The soft hum of Reina's equipment filled the lab as she carefully wrote in her journal, her concentration intense as ever. The air smelled faintly of chemicals and clean paper, and behind her, Himari sat quietly, observing with a mix of admiration and curiosity. It had been a month since Reina's transformation had rippled through the school, yet despite everyone having grown used to it, an air of intrigue still clung to her presence.
Himari's visits to the lab had become routine. She'd become something of an assistant to Reina, though her role was minor: gathering supplies, organizing tools, or simply being there to lend an ear. Today, she was watching Reina's meticulous work with a soft smile.
"Reina-senpai," Himari said gently, leaning forward, "do you ever get tired of working on this journal?"
Reina didn't look up, but a small smile crossed her lips. "Tired? No. There's always something new to add. Even when I think I'm finished, I find new angles to explore."
Himari nodded, her eyes following the swift movements of Reina's pen as it flew across the page. She had become accustomed to Reina's way of working, the calm, determined energy that filled the room whenever she was focused. The lab, which had once been just a borrowed classroom, had transformed over the past month into something more—a true space of discovery, with posters of galaxies, clusters of star charts, and intricate models lining the walls.
Just then, a sharp, intense knock echoed through the lab.
Reina paused, brow furrowing. "That's… strange. I wasn't expecting anyone."
Himari looked at her, equally puzzled. "Maybe it's the principal?" she offered, though she knew it wasn't likely.
Reina sighed, closing her journal. "Let's see who it is." She walked briskly to the door and swung it open, her face dropping as she saw a group of students crowded outside. One of them, a boy with messy hair and a noticeable bruise on his arm, was leaning heavily against his friends.
"Reina-senpai…" the boy began, wincing as he clutched his arm.
Reina folded her arms, casting a skeptical look at the group. "What's going on?"
One of the students stepped forward nervously. "Our friend fell near the stairs on our way here… We thought the infirmary would be open, but it's locked. We didn't know where else to go."
Reina's eyes narrowed slightly, her annoyance clear. "And you thought my lab was a clinic?" She sighed, glancing at the injured student with clear reluctance. "Fine. Come in—just don't touch anything."
As the group shuffled into the lab, Himari quickly got up, standing to the side and watching Reina's expression shift to one of reluctant responsibility.
"Sit down," Reina instructed the injured student, gesturing toward a spare chair by the wall. "Let me take a look at it."
The boy sat, his face contorting in pain. Reina's sharp gaze assessed the bruising on his arm. Without a word, she walked to a cabinet, pulling out a small jar filled with a cream she'd mixed as part of her recent experiments.
"Hold still," she muttered, dipping her fingers into the cream. "This should help with the pain… theoretically."
"Theoretically?" the boy asked, a note of worry in his voice.
"Yes, theoretically," Reina replied bluntly, not sparing him a glance. "It's a new formula, but it should be effective. Just… stay still."
She applied the cream with practiced care, her touch surprisingly gentle despite her brusque tone. Himari watched in awe as Reina worked, feeling a mix of admiration and amusement at her bluntness.
One of the other students, a tall girl with a curious expression, looked around the lab. Her gaze lingered on a model of a galaxy floating in a glass case, then shifted to a chart depicting the various phases of stars. "Wow… I didn't know Reina-senpai's lab was this… extensive."
"Is that… a black hole model?" another boy whispered, pointing at a complex 3D diagram hanging from the ceiling.
"Don't touch anything," Reina warned sharply, glancing up just long enough to give them all a stern look. The other students straightened up, suddenly tense under her gaze.
"Uh… r-right," one of them stammered, quickly retracting his hand.
Himari leaned over, whispering to the girl with a friendly smile. "Reina-senpai's lab is amazing, isn't it? She's been working on these models for a long time."
The girl nodded, her eyes still wide. "I had no idea she was so… dedicated. I mean, we all know about her 'Space Beauty' nickname and how smart she is, but this…"
"She's always been like this," Himari said softly. "She just focuses on what she loves, and… well, that's why her lab is so impressive."
Meanwhile, Reina continued treating the boy's wound, her focus unwavering. When she finally pulled back, she inspected her work with a critical eye. "There. That should help with the swelling. Just don't put too much pressure on it for the next few hours."
"Thank you, Reina-senpai," the boy said, his face a mix of relief and gratitude. "I didn't know where else to go, and…"
"Yeah, yeah," Reina interrupted, straightening up. "You should've gone to the infirmary in the first place, but whatever. Just… don't make this a habit."
The boy's friends exchanged sheepish glances, nodding vigorously. "We won't bother you again, promise."
Reina sighed, glancing toward Himari. "Himari, could you go find a teacher? Maybe one of the gym instructors—someone who can handle this more officially?"
Himari nodded, immediately heading out. As she left, the students continued to glance around Reina's lab, their eyes wide with curiosity. They whispered among themselves, clearly fascinated by the array of scientific equipment and the galaxy-themed decor that filled the room.
"Reina-senpai," one of the students ventured, his voice hesitant. "Do you… do all this stuff by yourself?"
Reina gave him a cool look. "Yes. It's not as hard as it looks if you're dedicated."
The girl who had spoken earlier looked at her in awe. "So… you're really serious about studying space, huh?"
Reina shrugged. "Space isn't just some passing interest. There's so much we don't know… and so much I still want to understand. It's not about being 'serious.' It's just… necessary."
The group fell silent, clearly struck by Reina's words. They shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond. Reina's unwavering dedication and cool demeanor made it clear she wasn't looking for admiration or compliments.
After a moment, one of the boys cleared his throat. "That's… really cool, Reina-senpai. I don't think I know anyone who's that focused on something."
Reina didn't respond, turning her attention back to her equipment. She started rearranging a few items, as if their presence was just a mild inconvenience she could brush off.
Just then, Himari returned with one of the gym teachers in tow. The teacher, a tall man with a warm smile, approached Reina with a nod. "Thank you for helping out, Reina," he said kindly. "I heard what happened. It sounds like you handled the situation well."
Reina gave a noncommittal shrug. "I just did what was necessary. If the infirmary had been open, they wouldn't have needed to come here."
The teacher chuckled, looking at her with genuine appreciation. "Even so, it's good to know we have students like you who can handle things in a pinch."
Reina glanced away, uncomfortable with the praise. "Well… I suppose."
As the gym teacher took over, directing the injured boy and his friends toward the door, one of them turned back to Reina with a respectful bow. "Thank you again, Reina-senpai. And… sorry for barging in."
"Just… don't let it happen again," Reina replied, her voice cool but not unkind.
When the group had finally left, the lab fell back into its usual quiet. Reina exhaled, closing her eyes briefly as if to reset herself after the unexpected interruption. She could feel the faint tension leaving her shoulders, replaced by a familiar sense of calm.
Himari approached her, a soft smile on her face. "You handled that really well, Reina-senpai."
Reina sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I wasn't expecting my lab to become a first-aid station. But… I suppose it's fine if it helped."
Himari laughed gently, shaking her head. "You know, Reina-senpai… you're kind of a hero."
Reina looked at her, slightly taken aback. "A hero? That's… an overstatement."
"No, really," Himari insisted, her smile widening. "You may act like you don't care, but you always help when it matters. I think that's why everyone respects you so much."
Reina's face softened slightly, though she quickly looked away, trying to brush it off. "I'm just doing what's necessary. It's not… anything special."
But deep down, she couldn't deny the faint warmth Himari's words brought her. Perhaps, she thought, it wasn't such a bad thing to be someone people could rely on, even if she didn't seek the attention.
With a small smile, she returned to her journal, the familiar comfort of her work filling the space once more.