After a friendly chat and some back-and-forth, Fuka reluctantly followed Amane back to the Palette Café shopping line, falling in step with a resigned sigh.
"Seriously, what kind of ridiculous thing are you buying that requires waiting in a line this long?"
Fuka checked the time—they'd already been standing there for half an hour, but the line had barely moved more than a dozen places.
At this rate, they'd be stuck for at least another thirty minutes.
"What's there for you to complain about? Didn't I tell you I waited forever to get this?! And you—all you ever want to do is fight, fight, fight. Does fighting put food on the table?"
Fuka turned her head away, annoyed by Amane's lecturing.
If it were anyone else, Fuka would've taught them a lesson right then and there.
But when it came to Amane…Fuka felt a little intimidated.
The old Amane would've just pinned her down and beaten her black and blue before letting her go.
But the Amane of now?
She seemed all too eager to "show her some color" at the slightest provocation.
Staying pure and untouched wasn't easy—she really didn't want to crash and burn in this damn place. And why did fighting have to come with… those kinds of risks?
It was something Fuka still couldn't wrap her head around.
Just as Amane was about to scold Fuka again, her phone rang.
"Amane, aren't you done over there yet?"
The moment she recognized Horikita's voice, Amane instantly switched on a smile.
"Almost done! Some clumsy oaf knocked my stuff over earlier, so we're back in line now. She even promised to buy me ten cups to make up for it."
Watching Amane's exaggerated performance, Fuka couldn't hold back a tsk under her breath.
Amane had never been this gentle or polite with her. Not that she particularly cared, anyway.
"Was that a girl's voice just now? Amane… don't tell me you ran off to hang out with some other pretty girl? I've already made dinner, you know."
Horikita's tone was perfectly calm, but sweat had already begun beading on Amane's forehead.
"Ha… haha, as if! That voice just now was the same klutz who spilled my stuff. If you don't believe me, Suzune, you can ask her yourself!"
Amane shoved the phone toward Fuka, shooting her a look that screamed, Explain. Now.
Just as Fuka was about to speak up, a dull ache pulsed in her abdomen. This girl—she hit hard, and she didn't keep her hands to herself, either.
No way!
She couldn't just let Amane off the hook.
"Amane, didn't you say you were only meeting me today? Who is she?"
Fuka deliberately used an offended tone, speaking directly into the phone. Instantly, everyone in line turned to stare at Amane.
???
It wasn't until she'd blinked forty-seven times that Amane finally processed what was happening.
"Fuka, are you asking for another beating?"
"Is that the only time you ever say my name?" Fuka's voice trembled with what sounded like a sob.
Wait, this doesn't feel right…Amane could feel the curious, gossipy stares from all around converging on her all at once.
"Suzune, listen to me—"
"Why are you still holding me? Shouldn't you go find your precious Suzune?"
Numb.
Amane's heart sank straight to her toes.
Fuka, on the other hand, flashed a triumphant smirk.
Try taking advantage of me again—let's see how you explain your way out of this one.
Durian prices had gone up again recently.
A bit pricey.
But as Amane's friend, Fuka was always happy to help.
She'd gladly gift her two.
But…
Fuka glanced curiously at the phone.
That girl named Suzune didn't seem to have replied.
"Let's end this little prank here. My relationship with Amane isn't something you can undermine with just a few words."
Oh?
Your relationship with Amane?
Fuka let out a cold laugh.
When she was getting pummeled by Amane, this girl was probably still in kindergarten.
How dare she talk about "relationship with Amane" in front of her? The nerve.
Just as Fuka was about to fire back, Amane's hand came to rest on her shoulder.
"Fuka, what was it you wanted to say to Suzune just now?"
Amane smiled—gentle and kind.
To anyone else, she might've looked like the picture of a Yamato Nadeshiko. Only Fuka felt her body go stiff.
"Hey, I was just joking with your friend, that's all."
"Oh, so it was a joke?"
"Yeah, a joke."
"Which do you think is more acceptable? Tying your own hands and feet and committing suicide, or having an accident while trying to see how many steps it takes to stuff yourself into a fridge?"
Gulp.
Amane might be a little… unhinged.
But still…this cold, ruthless side of her was kinda hot.
Fuka licked her lips, about to speak when an unpleasant voice cut through from further up the line.
"Hey! Are you blind or what?"
A blue-haired girl who looked athletic but had a fierce glare was angrily yelling at another girl nearby.
From the half-empty drink in her hand and the ice cream stain on her uniform, it wasn't hard to guess: her uniform had just "eaten" the ice cream topping off someone's milk tea.
Hence the angry scolding directed at… the uniform?
Just kidding.
It was pretty obvious she'd been bumped into.
The other party was a brown-haired girl who looked timid—no, weak—in demeanor.
What caught Amane's eye, though, was the cute little pink flower pinned in her hair.
Nothing more, nothing less.
"I'm so sorry! There were so many people, I didn't notice you were holding a drink. I'm really, truly sorry!"
The girl's personality seemed as soft and gentle as her voice.
If it were anyone else, they might've laughed it off, or at most asked her to cover the cost of the drink and cleaning.
But the blue-haired girl clearly wasn't about to let it go that easily. "You think saying 'I didn't see you' is enough? Were you doing this on purpose?"
She even grabbed the other girl by the collar, making her flinch in panic.
"Hey! Ibuki, what's going on? Your uniform…"
Just as things were about to escalate, a guy who looked a bit like a delinquent, followed by two lackeys, walked over.
Amane felt a little guilty for judging by appearances, but… he really did look the part.
"It's you, Ishizaki. This girl bumped into me on purpose and won't even admit it!"
The moment Ibuki finished, Ishizaki started cracking his knuckles.
"Hah? Picking a fight with someone from Class C?"
So much for feeling guilty—this guy was a delinquent!
"Amane, something feels off about them," Fuka narrowed her eyes.
"Too much of a coincidence, right?" Amane finished the sentence Fuka had deliberately left hanging, earning herself an eye-roll in return.
"I really am sorry! I already apologized, and I don't even know her—why would I do it on purpose? Besides…"
Besides, if she remembered correctly, wasn't it the other girl who'd suddenly bumped into her?
How did things turn out like this…
Could anyone help her?
The girl glanced around nervously. No one dared to step forward and confront these clearly troublesome students.
Shironami Chihiro… guess you'll just have to take the L this time.
Chihiro offered a weak, resigned smile. Looks like she was in for a beating.
Right then—"Let that girl go! Let me… help her out."
Amane stepped out from the crowd.
--+--
T/N: Was not expecting a masochist fuka, but hey, still hot
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.