Episode 5: Occurrens Puellis Magicis (Part 1)

Summer Fall High, The Next Day

The school was alive with its usual energy.

The air buzzed with chatter as students filled the hallways, some laughing with their friends, others rushing to class before the bell rang. A few lingered by their lockers, flipping through textbooks or checking their phones, while others aimlessly wandered during their free periods.

It was just another ordinary school day. But not everyone was aware of the secrets hidden within these walls.

"Everyone, quickly copy it down," Mr. Kuwahara instructed, his voice carrying the same steady authority it always did.

The chalkboard was already covered in numbers and equations.

The classroom filled with the quiet rustling of pages and the hurried scratching of pencils as students scrambled to transcribe the material before it was erased.

Yet, her notebook remained untouched.

The crisp, white pages lay bare before her.

A black gel pen absentmindedly between her fingers, the smooth plastic gliding against her skin.

She sighed, shifting her gaze toward the window.

Her thoughts were still tangled in the conversation she had with Ezakiel.

The weight of his words lingered, pressing down on her.

"Miss Hoshinova. Miss Hoshinova, can you hear me?"

Mr. Kuwahara's voice cut through her daze, pulling her sharply back to the present.

She blinked, realizing too late that the entire class was now staring at her.

Oh... I didn't even realize how deep I was in my thoughts...

"My deepest apologies," she said quickly, sitting up a little straighter.

Mr. Kuwahara studied her with a look of concern, adjusting the thin-framed glasses perched on his nose.

"Is something wrong? Are you having some internal trouble?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm. "You seem distracted, and that's not like you. You're usually a very serious and bright student—always attentive to what I teach."

He wasn't wrong.

She had always taken her studies seriously, managing to focus even when things were difficult—whether it was personal struggles or the torment she endured from Yayoi. She had forced herself to keep up, if only to make sure her sister never had to worry about her grades.

But now… everything was different.

"I apologize once again," she said, keeping her tone even. "I'm not feeling well, so I got a little distracted."

It was a simple excuse, but one she knew would work. Her good track record would make it believable. Besides, this wasn't the first time she had lied.

"Ah, I see," Mr. Kuwahara said, adjusting his glasses once more. "Then please, take some rest." With that, he turned back to the board and continued the lesson.

She exhaled softly, relieved that the questioning hadn't gone any further. Quietly, she slipped her pen into her pouch, closed her notebook, and rested her head on the desk.

As the sounds of the classroom faded into the background, her thoughts drifted back—back to Ezakiel, back to person cared most, the person who was now part of her life, the person who belong to her and promises to protect him, for that's what he had done to her.

Mr. Kuwahara's voice cut through her daze, yanking her sharply back into the present.

She blinked, her vision refocusing just in time to notice the entire class staring at her. Silence hung in the air, the weight of their gazes pressing down on her.

Oh… I didn't even realize how deep I was in my thoughts…

"My deepest apologies," she said, her voice steady as she adjusted her posture.

Mr. Kuwahara studied her for a moment, his thin-framed glasses catching the light as he adjusted them.

"Is something wrong? Are you having some internal trouble?" he asked."You seem distracted, and that's not like you. You're usually a very serious and bright student—always attentive to what I teach."

"I apologize once again," she said smoothly, keeping her tone even. "I'm not feeling well, so I got a little distracted."

It was a simple excuse, one that required no further explanation. With her record, it was believable. She rarely lost focus, so no one would question it. And besides… this wasn't the first time she had lied.

"Ah, I see," Mr. Kuwahara said, adjusting his glasses once more before nodding. "Then please, take some rest."

With that, he turned back to the chalkboard and resumed the lesson.

She exhaled softly, relief washing over her as the attention shifted away. Quietly, she slipped her pen into her pouch, closed her notebook, and rested her head on the desk.

The sounds of the classroom faded into a distant hum, her thoughts drifting back—to Ezakiel.

To the person who mattered most.

The person who had become an unshakable part of her life.

The person who belonged to her.

And the person she had promised to protect, just as he had once protected her.

....

Walking down the hallway, she moved swiftly toward the library, her steps light against the polished floor.

The distant chatter of students faded behind..

She made her way to her usual spot—a secluded corner nestled between tall shelves, away from prying eyes.

Settling into her chair, she flipped open the book in her hands, her fingers grazing the slightly worn edges of the pages. As she read, her eyes tracing each line with quiet focus, a voice suddenly broke the silence.

"There you are."

She paused, the words pulling her from her thoughts.

Turning her head, she saw who it was.

Tsumi Hoda.

Well, here it comes. I was wondering how long it would take for one of them to finally approach.

She kept her expression unreadable as she met Tsumi's gaze.

Ezakiel had warned her. The moment she awakened her powers, they would sense it as soon as she stepped onto the school grounds. There was no avoiding it.

"Yes," she said, her voice even.

"I was searching for you," Tsumi said, her tone light yet unreadable, her usual air of effortless confidence present in every word.

"Really?" she replied, feigning curiosity. "What would make you, the most popular girl—if not one of the most popular girls—in the school take an interest in me?"

Tsumi smiled,"Let's just say there's a very important matter I need to discuss with you."

"I see. So, should we go now?" she asked.

"Nah." Tsumi waved a hand dismissively. "Meet me at the principal's office after school."

Her brows furrowed slightly. "But why there?"

Not that she needed to ask. Ezakiel had already told her this was coming.

"It's an important matter that also requires her presence," Tsumi said, her voice smooth, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Don't worry—she'll explain everything."

With a simple nod, she accepted.

"Good. Well then, see you later."

Tsumi turned, disappearing down the hallway as swiftly as she had come.

The moment she was gone, a wave of disgust settled over her.

All… all of them knew what was happening to me. The pain I was in. Yet none… none of them came.

Ezakiel had told her the truth—every single one of them had known. The magical girls of Summer Fall High had been fully aware of what she had endured, of the torment she had suffered. And yet, not one of them had lifted a finger to help.

They don't deserve the power they have.

Her chest tightened with the weight of that thought. These girls, who were supposed to be protectors, who wielded power others could only dream of, had chosen to look away. And the one person who had come for her, the one who had risked everything to save her was now...

Her grip on tightened, nails digging into the clothing fabrics as frustration simmered beneath the surface, threatening to break through.

"Hey, Rin."

A voice suddenly called out, snapping her from her thoughts.

She turned, only to find herself face-to-face with Kiharu.

"Hello again…"