Chiaki was also startled to see a figure rapidly drop down from above the alley.
He was quite a handsome boy.
And that boy was none other than Houtarou Oreki from Class A, whom she had been following all along.
"Um... why did you think... I was following you?"
Matsushita was smart. Since Oreki had noticed her, she knew there was no point in denying it.
Besides, the conversation she had just overheard had been shocking enough, so she felt it would be better to tell the truth.
She had learned karate, but she had absolutely no confidence that she could beat Oreki.
"First of all, your ability to conceal yourself is far too poor. If you want to tail someone, you first need to erase your presence," Oreki said. "The students in my class are very good at that."
"Also, when Principal Tsukishiro was speaking in the shop just now, his gaze shifted slightly. It seemed like there was someone he was concerned about. Then I raised my cup and saw your reflection in it—the one wearing a hat."
"So, Matsushita, what do you want? And what is your relationship with Principal Tsukishiro?" Oreki asked without changing expression.
But Matsushita's face had already gone pale.
Was the adult world really this terrifying?
Matsushita was convinced.
First, Principal Tsukishiro had greeted her not for any particular reason, but probably because he had noticed that she was following Oreki.
Then, Oreki had figured out from Tsukishiro's reaction that she was following him.
And his excuse for leaving had very likely been a test to see whether she would follow.
What a terrifying man.
"Fine, I admit it. I was following you," Chiaki immediately replied. "I was originally at the Milk Tea Shop with Sato and the others. They were talking about