Holding a kitten in her arms, Kanna Hiiragi waited by the roadside at night with Akane Nanao and Tosaka Fuyuka. Kazuma had left in a hurry and still hadn't returned, which made them anxious. Suddenly, the little black cat perked up, as if sensing something, then leapt from Kanna's arms.
"Huh? Is Kazuma back?"
It was.
A car stopped by the roadside. Kazuma rolled down the window, and the kitten immediately jumped into his arms. Although the little one no longer rejected the other girls' touches, she clearly preferred her owner.
"Meow!!"
"Little guy, you must've been waiting impatiently," Kazuma said, stroking the kitten's soft fur before waving to the three girls outside.
"Kazuma, what's going on?" Seeing the luxury car and the stunning woman in the driver's seat, the girls couldn't help but overthink.
Kanna Hiiragi grabbed her head. Impossible—absolutely impossible! Kazuma wasn't that kind of person!
"Get in the car. I'll explain everything later."
The girls exchanged glances and got in. They sat in the back while Kazuma took the passenger seat. After hearing what had happened to Saki Yoshida, shock and anger filled the car.
"That's too much! Does someone like that even deserve to be a parent?" Kanna snapped.
"Scumbag. Beast," Akane said coldly.
"…"
Tosaka Fuyuka glanced at the faint tear stains still on Saki's face and forced a small smile. Thinking of her own situation, she suddenly felt fortunate. Even though her father had passed away, her mother never gave up and continued supporting the family.
With that thought, Tosaka looked at Kazuma sitting in front of her—then found herself looking at him again.
"I went through something similar to what happened to Saki," Akane Nanao said quietly. She had once disliked Saki for hanging around gyaru girls like Izumi Nogami and assumed she wasn't a good person. Now, her view had completely changed.
"If it weren't for Kazuma, I probably would've been taken advantage of by that perverted baseball coach," Akane sighed. "Meeting Kazuma was really a blessing, Kanna. Thank goodness you called me that day and let me get to know him."
"That sounds kind of strange," Kanna Hiiragi said shyly. She glanced at the silent boy and chuckled. "So, little one, you're not denying what happened with Coach Tougou anymore?"
I didn't really deny it afterward either, did I? Kazuma thought, speechless.
Tosaka Fuyuka then turned toward Mira Tsubakihara, recalling what she had said earlier—meeting Kazuma was the luckiest thing that had ever happened to her. It was exactly what Akane had just said.
"But Coach Tougou was just an outsider. It's different," Akane Nanao said, frowning. "Saki was hurt by her own family… What's wrong with this world? How can these scumbags and perverts act so recklessly?"
After a brief silence, Mira spoke calmly. "It's much better now. Management is stricter, and more people with a sense of justice are stepping in. At least those rats hiding in the gutters don't dare show themselves anymore."
As she spoke, she glanced at Kazuma with a meaningful smile.
…Why are you looking at me?
"Ms. Tsubakihara," Tosaka Fuyuka said, "you're not talking about yourself, are you?"
"Huh? You know her Tosaka-senpai?" Akane asked in surprise.
"I don't know her personally, but I know her name. Ms. Tsubakihara is the founder and leader of the Tsubakihara Group. Only someone like her could manage that."
"Huh?! That's incredible!" Kanna exclaimed, covering her mouth.
"Not only that," Tosaka added, her tone complicated, "many financial groups, noble families, and even members of parliament don't dare offend her. I heard several powerful families tried to unite against her, but failed completely. The Tsubakihara Group is a thorn in their side."
"Trying to deal with me?" Mira chuckled softly, though her laughter was cold. "At several banquets, those blind idiots tried to drug me. I crippled them. They even wanted to bring out the old man behind them to scare me? I didn't kill them—I only cut off their lineage. That was already merciful."
"…"
"…"
"…"
The girls stared in disbelief, while Kazuma's facial muscles twitched.
"This world is way too chaotic… and terrifying."
"Yes, but I have something very powerful," Mira said gently, her eyes filled with affection. "No aphrodisiac or seduction drug works on me. It was given to me by my little man."
Kazuma frowned. Why is she staring at me while saying that?
Some doubts began to arose in his mind.
"So that's how it is," Tosaka Fuyuka said. "No wonder everyone in the industry fears you. Ms. Tsubakihara herself is terrifyingly capable."
"I don't have special abilities," Mira replied calmly. "I just happened to be with someone very powerful. Without him, I couldn't stand against those people."
"That sounds… kind of exciting," she added mysteriously.
"What about Saki now? She's not going back, right?"
"Yes. I want to stay with Kazuma," the girl said softly, her tone unwavering. "Wherever he goes, I'll go."
Everyone turned toward Kazuma's back. Kanna Hiiragi puffed out her cheeks. "Kazuma lives in the old school building—it's creepy!"
"It's fine," Saki said quietly. "As long as I'm with him, I'm not afraid of anything."
Akane Nanao felt a pang of envy. "You're making me want to move in too… but Mom would never allow it. Sigh."
Chatting along the way, Mira Tsubakihara reluctantly returned to the school gate. The elegant widow stopped the car.
"Kazuma, you probably didn't eat much tonight, right? Should I go buy some ingredients so we can have a barbecue at school later?"
"Great idea!" Akane Nanao raised her hand immediately, not even giving Kazuma a chance to respond. "A barbecue party sounds super fun, and we don't have to worry about getting discovered in the old school building."
"Kazuma, you'll agree, right? You barely ate before leaving, and we're all starving," someone added.
Akane Nanao giggled as she grabbed his arm and shook it lightly.
"Do you even know how to barbecue?" Kazuma spread his hands helplessly.
"I do. I'm very good at grilling meat," Mira Tsubakihara replied confidently. "Besides, we're friends now. It'll be more fun if we spend time together."
"Yes, yes! It's great meeting someone as amazing as Ms. Tsubakihara—and Kazuma, and Fuyuka-senpai too…" Kanna Hiiragi looked at Kazuma with hopeful eyes.
He didn't refuse. "Alright, then I'll leave it to you."
He was hungry anyway.
Thus, the cold and eerie old school building welcomed a group of cheerful, beautiful girls. Carrying barbecue grills, they crossed the restricted area and set up their tools beneath the cherry blossom trees in the courtyard.
This made Kazuma's thoughts drift. Was holding a barbecue party here basically the same as dancing on Coach Tougou's grave?
"Wow, Mira, you even brought spices? They smell really strong—did you just buy them?"
"Of course not. These special seasonings can't be bought anywhere. I had them custom-made myself. Kazuma really likes them. And don't call me with honorifics anymore—just call me Mira-nee. It sounds nicer."
"Is that really okay?"
"Let's all call each other by name," Mira said cheerfully. "We're friends now~"
"Mira-nee, and Fuyuka too? Hehe, it suddenly feels so much closer."
The girls gathered together, chatting nonstop. The lively atmosphere brought smiles to everyone's faces. It wasn't just the laughter that felt comforting—Tosaka Fuyuka also wore a gentle expression.
She, who had never really had friends before, was deeply moved by the warmth of the moment.
Meat, fish, and vegetables were placed on the grill, and soon a rich aroma spread through the air. Mira's technique was indeed impressive. Kazuma didn't rush to eat. Instead, he took two grilled fish and placed them in front of the kitten.
"It's still a bit hot. Let it cool down first."
"Meow~"
The bushes suddenly rustled, and several calico cats cautiously emerged. Drawn by the smell, Kazuma squatted down, placed the fish on the ground, and waved to them.
"Come on, let's eat together."
"Meow—"
The cats slowly approached. Only after confirming that Kazuma posed no threat did they lower their heads and start eating. Once they relaxed, Kazuma gently reached out and stroked their fur.
"Looks like there are quite a few stray cats around the old school building."
Feeling the human touch, several of the cats lifted their heads, squinted their eyes contentedly, let out soft meows, and continued eating.
"Looks like I've got some talent. Even without Momotaro rice balls, I can still get along with stray cats," Kazuma said with a smile.
Suddenly, a sharp, angry cry rang out.
"Meow——!!!"
The small black kitten leaped forward and stood protectively in front of Kazuma, fur bristling as it bared its teeth at the stray cats. It was the first time anyone had seen it react with such intense hostility.
Kazuma froze. What had set it off?
Even stranger, the adult cats were so frightened that they hurriedly backed away, clearly intimidated. But… it was just a kitten. Why were they so scared?
Were they really that afraid?
"Alright, alright. I just gave them a little food. It's not like you're missing out—stop yelling."
"Meow~"
The little black cat rubbed against Kazuma's pant leg, making pitiful noises.
"Wait… are you jealous because I petted them?" Kazuma picked her up and laughed. "Relax, relax. I still like you more than them."
"Meow~"
Her voice immediately softened. Being held by her owner calmed her down, yet she stubbornly clung to him, unwilling to let go. She really was jealous.
A skewer of grilled meat was suddenly placed in front of him.
Kazuma looked up and saw Tosaka Fuyuka standing there.
"This kitten isn't ordinary. I could feel its presence just now. No wonder it scared off those stray cats."
"Presence?" Kazuma accepted the skewer. "Now that you mention it—Fuyuka-senpai, you're good at kendo. You probably have something like that too, right?"
"…"
A breeze passed through, lifting the girl's long black hair. Standing beneath the cherry blossoms, moonlight illuminated the faint smile on her lips.
"I won't tell you."
"…"
Fuyuka brushed her hair aside. "We agreed to call each other by name, didn't we? So I can do that too… right, Little One?"
"Sure. I don't really mind."
She paused, then gave him a helpless look. "Then shouldn't you change how you address me as well?"
"…Fuyuka?"
The girl lowered her head. Her fair face, half-hidden in the shadows, slowly turned red.
*****
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