I said, don't make me drink it!
In the end, I never did learn the true nature of the residue in the supply room.
Having been slapped with a curfew, I tried my best to investigate that dusty room during the day, but the school breaks were simply too short. I'd planned to dig deeper after school, but my subordinate grabbed me by the collar and marched me straight home.
Honestly, does that brat actually listen to Mrs. Bakugo's orders despite his foul mouth? Or was it because the homeroom teacher officially appointed him as my "caretaker"? Either way, his sudden "model student" behavior was nothing but a hindrance to my investigation. If he keeps acting this helpful, I might just have to "graduate" him from his position as my subordinate.
That aside, a truly horrifying rumor has begun to spread through Oridera Junior High. Apparently, Bakugo and I are "engaged." This is not funny. Not in the least. The sense of impending doom I feel is no mere trick of the imagination. I pray—I beg—that this news does not reach Himiko's ears. I am the one who will suffer the consequences later. How did it even come to this?
Hey. Don't you dare look at me like it's my fault, you brat. This is a nuisance for me too! They say rumors only last seventy-five days, but am I truly expected to live in fear of Himiko for over two months?
Actually, it might be better if I explained it to her myself. If I do that, things won't turn ugly. They shouldn't. Tell me they won't, you brat! If anything happens to me, I'm holding you personally responsible.
…Well, spring break starts tomorrow. There will be class shuffles once the new term begins; surely with a long holiday in between, the school's bizarre interest in us will fade. One can only hope.
So, spring break. Once it ends, I'll officially be an "exam-year" student. I don't particularly have a preferred career path, but Mother has told me I should become a Hero. A profession dedicated to capturing villains and rescuing people in disaster zones—a job where one takes the lead in helping others while basking in the public eye. To be perfectly honest, I have very little interest in it.
I am a Jujutsu Sorcerer. Whether I die or am reborn, that is a status I can never escape. Furthermore, in this era, I see no other sorcerers. If I am the only one, then I am the only one who can exorcise the Curses.
That said, it is an undeniable fact that one cannot use their "Quirk" freely without becoming a Hero. My Quirk is currently registered as "Blood Manipulation." While I can hide my work from the outside world by dropping a Veil, anyone already inside would see everything.
…When I consider that, a license is essentially a permit to use my Technique. Perhaps I should have registered my Quirk as "Rotation" instead? No… either way, if people see me using it, the trouble remains the same.
I see… so that is why Mother told me to become a Hero. I suppose I'll put down a high school with a Heroics course as my first choice. Perhaps I'll pay a visit to the "Career Counselor" once the break is over.
On another note! Today's snack is divine. Stuffing my cheeks with these baked treats called "muffins" is pure bliss. The only drawback is the way they dry out one's throat, but that is a small price to pay for such happiness. To serve such a treat the moment I walk through the door… Himiko truly knows what she's doing. Did she bake these for me? Hmph. Very well. You may bake more.
"You've been making such a serious face for a while now. What's wrong?"
"…? No, I h-haven't. I'm not making a face like that."
"Yes, you are."
"I told you, Himiko, I'm not!"
It's true that I was pondering many things, but "serious"? Nonsense. My mouth is full of sweetness and joy; why would I look troubled? Though, it might be because that wretched drink has been sitting right in front of me this whole time.
Himiko. I am not drinking that. Never. Not even if all the water in the world turned into that liquid; I would gladly die of thirst first!
"Madoka-chan. Drink your milk."
"I REFUSE!"
I decline! I am in firm, absolute opposition! I utterly loathe that cow secretion!
I don't care if I never grow another inch; I refuse to allow "drinking milk for my health" to be a part of my life.
I truly, truly hate it. It reminds me of being an infant. You wouldn't understand, Himiko. You don't know the hell of being in an environment where you would die if you didn't let a woman younger than yourself feed you. The terror of being trapped in that state! The sheer annoyance of everyone making a massive fuss the moment you stop drinking!
So, I will not drink it! I said I won't! I have no prospects of growing any taller anyway, so there is no point! (Though I will not forgive anyone who dares call me a "shorty"!!)
"…If you don't drink it, there will be no snacks tomorrow."
"Wait, Himiko. Are you telling me to die? Are you truly okay with that?"
"People don't die just because they miss a snack, you know."
"No, no, no! I don't want to drink it!"
"Fine. I understand. Let's do it this way, then."
Do what? Oh? Is she going to drink it for me? Good. You should have done that from the start. I don't even want to look at the—Wait. Why did you make such an evil face before taking a sip?
…Hey, wait. Hold on. Why are you coming toward me with your mouth full of milk?
What are you thinking? What do you plan to do?!
I said stop! Don't put your hand behind my head!
…!
This is bad! I have a terrible feeling about this! I have it right now! I have to get away! I have to flee this place—Mmph!!
"Nnh?! Mmph…! Wh-Wait, Himi… nngh…!"
"Nn… chu. Hehe. Today, Madoka-chan… tastes like milk…"
I hate milk. I really, really hate it. It's bad enough just looking at it, but if I don't drink it, I'm forced to take it via mouth-to-mouth. And furthermore—furthermore!
"Hehe… that was actually… a little bit naughty…"
Himiko said that with a beaming smile as she pinned me down! You brat, do you get excited by me being covered in milk as well as blood?!
What is wrong with your brain?!
A doctor! Someone fetch a doctor!! Better yet, build a hospital right here! Immediately! Do it now!!!
…Sniff. I hate milk… I don't want to drink it… hic…