The School Garden
In a corner of Academy City lies the School Garden, a secluded enclave within an already isolated city. This area is a secret haven, accessible only with a letter of introduction from within. Men, regardless of status, are barred from setting foot inside.
Among the five prestigious girls' schools gathered here, Tokiwadai Middle School stands as the crown jewel…
Indeed.
No matter how stringent the checkpoints, cameras can still capture my presence, but my ability ensures I don't draw attention.
I passed through the gate boldly and found my target.A stun gun and a permanent ink marker that won't fade for at least a week.
There were two of them.If my initial sneak attack lands, the second will panic, giving me the chance to take them down. I can do this!
I'm ready.With my upgraded level, even a Tokiwadai princess is no match!
I crept closer to the Tokiwadai girl who stole my boyfriend, my presence undetectable, my footsteps muffled.I pulled out the stun gun, aimed at her back, and flicked the switch—when suddenly, my world turned upside down.
"Hmm. Not invisibility, but an ability that disrupts others' perception?"
"How… how did you… see through my Dummy Check?"
Why am I on the ground?When did she notice me?How does she know my ability?
The target, reading the questions condensed in Seiri Shigenfuku's outburst, responded.
"I have sensitive skin, you see."
"Sensitive skin, huh? Sure looks like it."
To elaborate, her uncontrolled AIM diffusion field leaked like a broken faucet, making her detectable.And this girl, who had been by that unfortunate boy for over a decade, was impeccable in both posture and presence, leaving no openings.
"For now, I'll confiscate these dangerous items. Lucky for you, your target was Shika-san. Here, Mikoto-san, catch."
"Yoink, got it. Wouldn't have worked on me anyway."
With a flick of her wrist, Shika tossed the dropped stun gun to the girl accompanying the target.
"And you… oh?"
Still gripping the hand that had thrust the stun gun, Shika executed a deft kote-gaeshi throw, honed by the dorm supervisor's capture techniques.The girl with twin buns in her hair, her bangs usually covering her eyebrows, now had them disheveled, revealing her forehead.
And those thick, prominent eyebrows.
"Tch! That's why I can't stand Tokiwadai girls! Go ahead, laugh! Laugh like he did!"
"Like who?"
Catching where Seiri's gaze lingered, Shika quickly covered her other hand and broke into tears.
"What's wrong? Go on, laugh!! Say they're weird like he did!"
Releasing her grip, Shika brushed the dirt off Seiri's skirt from the fall.
"No… I can't laugh."
Shika sighed, her brows furrowing as she glared.
"What, too pathetic to laugh at? Even I…"
"No, I'm not talking about your eyebrows."Shika shook her head.
"Huh?"
"I'm talking about you. It must've hurt, being mocked by your boyfriend. I can't interfere with that—but cheating? That's unforgivable."
Her sincerity, especially the intensity of her final words, sent a shiver through a certain high school boy.Caught off guard, Seiri's expression hardened, her voice low as she muttered:
"I don't need pity from a Tokiwadai girl… I don't care about him anymore."
"No, you do care. You were hurt, your feelings trampled. That's undeniable. You don't have to lie about it."
Shika spoke gently, and Seiri visibly flinched.
"I-I'm not lying…"
"You don't have to put up a front. No one here knows you. No one will mock you. If they do, I'll shut them up. So… why not be honest, just a little?"
Seiri clenched her teeth, her shoulders trembling.
"It's over. Talking won't change anything."
"Maybe it won't help much," Shika nodded easily."But sharing can lighten the load. Even if it's not practical, I'll listen to anything weighing on your heart."
Tears streamed down Seiri's face as she began to speak.
Spring.Basking in the gentle sunlight, I naively believed the happiness I shared with him would last forever.
But spring ended.Abruptly.
"Why?! Is a Tokiwadai girl that much better?!" I demanded.He replied, "That's not it."
"Then why?!" I pressed.He answered, "Because your eyebrows are weird…"
"I hate the guy who dumped me!I hate the Tokiwadai girl who stole him!And most of all—I hate every eyebrow in this world!!That's why I wanted to make everyone's eyebrows ridiculous!!"
Her passionate, almost comical declaration of her complex left everyone stunned.After listening, Shika gently wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
"You don't need to change them."
"Huh…?"
"Changing your charm point for a guy will only strain you later. These eyebrows are adorable as they are."
She softly traced Seiri's thick brows.
"…"
"Instead, find someone who loves you for you. That's what I believe will make you happier."
She tapped Seiri's nose lightly.
"But if you can't let go, make him fall for you out of sheer stubbornness."
Seiri's face flushed red, as if a switch had been flipped.
What will Seiri do with Shika's words, and how will her encounter shape her path?