NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16
Chapter 16. School Tour and a Suspicious Smile
“You’re super cute! Hey, wanna hang out with us after school?”
“It’ll be so much fun!”
Apparently losing interest in me, the two let go of my collar and move in on Hattori-san.
Even though she just introduced herself as part of the Special Abilities Unit, it seems they didn’t believe her at all.
“Move.”
“Aw, come on, don’t be like that!”
“It’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime thrill!”
Despite her telling them to move aside, they ignore her and keep pestering her. Bit by bit, Hattori-san’s mood worsens.
Don’t worry, I’ll pick up your bones when it’s over.
“I said move.”
The atmosphere in the classroom suddenly turns frigid. No, the actual temperature hasn’t changed, but everyone feels the oppressive force emanating from Hattori-san.
“Eek!”
The two, who bore the brunt of her killing intent, feel it the worst. Shaking in fear, they scramble out of the classroom.
Once the nuisances are gone, Hattori-san smiles and walks toward me. After seeing that, though, I can’t see her as anything but a demon lord.
“Good to see you again, Yanagi-kun!”
“Y-yeah… same to you, Ma… Hattori-san.”
I nearly let something slip but manage to catch myself. She’s smiling. Okay, good—she didn’t notice.
“So, why are you at this school? I thought you had important work to do.”
“Like I said, I’m here to win you over!”
“Didn’t you say I could take my time to think about it?”
“Fufufu, I didn’t say I’d wait around doing nothing in the meantime!”
True, she never said that, but this is a bit much. I didn’t expect her to show up at school. Please don’t come to my house, too. And stop smirking like that—it’s giving major chaotic energy, like Ao.
“By the way, have you eaten lunch yet, Yanagi-kun?”
“Not yet.”
“Then let’s eat together! I brought plenty, so you can have some too!”
She pulls out a massive bento box from behind her. It’s as tall as three of my heads stacked together.
Judging by her appetite the last time I saw her, though, she could probably finish it.
Placing the box on my desk, she grabs an empty chair and sits down.
“Let’s eat!”
With cheeks puffed out like a squirrel, she starts eating without a care, ignoring the curious stares of our classmates.
Watching her, I pull out my own lunch: a katsu sandwich.
“Oh! That looks tasty.”
“Well, you can’t go wrong with a katsu sandwich.”
“So, what else did you bring?”
“Huh? This is it.”
“Hahaha, no way a growing boy like you would eat so little! Bad liar.”
“… …”
“Wait, you’re serious?!”
Hattori-san turns to me with a horrified expression. Wait, is my diet actually concerning?
“That’s no good! You need to eat properly!”
“Is it that bad?”
“You’ll waste away! Here, say ‘ahh’!”
She holds up a meatball with her chopsticks, offering it to me. Not wanting to be rude, I open my mouth and eat it. Wow, it’s delicious. Wait… isn’t this a classic romantic move? Sorry, my comrades—I’ve leveled up to a new stage of life.
Moved to tears by this bliss, I keep eating.
“Wait, why are you crying?!”
“I’m just… so happy.”
“I-is that so? Then I’ll make more for you tomorrow!”
“Really?”
“Of course! You’re still growing, and as a future comrade, it’s my duty!”
Whether I become a comrade or not, I’m grateful. I want to do something for her in return.
“If you ever need help, just let me know. I’ll do what I can.”
“Then join the Special Response Un—”
“Anything but that.”
“Meh. Okay, how about showing me around after school?”
“Deal.”
After agreeing, we continue eating. Hattori-san’s smile is infectious, and I catch myself smiling too. Maybe it’s because this is my first time sharing lunch with someone at school. Yeah, today really is a good day. I glance at the clear blue sky outside.
◇
“Yanagi-kun, you didn’t leave already, right?”
After the short homeroom session, Hattori-san bursts into the classroom.
“No, of course not. I wouldn’t be that rude.”
“Phew, good. Let’s go!”
“Sure, follow me.”
I guide her around the school: the gym, music room, and even places like the changing rooms and training grounds.
“It’s smaller than I thought.”
Apparently disappointed by the training grounds’ size, she mutters to herself.
“Well, we’re just students. Our abilities aren’t that developed yet.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Except for Hattori-san, of course. Joining the Special Abilities Unit at her age is an anomaly.
Compared to her, the rest of us are amateurs.
If the Special Unit went all out, our facilities wouldn’t last a second.
On the way back, Hattori-san stops by a bulletin board and points at a poster.
“What’s this?”
“Oh, it’s almost time for the interschool competition.”
“Interschool competition?”
“Yeah, it’s an annual event where four schools face off in battles using their abilities.”
“Huh, never heard of it.”
“Really? It’s famous. Important people come to scout promising students.”
“No wonder I didn’t know. This won’t prove anyone’s combat skills.”
She has a point. A staged event like this won’t reveal true potential. There’s a world of difference between a real fight and a mock battle.
“Shall we head back?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
We return to the classroom. I fail to notice the sly grin Hattori-san gives the poster before leaving.