Just as Asagumo Chihaya was secretly giving Imaizumi Keita a "nice guy card," Ayano Mitsuki also walked over.
He pushed up his glasses somewhat awkwardly, a slight blush on his face.
"Imaizumi... thanks. That method of yours was indeed... very useful."
"It was nothing."
Imaizumi Keita shrugged.
After the four met up, they began to explore the parts they hadn't visited yet together.
Ayano Mitsuki and Asagumo Chihaya naturally walked together, leaning in close and whispering to each other, completely immersed in their own world for two.
Imaizumi Keita and Shioyaki Lemon followed unhurriedly behind them, maintaining a comfortable distance.
...
After thoroughly touring the Science Museum, the four stopped by the nearby Audiovisual Education Center to see some rare equipment.
By the time they left the center, the sky outside had begun to turn slightly yellow with the softness of evening.
"Well then, let's call it a day," Ayano Mitsuki checked the time and suggested they part ways. "I should take Chihaya home."
"Mm!" Asagumo Chihaya nodded and then waved to the other two. "Imaizumi-kun, Shioyaki-san, I had a lot of fun today! Let's hang out together again next time!"
"Sure."
Shioyaki Lemon responded with a smile.
Watching Ayano and Chihaya's figures disappear around the street corner, Shioyaki Lemon finally looked back and turned toward Imaizumi Keita.
A brief silence fell between the two.
"Phew..."
Shioyaki Lemon gave a big stretch, loosening her body which had become a bit stiff from walking for so long; her well-proportioned figure was fully revealed under her white T-shirt.
"After walking all afternoon, I feel like my legs don't even belong to me anymore."
Complaining, she asked casually, "Imai-chan, do you have any plans for later?"
"Nothing special."
Imaizumi Keita replied flatly, hands in his pockets. "I'll probably take the train home and then write my novel for a while."
Just the answer she expected.
Shioyaki Lemon gave an "oh," and the sense of loss from parting ways bubbled up again.
Is it... over just like that?
She looked at Imaizumi Keita's unmotivated face, and an idea popped into her head.
"Um... Imai-chan."
"Yeah?"
"Do you want to... go running at school together?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Shioyaki Lemon regretted it.
What was she saying!
Inviting a boy to go running together at night?
That sounded so... so strange!
As expected, Imaizumi Keita showed a surprised expression.
He turned his head and looked at her with some surprise.
"Running?"
It was a date location one would normally never think of, but considering it came from Shioyaki Lemon's mouth, it was surprisingly reasonable...
Shioyaki Lemon was just that kind of girl...
Seeing Imaizumi Keita's questioning gaze, Shioyaki Lemon's cheeks felt hot.
She waved her hands hurriedly, trying to find an excuse for her strange proposal.
"Ah, no! Don't misunderstand! I just... I just felt like I didn't get enough exercise today, so I wanted to move around a bit! If you're tired or don't want to go, then forget it! I can go by myself!"
However, Imaizumi Keita just looked at her quietly for a few seconds and then decisively agreed.
"Sure."
"Eh?"
Shioyaki Lemon looked up, unable to believe her ears.
"I said, sure."
Imaizumi Keita repeated, his expression returning to its usual laziness. "I happen to have some back pain, so a little exercise would be good."
Looking at his matter-of-fact attitude, Shioyaki Lemon was stunned for a moment.
Then, a brilliant smile blossomed on her face.
"Mm! Then let's head straight there!"
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