After ordering ramen, the two returned to their seats one after another, surrounded by the chatter of many people, filling the ramen shop with a lively atmosphere.
The entire shop used counter-style tables and chairs, with partitions between each seat, giving a sense of private space, so even coming alone wouldn't feel lonely.
However, if several people came together, the partitions between the seats could be retracted to create a setting suitable for a meal.
Marin directed Wakana to retract the partition between their two seats.
Then they both sat down, waiting for the ramen shop's server to bring over the prepared ramen.
"Gojo-kun."
Marin looked at Wakana opposite her and asked.
"I feel like Gojo-kun has seemed preoccupied ever since we bought the clothes."
"No, no, actually, it's not..."
Wakana waved his hands a few times, wanting to deny it, but then he hesitated.
"Then what exactly is it? Is it uncomfortable to be with me?"
"No, being, being with Kitagawa-san is very, very, very enjoyable."
Wakana stammered his reply, then looked up and saw Marin's worried expression, slowly calming down.
"Actually, I was struggling with how to tell Kitagawa-san about Murakami-san."
"Murakami-san?"
"What about Murakami-san?"
Wakana hesitated for a moment before explaining to Marin.
"Murakami-san likes Sugaya-san."
"Eh!"
"Eh!"
Marin let out a surprised gasp, "Murakami likes Nowa!"
"Murakami-san never mentioned it!"
"You can't tell at all normally!"
Marin said in surprise, "Why does Gojo-kun know something like this!"
"Kitagawa-san knows I joined Akira-kun's club, right?"
"Hmm, that, that club that Murakami-san and Kashiwagi-san also joined."
He still didn't remember the name, it seemed...
"The club's main purpose is to help others, just like the study group Akira-kun holds every Friday," Wakana explained; "And the first request the club received was from Murakami-san."
"What kind of request?"
"To help Murakami-san confess..."
Wakana hesitated for a moment, then began to explain Murakami-san's situation to Marin.
Kitagawa listened, also in a daze, not expecting that Murakami-san had liked Nowa for so long.
"Actually, I heard Nowa talk about Murakami before."
Marin thought for a moment and said, "But I feel like Nowa isn't interested in romance."
"Akira-kun and Murakami-san also think so, so it feels like the possibility of romance isn't very high."
"Then I'll ask Nowa tomorrow."
Marin, as if receiving a mission, gave Wakana a wink.
Wakana quickly stopped Marin; after all, the task he accepted was to subtly probe, Kitagawa-san shouldn't take it as directly getting an answer.
"Kitagawa-san, I hope you can be a bit more subtle."
"I understand, subtle probing, right?"
After Marin said this, she suddenly realized her relationship with Gojo-kun.
Could she also subtly probe a bit?
But it seemed there was no one else to help.
But thinking about it carefully, why did it feel like Akira-kun was also helping her and Gojo-kun get along?
Connecting it with Akira-kun helping Murakami-san, Marin felt there was a high possibility that Akira-kun was helping her and Gojo-kun.
So happy, she had Akira-kun's approval.
Although Akira-kun's approval wasn't a big deal, at least it meant someone approved of them.
Someone thought she and Gojo-kun were a good match.
Marin's cheeks couldn't help but flush a little.
"Kitagawa-san."
Marin turned.
"Thank you."
Wakana said seriously.
"I apologize, customer, for the wait, please enjoy."
The server's voice came through, drawing their attention, then the two bowls of ramen they ordered were passed out from the small window one by one, after which he bowed ninety degrees and closed the curtain of the small window.
"Such fragrant ramen!"
Marin clasped her hands together and gently sniffed the aroma wafting from the ramen.
"Indeed."
Wakana nodded, then picked up the chopsticks from the table and began to eat the ramen.
Marin opposite him also began to eat with an excited expression, but it seemed she was mindful of Wakana's presence, as her eating manner was not as unrefined as usual, instead, she began to chew slowly.
"Kitagawa-san."
Wakana looked at Marin's awkward behavior and couldn't help but remind her.
"You don't need to mind me, just eat as you normally would."
"After all, Kitagawa-san has eaten at my house for a while now."
Wakana's face showed a slight embarrassment, as if discussing private matters.
Marin, who was trying to maintain her composure, heard Wakana's suggestion and couldn't help but blush.
For a moment, she forgot that she had no pretense left in front of Wakana.
Marin's face showed a dejected expression, and she apologized with a hint of a cry.
"Sorry, I just couldn't help it."
"Eating should be enjoyable, Kitagawa-san should just eat in her own way."
So Kitagawa returned to her original eating style.
After the two finished eating ramen, they returned to Wakana's house with their various purchases.
After greeting Gojo Kaoru, who was minding the shop at home, the two carried their bags into Wakana's room.
"Is there anything you need my help with today?"
Kitagawa asked, looking around the room, feeling there wasn't anything to do.
"For now, it seems there's nothing..." Wakana hesitated, then suddenly remembered something, "Kitagawa-san might be able to help make the Bellflower's Flower Jewel!"
"Eh! Okay."
Wakana looked at the highly motivated Marin, a relieved smile also appearing on his face.
"Then, I'll leave it to Kitagawa-san."
"No problem."
Marin picked up several bottles of nail polish and semi-oval acrylic parts that Wakana had prepared.
"First, to prevent the nail polish from clumping on it, apply two coats and let it dry; then apply black nail polish with gold glitter, and continue to let it dry."
"Finally, apply the topcoat, and once it's dry, it's complete."
Following the instructions, Marin meticulously painted the acrylic parts in front of her to look like those from the anime.
"Kitagawa-san seems very happy."
"Well, of course!"
Marin tilted her head, "Indeed, the feeling of being able to help is just too wonderful."
"Indeed."
Wakana looked at Marin's happy expression, thinking to himself.
As long as Kitagawa-san is with me, I'm already very happy.