October 30, 2095, 8:30 AM.
Yokohama International Conference Center.
"It's so lively!"
"Judging by this, it's no less popular than the Nine Schools Competition!"
Chiba Yeyou looked at the flow of people coming and going at the main entrance of the conference center. Most of them were going in, and some were coming out. It seemed that they were all making final preparations for the upcoming Thesis Competition.
"Of course!"
" The Thesis Competition is a relatively important event, and the attention it receives is no less than the physical battles of the Nine Schools Competition."
Even the authorities have a strong interest in this kind of verbal battle!
"After all, this represents the future expansion and vision of magical formulas and magical research!"
Erika Chiba followed beside Chiba Yeyou, explaining as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"By the way, why is it you standing next to me?"
"If Mayumi weren't so busy!"
Chiba Yeyou glanced at Erika Chiba and complained with a frustrated expression.
"What do you mean?"
"You're complaining about me, a beautiful girl like me, when I'm with you?"
Erika Chiba was furious when she heard Chiba Yeyou's words. She thought being talked about behind her back was the worst feeling, but today she realized that being gossiped about to her face was even more unpleasant!
"Okay, okay, beautiful girl, thank you for keeping me company, this empty-nest old man, company, and bringing a little light to my gloomy life."
Chiba Yeyou looked completely perfunctory.
"Then you, an empty-nest elderly person, should gratefully accept my company!"
Erika Chiba didn't feel slighted at all; on the contrary, she looked proud.
"..."
This is truly a showcase of the most baffling human behavior.
Was I complimenting you?
How did you become so arrogant?
And he even looked at me like he wanted to praise me...
Oh my!
"Isn't this Chiba Yeyou?"
Just as Chiba Yeyou was about to say something, a very pleasant voice rang out.
"Oh, isn't this Kyoko Fujibayashi?"
"How?"
"Is he on military duty?"
Chiba Yeyou glanced at Kyoko Fujibayashi and found that the woman was still as beautiful as ever, and her conversation with others was as warm and friendly as ever.
"I was just helping someone out by asking them to solve a problem. Now that it's resolved, I thought I'd come and see them."
Kyoko Fujibayashi was referring to, and Chiba Yeyou knew who she was talking about, but Erika Chiba, who was standing next to her, didn't quite understand. However, seeing that the two were having a pleasant conversation, she didn't speak rashly and just watched quietly.
"Oh, I see!"
"I thought something had happened to you since you showed up here!"
Chiba Yeyou's relieved expression caused Kyoko Fujibayashi's expression to change.
Who would constantly worry about accidents happening around them?
Perhaps he has paranoia?
"You two continue, I'll take my leave now."
Kyoko Fujibayashi and said goodbye.
Do you know her?
Erika Chiba asked, watching Kyoko Fujibayashi figure.
"Yes, I've met her twice. She's a very interesting older sister."
Chiba Yeyou also looked at Kyoko Fujibayashi's receding figure and nodded.
"Big sister..."
Erika Chiba was at a loss for words.
"Alright, it's time for us to go in!"
Chiba Yeyou called out and immediately walked into the venue.
8:45 AM.
Auditorium of Yokohama International Conference Center.
Why are there so few people here?
As soon as Chiba Yeyou entered and saw a few scattered people, she subconsciously said...
"Because we arrived early!"
"Oh!"
" Mikihiko! Mizuki! Leo!"
"Here! Here!"
Erika Chiba happened to see the three people who had just walked in and immediately waved to them.
"Ah, it's Chiba Yeyou and Erika!"
"No wonder that guy suddenly disappeared, he was with Chiba Yeyou!"
Leonhart walked over to the two of them as he spoke.
They had barely sat down when they saw a brown-haired man in a suit and bow tie making a "V" sign in their direction, waving and laughing, looking very happy.
" Erika, is this someone you know?"
Mikihiko Yoshida noticed the obvious change in Erika's expression and asked her about it.
"Does Erika know anyone?"
Mizuki Shibata asked curiously.
"I don't know him, he's just some jerk who tried to pick me up!"
Erika quickly shook her head, refusing to acknowledge her older brother.
"Why!"
"Another brother-obsessed guy!"
"What did you say?"
Erika Chiba was furious after hearing just one sentence from Chiba Yeyou.
"I don't have such a jerk of a brother!"
"..."
Erika instantly sensed something was wrong, as if she had revealed something.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
"Ah!"
"Is that Erika's brother?"
Mikihiko Yoshida two were somewhat surprised.
"Mmm!"
I guess so!
Seeing that her attempts to deny it were pointless, Erika Chiba glanced at her older brother and admitted it.
8:58 AM, Yokohama International Conference Center Auditorium.
The opening ceremony will be held at 9:00 AM. All attendees and participants, please proceed to the central auditorium!
"Ah!"
"Is it almost time?"
The few people who were still chatting looked around afterwards and saw that the venue was indeed packed.
"It's already at 58 points."
"Oh!"
"Look, Tatsuya and Miyuki are behind us!"
Erika Chiba's eyes instantly locked onto the Shiba siblings in the vast crowd.
"You're wasting your eyesight by not becoming a detective!"
Chiba Yeyou hadn't even noticed these two people just now.
I'll go check on them.
As he spoke, he ran over.
"This guy is really active!"
Chiba Yeyou couldn't help but sigh.
"This is what a normal high school student should be like, right?"
Mizuki Shibata spoke, she looked at Chiba Yeyou, and then Chiba Yeyou saw all three of them turn their heads and look at her.
What the hell?
Am I abnormal?
Chiba Yeyou looked like she'd seen a ghost.
"Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!"
The three nodded in perfect unison.
What's wrong with me?
"You're too lazy, and you often act in ways that are inappropriate for your age..."
As she spoke, Mizuki Shibata counted on her fingers.
"Stop! Stop! Stop!"
"So, according to you, that guy is even more abnormal?"
Chiba Yeyou pointed to Tatsuya Shiba behind her. Tatsuya Shiba clearly saw her, turned his head slightly, and gave her a questioning look.
Chiba Yeyou gently shook her head, indicating that nothing was wrong.
"Well..."
"It's different. The two of you give me completely different feelings."
Mizuki Shibata pondered for a moment and then spoke.
What's different?
"... I can't quite put my finger on it, but it definitely feels different to me."
Mizuki Shibata was puzzled at first, then nodded heavily, quite certain of her feeling.
Chiba Yeyou really couldn't refute this. No matter how much she wanted to be a high school student, she could never truly become one. Some things are truly over and done with, and you wouldn't have the same mindset to do them all over again.
Looks like it's about to begin!