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Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3.5 Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～

2011-06-05T16:55:24Z

76.30.134.122: /* Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～ */

==Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～==

'''Please fill in the correct name of the historical person in the blank below.'''

The person who instituted the rakuichi rakuza and abolished monopolies to promote business and economic growth is ______.

'''Himeji Mizuki’s answer:'''

“Oda Nobunaga”

'''Teacher’s comment:'''

Correct answer.

'''Shimada Minami’s answer:'''

“Chonmage”[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3.5_Translation_Notes_and_References#]

'''Teacher’s comment:'''

Gotten used to Japan already? Sensei’s a bit worried on seeing your answer.

'''Yoshii Akihisa’s answer:'''

“Nobu”

'''Teacher’s comment:'''

You’re very familiar with him, aren't you?

[[Image:BTS vol 03.5 007.jpg|thumb|Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～]]

After we shifted here, onee-chan seemed to be a lot more lethargic.

Is it because she’s being bullied at school? Or is it that there’s someone she finds irritating?

But then again, every time onee-chan talked about those classmates, it sounded really interesting. Onee-chan also seemed like she really likes them…

If so, why’s onee-chan so lethargic?

Is it because of school work? Onee-chan did say before the she has some difficulty.

I hope the onee-chan can recover soon.

It’s going to be onee-chan’s birthday, would onee-chan be motivated if I give her a huge plushie? Onee-chan always loved dolls after all.

Mm, let’s do that! I’ll buy a big big Noi doll for onee-chan to cheer her up!

…I wonder if I have enough pocket money?

<center>☆</center>

“EVERYONE FREEZE! PUT YOUR BAGS ON THE TABLE AND LET ME SEE WHAT YOU BROUGHT TO SCHOOL!”

Just right after morning self-study period started, the homeroom teacher in charge of our class, Iron—I’ll try that again, Nishimura-sensei, who’s in charge of our class, suddenly declared this without warning.

Argh! Not good! I brought nothing that’s related to attending lessons at all!

—Should I carry my bag and run away at the fastest speed I can?

For that moment, that idea appeared in my mind.

“Let me tell you beforehand, don’t ever think of running away!”

It’s a difficult task to run away from this homeroom teacher. Besides, this guy’s a brawny teacher with the moniker ‘ironman’. No matter how we try to run, he’ll use this body that’s trained for an ‘Ironman’ triathlon to pursue us relentlessly.

“Alright, I’m going to start checking. If there’s anything unrelated to attending lessons, I will confiscate them without leaving anything.”

Starting from the first row near the corridor, Ironman startst to check the contents of all the bags one by one and confiscate the poker cards and magazines that each person brought.

“Sakamoto, let me see what’s inside your pocket.”

Among us, one of the students has not only his bag, even his pockets are to be checked.

“…Damn it.”

Sakamoto Yuuji makes a sound in agony—he’s my best worst friend.

However, he still obediently rummages through his pocket and pulls out an MP3.

“As expected. I’ll be confiscating this.”

After saying this, Ironman puts Yuuji’s MP3 into his confiscation pouch. Yuuji, who never expected his pocket to be search through, glares at Ironman defiantly.

(This is a disaster, isn’t it, Yuuji?)

I whispered to Yuuji’s ear.

(Really a disaster. Would they normally check pockets? I’m the only one who got my pockets checked!)

(Can’t be helped. Who asked Yuuji to be such a bad person?)

(…Go to hell!)

Looking closely, it seems like Ironman’s method of checking will change according to the student. He’ll only ask the well-behaved students to open their bags and briefly look through their bags once. But for the ill-behaved students, he’ll check thoroughly, even including the inside bags of the bag.

“You’re next, Yoshii Akihisa.”

“Ah, yes.”

Ironman arrives in front of me. Even though I don’t think that he’ll ask me to rummage through my pockets like Yuuji—

“Take off your uniform first, and change into your P.E. attire.”

“Eh? Aren’t you being too wary?”

This level of trust far exceeds what I imagined.

“Well…Nishimura-sensei, for me to change in front of the girls, it’s a bit…”

“That won’t do. you may be hiding some prohibited item in your trousers, so take them out.”

“How can you do this! Even if it’s me, I can’t possibly go to that extent! You should at least trust me—”

Just as I agitatedly approached sensei, ‘CLACK!’, something seemed to drop out from the leg of my trousers.

“Oi, Akihisa, your NDS dropped out.”

I received the handheld gaming console that Yuuji nicely helped me picked up, and after saying thanks, I again face sensei.

“Sensei, believe in me, will you?”

“Forget about wearing P.E. attire.”

How, how is this possible! He’s actually even more wary now!

“You actually brought gaming consoles, manga, light novels, DVD…what one earth are you treating school as?”

My precious stuff are confiscated away, one by one. Speaking of which, why did he do a spot-check when I brought so many things out? The value of those confiscated items may total up to be tens of thousands yen.

“Are these all? I said before, the school is a place for you to learn knowledge, you are not allowed to bring anything unrelated to school.”

After searching, Ironman carried the confiscated items back to the podium. I won’t be able to see my precious again…

“Alright, since you people brought all these along, morning self-study will be cancelled. The first lesson will be ‘summoning practical’, all students are to immediately rush over to the gym.”

After saying this, Ironman carries all the confiscated items and leaves the classroom.

<center>☆</center>

“—Summon!”

Hearing the summoning call echo throughout the gym, I say to Yuuji, who’s beside me.

“…It’s only early morning and we’re already so unlucky.”

“Yeah, that MP3 I bought last month actually got confiscated, damn it.”

“Wah, that’s not too long ago.”

“That one was expensive, you know!”

Yuuji’s wild looking face shrivels with sadness as he continues to complain. I can understand~~this feeling.”

“Akihisa, you got your handheld games confiscated as well, right? There’s quite a few of them.”

“Mm…the total value should be over 30,000 yen.”

Handheld games, game software, DVDs and CDs; totaling up the value of all the confiscated items, the number 1 this time should be either me or Muttsulini. How unlucky…”

“Next, Himeji Mizuki, please step forward.”

“Ye, yes.”

“Oh, it’s Himeji now? Rare for her to wear a P.E. attire. Muttsulini, is it really alright not to take photos of her?”

“…My camera got confiscated.”

“I see, quite the pity. We’re in different classes, so it’s rare to see Himeji-san in a P.E. attire.”

“There’s only this one summoning practical.”

“…(Lowers head dejectedly).”

Muttsulini’s so depressed that he can’t even lift his head up. Sigh, this can’t be helped anyway.

Silky and smooth long hair, and cute and innocent look, an ample chest that seems to be self-aware and supports the uniform; Even if it’s not Muttsulini, any guy will want to take a photo of her pretty figure; I know that I definitely want to.

“Is, is this how you do it? Summon!”

Himeji-san doesn’t really seem confident as she mutters. A geometrical magic array appears beside her feet, and Himeji-san’s summoned beast appears in front of everyone.

“As expect of Himeji, her summoned beast sure looks impressive…”

“Yeah, and cute too.”

Himeji-san’s summoned beast looks really cute. Since a summoned beast is basically formed from the caster’s appearance, and since the caster’s already so cute looking, there’s no need to emphasize it further.

But speaking of which, what makes her summoned beast so impressive—

“Most likely, nobody else will be able to wield such a terrifyingly huge sword.”

“Yeah, only Himeji-san is able to do that.”

Her summoned beast is wielding a Western longsword that’s several times longer than her height, and she’s lifting it effortlessly. Anyone can tell that this summoned beast isn’t to be underestimated.

Class C, Himeji Mizuki, Combined subjects 3943 points.

Vs

Class C, Furukawa Ayumi, Combined subjects 1264 points.

The reference points appear in front of us. These are the results of the previous mid-term exams.

“I see, so that’s why she’s so strong.”

“It’s almost 4000 points. Himeji-san sure is smart.”

Mmm…holed up in a corner, we continue to nod our heads away.

The strength of a summoned beast is equivalent to the points that the owner gets. Since the test summoning system totals up the marks, basically, the higher amount of points a person gets, the stronger the summoned beast will be.

“Speaking of which, don’t Akihisa and Himeji know each other?”

“Mm~ she was my grade school classmate…but we haven’t spoken to each other for years. She should have forgotten about me, right?”

We’re in different classes right now, separated for a long time. If there’s a chance, I’ll definitely want to talk to her, but there’s no real chance for me to talk to any girl from another class. If I’m to go to her class and immediately say “Himeji-san, I got something to say to you”, this will look like a confession no matter what.

“I see, you’ll most likely be streamed into different classes next year. I can you can be erased from Hiemji’s memory.”

“Next year? Are you talking about the streaming exam?”

“Yeah, you definitely won’t be able to be in the same class as her anyway.”

“Now that you mentioned it, that’s right…”

After we entered school, we were streamed into different classes like other schools. But next year, things will be different. We’ll be sorted according to our grades. Though Himeji-san is in class C, when we become second-years, she’ll definitely be sorted into class A with those top grades of hers. If so, me and Yuuji will definitely be unable to be classmates with her since we’re just straddling about in class D anyway.

“I’ll be forgotten by her…this sure feels rather lonely…”

“Yeah, there’s no benefit for her to remember you anyway.”

“How can you say that!”

Just as we’re blankly seeing other classes battle it out and talking away—

“Next! Yoshii Akihisa and Shimada Minami!”

Ironman—let me repeat that again, this is the voice of our homeroom teacher, Nishimura-sensei.

Recovering myself, I find that those before me who were waiting to practice their summoning are all back.

“I’m going then.”

“Go then. You’re a ‘punishment inspector’ candidate anyway, go learn how to control a summoned beast properly.”

“…I say, I’m different from you Yuuji. I’m not some problematic kid!”

I rolled my eyes back at Yuuji. Really, what about being a ‘punishment inspector’? That’s really rude. Aren’t they saying that I’m a problematic student? Why is he calling me this when it’s basically the equivalent of being an idiot?

“Hurry up, Yoshii!!”

“Alright~”

Hearing Ironman roar at me, I hastily increase my pace.

Paying attention, the training partner has already finished her summoning.

“…”

The person stares at the summoned beast in front of her in shock. This girl with an energetic-looking ponytail and attractive long legs is my classmate, Shimada-san. At this moment, she reveals a slight melancholic look that doesn’t fit her. What happened? Why’s she looking so depressed and lethargic? Is her summoned beast even weak and useless than what she thought would be?”

“What’s wrong, Shimada-san? Are you shocked that your summoned beast is so weak?”

After saying this, I see that she seems to be healed by my gentleness. The grey clouds above her are gone, now replaced with a look of delight.

“Ah, so Yoshii’s the opponent. How delightful.”

Shimada-san slightly blushes. Seeing her so happy, I felt happy as well—oh my, to reveal her feelings to me in front of everyone like this, this kid’s really troublesome.”

“Because it’s great to beat up Yoshii.”

…This kid’s really troublesome!

“Shimada-san, the target’s the summoned beast, not us.”

I’m a little worried, so I confirmed the rules with her again. This is the summoning practical that’s meant for the summoning battles next year, so no matter what, this should be a battle between summoned beasts.

“You’re right, we won’t be fighting each other.”

Shimada-san immediately nodded her head in agreement. Great, seems like she understood.

“Since I’ll be the one dishing out the beatdown anyway.”

SEEMS LIKE SHE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND AT ALL!

“That, sensei, what Shimada-san did just now was an act of violence. If you have the time to check our belongings, you should do something about this case of school violence, right?”

“…Shimada, even if the opponent’s Yoshii, violence is bad.”

“But sensei…”

No buts. A no is a no, you understand?”

“…Yes.”

“Really…so you really understand? If so—”

Ironman suddenly reveals a smirk and says,

“—I’ll give you a special discount this time.”

“Eh? Aren’t those words really weird?”

Am I thinking too much? It seemed like a teacher just allowed a case of school violence!

“I’ll do my best!”

“Right, so you must work hard.”

“Ah haha, sensei, Shimada-san, you two are really stupid. Do you think that you two can beat me so easily? If so, I’m going to counter and beat you two—I’M SORRY, IT’S MY FAULT, PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!”

It’s useless even if I apologised.

Don’t tell me…that those cautious words of mine caused this disaster?

<center>☆</center>

“Ho…ever since morning inspection, it’s been one disaster after another today…”

After a day’s worth of lessons, it’s dismissal time. I’m chatting away with those guys who I usually talk to.

“That’s because Akihisa-bro brought so many unnecessary things to school.”

Sitting beside me and showing me a smile is Kinoshita Hideyoshi, who’s in the same class as me, Yuuji and Muttsulini. It’s already weird to hear him speak like an old man, and he has a beauty’s face on him. He really likes to make comments. Even so, I do feel that he’s the most normal person after me, since the other two are so abnormal that words can’t describe them.

“Speaking of which, Hideyoshi didn’t get anything confiscated, right?

“Of course I did, I got some costumes and props confiscated from me. Even though I told sensei that it’s for the drama club, they still got confiscated either way.”

The school has already provided some props and costumes for Hideyoshi, so Hideyoshi himself doesn’t need to bring them. If so, these are unnecessary things. However—

“There’s no need to confiscate them all anyway, he could have given us some leeway. Who expected Ironman’s brain to be so hard.”

“…(Nods head forcefully).”

“His brain’s definitely filled with lead.”

Muttsulini and Yuuji seem to agree with me. This can’t be helped, since they got quite a few things confiscated as well.

And I actually thought that ‘we’re just having summoning practical today, so there’re no lessons; should be rather relaxing today.”

It was supposed to be relaxing, but I guess it’s better to have lessons without the search.

“Summoning practical…”

Hearing my little grumbling, Yuuji muttered to himself.

“Eh? What’s wrong, Yuuji?”

“Nothing. It’s just that I remembered that we have to take part in summoning war next year.”

For some reason, he sure seemed happy when he said this.

Speaking of summoning war, well, it’s about having a summoning battle between classes with the class facilities on the line. If we can move onto second year without any mishaps, we’ll have this summoning war system on us.

“But why must we have this summoning war system? If we want to differentiate the scores clearly, can’t we just stick grades onto everyone?”

“Well, most likely, they prefer a summoning war to tests since it can motivate students, right? As a class, the students will work hard to not drag their classmates down.”

“I see. So they intend to make us work together and improve our grades without breaking us, right?”

“Yeah, this allows the school to do what they want the most, and that’s ‘to groom students who can showcase their real potential in society’.”

“Oh~ Is that so?”

Just as the four of them were chatting away.

“Ah…really, that Yoshii actually left the cleaning work to me. Where did he go off to?”

A certain student can be heard shouting on the corridor. Is that Shimada-san?

“What the heck, Akihisa. You’re in charge of cleaning today?”

“Mm, but I left the cleaning work to Shimada-san and ran off first.”

“Hmm, according to how I see it, you two have quite the relationship.”

“…(Nods head forcefully).”

“Ah haha, it’s not what you think it is.”

“Really. Once I catch him, I’ll tie his limbs up and throw him down the 3rd level!”

That’s a highly difficult stunt even a stuntman will be afraid of.

“Sorry, I don’t think I can protect my own life any longer. I’ll be leaving now!”

Without saying anything else, I grabbed my bag and dashed out of the corridor. I love my life.

“Ah, Yoshii! So you’re hiding here! Hold it right there!”

“I’m not going to wait! You’re going to kill me, right?”

“I’m not angry at all. Just hold on, will you!?”

That’s definitely a lie.

“These two really have rather good feelings.”

“…(Nods head forcefully).”

She said that she’s not angry, but she’s holding onto a rope for some reason.

<center>☆</center>

“Hoo…that was scary~”

It’s been past 30 minutes since I came running out of school, and before I knew it, I’m on a shopping street.

“Well. I don’t intend to buy anything, so I guess I’ll go back home—hm?”

Just as I intended to head home, I saw a familiar figure walk into a shop. Isn’t that Himeji-san?

“I guess it’s somewhat of a fate for us to meet here. Should I be courageous and call her…”

Though we did study in the same class during elementary school, we were separated into different classes during middle school. Before I knew it, Himeji-san seemed so distant from me. To see her in front of me after so many years, I really want to talk to her—the reason why I feel this way is most likely because of Yuuji’s words ‘She’ll erase you from her memory anyway’.

In order to turn my thoughts into action, I follow Himeji-san closely as I walked into the shop…only to find that there’re so many dolls here, it’s unbelievable. Seems like this is a doll shop that a girl will love the most—what the heck, this shop’s basically a doll shop!

“Well, let’s go back. This shop really doesn’t suit me.”

I immediately hasten my pace and walk towards the exit. Anyway, the most important thing right now is to leave this place.

“This is Hazuki’s only request of this lifetime. Please, uncle!”

“Even if you say that, I have to do business, you know…”

The moment I reached the exit, I suddenly heard this conversation. It seemed like a girl’s standing at the counter and telling the cashier something. She seems rather insistent on this. What’s going on?

I felt a bit mindful, so I turn my head to where the voice came from. As I expected, it’s a cashier uncle and a girl who looks like she’s in elementary school.

“I want to get that big Noi doll no matter what. Please, I beg you!”

“Even if you ask me like this…we’re doing business. Wouldn’t it be unfair to the other customers if I give you a little discount? We shopkeepers do have to treat all customers equally.”

“Even so, please!”

“Uuu…really can’t handle you…”

The cashier uncle looked rather troubled as he said this and scratches his face. The girl however continued to beg earnestly. Seeing such a small girl beg like this, I’ll be seen as really cruel if I’m to walk away like this…

“Hey, little girl, why do you want this doll?”

I know that I’m too nosey, but I still ended up getting involved.

Now that a 3rd party has suddenly appeared, the little girl and the uncle revealed a surprised look on their faces.

“Be, because onee-chan didn’t look too good recently. I wanted to buy the doll that she always wanted to hopefully motivate her…”

“Not looking good?”

“Most likely, because she just came back from Germany and couldn’t understand Japanese well!

Shifted houses…even if it’s within Japanese land, anyone will feel lonely when the friends and environment changes, let alone coming back to Japan.

“Even then, onee-chan took over mommy and daddy and did all the housework like sweeping and washing clothes nicely, and often play together with Hazuki…”

Seemed like it hit her sore spot as Hazuki-chan’s wide eyes start to tear up.

“Waa! Don, don’t cry! Nii-san will help you out here!”

“…Really?”

“Mm, really.”

“…Thank you, onii-chan!”

Wiping away the tears, Hazuki-chan reveals a delightful smile.

“Speaking of which, how much does this doll cost?”

The doll in Hazuki-chan’s arms is about 1m tall. If I make a rough estimate, I don’t think 5,000 yen’s going to be enough.

“Including tax, it’ll be a total of 24,800 yen.”

“Sorry, nii-san already tried, but he can’t do it.”

“Onii-chan?”

Hazuki-chan looks rather sad.

Argh! Didn’t expect one to be that expensive. Under these conditions, the declaration of surrender came out of my mouth without thinking through.

“Then how much does Hazuki-chan has?”

“I only have 10,000yen…”

So we’re missing 15,000. Including my entire fortune, there’s only 11,699 yen. We can’t even hitting the price of 24,800 yen! The most we can pay is half.

“Excuse me, can you sell this doll to us at 11,699 yen?”

“Eh, I just said before that that we’re doing a business here…”

The reply’s still the same.

“Onii-chan, this isn’t any different from before.”

Hazuki-chan whispered to my ear.

She’s right. Up till now, I’ve been doing the same thing as what Hazuki-chan’s been doing. However, things will be different from now on. I’m not an elementary school student; let’s show her how an adult (high school student) does things!

“We have only 11,699 yen in total, that’s about half the price of the doll, right?”

“Ya. That’s still not quite enough.”

“Hazuki-chan wants this doll, and uncle wants to sell this to her, but you’re unwilling to sell it to her at half price. If so, I have a great idea!”

“Hm? What is it?”

“We can rip the doll in half and sell the right side to—eh? What? Why are you two seeing me as an idiot?”

“…Are you really a high school student?”

“…Onii-chan’s an idiot!”

I, I actually got called stupid by an elementary school kid!

“I can’t give you a discount, but I can guarantee that I won’t sell this doll away for the time being. You can go back to discuss with your parents first.”

Making this conclusion, the uncle ended the conversation just like this.

“Can’t you ask your parents to buy it for you, Hazuki-chan?”

Having walked out of the shop, we came to the park to discuss our plans.

“Mommy and daddy aren’t normally at home…so they would leave the money to one-chan. If I want to buy something, onee-chan will definitely ask for a reason…”

“I see, uu~”

Wanting to do something for her beloved older sister—Hazuki-chan’s heart’s ever so glamorous, it’s way different from my family who sent me to Fumitzuki Gakuen on the excuse of ‘not wanting to waste school fees’. I must help Hazuki-chan in order to prevent her from losing this intimacy with her family.

But speaking of which, what should I do? It’ll be good if I have some more money, but my money’s about to be used it…

“Oh ya! Hazuki can get money if she sells her manga to a second-hand shop, right?”

Hazuki-chan thought of this brilliant plan as her eyes sparkle. It’s true that we can get money just like this, but I think that she can’t get so much anyway. Of course, it’s a different case altogether if I have those handheld games that were confiscated this morning—

“Hm? Oh ya, there’s this plan after all!”

“…Onii-chan, have you thought of something?”

“I can’t possibly get it back it my hands anyway. If I’m successful, we may be able to get enough money to buy the doll…”

Though I don’t think it can work…mm! It’s still worth a try though.

“Okay! Hazuki-chan, can you come back to the park tomorrow?”

“Y, yes. I can come over…”

“Then we’ll meet here tomorrow. It’s getting dark now, let’s go home.”

I waved my hands and said goodbye to Hazuki-chan. Anyway, I got to discuss it with Yuuji and the rest tomorrow.

“Ah, mm, bye bye…”

Speaking of which, did Himeji-san really enter that shop?

<center>☆</center>

“So you want to take back those confiscated items?”

The next morning, in the same classroom, I talked to the trio as per usual.

“I do feel that it’s a pity to leave those things that got confiscated yesterday, but…”

“Uu~mm…ya, but the opponent’s that Ironman. We may be designated as ‘Punishment Inspectors’ if we’re not careful…”

Yuuji and Hideyoshi lower their chin and ponder. Seems like they don’t intend to help me. This is bad, looks like I have to deal with this on my own.

“…I approve of Akihisa’s proposal.”

“Eh? Muttsulini? You’re willing to help me?”

“…(Nods head forcefully).”

Great! Now at least I have someone who specializes in stealth helping me out.

“…Never mind, let’s give it a go.”

“Ah? So Yuuji’s okay with it?”

“Yeah. I just bought that MP3 recently, and I accumulated quite a debt to Ironman, so let’s settle this once and for all.”

Yuuji smirked. What an enthusiastic bad guy’s face.

“If so, I’ll help out as well. If I can get back those things, I don’t want to give up as well.”

In the end, even Hideyoshi nodded his head, and everyone decided to take part in this. As expected of the group problematic first-years.

“Right now, the most important thing is to investigate where our targets are.”

“That’s right. If we don’t even know where Ironman hid those confiscated items, we can’t possibly get them back even if we want to.”

The confiscated items may have ended up being abandoned, but they were just confiscated yesterday, so Ironman should still have them with him.

“That’s the case. Akihisa, remove the silence function of the phone.”

“Eh? Why?”

“Don’t ask too much, just do it. You want those confiscated items back, right?”

“…I’m not really sure what’s going on, but I just need to remove the silence function, right?”

“That’s right.”

The phone can’t possibly ring during lesson time, there shouldn’t be any problems, right? Let’s just follow what Yuuji told me to do.

I pull my handphone out from my pocket and took it out of silent mode.

“Oi, you people better hurry up and sit down. I’m going to start taking attendance.”

Seeing our homeroom teacher Ironman walk into the classroom, I immediately slip the handphone back into my pocket.

“Alright, let’s begin.”

Thus, our battle for the confiscated items officially begins now.

“Shimada.”

“Here.”

“Shimizu.”

“Here.”

At the usual time of taking attendance, Ironman’s coarse voice echoes clearly throughout the classroom.

“Yamaguchi.”

“Here.”

“Watanabe.”

“Here.”

—Beep beep beep.

Suddenly, a beep interrupted the class while attendance is taken. Whose phone is it? Really, do think that we have such a stupid person in class. The phone will definitely get confiscated when it rings in class.

“…Yoshii, hand over your phone.”

“…Yes.”

The problem is, this stupid person was me.

Damn it! Why must it ring at this moment!? Who called me!?

<<Missed call: Sakamoto Yuuji>>

“Yu, Yuuji, you betrayed me!”

“I’ll consficate the handphone then.”

“Ahh! Handphone! MY HANDPHONE!”

My handphone got taken away by Ironman mercilessly.

“Very good. Nobody’s came late nor skipped classes. I hope that all students will continue to keep this up.”

After taking the attendance, Ironman moves his heavy feet out of the classroom—together with my handphone.

“Very good. Part 1 of the plan is complete.”

“Yuuji! What sort of grudge do you have against me! Now my handphone got confiscated by Ironman all because of you!”

“This is a bait meant to fish out where our targets are. We just need to take them back.”

“Eh? Bait?”

“That’s right. I deliberately allowed Ironman to confiscate your handphone in order to find out where Ironman hid those items.”

“Why didn’t you tell me in the first place…”

And if possible, I hope that you can use your handphone as bait.

“…I’m back.”

“WAHH!”

Suddenly talking right behind me. You scared me~

“Oh, Muttsulini came back already. How was it?”

“…Those confiscated items are placed in the staff storage cupboard.”

“As expected of Muttsulini, erasing your own presence to tail people, that truly is your specialty. I’m impressed.”

Seems like Muttsulini went to tail Ironman and investigate where my handphone was hidden. If it’s tailing others without attracting attention, Yuuji can’t do it, and Hideyoshi doesn’t have the skills.

“…But the cupboard’s locked.”

“Okay. So where’s the key?”

“…In the rear left pocket of Ironman’s pants.”

“I see. If so, we have to snatch the key from him.”

“Ya, but how are we going to do that?”

“No problems. I got a good idea. We’ll take action during cleaning time.”

Anyway, let's attend lessons and wait for school dismissal.

<center>☆</center>

It's finally dismissal time.

“So, what plan do you have?”

As I tried to sneak out yesterday, I was punished to sweep the entire corridor alone. Thus, I'm discussing the plan with Yuuji and the rest while twisting the mop around. These damned guys don't have any intentions of helping out in the first place.

“We'll be using that.”

Yuuji lifts his chin and points.

“A pail? What are we going to do with that?”

“We're going to use that to splash water on Ironman and make him take off his clothes.”

I see. If so, we can then take his clothes away and take the key to the cupboard,

“Mm hm~ this method is simple and easy to succeed.”

Hideyoshi's right. We can't possibly fail. Basically, there's only the last problem to this plan, and that is—whoever going to splash the water on Ironman will get pursued by him to the ends of the Earth.

“There's only one problem in this plan, and that's the one who's going to splash the water, 'Akihisa' will get pursued by him to the ends of the Earth.”

Hold on! Is it decided that I'll be the one in charge of doing this?

“However, that's not really a huge problem.”

THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM TO ME!

“Oi, isn't that too strange? Let's settle this with rock paper scissors!”

“Ooh, look! Me and our target's already here.”

“Very good. You got to do your best, Akihisa!”

“...Do your best.”

“Eh? Hold on!”

The trio already wordlessly retreated back in the shortest time possible.

Ironman has already climbed up the stairs. If so, I can only do this!

My eyes have already captured the target, and the relative speed was estimated. The prepared weapon's in my hand, everything's okay—time to attack!

“WAAHH! I SLIPPED!”

Dragging the mop, I deliberately fell forward by letting my feet stagger and aim the pail at Ironman, who's on the stairs. GET WET!

“GUAH!”

How, how is it possible! As expected of Ironman! To be able to suddenly react in the blink of an eye and dodge the splash thanks to his superhuman senses! However—

“WHERE ARE YOU ESCAPING TO!?”

I drag the mop in my hand to where Ironman dodged to. I won't admit defeat so easily!

Phoosh, Clak cak cak.

The water from the pail drenched Ironman, and the pail rolls asie. Mission accomplished.

I pick up the pail and mop that I threw out as I remain mindful not to step on the puddle of water, saying to a stunned Ironman “Sorry, I slipped—AHH, sensei! An encyclopaedia isn't to be used as a weapon!”

“I thought I just heard you say 'Where are you escaping to', didn't I?”

“That's just a hallucination.”

“Stop trying to lie to me with such a serious look on your face. Get ready to die!”

“Sen, sensei, please don't use the edge of the encyclopaedia!”

Where are you guys now! Come save me! I'll definitely be beaten down by Ironman into a panda if this keeps up!

“Ahh, Akihisa, you really ended up doing it.”

Yuuji and the rest appeared out of nowhere. Anyway, I'm saved~

“I told you so many times 'not to splash water onto sensei'...”

“Ow, OWW! SENSEI! I SAID THAT I DIDN'T DO IT ON PURPOSE ALREADY!”

They, they didn't help out at all! These damned guys! Are they intending to sit around and watch?

“Sensei, punish Akihisa later. I guess you better change your clothes. If you don't mind, I'll lend my P.E. attire to you.”

“That's right. Sorry, then lend me that. Yoshii, stay behind and scrub the floor clean!”

Leaving these words behind, Ironman, who was drenched by me, head off to the classroom with Yuuji and the rest to change clothes.

“...So unfortunate.”

Anyway, I remained behind to clean the floor up. Besides, I have the cleaning tools in my hand.

Just as I'm working hard to wipe the water off the floor, Hideyoshi walks out of the classroom and moves towards me.

“I got the key, Akihisa.”

“Really? Then we just need to enter the staffroom and get back the confiscated items.”

“Umm, let's hurry up before Ironman realizes it.”

“Got it!”

After letting the mop lean against the wall, Hideyoshi and I quickly head towards the staffroom.

“I'm going in then.”

I took the cupboard key from Hideyoshi's hands and reach my hand out for the door.

“There’s no problem, right?”

“No need to worry. I’ll try my best to walk into the staffroom without raising too much attention and get those things back.”

I should be just an ordinary student to every teacher, except for Ironman. I should be more suited for this role as compared to Hideyoshi, who has the look of a beauty.

“Really? Then I’ll just wait here for your good news.”

“Mm, I’m going in then~ ‘cuse me~”

I open the staffroom door slightly. No problem, I’m not some irritating guy.

“Yoshii? Hurry up and get over here!”

“Why!? Why am I noticed so soon after entering the room!?”

I got caught by the Ancient Literature teacher immediately after entering the room. Why?

“I want to hear what excuse you have regarding the essay ‘translate the Tsurezuregusa[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3.5_Translation_Notes_and_References#] into Modern Language’!”

“Ah, I did hand in my homework properly.”

“I’m asking why did you turn the Tsurezuregusa into a rap!?”

“Eh? But sensei wanted it to be translated into the modern language, and speaking of modern Japanese, isn’t it—”

“Ah, Yoshii-kun, remember to come over here after you’re done there.”

“Yoshii, that Chemistry report you handed in was too ridiculous! Come over and explain it to me later.”

Unknowingly, I got surrounded by several teachers. Well, if this is the case, forget about completing the plan, I’ll be hounded by these teachers till night! Got to find a way to get away from them!

“Excuse me…”

Just as I’m pondering on what to do, someone else entered the staffroom. Hm? Isn’t that Hideyoshi?

"Ooh, isn’t that Kinoshita? What’s wrong?”

“I, I suddenly…don’t feel too good…but the health teacher isn’t…in…”

Hideyoshi cupped his mouth. He really doesn’t look too good. Is he sick?

“Hideyoshi, are you—”

I frantically rushed towards him. At this moment, he suddenly blinked at me. I see, so he’s acting! As expected of someone from the drama club, I nearly got fooled.

“Sorry, but can I rest here—”

Before finishing, Hideyoshi collapsed onto the floor.

“Ki, Kinoshita! Are you alright?”

“Anyway, let’s take him to the sickbay!”

“You, you’re right! Sensei, please carry his legs!”

A few teachers start to create quite the ruckus. After that, everyone in the staffroom left to accompany Hideyoshi to the sick bay. Brilliantly done, Hideyoshi!

“Let’s use this opportunity to get back those confiscated items. Let me see, Ironman…no wait, it’s Nishimura. Nishimura’s…”

I checked the nametag on the cupboards which are according to order. Oh, found it. It’s this one.

“…Speaking of which, I somehow imagined that bugs will crawl out of Ironman’s cupboard.”

Though I’m a bit fearful, I have no time to hesitate. I pull out the key Hideyoshi handed to me and pull the door handle down, opening the metal cupboard effortlessly.

“Oh, it’s unexpectedly clean…”

The cupboard’s arranged rather neatly, and the bag of confiscated goods are placed in an obvious place.

“Let’s get out of here before someone notices—hm?”

Just as I was about to lock the cupboard up and run away, I noticed a pile of old books tied up in raffia strings. Should be meant for throwing away.

“Uu~hm…since he’s going to throw it, I might as well take it. Maybe I can get some money as well.”

After grabbing the books with both hands, I immediately dashed out of the staffroom.

“Okay! At least we achieved our goal!”

After what happened just now, I brought the spoils—the bag of confiscated items back to Yuuji, only taking away my own stuff and the pile of old books. I then took them over to a second-hand shop to exchange these spoils for cash.

My handheld games and gaming software garnered a price lower than what I expected, while that pile of books got quite the price; what a nice mistake in estimation. I really got to thank Ironman for this.

“Let me see, is that girl here~”

“Ah! Onii-chan! You're here!”

Hazuki-chan immediately came running over to me the moment I approached the park. She really looked like a cute puppy, and that even warms my heart. Maybe it's because I'm often surrounded by idiots, Ironman and a violent girl...

“Mm, because we arranged to meet each other. Oh yeah, where did you get that doll from?”

Looking closely, Hazuki-chan's hugging something similar to the Noi doll that she wanted to buy (is that what it's called?). It looks as if it was sewn by hand.

“There was a pretty onee-chan who came over and said to me 'If that onii-chan couldn't succeed, then give this to your sister!' and handed it over to me!”

“?”

“And she also said 'If that onii-chan managed to buy the doll, i'll give this doll to you.'.”

The kid's lack of order in her speech confused me.

Erm, let me straighten Hazuki-chan's words out—

—A pretty onee-chan came to Hazuki-chan today.

—And then, she handed this handmade doll over to Hazuki-chan

—This pretty onee-chan even said that if I couldn't do it, she'll give this doll to Hazuki-chan's sister as a gift.

—But if I succeeded, this doll will go to Hazuki-chan.

—So that's how it is.

“Mmm, is that so? Then this doll will go to hazuki-chan.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Yeah. And this doll will go to Hazuki-chan's sister.”

I hand over the large doll in my hand over to Hazuki-chan. It should be tough for her petite body to carry such a large doll, but she still received it delightedly.

“This is great! Thank you, onii-chan!”

“No problems. It'll be great if your sister can cheer up.”

I patted her head. Hazuki-chan seems to enjoy it as she slowly closes her eyes.

“Uu~ Ah, that's right! Onii-chan, can you lend me your ear?”

“Eh? What is it? Are you going to say a secret to me or something?”

“Don't ask, just lend me your ear.”

Is she about to thank me? I'm really touched. One can't become a proper adult if the person can't even say 'thank you' or 'sorry'.

“Okay, what is it?”

I bent over to match her height, but unexpectedly—

“Thank you, onii-chan♪”

Whoosh! A cute sensation passes my face. Eh? This...don't tell me this is...

[[Image:BTS vol 03.5 043.jpg|thumb]]

“Wha, wha, wha...”

“Onii-chan may be an idiot, but he's so gentle! Hazuki-chan loves you! When I grow up, I'll let you become my husband!”

Without waiting for me to reply, Hazuki-chan skips out of the park.

Re, recently, these elementary school students are...

I touched my face with my hand, seemingly wanting to wipe away the soft sensation that's left on the face. Even without looking at the mirror, I know my face is red. How, how embarrassing...she's just an elementary school kid...

“Hoo...time for me to go back as well...”

After lifting my bag up and slinging it over my back, I head off towards the exit of the park. While exiting, I see a familiar figure yesterday. That person is—

“Excuse me...are you Himeji-san?”

“Ah, yes, what is it—YO, YOSHII-KUN!”

So it's Himeji-san. It sure is hard to find another pretty girl. I can't possibly be mistaken.

“Sorry, I seemed to have scared you.”

“No, no worries. I was just dazed...”

Our conversation got interrupted just like that. This, this is really awkward...what should I say to a friend who I haven't met for a long time?

“Erm, that...it's really a coincidence that we met here. Did you just finish class? But you look rather tired here, are you?”

“Yes,because I stayed up all night...”

“Hei~so Himeji-san would also stay up.”

The impression she gives is that she lives her life normally, but it's unexpected that she would stay up.

“That's not it, I just stayed up last night, because I got something I have to do no matter what...”

She inadvertently yawned as she continued to talk. Himeji-san sure is cute when she lets out some tears due to sleepiness.

“Then, I'll be going off in this direction, goodbye.”

"Ah, mm, byebye.”

I waved my hand to Himeji-san, who bowed to me courteously.

While walking home, I just realized—oh ya, why did Himeji-san appear in such a place?

<center>☆</center>

“...There was a case of theft in the staffroom room.”

The next morning, during self-study period, Ironman suddenly mentioned this. He's definitely referring to the bag of confiscated items that we got yesterday.

“Such a tragedy worth being angry over, don't you think so, Yoshii?”

He actually threw this question at me. As expected of Ironman, he must have realized that I was the perpetrator, but who will follow you obediently?

“Yeah, sure is worth sighing over.”

I naturally replied with these few words. No problems, I got everything under control.

“Really? Speaking of which, that culprit even took sensei's books.”

Hm? Books? Is he referring to that bundle of books? Wasn't he going to throw them away?

“And that culprit actually had the guts to use his own identity to sell my books to a second-hand shop.”

“Is that so, he sure has guts.”

“Yeah, hahahaha!”

“Ahhahaha...”

Ironman and I started laughing with all enthusiasm. Really, we're laughing with all sorts of happiness—at least it looked that way if not for those eyes.

“YOSHII! GET READY TO DIE!!!”

“So, sorry! Who knew that it was sensei's collection, I didn't—”

“Are you saying that you didn't even think of it?”

“No, I did think about it, but then I thought 'since its Ironman's, it doesn't matter~'! OW! OUCH! SENSEI! MY SKULLCAP GOT SMASHED IN BY YOU!”

“So you idiot has the highest suspicion. Looks like I have to be even more careful and watch you.”

“Sensei! I'm feeling that I've been watched by you all this time, there's no way for you to watch me further!”

“No, there still is, right? I got a really precious title of honor that's suitable for you—“

“Eh, this is...”

“Everyone at the staff meeting this morning have all agreed, so accept this. This is a present that sensei's handing you.”

From who knows when, Ironman suddenly has a piece of paper in his hand. This plain white paper has only a single line on it.

—Yoshii Akihisa.

The above mentioned has been designed as the 'Punishment Inspector' of Fumitzuki Gakuen.

<center>☆</center>

“Onee-chan!”

Hm? Hazuki, what's up?”

“Well, this is for onee-chan!”

“Eh? Isn't this the Noi doll that I always wanted? How did you...”

“Because onee-chan looked so lethargic. Hazuki prepared it for onee-chan to cheer onee-chan up!”

“Hazuki...really, you...thank you, onee-chan's really happy!”

“Schoolwork may be tough, but you must work hard, Minami nee-chan!”

“Hm, I'll do my best! I'll feel like I lost if I continue to mess around like this. And also...”

“And also what?”

“I'm mindful of someone in school.”

“Eh? Onee-chan's mindful of someone? Who is it? How is that person like?”

“Well~as repayment of the Noi doll, I'll only say this to Hazuki. That person is in the same class as me, and he's one huge idiot~”

<noinclude>
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|-
| Back to [[Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3.5_Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
| Return to [[Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3.5_Fumizuki News|Fumizuki News (An interview with Yoshii Akihisa from Class 2-F)]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3.5 Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～

2011-06-05T16:48:50Z

76.30.134.122: /* Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～ */

==Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～==

'''Please fill in the correct name of the historical person in the blank below.'''

The person who instituted the rakuichi rakuza and abolished monopolies to promote business and economic growth is ______.

'''Himeji Mizuki’s answer:'''

“Oda Nobunaga”

'''Teacher’s comment:'''

Correct answer.

'''Shimada Minami’s answer:'''

“Chonmage”[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3.5_Translation_Notes_and_References#]

'''Teacher’s comment:'''

Gotten used to Japan already? Sensei’s a bit worried on seeing your answer.

'''Yoshii Akihisa’s answer:'''

“Nobu”

'''Teacher’s comment:'''

You’re very familiar with him, aren't you?

[[Image:BTS vol 03.5 007.jpg|thumb|Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～]]

After we shifted here, onee-chan seemed to be a lot more lethargic.

Is it because she’s being bullied at school? Or is it that there’s someone she finds irritating?

But then again, every time onee-chan talked about those classmates, it sounded really interesting. Onee-chan also seemed like she really likes them…

If so, why’s onee-chan so lethargic?

Is it because of school work? Onee-chan did say before the she has some difficulty.

I hope the onee-chan can recover soon.

It’s going to be onee-chan’s birthday, would onee-chan be motivated if I give her a huge plushie? Onee-chan always loved dolls after all.

Mm, let’s do that! I’ll buy a big big Noi doll for onee-chan to cheer her up!

…I wonder if I have enough pocket money?

<center>☆</center>

“EVERYONE FREEZE! PUT YOUR BAGS ON THE TABLE AND LET ME SEE WHAT YOU BROUGHT TO SCHOOL!”

Just right after morning self-study period started, the homeroom teacher in charge of our class, Iron—I’ll try that again, Nishimura-sensei, who’s in charge of our class, suddenly declared this without warning.

Argh! Not good! I brought nothing that’s related to attending lessons at all!

—Should I carry my bag and run away at the fastest speed I can?

For that moment, that idea appeared in my mind.

“Let me tell you beforehand, don’t ever think of running away!”

It’s a difficult task to run away from this homeroom teacher. Besides, this guy’s a brawny teacher with the moniker ‘ironman’. No matter how we try to run, he’ll use this body that’s trained for an ‘Ironman’ triathlon to pursue us relentlessly.

“Alright, I’m going to start checking. If there’s anything unrelated to attending lessons, I will confiscate them without leaving anything.”

Starting from the first row near the corridor, Ironman startst to check the contents of all the bags one by one and confiscate the poker cards and magazines that each person brought.

“Sakamoto, let me see what’s inside your pocket.”

Among us, one of the students has not only his bag, even his pockets are to be checked.

“…Damn it.”

Sakamoto Yuuji makes a sound in agony—he’s my best worst friend.

However, he still obediently rummages through his pocket and pulls out an MP3.

“As expected. I’ll be confiscating this.”

After saying this, Ironman puts Yuuji’s MP3 into his confiscation pouch. Yuuji, who never expected his pocket to be search through, glares at Ironman defiantly.

(This is a disaster, isn’t it, Yuuji?)

I whispered to Yuuji’s ear.

(Really a disaster. Would they normally check pockets? I’m the only one who got my pockets checked!)

(Can’t be helped. Who asked Yuuji to be such a bad person?)

(…Go to hell!)

Looking closely, it seems like Ironman’s method of checking will change according to the student. He’ll only ask the well-behaved students to open their bags and briefly look through their bags once. But for the ill-behaved students, he’ll check thoroughly, even including the inside bags of the bag.

“You’re next, Yoshii Akihisa.”

“Ah, yes.”

Ironman arrives in front of me. Even though I don’t think that he’ll ask me to rummage through my pockets like Yuuji—

“Take off your uniform first, and change into your P.E. attire.”

“Eh? Aren’t you being too wary?”

This level of trust far exceeds what I imagined.

“Well…Nishimura-sensei, for me to change in front of the girls, it’s a bit…”

“That won’t do. you may be hiding some prohibited item in your trousers, so take them out.”

“How can you do this! Even if it’s me, I can’t possibly go to that extent! You should at least trust me—”

Just as I agitatedly approached sensei, ‘CLACK!’, something seemed to drop out from the leg of my trousers.

“Oi, Akihisa, your NDS dropped out.”

I received the handheld gaming console that Yuuji nicely helped me picked up, and after saying thanks, I again face sensei.

“Sensei, believe in me, will you?”

“Forget about wearing P.E. attire.”

How, how is this possible! He’s actually even more wary now!

“You actually brought gaming consoles, manga, light novels, DVD…what one earth are you treating school as?”

My precious stuff are confiscated away, one by one. Speaking of which, why did he do a spot-check when I brought so many things out? The value of those confiscated items may total up to be tens of thousands yen.

“Are these all? I said before, the school is a place for you to learn knowledge, you are not allowed to bring anything unrelated to school.”

After searching, Ironman carried the confiscated items back to the podium. I won’t be able to see my precious again…

“Alright, since you people brought all these along, morning self-study will be cancelled. The first lesson will be ‘summoning practical’, all students are to immediately rush over to the gym.”

After saying this, Ironman carries all the confiscated items and leaves the classroom.

<center>☆</center>

“—Summon!”

Hearing the summoning call echo throughout the gym, I say to Yuuji, who’s beside me.

“…It’s only early morning and we’re already so unlucky.”

“Yeah, that MP3 I bought last month actually got confiscated, damn it.”

“Wah, that’s not too long ago.”

“That one was expensive, you know!”

Yuuji’s wild looking face shrivels with sadness as he continues to complain. I can understand~~this feeling.”

“Akihisa, you got your handheld games confiscated as well, right? There’s quite a few of them.”

“Mm…the total value should be over 30,000 yen.”

Handheld games, game software, DVDs and CDs; totaling up the value of all the confiscated items, the number 1 this time should be either me or Muttsulini. How unlucky…”

“Next, Himeji Mizuki, please step forward.”

“Ye, yes.”

“Oh, it’s Himeji now? Rare for her to wear a P.E. attire. Muttsulini, is it really alright not to take photos of her?”

“…My camera got confiscated.”

“I see, quite the pity. We’re in different classes, so it’s rare to see Himeji-san in a P.E. attire.”

“There’s only this one summoning practical.”

“…(Lowers head dejectedly).”

Muttsulini’s so depressed that he can’t even lift his head up. Sigh, this can’t be helped anyway.

Silky and smooth long hair, and cute and innocent look, an ample chest that seems to be self-aware and supports the uniform; Even if it’s not Muttsulini, any guy will want to take a photo of her pretty figure; I know that I definitely want to.

“Is, is this how you do it? Summon!”

Himeji-san doesn’t really seem confident as she mutters. A geometrical magic array appears beside her feet, and Himeji-san’s summoned beast appears in front of everyone.

“As expect of Himeji, her summoned beast sure looks impressive…”

“Yeah, and cute too.”

Himeji-san’s summoned beast looks really cute. Since a summoned beast is basically formed from the caster’s appearance, and since the caster’s already so cute looking, there’s no need to emphasize it further.

But speaking of which, what makes her summoned beast so impressive—

“Most likely, nobody else will be able to wield such a terrifyingly huge sword.”

“Yeah, only Himeji-san is able to do that.”

Her summoned beast is wielding a Western longsword that’s several times longer than her height, and she’s lifting it effortlessly. Anyone can tell that this summoned beast isn’t to be underestimated.

Class F, Himeji Mizuki, Combined subjects 3943 points.

Vs

Class C, Furukawa Ayumi, Combined subjects 1264 points.

The reference points appear in front of us. These are the results of the previous mid-term exams.

“I see, so that’s why she’s so strong.”

“It’s almost 4000 points. Himeji-san sure is smart.”

Mmm…holed up in a corner, we continue to nod our heads away.

The strength of a summoned beast is equivalent to the points that the owner gets. Since the test summoning system totals up the marks, basically, the higher amount of points a person gets, the stronger the summoned beast will be.

“Speaking of which, don’t Akihisa and Himeji know each other?”

“Mm~ she was my grade school classmate…but we haven’t spoken to each other for years. She should have forgotten about me, right?”

We’re in different classes right now, separated for a long time. If there’s a chance, I’ll definitely want to talk to her, but there’s no real chance for me to talk to any girl from another class. If I’m to go to her class and immediately say “Himeji-san, I got something to say to you”, this will look like a confession no matter what.

“I see, you’ll most likely be streamed into different classes next year. I can you can be erased from Hiemji’s memory.”

“Next year? Are you talking about the streaming exam?”

“Yeah, you definitely won’t be able to be in the same class as her anyway.”

“Now that you mentioned it, that’s right…”

After we entered school, we were streamed into different classes like other schools. But next year, things will be different. We’ll be sorted according to our grades. Though Himeji-san is in class C, when we become second-years, she’ll definitely be sorted into class A with those top grades of hers. If so, me and Yuuji will definitely be unable to be classmates with her since we’re just straddling about in class D anyway.

“I’ll be forgotten by her…this sure feels rather lonely…”

“Yeah, there’s no benefit for her to remember you anyway.”

“How can you say that!”

Just as we’re blankly seeing other classes battle it out and talking away—

“Next! Yoshii Akihisa and Shimada Minami!”

Ironman—let me repeat that again, this is the voice of our homeroom teacher, Nishimura-sensei.

Recovering myself, I find that those before me who were waiting to practice their summoning are all back.

“I’m going then.”

“Go then. You’re a ‘punishment inspector’ candidate anyway, go learn how to control a summoned beast properly.”

“…I say, I’m different from you Yuuji. I’m not some problematic kid!”

I rolled my eyes back at Yuuji. Really, what about being a ‘punishment inspector’? That’s really rude. Aren’t they saying that I’m a problematic student? Why is he calling me this when it’s basically the equivalent of being an idiot?

“Hurry up, Yoshii!!”

“Alright~”

Hearing Ironman roar at me, I hastily increase my pace.

Paying attention, the training partner has already finished her summoning.

“…”

The person stares at the summoned beast in front of her in shock. This girl with an energetic-looking ponytail and attractive long legs is my classmate, Shimada-san. At this moment, she reveals a slight melancholic look that doesn’t fit her. What happened? Why’s she looking so depressed and lethargic? Is her summoned beast even weak and useless than what she thought would be?”

“What’s wrong, Shimada-san? Are you shocked that your summoned beast is so weak?”

After saying this, I see that she seems to be healed by my gentleness. The grey clouds above her are gone, now replaced with a look of delight.

“Ah, so Yoshii’s the opponent. How delightful.”

Shimada-san slightly blushes. Seeing her so happy, I felt happy as well—oh my, to reveal her feelings to me in front of everyone like this, this kid’s really troublesome.”

“Because it’s great to beat up Yoshii.”

…This kid’s really troublesome!

“Shimada-san, the target’s the summoned beast, not us.”

I’m a little worried, so I confirmed the rules with her again. This is the summoning practical that’s meant for the summoning battles next year, so no matter what, this should be a battle between summoned beasts.

“You’re right, we won’t be fighting each other.”

Shimada-san immediately nodded her head in agreement. Great, seems like she understood.

“Since I’ll be the one dishing out the beatdown anyway.”

SEEMS LIKE SHE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND AT ALL!

“That, sensei, what Shimada-san did just now was an act of violence. If you have the time to check our belongings, you should do something about this case of school violence, right?”

“…Shimada, even if the opponent’s Yoshii, violence is bad.”

“But sensei…”

No buts. A no is a no, you understand?”

“…Yes.”

“Really…so you really understand? If so—”

Ironman suddenly reveals a smirk and says,

“—I’ll give you a special discount this time.”

“Eh? Aren’t those words really weird?”

Am I thinking too much? It seemed like a teacher just allowed a case of school violence!

“I’ll do my best!”

“Right, so you must work hard.”

“Ah haha, sensei, Shimada-san, you two are really stupid. Do you think that you two can beat me so easily? If so, I’m going to counter and beat you two—I’M SORRY, IT’S MY FAULT, PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!”

It’s useless even if I apologised.

Don’t tell me…that those cautious words of mine caused this disaster?

<center>☆</center>

“Ho…ever since morning inspection, it’s been one disaster after another today…”

After a day’s worth of lessons, it’s dismissal time. I’m chatting away with those guys who I usually talk to.

“That’s because Akihisa-bro brought so many unnecessary things to school.”

Sitting beside me and showing me a smile is Kinoshita Hideyoshi, who’s in the same class as me, Yuuji and Muttsulini. It’s already weird to hear him speak like an old man, and he has a beauty’s face on him. He really likes to make comments. Even so, I do feel that he’s the most normal person after me, since the other two are so abnormal that words can’t describe them.

“Speaking of which, Hideyoshi didn’t get anything confiscated, right?

“Of course I did, I got some costumes and props confiscated from me. Even though I told sensei that it’s for the drama club, they still got confiscated either way.”

The school has already provided some props and costumes for Hideyoshi, so Hideyoshi himself doesn’t need to bring them. If so, these are unnecessary things. However—

“There’s no need to confiscate them all anyway, he could have given us some leeway. Who expected Ironman’s brain to be so hard.”

“…(Nods head forcefully).”

“His brain’s definitely filled with lead.”

Muttsulini and Yuuji seem to agree with me. This can’t be helped, since they got quite a few things confiscated as well.

And I actually thought that ‘we’re just having summoning practical today, so there’re no lessons; should be rather relaxing today.”

It was supposed to be relaxing, but I guess it’s better to have lessons without the search.

“Summoning practical…”

Hearing my little grumbling, Yuuji muttered to himself.

“Eh? What’s wrong, Yuuji?”

“Nothing. It’s just that I remembered that we have to take part in summoning war next year.”

For some reason, he sure seemed happy when he said this.

Speaking of summoning war, well, it’s about having a summoning battle between classes with the class facilities on the line. If we can move onto second year without any mishaps, we’ll have this summoning war system on us.

“But why must we have this summoning war system? If we want to differentiate the scores clearly, can’t we just stick grades onto everyone?”

“Well, most likely, they prefer a summoning war to tests since it can motivate students, right? As a class, the students will work hard to not drag their classmates down.”

“I see. So they intend to make us work together and improve our grades without breaking us, right?”

“Yeah, this allows the school to do what they want the most, and that’s ‘to groom students who can showcase their real potential in society’.”

“Oh~ Is that so?”

Just as the four of them were chatting away.

“Ah…really, that Yoshii actually left the cleaning work to me. Where did he go off to?”

A certain student can be heard shouting on the corridor. Is that Shimada-san?

“What the heck, Akihisa. You’re in charge of cleaning today?”

“Mm, but I left the cleaning work to Shimada-san and ran off first.”

“Hmm, according to how I see it, you two have quite the relationship.”

“…(Nods head forcefully).”

“Ah haha, it’s not what you think it is.”

“Really. Once I catch him, I’ll tie his limbs up and throw him down the 3rd level!”

That’s a highly difficult stunt even a stuntman will be afraid of.

“Sorry, I don’t think I can protect my own life any longer. I’ll be leaving now!”

Without saying anything else, I grabbed my bag and dashed out of the corridor. I love my life.

“Ah, Yoshii! So you’re hiding here! Hold it right there!”

“I’m not going to wait! You’re going to kill me, right?”

“I’m not angry at all. Just hold on, will you!?”

That’s definitely a lie.

“These two really have rather good feelings.”

“…(Nods head forcefully).”

She said that she’s not angry, but she’s holding onto a rope for some reason.

<center>☆</center>

“Hoo…that was scary~”

It’s been past 30 minutes since I came running out of school, and before I knew it, I’m on a shopping street.

“Well. I don’t intend to buy anything, so I guess I’ll go back home—hm?”

Just as I intended to head home, I saw a familiar figure walk into a shop. Isn’t that Himeji-san?

“I guess it’s somewhat of a fate for us to meet here. Should I be courageous and call her…”

Though we did study in the same class during elementary school, we were separated into different classes during middle school. Before I knew it, Himeji-san seemed so distant from me. To see her in front of me after so many years, I really want to talk to her—the reason why I feel this way is most likely because of Yuuji’s words ‘She’ll erase you from her memory anyway’.

In order to turn my thoughts into action, I follow Himeji-san closely as I walked into the shop…only to find that there’re so many dolls here, it’s unbelievable. Seems like this is a doll shop that a girl will love the most—what the heck, this shop’s basically a doll shop!

“Well, let’s go back. This shop really doesn’t suit me.”

I immediately hasten my pace and walk towards the exit. Anyway, the most important thing right now is to leave this place.

“This is Hazuki’s only request of this lifetime. Please, uncle!”

“Even if you say that, I have to do business, you know…”

The moment I reached the exit, I suddenly heard this conversation. It seemed like a girl’s standing at the counter and telling the cashier something. She seems rather insistent on this. What’s going on?

I felt a bit mindful, so I turn my head to where the voice came from. As I expected, it’s a cashier uncle and a girl who looks like she’s in elementary school.

“I want to get that big Noi doll no matter what. Please, I beg you!”

“Even if you ask me like this…we’re doing business. Wouldn’t it be unfair to the other customers if I give you a little discount? We shopkeepers do have to treat all customers equally.”

“Even so, please!”

“Uuu…really can’t handle you…”

The cashier uncle looked rather troubled as he said this and scratches his face. The girl however continued to beg earnestly. Seeing such a small girl beg like this, I’ll be seen as really cruel if I’m to walk away like this…

“Hey, little girl, why do you want this doll?”

I know that I’m too nosey, but I still ended up getting involved.

Now that a 3rd party has suddenly appeared, the little girl and the uncle revealed a surprised look on their faces.

“Be, because onee-chan didn’t look too good recently. I wanted to buy the doll that she always wanted to hopefully motivate her…”

“Not looking good?”

“Most likely, because she just came back from Germany and couldn’t understand Japanese well!

Shifted houses…even if it’s within Japanese land, anyone will feel lonely when the friends and environment changes, let alone coming back to Japan.

“Even then, onee-chan took over mommy and daddy and did all the housework like sweeping and washing clothes nicely, and often play together with Hazuki…”

Seemed like it hit her sore spot as Hazuki-chan’s wide eyes start to tear up.

“Waa! Don, don’t cry! Nii-san will help you out here!”

“…Really?”

“Mm, really.”

“…Thank you, onii-chan!”

Wiping away the tears, Hazuki-chan reveals a delightful smile.

“Speaking of which, how much does this doll cost?”

The doll in Hazuki-chan’s arms is about 1m tall. If I make a rough estimate, I don’t think 5,000 yen’s going to be enough.

“Including tax, it’ll be a total of 24,800 yen.”

“Sorry, nii-san already tried, but he can’t do it.”

“Onii-chan?”

Hazuki-chan looks rather sad.

Argh! Didn’t expect one to be that expensive. Under these conditions, the declaration of surrender came out of my mouth without thinking through.

“Then how much does Hazuki-chan has?”

“I only have 10,000yen…”

So we’re missing 15,000. Including my entire fortune, there’s only 11,699 yen. We can’t even hitting the price of 24,800 yen! The most we can pay is half.

“Excuse me, can you sell this doll to us at 11,699 yen?”

“Eh, I just said before that that we’re doing a business here…”

The reply’s still the same.

“Onii-chan, this isn’t any different from before.”

Hazuki-chan whispered to my ear.

She’s right. Up till now, I’ve been doing the same thing as what Hazuki-chan’s been doing. However, things will be different from now on. I’m not an elementary school student; let’s show her how an adult (high school student) does things!

“We have only 11,699 yen in total, that’s about half the price of the doll, right?”

“Ya. That’s still not quite enough.”

“Hazuki-chan wants this doll, and uncle wants to sell this to her, but you’re unwilling to sell it to her at half price. If so, I have a great idea!”

“Hm? What is it?”

“We can rip the doll in half and sell the right side to—eh? What? Why are you two seeing me as an idiot?”

“…Are you really a high school student?”

“…Onii-chan’s an idiot!”

I, I actually got called stupid by an elementary school kid!

“I can’t give you a discount, but I can guarantee that I won’t sell this doll away for the time being. You can go back to discuss with your parents first.”

Making this conclusion, the uncle ended the conversation just like this.

“Can’t you ask your parents to buy it for you, Hazuki-chan?”

Having walked out of the shop, we came to the park to discuss our plans.

“Mommy and daddy aren’t normally at home…so they would leave the money to one-chan. If I want to buy something, onee-chan will definitely ask for a reason…”

“I see, uu~”

Wanting to do something for her beloved older sister—Hazuki-chan’s heart’s ever so glamorous, it’s way different from my family who sent me to Fumitzuki Gakuen on the excuse of ‘not wanting to waste school fees’. I must help Hazuki-chan in order to prevent her from losing this intimacy with her family.

But speaking of which, what should I do? It’ll be good if I have some more money, but my money’s about to be used it…

“Oh ya! Hazuki can get money if she sells her manga to a second-hand shop, right?”

Hazuki-chan thought of this brilliant plan as her eyes sparkle. It’s true that we can get money just like this, but I think that she can’t get so much anyway. Of course, it’s a different case altogether if I have those handheld games that were confiscated this morning—

“Hm? Oh ya, there’s this plan after all!”

“…Onii-chan, have you thought of something?”

“I can’t possibly get it back it my hands anyway. If I’m successful, we may be able to get enough money to buy the doll…”

Though I don’t think it can work…mm! It’s still worth a try though.

“Okay! Hazuki-chan, can you come back to the park tomorrow?”

“Y, yes. I can come over…”

“Then we’ll meet here tomorrow. It’s getting dark now, let’s go home.”

I waved my hands and said goodbye to Hazuki-chan. Anyway, I got to discuss it with Yuuji and the rest tomorrow.

“Ah, mm, bye bye…”

Speaking of which, did Himeji-san really enter that shop?

<center>☆</center>

“So you want to take back those confiscated items?”

The next morning, in the same classroom, I talked to the trio as per usual.

“I do feel that it’s a pity to leave those things that got confiscated yesterday, but…”

“Uu~mm…ya, but the opponent’s that Ironman. We may be designated as ‘Punishment Inspectors’ if we’re not careful…”

Yuuji and Hideyoshi lower their chin and ponder. Seems like they don’t intend to help me. This is bad, looks like I have to deal with this on my own.

“…I approve of Akihisa’s proposal.”

“Eh? Muttsulini? You’re willing to help me?”

“…(Nods head forcefully).”

Great! Now at least I have someone who specializes in stealth helping me out.

“…Never mind, let’s give it a go.”

“Ah? So Yuuji’s okay with it?”

“Yeah. I just bought that MP3 recently, and I accumulated quite a debt to Ironman, so let’s settle this once and for all.”

Yuuji smirked. What an enthusiastic bad guy’s face.

“If so, I’ll help out as well. If I can get back those things, I don’t want to give up as well.”

In the end, even Hideyoshi nodded his head, and everyone decided to take part in this. As expected of the group problematic first-years.

“Right now, the most important thing is to investigate where our targets are.”

“That’s right. If we don’t even know where Ironman hid those confiscated items, we can’t possibly get them back even if we want to.”

The confiscated items may have ended up being abandoned, but they were just confiscated yesterday, so Ironman should still have them with him.

“That’s the case. Akihisa, remove the silence function of the phone.”

“Eh? Why?”

“Don’t ask too much, just do it. You want those confiscated items back, right?”

“…I’m not really sure what’s going on, but I just need to remove the silence function, right?”

“That’s right.”

The phone can’t possibly ring during lesson time, there shouldn’t be any problems, right? Let’s just follow what Yuuji told me to do.

I pull my handphone out from my pocket and took it out of silent mode.

“Oi, you people better hurry up and sit down. I’m going to start taking attendance.”

Seeing our homeroom teacher Ironman walk into the classroom, I immediately slip the handphone back into my pocket.

“Alright, let’s begin.”

Thus, our battle for the confiscated items officially begins now.

“Shimada.”

“Here.”

“Shimizu.”

“Here.”

At the usual time of taking attendance, Ironman’s coarse voice echoes clearly throughout the classroom.

“Yamaguchi.”

“Here.”

“Watanabe.”

“Here.”

—Beep beep beep.

Suddenly, a beep interrupted the class while attendance is taken. Whose phone is it? Really, do think that we have such a stupid person in class. The phone will definitely get confiscated when it rings in class.

“…Yoshii, hand over your phone.”

“…Yes.”

The problem is, this stupid person was me.

Damn it! Why must it ring at this moment!? Who called me!?

<<Missed call: Sakamoto Yuuji>>

“Yu, Yuuji, you betrayed me!”

“I’ll consficate the handphone then.”

“Ahh! Handphone! MY HANDPHONE!”

My handphone got taken away by Ironman mercilessly.

“Very good. Nobody’s came late nor skipped classes. I hope that all students will continue to keep this up.”

After taking the attendance, Ironman moves his heavy feet out of the classroom—together with my handphone.

“Very good. Part 1 of the plan is complete.”

“Yuuji! What sort of grudge do you have against me! Now my handphone got confiscated by Ironman all because of you!”

“This is a bait meant to fish out where our targets are. We just need to take them back.”

“Eh? Bait?”

“That’s right. I deliberately allowed Ironman to confiscate your handphone in order to find out where Ironman hid those items.”

“Why didn’t you tell me in the first place…”

And if possible, I hope that you can use your handphone as bait.

“…I’m back.”

“WAHH!”

Suddenly talking right behind me. You scared me~

“Oh, Muttsulini came back already. How was it?”

“…Those confiscated items are placed in the staff storage cupboard.”

“As expected of Muttsulini, erasing your own presence to tail people, that truly is your specialty. I’m impressed.”

Seems like Muttsulini went to tail Ironman and investigate where my handphone was hidden. If it’s tailing others without attracting attention, Yuuji can’t do it, and Hideyoshi doesn’t have the skills.

“…But the cupboard’s locked.”

“Okay. So where’s the key?”

“…In the rear left pocket of Ironman’s pants.”

“I see. If so, we have to snatch the key from him.”

“Ya, but how are we going to do that?”

“No problems. I got a good idea. We’ll take action during cleaning time.”

Anyway, let's attend lessons and wait for school dismissal.

<center>☆</center>

It's finally dismissal time.

“So, what plan do you have?”

As I tried to sneak out yesterday, I was punished to sweep the entire corridor alone. Thus, I'm discussing the plan with Yuuji and the rest while twisting the mop around. These damned guys don't have any intentions of helping out in the first place.

“We'll be using that.”

Yuuji lifts his chin and points.

“A pail? What are we going to do with that?”

“We're going to use that to splash water on Ironman and make him take off his clothes.”

I see. If so, we can then take his clothes away and take the key to the cupboard,

“Mm hm~ this method is simple and easy to succeed.”

Hideyoshi's right. We can't possibly fail. Basically, there's only the last problem to this plan, and that is—whoever going to splash the water on Ironman will get pursued by him to the ends of the Earth.

“There's only one problem in this plan, and that's the one who's going to splash the water, 'Akihisa' will get pursued by him to the ends of the Earth.”

Hold on! Is it decided that I'll be the one in charge of doing this?

“However, that's not really a huge problem.”

THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM TO ME!

“Oi, isn't that too strange? Let's settle this with rock paper scissors!”

“Ooh, look! Me and our target's already here.”

“Very good. You got to do your best, Akihisa!”

“...Do your best.”

“Eh? Hold on!”

The trio already wordlessly retreated back in the shortest time possible.

Ironman has already climbed up the stairs. If so, I can only do this!

My eyes have already captured the target, and the relative speed was estimated. The prepared weapon's in my hand, everything's okay—time to attack!

“WAAHH! I SLIPPED!”

Dragging the mop, I deliberately fell forward by letting my feet stagger and aim the pail at Ironman, who's on the stairs. GET WET!

“GUAH!”

How, how is it possible! As expected of Ironman! To be able to suddenly react in the blink of an eye and dodge the splash thanks to his superhuman senses! However—

“WHERE ARE YOU ESCAPING TO!?”

I drag the mop in my hand to where Ironman dodged to. I won't admit defeat so easily!

Phoosh, Clak cak cak.

The water from the pail drenched Ironman, and the pail rolls asie. Mission accomplished.

I pick up the pail and mop that I threw out as I remain mindful not to step on the puddle of water, saying to a stunned Ironman “Sorry, I slipped—AHH, sensei! An encyclopaedia isn't to be used as a weapon!”

“I thought I just heard you say 'Where are you escaping to', didn't I?”

“That's just a hallucination.”

“Stop trying to lie to me with such a serious look on your face. Get ready to die!”

“Sen, sensei, please don't use the edge of the encyclopaedia!”

Where are you guys now! Come save me! I'll definitely be beaten down by Ironman into a panda if this keeps up!

“Ahh, Akihisa, you really ended up doing it.”

Yuuji and the rest appeared out of nowhere. Anyway, I'm saved~

“I told you so many times 'not to splash water onto sensei'...”

“Ow, OWW! SENSEI! I SAID THAT I DIDN'T DO IT ON PURPOSE ALREADY!”

They, they didn't help out at all! These damned guys! Are they intending to sit around and watch?

“Sensei, punish Akihisa later. I guess you better change your clothes. If you don't mind, I'll lend my P.E. attire to you.”

“That's right. Sorry, then lend me that. Yoshii, stay behind and scrub the floor clean!”

Leaving these words behind, Ironman, who was drenched by me, head off to the classroom with Yuuji and the rest to change clothes.

“...So unfortunate.”

Anyway, I remained behind to clean the floor up. Besides, I have the cleaning tools in my hand.

Just as I'm working hard to wipe the water off the floor, Hideyoshi walks out of the classroom and moves towards me.

“I got the key, Akihisa.”

“Really? Then we just need to enter the staffroom and get back the confiscated items.”

“Umm, let's hurry up before Ironman realizes it.”

“Got it!”

After letting the mop lean against the wall, Hideyoshi and I quickly head towards the staffroom.

“I'm going in then.”

I took the cupboard key from Hideyoshi's hands and reach my hand out for the door.

“There’s no problem, right?”

“No need to worry. I’ll try my best to walk into the staffroom without raising too much attention and get those things back.”

I should be just an ordinary student to every teacher, except for Ironman. I should be more suited for this role as compared to Hideyoshi, who has the look of a beauty.

“Really? Then I’ll just wait here for your good news.”

“Mm, I’m going in then~ ‘cuse me~”

I open the staffroom door slightly. No problem, I’m not some irritating guy.

“Yoshii? Hurry up and get over here!”

“Why!? Why am I noticed so soon after entering the room!?”

I got caught by the Ancient Literature teacher immediately after entering the room. Why?

“I want to hear what excuse you have regarding the essay ‘translate the Tsurezuregusa[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3.5_Translation_Notes_and_References#] into Modern Language’!”

“Ah, I did hand in my homework properly.”

“I’m asking why did you turn the Tsurezuregusa into a rap!?”

“Eh? But sensei wanted it to be translated into the modern language, and speaking of modern Japanese, isn’t it—”

“Ah, Yoshii-kun, remember to come over here after you’re done there.”

“Yoshii, that Chemistry report you handed in was too ridiculous! Come over and explain it to me later.”

Unknowingly, I got surrounded by several teachers. Well, if this is the case, forget about completing the plan, I’ll be hounded by these teachers till night! Got to find a way to get away from them!

“Excuse me…”

Just as I’m pondering on what to do, someone else entered the staffroom. Hm? Isn’t that Hideyoshi?

"Ooh, isn’t that Kinoshita? What’s wrong?”

“I, I suddenly…don’t feel too good…but the health teacher isn’t…in…”

Hideyoshi cupped his mouth. He really doesn’t look too good. Is he sick?

“Hideyoshi, are you—”

I frantically rushed towards him. At this moment, he suddenly blinked at me. I see, so he’s acting! As expected of someone from the drama club, I nearly got fooled.

“Sorry, but can I rest here—”

Before finishing, Hideyoshi collapsed onto the floor.

“Ki, Kinoshita! Are you alright?”

“Anyway, let’s take him to the sickbay!”

“You, you’re right! Sensei, please carry his legs!”

A few teachers start to create quite the ruckus. After that, everyone in the staffroom left to accompany Hideyoshi to the sick bay. Brilliantly done, Hideyoshi!

“Let’s use this opportunity to get back those confiscated items. Let me see, Ironman…no wait, it’s Nishimura. Nishimura’s…”

I checked the nametag on the cupboards which are according to order. Oh, found it. It’s this one.

“…Speaking of which, I somehow imagined that bugs will crawl out of Ironman’s cupboard.”

Though I’m a bit fearful, I have no time to hesitate. I pull out the key Hideyoshi handed to me and pull the door handle down, opening the metal cupboard effortlessly.

“Oh, it’s unexpectedly clean…”

The cupboard’s arranged rather neatly, and the bag of confiscated goods are placed in an obvious place.

“Let’s get out of here before someone notices—hm?”

Just as I was about to lock the cupboard up and run away, I noticed a pile of old books tied up in raffia strings. Should be meant for throwing away.

“Uu~hm…since he’s going to throw it, I might as well take it. Maybe I can get some money as well.”

After grabbing the books with both hands, I immediately dashed out of the staffroom.

“Okay! At least we achieved our goal!”

After what happened just now, I brought the spoils—the bag of confiscated items back to Yuuji, only taking away my own stuff and the pile of old books. I then took them over to a second-hand shop to exchange these spoils for cash.

My handheld games and gaming software garnered a price lower than what I expected, while that pile of books got quite the price; what a nice mistake in estimation. I really got to thank Ironman for this.

“Let me see, is that girl here~”

“Ah! Onii-chan! You're here!”

Hazuki-chan immediately came running over to me the moment I approached the park. She really looked like a cute puppy, and that even warms my heart. Maybe it's because I'm often surrounded by idiots, Ironman and a violent girl...

“Mm, because we arranged to meet each other. Oh yeah, where did you get that doll from?”

Looking closely, Hazuki-chan's hugging something similar to the Noi doll that she wanted to buy (is that what it's called?). It looks as if it was sewn by hand.

“There was a pretty onee-chan who came over and said to me 'If that onii-chan couldn't succeed, then give this to your sister!' and handed it over to me!”

“?”

“And she also said 'If that onii-chan managed to buy the doll, i'll give this doll to you.'.”

The kid's lack of order in her speech confused me.

Erm, let me straighten Hazuki-chan's words out—

—A pretty onee-chan came to Hazuki-chan today.

—And then, she handed this handmade doll over to Hazuki-chan

—This pretty onee-chan even said that if I couldn't do it, she'll give this doll to Hazuki-chan's sister as a gift.

—But if I succeeded, this doll will go to Hazuki-chan.

—So that's how it is.

“Mmm, is that so? Then this doll will go to hazuki-chan.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Yeah. And this doll will go to Hazuki-chan's sister.”

I hand over the large doll in my hand over to Hazuki-chan. It should be tough for her petite body to carry such a large doll, but she still received it delightedly.

“This is great! Thank you, onii-chan!”

“No problems. It'll be great if your sister can cheer up.”

I patted her head. Hazuki-chan seems to enjoy it as she slowly closes her eyes.

“Uu~ Ah, that's right! Onii-chan, can you lend me your ear?”

“Eh? What is it? Are you going to say a secret to me or something?”

“Don't ask, just lend me your ear.”

Is she about to thank me? I'm really touched. One can't become a proper adult if the person can't even say 'thank you' or 'sorry'.

“Okay, what is it?”

I bent over to match her height, but unexpectedly—

“Thank you, onii-chan♪”

Whoosh! A cute sensation passes my face. Eh? This...don't tell me this is...

[[Image:BTS vol 03.5 043.jpg|thumb]]

“Wha, wha, wha...”

“Onii-chan may be an idiot, but he's so gentle! Hazuki-chan loves you! When I grow up, I'll let you become my husband!”

Without waiting for me to reply, Hazuki-chan skips out of the park.

Re, recently, these elementary school students are...

I touched my face with my hand, seemingly wanting to wipe away the soft sensation that's left on the face. Even without looking at the mirror, I know my face is red. How, how embarrassing...she's just an elementary school kid...

“Hoo...time for me to go back as well...”

After lifting my bag up and slinging it over my back, I head off towards the exit of the park. While exiting, I see a familiar figure yesterday. That person is—

“Excuse me...are you Himeji-san?”

“Ah, yes, what is it—YO, YOSHII-KUN!”

So it's Himeji-san. It sure is hard to find another pretty girl. I can't possibly be mistaken.

“Sorry, I seemed to have scared you.”

“No, no worries. I was just dazed...”

Our conversation got interrupted just like that. This, this is really awkward...what should I say to a friend who I haven't met for a long time?

“Erm, that...it's really a coincidence that we met here. Did you just finish class? But you look rather tired here, are you?”

“Yes,because I stayed up all night...”

“Hei~so Himeji-san would also stay up.”

The impression she gives is that she lives her life normally, but it's unexpected that she would stay up.

“That's not it, I just stayed up last night, because I got something I have to do no matter what...”

She inadvertently yawned as she continued to talk. Himeji-san sure is cute when she lets out some tears due to sleepiness.

“Then, I'll be going off in this direction, goodbye.”

"Ah, mm, byebye.”

I waved my hand to Himeji-san, who bowed to me courteously.

While walking home, I just realized—oh ya, why did Himeji-san appear in such a place?

<center>☆</center>

“...There was a case of theft in the staffroom room.”

The next morning, during self-study period, Ironman suddenly mentioned this. He's definitely referring to the bag of confiscated items that we got yesterday.

“Such a tragedy worth being angry over, don't you think so, Yoshii?”

He actually threw this question at me. As expected of Ironman, he must have realized that I was the perpetrator, but who will follow you obediently?

“Yeah, sure is worth sighing over.”

I naturally replied with these few words. No problems, I got everything under control.

“Really? Speaking of which, that culprit even took sensei's books.”

Hm? Books? Is he referring to that bundle of books? Wasn't he going to throw them away?

“And that culprit actually had the guts to use his own identity to sell my books to a second-hand shop.”

“Is that so, he sure has guts.”

“Yeah, hahahaha!”

“Ahhahaha...”

Ironman and I started laughing with all enthusiasm. Really, we're laughing with all sorts of happiness—at least it looked that way if not for those eyes.

“YOSHII! GET READY TO DIE!!!”

“So, sorry! Who knew that it was sensei's collection, I didn't—”

“Are you saying that you didn't even think of it?”

“No, I did think about it, but then I thought 'since its Ironman's, it doesn't matter~'! OW! OUCH! SENSEI! MY SKULLCAP GOT SMASHED IN BY YOU!”

“So you idiot has the highest suspicion. Looks like I have to be even more careful and watch you.”

“Sensei! I'm feeling that I've been watched by you all this time, there's no way for you to watch me further!”

“No, there still is, right? I got a really precious title of honor that's suitable for you—“

“Eh, this is...”

“Everyone at the staff meeting this morning have all agreed, so accept this. This is a present that sensei's handing you.”

From who knows when, Ironman suddenly has a piece of paper in his hand. This plain white paper has only a single line on it.

—Yoshii Akihisa.

The above mentioned has been designed as the 'Punishment Inspector' of Fumitzuki Gakuen.

<center>☆</center>

“Onee-chan!”

Hm? Hazuki, what's up?”

“Well, this is for onee-chan!”

“Eh? Isn't this the Noi doll that I always wanted? How did you...”

“Because onee-chan looked so lethargic. Hazuki prepared it for onee-chan to cheer onee-chan up!”

“Hazuki...really, you...thank you, onee-chan's really happy!”

“Schoolwork may be tough, but you must work hard, Minami nee-chan!”

“Hm, I'll do my best! I'll feel like I lost if I continue to mess around like this. And also...”

“And also what?”

“I'm mindful of someone in school.”

“Eh? Onee-chan's mindful of someone? Who is it? How is that person like?”

“Well~as repayment of the Noi doll, I'll only say this to Hazuki. That person is in the same class as me, and he's one huge idiot~”

<noinclude>
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|-
| Back to [[Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3.5_Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
| Return to [[Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3.5_Fumizuki News|Fumizuki News (An interview with Yoshii Akihisa from Class 2-F)]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3 The Second Question

2010-12-22T23:25:08Z

76.30.134.122: /* The Second Question */

===The Second Question===

'''Please write the diary entry for the first day of the training course.'''

'''Himeji Mizuki's Diary:'''

After getting off at the tram stop, I was overwhelmed by a sudden dizziness. The smell of the trees and the change of scenery, the different of air quality compared to the streets of the city, seemed to prophesied that something good will happen.

'''Teacher's advice:'''

It seems the change of environment is a great stimulus. I wish Himeji to have a great time and create some memories that belong only to the second year of your high schooling.

'''Tsuchiya Kouta's Diary:'''

[[Image:BTS vol 03 029.jpg|thumb]]
After getting off at the tram stop, I felt overwhelmed by dizziness. I wonder what caused it?

'''Teacher's advice:'''

It's carsickness.

'''Yoshii Akihisa's Diary:'''

At the tram stop, I took in a whiff of the air, it seemed a little sweet, yet sour. A very mysterious smell, and my deep thoughts echoed whether or not it was the speciality of this town.

'''Teacher's advice:'''

I am definitely sure if Tsuchiya besides you was not vomiting, you would have a different impression of the air quality of this town.

Noticing the greenery pass the bus window, I finally left the city that I’m so used to staying in, and is heading towards the highlands that give off such a realistic feeling.

“Seems like we’re going to be on this tram for another 2 hours.”

Himeji-san is sitting opposite me as she slips her handphone back into her pocket. She should be checking out the bus directory.

“There’s two hours left, but I don’t want to sleep. What should I do~”

As the space in the bus is small, there’re only so many things we can do. Our handheld games were confiscated, so we couldn’t bring them. There’s unexpectedly so few things that we can do.

I turn around and look at Yuuji, who’s looking outside. also looking rather bored, he yawned.

“Yuuji, got something interesting?”

“Isn’t there a mirror in the toilet? You can look into it until it breaks.”

“Eh, you’re saying that my face looks interesting?”

“Nope, you’re mistaken. I’m saying that your face—really can’t make anyone laugh.”

“What do you mean by you can’t laugh at it!? Is my face so bad that no one can laugh at it!?”

“I’m saying what’s interesting in your guardian spirit.”

“A guardian spirit? You can see those kinds of things, Yuuji?”

“Mm, I can see it. Dyed in blood, messed-up long black hair, that’s a rare guardian spirit you have there.”

“No matter what, anyone who looks like that wouldn’t be protecting me, right?”

That should be well-known as a ghost from behind, right?

“Relax, I’m just half-joking.”

“Ah, what the hell, you scared me.”

“Actually, the hair is coffee in colour.”

“Forget about the colour, that’s not the important thing!”

Though I feel that Yuuji should be joking right from the start, I still find it a bit horrifying. If I’m to listen to him even more, it’ll become a monster talk. But then again, my luck recently has been really bad, maybe it’s some impure thing coming over to haunt me…never mind, let’s just prepare some salt to chase them away.

“Oh, Minami, what are you reading?”

Opposite Yuuji, diagonally in front of me, Minami is reading a book that’s about as large as a notepad. It’s really rare for Minami to read this when she’s not really good in Kanji. Is it something that introduces red rubies?

“Hm? You’re talking about this? It’s a book of psychological tests. I bought it since it costs 100 yen, but I didn’t expect it to be so interesting.”

Psychological tests? Seems like we have something to kill the time off.

“Ohh~ seems interesting. Why don’t you give me a question, Minami?”

“Mm, alright.”

After saying this, Minami flips through a few pages.

“Then let’s start. ‘Please choose someone from the opposite gender that fits the following colours’.”

So, a colour impression? I suppose this is to choose who I find suits the colour the most, right?

“’① Green ② Orange. ③ Blue’

Please say the names of the persons who you find are suitable for the above colours.”

Ooo~ Green, orange and blue, huh?

“Erm—Minami, why are you staring at me so intently? At least let me answer the question first.”

“I, I’m not! Stop yapping and start answering!”

“Hm~…if that’s the case, then ‘Green=>Minami, Orange=>Hideyoshi and Blue=>Himeji-san’, or something like that.”

PLACK—Minami lets out a terrifying sound between her fingers.

“Mi, Minami-san…why must you rip the book right through in half?”

“AND YOU DARE ASK WHY!?”

“Eh?”

“WHY IS MY COLOUR GREEN AND MIZUKI’S BLUE? CARE TO EXPLAIN?”

Wa! Though I don’t know what’s going on, she’s really infuriated! For her to get so angry from just a psychological test, do I have something against tests?

“Eve, even if you ask me why, I…”

Because you’re wearing grassy-green underwear—she’ll throw me out of the bus window if I say this, right?

“I won’t get angry, so just say it.”

“Because your underwear’s grassy-green underwear.”

“SAKAMOTO, OPEN THE WINDOW!”

“YOU’RE THINKING OF THROWING ME OUT RIGHT!? YOU’RE THINKING OF THROWING ME OUT OF THE WINDOW RIGHT!!?”

“Shimada, you can’t just throw trash out of the window.”

“Thanks for stopping Minami, Yuuji, but you just treated me like trash without thinking, right?”

“Doesn’t matter anyway, since you’re not trash, but a scumbag.”

“What now~ I haven’t been treated like this so cruelly in a long time.”

“You should put a scumbag into a waste carriage.”

“And even Yuuji’s treating me like one…”

Why must I be always treated like this!?

Just as I grit my teeth to endure this agony of humanity, Yuuji easily snatches that booklet of psychology (or rather, it was one anyway) from Minami’s hands.

“AH! What are you doing!?”

“Let me see! Green represents ‘friend’, orange represents ‘source of motivation, and blue represents—ohh. I see.”

Yuuji glances at Minami and me a few times before giving a sly look. I’ll go mad everytime he gives such a look.

“Sa, Sakamoto! Return that to me!”

“Sorry sorry. It looked interesting, so I really felt like borrowing it to take a look.”

Minami puffs her cheeks in anger as Yuuji doesn’t look sincere at all when he apologized.

“Speaking of which, does Yuuji want to participate?”

“You’re right. Shimada, can I join in too?”

“Alright alright…but, but I have to make this clear, there wasn’t any significance in that question just now!”

“Okay okay, I got it.”

What was written on that book?

“Can I join in too?”

At this moment, Hideyoshi moves over. He’s sitting together with Muttsulini behind us, seems like he’s bored as well.

“I’m okay with it.”

Minami looks a bit unhappy, seems like she’s a bit jealous of Hideyoshi.

“Well, thanks. Ah, Akihisa, regarding the answer just now…”

“What answer?”

“The question just now was ‘Please choose someone from the opposite gender that fits the following colour’, right? Who did you choose for orange?”

“You, Hideyoshi.”

“…I’m happy to hear that when you mentioned this, but I do feel really troubled by this…”

Hideyoshi lowered his head as he muttered this. What’s going on?

“Speaking of which, is Muttsulini not participating?”

“Looks like he’s asleep. I heard that he did quite a lot of investigations.”

I poke my head out past the back of the chair, Muttsulini is definitely sleeping.

“I guess it’s better not to bother him.”

“You’re right.”

Seeing him sleep like this, it’ll be pitiful if he’s to be called up suddenly.

“Erm, excuse me. Can I join in as well?”

Sitting opposite us, Himeji-san shyly raises her hand.

“Then let’s have everyone play.

I answered for Minami while she still looked unhappy. Besides, she won’t mind Himeji-san joining in as well.

“Oh yeah, Minami, about that ‘opposite gender person that represents blue’, what’s the answer?”

“…I won’t say it, even till I die.”

“How, how did it become like this…”

Himeji-san’s wide eyes look a bit teary. It’s because of those teary eyes that I immediately thought of her the moment I heard blue.

[[Image:BTS vol 03 037.jpg|thumb]]
“Ah…never mind, on to the next question.”

Minami sighs and again flips through the torn psychology test booklet. To be able to rip a booklet right down the middle, how strong is Minami anyway?

“’From the numbers ‘1’ to ‘10’, please choose the first two numbers that you thought of.’”

“I’m 5 and 6”

Yuuji said.

“Well, I’m 2 and 7.”

Hideyoshi replied.

“I’m 1 and 4.”

I gave my answer as well.

“Then I’m 3 and 9.”

Himeji-san finally has an answer.

After hearing our comments, Minami slowly flips through a page off the booklet in her hands.

“Let me see. ‘The first number the person thinks of represents how others view the person’. If so—”

“A snarky, cool guy.”-- Yuuji.

“A calm and sensible person.”-- Hideyoshi.

“Go to hell.”-- Me.

“Caring and cautious”-- Himeji-san.

Minami said out the results of this.

“Oh, I see.”

“To be called sensible, I’m rather happy.”

“Erm~ why am I the only getting scolded?”

“So I’m gentle and cautious, huh~”

We all said out our thoughts.

“Next, ‘the second number represents the real personality hidden within you’. So, let me see—”

Similar to what she did just now, Minami pointed at everyone.

“A just and gentle person.”-- Yuuji.

“A very attractive person.”-- Hideyoshi.

“Go and die painfully.”-- Me.

“A strong-willed person.”-- Himeji-san.

She again gives us the answer.

“Hideyoshi is really attractive.”

“Himeji is a strong-willed girl, huh?”

“Erm~ Why am I being the only one scolded even more?”

“Sakamoto-kun really gives a feeling that he’s gentle.”

Our conversation starts to revolve around the psychology test, and everyone continued to have fun.

After that, Minami started to play a few of these psychology test with us.

After a while,

“…(Pats pats).”

“Ah, morning, Muttsulini.”

“You’re awake.”

“…Woke up because I’m hungry.”

“Oh? It’s that time already?”

I pull out the handphone to confirm the time, and the time shown on the screen right now is 1:15pm. Normally, this would be past lunchtime already.

“Perfect timing. Why don’t we have our lunch now?”

“You’re right. We won’t be able to finish dinner if we had lunch too late.”

Food is a really important source of nutrition. I won’t deliberately give any excuse that I ate already this time; that would truly be a waste.

“Ah, it’s time for lunch, right? If so—”

At this moment, Himeji-san reaches her hand into a bag beside her, searching for something, and I have a bad feeling about this.

“Actually, I made quite a lot of bentos, so it possible…”

The prediction became through! Himeji-san takes out a large bento box!

I’m really grateful for her kind intention, but unfortunately, the food that she makes aren’t just a masterpiece of creativity, it’s a strong poison that can threaten anyone’s life.

“Sorry Himeji, but I did bring my own bento.”

“Sorry, I brought mine as well.”

“…Same here.”

Yuuji, Hideyoshi and Muttsulini all pull out their lunches to prove it, seems like they were completely prepared.

“This is how it is, so Akihisa, please accompany Himeji as you eat your lunch.”

Yuuji reveals an expression of glee over my misfortune. They must have thought that since I’m in poverty, I won’t be able to prepare my own bento.

Hoho, you’re too naïve if you thought that.

“I’m sorry. Actually, I prepared my own bread.”

“Oh my! My hand slipped! (smacks me)”

“…my foot slipped. (steps on it)”

“AHHH! MY BREAD! MY BREAD!”

After Yuuji caused me to drop my bread onto the floor, Muttsulini followed up by stepping on it a few times.

Damn it! Your combination is too perfect! How am I supposed to react?

Even so, I’m not so weak so as to give up even after my bread got stepped on a few times.

“Hahaha, you guys aren’t careful at all. Really, why don’t you treasure food more—”

“—You’re right. Why shouldn’t we treasure food? I'll finish up this squished bread, so Akihisa, just eat Himeji’s bento.”

““……(staring at each other)””

“Ah sorry Yuuji. My hand slipped so—”

“I’ll grab you to prevent your hand from slipping.”

““……(glaring at each other)””

“Then Akihisa-kun, if you don’t mind—”

Himeji-san shyly brings the bento in front of me. I’m really~really happy, but after seeing the contents of the bento, I can’t even bring myself to start tucking in.

“Ah~ Well, this…”

“Aki, do you want to eat my bento as well?”

Just as I was ready to use my specialty ‘stomachache attack’, Minami unexpectedly gave me an escape route. This is truly a once in a million chance!

“Thanks Minami for sharing! How about everyone open up their bentos? Then we can all share!”

I see Yuuji shoot me a ‘what kind of bastardly idea is this?’ blaming look. Really, this made me feel so good about it.

“Well, well Muttsulini and I will go back to our seats and eat.”

“…(Nods head vigourously).”

Oh, so Hideyoshi and Muttsulini are both intending to escape, huh? Nevermind, my target has only been Sakamoto Yuuji right from the start!

“I don’t need it, besides, I have Akihisa’s bread in my hand.”

Though Yuuji’s face is looking as gentle as ever, his gaze is ever serious.

“Don’t say this, Yuuji…”

“I see, so you want to eat my bento as well! Go ahead, take as much as you want!”

“GUUH!!”

My mouth got stuffed with a lot of things. Yuuji seemed to have stuff my mouth with sandwiches to prevent me from saying anything. Can I even say anything anymore?

I frantically chew on the food to swallow it. Humph! This American-style sandwich is too delicious! Roasted chicken with some special marinade on it.

“(swallows)—that was good!”

A layer of butter was applied on the surface of the toast to prevent moisture, only the leaves of the lettuce was used, the lettuce was used to wrap the tomatoes and chicken to prevent the moisture from oozing out, and there’s a layer of wasabi sauce and mayonnaise on the chicken as well…

“Oi Yuuji, did you make this yourself?”

“…Can’t I?”

How should I say it? The sandwich he made was surprisingly good, really shocked me. This guy really isn’t some amateur at this, he always has his way of doing things.

“Then have some of mine.”

This time, Minami places her bento in front of me. Ooohh, hers is traditional. Deep-fried meat balls, siewmais and asparagus rolls are all lined up nicely in the bento box. She still gave me these even though she was in a bad mood during the psychology test games, really, Minami is gentle! I have to see her from a different viewpoint.

“Then if you don’t mind me.”

Now, what shall I eat? I’m getting puzzled since I haven’t eaten a proper meal for a long time. Oh~ well, then I’ll take the siewmai! Though it’s rude, I still used my hand to pick one up and pop it into my mouth.

“Aki, that, well…I’m trying to summon my courage to say this! Actually, I intended to let you eat that siewmai—”

“Hm? What? (chewing)”

“—because between the 2 siewmais , one of them has wasabi in it.”

“ARE YOU STUPID!?”

SPICY!! I’M GOING TO DIE OF SPICINESS!! MY TONGUE HAS GONE NUMB!!

“Akihisa, you might be lucky in a certain sense.”

Yuuji patted his hand on my shoulder just as I’m going about looking for water.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN I’M LUCKY…ah yes! Since my taste buds are all damaged, maybe I might be able to take Himeji-san’s toxic food! If so, I got to remain in this invincible mode and—

“I’m taking your bento, Himeji-san!”

“Ah, yes. Please have more of it.”

“I’m tucking in—”

<center>☆</center>

Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3 The Second Question

2010-12-21T15:56:24Z

76.30.134.122: /* The Second Question */

===The Second Question===

'''Please write the diary entry for the first day of the training course.'''

'''Himeji Mizuki's Diary''' :

After getting off at the tram stop, I was overwhelmed by a sudden dizziness. The smell of the trees and the change of scenery, the different of air quality compared to the streets of the city, seemed to prophesied that something good will happen.

'''Teacher's advice''' :

It seems the change of environment is a great stimulus. I wish Himeji to have a great time and create some memories that belong only to the second year of your high schooling.

'''Tsuchiya Kouta's Diary''' :

After getting off at the tram stop, I felt overwhelmed by dizziness. I wonder what caused it?

'''Teacher's advice''' :

It's carsickness.

'''Yoshii Akihisa's Diary''' :

At the tram stop, I took in a whiff of the air, it seemed a little sweet, yet sour. A very mysterious smell, and my deep thoughts echoed whether or not it was the speciality of this town.

'''Teacher's advice''' :

I am definitely sure if Tsuchiya besides you was not vomiting, you would have a different impression of the air quality of this town.

Noticing the greenery pass the bus window, I finally left the city that I’m so used to staying in, and is heading towards the highlands that give off such a realistic feeling.

“Seems like we’re going to be on this tram for another 2 hours.”

Himeji-san is sitting opposite me as she slips her handphone back into her pocket. She should be checking out the bus directory.

“There’s two hours left, but I don’t want to sleep. What should I do~”

As the space in the bus is small, there’re only so many things we can do. Our handheld games were confiscated, so we couldn’t bring them. There’s unexpectedly so few things that we can do.

I turn around and look at Yuuji, who’s looking outside. also looking rather bored, he yawned.

“Yuuji, got something interesting?”

“Isn’t there a mirror in the toilet? You can look into it until it breaks.”

“Eh, you’re saying that my face looks interesting?”

“Nope, you’re mistaken. I’m saying that your face—really can’t make anyone laugh.”

“What do you mean by you can’t laugh at it!? Is my face so bad that no one can laugh at it!?”

“I’m saying what’s interesting in your guardian spirit.”

“A guardian spirit? You can see those kinds of things, Yuuji?”

“Mm, I can see it. Dyed in blood, messed-up long black hair, that’s a rare guardian spirit you have there.”

“No matter what, anyone who looks like that wouldn’t be protecting me, right?”

That should be well-known as a ghost from behind, right?

“Relax, I’m just half-joking.”

“Ah, what the hell, you scared me.”

“Actually, the hair is coffee in colour.”

“Forget about the colour, that’s not the important thing!”

Though I feel that Yuuji should be joking right from the start, I still find it a bit horrifying. If I’m to listen to him even more, it’ll become a monster talk. But then again, my luck recently has been really bad, maybe it’s some impure thing coming over to haunt me…never mind, let’s just prepare some salt to chase them away.

“Oh, Minami, what are you reading?”

Opposite Yuuji, diagonally in front of me, Minami is reading a book that’s about as large as a notepad. It’s really rare for Minami to read this when she’s not really good in Kanji. Is it something that introduces red rubies?

“Hm? You’re talking about this? It’s a book of psychological tests. I bought it since it costs 100 yen, but I didn’t expect it to be so interesting.”

Psychological tests? Seems like we have something to kill the time off.

“Ohh~ seems interesting. Why don’t you give me a question, Minami?”

“Mm, alright.”

After saying this, Minami flips through a few pages.

“Then let’s start. ‘Please choose someone from the opposite gender that fits the following colours’.”

So, a colour impression? I suppose this is to choose who I find suits the colour the most, right?

“’1. Green 2. Orange. 3. Blue’

Please say the names of the persons who you find are suitable for the above colours.”

Ooo~ Green, orange and blue, huh?

“Erm—Minami, why are you staring at me so intently? At least let me answer the question first.”

“I, I’m not! Stop yapping and start answering!”

“Hm~…if that’s the case, then ‘Green=>Minami, Orange=>Hideyoshi and Blue=>Himeji-san’, or something like that.”

PLACK—Minami lets out a terrifying sound between her fingers.

“Mi, Minami-san…why must you rip the book right through in half?”

“AND YOU DARE ASK WHY!?”

“Eh?”

“WHY IS MY COLOUR GREEN AND MIZUKI’S BLUE? CARE TO EXPLAIN?”

Wa! Though I don’t know what’s going on, she’s really infuriated! For her to get so angry from just a psychological test, do I have something against tests?

“Eve, even if you ask me why, I…”

Because you’re wearing grassy-green underwear—she’ll throw me out of the bus window if I say this, right?

“I won’t get angry, so just say it.”

“Because your underwear’s grassy-green underwear.”

“SAKAMOTO, OPEN THE WINDOW!”

“YOU’RE THINKING OF THROWING ME OUT RIGHT!? YOU’RE THINKING OF THROWING ME OUT OF THE WINDOW RIGHT!!?”

“Shimada, you can’t just throw trash out of the window.”

“Thanks for stopping Minami, Yuuji, but you just treated me like trash without thinking, right?”

“Doesn’t matter anyway, since you’re not trash, but a scumbag.”

“What now~ I haven’t been treated like this so cruelly in a long time.”

“You should put a scumbag into a waste carriage.”

“And even Yuuji’s treating me like one…”

Why must I be always treated like this!?

Just as I grit my teeth to endure this agony of humanity, Yuuji easily snatches that booklet of psychology (or rather, it was one anyway) from Minami’s hands.

“AH! What are you doing!?”

“Let me see! Green represents ‘friend’, orange represents ‘source of motivation, and blue represents—ohh. I see.”

Yuuji glances at Minami and me a few times before giving a sly look. I’ll go mad everytime he gives such a look.

“Sa, Sakamoto! Return that to me!”

“Sorry sorry. It looked interesting, so I really felt like borrowing it to take a look.”

Minami puffs her cheeks in anger as Yuuji doesn’t look sincere at all when he apologized.

“Speaking of which, does Yuuji want to participate?”

“You’re right. Shimada, can I join in too?”

“Alright alright…but, but I have to make this clear, there wasn’t any significance in that question just now!”

“Okay okay, I got it.”

What was written on that book?

“Can I join in too?”

At this moment, Hideyoshi moves over. He’s sitting together with Muttsulini behind us, seems like he’s bored as well.

“I’m okay with it.”

Minami looks a bit unhappy, seems like she’s a bit jealous of Hideyoshi.

“Well, thanks. Ah, Akihisa, regarding the answer just now…”

“What answer?”

“The question just now was ‘Please choose someone from the opposite gender that fits the following colour’, right? Who did you choose for orange?”

“You, Hideyoshi.”

“…I’m happy to hear that when you mentioned this, but I do feel really troubled by this…”

Hideyoshi lowered his head as he muttered this. What’s going on?

“Speaking of which, is Muttsulini not participating?”

“Looks like he’s asleep. I heard that he did quite a lot of investigations.”

I poke my head out past the back of the chair, Muttsulini is definitely sleeping.

“I guess it’s better not to bother him.”

“You’re right.”

Seeing him sleep like this, it’ll be pitiful if he’s to be called up suddenly.

“Erm, excuse me. Can I join in as well?”

Sitting opposite us, Himeji-san shyly raises her hand.

“Then let’s have everyone play.

I answered for Minami while she still looked unhappy. Besides, she won’t mind Himeji-san joining in as well.

“Oh yeah, Minami, about that ‘opposite gender person that represents blue’, what’s the answer?”

“…I won’t say it, even till I die.”

“How, how did it become like this…”

Himeji-san’s wide eyes look a bit teary. It’s because of those teary eyes that I immediately thought of her the moment I heard blue.

“Ah…never mind, on to the next question.”

Minami sighs and again flips through the torn psychology test booklet. To be able to rip a booklet right down the middle, how strong is Minami anyway?

[[Image:BTS vol 03 037.jpg|thumb]]

“’From the numbers ‘1’ to ‘10’, please choose the first two numbers that you thought of.’”

“I’m 5 and 6”

Yuuji said.

“Well, I’m 2 and 7.”

Hideyoshi replied.

“I’m 1 and 4.”

I gave my answer as well.

“Then I’m 3 and 9.”

Himeji-san finally has an answer.

After hearing our comments, Minami slowly flips through a page off the booklet in her hands.

“Let me see. ‘The first number the person thinks of represents how others view the person’. If so—”

“A snarky, cool guy.”-- Yuuji.

“A calm and sensible person.”-- Hideyoshi.

“Go to hell.”-- Me.

“Caring and cautious”-- Himeji-san.

Minami said out the results of this.

“Oh, I see.”

“To be called sensible, I’m rather happy.”

“Erm~ why am I the only getting scolded?”

“So I’m gentle and cautious, huh~”

We all said out our thoughts.

“Next, ‘the second number represents the real personality hidden within you’. So, let me see—”

Similar to what she did just now, Minami pointed at everyone.

“A just and gentle person.”-- Yuuji.

“A very attractive person.”-- Hideyoshi.

“Go and die painfully.”-- Me.

“A strong-willed person.”-- Himeji-san.

She again gives us the answer.

“Hideyoshi is really attractive.”

“Himeji is a strong-willed girl, huh?”

“Erm~ Why am I being the only one scolded even more?”

“Sakamoto-kun really gives a feeling that he’s gentle.”

Our conversation starts to revolve around the psychology test, and everyone continued to have fun.

After that, Minami started to play a few of these psychology test with us.

After a while,

“…(Pats pats).”

“Ah, morning, Muttsulini.”

“You’re awake.”

“…Woke up because I’m hungry.”

“Oh? It’s that time already?”

I pull out the handphone to confirm the time, and the time shown on the screen right now is 1:15pm. Normally, this would be past lunchtime already.

“Perfect timing. Why don’t we have our lunch now?”

“You’re right. We won’t be able to finish dinner if we had lunch too late.”

Food is a really important source of nutrition. I won’t deliberately give any excuse that I ate already this time; that would truly be a waste.

“Ah, it’s time for lunch, right? If so—”

At this moment, Himeji-san reaches her hand into a bag beside her, searching for something, and I have a bad feeling about this.

“Actually, I made quite a lot of bentos, so it possible…”

The prediction became through! Himeji-san takes out a large bento box!

I’m really grateful for her kind intention, but unfortunately, the food that she makes aren’t just a masterpiece of creativity, it’s a strong poison that can threaten anyone’s life.

“Sorry Himeji, but I did bring my own bento.”

“Sorry, I brought mine as well.”

“…Same here.”

Yuuji, Hideyoshi and Muttsulini all pull out their lunches to prove it, seems like they were completely prepared.

“This is how it is, so Akihisa, please accompany Himeji as you eat your lunch.”

Yuuji reveals an expression of glee over my misfortune. They must have thought that since I’m in poverty, I won’t be able to prepare my own bento.

Hoho, you’re too naïve if you thought that.

“I’m sorry. Actually, I prepared my own bread.”

“Oh my! My hand slipped! (smacks me)”

“…my foot slipped. (steps on it)”

“AHHH! MY BREAD! MY BREAD!”

After Yuuji caused me to drop my bread onto the floor, Muttsulini followed up by stepping on it a few times.

Damn it! Your combination is too perfect! How am I supposed to react?

Even so, I’m not so weak so as to give up even after my bread got stepped on a few times.

“Hahaha, you guys aren’t careful at all. Really, why don’t you treasure food more—”

“—You’re right. Why shouldn’t we treasure food? I finish up this squished bread, so Akihisa, just eat Himeji’s bento.”

““……(staring at each other)””

“Ah sorry Yuuji. My hand slipped so—”

“I’ll grab you to prevent your hand from slipping.”

““……(glaring at each other)””

“Then Akihisa-kun, if you don’t mind—”

Himeji-san shyly brings the bento in front of me. I’m really~really happy, but after seeing the contents of the bento, I can’t even bring myself to start tucking in.

“Ah~ Well, this…”

“Aki, do you want to eat my bento as well?”

Just as I was ready to use my specialty ‘stomachache attack’, Minami unexpectedly gave me an escape route. This is truly a once in a million chance!

“Thanks Minami for sharing! How about everyone open up their bentos? Then we can all share!”

I see Yuuji shoot me a ‘what kind of bastardly idea is this?’ blaming look. Really, this made me feel so good about it.

“Well, well Muttsulini and I will go back to our seats and eat.”

“…(Nods head vigourously).”

Oh, so Hideyoshi and Muttsulini are both intending to escape, huh? Nevermind, my target has only been Sakamoto Yuuji right from the start!

“I don’t need it, besides, I have Akihisa’s bread in my hand.”

Though Yuuji’s face is looking as gentle as ever, his gaze is ever serious.

“Don’t say this, Yuuji…”

“I see, so you want to eat my bento as well! Go ahead, take as much as you want!”

“GUUH!!”

My mouth got stuffed with a lot of things. Yuuji seemed to have stuff my mouth with sandwiches to prevent me from saying anything. Can I even say anything anymore?

I frantically chew on the food to swallow it. Humph! This American-style sandwich is too delicious! Roasted chicken with some special marinade on it.

“(swallows)—that was good!”

A layer of butter was applied on the surface of the toast to prevent moisture, only the leaves of the lettuce was used, the lettuce was used to wrap the tomatoes and chicken to prevent the moisture from oozing out, and there’s a layer of wasabi sauce and mayonnaise on the chicken as well…

“Oi Yuuji, did you make this yourself?”

“…Can’t I?”

How should I say it? The sandwich he made was surprisingly good, really shocked me. This guy really isn’t some amateur at this, he always has his way of doing things.

“Then have some of mine.”

This time, Minami places her bento in front of me. Ooohh, hers is traditional. Deep-fried meat balls, siewmais and asparagus rolls are all lined up nicely in the bento box. She still gave me these even though she was in a bad mood during the psychology test games, really, Minami is gentle! I have to see her from a different viewpoint.

“Then if you don’t mind me.”

Now, what shall I eat? I’m getting puzzled since I haven’t eaten a proper meal for a long time. Oh~ well, then I’ll take the siewmai! Though it’s rude, I still used my hand to pick one up and pop it into my mouth.

“Aki, that, well…I’m trying to summon my courage to say this! Actually, I intended to let you eat that siewmai—”

“Hm? What? (chewing)”

“—because between the 2 siewmais , one of them has wasabi in it.”

“ARE YOU STUPID!?”

SPICY!! I’M GOING TO DIE OF SPICINESS!! MY TONGUE HAS GONE NUMB!!

“Akihisa, you might be lucky in a certain sense.”

Yuuji patted his hand on my shoulder just as I’m going about looking for water.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN I’M LUCKY…ah yes! Since my taste buds are all damaged, maybe I might be able to take Himeji-san’s toxic food! If so, I got to remain in this invincible mode and—

“I’m taking you're bento, Himeji-san!”

“Ah, yes. Please have more of it.”

“I’m tucking in—”

<center>☆</center>

Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3 The Second Question

2010-12-21T15:34:21Z

76.30.134.122: /* The Second Question */

===The Second Question===

'''Please write the diary entry for the first day of the training course.'''

'''Himeji Mizuki's Diary''' :

After getting off at the tram stop, I was overwhelmed by a sudden dizziness. The smell of the trees and the change of scenery, the different of air quality compared to the streets of the city, seemed to prophesied that something good will happen.

'''Teacher's advice''' :

It seems the change of environment is a great stimulus. I wish Himeji to have a great time and create some memories that belong only to the second year of your high schooling.

'''Tsuchiya Kouta's Diary''' :

After getting off at the tram stop, I felt overwhelmed by dizziness. I wonder what caused it?

'''Teacher's advice''' :

It's carsickness.

'''Yoshii Akihisa's Diary''' :

At the tram stop, I took in a whiff of the air, it seemed a little sweet, yet sour. A very mysterious smell, and my deep thoughts echoed whether or not it was the speciality of this town.

'''Teacher's advice''' :

I am definitely sure if Tsuchiya besides you was not vomiting, you would have a different impression of the air quality of this town.

Noticing the greenery pass the bus window, I finally left the city that I’m so used to staying in, and is heading towards the highlands that give off such a realistic feeling.

“Seems like we’re going to be on this tram for another 2 hours.”

Himeji-san is sitting opposite me as she slips her handphone back into her pocket. She should be checking out the bus directory.

“There’s two hours left, but I don’t want to sleep. What should I do~”

As the space in the bus is small, there’re only so many things we can do. Our handheld games were confiscated, so we couldn’t bring them. There’s unexpectedly so few things that we can do.

I turn around and look at Yuuji, who’s looking outside. also looking rather bored, he yawned.

“Yuuji, got something interesting?”

“Isn’t there a mirror in the toilet? You can look into it until it breaks.”

“Eh, you’re saying that my face looks interesting?”

“Nope, you’re mistaken. I’m saying that your face—really can’t make anyone laugh.”

“What do you mean by you can’t laugh at it!? Is my face so bad that no one can laugh at it!?”

“I’m saying what’s interesting in your guardian spirit.”

“A guardian spirit? You can see those kinds of things, Yuuji?”

“Mm, I can see it. Dyed in blood, messed-up long black hair, that’s a rare guardian spirit you have there.”

“No matter what, anyone who looks like that wouldn’t be protecting me, right?”

That should be well-known as a ghost from behind, right?

“Relax, I’m just half-joking.”

“Ah, what the hell, you scared me.”

“Actually, the hair is coffee in colour.”

“Forget about the colour, that’s not the important thing!”

Though I feel that Yuuji should be joking right from the start, I still find it a bit horrifying. If I’m to listen to him even more, it’ll become a monster talk. But then again, my luck recently has been really bad, maybe it’s some impure thing coming over to haunt me…never mind, let’s just prepare some salt to chase them away.

“Oh, Minami, what are you reading?”

Opposite Yuuji, diagonally in front of me, Minami is reading a book that’s about as large as a notepad. It’s really rare for Minami to read this when she’s not really good in Kanji. Is it something that introduces red rubies?

“Hm? You’re talking about this? It’s a book of psychological tests. I bought it since it costs 100 yen, but I didn’t expect it to be so interesting.”

Psychological tests? Seems like we have something to kill the time off.

“Ohh~ seems interesting. Why don’t you give me a question, Minami?”

“Mm, alright.”

After saying this, Minami flips through a few pages.

“Then let’s start. ‘Please choose someone from the opposite gender that fits the following colours’.”

So, a colour impression? I suppose this is to choose who I find suits the colour the most, right?

“’1. Green 2. Orange. 3. Blue’

Please say the names of the persons who you find are suitable for the above colours.”

Ooo~ Green, orange and blue, huh?

“Erm—Minami, why are you staring at me so intently? At least let me answer the question first.”

“I, I’m not! Stop yapping and start answering!”

“Hm~…if that’s the case, then ‘Green=>Minami, Orange=>Hideyoshi and Blue=>Himeji-san’, or something like that.”

PLACK—Minami lets out a terrifying sound between her fingers.

“Mi, Minami-san…why must you rip the book right through in half?”

“AND YOU DARE ASK WHY!?”

“Eh?”

“WHY IS MY COLOUR GREEN AND MIZUKI’S BLUE? CARE TO EXPLAIN?”

Wa! Though I don’t know what’s going on, she’s really infuriated! For her to get so angry from just a psychological test, do I have something against tests?

“Eve, even if you ask me why, I…”

Because you’re wearing grassy-green underwear—she’ll throw me out of the bus window if I say this, right?

“I won’t get angry, so just say it.”

“Because your underwear’s grassy-green underwear.”

“SAKAMOTO, OPEN THE WINDOW!”

“YOU’RE THINKING OF THROWING ME OUT RIGHT!? YOU’RE THINKING OF THROWING ME OUT OF THE WINDOW RIGHT!!?”

“Shimada, you can’t just throw trash out of the window.”

“Thanks for stopping Minami, Yuuji, but you just treated me like trash without thinking, right?”

“Doesn’t matter anyway, since you’re not trash, but a scumbag.”

“What now~ I haven’t been treated like this so cruelly in a long time.”

“You should put a scumbag into a waste carriage.”

“And even Yuuji’s treating me like one…”

Why must I be always treated like this!?

Just as I grit my teeth to endure this agony of humanity, Yuuji easily snatches that booklet of psychology (or rather, it was one anyway) from Minami’s hands.

“AH! What are you doing!?”

“Let me see! Green represents ‘friend’, orange represents ‘source of motivation, and blue represents—ohh. I see.”

Yuuji glances at Minami and me a few times before giving a sly look. I’ll go mad everytime he gives such a look.

“Sa, Sakamoto! Return that to me!”

“Sorry sorry. It looked interesting, so I really felt like borrowing it to take a look.”

Minami puffs her cheeks in anger as Yuuji doesn’t look sincere at all when he apologized.

“Speaking of which, does Yuuji want to participate?”

“You’re right. Shimada, can I join in too?”

“Alright alright…but, but I have to make this clear, there wasn’t any significance in that question just now!”

“Okay okay, I got it.”

What was written on that book?

“Can I join in too?”

At this moment, Hideyoshi moves over. He’s sitting together with Muttsulini behind us, seems like he’s bored as well.

“I’m okay with it.”

Minami looks a bit unhappy, seems like she’s a bit jealous of Hideyoshi.

“Well, thanks. Ah, Akihisa, regarding the answer just now…”

“What answer?”

“The question just now was ‘Please choose someone from the opposite gender that fits the following colour’, right? Who did you choose for orange?”

“You, Hideyoshi.”

“…I’m happy to hear that when you mentioned this, but I do feel really troubled by this…”

Hideyoshi lowered his head as he muttered this. What’s going on?

“Speaking of which, is Muttsulini not participating?”

“Looks like he’s asleep. I heard that he did quite a lot of investigations.”

I poke my head out past the back of the chair, Muttsulini is definitely sleeping.

“I guess it’s better not to bother him.”

“You’re right.”

Seeing him sleep like this, it’ll be pitiful if he’s to be called up suddenly.

“Erm, excuse me. Can I join in as well?”

Sitting opposite us, Himeji-san shyly raises her hand.

“Then let’s have everyone play.

I answered for Minami while she still looked unhappy. Besides, she won’t mind Himeji-san joining in as well.

“Oh yeah, Minami, about that ‘opposite gender person that represents blue’, what’s the answer?”

“…I won’t say it, even till I die.”

“How, how did it become like this…”

Himeji-san’s wide eyes look a bit teary. It’s because of those teary eyes that I immediately thought of her the moment I heard blue.

“Ah…never mind, on to the next question.”

Minami sighs and again flips through the torn psychology test booklet. To be able to rip a booklet right down the middle, how strong is Minami anyway?

[[Image:BTS vol 03 037.jpg|thumb]]

“’From the numbers ‘1’ to ‘10’, please choose the first two numbers that you thought of.’”

“I’m 5 and 6”

Yuuji said.

“Well, I’m 2 and 7.”

Hideyoshi replied.

“I’m 1 and 4.”

I gave my answer as well.

“Then I’m 3 and 9.”

Himeji-san finally has an answer.

After hearing our comments, Minami slowly flips through a page off the booklet in her hands.

“Let me see. ‘The first number the person thinks of represents how others view the person’. If so—”

“A snarky, cool guy.”-- Yuuji.

“A calm and sensible person.”-- Hideyoshi.

“Go to hell.”-- Me.

“Caring and cautious”-- Himeji-san.

Minami said out the results of this.

“Oh, I see.”

“To be called sensible, I’m rather happy.”

“Erm~ why am I the only getting scolded?”

“So I’m gentle and cautious, huh~”

We all said out our thoughts.

“Next, ‘the second number represents the real personality hidden within you’. So, let me see—”

Similar to what she did just now, Minami pointed at everyone.

“A just and gentle person.”-- Yuuji.

“A very attractive person.”-- Hideyoshi.

“Go and die painfully.”-- Me.

“A strong-willed person.”-- Himeji-san.

She again gives us the answer.

“Hideyoshi is really attractive.”

“Himeji is a strong-willed girl, huh?”

“Erm~ Why am I being the only one scolded even more?”

“Sakamoto-kun really gives a feeling that he’s gentle.”

Our conversation starts to revolve around the psychology test, and everyone continued to have fun.

After that, Minami started to play a few of these psychology test with us.

After a while,

“…(Pats pats).”

“Ah, morning, Muttsulini.”

“You’re awake.”

“…Woke up because I’m hungry.”

“Oh? It’s that time already?”

I pull out the handphone to confirm the time, and the time shown on the screen right now is 1:15pm. Normally, this would be past lunchtime already.

“Perfect timing. Why don’t we have our lunch now?”

“You’re right. We won’t be able to finish dinner if we had lunch too late.”

Food is a really important source of nutrition. I won’t deliberately give any excuse that I ate already this time; that would truly be a waste.

“Ah, it’s time for lunch, right? If so—”

At this moment, Himeji-san reaches her hand into a bag beside her, searching for something, and I have a bad feeling about this.

“Actually, I made quite a lot of bentos, so it possible…”

The prediction became through! Himeji-san takes out a large bento box!

I’m really grateful for her kind intention, but unfortunately, the food that she makes aren’t just a masterpiece of creativity, it’s a strong poison that can threaten anyone’s life.

“Sorry Himeji, but I did bring my own bento.”

“Sorry, I brought mine as well.”

“…Same here.”

Yuuji, Hideyoshi and Muttsulini all pull out their lunches to prove it, seems like they were completely prepared.

“This is how it is, so Akihisa, please accompany Himeji as you eat your lunch.”

Yuuji reveals an expression of glee over my misfortune. They must have thought that since I’m in poverty, I won’t be able to prepare my own bento.

Hoho, you’re too naïve if you thought that.

“I’m sorry. Actually, I prepared my own bread.”

“Oh my! My hand slipped! (smacks me)”

“…my foot slipped. (steps on it)”

“AHHH! MY BREAD! MY BREAD!”

After Yuuji caused me to drop my bread onto the floor, Muttsulini followed up by stepping on it a few times.

Damn it! Your combination is too perfect! How am I supposed to react?

Even so, I’m not so weak so as to give up even after my bread got stepped on a few times.

“Hahaha, you guys aren’t careful at all. Really, why don’t you treasure food more—”

“—You’re right. Why shouldn’t we treasure food? I finish up this squished bread, so Akihisa, just eat Himeji’s bento.”

““……(staring at each other)””

“Ah sorry Yuuji. My hand slipped so—”

“I’ll grab you to prevent your hand from slipping.”

““……(glaring at each other)””

“Then Akihisa-kun, if you don’t mind—”

Himeji-san shyly brings the bento in front of me. I’m really~really happy, but after seeing the contents of the bento, I can’t even bring myself to start tucking in.

“Ah~ Well, this…”

“Aki, do you want to eat my bento as well?”

Just as I was ready to use my specialty ‘stomachache attack’, Minami unexpectedly gave me an escape route. This is truly a once in a million chance!

“Thanks Minami for sharing! How about everyone open up their bentos? Then we can all share!”

I see Yuuji shoot me a ‘what kind of bastardly idea is this?’ blaming look. Really, this made me feel so good about it.

“Well, well Muttsulini and I will go back to our seats and eat.”

“…(Nods head vigourously).”

Oh, so Hideyoshi and Muttsulini are both intending to escape, huh? Nevermind, my target has only been Sakamoto Yuuji right from the start!

I don’t need it, besides, I have Akihisa’s bread in my hand.

Though Yuuji’s face is looking as gentle as ever, his gaze is ever serious.

“Don’t say this, Yuuji…”

“I see, so you want to eat my bento as well! Go ahead, take as much as you want!”

“GUUH!!”

My mouth got stuffed with a lot of things. Yuuji seemed to have stuff my mouth with sandwiches to prevent me from saying anything. Can I even say anything anymore?

I frantically chew on the food to swallow it. Humph! This American-style sandwich is too delicious! Roasted chicken with some special marinade on it.

“(swallows)—that was good!”

A layer of butter was applied on the surface of the toast to prevent moisture, only the leaves of the lettuce was used, the lettuce was used to wrap the tomatoes and chicken to prevent the moisture from oozing out, and there’s a layer of wasabi sauce and mayonnaise on the chicken as well…

“Oi Yuuji, did you make this yourself?”

“…Can’t I?”

How should I say it? The sandwich he made was surprisingly good, really shocked me. This guy really isn’t some amateur at this, he always has his way of doing things.

“Then have some of mine.”

This time, Minami places her bento in front of me. Ooohh, hers is traditional. Deep-fried meat balls, siewmais and asparagus rolls are all lined up nicely in the bento box. She still gave me these even though she was in a bad mood during the psychology test games, really, Minami is gentle! I have to see her from a different viewpoint.

“Then if you don’t mind me.”

Now, what shall I eat? I’m getting puzzled since I haven’t eaten a proper meal for a long time. Oh~ well, then I’ll take the siewmai! Though it’s rude, I still used my hand to pick one up and pop it into my mouth.

“Aki, that, well…I’m trying to summon my courage to say this! Actually, I intended to let you eat that siewmai—”

“Hm? What? (chewing)”

“—because between the 2 siewmais , one of them has wasabi in it.”

“ARE YOU STUPID!?”

SPICY!! I’M GOING TO DIE OF SPICINESS!! MY TONGUE HAS GONE NUMB!!

“Akihisa, you might be lucky in a certain sense.”

Yuuji patted his hand on my shoulder just as I’m going about looking for water.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN I’M LUCKY…ah yes! Since my taste buds are all damaged, maybe I might be able to take Himeji-san’s toxic food! If so, I got to remain in this invincible mode and—

“I’m taking youre bento, Himeji-san!”

“Ah, yes. Please have more of it.”

“I’m tucking in—”

<center>☆</center>

Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3 The Second Question

2010-12-21T15:28:46Z

76.30.134.122: /* The Second Question */

===The Second Question===

'''Please write the diary entry for the first day of the training course.'''

'''Himeji Mizuki's Diary''' :

After getting off at the tram stop, I was overwhelmed by a sudden dizziness. The smell of the trees and the change of scenery, the different of air quality compared to the streets of the city, seemed to prophesied that something good will happen.

'''Teacher's advice''' :

It seems the change of environment is a great stimulus. I wish Himeji to have a great time and create some memories that belong only to the second year of your high schooling.

'''Tsuchiya Kouta's Diary''' :

After getting off at the tram stop, I felt overwhelmed by dizziness. I wonder what caused it?

'''Teacher's advice''' :

It's carsickness.

'''Yoshii Akihisa's Diary''' :

At the tram stop, I took in a whiff of the air, it seemed a little sweet, yet sour. A very mysterious smell, and my deep thoughts echoed whether or not it was the speciality of this town.

'''Teacher's advice''' :

I am definitely sure if Tsuchiya besides you was not vomiting, you would have a different impression of the air quality of this town.

Noticing the greenery pass the bus window, I finally left the city that I’m so used to staying in, and is heading towards the highlands that give off such a realistic feeling.

“Seems like we’re going to be on this tram for another 2 hours.”

Himeji-san is sitting opposite me as she slips her handphone back into her pocket. She should be checking out the bus directory.

“There’s two hours left, but I don’t want to sleep. What should I do~”

As the space in the bus is small, there’re only so many things we can do. Our handheld games were confiscated, so we couldn’t bring them. There’s unexpectedly so few things that we can do.

I turn around and look at Yuuji, who’s looking outside. also looking rather bored, he yawned.

“Yuuji, got something interesting?”

“Isn’t there a mirror in the toilet? You can look into it until it breaks.”

“Eh, you’re saying that my face looks interesting?”

“Nope, you’re mistaken. I’m saying that your face—really can’t make anyone laugh.”

“What do you mean by you can’t laugh at it!? Is my face so bad that no one can laugh at it!?”

“I’m saying what’s interesting in your guardian spirit.”

“A guardian spirit? You can see those kinds of things, Yuuji?”

“Mm, I can see it. Dyed in blood, messed-up long black hair, that’s a rare guardian spirit you have there.”

“No matter what, anyone who looks like that wouldn’t be protecting me, right?”

That should be well-known as a ghost from behind, right?

“Relax, I’m just half-joking.”

“Ah, what the hell, you scared me.”

“Actually, the hair is coffee in colour.”

“Forget about the colour, that’s not the important thing!”

Though I feel that Yuuji should be joking right from the start, I still find it a bit horrifying. If I’m to listen to him even more, it’ll become a monster talk. But then again, my luck recently has been really bad, maybe it’s some impure thing coming over to haunt me…never mind, let’s just prepare some salt to chase them away.

“Oh, Minami, what are you reading?”

Opposite Yuuji, diagonally in front of me, Minami is reading a book that’s about as large as a notepad. It’s really rare for Minami to read this when she’s not really good in Kanji. Is it something that introduces red rubies?

“Hm? You’re talking about this? It’s a book of psychological tests. I bought it since it costs 100 yen, but I didn’t expect it to be so interesting.”

Psychological tests? Seems like we have something to kill the time off.

“Ohh~ seems interesting. Why don’t you give me a question, Minami?”

“Mm, alright.”

After saying this, Minami flips through a few pages.

“Then let’s start. ‘Please choose someone from the opposite gender that fits the following colours’.”

So, a colour impression? I suppose this is to choose who I find suits the colour the most, right?

“’1. Green 2. Orange. 3. Blue’

Please say the names of the persons who you find are suitable for the above colours.”

Ooo~ Green, orange and blue, huh?

“Erm—Minami, why are you staring at me so intently? At least let me answer the question first.”

“I, I’m not! Stop yapping and start answering!”

“Hm~…if that’s the case, then ‘Green=>Minami, Orange=>Hideyoshi and Blue=>Himeji-san’, or something like that.”

PLACK—Minami lets out a terrifying sound between her fingers.

“Mi, Minami-san…why must you rip the book right through in half?”

“AND YOU DARE ASK WHY!?”

“Eh?”

“WHY IS MY COLOUR GREEN AND MIZUKI’S BLUE? CARE TO EXPLAIN?”

Wa! Though I don’t know what’s going on, she’s really infuriated! For her to get so angry from just a psychological test, do I have something against tests?

“Eve, even if you ask me why, I…”

Because you’re wearing grassy-green underwear—she’ll throw me out of the bus window if I say this, right?

“I won’t get angry, so just say it.”

“Because your underwear’s grassy-green underwear.”

“SAKAMOTO, OPEN THE WINDOW!”

“YOU’RE THINKING OF THROWING ME OUT RIGHT!? YOU’RE THINKING OF THROWING ME OUT OF THE WINDOW RIGHT!!?”

“Shimada, you can’t just throw trash out of the window.”

“Thanks for stopping Minami, Yuuji, but you just treated me like trash without thinking, right?”

“Doesn’t matter anyway, since you’re not trash, but a scumbag.”

“What now~ I haven’t been treated like this so cruelly in a long time.”

“You should put a scumbag into a waste carriage.”

“And even Yuuji’s treating me like one…”

Why must I be always treated like this!?

Just as I grit my teeth to endure this agony of humanity, Yuuji easily snatches that booklet of psychology (or rather, it was one anyway) from Minami’s hands.

“AH! What are you doing!?”

“Let me see! Green represents ‘friend’, orange represents ‘source of motivation, and blue represents—ohh. I see.”

Yuuji glances at Minami and me a few times before giving a sly look. I’ll go mad everytime he gives such a look.

“Sa, Sakamoto! Return that to me!”

“Sorry sorry. It looked interesting, so I really felt like borrowing it to take a look.”

Minami puffs her cheeks in anger as Yuuji doesn’t look sincere at all when he apologized.

“Speaking of which, does Yuuji want to participate?”

“You’re right. Shimada, can I join in too?”

“Alright alright…but, but I have to make this clear, there wasn’t any significance in that question just now!”

“Okay okay, I got it.”

What was written on that book?

“Can I join in too?”

At this moment, Hideyoshi moves over. He’s sitting together with Muttsulini behind us, seems like he’s bored as well.

“I’m okay with it.”

Minami looks a bit unhappy, seems like she’s a bit jealous of Hideyoshi.

“Well, thanks. Ah, Akihisa, regarding the answer just now…”

“What answer?”

“The question just now was ‘Please choose someone from the opposite gender that fits the following colour’, right? Who did you choose for orange?”

“You, Hideyoshi.”

“…I’m happy to hear that when you mentioned this, but I do feel really troubled by this…”

Hideyoshi lowered his head as he muttered this. What’s going on?

“Speaking of which, is Muttsulini not participating?”

“Looks like he’s asleep. I heard that he did quite a lot of investigations.”

I poke my head out past the back of the chair, Muttsulini is definitely sleeping.

“I guess it’s better not to bother him.”

“You’re right.”

Seeing him sleep like this, it’ll be pitiful if he’s to be called up suddenly.

“Erm, excuse me. Can I join in as well?”

Sitting opposite us, Himeji-san shyly raises her hand.

“Then let’s have everyone play.

I answered for Minami while she still looked unhappy. Besides, she won’t mind Himeji-san joining in as well.

“Oh yeah, Minami, about that ‘opposite gender person that represents blue’, what’s the answer?”

“…I won’t say it, even till I die.”

“How, how did it become like this…”

Himeji-san’s wide eyes look a bit teary. It’s because of those teary eyes that I immediately thought of her the moment I heard blue.

“Ah…never mind, on to the next question.”

Minami sighs and again flips through the torn psychology test booklet. To be able to rip a booklet right down the middle, how strong is Minami anyway?

[[Image:BTS vol 03 037.jpg|thumb]]

“’From the numbers ‘1’ to ‘10’, please choose the first two numbers that you thought of.’”

“I’m 5 and 6”

Yuuji said.

“Well, I’m 2 and 7.”

Hideyoshi replied.

“I’m 1 and 4.”

I gave my answer as well.

“Then I’m 3 and 9.”

Himeji-san finally has an answer.

After hearing our comments, Minami slowly flips through a page off the booklet in her hands.

“Let me see. ‘The first number the person thinks of represents how others view the person’. If so—”

“A snarky, cool guy.”-- Yuuji.

“A calm and sensible person.”-- Hideyoshi.

“Go to hell.”-- Me.

“Caring and cautious”-- Himeji-san.

Minami said out the results of this.

“Oh, I see.”

“To be called sensible, I’m rather happy.”

“Erm~ why am I the only getting scolded?”

“So I’m gentle and cautious, huh~”

We all said out our thoughts.

“Next, ‘the second number represents the real personality hidden within you’. So, let me see—”

Similar to what she did just now, Minami pointed at everyone.

“A just and gentle person.”-- Yuuji.

“A very attractive person.”-- Hideyoshi.

“Go and die painfully.”-- Me.

“A strong-willed person.”-- Himeji-san.

She again gives us the answer.

“Hideyoshi is really attractive.”

“Himeji is a strong-willed girl, huh?”

“Erm~ Why am I being the only one scolded even more?”

“Sakamoto-kun really gives a feeling that he’s gentle.”

Our conversation starts to revolve around the psychology test, and everyone continued to have fun.

After that, Minami started to play a few of these psychology test with us.

After a while,

“…(Pats pats).”

“Ah, morning, Muttsulini.”

“You’re awake.”

“…Woke up because I’m hungry.”

“Oh? It’s that time already?”

I pull out the handphone to confirm the time, and the time shown on the screen right now is 1:15pm. Normally, this would be past lunchtime already.

“Perfect timing. Why don’t we have our lunch now?”

“You’re right. We won’t be able to finish dinner if we had lunch too late.”

Food is a really important source of nutrition. I won’t deliberately give any excuse that I ate already this time; that would truly be a waste.

“Ah, it’s time for lunch, right? If so—”

At this moment, Himeji-san reaches her hand into a bag beside her, searching for something, and I have a bad feeling about this.

“Actually, I made quite a lot of bentos, so it possible…”

The prediction became through! Himeji-san takes out a large bento box!

I’m really grateful for her kind intention, but unfortunately, the food that she makes aren’t just a masterpiece of creativity, it’s a strong poison that can threaten anyone’s life.

“Sorry Himeji, but I did bring my own bento.”

“Sorry, I brought mine as well.”

“…Same here.”

Yuuji, Hideyoshi and Muttsulini all pull out their lunches to prove it, seems like they were completely prepared.

“This is how it is, so Akihisa, please accompany Himeji as you eat your lunch.”

Yuuji reveals an expression of glee over my misfortune. They must have thought that since I’m in poverty, I won’t be able to prepare my own bento.

Hoho, you’re too naïve if you thought that.

“I’m sorry. Actually, I prepared my own bread.”

“Oh my! My hand slipped! (smacks me)”

“…my foot slipped. (steps on it)”

“AHHH! MY BREAD! MY BREAD!”

After Yuuji caused me to drop my bread onto the floor, Muttsulini followed up by stepping on it a few times.

Damn it! Your combination is too perfect! How am I supposed to react?

Even so, I’m not so weak so as to give up even after my bread got stepped on a few times.

“Hahaha, you guys aren’t careful at all. Really, why don’t you treasure food more—”

“—You’re right. Why shouldn’t we treasure food? I finish up this squished bread, so Akihisa, just eat Himeji’s bento.”

““……(staring at each other)””

“Ah sorry Yuuji. My hand slipped so—”

“I’ll grab you to prevent your hand from slipping.

““……(glaring at each other)””

“Then Akihisa-kun, if you don’t mind—”

Himeji-san shyly brings the bento in front of me. I’m really~really happy, but after seeing the contents of the bento, I can’t even bring myself to start tucking in.

“Ah~ Well, this…”

“Aki, do you want to eat my bento as well?”

Just as I was ready to use my specialty ‘stomachache attack’, Minami unexpectedly gave me an escape route. This is truly a once in a million chance!

“Thanks Minami for sharing! How about everyone open up their bentos? Then we can all share!”

I see Yuuji shoot me a ‘what kind of bastardly idea is this?’ blaming look. Really, this made me feel so good about it.

“Well, well Muttsulini and I will go back to our seats and eat.”

“…(Nods head vigourously).”

Oh, so Hideyoshi and Muttsulini are both intending to escape, huh? Nevermind, my target has only been Sakamoto Yuuji right from the start!

I don’t need it, besides, I have Akihisa’s bread in my hand.

Though Yuuji’s face is looking as gentle as ever, his gaze is ever serious.

“Don’t say this, Yuuji…”

“I see, so you want to eat my bento as well! Go ahead, take as much as you want!”

“GUUH!!”

My mouth got stuffed with a lot of things. Yuuji seemed to have stuff my mouth with sandwiches to prevent me from saying anything. Can I even say anything anymore?

I frantically chew on the food to swallow it. Humph! This American-style sandwich is too delicious! Roasted chicken with some special marinade on it.

“(swallows)—that was good!”

A layer of butter was applied on the surface of the toast to prevent moisture, only the leaves of the lettuce was used, the lettuce was used to wrap the tomatoes and chicken to prevent the moisture from oozing out, and there’s a layer of wasabi sauce and mayonnaise on the chicken as well…

“Oi Yuuji, did you make this yourself?”

“…Can’t I?”

How should I say it? The sandwich he made was surprisingly good, really shocked me. This guy really isn’t some amateur at this, he always has his way of doing things.

“Then have some of mine.”

This time, Minami places her bento in front of me. Ooohh, hers is traditional. Deep-fried meat balls, siewmais and asparagus rolls are all lined up nicely in the bento box. She still gave me these even though she was in a bad mood during the psychology test games, really, Minami is gentle! I have to see her from a different viewpoint.

“Then if you don’t mind me.”

Now, what shall I eat? I’m getting puzzled since I haven’t eaten a proper meal for a long time. Oh~ well, then I’ll take the siewmai! Though it’s rude, I still used my hand to pick one up and pop it into my mouth.

“Aki, that, well…I’m trying to summon my courage to say this! Actually, I intended to let you eat that siewmai—”

“Hm? What? (chewing)”

“—because between the 2 siewmais , one of them has wasabi in it.”

“ARE YOU STUPID!?”

SPICY!! I’M GOING TO DIE OF SPICINESS!! MY TONGUE HAS GONE NUMB!!

“Akihisa, you might be lucky in a certain sense.”

Yuuji patted his hand on my shoulder just as I’m going about looking for water.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN I’M LUCKY…ah yes! Since my taste buds are all damaged, maybe I might be able to take Himeji-san’s toxic food! If so, I got to remain in this invincible mode and—

“I’m taking youre bento, Himeji-san!”

“Ah, yes. Please have more of it.”

“I’m tucking in—”

<center>☆</center>

Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume2 The Seventh Question

2010-11-11T22:24:27Z

76.30.134.122: /* The Seventh Question */

===The Seventh Question===

'''Please answer the followwing question.'''

On which year (AD) was the Kan'i Jūnikai system created?

'''Himeji Mizuki's answer:'''

'603'

'''Teacher's comment:'''

That's correct.

'''Sakamoto Yuuji's answer:'''

'603'.

'''Teaher's comment:'''

What happened? Sensei's surprised that you got it correct.

'''Yoshii Akihisa's answer:'''

'603'.

'''Teacher's comment:'''

Please forgive sensei for giving you an 'X' on seeing your name.

"Morning, Aki~"

"Good morning, Yoshii-kun."

"Ah, good morning you girls."

On the second morning of the school festival, Himeji-san and Minami arrive at school.

My mind is carefully thinking about what to say.

"AH, yes...did you two sleep well last night?"

"Eh? Yeah, I did slept rather soundly."

"Really? Then...did you finish your breakfast?"

"Yes, I came here after eating my breakfast."

"Erm, then, did you have any weird dreams last night or--"

"*Giggles* Yoshii-kun. Looks like you were thinking too much?"

Oh my, looks like I was seen through. However since they were nearly raped, it would be normal to worry about the impact on them.

"Don't worry. It was scary, but I'm really calm, so calm that it's inexplicable."

"Really?"

"Yes, because everyone was alright in the end...and Yoshii-kun came to save us."

After saying that, a natural smile appears on Himeji-san's face.

"Instead of Aki, I suppose it's better to say that we're saved by Sakamoto and Tsuchiya."

Minami also looks rather indifferent. These two sure have guts, I'm somewhat feeling a bit sorry that I underestimated them.

"I'm relaxed now that you two are so energetic. Then, this morning, we'll be--"

"...No abnormalities."

"Nothing strange's going on here."

"Really, thanks guys."

Hideyoshi and Muttsulini also arrived in school. Because of what happened yesterday, I requested Hideyoshi and Muttsulini to accompany the girls to school.l even lent a taser that I borrowed to them.

"There's no need to thank us over such a small thing, and I didn't really help out yesterday anyway..."

"Nope, it can't be helped when you're tied up."

Or it's better to say that Hideyoshi's fate was really bad, such that he was touched on the butt several times.

"Oh, are you two okay today?"

Yuuji scratches his head as he enters the classroom. Seems like he's not too worried about the girls, maybe it's because Muttsulini and Hideyoshi were accompanying them.

"Eh? Sakamoto, you're here already?"

"Yoshii-kun and Sakamoto-kun really came early today."

"We came here early in the morning to take some exams. Hooo..."

I give a yawn due to fatigue. Of course, this can't be helped when I pulled an all-nighter.

"Really, won't it affect the results later? The opponents are third years."

"Seems like it, and it's said that they have some of the best grades."

In terms of how they took action, those two really look stupid, especially that baldy.

"There shouldn't be any difference. The third years' exams are much more difficult, and the battle conditions are the same."

"It's not that, I'm worried that you two may be too weak to take them on..."

Minami's words seem to indicate that she's already giving up. Why so rude?

"If you have time to worry about this, go open the shop, huahhh..."

"You really are not interested with what's going on with the store. Aren't you going to help out with it?"

"I'm sorry, can you let me sleep for a while? I didn't really sleep much nowadays, and my mind's now a bit dazed because I stayed up all night."

No matter what, it's hard to maintain concentrate like this. I'm rather confident in my fitness, so I should be able to recover after taking a little nap.

"Is that so? Then please go and take a nap."

"That's right, leave the teahouse to me."

"...(nods head)"

"Can't be helped. I'll call you two up if you two aren't awake later. Okay?"

"Thanks. then can you please wake me up at 11?"

"11? Isn't the match's at 1pm?"

"I'll come and help during the busy lunch period."

Even though we have only 3 hours to sleep, that's enough for Yuuji and me.

"Then, wake me up as well. I'm going to the roof to sleep. Yawn..."

Yuuji uses his hand to cover his mouth as he uses his other hand to reach for the door handle.

I see, to the roof. The audio equipment that's set up for the night festival is located there, and we won't be disturbed. The weather today is extremely good, so it's good for taking an afternoon nap.

"Then I'll go up and sleep as well. I'll leave it to you later."

I press down on my heavily dazed head as I stand up.

(They're going to sleep together...)

(Can't be mistaken, he's going to lean on Sakamoto's shoulder...)

Well, I might as well abandon all the noises behind me as I leave, or else I'm going to have nightmares

"Then, let's go, Yuuji."

"You're right. Shimada, is it alright if we go first?"

"I can't do anything even if I say no, right? You're going to compete in the finals anyway."

In the end, Yuuji and I only managed to help out for half an hour. As they saw that we were really tired, they compassionately allowed us to sleep a little more. No matter what, I do feel that our classmates are really gentle.

"We'll go over to cheer for you guys later."

Himeji-san's cheongsam get-up today is as ever dazzling. Her charm is definitely one reason why the earnings on our second day increased dramatically.

"It comes down to this. Don't get careless, okay?"

"...(win)."

"I got it. I won't make the same mistake twice. Then, I'm leaving."

"Really, those words are irritating my ears."

After Yuuji and I gently punch Hideyoshi and Muttsulini's outstretched hands, we head off to the arena.

"I thought we might get distracted before the match. Didn't expect nothing to happen though."

"If it's not because they gave up due to being unable use those petty tricks, then it's because they don't know where we were."

"I see. Only those people who want to use the audio equipment would go up and use it."

And the audio equipment will only be used during the night festival later. It's basically a tailor-made hiding spot for us.

"Hideyoshi and Muttsulini were watching the shop as well."

"I heard that the taser is a dangerous thing that can also conduct electricity through clothes."

"It's alright, at least it's not fatal."

I strongly feel that the taser I gave to those two is a forbidden item, and it looks dangerous anyway. Most people would run away in fear, so there shouldn't be a problem.

"We've done everything, and now, we just need to win this."

"You're right."

After that, we remain silent, and walk down the path to the arena.

"Oh, there's quite a lot of spectators."

"As expected of the finals."

My heart paces as I arrive at the front of the arena. I'll be lying if I say that I'm not nervous.

"Yoshii and Sakamoto, please hurry up, it's time to go in."

The teacher in charge of the arena waves to us on seeing us. They even arranged for duty personnel at the arena, the finals is really different from all the other matches we had up till now.

"Then ladies and gentlemen, we've kept you waiting! The finals of the summoning tournament that uses our test battle system is about to officially start!"

The audio broadcast airs a voice that I have never heard before. Maybe the school hired some professional emcees. Since this is a highly anticipated event, it's possible that such a thing may happen.

"Will the participants please enter the arena!!"

"Then, please go in."

The teacher pats us on the back, and moves off to the audience in front.

"These two are Sakamoto Yuuji of Class 2-F, and Yoshii Akihisa Of Class 2-F! Will everyone please give a round of applause!"

The huge rain-like applause descend on us. There's quite a lot of people watching this, and Himeji-san's father would definitely be here watching as well.