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Hidan no Aria:Volume9 Chapter4

2011-11-29T15:52:35Z

121.54.54.35: /* 4th Ammo: Cultural Festival Day 1 -Carnaval Via- */

==4th Ammo: Cultural Festival Day 1 -Carnaval Via-==

Another few days have passed--October 30th.

Butei High's cultural festival for this year has started.

Coming out from the dorm, you can see that the sidewalks of the Academy Island had become a pedestrian paradise, full of people from outside the school.

Both sides of the roads were set up with all kinds of shops, even people from Assault and Dagula opened up to everyone else in a calm manner.

(..... All the dangerous items have been stored underground.)

During preparations for the cultural festival, there will be a massive clean up, adjustments will also be made for the decoration of the facilities.

This is due to the fact that interviews will be taking place during the cultural festival, and to avoid leaving negative impressions on the parents of special elementary and middle school students with an interest in enrolling into Butei High, these preparations beforehand are absolutely necessary.

Just that, all these troublesome works are the responsibility of the First Years.

The internal ranking system in Butei High is as strict as those in the military.

In Butei High, there are even words like these being spread around: First Years are slaves, Second Years are demons, Third Years are the Kings of Hell.....

Last year, I had no choice but to constantly pick up empty cartridges in Assault as well.

(The cultural festival lasts for two days.... The mission for this year is only the Cosplay Cafeteria for today, and tomorrow should be free activity.)

Strolling in the school grounds, from a distance I could see promotional posters for the cultural festival pasted all over the place.

These promotional posters were collected from students in Butei High.

There were oil paintings, illustration-styled drawings, strong graphics created by computers.... more than several dozens different styles.

(Every one of them is pretty well done....)

There are serial numbers marked on each promotional drawing, and observers can vote using their cellphones, appraising the promotional drawings through their votes.

When the drawings were being collected, Jeanne immediately rushed over upon hearing the news, giving me quite a scare.

"Even though I know I can win, but I should still draw one and participate."

Although this is what Jeanne the artist said, her face was simply overflowing with the desire to create.

"If you say you know you can win and still participate, then that's just too childish."

Using such reasons, I managed to convince her not to participate in the competition--that was close!

If Jeanne's horrific-beyond-imagination drawing was publicly displayed, the public might suffer mental trauma, and if things worsened we might even be sued in court.

That's right. This is part of my job as a Butei--"To avert a disaster before it begins", dealing with the problem without anyone else knowing.

(.... If I report this to the Masters, maybe I can get an academic credit?)

As I thought about it seriously, I walked along the school grounds that were filled with a festive mood.

In a warehouse belonging to Logi, children were gathered together, sitting on the pilot's seat in a helicopter.

The Snipe's Airgun shooting corner and the SSR's Museum of Ancient History were attracting large crowds as well.

The musical performed by CVR has been renowned for a very long time, with even professionals in the industry admitting to being inferior. On the day of the musical, long queues snaked before the ticketing booths. It was probably because CVR has quite a number of beautiful young girls, the absurdly highly-priced tickets were sold out in a flash.

The cafeteria where students usually leave a mess all over after eating, was wiped clean for the "Cosplay Cafeteria" that will be held in the morning today.

During the Cosplay Cafeteria, the training results of the students carrying out their missions to infiltrate and search for evidence would be clearly shown. As such, if successful, it seems that the Masters will give an "Outstanding" grade in the internal reports for the students involved in the activity.

For a problem student like me who worries constantly about academic credits, this is a job worth doing seriously.

But....

"Welcome!"

A girl's voice came from outside.

Ranbyou, who had came to check on the results of the cosplay, ordered me to work in the kitchen.

"There's no police officer with such a gloomy look in his eyes."

Waving her fists, she uttered her judgement--but I must disagree.

Things like the look in one's eyes are due to what a person is born with, it can't be changed that easily. Ranbyou-san.

Recently, as friends in Informa had told me... One day I will expose the fact that you registered an account for yourself on a social website for making friends, and even gave yourself an online name called "Ranran". And you still have the cheek to write that you like reading books in your personal information column. Besides books on gambling tips and gossip magazines, I've never seen you touch any other type of printed media. And you actually wrote down age as 18.

If you look at the face alone, she's really beautiful, so there are actually victims who have been deceived by her attractive external appearance and dated the female gorilla. I must meet out the justice of heaven.

... Thinking about this, I was stirring the stewed vegetables in the pot, feeling very depressed.

"The fire's too small!"

Wearing a fireman uniform, Muto was mumbling as he fidgeted with the sides of the pot.

Hearing this, Ranbyou shouted, "Firemen risk their lives in their work, how can there be such a chatty fellow!", and at the same time, kicked Muto almost 3 meters away.

Speaking of which, doesn't the school already have kitchen staff in the first place? There's no need for everyone to change costumes in the first place at all.

This school has very poor planning.

With pent-up grudges and dissatisfaction in me, I spent another hour making stewed vegetables and pasta.

Coming in for the afternoon shift, Hiraga who was a girl, was caught by Ranbyou with one hand and swung in a circle in mid-air.

The angry looking Hiraga had her feet twisted in a impossible direction, her tendon had probably been injured by Ranbyou. Our violent teacher does not go easy on anyone, including girls.

"What the hell, Hiraga--anyone is stronger than you, can you at least increase your height somewhat?"

"Aiya, aiyaya!"

As Ranbyou was saying such offensive words, she placed Hiraga into an empty pot, then looked around at me and Muto.

"Come to think of it, two people will be enough for the kitchen. So, who goes to the mess hall...."

While Muto was tugging away at Hiraga's shiny skirt to drag her out from the pot, I made use of the opportunity to open my mouth and talk.

"Sensei, I, no, this Police Officer has deeply reflected on his past actions while in the kitchen, and will never be '''lazy''' [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4] again."

Speaking softly to her, I intentionally added in Ranbyou's online name.

Following my conversation, Ranbyou, who was facing in the direction of Muto suddenly froze.

Like suddenly pressing a 'Pause' button, even her huge ponytail was frozen as well.

"......."

With her mouth in a 'へ' shape, Ranbyou turned her head around, sweat beads the size of beans forming on her forehead.

Although there is no conclusive evidence, but.... Tohyama wouldn't have known my secret right....? Ranbyou's face reflected an anxious expression.

This... this seems promising. Time to change topic, and probe her once more time.

"Add.. adding on, this Officer has a 19 year elder brother. Although he's very strict, but he's very good looking."

Drawing her attention with these words, Ranbyou, who had written in her self-introduction column "Types that I like: Strong, forceful types"--managed to maintain her dignity as a teacher, her mouth remaining in the shape of 'へ' without much change.....

But, she seemed to be somewhat happy, the corners of her mouth slowly rising, finally forming the shape of a 'W'.

Ranbyou was flashing a smile like a leopard [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4].

Mmm. Actually you did see my Nii-san before, just that, my Nii-san appeared in the form of a girl.

"Then... Muto and Hiraga will be a team. It might be better to adjust the style of the people working together. Tohyama! Go to mess hall!"

--This is great, even though I sacrificed Nii-san, but at least I got away from the female panther for now.

Looking at me with a vacant expression on their faces, I bowed to Muto and Hiraga...

Although it was somewhat dishonorable, but at least I successfully escaped from the kitchen.

....--When I walked into the hall with the posture of a police officer, the busy scene was like that of a hurricane.

The tables and chairs of the Cosplay Cafeteria were set all the way to the courtyard, with second year students in various uniforms shuttling back and forth at all corners.

"....Guh..."

Managing the affairs in the mess hall, the girls will always be drawing a lot of attention. It was really an impossible situation.

The costumes of the girls were resplendent, and an atmosphere of a cosplay coffeeshop was pervading the mess hall.

The male customers seemed to be very happy.... maybe because they still have no idea how fierce the girls of Butei High are.

For the normal boys, they probably view this as a simple affair of being waited upon by service staff, being able to be served food by a cosplaying female high school student was already a enjoyable affair by itself.

But, if those girls are hired by your competitors, they might end up sending you bullets and explosives instead.

And those will be lighted.

(.....Ignorance is bliss for these people....)

As I thought about it, I delivered fried rice and cola all over the place, brushing shoulders with the people that I usually know.

There's Shiranui wearing a pilot uniform, whose wish is to become an idol for middle-aged ladies.

There's Nakasorachi, who was wearing the white lab coat of a chemist research facility staff and serving honeydew melon soda to the customers. Her clothes were in a disarray, with her soft breasts barely contained by her lacy clothes......

Not good, it seems like she can't really work on the job.

Firstly, she should wearing contact lens for her poor vision, but she's still bumping into walls.

She was responsible for the taking, repeating and listing orders, but due for some reason, her face turned red when our eyes meet, resulting in her accidentally tripping over a foot.

What's more baffling is, in the process of falling, the tray she was holding in her hands forcefully smacked into her own face. It seems to be all my fault, but it looks like she's really not suitable for this kind of work.....

[[File:Aria09 159.jpg|thumb]]

I helped Nakasorachi onto her feet, and thinking of letting her rest for a while, I brought her out of the mess hall.

The straight path leading out from the mess hall was turned into a ramp using plywood, becoming an unobstructed route.

... Hey hey. Nakasorachi.

I say, because you fell down just now, your super short mini-skirt has been lifted to dangerous heights.

But, just as I was about to point this out, I suddenly developed a fearful panic of seeing her exposed well-developed thighs due to the fact that her clothes were in a mess, and as a result I couldn't say anything

Wrapped up in my own fear, I brought Nakasorachi to a place which couldn't be seen from the mess hall...

"Oto... Otoko-yama-kun [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4]... As a wait... waitress, I'm always a failure... sorry! It's all my... my blunder, I'm a stupid, useless tort... tortoise. A tortoise will always be a tortoise!"

She started smoothing the long bangs at her forehead and sobbing, and just like what she said, completely became negative about herself.

For her, besides being a communications operator, she probably takes only types of work like being a librarian. Requiring her to become a waitress dressed up as a lace queen is simply too challenging.

I really wanted to push her into the kitchen so that a poor fireman could be rescued, but the male customers seemed to really fancy types like Nakasorachi, so I guess Ranbyou will never agree.

As the Cosplay Cafeteria will be assessed by the Masters once the cultural festival is over--

And if the results of their assessment is not ideal, according to regulations, all student participants will be graded badly in their internal report.

So, if a black sheep appears, then my grades will be implicated as well. Looks like I must act.

"It's alright. Don't let Ranbyou see you, rest for a while. I'll deal with the work."

Thinking and looking out for her, I led Nakasorachi in the direction of the lounge....

"Ai ai! It's no wonder you're Ki-kun the Flagship Architect! You're now taking on the Nakasorachi route!"

Wearing the costume which she had wanted, turning into a "Western Gun-slinger", the extremely late but highly-regarded-by-Ranbyou Riko was walking towards us.

Riko certainly looked the part of an American from those times, using her thumb and pointing at us. Truly accomplished acting.

After being discharged from the hospital, Riko returned to school as usual.

Her attitude towards us remained the same as well... as if the battle on the Sky Tree never took place.

Although Riko only knows how to create problems, but without her around, things get kind of lonely.

Honestly speaking, I'm really happy she has returned in good health....

"Ki-kun is really an accomplished skirt-chaser, Riko is relieved."

"Speak properly, and speaking of which you've been skipping too many classes. Nakasorachi can't be a waitress now, so we'll continue with her work."

"OK! But she looks like she's pretty scheming, would it be all right if I leave you alone with her? Woah--woah--could this be an act by a baka-girl?"

As Riko snickered, she pointed grudgingly at Nakasorachi's skirt.

"Mine.. Mine-san. This.. this... isn't what it looks like. I did not have that kind of intention! But... but if this can make Tohyama-kun.... have a better impression of me... But.. but that's too blatant as well!"

Jumping away from beside me, Nakasorachi hurriedly adjusted her super mini-skirt which was lifted high up.

Nakasorachi. If you had really noticed, why didn't you adjust your skirt before this.

Luckily I kept looking up with my eyes. or it'd have been dangerous.

"But Ki-kun, you should still start with the Aria route first. Riko supports Ki-kun and Aria. So you and Riko including this girl should just maintain a physical relationship. Bang~"

"....Huh....?"

Riko closed her eyes to a slit, and mimicked a shot at me with her index finger....

.....POOOOOOOOOOOM.....

Following a waft of light gardenia scent, came a magma-like aura from behind me....

"........"

The scenery before my eyes suddenly turned upside down.

A big 180 degrees turn.

In the Up-Down direction.

An unknown hand had grabbed my belt and shirt, turning me entirely around.

"You--lecherous Kinji! What's a phy.. physical relationship! Not only Riko, but even that communications operation kid as well.... You.. what have you done! Have you really been working as a waiter!?"

The judgement has been passed--

The one holding me from behind in an awkward head-down position, was Aria in her elementary school student outfit.

"No.... I didn't do anyth--!"

"Ah ah?"

Aria emitted a sound like that of an anxious lion cub, and with a 'swoosh', stopped momentarily in mid-air while holding onto me.

"--Windhole Trap!"

BANG!!!

Along with my police cap, my entire head up to my lower jaw was buried in the plywood ramp.

Fortunately the plywood was very thin, allowing me to escape from the brink of death...

Using a finishing move on me while I was in an difficult position, this was adding insult to injury.

Woah woah! A fourth year elementary school girl performing a pile-driver on a police officer! This scene can only be seen in Butei High!

Toh.. Toh.. Toh-chan! Yama-chan! Look... looking at it in reverse, it looks like you've been on a guillotine!

It's Riko and Nakasorachi....

The muffled sounds of their voices came from above the plywood.

With my head finally plucked out, I proned on the ground and look upwards--

".....!"

This time it has turned into a position where I was down-slope and looking up at Aria's short skirt.

I'm now caught in a position of a pervert whom should be arrested by the police in the first place.

"--!"

Above that slender leg which looks like it still belongs to an elementary school student--sh.. shit!

This is a bad angle!

I lowered my head by a centimeter, having witnessed the scene, I felt that my blood flow seemed to have almost changed into Hysteria mode.

"You... you...! Even in this situation...!"

Even Aria seemed to feel that I was thinking "So lucky, I actually saw it (laughs)", the veins on her temple showing.

"Woah woah! Aria just turned eight! You've seen everything!"

"--Fourth year elementary school students are ten years old!"

"Aiya! It's really the Battle of Waterloo! Ki-kun, lower your head!"

Bam! Riko jumped up forcefully--

"Swoosh!"

Wearing her cowboy jeans, she aimed for my back and sat down.

Pressed down by her body weight, my head lowered.

Look carefully Riko. If you look properly, I have already gotten used to Hysteria mode long ago.

This is for the battles with "Grenada" from now on.

(Should I fight.....!)

If I enter Hysteria mode now, a tragedy will definitely occur before I achieve victory. Now that the three of us are alone in the lounge which hardly anyone comes by, the moment Hysteria mode gets activated will be certainly be a earth shaking event. If that's the case, the innocent Nakasorachi will become a victim as well.

I took a defensive approach--

Lowering my head, trying my best not to look between Aria's legs.

But using the concept of riding a camel on its back, Riko used both her hands on my lower jaw to forcefully lift it up. Not.. not bad.

You've let me witnessed the variety of Chinese martial arts techniques.

This time, with Aria in the "full exposure" angle--

"--Windhole Memory Destroyer!"

[[File:Aria09 165.jpg|thumb]]

--She brought her foot down hard. (--!)

God has appeared.

In the gap where Aria has lifted her shoe up, a miraculous angle that could have only been due to the protection of gods appeared--

From my line of sight, only the bottom of the skirt could be seen--in the gap between her legs.

--Fantastic.

This can be settled without having to enter Hysteria mode....

Dear God. Perhaps I will be going to where you are very soon, and I will thank you again then.

After receiving Aria's windhole attack, I only lost consciousness for 3 minutes. I couldn't help but give thanks to my own endurance. Once I adjusted my police cap, I returned to my work post as a waiter.

But thinking about it in detail, my endurance was largely due to the training from Aria's brutal violence.

I take back my thanks.

"Hi, all students. Come this way!"

Shirayuki, dressed as a female teacher was speaking gently to a group of elementary school students and guiding them.

The children were making a din near the entrance of the Cosplay Cafeteria, becoming a nuisance to the other customers.

Responsible for being the cashier, Aria wanted to be their guide, but was taken as a playmate instead. In the end her pony tails were caught and she fell to the ground. As the shop manager, Shirayuki hurried over to resolve the situation.

(.....She's really well-trained in the methods to handle little children...)

The elementary school students who were standing all over the place just a while ago, quickly became obedient, lining up to take their seats.

It's no wonder she's the eldest of six sisters, one look and you can tell she'll definitely become a dutiful wife and loving mother in the future.

After helping them with their orders, Shirayuki came into the backyard from the mess hall.

"There's alot of customers, so let's raise our spirits! AI AI YO!"

Shirayuki said to the tired group of cosplayers--

Everyone seemed to be spurred on, raising their fists and shouting "YO--!"

Even though she was still expressionless, but Doctor Reki (Ph.D.) did the same thing as well. This is the first time I've seen her like this.

Following that, Shirayuki started giving instructions of the measures to take to handle the different situation for each and every table, making everyone's work alot easier.

This is the true messiah.

"I see you have very good leadership capabilities...."

I said in a sigh to Shirayuki, who was writing down the priority list for the work to be done.

Might as well let her replace me as the leader for Baskerville, I've lost all confidence.

"No....."

Hearing my words, Shirayuki-sensei hurriedly adjusted her eye-glasses.

"My student council work has been lagging behind, I'll have to rush for that."

Following that, with a wonderful smile on her face, she walked towards me and helped me adjust my rank badge and tie.

"For the Butei, many are not good at work involving receiving customers. The Masters will deduct points because of this... Thanks to you, the situation has more or less been redeemed somewhat."

"....I... I was praised by Kin-chan..."

With an entranced expression showing on her face, Shirayuki's cheeks turned red instantly...

"I will work hard so I can be your helper. And also for those children who are unable to help at all. Ok, you can go now. Be safe." Shirayuki adjusted my police cap, and when she mentioned "children", she looked at Aria.

'Chey'--Taking a break and drinking honeydew melon soda, Aria, with a straw in her mouth, clicked her tongue in reply to Shirayuki's gaze.

Not only that, Aira was biting her straw and shooting glances at me at the same time.

Wh.. why are you emanating killing intent from your body.

Behaving differently from usual, she was looking at me with a bit of anxiety.

If you got something to say, say it. It's completely not like Aria's style.

"Look look, it's time for Aria to go for school. Did you forget anything?"

Shirayuki was somewhat delightedly speaking in a motherly tone. "No, I'm going off" Aria threw out a reply and walked out.

Then she ran back into the hall and viciously stepped on my foot.

What.. what the hell was that. Why did you get angry just because I praised Shirayuki.

And the act of physical punishment was so despicable. I felt her anger this time was different compared to previously.

Don't tell me there's new software installed in her brain? Uninstall it immediately!

After that, Aria kept having a weird look on her, like she wanted to speak but stopped herself, giving me a stare every now and then....

With some difficulty, I managed to endure till 5pm. Finally, I can change shifts.

Taking out the new phone I bought a few days ago, there was a message from Watson--No training for today? Recalling my antics when I entered Hysteria mode in front of her, I chose the splendor of ignoring the message.

Even without that factor, I'm dead beat from doing a bunch of stuff that I've never done before--not only did I have to address myself as "this police officer", I even had to bow after the customers made their orders.

I should just quickly go home and just eat something, take a shower, and sleep like a dead log.

As I was lifting my leg to return to the preparation room--

"Tohyama."

The fourth preparation room, which was so small and cramp it could hardly be counted as a room, came a call for me, and it was done with the door closed.

"Jeanne?"

"It's me, come in here for a second."

"You're wearing clothes right?"

I asked Jeanne, who seemed unwilling to open the door for some reason.

"Are you stupid, of course I'm wearing clothes, but.... about this set of clothes, I want to discuss it with you."

Her reply caused me to have some doubts,so I entered the changing room.

In the changing room, Jeanne was wearing the "family cafe" type of frilly female waitress uniform.....

She was sitting on a metal-pipe chair, her body sprawled on top of the table.

On top of her head was a hair-band that was reminiscent of what a maid would wear, and I could see her ears under her shimmering silver hair.....

For some reason, her ears were red.

"What's the matter, you should be on the evening shift."

"Yes."

Still sprawled on the table, Jeanne's voice transmitted from her arm on the table.

"Then it's about time for you to get going."

"I know that!"

"Then get going quickly. You really like this set of clothes right."

This is because the clothes were Jeanne's own, and she made an effort to bring it out.

--I know, I accidentally saw it before.

"Ye.. Yes. But I still....once I think about appearing in front of everyone, I'll feel embarrassed."

"It can't be helped. This is the way things are, even I felt embarrassed too."

"Don't put me in the same league as you!"

Jeanne swifty lifted her head, her whole face blushing red like Aria.

As Jeanne is 100% white Caucasian, so putting it more accurately, her face was pink.

Judging from her expression, it seems that while facing me, she's harboring some negative emotions with no outlet to let it out, so in order not to become some sort of snack--

"I get it, I get it. Then why did you call me into the changing room."

I said to Jeanne to pacify her.

"Tell me your opinions! You seen me like this before. What do you think of it."

"I already told you back then. It's really cute! You don't have to worry."

"Really?"

"It's the truth. A police officer doesn't lie."

"Then say it again."

"Say what."

"Say that I'm cute! I've no confidence in myself. When I... I wear the clothes alone, I feel that it isn't too bad. And this is the set of clothes that I like the most. I've always wanted to try being a waitress for once. But, this.... girls of my height wearing clothes like this will be made out as some kind of joke. Everyone will certainly make sarcastic remarks."

I finally understood...

Jeanne is the type who does what she likes in private, but becomes very reserved in public.

When alone by herself, she is becomes broad-minded enough to start a fashion show, but once she faced me, who has seen her in those clothes, she'll feel very embarrassed.

"That's not going to happen. Have some confidence! You're very cute, come, let's go."

"You don't sound convincing at all!"

Jeanne stood up, waving her featherlight sleeves.

What a troublesome guy as well.

Just as I was starting to feel a bit tired, Jeanne leaned over with a 'pleading for help' look on her face .

[[File:Aria09 173.jpg|thumb]]

Her featherlight skirt brushing against me.

"Actually... it seems that the kohais [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4] from the tennis club will be coming to see me. What should I do."

Ah.....

So that's how it is.

--Butei High is is a school with some.. no, with a lot of feudalism.

The seniors must be strict with the juniors, and must more or less put on some airs in front of them.

This way, the relationship between the seniors and the juniors will be evident. This is necessary in order to ensure success during investigations and battles. Such similar culture exists in the Police and the Self Defense Force as well.

Hence, Jeanne was even more afraid of being laughed at by her juniors.

"No one will make a joke out of you. If there are really any first years who dare to make fun of you, I'll help you teach them a lesson. Look, there's only 15 minutes left!"

I looked at my watch--

Jeanne also looked at her shiny watch, which was adorned with precious stones, worn on the underside of her wrist.

"Un, un un, it's already this time now."

"Don't panic. This isn't like Jeanne at all. There won't be any problems. This police officer guarantees it. Let's go!"

I patted her on the shoulder to motivate her, but--

Crinkle, crinkle. Upon patting her, numerous tiny ice crystals flew out from her body.

What's that. Looks like diamond dust.

It's like some sort of mechanism which appears when she's agitated. This is a new discovery.

"--Tohyama. I wore these clothes only because of the lot that I drew, so you'll be responsible. If I become a joke, then prepare to be turned into a human [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost#Hoar_frost hoarfrost]!"

Although Jeanne said that, she still didn't want to leave the room on her own.

"What are you saying. And what, on earth is a human hoarfrost"

"It's hoarfrost made up of a human. Can't you understand simple words? Are you stupid?"

".... I've always been stupid. I was stupid to come here and listen to you. Get going. Come on, follow me."

Saying this, I finally managed to drag Jeanne forcefully out from the changing room--

"Jeanne-sempai!" "Jeanne-sempai!" "Sorry to have kept you waiting!"

We just barely walked out of the changing room, and 4, 5 first-year girls jumped out in front of the door.

They seemed to have gathered here after hearing Jeanne's voice, it looks like they're Jeanne's juniors in the tennis club.

"Ah!"

It seems that Jeanne haven't mentally prepared herself yet, freezing on the spot and turning into a human hoarfrost herself

I shifted my gaze to the first years, and was about to say "First years, if you dare to make fun of her, I'll arrest the whole lot of you!"--

"IYAAA---!!! SO CUTE!!!!"

But the first year girls were screaming away with their eyes fixated on Jeanne.

IYAAA!!! IYAAA!!!

SO CUTE!!! SO CUTE!!!

The girls were so caught up in a rapturous frenzy they totally ignored my existence, surrounding Jeanne who was dressed as a waitress.

"Cu... cu.. cute....?"

Jeanne's rose red lips were trembling slightly as she said.

The girls were still obsessively screaming cute.

"Ah, this... this--was because of drawing lots, I had no choice but to wear these clothes--I know I'm not really suitable for it, and...!"

Jeanne clumsily blurted. But her juniors were still heaping praises and saying "No way! Sempai is so cute!!" "Jeanne-sempai looks good in anything she wears!! So cute!!" "Sempai is a goddess!! So cute!!"

"Un... Un un.....!"

Jeanne....

Her gaze started drifting as she became shy.

Her reaction caused the first year girls to yell cute again.

But... besides "cute", don't you all have other words of description you can use?

Looking at first year students talking excitedly and crowding towards the side of the window--

(Come to think of it, Jeanne is really well respected-- )

I felt somewhat touched inside.

Shirayuki is the same as well, she seems to possess some sort of attributes that causes the kohais to respect her. This is quite important for Butei who will eventually have subordinates. During the end of term after our second year, there will be a grading for "Leadership capabilities. Suitability as a government official"... Jeanne will definitely score full marks for this.

Although she looks extremely cold-blooded, she will never bully her kohais, or give out impossible tasks to them. Plus she's also a beautiful girl liked by both guys and girls, although she's a bit slow-witted by nature, but she's a jack-of-all-trades... Even among students of the same year, she's a very reliable person.

Before this I heard of rumors like this--Jeanne's popularity among the first years started in the tennis club, and was slowly spreading towards Informa, Connect, Repier, Inquesta and other places.

Presently, Watson has the slight advantage for now, but if the trends continue on like this, Jeanne would definitely get the upper hand.

(Jeanne seems to have some sort of strength to attract people towards her.... perhaps a genetic inheritance from her ancestor....)

Just to add on, Aria is very well-respected by the first years in Assault as well, but this was due to her personal ability, and not her personality. She's pretty strict on kohais.

And Riko. There's no need to mention her. She's the type who'll end up playing with the kohais.

There's no need to elaborate on Reki as well.

From now on, I'll use Jeanna and Shirayuki as a positive example, while the others will be deemed as bad examples.

As for me, I have not much of a popularity, Within the kohais, only Fuma knows about me.

(Anyway.... looks like I won't be turned into a human hoarforst.)

Just as I started to relax myself--

Trouble appeared.

Jeanne was on cloud nine after being flattered by her kohais, all sorts of emotions surging within her.

"...."

Wearing her graceful skirt, she leapt out from the the window.

"Hey! Hey...."

Although this was the first floor and no injuries will be sustained, but if a deserter (people who are absent without valid reason) appears, there will be a negative impact on the Cosplay Cafeteria.

If so... the Masters will judge us as incompetent, and everyone will be deemed responsible and slammed viciously by Ranbyou. I reckon the impact can result in internal organs being puked out from the mouth. Of course, this involves me as well.

I rushed to the side of the window, only to see Jeanne's hands covering her fiery red cheeks, running swiftly towards the center courtyard.

As she wasn't paying attention to the road in front of her, in no time at all, she bumped into a scarecrow on the field growing herbs.

"Sempai! Where are you going?" "Please let me take a photo!" "Are you heading for the Cosplay Cafeteria?"

I ditched the first years behind, who crowded at the window side within moments.

Using the emergency exit, I ran out towards the center courtyard, in pursuit of Jeanne.

As I realized that this problem involves my internal organs, my tracking skills increased tremendously as well.

Very quickly, I found Jeanne's hiding place.

She had left one of her lacy leather shoes behind near a small storage room in the center courtyard. Don't tell me you're Cinderella.

Like a real police officer relentlessly pursuing a criminal, I pressed my face lightly against the wooden wall.

Jeanne was sitting on a wooden chair, and I could see one side of her face from here.

"Ho ho, ho ho ho....."

Both hands pressed onto her burning cheeks, I have never seen such a cute expression on her face.

Acting just like how other girls of her age should act, the smile overflowing from her face even infected a bystander like me with bliss.

"..... It's really such a joy!"

Jeanne usually make people feel like she's an Hollywood actress, always with an uptight look on her face. So her expression now could be considered to be truly refreshing.

It even feels like it's the first time I'm getting to know her true self.

".... Cute, I'm cute! As a waitress, I'm very cute...."

Jeanne lowered her head, immersing in every single moment the bliss which belongs only to her. A beautiful lace ribbon was tied on her silver hair.

And so she simply sat there, straightening both her legs, swinging it back and forth lightly.

(.......)

For some reason, I suddenly felt that I shouldn't continue peeping on her like this.

Her breasts, which were contoured on her clothes, was starting to shake continuously along with her swinging legs, making me feel that the scene was becoming very dangerous.

"Well from the looks of it, she probably won't run away from here...."

I smiled wryly and turned around with my back facing the wooden shed.

Watson is like this as well....

Maybe it's because of the reason that as a descendant of the heroine Jeanne D'Arc and that she was adopted, Jeanne always felt she wasn't "girly" enough somewhere.

But girls will be girls.

She was probably always fretting over how to show her feminine side.

The Cosplay Cafeteria was just the thing to help Jeanne fulfill this wish, and show her that what she thought about herself was always wrong.

Perhaps she will eventually start showing the side of herself which she has been hiding, little by little.

Through meaningless activities, the school is a place that lets its students to grow continuously, Or at least it's a place that gives you the chance to grow.

"Of course, if it's a normal school.... there should be much more chances like this."

I looked at my watch, in another 7 to 8 minutes, Jeanne will have to takeover the shift.

Jeanne.

I'll just let her enjoy her happiness here for a while longer. Then the waitress job which she has been looking forward to for some time will have to start.

You must work hard!

When you first came to Butei High, you didn't even know what flavored drinks are.

Finally changing into my Butei High uniform, I started walking back in the glow of the sunset.

The buses have stopped operating during the cultural festival. So I had to walk back to the dorm.

"Tohyama....."

From an abandoned building used for battle training, came a voice calling out for me.

As this was like a real war zone, all I could see was a chaotic mess. So it was covered up by plastic canvas sheets, and was out of bounds, but....

That voice, I seem to have heard it somewhere before.

It's that fox girl, in reality a fox spirit, and a comrade in "Deen". I think her name was Tamamo.

"Tamamo, you're back. But why today of all days."

As I replied, I lifted a blue plastic canvas sheet and walked into the abandoned building.

The exposed concrete on the first floor were full of bullet markings.

Dust particles in the building danced in the air as a gust of wind blew in from a broken window.

Sunlight streaming in from all corners shone onto the dust particles like a spotlight.

"Today is naught the day of Tomobiki (友引), tis a fine day for making many friends."

Stepping on the ground strewn with broken glass and bullet shells, I walked further in, towards where Tamamo's voice came from.

"Let me tell you, the television crews are here today. If you get caught by them and get broadcasted on air as 'Rare Animal Caught', I won't do anything to help."

Chatting with her, I lifted my head and found her standing on top of a steel beam laid on its side and hanging high up in the air.

She was wearing a mini version of Butei High's sailor uniform.

"I hath no wish to hath these ears of mine pulled and examined with intrigue and amusement. Hence, I came wearing the uniform of students here."

Tamamo said, while standing within a beam of light.

She was wearing a small uniform cap with a wave-shaped hem, and there were actually something shaped like 2 fox ears poking upwards at the top of the cap.

Hey, is this really ok.

"Yes, Tohyama. I hath heard you brought defeat to Hilda. Well done!"

Swish! Tamamo leapt off the steel beam animal-like movements.

With her movements, I saw her tail which was hidden under her skirt.

So there is still no way to make the tail vanish. But if I told her this, she'll definitely get angry. So I chose to remain silent.

"You know pretty much. Who told you?"

"Tis the head of Liberty Mason who told me. Whilst discussing the problem of what comes under the jurisdiction of "Deen", it was proposed not to proceed with the extermination of the prisoner in the Demon Barrier--Hilda."

Liberty Mason......

I see. After I defeated Hilda, Watson must have contacted them immediately and reported the facts.

With a bright look on my face for unraveling the truth, Tamamo gradually approached me, and suddenly extended both hands in front of me.

"What are you doing? I don't have any malt candy."

"No. Tis for thou to carry me."

"Carry you? You're not a little kid...."

"As there is no deity palanquin, I canst only lower my expectations and hath thou carry me. Tis an honour for thou. Be quick about it, and carry me around for sight-seeing. Or dost it matter naught that thou suffers retribution."

Tamamo stood tip-toed, and patted at my nose.

Well, no matter what, this guy is still considered a god... of sorts.

If I really get struck by retribution, and my luck worsens, then my life will really be in a sorry state.

But when I reached both my hands under her armpits, and tried to carry her up...

"I say, you're quite heavy to carry. Should be at least 20 kilos and above. How heavy are you exactly?"

"Thou dares to asks my weight, does thou not know tis a forbidden number to ask of goddesses or even all women."

Using both hands, Tamamo hugged my neck tightly with no intention of letting go.

"Then you should at least change your form from an second year elementary schooler to a baby."

Hearing what I said, Tamamo used both her legs to start climbing onto my body.

"Aiya, thou should stop complaining. Think of something quickly. Good fortune will come from carry a deity. Haha!"

Using both hands to support Tamamo's bottom, who was rubbing herself excitedly against my body, I lifted her up....

No matter what, I finally managed to carry this deity.

"I'll die from exhaustion if I carry you all over the place like this."

I said to Tamamo's face which was directly in front of my eyes.

Tamamo looked very happy, her face filled with innocence.

Looking close-up at her big round eyes, it seemed to have aroused my so-called fatherly instincts.

If there weren't any fox ears or tail, her appearance will easily make her a target for abduction.

"Why, thou seems verily interested in me. Art thou smitten with me."

Tamamo laughingly said to me, who was staring fixedly at her.

"Don't talk nonsense. The age difference is too big."

"791 years counts for naught much. Tis naught a thing impossible in a world of transformation."

"That's not what I mean. You're saying it in reverse, reverse."

"Reverse? Guh, the Tohyama Samurai of before frequently says things I do not understand as well."

Saying things which people don't understand, that should be you right.

I think my ancestors-sama must have gotten more than just a few headaches because of her. For some reason, the fates of our family and Tamamo appears to be closely intertwined.

I sighed inwardly, and started to tease Tamamo.

"Hiraga from Amdo was around this area for quite some time just now, we're screwed now."

"It'll definitely be snatched away if it's discovered. Once that guy sees something sweet, even the color of her eyes changes."

"Here, here. Let's hide here and eat... ah, Kinji...."

The voices of girls came from the entrance of the abandoned building.

The 3 girls were holding in their hands gigantic crêpes which were probably some sort of freebie.

They opened their big mouths in shock at seeing me carrying Tamamo.

"Ab... ab.. abduction...."

"To actually bring such a small girl to this place...."

"It must be an abduction. We have to report this immediately to the Masters and Children Welfare Services."

Oi.....

My luck didn't turn for the better at all. I'm obviously already carrying a deity.

On closer inspection, I noticed that the 3 people were my classmates in school. Yelling "This is so dangerous!", they took out cellphones from the pockets of their skirt.

"No, it's not like that."

I hurriedly put Tamamo down, trying to explain the situation clearly.

This will definitely be a bad thing once it involves Informa and the Butei triple punishment.

"Thi.... this is a child who lost her way."

I declared, well aware of the fact that I'll have to start a gun fight if all else fails.

"A child who lost her way?"

With a confused look on her face, Tamamo lifted her head to look at me.

"Yes. A child who lost her way."

Tamamo seemed to sense the effort I was putting in for this.

"No, I mean ye... ye... yes."

She seemed to have understood the present situation, following up on my words.

Just that her acting skills were really terrible.

In doubt, the girls said,

"A child who lost her way?''

"Doesn't look like it."

"It just feels like she's been tamed."

The girls seemed to have completely believed the opinion that I have abducted a little girl.

"Adding on, isn't she wearing a Butei High intern uniform? There's no possibility she's a kid who lost her way."

That girl is well and truly a student from Inquesta.

Damn it, don't use your deductive reasoning skills is a place like this.

"That, well.... she really lost her way, then she was sent to me. She's my cousin."

"Uhn, yes. I wanted to see onii-chan."

Said Tamamo as she hugged my waist tightly.

"How can Kinji's cousin look so cute!"

"This has nothing to do with the face. Hey, let's go. It's really great to be able to see onii-chan."

I clumsily played along with Tamamo's act.

"Uhn, let's go. Onii-chan won't let you become lost again."

I held Tamamo's little hand which was waving in the air, finally managing to escape from the abandoned building.

I didn't know whether those girls believed what we said, the sounds of their discussion coming from the back.

"So that's how it is. Oh yeah, the cat-ears cap that little girl was wearing was really cute."

"It seemed to be moving."

"Maybe it's fitted with actuators."

Apparently Tamamo's cat-ears cap has turned into their next discussion topic.

Just that it isn't cat ears, but fox ears. And they're real.

Wiping the cold sweat on my forehead, I spoke to Tamamo.

"Tamamo, I can bring you anywhere you want to go, but can you change your form?"

I feebly supported my hands on my kness, pleading with Tamamo.

A second year high school student walking around with a little girl. even if it wasn't those people just now, other people might report me as well.

"Uhn, thou's physical strength will not be capable of carrying me around and move freely."

"Then we have a deal."

"So it shalt be done."

Once Tamamo was done talking, white smoke suddenly appeared at her feet.

"......."

I looked over....

And found that Tamamo's figure had vanished, and there was now a Temari beside my feet.

Oh yeah, she can change into these things.

"Hey. Carry me and go."

With the ball speaking, I bent over to pick her up. It's very light, about the same weight as a normal ball.

"You should have changed into this form from the start. Come to think of it, how does Tamamo do it."

"Tis the jitsu for emptiness transformation. Thou would understand naught even if I explained it."

Opening up the conversation with a condescending tone, the ball continued speaking.

"First, 'Mustard Particle'. Tis a singular point that possesses an extremely strong gravitational pull. These points are very tiny, but everywhere around us. Each and every one of these points are connected to one another. Using the 'Heavenly Streams of Fox Lightning', attractive and repulsive forces are applied to these bonds, manipulating the bonds into a shape of a tube. With 'Matter Fog', these are passed through my small body. The ends of the tube have a space of 'Emptiness', which exists on this space as well. The ball is placed in this space, and is used to replace my illusionary little girl form. Once the 'seal' is recited in my mind, these steps can be achieved in mere moments. Tis a matter which occurs in a blink of an eye."

"I'm sorry, I completely don't understand what that means."

"Using thou's terms, tis manipulating a wormhole."

".... I don't know what this is as well."

Come to think of it, you don't even know what panties are, but you actually know about a wormhole.

"Tohyama, thou art lacking in learning. Tis to say, although I'm here, but I'm not here as well. From the perspective of reality, if the ball is destroyed, I'll lose 'Mustard Particles', and have no way of returning from 'Emptiness'. Because the ball is me now, hence thou must be careful, and then even more so.

So this is the so-called magical transformation. Whatever.

(But this is really something. Be it Hilda or this guy...)

These non-human races have existed since eons ago, but their techniques are far more advanced than the forefront advancements of our science.

Although I don't know the specifics about wormholes, but mankind only knows that it 'possibly exists'. Even Hilda's Electric Charged Particles are only being researched by scientists in research facilities. But they are already able to make use of it.

If these are the kind of freaks in "Grenada" I have to fight with from now on....

Then it'll be like fighting people whom are from 100 years in the future.

But...

I suddenly thought of a phrase taught during a lesson in school.

Combat.

In this field, mankind has combined their intelligence and outstanding capabilities.

Not to self-boast, but mankind has progressed till now from recurring wars.

This is why the advances in this field far outpace the rest.

Aria's Colt Government was produced in 1911, about 100 years ago from now. Humans have not made any improvements to it since then.

That is to say humans have produced combat tech 100 years ago.

Then how many years has it been since the first person used Hysteria mode.

Now in a position with no choices left, the only thing I can do is try.

As Tamamo ordered me to "Take me to where Shirayuki is", I called up Shirayuki to say hi.

After her work at the Cosplay Cafeteria ended, Shirayuki went to the Supernatural Searching Research (SSR in short).

Seems to be for self-study, no wonder she's an honors student.

"I really don't like it much here...."

Reach the SSR building, I felt a lost of interest due to the appearance of the building.

Firstly, the entrance was a vermillion gateway, it was like a tunnel directly linking to the building.

Looking around the entrance, there was a statue of Chinese Guardian Lion on the right hand side, and a statue of Sphinx on the left hand side.

The surroundings were full of Totem poles, Buddha statues, Moai statues, lanterns and what-nots on display.

Although there were Japanese barrier-sealing ropes hanging above my head, but hanging in front of me wasn't large Japanese bells, but rather something like the yellow copper bells in a prayer room......

In front of me was a written message.

--"Those with no business here are prohibited from entering the SSR"--

It was on a lookout board. I can't think of having any business in this kind of place.

This is a research department for super powers and magical abilities. A lair of secret arts. And a place I can't stand the most.

"Why does thou hath such a grim look. The surrounding atmosphere seems pretty nice."

The Tamamo-ball said.

"It looks like the gods are about to start an argument. You're considered a deity of sorts. Looking at the scene in front of you, don't you think it's some sacrilege."

"Times now are no longer of the old. But the truth each god seeks tis the same. And since telling humans to 'get along well', what manner will become of us if the gods starts fighting amongst ourselves."

"I see...."

Well, since she put it that way, then it no longer matters.

Pushing the large entrance door decorated with colorful stained glass, I entered the SSR.

The decorations in the hall still made me broke out in cold sweat.

In order to allow the students to pray here, the spacious hall were dotted with a few seat-cushions and chairs. The walls to the half-dome roof were full of ancient religious drawings.

This is truly a world I cannot comprehend.

What's going on in the minds of these SSR people. There was even a Wooden Fish [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4] placed on top of a pipe organ.

A sign with "Anyone fighting will be shot to death -- From Masters" stuck beside an Aztec Calendar is the only thing here I understand.

"......so to say the Roswell Incident..."

".....through similar magic the mysterious links can be....."

"....It's really tasty, the fried and smoked red..."

I can hear the conversations of students situated in a corner of the hall.

There were all sorts of clothes they were wearing. One girl was dressed like a Tengu, but it was not a spear she carried on her back, but a bow and demon-slaying arrows instead.

A turban on the head, and speaking in Wheel Hatha yoga pose, that one must be a foreign exchange student from India. That guy holding a sutra in his hand and eating some dry-fried food, was actually wearing a cassock.

"Looketh, everyone gets along very well."

Tamamo-ball exposed the tip of her tail, pointed at the students and said.

Besides sighing, there wasn't anything replay I could come up with. I carried Tamamo up the stairs with heavy steps.

As the number of students in SSR are very few, the second floor and above have only units of single rooms.

On reaching the fifth floor, I knocked loudly on the door to a room with the name "Hotogi Shirayuki" written on an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ema_%28Shinto%29 Ema] shaped wooden sign.

"Coming, coming!"

Shirayuki's voice came from inside the room, following the patter of footsteps, came the sound of the door being unlocked.

When the door just opened, I could see a sliding door adorned with pentagrams, samurai helms, and the Hotogi family crest through the opening slit.

When the door was fully opened....

"Welcome, Kin-chan."

Greeting me politely, Shirayuki came out to receive me, dressed in her Miko garb.

There was a 3-way mirror left slightly ajar in the room, could it because she was putting on make-up just now?

(Actually there's no need to go through so much preparation just to greet me....)

Upon seeing the gloomy look on my face.

Shirayuki's eyes instantly teared up as she said,

"Ahh.... Kin-chan doesn't like these Miko clothes very much. I always wear these clothes in SSR, so.... I'll go change immediately, please wait for a while."

Once she finished talking, she was about to close the sliding door.

"It's fine, I have something to discuss with you."

I said, as I pressed against the sliding door with my hand, took out my shoes and walked into the room.

Inside was a Japanese-style room with 10 tatami mats laid on the floor, on top of a painted rack was a statue of Dharma Buddha.

In 6 bamboo tubes laid alongside one another, each had a windmill made by her younger sisters.

I appraised the room, which was the complete embodiment of a Japanese-style room.

"Hotogi Shirayuki, thou hast grown up as well."

The ball I was holding suddenly moved onto the floor.

White smoke emitted from the floor, and in less than a second Tamamo returned to her original form.

"Ah!"

Shirayuki yelped in shock as she looked at the grinning Tamamo.

"Ta...Ta... Tamamo-sama!"

Swoosh!

Shirayuki dived onto the tatami mat.

The Miko garb's skirt fluttered in the air, coming to a pause at the time she knelt down.

"It's has been a long time since paying my respects, I didn't know you were coming. I'm deeply sorry that I have prepared nothing!"

Shirayuki was like an employee who saw a supervisor on a surprise visit.

Holding a windmill in her hand, Tamamo slowly walked towards her.

"Thine bad habit of apologizing constantly hath changed naught. Come, lift up your face."

Making Shirayuki raise her upper body, it seems Tamamo wanted to squirm in between Shirayuki's knees and chest.

Ah, Tamamo actually grabbed Shirayuki's breast. You lusting fox.

Then, Tamamo turned her back towards Shirayuki and sat onto her knees.

"Tamamo-sama has not changed as well...."

"Shirayuki, thou hast finally gotten used to a mixed school. How goes your zither practice, can you ride a bicycle now?"

"Really, please do not talk about the things of my childhood."

Looking at them happily conversing away.....

So the both of them really knew each other from the start.

Sitting cross-legged at the Japanese-style low table in the room, I drank the green tea prepared by Shirayuki.

"No matter what, tis a good thing that the Tohyama Samurai and Hotogi Miko are of the same age."

Tamamo pointed a finger at me and spoke.

"So how is it, Shirayuki. Hast thou been done giving birth to children for this guy?"

[[File:Aria09 197.jpg|thumb]]

PFFFTT!

I spat out the tea in my mouth in one breath.

Being asked that question by Tamamo with the tone of "What did you have for dinner last night?", Shirayuki's body softened gradually like an octopus. Replying at Tamamo's ear side.

"I.. I.. I can do it at any time..."

But why are you looking at me and saying that.

Looking at the speechless me, Shirayuki suddenly buried her face into Tamamo's head.

".... What should we do hubby, our daughter says she wants a little brother or sister..."

Tamamo muttered softly, as her finger drew the "の" symbol on the tatami mat.

Listening up to here, even my face started turning red.

"Shi.. Shirayuki. Lift your face up. Don't bother about Tamamo's irrelevant remarks."

"Yes, yes. Father of the child. Let's do our best! How many, no, how many dozens of kids should we have?"

"Don't look at me with your eyes glowing like that. And who's this father of the child. Tamamo, stop saying useless things and quickly get to the point."

I said with some anxiety. Straightening her tail, Tamamo replied "Yes yes", and came to the side of the low table.

Shirayuki appeared at my side in an instant, and sat beside me. Even if I avoid her, she'll just continue to stick to me. So I just gave up, and the both of us sat facing Tamamo.

Following that, Tamamo....

She first spoke to Shirayuki about the "Far Eastern War" which has already begun.

And the incident with me getting involved in the war as the leader of Baskerville.

She also mentioned my battle with Hilda, and how I finally won.

Shirayuki listened calmly from the start till the end. As expected from an armed Miko.

Some of the technical terms that appeared and was used during this period of time, which I didn't really understand, she seemed to understand them as well.

".... Anti-demon barriers have been set up in all the harbours within the city. If any demon barge in, the Shikigami will inform me, and I will proceed to attack it using seals."

"Since this is the case, then we can consider the matters that will come next."

Under the premise of joining in the war, she spoke about numerous related topics.

"Hey, Shirayuki. Getting involved into this war, are you not afraid?"

"No. I have heard about the "Battle" in the Hotogi. And through my divination, I have known long ago that these things will continue to occur within the next few years."

You're really optimistic. After my fight with Hilda, I discovered that this will be a tough battle."

I said, as if trying to confirm Shirayuki's determination.

Shirayuki gave a light smile.

It was a very peaceful, long-standing Shirayuki-type of smile.

"The Hotogi Miko are protective Mikos. We have alway fought for the sake of protecting. The chaos in the country, wars, and the few "Battles" encountered, protecting is what we always, and always will do. And..."

Shirayuki's expression hardened.

In an instant, as if re-affirming what she has already set her decision on, spoke hesitantly.

"I will burn out all the ashes that lands on Kin-chan, no matter who that person is."

She lightly touched Irokane Ayame's ruby-colored sheath at her waist as she spoke.

The term 'burn out all the ashes' is a contradiction by itself.

No matter, since she means to join us just like always.

"Oh right, Tamamo. Although it's a bit late to ask this question now... what's the aim of starting this so-called war in the first place? Even though Jeanna said it's for 'needs, fighting for something-something..."

"Tis like what Jeanne hath said. Fighting for something thou needs. Carrying out the redistribution of power. Tis is the intent of the war."

"Then what are all of you fighting over?"

"Tis the same as all other wars, things being fought over changes with time. Last time, twas fighting over precious swords, holy grails and so on. And now, tis for Irokane. Tis the best treasure of all. Although twas never cared much for til now, but the world's greatest genius Sherlock found the method to harness its power."

Sherlock....

Come to think of it, that guy did describe Irokane as "The Core of the Supernatural World".

So this is the thing that Deen and Grenada are going all-out to obtain.

"Things being fought over changes with time....."

I seem to understand somewhat now.

Using the outside world as an example, in the past, no one paid any attention to the Wulan Mountain Mine.

But once the method of exploiting it became known to the world, everyone started scrambling for it blindly.

Hence, causing a war to break out.

"Tis not only treasures. Excellent soldiers are targets to fight over as well. Tis why, since ancient times, defeated soldiers are incorporated into one's own flag. Defeated soldiers will also initiate switching sides to the enemy so as not to get killed."

"Oh....."

This is similar to Jeanne's "Betrayal is OK", and Watson's "The defeated party is the surbodinate of the enemy".

Thinking like this, I seem to have an understanding on the system for the "Battle".

"Then.... what will it take to end the war?"

"Total annihilation or surrender. Tis either Deen or Grenada's soldiers gets wiped out, or all the soldiers of one side choose to surrender. Conditional surrender are recognised as well."

This seems to be the same as wars of the outside world.

I glaced sideways at Shirayuki, and noticed that she had a face which indicated she already knew everything.

"Shirayuki, some problems hath surfaced but recently."

Tamamo straightened her seiza position, speaking to Shirayuki.

"Aria's 'Seven Stars of the Scarlet Shell' has been damaged, and the fragments hath been taken by Grenada."

"........"

This was the first time that Shirayuki became shocked at something Tamamo said.

"I met Watson just now, as proof of alliance. I demanded this. Counting this piece, Deen now hast 3 pieces of the golden shell."

Tamamo took out a gem which looked like a ruby. That's the crystallized form of a piece of the golden shell which shields the Hidan.

Maintaining her seiza, Shirayuki moved backwards, then bowed deeply.

"Our deepest apologies, if only the Hotogi Miko could have made the Golden Shell sturdier in the past, this would have never..."

"Tis not the fault of the Hotogi, you are so few, to hath done this is already remarkable."

"However, the Irokane Ayame which was bonded to me was taken away by Patra a while ago. As such, the Hidan...."

Just as Shirayuki spoke till this point--

Tamamo's gaze suddenly became sharp like never before.

"Shirayuki, stop speaking. Coincidentally Tohyama is here as well. Hotogi and Tohyama can share the workload and help one another."

".....What are you talking about. What's happened with the Irokane Ayame?"

"Don't ask. The hihi-irokane bonds to the human heart. And love is an extremely difficult portion to master. The more you know, the more your heart becomes confused. Humans are unable to master their internal feelings."

"?"

"From the past, the Hotogi Miko whom are deeply connected to the Irokane, are able to be aqcuainted with the Tohyama Samurai till now, tis because the Tohyama family is a clan that fights with the heart. Thou should consider carefully what this means. Does thou naught hath matters which thou does not wish to tell Hotogi?"

The hihi-irokane obviously loves "Love" and "War", just now Tamamo....

Only spoke about the part on love.

"Things which I do not want to tell Hotogi..."

She seems to know about the hereditary power passed on from generation to generation in the Tohyama family.

(Hysteria mode is definitely linked to our emotional state with members of the opposite sex, but so what?)

... I feel the atmosphere becoming a bit weird now.

The supernatural and topics on romance are the 2 boundaries where I'm the worst at.

If Tamamo mentions about Hysteria mode at this time, things will become problematic for me, best to remain silent for now.

"In order to successfully resolve this issue, the cooperation between Tohyama and Shirayuki is of utmost importance. So the both of you must get along well."

Drinking her tea, a contented-looking Tamamo looked at Shirayuki who answered with a loud "Yes".

"Not to worry, no matter what happens, I'll always be at your sides."

With a somewhat frozen smile, Tamamo looked in my direction.

"Be at your sides..."

When we were fighting Hilda, why weren't you around.

Although setting up the barriers is definitely a busy task....

"As for Aria, I will speak with her soon. The golden shell must be retrieved. To err on the side of caution, I'll also perform a preliminary diagnosis on the progress of the deitification into the Scarlet Blazing God."

"... Is Aria fine?"

I asked somewhat worriedly.

"Tis should be fine for the time being. Thou should worry naught. As long as Grenada is defeated, and all the golden shells are retrieved, there will not be any problems."

Since the expert has said her piece, then I have no objections as well.

But regardless...

I don't really know about Aria's condition yet, so it's not so good I worry about it now.

Aria still seems to be pretty spirited, so my worries may really be groundless fears.

"........"

I suddenly noticed that while I was speaking to Tamamo about Aria,

Shirayuki seemed to be intentionally withholding her comments and listening at the sides.

Tamamo, for some reason, did not even glance at Shirayuki.

It feels as if the both of them have a premonition about something, but didn't wish to say anything.

I furrowed my brows.

I don't know why, but my mind suddenly recalled what Tamamo once told me.

--About 700 years ago, someone transformed into the Scarlet Blazing God.

That person turned into a monster, and started wars....

Before it was finally killed by the Tohyama Samurai and Hotogi Miko.....

<noinclude>
{{Hidan no Aria Nav|prev=Hidan no Aria:Volume9 Chapter3|next=Hidan no Aria:Volume9 Chapter5}}
</noinclude>

Seitokai no Ichizon:Volume 1 Chapter 6

2011-06-25T16:14:14Z

121.54.54.35: /* Chapter 6 */

==Chapter 6==
"What is impotant isn't winning or losing! It is whether one has put in effort or not!"

Kaichou, like always, thumps her small chest and spoke all self-importantly of some second-hand knowledge from a book.

However...this time, those words did not reach anyone's heart.

Because.

"Aka-chan, this is really unsightly you know."

"Uguu......"

Treated coldly by Chizuru-san, Kaichou's expressions stiffened. As one would expect, she doesn't seem to be able to field any more counter-arguments today.

Kaichou stared at the pile of cards on the meeting table regrettably. .....Being like this, she really does seem like a child. The kind of purity that allows one to show such regret due to losing a game normally isn't something that can be kept intact by the point one became a highschool student.

Even though there was an unspoken understanding that the one that lost would gather the cards and shuffle them, as Kaichou has become a complete invalid, I gathered the scattered cards, piled them together and began to carefully shuffle. Since this time we played Old Maid, the cards are all gathered in some form of pairs, if one doesn't thoroughly shuffle then it would affect the next game.

As I was simply cutting the deck in half, taking each half and flipping through them to mix the alternating cards together, Minatsu broke the ice with "Are we going to play still?"

Mafuyu-chan answered that.

"Ummm...we played quite a bit right..."

Chizuru-san sighed.

"Well. Due to some sore loser's fault, It feels like we played through most of the major card games and finally got to the point of needing to return to the the roots of card games in Old Maid, doesn't it."

Receiving those words, every member looked at Kaichou as she groaned "Uu..."

In the first place, to explain how it became like this.

Today, there really wasn't any work-like work or any meeting topic-like topic. It was fine to just chat like we normally do, but as today by chance Mafuyu-chan had poker cards on her, then it became let's play with that as we chat, however...

Still, it was the Student Council room. Kaichou, who is worthy of being called the archetypal earnest person at first was like "Even if there isn't work, to do something like this in the council room is a bit..." with a sober feeling. There I proposed lightheartedly "then, if Kaichou wins, we'll stop playing at that point, how does that sound?"...that, was the start of this card game that continued on and on.

To state the foregone conclusion.

"...Kaichou is hopelessly bad at this"

"Gaaan"

Kaichou took even more damage from my muttering, and lowered her head.

For some reason, Kaichou is weak at about every card game. Well, there are some realistic reasons, to a degree (things show easily on her face, she doesn't think of strategies or anything), however, even if we discount that she is weak. Even when we played games where there are a fair bit of luck involved, no matter how many times we did it, she ended up at the bottom of the standings.

As it comes to this, Kaichou, who hates to lose, appears to have completely forgotten her original position against playing around, and at the end of every game, she ends up saying this.

"On, one more game!"

"".........""

These words are spoken to the harem members who can't openly show their weariness in their expression, but nonetheless give off the air of being so. Even with these fun-loving members, it is about time that they are getting fed up with poker cards themselves. Furthermore, the more that Kaichou loses in a row, the weirder the tension during the game gets; it isn't a situation where one could be having fun.

As I shuffle and tossed some unmotivated words "Alright, what will we play next~", Minatsu, who is next to me, pokes at me beneath the desk on my thighs. While I thought it was a sign for "I, love, you", but since it is Minatsu and I, the two who show no prospect of staying the same people over the years, that's probably wrong. (While I hold some fears about getting this joke across to the younger folks)

I turned to face Minatsu and she started whispering quietly to me.

"(Say...isn't it about time that we should purposely let her win?)"

"(Well, Chizuru-san and I are already thinking about that, however...)"

Even in spite of that, the "Eye-contact Meeting" with Chizuru-san reached a conclusion of "No, best if we don't do that". I relayed the conclusion to Minatsu, and she made an unsatisfied face.

"(Ehh~. Why~? Even I am going to get tired soon~)"

"(Think about it Minatsu. If it goes well, then that's that, but what is going to happen if Kaichou finds out about this...)"

"(...... ...she is going to be pretty pissed for a while, probably, that Kaichou-san)"

"(Right? Kaichou, with regards to things like this, is pretty persistant. So which do you think is better, to put up with a dark mood, with a low-tension Kaichou for a few weeks or somehow withstand card games, just today?)"

"(Definitely to put up with card games)"

"(Then give up. Even as you exhaust all your powers, pray to God for kaichou's victory!)

"(U, uuuu.... This is kinda painful... Like how a soldier feels when he has someone he likes with the bad guys)"

"(You finally understand, Minatsu? The student council room right now is just like...a battlefield.)"

"(I am already unsure of what is just and what is wrong...)"

"(That is how it is in the world. Everyone hoists their own version of justice and fights to prove themselves right.)"

"(Aahhh, how could it be that this novel is taken on by such a deep theme!)"

"(It is the destiny of light novels. Accept it, Minatsu.)"

"(Urg... Eroge character is pretty horrible, but a light novel life is also pretty damned bad eh!)"

"(That might be the case. However, even if there is a world-destroying development, the possibility in a light novel life to have the protagonist and heroine survive is high you know. How about it. Want to get it on with me...)"

"(No. At that getting caught in the apocolypse is better)"

"(What kind of a bad end is being my lover treated as!?)"

After the exchange, Minatsu seems somewhat refreshed and apparently took a more philosophical view of things, and started concentrating mentally to prepare for the next game. Since I can't do anything about it, I quietly continued to shuffle.

On the other side of things, Kaichou, Chizuru-san and Mafuyu-chan were chatting and trying to decide the next game to play.

"Mafuyu...would like it to be something that isn't so rousing. H, how about something like Daifugo to relax a little with?"

With Daifugo, as long as we can can use kakumei well we can have Kaichou win (without her realizing we are holding back), that's probably why it was suggested. While in a rare event Mafuyu-chan expressed her opinion, the said Kaichou showed a sign of disapproval.

"Daifugo eh. It is a game that you don't get bored of, but... For me right now, something like this, something just to this extent can't satisfy me!"

"Ah, eh, um... Why...is that?"

"That's why, it is too laid back! Daifugo! Somehow it feels like it is full of that 'everyone get along' air doesn't it, Daifugo!"

"Th, that's good, or so Mafuyu thinks..."

"That's wrong! Daifugo is a good game you know? However...for my tension right now that is completely unsuitable! For me now...something that results in techniques matched against techniques, for people's wits to clash with each other, and with that flavor of luck for the situation to change completely...I want to see victory in such a fierce battle!"

...It is precisely due to her lacking in those techniques, wits and luck in comparison to everyone else that we have Kaichou's current situation...but it seems like the person in question doesn't notice that at all. ...what a troublesome person, Sakurano Kurimu.

It is to be expected that dealing with this kaichou is too heavy a task for Mafuyu-chan herself. "I, I am sorry..." So Mafuyu-chan said as she curled up into a fetal position. Poor girl.

Maybe it is because she couldn't watch on any further, finally, the only female in the universe who holds the possibility of stopping Kaichou's rampage, Chizuru-san makes her move.

“Then, Aka-chan, how about something like poker?”

“Poker?”

Poker? Kaichou and I simutaneously tilted our heads. What's with that Chizuru-san. Poker, that is something that the luckless Kaichou most likely has no chance of doing anything in.

The poker that we play isn't based on betting with coins or anything, so it is just normal poker without any options like to fold. So the one who has the stronger hand wins, it is just that.

If it comes down to this, there isn't any kind of strategy behind it like guessing at the opponent's hand...so it is a game the only element to which is to see which cards are changed, a game practically based entirely on luck. For the Kaichou that seems to be completely out of luck today, there seems to be next to no chance of her winning. Why would she choose such a ga...

…...

...no. Could it be, this is...!

(So it is something like this, Chizuru-san!)

(...nod)

Chizuru-san, in slow-motion done in a style that reminds one of Ka*ji, sweats profusely as she returns a nod.

What a gambler...Akaba Chizuru! You...you are a true man!

I understand now. This is...a change of perspective on the level of Copernicus!

In other words!

It isn't that we are letting Kaichou win!

We are simply not going to win!

Yes, what a simple matter! In the case of poker...we can just adjust our cards in such a way as to “not allow any hands to be made”, and that would be it!

If it is just cheating then other games could do it! Like that, it is possible to purposely play badly in Daifugo! However...however! The difference in how hard it is to be found out is on a completely different level! For example, with Daifugo, when you first see your hand, you could already kind of figure out where you will be placed! If you have almost no strong cards, only have weak cards and don't try for Kakumei on top of that, you can pretty much give up on that right.

With Kaichou now, it is highly likely that she is just going to get trash cards only. But...in that case, if we don't play honestly...if we try to let Kaichou win... Since Daifugo is a long game, the possibility of being found out is also much higher. The occasions where things feel odd would arise much more often!

But! With poker, it is just short and one time games! The chance of being found on in the middle of the game is low! With the rules that we play with, we don't go around checking what others have decided to change!

Basically, it comes down to this. We are to...as much as possible, destroy our own hands.

Of course, since we don't know what we'll be getting, it is possible that by chance some hands are made. However, even if it comes down to that, at most it'll be one pair, and mostly of the time it will probably just be nothing at all, counting on high card.

With that.

If Kaichou just makes any kind of hand, most likely a one pair, she will be able to win!

However...this is a gamble.

Even if it is poker, the more you play, the more likely cheating behaviors are found out.

If everyone just keeps on getting something less than an one pair, even that kiddy-president would realize that something is wrong. From that, if the cards changed are checked and the act of messing up our own hands is discovered, it is over.

This is a dangerous bet. But...Chizuru-san has suggested it.

Hmph...I've fallen for you, Akaba Chizuru. This life of mine...I will leave it in your hands!

On that note, everyone other than Kaichou was able to understand each other in an instant. Mafuyu-chan and Minatsu quietly nodded.

...The encirclement has been completed.

In this student council, we are going to start battle of unprecedented scale.

However...we are not marching to victory.

Yes, this is a noble fight done for the sole purpose of letting the opponent win.

In the history of humankind, was there such a heartrending war as this?

We know.

This student council president...if she wins, the first thing she will do, no doubt, would be to swagger.

And that, as she is a kid on the inside, would be done in a way to make us really ticked.

She will probably praise and extol herself endlessly and make us out to be nothing more than weaklings, the type of character that gets offed first and en masse.

Something like that, even for the mature Chizuru-san or myself...would be a demonic curse that would make us displeased, no question to it.

We beheld a delighted Kaichou in her ignorance, and the only thing we could do is to clench our fist beneath the table.

However!

We are, right now, walking this path by our own volition!

I looked at Chizuru-san's eyes. They were eyes that held her determination in secret. The eyes of a commander who is prepared to face the kiddy-president's abusive words.

I looked at Minatsu's eyes. They were grand, sublime eyes. The eyes of a warrior who ignores her own desires and kills her own ego in order to protect the future.

I looked at Mafuyu-chan's eyes. They were eyes overflowing with love. The eyes of a saint who is prepared to sacrifice herself.

I have felt everyone's determination.

I cut off this calm flow of time (the time that was necessary for this train of thoughts and eye contacts, less than a tenth of a second) and assisted Chizuru-san.

“Let us play poker, Kaichou”

“Sugisaki? ...huh, what's wrong, Sugisaki! Your face has changed into a dramatic sketch.

“Please don't mind, Kaichou. Now, let us start......to make war”

“We are not going to start a war! Why did it suddenly come to starting a war!?”

“Ku....”

This is harsh. My faced turned without thinking. Looking at things, Chizuru-san and the Shiina sisters all hung their heads, looking pained.

Is this...is this what war is!?

Even though we are in such pain...this kaichou, shoots back without knowing anything!

Is....is injustice to this degree allowed!?

How...how unfair. Oh god. Why is it always us...to put up with this...

Kaichou, by her lonesome, asked “Why, everyone, what's wrong?” and was shocked.

Kuu... ...endure this, Sugisaki Ken. This is fine.

This is poker. If it goes well, we'll wrap this up in a minute. One minute. Just one minute of killing off my own ego!

The One Minute War. In the posterity, this battle will probably be called that, and it will be told and passed on from one generation of student council to another I should think.

Very well. Then let us see, shall we. The current Student Council's potentials!

Now, en garde!

“My turn! Draw!”

“Wha, Sugisaki!? What are you just starting the game arbitrarily for? At that, poker isn't a game like that no!?”

“...This is just a greetings. It is manners after a kind for me, who used to be called a duelist.

“Ha, haa. Well...it is fine to play poker, but...”

While Kaichou is confused by herself, I shuffled the cards once more just in case and took a deep breath. By doing that, I confirmed everyone's face...and, with a flood of thoughts put into it, started to deal the cards.

The Student Council room was filled with flicking sounds as I dealt the cards. With the Kaichou, she has already shifted her attention from questioning the general mood to the incoming game. She checked the cards she has been dealt one by one as she receives them, and waited seriously for the next card.

When everyone was dealt five cards each, we each checked our hands.

By the way, the rules to this game is simple.

Look at one's hand. Only once, one may change cards from the deck, in different orders. Look at it, if there is something one wants to change, change once. Toss away the cards to be changed and draw from the deck oneself...and that's it.

Kaichou moved at once.

She changed her cards.

Five cards.

“””!?”””

Everyone's face was tense with nervousness.

(What...what is she doing!?)

All change?

Is she underestimating poker?

Considering Kaichou's personality, for there to be absolutely no common point for the hand she had...hard to imagine that.

I thought of a possibility, and uneasily called out to Kaichou.

“U, um, Kaichou.”

“What Sugisaki?”

“Um...just as a reference, the cards you changed just now, is it ok if I see them?”

“Hm? Ok? Ah, you are trying to cheat?”

“N, no! Then I'll check my hands first then do that!”

Saying that, I hurriedly finished my own changes, and having smartly made it a no-pair, allowed myself to check the five cards that Kaichou changed.

And...I discovered the true horror behind this war.

“Wh...how can it... Could it be... Oh, can something like this be forgiven...oh God.”

I fell onto my chair, broken. The other members, disturbed by my reaction, each checked and changed their hands “Let me see this!”
“Me too!” “Ma, Mafuyu as well!” and snatched at the five cards that Kaichou changed.

And...everyone was shocked in the same manner.

Kaichou spluttered, “Eh, wa, wh, what?” confused....as she was doing that, we have all been shocked into a living death.

We...are the ones that have been underestimating things. This thing known as war.

War...is it as cruel as this...to this extent?

This...can this kind of an act be forgiven!?

We were completely beaten down.

From the hands of Mafuyu-chan, who last checked the cards that Kaichou changed, they gently fell.

Those cards...even though I don't want to see them anymore, I ended up looking at them.

A, A, A, K, K.

In other words.

Full House.

From the initial hand, full house.

That.

This Kaichou.

Threw away.

All of it.

And, in all likelihood...

“Then, open!”

Kaichou announced loudly.

Everyone, languidly, showed their cards.

No-pair. No-pair. No-pair. No-pair. No-pair.

Everyone, no-pair.

Everyone. Yes. Kaichou too.

And...Kaichou mouthed, words that shouldn't be spoken...a taboo that was to us matching that of nuclear weapons, she said them.

“Muuu~. I thought it'd show up somehow...Royal straight flush.

“””............”””

Everyone had the same thought.

“””This girl...is a genuine....”””

We all realized.

That, in this world, there is such a thing as “absolute”.

Even if a day where the sun does not rise comes to pass.

A day where this kaichou dominates in card games will “absolutely” not come to pass.

I looked at Chizuru-san's eyes. They are dyed with despair. The enemy is...beyond our imagination...our common sense couldn't even think of this level of weakness. No matter how much we hold back, it won't change anything...this is something like for a level 99 hero to be told to not kill a sl*me in one hit. It is impossible. To lower our level to that degree...it is impossible for us!
We are...powerless. No, that's not it. Kaichou, is powerless. Too powerless.

As we are covered in despair, Kaichou voluntarily starts gathering the cards and announced.

“So, what are we playing next~?”

“””!?”””

It feels as if behind our backs there is a mass of people, disquieted from the turn of events, making muttering noises and uncomfortably shifting.

Mafuyu-chan and Minatsu's eyes are shaking violently from unrest. Chizuru-san too seems as if she tried to keep her calm as she clutched about her heart in pain.

I too...stared at Kaichou with eyes full of fear.

What...did she say? Next? Next, she said? At that, “What are we playing~” by that...Poker is already done? How...how can that be! The war that so much...that we faced with so much determination...how...to end it just with that one word, do you mean to start the next war!?

“Fu...fuha....fuhahahahahaha”

“Su, Sugisaki?”

Without thinking, I began to laugh. Kaichou is stunned.

“No, nothing at all, Kaichou. No...Berserk”

“I don't understand you know! I am not Berserk, you know!?”

“Fu...in that case, shall we have it changed to Shura?”

“Change it to Kaichou or Sakurano Kurimu! Why did it became Shura!?”

“O, Shura. Do you love war this much!?”

“I don't like it!? Why is there such a misunderstanding about me!?”

“Very well. If you desire blood this much, we shall gladly become living sacrifices!”

“I don't understand your tone or your tension!”

“Come, everyone! It is war, it is war!” (Everything up to this point is kind of old and grand)

“””Ooooo~!”””

“Why did everyone else become like this!? What is this scary situation!?”

Seeing Chizuru-san and the Shiina sisters, who took up my call, Kaichou's expression cramped up.

This is how we were brought into a long, long fight.

This is the beginning of the war that is known to posterity as “The Crimson Tragedy”

<center>*</center>

That day everyone other than Kaichou reached a common ground: 'War, definitely, bad’

As we waited on the slightly late Kaichou, we convened amidst the heavy atmosphere.

Chizuru-san started the talk.

“Now...yesterday, we used the excuse that “it is too late” and brought the war to a temporary cease fire and went home, however... You all saw it too, right? Aka-chan's eyes. Those were eyes that still had the will to continue warring. In other words...today we will see the war resume. The war is not yet over.”

Shiina sisters' shoulders drooped visibly upon hearing Chizuru-san's words. The dark air about the student council room is not normal.

Why did it come to this. This and that, they are all...

“Mafuyu...it is all because you brought poker cards with you.”

Minatsu said the words that should not be said. Mafuyu-chan's eyes teared up as she sucked in her breath, however, the barbs of her words were not aimed at her sister, but at me.

“If we were to say that, Su, Sugisaki-senpai's proposal that “If Kaichou wins once, then that's it” is what's really...”

“Wha, Mafuyu-chan, that's not it! Besides, the cause for it to have escalated to such a degree was all because of the gamble that Chizuru-san took in suggesting poker...”

“Huh? You mean that I was wrong? Better than those who didn't do anything to help at all, I think...better than Minatsu there, who somehow was uninvolved just with this affair, right!?”

“Wha~ It is true that I didn't do anything, but I didn't make the situation any worse right!? That's right! At that, it is because of the three here that there was such a level of damage no!?”

“Tha, that's horrible, onee-chan! Then let me say what I have to say!”

...and because of that, the Student Council room is currently boiling over. This is a harem that feels horrible to be in. It seems like that wars can turn people's hearts into wastelands.

The four student council members, not including Kaichou, were supposed to be coming up with a way to deal with today, but, it seems like a situation where we can't even mount a plan.

Ah, dammit...this time's story's title, shouldn't we change that, given this.

So on that note, I arbitrarily introduce you the new title.

“Real – Chapter 6 ~ The Collapsing Student Council.

Crap. This is the final episode, like. Or perhaps it is about the episode before the last, this title.

So like...my plans are slowly coming to an end, even though it was a plan for it to end up as a harem. What is this. Haven't we become even more hostile than we were the first chapter?

Here is where I, who serves as the protagonist, will decisively make a choice and finish up, that is what light novel is right.

“Hear me, my women!”

“Key-kun (senpai/Ken) be quiet! Until H*nter x Hunter comes to a conclusion!”

“Until when!?”

So like that, I leave the stage dejected.

Conclusion.

Sorry, this, seems like a bad end, my readers.

Those who were expecting service scenes. Those who were expecting delicate scenes. Those who wanted to read at least a kiss scene. I am really sorry. I should have really looked at the walkthrough sites.

Next play I'll learn my lesson from this and I'll keep an eye out not to enter “The Playing Student Council” for chapter six. If Mafuyu-chan takes out poker cards, at that point, I will choose the choice “Wait a sec!” I'll do just that. I'll do just that.

…...

Since this is a light novel, here I kind of hoped to see whether some convenient occurrence of time flowing backwards would occur, but the results are disastrous. The argument is escalating. It has already escalated to the point that I do not wish to describe the situation.

Now now, what to do. After it is confirmed to be a bad end, what to do?

Ah, right.

I'll just die. Dead end, like. Let's just turn the power off for now.

On that note.

“Everyone, farewell. I am going to the next world.”

“””Yes?”””

“Time to die.”

I thrust a cutter knife to my neck, and...

“””Whaaaa!”””

Chizuru-san and the Shiina sisters, who were arguing up until this point, hurriedly rushed to me.

I was knocked off my stance, and with a clattering sound the three pushed me down.

The result.

“””......”””

Rejoice, readers!

The completion of a service scene! This place will most likely get picked up in color illustration, I think! Look carefully!

Chizuru-san, Minatsu and Mafuyu-chan are collapsed on top of me.

I am being pushed down by three females.

Unfortunately, my hand can't reach the brea...it didn't turn into a position like that, but I am quite joyful.

Soft~ The soft bodies are being pushed onto me from three directions.

This is...

Is this harem route!?

I have become enlightened and realized that to live is such a wonderful thing.

Such sweetness! Such...such joy!

I understand now.

I won't give up anymore! For the sake of obtaining this...this happiness, I will do anything!

That's right! What is war!? Something like that, I'll easily blow it aside!

The method that is used in games and animes, that method...even if I have to use the final solution!

“....oww”

Chizuru-san moaned, the three are squirming to get back on their feet. However I...with a fell swoop, pulled them down again! Just now, the female members again lost their posture and came in close contact with me.

“The hell, Ken, what are you doing!?”

“Se, senpai, it hurts!

I ignored the Shiina sisters' complaints and continued to hug them tighter.

Confirm the time! Hm, it is about time! It is about...

In that instance, the Student Council room's door cranked open, and...

“Now, let's play cards energetically today to....eh”

That was Kaichou's voice. Unfortunately I can't see her expression from here, but...most likely, she is looking at us right now and doing her best trying to figure out this situation.

“Um, ummm”

Seems like she is rather troubled as to how to respond.

A momentary hesitation. And like that...it seems like she has reached a conclusion.

“Su, Su~~gi~~sa~~ki~~!!”

It seems like she has decided to just get mad.

All as planned.

At the same time, the three girls who had escaped my bindings are screaming noisily.

“Wh, what are you doing Key-kun! How can it be that you have so much sexual drive built up... Urg. I, Akaba Chizuru, have misread you!”

“Shit, you, die! You idiot, finally showing your true self eh dammit!”

“Sniff...Sugisaki-senpai...I have misjudged you.”

Everyone looked at me with glances filled with hatred.

And, like that.

Kaichou's decisive word.

“Straighten up there, Sugisaki! Today is going to be all lectures for you!”

<center>*</center>

Like that, this “Crimson Tragedy”, by the appearance of a certain young man...'The Common Enemy of Humankind', ended vaguely like that.

After this, for three hundred years, this 'Enemy' is spoken of as the worst man ever. However, after that, by the discovery of the document that he has recorded: 'Seitokai no Ichizon', the interpretation of history has undergone a huge shift.

'The young man, perhaps he was not the enemy, but the messiah?' 'Could it be that he sacrificed himself in order to end the war?', a scholar who holds such views appeared.

However, such an interpretation is treated as heresy for most, and there was also the fact that the scholar died from a mysterious disease. In the end, the interpretation was not accepted by society.

The truth, even now, lies undiscovered.

…...

Though like, frankly, everyone just didn't give a damn.

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Seitokai no Ichizon:Volume 1 Chapter 2

2011-06-25T16:04:15Z

121.54.54.35:

“I’m not really scared of ghosts! Man himself is scared of ghosts!”

　Kaichou said this with her usual habit of puffing her small chest while reciting mere second-hand opinions.

　Frankly I agree, even though it was obviously too much to say, I placed myself firmly with the tactic of the yes-man.

“Ahh, yeah, that’s right.”

“Really! Ghosts and Monsters, humanity created them after all!”

“Well hold on, explain these questionable spirits…”

　Afraid of humans or whatever it’s called, or is it not what it seems. However, Kaichou was perfectly satisfied with returning to her chair...

However I always think, for what reason is she is probably throwing away her dignity with an obvious rip-off of a wise saying, this person.

　Not only I had thought this, but Chizuru-san, Minatsu, and Mafuyu-chan each had this reaction especially, also employing the tactic of “Well Done!”.

Kaichou started talking like this, ever since recently when the rumors about the 7 wonders of this school started to spread amongst the students.
　

The 7 wonders of this school. To understand all 7 wonders in some way, consider, somehow I was to fight 21 individuals. Overkill. It’s far from cursing someone to fall sick, it perhaps may be connected to two people’s unrelated deaths.
　

I can confidently say that the rumors aren’t very unique, considering the current state of affairs within this school, is what I would like to probably conclude at this place… Whatever concerns those 21 individuals it won't matter, but if that curse is true, it wouldn't just affect the school, it would become a whole region of devastation.

“We’re already under pressure from this situation!”

　Kaichou was enthusiastic about this. She wrote on the whiteboard in very thick pen “Today’s discussion・The situation concerning ghost stories”.

I don’t know why, but Kaichou seemed pretty happy about our new situation. By no means do I seriously fear any great biohazard damage.

Minatsu stealthily whispered into my ear,

“(Kaichou-san, why is she so enthusiastic?)”

“(Ah… It’s unexpected, but is she simply just questioning her fears?　It’s probably that sort.)”

“(Oh, it must be extremely influential to her. Which, we should test.)”

　Minatsu informed me of this in a sinister, yet merry tone, and raised her hand as Kaichou turned towards her as she continued her fervent speech.

“Hai, Hai!”

“Yes, Minatsu?”

“Kaichou-san, do you know this story? It’s a story about a girl who went into the girl’s bathroom――”

“Wa, wawawaaa!　What’s with the abrupt stories! Don’t deviate from the topic!”

“I’m not deviating. Look, to deal with this we need to know all the probable details right?”

“Uguuu… Alright! I haven’t heard of it!”

　Kaichou became flustered as she watched over the changing state of affairs.

　All the Student Council members’ eyes gleamed at this mysterious turn of events.

‘Hey this is some interesting new material!’

Seitokai no Ichizon:Volume 1 Chapter 1

2011-06-25T16:02:07Z

121.54.54.35:

"The world isn't boring. You've become a boring human!"
　
So that the usual Kaichou's small breasts stretched to mere second-hand telling of greatness or so I was told.

Lately however I have been receiving strange sights just like that from that I can see. I, however, am personally having loads of fun, though I probably can't see myself becoming one of those damned boring humans.

Yet, "firsts" are always fun.

First time falling in love.

First time making a friend.

First time making a mistake.

First time succeeding.

First time playing... an eroge!

Granted, I always think back to this.

"The old days sure were fun."

I think back to nursery school, when I was the same as a large number of other humans.

I think back to elementary school, when I was so glad to have that backpack.

I think back to middle school, when a bus pass presented to an adult gave the feeling of a gentleman, a man of virtue.

I think back to high school, when others kicked me down and as a consequence for exerting myself to win something for enjoyment; I remember all of it.

Yes, something significant like that.

"Well, what's so bad about virgins?"

"Pfft!"

　I asked the question, and Kaichou spat out all the tea as she coughed her throat out. As usual, she ad-libbed herself as the 'vulnerable person' because we were the only ones in the room. Today was all about having fun, though.

　Kaichou's eyes began to water, and she immediately went to the table where she dried her eyes with tissues. Then, she glared at me.

"Now it's my turn to speak, why not come back here and I'll return the favor?"

"That's sweet, Kaichou. But I have a standard way of thinking, and that way is by direct connection!"

"What pride! Sugisaki, in just a short time, you'll become aware of the vice president's role..."

"I am. I am fully aware that the Student Council is enough for my harem—"

"Denied! Self-aware Vice President, listen up: first off, start by throwing away that fact from your self-conscious. "

　Kaichou made an earnest comeback, just like any other day. Even then, it was still cute, Kaichou。

　I smugly looked below at her short stature. In addition, the young child was trying to compensate for her childishness by stretching and changing her behavior, but in
the end it was a fruitless effort by Kaichou and she damned her size, wanting to sprout and become tall.

　So, she tried to sprout. But just like that the reality of those words hit her. It was a lovely sight, but it was already too late for her as the whole school could recognize her. It was too cute. Kaichou at one time observed budding anime characters grow up. She was an irregular little girl.

"Kaichou."

"What?"
　
Kaichou wiped up the tea and curled the tissue up, aimed it at the trash bin at the corner of the room. She shut one eye and seriously started to aim, it was extremely cute.

　Kaichou was cute enough that I put my elbow to the desk and informed her,

"I like you. Please go out with me."

"Nya!"

She jumped, sending the clump of tissue flying beautifully in the opposite direction of the trash can.

Kaichou scowled at me with watery eyes.

"Sugisaki, why is this superficial confession occurring?!"

"I'm serious."

"Liar!"

"‘Hi_rashi' material is seriously old, Kaichou"

Even if she did reply back through her trembling tear filled eyes, it was a quite a tragic predicament.

"Sugisaki, don't tell me you've forgotten your first speech?!"

"What was it? Uhhh… ‘Its fine, go ahead without me!' … Was it?

"What kind of circumstances was the Student Council in at the beginning?!　Wrong!"

"I didn't say that? Well then… ‘I have no interest in ordinary humans. If you are a Time traveler, alien―'"

"That's dangerous Sugisaki! That has varied meanings!"

"It's fine. It's original."

"What sort of assurance is that?!　Anime doesn't descend from god!"

　I was scolded by Kaichou. … No wait, I need to get to the bottom of this subject, right?　Isn't that the wrong label?　I quickly remembered back to that time.
　... Yes. I, remember that time, gathered the student council members… 4 beautiful bishoujos, and made a proclamation.

<img src="img/生徒会01_010.jpg">

"I love you all. I love you so much. I want to go out with everybody. It's absolutely for everyone's happiness. "

"Yes! That time, you gave the Student Council that half-baked confession! Listen up, you can't just say you want to go out with someone but not care which person, who's swayed by that?!"

"How rude. Anyone proper could be swayed. As a certain author said, ‘I have no interest in anyone that isn't a bishoujo.'"

"I think you just want anyone cute! Also, if you go on and do that Fujimi Fantasia Bunko[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Translator_Notes_%26_References] we can move on!"

"I have a single-track mind!　Bishoujos!"

"I should tie you up!"

"They sure are rare, Bishoujos."

"That's not the problem! A confession at one moment of time to several people, it's not sincere!"

"Eh… Isn't it better than an indecisive main character? This is just the beginning, and declaring, "I'm aiming for the Harem Route!", doesn't it make me more manly?"

"Unfortunately the protagonist and you run contrary to a Galge[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Translator_Notes_%26_References] !

"Then are you saying the fact is I'm not a protagonist! Even if I love girls?!

"Basically you are the worst choice for a protagonist! It's a selection! You are more like the protagonist's friend! Realize that you are a joke character for gags!"

　Kaichou was awfully detailed.

"Someone else has a nice face too-"

"Of an influential artist!"

　Only Kaichou would say that about Bishoujo Characters… I guess, but whatever.

I chatted with the president as I went to pick up her discarded tissue; it was only a short distance from the trash can.

"… …"

　I sat down while watching the complex Kaichou. I tilted my seat back and forth.

"What happened?　Kaichou…"

"… Sugisaki, occasionally you are kind of thoughtful and sometimes kind… subconsciously…"

"Ah… With that sort of opening, I think you can get a more favorable impression right?"

"That was your aim!? Damn it! Already I have gone and somewhat increased my inner relationship points!"

"Hehehe… Well, actually that's really exaggerated, but I'm certain it's my aim, more or less. I mean, it is an old habit. It makes me popular among the women though.

It's subconsciously done now."

"Hmmm… That isn't a common ero power."

"Yes, it's not a common power, for me. When my destination is the Harem Route, absolute strength becomes necessary."

"Ah, it takes physical strength, you say."

　With Kaichou's loli appearance, that sort is useless for stories. She went and plugged her ears. … Cute.

　However…

"Kaichou. You're too late; I have said all the evidence that needs to be understood…"

"………Waa"

　Damn, she turned red. She nervously fidgeted around. … cute. It's really cute, Kaichou. Because it was a great effort by the Student Council to understand me,
Kaichou became a great driving force behind it.

　So Kaichou continued on with that, unfortunately really, until the door to the Student Council room opened intruding their time together.

"Ki-Kun. Stop teasing Aka-chan so much."

　So says, like the president a third-year, the female secretary, Chizuru-san as she entered.

　By the way that's my nickname, Ki-kun. My given name is "Key" written as "Ken" therefore, Ki-kun.

　Another point, Aka-chan was Kaichou. Also, Kaichou's given name is "Kurimu" and, Kurimuzon＝Crimson[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Translator_Notes_%26_References] or, Aka-chan [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Translator_Notes_%26_References] I can say with confidence that these nicknames are awfully simplistic but, Chizuru-san seems to be pleased with that. Kaichou personally gets annoyed and says, "I do not act like a baby!" however, her loli appearance as she says, which is not too far from "exactly" what Chizuru-san and I think.

　However, you call your classmates by their family name and your underclassmen by their first name. With that fact alone, it's a very good feeling to be called a nick name from her, however Chizuru-san says, ‘I don't mean anything from that, I don't have any particular feelings for you.' Mysterious woman indeed…

　Now that Chizuru-san is here, Kaichou became a totally different person. A tall figure, it appeared as if she was born into an influential family, furthermore her long black hair rustled and flowed, it was fascinating to be so close to the sprinkles of her adult charm. Her nature, a Kuudere[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Translator_Notes_%26_References] while acting kindly to possess a balance…

　Kaichou has a different significance however; it's still possible to say she is an ideal bishoujo. No, rather than a bishoujo, you can perhaps say she is a beautiful person.

Her seat during meetings was chosen at her discretion, I argued.

"It's not something I tease about. However, I will embarrass her."

"It's not that bad."

"It will be fine. We both had the same idea."

　I had to explain; Kaichou was shouting, "Liar!" and was ignoring me.

　While Kaichou reverted to a child-like personality, Chizuru-san started talking to her.

"But, no one else is coming. My Harem!"

"The Student Council is not your Harem Ki-Kun. But, where are they? We don't have anything spectacular planned. Whenever we get together, eventually we just talk and
eat sweets these days."

　As she was saying, Chizuru-san immediately reached for her bag and took out some food while taking a sip of her mineral water.

"You don't understand, Chizuru-san. Basically feelings change, and it's a fact that change happens every meeting. Look, even Galge, the meeting places are decided by the
heroine right?"

"Even if its natural knowledge, that's a bit troubling…"

"In other words, the Student Council Room is where I come to raise my affection levels, and if they don't come how will they have an event scene―"

"So that's why they aren't coming. That's preferable."

　It was a quick and cruel Tsukkomi[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Translator_Notes_%26_References] jab. Chizuru-san… Kaichou could obviously do Tsukkomi, but not to that extent, and was occasionally cruel as well. That was just plain psychological damage.

　I cleared my throat loudly, adding some positive thinking.

"But, Chizuru-san, you came to raise our affection levels as well"

"… Ah… Hmm, that must be it."

　What a cruel rejection. Superb inattention though. She took a snack out of the basket, and crunched on it as she started her homework.

"Ku… but such Kuudere characters, their feelings get intense once they fall for you!"

"Ah, correct. I'm very intense. In elementary school, I sent 300 love letters to my first love as a child one day saying, "I like you", over and over in a list in the
letters I gave him, in the end his mind broke. His fragility was surprising; from then on I decided to become a Kuudere person. … You I wonder however..."

　As I stared at Chizuru-san a particular detail of her mouth changed into a thin smile, as if she became cheerful.

　Kaichou's "Hig__rashi" material was growing extremely terrifying now.

　It can't be helped…

"I understand."

"Eh, are you prepared after hearing my story? Are you going to accept all of me?　Wait a moment, that's a bit high of you, Ki-kun. I'm certain Ki-kun that flag is a bit mediocre―"

"Chizuru-san, I'm just aiming for a physical relationship! There is no need for love!"

"… Ah, next question, then."

　I got ignored magnificently. Oh well. But… aiming for a physical relationship, that unskillful way would make it more difficult with the girls right?
　And thinking on it, suddenly, Kaichou quickly extended her hand for one of Chizuru's snacks. Just before she ate the snack I gave her a warning.

"You're going to gain weight…"

"Uguu~~. … It will be fine. The nutrition, it will in turn help me get bigger breasts and grow taller!"

"But… isn't there a bigger risk that it will go to your stomach, that's a big concern."

"Ah, it will be fine! It will be difficult for me to gain weight!"

"However with your development it's probably hard to do."

"… Eh! Damn!"

　Ah, damned eating.

"… Answer the following question … Okay… ‘Metabolic Syndrome'…"

"…"

　Chizuru-san looked at her notes, and called them awful. … It was likely she had a problem like that.

　Kaichou, taking a photo of her snacks, made the tension drop tremendously. … Eventually the troubles ended, and she still ate her food.

　I put my hand on Kaichou's shoulder.

"It will be alright, Kaichou. If no one will take your hand anymore…"

"Eh? Possibly… If I'm fat, Will you still take me? Even if I am not a bishoujo? Sugisaki…you…"

　Kaichou was moved to tears. I gave her a pleasant smile.

"If no one will take your hand… Live through your work."

"Realistic advice!?"

"I give assistance behind the shadows!"

"What shadows?! My standard way of life is beginning to forsake me! I don't have any value if I'm fat!"

"Well then, if you don't want to get fat keep fighting for me, I loudly support you."

"Auuuー"

　Kaichou dropped her shoulders. Kaichou looked like somewhat almost ready to accept her new reality, it was cute but her mood wasn't what I was hoping for… However I was caught unprepared for my harem member to feel so troubled. My harem members, each one of them, have to keep herself shining or otherwise it's no good! It's similar to a mother when she casts away her daughter like that!

"Good luck, you're going to need it to stay in my Harem!"

"Ah, maybe it's better to rapidly get fat."

"…"

　Why everybody, but I can say with total confidence that is tsun. Slowly someone will have to fall dere for me, or I'll become completely lonely. The protagonist of a galge is popular with women, and is also not miserable. I had many opportunities, where they would end up in a close friend ending in life, instead of that happening I'm going to have a pitiful life.

Chizuru-san had started a full blown effort on her homework, while Kaichou had become serious and ate her snacks in a total daze.

　With the enormous free time I started thinking about our next topic, but then the door rattled open, this time two girls entered the room.

"Hello everyone!"

"Ah, sorry for being late."

　The contrasting attitudes went out together.

　The girl with lots of energy earlier, Shiina Minatsu, who is also a vice president like me, furthermore she's also my classmate.

　Her long hair was tied into two pigtails (read Twin-Tails), and also because she's in "this Student Council", it's a fact that she's naturally a bishoujo.

　Even if there aren't any specific club activities, she's quite active and a bit boyish… perhaps a good way to describe her would be a tomboy. But the fact is her livelihood is refreshing, and besides being popular with the guys, her popularity is high among the girls. Moreover it's also pretty rare; a few of her followers have some special feelings for her, and so her popularity skyrockets.

　It's just… It's just, I dislike her masculine ways, as my classmate and as my peer as vice president from my standpoint she should be asking me for help, so I am instantly hostile to that tendency. It should be like an orthodox tsundere… but even as a dere there is not even a sign of a problem.

　And, going to the person who was bowing their head in apology, I quickly moved my eyes and stopped at the other girl, Shiina Mafuyu. Minatsu's younger sister and a first year. Her position is treasurer but the student council doesn't get very much money and therefore has nothing to do.

　Also this child, she spent so much time with her active older sister and became absorbed in her own world, therefore she's not good with men, I'm pretty confident her youth can pull some heartstrings. Well … the reason she isn't good with men is because she dislikes them, but I'm certain it's due to her older sister (Her sister has a poisonous preference for Yuri 、making her think that men are scary).

　She had straight pale hair and white skin, and her modest ribbons became a charm point. Her first name is called "Mafuyu" and it's was a very good name. To have such childishness and cuteness, everyone would call the girl "Mafuyu-chan"。A few would call her "Mafuyu-san" or just "Mafuyu" which would be just as fitting for this child. But, only her older sister Minatsu can call Mafuyu that, as for the reason it's a mystery.

　That's the Shiina sister's background, in my observations of the two.

"Yes Yes, Minatsu and Mafuyu-chan, ‘For the first time something is so interesting' or something like that, was there something interesting?"

　We returned back to the first subject.

"Well, that's unexpected."

　Minatsu took a seat next to me, watching me suspiciously.

"Well… Kaichou wrote, the world hasn't become boring; you have become boring, so what's the reason? "

"Because you people are rude!"

　Kaichou makes a racket like that a lot however, we just ignore her. The two sisters pondered for a bit with a small "Hmmm".

　Mafuyu-chan was sitting diagonally from me, and she was the first to answer back.

"Or, Mafuyu's makeup… right?"

"Makeup?"

"Yes. As a young child I watched my mother, I really wanted to be like her. So, in middle school, I bought my first cosmetics set and I was really happy… Mafuyu thought, and I would dress up like her but I didn't like it too much. Recently, I have been wearing a minimal amount…"

"Ah, I see. Mafuyu-chan's appearance. It's alright, Mafuyu-chan! Mafuyu-chan, you're cute enough without the make up! Rather, I would hide the cosmetics and show off your natural beauty Mafuyu- chan, which is even better!"

"Ah, thank you…"

"Ken! Stop flirting with my little sister in front of me!"

　Mafuyu-chan shrank and blushed at my words, while Minatsu shouted at me. It's the same as usual. I sighed, I put my hand on Minatsu who was sitting next to me.

"Yes… Yes. Jealous Minatsu… It's perfectly charming!"

"No, No, I'm not jealous!"

"Minatsu, if we marry, Mafuyu will become my sister in law and when you think about it that's a great charm―"

"Hey what about my charm!"

　Minatsu became really angry… it was cute for her. Even with jealousy …

"I'm not jealous!"

"Oh! We now have telepathy! My goal is near!"

"That's scary! To get something like that from you is really scary! To get that impression is also really scary!"

"That impression? … Well it was inevitable. I guess I should leave it at that. Shy-san♪"

"I'm going to kill him…"

　I shivered at Minatsu's words, while Mafuyu frantically tried to calm her down.

　Well now, we've precisely gathered all the Student Council Members today.

I see that I am surrounded by 4 individual bishoujos, with me alone, I'm pleased to say.

"Yess, it's a celebration of my Harem! I get to watch this scene unfold. Its great I worked hard at getting into the Student Council."

　With my words, Chizuru-san said "That reminds me" and put down her homework.

"Ki-kun got in using the "Excellence Method" … Although it doesn't look like it."

"I agreeー. This guy, when you look at him he's nothing more than a lovestruck idiot.ー"

　Minatsu had the same thought, while Mafuyu-chan giggled.

　I attempted to reply, but Kaichou placed her snack on the desk.

"I say it's a terrible thing but, in spite of it the elections for the Student Council are utterly ridiculous! The popularity contest is ridiculous, but the excellence
method is also, when they don't assess the top scorer in the year based on mental state!"

　Kaichou had already often said her complaints about the system. Besides that I already have a standard reply to her complaints.

"I think this system is the best."

　The selection system of our School's Student Council Members is very different from other schools.

　First, basically there is an absolute "Popularity Contest" for the election of members. However, this always brings in cute girls. So, it's really just a beauty pageant.

　Beautiful women are yearned for by both men and women. Beautiful men however, they provoke animosity among the other men. Then obviously a cute girl wins by default.

　The system, it's actually quite sensible. Though it may be a choice for appearance, and really it's campaigning for nothing, the students live life everyday purely, just to vote for someone they admire.

　When it comes to it, the "Students of Yearning", they unexpectedly listen exactly to what the Student Council says. Besides… frankly, it's common knowledge how anyone would not actually do work in the Student Council. Selections based on appearance, it was a big problem. They only had charisma.

　As a consequence, the Student Council was filled with Bishoujos.

Due to that, it became a meeting ground. Then a new method came up, the "Excellence Method". The person in the year with the best grades… from the end of year tests、if that person's wish was to get into the Student Council, it was possible to do so. It was made in order so an excellent person could get in, without worrying about outward appearances… Generally, the people who put the effort into studying, they weren't interested.

　But, because of this hope of taking the top students at the end of the year… I, Sugisaki Ken, took this chance. It was a simple reason. It's…

"But, Ken did well. It wasn't all about power."

　I looked at Minatsu whose eyes shined with amazement. Kaichou sighed and muttered, "Really".

"It was for getting me into the "Bishoujo Community", anything really. Yes. Even if I had the lowest grades in the Entrance Exams, a year ago I became obsessed with getting to the top, but it was a piece of cake though."

"… Ah, something Mafuyu thinks is that Sugisaki-sempai could be a very humble guy…"

"Mafuyu! That's an extreme delusion! To admire someone like Ken is a total delusion!"

　Minatsu said that with extreme rudeness.

"My intelligence is a fact, Minatsu."

"You have impure motives! Your enrollment in the Student Council and you've tried to tie us up with your feelings…"

"Even politicians, problems with women is probably likely to become a scandal right? A person, with risqué material more or less, it's easier with people with higher standing. I, at middle age, with my hands up female high school girl's skirts, peeking to feed my hungry intentions and confirming my forgotten dignity."

"It's difficult to pull and reveal skirts!"

　I was affected by Minatsu's words, and even Kaichou joined in with a "Yeah!" damn it.

"To get in because of grades, it's odd! Also because of that, Sugisaki resembles a problem child…"

"It's difficult to believe that everyone in the Student Council is in love with me…"

"Not a single person is in love with you!"

"Ehh?!"

"What a surprise! You are too overconfident in yourself!"

"No…It can't be… What about that night with you Kaichou…"

"What night with me?!"

"Ehhhh?!"

"I'm surprised you are talking about this, stop saying things…"

"Can't be… Kaichou. Well then, perhaps that night was not what I was thinking…"

"That's what I have been saying."

　Kaichou withdrew into herself and searched her memories.

　Everyone in the group watched attentively, and I said a celebratory phrase to myself.

"That night, Kaichou, you had many intense dreams and you desired me, is it not?!"

"Here is a criminal wannabe! A stalker in the making!"

"That's mean! Why would you toy with my pure heart like that?!"

"But you are also toying with my emotions!"

　Kaichou became tired of shouting and sat down to take a breath. It was expected with Kaichou having a small build, and little strength. For just a minute, the argument
died, and was completely gone.

　Seeing the disheveled state of affairs, Chizuru-san closed her notebook and started talking.

"Ki-kun. I don't particularly dislike you, but honestly don't you think it would be better to conduct yourself in a more intelligent way? Even if you are creating a harem, you shouldn't be declaring it, but sincerely making favorable circumstances, that's the easier road."

"Hmmm… Chizuru-san's idea is reasonable… But, smoothing over things like this, however! My figure is full of desire, and that's the truth! For myself, its unskillful nonsense! Now, I'm devoted to my sexual desire!"

"Your heart is severely rotten."

　I looked at Minatsu who gave me a cold look. Ah, the ‘tsun' period.

　My life is based on the bible of Galge… no, it's actually about Eroge (I want age limits on them though) it appears. You don't start a harem, it's expected that the character has a steady process, and frankly the character is in the best place. That sort of place should have significance, and right now I'm in a very blessed place.

"Fufufu… One by one in succession, the student council members will fall dere under my influence…"

"I have to say something about your influence…"

　Mafuyu-chan made a wry smile.

"Well, if you aren't dere, I'd quickly change plans to make you dere by disgrace―"

"That's a refreshing level of heresy, you bastard."

　It appears that Minatsu's tsun meter has swung back yet again.

　I waved my finger at her "Tsk, Tsk, Tsk".

"It's alright , Minatsu. Think about it... but frankly I have a system for this kind of story, instead of raising everyone's relationship points steadily, in my style I'll
raise them "one chapter at a time"."

"What?"

"It isn't in just Galges, it appears they are school dramas also right?　The teacher helps students with their problems, and gradually goes through the whole class. And in the last part of the story, all the students in his class say their thanks, and in that sense it's a harem ending."

"You're contaminating the mood of a school drama with that last part."

"Yes… But I will start with the person who is most favorable to me, Mafuyu-chan, then Kaichou, then Minatsu, and then Chizuru-san, gradually taking problems that get harder in difficulty, and then magically, everyone loves me…"

"Whatever, I think Chizuru-san is easier to capture than me, it's a bit annoying."

"Mafuyu… Why am I the first target…?"

　Mafuyu trembled. With excitement I hope.

　Kaichou, who was probably still tired, of course started attacking my idea.

"Why am I after Mafuyu-chan?! Where did you get that thought?!"

"Eh? Because Kaichou…it's already too late, you've already reached the second stage right? For example when I walk with another Bishoujo, you get upset at the situation
right?"

"When you walk with another girl Sugisaki, I quickly contact the police, so they can protect her!"

"Kaichou is jealous."

"Aaah, Sugisaki I'm going to send you to the cruelest bad ending!"

　Kaichou's eyes were very dark. It was like a Japanese chestnut kind of color, she averted her eyes.

　Since no one went to support her, I decided to change the subject.

"But, I fear the worst end is what you had said at the beginningー"

"? What? What are you saying?"

"Becoming a boring person… in short, this blessed environment, it seems as if it's becoming less blessed, I think. This chapter in my life, the me right now… has been in the student council for a month now, this harem situation I can't help but think this was enjoyable. Someday… someday, if I may become used to all the circumstances like this, I think."

"Ah. Well, I understand, I guess."

　Unusually, Kaichou agreed with my idea. Also, a sigh.

"As such, it could go one way or another if one is careful with it. It's the same with your rank in life. With a person's affluence in life, if their income falls, their standard of life would stay the same."

"Again, being bishoujo loli schoolgirl is a different experience to begin with."

"I was out of it. I like a fatherly type of management however. For better or worse, or rather an intense ebbing and flowing rate of income."

"I see. Because of that Kaichou, money still can't stop a teenage youth's hobby…"

"Sugisaki, I'm confused! What hobby?! Also I'm not a wicked woman!"

"Besides, a characteristic of slapping men's cheeks with a wad of money, that has to change…"

"I'm a noble person! Say what you want, but let's not go that far!"

"Now in poverty, uniquely, ones purpose in life would be to pick up home invading ants with their limbs…"

"I am not a dark woman! Money isn't a problem, it's not!"

　Kaichou used up all her energy shouting and became tired… Messing around with a senior of this school has very unusual effects.

　However, if I remember correctly, when I became the top student, I remember when I was at the bottom rank and had to go back to get the top rank. In other words, I can
say with confidence I was a boring human.

　Happiness was right there, I just had to look inside. I wanted to get better, to get higher; I still wanted to get higher. But one day I reached a limit… I started to stagnate, and that guy felt this boring world, and perhaps became a "Boring Human"。

　But…

"Well, Mafuyu, I don't want it to happen either… But, how would I, in that case, understand what went wrong?"

　Mafuyu-chan looked dejected. I agree though. It's natural for a human to seek the top, and it's difficult to keep in check. Chizuru-san, "Finally I understand, it's like reaching the highest mental height you can achieve", and what she says is quite plausible.

"Yeah, something like that is boring."

　Minatsu was a bit annoyed… but it was certainly boring. Might as well… while I am young, I might as well realize something has opened in my heart, I want to be smiling forever.

　Chizuru-san continued on.

"Well, some people… the people we call ‘winners', they rapidly keep going higher. Generally most of us, would compromise somewhere, and be relatively happy."

"Relatively happy…Hmmm"

　I, after all will probably be buried in a mediocre place.

　I'll work in a major, but not large, company.

　I'll probably be above average in salary.

　Probably an office job.

　If I keep working at it, I'll probably become a section chief.

　The world wouldn't change much with work.

　I'll disappear frequently.

　In that environment courage and willpower sneak away, oh well, with each day that passes.

　………………

"That's no good."

"Eh?"

　I muttered to myself, everyone could see. I received everyone's look… and, I abandoned all those thoughts and stood up!

"I'll create a Bishoujo Harem!"
My loud declaration!

Minatsu said shockingly, "And, he says he's going to become Pirate King…".The other members looked at me and said something about my circumstances, "Again.", nevertheless I will continue on.

"Even if I compromise, I'll only compromise for a high place! The Bishoujos shall serve me, someday, I can say from the place I rise to ‘Ah, they are getting boring', that
will be my compromise!"

<img src="img/生徒会01_035.jpg">

"I see. For the time being I'll just let that go until I leave. I'd like to leave it at that."

　Chizuru-san for some reason smiled. Oh, did the points go up? As usual, I caught that wasn't the aim by the way.

Minatsu smiled and said, "Aside from harems, it's not a bad stance."

Mafuyu-chan then softly smiled and said, "I have the impression that…it's better than being worried, but it would be nice if we keep trying to go higher."

　Then, Kaichou started talking…

"Ehh, you guys do you your best, I'm too tired"

　Useless person.

　I understand my situation in life, I'll aim higher, and it's relatively too late to compromise now.

　The student council chief threw the expectations of her post away.

　She stuffed her cheeks with crunchy snack food, and her face was filled with happiness.

　……….. Well, good enough.

　If she's happy I'm okay with that. Simple, simple.

　Kaichou ends up eating candy (Still Chizuru-san keeps bringing them…) and her cheeks puffed up with a cute burp, I announce my satisfaction.

"I say, we should disband for today."

"………."

　Everyone thought about being a useless member of society.

　Well, I eventually broke it up however, because of that.

　……Well now, I gradually started the work we didn't do.

　　　　　　
----

"… Hey, we left Sugisaki in the Student Council room."

　Kurimu met with the other Student Council members at the gate and turned towards them, and bitterly smiled. The girls frowned though, while smiling。

　Minatsu's shoulder started to make a sound.

"Really, we should go support him. … We spent a long time chatting, and doing all the Student Council's duties with just himself alone, it shouldn't be like that…"

"Well, Mafuyu, do you like Sugisaki-sempai?"
　
Mafuyu's words made everyone breathe a sigh, and, Kurimu started talking to the members.

"At school, no one really hates him. Really… if he wasn't talking about that harem of his, he'd have a girlfriend, I guess he's too simple…"

"That's true, Aka-chan. Isn't Ki-kun a wonderful person?"

"Hey, I didn't say that Chizuru-san! "
　
Kurimu naturally became impatient with Chizuru, while Minatsu and Mafuyu laughed a little… But everyone understood. Everyone, certainly, had some sort of good feelings
towards Sugisaki Ken. Everyone tried to suppress it except… none other than Sugisaki Ken himself.

　He emphasized his harem, but he was a special individual, making friends where people would defend against it as a noble characteristic. However despite all that, he truly loved the Student Council members from the bottom of his heart, and they were embarrassed by his support. They were embarrassed…

　Chizuru looked up at the only person in the Student Council room and muttered,

"He's always talking about his harem. But he… He is our central pillar."

"Central pillar?"

"Yes. After all this, what else is there to call him, all of us, I think it's just a little bit beyond us. A scar, in other words."

　Chizuru finished talking, and Kurimu, Minatsu, and Mafuyu's facial expression changed into muttering. They were certain, each of them had private petty problems that they
had. They never talked about it with each other; of course Sugisaki Ken knew as well but didn't care.

　Chizuru continued on.

"But, we just chat in the Student Council Room, and it helps. It's very fun in there. Even if it's fake… it's like the warmth of family members around a dinner table in that room. And it's created, arguably, by Ki-kun. Therefore… he is our central pillar. The fact that he is the Student Council's central pillar, in addition to, he's also the central pillar to our whole school."

　Following Chizuru's words, Kurimu turned to look at the Student Council room.

"No. I say he is more like the role of the teacher in the school drama"

"It's different, he doesn't help us with our problems, and he gives us a place to rest easily however."

"Well, Mafuyu is very, very thankful."

　After Mafuyu's words, everyone started laughing. It seems that everyone was feeling better. Another thing to say is, how much business everyday that turns up in the Student Council room to finish, and of course Sugisaki turns it into a place to relax.

　Kurimu said, "Well then.", and settled the subject.

"Let's head home!"

"B-But, is it really alright? I―"

"It's alright. I mean, this is what Sugisaki wanted, so don't think about it. If that's the case, we have to respect his will."

"………"

"Well, instead, if something is bothering Sugisaki、we should direct our full energy into helping him."

"Kaichou-san…"

　Mafuyu was moved so much by Kaichou her eyes became cloudy. And continued on with a , "But…"

"But, we are not going to date him, Kaichou-san."

"That's a different story. That's some serious cheating…"

　An immeadiate reply.

　Kurimu put an end to the discussion saying, "Then, see you tomorrow", and ran off. The members parted saying farewells to each other and headed back home.

　Amongst the twilight, Kurimu whispered as if it was to Sugisaki himself.

"Being a boring human, it's not bad at all…"

　If you consider gathering together people who think their life is boring, maybe, on the contrary it could break out into something fun.

　Hekiyou Private Academy Student Council.

　Every day, boring people have fun conversations there.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Seitokai no Ichizon: Volume 1 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seitokai no Ichizon|Seitokai no Ichizon]]
| Forward to [[Seitokai no Ichizon: Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seitokai no Ichizon:Volume9 Short Story

2011-06-25T15:46:14Z

121.54.54.35: /* The morning, in front of the school building, Chizuru Akaba's situation */

===The morning, in front of the school building, Chizuru Akaba's situation===

This day has finally come.

February 14th, Valentine's day.

It's the day where girls give chocolates to the boys they like, that kind of depressing day.

......Ah no, the me until last year, shouldn't have reasons to hate that day. To me, be it the normal behaviour or not, or is it the atmosphere which influenced me, the boys in my class didn't make a move to extort Giri chocolates from me. Apart from some girls who occasionally gave me some Honmai chocolates, as well as the 5% of people who are more annoying than usual in my entourage, I was not excited over this. 

But this year, the situation was different.

That's right.

I unconciously have someone to whom I would like to give chocolates, for the first time this year.

"......Ah, really, what should I do......"

Hiding her body behind of the column beside the front door, while waiting for him......waiting for Key-kun to come, while looking inside her bag.

Inside was prepared some slighly expensive black chocolate bought from the department store on the road. The packaging was very unique, wrapping the most simply possible. ......It was indeed 'my own style's' packaging.

"Hm......it, it isn't hand, hand-made. R-right. It should be good."

Since yesterday......ah, no, since a few days ago I constantly asked myself that question and answering to it for numerous times......In fact, in my whole life until now, I haven't given chocolates to anyone, even giri chocolates.

Whatever it is, the 'first time' would always make someone nervous.

Especially that I do every other things with more 'mature' mature manners than my entourage, so if I fail in this kind of situation, I would be more hurt than every other person.

"It, isn't it weird? To give the chocolate that I just bought to a male junior......hm, even a little bit weird............Isn't it weird?"

Even though I've never experienced that, I can't help but be very bothered if there are errors in my predictions. Clearly the normal me, even if I haven't experienced something, I could act with more confidence. But if...it has something to do with Valentine's day, I don't know why, but I can't be calm at all.

"Calm, calm down, Chizuru Akaba. Why, why does my heart beats so fast. A-After all, it isn't a confession. Right, that, after all, this aren't some Honmei chocolates Right, these are only meant to my junior who always takes care of me, I'll say it clearly that it's giri......giri......"

Seitokai no Ichizon:Volume9 Short Story

2011-06-25T15:40:49Z

121.54.54.35: /* The morning, in front of the school building, Chizuru Akaba's situation */

===The morning, in front of the school building, Chizuru Akaba's situation===

This day has finally come.

February 14th, valentine's day.

It's the day where girls give chocolates to the boys they like, that kind of depressing day.

......Ah no, the me until last year, shouldn't have reasons to hate that day. To me, be it the normal behaviour or not, or is it the atmosphere which influenced me, the boys in my class didn't make a move to extort Giri chocolates from me. Apart from some girls who occasionally gave me some Honmai chocolates, as well as the 5% of people who are more annoying than usual in my entourage, I was not excited over this. 

But this year, the situation was different.

That's right.

I unconciously have someone to whom I would like to give chocolates, for the first time this year.

"......Ah, really, what should I do......"

Hiding her body behind of the column beside the front door, while waiting for him......waiting for Key-kun to come, while looking inside her bag.

Inside was prepared some slighly expensive black chocolate bought from the department store on the road. The packaging was very unique, wrapping the most simply possible. ......It was indeed 'my own style's' packaging.

"Hm......it, it isn't hand, hand-made. R-right. It should be good."

Since yesterday......ah, no, since a few days ago I constantly asked myself that question and answering to it for numerous times......In fact, in my whole life until now, I haven't given chocolates to anyone, even giri chocolates.

Whatever it is, the 'first time' would always make someone nervous.

Especially that I do every other things with more 'mature' mature manners than my entourage, so if I fail in this kind of situation, I would be more hurt than every other person.

"It, isn't it weird? To give the chocolate that I just bought to a male junior......hm, even a little bit weird............Isn't it werid?"

Even though I've never experienced that, I can't help but be very bothered if there are errors in my predictions. Clearly the normal me, even if I haven't experienced something, I could act with more confidence. But if...it has something to do with Valentine's day, I don't know why, but I can't be calm at all.

"Calm, calm down, Chizuru Akaba. Why, why does my heart beats so fast. A-After all, it isn't a confession. Right, that, after all, this aren't some Honmei chocolates Right, these are only meant to my junior who always takes care of me, I'll say it clearly that it's giri......giri......"