Late evening.
Right on schedule, Fumino Furuhashi, Rizu Ogata, and Mafuyu Kirisu arrived.
Because of Rizu Ogata's previous "disappearance," Mafuyu Kirisu had decided she had to keep a close eye on them. After all, if sothing really did happen one day, she—being the teacher in charge of their study group—wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility.
However…
Compared to before, the two students were clearly much less focused on their studies today.
Rizu Ogata had learned many things about Rei Ao from the group chat. If she hadn't personally visited another world herself, she would never have imagined that the scene from yesterday's livestream—like sothing straight out of a film, with people burning alive—really happened in that other world. Yet according to everyone in the group chat, those people were apparently man-eating demons.
She also never would have imagined that the pleasant and easy-going Rei Ao right in front of her was capable of killing without batting an eye, like so sort of demon king straight out of a movie. So, seeing him now blending so normally into their environnt gave her a sense of unreality.
Rizu Ogata found herself a bit confused about which side was the "real" Rei Ao:
Was it the gentle and reliable one?
The cold and cruel one?
Or perhaps…both?
At the sa ti, Rizu Ogata had co to understand the true nature of the so-called "trade" in the group. Under her glasses, her gaze flickered toward Rei Ao. She was grateful that he had taken the initiative to bring her back. If it really had been a simple exchange, then…she probably had nothing to trade except her body itself. And thinking about that possibility—those shaful images in her mind—made Rizu's breathing grow erratic.
Rizu Ogata was secretly observing Rei Ao.
anwhile, Fumino Furuhashi was secretly observing Rizu Ogata.
I knew it!! Sothing is definitely going on between those two!
Just look at how shy Rizu seed (though Fumino was mostly imagining the lovey-dovey part). If soone told her those two had nothing going on, she simply wouldn't believe it!
How can I stop this relationship from progressing any further?
Fumino's eyes darted around, and then she thought of a way to hint at it indirectly.
"Ilia-sensei, I have a question for you."
She raised her hand, interrupting Ilia's lecture.
"Hmm? Go ahead," Ilia responded calmly, looking at her.
"Heh heh, I read an article yesterday about a group of close friends where one pair started dating. But suddenly, the boyfriend in that couple had an 'improper relationship' with another girl. Don't you think that's a problem?"
That question also caught the attention of both Mafuyu Kirisu and Rizu Ogata. This was exactly the reaction Fumino was hoping for.
"And what does that have to do with our lesson?" asked Ilia, seeing no connection to either humanities or sciences.
"Haha, nothing really. I just happened to recall it and got curious."
Fumino scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
Ilia shook her head. "I don't know," she said—actually aning she didn't particularly care. She simply didn't mind situations like that. With Rei Ao, there were already many different people by his side; as far as she was concerned, all she needed to know was that everyone ford one big family.
Mafuyu Kirisu, arms folded, said sternly, "That's a form of betrayal. It's very wrong. You must not behave like that, understand?"
"Don't worry, Sensei," Fumino said with a laugh. "I'd never do sothing like that."
While speaking, Fumino subtly studied Rizu's expression. She was expecting to see so reaction—maybe a guilty or embarrassed look. Yet, unexpectedly, Rizu Ogata not only showed no such expression, she even looked indignant.
"I think that sort of betrayal is quite excessive," Rizu declared openly, clearly disapproving.
Does she really not get my hint?
Fumino wondered, then decided to probe her further.
"Rizu, do you think there's a chance the boy and this 'third party' might actually be true loves?"
At these words, Rizu Ogata considered it for a mont, then nodded.
"!!!"
Fumino's eyes lit up with excitent.
Did she figure it out?!
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
Rizu replied seriously, "There's always a possibility that they're true loves. But it's still not fair to the first girl. If he doesn't like her, he should have made that clear from the start—no one should be two-timing like that." Then she tilted her head and asked innocently, "Fumino, don't you think it's excessive?"
"Uh…"
Fumino's mouth twitched. "Of course I think it's excessive!"
She had been planning to subtly chastise Rizu, yet she wound up getting the lecture instead! Fumino's shoulders slumped.
"Ilia-sensei, please go on with the lesson. I've gotten my answer," she mumbled under her breath.
Ugh…defeat…
"Heh…"
Rei Ao, who had been listening the entire ti, just smiled quietly. Ever since she had jumped out to oppose him over the "stalking" incident, he had suspected that Fumino might have the wrong idea. Now her behavior pretty much confird it: she really had misunderstood the situation between him and Rizu.
…
After the three girls left, Rei Ao didn't stay ho for dinner. Instead, he went next door to Yukino's place.
Seeing the simple yet well-prepared al laid out on the table—complete with at and vegetables, full of color and flavor—he began with casual small talk:
"Yukino, you're pretty good at cooking, aren't you?"
"'Good' might be too much. I can only say I know how," Yukino replied politely. "I hope you don't find it unappetizing."
"How could I?" Rei Ao said. "It's obviously going to be delicious."
At the re thought of "unappetizing," Mabel—who was right there—was the first to object. In her mind, Yukino's cooking was definitely the best she'd ever tasted. Just the sight (and sll) made her want to drool. She imdiately picked up her chopsticks, ready to dive in.
Smack!
A sharp crack echoed.
"Wah!"
Mabel let out a pained squeak, shrinking back with a pitiful expression. It wasn't the pain that concerned her; she was more upset by the fact that Yukino had stopped her from eating.
Under Yukino's cool gaze, Mabel heard her say frostily, "Has no one taught you to wait for the guest to begin before you eat?"
"Ugh…"
Mabel wilted, peeking at Rei Ao for help with tearful eyes.
"Haha, in that case, I won't be shy," Rei Ao said, picking up his own chopsticks so that Mabel wouldn't have to sit there suffering.
Mabel brightened at once. Even so, she still didn't dare to move until Yukino gave a small nod. Then she happily launched herself into the al, devouring it with gusto.
Rei Ao watched the two of them interact with amusent. Suddenly, he said sothing that made Yukino freeze in place:
"If soone saw you two acting like this, they might mistake you for mother and daughter."
~~~
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