I had been so preoccupied with my classmates that I had forgotten to prepare gifts for my seniors. I couldn't bear to tell Iori-nee that I had simply forgotten, so I concocted an excuse on the spot.
"These are just minor tokens for the kids; for you, Iori-nee, and Mei-san, I have to provide something more substantial."
At that, Iori-nee's eyes began to sparkle.
"Oh? And how exactly do you intend to 'provide,' Touya?"
"My, a proper 'reception'... You realize that if you phrase it like that, you leave us no choice but to have high expectations, right? Touya-kun."
With even Mei-san chiming in, my outward smile remained, but internal pressure began to mount.
'What do I do now? I've never faced a trial like this... Someone, please, help me!'
No one came to my rescue. Forced to engage my stalling brain, I blurted out the first thought that came to mind.
"When we all have some time, let's go into the city to have a meal together. If there's something you want, I'll buy that for you, too."
Iori-nee's expression brightened instantly as she spoke.
"Really? That would be lovely. Aside from going to festivals when we were younger, it's the first time I'll be going out with you like this, Touya."
"Fufu... Do you even know what kind of things I want? You aren't going to regret saying that, are you?"
Uneasy at Mei-san's comment, I immediately clarified.
"No, I meant... within a reasonable extent."
Mei-san smacked her lips as if disappointed but continued.
"Very well. I'll take note of that. We were on our way to a mission, so we'll be heading off now."
"Touya, I'll be the one deciding exactly what we're going to do! Make sure you're ready when you're free, okay? See you!"
Watching Iori-nee and Mei-san leave while waving excitedly, I bowed, straightened up, and let out a long sigh.
"Whew... seems like the worst of it is over. Now, to deliver these to the kids."
I walked up the stairs, stopping at the nearest room. After knocking, Suguru Geto, dressed in casual wear, opened the door.
"Oh, Touya. Did you have a good break?"
"Yeah, well enough. Anyway, take this. I picked up some gifts while I was away."
Suguru beamed, took the bag, checked the contents, and tilted his head at me in confusion.
"Candy? Why candy all of a sudden? Not that I dislike it, though."
"Well, you look like you're suffering every time you swallow those cursed spirits. I bought a ton so you could cleanse your palate. Keep them on you whenever you head out for a mission."
Suguru looked moved, gripping my shoulder tightly.
"You son of a...! Seriously, I love you, Touya!"
"No... I'm not into men. Have you been looking at me with those eyes all this time...? I must respectfully decline."
Upon hearing my words, Suguru flailed about, claiming innocence.
"That's not what I meant! What are you doing, trying to turn me into a homosexual? Whatever, I'll enjoy the candy. Thanks."
"Right. No mission today, I take it? You aren't in your uniform."
"Yeah. Satoru probably doesn't have one either. He's likely rotting in his room."
'Seems no one has a mission today. Perfect. I can deliver the gifts right away.'
"Oh, I see. Thanks. Rest well. You need to rest on days like this to work properly later."
"Sure thing. You get some rest, too. Thanks for the candy."
Suguru waved and closed the door. I headed straight for Satoru's room.
'Satoru's room was on the upper floor.'
Reaching the landing, I knocked on his door.
"Satoru~ It's me. Open up."
There was no answer, and just as I thought he wasn't there, the door swung wide open, and Satoru dragged me into the room.
"Whoa! Satoru, what are you doing all of a sudden?"
Satoru buried his face in my chest and mumbled.
"Where did you go yesterday? Staying out overnight when you never used to. Are you bored of us now?"
"What on earth... Can you let go so we can talk? I brought you a gift."
"A gift? What is it? Something tasty?"
"Yeah. So let go of me."
He finally released me and stepped back. I let out a sigh of relief, but the moment I turned to hand him the strawberry cake, I was taken aback.
'What is with this attire? Isn't this a bit too defenseless?'
"Ahem... do you always dress this comfortably when you're resting?"
"Yeah, why? It's comfortable."
Watching him tilt his head, I thought:
'This kid... he has absolutely no understanding of the destructive power he wields.'
"You... don't come out of your room dressed like that."
"Eh... why? It's too much trouble to change."
"No buts. If you're coming out, put something over that at least. Just listen to me."
I looked away and handed him the strawberry cake, which made Satoru's face light up.
"Wow! I was actually craving strawberry cake; how did you know? Touya is the best!"
As Satoru embraced me, I gave him a quick pat on the back and stepped away.
"Let's eat this together! Touya, since you bought it, we have to eat it together."
"Sure thing. That sounds great. Let me just drop off the gift for Shoko and report back to Yaga-sensei, then I'll come back. Wait for me."
"Okay! I'll be waiting, so hurry back. And don't spend too long chatting with Shoko again."
I smiled at Satoru as he folded his arms and gave his instructions.
"Got it. I'll be back in a jiffy."
I left Satoru's room and went looking for Shoko Ieiri. Since she's rarely in her room at this time, I headed straight to the infirmary in the main building and knocked.
"Excuse me~ Shoko, are you in?"
"Obviously I am. Did you have fun yesterday? You look refreshed."
I smiled at Shoko as she spun her chair around to face me.
"I've always looked good, haven't I? Did anything happen while I was gone?"
"What could possibly happen? Just Geto and Gojo bickering again."
'Suguru and Satoru, regardless of when it started, have become best friends just like in the original story. Sometimes it seems like they're even closer than they are to me.'
"Well, then nothing happened. Here, a gift for you."
I placed the box of senbei on her desk. She raised one eyebrow in surprise before smirking at me.
"Well, look at this. When did you prepare this? I'm sure it's not just for me, right? You were thinking of us while you were away?"
"Of course. It's the least I could do between friends. Senbei are fine, right? I bought them because you said you don't like sweets."
"I like them. You're attentive when you want to be. I'll give you some praise for that."
"Haha... I didn't do it for the praise. You aren't too tired today? Shall I give you a round of Round Deer's power?"
"I'd appreciate that. Even when I'm not tired, I feel like my head clears up when I get that treatment. It's almost addictive."
"Getting addicted is fine. I can always provide more."
I overlaid the power of the Round Deer and gently stroked Shoko's hair.
'If I don't do it now, when else would I get to stroke Shoko's hair?'
Shoko, who had been closing her eyes quietly, peeked at me through half-lidded eyes.
"I don't recall you ever doing this before. Well... I suppose I don't mind."
"It works better this way."
Seeing Shoko look up at me with a slightly reddened face, I felt myself blushing too, but I kept a straight face and continued stroking her hair.
"That's enough. It's plenty, stop now."
As Shoko shook her hair, I reluctantly withdrew my hand and answered playfully.
"Yes, sir! Thank you for your service, customer. How was the experience?"
"It was absolutely terrible. Get out already. I need to study."
Dismissed by Shoko, I chuckled and slowly exited the room.
"Sheesh... what's her problem?"
Ignoring Shoko's grumbling, I went straight to the faculty office, finished with my gift-giving rounds, and ready to report and take a break.
"Yaga-sensei, it's Touya."
"Come in."
I opened the door and approached Masamichi Yaga.
"So, why did you stay out overnight? Was there trouble at home?"
"No. I needed research materials from the Zenin archives for my technique. Because of the shikigami inheritance during missions."
"So, you're basically saying you got stronger? And you stopped by the main estate to study that further?"
'As expected of Yaga-sensei. His perception is lightning fast.'
"Precisely. I had some small successes as well."
"I see. That's good news."
"Yes, thank you. I'll take my leave now."
Just as I bowed to leave, Yaga-sensei's voice stopped me.
"Wait a moment, Touya. I'm sorry, but there's a mission immediately upon your return."
"Huh? But I just got back..."
"My apologies. The Higher-Ups specifically requested you. You were the only one selected for this."
'The Higher-Ups, at it again? What kind of mission could be so important that they specifically named me?'
"May I ask what the mission is?"
"It's the disposal of a Curse User."
"What? A Curse User? Is that something I should be handling?"
"Indeed. Normally this would be a mission for a Special Grade, but currently, Yuki Tsukumo is not in Japan. They wanted someone as close to Special Grade as possible to handle it, and it seems they also want to observe your capabilities in anti-sorcerer combat."
'Ugh... what a headache. I was just about to have strawberry cake with Satoru and get some rest.'
"Understood. Should I depart immediately?"
"Yes. I'll call for a window. I heard the location is nearby."
"I see, at least that's a relief. I'll be going now."
I bowed and left the office, sighing deeply once out of sight.
"Ah~ and I was planning on relaxing... This is maddening. I'm going to kill whoever's behind this."
Complaining, I stopped by Satoru's room one last time.
"Satoru, I'm sorry. Go ahead and eat the strawberry cake without me. A mission popped up. It shouldn't take too long, but I know you hate waiting."
"What? Everyone else is off duty, but only Touya has to go on a mission? These Higher-Ups are unbelievable. Want me to go with you?"
Touya was happy that Satoru was angry on his behalf, but he shook his head with a smile.
"No, thanks. You should rest. I'll see you when I get back."
"Go on, then. I won't bother wishing you safety, since there's no way Touya could get hurt anyway."
I waved back at Satoru before heading out.
'If I want to live up to the trust Satoru puts in me, I should get this done as quickly as possible.'
I went straight out the school gate and into the vehicle.
"Departing immediately."
"Oh, it's Yuri-san. How have you been?"
Seeing a familiar face, I recalled her name immediately.
"Yes. We haven't had the best of luck with scheduling missions together, but today, luck is on our side."
"Haha, indeed. Could you explain the target to me?"
"Of course. His name is Shinya Kurose. His technique is unknown. Based on the levels of the sorcerers who encountered him previously, he seems capable of defeating Grade 2 sorcerers without issue."
"That's quite strong...? They really gave me a tough mission right out of the gate."
"Additionally, he wears a black bandana and bandages on his left wrist. The description is quite specific, so we shouldn't have any trouble identifying him."
"Got it. But how do we know where he'll appear?"
"Curse Users usually hunt sorcerers weaker than themselves for a living. He is the same; the mission sites of the sorcerers who recently went missing have all been concentrated in one place."
"Where is that?"
"It's a residential area near Mitakadai Station. There are many schools nearby. Specifically, a well-known school called Renchoku Women's Academy."
"Many schools... so if we aren't careful, the students could get hurt."
'And Renchoku Women's Academy, at that... It sounds familiar. Is it just me?'
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