Thus did Tohka Yatogami begin her life on campus.
Perhaps it was her beauty, perhaps her innocent exuberance, but within a single week she had won the affection of every student in the class—
every student except one particular white‑haired girl.
Because the danger of her Spirit‐power running wild had been removed, Tohka now had nothing at all to worry about.
The reason her enrollment paperwork had dragged on so long was that the people above in Ratatoskr had insisted on confirming her condition.
Even if Tohka herself wanted to return to the Neighboring World now, she no longer could.
Naturally, the one who made this possible was Shichen. His ability finally let Kyouhei Kannazuki and the others understand why Ratatoskr had been built around him.
From everything they knew, no ordinary human could achieve what he had—though they still did not know how he had done it.
They were curious, and the higher‑ups in Ratatoskr were curious as well; yet no one questioned Shichen directly, nor did they try to pry answers from Kotori Itsuka.
Humankind rarely leaves the unknown unchecked—especially when that unknown looks so much like a Spirit's power—
and yet, nobody came to investigate. From this Shichen inferred that the "future him" who had traveled back in time must already have done quite a lot.
There would be plenty to keep him busy later.
For now, though, he might as well enjoy the fruits of those future labors—after all, the future self could worry about the consequences; the present self had nothing to fear.
…
"Shichen! I made a food called cookies—want to try them?"
One month after Shichen arrived in this world, on a Wednesday, he had just finished a PE class when Tohka came bounding toward him, a plate of pitch‑black lumps held proudly in both hands.
Her waist‑length, deep‑violet hair swayed as she ran, and hearts skipped in time with its movement. More than a few nearby students were left staring blankly.
By now the entire school knew Tohka Yatogami. Her looks were simply too extraordinary; in this hormone‑charged environment it was impossible not to become famous.
Yet, though many wanted to get close to her, not one student had dared confess—because everyone also knew about her relationship with Shichen.
Between periods she would seek him out—corridor, courtyard, or faculty office—and fling herself into his arms without restraint.
Most teachers already knew her by sight. The natural aura of authority teachers possess kept confessions at bay… not to mention a universal lack of self‑confidence.
Tohka's beauty was almost violent: a flawless face, crystal‑bright eyes, a perpetual smile—she looked like a fairy‑tale elf.
Her school nickname was "Princess," matching her Spirit codename. And who has the courage to confess to a princess—especially when the teacher she clings to never denies their "special" relationship?
Shichen glanced at the charred objects. "Home‑ec just now, right?"
"Mm‑hm! I just learned how to make cookies—and I made these especially for you. Try one!"
"Uh… well, it's almost lunchtime. Maybe I'll pass."
The things on her plate were more charcoal than cookie—odorless save for the nose‑stinging smell of burnt dough. Yet she seemed blissfully unaware.
"You don't like them?" Tohka's mood sank at once.
A serious dilemma: protect his taste buds and stomach, or keep the girl before him from looking dejected?
Was there even any hesitation? Divine Body existed for moments like this!
"I'll eat them," he said, taking the plate. "It's only a few cookies—no problem."
"Yay!" Tohka's radiant smile confirmed he had chosen correctly.
"Here, let me feed you." She pinched a misshapen lump and brought it to his lips.
Just then—a whoosh! Like the whistle of a thrown dart.
The "cookie" vanished from both Tohka's fingers and Shichen's mouth‑to‑be.
"Origami Tobiichi! What are you doing?" Tohka wheeled toward the classroom.
Sure enough, Origami approached at an unhurried pace, a proper plate of cookies in her hands and her other arm still extended from the throw.
"How could you give that to Shichen-sensei?" she said, glaring at Tohka. (To match Tohka's informality, she too had started using Shichen's given name—without asking.)
"What's wrong with my cookies?" Tohka planted her fists on her hips.
"Those aren't cookies. These are cookies." Origami tilted her plate. Golden‑brown, fragrant—worlds apart.
"What difference does it make?"
"Yours could kill someone. Mine are edible."
"Don't talk nonsense!"
"Ask Shichen-sensei if you don't believe me."
Shichen coughed. "I… don't see the problem."
"Sensei, you spoil her too much," Origami grumbled. "Very well—will you actually eat them?"
"Of course he will!" Tohka answered for him. "Want a taste‑off?"
Surrounded by gossip‑hungry students, Shichen decided in for a penny, in for a pound: he upended Tohka's black cookies straight into his mouth.
The texture was… indescribable—astonishingly not inedible, though thoroughly unpalatable.
Next he sampled Origami's. The burnt taste vanished under genuine flavor—delicious, in fact.
"Well? Whose are better?"
"Do you really have to ask?"
"Yes!"
Maintaining a teacher's solemn face, Shichen declared, "Both are quite good. Keep practicing."
"What? The same as hers?" Tohka pouted.
"Sensei… forget it. As long as you ate them." Origami sighed.
"Class is about to start," he reminded them. "Back to your rooms."
"Got it! Next time they'll be even better—you'll see!" Tohka called over her shoulder.
Shichen watched their departing backs and shook his head. Hard to say whether they got along or not. Ignoring the envious stares of the surrounding students, he walked away.
Kids these days know nothing of hardship…
…
After school Shichen, Reine Murasame, and Tohka headed home together. Reine had suddenly asked to taste his cooking; he had no reason to refuse.
Halfway there the sky broke without warning—rain pouring down in sheets.
"Huh? It's raining? But the forecast said sunny!" Tohka complained.
"Weather reports aren't to be trusted," Reine replied.
"Eh? Why?"
"Live through a few forecasts and you'll understand."
"Ugh… Why do you sound just like Shichen—Shichen?"
She noticed him staring off into the distance.
"Tohka, take Reine and go home first. I need to buy something."
"What are you buying?"
"Your favorite—pan. Go on ahead."
"Okay!"
"Reine."
"Understood." Without questions, Reine led Tohka away.
Once they were out of sight, Shichen turned toward the direction he had been watching. He walked only a short distance before stopping at a crossroads.
Ahead stood a girl—he could see only part of her profile, but she was clearly young.
She wore an adorably designed green coat shaped like a rabbit, and her petite figure was almost swallowed by it. A hood with rabbit ears and a large cape concealed her face entirely.
The most striking detail was her left hand: she wore a comical rabbit‑shaped hand puppet.
The girl seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. She hopped merrily, avoiding each puddle, utterly carefree—paying no heed to the rain or to Shichen—until she slipped.
Smack! She fell flat, face‑down in the water.
~~~
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