Chapter 3: Unexpected Encounters and Entangled Paths at the Arcade

The Ninth District was exclusively dedicated to public entertainment.

Every conceivable conventional entertainment facility could be found there, completely eliminating any worry of being unable to indulge in everything at once due to vast distances.

“Won’t our behavior attract the attention of security personnel?”

“Firstly, we’re indoors. Secondly, merely observing discreetly won’t draw any notice from security types, truly.”

‘Surely, regulations wouldn’t be so lenient towards actions akin to stalking?’

‘And next time, could I please be given some time to change clothes? Carrying out detective-like activities while still in a school uniform is far too conspicuous.’

The pair of childhood friends nearby, however, remained utterly oblivious to this abnormality, not only continuing to revel in joyous excitement but also shamelessly flaunting their affection for all passersby.

“Mmm~~~”

‘Ah, I really couldn’t hold back any longer.’

‘Please, spare that innocent handkerchief first.’

“Huh? Yueyue?”

“”Eh!?””

We simultaneously spun around in surprise, our gazes intertwining with those of the even more astonished ‘gal’ duo.

“Oh, it really is Xinyue. It’s so utterly unexpected that I don’t even know how to react.”

“Ni-Nina, Xiaofeng, why… why are you two here?”

“Come on, this is an arcade; we’re obviously here to play games.”

Makino Kaede, the tall girl with permed, shoulder-length curly hair, known as Xiaofeng, very familiarly draped an arm around Lan Xinyue’s shoulders.

“It’s you, Xinyue! So, you’ve been rejecting us all this time because you wanted to give your ‘first time’ to a boy?”

“That’s not it at all!”

‘Indeed, this was certainly not a situation that could simply be brushed aside with a joke.’

However, another girl, slightly petite, with exquisite makeup, looking almost like a doll sprung from an anime — Nina Lloyalt Samino? — had already approached the ‘background extra’ passerby without any reservations, fixing her gaze directly upon my face.

“Hmm… if I’m not mistaken, you’re Student Zhao Wangqiu, right?”

“Yes, hello… Student Samino?”

‘Please forgive my ignorance; I genuinely don’t know the proper way to address you.’

“No need to be so formal! Just call me Nina, like Yueyue does!”

“Oh… Student Nina.”

“It’s Nina! ~Ni~na~!”

“…Alright, Nina.”

‘Birds of a feather flock together, it seems. Their assertive traits truly surpass their mentors.’

‘Moreover, I seemed to have just entertained a rather unsettling thought.’

Nina, however, naturally closed the distance even further.

“Ehehe~ Qiuqiu, you’re really something! To be able to cleverly ‘snatch and seize’ and melt Yueyue’s icy heart—people’s hearts truly aren’t what they used to be, huh?”

“…”

‘Which aspect should I even try to respond to?’

“Nina! That’s completely wrong!!”

“Eh? Is that so?”

“Oh, come on, don’t worry about such trifles! Xinyue, Zhao Wangqiu, when exactly did you two start~?”

“”There’s nothing going on at all!!””

“Oh~ such perfect synchronicity.”

‘This person clearly has no intention of listening to any explanations.’

“Oh? So, you’re here too, Student Lan.”

The sudden remark drew our attention.

A delicate and cute-looking girl had, at some point, arrived nearby, gazing at Lan Xinyue with an expression full of anticipation.

“Indeed, what a coincidence! It’s rare to see all of you together outside of school.”

Li Pengcheng, following closely behind, acted completely naturally, without a hint of awkwardness.

‘As expected of the ‘Light Faction’; their main selling point is a clear conscience.’

‘Come to think of it, with so many arcades in the Ninth District, why did everyone end up at this particular one?’

“…Yes! ~It’s rare to be out playing with Nina and Xiaofeng, so it really is a coincidence, ah ha ha ha.”

The young lady quickly embraced Makino Kaede’s arm as she spoke.

Her already strained cheerful smile now appeared even more tense and awkward.

“Hoh~”

Makino Kaede’s gaze quickly swept around, letting out a soft, meaningful sound, and her eyes narrowed into a strange smile.

‘Huh? This woman couldn’t have possibly figured out the truth and is now planning to stir up trouble, could she?’

The innocent Nina, meanwhile, tilted her head in confusion.

“But Yueyue, aren’t we also…”

“Oh~ Nina, don’t mind these little details. Since it’s such a coincidence, why don’t we all play together?”

‘As expected, before Nina could spill the beans, Makino Kaede began to muddy the waters.’

‘Could your ‘bestie’ friendship really be so superficial it’s practically melodramatic?’

“Alright!”

The childhood friend of a certain scum-male (self-proclaimed) had already stepped forward excitedly, taking the hand that should have belonged to a rival (the ‘vixen’).

“Actually, I’ve always been very interested in Student Lan, but when we were in the classroom, I just couldn’t muster the courage to approach you.”

‘Wouldn’t it be better to honestly admit that you kept your distance due to unavoidable jealousy, seeing her too close to your crush in the classroom?’

“Eh, eh? Is that so?”

“Yes, Student Lan is beautiful and smart, has a fantastic figure, a great personality, and is a genuine young lady. For us, both boys and girls, you’re practically a ‘flower of the high peaks’ (TL Note: A ‘高岭之花’, gāolǐng zhī huā, refers to someone unattainable or out of reach, often admired from afar).”

“Ah ha ha ha ha? Do I usually come across as that aloof? No, right? Isn’t that a bit too much praise?”

‘Young lady, *thump-thump*.’

‘It certainly sounded like veiled criticism masquerading as praise.’

‘However, you’d lose if you lost your cool.’

“Ah, I’m sorry, Student Lan, I’m not very good with words, and A-Cheng often scolds me for it. But I truly am praising you, and I genuinely respect you, it’s absolutely not insincere flattery.”

“…In that case, I accept your praise, Student Bai. There’s no need to be overly reserved. As you can see, I’m actually not stuck-up and I’m very happy to make friends.”

‘It seemed the young lady had adjusted their mindset well.’

‘This childhood friend was certainly no pushover either.’

“I say, your interaction feels too distant! If this continues, it’ll get awkward. After all, you’re classmates, isn’t it only natural to be a little closer?”

Makino Kaede smoothly interjected, a smile playing on her lips.

‘Clearly, she hadn’t given up her intention to stir up trouble.’

‘Also, Student Bai is from the next class over.’

“And this is a perfect opportunity! Let’s hurry and have a blast, and by tomorrow, we’ll be inseparable!~”

“Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with Student Makino’s suggestion. Besides, I remember Xinyue has a curfew, so we need to make good use of our time to experience more games.”

‘Couldn’t you perhaps pay attention to your lines, which sound suspiciously like a scum-male’s?’

“Oh, that’s right! I almost forgot until you mentioned it. Let’s go, let’s go!~”

“Eh!? Woah! Xiaofeng, Student Bai, don’t both pull me and run so fast!”

“It’s fine! I’ve got it completely under control!”

“That sounds utterly untrustworthy!”

“Mhm mhm! After all, Student Lan has excellent athletic abilities!”

“But isn’t this the wrong place to use them?!”

‘Huh? Did you all forget something?’

“Haha, you’re all so impatient! A-Qiu (TL Note: A nickname for Zhao Wangqiu), it looks like you’ll have to take the trouble of looking after Nina. I’ll go on ahead.”

“Oh…”

‘Just as I thought, Nina has been ‘offline’ for quite a while now.’

‘And we’re not that close.’

“Nina… hey~… Nina?”

“Huh?”

“Are you alright?”

“Mmm…”

Nina tapped her chin with a fingertip, tilting her head thoughtfully.

“What’s wrong?”

“Qiuqiu, was that just now… perhaps a ‘catch-them-in-the-act’ scene that gives one a sudden enlightenment (TL Note: ‘醐醍灌顶’, hú tí guàn dǐng, a Buddhist term meaning to pour ghee on the top of one’s head, symbolizing initiation or profound insight)?”

‘You actually know such an idiom.’

‘Setting aside the fact that your cuteness is practically a foul, rather than experiencing a sudden enlightenment, I’d prefer you remain innocent.’

‘Because what just happened wasn’t even a ‘shuraba’ (TL Note: Japanese term for a scene of intense conflict or carnage, often used for dramatic love triangles or chaotic situations); it was purely the young lady’s unilateral mental exhaustion, leaving her utterly battered.’

“Nina, you and Student Lan are good friends, right?”

“No.”

“Eh!?~”

“We’re best girlfriends!”

‘Phew, I see. Her confident demeanor makes her look even cuter, somehow.’

“Well then, Nina, you should learn to be considerate of your best friend’s feelings. So, what you said just now, you absolutely mustn’t tell Student Lan.”

“Ah~ I get it! It’s what they call ‘to loosen in order to seize’ (TL Note: ‘欲擒故纵’, yù qín gù zòng, a stratagem meaning to feign compliance or give someone a long rope to gain an advantage), right!”

“Hm? Yes… in any case, as long as you understand.”

“Ehehe~ Don’t worry, Qiuqiu, I promise I’ll keep my lips sealed this time~”

‘Hmm?… I rather wish you could be like this every time, and also not approach me so unguardedly.’

“Then let’s hurry over, or else we might not find them later.”

‘In fact, this was a completely unfounded concern.’

A group like that—one handsome boy and three beautiful girls—was bound to attract attention wherever they went.

‘Therefore, rather than pushing through a crowd to meet them, which would make others feel like an unnoticed background extra, creating an awkward, scenery-spoiling situation, it would be less conspicuous to simply blend in from the start.’

“Ah~ Qiuqiu, don’t walk so fast.”

As the words fell, a soft sensation suddenly slipped into my free hand, gripping it tightly.

“Nina?!”

“What’s wrong?”

“My hand! Your hand!”

“What’s wrong with my hand?”

‘What else could be wrong?! People will misunderstand! Is this really okay?’

“Ah!”

The grip began to loosen.

‘Phew…’

‘It’s a relief you understood.’

“I didn’t hurt your hand, did I? How about this?”

“Eh?!~!~”

‘Why did it turn into fingers intertwined instead!’

“Do you dislike this?”

“I-I… I just feel like… there might not be a need for this?”

“But there are too many people, and I’m afraid I’ll get separated from you~”

‘Don’t say things like that in such a soft, sweet voice while staring at me with those eyes! I really will misunderstand!’

‘…Or rather, is it actually okay?’

‘Ugh, no, her eyes are too innocent!’

‘Heart, be quiet.’

“I-I see! Th-then let’s hurry over!”

“Mm! Huh? Don’t walk so fast!”

“Oh, oh…”

“Ah! Qiuqiu, I want to play that!”

“Huh?”

‘You’ve only walked three meters towards a finish line that should be thirty meters away, and you’re already deviating from the path?’

“Oh dear!”

‘What’s the problem this time?’

“Ehehe~ We just arrived and saw you and Yueyue, and completely forgot to exchange for game tokens! How careless of us.”

‘I suddenly wished you’d be a little more attentive.’

“Let’s go, Qiuqiu, we’ll exchange for game tokens first!~”

‘You’re getting further and further from the finish line.’

‘And generally, background extras have poor athletic ability, so could you walk a little slower?’

“Huh? Qiuqiu, look quickly! That blue vending machine, the third row of drinks, is the new product Olyla just released two days ago! They’re already selling it here, I absolutely love that one!”

‘Hmm… that’s certainly an incredibly strong initiative, perfectly fitting your innocent and carefree character persona.’

‘By the way, I’m tired of complaining. After I buy you a drink, can I just go home?’