Episode 74 - The Section Chief Who Leapt Through Time (Part 2)

—After a brief, floating sensation—

When Ryoko opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded by a vaguely unfamiliar, yet strangely nostalgic landscape.

A red-brick campus path. A small fountain. Students chatting on the green lawn. The fashion and vibes of the passing young people felt just a bit… dated.

(Is this… Shota’s university?)

Ryoko pulled out her phone to check the year, then looked down at herself.

The length of her skirt, the texture of her cardigan, even the firmness of her skin—all just slightly different from the present. But her powers were intact. Both telekinesis and hormone control still worked as usual.

(Fufu… So I’ve landed in Shota’s memories—as my 23-year-old self. Back when I was a sixth-year med student♡)

Then, flashing through the back of her mind came a conversation from earlier that night—

Shota’s ex-girlfriend.

“…I better meet this girl face to face♡”

With a sly smirk, Ryoko flipped her skirt and stepped onto the campus.

(In this world, Shota might not know the college-aged me—but he should remember the me from high school, when I was a senior and we dated while he was a freshman♡)

As she walked along the path, a male student called out to her in a familiar voice.

“Hey, which department are you from?”

“I’m not a student here. I’m just visiting a friend. Are you a student?”

“Yeah. So… is this ‘friend’ of yours a boyfriend or something?”

“You could say that. I heard the guy I dated in high school is attending this university. Do you know a Shota Sasaki?”

“Wait, you’re telling me Shota dated a girl this cute? I had no idea!”

“Fufu. And you are?”

“I’m Katagiri. We’re in the same club.”

(I knew it—Katagiri-kun.) “What kind of club?”

“Tennis.”

“Say… is this Shota seeing anyone right now?”

Katagiri looked a little surprised but quickly smiled.

“Yeah, he is. A senior in the Literature Department—Aki Tachibana. She’s a bit older, really good at tennis, super strong-willed but also really caring. She’s got a warm, easygoing vibe. Shota kinda opened up to her for the first time. They seem to be doing pretty well.”

Ryoko’s smile twitched ever so slightly.

(Older, strong-willed, and caring… hmm♡ Shota’s type hasn’t changed at all. She’s kind of like me… which makes this all the more unforgivable♡)

“Thanks, Katagiri-kun. You’ve given me just the lead I needed♡”

By the time Katagiri tilted his head with a confused “Huh?”, Ryoko had already vanished into the crowd.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Amid the lunchtime chatter of the campus cafeteria, Shota carried a wooden tray in both hands, walking beside Senpai Tachibana as they searched for an open seat.

“Over there, let’s sit.”

“Y-Yeah…”

They took a window seat. Aki opened her lunchbox and neatly arranged its contents—everything homemade, well-balanced and colorful.

“I made this again today. Eat it all, okay?”

Shota blushed a bit as he took it. “Thanks…”

“Here, say ahh—”

She lifted a bite-sized piece of tamagoyaki with her chopsticks and held it up to his mouth.

“Wha—Here!?”

“Don’t be shy, you’re cute~♡ Come on, say ahh—”

Even as the stares from other students made him squirm, Shota found himself obediently opening his mouth.

(I just… can’t say no to Senpai…)

____________________________________________________________________________________

A woman suddenly sat down beside Shota.

She placed the cafeteria’s “cheesy deluxe omelet rice” on the table, scooped a bite with a spoon, and offered it to Shota.

“Shota-kun, ahh—♡”

The move was so smooth, so confident, it was as if she knew Shota inside and out. And Shota, almost instinctively, took the bite.

“…Whoa, this is good!”

(0–15! Aki’s internal scoreboard just ticked a point to the challenger.)

Aki: “…And who might you be?”

Ryoko: “Ufufu♡ I’m Ryoko Takahashi, Shota-kun’s high school girlfriend. Pleased to meet you, Miss Tachibana♡”

Aki narrowed her eyes for a moment, then flashed a smile.

“High school girlfriend, huh? …You’re very cute. So, which university do you go to now?”

Ryoko: “I’m a sixth-year student at a university in Tokyo. I was just a little worried about Shota-kun and came to check in on him♡”

Aki: “Sixth year? But undergrad is usually four years… Did you get held back or something?”

Ryoko: “Oh, sorry to mislead you. I attend a medical university—it’s six years by design♡”

(Note: Japanese medical universities are typically six years.)

Aki: “Fufu, I see. …But you know, Shota-kun is pretty popular here. A ‘former girlfriend’ suddenly showing up might not make much difference.”

Ryoko: “Oh, but I don’t consider myself an ex. Shota-kun was always the devoted type♡ And we never actually broke up. So technically, I’m not an ex at all♡” smirks

Shota: (Wait—why am I in the middle of a romantic showdown!?)

Ryoko: “Shota-kun, it’s been a while. You remember me, don’t you? We used to eat lunch together every day when you were a freshman in high school.”

Shota: “Miss Takahashi… right? I think you might be confusing me with someone else. Did we really date?”

(15–15! Aki’s mental scoreboard evens out again.)

Aki: “Ahh, so you’re just trying to seduce Shota-kun with some fake backstory? He gets girls like that all the time.”

Ryoko: “Shota-kun has three moles above his right shoulder blade.”

(15–30! Another point for Ryoko!)

Aki: “That could be a total guess… Shota-kun, she’s just making stuff up. Let’s go.”

Shota: “Actually… she’s right. I’ve got three moles arranged in a perfect triangle—my sister even pointed it out once.”

(15–40! This is bad…)

Ryoko delivered the final blow with a sweet smile: “And your sister Mayumi is my best friend♡”

(Game. You lost!)

Aki’s eyes widened for a second, but she quickly recomposed herself with a smile.

“…Well, coincidences happen. But there’s no point in arguing here—how about a match? You and me. Tennis.”

Ryoko: “Tennis? I’m not very good at it♡”

Aki: “Perfect. One game, winner takes Shota-kun. If I win, you leave him alone. You’ve got that much resolve, don’t you?”

Ryoko: “Wow, no handicap? Pretty confident, aren’t you? …But fine. I accept. I’ll overwrite Shota-kun’s memory of you with something even stronger♡”

To be continued in Part 3!