Eiji and Kosaki walked side by side, strolling along the bustling sidewalks of Tokyo.
Tokyo that night was beautiful, with the neon lights illuminating every corner. The night air felt cool and refreshing, carrying the distinctive aroma of Tokyo, a mix of vehicle exhaust, perfume, and delicious food.
Eiji carried two shopping bags filled with groceries for dinner and his daily necessities. Beside him, Kosaki seemed hesitant to say something.
Noticing this, Eiji glanced at her and asked calmly, "What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry."
"Hm?"
He didn't understand why Kosaki suddenly apologized.
"Sorry about earlier. My classmate misunderstood our relationship, which made Kamiki-kun uncomfortable."
"That's all? It's just a trivial matter, I didn't think much of it. No need to apologize, Kosaki-san."
"Is that so? Kamiki-kun isn't angry?"
"Really. This issue isn't worth mentioning. It's not easy to make my emotions fluctuate."
"Thank goodness... I don't want to make Kamiki-kun uncomfortable."
Seeing Eiji's genuine response, Kosaki sighed in relief.
"Watch out."
"Huh."
Returning to her senses, Kosaki was startled to find herself suddenly embraced by Eiji.
The masculine scent entered her nose, causing her face to flush and her mind to reel.
"K-Kamiki-kun?"
"Don't daydream while walking, you almost hit the lamppost."
"Uh...?"
Hearing that, Kosaki quickly stepped back, then followed the direction Eiji pointed.
Sure enough, there was a lamppost blocking their path. If he hadn't pulled her back, she would have hit it.
"Sorry, Kamiki-kun. I always trouble you."
"Instead of sorry, I'd prefer to hear thank you."
"Ah, thank you for saving me, Kamiki-kun."
Correcting her sentence, Kosaki felt embarrassed to show her clumsiness in front of Eiji.
"You're welcome. Let's go back, Nanako-san and Haru have been waiting for a long time." Eiji reminded.
"Um." Kosaki nodded and walked with her head bowed.
"Walking while looking ahead."
"Ah, yes."
They continued their journey, walking through the streets of Tokyo filled with neon lights and digital advertisements. Despite the late hour, the city remained lively and vibrant. That's Tokyo, the city that never sleeps.
"Kamiki-kun? Is that you?"
Standing at the street crossing, waiting for the green light, a surprised voice of a man was heard from behind.
Both Eiji and Kosaki turned to see who it was.
"Okkutsu, Toge. Good night."
Among the crowd of pedestrians, Eiji recognized two inconspicuous young men.
"Kelp."
"Good night, Kamiki-kun. It's a coincidence to meet here. Want to go back to the dorm together?"
The two men approached. Glancing briefly at Kosaki, Yuta quickly averted his gaze, worried that his small actions would trigger Rikka's jealousy.
"Oh, it seems Gojo-sensei hasn't informed you all, huh."
Regarding Yuta and Toge's ignorance, Eiji wasn't surprised if his cousin was careless and forgot to inform them about his conflict with Yuki.
"Hm? What happened?"
"Tuna mayo?"
Yuta and Toge looked at each other in confusion, not understanding his point.
"Don't talk here. Follow me, we'll talk there."
Pedestrians began to walk as the light turned green; the four of them standing here only disturbed public order.
"Right, it's not suitable to talk here." Yuta nodded in agreement.
"Mustard leaf." Toge raised his hand to indicate he was joining.
"Let's go, Kosaki-san."
"Um."
Although curious about the two men, Kosaki suppressed her doubts and followed him.
They walked along the sidewalk, and occasionally pedestrians glanced at them strangely.
However, seeing a high school girl surrounded by three high school boys at night, no matter how people saw it, the girl seemed intimidated and might be taken to a love hotel to do inappropriate things.
If it weren't for Eiji and Toge's handsome appearance and not looking like bad people, someone would have called the police.
"Tuna tuna."
"Ah, her? Her name is Onodera Kosaki, we're just friends. Kosaki-san, this is Inumaki Toge, my classmate. By the way, he can only speak using rice ball fillings."
"Pleased to meet you, Inumaki-kun."
Wisely, Kosaki didn't ask anything further.
"Kelp."
Toge friendly extended his hand for a handshake.
"..."
Watching their interaction, Yuta couldn't contain his curiosity any longer.
"Hey, Kamiki-kun, do you understand what Inumaki-kun is saying?"
Today, he and Toge were on the same team. They had faced difficulties together when dealing with Cursed Spirits in the shopping district earlier in the day, yet he still didn't understand a single word of Toge's.
"Not really."
"Then how do you know what Inumaki-kun is saying?"
"I'm just guessing."
"So that's it."
Yuta then also introduced himself to Kosaki but didn't dare to shake hands.
"..."
Kosaki awkwardly withdrew her hand.
"Okkutsu doesn't mean any harm. He also doesn't shake hands for your safety." Eiji explained.
"My safety?"
Isn't this just a handshake?
Could it be that the other party has a phobia of women?
Kosaki couldn't ignore that possibility.
"Okkutsu was cursed by his childhood friend who was deeply in love with him. Although she died and turned into a Cursed Spirit, that loli is very possessive and yandere."
"I see."
Not doubting Eiji's explanation, she kept a little distance from Yuta.
Yuta: "😐"
Regarding the girl's reaction, Yuta wasn't offended.
"We're here." Eiji said lightly.
"Onodera Family Sweets Shop?"
Yuta looked up, reading the name of the shop, and wondered why they came here.
"Mom, Haru, I'm back."
Entering first, Kosaki greeted her mother and younger sister who were tidying up the shop.
The shop closed earlier because all the sweets and cakes sold out faster than usual. It was all because of Eiji's influence attracting female customers.
"Come in."
Patting Yuta and Toge's shoulders, Eiji walked in through the door.
"Welcome home, Kamiki-kun." Nanako greeted warmly.
"Good night, Kamiki-kun." Haru greeted briefly, then went to the kitchen.
"I'm home."
For some reason, Eiji felt strange saying this.
"Nanako-san, I brought my friends. Is it okay?"
"Kamiki-kun's friends? Of course! Please come in, I'll prepare tea."
"No need—"
Before Eiji could finish his sentence, Nanako was already in the kitchen.
"..."
Not thinking too much about it, he led Yuta and Toge to sit in empty chairs facing the window so they could see the busy scenery outside.
Shortly after, Haru brought a tray containing three cups of tea and a plate of biscuits.
"Please enjoy."
After that, she returned to the kitchen to help her mother and older sister prepare dinner.
"It seems like we're not being welcomed." Yuta said, sensing the girl's apathetic attitude.
"Kelp." Toge felt the same way.
"Is that so? Haru always acts like that towards me. Don't think too much about it."
Taking a biscuit and nibbling on it, Eiji began to tell them that he was given leave due to his conflict with Yuki.
He also asked them not to say he would stay here.
Of course, Yuta and Toge agreed. Neither of them were the type to betray a friend.
After that, upon Nanako's invitation, they also had dinner at the Onodera Family's place. Then, they returned to the dormitory.