Wait a minute!
Kasumigaoka suddenly remembered something and opened Line to check the message Hoshimi had just sent.
"I just got on the train. It's really crowded. I'm feeling a bit dizzy, so I'm going to take a nap. Don't send me any more messages."
Crowded?!
On a high-speed train, everyone has a seat, so "crowded" wouldn't be the right word!
Does this mean Hoshimi is taking a regular train to Tokyo's Shinjuku district? If so, that suggests Hoshimi is very likely within the Tokyo metropolitan area.
But wait, it's not certain yet—what if he's just taking the train to the high-speed rail station? That possibility isn't out of the question either.
Hmm, this complicates things. I'll still need to carefully extract more information from Hoshimi. Determining the initial area is crucial and must be done cautiously, or else the subsequent steps will become very troublesome.
...
A few minutes earlier, Hoshimi was feeling unwell on the crowded train. His usually vibrant red eyes were dimmed.
He wasn't lying—he did have a slight cold. While walking outside earlier, he was fine, but now that he was in the cramped train compartment, things were taking a turn for the worse.
In the semi-enclosed space filled with people, the air was scarce, and within minutes, his head began to feel heavy due to his cold.
"Ding-dong~"
At that moment, someone's phone rang. Hoshimi thought it was his and instinctively took out his phone to check.
He happened to see the message Kasumigaoka had sent half an hour ago. Without thinking much, he replied casually.
"I just got on the train. It's really crowded. I'm feeling a bit dizzy, so I'm going to take a nap. Don't send me any more messages."
After replying, Hoshimi remembered his phone was on silent mode—it only vibrates, not rings.
Ugh, dizzy… My head is getting fuzzy.
I should find a place to nap...
With no seat available, Hoshimi began to slowly move through the crowded carriage, eventually finding a corner to lean against the wall and close his eyes.
He had only been asleep for about five minutes when someone woke him up.
It was a young woman in business attire, likely a recent college graduate.
She woke him up because he looked unwell and offered him her seat so he could rest.
In his dazed state, Hoshimi didn't refuse and sat down in the seat she offered.
As he drifted into sleep, Hoshimi couldn't help but think:
There are indeed many kind-hearted big sisters in this world, though it might also be because I'm so handsome?
...
At 8:35 a.m., in Class 2-J of Sobu High, Shizuka Hiratsuka entered the classroom as usual near the end of the morning self-study period to check on the students.
"Hmm?"
With just a glance, Hiratsuka immediately noticed that Hoshimi was absent.
She raised an eyebrow and walked over to Yukino's desk, gently tapping it twice.
"Yukinoshita, where's Hoshimi?"
Yukino looked at Hiratsuka and coolly replied, "Hoshimi has a cold, so he won't be coming today. He asked me to request a leave of absence for him."
"A cold?" Hiratsuka was a bit skeptical.
That kid was perfectly fine yesterday; how did he suddenly catch a cold today?
She glanced at the expressionless Yukino and decided not to press further, continuing her inspection of the classroom.
Since Yukinoshita said Hoshimi had a cold, it was probably true.
After all, Yukinoshita Yukino is too stubborn to lie.
"Ding-ling-ling~~"
The bell rang, signaling the end of morning self-study.
Hiratsuka returned to the office, pondering whether she should inform Hoshimi's guardian about his illness.
She knew a bit about Hoshimi's special circumstances, as his guardian had mentioned a few things to her.
For example, Hiratsuka knew that Hoshimi lived alone in Chiba, while his guardian resided permanently in Tokyo.
His guardian was usually busy with their own affairs and didn't have much time to look after Hoshimi, only visiting him occasionally.
So, when Hoshimi enrolled in school, his guardian had asked her to keep an eye on him and inform them immediately if anything happened.
Now that Hoshimi was sick and alone at home, it would be concerning if something happened.
After much deliberation, Hiratsuka decided to call and inform Hoshimi's guardian.
It wasn't about avoiding responsibility; it was just that Hoshimi's current situation wasn't great. A child alone at home with an illness—who wouldn't be worried?
Someone close should go check on him, right?
People are vulnerable when they're sick, both physically and mentally. Add to that the fact that Hoshimi lost both parents—it's like stacking buffs, almost like setting up a death flag.
She could almost see the star of death shining over Hoshimi.
With that thought, Hiratsuka immediately took out her phone and dialed Mrs. Arisugawa's number.
"Ring—ring—ring—"
"Is this Hiratsuka-sensei?"
After a while, the call connected, and an elegant, intellectual voice with a subtle hint of authority came through the receiver.
"It's me. Hoshimi-kun has called in sick today, and I believe he's alone at home, so I'm a bit worried about his condition."
Hiratsuka didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
"Hoshimi is sick?" Mrs. Arisugawa's voice wavered slightly.
After a brief pause, she continued, "Alright, I understand. Thank you for letting me know, Hiratsuka-sensei. I will personally go check on him."
"Good, that's a relief."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Hiratsuka and Mrs. Arisugawa ended the call.
"Hmm~~~~"
Hiratsuka casually tossed her phone onto her desk, raised her arms above her head, and stretched lazily.
She had done a good deed today.
Hoshimi-kun, lying at home, just wait for your guardian to visit.
Your guardian originally planned to have a "talk" with you this weekend, but now that you're sick, I took the liberty of informing her, forcing her to come early.
When she sees how sickly you are, she probably won't have the heart to have a detailed "talk" with you. She might just express concern for your illness and casually bring up the "talk" topic, which means your habit of sleeping in class might be overlooked.
Hmph, Hoshimi-kun, with all the help I've given you, you'd better thank me properly in the future.
...
At the Arisugawa estate.
Mrs. Arisugawa: "Mukami, cancel all of today's appointments and prepare the car to go to Chiba."
Butler Mukami: "Yes, madam, I'll get everything ready right away."
...
Around 9:00 a.m., Kasumigaoka sat in the Kinokuniya bookstore, eagerly anticipating her meeting with Hoshimi.
Meanwhile, Hoshimi's body was suffering in the crowded train, his consciousness wandering in a dream.
And Mrs. Arisugawa was already on her way to visit Hoshimi's apartment.
===
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