Chapter 325

With that, Nijika had finished her main tasks for the morning, and she prepared to go back and check on Ishikawa Hayato's situation.

Just as she reached the door of Ishikawa Hayato's room and placed her hand on the doorknob, she heard a girl's sleepy and delicate voice coming from inside.

"Ugh... ah, I want to sleep a little longer."

"Morning exercise is very effective for fat loss."

Nijika's cute eyes suddenly turned into blank, cat-like eyes.

11:39 AM.

It was only then that the five of them sat down at the dining table and began their brunch.

After they started eating in unison, they ate quietly for a while, and then a leisurely chat gradually began.

However, Ishikawa Hayato didn't seem inclined to join the conversation; he was leisurely looking at travel information on his phone.

Nijika took a bite of the poached egg; the egg white was fried until golden brown on the outside and snow-white on the inside, making it very crispy and fragrant.

She spoke only after swallowing.

"Since we had lunch early, everyone can go home early and tell their families about the situation."

The five of them had decided where to go a few days ago, and had already booked their tickets and hotels.

Of course, the girls had told their parents about this before, but this time they were going on a long trip and wouldn't be going home for the Chinese New Year.

It would be best to see your family before leaving.

Ikuyo was originally feeling relaxed and happy, was enjoying a warm meal on an empty stomach when she heard Nijika's words. Suddenly, her shoulders slumped pitifully, and she said with teary eyes.

"I've been staying here secretly for so long, I'm going to get a lot of flak when I go back..."

"Want to help share the firepower?"

Ishikawa Hayato looked away from his phone.

Ikuyo was initially tempted, but then immediately shook her head.

"I think it's better not to, it feels like it would only make things worse..."

Hitori watched the two talking quietly for half a second before asking a question.

"Falcon, will you go back?"

Ishikawa Hayato turned off his phone and turned to look at them.

"It's time to go back and visit, even though I just saw that silly little sister a few days ago."

"Hibiki is so smart and cute."

Nijika's face darkened; she seemed to have come to regard Xiang as her own younger sister.

Ishikawa Hayato smiled and changed the subject.

"Beppu is still quite far, everyone remember to check your belongings and try not to forget anything."

Hitori was nervous after being told this, and hurriedly asked.

"Should I bring anything special...? I've never been to the hot springs there..."

"We're all the same," Nijika, her smile returning to comfort her.

"I haven't even been to Liang yet. Oh, and there's one more thing. If you're free, remember to come to tonight's Christmas party, which also happens to be my sister's birthday party and yesterday's celebration party."

"This doesn't feel like an invitation to just 'remember to come' at all," Ryo retorted.

Nijika shrank back and smiled sheepishly.

After breakfast and lunch, the group tidied up the house together. Once they were done Nijika, Ikuyo, Hitori left without hesitation.

Only Ishikawa Hayato and Ryo were left at home.

After saying goodbye to the three, Ishikawa Hayato returned to the living room and saw Ryo lying on the chaise lounge of the sofa watching TV.

She had practically taken over this spot; Ishikawa Hayato had even mentally dubbed it the "Cat's Laying-Down Spot."

Thinking about it, he couldn't help but want to go over and pet the cat's fur.

But he didn't go.

Looking at Ryo, who was wearing long pants and a shirt and whose proportionate figure made her appear quite tall, lying on the sofa, Ishikawa Hayato asked.

"Can't you let it cool down?"

"They should be eating out now. I'll go check on them this afternoon."

After finishing speaking, Ryo turned to look at Ishikawa Hayato, bent his knees, and asked, "What, still want to do it?"

"Yes," Ishikawa Hayato said, sounding very certain.

Liang just smiled and didn't take it seriously at all, "Go pack up quickly, I'll go back and check on things."

"Then I wandered around the streets again in the afternoon."

Ishikawa Hayato relaxed a bit and accurately stated her plan as he walked towards his room.

"Then when you catch me, you can do whatever you want."

Liang leaned back lazily on the sofa and turned her gaze back to the television.

Leaving home and heading to the station, Ishikawa Hayato returned to his solitary state after a long absence.

Normally, he always has at least one girlfriend with him wherever he goes, so walking alone on the street in quietness feels so strange.

"When I get back, Hibiki will probably say I smell like a girl again."

Ishikawa Hayato raised his arm and sniffed.

He smiled, lowered his arm, breathed a sigh of relief, and took a few more steps when his phone rang.

It's Ikuyo's LINE account.

"My mom gave me such a terrible scolding..."

It was followed by a crying bear emoji.

Ishikawa Hayato replied quickly.

"Then let the hot spring soak away your tears."

"I'm determined to get my money's worth!"

Ishikawa Hayato sent another cheering emoji, and Ikuyo replied with a sparkling emoji.

When we got on the tram, there weren't many people on it, and most of the seats were empty.

However, the seat closest to the car door was already taken, so Ishikawa Hayato walked to the middle of the bench and sat down.

When he was alone, he observed his surroundings more closely.

On the tram, the advertising signs swayed gently as the tram moved forward; the various advertisements, mainly in red, white, and green—characteristics of Christmas—seemed to have been hanging there for a long time.

It's been about a month.

Inside the carriage, perhaps because it hadn't picked up many passengers for a while, it felt deserted, and the usually foggy windows became clear.

At this moment, it's just that the outside world is being filtered through a layer of gray.

Looking at the scenery, Ishikawa Hayato couldn't help but yawn.

A little while later, his phone rang again.

I habitually opened Line and took a look.

Liang: "I'm out."

She also included a snapshot of the scenery taken casually on the street.

Ishikawa Hayato glanced at the convenience store and other shops and immediately recognized it as the street about 100 meters away from his apartment building.

"Okay, I'll come find you right now. You said you'd do whatever you wanted once you caught him."

"You've boarded the tram, haven't you?"

"I can get off the bus."

"Okay, come on."

"You stay where you are and wait."

"I'm no longer there."

"Hateful!"

Liang finally posted a condescending emoji with the caption "You're so cute."

Ishikawa Hayato put his phone away.

Some people pitifully begged for mercy last night, and less than twelve hours later they started rebelling again. They really don't learn their lesson.

He suddenly realized.

Could it be M?

Ishikawa Hayato leaned back in his chair and looked out the window across the street.

Speaking of which, it's nice to chat on Line again after so long.

After a while, Nijika and Hitori also sent messages.

However, Nijika honestly posted the location of tonight's gathering in the group chat and mentioned who would be coming.

Like the other two, Hitori reported back to Ishikawa Hayato about his night raid and that he was safe.

Seeing the different actions of the others, Ishikawa Hayato sighed inwardly, thinking that Nijika was truly the most honest one.

However, he is also the most dangerous one.

After getting off the tram, Ishikawa Hayato walked along the familiar road, and the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar scenery along the way made him feel a little emotional.

He glanced at his house a few more times before taking out his long-unused key, opening the door, and going inside.

"I'm back..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ishikawa Jinpei's shouts echoed through the hall.

"What kind of thief dares to come back while I'm home?!"

Shouting, he rushed out with a broom in his hand.

You actually dared to play with Mom's broom? I acknowledge your courage.

Ishikawa Hayato looked at his father, who had gone mad without anyone to control him, and put on a stern face.

"You dare to insult my reputation? Let's duel!"

Ishikawa Jinpei, holding a broom, readily agreed without any recollection of it.

"Good!"

The two walked out one after the other as they talked, but as soon as they passed through the door, Ishikawa Hayato darted to the doorway. After Ishikawa Jinpei walked out of the doorway without knowing anything, he slipped back in.

The door closed.

He smiled and looked at his mother and sister who had also come out of the house, then pointed behind him triumphantly.

"The dumbest one is already locked outside."

His voice was accompanied by Ishikawa Jinpei cursing.

"You brat, open the door!"

The two smiled helplessly, and Xiang said fearlessly.

"If we're talking about who's the dumbest, then you, brother, should be locked out."

When faced with a child who has been away for a long time, parents will usually take care of them gently for a while, and then their attitude will change drastically.

Within a week at the latest, their once doting gaze towards their child will turn into one of utter disgust and contempt.

However, Ishikawa Hayato is still being treated as an emperor.