After parting with Karuizawa, I took the train to the hospital my old man had sent me and ran the rest of the way.

Then I spotted a familiar girl with long pink hair walking with a gloomy expression.

'That beautiful hair is definitely Ichinose. I’ll follow her.'

After trailing her for a while, Ichinose stopped in front of a product in a store.

'That’s quite a desperate expression. This is probably right before the shoplifting. My timing is insanely good, like some kind of protagonist correction is in effect. Well, the fact I’m living a second life says it all.'

And just as Ichinose reached out her hand, I spoke.

Kiyotaka: "Oh, it’s the last one? Must be pretty popular."

Honami: "…"

Kiyotaka: "Sorry, were you thinking of buying it?"

Honami: "No, my little sister wanted it as a birthday present, but I don’t have enough money."

Kiyotaka: "I see."

Saying only that, I bought it at the register.

Then I forced it into Ichinose’s hands.

Honami: "I-I can’t accept this, it’s too expensive!"

Kiyotaka: "But it’s something I don’t need."

Honami: "Then please return it."

At that, I tore the receipt into pieces.

Kiyotaka: "Too bad, I can’t return it anymore. Besides, I’d be happier if you took it."

Honami: "B-But… why would you go this far…"

Kiyotaka: "Why… I guess it’s because I think that kind of family love is beautiful. If you still want to return it, you can pay me back once you’re in high school and have some money. This is just me covering it for now."

Honami: "Eh, how did you know I’m a middle schooler?"

Kiyotaka: "You’re wearing a uniform."

Honami: "Oh, right. I’m Ichinose Honami, third year middle school. May I ask your name and which high school you attend?"

Kiyotaka: "No, I’m the same age as you. I’ve been speaking casually because I was sure you were in middle school."

Honami: "Ah, I see."

Kiyotaka: "I’m Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. I plan to enroll in Advanced Nurturing High School."

Honami: "I see. I’ll definitely pay you back!"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. Hurry home and make your sister happy."

Honami: "Thank you, Ayanokouji-kun!"

'Since Ichinose is very dutiful, she’ll definitely try to meet me again at Advanced Nurturing High School. When she learns it’s a place that cuts off all outside contact, she’ll hesitate, but considering the tuition, advancement record and employment rate, she won’t find a reason not to aim for it.'

Leaving Ichinose, who was teary-eyed and repeatedly thanking me, I headed to the hospital where her mother was admitted.

* * *

~Hospital~

Kiyotaka: "Is the director of this hospital available?"

Nurse: "Are you… a patient?"

Kiyotaka: "No, I came to discuss covering the full medical expenses for a patient admitted here."

Nurse: "Understood, I’ll call them right away."

Kiyotaka: "Thank you."

A few minutes later, the nurse returned with the director.

Kiyotaka: "I’d like to cover all the medical expenses for a patient named Ichinose here."

Director: "That’s possible, but… who are you?"

Kiyotaka: "My apologies for the late introduction. My name is Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, son of the politician Ayanokouji Atsuomi."

Director: "So you’re the son of Mr. Ayanokouji. What brings this about?"

Kiyotaka: "I was helped by her daughter (in a previous life), so this is my way of repaying that."

Director: "I see. I’ll take care of the arrangements, so there’s no need to worry."

Kiyotaka: "Alright, then."

After finishing the discussion, I paid the medical expenses in advance and left the hospital.

'With this, following Kei, I’ve succeeded in saving Ichinose’s past as well. Kei’s abilities won’t change much so she’ll likely still end up in Class D, but Ichinose might end up in Class A.'

Thinking that, I headed to the lodging I had reserved.

'To make things less suspicious, tomorrow I’ll do some sightseeing and buy souvenirs before heading back.'

* * *

~After returning home~

Kiyotaka: "I’m back."

Yuki, Shiro: "Welcome back."

Kiyotaka: "Here, souvenirs."

Yuki: "Yes!"

Shiro: "What did you do?"

Kiyotaka: "I was interested in history, so I went to a local museum."

Yuki: "Hmm."

After Shiro went back to his room first, Yuki pressed further.

Yuki: "What did you really do?"

Kiyotaka: "Nothing."

Yuki: "You think you can fool me?"

Kiyotaka: "I saw someone being bullied along the way, so I helped them."

Yuki: "A girl?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah."

Yuki: "Hmm."

Kiyotaka: "There’s nothing suspicious."

Yuki: "That’s exactly what people say when there is something suspicious."

'That was a mistake. I should’ve stayed silent. Yuki’s instincts are sharp in situations like this.'

Yuki: "If you call it instincts, that makes me sound like a dog. The only reason I can tell is because it’s you, Kiyotaka."

Kiyotaka: "Huh?"

'Can she read my mind?'

Yuki: "You just thought 'Can she read my mind?', right?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah."

Yuki: "I can’t always tell, but when I hit the mark, it’s pretty obvious. You have to be paying attention though."

Kiyotaka: "I see…"

Yuki: "So as compensation for today, you’re going to properly spend time with me!"

Saying that, Yuki leaned against me.

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, got it."

Answering that, I steeled myself thinking, 'Tonight’s going to be a long one.'

* * *

~Day of the Advanced Nurturing High School Entrance Exam~

Kiyotaka: "I want everyone to score 50 points today."

Yuki: "Why 50? Shouldn’t we aim for 100 on an entrance exam?"

Kiyotaka: "Do you remember how I negotiated with the chairman of Advanced Nurturing High School 8 years ago?"

Yuki: "Yeah."

Kiyotaka: "At that time, I also asked him to put the three of us in the same class since it would be our first real school life. He said he’d try, but as a condition, we had to score similar marks on the entrance exam."

Shiro: "I see. So classes are likely determined by ranking."

Kiyotaka: "Exactly. But if that’s the case, do you think he’d say that to people like us who can easily score full marks?"

Yuki: "That’s true…"

Kiyotaka: "In other words, even with high ability, there’s a chance you get placed in a lower class for some other reason."

Shiro: "That explains why he gave that warning."

Kiyotaka: "So I judged that aiming for an average score like 50 is best."

Shiro: "Got it, I’ll match that score."

Yuki: "Understood!"

'That takes care of any concerns. Now it’s just a matter of what happens after enrollment.'

At that moment, Kiyotaka had no idea. That a major crisis would strike before the exam…