Keyaki Mall, the most prosperous area of Advanced Nurturing High School.
Most of the students’ post-school spending is concentrated here, with all sorts of consumer and entertainment facilities readily available.
At this moment, dusk had settled.
The campus streetlights flickered on one by one, and the signs of the shopping center were powered up, reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the road.
Girls walked side-by-side, arms linked, carrying feminine handbags and radiating youthful smiles.
The boys followed no fixed pattern; some walked with arms around shoulders, some trailed one after another—everyone moved however they felt comfortable.
Uniform ties were loosened, jackets taken off, and they laughed all the way, as if throwing all their worries behind them.
But all this happiness belonged to them; it had nothing to do with Mikage Touji, and he felt it was quite “damn it!”
It is generally believed that a girl’s physical strength is inferior to a boy’s.
Mikage Touji was proving that this conclusion was wrong, and spectacularly so!
“Se…
Senpai , re-rest a bit.
This method of shopping is inhuman!”
As Kiryuin Fuka finished trying on her fifth outfit, a desperate cry echoed from deep within Mikage Touji’s spine.
He could clearly feel the lactic acid accumulating in his ankles, as wave after wave of soreness washed over him.
This woman not only possessed great strength but also incredible stamina.
Mikage Touji followed behind like a tottering old man on the verge of death leaning on a cane.
In contrast, Kiryuin Fuka was full of vitality and glowing with radiance, her long legs in black tights striding vigorously, always moving toward the next storefront.
The key was—she hadn’t bought a single item!
“That won’t do, Kouhai,” Kiryuin Fuka said without stopping, continuing forward with great enthusiasm.
“If your stamina is lacking, you won’t be popular with the girls.”
“It’s because your stamina is too good, Senpai ,” Mikage Touji replied weakly.
“A girl who is too assertive won’t be popular with the boys, either.”
“That’s true…” Kiryuin Fuka nodded thoughtfully.
A spark of hope ignited in Mikage Touji.
“Then let’s stop here for today—”
“However, if it’s me, I have no such concerns at all.”
Kiryuin Fuka: Game Over.
“Next shop!” Before the words even landed, she was already five meters away.
“…”
Watching Kiryuin Fuka’s receding figure, Mikage Touji could only force himself up and stumble after her, his steps heavy as if dragging invisible shackles.
At this point, he couldn’t let this woman continue like this.
If it went on, he was going to kick the bucket!
Entering a clothing store, Kiryuin Fuka nimbly ducked into the vast sea of garments.
Mikage Touji summoned the last of his physical strength, maxed out his mental focus, and instantly scanned every piece of clothing in the room, picking out the set he considered most suitable like a mathematical permutation.
A white slim-fit knit sweater for the top, a high-waisted A-line skirt for the bottom, and platform Dr.
Martens for the footwear.
Taking the clothes down, Mikage Touji walked toward Kiryuin.
“Senpai .”
“Hmm?” Just as Kiryuin Fuka, who was focused on the clothes in her hand, turned around, an outfit was stuffed into her arms.
“This set suits you, Senpai ,” Mikage Touji said concisely.
“Ho~”
Kiryuin Fuka flashed a smile, staring into Mikage Touji’s eyes.
“You think I’d look good in this?”
Mikage Touji nodded heavily.
“I think you would look very beautiful in it.”
“Really?
You think I’d be cute?”
“Heh~”
After a long pause, Kiryuin Fuka smiled.
“Your words just now scored very high points with me.”
Kiryuin dropped the other outfit in her hand and, holding the clothes Mikage Touji had chosen, turned toward the fitting room.
“Fine, since you picked it out…”
‘It’s over!’
Mikage Touji screamed in his heart.
The next second, he collapsed onto a chair in the clothing store.
The coolness of the chair seeped into his bones, but Mikage Touji felt a strange and total sense of liberation.
His eyelids grew heavier and heavier…
He was about to ascend to heaven!
“Um, are you alright?” A soft, sweet voice drifted into his ears, carrying a hint of cautious inquiry, waking Mikage Touji up.
Mikage Touji opened his eyes and pushed himself up using the chair.
“I’m fine, just a bit tired.”
The speaker was a girl with sweet looks, shoulder-length brown hair, and a headband.
At the moment, she was half-squatting next to Mikage Touji, her pretty face clouding with concern.
Mikage Touji covered his eyes and leaned back against the chair, looking like someone who had just survived a disaster.
“Is shopping always this terrifying for you girls?
You can wander Keyaki Mall for two hours straight.”
“Ahaha…” The girl scratched her cheek, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Normally we don’t shop for that long.”
‘Exactly!’
It wasn’t my problem; it was the Senpai ‘s terrifying stamina!
“By the way.”
The girl seemed to remember something.
She took a can of juice from her bag and held it out to Mikage Touji with a sweet smile.
“Try this.
You should feel much better.”
Mikage Touji was quite touched.
See, this is what a normal person is like, unlike the Senpai who shops without ever stopping.
Taking the juice, Mikage Touji took the opportunity to reach out his hand.
“I’m Mikage Touji, a student from Class 1-A.
Pleased to meet you.”
“I’m Kushida Kikyo, from Class 1-D.
Pleased to meet you too, Mikage-kun.”
Kushida Kikyo blinked her large eyes and shook hands with Mikage Touji.
Her fingertips brushed across Mikage Touji’s palm, leaving behind a faint scent.
‘Class D, huh…’
Mikage Touji’s eyes flickered.
He hadn’t forgotten the intel the blonde Senpai gave him today.
The school would place those with strong abilities but deficiencies in certain areas into Class D, and the upperclassmen also said Class D consisted of “defective goods.”
“So, Mikage-kun, can we add each other as friends?
Because,” Kushida Kikyo held her phone in her hand, looking as if she were making a grand wish, “I want to become friends with everyone in the school.”
“That’s a formidable goal.”
Mikage Touji took out his phone, and they added each other.
“Right, right?
But I’ll work hard,” Kushida Kikyo said, clenching her small fist.
“I believe you’ll succeed, Kushida-san.
After all, you’re so cute, kind, and considerate.”
They chatted for a little longer until Kushida Kikyo’s companion seemed to emerge from the restroom, waving toward them.
“Kushida-chan, it’s time to go.”
“Okay.”
“Sorry, Mikage-kun, let’s stop here for today.” Kushida Kikyo put her hands together in a prayer gesture and bowed slightly, her ample “assets” looking like they were about to overflow at any moment.
“Let’s chat online tonight.”
After saying that, she waved and ran toward her companion.
Watching Kushida Kikyo’s retreating figure, Mikage Touji couldn’t help but rub his chin.
This girl…
A sweet-looking girl initiates a conversation, cares about a stranger’s condition, kindly offers a drink, adds them as a friend, and invites them to chat at night.
A different boy might have already been hooked like a fish out of water.
Unfortunately, she met Mikage Touji.
Having just been struck down by Morishita Ai, his resistance was terrifyingly high.
“Is she good-looking?”
“Fairly—”
The next second, his neck was locked in Kiryuin Fuka’s arm again.
“Not bad, Kouhai.
I only left for a moment and you’ve already hooked up with a young girl.”
“Cough, cough, cough!” Mikage Touji patted Kiryuin Fuka’s slender yet powerful arm.
“Not as good-looking as you, Senpai .”
“Heh~ little boy who loves to lie.”
“Really, I swear.” Mikage Touji’s face turned red—from being smothered.
“Compared to that type, I prefer Senpai ‘s type.”
“That type?” Kiryuin increased the pressure.
“Long legs…” Mikage Touji tried to answer.
“And?” She didn’t seem satisfied with the answer.
“Great figure…” Mikage Touji submitted an answer again.
“And.” Wrong answer.
“As cute as you, Senpai !” Mikage Touji found the cheat code!
“I’ll let you pass.” Kiryuin Fuka let go.
“Hah…
hah…” Mikage Touji rubbed his neck and breathed heavily, asking with a slight hope, “So, are we finished for today?”
“No.
Help me pick another set.” Kiryuin Fuka turned and walked away.
Her silver hair swept over her shoulders like moonlight silk, and her long legs wrapped in black tights extended beneath her short skirt, her platform boots clicking sharply against the floor.
“Please, no!” Mikage Touji followed.
“I really think the set you have on is beautiful.”
“Then two more sets.”
“Eh?!
How can you be like that?”
“Then…
three sets?”
“Two sets, two sets!
I’m afraid of you, okay?”
“What an untruthful Kouhai.
You were staring at my legs for so long.”
“Cough cough…
three sets it is.”