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By sheer coincidence, just as August was observing the girl, she raised her head and their eyes met.

August remained calm, but the girl's face immediately turned crimson. She quickly averted her gaze, clutching at her clothes nervously.

"Relax, I'm not going to eat you."

"I-I'm not nervous!" 

Her words were unconvincing, her voice faltering. If this wasn't nervousness, August didn't know what was.

"What's your name?" 

"Ah? I'm Kanon Kanase. And you are?"

"August."

"Nice to meet you, August-san."

"Likewise."

It suddenly clicked for August why she seemed so familiar—this girl was a character in the original story, one of the protagonist's future companions.

Kanon Kanase, known as the Saint of the Middle School, was celebrated for her angelic beauty. She was in the same class as the protagonist's younger sister, and, as it turned out, her true identity was that of a princess from the Aldegyr Kingdom. Members of the royal bloodline of Aldegyr were all high-level mediums.

In the story, her uncle had transformed her into a synthetic angel through cruel experiments. Eventually, she was saved by the protagonist and became deeply devoted to him.

As Kanon looked at August, curiosity flickered in her eyes. His gaze, she felt, carried a hint of recognition.

"Do you know me, August-san?"

"Not exactly, I've just heard of you."

"Eh? Are you a senior at Saikai Academy?"

"Not at all, I just happened to hear about the Saint of the Middle School.'

"That... that's just something my classmates joke about."

Hearing her unofficial nickname spoken aloud made Kanon uneasy. She fidgeted under August's gaze, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and attraction.

From the moment she saw him, she had felt her heart race. His handsome features, combined with the way he spoke, had left a lasting impression. Was this what they called love at first sight?

Kanon had no experience with such feelings, so she didn't know how to respond. Instinctively, she wanted to get closer to him. That was why she had sat near him in the first place.

"Can I call you Kanon?" August asked.

"Y-yes, you can."

Her face turned an even deeper shade of red. In Fusō, addressing someone by their first name was reserved for close friends or family, especially between people of the opposite sex.

August, of course, was well aware of this cultural nuance. He used it deliberately. His interest in the so-called saint was anything but casual.

"Kanon-chan, do you know where I can find a gold shop?"

"A gold shop? Why do you need one, August-niisan?"

In an instant, her address for him shifted from "San." to "Nii-san." The simple act of him calling her by her first name had clearly left a significant impact on her.

Ah, this was why so many people enjoyed flirting with younger girls—so impressionable, so unguarded.

Kanon's feelings were pure and untainted by ulterior motives, which only deepened August's desire to win her over.

"Kanon-chan..."

"Yes, August-niisan?"

"Ah, sorry, I got lost in my own thoughts."

"It's okay, Why do you need a gold shop, though?"

"I'll be honest—I snuck onto this island without proper documentation. I don't have money, so I need to exchange some gold."

"You... snuck onto the island?" Kanon gasped.

For someone like Kanon, who had been a model student all her life, August's confession was shocking.

Before she could respond further, a new voice interrupted.

"Snuck on? That's putting it lightly."The voice, distinctly feminine, remarked. "You're an illegal intruder."

August sighed. So much for staying under the radar.

Turning, he saw a petite girl dressed in Gothic Lolita attire. She carried a parasol and looked at him with an unimpressed expression.

"Natsuki-san." Kanon exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.

Natsuki Minamiya, an English teacher at Saikai Academy's high school division and an Enforcer on Itogami Island. She was also known as the Witch of the Void, a name that sent shivers down the spines of even the most powerful magical entities in Europe.

"Kanon Kanase." Natsuki said coolly.

"Yes, Natsuki-san?"

"Leave this place. That man is dangerous."

"Eh? But August-niisan—"

"You know him?" Natsuki interrupted.

"We just met today."

"Hah. In that case, add 'attempted abduction of a student' to his list of crimes." Natsuki said with a smirk.

"Excuse me?" August said indignantly. "I admit to sneaking onto the island, but I'd never do something like that."

"Your face screams trouble." Natsuki retorted.

"That's character defamation!"

"I believe August-niisan." Kanon suddenly said, her voice soft but resolute.

Her words surprised August. Despite having just met, her trust in him seemed unwavering.

But her declaration only made Natsuki's gaze harder.

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