The morning sun shines brightly through the window, and a light fragrance fills the room.

Akane Kirino woke up before the alarm clock rang.

Maybe it was because of exhaustion, or maybe the bag of peach wood powder that had been burnt to ashes had played its role. She went to bed very early last night and her sleep quality was very high.

She had a dreamless night, and she didn't delay from waking up to getting up. She just felt refreshed.

Opening the curtains, the new girl from last night was still floating alone in the sky.

The white face and black robe, illuminated by the golden morning sun, don't look so scary from a distance.

According to Soya, they were reorganizing the investigation network and waiting for the next destruction.

"Thanks for your hard work--"

In the kitchen on the first floor, Kirino Keiko, who was preparing a lunch, glanced out the window.

"Akane?"

...

Akane Kirino came to the old house after going out. Soya had gotten up early as promised and was sitting in the dining room eating breakfast cooked by himself.

The food in Huangquan had no taste at all. After he settled down here, he never treated himself harshly in terms of food.

At this time, he was having breakfast with Asagiri Suzu, who had just moved in yesterday.

"Very energetic."

"Uh-huh."

"Are you all ready?"

"certainly."

"Just in case, check it again."

"Why did Zonggu say the same thing to mom..."

When going out, Akane Kirino was not surprised to see Asagiri Suzu accompanying her.

When they got on the tram, there were still many empty seats, so the three of them found a seat and sat down casually.

Today is just the entrance exam for Danhai University. Some schools are still in class as usual. Two or three students wearing different uniforms can be seen in the carriage.

"The light and high student uniforms are cuter than those in ordinary schools."

"Yeah."

"Yeah, this is a very important prerequisite for choosing a school. It's a pity that because of today's entrance exam, they are all on holiday, otherwise Zonggu would be able to see him."

"I'll have a chance to see you soon."

Kirino Akane smiled, "Thank you~"

Zonggu didn't explain much, and chatted for a few more words, focusing on the receding scenery outside the car window.

Dankai High School is located in Takayama Town, Otsu City, on the west bank of Lake Biwa. Going from Jinhu City, you have to bypass almost half of the lake;

However, the tram line around Lake Biwa does not completely follow the lake shoreline. According to Akane Kirino, you can only see the lake from the tram a few stops later.

The first half of the journey is the same as the route to Kyoto. You need to transfer at Yamashina Station, transfer from the Biwako Line to the Kosai Line, and turn north.

The tram stopped and stopped, and at various stops along the way, it picked up many students who were going to Danhai University to take the entrance exam.

Soya focused more on the outside of the car window. When the crowding in the car made him pay attention to his surroundings again, he realized that there was a somewhat familiar girl sitting next to Kirino Akane.

Based on the uniform on the other party, he quickly remembered that she was Akane Kirino's "ordinary friend" who ate and went shopping together.

"When did it appear..."

Logically speaking, they should have got on the train at the same platform, but she was not seen at that time.

Seeing that Soya finally came to his senses, Kirino Akane stopped kicking his feet and said: "Soya, remember to come early at noon, let's have a lunch together."

"I see."

"..."

The girl next to her opened her mouth, but couldn't speak.

After another ten minutes, we could finally see the lake from the tram.

It's just that there's still some distance between the lakeside and the tram line. Although several buildings in between don't block the view, they do affect the aesthetics.

"Almost there."

Kirino Akane was also looking outside, her face couldn't tell whether she was relaxed or something else.

"From the moment you can see Lake Biwa, after three stops, it will be Dangao."

"Yeah."

After a while.

"Omi Naniwa Station, we've arrived——"

There were quite a few people wanting to get off at this stop. As Soya squeezed out two steps, Asagiri Suzu, who almost tripped, grabbed one of his arms.

Before he could take a step, his other arm was also grabbed.

"..."

"There are so many people!" Akane Kirino said.

The girl who had not spoken much was also pulled tightly by her. Zonggu dragged the three of them and squeezed out of the carriage with difficulty.

As Wu Ling got out of the car, he let go of his hand and stopped to look ahead.

Along the way, the distance between the tram line and Lake Biwa is getting closer and closer. When you get off at the stop, there is only a road around the lake a few meters wide in the middle.

The lake ripples, flooded with the rising sun, and the water meets the sky.

"Let's go."

"Um."

After leaving the station, a stream of students in uniforms of various colors gathered, pointing out the direction of Soya who was coming here for the first time.

"Is it at the bottom of the hillside over there?"

"No, the school is on the top of the mountain."

"..."

Zonggu narrowed his eyes. But his field of vision was heavily blocked and he saw nothing.

"It's some distance away from the residential area. It's very quiet, the air is fresh, and the view is very good." Kirino Akane said, "At the same time, it is one of the top schools in Shiga for higher education, high quality..."

No matter how it sounds, it sounds like the introduction in the admissions brochure.

Walk all the way to the bottom of the hillside. There are two ways to go up the mountain: the steep and long steps, or the relatively gentle but long winding road.

"Kirino."

"What?"

"Come on for the exam."

"Thank you...Eh? No, I have to go up there at least once!"

...

As an unrelated person other than a candidate, Soya tried his best to climb up the countless steps and was unable to enter the private Danhai High School that had become an examination venue.

"See you at noon then."

"Well, come on."

"Uh-huh!"

Kirino Akane dragged her friend into the examination room, while Soya and Asagiri Suzu sat in the Hamono Cafe outside the school.

The sun has risen, and the view from the top of the mountain is indeed very good. Looking from a distance, the vast Lake Biwa is calm and waveless, with mountains beside the lake and the city looming.

The scenery is wonderful and refreshing - if you can ignore the girl from the underworld flying towards you in mid-air.

"..."

Soya didn't take any more risks, and under Asagiri Suzu's gaze, he picked up the amulet on the table.

"Are you still coming this way?"

She nodded.

He had already put on the amulet and felt confident, so he did nothing.

Chao Wuling stared at the sky outside the window for a while, then looked away.

"Going back."

Zonggu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"..."
To be continued...