Chapter 99

Crystal clear sweat beads hung on her wheat-colored skin, rising and falling slightly with her breathing.

Her refreshing short hair was dampened by sweat, which set off her vitality and healthy beauty after exercise even more.

Fujiwara Aoi looked down at herself following their gaze and found that there was indeed a lot of sweat on her body, and her face instantly flushed—she had forgotten to take a shower or wipe her sweat before coming over.

She was very worried that the smell of sweat on her body would make Natsume Chikage feel uncomfortable.

But now that she had already come, going back specifically would seem strange instead.

Fujiwara Aoi was at a loss for a moment.

At this time, Saionji Nanase had already handed a glass of water and paper towels to her.

"Sit down and rest first."

"Thank you..."

She had to take the water glass and paper towels, find a chair to sit down, and while replenishing water, wiped off the sweat beads.

Saionji Nanase saw that the members were all present and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

"By the way! Since our Collection Club is officially established today, why don't we take a group photo as a souvenir?"

Natsume Chikage remembered his younger sister's request for him to take photos of Saionji Nanase and Yukimura Suzu, and felt that this was a good opportunity, so he nodded in agreement.

"I think that's fine."

Yukimura Suzu fell silent for a moment, but didn't object.

"Whatever you want."

Fujiwara Aoi seemed a bit hesitant and said stammeringly:

"I... I'm covered in sweat right now, if we take a photo together, there might be a smell..."

Natsume Chikage shook his head.

"There's no strange smell."

Fujiwara Aoi's face flushed slightly; fortunately, her wheat-colored skin cleverly covered this up, and hearing that Natsume Chikage didn't mind, she breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

"Really? Then... that's good."

Saionji Nanase echoed with a smile:

"Mm-hmm, we didn't smell any strange smell either!"

Yukimura Suzu nodded and said:

"Yes."

"Compared to this, how should we take it now?"

Natsume Chikage took out his phone.

"Just use the phone's timer function."

Saionji Nanase expressed agreement.

"Mm-hmm, that works!"

"Fujiwara-san, come over quickly, Natsume-kun is setting the timer!"

Seeing that everyone really didn't mind, Fujiwara Aoi felt warm in her heart.

She suddenly felt that she had joined a very warm and inclusive club.

She stood up, walked to the front, and stood together with Saionji Nanase and Yukimura Suzu.

Natsume Chikage stood naturally behind them.

The phone lens captured the appearance of the four of them at this moment.

Click—

On this ordinary afternoon, the first group photo of Natsume Chikage and them was born!

After the group photo ended.

Saionji Nanase said happily:

"Then Natsume-kun, you can send it to our LINE later."

Natsume Chikage nodded and said:

"Fine."

Yukimura Suzu fell silent slightly, forgetting that she didn't have Natsume Chikage's LINE.

But she basically hadn't taken the initiative to add anyone as a friend.

Now she didn't know how to speak up.

After pondering for a moment, she felt she was overthinking it; it was just adding a LINE, what was the big deal.

Thinking of this.

Yukimura Suzu took the initiative to take out her phone, clicked on the QR code interface, handed it to Natsume Chikage, and said softly:

"I don't have you as a friend yet, you add me, and send the photo on it later."

Although that cold expression had no ripples, even she herself didn't know that the ears hidden by her long black hair were turning slightly red.

Natsume Chikage nodded and said:

"Mm."

Saying that, he took out his phone and added her as a friend.

And after Fujiwara Aoi saw this scene, she pursed her lips slightly, feeling a bit jealous.

But she knew Yukimura Suzu just wanted the photo, so she didn't delve into it.

And Saionji Nanase felt her little heart was strange, but she hadn't realized anything yet, and didn't think there was any problem with Yukimura Suzu doing this.

At this moment.

Fujiwara Aoi suggested:

"Speaking of which, we are all club members now."

"Why don't we directly set up a group on LINE, so it's easier to send messages and chat or notify each other in the future."

Saionji Nanase's lively eyes lit up, and she said happily:

"Mm-hmm, I think that's fine!"

"Then I'll add you guys."

Yukimura Suzu and Natsume Chikage didn't have any opinions.

Very soon.

They established a group.

And Natsume Chikage looked at the time now, finding that it was getting late and it was almost time for work, so he said:

"It's getting late today, let's stop here for now."

Saionji Nanase felt a bit regretful in her heart, but still nodded excitedly:

"Mm-hmm, everyone should go back first today."

"Regarding club activities, let's discuss them in detail tomorrow."

Fujiwara Aoi and Yukimura Suzu naturally had no objections.

At night.

Shibuya.

The night breeze gently brushed Natsume Chikage's hair, revealing his handsome face.

Fujiwara Aoi, who was walking beside him, secretly glanced at him, and her heart couldn't help but skip a beat.

Many people on the way noticed Natsume Chikage and looked over one after another.

Especially the girls, most of whom were paying attention to Natsume Chikage.

But most of the time, they were looking at Fujiwara Aoi.

When they saw that Fujiwara Aoi was also very good-looking, they couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed in their hearts.

I'm not worse than this girl, why don't I have such a handsome boyfriend?

Fujiwara Aoi saw the oden shop and suggested:

"Natsume-kun, why don't we go eat oden together?"

Natsume Chikage thought for a moment and shook his head:

"Next time, my sister is already cooking a late-night snack at home."

That was what he said.

In fact, it was just Natsume Chikage's lack of money.

A meal of oden cost at least 800 yen at the cheapest.

The first time he went to eat it was because he was really hungry after his attribute points increased.

The second time he went to eat it was because he had promised his sister.

As for now, it was almost the middle of the month when rent was due, so he should save where he could.

Of course, it wasn't that Natsume Chikage wasn't hungry now.

After returning home, he would still eat some late-night snack made by his sister.

In any country, buying ingredients at the supermarket to cook is definitely much more cost-effective than eating out.

And his sister often waited at the supermarket to buy cheap ingredients.

So their family didn't spend much on food every day now.

Fujiwara Aoi hadn't expected that his sister was already cooking a late-night snack at home, so she could only give up for the time being.

She wasn't discouraged either, instead remaining as energetic as ever, and asked curiously:

"By the way, Natsume-kun, there are no classes tomorrow afternoon."

"We don't have a shift tomorrow, after school at noon, do you plan to stay in the club, or go somewhere to play?"

Natsume Chikage thought for a moment and said:

"I have something to do in Shibuya after three o'clock tomorrow."

"I'm free before three o'clock."

"It depends on whether Saionji-san launches club activities then; if she does, I'll stay in the club room, otherwise I'll go out for a walk."

Fujiwara Aoi's face lit up with joy, thinking she would see the situation tomorrow, and if there was nothing special, she would invite Natsume Chikage out for a walk.

"What about you, don't you have to go to the Track and Field Club tomorrow afternoon?"

Fujiwara Aoi smiled energetically:

"I do, but I'm not a key member of the club, so I'm only required to train for one hour every day."

"The rest of the time, I have plenty."

While the two were chatting.

They had inadvertently arrived in front of the high-end apartment.

When they arrived here.

Fujiwara Aoi was stunned to notice that her mother was actually waiting here.

The moment Fujiwara Yui saw Natsume Chikage, she slowly covered her small mouth, clearly not expecting that the boy her daughter liked was handsome to such an outrageous degree.

She truly lived up to being her daughter, her taste was so good!

"Ah-la~ Aoi, you're back."

"Who is this beside you?"

Fujiwara Aoi's face flushed red; although she saw her mother holding trash, looking like she was going to throw it away, it looked like she was specifically waiting here no matter how she looked at it.

Now she was asking in front of her face, wasn't this putting her in a difficult position, where she had to introduce him even if she didn't want to?

Fujiwara Aoi glared at her mother with shame and annoyance, then introduced him in a very shy, small voice:

"This... this is my classmate at school—Natsume Chikage."

"And this is my mother."

Fujiwara Yui smiled and introduced herself:

"Nice to meet you, Natsume-kun."

"I am Fujiwara Yui, you can just call me Auntie Yui."

Natsume Chikage hadn't expected to encounter Fujiwara Aoi's mother, and greeted her politely:

"Nice to meet you, Auntie Yui."

Fujiwara Yui's face was full of smiles:

"Natsume-kun, seeing you walking with my daughter, could it be that you also live near here?"

Natsume Chikage nodded and pointed in a certain direction:

"Yes, just ahead, about a five-minute walk."

Fujiwara Yui smiled in surprise:

"So close?"

"If there's a chance in the future, you must come to Auntie's house as a guest."

Natsume Chikage replied politely:

"If there's a chance, definitely."

Fujiwara Yui asked curiously:

"By the way, my daughter works at a nearby coffee shop, and you are with her at this hour."

"Could it be that you also work at the coffee shop?"

"When did you start?"

Natsume Chikage nodded:

"Yes."

"Before school started, I was already working at the coffee shop."

Fujiwara Yui covered her small mouth and looked at her daughter with a smile.

"So that's how it is~ You were already working before school started~"

Fujiwara Aoi was listening on the side, her face flushed red, and she felt very uneasy.

She knew very well that if this continued, her mother would definitely say something strange.

"Ah-haha, it's not early now, Natsume-kun, you should go back first."

Fujiwara Aoi's face was flushed, trying to push her mother home.

Natsume Chikage nodded slightly:

"Mm, I'll be going back first."

Fujiwara Aoi didn't dare to look back, afraid that Natsume Chikage would discover her flushed face and ears, and could only say without looking back:

"Mm-hmm, see you tomorrow."

Fujiwara Yui, who was being pushed, also waved goodbye to Natsume Chikage:

"Natsume-kun, see you next time~"

Natsume Chikage nodded slightly, then left.

Fujiwara Yui raised her eyebrows and pinched her daughter's cheek:

"Why push Mom away, Mom still has a lot to chat about with Natsume-kun."

Fujiwara Aoi's face flushed, she pushed her hand away and muttered:

"Who asks questions like that the first time they meet!"

"And Natsume-kun and I are just ordinary... ordinary friends, what if you scare others away like this?!"

Fujiwara Yui covered her mouth and smiled:

"Are you scared or is he scared?"

Fujiwara Aoi shouted in shame and anger:

"Mom!!"

Home.

Natsume Chikage opened the door with his key and pushed it open to enter.

"I'm home."

What came into view was his younger sister sitting at the small table, drowsy.

The moment Natsume Ruri saw him, her spirit instantly perked up, and she flew over happily.

"Brother, welcome back!"

Natsume Chikage rubbed her head while closing the door with his back hand.

"How was school today?"

Natsume Ruri raised her head happily and smiled: