Sumr had been gone for many days now, and the climate in Academy City was beginning to cool, the intense heat finally receding.
However, the seasonal uniform change wouldn't happen until the last few days of September, so for now, everyone was still making do with their sumr uniforms.
This wasn't really a problem for Natsu-san; even in sub-zero temperatures, she could probably still wander around in her sumr uniform without a care.
The sky was just beginning to lighten as the alarm clock by her ear started vibrating frantically, only to have its hamr instantly frozen solid by a certain soone.
Natsu Sonoko's head was buried deep within a giant bear pillow—a pillow whose contents seed to be ever-growing, almost rivaling the infamous 'Killer Bear' from Misaka-senpai's collection, though it definitely contained nothing illegal, of course.
A hand erged from within the pillow, fishing out a piece of candy and popping it into her mouth.
The certain atball headed girl opened her eyes with a dazed expression. The taste was a bit... odd.
Thanks to her intermittent morning taste bud degradation, Natsu-san soon blankly closed her eyes again, returning to her slumber.
A master of ti managent, the certain atball headed girl estimated she still had about twenty minutes to laze in bed. As long as she was out before the dorm supervisor made her rounds, it was fine.
Twenty minutes flashed by in an instant.
Rising at the usual last possible minute, she went to the cafeteria for breakfast during the less crowded period.
After bidding farewell to Juufuku Miho-san, who was waiting for the school bus at the gate, Natsu Sonoko finally set off on her journey to school.
After a few rather unpleasant experiences, Natsu-san had given up on taking the school bus for her commute.
She didn't have the habit of drinking coffee or eating sweets on the bus, usually just gazing at the scenery outside the window.
But after becoming a Level 5, Natsu Sonoko found she couldn't even enjoy a quiet view in peace, so she decided it was better to travel to and from school alone.
Alighting at the main gate of the School Garden from the white, cylindrical transport, Natsu Sonoko canceled her stealth and returned to a normal state, pulling out her ID card to swipe at the entrance.
Procedures like swiping in were essential; it was directly recorded into Natsu-san's attendance record.
"Good morning, Natsu-san."
A passing Tokiwadai student greeted Natsu Sonoko.
"Good morning," Natsu Sonoko replied politely, even though she didn't recognize the girl.
Now inside the School Garden proper, with people coming and going and surveillance caras everywhere, Natsu Sonoko couldn't very well turn invisible in public.
Fortunately, Tokiwadai Middle School wasn't far from the School Garden's entrance.
Although the entire walk was under scrutiny, with the occasional girl coming up to greet her, it was still within tolerable limits.
The annoyances of fa could be quite frustrating sotis. 'Fa portends trouble for n, as fattening does for pigs' was a rather apt description of her current situation.
Without even realizing it, Natsu Sonoko had stepped into the ranks of Tokiwadai's most renowned seniors.
As for the impact of becoming a Level 5 on Natsu-san, aside from the increased scholarship money, it mostly just brought various troubles stemming from her heightened profile.
"It's her? I almost forgot, she's a student within the School Garden too."
Walking along the path, Natsu Sonoko's gaze sharpened slightly, spotting a not-so-familiar acquaintance.
A girl with her head bowed, carrying a violin case, walked alone behind a group of students from the private Shidarezakura Academy.
Her bangs fell over her lovely eyes, and the ponytail on her head bobbed up and down with each step.
The Shidarezakura girls ahead were chatting and laughing, but this girl seed like a lone bird separated from the flock.
Yet, from the faint glimpse of her eyes, she seed to yearn to join the Shidarezakura group.
But she hesitated, not daring to speak up, several tis almost catching up to the group only to give up.
"Look, isn't that Tokiwadai's Temperature Control? She's as short as they say, and she has that bun head."
A group of girls in private Shidarezakura uniforms whispered amongst themselves, observing Natsu Sonoko from a distance as they walked.
"It really is her. Maybe she enrolled early; I heard she's only twelve, and a genuine elite young lady from a famous family."
"The Eighth Level 5, and Tokiwadai's Third. I wish I had applied to Tokiwadai back then."
"Even though she's a Level 5, she really does look super small."
Several Shidarezakura girls gossiped in hushed tones, their companions nodding in agreent beside them.
Because a third Level 5 had appeared, Tokiwadai Middle School's reputation had almost surpassed all other famous schools, and even various details about Natsu-san had begun circulating throughout Academy City.
"Eh? She seems to be coming this way."
As they spoke, the Shidarezakura girls suddenly grew tense, noticing the certain atball headed girl heading straight for them.
Although Natsu Sonoko didn't seem imposing at all—appearing soft, weak, and lacking in physical activity—the inherent weight of being a Level 5 made up for it.
The Shidarezakura girls felt their earlier conversation might have been overheard, and for a mont, they were at a loss, feeling inexplicably guilty.
According to rumors, most Level 5s in Academy City had peculiar personalities and weren't easy to communicate with.
They wondered if this newly ascended Level 5 had similar quirks.
So scary! What should we do if a Level 5 has her eyes on us?
But Natsu Sonoko stopped a few ters away from them, looking sowhat bewildered at the Shidarezakura girls with their strange expressions.
Why is everyone looking at like that? Is there sothing on my face?
Natsu Sonoko touched her cheek. There was clearly nothing there.
Shrugging off the confusing situation, the certain atball headed girl instead caught up to the upperclassman walking ahead: Yumiya Rakko-senpai.
"Yumiya-senpai, what a coincidence."
Natsu Sonoko reached out and patted the sowhat distracted Yumiya Rakko.
Although this senpai belonged to the Dark Side and had inexplicably taken a shot at her once, she had still been a great help last ti. Having run into her, the least she could do was say hello.
Besides, Natsu Sonoko had noticed that Yumiya Rakko seed to have so issues with social interaction. Perhaps she could help her a little.
She clearly wanted to join the conversation with those Shidarezakura girls but was terribly hesitant.
Yumiya Rakko jolted, her bangs parting slightly to reveal a pair of incredibly delighted eyes. Her face grew tense.
Wonderful! Soone is talking to first!
I've really beco more popular! This brings another step closer to my path to becoming a school idol!
How should I respond? Sothing like 'It is a coincidence, isn't it?' or maybe act a bit cooler?
Who could it be behind ?
Is my outfit today too informal?
"It really is a coincidence! I know a poem that describes a chance encounter..."
Yumiya Rakko turned her head as she spoke, already thinking of the conversation to follow, and then she saw Natsu Sonoko's blank, dazed face.
The joy on her face instantly vanished as Yumiya Rakko forcibly held back the rest of her words.
The delight was imdiately washed away by a wave of cold dread. Yumiya Rakko's mind beca a tangled ss.
While she was thrilled soone had initiated conversation, it was a different matter entirely if that person knew about her identity in the Dark Side.
What will she do? Expose ? Would I get expelled?
Yumiya Rakko's mind raced with negative thoughts; her experiences always made her lean towards the worst-case scenario.
"What poem?" Natsu Sonoko was imdiately sidetracked by Yumiya Rakko's words, tilting her head and asking.
"It's nothing," Yumiya Rakko quickly shook her head.
"I see. Well, thank you so much for last ti, senpai. I really hadn't noticed that Penguin Man."
"Oh, if you're free after school today, we could have dinner together. My treat."
Hesitating for a mont, Natsu Sonoko spoke to Yumiya-senpai, her tone quite sincere.
"Dinner? With ?"
Yumiya Rakko's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at the certain soone, a different kind of emotion surfacing on her face again.
So she isn't planning to expose , but inviting to dinner? Have I really beco popular?
"Mhm, at the family restaurant on Queen's Avenue. Is four-thirty okay?"
"...Okay."
Her mind grew even more chaotic. It took Yumiya Rakko a mont before she nodded.
"Then it's settled."
Not long after Natsu Sonoko left, Yumiya Rakko followed behind the private Shidarezakura Academy girls in a daze.
"Yumiya-san, so you know the eighth Ranked Level 5? And you're on such good terms!"
This ti, a Shidarezakura student curiously approached her.
"Um, actually, I'm not that close with her..." Yumiya Rakko started to explain, only to suddenly realize—it seed another classmate was talking to her.
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.
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