radicalducati Page 105
Page 105
“Odaiba Seaside Park is nearby. We can go there for a walk first, see the Rainbow Bridge, then go shopping in the afternoon, and then participate in the activities in the evening. What do you think?”
"That's a good suggestion!"
Miyamoto Yumi immediately agreed, while carefully observing the expressions of Sato Miwako and Takada Yuki.
Seeing that neither of them objected, he immediately made the decision, "Okay, it's settled then! Destination: Odaiba Seaside Park, let's go!"
In early autumn, Odaiba is blessed with clear skies and gentle breezes, the sea breeze carrying a slightly salty scent that dispels the summer heat.
Sunlight spills onto the shimmering sea, refracting into a dazzling, shimmering light.
From a distance, the miniature statue stands on the seaside, with the Rainbow Bridge spanning Tokyo Bay behind it, creating a modern urban seaside scene.
The four of them strolled along the seaside promenade.
Yumi Miyamoto and Maiko Fujita were clearly the most enthusiastic. The two walked ahead, sometimes pointing at the seagulls and playing around, sometimes taking pictures of the ships in the distance, chattering away incessantly.
Fujita Maiko would occasionally turn around and enthusiastically introduce the surrounding attractions and history to Takada Yuki and Sato Miwako.
Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato naturally fell behind.
The two maintained a perfect social distance, neither too formal nor too intimate for an overly private conversation.
Most of the time, they walked in silence, their gaze fixed on the distant horizon and the laughing crowd around them.
But this silence is not entirely rigid.
Occasionally, when Yumi Miyamoto lets out an exaggerated laugh or makes a funny gesture, Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato will exchange a knowing smile, a smile that carries a mixture of helplessness and acceptance of their companion's energy.
On several occasions, Yuuki Takada noticed that Miwako Sato's hair was ruffled by the sea breeze. The way she gently tucked her hair behind her ear looked especially soft in the sunlight, causing him to be momentarily lost in thought.
“Takada-senpai,” Sato Miwako suddenly spoke calmly, her gaze still fixed ahead, “you don’t need to worry too much about Yumi.”
Yuki Takada's heart skipped a beat, and he almost tripped over the tiny bumps on the road.
He steadied himself and looked at Miwako Sato with a hint of panic. Miwako Sato didn't look at him; her profile appeared calm in the sunlight.
"That's just how she is. She says whatever comes to mind, and sometimes her wording can be quite... direct."
Sato Miwako continued, her tone as if she were analyzing something, "It doesn't have any special meaning; it's just a way of expressing gratitude."
Yuki Takada paused for a moment, then realized that Miwako Sato was explaining things to Yumi Miyamoto.
After all, what Miyamoto Yumi said at the dinner table earlier was bound to have some impact on the two of them.
This explanation was reasonable and consistent with Yumi Miyamoto's usual personality, and it effectively alleviated his inner turmoil and embarrassment.
But for some reason, when he heard Sato Miwako's calm analysis, the tiny glimmer of a possibility in his heart was completely extinguished, and a little bit of indescribable bitterness rose up.
“Yes, I understand.” Yuki Takada nodded, trying to make his voice sound relaxed and natural. “It really startled me. Yumi Miyamoto rarely says that to me.”
Sato Miwako then turned her head and glanced at him, the corners of her lips seeming to curve upwards slightly, but quickly returning to their original state.
"Let's go, they seem to be going to take pictures under that statue," she said, quickening her pace.
Yuki Takada followed her, his feelings complicated.
On one hand, he is troubled by what happened with Miwako Sato last night.
On the other hand, he was still particularly concerned about what Miyamoto Yumi had said earlier.
At this moment, they were just senior and junior colleagues with a decent relationship, and ordinary colleagues traveling together.
At the foot of the statue, Yumi Miyamoto enthusiastically pulled Maiko Fujita into various poses for photos, and then called Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato over to take a group photo.
"Takada-senpai, Miwako, come join us! Let's commemorate this rare trip!" Miyamoto Yumi waved her camera.
Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato exchanged a glance and walked over.
The four people posed for a group photo with the Rainbow Bridge in the background, and a passing tourist helped them take the picture.
In the photo, Yumi Miyamoto has a bright smile, Maiko Fujita is cute and well-behaved, Yuki Takada, standing in the middle, looks a little reserved, while Miwako Sato has her usual slightly calm smile.
It looks like just an ordinary group tourist photo.
After taking the photos, Yumi Miyamoto was still not satisfied and suggested going for a walk on the nearby beach.
Taking off your shoes and stepping onto the soft sand, feeling the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore, is indeed very relaxing.
Like children, Yumi Miyamoto and Maiko Fujita began collecting seashells on the beach and even tried to build something out of the sand.
Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato did not participate; they simply stood a little distance away and watched.
The sea breeze was stronger than on the trail, making Sato Miwako's hair fly.
She squinted slightly, gazing at the vast sea, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.
“Miwako.” Yuuki Takada hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Those delicate topics can be set aside for now; perhaps we can talk about something safer.
"Hmm?" Miwako Sato turned her head.
"About last night... and the strange noise Yumi mentioned earlier..." Takada Yuuki carefully chose his words, "You didn't tell her about those things, did you?"
Sato Miwako seemed somewhat surprised that he would bring this up. She thought for a moment and replied, "I did talk to Yumi about some things last night, but I didn't tell her about some private matters."
“That makes sense.” Yuuki Takada nodded. Maybe I was overthinking it. After all, what Miwako Sato said before was a secret between her and me.
He tried to relax.
Sato Miwako's profile appeared slightly softer in the sea breeze. She changed the subject: "Let's go, they seem to have built a rather shabby sandcastle, let's go take a look."
Yuki Takada nodded and then followed.
Chapter 126 Vermouth's Help
After the four reunited, Yumi Miyamoto proudly displayed her collaborative work with Maiko Fujita—a pile of wet sand that could barely be identified as a fortress.
Amidst laughter and cheerful conversation, the morning passed by quietly.
As planned, they went to a nearby shopping mall in the afternoon.
The huge commercial complex was bustling with people, and the dazzling array of shops temporarily distracted everyone's attention.
Yumi Miyamoto and Maiko Fujita were engrossed in shopping, while Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato were more like companions, occasionally exchanging a few words about their opinions on the products or brands. The atmosphere was much more relaxed than during their morning walk.
In a shop selling exquisite stationery and general merchandise, Yuki Takada was drawn to a set of simply designed fountain pens.
He picked it up and examined it closely, but his mind involuntarily drifted to the old pen on Sato Miwako's desk, a pen that had been used for a long time and whose cap was worn out.
“This pen feels great to hold,” Miwako Sato’s voice suddenly rang out beside her.
Yuuki Takada was slightly taken aback. He turned his head and saw that she had also come to the counter at some point and was looking at the pen in his hand.
"Ah, yes... indeed." Takada Yuuki replied somewhat awkwardly, instinctively handing over the pen. "Want to try?"
Sato Miwako did not refuse, took the pen, and smoothly made a few strokes on the test paper next to her. Her handwriting was clear and strong, with her usual decisive style.
"Very good," she commented, handing the pen back to Takada Yuuki, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping across his face. "Takada-senpai, you seem to know a lot about fountain pens?"
"I wouldn't call it research; I just really like things with a certain texture."
Yuuki Takada took the pen, his fingertips seemingly still warm from the touch of the other person.
A thought flashed through his mind: should he buy the pen and give it to her?
The thought made his heart skip a beat, but he quickly suppressed it with reason.
That's too abrupt. Given their current relationship, giving such a gift seems inappropriate.
He eventually managed to buy the pen secretly when Sato Miwako wasn't looking, intending to give it to her at an opportune moment.
Sato Miwako paid no more attention and turned to look at other products.
As the sun sets, the glass curtain wall of the shopping center is bathed in a warm golden glow.
As the day's hustle and bustle gradually subsided, the four of them, carrying large and small bags, embarked on their journey home.
Yuuki Takada kept his hands in his coat pockets, his fingertips repeatedly stroking the slender gift box containing the fountain pen; the velvet surface was already warm from his body heat.
Dinner was at a relaxed izakaya.
Inside the wooden cubicle, Yumi Miyamoto enthusiastically displayed her spoils of the day, while Maiko Fujita added to them with a smile, creating a lively atmosphere.
Yuki Takada sat opposite Miwako Sato, occasionally chuckling in agreement, but his mind was not on the shopping bags at all.
He noticed that Miwako Sato seemed a little tired, rubbing her slightly sore wrists—from carrying shopping bags during the day.
The opportunity came sooner than he expected.
After dinner, Yumi Miyamoto was still not satisfied and dragged Maiko Fujita to try the highly-rated dessert shop on the corner.
"Miwako, Takada-senpai, shall we go together?" Miyamoto Yumi asked, turning around.
Sato Miwako waved her hand gently, her smile tinged with weariness: "You guys go ahead, I'm a little tired and want to go back to my room to rest first."
Yuki Takada replied almost without thinking, "I also have some data to organize, let's go back together."
He felt his heart start racing again.
"Fine, since neither of you wants to go, let's go back together." Miyamoto Yumi looked at the two behind her with some difficulty, but in the end, she decided to go to the hotel with Miwako.
“That’s true, Yumi-senpai. I think it’s getting late, we should probably head back.” Fujita Maiko nodded. “It’s almost time for our appointment, let’s go back.”
……
Back at the hotel, Yuuki Takada and the others were taken directly to their club's meeting point by Maiko Fujita.
Fujita Maiko briefly introduced Miyamoto Yumi and her group to the members of their club. Then, as the club president, Fujita Maiko explained the rules of the event to the other members.
"Hey everyone, let's draw lots."
"Hey... is this number five?"
"Who wrote this? It's really ugly!"
"My number is thirteen," said Miwako Sato, looking at the number on her lottery ticket with anticipation.
"That's really great! I drew my lucky number, seven."
On the other side, Fujita Maiko looked at Miyamoto Yumi sitting next to her, bent down slightly and asked, "Yumi-senpai, what are you smoking?"
Yumi Miyamoto opened the lottery paper in her hand: "Let me see, mine is number six."
"Are you still worried?" Fujita Maiko asked softly, looking at Miyamoto Yumi in front of her.