𝟭. 𝙃𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 || 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐲𝐮𝐮 [✔]

Chapter 68: The Oldest

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#110223
•••

Aeris finished the last of her dinner just as her teammates began packing up. The restaurant buzzed with the lingering excitement of their victory celebration, chopsticks clinking and chairs sliding back as everyone got ready to leave.

"See you back home," Aoi said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

Aeris smiled and nodded. She felt warm from the laughter they'd shared tonight.

"Thanks for seeing us off," Tajima added politely.

"You're welcome," Aeris replied.

Chie frowned worriedly, glancing at the dark sky outside the windows. "Are you sure about heading back now? It's getting late. You should go home soon."

Aeris waved off her concern. "I will. Thanks, guys. Congrats again. Let's do this again sometime—it was fun."

"Yes!" they all said at once, grinning before heading off in different directions.

Aeris and Tobio slipped out to the main road and caught a taxi back toward the training camp. The city lights passed by in streaks through the windows, casting soft reflections on the glass. Aeris leaned back, still smiling without realizing it.

"You enjoyed it?" Tobio asked, catching her expression in the window.

Aeris nodded.

"It's obvious. You kept smiling," he said, almost teasing—but in his usual straight-faced way.

"Really?" she blinked.

He shrugged lightly. "Yeah."

"Maybe..." she mumbled, feeling her cheeks warm.

Back at camp, Aeris headed to the girls' dorm room where all the managers were staying. As soon as she opened the door, Yukie bounced up from her bed.

"Aeris! Good job! Congrats! I wish we could've seen it!"

Aeris hugged her. "It's fine. I know you guys were cheering for us from here."

"Supporting you all the way here is good," Mako added with a grin, "but supporting you all the way there would've been better!"

Before Aeris could reply, the door opened again and Yachi peeked inside.

"Yachiiii!" Aeris exclaimed, pulling her into a sudden hug.

Yachi squeaked. "A-Aeris-san!"

"Where's Kiyo?" Aeris asked.

A soft voice answered from the doorway. "I'm here," Kiyoko said as she stepped in.

Aeris turned to her. "You guys took a bath without me?"

"We thought you'd be back later," Kiyoko apologized with a smile. "Sorry."

"It's okay," Aeris said, though she pouted for a second.

From her bed, Kamiko smirked. "You know you can let her go now."

Aeris blinked, then realized she was still clinging to Yachi. She shot back like she'd touched something hot. "Oh my—sorry, Yachi! I didn't realize!"

Yachi's cheeks were dusted pink. "I-It's okay!"

"She's cute when she's flustered, right?" Aeris said absentmindedly.

Yachi's blush deepened, and the other girls tried—and failed—to hide their giggles.

"You're just in a good mood," Yukie teased.

"No, seriously. Isn't she the youngest?" Aeris asked.

Kaori perked up. "Wait—Yachi, what year were you born?"