**Chapter 12: The Dance Partner of the Welcome Dinner**
It has been a week since Nagi On successfully enrolled in Hoshizora Academy.
Morning.
Nagi On slowly pushed open the dormitory building’s large door, and in an instant, the tropical sea breeze, mingled with the salty scent of the ocean, rushed over her, reminding her of her time years ago at Ark Academy.
The sea breeze brushed past her waist-length black hair and lifted the hem of her skirt. The morning sunlight fell upon the metal school badge on her chest, reflecting a faint, mercury-like glow.
Nagi On wore the standard uniform of Hoshizora Academy, which followed the “academic aristocracy” style. The tailored cut emphasized the perfect proportions of her waist and shoulders, while the outer white coat was made of composite silk and special fibers, making it not only lightweight but also capable of resisting firearms or magical attacks to a certain degree.
This uniform, aside from its practicality, was quite popular among female students, as the nearly body-hugging shirt underneath featured an implicit supportive lining intended to stabilize the body’s balance during combat. However, in daily life, it unintentionally highlighted the curve of the bust.
Especially for someone with a figure like Nagi On’s, wearing this uniform made her prominent curves even more striking.
But for her, there was good news about this uniform: even during vigorous activity, the movement was effectively controlled.
Therefore, Nagi On quite liked this uniform. After enrolling, she rotated among three brand-new uniforms, standing in stark contrast to those new female students who changed into several beautiful dresses in a single day. Unconsciously, Nagi On’s image became that of an “attractive yet down-to-earth beauty” often found in artworks.
But Nagi On didn’t mind; after all, her purpose was not to win the affection of her fellow students, and even if she didn’t put much effort into her appearance, her uniquely beautiful and alluring looks from “Hoshiyuki 2” were enough to make her the most unattainable school beauty.
This charm couldn’t be hidden.
It was also the curse placed upon the female protagonist “Nagi On” in “Hoshiyuki 2.” The conspicuous appearance bestowed upon her by the divine artist brought her many unnecessary troubles, as she went about things quietly in the original storyline as a seeker of vengeance.
Nagi On had often complained about the design of “Nagi On’s” extraordinary beauty while playing through the original game of “Hoshiyuki 2,” as it presented many challenging hurdles in her storyline.
But at this moment, Nagi On was a bit grateful for this setting.
Because it allowed her to conserve time and energy on that front, enabling her to fully immerse herself in her plans and actions.
To secure an important position in others’ minds might depend on various factors, most of which stemmed from one’s inherent charm. Yet, it couldn’t be denied that a sufficiently beautiful exterior could yield greater results in a short time.
[Good morning, Master. How is your plan progressing?]
At that moment, the voice of Shūen Nagi from the hidden earpiece reached Nagi On’s ears.
“If only feelings or trust levels could be labeled above people’s heads, that would be even better,” Nagi On subtly moved her lips to respond quietly, so others couldn’t hear.
[Unfortunately, even I, who claim to be omnipotent, cannot do such a thing. After all, reality is not a dating sim.]
“You don’t need to bring up what you claim!?” Nagi On couldn’t help but make a small sarcastic remark while stepping along the path toward the teaching building.
The sky reflected in her eyes was a nearly transparent azure, and not far away stood a few solar-wind hybrid towers, silently rotating in the morning light, complemented by the rows of tropical plants surrounding them. The peaceful and serene scene was enough to uplift anyone witnessing it.
Unfortunately for Nagi On, such beauty had little effect on her.
Only in daily casual chats with Shūen Nagi did she momentarily experience a glimpse of tranquility, though she wasn’t sure if it was intentional on the latter’s part.
Today marked the seventh day since the start of the school year, and in the evening, according to school tradition, the annual welcome dinner for new students would be held.
The reason Nagi On ventured out early this morning was to look for a dance partner for tonight’s dinner. Her roommate, Erica, had found her partner early on, thanks to her cheerful personality and fiery figure. Meanwhile, Nagi On hadn’t even prepared the gown she would wear tonight, let alone a partner—
But that was just her superficial excuse.
She had already chosen her partner, the person she was currently targeting—Amakusa Shinkō, one of the founding members of Hoshizora Academy, who had crossed paths with Nagi On in her previous life, leaving her with the impression of a scholarly, gentle, and kind individual.
At the same time, Amakusa Shinkō had participated in the “Blood War” from years past, possessing within him a “fragment of the End,” and later took part in and led numerous research projects regarding the “fragments,” having encountered everyone tainted by the fragments. He was the only key figure aware of that “list.”
Now, even though he was over seventy years old, he still remained active in various fields at Hoshizora Academy.
[Setting aside inner qualities, as for your outer beauty, I am confident, but with an age difference of over fifty years, are you really sure you can handle a teacher-student relationship?]
“Never mind what you consider inner qualities?! I’m truly sorry that my inner self has rotted away!”
[Master, I don’t think I mentioned that explicitly. Please don’t suddenly make such self-deprecating remarks.] Shūen Nagi couldn’t help but respond with a serious tone.
“And who said anything about a teacher-student relationship? I absolutely do not want to have an, an affair…”
[Yet your inner qualities are rotten, yet you remain so pure in this regard, Master. Clearly, you’re someone who would take off a ring in Hawaii—oh no, I was wrong! Don’t disconnect the earpiece!]
Nagi On barely managed to control herself, lowering her arm that had risen to her ear.
“I’ve studied Amakusa Shinkō. He has a granddaughter who has passed away, and her age is about the same as mine—”
[So, you plan to imitate and play the role of his granddaughter and let him regret for the rest of his life by dying in front of him? Are we going for a familial angle this time? Master, you’re truly a professional at instilling lifelong regrets~]
“There is no such weird profession in this world.”
[So what is your plan, Master?]
“To pretend I can’t find a dance partner, then have him accompany me to the banquet, allowing our relationship to progress to him feeling the growth of his ‘granddaughter.'”
[In just a week, you’ve managed to develop your relationship to this extent? Truly impressive, Master.]
“Why do I feel like your current image is increasingly resembling a sidekick character who flatters the villain?” Nagi On couldn’t help but retort.
[Not at all~]
“That’s not a compliment!!!”
