The Strongest Sorcerer, Chapter 56: Taiyo Oga’s Confession

Noon.

Having only had a small carton of milk for lunch, Masuzu Natsukawa arrived punctually on the rooftop, as promised.

There, a male figure awaited her.

He had short brown hair, a handsome face, and stood about 180 cm tall.

This was Taiyo Oga, a second-year student and the ace of Sobu High’s baseball team.

“So, you’re the one who called me here?”

Masuzu crossed her arms as she spoke, her tone calm, while her eyes scanned him from head to toe.

Height’s okay, I guess. His looks… meh, nothing special.

Overall assessment: 1.1 out of 100.

This measly score was a mercy—purely out of courtesy since they attended the same school.

Hearing Masuzu’s gentle and melodious voice, Taiyo’s heart skipped a beat. He turned around from where he had been gazing at the view and faced her directly.

“Natsukawa-san, my name is Taiyo Oga. You can just call me Taiyo,” he said, flashing his trademark bright smile.

It was this very smile that had earned him a large fan base of admirers at school.

Just wait, my smile is going to sweep you off your feet, he thought confidently.

However, Masuzu found his smile insincere and overly fake.

“I know who you are, Oga-senpai. A second-year and Sobu High’s star baseball player.”

Hearing her words, Taiyo’s grin grew even wider.

To be honest, Taiyo had harbored feelings for someone else—a “big sister” figure from his middle school days. Unfortunately, she had disappeared before he could ask for her contact information.

But yesterday, he realized he’d found someone new to admire.

Her snow-white hair and her “gentle” demeanor (questionable) reminded him of that older girl who had stolen his heart.

It must be fate, he thought as he made up his mind to pursue her.

After getting his friends to discreetly gather information, he learned her name—Masuzu Natsukawa, a recently returned transfer student.

Yesterday after school, he even followed her in secret to discover where she stored her indoor shoes. Then he wrote her a love letter and left it there.

“I assume you’ve read my letter, Natsukawa-san,” Taiyo said as he approached her, trying to close the distance between them.

Masuzu, however, took a few steps back.

Undeterred, Taiyo put on a serious and heartfelt expression.

“Natsukawa-san, I like you! Please be my girlfriend! I promise to do everything I can to make you happy!”

His tone was earnest, a confession that would be hard for most girls to reject.

But…

“That sounds really nice.”

Hearing this, Taiyo’s heart soared. His grin stretched so wide it felt like his face might split.

Piece of cake. She’s already into me.

“But, I refuse! (Daga Kotowaru!)”

“…What?”

“I, Masuzu Natsukawa, get the most joy in life from saying no to overly confident boys like you,” she said with a smirk.

Wait… what?

Taiyo froze, utterly dumbfounded.

Masuzu’s eyes gleamed with delight as she watched his confused expression.

Ah, finally! I’ve always wanted to say that line—it feels so good!

After a small pause, Masuzu cleared her throat and returned to her usual calm demeanor.

“Let’s drop it, Oga-senpai. I have no interest in dating or romance while in high school.”

“But… but I…”

Taiyo snapped out of his daze, his face filled with desperation.

“But I really like you, Masuzu!” he blurted, this time dropping the formalities.

How annoying.

A flicker of irritation crossed Masuzu’s face, and she dropped her “gentle” act entirely.

“Are you even human, Oga-senpai? I said I’m not interested in dating, so why are you still pestering me? Or is it that your brain hasn’t fully developed, and you can’t understand human speech?”

Her sharp words hit like a slap, leaving Taiyo stunned once again.

Is this really the same “gentle and kind” Natsukawa-san that everyone talks about? Did someone switch her out?

Masuzu’s eyes showed a trace of disgust as she turned to leave the rooftop.

But just as she turned, she heard hurried footsteps behind her.

Thud, thud, thud!

She looked back to see Taiyo rushing toward her, arms outstretched as if to grab her.

Masuzu realized what was happening but couldn’t react in time. Her body wasn’t physically strong enough to fend him off.

Just as Taiyo was about to grab her, a pair of pale, slender hands appeared out of nowhere and forcefully pushed him away.

“Oh my, oh my. I come up to the rooftop and immediately find someone trying to harass my adorable student,” a familiar voice drawled lazily.

Masuzu turned and saw the tall, familiar figure of Gojo Satoru. His cerulean eyes glinted as he narrowed them slightly.

“Gojo-sensei!” Masuzu’s heart lifted with relief and gratitude.

She hadn’t expected Taiyo to go so far as to try to physically restrain her after being rejected.

Just a little more, and he would have grabbed me…

The thought sent a chill down her spine, and her skin crawled in disgust.

Meanwhile, Taiyo groaned in pain as he lay sprawled on the ground.

“Ah… Ow! No, wait, Sensei! Let me explain! I was just—I was just trying to pursue Natsukawa-san, that’s all!”

He clutched his aching side as he tried to defend himself.

“I really like Masuzu…”

“Enough. I don’t want to hear it, and I don’t care. Just leave,” Gojo interrupted, his tone cold and dismissive.

Taiyo clenched his fists tightly, his face filled with frustration and unwillingness. But in the end, he bit his lip and stormed off.

At the doorway, he glanced back at the two still standing on the rooftop before angrily stomping down the stairs.

It’s all his fault! Taiyo seethed internally. If it weren’t for him, Masuzu would be mine. He… he should just die!

As the dark thought crossed his mind, Taiyo suddenly froze, startled by his own malice.

As everyone knows, exorcists and onmyoji understand the demons of the Void Realm as entities attracted to those whose hearts are consumed by darkness, causing them to lurk within their bodies.

“Hmm?”

Sensing a faint wave of malevolence, Gojo turned to look toward the stairwell where Taiyo had left.

“That kid… Hah.”

It seems he’s beyond saving.

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Author's Note: Well seems like rip npc kun