No misunderstandings—nothing happened between the last chapter and this one.
Samuel had serious business to attend to, but for now, he was escorting Eriri home. No rush on his tasks—how could he let a beautiful girl walk alone at night?
On the way…
"Hey, that was an esper ability, right? You're from Academy City too?"
"Oh? You too? Which school?"
Samuel had already noticed Eriri's faint AIM Diffusion Field—about Level 3, likely not combat-oriented, or she wouldn't have been so easily chased.
"Heh, I'm from Toyosaki Academy, inside the School Garden. Jealous? Wanna get in?"
The School Garden, located in District 7, was a shared campus for five elite girls' schools, including Tokiwadai Middle School. Jointly funded for enhanced security, it spanned fifteen times the size of a typical school, enclosed by barriers and accessible only by pass. Generally, only girls were allowed inside.
It was practically Academy City's kingdom of daughters, filled with Level 3 or higher beauties, even among teachers and staff.
"Hah, check this out."
Samuel opened his phone, displaying a School Garden pass QR code.
"Whoa! How do you have access? That place is girls-only… oh, I get it! Sorry, I thought you were… ah!"
Thwack.
Samuel landed a hand chop on Eriri's head.
"I'm a guy."
"What?! Unbelievable—a guy with a School Garden pass? Are you some principal's son? Or the Chairman of the Board of Directors's?"
Eriri grabbed Samuel's hand, inspecting the undeniably authentic pass.
Samuel, helplessly held, gave a slight "Versailles" reply: "Why assume I'm a second-gen? I'm first-gen, thank you."
"What?! First-gen? You mean…"
Eriri let go, dramatically stepping back, eyeing Samuel with a mix of scrutiny and pity, her gaze lingering below his waist.
Crosses popped on Samuel's forehead. Without calculating, he knew she was up to no good.
"Um…" Eriri asked cautiously, curiosity piqued, "I heard they like steel wool—is that true?"
More crosses exploded on Samuel's head. He grabbed her arm, pulling her along. "Come on, let's find that abandoned factory."
"Eek! No way, I'll scream! I'm calling for help!"
"Go ahead! Scream all you want—no one's coming."
"Help! Help…"
"Is your language teacher a gym coach?"
"I was just playing along with your joke!"
Samuel looked at Eriri's grinning face, his expression turning serious. "You think I'm joking?"
"Eep…"
Eriri's smile vanished, her blue eyes widening in panic.
"You're not gonna use your powers to threaten me, drag me to some empty place, smirk wickedly, and say, 'Tch, this one's a School Garden prodigy, an esper too,' then rape me, take photos, maybe record a video, and threaten me to keep quiet, saying, 'Today's our little secret. I know where you live, your school—if you talk, these go public.'"
Honestly, Samuel had no idea what went on in this girl's head, but she'd just handed him a brilliant scheme.
His computational instincts kicked in, structuring a perfect crime plan around her words.
Trouble was, with his vast abilities and influence, any crime Samuel committed would be flawless.
Shaking his head for the sake of world peace, he ditched the wild thoughts and teased, "What's in that head of yours? Paranoia or…?"
Samuel lifted Eriri's chin, leaning close.
"Uh-oh, too handsome, and this distance… could it be?"
Eriri's mind, for once, conjured her purest fantasy of the day.
"A kiss?"
She closed her eyes, awaiting a romance novel moment.
But… hot breath tickled her ear, making it twitch, followed by a voice.
"Feeling lonely? Want it like this?"
"Ugh!"
Blushing furiously, Eriri shoved him away, glaring. "That joke's too much!"
Her scolding, softened by her shy posture, came off as adorable.
"Sorry, sorry, my bad."
Samuel's apology dripped with insincerity.
Eriri didn't realize she'd dodged a bullet.
Hearing his apology, her anger faded, and she said with flushed cheeks, "Since you apologized, I'll forgive you."
"Thank you, Lady Eriri. Care to exchange contact info with this humble servant?"
"Fine… hmph, don't get the wrong idea. I just owe you for today. If you need anything, just say."
Her words were tsundere, but her actions were earnest, swiftly swapping contact details.
"Heh."
Samuel chuckled. The girl was undeniably likable.
Tsundere—slightly haughty, mostly charming, inexplicably cute.
"This your place?"
"Um… back in Academy City, where can I find you? Not that I care, just to repay you."
Outside a lavish villa, Eriri's head dipped, her face red, her voice barely a whisper.
"District 2, Judgment Headquarters. I'm Samuel. Just drop my name there—I work there."
"Got it."
Eriri nodded softly, glancing back every few steps as she headed inside.
Samuel stood by the road, smiling.
Just as she reached the door, he called out.
"Hey! Hope we meet again soon, Kashiwagi Eri-sensei!"
"Huh? I…"
Eriri's blue eyes shrank at the name, spinning to explain—
But Samuel was gone.
"Ugh…"
Her cheeks flushed crimson as she crouched, clutching her head.
No questions needed—she'd suffered a social death!
***
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