───● The Energetic College Girl Gets an Introduction ●○●
With the seasons finally turning to summer, I’ve been waking up more often because of the heat.
As usual, I rub my sleepy eyes, lazily munch on a late breakfast/early lunch, and get ready for university.
My third period class today is with Koumi, so I’d better get there early.
I feel bad for always making her save me a seat.
Thinking that, I was stuffing my things into my bag when the doorbell suddenly rang.
“Heyyy, Masato, you in there~?”
“Oh, Aika-san.”
It’s been a while since Aika-san became my de facto guardian.
She brings me dinner sometimes; I’m still completely in her debt.
“Coming! Good morning.”
“Yo, mornin’. Looks like a package came for you from the institution you used to live at. Here. Everything in this cardboard box is for you.”
“Oh, thanks.”
To be honest, I have no idea what kind of life the ‘me’ of this world lived.
It’s probably a situation where the ‘me’ from my old world and the ‘me’ from this world switched places… or something. I’m not good with sci-fi. I don’t really get it.
It seems like in both my old world and this one, I don’t have parents. That part seems to be the same.
I was an only child with basically no relatives, so I had no one to take me in and lived in a place like a group home. I was supposed to ‘graduate’ from there after finishing high school, but right as I was planning to go to university on a scholarship, I got transported here.
I hope the ‘me’ of this world also met someone like Aika-san in my old world. But things probably don’t work out that conveniently.
Aika-san took the vape from her lips and blew a cloud of smoke into the sky.
“…Well, I don’t care what kind of past you have, Masato, I’ve decided to look after you. But if you ever want to go back to the institution, just let me know.”
“No! There’s no way. Honestly, I’m nothing but grateful to you, Aika-san. Once I graduate from university, I’ll definitely repay you.”
“Hehe. I’m looking forward to it. For now, just enjoy your university life~ You can think about what comes after when the time comes.”
“Okay!”
With a wave of her hand, Aika-san left.
I’m so incredibly grateful to her… I really have to pay her back.
…But wait, does repaying her mean becoming the number one boy at ‘Festa’…? That’s a pretty high hurdle for me…
Carrying the cardboard box, I went back inside.
“Oof, there we go.”
Using a box cutter, I opened the lid. Inside was a jumble of various things.
“There are some things that feel nostalgic, and other things I’ve never seen before…”
That must be a difference that comes from being transported here.
The worn-out basketball shoes I used to wear are the same and bring back memories, but the letters? I don’t recognize a lot of those. Did I really receive letters like this?
Even though I lived in an institution, I still went to school. I wonder if my friends are doing well.
“Hmm…?”
Most of it was unfamiliar letters and reference books. Writing utensils I must have used long ago. I also found two old, worn-out sets of baseball equipment.
“Man, this is nostalgic… whoa, crap! Look at the time!”
I’d like to wallow in nostalgia, but if I do, I’ll be late for university.
I carefully closed the box back up and stored it in the closet.
“Masato~! Mornin’!”
“Koumi, morning~. Sorry for always making you save me a seat.”
“Nah, it’s fine! I’ve been here since second period, so no worries!”
When I got to the university, Koumi was there to greet me.
Today, Koumi was wearing a square-neck t-shirt with a light lace jacket, and white shorts.
I see Koumi quite often, but the fact that she has a different coordinated outfit every day tells me she puts a lot of effort into her appearance.
Apparently, she’s going to introduce me to her friend today.
I had been a little worried that since she’s been taking classes with me recently, her own friendships might be suffering.
So, if I can become friends with her friend, that would be the best of both worlds, and I’m all for it.
“But I’m glad. I was worried you weren’t having enough fun with your friends lately, Koumi.”
“Geez, what’s that supposed to mean! Stop talking like you’re my mom!”
“No, no, that’s not what I meant! But I’ll do my best to get along with your friend, too.”
It wouldn’t do for me to be disliked and ruin things… I’d better be careful.
Koumi turned her back to me.
“…It would be a problem if you got too close, though…”
“Hmm? Did you say something?”
“Nope! Nothing at all!”
I thought I heard her mumble something, but I couldn’t quite catch it. I followed Koumi as she led the way into the classroom.
Towards the back, I saw a single girl sitting by herself.
That must be her friend.
Koumi and I made our way to where the girl was sitting.
“Alright! So, this is my best friend, Tonosaki Mizuho! And this is, um… my f-friend, Katasato Masato!”
The girl—Mizuho-chan—who was still sitting, looked up at us with a blank expression.
Her eyes were big and round, and the pigtails tied low on her head suited her youthful face very well.
She seemed like the cute type, with a touch of innocence still remaining.
“Hello! I’ve heard a bit about you from Koumi~ Nice to meet you!”
“…”
…Ah, oops. Did I fail the first impression?
Did I say something wrong in my greeting?
“Mizuho?”
Finding it strange, Koumi also called out to Mizuho.
“O-Oh! My apologies! So you are Masato-san! My lady Koumi has told me much about you!”
“Ah, uh, she has?”
“Of course, of course! Well, well! I must say, I am surprised! You are indeed quite the handsome fellow…”
“Mizuho, you remember what I just said, right…”
“Oh, how frightening! My apologies!”
Oh, good. She seems like a really cheerful person.
Mizuho-chan nodded to herself and extended a hand towards me.
“As I was just introduced, I am Tonosaki Mizuho… It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Haha. You’re funny. I’m Katasato Masato. You can just call me Masato.”
I took her offered hand and shook it.
It was a delicate hand. Maybe I thought so because she’s a size or two smaller than Koumi.
“Masato, if you try to match Mizuho’s energy, you won’t last the day, so feel free to just ignore her when you need to.”
“Gasp! Is that what you truly think of me, Koumi!? I am most hurt!”
Even as Koumi said this, her expression was bright. I’d heard about her from Koumi beforehand, and they must be really good friends.
Yep, yep. That’s a good thing.
The main bell rang, signaling the start of the lecture, so we took our seats.
I wonder if the three of us will be taking more classes together from now on?
Fifth period was over.
Since the classes after I met Mizuho-chan were all with the three of us, we’d been hanging out together the whole time.
“Man, I’m beat! A pop quiz in the last lecture, that was a surprise.”
“If Koumi hadn’t sent me a picture of the notes, I would have been toast…”
We left the classroom and started heading home. The sun was already starting to set.
The area was filled with the clamor of students heading home in droves.
“Ah, crap.”
“? What’s wrong, Koumi?”
Koumi, who had been looking in her tote bag, stopped, so Mizuho-chan and I stopped as well.
“I think I left something in the classroom… I’m gonna go get it, so you two can go on ahead!”
I see. But we’ve only just left the building, and the classroom was on the second floor, so it’s not too far to go back.
“We’re not in a rush, so we can wait. Here, let me hold your bag. What about you, Mizuho-chan?”
“This one has no objections! At all! I shall wait!”
Mizuho-chan energetically made a peace sign.
Every one of her movements is so animated, she’s a girl who really knows how to strike a pose.
“Sorry! Thanks! I’ll be right back~!”
She handed her tote bag to me and went back towards the classroom building, against the flow of students.
“Well then, shall we wait on that bench over there?”
“Indeed! And I must say, Masato-san is a most kind soul!”
“No, no, waiting is perfectly normal, isn’t it?”
“Nay, this one has caught a glimpse. A glimpse of the kindness that slumbers deep within Masato-san’s heart…”
“You’re exaggerating~”
We sat on a bench and waited for Koumi.
The sunset is dazzling, but it looks like the sun will be gone soon.
The wave of students leaving after class has subsided, and the area in front of the university is now relatively quiet.
In the moment of silence that fell between us.
“By the way, Masato-san.”
“Hmm?”
Mizuho-chan, who I thought had sat down, stood up with a burst of energy.
She stood in front of me and pulled the navy marine cap she was holding down low on her head.
“There is something I must tell you, Masato-san!”
“…Yeah?”
Her tone was still playful, as always.
But her sky-blue eyes were looking straight at me.
Her figure, standing against the backdrop of the setting sun, was so striking it created an almost magical atmosphere.
I couldn’t help but feel my heart skip a beat at her bewitching smile.
“The truth is, you see—”
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