Chapter 68: The Final Day

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The Next Morning

Finally, it was the last day of the Starry blossom Festival.

The students were filled with enthusiasm, and the path to school was bustling with energy from the morning.

Mil and I were also caught up in that atmosphere, and naturally, we felt a surge of energy throughout our bodies.

Moreover, we were in the Starry Group A, considered the top contenders for the championship, representing Class 1-A.

It was inevitable that we would be more motivated than anyone else.

Among the vibrant path to school, I spotted someone whose spirits seemed down.

A second-year student with messy gray hair and big round glasses.

“Oh, it’s Pita-ja senpai.”

“Yes, what a coincidence to meet on the way to school.”

While our classmates around us were happily chatting, Pita-ja senpai walked, trying not to get in anyone’s way.

It was hard to believe that this was the same senior who always caused a ruckus in the laboratory.

I tapped her back from behind and called out to her.

“Pita-ja senpai!”

“Eek!”

Perhaps because I did that suddenly, Pita-ja senpai let out a cute scream.

Due to that, she drew some attention from the surrounding students.

I thought she would be a little surprised, but I didn’t expect such a big reaction.

With everyone’s eyes on us, Pita-ja senpai blushed and turned towards us.

“W-What? Sachiko and Mil, huh? Don’t startle me like that.”

“W-Well, we didn’t expect to surprise you this much…”

“I don’t usually get called out on the way to school, so I just… made that kind of voice.”

I felt sorry for what I had done.

Anyway, soon the attention shifted away, and she let out a sigh of relief.

Then, she shrunk herself again, making sure not to be a hindrance to everyone.

I wonder if she’s surprisingly quiet outside the laboratory?

“By the way, I don’t think I’ve seen you at all during this Starry blossom Festival, Pita-ja senpai. Where have you been?”

Since we didn’t have any chances to participate in the same event, I really hadn’t seen her even once.

But normally, I think it wouldn’t be strange to pass each other in the cheering section or somewhere in the academy.

“W-Well, as soon as the events ended, I went straight to the laboratory. I spend much more time researching magical tools in the lab than being at the competition venue.”

“…Somehow, that sounds like Pita-ja senpai.”

It seemed that researching magical tools was more important to her than the Starry blossom Festival.

I thought it was very characteristic of the Pita-ja senpai we knew…

“By any chance, Pita-ja senpai, are you… a loner?”

“Ack!”

Unexpectedly, Pita-ja senpai contorted her body in response to the unintended remark I had made. It seemed that the damage was greater than I had anticipated. Judging by her lack of enthusiasm towards the Starry blossom Festival and the current atmosphere on the path to school, I had a hunch…

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blurt that out…”

“I-It’s fine, really. After all, I’m known as the introverted, gloomy, socially awkward loner who’s obsessed with magical tool research. My roommates in the dormitory find me creepy, so I always end up sleeping in my friend’s room. Besides, I don’t need friends for magical tool research, so being a loner is fine for me.”

“…”

I genuinely apologize. It seems like my words have deeply wounded her.

Feeling sorry, I tried to support Pita-ja senpai by bringing up a topic with Mil. However, it backfired.

“I-It’s okay, Pita-ja senpai! We’re together now, so you’re not alone at all! Right, Mil?”

“Y-Yes. That’s right. There’s no need to find someone close among your classmates. Even if they say, ‘Don’t talk to your underclassmen too much,’ it’s not something to worry about.”

“Guh!”

Mil’s words seemed to be the final blow.

“Forbidden to talk to underclassmen” is the rule, right?

While unable to make friends with classmates, she could exert authority over younger students.

Because of that, I’ve heard that there are loners who only socialize with their underclassmen.

On the final day of the Starry blossom Festival, Pita-ja senpai, who had already suffered significant damage even before the competitions began, continued down the path to school with unsteady steps.

At that moment, she suddenly looked at us and spoke.

“By the way, your Class 1-A seems to be far ahead, right? Do your best and win the championship.”

“Don’t you cheer for your own class?”

“You guys are the closest friends I have in this academy. It’s only natural for me to cheer for you.”

“But if you do that, won’t your class go unnoticed, and won’t you lose the opportunity to be seen by the industry’s magicians? Don’t you want to stand out?”

“I don’t really mind. Besides, what I want to do in the future is research on magical tools. It doesn’t hold much significance for me to become famous as a magician. The Starry blossom Festival competitions prohibit the use of magical tools, so it’s truly a futile event for me.”

Pita-ja senpai’s shoulders drooped even more.

It’s rare to see a student who is so negative about the Starry blossom Festival.

“Isn’t there any event that can focus on magical tools and garner attention? I yearn for a stage where I can showcase my skills in magical tool research, rather than the Starry blossom Festival.”

“Well, this is a facility for training magicians, after all. There are only events where magicians themselves can shine.”

Indeed, unless she goes to a specialized society for magical tool research or something similar, she might not have many opportunities like that.

Well, she has an exceptional passion, so I believe that one day everyone will recognize her skills in magical tool creation and the magical tools she has made.

There might even be a possibility that her abilities could save the world in an unexpected way.

Having such a trivial conversation, the three of us from the magical tool research club continued walking on the path to school.