[Have you completely given up on thinking, Reina?]
[Paramecium-level intelligence.]
[Sigh, Rin, sigh, repeat offender.]
[To be fair, Treasure Rin feels like a stray cat.]
[Then I want to be Straw Hat Luffy.]
[Why are you bringing in another anime... wait.]
[Outrageous.]
Hearing Reina's answer, Rin didn't speak.
She just crossed her arms and watched Reina quietly for a while.
Not until the pink-haired girl in front of her guiltily looked away did she turn around and walk in front.
"Good, as long as you understand."
"Let's go."
——————
The two walked out of the club room, one after the other.
The corridor of the old school building was darker than when they arrived.
The emergency light cast a pale green glimmer at the corner, dyeing the walls and floor tiles with an eerie hue. Footsteps echoed in the empty corridor; perhaps because it was too quiet, it made the listener feel a bit creeped out.
Reina followed closely behind Rin, her gaze fixed on that white figure ahead.
It was strange to say.
Clearly, they were doing something against the rules, and clearly, there was still a bit of trepidation in her heart.
But watching that unhurried figure in front, those anxieties seemed to be gently held up by something invisible.
Rin walked with a steady gait.
It wasn't the kind of state where she walked a few steps and then deliberately slowed down to wait for her, but a kind of... natural rhythm.
Neither fast nor slow, just right for her to keep up.
When they went down to the second floor, Reina suddenly remembered something.
"Um, Rin."
"Mm?"
"How many times... have you climbed over before?"
Although she already knew Rin was a repeat offender, Reina still couldn't help but ask.
It could be considered a bit of a mischievous psychological impulse... she was curious about what kind of answer and reaction the girl would give.
Rin just paused for half a beat.
"...I haven't counted."
"..."
That must mean many times.
Reina sighed silently in her heart, but couldn't help but want to laugh.
This person is really...
Cute.
Walking to the ground floor, Rin didn't directly push open the door leading to the backyard, but stopped by the door first, listening to the movement outside.
Reina mimicked her, holding her breath.
Outside was very quiet, with only the rustling of the night wind through the leaves, and some distant insect chirps coming from unknown directions.
Rin gently pushed open that door.
The door hinge made a faint creaking sound, which seemed exceptionally clear in the silence. The two froze simultaneously, maintaining the posture of pushing the door, not moving a muscle.
A few seconds later, confirming that it hadn't attracted any attention, Rin widened the gap in the door and slipped out sideways.