E-Book Bonus Short Story 

 

“Someone You Don’t Want as an Enemy…?”

 

“—Yes. So, I’m terribly sorry, Master.”  

 

One day after school, while I was on my way home from the academy, Himeji suddenly contacted me through my terminal with this message. Apparently, she’d been urgently summoned by Akimei’s Chancellor Ichinose, meaning she wouldn’t be able to provide remote support for a while. Well, that said, I was already more than halfway home. It’s not like some unforeseen crisis would pop up out of nowhere, right?  

 

“Just in case anything happens, I’ve asked Kagaya-san to take over for me.”  

 

“Got it. Don’t worry about it, I’ll be fine. You focus on staying safe out there.”  

 

“…Yes.”  

 

Himeji’s voice sounded a bit dejected as she quietly ended the call. If she’s already cleared things with the Company, there’s even less reason for me to stress about it. Shrugging it off, I started to move forward again—when, in the very next moment:  

 

“—Yo, there!”  

 

(Whoa!)  

 

Out of nowhere (though it felt like she dropped down from above with a whoosh), a woman appeared right beside me. Messy hair, sleepy eyes, and dressed in a sloppy tracksuit… Despite her utterly hopeless vibe, her face was frustratingly well-proportioned—a tragic beauty, Kagaya-san.  

 

Once my racing heart and rattled nerves finally settled, I spoke slowly.  

 

“…Don’t scare me like that, you idiot.”  

 

“You idiot?! And so harsh?!” She blinked, then seemed to recall something. “Oh, right, right!”  

 

Apparently realizing I was “in character,” Kagaya clapped her hands together with a grin. Then, with a sly smirk, she leaned in to peer at my face.  

 

“So, that’s the deal! Kagaya-san’s here to escort Hiro-kyun safely home!”  

 

“…”  

 

“Wow… Even in ultimate mode, you’re just too cool, Hiro-kyun! Whistle whistle!”  

 

Despite being out in public, Kagaya was getting way too close and clingy. The obvious worry of someone seeing us like this crossed my mind, but at the same time, I noticed something off.  

 

“Hm… Wait a sec. This area’s usually got more people around, doesn’t it?”  

 

Yet, when I looked ahead or behind, there wasn’t a single other pedestrian in sight.  

 

As I voiced my confusion, Kagaya, strolling beside me, answered with casual ease.  

 

“? Oh, yeah, that’s ‘cause Big Sis here’s got the place cleared out.”  

 

“…Cleared out?”  

 

“Yup, yup. When you mix terminal detection, interference, and a bit of consciousness manipulation—mumble mumble—you can pull off stuff like this. It’s not a hundred percent foolproof, so I’m keeping an eye out too.”  

 

“…”  

 

This time, I was stunned into silence for an entirely different reason. Whether she noticed my reaction or not, Kagaya sidled even closer, her face beaming with a mischievous grin.  

 

“So—Big Sis can mess with Hiro-kyun all she wants, and no one’s gonna get mad!”  

 

I grimaced at her words… but at the same time, I couldn’t help but think: That’s the Company for you.