Sato frowned slightly as he looked at Yuigahama Yui.
This girl… it felt like she wasn't thinking anything good. What exactly was going through her mind?
"Since your companions are here, we won't disturb you any longer. Yui, let's go."
Miura Yumiko also gave Sato a somewhat strange look and called for Yuigahama Yui to leave.
"Then we'll head off first, see you Monday!"
"Bye!"
After the popular clique left, Takanashi Rikka walked up to Sato, who looked a bit silent, and asked calmly yet curiously, "Servant, what's wrong with you?"
Sato suddenly sighed, looking at Yuigahama and the others' retreating figures with a complicated expression. "I just feel like after today, my reputation at school is going to get… complicated."
After all, that was the fastest-spreading social circle. If they casually talked about what happened today and someone else overheard it, even without any exaggeration, it could easily turn into countless different versions.
"Hm?"
Takanashi Rikka blinked.
"Forget it, let's go eat."
Very quickly, Sato stopped thinking about it. Whether or not this would lead to trouble was already beyond his control. It wasn't like he could shut people's mouths.
Besides, it was just his guess. Maybe nothing would happen at all.
...
"This is Ui's combo meal. Please wait a bit longer for the others."
"Thank you, senpai!"
Sato sat back down. Facing the expectant gazes of everyone, he shrugged. "No choice, there are too many customers. Ours are at the back of the line."
"Ah! I'm starving!"
Ritsu slumped onto the table, pouting.
"Me too!"
Yui followed right after.
"Mm, then I guess me too."
Kotobuki Tsumugi blinked, then followed the two and laid down on the table as well.
What do you mean 'me too'?!
Sato twitched at the corner of his eye as he looked at the young lady lying in front of him.
Don't join the lazy squad. The other two look like genuine slackers, but your eyes are still sparkling.
"Then… Onee-chan, why don't you eat mine first?"
Hirasawa Ui quickly pushed her food toward Yui when she saw her lying on the table.
"Huh? That won't do, Ui is still growing!"
Yui refused.
"For my sister, it's fine!"
She looked at Yui with determination.
Sato: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
"Alright, stop acting out your sisterly bond here. There's a snack street outside. We can go buy something first."
Sato stood up speechlessly, then turned back and asked, "Anyone else coming?"
"I'll go."
Kanna looked at him with her big, adorable eyes.
"Then please bring me a serving of fried noodles!"
"I want takoyaki!"
"I'll take one of everything above!"
In the end, Sato went to the snack street with Kanna, Takanashi Rikka, and Vignette.
...
"Whoa!"
The snack street was lined with cart-style stalls on both sides. The dazzling variety of food made Kanna's eyes sparkle as her mouth hung open.
"Hey, Sato!"
Kanna tugged at Sato's jeans…
Wait.
What jeans?
He's wearing swim trunks…
Sato grabbed his trunks, looking at Kanna with a helpless expression. "Kanna, when I'm wearing this, don't pull on it."
If it came off… he'd probably hide in Asahigaoka for the rest of his life.
"Oh."
Kanna nodded obediently, then looked back at the snack street. "Can Kanna eat all of these?"
"Of course, but you have to pay with money!"
"What is money?"
"Money…"
Sato looked at Vignette beside him.
Understanding, Vignette took out Sato's wallet from the bag she was carrying and handed it to him.
Sato pulled out a Fukuzawa Yukichi (10,000 yen) bill and showed it to Kanna. "This is money. Remember, when you buy things, you need to pay. Otherwise, you're a thief (Dorobo neko) … and you'll be exiled. Got it?"
"Oh!"
Kanna nodded.
"Then this one is for you. Buy whatever you want."
Sato smiled and handed the bill to Kanna.
"Oh…"
Kanna took the bill with both hands, her big blue eyes wide open.
"Arigato!"
"Go on!"
Watching Kanna happily run off into the snack street, Sato turned to Vignette and Takanashi Rikka. "Let's hurry and buy something too, or the meals will arrive."
"Mm!"
The three of them began browsing through the snack street.
The dazzling array of food and the mixed aromas lingering in the air made it clear, food truly was humanity's greatest invention.
"Hm? This smell feels familiar?"
Among the mixed scents, Sato suddenly caught a familiar aroma.
Soon, he spotted the words "Akita" (Sato's hometown) among the stalls. His brows lifted slightly as he walked toward it.
[Kiritanpo Hot Pot]
So it's this!
Seeing those words, Sato showed a look of realization, then grew interested.
Kiritanpo hot pot was made by mashing freshly cooked rice, shaping it onto cedar skewers, grilling it over charcoal into stick shapes, then cooking it together with Hinai chicken, water celery, and mushrooms. It was a local specialty of Akita.
But ever since coming to Chiba, Sato hadn't seen it again.
When his gaze fell on the vendor, he was slightly surprised. Behind the cart stood a girl with two blue braided pigtails.
"H-hello! Um, what would you like—ah… eek… to order?"
The girl looked nervous as she spoke, even biting her tongue mid-sentence and letting out a small whimper.
This girl looks adorably clumsy.
Sato thought with a strange expression.
But with how nervous she is, is she really suited to run a stall alone?
At that moment, he suddenly noticed someone standing not far behind her, holding a notebook and writing something down. The girl's gaze also kept drifting back toward that person.
Miss, if you've been kidnapped, just blink.