Tokyo: After years of stagnation, the heiress of the yakuza arrives.

Onodera Zanne leaned back in her chair, quietly reading the sentence. She neither denied it nor deliberately pushed Sawamura Ritsuki into a more panicked direction. She simply continued chatting within the safe zone that she had drawn herself.

Da da da……

After watching for a while, his slender fingers danced across the phone screen as he continued typing... and continued his attack!

Onodera Zanne: "Yes, she's a very important friend."

Ritsuki Sawamura: "It's not that important."

They're just ordinary friends.

Ritsuki Sawamura's fingers stopped again.

"Ordinary" doesn't seem right either.

Kuroba Shido is certainly not an ordinary friend. She wouldn't fly to Tokyo just because an ordinary friend said "I've been a bit busy lately," nor would she stay up all night hugging her blanket just because the other person is going out with her senior the next day. But to ask her to admit that she is "not ordinary" is like putting a certain answer that she has always been unwilling to touch on the table.

We're slightly closer than ordinary friends.

【I see.】

Onodera Zannen did not laugh at her.

We've known each other for many years, we're a little closer than ordinary friends, but I'm not someone I like.

That's not true at all!

Riyue Sawamura's reply speed was astonishing. Only after sending the message did she realize that she had seemingly walked into a sentence that the other party had summarized, and her ears turned red instantly.

Beside the coffee table, Yoshiko Sawamura was still discussing the new rules with Daikoku. Hearing a rustling sound from the blankets on the bed, she turned around and saw Ritsu Sawamura holding her phone, half of her face hidden behind the blankets, her ears clearly red.

"Little pink-haired girl, who are you chatting with?"

Ritsuki Sawamura quickly hid her phone in front of her chest: "It's none of your business."

"Could it be Shido?" Yoshiko Sawamura's eyes lit up instantly, abandoning Daikoku and trying to crawl to the bedside. "Let Mom see how far you two have progressed. Have you already started discussing whether to have dinner first or start dating after meeting tomorrow?"

"roll."

A pillow flew by.

Yoshiko Sawamura was hit squarely in the face and fell backward onto the carpet. Daikoku sat beside her, watching the human female who had just been in control of the food distribution suddenly enjoy herself. Daikoku silently picked up the remaining small piece of chicken and ran a little further away.

The temporary family power structure has been validated once again.

Ritsuki Sawamura looked at her phone again.

Onodera Zannen didn't urge him; he sent the next message after more than ten seconds.

Since they've been friends for a long time, has Liyue ever thought about meeting him?

【No.】

The response was quick this time too.

Onodera Zannen blinked slightly as she read the message.

Are you sure there isn't?

[...not before.]

What about now?

Ritsuki Sawamura bit her lower lip, her heart starting to race again as she thought about the meeting they had arranged for tomorrow afternoon.

She didn't want to tell so much to someone she'd only known for a day, but Onodera Zanne didn't press her. They just chatted about future plans like ordinary friends. Besides, Sawamura Yoshiko had already said everything she should and shouldn't have during the day, so there was no point in continuing to hide their meeting plans.

We might meet.

【possible?】

[It's already arranged.]

After sending the message, Ritsuki Sawamura felt that it was too proactive and quickly tried to backtrack.

[Mainly because that old lady insisted on seeing him, I just happened to go along.]

On the carpet, Yoshiko Sawamura, who had just struggled out from under the pillow, suddenly sneezed.

"Who's insulting me?"

Big Black lowered its head and ate the meat.

do not know.

It's reasonable that mice can't talk...

Onodera Zannen didn't expose this obvious excuse; instead, she earnestly followed up on Sawamura Ritsuki's words and asked.

[It's definitely safer to have an elder accompany you when meeting someone you met online for the first time.]

I don't need her protection.

Are you looking forward to it, Liyue?

I don't expect anything.

What if, after meeting him, he's completely different from what you imagined?

As Ritsuki Sawamura looked at this sentence, an image suddenly popped into her mind of a chubby little boy sitting in front of a computer, holding potato chips in his arms, and making a "hehehe" sound when he laughed.

This is her most consistent assessment of Kuroba Shido's appearance. After all, a real super handsome guy from Tokyo wouldn't refuse to turn on his camera for so many years, nor would he say every time he mentions a photo that the camera can't handle his beauty and that forcing a shot might cause the phone's chip to spontaneously combust.

Different is different.

What if it's ugly?

Ritsuki Sawamura frowned slightly.

This question is actually quite easy to answer.

I would laugh at him first.

【Then what?】

And yet we're still friends, what else could we be?

After sending the text, Ritsuki Sawamura paused for a moment and then added something.

I didn't know him because of his looks. If that guy is really ugly, I'll just let him go out less often in the future, so he doesn't affect the appearance of Tokyo.

Onodera Zanne looked at the screen, her gaze becoming a little calmer.

They don't care about appearances, and they don't have overly high expectations based on long-term imagination. The foundation of the relationship comes from companionship and time. The first goal after meeting is not to confirm a romantic relationship, but to maintain the existing connection.

This kind of opponent may not have strong burst power in a short period of time, but they have a troublesome stability. They don't need to be given a clear title, and they won't leave immediately because there is a gap between reality and imagination. As long as they can continue to stay by Shido's side, the identity of friend is enough to be a long-term entry point.

Ritsuki Sawamura didn't realize that by simply replying "What if I'm ugly?", the other side of the chat window had already reassessed her relationship tolerance, appearance weight, and minimum goals.

She was still lost in the anticipation of meeting him tomorrow.

If Shido Kuroba is really fat, what should be her first words?

Long time no see, you're even more three-dimensional than I imagined?

No, that's too hurtful.

We finally meet, you fat otaku?

It seems like a normal conversation, but saying it to his face might make that guy angry and turn around and leave.

Or she could just say nothing and let Shido Kuroba speak first. As long as the voice matches, appearance doesn't matter at all, since she was already prepared for the netizens' actual appearance not to match their expectations.

Another message came from Onodera Zannen.

It sounds like you cherish this friend.

[We've known each other for so long, it would be troublesome to suddenly lose contact.]

Do you want to stay friends in the future?

Who knows what will happen in the future?

After replying, Ritsuki Sawamura lightly rubbed her fingertips along the edge of the screen. Then she thought that after tomorrow, they would no longer just be talking online. She would actually see where Shido Kuroba lived, know where he went to class every day, and who he would meet. She would also let that guy know that everything she had said before about the manor, the Sawamura family, the blonde hair and blue eyes, and the super beautiful girl was all real.

Moreover, it's not just about meeting once.

She has already prepared all the materials required for enrollment.

The Sawamura family has basically completed the formalities at Kamikawa University. All that's left is for her to go there tomorrow morning to confirm a few things. As long as there are no unforeseen circumstances, she will soon be able to officially enter the university as an exchange student.

The person doesn't know yet.

That guy always took her saying "may go to school in Tokyo" as bragging, and even replied that he suggested she learn how to snag half-price rice balls at convenience stores in Japan first, so she wouldn't starve on her first day of school because she wasn't familiar with the local survival rules.

Tomorrow she will stand in front of Shido Kuroba.

Ideally, you should call out his name in the most natural tone when he's completely unprepared, watch him go from confusion and hesitation to shock upon recognizing your voice, and then place the prepared admission documents in front of him.

As he imagined this, Ritsuki Sawamura's lips involuntarily curled upwards slightly.

We'll talk about it later, but we'll probably be seeing each other quite often from now on.

Onodera paused slightly at the tip of his finger.

Do you see each other often?

Yes, I will go to Kamikawa University tomorrow morning to complete the enrollment procedures.

This time, Ritsuki Sawamura didn't keep it a secret any longer. Once the topic was brought up, her smugness at wanting to surprise Shido Kuroba also surfaced.

He doesn't know I'll be going to school there yet; I plan to tell him after the paperwork is done.

[When I suddenly appear in front of him, that guy's expression will definitely be interesting.]

In the study of the upscale apartment, the air became quiet.

Onodera Zanne looked at the three messages on the screen, the faint smile on her face did not disappear, but she slowly sat up straight, her gaze lingering on the words "handling enrollment procedures" for a long time.

This exceeded expectations.

She originally thought that Ritsuki Sawamura had just come to Tokyo from overseas to meet an online friend she had known for many years. She thought that after meeting, Ritsuki would stay for a few days or a while, and at most until Yoshiko Sawamura had had enough fun in Tokyo. She believed that there was a clear time limit for their contact.

Now, the time limit has disappeared.

Kamikawa University is not a zoo you can visit occasionally, nor is it a restaurant where you part ways after eating. As long as the enrollment procedures are completed, Ritsuki Sawamura can openly appear on campus and meet him in teaching buildings, cafeterias, corridors after club activities, or even at any time when Shido Kuroba has not prepared in advance.

The low-risk objective has not become stronger.

But she moved directly from the edge of the board to near the center.

Onodera Zannen frowned slightly, already mentally simulating what would happen after Sawamura Ritsu entered Kamikawa University.

First up is Aoko Jingu.

When Ritsu Sawamura saw Aoko Jingu stop Shido Kuroba in the corridor, her first reaction was probably not to directly explain their relationship. Instead, she would stand aside and observe with a cold face until Shido Kuroba took the initiative to introduce them. Then, she would use a tone that was obviously concerned but deliberately understated to indicate that they were just ordinary friends who had known each other for many years.

How will Aoko Jingu handle this?

That young lady of the Jingu family didn't even need to decipher the hidden meaning.

"Just friends?"

"Of course, I don't care who that guy is with."

"oh."

Then, in front of Riki Sawamura, Aoko Jingu would grab Shido Kuroba by the collar and take him away, or even more simply, she would reach out and hold his arm, without leaving any further explanation.

Riyue Sawamura stood still, waiting for Shido Kuroba to discern the true meaning of "You dare to try leaving" from "I don't care".

Shido Kuroba recognized it.

But after glancing at Jingu Aoko and then at Sawamura Ritsu, and after a brief but accurate assessment of Tokyo's danger level, he decisively chose to leave with the one who was more dangerous. Before leaving, he might give the pink-haired girl a look that said, "Brother, it's not that I'm disloyal, it's just that this vicious woman has a stick in her hand."

The first encounter.

Ritsuki Sawamura was defeated.

Next up is Kiyoshi Miyazaki.

If Ritsu Sawamura finds Shido Kuroba during club activities, Kiyoshi Miyazaki only needs to calmly ask, "What's your relationship with my club member?" The pink-haired girl who was just being aggressive will immediately straighten her back and coldly reply, "He's just an online friend. He can stay here if he wants. I didn't ask him to come with me."

Unlike male protagonists in typical romance works, Miyazaki Kiyoshi doesn't automatically translate tsundere lines into antonyms.

She could only nod.

"clear."

Then close the door.

Club activities continued as usual. As a legitimate member under Miyazaki Kiyoshi's name, Kuroba Shido continued to fill out questionnaires, test equipment, and accept club arrangements. Sawamura Ritsu stood outside the door, watching through the glass as the guy looked up from his desk, trying to send a distress signal with his eyes.

Pink Hair received the signal.

The pink-haired girl snorted coldly.

The pink-haired girl turned and left.

She hoped that Shido Kuroba would come after her.

Shido Kuroba also wanted to pursue her.

The problem is that all Miyazaki Kiyoshi has to do is put the next club assignment on the table and calmly remind you that "leaving midway is considered unexcused absence," and a poor, weak male university student from Tokyo who still wants to graduate safely will sit back down. At most, he might secretly take out his phone and send a message like, "Pink-haired girl, you go find somewhere to eat first, I'll come over after get off work."

The second encounter.

Ritsuki Sawamura was defeated.

Finally, Aoko Jingu and Kiyoshi Miyazaki appeared together.

One is standing on the left.

One is standing on the right.

Ritsu Sawamura stood in the middle with her arms crossed, facing two high-level enemies who had already made their struggle public and could even discuss the personal freedom of Shido Kuroba through video. She still insisted on using the most classic tsundere tactic from the first version of the dating game many years ago.

"Who likes him?"

Aoko Jingu: "Mm."

Kiyoshi Miyazaki: "There's no evidence that you like it."

"I only see him as a friend!"

Aoko Jingu: "Understood."

Kiyoshi Miyazaki: "The relationship classification has been confirmed."

"He can be with whoever he wants; it's none of my business!"

Jingu Aoko reached out and pulled Kuroba Shido over.

Miyazaki Kiyoshi opened the club attendance sheet and asked Kuroba Shido to end his private conversation and return to the team immediately.

Ritsuki Sawamura: "???"

No one tried to stop them.

No one has interpreted it.

No one's romantic aura suddenly descended, allowing Shido Kuroba to break through the blockade of two high-risk individuals in Tokyo, chase after her, hug her, and say, "I know you were being sarcastic just now."

A few minutes later, a pinkish-white creature with its color gone appeared on the side of the campus road. It was squatting under a tree with its knees drawn up to its chest, leaves falling one after another on its head. It kept repeating, "I didn't ask him to come find me." Passing students walked around it by three meters, wondering why a foreign, defeated, earthbound spirit had suddenly appeared on campus.

Onodera's remnant sound quietly concluded its deduction.

The conclusion remains unchanged.

Riyue Sawamura is indeed very weak.

It's not that she lacks ability or family background, but rather that in the special environment of the Shura Field, where accurate expression, proactively seizing positions, and grasping the window of opportunity are required, she is still using an old version of the system that hasn't been updated for many years. The arrogant module occupies 80% of the running memory, and the remaining 20% ​​is dedicated to being overly sensitive, denying, and waiting for others to guess.

If you put them in the shoes of Aoko Jingu and Kiyoshi Miyazaki, it would be like they stumbled into a high-difficulty dungeon before even finishing the tutorial.

Arrogance can ruin a life.

The fact that this statement has been passed down is indeed supported by statistics.

However, Onodera Zannen did not relax because of this somewhat amusing deduction. The fact that Sawamura Ritsuki was killed by Jingu Aoko and Miyazaki Kiyoshi did not mean that she would never update, nor did it mean that Kuroba Shido would be as wary of her as he was of others.

Friends who have known each other for many years naturally share a bond of trust.

She needs to take the initiative sooner.

Onodera Zanne looked at her phone again, the slight furrow between her brows smoothing out, her reply still gentle and natural, as if she had just been happy for a new friend who was about to start school life.

Congratulations! Liyue's plan is sure to succeed.

He would probably be very surprised to suddenly appear in front of a friend he's known for many years.

Upon seeing this, Ritsuki Sawamura couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth curve upwards slightly.

Not necessarily, they might be scared.

Surprise always begins with astonishment.

If you encounter any problems during the registration process tomorrow, please contact me. The student union will also assist new students and exchange program students with the onboarding process.

Ritsuki Sawamura was taken aback.

Are you a member of the student council?

Yes, I'm currently the student council president.

Ritsuki Sawamura: "???"