"Ah... Those two really have energy, huh..."

Sharkai Bai finally slipped away from the girls using the bathroom as an excuse. He sat on a bench under the tree’s shade, closing his weary eyes.

Xia Feina had taken his dorm keys to stop him from sneaking back during the festival.

"Man, way too many people here?"

Students from other schools and their parents crowded the academy festival grounds. The bustling paths roared with noise, making sleep impossible.

Sharkai Bai feared he’d drop dead if he didn’t rest soon.

"Here, you look exhausted?"

He opened his eyes to a coffee can held before him.

Student Council President Elucia sat beside him.

Shouldn’t this be her busiest time?

"You’re quite free, President."

He took the coffee, sipped it, and teased, "I’m worried someone might die on my bench and ruin the festival."

"...Heh."

Sharkai Bai rubbed his sore eyes, studying Elucia.

Long lashes, fair cheeks, a sternly beautiful face.

She leaned back, arms crossed, legs crossed, black hair swaying.

He’d shifted her from "cute" to "beautiful" in his mind.

"W-What are you staring at! Disgusting!"

Realizing his gaze, Elucia shot up and turned away.

A creepy feeling of being watched hit her.

So embarrassing—she couldn’t show her flushed face.

"I’ll supervise the others!"

Head down, she marched stiffly into the crowd, flustered.

*(What’s with her... that girl)*

Sharkai Bai chugged the coffee and tossed the can.

After a short rest, time to return.

"I’m back."

"Hey hey, how was it? Darling~"

"Tch. You look more like a middle-aged aunt."

Cecilia Xuelian wore a kimono.

White fabric bore a red peony embroidery, gilded gold trim. Her noble grace made her stunningly mature.

Xia Feina stood nearby, arms crossed, scowling.

"Not bad. Suits you."

His tone was pure敷衍.

Cecilia Xuelian glared at Bai like a volcano ready to erupt.

"Ah! Gorgeous! Perfect for you!"

Sensing danger, Bai instantly switched to dead-serious praise.

"R-Really?"

"Yes!"

He answered with zero hesitation, utterly earnest.

Satisfied, Cecilia’s anger cooled.

"Tch! Middle-aged woman!"

Xia Feina’s jab shattered Cecilia’s calm.

"Huh!? What did you say!?"

"Ah!? I said you, gr-a-nd-ma~"

War was about to ignite.

"Oh——? So you’re Sharkai Bai?"

A voice cut through.

Waist-length brown hair, denim shorts, white graffiti tee, black stockings.

A girl barely older than Hua Shan Temple Moon Day’s look.

Her tone dripped with age-inappropriate arrogance.

"And you are...?"

Under murderous glares from both sides, Sharkai Bai drew a blank on knowing her.

"A bishop of the New Wing Divine Church. Seen you before. Shinji Sanmi—what do you want?" Cecilia Xuelian recognized her, eyes hostile.

"Hmph. You seem interesting."

Shinji Sanmi ignored Cecilia, staring haughtily at the white-haired boy.

*Boom!*

"Who’s there! Bastard! Wanna die!?"

Shinji Sanmi took a punch to the head, cursing wildly.

"Sorry, sorry. This kid gives me headaches if I blink."

Kami Miraishi appeared behind her, lifting Shinji Sanmi like a claw-machine prize.

"...N-No, it’s fine."

Sharkai Bai waved awkwardly, sweatdropping.

"I’ll find you again! Stop pulling—I can walk!" Shinji Sanmi yelled at Bai before vanishing.

Watching her get carried off, Bai sighed in relief.

He hated these events—too many troublesome people.

"Charming perverted Bai-kun—even Shinji Sanmi wants you."

"Oh? You know her?"

"Of course. The ‘Magic Tyrant’ of the New Wing Divine Church. Second only to one person."

"So she’s strongest after Kami Miraishi? Wait—seriously!? That’s the biggest power in the Western Sea!"

Another terrifying figure had targeted him out of nowhere.

Sharkai Bai’s mind collapsed again.

He dreaded waking on an operating table, doctors holding scalpels around him.

Just thinking about it chilled him.

"Darling, I want cotton candy!"

"I want takoyaki."

"Yes, yes, okay..."

Unconsciously, Sharkai Bai became their errand boy.

"Seriously—why am I doing this!?"

Grumbling, he shoved through the crowd, giant cotton candy and takoyaki box in hand.

His perfect nap time was gone.

Completely.

No complaints allowed.

"Eating childish stuff at your age."

"Your mud-ball snacks are grosser."

After getting their food, Xia Feina and Cecilia reignited their war.

While they argued fiercely, Sharkai Bai slipped into a quiet campus alley.

"Seriously, I should move out."

Leaning on the wall, he popped open a coffee can.

*Scratch-scratch* sounds echoed from the alley’s depths.

Bai turned his head.

*Pfft—!*

Coffee sprayed from his mouth.

The can clattered to the ground.

——In the dim shadows lay a small girl in tattered clothes, bloodstains pooling beneath her.

"W-What happened?"

Uncertain, Bai rushed over and lifted her.

Her breathing was faint but steady.

Dried blood crusted her wounds—she’d been here hours.

*(Infirmary first.)*

Bai carried the girl and sprinted out of the alley.