Regardless of whether they would help with the investigation, Tobi decided to put all talk of signing contracts on hold for the time being. He couldn’t deny that money was an appealing prospect, though he didn’t know exactly how much the reward for this sort of help would be. Plus, while Monika had a guardian to sign in place of her parents, Tobi didn’t have anyone to fill that role. He wasn’t sure if he could legally sign a contract at all. He’d rather not explain the situation to a staff member at the institute—and of course, this was all assuming that he could trust Kudou at all. Tobi had so many things to think about, he didn’t know where to start.
As for Ryuuko, speaking with her grandfather would likely pose just as much of an obstacle as Tobi’s own circumstances. That said, she seemed ready and willing to help out regardless.
The following morning, the weather was dismal. It was drizzling when Tobi left the institute, and when he arrived at the school gates, he found Mr. Yagarashima wearing a very eye-catching checkered raincoat. Several passing students stopped to shout.
“Lookin’ good, Yagi!”
“Your raincoat is burning my eyes!”
“Aren’t you breaking the dress code right now, Mr. Yagarashima?”
“Cut me a break—this is my wife’s coat!” the teacher shouted back at them. “We wear the same size, okay?!”
Tobi found Ryuuko lying in wait for him by the shoe cubbies. On their way to the classroom, they bumped into Asamiya by the staircase. He must have been waiting there for Tobi.
“Not having my phone is really throwing me off,” Asamiya grumbled.
“It’s difficult not being able to check the time and date, I imagine,” said Ryuuko.
“Yeah, more than I expected. I’m so used to being able to see that stuff whenever I want.”
“That’s why I wear a watch,” said Tobi. He pulled back his sleeve to show off the wristwatch he wore on his left arm.
Asamiya seemed a little interested. “How much does one of those cost?” he asked.
“Less than you’d think,” said Tobi. “You can get one for under a thousand yen if you go to a thrift store.”
“Seriously? Maybe I’ll get one, too. It looks pretty cool, in a retro sort of way.”
Tobi felt a little flattered. He’d done a lot of shopping around before he bought his watch, and it was nice to hear someone praise it. Ryuuko was giving it a very close look as well, which both embarrassed him and made him a little anxious. She looked like she could trip and fall at any moment.
“People who wear wristwatches look somehow mature, don’t they?” Ryuuko commented.
“…Oh?” said Tobi.
“Yeah, I get that,” Asamiya agreed.
“Don’t you just?!” Ryuuko said. She sounded inexplicably proud all of a sudden. “It’s something I aspire to! I’d love to wear a watch, too, when I’m an adult!”
“I mean, if they’re that cheap, why not just get one now?”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly! It’s still far too soon for me. I have to become more mature first, or a watch will never suit me.”
“…You think it doesn’t suit me?” asked Tobi.
“No, it suits you perfectly,” Ryuuko clarified.
“Yeah, Otogiri seems kinda mature, huh?” said Asamiya.
“He does!” Ryuuko agreed.
“You think…?” Tobi muttered.
“Heh! Don’t get a big head, Tobi,” Baku interjected. “You’re still a snotty-nosed brat, the way I see it!” Ryuuko stifled a chuckle.
Asamiya couldn’t hear Baku’s voice, but his translucent zingai was still firmly coiled around his neck. Tobi wondered if it had chosen that spot in order to protect its master’s vitals.
Though Asamiya had relapsed, he still couldn’t see zingai. If Tobi could only open up to him about their existence, the situation might improve in all sorts of ways. But would Asamiya believe him? No matter how carefully and thoroughly Tobi and Ryuuko explained it to him, he couldn’t even see his own zingai, much less hear their voices. Tobi doubted it would go well.
Just then, Monika walked over to her desk, sat down, and slumped over.
“Good morning, Monika!” said Ryuuko.
Monika raised her head just enough to look at Ryuuko. She seemed even sleepier than usual. “…Yeah, Morning. You’re sure full of energy. Didn’t you notice it’s raining out?”
“Are you one of those people feels bad when the air pressure’s low?” Asamiya asked.
Monika slumped down again. “…Somethin’ like that. Sleep deprived, too. No time to gripe, though,” she said, lifting her head again. “Gotta start with the most likely candidates…”
“D-don’t push yourself too hard,” Ryuuko said a little anxiously.
Monika arched an eyebrow and the corner of her mouth twitched. She was probably trying to smile. “Putting in the hours when you’re young pays big dividends later.”
“Didn’t think you were so old-fashioned,” Baku jabbed.
Monika rested her chin on her desk and let out a snort. “Oh, trust me—I’ll be cashing in those dividends big-time someday.”