"The photos came out great. I feel like Sonoko has a talent for this kind of work."
"Right?" Sonoko Suzuki flashed a V-sign. "Whenever we traveled before, I was usually the one taking pictures."
"Yeah, and you nearly got tangled up with a man you really shouldn't have..." Looking at the camera hanging from her chest, Ran Mouri recalled what had happened in Izu and couldn't resist teasing her.
Back then, Sonoko had nearly caught the attention of that respectable-looking pervert, Masahiko Michikyo, just because she had been holding a camera.
If Tangze hadn't been closer and drawn away some of the hostility, Sonoko might have faced even greater danger.
She could only comfort herself by thinking that meeting Kyogoku Makoto through that incident was some sort of compensation...
"Hm?" Kazuha Toyama's eyes immediately lit up at the scent of gossip. "That sounds like a very interesting story."
"Oh, Ran—"
The three girls burst into laughter and playful banter. The model, finally spared for the moment, breathed a sigh of relief and lowered the umbrella she had been carrying on her shoulder.
Holding an umbrella wasn't exactly tiring, but posing like that the whole time had been rather embarrassing...
While the girls were too occupied with their photos to pay attention to him, Tangze took out his phone and walked into a less crowded corner to check his messages.
``` Shade: I have arrived at the designated location.
Spy: It's normal for you, but that was still surprisingly fast...
Shade: My route was rather unconventional.
Spy: The others are all on their way to the Palace. Remember to receive them.
Shade: Understood. However, I think there are a few things we need to confirm before the operation officially begins.
Shade: Leader? Are you there?
Joker: What is it?
Shade: I