"Um, the outside is in a festive mood, isn't it? Why did you come all the way here instead of enjoying Halloween…?".
"That's an excellent question, Serina-chan. You see….
the reason we came here is precisely to enjoy Halloween☆".
"It is?".
"…I don't really care if you and the Princess are enjoying Halloween or Christmas.
But don't you think it's a bit rude to bother someone who's studying with that kind of talk?".
"You're the one being informal, Misaki-chan".
"You usually don't even care about things like that, so why do you only pretend to care when you're at a loss for words… sigh.
So, what do you mean by 'enjoying'?".
As expected of Misaki. Her response was quite cynical.
But unlike before, there was a noticeable lack of venom in her words, which was almost certainly Serina's doing.
"Actually, we just stopped by on our way to the Sisterhood. Yes, it was on the way, so to speak!.
Of all the places we could raid for candy, besides the kids handing it out outside, this was the only place that came to mind".
"…Ah, if that's the case, then we are prepared!".
"What, really?! I thought for sure the Remedial Knights would have banned candy, chocolate, and jellies.
because they're bad for your teeth…!".
At Serina's following words, which fell heavily upon Yoshimi's head as she shot up from her seat with sparkling eyes, she was silenced.
"With xylitol candy that's good for your dental health! Fufu".
"Ah, of course. I was a fool to get my hopes up".
"Ahaha…".
As the visibly disappointed Yoshimi slumped back into her chair.
Serina let out a laugh that was thick with awkwardness.
"It's okay, Yoshimi. Think positive.
Now you can eat only candy from morning to night without any guilt".
"No, you can't. Logically, does that even make sense!".
"…I can't?".
"You can't! Atsuko, that's not a problem of your teeth rotting!".
"Ahem… that's right, Atsuko-chan. Consuming that much sugar is bad for your body.
no matter how well you take care of your teeth".
"Really? I understand".
Atsuko nodded and replied seriously.
I wondered, were the words she had spoken just before a joke, or was she serious? It was probably a joke, right…?.
"Everyone, if you'll just wait a moment, I'll bring the candy and share it with you.
For the record, if there's one thing to note, it's that xylitol candy is most effective when eaten after you brush your teeth. So, brush your teeth three times a day—morning, lunch, and dinner—and then eat it! Don't forget, okay?".
"I brush and floss, so it's fine.
Dental health is important, after all".
"Hmm. Atsuko-chan, can you say 'ahhh'?".
"Huh? Okay".
The teeth Atsuko proudly revealed were….
surprisingly white and beautifully maintained.
"Wow… Atsuko-chan, you have really healthy teeth!.
I think they're the healthiest teeth I've ever seen".
While I agreed with Serina, the image of 'Healthy-Teeth Atsuko' from that meme popped into my head and tormented me.
It was a relief that the vibe between the two was completely different.
And so, after Atsuko's teeth appreciation session was over, and while Serina was off getting the candy.
I gently slid into the seat next to Misaki, who was reading a book and taking notes in a neat script.
"You're distracting me, so please move".
"Ahaha. Misaki-chan, for some reason, it feels like our friendship meter resets every time we meet".
"…What's that supposed to mean?".
"Well, it's always like this, isn't it? You push me away even though you have no intention of it.
and just when I think we've gotten closer, you go right back to how you were".
"That could just be because I don't want to get closer to you".
"Pfft".
"Why are you laughing?".
"It's nothing! So, I have something I'm curious about… Are you really thinking of joining the Remedial Knights?".
At my question, Misaki stopped taking notes, let out a small sigh, and put down the pen she was holding.
She turned her eyes to me and answered in a rather serious tone.
"…I'm still thinking about joining. There are things I'm worried about, after all".
"You mean the other girls, right?".
"…A little".
"She says yes. Right, Atsuko-chan?".
Atsuko, who had been listening to our conversation with her face propped in her hands, gave a small smile.
As far as I could remember, most of the times Atsuko smiled like that were when she was about to say something quite serious.
"Misaki… you don't have to worry because of us. Everyone is doing their best. That's why it would be a problem if you didn't do your best, too.
No matter what choice you make, we'll support each other… and no matter what choice you make, the fact that we're family will never change".
As expected, Atsuko's words had a way of striking a chord in one's heart.
I couldn't easily imagine how those words would sound to Misaki.
who had spent years together with her like family.
"…If the Princess is going that far, then I understand. I'll walk my own path.
That's what I should do, right?".
"Yeah. But you have to promise to tell everyone in person when we're all together.
Pinky swear".
Watching Misaki and Atsuko link their pinkies in a promise made my heart feel warm.
However, since all the necessary conversation had been had, it seemed I needed to change the topic for the sake of Yoshimi, who was not in on the story.
I glanced at Misaki, who had covered her wrists with long sleeves but had not covered the bandage on her neck.
…As I thought, it would be best to bring up the story about her scars later, when we could meet alone.
Not long after, Serina returned.
and handed each of us a bag full of xylitol candy.
When I expressed my doubt as to whether it was okay for her to give out so much.
she replied that the candy was only effective when a sufficient amount was consumed, and that they still had plenty, so we should accept it without feeling burdened.
Come to think of it, I hadn't intended to receive any myself….
but somehow I ended up with a bag.
Now that I was living with someone, even this much would be gone in an instant if we ate it together.
If I was thinking of seeing long-term benefits, it seemed I would need to buy it in bulk separately.
After saying our goodbyes, we immediately headed to the Cathedral.
Every time we did this, Millennium's monail tempted me, but honestly, it was obvious it wouldn't fit the academy's scenery, and undertaking a troublesome and expensive construction project was a bit….
Still, on the way to the Cathedral, the two girls managed to wheedle a considerable amount of candy from the students handing it out.
Thanks to that, their improved mood was plain to see, and watching them brought a smile to my face as well.
Outside the Cathedral, nuns from the Sisterhood were handing out candy.
This also meant it was time for me to part ways with the two of them.
"You two, I had a lot of fun today".
"I'm happy that you had fun, sister".
"Ah, um, well…".
Yoshimi seemed to be struggling with her words.
Even though I had tried to make her feel as comfortable as possible, it wouldn't have been easy to erase the awkwardness completely.
For Yoshimi, who was struggling to speak.
I decided to break the ice for her.
"Yoshimi-chan, knowing that our Atsuko-chan has a friend like you is a huge relief. That's why I'm asking you this. Please take good care of Atsuko-chan from now on☆ Have fun for the rest of the day, you two, and let's see each other again if we have the chance!".
"…Well, yeah. Atsuko should be grateful to have me as a friend. Who else would listen to her go on and on about her precious sister? So don't worry, senior.
I'll take good care of Atsuko!".
"Right. I'm counting on you, Yoshimi".
"What? Atsuko, what are you counting on me for?
Where else are you going to find a friend who takes such good care of you!".
"That just ended a moment ago. Yes. Mika asked me directly, so from now on.
you have to take even better care of me than before".
"…You really, really need to be grateful to me. After listening to all that sickening bragging about your sister.
I'm probably the only person who would remain your friend".
"But I have a lot of friends?".
"That's! Uh…".
Leaving the two girls, whose close friendship was plain to see, behind.
I made my way inside the Cathedral. The reason for my visit to the Sisterhood was nothing grand.
"Sister Mika, Sister Sakurako is waiting for you".
"Okay, could you show me the way, if it's not too much trouble?".
After following the nun for a short while, we arrived at the choir room.
where a number of students were gathered.
"…Ah, Mika-chan! You're here early. We still have some time before practice starts… hmm, what should we do?.
If you'd like, would you care to have a little chat with me?".
"Ahaha. Yes, that sounds nice.
By the way, Sakurako-chan, did you get any candy?".
"Candy… you ask? Unfortunately, I don't think I've received any other than the candy Sister Hinata gave me.
But that's alright. Since the Sisterhood has shared joy with the students on campus, it can be said that I have received as much candy as the joy I have given".
"Hmm. In that case, I should have saved some candy for you.
By the way, that pointed hat… um, never mind. Just pretend you didn't hear that".
I averted my gaze from Sakurako's witch hat, which had been bothering me for a while now.
A nun in a witch hat, I really didn't know where to begin with my teasing….
but since it was Sakurako, I decided to let it slide.
"My hat…?".
"No, no, I just wanted to say it looks good on you".
"Fufu, I see. Thank you for the compliment".
In any other academy, tomorrow would have been just another day, but at Trinity, it was different.
And it was especially different for me, as I was in a position equivalent to the head of Trinity.
It was not a holy day of obligation, but for the head of the Tea Party, whose identity was now officially public, unlike in the past—and for the Host, no less—.
the day known as All Saints' Day was, in the end, no different from a holy day of obligation.
After chatting with Sakurako, all the members had gathered, so we started choir practice ten minutes early.
And as we did, a thought once again struck my mind.
To be perfectly honest, at this point.
shouldn't I just stop telling people I'm an atheist…?
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Only one bonus chapter this week because we were not even able to cross 10 power stones this week
I think it's because I did not publish this line of text
So I'm doing it again.