An Encounter (This Kitty Has Gained Weight Again and Is Advancing Toward Becoming an Orange Tabby)

No one knew about Mishami Reiko's death.

In fact, after only a single day, the students of Class 3-3 had completely forgotten that such a person had ever existed.

This was also something all the dead had in common. While they were still in Class 3-3, no one could spot the slightest flaw, no matter how hard they tried. They might even have been your friend, your lover, or your rival. But regardless of what kind of relationship the dead had formed with others, the moment they truly died, they ceased to exist. This applied not only to them, but also to every trace that they had ever existed.

From a certain perspective, it was somewhat like the Torch whose Power of Existence had been devoured in the Shana World. When a Torch went out, every trace it had left in the human world was erased.

The same was true for Mishami Reiko.

Now, Akazawa Izumi and the others had completely forgotten that Class 3-3 had once had such a teacher. Not just them—everyone else's memories, including the principal's, had been altered as well. It had become that Class 3-3 had only ever had Teacher Kubodera, while Chiyuki Tatsuharu from the library had been in charge for the past two days.

But they had not forgotten everything else.

"I really didn't expect you to be an exorcist hired by the principal... Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Standing before Shizuku, Akazawa Izumi glared at her aggressively, while Shizuku merely smiled faintly.

"It was more convenient this way. Besides, even if I had told you, I don't think you would have believed me."

"That's true, but... Urgh..."

Akazawa Izumi was rendered speechless by Shizuku's answer.

"Kasugano, are you leaving already?"

Compared to Akazawa Izumi, Sakuragi Yukari beside her looked somewhat uneasy.