"Stealthy Shadows #2: Doing Something Stupid"

Two minutes later, Shiriku began to make his way out of the classroom, his steps deliberate as he headed towards Ayaka's classroom in 1-B. Yet, a nagging feeling crept over him—the sensation of being watched, a faint but persistent suspicion that someone was following him. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes scanning the bustling hallway, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Meanwhile, Fuyumi, Junichi, and Sachi crouched behind a row of lockers, strategically concealed from Shiriku's vigilant gaze. Sachi, exhibiting impatience and confusion, leaned toward Fuyumi and whispered, "Ugh... Fuyumi, why are we tailing Shiriku? You know he said he's going to meet Shiroe-sama, right?" Fuyumi silenced Sachi with a sharp "Shhh... I know, but—"

Junichi, his hunger growing with each passing minute, couldn't help but voice his concern. "Fuyumi, should we really do this? I'm hungry, and Sachi says she's hungry too. If we don't go to the cafeteria, Sachi will—" Before he could finish, Sachi pinched him hard and shot him a warning glare. "Turn into what, huh?! You know you can't use Shiriku as a meat shield since we're hiding from him." Junichi gulped, his nervous laugh betraying his discomfort.

Fuyumi, still focused on their secretive observation, whispered, "Let's go; Shiriku's moving." The trio, driven by curiosity, slipped into the shadows, resuming their stealthy pursuit.

As they followed Shiriku through the maze of hallways, he became increasingly aware of their presence. His inner monologue revealed his growing suspicion. "Those three—do they think that I wouldn't notice? Even passing students react just from seeing Fuyumi," he thought, a hint of amusement mixing with a sense of foreboding. Though he found their persistence entertaining, he couldn't shake the feeling that their intentions weren't entirely innocent.

While the trio continued their covert operation, a passing student couldn't help but express admiration for Fuyumi. "Ahhh, Fuyumi-sama, you're so beautiful," the student exclaimed, their voice filled with awe. Fuyumi acknowledged the compliment with a polite "Thanks" but quickly refocused on the task at hand, her eyes tracking Shiriku's every move.

Unbeknownst to Fuyumi, Shiriku, navigating through the corridors, sighed inwardly. "Haaaahh... They're still following me, huh? It's been five minutes since I left the classroom. I didn't tell them I'm heading to Class 1-B to meet Ayaka for the last mission. They thought the mission ended this morning... I even used Shiroe as an excuse, haha." His thoughts revealed the playful ruse he had used to divert his friends' attention.

Suddenly, Shiriku's phone rang, breaking his internal musings. He answered it, speaking into the phone, "Shiroe needs to talk to me." A smirk played across his lips as he hung up, his inner thoughts revealing a subtle satisfaction. "Nice, Shiroe. Now I can prove to those three that I'm telling the truth." With renewed determination, Shiriku picked up the pace, heading toward Classroom 3-A, located in the third-year building.

Meanwhile, Junichi, Fuyumi, and Sachi, observing the turn of events, found themselves at a crossroads. Junichi, attempting to lighten the mood, remarked to Fuyumi, "See, Shiriku was really going to see his big brother. So now, can we go?" Sachi eagerly agreed, nodding enthusiastically. "Yup, yup. We should go."

Fuyumi, acknowledging her earlier decision to lead the trio in following Shiriku, sighed and looked at her companions. "Sorry for dragging you guys into this," she apologized, her voice tinged with regret. Sachi, always optimistic, responded, "It's okay. Food would make things better." Fuyumi, with a small smile, nodded. "Yeah, let's go," she said, leading them toward the cafeteria.

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Standing outside Shiroe's classroom in the third-year building, Shiriku waited for his brother's arrival. The corridor was bustling with students chatting and moving between classes, but Shiriku's focus was on the door before him. He pulled out his phone, ready to send Shiroe a message to announce his presence, when the classroom door swung open, and Shiroe stepped out with a casual "Yo!" Shiriku greeted him back, offering a small nod, his usual relaxed demeanor betraying a hint of curiosity.

"Hey, so why did you call me here?" Shiriku asked, his tone direct as he looked his brother in the eye. Shiroe, leaning against the doorframe, revealed that he needed to stay a bit longer at school, suggesting that Shiriku could head home first. The simplicity of Shiroe's response caught Shiriku off guard, leading him to question the necessity of their meeting. "That's it? You called me here for that?" he asked, a touch of skepticism in his voice.

Shiroe, maintaining his nonchalant expression, confirmed, "Well, yes." Shiriku couldn't help but feel a sense of bemusement at the exchange. "You know, you could have just told me that when we were on the phone, right?" he pointed out, his eyebrow raised. Shiroe, with a casual shrug, responded, "Yup," adding with a grin, "But hey, is it bad that a big brother wants to see his little brother? Besides, you look like there's something on your mind. Nevertheless, get it out. Well, see ya!"

Shiriku's frustration was subtle but noticeable as he replied, "It's that obvious, huh?" Shiroe, with a knowing smile, nodded, "Well, yeah." Despite the brief exchange, Shiriku felt a sense of gratitude for his brother's understanding, even if it seemed minimal. "Thank you, brother," he said, his voice genuine.

Shiroe, seemingly clueless about why he was being thanked, playfully scratched his head and replied, "No need to thank me. Besides, I don't even know what you're thanking me about." Shiriku, now contemplating a significant decision, reassured his brother, "It's alright, brother. I'm gonna do something stupid, but it might be a choice that I'll regret or become an embarrassing core memory."

Shiroe, his smile unwavering, offered his encouragement, "Well, good luck, little brother." As Shiroe walked away, Shiriku clenched his fist, feeling the weight of the decision ahead. "It's time," he muttered to himself, his voice low but resolute.

Location: School Garden

In the serene atmosphere of the school garden, where cherry blossoms gently fluttered in the breeze, Shiriku walked with purpose toward Ayaka. The garden, with its vibrant hues and soft rustling leaves, provided a tranquil setting that contrasted with the storm of emotions churning within him. As he approached, Ayaka stood beneath the delicate branches of a cherry blossom tree, her expression a mixture of warmth and sadness.

Shiriku's steps were steady and resolute, his face set with the determination to get to the heart of the matter. The gentle scent of cherry blossoms filled the air, creating a peaceful backdrop for the conversation that was about to unfold. Ayaka, noticing his approach, greeted him with a smile—a smile that attempted to conceal the sadness lurking beneath its surface.

"You came," Ayaka said, her voice soft but edged with a hint of sorrow. Despite her attempt to maintain composure, there was a noticeable strain in her expression, a sign that her cheerful demeanor was struggling to hold back the weight of her emotions. The cherry blossoms above them continued to sway in the breeze, adding a touch of melancholy to the otherwise serene garden.