"Thanks for your hard work."
Kitagawa Ryo switched places with Ishizaki Daichi in the queue, while on the other side, Ryuuen Kakeru nodded at Shiina Hiyori and stepped out of the line.
"Still, this is way too many people."
Ishizaki wiped the sweat from his forehead and glanced at the front of the queue—about five or six pairs still ahead.
When Kitagawa had asked Ishizaki to hold a spot in line, he immediately called Ryuuen along. Although Ryuuen was initially reluctant to head out in the sweltering heat, he agreed upon hearing it was to help Kitagawa Ryo and Shiina Hiyori hold their place.
"Feels like there's nearly a hundred people here."
Ryuuen scanned the students in line. Considering the entire Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School had only around 400 students, seeing so many lined up in front of a tiny fortune-telling shop was a rare sight in their school life.
Since they were switching places and not cutting in line, no one paid much attention. Some students did recognize Kitagawa Ryo from Class 1-C, drawing the gaze of upperclassmen, which naturally drifted to Shiina Hiyori, who was holding hands with him.
Unlike her usual calm demeanor, Shiina now frequently smiled and leaned close to Kitagawa's ear to whisper something, sparking envy among single students who had come hoping for a reading—only to find out the shop only did readings for pairs.
Among them was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, who hovered hesitantly at the entrance.
"Good morning."
Noticing the group from Class C had seen him, Ayanokouji didn't bother hiding and walked over to greet them. His eyes briefly landed on Kitagawa and Shiina's interlocked hands, stirring slight confusion in his heart, though his face remained calm.
"You two came for a couple's fortune reading?"
"Of course. What about you, Ayanokouji?" Kitagawa glanced around theatrically. "Where's your partner?"
He kindly reminded, "This place only accepts customers in pairs."
"I didn't notice that at first. I just came after hearing the fortune-teller here was quite accurate."
In truth, Ayanokouji had scouted the shop yesterday at Karuizawa Kei's request. Ideally, it should've been Karuizawa and Kitagawa standing here now. But clearly, something had shifted.
From what he saw, Kitagawa and Shiina looked far more like a couple now.
He'd long heard the rumors and had even seen Shiina's affections firsthand, so the development made sense.
Having assessed the situation, Ayanokouji prepared to leave quickly, but Kitagawa stopped him.
"You're already here—why not get your fortune told too?"
"Eh? But I don't have a partner."
"No worries. Ryuuen can join you. He's pretty interested in this stuff anyway."
Kitagawa shot Ryuuen a look, who responded with a friendly smile and casually slung his arm over Ayanokouji's shoulder.
"Sure, let's do it together. You're Ayanokouji from Class D, right? You played pretty well during that last game of Werewolf."
"I've only played a few times. Wasn't that good."
"Nonsense, you basically determined the whole match's outcome."
As Ryuuen dragged Ayanokouji to the back of the queue, and Ishizaki tactfully left the scene, Kitagawa finally sighed in relief.
"Let those two torment each other. Ryuuen's got a thing for Ayanokouji anyway, and he'll probably enjoy gathering info."
"Pfft, I think you just didn't want Ryuuen hanging around us like a third wheel."
Shiina giggled and whispered in Kitagawa's ear.
She wasn't one to say such things in public, but soft murmurs in his ear were more than enough to tug at his heart.
There's nothing luckier than being loved by the one you love.
Especially when it was a long-standing crush.
The bashfulness and timidity of unrequited love are feelings hard to understand without having experienced them—like stepping into a maze with no exit, blooming without daring to hope for fruit.
That's why Shiina had agreed so eagerly when Kitagawa proposed they start dating.
The two had only completed a long-prepared symbolic formality. No matter when they announced it, others would believe it.
"I used to fantasize many times about how you'd confess to me, Ryo. Maybe a moonlit walk at university, or under a sky full of fireworks, or beneath a blanket of stars."
Shiina had read many books, but that didn't stop her from dreaming of love.
"But in the end, it was just one simple sentence."
"Were you disappointed, Hiyori? Should I redo it more properly?"
Kitagawa knew about her fantasies. Truthfully, he had confessed at the most inappropriate moment—a sort of compensatory confession.
When his heart calmed down, he realized it had been a selfish misuse of Shiina's feelings.
He'd had many chances to confess more romantically—on stage at the theater, or on a breezy ship deck.
"No need."
Shiina interrupted his thoughts.
They had performed so many self-directed acts on stage, and exchanged countless lines of romantic dialogue. Yet none of those flowery words could compare to the raw impact of Kitagawa's sudden confession that night:
["Wanna give dating a shot… you and me?"]
Seeing Shiina unfazed, Kitagawa nodded on the surface but inwardly began planning a grand confession ceremony.
He remembered that in the second simulation, he'd thought about using fireworks to form words in the sky, but never got the chance.
Checking his remaining personal points, Kitagawa decided to spend the few days left in summer vacation figuring it out.
"We're here."
Shiina looked at the increasingly close shop entrance. To create atmosphere, the fortune-teller's place used purple curtains with long tassels swaying gently.
Kitagawa stepped forward to lift the left half, but Shiina stopped him lightly, lifting the right half in sync so they could walk in together.
She had a strange fixation with such small details—though it was kind of cute.
As they entered, darkness enveloped their vision. The room was dim, lit only by decorative candle sconces and unknown animal skulls mounted on the walls. A gleaming crystal ball sat at the center, glowing faintly.
A hooded old woman, matching every witch stereotype, motioned for them to sit.
They sat on round stools with no backrests. The fortune-teller smiled kindly and theatrically opened a thick old book—pulling out a…
Price list.
Along with a tiny card reader.
The transformation from mysterious witch to cunning merchant instantly shattered the atmosphere. Kitagawa sighed and picked up the list.
He wouldn't have come here if Shiina hadn't shown interest.
With "Super Detective" and "Con Artist" as his golden talents, Kitagawa could probably don a robe and sit in the fortune-teller's chair himself, fooling high school students with ease.
Just a glance at the pricing made him wince. The most basic package cost 5,000 points. More specialized readings for love, career, or academics went into the tens of thousands.
Considering Class D only earned less than 20,000 points monthly, Kitagawa had even seen some of their students in line earlier—must've really scraped together points just to divine their nebulous future.
"Love reading."
"Love reading."
Since they were already here and Class C, supported monthly by Classes A and D, had more points than even Class A, they didn't hesitate.
"Oh?"
"A heads-up: I'll be reading your palms, faces, and hearts."
"I may see things you don't want revealed."
The old woman's eyes glinted from beneath her hood. If Kitagawa hadn't overheard her say the exact same spiel to the previous couple, he might've been impressed.
Seeing no reaction from the pair, she gave an awkward chuckle and gestured for Shiina to extend her hand.
"Hmm… your life line is long and clear. No interruptions—indicates long life, no illness."
Kitagawa thought it was all nonsense, but Shiina listened earnestly, nodding.
Compared to the frail bookworm she was at enrollment, Shiina had really opened up this semester.
Whether shopping or cooking, her physical condition had clearly improved. She still wasn't on Ibuki's level, but much healthier now.
"Next, your love line."
Noticing where Shiina's attention truly lay, the old woman spent time chanting and finally declared:
"The one you're with now is your best match. Your love has already bloomed and will continue smoothly."
Pure sweet talk—like a playboy spouting flattering lies. For couples visiting a fortune-teller, nice words were always safe.
Easy way to earn points, honestly.
Kitagawa nearly yawned. The dark room was perfect for napping.
As the witch wrapped up Shiina's reading, Kitagawa, who'd zoned out halfway, missed what was said. Shiina's flushed cheeks hinted at something embarrassing, as she signaled him to lean closer.
He handed over his hand.
"You suffered harshly during childhood."
The old woman's wrinkled hand gripped his gently. Kitagawa frowned, unsure how to respond.
It was such a generic line. Everyone had rough patches in childhood. Agreeing would only play into her hands.
So he shook his head.
"I think I had a pretty happy childhood."
"That optimism is why you made it here safely."
[So, she's a pro too.]
Their eyes briefly sharpened with mutual recognition. Shiina, oblivious, smiled at the side, missing the unspoken sparring.
"Your hardship stemmed from family issues."
The witch probed. People often project their own memories during readings. Kitagawa just smirked.
"I lived alone since I was little."
"That too counts as family issues."
Quick recovery. Realizing she was losing ground, she pivoted topics.
"Your love line is tumultuous. Lots of breakups. But you'll eventually meet your destined one."
Before Kitagawa could reply, Shiina cut in:
"Um… When exactly is 'eventually'?"
She probably wanted to know her place—whether she was the interim or the endgame.
The witch smiled kindly, seeing through it all:
"If the feelings are sincere, no matter the ups and downs, the one by your side in the end is your destiny."
A beautiful dodge—perfectly vague.
Shiina looked thoughtful. Probably got caught in the witch's logic.
"One last piece of advice."
The witch tilted her hood back, revealing a wrinkled but familiar old face:
"The human heart has limits. Overflowing love spills, lacking love dries up—both are bad."
"Our hearts are fragile. So we must coax them often. Place your hand over your chest and say—"
"Everything will be okay."
Touching words. The gentle witch's tone made it even more moving.
Just as Kitagawa was about to let himself be moved…
A silver card reader was pushed forward.
"Time's up. Please pay."
Yep. Still a damn businesswoman.
-------------------------------------
"You look quite miserable."
Standing outside Karuizawa Kei's door was an unexpected visitor.
Sakayanagi Arisu stood there with her usual sweet smile. Karuizawa frowned slightly. She had no particular impression of the silver-haired girl, only knowing she was the temporary leader of Class A.
"Aren't you going to let me in?"
"...Please come in."
Though Karuizawa had pressed a warm towel to her face earlier, the tear stains at the corners of her eyes and her nasal voice betrayed her condition.
In truth, ever since parting with her friend yesterday, she had locked herself in her room.
Fortunately, it was summer break, so there was no need to worry about others noticing anything strange.
"Next semester, there'll be a sports festival."
Sakayanagi sat down uninvited and casually shared a major piece of information with Karuizawa.
Still, this was something that would eventually be announced anyway. According to tradition, the homeroom teachers would reveal it after the new term began, so Sakayanagi didn't mind doing a small favor in advance.
"Are you telling me this as the leader of Class A?"
Karuizawa quickly snapped back into her Class D leadership role. Even with her face still somewhat weary, she stared sharply at Sakayanagi, analyzing her intentions.
"If things follow the usual pattern, the sports festival will split students into red and white teams. Class A and Class D would naturally be allies."
"Are you here to propose an alliance?"
"Not quite."
Sakayanagi shook her head.
"As I just said, that's what usually happens."
"This year's situation may be quite different."
"Due to internal issues within the student council, the format of the festival might be changed."
"Does the student council really have that much authority?"
"This school is built on the principle of meritocracy. As representatives of the student body, the council naturally has the power to modify the rules."
Sakayanagi smiled as she explained.
"So, be prepared."
"You came all this way just to tell me that?"
Karuizawa asked, a bit annoyed. After all, she wasn't familiar with Sakayanagi, and as she mentioned, Class A and D might not even be allies this time around.
"What exactly is your stance or intention?"
She fixed a sharp gaze on Sakayanagi, as if trying to read something from her expression.
"I simply hope you can help him."
As she spoke, Sakayanagi pulled out a photo from her pocket.
Her slender fingers gently brushed across the surface. In the photo, a thirteen-year-old Kitagawa Ryo was holding a white cat, giving the camera a bright and cheerful smile.
The photo studio logo in the lower right corner was already faded—only the faint characters for "…group photo" could be made out.
It was an odd photo.
Because on the right edge, a clean cut seemed to exclude someone who should've been standing there. Only a lock of honey-colored hair remained, offering a trace of their presence.
"Do your best, okay?"
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