By the time the day arrived, Hikaru was in the , reviewing the situation with Iose.

  "When we split up yesterday, Kushida-san took it upon herself to talk to Sakura-san," the pink-haired girl said to Hikaru. "After hearing Horikita-san's analysis, I think there's a strong possibility she might be right."

  "Well, Kushida-san is skilled in social iions, so she should be able to get some clues from her," Hikaru replied with a smile.

  He had always aowledged Kushida's social skills. Even if she wore a mask, her ability to maintain good retionships with so many people was undeniably a ualent.

  "Yeah, I trust Kushida-san too. Hopefully, we'll make some progress today," Iose nodded in agreement. She also believed that Kushida was someone who excelled at making friends. Plus, since Sakura Airi was her cssmate, there was a good ce she could extract valuable information.

  "There's nothing we dht now but wait for her results," Hikaru said as he took out a book from his desk. "W won't ge anything, so we might as well focus on our studies."

  "Mhm."

  Just before the school day ended, Hikaru received a message from Kushida.

  Kushida Kikyo: Hikaru-kun, something ued happened.

  Hashima Hikaru: What happened?

  Kushida Kikyo: Sakura-san's camera broke. I pn to apao get it repaired after school.

  Hashima Hikaru: What about the eyewitness situation? Did you get a ce to ask her?

  Kushida Kikyo: I was just about t it up when the camera fell and broke…

  Kushida subtly goward the back of the , where a girl with her head down was sitting quietly—the very witness Suzune had identified.

  During lunch, Kushida had approached the girl with her usual friendly demeanor, hoping to strike up a versation. However, just as she started talking, Sakura hurriedly denied any involvement iter and attempted to leave.

  But in her haste to escape, she tripped and fell, sending her cherished pink camera crashing onto the ground.

  "No way… Why isn't it turning on…?"

  Seeing this, Sakura's expression turned frantic as she repeatedly pressed the camera's buttons. Kushida immediately stepped in, apologizing while to help.

  She then suggested taking the camera to aronics store in Keyaki Mall for repairs after school. If necessary, she was even willing to cover the repair costs.

  After some hesitation, Sakura eventually agreed to the proposal and made pns to go with Kushida after css.

  Returning to their chat:

  Kushida Kikyo: In any case, ohe camera is fixed, I'll try my best to build rapport with Sakura-san. Hopefully, we aplish oal smoothly.

  Hashima Hikaru: Good luck.

  After putting down his phone, Hikaru was about to tiudying when Iose's voiterrupted him.

  "Hikaru-kun, do you have any pns for this afternoon?"

  "Not really. Why?" Hikaru turo the pink-haired girl, notig the anticipation in her eyes. It was clear she had something in mind.

  "Your fridge is empty again, you know? Shouldn't we restock?" she said pyfully. After their st cooking session, she had realized that most of the food and other supplies in his kit were nearly depleted.

  "Uh… I guess so," Hikaru scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. Ever since Iose started cooking at his pce, he had pletely stopped paying attention to his fridge—she was the one who usually took care of everything.

  "The's go shopping this afternoon! We go to the fresh produce se at Keyaki Mall. I heard they restock with fresh deliveries every m!" she suggested enthusiastically.

  Seeing her expet expression, Hikaru nodded. "Sounds like a pn. Since you've been doing all the work, let me take care of dionight."

  "Really? Okay!" Iose nodded excitedly, her face lighting up with a dazzling smile.

  ---

  Keyaki Mall - Fresh Produce Se

  After school, the two of them headed to the supermarket in Keyaki Mall, where ly anized shelves were stocked with a wide variety of fresh fruits aables.

  Hikaru instinctively grabbed a shopping cart while Iose happily browsed through the ingredients and household ies. Since she was so enthusiastic about it, he decided to let her take charge.

  Despite both of them being in their school uniforms, the sight of them shopping together—Iose carefully pig out groceries while Hikaru pushed the cart—created a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. They drew quite a few gnces from other students passing by.

  With their striking appearahey looked even more like a well-matched couple.

  Like a married couple, huh?

  About ten mier, as Hikaru was walking past an open aisle, he suddenly felt someone's gaze on him.

  Pausing for a moment, he lifted his head and spotted two familiar figures nearby.

  It was Kushida and a red-haired girl who kept her head down, looking rather timid.

  "What's wrong, Hikaru-kun?" Iose noticed him stopping and followed his gaze, soon spotting the two girls as well.

  "It's Kushida-san."

  As soon Iose identified them, Kushida approached with a friendly smile. The red-haired girl, however, remained frozen in pce.

  "Good afternoon! I wasn't expeg to run into you two here!" Kushida greeted cheerfully.

  "Yeah, what a ce,"

  Iose replied, pg anetable into the cart. "Are you here to shop?"

  "Not really. I came with Sakura-san to get her camera fixed."

  Kushida g Hikaru, who ushing the shopping cart, and Iose, who g items ihey truly resembled a newlywed couple on a grocery run. The realization gave Kushida a strange, inexplicable feeling that uled her.

  "Sakura-san?" Iose looked over at the red-haired girl. "So she's the witness Horikita-san suspected?"

  "Mhm. But I still haven't gotten a clear answer from her yet."

  Kushida noticed Iose's curiosity and then shifted her gaze to Hikaru. She suddenly asked, "Honami-, do you want to e with us to the eleics store?"

  "Would that be okay?" Iose hesitated but was clearly ied. She was curious whether Sakura really was the witness.

  Looking at Hikaru, she asked, "What do you think, Hikaru-kun?"

  "Hmm… I don't mind. I'll just carry the bags," Hikaru shrugged.

  "Alright, let's check out first."

  After purchasing their groceries, Hikaru carried the shopping bags while

  Iose and Kushida returo where Sakura was waiting.

  "Sakura-san, this is Iose-san. She's here to help too," Kushida introduced her.

  She then poioward Hikaru, who was standing a little distance away. "And that's Hikaru-kun. He'll be ing with us as well."

  "Ah…!"

  At the mention of Hikaru's name, Sakura suddenly lifted her head, her gaze nding directly on him.

  She had a unique impression of him ever sihat day when he had annouhe hidden r. Back then, wheopic of fisg Private Points came up, she had instinctively gnced up—only to lock eyes with him.

  Strangely enough, despite her usual disfort with making eye tact, she hadn't felt uneasy when their gazes met.

  On the trary, his eyes had been calm and unintrusive. He hadn't lingered on her like others often did. Instead, he had quickly looked away, treating her like just another passerby.

  That had left an impression on her.

  Due to her well-developed figure, Sakura had always been hyper-aware of people's gazes since puberty. Over time, she had developed an acute sense of people's thoughts about her, whily deepened her fear of social iion.

  Sinrolling in this school, she had done everything to remain unnoticed, avoiding unnecessary iions—especially with male students whose stares made her unfortable.

  Yet, Hikaru was the first person whose presence didn't evoke that repulsion.

  So she remembered his name.

  "Good afternoon, Sakura-san! I'm Iose Honami," Iose greeted warmly.

  "H-Hello…"

  "Hikaru-kun, e over here," Kushida called.

  "On my way."

  As Hikaru stepped closer, Sakura nervously looked up at him, and their eyes met once again.

  He studied her briefly—her long red hair, her pink-framed gsses, aimid demeanor. She didn't seem like someone who sought attention.

  a small smile, he greeted her gently, "o meet you, Sakura-san. I'm Hashima Hikaru."

  "I… I'm Sakura Airi… o meet you."

  She gathered all her ce to introduce herself. And once again, she felt that same inexplicable sensation whe his eyes.

  At that moment, Hikaru heard a familiar system notification.

  [Ding! Airi Sakura's stock is now avaible!]

  [Current stock price: 30]

  [Issued shares: 5,000]

  "Huh?"

  Another 5,000 shares?

  That made three now.

  And all three were standing right in front of him—Iose Honami, Kushida Kikyo, and Sakura Airi.

  Was there some kind of pattern here?

  Hikaru rubbed his , a peculiar expression f on his face as a thought struck him.

  ~~~

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