"Tatsuya-kun!"
Tatsuya halted his pace and turned to face the beautiful girl who had just called out to him.
"Mibu-senpai?"
Mibu Sayaka beamed, a wave of genuine joy washing over her just because he remembered her name.
"Sayaka. Please, just call me Sayaka."
"...Very well, Sayaka-senpai."
Sayaka's smile widened even further as she stepped closer, her cheeks tinged with a faint, bashful crimson.
"Sayaka-senpai?"
Since she remained silent, Tatsuya prompted her once more.
"Um, Tatsuya-kun, do you... do you have some time?"
"When exactly? I'm headed to the Student Council room right now."
"Later, after school."
"I'm free then. Is there something you need?"
"Well... as a token of my gratitude for everything you've helped me with, I'd like to treat you to dinner at a restaurant."
"You really don't need to go to such trouble, Sayaka-senpai. I was merely fulfilling my duty as a fellow student of First High."
At his words, Sayaka looked up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as if she might break down at any moment.
"So... you don't want to go?"
"...Ahem! Who said that? Since Senpai went through the trouble of asking me, it would be incredibly rude of me to refuse."
Sayaka's face instantly brightened, her smile as warm and radiant as the morning sun. For a brief moment, Tatsuya found himself dazed, momentarily captivated by her expression.
"I'll be waiting for you at the gates after school! Don't be late!" Sayaka chirped, skipping away while humming a happy tune.
Tatsuya took a moment to compose himself before continuing his way to the Student Council room.
...
"So, Morisaki won't be expelled, but suspended for the time being?"
Mayumi nodded, confirming Tatsuya's question.
"This was the decision of the Ten Master Clans—Maya-sama included," Mayumi explained.
"I understand. Mom must have her own reasons for letting Morisaki off the hook."
Mayumi clasped her hands on the table, taking a sharp breath before looking directly at him.
"Tatsuya-kun, what actually happened to Morisaki? According to the investigation, there were no traces of mental interference or possession magic found in his body."
Tatsuya let out a sigh and gave a wry smile.
"Even if I told you the truth, you probably wouldn't believe me."
"No. As long as it comes from you, I'll believe it." Mayumi's voice was firm, her gaze sharp and filled with unwavering resolve.
Startled for a moment, Tatsuya fell into thought before deciding to share a fraction of what he knew. He omitted the details regarding the chat group, instead using his own genius to explain the theory of an "alternate world."
"Do you really think another world exists?"
"I do."
Mayumi held her breath, eventually massaging her temples as a headache began to form.
"Mayumi, don't tell anyone else about this."
"I know. Even if I did, very few would actually believe it."
"Humans sometimes prefer conspiracy theories over the truth. Just to be safe, keep this between us."
Mayumi pressed her lips thin and nodded with a serious expression.
A heavy silence filled the room. The two of them lapsed into quietude—not for a lack of topics, but because their thoughts were still lingering on their last conversation regarding polygamy. Tatsuya watched Mayumi from the corner of his eye; her dazed expression made it even harder for him to strike up a conversation.
Clack!
The door swung open as Miyuki entered, accompanied by Suzune and Azusa. Miyuki immediately took a seat beside Tatsuya, subtly sniffing the air as if checking for any trace of Mayumi's scent on him.
Tatsuya gave a faint, amused smile. He reached out to ruffle Miyuki's hair while stealing a glance at Mayumi. Her cheeks were currently puffed out like a steamed meat bun—an expression so adorable it was almost tempting to pinch them.
Tatsuya breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Mayumi's demeanor had returned to normal.
"It seems I don't have to worry about Mayumi for now."
...
Miyuki left for home early after Honami arrived to pick her up. Tatsuya couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at his sister's indignant expression. Rather than looking intimidating, Miyuki was simply too cute when she was pouting.
Honoka, on the other hand, looked utterly devastated that she couldn't walk home with Tatsuya. Erika didn't say a word, though she pointedly kicked Tatsuya's shin before sauntering off while whistling nonchalantly.
Tatsuya maintained a perfect poker face, despite the dull throb in his leg.
When he reached the school gate, he spotted Sayaka. She was busy checking her reflection in a small hand mirror, meticulously fixing her appearance.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Tatsuya said.
"!" Startled, Sayaka quickly shoved the mirror into her bag and turned around.
"No, not at all! I just got here myself."
Her panicked reaction was undeniably cute. With her cheeks flushed a deep pink, she looked so defenseless that one couldn't help but want to tease her. Tatsuya, acting on a rare impulse, reached out and lightly pinched Sayaka's cheek.
Sayaka froze. Her heart hammered against her ribs while her face turned as red as a ripe tomato.
"Ah—sorry."
Realizing what he had done, Tatsuya offered a sheepish, apologetic smile.
"It's... it's okay. I don't mind."
"I see."
"...Let's go, then."
"Right."
Sayaka had already hailed a taxi, so they were able to depart the moment Tatsuya arrived.
By sheer coincidence, Mayumi caught sight of the two of them entering the taxi together.
"Eh? Why are they together? Don't tell me—"
A wave of dread washed over Mayumi. She gritted her teeth, biting her lip so hard it nearly bled.
"It hurts... but the pain here is worse." Mayumi closed her eyes, clutching her chest where a sharp ache resided. "I see. I guess I need to be more honest with myself."
With a heart full of tangled emotions, Mayumi began her walk home. All throughout the journey, her thoughts were consumed by Tatsuya, hardening her resolve for the day to come.
At the Tatsuya residence, Miyuki had just finished her bath. She was currently preoccupied, frantically rifling through her wardrobe to choose an outfit for tonight.
"I wonder what kind of clothes Onii-sama likes? I absolutely cannot lose to those Senpais!"
To be continued...
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