Chapter 322

Let's go back first, no matter what.

Ikuyo and Hitori blinked in surprise at her.

"Hmm," Ishikawa Hayato said, unsurprised. He nodded and began clearing away the dishes.

"Everyone, go home first. Remember to pick up your instruments; Hitori and I will take care of the rest."

"I'll take care of it, you two go and have fun!"

Nijika smiled and tried to take over the work from Ishikawa Hayato, but Ishikawa Hayato, unusually, didn't let her.

As Nijika lowered her head and reached out her hand, he smiled and winked at her, giving her a hint that she didn't quite understand.

Nijika stopped what she was doing, puzzled. Ishikawa Hayato then spoke to Ikuyo and Ryo.

"Please take Nijika back with you."

"Um."

224. An Unsafe Night

After Ishikawa Hayato and Hitori finished packing up the tableware and divided up the portions they needed to take, they headed out of the tent.

Hitori held the plate to her chest with both hands. Even though she was wearing winter clothes and the plate was slightly pressed down, it still seemed difficult to get close to her chest, which gave a sense of the girl's amazing bosom.

Holding the tray, she looked at Ishikawa Hayato carrying five sets of bowls and chopsticks, still thinking about helping him.

But since I had already argued with Ishikawa Hayato, I put the idea aside.

She silently repeated Ishikawa Hayato's words to herself, a hint of doubt creeping into her mind.

"Hawk said I've helped him a lot... but have I really?"

Following Ishikawa Hayato out of the tent, Hitori subconsciously glanced back in the direction they had returned and saw three friends who were no longer just friends in the crowd.

They chatted leisurely as they walked home, but soon, after being reminded by Ikuyo was looking around, all three of them turned to look in their direction.

Beside Hitori, Ishikawa Hayato waved his free hand at them.

Seeing this, Hitori lowered his head slightly and immediately spoke to Ishikawa Hayato.

"Falcon, why don't we go back too?"

She regretted it a little after she said it, both hoping that Ishikawa Hayato would accept it and fearing that Ishikawa Hayato would agree. However, she would accept whatever choice she made.

After Ishikawa Hayato looked away, he spoke to her.

"I haven't returned the tableware yet, I haven't bought any clothes, and most importantly, my date with Hitori hasn't even started yet."

"Ah..."

Hitori was speechless; the mix of serious business and flirting left her with no way to deny it.

She smiled and said, "Mm."

She stopped being withdrawn and discouraging.

The two carried the tableware towards the tableware recycling area.

At 10:36 PM, the Christmas gathering had shrunk considerably, leaving a sense of quiet desolation after the bustling atmosphere.

Fortunately, they didn't leave behind a mess; otherwise, they would have had to go somewhere else to explore.

Although Ishikawa Hayato was already planning to leave.

Among the sparse crowd, Hitori followed beside Ishikawa Hayato, trying to smile like Ikuyo.

"Falcon, how should we explore the area next?"

She didn't care where she went; she just wanted to learn to take the initiative in initiating conversations.

However, no matter how Hitori did, she wasn't as natural as Ikuyo, and her forced sunny smile looked somewhat strained and out of place.

"Next is shopping for clothes, then we'll do one last look around here, and then... I just saw a great place."

As Ishikawa Hayato spoke, a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes, before finally glancing at Hitori and giving a slight smile.

Hitori looked at him, her big eyes blinking, her expectant expression turning into starlight.

However, after thinking about it, she said in a panic.

"Ah, I'm not sure about Nijika's and Liangsang's clothing sizes..."

"That's perfect, we're a great match, because I know it," Ishikawa Hayato replied flippantly.

"Ah..." Ichiri said to Ishikawa Hayato Hitori silence, "Hayato said I helped you a lot... but it's clear I haven't helped at all."

"No, the most obvious thing is that as my girlfriend, she doesn't get angry even though she sees me being unfaithful. I'm really, really grateful."

Seeing Ishikawa Hayato smile and bow slightly, Hitori couldn't help but panic, even though he knew it was a joke.

"Ah, Falcon, don't be like that. You can only say thank you if you let me date Night Raid, Group Six Nine.④Nine'③⑥One③⑤!"

Hitori also began to bow, and became even more anxious.

On the aisle of the gathering, the two of them stood there, bowing to each other on the red carpet, attracting astonished glances from those around them.

It was Ishikawa Hayato who first noticed his surroundings. He glanced at the strange looks from the passersby and saw that they were still carrying cutlery before he chuckled and said...

"You've become a stupid couple."

"Ah... um." When Hitori noticed, she wasn't surprisingly nervous; she even smiled slightly.

Her smile at this moment was much cuter than her previous attempt to appear sunny; it was like a shy flower just beginning to bloom, her little face flushed red from the lights of the surrounding shops and stalls.

With Ishikawa Hayato deliberately delaying, the two walked for a long time before reaching the worktable where they returned the tableware, but the process of returning the tableware was incredibly simple.

So many people ordered food before, but now very few people are returning the utensils.

The world is often bustling and lively, but the prosperity also fades quickly.

In just the time it took to return the meal, Ishikawa Hayato felt that there were far fewer people around him.

Even when there were no customers, some shopkeepers were still busy doing something in their shops, as if everything was coming to an end.

"This feels like the perfect situation for our date."

Ishikawa Hayato held Hitori's hand, and even though it was covered by gloves, he remembered the soft touch of Ichiri's palm and the back of his hand perfectly.

"Yes... but is it alright if we don't go back soon? Everyone'll be getting impatient, won't they?"

Hitori couldn't help but ask out of concern.

"Hitori still doesn't know how to take care of herself."

Ishikawa Hayato loosened his grip on her hand slightly and squeezed her palm.

Hitori immediately retorted.

"But Hayabusa said I was helping you... and that's what I wanted to do..."

He actually used his own words to push the issue back?

Ishikawa Hayato was both happy and helpless, and reached out to pinch her cheek in a teasing manner.

"He's usually so quiet, but now he's so eloquent."

"Hmm..."

Despite her helpless expression, Hitori smiled at Ishikawa Hayato, letting him pinch her cheeks.

Amidst their laughter and conversation, the two arrived at a stall selling Christmas costumes.

There weren't many people around, and the shopkeepers inside were packing up their belongings.

However, judging from the extended tabletop and the clothes hanging on the racks in the store, the shop owner had only taken away some of the clothes used to decorate the storefront, leaving only one of each of the basic styles for display.

As soon as the two approached the stall, the shop owner, keenly aware of the noise, quickly stood up.

"What kind of clothes would you two like?"

"Let's choose ourselves."

Ishikawa Hayato smiled and declined the shop owner's offer of assistance. The shop owner, unconcerned, moved aside to allow them a better view of the clothing in the store.

The store had a wide variety of clothing, including not only the long Christmas dresses they had seen before, but also short-sleeved mini-skirts, and even styles that revealed the entire belly when worn.

There are also cute ones, such as onesie reindeer costumes, chick costumes, traditional Santa Claus costumes, and decorations with a big white beard, etc.

This tiny shop has a complete range of holiday outfits in various styles, from elegant and cute to sexy.

Ishikawa Hayato was very satisfied.

Hitori Ishikawa Hayato's gaze, Ichiri looked at the Christmas maxi dress and the sexy half-length skirt.

Even knowing that Ishikawa Hayato might choose the sexy one, she didn't care. Anyway, Ishikawa Hayato wouldn't let her wear it out. At home, she could accept whatever she wore.

"Hitori one do you think is better, Ichiri?" Ishikawa Hayato tugged at Hitori.

"If we buy the shorter one... Nijika-chan might complain."

Hitori weakly pointed to the one that clearly couldn't cover her belly.

"Do you think Hitori's alright?" Ishikawa Hayato thought to himself, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.

"Ah, that's fine with me."

"Okay, boss, I'll take the long skirt, the mini skirt, and the even shorter one! Four of each, three small sizes and one medium size!"

Ishikawa Hayato laughed and spoke loudly to the shop owner.

"Huh?!" Hitori was dumbfounded.

The shop owner was surprised to receive such a large order just as he was preparing to close the shop. He laughed and shouted "Great!" before going to get the goods and pack them up.

Ishikawa Hayato saw the shop owner walk a little further into the stall before turning to Hitori and speaking.

"Since Hitori thinks it's okay, you have to speak up for me when Nijika gets angry later."

"Hmm..." Hitori, then quickly showed a determined look, gritting her teeth and saying, "Okay, okay, I will!"

Ishikawa Hayato chuckled and ruffled her hair.

Before long, the two left the shop with their shopping bags. Hitori, with a determined look in her eyes, was deep in thought, clearly struggling with how to deal with Nijika.

Ishikawa Hayato realized he had gone a little too far, so he tugged at her hand to bring her back to her senses before speaking.

"Okay, just kidding, the super short one is definitely for other occasions."

Hitori first breathed a sigh of relief, then, as if remembering something, her expression gradually became worried.

"Hayabusa... what should we do about Nijika-chan?"

I'll tell you about this tomorrow.

Ishikawa Hayato remained calm and composed, as if he had planned this all along.

Hitori smiled with relief, and Ishikawa Hayato couldn't help but tease her.

"Hitori is now capable of worrying about so many things."

"Because I want to help Hayabusa more."

Her smile hadn't faded, but her brows furrowed slightly, and a determined look appeared on her face.

Having seen most of what they wanted to see, the two headed towards the exit of the gathering.

However, when they were still quite a distance from the exit, Ishikawa Hayato suddenly stopped, looked at a nearby shop stall, and walked over with Hitori.

He was puzzled for Hitori, but still followed closely.

"Boss, do you remember me?"

Ishikawa Hayato greeted the owner of the cake stall.

"Oh, sir, you still remember this place. Are you here to buy a cake...?"

The shopkeeper glanced at Ishikawa Hayato and quickly remembered that he was the one who had come in with a girlfriend, asking all sorts of questions.

After all, a handsome man and a beautiful woman are more memorable.

But after seeing Hitori, he frowned, thought for a moment, and tentatively asked.

Who is this?