Chapter 27 How should we explain 1
Day 1: Anticipation and Curiosity
On the morning of the first day of Golden Week, Yuzuhiko, Kagami, and Shigeru suddenly announced that they were going on a "short trip" to relax. The news came somewhat unexpectedly, but Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru didn't think much of it. After all, they were used to living together, and since the boys rarely took time to relax, the girls were happy to give them some space.
While preparing breakfast in the kitchen, Momoko casually mentioned Yuzuhiko's plan during a phone call with her mother, Kakiko. "He's been pushing himself too hard lately. He needs a break," Momoko said. Kakiko laughed in response, "He really does, that boy is always so busy." Kuriko chimed in, "I bet brother-in-law will bring back something tasty, right?" The mother and daughter chatted happily, showing no concern about Yuzuhiko's trip.
Miyako was also on the phone with Kiyoko, her grandmother. Kiyoko chuckled, "Kagami going on a trip? That's quite rare." Miyako replied, "Yeah, he said it's about time he took a break." Kiyoko also laughed, thinking it was nothing out of the ordinary for young people to relax occasionally.
Kaoru spoke with her mother Michiru on the phone as well. "Shigeru suddenly said he was going on a trip. I thought he was too lazy to bother," Kaoru said. Michiru laughed, "Shigeru is smart. A change of scenery could do him good. Don't worry about him."
Day 2: From Anticipation to Doubt
By the second day, the girls still hadn't heard from the boys. Though they tried to stay calm, they were starting to feel uneasy.
Kakiko called Momoko to ask if Yuzuhiko had contacted her. "Not yet, but it should be fine, right?" Momoko tried to sound lighthearted, but she was already beginning to feel a little anxious. "He wouldn't forget to check in with me, would he?" she thought to herself, starting to worry.
Kiyoko also called Miyako, asking, "Has Kagami contacted you yet?" Miyako frowned, replying, "No… but he should be fine." Kiyoko, sensing her unease, reassured her, "Young people sometimes lose track of time when they're having fun. Don't worry too much."
Michiru called Kaoru, who answered irritably, "He hasn't come back yet, and he hasn't even called." Michiru tried to soothe her, "Don't worry too much. Shigeru knows how to take care of himself."
Day 3: Growing Concern
On the third day, the girls' feelings of doubt turned into genuine concern. They could no longer remain calm, sensing something was wrong.
Momoko sat in her dessert shop, glancing at her phone every now and then. Kakiko called again, "Don't worry too much. Yuzuhiko will be fine." Momoko tried to hide her anxiety, "Yeah, I know he'll be okay… but why hasn't he even sent a message?" The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was off.
Miyako sat at her design desk, struggling to focus. Her pen repeatedly paused mid-stroke. Kiyoko called, her voice soft with concern, "Miyako, are you okay?" Miyako forced a reply, "I'm fine… it's just that Kagami hasn't sent any word." Kiyoko tried to help her relax, "He's going to be fine. You have to trust him."
Kaoru was growing more agitated by the hour. She reached out to some friends, hoping someone had seen Shigeru, but there was no sign of him. Michiru called and asked, "Kaoru, you don't seem like yourself. What's wrong?" Kaoru, frustrated, replied, "He still hasn't contacted me! Something's not right." Michiru, too, was starting to worry but tried to keep her composure, "Don't worry. Shigeru will be fine."
Day 4: Anxiety Intensifies
On the fourth day, there was still no word from the boys. The girls' anxiety had escalated, and they could no longer face the situation calmly.
Momoko clutched her phone, curled up on the couch, tears streaming down her face. "Yuzuhiko, where are you?" Kakiko called again and, hearing her daughter's voice, quickly tried to comfort her, "Momoko, don't panic. Yuzuhiko will be fine. We'll come see you tomorrow, and we can wait for him together."
Miyako sat staring at the pendant Kagami had given her, her heart heavy with a sense of unease. "Kagami, where are you? Why won't you come back?" Her grandmother, Kiyoko, called again, her voice full of concern, "Miyako, are you okay? Do you want me to come over and stay with you?" Miyako quietly agreed, silent tears streaming down her face.
Kaoru's frustration had turned into distress. Her voice was hoarse as she muttered, "Shigeru, you idiot! Did something happen to you?!" She called her mother, Michiru, crying over the phone, "Mom, I can't take it anymore. I'm scared something happened to Shigeru." Michiru, hearing her daughter's sobs, was filled with worry, "We'll come to you right away. Hang in there!"
Day 5: Despair and Unease
By the fifth day, the girls were on the verge of emotional collapse. They could no longer convince themselves that the boys were simply on a vacation. They began to fear that something irreversible had happened.
Momoko couldn't control her emotions anymore. She opened her phone repeatedly, checking again and again for any messages, but there were none. Kakiko and Kuriko finally arrived at their shared home. Seeing the state Momoko was in, they hugged her tightly. "It's going to be okay, Momoko. We'll wait for Yuzuhiko together," Kakiko reassured her. Momoko sobbed, "But will he really come back?"
Kiyoko arrived and found Miyako sitting on the couch, looking desolate. She quickly walked over and hugged her. "Sweetheart, don't worry. They won't let anything happen to them." Miyako clung to her grandmother, tears streaming down her face, "I'm so scared… What if Kagami… What if he doesn't come back?"
Michiru and Tokio arrived to see Kaoru in a similar state, clearly distraught. Michiru was at a loss for words, heartbroken by her daughter's pain. "Kaoru, you need to be strong. We'll wait for Shigeru together," Tokio patted her shoulder, trying to comfort her. "If something really happened to him… I'll regret it for the rest of my life!" Kaoru cried uncontrollably. Michiru held her daughter tightly, tears welling up in her own eyes.
Day 6: Collapse and Despair
On the sixth day, the atmosphere grew even heavier. The three girls had completely lost their composure, unable to bear the uncertainty any longer.
Momoko curled up on the couch, tears streaming down her face. "Yuzuhiko, please, come back… I don't know what to do anymore…" Her voice cracked, like a lost bird calling out into the night.
Miyako sat on the balcony, clutching the notebook Kagami had given her. Her eyes were swollen, and her voice trembled, "Kagami… I don't know where you are, but I miss you so much…"
Kaoru, once so strong, had also crumbled. Her hands were clenched into fists, and tears blurred her vision. "Shigeru, you idiot! If you don't come back, I'll find you and beat you up…" Her voice was low, filled with pain.
That night, the weight of their despair was almost unbearable. Each girl eventually lay down, knowing they wouldn't sleep but too exhausted to stay awake. Slowly, they drifted into fitful dreams, not of happy reunions, but of deeper torment.
In their dreams, each girl chased after her respective boy.
Momoko dreamed of running through endless darkness, chasing a blurry figure ahead. She knew it was Yuzuhiko, and she called his name desperately, but she could never catch up. He glanced back at her once, then turned and walked away, growing more distant. Her legs grew heavier until she finally collapsed to the ground, her tears blurring her vision.
Miyako dreamed of a similar scene. She ran after Kagami, reaching out to grab his arm. But every time she extended her hand, he seemed to dissolve like the wind. He looked back at her with an apologetic gaze, then disappeared into a fog. Her heart sank, torn by a pain so deep it felt unbearable.
Kaoru dreamed of chasing Shigeru down a desolate street. She called his name, running faster out of fear, but his figure kept getting further away. He looked back at her once, his eyes full of unspoken words, but he said nothing. Kaoru's heart filled with both despair and anger, but she couldn't run any further.
All three girls woke from their dreams, drenched in cold sweat. Their hearts pounded wildly, and it felt like a massive weight was crushing their chests, leaving them gasping for air. In that moment, they felt a profound sense of loneliness and fear.
Day 7: A Day Without Hope
The seventh day dawned with sunlight filtering through the curtains, but for the three girls, it felt like a day without hope. Their expressions were heavy, dark circles under their eyes betraying their sleepless nights. Time dragged on, and their families began to notice how unwell they were.
Momoko sat at the dining table, a strawberry mille-feuille in front of her—her favorite—but she had no appetite. Her gaze was empty as she stared at the bowl on the table, as if she had lost her soul. Her father, Hachizou, and her mother, Kakiko, exchanged worried glances. Kakiko gently patted Momoko on the shoulder, her voice full of concern, "Momoko, are you okay? Yuzuhiko… he should be fine, right?"
At her mother's words, Momoko couldn't hold back her tears anymore. Her voice was hoarse as she whispered, "Yuzuhiko… where are you? What am I supposed to do without you…"
Kiyoko had also come to visit, finding Miyako curled up on the couch, her knees drawn to her chest, trembling slightly. Her throat was dry, her lips pale. Kiyoko stroked her granddaughter's hair, speaking softly, "Miyako, don't worry, Kagami will be back soon."
Miyako raised her head, her eyes devoid of their usual light, her voice choked with tears, "Kagami… I miss you so much… why won't you come back?"
Kiyoko embraced her tightly, trying to console her, "Sweetheart, don't worry. He'll be back. You have to believe in him."
Michiru and Tokio had also arrived to find Kaoru in shambles. Normally calm and composed, she was now a wreck, sitting on the floor with clenched fists, her gaze distant and hopeless. Tokio gently patted her on the shoulder, "Kaoru, be strong. Shigeru will be fine."
Tears streamed down Kaoru's face as her voice cracked, "Shigeru, you idiot… how could you just leave me like this?"
Michiru's eyes welled with tears as she tried to comfort her daughter, "Kaoru, no matter what happens, we're here for you."
In this oppressive atmosphere, the three girls couldn't hold back any longer. They exchanged glances, seeing the same pain and despair reflected in each other's eyes. Their families sat by quietly, offering silent support.
The girls finally broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I don't know what to do anymore…" Momoko choked out, "Yuzuhiko isn't just my boyfriend; he's a part of me… I can't imagine life without him…"
"Kagami too…" Miyako sobbed, "He's my future… Without him, I feel like my life has lost its balance…"
Kaoru hugged the other two girls tightly, her voice trembling, "Shigeru said he'd always be with me… and now he's just gone. What am I supposed to do without him?"
Their parents and grandmother watched, hearts breaking for their daughters. They knew that these boys were not just their daughters' lovers, but had become essential parts of their lives.
On this day, the girls' emotions had reached their breaking point. Their tears flowed like a torrent, unstoppable. Seven days of waiting had felt like an endless torment, with each second dragging on like a year. The thought of losing their beloved boys was unbearable, for to them, these boys were not just their partners but an irreplaceable part of their lives.
They wept, their sobs filling the room. They knew, no matter what the future held, that they were committed to spending the rest of their lives with these boys. Yet, in this moment, the despair they felt was like a sharp blade, piercing deep into their hearts.
Their families could do nothing but watch, silently praying for the boys' safe return, hoping that their daughters could soon smile again.
On the other side of the world, the boys were completely unaware of how worried the girls and their families in Japan were about them.
"South America, Colombia, Bogotá, El Dorado International Airport."
The plane finally took off, leaving Bogotá Airport in Colombia behind. Inside the cabin, it was completely silent. The three of us were utterly exhausted, our bodies feeling like they had been hollowed out. This Golden Week "tour" experience could only be described as a nerve-wracking ordeal. From Myanmar to Sri Lanka, and then to Colombia, countless crises and dangerous situations had left us mentally and physically drained. Now that we were finally back on the plane, we could finally catch our breath a little.
The plane finally took off, leaving Bogotá Airport in Colombia behind. Inside the cabin, it was completely silent. The three of us were utterly exhausted, our bodies feeling like they had been hollowed out.
This Golden Week "tour" experience could only be described as a nerve-wracking ordeal. From Myanmar to Sri Lanka, and then to Colombia, countless crises and dangerous situations had left us mentally and physically drained. Now that we were finally back on the plane, we could finally catch our breath a little.
The engine's low, rhythmic hum was soothing, and both Kagami and Shigeru had already closed their eyes, seemingly trying to grasp this brief moment of peace to rest. I was no different; my head was heavy with drowsiness, and I was just about to drift off into sleep when suddenly a thought exploded in my mind, jolting me awake.
"Wait a minute—our phones…how long has it been since we last contacted them?" I abruptly opened my eyes, and my vision immediately cleared up as a nightmare-like image flashed through my mind. My iphone had been blown to smithereens by the drug cartel's RPG back in Myanmar while we were digging for rubies. It had now been seven whole days without any contact with the girls.
I glanced around, and it was clear Kagami and Shigeru had also thought of the same problem. Kagami's face turned pale instantly, and his sleepy eyes snapped to attention, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. Shigeru shot upright from his seat, his eyes wide with alarm, and beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
"What?! Seven whole days?!" Shigeru's eyes widened, his face turning ashen. "They're going to kill us for sure!"
Kagami's lips twitched slightly; he clearly understood the gravity of the situation too. "No, we need to come up with an excuse, or we're dead meat when we get back."
My brain started racing. For the past seven days, the three of us had been completely off the grid, going through unimaginable scenarios. Now, just thinking about how they must be anxiously waiting for us back in Tokyo sent a chill down my spine. I could vividly imagine Momoko's face, burning with anger—that look alone was enough to make me shiver. Then there were Miyako and Kaoru; while they usually remained calm, in this situation, they were likely to have already coordinated with their families and the government to send out a search and rescue team for us.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, but my mind felt like a jumbled mess, like spilled glue all over the place. At this point, any foolish excuse would never convince them. After all, we had to maintain the element of surprise and couldn't reveal the gemstone excavation.
"We need to think of an excuse, or we're really done for when we get back," I forced myself to stay calm and tried to think of a plausible reason.
"Should we say our phones broke and we had poor signal?" Shigeru suggested a plan, but he clearly knew that this excuse wouldn't hold water. There's no way we could have traveled around the world without finding a single Wi-Fi signal—such a claim would insult their intelligence.
"No, they definitely won't buy that," I shook my head. "We need a more reliable story."
"We could say we ran into some unexpected trouble, like… a little bit of a mess?" Kagami came up with an idea, but then immediately frowned. "But they'll ask what kind of trouble, and we won't be able to explain."
"We still need to find a reason that makes sense," I racked my brain, trying to come up with something.
"How about saying we encountered a technical issue, and the plane had to make an emergency landing in a remote area for repairs, so we couldn't contact them?" Shigeru suggested tentatively, thinking this might be a somewhat plausible explanation.
"Alright, maybe we can try that," I contemplated. "We'll have to pretend to stay calm and play it by ear when we get back. If they press us too hard, we'll throw out this explanation."
The three of us exchanged glances and nodded firmly. The plane continued to fly steadily; this was a journey we desperately hoped to prolong because the time to face the girls' wrath was only getting closer.
But deep down, I knew we were really in big trouble this time. The girls had very different personalities, but in a situation like this, they would be completely united—they were sure to get to the bottom of this. I could almost picture their burning anger, which could be more terrifying than any drug cartel, armed military, or even terrorists. If they truly unleashed their fury, it would probably be stronger than "Him" or even Izanami!
Honestly, if they knew we had been out of contact for so long, who knows if they might think we were deliberately ignoring them or involved in some secret mission...
Oh god, they might actually kill us. This is no joke!
I silently prayed in my heart: Please, let us get through this smoothly. I really hope they might show a little mercy since we're so exhausted. Otherwise, after we return, we might be facing the "biggest test of our lives."
"However, don't forget we still have some extra gems that might help divert their attention," Kagami suddenly remembered, his tone carrying a hint of hope. "Not only did we find the three major gemstones this time, but we also managed to dig up hundreds of other high-quality gems along the way."
"Yeah, we could sell those gems and use the money to buy some gifts as souvenirs for them," I immediately agreed, a thought flashing through my mind. "This way, we can express our sincerity and also somewhat cover up the reason for our lack of contact."
Hearing this, Shigeru's eyes lit up. "Good idea! With the money we make from selling these gems, we can buy things they usually like or some rare items they've never seen before. That might help ease their anger a bit."
The three of us started mentally calculating each of our wives' preferences.
"Alright, let's do it. We'll sell these extra gems and each buy some special gifts as souvenirs," I decided, then added, "But all of this will have to wait until we get back. Right now, our top priority is figuring out how to survive the moment we step off the plane."
Kagami and Shigeru nodded in agreement. At this moment, the three of us knew very well that no matter how risky this mission had been, the real challenge was still ahead of us. Our girlfriends were too smart, too sharp, and our so-called surprise could quickly turn into their interrogation and judgment.
Though there was still a lingering sense of unease, we were prepared for the worst. The rest was just about being ready to adapt to the situation.
"In any case, we can't take this lightly," I took a deep breath, looking at the clouds outside the plane window. "We need to make them understand that it was all worth it."
The three of us exchanged knowing smiles, aware that there was another "battle" to be fought once we got back. But no matter what challenges lay ahead, we were ready—if we could overcome all the difficulties of finding the gemstones, then facing the scrutiny of the girls we loved most, we would give it our all.
We stood at the front door, exchanging glances, all too aware of how difficult this situation would be to explain. What should we say when we get home? We couldn't tell them about the gemstone digging—that was supposed to be a big surprise. But telling the truth was even more out of the question. If we told them we had traveled around the world, they might just grab kitchen knives and come after us!
I took a deep breath and whispered to Kagami and Shigeru, "Remember, stick to the plan. Don't let anything slip. We'll say we went with Shigeru to complete an archaeological project for a professor from The University of Tokyo's Literature Department."
Kagami and Shigeru both nodded, looking even more nervous than me. Shigeru muttered under his breath, "If they don't believe us, I better come up with a better story fast."
I laughed and patted his shoulder. "Relax. They've just regained their composure. As long as we keep it reasonable, they'll calm down for now."
That night, the house was eerily quiet, with only the wind whispering outside. The girls, Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru, were still immersed in their own pain and despair. They had no idea we would be returning at a time like this. After all, they were on the verge of losing hope; seven days of emotional torment had drained them. The girls' mental states were nearing collapse, like children lost without their protectors, clinging to each other for comfort. Their pillows were soaked with tears, and their eyes were red and swollen like little rabbits.
Suddenly, three familiar voices slowly but surely reached their ears.
"Damn it, who would've thought Bogotá's airport would be taken over by terrorists, delaying our flight?" That was my voice, filled with frustration and annoyance. "How am I going to explain the souvenirs to Momoko!?" My tone carried a hint of helplessness because, honestly, our trip to Colombia was far from a simple vacation.
"Thank goodness the gems weren't stolen. It's their fault we wasted so much time! I hope Miyako and the others won't be too angry at us," Kagami's voice carried a note of concern. After all, what we'd gone through at the mining sites had definitely exceeded expectations.
"I just couldn't hold back against those terrorists when I thought about how worried Kaoru must be. They really picked the worst time, attacking right when we were heading home!" Shigeru's voice was tinged with both frustration and anger. He wasn't wrong—we really hadn't held back during that last airport assault.
As the voices reached the girls, they first paused in disbelief, and then, fresh tears flowed from their eyes. In their half-asleep, half-awake state, they weren't sure if it was real. But those familiar voices, like a warm current, instantly soothed their anxious, broken hearts. Tears kept streaming down their faces as they felt a small weight lift from their chests.
By the time we finally returned to Tokyo after a long flight from Bogotá, it was already late at night. The three of us carried our luggage as I carefully unlocked the front door and gently pushed it open. The moment we stepped inside, we could feel the heavy atmosphere—it was suffocating.
"We're back…" I called out softly, cautiously, not wanting to disturb the fragile peace.
The house was still, with only the occasional sound of wind outside. I heard a faint rustling from the girls' rooms, which suggested they weren't asleep yet. Just as I was about to tiptoe further in, I suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps. The next thing I knew, three familiar figures came rushing toward us.
"You're…!" Momoko was the first to throw herself at me, her eyes filled with tears and surprise. Miyako and Kaoru were right behind her, tears streaming down their faces, their expressions a complex mix of emotions that were impossible to put into words. I immediately wrapped my arms around Momoko, speaking softly to calm her, "Take it easy, I'll explain everything."
Momoko seemed to hear me, nodding slightly as she fought back the urge to sob out loud. Her hands, however, still clung tightly to my clothes, while her tears continued to fall uncontrollably. Miyako and Kaoru were the same, gripping Kagami and Shigeru tightly, their lips trembling as they struggled to hold back their overwhelming emotions.
"It's okay. We're back now, and everything is fine," I whispered again, gently patting Momoko's back, trying to help her calm down. "Let's go to the living room, and we'll explain everything, alright?"
Hearing that, Momoko finally relaxed a little. She took a deep breath and nodded. The three of us were then half-dragged, half-pulled into the living room by the girls.
The moment we sat down, the girls' eyes turned sharp, as if they could dissect us with their gaze, trying to uncover everything we had been through over the past few days.
Looking into Momoko's swollen eyes, my heart tightened. I took a deep breath, ready to explain, "Actually, we—"
"Where have you been? Why didn't you answer your phones? Do you have any idea how worried we were?! You liars!" Momoko cut me off, her voice trembling with both frustration and anger. Her words were laced with hurt and accusation.
Miyako and Kaoru clung to Kagami and Shigeru, tears flowing uncontrollably. Their gazes were filled with a mix of reproach, relief at seeing us again, and an indescribable pain.
"I'm sorry…" The three of us apologized almost in unison. But we knew just saying "sorry" wouldn't be enough. We fully understood that. The girls must have gone through the worst kind of emotional torment over the past few days. We could only imagine.
"We… we went to Colombia…" I tried to come up with an excuse but immediately realized how weak it sounded. The girls' expressions turned more suspicious. Momoko frowned, staring at me, "Colombia? That's the best lie you could come up with?"
"I'm sorry, I really am…" I apologized again and glanced at Kagami and Shigeru. Their expressions were equally serious, clearly scrambling to come up with a better explanation.
Seeing the girls' still-angry and concerned faces, we knew our earlier half-baked story wouldn't suffice. This was turning out to be much more difficult than we'd anticipated. If we didn't come up with something more believable, the situation could quickly spiral out of control.
"Alright, yes, we did go to Colombia," I cleared my throat, deciding to pivot. "Here's the truth: the three of us went there as part of an archaeology project for The University of Tokyo. We had to go for some field research, which is why we were gone so long."
Momoko still looked unconvinced, glaring at me, "An archaeology project? Since when does The University of Tokyo have such dangerous projects? And why would they need you to go all the way there?"
I understood her skepticism—it wasn't exactly a believable story. But I pressed on, "It's true! The University of Tokyo assigned a special archaeology project, and we had to investigate some ancient sites in South America. Honestly, I didn't want to go, but… Kagami volunteered to help out."
I turned to Kagami, hoping he would back me up.
Kagami immediately nodded, chiming in, "Yeah, I thought it was a great opportunity, so I offered to join. And Shigeru came along to help too. We even decided to take on some 'part-time work' over there to cover travel and accommodation costs."
His expression was so sincere that he actually looked like a dedicated student eager to contribute to academic research.
Miyako's face softened a bit, though she was still skeptical. "So, you went to Colombia for this archaeology project?"
"Exactly," I quickly nodded, trying to sound as certain as possible. "But when we got there, we realized it was a lot more difficult than we'd anticipated. Not only did we have to explore rugged terrain, but we also ran into some unexpected complications, like natural disasters… That's why our phones were destroyed, and we couldn't contact you."
Miyako turned to Kagami, concern evident in her voice. "But you were 'working' there just to cover the costs? That sounds way too dangerous!"
"That's right," Shigeru added, his tone tinged with frustration. "We thought we'd be able to finish the archaeology work without much trouble, but we ran into a lot of problems. Thankfully, we made it back safely in the end."
After hearing our explanation, the girls' expressions finally softened a little. Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru exchanged glances, as if silently weighing whether our story was believable.
"Alright, I'll let it slide this time," Momoko said, albeit reluctantly, her tone still holding a bit of dissatisfaction. "But don't you dare disappear like that again. Otherwise…"
I quickly grabbed her hand and promised, "I swear, we won't make you worry like this again."
Miyako smiled faintly at Kagami, "Next time you go somewhere dangerous, at least tell me beforehand, okay?"
Kagami nodded softly, "Of course, I promise."
Kaoru glared at Shigeru, "You'd better use that 'work money' to buy us something good."
Shigeru laughed, "Don't worry, I won't disappoint you."
I sneaked a glance at the girls' faces. While they seemed calmer now, there was still a trace of suspicion in their eyes. I knew they were only partially convinced by our explanation. If they ever found out that we had actually traveled to Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Colombia to dig for precious gems, there's no doubt they'd kill us on the spot!
"If they knew we went to Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Colombia to mine gems, they'd definitely murder us!" I thought to myself, feeling a cold sweat break out. When we made this plan, how did we not think this through? The girls were far from easy to fool, and if they found out the truth, they'd probably lock us up in the house for good.
Not to mention, we really did travel around the world! From Tokyo to Myanmar, then to Sri Lanka, and across the Atlantic to Colombia—it was a true global adventure. Thinking about it made my scalp tingle.
I could tell Kagami and Shigeru were sweating just as much. Their thoughts must have been the same as mine: this perilous archaeological journey had been dangerous enough, and now we had to come up with lies to cover it. We were really going to have to keep the gemstone part a secret, no matter what. At least we had the excuse of broken phones—no evidence. If we could get through this, we'd really have some luck on our side.
"So…" I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "We promise not to disappear like this again, and we'll make sure to tell you about any future plans. This time was a special case, and I hope you can understand."
Momoko nodded slightly, though I could still see a hint of doubt and frustration in her eyes. Clearly, our story hadn't fully convinced her. But as long as she didn't press too hard for now, we could at least get through this situation. As for the future, well… we still had a big surprise in store for them. Hopefully, when the time came, they'd be moved by our efforts rather than furious at the deception.
I smiled inwardly and glanced at Kagami and Shigeru. They nodded subtly, understanding the unspoken agreement between us. We had a lot of making up to do for the seven days we were gone, and a lot of heartfelt sentiments to convey. No matter what, we hoped this "archaeological journey" would be remembered as a pleasant surprise and not a total disaster.