayashi-chan was already very good, and he was very good to her too.
Other things, sometimes you need to care, but sometimes you don't need to.
"Heh, hehe..."
Hachisuka Hidemichi didn't know how much he had drunk.
He suddenly released Hayato's shoulder and looked towards Miyajima Tsubaki with an evil smile, his eyes hazy and lewd.
Hachisuka Hidemichi raised both hands, chuckling.
But perhaps because his alcohol tolerance, from years of frequenting bars, was indeed quite good, after seeing Miyajima Tsubaki at first glance, he was surprisingly still able to see Kurashiki Reina sitting next to her on his second glance.
The latter's cold gaze made him freeze.
Although his mind was chaotic, he still thought of Kurashiki's prominent family background, and her mother, that alluring woman who was no less attractive than the beautiful woman in front of him.
Hachisuka Hidemichi:...Ugh.
The moment he stood up, a wave of nausea rose from his stomach, reaching deep into his throat.
Hachisuka Hidemichi quickly pushed open the door and ran outside.
Immediately after, violent retching sounds were heard.
The grilled fish in Nanao Akane's hand suddenly didn't smell so good anymore.
Hayato's smile vanished instantly, turning cold: "Let's wait until outside is taken care of before going out, otherwise it'll be disgusting to see."
The girls nodded.
"Idiot."
Hayato spat, then began to clear the table of the empty bottles Hachisuka Hidemichi had left behind and the alcohol that had spilled from his mouth.
Halfway through tidying up, he seemed to remember something and turned back, giving Kurashiki Reina an apologetic smile:
"Uh, Kurashiki, I didn't mean to insult your boyfriend."
Damn it, he almost forgot Kurashiki Reina was here too.
How did this guy manage to disguise himself so well, successfully hiding within their group?
"Tsk." Kurashiki Reina clicked her tongue, meaning, "Do you even believe that yourself?"
But she didn't plan to tell Hachisuka Hidemichi.
Because,
He was indeed an idiot.
Kurashiki Reina cursed in her heart.
Also,
Kurashiki Reina's lips moved, as if squeezing words through her teeth,
"Tha… thank you…"
She said it unwillingly.
"Huh?"
This was something Hayato didn't understand.
"It, it's just that you blocked for me just now, thank you!"
As Kurashiki Reina spoke, whether from anger or shame, she quickly stood up with a clap.
She didn't want to stay in such an uncomfortable and awkward atmosphere, so she reached out to open the door.
But then, she remembered that Hachisuka Hidemichi might have made a mess in the corridor outside.
She thought about it and decided that for her own physical and mental well-being, it would be better not to see such a scene.
However, sitting back down seemed too weak.
So, she huffily sat down where she was, crossed her arms, and simply closed her eyes.
The crucial thing was that even with her eyes closed, she could still hear sounds.
"Oh, you're welcome."
After hearing her apology, Mr. Hayashi's voice showed no hint of surprise, still maintaining that half-dead tone.
Tsk, damn it—
Kurashiki Reina had her back to everyone, but her cheeks quietly puffed out. But it didn't matter, she hadn't expected anything anyway.
The people behind her, however, had already exchanged glances.
They were somewhat shocked.
So, this young lady could say "thank you"?
At the same time,
"W-what's wrong?" Kobayashi Ayaka noticed Nanao Akane casting an unusually heavy gaze at her, as if saying… "You're finished."
Indeed, she was "finished."
Nanao Akane thought to herself, "Even Miss Kurashiki is more honest than you, my dear Ayaka-senpai. Sigh, you really need to work harder."
"Nanao."
After Nanao Akane had given Kobayashi Ayaka that look, they hadn't spoken until they felt enough time had passed, and the group walked out of the restaurant together and returned to their own rooms. Only then did Nanao Akane hear Kobayashi Ayaka ask her in a very serious tone, "Th-that… uh, it-it's just… what's that…"
"Hmm?"
Nanao Akane watched Kobayashi Ayaka beat around the bush.
After scratching her head for a while, the latter clasped her hands in front of her chest and asked in an almost inaudible, pouting voice.
"H-how do you usually cheer up your boyfriend… He, he seems to be mad at me…"
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