"Could it be that I've gotten taller?"
Shuichi Kanda muttered to himself as he looked at Kamuro. Kamuro merely snorted and turned her head away, acting as if she couldn't be bothered with him.
Chapter 81: The Little White Rabbit and Husky in a Pack of Wolves
Watching Shuichi Kanda clown around by himself, Sakayanagi Arisu felt extremely annoyed.
"Kanda, you're so good with words. I bet girls really don't like you."
"Is that so? I get along pretty well with Shiina from Class C. And today, I'm going out with two girls, too."
As if he hadn't heard the sarcasm in Sakayanagi Arisu's words, Shuichi Kanda simply let the facts speak for themselves.
"Oh? Kanda can actually get girls to go out with him? You're not just bragging, are you?" Sakayanagi Arisu put on a surprised expression. "Wait, could those two girls you mentioned be me and Masumi?"
"That won't work. Masumi and I already have plans."
Watching Classmate Sakayanagi talking to herself, Shuichi Kanda thought her intelligence seemed pretty average after all. She was even capable of saying something that stupid.
"I suggest you leave soon. The people I'm waiting for will be here in a bit, and then things will get awkward for you."
Shuichi Kanda couldn't be bothered to entertain her, so he sat down on a nearby sofa and started waiting.
There were still about ten minutes until their agreed-upon time of nine, so Shuichi Kanda decided to kill time by looking at his phone.
Talking to Sakayanagi for too long always made him feel like he was about to get a brain hemorrhage.
Seeing this, Sakayanagi Arisu sat down at the other end of the long sofa, while Kamuro stood beside it, keeping her eyes on the elevator.
"No, I want to see what sort of girls would go on a date with you, Kanda. If possible, I'd like to suggest they get their eyes checked."
When it came to this sharp-tongued, white-haired little girl, I'd been right to think she was trying to humiliate me just now.
Shuichi Kanda glanced at her, then went back to checking the School Forum on his phone, occasionally looking toward the elevator to see whether the people he was waiting for had arrived.
About five or six minutes later, the elevator doors opened again, and the people who stepped out were finally the ones he'd been waiting for: Kushida Kikyo and Sakura Airi.
"The people I was waiting for are here. Aren't you leaving?"
"Oh, it's Kushida."
It was obvious that Kushida Kikyo's name had spread throughout the first-year classes. Even Sakayanagi knew who she was, and there was a meaningful note to her voice as she spoke.
So you've noticed something's off about Kushida, too. But you don't think I'm unaware of her true nature, do you? You don't think she's fooled me, do you?
Of course, he couldn't say that aloud yet. Otherwise, their little angel, Kushida, would explode on the spot.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kanda." As soon as Kushida arrived, she greeted Shuichi Kanda, then looked over at the other two. "Good morning, Sakayanagi and Kamuro."
"Good morning, Kushida. Are you two going on a date?"
Shuichi Kanda, you're in danger!
Damn it, you're embarrassing me right to my face?
Sakayanagi Arisu, you little devil! You don't deserve such a cute name!
Still, this was fine. It would make it even easier for Ryuen and me to team up against Class A.
As soon as Kushida heard Sakayanagi's words, she immediately understood the situation and hurriedly waved her hands.
"No, we're just going to the Shopping Street together. Sakura's camera broke because of me, so Kanda and I are accompanying her to get it repaired."
Sakura, whose name had been mentioned, timidly hid behind Kushida, not daring to greet anyone.
You've got terminal social anxiety, Sakura. Shouldn't you step forward, say hello, and join the conversation?
Shuichi Kanda had no idea that Sakura had sensed from the first moment she saw Sakayanagi that this person was extremely dangerous—far more dangerous than Shuichi Kanda or Kushida Kikyo. That was why she'd immediately hidden behind the others, too afraid to come out.
By comparison, the purple-haired girl who hadn't said a word seemed much less intimidating, and Sakura felt a little more at ease around her.
"So Kanda's just a tagalong, then."
Sakayanagi narrowed her eyes, a cheerful smile spreading across her face.
"No, no. I was the one who asked Kanda to come with us." Of course, Kushida wasn't about to play along with Sakayanagi Arisu.
But you really think I can't hear the teasing in your voice?
Did all that heartfelt advice I gave you the other day go to waste?
Take it back right now!
"I'm going back."
Shuichi Kanda's sudden declaration quieted the group for a moment. Kushida Kikyo also felt that her attempt to help had backfired.
Even Sakura seemed a little worried, which puzzled Shuichi Kanda.
But Sakayanagi immediately came up with an idea.
"Oh, has Kanda been exposed and gotten so embarrassed that he wants to run away?" Sakayanagi Arisu lightly covered her mouth. "I suppose I went too far. Would you like me to apologize?"
Apologize? Apologize right now. Get down on your knees!
Of course, Shuichi Kanda couldn't say that. She was a cute girl, after all. How could he make her kneel in public?
Just you wait. One day, you'll fall into my hands!
After Sakayanagi Arisu had said that, Shuichi Kanda couldn't actually go back. That would be truly humiliating.
"All right, if you're done chatting, let's go. I'm pretty slow." Kanda looked up, then seemed to realize something as he glanced at Sakayanagi. He didn't say a word.
But that made Sakayanagi even more annoyed than if he'd said something outright. All the fun she'd gotten from teasing Shuichi Kanda vanished in an instant.
Kushida wanted to keep working with Sakayanagi to make things awkward for Shuichi Kanda, but as soon as she sensed the mood shift, she turned to Sakura.
"Let's go, Sakura."
What could Sakura do? As the little white rabbit in a pack of wolves, all she could do was nod.
What about Kamuro, you ask? She was a husky—one that could occasionally pass for a wolf.
There was only one electronics store at school, so it had a monopoly. Even so, Shuichi Kanda doubted it could turn a profit. Most businesses at the school were probably the same.
He'd been to this electronics store before, too. He'd picked up a laptop worth 200,000 Private Points, and it was still sitting in his dorm room.
Come to think of it, back in the lobby, Shuichi Kanda had been so busy trading barbs with Sakayanagi that he hadn't really taken a good look at his two companions for the day.
As for Kushida, there wasn't much to say: a blue dress with a light green jacket, and a red handbag over her right shoulder. She had the air of a modern city woman.
It was the first time Shuichi Kanda had seen Sakura in casual clothes. Her outfit was mostly white: a T-shirt with red sleeves, paired with blue capri pants.
Most importantly, her bag was slung across her body, its strap running over her chest and making her impressive assets look even more striking.
No wonder Kushida had chosen to carry her bag that way. So that was why. I get you, Kushida.
As he thought this, Shuichi Kanda glanced at Kushida, leaving her completely baffled.
"Is something the matter, Kanda?"
"No, nothing."
As he spoke, Kanda raised his right hand to his left shoulder, then drew it diagonally across his chest until it reached his right hip.
Kushida didn't understand at first, but then she remembered where Shuichi Kanda had been looking and glanced toward Sakura, who was slightly behind them.
She immediately turned her head back, her face darkening. If they weren't in public, she would have taken her bag and smashed it over Shuichi Kanda's head.
She'd have to teach him what he could and couldn't say.
Chapter 82: It's Over, a Dead Loop
It was hot on the way there, so the three of them barely spoke. By the time they reached the Shopping Street, the air conditioning was already on, even though it was only June.
The refreshing cool air made all three of them exhale in relief, their faces saying they'd finally come back to life.
Since the school didn't get much foot traffic and the electronics store mainly served students, it didn't take up much space, but it wasn't crowded either.
Even so, it had a wide range of products. You could even find the latest laptops if you dug them out of some unknown corner.
"Hmm... I remember the repair counter is across from here."
Shuichi Kanda had only ever been to the pickup counter, so Kushida Kikyo naturally took the lead. She really was a know-it-all, as if she knew everything.
Kushida led the way, while Shuichi Kanda and Sakura Airi followed behind.
"I wonder if they'll be able to fix it right away..." Sakura clutched her small camera, looking very nervous.
"Cameras like the one you bought usually have to be sent back to the manufacturer for repairs, so it'll probably take a few days."
Sakura's camera wasn't some ordinary no-name brand. It was fairly well known in Japan. And given the special circumstances at this school, there wouldn't be a dedicated repair center here, so Shuichi Kanda was probably right.
But after hearing what Shuichi Kanda said, Sakura Airi seemed even more nervous.
"I found it! This is the counter that handles repairs."
When they heard Kushida, Shuichi Kanda and Sakura Airi both looked toward her as she waved, then walked over together.
But when they were still a short distance from the counter, Sakura suddenly stopped. Shuichi Kanda looked back and saw clear disgust on her face.
Then Shuichi Kanda turned around and followed Sakura's gaze. Apart from the rather scruffy-looking clerk, he couldn't see anything unusual.
"What's wrong, Sakura?"
Shuichi Kanda thought it was strange, so he asked casually.
"Ah, uh..."
Sakura tried several times to speak but couldn't get anything out. In the end, she shook her head and took a deep breath.
But the visible tremble in your body and the fear in your eyes have already given you away.
"It's nothing..."
Seeing Sakura trembling slightly and looking afraid, Shuichi Kanda felt he ought to do something. After all, the reason Sakura's camera had broken was that he'd told Kushida to do it.
There weren't many people around. If it wasn't because of him and Kushida, then it must have been that clerk.
"Let's find somewhere to sit for a while. It's so hot out. I'll buy you both something to drink. We have plenty of time."
Shuichi Kanda figured he should get to the bottom of things first.
"I don't mind. We get free cold drinks, too." Kushida seemed a little surprised, but as she said, there was nothing wrong with getting free drinks.
Sakura hesitated for a moment, then nodded as well.
Once they'd made up their minds, the three of them immediately turned and headed for the café nearby.
As they walked away, Shuichi Kanda kept an eye on the scruffy-looking clerk.
When Sakura and Kushida turned to leave, the smile on his face suddenly vanished, replaced by a deeply disappointed expression.
I knew it. There's something wrong with that guy!
But Sakura's camera was broken, and she'd have to deal with this guy to get it repaired. Besides, she'd refused Kushida's offer to buy her a new camera.
It seemed the camera was precious to her, but what could be so special about a used camera? Aside from its appearance, the only thing that could matter was the data stored inside.
So Sakura didn't want anyone else seeing what was on her camera.
She didn't even want a girl as close to her as Kushida to see it, let alone a clerk who seemed so suspicious.
After ordering cold drinks, the three of them sat in the café to cool off.
"Sakura, have you met that clerk before?"
Kushida looked at Shuichi Kanda in surprise, as if asking how he knew, then turned to Sakura to confirm.
"He tried to hit on me before... That's why I felt a little relieved when Kanda said he'd come with us..."
Sakura nodded and told them what had happened.
"No wonder you looked so nervous when I joked about going back this morning." Shuichi Kanda took a sip of the freshly squeezed orange juice the server had brought over. It was sweet and cold.
Then Kushida lowered her head in dejection. "I'm the only one who didn't notice."
Before you continue