In Tokyo: They are heavily dependent on me

Chapter 106. Humid and Hot Temperature

"Thank you, sir. Please come this way to settle your bill."

"Yes, thank you for your help."

Because it was an unfamiliar place, it required changing buses at multiple stops to reach the destination. While Kaoru was craning her neck to stare at the dense characters on the screen and thinking, Kobayashi walked out of a roadside shop that specialized in selling okonomiyaki and was enjoying a okonomiyaki with cream sauce and vegetables.

"The destination is six stops away from here. I'll have to transfer to another bus and then walk for thirty minutes after getting off... What a hassle."

As a result, after carefully analyzing the route to be taken, Kaoru turned her head and noticed Kobayashi enjoying a okonomiyaki with a satisfied expression.

The next second, Kaoru reached out her hand.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch... What's wrong?!"

Feeling the pain on her cheek, Kobayashi tried to struggle, but remembering that she was holding an okonomiyaki, she could only stare at Kaoru with a pitiful expression that looked like she was about to cry.

"You actually have the nerve to buy food from a roadside stall, Kobayashi? Are you here for tourism?"

"What does it matter... the bus hasn't come yet anyway."

"What will we do if they come? Have you even thought about it, you idiot?"

"Then we'll wait for the next trip..."

As a result, the pain on her face became clearer, and this time Kaoru used both hands to forcefully pull her cheeks to both sides.

The punishment for her only ended when she heard the bus brake at the station.

Because it was the weekend, there weren't many passengers on the bus. You could see high school students wearing uniforms from other schools, and office workers dozing off in their seats.

Because it's in the city center, the level of prosperity isn't much different from Tokyo. The roadsides where the bus passes are lined with various high-rise buildings, and the scene isn't unfamiliar.

"Kobayashi-san, do you like Shoko-sensei?"

Watching the scenery rushing past the car window, Kaoru's gaze was fixed on Kobayashi's cheeks, which were puffed up by the okonomiyaki.

"As for liking someone... well, it wouldn't be accurate to say we're just friends. It's just a normal student-teacher relationship."

Despite her talking, she was still diligently chewing her food. "This girl is hopeless," Kaoru couldn't help but think.

"If that's the case, why do you still plan to meet with Ms. Shoko?"

"Because Hoshino-san is going, I thought it would be nice to go with you, so I decided to do it. Besides, I have an amazing sense of direction, I'm a human map."

Kobayashi said this in a very ordinary tone.

It turned out to be the case.

"I'm being given special attention..." A warm feeling welled up in Kaoru's heart.

"You were so cold to me before, but now your attitude is completely different."

"Yeah?"

Kobayashi stopped chewing, her face showing a confused expression as she looked up, as if she hadn't quite grasped the situation.

Is there a reason?

Even if you ask me why... I can't think of a reason in a short time.

Kobayashi took a big bite of the okonomiyaki, her thoughts seemingly frozen, forgetting to chew.

She continued speaking indistinctly with food in her mouth.

"Because Hoshino-kun helped me before, I thought it would be great if I could do something for you. Well, that's about it."

Nodding with absolute certainty, Kobayashi finally remembered the food in his mouth and began to chew.

The two did not speak to each other for the rest of the journey.

Because the distance between them was very close, Kaoru could hear the chewing sounds. Looking at the face staring blankly out the window at the scenery, he couldn't help but think, "It's so unfamiliar..."

The bus smoothly passed seven stops. Next, they had to transfer to a coach. Xun pressed the stop button, and as soon as the two of them got off the bus, the sun, which made their skin sting, shone down on them.

The feeling of being roasted.

It's so hot...

"Hoshino-kun, this is for you."

As Xun unbuttoned her collar and was about to unbutton the second button, she felt a cold, tingling sensation on her back.

He turned around and saw Kobayashi showing up with a popsicle, a smug look on his face.

This guy...

Thank you.

Xun opened the packaging, took a bite of the strawberry-flavored popsicle, and the heat in his mind was instantly dispelled. At this moment, he couldn't help but marvel that the refrigerator was truly the greatest invention of all mankind.

We're saved...

"Um... Hoshino-kun, look at me..."

As he enjoyed the convenience brought by human technology, the sound made by Kobayashi next to him successfully diverted his attention.

A mischievous smile appeared on Xiaolin's face. Then, she slightly parted her lips and gently took the tip of the popsicle into her mouth with a very small motion.

At first, her actions were relatively gentle, and she seemed to be just enjoying her popsicle normally. But as things progressed, it was as if a switch had been flipped on Kobayashi, and she began to make indistinct, suggestive sounds.

Is this guy eating an ice pop or something else?!

Feeling her cheeks getting hot, Xun turned her gaze away.

After finishing their popsicles, the bus appeared by chance. The two of them each paid 500 yen for their tickets and took their seats in the back.

As we drove out of the city center, the bustling scene was replaced by vast expanses of open green space and farmland. The smell of soil kept wafting in through the open car windows, making it seem as if Ms. Shoko lived in the countryside, far from the city.

"I'm so sleepy... Hoshino-kun, I'm going to take a nap. Remember to wake me up when we get to our stop."

Kobayashi, sitting next to me, uttered such an irresponsible remark, then leaned back in his bus seat and fell asleep as if it were none of his business.

He didn't even give me a chance to refuse... What a heartless guy.

Thinking this, Kaoru yawned, and as the car swayed on the road, she felt a distinct weight on her shoulder.

He turned his head and saw a face that had already fallen asleep.

At first glance, Xiaolin's sleeping posture has something in common with small animals. Her petite face easily reminds people of a kitten. If she were sleeping in bed, she might subconsciously curl up her body, feeling that this sleeping position would make her feel safer.

I'm also a little sleepy.

Away from the city center, the noise completely disappeared, and the wind blowing on my face carried the refreshing scent of wheat. In comparison, the sunlight seemed less glaring.

The sky in the countryside is clearer than in Tokyo, and the clouds seem thicker. If it were nighttime, you could probably hear a symphony of various insect sounds mixed together.

Living in such a peaceful and tranquil rural area... feels quite nice.

Xun yawned, sleepiness constantly creeping into her mind.

Thinking that it wouldn't hurt to rest for a while, he leaned his body slightly towards the car window and then closed his eyes.

The wind-blown bangs brushed against my cheeks, carrying the scent of summer grass.