"Good morning~, are you Kasumigaoka-san?"
A soft, almost dreamlike voice—gentle as sakura petals drifting in the wind—reached Touji's ears. Startled, Kasumigaoka Touji looked up instinctively, only to find a girl standing beside his desk. When did she get here…?
She had that kind of presence—so subtle, she could pass for a background character in any anime. But upon closer inspection, her features were clean and well-balanced, her skin smooth and fair, and her figure petite but undeniably cute.
"...Kato Megumi?"
Touji blinked in disbelief.
"Yup, that's me~," the bob-haired girl replied sweetly, her hands clasped behind her back like an innocent kouhai greeting her senpai. She tilted her head slightly, giving off the vibe of a well-trained NPC.
When did she even—? As expected of you, Kato-san! That stealth stat must be maxed out!
And then, as if in response to his admiration, the exclamation mark popped above her head—
[Kato Megumi's Dream]
Change My Attributes!
Dream Level: ★★★
Dream Description: Tired of her invisible presence complicating daily life, Kato Megumi wants to level up her social aura!
Dream Reward: 5000 Dream Points [Accept] or [Reject]
A Girl's Love Story!
Dream Level: ★★★★
Dream Description: The season of cherry blossoms is the season of love. As a high school girl, Megumi wishes for a romantic tale of her own~ (Note: This is a two-stage quest. Complete the first stage to unlock the second.) First Stage: Confirm the relationship and experience a heart-fluttering date. Reward: 12000 Dream Points Total Dream Reward: 30000 Dream Points [Accept] or [Reject]
Touji silently stared at the floating text.
...Honestly, not that surprising. He had already guessed the first dream. The second one, though—well, it's spring, after all. Youth, love, pollen in the air… it all fits.
Even "Saint Megumi" wasn't some divine being free of earthly desires. She was just a quiet, low-presence high school girl who wanted the same things anyone else did.
After a moment's thought, Touji chose the first dream.
While Kato Megumi was cute and intriguing in her own way, his mind still lingered on Kani Nayuta. Despite knowing her for only a short time, they'd already exchanged somewhat lewd jokes and become what could only be described as "H-manga buddies."
Besides, Nayuta had confessed to him. Sure, he rejected her for rational reasons, but his heart definitely skipped a beat or two during those moments.
Given a choice between an ambiguous potential and a girl actively throwing herself at him with a clearly defined dream quest, wasn't the answer obvious?
"…"
As Touji contemplated dream logic—
Mayonaka Kokonoka, looking half-asleep but still as gentle as ever, like a lazy American Shorthair basking in the sun, gave a cheerful wave.
"Kato-san, good morning~"
"Good morning~, President," Kato Megumi replied with a serene nod.
Upon hearing the title, Mayonaka's eyes lit up into crescent moons. She waved her hand dismissively.
"Not yet, not yet~! The club application hasn't been approved. But soon!"
"Let's hope it's today~!"
Kokonoka smiled and, eyeing the snow meiniang gift box back on Touji's desk, asked gently, "Gotou-san is coming soon too, right? Should we wait for her so we can all eat together?"
"Yes, let's wait for her~," Kato Megumi agreed, voice as calm as ever.
…
Roughly seven or eight minutes later—
About seven or eight minutes later, Gotou Hitori timidly stepped into the classroom.
Mayonaka Kokonoka was the first to notice, raising her hand with a cheerful smile. "Ah, Gotou-san~!"
Kasumigaoka Touji turned his head as well, catching sight of her familiar pink tracksuit draped over her uniform skirt. Despite the unconventional combination, it was undeniably her.
Kato Megumi also glanced over at the arrival. For a brief moment, something flickered across her normally placid expression—mild surprise, perhaps—but it vanished almost instantly, like a ripple on still water.
"Ah… um… I'm Gotou Hitori," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Feeling the attention of several people on her, she nervously gripped the strap of her schoolbag. Her eyes darted around, avoiding direct contact—except for a few timid peeks at Kato Megumi.
"I'm Kato Megumi," came a soft, serene reply. "My handle in the group chat is Ghost Girl."
Her voice was gentle—soothing, like the flutter of spring petals. It wrapped around Gotou Hitori like a comforting blanket, causing her tense shoulders to lower unconsciously. For someone as socially anxious as her, this calm was almost unnatural.
Even Gotou herself was startled. That kind of ease... it was something she only ever felt at home, around her family.
"Kato-san is… really approachable," she whispered.
Kasumigaoka Touji, watching from the side, tilted his head slightly and murmured, "That's the first time I've seen Gotou-san manage eye contact without spiraling into full panic mode."
He wasn't exaggerating. Kato Megumi's presence was so gentle, so unassuming, it somehow soothed even the most anxious heart.
In a way, it was amazing—maybe even a bit mysterious.
Ever since discovering Kato Megumi had joined the Nap Club, Kasumigaoka Touji had considered her the perfect candidate to befriend Gotou Hitori. Compared to Mayonaka Kokonoka, she might even be better suited for the role.
And now? It looked like he was right!
"This is also the first time I've seen Gotou-san act so… normal," Mayonaka Kokonoka said, blinking in awe.
Kato Megumi tilted her head slightly and commented with a light chuckle, "Maybe it's because I'm so lacking in presence that I'm not threatening."
Though self-deprecating, her tone remained perfectly composed, like she was simply stating a fact.
"Hmm~ that's true. Your presence is really faint, but that's exactly what makes being around you so relaxing," Kokonoka giggled. "You've got this aura of safety, y'know?"
She casually opened the gift box of snow meiniang. "Come on, everyone! Let's dig in. Gotou-san, you too!"
"H-Hi!" Gotou Hitori responded reflexively. Her feet moved on their own, a lightness in her steps as she approached Kato Megumi.
She stood so close that there was barely a fist's distance between them.
The orange situation is great—no wait, cross that out—the situation is definitely great!
…