She leaned in and licked the ice cream off the corner of my lips.
My goodness… we're outside…
That's just how she is: super clingy and ridiculously touchy-feely.
"Hey, Sophia," I said as she moved back to her "side" of the bench—which was exactly zero inches away from me—"if anything's bothering you, you can tell me, you know?"
She smiled warmly. "I know. And when something like that does happen, you'll be the first to hear it."
Then she pulled me into her arms… like she was the boyfriend!
Well… despite what she says, Sophia is hiding something. Something significant, something she probably doesn't want me involved in.
Family issues, perhaps.
I won't pry, but…
"Whenever you need a shoulder to cry on, I'll be here."
"Thanks."
*
Before I knew it, the time for the school festival had arrived.
A major anime moment!
I was hyperventilation the entire eve.
Alright, I better not mess this up.
The amount of work I put into the event shocked everyone. I even stayed overnight at the school during preparations.
When the day finally came, it turned out just as wonderful as I had imagined it would be.
Though, the part where I had to wear that short maid uniform definitely did a number on my pride.
Short uniform skirts were fine, but that maid uniform… I know what I've done with its kind in my past life. I won't say it, though.
I made it my mission to visit every single class and see everything they had set up, and in the process, I ate so much food that I ended up with a stomach ache.
Happiness… pure happiness.
You'll understand just why I was this happy, in the next few chapters.
When the sky began to darken, I slipped away and made my way up to the school roof.
Couples were scattered everywhere, each one absorbed in their own little world.
I wandered off toward a corner where there were fewer people and less noise.
I took a deep breath in, then let it out slowly before sitting down on the ground, gazing up at the night sky.
I've come so far, haven't I?
I couldn't stop smiling. I just hoped this would last for a while longer.
I already knew that the world of adults was essentially a red ocean teeming with sharks and dangerous predators. So this chance at reliving my youth—albeit in a different body and gender—was something I felt deeply grateful for.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself thoroughly, Nagisa-chan."
The feminine, familiar voice came from just to my side.
I immediately turned toward her.
"Sorry, Shizuka-sama, I should always remain alert!" I apologized to the straight violet-haired girl, whose form seemed to release subtle wisps of black fog as she took a seat.
"No, there's no need to be so wary all the time," she said with a light giggle. "We should enjoy ourselves when the opportunity presents itself."
All traces of my earlier giddiness vanished. My expression grew serious.
"Shizuka-sama, has a problem arisen?" I asked. "It isn't common for you to meet me like this."
And she had used [Kage Kakure] (Shadow Movement), no less.
She chuckled softly. "Why? Can't the student council president casually speak with a student? You give me too much credit, Nagisa-chan."
"…" I stayed silent.
Noting my expression, she decided to get straight to the point.
"Fine. There is a mission," she said, her tone now matching mine in gravity. "But it barely concerns us."
"What do you mean?"
"It's a mission for the adult elites. We're only going as backup, in case things go awry."
"If it's the elites, then we'll basically have nothing to do, right?" I asked, relaxing.
"Don't underestimate enemies, Nagisa-chan," she warned. "When a chick is cornered, you'll find that even they can bare their fangs. We leave just after midnight. Prepare yourself."
"Understood!"
"Ah, and also, I hope you have worked on fixing your freezing problem?"
"Uhm… I'm on it. I realize it's a major flaw as one of the Talents."
"No, as one of the Yamigami clan members," she interrupted. "Sooner or later, you'll harden. You'll come to understand that killing is only part of the cycle of lif—"
"Nagisa? Jeez! What are you doing there?!"
Sophia had found me.
I didn't need to turn around to know that Shizuka-sama had already sunk into the shadows.
"I just wanted to see the stars," I said, scratching the back of my head.
"Ehhh? Then you should have called me too…"
She stepped closer, wrapped an arm around my waist, and pulled me against her before kissing me.
Yep. This was why—you clingy tomboy.
Now other couples were glancing our way like we were putting on some sort of show.
"Wait, did Sophia get better at kissing?!" I pulled my head back in surprise.
Normally, it was almost as if she only knew how to nibble on lips.
"Hehehe, I practiced with my mirror."
"Please, keep your cringy conducts to yourself!" I poked her nose. "And like hell you're going to get better by kissing your own reflection." Then I returned the kiss.
We bantered for a while longer before she eventually headed home. Or rather, I sent her home, claiming that I needed to finish up a few things myself.
*
By now, the school was nearly empty, with only black-donned figures moving subtly through the shadows.
"Nagisa-chan, has Shizuka told you about the matter?" Nakamura-sensei appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Hai. We're the backup for you elites, right?"
"That's correct," he said, adjusting his glasses. "The foe we aim to bring down is not a conventional one. In fact, there's a high chance we will fail."
"Huh? Are they really that strong?" I raised a brow. "Then why are we even proceeding with the mission?"
"Because our role is to stall them, giving the higher-ups time to do their work where they are, without interference."
"What?! An enemy so powerful that both the adult elites and the Talents are needed just to 'stall' them?!" I yelled, unable to contain my shock. "What kind of monster are we even fighting?!"
Nakamura-sensei glanced toward the window ledge. "They are called 'Saints.' Neither siding with light nor darkness; they surpass it all. There are even rumors that some among their ranks possess genuine superpowers."
"No way! Like Superman-level superpowers?!" My eyes widened.
"Indeed. In fact, some are even more terrifying than that," he said, patting my head. "So when we arrive, make sure you don't engage until you are ordered to. Understand?"
I nodded.
"You just got married," he continued. "You can't leave your husband behind so soon."
"Cut that out!" I tugged on his ear. "Sophia is a girl! And there's no way I'm dying this early in life anyway."
We laughed, passing the time until midnight came… and went.
***
Fear… it's been a while.
Outside a large warehouse deep in the woods, surrounded by a tall metal fence, we Talents perched in formation like sentinels. In reality, we were nothing more than witnesses to a brutal confrontation.
"Aaaaargh!"