"Miu, wait here for me." Takeru gently patted her head and spoke softly.
"Okay!" Though unsure why, Miu nodded obediently and stayed put.
Takeru then moved through the crowd. Just as the sleazy man pulled out the wallet, Takeru's hand shot out and grabbed the man's wrist...
"Ah!" The man cried out in pain from Takeru's firm grip. The shout drew everyone's attention.
They saw Takeru restraining the man's arm and the pink wallet in the man's hand.
"Ah! My wallet!" Ebina immediately recognized it. Seeing the situation, everyone quickly realized the man was a train pickpocket.
"Dammit!" Realizing he was caught and Takeru wouldn't let go, the man's expression turned fierce. He swung his left fist at Takeru.
But his clumsy movement and slow speed were no match for Takeru, even without Observation Haki. With it active, the punch was laughably easy to counter.
Seeing the man still trying to fight, Takeru didn't hold back. He met the punch with his own fist. The collision made the man cry out even louder in pain. If Takeru hadn't held back considerably, the man's hand would have been broken.
At the next stop, concerned passengers called the police, who soon arrived and took the man away.
As the man was led off, the crowd broke into enthusiastic applause for Takeru. Standing up bravely was admirable, especially from someone so handsome...
"Hey, handsome, want to be friends?" A pretty girl even approached Takeru actively.
However, Takeru politely declined, and the girl left regretfully.
"Ebina-san, be more careful on trains from now on," Takeru said with a light smile to the still-flustered girl.
"Th-thank you, Nara-kun!" Ebina said shyly.
"It's nothing, just a small thing," Takeru shook his head gently.
As Takeru and Ebina talked, people glanced their way, causing Ebina's face to flush instantly red. Takeru even saw steam rising from her head...
"Onii-chan, is she also your classmate?" Miu came over and asked.
"Yes, this is Ebina Nana, my classmate," Takeru introduced with a smile.
"Hello, Ebina-neechan! I'm Takanashi Miu. You can call me Miu. Nice to meet you!" Hearing the introduction, Miu extended her hand with a smile.
"M-Miu, nice to meet you too!" Flustered, Ebina shook Miu's hand.
"Say, Ebina-neechan, where are you going? Are you alone?" Sensing Ebina's shyness, Miu asked warmly.
"I... I'm going to the zoo. Alone," Ebina replied, sounding a bit dejected.
Having moved from Akita for school, Ebina didn't know many people in the city. Being introverted and new, her only friend here was barely Umaru...
"Really? We're going to the zoo too! Come with us!" Miu suddenly invited her.
"Eh? Is that okay? But... wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Ebina was interested but hesitated.
"Not at all! It's decided!" Seeing Ebina's hesitation and worry, Miu guessed she was quite introverted and shy, so she became even more proactive...
Though surprised by Miu's invitation, Takeru didn't object. Ebina wasn't a bad person.
Soon, they arrived at their destination. Along the way, Miu chatted warmly with Ebina, though Ebina remained much more reserved.
With Takeru and Miu beside her, Ebina, who already easily attracted attention, felt even more noticeable under the gaze of passersby. She kept her head down, extremely embarrassed.
Seeing this, Takeru shook his head helplessly, 'This girl was too easily embarrassed, but perhaps that was part of her charm.'
"Hello, two adult tickets and one child ticket, please," Takeru said at the ticket counter.
"Right away!" The staff quickly handed over the tickets, and Takeru paid.
"Um, Nara-kun, I... I can pay for mine myself!" Ebina said hurriedly upon seeing Takeru had bought her ticket.
"It's fine, Ebina. Let's go in together," Takeru said gently.
"But—!"
"Ebina-neechan, don't be polite with Onii-chan!" Seeing Ebina about to protest, Miu grabbed her arm and said.
"O-okay..." Ebina finally nodded in compromise.