Hayato: …Huh?
Kobayashi Ayaka put her phone in front of him.
It turned out she had scrolled to a Twitter post from Kurashiki Reina's follower.
"Shocking," Hayato said.
"Indeed," Kobayashi Ayaka said.
She had known Kurashiki Reina was rich, but it was only when she actually saw it that she felt this sensation of a rich woman being so close to her.
The photos posted by the little follower perfectly highlighted the grandeur of the Tokyo Grand Hotel, yet without appearing overly ostentatious. The balance was just right, so that people could at most grumble behind her back, "That damn bitch is showing off again," but couldn't confront her directly, because she could always use the sufficient excuse of "just documenting my life" to refute them, whether it was the photos or the caption.
Although it was probably paid for by that… what was his name again?… the orange-haired man. But Kurashiki Reina being able to date someone like that meant they were on par with each other.
"They actually went," Hayato said.
The ID with the little follower's photo as its avatar had very kindly used the GPS function to tag the location.
"Tokyo Grand Hotel," with "top floor" emphatically highlighted afterwards.
Hayato looked up the average cost per person for the top floor and clicked his tongue in amazement. His assessment was: rich and a spendthrift.
Judging by Hachisuka Hidemichi's micro-expressions at the time, he didn't want to go… at least he didn't want to treat these two useless little followers. But in the end, he still did, which only goes to show that face is indeed more important than money.
"Damn it," Kobayashi Ayaka muttered as if grumbling.
Hayato looked at Ayaka-senpai in surprise. Although Kobayashi Ayaka was usually a trendy girl, this trendiness was more expressed in her online surfing and demeanor. Her usual makeup, dressing, and accessories were all unremarkable, common items.
He never expected her to have a desire to go to a luxurious restaurant?
Hayato always prioritized being full over eating well, and he didn't believe that the food in luxurious restaurants was worth that much more than food in ordinary restaurants.
"There'll always be a chance to go," Hayato said.
Kobayashi Ayaka didn't speak; she just bit her thin lips in jealousy.
"I didn't think you had someone's Twitter ID…" Hayato said, as he had thought Kobayashi Ayaka and Kurashiki Reina weren't very close.
"I forgot when I added it," Kobayashi Ayaka said nonchalantly.
"…" Hayato.
He recalled what Miyajima Sakura had said before: "Ayaka isn't like me; she knows a lot of people." He hadn't expected it to be this many.
Hayato still wanted to say something.
But Kobayashi Ayaka had already picked up her phone, scrolling through the screen repeatedly, seemingly still bothered by the Twitter post from Kurashiki Reina's little follower.
No, Hayato couldn't quite understand. Was she really that eager to go?
Damn it, damn it, damn it.
Kobayashi Ayaka cursed several times in her heart.
She glared resentfully at the spicy ramen in front of her.
Why?
That person said they were going to the Tokyo Grand Hotel and actually went, but this guy said he'd take her to the Bao Ge Li Restaurant, and in the end, they could only eat in this commoner's place?
Wouldn't that mean she, Kobayashi Ayaka, lost?
Lost to that… uh, Hachisuka Hidemichi!
Hachisuka Hidemichi could take his girlfriend to eat at the Tokyo Grand Hotel, and even bring along her two best friends.
Could she, Kobayashi Ayaka, only rely on her glib tongue?… Although Hayato wasn't her boyfriend yet, who knew what the future held?
In this first encounter, she, Kobayashi Ayaka, was at a disadvantage, but next time, it wouldn't necessarily be the same!
…She had to make money, lots and lots of money, and then take this guy wherever he wanted to eat.
Damn it, by then she'd also post on Twitter! To infuriate those bastards.
"Ayaka-senpai, are you still eating?" Hayato asked.
"No!" Kobayashi Ayaka was so angry she could only grit her teeth; she had no mood to eat anything.
"Then I'll eat two bowls." Hayato picked up the noodle bowl and gulped it down.
Watching Hayato eat ramen with his perfect profile, Kobayashi Ayaka felt even more disappointed. Both were as beautiful as flowers… no, this guy was much more beautiful than Kurashiki Reina. Why could Kurashiki Reina go on a fancy dinner with her boyfriend, while he could only eat ramen with her?
Tragic… she was truly too tragic.
Kobayashi Ayaka felt very sorry for the young man in front of her.
Hayato secretly glanced at Kobayashi Ayaka. Why was this senpai almost in tears? Was she really crying from envy?
He swallowed the noodle soup, then clasped his hands together and prayed.
"I'm full. Ayaka-senpai, don't overthink things. Eating until you're full is the most important," he advised.
He's even comforting me. Kobayashi Ayaka was so moved she almost dug her nails into her palm. He really… I'm crying to death.
"…Mm."
Hearing the reluctance in Kobayashi Ayaka's voice, Hayato could only smile wryly and say, "Then let's go next time."
He didn't have much money on him today, so he definitely couldn't afford it.
But if he wanted to make money in this world, it wasn't actually that difficult… it's just that the initial stage might be a bit troublesome. He should find some time to earn some extra cash.
"Mm." Kobayashi Ayaka nodded vigorously.
Yes, since he said so, then next time… next time she must take him! Ayaka secretly vowed.
Hayato scratched his head, quite troubled… She even had light in her eyes from hearing that. Ayaka-senpai, you're too much.
"Do you want to go for a walk somewhere?" Hayato asked.
"…No." Kobayashi Ayaka, however, flatly refused. She said coldly, "It's getting late; it's better to go to bed early."
When one is full, lust arises. This guy isn't thinking of doing some kind of 'old tree root' digestion exercise, is he?… But no, absolutely no. H is okay, but not today… Today, there's no decisive lingerie blessing, plus I'm all sweaty. Ayaka thought.
Then she began to doubt herself again. Why should she care about being sweaty? Can't you shower in a love hotel? Was her first expectation actually outdoor play? That's a bit strange.
But now, it was too late for Kobayashi Ayaka to regret.
Hayato had already nodded:
"Okay, then let's go home."
...
Kobayashi Ayaka's address was not in the same direction as Hayato's home.
So they said goodbye at the subway entrance.
Hayato leisurely returned to Sishouxia Chaya Station by himself.
Walking home to the front of his apartment, before he could even step inside, he saw a graceful figure slowly approaching from another direction.
Hayato didn't take another look; he withdrew his gaze.
He continued his leisurely steps, preparing to go home, but that graceful figure seemed to stomp her foot hard, as if venting something.
But she didn't say anything either.
Their gazes didn't even cross.
And then…
"Screech," was the sound of tires burning.
A Wuling ● Guang appeared at the end of the road, drifting around the bend, speeding wildly towards Hayato.
"Watch out!" the graceful figure whispered.
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