Shirase and the others wandered the convention floor for more than two hours. Kojima Kana was completely absorbed, and even Shirase couldn't resist snapping picture after picture.
There was a scarily accurate Dante, and also a skinny guy who somehow had the guts to cosplay Yasuo.
By the end of it, Shirase's phone gallery had grown considerably.
Outside the venue, Kana bought three drinks and handed them to Shirase and Takanashi Rikka.
The chuunibyou girl froze for a moment when she took hers, as if she couldn't believe this "big woman" could actually be that friendly.
Not surprising, considering she'd nearly suffocated earlier in a surprise bosom hug.
After a few gulps, Rikka suddenly struck a dramatic pose at Shirase. "You haven't forgotten our agreement, right?"
"Agreement?" Shirase blinked, thrown off by the sudden theatrics.
Kana tilted her head, curious.
Rikka smirked proudly. "All this time, I've been secretly training. I've ascended! I'm now infinitely stronger!"
Shirase raised an arm like he was about to smack her. "Speak human."
Rikka went pale, stumbling back. "I-I meant I can easily catch the paper balls you throw now!"
"Oh, that thing…" Shirase said, patting his pockets. "Unfortunately, I didn't bring any today."
"But I did!"
To everyone's disbelief, Rikka pulled out several paper balls from her skirt pocket.
Shirase couldn't help feeling a touch of respect. Someone had actually come prepared—with ammunition—for the express purpose of getting hit.
"What are those supposed to be?" Kana asked, baffled.
After Shirase explained, Kana burst out laughing. "So, Rikka, you're officially challenging him now?"
"That's right! Today I'll prove my power's no less than his!" she declared, full of confidence.
Kana grinned and stepped aside, eager to watch.
Knowing Rikka was dead serious, Shirase lazily picked up two paper balls.
"Only two?" Rikka asked, suspicious. "I've prepared a whole bunch for you!"
Shirase's tone turned solemn. "We're not the same rank. At your level, even my minimal effort is overwhelming."
Then he raised his hand and took aim.
Rikka's expression sharpened; she was all focus now. Her stance, her gaze, her breathing—like a true warrior ready for battle.
And then Shirase casually nailed her right in the forehead.
"H-how could this—"
The defeat came so fast she didn't even feel the pain at first. She just stared blankly at the paper ball on the ground.
Shirase slipped one hand into his pocket. "Heads up—the second bullet's coming."
"Yes!"
Rikka straightened, her confidence already wavering.
With a flick of his fingers, Shirase sent another paper ball flying. It hit her square on the nose.
"Ow…"
This time she clutched her nose, teary-eyed, staring at him in disbelief.
Hands still in his pockets, Shirase intoned, "I told you—we're not in the same league. Long ago, I too stood like this, wondering if there was anyone worthy of facing me."
Instantly forgetting the pain, Rikka gazed at him in awed admiration.
Kana couldn't stop laughing. "So that's the big agreement? This silly game? Rikka, how'd you even fail to catch something that simple?"
Rikka immediately went into sulk mode, refusing to respond.
Seeing Kana so smug, Shirase picked up two more paper balls. "Wanna try?"
"Bring it on! You think your big sis can't handle that?"
Ten seconds later, Kana was standing silently next to Rikka, face red with embarrassment.
Shirase nodded sagely. "See? Next time, don't mock others too fast—otherwise, you might end up becoming the show yourself."
Kana glared daggers at him, thinking darkly, If we weren't in public, I'd roast you alive.
On the way home, Rikka muttered to herself, confidence renewed. "I'll keep training! Next time I'll definitely catch them!"
Meanwhile, Kana—confident no one she knew was around—latched onto Shirase's arm, smugly saying, "So many people were staring at me back there. If you hadn't been with me, they probably would've tried to hit on me."
"And your point is?" Shirase asked flatly.
Kana beamed. "Your big sis is amazing, right? Being with me makes you look good too."
"…Yeah, yeah, you're the prettiest."
"Of course I am!"
When they got home, Shirase received a message from Isshiki Iroha urging him to hurry up—apparently, everyone else was already on their way.
He replied briefly, told Kana, and left without even changing shoes.
...
Meanwhile, at the Nakano household—Nino lay sideways on the couch, chin in hand, staring blankly at the TV.
The reason for her distraction stood behind her: Yotsuba, phone in hand, hesitating over calling Shirase.
"You still haven't called?" Nino asked without looking back.
"Not yet… I'm worried it might bother him if he's busy," Yotsuba mumbled.
Nino chuckled. "You really think he'd care about something that small?"
"Yeah, that's true… Shirase's always so nice…"
Encouraged, Yotsuba finally hit call.
Nino tried to look uninterested but clearly perked up her ears.
Two minutes later, Yotsuba came back looking dejected. "Shirase can't come tonight—he's busy."
Nino exhaled quietly, feigning calm. "Told you. Look at me, totally unfazed."
Yotsuba nodded. "He said he's going to the soccer club's victory party. Some people missed it yesterday, so the captain rescheduled for tonight."
"The whole soccer club?"
Nino froze, then suddenly shot upright—barefoot on the couch cushions.
Startled, Yotsuba asked, "What are you doing?"
Nino didn't answer. Her expression darkened, eyes flickering with realization.
If the whole club's going… Isshiki Iroha's definitely there too.
Damn it. Yesterday Shirase came over for dinner, so I thought he'd turned them down…
Totally miscalculated.
Taking a deep breath, Nino forced her face calm. "I'm not eating at home tonight. You guys figure it out—order something or go out."
"Huh? Why?" Yotsuba asked, bewildered.
Ignoring her, Nino dashed to her room.
Miku's door opened just then. Even in warm weather, she stubbornly wore black stockings as she stepped out. "Nino, about dinner—"
Before she could finish, Nino sprinted past.
"What's with her?" Miku asked, confused.
"No clue…" Yotsuba answered blankly.
Not five minutes later, Nino burst back out.
Yes, burst—not walked.
Miku tried again, but Nino cut her off. "Order your own dinner—I've got urgent business!"
"What business?" Miku managed to ask.
"To teach a certain restless little girl a lesson!"
With that, Nino charged off, her whole aura screaming I'm going to war.
The door slammed behind her, leaving Miku and Yotsuba staring at each other.
Yotsuba scratched her head. "Did… did Nino just say she's going to beat someone up?"
Miku sighed. "Don't ask me. She didn't even let me finish my sentence."