Overlooking the special district, Mihaya spoke as if confessing her sins.

“I messed up in the dungeon yesterday. So many things went wrong.”

Sorciera remained silent. Yet Mihaya could tell she was listening.

“I have someone I love dearly. And someone I hate just as much. But… I couldn’t face either of them.”

She hugged her knees and buried her face. She wished she could disappear from the world, even if just for a moment.

“The person I love… his name is Touraku. Have you heard of him? He’s a first-year explorer in the student council at Mikage Academy.”

“No, I don’t know much about the outside world,” Sorciera replied.

“I see. But someday, you’ll hear his name. He’s strong—stronger than ever. I can’t even stand by his side anymore.”

To Futaba Mihaya, Touraku of the Fang Tower was both a childhood friend and someone she had vowed to protect. He would get hurt for others without ever thinking about his own well-being.

If that was the case, Mihaya felt it was her responsibility to protect him. That was her belief.

“He always sticks his neck into bullying situations, making himself the target. That’s just the kind of guy he is.”

“He seems to live a rather difficult life,” Sorciera commented.

“I think so too. And now he’s involved in something even bigger. He didn’t reject it. Once he realized he was the only one who could do it, he didn’t hesitate.”

Touraku’s self-sacrificing nature, almost twisted in its intensity, was something Mihaya had long grown accustomed to.

That’s why she believed she could protect him this time too.

“But in the end, he overdid it. He collapsed in the dungeon after exhausting his power. He must’ve been worn out—his student council duties had been keeping him busy.”

Up until now, Mihaya had protected him from personal malice and tragedy. That was all she could manage.

She’d accompanied him to prevent his training from becoming excessive. She’d supported his student council work. She’d made sure he didn’t neglect his meals. She’d protected him as she always had.

But that was all.

“When he collapsed, my mind went blank. Even when the dungeon master appeared, I couldn’t move. Instead of thinking about what to do next, all I could think about was what had gone wrong.”

If she had been in better shape, she probably could have defeated the dungeon master. But that wasn’t the case.

Touraku of the Fang Tower had pushed himself too far and collapsed, and Mihaya’s thoughts froze at that moment.

“And then, he showed up.”

“He?”

“Yes. The lowest, most arrogant person, yet I can’t understand what he’s thinking. I guess ‘Kei’ doesn’t mean anything to you.”

“No, it doesn’t. But from the way you talk, he doesn’t seem like a good person.”

Sorciera’s remark brought a bitter smile to Mihaya’s face.

“I thought the same until recently, but now I’m not sure anymore. That guy Kei… he saved me and Touraku. He jumped between us and the dungeon master, sacrificing his own arm.”

It happened just yesterday. The memory was burned vividly into her mind.

Kei had shown an expression of desperation she had never imagined seeing from him. His emotions were raw, as he protected them with everything he had—something Mihaya had never seen before.

“Kei had always bullied Touraku. I suppose it’s because of the rivalry between the Nataki family and the Fang Tower. I don’t know the details. He used to bully Touraku, even going as far as trapping him in a dungeon to kill him. And yet, he saved us.”

Kei Nataki’s actions had become increasingly contradictory since a certain day, or so Mihaya thought.

“His injury isn’t as bad as yours, but he suffered a serious wound to his right arm. I should’ve done something for him too.”

Mihaya understood. She had been saved.

The person who had tormented them for so long had saved her.

“I don’t know what’s right anymore. I don’t know what I can do for Touraku or what Kei is really thinking. I… I feel like I’m being left behind.”

Before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face. She felt ashamed of even that.

“I kept thinking I was protecting Touraku from Kei, just like always! I thought I was doing the right thing! But deep down, I knew… I was scared. I was scared of losing my purpose, my place in this world!”

She stifled her sobs, curling up as if trying to hide, like a child seeking shelter from the world.

“What… what should I do?”

It was a question that shook the very foundation of the self-affirmation Mihaya had built over the years. A question about her own identity.

Watching her, Sorciera let out a breath and gazed up at the night sky.

“Why do you think the stars shine?”

“Huh?”

“Their shine is nothing more than a nuclear fusion reaction. Yet we’ve always found meaning in them. Even though they’re just shining without any purpose.”

At Sorciera’s words, Mihaya lifted her head.

Her azure eyes met Mihaya’s.

“Please, don’t overthink things so much.”

With a gentle smile, Sorciera stroked Mihaya’s head.

“What’s important is what you want. Why did you want to protect Touraku? Why did you come to hate Kei?”

“I…”

The answer came easily.

“I love Touraku. That’s why…!”

“Then that’s enough.”

Sorciera continued weaving her words.

“You’re in love with that person, right? Do you need a reason to stand next to the person you love? Trying to find some deeper meaning is pointless. You’re a student, so it’s only natural to be with someone you like. Trying to come up with a reason is what’s really strange.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes, you’re overthinking it. Just do what you want. If you’re still worried—”

Sorciera suddenly stood up and began to draw a large magic circle.

“What is this…!?”

Standing in the center of the circle, Sorciera gazed at Mihaya.

“In the near future, a great calamity will hit the academy city. It’s a fate that cannot be avoided.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, and your power is crucial to overturning that fate, Futaba Mihaya.”

“…How do you know my name?”

Sorciera pointed at Mihaya and laughed.

“Because you’re already part of the plan. Our organization has high expectations for Futaba Mihaya. This is the purpose I’m offering you.”

Her blue eyes were fixed on Mihaya, burning with far more intense resolve than before.

“I declare this: You are a diamond in the rough. Once refined, you’ll become far stronger than you are now.”

“…Is that really true?”

“I hate lying.”

“I see… Thank you.”

Mihaya bowed her head. When she lifted her face again, she had a look of newfound clarity.

“I’ve found my answer.”

“That’s the most important thing.”

“By the way, what effect does that magic circle have?”

“…It interfered with your mana and triggered the awakening of your ability. Our organization doesn’t usually condone such interference, but this much should be within acceptable limits.”

As Sorciera said this, the magic circle vanished.

“Ability awakening… I’ve never heard of anything like that. But still, that was…”

Abilities are an absolute rule, confined to each individual. As such, it’s nearly impossible for others to interfere.

In this world, where having an ability is a status symbol, the existence of a technique that could trigger the awakening of abilities would be terrifying.

(That was a magic circle I’ve never seen before. It wasn’t created by any academy. It’s a completely new magical formula, one that breaks away from all existing systems!)

Mihaya only caught a glimpse of the magic circle for a brief moment. Still, even in that short time, she could tell that the magic circle was complete and flawless.

Mihaya wasn’t a genius, but she was bright enough to understand most magic circles just by looking at them.

Because of this, she could believe Sorciera’s words.

The magic circle Sorciera had created wasn’t just for show; it was a flawless working spell.

“Don’t make such a serious face. It ruins your cute features.”

Sorciera turned her back as if to say there was nothing more to be discussed.

“Thanks for the bandages. I’ll repay the favor one day. See you.”

Sorciera leaped lightly from the rooftop.

Mihaya rushed to the edge, peering down, but Sorciera was already gone.

“…It seems I’m the one who owes a bigger favor. Thank you.”

A gentle night breeze caressed Mihaya’s cheek. She hadn’t noticed it before, but tonight the wind was unusually soft and warm.

Just like the girl who had been standing beside her moments ago, Mihaya looked up at the sky.

Countless stars glittered, too many to bother counting.

“…Alright.”

She gave her cheek a light slap. The time to linger in idle thoughts was over.

■

Mihaya was worrying herself sick, so I gave her some serious advice…

But half of her worries were caused by a meddling idiot, so it’s only natural that I’d take care of that.

I am the forever honorary beautiful girl (self-proclaimed). I’ll leave things in better shape than I found them, no question!

“Still, meddling too much is never a good thing. I should reflect on that.”

I’m just a beautiful girl who wants to laugh and play with other beautiful girls in this world.

I have no intention of interfering with the original storyline. None at all.

But, you know… when Mihaya asks for help, right?

I managed to cheer her up with the magic circle, so I think she’ll be fine.

Honestly, that magic circle was just for show—it didn’t really have any meaning. But if it makes her feel better, that’s enough for me.

Besides, by the time summer ends, there’ll be an ability awakening event that’s beyond anything she’s experienced, so she just needs to hang in there until then!

I’ll be cheering her on from the shadows… in disguise, of course.

“Well, I guess I’ll call it a day.”

I was able to enjoy cross-dressing.

I never thought I’d pull off a mysterious organization’s cute-girl role-play with Mihaya-chan.

After carefully storing the costume in the Dive Gear, I headed straight back to Fectom Integrated Academy without making any stops.

All that was left was to retrieve Mizuhi-senpai and return to bed.

That’s what I thought, thirty minutes ago.

As I was sneaking in through the back gate of Fectom Integrated Academy, something rolled up right in front of me.

It was Mizuhi-senpai, wrapped snugly like a cocoon in a fluffy blanket.

“Mizuhi-senpai…!?”

“Kei, sorry. We lost.”

With a sharp expression, Mizuhi-senpai said this.

“—I knew you’d come back this way. Training outside, so cautious, or maybe just… something else.”

A voice called out from behind me.

I raised both hands in surrender.

Thank goodness I didn’t come back still cross-dressing…!

“…I deeply regret this.”

“Heh, I see. But I’m very, very angry right now, so… be prepared, both of you.”

The next day, a pair of handcuffs was added to my left hand.