The Future

At 10 PM.

Whether it was because of exams or the feeling that moments like these were particularly atmospheric, the school arranged a bravery test meeting when most well-behaved children would be asleep.

Many students gathered in the backyard of the hot spring hotel, yawning and with red eyes.

There were several umbrellas, tables, and chairs in the backyard, as well as several artificial pathways stretching towards the mountaintop, enveloped in dark and deep thickets, with swaying tree shadows, looking like a mirage.

Looking up, on the contrary, the night was bright.

The night sky beside the mountains and rivers was clear and beautiful, but there were a few dark clouds obscuring the twinkling stars, and only a little light shining brightly on the horizon.

"What a shame..."

Looking at the thin yet beautiful light, Fumino sighed.

According to the regulations, she wore slightly rough sports uniform like everyone else, because the temperature dropped sharply after nightfall, she added a cold-resistant jacket on the outside. Nevertheless, she was so cold that she shrank her neck.

"What a shame?" Itsuki beside her couldn't help but ask.

"The stars. I thought the weather was good today, and since we're in a mountainous area with less light pollution, we should be able to see the Autumn Square and Orion..."

As she put her hands in her coat pocket, Fumino exhaled white smoke.

"With the current cloud density, even if we encounter a rare meteor shower, we might not be able to see anything... It's really unfortunate."

Moreover, the bravery waiting test would still be held in the forest, even though by chance, the clouds dissipating the scenery here would not be able to appreciate the most beautiful starry sky.

If not, sneak out after everything is done...

As she seriously pondered this issue, Itsuki turned to her with surprise.

"Fumino, do you like stars?"

"Yes, I like them the most!"

Coming back to herself, Fumino nodded enthusiastically, showing a bright smile like a child.

"Because I like stars and everything related to the night sky, I want to deepen my knowledge in the field of science so that I can enter a university majoring in astronomy in the future!"

She clenched her fist and raised it high to the sky, shouting with determination.

"Target, work in an astronomical observatory!"

Itsuki was momentarily stunned, then laughed.

She always felt that Fumino looked so straightforward and cute, yet also envy-inducing.

"Because you like it, you shouldn't hesitate..."

Unconsciously, Itsuki also gazed at the night sky and murmured.

"Itsuki, do you have any interests or things you like?" This time, Fumino looked at her curiously.

"I..." Itsuki scratched her face for a moment, then smiled shyly, "Food, and then something very satisfying to do? Embarrassing to say, unlike Fumino, I have a clear understanding of results..."

"Great!" Fumino held her hand with sparkling eyes and said enthusiastically.

"Itsuki, how about becoming a food critic? Aren't you a food blogger, UP host, or vtuber that's been very popular and profitable lately? You're sure to gather a lot of fans! The restaurant you recommended last time was really delicious! I mean the food!"

"F-Fumino, calm down, you're a little incoherent..."

Itsuki quickly reassured her who was excited, then smiled bitterly.

"You like that shop so much, but I just want to do things like tasting food as a hobby. If I develop it into a career that I rely on for a living, I feel like it would spoil that delicious food..."

And it seemed like she had never been a food blogger before...

Itsuki sighed softly and continued: "If you set aside your interests, I have a career I want."

Feeling the seriousness in her words, Fumino also became serious.

"What career do you want?"

Remembering something, a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and Itsuki spoke softly.

"A teacher."

"I want to be a teacher, like Asada-kun and Kirisu-sensei... A respected teacher like my mother."

"If I talk about dreams, maybe this is the only dream I have."

Fumino stared blankly at her side profile.

"Just like your mother..."

Before she could ask the doubts in her heart, Mafuyu's voice suddenly sounded in front of her.

"Class B students, gather here. The next step is the draw for the bravery test competition!"

△

Shinichi entered the team that gathered in Class B. He didn't go out to look for Fumino and Itsuki, just waited for the group draw to begin.

And beside him happened to be Kashima, Inomori, and Chono.

"Ready."

Standing beside him, Kashima restrained her smile.

"Making signatures, arranging routes, holding back teachers... Have you completed all the things you told me?"

"Okay, thank you for your hard work." His lips moved slightly, and he used a more skillful technique than hers to send his voice into secrecy. Shinichi responded without changing his expression.

"The next mission is at the school festival, and maybe this is the last one, so don't worry."

"Oh, that's good." Kashima said with a helpless look, "I never thought I could help someone like you. Even if it's to protect Princess Furuhashi, there's still an unpleasant feeling..."

"I'll protect Princess Furuhashi for you."

"Haha, how about breaking three of your ribs?"

"I won't invite you when Fumino and I get married."

"Tsk, you despicable villain..." Kashima grumbled dissatisfied.

"Whatever, if you let me see Furuhashi-san look sad again, will you really take action next time? Before you flaunt your words, I'll beat you until you can't speak."

"Sure, I'll be waiting for you."

"...Eh?"

Kashima raised her gaze in surprise and returned genuine smile.

"If that happens, please hit me hard to wake me up, Kashima."

Shinichi said this casually, but there was no joking tone.

"You..."

Kashima stared at him for a long time, then averted her gaze again.

She spoke again, her attitude seemed to have changed.

"In that case... I beg of you, Asada-kun."

"What?"

"Please allow me to attend your wedding. To give her happiness she'll never regret, and to make her smile cheerfully like a true princess forever... Let me witness such a sight."

Seeing Fumino in the front row, she seemed to smile gently, and her soft and graceful voice spread into the night.

"Anyway, we are friends."

Looking in the same direction as her, Shinichi smiled and nodded.

"Sounds reasonable."