Angel Investor

May 1st, 8:15 PM.

By the seaside next to the dormitory building, Hirata Yosuke stopped, facing the ocean.

"Let's talk here."

"Sure, it's not far from the dorms anyway."

Gojo Satoru, following behind, also halted.

A gentle breeze brushed past.

Turning around to face the tall, sunglasses-wearing, expressionless Gojo Satoru, Hirata Yosuke felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him.

But recalling the situation in class today, he steeled himself and spoke up.

"Today..."

"That's how it is. There's a huge split in the class. If we don't do something, then—"

Hirata Yosuke grew more agitated, his voice rising steadily.

But Gojo Satoru cut him off abruptly.

"Watch it. Not we.

I've never blended into the class, and I don't want to.

If you need help, just ask outright. No need to guilt-trip me."

Unmoved by the other's intense emotions, he drew a clear line between their positions.

Realizing he might have been too hasty, Hirata Yosuke took a deep breath to steady himself.

When he spoke again, there was a hint of resignation.

"You're really impressive, Gojo-kun, aren't you?

It feels like you already knew this would happen from the start of the semester. I don't understand why you won't speak up.

But I hope you can help me—and help Class D.

I don't want to see the class fall apart. Even more, I don't want to see any students drop out!

So, I'm begging you!"

With that, Hirata Yosuke gave a solemn ninety-degree bow.

The world seemed to fall silent. This time, Gojo Satoru didn't reply, just quietly watched him.

After a while, Hirata Yosuke, still hearing no answer, slowly straightened up.

He realized the negotiation had failed, but couldn't help asking in confusion.

"Can you tell me why?"

Still no reply. Gojo Satoru sensed someone spying from behind a tree—four girls, two of whose auras felt familiar.

But this wasn't anything shameful, no need to hide it. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke.

"I'm not as noble as you. I don't want to help everyone. I only help the people I care about.

Because if I can't even do that, then what's the point of anyone else?"

Hearing this, Hirata's pupils contracted. He stared at Gojo Satoru in shock.

He didn't understand why the other kept hitting so close to home, but he was certain Gojo Satoru had never known him in middle school.

"I see... I understand.

Even if I can't get you to help Class D, I hope you'll at least come to class regularly from now on.

After all, I believe most students will work hard to aim for Class A!"

"That, I can consider. Don't worry, I'll show up to class tomorrow."

Getting that affirmative answer, Hirata knew it was a big concession. Whether the other would actually help him later remained uncertain.

"Then I'll be going. See you."

Watching Hirata's retreating figure, Gojo Satoru felt a pang of emotion.

What's the point of going to class anyway? No matter how hard we struggle this month, we won't get any income next month.

"Satoru-kun!"

A voice called out from behind.

20:10, Still outside Gojo Satoru's dormitory door, The four girls looked at the door that had shown no response despite all their knocking, a hint of confusion on their faces.

Nearby, other students coming or going from their dorms were a bit surprised to see so many beautiful girls gathered outside Room 412.

They couldn't help but wonder whose dorm this was, and how lucky that person must be!

"What do we do? We've been knocking for so long with no answer. Maybe he hasn't come back yet?"

Shiranami Chihiro looked at the unresponsive door with some resignation.

"But it's already this late. Could Gojo-kun still be at that Cat Cafe?"

Kobashi Yume found it hard to believe that he'd still be out playing at this hour.

Ichinose stood behind them, listening to their discussion without a word, as if she had something troubling on her mind and didn't want this door to open at all.

"Bang, bang, bang, bang!"

After another round of knocking yielded nothing, Amikura Mako felt a bit deflated but didn't want to just give up and go back. So she said to her friends behind her, "How about you all head back to the dorms first? I want to go out and look for him myself. Waiting here, I don't know when he'll show up, and with all these guys staring, it's not great either."

But upon hearing this, Ichinose spoke up urgently, "I'll go with you!"

Startled by Ichinose's sudden raised voice, the others all turned to look at her.

Realizing her outburst, Ichinose quickly explained, "I'm worried about Mako's safety. I know this is school and there are plenty of cameras, but what if something unexpected happens?"

"That's true. It's already this late, and it's not really good for Mako to go out alone."

"How about we all go together? If we really can't find him, we can come back together."

The others all agreed with Ichinose's words—after all, it was too dangerous for a girl to walk alone at night!

Seeing that no one had noticed her earlier panic, Ichinose breathed a sigh of relief.

Touched by her friends' concern, Amikura Mako nodded happily.

"Yeah!"

Just as they stepped out of the dormitory entrance, Kobashi Yume, who was looking around, noticed something not far away—under the glow of a streetlamp, there was a silhouette with silver-white hair.

"Wait, look over there! Could that be Gojo-kun?"

Everyone turned to look in the direction Shiranami Chihiro was pointing, and saw a tall figure standing solemnly in the distance.

"Satoru-kun!"

Recognizing the same build she had seen before, Amikura Mako confirmed that this was the person she was looking for.

Seeing Amikura Mako walk over, the others followed. But no one noticed that Ichinose's hands were clenching tighter and tighter.

Hiding behind a tree, she saw that the person she had been talking to had left. Knowing the time had come, Amikura Mako finally gathered her courage and stepped forward!

Hearing someone call his name, Gojo Satoru turned around and saw a friend he hadn't seen in a long time.

A bit surprised but without a moment's hesitation, he greeted her directly.

"Yo! Long time no see, Xiao Mako!"

Seeing that he recognized her at first glance, Amikura Mako, who had been a little nervous, immediately let go of her tension.

She threw herself onto Gojo Satoru!

"Pong!"

Without any hint of shyness, she greedily breathed in the scent of Gojo Satoru.

Caught off guard by the tackle, Gojo Satoru tightly hugged Amikura Mako as she landed in his arms, taking a symbolic half-step back before gently patting her on the back.

Seeing how eager she was, He said softly, "Are you really that happy? Looks like my investment has paid off!"

As if recalling a promise from childhood, Amikura Mako lifted her face from where it was buried in Gojo Satoru's chest.

Through already-moistened eyes, she gazed at Gojo Satoru through her sunglasses and affirmed seriously.

"That's right! It succeeded beyond expectations!"

Kobashi Yume, watching from behind, broke into a happy laugh. The tension that had gripped her heart melted away as she sighed in admiration.

"Mako finally got to be with the person she loves!"

"Yeah! Though the road was a bit rough."

Agreeing with Kobashi Yume, Shiranami Chihiro instinctively turned her gaze toward Ichinose, who stood off to the side.

But what she saw was Ichinose, tears streaming down her face!

"Ichinose, what's wrong?!"

Shiranami Chihiro asked, a little flustered.

Kobashi Yume also looked over, puzzled.

Under the watchful eyes of her two friends, Ichinose wiped away the tears that had fallen unbidden and explained with a smile.

"I'm fine. I'm just so happy that Mako found her happiness!

Let's head back first. Looks like Mako won't need us to wait for her."

With that, she turned and walked straight toward the dormitory.

Watching Ichinose hurry away, the two of them felt something was off, but they couldn't quite put their finger on it.

Was this what they called a woman's intuition?