One of her precious days off had been snatched away.
As a member of Class D, Amane certainly wasn't about to waste her last valuable holiday.
After making plans in advance with a certain someone, she happily changed into a new dress—one that had earned Karuizawa's stamp of approval for its style—and got ready to head out for her meetup.
"Suzune, I'm heading out!"
Just as Amane finished announcing her departure to Horikita and was about to leave, Horikita stopped her.
"Where are you going, all dressed up like that?"
Horikita looked Amane up and down, taking in her rather summery outfit, a hint of suspicion in her eyes.
That getup… it really looks like she's going on a date or something, doesn't it?
"I'm planning to meet a friend and check out the mall… and maybe wander around a bit if we have time. Is there a problem?" Amane began examining her own attire.
She couldn't find anything wrong with it. The light makeup she wore accentuated her cuteness, too.
Even under her own somewhat critical eye, everything seemed just perfect.
So what was bothering Horikita?
"Hanging out together… That's not a problem in itself. In fact, I don't have much to do today. Mind if I tag along?"
Horikita's words took Amane by surprise.
"Huh? Suzune, you actually want to go shopping with me?"
Amane stared in astonishment at Horikita, who rarely—if ever—went out shopping with her alone.
What could have possibly prompted the usually reclusive Horikita to suggest joining her for a shopping trip?
Under normal circumstances, Amane would have agreed without a second thought.
After all, an opportunity like this was incredibly rare.
But today… it probably wouldn't work. The person she'd invited was a girl who was embarrassed easily. Suddenly adding another person to the mix would inevitably make the other overthink things.
Still, she didn't have a particularly good reason to refuse Horikita, either.
It was supposed to be a perfectly normal get-together.
If she acted evasive now, Horikita would definitely grow even more suspicious.
"Is it… inconvenient?" Horikita, noticing Amane's hesitance, decided to ask.
"A little, yes. Her personality is kind of… I doubt she'd handle a sudden change from two people to three very well."
"Even if she didn't say anything, I don't think she'd be able to enjoy herself. How about just the two of us go out another time?" Amane tactfully declined Horikita's request.
But seeing how seriously Amane was considering it…
Horikita concluded it probably wasn't some unsavory girl she was meeting. That put her mind slightly more at ease.
Still, just two of them…
It really did sound like a date. But Amane was being so open about it—it didn't feel like she was trying to sneak behind Horikita Suzune's back to go on a date with a girl or anything.
Maybe there really was something to it. Horikita herself never liked crowded places anyway, so perhaps it was better not to intrude.
"Fine. We can go out together another time, then. But…" Horikita pressed Amane against the wall, her gaze locking with Amane's. "Don't go secretly developing any… strange relationships with other girls. You know what I mean, right?"
Amane blinked her lovely eyes and responded, "She's not really the social type, either. I helped her out with something before, and she probably asked me out today as a way of saying thanks. It's fine, really."
Hearing that the outing was meant as a thank-you for a past favor…
Horikita Suzune finally let the matter drop.
After all, if it were her—if she had mustered the courage to invite someone out as a gesture of gratitude, only for that person to bring along another acquaintance—she wouldn't say anything, but she'd definitely feel the other person didn't respect her very much.
Besides, thank-you meetings like this usually didn't last very long.
The relationship between the two parties wasn't necessarily that close to begin with; once the pleasantries were over, they'd probably run out of things to talk within an hour or so.
There was no need to worry about Amane being led astray.
Horikita Suzune felt she had considered nearly every angle.
But she overlooked one crucial detail.
She forgot to ask Amane for the other girl's name.
And that girl's name was Sakura Airi.
"Sorry, sorry! I'm a little late!"
By the time Amane reached the agreed meeting spot, she realized she was about ten minutes behind schedule.
If only I'd explained things to Horikita sooner, maybe then…
Then again, maybe I wouldn't have been able to come at all.
Amane had sensed long ago that Horikita didn't think much of girls with personalities like Airi's.
On top of that, Amane had gone to great lengths to help Airi, enough that even Horikita had shown signs of jealousy. With all those factors combined…
If Horikita had actually come along today…
This outing would likely have turned into the most awkward social encounter ever for both her and Airi. Under Horikita's oppressive aura, Airi would probably have been too terrified to utter a single word.
"It's alright. I only just got here myself, Amane-san. So… where should we go? I do come out sometimes, but… always alone…" Airi seemed slightly nervous.
Amane promptly slung an arm around Airi's shoulder.
"Don't be so nervous. I'm not going to eat you. Since we're out, let's just wander around and see where we end up."
Amane's words seemed to encourage Airi.
Gradually, the tension in Airi's expression eased.
"Still, just wandering around aimlessly isn't much of a plan. Is there anywhere you'd like to go, Airi?"
Hand in hand with Airi, Amane remained completely unaware that another pair of eyes was fixed intently on Airi nearby.
And so, chatting and laughing, Amane and Airi strolled down the street of the shopping district.
Not far behind them, a male figure quietly trailed their steps.
"It's really her… no doubt about it."
In a dimly lit corner, the man pulled out a stack of letters and began kissing them fervently, his expression burning with obsession.
"Hey, mister. What do you think you're looking at?"
Just as the man prepared to continue following Amane and Airi, a hand suddenly clapped down on his shoulder.
The shock sent his legs buckling, and he nearly collapsed on the spot.
"W-who are you?!"
Staring at the boy and girl in front of him, the man was still reeling from the sudden confrontation.
"Hah? We're students of this school, obviously! The real question is, what are you doing, mister? Stalking?"
The shorter girl beside him snapped irritably.
"Ibuki!" Ryuen shot Ibuki a displeased glare.
Until they knew what was going on, it was best not to jump to conclusions.
Ibuki pursed her lips.
If she hadn't been sharp-eyed enough to spot this man slinking along after that girl, Miyako, Ryuen probably still wouldn't have noticed him.
Just as Ryuen was about to press further…
The man's fear suddenly twisted into reckless aggression.
Seizing the moment when Ryuen glanced back at Ibuki, he threw a punch straight at Ryuen's face.
"Ryuen, look out!"
Thwack!
The next second…
The man's fist was locked in Ryuen's unyielding grip.
Ryuen stared down at the man, whose fist was now immobilized in his grasp, a slightly distorted smirk spreading across his face.
"Don't underestimate me, old man."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 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.