Kazuo-sama and Miyako-sama explained all the details I needed to keep in mind for the trip. Hikaru and Kaori-san only listened to the beginning, because after a few minutes, Hanabira-sama suggested we would be discussing somewhat private matters. Both of them were surprised and, though they protested persistently, they ended up waiting outside.
Kazuo-sama explained that the map I'd be carrying didn't just show traditional routes — it would let me feel which direction was right. Meanwhile, Ailany-chan, as a resident of the village, could recognize the signs and confirm we were headed the right way.
Everything had been said. After so many mixed emotions, I finally felt ready to search for that lost village.
Ailany-chan went off to prepare her things, and while she was gone, I stayed chatting with the Hanabira-sama couple, thanking them for all their help and hospitality. Kazuo-sama even offered to pay me for working on the farm and helping sell products.
That's when Kaori-san, who had returned with Hikaru, suddenly spoke up:
"There's no need for them to pay you. I'll take care of it," she declared with such firmness that the whole room went silent.
I was surprised, and so were the others.
"It's the least I can do," she added. "After all the trouble I caused… plus the food and the lodging."
The Hanabira-sama couple tried to refuse, but Kaori-san insisted so stubbornly they eventually gave in.
"Well, since everything's ready, I guess we won't have any problems on our trip, right, Haruki-kun?" Kaori-san added, smiling as she took my arm.
"I sure hope so…" I muttered, scratching my head with a nervous smile. Though I get the feeling this trip's going to be packed with complications…
"I'd like to go with you," Hikaru cut in out of nowhere. "I want to keep looking after Ailany."
Oh, come on. Seriously, Hikaru? When are you going to get it through your head that you're just a friend to her? Why do you have to act like her designated boyfriend?
But out loud, I only said:
"I wouldn't mind if you came along. I think Ailany would feel a little more at ease with someone she knows."
"Really!?" Hikaru exclaimed, eyes sparkling.
No. Not really. But what choice do I have?
"Sure," I replied with my best polite smile.
Kaori-san nodded immediately.
"I think it's a good idea. That way we can better arrange the seats and the rooms."
"Then it's settled! I'll go with you!" Hikaru announced.
Miyako-sama, who'd been quietly watching the whole scene, smiled.
"I think you're forgetting someone… a bit troublesome," she said.
We all knew exactly who she meant.
"I don't think she'll mind," Hikaru said confidently. "I bet she'll be happy."
Yeah… happy. Sure.
We kept talking for a while until Ailany-chan returned, carrying a small backpack. She immediately noticed Kaori-san clinging to my arm and the sparkle of excitement in Hikaru's eyes.
When we mentioned the idea of Hikaru coming with us, her expression changed.
"No."
Just like that. No sugarcoating it.
She tried to make a few excuses, the most convincing being that someone needed to stay behind to help her grandparents. Kaori-san countered that she could easily hire someone for that.
Then, Ailany-chan asked to speak with Kaori-san and me alone. That caught me off guard. I had a feeling it'd be a tense conversation… and I was right.
The moment the door closed, she cut straight to the point:
"I know what you're doing, snake," she said, pointing at Kaori-san. "You want Hikaru to come so you can stick closer to Haruki. But I'm not letting you have your way."
Kaori-san snorted.
"Hey, I told you to quit calling me that. And who do you think you are, deciding who can come and who can't?"
"Haruki-kun needs me to find Uke Mochi. Without me, you won't get there. So if he had to choose, I know he'd choose me."
Wow… was it really necessary to turn this into some kind of contest?
"Okay, okay, calm down…" I tried to defuse the situation. "The issue here is Hikaru, right? We can sort this out without fighting."
Kaori-san gave me a sidelong glance.
"I just want to be near you. Is that so wrong?"
Ailany-chan crossed her arms.
"Do what you want. But I'm warning you… don't push me."
Trying to lighten the mood, I smiled at Ailany-chan.
"By the way… you look kinda cute when you're mad. Although yeah, you're a little scary too."
Her face turned bright red.
"T-Thanks… but why would you say I'm scary?"
She took it as a joke for a moment, but then quickly got flustered again.
"And you promised me you wouldn't act like this with other girls!"
"Ah… right. Sorry, Ailany-chan," I said, grinning apologetically.
"I knew asking for that would be tough. But I'm telling you, I don't like it."
"I get it… and besides, I already said — I'll only be this close with you."
Kaori-san snorted but didn't say anything.
"I'm gonna call my grandparents and Hikaru. And you," she shot a glare at Kaori-san, "behave yourself."
"I won't say a thing," Kaori-san muttered quietly, still clinging to my arm.
Ailany-chan sighed.
"And let go of his arm already. You're way too clingy."
Kaori-san stuck out her tongue before finally letting go.
And so, our departure to the lost village of Uke Mochi was about to get a whole lot more complicated than expected.