-1151- The festival wave

On this day, Rozen spent the whole time hiding.

To avoid being blocked by the students who kept inviting him crazily, Rozen only appeared in the classroom during class time and disappeared immediately after class, even using space manipulation magic to prevent anyone in the school from catching him, all of them hitting a wall.

Even Yukina's shikigami, as well as herself, couldn't find Rozen because of his hiding, causing the monitor, who could rival a national-level tracker, to be extremely frustrated. Similarly, the entire school was searching for Rozen, but in the end, they returned empty-handed.

However, Yukina's anxiety only made others think that this princess from the middle-school section, just like everyone else, wanted to invite Rozen to the Harurouin Festival.

Especially Asagi, who seemed to completely misunderstand and, contrary to her usual behavior, joined this battle, dragging Motoki along and constantly searching for Rozen, even using the school's surveillance cameras to track him down, but still failed.

In the end, Rozen successfully escaped this ordeal without anyone finding him.

However...

"To think that this kind of life would continue until the end of the Harurouin Festival."

Rozen sighed for who knows how many times.

But at least, on this day, Rozen successfully endured it.

So, when it was time to go home after school, Rozen directly used space transfer magic to return to his home, resolving everything.

Later, Yukina came to his house, venting her frustrations and scolding Rozen fiercely.

"Who would leave a me behind and run away? Senpai should reflect on yourself!"

Yukina complained angrily about this topic for hours.

Rozen was dumbfounded.

"Isn't it normal to want to leave behind a constant monitor?" Rozen muttered to himself.

Anyway, the eventful day passed smoothly.

At night, everyone returned home and began to have dinner.

At the dinner table, Rozen's deeds garnered sympathy from many people.

"It seems more exaggerated this year compared to last year."

Nagisa said sympathetically.

"You... You are also at fault! Being too kind to everyone is not a good thing!"

Avrora unexpectedly said this sentence, seeming to have wanted to say it for a long time, accumulating dissatisfaction in her heart.

"Senpai is truly amazing."

Kanon expressed admiration and respect.

As for Kojou, he complained incessantly while eating.

"Why did you leave me alone at home this morning? This is karma!"

Kojou complained because he was almost late and almost had to make up for the lessons during the Harurouin Festival.

Then, the last member at the dinner table brought back some news.

"Announcement, starting today, Instructor Minamiya will be staying out during the Harurouin Festival period for work. I'm here to inform you."

Astarte brought back this news.

In other words...

"Until the end of the Harurouin Festival, Natsuki-nee won't be coming back home at night?"

Rozen nodded understandingly.

During previous Harurouin Festivals, Natsuki had also stayed out all night, so this wasn't something worth being surprised about.

Rozen just hoped...

"This year, I hope I can watch the fireworks festival with Natsuki-nee."

For some reason, Rozen really wanted to fulfill this promise.

Perhaps it was because in the past, Rozen and Natsuki couldn't spend the Harurouin Festival together due to their own reasons, as Natsuki said, it was a bit regrettable, right?

So...

"Anyway, I'll make sure to have time for the fireworks festival."

This time was reserved exclusively for Natsuki.

Rozen decided like that.

At the same time, the siblings from the Akatsuki family also announced something.

"Your friend is coming to the Demon Sanctuary?"

Avrora was stunned by this news.

"Yes!" Nagisa said happily while serving food to Rozen, "Yuu-chan is a friend we knew before coming to Itogami Island. She's like childhood friends with Kojou-kun and me, we used to play together since we were little. We haven't met since I came to Itogami Island four years ago. This time, during the Harurouin Festival, Yuu-chan is planning to visit Itogami Island for sightseeing, and I'm really looking forward to it!"

Nagisa seemed genuinely excited, starting to chatter incessantly about how she wondered what Yuu-chan was like now and whether she had grown taller compared to four years ago. She even said things like, "I'm sure she'll have to dress up nicely before meeting everyone!"

"Nagisa-chan has so many friends," Kanon said, admiringly, for some reason.

"Friends..." Avrora seemed a bit nervous, as if she had already imagined that she would inevitably meet the other person.

"..." Astarte had no expression, just silently eating her food.

Rozen and Kojou, on the other hand, started chatting.

"So you also have a childhood back in the mainland?"

Rozen looked very surprised.

"Is it strange for me to have a close childhood friend?" Kojou looked displeased.

"You've hidden it well." Rozen shrugged, "I've known you for four years and you've never mentioned it. If Asagi and Motoki found out, they'd probably suspect you're making it up again."

"What do you mean 'again'!? Don't make it sound like I'm always making things up!" Kojou suddenly protested, burning with anger. "And besides, the reason those two thought thst Astarte staying in our house as a maid was my own delusion was also your fault! Why didn't you speak up for me!?"

Why?

Of course, it's because it was fun!

It seemed that Kojou still didn't know that he was just being played, and not only by Rozen, but Asagi and Motoki as well.

Oh well, let him remain clueless. Ignorance is bliss.

"Anyway, because of Yuu-chan's visit to Itogami Island, on the day before the Harurouin Festival, we'll be going to pick her up at the airport. Maybe Yuu-chan will stay here temporarily."

Nagisa announced so.

"At that time, let's all go together and introduce Yuu-chan to everyone, and at the same time introduce everyone to Yuu-chan."

Nagisa was looking forward to that day with great anticipation.

"I hope Yuuma won't be startled by seeing so many people."

Kojou sighed and shook his head.

Everyone started chatting lively about this matter.

At this time, Rozen was already looking at the direction of the television.

There was a news report on it.

"According to the latest news, the special envoy from the Warlord Dominion who recently visited Itogami City has received a letter of consent from the Japanese government to establish an embassy in the Demon Sanctuary, Itogami City. The specially appointed ambassador to the embassy is Lord Ardeal, a noble from the Warlord Dominion, and from now on, he will be stationed on Itogami Island permanently."

"On the other hand, Princess Aldegyr, who accompanied Lord Ardeal on his visit to Itogami City, has also applied for residency. Her Highness herself cannot stay on the island, but members of the Holy Ring Knights, commissioned by the royal family, will be stationed on the island. Please look forward to it."

Watching such news, Rozen just shrugged and continued eating, ignoring it.

And so, the Harurouin Festival approached, welcomed by everyone.