I enter my dorm room and fall flat onto my bed.

With a heavy sigh, I momentarily detach myself from the surroundings, letting the stillness settle within the room.

The dormitory, like a cocoon of tranquillity, offers a respite from the outside world. It is a space where the ceaseless echoes of magical academia give way to momentary peace. Unlike the Other Realm.

As I lie on the bed, a subtle shift in the air alerts me to a presence.

The door creaks open, and a sliver of light spills into the room. The petite, pink-haired girl from the rooftop cautiously enters.

“Hey, Kiyorakana?”

I open my eyes, acknowledging her presence without uttering a word. She stands near the entrance, her eyes wandering around the room as if absorbing its opulence.

“I, um, just wanted to say sorry again for eavesdropping.”

She stammers, her gaze eventually meeting mine.

“It is fine.”

She takes a tentative step forward, her hands fidgeting nervously.

“I just thought you might be lonely, and, well, I could use a friend. If you’re okay with that.”

I observe her sincerity and the genuine desire for connection in her eyes. I sit up, propping myself against the plush pillows.

“Friendship is irrelevant, but you may stay if you wish.”

Her face lights up with a smile, and she takes a seat on the edge of my bed.

“Say, how did you find my dorm?”

The atmosphere in the room changes, and the air becomes less tense. She seems genuinely pleased by my response, her smile widening.

“Well, I may or may not have followed you. Not in a creepy way, though! I just thought, you know, it would be nice to have someone to talk to.”

Her explanation carries an earnest tone, and I can detect a hint of vulnerability beneath her cheerful exterior. I decide to indulge her in conversation, if only briefly.

“There is no need to follow. I do not require companionship.”

Her enthusiasm does not waver, and she leans in with curiosity.

“But don’t you get lonely? It’s a big, unfamiliar place, and having someone around can make it feel less overwhelming.”

I remain stoic, considering her perspective. Loneliness is an abstract concept to me, and I navigate the world without the emotional weight that often accompanies it.

“I do not experience loneliness. It is an irrelevant emotion.”

She tilts her head, studying me as if trying to unravel the complexities hidden behind my indifferent demeanour.

“Well, if you ever change your mind, I’ll be around. I’m Kokoro Ai, by the way.”

Her name, Kokoro Ai, lingers in the air, and she extends her hand for a handshake. I observe the gesture, a social nicety I am not accustomed to.

As Kokoro Ai extends her hand, a customary gesture in this world of social intricacies, I observe the delicacy of the exchange.

It is a mundane human interaction yet laden with unspoken meanings.

I hesitate for a moment, assessing the situation.

The concept of friendship is foreign to me, an unnecessary complication in the grand scheme of my mission.

Nevertheless, the genuine warmth in Kokoro Ai’s eyes stirs a curiosity within, a flicker of something undefined.

In acknowledgement of her sincerity, I extend my hand, mirroring the customary greeting. Our hands meet, and the contact is brief but, surprisingly, not devoid of significance.

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Kokoro Ai’s smile widens, and for a fleeting moment, the room is permeated with an inexplicable warmth.

“Nice to meet you, Kiyorakana!”

She seems genuinely pleased, unaffected by the undercurrents that course through my analytical mind.

The air lightens, and I find myself intrigued by the simplicity of this human exchange.

“Nice to meet you too, Kokoro Ai.”

As we retract our hands, she maintains her position on the edge of the bed, her eyes gleaming with a newfound excitement.

The room, once a sanctuary of solitude, now carries the subtle echoes of camaraderie.

“So, Kiyorakana, what do you like to do for fun?”

The question catches me off guard. Fun is an alien concept, a luxury I cannot afford in the pursuit of my objectives. Yet, I sense genuine curiosity in Kokoro Ai’s inquiry.

“I do not engage in activities for entertainment. My purpose here is different.”

Her eyebrows furrow slightly, processing my response. My perspective on existence does not align with her more mundane expectations.

“Oh, come on! Everyone needs a break sometimes. There must be something you enjoy.”

Her optimism is relentless, and I find myself considering the notion.

The air of the dorm room transforms, becoming a canvas for a conversation that transcends the barriers of my usual detached demeanour.

“Something I enjoy… Possibly observing the celestial bodies in the sky.”

Kokoro Ai’s eyes light up with interest, her enthusiasm undeterred by the unconventional nature of my answer.

“That sounds amazing! I’d love to hear more about it sometime.”

The unexpected warmth of her acceptance sparks a subtle shift within me.

It is a minuscule crack in the facade, an acknowledgement that perhaps there is more to this human experience than the singular focus of my mission.

“As you wish. However, such discussions hold no inherent value.”

She chuckles, seemingly undeterred by my response.

“Value or not, it’s about sharing something you love. That’s what makes connections, right?”

The concept of connections—intertwining lives for the sake of shared interests—is foreign but intriguing. I choose not to delve into the intricacies of human relationships, focusing instead on the immediate interaction.

Kokoro Ai leans back on my bed, and her eyes fix on the ceiling.

“Well, we can worry about the value later. For now, let’s just enjoy the fact that we’re having a conversation.”

Her perspective, while alien to me, resonates with the simplicity of the moment.

“I have lectures in thirty minutes.”

“Oh, alright. I’ll see you later then!”

“I did not say you have to leave.”

The subtle echoes of camaraderie linger as Kokoro Ai eventually rises from the bed. “Well, I should let you prepare for your lectures. But, Kiyorakana, thanks for letting me in.”

“There was no explicit permission required.”

She chuckles, unaffected by my literal interpretation.

“True, true. Well, I’ll catch you later then.”

As she exits the room, the door creaks shut, leaving behind a quiet solitude.

I sit for a moment, contemplating the nuances of the interaction.

It is a deviation—a subtle divergence from the calculated path I have set for myself. Kokoro Ai’s presence, though inconsequential in the grand scheme, introduces an element of unpredictability.

Humanity is a mystery that I will never truly understand.

I get up from my bed and walk over to the window, staring out at the world below. Kokoro Ai’s visit, however brief, has sparked a curiosity within me.

I should not stray from my objective; the curse of Dissonance Affinity must be eliminated from all beings.

I move from the window to the front door and pause for a moment, conflicted. The allure of exploring the unknown entices me, but I remind myself of the importance of my mission.

With a resolute sigh, I reach for the doorknob and step into the hallway.

After another mundane three hours of lecture, it is around 6 PM, or that is what the time-telling round thing on the wall says.

I notice the red-headed female staring at me while the blonde boy is arrogantly speaking to her.

The lone individual has not left yet either.

I attempt to speak to the individual, but it does not go well, and I am ultimately ignored.

With that, I take an hour of fresh air outside before heading to the dorms.

As I stroll outside, the gentle breeze provides a welcomed respite from the tension inside.

However, my peaceful moment is short-lived, as I quickly realise that there seems to be something amiss. As I walk past other individuals, I notice them actively avoiding me, their faces contorted with fear and unease.

Are they fearful of me? Did I reveal myself somehow? No, such a thing is certainly not possible. My aura must be the cause; I must have unintentionally set it off once more.

Though usually, something significant occurs shortly afterwards. Unless that criterion only applies to the Other Realm.

In any case, I should return to my room and bide my time until the training day tomorrow. The redhead girl piques my curiosity; she may be capable of more than just Dissonance Affinity.