Standing outside the shop, Natsume Chikage looked up and saw that the secluded little place was called the Horizon Oddities Shop. Its sign was in Chinese, so it certainly looked like it was run by someone from China.
Curious, he asked, "Nanase, how did you find this place?"
"I found it online. Why?" Saionji Nanase asked.
"Have you been here before?" Chikage pressed.
"No, this is my first time." Nanase shook her head, then looked at him shyly. "I found the shop a while ago, but when I checked the address online, it seemed so out of the way that I didn't dare come. You like this kind of shop too, so I thought it would be better to come with you. I'd feel safer and all..."
"I see." Chikage felt a little relieved. "I thought you might go looking for secluded little shops like this on your own all the time, and I was worried about your safety. Looks like I worried for nothing. You're more safety-conscious than I thought."
Nanase grew a little bashful. "My parents know about my hobby. They've always worried I'd wander off somewhere, so they keep reminding me not to visit secluded shops alone. That's how I got into the habit..."
"That's good." Chikage thought her parents sounded wonderful. They supported their daughter's interests while making sure she stayed mindful of her safety. They were responsible parents.
"Let's go in and have a look," he suggested.
"Okay!" Nanase smiled happily.
As the two entered the shop, Konoe Hitomi continued secretly taking pictures of them from outside.
She wanted to go in too, but after thinking it over, she decided against it. Chikage's nose was far too sensitive.
She wasn't confident she could avoid being noticed, and things would get awkward if he spotted her.