Shouko's face was pinched and rubbed by Junko, and her braids were tugged a few times, leaving Shouko a little flustered.
Seeing that the "harassment" was endless, Tsuna couldn't stand it anymore and was about to speak up to stop her…
Junko suddenly let go of her hands, her gaze slyly passing over their shoulders and staring intently at Ajitani and the other two who were watching the commotion behind them.
The corners of her lips curled up slightly, clearly waiting for Tsuna to introduce them.
Tsuna didn't hesitate and immediately introduced the three of them, then introduced Junko to them as well.
The three of them bowed slightly in unison. "Junko-nee."
"Haha, alright, alright…" Junko waved her hand casually, as if waving away that rigid impression.
"Don't be so formal. Just call me Sister like Tsuna does. It sounds so much more intimate!"
Junko caught sight of more guests entering through the door and briskly pointed her chin toward the staircase entrance next to the front desk, which was covered with a thick yellow curtain.
"You all go upstairs to rest first. It's still the same two rooms as before. They've all been cleaned up in advance."
"Are Grandfather and the others in the living room on the second floor?" Tsuna confirmed.
"Grandpa and Grandma went for a stroll in the nearby small park. They'll be back later," Junko replied in a relaxed tone.
Tsuna nodded knowingly and said no more.
He stepped forward first, lifting the heavy yellow curtain with one hand, and tilted his head toward the others behind him. "Let's go."
Immediately, the group followed one after another, their figures successively disappearing into the shadows of the staircase behind the curtain.
As for why he didn't ask about his uncle and aunt, it was because he had already confirmed it on LINE before coming.
At this moment, the couple was enjoying a rare off-season vacation, leisurely traveling around Kyoto.
Several years had passed, and the traces of time had quietly settled into these family-only rooms on the second floor.
Even though they had been renovated and repainted, the subtle mildew stains in the corners of the walls and the stubborn paint cracks along the window sills were like signatures deliberately left by time, refusing to disappear.
Tsuna stood at the end of the corridor on the second floor, which was paved with old wooden planks, and gestured to the two doors on the left and right.
"Nishikata and I will stay in this room."
He then turned to the opposite door and lightly patted the doorframe. "This room is bigger, perfect for you three girls."
Before he finished speaking, he pulled the door open.
The furnishings inside the room were silhouetted in the sunlight. A wooden wardrobe with drawers stood quietly in the corner, and a simple low table was placed in the center.
Looking up, one's gaze was drawn by the wire to the pendant lamp suspended directly above.
Other than that, the green tatami floor and walls were unadorned.
"If you need anything, feel free to go downstairs and find Sister, or call a staff member."
Tsuna said this as he pulled open the wooden door of the opposite room and walked in first with his bag on his back.
The light in the corridor was a bit dim. He looked around at his companions.
"You've been tired from the bumpy ride for so long, so rest first."
His tone carried natural concern.
"When Grandfather comes back from his walk, I'll introduce you. Treat this place like your own home. Relax, don't be so tense all the time."
With that, he patted Nishikata's shoulder, clearly hinting at whom the last sentence was directed.
"Miyamura, this is my house, can you not mmph… mmph… mmph mmph mmph!"
Ajitani was still speaking when Takagi, with quick hands and sharp eyes, covered her mouth and dragged her into the room opposite Tsuna's.
Shouko's eyes curved into crescents as she waved gently in Tsuna's direction.
"See you later."
With that, she turned around, and with a flick of her fingertips, the door behind her silently closed.
"Nishikata, you rest first. I'm going down for a bit." Tsuna walked into the room, casually put down his bag, said a word, and then turned to leave.
"Okay."
— — — —
The yellow curtain in the stairwell was still swaying when a figure emerged from behind it.
"Tsuna?" Junko had just hung up the landline phone and looked up, coincidentally seeing him. She was surprised.
"Why are you down already? Aren't you going to rest a bit longer?"
"Just came down to look around. It's been a long time since I've been here. I wanted to reminisce."
Junko quickly glanced at the empty doorway. Seeing no guests, she relaxed, turned, and leaned against the counter, chatting idly with Tsuna, who had strolled over.
"Sigh, if it weren't for that brat Itohara still messing around in his school club and refusing to come back…"
She unconsciously wiped the counter with a rag, her tone a mix of complaint and affection.
"I should have had him take you all around. You haven't been here for a few years, and many new popular spots have been built nearby."
Finally, she clicked her tongue with a hint of emotion.
"You young people talk a lot, and you get along well."
Tsuna wanted to nod, but he was afraid of being slapped to death by his Sister.
"Sister, you're only six years older than us. It's not to the point of a generation gap."
"Moreover, you don't even have a boyfriend, and Uncle and Aunt haven't rushed you to marry. That also proves you're still young."
"How do you know I don't have a boyfriend?" Junko shot him a questioning look.
Tsuna met her gaze and spread his hands helplessly.
"Because on the way here, I told Grandfather I brought my girlfriend, and he complained to me about you being single until now."
"…"
"Grandpa really is…" Junko swallowed the rest of her complaint, and the motion of wiping the counter unconsciously became heavier.
As the two chatted idly, the inn's main door suddenly swung open, and a figure carrying hot outdoor air rushed inside.
Tsuna and Junko almost simultaneously turned their heads.
The rushing dark figure suddenly stopped and raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
Under the light, that damp face was none other than Itohara, whom Tsuna hadn't seen in years.
"Running so fast, are you in a hurry to reincarnate? Is a ghost chasing you from behind?"
Junko's words were sharp. As she spoke, she grabbed the damp rag from beside the counter and flicked it toward Itohara's sweaty cheek.
Meanwhile, Tsuna was still observing the brother he hadn't seen in years. His skin looked healthy, he still wore the same buzz cut, and his face hadn't changed much.
"Tanaka insisted on racing to see who's faster. The loser treats the winner to breakfast for a week. How could I miss out on such a good deal?"
Itohara didn't mind the rag. He grinned, took it, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Now I can save some money to buy Miyamura-sensei's new book at the end of the year."
"Cou… Brother?"
After wiping his sweat, Itohara finally seemed to notice the person standing next to his sister.
"Long time no see." Tsuna nodded to him.
"Are you alone? Where's your girlfriend? Didn't you bring her?" Itohara asked as he looked behind Tsuna and to both sides.
"She's resting upstairs."
When they first became boyfriend and girlfriend, Shizuka certainly hadn't been shy about showing off to relatives and friends who knew them both.