Masumi sighed deeply, resting her chin in her hand.
"For some things, it's better to be mentally prepared early," she muttered, glancing toward Shouko.
Shouko, on the other hand, didn't know how to respond.
Her feelings were complicated. Ryuji wasn't just anyone, he was extraordinary in every sense of the word. His strength, confidence, and calm demeanor made him stand out from everyone else.
But it was exactly because of those qualities that certain rules didn't seem to apply to him. Things that might constrain an ordinary person couldn't hold someone like Ryuji down.
Shouko found herself caught between conflicting emotions.
The bad news? The person she liked was, by all accounts, a scumbag.
The good news? If he weren't, she'd probably never have a chance.
And because he was the way he was, there might still be some hope for her.
Shouko sighed inwardly, unsure if she should feel relieved or frustrated by this realization.
Masumi noticed Shouko's thoughtful expression and waved her hand dismissively. "Just think it through. Take your time," she said, her tone casual. "Whatever you decide to do, it's your own business in the end."
Shouko nodded slowly. "I understand," she replied, her voice soft but sincere.
"Thank you, Masumi."
Masumi shrugged, not seeing why she was being thanked for something so trivial. "No need for that," she replied simply.
Just as Shouko was lost in thought, a group of students approached her desk.
"Hey, Shouko! Why aren't you wearing your hearing aids today?" one of them asked, their tone teasing.
These were the same boys who used to bully her relentlessly, often snatching her hearing aids or making cruel jokes about her condition.
Shouko looked up at them with a calm expression, her voice clear and steady as she answered, "Thanks for asking. I don't need them anymore, I can hear perfectly now."
The boys froze in place, their smirks vanishing instantly.
"...What?"
Not only had Shouko spoken without hesitation, but her voice was unexpectedly soft and beautiful, leaving the group momentarily stunned.
Their faces flushed as realization set in.
"She can… talk?" one of them stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
"And hear?" another added, dumbfounded.
For years, these boys had taken advantage of Shouko's hearing impairment to torment her. But now, with her hearing restored, their actions no longer had any justification, nor did their previous behavior feel as easy to laugh off.
Some of them looked embarrassed, while others seemed unsure how to react.
"Wow… I never realized how cute Shouko is!" one of the boys blurted out, his cheeks bright red.
"Yeah, me neither. She's adorable!" another chimed in.
"What do I do? I think I might be falling for her…"
At their age, it wasn't unusual for boys to suddenly notice things they hadn't before. One by one, they began to fidget nervously, sneaking glances at Shouko like awkward schoolboys with crushes.
Shouko, however, remained unfazed.
Their newfound attention meant little to her. These were the same boys who had mocked and humiliated her not long ago. Even now, their interest in her was shallow at best, and she saw no reason to care about their sudden change of heart.
She smiled politely, but her mind was elsewhere.
In her heart, there was already someone she cared about far more than any of them.
---
Masumi, sitting nearby, couldn't help but notice the boys' clumsy behavior. She rolled her eyes, letting out a quiet, mocking laugh.
"Ha! As if," she muttered under her breath, clearly unimpressed.
It was painfully obvious what was going through their heads. Teenage boys were hopelessly predictable.
When the teacher entered the room, the commotion finally died down, and the class returned to its usual quiet routine.
---
During lunch, Ryuji made his way to the Service Club as usual.
Saki was already there, sitting at the table with a bento box in front of her. She looked cheerful, humming softly as she ate.
From her demeanor, it was obvious that she was in a good mood.
"Looks like someone's had a good day," Ryuji remarked, sitting down across from her.
Saki grinned, holding up her chopsticks triumphantly. "Of course! My first job as a sorcerer was a total success!"
Since gaining her sorcerer abilities, Saki had started taking on small requests for exorcisms. Most of them were minor cases, level three or level four cursed spirits that posed little danger.
Still, completing her first job successfully was no small feat, and Saki was practically glowing with pride.
"I even made some money," she added with a laugh. "Not bad for a beginner, huh?"
Ryuji chuckled at her enthusiasm, leaning back in his chair. "It's just the beginning. If you keep improving, there'll be plenty more work for you in the future."
His tone was matter-of-fact, but there was a hint of encouragement in his words. Now that sorcerers were more publicly acknowledged, someone with Saki's abilities would definitely be in demand.
Saki beamed at his words but quickly grew thoughtful.
"With my current strength, I can handle Grade three or four cursed spirits just fine," she admitted. "But if I could awaken my own innate technique, things would be so much easier…"
Despite her accomplishments, she couldn't help but feel a little envious of others. Yukino and the others had already awakened their techniques, giving them a clear advantage in both power and potential.
"Why does it feel like everyone else is ahead of me?" she muttered, letting out a small sigh.
Ryuji, noticing the slight shift in her mood, reached out and tapped her lightly on the head.
"Don't worry about that," he said calmly. "Your cursed energy is still low right now, but that'll change as you grow stronger. When the time comes, I'll teach you how to use the New Shadow Style's Simple Domain."
Saki blinked, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Really? I can learn something like that?"
Ryuji nodded. "It doesn't matter if you don't have an innate technique. With the Simple Domain, you'll be able to hold your own against most sorcerers, even those with advanced abilities."
He explained it casually, but his confidence in her was clear.
Saki's excitement was palpable as she leaned forward eagerly. "When can I start learning?"
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and even the other girls nearby seemed curious, turning their attention to the conversation.
***
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