Reiko and Angela.

“…I see.”

Reiko felt her chest tighten with every word Angela said. The bell cut their conversation short, but at least she now knew why Leonardo hadn’t shown up with the others at school.

“He’ll be fine, so try not to worry too much. You know how tough he is.” Angela told her. “Focus on your exams first. You can come visit him after school.”

“Yeah…” Reiko nodded. But it was one thing to say it and a very different one to do it.

“We talk again during recess?”

“Yes, please. I want to know more.”

“Okay, though it’s not like I understand it all. But… There’s something I want to tell you. It’s important. Very important.”

“…I’ll be there.”

So Leonardo was asleep and would be for a few days because of some Book of Eros magic. He’d recover, but they just didn’t know exactly when. Mrs. Wisler had already called the school, saying Leo was sick and wouldn’t be at school for a week. He’d have to retake exams on a different day, but that was the least of their worries. Reiko had been excited to ask how his date with White-san had gone and to show him her newest art piece, but now it mattered little.

“Reiko-san,” Kaede called to her from the seat in front of Leo’s. “He… he’ll be fine, okay?”

Hearing Kaede trying to cheer her up shook Reiko out of her trance. Of course Leo would be fine. He was Leo, after all! He’d surely tell to focus on exams as well. And hey, if she took the exams before him, she’d be able to give him a couple of hints, too.

Up on the rooftop, it was only her and Angela. The sound of students chatting and playing down in the yard reached even up there. The two girls looked down at them in silence before Reiko finally found words to answer Angela.

“Are you sure you really want that?”

“I’m not,” Angela shook her head in frustration. “It sounds like a good idea to me, but when I think of going through with it, I just… get scared, you know?”

“Of course I know,” Reiko nodded. “I… I don’t think I can do that.”

“And I’m not asking you to,” Angela assured. “No, this is just me being… I don’t even know what to call it. Stubborn and stupid, I guess.”

“I’d rather you didn’t do it, but… I think I understand how you feel. I’m a little worried, but not that much. I trust you and Leo to figure this out. Are you gonna do this as soon as he wakes up?”

“Maybe. I might just see how everyone else starts acting. The old lady said some things last night that… changed things a bit.”

“Changed what?”

“Don’t ask me. I only have this feeling like the other girls are taking this more seriously now. Lucia and Seina especially.” Angela groaned and rubbed the back of her neck. “I haven’t been very nice to them, either. Lucia earned it, but Seina hasn’t done anything to get me to be so cold to her. I’m trying to fix that, but I’m not the best with people.”

“You’re not so bad,” Reiko giggled. “Once they understand your directness is just part of your charm, you’ll all get along great. Leo likes that about you, too.”

“Does he? I thought he found it annoying…”

“Of course he doesn’t. This’ll sound weird coming from me, but have more confidence in your own personality.”

“It was just a short lapse of doubt, okay? I’ve been questioning myself more than I ever have before…” Angela sighed. “Being in love kind of sucks, huh?”

“A little,” Reiko giggled again. “But it can be pretty great, too.”

“Yeah…” Angela smiled. “I guess I can’t blame Seina for falling for him. She might be older than me, but we all have about the same amount of experience when it comes to romance, and that’s near zero.”

“…Wait a minute, why does that name ring a bell? Which one was Lucia-san and which one was Seina-san?”

“Lucia Wisler is the blonde, bitchy one who made Kaede cry. Mrs. Wisler’s daughter. Seina Mi… Mirror… Miyako… What was her last name? Ah! Seina Miryoku! That’s the bombshell with the black hair.”

Miryoku… Seina? Miryoku Seina… Why did that name sound familiar? Where had Reiko heard that name before? Oh well, it would come to her later. For now, Reiko wanted to think of some way to help out Leo with his burden, especially since she was sure he wasn't gonna like what Angela had planned.