"Alright, just sitting here isn't getting us anywhere. Let's find something to do."
God knows how many times Hakuto would keep replaying those brainwashing songs in his head if he stayed here any longer.
With that, he slowly got up from the ground. Just then, the rumbling sound from Iori's stomach caught his attention.
"I'm feeling a little hungry. Want to grab a meal together?"
As he spoke, Hakuto extended his hand toward Iori, who was still on the ground.
Out of habit, Hakuto never liked putting girls in awkward situations. So whenever something like this happened, he would always use himself as the excuse to help meet their needs.
Of course... except for Nao, that damn b.
Iori hesitated for a moment as she looked at Hakuto's outstretched hand before gently placing her small hand in his.
"If you two really won't argue, then I'll come along with you, big brother and big sister."
"How cute~" Hakuto couldn't resist patting Iori on the head.
Seriously, only in the 2D world could a little girl randomly be this adorable! Just looking at her was enough to heal the soul!
Awei is dead!
[Hakuto is a chibicon~~]
[I'm the Reverse Butterfly!]
After thinking that to himself, Hakuto immediately sensed the concerned gaze Iori was giving him.
"Don't worry, just a joke among friends."
But as soon as he said that, Nao couldn't hold back.
[Pfft!]
[tm! So even you think that was nonsense!]
...
About ten minutes later, the three of them arrived at a restaurant. Hakuto sat next to Nao, while Iori sat across from them.
Originally, Hakuto had refused to sit like this, but he couldn't withstand Nao's repeated taunts.
"Hakuto is a chibicon~~"
As soon as the food arrived, Iori started eating her pasta like she hadn't had a meal in two days.
"If you don't mind me asking, when was the last time you ate?"
"Probably two nights ago..."
"So you ran away from home? Well, I figured as much."
"Tomori-nee, did Mom ask you to come find me?"
"I don't know your mother, but hurry up and eat. We have a lot to do today."
"A lot... to do?"
While they were talking, Hakuto was devouring his food like a starving ghost, shoveling it into his mouth non-stop.
[md! I'm going to eat them broke!]
Following the principle of "if you can't fight, just eat," Hakuto never paused for a second.
[You can't eat them broke. This is school funding. No matter how much you eat, it has nothing to do with me.]
[Ha? You could've said that earlier?]
[If you can't keep your inner thoughts in check, you're paying for this meal.]
[Just because you say I have to pay, I have to? What about my dignity?]
[One girl, one little girl, and one guy. Who do you think the waiter will bring the bill to?]
[You win... Spinning! Your hand goes through me...]
Hakuto silently complained about how unfair society was to men. Then, to distract himself, he started mentally singing again. Damn it!
"Haha! Tomori-nee and Shiratori-nii, you two have such a good bond."
Iori giggled as she watched the interaction between Hakuto and Nao.
[Oh, you... playing the intro, gazing at the sky...]
Hakuto almost burst out with some classic lines but forced himself to stop and continued his inner concert instead.
[Ha? A good bond?]
"Isn't it? Even though you're always arguing, you two are totally in sync."
[Pfft!]
[Pfft!]
Hearing Iori's words, Hakuto and Nao simultaneously frowned and made expressions of disdain.
But this reaction only excited Iori even more. She waved her fork in the air, getting all worked up.
"See, see! You're really in sync!"
[Not at all!]
[Not at all!]
[tm! Stop thinking what I'm thinking!]
[Ha~? Who's thinking like you?]
"Look! Even though you're bickering, neither of you actually looks mad. It's more like a couple's playful banter!"
At that, Iori seemed to have discovered a key point. Her excitement reached a new level!
"Could it be? Big brother Shiratori and Tomori-nee are actually a couple?"
[No! Impossible!]
[No! Impossible!]
"But you're so in sync..."
[Ha~? Have we ever done anything that only couples do?]
[Laughable! I'm handsome, top of my grade, undefeated in school fights! The girls lining up to chase me could stretch all the way to China! Who does Nao think she is? My girlfriend?]
[??!]
Annoyed by his aggressive words, Nao couldn't resist smacking Hakuto on the head again.
But, as always, her attack was ineffective. Hakuto was always prepared whenever he mocked Nao, dodging her hits with precision.
Of course, last time when she kicked his kidney—that didn't count. That was an accident.
"Little Iori, listen to me. Remember this face. Lolicons usually have faces like his."
Iori hesitated for a moment at Nao's words before timidly saying,
"But... Shiratori-nii is the most handsome guy I've ever seen..."
As soon as those words left her mouth, Hakuto couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"
"No, what I meant was—remember his eyes..."
"But... Shiratori-nii's eyes are handsome too..."
"Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"
[Stop laughing! It's so loud!]
[I'll laugh! I'll laugh! What are you gonna do about it!]
[Ha~? Do you actually think you're that good-looking?]
[It's not just what I think; it's what everyone thinks~]
[Tsk... Lolicons sure are arrogant.]
[I'm your dad!]
As their bickering continued, Iori gradually relaxed. Maybe this was the happiest day she had experienced since awakening her powers.
After finishing their meal, the three of them headed to an amusement park... no, an arcade... no, an amusement park... no, an arcade.
"Enough! Where are we actually going?"
"Ha~? What's so fun about an arcade? That place is full of delinquents and thugs."
Ignoring Nao's comment, Hakuto turned to Iori. Since this outing was mainly for her, she should be the one to decide.
"Little Iori, where do you want to go?"
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