As the three reached the junction between the main road and the South District cafeteria, a figure cut in from the path on their left.
His footsteps were heavy.
His leather shoes struck the concrete with a rhythm deliberately designed to announce his presence.
"Jiang Shiyu."
The voice came from their three o'clock. Low, with barely restrained anger.
Jiang Shiyu stiffened with her arm hooked through Kannazuki's.
She turned her head, and the smile visibly vanished from her face.
"...Zhou Qiwen?"
The newcomer wore a black Arc'teryx shell jacket over a gray hoodie, with limited-edition Air Jordans on his feet.
He stood around 178 centimeters tall, solidly built, with broad shoulders.
He had a square face and reasonably decent features, but his low brow and deep-set eyes gave his entire face an aggressive edge.
School of Physical Education. Third year. Sanda specialization.
Kannazuki retrieved the man's information from his memory in half a second.
Three days earlier, Jiang Shiyu had mentioned him in a WeChat conversation-"This upperclassman from the sports school has been chasing me for a month. He's sent loads of messages, and I haven't replied to any of them. So annoying."
Zhou Qiwen walked up to the three of them.
Two meters away.
His gaze swept over L first-hunched back, disheveled, white T-shirt-without lingering. Then it landed on Kannazuki and Jiang Shiyu's linked arms.
A muscle twitched over his cheekbone.
"Shiyu."
Zhou Qiwen called her name again, his voice dropping even lower.
"I sent you twenty-three messages.
You didn't reply to a single one."
Jiang Shiyu released Kannazuki's arm and took half a step forward, placing herself between the two men.
"Zhou Qiwen, I already told you."
Her voice was crisp, leaving no room for negotiation.
"I don't like you. Stop coming to see me."
"You don't like