Two days later, in the afternoon, the weather was just perfectly clear.
Imaizumi Keita leaned against the wall next to the entrance of the Municipal Underground Resource Museum, one hand in his pocket, looking somewhat bored.
To be honest, he didn't hate waiting, especially right before he was about to meet someone.
Waiting meant he could temporarily detach himself from interpersonal relationships and enjoy a moment of peace that belonged only to him.
Before long, the sound of light footsteps approached from a distance, interrupting his thoughts.
"Yo, Imai-chan!"
Shioyaki Lemon wore a sports messenger bag slung across her shoulder, a white T-shirt with an English slogan, and light blue denim shorts, radiating healthy vitality.
She ran up to Imaizumi Keita, stopped, and naturally handed him the sports drink in her hand.
"Here, just bought it at the convenience store."
"Thanks." Imaizumi Keita took the drink, unscrewed the cap, took a sip, and then asked unhurriedly, "Just you? Where are Ayano and the others?"
"I don't know,"
Shioyaki Lemon shook her head, scanning the crowd passing by the entrance.
"I just messaged Mitsuki to ask where he is, but he hasn't replied yet. I guess... he'll meet up with Asagumo-san first and then come over together?"
"Probably."
Imaizumi Keita nodded, agreeing with her guess.
Although Ayano Mitsuki was reliable in normal matters, when it came to romance, Imaizumi Keita felt it was better to trust Asagumo Chihaya a bit more.
Maybe it was even Asagumo Chihaya who took the initiative to ask Ayano Mitsuki to meet up first before heading over here...
Sure enough, after another five minutes or so, two familiar figures walked over side-by-side from the direction of the station.
Ayano Mitsuki, walking in front, was also dressed in casual clothes, looking down to talk to Asagumo Chihaya from time to time.
Asagumo Chihaya, who was beside him, wore a simple and elegant white dress, which, combined with her jet-black long hair, made her radiate a quiet and graceful aura.
Ayano Mitsuki immediately saw the two waiting at the entrance.
His gaze lingered for a moment on Imaizumi Keita's somewhat lazy appearance and the energetic Shioyaki Lemon beside him, and a thought popped into his head for no reason.
These two...
Although they seemed like completely different types, when standing together, they were surprisingly... a pretty good match?
He shook the thought that had just surfaced out of his mind and walked over quickly, an apologetic look on his face.
"Sorry, sorry, Imaizumi, Lemon, sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's fine, we just got here too."
Imaizumi Keita's reply was as flat as ever.
"Yahoo! Mitsuki! Asagumo-san!"
Shioyaki Lemon waved enthusiastically at the two of them.
Asagumo Chihaya also smiled and nodded at them, acknowledging them.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ayano Mitsuki naturally took the lead and announced today's plan.
"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's head inside. Today's main goal is to finish touring the Science Museum on the first basement floor first."
After saying this, he stepped aside to let Asagumo Chihaya go first, then followed by her side.
The two of them walked at the very front, leaving Imaizumi Keita and Shioyaki Lemon behind.
Shioyaki Lemon watched the two receding backs, then looked at Imaizumi Keita beside her, a look of confusion appearing on her face.
She leaned in a bit closer and whispered in a puzzled tone.
"Hey, Imai-chan."
"Yeah?"
"Why do I feel like... there doesn't seem to be any problem between Mitsuki and Asagumo-san?"
Shioyaki Lemon's voice was full of doubt. "Look at how they were interacting just now; it seemed perfectly normal, right? I can't see anything awkward or difficult at all."
"Yeah, on the surface."
Imaizumi Keita nodded, agreeing with her point, but then immediately explained.
"But that's probably just because he hasn't had the chance yet, or maybe he was too embarrassed to tell you what's actually bothering him."
"Eh?"
"For example,"
Imaizumi Keita turned his head to look at her, a thoughtful expression on his face. "With the way Ayano-san is, how do you think he would ask Asagumo-san something like 'I want to kiss you'?"
"Eh... pfft... Hahahaha!"
After a brief moment of shock, she couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.
"Imai-chan, you're too much... Haha! How could something like that happen!"
While laughing, she nudged Imaizumi Keita's arm with her elbow.
"Mitsuki isn't that kind of person! That sort of thing... seems more like something you'd do, Imai-chan!"
"Yeah, that's definitely my personality."
Imaizumi Keita looked at her cute form as she doubled over with laughter and nodded frankly, admitting to her accusation.
Then, he slowly added another sentence.
"However, that's exactly what Ayano mentioned to me as his difficulty, and he's probably really wanting to do that right now..."
"Eh?"
Shioyaki Lemon's laughter stopped abruptly, and she looked at Imaizumi in disbelief. "R-Really?"
"Really."
Imaizumi Keita nodded. "That's why he's so troubled and asked you to help him, Yakishio."
"...Eh... Ah..."
"Yakishio, can you help Ayano with this kind of problem? Ayano thinks you understand a girl's heart very well..."
"Ah, I'm not really good at that sort of thing either..."
Shioyaki Lemon turned her face away, not knowing how to answer for a moment.
Even though she was a girl, she had never experienced the kind of thing Mitsuki mentioned...
But Imai-chan... he seems to really understand a girl's heart...
"Alright, let's not just stand here."
Seeing her looking so confused, Imaizumi Keita took the initiative to remind her, "If we don't catch up, those two will be long gone."
"Ah! Right!"
Shioyaki Lemon finally snapped out of it, grabbed Imaizumi Keita's wrist, and started running toward the Science Museum without another word.
"Let's go! Imai-chan! Hurry up!"
...
The light inside the Underground Science Museum was much dimmer than outside, and the air was thick with the scent of dust.
Various ore specimens and geological models were displayed in glass cases, emitting a quiet and mysterious glow under the soft lighting.
Shioyaki Lemon pulled Imaizumi Keita by the wrist, walking quickly through the crowd to try and catch up with the two in front.
However, when she finally saw Ayano Mitsuki and Asagumo Chihaya again in front of a display case containing a giant crystal cluster, her feet stopped uncontrollably.
In front of a display case not far away, Ayano Mitsuki and Asagumo Chihaya were leaning close to each other.
Ayano was pointing at a piece of mica, whispering an explanation into Asagumo Chihaya's ear.
Asagumo Chihaya tilted her head up slightly, listening quietly with a gentle smile on her lips.
The distance between the two was so small there was almost no gap, creating an intimate aura that others couldn't intrude upon.
Shioyaki Lemon understood why Imaizumi and Anna suggested she reduce and avoid contact with Mitsuki...
Holding Imaizumi Keita's wrist, she subconsciously took two steps to the side and stood next to an old mine cart.
Then, she realized what she was doing and hurriedly let go of Imaizumi Keita's hand, averting her eyes from the intimate pair.
"Wow! Imai-chan, look! Is this... an underground mine cart? Amazing! It's actually real!"
Shioyaki Lemon pointed at the mine cart, a smile back on her face, her voice returning to its usual heartiness.
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