He walks down the school hallway with his hands in his pockets. Since it's early morning, he doesn't know if Akao has finished getting ready or where she is.

Finding Akao is a piece of cake, though, given how much attention he pays to her.

Sure enough, he spots Akao ahead. He sneaks up and grabs her shoulders to startle her.

"Waaah!!"

She already sensed Nagumo coming, so she isn't startled at all as she looks back.

"Pfft. You call that a scare?"

Despite her calm words, her movements become awkward the moment she realizes Nagumo's hands are on her shoulders.

Nagumo's smile falters slightly when Akao doesn't get scared, but it quickly returns.

"You didn't jump—..."

He doesn't take his hands off her shoulders; instead, he slides an arm around them to pull her close.

"Akao must be so happy to see such a handsome face first thing in the morning~~"

He's always talking nonsense this early.

"It's not like this is the first time. Why would I be scared?"

She jumps slightly when Nagumo wraps his arm around her shoulders.

"What's with you all of a sudden...!"

Her body stiffens before she pushes Nagumo's arm away.

"What's wrong with you this morning? You're creeping me out."

With that, she practically runs away.