Fourth Period Is Modern Chinese (Continued)

"Then I'll hang up."

"Mm. Bye-bye."

Yuihama said that, but she showed no sign of hanging up.

"..."

I could still hear her faint breathing, and I couldn't help but smile wryly.

"...Hurry up and hang up already."

"Y-Yeah, you're right..."

She was probably wearing her usual shy smile right now, touching her bun hairstyle.

As I imagined that scene, the person on the other end of the call let out a breath as if she had thought of something.

"Ah, how about we count three, two, one, then hang up together?"

She probably found herself embarrassed for saying that. Even through the phone, I could picture her awkward smile.

The instant I realized it, my neck grew hot.

"What the hell? No way, I'm hanging up."

"Ah, hey, wai—"

"Okay, hanging up. Bye."

With that, I quickly ended the call.

A sigh slipped from my lips.

I stared at the phone in my hand for a while.

What was that conversation...?

Remembering what we'd just said, I flailed my limbs around on the bed. It looked like I was practicing swimming, which was somewhat similar to that childish conversation from moments ago. The moment I became aware of it, embarrassment suddenly washed over me.

I rolled around on the bed for a while, then finally gave up struggling and lay still. I let out a deep sigh.

I felt exhausted beyond belief, and only got up when I became thirsty.

I returned to the living room looking drained and met Komachi's eyes just as she turned around.

Seeing my face, Komachi let out a satisfied breath.

"Are you going on a New Year's shrine visit?"

"Yeah, probably."

I went around to the kitchen, drank a glass of water, then answered coolly. She broke into a grin.

"Ooh, I