This instantly cheered him up.

"I'm glad you like it." Ai smiled and nodded, then added, "I also really like that kitten plushie."

"If you like it, that's good." Kōyū's answer was exactly the same as Ai's, and even their facial expressions were strikingly similar.

Upon realizing this, the two couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Then Ai turned her gaze to the shops on both sides, her delicate earlobes under her tea-colored hair turned slightly red, and she tightened her grip on Kyou's hand.

Kōyū, on the other hand, shifted his gaze to Ai, looked at her for a few seconds, and then looked back ahead.

He still needs to watch the road.

Upon arriving at the station, the group waited for five minutes before the bus bound for Beihu Town slowly pulled up in front of the platform.

Once on the bus, Guangyou pulled Xiaoai along to the back, found two empty seats next to the window, and sat down.

He reached out and opened the window a crack, glancing at the street outside before turning back to look at Ai sitting next to him.

At this moment, Ai was also looking out the window. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Kousuke was looking at her, unlike at the beginning when she pretended to be nonchalant and avoided his gaze.

She looked directly into Guangyou's eyes without any hesitation.

He even asked, "What's wrong?"

"Just looking at the 'beautiful scenery'," Guangyou replied softly, a slight smile on his face, his hand resting on the edge of the car window.

"Oh." Ai responded calmly. This wasn't the first time, but... why did she feel an uncontrollable joy every time she heard such words?

She actually knew the answer.

I've always known.

It's just kept in my heart, I just haven't said it.

...