The afternoon sun slanted across the tree-lined path leading to the dorms. Dappled shadows shifted beneath the trees as a gentle breeze stirred the leaves.
Mazumi Mami and the others walked along at an unhurried pace.
Chisato Nishikigi stretched, a sly, self-satisfied smile in her voice. "The bait's been cast. Now we just have to wait for the fish to bite."
"Do you really think they'll agree?"
Runa Inoue tilted her head slightly, her tone cautious and doubtful. "A million points is no small amount. Even if Honami Ichinose is the leader of Class B, persuading the whole class to hand over that many points won't be easy."
"Of course they'll agree!"
Chisato Nishikigi put her hands on her hips and spoke with complete confidence. "My instincts are never wrong—Honami is the kind of person who puts her class above everything else. To protect Class B's interests, she'll grit her teeth and agree. So we'll definitely get that million points!"
"I have to say, Chisato, you're kind of scary sometimes."
Walnut's voice carried a teasing note. "You call her 'Honami' so affectionately, but when it comes to scheming, you don't show the slightest mercy."
"Hehe, even family has to keep its accounts straight, let alone classmates."
Chisato Nishikigi waved a hand, as if it were obvious. "The two things aren't related. Just because I'm close to her doesn't mean I can't scheme against her. But—" She abruptly changed tack, spread her arms, and draped one over each of Runa Inoue's and Walnut's shoulders. "I'd never scheme against you two! We're family, after all!"
"I'm touched,"
Runa Inoue said without expression. "But I don't think you're smart enough to scheme against us."
"Quite right,"
Walnut agreed, her expression equally blank.
"What did you say?!"
Chisato Nishikigi immediately bristled, flung her arms around the two of them, and began tickling their waists and underarms with nimble fingers.
"Hahaha—Chisato, stop... Hahaha... I'm sorry..."
Walnut doubled over, her usually impassive face turning bright red as she laughed uncontrollably.
"Young master... could you do something about Chisato...?"
Runa Inoue dodged and appealed to Mazumi Mami for help, but the corners of her mouth kept lifting. She clearly didn't truly mind the horseplay.
Mazumi Mami walked a few steps ahead. He glanced back at the three girls playing around behind him, a faint smile tugging at his lips, then turned away and chose to ignore them.
He was used to this kind of interaction among the three of them. It was their own way of getting along.
Besides, after a meal, strolling along a sun-dappled path on campus while three beautiful girls chased one another and laughed behind him was a pleasant sight.
However, just as the four of them were about to turn into the entrance to the dorms—
"W-Wait a second!"
A clear, breathless voice called from behind them, accompanied by the hurried sound of footsteps.
All four stopped and turned around.
A figure came running up the slope in the distance.
Her honey-colored hair, especially striking in the sunlight, was tied in a high ponytail that swung from side to side as she ran. A pale blue hair tie glimmered in the sun.
She rushed up to them and finally skidded to a stop in front of Mazumi Mami. Bracing her hands on her knees, she bent over and panted heavily.
Sweat trickled along her delicate jawline. A few strands of hair clung to her cheek, and her naturally sun-kissed skin had taken on the faint pink flush that came after exercise.
Her chest rose and fell sharply, her breathing ragged and heavy. She had clearly run all the way here.
The scent of body wash and sunlight mingled with the clean, slightly heated smell of sweat rising from her skin. As she drew closer, it became distinctly noticeable.
It wasn't an unpleasant, sweaty odor. It was a fresh, vivid scent, faintly sweet and musky, like a ripe peach warmed by someone's body heat—full of the vitality unique to a girl her age.
Runa Inoue tilted her head and sized up the unexpected visitor. "Hmm? Chisato, do you know her?"
"No idea. I don't know her." Chisato Nishikigi shrugged, just as bewildered.
"Wait—"
Walnut's gaze sharpened slightly. "She isn't looking at us... Her eyes are on the young master."
Sure enough, once the girl had caught her breath, she slowly straightened and lifted her head.
Her face was full of energy and youthful spirit.
Her eyes were bright and lively, like purple gemstones. Now, damp with the moisture brought on by her run, they gazed at the person before her as though they might spill over at any moment.
Beneath her small, straight nose was a pair of rosy lips, slightly parted as she continued to catch her breath after the strenuous run.
Her style of dress was completely different from that of most students, brimming with the fashionable flair of a gal.
She wore a pale blue collared shirt, a stark contrast to the white uniforms worn by ordinary students, with a dark blue bow tie at the collar.
A red school jacket was tied around her waist, its sleeves knotted casually but stylishly in front.
Her white pleated skirt had black trim, and its hem trembled faintly with each unsteady breath. She wore color-blocked mid-calf socks, white on the lower half and pale gray on the upper.
On her feet were black calfskin shoes, their uppers flecked with a little dust kicked up as she ran.
She stood in front of Mazumi Mami, still breathing lightly. Her lips moved a few times before she finally managed to speak.
"D-Do you still remember me... my Savior? I finally found you!"
Karuizawa Kei's voice quavered and rasped slightly from her hurried breathing, but her heartfelt excitement and joy were unmistakable.
After she spoke, she raised a hand and casually wiped the sweat from her temple with the back of her fingers.
The gesture was brisk and natural, without a hint of affectation. It had a lively, adorable charm that was all her own at that age.
Her purple-gemstone eyes stared unblinkingly at Mazumi Mami, filled with anticipation, nervousness, and a trace of anxiety that he might not recognize her.
Mazumi Mami narrowed his eyes slightly, studying her expectant face for a moment.
"After all this time, you're still just as loud and excitable, Kei."
Mazumi Mami said with a smile, his gaze resting on her flushed face.