Shouko's moist, hazy eyes struggled to focus, as if she was still savoring the novel yet suffocating sensation of their intertwined touch.
Hearing Tsuna's words, she suddenly realized, her cheeks instantly flushing like ripe peaches, even visible steam rising from them.
She shyly turned her head slightly, the baguette in her hand still swinging twice, and mumbled softly, with obvious annoyance and a touch of clumsiness:
"Oh, oh, oh…"
Her breathing was still a bit rapid and unsteady. "I was, I was too nervous… I only thought about… how to respond to you…"
Her fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of her clothes: "…I, I completely forgot about breathing."
After a brief pause, she suddenly looked up, her moist lips, seemingly still carrying the lingering afterglow of their embrace, parted slightly.
Her eyes, a mix of unvanished shyness and a strange, earnest obsession with 'technique,' pleaded like a primary school student who had discovered a new problem set:
"Tsuna… Can we, can we do it again?" Her eyes sparkled with a pure enthusiasm, almost like academic research:
"…I want to practice properly again… This time, this time I'll definitely remember to use my nose! I promise!"
As she spoke, she even held up four fingers to add credibility.
He looked at Shouko 's adorable appearance and, without thinking, he… refused.
"Put away your desire to practice for a bit. Go back and finish your breakfast first."
He raised his hand, his fingertips warm, and lightly flicked her smooth, full, almost reflective forehead.
Without giving her a chance to hesitate or refuse, he took her hand and walked towards the dining room.
And Shouko, being led stumbling forward, her body obediently followed his steps.
But her mind was still pondering what perfect excuse she could use to ditch Ajitani-chan's Osaka day trip.
Only then could she justifiably lock herself in the room for the entire morning, clinging to Tsuna, mouth-to-mouth, to perfect that 'breathing through the nose' essential lesson?
While she was lost in thought, Tsuna had already led her back to the dining room.
"Miyamura, remember to call Nanase-sensei later to report in."
"Mm, okay."
"Oh, class monitor," Tsuna had just sat down with Shouko when Nishikata, sitting opposite, appropriately asked about the confusion in his mind:
"Yesterday Miyamura accidentally fell asleep and forgot to return Nanase-sensei's call and message. How did you guys handle it afterward?"
Ajitani leaned back in her chair and spread her hands helplessly: "We just had Shouko-chan make a video call, and Nanase-sensei chatted with her grandfather for a bit, that was all."
"However, all our subsequent outings and activities need to be reported to Nanase-sensei.
Yesterday, I even received a video call from Rinko; it was really unrighteous of us."
Breakfast passed amidst their chatter, and even when Junko saw them off at the door, Shouko still hadn't thought of an excuse to decline the outing.
Junko, wearing a blue yukata with a wave pattern, leaned against the main entrance, watching Tsuna and the others, who were in high spirits.
"Tsuna," she asked with a smile, "Are you sure you don't need that brat Itohara to be your guide? He knows Osaka well; he could help you avoid some detours."
No sooner had Junko's words fallen than Mitoi Iori, who had been shrinking behind her, shot his head out with a "whoosh," his eyes gleaming, looking as if he was about to jump in place to express his excitement.
However, before Tsuna could utter a single word, Ajitani, who was beside him, was already waving her hands vigorously and swiftly,
Her head shaking like a rattle drum, she preemptively rejected her good intentions:
"No need, Junko-nee, I've already made all the plans before coming to Osaka," she said, patting her chest and silently reciting her well-prepared itinerary:
"First, we'll tour Osaka Castle, then take a 20-minute subway ride to Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi for lunch and shopping, and finally, Tsutenkaku for the evening, with fried skewers and a beautiful night view.
It's absolutely perfect!" She couldn't help but give herself a thumbs-up.
Junko was amused by her eagerness and let out a chuckle, shaking her head, and ultimately didn't try to persuade them further.
She leaned against the doorframe, smiling as she watched the five figures, each carrying various small bags, chattering and squeezing onto the bus.
She watched the bus sway and drive away, until it turned the corner and disappeared from sight, then slowly retracted her gaze and turned around.
She saw Mitoi Iori standing dejectedly in the doorway, exuding a strong aura of low spirits.
Junko crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow as she surveyed his appearance, drawing out her words with a tone that suggested she had already seen through everything:
"Heh… I think I understand now…" She raised a hand and pointed in the direction where the bus had disappeared:
"That Girl named Ajitani…" She then gave Mitoi Iori a meaningful glance, "With your limited skill, tsk tsk, I'm afraid… you won't be able to 'handle' her!"
The word "handle" was emphasized, full of teasing.
Mitoi Iori rolled his eyes at her, which earned him a slap, and he could only resignedly go to entertain guests. As for going back to his room to play on his phone or sleep, that was out of the question.
— — — —
Ajitani's so-called flawless itinerary gloriously led the group of five through an 'exceptionally meaningful' entire day.
As for the results…
The crowds at the weekend attractions perfectly illustrated what it meant to be unable to move an inch, and their energy was precisely expended on detours.
Especially at Osaka Castle, the planned 'visit' was dragged out until the evening, when the sky was ablaze with fiery clouds.
Ajitani's ingenious arrangements ultimately could not contend with the universal truth that "changes happen faster than plans."
By the time they took the bus back to the hot spring inn, all five were already physically and mentally exhausted.
After dinner and a quick wash-up, the five returned to their rooms and quickly fell asleep.
As for the evening practice promised to Shouko, it was successfully postponed.
In the blink of an eye, the school trip had also arrived at its second-to-last day.
At lunchtime, gathered around the dining table, the grandmother looked at the little ones burying their faces in their food and couldn't help but speak first:
"Oh, you're really going to pack up and leave after lunch?"
Her tone was gentle, with a hint of reluctance: "Won't you stay another day? It's quiet here, perfect to stay one more night to relax, and it's convenient.
I can have the old man call your teacher and tell them."
"No need, Grandma. When I'm on winter break, I'll bring them to see you again," Tsuna said, waving his hand with a smile:
"We chose to go back today so that it's convenient for us to take the school-provided bus directly to the Shinkansen for a unified ride tomorrow."
Seeing the situation, the grandmother smiled kindly and didn't try to persuade them further.
She left the dining room and went to the front desk, whispering a few instructions to the quietly waiting hot spring inn staff member on duty.
The female attendant, dressed in the inn's yukata, nodded in acknowledgment and then left with light steps.
In a short while, she returned, carrying several small packages carefully wrapped in plain paper bags, each meticulously labeled.