COTE : Backed By Black Technology System

Since it was hot on the way, the three of them didn't talk much until they reached the shopping arcade. Although it was only June, the air conditioning was already on inside, giving them instant relief. They all sighed with a "finally alive again" look.

Because the school's foot traffic is low and the electronics store mainly serves students, the place wasn't large, but it didn't feel cramped either.

Despite its size, the store was well-stocked—even the latest laptops could be found tucked away somewhere.

"I think the repair counter is over there."

Since Kanda Shuichi had only come here for pickups, Kushida Kikyo naturally took the lead as their guide. This guy sure seems to know everything.

Kushida led the way, while Kanda Shuichi and Sakura Airi followed behind.

"I wonder if it can be fixed quickly…" Sakura held her small camera tightly, looking nervous.

"For a camera like yours, it usually has to be sent back to the manufacturer, so it might take a few days."

Sakura's camera wasn't some generic brand but a fairly well-known one in Japan. Considering the special circumstances of their school, it wouldn't have a dedicated repair station. So, Kanda Shuichi's guess was likely accurate.

However, hearing his words seemed to make Sakura Airi even more anxious.

"I found it! The repair counter."

At Kushida's words, Kanda Shuichi and Sakura Airi looked over at her waving hand and walked towards her.

But as they neared the counter, Sakura suddenly stopped. Kanda Shuichi looked back to see a look of disgust on her face.

Turning his head, he followed her gaze but didn't notice anything unusual except for the scruffy-looking clerk.

"What's wrong, Sakura?"

Kanda Shuichi asked casually, sensing something was off.

"Ah, um... that..."

After stammering a few times, Sakura still couldn't say anything, and in the end, She just shook his head and took a deep breath.

But that look of fear in your eyes and the obvious nervousness on your face have already given you away.

"Nothing..."

Looking at Sakura, who was trembling slightly and seemed afraid, Kanda Shuichi thought he should do something. After all, Sakura's camera was broken because he asked Kushida to act in the first place.

There aren't many people here. If it wasn't because of him and Kushida, then it must have something to do with that shop clerk.

"Let's find somewhere to sit for a bit. It's so hot out—let me treat you both to a drink, since there's still plenty of time."

Kanda Shuichi thought it would be best to figure out the situation first.

"I don't mind, and there's a free cold drink in it," Kushida said, sounding a little surprised but not opposed to a free drink.

After hesitating for a moment, Sakura also nodded.

With that decided, the three of them turned and headed to a nearby café. As they walked, Kanda Shuichi kept his eyes on the scruffy-looking shop clerk.

As Sakura and Kushida turned away, the clerk's smile vanished, replaced by a look of clear disappointment.

So, that guy is suspicious!

But with Sakura's camera broken, she'd have to go back to him to get it fixed, and she wasn't willing to accept Kushida's offer of a new one.

It seemed the camera held something precious to her. But what could be so valuable in a slightly used camera? If not the appearance, then it must be the data inside.

Sakura probably didn't want anyone seeing what was stored in it—not even Kushida, who was close to her, much less that strange clerk.

After ordering cold drinks, the three of them sat inside the café to cool off.

"Sakura, have you met that clerk before?"

Kushida looked at Kanda in surprise, as if to say, "How did you know?" and then looked to Sakura for confirmation.

"He tried to chat me up once… so when Kanda-kun agreed to come along, I felt a little relieved…"

Sakura nodded and revealed the truth.

"No wonder you were so tense when I joked about heading back this morning," Kanda Shuichi said, taking a sip of the freshly squeezed orange juice the waiter had brought. It was sweet and refreshing.

Kushida looked down, disappointed. "I was the only one who didn't notice."

Now they were at an impasse. Sakura's camera was broken, but it contained important data. The only shop at school that could fix it was staffed by a shady clerk.

Kanda Shuichi had examined the camera's design; the storage card was built into it and couldn't be removed directly. The only option was to open it up.

But if dismantling it didn't work, they'd still have to go back to that store.

Damn it—a dead end!

Fine, let's open it up and take a look. If that doesn't work, we'll think of something else.

"How about I try to take the storage card out of your camera?"

Sakura Airi was stunned for a moment, then shook her head.

"This camera's storage is attached to it; there's no way to take it out."

Great, a real dead end.

Kanda Shuichi started thinking of ways to get out of this mess.

If the guy was shady from the start, it'd be easier to deal with. But since he hadn't made any moves, they'd have to create an opening themselves. With that in mind, Kanda Shuichi turned his gaze to Kushida.

"What are you planning?"

When Kanda Shuichi looked at her, Kushida felt a chill run down her spine.

"Kushida, go seduce that employee."

"What?"

Even Kushida couldn't believe what she was hearing and raised her voice, drawing the attention of nearly everyone in the café. She instinctively stood up, giving Kanda Shuichi a "you've got to be kidding" look before quickly sitting back down, realizing she was attracting too much attention.

"I can't do something like that! And what are you even trying to do?" Although Kushida wanted to kick Kanda hard, her personality wouldn't allow her to act like that in public.

"That guy looked shady to me from the start. I was hoping you could get some proof."

"Then just say it normally. Why bring up... seduction..."

Seeing Kushida's reaction, Kanda Shuichi realized he had taken the joke too far and quickly apologized.

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