Chapter 278: Exchange (1/2)

”Everyone, take a seat,” Reine's voice reverberates within the class as she steps through the door.

”Huh?” a bewildered female student's voice reaches my ears, ”We have physics as our first class for today?”

The rest of the students seem to be confused as they whisper similar things among themselves.

”Now, before we begin our lesson for today,” Reine says while looking over at everyone, ”I would like to make an announcement.”

Most likely curious about what she has to say, the class quietens down as everyone focuses on Reine.

”Although this is sudden, the school has arranged a trip to an island for tomorrow.”

The moment Reine's voice fades, several students exclaim in apparent displeasure as a few express their thoughts regarding what she said.

”What is that supposed to mean? We have to prepare for the trip in one day?”

”Yeah, what's with that? Aren't you supposed to announce something like this a week prior?”

During all this, Reine remains relatively silent while gazing at the students with her usual tired look on her face.

After a short while, the students seem to realize she is waiting for them to quieten down as they stop talking and wait for her to continue what she has to say.

”The decision was made abruptly, so there was nothing I, or any of the other teachers, could do.”

Not knowing what comment to make regarding that, the students remain speechless this time as they cast glances at one another.

At this moment, one of the girls raises from her seat and says in a cheerful tone, ”Come on, guys. You don't need to be so worked up about this. Rather than that, why don't we-”

With my focus on reality sipped away, I use Clairvoyance to check on Natsumi at home, only to find her standing in front of Yoshino who is seated on a sofa in the living room.

Oddly, Natsumi is currently in her 'adult' form through the usage of her powers.

She has a bright smile on her lips as she waves her broom around while Yoshino watches with awe apparent in her glimmering eyes.

Natsumi says something before rainbow-colored energy escapes from her broom and swirls around her.

The next moment, Natsumi's alluring clothes change to an adorable yet still alluring bunny suit.

As a response to this, Yoshino claps her hands as her excitement seems to grow by a large margin.

---

The bell signifying the start of lunch rings, follow by Origami immediately rising from her seat as if she has been keenly waiting for this moment.

Then, she turns to face me before saying, ”Let's go.”

”Yeah, yeah,” I respond as I get up from my seat as well, ”You sure seem to be looking for this conversation that we're going to hold.”

Origami refuses to make any comments regarding my remark as she simply gazes at me without uttering a single word.

Shrugging my shoulders, I reach my left arm out to grab her hand before pulling her along with me as I make my out of the class under the accusive glances of the students and teacher.

Ah, this will most likely fuel the absurd rumors revolving around me even further. Well, whatever.

--

As per Origami's request, we walk all the way to behind the school building.

Here, there is nothing more than a small building that could possibly be a storage room.

Around the premises of the school, there are somewhat tall fences, obviously not barbed ones, to prevent students from wandering off too far.

Apart from that, there is a camera attached to the main building that's pointed at the storage room.

”Shido,” Origami suddenly says, ”I want to ask you a question. You can only answer with the truth.”

”Sure,” I respond, curious about what kind of question would it be for her to add that 'condition' to it.

”Why do you protect the spirits?”

Hearing her query, I feel like facepalming, but ultimately stop myself from doing so as I say, ”I've already told you before, haven't I? I find it ridiculous to kill beings for being what they are.”

”Is that all?” Origami presses while squinting her eyes.

Hm? Has she caught onto something? I doubt I've left any obvious hints regarding my objective, so that's no plausible.

Still, she wants to know what I am actually up to, huh? So be it. However, I won't give out information without anything in return…

”Alright, you got me,” I say while trying to sound exasperated, ”There is more to it than just that.”