Chapter 949

【Konoe Hitomi: Why the question mark, are you surprised?】

【Natsume Chikage: Of course I'm surprised, saying she's coming over for no reason.】

【Konoe Hitomi: When we were at the Furukawa house before, hadn't it already been said? How is it for no reason?】

【Natsume Chikage:... So what is she coming over for this time? Don't tell me it's something you can't say again?】

【Konoe Hitomi: That's not it.】

【Natsume Chikage: It's actually not?】

【Konoe Hitomi: Didn't expect that, did you.】

【Natsume Chikage:... So what is it?】

【Konoe Hitomi: Just want you to draw, same as last time.】

【Natsume Chikage: Just draw? Why does it have to be me, can't others do it?】

【Konoe Hitomi: No, only you can.】

【Natsume Chikage: Why only I can?】

【Konoe Hitomi: I don't know either. That's how it is, I'm going to sleep, good night.】

【Natsume Chikage:... Good night.】

Natsume Chikage looked at the last two words on the screen, paused for a few seconds, and then sent a reply.

Natsume Chikage looked at the phone screen that had already gone dark in his hand, the faint fluorescent light reflecting on his face, showing his slightly confused and thoughtful expression.

Subsequently, he just shook his head, as if to shake off those unclear thoughts for the time being.

He connected the phone to the charging cable and watched the indicator light up with a faint red glow.

Then, he lay back on the pillow, pulled up the quilt, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day.

Natsume Chikage, who had just returned from exercising, had already finished washing up and changed into a neat, crisp school uniform.

He stood in the living room-cum-bedroom area, looking softly at the floor bedding.

Natsume Ruri was still sound asleep on the bed, her face turned to the side, her fine, soft hair spread out on the pillow, her breathing even and long.

Natsume Chikage looked up again at the simple clock on the wall.

He noticed that it was still only a little past six.

Actually, it was still quite early, and there was still a distance to the time he usually woke his sister up.

He didn't rush to wake up his sleepy sister, intending to let her sleep a little longer; it wouldn't be too late to wake her after the alarm clock naturally went off later.

After all, his sister was at a critical period of growth and development, and sufficient sleep was very important for her.

And just as he was sitting at the small low table moved from their old house, picking up a girl's manga he had read half of last night, intending to flip through a few pages to pass the morning time.

The phone on the table suddenly made a "buzzing" vibration, and the screen lit up.

Natsume Chikage clicked on the message to see, the sender was "Konoe Hitomi."

He was stunned instantly, his finger hovering over the screen for a moment before he answered the call.

From the other end of the phone came Konoe Hitomi's characteristic, cold voice that lacked ups and downs but was incredibly clear, drilling directly into his ears through the receiver.

【Konoe Hitomi: I'm at the door.】

Only four words, concise and comprehensive, as if stating an established fact.

Natsume Chikage was stunned, not even having time to ask another question, the call had already been hung up by the other party cleanly and neatly, leaving only a busy signal in the receiver.

After hanging up the phone, he stood up immediately, walked a few steps to the entrance, turned the door lock, and opened the door.

Coming into view was indeed the figure of Konoe Hitomi, who was just about to raise her hand to press the doorbell.

Konoe Hitomi looked at Natsume Chikage in front of her; on that face that was always like an exquisite porcelain doll and lacked expression, a trace of extremely subtle wavering appeared rarely at this moment, her long, dense eyelashes trembling imperceptibly.

I always feel that he is a bit different today compared to before...

After she remained silent for a long time, she said softly:

"Since you've come out, that's fine."

"Bring your schoolbag too; you won't have time to come back to get it later."

Natsume Chikage was indeed stunned because of Konoe Hitomi, who had suddenly appeared at his door.

Because he hadn't expected that the "morning" mentioned in Konoe Hitomi's message last night would be such an early morning, just after dawn.

Looking at the person in front of him, Natsume Chikage knew that the plan originally scheduled for this morning probably couldn't be carried out.

Since that was the case, Natsume Chikage didn't ask much, just nodded and spoke, his tone calm.

"Um, wait for me a moment."

Soon.

Natsume Chikage turned and returned to the room, picked up the schoolbag he had already packed last night, gently closed the door, and walked out.

Konoe Hitomi didn't speak, just turned around silently and walked in front, the hem of her school uniform skirt swaying gently with her steps, her pace light and steady.

And Natsume Chikage, after carefully locking the door, followed her, keeping a distance of one or two steps, asking as he walked, his tone carrying a bit of inquiry.

"Why come over so early?"

Konoe Hitomi explained without looking back, her voice appearing exceptionally clear in the quiet atmosphere of the morning.

"Because the young lady only has time during this period."

Natsume Chikage was slightly silent.

Soon.

He followed Konoe Hitomi to the side of a relatively quiet street near the apartment.

Parked here was a black luxury sedan with smooth lines and a paint surface that could reflect light, appearing low-key and luxurious in the faint light of the morning.

Konoe Hitomi didn't say much, just reached out, steadily opened the rear car door, and then turned to the side, making a clear and standard "please" gesture, signaling Natsume Chikage to go in.

Natsume Chikage looked in the direction of her hand.

Through the opened car door, he could see Orito Orihime sitting upright on the other side of the back seat.

Orito Orihime's eyes were still eerie and deep.