Episode 48 - Modern Arc EP1: Reunion Beneath the Cherry Blossoms

When Shota slowly regained consciousness, he found himself beneath the cherry blossoms of the night.

The fully bloomed petals swayed gently under the moonlight. Realizing he was sitting on the ground, he felt a faint warmth against him.

“…Ryoko Senpai?”

Looking down, he saw Ryoko leaning against him. Her breathing was calm and even, as if she’d exhausted all her energy and drifted into a deep sleep. Her expression was one of complete peace—like someone who had finally found rest.

“Senpai…”

Brushing the hair from her cheek, Shota glanced at the time on his phone. 10:07 PM. The night was growing colder, and even with his coat draped over her shoulders, she looked a little chilly.

“…She’ll catch a cold like this.”

Gently, Shota lifted Ryoko onto his back and stood up slowly. Her body felt lighter than he expected, and he supported her with care.

“Time to go home, Ryoko Senpai.”

As he started walking through the night streets, it wasn’t long before Ryoko stirred slightly.

“…Mmm… Shota-kun?”

“Oh, you’re awake.”

Still drowsy, Ryoko gazed at the nighttime city over his shoulder.

“…Did I fall asleep?”

“Yeah, you were out cold.”

Ryoko blinked in surprise, then gave a soft, gentle smile.

“Hehe, I guess it’s pretty rare for you to give me a piggyback ride, huh?”

“Is that so? I mean, with your psychic powers, you probably never needed anyone to carry you in the first place.”

“Well then, I’ll be asking for more piggyback rides from now on, okay?♡”

She snuggled her face into Shota’s shoulder, almost like a spoiled child.

“Of course. I’ll carry you until my back gives out, Senpai.”

Shota joked, making Ryoko giggle.

At that moment, a wave of warmth flowed into Shota’s chest.

“…?”

This… was Ryoko’s emotion?

That same feeling he experienced in the dream—it was happening in real life now. He could feel her joy and comfort as if they were his own.

(Could it be… I can sense Senpai’s emotions now…?)

Baffled by this strange new sensation, Shota decided to focus on getting Ryoko home first.

Back at their apartment, Shota gently settled Ryoko on the living room sofa, then steeled himself to ask a few questions.

“Ryoko Senpai, can I ask you a few things?”

“Hmm? Sure, ask me anything♡”

Taking a quiet breath, Shota posed his first question.

“About the hormone that sent us to the past… how does it work?”

“My mom, Masako, taught me. It was my first time using it though♪”

“That kind of technique’s been passed down…?”

“Sort of like a secret art passed from mother to daughter♡”

“That sounds kinda awesome.”

They chuckled together before Shota asked his next question.

“And… why can I still sense your emotions even now that we’re back in the present?”

“Hmm… I’m not really sure myself…”

Ryoko thought for a moment, then smiled brightly.

“But it’s amazing that you understand my feelings, Shota-kun! That means we’re totally in sync now♡”

“Guess we don’t even need Whatsapp or LINE to stay connected, huh?” (laughs)

They shared a laugh, and then Shota asked something a little more serious.

“About your mom—Ms. Masako…”

“She couldn’t bear staying in Japan with all the memories of my dad… so now she lives in a quiet village in Germany.”

“Germany, huh… that’s pretty far.”

“Yeah, but we should go visit her sometime.”

“I’d love that.”

And finally, one last question.

“About the hormone manipulation you mastered in college… what exactly did you study?”

“Ufufu, that’s a secret~ Actually, I studied all about how to pamper you and curse you just right, for when I finally met you♡”

“That… sounds like a terrible way to use your tuition money.”

“‘Chocolate Special’ took me a whole year to develop, you know♡”

“A year!?”

Shota let out a sigh at how on-brand Ryoko still was. But if that was what brought them here together, maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.

(Next time: Ryoko’s turn to ask the questions—)