In the classroom, at Kamiyama Rikuo's seat, Rikuo pointed at himself with a bewildered expression.
"Hmm. What Rikuo-kun says, it feels like he never considers himself."
The ethereal Tomori, on the contrary, seemed to see things that didn't exist. Her rose-gold eyes looked at Rikuo, making him feel a bit guilty.
"Is that so? Didn't I just say whatever I wanted? Tomori, you're overthinking it, aren't you?"
"Really?"
Tomori's gaze on Rikuo didn't change. After asking Anon to borrow her seat, she turned Anon's chair and sat next to Rikuo. Without asking Rikuo's opinion, she opened her blue-packaged bento and started eating.
'Holy cow, a precious scene of the Little Penguin feeding! Speaking of which, there's never been a scene of Tomori eating in the show! So Little Penguin needs to eat?!'
Rikuo felt he had discovered the ninth wonder of the world and needed to record it. He rummaged through the surrounding books, realizing he hadn't bought any stationery at all, only the distributed books and his rider system fountain pen.
'I can't possibly write on books or undead cards, can I? Forget it, I, Kamiyama Rikuo, have lost the privilege of recording history!'
Tomori looked at Rikuo's expression, which went from shock to elation, then to excitement, and finally to sadness, with an unprecedented level of confusion in her eyes.
'Hmm, are human emotions really that complex? It feels like nothing happened, so why does Rikuo-kun have so many changes in emotion?'
Tomori began to feel that her path to becoming human was even more distant.
"Rikuo-kun, do you also like collecting these animal cards? I have many similar notebooks at home, and I've collected the complete set! Also, if you like collecting animal cards, do you like penguins?"
When Takamatsu Tomori saw someone who seemed to share her interests, her words came out like a rapid-fire string, and a blush appeared on her small face.
"Rikuo-kun, after lunch, can you accompany me to the Astronomy Club? I also want to show you my collection."
Rikuo looked at the Little Penguin's excited appearance and couldn't refuse. At the same time, he also displayed all his cards separately.
'If it's just looking, there shouldn't be any problem, probably.'
"Of course, Tomori. Let's go after we finish eating. You can look at my collection first."
The Little Penguin picked up four cards, flipping them back and forth, feeling like a child who had discovered something new, full of curiosity.
"Rikuo-kun, why are the animals inside all locked up? Are the Ace and King of Spades both beetles? Does the King look more imposing? And there's only one Hearts card, and the animal on it... is it a human?"
"The Ace and King of the corresponding suit are the same creature. The Ace represents the family of the corresponding creature, and the King represents the strongest genus within that family. Hearts are not special, it just so happens that I only have one. The 2 of Hearts is the most special. Although it is the lowest rank, it is the final winner. Although only humans are not animals... Hmm, no, humans are also animals."
Although Tomori didn't quite understand, her eyes, fixed on the 2 of Hearts, seemed to be pondering something.
"Can you trade the 2 of Hearts to me, Rikuo-kun?"
"No, Tomori."
Rikuo's expression became serious. Because of the side effects of the rider system before, he felt that if the corresponding card were used, there would definitely be consequences. Since he had this risk even with his Rider Fusion Rate, it was impossible to let this hidden problem appear on others, especially people he knew.
"Is, is that so?"
Tomori was startled by Rikuo's sudden serious and solemn demeanor, but she didn't feel the dissatisfaction of a treasure being stolen from his emotions; rather, it was pure concern and friendliness.
"Since Rikuo-kun doesn't want to give it to me, then forget it."
Seeing Tomori's obedient yet dejected look, Rikuo sighed lightly.
"Forget it. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll lend it to you for a while."
"Really? Rikuo-kun is indeed very kind."
Rikuo decided that if he had the chance, he would first try the 2 of Hearts to confirm the extent of its side effects, and then see if he could lend it to Tomori.
"Tomori, you really shouldn't call someone like me kind. It wouldn't be good if it was misunderstood again. After all, my reputation in class and so on..."
"But Rikuo-kun is truly very gentle."
Looking into Tomori's pure, big eyes, Rikuo couldn't argue further.
'It seems that once the ethereal girl makes up her mind about something, it's very difficult to change.'
In her eagerness to show Rikuo her collection, Tomori ate much faster than usual, quickly finishing lunch and taking Rikuo to the Astronomy Club.
...
The midday sun was like melted butter, thickly spread over every corner of the campus. It was spring now, so there was no cicada chirping in the treetops, nor was the sunlight overly scorching; it was the most comfortable season of the year.
In the classroom, several students were napping at their desks; in the hallway, several boys were running and playing. Although there was a school rule against running in the corridors, what teenager in puberty had so many concerns? Teenagers in puberty only wondered why lunch break was never long enough?
Our Sakiko-sensei was currently sitting on a bench on the school playground, having lunch. The golden sunlight spilled onto her moon-like blue hair, like the sun and moon reflecting each other. But in this beautiful scene, no one could approach. The moon, once the closest, had begun to escape alone.
"Rikuo-kun, it's just ahead."
Hearing Takamatsu Tomori's voice, the moon turned its head and saw the sun and the star that once gave her courage going together to the old shadows of the past. Sakiko felt a hint of coolness brought by the spring breeze.
"I just mentioned Tomori this morning, and their relationship is already this good by noon?"
The moon saw the star and the sun, who had regained their courage, but the moon turned to its dark side, hiding its tears.
"How cunning, how enviable..."
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