The light streaming in through the gap in the curtains pierced my eyelids, waking me up.
"..."
As I looked around, I briefly wondered why I was sleeping on the floor. It didn't take me long to figure it out.
The bed I usually slept in was now occupied, and if it were Tsukiko, I might have been so overwhelmed with happiness that my heart would stop. But, unfortunately, it was someone else.
"So, it wasn't a dream..."
Even though I had been quite drunk, I remembered yesterday's events clearly.
The Second God-Demon War, the key' girl, and the demons.
My head was throbbing. It wasn't just from the hangover.
"Hey, Lisha, are you awake?"
I called out to her, but there was no response.
"Hey."
I didn't feel like shaking her, so I pulled away the towel blanket.
"Uh..."
"Hmm!?"
I almost blurted out in surprise.
Lisha had apparently changed out of her nun's uniform from yesterday and was now wearing my shirt and shorts to sleep.
Even though it was a men's shirt, Lisha was fairly tall, and she had a good figure. Her exposed white skin was alluring, and her chest, unburdened by a bra—no, let's not dwell on that. She came as a package deal with a world-scale problem.
Please consider these factors carefully when making your purchase.
However, I hesitated to wake her up because she seemed to be sleeping so peacefully.
"..."
She had probably never experienced a situation where she could sleep soundly without worrying about her life being in danger. Well, there was no need to wake her up deliberately.
Anyway, there was still plenty of time before class.
...So, I guess I'll make breakfast.
I convinced myself with the excuse of time and headed to the kitchen.
After having breakfast and a shower alone, I left a note and the key and left the house.
By the time I returned from university, Lisha would probably be gone.
And that was okay. Our paths had crossed for just a brief moment. That was all.
The scene that greeted me when I opened the front door was a bright early summer sky that seemed to illuminate my somewhat gloomy heart.
* * *
Right now, there's something I dislike more than being attacked by yokai or encountering magicians.
What is it?
It's simple.
"..."
"Hey, don't make a face like you're about to die just to come to school."
Souji, who was devouring a large katsudon before my eyes, said with exasperation.
Yes, what I hate most right now is coming to this university.
I don't need to explain the reason.
"Oh, it's Isumi."
"Huh!?"
"Just kidding, just kidding."
"Seriously, you!"
My ex-girlfriend, Tsukiko Isumi, who dumped me, was a fellow student in the same department as me. In other words, we had almost all of our classes together. Coming to the university meant I couldn't avoid seeing her face, whether I wanted to or not.
But today, I hadn't seen Tsukiko at all. She wasn't the type to skip classes on her own, so I found it unusual.
During the lunch break, I unconsciously searched the crowded area from the terrace of the cafeteria.
It's strange. I don't want to see her, but I want to see her. It's a paradox of emotions.
I'm such a fool.
"Well, I didn't expect Yuusuke and Isumi-san to break up."
"...If you have something to say, spit it out."
"No, I don't have anything like that."
Saying that, Matsuda Munenori, my classmate from the Literature Department, slurped his udon noodles. Matsuda looked even more unremarkable than me and appeared to be a very quiet and gentle student. However...
"To be honest, Yuusuke, when you and Isumi-san are talking, I can't help but butt in, and then I get glared at... I just can't handle it anymore."
"That's something you should stop, whether we're dating or not."
Matsuda is a pure masochist.
He is such a terminal pervert that even the hospital says, "It's too late for you." I mean, his way of enjoying things is too advanced, and it creeps me out.
"Then, Yuusuke, have you completely given up on Isumi-san?"
"Listen and be amazed. This guy here is still clinging to his feelings."
"Oh, really?"
"I've told him to find the next girl as soon as possible, but I bet he hasn't even deleted her photos yet."
"Wow, that's pretty sentimental."
"What's wrong with you guys!? Have you been spying on me or something!?"
Yeah, I haven't been able to delete them yet! I try deleting them when I see that "Delete?" message, but my fingers start shaking!
"Ah, I wonder if the world will suddenly end."
"If it ends every time something like that happens, it'd be unbearable."
"As for me, if a beautiful angel can make me suffer as much as possible..."
"That's not what I said, and no way."
While complaining about such nonsense, we enjoyed our lunch.
Suddenly, Souji remembered something.
"Oh, by the way, where is today's club meeting going to be held?"
"Uh, wasn't it in room B301?"
"Weren't we supposed to discuss our summer activities and the theme for the cultural festival? What a pain."
The three of us belong to the same club. It's called the Literature Club.
Despite being called a club, we only receive the same support as a regular student circle from the school. However, we have quite a few members.
Every year, we decide on a theme and create a club magazine for the cultural festival, and today, we had a meeting to discuss it.
Tsukiko is also a member of the club, but she doesn't seem to be here today. I'm not particularly looking forward to it, but I guess I'll go.
The three of us headed to the classroom together.
The room designated for the club meeting was already crowded.
"Oh, Souji-senpai, hello!"
"Hey, it's been a while since you came to the club meeting."
"You guys came together again? You guys are close, huh?"
"No, Matsuda just tags along with us."
"Hey, Yuusuke, I don't like being called a man like that."
"Hahaha, Matsuda is still as creepy as ever."
We exchanged greetings with the club members as we passed by. Actually, our Literature Club is primarily focused on individual activities, so it's rare for all of us to gather in one place.
Even if we go to the club room, there are usually only a few people there.
I casually scanned the room, but Tsukiko was nowhere to be found.
I wonder why. If this had happened a little while ago, I could have simply contacted her to find out. But now, that "little while" feels endlessly distant.
"Sigh"
"Hey there, senpai. You seem a bit down."
As I sighed inwardly, a voice filled with cheerfulness suddenly reached my ears. It had a higher pitch, a cute charm, and a hint of impudence.
"Oh, Hinata?"
"Yes, it's Hinata. Long time no see, senpai."
When I turned around, I saw a girl with neatly curled chestnut hair that fell to her shoulders. Her subtly applied makeup accentuated her adorable face.
This girl, who referred to herself as "Hinata," was Hinata Yukari. She's a first-year student in the Literature Department, my direct junior, and a member of the Literature Club, as evident by her presence here.
Since we met three months ago, she's asked me numerous questions about the university and the club, so I've talked to her more frequently than other club members.
Hinata, with a mischievous smile and almond-shaped eyes, approached with excitement.
Why is she so close and bothersome?
Then, Hinata leaned closer to my ear and whispered.
"It seems you broke up with Tsukiko-san, huh?"
"Hey!"
Why are you saying that!? I had only recently been dumped by Tsukiko, and Souji and Matsuda were the only ones I had talked to in the Literature Club. Moreover, these two weren't the type to talk unless I opened up about it in the club.
How did you find out? I appealed with my gaze, and Hinata giggled and drew closer.
"Why do you wonder how I know? Oh, I didn't ask Tsukiko-san directly. Girls have their own networks, you know."
"Ah..."
I hadn't really hidden it, and it was just a romance within the club. If I had experienced a breakup, there was no way to keep it a secret.
"You seem down. I have good news for you, though. Right now, the kind-hearted junior, Hinata-chan, is willing to make a little effort for you."
"Make an effort? What are you talking about?"
I was just about to reach for her cheeks and pull them away.
"So, I subtly spread senpai's breakup within the club. It's better than suddenly exposing it, right?"
"Hmm."
It was a very tempting proposal.
Hinata was basically saying that since it would eventually come out, she'd prepare for it in advance. This girl had exceptional social skills; spreading rumors without drawing attention was a piece of cake for her.
"That's appreciated, but what's your objective?"
"Well, it's just a little kindness from a cute junior."
"I'm not naive enough to take your word for it."
Especially with Hinata, who was sly and couldn't be trusted to be genuinely kind.
Hinata pointed a finger at her cheek.
"Then, next time, treat me to drinks."
"What are you saying? You're an underage kid who can't even drink alcohol. Have some orange juice."
"Why are you saying that, senpai? Nowadays, most university students abide by that."
"Don't push it further."
Don't push it. You'll get silenced. I won't say by whom, but you'll get silenced.
Hinata pouted.
"In that case, how about treating me to lunch? A delicious lunch, please."
"Is that all it takes?"
I could just buy her some cafeteria curry—
"Let me make it clear; please avoid the cafeteria and nearby ramen shops, okay? Treat a girl to a stylish lunch."
"Fine, fine."
She was quite cunning. Nevertheless, it was genuinely helpful, so I could tolerate it. I didn't know much about stylish lunches, except for the ones I desperately searched for when I had just started dating Tsukiko.
As I exchanged secret agreements with Hinata, Souji and Matsuda approached.
"Oh, Hinata, long time no see."
"Nice to see you again, Souji-san. Your hair is still red today."
"This is my identity, after all."
"Oh, it's Hinata-chan. It's been a while."
"Matsuda-san, please stop with the 'chan' thing; it's creepy."
"Oops! I don't have much money right now."
"..."
"Don't take out your wallet just because you were insulted, Matsuda. Hinata is utterly disgusted."
Hinata looked at Matsuda as if she were staring at something filthy. There was no denying that Matsuda was creepy, but when a girl pointed it out, he somehow managed to become even creepier. There's really no hope for him.
"Hey, guys, let's start the meeting soon."
With that call from the club leader, we took our seats. Matsuda was forced into his seat.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)