Caught just after the dismissal of Teitan High School, the time was 4:23 in the afternoon.
Sitting inside her family's shuttle bus, Nagi's first words were:
She knew Hakuo enforced an elite education system. School dismissal there wouldn't be this early, especially for a student council president who had club responsibilities. At the very least, it would still be an hour away.
The bodyguard quickly started the car and drove toward Hakuo.
"Nagi, are you planning to see the student council president?"
"Yes. If I really want to learn kendo, she's the best option. Back in our first year, she spent a lot of time helping me fix some bad habits. Now that I've decided to pursue it seriously, I don't think she'd refuse to help."
When kendo came up, the first person who came to Sanzenin Nagi's mind was Katsura Hinagiku.
That woman who excelled both academically and athletically was also the one she had once admired and aspired to be like.
But at some point in the past, she had realized that she wasn't Hinagiku. That realization pushed her into a slump, and she gave up.
However, things had changed.
Now, she needed to change. She also needed to master some kind of power to protect herself.
So this time, Nagi was ready to face the student council president she had once looked up to.
"Of course, another reason is Amamiya's reminder."
The second reason that pushed her to meet Katsura Hinagiku was Ren's message.
"The sword technique he mentioned at the end—the one used to block the wind—was actually telling me that I could focus my efforts in that area. It seems like when we first met and talked about the future events in the story, he said I would become independent in three years. That included swordsmanship."
"He told me from a perspective of knowing the future that I could train in sword techniques. Just like how I became independent three years later in the story."
"If that's the case, then there's no reason I shouldn't try."
Hearing Nagi's words, Isumi was beaming with joy.
"If Nagi puts her effort into something like that, she definitely won't be cooped up at home anymore."
That earned her a glare from Nagi.
"I don't stay home all day anymore. Ever since I started using my diary, I've been going out more. Plus, now that I've transferred schools, I go to school every day."
"But even if she goes to school, Nagi-chan still spends every afternoon napping in the clubroom, right?"
Isumi's comment was sharp and on point.
"Well... That's because I've been getting sleepy around noon lately."
Nagi replied with a slightly guilty tone.
"Is it because you got your Vision? You stay up late at home playing around, using up all your energy. That's why you end up too exhausted to last through the day."
Isumi knew exactly why Nagi was so drained. She had been visiting Nagi's home frequently and saw how hard Nagi was pushing herself.
Most of the time, she'd catch Nagi staying up too late, pushing herself with elemental power play until she couldn't hold out anymore and ended up sleeping in the clubroom till school ended. That wasn't good.
"Nagi, even if rapidly using elemental power can boost its flow, human stamina has its limits. You need to show some restraint."
Of course, Nagi listened to Isumi's advice, but she also had a counterpoint.
"Wait a sec! Amamiya also said that stimulating elemental power operation would improve physical strength. That's a kind of training too."
That wasn't just made up. It was something Ren had actually said.
Activating elemental power does enhance physical fitness, but it's not as quick as it was with Ran. It takes time for the physical body to adapt and grow stronger through elemental use.
Nagi had indeed been running her elemental power more actively while playing, helping her body adjust better to the power. As a result, her physical condition had noticeably improved over the past month.
"With my willpower, I can't stick to long-term physical training. But if I can build up my strength while playing with elemental power, then that's the best method for someone like me who has weak willpower."
"...True. That kind of training really suits you, Nagi."
Even if Isumi felt that was a bit of a stretch logically, the results spoke for themselves. Improving her body through play with elemental power really was the reason Nagi was able to stick with it.
Maria, who had been quietly listening nearby, thought it wasn't such a bad thing.
Nagi was growing stronger while having fun. Just like she said, elemental power really was a good fit for her.
As the conversation continued, the car gradually slowed down and stopped in front of their destination.
"Miss, we've arrived at the Hakuo."
As the bodyguard opened the door, Nagi stepped out of the vehicle.
Although school had already ended at Teitan High, Hakuo Academy was still in session.
Different grades had different schedules. Many students lived on campus and even had evening self-study sessions. It was safe to say that Hakuou pursued a kind of elite education completely different from Teitan.
But that wasn't the reason Nagi returned to Hakuo today.
Nagi pulled Isumi along and walked straight into Hakuou Academy.
The guard at the gate of Hakuou recognized almost all of the young ladies and masters of the school. More importantly, the guard station was equipped with a facial recognition system, so they could easily identify whether someone was inside or outside the school.
As one of the top young ladies of Hakuo, Nagi was someone the guards couldn't possibly forget.
"Yeah. Please open the gate for a moment. I need to talk to Hinagiku."
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
Even though he knew that the young lady had transferred out of Hakuo, the guard still opened the gate for her.
After all, the fact that she had transferred didn't mean she couldn't come back.
As long as the young lady wished it, she could return to Hakuo any time.
So the guard opened the gate without hesitation.
Being a gatekeeper at Hakuo required good people skills. If you acted too rigidly, you would be sent to grow sweet potatoes soon enough.