BONDS BUILD THROUGH SHOPPING

Kaito stood upright, his expression neutral as he studied the hero. "Oh, so you're Ken," he said, his tone betraying neither excitement nor disappointment. He looked at the hero for a moment, thinking to himself, How did he manage to become friends with someone like her?

Meanwhile, Aiko glanced at the hero, tilting her head slightly. He's… different. Did she really start hangingout with someone like him?

Kaito extended a hand to the hero. "Nice to meet you. So, you're a friend of…" He turned to her, smiling mischievously. "...Hikari, huh?"

The hero looked confused, his brows furrowing slightly. "Who's that? I don't know anyone by that name."

Both Kaito and Aiko froze, their expressions shifting to shock. "Huh?!" Kaito exclaimed.

Hikari quickly stepped forward, her face slightly flushed. "That's… my mistake. I never introduced myself to him. I only know his name."

Kaito blinked in disbelief, pointing at both of them. "Wait, what?! Are you guys serious? he doesn't even know your name?"

Hikari quickly spoke up, trying to explain. "That's because… yesterday, we didn't have time to introduce ourselves. That's all! It's not as crazy as you're thinking."

Kaito stared at her, then looked back at Ken with an exaggerated expression of disbelief. "You mean to tell me you met him yesterday, didn't even exchange names, and now you're here buying him headphones because you broke his? That's…" He paused dramatically, then shook his head. "Wow. That's next-level crazy, Hikari."

Aiko giggled, folding her arms. "Yeah, this whole situation sounds so bizarre. But… it's just like you. Always doing things your own way!"

Ken glanced at Hikari but didn't say anything. Kaito, noticing the silence, stepped forward with a grin and extended his hand. "Well, whatever. Nice to meet you, Ken. I'm Kaito."

Ken hesitated for a moment before shaking Kaito's hand. "Nice to meet you."

Aiko stepped forward next, flashing a bright smile. "And I'm Aiko. We're Hikari's classmates and, well… friends. We just happened to bump into her here while we were shopping, so we decided to join her." She gestured toward Kaito with a playful nudge. "And now you're here too, so why not join us? It'll be fun."

Ken gave a small nod. "Sure."

Hikari, trying to brush off her embarrassment, quickly chimed in. "Anyway, let's get moving. The headphones section isn't too far from here."

As the group started walking together, the atmosphere became slightly more relaxed. Kaito glanced around at the bustling mall and commented, "This place is packed today. I can't believe you chose such a busy place to meet, Hikari. Were you trying to make this harder for him?"

Hikari rolled her eyes. "It's not like I planned it this way! And besides, I didn't know you two were going to show up and make things more chaotic!"

Aiko laughed. "Hey, don't blame us! You're the one who didn't tell us anything about this mysterious new friend of yours. We had to see what was going on!"

As they walked, they passed by a large poster advertising a new movie release. Kaito stopped for a moment, pointing at it. "Oh, that's the one I've been wanting to watch. Hikari, remember? I told you about it last week."

Hikari raised an eyebrow. "And you think I remember everything you say? That's cute, Kaito."

Ken silently observed their dynamic, taking in the playful banter. Aiko glanced at him and smiled. "Ken, do you go to the movies often?"

Ken shook his head. "Not really. I'm more into music than movies."

Aiko's eyes lit up. "Oh, really? That's cool. Do you play any instruments?"

Ken hesitated for a second before replying, "No, I just listen. Music helps me… focus."

The group continued walking, their conversations shifting between casual topics. Hikari occasionally glanced at Ken, wondering what he thought about her overly energetic friends.Finally, they arrived at the headphones section. Rows of colorful headphones were displayed on shelves, each one neatly categorized by brand and style. Hikari let out a small sigh of relief. "Here we are. Let's pick something good."

Kaito clapped his hands together. "Alright, let's see what we've got here!"

Aiko giggled. "Let's hope Ken isn't too picky. Otherwise, we might be here all day."

The group stepped into the headphones section, surrounded by shelves filled with various types of headphones—wired, wireless, gaming headsets, and even earbuds neatly arranged in rows.

Kaito immediately turned to Ken with a wide grin. "Hey, Kenny! So, what type of headphones do you like? Wired or wireless?"

Ken glanced at him and replied calmly, "Wireless."

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Wireless? Now you're talking sense! They're the future, you know." He gestured dramatically at a shelf of sleek, modern wireless headphones. "No cables, no mess. Just pure freedom!"

Ken simply nodded, keeping his expression neutral.

Before Ken could say anything else, Kaito clapped his hands together and said, "Alright, leave it to me! Let me choose the perfect pair for you. As your new friend, it's my duty!"

Aiko, not one to be left out, joined in with a playful smile. "Oh, come on, Kaito. Don't act like you're the only one helping. I'm picking something too! Just watch, Ken. I'll find you the best ones."

Kaito shot her a teasing glance. "Oh, please. Like you know anything about headphones."

Aiko rolled her eyes. "More than you, that's for sure!"

As the two of them enthusiastically began searching through the shelves, Hikari hesitated for a moment before stepping closer to Ken. She looked up at him, her voice softer now. "I'm… I'm really sorry about this. I didn't think they'd tag along like this. But, they're my friends, and I couldn't say no."

Ken shook his head slightly. "It's not a problem."

Hikari's expression softened at his response. "I'm glad you don't mind. I just… I didn't want this to feel awkward for you." She paused, then quickly added, "So, what type of headphones do you like? You know, AirPods, gaming headsets, or…?"

Ken thought for a moment, then replied, "I like gaming headphone. They're comfortable, and the sound quality is good."

Hikari nodded, smiling. "Oh, gaming headphones. Got it! I think I saw some on the far side. Shall we check them out?"

Ken gave a small nod. "Sure."

The two of them began walking toward the section Hikari pointed out. Meanwhile, Kaito and Aiko were still energetically debating over different wireless headphones.

Ken walked through the shelves, his eyes scanning the variety of headphones displayed in neat rows. There were LED ones, colorful designs, and even headphones with animal-ear attachments. None of them seemed to catch his attention. He reached the end of the section and paused for a moment. Just as he was about to turn back, something caught his eye—a sleek, plain black pair of headphones placed a little further back on the shelf.

He stepped forward, picked them up, and examined them closely. The minimalist design and comfortable ear cushions appealed to him.

Hikari, standing nearby, noticed and asked, "Do you like that one? It's a black one." She smiled gently. "It looks good."Before Ken could respond, Kaito and Aiko rushed over, holding up their chosen headphones.

Kaito grinned, holding up a shiny LED-lit pair. "Hey, Ken! Check this out! It's got LEDs and everything. Isn't this the best one? Just look at how cool it is!"

Aiko, not to be outdone, held up a bright pink pair with decorative cat ears on top. "Forget that boring thing! Ken, look at this one! It's so cute and amazing. Even boys would love something like this, don't you think?"

Kaito rolled his eyes. "No way, Aiko. What boy in their right mind would love something like that? Don't you think it's inevitable that mine is better?"

Aiko smirked. "Your choice is way too plain for Ken! It's just shiny lights and no substance. At least mine is fun and stylish!"

Kaito shot back, "Fun? Stylish? More like childish."

As they continued to bicker, Ken quietly turned away and walked toward the counter, holding the black headphones he had chosen.

The two friends noticed and froze. Kaito blinked in disbelief. "Huh? He picked that one? It doesn't even have LEDs!"

Aiko raised an eyebrow.

Kaito frowned. "It's just a plain black headset! That's all! No LEDs, no design—nothing!"

Aiko shrugged. "Maybe that's why it's better than whatever you picked."

Hikari, seeing their banter getting louder, stepped in. "You two, stop it. He picked that one because he liked it. That's all that matters."

Kaito sighed, raising his hands in defeat. "Fine, fine. But I still think mine was better."

Ken, unfazed by their argument, handed the headphones to the cashier and paid for them. He then turned to the group and said, "Let's go."

As they exited the electronics store, Ken held the matte-black headset in a small bag. The group lingered near the escalators, discussing where to go next.

"Where should we head now?" Hikari asked, glancing between Aiko and Kaito.

Ken shifted the bag in his hand. "I'm heading home. It's already late for me," he said simply, his tone calm and direct.

Kaito immediately stepped in front of him, arms spread theatrically as if blocking an escape. "Hey, you think you can leave us now? No way! You started with friends, so you have to finish with friends!"

Ken hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "…Fine."

"Great!" Aiko said cheerfully. "Let's head to the clothing section. I need to check out some dresses."

The group made their way to the clothing store, where racks of vibrant outfits were on display. Aiko and Hikari immediately gravitated toward a section showcasing the latest trends.

"Look at this one!" Aiko held up a light blue dress with delicate floral patterns. "Isn't it cute?"

"It's pretty," Hikari replied, picking up a soft pink top. "What about this one?"

As the two immersed themselves in the selection, Kaito leaned against a nearby wall, watching with mild amusement. "Girls and their shopping… Do you know how long this is going to take?" he asked, turning to Ken.

Ken remained silent, glancing at the various racks before giving a nonchalant nod.

Kaito grinned. "Hey, how about this? Let's ditch the dress section and check out the game spot instead. What do you say?"

Ken looked at him for a moment, then gave a faint smirk. "Yeah, sounds like a good idea."

Kaito clapped him on the shoulder. "Knew you'd agree! Let's go."

He turned to Aiko, calling out, "We're heading to the game spot! Don't take forever here!"

"Got it!" Aiko replied without looking up, too focused on comparing two different dress.

Ken and Kaito entered the bustling game zone, neon lights reflecting off shiny consoles and arcade machines. The room buzzed with the sounds of electronic beeps, rapid button mashing, and occasional cheers from victorious players.

"Alright, let's see what you've got, Ken," Kaito said, cracking his knuckles as they approached a row of arcade machines. "Let's start with something simple."

The first game they chose was a racing simulator. Kaito picked up the controls with confidence, grinning as the countdown began. Ken, on the other hand, gripped the steering wheel awkwardly, glancing at the brightly colored cars on the screen.

"Three, two, one… go!"

Kaito's car sped off smoothly, weaving through the competition with precision. Meanwhile, Ken's car wobbled across the track, crashing into barriers and spinning out of control.

"Ken! What are you doing? The track's not that hard!" Kaito laughed, overtaking Ken's car with ease.

"I'm trying," Ken muttered, frowning at the screen as his car slid off the course yet again.

By the time Kaito finished first, Ken's car was still stuck in a sandpit.

"Alright, maybe racing isn't your thing," Kaito said, chuckling as they moved to another game.

The next challenge was a shooting game. They stood side by side, aiming at digital enemies on the screen. Kaito's accuracy was impeccable, landing headshots one after another. Ken, however, struggled to keep up, his character constantly being overrun by enemies.

"Ken, aim for the head, not the ground!" Kaito called out, easily clearing another wave.

"Easier said than done," Ken replied, his character taking yet another hit.

Finally, they tried a rhythm game, where players had to hit buttons in time with the music. Kaito's fingers flew over the controls, perfectly synchronized with the beat. Ken, on the other hand, missed several notes, his timing completely off.

When the game ended, Kaito patted Ken on the back. "Well, that was fun! But man, you need some serious training."

Ken shrugged, his expression neutral. "I don't come here often."

"That's obvious." Kaito smirked. "Don't worry. I'll train you up when you start coming more often. Maybe one day you'll be able to keep up with me."

Ken gave a small nod. "Sure."

As they began walking toward the exit of the game zone, Kaito suddenly spoke again. "You know, I've been wondering something."

"What?"

"How did Hikari even become friends with you? She's not exactly the type to make friends easily. It's hard to understand her sometimes."

Ken stopped in his tracks for a moment, then replied in a calm voice, "We're not friends. She's only doing this because she accidentally broke my headphone.

"What?" Kaito's eyes widened in disbelief. "Not friends? Are you serious? Don't you see the way she treats you? She sees you as a friend, man. You don't need some big declaration to know that."

Ken didn't respond, his gaze steady.

"You have friends, Ken," Kaito continued firmly. "I'm your friend. Aiko is your friend. And Hikari? She's definitely your friend too."

After a pause, he added with a grin, "And there are even more of us. I'll introduce you to the others later. You've got a whole squad of friends waiting to meet you."

Ken looked at him quietly for a moment, then gave a faint smile. "If you say so."

"Good. Because we're all in this together. Just you wait." Kaito clapped him on the shoulder before leading the way back toward the others.

Ken and Kaito walked into the store just as Aiko and Hikari were standing at the cash counter, handing over the dresses they had picked for billing.

Kaito nudged Ken and smirked. "Look at that. They're just now finishing up. Can you believe it?"

Ken remained silent, as usual, while Kaito leaned back with a playful grin. "This is exactly why I said if we waited here, we'd look like a couple of watchmen guarding the entrance."

Aiko overheard the comment as she finished paying and turned to them, holding a single shopping bag. "It's really hard to find a good dress in this place," she said with a small sigh. "I only found one dress worth buying."

Kaito raised an eyebrow dramatically, pointing at her bag. "One dress? You're telling me you went through this entire store and ended up with just one dress? Are you kidding me?"

Hikari chuckled softly as Aiko frowned. "What's wrong with getting only one? At least it's a good one."

Kaito crossed his arms and gave her a teasing look. "Nah, I think you just don't have any sense of fashion. That's why you couldn't pick out more."

"What did you just say?" Aiko asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I'm just saying the truth," Kaito replied casually, glancing at Ken for backup, though Ken remained silent, observing the interaction without a word.

Aiko stepped closer to Kaito, pointing at him accusingly. "And what makes you think you know anything about women's fashion, huh? You don't even shop for yourself properly!"

Kaito raised his hands in mock defense. "Hey, hey, I'm just saying what's obvious. Don't shoot the messenger."

Before the teasing could escalate, Hikari stepped in, smiling lightly. "Alright, alright. Can we just go eat now? I'm feeling pretty hungry."

Kaito turned to her with a grin. "Finally, something we can all agree on. Let's go!"

Aiko rolled her eyes but smiled as well. "Yeah, fine. Let's just hope the food's better than Kaito's sense of humor."

With that, the four of them left the store and headed toward the food court, the playful banter still lingering in the air.

The group entered the food court, which was lively with the chatter of diners and the aroma of freshly prepared meals. Hikari looked around, scanning for a table. "Hey, that one over there—it's empty. Let's grab it before someone else does," she said, pointing toward a table by the corner.

Kaito nodded enthusiastically. "Perfect spot! Good eye, Hikari," he said, leading the way.

They all made their way to the table, and once seated, they picked up the menu cards on the table.

Hikari flipped through the menu and asked Ken, who was sitting quietly next to her, "So, what do you want to eat?"

Ken looked at the menu briefly but said nothing, simply scanning the options.

Meanwhile, Kaito leaned over to Aiko and waved the menu in front of her. "What do you think? Maybe some sushi or ramen? Or should we go big with a hotpot?"

Aiko rolled her eyes. "How about you let me pick for myself?" she replied with a small smile.

Hikari, still looking through the menu, smiled and said, "Good thing my dad gave me some money . Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to enjoy anything here."

Aiko glanced at her and replied, "You're lucky. My parents barely give me money. Only sometimes, and even then, it's like they're doing me a huge favor."

Hikari laughed lightly. "Well, it's not like I get money all the time either. Just happened to get lucky this time."

Kaito, who was lounging back in his chair, smirked. "You two have it easy. I don't get a single yen from my parents. Everything I spend is from my own hard-earned money."

Aiko raised an eyebrow at him. "That's because your parents know you'll just waste it on games or junk food," she teased.

Kaito leaned forward dramatically, pointing at her. "You're always finding ways to shut me down, huh? Can't a guy catch a break?"

Ken stood up suddenly, brushing his hands on his pants. "I'm going to buy the food," he said calmly, cutting through the banter.

Kaito jumped up as well. "Hey, wait up! I'm coming with you, bro. Don't think you're leaving me behind," he said, following Ken toward the food counters.

Ken and Kaito returned to the table carrying trays of food, setting them down as the group prepared to eat. The aroma of freshly cooked ramen, tempura, and gyoza filled the air. Hikari reached for her chopsticks, while Aiko adjusted her tray to get comfortable.

As they began eating, Aiko broke the silence. "Hey, Ken," she said, looking curious, "what about you? Where are you studying?"

Ken, taking a bite of his ramen, paused before replying. "Seiran High School," he said, his tone calm and neutral.

Aiko's eyes widened slightly. "Seiran High? That's not really close to our school, but it's one of the most well-known schools around! Must be nice going there."

Ken shrugged. "It's just a school," he replied simply.

Kaito grinned, pointing his chopsticks at Ken. "Seiran High, huh? So, you're from a popular place. Bet your school has all kinds of cool facilities."

Ken nodded slightly. "Yeah, it's alright."

Aiko, not letting the conversation drop, added, "Well, we're from Tenjou Academy. You've probably heard of it."

Ken raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I've heard of it. That's a pretty reputable place too."

Hikari chimed in, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Our goal there is to become the best demon hunters out there. That's what we're working toward!"

Ken blinked at her words, a slight frown forming on his face. "Demon hunting? That's the most dangerous job in the world. And you're excited about that?"

Kaito chuckled. "Yeah, we're serious about it. Our whole team is training hard for it. It's not just some random dream—it's our goal."

Ken leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Why would anyone willingly take on something that risky? What's the common reason for wanting to do it?"

Kaito leaned forward, pointing his chopsticks toward Ken. "That's BECAUSE—"

Before he could finish, Hikari raised her hand, cutting him off. "Let me say that, Kaito. If you say it, you'll take forever and add a bunch of unnecessary things."

Kaito leaned back, pretending to be offended. "Unnecessary things? Really? I was about to deliver an epic speech!"

Aiko smirked and nodded in agreement with Hikari. "She's right. Let her handle it. You always get carried away, Kaito."

Hikari glanced at Ken, her tone becoming serious as she continued. "That's BECAUSE, Ken... you know about the history of this world, right? How everything started and why people like us choose this path?"