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"Strange, Kita-san clearly said Hitori-chan was behind the bar, but she's gone?"
Kitahara Makoto stopped beside the cardboard box, his tone feigning confusion:
"Since I can't find her, it seems I'll have to use that method."
"..."
Bocchi-chan, hiding in the cardboard box, her stray hair trembled slightly, and she held her breath, not daring to make a sound.
"That method... what is it?"
Although she didn't know what method Kitahara Makoto was referring to, Gotō Hitori had involuntarily become nervous.
The next second.
Then Kitahara Makoto slowly said:
"I like Guitar Hero-sensei..."
"Eh, eh, eh?"
Bocchi-chan's small face beneath the cardboard box quickly flushed.
(Not good, not good, not good! My heart is beating so fast... I'm going to suffocate soon!)
(Stay calm, don't panic.)
(Kitahara-kun is talking about Guitar Hero-sensei, that's someone who only exists online...)
(I dress so unfashionably, have super dark circles under my eyes, and always hunch when I walk... How could anyone like someone as humble as a plankton...)
However, it wasn't over.
After a brief silence, Gotō Hitori suddenly heard Kitahara Makoto's voice become clear, as if right beside her ear:
"And... I like Hitori-chan."
"Ugh—"
Gotō Hitori's eyes suddenly widened, feeling as if countless fireworks exploded in her mind, and steam instantly billowed from the top of her head.
(Li-li-li-like... Not Guitar Hero, but...)
"I like Hitori-chan." Kitahara Makoto squatted beside the cardboard box and repeated again, "It's the kind of liking where I want to be together forever..."
Before he could finish speaking, the cardboard box was suddenly pushed open with a bang, and a figure frantically tried to escape, only to crash right into Kitahara Makoto's chin.
"S-sorry..."
Seeing Kitahara Makoto, whom she had bumped into, Bocchi-chan covered her head with both hands and apologized flusteredly with her head down.
Kitahara Makoto covered his chin and looked at Bocchi-chan, whose small face was flushed to the point of explosion: "When you apologize, please show some sincerity."
"Eh?"
"Give me ten universal exchange coupons."
"T-too many..."
Gotō Hitori's small face was crimson, and she looked up with teary eyes.
"Then five."
"Five is still too many..."
"Three, no less." Kitahara Makoto took a light breath, "My chin was almost dislocated."
"O-okay then..."
Gotō Hitori reluctantly agreed.
"Hitori-chan, what are you doing hiding under that cardboard box?"
Kitahara Makoto asked curiously.
"Because…" Gotō Hitori stammered, "Because the uniform is a bit strange…"
Gotō Hitori, like Kita, was now wearing the exhibition hall staff uniform. The uniform was conservative, not even revealing her arms.
If one were to say what was strange about it, it was probably that the uniform was a tight-fitting style. Kita wore it unremarkably, but Bocchi-chan wore it in a way that gave her the imposing air of a mountain range seen from different angles.
"The clothes are very cute—" Kitahara Makoto praised, "Hitori-chan is also very cute."
"On-only the clothes are cute…"
Upon hearing the compliment, Bocchi-chan, who was already looking down, lowered her head even further, her chin almost touching her baby cafeteria.
"I'm thirsty, I want a glass of orange juice."
Seeing his opening, Kitahara Makoto pulled out his wallet and began to order.
Bocchi-chan was not Yamada Ryo; he could only tease her a little, otherwise, she would be scared away.
"J-just a moment!"
Gotō Hitori immediately breathed a sigh of relief and busied herself, blushing shyly.
A moment later.
A glass of orange juice with ice was handed over.
"Thank you for your patronage…"
Bocchi-chan bowed in thanks.
Kitahara Makoto took a sip from the cup and casually asked:
"Didn't Hitori say she was training? How did she end up working with Kita?"
"Because yesterday, our band didn't sell a single ticket for the performance." Gotō Hitori lowered her small head, not daring to look at people, and whispered, "Nijika told us to work to pay off the debt…"
Not a single ticket sold?
You guys are too pathetic!
"Well, you sold one today." Kitahara Makoto took out the ticket he had just bought. "Now it seems this ticket is very memorable; I'll have to take it home and keep it."
Gotō Hitori said softly, blushing:
"Thank you, Kitahara-kun…"
"You're welcome." Kitahara Makoto said seriously, "After all, I'm a loyal fan of Guitar Hero-sensei."
"N-no, don't say that…" Gotō Hitori immediately became nervous. "Someone will hear…"
Kitahara Makoto paused slightly: "Kita and the others still don't know your true identity?"
Gotō Hitori quickly shook her head:
"I haven't told everyone yet, I don't know how to bring it up…"
"Then let's talk about it later." Kitahara Makoto asked softly, "I just heard Kita say that you'll be busy until very late tonight. Will Futari be okay at home by herself?"
"Mom is resting at home today." Gotō Hitori answered softly, "With Mom here, there's no need to worry about Futari."
As they spoke, a clear, bright, and energetic voice suddenly rang out:
"I'm back!"
Kitahara Makoto turned his head and saw a girl with a golden side ponytail appear around the corner. The bright smile on her face seemed to illuminate the entire underground exhibition hall.
Gotō Hitori immediately breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, blushing softly:
"Nijika is back, Kitahara-kun, hurry over."
Kitahara Makoto asked, puzzled:
"What do I go over for?"
"To help move things." Gotō Hitori stammered, "Nijika went to buy drinks and beverages, it must be very heavy to carry."
"…"
At the same time.
The Beast Eared Girl, who had been quietly eating snacks in the corner, ran with small steps to Nijika, raising her small face and calling out:
"Mom."
"Eh?" Ijichi Nijika widened her eyes, "Hana, why are you here…"
Kitahara Makoto stepped forward and greeted casually:
"Nijika, good evening."
Seeing Kitahara Makoto appear, Ijichi Nijika couldn't help but puff out her cheeks, clearly recalling what had happened a few days ago.
She had tossed and turned all day, finally gathered her courage, secretly avoided Yamada Ryo, and prepared to take responsibility, but then your eyes weren't red anymore?
That's too much!
It still makes her angry to think about it!
"Huh? Why are you calling Nijika 'Mom'?"
At the same time, a cold voice sounded behind Ijichi Nijika.
As she spoke, a tall woman with long golden hair, whose appearance was five parts similar to Nijika, walked in.
Ijichi Nijika's pretty face quickly flushed red, and she hastily said:
"Sister, let me explain!"
Ijichi Seika crossed her arms over her chest, expressionless, looking somewhat similar to Yamada Ryo:
"Then you explain."
Ijichi Nijika took a deep breath: "Hana is a friend's child, she lacked parental love since childhood and is very fond of me. Because I bought her snacks once, she really likes me, and she never listens when I tell her to call me 'sister'… That's it!"
Ijichi Seika was noncommittal. She and Nijika lived together day and night, and she had watched Nijika grow up since she was a child, so of course, she knew that Nijika couldn't have such a big daughter without her knowing.
"I'm very curious…" Ijichi Seika said slowly, "Since you're the mom, then who's the dad?"
Kitahara Makoto stepped forward and said seriously:
"It's me."
Ijichi Seika's gaze shifted, and she caught sight of Nijika's guilty expression and blush, and a bad premonition suddenly arose in her heart.
Oh no.
This boy wouldn't be trying to make her his sister-in-law, would he?
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