As the lab members sat around chatting idly, Erina suddenly spoke up, her expression suggesting she had just remembered something.
"Ah, that’s right. Ririka-chan and Lidi-chan are in a different school year, so I’ll give them a different task later... but for the rest of you second-years, I should tell you about the next assignment."
This was the announcement of the next project. Given the timing, it would likely double as homework for the year-end and New Year holidays... it seemed like it was going to be a major undertaking.
"This time, I’m not going to pick the theme. I want each of you to come up with your own topic to research. If you tell me what equipment you need, I’ll prepare it, and I’m happy to offer advice as well."
"Ah, I see... coming up with our own research theme. So the planning stage itself is part of the test," Arisa remarked.
"Yes, exactly. There aren't any restrictions, so feel free to do whatever you like. I’ve just finished a major academic conference, so I have plenty of time. If you get stuck, feel free to consult me whenever you need."
Planning and executing research from scratch was a tall order. Arisa would probably breeze through it as usual, and Fey-san would likely finish in a flash if she could just find the motivation.
In terms of grades, those of us who would likely struggle were me and Iris-san... actually, Iris-san was quite smart, so I would probably have the hardest time of all.
I really wanted to get this over with so my long winter break wouldn't be ruined.
"...Yes! Eri-chan-sensei!"
"Hmm? What is it, Arisa-chan? Don't tell me you’ve already picked a theme?"
"Christmas is coming up, so let’s do something together as a lab!"
"...That has absolutely nothing to do with the assignment. Honestly, this girl... she's so free-spirited. And yet she's still the top student by a mile..."
Erina looked exasperated by Arisa's sudden tangent, but she didn't try to shut her down. Deep down, she clearly trusted that Arisa would get her work done properly.
"Wouldn't a party be fun?" Arisa suggested.
"...A party... that sounds like fun," Iris-san added, her eyes sparkling.
"...You know, you don't have to use the rest of us as an excuse. You could just be honest and tell Kai-cha—ack, wait!?"
"Oyaaa? Fey-san, are you still half-asleep~?"
"Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!? Stop! Don't put me in a joint lock—gyaaaaah!?"
Fey-san, who had started to say something, was now screaming as Arisa wrestled her into a submission hold. I wondered what they were doing.
Still, a party with the lab members... Honestly, that sounded like a lot of fun.
"...It does sound great, but where would we hold it?" I asked.
"Ah~ good point. Eri-chan-sensei, can we use this place?"
"...Absolutely not. This is a university laboratory. It’s fine for a quick meal, but a party is out of the question."
"Hmm, then I wonder where we should go."
"I'll have to check with Ririka-chan and Lidi-chan about their schedules first, but if you guys like, we could have it at my house?" Erina offered.
"For real!? Then let’s do that!"
Erina’s parents had passed away at a young age several years ago, so she lived alone in a relatively large house. Hearing that it could serve as the venue, Arisa excitedly began mapping out the party plans.
For me, since Erina was my next-door neighbor, getting there would be effortless. I had no objections at all.
The two seniors arrived a little later and had no issues with their schedules, so we ended up spending until evening discussing the plans for the lab’s Christmas party.
It was a very relaxed conversation... but I suppose this easygoing atmosphere was exactly what made this lab so great.
Since my mother had asked me to pick up some groceries, I left the lab a bit early. Arisa accompanied me, and we walked together on the way home.
"...Hmph, hmph. Judging by the ingredients, I'm guessing dinner at Kaito-san's house tonight is croquettes."
"Fried food, huh... I wonder if Mom can handle that?"
To repeat myself, my mother was a terrible cook. It was truly catastrophic... After all, she had been a housewife for over twenty years; the fact that she was still this bad meant there was little hope for future improvement.
Deep-frying was high difficulty, so I was incredibly anxious... though, to be honest, I probably didn't need to worry today.
"Well, you can just leave that to Arisa-chan. In fact, would it be okay if I stopped by tonight?"
"Yeah, of course. Mom and Dad will be happy to see you."
Arisa had been coming over since our high school days, and both my parents were very fond of her. It had become routine for her to stay for dinner whenever she visited.
The email from my mother had even said, "If Arisa-chan is coming, buy extra ingredients for one more person," so she was definitely expecting her.
"Then let’s get going!"
"...Yeah."
Looking at Arisa’s bright smile, I felt a warm sensation in my chest as we walked side-by-side down the sunset-lit path.
But at the same time... what was this? This inexplicable sense of anxiety and loneliness?
While wrestling with those strange, indescribable emotions, I happened to glance ahead... and saw "something" across the intersection.
Was that... me? And Erina? No, the clothes were wrong... She wasn't in her lab coat, but a black coat. And the two of them were walking together, smiling happily?
"...-san? Kaito-san!"
"!? Eh? ...Arisa?"
"What’s wrong? Why’d you stop all of a sudden?"
"Ah, no... across the street, I thought I saw... myself?"
"...Huh? There’s nobody there. Besides, Kaito-san, you're standing right here."
"...Sorry, it’s nothing."
I didn't even understand what I was saying. Was that a hallucination? I couldn't tell.
"Um, are you really okay? You’ve been acting a little strange since this morning."
"I think... I'm okay."
"Hmm... Just to be safe, we’ll take your temperature when we get home. I can at least manage a decent imitation of a doctor."
"...The fact that you can say that so normally is amazing."
What was wrong with me, really... No, rather, what on earth was happening?
I had a feeling that the time when I would learn the answer was not far off.