In the spacious and bright space, the warm yellow light exudes a hazy light in the rising fog.
As a strong figure stepped into the pool, the reflection on the water surface was shattered into pieces by the ripples spreading from the inside out. But it didn't take long for it to slowly return to its original state, except that the water surface was slightly higher than before.
No abnormalities can be seen outside.
Standing in this bathtub, which is about the size of half a swimming pool, enjoying the gentle caressing impact of the slightly hot water, it is as if all the physical and mental fatigue has been lifted off instantly, and you can't help but relax.
At the same time, a girl's pleasant voice came from the phone in her hand: "Have you gone in yet~?"
"Well, come in."
Even though he knew he couldn't be seen on the other side, Kato Yusuke still nodded habitually and asked the girl's avatar on the screen: "What were you doing before? I called you but didn't answer the call."
"Well, I went out to buy ingredients for dinner with Asami, and I accidentally forgot my phone at home. I'm sorry."
Sayu on the other end of the phone explained apologetically, and then changed the subject: "Then, has Yusuke eaten already? What did you have for dinner?"
Leaning back on the edge of the bathtub, Kato Yusuke replied calmly: "Well... I ate salad, fish and chips, and cream of mushroom soup."
"Hey, is that so? It's completely Western food... Speaking of which, you did mention that the girl is of mixed British and Japanese descent. Did she cook it herself?"
"No, Yinglili is not independent enough yet. I think it was probably their maid or chef who did it."
"Wow, you actually said maid!"
Sayu murmured: "...cosplay or something, it shouldn't be this kind of thing, right?"
Kato Yusuke couldn't help but smile at this: "Well, it's not like that. Although she can speak Japanese, the maid is a foreigner, and even her name is Sophia."
"You actually said foreigners...!"
The girl said without concealing her surprise: "I always thought that this kind of thing could only be seen on TV. I should say that girl is a real eldest lady."
"Ah, in a sense it is true."
As he said that, he explained the other party's parents' visit to the UK with the ambassador, and then continued to ask: "...That's about it. Do you want to consider coming to accompany me? If Yinglili is the only one, she probably won't
You’re too nervous.”
There was a brief silence.
"...So what exactly does that girl want you to do?"
"It's unclear about that."
"Eh??"
"But it should be to help catch up on deadlines for the work, just like the previous time."
Kato Yusuke put a hot towel on his face and said, "How are you doing? Do you want to come?"
There was a bit of comfort and laziness in his tone, and together with the sound of flowing water, it passed through the microphone and reached the girl's ears.
"……oh."
Sayu responded somewhat unhappily: "But as expected, forget it, don't you feel like this is like being a "girly girl"?"
After a pause, he continued: "But on the other hand, can Yusuke agree to a few conditions for me?"
"condition?"
Kato Yusuke couldn't help but smile when he heard this: "For example, timely reporting, discussion and contact?"
"Wow, why can you talk about this kind of thing like the "Newspaper Business Association"?"
First he complained in surprise, and then accompanied Xin Xing to ask: "...but...can't it be done?"
After finishing speaking, even the subtle breathing stopped temporarily.
Suddenly, a girl appeared in front of her, holding her cell phone in both hands and holding her breath.
He couldn't help but said in silence: "...Compared to that, I would rather you be by my side now."
Because the towel was covering his face, his voice sounded a bit muffled, but anyone could hear the sincerity in his words.
Then there was a burst of narrow-minded laughter from the other side: "...Even if you say so, when you are at home, you still don't allow people to step into the bathroom while you are taking a shower. The statement became contradictory.
Oh, Yusuke~"
"You know that's not what I'm referring to." Kato Yusuke couldn't help but feel speechless.
However, Sayu seemed extremely happy about this, and even his voice became much lighter, like a jumping lark.
"Well, I know~"
Just listen to the girl murmuring in a low voice: "Because I am the same. If I could, I really want to be separated from you, Yusuke. So... can you finish your things earlier and take me home?"
Having said this, the two of them couldn't help but become quiet at the same time.
It was as if there was a thread connecting them together. Even though the two of them were not in the same position at the moment, they could clearly perceive each other's existence.
It is a wonderful, connected feeling, as if the other person is right next to you, which makes people feel inexplicably stable.
After being silent for a long time, Kato Yusuke slowly let out a breath: "Well, I understand. Do you have any other requests?"
"Well... then..."
Sayu said timidly: "If someone can miss me, I will be very happy."
In response to this, the young man couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly, and sank his body down a little, so that the water surface could reach his neck.
While feeling the hot water package, he asked in a warm voice on the phone: "Speaking of which, do you have any other arrangements over there?"
"Huh? I think it's just dinner. I don't know about the rest yet. What's wrong?"
"In this case……"
Kato Yusuke pondered and said, "If it's convenient later, should we have a video call?"
"...Huh? Wait, does that mean...?"
"It's when I'm working. Although I may not be able to chat with you, I can still show you the work scene. If you don't feel bored..."
With almost a rush to answer, Sayu immediately responded: "That, I want to see!"
Then, as if he was surprised by his eagerness, he added in a low voice: "...Ah, I mean, if I can..."
Kato Yusuke couldn't help but smile at this: "I know, let's do this for now. I will discuss it with Eiriri later and contact you later."
"Yeah! Then I'm going to help prepare dinner, see you later~"
After saying that, the two ended the phone call.
What they didn't know was that although the communication was terminated due to physical means, the two of them stared at their phones silently for a long time after that, as if they were still immersed in some kind of afterglow.
…
(I forgot to write the title of the last chapter, sorry.)