Tatsuya's days were grueling: morning training at Yakumo's temple, classes and thesis prep during the day, and late-night relic analysis. Yet he managed it all seamlessly, unnoticed by others, with no impact on his performance.
His classmates, aware of his packed schedule, hesitated to invite him out.
"After school plans? Should we ask Tatsuya?" Leo asked.
"I'd love to, but he's so busy. Maybe as a break?" Erika mused.
"Don't disturb him, Erika," Mikihiko warned.
"I know, Miki!" Erika snapped.
"It's Mikihiko!"
Erika and the others agonized over whether to invite Tatsuya. Even Erika, usually carefree, felt reluctant given the weight of his responsibilities.
"How about just Miyuki?" Leo suggested.
"But would Miyuki come without Tatsuya-san?" Mizuki asked.
"That's the issue. Would that brocon leave her Onii-sama to hang out?" Erika said bluntly.
The three stared at Erika, stunned. Since the student council election, no one dared say such things, even jokingly, but Erika tossed it out without a care.
"No big deal. She can't hear, and it's not slander," Erika shrugged.
"It's plenty slander," Mikihiko countered. "You get touchy about your brother too—"
"What?" Erika's glare cut him off.
"Nothing…" Mikihiko backed down.
Their long friendship didn't spare Mikihiko from stepping on Erika's landmines. Her mood soured, and he fell silent.
"So, invite Tatsuya or not?" Leo pressed.
"What about me?" Tatsuya appeared.
"No library today?" Leo asked.
"Almost time," Tatsuya said, glancing at the clock nearing afternoon classes.
"We're going out after school. You in?" Leo offered.
"Sorry, still swamped," Tatsuya replied.
"Alright, we'll go without you," Leo said.
"Do that. I'll join once things settle. Invite me then," Tatsuya said.
"Got it," Leo nodded.
The trio marveled at Leo's decisiveness in that moment.
"What's up?" Leo asked, noticing their stares.
"You're impressive, Leo," Mizuki said.
"Huh? How?" Leo blinked.
"You don't even realize it," Erika sighed.
And so, Tatsuya spent another after-school session on thesis prep.
With library research mostly done, Tatsuya returned the key at the front desk, spotting a familiar face.
"Hirakawa-senpai?" he said.
"Oh, Shiba-kun," Koharu replied.
"Exam prep?"
He'd asked Mayumi differently and got scolded, so he chose his words carefully. But Koharu was there for another reason.
"I wanted to help. I feel bad for pushing the representative role on you," she said.
"It's fine. I'm managing," Tatsuya assured her.
"Really? You're amazing, Shiba-kun."
"It's a topic I was already working on. I wouldn't manage otherwise."
Tatsuya returned the key, bowed, and left the library. Oddly, Koharu followed.
"Didn't you just arrive?" he asked.
"I came to find you. And… I need to talk," Koharu said.
Tatsuya had sensed something was off but hadn't expected her to confide in him.
"About what?"
"It's about Chiaki…"
"Is something wrong?"
"She's been coming home late and going out on weekends."
"Hm…"
Tatsuya thought it normal for a high schooler like Chiaki to stay out late or go out on weekends, so he didn't take it seriously. But Koharu's concern seemed excessive.
"She used to tell me if she'd be late and always invited me out on weekends," Koharu said.
"Maybe she's being considerate, not wanting to burden you," Tatsuya suggested, half-listening, tired of her sister-complex worries.
"But she's been accessing weird sites!" Koharu blurted.
"Where'd you get that?" Tatsuya asked.
"We share a terminal," Koharu admitted.
Tatsuya was speechless, almost admiring her intense sisterly devotion.
"If you're worried, ask her directly. She's coming home, right?" he said.
"She just says she's fine," Koharu replied.
"And what do you think of that?" Tatsuya asked.
Koharu paused. "I want to believe her, but something feels off. I don't think she's caught up in anything bad, but…"
"Then trust her," Tatsuya said.
"But—"
"There's too little evidence to doubt her. If she's in trouble, she'd tell you," he reasoned.
Koharu frowned at his optimism but couldn't fully dismiss it. There was no proof, and suspecting Chiaki now was premature, though waiting for trouble would be too late.
"I'll head out. Someone's glaring," Tatsuya said, nodding toward Mayumi.
"Oh, Nanatsu-san…" Koharu said.
"Hey, Hirakawa-san, Tatsuya-kun," Mayumi greeted.
"Here for studying? Exams okay?" Tatsuya asked.
His words were a casual greeting, but Mayumi took them as a jab.
"I'm fine! Some things you can't solve by thinking or researching!" she huffed, slamming a problem on the table.
Tatsuya glanced at it and solved it effortlessly.
"How do you do that?!" Mayumi exclaimed.
"Want me to explain?" he offered.
"No… I mean, please," she mumbled.
Mayumi's pride faltered, having admitted defeat, but she saw a silver lining: an excuse to spend time with Tatsuya. That outweighed her ego. To her, time with him was priceless.
"Nanatsu-senpai?" Tatsuya said.
"Hm? What?" she replied.
"You listening?"
"Yes! So, this part…" she said, focusing.
Their serious study session ensured that even if Miyuki found out, she wouldn't unleash her magic. In fact, she'd likely feel proud.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
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