Everyone was more or less prepared for Yui's situation. After all, they had known each other for quite some time, and everyone had a clear understanding of each other's personalities.
Fortunately, Yui had only temporarily forgotten how to sing, not how to play the guitar. Learning to sing again was much easier than relearning the guitar, not to mention she had only forgotten it briefly.
The school festival was in the third week after the term started, so there was more than enough time to pick everything back up.
After club activities ended, Sato went downstairs as usual to pick up Takanashi Rikka and Nishimiya Shouko from their club about eastern napping magic of summer after their nap.
Sliding the door open, he found a magic ritual in progress.
The curtains were tightly drawn, and the room was dim.
In the dark space, neon lights cast a hazy glow. Nishimiya Shouko and Tsuyuri Kumin lay in the center of a magic circle, while Takanashi Rikka and Dekomori Sanae stood beside them.
Clearly, the two had been turned into sacrifices again.
At that moment, Rikka and Sanae were praying with serious and devout expressions, completely undisturbed by Sato's sudden entrance.
Just that alone was something many people couldn't manage.
As expected, chuunibyou were fascinating beings, capable of doing things ordinary people couldn't. When it came to saving the world, it somehow felt perfectly natural for them.
Rikka had already removed her eyepatch. Her golden eye reflected faint light in the dim room, and paired with her indifferent expression, she almost seemed to possess some kind of mysterious power.
But Sato knew it was just excessive chuunibyou. The system had already confirmed that.
Rikka's occupation was listed as veteran chuunibyou, currently active.
Some people could make the fake seem real, while others could make the real seem fake.
Lying on the floor, Nishimiya Shouko quietly opened one eye to glance at Sato. Her face turned slightly red before she quickly shut her eyes again.
If you know you'll be embarrassed, then don't go along with this nonsense.
Sato couldn't help but complain inwardly.
He turned and closed the door, then crouched down to watch the ritual.
"Sanae!"
Suddenly, Rikka spoke.
Her face was small, delicate, and cute, but at that moment, it showed no emotion, neither joy nor sorrow. Her eyes were empty, making her look like a finely crafted doll.
But Sato was certain her gaze was directed toward him.
"Master, what is your command, death!"
Dekomori Sanae responded with excitement. This third-year middle school girl seemed especially enthusiastic about this kind of thing.
"You… can you feel it? The one we have summoned… the Lord of the Present World."
Her calm voice carried a mysterious and reverent tone with its unique cadence.
Dekomori Sanae glanced at Sato, then suddenly lit up with excitement. "I see him, he seems to be watching us, death!"
Hey, hey, this is way too self-indulgent.
These chuunibyou really had incredible imaginations, they could just ignore reality and pull him into it.
Sato watched with interest.
"Then quickly make your wish. He will grant any desire you have."
"Really?!"
Dekomori Sanae's eyes filled with astonishment. She clasped her hands together with a clap and closed her eyes in prayer.
"Then… let me meet Mori-sama!"
After making her wish happily, she opened her eyes and saw Sato right in front of her, along with the finger already flicking toward her.
Ah!
Dekomori Sanae widened her eyes and tried to retreat, but it was already too late.
Tap!
Sato's finger flick landed squarely on her smooth forehead, instantly knocking the overly immersed girl out of her fantasy.
Wake up. I'm not granting you any wishes.
"Ugh…"
Dekomori Sanae held her forehead, looking aggrieved as she glared at Sato, then turned to Rikka. "Master! What we summoned wasn't the Lord of the Present World, it was a demon, death!"
"Oh?"
Rikka frowned slightly and turned to look at Sato seriously, only to see his finger already poised toward her.
"Ugh!"
She let out a small cry and instinctively covered her head.
After a moment, the expected flick never came. She looked up at Sato in confusion.
"Alright, let's head back."
Sato said helplessly.
"H-how unfair! Why am I the only one suffering backlash!"
Dekomori Sanae complained indignantly.
"Why?"
Sato turned and stroked his chin as he examined the angry girl. Although Dekomori Sanae was already in middle school, she didn't look much older than an elementary school student, even less mature than Ichijou Hotaru, a fifth grader.
A cute little face, a smooth forehead, and short legs…
Sato said uncertainly, "Probably because you look the easiest to bully?"
A soft, blonde little girl like her, Sato felt like he could take on a hundred of her.
Dekomori Sanae blinked, then threw herself at Rikka with teary eyes. "Master, he's bullying me, death!"
Rikka took a deep breath, placed her hands on Dekomori Sanae's shoulders, and said solemnly, "The demon's power is too strong right now. I think we should temporarily avoid confrontation."
"Master speaks wisely!"
Dekomori Sanae nodded thoughtfully.
"Mmm… is it time to go home?"
Tsuyuri Kumin slowly sat up from her pillow, rubbing her eyes sleepily.
Sato clicked his tongue. "Senpai, how do you manage to sleep this long every day?"
"Mmm? Nohara-kun?"
Kumin came to her senses and gave Sato a sweet smile. "Because sleeping is the most wonderful thing in the world, isn't it?"
The most wonderful thing…
If dreams really could give you everything, then maybe so.
Sato couldn't help but laugh.
Then he looked down at Nishimiya Shouko, who was still pretending to sleep, and poked her foot.
"Get up, it's time to go home."
Nishimiya Shouko opened her eyes slightly, her cheeks flushed as she glanced at him, then slowly pushed herself up, her pink hair falling messily around her.