At the beginning of the new year, everything is renewed, and it is not until the first week of the new year is about to pass that the sun really shows its face.

The sun shines brightly on the snow on the roadside, making it dazzling to watch.

Naruse squinted his eyes and walked all the way to the Morimi Kohonke, feeling that it was a little dark inside.

After getting used to it for a while, he looked over the counter and was inevitably disappointed to see that it was Morimi sitting there.

He didn't say anything, nodded his head normally when Morimi looked up, and then walked around the bookshelves.

After picking a moment, he took two books to the front desk to check out.

"Chunhai has been reading faster and faster lately."

"It's okay, mainly because I haven't found any books that I can read more than a few times recently."

Drops –

"Nine hundred yen. Let Kazuha recommend a few copies to you. ”

Naruse smiled, "Next time......"

Morimi lifted his chin behind him.

He turned around, and the bookstore's daughter appeared in the doorway with squinted eyes, and her gaze quickly settled on him.

"Good morning."

She walked over, and Morimi stepped out of the counter and went inside.

"Good morning."

The last time the two met was the day they went to the shrine together for the first time more than half a week ago.

Walking into the counter, Morimi glanced at the book on the table, "Yours?" ”

"Hmm."

"Did you pay for it?"

"Hmm."

"Look at the receipt."

Naruse handed over a bill.

“……”

She glanced at him and looked down for change.

"Sister Hikari and Yue went to Morioka today."

"Yes."

Morimi took out a hundred-dollar coin and handed it to him, "Didn't you read the message in the group?" ”

"I didn't pay attention." Naruse took the change, "Just sent it?" ”

"Hmm."

"Why did you only go today?"

"It seems that relatives have come to the house these days."

Morimi pushed his glasses, looked at him with two eyes, and mentioned another thing, "I heard that the starfish has been living in Ling's house for the past few days?" ”

“……”

Naruse pursed her lower lip, and then couldn't help but sigh.

He came here today, in addition to buying books, mainly to tell her about it.

"Haven't moved in yet, but it's pretty much there. Except for going back at night, she stayed at my house almost all day, eating and drinking mine, and didn't give a penny! ”

Morimi laughed, "Is that the point?" ”

Of course not.

What gave him even more headache was that there was an extra bomb around him that didn't know when it would explode, and he always used Song Qianqiu's words as a shield, so he couldn't get rid of it.

After laughing, Morimi also asked what he cared about.

"Why did the starfish suddenly do this?"

"Before my mother went to Tokyo, she asked her to come to my house more often." Naruse said.

She thought for a moment, "Isn't that a polite remark?" ”

"My mom probably meant it...... It's just that I didn't expect her to take this sentence as a politeness. ”

"I really didn't expect that?"

Morimi sat down at the counter, resting his cheek with one hand, and looked up at him, "Isn't the reason obvious at a glance?" ”

“……”

Naruse pursed her lower lip, "The reason is not important, what is more important now is how to solve it." ”

She tilted her head, "So you're coming to me to discuss?" ”

He lifted the book in his hand, "I was talking to you by the way." ”

“…… Hum. ”

Morimi lay down, stared at the side for a while, and suddenly sighed with emotion.

"I didn't expect the starfish to be rejected, but it's still so positive......"

Naruse took a deep breath and didn't speak.

She looked over again, "She's staying at your house these days, has Naoko said anything?" ”

"What can Naoko say."

"That's right, after all, although they have been living together for a long time, they are not real girlfriends in the end."

“……”

Naruse didn't speak.

Morimi suddenly fell silent, looking to the side, not knowing what he was thinking.

"If Morimi can't help it, I'll go back first." Naruse picked up the book and said.

"Who said no."

She looked back, "There are many ways, such as if you promise to date the starfish, she will be obedient." ”

"Is this the way?"

"Then ......"

Naruse thought she would offer to let him date Naoko next, but she groaned for a while, and then put her head on the palm of her hand again, "No way." ”

"Maybe Morimi can call her back, spend more time with her, and cultivate her interest in reading or something."

She glanced at him and sneered.

"Again? Your own business, solve it yourself. ”

Naruse hasn't given up yet, "I don't have an exam yet." ”

"So what's in it for me?"

"If I solve her problem, I will have more time to read, and I will have more consumption in your store."

"Come on, how much can you spend? I don't look at this or that, I'm picky. ”

"Hmm...... You and the starfish will also become closer. ”

She smiled, breathing softly, and lowered her gaze again.

"In that case, I should try my best to help her match......"

"I'm back."

Morimi looked up, he had already turned around with the book and walked out.

"Coward......

She lay down again, and it was hard to gather a smile on her face.

"It's been a long way to become what I am now...... Is it going to make trouble so that everyone can't be friends? ”

On the other side, Naruse leaves the bookstore and soon returns home.

As soon as the door was opened, the two people on the couch looked at each other at the same time.

"Welcome back." Naoko greeted him, and Starfish looked at him and nodded.

He closed the door and sat down on the couch as well.

Because Naoko has always been here, during the day, he basically stays downstairs.

Although there is now another starfish in the house, it does not have much impact on the rhythm of life on the two of them on the surface - because she basically doesn't talk much except for shouting that she is hungry.

Naruse reads books or watches TV, Naoko watches TV and occasionally does some simple needlework, and Starfish keeps holding on to her phone, and the three of them have been in this state for half a week.

As the time slowly approached noon, Naoko put down what she was holding and got up to prepare lunch.

Naruse didn't go directly to help, and glanced at the starfish, "When are you going to go back?" ”

She pinched her phone and shrunk in the corner of the sofa, "I'll go back after dinner." ”

"I'm asking when you're going to end this life of eating and drinking in other people's homes."

“…… My aunt said I could make this my home. ”

Naruse stared at her for a moment.

"Didn't Mr. Seiichiro say anything?"

She looked at him and crawled over to him, "Daddy wants me to get along with you......"

Naruse stood up suddenly, dropped his book and went to the kitchen to help.

“……”

Starfish pursed her lips.

Leaning back on the sofa, she stroked the instep of her foot, and her face slowly showed a little bewilderment.

made a decision with a hot brain, she has been coming over to "harass" in the past few days, is there any other meaning besides making him more disgusted......

The two of them worked together, and lunch was quickly ready.

Putting the dishes and chopsticks on the table, Naruse suddenly said, "Shouldn't I calculate the cost of the meal with her?" ”

Naoko smiled, noncommittal.

"Starfish, it's time to eat."

"Here we are."

After lunch, the starfish is not completely eating and drinking for nothing, and will still help wash the dishes.

The afternoon was no different from the morning and the past few days – there was not much to do during the winter break.

After dinner in the evening, it was finally time for the starfish to go home, and Naruse sent her back.

Dropping her off at the door of the hotel, he looked at the street lamp not far away.

The brief sunny spell lasted only into the afternoon, when snow fell under the streetlights.

"Will you come back tomorrow?"

"Come back."

(End of chapter)