They return to the school shortly in the aftermath of ' everything. Hoshi-san 's first assignment to exorcise a cursed spirit, Shiki 's impromptu search-turned-retrieval mission, Geto-san 's unexpected arrival and subsequent escape '

'I can 't believe you ran into him out of the blue

again. '

'I can 't believe it, either, ' Shiki makes a face. Satoru-niichan drags his hand down his face, groaning exaggeratedly.

' ' You said that Suguru tried to

recruit

you? ' the older sorcerer lets out a mock-sigh. 'Really, now? Dropping in out of nowhere like that, and trying to lead my cute little cousin astray while he 's at it? Ru-de. '

His tone is light, careless. But beneath those airy complaints, it 's not so hard to discern genuine frustration, mixed with bewilderment.

Shiki sympathizes. She doesn 't really understand what Geto-san is thinking here, either. Shouldn 't he be focusing on Satoru-niichan instead? Aren 't they

friends?