It seems the bed is too soft. As soon as Xiaoquan Aonai leaned against it, she was conquered, maintaining that posture.

"...Hurry up." She didn't raise her head, with her face buried in the bedding, sounding like a little girl.

Dubian Che caressed her pale, flower-like buttocks, already prepared.

"Ah!" Xiaoquan Aonai let out a soft cry that sounded almost like a wail.

◇

On November 12, Goda students headed to different boarding points depending on their school trip destinations.

The entire second-year class four gathered on the platform at Shinjuku Station.

"Everyone, check within your groups to see who's still not here?" Xiaoquan Aonai asked lightly as she took the headcount.

Last year, Dubian Che was grouped with Saito Keisuke and another student; this year, he's with Jiutiao Meijie, Kiyono Lin, and Ichiki Aoi.

"Is this your second time on the Shinkansen, Meijie?" Dubian Che asked.

"Yes." Jiutiao Meijie hugged her elbows, surveying the Shinjuku Station platform, "Last time was when we went back to Iwate Prefecture together."

"Are we going again this year?" Dubian Che asked with a smile.

"Last year we spent New Year's at your house, so this year it should be at my house." Jiutiao Meijie was almost the best representation of egalitarianism, saying things like, 'What you wear, I wear.'

"Okay." Dubian Che nodded.

He stayed close to Jiutiao Meijie, in case anyone bumped into her, while his gaze drifted towards Kiyono Lin beside him.

She was listening to Ichiki Aoi excitedly babbling about the black eggs of Oshino Hakkai's hot springs.

Noticing Dubian Che's gaze, Kiyono Lin glanced over, looked at him for a moment, then shifted her gaze to the train tracks.

"How are things with her?" Jiutiao Meijie asked with a cheerful expression on the side.

"I plan to confess to her in Hakone." Dubian Che pulled Jiutiao Meijie close, speaking softly.

"Finally made up your mind?"

"You're not angry?"

"After we made up at the Cultural Festival, I already considered the three of us to be together." Jiutiao Meijie said, smiling within Dubian Che's arms.

Dubian Che hugged her a bit tighter.

"What about Mayi Asuka and Miss Aonai?" he reminded her.

Jiutiao Meijie just smiled, not commenting further.

In her eyes, Mayi Asuka and Xiaoquan Aonai were merely tools to compensate for the two times she almost caused Dubian Che's death.

Only Kiyono Lin was considered a rival to her.

Even allowing the existence of Mayi Asuka and Xiaoquan Aonai was largely due to the threat posed by Kiyono Lin.

Before, the two were rivals, and now as friends, each only had the other.

Dubian Che understood Jiutiao Meijie's true thoughts, not insisting that she acknowledge Xiaoquan Aonai and Mayi Asuka.

Mutual concession and understanding were necessary to live happily, rather than demanding the other person be a certain way.

'What about Kiyono Lin?' Dubian Che began to ponder this matter again.

She hadn't wronged him, and there was no reason for her to accommodate him.

Expecting loyalty from a lover was a normal value — even if he had grown accustomed to the current relationship, Dubian Che remained acutely aware of this.

He was wrong.

Taking good care of them, ensuring they have no troubles in life, and staying healthy;

Keeping them happy, doing his best to show love and concern;

Not accepting any more assignments to prevent unforeseen circumstances;

All of these actions were merely attempts to do the right thing on the foundation of his mistakes.

There was nothing commendable about them.

Now, the issue at hand was that Kiyono Lin, who had done nothing wrong, had nothing comparable but mutual love and the unwavering desire to be with her.

Despite all this, he still chose to take this step forward.

Feeling guilty, unjust, he would address it after winning over Kiyono Lin!

For now, all he had to do was stride forward, chasing everything he desired!

The group boarded the "Odakyu Romance Express," which was scheduled to arrive in Hakone in 85 minutes.

"Meijie, you sit by the window." Dubian Che said directly while arranging the seats.

He still wanted to avoid anyone accidentally bumping into Jiutiao Meijie, partly due to her mysophobia, and partly due to his own selfish reasons.

Once Jiutiao Meijie settled in, Dubian Che said to Kiyono Lin: "Will you sit in the middle?"

"Do you want to sit next to me?" Kiyono Lin asked with a smile.

This wasn't the first-class cabin; they were with other students, with five seats in a row, three on one side, two on the other.

Ichiki Aoi was chatting enthusiastically with a Wind Instrument Club girl from class four.

"Have a seat." Jiutiao Meijie said to Kiyono Lin, "He's our bodyguard now."

"Not just a bodyguard." Dubian Che said.

"What else?" Kiyono Lin asked.

Dubian Che adjusted his tie: "I'm also a servant. Need anything to drink or eat, just let me know."

"I want some of your mom's pancakes." Jiutiao Meijie said with a cheerful smile.

"..." Dubian Che looked at Kiyono Lin, "Dora A Lin."

Kiyono Lin didn't even glance at him, directly sitting in the middle seat.

"Since Dora A Lin isn't willing to help, I'll have to ask my mom." Dubian Che said to Jiutiao Meijie while taking a seat by the aisle.

Before long, the "Romantic" began to speed towards Hakone.

The scenery along the way was already enveloped in autumn's embrace, with deep reds and dried yellows of the leaves, and an expansive sky.

'Deep Autumn - Yellow Paulownia Leaves' came to Dubian Che's mind as the "Romantic" approached the "Tama River," remembering Takahama Kyoshi's haiku.

'Casually, with no heart to block the setting sun,' Kiyono Lin's eyes didn't leave the book in her hand.

Dubian Che waited briefly but didn't hear Jiutiao Meijie's voice. When he turned to look, she was already asleep.

"Are you in a good mood?" Kiyono Lin asked.

"Why do you say that?" Dubian Che countered.

"Reciting haikus, doesn't that mean you're in high spirits?"