At the counter of the Digital Store, the Otaku Clerk wore a deeply resentful expression.
But the thug-like glare from Tennoji Kaede left him furious yet afraid to speak, so he accepted the voice recorder.
"Listen up, Otaku Brother. Have this recorder fixed by this evening. I need it urgently. If you can't, just you wait!"
Kaede quickly wrote down the name "Ishizaki Daichi," then left his phone number.
After filling out the form, Kaede casually shoved it over. Before leaving, he gave the clerk two hard pats on the shoulder as a warning.
The Stalker Clerk's face twisted. He silently memorized the name Ishizaki Daichi, cursing him furiously in his heart.
Suddenly, Kaede turned halfway around at the counter, looking annoyed as he pulled his Student Terminal from his pocket, as though someone he couldn't stand had called him.
He took a couple of steps to the side, but his voice on the call was quite loud.
Aside from the petite girl still waiting near the entrance, the only other person in the store was the Stalker Clerk, head down and busy at the counter.
"Sakura~ Didn't we agree...?"
Sakura!?
The Stalker Clerk's face went pale with shock, and he couldn't help sneaking a glance.
His eyes widened as he peeked at "Ishizaki Daichi" from behind, then he quickly put on an air of indifference again.
"Hmph! It's too late to regret it now. I've been enjoying that video of us spending the night together last time~ Heh heh!"
Kaede put on his sleaziest voice.
"Isn't that right, Airi? Or... would you be more enthusiastic if I called you 'Little Shizuku'? Heh heh..."
"Clatter!"
A noise came from behind Kaede. He quickly covered the terminal with his palm, then turned around and glared.
"...S-sorry, I accidentally knocked something over."
Kaede strode over without a hint of sympathy and stared at the trembling Otaku Clerk, who had his head bowed.
"I almost forgot you were still here. Say, Otaku Brother, you didn't hear anything just now, right?"
"No, no. I was focused on examining the customer's voice recorder. I didn't hear a thing... Um, when I opened it just now, I accidentally used too much force. Sorry!"
His round face was twisted up, clearly on the verge of snapping, yet he didn't even dare lift his head.
Kaede patted his cheek lightly and said arrogantly, "Remember, have that recorder fixed by this evening. Heh heh, I need it urgently. Got it?"
The clerk shuddered, as if he understood what Kaede meant.
"Looks like you know a thing or two after all... Me, I just love making a little money on the side."
"Once this is over, I can sell you some good stuff too. Just pretend you didn't hear what I said earlier. Got it?"
The Otaku Clerk nodded frantically and agreed, though his heart was in such pain he could barely breathe.
Tennoji Kaede sneered a few times, then pursed his lips and blew a huge breath in the clerk's face, making his greasy hair flutter wildly.
Just before turning to leave, Kaede picked up his terminal one last time and issued a few threats, paying no mind to the man behind him.
"Little Shizuku, you did the right thing by agreeing. Don't cry... I'll take good care of you tonight. Bye~"
After "Ishizaki Daichi" ended the call, he licked his lips with a look of lust, rubbed his palms together as if fondling something soft, then left the store with a lewd expression.
The Otaku Clerk lifted his head, his eyes bloodshot...
But right away, he saw "Ishizaki Daichi" chatting with the petite, adorable girl by the entrance.
Jealousy drove him completely mad...
Sakura—no, Little Shizuku!
I'll come and "save" you for sure!
"Hey, wait a moment." Kaede frowned when he heard her.
He was sure he'd nailed the timing, tone, and volume of his performance. The only one who'd watched the entire show was that Stalker Clerk.
He'd noticed this girl waiting not far outside the store.
But unless she had hearing enhanced to superhuman levels by system points like his, there was no way she could have seen through his act.
They were still right by the store entrance, in full view of the star of his little performance. They couldn't stay there long...
So Kaede decided to add another scene to the act while making a quick getaway.
He grabbed the girl by the arm and pulled her toward a quieter spot nearby.
"Hey! What are you doing all of a sudden? Let go of me!"
The girl put up a surprising amount of resistance, so Kaede tightened his grip.
He kept dragging her along for several seconds. As soon as they were out of sight of the Digital Store's entrance, he let go.
"Ow~ What's wrong with you? You grab me without even saying anything! I was about to call someone..."
Kaede cut her off. "You're from Class B, right? If you have something to discuss, let's go somewhere else. I'm busy right now."
He was completely different from the person he'd seemed to be in the store... Minami Kosho eyed him with suspicion.
She wasn't sure how to ask him, but for the sake of Class B, she had to grit her teeth and go for it!
The two moved to another spot, a secluded rest area in the mall with no one nearby for the moment.
Kaede found a clean seat, sat down, and stretched his limbs.
That rotten thug act really wasn't a good fit for an upstanding person like him.
Too bad he didn't have anyone he could send to do the job.
Kaede felt a deep sense of psychological discomfort.
"I'm Minami Kosho from Class B. You're a student from Class C, right? Could you tell me your name? I'd like to ask you for a favor."
"I'm Tennoji Kaede from Class C. If someone from Class B needs something, go ask our big brother Ryuen. Don't bother me."
Minami Kosho? Kaede mused. The name sounded vaguely familiar...
[Detected Black House failing work 'Minami Kosho']
[Causal Mark applied to 'Minami Kosho']
['Cause': Minami Kosho hopes you'll help Class B, preferably by representing Class C at tomorrow evening's class gathering. This was only a joke Ichinose made.]
['Effect': Charisma +5, Kinetic Dynamics +10, Quantum Speed Reading +10]
[Under normal circumstances, the potential level of an average person is: 10]
Huh? Did this mean Minami was both book-smart and athletic?
After seeing the points granted by the Haigoku System, Kaede began taking the little Loli in front of him seriously.
He figured she might be one of the key girls in Class B.
"I've talked with Ichinose, your Class B leader, a few times... Minami, didn't you attend the Study Session Class B held for the Midterm Exam?"
Kaede was puzzled.
When they'd held the Study Session in the library, Ichinose had approached him several times.
At the very least, the Class B girls should have seen his face. Yet this little Loli seemed completely unfamiliar with him. How strange.
"Th-the Study Session?"
Minami blushed. Why was he bringing that up?
As it happened, she was one of Class B's few hopeless students!
Back then, she hadn't had the nerve to study with everyone else.
So during the Midterm Exam, Ichinose had brought people to her dorm and held special tutoring sessions just for her...
That was all the more reason she had to help her kind leader with her troubles!
Minami made up her mind and asked, "Class B is having a simple gathering tomorrow evening. I hope you'll invite a few of your classmates to come along, Tennoji."
"I'm counting on you!" Minami Kosho bowed to Kaede at a right angle.
"...I'll do it. Also, could you stop bowing in front of a crowd? You're making it look like I just gave you a pity date."
"Ah!"
Minami Kosho immediately raised her head and looked around. Sure enough, quite a few passersby were staring at them in confusion.
"Sorry!"
Then she bowed to Kaede again in apology.
Kaede: ...
But this time, Minami secretly raised her head, stuck out her tongue at Kaede, and made a face.
Do you really want to give me a pity date or something!?
Kaede was furious!
That little brat from Class B—just wait till you see what I do at the gathering. You're in for the most humiliating social death ever!!!
Before you continue