When it came to PE class, all Shiraha could vaguely recall were math problems and chemical equations and PE teachers whose genuine illnesses and fake illnesses were forever impossible to distinguish.
As an aside, the phenomenon of PE class getting commandeered seemed to be a worldwide constant. Only the degree varied.
On the sports field, Himeko stood among the uniformed elementary students, her figure made all the taller by contrast.
After a simple roll call, she pointed at the shortest one among them. "Shiraha. You're young, and your situation is special. No need to join the run."
Shiraha paused, then answered in a bright, crisp voice. "Thank you, Himeko-nee—Teacher!"
As he left the formation, he made a point of glancing at Mei-nee.
Mei's little face was full of bewilderment. 'Why didn't she call my name? Himeko-nee... did you and Shiraha make some kind of private deal?'
Shiraha obediently stood behind Himeko-nee. Himeko had no intention of fishing anyone else out. She directly addressed the rest of the little radishes. "Everyone else, same as before. Start with a slow 500-meter warm-up jog."
The crowd's mood visibly sank, even accompanied by a few groans.
So annoying! Teachers with obvious favoritism are the worst!
Long live! A big sister with obvious favoritism is the absolute best!
Shiraha silently switched sides in his heart, his face betraying nothing.
After dispatching the little radishes, Himeko stretched lazily and looked at the one still beside her. "Any plans to take the day off the day after tomorrow?"
Shiraha tilted his head with an expression of puzzlement.
"ME Corp is planning to 'spend a fortune on a horse's bones to attract real steeds' basically casting a net for hidden talents among the common folk. Probably the day after tomorrow."
Compared to playing with kids, this sort of thing got Himeko far more excited.
If Nagazora really did have other hidden talents, she'd be able to gather a lot more comparative data.
Shiraha lifted his head. "Are you talking about... the martial arts tournament, Himeko-nee?"
Himeko smiled and nodded. "That name sounds way too chuunibyou. Only young people like you would like it."
Shiraha blinked, his words pointed. "Aliens? Mexico?"
Himeko: .....
Was it Professor Welt? Or Professor Einstein?
Those boundaryless adults, how do they just tell children everything?!
Two years ago she'd been eighteen. What was wrong with being a little curious about aliens? What was wrong with being a cosmic life enthusiast? Wasn't it normal for young people to have hobbies?
Himeko spoke expressionlessly. "You go run 500 meters too."
Eh! Shiraha immediately latched onto Himeko-nee's arm. He was following the "those who get rich first help the rest get rich" path, early-stage physical training was truly unnecessary. Besides running 500 meters in PE class accomplished absolutely nothing!
Shiraha looked cautiously ingratiating. "Let's talk about the martial arts tournament again, Himeko-nee."
Himeko shook her head.
"No need. I only asked you about it originally because I was curious whether Ryoma Raiden, given your special nature, would bring you along to observe as well."
Shiraha was very special. Even though she'd joined Anti-Entropy only recently, hardly a core member, because of what had happened in California, Einstein had made a point of briefing Himeko on Shiraha's situation.
He was a genius. His mind might have a few problems, but he was absolutely an obedient, innocent, and highly moldable genius.
Shiraha raised his hand. "I can tell Mei-nee about this!"
"Then Mei-nee and I can go together. Uncle Ryoma will definitely take us."
"And we have our delinquent senpai in the club too. She's really strong."
Even if letting Raven slip into Anti-Entropy was a bit like aiding the enemy, Shiraha was confident in his own position.
Worst case, he'd just pay her! Back when the main story began, Raven had said she'd leave World Serpent as soon as she'd saved up enough money. Such a shame, the moment she finally had enough, she'd gone bang, scattered with the sea breeze.
Himeko let out a dry laugh. "You little brat sure think a lot. I was just asking casually. I don't actually want you two going."
Talent was talent, but age was what really mattered. On this point, Himeko had actually, and uncharacteristically, reached the same conclusion as the three giants of Anti-Entropy. A seven-year-old kid should be bouncing around on a schoolyard.
Shiraha asked back, curious, "Will Himeko-nee enter the tournament?"
Himeko paused. Her? Enter? She was an academic talent.
But... that wasn't completely out of the question. Himeko rubbed her chin. She had to admit, the thought stirred her a little.
An image bloomed in her mind: herself standing on the arena stage, surrounded by cheering crowds, opponents falling one after another before her... That's actually kind of thrilling.
But reason reined in the impulse. "How could I possibly enter a competition like that?"
"Then I won't go either."
Shiraha answered instantly.
Himeko: ?
Shiraha paused, then added, "I'm not really interested in the adults' martial arts tournament. I only brought up going because Himeko-nee asked."
"If Himeko-nee isn't competing, then there won't be anyone I know there. If I took the day off to go... who would I even be watching?"
As for the delinquent senpai, skip her for now.
Himeko felt momentarily dazed. Was that really something a child should be able to say?
But said with such childlike innocence and purity, it almost seemed perfectly reasonable. Kids didn't lie, after all, at least when it came to matters of feeling, they came across as utterly sincere.
"Then let me ask you." Himeko crouched down, meeting Shiraha's eyes at level, the corner of her mouth carrying a teasing smile. "Between me and Mei, who do you like more?"
"Mei-nee!"
Alright. Confirmed. This kid really doesn't lie. That brought a smile to her face.
Not bad. A child's affection is simple and straightforward, whoever treats him well, he likes.
The two of them didn't stand there much longer. Himeko's conscience wouldn't allow her to tease the child any further. But the martial arts tournament, maybe she really could study the physical data of other unusual talents.
She was still lost in thought, but beside her, Shiraha had begun to look subtly uncomfortable. He was trying hard to shove Nee-chan away, but Elysia-nee really did seem thoroughly bored at the moment. Aside from messing with him, she wasn't even willing to follow the class on their run.
Himeko suddenly spoke. "Then if I enter the tournament the day after tomorrow, will you come cheer for me?"
She couldn't help herself. This world was simply too exciting. How could she possibly resign herself to being a researcher her whole life?
Stellar navigation dynamics? Never heard of her!
Shiraha paused, his expression tangling for a moment. "I will. The day after tomorrow, I'll take the day off and come cheer for you!"
He had a feeling Himeko was going to get KO'd in three punches. When that happened, she probably wouldn't cry, but she'd be very disappointed. Very embarrassed. After mentally playing out the scenario, Shiraha realized it offered quite a bit of room to maneuver.
Whether it was convincing Himeko, whose Honkai resistance was nothing special, to settle down and focus on research, or slowly turning the two of them into cross-generational friends... whichever direction he took, letting Himeko-nee suffer one solid defeat seemed like the right move.
Having achieved internal logical consistency, he nodded his little head with extra vigor.
"Himeko-nee will definitely win the championship."
Himeko thought it over and laughed lightly. Winning the championship, she wasn't dreaming of anything like that. But she really should start laying the groundwork for her future career shift.
Elysia rose lazily and glanced at Himeko. "You really are full of mischief, Shiraha."
Win the championship?
If the current Himeko could last half a minute against Natasha, that'd already be a success!
She felt a faint pang of sympathy for Himeko.
That sympathy lasted right up until Himeko unceremoniously pulled Shiraha into her arms and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.
Smack. Crisp and resonant.
Himeko didn't care. She genuinely treated Shiraha as a child. A seven-year-old brat, what was wrong with a little kiss? It wasn't like he'd lose a piece of flesh.