"It's not your fault, Madoka-chan. It's the villains' fault... right?"
"Likely so. Do not let it bother you, Himiko."
It wouldn't do any good for her to worry about it anyway.
"...It does bother me. A date where the person I love won't even look at me is boring."
"I am looking at you, am I not?"
"You keep looking away. It's selfish of me, I know, but I hate it when your eyes wander."
"I understand. Then, I shall ignore the Curses. So please, won't you smile for me?"
I won't ignore them if they get too close or try to harm her, of course. But for now, I shall stop acting like a "Sorcerer" while I am at her side. I hate it when she doesn't smile. I'll have to be more mindful of this during our future trysts.
I was in the wrong. I will be careful. So, please smile. After all, it's been so long since we've been out together.
The tapioca milk tea was actually quite delicious. Despite being milk. Even though it used cow's milk. It was sweet and pleasant. The texture of the tapioca was... hard to describe. And the crepe was wonderful. I took a bite of hers, too. It was tart and sweet, a perfect balance.
Still, I think I might have been happier with something Himiko made herself. While sweets from a shop are fine, I find I prefer the ones we have at home.
When I told her that honestly, she gave me a radiant smile. I continued to ignore the Curses in the corner of my eye. Though, I did find a moment to exorcise them while we were waiting for the train home at the station.
Looking back, today's date was quite enjoyable. I still won't forgive what happened in the fitting room, but other than that, I have no complaints. I hope she feels the same.
"Now then..."
We returned home, finished dinner, and completed our baths. Dressed in my sleepwear, I sat in the floor chair at my desk. Before me lay two pairs of glasses, a ring, and two fountain pens.
Since the spring of last year, I've been pouring my Cursed Energy into these objects whenever I have a spare moment. My goal is to turn them into Cursed Tools. The glasses are meant to allow someone to see Curses. The ring and pens are intended to give my parents and Himiko a way to fight back.
...However, progress has been stagnant. I know that if one continues to imbue an object with Cursed Energy, it will eventually become a Cursed Tool. But I don't know the most efficient way to do it. I've been carefully flowing energy into them, trying not to break them... but I wonder how much longer it will take. This is something I really should have learned more about in my previous life.
I have no choice but to figure out the process of turning physical objects into Cursed Tools through trial and error. Even though I don't do it every single day, after a year of effort, only a pittance of energy has actually settled in. Do I perhaps have no talent for this?
"...Madoka-chan, what are you doing?"
"Hm? Oh... just imbuing these objects with Cursed Energy."
As I was working on the ring, Himiko returned from the bath. Honestly, a girl your age shouldn't leave her collar so open. Don't come crying to me if you catch a chill. Close it up, you fool.
"Eh? Are you planning on cursing someone to death?"
"No. This is protection against Curses for my parents and you. Since we never know when one might attack, I want you to have a tool to defend yourselves..."
"...So, it's like a lucky charm with a curse inside?"
"Something like that. Here, make sure you keep this on you at all times."
Only a tiny amount of energy has taken hold, but I'd like to believe it's better than nothing.
...Still, this ring looks quite old, doesn't it? Even the chain for wearing it around her neck seems worn. Well, she has been wearing it for eleven years now. It's only natural for it to be scratched or worn down. In fact, it's to be expected.
"You don't have to tell me; I always wear it."
"I know. Don't lose it."
"I won't! It was the first present Madoka-chan ever gave me, after all!"
"Guh."
Hey! Don't just tackle me. Don't push me over with such momentum. I hit my head! The ring almost went flying, you brat!
"Ehehe. Shall we get into the futon now?"
"It's too early for sleep. What about your studies? You haven't done any today, have you?"
"I'll do them while lying down with you!"
...Can you even concentrate like that? Usually, the moment you get into the futon with me, you... well, whatever. I suppose a day like this is fine once in a while. As long as she isn't overworking herself, I'll let her have her way.
Afterward, I placed the ring back around her neck, and we crawled into the futon together. I didn't think she would actually start studying while lying down as she'd declared, but she fell into a deep state of focus, so I said nothing.
...It occurred to me suddenly.
I think I quite like watching her profile when she is serious and focused. Her smile is my favorite, but her face in moments like this is also quite lovely.
I felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to stroke her hair, but I restrained myself, not wanting to disturb her. Once she's finished, I'll give her all the head-pats she can handle.
(Note: Starting next time, the story will pick up the pace heading toward the U.A. Sports Festival. Unlike the original story, Class A's experience at the USJ was mostly "pest control," so their growth might be a bit slower—I'll have to address that balance soon!)
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