Uniform

(Ceruno)

After picking up the food from the Materials Distribution Center, they returned to "Skyreach Dormitory," which was the name Quanyin gave to the dormitory. She also called herself the dormitory head (dormitory manager).

"Ceruno! Come and help me for a second."

As soon as I reached the apartment entrance, Miss Fahrenheit on the second floor called me over, and Xiaoling Past the groceries bag from my hand.

"You go ahead, Sister Extinction and I will go upstairs and prepare lunch first."

Putting aside her chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) episodes, Xiaoling is actually quite sensible.

"Then I want to go with Ceruno!"

The Golden stood beside me, but Miss Fahrenheit didn't approach her. Bringing her Past might cause trouble—that Doggy seriously lacked common sense and would definitely get into a lot of trouble.

"No need, you should go back too."

"Hey!"

"Miss Extinction, please take her back."

The latter extended Ghost energy tentacles and pulled the Golden Past from behind me. This magic, besides absorbing physical strength, is also quite useful as an extra arm.

"What does Miss Fahrenheit want to see me about?"

"I'd like you to try this dress on."

Behind her was a mannequin, a simple one without a head, legs, or arms, but wearing a dark gray uniform with a cape and velvet collar. The coat seemed to be made of wool, and there was a shirt and tie underneath. The bottom was a dark gray plaid skirt.

What is this?

"School uniform."

"Um?"

Although I was a little surprised, it really Past for a school not to have uniforms.

Ms. Fahrenheit explained, "A friend of mine helped design this. It's still a sample, but because it fits your size quite well, I wanted you to try it on."

"I'd love to!"

She put the school uniform into the Star Crystal and then put it on.

The whole process takes only a few seconds. The Star Crystal is so convenient that sooner or later I'll forget how to dress.

Miss Fahrenheit advised, "You don't need to wear a coat in the summer, because that coat is designed to be quite thick; it's better to wear it in the fall or winter."

"It's okay, I don't feel hot now."

The coat comes with a pure black, smooth cape that can even cover the front of the body; I really like this design.

"It feels quite comfortable. If everyone dressed like this, it would really look like a magic academy."

Sirius also said he wanted some vibrant colors; the combination of gray and black is a bit dull.

I think I'm fine!

She turned around twice in front of the dressing mirror, then changed into a pair of black pantyhose, making the overall dark color scheme look even more serious.

"Come on, let me take a picture."

Miss Fahrenheit had somehow produced a camera and was taking pictures as she said, "Once the design is finalized, mass production can begin in a couple of days."

"Will Miss Hephaestus be in charge of mass production?"

"Yes, that Production and Manufacturing Department's magic can mass-produce anything; she's the Association's prized possession."

After shooting, put the lens cap back on.

"Can I go upstairs and show everyone?"

"Of course you can, but the sample garment isn't very sturdy. To make alterations easier, the fabric is only roughly sewn together, so it will come undone or be damaged if you pull it even slightly. Don't do anything too strenuous."

"Okay, I'll be careful!"

Bai Ze and Sky Lock, who lived next door to Miss Fahrenheit, did not return to their dormitory.

I didn't see Falcon or Heat Haze even after going up to the third floor.

Looks like I'll have to go back to the dorm and show off this school uniform to the Decomposer girls.

"Clang! Huh?"

She hopped into the living room, but no one was there.

Xiaoling was preparing ingredients in the kitchen, while Golden, having transformed back into its Doggy form, was scratching at the door to my and Miluno's room with its paws.

"Goldie, what are you doing?"

I dragged it away from the door, but it just gave me a serious look and said, "Ceruno, there's a smell of food inside!"

"... ha?"

I don't understand what it means.

Is Miluno secretly eating something in her room?

I tried to open the door, but it was locked from the inside, which only fueled my curiosity.

"Is Miss Extinction inside too?"

Xiaoling came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands, and replied, "Yes, Sister Extinction just went in."

What were they doing inside and why did they lock the door?

"We'll see when we get there."

Xiaoling reached out towards the door, then removed a square wooden board from it, creating a slightly larger peephole.

I leaned closer to peek inside...

On Miluno's bed, Miss Extinction was kissing Miluno's forehead with a blush on her face. Miluno not only did not resist, but also warmly cupped her cheeks.

"..."

Wow! Ceruno rolled her eyes!

Amidst the clamor of the Golden, I collapsed onto the floor, dazed.

"There's really nothing between us. I just asked Extinction to borrow a little magic, you should understand, right? The side effect of that Enhancer is that it causes a continuous loss of magic power, so I can only use magic through external input..."

In a daze, Miluno explained it like this several times.

Since she cares so much about my opinion, she shouldn't be having affairs.

"But if you really need to replenish your mana, you can come to me! You gave me so much mana before, I should return it to you!"

"No, there's a reason for that."

Miluno seemed to want to explain, but hesitated to speak because of the other people present.

"Ceruno, we don't have any important classes this afternoon, let's go for a walk somewhere."

"You haven't even recovered yet, and you're already going to 'the Other Side' again?"

She said she was going out for a walk the day before yesterday, but ended up going off to "the Other Side" all by herself.

"No, of course not to 'the Other Side'."

Miluno shook her head and said, "Let Metal open the door, we're going back to Skyreach City... I have something very important to tell you."

"Is something really that important? Is it something worth skipping class on the first day of school? And given your physical condition..."

Without the magic to help her recover, she was so weak that she couldn't even walk.

"It's worth it. I've been bothered too many times already. Today, I'm determined to make things clear... If you don't make it clear, I'm going to..."

She gritted her teeth...

In the end, they didn't continue.

"Since it's so important, let's go. I'll ask for leave for you guys after we eat!"

Xiaoling nudged me and asked, "Sister Ceruno, what are you wearing? That robe makes you look like a magician!"

Are you only noticing this now?

I replied, "It's our school uniform, and it's not a robe, it's a cape."

"That's so cool!"

For those suffering from chuunibyou (middle school syndrome), capes are an irresistible element.

"Right~ But yours will have to wait two days. Mine is a sample garment, and I need to return it to Miss Fahrenheit afterward."

"Yay!"

Xiaoling spun around.

"Sister Ceruno, please help Sister Miluno back to her room first. I'll call you when I've prepared the food."

He nodded.

I helped Miluno to her feet and staggered towards the bedroom.

Because I am short, she couldn't easily gain leverage from me, so she walked unsteadily.

I fell freely onto the soft mattress as I returned to the bed, but her hand, as if by chance, grabbed my collar...

Squeak--

Before my eyes, tiny pieces of fabric fluttered up.