[Hayata Saotome Arc 5] Let’s do one little test

“—Let’s do one little test.”

Kosuke Kaname said, arms crossed.

The boy standing before him, Hayata Saotome, looked slightly wary.

“A test…?”

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing hard.”

With one hand still in his pocket, Kaname pointed toward the hallway window.

“Go outside the building. I’ll stay here and talk. You tell me what I said.”

“…Got it.”

Though still wearing a somewhat anxious expression, Hayata stood up quietly.

Tap, tap.

The soft sound of his sneakers echoed down the hall.

Kaname watched his retreating figure with a faint smile.

“Well then… let’s see.”

⸻

Peeking out from a third-floor window, he saw Hayata now standing outside the station.

—Good, he can’t see me from here.

Keeping hidden behind the window frame, Kaname pursed his lips—

Then whispered softly:

“…Your fly’s open.”

A loose, breathy murmur—something no one should be able to hear from that distance.

⸻

Thud, thud, thud!

Footsteps came pounding up the stairs, skipping steps along the way.

Hayata reappeared on the third floor, looking irritated.

“It’s not open! What the hell was that?!”

Kaname’s mouth tugged up into a smug grin.

(—Well, well. A direct hit.)

⸻

“All right. You’re coming with me.”

Kaname stood up from the pipe chair and gave Hayata a small nod of his chin.

Into the night of Kabukicho they went—