"O radiant sun that shines upon the world, take pride in the honor of sharing existence with someone like me!"
At the training grounds, T.M. Opera O laughed loudly.
"Come, little white kitten. Capture the grandeur of this ruler in all its glory!"
Standing in front of her, Fujiwara Shirayuki quietly took out a camera and began snapping photos.
This kind of "help" was a bit different from what she had imagined. It wasn't difficult, but it didn't feel like real help either. Helping someone, to her, meant reaching out to someone in need. Right now, she was just acting as Opera O's photographer.
"Not enough! A ruler's majesty requires proper attire! Where is my cape?"
"Y-yes! Right here!" Meisho Doto hurried over, holding a red cape. But as she ran, it dragged along the ground. Before she realized it, she stepped on it.
The cape tightened instantly, tangling around her arm. The sudden pull threw her off balance, and she tumbled right to Opera O's feet.
The once-bright cape was now stained with dirt and grass.
"Ahh… Opera O, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Doto kept apologizing as she looked at the torn fabric.
"…No, Doto." Opera O picked up the damaged cape and draped it over her shoulders. "Scars upon armor are a knight's honor. A ruler who conquers all will bear countless marks."
She turned, flicking the cape dramatically.
"Now then, little white kitten. I've already decided the title of this masterpiece."
"The Overlord of the Century's End!"
As sunlight passed through the torn fabric and fell across her, Shirayuki pressed the shutter. The moment was captured.
After the shoot, Opera O happily signed her name on the form. As for the recommendation, she wrote: Has an eye for beauty.
That brought Shirayuki's total to two signatures for the day.
It was a good pace so far.
But she knew the real challenge would begin after her close friends were done helping. Getting signatures from people she barely knew would not be easy.
Step by step.
That afternoon, Shirayuki headed to the infirmary as instructed by Agnes Tachyon.
To be safe, she wanted to confirm the body measurement procedure with Tazuna-san, but unfortunately, she was out. The principal wasn't around either.
So she had no choice but to follow Tachyon's instructions.
Inside the room, it was empty.
"…Wasn't it supposed to be one o'clock?"
She checked the time, then sat down to wait.
Click.
The door opened. Turning around, Shirayuki saw Tachyon enter and lock it behind her.
"Right on time, Shirayuki."
"Tachyon-senpai…"
"What about the health committee member?"
"She's busy. She won't be coming."
"Eh? Then what about the measurements…"
"She asked me to handle it."
Tachyon took out a form and pulled back the curtain, revealing equipment already prepared.
"Let's start. Go ahead and take off your clothes."
"…I have to?"
"Of course. Don't tell me you've done this fully dressed before."
Well… no. But usually there was a proper explanation beforehand.
Right now, she was only wearing underwear.
"Do I really have to?"
"It's just the two of us. What's there to be afraid of?"
…Actually, it's more like three people.
Even so, Shirayuki reluctantly complied.
"Your skin is in excellent condition," Tachyon said as she stepped closer, observing her carefully. It was almost unnaturally smooth.
Without hesitation, Tachyon reached out and touched her stomach.
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
"Whoa, what was that sound?!"Back in the trainers' office, Katsumura Yota jumped in surprise.
"Cough… just vocal practice. Hand me the materials for tomorrow's joint training."
"That was sudden. You okay?"
"I'm perfectly fine."
Fujiwara Chiya casually brushed it off, though his attention was already back elsewhere.
"Tachyon-senpai!"
"Sorry, I was just checking. Are you that sensitive?"
"…I think I'm normal."
"For someone 'normal,' that reaction was pretty strong."
Tachyon pulled out a measuring tape.
"Take off your bra."
Shirayuki hesitated, then followed her instructions. Her upper body was now fully exposed.
"…Nice proportions."
"Th-thank you…"
Her face was getting hotter.
As the measuring tape wrapped around her chest, the slight contact made her shiver.
"…You really are overly sensitive," Tachyon muttered.
"I said I'm normal…"
"I'm not so sure."
Her crimson eyes sharpened.
"Typically, infants have the most sensitive skin. As the body ages, metabolism slows, moisture and collagen decrease, and sensitivity drops."
She lowered the tape and stared intently.
"But your skin retains that level of sensitivity. Why? Is your metabolism unusually high? Beyond normal human limits?"
There was clear curiosity in her gaze.
"This kind of body is rare. I already wanted your data, but now… it seems you're hiding even more."
At that moment, Shirayuki felt it.
Something was off.
There was no official checkup. She'd been lured here.
"Um… I just remembered I have something to do. Maybe we can continue another time—"
She grabbed her clothes and tried to leave.
But Tachyon caught her wrist.
"Where do you think you're going?"
She smiled.
"We've only just begun."