On the cherry blossom-lined street.
Luo Shu raised his hand and caught a falling pink petal. Glancing at the cherry tree already half bereft of its blossoms, he remarked:
"April is already halfway over."
"What? Now that you're back at school, are you feeling the difference between being a secret organisation executive and a normal student?"
Utaha, holding her school bag with both hands, stopped walking and gave Luo Shu a sidelong glance.
"Even if I, Luo Shu, could command the wind and rain across the world, I'd still have to attend school properly. School is where I truly belong."
"Are you getting protagonist vibes from some anime now?"
Hearing Utaha's teasing, Luo Shu paused before replying:
"If I were an anime protagonist, this would definitely be an R18 series."
As he spoke, Luo Shu glanced at Utaha's pert figure, recalling how his efforts from earlier likely still lingered there, and couldn't help adding:
"So, as the anime's heroine, how does that make you feel, Utaha?"
Utaha rolled her beautiful eyes in exasperation and quickened her pace to walk ahead:
"...Please exclude me from this scenario, thank you."
'Being your R18 heroine? Do you want me to punch you?'
Utaha couldn't stand the man beside her anymore. Why did his mind always veer towards such things? It's not like she'd drained him twice this morning or anything...
Seeing Utaha's face tighten into that of a cold, elegant junior, Luo Shu couldn't help but chuckle. He stopped his verbal jabs and caught up with her, changing the subject:
"What do you think about me taking a leave of absence from school?"
Before Utaha could respond, he continued:
"The Hidden Management Department needs to get properly established soon. My focus will mainly be on promotions and department expansion. I'll rarely have time for school, so rather than constantly taking leave, I might as well apply for a formal leave of absence."
"Not a good idea," Utaha replied calmly. "That has zero chance of succeeding."
"Why?" Luo Shu looked puzzled.
Utaha turned to glance at him, seeming both amused and exasperated:
"Senior Luo Shu seems to have forgotten why you came to school today?"
Luo Shu froze, then realisation dawned:
"Natsuki?"
"So you do remember." Utaha chuckled lightly. "Whether it's leave of absence or dropping out, it's impossible without going through Natsuki. Do you really think a teacher like her would allow that?"
She raised a hand to her throat, imitating Natsuki Minamiya's voice:
"'Students should behave like students! No matter how busy you are outside, you must complete all required coursework!' So, do you think you can manage that, Luo Shu-kun, who currently needs favours from others~"
Seeing Utaha's mischievous smile, Luo Shu's face twitched before he sighed:
"You've really captured Natsuki's essence perfectly."
The Witch of the Void, Natsuki Minamiya.
A witch whose main profession was teaching.
Given her dedication to educating students, Luo Shu's earlier idea might not have worked at all.
Natsuki Minamiya would probably prefer Luo Shu skipping class every day so she could personally tutor him, rather than allowing him to drop out.
The thought of a petite teacher constantly pestering him for make-up lessons made Luo Shu pause, his expression turning odd.
'Actually... that doesn't sound too bad.'
As Luo Shu pondered this, the two of them walked down a path strewn with cherry blossoms, turning onto the main road leading to the school. Before long, whispers reached his ears.
"Is that... Senior Kasumigaoka from the second year? She's actually walking with a guy? Are they dating?"
"No way, that cold beauty from the second year would never... Hiss..."
"By the way, who is that guy? A senior?"
Luo Shu glanced sideways, following the voices, and spotted three girls walking in parallel on the opposite side of the road.
"He looked over! He looked over!!"
"Wow, he's handsome. Wonder which class he's in."
"How does it feel to be the centre of attention?"
Utaha's slightly amused voice reached Luo Shu's ears.
Turning his head, he found her already leaning close to him, her arm naturally linking with his.
Seeing this, Luo Shu was both surprised and amused:
"What, are you staking your claim on me?"
Utaha replied matter-of-factly:
"I'm merely protecting innocent underclassmen from the dangers of a certain wolf."
"So your method of protection is to offer yourself as bait?" Luo Shu couldn't help but chuckle.
"For a gambler who's lost everything, it's the only choice left."
Utaha calmly held onto Luo Shu's arm as they approached the school, completely ignoring the frequent stares around them.
The road led straight to the gates of Toyogasaki High School, and with it being peak arrival time, students from all grades were densely packed. In mere moments, dozens—if not hundreds—had noticed the scene.
Luo Shu's heightened senses allowed him to perceive every gaze, yet he had no intention of stopping Utaha's actions.
After all, her deliberate display of possession in public seemed no different to him than a form of coquetry.
And when it came to such displays, Luo Shu had no reason to refuse—even if it might cause a minor commotion.
Still, it was odd for this little temptress to act like this today.
'Could it be the lingering dependency from pinning me down twice this morning?'
'Or maybe she's worried about potential rivals at school and decided to mark her territory in advance?'
Just as Luo Shu wondered about Utaha's motives, his expression suddenly shifted, turning peculiar.
He had sensed a familiar gaze.
"...What on earth are you two doing at the school gates?"
At the familiar exclamation, Luo Shu turned and spotted the golden-haired, twin-tailed loser across the road.
But his attention didn't linger on her. Instead, his gaze shifted to Yukino Yukinoshita standing beside Eriri, then further to Kisara at Yukino's side.
Watching Kisara, who was clenching her fists and staring at Utaha with a forced smile, then glancing back at the smirk on Utaha's face, Luo Shu finally understood.
This woman was deliberately fanning the flames and declaring war.