"Are you leaving already? Won't you stay a few more days? The winter festival is currently being held on the back mountain. How about you wait until after the winter festival to leave? There's a lot of fun stuff there."
"Far Moon has some urgent matters, so we can't stay long. We'll come back to see you next time."
Carrying large and small bags of luggage, Hoshino Sora stood on the train platform, while Tadokoro Megumi said goodbye to her family behind him, her eyes full of reluctance.
Originally, they had taken a week off, but because there wasn't much to do there, they decided to return early. Small towns have a slow pace of life, suitable for retirement, but not so much for young people.
In the two days they had been back, they had already visited every part of the town, but the entertainment facilities here were truly scarce; the only one was the karaoke bar at the head of the town.
Hoshino Sora was not a person who could endure loneliness. To accommodate her feelings, he didn't say he wanted to leave, but just stayed in the Shoeien room, only going out to cook at mealtimes.
On the surface, everything seemed normal, but Tadokoro Megumi knew that he had lost his drive and seemed bored.
He shouldn't be like this at his age.
At Far Moon, Hoshino Sora was full of ambition, fearless in facing countless strong enemies. Although his daily life was monotonous and repetitive, and he could accidentally lose his tenth seat, he was very happy and in high spirits every day.
In contrast, staying here, while not painful, was quite boring. As a tourist, two days was enough. If he stayed here constantly, Hoshino-kun wouldn't be able to stand it.
Therefore, after considering it for one night, Tadokoro Megumi decided to return to Far Moon. Since Hoshino Sora was too considerate of her feelings to speak up, she would take care of his feelings and speak for him.
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who was visibly excited but deliberately lowered his head to accommodate her feelings, Tadokoro Megumi felt a warmth in her heart. She didn't need him to do anything for her.
As long as he had her in his heart and was willing to understand her emotions, she was already very happy.
"Alright, then be careful on your way. Come back to visit often when you have time. Mom and Dad will be waiting for you at home."
Waving to her daughter and son-in-law who were about to board the train, Tadokoro Mieko shouted loudly, her voice filled with strong reluctance. Tadokoro Megumi also sat by the window, waving back, until their figures gradually disappeared.
"Hoshino-kun, will you come back with me again?"
Sitting on the train, with the roar of the tracks and the train in her ears, Tadokoro Megumi leaned against Hoshino Sora's shoulder and suddenly asked, deeply moved.
"Of course, whenever you want, I can come back with you. Actually, we could have stayed a few more days."
Holding Tadokoro Megumi's tender white hand, Hoshino Sora's words were firm. This was her home, and he couldn't stop her from returning. And she was his wife, so her home was naturally his home too.
As a couple, they had to put themselves in each other's shoes to continue smoothly.
"No need, it's boring to stay here for more days. Your intention is enough, no backing out!"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Tadokoro Megumi's face immediately broke into a smile. She then snuggled further into his embrace, and feeling the warmth, she comfortably narrowed her eyes.
The train moved at a steady speed, the two leaning on each other.
Finally, in the evening, the two returned to Yōbi Dormitory and Polar Star Dormitory respectively. Soon after Hoshino Sora sat down in his room, Akikubo Momo came upstairs and knocked on his door, holding a cake that looked like the one from last time.
"You said last time, I replaced the honey with wild honey and added a little osmanthus. See how it tastes."
Blinking her innocent, big eyes, Akikubo Momo eagerly handed over the cake, then wiggled her small bottom to sit in Hoshino Sora's lap, slightly raising her head, her big eyes full of anticipation.
"Mmm, it tastes better than last time."
Not refusing her dependence, Hoshino Sora held the cake plate and tasted it carefully, then gave Akikubo Momo a confirming smile.
"That's great!"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Akikubo Momo's face showed an expression of joy, and her hand unconsciously squeezed Buchi's body, then she subtly shifted her body as if by accident.
"Buchi says he wants Sora's affection."
Seeing Hoshino Sora put down the plate, Akikubo Momo hesitated for a few seconds, then shook the doll in her hand, turned around, and spoke, her childlike face showing a hint of longing.
"Does Buchi want it, or does Xiao Tao-senpai want it?"
As he spoke, Hoshino Sora took Buchi from Akikubo Momo's hand, then pinched its face and hands, but ignored the girl in his arms. Clearly, he wouldn't make a move unless she admitted it herself.
"Buchi wants it, but Xiao Tao wants it more!"
Looking at Buchi being subjected to strange actions, Akikubo Momo snatched it back, unceremoniously threw it aside, then pounced on him, her voice carrying a hint of desire.
"What a naughty child!"
Although Akikubo Momo was older than him, she really looked so cute. Her small face was soft, and hugging her felt great, in every sense of the word!
Then, Yumeko Jabami, who was going upstairs to knock on the door and call Hoshino Sora for dinner, stopped in her tracks, standing by the door and listening intently, her eyes occasionally flashing with excitement.
——————
In the third month of spring, when the grass grows and orioles fly.
Today was a special day, the weather was beautiful, and Far Moon's third-year students were about to graduate.
"You look beautiful, Xiao Tao-senpai."
Bringing the camera to Akikubo Momo, Hoshino Sora pointed at the slightly shy girl in the photo and said with a beaming smile. The other party also nodded upon seeing her cute self in the picture.
"Are you taking photos? Take one of me too?"
"Of course! How could Kobayashi-senpai not take a picture? It would be such a waste not to photograph such a great beauty."
"Your mouth is so sweet! But I like it."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Kobayashi Rindo immediately burst into laughter, patted his shoulder, then looked at Akikubo Momo: "This is a rare opportunity, let's take a picture together."
"Mhm."
Akikubo Momo nodded, holding Buchi and standing obediently to the side. Looking at them like this, they seemed like an older sister and a younger sister, taking a middle school graduation photo.
"3, 2, 1, Cheese~"
"Kobayashi-san, can you take a picture of me and Xiao Tao-senpai too?"
"Alright."
Hoshino Sora said, walking up with the camera. After showing the photos to Kobayashi Rindo, he put his arm around Akikubo Momo, who, seeing this, thoughtfully snuggled closer to him, half her body in his embrace. Then, both of them looked at the camera.
"Cheese~"
Soon, the photo was taken, and Hoshino Sora's face showed a satisfied smile as he admired his heroic appearance in the picture.
"Let's go take some pictures over there too."
Looking at herself nestled obediently in Hoshino Sora's arms in the photo, Akikubo Momo pointed to another scenic spot and spoke, her words full of anticipation.
"Okay."
Nodding, Hoshino Sora followed Akikubo Momo to another location, leisurely taking selfies. Other graduates, after receiving their diplomas, left one after another, some good friends walking together. Hoshino Sora didn't pay much attention to the process.
[Task Completed]: Far Moon Transformation
[Task Reward]: 23000 Reputation Points
"Are there only 23 graduates in this batch? What a terrifying and cruel elimination system."
Midway through taking photos, Hoshino Sora's mind suddenly heard the system's prompt. Although it was only 23,000 reputation points, it was free, so it wasn't bad.
"Mainly, a large portion of people were eliminated when they advanced from second year to third year. However, because of the system reforms you and Erina have recently implemented, very few students have been expelled in this batch."
Hearing the lament from beside her, Akikubo Momo, holding Buchi, said that the reason she supported Azami Nakiri back then, besides being invited by Kobayashi Rindo, was mostly to reduce the student elimination rate.
She had a very good friend in her first year, but that person was forcibly expelled for not passing Far Moon's assessment. This matter had always been a thorn in her heart.
"There are only thirty-one third-year students in this batch. The remaining more than one hundred second-year students were forced to repeat, and together with the more than five hundred newly promoted second-year students, the competition will likely be even more intense.
Presumably, starting next year, Far Moon's third-year students will increase significantly."
Hoshino Sora thought with a hopeful expression. This year it's 23,000 reputation points, next year 31,000, the year after 50,000, and the year after that 100,000! Thinking about it like this really makes him feel full of fighting spirit!
He knew that he had worked so hard accepting Food Wars, almost exhausting himself, and the accumulated reputation points had just barely exceeded 100,000, and the rate of increase in reputation points was still dropping sharply.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"