Chapter 88

Even if he knew this was Kondo Miyuki's kindness, he didn't intend to accept it casually.

After all, he still had to find an excuse to ask her for that special equipment later; if he started owing favors now, it would be even harder to repay later.

Kondo Miyuki helplessly took back the ten-thousand-yen note.

"Then... then there's really nothing I can do."

"But Natsume-kun... my daughter is quite looking forward to you coming to eat at our house again; remember to come when you have time."

Natsume Chikage replied politely:

"If I have the opportunity, I will."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui was stunned. What daughter?

She must mean the little girl...

Kondo Miyuki looked at the exquisite watch on her wrist and reminded him gently:

"Then it's a promise."

"It's already very late now, you two remember to go home early too, and be safe~ Then I'll be going first."

Natsume Chikage nodded slightly:

"Mm, goodbye Auntie Miyuki."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui waved goodbye enthusiastically:

"Goodbye Auntie."

After a while.

Natsume Chikage and Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui, having finished the oden, walked side-by-side on the way home again.

Natsume Chikage was carrying a packed portion of oden, intending to take it back for his younger sister to taste.

And Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui's pace was lighter and bouncier than when they came, as if there were springs under her feet; her mood was clearly so good it was about to fly.

After all, today she not only took the subway to work with Natsume-kun, but they could also go home together and share a late-night snack. What was even rarer was—he was now personally sending her home!

This kind of treatment, I'm afraid that high-and-mighty Senior Tsukishima couldn't even envy it!

Thinking of these things, the curve of Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui's mouth couldn't be suppressed no matter what, and her mood was simply about to explode.

However, good times always pass quickly.

As if in the blink of an eye, the two walked to the high-end apartment building where Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui lived.

The bright lights outlined the grand silhouette of the building, and the marble exterior wall glowed with a soft luster under the moonlight.

Natsume Chikage stopped his footsteps. Knowing he had to ask for leave tomorrow to go to the tournament, he didn't say see you tomorrow, just waved naturally:

"Then I'll be going first."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui raised a big, energetic smile and waved vigorously at Natsume Chikage:

"Mm-hmm! Bye-bye, Natsume-kun! See you tomorrow!"

Not until she watched Natsume Chikage's figure disappear around the street corner did Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui hum a tune without a melody and walk lightly toward the elevator.

Tomorrow... she would still be able to see Natsume-kun!

She suddenly remembered that it seemed neither she nor Natsume-kun were scheduled for a shift at the cafe tomorrow.

Which meant they didn't have to go to work together tomorrow...

But it doesn't matter!

She remembered Xiyuanji Qilai saying that she would go visit club booths with Natsume-kun after school tomorrow, and she had promised to call her along.

She would be able to act with him again then. Maybe after visiting the clubs, she could find an excuse to go home together again, or... just drag him to go visit somewhere else?

Outlining beautiful pictures in her mind, Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Gaga ga... hee hee hee... heh heh heh..."

In the empty elevator lobby, her laughter sounded exceptionally crisp and bright.

Home.

Natsume Chikage pushed open the door carrying the packed oden, and the aroma of the food drifted into the room with his footsteps.

What came into view was still that cramped three-mat room, and Natsume Ruri was watching TV in boredom.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, she turned her head immediately.

"Brother, welcome back!"

Natsume Ruri jumped up from the tatami excitedly and pounced over like a happy little bird.

Natsume Chikage was slightly stunned. After his Spirit attribute increased to 6, his reaction speed was indeed much faster.

He had wanted to reach out and catch his sister immediately, but his body's response was half a beat slow, and he could only watch helplessly as his sister flew into his arms.

Fortunately, Ruri was very light, and he only took one step back before holding her steadily.

Looking at his sister, who was close at hand with a bright smile, his heart warmed.

"I'm back." Natsume Chikage rubbed her hair with one hand, and the hand holding the takeout closed the door.

"Brother, what's in your hand?" Natsume Ruri blinked her eyes curiously.

Natsume Chikage shook the bag in his hand gently: "Oden I bought for you."

Natsume Ruri immediately bounced happily on the tatami: "Really? Ruri hasn't eaten oden for a long time!"

Chikage gently pinched his sister's soft cheek, handed her the takeout, and smiled: "Take it and eat."

"Mm-hmm." Natsume Ruri took the bag happily and immediately sat on the tatami in a duck-sit position.

She placed the takeout on the small low table, broke apart the disposable chopsticks, and couldn't wait to taste it.

After Natsume Chikage finished washing up and came out, he looked up at the clock on the wall.

The hands were already pointing to past ten-forty.

It was indeed very late.

He had just gotten home and needed to get ready for bed.

Although Natsume Chikage wasn't very sleepy yet, his sister was clearly already tired.

He looked at Natsume Ruri and found that she was yawning and rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Ruri, are you already sleepy?"

"Mm..."

"Then brother will make the bed now; it's already very late."

But Natsume Ruri shook her head:

"You can't lie down to sleep within half an hour of eating, otherwise you'll get acid reflux, and it's easy to gain weight."

Natsume Chikage thought for a moment and nodded in agreement:

"Then let's watch TV for a while longer and sleep in a bit."

Natsume Ruri rubbed her eyes and patted the spot behind her:

"Brother, sit here; Ruri wants to lean on you and watch TV."

Chikage didn't refuse and sat down behind Ruri.

Natsume Ruri leaned into his arms and held his arm to her chest.

On this cool night, feeling her brother's body temperature, she quietly watched the entertainment program on TV.

Natsume Chikage didn't rush to take out his phone to type either, but watched the entertainment program with his sister.

Doing things requires a balance of tension and relaxation.

He had just come home from work, and to be honest, he also wanted to let his brain and body relax.

Just like that, a quiet and peaceful atmosphere filled the three-mat room.

From time to time, one could hear the laughter of the two being amused by the comedy program.

It was just that when Natsume Ruri watched TV, she would look up at Chikage from time to time.

This made Chikage a bit confused.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Natsume Ruri's cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned her gaze back to the TV:

"Nothing... it's just that I didn't see brother all day, so I'm curious how brother's day went?"

Natsume Chikage was stunned for a moment, recalling the things that happened today.

The whole morning was almost entangled by the girls in the class, and he could only have peace during class time.

At noon, he was confessed to by Tsukishima Rin, and then gossiped about by a group of people, surrounded and asked this and that.