The party turned out to be a mixer after all. Besides a handful of guys, the majority leaned towards the ratio for females again this year. Mutual opposites attract, and that was precisely what Nijima and the other second years had been planning.

With alcohol and flowers in both hands, the juniors got to know their upperclassmen easily. The increasingly flirtatious atmosphere went strong, as there were already couples sticking together conspicuously. Looks like the guys were going to have their afterparty after this.

I was in a particularly great mood too. Without hesitating, I had ordered almost everything on the menu. Several sets of each ingredient for the hotpot, totalling to about five tables in this private room Nijima had booked in advance. When I did so back then, it was also the first time I’d seen the lad open his eyes so wide. It seems like Nijima was set on giving me the proper introduction as our council president after that.

The lad called for everyone’s attention in the midst of the party, and I was pushed into the spotlight suddenly. After explaining that the expenses were covered by me, the host for tonight, cheers and whistles erupted all around. When the applause died down, everyone looked at me with expectant eyes. They wanted to hear a good speech.

Hmm, isn’t that easy? These guys are probably still nibbling on food in consideration for the expenses later.

But why else would I need to hold back on the food? When I’ve got money! Heaps of money! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Eat! Eat until you’re all little pigs! I can afford everything you want to eat today!

「Come! Another round! Another platter, eat until you drop! No one leaves until their bellies are packed with meat! You hear me, my adorable juniors?!」

『『Ooooohh!!!』』

As I hollered out with flushed cheeks, the yells and excitement in the air rose to its peak.

That slight sense of vanity was satisfied then, and I confidently took on the looks of respect from the freshmen and accepted each and every of their greetings with a smile. Naturally, there were girls that had approached me suggestively as well, once they heard that I was the one paying for tonight. No matter where, money attracts people like seagulls to a fish.

As the time passed by deliriously, my stiff face had also loosened up naturally. I became used to the ones with obvious intentions, and the rest who were simply enjoying themselves with a friend. Taking a step back to observe how everyone occupied themselves here, it became easier to notice the circles that had formed unconsciously around me.

I was too high to care, anyway. Monoka-chan? Yumeha-chan? I was no longer able to recall the names of the girls I was talking to a moment ago, as I chugged down another can of beer .

「Aahh… there’s no more booze.」

Tipping the empty can upside down, I frowned. I did buy only a single case for everyone after all. This isn’t nearly enough. Feeling a little dizzy after a few cans, I leaned against an armrest to stabilize myself. The girl beside me looked at me worriedly and wanted to carry me on her shoulders, but I declined her offer kindly. When it became easier to walk, I moved my unsteady gait off the sofa and left the private room after letting Nijima and a few other guys know.

Outside, there were already a few of the couples from earlier hugging and flirting about openly. I smiled wryly and slowly headed towards the convenience store across the road.

Right, it’s the same one from earlier. I wonder if that lad is still slacking off on his phone. As I approached the sliding doors at the entrance, I saw a familiar figure.

「...Shiori?」

The girl turned to look at me when I called out her name. Those unmistakably blue eyes and that neat bob cut, it was Shiori after all.

『...Oh, what a coincidence, senpai.』

Shiori stared at me for a moment, and suddenly came closer to me by a few steps. When she was right before me, her nose started to twitch.

「...Uhh… Shiori?」

『(...Two… no, three… four… …)』

I heard her soft muttering, as if she was counting something while sniffing me.

『---Senpai.』

「Y-Yeah?」

The temperature of the surroundings fell several degrees all of a sudden, and Shiori squinted her eyes while asking:

『...Who have you been drinking with?』

What a strange question.

「The guys in our department. You know, the usual freshmen welcoming party we throw every year.」

I shrugged my shoulders casually. When Shiori saw that, she paused momentarily and then returned to her usual expression.

『Is that so.』

「Yep. Speaking of which, why are you here?」

『Why can’t I be here?』

「...Yep, I totally didn’t say that. But if you’re here to get something, let’s go in already?」

Shiori did not say anything, but we still entered the convenience store together. The teenager who was the cashier for the night shift noticed me and revealed a look of surprise for a moment. I nodded towards him with a smile and headed towards where the beer was.

As I was taking another carton out, Shiori had came beside me before I knew it. She glanced at the carton in my basket and then returned her attention towards some ready-made sandwiches in front of her.

『Senpai, too much alcohol is bad for your body.』

「I know. It’s just for today. And what about you, what happened to hanging out with Junko and the girls?」

『I had something to do so I left halfway.』

Shiori replied flatly and proceeded to place a couple sandwiches into her basket.

「That so.」

The conversation ended abruptly right there. Sighing to myself, I moved my basket over to the counter. Once again, I fished out the black card and used it to pay. The young man was also seemingly used to that strange card and procedurally handled my purchase.

When I was about to leave, Shiori was also finished with her browsing and was paying at the counter. I scratched my head, and traced back my steps.

『Senpai…? What are you...』

「I’ll pay for them.」

『But...』

「It’s not a big deal. Let me pay for you.」

Realizing that I wouldn’t give in, Shiori lowered her head and thanked me hesitantly. I could afford whatever she bought anyway, and I thought that I would be able to buy her favor easily this time. Who knows how handy this would be when she loses her temper again in the future?

As expected, when one has money, many things become easily obtained. Relationships become much stronger with money as a catalyst after all. It is embedded within the crevices of human society.

「Ah, I’ll have these too.」

Thinking of including some sweets for her as well, I found a few colorful packagings on a nearby shelf. As I placed those into the basket too, I suddenly noticed that the cashier’s expression had become a little strange.

What? Did I do something weird? Shiori had also turned eerily silent behind me. That was when I suddenly realized something, and hurriedly took out one of those small boxes to confirm my suspicions.

C-Condoms! At a time like this!

In that case, the meaning of my original intention was now----

『----The worst!』

Slap---

The slight numbness on my cheek became hot.

When I looked back up at the girl, I realized that there were crystals forming at the corners of her eyes.

「W-Wait!」

But without listening to my explanation, Shiori had already taken the plastic bag and ran out of the store. Holding my left cheek, I watched her back as she left into the night gradually.

A momentary flash of the past overlapped with her back. For some reason, I couldn’t help but chuckle sadly to myself.

… … … … …

… … … …

… … …

… …

…

..

『Se...pai...』

『Senpai?』

A familiar voice made my eyes flicker open to a set of bright lights.

「Aahh… Wha… booze? Where’s the booze...」

『Senpai, the restaurant is closing up. We have to leave already.』

「Leave…? Uugh...」

I shook my head with a blurry, fading consciousness. I must have drunk a little too much.

「What’s… the time now?」

I asked Nijima who was supporting my shoulder beside me.

『11.20. You fell asleep midway, senpai. You’ve drank a little too much today...』

Nijima looked at me worriedly, but said nothing more.

「...Right, sorry about that… you just had to see me wasted like this...」

『No, it’s nothing really. Senpai was the one who treated us to everything anyway, I don’t even have the time to thank you instead...』

I chuckled and waved my hand to tell him that it was a small matter, but in the midst I abruptly held my mouth with both hands as a wave of nausea hit my throat----

「Umphhh...」

『Senpai?!』

『Ah, this guy again… And we even told you not to drink so much earlier … Well, you can leave this grown-up baby to us, Nijima. We’ll bring him back to the dorms.』

Fatso?

『Ah, Minho-senpai, thank you. Then, the afterparty...』

『Save it, save it… when he gets like this, someone needs to take care of him. We’ll carry him back to rest.』

I heard someone else speak again. It was Sakamoto Dino, another one of my dorm buddies.

...Looks like I’ve troubled them again.

『In that case, thanks… I’ll let the others know then.』

Nijima left while bowing, and soon it was just me and the boys again. Fatso looked at me, and handed me a beer.

『...Let’s go outside. You’ve still not had enough, have you?』

「...Thanks.」

They carried me on their shoulders as I drank another mouthful at the back. I had also noticed that they had properly shooed away the girls who were clinging near me from earlier. But they were probably just jealous seeing me like that. Chuckling to myself, I told them.

「You can put me down now. I can walk on my own.」

We stopped at a few railings in front of the restaurant, and found some time to relax under the night sky.

『You still can’t forget about that one time?』

「...I already did. I’m fine now aren’t I?」

Fatso shook his head as if he was looking at a terminally ill patient. He didn’t believe me, someone who was drowning in an entire carton of beer.

「Look, I’m really fine. Anyway, you don’t have to follow me back, just go ahead if you want to join the afterparty. I’m sober enough already to head back myself. I know you guys are looking forward to making a girlfriend today, I don’t want you guys to waste this opportunity.」

When I looked at them seriously, Fatso and Dino looked at each other and finally shrugged their shoulders..

『Just be careful at night.』

『We’ll get going then, if that’s the case.』

『Ring us if you need anything.』

「Yeah, and you guys too. I’d better hear about it if any of you hit it big tonight.」

After leaving a few words, I waved them off as they left with Nijima and the others to a 24/7 karaoke bar. When they were no longer in sight, I raised my head and took in the fresh air with closed eyes. The wind brushed past my hair pleasantly, as I enjoyed the night breeze quietly.

Now that I was a little more clear-headed, I guess it’s time to head back. I returned to the campus, where there were hardly anyone around any more.

I passed by a few benches, and saw a couple who were having a late night rendezvous. I continued past a few blocks and was about to reach the student dormitories, when I saw something strange at a distance.

A large number of shadows darted to and fro underneath a block. It seems to be the club block, but the first floor was already locked down with shutters.

Thieves? That was the first impression I had of them. But that notion quickly faded away, as I realized the object they were carrying in their hands.

Guns! And with those visor helmets and some kind of tactical vest strapped over their bodies…

These guys were most likely special forces! What was going on? Were they filming some sort of movie? I quickly discarded that notion, as I hardly saw any cameras and lighting around. Being around in theatrics for quite some time now, it was easy to spot a stage with experience.

If that wasn’t the case, then what the hell were they trying to do here? As expected, this group of people were unlawfully breaching into private property! The rifles that were held really seemed like the real deal the more I looked at it!

Realizing that the situation had turned serious, I immediately sobered up. But I didn’t leave immediately, as my curiosity had been piqued. Without alerting them, I moved carefully and hid behind a few bushes while observing the squad of fully-armed men. They were currently surrounding the entire first floor, but no longer moved after a while. It was as if they were in position for their next instruction.

What else were they going to do now? Should I call the police? Right, my phone! I watched apprehensively as I slowly took out a phone from my pockets and turned it to silent mode. God knows how many times someone in a spy film had forgotten to turn off their phones at a critical moment, only to be spotted at a very bad timing.

But it seems that the night was still not out of surprises yet.

As I was just about to heave a sigh of relief----

BOOM!

Without warning, a loud explosion erupted which nearly made my heart leap out of my chest! I looked over to where the sound came from, and realized that it was the handiwork of those armed men! What was going on? Was this actually a raid?!

When the smoke cloud had dispersed, my eyes widened at the sight before me.

A wide hole was actually left in the middle of the metal shutters!