Book Girl Ascends the Stairway of the Gargoyles and Idiots Chapter 2
Book Girl and the Killed-off Idiots
A few days ago, Amano Touko-sempai and Inoue Konoha-kun suddenly came by to our Fumitzuki Gakuen. I didn’t know why both of them came here when they challenged Yuuji and me to a battle. But now I seem to understand somewhat, and also why Himeji-san became so depressed. It’s all because of me.
I want to thank them, but I heard that Touko-sempai likes books, so I decide to write a letter to her.
—But I wonder if I used my grammar and kanji correctly?
“Un, it’s very sweet. Fuzzy and mystical like cotton candy. It’ll be great if Mizuki-chan’s love can work out.”
“Is this Himeji-san’s letter of thanks? The handwriting is pretty too. I suppose it’s rather delicious if you can eat the letter like that.”
“Yeah. It’s very delicious like dessert. Sweet and smooth, and I got addicted to it somehow.”
“Great. Now I don’t have to write the 3 stories today.”
“No, this is another thing altogether. The taste is completely different, so hurry up.”
“Fine…I knew you’ll say that. I get it. it’s almost done, so just wait.”
“Un un, it’s great that you’re so understanding Konoha-kun.”
“You’re only so excited at such a moment…ah, that’s right.”
“What is it, Konoha-kun?”
“Speaking of which, there’s a letter sent to the literature club.”
“Ah? What kind of letter? What does it say? Let’s see, the sending—ah, isn’t this Yoshii-kun? What can it be?”
“I think it’s a letter to thank us for what happened before.”
“Even Yoshii-kun sent a letter to us. I’m really happy to have so many snacks today.”
“I read through it already, so you can eat it.”
“Really? I won’t hold back then.”
“Please do.”
“Ah—chew. Un…”
“Is it nice?”
“…”
“…Touko-sempai?”
“…Uuu.”
“Se, sempai!? Why are you crying out of a sudden!?”
“It’s not delicious at all~ it doesn’t taste good at all~”
“It’s no delicious? What kind of taste is it? is it the ridiculous kind of taste where marshmallow is put in a bowl of parfait and topped with chocolate?”
“This is a combination of detergent and shower foam and kitchen cleaner.”
“Sempai, none of those things can be considered food.”
“How rude! This is a blasphemy on languages! Leaving aside the wrong usage of line breaks, periods and commas, there are many wrong words, missing words, mistaken usage of common terms, vague use of language and sentence structure all over the place. This can’t be considered a letter at all.”
“Is, is that so? So Yoshii-kun isn’t good at languages.”
“Mizuki-chan could write such beautiful passages, but Yoshii’s like this. I really worry for their future!”
“Touko-sempai, please don’t put it in such an exaggerated manner.”
“No, it’s not exaggerating at all! You see, when both of them start writing letters to each other, they won’t be able to convey their feelings to each other correctly because they can’t communicate well. This will only end up in failure.”
“Do people even use letters to keep in contact with each other? Don’t people normal send mail messages?”
“Anyway, if this is the case, both of them will be in trouble! Even if it’s for Mizuki-chan’s sake, we have to teach Yoshii-kun some basics in grammar! Let’s go, Konoha-kun, to Fumitzuki Gakuen!”
“Ah? Now?”
“Of course! Isn’t it best to do things earlier?”
“Fine…I get it…”
‘Ah, but…”
“But what?”
“Write down the 3 stories before we go. How can I go to the battlefield on an empty stomach, right?”
“So I have to write it in the end…”
“Oi, Akihisa, there’re rare guests here.”
“Ah?”
Yuuji, who’s going home with me after school, met two rare visitors at the school gate.
“Eh? Touko-sempai? Inoue-kun? Why are you here?”
They were Touko-sempai and Inoue-kun who helped me a few days ago. Touko-sempai has long braids and a slender figure, while Inoue-kun has soft hair and a pretty face like a girl. Aren’t they from Seijou Gakuen that’s so far away from here? Why did they specially make their way here?
“Well, actually, it’s like this…”
Inoue-kun gives a wry smile as he answers awkwardly, and beside him, Touko-sempai is glaring at me for some reason.
“Yoshii-kun.”
“Yes, is there anything? Touko-sempai?”
“Why are you still in love with Sakamoto-kun? What happened to Mizuki-chan?”
What’s going on? I have no idea what Touko-sempai is talking about at all.
“Am I wrong, Konoha-kun? It’s definitely because Yoshii-kun can’t write that he can’t get on well with Mizuki-chan and can only return back to Sakamoto-kun reluctantly.”
Touko-sempai happily puffs her chest.
There’re a lot of parts I need to understand, so my mind couldn’t process it immediately as I couldn’t say anything at all.
“Sorry, Yoshii-kun. Touko-sempai lost it again…you don’t understand what she’s saying, right?”
Inoue-kun lowered his head, saying this to me in an apologetic manner. He must be feeling awkward too.
“I don’t really understand—but there’s something I do understand.”
“Ah? What did you understand from those words just now?”
‘Yeah, well actually, what I understand is…Yuuji’s life is as weak as the flame on a candlewick in the middle of a gust.”
“What?”
“…Yuuji, what’s with your love with Yoshii?”
“SHO, SHOUKO!? NO, THAT’S NOT IT…! DON’T SAY SUCH BASELESS THINGS…!!!”
Kirishima-san appeared silently from somewhere and does a vicious claw grab on him. I can vaguely heard the harmonious melody of Yuuji’s skullcap cracking in the middle of her hand.
Touko-sempai doesn’t notice the tragedy that’s happening to my worst friend as she continues.
“I said it before that I don’t think boys love is anything bad, but you already have Mizuki-chan, and yet you’re having such passionate love with Sakamoto-kun. That’s a severe betrayal.”
“Sorry for interrupting, Touko-sempai, but every word you say now will cause insurmountable pain on Yuuji, so please don’t say this if possible…”
“…Spill it out. What’s with the ‘passionate’ here…?”
“WAHHH!!? MY SKULLCAP’S CRACKING BADLY NOW!? ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME, SHOUKO!?”
Kirishima-san exerts even more force in her hand the moment she heard Touko-sempai’s words. Now, I can definitely say that Kirishima-san has control of Yuuji’s life now.
“Don’t say it anymore, Touko-sempai! This is an issue of life and death for Sakamoto-kun.”
“That’s right. You’re right here, Konoha-kun. A girl’s love concerns life and death! And you, Yoshii-kun, betrayed Mizuki-chan by sticking to Sakamoto-kun like a newlywed couple—”
KRACK!
I seemed to hear something being crushed to bits from far away.
“Yo, Yoshii-kun…Sakamoto-kun’s neck got twisted in a weird direction. I don’t think he’s moving at all…”
“Don’t mind, Inoue-kun. That’s normal.”
“Is, is that so?”
“…Yuuji, explain things properly to me over there.”
“…(Ugh)”
Inoue-kun looked worried as he stared at the vanishing Yuuji who’s being dragged by Kirishima-san to the school. He’s really a kind guy. I hope those guys from F class can be like him.
“You say it’s common? I have to ask why then. Don’t you often end up looking for Sakamoto-kun instead of Mizuki-chan?”
Touko-sempai swings her clenched fist as her braids jumped, which made her really cute. She’s a beauty, an upperclassman, and yet look like someone of the same grade, or even younger. How inexplicable.
Ah, now’s not the time to think about such things…Touko-sempai talked so much just now…so the main issue isn’t between Himeji-san and me, but that she’s saying that it’s bad for me to be with Yuuji.
“Inoue-kun, is Touko-sempai worried that Himeji-san and I got into a quarrel?”
“Ah, something like that.”
Is that so? So Touko-sempai had been worried about us. It had been like this before, but I didn’t expect them to come all the way her for me. Such a kind sempai.
In that case…I have to erase all misunderstandings…my relationship with Himeji-san didn’t turn bad.
“Well, Touko-sempai, Himeji-san and I never argued.”
“Then why aren’t you two going home together?”
She scowled. She has so many expressions.
“I had special remedials today, so I ended up going home later.”
On a side note, the ones who attended were Yuuji and me.
“See, Touko-sempai? There’s nothing wrong between Yoshii-kun and Himeji-san. Let’s just go back.”
“No, there’s still a huge problem! Yoshii-kun, what’s the subject you had remedial for?”
Touko-sempai stared at me sharply. What kind of problem is there?
“Well, classics…”
On hearing my answer, Touko-sempai puffs her chest like a winner.
“You hear that, Konoha-kun? Yoshii-kun’s weak language skills mean that both of them can’t get along well, right? In that case, this Book Girl has to help him.”
“Touko-sempai, your help may end up defeating the purpose.”
“You’re so cold, Konoha-kun. Are you saying that it’s fine to watch Mizuki-chan being hurt?”
The moment the topic went from my classics remedial to Himeji-san—
“Erm, are you talking about me?”
Himeji-san, who’s on her way home, appeared beside us.
“Mizuki-chan, nice timing.”
“Hello, Touko-chan. Why are you here today?”
“Hello. Actually, I came here because I’m worried about Yoshii-kun’s head.”
I think Touko-sempai just said something that ruined my pride mercilessly.
“Touko-sempai! How can you say such hurting words!”
“Ah, yeah. Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. We…”
“Yes?”
“Are just worried that there’s some fatal flaw in Yoshii-kun’s thought circuit.”
Isn’t this just converting those words just now into a formal and courteous manner and repeating them altogether?
“So, sorry, Yoshii-kun! Touko-sempai has no ill intent at all! She just lost it!”
Inoue-kun hurriedly waved his hands at me as he explained. Touko-sempai and Inoue-kun would normally give a knowledgeable vibe, but at this point, I just feel intimate with them. How inexplicable.
“Mizuki-chan, aren’t you also worried about Yoshii-kun’s grades?’
“Well…ye, yes. His scores has been improving recently, but he has to work harder if we’re to be in the same class next year…”
“See? You’re worried too, right?”
“I think you should be more worried about yourself, Touko-sempai. You’re preparing for university here.”
“Uu…you don’t have to worry. Sin and cos can’t be used to write letters.”
Speaking of which, Touko-sempai’s maths doesn’t seem to be very good…
“Any. Way! For the sake of your futures, this Book Girl will help Yoshii-kun in classics remedials. Alright, let’s hurry to the classroom!”
After saying this selfishly, Touko-sempai started walking to the school building.
“Well…”
“I’m sorry, Yoshii-kun, Himeji-san. I’ll talk to her. You can head back first.”
Inoue-kun looked rather apologetic as he lowered his head to us.
“No, I have confidence in Touko-sempai’s explaining. Since there’s such a chance, we’ll want to hear some of her teachings. We have a classics mini-test tomorrow anyway.”
She’s atrocious in maths, but it seemed Touko-sempai should be rather good in language from the appearance she gives as a Book Girl. And she’s a 3rd year, so it might be a good idea to listen to her lecture.
“Yeah. Since it’s sempai’s kind intent, let’s listen to her then.”
Now that I think about it, Touko-sempai’s proposal isn’t a troublesome one to me, but a fortunate one I can’t ask better of. Touko-sempai will definitely make the lectures detailed and interesting and make them easy to understand.
“…It’s really great that you two can think this way. Thank you very much.”
“No no, we should be the one thanking you for coming all the way here for me.”
All three of us lower our heads in thanks. It’s really a strange scene.
“Oi, the 3 of you, hurry up.”
Touko-sempai said impatiently as she watched us remain here without following her.
