Grandma smiled kindly, taking the packages from the Girl and carefully adjusting the carrying cords.
After they explained their lunch, she handed them one by one to Tsuna, Shouko , and the other five:
"These are some local specialties from around here. Remember to take them back when you leave."
Seeing her obedient grandson unhesitatingly accept the packages, a soft smile settled into Grandma's eyes.
But just as the smile lines spread, her gaze had already caught Ajitani and the other Girl, whose fingers were nervously twisting the corners of their clothes, their lips mumbling, preparing to speak.
The smile on Grandma's lips suddenly vanished. She quickly cut them off before their polite refusals could sprout:
"Oh, come on! Take them, why bother with such formalities with your Grandma?"
Her keen eyes swept over the children, pausing slightly:
"It's just some dried bamboo shoots from our mountain and freshly made jam. What's there to push back and forth about?
If you don't take them now, and then want to buy some to take back when you leave later, you'll end up spending a lot of unnecessary money."
"…"
Ajitani felt the weight of the packages was unusual, not quite like Grandma's description of only dried bamboo shoots and jam.
"Is this really… only dried bamboo shoots and jam?" She lowered her head, staring at the square corners bulging from the bottom of the package, her eyebrows imperceptibly twitching.
Her quiet murmur did not escape Grandma's ears.
The old lady immediately stiffened her face, pretending to 'turn hostile,' but the uncontrollable smile at the corner of her eye had already given her away completely:
"If you don't accept them, then when you come here for hot springs during winter or summer break, I'll charge you for accommodation!"
She deliberately raised her voice a little: "And it'll be at the guesthouse's VIP rate!
Plus a fifty percent service charge! Grandma here won't give even a single yen discount!"
With words said to this extent, further refusal would seem a bit impolite.
In addition, Shouko gently tugged at Ajitani's sleeve and quietly chimed in beside her:
"Ajitani, take it… it's Grandma's kind intention."
With this 'internal support,' Ajitani and the other two had no choice but to comply obediently.
The three of them somewhat awkwardly held their 'local specialty packages,' quickly thanking the smiling Grandma.
Then, as if fearing the old lady would come up with more irresistible tricks, they quickly turned, and 'thump-thump-thump' hurried up the stairs to their second-floor room to pack their luggage.
Just as Tsuna and Shouko were also about to go upstairs to pack, Grandma called out to him from behind:
"Tsuna, wait a moment."
Tsuna turned back, puzzled, to look at his Grandma.
"I have something here for you to take back to your mother."
"Okay." Tsuna nodded, then looked at Shouko beside him: "Shouko , you go up and pack first."
"Mhm."
————
Upon leaving, Grandpa's whole family was at the inn's entrance to see them off.
Upon arrival, each person had only a backpack, but on the return trip, their hands were filled with shopping bags of various sizes, except for Ajitani.
And Tsuna also had an extra large suitcase beside him.
"It's a pity your uncle was lazy," Grandpa leaned on his cane, his expression serious, but his words carried a hint of familiar complaint,
"Otherwise, I'd have him drive you all, which would be much easier."
"No need," Tsuna smiled and waved his hand, "It's such a long way back and forth, even if Uncle were here, I wouldn't ask him to specially drive us."
Another reason was that there wasn't enough space for so many people.
Then Tsuna quietly reminded Grandpa to take good care of his health. Grandpa's smile deepened, and he raised a hand to lovingly pat his grandson's shoulder.
Grandma and Shouko had also finished their quiet chat. Her loving gaze fell on the Girl's face, and her warm hand gently covered it, ruffling her hair.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Mitoi Iori unconsciously rubbed the edge of his phone back and forth, his gaze frequently glancing at Ajitani.
Watching his older sister and Ajitani talk endlessly, his hesitation never ceased.
Finally, Junko noticed his intentional or unintentional glances. Seeing him clench his phone, she immediately guessed what he was thinking.
She rolled her eyes at him in exasperation.
But, of course, she had to support her younger brother. But for her to personally ask for Ajitani's 'LINE' for him?
She really couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Ajitani, I'll create a group chat. I'll send all the photos I took of you girls at the inn these past few days to the group so everyone can save them easily."
Ajitani didn't suspect anything, her eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously: "Thank you, Junko-nee!"
And not far away, Itohara , who was listening, also couldn't help but have his eyes light up.
The longer the farewell chatter, the heavier the reluctance in their hearts.
Under the maple tree's shade, dappled light and shadow swayed on Takagi and Nishikata's shoulders. Seeing Tsuna and the others' figures drawing closer, they knew it was time to return.
"Let's go."
Grandpa and Grandma had already walked back into the inn. Standing at the entrance now were only Junko and her younger brother.
They silently watched Tsuna and his group board the bus until the door closed.
It wasn't until the bus completely disappeared from sight that Junko withdrew her gaze, turned her head, and teasingly raised an eyebrow at her younger brother:
"My dear brother, I can only help you this much. The rest… depends on your own ability."
"…"
"Thank—"
"Stop, stop! Save it!"
Junko knew his routine too well. Before he could even utter the word 'thank,' her hand was already precisely raised in front of him to stop him:
"I've heard 'thank you' so many times my ears are calloused." She pouted dismissively, a sly glint in her eyes: "How about something more substantial as a reward?"
As she spoke, her right hand suddenly lifted, and she quickly rubbed her thumb and forefinger together in front of him, the motion as fluid as counting money.
"What… what… substantial?" Itohara looked at his sister's roguish expression, starting to wonder if this deal was worth it.
And in the eyes of passing male tourists, Junko, in an elegant yukata, stood gracefully at the entrance.
The lively spirit flowing in her eyebrows and eyes added a touch of brilliance to her figure, causing passing gazes to linger for a few extra seconds.
"Cover two of my shifts." Junko held up two fingers and wiggled them in front of him.
"...No."
Junko clearly expected his refusal.
A sly smile curled on her lips, and her extended index finger seemingly casually drew slow circles in front of him:
"My dear brother, you… think carefully." She deliberately dragged out the end of her sentence, with a knowing playful tone:
"Miss this village, and the next shop? Hmph, who knows when that will be."
"…"
"I haven't created the group yet, so you can discard those thoughts in your head."
"…"
"Don't even think about asking Tsuna; he'll probably ask Ajitani first if she's willing."