It was approaching nine o'clock on Sunday morning.
Lin stepped out of the station and arrived at a shopping street in Setagaya Ward.
The meeting point was set here.
The meeting time was nine o'clock.
The destination was a music chain store called 10GIA.
10GIA was one of the more well-known chain stores in Japan, selling various music-related products.
Of course, it also sold various instruments.
When Tainaka Ritsu mentioned this chain store, Lin noticed a fleeting unusual glint in Kotobuki Tsumugi's eyes.
It seemed this chain store was the one owned by Kotobuki Tsumugi's family.
The 10GIA store in Setagaya Ward was the largest in Tokyo, occupying an entire seven-story building.
And it was the head store in the Kanto region.
When Lin arrived outside the shopping street, Tainaka Ritsu, Akiyama Mio, and Kotobuki Tsumugi were already there.
Hirasawa Yui hadn't arrived yet.
Lin wasn't surprised at all.
"Shiro, over here!"
Seeing Lin's figure, Tainaka Ritsu, who was carrying a schoolbag, raised her right hand and waved, calling out to him.
Tainaka Ritsu, Akiyama Mio, and Kotobuki Tsumugi all showed varying degrees of unusual glints in their eyes upon seeing Lin.
Lin walked over with a smile and greeted them.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Morning, Shiro."
Tainaka Ritsu responded, then nudged Lin's arm with her elbow, grinning teasingly.
"Shiro, you look even handsomer today. Look at all the girls around staring at you."
"They're clearly all smitten with you."
"Is that so..."
Lin glanced around at her words, then raised an eyebrow at Tainaka Ritsu with a slight smile.
"What about you, Ritsu?"
"Huh?"
Tainaka Ritsu blinked, seemingly not getting it.
Lin smiled faintly and continued.
"I mean, are you smitten with me like those girls, Ritsu?"
"Hey!!!"
Tainaka Ritsu's eyes widened slightly, two red blushes blooming on her cheeks, her heart fluttering inexplicably.
Noticing the odd flutter in her heart, she panicked a bit and quickly laughed to cover it up.
"No way, what are you talking about? We're bros, good bros. Why bring that up between bros?"
She even patted Lin's shoulder with her hand.
Acting all bold and boyish.
"Bros, huh..."
Lin smiled faintly.
He then turned to Akiyama Mio and Kotobuki Tsumugi beside her, eyeing their outfits with a smile.
"Mio, Tsumugi, your clothes today suit you perfectly."
"...Thanks."
Akiyama Mio's pretty face flushed slightly, already a bit nervous. Hearing Lin made it even redder.
Because of Lin, people around—especially girls—were looking over.
Some were sizing them up.
This made her tense.
She didn't like drawing attention.
"Thanks, Shiro. You look handsome too."
Kotobuki Tsumugi blinked, a faint blush on her cheeks, but she maintained her elegance.
Lin looked back at Tainaka Ritsu.
"Your outfit suits you too, Ritsu. Very much your style."
"Thanks."
Tainaka Ritsu's eyes flickered.
Lin smiled and asked.
"By the way, where's Yui?"
"Have you messaged her?"
Kotobuki Tsumugi smiled faintly.
"Ritsu just messaged Yui. She said she's almost here."
"She overslept a bit."
The four chatted.
Time soon passed nine.
After waiting about five minutes, Hirasawa Yui finally appeared in their view.
"Sorry, sorry, I'm late!"
Hirasawa Yui jogged up to them panting, bowing apologetically.
Everyone smiled.
Tainaka Ritsu laughed.
"It's fine, you're not too late. Let's head out now that you're here."
"Thanks, let's go!"
Seeing no one was mad, Hirasawa Yui sighed in relief and nodded with a smile.
The five entered the shopping street.
Drawing gazes along the way.
Lin quietly used his ability.
Faint concealment power spread.
The passersby paused briefly, then slowly looked away from the five, no longer paying attention.
Noticing the passersby gradually ignoring them, Akiyama Mio relaxed.
Her tension and shyness faded.
She didn't dwell on why.
As they walked, Hirasawa Yui's eyes suddenly lit up at a clothing store nearby.
"Wow, such pretty clothes! And I can afford them now!"
She patted her bag.
It held guitar money she'd borrowed from her mom last night.
Tainaka Ritsu followed her gaze, pinching her chin with a smile at the clothes.
"They do look nice."
"Shall we check it out?"
Hirasawa Yui looked at Tainaka Ritsu.
"Yeah, let's go!"
Tainaka Ritsu agreed instantly.
The two hit it off and eagerly headed inside.
"Hey..."
Akiyama Mio was momentarily dumbfounded.
Then a helpless smile appeared.
Kotobuki Tsumugi saw them enter, a hint of interest in her eyes.
She clearly wanted to join the fun.
Lin smiled.
"Today's goal is guitars, but window-shopping won't delay that."
"The clothes here look great. Mio, Tsumugi, not going in?"
Kotobuki Tsumugi's eyes brightened, smiling.
"Yeah, Mio, let's check it out together."
"W-Well... okay."
Hearing Lin and Kotobuki Tsumugi, Akiyama Mio hesitated, then nodded with a flushed face.
Akiyama Mio and Kotobuki Tsumugi entered too.
Lin waited outside.
It was a women's clothing store.
Though standing by the door, the concealment kept him unnoticed.
About five minutes later.
The four emerged.
"Done already?"
Lin was slightly surprised.
Hirasawa Yui grinned.
"Mio was worried about making you wait too long, so we came out."
"Yui..."
Akiyama Mio flushed deeper, especially meeting Lin's gaze.
Lin looked at Akiyama Mio with a smile.
"Thanks, but it's fine. It's shopping, after all."
"Alright, alright."
Tainaka Ritsu laughed.
"We're done here. On to the next."
"Okay."
"Okay."
Hirasawa Yui and Kotobuki Tsumugi agreed.
Lin and Akiyama Mio had no objections.
They continued shopping, not rushing to the guitar store.
Store after store.
Food, clothes—all browsed.
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