"I heard from Misaki. Didn't expect you and her both came to Japan."

From the way the two new teachers treated Rinji, students could only guess at their connection.

After class, Rinji neatly folded the blanket and returned it to Mei. The two of them then walked together into Shuchiin's garden.

Yawning, Rinji smiled at her.

"Been twenty years. You're no longer the little girl I remember. Compared to Misaki though, your change isn't that surprising."

In his memory, Misaki had been an innocent young girl. Now she was still lively but clearly matured.

As for Mei, even in middle school she had a composure beyond her peers. Seeing her now didn't shock him much.

"Yes, twenty years have passed."

A faint smile touched Mei's lips.

Standing face-to-face, she felt as if an entire lifetime had passed. It was as though she was back in that rainy day twenty years ago, Rinji in his Yomiyama North uniform standing before her.

Twenty years later, the boy had not changed at all.

"Tell me, why did you and Misaki join IW's paranormal division?"

"Guess you could say I had some talent."

Mei removed her eyepatch, revealing her jade-green doll's eye. Unlike twenty years ago, a faint trace of red now lingered in its depths.

"Because of my unique gift, after graduating middle school and entering high school, your father invited me. After university, I officially joined IW."

"So it was my old man who invited you."

"Yes. When I joined IW, I had Misaki come along too. Back then you must've only been four years old."

"Counting back, that sounds about right."

"Since you hadn't yet experienced Yomiyama, Misaki and I chose not to meet you, to avoid altering your future. But your father told us you'd face it after this New Year, so we came to Japan now."

"I get the picture."

Rinji smiled.

"For you two it's been twenty years. For me… it was less than a week ago."

"Yes, twenty years," Mei said softly. "I haven't forgotten you, Rinji."

"…Thanks for remembering." Rinji also smiled.

Just a few days ago, they'd been classmates. Now she was twenty years older than him.

"Misaki said you're living in the same apartment building as mine now?"

"Yes."

"Then come by tonight for dinner. Let's celebrate our reunion after twenty years."

"Alright."

Mei agreed.

After a short pause, she added, "Rinji."

"Hm?"

"At school, remember to call me 'Mei-sensei.'"

---

"President, listen to me. That evil Rinji has completely started his harem route this semester."

"Ishigami, what are you even talking about?"

"At the start of last semester he suddenly had a girlfriend drop from the sky. Then his luck with girls just kept improving." Ishigami stared at Shirogane with wide eyes. "And this semester he suddenly got close with two gorgeous twin teachers. This is exactly like a galgame plot!"

"So… what are you trying to say?"

"That Rinji has already become vulgar."

"Huh?"

"I should've realized it earlier." Ishigami bowed his head, his face showing utter despair. "If this world really were a galgame, Rinji would definitely be the protagonist."

"…."

"And it's the harem route… Why didn't I realize back in first semester that Rinji would be the traitor?"

Looking at Ishigami's broken expression, Shirogane didn't know what to say.

In first semester, the student council only had three boys, none with girlfriends.

Second semester, Rinji got a girlfriend.

Second semester, Shirogane and Kaguya confirmed their relationship, while Rinji's girlfriend count increased by one.

Only Ishigami was still stuck in place by the third semester.

If anyone was a "traitor," then Shirogane himself could also be counted.

The difference was, Shirogane and Kaguya kept their relationship quiet. Aside from Rinji and Hayasaka, only a handful knew.

Of course, some people had guessed.

Knock knock knock.

"I'll get the door."

Hearing the knock, Shirogane rose and walked over.

Opening it, he found Fujiwara, followed by two girls and a boy.

"President, I've brought the transfer students."

"Thanks, Secretary Fujiwara."

Shirogane sat back down, looking at the three newcomers Fujiwara brought.

He recognized the two girls: today's new transfers to Year 2, Class B. The shorter one was Tsubomi Nanami, the taller one with glasses was Nureba Ayame.

The boy was naturally Manyuda Kaede, who transferred into Class A.

"Hello, welcome to the student council."

"Hello, President Shirogane."

The two girls were nervous, while Kaede politely greeted him.

"I've long admired your name. Meeting you today proves your reputation true."

"No no, I'm not that famous."

"You're very well-known at Hyakkaou Academy. As the only one to defeat Momobami Kirari and unify two schools' student councils, your achievement is unprecedented."

"No… I'm not nearly that great." Latest content published on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

"That's right."

Fujiwara nodded beside him.

"President works hard, but he can be hopeless sometimes. There's no way he could've done the things you said."

"Hey, Secretary Fujiwara, why're you undercutting me now?"

"I'm just making sure the transfer students don't have unnecessary expectations. I've suffered too, after all." Fujiwara gave him a complicated look.

"…."

Nureba looked around nervously and raised her hand.

"Um… President Shirogane, isn't Rinji here?"

"He should be coming to the student council soon," Shirogane smiled. "Oh, and since he's in Year 1 at Shuchiin, technically you two are his senpai."

"Eh!?"