Inside the convenience store, the cool air from the refrigerated section intermingled with the warm aroma from the bakery, creating a unique atmospheric texture.
Advanced Nurturing High School's convenience store boasted an astonishing variety of products.
Figures were sparse between the shelves, with only occasional footsteps and the beeping of scanners breaking the silence.
Kamuro Masumi carried her shopping basket, her purple hair cascading over her shoulders, her indifferent purple eyes scanning the array of goods, though a subtle, undetectable restlessness lurked deep within them.
She approached the refrigerated cabinet, the fine condensation on the glass blurring her vision, yet unable to obscure the outlines of the canned beers inside.
The vivid red 'No Alcohol for Minors' sign pierced her eyes, like an invisible chain, yet it only tightened a certain dangerous longing.
Her fingertips unconsciously traced the cold glass surface of the cabinet.
Kamuro's heart beat a little faster.
That familiar, thrilling sensation from junior high, like a vine, quietly coiled around her. Stealing... not for the beer itself, but for the secret thrill of breaking rules and being in control. Her fingertips unconsciously curled.
Her breathing became somewhat rapid. Her gaze locked onto a can of beer in the very corner of the cabinet. White packaging, a simple logo, unremarkable among the many colorful drinks, yet it drew her like a magnet.
"Pick it up... put it in your bag... it only takes a second..."
"Caught? It's just some troublesome scolding..."
"The clerk is busy... no one is paying attention here... it's the perfect opportunity..."
Two thoughts fiercely battled in her mind, tugging at her nerves.
The urge to steal and the risk of exposure caused fine beads of cold sweat to break out on her forehead, and the knuckles of the hand clutching the shopping basket turned slightly white.
She could even feel her cheeks burning.
Just then, the corner of her eye caught a figure near the deli section, opposite the refrigerated cabinet.
Kamuro's gaze sharpened slightly.
Taste-testing station? Sakamoto?
She saw Sakamoto's left palm steadily holding three items—a plain white bar of soap, a basic plastic toothbrush, and a bottle of clear, unscented shampoo—with a grace as if he were holding imperial court utensils.
And in his right hand, he held a small bamboo taste-testing fork.
He leaned slightly, smoothly using the fork to pick up a small piece of sliced sausage for tasting.
He didn't immediately put it in his mouth, but instead held the fork up to his eyes, calmly scrutinizing the small piece of meat, as if appreciating a miniature work of art.
Then, he unhurriedly brought the sausage to his mouth, chewing it slowly, with a leisurely and focused demeanor, as if enjoying a chef's special at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
That composure and elegance seemed out of place in the noisy convenience store environment, yet it strangely blended in, creating a highly impactful scene.
Kamuro felt a touch of absurdity.
This guy, who seemed to know the secrets of the s system, was actually taste-testing free sausages at a convenience store?
And... his movements were as cool as if he were at a buffet.
The expression of 'confusion' once again clearly appeared on her indifferent face.
But soon, another, stronger impulse overwhelmed this confusion.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
She quickly picked up her shopping bag, bypassed the refrigerated section, wandered aimlessly around the convenience store, picking up and putting down a few irrelevant items.
Her mind was a mess, Sakamoto's calm figure and the beer in the fridge alternating in her thoughts.
Finally, she returned to the refrigerated cabinet.
This time, impulse overcame reason.
Without even looking, almost instinctively, she quickly pulled open the fridge door, her fingers precisely reaching for the white-packaged drink in the very corner. The cold metallic touch made her fingertips tremble.
She swiftly stuffed it into her shoulder bag, her movements as quick as lightning.
"Click."
The sound of the zipper closing was barely audible.
She quickly closed the cabinet door and headed towards the checkout area, her movements smooth and natural, as if nothing had happened.
Only she knew that the cold weight in her bag and the accelerated heartbeat in her chest were intertwining into a twisted pleasure.
Several people were lined up at the checkout. Kamuro stood at the end of the line, maintaining her usual indifference. She carried her shopping bag, which contained only a carton of milk and a rice ball, and walked quickly towards the counter with her head down.
The cashier was a young girl, who skillfully scanned the milk and rice ball.
"That's 200 points in total, student."
The cashier's voice was clear.
Kamuro took out her phone, her fingertips steadily tapping the payment interface. She could even feel the outline of the beer can in her bag.
"Beep."
Payment successful.
Kamuro picked up the bag containing the milk and rice ball, and turned to leave.
"Student, please wait a moment."
A clear, gentle voice sounded from behind her, neither too loud nor too soft, but it reached Kamuro's ears distinctly.
Kamuro's steps halted. She slowly turned around, a subtle sharpness flashing in her purple eyes.
Sakamoto had appeared a few steps behind her at some point. He still maintained his characteristic posture—left hand holding soap, toothbrush, and shampoo, as if holding works of art.
But at this moment, his right hand... his right hand was holding a can of drink.
A white-packaged drink with an extremely simple design.
And the packaging of the beer can in her bag... it was extremely similar!
Kamuro's pupils contracted imperceptibly.
Was she caught? He was fast enough.
She remained expressionless, merely tightening her grip on the shopping bag, waiting for Sakamoto to continue.
A reprimand? Reporting to a teacher?
She had already begun to assess the consequences and countermeasures in her mind.
Sakamoto's face showed no expression of accusation or anger; instead, it held a gentle, almost benevolent concern. His gaze calmly fell on Kamuro's slightly bulging shoulder bag, his voice still gentle:
"Your bag,"
He paused, his voice clear and steady,
"seems to have something you forgot to pay for."
Kamuro's heart sank, but her face remained indifferent.
As expected. She didn't even bother to argue, merely calmly thinking about how to get away.
Being caught purchasing prohibited items for minors, while troublesome, wasn't the end of the world.
She reached into her shoulder bag, preparing to take out the beer can—since she had been caught red-handed, further concealment was useless.
However, when her fingers touched the can, a strange, metallic coldness came through. She subconsciously looked down—
White packaging was correct, but the familiar beer logo was gone!
In its place was an equally simple logo with fresh fruit patterns, and a clear line of text: 100% natural mixed fruit juice (non-alcoholic)!
Juice?! Not beer?!
Kamuro was completely stunned! She held the can of juice as if holding an unexpected item, and for the first time, her indifferent expression showed a clear crack, leaving only pure astonishment and disbelief.
She had clearly taken beer! How did it turn into juice?
Could it be... she was too focused on Sakamoto's appearance and mistakenly grabbed the wrong one in her panic? This thought was immediately dismissed. Impossible, she remembered the beer can's position very clearly. So... the only explanation was... she suddenly looked up at Sakamoto.
Sakamoto still looked at her calmly, a very faint, almost imperceptible curve seeming to play at the corner of his mouth.
He said nothing, only subtly nodded towards the can of juice in her hand, and at the same time, he gently shook the identical can of juice in his own hand.
Kamuro understood instantly! It was him! It must have been him!
After she first left the refrigerated cabinet, while she was restlessly wandering, he had already... stealthily swapped the drink!
He replaced that can of beer with a can of juice that had similar white packaging and appearance! And the can in his hand was the proof!
He had seen through her intentions long ago!
But he didn't expose her on the spot, didn't let her fall into the trouble of "stealing prohibited items for minors," but instead, in this way, cleverly resolved the crisis and even saved her face.
He even... specifically took an identical can of juice.
The immense shock left Kamuro's mind in a state of chaos, complex emotions swirling within her.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and handed the can of juice to the cashier, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor:
"This... also checkout."
"Alright, student."
The cashier seemed to notice nothing unusual, smiling as she scanned the juice,
"With the juice, that's 300 points in total."
"Beep."
Payment successful again.
Kamuro picked up the bag containing the milk, rice ball, and juice, and turned to head for the convenience store exit.
As if nothing had happened.
Just as she was about to step out of the store, that clear, gentle voice sounded again, distinctly reaching her ears, like a gentle breeze:
"Minors cannot drink alcohol."
The voice was not loud, but it carried a peculiar penetrative power, without a hint of lecturing, but rather like a kind reminder.
Immediately after, the voice added another sentence, with a hint of lighthearted amusement:
"Next time, let's drink juice together."
Kamuro's steps did not falter in the slightest; she pushed the door open and walked out.
Outside the convenience store, the clamor of the bustling street washed over her.
Kamuro Masumi held her bag, standing by the busy roadside, and slightly narrowed her purple eyes.
She could feel a warmth uncontrollably rising to her cheeks, and her earlobes instantly flushed.
"D-drink juice together?"
She looked up, her purple hair blown by the wind, revealing her fair cheeks tinged with red.
Under the sunlight, her eyes were filled with complex emotions—confusion, lingering fear, embarrassment... and a hint of a quietly budding... flutter, which even she herself hadn't noticed.