Chapter 17: To Become a True Lady
After finally calming down in the bathroom, Kanade returned to Nagi’s room.
What greeted him was a room that was already tidy and completely transformed.
The several large cardboard boxes were not only emptied but also neatly collapsed and placed in the corner against the wall.
The scene before him felt like a dream, causing Kanade to blink in disbelief.
His gaze then fell on Nagi, who was inexplicably excited.
“Um, um, Nagi, your luggage—”
“—is all packed up!”
“That was fast! What method did you use—”
“—willpower!”
“Is this something that can be accomplished purely by willpower!?”
“Kanade-kun, you can’t underestimate human potential—” Nagi said, wagging her index finger in front of him dramatically. “Humans… are beings that awaken even more during critical moments…”
“That line sounds incredibly passionate, but it feels odd to think of someone awakening just to tidy up luggage!”
After the lighthearted jab, Kanade had to accept the situation before him.
After all, this beautiful childhood friend of his had always been like a cheat code growing up.
Not only was she pure and cute, but she was also academically talented and athletically gifted, as if there was nothing she could not accomplish.
In comparison, finishing up a few cardboard boxes in just a few minutes didn’t seem particularly impressive; rather, it was the underwear Nagi had shown him before—
—N-No, he absolutely must not think about that.
—Underwear is the kind of clothing that shouldn’t be shown to others, so what style Nagi prefers is her own freedom.
—It has nothing to do with an outsider like him!
Kanade lightly shook his head in a barely perceptible manner, trying to push away that rather inappropriate and stimulating image for a teenager.
Faced with the room that Nagi had speedily packed up, putting her modesty and dignity as a “girl” on the line.
At a glance, it was flawless.
But if he attempted to open the wardrobe or the drawers of the desk.
He would witness a scene best described as “hell.”
Thus, Nagi quickly shifted the topic to Kanade’s luggage.
For Kanade, who had just been assigned to Shiki Hall starting today, things were different from Nagi, who had the school janitors at Ark Academy to help carry her luggage; he had to move his belongings from the boys’ dormitory himself.
Just as Nagi proposed to help him with the moving.
He firmly refused her offer.
Though the boys’ and girls’ dorms at Ark Academy were separate.
The school generally didn’t prevent the opposite sex from entering, as long as they didn’t stay overnight, they would turn a blind eye.
—He absolutely couldn’t let someone as innocent and carefree as Nagi enter the boys’ dorm, a den of wolves!
Just the thought of someone as pure and natural as Nagi wandering into the boys’ dorm, surrounded by boys in their youth who were desperate for a cute girlfriend, made Kanade’s stomach twist with pain.
Furthermore, another reason Kanade didn’t want Nagi to help him move was—
Most of the items in his current dorm room were gifts from Nagi.
Regardless of size, he cherished and displayed each one on his desk.
Just imagining what it would be like if Nagi were to see this scene—
The mere thought filled him with immense shame.
He wanted Nagi to know his feelings for her while fearing her discovering his emotions.
This was the complex and contradictory mindset of a high school boy.
“Today, you must be tired from transferring, Nagi. Just take a good rest,” Kanade finally insisted, urging Nagi to stay in the room and rest as he hurriedly turned to leave Shiki Hall.
Nagi stood on the balcony of the room, watching Kanade’s departing figure, finally releasing a sigh of relief.
“Ah~~ It’s so great that Kanade-kun didn’t look at me with strange eyes~”
Feeling that she had finally gotten through a tough situation, fatigue washed over Nagi.
During the two and a half years since she had separated from Kanade, she had gradually stopped using the magical power within her body.
As a result, Nagi’s physicality leaned more towards that of an “ordinary person.”
Even though she remained an extraordinarily beautiful girl with outstanding physical abilities.
That was still within the realm of “human.”
The physical advantage she had from her daily consistent exercise had been neutralized by the pressure her chest and shoulders bore.
After enduring the various events of her first day as a transfer student, Nagi felt her energy depleting.
Just as she was about to take a short break before dinner.
A white figure gracefully descended from the air, landing on the balcony.
“Master, I’ve investigated the incident that occurred here last night, and I’ve clarified everything.”
—————–
Nighttime.
Approaching the time agreed upon with Amakusa.
Nagi, dressed in an unusual red and white shrine maiden outfit, was standing quietly by the seaside of Ark Academy, wearing a white fox mask with a mysterious demeanor.
The moist sea breeze brushed against her figure hidden beneath the thick shrine maiden clothes, yet contrary to the natural order, it failed to lift the hair behind her.
“I’ve kept you waiting… O-Onii-chan?! Why are you dressed like that?!”
Just before the agreed time, Amakusa arrived at the scene and immediately noticed the unusual figure, startled.
Amakusa’s reaction caused Nagi to tilt her head in confusion.
“No, no, no! Why are you the one looking puzzled, Onii-chan?” Amakusa exclaimed, fanning her face vigorously with one hand.
“Weren’t you the one who needed my help with something?”
“…I think it might not be the kind of help you imagine…”
The reason Nagi chose this outfit was simple.
At the moment, she could not use her star pupil powers to alter others’ perceptions, and the power of the Garuda Storm would leave traces of its authority. If someone from Ark Academy were to suddenly notice a brand-new authority trace appearing here, it would likely create chaos.
Just like in the past with Kawano City, it could lead to a report being filed to the Specified Circumstances SEMA, triggering an investigation by relevant specialists.
After all, authority represents a “Class,” a supernatural disaster with a threat level of 8 or above, which typically requires intervention by ACE.
Nagi could not afford to undergo such a stringent investigation.
If she accidentally encountered some special ability users sent by Specified Circumstances SEMA, it would be a disaster.
Hence, she had resorted to wearing her former shrine maiden outfit.
Although after more than two years, certain parts of Nagi’s physique had developed quickly, preventing her from fitting into her old red and white shrine maiden dress.
If wrapping her chest with a binding cloth, she could still recreate the look from back then.
Having obtained information from Garuda, Nagi instinctively assumed that Amakusa wanted to discuss the same matter.
So she temporarily donned this outfit suitable for appearing in front of others—
However, it seemed to be a misunderstanding?
“Ugh~ So, you workaholic…,” Amakusa said, looking somewhat helplessly at the red-and-white shrine maiden before her.
“Ah, I’m sorry…” Nagi’s consideration for Amakusa led her to respond in a manner reminiscent of a company employee.
—How strange… Even though I should be the one acting as an older sister…
Nagi felt inexplicably uncomfortable standing in front of Amakusa.
“So, um, may I ask what the purpose of your invitation was…” Nagi asked cautiously, as if inquiring about work assignments from a superior.
“Isn’t it obvious…” Amakusa said firmly after scrutinizing Nagi from head to toe, “It’s to help you become a true lady!”
“Ah?!”
