Sakiko watched Rikuo and Tomori walk towards the Astronomy Club, not moving, just continuing to deal with her bento.
Even though it was all food she would like, no matter how she looked at it, it was just mechanical eating for survival.
"Speaking of which, Rikuo-kun is also eating the same bento, I wonder if he will like it…"
…
The Astronomy Club sounded like a big place, but in reality, it was just a small room of about ten square meters.
Tomori took out her stationery box from the Astronomy Club, and when she opened it, various penguin-themed band-aids were revealed inside.
"This is a Chinstrap Penguin; it has a pattern on its face like a beard… This is an Adelie Penguin; a Gentoo Penguin."
Hearing Takamatsu Tomori in front of him talk endlessly about her collection, the first thing that comes to his mind when hearing "penguin" is probably that thing.
"Do you buy QQ coins?"
Tomori's excited expression subsided a bit, but the enthusiasm in her eyes did not diminish.
"What are QQ coins? Are they related to penguins?"
"Um, Tomori, in China, penguins are an invincible force. Let me give you an example, aren't dragons very strong creatures?"
Tomori nodded slightly, her eyes full of inquiry.
"But in Journey to the West, dragons are even used as food by gods and demons. In Nezha, dragons are used as stepping stones. But penguins are different."
Tomori's eyes seemed to be glowing; was the creature she liked also a dazzling existence in the eyes of the Chinese people?
"Penguins have never lost. From the beginning of Chinese history to the present day, penguins have never been defeated."
Watching Rikuo speak eloquently as if it were a serious matter, Tomori looked at Rikuo with adoring eyes.
"Rikuo-kun is amazing, he knows so much! And Penguin-chan is amazing too! But did penguins exist in ancient China? It seems that dragons didn't exist either. Anyway, they're all so amazing."
"That's right, penguins are practically invincible in China. Tomori, just remember that."
Rikuo made a solemn decision, leaving no room for defiance.
However, Rikuo had noticed something when Tomori opened the stationery box; a blue light emanated from the bottom of the stationery box.
"Rikuo-kun, it's not just band-aids, I also have another collection here."
Tomori took the source of the blue light from the bottom of the stationery box.
"Tomori, don't touch it!"
"Huh?"
Tomori tilted her head, looking at Rikuo in confusion.
"How did you get this card?"
Tomori looked at the suddenly anxious Rikuo, but she didn't feel scared.
Because after a series of events, Tomori gradually understood Rikuo's personality.
Rikuo would only show such a serious expression when there was a crucial problem.
"I saw it when I was collecting pebbles by the stream, and because I saw that the animal on it was a polar bear, and polar bears like cold environments, I put it together with the penguins. I originally wanted to use it to trade for that 2 of hearts human card from you."
'Although Tomori's actions are quite cute, putting a polar bear among penguins, what kind of dark humor is this? Polar bears eat penguins!'
'And it's actually the 6 of clubs - Blizzard Polar, which is a means of elemental enchantment? Among cards of the same tier, Clubs are generally the strongest, perhaps not clearly reflected in the higher-tier cards like 10, J, Q, and K. But as the 6 of clubs that Kamen Rider Leangle uses every time he transforms, its strength is undeniable. Its freezing ability has played a significant role in attack, defense, and control.'
Although Rikuo had a little scheme in his heart, his words were still serious.
"Tomori, this card is very dangerous, can you give it to me? As for…"
"Yes."
Rikuo originally wanted to make some promise, but the girl didn't seem to want to continue listening.
But looking at Tomori holding up the stationery box, waiting for Rikuo to take the card, Rikuo sighed.
"Tomori, this card is a very special thing, although…"
"If Rikuo-kun finds it inconvenient to explain, then tell me later, and of course, it's okay if you don't tell me. I was going to give you this polar bear card anyway."
Rikuo saw that Tomori had actually interrupted him repeatedly and couldn't help but laugh.
"Tomori, Sakiko said you always wanted to become human, but I feel, you have already become human."
"Is that so? But…"
This time it was Rikuo's turn to interrupt Tomori, and he spoke with a serious expression.
"Being able to clearly see a friend's state; understanding others' feelings; thinking for others; feeling sad for a friend when she is sad; having things you are interested in; having things you pursue; having someone you want to apologize to; having trustworthy friends. If this doesn't count as human, then what am I?"
Tomori listened to Rikuo's precise and encouraging words, and her golden eyes gradually became hazy.
Her small hand gently wiped her eyes.
The sunlight shining through the crystal tears, though still misty, warmly illuminated her entire face.
'So I was already human? Rikuo-kun, you truly are Saki-chan's friend. Truly… kind, indeed.'
"Everyone has their own way of living, their own preferred way of life. If someone doesn't recognize Tomori, Tomori can tell me, and I will make them recognize her."
Tomori cried for a long time.
She felt that she hadn't cried like this even when Sakiko left, but this time was different.
In Tomori's impression, Sakiko was like the moon; she was the first to make her feel light, the first to make her feel hope of becoming human, and the first to have a friend.
But she was also as noble as the moon; though close and warm, she was still out of reach.
And Rikuo was like the sun.
Though still distant, it was because he was afraid of burning others.
Though he resided in the nine heavens, he would burn himself to bring warmth to all living beings.
Though there would be times when he set, he remained bright from beginning to end.
Tomori stopped crying, and her golden pupils were no longer hazy.
"Rikuo-kun, can you be my friend for life?"
"A lifetime is too long, I think ten thousand years is better."
"Hmm, ten thousand years? But we can't live that long."
"Then let's reluctantly settle for a lifetime."
Tomori looked at Rikuo saying strange things with a serious expression, and she broke into a smile through her tears.
"Rikuo-kun, you are still very strange."
"It's good to be strange. There are over 8 billion humans, how boring would it be to be so monotonous? By the way, after school, I'll show you something interesting."
"Hmm, since Rikuo-kun says it's interesting, then it should be fine."
Rikuo thought for a moment and still felt that directly accepting Tomori's card was not good, so he decided to take Tomori to test the card's effect after school.
'As a "radio wave girl," Tomori's acceptance of such things should be much stronger.'
"Then it's settled."
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