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Chapter 2 — New Acquaintance
part II
The sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, painting quiet lines across the ceiling. Kazuna's eyes fluttered open. She didn't remember falling asleep, but the weight in her body said she hadn't rested well.
Still, she sat up, rubbing her eyes gently as she yawned. No use in staying still when the world kept turning.
Quickly she jumps off the bed and gets into the bathroom with her shaggy hair as if she's just faced a storm. She got ready earlier than the usual. Thankfully, she didn't forgot to packed her schoolbag last night. But still, she needed to check everything's ready.
After slipping on her uniform blazer and tying her hair up in a low ponytail since she has short hair—even though it's pretty useless to tie her hair because she knows her hair's just going to be messy not long after.
She opened the door gently, hoping not to wake anyone else. But as soon as she walked down the stairs, she found out that her mom was already awake and now cooking for breakfast in the kitchen. While she still got the time, she stopped to the kitchen.
"Hm? You're earlier than usual, are you excited about something?" Her mom noticed her presence.
Kazuna just slightly shakes her head without saying anything. But then she looked back at the table near her and noticed some bread on a plate with a glass of milk beside it.
"That's for your breakfast. Eat up before you leave, okay?" Her mom added with a gentle voice.
She nodded, "Thanks, mom."
She pulled out a chair and let herself sat down as she picked up bread. Taking a jam with butter too, smear all if them onto the bread with the butter knife, then continuing with the jam, a strawberry one.
She brings the bread to her mouth and takes a bite of it. The rich, fresh strawberry flavor comes by the tongue, pure of sweetness she can never complain about. It's always been her favorite.
Kazuna quickly finishes her breakfast, ending with drinking the milk. The perfect combo for a breakfast and it's more than enough for her.
She's full, at least for now. Then she grabs her bag after she wears her sweater and goes to the front door, putting on her shoes before her mom comes forward.
"Take care," Her mom said, waving her hand at her.
Kazuna nods her head. "I'm going now. Bye, mom."
She's all ready from head to toe. Then it comes the time to greet the sunrise rays her skin gracefully.
The early morning air greeted her like an old friend. Crisp, a little cold. Perfect for a slow walk.
She looks around and up at the sky, it's gorgeous. What a lovely day, a plus point for the sound of birds chirping on the background.
Kazuna continues to walk to her school while she's enjoying the view around, it's always calming every time she's mesmerized by the golden gradation the the blue, just like a painting.
Well—it doesn't take too much time to arrive at the school since it's only about 20 minutes walk. Not too long in her opinion.
A long the way she walk, she saw the lamp in the neighborhood lights up one by one, meaning the society has awake. So then, she quickened her pace. Hoping the road wouldn't get busy right away.
Thankfully—when she arrived, the gate was opened, even though it's not fully opened yet. At least she can pass through it and enter the school. Hoping that she's the first one who comes so the school is not too busy and loud.
She enters the school, takes her shoes on the locker—swaps them right away while she let the other shoes on the locker.
Kazuna continues to walk down through the hallway, and as expected, there's only her.
She relieved, she's never been this early. Well, basically there's just some janitor wandering, but it's fine.
Finally got into the class, there's no one there. She shrugs her shoulders a bit and goes to her seat in the 4th row from the front, in the middle—then puts on her schoolbag before she sits down.
She grab a book from her bag, flip the pages one by one just to make sure there's no homework left and all correct, because last night she was so sleepy.
Kazuna stares at the window on her left, resting her head down on the desk. Her mind starts to wander off as she looks at the sky.
This moment calms her quickly, surrounded by the quiet that never haunting. It feels like for a second she was given a chance to brush it off, no need to worry about anything.
Kazuna let her her head down gently on the table, cushioned by her own arm under it—her gaze almost fading slowly.
Deep down—she was hoping today's not going to be chaos like yesterday…
But maybe it was hopeless saying that.
The loud noise suddenly wakes her, opening her eyes immediately in shock. She swears she could hear so many shouts echoing.
And just as she thought, she just fell asleep. But the nap wasn't too bad, though. She gazes around the class, it was chaos like usual in the morning.
People—the students... already present in the class. Looking at the clock right now, it's almost the school bell ringing.
Somebody's throwing paper, someone else is screaming about lunch money, and anything else. But then she saw a familiar face.
It was Arai Itsuki. He seems to be panicking.
"Please, just somebody," He said to the boys with a pleading look, asking for their permission to borrow their homework.
Probably he wouldn't stop begging to all of the people inside the class. "Can I borrow the science note? It's for the last question, please. I can't figure the last one—!"
Suddenly book was thrown at his head. He widens her eyes, wasn't expecting it to come, almost left speechless. Looking around, finding who throws the book at him.
Kazuna did it, she threw her science note at him. Gazing at him from afar, but looking away immediately as they almost made an eye contact.
And he noticed that, switching his focus down to the exercise book before looking up at her again.
"Thank you… Inoue!" He shouts at her.
And she didn't respond, just silent.
But she couldn't help herself to look back at him not long after with a blank stare. He quickly sat down on his own seat, finishing his homework with her book.
Then—the bell rang. Everyone gets in their own seat. Starting school.
During the lesson, Kazuna just kept quiet and watched her teacher explaining in front of the class. Sitting casually. Well, it was going pretty well, nothing weird or bad happened for now.
And as the lunch bell rang, the classroom exploded with noise. Chairs screeched, desks slammed, wrappers crinkled. Well, she didn't want to wait either, she had been waiting for it felt like decades.
Someone was already yelling about a bread trade while another argued with the vending machine beside her. While Kazuna, just stay silent and completely ignore everything.
Thankfully, as she opened her bag, her bento was inside, she almost forgot about it, again. Her mom should be putting her bento right before she left.
She took out her bento, unwrapped it neatly, and began eating without a word.
No one talked to her. Not that she expected them to. Honestly, it was better this way, she too loved 'me time'.
Her lunch was simple—rice, tamagoyaki, and pickled vegetables. Nothing fancy, but enough to fill her stomach.
She ate it quickly, like it was just another task on a checklist, she doesn't want to waste the time because she always planned to go somewhere as she finished with her lunch.
Not long after that, she closed her bento, wiped her hands with a handkerchief before stood up and slipped out of the room. Dodging the other students like an expert ninja, moving swiftly without any sound.
She wandered the halls in silence, her indoor shoes padding softly against the wooden floor. The building was quieter here—just the occasional echo of laughter or a distant shoe squeak.
She wanted to go somewhere quieter...
It's the library.
But as she arrived in front of the library, she hesitated.
Why is the library goes busy this day... but—without thinking much, she turns around and her legs started to take her to another place to go.
Maybe for now she needs to try something new.
The hot radiance reach her skin, she could feel it reflected by the window. The air felt tight. But she considered going to the rooftop, maybe the air felt nicer there than staying in this building flooded with people.
Kazuna took the stairs two at a time. The door to the rooftop creaked open with a groan as she push them, and a gentle breeze welcomed her like an old friend.
Peace, finally.
Or that's what she thought.
"Oi, loner-chan. Fancy seeing you here."
Kazuna's body almost flinched, turning around sharply. Only to find him, Tanaka Shougo. That annoying kid again. It was a mistake to go here.
Seriously, she deeply regrets coming here.
He leaned casually against the railing, drink can in hand. His tie was loose, sleeves rolled up, and his expression as annoyingly smug as ever.
If she could, she would punch that annoying face immediately.
"Are you following me or something?" She muttered, narrowing her eyes.
Tanaka shrugged with a lazy grin. "You wish. This is my napping spot, y'know. You're trespassing."
Kazuna silently turned around while rolling her eyes secretly, walking towards the far end of the roof to put distance between them, she just wanted to be alone.
And he's following. Of course he did.
"Geez," he said, trailing after her, "you could at least act surprised to see your favorite upperclassman."
"Who said you're my favorite?" She replied flatly.
"No one has to. I can tell. It's in your eyes."
She stared at him, expression deadpan. "My eyes are literally screaming, 'get lost.'"
He laughed, he's clearly enjoying this. Chuckling before he takes a sip of his drink.
"Y'know… you're the weirdest kid I've ever known."
Kazuna just stays silent at first, she swears deep inside her that if she starts acting up or something else that's clearly going to piss her off. Taking a deep breath.
"...Why?"
"Nobody ever shows that kind of attitude to a senior, especially to me." He dares added a wink.
"I don't give a damn about it." She clicks her tongue, rolling her eyes.
Tanaka chuckles again, hardly. He can feel a tear at the corner of his eye.
But for a split second—he remained silent, just looking at her quietly. That sudden demeanor change sends her a shiver for a bit.
"Inoue,"
"...Hm?" She responded.
"How did you learn taekwondo?"
Kazuna paused, caught motionless. And it happens again, he asks something she didn't even think about. She turns her head at him, not fully, just enough to glance.
"…Why are you asking me that?"
Tanaka leaned against the rail again, this time without the smirk. "You don't look like the kind of person who'd pick fights… but last night I just heard what Arai said otherwise."
She didn't answer at first. The breeze brushed her bangs, she didn't even realized her fingers twitching.
She exhaled slowly, eyes half-lidded. She didn't answer right away.
Deep inside, she didn't know if she wanted to lie or tell the truth. She'd been trying to hide it—always had.
"My dad knows about taekwondo," She paused. "Then I ask him if he could teach me—for personal purposes, so I could defend myself, I think." She gave a half-shrug like it wasn't a big deal.
Tanaka just hummed. Then another pause. Not an awkward one—just… quiet.
He looked away, staring at the blue sky like it had answers. Sighing before he turns at her again.
"After... yesterday," He said suddenly. "I wonder how you could gain the courage to fight those bastards, especially you're a girl." He turned his gaze at him.
"You're really cool," Suddenly, his hand reaches out for her head—instead on her shoulder.
She widened her eyes, slowly turn her head at him. Cold stares locked at him. Her eyes almost twitching of irritation.
Uh-oh.
Tanaka's eyes went wide—panic mode activated. The last word just slipped out of his tongue just like that without him even realizing.
"Nu-uh." She's totally pissed off right now. Kazuna quickly took her leave, going out there immediately. Tanaka panicked a bit after he noticed that she was going to leave.
"H-Hey… hey! It was an misunderstanding, c'mon—chill!" He insisted. "I was supposed to reach your shoulder, y'know?"
But Kazuna was already walking off, fast and furious. "You think I'm going to believe you?"
Her fists almost clenched, she ignored him, and of course she's not gonna look back again.
Patting her head?
No, no, no…
That could sends her to death right away.
The door to the rooftop slammed behind her with a loud clang. She didn't even realize how fast she was walking until she reached the end of the corridor and had to stop to breathe.
Kazuna leaned against the wall and stared at the floor, heat rising after going too fast maybe. Nobody ever said that to her before, including the head pat.
"Ugh… idiot," she whispered, not even sure who she meant—him or herself.
"Patting my head?" She muttered under her breath. "Like some kid—hell no."
She kept walking down the hallway anyway—but more slower this time, her head looking down without even looking at where she's going.
Kazuna hastened her pace at the end, felt the urge wants to going back to her classroom. While she's on her way, she tries to calm herself down. Shaking her head a little.
But as she was nearly entering the class, she got bumped by someone who was going to leave the room. Stumbled back—looking up and that's when she saw Arai Itsuki.
"U-Uhm hey, Inoue… I just put your science book on your desk, thank you fo—"
"Yeah, you're welcome," She said hurriedly.
Arai got a bit confused, he doesn't hesitated to ask away. "Are you… okay, perhaps?"
Kazuna stopped there for a moment—but ended up just nodded before she moved forward, walking past him and quickly getting on her seat.
Then she takes her bottle and tries to drink slowly.
Arai just watches her silently and seems not to know what's going on. "Inoue,"
Her eyes rolled at him, still drinking from her bottle. Then she quickly finishes it up and puts down the bottle.
"What...?"
"U-Uhh… just asking, if we could eat together on the next break? Tomorrow?" He stuttered.
"I mean—you're always alone, and it's kinda lame just seeing you eat silently while people throw curry bread around."
Kazuna raised an eyebrow. "...You think I'm lame?"
"No!! Not like that—I meant they're lame—look, never mind." He scratched his cheek nervously. "You can say no, I just thought I'd ask."
Pause for a moment, she tries to think about it.
"…Maybe," she muttered.
"Huh?"
"I said maybe," she repeated, shrugging her shoulders. "Don't get your hopes up."
Arai stood there, stunned for a second, then he just nodded silently before he walked, leaving the classroom, and suddenly grinned like a golden retriever getting head pats.
"Yes!! 'Maybe' is like... 75% of a yes!" He shouted internally, a surge of excitement bouncing in his chest like a kid on a sugar rush.
Finally… peace. Again.
Kazuna let out a long sigh. On this point, she just really hopes that nothing will disturb her. All of that drama really drained her energy.
And right now, all she wanted was silence—and preferably a nap.
There she goes, slumped forward, resting her head on her desk. Her eyes, half-lidded and heavy with fatigue, flickered shut as the quiet hum of the classroom lulled her into sleep.
At least for now, the chaos had settled.
The time still goes on, and eventually she wakes up after hearing the familiar bell ring. Continuing her school like usual, paying attention to the teacher when they're teaching, doing the tasks, and many other things.
As she was in the middle of doing her task, she got distracted. Turning her head to the side and looking at the window, daydreaming.
Until finally...
The last bell rings.
The sound feels like music to her ears. She swears she could jump excitedly every time she heard it.
Students flooded out through the gates, laughing and yelling about tests, clubs, and who stole whose juice. While some of the students were intended to clean up the classroom according to the schedule each day.
Thankfully, today isn't her turn, and Kazuna didn't wait any longer—she left after a minute the bell rang, packing her things into the schoolbag and walking with her hoodie up, earphones in, and turning the music on with a wired earphone. A retro one.
Kazuna walks through the hallway to her locker. Swapping her shoes quickly and jumping forward to leave the school immediately.
The air breeze swaying her hair to the back is refreshing. Walking slowly past the gate, letting out a soft sigh.
She reaches for her earphones, blasting the music on while keeping her hands inside the hoodie pocket.
Breathes in, finally... peace.
Or that's what she thinks.
Someone poked her shoulder from behind.
"Yo, Inoue—"
She flinched. Her walk stopped immediately.
She turned halfway.
And it's the same face...
there he was—Tanaka Shougo.
He switfly walks trying to catch up beside her with a soda in one hand and zero shame in his face.
But as she tries to look forward and escapes, but oh how cruel her fate is... she felt a hand on her shoulder. He's already beside her, currently preventing her to ran away.
"Wait up," he said, slightly out of breath. "You walk too fast for someone short."
"Say that again and I'll rearrange your face." She threatened him.
He chuckles while he chugs down the soda, letting out a gargle after.
And weirdly, she waits for him to say something and watched him silently.
She folded her arms, eyes narrowing. "What do you want?"
He ran his hand and scratched the back of his neck, his gaze shifting just slightly.
"Just... came to say sorry. For the head pat—but that was a mistake, trust me."
"...Obviously."
There it is… silent. Again. A bit more awkward this time. She turns her head away.
"I mean it," he added, this time more serious.
Kazuna blinked and turned around slowly, unsure how to respond. "What do you mean by that…"
But Tanaka just let out a sigh, "Nevermind."
They both went silent again. Looking away at the same time.
Kazuna took a deep breath, lowered her head—and was still looking away, fidgeted with the cord of her earphones.
"…It's fine," she said quietly, almost like she will surely regretted saying it.
"But if you do it again, I will break your ribs into pieces," she added.
Tanaka grinned, tilting his head. "Will you?" He giggled.
She swears she could just punch his face now. But this time she decides to stay silent. Keep walking beside him instead of quickening her pace.
And they both walked in silence, for once it wasn't that awkward.
Until he casually added, "You know, that punchline would've hit harder if you weren't blushing."
She turned so fast it's a miracle her neck didn't snap.
"I'm not blushing."
"Really? Then why's your ear red like the roses?"
"I am not. And the fact that you just gargled a soda like an orc just a minute ago."
Tanaka gasped. "Excuse me, it was a tactical refreshment. Soda heals all wounds—"
Then he dramatically added with sparkling eyes. "Science."
Kazuna rolled her eyes with a groan. If only she could prove to the world that he is the worst person she's ever seen.
"You're impossible to handle."
He smirked, trailing behind her. "I'm your problem now, baby girl—"
Her jaw dropped.
"Say that again and I'll show you what science can't heal." She furrowed her brow.
His smirk widened, thinking to challenge her. "Baby gi—"
BAM.
She stomped on his foot really hard—then ran away fast.
He jumps in hurt, whining like a dog.
"OUCH...!"
Kazuna finally escapes, leaving him behind really fast, she didn't even look back. All she thinks about is getting home as fast as she can.
The thing is, she can't run too fast. The ground was a little steep. If she getting too fast, she will surely falls forward right away and hit the ground really hard.
But if she really did, she would blame the school because builds a road that could harm anyone.
After a few minutes, she started to slow down—believing that it was already a bit far away. Then looking back and checking if that 'pain in the ass' was coming after her.
She sighs in relief, knowing that he's not in sight. Meaning now she can finally breathe in peace.
At least until she hears the faint, echoing voice from behind her.
"YOU'RE GONNA REGRET THAT, INOUEEE—!"
She flinches. "Ugh—Shut up!" she yells over her shoulder, not even slowing down.
Kazuna cuts into a side street, slowing her pace but still walking fast. Her foot's a little sore—stomping him with full force was not part of her plan today.
Not like she had a plan anyway.
She finally reaches the corner convenience store and ducks behind a vending machine, panting.
"He better not be following me with a limp," she mutters while looking around, peeking out just to make sure.
Pulling out her phone, she opens her notes app and types:
Reminder: If you stomp on a man's foot, don't do it with thin sneakers. 0/10 pain absorption.
She groans, leaning her head back against the machine. The sky's already darkening—great, now I gotta deal with homework after this.
Her hoodie's damp with sweat, and she's too tired to care if anyone sees her looking like a disaster.
Suddenly—
"Oi."
She freezes. Slowly, she turns up her head.
Yep.
He's right behind her.
He caught her by the hoodie before she even could sprint away. His grip tightened.
"Now you can't escape~" Tanaka laughs playfully.
She was dragged easily by him, going forward deep into the alleyway. It was futile for her to slip away from his grip on her arm.
"You… dammit!!"
"Pretty girl don't curse, okay?"
Tanaka smiled devilishly, she couldn't guess what he wanted to do. Well—she hopes it isn't something bad.
Until he stopped, yanking her roughly to a halt. The alley was silent and narrower than the alleyway last night, save for the echo of their footsteps dying behind them.
The only light came from a flickering bulb overhead—buzzing like an angry insect.
She turned her head slightly, not daring to meet his eyes. "What are you gonna do, Tanaka?"
He leaned closer, lips near her ear.
"Relax. I'm not gonna kill you or anything."
He chuckled like it was a joke, but she didn't find it funny. At all.
Her shoulders tensed, heart pounding.
"Then what do you want?"
Tanaka finally loosened his grip a little. Just enough to make her think she could run—but not enough to try.
"I just wanna talk," he said, grinning. "You ran away before I could tell you something important."
She narrowed her eyes. "If this is about calling me 'baby girl'—"
"Oh, no no." He waved it off. "I mean something really important. Like… about what happened last night, you faced those guys."
Her breath caught.
Tanaka leaned against the grimy alley wall, watching her like a cat cornering a bird.
"You were fighting last night," he said casually, like he was talking about the weather.
"But I'm guessing you already knew I'd find out." He added.
Kazuna tensed, furrowing her eyes. "What about it?"
"Oh, so it's true what Arai's talking about." He tilted his head.
They went silent for a moment, Tanaka looking down at her.
"I guess you're bad at hiding something, huh? Your shoe still has a bloodstain, by the way."
She looked down and cursed silently.
"Damn it... should've changed shoes…"
Tanaka took a step closer. His voice dropped lower—serious now, no more teasing.
"Tell me. Were they wearing black jackets with a gold chain patch on the sleeve?"
She blinked. Her silence gave her away.
He's not wrong about it…
He scoffed. "Figures. Those bastards just don't know when to quit."
Kazuna's brows furrowed. "Wait... you know them?"
He didn't answer right away. Just pulled something out from under his hoodie—a crumpled photo, torn at the edges.
Four guys, blurry, taken from some distance.
"Recognize any of them?"
Her eyes widened a bit. The second one from the left—the same guy she kicked in the jaw last night. He had a silver eyebrow piercing and a tattoo peeking from his collar.
She nodded slowly.
"Yeah. That one. He was the loudest. Didn't shut up even after I knocked him down."
Tanaka's eyes darkened. His playful grin was gone.
"Good. Then we're chasing the same trash."
Kazuna stared at the photo again. "You know them?" she asked again.
Tanaka's jaw clenched. His usual smugness was gone—completely wiped off his face.
"They used to jump on my friend." His voice was low and tight. And immediately she fell silent.
"Almost every week. He never told anyone… not even me. I found out late."
Kazuna kept quiet, watching him while swallowing hard. There was something in his eyes—guilt, heavy and sharp. She gets it.
"One day," he continued, "he just stopped showing up. No message. No signs. Gone."
She looked down a bit. "…I'm sorry."
Tanaka looked away, shoving his hands into his hoodie pocket. "I've been trying to find him. I think those bastards had something to do with it."
Then his eyes locked on hers, serious and sharp like a blade.
"And if they mess with him, they won't hesitate to mess with anyone else. So listen to me—don't go anywhere alone at night. Got it?"
His voice was dead serious. No teasing. No smirks. Just genuine concern.
Kazuna raised an eyebrow, trying to hide how that weirdly made her chest sting.
"…What's with the sudden protective mode? Scared I'll get kidnapped or something?"
He didn't answer right away. He just stared at her like he meant it.
"Don't jinx it. Just—promise me. Don't be reckless."
She sighed, looking away with a soft smile.
"You're being dramatic. I'm fine. Really."
Then she shrugs her shoulders, her voice casual—like it was no big deal. "I've met them before. Beat a few of them up. Got some bruises, yeah, but I'm still here."
Tanaka blinked.
"You… what?"
Kazuna shrugged again, unfazed. "They're sloppy. Too confident. Once you figure out how they move, it's easy."
Then, leaning closer with a smug grin of her own,
"Besides, I already got a bit of info from them. Rumors. About how they're dealing with something illegal. Drugs, maybe worse."
Tanaka's eyes widened slightly. He didn't expect that.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you?
…Touché.
For a moment, neither of them said anything. Just two people with too much going on, staring at each other under a flickering alley light.
Tanaka scratched the back of his neck, looking away.
"…Okay, fine. You win."
Tanaka exhaled, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
"…Then let's team up."
Kazuna blinked. "Huh?"
He crossed his arms. "You clearly know more than I thought. And if you already kicked a few of them down, we might as well combine efforts."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "But no hero stunts. This isn't a game. They're not just street thugs—they're probably connected to something bigger."
She raised an eyebrow. "True... but why should I trust you?"
He gave her a half-smile, calm but sharp. "You already do. Otherwise, you'd have punched me again by now."
Kazuna rolled her eyes. "Tch, cocky."
"Accurate," he replied, grinning.
Then the grin faded. "But seriously. Keep this between us. Don't tell Itsuki. Especially Riku."
"Why?" she asked.
He hesitated. "…Because if he finds out, he'll do something stupid."
Just as the words left his mouth—
"What'll I do, exactly?"
They both froze.
Kazuna turned her head slowly.
Standing at the edge of the alleyway, holding a plastic grocery bag, was...
Arai Itsuki.
His face was blank. Too blank. The kind of expression people make right before they explode in any second.
"…Hi?" Kazuna tried.
Arai stared at them. At the closeness. The alley. Tanaka.
"Why are you two here?"
"Why are you here?" Tanaka shot back.
Arai ignores him, stepping closer to Kazuna and pulls her a little, voice calm but cold.
"Inoue—why is this guy dragging you into alleyways?" He whispered
Tanaka, who's standing behind them heard that, raising both of his hands. "Okay wow, rude. No dragging. No weirdness. Just—talking."
Kazuna tried to speak, but Arai cut in again. "You said not to go out at night."
"You also said you were going straight home." Then another, "And now you're standing here. With him." He added three times in a row.
Tanaka muttered, "Okay, rude again—"
"Shut up." Arai glared at him.
Kazuna sighed and rubbed her temple. "Okay... everyone just—calm down—"
But it was too late.
The air between them already sparked.
Arai's jaw tightened. "If he's trying to do something, you need to tell me."
"I'm protecting her, you idiot." Tanaka gritted his teeth
"That's my job."
"Okay—! I get it you two, but can you both just hear me out for a second—please?" She almost shouts at the two boy.
And eventually, they calmed down. But still, they both tensed, staring at each other. Kazuna can just sigh at this point.
But just as she wanted to speak…
SLAP!
A hand flies to the back of Tanaka's head.
Tanaka jerked forward, eyes wide. "Ow—WHAT THE HELL?!"
Standing behind him, completely unbothered, was Arai's older brother—arms crossed, flat look on his face.
"You freak," he said bluntly. "Walking with a girl in a dark alley? What is this, a shoujo manga?"
Kazuna choked on her breath, covering her mouth with her hand and looking away.
Tanaka's turned red. "I—I wasn't doing anything sketchy, okay?!"
Arai blinked. "Wait, what are you doing here?"
His brother just shrugged. "I saw you all walking from the street. Thought I was hallucinating. Followed you. Turns out, I was right."
Then he looked at Kazuna, his tone turning calm but serious.
"Both of you. My place. Now." He added firmly. "I think we all need to talk before this turns into a crime scene.