Lin Mu really turned to leave after saying that, carrying those several large bags as if he meant to go. Kamuro Masumi bit her lower lip as a fierce sense of unwillingness and an inexplicable emotion surged through her.
She called out to him, her tone awkward and stubborn. She even instinctively came up with a clumsy excuse:
"Hey! Y-you... what's your name? Which class are you in? I-I might get a chance to... repay you someday!"
The word "get back at you" had almost slipped out, but at the last moment she'd forced it into "repay you." Even so, her haughty, unyielding attitude was practically spilling over.
Lin Mu hadn't intended to get too involved with this girl, who looked like she'd be nothing but trouble.
He didn't dislike her, but... anyway, he just didn't want things to lead to the whole "you helped me/reminded me, so now I owe you" routine.
At her words, he merely waved a hand casually without looking back and brushed her off:
"I told you, I'm just a kind passerby. Let's forget the name. See ya!"
He didn't even break stride, heading straight toward the other side of the checkout counter. He still had to pick up his custom banner.
Watching his back as he left without a trace of reluctance—almost as if he couldn't wait to get away—Kamuro Masumi stomped her foot. Her anger flared up again.
She'd even gone so far as to (more or less) ask his name, and this guy was still brushing her off!
He didn't even turn around! Raising her voice at his retreating figure, she called out stubbornly, in a way that also let him know who she was. It was as if that might help her regain some ground:
"My name is Kamuro Masumi! Class A, first year! Today... today, I owe you one!
"If you ever need help, come find me! That'll... that'll be my way of repaying you for sticking your nose into my business today!"
She practically ground out the last few words.
Lin Mu heard her. His steps faltered almost imperceptibly, but he still didn't turn around. He simply raised his free hand to shoulder height and gave a casual wave to show he'd heard.
He felt nothing in particular. He even found it a little funny. Class A, huh... So even the "elite" had all kinds of strange worries and rebellious phases.
Still, none of that had anything to do with him. All he could think about now was picking up the banner and then grabbing a good spot at the club recruitment area.
After picking up the finished banner from the terminal beside the checkout counter and checking that he had everything, Lin Mu finally set off for the club recruitment area, carrying, cradling, and slinging all sorts of bags and parcels.
(Man, fully equipped for anything. He could actually create things out of thin air with his superpower, but if he did that... it'd be no fun. Besides, he wouldn't be able to explain what happened afterward...)
He looked down at the folding table cradled in his arms, then at the bag in his hand containing a little folding stool, a crystal ball, and Tarot Cards. He also had a tent pack on his back.
And the rolled-up banner tucked under his arm. He figured he must look... pretty ridiculous and disheveled.
He didn't look much like a "future master fortune-teller." He looked more like he was fleeing a disaster with all his belongings.
"Tsk, carrying all this stuff around is such a bad idea."
He muttered under his breath and adjusted his posture, trying to get a steadier hold on everything.
Fortunately, most of it could be folded up, so it didn't take up too much room. He didn't even want to imagine what it'd look like if he had to carry everything fully assembled.
After all, he was a top-tier looker (in his own opinion), so he had to take care of his appearance. He couldn't let it get too wrecked.
But the thought of soon setting up his little fortune-telling stall and starting his wonderful life of "earning points while doing nothing" instantly dispelled the gloom he'd felt over spending a huge number of points and being interrupted by Kamuro Masumi. His steps even grew a little lighter.
The sun was still shining brightly. More and more students were filling the tree-lined avenue, 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 slowly toward the club recruitment area, carrying a folding tent, a table, a little folding stool, and a whole pile of other "entrepreneurial equipment," with a freshly unwrapped grape-flavored lollipop between his lips.
His pace was at odds with the excited new students around him, who were running about or laughing together.
Thanks to the strength and stamina his superpower had subtly enhanced, this much weight was nothing to him. He wasn't even breathing hard.
But he couldn't deny that his peculiar "moving house all by himself" look was eye-catching. Add in his exceptionally handsome face, and he attracted plenty of curious or friendly glances along the way.
(If one person's having a mortifying moment, what do you call it when a whole group is?)
He hadn't gone far when, as he was thinking about where to set up his stall—somewhere that wouldn't attract too much attention but would also keep the Student Council and the like from coming to chase him away—
(Man, campus parking enforcement. He had no idea if setting up a stall wherever you wanted was allowed on campus.)
—and where he might attract potential customers: those clueless, well-off students. Just then, a sweet, gentle voice that seemed to carry the warmth of sunshine sounded beside him:
"Hi there, 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 features were delicate and lovely. Her light violet eyes curved into pretty crescents, filled with unfeigned goodwill.
She hurried over to Lin Mu, her gaze falling on the clearly excessive amount of things in his hands and arms. Her tone was sincere and enthusiastic, with a hint of concern:
"Hey, where are you going with all that stuff? Would you like me to give you a hand? You look like you're having a bit of trouble."
Without even looking up, Lin Mu turned her down flatly. "No, thanks. I can manage."
He really didn't want to get too involved with strangers, especially the "warmhearted" sort. That kind of thing could lead to favors and obligations later. What a hassle.
However, this girl clearly had a gentle nature and was exceptionally warmhearted.
She seemed to take Lin Mu's refusal as a polite attempt not to trouble her. Not only did she not leave, she smiled and stepped closer.
Her attitude remained earnest, and her warm sincerity—the kind that made it hard to refuse her—grew even stronger:
"It's okay, you don't have to be polite! From the direction you're heading, I'm guessing you're going to the club recruitment area too, right? So am I! We can walk together since we're going the same way."
She pointed toward the area where the commotion could be faintly heard, then looked back at the heavy things in Lin Mu's hands, her eyes full of conviction that he "really needed help." "It must be hard carrying all that by yourself.
"Let me carry some of it. It's really no trouble! Many hands make light work!"
Lin Mu: "..."
He looked into her clear eyes, brimming with pure goodwill, and considered what might happen if he kept refusing so bluntly. (Her eyes were as clear as a college student's.)
He might end up facing an even longer bout of "persuasion," or attract strange looks from the people around them—and that would be even more of a hassle. Forget it. He could let her carry something; they were almost there anyway.
With no other choice, Lin Mu sighed 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, walking alongside him without seeming overly familiar or intrusive.
She curiously glanced at a 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 avenue.
The young man was tall and straight-backed, with white hair, cool features, and a lazy, aloof air. The girl was gentle and sweet, her golden hair bright and her smile heartwarming.
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