Even with chuunibyou, let's learn together!

Page 276

"What kind of help do you need?"

Ichika had already guessed what Yotsuba wanted her to do, and she leaned back on the sofa, teasing her in a lazy and casual tone.

“That’s…that’s…”

Yotsuba stammered, unable to speak clearly.

"Explain yourself clearly. How can I help you if you don't explain yourself clearly?"

Ichika's tone carried a hint of ill intent.

"It's just to help me cover it up."

Yotsuba suppressed her shame and gritted her teeth, saying, "Don't tell the sisters that I'm at the Hayakawa house right now. Just say I'm at a friend's house in the sports club."

"Yotsuba, is it really okay for you to keep this from your family?"

Ichika feigned disappointment, saying, "This is so hurtful! We've been sisters for over ten years, and now that something so important has happened, you choose to lie to us. It's heartbreaking..."

"It's so annoying. Won't you be sad if I say it?"

Yotsuba rolled her eyes in annoyance and said, "Anyway, you have to help me cover this up, or something terrible will happen."

"I know, I know, I'll keep it a secret for you."

Ichika shook her head, then sighed, "It seems that Yotsuba, you've really grown up and have things you want to hide now."

"You're really annoying..."

Yotsuba muttered a disdainful remark under her breath without any expression, then straightened up and said seriously, "Thank you, Ichika, you've been a great help."

"It's no trouble at all, after all, it was your request, Yotsuba."

Yi Huan said with a smile, then added, "By the way, don't forget to message Er Nai and the others later. They've been worried about you for a long time. You have to let them know you're safe. You can't just call me and not reply to their messages. You can't treat them all the same."

"Of course I know that..."

Yotsuba said calmly, a smile playing on her lips.

They are five equal white cranes. Whether it is sadness or pain, it must be divided equally among them. No matter what happens, they must face it together.

This is the fairest approach.

"Okay, that's settled then."

Ichika said something and then hung up the phone on her own.

She put down her phone and pondered for a long time.

"You've really grown up..."

"Ichika said softly, her voice seemingly filled with emotion and relief, but when she turned her head, her expression became complicated.

The girl lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the dimness in her gaze, and also the hint of loss in her eyes.

……

Yotsuba put down her phone and sat there in a daze. At that moment, Hayakawa returned to his room, holding several bags of snacks in one hand and a glass of water in the other. He stood at the door, looked at Yotsuba, and said, "Have you finished your call?"

"Oh, you knew I was on the phone."

Yotsuba blushed immediately upon hearing this and whispered, "Did you hear anything?"

"No, I know you're on the phone, why would I eavesdrop?"

Hayakawa calmly said, "I heard the sound and went straight back to the sofa in the living room to wait."

"Thank you…"

Yotsuba's tone was filled with gratitude; Hayakawa's unintentional care and respect warmed her heart.

"It's alright. You should have called home anyway, especially since it's so late. It's good to let them know you're safe."

Hayakawa sat back down next to Yotsuba and said, "Even if you forgot, I would have reminded you anyway."

"That's it."

Yotsuba looked up at Hayakawa, a strange feeling stirring within her.

While studying, Siye hadn't realized the time. Only after checking her phone did she realize it was already past nine o'clock. She was still alone with a boy at his house, which made her feel uneasy. On top of that, Yihua was being flirtatious on the phone, saying things like "16 years old" and "be careful," which made her even more restless.

what to do…

Yotsuba pursed her lips slightly, her gaze wandering, occasionally landing on the doorway, peering through the wall at the entrance.

I already promised Ichika that I would go home no matter what, and now it's almost ten o'clock, so it's time to find an excuse to say goodbye to Hayakawa.

What reason should I come up with?

Yotsuba lowered her head and pondered silently, wanting to find an opportunity to naturally express her desire to go home.

Just then, Hayakawa turned to look at her: "You've finished making the call and letting them know you're safe, right?"

"Yes, yes, that's right."

Yotsuba was startled and quickly nodded; she felt like she was seeing enemies everywhere.

"That…"

Hayakawa nodded silently: "Let's continue studying."

"Ah, wait a minute."

Yotsuba's face changed slightly upon hearing this. She continued studying, but it was already almost 10 o'clock. The last tram had long since left. If she studied for another two hours, it would probably be past midnight. By then, she definitely wouldn't be able to get a taxi. Was she going to have to walk all the way home?

"Hayakawa, look how late it is now,"

Yotsuba pointed to the clock on the wall and said, "I should probably go back now. My family will worry, and if it gets any later, there won't be any more buses, so..."

Her tone was tactful, and her reasons were sound, but Hayakawa's response was unexpected.

"Yeah, it's so late, why are you going back? It's not safe."

Hayakawa said matter-of-factly, "Yotsuba, stay here tonight."

Yotsuba Nakano: "..."

Eh?

What did I just hear?

Yotsuba's face was blank, her eyes empty, and Hayakawa's words kept echoing in her mind; her thoughts had completely stopped.

Four-leaf clover...

tonight…

Stay...

You want me to stay overnight?!

Chapter 431 Conspiracy

Are they asking me to stay overnight?!

Yotsuba's eyes widened, filled with shock.

This...this won't do! Absolutely not!

Yotsuba felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, wishing she could stand up and run to the door on the spot, but she chose to stay where she was and pretended to be nonchalant, laughing and saying, "Haha, let's forget it. Actually, I'm not good with beds. I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep at Hayakawa's house."

Yotsuba made up a reason on the spot. She dared not say that she was afraid of Hayakawa and wanted to go home because she was afraid of Hayakawa. That would make it seem like she didn't trust Hayakawa.

However, Hayakawa didn't give her that chance. He looked at Yotsuba seriously and said, "Yotsuba, look, it's already ten o'clock. It's really too late. If you go home now, it's hard to say whether you can even get a taxi. Even if you do, it might not be safe. I think you should stay here. I happen to have a guest room at home."

Why do you think I'm still out so late? It's because you insisted on making me study, and now that it's so late, you're blaming me for not being able to get a taxi!

What do you mean by "unsafe"? This is clearly just an excuse to keep me here, and your real purpose is to do all sorts of unsafe things to me tonight!

Yotsuba felt indignant, both shy and angry, as if the blood in her body had frozen.

Oh no, what should I do? What should I do?!

How should I answer Hayakawa? Should I agree or refuse him?

"..."

Yotsuba felt her mind was in complete chaos, her thoughts and logic were all jumbled up, and her eyes were practically spinning like mosquito coils.

The conversation with Ichika just now resurfaced in my mind. When faced with Ichika's malicious teasing, my resolute tone kept replaying in my mind again and again.

"How...how is this possible?"

"I will definitely go back tonight, I'll be back soon."

"What are you talking about! I don't understand at all, and I already said I wouldn't be staying overnight!"

"I will definitely go back!"

"absolute!"

Absolutely, absolutely...

The voice kept echoing in her mind, and Yotsuba lowered her head, her face flushed red.

He spoke with such certainty before, almost as if he was swearing an oath. If he ends up staying overnight, how will he face Ichika afterward? She'll probably laugh at him to death.

No, no, I have to go back.

but…

Yotsuba raised her head and quietly observed Hayakawa's expression. His gaze was clear and focused, filled with concern and worry, unlike the unsettling feeling one gets when boys at school subtly observe a woman's figure.

Faced with Hayakawa's concern for her... and his invitation for her to stay overnight, Yotsuba...

"Haha, well...it seems you have a point,"

Four Leaf's face turned red. She scratched her head and chuckled, then turned her head and said in a pretentious manner, "Alright then, I'll do it your way."

"Ah."

Hayakawa nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this: "Then go take a shower in the bathroom first. There's always hot water available, just be careful not to burn yourself. I'll go make the bed for you and get you a blanket."

"Oh, thank you for your help."

Yotsuba smiled and waved to Hayakawa as she left, while her other hand rested on her side, nervously clutching her clothes, the hem of which was wrinkled from being pinched.

It doesn't matter…

You must trust Hayakawa and believe in her character.

Four-leaf murmured to itself.

……

"tick"

The sound of dripping water continued. Fourth Master sat in the bathtub, enjoying the comfortable temperature of the water, his eyes slightly closed, his movements lazy and content.

Studying in a chair for too long made my body stiff, but taking a bath now has relieved a lot of my fatigue.

After a while, she slowly sat up, hugging her legs, with a hint of unease in her expression.

"It felt a little strange to take a bath at someone else's house for the first time..."

She whispered to herself, loosened her arms, and only let go after a long time.

We've been soaking for a long time, it's about time we got out.

Yotsuba slowly stood up from the bathtub, her crystal-clear white skin covered in water droplets that slid down her supple and rounded body. She slipped on slippers, took the towel Hayakawa had given her from the hook on the wall, and dried her hair and body before realizing that she hadn't brought any change of clothes.

Oh no, what should I do? All I have are the clothes I brought, my school uniform jacket, and my pleated skirt. How can I possibly wear these things after taking a shower?

Yotsuba looked at her original clothes. They weren't actually dirty, but wearing them to sleep would definitely be uncomfortable.

"Four leaves."

Hayakawa's voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"What…what are you doing?"

Yotsuba was startled and immediately covered her private parts with both hands, one above the other. She wasn't wearing any clothes right now, and if Hayakawa came in at this moment, things would definitely get heated. Yotsuba didn't even want to think about what might happen.

"You probably didn't bring any pajamas, right? I have some extras here."

Hayakawa stretched out one hand, holding a set of dark gray pajamas: "It's a little big, but it's very clean. You can make do with this set."

"No compromise, no compromise, thank you so much."