Time didn't stop moving.
At least, not for Hara Kei.
After confirming that she was indeed the person he thought she was, Hara Kei gave her a small nod and turned, preparing to leave.
But Hayasaka Ai, having noticed his intention, quickly snapped out of her frozen pose. With an inexplicable aura of intensity, she pushed through the crowd in front of the model shop. All eyes followed her with a mixture of curiosity and confusion as she darted toward Hara Kei with the agility of someone far beyond the fragility of a typical high school girl.
She moved like a cheetah hunting its prey.
Moments later, she reached Hara Kei's back. Just as she reached out to grab his coat, her hand met nothing.
It was as if his back had eyes of its own. Hara Kei had smoothly dodged her right hand, then turned to face the surprised girl.
"Wasn't this supposed to be a Heisei Rider transformation show? Aren't you missing Kamen Rider Zi's transformation?" he asked casually.
"Whose fault do you think this is?! After you saw me, how could I possibly continue as if nothing happened?!"
"? When Hiden Aruto (the protagonist of Kamen Rider 01) cracks a joke in front of everyone, I didn't see him embarrassed."
"That's acting! And what do you mean—are you implying I'm a comedian like him?!"
Hayasaka Ai's temples throbbed. Her blood pressure shot up as if ignited by Hara Kei's calm, slightly mocking tone.
This wasn't the first time.
She realized she always seemed to make a fool of herself around this guy. The frequency of these incidents made her wonder if their fates were somehow cursed. Back in the classroom, he hadn't been this infuriating…
"If there's nothing else, I'll be off," Hara Kei said, waving his hand in farewell. "I still have to find a sushi restaurant called 'Ensha Sushi Aoki.'"
"…Wait." Hayasaka Ai took a few deep breaths, finally suppressing the storm of emotions building inside her. At least outwardly, she looked composed. "I know that restaurant. I'll take you there."
She tidied her slightly disheveled outfit. "Wait here a moment. I'll be right back."
Hara Kei glanced at the group by the model shop. They seemed to be watching her, probably waiting for her to return. These transformation contests were usually a boys-only affair. Now that a striking young girl had appeared, whether as a judge or an audience member, everyone showed an unexpected degree of leniency.
"So… you want me to properly watch your transformation, huh?" Hara Kei said, a faint smile on his lips, recalling the last encounter Hayasaka Ai had orchestrated.
"Exactly."
The old Hayasaka Ai might not have gotten the Kamen Rider reference. But the current Hayasaka Ai was different. Upon hearing this, she almost smiled knowingly to herself. That thought steadied her completely.
After giving him a look to indicate he should wait, she turned back toward the model shop, silently recalling the precise transformation moves of Kamen Rider Zi-O.
If she didn't win the contest in this situation… it would be a disaster! She absolutely could not allow it!
The girl pumped herself up silently.
'Ensha Sushi Aoki' was tucked away in a quiet part of town, but that was clearly intentional on the owner's part.
The goal was simple: provide diners a place to quietly savor exquisite sushi.
To that end, the restaurant didn't have a large dining hall. Instead, it used small private booths to separate guests, offering a refined and peaceful experience.
Hara Kei liked it immediately.
He didn't bother with the traditional, formal kneeling posture on the tatami. Instead, he folded his legs casually, sitting at the table in a relaxed manner. It wasn't rude; it conveyed a natural ease and confidence.
Hayasaka Ai, sitting opposite him, was the exact opposite. She maintained perfect posture, her upper body straight and proud like a resilient green bamboo shoot.
"…"
"…"
Both sat in silence, waiting for the food to arrive.
Finally, Hayasaka Ai broke the silence, her voice hesitant, as if choosing her words carefully to prevent Hara Kei from revealing anything.
At St. Eden Academy, she acted as the eyes and ears for Shino's strategy. To navigate social dynamics and gather information, she wore carefully crafted masks and the guise of a fashionable, outgoing girl.
If anyone discovered that she was secretly a tokusatsu fan, it would seriously compromise her work.
To her, life at St. Eden wasn't about studying—it was part of her heavy workload.
Seeing her hesitation, Hara Kei said bluntly, "You don't want anyone to know, right?"
Hayasaka Ai nodded.
"Fine," Hara Kei continued. "I wasn't planning to tell anyone anyway."
"Aren't you curious?" she asked tentatively.
Hara Kei looked at her, slightly puzzled. "Curious about what? Everyone has secrets and sides of themselves they don't show. Digging too deep is exhausting." He shook his head. "Besides, my mind is full of anticipation for food right now. There's no room for this so-called curiosity."
He didn't make any promises, didn't swear he'd never tell. His tone was casual, yet it gave Hayasaka Ai an inexplicable sense of security.
Having observed him at St. Eden before, she had a good sense of his character. Lying or misleading him wasn't in his nature.
Relaxing slightly, she let out a quiet sigh. Then, looking at Hara Kei with barely concealed anticipation, she smiled.
Unlike her usual businesslike smile, this one was genuine and unpretentious, expressing nothing but her own happiness.
"By the way, Hara Kei, who do you think is the strongest among the Heisei Riders?"
"Hayasaka Ai… are you trying to start a war?"
Facing his mock-serious stare, she playfully stuck out her tongue and looked away.
The day had started poorly, but it ended better than she expected. She thought to herself.
By the way, for this dinner, Hara Kei refused her offer to pay. They ultimately went fifty-fifty.