78 -78- The unpleasant individual

"Hmm?"

Hori, who was heading towards the counter, noticed something unusual behind him, turned around, and looked towards Sakura Airi's direction.

As a result, Hori saw Sakura Airi frozen in place like she was trapped in mud, unable to move her feet, standing there blankly.

But it wasn't just standing there.

Upon closer inspection, Hori noticed an intense shyness and even fear in Sakura Airi's eyes as she stared in the direction of the counter.

"What's wrong?" Hori frowned and looked back at the counter.

This time, Hori's frown became even more pronounced as he looked towards the counter.

It was because, at the counter, a male staff member was staring in their direction.

He seemed to be a staff member of this electronics store, dressed in the store's uniform, presumably responsible for handling customer requests, and therefore stood behind the counter.

However, the staff member was staring at them with an indescribable gaze.

What kind of gaze was it?

In short, it was a gaze full of aggression.

Muddy and filthy, as if greedily desiring something.

That was the reason for Hori's frown.

Until now, Hori had encountered all sorts of people.

Among them, there were cruel and ruthless individuals.

Among them, there were kind and gentle ones.

Among them, there were strong personalities like Horikita Suzune.

Among them, there were also reserved individuals like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

Even arrogant and self-centered individuals like Kouenji Rokusuke, Hori had seen many times.

Naturally, Hori had also encountered those who were very unsightly and ugly, revealing the desires of human nature in all their glory.

Having seen so many people, Hori was accustomed to not being influenced by others' egos, remaining calm in the face of any kind of existence.

However, the gaze of the staff member in front of him, although it didn't affect Hori's emotions, still felt somewhat glaring.

More importantly, Hori knew who the staff member was looking at with that kind of gaze.

He was looking at Sakura Airi.

As if seeing something he had longed for, the staff member's gaze revealed colors of excitement, greed, invasion, and defilement.

The staff member was staring at Sakura Airi with such eyes.

And, he completely ignored Hori.

"Do you need something?"

The middle-aged staff member spoke directly to Sakura Airi through Hori standing in front of him.

His voice not only gave off a sleazy feeling but also carried a disturbing nervousness.

"Ah..."

Sakura Airi couldn't help but take a step back.

Her face showed a hint of fear and dread.

And looking at Sakura Airi like this, the staff member seemed not to realize that his behavior had frightened her, nor did he think that anything was wrong. Instead, he cracked a smile, as if witnessing a memorable scene.

That smile appeared even more sleazy and neurotic.

This made Sakura Airi's hands tremble slightly.

For the shy Sakura Airi, the behavior of this staff member was extremely terrible, and it was impossible not to feel afraid.

But the staff member seemed to want to say something to Sakura Airi.

If Hori hadn't stepped forward.

"Excuse me, I'm the one who needs assistance here."

Hori took a step forward.

And, subtly blocked the aggressive gaze of the staff member, blocking Sakura Airi behind him.

"Huh?"

The staff member seemed to be startled awake, raised his head, and looked at Hori.

What he saw was Hori's eyes, calm and deep, completely different from the staff member's eyes full of desire.

Hori met the staff member's gaze.

"You handle electronics repairs here, right?" Hori narrowed his eyes and said lightly, "Then please take care of this digital camera."

With that, Hori placed the digital camera on the counter.

The unmistakable tone in Hori's voice made the staff member somewhat timid.

However, the staff member continued to glance at Sakura Airi, who was standing behind Hori.

"Ugh..."

Sakura Airi tightly closed her eyes, as if she didn't want to see the staff member anymore, and for the first time, she leaned towards Hori, reaching out and grabbing the hem of his uniform.

Hori could feel Sakura Airi's hand trembling as she held onto his clothes.

Her fear seemed to have reached its peak.

Unfortunately, the staff member kept glancing back and forth between Hori, Sakura Airi, and the digital camera in a nervous manner, asking with a neurotic tone, "Whose is this? Is it yours? Or hers?"

The staff member's question was mixed with anticipation and excitement, but it wasn't directed at Hori, it was still aimed at Sakura Airi, who was hiding behind him.

"I... I..."

Sakura Airi tried to answer, but her voice trembled so much that she couldn't give a complete reply.

"Whose is it? Whose is it?" The staff member pressed on eagerly, almost aggressively, as if trying to approach Sakura Airi.

Until...

"It's mine."

When these words reached the staff member's ears, the digital camera in his hand was taken away by another hand.

The one who took the camera was naturally Hori.

While the staff member was stunned, Hori calmly spoke up.

"But for now, I don't want it repaired."

With that said, Hori held the hand of Sakura Airi, who hadn't reacted yet, and walked towards the exit of the store.

"W-Wait!"

Seeing this, the staff member was astonished and hurriedly called out to Hori.

Hori stopped in his tracks and turned his head slowly towards the staff member.

A chilling light flashed in Hori's eyes as he stared at the staff member.

In that instant, the staff member felt his whole body turn cold and, stumbled a few steps back.

Hori looked at the staff member, who was trembling with fear, and continued to lead Sakura Airi, who hadn't reacted yet, towards the exit of the store.

Not long after, Hori and Sakura Airi left the electronics store.

Only then did the staff member regain his senses.

On his face, the expression of palpitation gradually replaced by neuroticism.

"Shizuku... Shizuku..."

The staff member muttered the name as if in a trance.

That scene was truly unpleasant.

However, the reason why the staff member treated Sakura Airi like that, Hori only found out later.

Because it involved a secret.

A secret that belonged solely to Sakura Airi, unknown to anyone else in the school.