# Third-year girls from Chroma Vocational School in the Sepia Archipelago.

The reason they came to Elysium Academy City was because of Lete, who had decided to attend Orion Academy.

Academy City was already a place they'd wanted to visit at least once, and now they had a reason—how could they resist?

To forget the melancholy of drifting apart after their approaching graduation ceremony.

The girls showed their characteristically bold initiative and made the decision to travel during the school's founding anniversary and national holidays.

Though their supposedly smooth trip was disrupted by the dimensional rift disaster, surprisingly, it had long since disappeared from the girls' conversation topics.

After being guided back to their lodging by security officers, the girls had only one topic of conversation.

"Lete! Did you get a reply?"

"We just introduced ourselves..."

"What did he say his name was?"

"...Rohan."

The girl covered her mouth with the back of her hand, trying to hide her reddening face. It was a moment when she wished she had longer hair.

All the while, she couldn't take her eyes off her phone.

To see such an adorable reaction from a friend who usually appeared cool and easygoing—it made even those around her heart flutter.

One girl lying on the bed tapping on her phone suddenly opened her eyes wide.

"When I search him, he comes right up! He must be famous."

"Really!? Let me see too!"

The girls, piled on one bed like a hamburger, fixed their gaze on the internet news article.

"Criminal organization takedown...?"

"That's like a completely different world. Doesn't feel real."

"Is this what Orion Academy students normally do?"

Only Lete, who grew up in a martial arts family, was focusing on the article with sparkling eyes.

As Lete savored each word, curiosity flew her way.

"So Lete, you like strong people after all?"

"Not just that..."

"Hmm? Then what?"

"W-well, he's handsome... and cool..."

A silence fell over the previously noisy room.

The girls recalled their time at the shopping mall with serious expressions.

"Before noticing he was handsome, he seemed to have a fierce impression... Remember the student council president who confessed to Lete? He was famous for being handsome."

"I didn't like him because he looked like he'd break if I hit him once."

Lete's straightforward judgment.

Her friends laughed, familiar with her ways, and continued chatting.

"I still don't understand Lete's taste."

"But I agree with the cool part. He has that strong, mature vibe!"

"Ah~ Our Lete is finally experiencing her first love. This mama was worried Lete would finish her school days without it."

"Who's mama?! Stop clinging to me, it's gross!"

One girl, grabbed by Lete, was thrown onto the opposite bed.

"Now then, let's begin Lete's love inquiry session."

"Everyone, take your seats. Hurry!"

Watching this familiar scene, the girls began opening snacks.

A signal that the real gossip was about to begin.

"I never thought Lete would charge ahead so boldly. You've never shown interest in guys before."

All eyes turned to her, urging her to answer quickly.

Lete fidgeted with her short hair and gave her answer.

"If we parted there, I might never see him again. I don't want to regret anything..."

"Ooooh~ So bold~"

"It was hilarious how you got nervous and used formal speech."

"..."

"You should lean into that as your charm point. If it's not forced, that kind of character works!"

"R-really? It's a habit from the dojo..."

It wasn't an illusion that useful advice had finally emerged.

Lete, seemingly interested, joined the circle.

The conversation grew longer as detailed topics like clothing and sitting posture quickly passed by.

One girl expressed curiosity in another direction.

"Is he stronger than you, Lete?"

"Yeah. I definitely couldn't beat him now."

"Huh, so there are people stronger than Lete in this world."

"There are tons!"

Only Lete knew. Her friends didn't even know that Rohan was the person who directly saved her from danger.

Though she had been holding back monsters herself, and everyone else was crouched in fear.

From the beginning, his movements weren't something ordinary people could analyze.

"..."

It came back to her vividly.

His graceful movements as he handled multiple monsters and his situational judgment to save people first—a perfect integration into combat.

It was a moment when Rohan's values were clearly visible.

The more she thought about it, the more her heart pounded.

"But there were so many pretty people around him. Just classmates?"

"Come on, if he had a girlfriend, he wouldn't have given you his number."

"It's faster to just ask! Lete! Hurry!"

As all eyes turned to her, Lete desperately raised her voice.

"I-it would be rude to suddenly ask something like that...!"

"I think it's fine to ask now that you've already got his number."

"I don't know! Don't interfere! I'm going at my own pace with this!"

Lete ducked under the blanket to escape her mischievous friends.

They tried to pull the blanket off, but they had no chance against Lete's grip strength. Even a group of ordinary high school girls couldn't do anything about it.

"...Anyway, the answer is the same for that too."

Having built a fort inside the blanket and finished her thoughts, Lete poked out her head and spoke.

"For what?"

"About whether there are pretty people around him and if he has a girlfriend."

The eyes of all the girls in the room naturally gathered on her.

"If I don't ask and just make assumptions, what if I'm wrong later? I'd obviously regret it..."

Lete revealed her inner thoughts to her friends in a soft voice.

It wasn't her usual booming voice, but it carried nonetheless.

"How precious... I'm not one to cry easily, but this brings tears to my eyes..."

"If there are many competitors, Lete is at a disadvantage due to the physical distance. You should contact him as much as possible while you can't see him!"

"No, I don't plan to be that desperate for contact."

"Huh?"

"I just... have a feeling we'll meet again soon. I'll just check in occasionally and focus on my training."

It was unheard of to get someone's number and then act so passively.

But somehow, it was very like Lete.

Her friends could only cheer for Lete's first love that had come to her like a breeze.

*****

"S-sister...! Snap out of it...!"

"..."

Clara wanted to mentally shut down, but unfortunately, someone beat her to it.

Sion had broken down first.

Her face showed she was lost in thought. Even her pointed ears had drooped slightly.

She held the recovered shopping bag but remained silent.

She kept walking toward the first floor where Rohan was waiting, but her steps lacked energy.

"Sister Sion..."

Clara, watching her with concern, arrived at a rational conclusion.

The eyes of the girl who had been content with the current relationship suddenly widened.

"C-could this be the trigger?!"

Could this be the moment Sion recognized her romantic feelings for Rohan?

It was already miraculous that she hadn't realized until now.

Thinking about it that way, this wasn't the time to comfort others.

What position should Clara herself take? Unlike battle, she had no experience in this area, making it a difficult problem with no visible answer.

"And that person too..."

Clara's gaze turned to Ichinose Yui.

Noah Frozenheart seemed happy to have recovered her belongings, jumping around with a smile as usual, but Ichinose Yui was clearly different.

After seeing the girl who actively showed interest in Rohan, gaps began to appear in her composure.

With such slowed steps, they finally reached the first floor.

Rohan, having finished talking with the security officers, approached them.

"You're here? Is all your luggage intact?"

"Yeah..."

While Clara was wondering if it would be okay to ask about the girl she saw earlier,

Noah, who had maintained clear thinking, hopped over.

"Rohan!"

"Hm?"

"Let's all go have lunch together!"

Rohan took out his phone to check the time.

With the dimensional rift and everything else, it was already afternoon. If they missed this opportunity, it would definitely be awkward.

"But I wonder if any restaurants are open?"

He had heard from the security officers that the situation outside had stabilized, but he wasn't sure.

Plus, his eyes darted around, concerned that Sion and Clara might be uncomfortable.

"They should be! This is Academy City after all."

Was this the common sense of this world?

Rohan stroked his chin and looked at Sion and Clara.

It was a situation where it would be difficult to refuse if he openly asked their opinion. It would also be awkward to say he'd discuss it with them first.

"Ms. Noah. I apologize."

"Huh?"

Sion, who had been lost in thought, erased any sign of concern and approached with clicking heels, then clung to Rohan's right arm.

Clara, startled, quickly moved to his empty left arm and stuck close.

"We've made a reservation to look at a house together."

Ichinose, who had been quietly listening, opened her mouth in a daze.

"Is that so? That's too bad. I wanted to treat you to Tigrova's special cuisine."

"I'm truly sorry about that. I hope we can definitely meet another time."

Rohan, though surprised by the girls' sudden closeness, didn't miss the opportunity.

This was nothing short of a signal from both of them.

"Sion. Did you hear from the person you said would introduce us?"

"Not yet. But the appointed time is approaching. If we don't leave now, we'll be late."

"True, even in this situation, it's right to wait until the appointment time."

"Y-yes, brother is right...!"

Rohan began to be led outside the shopping mall by Sion and Clara.

"Both of you take care! We'll have a meal next time!"

He turned his head to say goodbye, then passed through the broken glass door and disappeared.

"Aw, what a shame. I wanted to hear what kind of relationship they have."

Noah swished her tail as if she'd missed something fun.

"T-they're looking at a house...!?"

Ichinose finally snapped out of her fantasy and belatedly grasped the context of the conversation.