After talking to Tomotaksenpai for a bit in the Student Council room, I return to Tomoyuki-san’s house again .

When I press the intercom, Tomoyuki-san comes out to greet me and we talk for a bit at the entranceway .

“Sorry for the various trouble . ”

“I don’t mind… How was Tomotaka?”

“It’s still uncertain… but, I think it’ll be fine . ”

　Un . Should be fine .

I want to believe so .

　I give a slow nod . Tomoyuki-san laughs kindly and pets my head .

“Thank you… I’m sorry, for leaving everything to you . ”

“… It’s what I chose myself . ”

Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl

When I say that, Tomoyuki-san mutters, “I see” and smiles kindly .

The hand petting my head is so comfortable . After relis.h.i.+ng in that for a while, I raise my head sharply .

“There’s a long way to go, I’ll work hard . ”

“… You’ve been hard at work . ”

　The tone that kindly acknowledges my efforts .

Tomoyuki-san is always so kind, that I want to be spoiled forever .

However, I still have things to do .

I take off my shoes at the entranceway, as though to shake off the hand petting my head .

“There’s work to do, I’ll be in the study . ”

“Ah, that’s right . Sorry for the noise . ”

“I don’t mind… It’s nice having someone’s voice in the house . ”

“In that case, we won’t hold back on the intrusion . ”

“Aa . ”

　Tomoyuki-san returns my chuckle with a smile .

He enters the study while I head to the living room .

In the living room, Chako, Kousuke-kun and Yuusei-kun are still playing games on the sofa .

Seeing my return, they pause and Chako calls out “We’ve been waiting!”

“Hey hey Yui-chan, why did the Student Council president come?”

　Chako looks at me with widened, deep blue eyes .

The Student Council president refers to Tomotaksenpai .

She was playing the game as though his existence was forgotten so I thought she wasn’t concerned at all, but it seems that wasn’t the case .

Sitting on the sofa too, I answer Chako’s question with a giggle .

“Because he likes phantoms . ”

Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl

　… Though, I dragged and brought him here .

　Even though I looked at Chako firmly and spoke seriously, it seems she doesn’t believe my words at all .

Chako goes “Huh…” tilting her head at my words, while Kousuke-kun and Yuusei-kun look at me with exasperated expressions .

“Nah, Kamo-senpai’s an onmyouji, right? There’s no way he likes phantoms . ”

“It’s not strange for an onmyouji to like phantoms . After all, Yuusei-kun likes phantoms, right?”

“No, I’m just interested in them . ”

“Okay okay, whatever you say . ”

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I think『being interested』and『liking』isn’t that different .

When I give half-hearted responses to Yuusei-kun, he makes a slightly complicated face before sighing .

Looking at such a Yuusei-kun, Kousuke-kun nods with a “I see” .

“Well, you’re right . I guess it’s prejudice that onmyoujis hate phantoms . ”

“Yup yup . Tomotaksenpai has his issues, so I think he won’t show it on the surface though . ”

“I see… I thought he came to put a check on us…”

“He didn’t . I forcibly dragged him here . ”

　Hearing Kousuke-kun speak with wrinkles between his brows, I indirectly cover for Tomotaksenpai .

Previously, after the pool in the 2nd round, Tomotaksenpai went to see Chako and Kousuke-kun . Although Kousuke-kun said he was putting a check on us that time too, I didn’t think it was just that .

Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl

I think Tomotaksenpai wanted to see Chako .

I think he wanted to know what kind of life Chako, whom he could only watch from afar, led .

“I see, Yui-chan dragged the president here . ”

“Un . Sorry . For always being forceful . ”

“Wellll . ”

　Chako laughs awkwardly .

It’s not surprisingly . She probably doesn’t want to be positively connected to Tomotaksenpai in school .

Because being a familiar is something Chako wants to keep secret .

　Unable to say a thing to that expression of Chako’s, I bite my lip hard .

Then, Kousuke-kun, who’d appeared deep in thought, looks firmly at me .

“Naba, do you know that there are Phantom and Onmyouji Factions?”

“… Un . I know . ”

“I see…”

“Also, I know that there are Abe and Kamo Camps . ”

“… I see . ”

　That I am an ill omen, the Priestess of Ominous Clouds .

That there are phantom and onmyouji factions scrambling for me .

Furthermore, that there are the moderate Abe Camp and radical Kamo Camp .

　I know these exist around me .

I know but… even then .

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“A variety . There’s Kousuke-kun and Sensei . Tomotaksenpai and Yuusei-kun . Of course, Tomoyuki-san too . ”

　――And, Chako .

“However, I decided to leave those as they are . Because, I, want to get along well with everyone . I want to do lots of fun things . ”

　Getting along well with everyone, huh .

Everyone being friends, such a pipe dream may be nothing but trouble to them .

　However, I want to work hard .

I want to do everything that I want to .

Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl

“Inner conflicts, surface standpoints and duties . Isn’t it fine for everyone to have their own thinking about those? We’re all strong, and powerful . That’s why I think, we’ll solve it somehow even if we’re confused for a while . ”

　There is a lot going on, but it’ll be fine with everyone here .

It’s an irresponsible trust with no basis whatsoever, but I chuckle .

Seeing the face of such a me, Chako watches me as though I’m dazzling, and Kousuke-kun laughs with his brows knitted .

While Yuusei-kun snorts and looks at me .

“I guess . I’m strong after all . ”

　Un . I know .

“That’s why I’ll bring Tomotaksenpai here at times . You can’t tell him to explode or the like, okay . ”

“… Yeah . ”

　Having gotten a promise, I chuckle, and Yuusei-kun averts his eyes .

Seeing such a Yuusei-kun and I, Kousuke-kun laughs a little and slowly speaks .

Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl

“It was you who brought us here, Naba . I think it’s your freedom to bring whoever you want . ”

　The amber eyes narrow gently .

“You made a move, and so we’re here… That’s why you can move as you like, Naba . ”

“… Un . Thank you . ”

　… I’m really no match for Kousuke-kun at times like this .

Softly, and casually, he’d say words that lighten my load .

When I laugh with my brows knitted, Chako shouts “Ah, unfair!”

“You see, Kousuke-kun always take the good parts like that . ” [Chako]

“You’re right . I was the one who endorsed Naba first but Kousuke’s got it before I realised . ” [Yuusei]

“I think this is similar to a swindle . ” [Chako]

“Right? It’s a swindle . ” [Yuusei]

“Un . Kousuke-kun is a swindler . ” [Chako]

“A swindler . ” [Yuusei]

“… Both of you, shut up for a bit . ” [Kousuke]

　Kousuke-kun sighs deeply at the fired up Chako and Yuusei-kun .

Finding such a trio amusing, I laugh “Ahaha” .

“Also, I’m rather happy that Kamo-senpai will be coming here . ”

“Eh, why?”

　”He’s a Kamo onmyouji, you know? Aren’t you scared?” Chako looks at Kousuke-kun uncomfortably .

To that, Kousuke shakes his head and replies .

Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl

“I respect Kamo-senpai . ”

“Eh…”

“Don’t you think he’s amazing? He’s been the Student Council President since the autumn of his 1st year, and will be the following president too . Although he definitely holds a station as a Kamo, he’s also the Student Council President . Juggling both, isn’t it incredible?”

“Oh . ”

“… I can tell that Kamo-senpai is working hard . ”

“I guess . ”

　Kousuke-kun spoke pa.s.sionately about Tomotaksenpai .

Somewhat surprised, I look at Kousuke-kun with widened eyes .

　Kousuke-kun respects Tomotaksenpai .

It’s kinda unexpected… However, those words strangely fit because they do seem to have their similar points…

I don’t quite understand, but my chest feels full .

　My heart has been slightly touched, but Chako’s eyes have already left Kousuke-kun .

Giving only half-hearted responses to Kousuke-kun’s words, she’s already trying to start the game .

Kousuke-kun probably noticed Chako’s behaviour .

He looks at Chako with wrinkles between his brows .

Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl

“Are you listening, Chako?”

“Nn . I’m not listening . ”

　Chako unabashedly looks at Kousuke-kun with a “Hihihi” .

Seeing the face of such a Chako, Kousuke-kun gives a small sigh .

“… Well, something like my feelings don’t matter . ”

“Now now, Kousuke-chan . Leave those topics aside, let’s continue the game!”

“… Yeah . ”

　”Good grief”, Kousuke-kun shrugs and holds the game controller .

Yuusei-kun peeks at Kousuke-kun from Chako’s side .

“Hey Kousuke, if you’re gonna respect someone, respect me . ”

“… I respect you too, Yuusei . ”

“I see . I’m strong after all . ”

“… Yeah . ”

“The strong Yuusei-kun should continue then!” [Chako]

　Chako takes the controller from Kousuke-kun, “Here you go” and pa.s.ses it to Yuusei-kun .

Then, the paused zombie game resumes .

It seems that the party game they played when Tomotaksenpai was here had ended, and they changed to a 2-player game .

“Hey, do phantoms and onmyoujis have fun playing games?” [Yui]

“Yes, it’s fun . ”

“Though if zombies really appear, I think Chako will be stronger unarmed than with a gun…” [Yui]

“Un . Probably . ” [Chako]

“If it was Yuusei-kun, everything will end if he just purifies the whole facility?” [Yui]

“Yeah, that’s right . ” [Yuusei]

“Don’t you get annoyed killing so slowly with mere guns?” [Yui]

“… Yui-chan . You can’t think of games like in reality . ” [Chako]

“If, it was reality, Naba would be hunted down everywhere by zombies . ” [Yuusei]

“In that case, I’ll raise a barrier, attract a lot of them and catch the whole herd with one throw . ” [Yui]

“Oh my, Yui-chan, so cool!” [Chako]

Translated by nakimus.h.i.+tl

　The eyes of Chako and Yuusei-kun don’t leave the screen as they defeat the appearing zombies with guns and proceed .

After proceeding for a bit, some kind of sound effect plays and a cut screen streams out .

“Ah, boss?”

“Nah, probably a mid-boss . ”

“Yuck, I’m bad with this one . Take over, Kousuke-chan!”

　”Here you go”, Chako pa.s.ses the controller she was using to Kousuke-kun .

Then, she slips out from the s.p.a.ce she’d been sitting between them, and sits next  to me .

On the screen, Kousuke-kun changes to a larger gun and Yuusei-kun is throwing a Molotov c.o.c.ktail at the mid-boss .

Watching that, Chako randomly sends encouragement like “Go!” or “Get it!”

　Glancing furtively at the side profile of the Chako smiling happily, I softly speak in a voice only she can hear .

“Did you not like Tomotaksenpai being brought here?”

“Hm . Doesn’t really matter . ”

　Chako tilts her head a little and looks at me .

Support the translations by reading at the translator’s site .

“I’m fine as long as Yui-chan is happy . ”

　Then, she laughs “Ehehe” .

Whispering a thanks to that laugh in my heart, I give a small nod .

　Surely, she should have many worries .

I’m aware I’m dragging and throwing everyone into confusion .

　Even then, I want to believe that this… connects to the future .