Outside the Cunning Hares of the All-Purpose Agency
"Section Chief, it looks like no one is inside?!"
Yuma looked through the window at the pitch-black room.
"Belle and the others must have gone out for something."
"I'll call and ask!"
Saying that, Hoshimi Miyabi took out her cell phone, found Belle's number, and dialed.
Meanwhile, Soukakku sat bored on a stone pedestal, swinging his little feet.
Suddenly, Soukakku spotted a familiar figure walking down the street not far from them, carrying several cups of milk tea.
"Ryu, Ryu, Ryu..."
Soukakku excitedly patted Tsukishiro Yanagi beside her, but Tsukishiro Yanagi, who was looking at documents, thought Soukakku was hungry and directly stuffed a red bean bun into Soukakku's mouth.
Soukakku, with the red bean bun entering his mouth, instinctively began to eat. Only after eating several did he react.
"Sister Ryu, I just saw another Section Chief Miyabi!"
"She was carrying a few cups of milk tea just now and seemed to be heading home!"
Saying this, Soukakku stood up and pointed in the direction Hoshimi Aya had gone.
Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned, and then they quickly chased in the direction Soukakku pointed.
Simultaneously, in a shop in the opposite direction from where the group was chasing.
Hoshimi Aya, carrying three cups of milk tea, was contemplating how many red bean buns to buy.
When she left earlier, she suddenly wanted to try the famous red bean buns, so she walked back.
However, she was conflicted about how many packs to buy—one pack seemed insufficient, two packs seemed too few, and three packs seemed too many.
After all, it was almost lunchtime; the red bean buns would just be a sweet treat.
So, she was conflicted about how many packs to buy.
The taste of the red bean buns was certainly guaranteed, so if she was going to eat them, she had to satisfy herself all at once.
Finally, Hoshimi Aya decided to buy three packs for a small taste, and she could eat the rest after lunch.
Meanwhile, on Hoshimi Miyabi's side:
The group chased for over ten minutes but still couldn't see any sign of Hoshimi Aya, so they decided to stop.
"Soukakku, are you sure you saw her just now?"
Hoshimi Miyabi inquired. It was impossible to have chased for so long without seeing a trace.
"I'm sure!"
"She definitely went this way just now."
As Soukakku spoke, his stomach rumbled at an inopportune moment. Seeing this, Soukakku awkwardly rubbed his head.
"Sorry, it's almost time for my lunch."
"I was already a bit hungry after finishing the red bean bun Sister Ryu gave me, but I didn't say anything because I spotted the other Section Chief. Now that I've exercised, I'm even hungrier."
Saying this, Soukakku patted his stomach.
"Miyabi, maybe we should go eat first?"
"We have no idea where she is right now."
"Searching around like headless flies isn't going to work either."
"Didn't you arrange to meet Miss Belle from the Cunning Hares earlier?"
"How about we eat first, and see what that person says later."
Ryu suggested, as it was indeed approaching lunchtime.
"That works too."
Hoshimi Miyabi nodded.
The group then entered a restaurant. Seven or eight minutes after they went in, Hoshimi Aya happened to walk past the entrance, carrying the red bean buns and milk tea.
"It smells so good!"
Saying that, Hoshimi Aya stopped in her tracks, silently noting down the name of the restaurant so she could come back to eat with Rin and the others when she had time.
Although she was annoyed that Rin and the others planned without her, she had to keep a low profile while under someone else's roof.
After all, nothing she was wearing or carrying had been bought with her own money; she just had to endure feeling a bit wronged.
About ten minutes later, Belle and her group arrived here, as there was always a risk of debt collectors showing up at the Cunning Rabbit floor.
Inside the restaurant, Hoshimi Miyabi and the others were waiting for Belle and her group.
"Sister Miyabi, Sister Ryu, when did they get here?!"
"I'm so hungry!"
Soukakku was nearly intoxicated by the aroma of the large table full of dishes in front of him.
If Tsukishiro Yanagi and the others hadn't reminded him to wait for people, Soukakku would have started eating already.
Just then, Belle and her group pushed open the door, found an empty spot, and sat down.
"Martial Arts Maniac Fox, speak."
"What do you need me for?"
"I've been very busy lately. Look at these dark circles under my eyes."
Saying that, Belle pointed to the dark circles under her eyes.
Ever since the Xingjian Family Head left, they had been going door-to-door in the black market. If Hoshimi Aya hadn't called, they would still be searching.
"Sorry, perhaps we should eat first."
"My business can wait."
Hoshimi Miyabi said apologetically.
"Okay, okay!"
"Finally, we can start eating!"
Saying that, Soukakku switched to eating mode.
"Sorry, this child gets like this when she's been hungry for a long time."
Tsukishiro Yanagi explained with a smile.
"It's fine, it's fine."
Belle didn't mind. She had already guessed the purpose of Hoshimi Miyabi seeking her out; eating was secondary; the main reason was to inquire about Hoshimi Aya's whereabouts.
Afterward, everyone also started using their chopsticks, though not as exaggeratedly as Soukakku, who cleared a plate in 3 seconds.
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