"When we arrive, I'll remember to wake you up so you can get off the bus," Matsuda Jinpei said, emphasizing every word.
The original body, having suddenly realized something, stiffened slightly. Like a puppy that had done something wrong, his large frame huddled pitifully in the chair, not daring to move an inch.
Kisaragi Chiyo didn't realize anything at first, until he felt that Matsuda was a bit angry, only then did he realize what had upset him.
"It's okay." The young man lowered his head, seeing a tentacle cautiously curling its tip around his finger.
Looking at the tentacle, which was just as careful and pitiful as its master, Kisaragi Chiyo smiled and gave it a little squeeze.
It's nothing that cannot be mentioned.
Although he wasn't able to see Oboshima-san in Hell, he did receive a letter she had left for him. After learning that she was doing quite well in Hell, Kisaragi Chiyo felt much better.
That nightmare in the rain was no longer a scar from his past.
"You'll be fine, but we can't just ignore this." Matsuda Jinpei glanced at the tentacle that was always up to no good and gave a soft huff, but he said nothing more about the two of them's secretive interaction.
*
The sky was cloudless, transitioning naturally from deep blue to light blue.
After getting off the bus, Kisaragi Chiyo and the others followed at the end of the climbing group, listening intently as the group leader introduced the Guide who would be responsible for leading them through the Frost Forest this time.
The guide was a woman, appearing to be around thirty-six years old, with short, neat hair. She wore a bright orange thermal jacket, which was reportedly so that tourists could spot her more easily in the forest.
The guide and the group leader were a married couple. Both were locals who had worked in this industry for over twenty years and were well-acquainted with the routes they were each responsible for.
The couple first gathered everyone together, calling out names while handing each person a trekking pole.
This is included in the guide fee, so there is no extra charge.
Of course, it wasn't necessary to use trekking poles every time one crossed the Frost Forest; it just so happened that there had been a heavy snowfall last night, so while walking through the forest, it was inevitable to use the trekking poles to test the thickness of the snow layer before stepping.
Although the Guide would come to help even if you accidentally fell into a thick layer of snow, being plucked out of the deep snow like a radish by the Guide in front of everyone was still somewhat embarrassing for an adult.
Therefore, to save face, everyone listened with utmost seriousness to the instructions on how to use a trekking pole to test the depth of the snow.
Especially when Kisaragi Chiyo heard the Guide explain that while trekking through the Frost Forest, there might be chances to see animals such as the Hokkaido, Japanese kinglet, Siberian flying squirrel, Ezo sika deer, her eyes instantly lit up with excitement.
Although the Guide repeatedly emphasized that they might not encounter these animals every time, Kisaragi Chiyo still held an attitude of "since I'm already here, I won't lose out no matter which one I see," and felt an infinite sense of anticipation.
Hara Kenji, noticing the young man's joyful mood: ".."
Hara Kenji had truly seen through Kisaragi Chiyo today.
The young man wasn't simply a cat person or a dog person; this guy was a furry enthusiast who didn't care about species, as long as the animal had fur!
-----------------------
Author's Note: I just suddenly wondered, does this count as a business trip?
Thanks to all the little angels for your support, mwah everyone 303
Chapter 145
What should you do if your lover is too unfaithful, even though there is already a cat and a dog at home, they are still thinking about other animals?
That's naturally..
Chiyo-chan," Hara Kenji said, approaching Kisaragi Chiyo with his trekking pole in hand. His eyes crinkled as he seemed to casually remind her, "A dog's nose is ex-traordinarily sensitive, you know.
He spoke at a distance so close it was like whispering in her ear, placing deliberate emphasis on the word "sensitive" as he spoke.
Kisaragi Chiyo blinked slowly and turned her head to look at Hara Kenji, he understood the hidden meaning in the other's words almost instantly.
You mean.." Kisaragi Chiyo lowered her voice, the two of them looked left and right as if they were undercover agents meeting at a contact point. With their heads pressed together and shoulders touching, they whispered in a volume only they could hear, "You can smell the scent of the small animals in the Frost Forest?
"I can." Hara Kenji said in a lighthearted tone, squinting his eyes and smiling like a big-tailed wolf.
“Then, could you..” Kisaragi Chiyo's tone was somewhat hesitant. He looked at Hara Kenji, who was clearly plotting something, his gaze remaining intensely fervent.
"Of course!" Hara Kenji agreed very readily, so readily that Kisaragi Chiyo began to wonder if there was some kind of verbal trap involved.
"However, I still have one small condition." Hara Kenji held up two fingers, gesturing a small distance.
Go ahead.
"It's just.. like this.." Hara Kenji whispered a string of words into Kisaragi Chiyo's ear.
From Matsuda Jinpei's perspective, he could clearly see the young man's face flush in an instant. Although most of his face was wrapped in a scarf, his incredulous gaze and subconscious body language all unconsciously told Matsuda that Hara Kenji had definitely made some lewd request.
What on earth could it be?
Matsuda Jinpei, who had been asked by his childhood friend to stand a little further away, narrowed his eyes curiously, his teal eyes gazing at the young man's flustered expression.
"This.." Facing Hara Kenji's request, Kisaragi Chiyo was momentarily speechless.
He tugged at his scarf uncomfortably, pulling it down around his neck in an attempt to soothe the heat rising to his face.
What do you think?" Hara Kenji's voice carried a hint of laughter as he gazed at the young man's shifting heterochromatic eyes, letting out a soft chuckle. "Are you getting shy just from this? And yet, just yesterday, you were saying such lewd things about wanting to be taken by me.
I didn't say 'please'." Kisaragi Chiyo's voice rose slightly before softening again, his gaze toward Hara Kenji carried a hint of reproach. "Where on earth do you get all these ideas?
"Eh, isn't this fine?" Hara Kenji blinked, feigning innocence.
He couldn't hold it back after all. He raised his head to steal a quick glance at the people around him, seeing that no one had noticed, he lowered his head and gave the young man a quick kiss on the lips.
Kisaragi Chiyo: ".."
"It was quite soft," Hara Kenji savored the thought.
Seeing Kisaragi Chiyo still staring at him, the mischievous Evil Spirit leaned in a little closer once more and asked with a smile, "Do you want another kiss?"
Kisaragi Chiyo did not answer, instead giving an ungraceful roll of her eyes.
Hara Kenji smiled.
So, what have you decided?" Hara Kenji glanced at the Guide, who was nearly finished explaining the precautions, reminded the young man, "We'll be getting ready to set off soon.
Hokkaido raccoon dog, Siberian flying squirrel, Ezo sika deer.." Hara Kenji repeated the animals the Guide had mentioned earlier, without missing a single one, then added in an enticing tone, "I've heard that in snowy weather like this, the lucky ones might even see a wild fox.
A fox, a type of canine.
What Kisaragi Chiyo looked forward to most were it and the Hokkaido badger.
"Fine." Kisaragi Chiyo grit her teeth and agreed to the conditions proposed by Hara Kenji.
The other party's conditions weren't actually that excessive; they just required a bit of a challenge to one's sense of shame.
When she first heard it, Kisaragi Chiyo still felt a bit awkward and embarrassed. But thinking about it calmly now, the three of them had already acted recklessly together several times, so this was nothing new.
Kisaragi Chiyo quickly convinced herself with such a reason, even though her ears were already as red as if they were dripping blood.
Seeing the two of them finish their conversation, Matsuda Jinpei strolled over nonchalantly.
"What are you two chatting about?" Matsuda Jinpei asked casually, seemingly unconcerned.
".. It's nothing." As the heat faded from her face, Kisaragi Chiyo wrapped her face in her scarf again.
"It's just that, Hara promised to help me keep an extra eye on the small animals in the forest in a moment." With Hara Kenji's help, Kisaragi Chiyo felt very confident about the probability of successfully touching something furry this time.
Matsuda Jinpei didn't say anything; he simply stared at Kisaragi Chiyo with a suspicious expression.
"What mischief have you gotten into this time?" Matsuda thought for a second, ultimately deciding to point the finger at the real culprit.
Hara Kenji: "?"
"I'm an innocent officer." Hara Kenji widened his eyes, attempting to prove his innocence under Matsuda Jinpei's sharp gaze.
"Stop messing around." Although Matsuda Jinpei had confidence in his childhood friend, he still felt he needed to keep a close eye on him sometimes, just in case he accidentally crossed the line and became a criminal-in-waiting.
Hara Kenji: "?"
I'm so moved." Hara Kenji feigned wiping non-existent tears from his face with his sleeve, clutching his chest with an expression of deep emotion. "I knew you had me in your heart, Little Jinpei.
"Of course." Matsuda Jinpei glanced at his childhood friend, arms crossed over his chest. The dark blue insulated windbreaker didn't look bulky on him at all; instead, because of its slim fit, the curly-haired man looked even more upright and handsome.
After all, even the Hell Assistant Official knows you're a relative of mine," Matsuda Jinpei said, casting a cool, sidelong glance at him. "If you go and do something wrong, I'll end up being suspended and investigated right along with you.
"Little Jinpei, you make it sound so serious." Hara Kenji felt a chill run down his spine under Matsuda's gaze; he never doubted a single word the man said, even when they sounded casual.
If he truly committed any mistake, Matsuda Jinpei would definitely be the first to choose justice over family.
The other party has always been a person with strong principles, Hara Kenji understands this point.
"Ahem.. I don't think Hara is quite that stupid." Kisaragi Chiyo cleared her throat a few times and squeezed herself between the two of them.
"As expected, Chiyo-chan understands me best." Hara Mata showed his appreciation with eyes shaped like fried eggs.
"Alright, alright." Kisaragi Chiyo looked at the Guide, who was raising a small red flag and blowing a whistle to signal everyone to prepare to depart, gently nudged Matsuda's arm.
It's time to go, let's hurry up and catch up.
Hokkaido raccoon dog, Japanese kinglet, Siberian flying squirrel, Ezo sika deer..
There really are quite a lot of animals I want to see.
*
The group walked through the Frost Forest; viewed from high above, they were as insignificant as a line of ants queuing through a dense white forest.
Uneven footsteps left a trail of prints in the pure white snow, as Kisaragi Chiyo and her two companions followed at the end of the group, curiously observing the silver-clad Frost Forest.
The feeling of stepping on the thick snow was wonderful.
The snow was soft, stepping on it made a crunching sound that was both stress-relieving and fun to listen to.
Kisaragi Chiyo would never have chosen to go out after a heavy snowfall before, but now, he could probably empathize with the excitement and thrill children feel when they see a thick layer of snow.
Snow, which only appears in winter, must be like a free toy from nature to the children. As long as there is a small patch of accumulated snow, it can turn into a natural playground at any time.
Whoa!
A gasp erupted from the front of the group. Kisaragi Chiyo instinctively looked toward the sound, only to see one of the tourists falling waist-deep into a snowdrift.
Seeing everyone's eyes on him, the tourist's face flushed bright red instantly. Especially when the Guide walked over, grabbed him by the collar, easily hauled him out of the snowdrift, the tourist's expression looked even more embarrassed, looking as if he had the urge to bury his head back in the snowdrift.
It was an accident," the tourist muttered in his own defense, pointing his trekking pole toward the treetops not far away. "I thought I saw some animal crouching up there just now, in my rush to see it clearly, I forgot to check the depth of the snow.
Hearing his words, the others in the group craned their necks toward that direction, everyone trying to be the lucky one to catch a clear glimpse of that animal.
Kisaragi Chiyo was no exception.
Hara Kenji gently pressed his hands on his shoulders from behind and shook his head.