Epilogue

"Hello, hello! Noel-chan is here!" "My. You seem to be in a good mood. You're practically glowing." "Hehehe. Can you tell?"

　I spotted Kikyo and the others by the shore of the Ninth Reservoir. 　Noel couldn't help herself and ran over to them.

"Did something good happen?" "Ehehe, hehehe."

　The person from another world who stayed here even after that ridiculous 'Fake Headmaster' incident ended, and Violet, who has a rather suspicious relationship with her. 　This is definitely an interesting combination.

—It's as foolproof a combo as the omelet rice and pudding à la mode at the Rabbit's Tail Inn.

"Hmph."

Kikyo looked amusedly at the purple ninja who actually said "Hmph" out loud.

"What's wrong?" "Well, you see. This girl has been like this the whole time. Coincidentally, they have a master-and-shinobi relationship even in a different world. Since they've finally met, they should get all intimate—" "Who would!"

　Violet bared her teeth for a moment before looking down as if thinking, "Oops."

"...See?" "Ha. Well now. Looks like I should come back later." "Ah. Wait."

　Kikyo called out to Noel, who was about to leave by climbing the embankment along the reservoir.

"Have you heard? About the 'Study Abroad' program." "I was just writing an article about the Academy Ship a moment ago." "You're going too, aren't you? If it's for an interview, we can talk thoroughly on the ship—" "No. I appreciate the offer, but... I'll be heading south for a little while." "South?"

　Kikyo tilted her head elegantly, wondering why. 　To the south lies the Golden Highway City Union. It's certainly a treasure trove of scoops, but... it doesn't seem like a place a student newspaper reporter would go out of their way to visit.

"Yes. I have a benefactor there—well, it's not the benefactor themselves. It's basically them. It's a bit complicated, but..."

————

　Since when had that young man settled in the town? 　No one knew. 　He just drifted in and sat down in a corner, like accumulated dust.

　Whether he was struck by drunks or teased by children, he showed no reaction.

　Eventually, the townsfolk began to call him "Cinder."

　Today, too, he sits in the corner with his eyes closed. 　As if reminiscing about the friend who left. About that hot summer of the past—

"Knock knock. Anyone home?"

"You there. Do you have a moment?"

"I came from Delos. All this way. For you." "...For... me?" "Yes. There's something I absolutely have to ask—-—-—-—-"

The End.