Tale of Discovery

Chapter 261: Trouble (2/2)

As the pair walked toward the door, Origami came to a halt and turned around to face me before pointing at the lunch box.

Understanding that she wishes for me to eat it, I simply nod my head.

Following that, she turns back around and hurries her steps to catch up to Kurumi who has already left.

With Origami and Kurumi out of the class, I proceed to use Clairvoyance to keep my sight on them.

"Hey, Shido," Tohka's voice reaches my ears, "Where are they going?"

"Why do you ask?"

Before Tohka can respond to my question, the female trio, who are Tohka's friends, approaches us, intending to invite Tohka out.

They do that, and Tohka seems to reluctantly accept as she casts one last glance at me and the lunch box before leaving alongside them.

Hopefully, they will buy her something in the canteen. Tohka going without food is something that I find hard to imagine for some reason...

Letting out a small sigh, I focus on Kurumi and Origami who are making their way over to the staircase used to get to the rooftop.

Are they going to hold the discussion on the school rooftop?

If that's the case, I could perform a repeat of what I did back in Sorcerers' Lair, which is opening a gateway small enough to be imperceptible, but just big enough to transfer their voice over to my ears.

And so, true to my expectation, they went over to the rooftop and walked across all over to the center of the building.

Taking this chance, I create a gateway right above and grab the chopsticks presented to me within the cloth of the lunch box.

"You cleaned it didn't you?" Kurumi's voice reaches me as I dine on my lunch.

Origami remains silent as she stares at Kurumi with a slightly perplexed expression on her delicate face.

"I'm sure of it," Kurumi continues, "You were the one who cleaned my body after it was killed by Mana."

This time, Origami opens her mouth and asks, "How are you alive?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Kurumi says with a grin.

Seeing that Kurumi isn't planning to elaborate on her words, Origami's already furrowed brows twitch a little as she says, "Forget that. Why are you here?"

The moment Origami's voice fades, Kurumi's smug expression is replaced by a solemn one. Almost as if she was just asked a life-concerning question - not that she would care judging from what I know of her so far.

"I came here to meet my dear Shido, but it seems like he was preoccupied with the kindness of a harlot near him," Kurumi finally says with a cold smile.

Well... This is somewhat astonishing. I was wondering what it would be like for her to get irritated or angry, but the possibility of her being 'politely rude' didn't cross my mind.

"Shido Itsuka is my boyfriend," Origami responds in her usual monotonous voice, "According to a few reliable sources, it's only to be expected that I prepare lunch for him."

This again...

"You're wrong," Kurumi responds nigh-instantly in a mocking tone, "I'm sure that there is a proper reason as to why he would act like he is fond of you. So, it would be pointless to do this anyway."

Hah~ There we go. Looks like I will have to intervene soon.

Origami responds to Kurumi by shaking her head with eyes closed before opening them and saying, "He confessed to me passionately and spoke of the similarities we had."

Ugh. I just remembered that... Seriously, what was up with that? Forget it.

"Is that true?" Kurumi says before closing her eyes and asking, "Well, setting that matter aside. Let's talk about something more important, shall we?"

Hearing her, Origami squints her eyes before saying, "What is it?"

"Don't get in my way," Kurumi bluntly responds as her expression darkens and the ground beneath the two turns strange, "If you want to live to see tomorrow, I suggest you stay away from Shido. He's mine."

Toward the end of her sentence, several arms protruded from the odd shadow on the ground and grab onto Origami's legs, startling her by quite a bit.

Knowing that the situation just turned bad, I rise from my seat and proceed to make my way out of the class while checking on the two of now and then.

Shortly, I reach the door leading to the rooftop and open it just in time to witness the shadow and multiple arms holding Origami's legs disappear.

Following that Kurumi raises her arm a little and waves at me before casting a glance at Origami and walking past her.

"How unbecoming," Kurumi says once she's in front of me, "It's bad manners to intrude upon those conversing, don't you think so, Shido?"

Then, Kurumi steps forth so that the distance between our faces is no more than a few inches before saying, "You were listening to us, weren't you?"

Peering into her crimson eye, I beam a smile and say, "Whatever could you be talking about?"

Hearing my response, Kurumi squints her eye slightly before a smile forms on her lips as she says, "Truly, interesting. I smell something from you like of which I have never smelled before."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask doubtfully.

Following my query, Kurumi leans forward and mutters, "It just means that you're more amazing than I expected."

Knowing that this might be her way of teasing me, I grin slightly before closing what distance is left between our lips, surprising Kurumi.

The soft sensation against my lips lasts for about three seconds before Kurumi takes a step back and begins laughing.

After a dozen or so seconds, she stops and says with a smile covering her face, "Not only are you more amazing but bolder too."

Kurumi then lifts her right arm and slides the tip of her fingers against her lips before saying, "It makes me look forward to our date even further."

Hearing her words, I realize that this opportunity might as well be the best one to come up with a time and location for our date.

And so, ignoring the baffled Origami, I approach Kurumi and lean forth to whisper my intentions into her ear.

As a response to this, she listens silently before the smile on her lips grows as she says, "Very well. I shall do that then."

Nodding my head, I say, "Are you going to leave now?"

"Yes, there are some matters that I have left unattended," she responds.

"Alright then," I say before swiftly stepping forth and wrapping my arms around her slender body.

Kurumi doesn't react to my actions much but remains still for the duration of the hug before backing away from me and bowing politely.

Following that, she turns her head to cast a glance at the still bewildered Origami before laughing and running off the building.

Letting out a sigh out of exasperation, I walk toward Origami.