Chapter 542

They sat side by side, turning the pages quietly, and only the soft sound of turning pages and the background sound of variety shows vaguely coming from the TV remained in the room.

Natsume Chikage checked the time; it was just past eight, no need to rush to take a bath.

He took out his phone, leaned against the wall, and continued typing in the document while listening to the lively sounds on the TV.

Time passed quietly.

The night outside the window grew thicker.

When the clock hand slid past ten o'clock, the phone in Kaga Reisa's pocket suddenly rang—it was a call from home.

She suddenly woke up from the world in the book, looked at the phone screen, and then glanced at the clock on the wall, an expression of disbelief appearing on her face.

Actually... it's already this late?

She had actually watched for so long without knowing?

Natsume Chikage also stopped his fingers tapping on the screen and reminded:

"Kaga-san, it's very late. Let's read the rest tomorrow."

Kaga Reisa lowered her head to look at the novel with half the content left, a clear reluctance showing in her eyes, but she still nodded obediently and closed the pages:

"... Hmm."

Natsume Ruri on the side had no reaction, still burying her head in the book, as if isolated from the outside world.

Natsume Chikage saw this, and his understanding of the effect of Yukimura Suzune's "literary trinket" became more intuitive—being able to make readers so fascinated, the effect is indeed extraordinary.

However, as an older brother, he still had to fulfill his supervisory duties:

"Ruri, it's past ten o'clock, time to prepare for a bath and sleep."

"Before Brother sends Kaga-san back, you have to finish your bath, do you know?"

Natsume Ruri then raised her head from the book reluctantly, pouting her little mouth:

"Oh... I know."

Late at night.

Natsume Ruri, who finally finished the whole novel, closed the pages with satisfaction and let out a long sigh.

Her face carried the fulfillment and faint emotion after reading.

"Brother, you can turn off the lights."

"Hmm."

Natsume Chikage, looking at his sister who had to finish reading before going to sleep, helplessly pressed the switch on the wall.

"Clack."

The warm light went out, and the room fell into darkness.

Natsume Ruri rustled into the quilt, carrying the aftertaste of the story, and soon entered a dreamland.

Natsume Chikage also returned to his bed in the dark and lay down.

A series of things experienced today made him indeed feel a little tired.

Especially kendo, which consumes a lot of energy.

Sleepiness therefore gradually surged up.

Before going to sleep, he habitually picked up his phone, wanting to see if anyone had sent a message; if not, he would just sleep today.

Light up the screen, open LINE.

The icon showed many red dots of unread messages.

The senders were: Yasui Ryouto, Araki Yuai, Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui, Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai, and Yukimura Suzune.

He first clicked on the message Yasui Ryouto had sent not long ago.

【Yasui Ryouto: How about it, did you watch your Dou-brother's competition today? Was it cool?】

Natsume Chikage was stunned for a few seconds looking at this message.

Then, he was a bit dumbfounded.

It's over.

During the day, he was busy with kendo and novels, and completely forgot about the promise to watch Yasui-senior's competition live.

He bit the bullet and replied.

【Natsume Chikage:... Watched it, Senior was really too cool!】

The message was replied to almost in seconds.

【Yasui Ryouto: Hahaha, that's a must! You don't know, the opponent was so suppressed by my momentum that he couldn't find north!】

【Natsume Chikage: Indeed...】

Next, Yasui Ryouto sent several paragraphs of content excitedly, describing how he showed off his power and heroic posture on the field today.

After a hearty self-boast, he finally remembered the main business.

【Yasui Ryouto: By the way, don't forget, tomorrow is the day you promised to come out for dinner with me and Yuai! Keep it in mind, don't stand us up!】

【Natsume Chikage: Hmm hmm, definitely remember, won't forget.】

【Yasui Ryouto: Fine, that's about right.】

After replying to Yasui Ryouto, Natsume Chikage's "bad" premonition became stronger.

He quickly exited the chat interface and opened the browser, quickly searching for relevant news and brief battle reports of today's shogi competition.

After scanning a few glances and remembering the key information, he clicked on Araki Yuai's chat window.

【Araki Yuai: Hahaha, how about it, was your Yuai-sister cool on the field?】

【Natsume Chikage: Cool, too cool, Yuai-sister!】

The message was also replied to very quickly.

【Araki Yuai: Oh? Really or fake? Let me test you, was my opponent today a man or a woman?】

Natsume Chikage answered decisively based on the information he had just crammed.

【Natsume Chikage: A man!】

【Araki Yuai: Oh? Then what's his name?】

【Natsume Chikage: Kubota Naoya.】

【Araki Yuai: Roar roar, not bad kid, looks like you really watched. I'll count you as passing! If I find out you didn't watch, see if I don't give you a special Yuai-style elbow strike!】

【Natsume Chikage: -_-|| How could that be... I definitely watched Yuai-sister's competition.】

【Araki Yuai: Hum hum, that's about right. By the way, don't forget about dinner tomorrow!】

【Natsume Chikage: Definitely definitely, won't forget.】

【Araki Yuai: Fine. Your Yuai-sister is sleepy, preparing to sleep, you also rest early.】

【Natsume Chikage: Good night, Yuai-sister.】

Natsume Chikage breathed a sigh of relief.

He turned to click on the message sent by Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai; the time showed it was not long ago.

【Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai: Natsume-kun, have you slept yet?】

【Natsume Chikage: Just preparing to sleep, is there anything?】

The message was replied to quickly.

【Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai: Nothing special... just, just wanted to thank you, the moonstone you helped me choose this morning, I really like it so, so much!】

【Natsume Chikage: It couldn't be better that you like it.】

【Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai: (〃'▽'〃) Hmm hmm! And also, playing with Ruri-chan, Suzune, and Aoi today, I was also super happy! Next time... can we come play again?】

【Natsume Chikage: Of course welcome. I can't thank you enough for someone coming to accompany Ruri.】

【Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai: (*^▽^*) Hmm hmm! Then it's a deal! It's not early, won't disturb your rest, we'll talk about anything tomorrow! Good night, Natsume-kun.】

【Natsume Chikage: Hmm, good night.】

Then, he clicked on Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui's chat window.

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: (,,???)? ゛Natsume-kun, good evening~ Have you slept yet?】

【Natsume Chikage: Not yet, what's wrong?】

The message was replied to almost in seconds.

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: Just... a bit curious and wanted to ask. Today everyone was playing well, why did Senior Konoe suddenly come over and call you away?】

【Natsume Chikage: It's because of the kendo club. They are going to participate in the Tamaryu Flag competition soon, but a member was injured due to some conflict, leading to a shortage of hands, so they temporarily pulled me over for emergency training.】

【Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui: (#^. ^#) So that's how it is... I thought it was...】

She said half of her words.