-1082- Not an outsider

"This is...?"

On the side, watching as a plethora of items spilled out of Rozen's shoe locker, covering the floor with a clatter, Yukina was stunned.

On the contrary, Rozen squinted his eyes slightly.

"As expected, is it the same today?"

Rozen wore a nonchalant expression.

Upon closer inspection, various envelopes poured out of his shoe locker.

Each envelope had a different design, but without exception, they all exuded a very ambiguous and pinkish feeling, with many of them overtly adorned with hearts.

Seeing this, anyone would know what these envelopes contained.

"Love letters...?"

Yukina said with some reservation.

Indeed, they were love letters.

In other words, someone had written love letters to Rozen and placed them in his shoe locker.

And it wasn't just one person.

"So... so many..."

Yukina felt intimidated.

There were so many love letters right before her eyes that they could fill the entire shoe locker. They now piled up on the ground like a small mountain, probably numbering in the hundreds, if not dozens.

Yet, Rozen seemed accustomed to it.

"It's so full, I wonder how they managed to squeeze them in."

Rozen sighed as he picked up the love letters one by one from the floor, took out a plastic bag from his backpack, neatly packed all the envelopes, and then placed them back in his bag, cleaning up the mess.

Seeing this, Yukina understood that this wasn't just something that happened today.

In fact, it was true.

Since the first year of middle school, Rozen had been pulling out confession letters and love letters from his shoe locker, wardrobe, and even his desk every day. Sometimes there were hundreds, sometimes dozens, but hardly a day went by without receiving them.

"It seems senpai is indeed very popular."

Yukina looked at Rozen with a gaze that seemed unsure whether to admire or keep a distance.

Rozen didn't mind at all.

"This is already quite good now."

Rozen said sincerely.

"Wait until Valentine's Day, and you'll see that this level is just child's play."

As he said this, Rozen's steps couldn't help but become somewhat heavy, and he sighed repeatedly.

"Do you dislike this situation, senpai?"

Yukina walked alongside Rozen, hesitated for a moment, and asked this question.

"It's not that I dislike it." Rozen shook his head and replied, "It's just that it's been like this all along, and sometimes it causes unexpected commotion, which can be a bit tiring."

"Indeed, it would be tiring if it continued like this." Yukina nodded in empathy, recalling yesterday's events, but also said, "In that case, why does senpai still maintain a perfect image in public?"

Yukina, who said such words, must have realized that Rozen's behavior in front of outsiders and in front of his own people was completely different, right?

"If senpai didn't appear so perfect, it probably wouldn't have turned out like this."

Yukina expressed her opinion.

This was very accurate.

After all, Rozen wasn't just studying at Saikai Academy.

In the world of automaton, Rozen was attending the Machinart Academy.

In the world of Tokyo Ravens, Rozen was attending the Onmyo Academy.

Although Rozen was just as remarkable in both academies in terms of attracting attention, whether he was popular or not was another matter.

Back then, students from other schools admired Rozen not so much as now, but rather feared him. It wasn't until now that Rozen, regardless of his performance in any aspect, gave people a sense of closeness, which led to admiration and admiration, and then evolved into the current situation.

So, as long as Rozen doesn't do this, he won't encounter such things.

Perhaps other boys might pretend to be perfect and excellent to be popular, but Yukina doesn't think Rozen is like that. On the contrary, he seems quite averse to trouble.

In that case, why does Rozen go to such lengths to disguise himself?

Yukina felt puzzled by this.

This Yukina didn't know.

"Well, there are various considerations, but mainly two reasons."

Rozen didn't hide much and answered directly.

"One reason is myself. This way of trying various experiences and fields helps me improve."

Rozen was referring to his Mind's Eye.

However, explaining this aspect would be too complicated, so Rozen didn't plan to elaborate, just gave a rough explanation.

And another reason...

"There's also my sister, Minamiya Natsuki. You should know her, right?"

Rozen's question was met with Yukina's affirmation.

Any Attack Mage in the industry couldn't possibly not know the witch known as the Demon Slayer, including the inexperienced Yukina.

When Yukina took on this mission, Endo Yukari specifically reminded her that this mission could very well conflict with this witch, and she should be especially careful not to antagonize her.

"With your current abilities, even with the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven, you couldn't defeat that witch."

Endo Yukari instructed Yukina like this, leaving a lasting impression on her.

Rozen mentioned Natsuki in such a situation.

"My sister is quite strict."

Rozen sounded somewhat helpless.

"Although she spoils me, precisely because of her indulgence, Natsuki doesn't think I'm inferior to anyone. She even believes I'm superior to anyone else. Therefore, in both magic and everyday etiquette skills, she wants me to do my best to prove my talent and upbringing, making people only look up to me."

Rozen chuckled at this point.

"So, senpai strives to maintain a perfect image to please your sister?"

Yukina murmured softly to herself.

"Well, at most, it's only in front of outsiders." Rozen shrugged and said, "Let's not bother with our own people; it's too exhausting."

Upon hearing this, Yukina was first stunned, then felt a slight change in her heart.

"So... senpai doesn't consider me an outsider now...?"

Yukina couldn't help but lower her head and speak hesitantly.

"Hmm? What did you say?"

Not hearing Yukina's words clearly, Rozen asked in confusion.

"N-nothing!"

Yukina hurriedly brushed it off.

The two continued to talk to each other and returned to their respective classrooms.

There, they could no longer continue to hide and were harshly questioned by various people.

Especially Rozen, who was caught by Asagi, ended up agreeing to many unfair treaties and promising to take her out to eat, finally quelling the anger of this young lady.

This day continued in a lively and noisy manner.

Continued until nightfall.