On Monday morning during homeroom, Hoshimi sat in the classroom feeling a vague sense of unease.
He rested his chin on his hand, frowning slightly in thought. What was going on? Why did he feel like something was about to happen ever since he woke up this morning?
Speaking of which, Kotoko should be coming back today, right? Last Friday night, she had already completed 50% of her work, and now, after another weekend, logically speaking, she should have finished her work and returned.
But he hadn't seen any sign of Kotoko today, nor had he received any emails from her...
Could something have happened to Kotoko?
At that thought, Hoshimi's expression changed. He sat up straight and took out his phone to send Kotoko an email.
"Kotoko, are you there?"
Buzz—!
"Hmm?"
To his surprise, the response came almost instantly.
Hoshimi breathed a sigh of relief, and his previously tense posture relaxed. He leaned back in his chair and leisurely checked Kotoko's reply.
"I'm here, having breakfast right now. Hoshimi, what do you think of this bowl?"
[Image]
The picture showed a porcelain bowl with a blue and white floral design, half-filled with a rather plain-looking tea-soaked rice dish.
"Tea-soaked rice for breakfast? Is it at least hot?" — Hoshimi
"Yes~ It's hot tea-soaked rice. Though the fish is a bit subpar, it slightly affected my appetite. But for a 600 yen breakfast, I couldn't be bothered to complain." — Kotoko
Seeing that Kotoko was safe, Hoshimi got straight to the point.
"Alright then... Kotoko, are you still 'working'? When are you coming back?" — Hoshimi
"Yes~ I'm still 'working.' That 'gentleman' sure knows how to hide. He's just like a rat, able to go anywhere, even into the sewers. Honestly, he must be some kind of rat spirit by now." — Kotoko
"I see. No wonder you haven't come back yet. By the way, Kotoko, be careful. I can provide remote support. If you take a picture of him, I can pull him into a dream, which will make it easier for you to catch him." — Hoshimi
"No need for your help, Hoshimi. Some officials arrived yesterday, and with their help, my work should be finished soon." — Kotoko
Hoshimi raised an eyebrow.
"Officials? Are they men or women? Can they be trusted?" — Hoshimi
"Hoshimi-senpai~ Did you not notice I said 'they' were women earlier? As for their reliability, well... let's just say they're 'decently' reliable. Here, I'll send you a photo so you can judge for yourself." — Kotoko
[Image] —Kotoko
The background of the photo was a traditional Japanese restaurant with poor lighting, seemingly taken recently by Kotoko.
On the left side of the image was a high school girl wearing a black sailor uniform, with long hime-cut hair, and holding a sheathed katana in her right hand. She looked quite heroic and commanding.
On the right side was a girl wearing a white sailor uniform with short, ear-length hair, looking lively. A middle schooler? No, perhaps a high schooler? It was hard to tell her exact age, but judging by the uniform, she was definitely an adolescent girl.
As Hoshimi looked at the picture, his expression turned subtle.
Officials? Two teenage girls? Kotoko wasn't joking, was she? Since when did the security of the country rest on the shoulders of teenage girls?
Buzz—!
Just then, another email from Kotoko arrived.
"So, Hoshimi, do you think they can be trusted?" — Kotoko
Hoshimi replied with a subtle expression.
"Kotoko, it's not about trustworthiness. I'm more curious if they're both still high schoolers." — Hoshimi
"To be precise, one of them is still 14 years old. As for whether she's in high school or middle school, I'm not sure, but she's probably in middle school." — Kotoko
Hoshimi's eyelid twitched.
"14?! Kotoko, are you kidding me? Oh, right, I almost forgot—you're only 15..." — Hoshimi
With that realization, Hoshimi suddenly felt a sense of despair. He was starting to lose hope for this country's future.
To think that maintaining social stability and eliminating evil spirits had to be entrusted to a bunch of teenage girls... What about the adults in this country? Have they all died?
"Hoshimi, I have to go now. The little yokais found a lead, so we're heading out. We'll talk more when I get back." — Kotoko
Hoshimi glanced at Kotoko's email and suddenly remembered—hadn't she barely touched her breakfast? That bowl of tea-soaked rice was only two bites in, and she was already heading out to deal with spirits?
Kotoko really had it tough...
After a moment of reflection, Hoshimi sent another email, reminding her.
"Kotoko, don't forget to eat breakfast. Your health is important."
After waiting a while, there was no reply. It seemed like Kotoko was really busy now.
But having confirmed that Kotoko was safe, the worry in Hoshimi's heart finally eased.
He put away his phone, shifted his posture, and leaned back, leisurely admiring Yukino's side profile.
Perfect... Her flawless, delicate side bathed in the soft morning light was so beautiful that it even elicited a physical reaction...
As he stared, images of Yukino sitting in front of him, tilting her head in that captivating manner, suddenly filled his mind.
"..."
Before he realized it, Hoshimi's gaze changed, and an imperceptible glimmer of something unusual flickered in his jewel-like, pomegranate-colored eyes.
At the same time, Yukino, who seemed to be reading intently, suddenly blushed faintly at her earlobes.
Clap—Clap—!
After some time, two familiar claps snapped Hoshimi back from his wandering thoughts.
Following the sound, he looked toward the podium and saw that Hiratsuka-sensei had entered the classroom at some point.
"Ahem~"
After gathering the class's attention, Hiratsuka Shizuka cleared her throat and said, "I have an announcement: this afternoon, you will be changing seats. Alright, you may continue with your self-study."
The students' reactions to Hiratsuka's announcement were mild, with only a few muttering responses here and there.
After all, the seat change had been announced a week before the midterms, so the students were already mentally prepared for it and had no reason to make a fuss.
Ding, ding, ding—!
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Without wasting a moment, Hiratsuka Shizuka left the classroom, while the small cliques in the class gathered to chat about their weekend experiences.
Stretching lazily, Hoshimi stood up and left the room.
Watching his departing figure, Yukino, whose ears were still slightly red, muttered under her breath, "Pervert..."
In the school corridor, as Hoshimi walked with his hands in his pockets, a cool breeze from the window suddenly reminded him of something.
Was there a hidden meaning behind Kotoko sending him those photos of the officials?
Kotoko knew very well how terrifying his dream-manipulating powers were, and she was also well aware of his inquisitive, curious nature.
Under normal circumstances, Kotoko would never send him photos of other girls out of the blue!
Something unusual must be going on! Considering the identities of those girls, there was likely more to the story.
Kotoko must have had other intentions in sending him those photos. But what exactly? Without more information, he couldn't be sure. He'd have to wait for Kotoko to return and tell him. After all, if Kotoko wanted to use his dream powers, she'd have no choice but to reveal the truth.
"That girl Kotoko... she's up to something," Hoshimi muttered as he continued walking towards the restroom.
…
At noon, in the Service Club room, Hoshimi lay on the sofa, absentmindedly looking at his report card.
Language: 97, Grade Rank: 2
Math: 100, Grade Rank: 1
English: 100, Grade Rank: 1
Science: 100, Grade Rank: 1
Social Studies: 100, Grade Rank: 1
Overall Grade Ranking: 1
The report card had just been handed out during the last class of the morning. As he looked at his grades, Hoshimi had only one question:
Who on earth took his first place in Language?
Filled with doubt, Hoshimi glanced at Yukino, who was sitting nearby. His gaze shifted slightly as he sat up and casually moved closer to her. He wrapped his arm around her slender waist, whispering into her ear.
"Yukino, what did you score on the Language test?"
Yukino's eyes curved with a faint smile as she replied, "98, first in the grade. What about you, Hoshimi?"
"97, second in the grade. Yukino, you're amazing, beating me this time~," Hoshimi said, taking a deep breath by Yukino's neck, his gaze dreamy. "So, I think I should give Yukino-chan a reward."
"Get lost..." Yukino pressed her index finger against Hoshimi's forehead, looking at him with disdain. "Stop fooling around; we're in school."
Hoshimi's eyes lit up. "So, does that mean we can do it at home?"
"..." Yukino was left speechless, rolling her eyes at him.
Hoshimi chuckled and, while rubbing Yukino's waist, softly said, "Yukino, let me see your report card~"
"Here~" Yukino casually handed her report card to Hoshimi while snatching his to take a look.
After glancing at Yukino's report card, Hoshimi's smile grew even wider.
Language: 98, Math: 99, Science: 97, English: 100, Social Studies: 99, Overall Grade Ranking: 2
Except for Language, all of Yukino's other rankings were second. With him around, it seemed Yukino might become the eternal runner-up.
Wait... Yukino... second place...
A strange glint flashed in Hoshimi's eyes. He immediately got up, locked the clubroom door, and pulled all the curtains closed.
Watching his actions, Yukino's breath hitched, a visible panic flashing in her eyes.
But when Hoshimi returned to her side, she crossed her arms, putting on a cold, aloof expression like a beautiful ice queen.
"Hoshimi, what are you planning?" Yukino asked in a forced stern voice, trying to appear icy.
Hoshimi blinked innocently. "Of course, it's nap time~ I can't sleep with so much light."
Yukino didn't believe him for a second. Her icy gaze seemed to say, "Do you think I'm an idiot, Hoshimi?"
"Oh, right! I almost forgot..." Hoshimi suddenly remembered something and plopped down beside Yukino, placing his report card on the table.
"Yukino, take out your phone and help me with some light." The blackout curtains in the clubroom were quite effective, making it too dark to see the paper without extra light.
By the way, these blackout curtains were newly installed during the last renovation Hoshimi paid for. The club used to have regular curtains...
"Light? For what?" Yukino, who had already taken out her phone, asked curiously.
"To take a picture of the report card and send it to Aunt Arisugawa. Last time, she asked me to get into the top five, and now that I've ranked first, I'm sure she'll be pleased."
Seeing that it was for something serious, Yukino didn't ask further and silently illuminated the report card for him.
Click—!
After taking the picture and sending it to Aunt Arisugawa, Hoshimi looked at Yukino with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Yukino, now that business is done, it's time for..."
"..." Yukino froze. After finishing the serious matter, it was time for something less serious?
"Mmm~" In the dimly lit clubroom, Yukino blushed as she gently pushed Hoshimi's shoulder.
"Hoshimi... stop it... we're in school..."
"Yukino~~" Hoshimi moved closer to her, dragging out his voice playfully while blinking his eyes rapidly.
"Mmm..." Seeing Hoshimi's pleading eyes, Yukino suddenly found it impossible to maintain her icy demeanor.
"Yukino~~~~"
"Sigh~" Yukino inwardly sighed, her heart softening. She nodded reluctantly.
Fine, just this once. She won't soften her heart again after this...
"Yukino~~ You're the best~" Hoshimi didn't hold back his compliments, whispering sweet nothings into Yukino's ear.
Listening to Hoshimi's words, Yukino's heart melted, and she suddenly realized that the earlier "serious matter" had probably been Hoshimi's way of distracting her.
Once the serious part started, she had let her guard down, and the cold facade she worked hard to maintain had melted away.
After that, her icy demeanor completely crumbled under Hoshimi's repeated pleas...
Ugh~ Hoshimi, you're so crafty. Next time, I definitely won't let you get away with it so easily...
"Yukino~~ You're the best~~"
"Mmm~~"
...
Meanwhile, at Toyogasaki Academy, Tokyo…
With a three-day leave pass in hand, Kasumigaoka had a wicked smile on her lips.
Hoshimi, I'm on my way! I can't wait to see the look on your face when you see me!
Hmm, I mustn't rush things, though. I don't want to scare Hoshimi.
Also, I should inform my mother. What excuse should I come up with to explain my three-day absence?
Hmm, this is tricky. Oh, I know, I'll ask Editor Machida for help. With her vouching for me, any excuse I come up with will be much more convincing.
Kasumigaoka pulled out her phone and started conspiring with Editor Machida.
Not long after, the issue at home was resolved, and Kasumigaoka pondered her next steps.
Should I just go see Hoshimi?
No, something's still missing. She should get her hair done, buy a new outfit, bring some gifts and should meet Hoshimi looking flawless and perfect.
Yes, that's it.
===
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