The day after Suzune persuaded him, the entire academy knew Tatsuya had been chosen as a representative. Though he hadn't officially accepted, Tatsuya resigned himself to the fact that they were likely filling the outer moat first—cornering him strategically.
"Hey, Tatsuya, what's the topic for your presentation at the thesis competition?" Leo asked, leaning forward.
"Yeah, I'm curious too!" Erika chimed in, her eyes sparkling.
"It's about technical challenges and solutions for a gravity-control magic thermonuclear fusion reactor," Tatsuya replied coolly.
Leo scratched his head. "No clue what that means…"
Even after Tatsuya's explanation, Leo and Erika were utterly lost.
"But why were you suddenly picked as a rep?" Leo pressed. "Didn't they just announce the three representatives the other day?"
"Yeah," Erika added. "I heard a rumor that a senior backed out."
"That's right," Tatsuya confirmed. "I don't know the details about Hirakawa-senpai's situation, but apparently, they're not in a condition to serve as a representative."
"Well, the academy couldn't exactly ignore a genius listed in the Index, could they?" Leo said with a grin.
Tatsuya's face soured. "Stop calling me a genius."
Miyuki tilted her head. "You really hate being called that, don't you, Tatsuya-san?"
"It's a convenient word," Tatsuya said, his tone flat. "It sounds like praise, but it's a dead-end label. Nothing more to it."
Leo laughed. "You're just not used to compliments, huh? Probably 'cause you're usually getting roasted."
Erika smirked. "But he's still getting way more praise than you, Leo. All you've got is your toughness."
Leo started to nod but froze, sensing a jab. "Wait, was that a compliment?"
"Sort of," Erika teased.
"But seriously, Tatsuya, you could at least act a little excited," Leo said. "Unlike the Nine Schools Competition, even second place gets noticed, right? You said so yourself."
"I'm just a substitute," Tatsuya replied, unfazed. "I won't get much attention. Besides, the applause was meant for Hirakawa-senpai. I'm not interested."
"Man, you're so cold," Leo muttered.
Tatsuya announced he couldn't walk home with them after school due to thesis competition prep and headed to the library.
Erika pouted. "He's so clueless when it comes to himself. As if Tatsuya-kun won't get noticed."
"You sound a bit disappointed, Erika-chan," Miyuki observed, her tone playful.
"Not really," Erika huffed. "Just annoyed I can't get Tatsuya-kun to treat me again."
"Didn't he just treat you the other day?" Leo asked.
"Huh? What're you talking about?" Erika shot back.
"It's nothing, Leo," Miyuki said quickly. "Just that Tatsuya-kun treated us when we went out with the girls."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "You went out with just girls, but Tatsuya was there?"
Mizuki's question made Erika's expression turn slightly bored. "I invited Miyuki, but Tatsuya-kun came along as a package deal. Well, I'm the one who invited him, but still."
"Why'd you do that?" Mizuki asked.
"Tatsuya-kun's been so busy lately, we haven't hung out," Erika explained. "Plus, I was annoyed my plans got canceled, so I figured I'd get him to treat me."
Leo snorted. "You're such a schemer."
Mizuki and Mikihiko nodded in agreement.
Unaware of the classroom banter, Tatsuya arrived at the library. Today, he wasn't headed to the basement but to the main floor for research. As he searched for an open space, a familiar figure waved at him.
"Nanasu-senpai, enjoying some autumn reading?" Tatsuya asked lightly.
Mayumi puffed out her cheeks, clearly displeased, and closed the distance. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Tatsuya blinked. "Aren't you a senior preparing for exams?"
Mayumi's pout deepened. "You know I'm set with a recommendation, right?"
"Oh?" Tatsuya raised an eyebrow. "I thought top students had an unwritten rule to decline recommendations."
His blunt remark caught Mayumi off guard, and she burst out laughing, doubling over. Tatsuya, thinking his comment was perfectly normal, was puzzled by her reaction as she laughed until her sides ached.
"Anyway," Mayumi said, catching her breath, "you're helping Rin-chan, right? Need a hand?"
"Well, sort of," Tatsuya replied.
Technically, borrowing someone else's library slot was prohibited, but with no one lining up and no real penalties, Tatsuya didn't see the harm. Mayumi, who'd already stepped out, decided to join him anyway. Tatsuya, not wanting to make a scene, let her follow.
"This came up pretty suddenly, huh? Must be tough," Mayumi said as they settled in.
"It's fine. There's something in it for me," Tatsuya replied.
"I can't really help with that," Mayumi admitted. "Rin-chan's got a special passion for this topic."
"Does she?" Tatsuya asked, his tone neutral.
Mayumi, mistaking his casual response for interest, leaned in. "Rin-chan wants to present this to raise the social status of magicians. Her dream is to complete a gravity-control magic thermonuclear fusion reactor someday."
Tatsuya had been half-listening, but her words about Suzune's goal made his eyes widen. "That's… surprising. I didn't expect someone so close to share that kind of vision."
"You too, Tatsuya-kun?" Mayumi asked, intrigued.
"Well, it's a niche perspective. I didn't think anyone else around here would think like that… but Ichihara-senpai, huh?"
Mayumi puffed her cheeks again, looking slightly miffed. "Guess you and Rin-chan are on the same wavelength. What, is she your type?"
Tatsuya blinked at the sudden shift. "What? No, our methods and perspectives are completely different. We'd probably clash more than connect."
Mayumi leaned closer, her tone teasing. "But here you are, alone in a private room with a beautiful older girl like me, and you're not even making a move. Sorry, is my childish figure not your thing?"
Tatsuya glanced at the security camera, his expression deadpan. "You're hardly childish, Nanasu-senpai. And I'm not into putting on a show in public."
Mayumi's cheeks flushed as she followed his gaze to the camera. "W-Well, what if… there were no cameras or people? Like, in a hotel or something?"
Tatsuya shrugged. "If it's a free meal, I wouldn't say no."
"W-What!?" Mayumi squeaked, floored by his casual response. She'd been teasing, but Tatsuya's unreadable demeanor left her unsure if he was serious or joking. Still, she didn't leave the room—partly because, deep down, she was thrilled he was paying attention to her.
"It's a bit cramped in here," Mayumi said, shifting. "It's supposed to fit three people."
"Probably meant for you and your friends," Tatsuya replied. "It's different with a guy."
"Maybe," Mayumi conceded, then playfully hooked her arm around his. Tatsuya, too focused on his research to care, let her cling to him as he continued working.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
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