"What's all this commotion about?"
The expressions of the four girls immediately turned displeased the moment they saw me interfering.
"You heard the alarm earlier too, right? She stole something from the store."
One of them—short brown-haired—spoke while pointing at Akira.
Shirayuki did not answer immediately.
Her gaze shifted to Akira.
"Did you really take that item?"
"No. I didn't take it," she replied while shaking her head.
"Then how do you explain the item inside your bag?"
Akira looked at them one by one.
"They must have put it in my bag when they were bothering me inside the store earlier."
Shirayuki frowned slightly.
It seemed they really had slipped the item in while distracting Akira.
She then turned to the store staff.
"Excuse me, can we see the CCTV footage? I think everything will be much clearer if we check it."
"Why bother checking CCTV when everything is already obvious?" the girl scoffed.
Shirayuki looked at her calmly.
"That's impossible. I know her, and she's not someone who would steal. I can guarantee it."
For a moment, Shirayuki saw surprise on Akira's face.
"Pfft."
The girl laughed mockingly.
Among the four of them, she was the one who clearly hated Akira the most.
"Even so, we used to go to the same middle school as her. Maybe you don't know, but there are a lot of rumors saying she's a thief."
Shirayuki looked at her without changing expression.
"Interesting."
Her voice was soft, almost flat.
"Usually the ones who accuse the loudest… are the ones quickest to hide something."
Silence for a moment.
"Then what about the evidence?" the girl continued. "The staff found unpaid items in her bag."
"Then let's prove it by checking the CCTV."
Shirayuki remained calm.
"If she is indeed guilty, I will also take responsibility. But if not…"
She paused for a moment, looking at them one by one.
"…then this accusation cannot be taken lightly."
The atmosphere began to tense.
Not far from the crowd, two security officers could be seen approaching.
Whispers began to be heard around.
Some people stopped to watch.
Akira remained standing in her place.
Footsteps were heard from behind.
Calm.
But enough to draw attention.
Some people in the crowd began to turn. And the atmosphere began to change. As if the pressure suddenly increased.
Shirayuki turned her head.
And there he was.
Silver hair.
Red eyes.
A cold gaze that immediately locked the situation.
Tenshou Aizen.
He stood there.
Silent.
Yet his presence alone was enough to make some people around him step back half a step.
Behind him— Mikazuki Yuu.
And Kirishima Ryuusei.
What are they doing here?
"It's quite crowded…" Yuu muttered softly, looking at the situation ahead.
His gaze immediately fell on Shirayuki and then to Akira.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Ryuusei clicked his tongue softly.
"Tch… pointless noise."
But his eyes were still observing.
Aizen did not speak immediately.
His gaze swept the situation.
Akira.
Those girls.
The staff.
Everyone.
Only within a few seconds.
Then—he stepped forward.
One step.
Two steps.
The crowd automatically made way.
Without anyone daring to stop him.
He stopped beside Shirayuki.
Close enough.
But did not look at her.
His gaze remained straight ahead.
"…What is this problem?"
His voice was low.
But enough to make the air feel heavier.
The brown-haired girl looked slightly nervous.
But still tried to remain calm.
"She stole something from this store. The alarm went off when she left."
Aizen did not answer immediately.
His gaze shifted to Akira.
Briefly.
Then to Shirayuki.
"…I see."
Silence.
Then—
he slightly turned toward one of the security officers.
"You."
The officer immediately straightened his posture.
"Y-Yes—"
"Contact the mall manager."
Silence.
A fraction of a second—but enough to make some people glance at each other.
"…Now."
His tone remained flat.
But it felt pressuring.
"Say—"
Aizen paused briefly.
His gaze lowered slightly.
"Tenshou Aizen is calling him."
Silence.
The officer was clearly shocked.
But immediately nodded quickly.
"Yes!"
He hurried off.
And instantly—the atmosphere changed.
Whispers began to spread among the crowd.
"The mall manager…?"
"Seriously?"
"Who is he…?"
"Tenshou…? That name…"
Some people began to realize something. Their expressions changed.
On the other side—the four girls began to look uneasy.
Their gazes exchanged. But none of them stepped back.
The brown-haired girl clicked her tongue softly.
"…Why go this far?"
Her tone still sounded bold.
But clearly—
not as calm as before.
"If she's really not guilty, isn't this excessive?"
She tried to maintain her stance. But her hands clenched slightly.
Ryuusei smirked slightly from behind.
"Looks like you're starting to panic."
Yuu just let out a small sigh.
Several minutes passed.
And then hurried footsteps were heard from a distance.
A well-dressed man appeared through the crowd, followed by two staff behind him. His breathing was slightly uneven—clearly he came in a hurry.
"Excuse me—pardon—"
He stopped the moment he saw who was standing in the middle of the crowd.
His gaze immediately changed.
More tense.
More careful.
"Tenshou-sama…"
He bowed slightly.
Deeply.
"I am the manager here. Is there something I can assist with?"
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
Some people who were previously just curious now fell completely silent.
Aizen did not waste time.
His gaze remained cold.
"Check the CCTV footage."
His tone was flat.
But left no room for refusal.
"Now."
The manager immediately nodded.
"Of course. Please follow me to the control room."
Aizen glanced briefly at Akira.
Then—
"Bring everyone."
Short.
Clear.
Undeniable.
***
Control room.
Narrower.
Colder.
The walls were filled with screens.
Displaying various angles of the mall.
The manager signaled to the staff.
"Play the footage from the accessory store area. A few minutes before the alarm went off."
"Yes."
The screen changed.
The recording began to play.
.
.
.
Akira was seen entering the store alone.
Calm.
She walked along the shelves and picked up several items. Putting them into a basket.
Nothing unusual.
The recording continued.
And they appeared.
The four girls. They approached and surrounded Akira.
One of them started talking.
Disturbing.
Distracting.
Akira seemed to try to ignore them.
But the situation became increasingly uncomfortable. Then that moment happened.
One of them—the short brown-haired girl—moved slightly behind Akira.
Her hand was quick.
Too quick if not observed carefully.
A small item was slipped into Akira's bag.
Silence.
Heavier than before
"..."
No one spoke
But everyone saw clearly.
Undeniable
The recording continued until the moment
Akira left.
The alarm sounded
And everything returned to what had happened earlier.
Shirayuki stared at the screen.
…Just as I thought.
Meanwhile—the four girls froze.
Their faces turned pale.
Truly pale.
"N-No… that—"
"W-We just—"
"It's not like that—!"
Their words collided.
Aizen's gaze fell back on them.
Cold.
Heavy.
And this time—there was no room to escape.
"Explanation."
One word.
But enough to make one of them nearly lose balance.
"…W-We were just joking…!"
A weak excuse.
And they themselves knew it.
Shirayuki looked without expression.
"…Joking?"
Her voice was soft
But sharp
"Accusing someone of stealing in public… is that what you call a joke?"
She fell silent for a moment
Her gaze shifted one by one to them
Calm
Yet that was exactly what felt pressuring
"Do you know the consequences of your actions?
Her tone remained flat
"With one accusation like that—" A brief pause
"…you can destroy someone's future."
Silence
A few seconds passed
Then
"And it seems…"
Her gaze narrowed slightly
"…this isn't the first time you've done this."
The atmosphere immediately changed
Colder
Heavier
Shirayuki tilted her head slightly
As if evaluating something unworthy
"…Truly."
Pause
Brief
Yet felt long
"…low."
The manager stepped forward.
"We will handle this according to procedure."
His tone was professional.
But firm.
"You four, please come with us."
There was no choice.
No negotiation.
On the other side—
Akira fell silent.
Her gaze was no longer completely flat.
Her eyes were fixed on Shirayuki.
As if trying to understand something.
Shirayuki simply stood still. Watching the situation slowly calm down.
Now what?
Just as she was about to think of a way to leave this awkward situation—
Akira suddenly bowed to the two of them.
"Thank you very much for helping me. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't there."
Oh…
"You're—"
Before Shirayuki could finish her words—
"Heh." Aizen scoffed.
His gaze lowered slightly, looking down at Akira.
"So you also know how to say thank you."
His tone was flat.
But clearly—sarcastic.
Akira did not react as expected.
She was not offended.
Nor angry.
Slowly, she straightened her body again.
Her gaze was straight.
Calm.
"I know how to distinguish what is necessary and what is not," she replied briefly.
There was no excess emotion.
But—sharp enough.
Ryuusei behind let out a soft snort.
"Wow… you've got guts."
Yuu let out a small sigh.
"…You two really can't talk normally, huh?"
Shirayuki fell silent
Her gaze briefly shifted toward them
…Close
More than she expected
It seemed the flow still continued
Aizen averted his gaze
No longer interested in prolonging the conversation
"If it's finished—don't cause trouble again."
That tone sounded like a warning
Short
But clear enough.
Shirayuki let out a soft sigh.
"…Then, I'll excuse myself."
Her voice was calm.
She then turned around and stepped forward lightly.
Steady.
But—
…I want to go home.
Her thoughts were far more honest.
Today had been exhausting enough.
And I don't want to linger with all of you.
Her steps slightly quickened.
Without realizing it.
Suddenly—a pull stopped her.
"…!"
Her wrist was held.
Warm.
Reflexively, she turned.
Akira.
"…W-Wait, Kujo-san."
Shirayuki paused slightly.
"…What is it?"
Akira took a short breath.
As if gathering courage.
Then—
"Let me treat you."
Pause.
"…to thank you for your help earlier."
Her hand was still holding Shirayuki's wrist.
Not tight.
But clearly not wanting to let go.
Shirayuki's expression changed slightly.
Confused
…What is this?
A change that was too sudden
Shirayuki looked at that hand for a moment
Then back to Akira's face
Her gaze was still the same.
Shirayuki had not yet answered—
"Why only her?"
That voice came from the side.
Aizen.
His gaze narrowed slightly.
Silence fell again.
"Wasn't I there too?"
Those red eyes shifted to Akira.
Cold.
Showing his displeasure. Akira did not seem disturbed. She returned the gaze calmly.
"I choose myself who I want to treat."
Her answer was short.
Without hesitation.
Aizen was silent for a moment.
His gaze did not change.
But slightly sharper.
"…I see."
Short.
Not arguing further.
Aizen shifted his gaze to Shirayuki.
"Then, I'll join."
Akira did not answer.
Did not refuse.
Yuu smiled faintly.
"Then I'll join too."
Ryuusei put his hands into his pockets.
"Fine. Might as well."
He glanced at Shirayuki.
"Don't let the one being treated run away first."
His tone remained blunt.
"Let's go, Kujo-san."
Akira gave a faint smile. A smile that was rarely seen. But this time—it was clearly directed at her.
Shirayuki let out a soft sigh.
"…Alright."
…If it's like this, isn't it the same as being forced to come along?
Without many words, she stepped forward.
Following them.