99. Reunion

The heroes had been attending the academy since their summoning, learning about this world and the fundamentals of magic.

They’d been enrolled in a special S-class—reserved only for those with exceptional talent even within this school—where they attended lectures on magic and martial arts.

The class had around twenty students. A gathering of prodigies and nobles of royal caliber. Though even among nobles, one needed more than mere lineage to gain entry.

Unusually, this class had a designated instructor. Not just teaching, but also providing support for the students’ daily lives—extraordinary treatment.

Today, the anticipation was high, as new transfer students and a special guest instructor were expected.

Miradia and Emilia entered the classroom first, accompanied by the assistant instructor Ida. Ida was assigned to support the heroes as their assistant during their time in this class.

A murmur spread through the room. The miko princess from the Hainzworth Kingdom and the Saintess from the Filimian Holy Kingdom had arrived. Both were celebrities known across the world, their names and appearances instantly recognizable.

Then Shiro, Mitoka, and Shestia entered the classroom. Aria and Albert, meanwhile, were absent—officially operating as adventurers together in this city.

Ida began, “These individuals are the special guest instructors—” Just then, a shout cut through the air.

“Shiro-senpai?!”, Kotone cried.

“Huh? ……Kotone?!”, Shiro turned toward the voice, muttering.

Kotone stood up and dashed toward Shiro.

At that moment, Shestia and Mitoka exchanged a glance, then stepped forward in unison, positioning themselves directly before Shiro.

Kotone noticed this and froze, stunned, halting in her tracks.

“Who?” Shestia asked. Blank expression.

“…And you?” Kotone countered, smiling faintly—eyes unsmiling.

“I’m a close companion of Shiro’s. Shestia,” Shestia offered, half-hearted introduction.

“I’m… Shiro’s… senior,” Kotone began, then faltered.

She looked at Shestia and Mitoka, then squared her resolve.

“I’m his junior… and… uh… childhood friend… Kotone.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly.

Then she stared at Shiro for a long moment.

“Senior… it’s been a while. And just when I thought we’d reunite after all this time… you’re here in another world, surrounded by beautiful girls as maids, and you’re doing *this*? And you *like* maids? And… you’re a lolicon?”

She glared at Shiro again after looking between Mitoka and Shestia. Face clearly angry. Not hiding it at all. Slight flush still on her cheeks.

“Eh?! No, that’s not it at all!”

“Shiro’s my future husband.”

“Shiro is my master.”

They moved to either side of Shiro and clung to his arms.

“Hey, cut it out—don’t mess around like this! Kotone, it’s not like that!” Shiro stammered, flustered.

“Huh. But Senior, you’re *so* happy,” Kotone said, expression unchanging.

“Could it be… Kotone’s Shiro’s one true love?”

Shestia suddenly asked Shiro.

“Eh?!” Shiro flinched. A faint blush crept up his face.

“…” Kotone blushed too, caught off guard.

“…” Shestia tilted her head, deep in thought. Nodded slightly. “Ah, I see.”

“Um… can we stop the flirting for now and get back to business?” Ida said.

Smiling. Eyes not smiling.

“Huh, Kotone, come over here a sec. Oh, hi, Shiro-senpai!” Mizuki waved at Shiro, tugging Kotone along. The three who’d been watching Kotone’s actions now arrived at Shiro’s side.

Mitoka and Shestia, having noticed Kotone had stepped away, also moved further from Shiro.

“…Shiro-nii, it’s been a while,” Makoto said next.

“O-oh, yeah. It’s been a while. I never thought I’d see you guys here… who knows what life’s gonna throw at you, huh?” Shiro said.

“Uh, right, um, Senior Shinokawa, wasn’t it? I’m Masaki Sakurayama. We met once at the astronomy club,” Masaki greeted.

Both of them had just witnessed Kotone and Shiro’s exchange, and after a glance at each other, silently agreed to ignore it.

“Um… are you all acquainted?” Ida asked, tilting her head in mild confusion.

“Huh? Well, yeah. They’re from the same world as me. And they’re my juniors,” Shiro said.

Kotone and Makoto were childhood neighbors, Shiro’s next-door neighbors in fact. They’d known each other since they were kids. Back then, both had looked up to Shiro as an older brother. Makoto had even been Kotone’s tutor at one point. And through middle and high school, Kotone had been a junior in the same astronomy club Shiro had joined.

Both had been longtime friends, quiet and reserved with each other, maintaining a delicate, just-out-of-reach distance. But since Shiro had gone to university and gotten caught up in his studies, they hadn’t seen each other in a while.

Masaki, being Makoto’s close friend, had visited Shiro’s house a few times when Shiro came over to hang out with Makoto, and he also knew him as a junior in the astronomy club. In truth, Masaki was aware of Shiro’s startup venture and secretly admired Shiro as a developer.

Mizuki, being Kotone’s close friend, had exchanged greetings in person but didn’t know her well.

“Shiro… I can’t think of any other explanation for why they were summoned except that you’re somehow involved.”

(That’s true. I’ll have to grill the goddess next time I talk to her. I never heard anything about a hero summoning! And seriously—why Kotone and the others?)

Shiro was left utterly bewildered.

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