Morimi has stayed at Naruse's house many times, whether it's as a classmate or as a girlfriend, and the matter of staying overnight is becoming commonplace for her.

Although there had been sneaky, unknown trespassing, it was a thing of the past, and now she can sleep in his bed openly. Although it can only be a bed downstairs.

But she was satisfied with this and felt at ease, even if she slept in a bed in a guest room where she hadn't slept much, she still had her boyfriend and a starfish sleeping with her.

In this reassuring warmth, another night passed.

It was probably morning, and she was half-asleep, half-awake, and could realize that she was sleeping, but she still couldn't hold back the thin layer of dreams like eggshells, so that she was completely awake.

So be it, she thought.

No matter how late it is, it's not a problem to get a little more sleep.

Just then, she heard the slight sound of the door opening.

The sound of footsteps approached, and it sounded strange to her.

It's not Naoko......

Not even light.

The eggshell was suddenly broken, and she opened her eyes and looked out into the world.

“……”

Song Qianqiu stood beside the bed, saw her open her eyes, and smiled at her, "Haven't gotten up yet?" You can really sleep, it's 10 o'clock in the morning. ”

Morimi suddenly came to his senses.

"Miss Song......"

Song Qianqiu sat down on the edge of the bed, looked at Naruse and Starfish who were still with their eyes closed, and then looked at her, "Don't worry, Kazuha will continue to fall asleep, I also just arrived home." ”

How could Sen see that she could still sleep, but she was stared at by Song Qianqiu, and she was embarrassed to make more movements, so she could only continue to shrink in the bed.

"Did Naoko and Hikaru sleep upstairs last night?"

"No...... They were all at home. Morimi replied, "Naoko's parents are back." ”

"Already back?"

Song Qianqiu was slightly surprised, "You came back yesterday?" ”

"Yes."

"You're coming back earlier than me this year......

She looked at the door for a while, not knowing what she was thinking, and when she turned around again, she pinched her son's face again, "When will Chunhai pretend to be asleep?" ”

“……”

Naruse opened his eyes and disguised his embarrassment with a feigned displeasure.

Although the relationship between several people has long been a foregone conclusion, it is the first time that he has been blocked by his own mother by the bedside and witnessed him hugging left and right.

Stretching his body a little, he spoke, "Why did you come back so early?" ”

"Chunhai thought it was now."

"It's ten o'clock." He also woke up when she came in.

"That's it." Song Qianqiu stood up, "Actually, I arrived in Aomori last night, and it was too late, so I just went back to my own house." ”

“…… Is it. ”

Naruse was even more surprised, "Did grandpa say anything?" ”

Song Qianqiu's face suddenly turned cold, and he hugged his arms, "'Hmph! ’”

With a cold snort, she smiled again, "That's it." ”

“……”

"Also, my mother asked me to take Chunhai back after the year."

Naruse took a breath and nodded quickly.

"Anyway, Sawako and Toru have already returned, right, Harumi didn't tell me." Song Qianqiu said.

"I was busy cleaning up yesterday and forgot."

"I'll go over and say hello." Song Qianqiu stood up and rolled her eyes on the faces of the two girls again, "It's almost time for you to get up." ”

"Okay...... Mori responded.

She left the room and closed the door.

Naruse breathed a sigh of relief, and the same soft sigh came from the side.

He looked at Morimi, and she looked at him, "I think I've heard something terrible." ”

He knew that she was talking about her grandfather's family, "I don't know much about it myself." ”

Sen didn't ask much, sighed again, and said, "If I knew that my mother would come back so early, I would have gotten up early." ”

"I don't know."

Both looked at the starfish who was still asleep.

"Why haven't you woken up yet, I've been asleep for eight or nine hours."

Naruse rolled over and gently pinched the starfish's nose, "She's not like that. ”

"Hmm......"

Starfish frowned slightly.

Morimi pinched her smooth face too.

"Get up." She quickly sat up, "I'm going to go home and get her present." ”

"Hmm."

"Let her continue to sleep."

Naruse also sat up, "It's her birthday today." ”

"Okay."

"My mom will come back later, and I'll probably have something to tell her."

"Just don't tell me......"

Naruse smiled, "Are you scared?" ”

"Your mother and Naoko's parents are the people I don't know how to deal with."

He pursed his lower lip and comforted, "Don't worry too much. Sooner or later, you have to face it. After really facing it, there is nothing to do. ”

Morimi rolled over and got out of bed, "I hope so." ”

The two got out of bed one after another, dressed themselves, and then went to wash.

"Do you need me to take you home?"

"Forget it, you better stay at home with your mother, she just came back, and she should have a lot to say to you."

"Then be careful on the road."

"Hmm."

The two looked at each other in the mirror.

"Is there time to do it once?"

“…… It's too late. ”

"Let me take a bite then."

The two kissed for a while.

"The mouth smells like toothpaste......"

"Aren't you too."

After washing, Morimi was ready to go home.

When I went out, Song Qianqiu and Shangzi's mother stood at the door of this flower house, and I saw her at a glance.

“……”

She bowed her head slightly and said goodbye to their mothers.

"Is Kazuha going home?" Song Qianqiu raised his voice and greeted.

"Yes."

"Be careful on the road."

"Okay."

Bowing his head to the two again, Morimi left in a hurry.

"Did the kid spend the night at your house last night?"

"yes."

"I'm really looking for a chance...... "Kazuko Hanasa shook her head, she watched her leave with Starfish and Hikaru Takikawa last night.

Song Qianqiu smiled, "The starfish is also there." ”

Sawako shook her head again.

"Let's talk later, I just got home, and I need to clean up."

"Hmm."

Song Qianqiu returned home and went to the guest room to take a look, the starfish was still lying in the bed, and there was some movement in the kitchen.

She walked into the guest room first, sat down on the edge of the bed, lifted the quilt slightly, looked at the starfish in her sleep, and soon noticed the necklace around her neck.

She picked it up, stared at the blue gem underneath, and quickly guessed something, pouting.

"I'm really willing to spend money on my little girlfriend......"

The starfish seemed to have slept enough, and woke up at this point, opened its eyes and looked at her, stunned for a moment.

"It's not a dream." Matsuchiaki smiled.

She blinked, "Auntie......"

"I'm back." She touched her face and leaned over to touch her forehead, "Happy Birthday~"

Starfish also smiled unconsciously, "Thank you." ”

"Get up." Song Qianqiu stood up, "Chunhai is already preparing breakfast, although it's almost noon now. ”

"Okay."

Starfish got up, Matsu Chiaki went to the kitchen to look again, and Naruse glanced back, "Do you want to eat some." ”

"Is this lunch?"

"Pretty much."

"But I'm not hungry at all."

"Then we'll talk about it in the afternoon." He turned his head and continued to prepare, "Is the starfish up?" ”

"I'm going to wash my face."

"Hmm."

Song Qianqiu walked over, looked at it for a while, and suddenly said, "Starfish's necklace is a birthday gift from Chunhai?" ”

“…… Well. ”

"How much?"

He glanced to the side, "Not very cheap......

"I think so, you didn't save your mother's money. But sooner or later, this money will have to be spent on you......"

Song Qianqiu squinted at his son, and then said: "When the other girls celebrate their birthdays, Chunhai can't favor one over the other. ”

"I know."

She didn't stay in the kitchen long either, and went out quickly.

Naruse continued to prepare breakfast, and after a while, Starfish also came to the kitchen and stood by watching.

"Are you hungry?"

"I'm hungry." Starfish nodded, "Is this breakfast or lunch?" ”

"Breakfast."

"Oooh."

Naruse looked at her and paused suddenly.

I said last night that I wanted her to go home early, and it was almost noon in a blink of an eye......

"Your hotel is only open until noon today, right?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. ”

"Then it should be very busy now, starfish will go back first after breakfast, and come back in the afternoon."

"I see."

Prepare breakfast, the starfish have eaten, and go back first.

And not long after she left, Naruse received a message from Hikaru Takikawa.

Light: Is the starfish at home or in the spring sea?

Naruse: I'm home.

Light: OK

Hikari: I went to the supermarket with Yue to buy something and brought her a birthday present from Starfish by the way.

Naruse: My mom is back, do you want to come over and say hello?

Hikari: Okay.

Hikari: Huh?

Hikari: Home?

LIGHT: Did the starfish come over again last night?

Did you react......

Naruse: I went to pick her up and celebrated a little.

Hikari: Why don't you call me!

Naruse: I just gave a gift, and there was no birthday party like you imagined.

Hikari: Oooh.

Hikari: Wait until I come to you.

Naruse: Okay.

After eating breakfast at noon, Naruse cleaned up, and there was nothing to do for the time being, so he sat on the sofa with Matsu Chiaki.

She looked down and fiddled with her phone, replied to the message, and blurted out at one point: "Yoko, you take my ......"

When she raised her eyes and saw her son's surprised face, she also reacted, "No, it's okay." ”

"Haven't finished your work yet?" Naruse asked.

"Who told your mother to run away last night, in fact, there is still a little finishing work this morning."

"It's so irresponsible."

"I said hello, and the other party also said that it was okay to keep in touch after coming back."

Song Qianqiu lowered his head and sent a few more messages, and then said: "And this is not a job that must be completed before the year, it can't be done today, and there is no problem in delaying it until the next year." ”

"In this case, I won't come back early." Naruse said.

His mother just glanced at him, "This shows that Chunhai has experienced too few things, so why can things go on as you wish." ”

He pursed his lips, not bothering to refute.

After sitting for a while, Song Qianqiu let out a sigh of relief and put away his phone, "The trouble is a little troublesome, but it's still done...... Let's go and have a look at Naoko's house. ”

When I came to Naoko's house, the family of three was sitting in the living room watching TV.

"Excuse me." Song Qianqiu sat on the sofa, "It's just noon, have you already entered the New Year's Eve link such as watching TV?" ”

"It's not much right now." Kazuko Hanasa said, glancing at Naruse, "Naoko and Harumi go to the room, you don't have to accompany us." ”

"Okay." Naoko also took her boyfriend upstairs.

Back in her room, the first thing she asked was, "Did the starfish come back last night?" ”

"I brought her in the past." Naruse said.

Naoko glanced at him and asked, "Has that expensive necklace been given away too?" ”

"Hmm. Starfish said that Naoko had a really good eye, and she liked it very much. ”

She smiled and bumped him lightly, "She wouldn't say that." ”

Naruse lay down on the bed, and Naoko followed suit, holding his arm.

"It's only ten o'clock now, and after noon, it's almost time to start preparing the royal meal."

"Then I'll help you."

"Uh-huh."

After lying down for a while, Naoko sat up again, "Are you going to come over later, my gift hasn't been given to her yet." ”

"If you don't come later, I'll come back in the evening." Naruse said, "I'll give it to her when the time comes." ”

"No, by then it will already be the atmosphere of the New Year."

He had to sit up as well, "What about now?" Hikari said that she was also going to Starfish's house. ”

"Let's go over."

After saying hello to their parents, the two went out.

When I came to the hotel of the starfish, the Takigawa sisters were here at this time.

"Chunhai, Miss Song has really returned?" Takigawa asked as soon as she saw him.

"yes, I'll be back in the morning."

Naruse looked at the starfish, she was holding a gift box in her hand, which should have been a birthday gift from the Takigawa sisters, "The starfish also saw it." ”

"Then let's talk, I'll go first."

"Ah, that's ......"

Takigawa left first, and Naoko also gave the gift she had prepared to the starfish.

"Happy birthday, starfish."

"Thank you......" Starfish smiled, opening the paper bag she handed and looking inside, it was a woven scarf.

"Is this Naoko weaving it herself?"

"Naoko has been weaving for days." Naruse said, "Let's put it on and try it." ”

"It doesn't feel any different from what I bought......" Starfish wrapped her scarf, twisted her neck slightly, and narrowed her eyes again, "It's so warm...... Thanks, Naoko. ”

Naoko just smiled.

"Do you have anything to do this afternoon?" Hikaru Takikawa asked.

"I'm fine...... I'm going to stay at home. Starfish said.

Naruse pulled Naoko, "I'm going to help Naoko prepare the Imperial Festival cuisine." ”

"Do you need my help?"

"Two people are enough." Naruse said, "Is there anything wrong with your house?" ”

"With my mother and the moon here, I basically don't need to interfere."

"It's so laid-back to be a sister."

Starfish looked at him.

Hikaru Takikawa smiled and asked again, "What about at night?" ”

"What else can I do at night, of course, I am eating, drinking, and waiting for the New Year's Eve."

"Then do you want to go to the first place together?"

Several people were stunned for a moment.

"Where to go?" Naruse asked, "Iwakiyama Shrine?" ”

"No, it's too far over there."

Hikaru Takikawa shook his head, "Let's go to the temple next to Tsudaka." Isn't there a five-storied pagoda inside, and on New Year's Day, there are quite a few people who go there for the first time. ”

"How are we going to get there?" Naruse asked again.

"Let's go over there." Hikaru Takikawa said as a matter of course.

Naoko and Starfish immediately showed bitter colors on their faces, "It's a ...... far away"

Hikaru Takikawa laughed, "If you go together, you won't feel far away." ”

Naruse looked outside, "If it doesn't snow at night, then let's go." It's hard to walk on the snowy road, and it may be one or two o'clock when you get there, and then come back after a visit, and the sky is going to be bright. ”

"OK, that's it."

"Yiye doesn't know yet, if she has to go so far, she will definitely not go." Naoko said.

"I'll convince her." Hikaru Takikawa is full of confidence.

"You trick her from home first, otherwise the long journey from her house to this side alone will be enough to make her resist." Naruse also began to give her ideas.

"Makes sense."

"But she's going to come over to give the starfish a present, so I'll tell her later."

After staying at Starfish's house for a while, Naruse, Naoko, and Hikaru Takikawa went home together, and Takigawa Moon was still here, chatting with Matsuchiaki.

"We're going to go to the Shoshoin Temple in the evening, are we going to be together?"

"How did you get there?"

"Walk over there."

Takikawa looked at the faces of her sister and her two companions, and shook her head, "I'm really not tired...... Go yourselves. ”

"Okay." Hikaru Takikawa was not reluctant.

The two sisters sat at Hana's house until noon, and then went back first, and Naoko and Naruse prepared lunch together.

"Chunhai only eats so little?" Kazuko Hanasa noticed that he had a much smaller amount of food than usual.

"He didn't get up until ten o'clock, and he ate at that time." Song Qianqiu said.

"No wonder."

Naruse finished eating first, got off the table and went to rest, and the starfish sent a message, which was a birthday gift from Morimi, and it looked like a box of crystal clear ...... Stone.

Naruse: What is it?

Starfish: Diffuser!

Naruse: All the bells and whistles.

Starfish: Kazuha said that it is more practical than what you send.

He smiled.

Naruse: Do you like it?

Starfish: Yes!

Starfish: It feels like the whole room is smelling, do you want to smell it?

Naruse: I'll go up and smell it when I come over at night.

Starfish: Uh-huh.

Naoko also finished eating and walked over, "What are you laughing at?" ”

"News from the starfish." Naruse gave her the phone directly.

She zoomed in on the photo and looked at it.

"This diffuser stone is not cheap, I heard others talk about it when I was in the handicraft club."

"Is that so?"

"The better ones will probably cost more than 10,000 yen."

"That's really not cheap."

She gave him the phone back, and the two leaned back on the couch for a while, waiting for the parents to finish eating, and then went over to clean up.

After cleaning up, Naoko began to prepare the imperial festival dishes.

"I've been eating last year's Imperial Festival cuisine for a few days."

"Three days...... Is the portion size less? ”

"Almost, Naoko just needs to prepare by feeling."

"Uh-huh."

The year is coming to an end, and at this time last year, in this kitchen, they were also preparing for the imperial festival together.

The turmoil is over, and the lover is still by his side.

"Time flies."

"yes."

(End of chapter)