Shichen followed Utaha Kasumigaoka to the top floor of the teaching building, watched her take out a key to open the rooftop door, and then followed her onto the rooftop.
"How do you have a key?"
"I applied to the teacher," Utaha Kasumigaoka replied, locking the door behind her.
"You can apply for this kind of thing?"
"Isn't it simple? I just said I needed a quiet place to read during lunch break, and that noisy places affect my studies. The teacher then gave me the rooftop key."
Shichen twitched the corner of his mouth: "...That's really something else."
This was a privilege he had always dreamed of when he was in school, but unfortunately, his grades weren't good enough, so he didn't have the confidence to ask the teacher for special treatment.
In school, good grades truly grant good treatment, almost like being at home.
"Come this way," Utaha Kasumigaoka walked towards a bench by the edge.
Shichen followed her and sat down on the bench with her.
"What do you want to say?" Utaha Kasumigaoka asked as she opened her bento.
"Oh~ it's quite rich, and it smells so good."
As soon as the bento box opened, a waft of warm, fragrant air hit Utaha Kasumigaoka, and she immediately felt her stomach begin to rumble.
There were two layers: one layer of white rice, with a soft-boiled egg cut in half and a few cherry tomatoes, and the other layer contained several Chinese stir-fried dishes, both meat and vegetables.
It was still warm, the insulation was good, and Shichen was very satisfied with the bento box.
"Should I wait until you finish eating first?"
"I don't need to say anything... Did you make this yourself?" Utaha Kasumigaoka had never seen Thor make this kind of dish.
"Mhm."
"Why did you suddenly think of making me a bento?" Utaha Kasumigaoka asked.
In the morning, when Shichen suddenly said he wanted to bring her a bento, she was particularly surprised. Although she was curious, she didn't ask too many questions.
Mainly, she couldn't find a reason to refuse.
"I plan to leave for a while," Shichen didn't plan to beat around the bush; he spoke truthfully.
"Leave?" Utaha Kasumigaoka frowned, looking at him: "What do you mean?"
"It means we won't be able to see each other for a while."
"For a while, huh? Where are you going? Back to your country?" Utaha Kasumigaoka wasn't particularly concerned yet, picking up her chopsticks and about to put a piece of meat into her mouth.
"No, it's temporarily leaving this world."
"Is that so? So it's leaving this worl... Huh?" Utaha Kasumigaoka's hand paused, her chopsticks loosened, and the food fell back into the bento box.
She didn't care, but stared blankly at Shichen.
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"I think you might have guessed it. Actually, like Thor, I'm not from this world."
"...No, I didn't see that," Utaha Kasumigaoka shook her head.
"..." Shichen choked for a moment, and couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you curious why I can be with Thor? She's a dragon, you know. Can a normal person live with her?"
"What's so strange about that? Aren't you human? Didn't you save Thor by chance?"
"You're really broad-minded," Shichen shook his head with a wry smile: "Sure enough, a novelist's brain is just not quite normal."
"Get lost~ So you're not human either?"
"I am human, just a bit special."
"Special... not from this world, huh," Utaha Kasumigaoka looked at Shichen, muttering to herself.
In that case, Shichen's extraordinary and ethereal demeanor could be explained clearly.
"Sorry, for keeping it from you all this time," Shichen apologized.
"It's nothing, it's normal not to tell others about this kind of thing, and besides, aren't you telling me now?" Utaha Kasumigaoka smiled softly.
"Thank you."
"So, you're here to say goodbye, huh? No wonder you made me a bento yourself."
Utaha Kasumigaoka easily believed what Shichen said and accepted the fact that he was not from this world.
After all, with Thor already, there was nothing to disbelieve.
"Mhm," Shichen pursed her lips and nodded.
"How thoughtful..." Utaha Kasumigaoka turned her head to look at the bento in her hand, suddenly feeling a bit out of appetite.
"So, are Thor and Chisato leaving too?"
"No, they'll stay here."
"Huh?" Utaha Kasumigaoka turned her head sharply.
"I can't take them with me yet."
"Take them? What about me?" Utaha Kasumigaoka suddenly asked.
"Eh?" Shichen blinked.
"Uh... no," Utaha Kasumigaoka came back to her senses and quickly denied: "I didn't mean that, I just... just..."
For a moment, she couldn't find a reason to explain; it had just slipped out in a moment of impulse.
"Of course, you too," Shichen replied seriously, smiling as he looked at her.
"..." Utaha Kasumigaoka's mouth was agape, unable to speak, but her fair cheeks began to flush, feeling a bit hot.
"Who, who wants to leave with you!" She shyly turned her head away and retorted, "I still have to study, and novels, I grew up here, how could I leave."
"Oh my~ I didn't say I'm leaving forever," Shichen explained with a smile.
"..."
"Hehe~ Did you forget? I just said I'm leaving temporarily, and it won't be for long. I'm not not coming back."
"..." Utaha Kasumigaoka's face turned even redder, glaring at him in embarrassment and anger.
"Are you relieved now?"
"Then just leave when you leave, what's there to talk about!" Utaha Kasumigaoka said, embarrassed and angry, turning her head to pick up a piece of braised pork ribs and put it into her mouth, then chewing vigorously.
It was as if she was venting, biting someone hard.
"Isn't it because I'm afraid you'd be angry?" Shichen confessed.
"...What do I have to be angry about!" Utaha Kasumigaoka still stared at the bento: "Anyway, Thor and the others are still here, they'll tell me then."
"But I've already said goodbye to both of them separately, so of course I have to say goodbye to you in person too."
"...Anyway, it's just leaving for a while."
"That's true," Shichen chuckled, staring at her ears.
Her earlobes were flushed, betraying her current mood, otherwise, it would really make one doubt if she truly didn't care.
"What's so funny!" Utaha Kasumigaoka finally couldn't help it, glaring at him with a red face.
She could hear the amusement in Shichen's tone clearly.
"When are you leaving?"
"Are you in such a hurry to make me leave?"
"Hmph! Just go early and come back early, alright!" Utaha Kasumigaoka was too lazy to hide it anymore.
"After you finish your bento, I'm not in a hurry."
"No need, you're useless here except for delaying me from eating my bento!"
"That's a bit hurtful."
"Alright, I think you must have something to do if you're leaving, so go early," Utaha Kasumigaoka suddenly said softly.
"Mhm..." Shichen's heart warmed, and he suddenly asked, "Can I hug you?"
"Hug... why?" Utaha Kasumigaoka's heart rate sped up.
"That way I'll have more motivation."
"Then... alright then."
Utaha Kasumigaoka pretended to be calm, put down her bento, then stood up facing Shichen and opened her arms.
"Just a hug?"
"The rest... we'll continue when I get back," Shichen said with a smile as he stood up.
"The rest... you wish!" Utaha Kasumigaoka playfully rolled her eyes at him, then took a step forward and hugged him.
Shichen naturally put his arms around her, holding her tightly. The girl was soft and fragrant, making him a little reluctant to let go.
Utaha Kasumigaoka remained motionless in Shichen's arms. Her hands were wrapped around his lower back, her head resting on his shoulder, eyes open, face flushed.
They held each other quietly, not saying a word. Perhaps a long time passed, or perhaps only an instant, until the iron door of the rooftop made a sound.
Thump, thump, thump!
A very forceful knocking sound. Both of them were suddenly disturbed, and Utaha Kasumigaoka was startled, pushing Shichen away at once.
"It sounds like someone's here, you should leave quickly," she said in a hurry.
The sudden unexpected event made her a little flustered.
"What's there to be afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid, we didn't do anything... I just don't want to be disturbed by others," Utaha Kasumigaoka said, embarrassed and annoyed, swatting Shichen.
"Alright, alright, then I'll go?" Shichen also didn't want to interact with other people.
"Mhm."
"I'll be back very soon."
"Got it," Utaha Kasumigaoka smiled helplessly.
"Then... bye-bye," Shichen waved his hand, and his entire person suddenly disappeared without any warning.
The smile on Utaha Kasumigaoka's face instantly vanished. She looked left and right, unable to see any trace of Shichen, only the bento he had brought on the bench.
Her heart suddenly felt empty, as if she had lost all motivation.
Thump, thump, thump!
The knocking continued, making Utaha Kasumigaoka frown as she walked over to open the door, annoyed.
Opening the door, she didn't even get a clear look at the person before impatiently asking, "Is there something? Please don't disturb me..."
"Where's Prince Brother!?"
"Huh? You are... Sawamura-san?" Utaha Kasumigaoka then realized it was none other than Eriri Spencer Sawamura, who was famous in the school alongside her.
But Eriri Spencer Sawamura ignored her, sidestepped onto the rooftop, looking around, searching for that unforgettable figure.
"Who are you looking for?" Utaha Kasumigaoka walked over and asked.
"Where's Prince Brother?" Eriri Spencer Sawamura turned and grabbed her arm, asking anxiously.
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