-1011- Where is she?

After finishing breakfast, Kojou immediately returned to his room to continue looking after Nagisa, holding a few talismans he received from Rozen just in case.

Rozen tidied up the tableware, changed into his freshly washed uniform, grabbed his backpack, and got ready to head to school.

Since most of the special district security forces had been mobilized for yesterday's disaster, there was no luxury of luxury cars to drive Rozen to and from school today, as Natsuki mentioned yesterday.

So, today, Rozen had to go to school alone.

"Fortunately, it's not too hot today."

For Itogami City, located on a perennially warm island, the lowest temperature year-round usually stayed above 20 degrees Celsius, with hardly any chance to wear winter clothing.

Yet today, for some reason, the temperature was only in the teens, which was quite surprising.

"Could it be the influence from the North District?"

Rozen wondered.

The entire North District had been turned into an ice field. It was logical to assume that the cold wind blowing from there affected the temperature of Itogami Island, causing an unusual drop in temperatures.

Nevertheless, the initiator of all this chaos had a timid and anxious expression, looking at Rozen who was preparing to leave, and surprisingly spoke up.

"You... Are you planning to desert?"

That was just a bewildering statement.

"What do you mean, desert?" Rozen squinted, somewhat annoyed. "I'm just going to school, you know what that is?"

At these words, Avrora blinked, timidly speaking up.

"What... What is school?"

She simply didn't understand, right?

"The so-called school is a place where young people go to gain knowledge, to learn. It's like a training facility where modern people have an obligation to study. I'm no exception; otherwise, I'd be punished."

Rozen explained and instructed Avrora.

"You stay home for now. When I come back, I'll help you buy some clothes. Until then, don't go anywhere, okay?"

Rozen nagged like this because he couldn't help but worry about Avrora, who was naive and timid.

"You can sleep in your room, or ask Kojou if there's anything you want to do. Just don't wander around. Understand?"

After saying that, Rozen checked the time.

"Alright, I should be leaving now. See you after school, Avrora."

Rozen waved to Avrora and then hurried out the door.

"Ah..."

Behind him, Avrora seemed to make some noise, but unfortunately, Rozen had already left and didn't hear it.

Avrora just watched Rozen leave, her eyes full of confusion and helplessness.

The girl certainly didn't know what to do next or what to do.

The surroundings suddenly became quiet, making Avrora feel uneasy.

Silence.

Loneliness.

These were emotions that Avrora didn't want to endure, and she subconsciously wanted to resist.

At that moment, Avrora remembered Rozen's advice—"If you want to do something, you can ask Kojou."

"Kojou..."

She knew the owner of that name.

So, Avrora walked towards the guest room.

The door there was only slightly ajar, not closed properly.

This was also a common problem with Kojou; when he wanted to enter someone else's room, he wouldn't knock, and when he returned to his own room, he wouldn't close the door properly. He often got lectured by Nagisa for this.

Avrora approached.

Her naturally timid and shy nature prevented Avrora from directly entering the room. Instead, she quietly hid there, peeking through the crack in the door to see what was inside.

The next moment, Avrora's eyes widened.

Because there, Kojou was sitting by Nagisa's bed, with something spread out in his hands.

That something was underwear.

And Kojou was earnestly staring at the underwear in his hands.

This scene greatly shocked Avrora's soul.

"Obscene person...!"

Avrora couldn't help but cry out.

"Hmm?"

Hearing some movement, Kojou turned his head and looked outside the door.

But there was no one there.

"It thought I heard someone..."

Kojou frowned, then shrugged it off, bending down to tidy up a cardboard box at his feet.

Inside were clothes.

"That darn mom. She just called last night to say she couldn't come home, but this morning, she ordered clothes from nearby stores and had them sent here. She even prepared clothes for Nagisa. But how can I help Nagisa change clothes?"

Kojou lamented to himself.

Poor Kojou still didn't know that he accidentally took out the underwear his mother ordered for his daughter, and his frozen and frustrated appearance made him look like a pervert staring at those clothes.

"Oh, right, Avrora seems to have no clothes either. I'll take these to her."

Kojou thought of this, got up, and went to look for Avrora.

But...

"Where is she?"

In the apartment, Kojou's astonished voice echoed.

Looking closely, the entrance door of the apartment was open.

Obviously, someone had hurriedly escaped from there.

.....

The South District of Itogami Island was not only a residential area but also a place where educational institutions were clustered.

Saikai Academy was situated on the gentle slope of the South District, surrounded by artificial greenery.

From here to the nearest station, it took less than ten minutes.

Naturally, news of last night's events had spread throughout the school, making the entire campus seem a bit noisy.

Rozen entered his classroom, located in the third year of middle school, amidst this commotion.

"Good morning, Minamiya-kun."

"Good morning."

Along the way, many people greeted Rozen, and he responded impeccably to each one. During this time, quite a few girls gathered around him, but they dispersed after Rozen entered the classroom.

As soon as he entered the classroom, Rozen saw two exhausted friends slumped over their desks.

"Good morning..."

Asagi lay there, looking completely drained and dispirited.

"Getting so much attention early in the morning, isn't it great..." 

Motoki was also slumped at his desk, sighing softly.

"What's wrong with you guys?"

Seeing Asagi and Motoki's condition, Rozen was somewhat surprised.

Asagi responded to Rozen's question.

"It's not just us; the others aren't doing well either."

Asagi's weary words made Rozen look around.

At a glance, Rozen noticed something unusual.