Tokyo girls have a big problem

Chapter 257 "This is my friend's business."

The next day, the group left Teshima and the Seto Inland Sea, heading towards Kyoto.

First, take a boat back to Takamatsu, then take the express train from Takamatsu to Okayama, where you can transfer to another train and go directly to Kyoto Station. The whole journey took about four hours.

"For the upperclassmen, there's not much left to do in Kyoto, right?" Ono Mizuki said to the four members of the Sunny Day Band.

“I have indeed come here several times,” my wife Akika replied.

“I’ve been to many places,” Bess Sakurako said.

“That’s great,” Aoyama Risa said, pushing his luggage. “This way you’ll have more time to practice.”

"There are many places I haven't been to!" Bess Sakurako changed her tune.

“I came here when I was a child, and I have no memory of what Kyoto looks like!” Akika Wagatsuma said as well.

The group discussed the accommodations at length, but when they finally met Shang Ai, she said she had already made arrangements.

A hotel named 'Knot'.

There are pine trees at the entrance, pebbles in the courtyard, the house is in a Japanese style, and there is a hot spring. It could totally be put on a Kyoto tourism promotional map.

"Hello?" My wife Akika called softly.

"Why is no one here?" she asked Aoyama Risa, puzzled.

“When I met my senior, she said,” Ono Mizuki said, looking at her phone, “she booked the entire hotel. Everyone can choose their own room except for ‘Seiran’.”

"Why only Qinglan?" Qingshan Li asked.

"I see that Senior's luggage has already been put inside," said Mizuki Ono.

"Does she live with us?" Aoyama asked again.

"Ah."

“You’re finished,” Aoyama Risa said to the Sunny Day Band. “From now on, you’ll train for six hours every day.”

"Ah~~" the girls cried out in pain.

They could understand why they did this, since Ai was the head of the Athens Philosophy Research Department and had supervisory authority granted by the student council.

but!

"Isn't four hours a day enough?" My wife, Akika, said.

"Aoyama-kun, Mika-senpai is going to sing for six hours. Aren't you worried about her?" F. Rino asked.

Aoyama Rika thought what she said made a lot of sense, so she changed her tune: "Four hours of singing, two hours of physical training—how about that, Mika-nee?"

“Why don’t we sing?” Mika Ono said.

F. Rino has a look on her face as if she's done something wrong.

No matter how tough things might be later, everyone is excited right now and is starting to choose their rooms.

At this point, they realized the advantage of not having staff, and the group toured each guest room as if visiting a museum.

East Pavilion.

"Wow! Is that Dongshan?! I love this!" You can see Dongshan from Dongting.

Listening to the rain.

"There's a pond, maple trees, and a deer-shaped bamboo tube (which makes a popping sound when full)!"

Bamboo intoxication.

"These bamboos are so enchanting!" There's a small bamboo grove where you can just stare and daydream; it's very picturesque.

A sky full of stars.

"Huh? Why is there nothing here?"

"Maybe we'll have to wait until the stars come out tonight."

"But you can see the stars from every room, right?"

"You can only see the stars from this room, and because you're completely focused, the stars look especially beautiful—I guess that's what it means."

"Like cigarette butts in prison?"

"."

Feathered clothes.

"Wow!!" I was stunned as soon as I entered. A gorgeous kimono, like a jewel or butterfly wings, was hanging on the kimono rack like it was on display.

"This could totally be put in a museum!"

The entire room is like a stage, and performing Noh here would not feel out of place, but rather complement it perfectly.

There are six rooms in total. Besides these five, there is also the 'Qinglan' room that I love.

"I'd like to go inside and see what's going on at 'Qinglan'," said drummer Mengshi.

Anyone who has visited the other five rooms will be curious about the last one, especially since Miss Miyuki chose it first.

"Perhaps it's Arashiyama where you can see it on a clear day?" Akika Wagatsuma guessed.

"Can we go in?" F. Rino asked tentatively.

“No,” Bess Sakurako objected. “Kami Ai hates it when other people come into her bedroom.”

Jian Shang Ai does have various minor obsessions about cleanliness, such as not liking members of the opposite sex to ride in her car.

"Never mind then," said Akari.

—Maybe it's possible if my younger sister Meiyue asks me for a favor.

Aoyama Riki didn't say it aloud.

Using 'Ono Mizuki' is no different from using 'Love Spell'; both are forbidden spells, which is essentially forcing someone to do something against their will.

"How do we choose a room?" Mika Ono asked.

“Two people share a room, and I’ll have a room to myself,” said Aoyama Risa.

“Hmm—, I want to watch it again,” the drummer, Mengshi, murmured.

"We can't be careless about the room we'll be sleeping in for ten days," my wife, Akari, agreed.

So, the group went around the house again, as if they were visiting a property.

finally--

The Ono sisters sleep in the 'East Pavilion';
At 'Bamboo Intoxication', Akika Gasai and bassist Sakurako gave up their preferred 'Listening to the Rain' to F. Rino, who needed inspiration, and drummer Yumemi.

"Will it rain recently?" Aoyama asked.

The girls remained silent, finding him a real downer and wanting to punch him.

"Brother, which one do you choose?" Ono Mizuki asked curiously.

“A sky full of stars—as the saying goes, in spring you can admire cherry blossoms at night, in summer you can gaze at the stars, in autumn you can appreciate the bright moon, and in winter you can witness the first snow. Now is the season for stargazing,” said Aoyama Osamu.

After speaking, he paused briefly and said, "'Feather Robe' is too scary. My aesthetic sense is not enough to support me sleeping with an empty kimono at night."

“Right, right! That’s what I thought the moment I saw it!” Drummer Mengshi immediately said.

Everyone agreed.

The conclusion drawn was that only those who were forced to conform to the norm or those who were truly classical would be willing to stay in such rooms.

After putting down their luggage, everyone prepared to leave. The shoes that had been scattered around the doorway had somehow been neatly arranged.

The big shots may have gotten used to this kind of silent, unattended service, but Aoyama and his two companions just felt a little scared.

I left the hotel.

"It's so hot!" several people exclaimed at the same time.

Even those who didn't shout it out were thinking the same words in their hearts.

"What should we do?" F. Rino hid under the eaves, looking at the sky as if the weather today was raining arrows.

"Senior! We can't afford to lose at the very beginning!" Ono Mizuki said.

I have no choice but to go up.

The group stepped out from under the eaves.

"It's so hot! So hot!"

"Scorching beauty, sorry for the poor hospitality!" Bess Sakurako imitated Aoyama Osamu's tone.

“Hello,” said Aoyama Risa.

Although it was very hot, the laughter and chatter of the group helped to alleviate some of the heat.

I don't really have any plans for today. If I had to say anything, it would be this: I can't stay in the hotel, I have to go out!
The temperature is 33 degrees Celsius, which feels even higher, but it's bearable in the shade.

In early August, the streets are full of greenery, regardless of whether it is Kyoto or not. Such a scene is captivating no matter where you are.

"After being outside for a while, it doesn't feel that hot," said Mika Ono.

"It's still very hot." F. Rino tugged at her collar.

Ono Mika didn't say anything, but noticed that Aoyama Osamu was looking at her. After they made eye contact, they secretly smiled at each other.

“Let’s go straight to the Kamo River,” suggested Aoyama Osamu.

I'll see Miss Shang will be hosting a dinner party there tonight.

The group headed to the Kamo River, and since they were tired and hot, they took refuge in Starbucks.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, there is a lush crape myrtle tree with pink flowers, and in the distance, under the blue sky, there is a mountain, but I don't know what kind of mountain it is.

This Starbucks offers a free experience of the "cool river terrace"—a terrace built over a stream—with any purchase, but unfortunately, there were no seats available.

They had no choice but to go to the basement.

The view from the basement window was also nice, with a babbling brook in the view. We chatted for an hour, then went outside for a walk along the Kamo River.

Ducks were spotted along the way.

"Will these ducks be eaten?" Mizuki Ono asked.

"Otherwise, what's the point of them living?" Aoyama asked rhetorically.

Ono Mizuki couldn't stand him.

Aoyama Risa smiled and said, "It can also be used as a tourist attraction, making people feel that Kyoto is natural and harmonious."

“Many restaurants offer Sichuan duck,” said Bess Yingzi.

"Really got eaten?" Ono Mizuki exclaimed in surprise. "Then I want to try it!"

"Will it taste better than a regular duck?" Aoyama asked curiously.

At 6:30, when it wasn't completely dark but the lights were already on, it was time to have dinner together as agreed.

A barbecue restaurant with a traditional Sichuan-style bench.

Tell the shop assistant your name, and they will lead the way to the outdoor terrace.

I hadn't seen Jian Shang Ai for a long time, and she was already seated, flipping through the menu with an elegant posture.

The girl's black hair was unmatched, swaying gently in the evening breeze. The warm yellow light illuminated her profile, making her look like a timeless beauty.

In her hands, the menu filled with meat, wine, and beverages was no different from Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics.

Seeing that Shang Ai looked over, she put down the menu and smiled.

She stood up and said to everyone, "Good evening."

Her black hair flew in the wind.

When Aoyama Riki heard the drummer Yumemi's low exclamation, it was as if he had seen an absolutely beautiful scene.

—You're exaggerating.

The beauty in the photos is not breathtaking.

"good evening."

"Thank you for meeting me, classmate."

"Hello, senior~" It doesn't matter who said the other words, it was Ono Mizuki who said this, and her smile softened when she saw Aoi.

“Please sit down,” she said.

Her voice sounded different from when she spoke on the phone.

Everyone sat down and ordered food.

You can tell how different people are by how they order food. Some people like to order best-selling items, some like to order the manager's recommendations, and some only order what they like.

After ordering, Aoyama Risa drank some water and said, "Why eat barbecue on such a hot day?"

Where no one could see, Ono Mika pinched his thigh.

Bess Sakura also glanced at Aoyama Rin; she had never met a peer who talked to Mikami Ai so much.

"You don't like it?" See iAsk.

“I like it.” Ono Mika’s hand was still on Aoyama Riko’s thigh.

From this perspective, she did indeed help Aoyama Osamu.

"Really?"

“Really,” Aoyama said. “I was just joking.”

Seeing that Shang Ai smiled, I felt like we had exchanged a secret signal, so I let him go.

A gentle evening breeze, the stream below the terrace, and the Kamo River in front of us made it not too hot, even though it was barbecue.

Enjoying barbecue on a cool bed in the Kamo River isn't such a luxury; you can always make a reservation if you want to.

Although not luxurious, it is well worth experiencing and can be considered one of the highlights of Kyoto's summer.

Seeing that Ai is very thoughtful, she doesn't just treat Aoyama Ono's family to expensive and good food.

"Does this meat really only need to be grilled on one side?"

"It's ready to eat now."

"Really? This side is still raw!"

"Delicious, delicious! Mmm, it's so hot!"

"Where did my grilled beef tongue go? Who ate it?!"

"cheers!"

"cheers!"

When you're in a good mood, even a beverage can create a pleasant atmosphere.

"Sakurako is in a better mood today than yesterday," said Akika Gasai.

"Mmm." Bess Sakura ate with relish, "because a small problem has been solved."

"Does Sakura-senpai have worries too?" Drummer Yume asked curiously.

“Of course,” Bess Sakurako said. “Only when I’m around someone like my classmate do I feel free from worries.”

Jian Shangai did say that she never felt pressured and worried that she wouldn't be able to grow as a person.

“Even I have my troubles,” Ai said.

It's different from what I remember.

"What's bothering you, senior?" Ono Mizuki asked.

Seeing that Shang Ai was lost in thought for a moment, she slowly said, "...This is about a friend of mine."

Although there was no sound, Aoyama Risa seemed to hear the girls' "Ohhhhh" sounds.

Saying "This is a matter concerning a friend of mine" implicitly implies "This is my own matter," just as saying "The moonlight is beautiful" implicitly implies "I like you."

"What's going on?" Drummer Mengshi asked curiously.

"Love, or more accurately, it's about confessing your feelings."

"Oh!!!" the girls exclaimed excitedly.

and many more.

Etc., etc!

Aoyama Ri looked at Jian Shang Ai.

Seeing that Shang Ai was lost in her memories, her black hair fluttering slightly in the evening breeze, she continued, "If the other person doesn't like her, should she still confess her feelings—that's the question."

They even used 'she' instead of 'he' (the pronunciation is different in Japanese).

"You," Akari Agasa instinctively wanted to say, "You still have the trouble of confessing your feelings," but she held back in time.

Is it really about meeting up with a friend?
Seeing how beautiful she is, no one doubts that she would have trouble in her love life, especially with 'confessions'.

"It's okay to fail, just confess if you want to," drummer Meng Shi said.

"Her confession carries other risks; if it fails, it could damage their current relationship," see the explanation above.

Drummer Meng Shi thought about it for a moment, nodded in deep agreement, and then became conflicted.

"It's bound to fail and damage the relationship. No matter how you look at it, confessing your feelings is a thankless and exhausting thing," said Akika Agasa.

“I think I should confess,” Bess Sakurako said.

Everyone looked at her.

She explained, "Breaking up a relationship is just an excuse for fear of failure. Even if you fail, you can still be friends. And what if you succeed?"

The girls nodded in agreement with some of her points.

"As the only male, what do you think?" Mikami Ai asked, looking at Aoyama Osamu.

"Confession."

"reason?"

"Let yourself give up, die peacefully, no, give up."

“Brother, you’re too pessimistic!” Ono Mizuki said.

“But that makes sense,” said Akika Wagatsuma.

“Mmm.” F. Rino agreed.

“Mika-senpai,” Ai Mikami said with a smile, looking at Mika Ono, “what do you think?”

--I see!
So, it turns out that Shang Ai was actually helping him?

—I misunderstood you, Xiao Ai!

"Sister, what do you think?" Ono Mizuki also hoped that someone would stand by her side.

Ono Mika picked up her drink and took a sip.

“I think,” she put down her cup, “that makes a lot of sense. The sentiment is important, but it can definitely affect the relationship. No wonder it’s a hassle to see classmates.”

“Yes,” Akika Agasa and the others sighed in agreement.

"It belongs to my friend; I'm just worried for her." (See the explanation above.)

Her friend, Aoyama Osamu, said that she wasn't worried at first because she decided to confess, but now she's worried.

What does "Ono Mika" mean?

Even if she didn't understand, she should know that Aoyama Rika was in the same situation. If she wanted to refuse, she should have directly said that she didn't support the confession, but instead she was being ambiguous.
I really didn't understand, were we just chatting?
Or did her thinking gradually change?
(End of this chapter)