When Toge Inumaki and Yuta Okkotsu arrived at the shopping street to meet them, Aikawa Kaze and Junpei Yoshino were sitting in a café, drinking coffee.
They weren't surprised that Aikawa Kaze had already explained the "common sense issue." What surprised them was that he hadn't stubbornly insisted it had been "a test," but had frankly admitted his mistake.
"Just what kind of person do you two think I am?"
Aikawa Kaze shook his head, speechless.
"Sure, I do want to look more reliable in front of my juniors, but a mistake is a mistake. I don't know everything."
Aikawa Kaze did enjoy Junpei Yoshino's admiration, but he also knew perfectly well that blind worship was no good, and Junpei's rose-colored glasses were far too thick.
At this point, he had already been planning to find some way to tone down the boy's fanboy devotion. Otherwise, if Junpei misinterpreted one of his mistakes or oversights, that would be a real problem.
As luck would have it, this little mistake served that purpose perfectly.
"Yes, Kaze already explained it to me."
Junpei Yoshino scratched his cheek sheepishly, stole a glance at Aikawa Kaze, and only then spoke.
"I really understand now. I can't just blindly follow and idolize someone. I need to think for myself and form my own understanding."
"As long as you understand."
Aikawa Kaze nodded in satisfaction and glanced at the order numbers being called at the counter. His order was almost up.
It looked like he'd timed things well.
"I ordered a drink for each of you, too. I'll go get them. Wait here."
Aikawa Kaze took his order number and went to collect the drinks. Only after making sure he was out of earshot did Junpei Yoshino speak quietly.
"Kaze really went to so much trouble