As the two were setting up their tent, Ayumi, with a smile on her face and a camera in her hand, took small steps to come to their side.

Upon seeing Ayumi, Kōyū stopped what he was doing, put down his tools, stood up, and walked towards Ayumi.

"Ayumi, what's wrong?"

As he got closer, Guangyou saw the camera she was holding. He pointed at the camera and asked.

"Do you want to take a picture?"

"Mmm!" Ayumi smiled and nodded her little head, saying, "It's not easy for everyone to come camping together, so I brought my camera from home."

"Then go ahead and take the pictures," Guangyou agreed, then asked, "Where should we take them?"

"Hmm..." Ayumi thought for a moment, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over the tent behind Kousuke that was still not set up, and suddenly said.

"Guangyou, why don't you continue setting up the tent? I'll just take pictures of you setting up the tent."

“Okay.” Kōyū nodded in agreement, and as he turned to go back, he suddenly saw the hesitant expression on Ayumi’s face.

Kōyū then stopped turning around, looked back at Ayumi, and saw that she did seem to have something to say, but she didn't say anything.

After waiting a few seconds, he asked, "Ayumi, what's wrong? Is there something you want to say?"

"Um... um..." Ayumi really had something to say, but she didn't say it, which made her cute little face turn a little red.

Although he didn't know what Ayumi wanted to say, Mitsuyu didn't lose patience and instead gently comforted her.

"Ayumi, speak slowly, don't rush."

A few steps away from the two, Ai, who was helping to set up the tent, glanced up at them, but quickly looked down and went back to her own business.

"Um, I wanted to ask, Ai... Ai..." Ayumi subconsciously glanced at Ai not far away, her face turning even redder.

Upon hearing the second half of the sentence, Kōyū raised an eyebrow and, following Ayumi's gaze, turned to look at Ai.

As if sensing their gazes, Ai also looked up in their direction, frowned slightly, and met Kousuke's eyes.

Although the two did not exchange words, Kousuke knew that Ai was asking him "What's wrong?"

Perhaps this is the tacit understanding between the two.

Sometimes, a single glance is enough to understand what the other person means.

However, this time he had no idea what Ayumi was thinking.

All I know is that Ayumi seems to be calling Ai's name, but I don't know what she wants to say.

He shrugged at Ai, indicating that he didn't know what was wrong, and then he saw Ai raise her chin at him.

There was still no verbal communication, but Guangyou understood what she meant.

After nodding to Ai, he turned his gaze to Ayumi.

Before contacting Ayumi, who was halfway through her conversation, Kōyū asked, "Ayumi, is there something you need to talk to Ai about?"

When Kōyū asked the question, he saw Ayumi nod at first, but after a second or two, she shook her head.

Seeing Ayumi's reaction, Kōyū was quite speechless.

He couldn't guess what Ayumi was thinking.

After thinking for a moment, Kōyū turned to the side, pointed at Ai, and said to Ayumi, "Ayumi, I think you seem to want to see Ai. How about I ask her to come over?"

After saying that, Kōyū made a gesture to call out to Ai.

Before he could speak, Kōyū heard Ayumi's voice behind him.

Compared to usual, Ayumi's voice was a little soft at this moment.

Perhaps it was because she was embarrassed, or perhaps it was for other reasons.

"Kuangyou, could you ask Ai... Haibara-san for me? I'd like to take a picture with her..."

As she spoke, Ayumi's already soft voice gradually grew weaker until even Mitsuyu could no longer hear her.

Although he didn't hear a small part clearly, Kousuke already knew what Ai was trying to say.

What did he think it was?

It turns out he just wanted to take a picture with Ai Haibara.

What's there to be embarrassed about? It's such a small thing.

He couldn't understand why Ayumi would react this way.

After saying "okay" to Ayumi, Kousuke shook his head and turned to walk towards Ai.

What he didn't know was that Ayumi blushed not because she wanted to take a picture with Ai, but because of the way she addressed her earlier.

Ayumi originally intended to call him that in front of Kousuke first, so that she would get used to it and avoid being unable to call him that when facing Ai later, just like in the morning.

But then she realized that she couldn't call out to Ai Haibara, and she couldn't call out to Kousuke either.

Without receiving recognition from others, she couldn't remember people's nicknames.

This is something Ayumi only realized later.

However, this did not make her give up.

"There's still time this afternoon, Ayumi, you have to do your best!"

A determined look flashed across Ayumi's face as she watched the two people talking beside the tent.

...

"Take a group photo?" After hearing Kousuke's explanation, Ai turned to look at Ayumi, who was clenching her fist as if cheering herself on.

She couldn't guess what Ayumi was thinking for a moment.

It's just a group photo, why that expression?

Seeing Ai's confusion, Kousuke turned to look at Ayumi and said, "I don't know what Ayumi is thinking either."

He was unaware that Ayumi had changed how she addressed Ai earlier.

The reason is simple: he's already used to calling her by her nickname, Ai.

Moreover, he doesn't really have a deep understanding of nicknames, and he only uses honorifics out of politeness.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!