I Was Kidnapped

"Junior."

A familiar, pretty figure appeared before Yagami Shizuka, her long white hair swaying as a delicate fragrance drifted over.

"Kiryuin-senpai!" Yagami Shizuka recognized her at once.

"Ah! At least you still remember your senpai. Do you have any idea how much trouble you caused me last time? The Student Council has been giving me a hard time ever since."

"I'm really sorry. Is there anything you need me to clarify?" Yagami Shizuka had a good idea why the Student Council had approached Kiryuin. It was only natural.

"No need. They don't have any evidence. Otherwise, they wouldn't just be questioning me—they'd deduct points. But what are you doing with those?" Kiryuin glanced at the two trays in Yagami Shizuka's hands, assuming one serving hadn't been enough and he was getting a second.

"Oh." Yagami Shizuka looked at one of the trays. "This one's for a girl in my class. She has trouble walking and isn't in very good health, so I'm getting her food."

"I see. Need any help?"

"Then I'll take you up on that, senpai." Yagami Shizuka readily handed her the tray so she could help serve the food.

"My junior's such a bleeding heart, helping out people with disabilities and all," Kiryuin Fuka remarked casually.

"Please don't put it like that, senpai. She'd be upset if she heard you."

"Then if I ever have trouble getting around, will you look after me the same way?" Kiryuin Fuka asked with a casual smile.

"Of course. Though I hope that day never comes. If you need me to get food for you, senpai, I'll do it." That was the honest truth. If Kiryuin needed his help, he wouldn't turn her down.

"Good. I'll remember that, junior."

Kiryuin Fuka's mood immediately brightened. "I'll let you in on a little secret: it's my birthday today. I'm not asking for much. I just want to know if you can come out with me this afternoon and spend a little money on your senpai."

At the mention of spending points, Yagami Shizuka hesitated.

Being invited out by Kiryuin Fuka was an incredible stroke of luck. Besides, he would need her help again in the future, and he genuinely wanted to be friends with her.

Of course, when a friend had a birthday, you did whatever you could to make them happy and grant their wishes.

[While you chat with Kiryuin Fuka about going out this afternoon, a fierce tiger with glaring eyes and a white forehead is eyeing you menacingly. Your life hangs by a thread. You have received a prompt.]

[1. Accept Kiryuin Fuka's request, but hand half of your personal points to Sakayanagi Arisu for safekeeping to clear yourself of suspicion.]

[2. Refuse outright. Your friendship with Kiryuin Fuka ends here, and she will never ask you for anything again.]

A fierce tiger with glaring eyes and a white forehead... Where had that come from?!

Yagami Shizuka didn't dare look back. In this situation, he could only choose option one.

He hadn't even figured out where things stood with Sakayanagi Arisu, yet he already felt like a henpecked husband.

"Sure. Since it's your birthday, senpai, I'll make sure you have a wonderful day."

Yagami Shizuka glanced at the tray in her hands. "And don't settle for the free meal, senpai. I'll treat you to something nice."

"Great!" Kiryuin Fuka exclaimed happily.

Before long, Kiryuin Fuka cheerfully carried off a tray piled high with food.

She had wanted to sit with Yagami Shizuka, but he declined, saying it wouldn't be convenient.

Kiryuin Fuka didn't think much of it. "See you this afternoon, then, junior."

"Definitely."

Yagami Shizuka carried the two trays back to Sakayanagi Arisu.

Sakayanagi Arisu was clearly unhappy. She muttered, "You said you were going to treat me to a fancy meal, but then you treated someone else instead. You owe me an explanation."

Even Sakayanagi Arisu didn't know why she was so angry. As far as she was concerned, she had every right to be. Only an idiot wouldn't be upset.

"It's Kiryuin's birthday today. She's out of points and doesn't have many friends. She helped me get the information I obtained last time, so as her friend, I'm treating her for her birthday. You can understand that, right?" Yagami Shizuka didn't want to apologize to Sakayanagi Arisu over this, nor did he want their relationship to sour again.

He added, "If you can eat as much as she can, I can go get you the same thing right now."

After hearing his explanation, most of Sakayanagi Arisu's anger melted away. She couldn't stop other people from making friends, and Kiryuin wasn't just some ordinary friend.

From a practical standpoint, she also supported Yagami Shizuka getting closer to Kiryuin.

Yagami Shizuka picked up the phone Sakayanagi Arisu had left on the table and transferred fifty thousand points to it.

"What are you doing?" Sakayanagi Arisu furrowed her brow, baffled.

"I've been kidnapped, so I have to leave myself a way out. I can only leave these fifty thousand points with you for safekeeping."

"Kidnapped? Who would dare kidnap you? Who would dare kidnap you at school?" Sakayanagi Arisu was startled.

"Kiryuin Fuka. She wants me to go out with her this afternoon. If I don't, she'll kill the hostage. I can't exactly refuse, so until I get back safely, I'll have to ask you to keep these fifty thousand points for me."

"Can't you just not go?" Sakayanagi Arisu frowned. She understood what Yagami Shizuka meant: he was worried Kiryuin would spend too much.

Normally, just going out wouldn't cost much if they weren't buying things, unless they went somewhere high-end.

"If I turn her down, she won't help me the next time I need something. What do you think?"

"Fine. I understand." Sakayanagi Arisu quickly grasped the situation, though she couldn't help worrying. "Then be careful. Don't let her—"

"Don't let her what? Is she going to eat me?"

Sakayanagi Arisu didn't answer. It wasn't impossible that Kiryuin might eat him up.

Looking at the points on her phone, she felt a warm glow in her heart. "Do you really trust me that much? Aren't you worried I won't give your points back?"

"You're the one holding them. Even if you spend them, I'll be fine with it."

Yagami Shizuka sweet-talked Sakayanagi Arisu. "Now no one can ever surpass you in my heart, because you've already claimed half of my kingdom."

Sakayanagi Arisu really did fall for that sort of thing. She said nothing, but secretly she was delighted, and even her meal tasted better.

Those words erased all the unpleasantness from earlier, and she stopped worrying about Yagami Shizuka going out with Kiryuin Fuka.

That afternoon.

Yagami Shizuka and Kiryuin Fuka met as planned outside the dormitory.

Kiryuin Fuka had changed into a cool, summery outfit.

She came running toward Yagami Shizuka in a flurry.

She had to admit, this was her first time going on a date with a boy after putting so much effort into her appearance.

"Wait, you're going out in your school uniform, junior? You didn't even go back to your room to change?"

Yagami Shizuka glanced at the red uniform jacket he was still wearing and felt a pang of bitterness. He had no clothes other than his uniform.

After thinking it over, he took off the jacket and loosened his tie. "How about this? Is it any better?"

There was no time to go buy clothes now, so this was the best he could do.

"It'll do." Though she was still displeased, Kiryuin didn't show it much.

"Then wait here a moment." Yagami Shizuka hurried back to the dormitory, put the jacket away, and came downstairs again.