During P.E. on the field, everyone had to change into their athletic uniforms.
For safety reasons, students with longer hair were required to tie it up, which meant you couldn't see those anime-style scenes of long, flowing hair blowing dramatically in the wind.
"Is it true that Shirai-san was hospitalized? The work of a Judgment officer really is dangerous," Wannai-san said with a worried expression.
She rubbed her slightly sore knees before accepting the energy drink that Natsume Sonoko had bought for her.
"Yes. Shirai-san should be discharged in about three days, but it'll take a bit longer for a full recovery," Natsume-san replied with a nod, her gaze drifting curiously towards the growing crowd not far away.
"Can you perform that one again?"
"Again?"
"Yes, that one!"
It sounded like a strange request, but the performance itself was completely normal, and a pleasant voice soon began to fill the air once more.
After lunch, while waiting for the combined wind club parade to begin, students from many schools had gathered around the girl named Arisa.
"What a lovely voice. I heard she's a Level 0, and not particularly strong in her studies either. She was accepted into Kirigaoka Girls' Academy solely for her exceptional musical talent," Wannai Kinuho explained with a gentle smile, noticing Natsume-san's distracted gaze.
"Eh, that's amazing," Natsume Sonoko murmured, a little surprised, and couldn't help feeling a spark of curiosity about that girl.
While the other schools within School Garden weren't as strict as Tokiwadai Middle School, being accepted based on a single exceptional talent was still a remarkable feat.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I promised to get an autograph for Saten-san," Natsume Sonoko said, a look of sudden recollection crossing her face.
She'd originally asked Shirai-san for the favor, but since she was stuck in the hospital, the task had fallen to Sonoko instead.
"Arisa-san, could I please have your autograph?" Hanazono-san asked nervously, clutching a signature board, her thumb rubbing anxiously against it.
Her partner for the three-legged race, a certain bun-girl, wore a serious expression as she stood on her tiptoes, trying to squeeze her way into the middle of the crowd.
"Could I... also trouble you for an autograph, please?" Natsume Sonoko asked, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush of embarrassment, her tone unusually formal.
Asking a favor of a famous stranger required a certain amount of courage.
"Of course," Arisa replied, returning Hanazono's signature board with a nod and a smile that seemed to radiate pure happiness.
Her round face held a certain cuteness when she smiled, with soft pink curls framing her cheeks. She didn't seem like the type who could easily refuse a request.
"Thank you very much," Sonoko said, feeling an immediate wave of relief wash over her.
She found herself feeling an inexplicable fondness for the girl in front of her.
The wind club's parade rehearsal was set to begin on this very field. It would wind its way past several of Tokiwadai Middle School's buildings before looping back to the starting point.
The rehearsal route was only about four kilometers, much shorter than the official Daihaseisai parade, and only involved the handful of schools located within School Garden.
Natsume Sonoko watched with curious eyes as members from the various schools assembled on the running track, a faint sense of joy welling up unexpectedly within her.
The daily, high-intensity physical training felt less like a festival and more like a Judgment boot camp, which had been piling a fair amount of pressure onto Natsume-san's shoulders.
It was fun events like this that truly brought happiness. The Daihaseisai was finally starting to get interesting.
Trombones, tubas, saxophones, bassoons... all sorts of instruments came together as the combined wind ensemble from School Garden's five schools began their first rehearsal, marching majestically along the predetermined route.
The high and low notes, distinct and layered, the different scales harmonizing—they all combined to play a melody that filled the heart with joy.
"It's such a shame Shirai-san can't be here to see this," Sonoko mused.
Natsume Sonoko threw herself into the spirit of the parade, and it wasn't long before her cheeks were flushed with excitement, waving the small, school-issued paper flag with enthusiasm.
"Awatsuki-san, good luck!" she cheered even more warmly when she spotted a familiar classmate among the parade participants.
--+--
At the test airfield belonging to Kongou Aviation in District 23.
"Ahem, ahem." Natsume Sonoko cleared her throat, her voice a bit hoarse. She gulped down the throat-soothing tea beside her, but the uncomfortable scratchiness remained.
"Sonoko, do you have a cold?" Febrie tilted her head, her large eyes filled with confusion.
"It's not a cold, Febrie. Remember to listen to Nunotaba-senpai when you're outside, okay? And Janie, you too. If you meet any bad people, use your ability to protect yourself and your sister."
A reluctant expression surfaced on Natsume Sonoko's face as she gently patted both Febrie and Janie on the head.
Surprisingly, she didn't feel overwhelmingly sad. Natsume-san thought this was a rather good outcome, all things considered.
Today was the day Janie and Febrie were to leave Academy City. Aside from Shirai-san, who was still in the hospital, everyone else was here—Saten-san, Kongou-senpai, and the rest.
Originally, Febrie and the others were supposed to leave yesterday, but their departure was postponed until now because Academy City had decided to send accompanying personnel at the last minute.
According to Academy City's requirements, this accompanying staff wouldn't interfere with the examinations or treatments.
Their only role was to transmit the data from the Sisters' treatments back to Academy City in real time.
"Are you sure you have everything? You must take good care of yourselves out there. Please stay safe and healthy," Saten Ruiko said carefully, before rubbing her eyes as tears began to fall uncontrollably.
Uiharu Kazari stood behind her, looking sorrowful, her arms filled with snacks she'd prepared for Febrie and Janie.
Febrie had been living with Saten-san and the others for a while, so their bond was much deeper.
"Don't cry, Ruiko," Febrie said, a lollipop in her mouth. She held her sister Janie's hand with one of hers, while placing the other comfortingly on Saten-san's arm.
"Saten-san, they'll come back once Janie and Febrie are all better," Uiharu said, her own voice heavy. But before she could finish, tears also welled up uncontrollably in her eyes.
"It's about time for us to go. We are truly grateful for your assistance, Kongou-sama. Academy City's handling of this matter has been... surprisingly lenient, almost incredible," Febrie said.
On the other side, Febrie was still dressed in her maid-style dress. She gave a polite, slight nod towards Kongou-senpai.
"Febrie is a friend of this ojou-sama! This was nothing. Besides, Natsume-san's father helped as well," Kongou Mitsuko replied, a folding fan covering her face, though a slight blush was visible on her cheeks.
"Kongou-san, no need to be so modest. You should say your proper goodbyes to Febrie and the others," Misaka-senpai beside her said with a smile, giving Kongou Mitsuko's shoulder a light pat.
--+--
T/N: 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.