I am an exam candidate.
Exam prep is an utter nightmare. I've decided to aim for the same school as Hisamiko, but the deviation score required for their Hero Course is absurdly high. With my current academic standing… I'll have to study like a man possessed. Especially English. I don't understand a lick of it. Lately, Hisamiko has started speaking to me in English under the guise of "improving my listening skills." I haven't the faintest idea what she's saying, so I wish she'd just stop.
I CANNOT SPEAKING ENGLISH!
Then there's the interview practice. I loathe it. Being forced to change my speech patterns does not sit well with me. And the "smiling practice"? I have no love for that either. Still, I suppose both are necessary evils if I am to survive the interview process.
It is currently the end of July. It's sweltering.
Time is running out before the entrance exams.
…For the past six months, my life has been nothing but study, study, study. It pains my heart to ignore the Cursed Spirits I spot whenever I step outside, but I cannot go out at night—my curfew is still strictly enforced. And exorcising them during the day is impossible with school in session. All I can do is pick off the ones within arm's reach during my commute.
My lackey has become strangely subdued. Ever since that "Sludge Incident" back in April, he's stopped picking fights with Midoriya. As for Midoriya, that boy has started training his body in earnest. By the way, no one in our current class mocks the "Quirkless" anymore. At least, not in my presence.
Regarding that… I suppose I am still reflecting on my actions. I did, after all, smash a desk clean in half. The memories of my previous life surged up, and the blood rushed to my head. Whether it be Cursed Techniques or Quirks, the idea of looking down on someone simply for not possessing them… it's infuriating.
"Haaaaah…"
I have too much to do. Seated at my desk, I lean back into the chair and stare at the ceiling. Exam prep is truly exhausting. Parallel to my studies, I've been working on crafting Cursed Tools since this spring. Honestly, it's outside my area of expertise, but it serves as a wonderful change of pace.
The reason I'm making them is to ensure my family and Hisamiko can resist if they are ever attacked by a Cursed Spirit. Even a makeshift tool should be enough to handle a low-level fly-head.
That said, in this era, walking around with a blade will get you hauled off by the police. So, I've chosen items that are easy to wear and won't cause a stir. For my parents, I've made fountain pens. For Hisamiko… I decided on a ring. It's the one I won for her at a shooting gallery ten years ago. I'm pouring as much of my Cursed Energy into it as it can possibly hold.
I also need to make glasses for my father and Hisamiko. Neither of them can see Cursed Spirits. I don't know the exact professional methodology for enchanting lenses, but I'll find a way to make it work.
This summer break looks to be a busy one, split between exam prep and tool-smithing. Students who wish to can take summer courses at school, but Himiko is teaching me personally, so I decided to skip them. Besides, it's too hot outside.
"…I should probably head to bed."
I check the clock on my desk; the date has already changed. Since it's summer break, I suppose I shouldn't care about the time, but if I keep Hisamiko waiting too long, she'll drag me into the futon and pounce. The other day was a disaster. She humiliated me relentlessly. "A punishment for ignoring me," she called it. You just wanted an excuse to tease me, you brat. I see right through you.
"That's my futon. Move it, you."
Lately, Hisamiko has taken to sleeping in my bed. Why won't she stay in her own? We have two sets of bedding laid out, yet she insists on sprawling across mine.
"I don't wanna. Madoka-chan, come here."
As she speaks, she reaches her arms out from under the covers and spreads them wide. That pout on her face is because I've been neglecting her a bit while focused on my Cursed Tools. Why must you sulk the moment you aren't the center of attention? We live in the same room, but surely we're allowed to do different things?
You really are a handful.
"Get into your own bed. Honestly, you…"
Having no choice, I crawl into the futon with her. The pillow on this side is a bit too soft for my liking, but since she's occupied mine, I have to give up. She won't hand it over anyway.
"Mmmph…! If you don't pay attention to me, I'll hate it!"
"Guh. You—!"
The moment I lay down, she clings to me. Hey, don't pull my head into your chest. I'm not saying I dislike it, but it makes it a triffle hard to breathe, you know?
"Madoka-chan has been mean lately. You just leave Toga all by herself…!"
"Are you a child…?"
Well, she is a child. We're both still children.
But even if she calls me mean… I'm busy with exams. And I want time for my craft. I'm not saying I don't want to spend time with her, but certain things inevitably end up on the back burner. I have to establish some kind of defense against Cursed Spirits soon. My heart nearly stopped the other day when a particularly massive one wandered past. I exorcised it with Piercing Blood, but the thought of things like that lurking about is unsettling. I'm one thing, but my parents and Hisamiko are in danger. And my lackey too, I suppose.
Besides, I cut my work short today! It hasn't even been thirty minutes!
"If you're gonna keep being mean, then I'll be mean too. Heh!"
"!?"
Wait, stop! What do you think you're doing? Hey—don't tickle my ears! Stop scratching! Stop it, I'm sensitive there! Leave my ears alone!!
"H-hyah… ah…!"
I'm telling you, I'm really weak there! It's sending shivers down my spine. Cut it out. What are you planning to do next?!
"It's time for tonight's punishment… I'm going to give these ears so much love…"
"Nnggh…!"
Don't whisper right into my ear…! Wait, hang on! No! I hate it when you do that to my ears! I hate it!
Because… because if you do that… I'll…!
"Maybe you're ignoring me on purpose because you want to be punished?"
As if!! Don't get cocky, you brat! Why are you always so quick to try and ravish me?!
Think about what I have to go through, being violated by your tricks night after night after night!!!
"Madoka-chan, you're so lewd. If you want me to do it… you have to beg, okay…?"
Tch… this girl…! I hate her! She knows exactly what she's doing… she knows!!
And that is how the habit of begging was hammered into her.
The reason I skipped ahead to summer break is that there's one specific story I want to tell during the vacation. Once that's done, it's straight to the entrance exams.