As soon as the Kotobuki Family was mentioned, Homura felt a rush of memories flooding his mind, all from his childhood.
Unable to contain his shock, he couldn't help but show a surprised expression. With a probing mindset, he intended to ask further.
"...Which Kotobuki Family?" Homura controlled his emotions and asked calmly.
"Which Kotobuki Family?" Kosuke's puzzled voice came through. "Didn't you know? Our Minamiya Family is acquainted with the Kotobuki Family."
"That's right! You should have played with their little girl when you were young, right? It seems like you even practiced piano together!" Kosuke chuckled. "I remember that little girl was about a year younger than you, kid!"
Homura: "..."
Why bother guessing? It's obviously 'K-On'!
"...Mugi?"
"Yes! That's right! I couldn't recall! But you remember!" Kosuke nodded with a grin.
Homura nodded woodenly, not caring if his own father could see him.
The Kotobuki Family... They were an incredibly mysterious and powerful family. He had no idea how far their influence extended or how their family's businesses thrived in various fields.
Especially... they had an abundance of villas. They were everywhere, of all types. It wouldn't be surprising if Kosuke managed to borrow one.
But... Kotobuki Tsumugi, who was a year younger than him, now should be in her first year of high school.
So, at that time, it should be when Yui had recently joined the Light Music Club and was preparing to buy a guitar, right?
"Why so quiet?" Kosuke asked curiously.
"Well..." Homura pondered for a moment, "I recalled some things from the past. Come to think of it, I haven't been in touch with Mugi for a long time."
"What? I thought you were thinking about something important... If you want to get in touch, just do it. Since you borrowed their villa this time, it wouldn't hurt to say thank you while you're at it," Kosuke said in a relaxed tone.
"Yeah, you're right." Homura decided not to dwell on the matter any longer. He would contact her later.
"By the way, Dad, why don't you and Shizuka take this opportunity to go out and have some fun too?"
"For your old man, lying around and relaxing somewhere is more comfortable than going out," Kosuke replied.
"Alright, I get it. Then find some time to relax! Don't always be like a workaholic."
"Oh? You care about me now?" Kosuke chuckled. "Okay, okay! I'll find some time to relax. You just go and enjoy yourself."
Homura: "..."
What was this restlessness deep inside his heart?
"Then I'll hang up. We have guests coming over in a bit." Homura said in a quick manner.
"Guests? You--"
Homura had already hung up!
On the other end of the phone, Kosuke's mouth twitched uncontrollably, and he yelled in frustration, "This brat actually hung up on me again!!!"
At that moment, Homura breathed a sigh of relief. 'This restlessness finally subsided!'
"How is it?" The girls looked at him eagerly.
Under the intense scrutiny of so many heated gazes, Homura felt a great deal of pressure. So, he decided not to keep them in suspense and said directly, "There's no hot spring hotel, but my dad managed to borrow a hot spring villa. It's a place with mountains and river, perfect for camping."
Upon hearing his first sentence, the girls were quite surprised! Could it be that they couldn't go anywhere else? But as they heard the rest, they became relieved!
They didn't expect it to be a villa. Even though it was borrowed, it wouldn't hinder their enjoyment, right?
"Uncle Minamiya is really awesome!" Eriri exclaimed with a smile.
Homura changed the subject again, busying himself as he spoke, "Well, you know... It's partly a matter of pride, I guess. After all, I rarely ask him for help."
"So he wants to do his best for his son, huh?" Elf muttered, somewhat surprised. It seemed like there were quite a few stories between this father and son!
While frying dough sticks on one side, Megumi helped to keep an eye on it, and he went to make steamed buns.
Then his phone rang.
"I don't have free hands right now, who can answer it for me?"
"I'll do it..." said Mashiro, who was closest and watching him busy.
"Yeah, Mashiro, come here, the phone is in my pants pocket... Oy! Mashiro! My pants don't have back pockets! Where are you touching!"
Homura almost threw away the filling for the buns! Was she doing this on purpose?!
"Oh..." Mashiro replied with a flat expression. Thankfully, nothing strange happened.
Eriri, who was rushing to answer her phone, stumbled and almost fell to the ground when she was overtaken by Mashiro and witnessed her actions toward Homura. Feeling frustrated, she simply stood there, unsure whether to move forward or retreat.
"...Ayano?" Mashiro said with confusion.
"Mashiro? Why do you have Homura's phone?" Ayano was taken aback, checking the number... She didn't dial the wrong one!
"Homura is busy and doesn't have time to answer."
Busy? Cooking? Ayano didn't think he was busy with anything strange or indescribable.
"Then tell Homura that we'll be there soon."
Mashiro turned to him and said, "Homura, Ayano says they're coming."
"Let them come in directly. The door isn't locked."
"...That's what Homura said."
Ayano broke into a sweat. 'Can't you relay the message as well? Luckily, I heard his voice!'
"Okay! We're almost there! Gotta go!" Ayano said before hanging up.
"Hung up..." Mashiro held the phone and looked at him.
"Then just put it back in my pocket..." Homura said, but then he suddenly remembered something. "Wait, just put it aside for now."
Mashiro paused for a moment, her little face showing some disappointment.
Everyone: "..."
She definitely wanted to do some mischief, right?!
Eriri couldn't be bothered anymore! She quickly advanced and grabbed Mashiro, pulling her towards the living room.
"Seriously! Mashiro... What on earth are you up to?" Eriri's twintail flailed in frustration, felt like she couldn't vent enough without a specific target to hit with it.
"Yeah... We really miscalculated! It must have been Mashiro's usual clueless and innocent behavior that subconsciously made us overlook it." Utaha wavered a bit because Mashiro's performance just now was astonishing and unexpected!
'Could it be she got influenced by someone?!' Homura turned his suspicious gaze towards Eriri.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Eriri retorted annoyed and thought frustratedly, 'It's not like it's my fault! Besides, I haven't even thought that much about it myself!'
Homura withdrew his gaze, secretly pondering, 'Then... Could it be Ayano? The suspicion is quite strong!'
"What are you all talking about?" Nanami asked, wearing a puzzled expression.
"Just thinking about Mashiro's earlier actions..." Elf reminded her and then curiously asked, "By the way, why did Mashiro do that?"
"Because Mashiro doesn't understand men well, so Mashiro wanted to understand them before drawing them," Mashiro answered calmly.
Nanami suddenly realized, her face turning bright red as she exclaimed, "Mashiro! You're not Eriri! You don't need to understand those kinds of things!"
Eriri: "..."
Why am I suddenly being targeted? I demand justice!
===
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