"Got it, got it. I understand," Erika Chiba said.
"Anyway, Leo's doing the grunt work in the kitchen, and Mizuki's washing the dishes."
"I should be working in there too," Mikihiko complained.
"Why did you suddenly drag me over here?"
"Haven't I explained it to you lots of times? There was a little mishap," Erika Chiba said.
"That doesn't count as an explanation at all," Mikihiko retorted.
"All right, all right. Stop arguing," Erika Chiba said indifferently.
"Look, there are some empty plates over there."
"Honestly. I'll settle the score with you after this is over."
With no other choice, Mikihiko went to clear away the empty plates.
"Shouldn't you go a little easier on him?" Tatsuya Shiba suggested.
"You're right. I did take some of my frustration out on him," Erika Chiba explained.
"Even though I knew Miki wasn't good at handling this sort of thing."
Miyuki Shiba suddenly noticed Baifeng Uesugi leaving.
Why is Bai Feng leaving? He didn't even wait for me. Honestly.
As Miyuki Shiba watched Baifeng Uesugi leave, a group of people were watching her as well.
"That girl's super cute, isn't she?"
"Forget it, forget it. She won't pay you any attention."
"Mind your own business."
"What's wrong, Masaki?" George asked.
"George, do you know that girl?" Masaki Ichijo asked, his gaze fixed on Miyuki Shiba.
"Oh, her name's Miyuki Shiba. She's competing in Icicle Destruction and Mirage Bat. She seems to be the ace among First High School's first-years."
George followed Masaki Ichijo's gaze and saw Miyuki Shiba, so he answered.
"Miyuki Shiba?" Masaki Ichijo murmured, staring blankly at her.
"That's rare. I can't believe you're interested in a girl, Masaki," George said with a laugh.
"It's not like that."
"Many distinguished guests have joined us today for the Nine Schools Competition interschool gathering. Now, please welcome Retsu Kudou, a director of the Magicians' Association, to give us an inspiring speech."
The host's words interrupted Masaki Ichijo, and the people in the hall turned to look at the host.
By the time the gathering officially began, Baifeng Uesugi was already lying in his hotel room, where he drifted off to sleep.
In their hotel room, Miyuki Shiba and the others saw that it was still early and sat chatting.
"It starts the day after tomorrow. I'm so nervous."
Honoka Mitsui hugged a pillow as she spoke.
"It's still early," Miyuki Shiba said with a smile.
"Honoka, our newcomers' events don't start until the fourth day, right?"
"Shizuku, is there anything you'd recommend watching the day after tomorrow?" Miyuki Shiba then asked Shizuku Kitayama.
"You have to watch President Saegusa's Speed Shooting. She's certain to win, but I'm still looking forward to the Fairy Sniper's last match in high school."
Shizuku Kitayama said.
"Fairy Sniper?" Miyuki Shiba asked, puzzled.
"That's the president's nickname, although it's not official," Shizuku Kitayama explained.
"Why do I get the feeling the president has a lot of fans?" Honoka Mitsui asked in confusion.
"Knock, knock."
A knock sounded at the door just then.
"I'll get it," Honoka Mitsui said, getting up.
"Good evening," Eimi greeted her.
"Oh, it's you, Eimi, and the others. What is it?" Honoka Mitsui asked.
"Um, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the hot springs together," Eimi said.
"Sorry, Eimi, but we already have plans tonight. We probably can't go with you."
Honoka Mitsui apologized.
"What? You all have plans?" Eimi asked, looking into the room and seeing Miyuki Shiba and the others.
"Yes, Eimi," Miyuki Shiba replied with a nod.
"Huh? Miyuki, you have plans tonight?"
Mayumi Saegusa asked.
"Mm-hm. We agreed to go to the hot springs with Bai Feng, and it's about time, I think."
Miyuki Shiba said.
"Yeah, let's go."
Shizuku Kitayama stood up.
"Miyuki, you don't mind if I come too, do you?" Mayumi Saegusa asked.
"Of course not. Bai Feng will be delighted when he hears," Miyuki Shiba said with a smile.
Just as they were about to leave, Mayumi Saegusa's terminal rang.
"Hello? Mm, all right. I'll be right there."
"Sorry, Miyuki. Something's come up, so I might not be able to go with you."
After ending the call, Mayumi Saegusa spoke apologetically.
"It's all right, Mayumi. Take care of what you need to. We'll go on ahead," Miyuki Shiba said with a smile.
"Okay. If I have time, I'll come join you," Mayumi Saegusa said with a smile.
"All right, Mayumi," Miyuki Shiba replied.
When Miyuki Shiba and the others arrived at the hot springs, they found that Baifeng Uesugi wasn't there yet.
"Where's Bai Feng?" Miyuki Shiba asked.
"I don't know," Honoka Mitsui replied.
"I saw Bai Feng leave the gathering early, it seemed," Miyuki Shiba said.
"Do you think Bai Feng forgot we were going to the hot springs?"
Honoka Mitsui asked.
"Probably not," Miyuki Shiba said uncertainly.
"I'll go find Bai Feng."
With that, Shizuku Kitayama turned and left.
"What's gotten into Shizuku?" Honoka Mitsui asked gloomily.
"I don't know, but Shizuku did overreact a little. Maybe she's angry because Bai Feng was the one who suggested it, but he isn't here now."
Miyuki Shiba explained.
"Still, I'm a little curious why Shizuku cares so much about Bai Feng," Miyuki Shiba said, looking in the direction Shizuku Kitayama had gone.
"Maybe Bai Feng's cooking captured her heart. Besides, you know Shizuku's a foodie," Honoka Mitsui explained.
"Oh, really?"
Miyuki Shiba pondered.
"Well, since Shizuku's gone to get Bai Feng, let's go in first."
Honoka Mitsui couldn't wait to get into the hot spring and began changing.
"All right, I suppose that's all we can do for now," Miyuki Shiba said helplessly.
Shizuku Kitayama came to Baifeng Uesugi's room and knocked a few times, but there was no response. Just as she thought he wasn't in, the door suddenly opened.
"Excuse me."
Seeing this, Shizuku Kitayama spoke quietly, then tiptoed inside.
Once inside, Shizuku Kitayama saw that Baifeng Uesugi was fast asleep, and she felt a little angry.
Hmph. You were the one who suggested going to the hot springs together, and here you are sleeping.
Though that was what she thought, Shizuku Kitayama's expression remained calm.
She walked softly to the bedside and looked at the sleeping Baifeng Uesugi. Suddenly, Shizuku Kitayama thought the young man before her was quite good-looking.
She crouched down and leaned her head forward slightly, bringing herself a little closer.
He really is good-looking.
But now they were a little too close, their faces only a tiny distance apart.
As Baifeng Uesugi slept, he suddenly felt someone staring at him. He opened his eyes and saw a face right in front of his, giving him a fright.
He instinctively tried to sit up, but the two of them were too close, and the movement caused them to kiss by accident.
Baifeng Uesugi looked at the person he had accidentally kissed and hurriedly pulled away. Although he had thought about taking Shizuku Kitayama for himself, this was still a little too fast.
Shizuku Kitayama hadn't expected Baifeng Uesugi to wake up so suddenly either, and her first kiss was gone just like that. She felt a little angry.
"You... you... I..." Shizuku Kitayama was too nervous to get the words out.
"Um, sorry, Shizuku. Don't worry, I'll take responsibility," Baifeng Uesugi said apologetically.
"Hmph. Everyone's waiting for you at the hot springs."
Shizuku Kitayama gave a little huff, then turned and walked out of the room.
Watching Shizuku Kitayama leave, Baifeng Uesugi was at a loss. Had she agreed or not?
After getting out of bed, Baifeng Uesugi went out and found Shizuku Kitayama waiting beside the door. She hadn't gone on ahead.
"Did you mean what you said just now?" Shizuku Kitayama asked calmly.
After taking some time to compose herself, Shizuku Kitayama was no longer nervous and reconsidered what had just happened.
She thought being with Baifeng Uesugi would be pretty nice. That way, someone would make her delicious food every day.
"Yes, but I'll respect your wishes," Baifeng Uesugi said.
"All right, but can we start as boyfriend and girlfriend? Marriage and things like that are a little too fast, after all."
As she said this, Shizuku Kitayama's cheeks turned red.
"Sure. But you're really cute when you're shy, Shizuku."
Baifeng Uesugi reached out and felt Shizuku Kitayama's cheek as he spoke.
"You... what are you doing?"
Shizuku Kitayama asked in surprise.
(P.S. Keep the "power generation" coming, and the happiness won't stop! As a new author, thank you all for your support. I hope you'll click to request more updates and send some power.
Please give this new author some more encouragement and motivation. Wishing you all happiness and joy in advance!)
Cuties, remember to add the book to your shelves, request more updates, and leave comments. The website uses those to determine how much exposure the book gets.