Character Story 5: The Biology of Puberty and the Things Surrounding It
As per usual, Yuuki is called out to the "Ivory Tower" by Yuni's letter.
Yuni
Hey, friend, welcome to my abode.
Yuni
The reason I've asked you to come in today is none other. First, look through this a bit.
Yuuki
1. Read the notebook handed to you.
Yuni's Notebook
"That day, the author of this work fell into disaster."
Yuni's Notebook
"In order to perform field work at the Aquamarine Abyss, she had thrown herself into a venture, failing to consider the dangers involved --"
Yuni's Notebook
"The road that laid before her was precipitous, the wind blew restlessly, and the howl of a demonic dragon echoed in the dark sky."
Yuni's Notebook
"... Is how I feel like that happened."
Yuni's Notebook
"It was an old story after all, so there are blurry parts in memory. The author was a woman who did not obsess over the past."
Yuuki
1. Just what is this?
Yuni
Oh? Did you forget? It's a notebook for the day we first met. I'm a memo demon after all, I've been recording all kinds of truths down just the way they happened.
Yuuki
1. "The road was precipitous and the wind blew restlessly?"
2. "The howl of a demonic dragon?"
Both options lead to the same result.
Yuni
Some level of dramatization is unavoidable. The reader would lose interest in a writing of a picnic-like, peaceful journey. The author is a woman who respects the idea of entertainment.
Yuni
Enough with the trivial matters, hurry and continue reading.
Yuni's Notebook
"At the end of her forced march, she prepared herself for death, as tragically, the last of her strength was depleted."
Yuni's Notebook
"Before the fury of Mother Nature, the life of a person is transient."
Yuni's Notebook
"The form of the author closing their eyes and quietly awaiting their passing, was, one could say, beautiful, as if she were a saint."
Yuni's Notebook
"One could say, beautiful, as if she were a saint."
Yuni
What? Don't silently raise your head from the notebook like that.
Yuni
Enough of that. Don't keep comparing me with the writing, hurry up and read what's next.
Yuni's Notebook
"The author's figure was, one could say, beautiful, as if she were a saint. Soon, as if he were sucked in, a single boy nonchalantly arrived. It was likely he was drawn by that beauty."
Yuni's Notebook
"His race was human. Though he did not arrive aboard a white stallion, he wore something similar to knight-like attire."
Yuni's Notebook
"In any case, the mysterious miracle that the boy brought about granted me a narrow escape from death. In layman's terms, I ate."
Yuni's Notebook
"With that, that very same boy would soon have his name paired with the author's, as their joint researcher, Yuuki."
Yuni
What? Don't cock your head at me with that serious face of yours, my collaborator.
Yuni
Well, it's fine. I think you've got an idea of the situation, so I'll move into the real issue.
Yuni
I lost that notebook.
Yuni
No, the one you're holding is a back-up I copied using magic. It's the original that I can't find.
Yuni
Well, I have my back-up, so there isn't any direct interference with my work.
Yuni
Despite having said that. Losing the item I'd been so fond of for so long has caused my daily routine to fall apart so I haven't been feeling too well.
Yuuki
1. "Let's go look for it."
2. "Let's give up."
Option 1.
Yuni
Oooh, I appreciate the initiative in suggesting that. In fact, I was just thinking of how I could, naturally and nonchalantly, use every trick in the book to drag you into a search with me.
Option 2.
Yuni
Bahahahahaha!
Yuni
Ahh, that was funny. Now then, leaving that astounding joke aside, let us begin our search.
End of branches.
Yuni
Well, relax. To some extent, I have an idea of where it could be. Today in the afternoon, I had business in the new school building, so that's where I went.
Yuni
When I did, I noticed something unusual. I'd noticed that whenever the one in charge of school affairs, Mother Hilda goes in for a kiss, she's the type of person who doesn't close her eyes, so I'd opened that notebook to take a memo of it.
Yuni
After that, when I'd returned to this room, I realized I'd lost the notebook. Meaning losing the notebook must've taken place somewhere in that time frame. Now, let's go look for it, come with me, my comrade.
Yuuki
1. "Wouldn't it be better if we split up?"
Yuni
Hmm, at a glance, that is an efficient suggestion. However, wait.
Yuni
I still lack biological evidence on this, but based on my current subjective understanding, I would conjecture that you are...
Yuni
Male... right?
Yuni
Aah, no, that's fine. You don't have to show me physical proof, put your belt back on.
Yuni
Given my, "special case," we're capable of claiming your accompanying me as an exception, but normally, a being known as a male is generally prohibitted from entering this school.
Yuni
Though classes have been dismissed by this time, there are likely students remaining in the school building. Morally speaking, it would be unacceptable to allow you to roam the school by yourself. In layman's terms, you'll get reported.
Yuni
What, the reverse situation? I see, what you're saying is, I should just go look for it by myself.
Yuni
Ehh, no way, that'd be boring.
Yuni
Hmm... It's not here...
Yuni
Dear, dear, I'm out of ideas. Every place I thought it'd could be at was a dud.
Yuni
The path we've taken is definitely the one I took in the afternoon. ... Which means, there's no other places we should look.
Yuuki
1. "What now?"
Yuni
Hm, in this situation... First, it's constructive to think that it was picked up by a third party. However, I've asked General Affairs, and there's been no notice for a lost item.
Yuni
That being said, it's hard to believe that there'd be someone out there with interest in stealing it. A notebook that worn-out clearly wouldn't sell to any dealer for even a single rupee.
Yuni
Hmm, we're at an impasse. However, grieving about it won't bring it back. For now, we should return to the "tower" and look for a way to look with magic --
Yuni
Hm? Are those... students from this class? What're they doing, whispering outside the door like that...?
Female Student 1
My! It's that gentleman from before!
Female Student 2
My! And the one next to him is Dr. Yuni!
Female Student 1
Those two seem quite close... Hee hee, do you perhaps think they're in a deep relationship?
Female Student 2
Yes, that must be it! Hee hee, I wonder if she's already been proposed to... ah, how lovely!
Yuuki
1. I wonder what they're talking about?
Yuni
Hm, judging from just the words we can make out... It seems those girls are under the impression that you and I are in a relationship with a certain meaning behind it.
Yuni
The misunderstanding is heavy, but, no, don't condemn them.
Yuni
It can't be helped. Considering the number of years since their birth, as living beings, they've already begun preparation to leave behind their seed after all. It's their natural providence to have the tendency for looking at things through a pink filter.
Yuni
In the academic realm, it's referred to as puberty. They also say that it's around the age where one falls in love with love. Luckily, or unluckily, I've yet to show signs of it.
Yuni
Hm... incidentally, kouhai. What about you? Have you experienced this so-called love?
Yuuki
1. I'm not really sure.
Yuni
I see, you're not really sure. To tell you the truth, neither am I.
Yuni
Love -- It's a word you hear frequently. Of course, I have an understanding of its meaning.
Yuni
The preliminary step to an absolute desire for having a child. A higher-order, complex group of emotions present exclusively in intelligent creatures. A sweet, painful, and very slightly bittersweet feeling.
Yuni
However, I only understand the word. But I can't understand the feeling behind it.
Yuni
Every piece of knowledge enters your body in two waves. The first when you learn its meaning, and the second when you learn its true nature.
Yuni
Given that definition, I have yet to understand the true nature of this so-called love.
Yuni
According to what I've heard, physical contact between a male and female should cause things like a sudden increase in blood pressure, or an elevation in mood.
Yuni
In layman's terms, touching makes hearts go boom. Apparently, that's how it is. Apparently so. Apparently. Now then, what do you think?
Yuni
Well, I mean... Do you want to try it? That's what I'm trying to say...
Yuuki
1. Grab her hand.
Yuni
Howaa!
Yuni
O-Ooh... Right to the chase, hey... that surprised me...
Yuni
And don't you think we're... a little too close together...?
Yuni
No... I don't particularly dislike it. I don't dislike it, but umm, well, I just feel so agitated...
Female Student 1
Aaaah, they're clinging to each other so! This can only mean a salacious affair!
Female Student 2
Ooooh, they're staring into each other's eyes and whispering sweet nothings to each other! This can only mean a premarital liaison!
Yuni
A-Abababa... For some reason the onlookers have suddenly gotten excited...!
Yuni
Wh-What is this, creeping impulse... A mysterious feeling of uneasiness is starting to fill my thoughts... Uuu, stop it, Kouhai... suspend the experiment, cancel the binding!
Yuni
Hafuu... Good grief, what's with this situation? We've completely derailed from searching for the notebook.
Yuni
Dear, dear, because I got so flustered for no reason, my skin started to feel considerably hotter --
Yuni
Hm? A rise in blood pressure... an elevation in mood...
Yuni
No, it can't be... It can't, hm.
Being bewildered by a mysterious emotion of bashfulness, Yuni unconsciously carves a crease into her eyebrows, having yet to experience puberty.