Chapter 7: The Roommate

Upon entering the room, Waka immediately felt a sharp, piercing gaze directed at her.

She cautiously lifted her head and saw a stern-faced woman seated behind a classic wooden desk.

The woman appeared to be in her sixties, dressed in a jet-black floor-length gown, her hair neatly tied back, exuding an air of efficiency and simplicity.

Beside her stood another woman in her thirties, tall and slender, clad in a black long dress, with a cold expression.

Yoko Tomiki’s eyes swept over Waka.

Frightened, Waka quickly lowered her head.

From the memories of her original self, she knew this was the headmistress of Miyagi Hyakka Academy, a strict woman feared by all students.

Now powerless, she dared not provoke her.

“You’ve been gone only five days, and you’ve already forgotten the basic rules?” Yoko Tomiki’s voice was stern despite its aged tone.

Waka shuddered at the words.

Her retained muscle memory kicked in naturally.

She placed both hands folded at her waist, aligned her delicate feet together, bent her knees, and bowed deeply.

Silence—

After five or six seconds, a voice said, “Rise.”

She exhaled in relief and slowly stood up.

Only then did she notice, not far to her left, three stunning young women stood wearing the academy’s signature short kimono skirts in pale pink, made of fine, exquisite fabric. A tie wrapped at the waist and knotted at the back revealed the long, slender legs beneath the flowing skirts, a subtle allure interwoven with innocence, captivating and stirring.

They were her three roommates, whom she had been too nervous to notice earlier.

Waka recalled the information she had about them.

The most conspicuous one was named Guren, a girl with red hair and red eyes.

She was a year older than Waka but slightly shorter.

Her inverted triangular face was delicate and fiery, her brows and eyes radiating a commanding presence.

Noticing Waka’s gaze, she snorted coldly and looked away.

Next was Ivanelin, slender and a bit taller than Waka.

She sported a chin-length blonde bob, her refined features bearing the sculpted dimensions typical of European beauties, with a full forehead and a sharply defined jawline.

Unfortunately, her face always wore a cold, impassive expression, rarely showing emotion.

Paired with her unique elegant aura, she gave off the impression of a noble girl detached from worldly concerns.

When Waka’s eyes met hers, she merely glanced once before withdrawing her gaze, unreadable and inscrutable.

Finally, there was Keiko, the most statuesque of the four girls.

She was also the tallest in the dormitory.

Her demeanor was gentle and graceful, with a curvaceous figure, resembling a caring older sister.

Waka’s deepest impression of her was her remarkable strength, like that of a powerful bull.

Meeting Waka’s gaze, Keiko offered a warm, kind smile, amiable and approachable.

“Speak up—how did you manage to leave the academy five days ago?” Yoko Tomiki directed the question at Waka.

“That night, I returned to the dorm as usual, and then everything went dark—I remember nothing after that…” Waka had anticipated this question and had prepared her answer in advance.

“Where exactly did the attack happen? Were there others around?” Yoko pressed on.

Waka answered each query carefully, sometimes resorting to “I don’t know” to cover gaps.

After questioning Waka, Yoko turned to Guren, Ivanelin, and Keiko.

Their answers were equally routine, revealing no valuable clues.

In the end,

Yoko Tomiki concluded that someone had bypassed the academy’s stringent security and successfully abducted Waka.

‘The academy’s alarm system was not triggered, and the surveillance captured nothing. That means… there must be a mole.’ This thought surfaced in Yoko’s mind.

She immediately ruled out the possibility of the four girls lying.

Not because she trusted their character, but because she trusted the academy’s education.

“…Tell me everything you encountered during those five days outside. No details should be withheld.” Yoko suppressed her previous suspicions and continued.

“I was so scared… I saw many strange things…” Waka’s voice trembled, her words halting and fragmented.

Upon hearing this, Yoko’s expression grew weary. “You may return. As punishment, you will clean the North Campus for two months.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Waka inwardly groaned.

The North Campus was a vast wetland garden, sparsely populated, with lush vegetation that made cleaning laborious and time-consuming.

Yoko then looked at Guren, Ivanelin, and Keiko beside her. “As Waka’s roommates, you share some responsibility. You will each clean the North Campus for one month.”

Ivanelin and Keiko bowed respectfully.

But Guren immediately voiced her dissatisfaction. “Why should I be punished for that idiot’s disappearance? I refuse to accept this!”

Keiko quickly stepped forward and grabbed her arm. “Guren, what are you saying? Apologize to the headmistress immediately.”

Yoko observed this scene without anger, a faint smile of satisfaction gracing her lips.

This fiery temperament was exactly what she wanted to see.

After all, patrons have all sorts of peculiar tastes; some prefer this type.

“You’re Guren, right? You and Waka will both clean the North Campus for two months.”

“I don’t—”

“Thank you, headmistress!” Keiko covered Guren’s mouth and saluted Yoko on her behalf.

“You may go now. Focus on your studies.” Headmistress Tomiki waved her hand.

Keiko pulled Guren away, and Waka hurried to follow.

Ivanelin trailed behind.

Only after they had put considerable distance from the room did Keiko loosen her grip.

Guren seized the opportunity to shake off Keiko’s hand and shouted in displeasure, “You brute! Why did you stop me earlier?”

Keiko replied gently, “Guren-chan, I need to ask you—if you insist on showing off all the time, that’s one thing. But why be so reckless before the headmistress?”

“Mind your own business!” Guren snapped coldly.

She naturally could not reveal the truth.

The North Campus was vast and sparsely inhabited; there was a secret passage there that led outside, facilitating her movements.

That was why she had defied the headmistress, hoping to continue cleaning the North Campus indefinitely.

But unexpectedly, Keiko, the strong and buxom girl, had ruined her plan.

“Guren, what’s really going on? This isn’t like you.” Keiko asked with concern.

Guren, meeting her caring gaze, felt a pang of emotion, her expression softening.

She glanced back at Waka and then retorted evasively, “I’m fine. I just can’t stand that idiot dragging me down.”

“That’s none of my fault,” Waka immediately countered.

“Look who’s talking,” Guren sneered.

“Enough, both of you stop,” Keiko intervened to mediate.

At that moment, near the corridor’s corner, Kotono Suya approached.

The four girls stopped and respectfully bowed to the side, waiting for her to pass.

“Waka, you still need rest. Come with me to the infirmary,” Kotono said, recalling something as she passed by.

“Oh,” Waka nodded.

Kotono escorted Waka away.

The other three turned and headed back in the opposite direction.

Back in the infirmary, Waka lay on the pristine white bed, feeling bored.

“Oh, this is a perfect chance to check on my precious astral projection,” she said, closing her eyes as her consciousness gradually sank deep within.

…