Shiina Hiyori had a favorable impression of Kaoru.
In her class, she had no like-minded companions.
She loved reading but had no one to share her thoughts with, often leaving the girl feeling frustrated, as if no one could understand her little world.
Then, at just the right moment, Kaoru appeared in her line of sight, catching her attention.
Except for that time in the library when she saw Kaoru's subtle interactions with Kamuro Masumi, making her cheeks flush as she assumed they were a couple.
Later, Kaoru inexplicably ended up with Ichinose Honami.
Even without a gossipy nature, Shiina couldn't help but feel a little curious.
Still, in this moment, she was simply happy to run into him at the mall.
"Are you here to buy something too, Shiina?"
Kaoru glanced at her small bag, which likely held a book or two today—though he didn't know the titles.
"I ran out of daily necessities, and I heard there was a discount on Friday, so I came."
Shiina looked a little embarrassed. "But I think I might be too late."
Though the convenience store offered free monthly essentials, they only covered the bare minimum.
Anything slightly better required spending money.
Kaoru pictured it for a moment—tiny Shiina, cheeks flushed, standing on tiptoe behind a crowd, jumping slightly but still going unnoticed.
"Shiina-san, have you noticed Morita-san on the left shelf before?"
"Eh, no."
"She really likes cute kids. Next time, you can ask her to save a portion for you."
Shiina Hiyori was taken aback.
After a moment, she pressed her lips together and laughed as if hiding something, which made Kaoru feel puzzled.
"Did I say something wrong just now?"
Kaoru was frustrated.
This information was actually Kushida's secret, and he only knew it because he occasionally talked to her on the phone.
"No, no, I'm just surprised by Mitoma-kun."
Shiina Hiyori quickly waved her hands, then gave a gentle smile. "You're quite knowledgeable about these things, Mitoma-kun."
Kaoru fell silent for a moment. "It's only been a holiday since we last met, but Shiina-san has gotten better at flattering people."
"Weren't you just flattering me too?"
Shiina was a little annoyed.
She had only spoken the truth without any insincerity, yet he could shamelessly call someone cute.
"Did I?"
Kaoru was confused, but seeing the girl's expression, he guessed he must have misspoken.
"Actually, I didn't mean any harm. On the contrary, I'm a little happy."
Shiina Hiyori froze slightly.
Before she could figure out what Kaoru meant, Ichinose's voice came from beside them.
"What a coincidence, Shiina-san, you're here too!"
Ichinose Honami and Amikura Mako, who had been picking items in the gift section, were now standing next to them.
Ichinose shared the same feeling as Kaoru.
Shiina Hiyori was a little surprised, but after a moment's thought, it didn't seem strange.
She said softly, "Are the two of you on a date?"
Amikura Mako froze for a moment before hearing Ichinose Honami's laughter.
"No, no, we're just shopping. We'll be heading back soon."
Then, Ichinose remembered that Shiina and Mako didn't know each other and took the chance to introduce her best friend.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Shiina."
Shiina nodded slightly at Mako naturally, but her indifferent attitude made Mako feel a bit awkward.
However, seeing Shiina Hiyori subtly increase the distance between herself and Kaoru, Mako inexplicably felt relieved.
"Shiina-san, the novel you lent me last time was really interesting! It was my first time reading a story like that!"
Shiina Hiyori, who had been about to retreat, suddenly stopped.
Her eyes lit up like fireflies, glowing faintly as she stared at Ichinose Honami the same way she had at Kaoru Mitoma.
"That's great. I'm really happy you liked those novels, Ichinose-san."
"Ehehe, it left me wanting more."
"Would you like me to recommend more?"
"Wouldn't that trouble you, Shiina-san?"
"Not at all. I'm happy to have someone to talk to about this."
Even without repeating the phrase "I'm happy," Shiina Hiyori's face was filled with a bright smile, leaving Amikura Mako momentarily stunned.
"Do you think she's a strange girl?"
Kaoru lightly nudged Mako's hand.
Unconsciously, he had moved closer to the girl.
Mako instinctively shrank back, meeting his gaze before suddenly blushing, flustered.
"S-strange?"
"She seems lost in her own world, indifferent to everything, yet at times actively and assertively expresses her will."
Was he talking about Shiina Hiyori?
Mako studied Shiina—petite, seemingly airheaded, but now her eyes were sparkling brightly as she chatted animatedly with Ichinose.
"No, it's not strange."
Mako said, "Honami-chan can talk to anyone, and she seems to really love novels."
A flicker of surprise passed through Kaoru's eyes before he pondered for a moment, as if changing the subject.
"Did you two pick out a gift earlier?"
"Yeah, but Honami-chan told me not to tell you."
Mako hesitated slightly, though she was genuinely curious about Shiina's background.
"Kikyo..."
Kaoru searched for the right words. "Actually, the reason Honami brought you along today was..."
"Because tomorrow is Kushida-san's birthday."
Mako took over the conversation, her gaze fixed on him. "Were you trying to ask why I'm here too?"
Kaoru looked at her for a moment before suddenly brushing his fingers against her right hand, making her tense up.
"Where's the ring?"
All the bravado Mako had mustered instantly crumbled.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she muttered, "I'll wear it if I want to, and not if I don't!"
"You really didn't throw it away?"
His tone was accusatory, which only fueled her irritation.
"I didn't throw it away!"
Mako was starting to dislike this guy.
"I've been keeping it safe. Did you think I'd flaunt it like some people?"
In her eyes, Sakayanagi's behavior was no different from that of a smug, petty person.
"I don't believe you. I'll check next time."
Kaoru said, "If I don't see the ring, it means you don't value our friendship. And I'll have to teach you a lesson."
Mako was both furious and flustered, blurting out without thinking, "If you want to do something bad to me, just say it, you pervert!"
The moment the words left her mouth, both she and Mitoma Kaoru froze.
"Do something bad?"
Kaoru quickly caught on, smirking. "So… you know everything?"
Mako realized she'd messed up.
Her and Ichinose's plan was about to be exposed.
Still, she stubbornly feigned composure.
"Know what? It's not like I haven't seen you do bad things to senpai before. And you're always saying weird stuff like 'let me see your legs.'"
"I see."
Kaoru chuckled. "So, Mako, will you let me do bad things to you too?"
Mako wanted to refuse—she wasn't some kid who'd fall for sweet talk.
But then, she thought of names like Kushida Kikyo, Horikita Suzune, and Karuizawa Kei.
"O-only within the bounds of friendship…"
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