Magical Girl with Demonic Time Magic-Chapter 84: Get Well

Chapter 84: Get Well
"Hmm...so...guys, we have class in a few minutes...no fighting, please," I say as I’m stuck in a really weird situation. It’s been almost three weeks since I had those two encounters with Setsuna and Itsuki.
"I believe I invited Ayane to come with me first. We have a study session scheduled since Ayane plans to prepare for the school exams," Setsuna says to my boyfriend with a cold smile.
"But now it’s break time, and I want to take my girlfriend out for a walk together," Itsuki says with a smile, clearly not liking Setsuna’s attitude.
I wonder how things ended up this way. Today is Monday, and after the first-period class, I rushed out quickly because I wanted to grab a book from the library to study with Setsuna.
Setsuna came with me since we’re both going to study, but on the way, we ran into Itsuki, which wouldn’t have been a problem if Itsuki wasn’t heading to my classroom to call me out.
It turns out I already had plans with Setsuna, which caused this confusion because I didn’t say what I was going to do. Itsuki comes to my classroom almost every day, so I kind of knew he would come.
I just didn’t expect that both Setsuna and Itsuki would meet each other like this. Normally, Itsuki doesn’t stick around for long, and Setsuna is never around when he shows up to talk to me or greet me.
"You know what, we should let Ayane choose," Itsuki says while Setsuna just sighs.
"Actually, Ayane can go with her boyfriend," Setsuna says, leaving us both surprised, as we expected Setsuna to try to continue with this.
"Really?" I ask with visible surprise.
"Sure, we’re all adults here, no need to argue like children over something so simple. I can help you with your studies when you’re free, and I also saw Hexael, so I need to check if he’s not attracting attention," Setsuna says, looking at me and winking.
"Oh, yeah, then you should go after him!" I say, understanding. If Hexael is found by someone, they might expel him from here.
"Thank you for understanding. I hope we can be friends, Itsuki, and that this start isn’t uncomfortable," Setsuna says with a smile. Itsuki is momentarily surprised, but with a smile, he extends his hand to Setsuna.
"..." Setsuna shakes it, but I see the discomfort on her face, and I notice the gloves she’s been wearing recently. She said her issue with touch seems to have gotten worse.
"Setsuna, I left an extra pair of gloves for you under your desk," I tell her, and she looks slightly surprised but nods with a smile at the small gift.
"Thank you, then I’m going now. Have a good time, you two," she says with a smile as she goes after Hexael.
"Why did she seem disgusted when she shook my hand?" Itsuki asks innocently.
"Well, it’s because she has a problem... never mind. I’m glad you two didn’t get into a fight. She’s my best friend, and I’d be upset if you two got into a fight."
My relationship with Itsuki is still in the beginning stages, but after that encounter and the current kind gestures of him visiting my classroom, things have improved, although I still can’t stop having the same dream every night.
"I understand. I’ve seen a bit about her, but I didn’t pay much attention. Shall we go?" He says, and I nod in agreement. Setsuna and I have been doing several missions lately and hunting simple monsters.
These three weeks after that Saturday and Sunday of vacation have been quite intense, and I’ve gotten much stronger, just like Setsuna also seems to be getting much stronger.
"By the way, Ayane, do you know Hinata from your class?" Itsuki starts to speak in a more serious tone.
"Yes, we’re friends," I say with a smile.
"I... recommend not getting too close to her. Take a look at this," He says, showing me the school newspaper website, which is entirely student-made. There are news s about Hinata and the exaggerated bullying she’s been committing against various students.
Not to mention the various social media accounts where she speaks badly of many people and says horrible things that are practically criminal. The accounts were created about a month ago and have terrible content.
"Oh my God, is this true?" I ask, shocked.
"Unfortunately, yes. It was posted today on the school newspaper, and as you can see, there are official sources, and after this post, some students who have been bullied by her are speaking up," Itsuki says seriously.
"She didn’t do anything to you, right?" He asks with doubt.
"No, she was my friend, just like she was Setsuna’s friend. I can’t believe she did this... how could she abandon the second chance Setsuna gave her," I murmur the last part.
"What did you say?" He questions, not having heard my murmur.
"Huh? Oh, nothing, it’s just that what she did is very cruel," I almost said too much. Setsuna had already told Hinata to stop the bullying and stop selling her body for money or she would have problems.
I thought Hinata had changed after hearing that advice/threat, but it seems she didn’t. This is sad. I wonder if Setsuna has already seen these news s. Hinata probably won’t be expelled, but she’ll receive serious warnings and may be socially isolated, perhaps even bullied herself.
In her social media accounts, she was a horrible person, but she didn’t commit any crimes, and although bullying is serious, the school usually gives second chances unless it’s very serious, so she’s likely to remain in school.
"Ayane... is it inconvenient for me to keep coming to your classroom every day?" Itsuki asks, changing the subject.
"No, it’s just that Setsuna and I have a kind of special friend time during most breaks. She also helps me with activities and gives me tips during assignments," I say with a small smile.
"Although lately, she’s been distancing herself a bit. I wonder why," I wonder if it’s because of Itsuki. Normally, Setsuna always listens when I talk about him, but at school, she usually avoids being in the same place as him. That’s why in the past three weeks, Setsuna and Itsuki had never met face-to-face.
I wonder why she’s been avoiding him. Like on the magical girl missions, calls, and messages, everything is normal, but at school, she kind of gives me time to be with him.
’I wonder if she feels like she’s serving as a third wheel in my relationship?’ I hope that’s not the case. It’s not that I want to cause that feeling, and I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable because I keep talking about how the relationship is slowly progressing.
"But don’t worry too much, Itsuki. She accepted our relationship well and even gives advice," Thanks to some of her advice, I was able to break the strange atmosphere between Itsuki and me in just three weeks.
"So it was her who told you to talk to me about studies when I talk too much?" He says with a smile, and I, embarrassed, look away. Now, when Itsuki talks too much about himself, I start citing school assignments, interrupting him.
It’s not very polite, but Itsuki realized it only happened when he talked too much about himself, so he changed, becoming a slightly better listener, although he still talks too much about himself.
"H-Haha, yes... but don’t tell her I told you, okay!" I say with a smile as we walk down the school hallway, enjoying the moment.
"So, what’s this Hexael that Setsuna mentioned before leaving?" Itsuki asks curiously.
"It’s a kitty. He likes to follow Setsuna around. Did you know he’s amazing at finding her? I’ve seen him at the school, on the street, and even in a store about 40 blocks away from the school!" I say, and Itsuki seems surprised.
"That’s like 4 kilometers? What were you two doing so far away?" He questions with doubt, while I’m in shock. Setsuna and I were killing a monster that had escaped, and that’s why we went so far.
"W-Well, haha, there’s this really nice candy shop there, so Setsuna and I went together," I tell a lie, but it’s true that I saw Hexael in that place.
"You two are really good friends," Itsuki says, and I nod in agreement.
"Yes, she’s a bit cold, but when you get to know her, you realize how kind she is and how big her heart is. You’ll like her, you just need to get to know her better."
"Setsuna is my best friend, and she’s one of the best people I’ve ever met. Plus, she’s a genius! She has so many creative and unique ideas. You said you like robotics, right? I’m sure Setsuna could even help you with that!"
"Haha, really? Well, I’d love some help in my field. By the way, are you two in any clubs?" He asks.
"Ah... well, we’re not. But the two of us aren’t going to join any clubs, you know? Time is limited," Clubs are extracurricular activities that happen until 7 pm, and during that time, Setsuna and I are usually fighting monsters.
"I see. Well, if you need anything, I can introduce you to some cool people from different clubs," Itsuki says, and I nod. We continue our conversation as I wonder if Setsuna is having any problems with Hexael, who can be quite wild.