Chirp chirp~ Chirp chirp~
In the early morning, the crisp sound of birdsong came through the slightly open glass window as a cool breeze gently swayed the blue curtains.
"Mmm~~"
A small voice emerged from a puffed-up blanket, followed by a tuft of golden hair sticking out. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Klee, dressed in pajamas adorned with cute cat patterns, crawled out of the covers.
She looked around the unfamiliar surroundings, tilting her small head in a daze.
"Oh~ Klee is at Hifumi-neechan's house."
Realization dawned on her as she remembered that after last night's gathering, she and Qiqi had accepted Takimoto Hifumi's invitation to stay over. Hifumi had mentioned that her company was planning a team-building trip to a beautiful location and wanted to bring Klee and Qiqi along.
"Ah~"
Stretching her tiny body, Klee jumped off the bed with a soft "heave-ho" and started getting dressed from the clothes she had set aside.
Click.
The soft sound of the door opening echoed as Klee, her big eyes sparkling, ran out of the bedroom. Ahead, she spotted Qiqi crouching by a pet box. Excited, she ran over.
"Good morning, Qiqi-neechan!"
Crouching gently beside Qiqi, Klee rested her chin on her hands with a cheerful expression. She watched as the little hedgehog in Qiqi's hand nibbled on its food. Carefully, Klee reached out to touch its spiky body.
"Its body is so prickly! How amazing~"
"This is the first time Klee has seen an animal like Zongjirou. It's so cute!"
"Would Klee like to feed Zongjirou?"
Holding out some food pellets, Qiqi looked at Klee.
"Yes~!"
Klee nodded enthusiastically and happily took the food from Qiqi's hand. Carefully placing the pellets in her palm, she extended her hand toward the little hedgehog. A cool and soft sensation spread across her palm as Zongjirou eagerly ate from her hand. Klee's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Look, Qiqi-neechan! Zongjirou is eating! So adorable."
"Yes, Qiqi sees it," replied Qiqi softly, reaching out to tidy Klee's slightly messy golden hair.
When the hedgehog finished eating, Qiqi held Klee's small hand.
"Klee-chan, it's time to wash up."
Hand in hand, Qiqi led Klee to the bathroom.
In the kitchen, Takimoto Hifumi, carrying breakfast, smiled as she saw Qiqi guiding Klee to the washroom. After breakfast, Hifumi, with the help of Qiqi and Klee, cleaned up the dishes. They grabbed their packed luggage, and Hifumi led the two little ones outside.
Walking along the sunlit street, Hifumi held the hands of Qiqi and Klee as they made their way to the meeting spot. The bustling streets were filled with chatter and laughter as a group of people gathered, drawing occasional glances from passersby.
"Ah, Hifumi-senpai is here!"
A girl with light purple hair tied into twin tails, decorated with small purple flower hairpins, spotted them and waved energetically. Her eyes, similar in color to Qiqi's, lit up as she saw the two adorable little ones accompanying Hifumi. Aoba Suzukaze ran toward them with quick steps.
"Hifumi-senpai, over here! Over here!"
Kneeling in front of Qiqi and Klee, Aoba extended her hands with a bright smile.
"Hello, Klee and Qiqi!"
"Hifumi-senpai talks about you all the time at the office. Everyone has been so excited to meet you two!"
"Oh, right!"
As if remembering something, Aoba quickly pulled out two adorable hairpins from her pocket and handed them to Qiqi and Klee.
"These are for you as a welcome gift. I hope you like them."
"I'm Aoba Suzukaze, Hifumi-senpai's junior. You can call me Aoba-neechan if you want. That would make me so happy!"
Accepting the hairpins, Qiqi gazed at the cherry blossom-shaped accessory in her hand with a soft expression. She carefully closed her hand around it and looked up at Aoba.
"Thank you, Aoba-neechan. Qiqi will treasure it."
"Me too!"
Happily bouncing, Klee grinned at Aoba.
"Thank you, Aoba-neechan! Klee really likes this."
"Oh~ so these are the little ones Hifumi is always talking about at work. They're absolutely adorable. I feel like taking them home!"
"Yagami-san, that's a crime," teased a young woman in black casual wear, standing next to a girl in a Gothic Lolita dress. They both approached Qiqi and Klee.
Looking down at the curious faces of Klee and Qiqi, Hikari Yagami scratched her golden hair with a satisfied grin. Adjusting her skirt, Yūne Iijima crouched in front of Klee, observing her closely before glancing at Hikari, who was nodding in agreement.
"Hikari, don't you think Klee looks a bit like you? If you walked together, people might mistake you for her mother."
"Hmm, now that you mention it…"
Wearing slightly boyish clothes, Hatsuo Shinoda leaned on Yūne's back, nodding in realization.
"Eh?"
Listening to their discussion, Klee tilted her head up to examine Hikari closely. After a moment of contemplation, she crossed her arms and declared seriously.
"Big sisters, you're wrong."
"This big sister does look a bit like Klee, but she can't be Klee's mommy. Mommy is much older than this sister~"
"This sister can only be Klee's sister."
"Huh?!"
Staring blankly at Klee's serious little face, Hikari blinked in confusion.
"Why would you say that? Shouldn't you be telling me I'm not as beautiful as your mom?"
"What do you mean by 'much older'? This is the first time I've heard that comparison."
"Calm down, Hikari," said Rin Toyama, dressed in work attire, as she patted Hikari's shoulder and waved at Klee and Qiqi with a smile.
"You two are so cute. I wish I could join you on this trip!"
"But I've got work to handle, so I hope you have a wonderful time."
Pointing at the car parked near the company entrance, Rin sighed.
"If you have anything to discuss, do it in the car. Otherwise, watch out—Kazu might cancel your trip."
"How nice it must be to travel with such adorable little ones."