[Weekend]
"Hello? Sato, where are you?"
"Sorry, the train had an accident and got delayed. I just got off, I'll be there in a moment."
"Alright, we're already outside."
Exiting the subway station, Sato scanned his surroundings and quickly spotted the members of the Light Music Club across the street.
"Nohara, over here!"
Tainaka Ritsu waved at him from the opposite side.
Sato checked for traffic, then crossed at the crosswalk.
"Sorry for being late."
"No worries, we only just got here too," Tsumugi Kotobuki replied gently. She always had a soft and graceful demeanor, fitting for a girl who clearly came from a wealthy family.
Looking at the group, Sato couldn't help but compliment, "You all look great today."
"Hmm? Just great-looking clothes?" Ritsu crossed her arms and gave him a knowing look.
Sato glanced at her, then suddenly nodded with mock seriousness. "Of course, everyone looks beautiful today, except for the club president."
"You jerk! You really are asking for it, huh?!"
Ritsu rolled her eyes, then narrowed them mischievously as she slowly walked behind Sato.
"Now's my chance, witness my ultimate chokehold!"
With a shout, her eyes lit up, and she lunged, wrapping her arm tightly around Sato's neck.
"Hahaha! How's that?!"
Ritsu laughed like a villain whose evil plan had just succeeded. You've fallen into my trap!
Caught off guard, Sato tilted backward, helpless in her grip.
"Not great. It's giving me a headache."
"...Huh?"
Giving... a headache?!
Ritsu blinked, then looked down at where Sato's head had landed. Her face instantly turned bright red, and her arms loosened instinctively.
"Whew!"
Free at last, Sato let out a sigh of relief.
Honestly, it wasn't really painful, just uncomfortable being chokeheld like that.
"What's that supposed to mean?! Are you saying I'm... small?!"
Ritsu glared at him, clearly offended.
"I'm not saying you're small, but I wouldn't say you're big either. It's more like..."
Sato began a serious analysis.
"You two!!!"
Suddenly, a low, furious voice burst beside them, Akiyama Mio, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, was storming over.
Yikes... she looks terrifying!
"Why on earth are you seriously discussing something like that?!"
Mio's black hair whipped in the wind, her eyes gleaming ominously. She looked like a demon slowly advancing.
Sato instantly shut up but couldn't help muttering, "She started it. I didn't really have much to do with it."
Mio shot him a resentful glare. Just because she's being stupid doesn't mean you need to join her!
Then she dragged Ritsu off to scold her.
Ritsu hung her head low, accepting her fate.
Sato looked around, puzzled, and asked Tsumugi, "Is Hirasawa-san not here yet?"
Tsumugi shook her head. "No. She called earlier, said she overslept."
"I see…"
The two of them turned to look at the subway exit across the street, a strange thought rising in their minds.
Huh?
Why did it feel so... natural for Yui to be late?
As if... it was just part of who she was?
The group stood by the street waiting. Sato and Tsumugi chatted idly while Ritsu endured Mio's lengthy lecture.
Through his conversation with Tsumugi, Sato came to a solid conclusion: this girl, who brought elegant tea sets to the club and brewed afternoon tea for everyone, was definitely from a wealthy family.
A person's upbringing leaves a mark and it was obvious from Tsumugi's manners and speech that she came from privilege.
A few minutes later, Yui's soft, airy voice echoed from across the street.
"Minna~!"
She looked both ways, saw there were no cars, and ran toward them waving.
Thud!
She accidentally bumped into a passerby, causing everyone in the Light Music Club to twitch involuntarily.
How... how did she manage to bump into someone on such a wide street?
Finally, she made it across but her attention was immediately stolen by a small dog on the sidewalk. She dropped into a squat, stroking its head with a blissful smile.
Kawaii…
"Yui! Hurry up already!"
Even Ritsu couldn't take it anymore.
You're right there! Why is it taking you this long?!
"Minna-san!" Yui waved again with a big, dopey grin.
That was just how she was. Goofy, spacey, and oddly lovable. Even without spending much time with her, everyone had reached the same conclusion.
"Yui, you're half an hour late!" Mio pointed at her watch, her expression strict, this girl took everything seriously.
"S-Sorry… I overslept… again."
Yui scratched her head sheepishly.
"Forget it, let's just go."
Mio sighed, defeated. There really was nothing more to say to this girl.
The group walked down the shopping street.
But it didn't take long for Sato to notice something off, pedestrians kept giving him strange looks.
Only then did it dawn on him, their group did look... unusual.
After all, he was the only guy among four vibrant, youthful girls. That kind of group was bound to attract attention.
"Who is that guy?"
"So jealous..."
"Damn normie!"
He vaguely heard whispers of envy and resentment around him.
Yeah, this group was kind of eye-catching…
Sato quietly dropped back a few steps, trailing behind the girls. Sure enough, the stares diminished.
Time flew as they wandered the street.
It became crystal clear to Sato how different shopping was between guys and girls.
When guys decide to buy something, they head straight there, pick it up, and they're done.
But girls? Even if they know exactly what they want, every store along the way is like a magnetic force pulling them in. "Shopping" literally meant visiting every shop.
Clothes, accessories, knick-knacks. If it was a store, it was tempting. The only difference was how strong the temptation was.
After eating cake in a cozy café, they finally arrived at their destination.
Seeing the sign in front of him, Sato visibly relaxed.
He let out a long sigh of relief.
Finally. We made it.