My New Life as a Mob Chapter 4

The next day, when I arrived at school, Saita was already in his seat. I headed to my own desk, glancing at him cautiously out of the corner of my eye.

There weren't many people in the classroom yet. It was the perfect chance to bring up what happened on the field trip. However, since I couldn't just walk up and strike up a conversation out of nowhere, I had no choice but to let it slide.

...Still, I was bored. Excruciatingly bored.

Having experienced life as a university student once, honestly, living a proper high school life again was pretty tough. The mornings were ridiculously early, and classes were packed tight from first period all the way to seventh.

It was bearable since it was material I had studied once before, but conversely, knowing it all made it painfully boring.

Maybe because everyday had been so hectic lately, I couldn't get into the mood to just relax and read a book, so I pulled out a textbook instead. This was a lesson learned from my previous life: it never hurts to study.

As I aimlessly moved my mechanical pencil over the material for the next midterm exam, I felt someone standing behind me.

"Nishikikoji-kun."

I felt a tap on my shoulder at the same time I heard the voice. I flinched for a second, but turned around immediately.

"Oh, Saita. Morning."

Wearing his usual refreshing yet suspicious smile, Saita peered down at my hands.

"Studying for midterms already? You're on the ball."

"No, I just had some free time now. Just a coincidence."

In my previous life, I was the type to cram the night before a test. I wasn't naturally the diligent type who chipped away at studying bit by bit.

Saita nodded as if convinced, saying "Hmm," and continued the conversation.

"By the way, apparently Marui-sensei is absent for math today."

"Eh, seriously? So it's self-study?"

"Yup. Lucky, right? I heard about it in the staff room this morning."

Math class was terribly sleep-inducing, yet if you dozed off, you'd get whacked awake with a textbook. Plus, the amount of homework assigned after every class was insane, so I was quite happy about it becoming a self-study period.

"Come to think of it, you're the Class Rep, aren't you, Saita?"

"Ah, well, it was practically decided for me without my input."

"True, that was a disaster."

Ayame was the top scorer on the entrance exam, but Saita was second. During the first homeroom, the teacher, knowing this, had recommended Saita for Class Representative. Naturally, no student would object to a teacher's recommendation, so Saita was tearfully forced into the role.

As if yesterday had never happened, Saita continued with small talk.

While I was giving vague replies, Narita arrived. As the three of us fell into a conversation, the chime rang. The homeroom teacher entered the classroom, and the morning homeroom began.

At a glance, it was a perfectly ordinary scene of high school life. It was almost too mundane.

Contrasting it with the turbulence from yesterday, I held back a sigh. In the end, Saita hadn't said anything about it. I still had no clue why he’d told such a pointless lie, especially when he was the one initiating the conversation.

However... it was certain that asking him wouldn't solve anything.

The fact that Saita was acting strangely was definitely because I had reincarnated. The story was already going completely off the rails. Surely, a course correction was being attempted somewhere. In that case, it would be best for me to stay quiet.

I sighed quietly and stood up in time with Saita's call to stand and bow.

I had faintly suspected it since Kanna revealed her secret to me, but this world was facing an uncertain future, with the traces of the original game fading more and more.

◇

I woke up, glancing sideways at the clock which read ten in the morning. Perhaps it was just my imagination, but it felt like the most refreshing morning I'd had in a month.

Feeling carefree, I slowly got up and even made my bed.

"Man, I really worked hard this past month, didn't I?"

I nodded to my own words repeatedly. There was only one reason I was this excited.

"I am going to spend this Golden Week doing absolutely nothing but laze around at home~!"

After declaring this to an empty room, I immediately pressed the power button on the TV remote.

Living through a month of strange tension had been exhausting. The incident on the field trip was the icing on the cake. To reward myself for surviving the month, I had planned this for a while. My plan was to make absolutely no plans during Golden Week and just laze around.

Because I had been so busy, my private life hadn't been fulfilling at all, so maybe I should bulk-buy some light novels. Fortunately, money was the one thing I had plenty of.

"Ah, I think I'll order delivery for lunch, too."

I was suddenly getting excited. Since going out on the first day felt like a hassle, I peered into the bookshelf intending to borrow something of Nishikikoji's—and froze.

Let alone light novels, there weren't even any manga. There were only old reference books.

I found some game cartridges around the TV, but they were ones I had cleared ages ago. Since they were globally popular titles, I remembered the stories quite clearly. They weren't the kind of games I could replay for a fresh experience.

Subscription services were a pain to sign up for, and above all, I was a "physical media" person when it came to manga and novels.

In other words...

"I might actually die of boredom during this Golden Week."

It appeared this house was devoid of entertainment.

◇

I had dreamed of rolling around on my bed or sofa all day, reading manga with a slice of pizza in one hand, but I decided to venture out just past noon.

I had done a light cleaning in the morning, creating the optimal environment for lazing around. Now, all I needed were light novels to make it perfect.

"If I want a big bookstore, I guess it's in front of the station... but taking the train is a pain."

However, near the station, there was less chance of running into classmates. I still didn't really know the geography of this area, but I knew the station since I used it every day.

With my destination decided, I started walking in high spirits. Since I was going out, maybe I'd catch a movie too. My list of things to do was expanding rapidly. Perhaps because it was Golden Week, there were a few more people than usual, but even that didn't bother me.

"Um, please stop it..."

Hearing a voice I had heard many times since coming to this world, and hearing how weak it sounded, I instinctively stopped in my tracks.

"I have plans after this."

"Come on, just five minutes is fine. Right, just exchanging contacts is all I'm asking."

"No, I'm fine, really."

On the narrow path leading to the shopping district, Ayame was being harassed by a large man. Judging by the atmosphere, it was clearly a nanpa (pickup attempt). So far, no one else seemed to have noticed.

Gulp. I swallowed hard.

...I was probably the only one who could save her.

Ayame put a little distance between herself and the man, then started walking, ignoring him. In that instant, the man panicked and grabbed Ayame's arm. Hey now, that's crossing the line.

"Really, just exchanging contacts is fine. Come on."

Perhaps she didn't expect him to be this persistent; I could see panic and fear mixed in Ayame's expression.

I might... have no choice but to intervene.

Personally, I wanted to avoid death flags as much as possible. Getting involved with Ayame now might literally kill me.

I had thought the same thing when I went to deliver the notepad to Ayame the first time. If I go help her now and create a connection, will I regret it? Moreover, since Ayame already recognizes my face, the conditions are much worse than before.

Ayame tried to shake off his hand. But the man's grip only tightened, and she couldn't break free easily.

It was supposed to be an elegant holiday, but I guess it can't be helped. The urgency seemed too high to stand around thinking.

"Excuse me. We have plans to go out together right now. Who might you be?"

I trotted up to the two of them and swatted away the hand of the pickup artist who was still grabbing Ayame's arm.

Up close, the man was much larger than me, which honestly made me break out in a cold sweat. However, the man seemed quite flustered by me suddenly claiming to be her boyfriend. He mumbled something unintelligible like "Uh, ah...", clicked his tongue, and walked away.

"Phew..." I let out a breath.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?"

When I spoke to Ayame, she nodded repeatedly as if snapping back to reality. She lifted her face, which had been cast down, and stared at me.

Then, her face lit up brightly.

"You're the person who delivered my notepad before the entrance ceremony!"

"Ah, well..."

It would probably be a stretch to say she got the wrong person. When I gave a vague response, Ayame squeezed my hand tight.

"I've been looking for you ever since school started. I wanted to thank you. And really, thank you for today as well... I'm always being saved by you."

"No, I just happened to be passing through this road to get to the other side of the station. It was really just a coincidence. Besides, you know, leaving a guy like that unchecked is scarier, so I did it for myself, mostly."

"Even if it was a coincidence, or for your own sake, I was saved... Um!"

Ayame put a little emphasis on the end of her sentence.

"Do you have any plans after this!?"

"After this... well."

Honestly, my head was filled with nothing but going to the bookstore to buy light novels. Naturally, my "plans" for today were practically non-existent. I hesitated, but Ayame continued without minding.

"If you don't have plans, please let me thank you properly. Including for the time you delivered the notepad."

"Ah, but..."

"Only if you really don't have plans. But please!"

I was overwhelmed by Ayame, who was pushier than I expected. But I couldn't let myself be steamrolled here.

"Umm, well, today I was thinking of meeting up with someone. Yeah."

"Is that so..."

When I lied, Ayame instantly wilted. The guilt felt like it was crushing my chest.

"But I might have about thirty minutes."

"Really...!"

Ayame squeezed my hand tightly once more.

"Thank you! Please let me repay you."

◇

While amazed at my own pushover nature, I started walking with Ayame. My plan to spend time alone, slowly and quietly, had taken an unexpected turn.

"Um, I've been thinking about it for a long time. I looked around the school, but I couldn't find you... By the way, may I ask your name?"

"Ah, um, I'm Nishikikoji Kaede."

"So it's Nishikikoji-san! I've memorized it! You probably know from the entrance ceremony speech, but my name is Hananoi Ayame."

"Hananoi-san... nice to meet you."

"Yes!"

Unlike her anxious face at the entrance ceremony, Ayame with a beaming smile had more destructive power than I imagined.

"Um, right, the notepad helped me so much, so I was thinking about how to thank you, or what to give you the whole time. For example, treating you to cake at a cafe, or giving you sweets from a delicious confectionery shop. But since I was able to meet you like this, I can ask you directly, Nishikikoji-san. What would you like?"

Ayame tilted her head. Unlike Kanna's calculated cuteness, this seemed to be a natural gesture. Conversely, that made Ayame seem dangerous in her own way...

"What would I like, huh..."

Honestly, saying "anything is fine" might be too much, but nothing particular came to mind. Leaving aside anything directly connected to death flags.

As I hummed and hawed, agonizing over it, Ayame peeked at my face gently from the side.

"I'm sorry. It's troubling to be asked something like this so suddenly, isn't it?"

"No, I'm just trying to consider the options."

Ayame placed her index finger on her chin.

"Let's see. Hmm. You said you had about thirty minutes, right?"

"Oh, yeah, exactly about thirty minutes."

"In that case, there's a cafe I've been wanting to go to. It's never that crowded, so I think we can get out within thirty minutes. Would you like to go together? I'll treat you, Nishikikoji-san."

Either drag this out awkwardly or get treated at a cafe in exactly thirty minutes? Thinking about it, the latter seemed like it would wrap things up much smoother.

"Umm, please lead the way."

"Leave it to me!"

Ayame smiled brightly.

◇

Ayame led me to a stylish cafe furnished with wood-grain furniture, giving it a somewhat hideaway atmosphere. It was the kind of shop I hadn't entered much in either my previous life or this one.

Ayame ordered a blueberry cheesecake, and I ordered the seasonal chiffon cake, and we sat facing each other.

"What class are you in, Nishikikoji-san?"

"I'm in Class 7."

"I see... I'm in Class 1. We're on opposite ends, so that's why I didn't know."

Ayame nodded. It was also partly because the high school we attended was so large.

The conversation with Ayame was livelier than I expected and never lulled. Moreover, seeing Ayame stuff her cheeks happily with the sweets that arrived was ridiculously cute. In the first place, Ayame was the heroine who struck my fancy so perfectly she was the reason I started liking this game, so this situation was truly like heaven.

"That day, early in the morning, I was at that park desperately reading my speech notes."

Suddenly, the tone of Ayame's voice changed.

"Actually, I'm shy and tend to get nervous. But maybe because it doesn't show on my face much, everyone thinks I'm not like that at all, that I have a strong mentality... I was happy. Because you told me to do my best, Nishikikoji-san, I was able to do my best. I wanted to thank you in that sense as well."

It was a smile that looked just a little lonely, or perhaps had a shadow somewhere. It was somehow different from the sparkling expression she had just a moment ago.

"Oh... thirty minutes have almost passed. Shall we get the bill?"

"Is it that time already? Thank you for today."

"No, I was the one who forcibly kept you because I wanted to."

As Ayame stood up from her chair, I stood up as well.

"Thank you very much for today. I look forward to seeing you again."

"Thank you, too."

We parted ways in front of the cafe. I waved back at Ayame, who was waving at me.

Putting death flags aside... it ended up being a busier day than I expected, but maybe this wasn't so bad. Now, if I could just get my hands on some light novels, everything would be perfect.

"Alright, for the rest of Golden Week, I'm going to take it easy no matter what."

I muttered under my breath.

◇

Mercilessly, Golden Week turned out to be surprisingly short.

Feeling like I was going to die, I headed to school. I thought about playing hooky just for today, but I felt like if I skipped once, I'd never be able to go again, so I gave up.

During Golden Week, I just lazed around reading manga and light novels. Fortunately, the lineup hadn't changed much from my previous life, so while I couldn't get the latest volumes, I was able to read the series I usually read.

Protecting my book with a book cover, I somehow managed to get into the classroom a little early. There were still few students around. This meant I could read my book comfortably.

"Okay then," I thought as I opened the page, but a voice came from the center of the classroom.

"Ah, Kanna-chan. Can you do that for me?"

"That?"

"Yeah, yeah. Sorry, I really can't because of club activities."

I vaguely looked toward Kanna and the female student. Two cardboard boxes were piled up in the direction of their gaze. Most likely they were asked by a teacher, but no matter how you looked at it, that amount was too much for one girl to carry.

"Ah~ okay. Got it. I'll carry them."

Kana was popular in class, so it was only natural that she was often asked to do things. Even so, wasn't that... a bit much?

After watching the person she was talking to leave for club activities, Kanna started moving the cardboard boxes. Currently, only Kanna and I were in the classroom. She seemed to be trying to carry them alone somehow, but... it looked tough.

"Where do I have to take these?"

I knew that thinking about the death flags, I shouldn't do this. But I couldn't just leave Kanna alone when she clearly wouldn't be able to carry those heavy-looking boxes.

"Eh, are you sure?"

Kanna looked apologetic... but helping to carry something was no big deal.

"It's pretty heavy, right?"

When I asked, Kanna laughed a little shyly and nodded.

"Then, please take one! ...Even so, you noticed well."

"No, how should I say it... when we talked before, I thought you might be pretty bad at this kind of thing. Even though you're always relied on by those around you..."

Kanna blinked and fell silent for just a moment.

"Well, it's not that I'm bad at it, but I did think it would be a bit tough this time."

"Yeah," she fell silent again, as if telling herself something. "Between this and last time... you really pay attention to people, don't you, Nishikikoji-kun?"

"I wonder."

It was mostly because I knew the content of the original game, but Kanna seemed somewhat happy.

"Yeah. You helped me out today too... Ah, this is the place. Thanks!"

We placed the cardboard boxes in the designated classroom and left together.

"First period today is English, right? I hate it~"

Continuing the conversation, we returned to the classroom.

Regarding the death flags... please overlook this much.

◇

"Do you know where this book goes?"

"Ah. That one? It's philosophy, so... that shelf over there, I think. Give it here. I'll put it away."

"Eh, are you sure?"

"Yeah. I was just about to go over there anyway."

"But Natsuki doesn't have any work other than this, so Natsuki will follow you. Natsuki wants to memorize where the books go quickly, too."

Two days after the field trip ended, the Library Committee work had started off nicely. Natsuki handed me the book and walked with a bounce in her step next to me.

"You know a lot about Library Committee work, Nishikikoji."

"Ah, maybe because I did it in middle school."

I answered while sweating bullets internally. It was in my previous life that I was a Library Committee member. I don't know what committee Nishikikoji joined in middle school. Probably one he could skip easily.

I don't think I'll get caught, but I feel a little guilty in these situations. Especially when the other person is Natsuki, who is pure and has absolutely no cloudiness in her personality.

"I see. Can Natsuki ask you if there's anything else Natsuki doesn't understand in the future?"

"Yeah. Ask anything."

"Alright! Natsuki has acquired a trustworthy ally!."

"Haha. What's that about?"

"Hmm? It's from a game Natsuki has been playing recently. It's fun. Ah~ Natsuki wishes she could go to a game world."

"...You're right."

Truly. How great would it be to go to a game world as a hero or adventurer. If possible, I wanted to be reincarnated on the protagonist's side and live a flirtatious harem life with the heroines...!

"Nishikikoji...? Is this the right place for this?"

"Ah, yeah. Right there."

While I was dwelling on my misfortune, Natsuki was stretching to put a book on the shelf. But she couldn't quite reach it.

"Give it here."

I took the book from Natsuki and put it on the shelf.

"Thanks!"

"Just tell me when you can't reach... Uh, besides, Narita is here too. He's taller than me, so I think he can reach even higher places."

Feeling like I was saying something outrageous while talking, I hurriedly brought up Narita. Man, if I had reincarnated as, if not the protagonist, at least a mob character, I wouldn't have had to worry about such sad things.

Ignoring me for taking light damage, Natsuki nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah. Seriously, thank you. Natsuki wants to become friends with Narita-kun too, so Natsuki will ask him then."

"No, no, likewise."

It turned into a weird exchange of politeness, and we both chuckled.

"There aren't many people today, huh~"

"I guess not many people use the library."

Hardly anyone had come for a while now; it was totally empty. Thanks to that, there was incredibly little work.

"Still, lucky Natsuki! Natsuki has someone she knows here, and the work is fun. Natsuki is glad Natsuki chose the Library Committee!"

"True. We were able to form a group of four immediately, too."

"Actually, Natsuki was debating between this and taking the PE Committee. But Yukka turned Natsuki down, so Natsuki stopped."

"Well, the PE Committee is... they have a lot of work where you stand in front of people."

That was the one I eliminated from my candidates immediately.

"Natsuki had never done the Library Committee before, and look, Natsuki has done nothing but sports until now, right? So this kind of thing was a first. Natsuki is seriously glad Natsuki did it. Natsuki didn't think it would be this fun."

"Yeah. I'm having more fun than before too, somehow..."

When I did it in high school in my previous life, there were fewer committee members and the workload was heavier. Also, the atmosphere was less "let's get along" and more "just do the work"...

"Is that so? Then that's great!"

"Right. Ah, books are piling up again."

While we were chatting, about three books had been placed in the return corner before we knew it. This high school seemed unnecessarily advanced, so borrowing and returning books was all self-service. So, the Library Committee's work was just organizing the shelves and returning books from the return corner. We went to return the books again.

Just as we put them all on the shelves, the chime rang, ding-dong.

"Is that it for today?"

"That was fast~"

"Lunch break is surprisingly short, isn't it?"

Narita seemed to have finished his work too and came out from behind a bookshelf. We headed back to the classroom together.

"By the way, Kaede."

I myself have only known Narita for exactly about a month. This past month has been truly turbulent, but honestly, there were parts that I managed somehow because Narita was there. The twisted relationship between Nishikikoji and Narita, like a boss and henchman, had largely dissolved, and we had come to associate relatively equally as friends.

Recently, Narita switched to calling me by my first name for some reason, so I started calling him by his first name too. Curious about what followed, I glanced at him sideways.

"What do you think of Yuka-chan?"

"Eh, Ikuta...?"

Ikuta Yuka—Natsuki's childhood friend. Average height. Black hair, medium length. Usually she wears it down, but today she had it in a ponytail. She seemed neat and serious, and I had thought from the moment I saw her that she looked exactly like Narita's type.

I think her face is cute too, but I don't really have anything to talk to her about.

"What do I think? Nothing in particular, really."

"Ah, I see. No, well, when I talked to her today, it turns out we like the same band. She asked me if I wanted to go to a live concert with her sometime."

"Going together, huh..."

I'm someone who never had a conversation with a girl in my previous life. Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I am incredibly jealous of Narita right now.

"Since it's you, Kaede, I want your opinion: do you think I have a shot...?"

To me, with zero romantic experience, I could only reply with something like "Maybe...?" Surely Narita wants to ask because Nishikikoji had played around with women so flashily...

"Maybe... you do...?"

"You think so too, Kaede...?"

Although I escaped with a clichéd answer, Narita nodded seriously.

"Somehow, it didn't feel like she was opposed to the idea. We exchanged contacts. Yeah. I think I can make this work."

Calling each other by first names right after meeting, exchanging contacts, saying "I can make this work." Even if he's the "underdog" character, Narita is way more of a player than me.

However, considering their association with mixers and such, thinking this must be quite wholesome now, I was made to listen to Narita talk about Ikuta until we returned to the classroom.

Since I reincarnated as a high school student, I want to have a high school-like youth too.

...Well, given that I was reincarnated as Nishikikoji Kaede and things have turned out like this, I can't see a future where that works out at all.

◇

For a week from there, nothing special happened.

Saita, too, only made small talk just as before. That mysterious story from the field trip had become something neither Saita nor I touched upon. I spent my break time with Narita as usual, so really, nothing happened.

"Haa..."

During Library Committee work, I inadvertently let out a sigh.

Last week I had a terrible time because of Saita. The teacher didn't listen to me and just assumed I was skipping class, and in fact, I couldn't even say anything. My stomach really hurts...

"Are you okay, Nishikikoji?"

As I was trying to put a book on a low shelf, Natsuki peered into my face.

When we started the Library Committee work, I apologized for what happened last week, but she cheerfully replied, "Natsuki forgets things often too, so it's fine!" Just like in the original game, she really has an infinitely soothing atmosphere.

"Ah... I'm okay."

"That's the 'not okay' kind of answer. Want to take a break?"

"But students might still come..."

"Nishikikoji, you're so serious. Natsuki is the one who wants to slack off! Come on, be Natsuki's accomplice. Natsuki hates getting scolded alone. Please."

Natsuki laughed mischievously.

Well, a little bit should be fine.

When I went in the direction Natsuki was beckoning me to, saying "This way, this way," we arrived at a space surrounded by tall bookshelves. It was just wide enough for two people to fit in, and true, it seemed you couldn't see inside from the outside.

"See, you can hide really well in here."

"I didn't know there was a place like this."

"Nishikikoji, you've been a Library Committee member since middle school, but you didn't know?"

"N-No, not many people borrowed books from this area."

When I answered hurriedly, Natsuki nodded in understanding.

"Well~ it seems so. Natsuki found this place when Natsuki was running away from remedial classes too."

"You were running away again..."

She never learns.

"Natsuki hasn't run away since you guys hid Natsuki. It was before that, before. Natsuki got called out because Natsuki's quiz score was too bad. And they didn't find Natsuki that time!"

Natsuki made a peace sign, saying "Yay."

"I see. Then why did you come to the stairs at that time?"

"Ah~ that was, well. The teacher came faster than Natsuki thought. Natsuki didn't have time to run into the library."

"I see."

"But it was good that the teacher's reaction was fast that time. Because Natsuki got to meet you, Nishikikoji."

Fufun, Natsuki laughed triumphantly.

...Being swung around by Saita regarding the field trip and the Library Committee, Natsuki's innocence soothes my soul. The destructive power of a heroine is amazing.

"I see... thanks."

For a moment, I hesitated whether to reply, "I'm glad I met you too, Asahina," but I stopped myself. When I seriously imagined myself saying that, I got goosebumps.

However, Natsuki seemed dissatisfied with that reply.

"Jeez, that's where you're supposed to reply, 'I'm glad I met you too'."

"I'm glad I met you too."

"You don't mean that at all."

Natsuki puffed out her cheeks. Poof.

"I mean it."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Then, fine."

Perhaps because the bookshelves were tall, it was exquisitely dim—for better or worse—and because we were forced to fit into the narrow space together, the degree of contact was high. Too high. Moreover, although it was quiet inside here, since it was lunch break, the library itself was a bit noisier than usual.

No, isn't this bad...? Shouldn't it not be me? The one being taken to a spot like this by Natsuki. I mean, what happened to Saita...? If he doesn't make more contact with the heroines and make everyone happy, I'll be in trouble.

However, even in this kind of atmosphere, the purity of not thinking too deeply about it is very Natsuki-like.

"But Natsuki is glad."

"Hm?"

"Because you seem to have cheered up a bit, Nishikikoji."

"Eh."

Natsuki, who was fidgeting with her hands, kept her eyes cast down.

"You looked kind of down, right? So Natsuki wanted you to cheer up even a little. Natsuki thought if we took a break or something, you might cheer up."

So that's why she invited me here.

"Thank you."

"W-Well, Natsuki wanted to talk too! It's not... something to be thanked for..."

"But I really did cheer up."

"Then, good."

Natsuki smiled brightly. She really is cute.

"Natsuki doesn't really get it, but you're doing your best, right? Natsuki can tell from the atmosphere. Natsuki is rooting for you."

"Thanks. I'll do my best."

To think just the words "I'm rooting for you" could bring out this much energy. I thought this while playing the original game too, but Natsuki has absolutely no hidden side, which everyone usually has. She's a girl who acts thinking of others from the bottom of her heart. In a sense, she's pure, but she properly understands the light and shadow in people.

But precisely because of that, I can be reassured that Natsuki's words are her true feelings.

...I have to do my best too. I'll smash the death flags and make sure I can smile properly when this game ends.

Just as I nodded, the chime rang.

"We have to go back to the classroom."

"That went by in a flash."

"Yeah. For Natsuki too, really, it went by in a flash."

We stepped out of the space we were just in.

...If I think that I want to talk again next week, will it trigger a death flag?

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