An earpiece rested against her delicate ear.
"What's this?" His expression was indifferent.
"It's a listening device," Yanami said matter-of-factly.
"...Wait—that's not right! Why do you have a listening device? Why do I have to accompany you to tail these two? This is a crime, a crime!"
Kiyono's mouth twitched nonstop; he was about to lose it.
"The listening device was given to us by the school nurse, and Lemon herself suggested installing it! She said it would make her feel more at ease—like she could feel us supporting her from behind. Besides, you're a strategist, Kiyono! A strategist should, of course, come up with plans for his lord!"
Yanami gave him a thumbs-up. Seriously—stop striking that special-agent pose; it's not cool at all!
Kiyono was too tired to retort. None of you are normal...
At that moment, there was new progress on the front line.
"I forgive you, but as punishment, Mitsuki, you have to buy me a drink. The newly opened milk-tea shop in front has a buy-one-get-one-free promotion!"
Faintly, Yakishio Lemon could be seen nervously twisting her fingers.
This operation... not bad! It seems Lemon has indeed mustered her courage!
Kiyono raised his eyebrows. Since he was already here, it wouldn't hurt to watch the drama up close.
At Yanami's beckoning, he slowly followed.
In front of the milk-tea shop, Yakishio Lemon pressed her face close to the refrigerator, and her voice came clearly through the earpiece:
"I want taro milk tea with double Oreo crumbs. For Mitsuki... you can order original black tea, so we can exchange drinks!"
"Eh? There's no need for that—we're not kids anymore..."
Rejected on the spot.
He couldn't bear to watch the situation in front of him.
"It's rare to have a new store with a discount. Let's buy one too."
Yanami's focus was already elsewhere. Her eyes shone as she hurried to the counter and ordered a buy-one-get-one-free combo—she got a mountain of toppings on ice cream, while she ordered ordinary lemonade for Kiyono because he preferred a lighter taste.
"Here."
The blue-haired girl naturally handed it to him.
Kiyono took a sip of the sweet-and-sour lemonade, his expression easing.
At the same time, Lemon's group seemed to have entered a nearby shopping mall. The two looked at each other and quickly followed.
Because she was in a hurry, Yanami quickened her pace and didn't even have time to eat. The large ice cream in her hand began to melt, running over her fingers and seeping beneath the paper sleeve.
"Ahhh!"
Noticing it, the blue-haired girl stopped abruptly and—under Kiyono's shocked gaze—stuck out her pink little tongue and directly licked the ice cream dripping down her hand.
...Kiyono really couldn't watch anymore. Is this the persistence of a foodie and an idiot?
After Yanami's interruption, Lemon had already disappeared into the elevator, but Kiyono didn't mind. They were still in the same mall, and he could track by listening to the conversation—speaking of which, why am I being so meticulous! It's not like I'm really going to stalk them!
Yanami slowed, walking and eating. She suddenly halted as they passed the claw machines.
"Kiyono, look! Limited-edition cat pendants!"
She practically plastered herself to the glass. The window reflected stars twinkling in her blue eyes.
"Aren't you supposed to be cheering on Lemon? Why are you playing by yourself?" Kiyono couldn't help glancing at her.
"My spirit is accompanying Lemon! Besides, they're just strolling now—no progress for the moment—so there's no need to worry."
She tilted her head, eyes shining with a moist puppy-like plea. "Help me catch them, Junior Kiyono!"
"Catch them yourself. I don't know how to play."
Kiyono looked indifferent. Generally, claw machines are a perfect chance to show off in front of a pretty girl and earn favor—but for that very reason, he refused!
"Eh, I can't catch it myself—look!"
A pair of slender white hands, still holding ice cream, appeared in front of him; both were now sticky with melting cream.
"It wouldn't be right to grab the public joystick with these hands."
She said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world, making Kiyono want to complain—then go wash your hands! Your own hands being dirty doesn't make it better!
"I want to wash them, but..."
Yanami turned her head warily, as if detecting an enemy. Kiyono followed her gaze and understood—there were only five claw machines on the first floor; the other four were already occupied, and several junior-high girls were waiting behind. If she left, this machine would be taken, and the pendant she wanted might get snatched.
Kiyono began to understand Yanami a little. Resigned, he reached into his pocket, ready to reluctantly try a few coins.
Seeing his movement, the blue-haired girl cried out anxiously:
"Ah—use my money! No... it's meaningless if it's not caught with your own money!"
Kiyono rolled his eyes. You're so picky! Embarrassingly, he didn't have many coins either...
"My wallet's in my bag. Help me take it out and use it. I can't grab it now, or the bag will get sticky..."
Yanami let out a secret sigh of relief, watching him with crescent-moon eyes. Then she opened her arms toward Kiyono, making a very ambiguous please hug me gesture.
Kiyono froze. The blue-haired girl stood gracefully, lovely and charming, her cherry-pink lips glistening, her unique, quiet fragrance dizzying at a single sniff.
They were practically face-to-face. In that defenseless posture, the girl's natural curves were impossible to ignore; her undisguised girlish aura felt fully magnified.
Noise from afar grew lively, but none of it reached his ears.
Dong, dong, dong— his heart thumped twice, out of rhythm.
Wait, wait, wait! I can't take the wallet! If I take it, I'll have to reach for...
Kiyono's gaze slid helplessly over the blue-haired girl's shapely figure. To take the wallet from her bag, some intimate contact was inevitable—his hand would graze her skirt... He was about to refuse when he felt needle-sharp gazes pricking his back. He'd been standing here too long; people were getting annoyed. Pressured, he subconsciously placed a hand on Yanami's waist.
He didn't dare meet her eyes, staring instead at the bodice of her dress. One hand found the edge of her bag; his fingers trembled slightly—don't tremble! She is an otter, she is an otter, she is an otter...
The zipper whispered open. His hand found the wallet. After he drew it out, he exhaled—barely audibly. Yanami blinked, as if feeling something strange. A faint blush rose on her pink cheeks, stirring the imagination; a mist seemed to veiling her azure eyes.
Kiyono opened the wallet, fished out a few coins, and coughed. "Go wash your hands—quickly. You're filthy."
"Then I'm going. Make sure you grab the limited-edition charm for me! You have to, okay!"
Yanami smiled; her voice sounded perfectly normal.
Huff. Seriously—respect personal space...
Kiyono calmed his heartbeat and silently recited pure love ten times. Then he slid the first coin into the claw machine and focused on the joystick.
Moments later, Yanami returned from washing up—only to see Kiyono wearing an embarrassed expression and no limited-edition charm.
"Didn't get it?" She blinked.
"I'm sorry, Lady Yanami..." Kiyono lowered his head in shame. He'd even added his own coins and still failed miserably. Too embarrassing!
"How about a few more tries—or just paying up to hit the guaranteed win?"
He suggested, unwilling to give up. These machines had a pity system; once you spent enough, staff would fish the prize out for you.
"No need. Let's go!"
Yanami beamed. It was her most beautiful smile today.
Hands clasped behind her back, the blue-haired girl walked with a buoyant step.
Kiyono watched her, puzzled.
...How strange. Why does she look so happy and satisfied even though she didn't get the charm?
…
---
Kiyono accompanied Yanami, strolling through the mall. Strolling was generous; the two of them were sneaking around so suspiciously that passersby and security had already taken notice.
At the same time, Yakishio Lemon was hard at work. Mitsuki, forced to wear an earpiece, heard the athletic blue-haired girl's voice.
"Mitsuki, come with me to the clothing store. I think this dress is really cute!"
Lemon's words carried the casual family feeling of childhood sweethearts.
"Um, don't you usually like casual, boyish outfits? After all, you're Lemon."
"What kind of image do I have in your eyes..."
Silence over the line. Lemon seemed to understand something and said, with self-deprecation, "Sorry—I'm just a sporty ditz without feminine charm."
"Wait, that's not what I meant..."
The conversation paused. Beside Kiyono, Yanami tilted her head, then said thoughtfully:
"Kiyono, if it were you, how would you answer?"
"Ask me?"
Kiyono raised his eyebrows, pondered for three seconds, and replied, "Probably... 'Honestly, I kind of want to see Lemon in a more womanly outfit.'"
"Hiss..."
The blue-haired girl sucked in a breath, unconsciously taking two steps back. Where did this natural-born scumbag come from! Why aren't you ever this perceptive usually!
"Don't misunderstand—I'm speaking in galgame logic," Kiyono added.
Under their gaze, Lemon and Mitsuki walked into a women's clothing store.
Yanami boldly edged closer; Kiyono stood farther away.
"Heh-heh, look—haven't I turned into a beautiful girl already!"
The rustle of fabric and the slap of a curtain made dangerous images flash in Kiyono's mind. He quickly took off the earpiece and set it aside, speechless—if anyone overheard, they'd think he was a pervert!
"How is it, how is it!" Lemon asked proudly.
"Lemon... have your arms gotten a bit fairer lately?"
"Because it's been raining a lot, I've had less time in the sun—so it turned out like this."
This is what childhood sweethearts are like... Kiyono sighed. Rather than appearances, they noticed tiny details only family would catch.
Suddenly Yanami darted out like a startled fawn. She looked up at Kiyono, her pretty face serious.
"What's the correct answer?"
Are you an examiner? And what are we even testing!
Kiyono's mood was complicated. He recalled countless classics he'd played, imagining himself a gentle protagonist—
"Lemon is a sporty blue-haired girl who usually doesn't dress up. Even if her tone sounds natural and forthright, she probably still cares about the other person's opinion. So the answer should be to meet her eyes and say, sincerely..."
Yanami's expression grew ever more intent. This guy is way too perceptive. I can't let him—
Kiyono looked straight into her azure eyes and said, "You look very beautiful."
"Wh—"
Her pupils widened, bit by bit.
She could only stare blankly at him.
When she realized what he meant—
Thump, thump, thump.
She heard her own heartbeat.
Heat rushed to her face.
Eh? What he meant by that is... eh?
"W-w-what are you suddenly saying, you idiot!"
Her voice tripped over itself.
"Didn't you tell me to say it..."
"It's decided!"