Jiutiao Meijie let out a "hmph" and spared him this time.

"Did you plan the morning run in advance?"

"Plan in advance?" Dubian Che retracted his gaze and looked at Jiutiao Meijie with confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Lin told me that you deliberately let me kill you twice, and in fact, it was something you had planned long ago. Your life has been restarted several times without anyone knowing."

"...Isn't she supposed to not lie?"

"Speculation," Jiutiao Meijie said.

"It would be nice to start over," Dubian Che said wistfully.

"Hypothetically," Jiutiao Meijie said, "if you could start over, how would you plan your life?"

Dubian Che stuffed his hands into his pockets, stared at the azure spring water for a while, and then turned to Jiutiao Meijie:

"Seems like... there's no need to restart?"

"No·need·to·restart?" Jiutiao Meijie reached for Dubian Che's waist, "If you could start over, would you come looking for me right away, remember that?"

"I dash enthusiastically in front of Miss Jiutiao and say: 'Meijie...' Before I could finish, the fifteen-year-old heiress stood up coolly and simultaneously pulled out Shizuru's gun, 'bang bang bang' shot me three times. Dubian Che collapsed on the spot."

Jiutiao Meijie laughed, let go of him, and said:

"Third-rate script, full of errors. Firstly, the only place you could meet me was at school, and Shizuru wasn't by my side at that time; secondly, even if you met me in advance, how could I possibly do it myself."

"Still want to shoot me three times?"

"Depends on Shizuru's thoughts, as long as the result is your death," said Miss Jiutiao.

"Then it might as well be you doing it yourself." Dubian Che embraced her from behind, his hand on her taut belly.

Jiutiao Meijie leaned in his arms, the two watched the distant, slowly flowing white cumulus clouds.

Ichiki Aoi came out of the tea room, full of praise for the matcha, and also envious of the elegance of the serving waitress.

After leaving "Kiyoro Park," everyone went to the hotel where they were staying.

After lunch, they rested for a while and then set off again.

The smell of sulfur was pervasive, and the white steam filled "Oshino Hakkai." They bought a bag of black eggs, 500 yen for 5, of which Dubian Che ate two;

"Hakone Shrine," hidden in the forest, was surrounded by tall trees rising from the ground like pillars supporting the sky.

One side of the shrine's approach led to the mountain, the other to the shores of "Lake Ashi."

Lastly, they took a pirate ship, circled around "Lake Ashi," leaned against the cabin, looking at the distant Mount Fuji, and took photos of the red torii gate in the water.

When the Outer Ring Mountain turned even redder in the sunset, the first day of the free trip ended.

For dinner, they had hardhead trout, reportedly caught from "Lake Ashi," though its authenticity was unclear.

Dubian Che still shared a room with Jiutiao Meijie.

The hotel in Hakone Mountain was even quieter against the night sky than Tokyo.

In the luxury bedroom, Dubian Che stood by the window, gazing at the screen-like Outer Ring Mountain.

The vast fields, a golf course in the woods, and the moonlight flowed like water.

Perhaps it was an illusion, or maybe because the air in Hakone was clearer than in Tokyo, without the neon lights, but the moon looked much clearer than in Tokyo.

The silent bedroom finally had a sound, as Jiutiao Meijie walked out of the bathroom.

She wore a fitted yukata, her bosom full, the sash cinched her slender waist, her hair piled up high, smilingly watching Dubian Che.

"So beautiful," Dubian Che couldn't help but say.

"You're quite stylish too," Jiutiao Meijie laughed.

"I'm being honest."

"As if you're the only one who can tell the truth?" Jiutiao Meijie said playfully.

"What I mean is, I'm not simply just stylish," Dubian Che said, pulling her into his embrace.

"Shameless."

By the window, the two leaned into each other, quietly looking at the Outer Ring Mountain, enjoying each other's warmth.

"Meijie," Dubian Che called softly.

"Hm?"

"Can I kiss you?"

A year ago, in the summer, halfway through the dance, the two slipped away to the boat, Dubian Che made the same request.

"You're going to confess to Lin tomorrow, and still want to be with me today?"

Dubian Che's lips nearly touched her face, whispering, "I am with you now."

To neglect Jiutiao Meijie today for Kiyono Lin tomorrow; to forget Kiyono Lin tomorrow for Jiutiao Meijie today—neither is what Dubian Che should do.

Their situation was complex, and when with someone, wholeheartedly thinking about them was the right thing to do, at least that's what Dubian Che believed.

"Go ahead." Jiutiao Meijie tilted her snow-white neck.

Dubian Che's lips slightly parted, Jiutiao Meijie's two moist red lips parted, and their mouths met.

Basked in the moonlight, just like when they kissed on Tokyo Bay.

The Outer Ring Mountain became increasingly visible, the moon crested the mountain's peak, radiating brightly.

"Mmm!" Jiutiao Meijie left Dubian Che, panting, "That's enough."

"To the bed?"

"Mhm."

Dubian Che withdrew his right hand from the front of Jiutiao Meijie's yukata, then placed the still warm hand behind her knee and lifted her completely.

Jiutiao Meijie lay daintily on the bed.

Dubian Che leaned down to kiss her again, simultaneously gently tugging at the sash around her waist.

The rustle of clothes being removed, breathing, whispered calls to each other, in the still night, only these sounds brushed past the ears.

◇

At five the next morning, Jiutiao Meijie still slept soundly while Dubian Che gently got out of bed and changed into the school's athletic gear.

As he walked down the hallway, the quietness made it seem as though he could hear the mist of the Outer Ring Mountain flowing.

"Good morning." Almost as if destined, or as if prearranged, he and Kiyono Lin met.

"Would you like to join me for a morning run?" Dubian Che invited.