Morishita Ai

Seishiki Otonashi returned to the classroom.

Though it was lunch break, he had enjoyed a solo meal in the cafeteria, dodging the crowds before heading back.

He spotted Tamiya Emi's copy of Righteous Memories on her desk—the novel he'd personally recommended to Tamiya yesterday. She was actually reading it seriously. How touching.

"A lover blown from soap bubbles?"

Otonashi recalled his first time reading it, deeply moved. The original line came from Cyrano de Bergerac, a classic quote. Though he'd seen the movie version.

"A lover is just a borrowed name, a soap bubble blown from fantasy."

"Take the letter—you can make pretense real. I was merely moaning without cause, spilling love aimlessly. Now these wandering birds have a place to perch; you can see it in the letter."

"Take it. Since it's not from the heart, the words sound all the sweeter. Take it, and so be it."

He muttered the original lines a bit. Such amusing words.

"Could it be? Is Seishiki Otonashi some kind of love pessimist?"

"Gyah!"

His body gave a slight jolt. Lost in self-indulgence, he hadn't realized someone had been watching him the whole time. It felt like the shame of a mom finding your hidden magazine.

Otonashi turned around. Standing before him was Morishita Ai.

Her deep blue hair was tied into two bunches hanging in front, clipped with hollow hairpins. She had an air of mystery, a girl who seemed aloof and cool, yet during yesterday's self-introduction, she'd given off a bit of a "radio wave" vibe? The kind of "radio wave girl" you'd see online.

Otonashi figured he could kind of tune into Morishita's wavelength. Maybe.

After all, he'd once observed someone radiating toxic electric waves—a rabbit monster bent on destroying the world, a fragile-looking but fiercely aggressive creature.

(A tribute to the legendary king of negative thinking, Sakayanagi Usagi.)

"Not at all... It's just... um, borrowing a line from a movie I like."

"Question! What movies does Seishiki Otonashi like!"

"Huh?"

It felt like revealing his own preferences to someone else. Not great. That strange sensation of being stripped bare right off the bat—Otonashi couldn't handle it.

"Um... Scream?"

"Horror movie?"

"Yeah."

"That's surprisingly bold."

"Huh? Bold?"

"You look so fragile, like a princess needing a knight's protection. I never expected you to like such unconventional films."

"What are you even saying! I'm not a princess! I'm a guy!"

Morishita suddenly hooked a finger under Otonashi's chin and leaned in close.

"Hey... Morishita... What are you doing."

Otonashi tried to turn his head away, but Morishita cupped his face with both hands, holding it still.

"Your eyes. They're beautiful."

"Uh... thanks... but can you let me go..."

Otonashi's cheeks flushed red. Meeting Morishita's serious gaze, he couldn't help but stare back. Morishita's face... so close...

"But what's hidden beneath that beauty? I can't tell."

Otonashi finally broke free, rubbing his cheeks.

"I'm not hiding anything."

"Normal people have clear eyes, and some have murky ones. Your eyes are bright, but they're like a color from the cosmos—incomprehensible, indescribable."

"What can eyes even prove?!"

"According to the Eight Trigrams Bureau's calculations... Eh... How? I can't figure it out. Seishiki Otonashi? Are you an outsider to this world?"

Otonashi was half-numb, half-cringing.

"The Eight Trigrams Bureau isn't for face reading! Don't just misuse formulas! What can eyes prove?! If you're interested in physiognomy, go study Mystic Physiognomy!"

"Mmm, I see. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm very interested in you. You have the same ability as me."

"Huh? Ability? What ability?"

Otonashi tilted his head, staring at her in confusion.

"Observing humans."

"Since when is that an ability?!"

Otonashi was speechless. He recalled using the skill [Observe Human] yesterday and indeed locking eyes with her at one point. He'd thought it was just a coincidence. But Morishita had remembered it. What was this, anyway?! A second stalker girl?

"Your eyes seem to see even more clearly."

Morishita stepped closer, and Otonashi stepped back.

Until Star Color could clearly feel the wall against his back. Just as he prepared to escape like a rabbit from a trapped cage, Morishita Ai's hand pressed down on him.

"Umm, this... that..."

Star Color was forced to lock eyes with Morishita Ai once again. It felt like doing something forbidden... pinned to the wall by a girl, unable to resist... so embarrassing.

Morishita Ai wished she could examine every inch of Star Color's body with a magnifying glass. She was desperate to dissect him, to see through everything inside him.

"That's enough..."

Star Color covered his face with his hands, flustered and blushing, burying his head like an ostrich hiding in the sand—that was him right now.

"Hmph, one day I'll cut you open."

"How scary... Is that a murder threat?"

Star Color pretended to be frightened, crossing his arms over his chest and trembling against the wall.

Morishita Ai used a forehead strike, attacking Star Color's head. Star Color lost 10 HP.

"Don't overthink it. I meant your insides. Your heart."

"Huh? Isn't that even scarier!"

Morishita Ai let go of both hands. Star Color rolled his shoulders slightly.

"Hey, Morishita, aren't you going to eat?"

"Ah, I already had a fried noodle bun."

"Oh... Want some snacks?"

Star Color pulled a few gummy candies from a plastic bag.

"I want grape flavor."

"You're pretty picky..."

Star Color fished out a few grape-flavored gummies from the bag and handed them over.

"Thanks."

And just like that, an incredibly bizarre conversation came to an end.

Star Color opened the manga Fire Phoenix and Burning Plains, sitting quietly in his seat to kill time. Like the essential awareness of having snacks ready while watching a movie, ensuring that when the story reached its most thrilling parts, he could feast with great satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Morishita Ai sat in her own seat, but her gaze never left Star Color.

At that moment, Star Color felt Morishita Ai was like a child, lying on the ground observing an ant named 'Star Color.' How inexplicable—her weird wavelength he could match. But unfortunately, he had no clue at all, no idea how to respond...

Maybe next time he should go crazy with her? That might be a good idea. Was Morishita a troublesome person? Her observational skills were excellent, but compared to himself, still a bit lacking. Yet one of her abilities was abnormally absurd—though not too impressive now, it would flourish later.

As time passed, a sparse crowd of people returned to the classroom, preparing for the afternoon lessons.

Tamiya Emi, upon spotting Star Color, walked straight toward his seat.

He felt a bit relieved, since she came back with other girls—meaning she'd found female friends. Otherwise, only being friends with a weirdo like him would seem strange, right?

"Star Color, what happened this morning? Why didn't I see you at morning class? Were you sick?"

"Mm-hmm, an old ailment of mine. My heart's a bit problematic."

"I'm so sorry, was it because I took you out yesterday? I didn't consider your health... Sorry."

"Huh? No, no. My heart's always had issues. It's not your fault, Tamiya."

Star Color tugged at her sleeve.

Sunlight cast a soft glow, warm rays pattering down on Star Color's pure, smiling face. Under the light, the space around him was flawless and pristine, exceptionally beautiful.

"I'm really happy when I'm with you, Tamiya. So don't blame yourself."

"Is that so? That's good."

Tamiya Emi maintained her ladylike expression, but her heart was pounding wildly. Only one thought filled her mind: this kid is too cute! Why does the world have such an adorable creature!

Tamiya Emi had never been able to resist cute things since she was little—she'd hug cute dolls tightly, stroke the fur of cute animals. And Star Color in front of her always showed an adorable, defenseless look at the most unexpected moments... making her unable to control herself.

"Star Color, there's an orientation for club activities this afternoon. Want to go?"

Tamiya Emi shifted the topic to the afternoon club orientation.

"Club activities? Let me think."

Star Color rested his chin on his left hand, twirling a ballpoint pen deftly with his right fingers, tilting his head in thought for a moment.

"Since it's an invitation from you, Tamiya, then sure~."