Delivering the manga by the light of the Moonlight, Sen Getsusa bought bags of snacks, planning to bring them back for Sagiri.
These two women had no blood relation, looked different, and had different personalities. But the one thing they had in common was: an endless pursuit and desire for food.
"Not asleep yet?"
Turning on the entryway light, a small face glared angrily at Sen Getsusa from the crack of the door on the second floor.
"Big Sister, you're back too late!"
"I couldn't help it. I've been too busy lately, having to submit manuscripts and facing graduation at school. Eh? Is Ms. Kyoka working Gaban again today?"
Sen Getsusa had just stepped onto the second floor carrying the snacks she bought when the little one immediately lunged into her arms, her head buried in the endless waves of hair, her small nose sniffing something.
"Gaban, Gaban, she lectures me every day when she comes back." Izumi Sagiri suddenly looked up: "I smell a wild woman!"
Sen Getsusa:...It's probably Aoyama Nanami; didn't I tell you about her?
Izumi Sagiri realized: "Is it that big sister with wheat-colored skin, wearing a white swimsuit, and a plump, seductive body?!"
...Don't say the things you've imagined out loud!
Did you secretly draw character setting sketches of someone else?
Izumi Sagiri nodded like a little squirrel: "That's right! When is she coming over? For the specific proportions, I need to see the Zhenren (Immortal) to be sure."
"I don't think I agreed to invite her over just for you to draw lewd pictures, did I?"
"Sigh, a woman's blooming age is very short. Shouldn't we leave something behind?"
Izumi Sagiri tore open a bag of potato chips and said to Sen Getsusa with a serious face.
Sen Getsusa: Leave behind a nude drawing by you?
———— Izumi Sagiri & Pinecone struggle ing ————
"Well... Yuno Gasai? That girl seems to be from Class B, right?" Aki Tomoya lay on the table: "What is Sen Getsusa looking for her for? Is this an exchange between top students?"
Eriri said with disdain, "What's with that look of overindulgence on your face?"
Aki Tomoya smiled bitterly, "It's the graduation exam. You and Sen Getsusa can easily move up to high school, but for me, it might be a bit... a bit difficult. Lately, I've been staying up late to catch up—"
"On anime?"
"Wh... what do you mean anime? It's math! Math!" Aki Tomoya slammed the table with a thud. "Can things in the 2D world even be called 'catching up'? Though, the new season's anime really aren't that great... trash, pure trash..."
Eriri sighed and said, "My grades weren't as good as yours. It's only because Sha-chan often tutored me that I've slowly caught up..."
"As for you, there's no helping it. I won't let Tsukisa tutor you. Who knows what a man in heat might do."
"True, a British mixed-blood failing English..." Aki Tomoya grumbled conflictedly, "And don't look at me with those eyes that say 'he's hopeless'!"
Eriri rolled her eyes at him, "I'm saying, you should put in some effort too. Just study a bit and pass the exam first, okay?"
"I want to, but I don't know what's happening. I just open a page, or click on a very short video, and when I look at the clock again, five or six hours have passed! Aaaaaah!"
Ignoring Aki Tomoya's breakdown, Eriri looked at the classroom door where Sen Getsusa hadn't returned yet and asked, "What does she want with Yuno Gasai? I always feel like that girl is a bit gloomy..."
Aki Tomoya straightened his glasses, "I don't know. But 'gloomy'? You're probably talking about yourself when you're drawing. She's a top student and is incredibly gentle when talking to boys. Sigh, just like Miss Akari..."
"If you don't come back from the 2D world soon, you might as well drop out," Eriri replied with contempt. "Also, gentle? There's more numbness in that girl's eyes, isn't there? They're both equally annoying; somehow she reminds me of that person."
Aki Tomoya: "Who are you talking about?"
Eriri shook her head... Yuno Gasai nodded, "I do remember. I've been too busy lately, I'm sorry... Tsukisa? Can I call you that? Since graduation is coming up, there's a lot to do. Hee-hee."
Sen Getsusa was having bento with Yuno Gasai on the rooftop.
Her long pink hair reached past her waist. When the wind blew, it tangled with Sen Getsusa's waves, adding a crimson hue to the black pearl luster.
"Is that so? You haven't sent me a message all month. Has our top-student friendship just vanished? Hey~ I feel like Yuno has been a bit strange lately."
Yuno Gasai's expression stiffened for a moment.
However, she immediately switched back to her giggling self and took small bites of her eel rice. "Not at all. I just feel so far away from Sha-chan. You're kind, gentle, cute, always rank first in grades, and are super approachable. The sense of distance is overwhelming..."
Sen Getsusa looked at her strangely, "Are you sure you're talking about me? Isn't that yourself?"
"I'm still far from it."
While speaking, Sen Getsusa occasionally glanced at her arms and neck.
Just as Aoyama Nanami had said, there were many bruises that hadn't faded yet.
Looking closely, there was also something red like bloodstains in the crevices of her fingernails, and light-colored scars on her palms that had set, scabbed, and fallen off.
Sen Getsusa asked casually, "Yuno, are you still living with your mother? I remember you complained about it before, right? That she's too controlling."
"Ah! Ah? D-Did I say that? Me?" Yuno Gasai answered hesitantly, seemingly trying to hide something. "Did I say that?"
Sen Getsusa frowned and nodded.
"Maybe I forgot? Now, Mother is much better, and we've reconciled. Don't worry, Sha-chan."
"By the way, this eel rice is delicious. Do you want a bite? Mother is considerate of how hard I work and makes me such a lavish bento every day. It's quite a burden..."
Yuno Gasai held up the bento toward Sen Getsusa, her face showing an expression of being overly happy because her mother was too good to her.
Sen Getsusa watched her change the subject with a smile and then shifted her gaze to the bento.
If her memory served her right, this was a high-end bento sold at the place where Aoyama Nanami worked part-time.
She remembered that a long time ago, Nanami had gritted her teeth and bought one to celebrate a certain holiday.
"Your mother is really good to you."
Yuno Gasai didn't respond, just giggled as she ate the bento clean. Then, she put her chopsticks inside and packed it up. "Speaking of which, why was Sha-chan looking for me?"
Sen Getsusa had a troubled look, pressing her hands together toward Yuno Gasai, "There are a few problems I can't figure out. Isn't Yuno very good at math? Are you free today? I'd like to ask for your help. Thanks!"
"Is that so? No problem." Yuno Gasai's light-colored eyes blinked, staring at Sen Getsusa with a hint of deeper meaning. "It's rare for a top student to have questions for me. So, after school at...?"
...After agreeing on a time, Yuno Gasai picked up her bento and prepared to leave first. She said goodbye to Sen Getsusa and turned to walk toward the back of the rooftop.
With her back to Sen Getsusa, she swung the lunch box on her index finger, pushing open the iron door with a leisurely air, unable to stop herself from humming a song.
Her eyes were filled with an uncontrollable smile.
That idiot Aoyama Nanami is still somewhat useful, isn't she?
Next, it's time for Mother to make her appearance.
You must... treat me just like usual.
Sen Getsusa didn't know what Yuno Gasai was thinking. She was worriedly thinking about those bruises, scars, and the bloodstains on her palms.
Suddenly, a voice reached her ears.
"That Child has some issues. I advise you to be careful."
Someone else is here?
Sen Getsusa looked back.
Not far away, a girl wearing a white headband sat elegantly on a bench, holding a book whose title was unclear. From behind the book, the girl revealed a pair of wine-red eyes, scrutinizing Sen Getsusa.
She wore black stockings, her legs crossed, her pleated skirt perfectly in place without a single gap. On her feet were standard school shoes. Yet, the student attire was worn with a certain alternative uniqueness under the girl's mature temperament.
Long deep-purple hair hung down to her waist, elongating her already tall figure.
Sen Getsusa had seen her before.
She greeted her calmly, "Oh, it's Senior Kasumigaoka from the upper grades."
"I know your name. Sen Getsusa." After a glance at Sen Getsusa, Kasumigaoka Utaha returned her attention to the book. "You could tell, couldn't you? That Child is hiding something. Instead of those boring pleasantries, why not just uncover the answer?"
Sen Getsusa didn't want to talk too much about her friend's business with a stranger, so she smiled and agreed before getting up to leave the rooftop.
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