That said, the starting point was a tricky one.

In any case, the preparation before departure is quite labor-intensive.

Where is Grandpa's hometown?

What county and city is grandpa's hometown?

Or should I say, what exactly does it mean to be in my hometown?

Even these things, Kantaro didn't know.

He had heard a lot about his grandfather's childhood in the countryside, but he never mentioned where it was. Therefore. During the summer vacation, he took the initiative to visit some relatives, or tried to make phone calls, and also asked his mother and elders.

It's really nerve-wracking, this grandfather, said what kind of treasure hunt game to play, but he didn't even have a hint, and he had to rely on himself to investigate one by one.

This is the first time in my life that I have looked up such a thing as a train schedule.

It was big, thick, and hard enough to find. Alas......

I always thought I knew everything about my grandfather, but maybe I didn't know anything at all......

Suddenly I realized that the summer vacation was almost over.

Even so, try to be ready.

- It stands to reason that it should be foolproof, but I didn't expect it......

The day before the plan is implemented -

It happened during the lunch break, and he had just walked out of his class, Class D Classroom of the Year 3, when he was immediately stopped.

"-Wait a minute, Aaron!"

With his childhood nickname, coupled with a voice that clearly implied anger, Zhou Lang, who was stopped by the shouting, was startled and bowed his back nervously like a cat.

Woo, woo whoa! What......?

Tremblingly, I turned my head and saw - some kind of character that was more difficult and terrifying than the teacher.

And he also stood with his hands on his hips and grinning.

The "cold eye" gaze, which was far away from that of junior high school students, shot sharply.

It seems that you can see the angry marks in the comics appearing on the forehead, and the momentum is amazing.

「…… W-What's the matter?"

A beautiful hair that is longer than the shoulders, light brown glasses with thin rimmes, a skirt that is neither long nor short, and the length is not so long that it violates the school rules, and a neat and dignified uniform—in contrast to Zhou Lang, who is casual and casual, exudes a very fresh temperament.

Her name is Lin Xiaoya. He is the class president of Zhou Lang's class.

And the nickname is also very direct to the local area, so it is called "squad leader".

There is no need to wait for Zhou Lang to ask, the other party will split his head and say-

"And ask me, 'What's the matter?'" Zhou Lang, did you tell the teacher that you don't participate in cram camp?"

Facing Lin Xiaoya's questioning, Zhou Lang had a very bad premonition.

Starting tomorrow, it will be a three-day vacation, and according to the practice of this junior high school, third-grade students such as Zhou Lang and Lin Xiaoya will report to the school to participate in the hell cram school.

Crowds of people are forced to spend the night in rudimentary facilities provided by the community and receive intensive tutoring, which is a very "inhumane" concentration camp activity.

The purpose is to allow students to switch from impetuous emotions to college entrance examination mode as soon as possible after the summer vacation, school celebration and sports day.

Woo...... No way...... Don't......

"Yes, yes, because there's something going on at home." Zhou Lang tried his best to hide the vacillation in his heart, and said in a cold sweat.

He and Lin Xiaoya, because the two families live very close, have known each other since childhood, and have a childhood relationship.

When they were in elementary school, he, Lin Xiaoya and their grandfather Kang Zhoulang often played together every day, but since they were promoted to junior high school, such a scene has never happened again.

The reason is simple, boys and girls seem to be automatically divided into two factions, and only friends with the same sex.

His grandfather would often ask him, "How is Xiaoya doing?"

Although she is still a childhood sweetheart, Lin Xiaoya not only serves as the class president, but also serves as the president of the student union. He is already a well-known super honor student in the school.

On the other hand, although Zhou Lang is not to the point of being an inferior student, he is only the No. 7 left fielder on a weak baseball team, and his academic performance is ...... Ordinary, neither up nor down.

"-Oh, what's something?"

She looked at him with suspicion.

"That's, yes, that's it. My cousin is getting married~"

"Oh? Which cousin?"

"Huh? Belch...... Yes, it's someone you don't know."

The more I talked, the more empty I became.

Among his cousins, there is not even one who is ready to get married, or who already has a partner.

However, at this juncture, it is necessary to hold on!

Zhou Lang was like a sumo wrestler, he was about to tighten his belt and rush up to fight with his opponent, but he didn't expect his pants to fall directly to the ground.

"That's right. I met your mother yesterday."

Bangzi......

I clearly felt that the pores of my body were constantly spurting cold sweat.

"Your mother also asked me to keep an eye on you during the cram camp, she said that the entrance exam is coming, and she wants me to tell you to take care of it, and you can't keep fishing in troubled waters."

Lin Xiaoya said as she stared at Zhou Lang with sharp eyes.

- This, this, this, this is completely exposed!

In order to play the last game with his grandfather and live on a treasure hunt trip, Zhou Lang has decided to leave the cram camp.

He told the school, "I can't attend the cram camp because I have to attend my cousin's wedding," and he tearfully announced to his parents, "I'm going to go to hell for three days and two nights."

The preparation for the treasure hunt, as well as the alibi, should be foolproof and perfect.

I didn't expect it, but-

was debunked by Lin Xiaoya on the spot, and it was all in vain!

"Can you please explain, Zhou Lang?" She straightened the face of the squad leader and asked very harshly-

Even so, this is the only thing. Even if it's a childhood sweetheart who has known each other for many years, he can't tell her. Absolutely unspeakable.

"Hmm...... Grandpa Zhou Lang left a letter. Are you going to do what he says in his letter and complete that so-called scavenger hunt? And I also want to get rid of an important cram camp, and a junior high school student runs away to spend the night in a foreign country by himself."

- The result is still spoken, alas.

can't match Lin Xiaoya's courage, and she confessed with a little care, which is really useless.

"How could such a thing be allowed! Wouldn't it be nice to use some brains?"

One

Ignoring the sideways glances of the other students in the corridor, Lin Xiaoya pursed her mouth and scolded.

「…… Yes, you're talking about ......."

"Listen to Haoluo—tomorrow, you must, you have to come to the gathering, do you know? I'll wait for you!"

"One, yes, yes——! do you want me to pick you up?"

「…… No, no, I'll go...... Please let me join in and do as I ......."

Although he showed a reflective attitude in front of Lin Xiaoya, Zhou Lang thought in his heart-

Please, how is that possible!

Stop talking stupid!

How could I possibly go!

I, cai, no, want, go, go, huh——!

The next morning, the day of the action.

Not long after the dawn, the white sky was filled with the sound of sparrows.

About ten minutes after Zhou Lang walked out of the house, he arrived at the train station.

All in all, let's start here and head towards the city center.

Through prior research, we have a clear understanding of the fare from here to my grandfather's hometown.

However, due to lack of money, I can only take the slowest ordinary tram all the way and go on a super poor journey.

If you knew this, you should save the New Year's money well, and you shouldn't spend it......

It's not that he thinks that spending all his money can contribute to the social economy because the economy is too bad, but he just bought the jogging shoes he wanted, plus the cost of eating and drinking after the club activities on weekdays (even if he didn't practice seriously at all), and he ran out of them all at once.

It's tempting to curse myself for being stupid a few months ago, but at least the basic travel expenses are already in order, so forget it.

What's more, yesterday was really thrilling.

If Lin Xiaoya told his mother directly about this treasure hunt plan, presumably-

"You're a repeater! Do you know what you're doing?"

Mother will be furious.

However, I don't know whether it is fortunate or unfortunate, Lin Xiaoya doesn't seem to say a word.

Even so, Zhou Lang was still very cautious, specially wearing a uniform to go out, and set off early in the morning earlier than scheduled.

On the one hand, this is also to avoid students who take the train, just in case they are bumped into.

The departure time was so much earlier, even Lin Xiaoya didn't expect it.

Hahahaha, deserved.

Wait and see. I'm just going. I'll go to the end of the world and show you.

At this moment, Zhou Lang thought proudly in his heart.

I didn't know that I was about to die.

"-Zhou Lang!"

With this roar, his left hand was suddenly pulled back forcefully.

"Huh?"

The pulling was so strong that he almost fell upside down, but fortunately, his body immediately leaned forward, and he finally managed to maintain his balance.

However, the "crisis" has not changed.

The slender right hand that grabbed his left hand.

"Zhou Lang ——!"

The roar rang out again.

The loud volume vibrated violently in the head that had just woken up, making Zhou Lang shrink his back in fright.

Woo...... Something is wrong...... The voice......

Déjà vu.

It should be said that it is a very familiar sound.

「…… Lin Xiaoya ......"

An oversized version of the "Anger Symbol", which was stronger than yesterday, was floating above her head.

Why, why, why is she here?

Heheheha............ It's over!

"Zhou Lang, it's such an early morning, where are you going to go?"

Lin Xiaoya said to him in a polite and weird tone, trying to restrain his voice.

This makes people feel even more terrifying.

"No, no...... I'm just going to go out and walk around......

Faced with Lin Xiaoya's questioning, Zhou Lang tried to perfunctory the past, but unfortunately it seemed to be in vain.

Now, it's more important to find a way out of this embarrassing dilemma.

Lin Xiaoya, who is enthusiastic about helping others and has a strong sense of responsibility.

Even small places that no one will pay attention to, she will think very carefully. Surprisingly attentive.

Lin Xiaoya came here long before Zhou Lang went out, waiting for him to appear in ambush.

What a thing! I really came here to wait!

He underestimated Lin Xiaoya's housekeeping ability.

She must have been based on her sense of nobility as a squad leader, so she specially came to stop her impulsive behavior. Kantaro thought to himself.

At her feet, there was a piece of luggage that was a little exaggerated.

I must have planned to take him directly from here to the school to meet.

I really convinced you, and I got up early in the morning. He went to great lengths to get here to ambush......

Although he cursed again and again in his heart, in the face of Lin Xiaoya's roar, Zhou Lang was still like a frightened kitten, and couldn't help but shrink his back.

"It's outrageous! You know what period we're in right now, right?" Lin Xiaoya's expression was stiff.

"Junior high school candidates! Zhou Lang, you don't know the situation at all!"

"I—I know this! Don't treat me like a fool!"

Zhou Lang thought that he was saying this sentence very imposingly, and felt that he had performed very remarkably, but unexpectedly, this was just adding fuel to the fire and detonating Lin Xiaoya's anger even more.

"What are you talking about! Now that you know. Why are you still here? It's a cram camp starting today! The meeting point is at the school! You idiot, what are you arguing about!"

"Uh...... I'm because of that ......."

- I can't talk back at all!

"Zhou Lang, you're going to meet at school, right......

Lin Xiaoya stared at Zhou Lang directly.

The big eyes hidden behind the lenses are the same light color as the hair, like a doll.

Under the pressure of this gaze, Zhou Lang almost gave in, but his determination would not be shaken so easily.

Zhou Lang opened his mouth and said-

"I'm sorry, Lin Xiaoya, I won't go to school. I have one thing that I have to do, and I have to do it no matter what."

「…… Is it a scavenger hunt? Is that the one you said, the last game agreed with Grandpa Zhou Lang?"

"yes, that's right. It's something I've made up my mind about. So—I'm going."

Zhou Lang is determined.

Even so, Lin Xiaoya continued to persuade-

"Zhou Lang, didn't you do a bad job in the last mock exam? Don't you think it doesn't matter?"

"I...... I didn't think so......

"And why?"

"Because I've already made up my mind. I can't forgive myself if I give up."

There was a moment of silence.

"Is that ......" Lin Xiaoya's previous murderous aura suddenly disappeared. Zhou Lang, you've already made up your mind, haven't you?"

"Hmm."

"Then it means that it's useless to say anything, there's no going back......

That's right...... Zhou Lang nodded.

Whew, it's dangerous~

Originally, I was worried about the consequences, but it seems that I have escaped, good job, I really have mine!

He was secretly rejoicing in his heart.

As a result, in the next instant, Lin Xiaoya said a sentence that made him wonder if his ears had heard it wrong.

"Okay—I'll go with me!"

Hey............?

Hey......?

What the?

"Huh————?

Okay, what a good thing!

The rails extend forward.

It seems like there is no end.

The train moves slowly.

Vapor choking, choking, choking.

The train shook slightly.

Vapor choking, choking, choking.

There were two people on board.

- That's right, two people.

What's going on, and why is this happening?

Next to Zhou Lang, sat Lin Xiaoya.

It had been more than ten minutes since they boarded the first train, and there had not been any conversation between the two of them.

On the train to the city center.

Sure enough, at this time, except for Zhou Lang and Lin Xiaoya, there was only one passenger.

On the one hand, it's also because of the holiday.

As a result, the atmosphere feels even more awkward.

It's been a long time since I've been alone with Lin Xiaoya.

Realizing this fact, Zhou Lang suddenly felt embarrassed for no reason.

At such a delicate age, just having a relationship like a childhood sweetheart is enough to make people blush and heartbeat.

Lin Xiaoya was staring at the scenery outside the window in front of her.

The morning sun illuminates the interior of the carriage in bright white.

Her side eyelids.

Plain thin-rimmed glasses.

No makeup under the lenses.

Zhou Lang suddenly came back to his senses.

found that he had been staring at Lin Xiaoya's side face just now.

Aha! What am I doing, really!

What is there to look at Lin Xiaoya's side face, it's really boring.

It's okay! It's okay! Nothing!

Hahahahaha——!

What an eerie atmosphere.

So, he had to take the initiative to talk to her.

A very inconsequential nonsense.

"The weather is so nice~~"

"Uh-huh......

"Did you watch yesterday's series?"

"No ......"

「…… Uh......"