? Oreki took out the coupon.
All right...
It really was the place he'd gone to that morning.
The name was just too small.
He'd only noticed the big discounts on the desserts, so he hadn't paid attention to the tiny print in the corner.
What a terrible design.
If Oreki found out who'd designed it, he'd have a few choice words for their family.
"Hey, are you listening?"
"You're listening, right?"
"Oreki Houtarou—"
Oreki covered the phone's speaker.
He leaned toward Shiina Hiyori.
"When did you come over?"
"I've been here the whole time."
"?"
"You tend to jump to conclusions, Oreki."
"Jump to conclusions?"
"Yes. For example, I just stepped away for a little while, and you assumed I was going to investigate."
"...I see."
Oreki uncovered the speaker.
What should he say?
A situation like this really tested your skills.
If you weren't up to it, it was all too easy to get a bad ending.
For reference, see Ito Makoto.
"Sorry. I'll explain everything when I get back tonight."
"...Really?"
"Yes."
"I understand. I'll wait for your answer tonight, then."
"Thanks."
"Beep, beep—"
The call ended.
Oreki let out a sigh of relief.
He looked at Shiina Hiyori helplessly.
"Don't joke like that next time."
"Mm, sorry."
"It's fine. It'll just make tonight a little more complicated."
She acted like she didn't care...but she clearly did.
Oreki thought.
Was it putting on a brave face?
Or was it insecurity?
Maybe most people felt that way.
Men and women alike.
"Let's go get lunch first."
"Okay."
With her books in her arms, Shiina Hiyori followed alongside Oreki.
The gesture felt so warm and familiar.
As if nothing had happened just now.
Lunchtime usually went by quickly.
As soon as Oreki stepped outside, someone stopped him.
It was Kamuro Masumi.
Leaning against the window, she looked at Oreki with exasperation.
"After pulling something like that...are you an idiot?"
"...No."
"Figures. You are an idiot. Here, take it."
Kamuro Masumi held out a beret.
It was the one Sakayanagi often wore.
"This is a big help."
Oreki took it and put it in his shoulder bag.
With this, things would be much easier when the time came.
It was a case of borrowing someone else's authority.
He could use the Sakayanagi Family's reputation to intimidate those people.
If that middle-aged man were there, he wouldn't need this.
But of course, he wasn't.
It was probably connected to Sakayanagi's Father suddenly leaving that night.
"By the way, why do you need this?"
"I'm just borrowing it."
"Oh..."
"It's not what you think. And why did you and Sakayanagi come up with the same idea?"
"Because I told her."
"...So you're the one who stirred things up."
"Stirred things up? That's a pretty rude thing to say."
Kamuro Masumi left soon after.
For her, this was just running an errand for Sakayanagi.
She had no reason to get involved in whatever was going on between Sakayanagi and Oreki.
It was already troublesome enough as it was.
"I'll head out first."
Oreki glanced at Shiina Hiyori on the sofa.
She was eating matcha pudding.
"Okay. See you later."
Shiina Hiyori waved goodbye to Oreki.
"See you later."
With that, Oreki left the dining hall.
To be continued.
Before you continue