"Ma… mayyyuurrraaa! What should I do?!"
"Eh? Ehhhhhhh?!"
…
"Okay, Izumiko. Just relax. Breathe in, breathe out. You're okay. You'd be fine as long as you relax."
"But-"
"It's okay. You're already much stronger right? Just try to contact your mother as soon as you can. I'll be checking on you from time to time and Manatsu is there. He'll look after you. We need to go inside but be okay, you're okay.
The clock tower showed that it was only a few minutes before the class so just like Mayura, Izumiko had no choice but to get inside the classroom. It's okay, just like what Mayura said, you're in control now. But … mom, dad, please help me! She did her best to slide to her seat without being noticed but she was wrong, the moment she entered, all eyes were on her. Luckily, the teacher arrived, interrupting whatever the girls were planning to say.
"That's it for today's class. Make sure to do your homework."
Izumiko decided to leave the classroom for some water. She was much calmer now, happy that she had not done anything strange yet.
"Not so fast Izu!" Karin, with her loud voice, attracted the rest of the girls' attention including Manatsu's to Izumiko. "You got rid of your signature braids today, huh? … You look so pretty! What do you think?!" She turned Izumiko to everybody so they could see clearly. She couldn't make out their expressions because she was too focused on calming her nerves so nothing would happen.
"Izu! With your hair that way, you look exactly like yourself on the stage with your princess costume."
"Urgh! I wish I could borrow a kimono somewhere to put on you!"
Class C, especially the girls, have a really good relationship and they had treated Izumiko so well. Izumiko had always wanted to have such a group of friends but at that moment, she just wished they would leave her alone. Luckily, the commotion died down as teachers arrived one after another until lunch break came and everybody was too hungry to pay her the same attention.
"Izumiko, let's talk for a while"
Takayanagi called her from a corner before she could turn to the school cafeteria.
"What is it?" She could see him frowning a bit as he was examining her.
"Just to let you know, I, being the proxy World Heritage Candidate, still get the attention especially of those people involved in the organization inside and outside school. However, your change, I've noticed, in your athleticism, demeanor, and now your hairstyle. Do you, perhaps, want to take the candidacy from me?"
"No. I want things to remain as they are now."
"Then, why are you trying to get attention?! I'm not saying this for me but because of what you wanted."
"What are you making a big deal out of Takayanagi?"
"Your hair! Braid it! People are used to seeing you with them so they don't mind. But changing it turns their attention to you! Besides, I get chills seeing it that way."
So, that's what this is all about. "I will. Just… not yet." Besides, girls change their hairstyle from time to time too, why does everyone make a big deal out of it?
"If you are thinking it's normal to change hairstyles, remember you -"
"Izumiko! Lunch time"
She immediately walked away, leaving Takayanagi alone. Miyuki's arrival stopped whatever he was about to say but Izumiko was sure what followed after that. Even with changing hairstyles, I can never be normal huh? She absentmindedly ran her fingers on her hair seeking relief from her braids but was brought back to the present when she couldn't feel it.
Izumiko looked around wondering where she was as it definitely didn't look like the school cafeteria. She didn't realize she was already sitting on one of the benches not occupied by the students who were having their lunch. Behind her was a glass wall where you can see outside though there was hardly anybody as it was still cold. There was a sandwich on her lap, only then did she notice Miyuki sitting beside her eating his bread.
"Looking at me or the sandwich will not make you full. Eat that before you run out of time." he said without looking at her.
"Right."
"So, what happened?" she almost choked on her bread when Miyuki crumpled his now empty wrapper and asked something out of nowhere. "Here." he said, handing her canned tea.
"Thanks … Takayanagi was saying something about changes. I guess my hard work for more than a month was not wasted after all."
Miyuki looked disappointed with her response. "You won't understand unless stated clearly, huh? Not Takayanagi. Your hair, what happened?"
"Oh! Right, of course. Well … it wouldn't braid."
"What do you mean?"
"Remember after that training with Masumi? I was still able to braid my hair but somehow it loosened easily. Today, when I woke up, it snapped the bands every time I tried."
"Have you tried asking Yukariko about it?"
"Yes, this morning, but she has not responded yet… She braided my hair to seal my power, luckily, I can control it much better now but I'm not sure what happens if I'm triggered or if the loosening of my hair is related to anything at all these days but I don't want to take chances. I need to learn that same binding spell. I think I am not yet capable of controlling too much spiritual energy at once." It also takes a toll on my body. I need to ask mom if she feels the way I do when she uses her power.
"This is just an idea but when you caught that arrow, it might have neutralized the binding… Okay," he stood up and she followed. "Let's go back to class for now… be sure to tell me when Yukariko responds." Before entering their classrooms, Miyuki had a glimpse of Takayanagi and the other people around him and in his class looking at Izumiko. "Oh, make sure not to follow strangers" and he entered.
Rude! What does he make of me? A kid?! Izumiko was stomping when she entered the room but relaxed when she saw a happily waving Manatsu calling for her.
…
"Izumiko, have you received a response yet? It's been a few days" asked Mayura while the four of them were sorting out the student council documents.
"Not yet. Mom is usually really busy but she's been answering more quickly unlike before so I'm guessing she will respond in a while."
"But you know what, I don't mind your hair. It really suits you."
"- yeah, but I really need to get to them. Oh, there she is. Izumiko, would you mind if I give out your phone number?" Youhei, one of the upper class student council members, entered with Mimura, interrupting the friends' conversation. Noticing the uncertainty in their expressions, he hurriedly explained. "No, it's nothing shady! You see, I belong to the newspaper club. I need to interview a few members of some sports clubs. They requested something related to you so I gave them some of your photos in circulation that were taken during the festival and the random shots from our meetings. However, some are requesting your number before they allow me. This is a very important task and I really need to get it done. Will you allow me, pleaseeee?"
Hearing this, Izumiko's eyes got even wider. She suddenly felt nervous thinking what she might have done for them to need her contact information. She grabbed Mayura, who was nearby, and was cowering on her arm. Even from her position, she could feel her friend seething.
"Hey-"
"What do you mean by that?!"
The whole room, now with President Honoka and Rena, was surprised by the loud voice that's definitely not from Mayura. Miyuki hardly ever shouted and that was definitely the first for the majority of them.
"Sagara! Why the loud voice?" President Honoka, though calm, was also obviously surprised.
"Ask Youhei senpai! While you're at it, talk to him about data privacy and to ask consent BEFORE instead of freely giving away-"
"Sagara … kun …"
That audible whisper made Miyuki stop talking. He turned to see the terrified Izumiko so he decided to take some moment to calm his nerves.
"Excuse me."
Izumiko, without a word, looked at President Honoka asking for permission to leave. She nodded in response.
"Mayura, Manatsu, everybody, stay here and explain what happened."
