On Tuesday, Murasame Shizu officially started school.
"Everyone, this is our new transfer student… Go ahead and introduce yourself."
"Hello, everyone. My name is Murasame Shizu. Please take care of me from now on."
Standing at the podium, Shizu gave a polite bow and used the simple self-intro Shichen had taught her.
The classroom was quiet for a second, then erupted into loud applause.
Clap clap clap—!
"She's so pretty!"
"Why does she feel like a proper yamato nadeshiko?"
"Yeah, even her voice is so gentle."
"By the way, aren't we getting a few too many transfer students in this class?"
"I heard it's because the heroine is in our class?"
"?"
"Don't tell me it's the principal's doing again?"
"Obviously. A girl that pretty, and she's another one he brought in—it has to be related to him."
"Damn it…"
"Lala, don't you feel like… she looks kinda familiar?" Kotegawa Yui asked, staring at Shizu.
"I remember now! Isn't she that ghost from the old school building?" Lala said excitedly.
"Eh? Now that you mention it—she really is… H-how is she here going to class?" Yui asked nervously.
"Just ask Shichen and we'll know~"
"Ugh… our class really has every kind of existence in it…"
"Shizu, sit with Lala and the others. If you don't understand something, have them help you out."
"Okay!"
"In that case, I'll leave you to it. Continue with class," Shichen said, and headed for the door.
"Shichen-san, are you going to see Mikado-sensei?" Shizu blurted out.
"Why would I be looking for her?" Shichen turned back, confused.
"…You're not?" Shizu looked a little disappointed.
"No. Besides, Ryōko really doesn't want to see me right now," Shichen said helplessly.
Yesterday, he'd seen everything Mikado had, and she'd been avoiding him ever since. For someone who usually dressed so boldly, she was surprisingly pure.
She was a grown woman and still got that embarrassed.
Still, for all his teasing, Shichen genuinely respected that about her.
"Shichen-san, you've got to find a way to patch things up with Mikado-sensei," Shizu said, balling her fists to cheer him on.
"I'll do what I can," Shichen nodded. He had no idea why she cared so much about their relationship, but he did need to mend it.
If he didn't, he wouldn't be able to get that god-shard.
"Good luck!"
"Mm." Shichen left the classroom.
Shizu didn't need him hovering; with Lala and the others around, she'd get used to things quickly.
…Wait.
He suddenly remembered—if Shizu got startled and lost control again, that would be a problem.
Just in case, as soon as he stepped out, he quietly added a protective barrier to the clothes Lala and the others were wearing—just enough to resist Shizu's psychic outbursts.
As for the other students… they'd be fine.
Back in his office, Shichen dropped into his chair, put his feet up on the desk, reclined the backrest to a comfortable angle, laced his hands behind his head, and slowly closed his eyes in lazy contentment.
Too bad he hadn't brought Astarte over, or he could be "training" her footwork right now.
Just the memory of enjoying her foot service in this very office made his heart itch.
That girl's small, nimble feet were downright addictive.
But he had no choice—Betty had just returned to the café, and Astarte needed to stay and keep her company.
So he'd just have to endure.
Unfortunately, thinking about Astarte's footwork now just made his mind drift even more.
Maybe he should call Yami over?
She'd already studied all the modern material; she didn't need to sit through class anymore. Her feet were just as small and delicate.
And he loved watching Yami go from "tsundere resistance" to full Yami mode when she couldn't hold back anymore.
The more he thought about it, the more tempting it became. He got up and left the office, heading for the classroom building.
When he reached Yami's class, he stood in the hallway and spotted that small, golden figure at a glance.
Yami—Konjiki no Yami—was sitting upright, seriously listening to the lesson, eyes locked on the blackboard.
Shichen watched her for a moment and almost felt bad about disturbing her. But he knew she was pretending—he could feel it.
Everyone in the room had already noticed him; there was no way she hadn't. But she stubbornly refused to look his way.
Which meant he couldn't be blamed for dragging her off to "unlock new poses."
"Hm?"
Just as he was about to call out to her, his brows suddenly knit, and he glanced to his right.
A heartbeat later, he vanished.
"Eh? Did the principal just disappear?"
"Relax. With aliens around, it's hardly weird for the principal to have some special abilities too."
"True."
"…" Yami also let out a quiet breath of relief, her shoulders relaxing.
She'd sensed Shichen the moment he arrived, and she could practically feel him staring daggers into her. There was no way that man had innocent intentions in broad daylight.
No way she was going to play along, or he'd be dragging her off every day.
That kind of thing was fine once in a while—but every day? She'd die.
Seriously, why didn't he go pester Lala and the others instead?
…
"Mikado-sensei, please come with us."
"And you are…?"
In the infirmary, Mikado Ryōko stared warily at the black-suited men who'd barged in.
She could tell at a glance they were aliens.
"You don't need to know who we are, Mikado-sensei. Just that you're coming with us," the leader said in a tone that brooked no refusal.
"You're here for me? I don't recall knowing any of you," Mikado replied calmly.
"You don't need to know us. We know you. The most skilled doctor in the galaxy—someone like that really shouldn't be left where others can snatch her away."
"So, it really is my medical skills you want… I'm afraid I can't go with you," Mikado refused without hesitation.
"That's not up to you," the man said coldly.
"Is that so? I'm not sure you're capable of taking me," Mikado smiled faintly.
"Really? This is a school on this planet, isn't it? You're a teacher here. I wonder… how much do you care about the students?" the man asked, his threat obvious.
"Coward," Mikado's face darkened.
"We just want to resolve things peacefully," he said with a shrug, stepping toward her.
Mikado instinctively took a step back, then stopped. She wasn't sure if these people would really stoop to harming students.
They were all just normal kids. If something happened to them, it would be on her.
That guy…
Mikado suddenly thought of Shichen.
He'd said she could come to him if she needed help—and then proceeded to see her naked. So where was he now, when she actually needed something?
Then again, he wasn't omniscient. She hadn't contacted him. How could he know she was in trouble?
She closed her eyes and accepted her fate.
Boom—!
A heavy crash echoed through the room, and Mikado's eyes flew open.
A straight, broad back filled her vision.
She recognized him instantly; her eyes lit up.
"Shichen—why are you here?" Her voice trembled with a mixture of shock and relief.
"If I didn't show up, my people were about to get taken away," Shichen said, glancing back at her with a grin.
"Your people… What nonsense are you talking about?" Mikado rolled her eyes, but her heart settled.
"'Your people'?" one of the men finally reacted, and barked out, "Who the hell are you?"
"'Who'? You barge into my territory and still ask who I am?" Shichen shot back, eyes turning cold.
"Just who are you?"
"The future ruler of the universe," Shichen answered matter-of-factly.
"Don't tell me… you're the fiancé of the Princess of Deviluke?" one of them blurted, face changing.
"Oh? You actually know me? No reward though," Shichen said lightly.
Before they could respond, he vanished.
Bang bang bang!
Three successive impacts rang out.
The three other men, like their leader, were now embedded in the walls, unconscious.
"Shichen, you…" Mikado stared, mouth hanging open.
"What's this? Falling for me already?" Shichen flashed her a smile.
"Please. Handsome for three seconds and then that," she snorted.
"I've got more handsome moves coming up," he said, stepping toward her.
"What are you—"
"Bringing you along to watch," Shichen slipped an arm around her waist.
The next moment, both of them disappeared.
In the same instant, their silhouettes reappeared in midair.
"Eek—!"
With nothing beneath her feet, Mikado shrieked and instinctively clung to him.
"Wow, straight into my arms, huh?" Shichen teased.
"Why are we in the sky?! How did you do that?" she demanded, ignoring him.
"I wanted to, so I did," he replied.
"…And what exactly did you bring me up here for?"
"Look over there," Shichen said, pointing ahead.
Mikado turned—and finally noticed the massive object floating in the distance.
A spaceship was hanging in the sky.