A few days had passed since Mei-san shared those shocking words. I had just returned from a routine mission and stopped by the faculty office to deliver my report to Yaga-sensei.
"Sensei. It's Touya."
"Enter."
I pushed the door open politely. Sitting opposite Principal Yaga on the sofa, legs elegantly crossed as they conversed, was Mei Mei.
"Ah, Touya. Good work out there. Any issues?"
"No, Sensei. No unusual occurrences to report."
Mei Mei rested her chin on her hand, her school skirt riding up slightly as she maintained her cross-legged posture. She peered at me with those calculating eyes.
"Is that blood on you?"
I looked down, finally noticing the crimson stains on my uniform jacket. I shook my head quickly.
"Ah, it's from someone I rescued at the scene. They were unconscious, so I treated them with the Reverse Cursed Technique before handing them over to an ambulance."
Mei Mei gave that characteristic, enigmatic smile of hers, her eyes narrowing playfully.
"That's a relief. Not that I'd ever expect Touya-kun to be the one getting hurt."
I let out an awkward laugh at her praise. Yaga-sensei cleared his throat, reclaiming the room's focus.
"Right. Good. There are no more missions for today. Go and rest. You too, Mei Mei. Good work."
"Yes, thank you. Mei-san, did you just finish a mission as well?"
Mei Mei nodded before turning her gaze back to Yaga-sensei.
"Well then... Sensei. I hope you don't mind if I take Touya-kun out with me?"
Yaga-sensei's eyebrow arched high at her sudden request.
"What business could you possibly have with Touya that requires him to leave? Is it personal?"
"Yes. An outing. As for the business... shall we call it a date?"
She flicked her tongue over her lips while looking straight at me. I felt a cold sweat break out as I thought to myself: Is it happening today? I suppose we both finished our missions, so the timing is perfect... but she actually called it a date?
"Haha... a date? No, we're just... hanging out."
Yaga-sensei's eyes widened in genuine shock. He looked at Mei Mei with a stern expression.
"God damn! Mei Mei. Touya is only fifteen years old. Surely you haven't forgotten that."
Mei Mei let out a soft chuckle and stood up. She grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the door before looking back at the Principal.
"And I'm only eighteen, Sensei. Don't worry... I'll be sure to use protection. No need for concern."
My mind went completely blank at her words. My jaw practically hit the floor as I was dragged out. Behind us, Yaga-sensei's roar echoed through the hallway like a lion's fury.
"God damn! Mei Mei! Get back here this instant! Not Touya! Anyone but Touya! Right now!"
Mei Mei giggled, clearly enjoying the chaos she had unleashed. She looked at me, her smile bright and amused.
"Oh my, Touya-kun. What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"No... that... what did you just say? I must have misheard."
Mei Mei tilted her head, acting confused, before an 'ah!' escaped her lips.
"You mean the part about protection?"
I choked on my own spit, coughing violently at her bluntness.
"I told you not to say things like that! Why would you bring that up so suddenly?"
"My, so you heard me perfectly. Fufu... It was a joke. One rarely gets to see Principal Yaga react like that. It just proves how much he treasures you."
"Is that so? Well, think about my sanity for a second while you're at it... I was practically dying of embarrassment."
"Oh, I see. So Touya-kun is weak against that sort of talk. This is valuable information."
I shook my head, marveling at how she could turn even my embarrassment into 'data' for her mental ledger. I took a deep breath and asked the real question.
"So... are we actually going? Out of the academy?"
"Yes. You just returned from a mission, so go wash up. Dress nicely, too. Something stylish, not those dull school clothes."
I nodded.
"Alright. I'll go get ready. What about you?"
"I need to prepare as well. Showering, changing... or perhaps we should shower together? I could explain what protection really means in detail..."
She didn't even flinch as she made the scandalous suggestion. I stared at her, exhausted already.
"Forget it. Seriously, Mei-san..."
"Puhuhu... You're truly fun, Touya-kun. Go on, then. Head down when you're ready. I'll meet you downstairs."
I watched her wave and disappear up the stairs. Letting out a heavy sigh, I retreated to my own room.
First, a shower. I'm covered in mission grime anyway... and if I'm going out with her, I should at least look presentable.
After washing away the blood and dust and tossing my uniform into the laundry, I meticulously cleaned myself. I picked out a clean, coordinated outfit and headed down to the first floor. There, I ran into Suguru, who was yawning as he descended the stairs.
"Yo, Touya. Where are you headed?"
"Have you been sleeping this whole time? It's past 1 PM."
"Of course not. Just a quick afternoon nap. So, why the civilian clothes? Planning on going somewhere?"
"Yeah. I'm heading out with Mei-san."
Suguru's eyes widened, his mouth opening to retort just as another figure appeared on the stairs.
"Did I keep you waiting long, Touya-kun?"
"A—no. Mei-san, that outfit is..."
"What? Is it not to your liking? I quite enjoy these clothes. Don't I look sexy?"
She struck a provocative pose, emphasizing her curves in a form-fitting one-piece dress that left nothing to the imagination.
"Ah... yes. You look beautiful."
As I stammered through my response, Suguru—who had been staring blankly at Mei Mei—leaned in and whispered into my ear.
"What is this, a date? No wonder you dressed up. You lucky bastard. I'm telling Satoru and Sister Utahime everything."
I don't know what he thinks he's 'telling' them, and I don't care about Satoru's reaction, but I did promise Sister Utahime we'd go out next...
I gave an awkward laugh and a small nod before approaching Mei Mei.
"Shall we? It's better to be out while the sun is still up."
"Yes, let's go. We have much to do."
As we walked out, I caught Suguru's eye one last time.
I'm off. Make sure you handle things back here.
Just get out of here, you show-off.
After our silent exchange of glares and gestures, we left the dormitory behind.
"Fufu... I'm looking forward to this. Do you have anything specific in mind?"
I nodded, having given it some thought earlier.
"How about shopping in Shinjuku? I don't have many civilian clothes—at the Clan estate, I'm stuck wearing a hakama all day. Since you have an excellent eye for these things, I thought we could pick out outfits for each other."
Mei Mei's eyes widened slightly at the suggestion, followed by a delighted laugh.
"Oh my, what a wonderful idea. I assume Touya-kun is footing the bill?"
"Of course. It's that kind of day. Though... how are we getting to Shinjuku?"
Mei Mei looked at me knowingly.
"Don't worry about that. It so happens the Assistant Manager for my mission lives in Harajuku. I already requested a ride earlier."
"What? How did you know exactly when I'd return?"
"It's fine. I promised them a suitable reward for the trouble."
Mei Mei slid closer and linked her arm with mine. I froze, flustered by the soft sensation pressing against my arm through her dress, but I was powerless as she led me through the academy gates.
"I... I see. That's a relief, then."
We boarded the car waiting at the gate. I offered my thanks to the Assistant Manager, and we set off.
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Shoko Ieiri, having stepped out of the infirmary for a breath of fresh air, stood by the window and witnessed a sight she could hardly believe.
"...What is that?"
She watched Touya, dressed in a sharp casual outfit, and Mei Mei, wearing a deliberately provocative dress, walking arm-in-arm out of the gates. Shoko unconsciously reached for a cigarette and lit it.
"So that's how it's going to be, huh? How interesting."