The summer cicadas chirped in succession, like a natural symphony, playing in the hot afternoon, especially in the school's back mountain, where the sound was even clearer and more pleasant.
"Damn it, how come I can't catch a single one! This stupid summer homework, insisting on writing a practical report on cicadas. What's the point of this stuff anyway?!"
Nobi Nobita sat on the ground, holding a net, pulling down his braided hat, and quietly complaining about a fruitless morning.
His brand new insect box was empty.
"Hiroshi, look how many cicadas I've caught! It's so much fun."
"But the homework doesn't seem to require this many. Let's release the extra cicadas before we leave."
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Not far away, Shizuka and Nobi Hiroshi were counting their catches, accompanied by Saotome Seiko, who had come along for the fun.
Gian and Gu Chuan Xiao Fu were also present, but their relationship seemed a bit odd, with a strong sense of bromance.
After yesterday's incident, everyone's lives had returned to normal, except for the two still affected by the tool.
Gian seemed to no longer care about the girl who had made his heart flutter, or perhaps he had lost interest in the opposite sex.
All he thought about was: brotherhood, deep as the sea, tanks repeatedly stepping back and forth.
Gu Chuan Xiao Fu, famished to the extreme, instead of being a proper young master, ran off to be a gorilla zookeeper, not even fearing that his slender waist would be broken.
Others might not be able to imagine how beautiful that scene was, but the friendship between the brothers was thus mended, a huge profit that made them cry.
Saving himself a considerable amount of betrothal money, Gian, who was already short on heroic spirit, could now rely on Gu Chuan Xiao Fu. Anyway, he definitely won big.
"Has everyone caught enough? Then let's hurry home, it looks like it's going to rain soon."
Nobi Hiroshi pointed to the increasingly dense dark clouds in the sky as he spoke. Just a second ago, it had been a bright, sunny day.
The weather changed so quickly, from clear to cloudy and rainy in an instant, and the pattering raindrops fell along with the end of his words.
Gian, with Gu Chuan Xiao Fu on his head, ran through the gradually softening mud. Even if his body turned into nothing, his personality remained as nasty as ever.
"Seiko, the rain seems to be getting heavier. Do you want to go to Shizuka's house to take shelter first?"
Nobi Hiroshi asked Saotome Seiko as he ran. The rain had soaked his clothes, making him look like a drowned rat.
He could have instantly moved home quickly, yet he was leisurely circling in the alley, his actions highly suspicious, definitely not with good intentions.
Similar to "my cat can do a backflip," but the innocent Saotome Seiko didn't feel anything was wrong.
"Then… then okay…"
"Let's walk a little faster…"
Stepping through the puddles on the ground, Saotome Seiko shielded her chest with both hands, her profile filled with shyness.
Because she was wearing a white dress, she had to cover her pink eyes.
The rain-soaked skin was crystal clear, the fabric clung to her skin, outlining a graceful curve that made one long to reach out and touch.
… …
… …
"I'm home!"
Shizuka's mother fumbled for the key and unlocked the door. Madam Jingyu wasn't home at this hour, so the house felt a bit empty.
"Then I'll be bothering you."
Saotome Seiko nervously shook the rain off the soles of her shoes, stepping carefully into the entryway.
Taking off her completely soaked socks, she placed her bare feet on the floor, leaving faint imprints.
A few crystal clear water droplets still hung on her fair, healthy thighs, slowly flowing down her popliteal fossa to her slender ankle bones.
Speaking of which, something cleaned by rain should be edible, right? Nobi Hiroshi looked around without any pretense, not even bothering to act, his two bright, Bright eyes eyes rolling back and forth.
At the same time, he managed to distract himself by wiping Shizuka's wet hair with a dry towel.
"Saotome Seiko, you go wash up first."
Nobi Hiroshi skillfully found a dry bath towel from the cabinet and draped it over her shoulders.
"Oh, okay…"
The girl picked up the bath towel and, like someone fleeing in disarray, rushed into the bathroom around the corner.
Drip~
Dipping her feet into the bathtub, the warm hot water dispelled the cold and dampness from Saotome Seiko's body. She enjoyed a hot bath for a while.
"Nobi Hiroshi's gaze…"
"Could it be… hmm…"
Her comfortable body began to wander in thought. Saotome Seiko's pearly teeth lightly parted, biting her slender, jade-like little finger.
One of life's three great illusions: he likes me! Various scenes came to mind.
Having accidentally witnessed Nobi Hiroshi and Shizuka kissing before, a seed had already been planted in the girl's heart, subtly influencing her perception.
"No, no!"
"It must be an illusion."
"He already has a cute girlfriend, Saotome Seiko, what are you thinking? Why are you so self-deceiving?"
Leaning against the porcelain wall, she gently patted both sides of her cheeks with her small hands, seemingly trying to clear her mind.
Everyone is a good friend, how can I have such a dirty thought?
"Phew, maybe the water is too hot, my head is also starting to feel dizzy. I should get out quickly."
She stood up self-mockingly, her fair thighs carrying gurgling water. She stood on the tiles and wiped every part of her body clean.
It wasn't the mythical beast rumored, but its neat appearance was quite adorable.
Blooming flowers gradually dazzle the eyes, and shallow grass can only hide horse hooves. One mythical beast is enough; collecting all aspects of human life is the ultimate goal.
"Shizuka, Nobi Hiroshi, I've run the bath water for you. Who's going to wash first?"
Wearing a pink short skirt, Saotome Seiko was a bit unaccustomed to the unfamiliar half-moon shape, but she couldn't just go around naked.
"Thank you, Saotome Seiko, but Nobi Hiroshi and I are going together, of course."
Shizuka, who had changed into dry clothes, was sitting on the sofa watching TV, her clean feet dangling on the boy's lap, constantly swaying.
With that, she jumped off the floor and, unashamedly, pulled Nobi Hiroshi into the bathroom for a lovers' bath.
In the silent living room, only the sound of the animation playing remained, and Saotome Seiko stood frozen in place.
"Together…"
Muttering continuously, Saotome Seiko had already turned into a steam maiden, smoke rising from her forehead as she dazedly collapsed onto the sofa.
It's certainly normal for couples to bathe together, but her heart was not at peace.
Staring at the bathroom door, she couldn't help but start overthinking again.
What do a male and female couple do when they bathe?
Saotome Seiko had also read shoujo magazines. Just imagining those thrilling scenes made her blush and her heart pound.
Especially the latest issue, which had a manga called "A Little Story After the Rain," very similar to today's scene, deeply stirring the girl's restless heart.
… …
… …
"Don't move, I'll help you blow-dry your hair."
Suddenly, Nobi Hiroshi's voice quietly emerged from behind. Saotome Seiko was startled and immediately knelt on the ground.
Thump~
Nobi Hiroshi and Shizuka were stunned. It seemed there was still a long time until New Year's, so why such a grand gesture?
"I… I'm sorry, my foot just cramped."
Explaining quickly, Saotome Seiko stood up, feeling deeply ashamed.
Like a child who had done something wrong, she slowly moved back to her original spot, rubbing the smooth soles and tops of her feet, seemingly preoccupied.