A new day.
Koufukuji Takaya rode in a specially arranged car. When he got out, no one came to greet him anymore. After arriving at school, he quickly learned about Shijou Anri's transfer.
Originally, Shijou Anri was not only his maid but also his childhood friend. They even attended the same class, though they rarely interacted at school, and her identity as his maid was never revealed.
Now, she was gone.
She had transferred schools… and he might never see her again.
Koufukuji Takaya stood beside her empty seat for a long time, unable to move.
At that moment, he felt as though he had truly lost her.
The favor Shijou Anri asked of Mira was naturally related to transferring schools. She chose to come here first instead of seeking out Kazuma directly.
Even now, Anri didn't know much about him.
Mira hadn't told her much—only that he was extraordinary, capable, and very popular with girls.
Thinking back, both the girl named Rurikawa and Miss Mira seemed to have unusual relationships with him… It wasn't surprising. Even Anri, who had just met him, felt a strange sense of dependence on him.
She knew she had no money to repay him, so she came here intending to repay him in other ways.
"I see. I'll take you to Teacher Shirakawa's office," Shinomiya Natsuha said as she guided the unfamiliar girl into the school. "But transferring now? It's already June—almost summer vacation. That's unusual."
"Yes, it's due to special circumstances…" Shijou Anri replied vaguely. "I mainly came here for someone."
"A boy?" Natsuha's eyes lit up. "Did you transfer for someone you like? That's kind of romantic."
"It is a boy," Anri said, slightly embarrassed. "But it's not because I like him. There are other reasons."
Natsuha didn't press further. She could tell this girl had things she couldn't easily talk about.
But then again… wasn't she the same?
Thinking about her own situation, Natsuha sighed softly.
"What's his name?" she asked. "Maybe I can help you."
"His name is..."
"Watch out!"
Just as the two stepped onto the stairs, someone rushed down from above, unable to stop in time, and collided with Shinomiya Natsuha. Her schoolbag fell to the ground, and the carefully prepared gift box inside tumbled out as well.
Miyajima Sakura quickly helped Natsuha up. "Are you alright? I'm so sorry, really sorry."
Shinomiya Natsuha brushed off her skirt and recognized the other person. "Miyajima-senpai, I'm fine."
Fortunately, both of them were athletic girls in good physical condition.
Miyajima Sakura was just as popular and well-liked at school as Tosaka Fuyuka. Natsuha knew her as well, though neither of them was aware of the other's relationship with Kazuma. Miyajima Sakura awkwardly steadied her and said, "I'm in a hurry to get to my club and didn't watch where I was going. I'm really sorry."
"It's fine as long as you're okay. I'll be going now, junior."
After Miyajima-senpai left, Natsuha picked up her schoolbag. Then she noticed that the gift box she had dropped was now in Shijou Anri's hands, and its contents had fallen out as well.
The silver-haired girl helped gather them. "Shinomiya-san, are you alright? Huh? This is…"
This slightly elongated oval object left Shijou Anri stunned. She didn't react immediately before Natsuha quickly snatched it back.
The two stared at each other. Shijou Anri soon realized what the object was. Her eyes wide, and she struggled to pull at the corners of her mouth, "Th-That, Shinomiya-san…"
"That's a sanitary pad."
Natsuha said it calmly.
"…"
You're lying! Do you think I don't know anything?!
"That's a specially made sanitary pad."
She repeated it with a completely composed expression, making Shijou Anri momentarily doubt her own judgment.
The silver-haired girl thought for a moment, then suddenly nodded. "You're right… I must not have seen it clearly earlier. It really does look like a sanitary pad."
No way! I saw it clearly—and I even touched it.
The two fell silent as they walked into the building. Shijou Anri was deeply shaken. She had just transferred to this school and was already experiencing something like this. What was wrong with this place?!
Such a beautiful and elegant girl actually carried something like that. Was the school abnormal, or was this girl abnormal?
Too terrifying… just too terrifying.
But then again, what does this have to do with me? Shijou Anri thought. Other people's business is none of my concern. I don't even know her, and we probably won't interact in the future anyway.
If she's a pervert, then so be it.
I'll just pretend I never saw anything. Besides, she did help guide me here.
When they reached the teacher's office door, just as she was about to say thank you, the door suddenly opened and Kazuma walked out. Shinomiya Natsuha and Shijou Anri—both beautiful girls—froze at the same time when they saw him.
They clearly hadn't expected to run into him here.
"Yo, Natsuha," Kazuma greeted with a wave. He had been called by Shirakawa-sensei to help move things with the class representative, Chizuru Shiina. "Are you here to see Shirakawa-sensei?"
"Yes, there's a transfer student…"
Shinomiya Natsuha hesitated for a moment. She glanced at Shijou Anri beside her, then finally took out the gift box and handed it to Kazuma. "Kazuma, this is for you."
Shijou Anri's expression became incredibly colorful.
Shock, disbelief, confusion—and even a trace of disdain.
Kazuma: ???
He looked at Shijou Anri suspiciously. Her reaction was extremely expressive. Mira Tsubakihara had already told him about her transfer, so he wasn't surprised—just confused about her strange expression.
"It's not a holiday, so why give me a gift?" Kazuma accepted the neatly wrapped box. "Is it chocolate?"
He had no idea what was inside.
Shijou Anri's expression softened a bit.
What the hell is going on? Is this some kind of silent play?
"You can open it later," Shinomiya Natsuha said softly, her cheeks slightly red. "I'll head back to the classroom first."
Still being mysterious.
After she left, Kazuma turned to Shijou Anri. "Mira told me you left the Koufukuji family?"
"Yes. I rented a place outside last night," Shijou Anri replied quietly. "I don't have much money, but I won't forget the reward I promised. I'll work for you to repay the debt."
"And… thank you."
She was referring to what happened last night.
"Living outside isn't safe. Move to Morita Hospital," Kazuma said. "That blond young master is dead. The Boyman family might react strongly during this period. It's not safe for you right now."
"I understand."
Shijou Anri nodded, then lifted her gaze to look at him. "That girl just now… are you close to her?"
"More or less. Why?"
"…"
Her feelings were complicated. On one hand, the scene of Kazuma overwhelming everyone at the banquet—making Boeyman cough up blood—was still vivid in her mind. The shock of it was unforgettable.
On the other hand… that gift box had left an equally strong impression.
The moment she thought about Shinomiya giving him that as a gift, Kazuma's towering image in her mind instantly collapsed, making him seem strange no matter how she looked at him.
So even though she now stood in a subordinate position, even though this young man had saved her life, Shijou Anri still couldn't help but warn him:
"I can work to repay my debt, and I can move in with you… but I will not sell my body."
"???"
"And that thing inside… you're not allowed to use it on me either."
"???"
After saying that, Shijou Anri quickly brushed past him and entered the office.
Kazuma stood there, completely stunned. What just happened? Why was her reaction so extreme? Did she know what was inside the box?
He quickly opened it. The moment he saw the contents, his expression froze.
His ears rang, and his head throbbed.
"No… this? Natsuha, you…?"
I actually thought Natsuha would give me a normal gift. I completely forgot what kind of person she is. Too naive… way too naive.
Only she would give something like this.
Thinking back to Shijou Anri's earlier words—and especially the look in her eyes—Kazuma buried his face in his hands.
"I'm really not a pervert!!!"
Giving this is one thing—but why let someone else see it too?! Keep it hidden, you idiot!!
"Natsuha… you've really put me in a difficult position," Kazuma sighed, slipping the gift into his pocket.
Inside the office, Shijou Anri heard the wail from outside. The corners of her mouth twitched before she couldn't help but smile.
"What's going on out there?" Shirakawa Miwa looked toward the door in confusion, then turned her gaze back to the girl in front of her. "Anri-san, do you know Kazuma-kun?"
"I just met him, Shirakawa-sensei… What kind of person is he?"
"He's a poor child, but it's good that you know him. You're in the same class, and with Kazuma-kun guiding you, you'll get familiar with the school much faster," Shirakawa Miwa said gently. "Don't be fooled by his pitiful appearance—Kazuma-kun is very reliable."
Of course, I know he's reliable too… just a little perverted.
"I understand. Thank you, Shirakawa-sensei."
Shijou Anri kept her doubts to herself, wondering what Shirakawa-sensei meant by calling him pitiful.
The girl became even more curious about Kazuma.
*****
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