"As expected of me, this angle is simply impeccable, Shizuka, what do you think?"
Catching the printed photo, Nobi Hiroshi held it in his palm, examining it carefully.
The ahegao expression was truly on point, especially in the sea, and her small mouth even blew bubbles. This effect simply couldn't be achieved on land.
He nodded proudly, then handed down the sticker photo. The limp loli in his arms instantly perked up upon seeing it.
"Give it to me!!!"
Shizuka reached out to snatch it, but he swung the arm holding the photo back, refusing to let her touch it.
What if such a beautiful photo was torn? Sperm whales were very difficult to encounter. Nobi Hiroshi absolutely could not let such a commemorative photo be destroyed.
"Hurry up and give it to me, if other people see something like this…"
"It's fine, I'll keep it safe."
"No!"
Shizuka stubbornly butted her head, that strange behavior was definitely not her own.
"Alright, you have to promise me one thing: you can't damage this photo. Can you do that?"
"Okay, no problem. If I lie, I'll be a puppy. Hurry up and give it to me, Hiroshi."
The restless Shizuka suddenly quieted down, feeling as if there was some small conspiracy.
However, Nobi Hiroshi still gave her the photo. The moment she received it, her small hand quickly tore the artwork into pieces.
No trace remained, turning into sea breeze, like dandelion florets, disappearing into the vast ocean.
Coming back to his senses, Nobi Hiroshi widened his eyes and scrutinized. The quick-witted Shizuka seemed to have been prepared, directly opening her mouth and barking twice.
"Woof~ Woof~"
"There, I didn't lie, I really barked like a puppy."
She wore an honest expression.
Having rested well, Shizuka stood up, pressing her slightly bulging stomach. It cleaned up easily; the sea was indeed quite convenient.
"Yes, my little puppy!"
Rubbing Shizuka's tender cheeks, Nobi Hiroshi chuckled twice, carrying a chilling coldness.
He couldn't refute her actions.
What a little b*tch, daring to trick him. She must be given a more severe punishment.
Next time, he wouldn't just take expression photos. He'd buy a special collection folder to gather CGs from different stages.
"Forget it, let's go back to sleep."
"Mmm, I'm tired too. It's all your fault, you've been restless ever since we finished eating."
"Is that really true? But how do I remember a little glutton constantly shouting 'don't stop'?"
Nobi Hiroshi's expression softened, a satisfied smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"Did I~? I don't remember."
Shizuka lowered her gaze, biting a small piece of her finger, clearly unwilling to admit it.
"Of course you did. I really wish there was something to record your voice."
Shrugging, Nobi Hiroshi brought up the topic of the Half Moon. There wasn't much cleaning needed.
The sea cave was thoroughly rinsed, so there was no need to trouble Shizuka again.
Although he was reluctant to wear the mermaid skirt, loading and exiting the game was very convenient. It was just easy for others to misunderstand, so wearing it here was fine.
If he returned to the town, no one would believe there was a beast under the skirt, right?
...
...
"Shizuka, Hiroshi, what are you doing outside so late?"
Nobi Nobita adjusted his glasses, his gaze scrutinizing his "future wife" and love rival, who were both covered in a layer of water.
Why were they coming back from outside in the middle of the night? If he hadn't come out for a drink of water, he wouldn't have found out.
"Nobita… the two of us just went for a night jog."
"After all, we ate a bit too much tonight, so how can we digest it without exercise?"
Shizuka explained without changing her expression, her small hand still holding on.
She pulled Hiroshi all the way back to the room.
"Night jog?"
Nobi Nobita stared blankly, feeling that something was off, but couldn't articulate why.
Just as the door was about to close, he suddenly reached out to block it.
"Shizuka, how can you sleep in the same room? Aren't there other rooms?"
With his finger pressed against the doorframe, Nobita frowned, looking at Nobi Hiroshi with annoyance.
Any evil will eventually be brought to justice.
"Nobita, it's my freedom to sleep in that room, do you need to manage it?"
With her hands on her hips, Shizuka pointed at Nobita's nose, saying irritably.
"That's right, Nobita, we were just playing poker. Don't overthink it."
Nobi Hiroshi said with a kind smile.
He had already compensated Nobita with a Xiao Zhu, so he had a clear conscience.
"Of course not… I…"
Nobi Nobita quickly took a step back, afraid of displeasing her.
He felt extremely aggrieved. He had been there first, so how could childhood sweethearts from a young age not compare to half a semester of companionship?!
A sharp pain shot through his heart.
"That's good then! Nobita, you should go back and rest too. It's getting late now."
Shizuka quietly closed the door. The curved light slowly enveloped the room.
The white light on Nobi Nobita's face was gradually covered by shadows. Through the crack, he saw Nobi Hiroshi putting his arm around Shizuka.
Pale-faced, he knelt on the ground, not knowing how many times he had cried.
For some reason, he had leverage in Xiao Zhu's hands. His life was ruined, and he saw no hope.
But first love, how could it be so easy to let go of?
"Shizuka… Ah!!!!"
Returning to his room, Nobita burrowed under the covers, crying out in despair, trying to cry as quietly as possible.
"Nobita, what are you barking about?"
"What are you yelling about in the middle of the night, you idiot!"
Friendly greetings came from both sides. Giant and Xiao Fu pounded on the wall, angrily reprimanding him.
However, Nobita, immersed in his world of pain, paid no attention to the trouble he had caused.
Thus, a friendly exchange battle began.
The three hadn't closed the special window, which was why they could hear the commotion next door.
...
...
In the middle of the night, when everyone was asleep, only Sofia found it hard to sleep, unable to figure out some things.
The three of them slept somewhat like an American hot dog, with the two sides of the bun embracing the center.
Gently pulling away from the arm around her waist, the girl pushed herself up, carefully avoiding any sound from the mattress.
Leaning against the side of the bed, she picked up the ruby crown hairpin and treasure map from the table: "These two texts are exactly the same, what do they mean?"
Sofia touched the ancient script carved on the crown, muttering to herself.
She was so curious she was almost insomniac.
"Eh~"
Half-asleep, half-awake, Nobi Hiroshi opened his eyelids. Reaching out, his right side was empty.
Looking at the two small jellyfish above his head, he said, "Sofia, why are you up?"
"Sorry, Hiroshi, did I wake you up?"
"I couldn't sleep thinking about the Mermaid's Sword."
Putting down the items in her hand, Sofia leaned back again. The rounded jellyfish pressed against the young man's chest, emitting a warm fragrance.
Gently sniffing, Nobi Hiroshi gradually grasped the soft jellyfish, and asked, "Is there any connection between the Mermaid's Sword and this crown?"
"Uh-huh~"
"I don't know either. The text on it says so, but I've worn this crown for a long time and haven't found anything special about it."
Their noses brushed, and the girl, her face flushed, bit her lower lip, letting out an alluring moan.
She unconsciously rubbed her thighs.
"Perhaps… a special method is needed to trigger the connection between them."
"But this is actually a crown, I always thought it was a hairpin."
As he spoke, he lifted the corner of his clothes. Hiroshi finally tasted the jellyfish; it was incredibly soft, except for the top of its head which was a bit firm.
"Don't… don't pull…"
Sofia hugged him tightly.
Unable to lift his head, Nobi Hiroshi temporarily loosened his grip and said, "This way is faster to solve. You won't have to think so much and can just go to sleep honestly."
"Mmm-zzzz~"
As soon as he finished speaking, the jellyfish severely deformed.