Asia stayed at home, while Bai Li-kun and Sakurajima Mai attended class as usual.
As for after school.
Bai Li-kun planned to accept Rias's invitation and go to the meeting place to talk to her;
Sakurajima Mai was responsible for taking Asia shopping to buy everyday clothes and so on.
During this time, the only interesting thing for Bai Li-kun was probably Chihaya Anon's bento.
For example, at noon—
"Ijichi Hoshika is great. After we passed the test, she immediately arranged the next performance and even gave us free drink coupons."
The familiar rooftop, the familiar good weather.
Chihaya Anon opened her bento while reporting yesterday's results to Bai Li-kun.
Mygo is a fledgling girl band, so they need more experience and practice venues.
Now that Ijichi Hoshika has provided a stage, it can save a lot of trouble.
"Here, Bai Li-kun senpai, your bento."
"Why is it exactly the same as yesterday?"
"Uh... I only know how to make this, but the ingredients are a bit different this time! The egg roll has discounted shrimp paste that I bought before going home yesterday!"
Chihaya Anon even calculated that it cost a total of five hundred yen.
Picking up an egg roll with shrimp paste with chopsticks, Bai Li-kun took a bite.
Perhaps because it was discounted, the texture of the shrimp paste was not delicious... "Is it not good?"
"Average."
"Then how about Bai Li-kun senpai specifies lunch next time?"
"Tuna sushi."
"That's too expensive!"
Bai Li-kun, who had made a joke, ate the second egg roll and then stared at the bento on his lap.
"Didn't you plan to use this to pay off your debt? Why are you still spending money?"
"If the taste improves, shouldn't the price go up accordingly? Hehe, Bai Li-kun senpai, how much do you think this is worth?"
"One thousand yen."
"So cheap! Was buying shrimp paste my mistake..."
Chihaya Anon suddenly became conflicted.
After eating her own takoyaki in one bite, she suddenly thought of something.
"Um... Bai Li-kun senpai, is there any other way to pay off the debt?"
"Other ways?"
Bai Li-kun sized up Chihaya Anon.
The latter quickly said,
"It can't be anything inappropriate for minors!"
"I haven't said anything yet."
"Then what was Bai Li-kun senpai thinking just now?"
"Paying back money is too inefficient, but I might go to Ms. Ijichi's place in the future. If you have performances, just send a few tickets to offset the debt."
It's also good to take Mai and Asia to listen to music when there's time.
Tense nerves still need to be relaxed.
Hearing this, Chihaya Anon bit her chopsticks and mumbled,
"Actually, everyone has been thinking about what song to play recently, and haruhi shadow has been mentioned."
"Oh? Is it coming?"
"What?"
Chihaya Anon tilted her head, indicating confusion.
Bai Li-kun didn't explain, just perfunctorily said, "As long as you're happy."
After finishing lunch, Chihaya Anon brought out the tea she had already prepared.
"Bai Li-kun senpai, is this a bonus?"
"One hundred yen."
"The tea sent from home is also free... I made a profit!"
Chihaya Anon is a complete optimist; that much is certain now.
— — — —
— — — —
The afternoon classes quickly ended.
Kirisu Mafuyu left a message saying she was going to a meeting with Teacher Hiratsuka and the others, reminding them to finish their homework, and then walked out of the classroom.
Students with club activities walked towards their club rooms;
Students from the after-school club discussed where to go next to play.
Bai Li-kun, who arrived in the corridor empty-handed, quickly passed through the noisy crowd, intending to proceed as planned.
To meet Rias and see what she wanted to talk about.
On the way, he received a message from Sakurajima Mai.
[Sakurajima Mai: My class is also over. I'll take Asia shopping after I get back. Do you want anything?]
[Bai Li-kun: Not at the moment. You two be careful.]
[Sakurajima Mai: If I encounter an enemy, I can just try out my skills.]
It seemed the bunny girl senpai was a bit overconfident.
[Bai Li-kun: Never mind that. Asia doesn't have a phone, buy her one. Money is not an issue.]
[Sakurajima Mai: Okay, I'll take a look.]
After chatting, Bai Li-kun took out the photo he had been keeping in his pocket.
This was a photo from the invitation Toujou Koneko had sent.
Originally, Rias's figure was in it, but now it was blurred and invisible.
Had it been specially processed before?
Bai Li-kun, curious, didn't pay attention to this; as long as the address given on it hadn't changed, it had no impact.
"In the suburbs…"
The location Rias provided was relatively remote.
It was roughly situated between the town Bai Li-kun was in and Kuoh Town.
The area was a development zone, with dedicated buses and a subway that had just opened not long ago.
Ultimately, he chose a taxi as his mode of transport.
It was also the most expensive.
"I wonder if I can use the Astral Express as a means of travel."
[Not at least for now, Host.]
"Don't read my mind."
[This system will shut up immediately.]
After a short interlude, Bai Li-kun prepared to hail a taxi.
However, when he reached the station, he found a luxurious car parked in front of him.
Passersby all cast their gazes.
After all, luxury cars were not common in this city.
The rear window rolled down, and a red-haired girl inside smiled at Bai Li-kun.
"You should have received that letter, right?"
"…"
It seemed Rias couldn't hold back and had driven her private car directly to the vicinity of Bai Li-kun's school.
Hearing her words, Bai Li-kun replied with certainty:
"Of course, Miss is even more beautiful than in the photo."
"Please get in, I believe you also have the intention of speaking with us."
"Precisely."
Bai Li-kun walked to the rear car door.
The driver had already gotten out to open the door, acting with utmost respect and treating Bai Li-kun as his young lady's distinguished guest.
After Bai Li-kun entered the car, he saw two girls sitting opposite Rias, who had not spoken until now.
Himejima Akeno and Toujou Koneko.
Bai Li-kun recognized them immediately.
"We meet again."
Toujou Koneko spoke, her tone somewhat cold.
"I hope we haven't disturbed you, sir."
Himejima Akeno, on the side, joined the conversation with a gentle expression.
"It's fine, I, like you all, also want to talk."
Hearing him say this, Rias looked satisfied.
"Before coming, I booked a restaurant; let's discuss it there."
Today, Rias had prepared a hefty sum.
Determined to succeed, she had only one goal—to win over the young man before her.