Hayato returned to Miyajima Tsubaki's ward.
Miyajima Kiichiro originally wanted to follow along, but was stopped by the doctor. Although the old man considered himself robust, he had, after all, been severely beaten by Snake Mound George—or, as he put it, he accidentally fell down. His body was still somewhat worn out, and coupled with his inexplicable period of unconsciousness, the frog-faced doctor truly dared not let him move around too much.
However, it was said that Miyajima Tsubaki was already fine, and could even be discharged directly, so it was agreed that Tsubaki would come to see him later.
Aiya Yayoi had done a very thoughtful job; she not only bought her own dinner but also bought meals for the three Miyajima family members and Hayato.
So, as soon as Miyajima Sakura returned to Tsubaki's room, she rushed out again, carrying the small wonton dinner to her grandfather.
Miyajima Tsubaki heard from her daughter that the old man was fine and had indeed woken up safely, so she finally let out a complete sigh of relief.
It seemed that the Miyajima family's affairs could finally come to an end...
But after Miyajima Sakura left and closed the door, Hayato felt the room become a bit awkward.
Hayato originally didn't care about awkward situations. He took out his phone and started doing math problems, but after only two multiple-choice questions, he was so sleepy that he yawned several times. Then he glanced at Miyajima Tsubaki on the hospital bed, holding a takeout box of small wontons.
Her almost untouched meal contrasted sharply with Aiya Yayoi, who was eating heartily.
Miyajima Tsubaki had been staring at him.
The awkward atmosphere gradually turned into a biting wind, as if to cut Hayato's skin.
Hayato first glanced at Aiya Yayoi. She had almost finished her portion of wontons, and was even unwastefully starting to drink the soup.
While drinking the soup, she still cast a lingering glance at the portion next to Hayato: "I didn't expect the hospital food to be quite good. You... aren't you eating?"
"You eat it," Hayato pushed the wontons to Hayato.
Hayato originally wanted to refuse, but as if remembering something, she turned her head to look at the silent Tsubaki, then raised her slender eyebrows:
"Then I'll eat first. I'll cook for you when we get back."
Hayato made no comment, but Miyajima Tsubaki furrowed her brow, her originally gentle face becoming even more frosty.
She moved her lips, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, she couldn't speak.
Miyajima Tsubaki showed no expression, just staring at Hayato... staring at Hayato... staring intently at Hayato.
Even if Hayato wanted to deliberately ignore her, he was chilled by the lady's already large, bright, double-lidded eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
It wasn't a delusion.
Ever since he returned from Miyajima Kiichiro's ward, the atmosphere had been strange.
Perhaps Hayato said something to Miss Tsubaki...
"..."
Tsubaki didn't speak. When Hayato finally sighed helplessly, she glared again at Aiya Yayoi, who was biting the end of her chopsticks with a mischievous smile. After a moment of hesitation, she decided to hesitate a bit more, "Can you stay a little longer tonight?"
"No, I have things to do," Hayato replied straightforwardly.
Seeing Miyajima Tsubaki's eyes dim slightly, he thought for a moment and said: "If you can't sleep tonight, you can call me, and I'll come over then."
But this was clearly not the result Miyajima Tsubaki wanted. Upon hearing the answer "no," her eyebrows shot up, and she immediately looked like she was about to burst out with something. Fortunately, her good moral upbringing from childhood prevented her from swearing, and instead, she tugged at the bedsheet, covering half of her face. Despite having a daughter who was a JK... and even a JK about to graduate, Miyajima Tsubaki still let out a pouting, almost childish, whine:
"Scum..."
"? What are you talking about?"
And Hayato didn't have such high standards.
"Heh." Miyajima Tsubaki sneered, then turned her face away: "Hmph."
Before anyone noticed, Aiya Yayoi had already finished her meal again. After slurping down a mouthful of soup, she happily rushed over and hugged Hayato's arm, then made a victorious 'V' sign with her fingers at the corner of her eye:
"I told you already, we're true love~~"
Aiya Yayoi's chest was soft and yielding, yet with a certain firmness, providing a rather pleasant sensation.
However, Hayato was already accustomed to this feeling and wasn't particularly engrossed; he even tried to pull his arm away.
"Later~~ I'll drive you back~~"
Hayato spoke as if giving an acceptance speech, sticking to Hayato's arm like a piece of taffy. No matter how hard he tried, she wouldn't let him pull his hand from her embrace: "Then it'll be just the two of us~~"
Rather than speaking to Hayato, she seemed to be addressing Miyajima Tsubaki, even wiggling her eyebrows expressively.
The only drawback was that Tsubaki wasn't looking at them; she was still turned away, sulking.
But Hayato ignored her, still covering her mouth and laughing "Oh-ho-ho."
Hayato glanced at the smug Aiya Yayoi and sharply commented, "You laugh like an old lady."
"..."
Hayato continued to laugh, but even her laughter couldn't hide the throbbing vein on her forehead, shaped like a question mark.
She forcefully extended a fingernail and twisted Hayato's arm. Although Hayato had an iron crotch, his arms were still made of flesh. Fortunately, his right arm was much stronger than others. With a slight struggle, Hayato couldn't resist, allowing him to escape unscathed.
"Also," Hayato said with his usual Sima face, "I'm not going home."
Hayato: ...?
Seriously, I just finished my victory speech, and you're going back on your word?
Miyajima Tsubaki immediately turned her head, her expression still twisted.
Hayato seemed about to say something, but his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He had to deal with the call first.
"Hello, Akane… Yes, I'm still out… I know it's late now… Huh? That makes no sense, you can't blame me. It's true that I ate dinner at seven, but if I haven't eaten anything since lunch, then anything I eat after ten is still dinner… What are you thinking? Skipping one meal won't give you a stomach illness."
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