Chapter 66

66 . Tranquil morning

In the darkness, I felt a little hand touch me .

Arnos .

I hear the voice of a familiar girl as Im gently shaken .

Breakfast .

I open my eyes and see a girls face looking at me .

Beautiful blue eyes and long platinum blonde hair with ringlets that tickle the tip of my nose .

Its Misha .

Woke up?

Aah .

Misha laughs happily and says

Good morning .

Getting out of my bed I ask Misha

Why are you here Misha?

I draw a magic circle under my feet and change my pyjamas into my uniform instantly .

Practising making bento today .

I see . Was my mother teaching you how to make bentos while she was making mine?

I also made breakfast .

Im looking forward to it .

Misha blinks several times and looks surprised at my words .

Whats wrong?

Going to eat?

We are talking about breakfast right?

Misha nods a couple of times and points to herself .

Mine?

Cant I?

Mother made Arnos share .

I see .

Lets go then .

Nn .

Misha answers plainly like normal and opens the door .

Her expression is as deadpan as ever but she seems depressed .

Ill happily trade my breakfast for the one Misha made .

Misha stares into my eyes searching for my true intent .

That okay?

If its okay with you .

Misha thought a little before answering .

Arnos likes mothers cooking .

I do indeed, but I seldom get a chance to eat your cooking .

Misha looked down a little and smiled a shy but happy smile .

Gentle .

Im just whimsical .

Misha shakes her head .

Did Arnos understand?

Understand what?

My feelings?

That you were a bit disappointed?

Misha lowers her eyes slightly when I pointed it out .

. . Embarrassed . .

You often look at me as well .

When it comes to seeing right to the bottom of my heart no one else comes close to matching Misha .

However, my demon eyes wont lose to you .

When I say that Mishas eyes open a little and she laughs .

Did I say something funny?

Have a guess

Why did she laugh?

Are you happy? (A)

Look more . (M)

Misha answered me but didnt give me an actual answer .

Misha heads down to the living room and I follow .

Breakfast is set out ready on the table but only for two people .

My parents?

Work .

My dad is still helping out the workshop that helped him with the Kongo Iron sword . Thanks to the demon sword tournament my dad seems to have been acknowledged as a superior craftsman now . Hes even been told he can go and help out anytime he wants in the future .

My mom?

A customer asked for an appraisal at their home but its quite far away .

So she left early then .

Arnos was tired from the tournament so they said they didnt want to wake you .

I wasnt actually tired but I guess its a parent thing .

Shall we eat?

Nn .

Its usually quite noisy thanks to my noisy parents but me and Misha had a quiet breakfast together .

After finishing breakfast we tidy up and leave the house together .

Walking side by side we take a leisurely walk to school .

I could have used <Gatom> but we have plenty of time . Theres no need to hurry .

Its not a bad feeling at all attending school while slowly taking in the morning streets .

Thats . . ?

We encounter a face we know well .

Its Sasha and shes looking at us suspiciously .

. Why are you coming to school with Misha?

Because we met this morning .

I can see that youve met up . I was asking why . Dont you want to tell me? Is the explanation awkward?

Bento . Misha says . I had Arnos mother teach me .

I see . Hmph . You did say you were learning cooking . If you were going this morning you should have told me .

Sasha seems slightly dissatisfied . Do you feel left out?

I said .

Eh? When?

When I went out this morning .

Sasha looks down in thought but doesnt seem to remember at all .

Youd already gone when I got up though .

Misha shakes her head .

That was the second time .

Lie . Really . ?

I see . Sasha fell asleep again after Misha told her .

Fumu . Sashas weak in the mornings it seems .

Im not really .

Misha nods at me .

Very weak .

Im not . It just takes me a while to get out of bed, my head is all fluffy and my memories a bit vague . Thats all .

How is that not weak? Have you listened to yourself?

Whats with those triumphant eyes? (S)

Its fine . Its nothing to be ashamed about . Being weak in the mornings isnt a problem . Your life isnt over because of it .

Can you stop talking like youre saying something really important? (S)

I told her she didnt have to be ashamed but it looks like she didnt understand what I was saying .

Whatever . Its fine . Let hurry up and get going . (S)

As soon as Sasha started walking Misha hurried after her .

Angry?

About what?

. . I went alone .

I dont mind that . It cant be helped that you expressly left early this morning and made a big detour to Arnoss house .

Misha looks down thinking .

I wont go anymore

Why? I said I dont mind . If Misha wants to go then just go .

Misha falls silent and I start laughing .

What are you laughing at?

Nothing at all except youve done nothing but lie since we met up Sasha . If you wanted to come to my house you should just say so .

I . I didnt say I wanted to come or anything

Her words feebly drop off at the end .

Theres no point in being stubborn . You are weak in the mornings and couldnt come anyway but dont worry about it . In front of me, your morning weakness means nothing .

. . Errrm . You seem to be exaggerating a bit there but what do you intend to do?

Ill come to you and wake you up myself .

. . Eh .

Sashas face turns beet red .

Im not as nice as Misha . Dont think Ill let you fall asleep twice in front of me .

I look into Sashas eyes while talking .

Ah

Whats your answer?

Sasha couldnt meet my eyes and looks down .

. . Yes .

Sashas answer is very faint . Is it really so embarrassing not being able to get up in the morning?

We can all go together next time . I say to Misha who nods happily .

. . Bu . butits weird that Arnos will come to wake me up just so I can go to Arnos house .

Sasha starts mumbling to herself .

Yo . Good morning .

I turned around and Ray was standing there .

Yo .

Misha and Sahsa say good morning to Ray together .

Have you always gone to school together?

No . Its just a coincidence this morning .

Ray walks over to my side .

Oh, by the way . Do you have any idea where I can find a good demon sword?

Fumu . A stand-in for Initeio?

Because it was spectacularly broken it can be fixed but it will take quite a while so I need a replacement for the time being .

Fair enough . Not like he can have Sheila become his sword every time he needs one . I wonder if Ive got a suitable sword for Ray in my treasury?

Good morning everyone!

In the distance, Misa waved at us and runs over to us where we greet her .

This is unusual all of you attending school together .

Yeah . Apparently its a coincidence . Ray says .

Thats right . *Fufufu* but its nice being able to attend school this way since I was always alone in the mornings . (Misa)

Thats surprising . I didnt think you were someone that got lonely easily .

Ahahaha . . Thats a secret .

As two people make a little exchange we continue on our way to Deruzogedo enjoying the tranquil morning calm .