Beep! Beep! Beep!
The sound of car horns and the chatter of people on the busy street filled the air, making the commercial district feel lively and bustling.
Golden sunlight reflected off the glass walls of the tall buildings, illuminating every corner of the street. Hiroshi, dressed in a simple casual outfit, was holding the hand of Kuroneko, who wore a white dress, as they walked along. They both wore gentle smiles, and because of their training, their already attractive appearances seemed even more striking, making them look like a perfectly matched couple.
Looking up at the modern cityscape, which he hadn't visited for a long time, Hiroshi led Kuroneko into the shopping mall.
"Kuroneko-chan!"
A pink-haired figure suddenly rushed out of the mall and hugged Kuroneko tightly, crying, "Kuroneko-chan! Where have you been? You took a month off from school, and I couldn't reach you on your phone. I was so worried!"
"I thought maybe you were sick or something, and suddenly you disappeared from my world."
Gently hugging the girl in front of her, Kuroneko apologized, "Sorry, Chika, for making you worry." She patted Fujiwara Chika's head and smiled. "It's been a while. I'm back now."
"Mm..." Fujiwara Chika sniffled like a small animal, then smiled brightly, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Welcome back, Kuroneko-chan."
"By the way, Kuroneko-chan," she said, her expression changing quickly. She looked at Hiroshi with a gossipy curiosity, her eyes slightly red from crying. "Is this the boyfriend you mentioned before, the one you said you were going to get engaged to?"
"Hello." Hiroshi looked at the pink-haired girl curiously, then glanced at the three figures in matching school uniforms walking toward them. He smiled and said, "I'm Hiroshi, Kuroneko's boyfriend and fiancé."
Carefully observing Hiroshi's expression as he introduced himself, Kaguya Shinomiya let out a small sigh of relief. She clasped her hands in front of her and bowed slightly. "Hello, we are Kuroneko's friends and classmates. We apologize for any inconvenience we've caused."
"It's fine. I'd be startled too," Hiroshi said with a casual wave. "If one of my friends suddenly disappeared for a month and then sent a message saying they were getting engaged, I'd be worried too."
Seeing the four friends visibly relax, Hiroshi thanked them sincerely, "Thank you for caring about Kuroneko. I appreciate it."
He bowed slightly to them, then looked at the surrounding passersby who were beginning to take notice of the scene. He smiled and said, "We shouldn't block the entrance like this. How about we go to that café over there and sit down?"
Inside the café, soft music played while the server placed drinks on the table, casting a curious glance at Kaguya and the others, dressed in the well-known Shuuchiin Academy uniforms, before walking away.
Taking a sip of her brown coffee, Chika stared at Hiroshi, full of curiosity. "Where are you from? And how did you suddenly decide to get engaged to Kuroneko-chan?"
"Me?" Hiroshi noticed the other three also quietly listening, curious. He smiled and said, "I'm from another world. Just yesterday, Kuroneko and I saved a world that was almost destroyed by a battle between gods."
"Huh..." Chika looked at Hiroshi in shock. "Really?! That's amazing! Can you tell me what the other world is like?!"
"Chika..." Kaguya tugged at Chika's sleeve gently.
"What's wrong, Kaguya-san?" Chika looked at her curiously. "Do you want my coffee? You can have it all if you want."
"I don't want something you've already drunk," Kaguya replied.
"But it's really bitter."
"You chose it, so deal with it," Kaguya said, pulling Chika closer and whispering in her ear, "Did you forget how Kuroneko was when she first joined the student council? She often said things like this back then too."
"Oh!" Chika sat up straight, pointing at Hiroshi, and shouted, "So you're also a chuunibyou!"
Thud!
"Ouch~~~"
Holding her head, Chika whimpered like a deer, looking up with confused eyes as she asked, "Why, Kaguya-san?!"
"You idiot! You shouldn't just say something like that out loud! And your voice was too loud!"
"But your voice was louder, Kaguya-san."
"Ugh." Realizing she was drawing attention, Kaguya quickly bowed apologetically to the surrounding customers.
A server quickly approached the table, speaking softly, "Guests, please lower your voices. Don't disturb the other customers."
"Sorry, we'll be more careful," Kaguya apologized, blushing as she glanced at the now laughing Chika.
"Hahaha," Kuroneko couldn't help but laugh, looking at Kaguya holding Chika down. "Chika and Kaguya's relationship is as good as ever."
"Of course," Chika said, giving a thumbs-up while Kaguya held her down. "We've been best friends since middle school. I even know where all of Kaguya's beauty marks are."
"Chika!!!" Kaguya's face turned bright red as she restrained her friend's outburst.
Looking at the three men across the table, Kaguya's eyes seemed to emit a chill as she said, "You! You heard nothing just now! Especially you, President!"
Shirogane Miyuki, who had been thrilled about receiving such private information, immediately straightened up and responded loudly, "Yes!"
"Guests, please keep your voices down!"
"Yes! Sorry!" x3
Hiroshi and Ishigami Yuu glanced at each other, sharing a moment of silent laughter.
"Guests!"
Seeing the server's almost-tearful expression, Hiroshi quickly said, "Sorry, we're good now. Please bring the bill."
Taking the bill, Hiroshi paid and placed another ten thousand yen note on the table.
The server looked surprised. Hiroshi smiled and said, "Consider this a compensation for the trouble we caused earlier. I imagine your manager scolded you because of us. I'm truly sorry, and I hope you'll accept this."
The server looked at Hiroshi, her expression softening from the earlier scolding she'd received. "Thank you, but I can't take so much." She picked up a one-thousand-yen note. "This will be enough."
She bowed to Hiroshi, her smile sincere, and walked away.
Hiroshi turned to the others and smiled. "Let's go. Time to pick out our wedding outfits."