(I was sanctioned by Tomato and couldn't post the previous chapter. I put the content in the comments of (...) below. I don't know if it will be swallowed by Tomato, so I'll just make do with it.)
(...)
The afternoon sun becomes more intense.
The moment I checked out and walked out of the door, I was mercilessly scorched by the heat.
"Thank you for the hospitality, Classmate Sakayanagi."
Kazehara Tetsu stood in the shadow under the porch, looking at the girl who was putting on the wide-brimmed hat Beret again, with a bit of contentment in her tone.
The lunch was very exquisite, whether it was the dishes with very small portions but elegant presentation, or the "side entertainment" programs, they made him feel physically and mentally comfortable.
"Haha... it's just a simple meal."
Sakayanagi Arisu adjusted the brim of his hat, and his lavender eyes shone in the shadows with a light that had not yet completely calmed down.
"As long as Kazehara-kun eats to his heart's content, that's fine. After all... the way he devoured it just now was really impressive."
This sentence is a double entendre.
It refers not only to the food on the table, but also to the game under the table that did not result in a winner, but forced her to raise the white flag.
"Let's go."
Kazehara Tetsu didn't pay attention to her counterattack, and naturally slowed down, matching the rhythm of the girl with the cane.
The two walked slowly along Tree-lined Path leading to Dormitory area.
"Speaking of..."
After walking for a while, Kazehara Tetsu broke the silence, "Is that your 'special hobby'?"
"What does Kazehara-kun mean?" Sakayanagi Arisu looked straight ahead.
"You know what I'm talking about."
Kazehara Tetsu put his hands in his trouser pockets and turned his head slightly, "Where did that kind of method come from."
"Haha..." Sakayanagi Arisu chuckled.
"This is not a means, Kazehara-kun."
"Oh?"
"I'm very curious, Kazehara-kun, how long can it last?"
"But it seems I am the winner, right?"
Kazehara Tetsu looked at Sakayanagi Arisu, with a hint of victor's joking in his tone, "If I remember correctly, a certain person who started the war surrendered in the end..."
Speaking of this, Sakayanagi Arisu's cheeks, which were originally red due to the heat, seemed to be a bit darker.
"... It was caused by special reasons!"
"A soldier never tires of deceit." Kazehara Tetsu shrugged, looking innocent.
"Humph."
Sakayanagi Arisu snorted lightly and turned away to look at him, but he was not really angry.
"Next time... I won't lose easily."
The two continued to move forward.
When passing a Vending Machine, Kazehara Tetsu stopped.
"Want something to drink?"
He looked at the dazzling array of drinks inside and said, "Replenish some water, I'm sweating a lot."
Sakayanagi Arisu glanced at the vending machine. Although she rarely drank these things, the loss of water in her body in this scorching heat did make her feel a little thirsty.
"Then...Oolong Tea." She said.
Kazehara Tetsu Use your phone to swipe the screen and press the button.
"Bangdang..."
Two bottles of ice-cold drinks rolled down.
One bottle is Oolong Tea, and the other bottle is black coffee.
He bent down to take out the drink, unscrewed the cap of the bottle of Oolong Tea, and then handed it to Sakayanagi Arisu.
"Here."
"Thank you."
Sakayanagi Arisu took the bottle, and the cold touch instantly spread from her fingertips throughout her body, making her squint her eyes comfortably.
She drank it in small sips, the coolness dispelling some of the heat.
"Kazehara-kun is drinking coffee?" She looked at the black jar in Kazehara Tetsu's hand.
"Ah."
Kazehara Tetsu raised his head and took a big sip. The bitter taste spread in his mouth, slightly stimulating his somewhat heavy brain.
"A little bit sleepy."
He did not hide his state, "I didn't sleep well last night, and the hot spring bath was too comfortable just now, and now the sleepiness is counterattacking like crazy."
"Haha, it seems that the 'special situation' last night was really tricky."
Sakayanagi Arisu seemed to have something in her words, but she did not delve into who the "special situation" was.
"However, seeing this unprepared tired look on Kazehara-kun's face makes today's date worth it."
"Are you gloating?"
"How come."
Sakayanagi Arisu smiled slightly, "This is a compliment from the bottom of my heart."
Chatting all the way, the topic changed from the restaurant episode just now, to their favorite books, and to the discovery of recent interesting things.
Before you know it, Dormitory Building is right in front of you.
The sensor door automatically slides open to both sides, and the strong cold air blows in, instantly isolating the hot world outside.
"Huh..."
The two of them almost let out a comfortable sigh at the same time.
Kazehara Tetsu pressed the up button of the elevator.
After a while, the elevator door opened and the two of them walked in.
The space in the car is not big, there are only two of them.
Sakayanagi Arisu looked at the constantly beating numbers on the elevator panel.
"1,2..."
Time flies so fast.
This thought flashed through her mind.
For her, today's half day actually gave her a rare feeling of "not wanting it to end".
"Ding--"
The crisp prompt Sound System started, and the elevator stopped steadily on the third floor.
This is the floor where Boys' Dormitory is located.
The elevator door slowly slid open.
Kazehara Tetsu stepped out of the elevator, but did not leave immediately. Instead, he turned around and stood outside the door, looking at Sakayanagi Arisu who was still in the elevator.
"Just go back like this?"
Sakayanagi Arisu folded his hands on the cane in front of him, tilted his head slightly, and stared at him quietly without pressing the door button.
"What?"
Kazehara Tetsu looked at her appearance and couldn't help laughing.
He did not answer in a hurry, but took a step closer, put his hand on the side of the elevator door, leaned down, and looked directly into her eyes.
"Our Classmate Sakayanagi, do you really want to play with me again?"
"Or... do you want to have an 'overtime' match that refuses to admit defeat?"
"If it was like that just now..."
She avoided Kazehara Tetsu's scorching gaze and took a half step back, "Let's forget it. I can't stand that level of 'torture' anymore."
That's the truth.
For her now, if she did it again, I'm afraid it would really be too much.
"Haha..."
Kazehara Tetsu withdrew his hand from the door, stood up straight, and his face regained its soft, slightly lazy look.
"Don't worry, it's just a joke."
He yawned slightly, and there were tears in the corners of his eyes.
"Although I also want to go shopping with Classmate Sakayanagi, after all, spending time with you is very interesting..."
He paused, "But, as you can see, I am indeed a little sleepy now."
"If I continue to get along with you in this listless state, it will not only be disrespectful to you, but I won't be able to provide any good emotional value, right?"
"Rather than forcing myself to accompany you, I hope that when we meet next time, I will be Kazehara Tetsu in full swing."
Sakayanagi Arisu looked at him.
He didn't do it perfunctorily or forcefully.
"I don't mean to blame you."
Sakayanagi Arisu shook his head slightly, and that elegant smile appeared on his face again.
"Since Kazehara-kun has said so, I can only graciously let you rest."
She pressed the door button.
"Have a good sleep, my... boyfriend."
The elevator door began to close slowly, gradually cutting off the sight of the two people.
Before the last gap is about to disappear.
"See you next time, Arisu."
"Ding."