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“You seem so calm about it. Normally, isn’t that a quite disorienting situation?”
“Already over it. I haven’t lived more than half a year in this body doing nothing. I gained consciousness in this body in March of this year, you see.”
“Why didn’t you contact… Not like you could, right.”

I’ve told step-mom before, but if I suddenly contacted someone it’d only trouble the other party. It’s not a normal situation, after all, and it’d be more rational to suspect that I’m a scam caller.

“Don’t worry about it too much. More importantly, there’s not much time left, so let’s go.”
“What? No emotional hug or anything?”
“Nope.”

Don’t expect something like that from me. Ran was getting teary eyed and she was bummed by my answer. But as she stood up, she had a sentimental smile. Even back then, I’ve always been this way.

“As usual, you act as if you can’t read the room even though it’s the opposite.”
“It’s still me on the inside, after all. Rather, Ayaka. Don’t hug my arm while we’re all distracted.”
“But I had nothing else to do while you were busy talking with Ran.”

Some things are touching, I don’t know how to react. Moreover, it’s clear that she’s doing this on purpose, which makes it worse. Ran understood the situation, so she gathered Ayaka’s things as she completed her preparations.

“Now, we’ll be heading to my room. Don’t call me Souji. It’ll just confuse the others.”
“Understood.”

Unlike Isami and the others, I’m a no-name. No one would know where that name came from, but it’d still be weird and cause confusion. Though Ayaka’s behaviour would probably cause confusion before that even happens.

“I’m back.”
“See, I told you she’d be back on time. When it comes to hot strings, you can always count on Kotone.”
“Yeah, it looks like things are fine in that regard. Still, as expected, she’s gotten herself in some weird situation.”

Yeah, you’d think so. After all, I was dragged away by some bodyguard, but then I came back with an actress and her manager. It’d be amazing if they actually understand the situation.

“Kotone’s always like this.”
“Yup, Kotone’s always like this.”
“Okay, you two. Kneel. It’s lecture time for the two of you.”

I could care less about the bathing time at this point. At worst, I’ll just sneak into the spring bath, no problem. The problem here is that these two have an incorrect understanding of me, which has to be corrected at all costs.

“This really takes me back.”
“I wholly agree. It’s reviving some bitter memories.”

Ayaka and Ran’s reactions are pretty different. One seems happy and the other seems pained in reminiscence. After all, the vibe here is similar to our class in the past. Though I rarely find opportunities to fool around now.

“Kotori, why do you have so many acquaintances in the entertainment industry?”
“Like I’d know. I’ll tell you in advance, Ayaka is an acquaintance of Isami and the others. That’s how we’re connected.”

Isami’s acquaintances and mine are mostly shared, after all. Though I don’t know how many new friends and acquaintances she met during the three years I was gone. Come to think of it, I really haven’t asked her about that.

“More importantly, Kotone. It’s already bathing time, you know?”
“Okay, let’s move!”
“Quick to change course, as usual. Rather, what happened to the lecture?”
“Miyako, it’d be better if you don’t remind her.”

If you want to experience my step-mom’s scolding technique, then that can be arranged. I’m confident that I can continue for at least 30 minutes. Though, I don’t feel like it anymore. What’s more important to me now is the hot spring.

“Koto-chan loves hot springs, as usual.”
“Still, you’ve gone to a hot spring with Isami and the three before but you’ve never gone to a hot spring with us, right? The school field trip… is something I’d rather not remember.”

Everyone was so out of control, there’s probably never been a field trip as chaotic as that one. It was so bad some of the teachers suffered stomach pain. Our class was so liberated the others flinched away.

“Koto-chan, do you play any instrument?”
“Recently, I have acquired a bass, so I am currently practicing with it.”
“Why so formal all of the sudden?”
“I have to act appropriately with my current standing, you see.”

We’ve exited the room and are currently in the hallway with other students around. Considering the public eye, I shouldn’t speak in casual speech too much. This is the greatest difference between the previous and the current me.

“I have my image as a member of the twelve families to maintain, after all.”
“”Eh?””

The two blankly stopped on their tracks, but I’m pretty sure I had told them my full name earlier. Why didn’t they notice it? Don’t tell me they thought that I kept my last name? Could be.

“I… stole the lips of such a person?”
“Please don’t say that right now!”

She damn said it out loud in a place with a lot of students. Whether it’s on purpose or by reflex, I don’t know. But seeing her beaming smile after the fact, I’m sure she finds it amusing.

“Kotone, what did she mean by that?”
“Wait, what? What did she say just now?”

What’s worse is that my classmates instantly reacted. The students who overheard it are now whispering to each other, so I’m pretty sure rumors will start circulating by tomorrow.

“This is the worst.”
“It’s Ayaka, so there’s nothing we can do. You have my sympathy, though.”
“Please keep her on a tight leash.”
“Not possible. I’d be dragged around instead.”

Well, yeah… but still. I guess Ran not taking action unless she gets collateral damage is something she learned from the past. After all, if you carelessly involve yourself, you’ll definitely catch the sparks.

“C’mon, Kotone. Spit it out.”
“Share it with us now.”
“Give me a break.”

Why did what should be an enjoyable field trip end up this way? The trouble just doesn’t end. I don’t think I can let my guard down on the second day.