After entering the dormitory building, Sakura said goodbye to everyone and left first. Today's social activities had exceeded the young woman's capacity, making her eager to breathe the air of solitude.
The remaining three entered the elevator together. When they reached the third floor, Kushida Kikyou knew this was where Yudao's room was located, so she looked at his face, preparing to say goodbye.
But to her surprise, after the elevator doors opened, ichinose Honami followed Yudao out of the elevator. The two of them said goodbye to the short-haired girl and walked side by side toward the hallway.
What does this mean???
Before the elevator doors closed, Kushida Kikyou's face instantly darkened. She recalled the scene she had witnessed in the fresh food market, where these two were selecting ingredients together like newlyweds, intimate and natural.
Doesn't this guy like me?
When the elevator reached the floor of Kushida's dormitory, the short-haired girl walked out expressionlessly. She decided she needed to find another opportunity to see Yudao. If this guy was lying, she absolutely couldn't let him get away with it.
Meanwhile, on the other side, after opening his dormitory door, Yudao and ichinose Honami went inside.
"As we agreed today, I'll do the cooking," the young man smiled, watching the pink-haired girl reach for the apron hanging on the side of the refrigerator.
"Mm-hmm, let me help Yudao tie the apron."
ichinose Honami's pretty face wore a gentle, radiant smile as she gestured for Yudao to raise his arms. She then slipped the apron over him and tied a knot behind his back.
"There, Yudao the contestant can now begin cooking. I will maintain a strictly fair and just attitude to evaluate and score your culinary skills," ichinose Honami suddenly lowered her voice, assuming an authoritative master's demeanor, and said solemnly to the young man before her, "I hope to see your full potential."
"I won't disappoint you, teacher. Please wait a moment."
Yudao tugged at his apron, his expression extremely serious. After taking out the ingredients they had bought today from the plastic bag, he had already rolled up his sleeves, ready to cook.
"The teacher may rest in another area. I will finish quickly."
"I look forward to it, Contestant Yudao."
After this exchange, she could no longer contain herself and burst into laughter: "I didn't expect Yudao to play along so well! We really are in sync!"
"It's not the first time. I checked out that cooking show you mentioned earlier, ichinose. It's quite interesting."
"Mm-hmm, then please continue. Don't disappoint me!"
ichinose Honami put her hands behind her back and walked slowly toward the young man's bedroom, like a lord inspecting their domain, head held high and chest out.
This kind of short role-play had become a small amusement they discovered in daily life. Sometimes Yudao would also play the role of a culinary master evaluating ichinose's cooking skills.
After finishing dinner and chatting for a while, ichinose Honami left.
As Yudao was organizing his clothes, preparing to take a shower, he heard someone knocking on his door.
"Did she forget something?"
Yudao rubbed his hair and went to open the door.
"Good evening, Yudao."
It was Kushida Kikyou.
A smile hung on her small face, but beneath that smile, there seemed to be a hint of coldness.
"Oh, it's Kushida. Please come in." After letting Kushida Kikyou in, the young man closed the door.
"It's so late. Did Kushida need something from me?"
Hearing the young man's question, Kushida Kikyou didn't immediately answer. Instead, she began looking around the dormitory, as if searching for something.
"?"
"What is Kushida looking for?"
"Who was Yudao just having dinner with?"
The short-haired girl's expression still carried a smile. She detected that familiar scent again, her gaze fixed on Yudao's face.
"Oh, so that's what Kushida wants to know?" Yudao's attitude was very open. He said gently, "It was ichinose. She helped me select groceries today, so I cooked her a meal as thanks."
"Didn't Kushida already see that?"
"...Really?"
Upon hearing this answer, Kushida Kikyou's expression suddenly changed, transforming from a gentle, lovable little angel into the cold demeanor she had shown that night.
"So you and ichinose really are close."
"Well, we are classmates after all, so naturally we get along."
Kushida suddenly took several steps forward, pressing herself against Yudao's chest, and said deliberately, "Don't forget what you promised me. If you dare to reveal the secret to ichinose..."
"On that point, ichinose and I are just comrades fighting side by side for the class. I won't tell her anything personal, so please rest assured, Kushida."
"You'd better not!"
Kushida Kikyou reached out and grabbed Yudao's collar, then after a few seconds, released her grip and smoothed out the wrinkles.
"I'll be watching you all the time. Don't betray me!"
"Did Kushida come to find me just to say this?" Yudao touched his collar, a puzzled expression appearing on his face.
"Of course not! I have an important discovery to share with Yudao."
In an instant, the short-haired girl's demeanor returned to her previous gentle appearance, and she took out her phone from her pocket.
Damn, this girl's ability to change faces on the spot is really skilled.
What an old theater performer.
"Can Yudao take a look at what this is?"
After taking her phone, Yudao saw a very beautiful model photo. In the picture, a girl with red long hair, dressed very fashionably, was smiling energetically at the camera.
"This is..."
"You can swipe through them. I just found these online. Doesn't this girl look like someone we know, Yudao?"
"You mean Sakura?"
Yudao's ability to recognize people was always strong. After looking through several of these model photoshoot-type images, he quickly connected the person in the pictures with the shy girl who liked to keep her head lowered.
After all, the [Stock Analyzer] clearly stated that Sakura Airi worked as a model and blog idol. Were these her work photos?
"Yes, besides looking similar in appearance and physique, take a look at the last photo, Yudao. The background looks like the dormitory of this school."
"Hmm... it really does."
Yudao nodded pretentiously.
But if Sakura is so active online, why is she so timid in real life?
"I think this might be why she was initially reluctant to help," Kushida analyzed. "Since she's hiding this side of herself, she naturally wouldn't want to interact with more people, as it might expose her."
"But it's fine! Sakura just texted me saying she's willing to help with the Sudo matter." Kushida smiled, showing a very gratified expression. "It seems accompanying her to fix the camera wasn't wasted."
"That's great. I hope you all can get through this crisis."
Yudao nodded, but in his mind, he kept thinking about Sakura Airi's online photos he had just seen. According to the [Stock Analyzer]'s information, taking photos with Sakura Airi would increase her stock price.
If he actively used this topic as a starting point, would it bring them closer?
He would have to try it out to see.