The aftermath of the bloodbath slashing incident at Seihei School led to the indefinite closure of the campus. However, there was a silver lining amid the trauma—the entire first term of the academic year had been exempted and would be merged with the second term. In short, students were no longer required to complete the remaining part of the first term or sit final exams.

Kurohashi, a secluded small town nestled in a valley of mountain ridges, was experiencing a relentless spell of storms and rain. According to the locals, this weather was likely to persist throughout July. However, it wasn’t all bad for Destirling Shouichi, also known as Seito Shouichi, as it gave him more time to clean up after himself.

Shouichi was a strikingly pretty young man. His fair, pristine face had an almost feminine quality, accentuated by his long, curled eyelashes. Standing at 167 cm and weighing around 62 kg, his physique was slim yet well-proportioned. His fluffy black hair, plain yet distinctive with its graphite-like sheen, was styled with brow-length front bangs. However, his most captivating feature was his cinnamon-brown eyes, radiating warmth and kindness, a reflection of his gentle nature.

Three full months had passed since Shouichi began his academic journey at Seihei School. Based on his experience so far, something felt undeniably strange about this town. Unusual events seemed to unfold behind closed doors, and eerily enough, they often revolved around him, escalating in intensity. Despite everything, Shouichi, with steadfast resolve and unwavering perseverance, pushed through these ordeals — from being betrayed by his beloved ex, Ishikawa Misaki, to nearly being choked to death by the Seihei attackers.

Yet, despite it all, he stood firm, full of determination and resilience. However, the mental toll was undeniable, leaving him drained and exhausted. Fortunately, he was surrounded by supportive friends and family, who were like a bonfire on his coldest nights, offering warmth and comfort to his weary soul.

***

The graphite-haired boy took a leisurely stroll down the long stairway with red rails and outlines. It reminded him of the time he heroically clutched a three-versus-one fight against delinquents from the technical school, saving his cosplaying friend, Tomako Momo. The memory brought a grin to his face. He could already imagine the scolding he would have received from his sweet mother, Yamamoto Yoko, if she had ever learned the full details of the fight.

“Man, that takes me back. Shinji and I were pretty cool back then — felt like we were in an anime or something,” he mused as he descended the steps.

With the Seihei students essentially on summer break, Shouichi decided to visit his petite friend, Momo, for a change of pace. It had been a while since he last dropped by her store — Maid Tea & Bliss, located in the Hoshimashi shopping district.

“Watch where you’re going, rascal!”

“Oh! Sorry.”

Shouichi had unintentionally bumped into a man in a long trench coat. The figure was fully concealed in his outfit, complete with a hat and face mask. Something about him seemed off, but Shouichi dismissed his suspicions and moved on.

“Another weirdo in Kurohashi… I wonder if Yoko is doing alright.”

He swiftly pulled out his phone and tapped on the CCTV app — the security system he and Officer Akiyama Suzuki had installed for his mother’s safety. Within moments, multiple small screens displayed various angles of Yoko Sweet Cafe.

“Hehehe, where are you, Yoko-san?” he murmured, scanning the cameras one by one. After a few clicks, he spotted her standing in front of his most loyal customer and best friend, Morimura Ayane. The two women were engaged in an enthusiastic discussion.

Even though the CCTV’s real-time resolution was just above 480p, Shouichi had no trouble recognising the jet-black-haired girl. Her elegant presence was accentuated by her tall, slender figure, comparable to a supermodel, and her beautiful, fox-like features, reminiscent of Sahara Yukiko, the idol from the renowned girl group CCK.

Satisfied with Yoko’s safety, he resumed his quest for the best matcha with red beans in the entire continent. Perhaps he was exaggerating a little.

That afternoon, a long queue stretched in front of the small stall, Maid Tea & Bliss. It wasn’t surprising, but the line was moving faster than usual. Was Momo working extra hard today? He wondered.

“Hello, young master! Welcome to our store!”

A cheerful greeting came from a beautiful maid with straight blonde hair. Shouichi instantly realised the reason behind the shorter wait time — an extra helping hand.

“Tomako Ai-san! Good afternoon,” he beamed.

“Oh! You’re that pretty boy… Shouichi-kun, right?”

It took Ai a few seconds to recall his name. The last time they met was during the Fire Festival a few months ago.

“Oz! But I’m not a pretty boy,” Shouichi quipped, peeking excitedly inside the stall’s opening window. “Is Momo working in the back today?”

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“Hi, Shouichi-kun! Long time no see.”

A smaller version of Ai appeared behind her — Momo, the younger sister of the Tomako family and the very person he had come to visit.

“Miss me, eh?” he teased, rubbing his nose with an index finger. Since he was the last in line, there was no rush to order.

“Yep! I was starting to wonder if I’d ever see you this summer.”

“Oh? You think I’d be that cruel?”

“Fufu, definitely not.”

She chuckled, her blue eyes sparkling under the sunlight. Shouichi recalled that Momo wore contact lenses to change her eye colour from orange to blue as part of her transformation.

“So what brings you here today, my hero?” Momo returned the same flirty sentiment.

“Hehehe, that’s a good one.” Shouichi giggled at her odd joke. It was her usual style of nicknaming. “May I get... um?”

“Matcha with red beans?” She completed his sentence.

“My, you read my mind, Momo-chan!” He beamed brightly at the girl, handing her cash.

“Momo, after you finish with this order, just take a break, okay?” A sudden command from her big sister came from the back of the store. Once Momo settled the bills, she disappeared to make his drink.

“Shouichi-kun, here is your drink.” Momo stepped out of her stall to hand it to him in person.

“Since you’re going on break anyway, would you mind hanging out with me for a bit?” Shouichi asked casually while sipping on his cup. As expected, the matcha with red beans, made with love by the beautiful maids, was ecstatically tasty. Shouichi believed that customers wouldn’t receive this added value anywhere but at Momo’s store.

“Huh?” The petite maid’s face turned slightly red at his sudden request. “Is... is that really okay?” Momo spoke, anxious and hesitant.

“Of course. Come with me, Momo-chan. I’ll show you the world.” Shouichi raised his arms to the sky.

“Fufufu.” She giggled.

The two secured a bench under the shade. Shouichi couldn’t help but notice his friend sweating profusely due to the heat. Pervertedly, he glanced down at her exposed upper bosom with joy. Her soft, moist skin was undeniably attractive. He recalled his experience with her maid costume. After all, he had been the one to unstuck her corset’s zipper.

“Huh?! Shouichi-kun?” She caught his eyes already.

“Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking... you must be really uncomfortable.” Shouichi managed to change the subject with his quick wits. As a matter of fact, he was ranked number one in the entire second year at Seihei School.

“Yeah, beauty has a price, don’t you agree?” Momo kept pulling at her blouse’s neckline to ventilate. Each time, Shouichi caught brief glimpses of her black lacy bra underneath.

“Totally.”

“Say... Shouichi-kun, how are you doing?”

“I’m doing just fine, as you can see.” He beamed to reassure her. “What about you?”

“I mean, it was really scary when it happened, right?” Her expression shifted to serious.

“Truly horrifying... I was glad you were absent that time.” Shouichi reached up to give her a head pat. Momo was irresistibly cute and adorable.

“Yeah, I heard a lot of students lost their lives... it’s so awful. How could it happen at our school?”

“... Yeah, I still have nightmares about it.” Shouichi glanced at the passing pedestrians.

“I was so worried about you and Shinji. He boasted to me about everything... playing heroes might end up getting you hurt, or worse. You know that, right?”

“Oh... Damn it, Shinji. You should keep your mouth shut sometimes,” he scolded his silver-haired friend in his mind.

“You guys are good guys — cool, smart, and athletic...” Momo said with admiration in her voice. “But you both need to be careful, alright? Don’t throw your lives away, Shouichi-kun.”

“Hehe...” Shouichi forced a weak smile as he exchanged a quick glance with Momo. Her blue eyes were full of concern.

“I’m serious. Would you listen to me for once?” She pleaded, grabbing his wrist firmly.

“Eh?” Shouichi’s eyes widened with surprise.

“Yes, I’ll be more careful next time, Momo-chan,” Shouichi answered with an honest face.

“G~Good boy.” Momo reached out to pretend to pat his black hair this time.

“Thanks, Momo-chan.” The boy smiled at her.

“For what? I haven’t done anything.”

“Oh, you’ve done plenty,” Shouichi said, sneaking another glance at her chest.

“Wanna hang out at my place? I can show you the world. Fufufu.” The cheerful maid teased him back.

“Hahaha. Don’t you have to work? You can’t leave your big sis alone, can you?” Shouichi asked, considering her tempting offer even though he knew it was just a joke.

“That’s true. Maybe another time? You can bring Morimura-san with you too.”

“Wait, what?” Shouichi’s face flushed a deep shade of red. An erotic scene floated into his mind — two sexy maids, Momo vs Ayane, sandwiching him.

“You never told me you guys weren’t dating, though.” Momo pretended to be mad, puffing her cheeks cutely.

“Sorry about that, hahaha.” He paused to think. “I’m actually single now. I got cheated on.” Shouichi felt at ease around Momo. Perhaps she was the perfect consultant for this sort of thing, something he couldn’t discuss with Ayane.

“Well, don’t be mad at me, okay? Shinji told me everything when he stopped by with his girlfriend a few days ago.”

“Damn you, Shinji!” He cursed in his mind.

“Man... that’s embarrassing. I’m so pathetic.” Shouichi hid his face with both hands.

“Cheer up, Shouichi-kun. I’m here if you need someone.” Momo brushed his soft hair gently with her fingers. It was kind of soothing.

“I’m so lucky to get the special service from a beautiful maid.” He quipped sarcastically.

“Right? Fufufu.” She chuckled gleefully.

After a short conversation with Momo, he contemplatively reflected that his life was precious and should be lived to the fullest. With no time for mourning anymore, the boy decided to push forward with everything he had.