An Invitation to Go Shopping

She didn't stay long. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she took her companion and sat down a little farther away.

But Toudou Shizuka could clearly feel an intermittent, faintly assessing gaze drifting toward him and Sakura, like a soft yet resilient spider's thread.

[Kushida Kikyo Affection +1 (A faint interest in Toudou Shizuka's response and potential value). Current: 16 (Neutral) -> Target: 60 (Trust).]

[Ayanokouji Kiyotaka Connection Alert: Kushida Kikyo's involvement may draw Ayanokouji's attention.]

Toudou Shizuka is about to start "keeping busy" preparing for a study session around this point in the original story. See the middle of episode two of season one.

Toudou Shizuka drew his gaze back and looked at Sakura Airi, who was still uneasy across from him. The relief he'd felt after coming clean was replaced by a heavy feeling. Kushida's shadow had fallen over them without a sound.

Ayanokouji, Kushida, Sakura... Those three threads seemed to be quietly intertwining in a way he couldn't yet fully control.

"Sakura," Toudou Shizuka said, his voice still gentle but now carrying a steady strength. "Don't worry.

"If Kushida or anyone else at school asks about us meeting, just say we were discussing the Photography Club, or... comparing Study Notes.

"Understood?" He gave her a safe, reasonable explanation.

Sakura Airi looked into his calm, dependable eyes, and some of her panic subsided. She nodded firmly. "Mm... I... I understand." She knew Toudou Shizuka was protecting her.

Toudou Shizuka saw the trust in Sakura's eyes, then glanced at Kushida Kikyo, who was chatting and laughing in the distance.

The resilience granted by [Stamina Enhancement] sustained him, while [Rational Analysis] and [Information Synthesis] raced through his mind.

Access to A-Rank Photography had been unlocked, he had 65 Simulation Points at his disposal, and Kushida's A-rank Disguise Skill glimmered enticingly.

The aroma of coffee still filled the air, and soft jazz flowed through the cafe. But in the seemingly peaceful Aikun Cafe, a silent battle had already begun.

Toudou Shizuka lifted his now-lukewarm coffee and took a sip. Its bitter taste spread across his tongue, reminding him how complicated the road ahead would be.

Should he simulate A-Rank Photography right away?

Or save his points to prepare to unlock the door Kushida had firmly shut?

Or... first find out the real reason Kushida had suddenly intervened?

Under Kushida's faint, intermittent gaze and in the face of Sakura's trusting eyes, the answer settled into an ever-clearer sense of urgency.

The confession at the cafe and Kushida's unexpected appearance had lent a hint of tension to what had been a relaxed atmosphere.

Sakura Airi put her oversized black-rimmed glasses back on, as if once again donning armor to protect herself. But Toudou Shizuka could tell that the trust beneath that armor hadn't vanished; it had simply been joined by a wariness of her surroundings.

Seeing Sakura's still somewhat pale face and the way her fingers unconsciously rubbed her Art Supply Bag, Toudou Shizuka had an idea.

Her Affection had reached 60, and he'd unlocked access to A-Rank Photography. But right now, he was more concerned with strengthening the trust that had just weathered a storm and remained somewhat fragile, while also offering Sakura practical support that wouldn't touch on her sensitive nerves.

"Sakura," Toudou Shizuka said, setting down his coffee cup as his voice returned to its usual warmth. "We got so caught up talking just now.

"I remember you said the Points you'd saved were almost gone?" He smoothly steered the conversation toward a more practical matter, away from Kushida's looming shadow.

Sakura Airi tensed almost imperceptibly. A trace of embarrassment flickered behind her oversized glasses, and she nodded faintly. "Mm, because... the cafeteria... and... some stationery..."

"Perfect timing." Toudou Shizuka smiled as if he'd just thought of it. "I need to go to the Commercial Street to buy a few things, replenish my daily necessities and get some notebooks.

"Want to come along?

"Shopping's more fun with someone than alone. Besides..." He paused and pushed up his glasses, adding in a sincere but mildly teasing tone, "I really don't know anything about paints or paper. I wasn't even sure if what I bought for you last time was suitable.

"Since you're the expert, you could help me pick things out this time, so I don't buy the wrong stuff again and leave it sitting around unused."

His reasoning made perfect sense: he did need to shop, and by emphasizing Sakura's expertise—calling her an "expert" and asking her to "help pick things out"—he framed it as needing her help rather than helping her, greatly easing the pressure she might feel about accepting direct assistance.

Sakura Airi froze, hesitation and uncertainty filling her eyes behind her oversized glasses.

The thought of going with Toudou... She was willing, even a little secretly hopeful.

But the embarrassment of Class D having Zero Points, the shadow cast by the Yamauchi incident, and the scrutiny in Kushida's gaze just moments ago all made her instinctively want to retreat into her shell.

Going out together to the busy Commercial Street? Would it attract unwanted attention again? Would she... cause trouble for Toudou?

"N-no, you don't have to... Toudou... I can... go by myself..." She lowered her head, her voice tiny, as she nervously twisted the hem of her clothes. Her refusal lacked conviction.

"Are you sure?"

Toudou Shizuka didn't give up. His voice grew softer, taking on the mildly exasperated, persistent coaxing of a friend. "I spent ages picking out those paints last time, worrying I'd get the wrong brand and you wouldn't like them.

"If I get it wrong again, that'd really be a waste.

"Besides..." He deliberately drew out the word, a teasing smile on his face. "If I go buy notebooks alone, the salespeople will probably talk me into buying a pile of useless loose-leaf paper. I'll get ripped off.

"Just think of it as doing me a favor, Sakura. And... maybe... keep an eye on me so I don't spend money recklessly?"

[Social Affinity A-Rank] and [Infectious Vitality B-Rank] flowed naturally through his tone and expression, their warm appeal blending a sincere request with the playful banter of friends, making it hard to refuse.

Sakura Airi was at a loss in the face of this unusually "shameless" request from him.

Her clear eyes blinked behind her oversized glasses. She looked at Toudou Shizuka's smiling face, then at her empty Art Supply Bag. (She really did need to restock some basic supplies.)

Then she thought of his getting "talked into buying things by the salespeople"... A strange warmth, mixed with the feeling of being needed and a little amusement, quietly eased her anxiety.

"Th-then, all right..." She seemed to have finally made up her mind. Her voice was still tiny, but much clearer than before, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. "I... I can help Toudou pick out... notebooks..."

[Sakura Airi Affection +1 (A small surge of pleasure and closeness from feeling needed and seeing Toudou Shizuka show an unusually vulnerable side). Current: 61 (High Trust).]