It was precisely because of what happened last night that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka woke up late the next day, well after sunrise, which caused him to be an hour late to Ginza.
He didn't intentionally keep Saotome Meari waiting.
The harsh but truthful words Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said to Saotome Meari had been discussed with Hanatemari Kazura, and she also agreed with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka saying them.
— Hanatemari Kazura didn't want to see Saotome Meari looking dejected, but she also didn't want to see Saotome Meari take a dangerous path, putting her body on the gambling table.
On this point, the two had reached a consensus.
At first, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had intended to tell Saotome Meari the truth, after all, the "gambling stake" was something he had won fairly at the gambling table, so even Saotome Meari had nothing to reproach him for.
But Hanatemari Kazura disagreed.
Hanatemari Kazura knew that Saotome Meari had a strong sense of responsibility. If she knew that she had been with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, she would undoubtedly feel immense guilt, believing it was her responsibility.
Hanatemari Kazura didn't want Saotome Meari to feel guilty towards her, and… she also didn't want Saotome Meari to know that she had gone through such an experience.
Since the two of them had a one-night stand, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka simply indulged her in this small matter.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also had no intention of letting Saotome Meari know about this surveillance footage. Since the outcome was good, he would let this truth remain hidden forever.
In the evening, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had eaten the meal he bought from the restaurant and was sitting in front of his computer, engrossed in playing a game, when suddenly, there was a knock on his room door.
Was it room service? He hadn't ordered any...
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka paused his game, got up, walked to the door, and opened it—standing at the doorway was Saotome Meari.
This was truly an unexpected guest.
"How did you get here? And how did you know I was staying here?" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was very surprised.
Saotome Meari lowered her head, seemingly embarrassed, and turned her face away: "...Hanatemari Kazura told me. Didn't you send her the address? You originally thought she would be the one coming tonight, didn't you?"
What did she mean by that? Their transaction clearly ended yesterday...
Ayanakoji Kiyotaka mumbled to himself and asked aloud, "Did Hanatemari Kazura come?"
"I'm here…"
A soft voice came from outside the door, and Hanatemari Kazura, dressed in casual clothes, emerged from the side.
She seemed to feel awkward, as if she had acted as a "guide."
"What are you doing here… Never mind, come in first." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sighed lightly and stepped aside.
"Your room is really big…"
Saotome Meari walked in and looked at the suite, instinctively exclaiming.
"Who told the school not to assign dorms to us transfer students? I can only rent a place to live myself." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shrugged.
Meari was curiously wandering around the room. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka didn't follow, staying put and quietly asking Hanatemari Kazura what was going on.
"Hanatemari Kazura, didn't we agree that our relationship would be limited to last night, and then we'd act as if nothing happened? Why did you bring Saotome Meari here?"
Hanatemari Kazura herself had said this.
Or, after one night, did she regret it and now called Meari to back her up and demand an explanation?
Yesterday, she was clearly willing.
After he used a few items from his mailbox, she played even wilder than he did, actively suggesting they try something more adventurous.
How could she turn her back on him after just one night?
"I didn't want to come either…"
Hanatemari Kazura's words were full of grievance.
"I don't know what you told her at noon, but I was resting in the dorm when Meari called directly, asking if I was coming to find you tonight.
I explained for a long time that you hadn't contacted me at all, and that you might have already let me go, but Meari didn't believe me. She insisted on dragging me here, saying that this matter had to be resolved today and couldn't be delayed."
Regarding how to explain later, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Hanatemari Kazura had already aligned their "testimonies."
Last night, Hanatemari Kazura received a call from her family and returned home. At the dinner table, she couldn't help but tell her parents that she had gambled her body away in a bet and lost to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
Coincidentally, Hua Shouqiu's father happened to know Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's father; they were old acquaintances.
Under Hua Shouqiu's father's intervention, this matter was quietly resolved.
Of course, all of the above were fabricated reasons, but they still sounded somewhat plausible.
From Saotome Meari's perspective, Hua Shouqiu's father was also a respectable figure, and it was entirely reasonable for the two elders to have connections and intervene to settle this matter. Saotome Meari wouldn't suspect anything.
— Even if she sensed a flaw in it, she would force herself to believe this reason.
Using this excuse could both fool her and teach Saotome Meari a lesson, making her understand that not everything can be put on the gambling table.
According to Hanatemari Kazura, she neither wanted Meari to feel indebted to her, nor did she want Meari to pay the price and help her with the gamble, which is why she came up with such a solution.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was also planning to inform Saotome Meari when he went to school tomorrow, but he didn't expect her to suddenly show up tonight with Hanatemari Kazura...
"Forget it, I'll explain it to her then."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka rubbed his forehead, and just as he was about to tell Saotome Meari the testimony they had prepared, he was pulled back by Hanatemari Kazura.
Hanatemari Kazura shook her head vigorously, her expression tense: "Today, when I met Meari, my mind went blank, and I didn't mention anything about my father.
Don't explain now. If you suddenly say that now, your attitude will change too quickly, and Meari might notice a flaw."
"That's true. Then I'll just string her along for now and tell her tomorrow…" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded, subconsciously looking at Hanatemari Kazura's legs, and couldn't help but ask, "Are you okay today?"
Although their relationship was limited to last night, it was impossible for him not to care at all; he wasn't the kind of person who would unsheathe his sword and be heartless.
"I'm fine… The tea you made me drink this morning was quite effective. After I slept for a while in the afternoon, it didn't hurt much anymore, just a little tired. Meari didn't notice anything unusual about me either." Hanatemari Kazura said softly, blushing.
Of course, that's an R-rated item. Alleviating pain is just a small matter.
Saotome Meari finished her stroll and came out. Seeing the two of them chatting, her eyes narrowed, and she quickly ran to them, shielding Hanatemari Kazura behind her.
Saotome Meari looked at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nervously: "What did you just say to Hanatemari Kazura? You're not going to make a move on her today, are you!?"
Sorry, I already made my move yesterday...
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