Chapter 31

I couldn't go shopping until Roll came back, so I decided to tidy up my room and then have lunch.

I really wanted to eat with Roll, but since I was hungry, I had no choice. I sent a message to Roll saying I was going to the cafeteria and headed there.

The cafeteria was bustling.

This cafeteria and the café at the entrance seem to have become a gathering place for idle members.

According to what Roll told me, people who want to make a fuss tend to come to this cafeteria.

Come to think of it, this is where I was kidnapped by Sigh.

While thinking about this, I headed towards the cafeteria reception, and I heard a high-pitched voice coming from the back of the cafeteria.

When I looked, sure enough, it was Desutoi.

That person... shouldn't they be running away from Roll?

No, maybe they came here because they lost Roll.

"Anyway! When I gently scolded the mafia who kidnapped me, they actually proposed marriage!"

The person she was talking to was Sigh.

Sigh didn't seem interested in Desutoi's story and was slumped on the sofa.

"Hey, Sigh, are you listening? What do you think I did?"

Desutoi shook Sigh's shoulders, and Sigh had a thoroughly annoyed look on her face with her eyes closed.

"Who cares."

"Care, will you!"

While making unreasonable demands, Desutoi grabbed Sigh's chest.

Immediately after, Desutoi was pushed away by Sigh and flew all the way to the cafeteria wall.

"Ha... ha...!"

Seeing Desutoi fall to the ground after being slammed into the wall, I turned back to the cafeteria reception.

I felt that getting involved with that person would not end well.

I wanted to greet Sigh, but with Desutoi around, I had a bad feeling.

Mainly because of Roll.

Roll seems to be dissatisfied with the summer training, and I feel guilty about it.

At the very least, Roll doesn't think highly of Sigh, so I thought it would be better to keep my distance from Sigh for a while.

I felt that if I got involved with Desutoi, some strange trouble would occur.

Especially regarding the partner issue.

I rubbed the wound on my neck, thinking I'd rather not get a serious scolding again.

After thinking this, I glanced at Sigh again.

Our eyes met.

Sigh was looking at me with a slumped posture.

She was wearing a disheveled suit, and an empty bowl was on the table in front of her.

I hesitated about pretending not to notice, but I felt bad, so I gave a slight nod.

She didn't react but continued to stare at me.

Maybe this was a summons?

I felt a signal telling me to come over.

"Ha."

I sighed and headed towards Sigh.

"Sigh, hello."

"Ah... how are you?"

"Good."

I showed her by rotating my arms.

"... What about that wound on your neck?"

"I was scratched by a cat."

This minor wound is nothing compared to the injuries I sustained during training with Sigh.

In terms of mental damage, this one is worse, though.

"I see. Have you eaten?"

Sigh seemed to think for a moment before asking.

"No, I'm about to eat."

"Got it. I have work to do, but are you coming with me?"

"... What?"

As I let out a surprised voice, someone pushed me aside and jumped at Sigh.

Of course, it was Desutoi.

"Wait a minute! I'm the partner! It's only right that I go! I can't stand it!!"

What's with this person? They're still this energetic even with Sigh...

As I was taken aback, Desutoi turned to me with a bright smile.

"Shizune, how about it? Is it funny? This is how I mimic Roll, as I heard from Shido."

This is terrible.

"Ha..."

Sigh also let out a sigh.

However, seeing Sigh's sigh, Desutoi approached her closely.

"No, no, Sigh, I'm upset. Inviting Shizune before me is just not right. Even though I'm not Roll, I want to be recognized as a partner."

"Are you telling me this?"

Sigh said with a look of exasperation, but Desutoi's mouth didn't stop.

"Or is it? Maybe you've fallen for Shizune?

Well, if that's the case, I can't help it! I forgive you!

Still, I'm so jealous, Shizune! To be liked by such a cute person as Sigh!"

"Please stop joking, Desutoi. Sigh is incredibly cute, but we don't match."

"Ah, Shizune, you understand. That's good.

Shido and I were the only ones who knew how truly cute Sigh is, but now there's one more.

You see, Sigh is what you might call socially awkward. There aren't many people who can shadow her. It's sad, isn't it?"

"Is that so? I think it's just that people are scared of her..."

"No, Sigh actually wants to be close to everyone. She acts like she dislikes noisy people, but she comes to this cafeteria because she wants attention."

I see. If Desutoi, who can read minds, says so, it must be true.

It's not really surprising... but it doesn't feel right to talk about this in front of the person.

"Wow. Do you understand this because you can read minds?"

"Yes. That's why I know everything about Sigh.

I can even tell you what she's thinking right now.

Hmm, let's see... Ah, this is... again..."

Desutoi made a circle with her fingers and peered at Sigh.

Sigh looked uninterested and turned away. Desutoi made a "Hmm" sound and peered at Sigh through the hole in her fingers for a while.

"Shizune, do you respect Sigh?"

"Of course."

"I see, but unfortunately... your mentor is full of desires."

"What do you mean?"

"Shizune is so cute! I want to hug him! I want to kiss him! I want to pet him and cuddle with him and be with him forever!! That's what Sigh is thinking."

"... You must be joking."

I said, looking at Sigh. Sigh, who had been slumped, stood up and said:

"Shizune, don't believe a word she says.

Desutoi uses her ability to read minds to tell plausible lies.

Also, her ability to read minds doesn't work all the time and has limitations. So my mind hasn't been read."

"Ah! Sigh is flustered! Her true feelings are exposed! And her face is red! Her face is red!"

Desutoi started mocking Sigh, jumping around.

If this person becomes an enemy, it would be more than just annoying.

More importantly, was it okay for Desutoi to talk about her ability like that?

As I was thinking this, Sigh's hand stretched out and instantly grabbed Desutoi's temple.

Desutoi tried to escape, but it was too late.

"It hurts! It hurts! I'm sorry! I won't do it again! I won't do it again!"

Desutoi writhed and squirmed.

After a while, Sigh released her and sat back on the sofa.

"Hey, go easy! Where's the mercy!?"

Desutoi fell on her butt and rubbed her temple, shouting.

Sigh was back in her slumped mode.

"So, Shizune, are you coming?"

"Is it a mission? I want to go, but I have a prior engagement today..."

"Too bad, Sigh! Shizune is on a date with Roll today!"

"Is that so? Then it can't be helped."

"Wow, Sigh looks really disappointed...! What are you doing, Shizune!"

Thud. A dull sound came from beside me, and when I looked, Desutoi was in a position as if she had fallen to the ground.

This is Sigh's ability.

"Sigh... give... give..."

"Sizune, by the way, did you forget to send me your schedule?"

Sigh said in a slightly stern tone.

"Oh."

"Did you forget?"

I had forgotten. But it's only been two days since then, and it's unreasonable to expect a schedule to be set so quickly.

Moreover, Sigh suddenly seemed to be in a bad mood. Maybe it's because I declined the shadowing.

"Sorry..."

"Fine. By the way, are you starting school soon?"

"Yes, from tomorrow."

"I see. That's tough."

"Hmm. Considering that training, it's not that bad..."

"Was that training that tough?"

"Of course. But, I did get a reward, so I'm satisfied with the result."

I don't want to do it again, though.

"Reward?"

"You know, the Poison Butterfly..."

"Ah... don't talk about that."

Sigh looked away from me, blushing slightly.

Her reaction was cute, so I wanted to talk more about it with her, but I held back.

"What's that...! I want to know! I want to know too!"

Desutoi, still restrained on the ground, suddenly latched onto the conversation.

However, just then, Sigh stood up, and my gaze shifted to her.

"Then I'll head to work."

"Understood. Be careful."

"Sure, see you."

Sigh smiled faintly and disappeared from the cafeteria.

Desutoi, finally released from the gravity, stood up and grabbed my shoulders.

"... What was that? How did you get Sigh to open up? I've never seen her so affectionate!"

It didn't seem affectionate to me, but if my partner Desutoi says so, it must be true.

Or maybe she's just being cold because this person does unnecessary things.

"Jealous, huh?"

"Jealous! Unfair!

So, what did you do?

Sigh doesn't have much immunity to men, so if she's complimented on her looks or kissed, she might fall for it easily.

Did you get that from Shizune?"

"No, I don't think so.

To put it simply... it's a mentor-student bond. A strong bond already exists between Sigh and me, so there's no atmosphere like you think."

When I said this, Desutoi looked at me with a penetrating gaze and said:

"Hmm. Sigh seemed really into it, but is that really true...

Oh, you can call me Desutoi."

"Understood. Desutoi."

"Anyway, I'll tell Roll about this. See you."

"Wait, hold on..."

Before I could stop her, Desutoi left the cafeteria.