After Yukina and the others left, Shou walked away from the spot. He figured he'd look suspicious if he stayed in front of the girls' changing room for too long.
Einhart left with Shou. It wasn't like Einhart wanted to watch other people change either.
So, the only two left in the changing room were Kirin and Riko.
"Well now, Kirin-chan? Was it this pair of panties you got wet? Or was it this other pair?"
"N-no, I think both of those are completely different from my own!"
"Ho ho ho, since you're so honest, I'll give you both of them as a present!"
Riko edged closer while Kirin retreated. All they were doing was that, but since both were masters of their craft, it looked as if they were measuring each other's distance.
Or maybe a carnivore and a cornered herbivore about to bite the cat.
Either way, the atmosphere was not one of a peaceful change of clothes.
"Riko recommends this one, you see? Look, the part for that area... see? It's designed to make it happen right away."
"S-such a thing...!!"
She showed her the structure where the fabric covering the wearer's secret parts could split open.
As Riko happily explained the underwear, Kirin blushed and tried to object. But the combination of embarrassment and curiosity made her voice low.
"There's no need to be so embarrassed. This time, you're just reluctantly borrowing from Riko. Wearing a sexy pair of underwear doesn't mean Kirin-chan is sexy, you know?"
"T-that might be true, but... why do you even have such, um, revealing underwear, Riko-senpai?! Do you always wear things like this!?"
"Huh? Not today, I'm not."
"Hyau!?"
Riko lifted her own skirt to show Kirin. She was wearing a flamboyant set of red-and-gold embroidered underwear.
It was still too much for Kirin, who averted her eyes. Riko's mouth curled into a smirk at her innocent reaction. Words flowed from her lips playfully.
"Constant vigilance. An maiden must always consider herself on the battlefield. Especially since Riko lives with the person she loves, you know?"
"L-lives with the person she loves..."
It was obvious who "the person she loves" was. And what kind of "acts" she did with him using the underwear she held was unimaginable.
However, Riko had never actually used this underwear to seduce him. In part, because Shou was already plenty horny without it.
"Kirin-chan, you're going to take the rest of the day off, right? You can't concentrate on class in this state."
"I was planning on it..."
Kirin nodded meekly. Even though she'd calmed down a bit, she had no intention of attending class while wearing someone else's underwear. Especially not if the only option was something this lewd.
"Then have Shou-kun take you home. Right? Going home alone is unsettling, isn't it?"
"B-but! Senpai, you have your Sixth Class in the afternoon..."
"It'll be fine to say he's escorting his kouhai. And who knows what might happen during that time?"
"B-but..."
"Ugh, a maiden is always on the battlefield! No, you know you're heading to the battlefield right now, so you have to be properly equipped for it!"
"The battlefield!? What are you talking about? Nothing will happen just because Senpai escorts me..."
"That depends on Kirin-chan. But with this, I think Shou-kun would be a goner. So, what's it gonna be? Are you going to go all the way home with him and nothing happens?"
"Ugh..."
A slightly revealing pair of underwear was offered to Kirin. And Kirin—
---------
These are Yukina and her "friends," who had left the girls' changing room. As they walked, their conversation naturally turned to what they'd just seen.
"Hmm, so that was Yukina's boyfriend, huh? He was kind of... normal," Kyoko muttered, hands clasped behind her head.
"Yeah, I know. I thought he'd be more of a 'playboy' type," Sayaka agreed. Both of them had assumed Yukina's boyfriend was a "scumbag playboy" and were confused when they met Shou and he didn't match their image.
"Right? He was normal, or rather, even a bit plain," Kyoko said.
"I know. Why did you fall for him, Yukina-san?"
"Ah, ahaha... I wonder why..."
Yukina's expression was a little strange.
Yukina didn't want any more rivals, and she certainly didn't want to help create them. It was already a situation where her rivals were increasing on their own, even if she did nothing.
Certainly, based on what they saw, he did seem to be a bit plain. Other skilled upperclassmen detectives all had a sort of aura about them.
Shou didn't have that.
That was to be expected, since Shou had been a civilian until recently. He'd be hard-pressed to have the aura of a powerful person.
In that regard, he was similar to Akatsuki Kojou, who was suddenly made the Fourth Progenitor.
When he actually fought, he showed a courage that was surprising for a former civilian, and he didn't flinch against strong opponents. But that was something you had to see for yourself to understand. The same went for the fact that he was an easygoing guy who somehow attracted girls.
It was impossible for Kyoko and Sayaka, who weren't deeply involved with him, to know Shou's inner nature.
(They're right. It's unbelievable that a person could attract so many girls. Was Senpai really a civilian originally? Maybe he had a job dealing with women?)
Yukina pondered this, but unfortunately, Shou was a complete civilian.
Shou was like this mostly because of his own nature.
"But when you called, a girl came right away, right? Hmm, a very flashy one," Madoka said.
"Ah. Mine-senpai, yes. I know her," Yukina nodded.
"She's a dependable senior. So dependable that I get a little worried she might be up to something."
But if Shou was there, he would handle it well, right?
(No, is that really true? Wouldn't Senpai enthusiastically go along with Mine-senpai's suggestions instead...? Kirin-san is weak to peer pressure, too. If she couldn't refuse...)
What "started" after that was easy to imagine.
But this conversation would also make sense if you replaced "Kirin" with "Yukina." In the end, Yukina was just as weak to pressure.
"Mine-senpai... so that person was Mine Riko?"
"You know her, Mami-san?"
"She's pretty famous. Her name's well known at this school. And she'll be an upperclassman next year."
Mami had been researching upperclassmen for the next year, and Riko's name was on her list. Of course, information about her being a Detective Killer or her connection to I-U wouldn't show up, but even without that, Riko was an excellent detective.
"Huh, really?"
"Huh, really, you say? You should do a little research, too. Middle school will be over next year for you guys."
Mami chided the carefree Sayaka a little.
Judging from her attitude, it didn't seem to have much effect, but it was a senior's duty. She sighed and continued the conversation.
"So, I heard a rumor that she got a boyfriend recently."
"What?"
"What? Mami, it's rare for you to care about something like that," Kyoko said.
"Everyone?"
The conversation took an unexpected turn, and the others voiced their surprise. Especially Kyoko, who had known her for a long time.
Mami was about to protest, but then...
"Y-yeah. I thought you weren't interested in that kind of thing, Akemi-san..."
"Even Akemi-san?! Th-that's not true. It's just that I haven't had the opportunity!"
Mami argued with a toss of her vertical curls.
A young maiden in the prime of her life couldn't possibly be uninterested in romance. But it was no surprise that her friends had come to that conclusion.
"But Mami-san, you were just confessed to the other day," Sayaka said.
"I heard that, too. So it's hard to believe you're interested in guys," Kyoko added.
"It's not like I'll date just anyone!"
Honestly, Mami was in high demand.
She was kind to everyone and had the relaxed demeanor of an older sister. In addition, she had an impressively developed body for her age that was visible even through her uniform.
It was impossible for middle school boys not to be attracted to her. In fact, if Mami were to go after someone she "liked," her success rate would be 100%.
"So you don't have anyone you're interested in right now?" Madoka asked.
"U-um. Right now, I don't..."
"Not at all?"
"I-I guess?"
"Mami-chan, you have high standards," Sayaka said.
"I don't think so, but...! Seriously, this isn't about me right now!"
Mami had somehow become the one being teased. She brought the derailed conversation back on track.
"What were we talking about?" Sayaka asked.
"Mine-senpai!" Mami shot back.
"So, Mine-senpai's boyfriend is..."
"Yeah, the guy we just saw. Yozuki-senpai," Madoka said, and Mami nodded.
"...Wait, that doesn't make sense, does it? Because that senior is Yukina's boyfriend, right?" Kyoko said.
"He's cheating! Yukina, what's going on?!" Sayaka said.
"Ah, well... it's okay. Yes. It's fine..."
"It's not fine at all! Yukina, you need to tell him what's up! If you're scared, I'll go with you!" Sayaka said.
"Yeah. We need to give that scumbag a piece of our minds," Kyoko said.
Sayaka and Kyoko were completely furious.
Yukina had no way to stop the two in this state.
(I was really careless...)
It was only then that Yukina realized her mistake.
---------
After waiting about ten minutes, a little ways away from the changing room.
"Hey. You guys are out. Kirin, Riko didn't do anything weird to you, did she?" Shou asked.
Kirin and Riko walked out of the changing room.
"How mean, I didn't do anything at all. Right, Kirin-chan?"
"Y-yes. Nothing, really..."
"Is that so?"
At a glance, her upper body, which had been an unnatural navy color, seemed fine. But Kirin was fidgeting, holding her skirt, and her eyes were darting around anxiously.
"Riko, is that the truth?" Shou asked.
"You're so suspicious, Shou-kun."
Riko pouted, but she should know it was her own fault due to her usual behavior.
"If you're so suspicious, do you want me to lift her skirt?"
"Huh?"
"Eh?! R-Riko-san?"
Riko moved behind Kirin. Although Shou couldn't see from his angle, Riko had a hand on Kirin's skirt, lifting it up. Enough that anyone behind Kirin could see what she was wearing.
With that, Kirin couldn't stay calm. As if to prevent her skirt from being lifted strangely, she only moved her head to protest to Riko.
"W-wait...! Stop it, Mine-senpai...! Wh-what if Senpai sees...! Th-this kind of... um, underwear!"
"Kufu, you're right, aren't you? Kirin-chan put it on herself, right? It's not Riko's fault, is it?"
"That's because I had no other choice...!"
They were speaking in low voices, so Shou couldn't hear what they were saying.
"...Both of you?" Shou said.
"Ah, it's fine. Right, Kirin-chan?" Riko said.
"Y-yes..." Kirin said.
Something was definitely up.
Riko let go of the skirt. But Kirin's face was still bright red. However, there was no point in pressing the matter.
"So, Kirin-chan. You have something to say to Shou-kun, don't you?" Riko said.
"Ah, yes..." Kirin said.
Guided by Riko, Kirin opened her mouth.
"I, since this happened, I was thinking of taking the rest of the day off... and if it's okay with you, Senpai, I was wondering if you could accompany me home... I-I'm too nervous to go alone!"
"Well then..."
With her saying that, there was no way Shou could refuse.
Fortunately, he still had plenty of time before his Sixth Class. If she was nervous, of course he would escort her home.
"Alright, let's go home," Shou said.
"Y-yes!" Kirin said.
"Have fun~" Riko said.
What did she mean, "have fun"? Riko was a puzzle.
Thinking that, Shou and the unusually small-stepping Kirin started their journey home.
--------------------------------------------
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