Cooperate or Refuse

"Don't you think it's interesting?"

"A Class with zero points and nothing to lose."

On the rooftop, where only the two of them stood, the girl's slightly excited words echoed.

After hearing Sakayanagi's words, An Xiao first froze, then was left utterly speechless. Even the way he looked at Sakayanagi changed.

Seriously, you went around in such a huge circle just to do this? Are you sure there's nothing wrong with you?

Besides, if Class C's Class Points had been reduced to zero, An Xiao might have found it a little troublesome.

After all, judging from what he'd learned about Ryuen from Shiina, under certain extreme conditions, Ryuen definitely wouldn't mind settling things with his fists.

As for Class D... even if they had someone as strong as Hoshinomiya-sensei had said, An Xiao thought it would be fine.

In any case, "scheming" was still easier to accept than "fist-swinging."

"To be honest, your personality is pretty nasty." An Xiao wrestled with it for a while before finally managing to get those words out.

"Besides, do you think Class D is any different from having zero points right now?"

"Oh my, it's not nice to say that about a girl, An Xiao." Sakayanagi Arisu smiled sweetly.

"Besides, there's a huge difference between having something and having nothing."

"So, what do you say? Will you agree to work with me? If you do, I'll give you a very generous reward."

"Give me an answer. The wind's picking up on the rooftop, and I'm getting a little cold."

"Since you put it that way..." An Xiao nodded in agreement and walked over to Sakayanagi Arisu.

Sakayanagi Arisu was just about to put on a look that said she'd known it, but An Xiao's next move left her frozen in place.

"But I refuse. I love saying no to people who think too highly of themselves."

An Xiao bent his knees slightly to bring his gaze level with Sakayanagi's. But he also put a hand on the girl's head and vigorously ruffled her hair through her black beret.

"Also, try to be less calculating next time. You've got more schemes than a beehive has holes."

"Kid."

After saying that, An Xiao paid no attention to Sakayanagi Arisu's expression. He gave her a brief farewell, then left on his own.

Watching An Xiao walk away, Sakayanagi didn't come back to her senses for a long time. His final word, "kid," lingered in her mind.

"He's got some nerve."

Sakayanagi Arisu murmured, then prepared to leave as well.

But just as she was about to go, Sakayanagi noticed that something seemed to have been placed on her hat.

"What's this...?" Sakayanagi examined the small, block-shaped object she'd just taken off her hat. "Candy?"

Then she couldn't help laughing.

"An Xiao, you really are interesting."

"I'm already looking forward to seeing you again."

After leaving the rooftop, An Xiao started to feel hungry. He checked the time and decided to stop by the convenience store to grab something to tide him over.

Inside the convenience store.

"What is she... doing?"

In front of one of the shelves, An Xiao stared in confusion at the girl smoothly slipping items into her clothes.

Masumi Kamuro.

Judging by her technique, this was clearly not her first time.

"Click."

Startled by a sound like a camera shutter, Kamuro froze in place, even though she'd still been moving a moment earlier. Her panic reached its peak when someone put a hand on her shoulder.

"Scary, isn't it!"

A familiar voice sounded beside her. She turned and saw An Xiao standing next to her.

"That was you... taking a picture?"

"No. I was just imitating the sound." An Xiao shrugged and took his hand off Kamuro's shoulder, then pointed to a corner. "But I can't say the same for that thing."

There, a miniature camera was recording.

"Anyway, put those things back for now. We can talk outside."

While Kamuro was still stunned, An Xiao had already picked up the items he'd chosen and headed for the register.

Seeing this, Kamuro put the items back, grabbed a few things she wanted to buy, and hurried after An Xiao.

In a gazebo outside the convenience store, An Xiao propped his chin on one hand, a piece of the toast he'd just bought between his lips. He watched the purple-haired girl sitting restlessly across from him without saying a word.

"Thank you. And, you... saw everything?"

"If you mean you taking things from the convenience store, then I guess I did."

When Kamuro fell silent again, An Xiao was a little confused.

"You've got some Class Points, right? Quite a lot, too."

"That kid must have given you a good amount as well."

"Kid?" Kamuro froze when she heard An Xiao say that. When she realized who he meant, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, though she quickly suppressed her smile.

"You can't be doing this because you're bored, or just for the sake of stealing, can you?"

An Xiao had only been making an offhand remark, but when he saw Kamuro suddenly stiffen after he said it, he could barely keep a straight face.

"That's not it... right?"

"Ugh! This is why I hate you smart people! You and Sakayanagi both."

Realizing she'd been found out, Kamuro fell briefly silent, then gave in.

"What's wrong with enjoying stealing!"

"Go on, tell me what you want me to do!"

"Then... don't steal anymore?"

"That's it?"

"What else?" An Xiao asked in return. "What do you want me to do?"

"Should I say something like, 'Kamuro, you wouldn't want anyone to find out about your little fetish, would you?'"

Why did that sound so familiar?

Before An Xiao could figure out where that strange sense of familiarity came from, someone lightly kicked him in the shin.

"Gross." Kamuro looked at An Xiao with some disdain, though her tone wasn't particularly harsh. "But, thanks."

"According to Japanese customs, shouldn't you show your panties when you're expressing gratitude? At the very least, you should show your belly."

"Just go die!" Kamuro's face was full of exasperation. She couldn't understand how the guy in front of her could be sensible one moment and completely ridiculous the next, but her foot moved without hesitation.

"Ow!"