After returning from the seaside, the five of them went back to the city center of Hakodate.

"Where to next?" Dubian Che asked.

"Let me see!" Akiko, with a skewer of squid in her mouth, prepared to take the travel guide from her shoulder bag.

"I'll do it." Xiaoquan Aonai helped by retrieving the thoroughly researched travel guide, "As a teacher and a girl, having food in your mouth is not appropriate."

"Okay—, Mama Aonai." Akiko replied in a drawn-out tone.

"Pretty cute, I must say." Dubian Che commented.

"Did you hear that? Recognition from a handsome guy from Tokyo!" Just moments ago sounding like a child, Akiko's voice turned into a rough boyish tone.

"Mama... Aonai?" Mayi Asuka tilted her head.

Akiko laughed, falling onto Miyazaki Mieko, nearly spilling the squid sauce on her clothes, which made Miyazaki Mieko look rather disdainful.

"Mayi, don't learn bad habits from Akiko," Xiaoquan Aonai said with amusement.

Dubian Che held Mayi Asuka's cold little hand and asked, "Are you cold?"

Mayi Asuka shook her head, a happy expression on her face, her soft hand gently holding back.

Xiaoquan Aonai opened the travel guide while softly looking at Mayi Asuka.

"According to the plan," her gaze returned to the guide, "next we'll go to 'Five-pointed Castle Park.'

"'Five-pointed Castle Park.'" Dubian Che repeated to Mayi Asuka.

"'Five-pointed Castle Park.'" Mayi Asuka repeated back to Dubian Che.

On the other side.

"'Five-pointed Castle Park.'" Akiko mimicked Mayi Asuka's way of speaking to Miyazaki Mieko.

"I warn you," Miyazaki Mieko said, "if you get my clothes dirty, you'll buy me a new one once you get paid."

"Ha—" Akiko posed confidently, pointing to herself with her thumb, "Do you know who my friend is? A woman with five billion yen! A new tycoon in Shinjuku District!"

"Akiko!" The five billion yen woman—new tycoon of Shinjuku District—Xiaoquan Aonai, felt deeply embarrassed.

The sky was as blue as a canvas, while the white clouds looked like a few spontaneous strokes on that canvas by Jiutiao Meijie, the weather was great.

'Five-pointed Castle Park' is a star-shaped fortress surrounded by a moat, built for war, now transformed into a park and a place for local recreation.

In spring, over 1,600 cherry blossoms bloom, rowing in the moat during that time must be delightful;

In summer, the trees are lush and the wind stirs up waves of green;

In winter, the snow covers everything, and there's a nighttime lighting event called 'Starry Dreams of Five-pointed Castle.'

Up to 2,000 colored lights illuminate the park, reflecting off the snow, just imagining it gives a sense of what a romantic winter night it must be.

Autumn is equally charming, not just the maple leaves; many trees turn red.

Walking across the bridge, roaming along the moat, strolling down forest paths, catching a glimpse of the blue sky through the autumn-colored trees lifts spirits.

After leaving 'Five-pointed Castle Park,' the five of them ascended the 90-meter tall 'Five-pointed Castle Tower.'

The vast star-shaped fortress was in full view.

There were souvenirs for sale, black T-shirts printed with 'Five-pointed Castle,' alarm clocks, stickers, and even wooden swords from 'a certain era'—not sure which era, hence 'that era.'

None of which were bought.

They only bought ice cream under Akiko's lead; it was so cold it hurt their teeth, but was delicious.

Due to getting up early to catch the flight, the first day's itinerary ended there.

Stepping on the sunset-painted red streets, the five of them returned to the inn.

To enjoy their time to the fullest, and under the influence of Jiutiao Meijie, Dubian Che paid for three days at the inn.

"Having the place to ourselves is awesome." Akiko exclaimed.

"Ah—" Through the bamboo wall, the relieved sigh of Miyazaki Mieko could be heard.

Amidst the mist, they were in the outdoor hot spring of a traditional Japanese courtyard.

There was a men's bath and a women's bath, no mixed bathing.

Although the hot spring wasn't very large, the environment was tranquil, and with the exclusive reservation, it was just them, soaking in the water while enjoying the autumn scenery of the courtyard, a pleasure beyond words.

"Dubian!" Akiko called out, "Aonai said you can come over!"

"Really?"

"Nonsense!" Xiaoquan Aonai's voice of denial.

"Actually, Akiko and I can give up our spots." Miyazaki Mieko said.

"Mm." Dubian Che wouldn't have heard Mayi Asuka's voice if not for his excellent hearing.

"Mayi!" Xiaoquan Aonai called.

"Oh—, can you, Mayi?" Akiko asked incredulously.

"Mm." Mayi Asuka's soft voice, "If it's for Che, anything is fine."

"Anything is not fine!" Xiaoquan Aonai quickly advised.

Dubian Che was alone in the men's bath, listening to the pleasing voices of the women next door, gazing at the stars in the night sky.

'What is Meijie doing now?' He couldn't help but wonder.

It was the first time since their mutual confession that the two were so far apart, and Dubian Che once again realized how much he loved her.

Looking around at the familiar scene from the school's winter trip last year when Kiyono Lin fainted in a hot spring.

Closing his eyes, he saw her lying in the snow, hearing distant singing.

During the time in the hot spring, Dubian Che missed the two people far away in Tokyo.

After leaving the hot spring and putting on his yukata, his mind returned entirely to Xiaoquan Aonai and Mayi Asuka.

After the hot springs, the five of them spent time in the entertainment room.

Akiko and Miyazaki Mieko, full of interest, played ping-pong, their thighs exposed, and the loose yukatas couldn't hide the inertia of their movements.

Noticing this, Dubian Che said to Mayi Asuka and Xiaoquan Aonai:

"Shall we play too?"

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