"I thought I was going to die."
"You're exaggerating, Akito-kun."
Exaggerating? Not at all. I was killed with praise for a full thirty minutes in front of other customers. The mental damage is immeasurable.
I looked completely haggard.
Seeing me like that, Asahiko gave a sheepish smile.
"Ahaha... I-I'm sorry, Akito-san."
"Asa-tan, don't worry about it. This is basically how Sana-tan is usually treated," Hiyori said.
"Is that so?"
"That's right~"
"There's no way that's right, is there?"
What is she doing, casually brainwashing him about how to treat me? Hey, don't give me that "tehe-pero♪" face.
After leaving the cafe, we headed toward the department store inside the station for the time being.
"They basically have everything in here. Though I doubt it's anything rare for you, Asahiko."
After all, he's the young master of Jotera. He probably goes to ultra-high-end department stores rather than places like this.
"............"
"...Asahiko?"
"——! (Eyes sparkling!)"
What's going on!?
Asahiko was looking around here and there in excitement. Rather than a cool, handsome guy, he looked just like a young boy.
"I told you, didn't I? Asa-tan used to be sickly," Hiyori explained.
"Eh, but he's cured now, right?"
"Yeah. But apparently, he wasn't allowed to go out alone. Since they didn't know when he might collapse. This is supposedly his first time going out with people his own age."
So that was it.
That's why he's making such a happy face.
"Are you having fun, Asahiko?"
"Yes! Window shopping with friends was my dream!"
His dream is so modest it makes me want to cry. I see, I see. You've had it rough too, man.
Asahiko and Hiyori walked ahead, while Riran and I followed behind them.
Hiyori was explaining various things, and Asahiko listened to every word with sparkling eyes.
"Those two look like a good match," Riran whispered.
"Yeah. Deep down, it seems like Hiyori actually likes Asahiko too."
"My, even the Great Demon King of Dullness, Akito, can tell now?"
"That's too much of a diss."
I'll admit to being dull. But there's no reason to add 'Great Demon King' to it. ...Right?
I watched them from a distance while following behind. A mysterious handsome guy and a soft, fluffy, beautiful gyaru.
It's an unusual combination, but looking at them like this, they seem to fit the mold. Depending on how you look at it, they have a 'gloomy otaku and cheerful gyaru' vibe.
For the first time in a while, my otaku blood was boiling. Good, get closer.
"You, are you thinking about something stupid again?"
"Stop talking as if I'm always thinking about stupid things."
I couldn't really talk back since she hit the nail on the head, though.
Looking ahead, Hiyori picked up some accessories, and Asahiko was praising them enthusiastically. Hiyori blushed and smiled happily.
"That's good. Hiyori said she didn't feel any sense of love before," Riran noted.
"Yeah. There are more things you won't understand until you actually meet in person."
Actually, it's impossible to know everything about someone just from the face that pops into your head.
As we watched those two, Riran made a bit of a grimace and said, "But..."
"What's wrong?"
"...I wonder why those two have a Vermilion thread? Vermilion is a color for excellent economic compatibility, right?"
"...That's true?"
I don't really get why those two would have excellent economic compatibility.
Not to be mean, but Hiyori's grades are unfortunate enough that she has to take supplementary lessons on her days off. So why do they have a Vermilion thread?
"............"
"It's just a possibility," I started.
"I'm listening."
"...Maybe we're involved?"
"What do you mean?"
"We have the Dark Scarlet Thread, right? Since we were destined to be involved with these two, maybe that's why their thread is Vermilion?"
"Ahaha, that's impossible."
"............"
""Actually, that's plausible...""
It was surprisingly convincing. Thinking about everything that's happened so far, it feels like the Dark Scarlet Thread would do something like that.
As we were staring off into the distance, the two of them noticed our strange behavior and tilted their heads in unison.