When Origami followed the direction she had previously noted and found Shido and Chinatsu near the exit of the rail boat ride, she saw a scene where both of their hair was slightly damp, yet the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.
Chinatsu still wore a relaxed smile that hadn't completely faded, and Shido also seemed less tense than before.
This sight caused Origami's light gray eyes to shift slightly, but she said nothing, simply walking forward calmly.
"Shido, Chinatsu-san."
She spoke, interrupting the brief harmony.
"Ah, Classmate Origami, you're back."
Shido quickly greeted her, instinctively glancing at Chinatsu, worried that she would revert to her previous low-pressure state due to Origami's presence.
However, Chinatsu merely shot Origami a glance and casually responded with an "Mhm," her attitude quite indifferent, showing neither obvious welcome nor resistance, as if Origami's presence or absence didn't affect her much.
She was more concerned with the slight soreness in her arm from exerting herself during the water gun game earlier, and she was gently flexing her wrist.
(It seems she has temporarily suppressed her suspicions about the AST, or does she have other plans?)
Chinatsu pondered internally, but outwardly maintained an attitude of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do."
Just then, a faint "rumble" came from Shido's stomach, causing his face to instantly flush red.
"Uh..." Shido scratched his head awkwardly.
Chinatsu raised an eyebrow and was quite direct: "Hungry? I am too, a little. Playing for so long is quite exhausting."
Origami immediately seized this opportunity.
The guidance coordinates she had just received flashed quickly through her mind.
One of the locations was situated just outside the Amusement Park perimeter, adjacent to a relatively quiet old commercial district, where there was a suitable shop.
"Since that is the case,"
Origami suggested in her characteristic steady tone, "I know a restaurant nearby that tastes very good. Why don't we go there for a meal?"
She paused, then added a seemingly casual description: "It's not inside the Amusement Park; we need to walk a distance outside. It's an old establishment, and the environment is relatively quiet."
(Go outside? Leave the crowded Amusement Park?)
A subtle alarm sounded in Chinatsu's heart, but it was immediately suppressed by a stronger rationale.
(The notification that the Aha mission is not yet complete means I must stick with Shido. Furthermore, actions that seem abnormal are more likely to conceal clues. I want to see what Origami, or rather the AST behind her, is truly planning.)
"It doesn't matter, as long as it fills my stomach."
Chinatsu shrugged, looking like she was ready to go with the flow.
For her, as long as her bottom line wasn't crossed (such as directly exposing her identity or endangering her life), moderate risk was acceptable while completing the mission.
Shido, however, hesitated, subconsciously seeking the opinion of Fraxinus via his earpiece.
On the bridge of the Fraxinus, Kotori was biting her precious jewel while analyzing the situation.
"Data shows that inside the Amusement Park, due to Origami's continuous interference and the limitations of the activities themselves, the effective interaction rate and affection level increase efficiency between Shido and Chinatsu are below expectations."
Kanmoto reported the analysis results.
"Leaving the Amusement Park and changing the environment might break the current deadlock."
Kawagoe stroked his chin, "A new, relatively unfamiliar environment makes it easier to create novelty and opportunities for them to be alone."
"Furthermore, 'an old establishment,' 'quiet environment'..." Kannazuki's eyes lit up.
"This is practically a natural breeding ground for romantic atmosphere! It's much more suitable for deep communication than the noisy Amusement Park!"
"Most importantly,"
Kotori declared definitively, "we can temporarily get rid of Origami's 'close-quarters defense'! When eating outside, surely they won't all squeeze into one booth, right? This is an opportunity! Agree to the transfer!"
[Shido, agree to her!]
Kotori's instruction arrived.
[Leaving the Amusement Park is a good thing! Finding a quiet place to eat is perfect for you to make your move! Seize the opportunity!]
Receiving support, Shido nodded: "O-okay, then let's follow Classmate Origami's plan."
And so, the three of them, each with their own intentions, temporarily left the laughter-filled Amusement Park, following Origami's guidance.
They headed toward that old establishment located in a secluded district, which had been marked as one of the potential "guidance coordinates."
Origami led the two through several increasingly quiet streets, finally stopping in front of a shop that genuinely looked quite old.
The shop's facade was made of dark wood, and the characters on the sign were somewhat blurred by the erosion of time, but the words "Kanmi-dokoro" (Sweet Shop) could still be faintly discerned.
The wooden lattice windows were clean.
However, traces of peeling paint could be seen around the edges.
Overall, it looked far from dilapidated; instead, it had a warm, smooth texture, as if meticulously polished by time, jarringly out of place among the surrounding modern buildings, like a forgotten corner.
Pushing open the slightly heavy wooden door, the bell above the lintel gave a crisp "ding-a-ling."
The interior space was small, the lighting somewhat dim, relying mainly on a few warm, orange-yellow pendant lamps.
The air was filled with the faint, sweet scent of sticky red beans and the rich aroma of old wood.
The tables and chairs were made of dark solid wood, their edges rounded and smooth, clearly having endured years of use.
There were very few customers, only an old couple sitting quietly in a corner drinking tea; time here seemed to flow exceptionally slowly.
(Oh? This place... is interesting.)
Chinatsu surveyed her surroundings.
The authority of Reason Law allowed her to easily perceive the long history contained within the shop's wooden structure; that sense of accumulated time couldn't be faked.
This truly was just an ordinary old shop; at least for now, there were no traces of spiritual power or technological traps.
"Welcome."
An elderly woman wearing a plain kimono, with gray hair neatly combed, emerged from behind the counter.
She wore a benevolent smile, and her gaze swept over the three of them.
Her gaze lingered for a moment particularly on Chinatsu's ice-blue long hair and Origami's expressionless face, but she asked no further questions.
"Please sit here."
She led the trio to a window seat, which happened to be a semi-enclosed booth.
Although not as private as a separate room, it still created a certain degree of independent space.
Origami naturally sat on the aisle side.
Shido hesitated for a moment and sat opposite Origami.
Chinatsu sat indifferently next to Shido, directly facing Origami.
(Tsk, still a three-person seating arrangement.)
Chinatsu inwardly curled her lip, but her attention was more drawn to the traditional Japanese desserts and light meals on the menu.
(Red bean mochi soup... Matcha warabi mochi... Looks like it might be good?)
Shido looked at the excessively quiet environment, then at Origami across from him, whose aura was still severe, and at Chinatsu beside him, who seemed more interested in the menu.
He felt the slight sense of ease he had just established on the rail boat was quickly fading away.
He took a deep breath, silently encouraging himself, preparing to look for a breakthrough during lunch, following Kotori's instructions.
Meanwhile, Origami, while seemingly concentrating on the menu, used her peripheral vision to confirm the surroundings of the shop and compare them with the coordinates in her mind.
(The location matches the preset guidance area.
The entrance is narrow, and there is a suspected kitchen back door passage at the rear.
The structure is relatively simple, facilitating control.
Scanning progress... is expected to take some more time.
I need to create a reasonable excuse to stay, and at the appropriate moment, guide them toward the more precise coordinate point...)
Inside the old shop, beneath the warm and peaceful atmosphere, the undercurrent of turmoil had not ceased.
Lunchtime would become the stage for a new round of psychological maneuvering and potential conflict.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"