Transaction, Tracking, Interrogation

The two arrived at a café.

Sakayanagi ordered a latte, while Shiomiya ordered an extra-large parfait.

Shiomiya Yo liked sweet things and disliked bitter ones.

Seeing the parfait in front of Shiomiya that could hide half his face, Sakayanagi could not help but be surprised.

"Shiomiya, if you keep eating like that, won't you get diabetes?"

Shiomiya thought about it and felt she had a point.

"It's an old habit. I never used to think I'd live this long. I'll be more careful from now on," Shiomiya said sincerely.

Sakayanagi grew curious as well.

"Was Shiomiya in poor health before?"

Shiomiya shook his head. Could someone who could beat everyone in the school possibly be unhealthy?

"I just never paid attention to that sort of thing before," Shiomiya said evasively.

Sakayanagi did not press further.

"Then what is this deal you mentioned, Shiomiya?"

"It's about the monthly point distributions and the school's hidden rules.

You've noticed that there's something unusual about this school too, haven't you?" Shiomiya said with a smile.

Sakayanagi was intrigued. She had indeed noticed a few things, but how had Shiomiya Yo obtained the correct answers?

"How can you guarantee that this information is accurate?" Sakayanagi asked.

"We can sign a contract. Anything notarized by the student council is binding within the school.

Consider this information my greeting gift."

Shiomiya ate his parfait. Every spoonful was packed with ingredients, and he was utterly satisfied.

After some thought, Sakayanagi decided to accept the deal.

"I agree to the trade. What do you want?"

Shiomiya shook his head first, not agreeing immediately.

"Wait. Let me confirm something first. Can you represent your class?"

"I can only represent the opinions of a portion of the class," Sakayanagi said.

After thinking for a moment, Shiomiya felt she should still be able to come up with the points.

"Five hundred thousand points. Can you manage that?

This information should help you gain the support of more people."

Sakayanagi estimated the points she had on hand. She could probably have the whole class split the cost afterward, so it would not be a problem.

"Alright. No problem."

Shiomiya directly took out a contract, bearing the student council's seal.

Sakayanagi checked it over. Finding no issues, she signed it right away.

She then had her supporters pool their points and transfer them to Shiomiya.

Once he received the points, Shiomiya smiled in satisfaction.

He directly sent Sakayanagi a document.

It was material he had organized in advance.

Sakayanagi carefully read through it. It was indeed very useful.

The two smiled at each other. You got intelligence, I got points—we both had bright futures ahead!

The two began discussing the chess match from earlier.

Unfortunately, this café was popular, so their actions caught the attention of a certain person.

Kushida had arranged to come with her classmates today to try the shop's new dessert.

Yet inside the café, she saw Shiomiya Yo chatting with a delicate, childlike girl. The two even seemed quite familiar with each other.

This was wrong.

How could Shiomiya Yo possibly have friends?

There had to be something suspicious about this person. (Conan-style glasses gleam)

After greeting her friends, Kushida left the group and quietly began spying on the two.

Shiomiya noticed her from the very beginning. He was skilled at counter-surveillance too.

Shiomiya had no idea what Kushida wanted. Was she trying to get him to introduce her to someone again?

Was that really necessary?

Shimiya and Sakayanagi chatted casually for a few moments before ending the conversation.

Sakayanagi had also noticed that Shimiya was absentminded, but she said nothing.

"Let's play chess again next time we get the chance." Sakayanagi stood up to take her leave.

Shimiya nodded in agreement.

As soon as Sakayanagi left, Shimiya walked straight over and sat down in front of Kushida.

"Kushida, why were you following me?"

Having been exposed, Kushida showed no sign of panic and simply responded with her trademark smile.

"Shimiya, what are you talking about? I only came here for coffee."

Shimiya rested his chin on one hand while tapping the table with the other.

"Really? You went out with your classmates, then came back here. You haven't even ordered coffee yet, and you kept looking over at where I was sitting.

Is that how Kushida drinks coffee?

Interesting~"

Kushida did not respond, and her expression did not change. Instead, she questioned Shimiya directly.

"Who was that student just now?

I'd like to get to know her too."

Seeing her change the subject, Shimiya did not mind and simply laid everything out.

"That was Sakayanagi Arisu from Class A. She lost to me at chess just now, so we came out to chat.

Also, I'll take you to see Horikita Suzune tomorrow."

Kushida froze at those words.

"Didn't you say you didn't know Horikita? And what was that Sakayanagi from Class A about?"

Shimiya laughed at the way she questioned him. She really looked like a girlfriend interrogating her boyfriend.

The thought made Shimiya laugh. How could that be possible?

Kushida was a monster desperate for validation. She would never give up an entire forest for a single tree.

He had known that long ago.

"Didn't you want to be friends with Horikita? I'm helping you out directly.

So stop bothering me about it."

Shimiya had rarely bothered explaining himself. He planned to take her straight to Horikita; if it worked, great, and if not, then forget it. It would also prove that he did not know Horikita.

Kushida continued pressing him.

"We can talk about Horikita later. What was that Sakayanagi from Class A about?"

Seeing Kushida determined to get to the bottom of it, Shimiya was speechless. Did having tea with a girl from another class now require a report?

Could Kushida have already learned about the class competition rules?

Though puzzled, he decided to answer honestly. Otherwise, this felt like it would become troublesome.

"She was a chess expert I met during the club open house today. We just played a few games.

By the way, didn't you join a club today?"

Kushida looked at him suspiciously, but she still answered, "Clubs waste too much time. I'd have much less time to socialize that way."

Kushida reluctantly accepted Shimiya's explanation, but she silently made a note of Sakayanagi.

And in front of Shimiya, she had dropped some of her pretense, which made her feel a little more relaxed.

"Then did you join the chess club?"

Kushida still spoke in that cutesy voice, but her words were no longer gentle and considerate. They were somewhat blunt and cold.

"No. No one there can beat me, so what would be the point of joining?"

Shimiya answered bluntly.

"Then do you have any other hobbies?"

Kushida did not know why she had asked that. Perhaps it was her desire to pry into other people's privacy at work.

Whenever someone told her their secrets, that was when she felt the strongest thrill.

At Kushida's question, he suddenly wanted to play the piano. He had never had the chance before, but now that the clubs were open, the music club should have a piano.

"Piano and painting, I guess. I suddenly feel like playing the piano now, so I'm done talking. Bye!" Shimiya stood up directly and waved goodbye.

Kushida did not let Shimiya leave and grabbed hold of him.

Then she clasped her hands behind her back and leaned toward him, her ample assets only inches away.

"Please, let's go together?" Kushida looked at Shimiya with an innocent expression again.

Most people might have been thrown off by Kushida's attack, but Shimiya was not falling for it.

"Kushida, if you want to go, then go. Don't try that on me. You know it doesn't work on me." Shimiya said impatiently.

Kushida showed no irritation at his blunt rejection. "Oh my, it's just a habit~"

And so, the two headed to the clubs together.

Sakayanagi watched their departing backs with a thoughtful expression.