Trouble

[0.888]

"888 milliseconds. That's impressive! You passed on your first try. At least, I need to attempt it twice."

"Nah, this isn't a big deal."

With the timer display showing less than one second, it signaled that I had completed today's lesson, which involved setting up a single Systematic magic sequence in a team of two. Of course, I can make it faster than that.

I was currently taking this test with Yoshida Mikihiko.

"Looks like we're the first ones to finish?"

Mikihiko spontaneously glanced around as he posed the question. Our classmates were still diligently working, using a standing model CAD to achieve precise timing.

The students had to read the Activation Sequence, decipher it using the Magic Computation Region in their subconscious, construct the Magic Sequence, and finally activate the magic in the form of a magic circle.

To be honest, this CAD model felt quite outdated. It was like having to suddenly drive a friend's car that had never been to a repair shop. Since the beginning, this CAD model only had factory settings and it's not individual customization.

"Haku, I'll go first then."

"Oh? Alright..."

Mikihiko left the room. I couldn't help but wonder where he had been going all this time. He had always been like that since the beginning of school—quiet as a statue, even in class.

With a sigh, I glanced over at Erika, who was paired with Leo, and Mizuki with Tatsuya. The four of them were also struggling with the same difficulty. It was a sight that made me feel sorry for them.

"Is it because I used to take care of orphans?"

In the past, I had considered the orphanage my second home. Perhaps this experience was the foundation for my concern.

Since it was break time, I assumed they would skip lunch. Should I just prepare some food for them?

"Hey! I'll make something for you; I don't think you guys will make it."

"Huh!? Are you making fun of me?"

"Oh, you. Just stay quiet and wait here."

Mizuki thanked me with a bright smile, and Tatsuya mentioned that he would ask Miyuki to help me later. Meanwhile, Leo tried to hold back Erika's anger but ended up getting a smack from her.

I headed to the cooking club's kitchen.

They allowed non-members to use it during non-club activities, as they wished for people to cook instead of relying too much on automated machines.

Tch, tch.

Kids these days.

"Haku, can you cook? That's cool!"

"Well, I was curious too. Can I try later?"

"Shizuku! We'll trouble him later. S-Sorry Haku-san."

"We? I don't recall agreeing to that."

Honoka and Shizuku happened to tag along with Miyuki after hearing the news from Tatsuya.

"Since we're here, I'm fine with it." I decided to make a hamburger.

"Haku, I'll help you from the side."

Miyuki smiled brightly. It seemed that she not only wanted to assist but also intended to learn from this experience.

"No, thanks. I prefer to work quickly."

"Oh my, is that so?" Veins popped up on Miyuki's forehead, but I simply ignored her with smug and started cooking.

---

The aroma of the heavily seasoned patty filled the room, and if it weren't for the kitchen exhaust fan, I might have found myself in a precarious situation.

While cooking, I playfully teased that Princess Miyuki once again, and Honoka and Shizuku seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves waiting.

Since the four of us were hungry, we decided to have lunch first, but we made sure not to forget about returning to our practice class as we had promised.

"Haku, please be the chef for my family. I assure you that you will be treated well."

"Why all of a sudden? What's the catch?"

"No catch, I promise. It's simply because your hamburgers are the best."

"Yes! That's fantastic! I think the dishes would taste even better if Haku had more time, right?"

"Kekeke, as expected of me. I'll be opening my cafe soon, so things might get a bit busy."

"Can I be a sponsor?"

"Hehe~ Of course."

With a smirk, I couldn't help but let out a snicker.

"I hate that smug smile of yours, but I have to admit that you guys are right." Miyuki cringed at my narcissistic comment, but she also acknowledged its truth.

I glanced at Miyuki.

Was this brat trying to pick a fight?

But since she's cute, I'll forgive her.

"Wait, Miyuki. There's something on your cheek."

"Huh!?"

Miyuki froze in her tracks, gasping and blushing as she realized she had been careless.

I gently picked something off Miyuki's cheek.

The leftover food stood out against her skin, clearly visible even without using [Elemental Sight].

Haha, it seemed like my dish had completely shattered this adorable girl's composed demeanor.

I thought she was untouchable with her graceful presence, but my food had rendered her defenseless like this?

"A-Ah, how embarrassing. So, what are you going to do about it?"

Miyuki still seemed shy, pointing at the food remnants I had just removed.

I smiled devilishly.

"Don't worry, it's okay for kids to be kids, right?"

With a flick of my finger, I casually discarded the leftover.

"What? Do you think I'm going to eat that? I don't follow clichés."

"H-How dare you!?" Miyuki was a mix of anger and embarrassment, causing the surroundings to freeze.

"Eek!"

Honoka and Shizuku swiftly moved to my side, clearly startled by the situation.

"Guys! I brought your lunch!"

In the end, I was unharmed and carrying a cold lunch.

Thanks to magic, I could warm up the hamburgers.

---

One week had passed since my encounter with Mibu-senpai, and she still challenged me to a duel.

The bet is if I lost, I would have to join the Kendo club, and if I win she will tell me about sword technique.

And, we ended up with two draws and one victory for me.

I was quite pleased because I felt I could learn some moves from her.

She told me not to misunderstand her intentions; she just wanted to express her gratitude.

But then, I hadn't seen her since Monday.

Is she mad?

So far, I had learned a lot from dueling with Mei, Erika, and Mibu-senpai.

As a result, my sword skills improved drastically.

[Swordsmanship: C+]

And today was quite special because the club's activity was to observe and learn from the duels of each pair.

Now it was Mei's and my turn.

In the middle of the arena, surrounded by senior and junior club members, I faced Mei for our duel. Both of us wore chest armor and head protectors.

"Ready. Begin!"

In an instant, Mei mercilessly dashed toward me, using [Acceleration], her eyes filled with determination, her wooden sword unsheathed.

I carefully observed her movements, and at that moment, Mei swung her sword, aiming for my head from the side.

-Clack!

Targeting a vulnerable area, I parried her wooden sword with reinforced strength from [Reinforcement], my wooden sword striking back.

From what I had observed of Mei's sword style, her sword style had provocative moves, swift counterattacks, and graceful defensive maneuvers. But she constantly changed the variations of her attacks, making it difficult to predict her next move.

When I aimed my sword at her side belly, she skillfully parried and counterattacked towards my neck, her motion flowing like water.

Out of curiosity, I asked Mei before the duel about that particular sword move.

She explained to me the technique called [Swords of Flowing Water].

Thanks to my hard work and practice, I wasn't too bewildered by the movement.

"What? He managed to hold his ground against someone from the Yotsuba clan?"

"I thought we were about to witness him getting pummeled."

"Tch!"

The senior members watched our duel with astonishment and frustration. It seemed they hadn't expected this outcome.

Erika, in particular, was shocked to see Haku standing his ground against the formidable opponents from the Yotsuba clan, as his stamina had not waned.

However, Mei had only utilized the two systematic magics, [Acceleration] and [Reinforcement], combined with her sword technique.

She seemed to be holding back.

According to rumors, her innate magic was more renowned than her sword skills.

-Swing!

-Clack!

I swung my sword, aiming for her neck, but Mei's exceptional skill caused me to miss. This wasn't a battle for survival, and we were bound by the rules of the duel, allowing us to utilize only two systematic magics.

The sound of wooden swords clashing echoed as I blocked her attack with a swift swing of my own.

"Alright, the 30 minutes are up, and the result is a draw!"

The duel ended in a draw. I glanced at the spectators' seats, noticing a few faces displaying disgust, but that didn't mean that all the club members were unpleasant. In any case, this time I was miraculously saved from further club activities by the student council president.

"Hey, can I at least change my clothes first? And by the way, since when were you here?"

I still had the black Hakama on.

"Shut up and follow me. The principal and the others are already waiting."

The principal?

Tch, what is that old man up to?

I sensed a nonchalant mood from Saegusa-senpai, and sometimes she would pout at me.

"Why do you look so annoyed, senpai?"

"Huh? Don't say something like that to girls. And I'm not mad either. Hmmph!"

That's right, I hadn't seen her in a while until now. Was it because of that? Did she think I would continue to treat her? This brat thinks I'm her grandma!?

I had a strong impulse to hit this kid spontaneously, but dealing with the principal again was even more bothersome.

---

A few days ago, as Mibu made her way to the library, she happened upon Mei in the corridor.

In recent times, as she followed the instructions of Tsukasa Hajime, the leader of Blanche's Japan branch, to approach Haku through various methods, she found herself crossing paths with Mei more frequently.

Notably, Mei always seemed to be by Haku's side during their sparring sessions.

Mei's constant presence had become an annoyance for Mibu, but she felt powerless to do anything about it.

Moreover, Mibu was unsettled by Mei's lazy gaze, which seemed to penetrate through her.

What frustrated her, even more, was the apparent lack of interest in Mei's eyes.

Mibu despised such indifferent eyes, and couldn't stand geniuses like Mei.

"Mibu-san."

Mei stopped and called out to her, dropping the honorific and using a cold tone.

Mibu halted as well, turned around, and responded coldly.

Her eyes sharpened as Mei merely showed her back. Arrogant, yet undeniably talented, Mibu thought.

"Can you stay away from him?"

Mei asked in a calm and even tone.

"Why should I? You're not his girlfriend," Mibu retorted, rejecting Mei's suggestion.

"That may be true."

Mibu was taken aback.

Why did Mei concede so easily, as if the conversation would soon be over?

Shaking her head, Mibu understood that geniuses often had strange behaviors, and she continued walking away.

"Then, should I inform Haku about your intentions to use him for Blanche's goals?"

Mibu gasped in surprise and quickly turned back towards Mei.

But she felt a shiver down her spine, as if she had encountered a ghost.

In one of the library's corridors.

Mei's movements were swift and silent, akin to an owl.

She stared at Mibu with crimson eyes, resembling a gleaming pool of blood.

The glimmer in her eyes was not a mere decoration; magic was emanating from them as their gazes met.

Mibu's body trembled uncontrollably, not from a nightmare, but as if her shattered memories were coming back to her, breaking free from the control she had been under without her awareness.

Unable to withstand this phenomenon, she succumbed to unconsciousness.

Mei observed Mibu, lying motionless on the ground, her expression unchanged.

The glint in Mei's eyes dimmed.

"At least you'll be useful later."