abnabooks Chapter 508 - 494: Holy Timeskip
Chapter 508 - 494: Holy Timeskip
Half a year later.The national joint examination finally came to an end as scheduled.
As always, some were happy and some were disappointed.
However, among the people Haruto knew, almost no one had any major emotional swings over the results.
Although graduating from high school usually marks an important turning point — a moment where the lives of teenage girls hit a brief pause — their abilities and identities already far exceeded their age.
A simple graduation was nowhere near enough to shake their hearts.
Compared to maintaining his place as the eternal top-ranked student and receiving an unconditional admission from Chiba University, Haruto was paying attention to something completely different:
The Central Finite Curve.
That long-delayed project could finally be put back on the agenda.
After major events such as the artificial heaven and the repair of the world barrier had concluded one after another, the current main world had gradually settled into a truly peaceful everyday era.
The frequency of anomaly detections had dropped to 0.7% of what it was three years ago.
The Foundation's expansion had halted a year ago.
Predictably, if this peace could be maintained for the next ten years, the size of the SCP Foundation would gradually shrink.
Armed personnel would be reduced, and resources would shift toward science and research instead.
Eventually, it would reach an equilibrium — much like a nation recovering from a long war and slowly returning to normal production.
And over these six months, the research on the Central Finite Curve had finally begun progressing smoothly.
The development of the twelve core matter-transfer fluids had been completed.
Next came the task of marking all spatial coordinates of the main world and the auxiliary worlds.
Once the Central Finite Curve was constructed, the main world and all of its derivative parallel realities would be separated from the multiverse—like fruit falling from the World Tree, no longer attached to its branches, beginning life on the soil as independent worlds.
Doing so would bring both benefits and drawbacks.
But at the very least, there would no longer be the threat of erosion by the parasitic horrors clinging to the World Tree.
Goodbye to the Sevenfold Destroyer.
Goodbye to the Scarlet King.
Goodbye to the Flesh-and-Blood Yaldabaoth.
Any one of those unlucky supreme gods counted as a disaster.
Perhaps, after the main world became independent, new "moths" would emerge in the distant future…
But that would belong to an era far, far ahead — one impossible to predict.
Before worrying about that, Haruto finally felt like he could retire.
This year's summer vacation was the first time he experienced a true holiday.
But even before the break was over, Haruto couldn't sit still.
He had made an appointment long ago — and now it was time to fulfill it.
Haruto boarded the Momobami family's private jet and flew over the Pacific Ocean toward Advanced Nurturing High School.
From high altitude, the campus looked nearly identical to when it had been sold. Haruto couldn't help but think that the original asking price must have been too low.
It was, after all, the former site of Star Sea Academy.
Every piece of construction material, teaching equipment, and residential design was top-tier. Even after two spacequakes, nothing here collapsed.
A hidden blessing for Advanced Nurturing High School.
The plane landed slowly.
Stepping off, the first thing Haruto saw was a cherry blossom-lined path — the ornamental variety in full bloom.
The view was breathtaking.
This was a layout rarely seen. Sakura was the national flower of the country. Perhaps the school was trying to promote cultural imagery.
Haruto shook his head to clear the thought.
Sure enough, after holding a high position for too long, even simple things felt layered with meaning.
Everything seemed to possess a deeper implication, even if it didn't.
Under the academic exchange agreement, as an "outstanding graduate of Sobu High School," Haruto was to serve as an assistant teacher at Advanced Nurturing High School, living alongside the new first-year students for a full year.
With that amusing premise in mind, Haruto walked toward the teaching building, in an exceptionally good mood.
Passing through the cherry blossom path, he reached the school gate.
There, a girl stood alone — perhaps waiting for someone, perhaps simply admiring the scenery.
She had long, pink-gold hair cascading to her waist, and bright blue eyes like gemstones.
The burgundy uniform of the school had a sharp, striking design.
Her figure filled out the loose uniform, her waist was slim, and her legs were long, pale, and graceful.
But even more noteworthy was her aura — gentle, warm, approachable. A person one couldn't help but feel drawn toward.
Noticing Haruto's gaze, the girl turned.
Their eyes met.
She showed no shyness or discomfort — instead, she smiled openly and naturally.
Haruto tilted his head slightly, recalling her name.
"Hello, Honami Ichinose."
The girl blinked in surprise, then quickly regained her composure.
"Hello… Do we know each other? No offense intended — I'm just curious how you know my name."
Ichinose Honami was certain she had never met him.
She had an excellent memory, and the boy before her was far too striking:
A handsome face.
A refreshing, cool temperament like a gentle breeze.
Someone unforgettable at first glance.
"I happened to see your profile in the student information," Haruto replied with a soft smile.
She was practically a main character in the story of this school. Haruto had naturally paid attention while reviewing the freshman data.
Hearing this, Ichinose didn't act offended or wary.
Most teenagers would tense up at the idea of being "looked into," but she only looked surprised — then extended her hand.
"Well then, allow me to formally introduce myself again. First-year Class B, Honami Ichinose. Nice to meet you."
Haruto took her hand.
Her hand was soft and a little cool.
In the midsummer heat, he couldn't help lingering just a moment longer.
"Haruto. First-year Class D… let's just leave it at that. Nice to meet you."
Their hands separated, and they walked side by side toward the teaching building, naturally — as if they'd known each other for years.
"Even if we're in different classes," Ichinose said lightheartedly, "I have a feeling we'll become good friends!"
"I'm looking forward to it," Haruto answered.
They parted ways in the corridor.
Haruto headed toward Class D.
The classroom door was open.
The lively chatter inside made it clear many students had arrived beforehand.
But the moment Haruto stepped through the doorway, conversation died. Dozens of eyes turned toward him.
"Wow… a super pretty boy. Is he in our class?"
"With someone like that around for the next three years… I feel blessed already."
"But why isn't he wearing a school uniform? I heard the punishments here are strict…"
"What are you worrying about? We haven't even written our names yet."
"K-Kushida-san! Don't say weird things! What if someone overhears!?"
The girls whispered first — not loudly, but loud enough for Haruto to catch every word.
He didn't react to the murmurs.
Instead, he scanned the room.
About two-thirds of the class had arrived.
The notable faces:
Kushida Kikyo, the contrast girl, already there.
Karuizawa Kei, the fake gyaru, also present.
But…
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Horikita Suzune were still absent.
The male and female leads were probably still glaring at each other in the bus.