Right by the gate of Toyogasaki Private School, Shichen leaned against a tree trunk, gazing at the two dragons off in the distant sky.
It truly was a fantastical sight, but at this point he could no longer feel astonished.
Having learned spatial magic, he naturally sensed the spatial distortion right away, because it was the same phenomenon as when Tohru first appeared. He decided to stand by and observe.
But he hadn't expected that Kanna would show up.
At the first glimpse of the white dragon, he realized who it was—though not because he was so familiar with Kanna personally, but with Tohru here, it made perfect sense for Kanna to appear as well.
He was already quite satisfied that Tohru had appeared in this world; he never imagined Kanna would come too. And indeed—
[Detected a Divine's Fragment host!]
[Target Individual — Kanna]
[Task: Spend time with her and foster her dependence, then collect the Divine's Fragment.]
Just as he anticipated, Kanna was also a host of a Divine's Fragment.
Kanna was likely here to look for Tohru, but it didn't really matter. Since she was here, she wouldn't be getting away.
A tiny Kanna was perfect for raising as a daughter, Shichen had once harbored that idea from afar.
He didn't rush to interrupt the two dragons' reunion; he believed Tohru could keep Kanna around. Even if she couldn't, Kanna wouldn't be in such a hurry to leave.
So Shichen continued to quietly watch the clouds and these two dragons in the sky. Meanwhile, the school bell at Toyogasaki rang to signal the end of classes.
Dingding
Finally, the dismissal bell rang. Shichen reined in his gaze and looked toward the school gate, waiting for that mature, captivating figure to appear.
Before long, students began exiting the gate, though not many—these were mostly kids in the go-straight-home club.
Seeing the familiar yet somewhat distant uniform, Shichen felt oddly nostalgic.
He wasn't in a particularly hidden spot. A lot of people quickly noticed him, and some recognized him.
After all, with that striking appearance, plus him having come here with Kasumigaoka Utaha a month earlier, no one had forgotten.
Some students couldn't help slowing down to watch, wanting to see if he'd once again come for Kasumigaoka Utaha.
A cluster of "go-home club" members was already into gaming and anime; they were also big fans of pretty girls—especially those like Utaha, who had the special aura of a black-haired beauty. She was a top student, had black hair, wore black stockings (until recently), gave off an unapproachable vibe… So many alluring attributes inevitably piqued their interest.
Humans are creatures of gossip, after all.
The group outside the school gate kept growing. Most were male students. There were fewer girls in the go-home club—girls in high school often devoted themselves to club activities to "sing of their youth."
But some did not like club activities; they preferred hanging out with friends after school instead. This type of girl usually got lumped in with the "gyaru" set. And gyaru have little resistance to handsome guys.
Shichen's outward look plus that special aura of his tugged at their interest. Many girls called over their friends to "come look."
Soon, the crowd at the school gate grew bigger and bigger.
Shichen didn't particularly mind the onlookers. In the past, he might have gotten carried away by all this attention, but now, the only ones in his heart were those beloved girls of his.
Though the commotion felt a bit excessive, he wondered whether to keep standing there.
He recalled that Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't do any after-school club activities. Typically, she'd hurry home once classes were done.
Unless, in the month he'd been away, she'd joined some club?
Not wanting to cause trouble for the school, Shichen decided to wait a short while longer, and if she didn't show, he'd leave and find another place to wait for her. Pity about the "surprise," but oh well.
Thankfully, a little over a minute later, a lovely figure carrying a single-strap bag gradually walked out of the school gate.
She walked elegantly, taking small steps. Her figure was mesmerizing, and that school uniform, as if tailor-made for her, looked completely different from how it appeared on the other girls—youthful yet brimming with allure.
Perhaps because the weather had grown hot, she wore white over-knee socks instead of the black stockings Shichen remembered. Between the pleated skirt and the white kneesocks was a glimpse of pale skin, just as eye-catching as the stockings had been.
Her long legs had just the right amount of flesh, exuding charm. There should have been a clash with those pure white socks, yet somehow they blended beautifully.
She was, all at once, a teenage girl, yet so mature.
Her mere appearance made those who had been staring at Shichen shift focus onto her. The male students' eyes burned with admiration. Many yearned from afar.
Meanwhile, girls sighed or envied, their expressions changing rapidly.
Kasumigaoka Utaha ignored these gazes, her face as calm as ever—she was long used to it.
But when she saw the guy responsible for gathering people at the gate, her cold "stranger-repelling" expression melted away, replaced by undisguised delight.
Unconsciously, she quickened her pace toward that "culprit."
Shichen smiled at Kasumigaoka Utaha as she came near, spreading his arms wide. "Utaha, I'm back."
"You still know how to come back!"
Rather than going into the hug he'd offered, Kasumigaoka Utaha gave his chest a punch. It didn't hurt at all.
Yet her face carried a definite smile, clearly thrilled that he had returned.
"You missed me, huh?" Shichen kept his arms open, smiling as he asked.
"Hmph, who'd miss you?" Kasumigaoka Utaha turned her head with a soft snort.
"Ouch, that hurts my feelings."
"It's only been a month anyway… so did you miss me?" Kasumigaoka Utaha, unable to hold back, lobbed back a question.
"Isn't my gesture obvious?" Shichen gestured to his arms still spread wide.
"Meaning…?" Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled gently, though it was quite a leading question.
"Wanna run into my arms? You did let me hug you the day I left, remember?"
"Hmph, that's not the same." Kasumigaoka Utaha retorted. "Last time you said it was for a blessing. This time, what is it?"
"Uh… to celebrate our reunion?"
"Asking me? Not a firm enough reason, so I refuse."
"Then let's try a different approach." Shichen switched gears, lowering one arm.
She eyed his right hand still extended, blinking. "And that is…?"
"Think it's alright if we at least hold hands? Is that enough?" he asked earnestly.
"Hold hands… so many people are watching."
"I don't know them, so who cares? Or are you worried?"
"I don't know them either… but you should at least give me some reason I'd go along with it."
"Hmm…" Shichen thought for a moment, then said, "You're an author, I'm your loyal reader. Let's say it's a handshake—how's that?"
"In that case… I guess that works." Kasumigaoka Utaha laughed softly, then placed her slender white hand into his.
Shichen grasped it—skin so smooth and cool. "Alright, let's head back."
"Sure. Carry my bag."
"No problem."
Holding hands, the two walked off under most onlookers' blank stares, the two casually chatting. Their conversation still drifted to those frozen in place at the gate.
"How come you came out so late? Did you have a duty or something?"
"Don't bring it up. Lately, I've been pestered by some twin-tailed blonde. Finally shook her off… When did you meet that nuisance?"
"Huh?"
"Don't play dumb with me. That day you left, she came looking for me saying something about a 'prince on a white horse.' What exactly did you do?"
"I have no clue…"
"Liar!"
"I really don't know… Anyway, that's not important. Something more serious has happened—my house got another dragon."
"What?"
"… …"
Gradually, they walked off into the distance and disappeared. The crowd at the school gates remained stuck in place, dazed.
Just then, urgent footsteps resounded from inside the school, followed by a slight golden figure sprinting out the gate.
Panting, she scanned around, but did not see the figure she wanted. She hurried to some classmates who'd informed her, asking breathlessly: "Where's Kasumigaoka? That person with her, the guy—where are they?"
"Th-they just left…" a female student, startled by her, pointed in the direction Shichen and Kasumigaoka Utaha had gone.
She swiftly turned her head, twin ponytails swinging, searching in vain.
Sure enough, she saw no one.
~~~
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