Collapse? No, this is just everyday life.

Making the promise with a smile quickly earned her a sweet smile in return.

"Sister Bronya, is the hot spring comfortable?"

Seele smiled, her voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

Bronya raised an eyebrow and casually replied, "It feels so good! Thanks, Seele, for washing my hair. Otherwise, I might have had to wait quite a while."

"Yes, really?"

Seele's expression was already starting to crack, but Bronya added, "Seele, you know that Rain is too slow and always takes up a lot of time. Thanks to Seele for your help, thank you."

"......You're welcome."

Although she couldn't quite understand their conversation, Mei keenly sensed that something was off. She quickly stood between Seele and Bronya, smiling as she acted as a peacemaker.

"Everyone must be hungry. I've already made a reservation at a nearby restaurant. How about we all go have dinner together?"

"Okay."

"Seele... is fine too."

Bronya was still smiling, while Seele pouted, not daring to complain, and could only keep her grievances to herself. Then she took a few steps to her brother's side and hugged his arm tightly. Only then did she dare to glare fiercely at her older sister.

"You're such an idiot, you're such a disgrace."

In her mental world, Hei Xi covered her eyes; she simply couldn't bear to look. It was too humiliating, so humiliating that she was too ashamed to even stand up for Xi'er.

Hearing this, Seele felt even more aggrieved.

Bronya didn't care at all. She smiled and was already imagining what Seele's expression would be like that night.

Dinner was quite lavish, after all, it was Mei, this rich woman, who was treating everyone, so she naturally wouldn't skimp on her friend.

As it grew later, the group set off again.

The New Year festival is about to begin.

Chapter 88 The Festival, Fireworks, and That Lie (5k)

"Wow, so many people!"

Looking at the bustling crowds on the street, Kaguya exclaimed in amazement. This was her first time attending a festival, and she hadn't expected there to be so many people.

People of all ages thronged the area, and the dark world was brightly lit by the numerous lamps that had been erected. Just looking at it, one could feel a boisterous ocean rushing towards them, easily drawing them into the joyful atmosphere.

"There's still some time before the fireworks, so let's all take a stroll around the festival first."

As the local who knew this place best, Mei naturally led everyone into the festival.

Because there were so many people, they split into two groups as they merged into the crowd. Mei led Kiana and Sirin, while Nangong Yu led the remaining three.

"Wow, this smells so good!!"

"really!"

Smelling the rich aroma from the stall, Kiana and Sirin immediately took off running over, leaving Mei, who was following behind, utterly exhausted.

Nangong Yu's situation was much better. Everyone walked slowly with the flow of people. He had his arm around Kaguya to prevent any ill-intentioned contact from certain individuals.

As for Seele and Bronya?

He doesn't need to worry about those two.

Ring toss, shooting, goldfish scooping—these are just some of the games they played, each one a chance to see their smiling figures.

Soon, they got a little tired from shopping, so Seele and Bronya took Kaguya to buy some snacks and treats, while Nangong Yu waited for them at the intersection.

Just as he was getting bored and scrolling through his phone, a surprised voice came over.

"Ah, it's Yu!"

He looked up in confusion, and there was Sugisaki Ken's smiling and waving face.

Grandpa Tong and Beiyuan walked alongside him, and the three of them walked over quickly with smiles on their faces when they saw Nangong Yu.

"Hey, hey, hey, so you said you had something to do, but you're here for the festival?"

"You dare to refuse our invitation? You've gotten quite bold, kid."

"Ah ha ha......"

Nangong Yu remained noncommittal and waved to the group of people who approached.

However, when he saw the small figure following Grandpa Tong, his expression showed some surprise.

First, he gave a high five to the three of them, and then Nangong Yu looked at the girl in the yukata and greeted her with a smile: "Oh, Suguha is here too, it's been a long time."

The young girl was probably a little shy. She quickly bent down and looked at Yu shyly, saying, "Nan, Brother Nangong, it's been a long time."

All four of them were wearing yukatas, which made him look a bit out of place in his regular clothes.

"Indeed, I didn't expect Suguha to have become so beautiful after just one year."

Nangong Yu wanted to raise her hand to touch Zhiye's head, but was immediately slapped away by Grandpa Kirito.

"What are you doing?"

Looking at Kirito with suspicion and some wariness, she saw him say seriously, "You're such a scumbag. I don't want Suguha to fall victim to your evil deeds."

"Hey, hey, hey, you don't trust your brother that much?"

"That's precisely why I'm worried about him."

"..."

Well, that's convincing.

Upon seeing this, Kitahara immediately jumped out and excitedly exclaimed, "Wow, Kazuto is so handsome! No wonder he's my uncle!!!"

Sugisaki Ken punched Kitahara in the stomach, then looked apologetically at Suguha, who was clearly startled: "Sorry, this guy's drunk and keeps talking nonsense. Suguha, don't mind him."

"Hmm, um..."

Suguha took a step back, trying to maintain a smile. Holding her phone, she said with an awkward laugh, "Well, um, a friend invited me to come along. Go have fun, guys, don't worry about me!"

With that, Suguha bowed deeply and then quickly ran into the crowd.

"It's all your fault for scaring her, pfft..."

Just as he was criticizing Nangong Yu, Beiyuan was punched in the stomach again.

He rubbed his groin, straightened up nonchalantly, and looked at the group of grown men, saying, "Well, now even the only girl is gone."

"Who do you think you should blame? You were the one who kept spouting weird things the whole way."

Grandpa Tong added with a disgusted expression, but after thinking about it, he ultimately decided not to give him another punch.

Kitahara scratched his head and sighed slowly.

"In that case, shall we grab something to eat? I remember there's a fried noodle place over there that's pretty good."

"Okay, I'm hungry too."

"Um, what about you, Ayu?"

Seeing that Nangong Yu hadn't said much, Sugisaki Ken asked a question.

"Ah, I just..."

"Brother~"

A pleasant voice came from the side. Under Kitahara's glaring eyes, an incredibly cute girl happily hugged Nangong Yu's arm and looked at them curiously with eyes as pure and beautiful as the sky.

"they are?"

"As I mentioned before, Sugisaki Ken, Kiritani Kazuto, and Kitahara Iori."

Upon hearing Nangong Yu's introduction, Xi'er suddenly realized something and politely said, "You're my brother's friend, right? Thank you all for taking care of my brother."

"Um, I mean, Uncle, lol!!!"

This time, Nangong Yu had a little more strength, so much so that Beiyuan couldn't get up for a long time. He patted Xier's little head and introduced her to everyone.

"My sister, or rather my lover, Seele Vollery."

The address of "brother" immediately brought a sweet smile to Seele's face, and she readily replied, "Everyone can just call me by my name, Seele."

"Ouch, that hurts... If you're going to be lovers, why are you playing these brother-sister games? Honestly, all that excitement for nothing."

Clutching his stomach, Kitahara muttered in dissatisfaction.

"Use your brain more. They look so close, and they even have different surnames. You can figure it out with a little thought."

Sugisaki Ken punched Kitahara's shoulder helplessly, then looked at Nangong Yu with envy in his eyes: "No wonder you didn't come with us, Yu. It's so nice to have your lover with you."

"Yes, that's great!"

When will they be able to...

"My lord, I've discovered a delicious snack! Please try it!"

Amidst the three men's somewhat bewildered gazes, another girl, breathtakingly beautiful and perfectly fitting their definition of beauty, approached their brother. She then affectionately fed him with a toothpick and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief afterward.

And what was your name just now?

Husband, are you here?

Kitahara's face contorted with rage. He forced himself to remain calm and stiffly turned to look at his two single brothers beside him, saying, "Did I just hear that right?"

"Maybe."

"I think so too."

"You heard that right."

"Shut up!"

Under the angry glares of the three, Nangong Yu hugged the somewhat dazed Kaguya and said with a smile, "Kaguya Houraisan, my fiancée."

"Hehe, I, I might not be fully awake yet."

"Fake, it's all fake."

"Wow, that's really amazing..."

The three of them exchanged glances, then said in unison, "Let's go get some fried noodles."