Published at 17th of August 2019 7:58 am

Volume 12, Chapter 3: The Magical Girls' Morning

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 1

Saturday, April 24

The next morning, when the invader girls came to room 106, they saw Yurika crying and prostrating.

“P-Please, forgive me already, Satomi-san! I know the multiplication table, so please, don't give me any more multiplication! No more!”

“Shut it Yurika, what is seven times nine?”

“It's 63! Please, forgive me now, I feel like I'm going to go insane!”

“What's eight times five?”

“I-It's 40... Uuuhh~~...”

Koutarou sat straight on the opposite of the table from Yurika with a stern expression while asking her questions from the collection of problems. Yurika, on the other hand, was completely exhausted and was desperately appealing to Koutarou to make him stop. However, Koutarou flat out ignored her and continued asking her questions. They had been doing this since last night.

The atmosphere around the two was bizarre. That alone was already surprising, but what surprised the invader girls the most wasn't that.

“Two times seven.”

“14.... Aaauuuu~”

“Yurika has mastered multiplications?! How?!”

“Just what happened after we left?!”

Everyone was well aware of Yurika's grades. She was so bad that they doubted she could even do extremely simple multiplication. And now, that Yurika had completely mastered the multiplication table. Sanae and Theia were astonished and watched over the two.

“How did he teach that Yurika multiplication in a single night? No, more importantly, just how did it turn into this after we left...?”

“It seems like some big misunderstanding happened...”

Shizuka and Ruth shared their sentiment. These two were wondering why Koutarou and Yurika were studying in the first place. They had expected Koutarou and Yurika's relationship to take a step forward, and as a result, the two would return to their usual selves.

“Please help me, please, Satomi-san won't... Satomi-san won't stop with his math drills!”

Yurika clung onto Kiriha and begged for help.

“Impossible. Once Satomi Koutarou has decided on something he will definitely go through with it.”

However, Kiriha shook her head with a thin smile. She could vaguely imagine what had happened between the two.

She believed that because their relationship had progressed, there was now a need for Yurika to study. Going to a university or getting a job. Regardless of reason, since this was related to Koutarou's future, his determination carried a lot of weight. In that case, he wouldn't listen no matter what Kiriha said.

“No waaa~y.”

Yurika cried and dropped her shoulders.

Yurika, you should notice that this is how Onii-chan expresses his love. What a waste...

The Kii inside of Kiriha began expressing her dissatisfaction. She was frustrated that Yurika hadn't notice Koutarou's obvious expression of love. That's why she felt Yurika should notice that and enjoy it more.

Like thus, the girls had all kinds of impressions regarding Koutarou and Yurika, but neither of the two noticed that and continued their practice.

“Five times four.”

“Uhm―”

However, because she had stayed up all night, Yurika was exhausted and let her guard down now that the other invader girls had arrived, Yurika's answer was slightly delayed.

“20! You have to be able to answer something like this right away.”

Sanae who had taken up her position on Koutarou's back answered before Yurika. Having had plenty of sleep, this kind of calculation was easy.

“You lost to Sanae, Yurika.”

“I didn't get it wrong! I didn't get it wrong!!”

“Yurika, an additional 20 as penalty.”

“Kyaaaaaaa! Nooooooo!!”

She had hoped her nightmare was going to end soon, but the end was nowhere near. Like this, Koutarou had been giving Yurika hope and then taking it away.

“Don't cry. It'll be over soon. It's just 20 more.”

“That's what you've been saying since yesterday!! But no matter how hard I try, it never ends!! I don't want this anymoreeee!!”

Yurika had been shown hope several times, and been given despair just as many times. As a result, the multiplication table had been carved into Yurika as a trauma she would never forget.

“S-Sorry, Yurika.”

“...So that's how he's been teaching Yurika...”

“A living hell...”

“Once Satomi Koutarou has decided on something he won't stop after all.”

“At this rate, Yurika-sama might be able to multiply two numbers in her head by tomorrow...”

While the girls pitied Yurika, they were a little envious that Koutarou was this into it.

“Come on Yurika, quit spacing out, here's the next problem.”

“Please! Make it stop!”

“‘Tarou-kun has six boxes of tennis balls. In each of these boxes are four balls. How many balls are there in total?'”

“T-There are 24... I can't do this anymore! My head's about to explode!!”

“Don't worry, Yurika. You're someone who can pull through when you need it.”

“That gentle glance and trust look a lot more like a grudge right now!!”

That was when the alarm of a clock that was near Yurika went off. It was now 9 in the morning.

“Satomi-san! That's it! It's over!”

Yurika picked up the alarm and showed it to Koutarou.

“Time's up huh...”

After confirming the time, Koutarou turned off the alarm.

Truth be told, Koutarou and Yurika had their own businesses to take care of today. Koutarou had promised some of his classmates to go play at an amusement park, and Yurika had promised to meet with Harumi. That's why if they didn't leave soon, they would be late.

“I guess it can't be helped. Yurika, the study ends here for now. We'll continue later.”

“I-I'm saved...”

Hearing those words, the exhausted Yurika collapsed on the tea table. She had to hurry and get ready, but she remained motionless.

“Oh, and I think you already know this, but come back before the curfew. If you break the curfew...”

A dangerous light could be seen in Koutarou's eyes.

“Hii!”

After leaving behind a short scream, Yurika ran out of the room in the blink of an eye.

“Koutarou.”

“Hmm?”

“Yurika looks like you, you know?”

“What about her?”

“The part where she doesn't work for herself. The way she does and sees it is a little different though.”

“I see... that might be true...”

Looking at Yurika as she escaped room 106, Koutarou thought to himself that just like he needed drastic treatment, then so might Yurika.

Part 2

Koutarou reached the station once the clock had passed 9:45AM. There was still some time left before the promised time of 10AM, so Koutarou decided to stroll through a nearby by bookstore.

“Oh, there it is.”

Koutarou was visiting the bookstore to find some more teaching material for Yurika.

Yurika was only on the level of a second year grade schooler, and she was especially bad at math. Since she hadn't fully learned basic arithmetic operations, it was having a bad influence on her other subjects. For example, she couldn't make salt water at the requested density. In social studies, she can't properly convert yen to dollars. When told to calculate the average time on a 100 meter run in PE she doesn't stand a chance, and while she was concerned about her weight, she couldn't properly do any calorie calculation.

The basis of all her problems was her poor math skills. Having determined that to be the case, Koutarou decided to start Yurika's education with math. As such, he was looking for some material for math.

“Third year math is still too early. But she has her pride... No, no, results are more important than her pride...”

“What are you doing, Satomi-kun?”

Maki appeared in front of Koutarou as he picked up a textbooks. Instead of her normal school uniform, she was wearing casual clothes and gave off a soft impression. Maki was one of the members that Koutarou was going out to play with.

“Good morning, Aika-san. I was just thinking of making Yurika study a little.”

Koutarou showed the collection of problems to Maki. Seeing the cover, Maki put a hand in front of her mouth and smiled a little.

“Yurika-san is bad at studying after all.”

“That's why we're starting from the basics.”

“Yurika-san's reading is a little spotty too.”

“Really? What am I going to do with her...”

Koutarou and Maki went through books with problems for grade schoolers one after another and confirmed its contents. They were after problems that were within Yurika's reach. After finding some interesting books, Koutarou planned to pick them up on his way home from the amusement park.

Satomi-kun treasures Yurika...

That was what Maki felt as she glanced at Koutarou. There was no one that would go this far for just a classmate. This was proof that they were best friends, or maybe even something more. And he was thinking more about Yurika than Maki who was right next to him. This made Maki feel a little lonely.

Were these new clothes... for nothing...?

Maki looked down on the outfit she was wearing and let out a small sigh. She was wearing a brightly colored one piece dress with a lot frills. She also had a large ribbon as a hair accessory to go with her dress. Maki had done her best to make herself look as cute as possible, because she wanted to show a different side of herself to Koutarou. She then wanted him to at least say something. She didn't mind if it wasn't a compliment, she just wanted him to acknowledge that she looked different from normal. However, Koutarou was occupied with something different and wasn't even looking at her. Maki felt lonely; it wasn't envy towards Yurika, but a loneliness because she had no place in Koutarou's mind.

“By the way, Aika-san.”

“...Yes?”

Maki had dropped her shoulders and was looking down on the floor, only to look up when Koutarou called up to her. She saw him holding a collection of problems with his back turned towards her. That back made her feel even lonelier.

“You have an awfully cute feeling around you today, did you give up on your underhanded use of money?”

“Ah...”

Just those words from Koutarou was enough to blow Maki's loneliness away. In its place, her normal yearning for Koutarou filled her heart.

“...Why can't you just say that I look cute, Satomi-kun.”

“Sorry. It seems that's my flaw. I've been hearing a lot about it recently. They tell me to quit trying to distance myself from others.”

Keeping distance from others and not expecting anything from them was the flaw of Koutarou's personality that the invader girls pointed out. Even here, that flaw reared its face. But since he wanted to mend that flaw, Koutarou honestly apologized.

“Uhm, so in this case... you look cute today, Aika-san. That's suitable right?”

“Satomi-kun...”

An unexpected image appeared in Maki's mind. She saw a young boy embracing a half-knit sweater. Maki hugged that boy in her mind and smiled at Koutarou.

“...You would have gotten full marks if not for your last question.”

“You're so strict, Aika-san.”

Koutarou turned towards Maki and smiled. As he did, an image floated up into his head for just a moment. But the smile he saw on Maki was so bright the image vanished before becoming clear.

“There has never been a moment in history where women haven't been strict.”

“Yeah. You women are always strict, except during the most important times...”

Koutarou and Maki laughed together Maki was happy just being able to laugh together like this. Koutarou was smiling at her. There was nothing better than this.

However,

“Navy-san, you've already made a contract with a devil or something, haven't you?”

Maki remembered the words that Dark Green had spoken yesterday. In that moment, anxiety began spreading through her.

That's right, I have to confirm that...

Koutarou turned his back towards Maki and started looking through books again. Maki pointed her palm towards her back and mumbled something.

“...Analyze Magic.”

It was a spell that analyzed the effects of magic. Maki wasn't wearing her magical girl outfit or holding her cane, but she could use simple spells even in this state. Maki was going to use this spell to examine herself and Koutarou.

It wasn't Green's misunderstanding... there really is a magical contract between us.

Maki wasn't specialized in information related spells like Green, so she couldn't detect the magic until she got closer to Koutarou. As a result, she had now been able to confirm the magical contract between herself and Koutarou.

This... really is from that time...

Maki had no recollection of forming a contract with someone herself. Which would mean that the other side, Koutarou, had formed the contract. And Maki had only one time in mind.

It was a few months ago during their ski trip. Maki had been seriously injured in the mountains, and had been healed by Koutarou using magic. But since Koutarou isn't a magician, he had let his sword use its powerful magic. The sword emitted its pure white light and healed Maki's wound. And in that light, Maki had seen a single boy. A boy trembling in solitude. And Maki had told that boy, “It's okay, I'll always be with you...”

If that is the contract... everything would make sense...

Something similar happened to Koutarou, and as a result, a contract was formed. It was hard to imagine Koutarou forming a contract on purpose since he wasn't very knowledgeable at magic. It was likely that the sword had created the contract in order to save Maki.

“It's an equal and persistent contract with a mental connection between the parties... and there's no limit to the mutual assistance. It's almost like they're one the same. It's quite a drastic contract...”

But the contract that Green had mentioned worried Maki.

Do I really love Satomi-kun...?

Maki loved Koutarou. But now, she couldn't trust in her own feelings. Maki started doubting herself and wondered if her feelings were only due to the contract.

Up until now, Maki had felt like Koutarou was reading her mind several times. In everyday life and in battle. She thought that was because they had good compatibility. That's why she had begun feeling for Koutarou, thinking that they shared the same feelings and could fill each other's loneliness.

But if a contract existed between them, then that might not be the case. Their compatibility and her feelings for Koutarou might just be an illusion created by the contract.

Back then, Maki had completely given up on her life. Even if her wounds were healed, it wasn't sure if she would survive in that state. And with the mental wound from the past that Koutarou had, he probably wouldn't be able to stand having someone die in front of him.

In order for the two to live together, the sword formed a contract. It pushed them to treasure one another. Maki had been given hope, the treatment had succeeded and Koutarou's mind had been protected.

In other words, in order to save Maki and protect Koutarou, Maki might have been brainwashed.

If I annul this contract, that question would be answered, but...

There was a strong compulsion caused by the contract binding the two. The two were tied together forever and urged them to save one another. It was possible to annul that contract by going through the correct procedures. However, the safety and consent of both parties were the conditions.

If the contract was annulled, Maki would recover even if she was brainwashed. And by doing that, she would know if her current feelings were from her own intentions.

But if I am being brainwashed... should I really annul the contract? Even though Satomi-san might be killed by me...?

However, Maki hesitated to annul the contract.

She was scared that she might become someone else, worried that she might become Koutarou's enemy once more. That's why she wasn't trying to annul the contract right away.

If I'm not being brainwashed then I can just annul the contract... then I will know how I really feel...

While Maki feared brainwashing, she wanted to trust in her feelings. She wanted her love for Koutarou to be her own, rather than a construct by the contract.

But with the contract, her feelings would remain a doubt and she would probably always be uneasy. The only solution to this was to annul the contract and confirm it herself. That's why, for at least this purpose, Maki wanted to annul the contract.

...What should I do...

Maki continued worrying.

If she annulled the contract, she would know if her feelings were true or not. However, if she did, she might become Koutarou's enemy again. And once annulled, the contract wouldn't return. It wasn't an easy decision.

“Is something the matter, Aika-san?”

Koutarou called out to Maki as she worried. He found it strange that she suddenly fell silent.

“No, it's nothing at all.”

Maki hurriedly smiled and shook her head. As she did, the ribbon on the back of her head swayed back and forth.

“...Satomi-kun, it's almost 10AM, let's go.”

“Hm? Ah, yeah.”

Maki grabbed the sleeve of Koutarou's shirt and led the way. At the same time, she kept her head low to keep Koutarou from seeing her face.

I have to return to my usual self before we get out of this store... I have to protect Satomi-kun today...

In the end, though she continued worrying, Maki decided to maintain her current state.

Even if her feelings were a product of a contract, changing into someone else was scary. And if she really was being brainwashed, the risk was too high. To Maki, keeping Koutarou out of harm’s way took priority. That's why, as long as the possibility of her being brainwashed remained, she couldn't annul the contract.

I will definitely protect him. From any enemy... even if it's the original me...

It was because Maki had lived most of her life inside darkness, she didn't want to let go of the warmth she had within her reach, even if it was just an illusion.

Part 3

Sakuraba Harumi had to go to the hospital in the morning for a check-up. Yurika was tagging along with her, and once Harumi was done, the two would go out to play. They were expecting to go out to eat and shop.

“—and then, Satomi-san hit me.”

“Fufu, if Satomi-kun hit you then you must have really skipped studying for a long time.”

“Uuhhh?! T-T-That's...”

“Not true?”

“...No comment.”

The two were currently talking in the waiting room at the hospital. Harumi's check-up was over, and all that was left was to pay. Because there were a lot of people that used this hospital, and because the calculations were complex, Harumi was kept around for ten minutes every time before she could pay. The two were using that time to talk, but the topic naturally shifted to Koutarou.

“Anyways, Satomi-san is the one who's wrong. Satomi-san is fundamentally lacking in love towards me.”

Yurika puffed her cheeks as she said that.

“Nijino-san, truth be told, you don't actually believe that, right?”

However, with just a single look at Yurika's face, Harumi had decided that Yurika wasn't telling the truth. While looking at her face, Harumi gently smiled.

“That's not true. Satomi-san is always violent and mean.”

Yurika continued shaking her head.

“That's a lie. I don't believe it.”

But even then, Harumi didn't believe Yurika's words.

“T-That's not true! Why would you think that?”

“Fufufu... that's because lately, you seem so happy whenever you talk about Satomi-san.”

“Eeehh?!”

The moment Harumi pointed that out, Yurika started blushing. Seeing that change in expression, Harumi was convinced that her suspicion were true.

“You haven't noticed yourself? Even now, you sounded really happy when you said that Satomi-kun hit you... Even back when you mentioned your snacks being stolen, you sounded really cheerful.”

Harumi had noticed that Yurika sounded really happy as of late whenever she spoke about Koutarou. Whenever she did, even if she seemed unhappy, her eyes were always laughing.

And during these past few weeks, there had been a big change. When Yurika spoke of Koutarou like she did in the past, she had a different atmosphere to her. She still seemed happy, but now her happy feelings seemed mixed.

“It's like I'm watching myself... that's why I can tell.”

“...Auu...”

“Do you love Satomi-kun too, Nijino-san?”

Yurika was in love; that was what Harumi had concluded in almost no time at all, because she had been the same. Yurika had the same eyes that Harumi did when she would fix her hair in front of a mirror before going to her club activities.

“...”

The conclusion was clear, but Yurika was unable to answer right away. She was of course embarrassed, but the biggest reason was something else.

I've... fallen in love with the person Sakuraba-senpai loves...

At first, Yurika had been working to get Harumi and Koutarou together. She had consulted with Harumi and given her advice. But after time passed and she learned more about Koutarou, she fell in love with him herself. This was a big miscalculation for Yurika, and at the same time, the guilty truth. That's why Yurika couldn't reveal her own feelings to Harumi.

“You don't have to hide it, Nijino-san. I understand your feelings... and while they might not show it, I believe there are many girls that love Satomi-kun...”

Harumi had no intentions of blaming Yurika. To her, giving up on love because of the order in which people met or the order in which they fell in love with someone was too sad. She believed that everyone should have a fair chance. And because she found Satomi Koutarou to be attractive, she felt it was only obvious that Yurika would fall in love with him too.

“...Yes...”

Yurika felt so guilty she couldn't look at Harumi's face. However, she responded in a quiet voice and nodded her head ever so slightly.

“I see... that's great...”

Seeing that, Harumi happily nodded.

“Eh... great...?”

Yurika found Harumi's reaction strange and hurriedly looked up at her. As she did, she found Harumi looking at her with a gentle expression. And because Yurika wanted to know the meaning behind Harumi's words, she looked right back at her.

“Nijino-san... don't you think we're plain compared to many of the girls around Satomi-kun?”

However, what Harumi said, wasn't an answer to the question she asked; instead, Harumi answered with a different question. Yurika was somewhat confused, but she honestly answered the question.

“...Uhm... I think so...”

Yurika felt the same thing Harumi did.

Theia was a shining, strong and beautiful princess.

Kiriha was far more mature and wiser, and left the others behind when it came to femininity.

Sanae was honest and straight to the point. When it came to loveliness, she wouldn't lose to anyone.

Ruth was serious and single-minded. Though she had nothing that stood out, when all her positives were summed up, she was something that you could safely entrust your home to.

Not only was Shizuka an expert at martial arts, but she was a reliable person who managed Corona House on her own. Her bright character and gossip loving personality only helped to make her stand out more.

Just by thinking for a moment, Yurika could easily think of five attractive girls around Koutarou. Compared to them, only Yurika's bad sides stood out, and when looking at her good parts, she was only a plain girl.

The same could be said about Harumi. She was originally shy and weak to pressure. She had been improving as of late, but she was still introverted. As a result, she had a hard time expressing the deep love and kindness within her.

As a result, Yurika and Harumi were plain girls when it came to appealing to men.

“That's why... would you like to work together with me to make Satomi-kun turn our way?”

“Eeehhh...?”

That was all to an unexpected request. Harumi wanted to work together with Yurika to appeal to Koutarou. It was a surprising proposition, but for them it might be an effective means.

I see. That's why she said it was great...

That was when Yurika finally understood Harumi's intentions. Harumi knew that she was someone that didn't stand out, and that she was in need of improvement. That was when she learned of Yurika's true feelings. That's why she felt relieved and asked for Yurika's cooperation.

“If the two of us work together, I think we can, how do I say this... support the lonely part inside of Satomi-kun.”

This might have been what was really important to Harumi. There was something she had always wondered about; why did a man like Koutarou join the knitting society? Harumi had been thinking about that the entire year. And just recently, she had reached a certain conclusion.

During their club activities, Koutarou had been excessively concerned with learning how to knit sweaters. In fact, when he first joined, he had mentioned sweaters. That's why Harumi started thinking that it held a great meaning to Koutarou.

Moreover, Koutarou would very rarely show an extremely lonely expression during their club activities. Since Koutarou had taken care not to show that expression, Harumi hadn't noticed until half a year later after he joined the society. Ever since then, whenever Harumi saw that face, she felt the need to do something.

Harumi began thinking that Koutarou's obsession with knitting sweaters had something to do with that loneliness. If those two were related, then Harumi would need help. She believed she couldn't heal his heart on her own.

“I think Satomi-kun has some sad memories about a sweater. That's why he is desperately trying to learn how to knit one despite being a boy. I can teach him how to knit, but my body is frail and I will be graduating next year. That's why I can't heal his loneliness. That's why I wanted you to help me, Nijino-san.”

“...Sakuraba-senpai... you...”

Yurika truly believed that Harumi was amazing. Yurika knew of Koutarou's past thanks to Kiriha. The fact is that the half-knit sweater is a keepsake from his mother. But even then, she didn't notice how to heal Koutarou. However, Harumi who had no idea of Koutarou's past had found a way. Kiriha and the others had said that Yurika was closest to Koutarou, but in fact, the closest one of all was Harumi.

Satomi-san joined the knitting society because he wanted to finish his mother's half-knit sweater... That is probably to get his feelings in order... That's why Satomi-san won't be able to fully trust in others before it's complete... In that case, even if we get continue to get closer to Satomi-san, we will eventually hit another wall! This is surely the piece of the puzzle we were missing!

At this moment, Yurika was the first of the girls around Koutarou to find a method to fully mend Koutarou's wounded heart.

In order to heal Koutarou's heart, the girls needed to give Koutarou their warmth in their own ways, while he had to complete his mother's sweater by his own hands. Like Harumi said, without both of these things, Koutarou can't be saved. He could only fully heal once he had both.

I can save him... No, if we all combine our powers, we can save Satomi-san...!

Up until now, Yurika had always been the one being saved, but now was her chance to save Koutarou. That conviction filled Yurika with a powerful sense of joy. Yurika was grateful for this chance. She might not have reached this conclusion if it wasn't for all the girls around Koutarou.

“I understand, Sakuraba-senpai! Let's start out with the two of us!”

Yurika decided to start out with her and Harumi. She would eventually need to explain the situation to all the girls of room 106, but Yurika felt like Harumi, who had reached this answer, deserved to lead the way. Harumi also had the handicap of not being involved with room 106.

“Thank you, Nijino-san!”

Harumi smiled happily. Nothing was as reassuring as having her closest friend support and help her. And she could be of help to the boy she loved. That's why her smile at this time looked like it belonged to a child.

“For the time being, I will join the knitting society! With that, we can maintain the minimum amount of people and preserve the society!”

According to school regulations, clubs required a minimum of four people, and societies a minimum of two. Since the knitting society was unable to get any new members, it would be shut down if no new members joined before April of next year. And if Koutarou's sweater wasn't completed before that time, things might become problematic. So in order to avoid that, Yurika decided to join the knitting society.

“Fufu... that's quite crafty of you, Nijino-san. It would be a big help if you did.”

“But, but... won't I get in the way?”

Yurika had been keeping her distance from the knitting society in order to not get in the way of Koutarou and Harumi. From that viewpoint, having Yurika join the society would be undesirable.

“Not at all. I think it's more important to help Satomi-kun. And Nijino-san, we decided that we would work together, right?”

While Harumi might be troubled by having others join the knitting society because she would be unable to be alone with Koutarou, she had no problems with Yurika joining. If it was just Yurika, she could continue the same way she always had. If we she was with Yurika, she would be able to muster more courage to become bolder.

“Yes!”

Relieved, Yurika's eyes started sparkling. She was happy that she could be of help without getting in Harumi's way, in fact, she welcomed the situation. That was because Harumi was making up for Yurika's own faults.

“With this, I think we can have club activities even when I am in the hospital. I'm counting on you, Nijino-san.”

“This Nijino Yurika will do her best!”

Harumi and Yurika smiled and continued chatting. The topics were friendship and love. They two were enjoying their lives to its fullest.

“...Oh, you two sound like you're having fun.”

That was when someone called out to the two. Looking in the direction of the two, they saw a woman wearing an elegant suit.

“Kanae-san!”

“Nice to meet you, Higashihongan-san.”

“What an unusual combination. May I join you?”

The woman's name was Higashihongan Kanae.

She was someone close to both Yurika and Harumi.

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