The girls were shocked.
"What?!"
"Let me see?"
"It's true! What's Naoko doing? Isn't she afraid darling will get the wrong idea?"
"I will never forgive anyone who dares betray my king!"
"Um... maybe it's a misunderstanding. Naoko's usually pretty smart and sensible, after all."
"Should I go ask her?"
"No need. Trust her, and trust Kintaro." Tetsuhiro glanced over and spoke calmly.
"Besides, knowing Naoko, she's teasing someone again."
"Really? Then let's carry on." Everyone relaxed and went back to chatting.
A little while later,
"I'm going to the restroom."
Tetsuhiro calmly walked out.
"Hmph, so he does care," Kyoko muttered.
The others all offered their own opinions, too.
As he headed toward the restroom, Tetsuhiro naturally heard Kyoko's comment, but he paid it no mind.
He was wondering whether the original story's events would play out again. Surely Naoko wouldn't be that bold.
There was also Reiko Yamadera, whom he'd met earlier. Since they'd crossed paths, he ought to help her resolve her hang-ups. Tetsuhiro thoroughly disapproved of her warped view of love.
Right, Noriko, too. He'd help her get rid of her problem when the time came. If that scumbag Kogure really dared do something like that, he'd make him disappear off the face of the earth!
Entering the restroom, Tetsuhiro checked that no one was around.
"Wood Clone Technique."
Crack, crack, crack...
A clone split off from Tetsuhiro's body.
"Handle things in my place. No fooling around this time, or you're going into solitary confinement."
The Tetsuhiro clone looked utterly resigned. "Fine. You win."
"Transformation Technique!"
Tetsuhiro transformed into Kintaro and curled his lips into a wicked smile.
"You little rascal. Time to teach you a lesson."
Leaving his clone behind, Tetsuhiro darted along with the Body Flicker Technique. With the Byakugan's help, he