Vending Machine

Ryuen Kakeru was like a wild python whose vital point had been pinned down in an instant; despite his ferocious strength, he found himself unable to move within the grasp of hands that appeared anything but thick, yet possessed a terrifying stability.

"Gah~"

"Dragon Boy, to dare challenge me without grasping the gap in our strength—you didn't even have a one-in-ten-thousand chance of winning."

Kitagawa Kai bowed his head slightly, looking down at the snarling Ryuen Kakeru, who was twisted in humiliation and pain, his own expression remaining utterly blank.

"I... you bastard..."

Ryuen Kakeru's breathing suddenly turned ragged, his face flushing to the color of liver from extreme shame and rage, his teeth grinding together with a rattling sound.

Kitagawa Kai stopped looking at him, his gaze sweeping over the thunderstruck Ishizaki and Yamada before delivering his final ultimatum:

"Take your people and get out."

"Don't let me see you again, appearing where you shouldn't be and doing things you shouldn't be doing."

With that, Kitagawa Kai released his grip.

Ryuen Kakeru stumbled back several steps, his face shifting between red and white as he glared daggers at Kitagawa Kai.

"Kitagawa Kai, I'll remember this. We'll see about this later."

Having said his piece, he jerked his head around and stalked toward the library entrance.

"Boss!" Ishizaki and Yamada snapped out of their stupor and hurried to follow.

The students of Class B, after a moment of initial shock, quickly crowded around. Lingering traces of astonishment remained on their faces, but concern was more prominent.

"Kitagawa, are you alright?" Kanzaki Ryūji asked first, scanning Kitagawa Kai carefully as if to confirm he hadn't been injured in the brief clash.

"I'm fine." Kitagawa Kai shook his head.

"Holy crap, Kitagawa, those moves just now were so cool!" Another sturdier boy couldn't help but lower his voice in admiration, his face a mix of excitement and lingering fear.

Shibata Sō pushed to the front, his eyes shining as he looked at Kitagawa Kai. "Kitagawa, I had no idea you had it in you. That move just now, locking the arm and taking him down—it was so clean. You've got to teach me sometime."

The surrounding boys from Class B, especially those interested in sports and combat, cast expectant gazes his way.

Clearly, the efficient combat prowess Kitagawa Kai had just displayed had deeply shaken them, while simultaneously sparking an urgent desire to become stronger after facing a direct threat from an enemy.

Surrounded by the group, Kitagawa Kai scanned the excited faces of his peers and chuckled. "It's nothing complicated. You all should work on the basics at the gym first; I'll teach you a few things during the next P.E. class."

"Really? That's great!" Shibata Sō was the first to cheer, his joy plain for all to see.

"It's a deal, Kitagawa!"

"I'm definitely going to warm up properly next P.E. class!"

Several other boys whispered excitedly, as if they could already envision themselves effortlessly subduing opponents in the future.

"Alright, alright," Ichinose Honami's gentle voice rang out as she softly parted the crowd to stand beside Kitagawa Kai.

Her complexion had returned to its usual rosy glow, but deep within her azure eyes, the worry had not entirely faded.

"Everyone, don't crowd around here; let Kitagawa-kun catch his breath."

Once the crowd thinned slightly, Ichinose Honami turned immediately to Kitagawa Kai, and without a word, she tugged on the corner of his sleeve, leading him toward the seats where they had been studying earlier.

Through the cotton fabric, the warmth of her fingertips and an imperceptible tremor reached him.

Kitagawa Kai did not resist, letting her pull him along while watching her straight spine and the pink ponytail that swayed gently with her steps.

Back at the table, Ichinose let go and gazed longingly into Kitagawa Kai's calm eyes.

"Are you really, truly alright, Kitagawa-kun?"

Kitagawa Kai sat beside her, lowering his head to meet her azure eyes, which were filled with concern. He waved his hands, tilted his head from side to side, and then flexed his torso, showing no signs of injury.

It was a silent but meticulous demonstration of his physical state.

Only after finishing did he look back into her eyes. "Really, he didn't even touch me."

"That's good. I'm starting to believe you really did beat up the Student Council President." Ichinose let out a sigh of relief.

Time flowed slowly in a subtle, unspoken atmosphere as the students of Class B said their goodbyes and left in twos and threes.

Kitagawa Kai walked out of the library, intending to head straight back to his dorm to enjoy the meal prepared by Horikita Suzune.

Passing by a Vending Machine, Kitagawa Kai suddenly slowed his pace.

Under the soft sunlight, Yamamura Miki stood quietly in front of the machine.

She wore the standard school uniform, indistinguishable from any other student; beneath her perfectly pleated white skirt were two slender, well-proportioned legs wrapped in clean, light-gray stockings.

Kitagawa Kai stopped a few paces away from her, his tone light. "Yamamura-san, long time no see."

"Ah!"

A familiar, gentle voice sounded from behind. Yamamura Miki turned, her bright, clear almond eyes widening in an instant. "Ki-Kitagawa-kun, good afternoon."

"Is Yamamura-san choosing a drink? There are so many options here; it's practically torture for someone who struggles with decisions." Kitagawa Kai's voice remained as gentle as ever, carrying a hint of inquiry.

"I... I'm not choosing a drink." Yamamura Miki lowered her head slightly, speaking in a soft, muffled tone. "I just like standing here."

She was standing there, plain as day.

Yet the people passing by seemed to ignore her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Forgotten by the world.

She had grown accustomed to this feeling ever since she was a child.

"Alright, I think I understand now." He took out his Terminal from his pocket and stepped around to the front of the Vending Machine. "Since we're standing here, we might as well do something, right?"

His gaze swept over the drinks, finally resting precisely on a strawberry milk with the cutest packaging.

"Then let me treat you to some milk; consider it proof that I see you." His tone carried a gentleness that brooked no refusal.

With a "beep," the strawberry milk dropped down.

Kitagawa Kai bent down to pick it up and shoved the chilled bottle directly into her hands.

"Thank you..."

Yamamura Miki gripped the bottle of strawberry milk tightly.

"Aren't you going to try it? If you keep holding it like that, it'll go from icy to lukewarm." Kitagawa Kai shifted the topic with a relaxed tone.

"Although warm strawberry milk isn't bad either, in this weather, the first sip being ice-cold should be much more refreshing, right?"

"Ah! Right, okay!" Yamamura Miki snapped back to reality and clumsily twisted the cap.

She took a small sip, and the liquid with its sweet strawberry aroma slid down her throat, dispelling the dryness there.

"How have things been in Class A lately?"

Yamamura Miki's body paused slightly, her fingers tightening around the milk bottle.

Class A—there, everyone seemed to carry their own halo, each possessing a clear position and sense of presence.

"It's fine, though no one really notices me. Kitagawa-kun, how is it in Class B?"

Although they had no contact since enrollment, she occasionally heard bits and pieces of news about Class B from others, especially about him.

"Me? I sleep on time every day, wake up on time, insist on drinking milk, take notes in class, do homework after class, and when I don't have classes, I might go to the library or head back to the dorm to read."

"If the weather is nice, I'll also come out for a walk, just like now."

A warm smile rested on Kitagawa Kai's face, his tone light and easy.

"However, Yamamura-san, I'm truly super happy to have run into you today."