"Tsk! So there wasn't any engagement at all?"
Inside the small ramen shop, Chika Fujiwara, wearing an apron and a headband holding up her bangs, happily slurped her ramen. The moment she heard her mother's words over the phone, she immediately spat out the noodles and asked in disbelief.
"That's right. I don't even know why such a rumor suddenly appeared."
On the other end of the phone, Maho Fujiwara replied in a helpless tone. However, what Chika Fujiwara didn't know was that Maho was barely holding back her laughter at that moment. She knew perfectly well that Yu was sitting beside Chika and didn't want her plan to be exposed.
Although she was aware that Yu had probably seen through her plan long ago, there was a huge difference between him seeing through it and keeping silent, and her accidentally revealing it herself in front of the person the whole matter concerned.
"But..."
Chika Fujiwara still wanted to say something, but Maho didn't give her the chance and immediately interrupted her.
"Chika, Moeha has already told me everything about you and Yu. Youth is truly wonderful. Enjoy yourselves together, and I definitely won't leave the door unlocked for you tonight."
"Don't even think about coming home! Did you hear me?!"
The moment she finished speaking, Maho Fujiwara immediately hung up, leaving Chika Fujiwara alone listening to the monotonous tone of the disconnected call, completely stunned.
Until just moments ago, Chika had been convinced that the engagement was real and that her family simply hadn't told her because they were afraid she would do something reckless. That was exactly why she had been completely disheartened, and then, in a surge of emotion, decided to stay by Yu's side.
Because of that, she had even been prepared to cut ties with the Fujiwara family, stand against her mother, and change her surname to Nakano Chika.
And now they were telling her that it had all been an ordinary misunderstanding?
What was she supposed to do now?!
A moment ago, she had turned on the speakerphone. Yu had definitely heard everything.
What if he didn't want her anymore?!
Panic instantly overwhelmed her. She held her chopsticks in one hand and her phone in the other, but she didn't even have the courage to turn her head and look at Yu.
"Alright, it's already late. Finish eating, and then we'll go home."
Seeing the thoughts she had sunk into, Yu immediately realized that this girl was overthinking again, so he spoke to her with a smile.
He had finished his ramen long ago. The portion wasn't large, and it had disappeared after only a few quick bites. As for Chika, the only reason she hadn't finished yet was because the intense spiciness had slowed her down.
Although she loved the ultra-spicy ramen from this shop, her actual tolerance for spicy food was quite average. She ordered it simply because she liked the taste.
In Yu's eyes, Chika was sometimes truly a little clumsy, but that was exactly what made her irresistibly cute.
Hmm... he decided that the next time she was eating candy, he would secretly slip in a tiny hot chili pepper.
"Yu is so silly. Mom said I'm not allowed to go home, so after dinner we don't have anywhere to go."
However, in response to his words, Chika merely puffed out her cheeks and, after taking another slurp of ramen, replied.
A moment ago, she had turned on the speakerphone, and her mother's voice had been so loud that Yu had definitely heard everything, yet he still said he was taking her home.
Hmph! If she went back, she would definitely receive a harsh scolding, and she absolutely didn't want that.
Thinking about it, Chika seriously began considering where she could spend the night.
After thinking for a long time, she finally remembered her lifelong best friend, the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family—Kaguya Shinomiya.
"If I remember correctly, Kaguya's house is absolutely huge. Should I call her and ask if I can stay at her place for one night?"
But it was already very late.
If she called Kaguya now, Kaguya would definitely scold her, right?
No, she wouldn't.
After all, Kaguya loves me very much!
Thinking that, Chika Fujiwara took out a handkerchief, wiped her mouth, then immediately picked up her phone and called Kaguya Shinomiya.
"Ring, ring~"
At the Shinomiya residence, inside Kaguya's room, Kaguya Shinomiya, who had already gone to bed, heard the ringing of her phone and frowned slightly.
Sleepily, she sat up in bed and reached for the phone on the nightstand.
When she saw that Chika Fujiwara was calling, a murderous intent flashed through her beautiful eyes for a brief moment.
"That damned cow... she dares to bother me this late!"
Gritting her teeth, Kaguya Shinomiya didn't even answer the call. Calmly, she rejected it and immediately added Chika's number to her blacklist.
"Sleep!"
She tossed the phone aside, lay back down, and continued sleeping.
At the same time, inside the ramen shop, the familiar tone of the disconnected call echoed through Chika's ears once again.
The expression on her face was so gloomy that it looked as though her entire world had collapsed.
Only after a long silence did the girl finally put on a pitiful expression, turn toward Yu, and say in a miserable voice,
"Yu... I... have nowhere to go!"
Seeing her like this, Yu knew without a doubt that she had called Kaguya Shinomiya, that Kaguya hadn't answered, and that she had most likely ended up on Kaguya's blacklist as well.
But only now did she think of asking him for help?
Thinking about that, Yu couldn't help but smile as he helplessly rubbed his forehead.
"Chika, of course you have somewhere to go."
"Wow! This is Yu's new house? Hmm! I've never been here before!"
After leaving the ramen shop, Yu simply brought Chika Fujiwara back to the villa.
After all, he couldn't leave this girl alone in some hotel or inn with a clear conscience. Besides, now that they were officially together, it was only natural for their relationship to become even closer.
However...
Seeing the expression on Chika's face, Yu could only let out a helpless sigh.
She truly was an incredibly adorable girl, but from time to time she could be unbelievably absent-minded.
"Come on, let's go inside and see where Chika will sleep tonight. Hmm... I have a feeling this house is slowly turning into a hotel."
Opening the door, Yu walked in first. As he spoke, he suddenly remembered Ikaros from this morning and began counting in his mind how many people were currently living in the villa, the corner of his mouth twitching unconsciously.
Counting himself and the five Nakano sisters, there were already nine people living in the villa. With Chika staying the night, there would be exactly ten.
Now that he thought about it, Tsurara had gone home to visit her family quite a while ago.
Hadn't she come back yet?
Could it be that that cute, slightly clumsy snow girl had gotten herself into some kind of trouble?
Probably not.
After all, when Tsurara left, Yu had secretly sent the Moon God Envoy to protect her. Besides, as a yōkai, she herself was quite powerful. Although she couldn't compare to the mighty Great Ogres, among ordinary fighters she ranked among the very best, so it wouldn't be easy for her to fall into danger.
Thinking that, Yu helped Chika Fujiwara take off her shoes before leading her toward the living room.
The moment they stepped out of the entryway, a slender figure suddenly rushed toward Yu. Outstretched wings wrapped around him along with the gentle scent of a girl as she softly whispered,
"Master, welcome home."
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