*Cipher is a girl it seems*
“U-uh, it’s here…!”
“S-sorry, sorry! I won’t do anything! I won’t say anything…!”
“N-no, Mr. Baggage Carrier… I mean, Mr. Fujiwara, please forgive me…!”
“You don’t have to call me anything weird. Just talk to me normally, that’d help.”
I was trying to speak normally, but all three of them were sitting on the ground, backing away slowly. Were their legs giving out?
“Well, if you ever try to pick a fight again, I’ll be ready to take you up on it.”
“Eeek!!”
Nagakura, who had been laughing the whole time, finally fainted. I placed my hand on Kayama and Inosato’s shoulders, thinking that would be enough to calm things down. But then I suddenly noticed the stares from my classmates around me.
(This is bad… Did I scare them a little too much?)
“Don’t worry, I think everyone’s just really impressed.”
“R-really?”
“Yes, I agree with Nanami-sama.”
As long as these two — well, one person and one machine, I suppose — Nanami-san and Cipher were with me, I didn’t mind if others kept their distance.
“U-um…”
Just as I was about to settle on that thought, one of the girls from Nanami-san’s group, the one who wasn’t crying, called out to me from behind.
“…Thank you for helping me. I don’t remember much since I passed out, but I do remember that you tried to help.”
“Oh, uh… I was just doing my best.”
“No, if you hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here like this. I’m sorry for making fun of you before…”
The two girls who were kind of like Hinata’s bodyguards — the crying Saejima-san and Serizawa-san, who was now speaking.
They probably invited Nanami-san to their group because Hinata asked them to. I thought about giving them some advice, but seeing their change in attitude, it didn’t seem necessary anymore.
“Let’s just call it even when we’re in trouble, okay? Renjou-sensei, are we dismissed for the day?”
“Ah, yes. I’ll wait for all the students to come out, but those who are already here can go.”
“Thank you. Nanami-san, shall we?”
“Yes.”
Nanami-san seemed ready to support me again, but out of consideration for our classmates, she held back — though, the moment we left the building, she would probably cling to me.
“…He’s on a whole different level, isn’t he?”
“Rank isn’t everything, huh… ‘Baggage Carrier’ is something else.”
“He’s a classmate, but it’s like he has way more experience… Just being around Fujiwara-kun makes me feel calm…”
“D-don’t even try. You can’t beat Nanami-san.”
“Does Nanami-san… get to do whatever she wants with Fujiwara? Those… breasts… I’m jealous…”
I could hear the conversations loud and clear. Isn’t the change in opinion a bit extreme? I’d like those boys thinking in the wrong direction to restrain themselves.
“…I’m glad they’re praising you, Fujiwara-kun.”
“Well, uh… Nanami-san, I’m really okay now…”
“No.”
Just as I expected, Nanami-san was by my side again — despite having just been at death’s door, is this really okay? Her pleasant scent was making it hard to think clearly.
“Master, I must now return.”
“R-right… You need to get your arm repaired… Thank you for everything today.”
I had Nanami-san step aside for a moment, knelt down, and looked Cipher in the eyes.
“I’d like to go exploring with you again.”
“…As would I. I shall report that accordingly.”
“She… looks like she’s blushing.”
“Shiro-sama, that’s unnecessary commentary. Hehe… Until next time.”
Cipher left with what appeared to be a smile. While she could simulate laughter with her electronic voice, it was still a surprising sight.
(Did she just say ‘Shiro-sama’ instead of ‘Nanami-sama’…? Cipher’s relationship with Nanami-san is intriguing.)
“…I might be able to help maintain her, too.”
“Oh right, you’re a magical engineer… Ah, also, Nanami-san, thank you for leaving the search glasses behind. They really helped me from getting lost.”
“I knew you’d notice. I wasn’t scared because I knew you’d come.”
“Oh… I see… That’s good to hear.”
I couldn’t think of anything clever to say — but seeing Nanami-san safe and smiling was enough for now.
“…If it bothers Fujiwara-kun, should I stop supporting you?”
Nanami-san stepped back, giving me space. But as soon as she did, I found myself feeling oddly lonely, a feeling I wrestled with for several minutes.
