The Former Swordmaster Who Pretends to Be the Worst, and the School’s Top-Ranked Chairman’s Daughter Who’s Way Too Sweet in Public, It’s a Real Problem
“Thank you so much! To Saito-san and Rika-san!”
“You really saved me. Nemesis-nee has always been a bit scatterbrained.”
When we took Nemesis to the academy, her younger brother, Necro senpai, was waiting at the school gate.
When he saw us, he visibly let out a sigh of relief, as if he’d been holding his breath. Then, in stark contrast, he spent a good ten minutes or so lecturing his sister, who just kept smiling cheerfully. Rika and I could only manage wry smiles, but seeing the two of them—who somehow seemed so close—warmed our hearts.
“Come to think of it, Senpai. Is Nemesis san part of the church?”
In the midst of it all, I suddenly asked a question that had been on my mind for a while.
Nemesis’s attire was what one might call a nun’s habit, and it certainly drew quite a bit of attention from those around us.
When I brought it up as casual small talk, Senpai nodded and replied, “Ah.”
“My sister has always been a devout person. She’s currently active at the Church of Saint Harmonia.”
“Yes~, I offer prayers to God every single day~!”
“I see. Saint Harmonia, is it?”
Even I, for all my lack of knowledge, recognized that name.
Saint Harmonia is the religious organization with the greatest influence in the world today. Since the advent of magic, many religions had rejected it. But as magic became woven into daily life, it was Harmonia—which preached “harmony”—that rose to prominence.
They viewed magic and magical power as gifts from God, and their teachings contributed significantly to the widespread acceptance of magic. In short, they laid the foundation for the common sense of the modern world.
“Still, that thing earlier was pretty amazing…”
Given that she belongs to such a church, perhaps his change of heart makes sense—but it felt like she might have gone a bit too far.
Most likely, his change of heart stemmed from Nemesis’s demeanor, regardless of Harmonia.
Even I felt that way; the aura she exuded was so pure.
“…Well then. I guess we should be heading out soon.”
“Yeah! Thanks for everything, Senpai and Nemesis san!”
With that small talk wrapped up,
and the sun beginning to set, I made that suggestion to my childhood friend. Rika nodded in agreement, and we both bowed deeply to them in farewell.
Then, Nemesis said,
“Let’s meet again sometime, okay?”
“Yes!”
She took my childhood friend’s hand and smiled warmly.
Soothed by the gentle atmosphere, we set off for home. Just then, Senpai said one last thing.
“Take care, Aragaki and Agatsuma.”
“Yes, you take care too, Senpai.”
It was just an ordinary, unremarkable farewell.
I didn’t think much of it, turned on my heel, and started walking to see Rika home.
◆
After seeing Saito and Rika off, the Necrosia siblings stood at the school gate.
After a brief silence, it was the older sister who spoke.
“…………Agatsuma, is it?”
“Hmm, what’s wrong, Sis?”
Seeing her lost in thought, her brother tilted his head and asked. From his perspective, it was rare to see Nemesis pondering things this deeply. That was because, being so faithful to the doctrines of Holy Harmonia, she almost never wavered in her judgments.
Knowing that, Themis wondered what was going on.
However,
“No~? I just thought to myself again, ‘What a lovely young lady.’”
“……I see?”
In response to her brother’s question, the older sister answered evasively, as if dodging the issue.
But Themis wasn’t naive enough to believe her outright; he sensed there was something behind Nemesis’s words.
Still, from his perspective, his sister was the very embodiment of goodness.
At the very least, she couldn’t be a bad person—he decided to think of it that way.
“Well then, sis. Sorry to ask, but I’ve got a bit of work left to do. I’m going to take care of that, so could you kill some time in the school courtyard or something?”
“Sure! Got it, Themis.”
And so, he headed off to handle the remaining committee work.
Nemesis, as instructed, followed his lead and started walking toward the courtyard. But,
“Hmm~?”
On the way, she turned around just once.
Gazing at the spot where Saito and the others had disappeared, she muttered to herself.
“I see. So that’s who she is, is it~?”
He couldn’t fathom the intent behind those words.
Her eyes, unusually open, seemed to hold some hidden calculation. But—
“—Hey, sis. If you don’t keep up, you’ll get lost again.”
“Oh, sorry!”
That atmosphere lasted only a moment.
After being scolded by Themis, Nemesis responded with the same casual tone as before and started walking again.
Maiban