Panda Girl

"Eh!? I won't allow you to appear in a photo alone with little Kushida unless... you lend me some money. Then I'll allow it."

Yamauchi Haruki was stunned for a moment, then remembered his points had been wiped out and decisively sold his soul.

"Yamauchi, you bastard, if anyone gets to allow it, it should be me, right?"

Ike Kanji indignantly declared his sovereignty.

So why were these two idiots fighting over Kushida Kikyo again?

Watching the two argue, Kamigami Haruo glanced at Horikita Suzune across from him, then quickly picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

As only the last few bites of food remained, the two idiots finally remembered why they had come here.

"Just lend us some points~~~ I don't want to eat that disgusting Mountain Vegetable Set Meal anymore~~~!"

So gross. Kamigami Haruo broke out in goosebumps all over.

Feeling that he had teased them enough, he took out his phone, opened the S System app, and showed them his balance.

"See? I really don't have any points left. Horikita even paid for this meal."

Even after hearing that, the two still did not believe him until they saw the 250 pt displayed on his phone.

The two idiots were immediately struck as if by lightning, their entire color palette fading into monotonous white as they silently resumed eating.

"Boring. I'm leaving first."

Having just finished eating, Horikita Suzune picked up her tray and prepared to take it to the tray return area.

Seeing this, Kamigami Haruo quickly finished the remaining bites of food, picked up his tray, and followed Horikita Suzune.

Leaving only the two heavily traumatized boys behind.

As for Ken Sudo?

He was probably outside the convenience store eating cup noodles again. That guy should still have a little money left.

After school, at Keyaki Mall.

"So you transferred money to me early this morning just to prank those two? That behavior is as childish as that of an undeveloped child."

After buying ingredients, the two walked back together, and Horikita Suzune once again delivered a venomous remark to Kamigami Haruo.

"Hey, hey, can I take that as you discriminating against children? Apologize to all the children in the world."

Kamigami Haruo, utterly devoid of morals, immediately stood atop the moral high ground and accused Horikita Suzune.

"Not at all. I simply think your condition is even worse than that of an undeveloped child. At least they still have a chance to grow, but you will presumably remain this foolish and childish for the rest of your life. I find that utterly hopeless."

Ten thousand critical hits! Ten thousand critical hits!

It was as if those words were ringing in his ears.

All right, that one went straight through Kamigami Haruo's heart.

"You have to take responsibility for me. Your words have crushed me into a state of depression. From now on, I can only become a washed-up old man working as a host in a red-light district."

"In that case, all I can do is wish you, in your willing descent into depravity, success in becoming the number-one host."

"Then don't forget to tip me and pop champagne... Eh? That's it. Come with me."

Using the hand that was not carrying anything, Kamigami Haruo grabbed Horikita Suzune by the wrist and led her into the arcade beside them.

Only when they reached a claw machine did he release her hand and set the shopping bags on the floor.

"Wait for me. I'll be done soon."

Horikita Suzune had just been about to scold him for grabbing her hand, but seeing this, she found it difficult to say anything.

There was no need to exchange coins at the counter. With a swipe of his student ID, the claw machine was immediately ready to use.

Kamigami Haruo controlled the joystick, waiting until the claw was level with his target before pressing the grab button.

The claw looked as weak and feeble as an elderly man in his twilight years, yet it unexpectedly gripped firmly, like the old men and women exercising in the park, containing limitless strength.

Thud!

As something fell with a sound, Kamigami Haruo bent down and retrieved a fluffy plush toy from the prize chute.

"One cute red panda plush acquired. Here."

Kamigami Haruo handed the plush to the girl beside him, who was looking around the arcade.

He then borrowed Horikita Suzune's student ID and caught several more panda plushies.

Once he felt he had caught enough, Kamigami Haruo turned to look at the girl. By then, she was covered in panda plushies.

Since both her hands were full of plushies, she could not take out her novel to read and could only watch Kamigami Haruo operate the claw machine with a blank expression.

Aside from that indifferent expression, she looked unexpectedly adorable, like a panda keeper.

"Unexpectedly cute."

"Is that so? Then I'll accept your praise."

Horikita Suzune gave a slight nod at his words.

"Pandas seem to suit you. Want to try catching a few?"

"If I refuse, are you going to use reverse psychology again?"

"That's right."

Kamigami Haruo did not deny it, nor was he embarrassed that his plan had been seen through. He simply nodded and said so.

He took several plushies from her and stepped aside to let Horikita Suzune operate the machine.

They were practically brothers by now. How could they not know what the other was thinking?

Reverse psychology might be cheap, but it worked.

Someone who wanted to become as perfect as Brother would definitely strive to compete in every aspect.

After running into a wall several times, Horikita Suzune chose to admit defeat, even giving it a high-sounding excuse.

"It not only wastes time, but also points."

"How dishonest~~"

Kamigami Haruo dodged the punishment from the black-haired beauty with a sidestep. Amid their banter, they left the arcade together and continued on their way back to the dormitory.

As they parted ways at the elevator, Kamigami Haruo stuffed the panda plushies in his arms into Horikita Suzune's arms, keeping only one for himself.

"Compared to me, these little guys suit you better."

After stepping out of the elevator, he looked at the girl's puzzled expression.

Before the elevator doors closed, Kamigami Haruo said those words, giving her no chance to refuse.

Horikita Suzune stood dazed in the elevator for a while before examining the pandas in her arms.

"...They are rather cute."

She tried squeezing the soft plushies. Her room was rather plain too, so she thought she could use a few toys to decorate it.

Ding.

She stepped out of the elevator and walked to Room 1201.

She placed the shopping bags on the floor, secured the plushies with one hand, then used her free hand to fish her room card out of her pocket and swipe it.

Beep.

Click, bang.

After changing into indoor slippers in the entryway, she walked to the refrigerator, opened it, and put away the ingredients before finally placing all the plushies at the head of her bed.

Hm, she should put one on the desk too.

After checking her schedule, she decided to review first, then make dinner.

Sitting in her chair, she set an alarm on her phone and took out the notes from today's classes to read.

Time flowed like a stream. In the blink of an eye, the formerly bright sky had blended with traces of black and turned orange-yellow.

The alarm rang, and Horikita Suzune, who had been buried in her studies, reached out and turned it off.

Feeling somewhat stiff from sitting too long, she interlaced her fingers, raised her arms overhead, and stretched.

The setting sun shining in through the window fell upon the girl, making her already well-proportioned figure even more alluring.

She inadvertently glanced at the new residents who had just moved in, reached out, and gave them a squeeze. It was unexpectedly stress-relieving.

What should she cook today?

That guy only liked meat.

Today, she would make tonkatsu, beef and potato stew, stir-fried broccoli with shrimp, and tamagoyaki.

Right, and miso soup.

She first took out some meat to thaw, then prepared the ingredients.

She checked the time. It still seemed a little early.

She should take a bath first. Thinking so, she picked up a towel and walked into the bathroom.

Before even becoming Kushida Kikyo's mom, she had already become Kamigami Haruo's mom.