Chapter 77

"I'm talking about pure... power that one controls oneself!"

His voice deepened, and his expression became serious.

"I don't quite understand that."

Yukinoshita Yukino's expression was somewhat indescribable. Recalling the previous question about 'mental illness,' she answered cautiously.

Can an individual's military strength surpass that of the world?

Unless she's gone mad, she wouldn't consider that possibility.

"It's alright, you'll understand what I'm saying today later."

Hasegawa Izumi smiled calmly, withdrew her right hand, and then passed by the girl.

Yukinoshita Yukino's gaze followed the other person as they left until their figure disappeared.

A person who can confidently say such things can definitely be considered an 'oddball'.

But to her surprise, she was able to talk about this topic with the other person for so long; it was truly an incredible experience.

Perhaps the two have something in common.

"Yukinoshita -kun, how are you feeling? Is Izumi-chan special?"

Fujiwara Chika had been watching the scene unfold, walked over, her hands behind her back, like a warm breeze.

"Hmm... I'd say it's quite peculiar, making people hesitant to approach."

"Uh, don't worry, Izumi-chan is actually a very nice person. He just sometimes says things that are easy to understand. I've heard other people say that it's called something like... um! It's called... 'chuunibyou' (middle school syndrome)?"

"Chuunibyou?"

A soft "hmm" escaped from Yukinoshita.

"Chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) refers to..."

Fujiwara Chika offered an explanation.

"So... you're performing based on your own preconceived notions?"

The Yukinoshita Yukino a source of doubt, a guess in my mind.

If it were an act, there would always be traces; no one can hide their true feelings. But in her view, the man didn't show any such flaws.

Either the man is an exceptionally good actor.

Either the judgment itself is flawed.

So which side will it be?

A slight smile suddenly appeared on her lips.

For the rest of the time, Yukinoshita Yukino secretly observed as if she were invisible.

"Sage, I have finally mastered the secret you spoke of! Turn! The laws of the world!"

The girl wearing an eye patch was saying nonsensical things, picking up a book and twirling it between her fingers, looking quite smug.

"Very good, Rikka, you have finally grasped the principle of 'balance exists between all things,' and your control over your body has slightly improved."

The boy who felt special to her responded with equally inexplicable words.

Then, both sides said some more difficult things.

Her expression shifted from furrowed brows to relaxed expression, and finally to one of relief.

"What am I expecting? Like an idiot."

The girl murmured softly, looking out at the blue sky and white clouds.

It's lunch break time.

"See you later, Hasegawa-kun."

The students at Soubu High School don't have time to prepare their own lunch, so they need to go to the cafeteria at noon.

As mentioned during the tour that Shinomiya Kaguya took them on earlier, Yukinoshita doesn't need to trouble others with this matter.

But before that, although it wasn't necessary, she still told Hasegawa.

It was also out of politeness.

Upon arriving at the cafeteria, Yukinoshita Yukino and chose an empty seat.

Just then, she overheard some people from Soubu High School talking about the legend of that man.

"Hey, have you guys heard? What about that Hasegawa thing? Do you think it's true?"

"It must be true, right? Everyone's saying it with such conviction."

"To be honest, that's a bit of a joke, I don't believe it."

"However, it's an undeniable fact that he ranked first, which is already quite impressive."

They clearly learned this from the students of Shuchiin.

Yukinoshita Yukino could tell that most of them treated this as a story.

The story may be true, but the details have certainly been exaggerated.

After all, even now she's still somewhat skeptical, since she hasn't seen it with her own eyes.

After lunch break, Yukinoshita Yukino returned to Class 1-C.

"Yukinoshita- kun, write down this website address; you might need it someday."

Hasegawa Izumi held up her phone and placed it in front of her.

"Far East Magic Society... Is this your society's website?"

She scanned it briefly and confirmed.

"That's right, that way we can receive requests from farther away, for unforeseen circumstances."

He nodded.

Perhaps I should establish one too?

The Girlish Heart stirred.

However, this idea is somewhat unrealistic. After all, her Service Club hardly gets any visitors in Soubu High School, so creating a website now would just be a waste of time and energy for her own amusement.

I will remember that.

Yukinoshita Yukino took out her phone and bookmarked the website.

Although she judged the other person as a 'weirdo,' it didn't mean that the other person wasn't capable. Moreover, the two of them had some commonalities in club activities, so she kept him as a backup option.

If one day in the future I encounter a request that I can't handle, perhaps the other party can talk to me about it.

For the last class, Shuchiin and Soubu High School were to hold a discussion, so the representatives returned to the meeting room.

"Alright, you've now gained some understanding of this excellent academy Shuchiin, through your own eyes and ears."

"But the purpose of our exchange is not just to have everyone from Soubu High School come and visit."

"Since it's called an exchange meeting, the purpose is naturally to exchange ideas and understand the differences between the colleges."

"Now, let's exchange our opinions!"

Teachers Hiratsuka Shizuka and Tsukumo Nanase appeared at the podium, each saying a sentence, showing great chemistry.

"Oh, Yukinoshita- san, can we chat? I've never been to a school other than Shuchiin before, and I've always been quite curious about it."

Shinomiya Kaguya suddenly appeared in front of Yukinoshita, making a request with a smile in her eyes.

"Sure."

In this segment, Yukinoshita Yukino did not refuse, since it was all the same anyway.

"Hasegawa-kun, let's talk. I'm a little curious about the rumors surrounding you."

The previously ignored Hasegawa Izumi was suddenly greeted by someone.

It wasn't really a greeting; the other person was quite direct.

"It doesn't matter."

He answered casually, then turned to see the other person's face: regular features, flowing blond hair, and the marks of a perm.

The girl was exceptionally beautiful, with a hint of aggression in her eyes, revealing a volatile personality.

If Yukinoshita is like Ice Queen, then the girl before you is a fire queen.

"Oh, by the way, my name is Miura Yumiko to meet you~"

At this moment, the girl in front of him introduced herself with a smile in her eyes, displaying great confidence and pride.

The two sat down to one side.

"Hey, Hasegawa-kun, did you really beat so many clubs? Including that Shinomiya- san."

Miura Yumiko placed her hands on the table, her eyes showing obvious doubt as she asked the question.

"This should be common Shuchiin, right?"

Is there really no exaggeration at all?

"Probably not? But I don't really know how far the rumors have gone."

"Eh..."

Miura Yumiko raised her voice, her gaze darting around as if considering the veracity of the claim.

She didn't actually believe it at all, but since everyone was saying it, she had no choice but to consider the possibility.

I'll have to verify it myself.

"Hasegawa-kun, could you tell me what happened in the tennis match?"

Her gaze sharpened.

This isn't what we're talking about at the exchange meeting... but it doesn't really matter, it's just a way to kill time anyway.

"If you want to know, I'll tell you."

Afterwards, Hasegawa Izumi described the process in detail, even recounting the special moves she used.

Are you kidding me?

Miura Yumiko looked somewhat annoyed.

Because she felt like she had been fooled and treated like a fool.

She was a member of the Tennis Club in junior high school, so she must know a lot about tennis.

External spin serve?

Although it's outrageous, it's not entirely without merit; the fact that it contains a bit of exaggeration is acceptable.

As for those supposedly supernatural techniques like Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain, Shadow, Thunder, isn't that pure nonsense?

Why don't you say you can create a black hole?

"If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. After all, people can't understand things beyond their own comprehension."

Hasegawa Izumi spread her hands, looking quite bored.

Don't treat me like an ignorant idiot!

Miura Yumiko lowered her voice.

She was furious, clenching her fists, wanting to throw a punch.

However, she didn't lose her composure; this was an exchange meeting.

"Snort."

For the sake of her reputation, the girl chose to remain silent, crossed her arms, and sulked.

Different people receive different treatment.

The other person didn't display any qualities that Hasegawa Izumi admired, so she ignored them and started playing on her phone.

On the other side.

"Yukinoshita- san, is it like this where you are?"