Chapter 65: Farewell for a while...

"Mmm, I'm not lying to you. Asagi, you don't really suit such a plain look. You're already very cute, and you'd look great in a more dazzling style." Shichen gazed at Aiba Asagi, speaking earnestly.

Perhaps it was just his memory's influence, or perhaps Asagi truly wasn't suited to black hair—Shichen genuinely liked her in a more flashy style, ideally blonde and glamorous.

"Cute… from the start…" Asagi's heart couldn't help racing; this was the first time Shichen had praised her as cute.

"Haha~ You already know your own looks, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't be hiding behind those black-framed glasses." Shichen smiled.

"You… you saw right through me." Asagi lowered her head, rather embarrassed.

"There's no need to hide yourself. You can openly show off how cute you are. Don't worry—if anyone bullies you, I'll help you. Your sensei is always your back-up."

"Are you serious, Sensei?" Asagi lifted her head, gazing at him intently.

Shichen gave a firm nod. "Why would I lie to you? I'm here for you. If you have any problem, you can come to me."

"In that case…" Asagi's face, still carrying a hint of youthfulness, blossomed into a radiant smile, as though she'd suddenly gained confidence. She turned her gaze toward the distant hair salon and murmured, "A more dazzling style, huh…"

"Asagi, what are you smiling about?" At that moment, Yaze Motoki and the others finished buying their ice cream and came over. He immediately noticed the bright smile on his childhood friend's face.

"It's nothing." Asagi gently smiled and shook her head.

"So suspicious." Motoki eyed Shichen doubtfully but couldn't discern anything.

"All set, then? Let's go?" Shichen ignored him and turned to ask Akatsuki Kojou and Akatsuki Nagisa.

"Sure!"

Thus, Shichen spent the entire day with Kojou and the others.

They ate lunch at the mall. In the afternoon, they spent another half day playing in the arcade.

Game-playing truly makes time fly.

Perhaps because of this world's particular abilities, the games turned out to be fully immersive—something straight out of Sword Art Online.

Shichen had always wanted to play such a game. But in his original world, technology was limited, and he'd figured it wouldn't be realized in his lifetime.

He never expected it would be a reality here.

Still, the game's content wasn't all that rich. The system and operations were rigid; players could only use the in-game preset skills and couldn't "freestyle." Their speed and strength were also restricted.

It needed a lot of improvement.

Time in the game flew by. Before they knew it, evening had arrived. They left the mall at sunset—on Itogami Island, twilight was close to seven o'clock.

By this time, it was time for Kojou and the others to head home.

"Wow, that game was so fun." On the way back, Motoki wore an expression of unfulfilled excitement.

"Agreed—I didn't get my fill," Kojou chimed in.

"Kojou, you were such a noob—you died multiple times," Nagisa bluntly called him out.

"Hey! That's only because I wasn't used to it!" Kojou retorted, his face going red.

"Then how come the sensei just destroyed everyone from the start?"

"Probably because he's played it before. Right, Sensei? That must be it?"

"Sorry, that was my first time too." Shichen grinned.

"See? You're just bad, Kojou!"

"Ugh…"

"Shall we come back tomorrow?" Motoki asked.

"I'm in," Nagisa said. "I have to redeem myself tomorrow. Then you'll see how good I am, Nagisa—just you wait!"

"Sure, sure. And let's see how you actually do."

"Tch, shut it! Hmph…"

"Sensei, are you coming tomorrow?" Asagi looked at Shichen with anticipation.

"Tomorrow… hmm…" Shichen lifted his eyes, staring at the far-off clouds tinted by the sunset, then shook his head.

"I probably can't make it tomorrow."

"Ah?" Kojou and the others all looked his way.

"Sensei, is something up?" Kojou asked.

"Yes, I'm planning to leave Itogami Island for a while," Shichen replied frankly.

"Wha…?" Asagi froze in place.

"You're leaving Itogami Island, Sensei? Why?" Kojou sounded curious.

"Just have something I need to take care of."

"Is that so?" Kojou didn't dwell on it.

"What about our PE classes, then?" Motoki glanced at his childhood friend out of the corner of his eye.

"I guess Sasasaki-sensei will sub for me. You wanted her to teach you anyway, right?"

"No way." Motoki's denial was rather half-hearted.

"So we won't see you for a while, Sensei?" Nagisa lamented.

"Ah? Nagisa, why do you care about seeing the Sensei?" Kojou blurted defensively.

"It's nothing special." Nagisa returned plainly.

"…" That answer, however, left Kojou even more uneasy.

"Anyway, yes—today is probably the last time we'll see each other for a bit," Shichen said. "So we won't be meeting again for the moment."

"Sensei…" Asagi looked at him, her words halting.

"No need to worry," Shichen patted her head to reassure her. "I'll be back soon."

"Really?" Asagi lifted a hand to clasp the one he was resting atop her head.

"What reason would I have to lie? I know you'll miss me, so I'll make sure I'm back as soon as I can," Shichen said with a wry smile.

"…All right, I trust you, Sensei." Asagi stared intently at him.

"Good."

After parting ways with Kojou and the rest, Shichen, unable to bear the hot weather, teleported straight back home. By that time, Natsuki Minamiya had yet to return.

He took a shower, changed into his loungewear, and sat on the sofa, lifting his palm.

In his hand, a golden light shone. Within that glow lay a fragment—a "Divine Fragment."

It was the one Shichen had just obtained from Asagi.

He could always have taken it from her sooner, but never found the right opportunity.

The "one minute of skin contact" requirement for collecting it wasn't all that easy to fulfill.

Given his and Asagi's current relationship, it would have been awkward for him to push it. So it had been delayed until now.

Next would be the shard from Natsuki Minamiya. She'd long since trusted him, though she kept saying otherwise. But the timing wasn't quite ripe yet; he couldn't just take it right away.

He wasn't planning to leave immediately anyway. He wanted to spend some more time with her, help her with her work as an Attack Mage.

Time to show off a bit.

No need to go back to school. Sasasaki-sensei would be happy to cover his classes. He did feel a bit guilty but had no choice.

That night, around 9 P.M., Natsuki Minamiya returned.

"Natsuki-chan, I've brewed some tea for you; come have a taste." Shichen beckoned her over cheerily.

"Mm? How come you're being so diligent today?" Natsuki furrowed her brow as she walked over.

"Oh, just seeing how you work so hard. I lazed around all day and felt a bit guilty."

"Don't come with that nonsense. When have you ever felt guilt? Out with it—what do you want?"

"Tsk, can't you show me a little trust?"

"Spit it out," Natsuki said tersely. She took a seat in her usual spot and picked up the teacup, expression impassive.

"Heh, fine. Actually, I'm planning to leave for a while."

"Leave?" Natsuki sipped the tea, not giving it much thought.

"Yeah, leave Itogami Island."

"…Huh?" Natsuki blinked at him in surprise.

~~~

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