Kato gumi's voice was still very familiar to Shichen.
At first, when it was that emotionless, almost chanical tone, it was hard to tell. But as Shichen kept collecting Divine Fragnts and she gradually gained a "soul," emotions, and color in her voice, he recognized her imdiately.
Co to think of it, this world already had Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri—so gumi being here was perfectly reasonable.
Shichen just never would've guessed that she would beco his "system."
From the very beginning, she'd been with him.
There was no way he could've known at first. There were no clues—how could he possibly realize his "experience" wasn't the first run?
"gumi… I've been looking forward to this too." Shichen hugged her tight, his heart surging.
It made sense to him that gumi could beco his "system," stay by his side, and guide him.
But before he ca to this world—before he'd reunited with everyone—only he knew how much he liked Kato gumi.
"Is that so?" gumi smiled softly.
"Yeah. You should know that, right?" Shichen let go and t her eyes, staring into the familiar face.
"But sohow… it feels unfair." gumi puffed out her cheeks, like she was unhappy.
"Unfair?" Shichen looked at her, confused.
"I want to see you because of the ti we shared—because I'm familiar with you. But you want to see just because you recognize . That's not fair at all." gumi explained.
Shichen understood what she ant. He had no mories; she did. Their anticipation wasn't the sa.
"Yeah… that really is unfair. So what should I do?" Shichen asked.
"It's simple. Take out for a walk. Spend so real ti with ." gumi smiled.
"A walk… that's it?"
"That's it."
"Got it."
Shichen took gumi's hand and pulled her along—out the door, down the stairs.
"Shichen-nii, why are you down here—huh? Who's that?" Chisato Nishikigi started to ask, then noticed gumi.
For so reason, the mont she looked at gumi, a strange feeling rose in her chest—warm and gentle, mixed with respect.
She stared at gumi in confusion.
"Chisato, long ti no see." gumi nodded to her.
"Eh? You know ? Did Shichen-nii tell you?"
"No. I've been watching you the whole ti."
"The whole ti?"
Chisato thought of Jeanne—she'd also acted like she'd known her from the start.
And not just Jeanne—Est and Beatrice too.
So gumi was another "special" one?
"Chisato, her na is Kato gumi. You can call her—"
"gumi-oneechan." Before Shichen could finish, Chisato said it herself.
"Mm." gumi's smile brightened.
"Are you going out with Shichen-nii, gumi-oneechan?"
"Yeah. He's taking around to get used to this place. We'll be back later."
"Okay! Have fun. I'll tell everyone."
"Thanks." gumi took Shichen by the arm and led him out.
Chisato kept watching until they disappeared.
"Chisato, what are you slacking off for?" Takina Inoue walked over.
"Takina, did you see gumi-oneechan just now?"
"I did… It felt weird." Takina thought for a mont.
"Yeah. Like she's… an older sister." Chisato said instinctively.
"Right. I felt that too."
"Could it be… gumi-oneechan is our big sister?" Chisato blurted out.
Jeanne had shown up and imdiately declared herself the "second sister." Everyone had accepted it almost without thinking—because of her presence, and because she seed to know everyone so well.
But if there was a second sister, then naturally there had to be a first.
The mont Chisato saw Kato gumi, she was sure: this was their "big sister."
She felt genuine respect—despite eting her for the first ti.
Like it was sothing she was born with.
…
"Where are we going?" Shichen asked once they were outside the café.
gumi was already hugging his arm—smooth, practiced, completely natural.
"Anywhere. Let's treat it like a date. Eat so food, watch a movie, shop for clothes."
"Oh?"
"You take the lead. I'm sure you know the date routine really well." gumi's look carried a loaded aning.
"What do you an I know it well? Don't tell you're jealous?" Shichen raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I'm jealous." gumi admitted calmly. "I've been watching you be sweet with other girls—clinging, flirting… I could only watch. Isn't it normal to be jealous?"
"But you can't bla . Half of that was you pushing to do it." Shichen shot back.
And it was true—getting closer to everyone was the condition for earning Divine Fragnts.
"I pushed you, so what? That ans I'm not allowed to be jealous?" gumi went full stubborn.
"…Fine. Of course you can."
"Hmph. You're obviously happy, and you still won't admit it. Can you have a little backbone?"
"You're really not pulling punches, huh?" Shichen sighed.
gumi always gave off that calm, easygoing vibe—quiet, gentle, like soone you could push around.
And she was that kind of girl.
But right now, she felt unexpectedly strong. Even Shichen was having a hard ti dealing with her.
Mostly because he felt guilty—he knew she'd been watching everything he'd done.
And she had every right to talk to him like this.
Forget being his "system"—she'd been thinking about him, guiding him, always.
People don't quietly devote themselves to soone for no reason. If they do, it's love.
"Was I wrong?" gumi asked.
"No. You're right. Everything you said is right. It's all on ."
"Good. So how are you going to make it up to ?"
"Let think… How about I make you happy today?"
"Not enough." gumi smiled sweetly.
"Not enough? Then… from now on, I'll do anything you ask."
"Still not enough."
"Still?" Shichen's voice softened. "Then… how about this: from now on, I'll stay with you. Always."
"That…" gumi's smile widened. "I'll accept that… for now."
"Only 'for now'?"
"Of course." gumi's smile faded and her expression turned serious. "If you're going to stay with , you can't make worry. No secrets. No going off alone to do dangerous things."
Shichen felt like she was hinting at sothing.
"I understand. I promise." He nodded, serious.
"You'd better keep it." gumi warned him. "I'm pretty amazing, you know. Everything you can do now—I gave you those abilities."
"So… does that an I can live off you?"
"Hmph. Who lives off soone like you? Appetite that big—eating that much." gumi pouted.
"…Unavoidable force majeure?"
"Whatever. I'm used to it." gumi waved it off. "Forget them. Hurry up and take on a date. I want good food. I want a movie. I want you with ."
"Alright. Today, I'm all yours."
"Mhm."
"By the way… Jeanne didn't co see you first? She should've known you're back." Shichen said.
"She wouldn't dare rush to see ."
"What do you an?"
"Tonight you'll find out."
"…?"
Shichen held back his curiosity and spent the whole day with gumi.
It really was a date—desserts, snacks, a movie, shopping, even claw machines.
The only difference from a normal couple was that they put up a concealnt barrier so strangers wouldn't bother them.
gumi set it up herself.
She didn't want anyone ruining her first date after coming back.
Shichen found it all strangely natural with her—no awkwardness at all. Like they'd been doing this forever.
Was it because he recognized her and she rembered him… or because of so leftover feeling from a previous loop?
It didn't matter.
He liked her. She liked him. That was enough.
They ca ho in good spirits. Shichen was about to properly introduce gumi to everyone—
…and then Jeanne completely blindsided him.
"gumi—I'm sorry!"
The café was already closed; no custors, only their people.
And Jeanne—right in front of everyone—dropped to her knees and bowed in apology to gumi.
gumi just smiled gently, like she'd expected it.
Shichen rembered what gumi had said earlier—that Jeanne wouldn't rush to see her.
So this was what she ant.
"Jeanne… what are you doing?" Shichen's mouth twitched. He asked helplessly.
He truly couldn't get used to Jeanne anymore. From the mont she showed up, the "holy maiden" had basically turned into a codian.
Was that even allowed?
…Though, honestly, it was kind of entertaining.
User Comments
0 comments from readers