Chapter 281

As we walked along the aisle towards the stage, many children chattered excitedly, asking their parents questions about how the dolphins would perform and why they cooperated with the show.

"Why would I go to see a dolphin show that's only for little kids?"

Ryo seemed to be complaining, but was actually being coquettish as she spoke to Ishikawa Hayato.

But apart from Ishikawa Hayato, no one else could tell from Ke Liang's coquettishness; all three of them thought she was serious.

Nijika sighed and offered words of comfort.

"Let's unite a little more."

Ikuyo also smiled and agreed.

"It might be quite interesting."

Seeing Ryo's headache, Ishikawa Hayato grinned mischievously, grabbed her hand, shook it, and whispered something.

"I'm 9 years old now, and I want my older sister to take me to see the dolphins."

Liang rolled her eyes, but didn't let go.

At that moment, Ikuyo looked at Ishikawa Hayato seriously and said earnestly.

"I suddenly feel like watching 9-year-old Hayato-kun."

"Ah, me too..."

"Now that you mention it, I'm a little curious too. I didn't see it last time..."

The three of them immediately shifted their interest from the dolphin show to Ishikawa Hayato.

This time, Ishikawa Hayato was truly at a loss.

199. Outlook

When they arrived at the dolphin show venue, the performance had already begun.

The five of them entered the venue and walked down two rows, then, led by Nijika, they went through the aisle in front of the chairs.

Before they even sat down, they heard childlike, lively music playing as staff guided the dolphins in a tone that appealed to children, while simultaneously attracting the audience.

"Kanta-kun (dolphin), please take care of me, one, two~"

Liang took a deep breath as soon as she sat down, and said in a seemingly calm tone.

"I felt like I'd stumbled into a performance where adults disguised as 10-year-olds were leading 6- or 7-year-olds in a show for 8- or 9-year-olds..."

Ryo rarely complains; if it weren't for Ishikawa Hayato's sake, she definitely wouldn't have come in here.

Knowing she would complain, Ishikawa Hayato sat down next to her. He looked into the pool and saw the dolphin dive into the water and accelerate its charge underwater.

Knowing that the dolphin was about to perform a spectacular move, he quickly tugged at his still-complaining cold hand.

Liang reluctantly looked towards the performance venue after being reminded by him, just as a staff member pointed at the water and called out as if to remind him.

"Jump!"

Two dolphins leaped out of the water, their crescent-shaped bodies spun twice in the air before plunging back into the water, where they floated near the edge of the pool closest to the audience.

The venue was filled with gasps of amazement, children's laughter, and enthusiastic applause.

Ishikawa Hayato looked at Ryo, who was staring blankly at the dolphins floating on the edge of the pool. At the same time, on her other side, Nijika looked down at Ishikawa Hayato.

Nijika wore a smile that said, "This person's changing expressions are really interesting."

Ishikawa Hayato opened his mouth and mouthed something.

"Tsundere~"

Nijika chuckled softly. Liang snapped out of her daze, glanced around at the two people beside her who seemed to be ganging up on her, and let out a pitiful sigh.

Aside from the first few impressive performances, the group lost interest in the other theatrical acts and left after watching for about ten minutes.

"It seems like animals have it so good... They get food as long as they perform, and they even get encouragement..."

After leaving the aquarium, when there were fewer people around, Hitori said enviously to the four of them.

This was the first time Hitori had proactively shared her thoughts without any prompting.

While Ishikawa Hayato was pleased, he also wondered what harm animal performances might do to the animals. Then he thought about this person's daily life.

She locked herself in a dark, sunless corner, practicing for long hours every day in a self-torturing manner. Now she's fortunate to have parents to support her, but if she didn't have parents and hadn't met him, it's hard to say what her life would have been like.

Thinking about it this way, it seems that many people have it even harder than animals.

Nijika could only helplessly scoff at Hitori's bizarre and terrifying idea.

"Bocchi-chan's thoughts are still as dark as ever."

Liang looked around, seemingly searching for snacks, and then spoke unhurriedly.

"Aren't we the same now? Performing, making money, although we used to have to spend money to perform."

Nijika was momentarily stunned to find nothing wrong with what she heard.

Yes, they used to have to pay to perform.

That's even worse than being an animal.

Seeing the conversation being dragged into an abyss by the two shady characters, Ikuyo quickly walked up to the group, clenched his hands, and called out to them.

"At least we're better than dolphins now!"

Ishikawa Hayato, having had his fill of watching the show, said with a smile.

"I can help Hitori with such a simple request. I'll praise Hitori after every performance, and I'll buy Hitori to eat. Hitori needs to do is perform for me again."

Without thinking, Ichiri leaned towards Ishikawa Hayato Hitori hearing what he said, her eyes sparkling with a cute light, and excitedly asked him a question.

"What, what do you want to perform?"

Hitori is a self-deceptive person. She always feels that she gives Ishikawa Hayato too little and is worried that she has no place in Ishikawa Hayato's heart. Therefore, she will do whatever Ishikawa Hayato asks without hesitation.

Nijika, standing to the side, watched this scene helplessly and said...

"I have a feeling that there's something off about your relationship."

Ishikawa Hayato ignored Nijika, reached out and touched her head, then looked up and thought for a moment before speaking.

Let's start by meowing.

"Eh..."

Hitori blinked in surprise, her eyes flickering with a hint of embarrassment, but she quickly prepared herself.

She looked up and called out in a pinched voice.

Meow~~

Hitori gripped Ishikawa Hayato 'Ishikawa Hayato sleeves with both hands, staring intently at him, her entire being radiating undisguised affection.

To be honest, Ishikawa Hayato initially wondered what kind of trouble this guy might cause, but he turned out to be surprisingly honest.

And his absorbed look was so captivating that Ishikawa Hayato held his breath and picked up the sign.

"Very!"

The three people nearby watched this scene in silence for a moment.

Liang broke the silence, pointing ahead.

"I have a feeling there's something delicious over there, Falcon, buy it for me."

Ishikawa Hayato made a firm claim.

"Good."

While wondering if Ishikawa Hayato liked cats, Nijika asked Ryo.

"Want some more...?"

With a smirk, she walked to the other side of Ishikawa Hayato, took his hand, and looked at Nijika.

"Yes, my boyfriend is treating us today."

"That... is also my boyfriend..."

Hitori also followed Ryo's example and hugged Ishikawa Hayato's hand.

Ikuyo and Nijika, who were slow to react, froze. While Nijika was still looking around, Ikuyo pounced on her.

"You guys are too cunning! I got a share too!"

Nijika couldn't help but watch this scene unfold.

"Hey! Keep your distance on the street!"

Ishikawa Hayato said with a grin that made him look like he was laughing to death.

"It's okay, it's okay, there's hardly anyone here."

In the end, Nijika, unwilling to be left behind, came over and gave her a hug as well.

The phone's photo album also contained photos of the five of them hugging each other, and photos of the five of them holding the snacks they had chosen— Takoyaki Senbei.

After finishing their Takoyaki Senbei, the five of them reached the bottom of the long staircase leading to the summit of Enoshima.

Behind the red torii gate, you can see a long mountain path, and along the way, you can see people slowly making their way up the mountain.

Three of the five people were not frequent hikers, and they stopped when they saw this scene.

Ikuyo walked up to the four of them with an endearing seriousness and spoke to them with great enthusiasm.

"Now it's time to officially begin the climb!"

Ryo was taken aback. She had refused Ishikawa Hayato's offer to come to Enoshima because she didn't want to go through too much hardship, but judging from Ikuyo's words, it seemed like they were going to climb all the way to the top of the mountain.

"Are we going to have to climb stairs?"

She asked, clinging to a sliver of hope.

She was met with Ikuyo's bright smile and expectant expression.

Don't you think the most beautiful scenery is the one you see after going through hardship?

Ryo glanced at Ishikawa Hayato nodding behind Ikuyo, realized she'd been tricked, and refused without hesitation.

"No, I don't care!"

Ikuyo didn't give up and looked at Nijika, trying to win over the others.

"Senior Nijika will definitely be alright!"

Nijika had visited this place during her New Year's shrine visit, and she knew the horrors of the staircase hell here.

Faced with Ikuyo's invitation, she smiled awkwardly and tactfully.

Actually, I don't have much motivation...

Ikuyo was very interested in this activity where the five of them worked together, and she was determined to succeed. She did not lose heart and asked Hitori.

"What about that Ichiri-chan?"

Hitori waved his hand, not directly saying he refused.

"Well... if we go all the way up, then..."

Ikuyo refused even Hitori, her sunny disposition waned, and she looked pleadingly at Ishikawa Hayato with slightly slumped shoulders.

Upon seeing her plea for help, the invincible Ishikawa Hayato nodded with his hands on his hips.

"In that case, we'll have to try to find a compromise."

The four of them blinked, dumbfounded.

Ishikawa Hayato didn't explain much to them, but looked around and walked directly to the shop next door.

"Matsumoto, can I borrow your stroller for a moment?"

"Boss Ishikawa, you came to Enoshima today?"

"I came with my girlfriend, thanks, we'll return it to you after we get down the mountain."