Watching Satania's jubilant figure gradually disappear into the distance, Sato fell into thought. Even from so far away, he could still hear her maniacal laughter after she apparently finished imagining a whole series of scenarios.
Good grief.
Sato shook his head helplessly, suddenly feeling a little sorry for Gabriel.
Just what kind of inhumane things had she imagined doing to Gabriel to be laughing so happily?
Still, that girl really did seem a little dim.
Sato watched her retreat with a thoughtful expression, unable to help sighing inwardly.
She looked like such a nice girl, so why did she always give the impression that her brain wasn't working quite right?
The feeling of déjà vu was especially strong. She reminded him of... what exactly?
After thinking it over, one particular creature renowned for its "intelligence" came to mind.
"She's basically... a girl who's just like a husky."
Sato muttered to himself.
...
Sato finally stopped in front of a detached house.
Looking up, he saw the nameplate mounted on the wall beside the entrance. Written on it were the characters "Kasumigaoka."
This was the place.
"Ding dong."
Standing at the gate, Sato took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell.
Bzzz...
After a brief wait, a burst of static came from the intercom beside the bell.
"Hello, who is it?"
Immediately afterward came Kasumigaoka Utaha's somewhat weak voice.
"It's me, Sato."
"M... Miyabi-sensei?"
Utaha was clearly surprised by Sato's unexpected visit.
A moment later, he saw someone poke their head out of the second-floor window.
It was none other than Kasumigaoka Utaha.
He could clearly see the surprise on her face at his sudden arrival.
He waved to her.
After confirming that it really was him, Utaha quickly withdrew her head back inside.
"Please wait a moment. I'll be right there!"
Her voice came through the intercom at the same time.
Sato waited outside for only a short while before seeing Utaha come out of the house.
She was wearing white pajamas decorated with cartoon characters. Her long black hair fell over her back, and her beautiful face looked rather pale. Even her lips had lost their usual rosy color. Compared to her normally strong and confident demeanor, she now carried a fragile air.
Creak.
Utaha opened the iron gate between them. Moistening her dry lips, she looked at Sato curiously.
"Miyabi-sensei, what brings you here?"
"You didn't sound very well yesterday. I happened to have some free time today, so I came to check on you."
Sato gestured toward the fruit he was carrying and shrugged.
"My, for someone as busy as you to spare time from your hectic schedule to visit a humble young woman like me, I truly feel deeply honored."
A gentle smile spread across Utaha's face. Her wine-red eyes rested on Sato, though it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
That tone...
Yep, she was still the same Kasumigaoka Utaha. No matter how she spoke, it always felt as though there were hidden barbs in her words.
Sato couldn't help shaking his head.
Seeing his reaction, Utaha smiled even more brightly. She seemed to have perked up considerably.
"Miyabi-sensei, please come in. My parents aren't home today, you know."
You really didn't need to tell me that.
The corner of Sato's mouth twitched.
After changing into slippers together at the entrance, they went inside.
Utaha didn't stop in the living room. Instead, she led him directly upstairs.
Finally, they entered a room.
Standing in the doorway, Sato looked around with a slightly bewildered expression.
This couldn't be... Kasumi-sensei's bedroom, could it?
After walking inside, Utaha turned around to look at him. The corners of her lips were slightly raised. Judging by her expression, she seemed to be in quite a good mood.
"Miyabi-sensei, why aren't you coming in? Do you think my room is some kind of dragon's den?"
"Not at all. It just caught me a little off guard."
Sato calmly walked inside, then raised the bag of fruit in his hand.
"Where should I put these?"
"Just leave them on the desk."
After setting the fruit down, Sato turned back.
Utaha had already climbed into bed, pulled the blanket over herself, and was leaning against her pillow.
"Cough, cough."
He heard her cough twice. Her beautiful face looked rather miserable.
"How high is your fever?"
"Thirty-eight degrees."
Sato frowned slightly.
"How did you end up like this?"
At the question, Utaha's expression suddenly became rather awkward. She hesitated, looking unusually bashful.
"Didn't wear enough clothes?"
Utaha shook her head.
"Caught a chill after taking a bath?"
She shook her head again.
Just as Sato was about to continue guessing, Utaha quietly muttered a few words.
Sato froze for a moment before looking at her in surprise.
"You're serious?"
A trace of embarrassment and annoyance appeared on Utaha's face. She glared fiercely at him.
"Do you have a problem with that?"
Sato calmly shook his head, though the corners of his eyes twitched as though he were desperately holding something back.
"No. I just think..."
In the end, he couldn't hold it in any longer.
He burst out laughing, so hard that tears nearly came to his eyes.
Utaha stared at him coldly.
Sato immediately stopped laughing. Shaking his head, he said,
"Who would've thought that the girl everyone calls a goddess kicks off her blanket while sleeping? If people found out, do you think your image would collapse overnight?"
"Don't you dare!"
Utaha fixed him with an icy glare.
"All right, all right, don't be mad. I was just joking, but..."
After pausing for a moment, Sato couldn't help laughing again.
Who could have imagined that the cool, aloof goddess had such an adorable habit?
The more he thought about it, the more that contrast made Kasumigaoka Utaha seem much cuter.
On the other hand, hearing Sato's laughter made Utaha's cheeks flush bright red.
Cursing herself inwardly for ever telling him the truth, she angrily grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
"Did you come here to visit me, or just to annoy me?"