Date A Live Encore - Volume 7 - Chapter 2

Yoshino Experience

 “Alright everyone! Today, the teacher will be introducing some new friends to everyone!” A class guide announced cheerfully to the second year class B classroom at a junior high school in Tengu City. 

 “Come in!” 

 The class guide beckoned gently. After swallowing, Natsumi and Yoshino, who were waiting in the corridor, entered the classroom. 

 “…Um…” 

 The two of them stood in front of the teacher’s podium and the junior high school students looked at them curiously. Natsumi shifted uncomfortably with the many students’ gazes on her. 

 “Could the two of you introduce yourselves?” 

 “O-Okay,” Yoshino nodded nervously, facing the students in the classroom. 

 “M-My name is Yoshino… please take good care of me.” She stammered and bowed her head. Her greeting was met with applause from all around the classroom. 

 It was Natsumi’s turn next. Her fingertips trembled. She took a breath and tried to make a sound. 

 “My name is Itsuka Natsumi. I only came to school for trivial reasons, but please don’t bother pretending to be familiar with me. Also, if you dare to try to bully Yoshino, I’ll never let you get away with it.” 

 That’s what Natsumi planned on saying but instead— 

 “Ska…su… insufficient… admission… but… shino… forgive you…” 

 Having gained the attention of many people she was meeting for the first time, she became nervous and struggled to make a sound. Although the students did not understand what she was talking about, they still gave her sparse applause. 

 “Well, it can be inferred from their names that they are relatives of our classmate, Kotori Itsuka. Both of them are here to experience admission. Everyone, please take good care of them.” 

 “Yes!” The students answered the class guide with vigor. 

 “…!” 

 Natsumi was immediately frightened by the loud noise and reflexively shook her shoulders while imagining the nightmarish day and exhaling a heavy breath. 

◇◇◇

 It all started with what happened a few days ago in the Itsuka household’s living room. 

 “…You want to go to school?” 

 Natsumi repeated the words that shook her tympanic membranes in despair. Those dreaded words made Natsumi’s heart race and caused an increase in her blood circulation around her body. She could feel the temperature rise, her thoughts becoming scrambled, and despite not exercising, she could feel sweat dripping down her forehead. 

 This is hardly a surprise. After all, it is [school]. 

 However, the person who spoke those accursed words, Yoshino, shook her head in embarrassment but nodded while saying the opposite of Natsumi’s thoughts on school. 

 “Yes… seeing Shido and Kotori go to school, they seem very happy…” 

 The beautiful curly hair that is different from Natsumi’s and the cute face that is different from Natsumi’s. If the world is [cute], it would definitely be in the form of Yoshino. This girl’s appearance was so cute that Natsumi couldn’t help but think of it. 

 “School…” 

 “That’s right.” 

 The two were not alone in the Itsuka family living room. Indeed, there were two other people there as well, sitting on the sofa as they rubbed their chins in response to the voice of the goddess: one was a boy with neutral yet gentle features; the other was a young girl with red hair tied in twin tails bound with black ribbons. They were brother and sister. 

 “Very good.” 

 “Yes. <Ratatoskr> wants to give the Spirits a chance to figure out what they want to do.” 

 “What…!” 

 Facing the unexpected reaction of the two, Natsumi made a change of tone. 

 “You two,” she glared at Kotori and Shido, “Are you planning to throw Yoshino into that hellhole?” 

 “What hellhole…? Aren’t you exaggerating a little too much?” 

 “It isn’t an exaggeration at all…! That kind of place is just a compulsory shelter for young girls and prisoners! They create a prisoner’s class hierarchy! Those who can’t integrate into the group must be vilified and ridiculed forever! It’s a place to condense the ugliest part of human society!” 

 “…To speak such mean things about school.” Kotori was so dumbfounded that she couldn’t help but shrug in admiration. 

 However, Natsumi’s indignant attitude about school made Yoshino’s face dim in disappointment. 

 “Is school really such a terrible place?” 

 “That’s right! Don’t be fooled by the school dramas that make you cry! That’s just the school’s publicity! ‘Everyone finally attended the graduation ceremony happily.’ It’s better to have such a thing. The heart-broken bully is scum, the teacher who is afraid of things is useless! Even if he plays the episode of Jinba Sensei!” 

 Natsumi’s mouth was suddenly covered and rendered speechless. Kotori, for her part sighed and said: 

 “Calm down. I don’t really get where all this is coming from. After all, schools nowadays are really different to how they were in the past. If you can’t ensure the stability of your mental state however, then as the commander of <Ratatoskr>, I won’t allow you to go to school.” 

 Kotori glanced at Yoshino’s left hand. Specifically, it was the rabbit puppet Yoshinon that was on her left hand. 

 “Ah what’s wrong, Kotori? Could it be that you’ve been ensnared by Yoshinon’s cuteness and charm?” Yoshinon twisted her waist with amusement. Kotori turned a blind eye to Yoshinon’s words before flicking the rabbit puppet’s forehead with her fingers. 

 “It hurts!” 

 “Ah…” 

 Probably guessing Kotori’s intentions, Yoshino cast an apologetic and downcast look. 

 Natsumi also understood what Kotori was saying. If Yoshino was without Yoshinon, she would immediately feel uneasy, causing her sealed Spirit power to flow back into her. If it started to rain it wouldn’t be an issue, but if things started to freeze, then it would become quite troublesome. 

 She watched the interaction between Yoshino and Kotori. Natsumi figured that she would be able to get out of going to school thanks to Kotori’s decision and was about to flash a gesture of victory with her fists. 

 “So that’s how it is. It’s too early for Yoshino to be going to school…! It’s okay, Yoshino, a school-like place like that…” 

 However, before Natsumi could finish, Kotori interrupted her and said: 

 “But I also said that <Ratatoskr> will do the best they can to help the Spirits. First, I will try to see if there is a way to adapt to the school environment in the form of experience enrollment. Is it okay to go to my middle school?” 

 “…! R-Really…?” 

 “Oh! Isn’t that great, Yoshino?” 

 After hearing what Kotori said, Yoshino’s expression brightened and she was very happy along with Yoshinon. 

 “…” 

 In such a harmonious atmosphere, only Natsumi looked as though she’d been given a death sentence. Her fist trembled out of nowhere. 

 “──So…” 

 At this moment, Kotori set her sights on Natsumi. 

 “Natsumi, will you be going?” 

 “Ah!” 

 Upon hearing those unexpected words, Natsumi made a high octave sound. It was hardly a surprise; she didn’t expect things to turn out this way, or for them to affect her. 

 “D-Don’t make such noises. I’m not going. I definitely don’t want to go to that kind of place…!” 

 “Oh… really? Since you don’t want to go, I won’t force you. I’m just afraid that after Yoshino goes to school, you will feel lonely, so I just thought I’d ask.” 

 “Hmmm…” 

 Natsumi fell silent. 

 Kotori was right. Most of the Spirits went to school. If Yoshino went to school as well, then Natsumi would have to spend her days alone. 

 “Natsumi-san…” 

 Yoshino’s blue eyes were wet with tears as she gazed earnestly at Natsumi. Being stared at by a goddess with such eyes, how could anyone even hope to refuse her? Natsumi could feel sweat trickling down her forehead…” 

 “…I’ll go…” 

 After a few seconds of silence, she sighed with regret. 

◇◇◇

 “──Okay, then you two go find an empty seat and sit down.” 

 In Class 2B’s classroom, the class guide pointed to the vacant seats. Yoshino nodded. 

 “Okay.” 

 “Ah…! Good!” 

 Natsumi immediately looked away and nodded in reply. The two of them walked toward their respective seats. 

 She felt a little uneasy, having been separated from Natsumi and Kotori, but Yoshino took a deep breath and changed her mind. The reason she wanted to come to school was not only out of a simple desire, but also to integrate into human society. If she felt uneasy because of a little thing like school, she’d surely have a bad future. 

 Just as Yoshino came to that conclusion, the class guide explained a few simple contact points and the class meeting was over. All of the students stood up, saluted, and then sat down. 

 “…!” 

 At that moment, Yoshino’s eyes widened as she stared around the classroom. 

 Because at that moment, the surrounding students showed curious expressions as they gathered around Yoshino’s seat. 

 “Can I ask you where you came from?” 

 “Is that a rabbit?” 

 “U-Um…” 

 Faced with so many unexpected questions, Yoshino didn’t know what to do. Thankfully, Yoshinon came up with an answer: 

 “Could it be that you’re curious about Yoshinon? That’s to be expected, I suppose. Everyone here is in adolescence, after all.” 

 “Wow! It can talk!” 

 “Don’t be stupid! It’s obviously ventriloquism!” 

 “It’s so cute!” 

 With Yoshinon’s help, the atmosphere was becoming more lively and friendly. Yoshino was originally worried about whether she would be able to get along with the other students she met for the first time. 

 Then── 

 “Could you let me introduce myself as well?” 

 When Yoshino stammered to answer everyone’s questions, such a voice suddenly came. The wall was separated towards both sides, and there appeared a young girl who was leading the attendant and looked like a refined young lady at first glance. 

 “You are…” 

 “Hi, I’m Ayanokouji Kanon. I’m the class representative.” 

 “Ah. P-Please take good care of me.” 

 Yoshino nodded her greetings. Kanon hummed and a proud smile appeared on her face. 

 “If there’s something you don’t understand, please don’t hesitate to ask me or any of our classmates.” 

 “O-Okay, classmates──” 

 “What, you didn’t figure it out from my name? Hehehe, I thought so. That’s right! My sister, Ayanokouji Karin, won the championship at the previous Ten’ou Festival beauty contest. That night, Miku Izayoi participated as a judge!” 

 “T-This…?” 

 Kanon started showing off for some reason while Yoshino responded to her statements with blank looks but her eyes widened. The classmates around them had a look of “here she goes again” along with a wry smile. 

 “That’s right! But rest assured, I won’t be proud of it at all! Because it was my sister who was recognized by Izayoi Miku, not me. But I’m just the same as my beautiful and kind sister, and we share the same blood!” 

 “Ahahaha…” 

 When Yoshino was surprised by Kanon’s enthusiasm, her cell phone began to vibrate. 

 “Ah!” 

 Yoshino took out her cell phone. In her excitement to come to school, she’d forgotten to turn it off beforehand. Although she was thankful to the caller, she still had to turn her phone off. 

 But just then a student in her class exclaimed after seeing the name on the screen. 

 “Oh! Wait a minute, Yoshino! Your screen shows… Izayoi Miku!” 

 “…Eh?” 

 Kanon’s eyes widened as she stared at the screen. She frowned suspiciously and hit the answer button. 

 “Huh?” 

 “Yoshino! I heard you started going to middle school! Is it true? Next time, can you get someone to take a picture of you in your uniform? Can you… eh?” 

 It was probably the tip of the ear that heard the noise of the students and Miku made a muffled sound. 

 “Ah! Shouldn’t you be in school right now? ──I can hear your classmates! People are really tempting Izayoi Miku today, aren’t they?! Please take care of me…!” 

 “…! T-That… Miku, I’ll call you later…” 

 Yoshino’s face was flushed and she quickly hung up. 

 However, the damage was already done. The classmates who heard the call were screaming in excitement, chanting: “Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!” 

 “What was that just now? Was that really Izayoi Miku?” 

 “Just listen to that voice! It must have been her!” 

 “Yoshino! Do you know Izayoi Miku?” 

 “T-This… uh… ahaha…” 

 Yoshino smiled as she quickly turned off her phone and stuffed it back in her bag. 

 “W-Well…” 

 Among the classmates whose emotions were rising rapidly, Kanon’s fists were clenched a little unwillingly but Yoshino, who was too busy talking to her other classmates, didn’t notice this. 

 “…” 

 Natsumi remained silent as she kept her gaze on Yoshino’s seat by herself. 

 No, it was correct to say that there were two or three classmates who attempted to approach Natsumi in the beginning but Natsumi remained silent and refused to so much as look at her classmates much less talk to them. In the end, no one approached her again. 

 “Really… the whole point is that you have to get along with everyone in class, Natsumi.” 

 “I don’t want to spend time with everyone here.” 

 “You said that again…” said Kotori helplessly. Then she paused, as though thinking of something. 

 “Ah, right.” 

 She pulled out a notebook from her seat and laid it out on the desk in front of Natsumi. 

 “Natsumi, just draw some pictures.” 

 “Why?” 

 “It should be fine, right? Can you draw something like Nia’s manga?” 

 “W-What the hell are you talking about…” 

 Kotori shook Natsumi’s shoulder while begging for her to draw a picture. Natsumi frowned and sighed. She picked up the pen and began to draw a character from one of Nia’s manga. 

 Kotori nodded contendly before taking a deep breath and said aloud: 

 “Wow, that’s so good! It turns out that you draw a lot of really cool things, Natsumi!” 

 “…What?” 

 Kotori’s sudden actions made Natsumi panic. So the students who reacted to Kotori’s voice glanced at the notebook on the desk and exclaimed: 

 “Wow! It’s Fatimaye from <Silver Bullet>!” 

 “Are you going to draw any of the other characters?” 

 “Well…! Ah…! Um…!” The students gathered around Natsumi instantly. Natsumi panicked at the attention. 

 “That’s a Super Skill! This isn’t the level of a middle school student’s painting at all!” 

 “That’s super cool! Really great!” 

 “…Uh, that…” 

 “Can I ask, are you planning to become a manga artist in the future?” 

 “Let’s get signatures!” 

 “…whaaaaaaa?!” 

 Natsumi couldn’t handle everyone’s praise, shouting loudly and tearing the notebook at the same time. 

 “Wow!” 

 “What, what is this…?” 

 “Don’t look down on people… Don’t look down on me…! You say these things, but you are actually mocking me! You think I’m disgusting when I draw manga! I know it! I know it!” 

 “W-What…?” 

 Faced with Natsumi’s rage, the students looked confused, but quickly dispersed in fright. 

 After Natsumi caught her breath, she karate chopped Kotori’s head. 

 “Stupid.” 

 “That hurt.” 

 “Ugh…” 

 Natsumi remained speechless as she sat back in her chair and slumped forward on her desk, praying that the class period would end soon. 

◇◇◇

 ──From this it was clear that the situation after that was still very tense. 

 They’d just finished their third lesson of the day. After the math and English lessons, the students changed into sportswear and gathered in the gym where they were to play volleyball for the day. More specifically, they were learning how to hold the ball properly. 

 “Okay, let’s find some friends and form a group!” said the PE teacher loudly, clad in appropriate sportswear. The students, similarly clad in sportswear, spread out in small groups, looking for friends to form a team. 

 “Uh, I…” 

 Yoshino looked around, perplexed before spotting Natsumi standing alone. 

 “Ah, Natsumi—!” 

 She moved to form a team with Natsumi. But at that moment, a refined lady appeared before her, blocking her path. It was Ayanokouji Kanon. 

 “Oh, Yoshino! You haven’t formed a team yet?” 

 “Ah, not yet…” 

 Even if Yoshino tried to explain, it was plain that Kanon wasn’t going to listen. She’d already shaken her thick hair and said: 

 “It can’t be helped! If you’re so persistent, you might even get me to be on your team──” 

 “Ah, Yoshino, come with me!” 

 “”Oh, I want to be in a group with Yoshino!” 

 “That’s okay, I guess.” 

 This time, Kanon didn’t get a chance to finish talking before Yoshino was surrounded on all sides by other students interested in forming a team with her. 

 “…” 

 Kanon stiffened and let out a high pitched noise. A classmate rested a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. 

 School is a nightmare space equivalent to the deepest pits of Hell. The cruelest thing among them are the practical subjects. 

 It was okay to take a million steps back. Although occasionally someone asks questions so that someone will answer them, it is possible to always pass by sitting quietly in your seat. 

 But for practical subjects like physical education, that won’t work. Everyone has to act on their own initiative. The point is──. 

 “Okay everyone! Find some friends to form a group!” 

 If the sports teacher shouted this sentence casually, it would be a death spell for students. Particularly for students with low social skills, the lethality of this sentence could even lead to immediate death. 

 “Well, let’s be together!” 

 “Um, okay…” 

 “…” 

 Natsumi stood in place, not moving, and watched as the groups formed one after another. 

 Since it was part of the class, Natsumi had to be grouped with the other students but how could she hope to reach the extremely difficult requirement of talking to her classmates like this? The classmates who were taking action right now were all superb and holy. 

 Speaking of which, it was really the teacher’s negligence to leave the decision to students to judge this behavior in class. It is packed into a beautiful icing called autonomy. After all, there are students who are not good at communicating with others and should be left to the teacher to decide on groups in advance. Besides, it shouldn’t be necessary to make groups for classes. It should be said that it is necessary to destroy the soul cage that is school, and that education through the internet is better than what school could hope to provide. Stand up and fight for independence! For real independence! For real freedom! 

 While Natsumi was immersed in thoughts of terrorism, Kotori and Yoshino, both of whom were also wearing sportswear, each waved their hands from separate directions and came towards her. 

 “Ah, Natsumi—” 

 “Natsumi!” 

 “…! You two…!” 

 At the site of them, Natsumi had the illusion of a ray of hope shooting into a dark hell. 

 Sure enough, the group should still be decided by the students themselves. Since it is impossible for all the students in the class to fall in love with each other, if the teacher decides the groups without permission, unfamiliar students will feel embarrassed, and a group of friends can improve efficiency. 

 “Ah Ah! Yoshino! Is there no one with you?” 

 “Kotori! Let’s play together!” 

 “Ah, no, that…” 

 “W-Wow!” 

 However, as the two made to approach Natsumi, they were taken away by other groups. 

 “…” 

 Natsumi stared wide eyed with her hand still outstretched despite the loss. She became silent once more and turned away. 

 “Is everyone divided into groups? Then let’s start practicing ball-holding… wait, why are you all alone?” 

 “…!” 

 Natsumi tried to make herself as small as possible, trying to erase herself from existence by blending into the background. However, when everyone else was split into groups, the presence of a single person alone still gave off a very striking impression. The physical education teacher waved her over. 

 “Ah!… my body… guaranteed…” 

 Natsumi originally tried to make an excuse to get out of physical education by saying that she was uncomfortable in order to escape to infirmary to rest. 

 Of course, her faint words didn’t reach the PE teacher’s ears. As a result, Natsumi soon found herself being stared at by the other students as she tried to avoid the teacher, who clearly didn’t know how to show mercy (it felt like the middle school had entered a national volleyball competition). It wasn’t long before tears burst out of her eyes. She was only a middle schooler, after all. 

 The bell rang to signal the end of the fourth lesson was noticed all throughout the school building. 

 Students knew now that it was time for lunch. Everyone proceeded to pull out their bentos from their school bags or bento bags and proceeded to grab a table to eat together with their friends. 

 Just like everyone else, Yoshino could also be found pulling a bento from her bag. 

 “… ♪…” 

 She hadn’t meant to do it but she began humming a tune naturally. Yoshino remembered that eating lunch at school is one of the long-awaited times after watching high school dramas. 

 Of course, she wasn’t dissatisfied with the usual lunch but there was something special about being able to eat lunch with friends that filled an unknown desire that she’d only recently discovered. 

 Moreover, it was Shido who made this lunch for her and Natsumi along with Kotori and Tohka’s lunches. Yoshino had always been envious of this and now realized that two of her wishes have come true at once. 

 “Hm Are you in a good mood, Yoshino?” 

 “I’m okay…!” 

 Yoshino stood up with a smile in response to Yoshinon’s voice and planned to eat her bento with Kotori and Natsumi. 

 At that moment, an elegant girl appeared before her. 

 “Ah Yoshino! Are you by yourself? If you really insist—” 

 “Ah, Yoshino! Let’s eat together!” 

 “Come, come here, Yoshino!” 

 “Wow! Yoshino, your lunchbox is so beautiful!” 

 “Oh, t-that…” 

 A group of schoolgirls with bento boxes rushed up from beside Kanon, and brought Yoshino to their table. After Kanon stared in surprise for a moment, she looked at Yoshino resentfully—but Yoshino still hadn’t noticed! 

 “…” 

 Natsumi set her bento box on her lap, and one person ate lunch in silence. 

 The place where she is currently is not a classroom but rather a small space surrounded by walls. In the center was a chair-shaped appliance and on the wall was a roll of toilet paper──she was in a toilet cubicle. 

 Of course, Natsumi initially planned to eat in the classroom but Kotori and Yoshino were already preoccupied with their classmates as usual, so she decided that she would come to the bathroom alone. 

 Even if Natsumi did eat in the classroom, presumably, no one would care, but the excess of her self-awareness will fill those surrounding casual sights and voices into murderous weapons. 

 She had the feeling that the girls were going to say bad things about her behind her back. The one boy who glanced at her probably hated her guts now──these delusions made Natsumi’s heart violent. 

 Furthermore, Yoshino and Kotori seemed to have fun in the classroom so it’s annoying. Naturally, it goes without saying that Yoshino seemed to be having a good time and seemed to get along well with her classmates. In this case, Natsumi wasn’t going to get in the way and disturb her rare lunch time. This was the best choice for everyone. 

 “…Huh?” 

 Natsumi’s head was full of thoughts while she ate. She suddenly paused and stared at her chopsticks. Shido’s mini hamburger steak always tasted just right, but now it tastes salty. 

 Just at that moment— 

 There was a bang just outside her door followed by a rough voice noise that made Natsumi freeze and her breath catch in her throat. 

 “What’s with that girl!…I’m so mad! The miss is at a loss and she took special care of her and even ignored my kindness! 

 As soon as she walked into the toilet, Kanon exclaimed angrily. The schoolgirl with her, Koko Kojiko, shrugged helplessly. 

 “I don’t think Yoshino is ignoring you on purpose. I think what’s really going on is that you’re not listening to her.” 

 “Shut up!” 

 Kanon interrupted Koko, her hands trembling with anger and her teeth gritted. 

 “I can’t handle this… since she’s so arrogant, I have my own considerations too.” 

 “W-What are you going to do?” 

 “Do you need to ask such things? Don’t try to make me out to be the bad guy here, but this crime is truly horrible. I will keep looking for her and keep her shadow in my heart; I’ll make sure that she never comes back to school ever again!” 

 “W-What… d-don’t do that!” 

 “Dammit! I can do this!” 

 After Kanon finished shouting, she briefly checked her makeup before stomping back into the corridor aggressively. 

 The female student roared with anger after leaving. 

 The single toilet door slowly creaked open gently 

 “…” 

 The girl in the toilet frowned without saying anything. She sighed at the troublesome situation. 

◇◇◇

 “Ha ha ha… First of all, you must learn this trick.” 

 After finishing her lunch, Kanon returned to the classroom, playing with a rectangular object in her hand, a sinister smile on her face. 

 “…? What’s that?” Koko asked, puzzled. After Kanon picked up the rectangular object with her index and middle fingers and suddenly lifted it to meet Koko’s eyes. 

 “Don’t you see? It’s an eraser. An eraser.” 

 “I can see that it’s an eraser. I’m asking what you’re planning on doing with it.” 

 “Oh, does such a thing even need to be said?” 

 Kanon pulled a utility knife out of her pencil case and cut up the eraser into small pieces. She placed one of the blocks on the palm of her hand and flicked it with the other, hitting Koko’s head. 

 “Uh…?” 

 Koko, suddenly bombarded, tilted her head with a stunned expression while Kanon curled her arms and the corners of her mouth raised into a smile. 

 “How is it? This is my secret technique, <Eraser cannon>. Thanks to God, that girl’s seat is in front of mine. After starting the class, I’ll use this to attack and distract her. Suddenly being called by the teacher and not being able to say the answer, and gradually exhausted… ha ha ha!” 

 “…Uh, hey, I think it will only be annoying.” 

 Koko responded with perplexity to Kanon’s strategy. She pursed her lips, dissatisfied. 

 “What, do you have a problem with that?” 

 “Not really, but I thought you were going to think of crueler methods…” 

 “Like what?” 

 “Huh? Like putting a pushpin in her shoes, splashing water when she goes to the toilet, tearing her textbooks, throwing her desk out of the window and saying there is no place for her, or…” 

 “Oh my God! What are you thinking! She’s so pitiful!” 

 After hearing Koko’s example, Kanon could not help but yell. 

 Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunchtime. The students returned to their seats one after another. 

 “Okay, Koko. Go back to your seat too. Then we’ll see how this teaches her.” 

 “Okay.” 

 After Koko replied perfunctorily and obediently returned to her seat. 

 Soon afterwards, her victim, Yoshino, sat down in the seat in front of Kanon and the teacher who taught the fifth period entered the classroom. After standing, saluting, and sitting down, the class began immediately.” 

 “Hehehe…” 

 Kanon shredded an eraser behind her textbook and placed the shreds in the palm of her hand, taking aim at Yoshino’s back. 

 A small eraser block flew violently toward Yoshino. However, when it was about to hit the back of her head, it seemed to be blocked by an invisible wall and bounced back in Kanon’s direction. 

 “Ow!” 

 “Kanon, is there a problem?” 

 The unexpected development made Kanon shout in surprise. The teacher looked at her in confusion. 

 “Ah, no… I’m okay…” 

 Kanon finished saying this before trying once more with another small eraser block. The result, however, was exactly the same. When the block was about to hit Yoshino, it bounced back at her. 

 “…” 

 Over and over, she continued to launch a relentless series of attacks. Kanon ran out of patience, broke up the eraser block, and launched them all at once. However, the outcome was the same: they all bounced back and hit Kanon’s head like a snowstorm. 

 “…Ugh! I hate this! What the hell is going on?” 

 “Kanon!” 

 “…! Ah, I’m sorry!” 

 She received the teacher’s glare and Kanon could only look away while shrugging her shoulders. 

◇◇◇

 “… Damnit, how could that happen just now!” 

 After the fifth lesson, Kanon grimaced angrily. Not only was she scolded by the teacher, but the appearance of the eraser block was also laughed at by her classmates, and several eraser pieces were stuck in her hair. She couldn’t take it out in front of everyone. It was really embarrassing. 

 “I don’t know… maybe a transparent pad was on the back of her chair?” 

 Koko’s face was next to her and showed a little annoyance. Kanon pursed her lips unpleasantly. 

 “Are you telling me that she realized that I would shoot her with my eraser bits?” 

 “Well, how would I know?” 

 “…Forget about it. Let’s try a different move.” 

 “Hmm? What are you going to do to her next?” 

 Koko asked, but looked uninterested. Kanon smiled slightly and pointed at the apron on her hand. 

 “What class do you think we have next?” 

 “Yes… home economics class. It seems to be that we’re making cookies today, right?” 

 “That’s right. I’m going to sprinkle a lot of salt in her cookie dough, and let her bite down, her face will be wrinkled with salt!” 

 “… Oh, so that’s it.” 

 Koko returned her gaze with a dumb glance for some reason. However, Kanon didn’t care and hummed cheerfully while walking into the cooking classroom. 

 The cooking class has gathered students who wore aprons and triangle scarves. One of the things that attracts everyone’s attention are Kotori and Yoshino. 

 Although she only wore a blue apron and a triangle scarf outside her uniform, her cuteness complemented her pitiful looks to create an exciting atmosphere. And even the rabbit puppet she wore on her left hand was wearing the same costume. It was so cute. 

“W-Wow… she’s so cute…!” 

 “…Kanon?” 

 “I-I said nothing!” 

 After Kanon cleared her throat, she quickly put on the apron and triangle scarf. 

 ──Then the bell rang, and class began. 

 Everyone was divided into groups and was tasked with baking cookies. Fortunately, Kanon’s group was assigned to the station next to Yoshino’s groups. It seemed that Kanon’s luck was finally turning for the better. 

 “…Now’s my chance!” 

 Kanon waited for the right moment as all the groups made their cookies. She quickly added a lot of salt to the cookie dough at Yoshino’s side and then stirred it quickly so that the salt wouldn’t be noticed. She worked fast and quickly returned to her own workstation. It took only five seconds, and the technique was so fast that it was unconscious. 

 “Strange…” 

 “Hmm? Yoshino, is something wrong?” 

 “No… it just feels like there is more dough…” 

 “Really? Isn’t it all the same dough? Leave it out and use the mold to make the shape, and then we can bake it!” 

 “Ah… Okay, so it’s that.” 

 At her team member’s urging, Yoshino started to shape the dough into the mold. Kanon squinted to observe her actions, raising the corners of her mouth to smile. 

 Thirty minutes later, all the groups finished making their dough and placed it in the oven. When the oven went off, the smell of cookies drifted all around the classroom. 

 “Oh! It tastes so delicious! Yoshino, you should try it!” 

 “O-Okay!” 

 Yoshino’s cheeks were flushed and nodded in agreement before taking one of the cookies and popping it into her mouth. 

 “Hehehehe…” 

 Kanon covered her mouth with her hand to cover the corners of her crooked mouth. But- 

 “Delicious…!” 

 “What?” 

 Hearing that unexpected word, Kanon stared at her in shock. 

 Kanon added far more salt than usual, and it is impossible to cook the finished product to the point that it could be swallowed. 

 However, Yoshino’s expression didn’t look like she was patient with salty tastes. What on earth is it? 

 “Kanon, let’s taste ours too.” 

 “Oh? Okay… let’s try it.” 

 Hearing from the same group of classmates, Kanon popped a piece of her own cookies into her mouth despite her doubts. 

 Then— 

 “It’s salty!” 

 She felt a strong stimulus in her mouth and wailed, jumping up on the spot. The coughing didn’t stop, and she spit it out quickly. 

 “Huh?! Th-this is…!” 

 Kanon’s face was sweating and panting—this strong taste is not wrong. Kanon added a lot of salt to the cookie dough before baking it. 

 “Could it be that when you put it in the oven that you accidentally swapped with Yoshino’s group? Otherwise, you can’t justify it. It’s impossible for Yoshino to do it intentionally…” 

 When Kanon was thinking about this problem, Koko bit her cookie and tilted her head in wonder. 

 “Kanon, what’s wrong with you?” 

 “Koko, are you all right?” 

 “What do you mean? This cookie is delicious.” 

 “What the hell is this…?” 

 Kanon’s expression became confused and groaned in a low voice. 

◇◇◇

 “—My advantage is that I will never give up!” 

 After school, Kanon said exaggeratedly in the empty classroom and shouted loudly. 

 The disadvantage is entanglement. 

 “I wish you could control your emotions.” 

 Koko said with a sigh, Kanon responded fiercely. After covering her ears, Koko looked at Kanon. 

 “So, what more can you do? Regardless of what you do, it will probably fail; I’d advise you to just give up now.” 

 “What stupid thing are you talking about! I was so humiliated, how can I quit silently and let things continue like this?!” 

 “No, that is entirely your own belief.” 

 After Koko sighed as though resigned to what was to come, “So,” she went on to say: 

 “What are you going to do this time?” 

 “Hehehe… look at that.” 

 Kanon said, pointing to the door of the classroom. More accurately, pointing to a wipe covered with chalk dust on the door. 

 That’s right. It is the origin of the classroom prank and the apex of pranks. 

 “…That’s really cliché.” 

 “It’s cliché because it’s classic enough to stay!” 

 “However, the school day has already ended. Students like Yoshino must have already returned home.” 

 “Hehehe… you’re too tender. Did you forget who the duty student is today?” 

 “The duty student… seems to be Kotori… you don’t mean…” 

 “That’s right! If relatives are on duty, they usually help out and then go home together! Now that the two are just going to take out the trash, it should be almost time to return. Then, because the garbage can was held in both hands, Kotori opened the door. It’s Yoshino! How about it! The plan is perfect!” 

 “… Isn’t this wishful thinking auspicious?” 

 “No! She will definitely do it! Because she looks kind!” 

 “You’re praising her, aren’t you…” 

 “Less nonsense… Ah! Hush! Don’t talk! She’s here!” 

 Footsteps came from the corridor. Kanon pulled Koko to hide behind the table. 

 “Sorry, Yoshino. This is all done.” 

 “It’s okay… but, Natsumi…” 

 “Ah she said she’s okay, let’s go back first… what is it?” 

 Yoshino approached the classroom while talking with Kotori. Kanon did her best to suppress her increasingly loud heartbeat and couldn’t wait to see the moment when Yoshino opened the door. 

 Then, Yoshino’s hand held the slightly opened door slit. 

 “…Yes!” 

 Kanon shook her fist vigorously. 

 However— 

 “What…?” 

 A squeaking noise was heard in the throat. 

 Alas, that’s not surprising. The door was open, but the wiper clipped above the door did not fall off, as if double-sided tape had been applied to the edges. 

 “How, why…?” 

 Kanon’s words didn’t fall. The next moment, the ceiling dropped a large metal basin and hit her on the head. 

 “Ow!” 

 The sudden blow made Kanon scream and collapse to the ground. Yoshino and Kotori were surprised, looking down at Kanon. 

 “Yeah! Uh, Kanon…?” 

 “Hey, what are you doing?” 

 “Oh! Ah… uh, I…” 

 Kanon’s voice was incoherent, so Yoshino worriedly stretched out her hand to help her back to her feet. 

 “Are you all right?” But— 

 “…Yoshino, there is no need to help her up.” 

 A murmur came at this time, and then the door of the broom closet in the corner of the classroom flew open. 

 “Natsumi!” 

 As Natsumi emerged from the broom closet, Yoshino’s eyes widened in surprise. Kanon, however, shook her shoulders timidly. 

 “AAAAHHH! Mop Monster!” 

 “Who’re you calling a mop monster?!” 

 Natsumi couldn’t help but shout… then she simply started to comb her messy hair with her hands. 

 After a while, Kotori tilted her head with a puzzled look. 

 “Let’s just leave her alone… You don’t need to help her up. What do you mean by that?” 

 “Exactly what I said. She put a chalkboard wiper on the door and had every intention of hitting Yoshino with that basin.” 

 “…!” 

 Natsumi glared at Kanon through narrowed eyes, and Kanon shook her shoulders again. 

 “Kanon…?” 

 “Really?” Yoshino asked, stunned. 

 “… Yeah. It’s not just that. She was planning to shoot you with bits of eraser and tried to add salt to your cookies in the cooking practice class.” 

 “W-What…” 

 After listening to Natsumi’s explanation, Kanon’s expression was stunned. 

 Rather than shock at the accusations, it seems to have other meanings. As if confirming this inference, Kanon shivered and said: 

 “How did you figure it out?” 

 “…Hmph.” 

 Natsumi simply sighed in response to Kanon’s panicked sounds. She seemed to be aware of everything, and stared at Natsumi in confusion. 

 That’s right. As a Spirit, Natsumi had the power of <Haniel> and could easily use it to form an invisible wall, change the taste of biscuits, and create metal traps connected with the opening and closing of a door. It was safe to say that Kanon couldn’t understand this principle. 

 “H-How is it possible…I didn’t leave any clues! I came up with all of my ideas on a whim! There’s no way you could know what I’m thinking!” said Kanon anxiously. 

 Natsumi’s face wrinkled with a displeased expression: 

 “Of course I know what you’re thinking, because you and I think in exactly the same way!” 

 Kanon leaned back in surprise. 

 Admittedly, Natsumi wasn’t 100% accurate in her prediction of Kanon’s tricks. However, she used every trick possible to keep track of a person—provided that Kanon’s actions didn’t become too extreme. It wasn’t hard for Natsumi’s Angel <Haniel>, which can transform anything at will. 

 Plus—one more thing that was discovered after observing Kanon. Natsumi fell like a stone and suddenly stretched out her finger at Kanon. 

 “Have you ever been treated this way before?” 

 “…! Y-you! What are you talking about…?” 

 After Natsumi finished talking, Kanon’s eyes moved about in a very obvious way and her voice seemed to change. 

 She started shivering a little bit, then— 

 “A-Ah! AAAAHHHH!” Tears appeared in Kanon’s eyes and she bowed her head weakly. 

 “Kanon…!” 

 “Ahhhhhhh… you made someone cry!” 

 “It’s my fault, my fault…!” 

 She sobbed by Natsumi’s side. Although Natsumi knew that she didn’t need to panic, she nonetheless answered with some anxiety. 

 Kanon shivered on her shoulders and twitched like a mosquito: 

 “It’s just, it’s not… it’s because other people can’t keep up with me… but… what the hell… everyone despises me…” 

 The floor showed traces of tears, and Kanon muttered resentfully. 

 “…Ugh” 

 When she saw the symptoms, she scratched her head and sighed. 

 Kanon’s actions are definitely not appreciated… Sadly, Natsumi seemed to have realized her true intentions. 

 After sighing again, Natsumi held Kanon’s gaze. 

 “… I don’t know what your problems are, but you have to pay for what you planned to do to Yoshino.” 

 Then she said so, pulling Kanon semi-forcefully. The slumped Kanon let out a pitiful squeak before whimpering… She was scared about what Natsumi might do to her. 

 “N-Natsumi, I really don’t care…” 

 “…No, you have to finish what you started…Okay, stand up. Look her in the eye and apologize to Yoshino.” 

 “W-Why do I have to do this?” 

 “…” 

 Natsumi silently struck Kanon in the side and she twisted her body while shrieking. 

 “I’m sorry…” 

 “Very good. Next, stretch out your right hand.” 

 “L-like this…?” 

 “Yeah. Now, repeat after me: ‘Please be my friend.’” 

 “Please be my friend… uh-oh!” 

 Kanon, like a puppet, obeyed everything Natsumi said and her eyes widened in surprise. 

 Alas, it was too late. Because her hand stretched out ahead was already taken up by Yoshino who was aware of the situation. 

 “Okay… I’ll ask you to please take good care of me.” 

 Yoshino smiled once she finished speaking. Her lovely smile made Kanon flush in embarrassment. 

 “W-Why…?” 

 Yoshino blushed and glanced at Natsumi. Natsumi snorted coldly and looked away from the pair of them. 

 “…Didn’t I say it before? Your way of thinking is very similar to how I think. I wanted people to notice me, so I deliberately provoked them. It’s stupid.” 

 “A-ah!” Kanon sounded blank. After Natsumi turned away, she waved dismissively. 

 “There’s incurable scum in the world, and I don’t really understand your feelings, but Yoshino is very nice and will pay attention to you, so you have to be honest sometimes. That way, you two can be friends and get along well. Anyway, I’m going back.” 

 …Natsumi felt a little too kind at that moment and coupled with the honesty of her words that haven’t yet been put into practice, she still had lessons that she could teach to others. But sometimes, it doesn’t matter. As those thoughts flowed through her head, she made her way to the classroom door. 

 Just then— 

 “W-Wait!” 

 When Natsumi was about to leave in spectacular fashion, Kanon’s voice came from behind her. She quickly walked towards Natsumi. 

 “…What is it? Are you looking for a fight?” Natsumi frowned, clenching her fists into a fighting pose. However, Kanon held out her right hand unexpectedly and said with determination: 

 “Please be my friend…!” 

 “…What?” 

 When she heard those unexpected words from Kanon’s mouth, Natsumi was stunned. But from the earnest look on Kanon’s face, she didn’t seem to be messing around. The bewildered Natsumi looked to Kotori and Yoshino for help. 

 However, the two of them smiled happily. Kotori shrugged and laughed: 

 “Don’t you two… think in similar ways?” 

 “Hmmm…” 

 Natsumi didn’t know what to say to that, and instead slowly turned her gaze back to Kanon. With a nervous voice, she answered: 

 “… That, then… uh… please take care of me.” 

 “…! O-Okay!” 

 Kanon’s smile filled with joy. 

 Yoshino, Kotori, and the female student with Kanon saw this and clapped their hands with a little helpless expression. 

◇◇◇

 “I’m back!” 

 Kotori’s voice filled the house along with the sound of the door opening. 

 “Welcome back!” 

 Shido responded as he prepared dinner. Soon after, three young girls in junior high uniforms came into the living room: first was Kotori, his younger sister, and then, Yoshino and Natsumi, who had gone with her to experience school life. 

 “Oh, you three. It’s very late.” 

 Shido glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already past 6 o’clock in the evening. For Kotori who doesn’t participate in any after school activities, she came back a lot later than usual. 

 “Well, we went to the cafe after school and lost track of time there.” 

 “So that’s how it is.” 

 Shido nodded gently as he answered. 

 Although she often met up with Yoshino and Natsumi, it was quite a new experience for them to come home from the same school together. Perhaps they wanted to enjoy being outside a little bit longer. 

 “So how was school today?” 

 Shido wiped his hands with his apron as he asked the question. Yoshino’s eyes lit up as she smiled brightly at him. 

 “It was… very fun! The bento that you made for me was delicious! Ah, this is a cookie I made for you! And, well, I want to go to school more…!” 

 “Oh, thank you—is that right? That’s good.” 

 Listening to Yoshino laugh openly, Shido soon found himself mimicking her. Shido smiled as he turned to Natsumi. 

 “What about you, Natsumi?” 

 “…As I thought, it’s terrible and not worth it at all.” 

 “Ahaha… that’s really—” 

 Shido noticed something a little peculiar. Natsumi complained and complained, but her expression was a little different from usual. 

 “Natsumi, did something good happen to you?” 

 “…! W-What? No!” 

 Natsumi reacted fiercely to Shido’s words. 

 “But how should I say this? …It was okay? If Yoshino said that she still wanted to go to school, it would not be bad if I went along with her.” 

 “Hmm… so it’s like that.” 

 Although it is not clear what happened… Shido guessed that the atmosphere would be more lively than usual when eating dinner tonight.