by Torako
At that time, we heard the door to the classroom open. Our hands were closer than a centimeter from each other’s, but we looked towards the source of the noise together.
At the door was Isshiki.
"Ah, So...sorry! Take your time!" And after saying that, he shut the door and left.
“Was that Togashi and Takanashi-san getting it on!? Ooh, what were you two up to?!” As I was standing up, I heard Isshiki’s rebuke from the hallway. You could see the door slightly ajar and two eyes looking through it. He really thought we were up to something.
“Nah, I had seen you guys picking up those pieces of paper and I chuckled thinking that I’d surprise you and hear you scream. I didn’t think I’d come into that awkward atmosphere though!” He finally came into visit during those lines.
“Are you guys studying? How’s it going? Progressing well? Ah, I see what’s going on. There’s a lot of things you don’t know about math? Well, teach me all you know!” While Isshiki was looking at me while saying that, he moved his eyes towards Rikka.
She had hidden the lower half of her face with the papers she picked up so Isshiki could only see the top half. I was also shocked. Uh huh, she’s definitely overpowering. For Isshiki, who loved to chat with girls (I feel like I had a fraction of his capabilities), this had to be a surprise.
Yesterday, she was fine talking with Nibutani, but it doesn’t look to be the same with Isshiki. Was it a specific difference in partners or is she not able to talk with boys? Regardless, she gets along fine with me.
She had hardened her eyes in a pose. I was also stuck in a position from Isshiki’s appearance.
Isshiki replied in a lonely tone,”So it’s like that huh? Well, I was curious how your studying was going, but I see that Togashi’s alright over there. Sorry for bothering you guys.”
“Ye, yeah. Well, I’m not sure what to say... but you’re not bothering us... right?”
Of course I got to cheer up my buddy when he’s depressed, but it seems I just added oil to the fire.
“Shu-Shut up! Just go and do your studying! Study with your girl and I won’t talk to you guys! Yeah! I’ll go and find my own person to teach how to study! Hehe, then we’ll come back and study! Laters!”
Isshiki left the social studies room chuckling with an evil smile on his face.
Really, math’s the only subject that I could claim to be really good at. I’m alright at everything else though. Maybe Isshiki could be called “smart, but still an idiot.” Oh well, he’s still my loveable sidekick.
“Yuuta, was that your, no, the Devil King’s underling?”
Rikka turned to me with a frightened look as Isshiki left the room. Yesterday I was the Devil King and now I have an underling. Just how far is this going to go....
Wait, wouldn’t that mean I’d be the frightening one?
“Nah, that’s my close friend number 1. He’s a bit weird, but he’s a nice guy overall. I’m sure he’d be delighted if you spoke to him the next time you meet.”
“He is a good underling. Fit to be the first of the Four Horsemen. Understood. My contractee’s underling is the same as my own. The next we meet, my security level will be lowered.”
Isshiki, you’re the first of the Four Horsemen and yet you’re still looked down upon. Poor guy. I don’t really have three other close buddies that could join the group, but that’s alright.
“Oh yeah, I was wondering about this a while ago. Is it alright for your Devilish Truth Stare to be constantly shining like that? I get the feeling Isshiki got quite the supernatural experience.”
Rikka, taken aback, quickly moved to fix her eyepatch. “The Devilish Truth Stare is omnipotent. I have full control over its use. Even if it were constantly shining, there would be no problems. I seal it so that it’s immense evil power does not bring harm to Yuuta.”
She’s able to turn confusion into an explanation of her powers. Well, she did the same with Nana-chan and again with Nibutani and the Devilish Truth Stare Squadron. Every one of those powers I’ve experienced has been dangerous. So this means my life has been in peril how many times now? You’d think I would’ve asked before.
Rikka took out a compact while I was in thought and began looking in it. She subtly adjusted her eyepatch until,
“The seal is complete.”
“So with this on, I won’t be in any danger?”
“Probably.”
“That’s an incredibly vague seal! How is that better than one that’s perfect....Oh well, it’s alright. Now, why don’t we get back to studying?”
Instantly, Rikka’s eye began to water. She really hates math, huh? Looking into the one you can see, the dislike she has towards it is clearly visible.
“We should get to studying....”
I handed out my handmade problem set and we began to study.
When the bell rang to signal the end of the day, we were already in front of the school gates. As usual, Rikka had left before me, but she waited for me at the gate today. I get the sense we’re becoming a bit closer. That makes me feel happy inside.
Aside from that, wouldn’t you say today’s studying was like someone preparing to take a Tokyo University exam? Despite the heat, we were able to seriously study (with some chatting too) from noon until the final bell rang. Though we were interrupted, it wasn’t the same as yesterday. Since tomorrow has factorization, it seems today went pretty smoothly.
If she’s able to break things down like she did today, then she’ll easily pass the re-test. I really hope the effort that Rikka’s putting in will pay off in the end.
Unfortunately, tomorrow being Sunday breaks up this pace. I think I’ll suggest that we won’t meet tomorrow and Rikka should study on her own.
“Since tomorrow is Sunday, we’ll take a break from our study meetings. I’d be pleased if you reviewed over the questions we’ve covered up until now at your house instead.”
Rikka went “Eh....” and brought her gaze to mine.
Huh? Does she really want to study? I tried not to assume that she didn’t want to, but the classrooms and library will be closed tomorrow, even though parts of our school will be open.
As if she was reading my mind, Rikka said, “We’ll study at my house.”
“Huh? Is that alright? I don’t want to be a bother....”
“You will not be a bother. It’ll be fine if you come over anytime.”
Her words were a big shock to me. I was at a loss. In a confused voice I said, “Alright, let’s do it! I guess we’ll be studying at your house tomorrow!”
A shrewd plan was made. Or at least it seemed shrewd to me.
In a second I could see a cute smile blooming on Rikka’s face.
“Then I shall see you tomorrow. My house is located here. Come at noon. Then, byebye!”
Even though she was talking so fast, she handed over a piece of notebook paper that listed her address (Present world version). The moment it was in my hand she was off.
Did she... prepare this beforehand?
She’s quite shrewd as well. It’s a bit amusing.
Chapter 7: Afterschool Study Time in Rikka’s Apartment
It was noon on the fifth day since we started studying after school. I had arrived at the address Rikka had given me yesterday. You could call it her house, but in reality it was a small apartment.
Outside apartment #1 on the first floor, you could read the somewhat difficult characters that made up Takanashi. Looks like this is her place. I began looking for an intercom, but I couldn’t find one. That’s somewhat rare in this age. Oh well, guess I’ll have to knock instead.
Before I could touch the door, it opened as if there were infrared detectors in the hallway and I saw Rikka. “Please come in.”
“Ah, pardon me.”
I’m curious if that was a special talent of hers or she had really installed infrared lasers.
Rikka was not in her uniform today. Apparently, it was casual Sunday. As you may have guessed already, her attire was bla
ck-themed. I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between her black sleeveless shirt and her pale shoulders. Next on the list was the black frilly skirt and black knee-highs highlighting her absolute territory. Looking at Rikka herself, you’d get the impression she was defenseless, but yet all of her clothes had some sort of dark theme. Goth alert.
Oh yeah, I was in my uniform. I don’t have the confidence to go to someone’s house wearing my casual clothing. Besides, I’m still a student; I can pull this off.
Her apartment was 1 room with living, dining, and kitchen areas. Big enough for one person to live alone. There was a huge chest of drawers in the living area. I imagine there’s a lot of dark girl clothing in there. Other than that, there was nothing in particular to note. It’s just an ordinary room. Desk, games, manga, computer, etc. It almost looked like there was a boy living here, but that’s due to the chuunibyou nature of the owner and her strange eccentricities. I used to want my room to be dark and filled with cool golden dragon keychains, but it looks like Rikka isn’t that type of person.
“I live by myself.”
When you say it like that, it feels really lonely.
“Well, I got that impression...wait, where are your parents?”
“They’re separated.”
It’ll be hard to press more about her parents after hearing that. Wait, it’d be weird if that’s how this ends. Forgive me, I have to hear more.
“Is there a reason?”
“I suppose so. The problem was me.”
After hearing that, I wasn’t pleased with her parents. Looks like they stuffed her away in this apartment and lived separately.
“That’s a bit cruel isn’t it....?” As I asked that, I felt a breeze fly by in response. That’s not the answer I was looking for. I can’t help but worry about her, but is it right for me to step into this problem?
Rikka seemed to read my mind,
“I really like living by myself. This lifestyle isn’t that bothersome.”
And yet you sound so isolated when saying that. Today her esper powers seem to be active.
“But what about meals and that kind of thing? They might not want to talk to you, but surely they send you money.”
“I receive an allowance. That money allows me to eat various meals.”
Allowance huh? It was that difficult to live together? Perhaps I don’t understand her parents and their concerns, but I just can’t understand why someone would live away from their child and just give them money.
While looking at my concern, Rikka added,
“I’m alright. My contractee Yuuta is here. Now there’s two people.”
Hearing that made me really happy. We’ve not even known each other for a week (though we’re contracted somehow), but she already wants me around her?
“Now then, it’s lunchtime.”
“Oh, you’ve not eaten yet? Sorry, I ate before I came here.”
Our appointment was at noon and I didn’t want to bother her for food, so I quickly ate some cup ramen before I came over.
“Oh....it’s homemade....”
“What?! You made it for me?!”
“Somewhat, yes.”
“Somewhat... well, alright, since you went through the trouble to make it, I’ll eat it.”
That’s a bit strange for her to do. Is she the kind of person who likes to entertain guests?
As she said, “Wait and I’ll prepare it quickly. Sit around there,” she donned a white apron and went into the kitchen to prepare the food.
Her carpet was a bit messed up, but other than that, it was a clean room. I felt a bit awkward sitting on it, so I went to a chair by Rikka’s desk. There were a lot of study materials on top of her desk beside her computer. The bookshelves were packed with manga. The desk itself was similar to one that was specialized for writing. I felt a bit of desk envy just looking at it. I was a little bit curious what kind of books she read, so I took a look and found some unique titles.
Counteracting Aggressive Aliens Manual, How to Talk to Aliens, etc... There wasn’t a normal book to be found!
She seemed to read books about wu xing, Cthulhu, and various manga about those mythical tales. I imagine those are the kind of books you read when you’re suffering from chuunibyou. My old self was making a bit of a return, so I decided to look at one. Let’s start with the most interesting one.
As soon as I pulled How to Talk to Aliens from the bookshelf and began to read it, Rikka stuck her head out of the kitchen and commented “Oh, Yuuta, you’re not allowed to touch the computer.” I lifted my head and looked towards her. My eyes met her one and she blinked. She immediately came over to me.
I didn’t touch the computer, which towered over everything else on the desk immensely. Rikka was distracted as she came over.
“Yu, Yuuta, what is that book?”
“Let’s see, it’s How to Talk to Aliens....”
Rikka let out a sigh of relief. “Yuuta, you are to continually read that book. Master it and talk to aliens. You are not allowed to touch the computer at any time. Also, you are not allowed to touch any other book!”
“Go, Got it.”
With her menacing look pointed right at me, I could only nod in reflex.
She’s probably ensuring that no one sees anything that would embarrass her.... I want to look around, but I should just read. The biggest thing that worries her is someone looking at something on the computer that would make her want to die. But hey, she might not be thinking about that at all.
That answers the computer warning, but what about all the other books? Perhaps that too is bothering her. Oh well, no use thinking about it.
After returning my nod, Rikka turned and went back to the kitchen. Looking at her, I couldn’t help but think that the combination of the apron on her goth outfit made her look like a maid. With just her around, you could feel the stress level was high. After arriving in the kitchen, her face peeked out and she asked me,
“Yuuta. I’m retrieving drinks as well. What would you like?”
“Coffee.”
I immediately responded. I suppose you could say that was a conditioned reflex. It’s not that I really like it; rather it’s too bitter and I don’t care for it. Truthfully, I’d prefer a Cafe Latte. But when I thought I would be cool, I ordered it all the time. Drinking coffee made me cool. It’s the foundation of that cool image, but it’s definitely a symptom of chuunibyou. I was trying to break the habit as best I could at the moment.
Wait a minute, a girl living alone shouldn’t have that! What was I expecting?
“Understood. Currently it is hot outside, so I shall prepare iced coffee.”
Ah. Yeah, even though she’s a female high school student, she’s a chuunibyou patient. Not out of the ordinary for her to have that….
But there’s still something else that worries me. Rikka poured the ice coffee from the refrigerator into a cup, but there was still something not out yet…
“Yuuta, do you want some syrup?”
“No, I like mine black!”
Another immediate response……. Damn it, stop being an idiot! My body was too conditioned to respond like that. Do I want milk? Ah, you said you wanted it black….The mistake kept going on and on.
“Here we go. One for Yuuta and one for me.”
As if she was emphasizing that mistake, she brought over a dark black drink and a light brown drink. Of course, the black one was for me. She placed it and the milk on the low table. She’s still a girl; no black coffee for her!
“Mine has been sealed. Yuuta, you cannot drink mine.”
I’m not sure I could stand drinking mine black. Is it alright with you if I only take a couple sips? The only other option I had, iced coffee, had crumbled right before me. Incidentally, it seems manga has had an influence to popularize the term “iced coffee” as” cold coffee.” Perhaps that’s the work of a great detective.
But you know…um…The whole drinking coffee makes me cool isn’t helping my rehabilitation. Thi
s isn’t…
Five minutes passed as I read her book and drank my coffee. By the time I finished my cup of joe, Rikka’s homemade lunch was done.
“Here you go. It’s homemade.”
The “homemade meal” she placed on the table was the same type of cup ramen I had eaten earlier, but some onions and egg were added to the ramen. Does she think I’m an idiot….?
“I don’t know how to properly reply to this, but its… time to eat….”
“The eggs are the homemade portion.”
“Do you think I’m a fly!” There it is. Wait, is there one in the room? I don’t see one.
“There is one on the ceiling.”
“Are you serious?!”
“Joking.”
I’m not sure that’s a joke Rikka-san. Looks like the Rikka who spends time here is more of a happy personality than at school. Well, not to say that she’s not happy at school.
“That’s not really a joke.”
“O-kay! Sorry!”
During this idiotic conversation, I was enthusiastically eating Rikka’s not-so homemade cup ramen. It had the usual cup ramen flavor, but it felt a bit tastier than usual this time.
“Is this your usual style of cooking?”
“It’s a bit different. Today’s version is special. It’s homemade.”
She’s so particular about it being homemade. Her voice emphasizes that portion.
“So what’s the usual style?”
“Boxed meals from the convenience store.”
“That’s like a bachelor…….!”
I’m concerned. Deeply concerned. You won’t be able to eat very healthy if you’re not able to cook your own meals. Like that training papa blood I mentioned earlier, some kind of meddling mama blood is flowing through my veins. This might be promising.
“……Are you planning to eat like this forever? They’re not the healthiest option…”
“Huh? Can you cook Yuuta?”
“Well, I don’t want to boast, but I’m probably as good as your average male high school student. Both my parents work, so I have to take care of my sisters and dog.”
“Oh, I should have realized the flames of darkness user had cooking abilities. So your cooking must be tinted by those flames.”