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"Akira."
"Come have a cup of coffee."
"I made this myself, just for you."
Tōzuki Shiori approached with a bright smile, holding a steaming cup of coffee.
This was CLOVER convenience store's special blend, one of their best-selling products.
"Thanks."
As soon as Akira took the cup, Tōzuki Shiori's gaze shifted to Ran, standing nearby.
Women can be so unreasonable sometimes!
Even though nothing had been revealed yet, both of them had already sized each other up as lifelong rivals.
"Damn it."
"That woman is totally provoking you."
"Ran."
"Shouldn't you do something about this?"
Akira was a wicked hunter, preying on vulnerable hearts with his irresistible charm. He made women fall deeply in love, twisting their emotions until they surrendered to his will. Under his spell, they followed his every word, offering both their loyalty and their bodies to his dark desires.
Suzuki Sonoko couldn't stand seeing her best friend being challenged like this and worried about how things would unfold.
Tōzuki Shiori was too good at this…
Every little thing she did, every move she made, was designed to win Akira's favor.
If this keeps up, Ran's situation will become really dangerous.
"Why should I do anything?"
"Heh."
"I'm actually quite busy right now."
With that…
Ran threw a punch at the wall behind the cashier counter.
THUD!
The impact was so strong that the employee bulletin board on the wall trembled slightly.
"Heh…"
Suzuki Sonoko twitched at the sight.
Ran was always like this.
She smiled even when she was furious—her true feelings could probably only be understood by that poor wall behind her.
"I have to head out now."
"You guys be good and stay in the store, alright?"
Akira left.
Before leaving, he ruffled Tōzuki Shiori's hair and playfully pinched Ran's nose.
"No way…"
Nakaizumi Yui sucked in a sharp breath, stunned.
Does Akira really not understand women?
With these two glaring at each other like mortal enemies, he still managed to treat them both equally, and then just walked away like it was nothing.
Isn't he afraid this convenience store will turn into a battlefield?
VROOOOM—
The deep roar of the engine echoed through the entire street as Akira stepped on the gas.
What a thrill!
Sitting in the driver's seat, he felt as if a wild beast was roaring beneath him.
Meanwhile…
"Miwako."
"Can't you at least look a little happier while we're out shopping together?"
They had finally managed to get a day off at the same time.
It wasn't easy—given the crime rate in Beika City, getting a day to just hang out was almost impossible.
"Huh…?"
"I am happy."
Miyamoto Yumi sighed and shook her head with a helpless smile.
"I don't see it."
"You've been scanning the crowd ever since we got here, like you're looking for a suspect or something."
She had invited Sato Miwako out to enjoy a day off together.
But the way Miwako was acting, it felt more like she was on an undercover stakeout.
"Didn't you think that guy just now looked suspicious?"
"Shady as hell!"
"There's no way he's up to anything good."
Miyamoto Yumi shrugged.
This was just part of the struggle of having a detective for a best friend.
VROOOOM—
The roaring of a high-powered engine pulled Miyamoto Yumi's attention to the street behind her.
"Miwako, look!"
"That Ferrari is so cool!"
A supercar worth tens of millions of yen, combined with its powerful engine sound, was a guaranteed head-turner wherever it went.
"That's a Ferrari?"
"That means… it must be really expensive, right?"
Sato Miwako wasn't into cars—she could barely recognize the most basic brands.
But…
She wasn't clueless. Even she knew that 'Ferrari' was synonymous with luxury.
"Of course!"
"That thing's worth millions!"
"The guy driving it must be a total heartthrob."
Miyamoto Yumi watched as the Ferrari slowly approached, already anticipating the moment they'd pass by the driver.
"Hey—"
"Could you not drool over random guys?"
As she spoke…
Sato Miwako reached over and pinched Miyamoto Yumi's cheek between her thumb and forefinger.
"Ow—!"
"I was just a little curious, that's all!"
Miyamoto Yumi took a step back, rubbing her sore cheek.
Here it comes!
The red Ferrari F8 was getting closer and closer…
Miyamoto Yumi's eyes widened.
She wanted to see for herself if the driver was as handsome as she imagined.
The next second…
Things didn't go the way she expected.
Instead of passing them by, the Ferrari slowed down and came to a stop right in front of them.
At the same time, the tinted window began to roll down…
"....."