'Finally arrived.'
Utaha and Tomoya finding them was definitely not a coincidence.
Takashi had left a trail all along, luring them here.
Whether it was eating cotton candy or playing shooting games, Takashi took photos and posted on social media everywhere he went.
As long as Utaha wasn't stupid, she should be able to deduce his route and find him and Eriri.
"Even if I did it on purpose, what can you do about it, Sawamura-san?"
Utaha smiled faintly at Eriri.
"You…"
"Alright, alright, don't let some irrelevant people ruin our mood."
Seeing the two about to argue, Takashi jumped in as a mediator.
Eriri was amused hearing this.
"Yes, we won't pay attention to irrelevant people."
Regarding Utaha being irrelevant to Takashi, Eriri was very pleased, even emphasizing the four words "irrelevant people."
"Takashi, am I really irrelevant to you now?"
Utaha clenched her chest tightly, her eyes hurt.
"..."
Takashi's gaze wandered, not answering, not looking at her.
He was avoiding it.
'Takashi, you really haven't forgotten me.'
Seeing this, Utaha's lips curled into a faint smile.
Takashi's silence was a signal that he hadn't forgotten her.
After all, she was Watanabe Takashi's first love.
Eriri is nothing but a petty little bitch who took advantage of the situation!
"Give me a strawberry shaved ice."
Megumi ignored the commotion here and, as if nothing happened, went to the shaved ice vendor and started ordering.
She wore a yukata again today.
Her yukata was a girly pink with embroidered falling cherry blossom petals, giving off a strong summer vibe.
Utaha wore a yukata patterned with African daisies in black.
The style was gorgeous, but even such a magnificent kimono didn't overshadow her beauty—in fact, it only accentuated Utaha's charm more.
Eriri, Megumi, and Utaha—these three girls were all beautiful, each representing a different style of beauty.
Standing together, Takashi felt like an emperor selecting his concubines.
"Since we ran into each other, let's hang out together. Watanabe wouldn't mind, right?"
Tomoya's words carried a hint of hostility.
This guy not only stole the senior's heart from him, but now he was even trying to snatch his childhood friend.
He was the culprit who caused his club to fall apart.
If it weren't for this guy, the senior would still like him, and Eriri's world would revolve around him.
But now everything was ruined because of this guy.
Takashi glanced at Tomoya, smiling carelessly: "Sure, since we ran into each other."
He was not unaware of Tomoya's hostility toward him.
But he never took Tomoya seriously.
"Customer, your shaved ice is ready."
Once everyone had their shaved ice in hand, what was originally a pair became a group of five.
Along the way, Utaha wanted to get close to Takashi and talk to him.
But she was guarded fiercely by Eriri, and couldn't get close at all.
The five walked slowly, stopping to draw fortune slips and buy roasted corn.
Standing behind the goldfish scooping stall, Takashi and Tomoya watched the three girls crouching down to scoop goldfish with children, and Takashi took the initiative to ask,
"How long have you known the senior?"
Tomoya seemed surprised that Takashi would speak to him first. Although he didn't want to talk to Takashi, he still replied, "Two years."
Takashi continued, "Oh? And how about knowing Eriri?"
"Ten years."
After saying that, Tomoya suddenly added, "She used to like me."
Takashi heard this low-level provocation and couldn't help but chuckle.
"So?"
Tomoya opened and closed his lips but didn't know how to respond.
"I've been courting your senior for less than half a year."
"And I took your childhood friend in less than three months."
Tomoya gritted his teeth tightly, his eyes burning with hatred as he stared at Takashi.
Takashi looked at him, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth:
"How long do you think it takes me to win over your female lead? Three days? A week? Or a month?"
"You bastard!"
Tomoya, already boiling with anger, saw Takashi still reaching out toward Megumi.
Enraged, he grabbed Takashi's collar, raised his fist, and threw a punch.
Takashi didn't take hits lightly.
Just as Tomoya's fist was about to land on his face, Takashi activated his "max-level dodge," tilted his head sharply, and narrowly avoided it.
Tomoya hit nothing.
But in the eyes of the three girls who turned toward the noise, it looked like Tomoya had punched Takashi.
"Aki, what are you doing?!"
Before his fist could fall, Eriri let out a shrill scream.
She didn't even have time to put down her fishing net before running quickly to Takashi and shoved Tomoya away.
"Takashi, are you okay? Blood—Takashi, your mouth is bleeding!"
At that moment, Takashi bit the corner of his mouth with his canine teeth.
Seeing Takashi's lip stained with blood, Eriri was at a loss.
"Eriri, don't be fooled by him. I didn't touch him at all!---"
Slap!
Before Tomoya could finish, Utaha delivered a heavy slap across his cheek.
"..."
Covering his slapped face, Tomoya, like a rusty toy, stiffly turned his head in disbelief to look at Utaha, who had just slapped him.
He couldn't believe that one day Utaha would hit him for a stranger.
"Who gave you permission to lay a hand on him! What right do you have to touch him!"
Utaha's eyes darkened with fury, her beautiful features twisted slightly.
"It's just that I accidentally bit my mouth when my teeth knocked together."
Takashi wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, comforted Eriri, then looked up, innocent expression directed at Tomoya:
"Aki, I know you hate that I stole Eriri from you, but feelings can't be forced."
"Eriri and I truly love each other."
"If you're still dissatisfied, you can beat me up—I promise I won't fight back."
Takashi said this with his mouth, but in the line of sight Tomoya could see, the corners of his lips curled slightly.
At that moment, Tomoya finally understood—the despicable man had deliberately provoked him just now.
This man was cunning.
He absolutely couldn't let Eriri fall into his hands.
She'd be gnawed to the bone, and he had to protect her.
Tomoya felt a protective urge toward Eriri, but little did he know that his thoughts were exactly what Takashi had deliberately led him to.
As for Utaha—
After that slap, Tomoya thought she was no longer related to him.
No matter what happened to her, he wouldn't care anymore.
"Eriri, come with me."
Tomoya dragged Eriri away, pushing through the crowd and walking toward a remote area.
"Aki, what are you doing! Let me go!"
Eriri struggled hard, punching and kicking Tomoya, but to no avail.
The innate strength difference between men and women decides everything.
Takashi was about to stand up and pretend to intervene when Megumi approached with a handkerchief and quietly said, "Kitahara-kun, wipe the blood first."
Takashi's pupils suddenly contracted sharply when he heard this. He snapped his head to look directly at Megumi.
What did she just call him?
Kitahara-kun?
When did he get exposed?
Their eyes met; the girl's gaze was clear and transparent, as if she could see through his heart.
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