"You Should Be the One to Take Control of Your Own Life."

"Thank you, Busujima Senpai."

Soon, she heard a sound, and her heart jumped into her throat.

"Since it's your kind gesture, I'll accept it for now."

Hasegawa Izumi didn't show much enthusiasm; she simply accepted it calmly.

"Could it be...?"

"Busujima Senpai is really amazing, she's got top marks for Feminine Power, and most importantly, she has such a great figure."

"No, Hasegawa must be unable to bear it!"

No matter what others said, Busujima Saeko didn't care, because she had already anticipated what the outcome would be.

"I should be thanking you, Izumi-kun."

"Thank you for ensuring I didn't have any sad memories before graduation."

She behaved with elegance and maturity, placing her hands in front of her, smiling slightly, then turning and leaving without a trace.

Free-spirited and generous.

However, when she turned around and went to a secluded corner, she finally couldn't hold back her emotions and revealed a resentful expression like a little girl.

"It still doesn't work."

Fujiwara Chika, who was watching the commotion from the sidelines, spread her hands.

Accepting a gift does not equal accepting a confession of love.

That's not quite right either; it sounds like a manipulative woman, but it's actually a rejection in some sense.

Before we could even mourn for the Busujima Senpai, two other well-known senior students rushed to the scene.

One is Kasumigaoka Utaha outside helper from the Literature and Art Club, and the other is Atenbo Yume, a fortune teller from the Supernatural Phenomenon Research Club.

"I just came here to give it a try, to use it as a reference for my novel, and also to thank you for your previous help."

Kasumigaoka Utaha lowered her head to his ear, her warm breath gently caressing his sensitive earlobe, enough to make him blush.

"... Of course, this is obligation chocolate."

She quickly straightened up, gave a seductive smile, and decisively left.

As for the other one...

"Hasegawa, I've already consulted the oracle; our marriage is the most correct thing to do in the world."

Atenbo Yume was the one who was supposed to teach Hasegawa 'what love is,' so she must have come for real.

I'm always waiting for you to teach me how to [love].

"..."

Hasegawa Izumi was speechless as she looked at the smiling upperclassman who was engaging in sexual harassment.

They used to like teasing couples, but now they've expanded their target audience.

"Senior, you should figure it out yourself."

He accepted the items and waved goodbye.

Atenbo Yume wanted to continue harassing him, but then she felt her limbs being pulled away from her body uncontrollably.

[Ugh, superpowers are so overpowered!]

The excitement has temporarily subsided.

The students seemed somewhat disappointed; although they were pleasantly surprised, the scene they had been most looking forward to did not appear.

"Rikka, aren't you going?"

"It's not time yet."

"Hmph, so shy! Could it be your 'destined chocolate'?"

No, it's not.

"Then I'll go."

Fujiwara Chika teased Takanashi Rikka a little, then presented her with her own obligatory chocolate.

"Izumi-chan, thank you for taking care of me all this time~ By the way, I made this myself! I've already tried it, and it tastes pretty good."

The girl's smile, like a blooming flower, brought a completely different atmosphere.

After the morning, the afternoon was rather uneventful.

Everyone was talking about who received a gift and who was rejected, but it wasn't exciting enough, and they seemed rather uninterested.

Until they arrived at the Far East Magic Society.

On the sofa.

"Club President, I heard you received so many chocolates today your hands were sore! Your fishpond must be huge!"

Natsukawa Masuzu sat down next to him, nudged him with her shoulder, and said in a teasing tone.

"Oh well, there's nothing we can do."

"A man as outstanding as me, no matter where I am, shines like a firefly in the darkness, so bright and so exceptional."

Hasegawa Izumi sighed softly.

"Ha..."

Natsukawa Masuzu was amused again.

Although this is indeed true.

"Seeker of Truth, this is my share."

Nibuya Morika casually placed the chocolates she had made on the small table.

"Morisummer, what kind of chocolate is this?"

Natsukawa Masuzu blinked.

Whatever chocolate you give me, I'll give you the same chocolate.

As a result, Nibuya didn't fall for this tactic at all and retorted with a retort.

Natsukawa Masuzu was speechless for a moment.

Can she say it's her "holy chocolate" that she gave her?

Then wouldn't her reputation as an opponent of dating be undeserved?

Although there's no need to insist on this setting anymore.

"Club President, this is mine... How was it? Were you looking forward to it? Are you a little disappointed that I didn't give you my 'signature chocolate'?"

She took out her share and joked.

"No."

Hasegawa Izumi's callous reply felt like a knife had been plunged into her heart, and she collapsed onto the sofa.

"Lord Sage, Dekumori has always been grateful for Death's care!"

After Dekomori Sanae arrived, she quickly and sincerely offered him chocolates she had made herself.

At this point, only one person remained in the Far East Magic Society.

"Wise one, Sage, this is mine."

Thinking back to her recent experience, Takanashi Rikka hesitated for a long time before taking action, and she didn't emphasize the difference in the chocolates.

After that, Natsukawa Mana also offered her share.

At the same time.

A certain blonde, twin-tailed Young Lady is still struggling with her decision.

"Life's destiny? Principles of duty?"

"I'm so annoyed!"

By the time the club activity ended, she had no time to hesitate and went to visit him.

The members of the Art Club secretly observed her as she entered the Far East Magic Society.

But not long after, Eriri reappeared, her expression unchanged.

Until the very moment the corner was turned.

"Damn it! Why did I back down again!"

She then stamped her foot and said.

"Never mind! Let's... do it next time!"

Anyway... no one else is ahead of me.

30

Chapter 30: "Your life should be in your own hands."

"Indeed, life is fleeting, like grass in autumn."

Hasegawa Izumi slowly closed the comic book in her hand, looked at the seemingly beautiful sunset outside the window, and suddenly sighed.

"Immediately write down the Lord Sage's famous saying, 'Death.'"

Dekomori Sanae took out her phone and wrote it down in the phone's notes app.

"Club President, why did you suddenly start sighing?"

Natsukawa Masuzu and asked.

"Is the Seeker of Truth saying 'Time flies'?"

Nibuya Morika quickly understood.

Takanashi Rikka echoed her words, "Time really does flow very quickly in the human world; it feels like so much has happened in the blink of an eye."

"I recently read a comic book about 'theory of lifespan,' and it made me reflect... Mayflies live only a day and die in a day, enjoying their lives to the fullest. Humans may not be any different... but I don't like that."

Then Hasegawa Izumi continued.

"My goal has always been the same: to reach the infinite with a finite body... If I am not alone on this path in the end, then that will be a good thing."

After saying that, he left ahead of the others, his departing figure looking somewhat desolate.

The girls, bewildered and confused, began to ponder his sudden statement.

"What do you think the Club President means?"

With her legs crossed, Natsukawa Masuzu asked with a serious look in her eyes.

"Understanding the Lord Sage is truly a difficult thing, Death."

Dekomori Sanae sighed first, then said, "But I can sense that the Lord Sage's sudden remark must be to convey some message to us: Death."

Takanashi Rikka already had a guess in her mind, but she didn't say it aloud.

"In my opinion, there's no need to discuss this further; everyone should figure it out on their own."

Nibuya Morika gently shook her head, her gaze falling on the comic book on the small table.

The other girls all turned to look.

That's the story of an elf named 'Frieren'.

Next, they will also try to feel it.

Hasegawa Izumi walked out of the school carrying a school bag.

Because of limited space in his backpack, he kept all the chocolates he collected at the club, saving them to eat later when he had time.

I rode the tram, enjoying the beautiful sunset all the way home.