Itsuki Behaves Suspiciously
After having lunch together, Ren and Ichika parted ways. Ichika would return to the office to continue studying, while Ren would continue wandering.
(Place to relax?)
As he wandered around, Ren pondered on what Ichika had just said. However, no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't think of a suitable place. Every place seemed interesting and could be a relaxing spot for him, but his perception didn't represent ordinary people.
It seemed the only option was to ask for help from someone else or let Ichika choose the place herself.
"Kamikawa-san!"
While lost in thought, a sudden shout came from far ahead, disrupting his thoughts. Looking towards the source, Ren saw Itsuki standing not far away, seemingly heading in his direction.
What made him a bit worried was that Itsuki wore a white beret on her head to hide her iconic hair, and she also wore large black sunglasses, covering most of her face. Her outfit was not special, just a regular dress with a cream-colored jacket.
Noticing Ren looking at her, Itsuki realized something was wrong and quickly glanced around, trying to find a place to hide.
Seeing Ren just now, she instinctively called his name, completely forgetting that there was something she needed to do later.
"Good afternoon, Itsuki."
Before he found a suitable position, Ren approached her and greeted her. As they got closer, he felt that something was off with Itsuki, as if she were very nervous.
"Afternoon."
Itsuki replied shyly, taking off her sunglasses to appear polite.
"What are you up to?"
Seeing the sunglasses she held in her hand, Ren was puzzled. Even though she wanted to hide her original appearance, she usually wore ordinary black-framed glasses. Why was she wearing such oversized sunglasses?
"I'm not doing anything, just strolling around. Yeah, just strolling around." Itsuki answered hesitantly.
Listening to her explanation, Ren noticed two sneaky figures hiding nearby, secretly observing him and Itsuki.
"Oh."
Although Itsuki's attire was very suspicious, and she seemed unwilling to come out at all, Ren didn't keep asking. She wasn't the type to inquire endlessly.
"Um... Kamikawa-san, I have something to do later, so I'll go now."
After saying that, Itsuki put on her sunglasses, walked past Ren, and quickly left.
Seeing this, Ren didn't say anything and prepared to continue wandering. He had just taken two steps when his path was blocked by the two sneaky figures he had just discovered.
"What did you just say to Itsuki?"
Nino standing in front of him, asked aggressively.
"Good afternoon, Kamikawa-san." Yotsuba stood beside Nino, greeting apologetically.
"Afternoon. I didn't say anything to her; I just asked her what she was going to do."
Seeing two people in sportswear and masks, Ren first responded to Yotsuba's greeting and then answered Nino's question.
"What did she say she'd do?" Nino's eyes sparkled, and she asked hastily.
Ren answered honestly, "She said she just wanted to take a walk."
"Just a walk?" Nino looked at Yotsuba, "Yotsuba, do you believe Itsuki is just taking a walk?"
"I don't believe it." Yotsuba shook her head, "Her appearance is too suspicious."
"Right, let's continue."
Realizing Itsuki was about to leave, Nino stopped questioning Ren.
"Yes." Yotsuba replied.
After hearing this, Ren finally understood what was happening with Nino and Yotsuba. If his guess was correct, they should be following Itsuki.
However, this issue had nothing to do with him. He wasn't the type to stalk others and invade their privacy.
Just as Ren was about to leave, he heard Nino continue to say, "Why are you standing there looking clueless? Why don't you quickly follow!"
"Me?"
After confirming that he was the only person nearby, Ren asked suspiciously.
"Who else but you?" Nino urged, "Hurry up and follow us, or Itsuki will leave."
"Sorry, I don't want to follow anyone else." Ren refused.
"Who said I'm asking you to help track her? I'm asking you to follow to protect us."
Nino asked Yotsuba to follow Itsuki first, and she chose to stay here to convince Ren.
"Protect you?" Ren was puzzled.
"Yeah, don't you think Itsuki's behavior is weird?" Nino asked.
"Kind of."
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Itsuki's recent behavior was strange.
Nino continued, "Don't you doubt that Itsuki is facing danger, making her act so strangely?"
When she and Yotsuba were at home, they noticed Itsuki's sneaky and abnormal appearance. To find out what was happening, after Itsuki left, she and Yotsuba followed her. If Itsuki was really in trouble, to ensure her safety, Yotsuba, Itsuki, and a guy had to accompany her. Since she happened to meet Ren, she gave him this task.
"In that case, let me follow you."
After understanding the core issue, Ren chose to follow them.
"Enough. Let's go quickly."
Seeing him agree, Nino took out her phone to contact Yotsuba and headed towards Itsuki's direction.
Ren followed Nino and used the superpower [Tracking] to find Itsuki's location.
······
"Yotsuba, are you sure Itsuki entered that shop?"
Hiding in a corner and staring at the busy ramen shop, Nino asked suspiciously.
Did Itsuki just want to come here for ramen?
With Itsuki's character, this possibility couldn't be ruled out.
Yotsuba said confidently, "Yes, I saw Itsuki enter with my own eyes."
"Inside." Ren agreed.
The superpower [Tracking] indicated that Itsuki was in that ramen restaurant.
"Then go in and see. You won't find anything standing outside."
After saying this, Nino walked towards the ramen shop, followed by Ren and Yotsuba.
Upon entering the shop, Ren immediately saw Itsuki and a large bowl of ramen in front of her, as well as Fujiwara Chika?