Haruue Erii was on patrol when she came across a dessert shop. Her attention was immediately drawn to it, as girls rarely have any resistance to sweets.
However, just as Haruue Erii focused on the dazzling array of desserts in the window, a figure by the window waved at her repeatedly. Turning her head, she saw a familiar face—the very person she and Shirai Kuroko had helped not long ago.
"Mr. Rhode?" Haruue Erii looked around, then, seeing that Rhode was indeed looking at her, she pointed to herself with a confused expression. When Rhode nodded, signaling her to come in, Haruue Erii entered the shop.
"Hello, Mr. Rhode, do you need help?" Haruue Erii asked earnestly, thinking Rhode had something to discuss with her.
"No, I don't need help. Rather, I've ordered quite a few desserts, so consider it a thank-you gift for your assistance. Eat to your heart's content." Rhode replied with a smile, gesturing for Haruue Erii to sit down and enjoy.
"No, no, no, how could I? Helping you is part of my duty." Haruue Erii waved her hands repeatedly, her face full of seriousness. This pretense of being a proper adult was truly adorable.
It made Rhode smile.
Before Rhode could persuade her further, exquisite and delicious desserts were brought to the table by the waitstaff. Looking at the table full of treats, Haruue Erii, who had just transitioned from elementary to junior high and still had a child's mindset, gazed at the desserts with a look of longing.
Unaware that a trace of glistening saliva was slowly escaping the corner of her mouth, Rhode shook his head with amusement. She was too much like his sister, who also tried to act mature in front of him.
"Alright, sit down. No one said Judgment members have to work in silence, right? It's not against the rules for those who've been helped to express their gratitude."
Handing her a tissue, Rhode pointed to the corner of his own mouth, signaling Haruue Erii to be mindful of her image.
Realizing her slip-up, the Young Miss's rosy cheeks instantly turned crimson. After thanking him, she took the tissue, wiped her mouth, and quietly sat down.
Sitting down, she looked at Rhode somewhat reservedly. Rhode simply pushed the desserts towards Haruue Erii, allowing her to choose freely.
Looking at the exquisite desserts, Haruue Erii could no longer resist. She grabbed a strawberry parfait and began to devour it, her face filled with happiness.
"This guy isn't a lolicon, is he?" Frenda muttered under her breath, covering her mouth.
"Do all old men have such peculiar tastes?" Kinuhata Saiai showed a disgusted expression, simultaneously shrinking her beautiful legs, looking wary.
'Damn it, these two brats are asking for it, aren't they?' Rhode, who had been in a pleasant mood, felt a vein throb on his forehead upon hearing their whispers.
After several desserts, even Haruue Erii, who famously said, 'Sweets go into another stomach,' had to stop. Looking at Rhode, Haruue Erii's face turned red again.
"I… I'm sorry, Mr. Rhode, did I eat too much?" Haruue Erii asked timidly.
"It's fine, being able to eat is a blessing." Rhode said casually.
"Eh? Is there such a saying?" Haruue Erii tilted her head and asked back.
"Oh, it's a saying from the Huaxia region." Rhode replied.
"Heh~ So Mr. Rhode is from Huaxia?" Haruue Erii looked at Rhode curiously, seemingly unable to find any differences.
"Yes, I'm from Huaxia." As Rhode spoke, he couldn't help but think about visiting this other-world Huaxia. Although Academy City was the main stage for A Certain Magical Index, it didn't stop him from wanting to see Huaxia.
"Um, thank you for the treat, Mr. Rhode, I'm… Ah!?" Haruue Erii, feeling she had enjoyed enough, was about to thank him and leave when a hand suddenly gripped her shoulder forcefully, and a terrifying black Qi washed over her.
Haruue Erii twisted her neck in fright to look behind her and saw Shirai Kuroko, eyes red and twin tails floating in the air, glaring fiercely at her. This made Haruue Erii shiver even in the hot weather.
"Ah… Shi… Shirai Kuroko, h-hello." The Young Miss stammered a greeting to Shirai Kuroko, pulling the corners of her mouth into a tearful smile, showing her panic.
"How bold of you, Haruue Erii. While I'm patrolling in this scorching summer, you're here enjoying sweets." Shirai Kuroko's unique voice conveyed deep resentment. Well, anyone would feel unbalanced if they saw a colleague they were working with suddenly start enjoying themselves while they were still miserably patrolling.
"I… I, I was wrong, I'm sorry, Shirai Kuroko, please spare me." Haruue Erii pleaded repeatedly, noticing the hand on her shoulder gripping tighter.
"Come patrol with me. This time, we'll team up. No slacking off for you." Shirai Kuroko grabbed Haruue Erii and started to pull her out of the shop.
"Wait." Rhode interjected, making Shirai Kuroko look at him with displeasure.
"Please don't interfere with our patrol, Mr. Rhode."
"No, no, no, I'm not going to interfere with you. These remaining desserts, you can take them to go. I just didn't see you earlier, but now that you're here, these desserts are a thank you for guiding us before." Rhode had the waitstaff deliver the packaged desserts to the two Young Misses.
"…" Shirai Kuroko glanced at Rhode, then at the pitiful Haruue Erii, and sighed helplessly.
"I understand. Thank you for the desserts, Mr. Rhode. We'll accept them. In return, if Mr. Rhode ever encounters trouble, you can always come to us for help."
'If this girl didn't go crazy, she'd be like a Young Miss.' Rhode mused inwardly.
Smiling, he bid farewell to the two Young Misses and prepared to leave.
Walking towards the Seventh District, he noticed four Qi following him from behind. He knew without a doubt it was the ITEM quartet. He wondered if these four Young Misses were bored, to actually come looking for trouble with him.
Arriving at the corner of an alley, Rhode quietly walked in. Within moments, four figures also followed.
"Eh? Where is he?" Frenda looked at the empty alley in astonishment, puzzled.
"Idiot, you're too loud. Do you want us to be noticed?" Mugino Shizuri punched Frenda on the head, annoyed.
"No need, it's hard for your tracking not to be noticed." Rhode, from the rooftop, looked down at the ITEM quartet and scoffed.
"So, what do you want to do by following me?"
"Of course, we want to confirm your identity." Mugino Shizuri showed a sinister smile, and clusters of emerald green light condensed around her.
"Nonsense." Rhode looked indifferently at Mugino Shizuri, as if observing an ant trying to shake a tree.