"Really! It's because of Himegami-chan that sensei lost sight of Kamijou-chan!"
Komoe-sensei was walking along an area full of student dormitories as she exclaimed to a girl beside her.
In comparison, the black-haired girl clad in PE attire who was following her homeroom teacher, Himegami Aisa, was holding a transparent plastic cup that had fruit juice in it. She was surprisingly laid back as she said,
"But sensei, the next match is about to start soon."
"Humph! I know. That's why I wanted to settle this quickly, finish lecturing him, and bring him back to the other students!"
The duo walked along an area that was close to the boundary of District 7. Besides the park where Kamijou and Stiyl had escaped from a moment ago, there were many constructs here, like shopping streets and student dormitories. The difference in height between these buildings was huge, as they looked like the teeth of a comb.
Maybe this place was somewhat far away from the schools — or we should call it arenas — as the people here were looking for souvenirs. Several tourists were looking at the stores selling key-chains and puzzles strangely. Basically, the citizens of this city wouldn't even look at these things.
Komoe-sensei sighed,
"I know, let's assume that Kamijou-chan is waiting for us there. Himegami-chan, you have to be faster!"
"Nn."
Himegami sipped some of the fruit juice and responded. Himegami sounded like something was on her mind, as Komoe-sensei tilted her head.
"…Himegami-chan, is there anything troubling you? Sensei is willing to hear out your troubles!"
"It's not exactly troubles."
Himegami removed her lips from the cup,
"Kamijou-kun seems to be a bit weird. It's like he's distracted."
"Hgn. Now that you mention it, he did seem a bit anxious. However, isn't it because the next match is starting?"
"…But, that feeling…"
Himegami paused for a while.
She had personally felt this especially tense atmosphere before. It was when a certain boy with just a fist faced an alchemist that had almost god-like powers and was trying to kill him. For those that he wanted to protect, for victory, he'd even let his right arm get cut just to turn it into a fighting force.
But—
"Maybe I'm thinking too much."
"??? What's that supposed to mean?"
Himegami stared at Komoe-sensei, who gave a puzzled look, and thought rather irritatedly,
(But if it's just about Daihaseisai, this shouldn't be happening.)
Komoe-sensei looked up and stared at the black-haired girl who was drowning in her own thoughts. She tugged at Himegami's shirt from the bottom, saying,
"In other words, you're mindful about Kamijou."
"—"
Himegami suddenly froze.
The fruit juice in Himegami's hand nearly dropped out, as she revealed a rare look of panic, and grabbed it again.
"This is true, but the way you're saying this is too direct, and may cause a misunderstanding."
"Isn't it like this?"
"…Then, is Komoe-sensei mindful about Kamijou-san?"
Komoe-sensei nearly fell on the ground, when there was nothing around. The miniskirt of her cheerleading attire nearly flipped up, but luckily, nothing was exposed. She forcefully looked up,
"Wha…what are you saying, Himegami! As Kamijou's homeroom teacher, sensei has to educate Kamijou! Eve…eveeven if I'm mindful about Kamijou, it's because I'm worried for his future. The way you say it may cause a misunderstanding instead—"
"This is what I meant."
"…"
Komoe-sensei kept quiet. Himegami extended the hand of hers that didn't have the drink and grabbed Komoe-sensei's thin arm. She confirmed whether Komoe-sensei, who fell onto the floor, was injured, and after doing so, seemed to feel relieved as she squinted her eyes.
"However, it's better to prevent saying it like that. My relationship with Kamijou isn't that good. If misunderstood, Kamijou would be troubled."
Eh? Komoe-sensei's face changed slightly.
"Haha, it's because Himegami-chan thinks like this, that you avoided talking about the night parade in front of Kamijou-chan? You already read through the tour guidebook that was handed out seriously. To a certain extent, a night parade is an exciting war for students that can be compared to the day events."
During Daihaseisai, there would be a large lights festival held after sunset, which involved neon lights and lasers. Also, there would be a decorated car and mobile stage procession after the matches. As Daihaseisai accepted television sponsors, the scale of this procession couldn't be underestimated. Also, there would be several actors participating as well.
The board of directors of Academy City would normally ban anyone from going out at night, and had set all traffic to stop when school had completely closed. But for today, they even promoted night tours. Though it was not like those large-scale events seen on Christmas day or Valentine's day, it was still an event favored by the students.
But,
"It's impossible."
Himegami denied it flatly.
"For someone like me, even if I suddenly invite him, Kamijou-kun would be surprised. It's not suitable. So I guess I shouldn't ask him."
When she slightly squinted her eyes, Himegami looked rather gentle. At the same time, she seemed to be somewhat depressed.
For Komoe-sensei, she loved to see students having such a troubled expression.
"It's not like that. Kamijou-chan may be a bit surprised, but it's a pleasant one. Kamijou-chan would be happy to see you happy, and he'd be sad if you're sad. He's that kind of a child. Sensei is very clear about this."
She looked up at the student who was much taller than her.
"So, if you invite Kamijou-chan to an event which you'll feel happy to be at, he'll be happy as well. as long as you say that it's the night parade, there wouldn't be any problems."
Hearing this, Himegami blinked her eyes.
Her normally emotionless face now looked rather surprised.
Himegami gently shook the transparent cup that had fruit juice in it. Then, she faced Komoe-sensei and squinted her eyes to form a smile that couldn't be detected easily.
"No, I don't want to."
"Humph! Sensei is trying her best to encourage the cowardly Himegami-chan, why are you so stubborn?"
"Anyway, I won't invite him."
Seeing Komoe-sensei go red with anger, Himegami silently let go of the pressure on her shoulders.