As soon as he entered, the atmosphere changed. Soft music played inside, tables were neatly set with lace tablecloths, while girls in black-and-white maid uniforms busily served customers with sweet smiles. Several parents and students from other schools seemed to be enjoying the unique atmosphere.
However, Kaito's attention was immediately drawn to several familiar figures. On one side of the room, he spotted Tohka, dressed in her full maid uniform: a black dress with a white apron and a purple ribbon on her head. Her face was cheerful but clearly awkward whenever she had to talk to customers. Nearby, Shiori (Shido) was busy taking orders with a friendly smile, though her face clearly held a hint of nervousness.
Not far from them, Kaguya and Yuzuru were also dressed in similar maid costumes. Kaguya appeared energetic, her blue hair tied up with a white ribbon, while Yuzuru, with her long hair, was much calmer, with a flat expression but still exuding charm. The trio of Mai, Ai, and Mii were also seen in another corner, busy serving customers and joking around.
Kaito chose an empty table near the window. It didn't take long for Kaguya and Yuzuru to approach him.
"Welcome, sir~! Please sit comfortably," Kaguya greeted in a cheerful, slightly teasing voice. Her eyes widened for a moment when she recognized Kaito's face. "Oh? You're…"
Yuzuru added in a flat tone, "Confirmation: the visitor is the same person we met on Arubi Island."
Kaguya smiled broadly, leaning forward slightly. "Wow, I didn't expect to see you here again! You really know how to surprise me."
Kaito smiled faintly, his hand resting on his chin. "What a coincidence. I thought this maid café was interesting, so I stopped by. Besides, I didn't expect you two to look so… good in outfits like this."
Kaguya chuckled, while Yuzuru blinked only once.
"Apt? That's a compliment we'll gladly accept," Kaguya replied cheerfully.
"Response: Thank you. We'll keep those words in mind," Yuzuru added curtly.
After a brief chat, Kaguya took Kaito's order while Yuzuru took the empty tray. They headed to the kitchen, leaving Kaito alone at the table. He glanced around, watching Tohka eagerly serve him, while Shiori (Shido) occasionally glanced in his direction.
Shortly after, Kaito's order arrived, a simple but nicely decorated dish, complete with a chocolate inscription on the plate: "Welcome, Master Kaito."
"Wow, that's how it went, huh?" Kaito said with a small smile. He enjoyed his meal quietly, though he could feel several stares from other tables watching him.
After finishing, Kaito got up from his chair and politely left the cafe. "Thank you for the meal. Good luck with the festival."
"Thank you too for coming!" Kaguya replied with a wave. Yuzuru simply bowed slightly in farewell.
Exiting the café, Kaito wandered through the bustling festival. He passed various stalls, from shooting games to love fortune-telling stalls to food stalls filled with enticing aromas. But wherever he went, there were always stares.
Girls from other schools turned and whispered. Some even dared to wave, but only received a faint smile in return. A group of boys whispered enviously, discussing how his appearance made them inferior.
"Did you see that? It felt like the whole festival suddenly revolved around him."
"He… isn't a student here, is he? I would definitely recognize that face if he was."
"I don't know, but his aura is different. He's like the main character from a popular drama or anime."
Kaito walked calmly, completely unperturbed. His charismatic aura seemed to engulf the festival crowd, making it difficult for people to look away. He paused in front of a crepe stand, bought one, and continued on his way, enjoying the sweet treat.
"This festival… is quite fun," she murmured softly, her smile thin but warm.
Kaito's steps stopped abruptly.
Amidst the bustling festival filled with laughter, music, and the hustle and bustle of people passing by, he felt something different. A sharp, cold, yet captivating gaze pierced him from afar through his Observation Haki. It wasn't just any ordinary gaze; he could feel it penetrating the layers of the crowd, tracing the space, until it settled on him with a precision impossible for a normal person.
"So you came, huh…" Kaito murmured softly, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
He didn't have to guess long. The owner of that gaze was obvious; there was only one person in this school who could exude such a mysterious, dangerous, and yet alluring aura.
Slowly, Kaito turned around. Among the crowd, a girl with long, jet-black hair with a red shimmer at the ends stood gracefully, dressed in a neat school uniform. A soft yet ambiguous smile graced her lips, while her blood-red right eye stared at Kaito with an intensity that would make most people tremble if stared at. It was Kurumi Tokisaki.
She hadn't been seen at school for a long time. Many students wondered where she had gone, some thinking she was sick, others whispering strange theories. But only Kaito truly knew the real reason.
Kaito stepped closer, greeting her in a tone that sounded casual.
"Tokisaki-san. It's been a while since I've seen you at school. Where have you been all this time?"
Kurumi covered her mouth with her delicate hand and chuckled softly. Her signature laugh, loud yet sophisticated, like the chiming of a clock concealing a secret behind it.
"Ara, isn't that a very… caring question from you, Arashi-san?" she said in a sweet yet inscrutable tone. "I just… had some family matters that were a bit troublesome. You know, personal matters that shouldn't be shared."
The words sounded convincing. If anyone else had heard them, they would have believed them immediately. Kurumi was too good at hiding the truth behind her smile and voice. But to Kaito, the lie was as transparent as thin glass.
He simply smiled, as if satisfied with the answer. "Is that so? Okay. I hope all your business is settled now."
Kurumi's red eyes narrowed briefly, as if trying to read Kaito's expression. But she only found a calm, almost indifferent face, as if harboring no suspicion. This disturbed her slightly, though she didn't show it.
Kaito then added, "Unfortunately, I have to leave early. There are preparations before the performance. The festival won't wait for anyone, will it?"
He bowed his head slightly, gave a brief greeting, and then turned to leave. His steps were calm and unhurried, but his aura of authority made the crowd around him seem to part to make way.
Kurumi remained standing there, her eyes following Kaito's back until he disappeared into the crowd.
Her smile slowly faded, replaced by a serious look.
"…Interesting."
She had sensed something strange from the beginning. The aura surrounding Kaito was different from that of an ordinary student. Calm, powerful, and difficult to decipher. But this time, as she peered deeper, she sensed something that shouldn't be present in a high school student. A presence that was very similar to something, that person—Noir Blade.
Kurumi had felt that aura before, in that unforgettable battle. It was cold, calm, and held an air of impossibility within it. And now, faintly, she felt it flowing from Kaito's body.
"Of course… I can't be mistaken," she murmured softly, her fingers touching her lips. "But… why is that aura on him?"
His blood-red eyes glinted faintly, like a spinning hourglass. For Kurumi, mystery had always been both a source of curiosity and a threat. And Kaito, with everything he revealed and concealed, now became a new puzzle that made her want to dig deeper.
But for now, she could only hold back. The festival was still underway, too many eyes were watching, and it was too risky to move recklessly.
She stepped slowly into the shadow of the building, letting her body blend into the bustling crowd. But before she completely disappeared, her signature smile returned.
"Then, let's see… how far you can hide from me, Arashi Kaito."
Meanwhile, Kaito, walking toward the preparation hall, didn't look back. But he knew Kurumi would be watching him until the very end. And he also knew that sooner or later, the girl would find her own answers.
But for now, Kaito chose to remain silent. There was a stage awaiting him, a performance that would be in the spotlight.