Into the Tiger's Den

Night fell.

After fooling around for a while, the girls each went home.

Kitagawa Kai took out his phone and contacted the girls with whom he had complicated relationships, one by one.

When Hasebe and Amikura Mako heard the invitation, neither could hide the hesitation in her voice.

No matter how they looked at it, this trip was closer to a family outing for Kitagawa Kai. Joining so abruptly would inevitably be a little awkward.

Still, the two of them ultimately agreed happily.

Ibuki Mio accepted the invitation as well.

However, her breathing was unsteady, and she sounded very weak.

"Ibuki, are you feeling unwell? Do you need help?"

"...It's nothing. I just caught a little cold wind. I'm lying down and resting."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Why are you so naggy? Anyway, I know about the trip. I'll be there when the time comes."

Ibuki Mio did not give him a chance to keep pressing her and quickly hung up.

Kitagawa Kai looked at the ended-call screen, feeling even more puzzled.

Why had Ibuki been acting so strange lately?

Still, compared to Ibuki's odd attitude, senior Asahina Nazuna was clearly more troublesome.

No matter how Kitagawa Kai invited her, she only brushed him off with, "Let me think about it."

Over the phone, he could not gauge his senior's true reaction. He could only let it go for now and prepare to ask her face-to-face tomorrow.

Just as Kitagawa Kai was about to put down his Terminal, a new message popped up on the screen.

[Chie: Little Kitagawa, Kozue needs to see you about something important. Get to Room 802, quick~]

[Kitagawa Kai: Is her Terminal broken? Why does she need Chie to pass along the message?]

[Chie: Oh, stop dawdling and get over here already. You know