Discussion of Countermeasures

"Senpai!"

Mashu hurriedly ran toward the black-haired boy.

The moment he turned around at the sound, she threw herself at him, tackling him straight to the ground.

"Ah, it's Mashu... Urgh!!"

The simultaneous impacts from both front and back forced Fujimaru Ritsuka to swallow the rest of his words.

Feeling the pain from his back hitting the ground, as well as his companion clinging tightly to him, Fujimaru Ritsuka's face flushed red. It was hard to tell whether it was from embarrassment, pain, or both.

"Thank goodness... Senpai, you're okay..."

"Um... Mashu..."

As he felt the arms around his waist tighten further, a few drops of cold sweat appeared on Fujimaru Ritsuka's forehead. He hurriedly patted her shoulder twice.

He had no desire to die in a girl's "bear hug."

"I'm... fine, but could you... loosen up a little... Urgh..."

It seemed the boy's cry finally brought Mashu back to her senses.

Seeing that her companion was safe had overwhelmed her, and she had rushed over without thinking, wanting to make sure it was real.

The good news was that it was.

But...

"Wah! I'm sorry!"

Realizing what she had done, Mashu quickly released the arms around the boy's waist, sat up in a panic, and pulled him to his feet with a deeply flushed face.

"Well, looks like you two get along pretty well."

Another familiar voice rang out, causing Mashu to turn around at once.

Sure enough, it was Shishigou.

"Ah, Mr. Shishigou. You're okay too. Thank goodness..."

Mashu's heartfelt relief made Shishigou, who had merely intended to crack a joke and lighten the mood, pause slightly.

She really was a kind girl.

He eventually smiled helplessly. No one could see his eyes behind those sunglasses, but Mashu could sense that Shishigou's presence had become a little more