Chapter 112: The Harmfulness of the cancer of the earth
"You mean you think Takasu likes Kushieda, but it's not true love?"
After hearing Kaede's words, Eriri felt somewhat incredulous.
Nodding, Kaede said, "Hmm, but don't overthink it. I'm not saying anything about Takasu; I just think he might not have clearly seen his own feelings, so he mistook his admiration and longing for Kushieda's personality as love."
"...It can be like that?"
"Actually, it's just my speculation. Mainly because when I asked him what he liked about Kushieda-san, he basically said the same things. And these are all things he himself lacks. It's not to say there's a problem with that, it's just that from various aspects, it seems Takasu might not have figured out what he truly wants in his heart."
"Hmm~~~~"
After listening, Eriri pondered and said, "Takasu-san, as you said, is indeed much more cheerful now than when he first entered high school. But getting him to actively communicate with others still seems difficult, right? That's why he's doing part-time work to improve himself. Only your class and us few who know him understand his personality. But if he really overcomes his shortcomings and successfully pursues Kushieda-san, then what would you say?"
"In that case... I'd have nothing to say."
Kaede smiled and led Eriri into a women's clothing store: "In that case, wouldn't it prove that my own speculation was wrong? So I'm just telling you about it now and haven't chosen to discuss this matter with Takasu. After all, it's his first love. Regardless of whether it's true or false, we have no right to interfere too much. It's better to live our own lives."
Eriri also knew that this was the only way, so she started looking at the clothes in front of her.
Hmm... an off-the-shoulder top?
It wasn't the kind that exposed the entire collarbone and shoulders, just the two shoulders; it looked pretty good?
In short, the two of them continued their morning itinerary by strolling through the mall.
Meanwhile, Shinomiya Kaguya and Fujiwara Chika, after finishing lunch and resting for a while, were the last two to bid farewell to Shirogane Miyuki and leave the restaurant.
"Yay! Today was so fun! Not only did I get to go shopping with Kaguya-san, but I also met new friends! Those people were all really interesting!"
Shinomiya Kaguya, beside her, nodded in agreement. However, it would have been even better if Fujiwara Chika hadn't been there. That way, she would have been the only one to know Kaede and Eriri. If she had talked with them longer, Shinomiya Kaguya was confident she could have asked them how to promote a relationship between a man and a woman, thereby getting the President to confess to her.
However, similarly, without Fujiwara Chika, she wouldn't have met the two of them.
Although she's a cancer of the earth most of the time, it's a pity this Chika can't be discarded.
Upon entering the mall, the slight stuffiness from outside was swept away, and the two began to shop.
As a wealthy young lady from a major conglomerate, Shinomiya Kaguya rarely went shopping. It could be said that having an experience like today's shopping trip was all thanks to Fujiwara Chika beside her.
If it were anyone else, they wouldn't have dared to invite Shinomiya Kaguya to go shopping, because everyone knew that the Shinomiya Family's young lady, no matter what she wanted, only needed to say a word, and someone would directly deliver it for her to choose from.
Only Fujiwara Chika, this naive girl, hadn't thought about such things at all. She acted on impulse; when she wanted to go shopping, she directly invited her. It even seemed like the Fujiwara Family had played a part in it, though Fujiwara Chika herself was unaware.
As she walked, Shinomiya Kaguya turned her head to look behind her and saw several family bodyguards disguised as ordinary customers, sighing inwardly.
Sure enough, these things still couldn't be avoided, but at least they weren't overtly following her.
"Ah! Kaguya-san, over there, over there!"
Suddenly, Fujiwara Chika exclaimed, shaking Shinomiya Kaguya's arm and pointing into the distance.
Shinomiya Kaguya looked and saw Kaede and Eriri, who had separated from them at the restaurant earlier. They were now walking out of a women's clothing store, chatting and laughing, and Eriri had two bags in her hand that hadn't been there before.
"Kaguya-san, Kaguya-san, let's go find them and play together! What do you think?"
"Eh?" Shinomiya Kaguya said hesitantly, "We shouldn't disturb them, should we? Didn't they say they were on a date today?"
"Just pretend it's a chance encounter, oh no, it *is* a chance encounter!" Saying this, Fujiwara Chika forcibly pulled Shinomiya Kaguya forward. "Besides, it's boring for just the two of us to keep shopping like this, and Kaguya-san doesn't buy anything! Isn't it much livelier with two more people shopping together? Come on, let's go~~~ Asakura-san~~~ Sawamura-san~~~"
Shinomiya Kaguya still wanted to stop her, but it was no use; Fujiwara Chika had already called out.
Kaede and Eriri, hearing the familiar shouts from behind, could only stop and turn to see the two approaching.
Kaede's lips moved slightly, and he said in an almost imperceptible voice, "Eriri, our afternoon plans might have to change."
Eriri smiled and waved at the two, while also softly replying, "Confirmed. But there's nothing we can do. Although Fujiwara-senpai is a bit difficult to handle, Shinomiya-senpai is very nice. It's probably Fujiwara-senpai's idea."
Kaede agreed. Shinomiya Kaguya wouldn't rashly come over to disturb them after seeing them on a date. It could only be the masterpiece of Fujiwara Chika, that cancer of the earth.
When the two arrived, Kaede said, "Good afternoon, Shinomiya-senpai, Fujiwara-senpai. Are you two also here to have fun? What a coincidence."
"Yes, yes!" Fujiwara Chika said with a happy smile. "I come to this mall often. Today I want to buy some pretty clothes! Why don't we shop together? I know this place very well, you know. I basically know where to buy anything you want!"
Kaede glanced at Eriri and finally nodded: "Okay, it'll be livelier with more people. We've pretty much bought what we wanted anyway; we were just browsing around, and if Eriri liked anything else, we'd buy her a few more pieces."
Shinomiya Kaguya, however, said apologetically, "We're disturbing you."
Next, the four of them moved together, going from store to store, not just women's clothing stores, but also other types like accessory shops, and even some sports product stores, which they also browsed thoroughly.
And Shinomiya Kaguya, with the explanations provided by Kaede and Eriri, learned about many things she hadn't encountered before.
After browsing for a while, Fujiwara Chika bought satisfactory clothes, and then the four of them arrived in front of a bubble tea shop and started queuing.
Chapter 113: Milk Tea Can Bring Joy