Cooperation or Refusal

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

"A Class with zero points that has 'nothing to lose'."

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

Upon hearing Arisu Sakayanagi's words, An Xiao was stunned for a moment, then fell into a state of speechlessness, his gaze toward her shifting into something rather strange.

No, seriously? You went through all this trouble just to pull this off? Are you sure there isn't something wrong with you?

Besides, if it were Class C's points hitting zero, An Xiao might have felt it was a bit troublesome.

After all, judging by what he had learned about Ryuen from Shiina, under certain extreme conditions, he certainly wouldn't mind using his fists to do the talking.

As for Class D... even if they had that "very, very strong person" that Hoshinomiya mentioned, An Xiao felt it was still manageable.

Regardless, "schemes" were always easier to deal with than "fists".

"To be honest, your personality is actually quite nasty." An Xiao struggled for a long time before finally blurting out those words.

"And do you think there's any difference between Class D right now and having zero points?"

"Ara, it's not very nice for you to say that to a girl, An Xiao-kun," Arisu Sakayanagi said with a smile.

"Besides, there is a vast difference between having something and having nothing."

"How about it? Will you agree to cooperate? If you do, I will give you a very generous reward."

"Give me an answer. The wind on the rooftop is picking up, and it's getting a bit cold for me."

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

Just as Arisu Sakayanagi was about to reveal a "just as I thought" expression, An Xiao's next move left her frozen in place.

"Daga kotowaru. I love saying 'no' to people who think too highly of themselves."

An Xiao bent his knees slightly to bring his line of sight level with hers, but he placed one hand on the girl's head, rubbing it forcefully over her black beret.

"Also, try to have fewer ulterior motives next time. Don't let them get as dense as a beehive."

"Kid."

After saying that, An Xiao didn't bother with Arisu Sakayanagi's reaction; he simply gave a casual greeting and walked away on his own.

Watching An Xiao's retreating back, Arisu Sakayanagi remained dazed for a long time, the word "kid" that he had used at the end echoing repeatedly in her mind.

"He really dared to say that."

Arisu Sakayanagi murmured to herself, then prepared to leave as well.

But just as she was about to move, she clearly felt something had been placed on her hat.

"This is..." Arisu examined the blocky object she had just taken off her hat. "Candy?"

She couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"As expected, you really are interesting, An Xiao."

"I'm truly looking forward to our next meeting."

After leaving the rooftop, An Xiao felt a bit hungry. He checked the time and decided to head to the convenience store to grab something to eat.

Inside the convenience store.

"What is she... doing?"

In front of a shelf, An Xiao stared in confusion at the girl who was smoothly hiding items inside her clothes.

Masumi Kamuro.

And judging by her technique, this clearly wasn't her first time.

"Click."

Startled by a sound resembling a camera shutter, Masumi, who had been in the middle of her act, froze instantly. This panic reached its peak when someone placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Isn't that scary!"

A familiar voice rang out beside her. She turned her head to see An Xiao standing right next to her.

"Just now... were you taking pictures?"

"Not at all, I was just imitating the sound." An Xiao shrugged, took his hand off Masumi's shoulder, and pointed toward a corner. "But that guy might not be."

Over there, a miniature camera was currently recording.

"Alright, put those things back for now. Let's talk about whatever is going on once we're outside."

While Masumi was still stunned, An Xiao had already picked up his items and headed toward the checkout counter.

Seeing this, Masumi put the items back, grabbed a few things she wanted to buy, and followed closely behind him.

In a pavilion outside the convenience store, An Xiao rested his chin on one hand, chewing on the toast he had just bought. He looked at the restless purple-haired girl sitting across from him, saying nothing, just watching.

"Thanks. Also, did you... see everything?"

"If you're talking about you stealing things from the convenience store, then yes, I suppose I saw it."

Seeing Kamuro fall silent again, An Xiao was somewhat puzzled.

"You should have some points, and quite a few at that."

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

"Kid?" Hearing An Xiao put it that way, Kamuro was stunned for a moment. Once she realized who An Xiao was referring to, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upward, though she quickly suppressed it.

"You couldn't possibly be doing this out of boredom, or just stealing for the sake of stealing, could you?"

An Xiao had originally just made a casual remark, but seeing Kamuro suddenly stiffen after he said this, he couldn't quite keep his composure either.

"It's not like that... right?"

"Ah! That's why I hate you smart people the most! You, and Sakayanagi too."

Seeing that she had been found out, after a brief silence, Kamuro gave up on trying to hide it.

"I just really enjoy the thrill of stealing, so what!"

"Speak, what do you want me to do!"

"How about... don't steal anymore next time?"

"Just that?"

"Otherwise what?" An Xiao retorted, "What else do you want?"

"Do you expect me to say something like, 'Kamuro-san, you wouldn't want others to find out about this little hobby of yours,' or something?"

Strange, why did that sentence feel so familiar?

Before An Xiao could recall where this eerie sense of familiarity came from, his calf was lightly kicked.

"Disgusting." Kamuro glanced at An Xiao with a look of disdain, though her tone wasn't particularly harsh. "But, thanks."

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

"Just go die!" Kamuro's face was covered in black lines; she didn't understand how the person in front of her could be sensible one moment and completely off-the-wall the next, but her feet moved without hesitation.

"Ouch!"