The day quickly turned dark.
Saikai Academy had long since reached the end of the school day, with all the students already leaving and heading back to their respective homes.
However, at this moment, two girls hurriedly appeared in the school grounds of Saikai Academy.
"Sorry, Avrora."
Nagisa apologized to Avrora as she rushed along.
"I didn't expect the club's lights to be broken. The president insisted on finding someone to fix it, and it took so long before she finally let me go home. Before I knew it, it was already dark. I'm really sorry."
Nagisa clasped her hands together, apologizing to Avrora while gasping for breath as they ran.
"I...I don't mind."
Avrora quickly shook her head, seeming more concerned about being left alone in the dark school campus than Nagisa's apology, hurrying to keep up with Nagisa's pace.
Both of them could have left much earlier and gone home, but as Nagisa mentioned, due to issues in the cheerleading club, she had been delayed until now, finally able to go home. Avrora, who had been waiting for her, was also delayed, and they ended up leaving much later than usual.
Even Kojou had called several times urging Nagisa to come, even offering to pick her up, but Nagisa refused.
"I'm not a child anymore. Kojou-kun is so overprotective. He's just worrying unnecessarily."
Nagisa complained with puffed cheeks.
Avrora couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
For Avrora, having someone constantly caring for her was a very happy thing.
Of course, Avrora believed she was also happy now.
Although she didn't have a brother like Nagisa, Avrora also had someone who cared for her all the time.
Just thinking about that person made Avrora relax her expression.
Seeing Avrora like this, Nagisa suddenly brightened up, as if she had discovered a secret, pointing to Avrora's face.
"You're thinking about Nichiyo again, aren't you, Avrora!"
Nagisa directly exposed Avrora's thoughts.
"I...I'm not!"
Avrora's heart skipped a beat, quickly denying it.
"Liar." Nagisa chuckled, "I have long noticed that only when Avrora thinks about Nichiyo does she show such a relaxed expression, right?"
"Um..." Avrora couldn't argue, her face turning red.
But Nagisa didn't seem to care at all. Instead, she enthusiastically started talking as if she had found a topic of interest.
"But it's true, Nichiyo always gives people a sense of security. He's handsome, strong, not only does he have good grades, but he also knows magic and spells. He even does household chores. With such a person around, it really makes people feel at ease. I get it too."
Nagisa spoke convincingly, making Avrora both want to agree and feel uneasy at the same time.
"Nagisa also likes Nichiyo too?"
Avrora cautiously asked.
"Also?" Nagisa smirked, "So, Avrora also likes Nichiyo very much, right?"
"Um..." Avrora realized she had misspoken and panicked.
"Don't be so nervous. There are so many people who like Nichiyo, and Avrora is so close to him, it's impossible not to like him." Nagisa comforted Avrora, "I'm used to it. Since junior high, there have been people constantly falling for Nichiyo. My classmates, my friends, even my club seniors and juniors all like Nichiyo very much. Sometimes they even ask me to help pass love letters. So if someone suddenly says they don't like Nichiyo, I would die of shock."
This speech, Nagisa was not forcing herself at all.
It can be imagined that Nagisa has really experienced these things, and at the same time, she has really gotten used to them.
"Sometimes I really want Nichiyo to behave himself." Nagisa complained disapprovingly, "He's making so many cute girls pine for him. Even if it's because he's too charming, he should reflect a bit, pay attention to the people around him, like Asagi-chan, like you, Avrora, who have always been by his side, but he doesn't make any moves. It's annoying."
"Mm, Mm!" Avrora was convinced by Nagisa's words, nodding repeatedly.
Only in this respect, Avrora, as well as Nagisa, is dissatisfied.
Every time Avrora sees Rozen being surrounded by one girl after another at school, Avrora can't help but feel a surge of resentment.
If it weren't for Avrora now having common sense and knowing she couldn't release her power at will, fearing that the entire Saikai Academy would follow the footsteps of the former North District and become an icy wilderness.
Only in this respect, Avrora has so much dissatisfaction.
What's even more dissatisfying to both Avrora and Nagisa is...
"Lately, Nichiyo seems to be getting close to the transfer student in our class. They even arrive at school together in the morning for some reason? And at the end of school, the club seniors mentioned that they both disappear at the same time. They must be secretly hiding something from us."
Nagisa, like a famous detective, incessantly reveals one truth after another, captivating Avrora who listens attentively.
"Transfer student..."
Avrora felt somewhat apprehensive.
Since their first meeting, Avrora hadn't been very fond of Himeragi Yukina.
Mainly because Yukina exuded an unsettling aura.
That aura, it was threatening.
Avrora keenly sensed that there was a threat from Yukina that she couldn't afford to ignore.
And that threat emanated from the guitar case Yukina always carried with her.
Seeing that guitar case, Avrora couldn't help but hold her breath, as if there was a fierce beast inside capable of devouring her whole, quite terrifying.
Therefore, Avrora harbored wariness towards Yukina.
For someone like her to suddenly become Rozen's monitor and apparently act together with him, Avrora also felt displeased.
"Even though there are so many lovely girls around him, he still has to make it more, especially those who are even more adorable, like princesses. It's really infuriating, don't you think?"
"Mm-Mmm!"
As they conversed like this, they vented their dissatisfaction while leaving the school together.
Unfortunately, they were destined not to leave the school so easily.
"I found you, No. 12."
When such a low voice reached the ears of the two girls, they suddenly froze in place, unable to move their feet anymore.
Just because, in front of them, walking slowly towards the school gate, was a tall figure.
The person was a Apostle.
However, in the hands of this Apostle was a battle axe.
"This..."
Seeing this scene, Nagisa couldn't react.
Only Avrora...
"Step back, Nagisa..."
Avrora tightly held Nagisa's hand, continuously retreating, her voice filled with tension.
No way.
"This person reeks of blood."
Avrora spoke fearfully.
"A very strong scent of blood."
One sentence caused Nagisa's heart to stop beating.
And the Apostle continued to approach the two of them.
On his face, there was no joy, no sorrow.