After the three of them finished lunch on the rooftop, they left together.
Compared to when they entered, the three were noticeably more at ease with each other. At least, Megumi Kato could now initiate small talk with Hitori Gotou.
As for Hitori Gotou… well, she hadn't changed much, still only passively responding to Megumi's words.
But being able to respond at all was already a step forward.
If she were with complete strangers, Hitori would only respond with random "uh…uh…" sounds when spoken to, unable to carry on a conversation.
Shin locked the rooftop door again, nodding in satisfaction.
Since the rooftop door was usually locked, it was unlikely anyone would come up. Perhaps this spot could become his own private space during lunch breaks.
After descending from the rooftop, the three prepared to part ways since Hitori Gotou was in a different class than Shin and Megumi Kato.
However, as she saw Shin and Megumi getting ready to leave, Hitori couldn't help but call out to them:
"Well… I'm currently working part-time at a Live House in Shimokitazawa, so if you guys have time, maybe you could stop by…"
Because her band hadn't officially taken off yet, Hitori had to work part-time to cover performance costs.
Although her part-time job was at the same Live House where her band performed, and two of her bandmates were also her coworkers, she still felt a bit insecure.
After their lunch together, Hitori thought it might be encouraging if Megumi Kato came along for support.
Shin was more of an add-on—she didn't have any bad impression of him, but his presence made her feel even more nervous.
While extreme nervousness might occasionally lead to a perfect performance, Hitori wasn't willing to rely on such a high-pressure approach.
"A part-time job, huh… But I have some things to do after school, so I probably won't make it today."
Hearing this, Megumi Kato guessed what Hitori was thinking. Although they had only shared one meal, Megumi had already noticed how severe Hitori's social anxiety was.
She probably wanted a familiar face around on her first day of work.
To be honest, Megumi didn't mind helping her out, but she genuinely had family matters to attend to after school, so she couldn't go.
"Then I'll come by and take a look."
A sly smile crept onto Shin's lips as he said this to Hitori.
Since he didn't belong to any club and had no after-school activities, he had time to check on Hitori's part-time job. Besides, her Live House was near a bar run by the Kiryu group, so he could stop by to check on them as well.
That bar wasn't the Kiryu group's headquarters, but after Shin subdued Kiryu there, Kiryu turned it into a regular gathering place out of respect.
"Huh?"
Hitori, who had hoped Megumi would come, was taken aback. She hadn't expected Shin to be the only one to show up.
Even though Shin was a familiar face, his presence felt a bit overwhelming.
She wanted someone she knew to help ease her nervousness, but now her legs felt weak at the thought.
Recalling the scene she'd witnessed at the bar the other day, Hitori even worried Shin might bring a gang of underlings along.
Imagining the Live House doors opening and Shin entering with a group of burly, sunglass-wearing men, Hitori wanted to scream.
Seeing Shin and Megumi about to leave, Hitori quickly stepped forward and tugged on Shin's sleeve.
Looking up at him nervously, she pleaded in a small voice:
"Um, please, make sure you come alone…"
"…"
Shin couldn't help but chuckle. Did Hitori really think he'd bring a gang with him?
Before he reincarnated, he'd read the original story, and while Hitori's band did play rock, they had nothing to do with gangs.
There was no way he'd do something so out of place.
"Alright, I get it. I'll come alone."
After a lighthearted pat on her head, Shin and Megumi walked towards their classroom with Hitori watching them.
"You're quite popular, Shin-chan."
Megumi leaned towards Shin, practically pressing against him, and spoke with a hint of complaint.
She'd heard what Hitori said earlier—"please come alone…"
It sounded just like something a girl in love would say.
Although Megumi knew her own faint presence made it hard to keep Shin's attention, she couldn't help feeling a little jealous.
"She probably meant something a bit different from what you're imagining."
Shin chuckled, amused at Megumi's barely hidden jealousy.
Hitori's words had no romantic intent—she was just afraid he'd bring gang members.
But Shin decided not to explain this to Megumi. She was better off as a good student, untainted by such matters.
Megumi didn't argue, just stared at him intently before gesturing at her head.
"…"
Seeing this, Shin understood, sighing before reaching out to pat her head.
Megumi's hair was smooth and smelled faintly of shampoo, unlike Hitori's, which had a bit of a "stale closet" scent.
BluShing, Megumi rubbed her head against his palm, feeling a competitive urge after seeing him pat Hitori's head earlier.
But really, who competes over head pats?
Shin didn't quite understand the minds of girls, but he did enjoy the moment.
And so, Shin patted Megumi's head all the way back to the classroom.
Even walking into the classroom this way, almost no one noticed Megumi.
A few students greeted Shin, but they all ignored his hand resting atop Megumi's head.
"What a shame. If Megumi could awaken a Stand, she'd probably have a strong stealth ability."
Shin mused to himself.
To be continued…
Zuke directly bulies the monarch of clock tower!
Sakura Matou's future is secured!
The final fight of Grail War is here!
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