We arrived at Orudera Middle School a little after 9:30 in the morning. I was spectacularly late on my very first day of transferring. When Bakugou guided me to the staff room, the teachers looked shocked. When I honestly explained why I was late, they immediately called me directionally challenged.
So I really am directionally challenged…? No, that can't be right. It can't be. After all, if you just keep walking, you'll eventually reach your destination, right? See? I'm not directionally challenged. Definitely not. I refuse to accept it. I refuse…!
Hey, what's with that look, Bakugou Katsuki? Staring at my face like that. I know exactly what people make that face for. They're thinking "klutz," aren't they? Let me make one thing clear: I am not a klutz. I absolutely cannot accept being treated like one.
While thinking that, I listened to the teacher's explanation, then left the staff room. I'd been told which classroom I was in. I just didn't know where it was.
Now then, what to do…
The school building isn't that big. If I just walk around, I should find it eventually. I've been inside this building once before. Yeah, let's do that.
With high spirits, I started walking—only for Bakugou to grab me by the collar. Hey, wait a second. Don't drag people around. You're supposed to be my little brother, aren't you? In that case, you should be carrying me on your back or giving me a piggyback ride! Also, if my guardian sees me like this, it'll be a disaster. Mostly for me.
"You're seriously directionally challenged… You trying to get lost for real?"
"Fool. I am not directionally challenged. I just can't make it home until morning if I take a little walk."
"That's the worst kind of directionally challenged idiot! How can you still say you're not one, you dumbass!!"
Hey, we're in the middle of class. Raising your voice in the hallway is not okay. What are you going to do if a teacher scolds you? I don't want to get lectured by a teacher on my first day of transfer. Seriously, this guy… I should probably discipline him properly once. If I leave him alone like I do with my guardian, who knows what will happen. Maybe I need to thoroughly—
…No. Better not. No matter how much Lady Bakugou said I could treat him however I wanted, I can't cause trouble for my family or my guardian. Still, he doesn't look like the type to submit with words. I guess I'll have to show him through actions.
The thing is… in the past, if I didn't like someone, I killed them without question. Kidnappers, villains who abused children, or what this era calls "toxic parents." But in this time, if you commit murder, the police will arrest you and throw you in jail, right?
Ugh. This brat is such a pain. I shouldn't have gotten involved with him. But judging from how my mother acts, I probably should maintain good neighborly relations…
"Hey. We're here, you damn shorty."
While I was lost in thought, we had already reached the classroom. How did this guy get here? Damn it. I didn't memorize the route.
Oh well. Tomorrow I can just have Bakugou guide me again. If I wander around alone, both my guardian and my parents will come looking for me. For a while, I'll just rely on my little brother to show me around.
"Thanks for the trouble. You're surprisingly useful, little brother."
"Tch. Who the hell do you think you are…?"
If he asks who I think I am, I'd like to answer "a jujutsu sorcerer," but that reply feels like it would get me treated like Tokoyami. I'll hold back. For now, I'll ignore Bakugou's grumbling and enter the classroom. Since I'm perfectly late, I'll definitely draw attention, but I'm used to having lots of children stare at me from my previous life. I've looked after kids quite often, you know.
"Good morning, everyone! Starting today, I'll be in your care. I am Edo Michi Enka! Sorry, but I already have a fiancée, so please keep your distance!
This guy here is my little brother, Bakugou Katsuki! His head's a little messed up, but please get along with him! Gahahaha!"
Yes. I managed to speak from the gut. I even smiled. That should be a good enough self-introduction.
Hm? What's wrong, little brother? You're shaking so much. Oh ho, I see—you're actually happy, aren't you? You really are like a dog.
"Don't spout that bullshit, you damn shorty!!!!"
"Ugh… you're loud. You're disturbing the class. Quiet down, brat!"
Don't get angry, don't get angry. Nothing good comes from giving in to rage. What a handful of a little brother. Maybe I should teach him how to control his emotions first?
◆
…Oh no. I got lost again. Just to be safe, I took a walk around the school building during lunch break, and now I can't find my way back to the classroom. Thinking back, at my previous middle school I was always with Tokoyami. During moving classrooms. Phys ed was separated by gender, but even then… I think he used to escort me. So… I really am directionally challenged. I thought I wasn't, but… This is bad. I suddenly feel pathetic.
If I get the chance to see Tokoyami again, I should thank him. Come to think of it, I have his contact info. Maybe I'll message him later. I'm suddenly in the mood to hear his dark shadow voice again after so long.
Wait, hold on. Would that count as cheating? Would it be treated as cheating? I really don't want my guardian to sulk and say "Enka-chan, you're the worst. Cheater." When she gets like that, it takes forever for her mood to improve.
…I'll ask for permission first. Yes, that's what I'll do. So I'm not a cheater!
"So… where is this place?"
While I was walking carefree, I somehow wandered into a dusty classroom. There were piles of desks and chairs, so maybe they're using this empty room as a storage space?
The curtains are closed, making it strangely dim. Plus, the air here feels bad. Cursed energy-wise, it's bad. If I came here at night, something might show up.
I thought I'd already exorcised all the cursed spirits in this building. Did I miss one…?
No, that's not it. This isn't a cursed spirit. It's residual cursed energy. And it's from a cursed spirit.
…There's no sign that someone else exorcised it. There's only one trace of residue. Did a cursed spirit that appeared at school move somewhere else? I don't know. I've never been good with the finer details. I always left that sort of thing to sorcerers who specialized in it. At least for a while.
Can't be helped. I'll come back at night and check. Fifth period is about to start soon. I'm anxious about whether I can make it back to the classroom before class begins. I should have brought my little brother with me. Trying to be considerate and leave him alone during lunch break was apparently a mistake.
By the way. Because I transferred in, Bakugou ended up getting a weird misunderstanding from everyone around him. He apparently went around denying that he was my little brother, but no one believed him. I wonder what his classmates think of him.
Well, if he acts like that toward everyone all the time, it's no wonder he has no credibility with those around him. Maybe I should fix that attitude for him as soon as possible?
What a troublesome brat. I guess I'll look after him for this next year or so. Just a little over a year, and only while we're at school. After school is off-limits. I can't leave my guardian alone. If she sulks it's a pain, and I want to hurry home to eat the snacks.
I'll say it as many times as I need to: there is no continuation. (Greetings)
I guess I don't need this greeting anymore…
It's been a while since we had Enka-chan's "gahahaha" laugh. So cute.
The survey ends tonight. Thank you very much.