EARLY DECEMBER. IT was 2:00 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon, the first day
of the weekend.
I received a call from Kanzaki two days before and went to the mall as promised. We didn't have a specific eting place in mind, but as soon as I entered the mall, I was able to find Kanzaki and his group without delay. Kanzaki, who had been watching the entrance of the mall, imdiately noticed and approached with his hand raised slightly.
"Sorry for calling you on your day off."
"I tend to take it easy on my days off. I welco the invitation." I told him softly that there was no need for him to feel bad. Hino, Watanabe, and Amikura were all with Kanzaki.
"I was told it was just Hino, but there are others."
"Sorry, there are a few reasons for this."
Kanzaki tried to explain the difference in details from the prior communication, but Watanabe and the others spoke first.
"Hey Ayanokouji, it's cold again today."
"Hello, Ayanokouji-kun."
Watanabe and Amikura approached with smiles in the sa manner as they did on the school trip.
In response, I nodded in agreent.
Kanzaki had already explained to Hino's presence, the only person who would be accompanying today.
I had assud that it would be that kind of talk, but the combination of these four was a little surprising, and I couldn't clearly see the purpose or intention of this eting.
Or were these two the first key players for Kanzaki and Hino? However, how could such a coincidence occur with these mbers who just so happened to be together on a school trip?
"No wonder you look puzzled, Ayanokouji-kun. I myself didn't expect to run into these two either."
Hino also looked sowhat unsettled and nodded in agreent, albeit slightly.
"What do you an?"
I was getting more and more doubtful, but Kanzaki seed to be more concerned about being seen.
I had assud that the store would be less crowded for a while, but students were coming in one after another.
"Christmas sales have started."
Amikura pointed out a store while looking at the bustling mall. The store was indeed already decorated, and the words 'Christmas Sale' hung on the various products' shelves.
"For the ti being, I'd like to move to a less conspicuous place if possible. I don't want anyone who has nothing to do with our group to know about its existence... especially those in Sakayanagi's and Ryuuen's classes." We had no reason to refuse since we could understand the situation without asking for details.
If it was just the three of them, there would've been no problem, but with in the group, there was no way to avoid the appearance of a mysterious gathering. Besides, I'd prefer to discuss things in a calm and quiet place rather than in this traffic of people.
"Then why don't we just go for so standard karaoke?"
Amikura suggested karaoke, which was often used for study and strategy etings. However, that was also one of the few places on the premises where a secret eting could be held.
The karaoke place was only a three-minute walk from here. "Let's get moving."
Kanzaki took the initiative and started walking with following after him. "Was this so kind of serious discussion? I'm sorry, I didn't think it was." Amikura, who ca alongside , apologized in a whisper. From the way she spoke, it seed that she had suddenly decided to join the eting.
Watanabe, who was standing next to Amikura, explained what had happened.
"It seed like Kanzaki was going to et Ayanokouji, so we asked if we could join him."
"Yeah. Originally we were planning to go shopping at Watanabe-kun's request."
When Amikura continued the explanation, Watanabe looked a little embarrassed and happy, but also sowhat sad and looked away. "Are you sure you don't want to go shopping?"
Both of them were empty-handed and didn't appear to have bought anything.
"It's not that big of a deal. We can just go buy sothing later." I turned around as Kanzaki, who was walking in front of , heard what we were talking about and explained it to again.
"Originally, I thought it was just and Hino who needed to et
Ayanokouji. However, I changed my mind when I was told that you treated them both well during the school trip."
They were treated well? That's my line.
Watanabe and Amikura helped a lot in various aspects during the school trip. I am grateful, but I didn't do anything to deserve the praise.
"So you decided that you needed to invite them too?"
When I asked Kanzaki this, he nodded his head with a mysterious look on his face.
"So what is it? What is it that we're going to discuss?"
"I'll tell you the details later."
I was able to catch a glimpse of Kanzaki's restlessness from the speed at which he was taking his first step forward.
Reviews
All reviews (0)