Even though the vacation was supposed to be long, it pa.s.sed in the blink of an eye . People came over to play, I went out to play, one way or another I had a fulfilling vacation . But, that’s not enough for me to say I’m satisfied . I wouldn’t mind at all if vacation lasted my whole life .

            “Haa…”

            “Seventh time . ”

            “… Haa . ”

            “Eight time . You’re being a bit gloomy you know . ”

            “Two more times and I’ll be fine . ”

            “I’d prefer if you didn’t . ”

            The reason why I can’t stop sighing is because I’m becoming depressed that tomorrow is the last day of vacation . The day after tomorrow is when people will be returning to the dorms .

            The time to leave for school marks the end of various things for me . Peace never continues for eternity .

            “I felt the blessing of being at your own home…”

            “Really? I think the dorms are more convenient . I don’t have to do any ch.o.r.es . ”

            Keito often split housework with his father so it’s easy to understand why he enjoys dorm life where there’s a cafeteria and where people who will clean for you . In exchange, on the occasion he goes home, he has to toil away to clean his messy house, so I wonder which option is truly better .

            To me, academy is not a place to raise flags, but enemy territory . [1]

            I did discover that Runa is a wonderful person . As long as he stays in that proper position, he might be able to keep Tuvalu from running wild . Runa is that important to Tuvalu, after all .

            With that in mind, it is still a fact that Tuvalu and I consider each other enemies .

            … . My stomach is hurting .

            “But, it felt much shorter than it was . Even though I played with you as usual . ”

            “Actually, I thought so too… We also went to Neriel’s . ”

            Keito attended elementary school so he is used to having a long vacation but he basically just plays with me and never goes out with his dad . Apparently he goes to play with his friends sometimes, but the majority of his time is spent with me .

            “It was your first time going on a trip . It was a new experience for you . ”

            “True, I normally just pa.s.s the time here . ”

            It’s probably strange that we’ve spent many years together without leaving this property . We lived on the same property so we didn’t need to make appointments and the most comfortable place for us to relax and play was the rose garden .

            “Well, even if we return to school, it’ll be the same . The Tempest house will just become the academy . ”

            “That’s… well…”

            The Tempest grounds will just become the academy grounds .

            Since I’m not in a club, I’ve been visiting Keito more and more after school and our dorms may be different, but that’s not particularly new .

            I understand, very well . But, even though I understand,

            “… I don’t want to go . ”

            I’m throwing a small tantrum, but I think he’ll forgive me .

×　×　×　×

            Throwing a tantrum, resisting, there’s a time when everybody does so . I’m against favoritism and discrimination but I believe distinction is important . I knew that, but I stepped over the line .

            “It’s been a long time, everyone . ”

            Among the students gathered in the lecture hall, you are probably the only one who thinks so .

            Hurry up and end it, I’m exhausted . Listening to an elderly person talk for a long time isn’t particularly fun .

            No matter what world you are in, opening ceremonies are time-consuming things .

            I barely remember any of the entrance ceremony since I was being overly conscious of Saashia . When automode was still in action, I don’t remember the entrance ceremony happening either .

            When the yawn-fest ended, all the students went to their cla.s.srooms .

            The faces of my cla.s.smates that I haven’t seen in a long time were a little nostalgic but if you asked me if I was happy, I’d answer not really . I’m happy to see Eru and Primella but the feeling I have towards returning to school is painful .

            “Good day to you, Marichan . ”

            “Morning . ”

            “Good day to the two of you . ”

            “We hung out over the vacation so it doesn’t feel like it’s been a while, huh . ”

            After they first came over, we went out to play many times . Primella invited me to her house so we went shopping together before I went over . Eru’s house is a store so we couldn’t freely go and play there, though .

            It somehow was a fulfilling summer vacation, huh . My feelings of reluctance for vacation ending have doubled .

            “Marisan, it’s been a while!!”

            “Saashisama, good day to you . It has been a while . ”

            Thank you for that refreshing smile that is the same as the one from my memory . When I see a capture target, I snap back to reality . I’m not happy .

            I got used to it before vacation but, now that I think about it, he sits next to me . It’s been a long time but being next to a capture target… Well, it’s Saashia so it’s still okay .

            It’s a new semester so I’d like to propose a seat change, please .