Now that Izumi knew Tatsuya's secret—which was, by extension, Miyuki's secret as well—she was more high-strung than ever. If this intensity were directed toward Miyuki, it might have been dismissed as an excess of her usual adoration. But with Tatsuya as the focus, the air felt different. In the Student Council office, the usually composed Izumi was making a string of uncharacteristic blunders. Finally, the Council President, Azusa, couldn't take it anymore. She turned to ask for an explanation—not from Izumi, but from Tatsuya.
"Shiba-kun, what's going on with Saegusa-san? She keeps stealing glances at you, and she's been making one mistake after another."
"Perhaps she's just tired," Tatsuya replied smoothly. "Izumi, I'll take over your workload. Why don't you head to the health office and lie down?"
"N-No! This is my responsibility. I couldn't possibly trouble you, Shiba-senpai... Ah!"
The sharp beep of another system error cut her off. Even Izumi knew when to stop acting tough. She fell silent, ceased her work, and turned to face Tatsuya.
"I'm terribly sorry. It seems I'm only causing trouble by staying. Shiba-senpai, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Izumi-chan, do you need someone to walk you there?" Miyuki asked kindly.
"I-I'm fine! Truly, I'll be okay."
Even a word from her beloved Miyuki couldn't melt Izumi's tension. If anything, the other Council members noticed she seemed stiffer than usual—an impression shared by everyone except Tatsuya.
"Is she really going to be alright?" Azusa wondered aloud. "Shiba-kun, you really have no idea what's bothering her?"
"Even if you ask me... if it's a matter concerning the Saegusa family, I'm entirely in the dark," Tatsuya lied.
"I suppose you're right... I wonder what happened."
"It's worrying, isn't it?"
Isori and Azusa, who preferred to see the best in people, were easily swayed by Tatsuya's deflection and returned to their tasks. However, Miyuki, who knew the full gravity of the situation, watched her brother with a complex, unreadable expression.
"Miyuki? Your hands have stopped moving," Tatsuya noted.
"I'm fine. I'll be finished in just a moment."
Meanwhile, Honoka, who would never dream of doubting Tatsuya, looked at Miyuki's face and completely missed the chance to glimpse the truth hidden beneath the surface.
Izumi wasn't actually ill, but she found herself lying on a bed in the health office anyway. When the door clicked open, she sat up, assuming the school nurse, Yasuku Reimi, had returned. Instead, she found herself face-to-face with the person she least wanted to see right now.
"Izumi, how are you feeling?"
"Shiba-senpai... surely you of all people know exactly why I was making those mistakes."
"Is it really that shocking?" Tatsuya asked. "Saegusa-senpai—your sister—seemed to suspect I was just one of the 'Numberless' extras. I suppose her eyes are sharper than yours after all."
"What you are is far more than just 'Numberless'!" Izumi burst out. "Senpai, you're—"
"Don't say another word here," Tatsuya cut her off. "You know the reasons better than anyone."
When the truth had been revealed to her, certain agreements had been made. One of those conditions was her cooperation in maintaining the siblings' cover.
"I'll see you home. I've already informed Miyuki."
"Thank you. But I can manage on my—ah!"
She tried to stand too quickly, but her legs turned to lead. Her balance gave way, and she ended up planting her hands firmly against Tatsuya's chest to steady herself. Naturally, that was the exact moment the mistress of the health office decided to peek in.
"Saegusa-san, are you feel—oh my! Am I interrupting something?"
"No! This is... we were just...!"
"Saegusa-san simply lost her balance while trying to stand," Tatsuya explained coolly. "It isn't what you're thinking, Dr. Yasuku."
Hearing him dismiss it so bluntly sparked a flicker of irritation in Izumi. Even if it was just a byproduct of being dragged into his secret, Izumi was—on the surface—supposed to be Tatsuya's girlfriend. His clinical, detached attitude toward his "partner" stung her pride.
"Well, when two young people are alone by a bed, you can't blame me for wondering," the nurse teased. "But then again, you're both honor students. You wouldn't do anything too scandalous at school, would you?"
"Saegusa-san may be an honor student, but I hardly fit the description," Tatsuya remarked.
"That's not true! You're an honor student who fought your way into the Magic Engineering Course on your own merit!" Izumi snapped.
She didn't understand her own heart. Until recently, she had viewed Tatsuya as little more than an appendage to Miyuki. Why was she getting so heated now? She couldn't stand to hear him belittle himself. The rush of emotion and the weight of the secrets she was carrying finally pushed her past her limit. Her head throbbed, and a genuine fever began to bloom.
"Izumi? Your face is flushed."
"Oh... that's strange... why are there three of you, Senpai?"
"Shiba-kun, you'd better get her home," Dr. Yasuku said, her tone shifting to professional concern. "I think she's actually coming down with a cold."
"Understood. I intended to take her home regardless."
Realizing she couldn't walk, Tatsuya and Reimi finished the conversation as if her being escorted home was already a settled matter. Izumi tried to find her footing, but the strength had left her limbs; she could do little more than feebly squirm in Tatsuya's arms.
"Stop struggling. Dr. Yasuku, if you'll excuse us."
"Of course. Take care of her!"
Tatsuya hoisted Izumi onto his back in a piggyback carry and headed for the station. Since classes had ended, the hallways were sparse, but not empty. Her fellow students were watching.
"This is so embarrassing... I want to die..." she muffled into his shoulder.
"Falling ill can't be helped," Tatsuya said. "More importantly, stop squirming. You'll fall off."
Izumi tried to move away out of sheer mortification, but in her weakened state, she could only manage to sway him slightly. Of course, even if she were at full strength, she wouldn't have been a match for Tatsuya's physical power.
"Honestly, there's no point in being embarrassed now," Tatsuya added. "Everyone already knows we're dating."
"That is a completely different matter! Ah—!"
"Don't shout. You'll only make your head hurt worse."
Tatsuya shot a surprisingly gentle, caring glance back at the girl who had nearly stumbled just from yelling. He picked up his pace toward the station. His only thought was to get her home before her condition worsened, but to an outsider, it looked like a flustered boyfriend speeding up to hide his own blushing face. The looks from passersby shifted from envy and jealousy to warm, knowing smiles.
"I suppose... this isn't so bad..." Izumi whispered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. I was just thinking that no matter who you really are, Senpai, you truly are dependable. It makes me feel like... maybe that contract wasn't such a bad idea after all."
"I see. But for now, focus on getting home and getting some rest."
"I wouldn't mind going to your house instead," Izumi teased, her spirit returning slightly. "It's closer than mine, isn't it?"
She let out a small, weak laugh, finally beginning to play the part of the "girlfriend"—though perhaps, she wasn't playing anymore.
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