As soon as I left the clothing store, I sighed and dropped my shoulders.
Since Shiori often shops at the store, I asked around, but the staff said they hadn't seen anything. I wasn't expecting anything, but I was still disappointed.
Shiori's behavior hadn't been normal yesterday. And if he hadn't come to school today, he must have been up to something rash. All I could do now was worry about Shiori's safety.
I continued walking around town for a while, with no destination in mind. The people walking seemed awfully slow, which was because I was getting impatient. I wanted to see the marker's face as soon as possible and feel at ease. I was willing to spare no effort to make that happen.
So when my cell phone rang, I was so surprised that my heart stopped.
When I checked the display, I saw that the caller was anonymous.
No way――?
I answered the phone in a high-pitched voice.
"Hello! Target! Target?"
--Hey there. How are you? I'm Touka Lighting, the genius and brainiest high school student of the century. Hahaha. Were you that happy to receive a call from me? Well, it's quite embarrassing.
"......"
I was speechless.
--What's wrong? Did you want to hear my voice so much that you were speechless?
Teruaki continued in a teasing tone. I was seriously considering rolling him up once this was over and throwing him into Tokyo Bay, letting him become a seaweed in the ocean. It was getting too much trouble to even talk to him at this point, but I said, "Well then."
"What do you want? I'm busy right now."
--I know. But you're also pure. I never thought you'd boycott so dramatically for her sake. You're a man I had high hopes for.
"N-no, that's not true. It's because that guy, Shiori, is making me worry..."
--Oh? I never said anything about your sister.
The light fixture chuckled in a muffled voice. What's with this guy? He called about something so trivial. Should I change the straw mat into a drum, fill it with concrete, add 100 dumbbells, and sink it?
"If you're calling just for that, I'll hang up."
The light said cheerfully.
--Well, it's not like I don't have any business with you. I wanted to help you with the big operation to find your little sister.
The lighting tone changed.
"Really? But your school..."
--Don't worry about it. We're best friends.
Although the tone was casual, his honest sincerity was conveyed.
"Lighting... you..."
It's what they call an increase in likeability.
--By the way, where are you now?
"now..."
I told him my current location.
To be honest, I was happy about this offer. It would be better to have as many people as possible on my side. Even if I thought it was reckless to try to find someone in this big city.
--I see. Well then, I'll go for a walk. You do your best over there.
"Sorry... no."
This is not the place to apologize.
--yeah?
"Thanks, Lighting."
I thanked him briefly. That's right, our relationship isn't complicated.
Something simple will do.
--Yeah. I'll contact you right away if anything happens.
For a moment, I thought the voice from the light source sounded ticklish.
"ask"
Just after I hung up the phone, I received a new email.
I stared intently at the screen.