Chapter 499

QLOUNI.

Occupying a prominent, super-large location on the first floor of the shopping street.

Bright lights spilled onto the street through the entire glass curtain wall.

The store space was open, with shelves neatly lined up, and clothes of various colors displayed in sections according to style and color, clear at a glance.

Because of its affordable prices, trendy designs, and reliable quality, QLOUNI has an extremely huge audience base in Japan.

At this moment, the store was bustling with people.

There was a small queue in front of the fitting rooms, customers of different ages were shuttling between the shelves, and the air was filled with light background music and the buzzing sound of low conversations.

The three stepped into this clean and bright shopping space.

The outstanding looks of Natsume Ruri and Kaga Reina immediately attracted quite a few gazes.

But more eyes fell on the boy who was quietly following behind them.

Natsume Chikage's appearance was like a clear stream pouring into a noisy pond.

Many girls in the store picking out clothes couldn't help but cast their gazes toward him, either blatantly or with a quiet glance.

His stunning performance and record-breaking feat in the shogi tournament today had already spread quietly in some online communities, and the attached photos or blurry screenshots gave this overly handsome face a bit of recognition.

At this moment, a few scattered girls in QLOUNI recognized him and exchanged excited yet restrained glances with each other.

But in reality, facing a "real-life handsome guy" of this level, most girls were ultimately shy.

They only dared to watch from afar, confirming with their companions in low voices, but no one had the courage to go up and talk.

And the others who recognized him were two more—Tanabe Yuto, whom he had just competed against in the morning, and his good friend Suzuki Takayuki.

Tanabe Yuto was holding a shirt to compare, and when his peripheral vision caught that familiar figure, his movements paused, and he couldn't help but mutter in a low voice:

"Hey, Takayuki, look over there... isn't that Natsume-kun?"

Suzuki Takayuki followed his gaze and raised his eyebrows in surprise:

"It really is him."

The two looked at each other, put down the clothes in their hands, and walked over.

"Yo, Natsume-kun."

Tanabe Yuto spoke up to greet him, his tone carrying a bit of complex familiarity.

"Really didn't expect... to meet you here."

Natsume Chikage, who was being pulled by his sister to look at a hoodie, turned his head at the sound, his face also showing surprise:

"Eh? Tanabe-kun, Suzuki-kun? Why are you two here?"

Suzuki Takayuki crossed his arms and muttered:

"We should be the ones saying that, right?"

Tanabe Yuto's gaze fell on the two girls beside him, lingering for a moment especially on Kaga Reina, who looked more mature in figure and temperament, and asked thoughtfully:

"Natsume-kun, these two are...?"

Suzuki Takayuki also noticed Kaga Reina, his eyes widening slightly with a teasing smile:

"Could it be... is this your girlfriend? Good guy, I've never heard you mention it at school."

Kaga Reina's face turned bright red instantly upon hearing this.

She subconsciously shrank half a step behind Natsume Chikage, her fingers gently tugging at the corner of his clothes.

In her heart, however, because of the misunderstanding of "girlfriend," a hint of indescribable, secret sweetness welled up.

Natsume Ruri's face turned "black" at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Why did no one misunderstand her?

She glanced at the figure curve of her friend beside her that was already beginning to take shape, then looked down at her own still-green lines, her little mouth puffing up unconsciously.

The desire to win was ignited in some strange corner.

After going home, I must ask Reina-chan what she usually eats!

Natsume Chikage sighed helplessly and clarified:

"What are you thinking? This is my sister, Natsume Ruri; this is my sister's classmate, Kaga Reina."

"They are both junior high students."

The two girls politely nodded to Tanabe and the others and greeted them softly.

As for Natsume Ruri being a junior high student, Tanabe and Suzuki could barely accept it.

But hearing that Kaga Reina was also a junior high student, both of them widened their eyes simultaneously, their faces full of disbelief.

This height, this figure, this... no matter how you look at it, she looks like a high school girl!

"Ah, ah haha... so that's how it is..."

Suzuki Takayuki scratched his head awkwardly.

"Misunderstood, I'm really sorry..."

Tanabe Yuto also gave two dry laughs.

Natsume Chikage pulled the topic back:

"But why did you come here?"

Suzuki Takayuki pointed his thumb at Tanabe Yuto beside him:

"This guy suddenly said he wanted to buy new clothes and forced me to come out to accompany him."

"But Natsume-kun," he looked at Natsume Chikage's attire with some curiosity, "I remember you attend the private Moonlight Academy, right? That place where young ladies and young masters gather, you actually come to our commoner's 'holy land' to buy clothes?"

Natsume Chikage couldn't laugh or cry:

"School is school, and I am me."

"My family background is very ordinary. I'm just here to pick up some daily clothes today."

Tanabe Yuto showed a look of realization:

"So that's it."

Natsume Chikage asked along the way:

"Speaking of which, seeing that you are very familiar with Yasui-kun, Araki-san, and the others, I thought your family backgrounds were similar."

Suzuki Takayuki waved his hand:

"How could that be. Yuto and I are both from ordinary families."

Tanabe Yuto nodded and added:

"Mm. We also attend very ordinary private schools, not at all the same thing as the 'aristocratic' atmosphere of the private Moonlight Academy."

Natsume Chikage was slightly startled.

Right, having stayed at the private Moonlight Academy for a long time recently, he almost forgot that the vast majority of people live an ordinary, budget-conscious life similar to his own now.

Tanabe Yuto tactfully stopped talking, looked at Natsume Ruri who was eager to try beside him, and said:

"Since you still have to pick clothes, we won't disturb you."

Suzuki Takayuki also waved his hand:

"Then we'll go shopping on our own."

Natsume Chikage nodded:

"Mm, see you later."

After saying goodbye to the two, Natsume Ruri immediately leaned over to her brother and asked curiously:

"Brother, I know that Tanabe Yuto, he's your opponent today. Who is the other one?"

Natsume Chikage explained:

"He's his good friend, Suzuki Takayuki. He's also a contestant in this tournament, I heard he's very strong."

Kaga Reina blinked her clear eyes and asked softly:

"Then... will Big Brother Natsume possibly meet him in future matches?"

Natsume Chikage nodded:

"Mm, there is that possibility."

Upon hearing this, Natsume Ruri immediately narrowed her eyes, a serious look like "preparing for battle" appearing on her little face, and tugged at her brother's sleeve: