Chapter 379 – In a sense, Sato Shinichi and Shinomiyai are quite a match.
“Kiyomizu-imouto?”
Kazumi’s appearance clearly surprised Kurokawa Iori. Before he could even reply, a voice with a hint of surprise came from behind him. Following the door curtain that the young man had pushed aside, a petite, glasses-wearing, long-haired young girl emerged, being led by the hand.
“Saotome-senpai, what are you guys…”
The girl before her was someone Kazumi knew – Saotome Saori, a senior who also worked in the Student Council. But Kazumi couldn’t fathom how her boss would be the type to date a civilian.
Her focus was entirely on their tightly clasped hands. Kazumi could barely control her expression as she asked with considerable shock.
“We’re going on a date.”
Her face flushed with the embarrassment of being discovered by an acquaintance, Saotome Saori was surprisingly bold. She raised her right hand, which was clasped by Kurokawa Iori, and said to Kazumi before her as if showing off.
“Uh…”
Shifting her gaze to Kurokawa Iori, who had a faint smile on his face, Kazumi finally reacted. Knowing her boss, she knew he wouldn’t just be dating a regular person; it was likely related to some organizational mission.
Forcing a smile, Kazumi nodded to her seniors and decided not to disturb them at this moment.
“Kiyomizu-san is also on a date, aren’t you? Is this your boyfriend?”
However, it seemed the unlucky senior wasn’t inclined to let Kazumi go easily. Looking at the blond young man held behind Kazumi, she asked with a gossipy smile.
“Hello, senpai, senpai. I’m Kazumi’s boyfriend and her classmate. You can call me Sato Shinichi.”
Before Kazumi could even reply, Sato Shinichi stepped forward, stood up straight, bowed respectfully, and declared loudly.
“Hahaha, what a cute kouhai.”
Sato Shinichi’s earnest demeanor naturally made Saotome Saori burst into laughter. Meanwhile, Kurokawa Iori withdrew his hand, patted the girl on her head a few times, then took two steps forward, extended his left hand, and introduced himself.
“Kurokawa Iori.”
“It’s an honor. Kazumi has mentioned you often.”
Seeing Kurokawa Iori’s friendly attitude, Sato Shinichi quickly shook his hand and replied.
“You’re quite famous at school too, senpai. I see your name often. Kazumi has been under your care in the Student Council.”
“Not at all, Kiyomizu is an excellent person. She’s always been the one helping me with things.”
Kurokawa Iori maintained his warm and gentle demeanor, nodding faintly. He then turned to Kazumi and began chatting with Sato Shinichi.
“…”
Watching the two gradually engage in conversation, Kazumi’s expression gradually turned grim.
As a member of the organization, the young girl knew all too well what kind of monster lay hidden beneath that warm and gentle facade. More importantly, she knew the other party’s purpose.
“Warning? Or a threat to me?”
Kazumi lowered her head, her mind frantically trying to ascertain the reason for his appearance here. Perhaps their meeting was a coincidence, but his主动 engagement with Sato Shinichi was definitely a warning to her.
The young boy was undoubtedly the most important person to her that the organization could find information on. And this friendly exchange now was as if he were telling Kazumi, “The organization has the capability to kill the people you care about at any time.”
Even though Sato Shinichi came from a hero’s family and had been training with the goal of becoming a hero, he was no match for the behemoth that was [Shadow]. Perhaps Kazumi could disregard any harm to herself, but Sato Shinichi was precisely the person who had touched upon the girl’s vulnerability.
“Could it be because I was injured before?”
After careful consideration, Kazumi quickly identified the core of the issue. Although she had undertaken a major operation for Masashi Sakuraba, she was still considered an external operative.
As Kurokawa Iori’s subordinate, she hadn’t even fulfilled her basic duties before getting injured and resting for so long. As her leader, he was bound to be displeased, and this was a warning to her now.
“Mhm, alright, senpai, senpai, let’s have dinner together sometime!”
As Kazumi finished her thoughts, the pleasantries between the others had also concluded. Sato Shinichi said to the two with a smile, appearing happy to have made new friends.
“Yes, see you next time. Kiyomizu-imouto, you enjoy your date. We won’t disturb you further.”
Sato Shinichi’s innocent and endearing personality was indeed quite popular with girls. Saotome Saori, linking arms with Kurokawa Iori, waved goodbye to the two.
“Mhm, senpai, senpai, you guys have fun too.”
Hearing Sato Shinichi’s farewell, Kazumi could only force a smile and wave towards the direction they were leaving.
After taking two steps with Sato Shinichi, the girl inexplicably turned her head, only to meet the cold and frenzied gaze of the tall young man, his eyes glinting under the light of his glasses as he looked her way.
…
“Kazumi, Kazumi, what’s wrong?”
In a Chinese restaurant within the mall, the blond young man looked at his girlfriend, who seemed lost in thought across from him, and couldn’t help but ask.
“Ah, it’s nothing. Just thinking about some things.”
Her boyfriend’s call pulled Kazumi out of her thoughts. Looking at the “foolish deer” sitting in front of her, wearing a bib, Kazumi smiled in exasperation and explained.
“Is it about Student Council work? I noticed you’ve been a bit distracted since you met Kurokawa-senpai.”
Picking up the teapot beside him, he refilled his own cup and then topped up Kazumi’s cup, Shinichi asked casually.
“Something like that… I had some unfinished business before, something quite important.”
Kazumi nodded, picked up her teacup, and took a sip in response.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s vacation now. You can focus on it after it’s over. You’ve studied for so long, you deserve a good rest. Thinking about it now won’t change anything.”
Sato Shinichi understood his girlfriend’s personality. Whether it was studying or work, Kazumi would always complete it with great diligence, but he felt she was working too hard.
“What you said is true.”
Listening to Sato Shinichi’s comfort, Kazumi nodded and rubbed her forehead. It was indeed as he said; thinking about it now was useless. She could only hope to perform better in her next mission, at least to show Kurokawa Iori the importance of her capabilities, so she wouldn’t be placed on the list of those who could be killed at will.
“Mhm, mhm, let’s eat!”
Seeing his girlfriend no longer troubled by his words, Sato Shinichi felt a bit happier. Just then, the dishes arrived. The young man pushed the meat dishes towards Kazumi and said.
“Okay.”
Glancing at the “dog” opposite her, Kazumi contentedly accepted his small gesture of care. She picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks, intending to try the taste of Chinese food in this other world.
However, before Kazumi could even taste the real flavor of the beef, a regretful sigh drifted from across the table.
“It’s just a shame we couldn’t have dinner with Saotome-senpai and Kurokawa-senpai. They seem like very approachable people!”
