Due to Haruna’s comment, the atmosphere was almost swayed in a weird direction, but thankfully, Shizuko accepted our apology.
As for the Butterfinger Event… According to Shizuko herself, she tends to hold back when she feels that a guest might not appreciate the event. However, she seemed to indicate that she didn’t feel that way from us. It turned out we were the first to receive complaints from such a guest.
…I don’t know what it is, but doesn’t it seem a bit ridiculous that Haruna didn’t get that vibe from her party? It seems like that is definitely something you can’t trust.
This time it was just a clumsy event with the menu being messed up, but if it had been a situation where the ingredients were wrong, it would have been a big deal. Speaking from experience, I’ve seen Haruna’s expression when she discovered octopus in a takoyaki.
Well, thinking back, I might not be entirely wrong. After all, there are two people next to Haruna who can stop her rampage. There’s me, who can physically block her, and then there’s Noa, who can handle the opponent herself. That’s a real restraining force.
Still, the fame of the White Night House isn’t without merit; the drinks and desserts were satisfying. As for the service, I couldn’t help but think Shizuko was indeed the idol of the White Night House.
Our direction might be a bit different, but since we are scheduled to take the stage soon to evoke such responses from people, we should adopt some of that attitude. Hiding one’s true intentions and arming oneself with laughter is a vital quality for an idol.
Even during the deduced small happenings as we were leaving the White Night House, Pina seemed inexplicably concerned about me, but I couldn’t figure out why.
…No matter how I think about it, we’re meeting for the first time. Could I have had some prior acquaintance before I reincarnated?
No, that can’t be it. What connection could there even be between a student from the Hakgwiyaeng and Mika, who belongs to the Kivotos’ social group, T-party?
Once we reached the shopping district, we went souvenir shopping. When Haruna bought a mochi-themed souvenir for the newly joined member, a playful spirit came over her. I knew she was referring to Junko, but still, it’s hard to resist a chance to tease like this.
“Hey, Haruna-chan, that new member is right next to you, isn’t she?”
“Huh? Ah… Mika-san, this is a gift for Junko-san, a new member of our club.”
“Oh, then doesn’t that mean you’re not giving any welcome gifts? That might sting a little…”
“…Fufu, I see. If you also wanted a gift, Mika-san, you should have said so anytime.”
Saying that, Haruna stepped closer and cupped my cheeks. Given the height difference, not to mention the heel height, I found myself looking up at her.
With her lowering her head to press her forehead against me, she softly kissed me with closed eyes. The feeling of her soft lips caused my hand to unintentionally wander onto her shoulder, and at that moment, Haruna playfully stepped back.
“That was just a sample. The rest of your gift will come a little later. Hehe.”
Ah, I’ve fallen again into the devil’s prank…
“It’s okay, Mika-chan. I’ll comfort you♪”
“…Noa-chan, you’re the only one for me——”
“How about… in 5 hours or so?”
…Ah, this time I’ve fallen victim to the ploys of a literature-loving nerd.
The two of them, who took turns making a fool of me, nonchalantly returned to souvenir shopping as if nothing had happened. However, the sticky atmosphere that passed through in that brief moment was a foreboding that tonight would not be easy either.
*
After returning to the ryokan, I spotted three gift boxes delivered to our room for some unknown reason.
“Um, Haruna-chan…?”
“Yes, Mika-san?”
“I think I have an idea about where my waffle from yesterday went. What do you think?”
“…What you’re thinking now is probably correct.”
No, seriously. My waffle from yesterday didn’t just disappear into thin air, did it? There’s no reason why Noa or Haruna would specifically leave mine out and secretly eat it or deny it.
But as it turns out, those that took it away were with none other than the Gourmet Research Club sans Haruna. It had just been proven that they followed us to Hakgwiyaeng.
The reason we didn’t run into them on the plane must have been simply because our seating was different. We were too busy playing among ourselves to notice if these thieves were lurking nearby.
Accommodation? Considering the price of lodging at this ryokan, there’s no way those kids could afford to stay here. They must be staying somewhere else.
The identity of the thieves was, of course, the Gourmet Research Club without Haruna.
“Haruna-chan, since tomorrow is the last day, should we bring those kids along too? I feel a bit sorry that the members can’t hang out together on a birthday.”
“…Is that alright?”
“Oh, I’m fine with it. I’m actually a bit curious about that new member. Hehe.”
“I’d kind of like to meet them at least once. I have something to say to Akari-chan too…”
“…Is it about the Christmas gift by any chance?”
“Yeah. Nagisa-chan doesn’t want to see me associated with such strange people without her knowing☆”
“Fufu… That makes sense. Given that gift back then, I can see how you’d think that way.”
Even Haruna couldn’t help but laugh at that gift… Truly, that was the only one who could give a present so blatantly filled with madness.
Thinking about it, the Gourmet Research Club must really be a congregation of lunatics, huh?
Not to mention Akari. There’s also Haruna, who was once a demolitionist but has now successfully reformed through love, and Izumi, a master of bizarre food.
As for Junko… I hope Haruna takes better care of her usually. I can sponsor as much money as needed.
Wait, saying it like that makes it sound a bit strange, doesn’t it? Or am I just possessed by some lewd spirit?
Maybe it would be better to say we should bring Junko along when we visit Sanhaegyeong next time. If Rumi makes a meal for us, who knows, we might end up staying there.
Anyway… After Haruna checked the birthday gifts sent by the Gourmet Research Club, a smile bloomed on her face. And that feeling was completely understandable.
Time spent with lovers is precious, but the bond with club members is equally precious too. So, their surprising presence following us here to Hakgwiyaeng was something to appreciate.
Of course, excluding the contents of Junko’s gift… Well, I think I’ll just pretend I didn’t see those.
*
After a somewhat different combination of kaiseki and a second onsen bath, followed by a sticky and muggy night. I thought I had woken up normally in the morning, only to exhale lightly upon seeing the surroundings.
The moonlit scenery of Hakgwiyaeng greeted me. Unlike the reality where the cherry blossoms hadn’t fully bloomed, here, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. As I looked around from atop the tiled roof, I spotted someone sitting with their back turned at the far edge.
Thinking it was strange how connected I was to foxes, I slowly approached her. The two tails swaying behind her felt incredibly mystical.
“The Hakgwiyaeng at the full moon possesses a unique beauty. Foreign visitor, what are your thoughts?”
“Um…? It is beautiful, indeed…”
“Those who can visit this place are limited. Only the chairpersons of the Baekhwayoran can come here through generations… However, those who can interfere with the past or future through dreams might be able to step foot here. But you, foreign visitor, you belong to none of these.”
“You are… no, you are.”
“Why do you hesitate? You must already know my name.”
“…Kuzunoha.”
“Yes, no need for further words. I am the one who organized the Baekhwayoran dispute resolution committee and founded the current Hakgwiyaeng Union Academy. Kuzunoha. However, now, I’m just an insignificant fox bound to this place.”
After exhaling a puff of smoke, Kuzunoha moved the pipe aside and looked at me. The aura in her gaze was undoubtedly of a kind I had never seen before.
“You will learn the name of this place in due time. Likewise, in time, you will have no choice but to visit this place.”
“Why? What reason could I have to seek you out…”
Colors do not exist. Beatrice assured me she had taken care of that, and the Black Suit himself confirmed it.
But why? Why does Kuzunoha speak as if my return to Hakgwiyaeng is inevitable?
How could she see through me to a point where she could call me a foreign visitor directly?
There are many problems scattered throughout Kivotos, but the one who can resolve them, the Teacher, is now starting to officially operate here. From now on, my role should be to manage Trinity well and readily offer help when the teacher occasionally needs it.
“It’s not all that complicated. It’s to save the most precious person to you.”
“…?”
“You are far more special than you think. The words I can convey will only go this far. Seeking me out before the time comes is meaningless, but since the opportunity arose, I had no choice but to summon you.”
With a fox-like smile, Kuzunoha put the pipe to her mouth.
You might be able to save your ——.
A breeze stirred the blossoming cherry blossoms.
Lying there, I stared at the ceiling for a while after waking up.
This must be the feeling of being enchanted by a fox, I thought.
