The winter chill had not yet faded, and the weather in the Far East island nation was still a bit cold.
But it was the weekend, and the mere cold couldn't stop people from coming out to have fun.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
The meticulously dressed girl, carrying an exquisite handbag, descended the stairs with graceful steps.
Brian, who looked much the same as usual, gave her a quick look and commented, "Mei, you look beautiful today."
The indoor air current stirred the girl's pleated skirt, revealing the thick black tights underneath. Raiden Mei wore a scarf around her neck, and a light-colored top outlined her slender figure.
The girl was tall and slender, her almond-shaped eyes lively yet reserved. After hearing a compliment from the opposite sex, her eyelashes fluttered, and a blush of shyness appeared.
"Thank you."
Her lowered gaze fell directly on her delicate little boots. Raiden Mei felt she could probably dig a three-bedroom, one-living-room basement under her mansion.
It was nothing but shyness.
Receiving a compliment from the opposite sex for the first time left her at a loss.
Brian knew that if he didn't make a move and just stood here with Raiden Mei, this shy young lady would probably turn around and go back to her room, shutting herself in for the entire weekend.
So he immediately said, "Let's go. We're going to buy something for Kiana."
"Mm."
The two walked side by side out of the house.
Behind the happily chatting pair, Kiana silently pressed down the brim of her beret, grinding her teeth as she stared at Brian's back.
That damned bastard! What 'buying things for her'? It was obviously you two damn lovebirds wanting to ditch her and have your own little world!
The snow-haired girl was fuming. In a moment of carelessness, the water bottle in her hand met an untimely end, its body emptied with a *pop*.
It was one thing for those two to go out together, but to use her as an excuse!
What was this?
Had she become a part of their 'play'?
Especially when Raiden Mei was getting ready…
"Kiana, just be a good girl and stay home today. He and I are going out to buy you some things."
They kept saying they were buying things for her, but they wouldn't even let the person in question go with them.
If it were just Raiden Mei, that would be fine. After all, she was her favorite personal cook.
No matter what she did, even if she abandoned her.
She would… she would… As long as Mei said the word, she would go back.
But this Brian who had bewitched Mei… she absolutely couldn't tolerate it!
Her insect brain online, Kiana followed the two, furtively watching them go through their planned activities one by one.
Strolling down the street, playing games, eating snacks…
Laughter and cheerful voices followed them, while Kiana, lagging behind, seemed to go completely unnoticed.
On the bustling street, Kiana, her heart growing heavier, glanced at the direction the two were heading and mechanically chose to follow.
Before she had taken more than a few steps…
"Kiana-san?"
A voice that was very familiar to her called out her name with a hint of confusion.
Kiana followed the voice and saw a familiar face.
"Asakura-san, are you here to shop too?"
The girl with long, black hair smiled, her chapped lips pale. "Yes. Mother is currently bedridden, so I'm the only one who can do these things."
As she spoke, Asakura Miyuki walked over to Kiana's side, a rare look of peace on her pale face.
Raiden Mei and Brian gradually disappeared from Kiana's sight, but this unexpected guest, Asakura Miyuki, forced Kiana to abandon her pursuit.
Her dear Mei had that bastard Blondie with her, but this classmate, Asakura Miyuki, whom she had just saved from some thugs a few days ago, really only had her.
"Need a hand?" A sunny smile masked the regret in Kiana's eyes.
Kiana flexed her biceps. "I'm really strong, you know. You can leave everything to me."
"Really? Then I'll have to trouble you, Kiana-san." Asakura Miyuki smiled, feeling a rare bit of warmth.
The two girls headed in the opposite direction, leaving the central part of the commercial district and entering a convenience store.
"Miyuki, here to shop for your mom again? How has she been lately?" the young woman at the register greeted Asakura Miyuki.
"Thank you for asking. My mom is doing much better than before."
Kiana surveyed the situation.
The decor of this convenience store was exceptionally simple, and there were few employees.
Based on her life experience before meeting Raiden Mei, convenience stores like this usually sold items and ingredients that were close to their expiration date.
There might be a chance to find a bargain, but the probability was low.
Besides being cheap and plentiful, the things here had no other merits. A month's worth of supplies here might not even compare to one of Raiden Mei's breakfasts.
The sorrows and joys of people are not the same.
Even though the Raiden family had fallen, they still had enough to ensure Raiden Mei was well-fed and clothed.
"Let's go in, Kiana." Asakura Miyuki came back to her senses. "I'll have to trouble you this time."
"It's no problem. We're friends, after all."
The two girls carried shopping baskets and shopped in the convenience store. Asakura Miyuki mostly chose goods that could be stored for a long time.
It was clear that her recent situation wasn't very good.
Although most students at Senba Academy were from wealthy and powerful families, not everyone had a privileged family background.
After all, it was a school, and it needed some students with high deviation scores to decorate its facade. Asakura Miyuki had entered this school for that reason.
Kiana chatted with Asakura Miyuki off and on, trying her best not to touch upon her sensitive and fragile heart.
After they finished shopping, Kiana walked Asakura Miyuki home and then left in a hurry.
At the entrance of the slightly worn-down single-family home, Asakura Miyuki watched Kiana leave and smiled with envy.
…
"Damn it, have they already gone back?"
Rushing back to the commercial street, Kiana, who had a habit of acting before thinking, finally realized the problem.
She had been with Asakura Miyuki the whole time. Raiden Mei and Brian were long gone.
Trying to find two people in this sea of people was like finding a needle in a haystack. She might as well go home and wait for them to return on their own.
But Kiana was a bit unwilling to go back just like that.
"Argh, this is so annoying!"
Just as she was vexed…
"Kiana, what are you doing squatting here?"
Two familiar figures appeared before Kiana. Raiden Mei's voice instantly smoothed away the annoyance on Kiana's face.
But!
Could you two not stand so close to each other!
Above Kiana's head, the neon light of a shop sign flickered with a verdant green.
Damn you, Blondie!