So, Komori Ai disappeared for so long to help Mizuno Yuna master her abilities in Wakayama?

"Does that mean... I'm cured now?"

Kagura Hikaru asked cautiously.

But it wasn't that simple, after all.

Immediately, Mizuno Yuna crossed her arms in front of her chest, pouring cold water on him:

"That's not possible.

With the combined effect of my and Ai-chan's abilities, we can only ensure that you won't have an attack as long as we're with you.

But if either of us stops applying our abilities, it will turn out like this—"

The golden light in Mizuno Yuna's eyes faded.

Kagura Hikaru was instantly attacked by the voices again and instinctively covered his ears.

However, to his surprise, the intensity wasn't as high as it was in Tokyo.

He looked at Komori Ai, who was lying on his lap, and seemed to understand something.

Was it her ability to lie that suppressed part of the voices?

It wasn't just Mizuno Yuna.

Komori Ai had also grown compared to the past.

The voices were resurrected for less than two seconds before Mizuno Yuna suppressed them again.

"Listen, Kagura."

Mizuno Yuna got serious.

"I'm just an earthbound spirit; I can't leave this village at all.

If you don't want to be trapped here for the rest of your life, you must learn to coexist with the voices here."

"Is that really possible?"

Kagura Hikaru put down his hands, his expression heavy.

He couldn't help but feel skeptical about it.

That overwhelming noise—it seemed impossible to get used to.

At the beginning, he endured for several days.

In the end, he couldn't even fall asleep.

"You can do it! Ai-chan and I will both help you!"

Mizuno Yuna stood up, gesturing a cheer to Kagura Hikaru, "You have to believe in yourself!"

"The shrine maiden shouldn't speak, Kagura should believe in me!"

Komori Ai lay on Kagura Hikaru's thigh, reaching up with her hands to playfully touch his face.

Her tone was unusually serious.

"I said, I will find a way to cure you, rely on me more, okay!"

"...Okay, I understand."

Kagura Hikaru's expression slowly softened.

Whether there's hope or not, you'll know by trying.

And with Komori Ai and Mizuno Yuna, two supernatural power users, they might really create a miracle.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Kagura Hikaru said solemnly, "Please cure me."

Komori Ai: "Wuhu~!"

Mizuno Yuna: "Leave it to your older sister!"

...............

Three months later.

With winter gone, spring arrives.

It's another graduation season.

Today, the cherry blossoms outside the school are in full bloom.

So much so that the students attending the graduation ceremony are all discussing the early bloom.

It's almost like they're blessing the graduates for a smooth graduation.

With a gust of wind.

The cherry blossom petals float into the school with the wind's flow.

Falling all over the plaza outside the grand auditorium.

Under a clear sky, with the warmth of spring.

For the third-year students, this should be the best graduation day.

Second-year juniors and sophomores approached.

Holding flowers, pinning them to the graduates' chests.

Thus, the farewell ceremony ended.

They officially graduated.

"Excuse me..."

Having been dazed for too long, the junior in front of her asked cautiously, "Senior Sister Ai Cheng?"

"Eh?"

Ai Cheng Hua Lian snapped back from her reverie, showing a sunny smile, "What's up?"

"I-I want your button, senior... Is that okay?"

The junior asked bashfully.

Ai Cheng Hua Lian had no objection and took off the second button from her jacket to give to her.

The junior walked away happily, gathering with her classmates, excitedly showing it off.

Watching them, Ai Cheng Hua Lian's expression was both comforting and nostalgic.

Is that so?

She's graduating from here now.....

"Karen-chan!"

With flowers pinned to her chest, Ruzaki Mami ran over and jumped into Ai Cheng Hua Lian's arms.

The two of them laughed and spun around a couple of times.

"Karen-chan, congratulations on graduating!"

"You too, congratulations on graduating, Zhen Chun."

"Have you decided on the school you're going to?"

"Hmm, I plan to go to Kyoto University."

"Eh~ can't you stay in Tokyo?"

Ai Cheng Hua Lian smiled wryly, "Zhen Chun, I'm not as smart as you, I can't get a scholarship to Tokyo University."

"Ah....." Ruzaki Mami looked disappointed, "So we're going to be separated? Maybe I should go to Kyoto University too."

"Baka, don't be capricious."

Ai Cheng Hua Lian flicked her forehead lightly.

Then gently rubbed it with her fingertip.

"It's not a life-and-death farewell, we'll have plenty of chances to meet later."

While saying this, Ai Cheng Hua Lian's smile gradually dimmed.

Ruzaki Mami knew she was thinking about that heartless guy who disappeared for several months again.

She quickly pointed outside and said:

"Karen-chan! I just saw President Ayakoji and President Kiryu over there, want to go say hi?"

"....Hmm, you're right."

Ai Cheng Hua Lian took a deep breath, and her smile returned.

She walked towards those two presidents.

Since Kagura Hikaru took a leave of absence three months ago due to illness,

school life seemed to lose its catalyst, becoming dull and boring.

Not only did the Student Council President rivalry between President Ayakoji and Little Hinata end with Little Hinata unilaterally giving up,

even President Kiryu's relationship with President Ayakoji had gotten better recently.

Though they still looked the same on the surface.

Always arguing and quipping when gathered together.

But people who genuinely have a bad relationship aren't like that.

"Good morning, Presidents."

Just as Ayakoji Chiyoko finished a verbal sparring match, she turned her head and glanced at her.

"Ai Cheng, how does it feel to graduate?"

"Uh... not bad.

Even though I still have to take exams later, just thinking about not having to attend classes for a long time makes me happy no matter how sad it is ~"