Sobu High didn't just look different on festival day, it sounded different. Banners flapped. Pop songs leaked from the gym. Somewhere a class rep screamed about budgets while a fryer hissed back like a dragon. Colored paper chains sagged from the eaves, hopeful and crooked.
"Ras-kun!" Yui waved so hard her wrist ribbons almost flew off. Her stall was a sugary frontline: candied apples, skewered marshmallows, and a giant hand-lettered sign that read SWEET GIRLS, SWEETER TREATS with three uneven hearts.
"Half off for you!" she chirped, already thrusting a red apple at him.
Ras slowed, hands in his pockets, smile tugging at his mouth. "Half off? Does that mean the poison's complimentary?" hinting at sleeping prince - fable.
Yui's cheeks puffed. "Mou! Don't bully the pastry chef!"
"Is that what we're calling you?" came Yukino's cool voice from behind the cash box. Arms crossed. Hair immaculate. "A competent cashier would be more useful."
"Yukinon, you're mean…"
Ras accepted the apple, leaned in slightly. "Harshness sells better than pity. Though… sugar helps."
Yukino's eyes flicked to him, then away. "You would know."
He chuckled. "economics. Free consultancy for your first consult..."
Hachika, stationed like a disillusioned gargoyle at the stall's corner, didn't bother lifting her head. "If I die of secondhand embarrassment watching this sales strategy, I'm haunting you first."
"Understood," Ras said, smiling. "We'll set aside incense money."
"Idiot."
A trio of girls from another class slowed as they passed, whispering behind their hands. One of them, cat ears, dangerous eyeliner, gave Ras a bold once-over, then hid a grin when he met her gaze and dipped his head in a polite hello. Their giggles trailed behind them.
"See?" Yui said, brightening. "Your smile is good for sales!"
"hahaha," Ras laughed lightly, "a practical application."
Yukino pretended not to hear. Hachika didn't pretend at all. "Gross."
---
Hayato's Café
Hayato had converted their room into a café so aggressively even the hallway smelled like warm butter. A blackboard out front promised MAID & BUTLER TEA in fancy chalk, with smaller text beneath: POLITE FLIRTING ONLY.
"Polite?" Ras murmured, amused.
Inside, Hayato's orbiters worked like cheerful meteorites. Ooka balanced teacups, Yamato bowed too low, and Tobe laughed at a joke no one told. The maids moved table to table with practiced sweetness, skirts swishing, ribbons pinned perfectly.
Hayato himself arrived with two menus, smile bright enough to power the lamps. "Kurosawa-kun. Glad you came. Table for one?"
"Make it two," Ras said, spotting Totsuka peeking from behind a curtained partition in a maid headband — a discreet role, safely away from the shop floor. He lifted a hand in greeting. She smiled back, shy and luminous.
Hayato's smile held. "Of course."
Seated by the window, Ras accepted his water. A maid leaned in to set the coaster and nearly brushed his sleeve. He tipped his head, smiling. "Careful. Any closer and the PTA might confiscate me."
The maid froze, then burst out laughing, hand over her mouth. "You shouldn't say things like that, Kurosawa-kun…"
"Noted," he said with a small chuckle. "I'll only think them."
Across the room, Yumiko watched the exchange, eyes narrowing like a cat calculating gravity. Ebina, beside her, was already scribbling in a notebook labeled SHIP IDEAS with two hearts.
Hayato returned to check on him. "How's the atmosphere?"
"good," Ras said, genuine. "Nice and calibrated. You make pleasant look easy."
"Everyone's working hard," Hayato replied smoothly.
"Mm." Ras glanced toward the curtained corner where Totsuka arranged trays, head bowed, careful hands. "Not everyone needs the front of the stage to make the scene work."
Hayato followed the look, then back to Ras. A thinner smile this time. "I suppose not."
Tobe slid by, stage-whispering, "Dude, our cake is, like, super sweet. You'll love it."
Ras laughed softly. "I'm surrounded. How dangerous."
A maid arrived with pancakes, cream spiraling like a small galaxy. Ras pressed his palms together. "Itadakimasu~."
He took one bite, glanced toward the back. Totsuka peeked again, caught him, and flushed when he lifted his fork in a quiet toast. Her smile doubled as if someone had turned on another light in the room.
Yumiko sniffed. Ebina underlined something three times.
Ras finished, left a tip in the jar labeled CLASS TRIP FUND, and stood. "Good café," he told Hayato, kindly and without varnish.
"Thanks," Hayato said, sincere, but measuring.
Ras added, smile curving. "And dangerous uniforms." glanced at the half-ling costume
Hayato blinked. "Dangerous?"
"Cuteness is a weapon," Ras said, dryly, and slipped out.
Hayato: "(?__?)"
---
Chuuni Territory
The East Magic Society had colonized a corner of the courtyard with velvet cloth, rune-paper, and a crystal ball suspiciously similar to a decorative lamp. Rikka guarded the entrance like a general; Yuuta (female) posed behind the table with a feather quill and a seriousness that could fracture stone.
"Bearer of the Dark Contract!" Rikka cried the instant she saw him. "At last!"
"Sorry I'm late," Ras said, smiling. "Traffic on the teleportal plane."
They ushered him to a seat draped in crimson. Yuuta set the crystal between them. "We'll read your fate."
"Will it accept bribes?" Ras asked, deadpan.
"Only snacks," Rikka said gravely.
Yuuta waved a hand over the sphere. "I see… yes… an aura of hidden power, a double life, a path paved with power!"
Ras leaned in, voice light. "And romance?"
Both girls froze. Yuuta coughed into her sleeve. "Ahem. Potential romance."
Rikka huffed. "Obvious. His charisma score is abnormal."
"So I'm cheating," Ras said, chuckling.
"Only a little," Yuuta whispered, blushing.
A line formed behind him, half curious students, half believers, one actual teacher who was clearly there for the drama. Ras stood, bowed to the oracles, and donated two snack vouchers to the Crystal Maintenance Fund.
"Destiny thanks you," Rikka intoned.
"Tell destiny to keep its receipts," Ras replied, smiling as he slipped away.
---
Yui's Food Tour
"Ras-kuu~n!" Yui skidded up like a runaway kite. "I'm on break! Let's taste-test everything!"
He lifted a brow. "A dangerous mission."
She clasped her hands. "You won't abandon me, right?"
"Of course not," he said, laughing softly. "Lead on."
They pinballed from takoyaki to yakisoba to suspiciously neon shaved ice. Yui insisted he try first every time, watching his face like it held exam answers.
At the karaage stall, the senior in charge grinned. "Couple's discount."
Yui went scarlet. "We're not~! He's just...!"
Ras accepted the paper tray, smile easy. "We'll take it."
Yui blinked up at him, lips parted. "You didn't deny it."
"I'm saving my breath for chewing," he said mildly, then, lower so only she heard it, "and for when you ask if I liked the new ribbon."
She squeaked. "I... I didn't! How did you know?"
"It suits you," he said simply.
Her answer was incoherent happiness. From a bench nearby, Yukino appeared like a judgment summons and cleared her throat.
"Moderation," she said. "You'll both get sick."
Yui straightened. "Y-yes, ma'am."
Ras saluted with his chopsticks. "As the Ice Queen commands."
Something in Yukino's expression stuttered just a fraction. "Stop calling me that."
"Understood," he said, smiling... with a hint of tease.
---
Nobara's Bargain
At the accessories stall, a red-haired girl argued with a vendor like it was a sport. Nobara Kugisaki, sleeves pushed up, eyes brighter than the glass clips she held.
"This price is robbery," she declared. "Do you think I'm made of yen? Or do you think money made of paper!?"
The vendor, sweating, said, "It's… it's the festival rate…"
"Then cut it," Nobara snapped. "I'll buy two."
Ras paused at the edge of the stall, amused. "You bargain like you're taking a a whole."
Nobara glanced over, then did a double-take. "You."
"Me," he agreed, lightly.
"You were at the café. You smile like you know things you shouldn't," she said, squinting. "Suspicious."
"Only of high prices," he replied, chuckling. He looked at the clip in her hand. "That one suits you."
Nobara paused, just a shade. "Obviously." She turned back to the vendor. "Two for the price of one. Final offer."
The vendor, bulldozed, nodded.
Nobara tossed yen into the tray, clicked a clip into her hair, and pointed at Ras as if accusing him of the weather. "If you're going to haunt this campus, don't be boring."
"I'll try," he said, smiling. "No promises."
"Good." She stalked off, victorious, the clip catching the sun.
Ras watched her go, amused. A little storm, that one. Very decorative lightning.
---
It began as a slide in reality. The reflections in the science wing windows lagged a heartbeat behind. The shadow under a taiyaki griddle stretched too long and curled back as if tasting the air.
The Book-UI unfolded across Ras's vision, purple and precise:
> [System Alert: Full Space Crack detected.]
[Location: Sobu High Courtyard.]
[Entities: Gastrea ×12 + Cursed Spirits ×4.]
[Threat Level: C+.]
[Public Exposure Risk: Maximum.]
He set the paper cup of shaved ice on a trash lid, wiped his fingers, and smiled once more out of habit — not for anyone, just to set his own breathing.
Then he walked toward the center of the courtyard.
The crack opened with a wet sound, like glass tearing. A black seam widened, humming. From it came the staccato click of too many legs and a low, warped moan.
Ras raised his cuff, lifted his hand. "Proto-Domain."
The violet dome fell, silent, perfect. Outside, laughter continued. Inside, the air held its breath.
---
A Gastrea came first, carapace slick and black, mandibles gnashing. It leapt.
"Magic: Arrows."
Five bolts of light stitched it out of the sky. Dust before stone.
Two more skittered along the inner curve of the dome like lizards on glass. Three cursed spirits dragged in their wrong shapes, mouths where their eyes should be.
Ras slid his foot back. "Magic: Impact."
The pressure wave buckled legs and sent a spirit staggering into a stall frame. He followed:
"Magic: Javelin."
The spear pinned a climber through its thorax to the dome. It screamed until a clean Arrow silenced it.
Acid hissed across his sleeve from a snapping mandible. He glanced down, brushed at pristine fabric.
"What a messy job," he sighed. "Fortunately, magic outfit included."
He caught another beast mid-lunge with an open palm. "Magic: Absorb."
Light ran up his arm in narrow streams. The Gastrea withered like dry leaves.
"What a mess," he murmured, stepping through the ash.
"Messy, huh? So that's what you call this."
The voice was bright, amused. Gojo stepped into the dome as if through a curtain, blindfold tilted, grin already mischief.
"Late," Ras said, smiling back.
"I let you warm up." She tilted her head. "You're good. Dangerous."
Nobara slid in beside her, hammer in hand. "Ugh. Bugs and freaks. Move."
"Careful with the uniform," Ras said mildly.
"Shut up," she shot back — and swung.
The nail rang through a cursed spirit. It detonated from the inside, dissolving into mute dust. Nobara flicked hair from her cheek. "Next."
Ras raised his hand. "Magic: Storm."
Wind curled in a tightening spiral, lightning etching along seams of armor, crawling under plates. Two Gastrea seized, twitching, then collapsed. He stepped through the moving air like it was only a song.
Gojo erased a spirit with a lazy flick, smile edged. "Naming your moves is adorable."
"Names keep things tidy," Ras said, chuckling. "So does cleaning."
"Then let's mop."
They did. Arrows found joints. Javelins nailed climbers. Impact turned rushes into stumbles. Absorb thinned anything that dared linger. Nobara's nails rang like bells and broke things beautifully. Gojo's casual grace rewrote terrible shapes into nothing.
Ras lifted both hands. "As a closing for my performance: Magic! Finale."
The dome lit from its own skin. A circle flared across the stones, sharp, bright, perfect, then converged inward. Twelve Gastrea and three cursed spirits vanished in a single, silent beat. The last one staggered with a howl and met Nobara's hammer on the downstroke.
Silence followed, clean as a wiped plate.
Ras exhaled, smile returning as if it had been waiting just behind his teeth. "Ma~ Ma~ That's a lot for a school festival."
Nobara brushed dust from her skirt. "Next time, I'm taking the big ones."
"Odd-job scheduling," he said. "Booked early."
Gojo laughed, delighted. "Stop being so likable."
"I'll try," Ras chuckled.
---
The dome dissolved. Outside, time reconnected to itself. The song from the gym resumed its chorus. Someone shouted about paper cups. A fryer hissed happily.
Yui, across the way, laughed at something Yukino said. Totsuka slipped out from behind the café curtain to carry a tray, light on her feet. The world had not noticed its own near-miss, which is how Ras preferred it.
Gojo stretched like a cat in sunlight. "Neat trick. Nobody even blinked."
"Peace needs walls," Ras said lightly.
Nobara clicked her tongue. "If there's more, you call me."
"Consider this your reservation form," Ras said, and held out an imaginary clipboard.
She swatted his hand away, hiding a grin. "baka."
---
Guild Chat
Gojo posted first: a quick, chaotic clip of dust settling, dome fading, Ras adjusting his cuff like a man leaving a café rather than a battlefield.
> Gojo: Look who's doing overtime at a festival.
> Kazumi: Oi oi, that's Chiba, right? Aqua owes me five apologies and a refund.
> Yaya: SNACKS?? DID THE BUGS DROP TAKOYAKI?? I TAKE FOOD AS PAYMENT!!
> Ichika: Tch. Next time, ping me.
> Satsuki: Containment effective. Don't fight alone again.
> Ainz: If Gastrea?? manifest in your dimension, inter-world barriers are degrading. Prepare contingencies. We cannot assume safety.
Then Lin messages tripping over each other.
> Lin: Wait... that was Sobu?! During the FESTIVAL?!
Lin: Ras is supposed to be mortal. Why are you fighting Gastrea and cursed spirits?!
The chat held its breath.
Ras typed, smile hovering there even in the words.
> Ras: Yeah… maybe the world just forced me to.
Gojo sprayed stickers like confetti. Kazumi complained on principle. Yaya begged for photos of food. Satsuki's ellipses somehow sounded like a frown. Ainz stacked three more sober suggestions. Lin typed, deleted, typed again, panic and wonder wrestling in the same sentence.
Ras closed the Book-UI, the smile still resting where it always did.
Outside, Sobu's festival rolled on: noisy, sweet, ridiculous. He picked up the candied apple he'd abandoned earlier, took one bite, and winced theatrically.
"Too sweet," he murmured, then chuckled. "Fits the day."
He slipped back into the flow. One more student in a crowd, hands in pockets, eyes soft, ready to pretend the world was ordinary for as long as it allowed him.