"Yup, We're A Couple Alright": Grocery #4"

As the trio found themselves browsing through the aisles, their playful banter echoing through the store. Sachi, with her infectious energy, skipped ahead while Shiriku followed closely behind, trying to keep up with her enthusiasm.

"Sachi, slow down! We don't want to miss anything," Shiriku called out, his tone filled with amusement as he tried to catch up to her.

Sachi turned back with a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Come on, Shiriku! Where's your sense of adventure? Let's explore every corner of this store!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

Meanwhile, Fuyumi trailed behind them, her arms still crossed over her chest as she observed their interaction with a mix of amusement and annoyance. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at their antics, feeling a sense of detachment from their playful mood.

As they made their way through the store, an employee approached them with a friendly smile. "Excuse me, are you two a couple?" the employee asked, gesturing to Sachi and Shiriku.

Shiriku's eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately tried to correct the situation. "Oh, no, we're just friends," he replied quickly, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

However, before Shiriku could finish his sentence, Sachi chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Yes!" she exclaimed, much to Shiriku's shock. "We're a couple," she added with a wink, making the employee blush and causing Shiriku to panic.

"S-Sachi, what are you saying?" Shiriku stammered, his face turning beet red as he tried to protest.

But Sachi just laughed playfully and grabbed both Shiriku and Fuyumi by the arm, positioning herself in the middle. "Yep, we're a couple alright," she declared with a grin. "A couple of friends!" she added with a giggle.

The employee smiled at their playful banter and walked away, leaving Shiriku feeling flustered and embarrassed. He glanced at Fuyumi, whose expression remained cold and impassive as she stared at him, her eyes filled with amusement.

"S-Sachi, why did you say that?" Shiriku asked, his voice tinged with embarrassment as he tried to regain his composure.

But Sachi just laughed and shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, lighten up, Shiriku! It was just a joke," she replied with a playful grin.

Fuyumi couldn't help but smirk at Shiriku's discomfort, finding amusement in his flustered state. She remained silent, her arms still crossed over her chest as she observed the scene unfold with amusement.

As they continued their shopping excursion, Shiriku couldn't shake off the embarrassment of the encounter. He walked alongside Sachi and Fuyumi, his cheeks still tinged with red as he tried to regain his composure. Meanwhile, Sachi skipped ahead, her laughter ringing out like music in the air as she led the way through the store.

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As they continued their grocery shopping , Sachi's hyper mood began to wane, and she suddenly announced, "Oh, I need to go to the restroom!" She turned to Shiriku with a playful grin. "Hey, wanna come with me?" she teased, winking mischievously.

Shiriku's eyes widened in surprise, and he blushed slightly at Sachi's suggestion. "Um, that joke isn't funny, Sachi," he muttered, feeling flustered by her teasing.

Sachi giggled at Shiriku's reaction, finding his embarrassment adorable. "Aw, come on, Shiriku! It'll be fun," she insisted, nudging him playfully.

"Sa-sachi, do you want me to go to jail?! And have me labeled as a peeping TOM?!" Shiriku exclaimed, his face flushing with embarrassment as he imagined the awkward scenario.

Fuyumi, who had been observing the exchange with a raised eyebrow, chimed in, "I'll just wait here." She crossed her arms and pouted, clearly uninterested in joining them.

As Sachi grabbed Shiriku's shirt to pull him closer, Fuyumi intervened by poking Shiriku's cheek with her left hand. "You go ahead, Sachi. I'll stay with this dense idiot," she remarked, her tone laced with playful sarcasm.

Shiriku blinked in confusion, his expression turning from surprise to bewilderment. "Eh? Eh? EHHHH??" he exclaimed, unsure of how to respond to the sudden turn of events.

Sachi laughed in agreement with Fuyumi's comment and headed off to the girls' restroom alone, leaving Shiriku and Fuyumi standing there awkwardly.

Shiriku shoved his hands into his pockets, feeling flustered and unsure of what to do in the silence that followed. Fuyumi remained pouting, her arms still crossed tightly over her chest as she avoided eye contact with Shiriku.

The two stood there in silence, the tension palpable between them as they struggled to find something to say. The atmosphere was awkward, with neither of them willing to break the silence.

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As the awkward silence stretched between them, Fuyumi and Shiriku found themselves unable to find the right words to break the tension. Fuyumi furrowed her brows, her mind racing with thoughts as she tried to figure out what to say to Shiriku. Meanwhile, Shiriku fidgeted nervously, his thoughts also in turmoil as he struggled to find the right words.

Finally, both of them let out a simultaneous sigh, their eyes meeting briefly in a moment of shared discomfort. Shiriku couldn't help but chuckle softly at the coincidence, finding some amusement in their synchronized sighing.

Fuyumi, however, immediately composed herself, her cold demeanor returning as she averted her gaze from Shiriku. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, her expression guarded as she tried to mask her unease.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Shiriku turned towards Fuyumi, his voice slightly shaky as he spoke. "Hey, Fuyumi... Are you okay?" he asked, his tone gentle as he tried to break through the awkwardness between them.

Fuyumi hesitated for a moment before meeting Shiriku's gaze, her expression softening slightly at his concern. "I'm fine," she replied curtly, her tone neutral as she tried to maintain her composure.

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As the tension lingered between them, Shiriku couldn't shake off his concern for Fuyumi. "Are you really okay, Fuyumi?" he asked again, his voice filled with genuine worry.

Fuyumi maintained her facade of composure, insisting, "Yes, I'm fine," but her eyes betrayed a hint of unease.

Shiriku sighed softly, feeling a pang of disappointment at Fuyumi's reluctance to open up. "Are you sure? Because I don't think you are. Sachi and I were having fun, even though you're the one who asked me to stay. But you're just standing there," he explained, his tone gentle yet firm.

Fuyumi continued to insist that she was fine, but Shiriku could sense her inner turmoil. With a sigh, he looked into Fuyumi's eyes, offering her a reassuring smile. "You know, I enjoyed it," he confessed, Fuyumi furrowed her brow in confusion. "Enjoyed what?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity. his voice softening. "The couples run. I enjoyed that day we had. It was really fun, Fuyumi," Shiriku added, hoping to lighten the mood.

Shiriku smiled warmly at her, his eyes filled with sincerity.