Tuesday. Wait, it was only Tuesday?
I stood before the bulletin board in the hallway, staring at the daily tear-off calendar in a daze. Perhaps it was because yesterday had been so incredibly dense, but I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that this was only the second day of the school week. "Man, I’m exhausted," I muttered to my reflection in the bathroom mirror. Though I had been trimming the ends, I’d completely neglected the hair I’d dyed brown about a month and a half ago, so the black roots had grown out quite a bit. Since the dyed part was on the lighter side, I was officially sporting a "pudding" look.
"It’s a two-tone aesthetic."
A mysterious surge of positivity from deep within my soul forced the words out. It actually looked kind of stylish, in a way. At this point, it was basically self-hypnosis. I used to be obsessed with the color of my hairline, but now it didn't really matter. Not yet—I still lacked vitality. I had to channel yesterday’s Natsukawa... her angry face, her embarrassed face, her sulking face... Heh heh. Okay, I was good!
It felt like it had been ages since I’d had such a calm morning. I left the house, cooled off at a convenience store, grabbed some lunch, and passed through the school gates. A morning where I could just zone out without being summoned by the school authorities or dealing with any drama was the best. That was it—what I really lacked was time to myself. Honestly, everyone just wouldn't leave me alone!
The hallways were a relief. The cool air bleeding out from various classrooms helped my sweat finally recede. Come to me, tranquility; farewell, armpit sweat.
"Hello, comfort zone."
"It's morning, you know?"
"Don't sweat the small stuff—ah, good morning, Natsukawa-san."
"W-Wait, why are you suddenly being so formal?!"
Do you really think I can act normal after what happened yesterday, Goddess? Come to think of it, it felt like our usual routine, but wasn't casual conversation a bit too much to ask? It was awkward, Patrasche... No, no, focus. I almost ascended to heaven from the sheer awkwardness. Ahh. She was breathtaking again today.
"Er... Morning, Natsukawa. And Ashida."
"Morning! It’s hot again today, isn’t it? Fan me, Sajocchi. Fan me."
"It really is scorching! I wonder if I have enough sunscreen? (High-pitched voice)"
"Stop that, you’re creepy."
Isn't the only way to join a girls' talk to become a girl yourself? Otherwise, I didn't have the confidence to keep up. What? Just be normal? Well, you should’ve said that from the start.
It was a common sight to see Ashida at Natsukawa’s desk, but it was rare for Natsukawa to go over to Ashida’s desk to talk. I guess even Natsukawa couldn't win against Ashida’s intensity yesterday. I got it. Ashida was terrifying yesterday. And Natsukawa was adorable.
"Oh, that’s right. To get straight to the point, Natsukawa. When’s it going to be?"
"Eh?! T-That... what do you mean, when?"
"The meeting with the phantom younger sister, Airi-chan..."
"W-Who are you calling a phantom?! Airi isn't anything like—"
"Well, she was to me."
"Ugh..."
To me, she was "The person who must not be named." Even though Natsukawa usually gave me some kind of reply, the time I’d brought her up before, she had seriously given me the cold shoulder for an entire week. It was traumatic. To me, Airi-chan was an object of dread. Though she looked like an angel in the photos. I never doubted her existence, but since she rarely came up in conversation, I’d always had a strong impression of Natsukawa being an only child. Also, I didn't have the concept of my own sister being a Goddess. The reason goes without saying.
"W-Wait a minute! I’ll tell you after I... after I’ve prepared...!"
"Preparing the home security, I see. Got it."
"Doesn't saying that make you sad...?"
Between installing equipment, selecting a plan, finalizing the monthly payment contract, and adjusting the schedule of a wrestling queen, I was sure they had a lot to do.
"I mean, Aichi, are you planning on taking just Sajocchi? Isn't that kind of dangerous?"
"Eh, ah!?"
Wait, dangerous? What did she mean by that? Like, because you don't know when I might pounce if it’s just me? No, if you’re that wary, you shouldn't let me meet her in the first place, right? I mean, I did want to meet her, though.
"K-Kei! When’s the next day off for the volleyball club...?!"
"It’s right before the tournament... Honestly, it might be tough."
"..."
As Ashida rubbed the back of her head with a "haha," Natsukawa’s mouth flapped open and shut as if she were speechless. Man... the way she got so shocked was cute—ahem. Well, Ashida’s ability to act as a buffer between people was incredible. She was probably a welcome presence for things like this. Especially since it was "Natsukawa Aika and Sajou Wataru."
"So, does that mean it’ll be a few months from now...?"
"Won't there be a second group before a few months pass?"
"Eh, what’s this about a second group?"
"It just means Aichi and Ai-chan are super popular."
"Seriously...? Is that how it is?"
If Shirai-san and Sasaki-kun’s group was the first, there was already a second? I was guessing Yamazaki was out. His flightiness was a bad influence, even before his involvement with Koga and Murata. Thinking about it that way, would the second group be almost entirely girls? Then I was all for it. By all means, I wanted to see girls frolicking together in mystical play. And then, won't you give me some photos?
"T-That’s... no."
"Eh?"
"I said no! Because if we do that... Airi will... Sasaki-kun—"
"Wait, Sasaki?"
"Ah, n-nothing!"
"Should I just kill Sasaki?"
"No, she said it was nothing, Sajocchi..."
Sasaki...! I didn't really get it, but my instincts were telling me to make him suffer! Just hearing his name come out of Natsukawa’s mouth pissed me off!
"Well, let me know when you’re ready. I’ll clear my schedule. No matter what."
"Eh? Y-You don't have to force yourself, you know?"
"No, I’m definitely going."
"Are you a spoiled brat?"
I mean, well, you know? Peace was my top priority. But if there was something good in it for me, I wasn't opposed to participating proactively, so to speak. Yes. It was just that being with Natsukawa legally made me happy. Wait, was it illegal until now...?
"...Wh-What’s with you... suddenly getting so proactive..."
"Eh? Because you said it was okay, Natsukawa."
"Wh-What are you listening to?!"
"No, I mean, this distance—oh? Are you gonna hit me? You gonna do it? Am I gonna wake up? Is something gonna awaken in me?"
"Creepy! Idiot!"
"Thank you very much! (Awakened)"
Ahh, what was this bliss... it blew away all of yesterday’s fatigue. The fact that Natsukawa was talking to me normally was just everything. Was there anything better than this? It felt like a dream. I thought this would never happen again. Quite seriously.
"Ah. Sajocchi, Aichi ran away."
"Hahaha!"
"He’s not even listening."
I started to feel like time was flowing at a brutally slow pace. I felt every single second pass until lunch. This was surely because Natsukawa had declared she’d bring me to her house. I was looking forward to that moment, even if I didn't know when it would be. I felt like delivering a backdrop—a technique I’d learned from my sister—to Einstein for coming up with the theory of relativity.
Speaking of my sister, I hadn't been told to come to the student council room today. To be honest, I wanted some space too, so it was a win-win. It was awkward as hell with Yuuki-senpai around anyway.
So, as soon as lunch started, I headed straight for the cafeteria and managed to snag a window counter seat, which is usually always taken. I actually looked around wondering if it was really okay for me to sit there. I’d gladly take the seat. It was hot outside... I didn't want to see you anymore. Who? You, my apocrine sweat glands.
I was in high spirits, and perhaps because of that, I bought two snack bars at the convenience store—the kind where "one is enough to satisfy you." Let me say it again: two bars. On top of that, I’d bought a sweet bun, so I’d probably end up with excessive nutrition and become unstoppable.
I mean, eating just one didn't satisfy me at all... It wasn't enough, quantity-wise.
"That back... is that Sajou?"
"Hmm...?"
I was called, but I didn't jump out with a "Ta-da!" Once you step out of your classroom, you’re in an away game where damage applies. Or rather, a world where trouble rolls around. There was no way my classmates would call out to me in such a verifying tone.
I turned around to see three girls sitting at a four-person table. Yes, let me say it again: girls. Two of them were seniors I’d only recently met. I felt like, "Man, you guys really managed to find me."
"Ah, hello... 'sup."
I turned around, put a hand to my head, and moved my neck up and down. An underclassman’s greeting was usually something like this. And yet, here I was, acting evasive even though I hadn't done anything. Thinking normally, a group from the Disciplinary Committee was nothing but terrifying.
"........."
"Wait, wait, don't just go back to eating like it's normal."
"Eh... I can't?"
"Shouldn't you normally beg to join us?"
"No, I mean, look at this lineup. Isn't the lineup a bit too much?"
Shinomiya-senpai, Inatomi-senpai, and the other girl were all equipped with "Disciplinary" armbands. Did they really have to wear those even during lunch? Did it give them resistance to paralysis and poison? If so, I wanted one too.
"Hello! Sajou-kun!"
"Ah, yes. Hel—Eh?"
One of the girls in that group—a small, animal-like girl with a prominent large red ribbon—cheerfully waved her hand at me. Now now, children shouldn't just enter high schools on their own—Ah, wait, Shinomiya-senpai? Isn't your grip on my arm a bit too strong? I’m sorry.
However, no matter how many times I looked, that girl was definitely Inatomi-senpai. Rather than being brave, she was directing a smiling face at me as if she were genuinely happy. Eh, was she really that happy to see me?
"Excuse me, Senpai? Who is that angel?"
"Correct yourself. She’s a Great Archangel."
"Um... your eyes are dead serious."
It seemed Inatomi-senpai had evolved in just a few days. That sparkling, fluffy aura was now just pure brilliance. It was less like I wanted to pat her head and more like I wanted her to pat mine. Though, in a roundabout way, I did kind of want to try patting hers.
"Sajou-kun! Come eat with us!"
"Eh, eh?"
"Sajou, Yuyu is saying so as well. You understand, right?"
"Ah, yes."
What was this coordination? The combination of attacker and supporter was extraordinary. I was captured in an instant—Wait, hold on... did this mean I was being welcomed by three girls right now? Wait, thinking about it like that, I was getting really hyped. My satisfaction level was through the roof. Did those bars really provide that much of a boost?
Doping with two bars was the way to go.