Chapter 9

A sacred space.

She stood there, enveloped in a fantastical atmosphere.

She must be praying, hands clasped before her chest. I can only imagine, as I can only see her from behind.

I thought there was a considerable sound when I opened the door...

She, who must be Himeyuri Saya, showed no sign of noticing me and continued to pray silently.

...Still, this is a problem.

After looking around, I realized that the security of this school is so high that there's no room for complaint. It would be difficult to intrude with any evil intentions. However, as a guard, I would prefer that the person I'm protecting not wander around the school alone, especially at such a late hour.

If she were to do this outside the school, she would undoubtedly be kidnapped. She would be a perfect target. Not only is she a young lady, but both her sister and she have beautiful faces.

"What should I do?"

I don't intend to deny her prayers.

I don't have any particular feelings about religion, but I don't want to interfere with someone else's faith (I'm not sure if Saya is a believer yet).

I thought about leaving without being noticed, but I stopped.

At the very least, I need to find out how often she sneaks out of the dormitory. Depending on the situation, it might be better to adjust the patrol schedule accordingly.

If I use a transfer spell, I can reach any place on this campus in no time, but unfortunately, I don't have the ability to see through distant places like a千里眼. Therefore, even with a means of transportation, it would be meaningless without the ability to sense.

Ideally, I should become close enough to her that she would seek help without hesitation in a crisis.

However, that would be difficult. According to Mr. Taizo, she doesn't like having a guard. It would be easier if I could just say, "I'm your guard, so tell me if anything happens," but that would be counterproductive. I can't afford to upset her. If my role as a guard is revealed and I fail to complete my mission, I might be socially erased by Mr. Taizo and physically eliminated by my master.

The latter is particularly concerning because it's something he might actually do.

Thinking this far, I unconsciously shivered, and finally, the person I was waiting for stood up from in front of the altar.

She turned around and started walking towards the entrance where I was sitting in the back row.

...She doesn't seem very energetic. It's hard to see her expression in the moonlit space, but she doesn't look positive. Walking with her head down and a tense atmosphere, she didn't seem to be in a good state. Coming here to pray at this hour, she couldn't be in a bright mood, could she? If it were a daily routine, it would be different.

Himeyuri Saya approached me without showing any sign of noticing me. If I did nothing, she would probably leave without even glancing at me.

...It's probably best to watch from the shadows.

But since I waited, I might as well say something.

"Good evening. You seemed to be praying quite earnestly."

"...? Huh!?"

She probably didn't expect to be spoken to.

She reacted immediately to my voice but took a moment to recognize it. She caught my gaze with unfocused eyes, froze for a second, and then let out a small scream in surprise.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"Huh..." ...Is my expression that bad? I felt a bit shocked and tried to speak in a gentler tone.

"A, ah... um. G-good evening?"

She seemed to regain her composure and politely greeted me.

"Yes, good evening. It's quite late, but... you were quite earnest until now, weren't you?"

"Eh? Ah, no... that's not it."

She shook her head modestly in response to my words. It seems she's not a believer.

"Ah... By any chance, have you been waiting for a while? I'm very sorry. I'll leave right away."

She suddenly became flustered and said this. I see. From the outside, it might look like she was waiting in line.

"No, it's not necessary."

I made sure to convey that I didn't come here for that purpose. Her anxious expression disappeared at my words.

"Is that so? I'm glad. I've been here for quite a while."

She literally sighed in relief.

"Then, why are you here?"

She tilted her head and asked.

That's a reasonable question.

"Did you know that a new transfer student joined the second year today?"

"Yes, I am aware."

As expected, the rumor of the transfer student is not just a rumor. Even though we're in different grades, it's still a topic of conversation.

"That's me. I was busy today and couldn't get a good look around the school. So, I'm just checking things out now."

"Oh, you're the one... My sister mentioned that you were seated next to her."

"Your information is quick."

"Yes, I knew by lunch break."

She said this with a hint of pride. Indeed, if the information comes directly from Himeyuri Kuren, it would be the fastest.

"Is your sister causing any trouble?"

"Of course not, rather, I'm the one causing trouble. I was late for the first class and was staring blankly without opening my textbook, which caught the teacher's attention. If it weren't for your sister, I would have been standing in the hallway on my first day."

"Hehe... I didn't know that."

She covered her mouth and laughed. Her gesture was perfectly that of a young lady.

"You're an interesting person. Ah, um..."

"Seina. Nakajo Seina."

I understood that she was trying to ask my name, so I answered proactively since she didn't seem to be the type to ask directly.

"Nakajo-sama?"

"Please, no 'sama.' It's embarrassing."

"Then, ...Nakajo-senpai."

"Yes, that's fine."

I encouraged her with a nod.

"Ah... Um... What should I call you?"

I tilted my head, and Himeyuri Saya, sensing the awkwardness, timidly suggested.

"Um... If I use my last name, it will be the same as my sister's... So, Saya..."

"Is that okay?"

"Yes."

"Then, Saya it is."

"Yes! Nice to meet you!!"

Saya bowed deeply, looking pleased.

☆

I used the excuse that "it's late and it's dangerous to go back alone" and left the church with Saya.

...It felt a bit like a pickup line, but there was no other way. Saya seemed happy to agree.

We stopped near the fountain and looked back. There was an abandoned staircase extending from the side of the church, which I had planned to check later.

Now that I have more important matters to attend to, I can come back another time.

"What is it?"

Saya peeked over and looked in the direction I was looking.

"Hmm? I was just wondering what's at the end of that staircase."

Since there was no need to hide it, I answered honestly, hoping she might know something.

"Oh, there's a student council building at the end of that staircase."

...Even though she answered properly, I had a few questions.

"Student council building? Not just a room?"

"Yes. The student council of this school doesn't occupy just a room but an entire building."

"That's quite a group."

...Mainly in terms of financial resources.

"Yes, I think I would be defeated immediately if I were to fight them."

"...I see."

I imagined it as a gathering of rich kids but realized I was mistaken.

...However, considering Saya's personality, it's also possible that she's just being overly polite.

"So? What do you mean by 'there's a student council building'?"

"I've never been there."

"Why not? Is there some kind of barrier to keep people out on that abandoned hiking trail?"

"Pfft... hehehe. Sorry."

She suppressed a laugh and apologized. I didn't mean to be funny.

I gestured for her to continue and led the way.

"I don't think there's a barrier. I just haven't been there."

Indeed, one wouldn't go to a building on a mountaintop without a specific reason.

"Well, it's just... intimidating, isn't it?"

Ah, that's it.

"The members of the student council all have a unique aura. I wouldn't be able to talk to them..."

"I don't understand that unique aura, but you and your sister are both powerful in magic, right? Haven't you been recruited?"

"No way."

Saya shook her head vigorously.

"...We, my sister and I, have never had anyone talk to us like this."

"Huh?"

"I, I mean! It's nothing!! Let's go!!"

She seemed to end the conversation and started walking, pulling my hand.

...No one talks to her.

Her words reminded me of Himeyuri Kuren's actions during lunch break.

If she builds walls like that, no one would talk to her, would they?

☆

In the end, we returned to the dormitory without further conversation, and quite quickly.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes... Huh... Huh..."

She answered while panting. It wasn't because my pace was too fast for her to keep up; it was because Saya had been leading the way and walking quickly the whole time.

"I'm fine... I'm fine."

She took a deep breath and faced me.

"Sorry for suddenly grabbing you and walking so fast."

"No, I was planning to return here anyway, so it's fine."

"Is that so... Then, ...Ah!!"

"What is it? That 'ah' sounds bad."

There's nothing good about an 'ah' in situations like this.

"No... It's just..."

Saya glanced at the front door of the dormitory. ...There's no one there.

Ah, I see.

I looked at my watch. It was already past 11 PM. I don't know the curfew time for the dormitory, but I can say with certainty that it has passed.

I can use body reinforcement magic or a transfer spell to get to a balcony or inside quickly, but as long as Saya returns to her room, there's no problem.

"Um... Actually..."

"Is there a secret passage for girls?"

"Eh? No, it's not that."

She seemed momentarily taken aback by my unexpected response but quickly recovered.

"I... This happens often... I leave the dormitory before curfew, but I don't always return by curfew. So, um... In other words..."

...I understood without her finishing.

"I often get scolded by the dorm supervisor... But!!"

She leaned in and spoke loudly.

"I think Nakajo-senpai is fine!! You just arrived, so you probably didn't know about the curfew, right!?"

"...Well, I wasn't told, but I had an idea."

"Then, it's fine! I'll explain the situation!!"

With that, she rushed towards the dormitory entrance.

...Wait a minute.

"Wait, wait, wait."

I grabbed Saya's arm to stop her from rushing to apologize.

"Kyaa."

"Sorry."

Saya's voice made me apologize reflexively. I didn't mean to grab her that hard.

"It's okay. What is it?"

Saya tilted her head, as if to say, "We need to hurry, or time will pass."

"There's no need to apologize."

I took out my phone.

☆

I contacted the person I was looking for and started moving.

I remember she said her room was next to mine. If so, it should be around here. It's hard to determine the exact