It seems that this hostel is a family-style guesthouse that has rapidly increased in popularity due to the rural boom that has prevailed in recent years.

Therefore, the main customers are retired elderly women and office workers who do not like the hustle and bustle of the city.

In addition, the whole hostel is taken care of by the hostess alone, and usually only accepts a group of guests with reservations, so the accommodation fee is also a little higher.

$500 a night.

For junior high school students, that's a lot of money.

And there is only one room.

"So, what about us, how, how-"

Zhou Lang was about to ask what to do, but Lin Xiaoya said, "Okay, since that's the case, then I'll trouble you."

Then the housing registration procedure will begin in a brisk manner.

Zhou Lang peeked at the information she wrote from the side, and found that the ages were all messy.

She took off her glasses and tried to appear calm, pretending to be an adult.

And said to the proprietress -

"We are brother and sister, and we came to visit my grandfather in the countryside, and we got lost to get here."

The proprietress seemed to believe in her life completely, and without the slightest suspicion of the two, she let the two stay in.

All of this is thanks to Lin Xiaoya's blessing, thanks to her always having a face that "I am already twenty years old, and my words and deeds are generous and calm.

In fact, with her glasses off and wearing civilian clothes, she does look quite mature, like an adult.

It's hard to imagine, before I walked into the hotel just now-

"Does it matter, are you really sure? Don't we look like little children? Is it really okay?"

The guy who kept asking him with trepidation would be the same person in front of him.

Well, he really deserves to be a squad leader, a brave man who has experienced a hundred battles.

Or rather, girls are amazing.

To spend a night with a boy, you can make such a decisive decision......

Hmm—I felt ...... all of a sudden. I seem to be relieved, so that's fine.

Or am I not treated as a man at all?

Am I a complete safe card?

Unexpectedly, naturally harmless?

Do even your teeth sparkle when you smile?

…… No, it's impossible...... It's outrageous, and I feel disgusting just by imagining myself......

At this time, Zhou Lang, whose mood was heavier than his luggage, did not notice a thing.

Why does Lin Xiaoya carry so much cash on her?

Why do I have to go to the bank to collect it the day before I attend the school tuition camp?

Girls are really ...... How bold it is! - It's a pity that Zhou Lang is only nervous at the moment, and he is simple-minded, it is impossible for him to understand.

"The bathrooms are shared by men and women." The proprietress said.

In this non-group homestay, there is only one bathroom. Therefore –

"Absolutely, absolutely, no peeping, this boy!"

Lin Xiaoya said this sentence with a warning tone, and walked towards the bathroom with a smile.

According to the hostess, there is also an open-air bath attached to the bathroom.

「…… Dew point...... Uh, no, it's open-air...... Hmm......"

Even if he thinks that he can't, Zhou Lang is just like Lin Xiaoya heard that he is an able-bodied teenager in adolescence after all. Since there is still an open-air bath, wouldn't it be nice to divide the bathroom into two - all these complaints are gone at this moment.

All sorts of reveries come and go in the mind, come and go, and then resurface.

In the spacious Japanese-style room, Zhou Lang sat inexplicably upright.

Veryly, blushing and heartbeating.

Very, depressed and distressed.

Very, undeserved reverie.

Very, undesirable impulses.

It's very annoying~

"-Uh-ah-ah! No, no! If this continues, it will definitely go down!"

Zhou Lang stood up suddenly in a panic and walked out of the room to blow the night breeze.

It's a remote corner with a garden outside the room.

A garden that has been very well cared for and has a very elegant landscape.

Just looking at the scenery in the garden will calm your mind.

It was as if the soul was healed.

It seems to be able to understand why people come to the countryside in search of peace of mind.

I met Mr. Che, the stationmaster, and the proprietress today.

Everyone is leisurely and unhurried, which is very different from those urban people who seem to be pushed on their backs and don't know what to do in a hurry.

Even though we are in the same country, the speed of time flow seems to be completely different.

At this moment, the students in the class are crowded in the place arranged by the school, working hard.

By the way, speaking of which, although I think I have explained everything to the school and my family, I shouldn't have shown my feet, right?

Lin Xiaoya also said that there is no problem, but is it really no problem?

Then again, did she say it was okay?

I don't know if it's affected by the laid-back air of this land. It's hard to concentrate, and it doesn't seem to be very good in my head. And so—

"Ugh...... Never mind...... It doesn't matter, it's useless to think about it now."

Zhou Lang relaxed himself and blended into the atmosphere of the countryside, and at this time, something suddenly came into view.

"That's ...... Those two people?"

On the main corridor leading to the main house, the pair of big-eyed boys and red-haired girls that they had seen on the tram and the beach appeared before.

The two of them lay on the floor, not knowing what they were doing.

Why, are they here?

Why, I am so mindful of their presence?

One of the answers seems to be hidden in my memory, but I can't think of it.

Obviously, I was just a little bit close to thinking about it.

Zhou Lang narrowed his eyes and focused his gaze.

The two were fingering something rolling on the floor.

Every time you play it, it makes a snapping sound.

It's playing marbles.

Very retro game.

By the way, I remember before, grandpa once said.

He used to play a lot when he was young, so he also taught Zhou Lang how to play.

And, that boy, the way he played with the middle fingers of both hands - the same way ...... grandpa played?

…… ...... with Grandpa Same......?

At this time, the young man who was originally lying on his stomach stood up and turned his head to face Zhou Lang.

Then, with a slight smile.

Is it because you're happy to win marbles that you're smiling? Or is it responding to the question in Zhou Lang's heart......

Zhou Lang shook his head.

Grandpa is no longer there, and he deeply feels that he is lonely.

I would actually see the shadow of my grandfather in such a young child......

What are you doing?

Zhou Lang turned his back to the boy and girl, and prepared to walk back to the room.

happened to meet Lin Xiaoya from the bath.

The heart was pounding.

Lin Xiaoya was wearing a hostel bathrobe.

I had just taken a shower, and my cheeks were flushed.

Slightly damp hair with moisture.

The long hair is pulled up, and the back of the neck can be clearly seen.

The childhood sweetheart, who should have been used to seeing it for a long time, looks particularly bright and moving in the moonlight.

"What's wrong, Zhou Lang?"

"Huh?"

Suddenly making eye contact with her, Zhou Lang woke up from his previous reverie.

In a panic, he walked briskly into the guest room.

Lin Xiaoya's face was inexplicable, and she put her glasses back on.

The night completely took over the world.

The sound of insects chirping softly comes to the ears, and it feels very comfortable.

The air is cool, making it the perfect place to rest your tired body.

It's just that it is impossible for Zhou Lang to sleep.

His eyes were unusually bright and sparkling.

Although the low table was erected and used as a screen to divide the two sides, Lin Xiaoya was lying at the other end.

And it's in a strange land, two people alone.

It's a very bad feeling......

It's very easy to get cranky......

It's not surprising that something is happening now, this lady!

Who is this wife?

Zhou Lang didn't know what to confirm, so he got into the quilt and began to ask himself.

No, it should be said, it's self-defeating.

Uhhh

I'm sorry, I can't sleep! The body is obviously tired, but the mood is excessively excited!

Oops, this symptom only started in the second year of junior high school, right?

Hey, what's wrong with the second year of junior high school, has anything happened?

What should I do?

What to do? Hate, hate hate, hate hate, hate hate.

Either way, I'm not going to do anything!

It should be, it won't, right?

It was none other than Lin Xiaoya who drew a break for Zhou Lang's stupid monologue that kept repeating in his heart.

"Hey...... Zhou Lang, are you asleep?"

Through a low table, her voice came from the other end.

"Not yet, I'm still awake, what's the matter?"

"I'm kind of ...... I can't sleep."

In fact, Lin Xiaoya also desperately restrained the feeling that her heart was about to beat out of her chest.

Plopping and almost breathless.

Zhou Lang mistakenly thought that she was not treated as the opposite sex, but in fact, she had been pretending to be calm.

Today is a whole day, no, from the day she decided to follow Zhou Lang, it has lasted until now.

From the very beginning, she had no idea of stopping Zhou Lang from coming to hunt for treasures.

As a childhood sweetheart, she has watched Zhou Lang grow up by her side since she was a child, and she thinks she knows him very well.

Anyway, it was useless to say anything, and besides, the bond between him and his grandfather was so strong.

Zhou Lang has always admired and respected his grandfather.

He was very fond of his grandfather.

When her grandfather passed away, Lin Xiaoya noticed that Zhou Lang's heart was missing a big hole.

It's bigger than Zhou Lang himself thought it would be.

However, she also understands that she can't do anything on her own.

The reason why I came here is -

「…… When I get to high school, I'm going to move."

"Huh?"

"Will move far, far away...... I guess we'll never see each other again......

Hearing her unexpected words, Zhou Lang almost jumped up and quickly sat up straight.

However, from the angle in front of me, all I could see was the low table that served as a screen.

"I don't understand what you're saying. It's too sudden, isn't it, and since you're already in high school, it's okay if you don't follow along, there's always another way, isn't it? If you want to live alone or anything, you can do it!"

"It won't work, after all, you still have to cooperate with the adult's arrangement."

I couldn't see the eyelids, only her voice could be heard.

It was as if with a slight tremble, with a slight choking.

Zhou Lang realized that the reason for moving was probably her parents.

Finally, it's time to separate.

Since a long time ago, Lin Xiaoya's parents' relationship has not been good, and they are always quarrelling.

When she first entered elementary school, whenever her parents quarreled, Lin Xiaoya would flee to Zhou Lang and his grandfather.

Even so, she struggled to find change.

Therefore, Lin Xiaoya has shaped herself into who she is today.

I don't want to depend on anyone, and I want to live on my own.

Gradually, she became a trusted existence by everyone.

"I'm not as strong as everyone thinks......" she said in a mosquito-like voice. Actually, I'm just trying to be strong. I obviously want to get help, but I don't talk to anyone, and I stand up on my own. As a result, before you know it, you have become a trusted object. Looks like I'm getting a little carried away, I'm just going to be strong."

Words that are like sighs.

Zhou Lang immediately replied.

"I know, this kind of thing, even if I don't say it, I know it, I've known it for a long time. I know that Lin Xiaoya has been reckless, and I also know that you are working hard alone."

Just as Lin Xiaoya has been watching Zhou Lang by his side, Zhou Lang has also been watching Lin Xiaoya by his side.

Moreover, when the classmates in the class gave Lin Xiaoya the nickname "class leader", when everyone around her thought that she was a strong person who led the student union and class cadres, only Zhou Lang was different.

Only he is the only one who calls her by the nickname Lin Xiaoya from childhood to adulthood.

Because of this, she has also been the same, always calling him Zhou Lang.

However, such a relationship may be coming to an end.

But she still decided to speak out.

From the moment he made up his mind to follow him on a treasure hunt, he decided to do so.

At least, it wasn't necessary to help him, she thought.

At this moment, Zhou Lang is trying to move forward on his own strength.

Desperately trying, refusing to bow his head, looking ahead, with a straight gaze, straight forward.

For such a person, it would be nice if he could help in any way, even if it was only a little. So, she made up her mind.

Decided to follow him, even if he was obsessed, it didn't matter.

For the most important thing - to move forward yourself.

Say it.

What is about to be faced.

Something about yourself.

However, with the words she poured out, tears had already soaked the pillow.

"I'm not strong...... It's about having to make yourself that kind of person. In fact, there will be times when I want to rely on others and want to be spoiled to my heart's content."

Although it was said like a joke. Zhou Lang did feel the emotion in his words.

So he said—

"Then let's be coquettish, it's okay to be spoiled by anyone, okay, let's start with me...... Uh, that, I mean, anyway, it's just me. No, anyway, it's okay to teach you how to change the ball first, or how to contain first base correctly......

In the end, I have already begun to feel ashamed of my words, my tone is stiff and awkward, and I am a mess of failure.

As a result, Lin Xiaoya said with some interest...... "Then, can I be a little coquettish?"

"Of course, you're welcome, but I don't have any money."

"No, I just thought- can I go over and squeeze the same quilt with you?"

"yes, yes, this little thing, it's too simple—yes?"

Zhou Lang obviously didn't see anything, but he shook his head vigorously in a panic, shaking desperately, and he could almost hear the sound of his head shaking.

If only he could be so flexible when pitching.

"Aha, just kidding." She laughs.

Although it can't be seen, it must be a very pleasant smile.

- There are some things that cannot be seen with the eyes, but can be seen with the heart.

It was as if he heard his grandfather's voice say this to him.

This night, the two stayed awake all night, as if they were reluctant to waste time, and continued to chat.

Even if you don't remember what the chat was about afterwards at all.