All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

More than ten minutes later.

Kotomi Izumi finally returned, bringing Yui Yuigahama with her.

”Sorry to keep you waiting, Yukino. The interior design of this Burger King is pretty unique. Yui and I searched for more than ten minutes and still couldn’t find where the restroom was.”

Compared to Kotomi, who could lie without even blinking, Yui seemed utterly innocent. She didn’t know why Kotomi was lying to Yukino, but since Kotomi had asked her to go along with it, she could only follow her lead. Before coming back, Kotomi had told Yui to cooperate with her when she spoke.

But Yui had no idea how to cooperate. So she simply nodded, indicating that what Kotomi said was true.

”Mm-hmm!”

After hearing Kotomi’s explanation, Yukino’s gaze drifted to the large sign not far away. The symbol on it clearly read:

[Please turn left for the restroom.]

You really do love weaving lies for me, Kotomi Izumi... Yukino thought bitterly, her expression darkening slightly.

But she also understood that in front of Kotomi and Yui, she had no legitimate right to show displeasure. A few seconds after her face sank, she quickly composed herself and said in an even, indifferent tone,

”So I didn’t know before—you’re actually directionally challenged.”

”Mind your own business. I’m not directionally challenged.”

Kotomi pouted, sounding a little displeased.

—You are directionally challenged. Otherwise, how did you lose your way and accidentally wander into my heart?

Yukino did not have the courage to say that aloud. Whether Yui was present or not, she would never dare say it to Kotomi. She could only bury it deep within her heart, deceiving herself into believing that if she hid her feelings for Kotomi in the deepest corner of her heart, perhaps one day they would fade.

Would they really fade?

Yukino asked herself.

Of course not. Her love for Kotomi would only grow deeper.

The answer surfaced from the very depths of her heart. It was simply too deep, too unfathomable, and at this moment Yukino failed to recognize it. She even believed she did not know the answer at all.

Yui, who was about to pick up her backpack, felt a little thirsty. She wanted to finish the remaining Sprite in her cup. But when she picked it up, she remembered she had already drained it.

Because she was worried that drinking too much soda would affect her appetite, she had chosen a medium size when ordering.

Kotomi often said, ”At a lot of burger places, a medium is basically a small. If you’re really thirsty, you could probably finish it in one gulp. They just call it medium because it sounds better than small.”

Of course, the main reason was that the burger and sides Yui wanted came as a discounted set with a medium Sprite. She could have upgraded to a large, but that would have cost an extra one yen.

After thinking it over, Yui decided against it. She was generous with her family, but stingy with herself.

After all, she knew her family’s financial situation wasn’t very good. Naturally, she wanted to help her mother save as much money as possible.

Back to the point—the medium Sprite was cheap, but the portion was small. If you weren’t careful, it was gone in no time.

Yui glanced at Kotomi’s large cup of Pepsi, which still had a little left. Feeling slightly embarrassed, she asked,

”Kotomi, are you still drinking that? I’m a bit thirsty...”

Before she could finish, Kotomi had already handed her the paper cup with the remaining Pepsi and said with a light smile,

”Go ahead and drink it. You don’t have to ask me about little things like this in the future. If you want to drink, just drink. If you want to eat, just eat. Why be so polite with me?”

”Thank you, Kotomi.”

Yui’s cheeks flushed slightly. Kotomi’s words just now made images of living together with Kotomi in the future surface in her mind.

When Yui drank beverages, she didn’t like using a straw. Earlier, when drinking her Sprite, she had removed the plastic lid and straw. But now, when drinking Kotomi’s Pepsi, she didn’t remove them. Almost unable to contain herself, she used the straw Kotomi had used to drink the Pepsi Kotomi had left behind.

Whether it was just psychological or not, the leftover Pepsi tasted especially sweet to Yui—so sweet it felt like the most delicious Pepsi in the world.

”So sweet!” Yui exclaimed happily.

Kotomi couldn’t help but laugh.

”It’s just an ordinary cup of cola. Is it really that exaggerated?”

”It’s especially sweet! Especially delicious! Could it be... Kotomi, did you cast some kind of magic that makes soda taste amazing?”

”That’s right. I used magic to make all soda taste amazing, filling the world with love and peace—I’m Magical Girl Kotomi-chan!”

As she said this in an energetic voice, Kotomi even raised both hands and struck a pose like a magical girl who had just completed her transformation.

As a veteran fan of magical girl anime and games, Kotomi could effortlessly pull out all kinds of memes, famous lines, and signature poses.

Watching Kotomi and Yui’s unconscious flirting from across the table, Yukino sat expressionless. The bitterness and sourness in her heart were known only to herself.

When drinking iced coffee, Yukino liked to leave the ice cubes for last and eat them separately.

She liked the feeling of the ice slowly melting in her mouth.

But now...

Crunch—!

Yukino bit the ice cube in her mouth in half. Even though she had already finished the iced coffee, the moment the ice cracked apart, the bitterness that had been gradually fading seemed to burst forth again with the shattering of the ice.

Her mouth was bitter. Her heart was bitter.

She could not help but look at Yui with envy—Yui, who felt happiness and sweetness simply from drinking the Pepsi Kotomi had left behind.

...

After leaving Burger King, they waited by the roadside for an empty taxi to pass by.

Fortunately, the road here was busy with traffic. In less than five minutes, a taxi arrived.

Although there were many cars on the road, this time of day wasn’t congested. If it had been two hours earlier, they might have encountered several traffic jams.

Riding in the taxi, they quickly arrived at Harugamo Inn.

”Even though I’ve already seen what Harugamo Inn looks like in some travel videos, seeing it in person makes me appreciate its beauty even more. It’s simple yet warm. Just looking at the exterior makes you imagine how comfortable it must be to soak in the hot springs there.”

Kotomi took in the sight of Harugamo Inn before her and said with a light laugh. She was already impatient to soak in the hot springs as soon as possible.

”Thank you very much for your praise. For us, that is the highest honor. Every compliment and suggestion from our guests is an inexhaustible source of reflection and progress for Harugamo Inn.”

An elderly woman in a simple kimono slowly approached, smiling gently and speaking with warmth and respect. The plain-patterned kimono she wore bore Harugamo Inn’s emblem, marking her as a staff member.

When she reached Kotomi and the others, she bowed deeply once more.

”Hello, I made a reservation earlier. The name is Izumi.”

”Welcome. It is our great honor to receive the three of you. I am one of the current owners of Harugamo Inn, Saaki Funamoto. Please follow me to the front desk.” After speaking, the elderly woman bowed again.

Kotomi gave a slight nod in return.

At the same time, she felt a bit curious. Was Harugamo Inn’s service really this attentive? Other hotels sent receptionists to greet guests, yet here the owner herself had come out to welcome them.

Someone who didn’t know better might think she was some kind of important figure.

In truth, as the eldest daughter of the Izumi family, she indeed was an important figure to Harugamo Inn.

Saaki Funamoto led them through the courtyard and to the entrance. After pushing open the door and standing aside to let the three of them enter, she followed behind.

At the front desk, Kotomi took out her phone and opened the reservation page.

The elderly woman glanced at it and began checking the registry on the counter. After confirming the name, she respectfully approached Kotomi—and then knelt down.

”Welcome, Miss Izumi. When I first saw your name, I thought it might be a coincidence. Now that I see you in person, it truly is you. For you to stay at Harugamo Inn is the highest honor for us.

”We will refund the payment Ms. Shizuka Hiratsuka made for the Japanese-style luxury suite. Your presence here is already our honor. We cannot possibly accept any money.

”For the next three days and three nights, please enjoy yourselves with your friends. If there is anything I can do for you, please tell me. This is my business card.”

As she spoke, Saaki Funamoto remained kneeling, presenting the card with both hands.

”Grandma Funamoto, please get up.” Kotomi quickly stepped forward to help her up.

Even if she had ten times the courage, Saaki Funamoto would not dare let Kotomi personally lift her. She hurriedly stood up on her own, still holding out the business card with both hands.

”Grandma Funamoto, do you know me?” Kotomi accepted the card.

”Miss Izumi, although we have never met face to face, I have always known your name.

”Back then, when Japan’s economic bubble burst, Harugamo Inn was severely struck by the crisis and nearly faced bankruptcy. The Funamoto family poured countless efforts into this place. We would rather have given up our lives than hand Harugamo Inn over to others or close it down.

”It was thanks to your grandfather’s help that the Funamoto family and Harugamo Inn survived the economic crisis and were able to recover within a few years.

”The Izumi family’s kindness is something we will forever remember. Before the previous head of the Funamoto family passed away, he said: a drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. Every generation of the Funamoto family must faithfully repay the Izumi family’s grace.”

Saaki Funamoto spoke sincerely. Thinking back to the hardships Harugamo Inn had faced, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

After a few more pleasantries, Saaki Funamoto prepared to lead Kotomi and the others to their reserved Japanese-style luxury suite.

Just then, a woman’s voice rang out, asking with a smile,

”So you’re Shizuka Hiratsuka’s girlfriend? Wow, you’re really beautiful—just like a little princess from a fairy tale.

”When she told me she’d found herself a girlfriend, I didn’t quite believe it. But after seeing you, I suddenly understand why she likes girls and went and found a girlfriend.

”With a pretty girl like you, anyone would have their heart race and want to marry you.

”Shizuka-nee really is lucky~”

The moment the woman’s voice sounded, it was like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, sending violent ripples crashing outward.

Kotomi’s heart skipped a beat.

When Yukino and Yui heard this, their expressions immediately darkened.

Yukino might have maintained a blank face, but the aura around her turned icy to the bone.

Yui, however, spun around directly, eyes wide in disbelief as she stared at Kotomi. When she had learned Kotomi was the daughter of a financial conglomerate, she hadn’t been this shocked.

The woman’s words were like sharp spikes piercing straight through Yui’s heart.

Her fingernails nearly dug into her palms, yet she felt no pain. Right now, she only wanted an explanation from Kotomi—why would this woman say Kotomi was Shizuka Hiratsuka’s girlfriend?

Kotomi looked at the woman walking toward them. She appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.

Hearing what the woman had said, Saaki Funamoto’s gentle expression vanished. She snapped sternly,

”You insolent child! Who allowed you to speak to Miss Izumi like that? Get over here and kneel immediately!”

”Mom, Miss Izumi is my friend’s girlfriend. If I run into her, can’t I at least say hello?” the woman said, sounding wronged.

”As the second daughter of the Funamoto family, you don’t even understand basic hierarchy. It seems I have truly failed in educating you. When will you ever be more like your older sister and give me some peace of mind?”

Kotomi glanced at the furious Saaki Funamoto, feeling a bit curious. For this gentle-looking grandmother to lose her temper like this in front of so many people, this woman was clearly not simple.

The second daughter of the Funamoto family... was this her younger daughter?

”Mom, you’re way too old-fashioned. My sister’s the same—over thirty already, yet she acts like she’s in her sixties or seventies. I don’t want to become as boring as her. Besides, Miss Izumi is a beautiful high school girl. If I talked to her in the same rigid way you do, wouldn’t I bore her to death?”

The woman shrugged and complained about her mother. Faced with her mother’s stern scolding, she seemed completely immune and didn’t take it to heart at all.

She walked over and bowed to Kotomi.

”Welcome, Miss Izumi. My name is Saori Funamoto. Please take care of me.”

After saying that in a serious tone, Saori Funamoto quickly returned to her earlier playful demeanor and asked with an unmistakably gossipy grin,

”Miss Izumi, when are you and Shizuka-nee getting married?”

—

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