Amidst the cheers and shouts of Kondo, Hijikata, and the others, Mukiwa’s bell-like clear voice stood out remarkably.
Mukiwa, at a speed four body lengths faster than Kiryu, skipped forward in her flat-bottomed wooden clogs, bouncing joyfully towards Aoto.
Busy conversing with people coming to celebrate the victory, Aoto forgot to let go of Toshisuke in his arms, keeping them still embracing closely.
“Tachibana, when did you and the girl from the Thousand Affairs House become so close? To the point of calling each other by name.”
Aoto didn’t explain the change in how he and Mukiwa addressed each other. Explaining such a thing would be too long, not easy. Perhaps he’d gradually elaborate to Hijikata and others about the reasons when there’s a chance in the future.
Due to the need for a warm-up, Aoto couldn’t greet Kiryu and Mukiwa in the “audience area” before the match and had to wave to the older and younger duo from afar.
Due to being a whole 20 centimeters shorter than Aoto, Toshisuke, with her arms still tightly wrapped around Aoto’s neck, had her small feet dangling in mid-air—literally hanging on Aoto.
As everyone’s attention was currently on Aoto and Mukiwa, no one noticed Toshisuke’s peculiarity at present.
Although it might seem a bit unkind to say so... Mukiwa’s congratulatory voice made Aoto much happier and more excited than those of Kondo and the others.
As soon as Hijikata finished speaking, low teasing laughter immediately rose around.
Focused on each other, Aoto and Mukiwa didn’t notice the strange expressions and reactions of the people around them, after Mukiwa loudly and directly called Aoto by name.
From the moment Aoto reciprocated by calling Mukiwa by her first name, Toshisuke’s eyes became even more unfocused.
Such a sudden shift to first-name basis between a man and a woman... in this era, it was quite the gossip and topic of discussion!
During the conversation, Mukiwa had already hopped up to Aoto.
And Aoto’s earlier “Awu” was like pouring fuel on the fire, immediately intensifying the odd expressions on the faces around them.
For instance... Toshisuke, still clinging to Aoto like a koala bear.
“Boss Kiryu! Awu!”
She, with a half-asleep, half-awake daze, mechanically shifting her vacant stares between Aoto and Mukiwa.
“Aoto! That strike of yours just now was absolutely amazing!”
Seeing the two approaching, Aoto’s facial lines instantly relaxed, revealing a gentle, harmonious smile.
But her excitement for Aoto’s victory in the match outweighed her fear of strangers, temporarily overcoming her shy nature.
Aoto hastily apologized while releasing his grip—yet Toshisuke didn’t fall.
Upon arriving at the venue today, the time was already a bit late.
Even Aoto, who was closely embracing Toshisuke and inches away, failed to notice the indescribable expression with which she regarded him and Mukiwa.
Generally speaking, Mukiwa, who’s timid, shy, and unmasked, would find it hard to utter such loud words in a setting with many strangers.
People around clearly heard how Aoto and Mukiwa addressed each other just now.
At this point, Aoto finally realized he was still holding Toshisuke.
Hijikata’s teasing and the surrounding laughter instantly turned Mukiwa’s face several shades of red, prompting her to lower her head and fix her gaze on her tiny toes.
When saying “calling each other’s names,” Hijikata elongated the tone, his voice infused with jest.
At this moment, Hijikata’s face suddenly bore a meaningful smile as he swaggered towards Aoto.
The crowd surrounding Aoto and Toshisuke, including Kondo and others, automatically parted, making way for Mukiwa and Kiryu.
“Ah! Sorry, sorry...”
This was Aoto’s first conversation with Mukiwa today.
In Hijikata and the others’ impression, this pair used to properly address each other as “Mr. Tachibana” and “Miss Kinoshita.”
It’s worth noting that—Toshisuke herself was unaware that her current expression and reaction differed vastly from those around her...
Yet, at some point, they started calling each other by name?
“Oh~~”
“Awu and I have always been very close.”
However, not everyone around was casting teasing glances and laughter at her and Aoto.
Aoto nonchalantly brushed aside Hijikata’s teasing, shifting slightly to shield Mukiwa from Hijikata and others, placing her behind him protectively.
Although Mukiwa’s eyes were now clouded with shyness, the sensation of others misunderstanding her relationship with Aoto added a faint touch of hidden delight to her hazy gaze.
Mukiwa’s excited voice spilled forth, her two small tightly clenched fists raised to her chest, as if she couldn’t help but shower Aoto with overflowing accolades from her red lips.
At this time, Aoto also stood up from the ground, holding Toshisuke.
If in the past, when unaware of Toshisuke’s femininity, Aoto wouldn’t mind indulging in a bit more friendly intimacy with a brother who had teamed up for a victory.

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