Hiko's only goal was to appease Ai; he didn't genuinely intend not to treat her.
He carefully chose his words and said, "When we were at the concert hall earlier, you said 'after the concert ends,' so it was a limited offer."
"What's this? You're quibbling! I never agreed to go immediately after the concert ended," Ai said, feeling confident after hearing Hiko's words. "It's really too late today. Let's do it another day, if you're free. If you're too stingy and really don't want to treat me, then forget it."
"There aren't many generous people like me." Hiko saw Ai's calculating expression but didn't expose her, playing along with her script.
"I've never been stingy with you, have I?"
"Yes, that's right, it's true," Ai affirmed Hiko's statement repeatedly.
If he hadn't been so considerate of her, she wouldn't have let him lean on her shoulder just now.
Hiko heard Ai mention the time and realized he hadn't checked his phone since waking up, so he took it out and lit up the screen.
21:07
'I actually slept for two hours!'
This time was indeed a bit late for Ai.
There was also a proposal that hadn't been done… He had to go back, otherwise, he'd have to stay up late again for a long time.
Hiko put on an expression of "I actually slept for so long" and then, agreeing with Ai's thoughts, said, "But you're right, it's a bit late today, so let's do it next time."
Ai only felt that a long time had passed but didn't know the exact time.
Seeing Hiko take out his phone and glance at the screen, then change his mind, she asked curiously, "What time is it now?"
"Nine ten," Hiko replied, moving the time forward a bit.
"I need to hurry back; it's so late, Miyako-san will be worried about me," Ai said, running towards the train station.
"You don't have to rush so much. I can call Miyako to let her know you're safe, and Ichigo should know that you and I are out together, so he should mention it to Miyako, right?" Hiko quickly followed, chasing after her and speaking at the same time.
However, Hiko was skeptical that Ichigo would tell Miyako about him and Ai being out together.
He felt that Ichigo probably wouldn't say anything, or perhaps he didn't think it was necessary.
"Slow down…" Hiko, who had long lacked exercise, panted as he followed behind Ai.
Ai heard Saito Hiko's words, slowed down, and after he caught up, she said, "Then you should first let Miyako know I'm safe."
"Phew… Okay, just don't walk so fast." Hiko walked slowly, pulling out his phone to dial Miyako's number.
"Mm…" Ai nodded, walking side by side with Hiko.
The call connected quickly.
After Hiko and Miyako exchanged a few pleasantries, he got straight to the point and said, "Auntie, Ai and I are in Shibuya right now, heading back. You don't have to worry about her not being home yet."
"So Ai is with you in Shibuya." Miyako heard Hiko's words and seemed to let out a sigh of relief. "Since it's you and Ai together, then I'm relieved."
Usually, Ai would come home early, but today, for the first time, there was no news from her even at nine o'clock, which made her worried.
Miyako was planning to call the police if she didn't see Ai a little later.
After this incident, she felt that Ai should be given a phone, otherwise it would be difficult to contact her.
"It's already past nine." Miyako worried about the children's safety outside. "The night outside is very dangerous for children; you two should come back quickly."
"We're already on our way back, almost at the station now. I'm hanging up," Hiko felt that if he continued, it would turn into nagging advice.
"You hang up," Miyako's voice came from the phone.
Hiko hung up the phone and turned to Ai, saying, "She told us to hurry back."
"Mm," Ai responded obediently, looking down at the ground.
"Oh, right, Ai, it's really inconvenient for you not to have a phone now," Hiko thought that Ai couldn't inform Miyako of her safety because she didn't have a phone.
Ai shook her head and thought for a moment before saying, "Phones are expensive, and communication fees are even more expensive. Besides, it's been so many years, haven't I survived without a phone until now?"
"You're not a primitive person. So many people at school have phones. I think you also need a phone; otherwise, relying on this method of contact is too primitive."
"But…" Ai still wanted to refuse.
"If you're worried about phone costs and communication fees, I can pay for those for you," Hiko said casually.
Ai shook her head, refusing Hiko's kindness.
"I got my salary this month, so I can pay for the phone and communication fees myself, but we can't buy a phone."
Hiko knew that Ai was telling the truth.
Because his current phone was chosen by his current parents in the past.
When they bought it, he watched for a while and realized that one needed identity verification documents to purchase it.
And since both of them were minors, they naturally couldn't buy one alone.
"That's alright. I'll talk to Ichigo and have him take you to buy a phone. He'll definitely agree," Hiko said, looking at Ai with certainty.
"You seem so confident. Do you still have some dirt on the President?" Ai speculated.
"What dirt? He actively helped me. Don't you dare slander me." Hiko felt that Ai's perception of him was a little off.
"Don't let it seem like my uncle and I are at loggerheads; in reality, our relationship is very good."
Ai summarized some key points and said pointedly, "Good enough to make your own uncle speechless?"
"Wasn't that an accident?" Hiko listened to her words sheepishly.
"Your plans against the President were too detailed," Ai recalled that when Hiko helped her before, he had mentioned various ways Ichigo might respond and what to say in return.
With an open mind, she asked in a joking tone, "Do you have superpowers? Like predicting the future?"
"Superpowers? You've watched too many movies or something. How can there be superpowers in reality?" Hiko answered without a moment's hesitation.
Even though he himself was unscientific, he didn't want Ai to become interested in such things.
If this were a world of supernatural oddities, the more one knew, the more dangerous it would be!