Two days after Yamada-san defeated the mysterious high-level demon, I spend my lunch break eating bread and then take a stroll through the courtyard. Then, I spot Kyouka sitting on a bench ahead. Kyouka, who usually wears a ponytail, had her hair down since morning. "Kyouka." As I call her name, Kyouka turns to me with a smile. "Hey there, Yuusei-kun. How was the hospital?" Kyouka and I took a day off school yesterday, as per Yamada-san's advice, and visited a hospital favored by the association. "Nothing at all. Not even a scratch. What about you, Kyouka?" I sit down next to her as I ask. "Ahaha, same here. Even the scar from when I accidentally cut my hand has vanished." "That's incredible." "Yeah... it really is." We both look up at the sky. "Did you talk to your parents?" "About what?" "Cut it out with that face." "Face?" Kyouka deliberately touches her cheek with her finger. "You're putting on that smile, the one that doesn't quite reach your eyes." "You really know how to say terrible things." Kyoka's smile fades to a serious expression. She's not self-suggesting herselve into this form. She's playing the role of the class favorite through it. "That your true self." "You're getting it wrong. There's no such thing as a 'true self.' Both the me who scatters smiles around and Slasher Kyouka-chan are me. People all have a dual nature. I just switch between them with suggestion. After all, if I were like this, it might not be bullying level, but I'd be disliked, wouldn't I?" Somehow, I find myself fond of the term "Slasher Kyouka-chan"... "Got it. So? Have you told your parents?" "You sure don't care... When you ask that, do you mean talked about Yamada-san?" "Yeah. Obviously. The power to defeat that superior demon, and most importantly, the so-called healing magic. We certainly had broken ribs, but they were healed in an instant. I’ve never heard of such a thing." We were conscious at that time. But we pretended to be unconscious because the sight of the superior demon being defeated so easily was just too shocking. "Wouldn't it be enough to leave it at 'he's an incredible person'?" "It's not good." "Heh, by that look, it seems you haven't talked with your parents, right?" "Of course not. How could I possibly talk about something like this?"

He would be under suspicion, and more importantly, no one would just leave a magician like that alone. They would definitely try to recruit him. But Yamada-san obviously does not wish for that. "I haven't said anything either, and I have no intention of doing so. Do you understand why?" "Are you trying to use yourselve as bait to lure him in?" "Exactly. There are only brothers in my family, and we have no young women of marriageable age. It seems that I would be the one to fulfill this role." Well, marriage is indeed the best way to bring someone into a family. I would probably make the same choice. "And you don't like that. It didn't look like it to me, though." Her actions were clearly targeted and intentional. "Hehe, so he is Tadashi-san's grandson. No wonder Kirigaya wanted to win him over." Kyouka laughs with a hint of something more. "Win over? What do you mean?" "No, let's leave it at that. Hmm, you're asking if I dislike it? Yes, I do. I'll live my life my way and find a partner myself. I don't need my parents' or my clan's wishes. You know what I mean?" "That's pretty much common sense. I think anyone would feel the same." In this day and age, the idea of parents choosing their children's spouses is ridiculous. It's anachronistic. "Exactly... it's common sense. That's why I'm going to take Yamada-san for myself, by my own choice. I won't let anyone get in the way." So you've choosen him yourselve. "Isn't that the same thing?" "The outcome might be the same... but the process is different." "Just curious, but what do you find appealing about him? He's nearly 20 years older than you, isn't he?" Yamada-san often mentions it, but it is a crime, right? "It doesn't matter. I follow my instincts. That's why I'm drawn to strong people. I always knew there was something special about him, and now I finally get it. Hehe, fitting for an archmage, right?" "Hmm, I remember hearing that somewhere. Wait, who was it that said it?" My memory is somewhat fuzzy. "Right. I'm not sure either. Anyway, Yuusei-kun, sorry, but could you not mention this topic to your parents? I'd rather not have a dispute with your sister or cousin." Could it turn out that way? Ah, but they do like wealthy people, it's possible. Yamada-san is earning a lot, after all. "That's fine, but don't get involved in anything strange. I don't want to see Yamada-san getting caught." "Don't worry. I'll handle it smoothly. It's a challenge since he's quite guarded, but I'll be the one getting him. Not Kirigaya, not Ichinose, or the Kichis can have him. Don't you think 'Kyouka Yamada' sounds like a nice name?" So you're planning on becoming his bride, not taking him in as a son-in-law... She is truly resolved to make a clean break with her family. "No, sorry. Kichi just sounds cooler."

"Well, saying it out loud, I do feel like it's become rather plain." Kyouka gives a wry smile. "I've got the gist of your plan, Kyouka. But it's none of my business." "You're a guy, so you might not get it, but you'll help me out, right?" "Why should I?" Such a hassle. "That's a harsh thing to say. Aren't we partners?" "Partners you say?" "I've made plans to meet up with Yamada-san after school." You're quick on your feet, huh? Oh, is that why you let your hair down. "I have my shift." "I know. And I'm planning to ask you not just for this month but to keep working with me from now on." Is that so... "I was actually planning to ask you the same thing when we next met." "Oh yeah? Then, we're teammates after all." Ah... that could be. "Think Yamada-san will give his okay?" To be honest, I'm a bit anxious about that. He seems to prefer working alone. "Just leave that to me." "What? Using some feminine wiles?" "What's with guys always thinking that way? I'll just ask him earnestly. Yamada-san is a kind and gentlemanly person, so he'll surely listen to my request when I'm in need." Isn't that rather heavily influenced by your own personal feelings and wishes? "Well then, I'll ask for your help too while we're at it." "Sure. We're comrades, after all." Kyouka grins broadly. "Here's some advice for you, comrade Kyouka. That smile of yours—quit it. It's creepy and it puts people off." Yamada-san probably feels the same way. "Um, isn't that too rude? It's just normal laughter." Kyouka had changed back from the Slasher Kyouka-chan to her usual self. "Don't change so abruptly..." "Regardless, I need you to help me out. Don't worry; I'm not asking for anything strange." "Yeah, yeah." I shook my head from side to side, while thinking about how annoying this will be.