Taiyo stood by the hallway, still looking for Yuki. He couldn't get her freaked-out face out of his head and felt super bad. He mumbled, "Why did I have to laugh? She probably thinks I'm a total weirdo…"
Before he could spiral, a loud voice cut through the air.
"Yo, Taiyo! What are you doing, standing there like a lost puppy?"
Taiyo turned and saw a group of gyarus coming his way, led by his older sister, Kitsune Naboru. Kitsune had that classic Japanese girl look – silky black hair, straight bangs, the rest flowing down her back. But her style was full-on gyaru. She rocked a short plaid skirt, a crop top, huge platform shoes, and tons of accessories. Her makeup and nails were *flawless*. She was basically radiating confidence.
Behind her were two of her gyaru besties, also dressed in flashy outfits – short skirts, loose socks, and major attitude. They stopped talking when Kitsune got to Taiyo.
Kitsune crossed her arms, towering over her brother even though she was only a tiny bit taller (thanks to her platforms). "Spill the tea, squirt. Who's the girl you were staring at like she's a goddess or something?"
Taiyo blinked, his face getting a little red. "I wasn't—"
"Don't even try to lie," Kitsune cut him off, leaning in with a teasing smirk. "I saw you checking her out hard. Is *that* why you're still single? 'Cause you scare off all the cute girls?"
The other gyarus started laughing, and Taiyo groaned, his face burning. "It's not like that! She was… I just… I think I spooked her, and I'm trying to find her to say sorry!"
Kitsune raised an eyebrow. "Spooked her? Dude, what did you *do*? Trip and fall on her? Call her a boomer? Or were you just being your usual awkward self?"
"I laughed, okay? She was being kinda funny, and I couldn't help it!" Taiyo said, throwing his hands up.
Kitsune's smirk went away, and she looked a little concerned. "Wait, seriously? She's actually upset because of you?"
Taiyo nodded. "Yeah. And I don't even know her name! She ran off before I could say anything…"
Kitsune tilted her head. "Well, that's just great. Now *I* have to fix your mess."
Before Taiyo could say anything, Kitsune turned to her friends. "Okay, girlies, we're on a mission. Operation: Find the Scared Cutie. We gotta make sure she's not hiding in the bathroom crying because my brother's got zero rizz."
As they started walking, Kitsune started thinking. She'd only seen the girl for a second – her panicked face, her big, innocent eyes. But something about her was… different.
*Cute, nervous, and probably easy to mess with. Omg, this could be fun…* Kitsune thought, a sly grin spreading across her face. *I bet she'd go bright red if I called her my girlfriend. Should I…?*
Kitsune shook her head, snapping back to reality. *Focus, Kitsune. She's probably upset and needs someone to chill her out… someone who isn't Taiyo.*
She looked back at her brother, who was trailing behind them, looking totally embarrassed.
"Hey, squirt," she called. "Don't think I'm doing this for *you*. I feel bad for *her*, not you. Honestly, you're so clueless, it's a miracle you haven't scared off every living thing in Shibuya."
Taiyo groaned again. "Can you *not* make this about me right now?"
Kitsune ignored him, her grin coming back. "Here's the deal – I'll let you try to talk to her… *if* you don't mess it up again. But if you do…" She winked. "…she's fair game. Got it?"
Taiyo froze, narrowing his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing you need to worry about… *yet*," Kitsune said with a playful shrug, walking ahead.
The group kept searching, Kitsune's sly grin hiding her real plan. She wanted to help the girl, sure, but she also wasn't going to miss a chance to tease her brother – or maybe even get a little action herself. The hunt for Yuki Hageshi was on, and Kitsune was ready to play.