The dazzling sunlight spilled onto the path at the dormitory entrance, the air filled with the aroma of coffee and the clamor of the crowd.
Kamuro Masumi stood rooted to the spot,
She gazed blankly at the orderly figure under the parasol Sakamoto.
Ryuuen Kakeru, with Ishizaki Daichi and Yamada Albert, had already disappeared into the distance, leaving Kamuro with a tumultuous storm in her heart and a sense of bewilderment.
Was she saved by Sakamoto?
Ryuuen's malicious obstruction and insulting probing were instantly dismantled the moment Sakamoto appeared and a crowd gathered.
Ryuuen's target, it seemed, had always been Sakamoto.
She, Kamuro Masumi, was merely bait carefully chosen by Ryuuen to lure Sakamoto into a trap.
A subtle sense of guilt enveloped her.
It was as if she had brought trouble to Sakamoto.
If it weren't for Sakamoto... if he hadn't appeared in such an incredible way, attracting so many onlookers, would Ryuuen have let her go so easily?
She didn't know.
Kamuro's gaze swept over the not-so-short line.
The students had satisfied or curious expressions on their faces, as if it were just an ordinary weekend activity.
How did Sakamoto do it?
In such a short time, at the dormitory entrance, to conjure so many coffees out of thin air, and even attract so many people to line up?
After the shock and confusion, a sharper question pierced her mind:
How did Sakamoto know she was here?
When she was cornered by Ryuuen in the alley, she was isolated and helpless.
She didn't even have a chance to take out her phone to call for help.
Sakamoto... how could he possibly know she was in "danger"?
Had he been watching her all along?
This thought made her heart inexplicably race, but it was immediately suppressed by reason.
Impossible. Sakamoto didn't seem to show any particular interest in her.
In the cafe, he always maintained that calm and unruffled demeanor, his gaze occasionally sweeping over her as if she were thin air.
Then how did he appear here so precisely, and just happen to resolve the situation in this way?
She desperately wanted to know the answer.
But looking at Sakamoto, who was intently selling coffee, as if the confrontation just now had never happened, she hesitated.
Should she rush up and question him like Ryuuen?
No, that would be too rude.
Moreover, there were still students in line in front of Sakamoto who hadn't bought coffee.
Kamuro took a deep breath, suppressing the anxiety and doubt in her heart.
She decided to get in line.
Anyway, it was the weekend, and the dormitory was right next door; she wasn't short on time.
Perhaps, when it was her turn, she could find an opportunity to ask.
She silently walked to the end of the line.
The line was not short; there were several people in front of her.
She lowered her head, trying to sort out her chaotic thoughts.
However, a subtle feeling struck her again.
Kamuro subconsciously looked up, her gaze precisely catching the eye of a girl in front of her in line.
It was a girl with long blonde hair tied in a high ponytail, the ends of her hair gently swaying with her movements. She wore a fashionable short skirt and jacket, a typical gyaru style, and looked like she was also a First Year student.
At this moment, she was slightly turned to the side, her gaze filled with undisguised curiosity.
She was secretly observing Kamuro.
That look made Kamuro feel uncomfortable.
Did she see what happened at the alley entrance just now?
A wave of irritation surged in Kamuro's heart. She hated the feeling of being treated as an object of observation.
Kamuro's purple eyes slightly lifted, her cold gaze directly meeting the blonde girl's eyes.
The blonde girl seemed startled by the sudden cold gaze, a hint of panic flashing across her face.
Like a startled rabbit, she quickly turned her head away, not daring to look at her again.
Kamuro snorted coldly in her heart, no longer paying attention to the other party, and redirected her gaze to the front of the line, waiting patiently.
The line moved slowly forward.
Finally, it was Kamuro's turn.
She walked to the simple folding table.
The coffee cups that had originally been stacked on the table were almost gone, with only a single cup left, sitting quietly there.
He heard footsteps, and his gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses calmly fell on Kamuro's face:
"Student, what would you like?"
His tone was as natural as if he were greeting any ordinary customer in a cafe, as if he didn't recognize the purple-haired girl who had just experienced a fright.
Kamuro looked at the only remaining cup of coffee on the table, then at Sakamoto's calm and unruffled face.
The impulse to ask surged again, but was suppressed by a strange hesitation.
She pointed to the lone cup of coffee:
"Just this one."
Sakamoto nodded slightly, smoothly picking up the coffee cup.
He didn't hand it over directly as he did with other students; instead, he picked up a paper cup holder from the side, elegantly placing the coffee cup securely within it, and then handed it to Kamuro with both hands.
"Your coffee, please enjoy."
His posture was impeccable.
Kamuro took the warm coffee, her fingertips feeling the slight coolness of the paper cup holder.
She looked at Sakamoto's flawless business demeanor, and the question in her heart almost slipped out.
However, Sakamoto did not give her a chance to speak.
He turned around and, addressing the few remaining students behind Kamuro, slightly raised his voice:
"Students, I apologize. Today's coffee is completely sold out. If you wish to purchase, please proceed to the cafe in the shopping center."
His voice spread clearly.
The remaining students showed disappointed expressions, but they didn't linger and all turned and left.
The crowd completely dispersed, and the path returned to its usual tranquility, leaving only Kamuro Masumi and Sakamoto, who was packing up some items.
Kamuro held the warm coffee, standing still, watching Sakamoto fold the parasol and table, his movements still unhurried.
She opened her mouth, having prepared her words:
"Sakamoto-kun, why are you selling coffee here?"
Sakamoto finished tidying the last item, holding it in his hand.
He turned around, facing Kamuro:
"Something urgent came up today, and I ended my work at the cafe early. However, today's sales have not yet reached my expected target. Therefore, I applied to the manager to temporarily sell here to make up the difference. I didn't expect to encounter Kamuro-san here."
Kamuro Masumi felt a bit absurd.
The reason sounded so logical. So logical that it was impossible to refute.
But was this really a coincidence? Was it really an accidental encounter?
She had just been cornered by Ryuuen in an alley just a few steps away.
She looked at Sakamoto's calm and unruffled face, trying to find a flaw, a trace of a lie in his eyes.
However, there was nothing.
Sakamoto bowed slightly:
"Kamuro-san, if there's nothing else, I need to return these items to the shop. Excuse me, I'll take my leave."
With that, he no longer lingered, carrying the folded parasol and table, turning and striding off in the direction of the shopping center.
Kamuro Masumi stood rooted to the spot, watching Sakamoto's rapidly receding back, the warm coffee in her hand seemingly losing its warmth.
She lowered her head to look at the dark brown liquid in the cup, her thoughts a tangled mess.
She didn't notice that behind a lush cherry blossom tree by the path, the blonde ponytail girl Karuizawa Kei.
She was quietly peeking out half her body, her gaze complex as she watched Kamuro Masumi's distraught back, then looked in the direction Sakamoto had disappeared, a thoughtful expression on her face.