Chapter 2011: Contact

As I was waiting for the scheduled train to arrive at the station platform, I received a call from Kaoru-san, informing me about the details of our trip to the capital.

Akane, Miho, and Yua already talked to her yesterday during that small meeting at the cafe. Since they appointed me as their escort, she decided to contact me directly regarding this.

Good thing she didn't call while I was with Orimura-sensei or I would have no excuse for my girls.

Before answering the call, I looked at the time—a quarter before 2 o'clock.

I stepped back from the yellow line and sat at one of the empty benches.

"Hello, Onoda-kun? I've sent you the ticket details for the express train."

I could only respond with a 'yes' before Kaoru-san continued speaking.

I guess that's enough confirmation for her that she didn't dial the wrong number.

Anyway, I did receive the ticket details through emails. In this day and age, tickets already exist digitally. With just the scan of the unique QR codes, it will be as good as the physical ones. Train conductors will also have no problem checking it once we're on board.

"Be there before 3 o'clock. The trip will take close to two hours from your location."

"Thank you. And I apologize for the trouble, Kaoru-san."

"Don't be. I should be the one apologizing. I failed to secure you a ticket for the high-speed rail accommodation. It could've saved you more than half an hour of travel time."

"It's no problem, actually. The nearest station for that is outside our city. That more than half an hour of saved time will also be voided. It's better this way, you can save cost and we'll be arriving at a less-crowded place."

Well, my estimate about it was probably off and Kaoru-san might be right that it would save us more time. But since we're already imposing on her, it won't be fair to complain to her about it.

"I see. That's good then. I'll see you there. Take care on your trip."

"Yes... Ah. Kaoru-san. A moment. Is Yue still busy?"

"Yes. She also went to school today. Then she has a photoshoot scheduled this afternoon. I'm already on the road to pick her up. The earliest you can meet each other is when you arrive at the recording studio."

She went to school, huh? She told me she's already not obligated to come in whenever she has work lined up.

Knowing Yue, she must have been trying to distract herself from being too excited for our meeting. It probably also prevented her from fiddling on her phone to send me a chain of messages or dialing my number impulsively.

Really, I wish I could prolong a day to a week. That way, we can spend a longer time together...

"Oh. I forgot to mention, Onoda-kun. I also sent you numbers of trusted delivery places that will not require Asahi to answer her door. You can use them if you want to buy her a treat again. You see, she complained when the donuts arrived and my name was on the receipt. She said I should've let you order for her... That girl... She's getting an attitude." Kaoru added. I heard her sigh at the end but it was instantly replaced by her joyful laughter, possibly recalling Yue's expression when she complained.

Alright. That's not something I anticipated. She's really getting an attitude. Or maybe, it's just the result of not seeing me for long.

I better pamper her a lot to make her behave again.

"I appreciate that, Kaoru-san. Also, let me teach you a trick to make her behave. Just in case you need it in the future."

"Onoda-kun, you're a bad guy. You're going to teach me how to handle your girl? Won't she cry if she finds out?"

"Well, I know nothing is going to remain unsolved if I use the tried and tested method of good old pampering. Besides, it's not a superb trick that you can always use on her. It's a one-time use only."

"Alright. I'm sold. Teach me about it. I'll listen."

Kaoru-san laughed again and this time, her voice sounded more mellow as if she had already forgotten the pressure she was under.

"Great. This is how you do it..."

I guess it's good that I helped her relax even during her drive.

During the few minutes before the train I was waiting for arrived, I quickly taught her the one-time use trick against Yue.

As I said, it's only situational and something the girl would recognize as something I taught Kaoru-san if she used it. So, in the end, that girl would be complaining to me, not her manager.

-

Ten minutes after I rode the train that would take me home, it stopped at the next station.

As it was still too early for any student to be out and about, it was rare for me to see someone in a school uniform.

However, to my surprise, I found one among the new passengers. And it's not just a random student but a pair of middle school students who I am extremely familiar with.

"Hmm? You two... Are you playing truant?"

Yep. They're Sumire and Umi.

The two of them gasped upon seeing me so I pointed at them and mouthed that question as they tried to rub their eyes as though they were making sure they were not seeing things.

The energetic girl immediately grinned while the shy and soft-spoken girl put on an embarrassed smile before hiding half of her face with her school bag.

A moment later, the former grabbed the latter's wrist, pulling the girl with her, and approached my location.

With the current time far from the rush hour, the seats next to me were empty.

Sumire plopped down on my left while Umi shyly occupied my right. Perhaps remembering our last meeting, she grasped the side of my clothes and inched closer to me.

I pat her head and put on a kind smile before holding her hand while using her bag to cover it up.

Umi liked it a lot. She had already forgotten my question and instead enjoyed this moment by resting her head on me.

Sumire who probably failed to pick up what happened was still grinning as she threw my question back at me.

"Ruki-senpai, can we say the same to you?"

I turned to her and flicked her forehead.

"Do you think I have the time to play truant? You're becoming cheeky, Sumire."

"Owh! That's unfair! And how is it cheeky? My question is also valid!"

"Alright. Don't shout. I'll tell you but you also have to tell me why you're out this early."

"Deal!"

I looked at Umi who also appeared interested in what I was about to say. She gently nodded before saying, "We'll tell you, senpai."

These two... They're making me want to delay this train ride so I can pamper them both. How did they become this adorable?

Ah. Right. I already find them adorable even before I consider them precious to me. It's just unfortunate that we cannot meet easily because of school.

Anyway, I explained to them that I requested for an early leave and my reason is the trip to Tokyo.

Of course, since I already considered them someone I care about and they're also avid fans of Yue, or Asahi as they know her, I also told them about our agenda for going to Tokyo.

And sure enough, their eyes instantly twinkled at the mention of Yue. Even Umi who was comfortably enjoying our closeness seemingly got energized as their faces seemingly zoomed in to hear more details about the trip.