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Nanana’s Buried Treasure Volume 10 Chapter 2.3

「There’s no way I could understand this.」

The Yama siblings were completely left behind.

Then, another change occurred in their spells. This time, the words from Tensai changed. Suddenly, Ulysses’s talking came to a halt.

「Um… Juugo, do you have a German dictionary?」

「No, we don’t have fancy things like that.」

「D’arc, lend me one of yours.」

「You have one?」

Well, I have no idea what happened next in the conversation between the two…

「Hmm, that was a good time. It was very fun, Ulysses.」

In the end, the great detective was leaning back, and Ulysses was trembling in frustration. Ulysses, still with her head down, placed her hands on Sora-nee’s shoulders.

「Kunon, let’s study.」

「But, since Tensai-chan-sempai won, doesn’t that mean her theory is correct?

「It’s okay, Tensai. She’s really smart already. But Kunon, you aren’t. You have to do it. I’ll do my best, so let’s study together.」

Apparently, Ulysses was very frustrated. Actually, I had noticed, but Ulysses seems to be quite an incredible girl. So for someone like her to call Tensai really smart, that means a lot.

Skritch Skritch Skritch

Well, while the two of them were engaged in that fierce battle, I was quietly doing my homework by myself.

It was noisy as the girls’ conversation continued. The word ‘noisy’ is a well-crafted one, because when five girls (including one fake) get together, the conversation gets incredibly lively.

Skritch Scritch

Chatter Chatter

Skritch Skritch

Chatter Chatter

Skritch… Skritch

Chatter Squeeeel

「Ugh, shut up, you guys! I’m trying to study right now! If you’re going to make so much noise, get out.」

Toss Slam

「Huh? That’s weird.」

Why did I, who was making a reasonable request, have to be thrown out of my own room with all my study supplies and have the door slammed in my face?

I ended up studying alone on the kitchen floor, a pathetic mess. And, since the door was closed, the air conditioning wasn’t reaching me. As I was thinking this the door opened a bit and Tensai peeked in.

「You know, Juugo. You’re cramming like it’s the last day of summer vacation, but you don’t really need to push yourself so hard right now. If you just do your normal routine, won’t you be able to make it in time?」

Shut up, I have a lot of other things to do. A lot of things. As I was thinking that, I noticed Nanana’s very happy smile.

「This is fun, isn’t it Juugo?」

「…yeah. It is, isn’t it?」

When Nanana shows me a smile like that, I have no choice but to answer honestly.

As I watch everyone laughing and having fun in Room 202, a thought strikes me. Though things are more hectic than ever, neither Sora-nee nor Ulysses are particularly surprised to find out that Nanana is an earthbound spirit (Sora-nee is actually quite excited), and they’re somewhat relieved. That’s because ever since I returned to Nanaejima from my parents’ house, something a certain person said has been stuck in the back of my mind.

A beautiful woman in overalls I met on the riverbank near my parents’ house. She was Kasumi Kanjou, a cool person who supports the Phantom Thieves <<Matsuri>> and a former resident of this room.

Being an earthbound spirit is a line that is hard for people to cross. Kasumi had the same conflict in her mind, and I experienced it myself. So when they moved in next door and started showing up like this, I was a little worried.

Well, with us standing there with Nanana-chan looking calm, and Sora-neechan having that personality, it’s likely that shy Ulysses-chan was able to open up to her naturally. But when you think about it, Tensai and D’arc, who were able to pen up to Nanana-chan so easily, might also be odd. Well, Tensai is odd like that so I can kind of understand, but considering that D’arc wasn’t surprised at all, he might actually be stranger than I think. He’s a cross-dressing guy who wears girls’ clothes 24/7, so he’s definitely a pervert too.

Yes, Nanana-chan is a ghost, but she’s no different than us. We laugh together like this, and can enjoy being together. If we are together doing fun things like this, then certainly everyone around us can feel it too.

Suddenly, I remember the promise I made to Kasumi Kanjou-san.

‘Kouhai, please save my best friend.’

So I vow once again. In order to carry on Kanjou-san’s will, I will find the person who killed Nanana. I will never let Nanana feel sad again. More than anything, I want to make her smile more. And it is because I feel that way from the bottom of my heart that I will do what I can.

「Juugo, get the pudding.」

「Okay!」

Well, even though I’ve made that decision, there’s only so much I can do right now.

2

The next morning, seeing me dressed up even more than usual, Nanana asked me.

「Juugo, are you going somewhere?」

「I have a date.」

Lately, I’ve been reluctant to go out, so I wonder if she’s jealous?

「I see. Then, why don’t you bring her over next time? I’d like to talk to her.」

But the response I got sounded like something a family member would say. No, I’d rather not…

Klack

Yeah like that. That kind of visible shock.

Standing in the kitchen was Ulysses, who had come to have breakfast with us. Ulysses’ face was completely pale, and it seemed she had dropped the plate that had the food on it.

「J…Juugo, I had no idea you had a girlfriend. What on earth should I do…?」

「Well, for now Ulysses, can you stop staring at the knife in your hand with such a scary expression?」

「No, but since she’s someone important to you, I thought I should say hello.」

「You say that with such a sweet smile, but the knife in your hand naturally exudes a feeling of madness.」

Watching this exchange, Sora-nee(who had been munching on the salad Ulysses had made at the table) said one thing, 「Is this what hell looks like?」

What’s with that? And what’s with that grin?

「This girl… I think someone is going to die.」

That line, or rather, the earthbound spirit saying it with a smug look on her face… It isn’t funny.

I was a little annoyed by the two of them egging her on, so I turn to Ulysses.

「Then would you like to come with me, Ulysses?」

「What!? I can come along?!」

Ulysses was so excited that she started waving the knife around. ( I hope she was just pretending)

「I see, so Juugo wants her and Ulysses to fight over him.」

「Hmmm, Juugo has really come a long way.」

「Hey little sis and earthbound spirit. Don’t try to turn me into the kind of lowlife that some club president we know might already be.」

Ulysses then claps her hands.

「So, you’re saying I’m going to grab the title of Juugo’s girlfriend with these hands!?」

「No, don’t interpret it like that.」

To be honest, I’m happy that she’s so eager. But I have a feeling that pushing her any further might be dangerous, so I whisper the name of the person I’m meeting to Ulysses.

Suddenly, Ulysses’ expression, which had been somewhat insane, returned to normal.

「Oh, so that’s what you meant.」

「Would you like to come with me?」

「No, in that case, I’ll have to pass today. I’d like to hang out with you two at a later time though.」

Ulysses-chan is keeping a step back, anticipating that I have business to attend to. She’s a foreigner, but she’s like a Japanese woman. Ah, she’s really a nice girl.

「? Who is it, Juugo-kun?」

「Don’t tell Sora-neechan.」

「What’s the matter!? Why am I the only one left out?」

「Grrrrr」, my sister bares her crooked fangs. Learn some grace form Ulysses-chan, why don’t you?

「So, how are things going with the princess and Ulysses?」

「All things considered, they’re doing well.」

The location is a certain coffee shop.

So I tell my date (it’s definitely a date), Yukihime Fugi-san, about how the two of them have been lately. Hearing that Yukihime looks somewhat relieved.

「Whatever the case may be, I’m glad to see they’re doing well.」

「Please come and see them sometime.」

「Yes, when the time is right.」

Now, let’s get to today’s main topic.

「I’ve contacted them and we’ve arranged a meeting. However, they seem to be very busy, so it will still take a few days.」

「That’s good to hear. I’ve been busy with my homework too, so I wasn’t fully prepared.」

「When you say that, it sounds like you’re saying I’ll fail.」

Yukihime glares at me, so I laugh and try to dodge the accusation.

「I’m not saying that. But whether your plan succeeds or fails, it won’t change what I have to do.」

Yukihime looks somewhat displeased at my calm response.

「She’s not cute at all. She was so hilarious until just a while ago, though.」

Is that what she was thinking?