Summer vacation had finally arrived.

It had been exactly one week since my trip to the countryside with Nina-chan for that job.

Now, I was in the back seat of my father’s car, headed toward the base of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture.

“So, Itsuki, about that new magic that surfaced last week, they’re planning to upgrade the performance of Suppression Magic to counter it. All thanks to you.”

“Really? Then, Dad, can you teach me more about Suppression Magic next time?”

“Hm? Have I not taught you that yet? Very well. As soon as this training camp is over, we’ll get to it.”

In the back seat, I had a backpack filled with three days’ worth of clothes, something my mom and I had shopped for together, all in preparation for this day.

The reason we were headed to Mt. Fuji was because that’s where the exorcists hold their training camps. There’s a special facility for it at the base of the mountain.

Apparently, Aya-chan had left earlier, so today it was just me and my father.

Ever since we started driving, Mt. Fuji had been looming large in the corner of my vision.

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I still wasn’t entirely sure if this Japan was exactly the same as the one from my previous life, but seeing Mt. Fuji unchanged made me feel like I was definitely in Japan. It’s strange to think about.

“By the way… are you sure you’re only going to take the Resonance Magic course at the camp?” my father asked.

“Yeah. I figured since you and Renji-san are handling the other lessons, I can just learn that stuff from you two later, right?”

“…U-um. Well, if that’s what you’ve decided, I won’t say anything more,” my father replied, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.

For the record, the exorcist camp doesn’t have a single training menu for everyone.

Just like how track and field has different events for sprinters and long-distance runners, exorcists have their own specialties, and they follow training programs that match their aptitudes.

The course I signed up for this time was focused on mastering Resonance Magic.

According to my father, it’s notoriously unpopular.

I could understand why, though.

After all, this camp also offered classes taught by my father, a Fifth Order exorcist specializing in close-quarters combat, and Renji-san, who’d been my father’s longtime magic partner. Those classes were running at the same time.

It’s no surprise the exorcist trainees flocked to those classes. If I weren’t getting regular training from my father and Renji-san, I would’ve chosen those classes too.

Come to think of it, I’m pretty lucky with the way things have worked out for me.

…Well, it feels a little strange to be reflecting on that now.

“Hey, Itsuki, just as a trial, why not join one of my classes for a bit…?”

“Huh? But, Dad, didn’t you say yesterday that your camp lessons would be different from what we usually do together? You said the others wouldn’t be able to keep up.”

“W-well, yes, that’s true…”

“Besides, I think I’ll learn more if you teach me directly after camp is over,” I pointed out.

“Mmm…”

My father hummed in response, falling into silence.

Did I ask something weird?

Well, he’s the one who said it. I’ve been doing physical training since I was three, so I can handle some intense drills, but that’s not the case for every exorcist trainee.

As a result, the camp sessions would be adjusted to suit the slower learners.

To put it bluntly, they’d have to lower the difficulty level. And if I joined, I wouldn’t get much out of it.

This wasn’t just about my father either. Renji-san’s class would be the same.

Even though I hadn’t trained with Renji-san as often recently, I still practiced with him regularly. Given that, the only thing left for me to learn that I couldn’t pick up on my own was Resonance.

If I didn’t focus on learning Resonance, what else would I be learning here? For once in both my past life and current life, I was genuinely eager to study, and that’s why I was on my way to the camp.

“I just thought things would liven up a bit if you joined, Itsuki…”

“Dad, you’re already the popular one here.”

That said, I was secretly hoping that maybe, just maybe, I’d make some friends at camp!

But let’s be real—making friends in a class where my dad is the instructor might be a challenge. So, it’s probably better to be in a class with people I don’t know.

By the way, I’m still committed to my pre-enrollment goal of “making 10 friends.” I’ve got 8 more to go. It feels like an impossible distance.

After chatting with my father for a while, we finally arrived at the camp.

The parking lot was packed with luxury cars. It almost felt like a gathering of millionaires for some extravagant retreat. When you see this, you start to think that being an exorcist might be a pretty dreamy career—if you ignore the high death rate, that is.

I hopped out of the car, grabbed my backpack from the back seat, and followed my father toward the dormitory where we’d be staying during the camp.

“Welcome, Souichirou-san, and you too, Itsuki-kun,” said a man who introduced himself as the dorm manager as soon as we entered.

With a polite bow, he showed us to the dorm.

“I’ll guide you to your room right away. Please, this way.”

According to my father, the dorm had four-person rooms, and I’d be sharing a room during the camp.

Incidentally, I’m the youngest participant in this camp.

Most of the other attendees were between 12 and 16 years old. Naturally, being able to use Shijutsu was a basic requirement for attending.

There was a good chance I’d be the odd one out, which made me a bit worried about bullying, but at the same time, I held out hope that I might make some friends.

As I mulled over my expectations and anxieties, the dorm manager led us to a two-person room.

“…Wait, isn’t this supposed to be a four-person room?” I asked.

“Well, we arranged for you to stay in the same room as Souichirou-sama,” he replied.

“Oh, with Dad…”

I see. That makes sense… right?

I glanced over at my father. He looked slightly surprised, so it seemed like the dorm manager had gone out of his way to accommodate us.

I guess it’s reasonable, though. If there’s a six-year-old at a camp where the youngest age group is 12, it’s only natural for that kid to room with his father. That’s just common sense.

By the way, the dorm was co-ed, though the female and male sections were separated. We were warned not to enter the women’s area. It was starting to feel like a proper camp experience, and my excitement grew as I listened to the rules.

“Souichirou-san, please come to the main hall at 10 o’clock. There will be an introductory session with the students,” the manager said.

“Understood,” my father nodded quietly as he unpacked.

“Itsuki-kun, once you’re ready, please head to the second audiovisual room. The instructor is already waiting for you,” the manager said.

“Got it!” I replied.

After putting my backpack near my father’s luggage, I checked the time. It was 9:30.

Not sure what I needed for Resonance Magic training, I decided to change into my usual training clothes and head for the second audiovisual room.

“Can you find your way there by yourself, Itsuki?” my father asked.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

With that, I left the room and navigated using the map posted near the staircase.

I might not have a roommate, but maybe I could make some friends during training. In fact, maybe the shared experience of training would make it easier to connect with people than sharing a room. If that’s the case, then the Resonance class might be my big chance.

Thinking such things, I arrived at the second audiovisual room and opened the door.

Inside, there was only one person—a young woman. She jumped slightly and turned toward me in surprise.

She looked pretty short. As I stood there, she hurriedly stumbled over, clearly flustered.

“Ah! T-thank goodness! You must be Kisaragi Itsuki-kun, right!?”

As she rushed toward me, she tripped on her own shoe and fell.

Seriously? That actually happened?

Still, undeterred, she lifted her face and introduced herself.

“I-I’m Shirayuki Ruri! I’ll be teaching Resonance Magic starting today. I’m not very good at a lot of things, but… let’s do our best together!” she said with an awkward but determined smile.

“…I’m Kisaragi Itsuki. Nice to meet you,” I replied.

Hearing my introduction, Shirayuki-sensei forced another smile and said, “Well, let’s get started on practicing Resonance Magic right away!”

“Wait a minute!” I interrupted.

“D-did I explain something wrong? Is there something you don’t understand!?” she asked, panic clear in her voice.

“No, it’s not that… It’s just… Am I the only one here?”

I looked around the room.

There were plenty of clean white desks and chairs, but the only people here were me and Shirayuki-sensei.

“Yes, Itsuki-kun, you’re the only one. Resonance Magic is so unpopular that you were the only one to sign up for it this time. Funny, isn’t it? Haha…” she said with a dry laugh.

As I listened to Shirayuki-sensei’s awkward chuckle, I scanned the empty room once again.

Well… It looks like my secret plan to make new friends just got crushed before it even started.

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