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With all the girls voting in favor of sightseeing, Blake and the others packed up after breakfast and headed for Mount Takao together.
The thousand-year-old Yakuoin Temple, the monkey park, the observation platform overlooking Mount Fuji…
As one of the most popular tourist spots around Tokyo, Mount Takao naturally had beautiful scenery everywhere.
Mahiru was probably traveling like this for the first time. Seeing the stunning landscapes, she kept taking photos with her phone the entire trip, showing a lively, girlish side that rarely appeared.
As for the food, there were grilled dango, tengu-shaped cakes, vegetarian temple cuisine, yam soba noodles, and more.
Blake personally thought most of it tasted average.
The girls, however, were thrilled.
Especially Yanami, who gave every dish a glowing review as though each one was the greatest food on earth.
Time passed quickly amidst all the eating and sightseeing.
Before they knew it, evening had arrived.
"Guess it's about time to head back."
Blake carried the souvenirs he bought for Sagiri and called the girls together.
"Today was really fun." Mahiru smiled sweetly while holding her phone.
"My legs are killing me," Elf complained with hands on her hips. "We walked soooo much."
Meanwhile, Ruri quietly sent a message to her mother:
"Mom, I'm eating out tonight before going home, so don't prepare dinner for me."
It was already around four or five in the afternoon. By the time they got back to Tokyo and transferred trains, it'd probably be close to seven.
Her mother quickly read the message.
"Ruri, when are you bringing your boyfriend home?"
Ruri's face instantly turned scarlet as she sneaked a glance at Blake.
"H-He's not my boyfriend!"
"But you already spent the night together…"
"E-Even if we stayed overnight, we didn't do anything!"
"It's okay, Ruri. You're already in high school. Just be careful. Mommy doesn't want to become a grandma yet."
"AAAAAH! Mom, stop saying weird things!"
…
"Since it's everyone's first trip together, we need commemorative photos!"
Yanami clapped happily.
"Pictures! Pictures!"
Naturally, nobody objected.
The girls quickly lined up at the foot of Mount Takao.
Then Yanami grabbed a passing tourist and, thanks to her maxed-out social skills, effortlessly convinced her to take the photo.
"Blake, you're the tallest, so stand in the middle. It'll look better."
Yanami pulled him into the center.
So Blake stood between the girls: Yanami and Ruri on his left, Mahiru and Elf on his right.
Click.
The moment was captured forever.
After thanking the passerby, Yanami sent the photo to everyone. Then the group returned to the inn, picked up their bags, and headed home.
The train back was mostly empty.
Blake sat together with the four girls and gazed out the window.
The sun was setting.
Golden light slowly sank below the horizon, and through the Tyndall effect, bright shafts of sunlight stretched across the train car as if time itself had slowed down.
The girls had probably all slept poorly the night before, then spent the entire day playing around.
Not long after sitting down, one after another, they started nodding off.
Only Mahiru still struggled to stay awake, her little head bobbing repeatedly.
"Mahiru, you should sleep for a bit," Blake said quietly. "I'm not tired. I'll wake everyone when we arrive."
"Then… I'll leave it to you, Mr. Blake…"
Her voice was unusually soft and sleepy.
The ride passed quietly.
Eventually, the train arrived back in Tokyo.
"Bye, everyone. I'm heading home first."
Ruri waved goodbye and transferred trains to head home.
"Mmm, I'm going too," Yanami said, waving her hand as she prepared to slip away.
Blake looked at her.
"Give me your manuscript. I'll read it tonight."
"Ah, I forgot!" Yanami smacked her forehead and hurriedly pulled a notebook from her bag. "You're not allowed to laugh at me."
"Don't worry. I'm professionally trained. Unless I can't hold it in."
"Ugh…"
Anna Yanami raised her right hand and poked Blake in the waist with a slender finger.
"Hold it in, okay?!"
In the end, only Blake, the angel, and the fairy were left. Since the three of them were neighbors, they naturally headed home together.
"I'm back."
Blake pushed open the front door.
The next second, a silver-haired little girl came charging over and started sniffing all over him.
"Big bro took forever! Seriously forever!"
Blake looked down at her.
"What are you doing, Sagiri?"
"Checking if you smell like bad women," Sagiri answered bluntly. "You came home so late. I'm unhappy!"
"I'll try to come back earlier next time." Blake changed into slippers and took out the souvenirs he'd bought. "Here, this is for you. Specialty snacks from Mount Takao. Everyone says they're good."
Sagiri's eyes instantly lit up as she happily accepted the snacks.
"It's not like I'm happy or anything."
"..."
After washing up, Blake returned to his room and carefully read through Yanami's work, then discussed ideas and details with her online for quite a while.
During that time, Goko Ruri sent him a message asking about the mini-game. After hearing Blake explain the gameplay and mechanics, Kuroneko became extremely interested and said she could help anytime.
And just like that, the busy day hurried to an end.
The next morning.
Nine o'clock.
The doorbell rang softly.
Blake got up and opened the door to find a glowing angel standing outside.
"Good morning, Mr. Blake." Mahiru Shiina's voice was gentle, her caramel-colored eyes especially clear and pure under the sunlight. "I wanted to buy a bicycle today. It'll make grocery shopping much easier from now on."
Ever since learning how to ride, the angel clearly couldn't wait to have a bicycle of her own.
"I'll go with you, Miss Mahiru." Blake thought for two seconds. "The bike shop owner is friends with my father, so you can probably get a discount if I come along."
Mahiru blinked her bright eyes but didn't refuse.
"Then I'll be in your care, Mr. Blake."
"Let's go."
Blake changed into sneakers and headed out with the angel.
Buying the bike turned out to be a surprisingly tedious process. There were all kinds of forms and registrations to fill out, and it wasn't until an hour later that Mahiru finally walked out of the shop, pushing a brand-new pink bicycle.
"Congratulations. Miss Mahiru is officially a member of the vehicle-owning class now," Blake said beside her. "You can start trying longer rides."
"Mmm..." Mahiru pressed her lips together, then looked up at him expectantly. "I remember you saying before that riding to the beach would be perfect, right?"
"It takes a little over half an hour to bike there. Long enough to feel like a trip, but not exhausting." Blake nodded lightly. "Want to ride to the beach this afternoon?"
Mahiru raised a hand and gently tucked a strand of windblown hair behind her ear, her voice sweet and soft.
"...Okay."
"....."