"U‑ugh…"
Hoshino Ai pressed a hand to her forehead, pouted at the pain, and admitted, "Manager, you really aren't an ordinary person, are you?"
Shichen shook his head, sat back down, and asked in return, "And you just came looking for me like this—weren't you the least bit afraid?"
"Didn't I just confirm you're a good guy?" Ai answered, playfully winking her right eye.
Her beautiful, star‑shaped pupils were mesmerising; it was hard to look away.
Shichen was reminded of his own high‑school days, when he'd dreamed of having heterochromia or some special eyes so he could be the coolest kid in class—he even rubbed his eyes red on purpose.
So cringe!
"You really are bold. Aren't you worried I might be dangerous? You did see me suddenly vanish back there."
"That's exactly why I had to come," Ai said matter‑of‑factly. "If I didn't make sure, I'd regret it."
"And if what you saw was fake?"
"It's obviously real."
"You little rascal…" Shichen sighed in resignation.
"Hehe—Manager, you're not ordinary, right?" This time Ai leaned in.
"So what if I am? So what if I'm not?"
"Then this world… really has unknown powers?"
"Why are you so curious?" Shichen asked.
"Of course I'm curious—this normal world is so boring." Ai paused, her voice suddenly flat.
"That so?" Shichen reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Hmm?" Ai looked up at him, puzzled.
"Must've been hard on you."
"Manager… it's like you know my circumstances." She tried to joke.
"Maybe," Shichen replied non‑committally.
"Knew it—you're not normal! Can I see something cool?" Ai asked excitedly.
"See something? Not impossible… but you seem to have forgotten one thing."
"What?"
"I already told you…" Shichen locked eyes with her and said solemnly, "I'm a lolicon."
Ai blinked again, stunned.
"Don't believe me? Forgot those two little lolis you saw when you walked in?"
"Pfft—" Ai couldn't hold back a laugh.
"What's funny?"
"Haha—looks like you are a good guy, Manager."
"Hey! I am a lolicon, and you're a loli!" he reminded her.
"No problem~"
Ai fluttered her eyes. "If you're a lolicon and a good guy, I'm even safer, right?"
"What kind of warped logic is that?"
"Anyway, I trust you. And if you really are a lolicon, even better."
"Huh?" Shichen tilted his head.
"You're kind, handsome, and not ordinary—I'd say that's a big win for me."
"…Already falling for me?"
"Well, I was curious from the start. Didn't you know? Curiosity is the first step to falling."
"You're just a brat, okay?" Shichen flicked her forehead again.
"I'm not a brat!" Ai puffed up her chest.
Shichen's gaze slipped downward—truth be told, even at twelve, she was already budding.
"Hmph~ Anything else to say, Manager?" Ai asked smugly.
"Brat." He pouted.
"No worries—after all, you're a good guy and a lolicon."
"Quit calling me 'good guy.' I don't like it."
"Eh? I think it's a nice term."
"Not to me. If you want to see my abilities, stop calling me that."
"…Fine. Then can you tell me your name?"
"What does a brat want my name for?"
"What's the harm~?"
"…Shichen."
"Shichen? Sounds Chinese."
"I am Chinese."
"Really? No wonder you have special powers. Is it kungfu?"
"Not quite…" He smirked and held out his hand.
"What's this?" Ai blinked at his hand.
"Take it. Didn't you want a demonstration?"
"Oh—so you're not trying to take advantage of me." Ai nodded and placed her small hand in his.
"You little brat—there's nothing to take advantage of."
"But aren't you a lolicon?"
Shichen ignored that, tightened his grip, and the two of them vanished from the shop.
…
The scenery shifted. Ai now stood in a desolate field.
Eyes wide, she spun once, recognising it as the place where she had first met Shichen.
They had jumped here from the café in an instant.
"A‑amazing!" she gasped.
"What is this—super‑powers? Teleportation?" Ai clutched his arm, exhilarated.
"Nope. Magic."
"Magic? For real? You can use magic?"
"You just experienced it, didn't you? Watch."
Shichen raised an index finger. A golden flame flickered at the tip.
"Fire! Incredible!" Ai grew even more excited.
"Right?" Shichen couldn't help sounding proud.
"That's magic too? Can I learn?"
"You could. But why should I teach you?" he asked with a grin.
"Because you're a lolicon and I'm a loli—won't you teach me?"
"…Nope."
"Eh, why?"
"There are lolis all over the world—do I have to teach everyone?"
"I guess… but I really want to learn! Anyway?"
"Don't ask me—figure it out yourself."
"I see… Got it!" Ai nodded earnestly.
"Oh? Already have a plan?"
"Easy—make you fall in love with me!" She beamed.
"…Good luck."
"Eh? You're not denying it?"
"Why deny it? If I did fall for you, I'd teach you."
"Great!"
"But heads‑up: I like lots of people."
"Wow, so you're a playboy too."
"Glad you know… Let's head back."
"Can't you show me more magic?"
"Next time."
"Okay…"
…
Back in the café—still no customers.
Ai quickly calmed down, finished her cookies and juice, and got ready to leave.
"Shichen, I'll head back now."
"So early?"
"I sneaked out—still have training."
"Unbelievable."
"Hehe—then I'm off?"
"Come by anytime."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Great!"
She skipped to the door but stopped without opening it.
"Ai, what's wrong?" Shichen walked over.
"Shichen," she looked up softly, "do you think I'm cut out to be an idol?"
"Absolutely," he said at once.
"Eh?"
"Believe me—you'll be an unbeatable idol."
"Really?" Ai laughed joyfully.
"Sure. Didn't you say you want me to fall for you? Then become my oshii." He patted her head.
"Right! I'll become the best idol ever!" she declared.
"But no risqué fan‑service, okay?"
"Possessive much? Relax—I still want to learn magic."
"Not even doing it for me." Shichen feigned hurt.
"Hehe—because you haven't made me fall for you yet~"
"I'd rather avoid getting hauled off by the cops."
"Tch—I'm going! Bye‑bye~"
"Bye‑bye."
As the door closed and Ai's figure vanished outside, Shichen's smile faded.
Had she already started wanting to escape reality?
…
Monday. Tohka and Yoshino started school. Shichen couldn't settle all day.
But when he saw Kanna and Yoshino walking home hand‑in‑hand, laughing, he finally relaxed.
Tohka came back with Kasumigaoka Utaha, the two chatting happily.
That sight reassured him he could go away for a while—he didn't plan to take them along.
Summer break was near; he might make it back in time to spend it with everyone.
When Ai visited again, he told her he'd be gone for a bit—then set off alone.
He didn't rush to the new world immediately; first he went to the three small cottages surrounded by flower fields, to visit the petite silver‑haired elf who lived there.
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 160+ Chapters Ahead of Others!