Chapter 83: Women's Friendship
We walked along the coastal path before returning to the original parking lot.
Although the pamphlet stated it would take 40 minutes, it took us about 10 minutes longer because we leisurely took in the sights.
Then, as Rika had suggested, we visited the marine museum next to the observatory to view the exhibits.
Wow, theres even something called a parrot clam.
It looks incredibly fascinating.
Rika and Karen were glued to the glass wall of a giant aquarium, watching intently.
As I felt during our previous visit to the aquarium, Rika and Karen exhibited a childlike wonder.
Unlike Rika, who was physically more developed than her peers, Karens petite stature made her appear like a middle schooler at first glance.
Meanwhile, Sasha seemed less interested in touring the museum and was preoccupied with her smartphone.
Concerned about Sasha, I asked her,
What are you doing?
Sasha then lifted her head, uttered a Hm? and waved her hand dismissively.
Just checking if Kumamon returned to the zoo safely.
Ah, as Sasha mentioned, it wouldnt be surprising if there were news about it on the web by now.
Since the escaped moon bear had returned to the zoo after three days.
So, how was it?
It seems it returned safely. Im relieved.
Sasha said, laughed, and then suddenly stared straight at me.
Wondering why, I looked at her, and she pointed at the area under my eyes, asking,
Have those wrinkles under your eyes always been there?
Uh? Yeah, they actually appeared after I started exercising intensively.
Perhaps it was due to a sudden decrease in body fat?
They were one of the main reasons my face didnt resemble that of a teenager in a way.
Just a moment.
Sasha said and reached out her hand towards me.
Then, she pointed at my wrinkles with her index fingers and soon smirked.
You definitely look better without them.
I was taken aback by her unexpected frankness.
Realizing it was quite an embarrassing moment, I stepped back.
Why why all of a sudden?
Then, Sasha shrugged her shoulders and said,
Just a simple whim.
With that, Sasha put her hands behind her back and quickly left, saying she would go see the souvenir shop for a while.
Surprised by her sudden departure, I couldnt take my eyes off Sasha until she was out of sight.
After finishing our visit to the marine museum, we headed towards the observatory, as previously agreed, to meet with the other members of Team D.
Over here! Guys!
Satoru, whose mood seemed completely different from when we parted, was vigorously waving his hand.
Judging by his demeanor, it seemed he had successfully found the partner he had been so eager to find.
Well, he wasnt a completely bad guy at heart, so maybe it was to be expected.
As we all crowded around him, Satoru asked with a slightly surprised look,
What? Did you all hang out together without me?
Yeah, something like that.
I nodded and joked, and Satoru muttered, Lucky guy, and poked me in the ribs.
What about the others?
They should be here soon. We still have some time until 1 oclock.
As he said this and looked around, we saw Sakamoto and Yaguchi walking towards us from a distance.
Speak of the devil.
Seeing them closely together and being affectionate, they were almost like a couple, just without the official stamp.
Considering that Sakamoto would have been the protagonist in Scramble Love, living a tumultuous life, this seemed like a very peaceful moment.
So, is it only the Class President left?
Yeah, it seems so.
It was unusual, considering Ayase always kept her appointments right on time.
Shes not coming.
Standing in front of the observatory, waiting just for her, we decided to look around for the still absent Class President, even though it was well past 1 oclock.
Ayase Satzuki was in quite a predicament.
Hey~ Hey~ why are you wandering alone?
Wow, Ive never seen such a model student-like kid before.
Hehe, dont be like that. Though, if she takes off her glasses, she might look pretty decent.
Does Ichijo Academy only have nerds?
She found herself surrounded by students who appeared to be from another school.
The so-called delinquent type.
They were the type she disliked the most.
Sorry, but I think I need to go now.
Thus, Ayase spoke sharply and attempted to distance herself from them as quickly as possible.
Because she was already significantly late for her appointment with the other team members.
However, the delinquent-looking boys blocked her path and refused to let her pass.
Hey, weve got business with you, and if you keep doing this, itll be troublesome.
Gah! Let go!
She couldnt resist and was forced back to her original position when her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
The leader of the delinquents, a blond boy with piercings in his ears, chuckled and said,
Its nothing big; I just heard theres a Zainichi named Kim Yu-seong at your school. I heard that brat had the nerve to mess with my friend.
I dont know such a person! Really!
Really? You seem to know quite a bit about him, considering you hesitated to answer just now.
The boy said so and sniffed the smell of Ayases braided hair.
!
She slapped the boys cheek, shuddering with disgust.
Slap!
Then, the boy, with his head turned from the slap, licked his lips and muttered as he looked at her.
I strangely like feisty girls.
Then he roughly grabbed Ayases hair with one hand.
Aaaah!
It was then
What are you doing to our Class President?!
Someone with a sharp voice intervened between the two.
Eh? Whats this now?
The boy, who had grabbed Ayases hair, released it abruptly and widened his eyes at the sight of the suddenly appearing blonde-haired girl.
Ample chest, delicate features, and brightly painted nails.
A typical gyaru.
Seeing them in the same uniform, it was clear they were classmates.
I thought Ichijo Academy only had boring girls.
While he internally laughed at the unexpected catch, Rika glared with wide-open eyes and scolded him.
You! A thug, huh?! Why are you messing with our innocent school kids?!
Like a hissing cat, Rikas demeanor made the other girls behind the boy laugh and say,
Shes not scary at all~
Oh, shes just the epitome of justice~
Their sarcasm was laced with obvious malice.
But Rika didnt back down and she shielded the Class President behind her.
Sasha and Karen, who arrived a bit late, hardened their expressions upon seeing this scene.
Damn it.
Those bastards.
The two almost simultaneously charged at the delinquents.
Hey! Hey! Yu-seong! The Class President and the kids are over there! It looks dangerous, doesnt it?!
We found the Class President at the marine ecology park, just slightly past 1:20 PM.
Satoru and I quickly ran towards the place where the girls were gathered.
And before us unfolded a scene where Sasha and Karen were impressively fighting against a group of delinquents from another school.
Argh!
Sasha, wearing sneakers, delivered a sharp kick, sending a boy who got hit in the stomach flying backward.
Oof!
Karen, wielding knuckles instead of a sword, delivered a powerful straight punch, knocking down a sporty-haired boy.
Despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered, the two moved around like wolves amidst sheep.
Contrary to their delicate looks, the two were surprisingly strong, which seemed to fluster the delinquents leader, who, appearing frustrated, shouted out.
What a disgrace to be beaten by just two! Gang up on them!
Then, Sasha and Karen, who had knocked down several boys with kicks and punches, stood back to back and talked.
Are you okay, Nosey?
Of course, Monkey.
Who are you calling Monkey?!
You both get easily agitated.
Exchanging light jokes and catching their breath, Sasha glanced at the remaining delinquents, clicked her tongue, and then asked Karen,
How many more can you handle?
Then Karen, with a cool gaze, surveyed the surroundings and said,
Maybe two or three more?
Sasha nodded and opened her handbag.
That should be enough.
She then took out a black handgun.
Seeing the sleek, black metal body, the leader of the delinquents initially looked alarmed but then, with a confident expression, shouted,
Dont be scared! Its just a toy anyway!
Bang!
However, when the sound of the gun and the rubber bullet grazing his hair hit the ground with a bang, he could no longer laugh.
Toys are toys. They just hurt a bit if you get hit.
Satoru, witnessing this, murmured with a shocked expression,
Was she going to shoot me with that?!
Shh.
I warned Satoru, who failed to read the situation, to be quiet.
Then, Satoru closed his mouth with an aggrieved expression.
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