Chapter 142
Accompanied by the audible click of the camera, the current beauty of Erina and Alice was transformed into a photograph, saved forever on Mineo's phone.
As for Erina, having satisfied Mineo's eyes, she immediately rushed to change back into her previous clothes at the first opportunity.
Alice, on the other hand, quite liked this type of clothing, so she planned to keep wearing it for a while.
A few minutes later, Erina sat on the sofa, still feeling flustered by her actions earlier. Meanwhile, Alice cheerfully sat down close beside Mineo.
"Mineo-kun, can I stay at your restaurant for the next few days? I'm planning to properly research the ingredients in that warehouse of yours. You wouldn't refuse a small request like this, right?"
"Of course I won't refuse!"
Mineo pinched Alice's soft cheek before continuing the conversation:
"Coincidentally, there is something I wanted to tell you both. Tomorrow morning, I have to go somewhere far away. There is a very important matter I need to handle. Alice, Erina, if you want to research the ingredients here, then help me look after the shop while you're at it. This trip might take a few days."
"Going somewhere far away?"
Hearing Mineo's words, Alice was initially stunned. In the next second, her gaze became a bit sharp.
"Mineo, this trip... is it to go meet the members of your harem?"
After Alice threw out that sentence, Erina also stared at Mineo with eyes full of suspicion.
Mineo gave a helpless smile and said:
"You two, why are you already getting suspicious? I really have official business to attend to..."
Hearing Mineo's answer, Alice wanted to pry further, but surprisingly, Erina suddenly spoke up first:
"Alice, stop asking! Since there is official business to be done, let Mineo handle it! You'll be staying at the restaurant for the next few days, right? Then call Grandfather early to let him know. Besides, this place is very close to the school grounds, so Grandfather will surely agree!"
"I get it!"
Alice replied with a resigned tone, then she shot a glance at Mineo.
"If I find out you went out to cheat on us, I definitely won't give you any more presents next time."
"...."
Since it was already late, after they finished discussing their important business, Erina and Alice headed upstairs to prepare for rest. Mineo tidied up the restaurant a bit and then returned to his own room.
Once the night had passed, morning arrived quickly. Mineo prepared breakfast for Erina and the others. After saying his goodbyes, he slung a small backpack over his shoulder and stepped out of the Dimensional Restaurant.
With a single step outside, the space around Mineo began to shift and ripple. In the next second, his figure appeared in a small wooded area within a park. He was still on Tokyo soil. However, the world was now different.
Just as Mineo was preparing to leave the area, both Alice and Erina sent messages to his phone.
Alice: "Even though I know you're a capable scoundrel, make sure to look after your safety while you're out."
Erina: "Come back soon. I'm waiting for you at the restaurant."
The messages sent by the two girls, though brief, carried a clear sense of concern that Mineo could easily feel. After tapping a few keys quickly, Mineo immediately replied to both of them.
"I understand. Thank you for the concern from the Eldest and Second Princesses. Wait for me obediently at the restaurant; once my business is finished, I'll return right away."
This time, the world Mineo had entered was the world of Love Live!.
Since he had promised to meet Tojo Nozomi today, he had come as soon as he could. Looking at the time, Nozomi should still be in class. Nevertheless, Mineo sent her a message.
"Nozomi-chan, I've arrived in Tokyo. What time shall we meet? And where should we gather?"
"Has Mineo-kun really arrived in Tokyo? You aren't lying to me, are you?"
"Why would I lie to you? Look, I really am in Tokyo."
Mineo sent his live location to Tojo Nozomi. A short while later, she replied.
"Is Mineo-kun near Koike Park? If that's the case, you should probably find a place to rest first. I'm still in class, and after school today, I have to head home first to take care of some things. How about we meet at 7:00 PM at Hieda Shrine on the West District road? Is that okay?"
"Meet at 7:00 PM at Hieda Shrine? Alright, I understand. I'll look for a place to stay nearby to get some rest in the meantime."
"Yes! Then at 7:00 PM, at Hieda Shrine, Mineo-kun and I must definitely meet, okay!"
After ending the chat with Tojo Nozomi, Mineo also sent several messages to Ayase Eli.
They were simple greetings, but Eli didn't reply to a single one. Seeing this, Mineo didn't think too much of it.
He knew that Eli's mood was likely not very good right now. When the time came, he would go and offer her some comfort himself.
Hailing a taxi, Mineo headed toward the West District road. After booking a room at a nearby hotel, he flopped down onto the large bed.
He pulled out his phone and sent a simultaneous message to Kosaka Honoka, Minami Kotori, and Sonoda Umi.
"Honoka / Kotori / Umi."
"I've arrived in Tokyo!"
"However, I have to meet a friend first tonight."
"Do you all have some free time tomorrow? I'd like to take you out for dinner."
After he finished sending the messages, Mineo put his phone away. Honoka and the others were still school students, so they likely wouldn't see the messages until after their classes ended.
So, while waiting, Mineo planned to get some proper rest. After all, he would be meeting Tojo Nozomi face-to-face tonight, and he needed to keep his stamina and spirits high.
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Honestly, I'm not sure if the Hieda Shrine is real. If anyone knows more about it and I'm wrong, please let me know. I'll correct it right away!
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