Dubian Che grasped her meaning.

"But going back so early is boring," he said, "we rarely get to go out, so how about we take a walk in Yoyogi Park or go shopping in Shibuya?"

"What a good suggestion!" Mrs. Jiutiao nodded in approval at her son-in-law, "Let's go, Lin, Meiji."

"Sorry, I have to head back," Kiyono Lin said, looking tired.

"Hmm? Tired?" Mrs. Jiutiao voiced her concern.

"Yeah, it's been a long time since I walked this much."

Watching Kiyono Lin, Dubian Che recently had kept a distance and hadn't given her the medicine-laced drink.

After all, that kind of thing, if you want to strengthen your body, inherently requires a combination of regular, long-term exercise.

Kiyono Lin's exercise time was limited to when she was with him, counting on her to go back and work out on her own was less likely than to have a stray dog chase her around.

Not sure if a dog could resist her charm, but cats probably had no chance.

As he was thinking this, the Kiyono Lin in his view suddenly smiled, like a dew-laden lotus shyly blooming.

Dubian Che casually shifted his gaze away from her.

"If Lin is going back, then I can only join Che and Meiji," Jiutiao Zhenji sighed.

"I have a suggestion," Dubian Che knew this was a threat from Mrs. Jiutiao, "Ms. Kiyono, how about we go to Shengong Stadium and watch a game for a while? You just need to sit there."

"You're playing?" asked Kiyono Lin.

"Me? Of course not."

"I'm not interested in baseball. If the interested parties aren't playing, why sit there?"

"..."

"Lin," Mrs. Jiutiao couldn't help but laugh, "even if it's war, you don't need to be so blunt."

"If I wasn't pressed for time, not doing this for the Kiyono family, I would take my time, but regardless, the final winner will be me, without a doubt."

"A defeated dog can be so confident, even as an enemy, I admire your tenacity," Jiutiao Meijie said with crossed arms, fingers tapping on her forearm and a scornful smile on her lips.

"I'm not afraid of losing and will acknowledge defeat, but I absolutely won't keep losing," Kiyono Lin said coldly.

"Conversely, I'm afraid of losing, won't acknowledge defeat, but I will absolutely not lose."

Mrs. Jiutiao looked at her daughter and Kiyono Lin, nodding with interest, then suddenly seemed to remember something and said to the hiding Dubian Che:

"Mr. Dubian, could I trouble you to play? I want to spend more time with Lin."

"I..." Mrs. Jiutiao's look carried an undeniable smile, so Dubian Che changed his words, "I'll try, but no promises if I can't."

"Then let's go. To the baseball game!" Mrs. Jiutiao latched onto the arms of her two daughters once more, "The last time I watched a game was in 19**, when I was only fifteen, a sailor-dress-clad maiden in full bloom, even younger than you girls. By the way, Mr. Dubian, I will cheer for you, your first baseball fan."

"...Thank you."

The four left Meiji Shrine and took a car to Shengong Stadium.

Last summer, for the filming of "From Iwate Prefecture to Tokyo, 400 kilometers," the three had watched fireworks at the stadium.

At the stadium entrance, a sign read "The 104th National High School Baseball Tournament."

Being late due to watching irises, the ticket booth was empty; the ticket for each person was 800 yen.

Walking in, the snack and food stands were also without customers, with only the staff watching the live broadcast on the wall.

The foursome walked into the spectators' seats, which were sparsely filled, seating available at will.

Around the entire field, a large net was placed, and on the wide display screen, the game had progressed to the top half of the second inning.

Dubian Che looked towards the field, located Goda High School's resting area, and pointed out, "You can sit up there."

Jiutiao Meijie glanced at it, Goda High School's cheer squad was there, boisterously singing the school anthem and cheering.

"Not going, too noisy," she stood still at the infield—directly opposite the pitcher.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Dubian Che pulled her that way, "I might really get to play later, if you sit there, I can protect you at a moment's notice, even from the pitch."

"Are you ordering me?" Though she said this, Jiutiao Meijie still let him pull her along.

"Not ordering, I'm asking."

Watching their departing figures, Mrs. Jiutiao said to Kiyono Lin, "Seems like the situation is against you, Lin."

"Compared to Meiji, Mr. Dubian loves me more. Tell me, he asks us to sit there to protect whom?" Not waiting for Mrs. Jiutiao to respond, Kiyono Lin walked towards the direction Dubian Che and Meiji went.

"Should I arrange for an assassination?" Mrs. Jiutiao murmured, looking at the three retreating figures.

After greeting Xiaoquan Aonai and others seated there, Dubian Che took off his coat and placed it on Jiutiao Meijie's chair.

"I'll go down and ask if I can get into the game, don't leave from here," he repeated this several times before leaving the spectator's seats.

"Where did Mr. Dubian go?" Xiaoquan Aonai asked unconsciously.

"To play in the game for Kiyono Lin," Jiutiao Meijie said with a sneer.

Xiaoquan Aonai wanted to say something but suddenly realized the peculiar atmosphere of the three sitting together hindered her speech.

But... for the sake of Kiyono Lin's game?

Was this going to become a foursome?

Xiaoquan Aonai felt a vague concern. What if it increases further in the future?

Speaking of Kiyono Lin, she recalled calling the other "Big Sister" ten years ago, gazing at her profile.

"..."

◇

Dubian Che used his membership in the baseball club to enter the stadium, then turned back to check the shortest route to reach the three's location before entering Goda's dugout.

Kunii Shuichi saw him and immediately waved, "Mr. Dub..."

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