We continued to walk in silence for a while, with me carrying Nina-chan’s backpack as we made our way side by side. I’m trying to think of something to say, but nothing seemed right.

…This is awkward.

Nina-chan kept her head down, looking embarrassed, and I had no idea how to break the ice in situations like this.

Someone, please teach me how to talk to girls in these situations.

As we walked, the pedestrian light turned red. I stopped, and so did Nina-chan. At that moment, she spoke in a voice so soft that it was almost drowned out by the sound of passing cars.

“…Laugh at me, Itsuki.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Because… When I see a monster, I just… freeze. My mind goes blank. I’ve never even exorcised a monster before. But I told you I’d beat you.

Isn’t that ridiculous?”

Nina-chan forced a laugh, but it was clear she wasn’t finding it funny. I could see she was deeply troubled.

“I wouldn’t laugh at you for freezing in front of a monster. And, honestly, it’s normal for someone our age not to have exorcised one.”

“But you’ve done it, Itsuki.”

I couldn’t exactly tell her that I’d been reincarnated, so I brushed it off by saying, “I was just lucky.” Though, after saying that, I realized that needing to exorcise a monster was more about bad luck than good luck.

“I… I’m not cut out to be an exorcist. I know that myself. My mom’s been telling me that for as long as I can remember.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. She always said there’s no point in studying magic because I don’t have the talent. And whenever I mentioned you, she’d just say I should marry you instead.”

That kind of talk about marriage from someone younger than me felt awkward, so I tried to steer the conversation away from it.

“Who taught you magic, Nina-chan?”

“My mom. But she stopped teaching me a year ago.”

“What about your dad?”

“…He’s not around.”

Oops, I asked something I shouldn’t have. Every time I find myself in these awkward situations, I curse my poor social skills.

“But I thought if I could beat you… maybe Mom would change her mind about me. Maybe she’d finally see me as having the potential to be an exorcist and start teaching me magic again.”

The light turned green, and as we began crossing the street, Nina-chan shared more of what was on her mind. Her words were heavy, filled with a deep longing to prove herself.

I see… So that’s what’s been going on.

As I adjusted Nina-chan’s slipping backpack, I recalled what she’d said during the entrance ceremony.

“I came here to beat you, Itsuki!”

Those words, spoken with a mix of urgency and frustration, made sense now. They were driven by her desire to prove herself.

But there was one thing I didn’t quite understand.

“Nina-chan,” I called out.

“What is it, Itsuki?”

“Does wanting to learn magic mean you really want to become an exorcist?”

Because wanting to learn magic implies a desire to take on that responsibility. But if she freezes in front of monsters, wouldn’t it be safer to avoid such a dangerous path?

Nina-chan nodded firmly.

“Yes. I want to be a great exorcist, like my mom and dad.”

“Becoming an exorcist means fighting monsters, you know.”

“I know. That’s why I was going to ask you a favor.”

“A favor?”

“I was going to ask you to teach me how to exorcise monsters.”

Nina-chan’s face turned a little red, and she looked away as she said this. When I looked at her, surprised by her request, she quickly tried to backtrack.

“Forget I said that! Just forget it!”

But I wasn’t about to let it go so easily.

“No way. You can’t just ask something like that and expect me to forget it. C’mon, Nina-chan, tell me more.”

“Ugh…”

Nina-chan stamped her foot in frustration, but then she quietly continued in a barely audible voice.

“It might seem strange to ask you to teach me how to exorcise monsters when I want to beat you, but you’re the only one who can teach me…”

Well, she’s right about that.

Her mom wouldn’t teach her, and the exorcist at our school—if there even is one—is likely to be overworked and part-time. I’ve never seen them, so I’m not even sure they exist. There’s no way she could ask for their help.

“That’s why I taught you magic, Itsuki. I figured if I taught you, maybe you’d grant my request too.”

She’s surprisingly honest about her intentions.

I exhaled, taking in everything she said.

“So, go ahead, Itsuki. Laugh at me. I want to be an exorcist, but I can’t even face a monster. I told you I’d beat you, but here I am, asking you to teach me how to exorcise them. Isn’t that laughable?”

“I’m not going to laugh.”

There’s no way I could laugh. What she’s doing is far from laughable, it’s admirable.

Unlike the passive person I was in my past life, just drifting along, she’s actively working toward her goals. Even if her methods seem childlike, she’s thinking for herself, making decisions, and moving forward with a level of courage that I couldn’t help but admire.

That’s something I couldn’t do in my previous life. It’s what I’ve been trying to do in this one.

That’s why I think she’s incredible. Her determination, her mindset, it’s all so inspiring to me.

…My father and Renji were right. I’m glad I decided to go to school.

So, trying to change the mood, I spoke brightly.

“So, when should we start?”

“…Start what?”

“What do you mean? Practicing how to exorcise monsters, of course.”

“…You’re not going to laugh?”

Why is she so fixated on that?

“Nope, I’m not going to laugh. I think you’re amazing, Nina-chan.”

“Amazing? Me? Why?”

“Because you’re trying to overcome something you’re scared of. You’re working hard toward your dream. How could I laugh at that?”

When I said that, Nina-chan quietly said, “Oh,” and fell silent. So I continued.

“Besides, you’re really kind, too.”

“Huh? What part of me is kind?”

“Well, you taught me magic, didn’t you?”

“That’s different! I only did that because I wanted you to teach me how to exorcise monsters!”

“But you could have made me fulfill your request first without teaching me anything.”

“I’d never do that! We had a deal!”

“See? That’s because you’re kind, Nina-chan.”

She probably wouldn’t admit it, but it’s true.

“Just like you kept your promise, I want to keep mine too. Let’s exorcise some monsters and show your mom that you have the talent for it!”

“Itsuki…”

After all, she had gone out of her way to teach me foreign magic, even showing me the new possibility of a quick-draw magic technique.

If I didn’t return the favor, I wouldn’t be doing her justice.

Hearing my words, Nina-chan stopped walking, turned around, and smiled.

Then, she suddenly seemed full of energy again.

“You’re right! Let’s do it, just like you said! I’ll learn how to exorcise monsters from you and totally surprise my mom!”

“Yeah, let’s do it.”

Seeing Nina-chan’s renewed spirit, I felt relieved. She definitely looks better when she’s upbeat rather than down.

“Thank you, Itsuki.”

“You’re welcome.”

And so, after walking together for about 10 more minutes, we finally arrived at Nina-chan’s house.

“This is my place, Itsuki.”

She stopped in front of a pretty big apartment building.

Whoa, it’s huge… Is this what they call a “tower mansion”?

A “tower mansion” is just a fancy term for a super tall apartment building. But, obviously, a regular person like me has no connection to such a place. The only thing I know about tower mansions is that the air pressure supposedly messes with cooking rice. I don’t even know if that’s true.

…But, wow, Nina-chan lives in a nice place.

I’ve heard that rent in these places is ridiculously high, but I guess being an exorcist, which is a well-paying job, makes it easy to afford. Not that I know for sure.

Now that we had arrived at her home, my job was done. So, I handed Nina-chan her backpack.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better, Nina-chan. Here’s your backpack. See you at school tomorrow.”

“Wait!”

Just as I was about to say goodbye and head home, Nina-chan tugged on her backpack, almost making me lose my balance. Hey, this is the second time today!

“Wh-what is it…?”

“You came all this way, so I’ll make some tea for you!”

Though it wasn’t exactly polite to snap at a little girl, I asked why, and her reply was something I didn’t expect to hear from an elementary schooler.

“Tea?”

“Yes, tea.”

I see.

…I see?

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