"Alright. I'm going. Have fun, you three. I'll see you later. And Shio… Good luck."
I said as I stood before the front door, ready to leave after preparing everything and making sure that the girls were also aware of my whereabouts for today.
"Ruru… You saying that makes me want to reconsider my choice. Can I really handle mingling with the others?" Shio reacted with a wry smile as she looked at the two girls next to her.
Akane hugged her arm, consoling her. "Shiori-nee, it will be fine. Just don't bring up your age or the fact that you're a teacher. Act like you're one of us. I mean, you're 'one of us' and in husband's eyes, we're all equal."
"… If only it is that easy, Akane…" Shio was still not convinced. "Uh, Mirae-chan. Do you think the same?"
"Yes. Even now, you're different when you're at school, Kinoshi—Uh… Shiori-nee. Though, you're a little obvious with your fondness for Ruki whenever he's coming to pick you up after class."
Having been asked, Rae, while looking a little dazed and drowsy because she somehow forced herself to wake up to send me off, couldn't help but blink a few times before answering. She also reached for the hem of my shirt unconsciously. She's probably still half-asleep or her desire to have me stay with them for the day was leaking out.
I was supposed to send her home first but with the trio's plan to gather later, we just called Yoko-san to inform her that Rae would be here for most of the day and I'll escort her home later at night. Naturally, that didn't sit well with Yoko-san. She asked for my address so that if I failed to send Rae home later, she'd pick her up here.
Her trust in me was still at the bottom but thanks to Rae calming her down and reassuring her that there was nothing for her to worry about, that's all she did.
I really need to earn her trust in the future. Otherwise, she'll react the same most of the time.
Anyway, when Rae noticed what she was doing, she embarrassedly lowered her head but never removed her grip on my shirt.
That's why while Shio was still processing what she just said, I closed our distance, giving Rae a kiss on her cheek. That's enough to disperse her embarrassment, turning it into satisfaction.
"Wait. It's that obvious?! Ruru… Wait, me too!"
At first, Shio was probably about to ask for my thoughts on what Rae said but upon seeing me doting on the girl, she immediately ran up and jumped at me.
Akane also joined soon after shaking her head helplessly. If I had to guess, she just got compelled to do the same or she'd lost out.
"Alright, Shio. You don't have to mind it. It's only obvious to those who are aware of our relationship. To others, it's attributed to my popularity or just because I'm seen as good-looking nowadays. You can stay as you are when we're at school. And I'm not gonna lie, I'm loving every side of you. Whether it's public or private… That's why I can't get enough teasing you even if it's a little risky."
Hearing all that, Shio couldn't help but sigh helplessly, "I don't know if that's a better way to look at it…"
Well, that's an expected reaction. To bring her mood up, Akane and Rae rose up to help me with that.
And so, my departure from our house got extended for a few more minutes.
Fortunately, anticipating that I might be held back, I set aside a time allowance.
If I factor in the duration of the train ride, maybe I'll have around thirty minutes of free time before the time we set to meet.
In any case, although Juri told me to prepare for hiking, I still pretty much geared up lightly. It's not like we're really going to trek on every uneven road. And with the photo she sent to me of how her getup would be, I decided to just match with her.
And with that, I soon arrived at the train station and got myself a comfortable corner.
While waiting for it to arrive at my destination, I naturally killed time by talking with my girls.
Since some of them had just started waking up, my eyes once again got blessed by their morning look which I found hot and enchanting for most of them.
I'm certain they're all aware of how much I love that. And it's evident from how it already became a habit for some to send me a photo of them in the morning. And obviously, I wasn't letting them down by sending them a photo of me as well. Hiyori is probably making another album or compilation of it. But well, as long as she's happy, right?
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Upon arriving at my destination, I immediately tried to navigate to the meeting place Juri designated. However, because this was my first time in this part of the city, I almost got lost.
I had to message her and use GPS to find out how off I was. When she read it, Juri instantly initiated a call.
It's only a voice call.
The first thing I heard was her hearty laughter alongside someone else.
"Heh. What's that? The confident guy who made my little sister that lovestruck got lost even if he was given a direction to follow? Now, that's amusing."
Yeah. That grating voice that was clearly having fun laughing at my plight was none other than Setsuna-nee-san.
Looks like they're together.
"Ah. I'm sorry, Onoda-kun. I must have mixed up my direction… It's my fault."
Then, there's Juri's clear voice. Her laughter already stopped and I even heard her gasp as though she remembered something.
Most likely she brought up what she sent to me and realized that it was wrong.
I guess that explains why I found myself in front of a meat shop instead of the small shopping center where we were supposed to meet.
"Hey, don't cover up for that brat."
I heard Setsuna-nee-san admonishing Juri. She probably wanted to laugh at me more before sending me on their way.
But well, why is she here anyway? I thought it would only be me and Juri… Does that mean she's going to come with us?
If that's the case… looks like I might not find this trip enjoyable at all. Knowing that shorter Satsuki-lookalike, she'd do her darndest to make fun of me. Or just tease me for stealing her precious little sister away.
"Alright. It's fine, Koizumi-san. I should've tried to confirm it to you first rather than follow it without questioning. Uh… and for Setsuna-nee-san there… Wait for me and I'll tease the hell out of you."
"What?! Come on then. Hurry up. Let's see who will tease who!"
"Uh… Okay, Onoda-kun. Can you trace your steps back to the station? I'll guide you from there."
"Sure."
Ignoring the childish barking of her friend, Juri remained calm and kindly asked me. Her voice still sounded like she felt sorry for making a mistake there. But well, it's hard to convince her to drop it through this phone call so ignored it and simply gave her affirmation.
Without disconnecting that call, I returned to where I came from. There, instead of guiding me to our meeting place, I found the two were already coming from the opposite direction as they both watched me approach them.
Juri had a relieved expression as she sweetly smiled at me. As for the other one, she's already smirking and cracking her knuckles as though she's ready for a throw-down against me.
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