Chapter 351

He's just simply recounting Musashi's experiences, since he seems to like Musashi quite a bit... probably.

"Ah, so that's why I've only run into Ilya two or three times in the mornings these past few days. Could it be that she goes to school with Ivia? And after school in the afternoons, she either goes to the bathroom or disappears completely. Oh, I see. Tatsuko, Minakame, we've been ruthlessly abandoned by Ilya."

"Ha?"

I was simply helping him process the love letters.

Faced with her three friends' wild speculations, Ilya could only sigh and then say to them with a serious expression:

"Don't make a scene—"

However, before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the three of them saying the same thing at the same time.

"Has Ilya already won over Ivia?"

"He's not some game I'm playing! There's no 'playing' or 'strategy' involved! He's just a classmate!"

Ilya denied it while waving her hands forcefully.

"Besides, didn't you guys say we should get along well with the students sitting in front of and behind us...?"

"Well, let's just say that's how it is, but it really is suspicious."

The three of them didn't ask any further questions, so Ilya sighed softly, quickly finished her meal, closed the lunchbox, and kept looking out the window.

Her behavior was quite suspicious, and she knew it herself, but the girl didn't know how to hide it and could only keep trying to find reasons to refute it.

Thinking about it carefully, ever since that day at the Animal Paradise, Ilya had been unconsciously trying to get closer to Ivia, which meant finding topics to talk about.

However, it's the kind of question that doesn't involve any personal information or privacy, such as 'What's your Birthday?' 'Are you interested in anything?' 'How did you spend your time abroad?' 'What are your future goals?' and so on.

Instead, the conversation revolved around Ilya's favorite True Magic Girl Bushido Musashi, with comments like, "Yesterday Musashi...?" "Musashi was a good girl from the start, which is why she became Magical Girl..." "Thank goodness she got a new form, otherwise it would have been dangerous..." "That outfit is so pretty..."

It basically started by recounting the plot he had watched, then speculating on how the story would develop, along with comments and ideas about the new costumes and villains. It gave the impression that he wanted others to like what he was interested in.

After all, it's always Ilya who initiates the conversation, so this is normal. It's also possible that Ilya simply wants to talk, so she talks so much without any particular reason.

Come to think of it, boys shouldn't be very interested in Magical Girl, in fact, it's hard to imagine Ivia being interested in Magical Girl. But her behavior at the amusement park that day... maybe it was because she was worried about me. But why hasn't she mentioned the True Magic yet? Did she lose it after I left?

It shouldn't be that bad... Maybe we should find a chance to ask my brother what he likes at his age. Besides, he's so gentle, he should know what other people his age who aren't gentle like like, right?

But as for my brother asking me questions about boys... I've decided, I'll just tell him I have a friend.

Thinking it over, Ilya nodded vigorously to show her affirmation, as if she were affirming herself.

"Ilya, you look like you're really working hard."

Suddenly, Tatsuko Yamama, who had just finished eating and walked out of the classroom, said...

I knew it!

Suzuka Kurihara nodded in agreement.

Sure enough, they've noticed Ilya's recent behavior.

"Let's work together to help Ilya win over Ivia starting next semester. After all, today is the last day of fourth grade. Let's agree on this first: we need to close Teacher. Caren's Nurse’s Office so she doesn't come looking for Ivia every lunchtime."

"Okay, fine."

"Ilya is really something, she can't do without us. Her sudden change of whereabouts is so suspicious. We had to ask the security Grandpa to find out that the two of them actually left school together this afternoon. Luckily, we covered for her with Sella, saying she'd been hanging out with us lately, that's why she stayed up so late. Doesn't she ever think about her family before she does anything? So tiring..."

Moriyama Nanaki sighed.

That's true, but you seem pretty happy.

"Really? But aren't you two the same?"

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

Because we're friends.

After school in the afternoon, on the stairs of the Elementary School Division.

"Ugh, this is so annoying. I didn't expect it to be only a three-day holiday. We weren't even given a holiday voluntarily when there was heavy snow at the beginning of next year."

I'm sure you were very happy those few days.

"No way! It's not good at all. You can't just say things without evidence."

"If time could be reversed... never mind, never mind."

"You don't mean to reverse time, do you? That's impossible, it's not like it's a game."

Ilya and Ivia were on their way home after returning the love letter, which was the end of their 'daily task'.

Since it was the last day of fourth grade, Ilya didn't hide from the three of them anymore. After all, parents would take photos with their children at the school gate, so she told them to wait for their families and let them go first.

However, it's highly likely that he'll return the love letters along with Ivia.

For the other three, Ilya's thoughts were basically written all over her face, so they were easy to guess.

"Thank you for today, Ilya."

"!"

Instantly, Ilya's eyes widened slightly. Although she had asked Ivia to call her 'Ilya' that day at the amusement park, she had always referred to her as 'you' since then, but now the way she was addressed had changed.

"Okay, see you next semester."

"Thank you for helping me return the love letter to its rightful owner. Although it was easy, and you did take up my time, since I had to tell you my seat number, thank you anyway."

"... It's alright. By the way, did you just call me Ilya?"

Didn't you say you'd call me that from now on?

"No, no, it's just that this is the first time you've been called that."

Ilya tilted her head. "Um, is Teacher. Caren coming to take pictures with you today?"

"Won't."

Ivia said without hesitation.

Because Caren will most likely be waiting for him in the park, basically just relentlessly pursuing him.

"Oh, I see... Well... you know what? Sella is supposed to take my picture today, since my parents are always overseas and rarely come back. Anyway, Sella shouldn't mind, or rather, she shouldn't ask too many questions..."

Ilya felt like she was talking nonsense, her words incoherent and rambling.

"Is that the person at the door?"

Upon hearing this, Ilya turned to look at the entrance of the Elementary School Division. Sure enough, there was someone standing there, but it wasn't Sella as she had expected; it was—

"Elder brother!"

Ilya, who recognized her older brother Shirou Emiya from the distinctive red hair, immediately went from walking slowly to jogging, appearing very happy. A long shadow was cast behind her in the Sun.

"Hey, Ilya, since Sella was still grocery shopping, she asked me to take your picture. I didn't expect you to be so late; I've already finished my club class."

"Because, because I just finished playing with Tatsuko..."

"Is this Ilya, your new classmate?"

"The transfer student, Ivia, who sits behind me, is a good person. Her older sister is Caren, the Teacher in the Nurse’s Office. She's a decent student, good at everything."

Ilya fidgeted with her fingers, somewhat unable to meet her brother's gaze. She had never imagined that Sella, who was always so punctual, would send her brother. What was she supposed to do now...?

"So you're good friends."

"No, no! It's just a simple relationship like sitting in front of or behind someone, and... just sitting in front of or behind someone!"

"Yeah?"

Emiya smiled gently and said, "I think so too."

Since Ivia had already arrived at the school gate, Shirou extended his hand to her and continued smiling as he spoke:

"Hello, Ivia, I'm Shirou Emiya, Ilya's older brother."

Ivia extended her hand in response, offering a similar smile:

"You're a wonderful person, Shirou Emiya."

What's going on? That expression is so similar to the one at the Animal Paradise the other day? Is it for her brother? This is their first meeting, right...?

Could it be that Ivia saw her brother during those two years in Fuyuki? No, that can't be...

Just as Ilya was thinking this, she suddenly heard Emiya's voice again, which brought her back to her senses.

"Let's take our fourth-grade graduation photo, Ilya."

Ilya glanced at the 'Closing Ceremony' sign standing at the school gate. The Cherry Blossom Tree by the gate were in full bloom, after all, spring had arrived, but she felt a little depressed. She hadn't expected it to be her brother... How could she possibly ask him to stay and take pictures together? This made her too shy to speak up.

He could only take photos alone at first, and then take photos with his older brother, Emiya.

"..."

Soon, looking at Ilya with her head hanging low, Shirou said as if he knew nothing:

"Ilya, you seem a bit listless lately, what's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

For the time being, I thought that if Caren, Ivia's older sister, didn't come, I would ask Sella to take a picture of him. That was my thought, but it was my brother, no, even Sella herself would probably do the same. She would be scared, and her lips would become slightly chapped as a result.

If you worry that what you say or do might not be a good thing, you might think it's better to remain silent as before.

Today, when I was leaving the school gate, my name was called. I was very happy and wanted to express my gratitude in this way, but I didn't know what expression to make, what angle to use, how many seconds to look at you, or how to say it appropriately.

Therefore, without realizing it, as if she hadn't heard at all, she turned her head to the side.

The 'Closing Ceremony' in fifth grade, the 'Graduation Ceremony' in sixth grade, and then there's middle school and High School... Will I be able to do well in the future?

Will the same thing happen again?

As Ilya was troubled, a spring breeze blew past the doorway where cherry blossoms were in full bloom. In that instant, Ilya felt that there was more than just pink cherry blossoms before her eyes; many colors were overflowing, and the world was constantly being stained by these colors. What kind of emotion was this...?

Even though I'm not worried about anything, I just can't seem to calm down. I was just feeling pretty happy, but there's still a little bit of lingering emotion. Suddenly, I remembered rolling around in bed with my True Magic after coming back from the Animal Paradise, and how I finally succeeded before going to sleep.

Finally, it's the last time. Throw the True Magic high into the air.

So high, so high... Just like in front of the Theater, the True Magic representing the Magical Girl, depicting a beautiful circle, was spinning. It was the most glorious moment I had ever seen.

The entanglements that had been troubling me for so long have somehow dissolved into a clear and transparent state of mind.

And in this blank space, there's always been a feeling of wanting to fill it with something new.

So, Ilya thought of it unintentionally.

You absolutely must say it.

A person should speak earnestly and sincerely.

It's so wonderful to be able to study at Homurahara Elementary School.

It's so great to be friends with you.

Also, I must thank them for the True Magic.

In an instant, Ilya took a deep breath and revealed a determined expression.

"Brother, I have something to do. Can I have the camera for a moment?"

Hearing Ilya say this, Emiya didn't say anything more. After handing it over to Ilya, he smiled as he looked in the direction she ran off to, and then headed home.

At the same time, watching Ivia's retreating figure, Ilya shouted this out.

"Wait a moment!"

She called out to him, then tugged at Ivia's clothes and muttered, "For the sake of all the times I've helped you, come back for a second," before returning to the school gate. At the same time, she realized that her brother, who had just been there, was gone. Now was the perfect opportunity!

Is there anything else?

"Ivia, extend your hand."

"Hand? Like this?"

"Higher!"

Is that so?

The girl gazed at the not-so-large hand, casting aside all her emotions, and shouted with delight:

"Yeah!"