96 – 96. Downpour.
A sudden heartache is a serious matter.
Being glared at by your partner with a cold expression is even more serious.
However, as I was not a fool who would mess up everything due to the pressing matter in front of me (like Kenichi), I decided to deal with urgent matters first.
“Hmm, shall we change the location for now?”
“…Sure.”
Ignoring the kids who were watching us with great interest, I quickly took Sawako and left.
Since it was lunchtime and there was no one around, we entered the music room and locked the door.
It wasn’t about a secretive relationship between a man and a woman; it was all for work-related matters.
“…By the way, why did you call me?”
Was there evidence for that?
I not only summoned Sawako Tachibana but also the blonde kid Eris Betelgeuse.
The kid who had been watching from a distance furrowed his brows as if he didn’t understand why he was called.
“Hey, I was having fun watching from afar, but if you drag me here, it becomes a triangular relationship!”
“What kind of relationship?”
“hahahaha, it felt like a stab in the back, but it wasn’t because of my mood, right?”
“…Sigh.”
With a nonchalant reply, Eris, squinting her eyes, looked at me deeply.
“So, what’s up? Do you and Sawako need me for something?”
As she said that, Eris glanced at Sawako beside me, who was smiling mischievously.
…Why is she here? No, why am I here?
Eris’s complex thoughts, which seemed to be somewhat contradictory, were somewhat visible.
“…Hmm.”
Similarly, Sawako also stared at Eris with a tense expression.
After being possessed by Chilmiho, it didn’t seem like we would be playing together.
Meeting like this after a long time felt quite awkward.
We used to be close, but now it must be awkward between us. I roughly understood that, but it would be difficult to continue in this state.
“I need to hurry back and have lunch.”
For high school students, lunchtime is like a sacred place.
Beside the three-tiered lunchbox that was chilling rapidly, there was even a companion with reddened eyes.
Feeling anxious, I casually scratched my cheek and inserted myself into this awkward atmosphere.
“Miss Eris, do you happen to know about a joint research project?”
“A joint research project? You mean cooperating to research something together? Why bring that up all of a sudden?”
“Well, the two of you need to collaborate to research a new dietary regimen, right?”
“What?”
Perhaps she didn’t understand for a moment.
Eris Betelgeuse furrowed her brows, then tilted her head.
After a moment, she rolled her eyes and then focused on Sawako beside her.
Looking back and forth between me, who shrugged, and Sawako, who bit her lip, she stared with a puzzled expression.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Wait, me, with her?”
Her typical arrogant tone seemed more like genuine confusion than dismissing Sawako, but the perspective of the listener was different.
In an instant, Sawako Tachibana, who became ‘her’, blinked in surprise.
Although the air felt heavy, Eris Betelgeuse, who had entered full-on wizard mode, demanded an explanation from me, completely unaware of the situation.
“It’s not about being a centaur, but about researching witchcraft. …Well, now that I think about it, I do feel a bit of magic in the air, but it’s a joint research project. Did I mistakenly mention teaching her magic?”
“hahahaha, indeed, it’s a joint research project.”
“No, then what exactly are we researching?”
….”
As I witnessed Sawako’s gaze gradually turning as cold as a centaur’s, I quickly intervened.
“Just calm down for a moment. Actually, it’s already in progress. Sawako has laid the groundwork, you know?”
“What?”
“Well, Tachibana?”
As I gestured, Tachibana Sawako, who had suddenly turned as cold as someone else, unleashed the hidden power she had kept concealed.
Her hair turned blue, tails started appearing at her waist, and the golden-eyed little blonde Eris’s pupils gradually widened.
“….Uh, what?”
When Sawako completely transformed into a nine-tailed fox, emitting a powerful aura rivaling that of a stellar sorceress herself, my mouth was left hanging wide open.
“How about now, ready?”
….”
Eris quietly nodded.
***
From then on, the story progressed swiftly.
Just because one had a lot of power didn’t mean one’s spell composition or acquisition would be quick, but at least the minimum requirements were met.
Moreover, I couldn’t help but think that bringing Sawako along wasn’t in vain.
“Now, from now on, you all will research the spell to forcibly release someone else’s possession.”
“…Suddenly? Why that?”
“Because we’ll definitely need it later on. Sawako has already laid the groundwork for it, you know? This is clearly something Eris is interested in!”
“…Can’t we just not do it?”
Though Eris stubbornly resisted until the end like a child, she eventually agreed to participate in the research.
I had asked as a “favor,” and the research itself had a clear vision.
Starting with Sawako, who was currently possessed by a fox spirit, the two of them would surely complete it by the end of the year.
Sooner would be even better, of course.
The more insurance, the better, so I waited with an excited heart.
While the two diligently researched, I would prepare for the future in my own way.
Thinking so, as I headed towards the Lululala classroom, my ankle was caught.
“Just a moment, Ichimaru.”
“Yes?”
Actually, it was the homeroom teacher who caught me passing through the hallway.
The math teacher and our class teacher, the “Murderous Tank” Yamamoto Baki, gestured to me while waving a stack of papers.
“It’s perfect timing. If you’re on your way to the classroom, could you distribute these to the kids?”
“Oh, this is—!”
“Yes, it’s the consent form for our next math field trip to Osaka and Kyoto, along with the expense details. I’d do it myself, but I have separate training in the afternoon.”
“Oh, training?”
It was probably referring to an educational institution’s program, but for some reason, when the homeroom teacher mentioned it, it sounded like some indecent education.
Gathering in a back alley warehouse and holding a yakuza-like meeting wouldn’t be the case.
“You there! How dare you enter our territory! Remember your place clearly in your head!”
– It felt like some kind of education.
Various scenarios floated through my mind, but naturally, I didn’t show any signs.
Just smiled brightly like a model student and gave my answer.
“hahahaha, leave it to me!”
As the one entrusted with the role of the leader, the attendance rate was undoubtedly 100%, making it the best math trip.
***
Running straight to the classroom, a month had already passed since distributing the notice for the math trip.
1st semester and 2nd semester.
Though divided into two semesters, the subjects learned were slightly different, but the school schedule itself didn’t differ much.
In other words, school life was monotonous.
Like always, going to school, attending classes, eating together, chatting.
At night, returning to the mansion, honing skills with foolish Kenichi.
Teaching Sento the art of manipulating souls, occasionally checking on the progress of the research of the blonde kids Eris and Sawako.
“Hmm, the weather seems gloomy!”
Like an old man, looking at the dry sky, playing with Yoyo who patted his back.
Seemingly uneventful, yet accomplishing a lot, spending the last summer of August.
Whether enjoying the entire summer in Okinawa, it wasn’t as hot as expected, and no typhoons came, making it a clean month.
Summer lad, you really went cool.
Yes, that’s what I thought.
Only on the day before the math trip did the sky act up.
“Hey, it’s going to rain tomorrow.”
“I heard.”
“Heavy rain from the east to the west nationwide.”
“I’m aware of that too.”
“Last time, I clearly said it would be a perfect math trip in every aspect, but the sky is pitch black. Even the famed Ichimaru Shiki will slip someday.”
“Stop it, Kenichi.”
Despite hanging several teru teru bozu (rain dolls) under the eaves, the sky didn’t listen.
If it had been clear for a month, it should have been clear on the day of the math trip, this stubborn guy.
“…If things get worse, I’ll have to cut through the sky…”
Whether to strengthen that resolve, as soon as the day ended, the sky poured down heavy rain.
***
Drip, drip, drip.
Raindrops fell from the dark sky.
What started as a light drizzle soon turned into a downpour, drumming on the ground.
Pshhh─!
Finally, a fierce downpour filled the world.
In the rough world, a woman stood by the roadside, gazing at the sky.
I looked at the moon in the night sky that not even the dark sea of clouds could hide.
It was a vividly risen full moon.
“Is it the perfect full moon?”
It seemed to have come at just the right time.
If we are going to risk our lives and divide swords, it would be best to have an environment that everyone would be satisfied with.
Moreover, the magic, like the summer solstice, would be even stronger due to the full moon.
“Well, shall we go look for the lost dog?”
Deus Machina nodded satisfactorily and took a step, shaking its head.
Shhhhh…
In the midst of the heavy rain, the woman who had nestled her body disappeared in the blink of an eye.