"Alright," Sui nodded and carefully removed Hinako's socks, revealing her small, fair feet. Her toes were delicate, with a soft pink hue and crystal-clear nails, giving them an almost silky appearance. They looked incredibly cute.
"Hinako-senpai, your feet are really small," Sui remarked, surprised by how tiny they were. They were barely bigger than his palm, fitting snugly in his hands, which made them even more adorable.
Hinako's cheeks flushed red, and she instinctively pulled her feet away.
Feeling playful, Sui lightly ran his fingers across the soles of her feet.
Her feet trembled immediately, her ten toes curling up in response.
When Sui looked up, he saw Hinako glaring at him, her expression a mix of shyness and frustration—it was the first time he had seen her like this.
"Sui-kun, you're so mean," she pouted, her cheeks still burning with embarrassment.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist teasing you a little," Sui said with a smile. Then, he asked, "By the way, do you need help taking off your clothes?"
Hinako's face turned crimson, and she quickly retorted, both shy and irritated, "I'll take them off myself!"
"Alright." Sui nodded, gently tucking her feet under the blanket and covering her up. "Rest well, Senpai. I'll take my leave now."
"Mm," Hinako replied softly, nodding.
After going downstairs, Sui found Megumi resting at the table. When she saw him, she smiled and asked quietly, "Did you settle Hinako-senpai in?"
"Yes, everything's fine. Let's head back," Sui nodded as he helped support Megumi, and they took the tram back to the hotel where they were staying.
"Thank you, Sui," Megumi said as she stood at her room's door, slightly tipsy and unsteady. She bowed clumsily in gratitude.
"Get some rest, you still have work tomorrow," Sui reminded her gently.
"Mm." Megumi smiled softly before closing the door.
Suddenly, a voice complained, "Sui, why did you come back so late? You didn't even answer my calls."
Alice emerged from the stairs, clearly upset. She had been waiting outside for an hour.
"Alice, you're here again?" Sui asked, surprised. Realizing how long she had been waiting, guilt washed over him. He ruffled her hair and said, "Sorry, I lost track of time."
He glanced at his phone and noticed over twenty missed calls—one from Erina and the rest from Alice. His guilt deepened.
"It's alright," Alice said with a sweet smile as she hugged his arm.
"But Alice, why are you here again? You must be exhausted going back and forth like this," Sui asked, feeling concerned for her.
"Because I don't have time to see you at school. Outside is the only chance we get to be together," Alice pouted, sounding a little pitiful.
Sui's heart softened, and he gently stroked her head. Suddenly, Alice sniffed the air, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"I smell another woman's scent on you! And it's not Megumi's!" Alice exclaimed, her expression skeptical.
Sui chuckled, finding her reaction amusing. "It should be Hinako-senpai' scent."
"Hinako-senpai? Are you having an affair with her?" Alice gasped in mock horror.
Sui: "…"
He could only sigh at her wild imagination.
After explaining the situation to Alice, she finally understood, and the two of them walked into the room together.
"Let's not stay up too late tonight, okay? I was nodding off all day today," Alice blushed, recalling the events of the previous night, and spoke in a low voice.
"Alright," Sui nodded, feeling sorry for her tiredness.
---
The next morning, Sui was about to leave when he spoke softly to Alice, who was still in bed. "I'm heading out now. Don't forget to drink the milk I left on the table."
"Mm. I'll leave after you and Megumi head out," Alice replied, sounding energetic after getting enough sleep. She wrapped her arms around his and playfully asked, "Give me a kiss before you go."
Sui, amused, kissed her cheek and then got dressed.
As he stepped out of the room, he ran into Megumi, who was just leaving as well.
"Did you sleep well last night, Megumi?" Sui asked.
"Mm," Megumi nodded, though her cheeks turned slightly pink as she recalled leaning on Sui the previous night when he helped her back.
"Hey, Sui, did you get bitten by bugs again?" Megumi suddenly noticed the fresh kiss mark on his neck and asked in surprise.
Sui: "…Yeah."
Unlike her cousin Erina, who was shy and reserved, Alice was far more enthusiastic and forward.
"You've really got a bug problem in your room. Maybe you should buy some insect repellent," Megumi said, completely unaware of the real cause.
Sui could only sigh, "I'll see to it."
The two of them arrived at Kirinoya together.
"Good morning, Sui, Megumi," Chef Ono greeted them with a smile.
"Morning," Sui responded before glancing around. "By the way, where's Hinako-senpai?"
"The manager? She hasn't woken up yet. I guess she had too much to drink last night," Ono chuckled.
Just then, Hinako appeared from upstairs. She was dressed in her usual traditional outfit and wore wooden clogs.
"Good morning, Senpai," Sui greeted with a smile.
But when Hinako saw Sui, her mind immediately flashed back to the previous night—how he had held her feet in his hands. Her face flushed, and she felt a tingling sensation where he had touched her.
Without a word, she let out a small huff, avoided eye contact with Sui, and cheerfully greeted the others, "Let's work hard today, everyone!"
She quickly disappeared into the kitchen.
"Is the manager upset with you?" Ono asked, surprised. The usually gentle Hinako had never acted this way before.
"Did something happen between you and the manager after we left last night?" Miyuki chimed in curiously.