"Um... what's going on with you two?"
Star Color watched Tamiya Emi and Masumi Kamuro silently sizing each other up. They sure had plenty of energy. Was this a love triangle? Probably not... after all, he wasn't interested in romance.
"Star Color, you sure are popular with the ladies."
That sounded oddly familiar to Star Color, so he could only laugh it off.
"Haha, am I? I don't think so. I actually have some normal friends who are guys, like Classmate Katsuragi and the beloved Classmate Totsuka."
Come to think of it, he really was surrounded by some strange girls. There was the eccentric Classmate Morishita, Classmate Kamuro, who'd gotten over her kleptomania, the invisible Miki Yamamura, Classmate Sakayanagi, the Hanako in the restroom, Classmate Akaya, who might be one of her kind, and an arthropod in disguise.
Only Classmate Tamiya was normal...
Like immortals as numerous as hemp stalks... Am I running some kind of shelter for abnormal girls?
"Tamiya, who are you putting on that face for?"
Yikes... so this was the legendary catfight...
With a helpless sigh, Star Color changed his aura, making himself look more delicate and lovable.
"Um... you two, please stop fighting."
His violet eyes shimmered like water, wide and dewy with innocence and purity. His flawless face, like that of an [Ichimatsu Doll], appeared right between the two girls...
(An obscure Star Color fact: Ichimatsu dolls are handmade dolls, and many people say they're creepy. In Japan, though, dolls are decorations said to attract good fortune, ward off evil, and protect against disaster, much like Zashiki-warashi. Because of the uncanny valley effect, people have made up all sorts of scary stories about them. The author doesn't think they're scary at all; look at them enough and they even seem cute.)
Ugh—the thought of saying something so affected made Star Color cringe. He really hated acting like this.
His small frame, those bright eyes, and that endearing expression completely won over the two girls.
An indescribable cuteness lingered in their hearts, melting them from the inside. It turned out that women really couldn't resist cute things.
Both girls' hands moved of their own accord, gently patting Star Color on the head.
"Guh... there are still people in class. Stop petting me."
Star Color dodged their hands, noticing a hint of disappointment in both of them.
"Whether it's Classmate Tamiya or Classmate Kamuro, you're both my most important friends."
Come to think of it, Classmate Kamuro had changed a lot. Had she been planning all along to act aloof and cold at first, then later show off her [cuteness]? Was that some kind of devastating weapon? What boy could withstand that?
"I don't need that."
Masumi Kamuro folded her arms.
Star Color thought he'd have to help her fix the way she treated people sooner or later. Otherwise, she'd easily stumble in society. I'm even 'busier' than a teacher.
Miki Yamamura was approaching. If he didn't pay close attention, he might not have noticed her at all. She might as well change her name to the vengeful spirit from some [Hong Kong] horror movie.
Star Color greeted her.
"Ah—good afternoon, Classmate Otonashi, Classmate Tamiya."
He'd gone to a little trouble to help Classmate Tamiya join the class's social circle. Luckily, the girls in the group led by Nishikawa Ryoko were all kind, and they soon welcomed Miki Yamamura.
Miki Yamamura still seemed a little shy, which, in internet slang, would probably be called [social anxiety]. Fortunately, she was gradually improving. All in all, her future looked promising.
"Good afternoon, Classmate Yamamura."
After noticing Miki Yamamura, Tamiya Emi greeted her too.
Masumi Kamuro was shocked by Miki Yamamura's [invisible] ability. She had confidence in her own awareness—she'd needed it to steal things—but she hadn't noticed Miki Yamamura approaching at all, even when she was this close.
"Ah—sorry..."
Miki Yamamura still seemed nervous around classmates she hadn't gotten to know well.
"Classmate Kamuro, could you stop looking at people with that [disdainful] expression?"
Star Color offered a timid complaint.
"I... I can't help it."
Masumi Kamuro turned her head away so she wouldn't put pressure on Miki Yamamura.
"You really are a tsundere."
"Who are you calling a tsundere?!"
Kamuro glared at Star Color, who ducked behind Tamiya Emi with a wounded expression.
"Don't scare Star Color or Classmate Yamamura."
Tamiya Emi shielded Star Color, who hid behind her and made a face at Kamuro.
Masumi Kamuro clenched her fists in anger, then turned and stomped back to her seat without another word.
(Afternoon)
"I'm truly sorry. I'll compensate you with the appropriate number of points."
Masumi Kamuro returned the three bottles of beer she'd stolen to the clerk, not a single one missing. In front of everyone, she lowered her head and apologized sincerely.
Star Color leaned against the other side, watching like a parent whose child had made a mistake, then taught them to turn over a new leaf. That's my girl.JPG.
Having embarked on the [good ending], Masumi Kamuro earned the clerks' forgiveness. After all, a truly sincere attitude was often the most moving. And being a pretty girl gave Masumi Kamuro a certain advantage. Hahaha, damn this looks-obsessed society...
After compensating the clerks and the shop with points, Masumi Kamuro seemed to have cast off a heavy burden and felt much lighter. The normally stern Classmate Kamuro was actually smiling...
"If Classmate Kamuro smiled more often, I bet lots of boys would chase after you."
Star Color gave his honest opinion.
"I don't need other boys..."
Masumi Kamuro returned to her usual cold, haughty expression. She looked at Star Color with a hint of displeasure, her face turning red.
"What is it?"
Noticing her gaze, Star Color looked back at her.
"No, it's nothing."
(Evening)
"You sure have time to come find me. How's school life, [Gambling Officer]?"
Standing behind the Pachinko parlor, Zhou Changqing lit a cigarette. Star Color took out his own [rations], too.
"Does the Gambling Officer like smoking, too?"
"Yeah."
Star Color handed Zhou Changqing a bank card.
"There should be about five million Neon Yuan in the account. I'll send the password to the phone you left outside using my other phone later. Help me buy some Copper Coins with magnetic cards from Headquarters."
"What do you need those for?"
Zhou Changqing took the card, frowned, and asked.
"I'm going to open a [Gambling House] at this school."
"Huh? You're going to ruin those kids?"
Zhou Changqing could hardly believe what he was hearing.
"What are you talking about? How is that ruining them? I'll pay you a commission afterward, so don't worry."
"Sure, sure. The Gambling Officer is right."
Hearing that there'd be a commission, Zhou Changqing decided to go along with Star Color's strange idea.
"The school's Pawn Shop is ours, too, right? Hehehe."
"Are you planning to copy that old scheme the [Pachinko parlor] used to exploit loopholes in the rules?"
When Zhou Changqing heard the keywords [Copper Coins] and [Pawn Shop], he immediately put everything together. Star Color actually planned to recreate the greatest loophole exploit in history, the [Three-Shop Model], right there on campus. Of course, these days it had been simplified to just the [Two-Shop Model]. After all, the [Pachinko parlor] was backed by the [Neon police], and the Kisen Group could now exert some political influence as well.
"Exactly."
"By the way, Gambling Officer, I've run into a bit of trouble recently. I need your help."
Zhou Changqing asked, a little embarrassed.
"Oh, sure. I've got nothing better to do, anyway."
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