Training concluded, and dusk was approaching.
Natsukawa Sosuke bid farewell to Sakura and walked alone towards the convenience store.
Although Sakura really wanted to go with him, he refused, citing, "You need to go back and stretch to relax your muscles."
After walking through the skybridge connecting the school building and the commercial district, and turning into a sparsely populated path, Natsukawa's steps suddenly paused.
Sure enough, that feeling of being watched, though faint, was still there.
He didn't look back, merely maintaining his original pace as he continued forward. It wasn't until he reached a dead-end wall with no obstructions that he suddenly stopped, turned around, leaned against the wall, and waited quietly.
Ten seconds later.
A figure emerged from around the corner, bumping right into Natsukawa, who had been waiting there.
It was a girl.
She had long, straight purple hair, tied into a half-ponytail with a ribbon on the right side, and her bangs were secured with a few simple clips. Her features were delicate, but her face held an aloofness that kept people at a distance, almost a world-weary expression.
It was Kamuro Masumi from Class A.
Natsukawa raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I knew someone was following me, but I didn't expect it to be you, Miss Minion from Class A."
Kamuro Masumi, caught in the act, showed no signs of panic or embarrassment. She simply stopped, her hands still in her pockets, and clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Tsk."
She seemed to have no intention of explaining why she was following him, her attitude so straightforward as if she were merely out for a stroll.
"Since I've been discovered, that saves trouble."
Kamuro Masumi looked at Natsukawa, her tone cold.
"Come with me."
"Huh?" Natsukawa was amused by her self-righteous attitude. "Are you a police officer? You say 'come with me' and I just go? I still need to buy some sweet drinks later."
"That little princess…" Kamuro Masumi paused, then corrected herself, "Sakayanagi Arisu, invites you for afternoon tea."
"Sakayanagi?"
Natsukawa wasn't surprised.
Ever since their chance encounter at the vending machine, he knew that the physically disabled girl who claimed to be a genius would eventually come looking for him again. He just didn't expect it to be so soon.
"What if I say no?" Natsukawa leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "As you can see, I'm very busy. I don't have time to play house with a young lady."
Kamuro Masumi seemed to have anticipated his refusal.
She expressionlessly pulled out her phone from her pocket, swiped her finger across the screen a few times, then turned the screen towards Natsukawa.
"She said if you refuse, she'll send these things to Ichinose Honami in Class B."
Natsukawa took the phone and saw a set of photos on the screen.
There was a photo of Kushida Kikyo's back as she swiped her card to enter Natsukawa's dorm at night; a profile shot of Karuizawa intimately holding his hand while shopping together at Keyaki Shopping Center; and just now, a close-up of him reaching out to wipe Sakura's sweat… "…"
Natsukawa Sosuke was silent for two seconds.
"Paparazzi? Is this also part of Class A's elite education?"
"Don't make it difficult for me, I'm just an errand runner." Kamuro Masumi took back her phone, her face still wearing a cold, "I can't help it" expression. "Her Royal Highness said this is called a 'necessary invitation'."
"An invitation…"
Natsukawa laughed in anger.
If these photos were really sent to Ichinose, while it wouldn't necessarily ruin him, it would be like a toad on one's foot—it doesn't bite, but it's annoying.
"That little loli is ruthless."
"Fine, lead the way. I also want to taste what kind of tea a Class A young lady drinks."
Seeing her task completed, Kamuro Masumi didn't waste any more words and simply turned and left… Following Kamuro Masumi's indifferent back, the two walked through the bustling commercial street and finally stopped in front of a coffee shop located in Keyaki Shopping Center.
Pushing open the door, the aroma of roasted coffee beans wafted out.
"Over here."
Rounding a screen, the view suddenly opened up.
In the window seat with the best view, Natsukawa Sosuke first noticed not the petite 'Queen', but the two guardians standing behind her like gate gods.
The man on the left, always wearing a frivolous smile, should be Hashimoto Masayoshi.
And the one on the right… Natsukawa Sosuke's gaze lingered on him for two seconds.
Long curly hair, aquiline nose… This appearance and posture, no doubt, it should be Kito Hayabusa.
Although Natsukawa always believed that judging people by their appearance was impolite, every time he saw this person, he would have deep self-doubt: Is this guy really only sixteen years old? People would believe it if you said he was a retired assassin from the underworld, right?
Sakayanagi Arisu was elegantly seated in the center of the sofa, holding a delicate bone china cup. She didn't look up, focusing solely on admiring the brown liquid in the cup, not shifting her gaze in the slightest due to Natsukawa's arrival.
This was a silent form of pressure.
Also known as a "show of force".
If it were an ordinary person, suddenly arriving in an unfamiliar high-end environment, facing the stares of the Class A students, coupled with this deliberate cold shoulder, they would probably be squirming in discomfort.
But Natsukawa Sosuke was clearly no ordinary person.
He pulled out the chair opposite her, sat down casually, and even adjusted the cushion to make himself more comfortable.
"Since you've invited me, aren't you going to get me a cup too, Princess?"
Not only did he show no signs of awkwardness, but he took the initiative, breaking the silence first.
Sakayanagi Arisu then slowly raised her eyelids as if she had just noticed Natsukawa's arrival. Her light purple eyes showed no anger at being provoked, but rather a hint of playfulness.
"It seems Kamuro-san didn't quite deliver my invitation. Or perhaps, Natsukawa-kun has his own unique understanding of the word 'etiquette'?"
"Etiquette is for friends." Natsukawa Sosuke intertwined his fingers on the table, his tone calm. "For this kind of 'invitation,' I think my current attitude is just right."
"Heh heh, what a sharp-tongued businessman."
Sakayanagi put down her teacup with a crisp clink.
She waved her hand, and Hashimoto Masayoshi behind her immediately understood, turning to give instructions at the bar.
Soon, a steaming cup of black coffee was brought to Natsukawa.
"Try it. This is Blue Mountain No. 1. I wonder if it suits your taste."
Natsukawa picked up the cup and took a sip, a bitter taste spreading in his mouth.
"It's alright. But a commoner like me still prefers it with sugar and milk."
"Taste is something that can be cultivated over time."
Sakayanagi didn't dwell on the topic. She turned her head slightly, staring at Natsukawa with piercing eyes.
"Now, let's get straight to the point."
"Natsukawa Sosuke, I want to make a deal with you.
....
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