Gabriel Can’t Keep It
"This..."
Regarding Chika's approach, Itsuki couldn't comment much.
She didn't want to say it, so she couldn't force her to say it.
"Moreover, it's not important; you don't need to worry about it."
After lightly concluding this matter, Chika continued: "By the way, any compensation you want, as long as it's not too much, I can give it to you."
"Compensation?" Itsuki wonders.
"This is my compensation for deceiving you." Chika explains, "Anyway, I've deceived you several times. If I don't do anything, I'll always feel a bit guilty."
Speaking of this, Chika glances at Ren and adds specifically: "Except for Kamikawa here, I won't give him any compensation."
Ren repeatedly discredits herself and refuses to help her try the table game, saying that they are not even friends.
No matter which aspect Chika looks at, she has no reason to give compensation to Ren.
On the contrary, she should compensate him.
"No need, we accept your offer, forget about the compensation." Nino rejects without hesitation.
Asking for the so-called compensation from Chika is something she cannot do, even though she brought it up on her own initiative.
"Yeah, no need for compensation or anything like that." Yotsuba agrees. She has no intention of accepting compensation.
Especially since what Chika did is not too excessive; she just wants their help to try the table game and doesn't need compensation.
"Fujiwara-san, you don't need to do this." Itsuki quickly says.
Ren doesn't say anything because Chika specifically stated that she wouldn't give him compensation, so he has no reason to speak now.
"Because all of you said so, let's forget about the compensation." Chika changes her mind as her eyes sweep over them one by one. "However, I will find an opportunity to repay your kindness in the future, to redeem my mistake."
"As a repayment..."
When Nino is about to say something, she is interrupted by Chika.
"Don't worry, this is just a simple gift. You don't need to worry too much because it will be too heavy to accept. Anyway, you can choose to accept or refuse it when the time comes, but for now, please allow me to make this promise first."
"Besides, I've deceived you several times. If I don't do anything, I'll always feel a bit guilty."
"Okay."
What Chika says is so perfect that Nino can't find a reason to refuse, so she can only agree for now.
"Um."
Seeing Nino agree, Chika shows a proud smile.
After these two failures, she concludes that the reason for these failures is that she doesn't know them.
She doesn't know them personally, and her relationship with them is not that good. Rejection is a natural thing.
That's why she proposed compensation and repayment.
Although she is a little embarrassed by her previous actions, it is not the most critical thing.
The key is that she can get closer to Nino and the others by giving back.
After building a good relationship with them, then asking for help to try the table game, the chances of rejection will undoubtedly be much smaller.
The table game club she belongs to surely doesn't only produce this table game; it's necessary to build a good relationship first and prepare for the future.
Of course, on the one hand, she wants them to help try the table game, but on the other hand, she really wants to be friends with Nino and the others.
They are not bad people; it's not an exaggeration to say they are very friendly, as seen when Nino cared when she mentioned being bullied and needed help trying the game.
Moreover, they can still chat with her, so she is quite willing to be friends with them.
"Let's finish this matter now, Fujiwara-san. If you want to go, go ahead."
Nino is unaware that Chika has many ideas in such a short time. After confirming that there is nothing else to talk about, she no longer restrains Chika's actions.
"In that case, I'll leave first, goodbye everyone."
After checking the time, Chika stands up and bids farewell to them.
"Goodbye."
Itsuki makes way, and the others respond.
After Chika leaves, Itsuki shifts her attention to Nino, then asks directly: "By the way, Nino, are you following me?"
She is not foolish, and she naturally can guess why Nino and Yotsuba appeared here.
"..."
Nino doesn't answer but takes out her phone and starts playing.
"Yotsuba?"
Realizing that she has no intention of talking, Itsuki stares at Yotsuba.
Yotsuba lowers her head and also doesn't answer. She can't admit it.
"Really."
After sighing, Itsuki doesn't say anything but feels a bit happy in her heart.
Originally, she was going to taste the food. Fortunately, Chika sent her a message and asked her to come here. If not, Nino and Yotsuba would definitely find out that she is actually the M.A.Y. food critic.
······
Not long after, Ren also bids farewell, parting from Nino and the other three, and continues wandering aimlessly.
Suddenly, it's already late afternoon.
At this moment, Ren is standing near the entrance of a convenience store, not doing anything except waiting calmly.
Not long after, Gabriel appears in front of him, wearing a white dress, her hair slightly messy, and she yawns and walks towards him.
"Good afternoon."
As she approaches, Ren greets her gently.
"Quick, come in; it's too hot outside."
Gabriel doesn't answer but urges him to enter quickly.
Now it's summer, and even though it's already late afternoon, it's still very hot outside.
"Um."
Ren and Gabriel enter the convenience store.
"Indeed, it's cooler inside."
Feeling the coolness in the convenience store, Gabriel feels much more comfortable.
"Let's go over there and look at the bento first."
After calming her irritation caused by the heat, Gabriel leads him towards the shelf where the lunch boxes are placed.
Because she will return to heaven during the summer vacation, she cannot take care of Ren during the summer vacation, especially since no one cooks for him.
Therefore, for his well-being, she has to teach him some common sense about living alone before departing for the summer vacation, to prevent him from eating bread three times a day like before.
That's why she went out in the late afternoon and went to the convenience store with him.