"So what about the fact that you took my stuff?"
"I'll give it back. How was I supposed to know you'd go out of your way to buy such an old iron bucket?"
"??"
"Don't look at me like that. I have no money, and I'm not giving you my life either."
Hearing this, Nao sighed and shook her head helplessly.
"Honestly, whether I take a bath or not doesn't matter, but the person behind you..."
"Huh??"
Hakuto instinctively turned around upon hearing Nao's words, only to find that Nishimori Yusa... no, it should be Kurobane Misa, who had somehow silently crept up behind him.
Her white stockings were soaked in the stream, and in her hand, a scorching flame flickered into existence as she glared at Hakuto with hostility.
"I've been meaning to ask, isn't it uncomfortable for you two to step into the water without taking off your stockings?"
"And whose fault do you think that is?"
With that, Misa Kurobane directly hurled the fireball in her hand at Hakuto.
"...Wait, seriously? You're actually throwing it?"
Hakuto tilted his head to dodge the incoming fireball, staring at her in disbelief.
"So you can actually throw that fire?"
Another flame appeared in Misa's palm. "Not only can I throw it, but it also hurts a lot when it hits."
Just as she was about to make her next move, Nao spoke up to stop her.
"Alright, don't show off your abilities here. If that flying ability user sees us, everything will be for nothing."
Hakuto immediately chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, yeah!"
"We can just reheat the bucket, there's still time."
Hakuto nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, exactly, exactly!"
Seeing Nao say this, Misa had no choice but to retract her ability, though she still glared fiercely at Hakuto.
The two of them stepped onto the shore. Hakuto dried himself off and put his clothes back on.
Since they had been in a hurry earlier, neither had removed their stockings before stepping into the water. Now, their stockings were completely soaked.
To avoid any health issues, both Nao and Misa took off their wet stockings.
Hakuto held an elastic hair tie in his pocket, preparing to tie up his hair. As he watched the scene before him, he muttered to himself,
"An idol's worn stockings..."
Nao placed her removed stockings to the side, standing barefoot on the grass.
"Hmm? What are you mumbling about over there?"
Hakuto answered truthfully.
"I was just wondering, if Nishimori's worn stockings were put up for sale online, would those crazy fans bid a sky-high price for them?"
"Hah? Are you a pervert?"
"This is just a normal business transaction. Some people would love for this kind of trade to exist."
As Hakuto and Nao spoke, a crumpled-up white stocking suddenly came flying at Hakuto, who was in the middle of tying his hair.
Relying on muscle memory, he instinctively dodged it.
"?! I was just joking! I wasn't actually asking for your worn stockings!"
"I think you're asking to be roasted!"
Misa conjured another flame in her palm.
The golden glow of the fire illuminated their faces, making them stand out in the darkness.
"Didn't we just agree not to show off our abilities...? President, aren't you going to stop her?"
Hakuto instinctively looked to Nao for help. He disliked conflict, so if he could choose a peaceful resolution, he would.
But to his surprise, after hearing his plea, Nao gave him a dismissive look.
"I don't think that flying ability user would be wandering around in the middle of the night."
"Huh? Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
With Nao's approval, Misa seemed to descend into madness.
"Hey! You wanted Yusa's stockings, right? Let me roast them a little with my flames, and then they're yours. How about it?"
"Wait, I was just joking! And besides, that's not something you have the right to decide, is it?"
Hakuto didn't think this deal was worth it.
Sure, Nishimori Yusa's worn stockings could probably sell for a high price, but he had no interest in making money that way, even though he loved money.
If it were a certain teleporting someone next door, they would probably agree to the trade without hesitation.
"If you're really feeling itchy to use your powers, why don't you go find Takajo? He'd probably agree to this deal."
Misa didn't say anything, but the flames in her hand burned brighter, illuminating everything around them.
Seeing this, Hakuto instinctively glanced in Ginko's direction.
He wasn't too afraid of the flames themselves—he was more worried about attracting Ginko's attention while she was bathing in the distance.
If she noticed what was happening, it would be hard to explain.
So, he turned to Nao, who was watching the commotion.
"If you don't stop her, I'm going to have to step in."
"Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"
Despite her words, Nao still intervened, stopping Misa.
Misa retracted her flames, though not because she was particularly obedient to Nao.
She had only wanted to scare Hakuto a little, and since she had an excuse to stop now, she took it.
"You have all this firepower, why not dry the wet stockings instead?"
Hakuto teased. But then, something occurred to him, and he turned to Nao.
"By the way, let me see that newspaper again."
"Hmm? Sure... but I don't have it on me right now."
"Alright, I'll come find you later. I'll bring the bucket back too."
"What are you planning? Using your ability to track that person? But I thought you couldn't calculate locations just from a photo?"
Hearing this, Hakuto turned to Nao and flashed a bright smile.
"I lied to you."
"Huh? Say that again?"
"I lied to you."
"You actually repeated it?!"
Even barefoot, Nao instinctively lifted her leg high and kicked at Hakuto's head.
Hakuto dodged again, causing her kick to hit empty air.
"Alright, I'll come find you later."
"It's hard to believe someone like you would voluntarily work overtime."
"I never work overtime voluntarily. That's a matter of principle. I just happened to take your bucket, so consider this compensation."
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