The next morning, I got up early and returned to school as usual.
Perhaps it was because I’d used the card again?
At the school gate, I was flamboyantly intercepted by the security guard on duty.
He asked what I was doing entering the school.
Seeing this…
I had no choice but to present my student ID…
Proving to the guard that I was a student here.
After passing inspection, I finally entered the school.
As I reached the classroom door, chaotic chatter spilled out.
Clearly, the students inside were still bursting with energy.
Thinking this, I pushed the door open and walked in.
Maybe the noise caught their attention?
The moment I entered, everyone glanced at me briefly, then looked away and resumed their activities.
“Uh, you are… who was it again?”
Just as I reached my seat, Shen Shiyu appeared right on cue.
She frowned, straining to recall something—as if my name had vanished from her mind.
“I’m Chu Dongyu.”
Her reaction…
Was entirely expected.
My existence was fading fast from others’ memories.
If I used the card once more, this girl would forget me again.
No matter how many times I repeated my name, Shen Shiyu wouldn’t remember.
But I’d grown numb to this indifference.
“Oh! You’re Yutou! Lunch together today?”
Hearing my answer, Shen Shiyu’s eyes lit up with sudden realization.
She excitedly invited me to lunch.
“Busy at noon today. Sorry.”
I wanted to agree, but…
I’d already made plans with Kyuubi.
Lunch with Shen Shiyu would waste time.
Standing people up wasn’t my style.
I hesitated slightly before gently declining.
“Eh… really? I see…”
Shen Shiyu lowered her head, a trace of disappointment in her voice.
“I’ve got plans with it. Next time for lunch?”
Seeing her sulking face, I felt like I was bullying her.
I quickly added reassurance.
I hoped she wouldn’t think I disliked her.
Why had she suddenly invited me?
We hadn’t shared lunch in ages.
Since our farewell day, our paths rarely crossed…
Had my card usage erased me from her memory?
Even the reason we drifted apart was gone.
That had to be it.
“Well, I’ll look forward to it! But… is your lunch date your girlfriend?”
She must have realized I didn’t hate her.
Her mood lifted slightly—still regretful, but no longer crushed.
Her gossip instincts flared instantly.
She was dying to know who I was meeting.
“Do you think an otaku like me has a girlfriend?”
I shot Shen Shiyu an exasperated glare.
Emphasizing my shut-in status!
A girlfriend-less otaku!
“Oh, right! Someone like Yutou couldn’t possibly have one!”
Shen Shiyu bit her finger, pondering.
Then she nodded solemnly—as if delivering the final blow to my pride.
“Hey! Shen Shiyu, that’s a personal attack!”
Her blunt honesty hit me hard.
I protested weakly, the cry of a wounded otaku soul.
“Meh, whatever. Since you’re single…”
Shen Shiyu waved dismissively, giving me a pitying look.
“What were you saying?”
Her voice had dropped to a mosquito buzz.
Curious, I asked what she’d mumbled.
“Nothing! Go on!”
Shen Shiyu blushed fiercely, shaking her head like she’d choke on the words.
“Alright. I’ll get to my things.”
Her behavior was odd, but I didn’t pry.
I let it drop.
A youth romance comedy?
Sorry—I didn’t believe that happened to people like me.
Harem tropes only belonged to light novel protagonists.
Maybe someone like Ryotaro, the anomaly?
A hero whose transformations didn’t erase their existence.
But did such a person exist?
Lost in thought…
The morning vanished in a blink.
The dismissal bell rang.
Students fidgeted restlessly, itching to bolt.
But the teacher hadn’t ended class yet.
Their faces strained like they were holding pee.
“That’s all for today.”
The teacher wrapped up quickly—no overtime for anyone.
He cheerfully dismissed us.
“Long live Teacher Lei!”
“Teacher Lei’s the best!”
“Thanks, Teacher Lei!”
His words sparked instant praise.
Then they vanished—sprinting out at light speed.
Were they sincere or just copying others?
Not my concern.
“Bye, Yutou! See you tomorrow!”
Shen Shiyu slung her bag, smiling as she approached my seat.
“Mm. Tomorrow~”
I looked up from packing and smiled back.
She jogged to her friends, laughing as they left.
Watching her go, I lowered my head and finished packing.
After a while…
I stood slowly, left the classroom, and climbed the stairs.
On the rooftop…
I scanned the area.
Empty.
I sighed in relief.
Meeting Kyuubi required solitude.
It could probably hide us, but better safe than sorry.
Rooftops here weren’t like Japanese high school tropes—rarely visited.
After waiting half an hour…
“Sorry I’m late. Been here long?”
Kyuubi’s voice drifted close.
It snapped me out of a slight yawn.
I turned toward the sound.
A small figure approached.
“Almost thirty minutes. Trouble?”
We’d agreed on 12:20.
Kyuubi was over half an hour late.
Something must have delayed it.
“Yes. Minor issues. Not important now—let’s go.”
Kyuubi nodded but avoided details.
It changed the subject.
“Got it. Lead on.”
I didn’t push.
I nodded and gestured for it to guide me.
“One reminder: you might need the card. You can still transform in the real world. Remember that.”
Kyuubi turned back, cautious.
Probably fearing my mistakes.
“I know. Thanks.”
I’d wasted a card confirming that before…
“Good. Let’s move.”
Seeing I understood, Kyuubi turned and walked ahead.
“Mm.”
I followed without delay, trailing it off the rooftop.
“Hey, Kyuubi—besides me, are there other contractors?”
Walking behind it, I finally asked a long-held question.
“This… I’m unsure.”
Kyuubi paused, thinking.
It shook its head slowly—no definite answer.
“Oh. I see…”
Disappointment hit me hard.
“What difference would it make?”
“Nothing. Just curious.”
Kyuubi glanced back.
I waved my hands hastily.
“I can confirm the Masters have only you. But others like you? Hard to say.”
It must have seen my disappointment.
It shared the only certainty: I was its sole contractor.
“I… understand. Thanks.”
Not the answer I wanted—but better than silence.
“More questions?”
“No.”
“Then follow. The investigation site’s still far.”
Kyuubi turned forward, signaling me to keep up.
