Volume 10 - CH 22

Moon: [Gaze]

“Then next let’s go to my class. It would be nice if we can find a lead with someone we’re already familiar with though.”

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Takeru proposes that we try his class next.

Since there’s no reason not to, I follow Takeru.

I wonder what Takeru’s class is like.

If it weren’t for a chance like this, I wouldn’t have time to visit Takeru, Towa, and Misuzu’s class so I’m truly looking forward to it.

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“Ahh….., but since Misuzu hates me, she probably doesn’t want to see my face. Can you see if she’s inside?”

“Sure, got it. ……….must be tough huh, being hated by your sister. I don’t think I can go on if my little sister starts to hate me after all……”

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Takeru gives me a bitter smile.

I can tell from his attitude that he gets along well with his sister.

Seeing him like that renewed my motivation to lift Misuzu’s curse and restore our relationship to what it once was.

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“Alright, I’m going in first.” Said Takeru as he disappeared inside.

About a minute later, Takeru came back, gave me a thumbs up, and tell me “The coast’s clear.”

“Let’s be quick then.” I told him and we slipped inside the classroom.

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The first thing that caught my eye was the flower vase placed on one of the seats.

Why……?”

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“Oi, Takeru? Is someone being bullied in this class?”

“Bully?”

“What’s up with that desk? The other one in the back has a flower on it too. Even if it’s just a prank, this is just in poor taste. It’s too cruel. Are you condoning the bullies in this class?”

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Such a vicious and cruel thing is going on in the class that Takeru, Towa, and Misuzu belong to? The thought made me so worried that I can’t pretend not to see it.

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“Ahh…….it’s not a prank. Our classmate in that seat, she passed……..”

“W, What……? That seat in the back too…..?”

“Yeah. Two of our classmates died right after school began…….This seat belonged to Uematsu, the one in the back was Kumamoto’s………I don’t know exactly how it happened but……., there’s really no getting used to this……..”

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Takeru sadly gazes at the flowers placed on Uematsu-san’s table.

I didn’t know…..

I’m ashamed of myself for how clueless I am.

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“Uematsu committed suicide before I even get to know her……..we could have become friends but she died before we got the chance to talk……..it’s really gut-wrenching, to be honest…….”

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The gut-wrenching feeling that you can’t get used to.

Takeru was gazing at Kumamoto-san’s seat with the same forlorn look.

I see…….

I pray that Uematsu-san finds peace in the afterlife.

When Takeru said [We could have become friends] I really felt it.

When I think about it, I can’t help wondering if things would have gone differently if I knew Uematsu-san and Kumamoto-san before their deaths.

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“Alright, let’s get to our search shall we.”

“Right.”

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It was when Takeru’s words brought me back to the present.

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“Ju, Ju, Ju, Juumonji is with a gir!?”

“Oi, stop that, Tsugaru.”

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A girl with green hair and a headband walks up to me and Takeru.

[It didn’t bother me…Besides, there’s someone like her in my class so I’m already used to that type……..] I understand the meaning of his words now.

This Tsugaru person is a lot like Emi.

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“A, Are you his girlfriend…..?”

“……….no.”

“There’s a delay. You’ve got a chance, Juumonji.”

“Shut up……”

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Seeing Takeru being teased, Tsugaru-san’s face starts to overlap with Emi’s.

They are exactly the same type…….

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“If Hideyori was here he would tease you to no end you know?”

“He’s the reason I’m with her now though.”

“……….my condolence.”

“Wait, what, why?”

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I silently watched Takeru and Tsugaru-san.

For some reason, seeing them so close made me a little irritated.

……..what is this feeling?

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It’s Takeru’s fault too.

[He’s the reason I’m with her now though.]

It’s frustrating when he puts it like he’s stuck with me as a punishment.

What is this?

Just what is this pain in my chest…….?

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“Awawawa, the girls targeting Juumonji are all my type! Hi, I’m Tsugaru Madoka!”

“Y, Yeah……Fukamori Mitsuki.”

“I assume Mitsuki’d like to join Madoka’s Harem right? Don’t worry you’ll be a regular member right away.”

“Sorry, I’d like to refrain from that……”

“Kuh…… so you won’t join right away huh.”

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Looking at Tsugaru-san, I felt that this person might even be an even bigger oddball than Emi.

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“There’s no way she would join something like that right. Give it up, TsugaMado.”

“Shut it. I’m going to make a bigger harem than Juumonji’s harem alright!”

“I’m not trying to make that kind of suspicious group I’ll have you know!?”

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Takeru and Tsugaru-san seem to have the ‘Bad Friend’ kind of relationship.

For some reason, it eases my mind.

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“Hey, Risa! Your brother just brought his girlfriend over, you know?”

“Nii-san!”

“Uwah, Risa!?”

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When Tsugaru-san called out, a black-haired girl who looks very similar to Takeru appeared.

They really are brother and sister.

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“Ni, Nii-san, you made a gi–……..?”

“Ri, Risa……?”

“I need to see if you’re worthy of being Nii-san’s girlfriend first. Please come this way.”

“DON’T!? WHAT’S UP WITH THIS ANYWAY!?”

“Nii-san, maybe you should start paying attention to the people around you. To me or Towa-san or Madoka-san or me and or me.”

“Nn? Why?”

“……….”

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Is this really a brother-sister exchange?

Is it just me or do they look more like a couple than siblings…….?

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“Ar, Are you Nii-san girlfriend!?”

“……no, I’m not?”

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For some reason, Takeru’s younger sister switched her target to me.

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“Phew, thank goodness.”

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She seems to be relieved for some reason.

What is this?

Is this the so-called brocon thing……..?

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“That’s my little sister, Risa. This is Fukamori Mitsuki. Due to some circumstances, I will be helping Mitsuki with something for a while. Get along with her okay, Risa.”

“Hmm…….. You will be helping Mitsuki-san for a while huh.”

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Risa-san narrowed her eyes and stared at me.

That’s hostility alright……..

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“Well, be nice alright.”

“Nice to meet you, Nii-san’s acquaintance Mitsuki-san.”

“Y, Yeah…….nice to meet you too, Takeru’s younger sister Risa-san.”

“ *GIGIGI*…….”

“ *GUGUGUGU*……”

“?”

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It doesn’t seem like I will be able to get along with Risa-san or Akechi Hideyori.

Sparks are flying just because we are staring at each other after all.

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“Juumonji…….you know, you really ought to stop relying on Hideyori’s sense when it comes to romance okay?”

“Eh?”

“This dense blackhole…….Hideyori is one thing since he does it knowingly but your cluelessness makes it much worse you know………”

“?”

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I could see Takeru and Tsugaru-san whispering something to each other in the corner of my eye.

But Tsugaru-san doesn’t seem like she has any romantic feelings toward Takeru. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure that Risa-san’s affection is going beyond their brother-sister relationship……..

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Takeru seemed to be on Towa’s mind as well. Could it be that Takeru is actually quite popular?

I’m glad that Towa is not here right now.

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After that, we got back to our main objective and asked around about people with rare Gifts in this class and if they know someone who might be able to help us.

However, Tsugaru-san doesn’t seem to be a Gift Holder while Takeru’s sister Gift doesn’t seem to be of help.

Even when we asked if they know anyone with rare Gifts, they only shook their heads

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“I think that Hideyori has some kind of amazing Gift though.”

“Right. Akechi-kun has that kind of aura doesn’t he?”

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The Juumonji siblings mentioned Akechi Hideyori.

Just how much do you two like that guy……..

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“Juumonji…….you really are…….”

“Eh?”

“You do not understand Hideyori at all do you……..”

“What do you mean?”

“Who knows? Don’t ask me. Go find out for yourself.”

“That guy is pretty much a lone wolf though.”

“Haa…..”

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Takeru and Tsugaru-san also talk about Akechi Hideyori.

I just can not understand why they would be so fond of him.

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In the end, we couldn’t find anything useful in Takeru’s class.

It’s a shame but that can’t be helped.

Since Takeru and I couldn’t obtain the information we’re looking for, it seems that we will have to extend our search range to the other classes as well.

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“Nothing useful came up huh. Well, let’s do our best together from now on as well, Mitsuki!”

“Yeah! Thank you, Takeru.”

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Takeru gently gave me a pat on the back and encouraged me.

It made me happy to be cheered up by him like this.

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“Nn?”

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I can feel a gaze on me but when I looked around, I couldn’t find anyone.

Is it just my imagination……?

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“What’s wrong, Mitsuki?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“I see. Then I will walk you back to your class.”

“Thank you, Takeru.”

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“I’m gonna get diabetes.” We left Takeru’s class while being teased by Madoka.

Do we look like a couple? That thought made my face heat up……..

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“Why…….? Why is Onee-sama with Takeru-san…….? Why…….? WHY……, WHYYY………”

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The gaze was left unnoticed.