Tokyo: Idol Girls have absolutely no bad intentions!

“Yoshida-senpai…” Mori stepped forward and stopped Yoshida Nai, who was about to pull Asada away, “Why don’t we wait until Ito-senpai finishes speaking?”

"After all, he wouldn't really do anything to Asada-senpai, would he?" Her gaze swept meaningfully over Ito.

After her initial panic subsided, Yoshida Nai calmed down and stood protectively in front of Asada.

“Let’s make things clear. Anyway, Sakura would never do anything to betray Ito.”

She has already ignored the fact that she had just been badmouthing Ito behind her back.

“Asada,” Ito’s voice was deep and clear as he repeated, “please answer my question directly.”

"What are you trying to hide? Who is Rin Iketani's 'teacher'? Why did you react so strongly to that word?"

"I...I..."

Asada Sakura seemed to be burned by Ito's gaze, and she suddenly lowered her head, twisting the hem of her skirt tightly with her fingers, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, with a heavy nasal tone.

"I...I wasn't hiding it...really..." Her shoulders trembled slightly, her voice trembling with obvious sobs, "I'm just...just so scared..."

"Scared?" Yoshida immediately put her arm around Ito's shoulder with concern, glaring at him angrily. "Can't you see she's terrified of you, Ito!"

"Just because of the mysteriously disappeared Iketani Rin, you're going to interrogate Sakura like this? What reason does she have to hide? She can't even lie!"

Asada seemed to have found a support, and buried her face in Yoshida Nai's shoulder, letting out a muffled, tearful sound:

"Waaah... I'm so sorry... Ito... I shouldn't have stolen some hamburger patties... and I shouldn't have spilled the water..."

"What I shouldn't have done... I shouldn't have said behind your back that you broke into my room... Even though it's true... Waaah... But I didn't mean to say it..."

She spoke incoherently, spilling out several "crimes" all at once.

The focus was cleverly avoided on the "teacher" and Rin Iketani, with only repeated emphasis on her "fear" and "not on purpose".

He attributed all the mistakes to his own clumsiness and carelessness, successfully diverting attention with tears and confused logic.

Her body trembled slightly, making her appear so small and helpless, as if Ito were a bully who was tormenting her.

Yoshida patted her back tenderly, her eyes filled with reproach as she looked at Ito.

"Did you hear that? She was just scared by you! What's with all this 'hiding' stuff? I think you're just in a bad mood today and you're taking it out on Sakura!"

Ito watched Asada's sobbing back as she buried her face in Yoshida Nai's shoulder, listening to her deliberately amplified complaints of grievance.

At least her acting skills... are quite good.

This tactic of avoiding the important issues, feigning ignorance, and using one's own "weak" image to gain sympathy reminded him of Mori.

He knew, of course, that she was lying.

The more she emphasizes the hamburger steak, the spilled water, and even the blunder of "breaking into the room," the more it proves that what she is desperately trying to cover up is with Iketani Rin.

Her exaggerated fear and crying were less from being frightened by his questioning and more from being frightened by the truth he was about to reveal.

Mori stood to the side, his violet eyes quietly observing everything.

She saw Asada Sakura's momentary stiffness and speechlessness, and her exaggeratedly aggrieved reaction at that moment.

Her intuition told her that Asada wasn't telling the whole truth.

There must be something else deliberately obscured behind that phrase, "Although it is true."

She even caught Asada's subtle gesture of glancing up at Ito quickly while she was "crying" with her head down before burying her face back down.

In those eyes, there was clearly a cautious probing and... a hint of cunning?

Mori pursed his lips, his doubts deepening.

But Ito-senpai...

He looked at Asada silently, his face revealing neither anger nor disappointment, and he showed no intention of pressing further.

Since the senior has chosen to let it go for now, she... can't say anything more.

It seemed that her senior was always more tolerant of her than he was of others? This realization stirred a bittersweet feeling in Mori's heart.

Ito has indeed given up for the time being.

He stared at Asada's slightly trembling, seemingly incredibly fragile shoulders, and after a few seconds, he made up his mind.

If pressed further, with Yoshida Nai protecting her, Asada's masterful "playing the victim" technique, and the subtle, curious glances from other customers in the restaurant, she was emboldened.

He is unlikely to get the answer he wants, and instead, he will only solidify his image as a "bully".

Moreover, Rin Iketani has already escaped, and the trail has temporarily gone cold.

More importantly—he glanced at the darkening sky outside the window.

I have plenty of time to go back to my apartment today.

He needs a more private and undisturbed environment so that Asada Sakura can no longer rely on external forces or easily change the subject.

At that time, he had plenty of ways to get her to talk.

“…Never mind.” Ito’s voice returned to its usual calm, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue (of course, it was feigned). He looked away from Asada. “Maybe I’m being too sensitive. Iketani Rin… probably just doesn’t like crowds.”

Hearing his tone soften, Asada visibly relaxed her body, which was resting on Yoshida Nai's shoulder, and her sobs subsided considerably.

Yoshida breathed a sigh of relief, but still glared at Ito with displeasure: "That's true! Sakura is timid, don't always scare her. Okay, okay, it's alright, Sakura, Ito... he's probably too tired from his part-time job today." She patted Asada's back reassuringly.

Asada then timidly raised her head, her eyes and nose red, with tiny teardrops clinging to her long eyelashes, making her look both pitiful and adorable.

She stole a glance at Ito and murmured softly, "I'm sorry... Ito... I'll... next time, I'll definitely only order drinks..."

The only one who should apologize is the hamburger steak...

Ito nodded expressionlessly, which was considered as acceptance of her explanation.

"Hmph," Yoshida Nai still felt that Ito's attitude wasn't good enough, and added, "Ito, you can be really rude sometimes. You're not gentle at all with girls. Sakura is so upset, and you don't even say a kind word."

Mori watched this scene silently. Asada's tearful and slightly aggrieved appearance made her feel a little depressed.

She didn't like seeing her senior being "criticized" like that, especially because of Asada Sakura.

But she didn't say anything more, she just lowered her head and straightened her skirt.

Just as the atmosphere became slightly awkward, Yoshida Nai's phone rang with a notification sound.

She took it out and immediately exclaimed, "Oh no! I was so focused on this! Our number in the dessert shop queue is almost up! We'll be next!"

She had previously booked an online reservation for that popular restaurant.

This news was like a ray of sunshine, instantly dispelling the gloom on the table.

Asada Sakura's eyes suddenly lit up, and most of her previous grievances and tears vanished instantly, replaced by an endless craving for dessert, as if she had been instantly revived.

"Really? It's our turn?"

"Yeah! Let's go! If we miss it, we'll have to wait in line for ages again!" Yoshida grabbed Asada's hand, forgetting her earlier displeasure, and rushed out in a flurry.

“Wait, the bill…” Ito reminded him.

"Oh right!" Yoshida Nai slapped her forehead, quickly took out her wallet to pay the bill, and also paid for Asada's "accident" of spilling water.

"Ito-senpai, Mori-kami-san, why don't you join us? It's our turn now." Yoshida Nai said, paying her bill and looking at the two of them.

Mori looked at Ito.

Ito nodded: "Okay, let's go."

He also wanted to see what the magic of this dessert shop was.

The four of them hurriedly left the restaurant and walked quickly toward a popular dessert shop not far away.

Yoshida pulled Asada along in front, the two girls talking quietly. Asada had fully recovered her energy and they were discussing what desserts they wanted to order, as if the incident had never happened.

Ito and Mori followed a few steps behind.

"Senior..." Mori spoke softly, his violet eyes filled with worry and hesitation.

"Hmm?" Ito turned his head to look at her.

“Asada-senpai… just now…” Morigami carefully chose his words, “I feel like she… didn’t tell the whole truth.”

She finally couldn't help but voice her doubts.

Ito didn't stop walking, his eyes fixed on the bouncy pink figure in front of him.

“I know.” His voice was calm, with a confident air. “It’s alright, we’ll talk about it when we get back tonight.”

"Going back tonight?" Mori's focus began to shift. Although she knew the two lived next door, the idea of ​​"going back tonight" seemed a bit too much.

What's the difference between this and a couple living together going home together?

"Senior! Yoshida-senpai was right, you deserve to die!"

Soon, they arrived at the exquisitely decorated dessert shop with a long queue outside.

Yoshida Nai showed her reservation number, and the staff warmly led them inside.

The store is filled with a sweet aroma, and under the soft lighting, the glass cabinets display a variety of dreamy cakes, soufflés, and ice cream.

"Wow--!!"

Asada Sakura let out a small exclamation as soon as she entered, her eyes scanning the dazzling array of desserts. All her worries vanished, leaving only a pure longing for sweetness.

"That! That strawberry mille-feuille! And that matcha soufflé! And that chocolate lava cake! They all look so delicious! Xiao Nai, which one should we order?"

Yoshida Nai smiled helplessly: "You can only order one signature dish! Otherwise, you'll be too full to sleep tonight."

"Ah... one..." Asada was caught in a bittersweet decision, her little face scrunched up.

Ito and Mori each ordered a signature Earl Grey tea soufflé and a fruit tart.

While waiting for the dessert to be served, Yoshida Nai's phone rang again; it seemed that the club needed to contact her urgently.

After finishing the call, she looked apologetic. "I'm so sorry! Mori-chan, could you please come back with me? There's something in the activity room that needs urgent attention, and I can't carry it all by myself."

Mori was taken aback for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Ito.

Yoshida Nai's request... the timing is just too perfect.

"Please! It'll be quick! Sakura and Ito can just wait here for the dessert!" Yoshida Nai clasped her hands together, her eyes pleading, and then winked at Asada.

Asada immediately understood and nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes! You guys go ahead, Nai! Ito and I will wait here!"

She couldn't wait to spend more time with the upcoming desserts, and... she seemed to have some other thoughts on it too?

Mori understood.