After staying up all night to finish both versions of Yosuga no Sora, Sato was still full of energy the next morning.
"OK!"
After writing up his comments and suggestions in a Word document and sending it to Kosaka Akane, Sato stood up with a sigh of relief. Noticing that it was already daylight, he unconsciously walked over to the balcony and looked toward the east.
The sun had just peeked over the horizon, illuminating the clear blue sky. The heavens looked like the cleanest mirror, cloudless for miles, as deep and vast as the sea.
Nice weather.
A faint smile appeared on Sato's face as he took a deep, contented breath.
Turning around, he walked to Kanna's room and knocked on the door.
"Kanna, time to get up."
Only after hearing Kanna respond did Sato head off to prepare breakfast.
...
At the private mixed high school.
The first class of the morning was with their homeroom teacher, Sakamoto. Before class ended, he informed everyone about an upcoming extracurricular field assignment.
"Field assignment? Sato, do you know what that's about?"
After class, Kirigaya Kazuto asked curiously.
He vaguely remembered Yukinoshita Yukino and the others having gone through something similar in their second year, but he didn't know the details.
"Saiki, do you know?"
He turned to Saiki Kusuo.
Saiki Kusuo shook his head.
The three of them exchanged helpless looks. None of them had ever paid attention to this sort of thing, and now that they wanted to know, not one of them had the answer.
Fortunately, even if they didn't know, someone else did.
Nohara Sato called over Isshiki Iroha.
With her hands clasped behind her back, Isshiki Iroha stood in front of him wearing a sweet smile. She blinked at him before saying,
"You mean the field assignment? I do know about it, but... what do I get if I tell you?"
"Talking about rewards makes it sound so vulgar."
Sato looked at her with complete seriousness.
Isshiki Iroha gave a light snort.
"So what if it's vulgar? I'm just an ordinary vulgar person. Unlike some people who want something for nothing."
She rolled her eyes at Sato, then glanced at the three of them.
"Not like you gods who live above the mortal world. There's the legendary shut-in Kirigaya Kazuto, the taciturn Saiki Kusuo, and..."
"The heartbreaker, the two-timer, the playboy, the ultimate scumbag, Nohara Sato."
Kirigaya Kazuto and Saiki Kusuo both turned to look at him with strange expressions.
Yuuki Asuna, seated nearby, also looked over at Sato before shifting her gaze toward Isshiki Iroha, seemingly deep in thought.
Sato: "..."
Several veins popped on his forehead.
"Why is my nickname so much longer than everyone else's? And why are all the words like that?!"
Just how much resentment did she have toward him?
"Hmph."
Isshiki Iroha snorted.
"I'm just telling the truth."
The two stared at each other for a moment before Sato finally admitted defeat. Standing up helplessly, he said,
"Forget it. If you won't tell me, I'll just ask Shouko."
Before he could get up, Isshiki Iroha's voice drifted over.
"A field assignment is exactly what it sounds like. It sends us outside the classroom to complete various tasks. There are lots of different assignments, but they're usually not too difficult. The tasks are assigned randomly, and each team has four people. The teams are randomly formed too. This one is scheduled for next weekend."
After saying that, she shot him a resentful look and walked away.
Watching her leave, Sato rarely found himself at a loss. Just then, he heard Saiki Kusuo speak quietly beside him.
"Playboy... ultimate scumbag..."
Sato looked expressionlessly at him.
Although Saiki Kusuo's face remained perfectly calm, Sato couldn't shake the feeling that he was laughing.
"You're laughing, aren't you?"
Without changing his expression, Saiki Kusuo picked up his cup and took a sip.
"No."
Yeah, right.
...
After school that afternoon, Sato arrived at the Light Music Club.
Since it had been his turn to stay behind for classroom cleaning, he was a little late.
As soon as he entered, he noticed several pairs of expectant eyes turn toward the door. But the moment they realized it was him, the light in their eyes faded, and they all slumped dejectedly over the table.
"What's wrong with you guys?"
No one answered.
Instead, Yukinoshita Yukino, who was sitting by the window reading a book, replied for them.
"Because you're not a freshman."
Sato froze for a moment before understanding. He frowned slightly as he walked over and set down his school bag.
"Didn't any freshmen come today?"
"That's right! Ugh! Our performance was obviously perfect!"
"Waaah... no cute underclassmen..."
"Why is this happening?"
The girls lay sprawled across the table, lamenting one after another. After exchanging glances, they all let out long sighs.
"That's strange."
Even Sato found it puzzling.
Just then, the clubroom door slid open, followed by an energetic greeting.
"Good morning!"
Yuigahama Yui had arrived.
Yukinoshita Yukino closed her book and looked at her with her usual calm eyes.
"You haven't been here for several days, Yuigahama-san."
Yuigahama Yui scratched her head awkwardly.
But that was hardly enough to bother her. She quickly put on a shameless grin, hurried over, and wrapped Yukinoshita Yukino in a tight hug, pressing her ample chest against her as she whined,
"I've been way too busy since school started. I know I was wrong, Yukinon!"
Sato noticed Yukinoshita Yukino seemed to be having trouble breathing, so he quickly pulled Yuigahama Yui away.
Yukinoshita Yukino's cool eyes discreetly glanced at Yuigahama Yui's chest. She pursed her lips, a faint blush appearing on her face.
"Don't let it happen again."
"Hehe, thanks, Yukinon! You're the best!"
After making peace with Yukinoshita Yukino, Yuigahama Yui curiously looked toward the Light Music Club.
"Why does everyone look so down?"
"Not a single person. Not one freshman came today!"
Originally slumped over the table, Ritsu suddenly shot upright and howled toward the ceiling before collapsing back down.
"Why..." she muttered weakly.
Yuigahama Yui suddenly understood.
"Oh... I think I know why."
Whoosh!
In an instant, all the girls from the Light Music Club rushed over and surrounded Yuigahama Yui.
They moved so fast that even Sato was caught off guard. He stared in amazement at the group of girls crowding around her.
"What? Yuigahama-san, you know why?"
"Why is it?"
"Please tell us!"
Surrounded from every direction, Yuigahama Yui panicked and hurriedly explained,
"I heard some people saying that the Light Music Club is just too good, so there's no way they'd make it in. Others said that they're so ordinary-looking that they'd end up feeling inferior if they joined..."
"Huh?!"
Everyone stood there dumbfounded.
That was our fault too?!