Secretary Sawada passed in front of Jiang Xia and glanced at his watch.
Jiang Xia waved a hand, indicating that he would not be participating.
Beside him, Amuro Tooru had likewise not handed in his watch.
Jiang Xia turned to look at his watch. While it was not like Professor Agasa's modified Black Technology, with functions so comprehensive they were terrifying, it surely had plenty of capabilities that ordinary watches lacked. Naturally, he would not hand it over so easily.
Those participating in the "Count 30 Seconds" game gradually gathered in front of the stage, holding the Small Flags used to signal the time.
Amuro Tooru kept feeling that someone was watching this way.
His wary gaze slowly swept across the crowd of participants before finally settling on a cute little girl. She looked six or seven years old and wore a Headband. She seemed somewhat familiar—she was also acquainted with Jiang Xia.
Only after looking more closely did Amuro Tooru realize that the little girl was not watching him, but secretly watching Jiang Xia beside him.
Jiang Xia had clearly noticed someone's gaze as well.
He lowered his head to look over, but before their eyes could meet, Ayumi abruptly turned away, withdrawing her gaze and pretending that she had not looked in this direction at all.
That seemingly "shy" evasive manner was truly adorable.
Amuro Tooru could not help chuckling. "You're quite popular with little girls."
Jiang Xia looked suspiciously at Yoshida Ayumi's back. "..." No, he had a feeling that was not what this was about...
Ayumi withdrew her gaze, which had nearly collided with Jiang Xia's, and covered her face, feeling her heart pound as she let out a breath of relief.
Her secret to "silently counting 30 seconds" was actually to count her