Ambiguous

"Sawamura, are you ready to go? We can leave anytime."

After packing their textbooks into their black tote bags, Kiyo Ishimaki and Azusa Satomi approached Eriri's desk, looking excited as they spoke to her.

"Yep, everything's good to go! Let's head out," Eriri replied energetically, giving a thumbs up and winking.

After inviting Megumi Kato to join them earlier, Eriri had taken a moment to text Aoi Kujo, letting her know that she didn't need to pick her up today.

Eriri stood up, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and was about to leave the classroom with the two girls when she suddenly remembered something. She quickly reached out her right hand and gently took Megumi Kato's hand, who was standing next to her.

"Oh, right! I forgot to introduce you. This is Megumi Kato, and she'll be joining us at the cake shop."

Looking at Megumi Kato, who was now holding hands with Eriri, curiosity and confusion flashed in the eyes of Kiyo Ishimaki and Azusa Satomi. It was clear that Megumi's weak presence hadn't drawn their attention until Eriri introduced her.

"Ah... yes, hello, Kato. I'm Kiyo Ishimaki, and this is Azusa Satomi. Sorry, we didn't notice you earlier."

Realizing their oversight, Kiyo Ishimaki hurriedly introduced themselves to Megumi Kato, pulling Azusa Satomi along.

"It's alright, Ishimaki. I'm used to it."

Waving her hand, Megumi Kato's expression remained unchanged, her face calm as she said something that tugged at the heartstrings.

From elementary school until now, she had never joined a club, served on a committee, or had many friends. Even those she considered friends would unconsciously forget her if they didn't stay in touch for a while. Such has been the life experience of the sixteen-year-old Megumi Kato.

These experiences had made her calm, rational, kind, and gentle, but her face rarely showed any emotion, always maintaining a serene and placid demeanor.

"..."

"It's okay, Megumi-chan. Didn't I tell you? Even if others don't notice you, I will always be watching you, absolutely. So don't say you're used to it."

Looking at the expressionless Megumi Kato beside her, Eriri tightened her grip on Megumi's hand, meeting her bright, clear eyes with a serious expression.

The atmosphere between them began to turn subtly romantic, causing Kiyo Ishimaki and Azusa Satomi to blush.

"Could it be that they..."

Watching Eriri and Megumi holding hands and looking into each other's eyes, and recalling Eriri's earlier declaration about liking girls, Kiyo Ishimaki's gaze became more nuanced, with a hint of subtle melancholy flashing in her eyes.

...

"Wow, this cake shop called Dream Angel really lives up to its name. Their cakes taste amazing, especially the dreamy coconut fruit cake. It's full of coconut flavor with sweet mango inside, bringing a tropical vibe. The cream is just right—not too sweet but very smooth. The more you chew, the better it tastes."

After leaving a cake shop called Dream Angel near the station, Eriri's face was filled with satisfaction. As a true foodie, being able to enjoy various delicacies was a special joy.

"Yes, yes, and the strawberry cake and mousse cake were also really good."

Hearing Eriri's praise for the cake and seeing her beautiful, satisfied face made Kiyo Ishimaki feel inviting her was definitely the right decision.

"Satisfied, satisfied. Thanks again for inviting us today, Ishimaki and Satomi."

After savoring the experience, Eriri smiled contentedly and thanked Kiyo Ishimaki and Azusa Satomi again.

"Hehe, it was nothing. We're just glad you enjoyed it, right, Azusa?"

"Yeah, I think so too. We should come back here sometime, though the line was a bit long."

Not only Eriri but also Kiyo Ishimaki and Azusa Satomi felt a bit reluctant to leave.

From walking from school to Dream Angel cake shop, then waiting in line for dozens of minutes and finishing their cakes, it all took about an hour and a half.

Most of Dream Angel's customers were girls. Even the few boys who liked cake hesitated to enter upon seeing the shop full of girls.

During their time in line, Eriri's beauty caused quite a stir, leading many other girls to approach her for conversation or a photo, all of which Eriri politely declined.

During this time, Eriri noticed something that made her very happy. She clearly observed that every time someone approached her, Megumi Kato's expression showed a faint but noticeable reaction.

"Sawamura, Kato, Azusa, it's still early. Do you want to go somewhere else and walk around? We can burn off some calories and prevent gaining weight too."

Taking her phone from her bag to check the time, Kiyo Ishimaki looked up and asked the three of them.

"Megumi-chan, what do you think? Should we keep walking around? After all, you did eat quite a bit just now. Even though you have a great figure, if you don't exercise, you might become a little fatty! Hehe."

Upon hearing Kiyo Ishimaki's suggestion, Eriri quickly moved behind Megumi Kato, wrapping her arms around her waist and gently pinching her tummy while playfully whispering in her ear.

If such a playful laugh had come from a boy, people might have called the police immediately. But since it came from Eriri, it just seemed endearingly mischievous.

"Ah... Eriri, stop it..."

Surprised by Eriri's sudden action, Megumi Kato let out a cute squeal and hurriedly grabbed Eriri's mischievous hands.

"I exercise regularly, you know. Besides, you ate at least twice as much as I did. I don't even know how you manage to fit it all in that small body of yours."

Though Megumi held Eriri's mischievous hands, she didn't immediately try to break free from Eriri's embrace.

"Hmph, didn't I say? I'm not an ordinary person, you know."

Eriri repeated her mysterious words, further confusing Megumi. Not an ordinary person—could she really be a superpowered individual?

At this moment, Megumi Kato didn't realize how intimate her current position with Eriri appeared to outsiders.