He chatted with Elysia for another half an hour or so, only stopping when the girl started to get sleepy, at Ellie reluctant farewell.
Putting away his phone and rubbing his cheeks, Yǔ quickly rushed towards Seele and the others' location.
The three of them had gone to a dessert shop earlier, so they wouldn't be too bored waiting for him.
However, when he returned to Seele and the others, he was a little surprised to find that the table that had originally seated three people was now surrounded by six. Noticing his return, Kiana, Mei, and Sirin all waved at him.
Both sofas were already full. Seeing that her brother had no seat, Seele quickly squeezed to the side, then let her brother sit between herself and Sister Bronya, and then immediately explained to her brother, "We happened to run into Kiana and the others just now, so everyone decided to go shopping together."
"Yeah, yeah, it's New Year, it's livelier with more people~"
Kiana was bundled up thickly, still sporting those two plain, big braided pigtails, her smile honest and simple. Mei, standing beside her, also smiled and said, "And, coincidentally, we were also planning to go soak in the hot springs this afternoon. After mentioning it to Bronya just now, we found out it's the same place."
"What a coincidence?"
With a surprised expression, Yu opened his mouth to eat the cake Seele offered him with her own fork, then took a sip of the drink Bronya held up, causing Sirin to frown repeatedly as she watched.
"You brat, you're living quite comfortably."
"Ah, it's alright, alright."
"Tsk, scumbag."
Seeing Sirin's cute expression of disdain, Yǔ couldn't help but want to tease her. He leaned back slightly, then smiled at her and patted his thighs, "There's still room here, wanna come?"
"?"
A question mark hung over Sirin's head, then her face instantly flushed red, and she roared, "Get lost!!!!"
"Oh dear, don't have such a big temper, what will you do if you can't get married in the future?"
"Then I'll be single my whole life!"
"It's really a shame, being so cute."
"Hmph, don't even think about it. Even if you praise me, I won't consider a scumbag like you."
"Did I say it was me? You're quite imaginative, aren't you?"
"Get lost!!!!"
The two bickering people quickly amused everyone. Seeing Sirin so angry she wanted to pounce and bite, Kiana, who was enjoying the show, quickly pulled her sister back and soothed her, "Alright, alright, A Yu, stop bullying Sirin."
"Okay, I won't argue with a child."
That feigned helpless expression made Sirin angry again. Then, Yǔ wrapped his arms around Seele's waist and, amidst the young girl's slight gasp of surprise, directly lifted her onto his lap.
"If you won't sit, there are plenty of people who will. It's a bit crowded anyway, so Seele, just sit here."
"Ugh... we're still outside..."
Seele's face was a little red. Although she said that, her body honestly leaned back a little, making Kiana click her tongue in amazement.
"A Yu, you're really something. First Seele and Bronya, then that something from Europe, love, love, Ailixiya? Forget it, forget it. Now suddenly a fiancée pops up, and you still say you don't understand love?"
And this fiancée, she's really beautiful. Kiana almost drooled the first time she saw her.
Although, this might indeed be a bit scummy, seeing as Seele and Bronya don't seem to have any objections, they naturally don't need to say anything extra. They're living happily, what business is it of others?
"I really don't understand," Yǔ replied aggrievedly, causing Kiana to roll her eyes.
"Alright, alright, you don't understand, you don't understand. You just don't want to teach, really. I'm not going to steal your wives anyway."
You shouldn't covet your friend's wives, how could Kiana not understand these principles?!
Pouting unhappily, Kiana gulped down the cake on the plate in one go, and was quickly half-choked.
"Husband, Concubine (formal self-reference) can't finish eating this."
Just as Mei was somewhat flustered trying to get Kiana some water, Kaguya, who hadn't said much, pushed her half-eaten cake over, rubbed her stomach, and said weakly to him.
"Then I'll eat it, I'm a bit hungry."
Seeing her Husband finish the remaining cake in a few bites, Kaguya instantly smiled happily.
She didn't actually couldn't finish it; she just wanted to try that kind of scene from anime and games where the girlfriend can't finish and asks her boyfriend to help eat it. It felt quite wonderful.
After making a fuss for a while, the group enthusiastically started shopping in the mall again.
When Yǔ discovered that he not only had to rack his brains to comment on the clothes chosen by six people, but also had to carry things for six people, he suddenly realized he probably shouldn't have tagged along.
...
After testing the water temperature, Yǔ stepped into the hot spring pool, leaned against the wall, and let out a long sigh of relief. It was finally time to relax.
However, looking at the empty hot spring pool with only himself in it, Yǔ sighed again.
In the original plan, Yǔ and three others had only booked one large private room, and the large hot spring in the courtyard could be enjoyed by the four of them together, which was considered a perk for him.
Unfortunately, when the group expanded to seven people, Seele and Bronya naturally didn't mention the previous arrangement anymore and chose to take Kaguya with them to Kiana and the others' room.
Seriously, wouldn't six people be crowded together? Send two over! They really don't know how to utilize resources reasonably. He is a true gentleman; he wouldn't do anything.
Probably.
On the other side, Kaguya, wrapped in a bath towel, was quickly surrounded by Kiana and Sirin, who were full of curiosity. They kept asking questions, but Kaguya didn't find them annoying; instead, she responded with interest. Soon, after saying who knows what, the little faces of the three of them, along with Mei who was secretly listening on the side, were flushed red.
Meanwhile, Seele and Bronya lingered in the shower area for a long time.
"Sister Bronya, are you still not done showering?"
Seele sat on a small stone stool, feeling like her bottom was about to go numb, but Sister Bronya next to her also sat there without leaving.
"My hair is much longer than yours, Seele."
Bronya glanced at Seele and said meaningfully.
"Then, then Seele will help Sister Bronya wash."
Saying that, Seele quickly stood up and deftly helped her rinse the foam from her hair from behind. After a lot of effort, she finally got that head of silver hair clean.
"Phew, done."
Just as Seele thought Bronya was finally going to soak in the hot springs, her next action left Seele stunned.
"Thanks, Seele. You go soak in the hot springs. I'm going over to Yu's side for a bit."
"Huh?"
This, this isn't right.
Seele reached out, but only grasped a handful of air. She just watched her Sister Bronya walk to the door, put on a bathrobe, turn back, and wink at her with a playful look in her eyes.
They had done it so many times, if Bronya still couldn't figure out Seele's little thoughts, she shouldn't even be trying.
Kiana and the others were all there, Seele didn't have the guts to do it openly. Since that was the case, she would mercilessly take this opportunity~