Hashimoto Rie stared for a moment.

Her expression was hard for him to discern.

He remained silent, waiting.

Then she smiled.

"Oh. Right. About that..."

She reached for her backpack and took out a rolled piece of paper.

A poster.

Immediately, a feeling of dread passed over him.

She flattened the roll and held it out.

"It's the winter party," she grinned.

"You're going right? It's made exclusively for college freshmen. I'm sure it'll be fun!"

He did not even have to look up to answer.

"No, I'm not," he said steely.