This is not the date I wanted.

Looking at Kurumi who seemed to be paying close attention in class, Shidou's eyes twitched constantly.

——Kyousan, do you have any other purpose?

(Hmph~ As expected of Mr. Shidou, you are quite perceptive.)

Looking at the brief sentence written on the note, Kuang San couldn't help but smile slightly.

(So, how should I reply...)

"……Um?"

Just when Shidao was worried about whether Kurumi had seen his message, he suddenly felt something poking his lower abdomen.

When he lowered his head and opened it, he saw a white arm extending from the narrow drawer, poking Shidao's abdomen repeatedly.

"—!"

Shidou subconsciously wanted to scream, but realizing that he was still in class, he covered his mouth with his hands at the same time.

(…I’m so scared. What the hell is this?)

Shidou looked at the hand in the drawer uncertainly, and suddenly found that the note he had just thrown was pinched between the fingers of this hand.

(Could it be that…)

As if he understood something, Shidao raised his head and looked forward. As expected, Kurumi was looking at him with a smirk on her face. It seems that this is also part of Kurumi's ability.

(It's just like a horror movie...)

After sighing with lingering fear, Shidao picked up the note and checked the other party's reply.

——Hehehe, are you scared? Mr. Shidao.

"..."

The first sentence at the beginning made Shidao's forehead full of black lines.

——Also, I don't really understand Mr. Shidao's question just now. I just came back to enjoy campus life.

——Really? I definitely thought you were here to take my life.

After writing the reply on the paper, Shidou placed the note in the hand of the drawer. The hand first disappeared into the shadow of the drawer, and then quickly returned with Kurumi's answer.

(Well, if Kurumi wanted to kill me now, I would have died a long time ago.)

With a wry smile, Shidou flipped open the paper.

——Indeed, that is one of the purposes.

——One of the purposes? Do you mean there are other purposes?

——Secret. Mr. Shidao, you are still a little naive to try to trick me.

——Okay. But Kuang San, I want you to agree to one request of mine.

--What?

——If you want to attack, just target me and don’t attack anyone in the school.

——I see, Mr. Shidou is really kind, but at a time like this it would be better for him to pay more attention to himself.

——This is where I go to school. I don’t want my daily life to be disrupted if possible.

——Understood. I will agree to Mr. Shidao's request, but I don't know when I will regret it (laughs).

——Well, that's enough. Thank you, Kurumi.

Seeing this, Shidao couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Just when Shidao thought the topic had ended, Kurumi handed him a new note.

——Come to think of it, are you still planning to seal my spiritual power now, Mr. Shidou?

Seeing the contents of the note, Shidao couldn't help but hesitate. He didn't know why Kurumi mentioned this to him, but after thinking it over, he decided to answer his thoughts honestly.

——Of course. I will definitely seal your spiritual power and stop you from continuing to do evil.

“Doing evil…?”

Seeing Shidao's answer, Kuang San's mouth showed a hint of bitterness. But soon, she adjusted her mentality, picked up the pen and replied.

——Then, give Mr. Shidao a chance? As long as you agree to one of my conditions, I will entrust my spiritual power to you.

"Eh?"

Shidou was greatly surprised by Kurumi's answer.

(A trap?)

Shidao's reason told him so. According to his understanding of Kurumi, she would not give up her spiritual power so easily. Instead, she was likely setting a trap for him.

However, Shidou also understood that this was a breakthrough in sealing Kurumi's spiritual power. Even if it was really a trap, as long as there was a slight possibility, there was no reason for Shidou not to follow up.

——What is that condition?

——Well, it’s hard to explain it in writing. Let’s talk about it in detail after school. Besides——isn’t it a student’s duty to study?

"Eh?"

"Itsuka Shido, you will recite the following content."

Before Shidao could understand what Kurumi wrote, the Chinese teacher suddenly called out his name.

“Hey… that…”

Standing up from his seat in a hurry, under the stern gaze of the Chinese teacher, Shidao couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. It was obvious that he didn't listen to the content of the class at all.

At this moment, Shidao suddenly discovered that Kurumi's hand in the drawer handed out a new note.

——Page 75, third line.

Is he helping himself? Shidao didn't have time to think too much, he turned to the corresponding page and read aloud.

Veins suddenly popped out on the Chinese teacher's forehead.

"That was from last class! Are you fucking kidding me, Shido Gokawa? Stand in the hallway!"

"Hey!?"

"——Pfft!"

Seeing Shidao's embarrassed look, Kurumi couldn't help laughing.

05 Rooftop

==============================

February 9, Friday evening, 17:23.

The setting sun has already sunk halfway into the mountain. The sunlight spreads across the school, casting a dim yellow glow on the playground and teaching buildings. Looking at the empty campus, one can't help but feel a little lonely.

"call……"

As the agreed time approached, Shidou took a deep breath and tried to keep himself calm.

He knew that Tokisaki Kurumi was waiting for him on the rooftop.

[Are you ready, Shidou? ]

Kotori's serious voice came from the headphones.

During class, Kotori received a report from her subordinates about Kurumi's return to school. Although this sudden news inevitably made her a little shaken at first, she quickly grasped the situation and realized the importance of the matter. She immediately ordered Fraxinus EX to standby above Raizen High School and prepare for support.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Hmm...Is it okay, Shidou? After all, it would be better if we follow too..."

Tohka said to Shidou, her eyes filled with anxiety and worry.

"It's no problem Tohka."

Shidou gently stroked Tohka's head and comforted her.

"I met with Kurumi this time just to have a good talk with her, not to fight. If I bring other people with me, Kurumi might be on her guard, and she might also look down on me as a coward without guts. If it is really a trap, I will ask you for help immediately, and I will rely on you then."

"I see... Umm! Leave it to me!"

Tohka's expression relaxed a little, and she regained her spirit and answered.

"Shidou, we will wait here. If we detect any abnormality, we will go to your side to provide support."

"Well, please Origami."

"..."

"What's wrong Origami?"

"Shidou, I am also very worried right now. Please comfort me like Yatogami Tohka did."

"what……"

Watching Origami's head moving in front of him, Shidou took a while to react. He smiled bitterly and reached out to touch Origami's head.

Afterwards, after confirming that the agreed time was approaching, Shidou left the classroom of Class 4, Year 2 and headed towards the rooftop terrace.

[Shidao, to be honest, I personally do not recommend you and Kurumi to be alone together. Kurumi's angel is really a little out of specification, and I cannot guarantee that I can handle any special situation. ]

While climbing the stairs, Kotori's warning suddenly came through the headphones.

"Yes, I know Kotori. But, Kurumi said for the first time that she would give me a chance to seal my spiritual power. Even if there is a possibility of a trap, I can't turn a blind eye to it. And--"

At this point, Shidou paused for a moment and said in a joking tone,

"When we capture the elves, is there any action without risk?"

Hearing this, Qin Li on the other end was speechless for a moment, and then sneered.

[…Hmph. That’s right. I don’t know how many times I’ve helped clean up the mess Shidou made. This one won’t be a big deal.]

"Ha ha……"

Shidou couldn't help but smile bitterly.

[Speaking of which, Shidao, do you know where Sister Mengyue is now? ]

"Hmm? As for Meng Yue, she just went home with the Yamai sisters."

【……What? 】

Hearing Shidou's answer, Kotori's eyes twitched slightly.

[Let's confirm for the time being, do they know that Kurumi has returned to school? ]

"Well... I didn't see them much today, but they should know. After all, it seems that the whole school knows that Kurumi is back."

Shidou thought for a moment and then answered. Speaking of which, apart from meeting Mengyue in the morning, Shidou never saw the Yamai sisters and Mengyue come to this classroom again.

[…Sister Mengyue, you must have known something and started to act on your own.]

Kotori complained in a dissatisfied tone. Although there was no evidence, based on past experience, she absolutely did not believe that Meng Yue would go home at this time as if nothing had happened.

[I must ask clearly later. Really, doesn’t Sister Mengyue know what information sharing is? ]

"Well... Meng Yue probably has her own difficulties and that's why she didn't tell you."

[Of course I know this, it's just a small complaint... Shidao, we're here. ]

While talking with Kotori, Shidou had already walked to the door on the roof without realizing it.

【Good luck, Shidao. 】

"Ah."

Shidou swallowed and waited for his rapid heartbeat to slow down before opening the door to the roof.

"Well--"

The light that was incomparable to that in the classroom filled Shidou's vision, causing him to squint his eyes involuntarily.

Gradually, the stimulation of the sunlight to the eyes gradually eased. Shidao looked carefully and saw a girl standing on the edge of the rooftop, gazing at the setting sun in the distance through the iron railings.

The girl had black hair that was darker than darkness, and skin that was fairer than snow. She was as beautiful as Snow White in the fairy tale, which made people jealous.

The girl stood quietly on the rooftop alone. The dim setting sun cast her shadow onto the floor. The shadow was stretched and swaying on the floor, just like a candle that was about to burn out, so lonely and fragile.

For some reason, Shidao felt an inexplicable pain and sadness in his heart.