"Mm, I'm not lying to you, Asagi, you don't suit such a plain style. You're already very cute, and you're perfectly suited for a gorgeous style," Shichen said seriously, looking at Asagi Aiba.
Perhaps it was the influence of memories, or perhaps Asagi Aiba truly didn't suit black hair; Shichen indeed preferred her glamorous gyaru look with blonde hair.
"Al-already cute…" It was Asagi Aiba's first time being praised as cute by Shichen, and her heart couldn't help but beat faster.
"Hehe~ You should be aware of your own appearance, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't be wearing those black-rimmed glasses to hide yourself," Shichen chuckled.
"Y-you found out, Teacher Shi," Asagi Aiba said, lowering her head, feeling very embarrassed.
"You don't need to hide yourself. Just confidently show your cuteness. Don't worry, if anyone bullies you, I'll help you. Your teacher will always be your backing."
"Teacher, are you telling the truth?" Asagi Aiba looked up, staring intently at him.
"Mm, as long as you come to me, I'll help you," Shichen nodded, assuring her.
"Since Teacher said so…" Asagi Aiba's still-tender face broke into a brilliant smile, as if she suddenly gained confidence.
She turned her head to look at the trendy hair salon in the distance and murmured to herself, "A gorgeous style, huh…"
"Asagi, what are you smiling about?" Just then, Motoki Yaze and the others had also bought their ice cream. As he walked over, he saw the brilliant smile on his childhood friend's face.
"Nothing," Asagi Aiba chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"So suspicious," Motoki Yaze looked suspiciously at Shichen, but couldn't discern anything.
"Have you all bought everything? Then shall we go?" Shichen ignored him and turned to ask the Akatsuki siblings.
"Okay!"
And so, Shichen spent the whole day playing with Akatsuki Kojou and the others.
They ate lunch at the mall, and in the afternoon, they spent half a day at the arcade.
The games were truly fun.
Perhaps it was because of the special powers in this world, but the games were actually full-dive, similar to games like SAO in Sword Art Online.
Shichen had always wanted to play such games, but the world's technology was limited, and it might not have been realized even until his death.
He never expected it to be realized here.
However, the game content wasn't rich enough. The system and controls were fixed, and players could only skillfully use the built-in skills in the game, without much freedom to improvise.
Speed and strength were also restricted.
It still needed improvement.
Time passed quickest when playing games. Before they knew it, it was evening. When Shichen and the others left the mall, it was already dusk.
Dusk on Itogami Island meant it was close to seven o'clock.
At this time, Akatsuki Kojou and the others should be heading home.
"Oh dear~ That game was really fun," on the way back, Motoki Yaze looked like he hadn't had enough.
"Indeed, I didn't get enough of it," Akatsuki Kojou nodded in agreement.
"Tsk~ Kojou, you're so bad, you died several times," Akatsuki Nagisa retorted mercilessly.
"Wait! That's because I wasn't familiar with it yet!" Akatsuki Kojou quickly argued, blushing.
"Then why did Teacher Shi just rampage through it?"
"Teacher Shi must have played it before! Teacher Shi, isn't that right?"
"Sorry, it's my first time playing too," Shichen replied with a smile.
"See? It's just you, Kojou, who's bad!"
"Darn it…"
"So are we coming to play again tomorrow?" Motoki Yaze asked.
"Sure!"
"Definitely! I'm going to redeem myself tomorrow. Nagisa, you'll see how amazing I am tomorrow!"
"Tsk~ You can't even beat Asagi-chan."
"Nagisa, whose little sister are you, anyway?"
"I'm just telling the truth."
"..."
"Teacher Shi, are you coming tomorrow?" Asagi Aiba asked Shichen expectantly.
"Tomorrow, huh…"
Shichen looked up at the clouds stained by the evening glow in the distance, then shook his head.
"I probably can't make it tomorrow."
"Huh?" Akatsuki Kojou and the others all looked over.
"Does Teacher Shi have something on tomorrow?"
"I'll be leaving Itogami Island for a while," Shichen replied frankly.
"Eh?" Asagi Aiba was stunned.
"Teacher Shi, you're leaving Itogami Island? Why?" Akatsuki Kojou asked curiously.
"Mm… there are some matters I need to attend to."
"Is that so?" Akatsuki Kojou didn't seem to mind.
"Then what about our future physical education classes?" Motoki Yaze asked, glancing at his childhood friend.
"Then I'll have to let Teacher Sasasaki continue teaching you. Aren't you keen on her teaching?"
"No way," Motoki Yaze denied, his words contradicting his true feelings.
"So we won't be able to see Teacher Shi for a while?" Akatsuki Nagisa said regretfully.
"Huh? Nagisa, why do you want to see Teacher Shi?" Akatsuki Kojou couldn't help but ask.
"No reason," Akatsuki Nagisa replied honestly.
"..." This answer, on the contrary, made Akatsuki Kojou even more worried.
"Anyway, that's how it is. Today should be the last time we see each other for a while. We won't be able to meet for now," Shichen said.
"Teacher Shi…" Asagi Aiba looked at him, wanting to say something but hesitating.
"Don't worry, I'll be back very soon," Shichen reached out and rubbed her head to comfort her.
"Teacher won't lie?" Asagi Aiba raised her hand and pressed his hand that was on her head.
"Why would I lie to you?" Shichen shook his head, amused.
"Then it's a promise."
"So reluctant to see your teacher go? I understand, I'll be back very soon," Shichen nodded, assuring her.
"Mm, I trust Teacher," Asagi Aiba stared at him seriously.
"Good."
After parting ways with the group, Shichen couldn't stand the hot weather and directly teleported home. At this time, Natsuki Minamiya hadn't returned yet.
Shichen took a shower, changed into his loungewear, and sat on the sofa, gently raising his hand.
In his palm, a golden light bloomed, and within the light was a fragment.
A fragment of a divine core, which Shichen had just acquired from Asagi Aiba.
He had always been able to obtain this divine core fragment from Asagi Aiba, but he hadn't had the opportunity.
After all, skin-to-skin contact for one minute wasn't easy to do.
Given his current relationship with Asagi Aiba, it wasn't suitable for him to take the initiative, so it had been delayed until now.
Next, it was the divine core fragment on Natsuki Minamiya.
Trust had long been established. Although Natsuki Minamiya said she didn't trust him, she had actually let her guard down around him long ago.
A woman who says one thing but means another.
However, the conditions for obtaining it were not yet met, the time was not right, so Shichen couldn't leave immediately.
He also didn't plan to leave immediately. It was a good opportunity for him to spend time with her and help her complete her anti-demon officer tasks.
It was also time for him to make an appearance.
He wouldn't go to school. The substitute teaching could be left to Misaki Sasasaki; she would be happy to do it. Although Shichen felt a little guilty, there was nothing he could do.
Around nine in the evening, Natsuki Minamiya returned.
"Natsuki-chan, I've brewed some black tea for you. Come and have some," Shichen enthusiastically waved to her.
"Hmm? Why are you so diligent today?" Natsuki Minamiya walked over, puzzled.
"Isn't it because I see you're working so hard? I feel quite ashamed doing nothing by myself."
"Don't give me that. You're not that kind of person. You're being unusually attentive for no reason. Quickly, tell me, what is it?!"
"Natsuki-chan, can't you give me some trust?"
"Are you going to tell me or not?" Natsuki Minamiya sat in her exclusive spot, picked up her teacup, and looked at him expressionlessly.
"Alright, there is something," Shichen admitted honestly.
"...You, you rascal," Natsuki Minamiya twitched her lips.
"Actually, I plan to leave for a while."
"Leave?" Natsuki Minamiya took a sip of black tea, not paying much attention.
"Mm, leave Itogami Island."
"Hmm?" Natsuki Minamiya looked at him blankly.