Originally, the first class today should've been with Shizuka, but she swapped it last minute.
She figured she might as well take care of that kid's request all in one go today.
Plus, it gave her time to calm down a little. Otherwise, she'd probably feel awkward and distracted during the lesson.
Ugh… what was that all about? He even called her "Cute Shizu." Seriously, what an embarrassing nickname.
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon."
She looked at the pink-haired girl already sitting in the car, her gaze lingering on the school building, reluctant to look away.
Shizuka's voice softened.
This girl, named Ikaros—Shizuka could tell she was too innocent. It was like she only had a crash course in basic social etiquette and knew nothing else.
No memories, no real background knowledge.
When asked about her relationship with Yazuki, the girl's response was something like, "Ikaros exists only for Master."
As for her parents? She just gave a confused look. And when pressed, she said Yazuki was her parents.
In short, this girl clearly had some issues.
She might've lost her memory or suffered some major trauma. Her heart was completely closed off, and she clung to Yazuki like he was the only person in the world she could rely on.
Looking at her name and appearance, she definitely wasn't from this country.
Who knows where that kid found her… wait—could this be connected to when he disappeared for a while?
Don't tell me… did he get himself hurt just to protect her?
Well, whatever. No point overthinking it.
The fact Yazuki entrusted this girl to her meant he truly trusted her. He saw her as an ally—didn't even hesitate to dump the responsibility on her.
Honestly, Yazuki had better people he could've asked. But maybe he didn't want to trouble them.
Seriously—if he had a request like this, why not just say it earlier? Why'd he have to make her go through all that mess?
So humiliating.
Especially after she shouted like that… Who knows how far her voice carried? Half the school probably heard.
The looks she got afterward… ugh, all so awkward.
What an infuriating guy.
Still… kind of a letdown that it wasn't that kind of threat.
Wait, wait, wait—what am I even thinking?! Am I that desperate to get devoured by that kid?! Just how thirsty am I?!!
Smack!
A loud slap echoed—it was Shizuka smacking both her cheeks hard.
"Quit fantasizing, Shizuka Hiratsuka!!!"
She had a job to do—go handle the paperwork for the girl's residency registration. And even though she was grumbling in her heart and annoyed at a certain student, the slight curl of her lips said otherwise.
She was actually… in a pretty good mood.
===========================
Morning classes were done. Yazuki, heading toward the cafeteria, had just finished a phone call.
On the other end was Ikaros.
According to her report, the old hag Hiratsuka had taken her to take care of residency and school enrollment paperwork. But halfway through, they passed a newly opened bridal shop.
For a single, aging woman like Hiratsuka, getting married was a major life goal—and of course, the idea of wearing a wedding dress early was tempting.
And guess what? That bridal shop just happened to be owned by one of her college classmates.
So yeah… she shamelessly went in to try on some dresses. Naturally, Ikaros got dragged in too.
Ikaros in a wedding dress, huh? What kind of beauty would that be?
Unintentionally, Yazuki started imagining the angelic girl in a gown—white gloves, white stockings, white veil, white—
WHUMP!
Something large and fleshy launched itself at him.
Instinctively, he dodged, snapping out of his fantasy. The attacker, looking every bit the stereotypical sweaty otaku, missed him and crashed into a girl standing behind.
"AAAAAHHH!! YOU PERVERT!!!"
SMACK!!
The guy ended up with a red, very clear handprint on his face. He looked over at Yazuki, full of grievance.
This was Zaimokuza Yoshiteru, a self-declared "friend," still deep in his untreated chunibyou phase.
A hardcore 2D enthusiast—a textbook otaku.
"Why'd you dodge?!"
"Why wouldn't I? I don't want to be hugged by a sweaty otaku. That's disgusting."
Yazuki didn't hold back.
Zaimokuza clutched his chest, looking devastated like he couldn't breathe. Then he collapsed to his knees, as if he'd suffered a critical hit.
"As expected of my true friend—attacking with Word Magic! But—!"
He was slipping into full chuunibyou mode again.
But what?
"Wait—!"
Zaimokuza suddenly jumped to his feet to stop Yazuki, who clearly had no interest in playing along and had started to walk off.
"What now? I'm busy. I've got a deadline. If you're here to ask about the next set of doujin CGs—forget it. I've got no time lately."
Yes, this guy knew Yazuki's secret pen name: Demon King—a famous lewd illustrator.
Back during the school's club recruitment period, Zaimokuza had been his very first member. But thanks to a promotional screw-up, he ended up dragging Yazuki into a bad rep right from the start.
Well, whatever. After getting to know him, Yazuki realized Zaimokuza's reputation alone was enough to attract weird looks anyway.
As for those "CG packs" he mentioned? They were themed image sets based on popular series, usually including a normal version, lingerie version, kinky version, nude version, even hardcore ones.
Character expressions changed with outfits and situations—it was a whole thing.
"No, no! I came to recommend a masterpiece!"
Zaimokuza looked suspiciously excited.
"A masterpiece? Oh god, not another one of your creations, is it? Please. Find someone else to mentally pollute."
This guy dreamed of becoming a light novel author or game scenario writer. He often shoved his stitched-together Frankenstein manuscripts at Yazuki for feedback.
"Guh—!"
Here we go again. Chunibyou relapse.
Yazuki had barely walked a few steps before Zaimokuza rushed over and shoved his phone screen in his face.
"What now?"
The screen was black. Yazuki couldn't see a thing.
"Hold on—it's loading… okay, look! Isn't she gorgeous~?"
The screen lit up, showing a 2D-style drawing—a beautiful girl with twin drills and a flintlock rifle.
Yazuki blinked. Of course he recognized it. He knew this character better than Zaimokuza did.
Then he looked again at his weirdo friend—who was, unbelievably, crying. Literal tears streaming down his face.
"You see this beautiful senpai? She's a magical girl who—"
Before he could finish, someone frantically ran over.
"Yazuki-kun, something's wrong—Yukinoshita-san has disappeared!"
What?!
That Yukinoshita disappeared?
Judging by how panicked and breathless they sounded, it felt like she had vanished right in front of their eyes—suddenly, with no explanation.
Don't tell me…
A possibility crossed his mind.
(T/N: Saving Yukino arc start??)