On the way to Saikai University, Shichen and Himeragi Yukina walked shoulder to shoulder—one of those rare mornings when it was just the two of them heading in together.
Yukina was happy; she didn't even notice how light her steps had become. Weirdly, Avrora wasn't walking to campus with Sensei today—she'd left unusually early. Yukina didn't know why, but she was glad for the chance to be alone with him.
"Haaa~" Partway there, Shichen couldn't help yawning.
"Sensei, did you not sleep well?" Yukina tilted her head up to look at him, concerned.
"Something like that…"
Last night Avrora had fussed for a long while—she'd learned he'd "finished off" Kaguya and the others—and she was very unhappy.
Not because he'd been with them, but because she was the only one left out.
Double standards! She'd been there first!
So she'd gone straight to campus with Kaguya at sunrise, wanting nothing to do with walking with Shichen. Not exactly something Yukina could be told.
"Was it insomnia?"
"Not really. I just went to bed late—and it's so hot today…"
Itogami is a man-made island anchored in the middle of the Pacific, perpetual summer year-round. Even in November there's no hint of autumn. The sunlight blazes, and even long-time residents never quite get used to it. Shichen, especially, hates the heat.
"Because of your vampire physiology?" Yukina asked. She knew vampires didn't fear the sun so much as weren't adapted to it. In this world, vampires had almost no side effects and were absurdly strong—honestly kind of unreasonable.
"No. Not a 'vampire' thing. I just don't like hot weather."
"Then Itogami really is rough for you… But why else did you sleep late?"
"Because of Sayaka. She's called me two nights in a row in the middle of the night," he said—on purpose.
"Eh? A call? Sayaka called you? Why?" Yukina blinked, then stared at him wide-eyed.
"Vatler came back empty-handed. She's temporarily free, so she phones me when she's bored—asks about you, and then talks on and on about herself."
"So Sayaka's fine and still calls you… and won't stop talking?" Yukina's expression clouded and cleared by turns.
So there is something going on between Sensei and Sayaka?
Wasn't Sayaka supposed to hate men—unable to even be near them? And that day Sensei could touch her however he liked…
"She said it's because you don't have a phone, so she has no choice but to call me."
At that, Yukina's look turned odd. "You might not know this, Sensei, but Sayaka's always hated phone calls. It even caused trouble once—when she couldn't stand a man's voice in her ear, she blocked her Agency supervisor's number."
"There's a story like that?" he said, surprised.
"Yes… And yet she specially calls you," Yukina said, deadpan.
"A-hem. Maybe she's worried about you? She is asking me about you—overprotective, right?"
"Do you believe that?" Yukina asked coolly.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"You just said she mostly talks about herself… She's sharing her life with you, isn't she?"
"Is she?" he played dumb.
"Don't pretend. You and Sayaka definitely have something—she cares about you now," Yukina grumbled.
"What could there be? If there were something, it'd be with you first," he said with a smile.
"Eh?" Yukina blanked—then flushed bright pink.
"Sensei, stop talking nonsense!"
"I'm being honest, okay?"
"I'm not talking to you anymore! I'm going to class." She ran for the classroom building. Without noticing, they'd reached campus already. Shichen chuckled at her flustered retreat and headed for the office.
Another day of "paperwork."
The day passed; after classes, Shichen headed home with Avrora and the others. Avrora still hadn't cooled off—walking alone up front, occasionally glancing back at him, then turning away with a huff. Cute, though.
"Sensei, Kanon didn't show again today," Akatsuki Nagisa reported.
"Mm," Shichen nodded.
Kanase Kanon skipping now and then wasn't new—and nothing had happened to her yet. But around this time… it was probably close. The moment she showed any sign of trouble, he'd march over, teach that unhinged foster father a lesson, and keep Kanon by his side.
Back home, Avrora still refused to talk to him. Shichen didn't mind—he wanted to see how long she'd hold out. He wasn't being mean; she was just too entertaining like this.
At dinner, Natsuki didn't come out—she stayed in her room. Ever since Shichen had stolen a kiss two days ago, she hadn't dared face him. He couldn't tell if she was afraid he'd try again, or if she was shy. If it was the latter… awfully pure for her age.
That night, Shichen lay alone. With Natsuki home, he couldn't do anything. He didn't rush to sleep; sure enough, Kirasaka Sayaka called again.
He answered first: "What's up? Bored and calling me again tonight?"
"W-who's bored!" she protested, flustered.
"So you do have business?"
"Mm… just… happens that I do…"
"What is it?"
"T-this weekend, I'm coming back to Itogami… and, um, you're not allowed to bully Yukina. I'll take her place."
"Not simply because you want to?" he teased.
"Of course not! No way!" Sayaka shot back, shy and defensive.
"Haha. This weekend? Ping me when you land. Haven't seen you in a few days—I already miss you."
"M-miss me?! R-really?"
"Why would I lie?"
"Not because you want to do… indecent things to me?"
"That too."
"Mm… You pervy Fifth Primogenitor."
"Keep calling me that and I'll go bully Yukina," he threatened.
"Don't! I won't say it. You promised—take it out on me."
"That's better… So what's the real business?"
"Um…"
Her tone turned noticeably troubled. "A—an important person from Aldegia is visiting. I'm assigned as escort and guide—or I was. Something's gone wrong."
"Aldegia…" Shichen frowned.
Unlike in his old knowledge, he now knew Aldegia was a small Northern European country on the Baltic—renowned for natural beauty and advanced industry, especially its magitech sector. Distant, not especially close to Japan. Coming here meant something important. He knew what it likely was.
"What are they coming to Itogami for?"
"I can't share details—it's a diplomatic secret," she corrected herself.
"Got it," he didn't pry. "Do your best. Guiding a foreign VIP isn't easy—impressive, Sayaka."
"Eh? O-oh… thanks," she said, a little dazed—and secretly thrilled at his praise.
They talked late into the night; turns out long phone calls were pretty fun.
The next day, during P.E. with Avrora's section, Shichen noticed Kanon had shown up. The instant he saw her, anger flared. His aura spooked the students; even Avrora dropped her pouting.
"This period is free play."
"Understood."
"And Kanon—come with me."
"Sensei?"
Without looking back, he headed for the office. Kanase Kanon could only hurry after him in small steps. Even Avrora didn't follow. Shichen felt off today—he'd been fine that morning.
~~~
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