Sorry about that, Masaki. It started getting out of hand, said Shirley as the two climbed the stairs.

Dont worry about it. It wasnt your fault. He acted a bit strange, but hes only your classmate, right?

Of course!

It didnt look like he believed her.

Shirley looked troubled.

In Year 1, I didnt have a partner, so Ishounuma asked me to be his.

Really!? Did you hang around with each other, was it just for the class?

Shirley swung her arms around angrily.

Thats not it! Its not like that. I had just become a member of the school committee, and the rule is that everyone must have a partner!

Ah the committee.

But in the end I didnt become his partner I paired up with someone else. I wonder if he misunderstood because I didnt directly turn him down? Well, it did look like were pretty close.

But isnt it better to be on good terms with people, no matter who they are?

Yes, but I didnt mean to cause trouble between us but isnt it weird that everyone else thinks Im on particularly good terms with that guy? Its strange! Strange!

Maybe its because Ishounuma acts like theyre close in order to cause other people to

misunderstand.

I think hes making it worse by talking like that.

Well you could have said that he was being a pain, too.

Did you say that?

Yes, many times. I said it plain as day, too!

Masaki had never been approached by someone of the opposite sex, so he couldnt imagine what it would be like. However, he was able to understand that this was troubling Shirley just by looking at her face.

When she reached the landing, Shirley suddenly turned around to face Masaki.

Im just making sure, but youre not having some strange misunderstanding, right?

Its alright since you explained everything. Of course I believe you.

Then, thats fine for the record, I would never have a special relationship with someone who discriminates by level!

Masaki had begun to pant by the time they reached the 15th floor.

Masaki lifted his glasses and rubbed his nose.

Phew Now that you mention it, you said something about attitudes towards levels what was that about?

Dont worry about it. Its just a number.

I dont know very much about it are levels important?

A surprised look appeared on Shirleys face.

Masaki, you dont know anything about levels?

I only just transferred schools. Didnt I tell you that I didnt understand anything in the transfer documents?

Then, what about Dialecte and Globaliser?

Masaki was astonished. He stared intensely at Shirley.

Amazing. Youve really changed from when you were a child.

Wh-what? What do you mean?

I didnt expect such difficult-sounding words to seem so normal to you.

Huh? Nihaha, is that so? Is it amazing? Really amazing? Shirleys chest swelled with pride.

I think its really amazing. So? What kind of things are Dialecte and Globaliser?

Shirley stiffened. Her face fell.

Then she groaned, Uuu What did you say? I feel like going shouting Yaa! and whacking you. Nya

Thanks. Ive got it now.

Really?

Yeah. Youre still Shirley!

Nihaha.

Masaki understood Shirley had disappeared seven years ago because of her ability, and now, thanks to that same talent, he was able to reunite with Shirley.

Since my ability is really weak, I doubt itd be useful for anything even if I study hard and take extra classes.

Its normal for your power to be weak and your level to be low when youve only just awakened. Im sure that itll change soon, so dont let it bother you, alright?

Oh, so is the strength of the ability the level?

It kinda is. The teacher said something about test results.

Is it important in this school?

Even though the classes are divided by levels, I say that everyone is important so to me it doesnt matter.

Really?

Well, we all use the same cafeteria!

I see. Thats a strong argument.

Shirley said that she was in class A. If classes are determined by levels, then would it be the class for the highest level students?

That Ishounuma guy seems to be in the same class as Shirley. Judging from his attitude, he probably has a high level, too.

You dont need to worry about that. The level is just a number, a number!

How is the level decided?

When I say that you dont need to worry when Im talking about levels, dont you think its strange? So, when the time comes for you to need to know about it, you can ask someone then.

Perhaps, you dont know very much about it?

Th-th-th-thats not it.

Shirleys vision wavered, almost causing her to trip. It was especially dangerous since they were climbing the stairs.

Well, everything will be explained when I get to the staff room. Masaki sighed.

Shirley suddenly placed her finger on the tip of his nose.

She wore a serious expression.

You only need one thing, and thats a positive attitude! I dont discriminate between people by their levels or anything like that!

Understood.

Shirley gave him a smile as she turned around.

It seemed to be natural that Masaki, who had just awakened, still had a low level. She must have been worried about him. Masaki swallowed his words of thanks instead of voicing them, since he felt their relationship wasnt equal anymore.

There were still more stairs ahead of them.

He decided to change the topic.

That reminds me what kind of committee did you get into?

My committee? It does lots of different things we do rounds to make sure that there arent any rule-breakers and give warnings to people who break the rules of the academy, those kind of things.

Is it the public morals committee?

Its a bit like that. However, our name is much more exciting than that!

What is it?

Its Breaker. She blushed slightly as she said it.

Its a rather over-the-top name for a school committee. Maybe it has some meaning?

Well, apart from the name I think its Shirleyish.

Shirleyish?

When we were kids, you disliked unlawful things. When it came to dealing with bad guys you seemed stronger than me, but you were just the kind of person who could face them without faltering. Should I call it being an ally of justice or just reckless? At any rate, you acted rashly. Do you remember?

Nihaha, I guess it was like that well, it usually didnt go very well.

You were clumsy. Maybe its because you frequently misunderstood things?

Only a little.

Her bitter smile had a strange darkness behind it. It was an expression that she never made when they were young.

Maybe she got into some kind of trouble.

She probably couldnt say anything to Masaki since he had just arrived at the school, but

Shirley, I think its best if you do what you think is right.

Hm? Oh, I think so, too thanks, Masaki!

She shook off the dark atmosphere and gave a bright smile that she had since she was an elementary school student.

A high-pitched electronic sound rang out.

The sharp sound repeated, assaulting the ears of the pair and echoing through the wide stairwell.

Shirley lifted up her left arm. On it she wore a silver bracelet that bore an engraved rose adorned with a violet crystal.

The sound stopped once she placed her right hand on it, and a translucent board appeared in the previously empty space above it. This wasnt some kind of illusion it was purely the product of science.

The holographic screen displayed EMERGENCY in large, red letters.

An emergency!?

Her expression froze.

Whats wrong?

Theres trouble in the school building what am I gonna do? Ive got a dispatch request from the committee.

Her eyes darted back and forth between the window and Masaki.

He was able to roughly guess what was troubling her.

What are you worried about? If its me, then you dont need to worry. Im not a child, so I wont get lost in the school.

Y-yeah.

Youre being called, arent you? Isnt it an emergency?

Yeah.

Then get going! Masaki declared firmly. I can get to the staff room on the 30th floor myself. It wouldnt take much time to get there, as they were currently on the 25th floor.

The doubt disappeared from her face, leaving seriousness in its place.

Thanks, Masaki. Ill be going now. Im sorry I wasnt able to show you everything!

Its alright. After youre done, Id like it if youd show me around some other places especially the shop where they sell delicious cakes.

Of course! You really like cakes, Masaki! See you later!

Shirley gave a nod then ran off.

Shes fast!

As he resumed his climb, she rushed into the corridor on the 26th floor with her bracelet held close to her ear.

Its Shirley. Fill me in on the situation!

He didnt hear her colleagues response as her footsteps quickly faded down the corridor.