Today, my hairstyle was perfectly done. My makeup was on point, and I chose casual clothing that I thought that person would like while bringing out my femininity.
I couldn't help but sing to myself; everything was perfect. I've always enjoyed dressing up, but it became an entirely different kind of fun after I had a clear person I wanted to show it to.
Thinking about what the other person likes and coordinating it with my own preferences. I realized how these everyday actions tickled my feelings.
The reflection of the cute me in the mirror stared back at me as if it were amazed.
But as I was browsing my phone, trying to figure out where to go for our date, I suddenly realized that it was almost time for my lecture.
I, Hinata Yukari, hurriedly left the house and headed to the university at a brisk pace. The season was early summer, and the city's trees were shining brightly as they caught the sunlight.
If I rushed and ran, everything I had set, my hair, makeup, and clothing, would be for naught. So, I walked at a pace that wouldn't make me sweat too much but would still get me to class on time.
I wonder if Senpai is coming to school today. Even on days with lectures, he's known to be the type who casually sabotage his own schedules with hangovers or writing.
If Hinata didn't make concrete plans with him as soon as possible, there was a chance he might forget. I could reach out and contact him, but I'm not used to being the one to initiate plans, even though I'm a professional.
It's best to arrange a meeting while pretending it's a chance encounter.
Since Lisha is probably nearby, finding him won't be too difficult. However, getting some private time together from there might be quite challenging.
While pondering over these thoughts, as I walked on a road near the school, I suddenly noticed a figure.
It was an elderly woman who appeared to be elegant, wandering around with a memo in hand. She was clearly looking for something.
"..."
I checked the watch on the inside of my wrist and confirmed that I still had a little time. So, I approached the elderly woman and asked.
"Excuse me, are you looking for something?"
The elderly woman turned her deeply wrinkled face towards me.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I bother you?"
"No, you seemed lost, so..."
"I see, is that so?"
As I listened to her leisurely voice, I peeked at the memo in her hand. I thought it might be a map, but all I saw were words. Moreover, they were words I was familiar with.
"Um, do you have some business at our university?"
"Yes, that's right. I came to see my grandson, who's a student here. But I got a little lost and couldn't find my way."
"I see. This is the way to the university. Just keep going straight on this road, and you'll find a convenience store. Turn left there, and you'll soon reach the main gate."
"I see. Thank you."
As I pointed in the right direction, the elderly woman bowed deeply.
She seemed polite. As I was about to say goodbye, the elderly woman's face suddenly lifted.
"Oh, that's right."
When I saw her face, my thoughts momentarily came to a halt.
The elderly woman was smiling. It should have been a regular smile, but a shiver ran down my spine.
Underneath the refined skin of the elderly person, I had an image of something more hideous baring its teeth.
"By the way, while you're helping me with directions, could you help me with something else a little more?"
"――!"
My instincts screamed at me to run, not for logical reasons. I understood painfully at that moment that I had touched something I shouldn't have. I had felt it.
But before I could turn on my heel, the old woman's mouth opened wide, and my consciousness faded away.
* * *
At our university, there are two cafeterias. Apparently, in famous private universities, there are various restaurants on campus, but that's mostly fiction. For a university that doesn't have much money, having two cafeterias is quite an achievement.
I walked a bit to find various other shops, but my family's financial situation, now that I've added two more mouths to feed, is in dire straits. To save money wherever possible, Lisha and I, along with our friends Matsuda and Souji, came to the cafeteria.
If this were that junior girl, she might complain about the cafeteria's cheap food, but Lisha's eyes were sparkling with delight.
"It's fun to choose and order your own food!"
"Yeah, I guess."
"Is this cafeteria really that much fun? It seems like something you can find anywhere."
As Matsuda pointed out, our cafeteria was quite ordinary. You ordered your food from the cafeteria lady at the counter and received it. You could also get side dishes or desserts if you wanted.
However, for Lisha, who had never left the church before, even something like this must have seemed fresh. After all, the food served at the church was more like vegetarian cuisine. It seemed like something the Saint could change with a request, but I couldn't imagine Lisha saying anything like that.
It's amazing how she can be so happy with a cafeteria like this. If it were Tsukiko, she would say, "I'll pay for it myself" and get two desserts. If it were Hinata, she'd say, "Thanks for the desserts" and take two.
"You can get as many desserts as you want."
"Is that really okay?"
"As long as you can finish them."
"Okay!"
Lisha began to joyfully pick out her dessert. It's a bit complicated to be so delighted over desserts that cost just a hundred yen. I wish I could treat her to something a little more delicious.
Then, I heard the voices of my two friends from behind.
"If you want dessert, I'll buy as many as you want... I'd rather you just turn into money."
"You're seriously asking to be arrested."
"As for me, that's fine."
Matsuda's immediate response seemed to leave Souji speechless.
But then, Souji called out to me.
"Hey, Yuusuke, isn't that Hinata over there?"
"Hm? Oh yeah, you're right. I wonder what she's doing, just standing around like that."
"Is she waiting for someone...?"
"Actually, it seems more like she's looking for someone. Oh, she noticed us."
Hinata, who had been standing near the cafeteria entrance, seemed to have noticed us and beckoned us over.
What's up with her? If she had something to discuss, she should have come over here.
"Who do you think she's calling out to? Maybe it's Matsuda."
"Definitely you. Did you make any promises with Hinata?"
"No, I don't remember making any promises. But it feels like the debt has been accumulating with interest."
Souji nodded in agreement, saying, "Ah."
"If that's the case, go over there quickly. The interest is going to increase."
"Is that even a fair deal?"
"Just go, we'll be watching Lisha."
"Actually, that makes me the most nervous."
"Quit complaining and go. I'm here too."
With Souji pushing me from behind, I reluctantly made my way towards Hinata. If she was waiting for someone else and not me, I would be utterly embarrassed.
But it seemed that Souji's guess was right because as I approached, Hinata started grinning as usual.
"What's up, Hinata? If you had something to discuss, you could have just messaged me."
"It's not a big deal; I just wanted to meet and talk face to face. You should be happier; such a cute junior came to talk to you."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm thrilled."
"Come on, don't be so indifferent. Your likability just decreased by one point."
"A one-point drop for that? You sound like a character from an old dating game."
"Anyway, Senpai, can we talk over there?"
As Hinata made smoking gestures, she pointed in a direction opposite to the cafeteria. Neither she nor I smoke, right? In fact,
"If it's about talking, we can do it right here."
"I just wanted to talk privately, that's all. You're still as clueless as ever."
"It's none of your business."
In the end, Hinata didn't intend to listen to my request and started walking. Well, what's done is done. I wonder what she wants to talk about?
As I followed Hinata, I overheard some words from passing students.
"Hinata, wasn't she talking about an ambulance earlier? Did something happen?"
"It seems like someone collapsed in front of the school. An ambulance came."
"Is that so?"
The Anti-Demon Task Force members who were keeping an eye on the university didn't report anything, so could it be related to demons? No, if it were, there would be no reason for them to create a commotion without a cause. If the person who collapsed was related to the Literature Club, Hinata wouldn't be this calm.
While lost in thought, Hinata continued to walk briskly, circling around to the back of a building with few people around.
Why did she bring me all the way here?
I stopped, and Hinata turned to face me.
"Is it okay to stop around here, Senpai? There's something I'd like to ask."
"What is it? If it's about the debt, it's still not possible for a while. We need to wait for the situation to calm down a bit——"
"No, it's not about that. I want to ask you something else."
Huh, so it's not about that?
"I want to know about Lisha."
"Lisha?"
"Yes, I want to know the real relationship between you and Lisha."
...What kind of sudden topic is this?
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