With a polite smile, Origami Tobiichi greeted several classmates before sitting down at her desk and letting out a faint sigh of fatigue.
At least I didn't end up late on my second day after transferring…
She felt genuinely relieved.
First impressions mattered a lot. If she'd shown up late this early on, everyone would probably peg her as the type who couldn't follow rules or keep time.
And that would be unacceptable—she had modeled herself after knight onee-sama, aspiring to be someone just as righteous, brave, noble, humble, honest, and kind.
Origami groaned quietly and scratched her head in frustration.
"Shidou! Let's go back to that bakery we went to yesterday after school! The kinako bread there was amazing."
"But Tohka, you can't only eat kinako bread. Did you see the look on the shopkeeper's face yesterday when you cleared out the entire tray?"
"Mmm… but it was so good… Fine, if Shidou insists, then today I'll have yakisoba bread and bacon bread. I also want honey cake and a chocolate donut."
"Alright, alright. I'll get them for you—but promise me you won't overeat. You've still got dinner later, and tonight we're having Hamburg steak with gratin bamboo shoots. Lancelot said she'd take care of the groceries."
"Ooh! Oooooh! That all sounds amazing! Shidou, you're the best! I'm already looking forward to tonight!"
Origami quietly observed the cheerful exchange. She recognized both of them—the boy was Itsuka Shidou, and the girl, Yatogami Tohka.
After all, Shidou sat right beside her. It was inevitable they'd interact in the future. At the very least, she should remember his name.
Actually, part of the reason she remembered Itsuka Shidou so clearly… was because of a conversation she'd had with a few girls yesterday.
"I can't believe you're seated next to Itsuka-kun, Tobiichi-san. You'd better be careful. That guy's got a terrifying reputation at this school, especially around cute girls like you."
"He and Tohka are practically dating. They go to and from school together every day and even eat lunch side-by-side. The stench of teenage romance is strong with those two—I can smell it from a hundred meters away."
"Ma Ji washes pantyhose."
"But the worst part is, even though he's got such an amazing girlfriend like Tohka, that scumbag Itsuka still isn't satisfied!"
"Rumor is he's already made moves on the Yamai twins from the next class—super popular girls, by the way. He's got a super cute little sister at home, and apparently, all the girls living with Tohka are also in suspiciously close relationships with him! I even heard he flirts with teachers… and boys, too!"
"Ma Ji washes pantyhose."
After learning she was seated next to Shidou, the infamous "Ma Ji washes pantyhose" trio had taken it upon themselves to warn her—this seemingly pure new girl—before she too became a victim of Itsuka the Casanova.
That was how Origami remembered him so clearly.
But now, listening to Shidou and Tohka's warm, easygoing conversation, she couldn't help but feel confused.
He really does seem like a thoughtful, caring kind of guy… Why does everyone speak so badly of him?
As she pondered this, Origami found herself watching the side of Shidou's face carefully. A strange sense of familiarity welled up in her chest.
That's odd… Have I seen that face somewhere before?
Her brow furrowed as she fell deep into thought.
Yes—that face. Not that person, specifically. And she was sure it wasn't from any recent encounter.
Anyone who left such an impression on her couldn't have been from the past few days. She didn't consider her memory so poor as to forget a striking face that quickly.
Back then… yes. Someone with that same face was standing not far off, talking to someone else...
"Origami, is something wrong?"
Her name pulled her out of her thoughts. Origami blinked, then realized Shidou was looking right at her.
"...Eh?"
She froze for a moment.
"Ah—oh! Sorry, sorry, I mean… Tobiichi-san, right? That was rude of me to just use your name so suddenly—"
"Uh, no, it's fine. Although you startled me a little... I was the one staring at you, after all. That probably made you uncomfortable. Sorry, Itsuka-kun…"
Origami averted her eyes guiltily, a light blush coloring her cheeks.
I can't believe I stared at a boy's face for so long—and got caught! Ugh! How shameful! Forgive me, knight onee-sama…
While Origami looked away in embarrassment, Shidou found himself quietly staring at her.
That face—he knew it all too well. And yet, this shy, flustered demeanor was so new to him it felt almost surreal.
And then there was the way she addressed him—so polite, so unlike the Origami he once knew.
He scratched his cheek with a helpless smile. "So, did you need something, Tobiichi-san? Or, uh… is there something on my face?"
"No, it's just…" Origami hesitated, then muttered, "I suddenly felt like I recognized you, Itsuka-kun's face, I mean… Ah! Please don't misunderstand, I wasn't trying to hit on you or anything—!"
"I know, I know. No misunderstanding here."
Shidou quickly reassured her, but inside, he wasn't nearly as calm.
She thinks she recognizes my face? Could it be that Origami's starting to remember things from before her past was changed?
Still, he simply said aloud, "Actually… I think you look familiar too. That person I saw during the spatial quake—wasn't that you?"
"Spatial quake? Wait… don't tell me, you were…"
Origami looked visibly shaken. Her brows knit, as if recalling something unsettling.
Before either could continue, the school bell rang.
Class was starting.
Shidou looked up to see the teacher already on the podium, clutching a textbook. Just then, a neatly folded note fell onto his desk.
He opened it curiously. In elegant handwriting, it read: "After class, there's something I'd like to discuss with you, Itsuka-kun."
He glanced sideways—Origami wasn't joking. Her face was completely serious.
Shidou had a pretty good guess what she wanted to talk about. After all, he had intentionally said what he did to lead her toward that line of thought.
Last night, he and Melusine had agreed: they wouldn't actively try to awaken Origami's memories from before her timeline changed. She seemed genuinely happy now.
Although they'd agreed to meet after class, when the bell rang, Origami was instantly swarmed by classmates. She had to reschedule—lunchtime it was.
During lunch, Shidou snuck away from class and headed for the rooftop stairwell.
It was quiet here, far removed from the school's noisy heart. The distant buzz of lunchtime chatter felt like something from another world.
Origami was already waiting. When she saw Shidou approach at a leisurely pace, her expression immediately hardened.
"Itsuka-kun, let me confirm something first. You said you saw me during a spatial quake. Is that true?"
"It is," Shidou replied with a nod.
"Then… did you happen to leave your shelter and go into the streets during the alert?"
She took a step closer, her gaze sharp and stern—like a teacher scolding a wayward student.
"Y-Yeah… I did, once."
Faced with her imposing presence, Shidou's smile faltered, his voice shrinking.
"Our squad actually discussed that a few times. There were rumors about a civilian staying behind in the danger zone. I never thought it was you… Do you understand how dangerous that kind of behavior is? Please, never do something like that again."
Though her tone was firm, Shidou could feel the care behind her words.
But… there was no way he could promise that.
As a member of Ratatoskr, it was his duty to face Spirits and seal their powers. He couldn't stop now.
Fortunately, Origami didn't push that issue further. Instead, she changed the subject.
"So, if you saw me then, you must have seen us as well, right?"
Shidou understood immediately—"us" meant AST.
"Our existence is a national secret, you know. You'd better not tell anyone—unless you want government agents knocking on your door."
She gave him a gentle smile, as if not wanting to scare him too much.
"But don't worry. As long as you keep it to yourself, no one will disturb your daily life. You won't be imprisoned or have your memories erased just for knowing too much."
"I-I see… Thanks."
Her main reason for this meeting had been to confirm what he'd seen—and to make sure he would keep quiet.
With that done, Origami turned to leave.
"Well then, see you around, Itsuka-kun. It was nice talking with you."
As she smiled softly, Shidou felt something stir inside him.
Her tone, her aura—it was so different from the Origami he used to know. This version of her felt like a real high school girl—vibrant, uncertain, emotionally alive.
She no longer had a reason to hate Spirits.
So—
"Origami, why did you join AST?"
"Eh?"
Her hand resting on the stair railing, Origami had already taken two steps down. She paused, surprised, and looked back at him.
"Well…"
"Sorry, you don't have to answer if—"
"No, it's fine. It's not something I'm unwilling to talk about."
Her sapphire eyes shimmered faintly. After a brief pause, she met his gaze and said:
"When I was really little… I met someone. I have this feeling that she changed my life. She saved not just me, but my parents, too. And back then… I thought she was the coolest person in the world."
Her voice softened, tinged with reverence. A blush crept onto her cheeks.
"I wanted to be like her. To help others the way she helped me."
She hesitated, then added, "And… part of me thought that if I joined AST, I might get to see her again someday."
With that, Origami turned and walked away—presumably back to class.
Shidou, however, lingered.
"Standing there like a statue. What's the matter? Has Origami changed so much that you need all this time just to process it?"
"Waaah!"
He jumped and spun toward the voice.
There stood Melusine—hands in the pockets of her navy hoodie, watching him coolly.
Despite the simplicity of her outfit—just a dark sweatshirt and pants—her presence was striking. That was just the kind of beauty Melusine possessed.
"L-Lancelot?! When did you get here?!"
"I've been on the rooftop since before either of you came."
She said it so casually, Shidou's eyes widened in shock.
"W-What—!"
"What's so surprising? The last time Origami brought you to the school's storeroom, she used one of the concealment spells I taught her. Doesn't it make sense that I'd be able to do the same?"
"…I mean… yeah, I guess that checks out…"
"Don't just stand there dumbly. Class is starting soon, isn't it? Get back inside… Oh, and here."
Melusine tossed something his way.
Shidou fumbled to catch it, then saw what it was—a charm.
A keychain with her image on it.
"Isn't this…?"
He remembered seeing the same one hanging from Origami's schoolbag that morning.
"She dropped it earlier. Give it back to her, would you? I'm not ready to show up in front of her just yet."
"Wait—hold on. She's been looking for you for five whole years, and you—"
Shidou looked up—only to find that Melusine was already gone.
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