The school bell rang loudly—triiing!—marking the start of the final class of the day. The students quickly returned to their seats, and the classroom gradually quieted down.
Kyoko-sensei entered the classroom carrying a stack of papers. She placed them on the teacher's desk with a soft thap! then smiled.
"Alright, as I mentioned before, it's time for Geography practice questions. Work on them calmly. No need to rush, just focus on understanding."
The test papers were handed out one by one, the sound of paper rustling filling the room. The students lowered their heads, beginning to write seriously. Only the scratching of pencils could be heard, occasionally interrupted by a long sigh when someone thought hard.
Raku received his paper, stared at it for a moment, then began to write slowly. Though his mind was still disturbed by those vague fragments of memory about the "Isolated Planet" and "Outer God," he tried to focus. His fingers moved quietly over the paper, attempting to connect Kyoko-sensei's explanations earlier with the logic he could grasp.
Time passed. Until finally, the dismissal bell rang, followed by Kyoko-sensei's voice:
"Alright, hand in your papers on the desk up front. After this, go straight home, don't wander around too long."
One by one, students rose from their seats and placed their answer sheets on the teacher's desk. Raku stood as well, sliding his paper into the growing stack.
After that, the classroom became lively again. Some students said their goodbyes, while others rushed out with relieved faces. Raku, Shu, Ruri, Onodera, and Chitoge also prepared to head home together. Meanwhile, Iroha patted her bag and said,
"I've got club activities, so I'll be heading out first."
She waved before disappearing into the hallway.
Once outside the school building, as usual, Claude was already waiting near a black car parked not far from the gate.
Chitoge glanced toward Raku, hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer. She lowered her head slightly, her face tinged with red.
"Check your messages tonight. I… want to talk about something."
Raku looked at her in confusion. "What is it? Why not just say it here?"
Chitoge froze, biting her lower lip. She turned her face away, then answered quickly.
"Not here. It's too embarrassing… just wait!"
Before Raku could ask further, Chitoge quickly turned toward the car. Claude opened the door, and Chitoge got in without looking back, her face still flushed. The car slowly drove away from the schoolyard.
Raku stood still for a moment, then glanced at his smartphone. The time showed 16:00. He took a deep breath.
"Maybe… I want to look around the city and the neighborhood first. All this time it's only been home and school, so it feels strange not to know my surroundings."
Ruri, Shu, and Onodera, who were standing nearby, all turned at the same time.
"Eh?!" they exclaimed almost in unison.
Shu quickly stepped forward, his expression filled with concern.
"Seriously? You're still amnesiac, Raku. What if you get lost, or worse… kidnapped? What if something worrying happens?"
Raku looked at him innocently.
"Is it really that dangerous? I just want to take a short walk."
Ruri narrowed her eyes, then suddenly patted Onodera's shoulder from behind hard enough to push her slightly forward.
"In that case, Onodera should go with you. She knows this city well, so it's safe."
"Eh?!" Onodera was startled, her face instantly flushing red. "W-wait, me? Why me?"
Ruri crossed her arms, her lips curving into a faint, meaningful smile.
"A perfect chance for you. Don't waste it."
Onodera grew even more flustered, her eyes darting quickly from Raku back to Ruri. Her face burned red, as if she had just been shoved onto center stage.
Shu finally clapped his hands, looking like he understood.
"Aaah, so that's what you mean. If Onodera-san goes along, I'll feel reassured. Besides, you two actually look good together."
"Shu-kun!" Onodera half-shouted, but her voice was drowned out by Shu's small laugh as he waved and walked away with Ruri.
"Well then, Ruri and I will head home first. Have fun!" Shu said, his tone teasing.
Ruri glanced back briefly, raising her hand as though in a victory salute.
"Good luck, Onodera."
Now only Raku and Onodera remained in front of the school gate. Silence. The evening breeze blew softly, ruffling Onodera's hair as she kept her head lowered, cheeks flushed.
She took a small breath, her heart beating faster than usual.
'This… isn't this… like a date?'
Onodera swallowed, then glanced hesitantly at Raku. Meanwhile, Raku only looked out at the city streets ahead, completely innocent and unaware of what Onodera was thinking.
Raku and Onodera's footsteps echoed along the sidewalk under the fading evening light. The streets were fairly busy—the sound of vehicles passing, people chatting as they walked, the shop lights beginning to glow. Raku occasionally turned his head left and right, his eyes reflecting pure wonder.
"It's so lively… I didn't expect the city to feel this alive," Raku said innocently.
Onodera smiled nervously, her hands clasped together in front of her. "Y-yes, it's usually like this… quite lively in the evening. Many people are getting off work, or students stop by shops or cafés."
Raku nodded, as though storing every detail in his mind. His pace slowed when his eyes caught a soft-colored neon sign along the street: Café Mami. A little cake logo was displayed sweetly above the glass door. From inside, golden pendant lights gave off a warm glow.
"Onodera-san," Raku pointed with his chin, "how about we try that café?"
Onodera stiffened, her cheeks blushing. "E-eh? A café? Ah… alright, let's give it a try."
Raku led her toward the door. As soon as they entered, a small bell above rang cling! announcing the arrival of customers. The sweet aroma mixed with coffee greeted them instantly. The atmosphere inside was calm: some tables filled with young couples, a group of students, and a few lone customers reading books.
A waitress approached with a wide smile. Her hair was tied long, her maid café uniform stood out, and her expression seemed… a little strange. She was Mera Chisato, who happened to be on duty that day.
"Welcome, young master, young lady. Will you be dining in?" her voice was gentle, though her gaze almost clung to Raku.
Raku simply nodded politely. "Yes, please."
"Alright, this way."
Mera guided them to a table near the window. Once seated, Raku received a menu decorated with cute ornaments. His eyes swept line by line until stopping at something that piqued his curiosity.
"'Coffee Jelly'…" he muttered softly.
Onodera turned. "Why? Interested?"
Raku nodded. "I'd like to try this one. How about you, Onodera-san?"
Onodera paused briefly, then smiled gently. "In that case… I'll have Coffee Jelly too."
Mera, standing beside the table, wrote down the order with enthusiasm, though Raku caught something odd: the corner of her mouth drooled slightly, as if she were imagining something else. Raku just blinked in confusion, not reacting.
"Alright, two Coffee Jellies. Please wait a moment." Mera bowed and quickly walked to the kitchen.
Not far from their table sat a boy with pink hair, sitting alone. Saiki Kusuo was quietly enjoying a bowl of Coffee Jelly. His face calm, his gaze blank, but inwardly he was grumbling.
'Yare yare… so the amnesia kid managed to end up here. Coincidence? Or… something more? With Nendou and Teruhashi already giving me headaches, now this too?'
Saiki glanced toward Raku's table without turning his head. 'And the girl beside him… clearly likes him. Is this some romcom setup? I really don't need extra drama.' He sighed deeply and scooped more Coffee Jelly.
Not long after, Mera returned with a tray carrying two large glasses filled with thick black jelly submerged in sweet coffee milk. The bittersweet aroma spread as she placed them on the table.
"Here are your orders. Please enjoy~" she said with an overly cheerful smile.
Raku placed his hands together lightly. "Itadakimasu." He scooped slowly, studying the jelly's chewy texture. As soon as it entered his mouth, the bitterness of coffee mixed with the sweetness of milk spread softly. Raku gave a small nod.
"Not bad… though the portion is a bit small. But this is interesting. If I learn how to make it, maybe it could be a nice late-night snack at home."
Onodera smiled faintly, watching him so seriously evaluate the food. She tasted her Coffee Jelly too, and her eyes lit up. "Delicious… maybe this could inspire an additional menu for my family's shop."
Raku turned quickly. "Oh? Your family's shop?"
Onodera blushed. "Yes… we run a sweets shop. I often help out there."
Raku looked at her with innocent admiration. "That's amazing. No wonder you're good at making cakes."
Onodera lowered her head, her cheeks reddening even more. Her heart pounded at the sincerity of his praise.
Meanwhile, Saiki only rolled his eyes. 'Haaah… two innocent people like this just make me feel like I'm watching some cheap drama. But oh well, at least someone else appreciates Coffee Jelly besides me.'
The café's atmosphere felt warm: soft lights, the sweet scent of coffee, and light conversation that slowly eased Onodera's nervousness. Occasionally their eyes met, reminding her again—'this… isn't this like a real date?'