Chapter: 22. Reunion with You
Time rewinds to earlier.
The night has not completely descended.
In the changing room, warm light spills onto the milky white walls, and the air is infused with a faint scent of sea salt and perfume.
Neatly arranged dressing mirrors and wardrobes make this not-so-large space appear exceptionally bright and spacious.
Nayomi quietly stands in the center, already half-dressed in a deep black strapless gown adorned with twinkling stars, her delicate, jade-like arms lifting to gently tuck a falling strand of hair behind her ear.
Behind her, Erika is frowning as she carefully pulls up the zipper at the back.
Unlike her usual talkative and optimistic self, Erika now wears a rare serious expression, cautiously adjusting the dress and waistline, afraid that even the slightest wrinkle would ruin Nayomi’s overall beauty—or perhaps worried that the zipper at the back would not withstand the pressure from Nayomi’s chest and get stuck.
“Whew… done!”
Erika first lets out a sigh of relief, then lifts her head and smiles at Nayomi.
The girl in the mirror reflects back at her.
The black gown fits Nayomi’s soft and proud curves closely, with a pure white area at her chest, and her slender waist appears as if it could be encircled by just one hand. The skirt, cascading from her slender waist, is naturally draped, with a short front and a longer back design, exposing her elongated legs, and the thin fabric extends from her chest to gently wrap around her arms—every detail enhances the girl’s nobility and cold beauty—along with an unmistakable allure.
But before Erika can tease her a bit—
[Buzz—]
A familiar voice suddenly emanates from the headphones Nayomi is wearing.
[Master, I might need to take a short break tonight, please approve~]
“Huh, huh?” Nayomi can’t help but voice her confusion.
Erika, who knows that “Miss Amano has a good friend who provides assistance through the headphones,” gives Nayomi a knowing look, carefully stepping out of the changing room, not forgetting to give Nayomi a thumbs up before closing the door behind her.
[Simply put, I might have something to deal with tonight, and may not be able to stay in touch with you continuously, Master.]
“Don’t say it as if you’ve been working 24 hours a day lately—” After Nayomi complains, she asks, “So what’s the reason?”
[It’s my relatives visiting—]
“Looks like even the strongest fantasy creature has their time of the month—what, really!?”
Nayomi doesn’t buy that explanation.
Since Shumai Nayuki would specifically come out to mention this, it implies there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
[You can’t hide anything from Master~ Actually, it’s because I don’t want to be a third wheel, being fed a mouthful of dog food by you and your fiancé.]
“No, no such intimate interactions!”
[Ah, my bad. I meant those sticky and sweet interactions—]
“Tonight’s just a freshman welcome party; that kind of thing won’t happen!!!”
[…Won’t?]
“So, so I…”
Just hearing Shumai Nayuki’s teasing makes Nayomi’s cheeks involuntarily flush.
[Well, Master, just enjoy tonight’s sweet moments… If I’m online, you might find it hard to relax around your dear fiancé, right?]
Nayomi notices the unusual pause in Shumai Nayuki’s speech.
She frowns and quietly asks:
“…Is something wrong?”
There was a brief silence of a few tenths of a second from the other end of the headphones.
Then, Shumai Nayuki’s tone becomes serious:
[Your intuition is as frightening as ever~]
[Don’t worry, it’s not a big problem. I can handle this little matter myself.]
[After such a long time, you’ll be reunited with Tsuki-mi Kanade. You should cherish it~]
After saying this, Shumai Nayuki hangs up the call.
Outside the door, the sound of the sea breeze rustles through the corridor.
The last rays of the setting sun slowly fade, and night is about to completely shroud this artificial island.
—————–
Night has fallen.
In front of the Starry Hall, warm yellow lights gently illuminate the cobblestone path, surrounded by flower beds filled with tropical plants rustling in the breeze.
Not far away, the waves gently lap the shore, bringing fine sounds of the tide.
Freshmen dressed in various formal outfits gather in small groups in front of the hall, some excited, some nervous, some looking around.
Nayomi quietly stands a little away from the crowd.
The black starry gown outlines her slender, tall figure, with scattered silver lights flickering in the night wind, resembling a strand of the Milky Way falling in the dark.
She lightly pinches the edge of the skirt, her long eyelashes drooping as her eyes lower, appearing as if she were a proud princess quietly waiting for her loyal subjects—
In truth, she is desperately hiding her inner turmoil.
—Didn’t expect I would actually…
Nayomi slightly bites her lip, unable to stop muttering to herself.
Although she requested this black “Moonlight” gown for herself, compared to the pure and innocent white version, the black fabric alongside the contrast of her fair skin exudes a charming and seductive atmosphere.
After much hesitation, Nayomi ultimately preferred the past version of herself—the “Tsuki-mi Nayomi” who was the only “Moonlight” in Kanade’s heart. If she appeared in the “Moonlight” and received Kanade’s affirmation and praise… it would feel as though her past were being denied.
With that consideration in mind, Nayomi finally chose this black gown.
However, compared to the “Moonlight,” this black gown emphasized her exposed curves even more.
From the moment she stepped out of the changing room, she felt countless heated gazes upon her.
And now, standing amidst the lights and the crowd, she feels like a treasure placed in a glass showcase, greedily stared at by too many eyes.
Among them, some gazes laced with obvious lewd intentions make Nayomi feel—quite exhilarated and excited…
If before, she could have argued, now Nayomi has directly sensed a new door opening.
—No, can’t let it show… If these people find out my preferences…
—If Kanade discovers I have this… Hmm? No, I can’t think about it anymore.
Nayomi subtly tugs down the hem of her gown to cover her voluptuous legs.
—Calm down!
—Right now, I am the cold and aloof Miss Amano.
With this sort of gaze, the “Kamada Amano” should completely disregard it! If she were here, she would likely look at those casting lewd glances with disdain or annoyance—
Thinking like this, Nayomi’s disdainful gaze meets a group of boys who can’t help but approach her to strike up a conversation.
In less than a few seconds, those boys seem to be pierced through with her cold disdainful stare.
Although it wasn’t Nayomi’s intention, she seems to have unwittingly ruined the preferences and futures of these cheerful boys—they all became involuntarily fixated on being stared at with contempt by a girl…
—S-Sorry!
Watching those boys leave with embarrassed yet satisfied smiles, Nayomi can’t help but silently apologize in her heart.
—I wonder if Kanade likes them just like that…
After sending away a few boys who approached her, Nayomi’s inner conflict resumes.
She yearns for her carefully chosen and adorned appearance to be approved by Kanade—but fears that Kanade will fall for her…
Because she is no longer Kanade’s childhood friend “Tsuki-mi Nayomi,” but a fresh beauty freshman named “Kamada Amano” who has just enrolled at the Star Academy…
—Okay, okay, anyway, no matter what happens later…
—I must properly portray the aloof character of Kamada Amano.
To calm herself down, Nayomi resolved in her heart.
—Whatever happens, I must stay calm.
And she kept reminding herself over and over.
At that moment, a faint stir reaches her ears.
People whispering, gasping in surprise.
Nayomi instinctively looks up, her heart suddenly tightening.
She hadn’t noticed the figure approaching her; if it were three years ago, that would never have happened.
Is it because she let her guard down? Or has the other person grown?
Nayomi cannot find the answer for a moment, as all her attention is now fixed on that familiar, breath-stealing figure before her.
Standing in front of her is a black-haired boy in a tailored black suit, its understated but exquisite design complements his cold demeanor, exuding an air of aloofness.
Yet for Nayomi, even after three years, she still remembers the contours of his face, the shape of his features, and those pale yellow eyes—everything so familiar and nostalgic.
“I’m sorry, I’m late.”
His voice is deep and gentle.
Hearing Kanade’s voice after such a long time, Nayomi’s chest suddenly tightens, her racing heartbeat echoes in her ears, and her fingers gripping the hem of her gown start to tremble slightly without her realizing it.
—No, calm down! Calm down—me!
—It’s just a greeting… but why does it sound like a date!?
—You mischievous Kanade, do you say this to every girl!?
But no matter how much she shouts in her heart, her ears are already burning, and her gaze uncontrollably becomes dazed—her earlier reminders to herself seem to have been thrown out the window.
“W-Well, I just arrived too…” Nayomi struggles to maintain her aloof persona, trying to produce a calm and indifferent tone.
Instead, her voice comes out soft and slightly trembling.
—What am I saying!? Is this a date? Are we a couple on a date now?
—No, I can’t lose my composure! If Kanade thinks I’m a strange person, it would be terrible.
—For him, this is our first meeting, so let me introduce myself first…
“Hello, I’m Tsuki-mi Kanade, from the Moon Academy, and I’m honored to be your dance partner.”
“I-I am… my name is—” her voice begins to tremble uncontrollably.
“Kamada Amano, right? Such a beautiful and lovely name, just like this gown, it suits you perfectly.”
—!!!？？？
The air seems to freeze in that instant.
“C-Cute… (is it) meow~??”
—What, what? Has Kanade developed a new ability?
—Did I accidentally fall for a trick?
—Is it… hypnosis? Did Kanade hypnotize me? What does meow mean, meow!!!
Nayomi’s face flushes at an incredible speed, she tries to lower her head, only to find that she cannot take her eyes off the man in front of her.
Just seeing his face brings her happiness; just hearing his voice makes her head start to drift.
“Shall we go?”
“Y-Yep~”
—Oh no, I’m being led by the nose…
—Am I really that easy to please!?
—————–
On the other side.
The main teaching building of the Star Academy is shrouded in night.
The tall glass curtain wall reflects a hazy starry sea under the gentle starlight.
In stark contrast to the bustling freshman welcome party at the Starry Hall, everything here feels incredibly quiet and serious.
“Click—”
The automatic door between the elevator and the corridor opens with a sound.
A middle-aged man dressed in an exquisitely tailored suit walks into the corridor, gold-rimmed glasses reflecting a faint glimmer, a few strands of silver intermingled in his hair, holding a document wrapped in a classical cover.
He is one of the senior members from Sekai High School visiting Star Academy with Kanade.
The man with gold-rimmed glasses stops in front of the conference room door, adjusts his tie slightly,
Then raises his hand to knock on the door.
“Come in.”
An old, gentle voice comes from inside.
He pushes the door open, and what greets him is an elderly man seated at the main seat of the conference table.
Silver hair, beige long-sleeved coat, a kindly face imbued with an undeniable wisdom and authority.
He is—
One of the founders of Star Academy, Amagiri Shigehiro, and also one of the senior members with the most influence within Star Academy.
“Good evening, Professor Amagiri.”
The man with gold-rimmed glasses smiles and bows respectfully.
Professor Amagiri does not seem surprised by his visit; instead, a wry smile appears: “Luckily, tonight there’s only you and Tsuki-mi Kanade, an S-class guest at Star Academy—otherwise I’d have no time to attend the freshman welcome party later.”
The man with gold-rimmed glasses naturally understands the implications of this statement.
The meeting regarding that proposal should have taken place tomorrow morning, but evidently, everyone intends to approach Professor Amagiri in advance for information.
“It seems my early arrival at Star Academy is worthwhile,” the man with gold-rimmed glasses states with unabashed bravado.
Professor Amagiri doesn’t seem angry, as from his perspective, this man has brought the best dance partner for his assistant.
“However, I’m afraid you are slightly late; to avoid being late for the speech part at the end of the dinner, I should be on my way,” Professor Amagiri says, glancing at the watch on his wrist, it’s nearly time for the welcome party to end.
Seeing this, the man with gold-rimmed glasses doesn’t seem inclined to stop him.
After all, Professor Amagiri is the one he needs to court; if the other party doesn’t wish to discuss “that plan,” he feels awkward pressing the issue.
As Professor Amagiri stands up, smiling to bid farewell and brushes past him.
The man can’t help but quietly speak up: “By the way, Professor, have you heard anything about Mr. Narisuke’s recent whereabouts?”
As soon as the words fell.
Professor Amagiri’s footsteps hesitate for a moment, then he sighs:
“To be honest, I don’t know either; probably… he is secretly lobbying everywhere?”
“Lobbying?”
“In order to ensure the proposal he leads can smoothly pass tomorrow, he’s put in a lot of effort.”
Professor Amagiri suppresses his internal hesitations and anxieties, responding with a forced calm smile.
In fact, he had contacted Narisuke not long ago.
It was concerning the missing crucial component.
If it can’t be found before tomorrow or if this man or anyone else learns of it—
The proposal about that system definitely won’t pass at the meeting tomorrow.
Their conversation comes to an end.
Professor Amagiri leaves the conference room, while the man with gold-rimmed glasses strolls over to the window, trying to gaze up at the bright night sky.
However, his attention is drawn by a red light at the corner of his vision—
Before he could see what it was, the sound that came offered him the answer.
A frantic alarm instantly envelops the entire building.
At the same time, the building experiences a violent tremor akin to the collapse of the world—
Star Academy is under attack.
