CH 124

Fate is Capricious

Translated by LyraDhani

Edited by LyraDhani

Waking up early in the morning, Tsugumi called out to Yukitaka, who was asleep in his room, and left Yukitaka’s house before the first train started running. …It seemed Yukitaka was going to skip school, but he couldn’t take care of him that much.

He wandered around the nearby train station, transported home when the time was right, and went straight to the kitchen to start making breakfast.

Tsugumi still hadn’t gotten over the fatigue from yesterday, but unfortunately, today was the last day of school. Even if he took the day off, he would have to pick up his belongings later anyway, so it would be more efficient to force himself to go to school at least for today.

As he moved his hand while thinking about such things, the door to the living room opened with a clatter.

“Fuah, –Good morning, Tsugumi. You’re back.”

“Yeah, I got the first train home. I made breakfast, do you want some?”

When Tsugumi asked this question, Chidori nodded slowly, still looking sleepy. Then, Tsugumi quickly prepared breakfast and placed the plates in front of Chidori.

“How rare. I’m surprised that Tsugumi made breakfast for me.”

Chidori said while eating a piece of bread with a fried egg on it.

“Because usually, Chidori leaves the house before I wake up. As expected, I don’t want to wake up early when I don’t have anything to do.”

“Then how about coming to the kendo club’s morning practice with me next time? You are always welcome to help.”

“No, your juniors are scary.”

Tsugumi replied with a disgusted look.

…Sadly, Tsugumi was hated like a snake by Chidori’s juniors. Tsugumi couldn’t protect Chidori at the Amusement Park and she turned into a Magical Girl, and in the previous kidnapping incident–on the surface, she was suffering from heat stroke–Chidori collapsed when she was with Tsugumi. They didn’t like it.

The younger members of the kendo club had no reason to blame him for the incident, but arguing with them made Chidori sad so he did his best to stay away from them.

After talking about such things, Tsugumi saw Chidori off as she left the house, relaxing and getting ready to leave. Unlike the early morning before the first train, the moist sunlight pierced the skin.

“…Ah, I am tired.”

Raising a hand to his sweat-soaked chest, Tsugumi muttered dejectedly. –The beginning of the long summer vacation was just around the corner.

◆ ◆ ◆

“Okay, that’s the end of today’s schedule! Don’t get too excited just because it’s summer vacation, okay?”

Suzune concluded with a final chime, and Tsugumi stretched out his arms. Perhaps because he slept on the couch last night, his body felt heavy.

Turning his head around, Tsugumi gazed at the empty seat. As expected, Yukitaka hadn’t even come to school. Yukitaka’s attendance was probably not a problem, but he was a bit worried about his absences.

–He wondered which college that guy was going to.

Yukitaka hadn’t really talked about his career path, but with his ability, he should easily be able to get into the same university as Mebuki, Teito University, which was called the best university in Japan.

Of course, Tsugumi didn’t have that kind of academic ability, so his rank would probably drop, but he could still get into a decent university.

In order to lead a decent life after he quit his Magical Girl career in the future, he needed to make a minimum effort, so perhaps during the summer vacation when he wasn’t working as a Jukka, he would be immersed in his studies. If he didn’t make progress at all, he might have to bow down to Mebuki and Yukitaka and ask them to teach him.

With this in mind, Tsugumi began to pack up his luggage. It was just before the summer vacation, so there was a lot of baggage. The other classmates were talking more excitedly than usual, probably because of the feeling of freedom from the summer vacation, and they were making a lot of noise about where they were going to go out today.

As Tsugumi idly watched them, Akiyama approached and called out.

“Hey, Nanase. Let’s go shopping for clothes with those guys afterward!”

“Clothes? Why all of a sudden?”

When Tsugumi tilted his head at the sudden invitation, Akiyama began to speak in high tension.

“We’re going on a trip next week, right? We’re going to spend our free time picking up girls, so I need some clothes that will help me win. Can you give me some advice? You have good taste, Nanase.”

…Come to think of it, that’s what they were saying during their free time too.

The trip planned by gathering volunteers was decided to be a trip to the sea after discussions that included physics. It seemed they’d already booked a place to stay. In the four-day schedule, two days were group activities including events, and the remaining two days were free activities divided into groups.

Tsugumi was going to be mixed with some group depending on the occasion, but at this rate, it might be better not to mix with Akiyama’s group.

Listening to Akiyama’s impassioned speech, Tsugumi began to speak, dumbfounded.

“No, even if you ask me for advice, I’ve always just bought what the mannequins wear. Well, I don’t mind if you just go along with me.”

Tsugumi wasn’t in the mood to buy clothes, but he had been so busy lately that he hadn’t gone out with his classmates much, so he thought this would be a good opportunity.

Akiyama nodded happily at Tsugumi’s agreement, and then exclaimed, “Then, we’ll be leaving in a little while!”, and ran toward his other friends.

Well, I can get my luggage later using transportation. …Thinking this in his mind, Tsugumi smiled a little. After all, it was fun to talk with friends.

Then, as if dragged along by the momentum of Akiyama and his friends, Tsugumi was taken to a larger department store–where he met an unexpected person.

◆　◆　◆

“…It’s no good. I’m so hungry I am going to die.”

After Akiyama and the others had finished picking out all of their clothes, Tsugumi pleaded to them, clutching his stomach. Akiyama looked at him quizzically and opened his mouth.

“Huh? Nanase, you bought steamed buns at a convenience store on the way, didn’t you?”

“I’ve been a little low on fuel lately. I’m sure it’s just a growth spurt or something like that.”

“You’re already tall enough, but you’re still trying to grow. –Well, that’s okay. We’ll look around some more, so go ahead and have something to eat, then we’ll meet up and go to karaoke.”

“Oh, I am saved. Then, I’ll go for a while.”

At Akiyama’s willingness, Tsugumi bowed slightly and turned down the offers from his other friends, then headed for the food court in the department store by himself.

He got in line at a relatively empty burger joint and ordered a couple of drinks and a burger set. Feeling uncomfortable under the smiling stares of the waitresses who might have thought he was ordering for his friends as well because of his large order, he sat down at a table in the back of the food court.

“Phew. Let’s eat quickly before anyone sees.”

He whispered softly and wiped his hands. The moment he took a bite of his set of fries, he saw someone sitting down in front of him. Suspicious that the other person didn’t say anything, Tsugumi looked up and saw an unexpected person sitting there.

Staring ahead with astonished eyes, Tsugumi muttered in dismay.

“…Huh? Is-is this real?”

–Why is she here?

Dropping his half-eaten fries on the desk, Tsugumi’s expression turned grim as he sprawled across his chair in surprise.

The person sitting in front of him with both elbows on the table opened her dainty lips without breaking her unreadable smile.

“I was wandering around and saw a familiar face, so I came over. I’m sorry, I startled you, didn’t I?”

Saying that, Toono Sumire narrowed her eyes and stared at Tsugumi.