After watching this farce, the two of them went to a counter owned by "Moshi". Hiyori quickly bought a phone of the same model as Ryuto, just with a different color.

Just as Ryuto was about to leave, Hiyori immediately called him back.

"Oh, Ryuto, there is one more thing we haven't done."

"There's something else?"

Ryuto couldn't recall anything else, so he naturally asked in response. Hiyori, on the other hand, acted as if it was obvious.

"Don't we still need to sign up for that couple plan with the phone number?"

"..."

Even though she didn't understand what it meant, she still remembered. Her memory was really quite impressive.

So Ryuto was dragged back to the counter once again.

He thought it would take a long time, but the salesperson unexpectedly moved quickly. After finishing the necessary procedures, the salesperson looked up.

"Alright, everything is done now, we just need the photos."

"Photos?"

"?"

Both of them expressed their confusion at the same time.

"After all, this is a couple plan, so only couples can sign up."

"What?"

"..."

Was there such a rule? The salesperson didn't mention it earlier.

Seeing their reactions, the salesperson looked puzzled.

"What's so strange? Are you two...?"

"Of course not..."

Just as Ryuto was about to object, another voice interrupted him.

"Yes."

Hiyori suddenly stood up and answered loudly, shocking both Ryuto and the salesperson in front of them.

Hey, hey, miss, do you even know what you're saying?

"I see..."

The salesperson seemed stunned, still not recovered from the shock.

"Because of that, we need a photo as proof that you two are a couple."

After a while, the salesperson spoke slowly.

"What kind of photo do you need?"

Ryuto's face twitched as he asked.

Although he might be overthinking, Ryuto decided it was better to ask first.

"We don't have any special requirements, just a photo of the two of you together, even if it's taken with a phone."

"I see."

Ryuto breathed a sigh of relief.

"If you two are okay with it, we can take the photo now."

"Well, isn't this a bit too..."

Before Ryuto could finish his sentence, another voice interrupted him.

"No problem."

Hiyori declared loudly and simply once again.

Hey, miss, is your reaction a bit too exaggerated?

After a few seconds...

"Alright, both of you look this way."

The salesperson held up the phone and directed it towards Ryuto and Hiyori.

"The guy should move a bit closer to the middle."

Hey, hey, this is already close enough, do we really need to get even closer?

Ryuto couldn't ignore the salesperson's instructions and could only reluctantly cooperate, thinking that the sooner they finished, the sooner they would be done.

"The girl can hold the guy's hand if she wants."

"Like this?"

Facing the salesperson's instructions, Hiyori followed them without hesitation. Hey, don't be so obedient, and what's with this pose...

"The guy should smile naturally."

"..."

Despite the salesperson's repeated emphasis, Ryuto couldn't smile naturally. His face just twitched unnaturally.

Why did a simple phone purchase turn into this?

"Okay, maintain this pose."

After saying that, the salesperson began to take photos.

Well, fortunately, everything went smoothly afterwards. Although it took some effort, Hiyori finally learned how to use some basic functions of the phone without any mishaps. Thinking about this, Ryuto couldn't help but relax. But why did Hiyori save her own phone number with the nickname "Ryuto-sama" in her phone?After leaving the shop, Hiyori was happily holding her new phone all the way, while Ryuto seemed a bit puzzled.

"Are you that happy to have a new phone?"

"Of course, because it's just like Ryuto-sama's."

Huh? Is that the reason? Why do I suddenly feel sorry for the phone?

At this moment, Hiyori spoke again.

"And, I also have Ryuto-sama's phone number."

She looked at the only number in her contact list.

"Come to think of it, I now have another one too."

"Another one?"

"Well, how should I put it, even though it's a bit boastful for me to say so myself, my contact list probably only has... Hmm... Dad, Asuka, Sengoku, and now Hiyori's. After all, I don't have many friends."

Why does this sound so pitiful... Well, I guess it's because I'm not really up to date with the trends.

Suddenly, Hiyori blurted out.

"So, that means I'm also Ryuto-sama's friend?"

"Well, indeed, even though we only met yesterday."

Upon hearing the answer, Hiyori fell into deep thought.

Friend? Upon hearing this answer, for some reason her heart began to ache subtly. At this point, she couldn't and didn't want to hide it anymore because she felt like she couldn't move forward without speaking it out loud.

After making up her mind, she spoke again.

"Ryuto-sama."

"Yes? Is there something wrong?"

Even though it was difficult, she decided to persist.

"Hasn't Ryuto-sama ever doubted me?"

"?"

Hiyori's words puzzled Ryuto.

"Just like the other person said earlier, hasn't Ryuto-sama ever suspected my purpose for coming here?"

"..."

Ah, so that's how it is. She must have overheard that conversation earlier. Well, there was no way around it, considering she was right there the whole time. It would be strange if she didn't hear it.

Ryuto sighed helplessly in his heart.

"I've been hiding it and you rarely asked me about it. I feel like I have to say it now no matter what."

That's right, the reason why I did this was only for myself, there's no need for anyone to thank me.

"The real purpose of my coming here is actually..."

Before she could finish, she was interrupted.

"It doesn't matter."

Ryuto replied calmly.

"Huh?"

"By the way, Hiyori, you seem to have changed."

"Huh? Changed?"

Have I really changed?

"After all, when we first met yesterday, I had a feeling that you were carrying something on your own."

"..."

Carrying something on my own? Come to think of it, that seems to be true. Hiyori questioned herself inwardly. After all, that was the purpose of her coming here, she just didn't say it, but in reality it was a test, a test to see if she had the qualifications to become the head of the family, and it had been her dream for a long time.

"But now, I feel like something has changed, that feeling of carrying something seems to be gone."

"..."

Is that so? But she didn't understand it herself. Does not carrying anything anymore mean she doesn't want to be the head of the family anymore? No, that's not it. She immediately denied it in her heart. But as Ryuto-sama said, she has indeed changed now. She always feels like something else is influencing her, but she doesn't know exactly what it is. All she knows is that it's something she has never experienced before.

Ryuto smiled and continued with a calm voice, as if continuing his previous words.

"Although I don't know what it is, people always have one or two secrets they don't want to reveal, so it's okay if you don't say it."

"Huh..."

What's going on here?

Thump-thump.

Could it be... Hiyori felt like she could clearly hear the sound of her own heartbeat, and the sound was getting louder and louder. It's happening again, this feeling... just like that time in the bathroom, her whole body is getting hot, her thoughts are getting more and more confused, she can no longer think clearly. What's going on?Perhaps noticing something strange, Ryuto approached and asked, "What's wrong? Hiyori, you seem a bit off."

"It's... nothing," Hiyori replied.

Unable to speak properly and feeling like her body was out of control, Hiyori felt confused. She had to say something quickly, her remaining rationality told her that.

So she quickly tried to come up with a topic. "Ryuto, about the puzzle of the dragon... it still hasn't been solved, right?"

Though it sounded forced, she managed to say it.

Reminded by her words, Ryuto exclaimed, "Oh yeah, I almost forgot."

He began to recall, "Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a divine beast known as the Dragon of Antiquity. It would make significant movements twice a day and it is said to have countless treasures hidden within it. The most valuable treasure is said to be located three inches and five centimeters below the dragon's chin. However, treasure seekers must be cautious not to touch the dragon's reverse scale, or else they will face catastrophe. Though that's what the legend says... but dragons don't actually exist."

"So... the dragon is already dead?" Hiyori asked.

Great, although not ideal, the situation had improved a bit. Despite still being able to hear her own heartbeat clearly, at least she could speak properly. Hiyori felt relieved in her heart.

"Well, you could say that," Ryuto replied.

"But isn't that strange?" Hiyori continued.

"Strange?" Ryuto questioned.

"Because it mentioned that the dragon would move," Hiyori explained.

"It moves...?" Ryuto pondered.

Indeed, the legend did mention that the dragon would make significant movements twice a day. Since the dragon didn't actually exist, how could there still be movements every day? Speaking of significant movements twice a day... could it be...

With this thought, Ryuto seemed to have gained some inspiration. "Ah, I see. Thanks, Hiyori."

Saying that, he couldn't help but pat Hiyori's shoulder.

"Huh?" Hiyori wondered.

Oh no, why does it feel like my heart is pounding again? Despite trying to suppress it, her heartbeat started to race intensely once more. The rush of heat surged through her body, and then...

Bang—

From somewhere, it sounded like the explosion of steam.

To hide her embarrassment, Hiyori lowered her head.

Ryuto looked somewhat puzzled by this.

Oh, why does it feel like I heard some strange sound just now? Hm, it must have been my imagination.

"Well, now that we have a clue, let's move on quickly," Ryuto suggested.

"Okay... okay," Hiyori agreed, her face now flushed and trying to conceal her pounding heart, responding calmly.