Chapter 35: Utaha Kasumigaoka

"If Satania is here, then Vignette must also be a transfer student," Rei Ao thought as he arrived at school. He recalled the purple-haired demon with an angelic personality.

Suddenly, a wobbly figure bumped into his shoulder.

"Ugh…"

The person was light as a feather, and without reacting, she fell face-first toward the ground. Rei Ao quickly reached out and caught her by the shoulder. When he saw her familiar face, he wasn't surprised.

Long, straight black hair.

A white headband.

Delicate features.

And, of course, those signature black stockings on her legs.

Kasumigaoka Utaha.

With Kato Megumi already around, it was no surprise that Utaha was here too. But she didn't seem to be in good shape. The dark circles under her eyes were already visible, though they didn't diminish her beauty.

"Are you alright?" Rei Ao asked, patting her shoulder gently. "Do you need to go to the nurse's office?"

"Ugh…"

Kasumigaoka let out a muffled groan, her head swimming. She had stayed up all night writing after a burst of inspiration. As she walked, a sudden sharp pain shot through her head, causing her to lose control and nearly collapse. She tried to stand up, but her legs gave out, and she almost fell again.

Rei Ao caught her once more and sighed. "I should take you to the nurse's office."

Without waiting for a response, he hoisted her onto his back. Surprisingly, the sensation was even more noticeable than with Mai, but he didn't dwell on it. He brought her to the nurse's office.

…

A short while later…

"Ugh…"

Kasumigaoka stirred, her hand reaching for the cold compress on her forehead as she struggled to sit up. She looked around.

"This is… the nurse's office?"

Her head still throbbed, and she couldn't clearly recall how she got there. All she remembered was falling into a peaceful, cool sleep.

"You're finally awake."

Rei Ao's voice startled her.

"Who are you?" Utaha instinctively tightened her grip on the blanket, eyeing him warily.

"I'm Rei Ao from Class 3-3," he introduced himself, smiling. "Before we continue, could you let go of my hand?"

He raised his right hand, which she had been gripping tightly the entire time, and smiled.

"???"

Why am I holding his hand?

Realizing the situation, Utaha quickly released her grip. As soon as she let go, the cool sensation vanished.

Rei Ao explained, "You bumped into me in the hallway and almost fainted, so I brought you to the nurse's office. The nurse said you're severely sleep-deprived, and fainting is the least of your problems—it's a miracle you didn't collapse from exhaustion."

"!!!"

Utaha's face filled with shock. It was her first time feeling this bad from pulling an all-nighter.

"And you also have a fever," Rei Ao added. "You wouldn't let go of my hand, so the nurse asked me to stay and watch over you."

He showed her his phone. "You've been asleep for three hours now. I have a test in my next class, so I have to go. If you need anything, ask the nurse."

Rei Ao stood up and, noticing her dark circles, gave her some advice. "As someone who's been there, try not to stay up all night. You're too beautiful to let yourself burn out."

After all, he had experienced something similar when he died and was reincarnated.

With that, he turned to leave.

Utaha finally gathered her thoughts and quickly thanked him, "Rei Ao, thank you."

"We classmates should look out for each other," he replied, waving as he walked out the door without looking back.

Utaha stared at the nurse's office door for a long time, lost in thought. She slowly looked down at her left hand, which had been holding Rei Ao's hand earlier. The cool sensation still lingered.

"Rei Ao…"

…

"Rei Ao-kun, what have you been up to all morning? You're only just getting back," Kato Megumi asked curiously as Rei Ao returned to class.

"Nothing much. I helped a classmate who nearly fainted from exhaustion get to the nurse's office," Rei Ao replied casually.

He then noticed someone walking toward Kato Megumi, not paying attention and almost bumping into her. Frowning slightly, Rei Ao grabbed Megumi's hand and pulled her out of the way.

"That lack of presence of yours can be pretty inconvenient," he remarked.

"…"

Megumi glanced at their joined hands but didn't say anything about it. "It's not a superpower, after all. Actually, it can be quite bothersome at times."

"Speaking of powers…" Rei Ao suddenly remembered his protective blessing that could enhance abilities.

"Megumi, I might have a way to help with your unusual lack of presence."

"Is it going to be a trade?" Megumi asked, her expression as calm as ever.

"Uh…"

Rei Ao was at a loss for words. That had been his plan, but coming from Megumi's calm face, it felt like she was scrutinizing him.

"It seems class is about to start," Megumi said. "Could you let go of my hand now?"

Realizing he was still holding her hand, Rei Ao quickly let go. "Oh, sorry."

As soon as he released her, Megumi leaned in close to his ear and asked, "Rei Ao-kun, do you find my hand comfortable to hold?"

Before he could respond, she turned and walked back to her seat.

With her back to him, Megumi smiled faintly.

"…"

Rei Ao was left with a strange expression. The one who usually flirted with others had just been flirted with by Megumi? He even found himself seriously comparing the feel of Megumi's hand to the experience of holding Mai's hand the night before.

"Hm… they both have their charms, but both are definitely soft."

Rei Ao decided that once he won over Megumi, he would have to compare the two more thoroughly.