After watching the white tiger for a while, Kitagawa Kai joined the girls for an animal boat tour and a llama zip line ride before heading to the entrance to meet up with everyone else.
Everyone had seen the animals they were interested in. The moment they met up, they excitedly chatted about what they had seen along the way, carefully bringing out the cactus arrangements they had made themselves and the souvenirs they had bought to show off and admire.
Kitagawa Kai turned to Shiranami Chihiro beside him. "Chihiro, did you have fun today?"
"Lots! When we were on the boat earlier, I even saw a little monkey come running over from a tree. Too bad you were sitting on the other side, Kai-kun."
"I heard you calling me."
"It was just too fast."
Shiranami Chihiro still vividly remembered how cute the little monkey had looked as it peeked around. Her eyes curved into a smile as she spoke.
"If a perfect score is a hundred, I'd give today ninety-five."
"That high? Then how many points would you give my performance as your 'playmate' today?"
"Well... I can't tell you yet."
Kitagawa Kai looked a little surprised. "Don't tell me I didn't even pass?"
"Today's not over yet. Why are you already asking for your grade, Kai-kun?"
"All right, then I'll work a little harder for the rest of the trip. If you want anything, Chihiro, just ask."
Shiranami Chihiro glanced toward the parking lot, then edged a little closer to him. "Then will you sit beside me on the way home?"
"Of course," Kitagawa Kai readily agreed.
It had been a long time since he had enjoyed a thoroughly satisfying private chat with her, too.
The last time had been, well, the last time.
"I still have so