Chapter XLVIII: The Terraced Mall
Their last stop before heading back to Kaigan rises before them like a mountain carved into civilization.
The mall doesn't breathe artificial cold. In actuality, it doesn't need to. The climate here is already crisp, sharp enough to make lungs feel awake. The structure opens upward instead of inward—terraces stacked like layers of earth, stone, and greenery. Plants spill from railings. Trees grow where ceilings should be. Sunlight filters freely through glass and open spaces, painting everything gold and pale green.
"This place looks alive," Haruto mutters.
Hajime stands near the entrance, hands on his hips, scanning the students like a general before deployment. "Alright, everyone. This is our last stop. Stick closely with your friends. No wandering off alone."
A few students nod. Also a few already don't listen. Groups form quickly after that quick announcement.
Rikiyo loops her arm with Kitsune, and Saki steps beside them, smiling softly. "Let's... stick together, okay?"
"Of course," Kitsune says easily.
Meanwhile, the Brofist Squad assembles without discussion.
Inoshiro claps his hands once. "Top floor. Tech."
Hageshi grins. "Say less."
Ryujin and Haruto fall in behind them.
Takeshi gathers his own group with Aoto, Okaki, and Kuebiko, whom are already pointing at food stalls and arcades. But malls don't respect plans. They breathe chaos.
The top floor hums with electronics especially screens glowing, RGB lights pulsing like mechanical hearts. Inoshiro and Hageshi stop dead in front of a display of PC components.
"Ohhh," Inoshiro breathes. "Look at that GPU."
Hageshi squints. "Bro, overpriced."
"But the performance—"
"Marketing."
They drift deeper, comparing keyboards, debating consoles, arguing over frame rates like scholars at war. Ryujin and Haruto linger nearby, browsing games and snacks stacked high on open shelves.
"You think this one's worth it?" Haruto asks, holding up a game case.
Ryujin shrugs. "If you actually finish games instead of abandoning them halfway."
"Low blow."
They laugh. And then—
"Ah—!"
Saki collides with Ryujin. It's soft, sudden. She gasps, steps back, eyes wide.
"Oh... Ryujin, I... sorry!"
He steadies her automatically. "It's okay. You alright?"
She nods too fast, cheeks blooming pink. "Y-yeah."
Silence stretches. Her eyes flicker to his, and then away.
"I... I should... um—"
She steps back, nearly tripping over herself, then turns and disappears toward a corridor marked Manga Alley. Ryujin watches her go. Haruto notices, and says nothing.
Meanwhile, Kitsune and Rikiyo stand inside Miniso, holding plushies.
Kitsune: "You know, I haven't been to this place for like ages!"
Rikiyo: "Same, by the way, when was the last you went here?"
Kitsune: "I don't remember it carefully. But I think it was 2015 and my trip with my mom and dad coincided with the Flower Festival here."
Kitsune checks more plushies just beside them, while Rikiyo checks the small cute Lego pieces.
Kitsune: "I mean, girl, it was so crowded, and hardly we made it to the terminal"
Rikiyo: "Huh, didn't you mentioned you have a family car?"
Kitsune: "Yeah?"
Rikiyo: "And didn't y'all just used that this dawn?"
Kitsune: "Yeah, but that was just bought this year."
Rikiyo: "I don't know about you, but I like these cute pens"
Kitsune: "Nice, these cute little plushies also make me excited"
Rikiyo: "You bet"
Kitsune and Rikiyo walk around the shop, looking at keychains, then turning left to school accessories, and then behind them are small toys, and then fidget toys.
"Man, Saki would love these. These are her favorite, even in her favorite colors!", Kitsune says as she holds the purple merch in her hand, examining it.
"Speaking of which, where did she go?" Rikiyo asks.
Kitsune scans the crowd. "That's strange, she was just with us a while ago."
They exchange a look.
On the other hand, Takeshi's group roams freely as they sample food, test arcade machines, laugh loudly.
"Dibs on that stall," Aoto says.
"After the toilets," Takeshi replies.
They turn the corner. And the air changes. The restroom hallway is quiet. Too quiet. Then out of the blues, a hooded figure steps out of the shadows. Before anyone can react, Aoto moves.
"Element Number Forty Seven! Silver Crab!"
Metallic energy snaps around his arm as he lunges, grabbing the hooded man mid-strike and slamming him into the wall. The hooded man retaliates, but,
"Hold on to that thought, you hoodlum! CRAB RAVE!" Okaki shouts.
Shockwaves pulse like rhythmic beats, disorienting the attacker.
Kuebiko slams his palm into the floor. "Green, pigmented, and crawl ye vines! Grab it, Photosynthesis!"
Vines explode upward, twisting and coiling, binding the hooded man's limbs. The hallway trembles.Takeshi steps forward, eyes cold.
"Look," he says calmly, frost blooming at his feet. "I haven't had a good night's sleep because of you hooded freaks bothering my classmates."
Ice creeps up his arms.
"But whatever you're after?" He exhales. "It's gonna be your downfall."
He snaps his fingers. The hooded man freezes solid. Security arrives moments later.
By evening, the bus waits outside. Students pile in, bags full.
"What are those? Did you guys just bagged everything?", Hajime exclaimed.
Inoshiro and Hageshi proudly show off a Rizen box, PC parts, phone accessories.
"Are you two nuts?", Ryujin asks.
"At least, it was worth it!", Hageshi says, and both he and Inoshiro high fives.
Haruto and Ryujin share snacks, games tucked safely away.
Ryujin: "Glad for you, computer geeks have those, but we're contented of what we bought"
Inoshiro: "By only buying snacks, games, and some souvenirs?"
Haruto: "Yup, it was the actuality of it, as worth it LMAO!"
Kitsune and Rikiyo beam over Miniso merch.
Rikiyo: "Glad we bought some of these plushies"
Kitsune: "I think I'mma hug one later, and at home, I'll add them to my plushie collection!"
Ryujin gives Samero the keychain he bought at Strawberry Farm with the initial, 'M', and tells him to give it to Saki.
Samero gives the keychain to Saki, and tells her that it's from Ryujin. Ryujin smiles at her. Saki sits quietly. Something twists in her chest. A feeling she can't name.
"There's something I can't explain, and it is my feelings for him. I know he's a nice guy, yet sometimes, she is so clingy and a bit awkward. I mean, handing out the keychain not discreetly, I feel embarrassed. But I also feel bad about him.", Saki thinks to herself.
Ryujin laughs somewhere behind her.
"Does this mean I'm skeptical about him? He is a good guy, but I don't want to be pushy though. I'll just observe how things will be soon", Saki thinks to herself again.
It hurts and warms at the same time.
At 10:25 PM, the bus stops at a ramen shop.
Most students sleep. But Ryujin, Hageshi, and Inoshiro join the teachers.
Hajime: "So, how was the trip? Was it satisfying?"
Ryujin: "Yes sir, especially at the mall and park"
Shinse: "How about the places we have gone to, did you learned anything?"
Hageshi: "Yes sir, a lot sir. Valuable information about evolution, and even strawberries"
Mrs. Sato: "Nice, I'm glad to hear that"
Steam rises as the teachers and the three eat their ramen. Laughter follows as they share stories.
At 11:25 PM, they arrive back in Kaigan. Parents wait beneath the lights of the Sadalmelik Building. The trip ends. But something else has already begun.