From a map perspective, the distance from Tokyo to Sapporo is about 950 kilometers.
Traveling by land—whether driving or taking a train—would take a long time, but if you fly, from the wait time before boarding to stepping out of the destination airport, the whole trip takes just a little over three hours.
Just as Utaha was still immersed in the fun of teasing Chisato and feeling like she hadn't had enough, the group had already arrived.
When deplaning, Eriri witnessed firsthand Utaha's cheerful expression abruptly change as she felt the huge temperature difference between inside the plane and the outdoors.
She hurriedly closed her coat and shrank her neck.
Serves her right!
Eriri secretly laughed.
She had dropped several hints in the morning—despite the good weather, the temperature would still be quite low.
But Utaha didn't care. She glanced out the window and still dressed according to her own tastes as usual.
Underneath, she wore a low-neck sweater with a snug short skirt and black tights, topped with a long brown trench coat.
In Tokyo, it was still manageable. After all, she'd lived there for many years and could tolerate its winter temperatures.
Her legs were cold, but she could endure it.
If it meant Chisato's gaze would linger on her a bit more often, it was worth it.
However, after arriving in the northern metropolis of Sapporo, the howling cold wind and the even lower temperatures caught her completely off guard—it was like a slap in the face.
Eriri, dressed warmly in athletic pants and a down jacket, turned her head to the side but deliberately let out a soft chuckle just loud enough for Utaha to hear and quietly muttered, "Idiot."
It was obvious who she meant.
Utaha could feel the temperature in her legs disappearing and the biting wind pouring through her unprotected neckline.
Though she wanted to retort to Eriri, her shivering lips couldn't support such defiance.
In the end, it was Chisato who couldn't stand it anymore.
He took off his scarf and wrapped it around Utaha's neck. It helped a bit—at least her collar was no longer exposed to the wind.
As for her lower half, he really had no solution. He couldn't exactly take off his pants for her.
"Chisato, the focus of this trip is to reward them, so you don't need to worry about us. We'll just follow along."
While retrieving their luggage, Eriri leaned in close to Chisato and softly reminded him of what they had agreed on the night before.
"Mhm."
Smack!
Utaha made an untimely smooching sound.
When Chisato and the smirking Eriri looked at her, she sniffled and pretended nothing happened, then dragged her suitcase ahead.
"Eriri... Utaha should have packed slightly warmer clothes in her suitcase, right?"
"Who knows. That idiot only cares about fashion, not warmth. Just ignore her."
That's what Eriri said, but her actual actions were rather thoughtful—at least, that's how Chisato saw it.
As they left the airport, Eriri stepped away from Utaha and came over to suggest they temporarily split up.
She explained that she and Utaha wanted to stroll around the city for a bit before regrouping with everyone else at the Sapporo ski resort.
The others nodded in understanding.
"I'd better go buy her a few clothes first, or I'm afraid that idiot won't even step outside the hotel for the next few days in Sapporo."
That was what Eriri whispered in Chisato's ear before leaving.
Somehow, Eriri had always given Chisato a comforting sense of reliability.
He didn't need to say or arrange anything—she always anticipated his needs and resolved his problems without being asked.
It was a very easy dynamic to be in.
Eriri and Utaha took a taxi toward the city center.
Meanwhile, those who weren't interested in shopping and just wanted to get to the ski resort as soon as possible—the four members of Kesshoku Band, along with Seika—called two more taxis with Chisato and headed off in another direction.
The four members of Kesshoku Band rode in one cab, while Seika and Chisato rode together in the one behind.
The roads were slick with melted snow, so the vehicles moved at a safe, steady pace.
Seika had napped a bit on the plane, so she was feeling refreshed now.
But she showed no desire to chat with Chisato.
Her eyes remained fixed on the changing scenery outside—watching as the lively cityscape gave way to a quiet, serene one.
She stared at the thickening cedar forests along the roadside, and at the jagged lines of snow-covered mountains in the distance.
Sapporo, a city known for its snow-based tourism, truly lived up to its reputation.
Just as Seika was starting to feel calmed and healed by the breathtaking view, she suddenly felt a tap on her arm.
The tranquility she had just regained was rippled again. With an expressionless face, Seika turned her head—Chisato's finger was still poking her arm, not yet withdrawn.
"What are you doing?"
As soon as she opened her mouth, Seika realized her tone had been a little sharp. She silently scolded herself for being too emotional.
After all, the man sitting beside her was technically her boss.
He hadn't done anything to deserve hostility.
What was she acting so annoyed for? Was she trying to prove something? How foolish.
Being a working adult, she quickly composed herself and switched gears.
She rubbed her eyes and said,
"Sorry, I dozed off a bit on the plane. Didn't sleep enough. Still kinda grumpy from just waking up."
It was a perfectly reasonable excuse—anyone who's been rudely awakened from a nap knows how irritating it can be.
But even without such an excuse, Chisato wouldn't have minded. He wasn't as petty as Seika imagined.
And when it came to people he cared about, his tolerance expanded several fold without him even realizing it.
"I should be the one apologizing. I didn't really give you guys a heads-up before bringing along two extra people on this trip."
"It's nothing. You're the president, after all. Whatever you say goes."
Seika tried to sound casual, clearly expressing that she didn't mind.
But to Chisato, her words carried a faint undertone of helplessness or even resentment.
He wasn't sure if that was just his imagination, but now wasn't the time to overthink it. Best to follow the thread of the conversation.
"When we get to the hotel near the ski resort, I'll book an extra room for Eriri and Utaha.
The plan we originally agreed on won't change much. Everything during the day will proceed as we scheduled. The two of them probably won't be joining us."
Seika asked with some concern, "So they're planning to spend the next few days doing their own thing?"
"Yeah… if nothing unexpected happens, that should be the case during the daytime."
Chisato tried to phrase his reply as gently as possible, but the implied meaning was clear to Seika.
During the daytime… meaning the night might be a different story.
Unbelievable! He's just a kid, and yet he's already…
Just picturing it made Seika's head heat up—a dark-haired, voluptuous girl and a cute twin-tailed girl, both tangled up with Chisato, the three of them covered in sweat...
Her imagination was getting away from her.
"Whatever. It's not like it affects anything. The original itinerary only included things like hot springs and dinner in the evenings anyway."
"All expenses can be reimbursed, so just have fun. No need to be polite with me."
"Don't worry, I won't be. President."
A faint smile appeared on Seika's lips.
And with that, she let go of it all.
The purpose of this trip to Sapporo was to unwind and have fun. Whoever Chisato brought along had nothing to do with her.
All she had to do was enjoy herself and, as the manager, keep an eye on the four members of Kesshoku Band.
Oh, right—speaking of which…
"What about Hitori… what do you plan to do?"
Seika suddenly realized this point.
Based on the intimate interactions between Chisato and Hitori in the past, it was obvious they had a close relationship.
But throughout this trip, judging by how Hitori had been responding to Utaha and Eriri, it didn't seem like she was that familiar with them.
It felt like they were only acquaintances at best.
Since Seika had always looked after Hitori, her instincts naturally leaned toward Hitori's side.
That's why she asked.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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