The Ambiguity of Meeting the Young Girl for the First Time

The next morning.

Horikita Etsuka finished washing up and was just about to head out to buy some drinks, planning to hole up in his dorm and enjoy a full day of leisure.

As he pulled open the door, a small hand happened to knock right against his chest.

Standing at the doorway was Ichinose.

Summer vacation had arrived, and instead of her school uniform, she wore a pale pink sleeveless top paired with denim shorts, her entire being radiating a vibrant, youthful energy.

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere fell into a subtle silence.

In the end, it was Horikita Etsuka who spoke first, breaking the momentary awkwardness:

"What a coincidence, Ichinose. I just opened the door, and you were right there to knock."

"Y-yeah..." Ichinose retracted her hand, looking a bit embarrassed as she offered a slightly flustered smile.

She looked up at Etsuka and asked in a light tone:

"Isn't summer vacation starting today? Are you still heading out, Horikita-kun?"

"Nothing special, just wanted to grab some food. Want to come along?"

"Sure! Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about anyway."

With that, the two walked side by side toward the elevators.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the hallway, Amikura Mako was looking down, fiddling with a brand-new Switch in her hands. Just as she turned the corner, she caught a glimpse of Etsuka's back.

She was about to raise her hand to wave, but her eyes landed on Ichinose walking beside him.

The words already on the tip of her tongue suddenly stopped.

She stood silently in place, watching their figures slowly disappear into the elevator.

Amikura lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously stroking the body of the Switch, the screen reflecting her somewhat dazed eyes.

No one knew what she was thinking at that moment.

Inside the supermarket.

At this hour, there were almost no students around—both the upperclassmen and the first-years were still in class. The spacious store was nearly empty, making Horikita Etsuka and Ichinose seem particularly relaxed.

Etsuka carried a shopping basket, picking out snacks as he spoke:

"So, you discovered that Class C is releasing a large number of unverified Secret Keys on the Anonymous Chat System?"

Ichinose, who had been about to reach for a snack, paused slightly:

"Yes, I'm a bit worried that their actions might affect us."

"It doesn't matter. The key lies in the hands of the spies from each class. As long as the spies believe the timing isn't right, they can only wait."

The spies were submitted anonymously by each class. Since Class C was under the violent rule of Ryuen, they likely already knew who their spy was.

However, unlike Class A and Class D, they couldn't know who their own spies were. Even if they obtained information about the Secret Keys, they couldn't report it and had to rely on their own step-by-step exploration.

Etsuka spoke calmly, casually picking up a toothpick from the tasting station and holding a piece of pineapple out to Ichinose's lips:

"Don't think about it so much. Try this."

Ichinose was lost in thought and, without thinking, leaned in and took a bite.

The next second, a sharp sourness flooded her mouth, and she immediately frowned, snapping back to reality:

"Ugh... so sour!"

When she realized it was Etsuka who had fed it to her, a faint red flush crept onto her cheeks.

Etsuka looked at her with a half-smile: "How is it? Is it good?"

Ichinose immediately understood this was a little prank.

She pursed her lips, then suddenly reached out and gave Etsuka's waist a light pinch.

"Whoa!" He jumped back instinctively, looking at her in disbelief: "Ichinose, you've learned to be bad? Who did you learn that from?"

Etsuka had already been traumatized by Suzune's pinching, so his reaction was very swift.

Ichinose blinked, revealing an innocent yet mischievous smile:

"Are you saying only Horikita-kun is allowed to pull pranks, and I'm not allowed to fight back?"

Etsuka crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow at the girl who was showing a rare, playful side:

If you like this book, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

"Fine, but you'd better be careful. I'll be getting my revenge."

Having spent a semester together, this was the first time Horikita Etsuka had seen this playful side of Ichinose; it was truly rare.

Ichinose mimicked his posture, crossing her arms as her eyes curved into crescents:

"Alright, I'll be waiting anytime."

After buying their things, the two parted ways at the elevator.

As soon as Etsuka stepped out of the elevator, he saw a girl with long purple hair crouching by his door.

She was wearing a small white shirt with a black skirt pooling on the floor, crouching there with her arms wrapped around her knees as if she had been waiting for a long time.

"Classmate? What are you doing here?" Horikita Etsuka walked up, puzzled.

The young girl looked up at the sound, revealing a familiar face—it was Amikura Mako.

She was clutching a brand-new Nintendo Switch tightly to her chest, and her eyes lit up instantly:

"Etsuka! You're finally back!"

She bounced to her feet, took small, quick steps, and pushed Etsuka's back with one hand, urging him forward:

"Hurry, use the Gate of Opening! We agreed you'd teach me how to play games!"

Etsuka responded by opening the door while looking down at Amikura's hemline, asking curiously, "Mako, are you wearing pants?"

With a "click," the door swung open.

"I am." Amikura walked into the room briskly with her hands behind her back, turned to face Etsuka, and did a light spin, a faint blush appearing on her face as she asked with a hint of anticipation:

"So, how is it? Does it look good?"

Horikita Etsuka rested his chin on his hand and nodded seriously: "It's quite nice. These culottes really make your legs look long."

Hearing his praise, the corners of Amikura's mouth couldn't help but lift, her tone filled with a touch of smugness: "Well, of course~"

But immediately after, she extended her index finger, lightly poked Etsuka's chest, and looked up to examine him curiously:

"By the way, Etsuka, why are you still wearing your school uniform now that it's the holidays?"

"Ahem!" Etsuka cleared his throat and replied with a straight face: "This is called being loyal to the school style; I personally quite like it."

"Oh~?" Amikura blinked, revealing a sly smile as she deliberately drew out her tone, "So, Etsuka—you just haven't bought any clothes yet, right~"

Etsuka looked at Amikura in surprise; he hadn't expected that someone who usually seemed a bit airheaded would be so sharp on this point.

He had no choice but to shrug helplessly: "Fine, you saw right through me."

"I knew it!" Amikura nodded triumphantly, then said with great enthusiasm:

"Since Etsuka is going to teach me how to play games, then as a reward, I'll go with you to buy clothes this afternoon!"

"There's no need for that much trouble..."

"What do you mean no need!" Amikura immediately put on a "fierce" expression:

"Are you trying to make me owe you a favor on purpose, Etsuka!"

Looking at the young girl before him who was trying so hard to look fierce but only appearing a bit goofy, Etsuka couldn't help but laugh and quickly replied:

"Alright, alright, then I'll have to trouble you to accompany me, classmate Amikura."

Hearing him agree, Amikura nodded with satisfaction, turned her head slightly to the side, and muttered under her breath:

"That's more like it... if you don't get too close to other girls, it'll be great, you know."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing! I didn't say anything!" Amikura reacted as if her tail had been stepped on and immediately said:

"I said that girls have a great eye for picking out clothes! You should learn from me, Etsuka!"

"Oh~"

"What is that supposed to mean? Come on, teach me how to play games!"

"Alright!"

Also, the cover has changed; what do you all think? (´I`)