"Himeko's father came to me before." Haru said.
"I see... It must be that he is trying to separate you both." Itsuki said.
"It is not like that. He did considered on allowing me to continue dating Himeko." Haru said.
"Huh? I see... Quite surprising." Itsuki is in awe.
"But then I rejected his offer." Haru said.
"Why?" Itsuki asked.
"My family is in debt, and my mother had fallen ill for overworking herself." Haru explained.
"So you asked for money, right?" Itsuki asked. Haru nodded.
"I haven't done anything for my mother yet. I must do anything to help her." Haru said.
"It's understandable. I suppose you wanted to use this chance to explain to Himeko about this?" Itsuki asked.
"Yeah. You came at the right time." Haru said.
"I felt that this is going to be awful for both of you." Itsuki said.
"No, I'm relieved to know that you are the one engaged to Himeko." Haru said with a smile.
"Ugh... I don't get you normies." Itsuki said with a disgusted face.
"Promise me to keep her happy in my stead." Haru said before he left the store.
"Ah, what a day..." Itsuki decided to wander around until night time.
"I've asked Haru about the date, it will be at 1pm on Saturday at the shopping district." Itsuki sent a message to Himeko.
"Really??? I'm so happy! Thank youuu Itsuki-kun!" Himeko replied.
"Pwah... I feel really guilty for this..." Itsuki let out a breath.
"I need some backup for the plan, are both of you on?" Itsuki sent to a group chat with Keita and Ayumi in it.
"I'll help." Keita replied.
"Me too!" Ayumi replied.
"Thanks." Itsuki replied.
It's finally Saturday, Haru arrived at the park as promised.
"Oh, you're here." Itsuki greeted him.
"Just get to this quickly. I need to go home as soon as possible." Haru said.
"Today's plan is quite long. I can't let you do this half-heartedly." Itsuki said.
"... I see." Haru reluctantly agreed.
"I asked you to meet here to tell you where to wait next. I'll bring Himeko with me and we'll switch." Itsuki said.
"I don't think this would work..." Haru said.
"I've picked some locations beforehand, thank me later." Itsuki said.
"I see, so how do we start this?" Haru asked.
"First you head to this cafe." Itsuki sent an address to Haru.
"Itsuki... I don't know what you are planning, but please make sure it works." Haru said before he leaves.
"Well... I should've talked to Yamaguchi-san about this, but whatever." Itsuki said.
"What? You..." Haru is shocked.
"Well, I bet it'll be a good idea for him to send some men running after you." Itsuki said.
"If things do not go in my favour, I'll go home." Haru said.
"Try it." Itsuki said.
"... Fine." Haru leaves for the cafe Itsuki told him to go.
"Geez, I don't like playing the bad guy here..." Itsuki sighed.
"Aren't you always the bad guy?" Ayumi and Keita walked towards Itsuki.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm sorry." Itsuki said.
"What are you going to do next?" Keita asked.
"Well... Let's hope that Himeko is a good runner." Itsuki said.
"What if she wore heels today?" Ayumi gasped.
"I told her part of the plan, she anticipated that she would run today." Itsuki said.
"Wow... How are you so sure that it would work?" Keita asked.
"Well, I'm sure her rebellious phase taught her how to run from her guards once in a while." Itsuki said.
"Wow, it seems like he is speaking from experience..." Ayumi said.
"Without further ado, you two will need to go to this place." Itsuki sent them an address.
"I see, we won't fail you, grandmaster!" Ayumi grabbed Keita and marched away.
"Sigh... Now that everyone is heading to their destination, I should get going too." Itsuki said as he walks to the shopping district.
"Miss Himeko, we're here to make sure you are safe." One of the bodyguards said.
"I understand, please do your job properly~" Himeko said with a cheeky smile.
"Gulp... We will!" The bodyguards notices something is wrong, but they can't be so sure if they will be able to complete their mission today.
"Oh, you're here already, Itsuki-kun." Himeko greeted Itsuki.
"Let's get going, Himeko-chan." Itsuki grabbed Himeko's hand and started walking.
"Are you ready?" Itsuki asked as they are about to make a turn.
"Of course I am!" Himeko replied.
"Right, it's time to run!" Itsuki started running, and Himeko is keeping up with his pace.
"Hey! They ran off!" The bodyguards are alerted, they started running after them.
"Right there, we're heading to the cafe over there." Itsuki told Himeko.
"Let's find them separately!" The bodyguards decided to split up, they didn't know that Itsuki and Himeko are already hidden in the cafe.
"Whew, that was close." Itsuki said.
"That was fun!" Himeko exclaimed.
"It's good that you've escaped, but your hands..." Ayumi noted.
"Uwaaah! I'm sorry!" Himeko apologized.
"Ah, it's nothing, there, your boyfriend is waiting for you." Itsuki pointed.
"Ah! Haru-kun! I missed you!" Himeko hugged Haru, Haru shows a very conflicted expression. He clearly cares for her, yet he has to keep his promise with Yamaguchi.
"I'll stay watch, you two can spend your time together." Itsuki leaves them behind and sits with Keita and Ayumi.
"Wait!" Himeko called for Itsuki.
"Yes?" Itsuki answered.
"Thank you for today." Himeko thanked.
"... You're welcome." Itsuki said after a short pause.
"Isn't Itsuki-kun being a bit weird today?" Himeko noticed.
"I think it would be weirder if he wasn't tired after planning for this day for an entire week..." Haru said.
"Take today as your last day you're able to be together with Himeko. Make sure you properly say your goodbyes." Itsuki sent to Haru.
"Itsuki... You idiot..." Haru muttered as he saw the message.