"Yoshino is asleep now," Kousaka Honoka and Minami Kotori whispered, holding the sleeping Yoshino.
Though the lights were off, Kousaka Honoka knew everyone was definitely still awake.
In the recent great battle, after a 'fierce' struggle, the second-year group led by Empress Honoka emerged victorious, so Yoshino, as the spoils of war, was in their hands.
"Yes, Yoshino is asleep now. She looks so peaceful when she's sleeping."
Minami Kotori, her eyes misty, stroked Yoshino's cheek, feeling as if tears might fall at any moment.
But she couldn't cry; she could only bite her lip lightly, preventing the tears from flowing.
"The one feeling the worst right now must be Toujou Nozomi, right? After all, she's lived with Yoshino all this time. To suddenly have her leave... she must feel terrible, right?" Sonoda Umi said, looking at Toujou Nozomi.
It's worth mentioning that among the victorious second-year group, only Sonoda Umi had no place to hold Yoshino.
Helpless, Sonoda Umi had to give up, lying to the side with a hint of resentment.
"Yes, it's very difficult. After all, I finally had a family member to accompany me, and now she has to leave. Even a few months feels so hard to part with."
Thinking of Yoshino leaving for a few months, tears couldn't help but flow, gently wiped away by Ayase Eli, who was sleeping next to her.
"I really don't want Yoshino to leave," Koizumi Hanayo also felt very sad.
Her acquaintance with Yoshino began with their shared love for Alpacas, and during this time, their relationship had become very close friends.
For a girl like Yoshino, with her cute appearance and pure heart, there really, truly isn't a girl who wouldn't want to befriend her or cherish her.
"Rin also really doesn't want Yoshino to leave, nya. Rin still wants Yoshino to stay with me..."
She wanted this cute senior to hug her, to see her blushing and heart pounding, and to eat the food she made.
"There's no other way, is there? We can't make Yoshino feel difficult because of us. Rather, Yoshino can't defy the matter of leaving."
It was clearly an expression of not wanting to leave, that look she had when chatting with her in the kitchen.
Although her face seemed calm, Yazawa Nico clearly saw the wavering in Yoshino's eyes.
"But haven't you already made a contract with Yoshino, Toujou Nozomi? Does that mean among us, only you can meet Yoshino during the time she's gone?"
Ayase Eli asked, looking at Toujou Nozomi, and the air instantly quieted.
This quiet atmosphere made Toujou Nozomi, who was usually fearless, break out in a cold sweat. Her intuition told her that if this continued, something bad might happen, and she needed to say something.
"Don't look at me like that. You should know that Nico also made a contract with Yoshino, you know. This isn't me trying to hide it from you." She had no choice but to drag Yazawa Nico, who also had a contract, into it. Sorry!
"Wait!" Yazawa Nico, who didn't expect to be caught in the crossfire, cried out in a panic. She didn't want to be lectured!
"Hmm~" Suddenly, Yoshino frowned slightly and made a sound.
Everyone instantly quieted down at that moment. Even their breathing stopped.
Yoshino turned over, moved her body on Minami Kotori to find a more comfortable position, and then continued to sleep.
Seeing that Yoshino hadn't woken up, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright, everyone. Yoshino is asleep now, don't disturb her sleep."
Everyone was sleeping together now, and it wouldn't be good if a big movement accidentally woke Yoshino up.
Ayase Eli reminded them (but didn't you start this topic in the first place?).
Minami Kotori gently stroked Yoshino's back, who was nestled in her arms, comforting her.
Making Yoshino sleep more comfortably.
Yoshino was sucking her thumb while she slept. Although this wasn't ideal, it was fine as long as it was cute.
"Yoshino thought that besides me and Toujou Nozomi, everyone else didn't know she was leaving. She was planning to prepare a farewell gift for everyone when she leaves," Yazawa Nico said.
This silly girl still thought she was hiding this from everyone, unaware that everyone actually already knew about it.
"I'm really curious what kind of farewell gift Yoshino will prepare for everyone? It's really exciting, a gift from an Elf," Nishikino Maki said curiously.
This cute senior was like the Elves she heard about in fairytales when she was little. Just like Santa Claus.
"But we also need to prepare our gifts well, Maki, how about it?"
Kousaka Honoka asked Nishikino Maki. This was a gift Muse was preparing for Yoshino.
It was decided when they were bathing together just now, has it been arranged already?
"Yes, I've already called. They said such a simple thing could be picked up tomorrow night when we return."
Although simple, it could indeed express their best wishes.
"Hmm, is that so? The Elf is preparing gifts for us, and we, the Muse Goddesses, also need to prepare gifts for the Elf. Shiina isn't speaking now, she's probably preparing for that day."
Otherwise, why would the usually boisterous Shiina be so quiet now?
"Can we also make a contract with Yoshino?" Minami Kotori asked curiously.
This way, they could also meet Yoshino when she leaves, and their physical abilities could also be enhanced, which would be even better.
"It should be possible, right? After all, Yoshino didn't say there were any requirements for this contract. Even if there were requirements, since even I and Nico could make a contract with Yoshino, then everyone else should definitely be able to as well."
This was indeed true, as the condition for the contract was that the other party had to have a certain level of goodwill towards Yoshino.
"But how should we tell Yoshino about this? Should we just go up to her and tell her, like Kousaka Honoka, without thinking?"
Sonoda Umi sighed; this was truly too difficult for her.
"What do you mean, thoughtless? Little Umi, that's too much."
"But isn't that the truth?" Looking at Kousaka Honoka's displeased face, Sonoda Umi glared back at her.
Having grown up with Kousaka Honoka, how could she not understand her thoughtless nature?
Watching the two argue, Minami Kotori, holding Yoshino, secretly kissed her forehead.
Her eyes held a faint, unusual emotion as she looked at the sleeping Yoshino.
She felt so strange now.
Author's Note:
I woke up feeling unwell today, like my whole body was on fire. It seems I kicked off my blanket last night. Bu Huai is just complaining to everyone; I will still update today. Thank you all for your support.
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