Trip Location

The next morning, Homura was awakened by the ringing of his phone.

"Ayano?" Homura rubbed his eyes. "What's up? Did you change your mind and decide to join us?"

Ayano's pitiful voice came through, "I really want to go too! But there's too much work! I need to work overtime..."

"Alright, you've been working hard." Homura perked up. "So, what's the matter exactly?"

"Oh, it's nothing important. I'm asking on behalf of someone else, and whether you agree or not is up to you." Ayano casually replied. "That little girl who vomited on you yesterday turns out she's a novelist. Her editor contacted me just now, asking for your address. They want to personally thank you."

"So... what you mean is, whether I should give them my home address or not?"

Of course, give them!

"If they want to express their gratitude... Tell them not to bring any gifts, then they can come over." Homura said.

"Oh? No gifts? Alright... I'm not surprised by your request. I'll let them know so they can come over soon. You guys are leaving this afternoon, right?"

Homura smiled. "Yeah, it's quite a coincidence. Someone else will be coming over too. Maybe they'll arrive together."

"There's someone else?" Ayano suddenly became suspicious. "It's not another sensei you're interested in, is it?"

"Well, I would have liked to bring her into Another Dimension, but she's currently under Kosaka Akane's wing." Homura shrugged, though Ayano couldn't see it.

"Kosaka Akane... I won't ask for details, but you should be cautious around her."

"Alright, have faith in me. Will you come later? I'll cook something for you to take along."

Ayano: "..."

"...Originally, I didn't plan on going, but since you put it that way, I guess I'll go after all!"

Homura chuckled. She was becoming more and more of a foodie!

"Okay, I'll hang up now."

He got out of bed and stretched his body.

Thinking about the phone call just now, he felt quite pleased. Kani Nayuta planned to come and thank him today, probably with an apology too, perhaps she had intended to do it yesterday but he was busy with the book signing event, so she postponed it to today.

Regardless, it didn't matter. Right now, the most important thing was to fill his stomach...

===

"You mean... that little girl is coming over?" Eriri was stunned by the news just mentioned by Homura.

Utaha also perked up her ears, waiting for further information.

Homura, who was busy with the soy milk machine in the kitchen, didn't even turn his head as he replied, "She should be here soon. Ayano wants to join us for breakfast, so she shouldn't be too late."

"Ohh, one more thing, don't scare her, alright? Judging from her nervousness yesterday, she might have had some psychological trauma. Pay extra attention to your words later," Homura added.

He had more information that he couldn't share. Nayuta had experienced bullying in middle school and refused to go to school anymore. Based on her appearance yesterday, she was probably in the third year of junior high, which meant... it had already happened. Therefore, he couldn't help her avoid that bullying incident.

He could only give a slight reminder to the other girls. After all, the same words could have different interpretations depending on one's state of mind.

Just like the tone of speech, for example, saying with a cheerful voice, 'Eat whatever you want!'

It was like parents taking their children out and speaking with a smile.

But if spoken in a low tone, 'Eat whatever you want...'

...That basically sounded like a doctor giving you a life-threatening diagnosis, right?

That was why his main reason for reminding the girls was that if Utaha and Eriri kept asking questions, it might trigger some unpleasant memories for Nayuta.

"Are you thinking of something impolite?" Utaha suddenly spoke up, looking at him.

"No, not at all!"

"Fine, we'll be careful about that," Utaha responded.

Mashiro also said, "When Elf comes later, I'll remind her too."

"Oho?" Homura looked at Mashiro in surprise. "Mashiro, you've really grown a lot. Your progress is impressive as well. Keep up the good work."

Nanami came over and patted Mashiro's head. He wanted to do the same, but he was busy and couldn't spare a hand.

"Oh right, Homura-kun!" Nanami, who was helping Mashiro straighten her hair, remembered something. "Where are we going exactly? You didn't tell anyone the location."

"Location?" Homura stopped his busy hands, a drop of cold sweat sliding down his forehead. "Let me tell you then!"

Everyone else assumed listening postures, and Homura cleared his throat.

*Cough!* *Cough!*

"The location is... I don't know!"

Girls: "What the hell?!"

Homura shrugged, "There's nothing I can do! I've been busy these past few days. When I told my dad to recommend a place, he said, 'Hot springs? Camping? You don't need to worry about it, kid! I'll arrange for a bigger car to take you all there. So, if there are still others to join, you can invite them too.' And just like that... I was so busy that I forgot to ask."

Seeing his innocent expression, the girls couldn't help but feel frustrated. How could they have such high expectations when he didn't even know the location?

"Perfect timing! Elf, could you do me a favor and watch it for me while I make a phone call to my dad?"

Elf was caught off guard as soon as she entered; she looked utterly bewildered.

Under the watchful gaze of the girls, he reluctantly made the call.

"What's up? Weren't you all planning to go out today?" Kosuke sounded puzzled. Why would he be calling at this time? Was he not planning to go anymore?

"Let me make it clear! If you suddenly change your mind and decide not to go after all of this, don't bother asking me for help in the future!" Kosuke added.

Homura laughed and sighed. His dad always overthought things.

"No, no! I'm definitely going. I just wanted to ask, where did you arrange for us to go? Which hot spring resort?" Homura quickly got to the point, fearing his dad might come up with some other wild idea.

"Ohh, I see... come to think of it! I forgot to mention it after arranging everything." Kosuke pondered for a moment and then said, "Forget about the hot spring resort! You only thought about the trip only a few days ago. Do you think any resort would be available at this time of Golden Week? They've all been booked long ago."

Homura chuckled. It made sense. Then, feeling a bit embarrassed, he asked, "So, how did you arrange it then?"

"Damn brat, I feel like beating you up!" Kosuke grumbled, then continued, "I borrowed a villa from an old friend. Although our family has quite a few villas, we don't have a hot spring villa. Their family's villa has various types, so I borrowed one, which happens to be located in the mountains with rivers and hot springs."

Homura had a puzzled expression. "Borrowed? From whose family?"

"Kotobuki Family. What's the matter?"

"Kotobuki Family... Wait! Kotobuki Family?!"

===

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