Summer had been gone for many days now, and the climate in Academy City was beginning to cool, the intense heat finally receding.
However, the seasonal uniform change wouldn't happen until the last few days of September, so for now, everyone was still making do with their summer uniforms.
This wasn't really a problem for Natsume-san; even in sub-zero temperatures, she could probably still wander around in her summer uniform without a care.
The sky was just beginning to lighten as the alarm clock by her ear started vibrating frantically, only to have its hammer instantly frozen solid by a certain someone.
Natsume Sonoko's head was buried deep within a giant bear pillow—a pillow whose contents seemed to be ever-growing, almost rivaling the infamous 'Killer Bear' from Misaka-senpai's collection, though it definitely contained nothing illegal, of course.
A hand emerged from within the pillow, fishing out a piece of candy and popping it into her mouth.
The certain meatball headed girl opened her eyes with a dazed expression. The taste was a bit... odd.
Thanks to her intermittent morning taste bud degradation, Natsume-san soon blankly closed her eyes again, returning to her slumber.
A master of time management, the certain meatball headed girl estimated she still had about twenty minutes to laze in bed. As long as she was out before the dorm supervisor made her rounds, it was fine.
Twenty minutes flashed by in an instant.
Rising at the usual last possible minute, she went to the cafeteria for breakfast during the less crowded period.
After bidding farewell to Juufuku Miho-san, who was waiting for the school bus at the gate, Natsume Sonoko finally set off on her journey to school.
After a few rather unpleasant experiences, Natsume-san had given up on taking the school bus for her commute.
She didn't have the habit of drinking coffee or eating sweets on the bus, usually just gazing at the scenery outside the window.
But after becoming a Level 5, Natsume Sonoko found she couldn't even enjoy a quiet view in peace, so she decided it was better to travel to and from school alone.
Alighting at the main gate of the School Garden from the white, cylindrical transport, Natsume Sonoko canceled her stealth and returned to a normal state, pulling out her ID card to swipe at the entrance.
Procedures like swiping in were essential; it was directly recorded into Natsume-san's attendance record.
"Good morning, Natsume-san."
A passing Tokiwadai student greeted Natsume Sonoko.
"Good morning," Natsume Sonoko replied politely, even though she didn't recognize the girl.
Now inside the School Garden proper, with people coming and going and surveillance cameras everywhere, Natsume Sonoko couldn't very well turn invisible in public.
Fortunately, Tokiwadai Middle School wasn't far from the School Garden's entrance.
Although the entire walk was under scrutiny, with the occasional girl coming up to greet her, it was still within tolerable limits.
The annoyances of fame could be quite frustrating sometimes. 'Fame portends trouble for men, as fattening does for pigs' was a rather apt description of her current situation.
Without even realizing it, Natsume Sonoko had stepped into the ranks of Tokiwadai's most renowned seniors.
As for the impact of becoming a Level 5 on Natsume-san, aside from the increased scholarship money, it mostly just brought various troubles stemming from her heightened profile.
"It's her? I almost forgot, she's a student within the School Garden too."
Walking along the path, Natsume Sonoko's gaze sharpened slightly, spotting a not-so-familiar acquaintance.
A girl with her head bowed, carrying a violin case, walked alone behind a group of students from the private Shidarezakura Academy.
Her bangs fell over her lovely eyes, and the ponytail on her head bobbed up and down with each step.
The Shidarezakura girls ahead were chatting and laughing, but this girl seemed like a lone bird separated from the flock.
Yet, from the faint glimpse of her eyes, she seemed to yearn to join the Shidarezakura group.
But she hesitated, not daring to speak up, several times almost catching up to the group only to give up.
"Look, isn't that Tokiwadai's Temperature Control? She's as short as they say, and she has that bun head."
A group of girls in private Shidarezakura uniforms whispered amongst themselves, observing Natsume Sonoko from a distance as they walked.
"It really is her. Maybe she enrolled early; I heard she's only twelve, and a genuine elite young lady from a famous family."
"The Eighth Level 5, and Tokiwadai's Third. I wish I had applied to Tokiwadai back then."
"Even though she's a Level 5, she really does look super small."
Several Shidarezakura girls gossiped in hushed tones, their companions nodding in agreement beside them.
Because a third Level 5 had appeared, Tokiwadai Middle School's reputation had almost surpassed all other famous schools, and even various details about Natsume-san had begun circulating throughout Academy City.
"Eh? She seems to be coming this way."
As they spoke, the Shidarezakura girls suddenly grew tense, noticing the certain meatball headed girl heading straight for them.
Although Natsume Sonoko didn't seem imposing at all—appearing soft, weak, and lacking in physical activity—the inherent weight of being a Level 5 made up for it.
The Shidarezakura girls felt their earlier conversation might have been overheard, and for a moment, they were at a loss, feeling inexplicably guilty.
According to rumors, most Level 5s in Academy City had peculiar personalities and weren't easy to communicate with.
They wondered if this newly ascended Level 5 had similar quirks.
So scary! What should we do if a Level 5 has her eyes on us?
But Natsume Sonoko stopped a few meters away from them, looking somewhat bewildered at the Shidarezakura girls with their strange expressions.
Why is everyone looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?
Natsume Sonoko touched her cheek. There was clearly nothing there.
Shrugging off the confusing situation, the certain meatball headed girl instead caught up to the upperclassman walking ahead: Yumiya Rakko-senpai.
"Yumiya-senpai, what a coincidence."
Natsume Sonoko reached out and patted the somewhat distracted Yumiya Rakko.
Although this senpai belonged to the Dark Side and had inexplicably taken a shot at her once, she had still been a great help last time. Having run into her, the least she could do was say hello.
Besides, Natsume Sonoko had noticed that Yumiya Rakko seemed to have some issues with social interaction. Perhaps she could help her a little.
She clearly wanted to join the conversation with those Shidarezakura girls but was terribly hesitant.
Yumiya Rakko jolted, her bangs parting slightly to reveal a pair of incredibly delighted eyes. Her face grew tense.
Wonderful! Someone is talking to me first!
I've really become more popular! This brings me another step closer to my path to becoming a school idol!
How should I respond? Something like 'It is a coincidence, isn't it?' or maybe act a bit cooler?
Who could it be behind me?
Is my outfit today too informal?
"It really is a coincidence! I know a poem that describes a chance encounter..."
Yumiya Rakko turned her head as she spoke, already thinking of the conversation to follow, and then she saw Natsume Sonoko's blank, dazed face.
The joy on her face instantly vanished as Yumiya Rakko forcibly held back the rest of her words.
The delight was immediately washed away by a wave of cold dread. Yumiya Rakko's mind became a tangled mess.
While she was thrilled someone had initiated conversation, it was a different matter entirely if that person knew about her identity in the Dark Side.
What will she do? Expose me? Would I get expelled?
Yumiya Rakko's mind raced with negative thoughts; her experiences always made her lean towards the worst-case scenario.
"What poem?" Natsume Sonoko was immediately sidetracked by Yumiya Rakko's words, tilting her head and asking.
"It's nothing," Yumiya Rakko quickly shook her head.
"I see. Well, thank you so much for last time, senpai. I really hadn't noticed that Penguin Man."
"Oh, if you're free after school today, we could have dinner together. My treat."
Hesitating for a moment, Natsume Sonoko spoke to Yumiya-senpai, her tone quite sincere.
"Dinner? With me?"
Yumiya Rakko's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at the certain someone, a different kind of emotion surfacing on her face again.
So she isn't planning to expose me, but inviting me to dinner? Have I really become popular?
"Mhm, at the family restaurant on Queen's Avenue. Is four-thirty okay?"
"...Okay."
Her mind grew even more chaotic. It took Yumiya Rakko a moment before she nodded.
"Then it's settled."
Not long after Natsume Sonoko left, Yumiya Rakko followed behind the private Shidarezakura Academy girls in a daze.
"Yumiya-san, so you know the eighth Ranked Level 5? And you're on such good terms!"
This time, a Shidarezakura student curiously approached her.
"Um, actually, I'm not that close with her..." Yumiya Rakko started to explain, only to suddenly realize—it seemed another classmate was talking to her.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.