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

The two walked slowly along the pedestrian path outside the hotel.

The night was already deep, and the streetlights cast shadows between the stone slabs and green plants. As vehicles passed by, they stirred up a light breeze. The group of people kept a safe distance, neither getting too close nor completely out of sight.

Ritsuki Sawamura subconsciously glanced back.

"Aren't they coming with us?"

"We will keep our distance."

Onodera Zannen said casually, "If we get too close, it will be inconvenient to chat."

Ritsuki Sawamura nodded gently.

indeed.

It's not unusual for people from large families to have drivers and entourages, and the Sawamura family would do the same. However, the people around Onodera Zannen were noticeably quieter. From their appearance and preparation of the rat cage to their retreat, no one said a word.

Their execution ability is frighteningly strong.

Onodera Zanne, seemingly unaware of her observation, began to explain the internal situation of Kamikawa University: "After arriving at the school tomorrow, go to the administration building to confirm your file and identity information. You may need a temporary pass at the entrance. The person in charge of reception will be waiting for you at the door in advance. You don't need to queue with the regular students."

"And then?"

"After confirming the information, you need to complete the student ID photo and registration in the school system. The course schedule will be explained by the relevant department. If there are no last-minute changes to the materials, the whole process will not take too long."

"That was mentioned in the email."

Ritsuki Sawamura thought for a moment: "But it didn't say how to get around the school."

"The administration building is not far from the main entrance. After entering, walk along the main road, pass the clock tower and the library, and turn right at the first intersection. Some areas of the school are currently under maintenance, so the route on the map may not be completely accurate."

Onodera Zannen took out her phone and sent a campus map to Sawamura Rigetsu, which already marked the main gate, administration building, library, cafeteria, infirmary, and student council office.

The markings are clear.

There are even several roads that are temporarily impassable.

Riyue Sawamura clicked on the picture and looked at it for a while: "Did you make this in advance, Senpai?"

"The student council has readily available information; I just hid the areas that aren't currently in use."

Onodera Zannen didn't describe this as special treatment, and her tone remained calm: "If you encounter any problems tomorrow, you can just send me a message. I'll be at school."

"Doesn't the senior have her own things to do?"

"The student council president is supposed to handle these things."

reasonable.

natural.

It leaves people with no reason to refuse.

Ritsuki Sawamura accepted the picture, and the slight unfamiliarity she felt about tomorrow's enrollment process gradually disappeared. She even began to seriously study the shortest route from the administration building to the teaching area.

Onodera Zannen looked in the direction her finger was moving: "After you finish the formalities, are you planning to familiarize yourself with the school first?"

"Um."

"Are you preparing to meet the friend you arranged to meet this afternoon?"

Riyue Sawamura paused for a moment as she swiped the screen.

Onodera Zannen spoke very naturally.

During our chat today, she already told the other person that she was planning to meet them online tomorrow, so asking about it now, following the school's arrangements, won't seem abrupt.

"Yes, we have them all."

Ritsuki Sawamura put away her phone, deliberately keeping her tone calm: "Anyway, it's still early. Let's take a walk around the school first, and then go find him."

"Does he know you're going to Kamikawa University tomorrow?" Onodera Zanne asked, as if she had just thought of something.

"have no idea."

At this point, Ritsuki Sawamura's lips twitched slightly, but she quickly suppressed it: "We only arranged to meet in the afternoon, and he doesn't know I'll be going to school first."

"So, Liyue is planning to find him ahead of time?" Onodera Tsuneo blinked.

"Just stopping by on the way." Sawamura Ritsu coughed twice, putting on a serious expression.

"On the way?"

Onodera Zannen's eyes held a faint smile: "The administration building, the teaching area, and the agreed meeting place seem to be in different directions."

Ritsuki Sawamura: "..."

Why did you notice something like this, senior?

"I can take a detour."

"I see."

Onodera Zannen didn't expose him, but simply nodded slightly: "Then it is indeed on the way."

Riki Sawamura's ears felt slightly warm.

Even though the other party hadn't said anything, she felt that her plan had been seen through, especially that serious "it was indeed on the way," which sounded like it was part of her stubbornness.

"I just wanted to see what that guy was like at school."

Ritsuki Sawamura explained, "After knowing him for so many years, he never posts normal photos. When asked, he always says he's the most handsome boy in Tokyo and that he can cause traffic jams if he goes out casually. Of course, I had to confirm beforehand to avoid mistaking him for someone else this afternoon."

Tokyo's most handsome boy...

Yes, those are indeed things he could say.

Onodera Zanne blinked, as if she had thought of something, and asked.

"Liyue has never seen what he looks like?"

"No." Ritsuki Sawamura shook her head.

"Where's the sound?"

"Of course I've heard your voice. We use voice chat regularly and play games together."

As Sawamura Ritsuki spoke, her tone gradually became more natural: "That guy's voice is alright, but he's too cheeky. Sometimes he'll only say a few words normally, and then suddenly start singing some kind of hero's song, or say that he's about to transform and save the world."

Onodera Zanne's lips curved slightly: "That sounds interesting."

"What's interesting about it?"

Riyue Sawamura immediately retorted: "He used to send me voice messages in the middle of the night, saying he had something very important to say, which made me put on my headphones and listen carefully. But then he suddenly started reciting the Emperor Armor transformation lines, and his voice was so loud that I almost threw my phone away."

"Liyue remembers it very clearly."

"Because it's too noisy."

"Um."

"It's just too noisy."

"I believe in Liyue."

Onodera Zannen agreed so quickly that Sawamura Rigetsu fell silent.

This feeling is completely different from that of Yoshiko Sawamura.

When Yoshiko Sawamura says she believes him, her face usually screams "the loser is still being stubborn," and she'll say something even more infuriating the next second. However, Zanne Onodera doesn't actively stir things up; she just listens quietly and occasionally asks a question along the lines of the topic, making people unconsciously reveal more.

Ritsuki Sawamura looked down at the road ahead.

"He's just a really troublesome guy."

"If it's so troublesome, why even bother meeting?"

"We've known each other for so many years, it's normal to see each other once."

"Is it just because we've known each other for a long time?"

Ritsuki Sawamura slowed her pace slightly.

"Not entirely."

Onodera Zannen didn't press for details, quietly waiting for what would happen next.

A night breeze blew between the two, causing the pink and black hair to sway gently. Sawamura Ritsuki remained silent for a moment before continuing to speak, seemingly unconcerned.

"There was a period when I wasn't in a good state and I didn't have anyone around me to talk to. Although that guy was a bit of a jerk, he was always there whenever I needed him."

"Basic?"

"It disappears occasionally."

Ritsuki Sawamura remembered something, and her face darkened: "Especially lately, he's been replying to messages slower and slower. When we ask him what he's doing, he's either running for his life or on his way to run for his life. It sounds like he's being chased every day."

Strictly speaking...

This is not an illusion.

In Tokyo, there are indeed people who want to capture Shido Kuroba every day, but what each person plans to do after capturing him is different.

Will Liyue be worried?

"Who's worried about him?"

Ritsuki Sawamura's reply suddenly sped up: "That guy is incredibly resilient. He's been like this since he was a kid. Every time he disappears for a while, he suddenly reappears, acting like nothing happened. I just think his behavior is very irresponsible."

Onodera Zannen nodded gently: "So, when we see him tomorrow, we need to make sure he's alright."

"Just something I did."

"Yeah, by the way."

"Senior..."

Ritsuki Sawamura couldn't help but turn her head: "Are you laughing at me?"

"no."

Onodera Zanne's smile was as gentle as ever, without any hint of mockery: "I just feel that Liyue values ​​this friend very much."

"It wasn't taken very seriously."

"I've known him for many years, and I remember the things he used to do. I would worry if he didn't reply to my messages, and I'm even planning to go to the school tomorrow to check on him..."

"stop."

Ritsuki Sawamura's face began to flush.

I can't summarize anymore.

These things seem normal when mentioned individually, but when put together, they don't sound right at all. For example, she flew from abroad to Tokyo specifically to meet an online friend, went to the friend's school, planned the route in advance, and even prepared to launch a surprise attack.

Okay... although the facts are pretty much the same.

But that's not how you say it.

"I didn't go to Kamikawa University for him," Ritsuki Sawamura "corrected" once again.

"I know," Onodera Zanne nodded.

"It's just that the Sawamura family has arrangements in Tokyo, and the school is also suitable."

"Um."

"Meeting was just a coincidence."

"I see."

Onodera Zannen agreed to every word, but Sawamura Ritsuki felt that her explanations were becoming less and less convincing, and finally had to give up and look at the shadows of the trees by the roadside.

There was silence for a few seconds.

Onodera Zannen proactively changed the subject: "What are you planning to say to him when you see him in Liyue tomorrow?"

"I've already thought it through."

"Can you tell me?"

Ritsuki Sawamura's lips curled up slightly involuntarily, but she quickly regained her coldness: "Call him from behind first. Once that guy turns around, I'll ask, 'You're that damn lolicon?'"

Why is it called that?

"That's what that old lady said when she went crazy."

Ritsuki Sawamura's expression was subtle: "Besides, Shido Kuroba always treats me like a child. He used to say that elementary school students should go to bed early, even though I'm only a little younger than him."

"He cares about Liyue's schedule."

"That guy just has a sharp tongue."

"What if he doesn't recognize you?"

"How is that possible?"

Without even thinking, Ritsuki Sawamura said, "My voice won't change. We've known each other for so many years. If he can't even recognize my voice, then he's lost his mind."

"What if they recognize you and run away?"

Riki Sawamura paused in her steps.

this problem……

Probably.

wrong.

It's not very likely.

It definitely will.

She could even picture the scene: Kuroba Shido turning his head to see her clearly, his eyes widening, his face showing a look of utter horror, "Damn, it's you!" before turning and running away without giving her a chance to explain.

"If he dares to run, I'll chase after him."

"And then what?"

"Give them a beating first."

Onodera Zanneo blinked softly.

Ritsuki Sawamura added, "I won't really hit him, at most I'll give him a couple of punches, it's his own fault for always running away."

"and then?"

"Find out exactly what he's been doing all this time, why he hasn't been replying to messages, and why he refuses to meet."

"Is that all?"

Ritsuki Sawamura remained silent.

Of course, that's not all.

She also wanted to find out how Kuroba Shido was doing in real life, where he lived, whether he was eating properly, why he always sounded like a stray dog ​​that hadn't eaten for three days whenever he heard the word "money," why his bank card would trigger risk control because of a single overseas transfer, and why a senior student had suddenly appeared by his side inviting him to the zoo...

However, it sounds very strange to say these things.

It's like checking someone's household registration.

She seems more like a suspicious woman whose relationship isn't even official yet, but whose possessiveness has already arrived in Tokyo... She's not that kind of person at all!

"Ask these first, we'll talk about the rest later." Ritsuki Sawamura waved her hand casually.

"after?"

Onodera Zannen captured that word perfectly.

Ritsuki Sawamura's ears turned even redder: "We've known each other for so many years, it's impossible to completely lose contact after just one meeting, right?"

"really."

Onodera Zannen's voice was gentle: "If the meeting goes well, you can meet at school often in the future."

Ritsuki Sawamura's lips curled up again.

This time the compression was a little slower.

"Who wants to see him often? We're just in the same school, so there's nothing we can do if we bump into each other occasionally." Sawamura Ritsu snorted and crossed her arms.

"The school is very big, and it's not easy to bump into people from different grades or activity areas." Seeing this, Onodera Zanne added.

"Then..."

Ritsuki Sawamura stopped halfway through her sentence.

Wait... I almost fell for it!

The senior student looks so gentle, but why are her questions getting more and more dangerous?

"Then I won't see her." Ritsuki Sawamura said with a serious expression.

"Is Liyue willing to give it up?" Onodera Tsune continued to ask.

"What's there to be reluctant about?" Ritsuki Sawamura asked, looking quite relaxed.

"Um."

Onodera Zannen did not continue his attack, but simply accompanied Sawamura Ritsuki as she slowly walked forward, like a very patient listener, neither interrupting nor launching a "loser" attack like Sawamura Yoshiko.

After a while, Ritsuki Sawamura couldn't help but explain herself.

"If that guy comes looking for me, I won't deliberately avoid him."

"certainly."

"After all, we've known each other for so many years, it would be very impolite to completely ignore someone."

Talking to himself, Ritsuki Sawamura seemed to have successfully hypnotized herself, and started nodding as she spoke!

The ultimate level of PUA is to be ruthless enough to not even spare yourself!

"Liyue is right." The senior student didn't say anything, but just kept nodding in agreement!

Hearing Onodera Zannen say that boosted Sawamura Ritsuki's confidence in a way, making her speak with more conviction and continue to attack!

"If he invites me to dinner, I can go, but the place can't be too casual, at least not some convenience store with discounted rice balls."

As if remembering something, Onodera Zanne asked.

"What if Shido doesn't have any money?"

Ritsuki Sawamura was taken aback.

Then, as if she had already considered this issue, her tone remained indifferent, but her answer was without much hesitation: "If you don't have money, I can treat you. The Sawamura family isn't short of a meal, as long as that guy doesn't use that weird tone of a rich woman asking to be kept."

Onodera Zannen's eyes were calm: "Liyue doesn't mind his financial situation?"

"What does this have to do with me?"

Ritsuki Sawamura frowned slightly: "I know Shido Kuroba, not his bank account balance. Whether that guy is rich or poor, good-looking or not, whether he's as weird in real life as he is online, none of that matters to what happened before."

"Even if he's completely different from what Liyue imagined?"

"How different can they be?"

"For example, their appearance, personality, and actual circumstances are all completely different."

As Onodera Zannen spoke, he continued to lead the conversation toward anticipating and designing the worst possible outcome.

"You can't change your personality." If even this isn't right, she'll jump off a building right now!

Ritsuki Sawamura said confidently, "I'll recognize you as soon as you say a few words."

Onodera Zannen nodded gently.

This section is very important.

More important than appearance.

No matter what the real-life Kuroba Shido looks like, she can recognize him as soon as he speaks.

Unfortunately, at the zoo today, a certain boy who had sensed danger in advance kept his voice down, changed his tone, and even used a crooked mouth and squinted eyes to create a physical disguise, never giving Sawamura Ritsuki a real chance to confirm anything.

Tomorrow will be different.

There are no crowds at the zoo.

There is no toilet you can crawl into anytime.

There wasn't a single black dog that could fake heatstroke and help the boss complete the emergency retreat... The black dog is now eating so much it's almost dizzy from exhaustion.

"What if he already has someone he likes?"

Onodera Zannen seemed to ask casually.

Ritsuki Sawamura's expression visibly froze for a moment, her heart clenching sharply...

The person I like...