When Evan returned from the alternate dimension—let's call it the Jizo Mitama Space—to St. Freya Academy in the real world, it was already well past midnight.
It seemed that Evan's disappearance for several hours hadn't caused any unnecessary commotion. St. Freya Academy was still shrouded in the unique tranquility of the night.
It wasn't that Raiden Mei and the others had forgotten Evan. Rather, when Evan first sensed Yae Sakura's presence, he had sent Mei a text message telling her that he had matters to deal with and wouldn't be joining them for dinner.
At the time, Evan himself hadn't expected to be suddenly pulled into another dimension. He had merely thought he would spend some time negotiating with Yae Sakura, or perhaps have a small conflict due to a disagreement. He certainly hadn't anticipated the series of events that followed.
Since it was already past midnight, there was naturally no need to disturb anyone.
Glancing at the darkened dormitory where the lights in every room had been extinguished, Evan let out a soft sigh and headed back the way he came.
At the door of his own residence, Evan saw an unexpected figure. It was Himeko Murata. Normally, she should have been sleeping in her own room at this hour.
It was currently the depth of winter. Bitingly cold winds would occasionally howl through St. Freya Academy. Inside the houses, with the heating on, one wouldn't feel much. But standing outside, the cold was piercing to the bone.
Himeko's face was somewhat pale, and her ears were a bit red. Undoubtedly, she was freezing.
It looked like she had been waiting here for a long time.
"Y-You're finally back?"
Her tone had lost its usual maturity and composure; her voice was trembling.
Evan took off his coat and draped it over Himeko's shoulders while unlocking the door, frowning as he spoke.
"I clearly sent a text to Mei earlier. Why did you specifically come looking for me? Standing here all alone—are you an idiot? Why go to such lengths?"
Opening the door, Evan pulled Himeko, whose hands were ice-cold, into the house. He quickly and considerately turned on all the heating units, though his words remained somewhat harsh.
As a teacher at St. Freya Academy and one of its strongest combatants, Himeko was currently being scolded by Evan as if she were a disobedient child. Yet, she smiled.
"Ever since you helped me clear the side effects of the artificial stigmata, I've been worried that you paid some terrible price. Although the text you sent Mei seemed fine to the others, for me, it was like a bolt from the blue, you know? During the hours I waited just now, I even suspected you had fainted in some corner of St. Freya Academy due to health complications. But looking at you now, it seems you're in good shape?"
"My condition is fine, but yours isn't. You actually waited for me for several hours? Himeko Murata, are you prepared to have a cold and fever tomorrow?"
There was anger in Evan's tone.
Part of it was due to Himeko's excessive concern and care, as well as her foolish behavior of standing in the cold wind for hours. But a larger part was annoyance at himself.
If he had known Himeko was waiting for him, he shouldn't have stayed so long in the Jizo Mitama Space. He had been comfortable, eating and enjoying the cherry blossoms with Kallen and the others, unaware that someone in the outside world was suffering and worrying about him.
This was the first time Evan had caused a negative impact on others simply by existing.
"How should I put it... I spent the last few hours in fear and anxiety, but now seeing you safe and sound makes me very happy. This feeling isn't bad, you know? Besides, seeing you care about me in such a flustered and angry way is quite interesting too."
It was Himeko's usual teasing remark. But combined with her pale, frozen face and trembling voice, it gave off a vibe that made one feel pity and tenderness.
Evan reached out to feel the temperature of Himeko's forehead and palm. Although they were warmer than before, they were still somewhat cold.
"Go take a hot shower. Sitting here blankly will only aggravate your condition. Your clothes have probably lost their ability to keep you warm by now, right? Put them in the dryer. After you shower, wear my clothes first."
"A shower? A boy pulling a girl into his house and then telling her to shower... don't you think that's too ambiguous? By the way, Student Evan, you aren't planning to peek, are you?"
"I can distinguish between what's urgent and what isn't."
It would take a few minutes to walk from Evan's residence to Himeko's dorm. That was the reason Evan didn't walk her back.
She had endured the cold for hours, and just as she was finally feeling a bit of warmth, making her walk through the freezing outdoors again—such alternating hot and cold would only further ravage her body.
"Distinguish between urgent and not urgent? Does that mean if the timing was right, you woulddo those naughty things?"
Even though, as an A-rank Valkyrie who had experienced all sorts of harsh environments, Himeko should have known her own condition, she was still chatting with Evan with great interest, saying things that led one's imagination astray.
But Evan didn't follow her topic.
"Just be obedient for now. Afterwards, whether it's chatting or making dirty jokes, I'll accompany you to the end. If you want me to surrender, then I surrender now. Himeko Murata, you are the absolute victor this time. Satisfied?"
"Mhm."
Himeko seemed to listen and prepared to head to the bathroom. However, before entering, she suddenly turned back to look at Evan.
"Are you really not going to peek? It's a rare opportunity, you know?"
Evan was starting to grit his teeth. In truth, the current Himeko was very charming. The feelings she had revealed for him earlier made his heart skip a beat.
"You can do it, Himeko Murata. Once I confirm your body is fine, I will make you regret your current actions."
"Regret, huh... I don't think I will~"
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