Splash—
Maki Shijo closed her eyes, allowing the hot water to rinse over her cheeks.
The steam rose, coating the entire bathroom in an ethereal, misty haze. The young girl soon sat down and began to wash her hair.
"Phew..."
As water droplets fell from her head, the girl let out a soft sigh.
Her mood today had truly been a roller coaster of ups and downs.
That woman, that Chika Fujiwara, that bow-wearing fat cow who kept entangling herself with Hai-kun.
Just thinking about her made Maki feel a tightness in her chest, a burst of anger rushing straight to her forehead.
Yes, yes, she was the one who established an intimate relationship with Hai-kun first, yet this guy inexplicably cut in to become a third wheel. Furthermore, she deliberately dug a pit for Maki, making it so she didn't know what to do.
However, that guy ultimately chose to retreat. She didn't continue to cling to him, instead yielding Hai-kun to Maki for a full day of dating.
Why did she choose to give up at that time?
Maki didn't think Chika was the type of person to give up easily. There must have been a purpose behind her taking such measures at that moment.
I must remain vigilant.
As for what comes next... should I hire a private detective to confirm that fat cow's whereabouts?
Forget it, doing that isn't very good, and it's easy to be discovered. She is a daughter of the Fujiwara family after all; if such a thing were exposed, it would inevitably cause very bad consequences.
Moreover, no matter what, she did indeed survive the 'Red Nut Gray Hole' instance alongside me, Hai-kun, and Auntie Kaguya. Everyone risked their lives together to clear that hell. It would be better not to easily shatter this camaraderie forged in battle.
So, regarding the future, should I just let nature take its course?
Maki couldn't help but recall the moment in the afternoon when she threw herself into Gao Hai's arms and cried out loud.
That feeling of grievance and pain had actually not completely faded even now.
After realizing that as a survival team, she could not leave Gao Hai, nor could she stop other women from approaching Gao Hai, the grievance and sadness in the girl's heart had never truly subsided. She had only stabilized her emotions slightly after venting to Gao Hai.
Why?
She really wanted to question Gao Hai at that time.
Why did this kind of thing have to happen to me? Why do you, this bastard, have to be entangled with other women? Why do I have to be the one to make concessions?
These words swirled in the girl's stomach, but ultimately, they were not spoken aloud.
Because she knew that questioning Gao Hai with these words was meaningless. It was she who chose to keep him hanging in the beginning; it was she who chose not to respond to him. Furthermore, Chika Fujiwara had sacrificed her own life to save him. After the torture of being trapped in that rock fissure for dozens of days, it was that woman who chose to strap a bomb to herself and trigger the killing rules in the 'Blood Vessel' to go and save Gao Hai.
It is only natural that such an act of giving one's true heart would win favor. If Hai-kun hadn't been touched by that, he wouldn't be him.
It's just... I still feel very unhappy about it, that's all.
"Sigh..."
Maki, soaking her body in the bathtub, sighed.
She lowered her head to examine her own fair body, and then involuntarily thought of Chika Fujiwara's terrifying 'frontal armor.' Her expression couldn't help but darken.
If I hadn't run away when I was at Hai-kun's house that day...
No, thinking about such things now is completely meaningless. Besides, I couldn't possibly have accepted that kind of thing to begin with.
So annoying...
Love is really so hard.
I just fell in love with someone, so why do I have to encounter this kind of thing?
Maki sighed again, draping herself over the side of the bathtub and looking up at the steam-covered mirror in the bathroom.
Tomorrow, let's go on a date with Hai-kun again.
Then, in two days, when Hai-kun comes to the school to apply as a security guard, I'll take him for a tour around the school. Hmm, he was wearing sunglasses when he hugged me at school back then, so he shouldn't be recognized by other classmates, right?
Speaking of which, what is Hai-kun doing right now?
Maki suddenly felt a slight urge to try using that [Blessing] that linked them, wanting to move to Gao Hai's side to check the situation.
However, she ultimately let go of this idea. After all, it was already very late, and if she were to suddenly disappear from home, it would be difficult to explain the situation to her family. Therefore, it was better not to do so.
Splash—
She stepped out of the bathtub, wiped the water droplets from her body, and changed into her pajamas.
Maki let out a long breath and took strides back to her own bedroom.
Meanwhile, at Gao Hai's house.
"Uwah!"
Chika's somewhat panicked shriek rang out from the bathroom.
"What's wrong?!"
Gao Hai, hearing the noise from outside the door, walked over and asked.
"N-Nothing, the water is a little cold."
Chika's voice sounded muffled through the door.
"The water heater at home has been used for some years; you have to let the water run for a while before there's hot water."
Gao Hai patiently explained the situation to Chika. The girl's agreeing voice of "Oh, oh" followed from the bathroom, and soon, only the sound of running water remained.
This was the second girl to take a bath in Gao Hai's house.
And unlike Maki, who had showered at his place last time because she got caught in the rain, Chika Fujiwara this time was going to stay over.
Gao Hai had already tidied up the guest room on the first floor.
As for talking about sleeping together or something similar, although Gao Hai did have such thoughts, considering that Chika was essentially forcing herself to cater to him, Gao Hai felt that such a 'twisted melon' really wouldn't taste quite right. So, he decisively abandoned this option.
However, he still felt it was quite a pity. Tsk, both Maki and Chika ignited his fire and then, for various reasons, ignored it. What kind of situation is this? Do girls in Japan all like to push and pull like this?!
To calm himself down, Gao Hai ultimately chose to play games. He selected an ultra-high-difficulty roguelike dungeon game and clicked on the highest difficulty. In less than half an hour, out of the four recruited heroes, one went mad and three died. Looking at the settlement screen that made one's blood pressure skyrocket, Gao Hai's mood instantly calmed down.
Very good. This way, there won't be any problems.
"Ah Hai, can you help me blow-dry my hair?"
The sound of the door opening and Chika's voice rang out at this moment.
"Oh, sure."
Gao Hai responded while turning his head around, and then he froze.
The girl standing at the doorway blinked, revealing a sly smile at Gao Hai.
She was not wearing the T-shirt and shorts Gao Hai had prepared for her.
Chika Fujiwara, appearing before Gao Hai at this moment, was wrapped only in a single bath towel.
Her fair shoulders and collarbones were clearly visible.
Her two thighs were also basically completely presented within his line of sight.
For Gao Hai, who had managed to calm down with great difficulty, the impact of this scene was far greater than the Old Ancestor's incessant rambling in the game.
"Why are you..."
"Well, wearing clothes felt a bit uncomfortable on my chest. Hehe, anyway, this bath towel is also very large, so I just wrapped it around. Moreover, I took measures too, you know. If you don't believe me, look—"
Chika, laughing somewhat smugly, let go of the hand holding the bath towel, allowing Gao Hai to see a small clip on the towel.
Using a clip to hold the towel so it doesn't fall off?
Gao Hai nodded expressionlessly, and then watched as Chika walked forward and handed the hairdryer to him.
"Then, I'm counting on Ah Hai to help out."
Chika tilted her head, speaking with a 'hehe' laugh.
Do you actually want me to help dry your hair, or do you want me to help you climb the stairs to adulthood?
Gao Hai really wanted to retort seriously, but considering the awkward scenes that might result from such a retort, he ultimately took the hairdryer without a word. He then brought over a stool for Chika to sit on, standing behind the girl to dry her hair.
Amidst the humming sound, Gao Hai reached out to gently stroke through Chika's long pink hair. The girl hummed a song softly, closing her eyes in a leisurely and contented manner, allowing Gao Hai to manipulate her hair.
It had to be said that drying long hair after it got wet was indeed quite troublesome; Gao Hai spent quite a bit of time getting Chika's hair dry. And the girl, who had been wrapped only in a bath towel the entire time, confirmed her hair was dry and then, seeing Gao Hai go back to playing games, happily leaned in behind him to watch him play.
The subtle fragrance from the girl's hair wafted into his nasal cavity.
Feeling Chika's presence standing behind him, Gao Hai found that he couldn't concentrate on the game screen no matter what.
[YOU DIED]
Thus, before long, blood-red characters emerged. The character Gao Hai controlled fell upon a snowy plain, beside three galloping black horses.
"Hmph hmph, Ah Hai's gameplay operation is very clumsy, isn't it?"
Chika, standing behind Gao Hai, laughed.
"Uh, no, that was just an accident."
Of course, Gao Hai couldn't admit his gaming skills were poor; he simply switched to another game and started playing again.
Then, the presence beside him became even more distinct. He could even feel a soft tactile sensation on one shoulder.
Chika, behind him, lay directly onto the back of Gao Hai's chair, her body and Gao Hai's shoulder already touching together.
He could feel her breath blowing on his neck.
As well as the ticklish sensation of her hanging hair touching his skin.
[DEATH]
So, after a short while, a large red character like that appeared on the screen.
"Ehehehe, Ah Hai seems to be not very good at this."
Even without turning his head, Gao Hai could imagine the triumphant expression on Chika's face.
Undoubtedly, she was doing it on purpose.
This girl, you really like playing with fire.
"Actually, there is another game that I am particularly good at. I definitely won't lose."
Thus, Gao Hai spoke in a faint tone.
"Oh, what ga— Wueeh?!"
Before the girl could finish her words, Gao Hai turned his head and directly kissed her lips.
He could see the flustered look on Chika's face.
But immediately after, she quickly calmed down, staring at him motionless with wide eyes, her gaze even carrying a hint of provocation.
So Gao Hai expressionlessly extended his tongue.
"Woo... woo..."
Now Chika was truly a bit panicked; subconsciously, she wanted to struggle.
However, Gao Hai naturally wouldn't give her the chance. Reaching out, he held Chika's small head, fixing her firmly in place, and kissed her deeply just like that, forcing her to engage in a frontal confrontation with him.
The girl's breathing rapidly became ragged.
After a short while, Gao Hai released his mouth. Chika almost sat directly on the floor, unable to stop gasping for large mouthfuls of breath.
"Woo-ah, what kind of game is this..."
Chika, her cheeks flushed scarlet, protested with some embarrassment and annoyance.
"Why wouldn't this count as a game? Besides, I've already won."
Now it was Gao Hai's turn to reveal a triumphant expression.
Gradually, it reached the depths of the night.
As the hour hand slowly drew closer to 12 o'clock, Gao Hai turned off the game console, preparing to go to bed. Chika, who had stayed in the game room watching him play until now, also yawned, preparing to go back to the guest room on the first floor to sleep.
"By the way, is Ah Hai really going to make me sleep in the guest room?"
Walking to the stairwell, Chika turned around, looking at Gao Hai with profound meaning as she asked.
"I said I wouldn't force you, so I definitely won't force you. I still have that much credit."
To this, Gao Hai simply answered with a flat tone.
"Is that so? Then, Ah Hai, see you tomorrow."
Turning around, the girl, draped only in a bath towel, went downstairs in a carefree manner.
Gao Hai watched her retreating figure for a long time before letting out a long breath, then turning around to return to his own room.
He didn't know if he would be able to fall asleep tonight.
Lights out, into bed.
Gao Hai covered himself with a thin quilt and lay on the bed. He picked up his phone, casually looking and scrolling through the player forums. Then, because there was nothing worth noting, he turned it off, logged into a mobile game to clear his stamina, and prepared to rest.
The time displayed on the phone was 23:59.
Gao Hai placed the phone beside his pillow and prepared to turn off the screen.
A pink head burrowed out from the quilt at that moment, blocking Gao Hai's line of sight.
A familiar, fresh fragrance flooded into Gao Hai's nose.
And the girl's voice, carrying a hint of mischievousness, followed into Gao Hai's ears.
"It's already tomorrow, Ah Hai~"
On the still-bright phone screen to the side, the time displayed 0:00.
________________________________________
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