“Yeah, I helped Yuki out with a small favor before,” Qiluo said, tilting her head slightly toward Shizuru. “She brought me cookies to thank me afterward, and we just got to know each other after a few back-and-forths like that.”
“Cookies,” Shizuru repeated, turning her gaze toward Yuki Kurokawa.
Yuki sat up straight, staring directly ahead with her ears turning slightly red.
“It wasn't a small favor. And... when someone helps you, it's only natural to show your gratitude.”
She shifted her gaze back to Qiluo.
Qiluo Tian Gong was casually packing her bento box back into her schoolbag. The zipper got stuck halfway, so she looked down, gave it a little tug with her fingers, and finally closed it.
When she looked up, she met Shizuru's scrutinizing gaze.
She didn't look away, merely offering a soft smile.
It was as if she were saying, “I see you watching me.”
Shizuru was the first to look away. She felt like she wasn't quite acting like herself today.
Only when Qiluo Tian Gong smiled did Shizuru notice how pretty she actually was.
It was a very natural kind of beauty, the sort that made people want to steal a few more glances.
It was strange. She already had Lightweaver, so why did she feel this sudden desire to get to know someone she had just met a little better?
Perhaps it was because of the comforting aura around her. It was completely different from Lightweaver's cold, dangerous vibe, yet it was just as captivating.
“Tian Gong-san, as a transfer student, are you adjusting well to Tachibana High School?”
“I'm doing alright. The teachers and classmates have been really supportive,” Qiluo said, placing her bag at her feet and leaning back against the bench again, though she added in a playfully complaining tone, “It's just that Classical Literature and History are a bit of a headache, and running laps in PE is exhausting.”
Classical Literature and History were indeed the only subjects Qiluo actually had to pay attention to, since they were completely different from her original world.
Shizuru noticed that when Qiluo said “The teachers and classmates have been really supportive,” her eyes drifted instinctively toward Yuki Kurokawa.
Following her gaze, Shizuru stole a glance at Yuki as well.
Yuki was looking down, her fingers mindlessly twirling the tentacles of her jellyfish charm against her knees, the blush on her ears still lingering.
“Kurokawa-san doesn't talk much in class, so I was always a bit worried she wouldn't be able to make friends. But now that Tian Gong-san is here, it seems I don't have to worry anymore.”
Shizuru spoke with an air of mature concern, sounding like an elder praising their child for finally learning how to make friends.
But did Shizuru actually have many friends herself?
Quite the contrary.
She always walked alone in the hallways, and she was almost never seen during lunch breaks.
Most of the time, she was off handling Association matters.
Shizuru Kirishima, you say Yuki Kurokawa doesn't talk much and worry about her making friends.
But what about you? How many people do you have at school who would sit on a bench with you and share a bento during lunch?
Hearing this, Qiluo compared the Magical Girl Mingyue with the Shizuru before her.
She didn't believe Shizuru had many friends. If she did, she wouldn't have said those bizarre things to Lightweaver.
The contrast made Qiluo want to laugh.
Shizuru probably thought she was just showing concern for an underclassman's social life as a senior, but her words were full of contradictions.
Looking at Qiluo's profile, Shizuru suddenly realized she had been sitting here much longer than she had intended.
Their conversation hadn't been long, but every minute of it had felt incredibly comfortable.
“...Lunch break is almost over.” Shizuru stood up from the bench, smoothing out the pleats of her skirt. “It was nice meeting you, Tian Gong-san. If we run into each other in the hallways, feel free to say hello.”
Her tone was perfectly polite, but she didn't turn to leave right away. Her feet paused for a beat as if she had suddenly remembered something.
Tucking her long hair behind her ear, she turned to Yuki Kurokawa. “Kurokawa-san, next time you need help, you can come straight to me.”
The way Yuki Kurokawa looked at Qiluo, with that unreserved trust and reliance...
Honestly, Shizuru was a little envious.
Lightweaver would never look at her that way.
What is wrong with me?
My heart is already completely filled with Lightweaver, whom I can't even seem to reach, yet here I am, wanting to know more about someone I just met.
Is it because I've felt so defeated by Lightweaver that I'm trying to find solace in Qiluo Tian Gong?
No, that's not it.
How could I possibly go after someone Yuki likes...
No...
I am completely devoted to Lightweaver!
I should leave Qiluo Tian Gong to Yuki!
I already have Lightweaver—even if she won't even give me her contact info.
I'd better keep these thoughts hidden.
Tian Gong-san is Yuki Kurokawa's light, not mine.
My light is up in the sky, and I haven't caught her yet.
I'll take my leave now and let them be.
Yuki Kurokawa watched as Shizuru finally turned and walked toward the exit of the courtyard.
Senpai had definitely been acting a bit off today. Normally, she was polite to everyone but always maintained her distance.
Yet, while sitting on the bench talking to Qiluo just now, her expression clearly suggested she wanted to stay longer.
Then again, Senpai had mentioned before that she already liked someone.
It was highly likely the Magical Girl Lightweaver they had seen before.
Yuki quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Watching Shizuru's back disappear around the corner of the corridor, Yuki pulled her gaze back, only to find Qiluo resting her chin in her hand, staring at her.
“Did you and Kirishima-senpai know each other before?” Qiluo asked, fully aware of the answer.
“...We only got to know each other recently. A teacher asked Kirishima-senpai and me to organize books in the library...”
“Well, she went out of her way to walk you to the courtyard today. You two seem to be getting close pretty fast.”
Qiluo tapped Yuki's wrist lightly, her touch as gentle as a falling leaf brushing against skin.
“My, my... our top student is quite popular outside of class too, it seems. I guess I'm not Yuki's only close friend anymore.”
Yuki looked down at the spot on her wrist where she had been tapped. There was no mark, but she gently covered it with her fingertips, as if trying to preserve the warmth.
No! Qiluo and Senpai are different!
Senpai is just an ally, someone I fight alongside.
“That's not true,” she said, looking up, her voice slightly louder than usual.
She realized that at some point, her fingers had grabbed the fabric of Qiluo's sleeve, clutching it tightly.
She quickly let go, curling her fingers back into her palm as her ears began to burn again.
When Shizuru was sitting on the bench talking to Qiluo, Yuki had watched from the side, feeling a strange, inexplicable trace of frustration.
It felt as if a star she had finally managed to find in the darkness had suddenly been spotted by someone else.
She didn't want to be so petty, but she couldn't help the thought.
It was a childish feeling, one she couldn't possibly say aloud.
“I—” She opened her mouth, but her throat felt tight.
Don't cause trouble for others. Don't act like you care too much. Don't make them feel like you're a burden.
She remained silent for so long that Qiluo had more than enough time to read her expression completely.
“...Silly. I was just teasing you,” Qiluo said, reaching out to lightly flick Yuki's forehead, her touch as soft as a petal brushing against her skin. “Of course I know it's different.”
Yuki leaned back slightly from the flick, blinking.
She watched Qiluo pull her hand back and rest her chin on it again, in the exact same posture as when she had tapped Yuki's wrist earlier. This time, however, her smile was a little softer, and her tone carried a hint of genuine warmth.
“It's an honor to be considered your only close friend. So, there's no need to explain.”
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