Watching Lin Mu actually turn around and leave after speaking, carrying the several large bags as if he meant to go, Kamuro Masumi bit her lower lip. A powerful sense of unwillingness and a strange, inexplicable emotion welled up inside her.
She called after him, her tone tinged with awkwardness and stubbornness, and instinctively came up with a lousy excuse:
"Hey! You... what's your name? What class are you in? I-I might get a chance to... repay you someday!"
The word "revenge" had nearly slipped out, but at the last moment she had forcibly turned it into "repay." Still, her haughty, defiant attitude practically radiated from her.
Lin Mu hadn't planned on getting entangled with a girl who looked like trouble.
He didn't dislike her, but... well, he just didn't want the whole "you helped me/reminded me, so now I owe you" thing to lead to more.
At her words, he merely waved a hand casually without looking back and said dismissively,
"I told you, I'm just a good Samaritan passing by. Forget the name. Bye now."
He didn't even slow his pace as he headed straight for the other side of the checkout counters. He still had to pick up the custom banner.
Watching him walk away without a shred of attachment—in fact, almost as if he couldn't wait to leave—Kamuro Masumi stomped her foot in frustration. Anger flared up inside her again.
She'd even (more or less) taken the initiative and asked his name, and this guy was still being so dismissive!
He hadn't even looked back! She raised her voice and shouted after him, stubbornness in her tone as she indirectly introduced herself, as though that would help her save face:
"My name is Kamuro Masumi! First-year, Class A! Today... today, I guess I owe you one!
If you ever need help, come find me! You can count it as... as repayment for your meddling today!"
She practically gritted her teeth over the last few words.
Lin Mu heard her and paused almost imperceptibly, but still didn't turn around. He simply raised his free hand to shoulder height and waved casually, acknowledging that he'd heard her.
He felt nothing in particular. If anything, he was a little amused. Class A, huh... So even the "elite" had all kinds of strange worries and rebellious phases.
But none of that had anything to do with him. All he could think about was picking up the banner as soon as possible and claiming a good spot at the club recruitment area.
After picking up the finished banner from the terminal beside the checkout and checking that he had everything, Lin Mu finally set off for the club recruitment area, carrying, holding, and wearing bags and packages of all shapes and sizes.
Man, I'm geared up like crazy. I could actually create things out of thin air with my superpower, but then... where's the fun in that? Besides, there'd be no way to explain where it all came from afterward...
He looked down at the folding table in his arms, then at the bag in his hand containing a folding stool, a Crystal Ball, and Tarot Cards, and the tent pack on his back.
The rolled-up banner was tucked under his arm. He figured he must look... pretty ridiculous and disheveled right now.
He didn't look at all like a "future master of the occult." He looked more like someone fleeing a disaster with all their belongings.
"Tsk. Trying to get anywhere while carrying all this stuff. What a blunder."
He muttered under his breath and tried to adjust his grip, making sure everything was more secure.
Fortunately, most of it was foldable, so it didn't take up too much space. He couldn't bear to imagine how it would look if he had to carry everything fully unfolded.
He was the pinnacle of good looks, after all—or so he thought—so he had to pay attention to his image. He couldn't let it fall apart too badly.
Still, the thought of setting up his little fortune-telling stall soon and starting his wonderful life of "earning points while lounging around" made the annoyance from spending a huge number of points and being interrupted by Kamuro Masumi vanish in an instant. His steps unconsciously grew lighter.
The sun was still shining brightly. More and more students were filling the tree-lined path, most of them heading toward the club recruitment area, their faces alight with anticipation and curiosity about their new lives.
And so Lin Mu trudged leisurely toward the club recruitment area, carrying a folding tent, a table, a folding stool, and a pile of other "startup gear," with a newly unwrapped grape-flavored lollipop in his mouth.
His unhurried gait was completely out of step with the new students around him, who were running excitedly or laughing together as they walked.
Thanks to his stamina and endurance, subtly enhanced by his superpower, this much weight was nothing. He wasn't even breathing hard.
But his bizarre appearance—like "one person moving house"—was hard to miss. Combined with his exceptionally handsome face, it drew plenty of curious or friendly glances along the way.
(If one person is dying of embarrassment, what do you call a whole group?)
He hadn't gone far when, just as he was thinking about where to set up his stall—a spot that wouldn't be too conspicuous but would also keep the Student Council and the like from chasing him away—
(Man, campus police. I don't even know if you're allowed to set up stalls on campus.)
—somewhere that could still attract potential customers, those rich and clueless students, a gentle, sweet female voice that seemed to carry the warmth of sunshine sounded beside him:
"Hello, fellow student!"
Lin Mu lazily turned his head and glanced over. The girl had shoulder-length hair that faded to gold, with the ends curling slightly inward.
Her delicate, lovely features and light-purple eyes, curved into pretty crescents, were filled with genuine kindness.
She hurried over to Lin Mu, her gaze falling on the clearly excessive pile of things in his hands and arms. Her tone was sincere and enthusiastic, with a hint of concern:
"Where are you going with all that stuff? Would you like me to give you a hand? You look like you're having a hard time."
Without even looking up, Lin Mu flatly refused. "No, thanks. I can manage."
He really didn't want to get too involved with strangers, especially the "helpful" type. They tended to lead to favors and obligations, which was a hassle.
However, this girl clearly had a gentle and exceptionally warmhearted personality.
She seemed to take Lin Mu's refusal as mere politeness, as if he didn't want to trouble her. Not only did she stay, she smiled and stepped closer.
Her attitude remained earnest, and the warm sincerity in her voice—the kind that made it hard to refuse outright—grew even stronger:
"It's okay! You don't have to be polite. From the direction you're heading, I guess you're going to the club recruitment area too? So am I! We're going the same way, so let's walk together."
She pointed toward the area where the hubbub could faintly be heard, then looked back at the heavy things in Lin Mu's hands, her eyes full of certainty that he really needed help. "Carrying all that by yourself must be exhausting.
"Let me take some of it. Really, it's no trouble! Many hands make light work!"
Lin Mu: "..."
He looked at her clear eyes, filled with nothing but pure kindness, and thought about what might happen if he kept refusing so bluntly. (Eyes as clear as a college student's.)
He might end up with an even longer bout of "persuasion," or attract strange looks from everyone around them—and that would be even more of a hassle. Fine, he'd let her carry something. They were nearly there anyway.
With no other choice, Lin Mu could only sigh inwardly, though his expression didn't change.
He simply let go of the bag in his hand and let her take it, mumbling, "...Thanks, then."
"You're welcome~" The girl took the bag and naturally moved to Lin Mu's side, slightly behind him. She kept a friendly distance as they walked together without making him feel uncomfortably close or crowded.
She glanced curiously at the corner of the Crystal Ball peeking out of the bag but politely didn't ask about it.
The two of them walked side by side along the bustling, tree-lined path.
The young man was tall and straight-backed, with white hair and a cool, handsome face, his air lazy and aloof; the girl was gentle and sweet, her golden hair dazzling, her smile soothing.
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