“But after confidently shouting that I’d go get some candy, I ended up with nothing, right?”

“Ah, well, it’s because I ran out of the candy I had prepared in advance.”

“Hmm…”

Yoshimi glanced my way, scanned me from head to toe a couple of times, and then nodded abruptly.

“I admit it. If you ask for candy, you look like the type who’ll give out handfuls, and it’ll be gone in no time.”

…What? Did I just get roasted as a gullible person in disguise? It’s not like I gave it out like crazy; a lot of people come to me, that’s all.

“Yeah. It’s not my fault I couldn’t get any candy from my sister.”

To be honest, I could have asked the servants for some extra candy. But considering some of the kids already got candy from me, it feels a bit weird to do that, right?

From Yoshimi’s attitude, it seems she doesn’t fully know who I am, so I think it’s better to let her enjoy Halloween like this rather than make her realize that right now.

If she figures out my identity, there’s a chance she might say something like, “Wait, so this person is someone that important?! Does that mean Atsuko is in a sibling relationship with someone like her?” Plus, if she starts being conscious of that, the mood will get awkward too. Anything natural is the best.

“We came to the high school campus, but going back empty-handed seems a bit off… Do you happen to know any other seniors?”

“…Ah. Yeah, there are.”

“What? Atsuko, why do you have such a wide network? It’s not common to know seniors from high school, right? You’re really something.”

“Uh… Because they’re family…?”

“…You have older sisters too? I thought this senior was your biological sister since you were talking about them so repetitively. But seeing a different last name means that’s not the case either.”

“Not everyone is my real sister, but they’re family. Uh… But come to think of it, I don’t think they have any candy to give us.”

Atsuko’s conclusion after a moment of thought wasn’t wrong. I wonder if Saori, Hiyori, and Azusa actually prepared any candy.

Saori obviously wouldn’t be interested in Halloween, and Hiyori, after snagging a ton of candy from me, would have that guilty look on her face asking, “Ehehe… Mika-chan, can I have a bit more…?” And Azusa was more likely to be running around getting candy with Hifumi.

“Um… the most likely place to have prepared candy would be the Sisterhood. I also just so happen to have business there… So how about we swing by the Rescue Knights on our way?”

“Oh, then we can see Misaki too. I think that sounds good.”

“Ugh. The Rescue Knights? They give off the vibe that they’d take candy away instead, since they’re on a mission of dental hygiene or something…?”

Or they might just do a free dental implant procedure on perfectly fine teeth. The very thought of that style of charity is terrifying.

“Pfft. You’ll find out when you go. And by the way, I just remembered, I heard that the library club is holding a Halloween event! You read a book and tell the library club leader your impressions! They give you a lollipop the size of your face or something!”

“A lollipop the size of my face…! Wait, reading a book takes too long, doesn’t it? Isn’t that just a trap?!”

“Ahaha! That might be true. But you can read a short story, so I think it’s a decent event overall.”

Well, I do think the intention itself isn’t bad. I don’t know how many will actually participate, but it at least gets students to go to the library.

“By the way, didn’t Yoshimi-chan wear a costume or something?”

“…I did?”

Yoshimi raised an eyebrow, seeming puzzled, turned her body around, and showed me her back.

Upon closer inspection, there was a small bat wing printed on the back of her hoodie.

“…I see. Yeah, that’s a really creative costume.”

“Why, why! I could have not worn it since I was feeling lazy! And why are you acting like Atsuko is wearing one too? She didn’t wear anything!”

“Ah, um… That’s right. Sorry, Yoshimi-chan.”

“…No, senpai. How can you suddenly apologize like that for something trivial? It makes me feel weird since I feel like I did something wrong… Hey, Atsuko. Is your senpai usually like this?”

“Yeah. I told you, she’s the sweetest big sis in the world.”

…Why is the embarrassment all mine, though?

Anyways, since I decided to take a break and relax today, I turned my steps towards the Rescue Knights with both of them.

*

Recently, it seems my Nagisa has been so focused on her studies because of me that she outright rejected my invitation to enjoy Halloween together. I mean, she’s already doing well enough to rank among the top in her class, so what’s driving her to be so anxious?

Hmm, to be honest, this seems to be affecting her because she scored lower than Seiya in the exam last month. Excluding projectile motion, she even did worse than me in the rest of the subjects.

So, just like that, Yoshimi and Atsuko, who found me spending a lonely Halloween after being dumped by my girlfriend, turned out to be a real blessing in a drought.

When you ask if the standard of loneliness is being surrounded by dozens of students tearing away candy… I’d just say that it’s lonely without the kids I’m close to being nearby. So how could I not warmly welcome Atsuko?

Moreover, throughout the journey to the Rescue Knights, Atsuko and Yoshimi never had a dull moment; they kept the conversation lively. If it were before reincarnation, I wouldn’t have found a place in middle school girls’ conversations, but now I find myself enjoying it, and I’m unsure whether that’s good or bad…

To be honest, when I heard that Atsuko was making quite a few friends and adapting well in middle school, I imagined she’d mostly hang out with the more demure girl type.

But, lo and behold, she’s actually getting along with that lively Yoshimi.

At this point, I’m a bit curious whether she’s gotten close to any other delinquents or notable students besides the ones involved in the [Kaspalug] group, which they’re currently active in, but I’ve decided to avoid prying into that too much, thinking it’s better to find out naturally when the time comes.

Unexpected encounters like today turn out to be far more enjoyable than I ever imagined.

After some time spent walking, we arrived at the Rescue Knights headquarters, which was beautifully decorated with a strong Halloween vibe. Although there were a few too many jack-o’-lanterns, it’s still a characteristic of their style.

“Ah… Mika——”

“Hey! The reason we came today is… I was wondering if Misaki-chan is here right now☆”

“Oh, are you talking about Imashino-san? She’s probably studying with Serina-san right now. I can guide you there.”

“Yeah, please do.”

As soon as we walked into the headquarters, a student who spotted me gasped and was about to say something, but I quickly interrupted and asked about Misaki’s whereabouts. If Yoshimi heard me being called “san,” my disguise would be blown.

Honestly, it wouldn’t matter that much if I got discovered… but I’m quite curious about what kind of reaction Yoshimi might have when she realizes my identity later on. So, I’d prefer to keep it hidden for as long as possible.

Surely, not even one of the four delinquents in the gang would not know my face, especially since it’s been plastered everywhere due to the summer festival.

“I think she’ll be inside. Those two always study here.”

“Ahaha, thanks for guiding us! Happy Halloween!”

“Ah, yeah. Happy Halloween…!”

At first, I held a prejudice that everyone in Trinity hid dark thoughts beneath their cheerful faces, but these kids are just high school girls, after all. While there are some bad apples among students of this age, most can be redeemed, as I realized not too long ago. Thanks to Wakamo.

Knock knock.

“You can come in~!”

As I lightly knocked, Serina’s lively voice came from inside. I gestured for Atsuko and Yoshimi to head in first.

“Oh, Atsuko-chan? It feels like it’s been a while since I last saw you. Are you here to see Misaki-chan? And the person next to you is a face I haven’t seen before…”

While letting them in, I noticed that Serina’s way of addressing Misaki had become more casual than before.

Well, considering it’s been about three months since they paired up… No, it’s now been almost four months, so it’s not surprising that they’ve gotten friendly. Plus, Misaki basically lives at the Rescue Knights.

…Speaking of which, Serina used to call me Mika-sama. That’s quite the issue. I need Serina’s cooperation to maintain my “This is Mika, who is an unremarkable person” plan.

I quickly took out my phone and opened a note, carefully jotting down my thoughts. I was relieved to find my hurried writing was still neat and easy to read, and I slipped it slightly through the door crack.

Holding my phone at an angle where Serina could see it while preventing Yoshimi from catching sight, it felt like a study room with a large table separating Serina and Misaki from my group seated across.

“Ah, hello! Um… Mika… san…?”

Fortunately, Serena followed my cue well, and I nodded in gratitude, putting my phone away. With this, my perfect crime was nearly complete. Now, I just hope Yoshimi realizes my identity while it’s right in front of me.

“Hey there, Serina-chan. And Misaki-chan!”

“…I was wondering when you’d come back. I bet Serina’s coming back next month, but I bet it was you who came this month. I just barely won.”

“Ugh… If you had come just one day later, I would’ve won the bet. Did I underestimate Halloween too much…?”

“Huh? Not at all. Originally, I had no plans to visit today. With my candy all gone, I probably wouldn’t have gone to see Nagisa-chan after dropping by Sisterhood.”

“Sweet as honey, as always…”

By the way, I assume Misaki is studying something related to medicine, right? Looks like she’s decided to walk a tough path. It’s touching to see someone who used to debate about life and death now pursuing a discipline that saves lives.

“So… Princess, why are you here today?”

“…Princess?”

“Oh, that’s an affectionate nickname from Atsuko-chan.”

“Pfft… Puhut.”

When Yoshimi asked about the title with curiosity, she laughed lightly, and it looked like she was about to burst into laughter.

“Puhahaha! Atsuko, you! You’ve been called ‘Princess’ by the seniors? Wow, amazing. Is it for real? Puhuhuh!”

“…?”

“Ahaha! That makes sense… That’s why you had no reaction when other girls complimented your beauty when you first transferred! Our Atsuko Princess, should I carry your bag for you from now on?!”

“Yeah. I won’t refuse if you offer.”

“…Huh?”

For Yoshimi, who was just thrilled about a teasing opportunity, it was truly unfortunate because Atsuko was indeed the princess of Arius. No matter how you tease her, she’d be immune to it.

Seeing Yoshimi digging her own grave while asking Atsuko jokingly made a small smile appear on Misaki’s lips. That smile of Misaki’s felt like it had been a while… or perhaps the first time I’ve ever seen it.

Indeed, leaving Misaki in the hands of Serina at the Rescue Knights was clearly the best choice I made. Now, it was time to sincerely support Misaki, who chose to move forward instead of inflicting pain on herself.