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	<title>Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]</title>
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		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586463</id>
		<title>Kämpfer</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586463"/>
		<updated>2025-11-14T09:01:14Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translators */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Status|Active}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{Teaser|English}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Image:Kampfer_Vol_01_cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer (けんぷファー) is a light novel series written by Tsukiji Toshihiko and illustrated by Semmu. The series is completed with 15 volumes. &amp;lt;!--Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Story Synopsis==&lt;br /&gt;
The plot revolves around Natsuru Senou, a normal high school boy with blue hair. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger &amp;quot;Harakiri Tora&amp;quot; comes to life and tells him to fight as a female fighter &amp;quot;Kämpfer&amp;quot;. Having no idea about what&#039;s going on, Natsuru is involved in many battles against other female Kämpfer. &amp;lt;!-- Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FeedBack ==&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you enjoyed the translation, why don&#039;t you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;amp;t=3359 Project thread]&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Translation And Editing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Dedicated Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This project is in need of dedicated editors in order to help speed translation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Editors are asked to notify a Project Manager before beginning, and in any case where sentence meaning may be changed, use chapter discussion beforehand&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Drive-by Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drive-by-editing of obvious typos, bad grammar, spelling, or missing words or any obvious mistakes will be much appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Again, before changing a sentence&#039;s meaning, please use the chapter discussion.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Translators===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I Deeplyrapidsending finished the kämpfer project using MTL of the chinese raw and proofread myself, i am currently working with japanese raw to get translated into English but OCR is a real mess. Japanese Raw has been OCR available on my r/kampfer post. What i need is proofreader and editor that can verify the japanese text translation to English is correct (the all available on my google drive on reddit). Because i don&#039;t know japanese myself.. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Anyone with decent Japanese or Chinese skills will gladly be allowed to translate, if there are people who know Japanese or Chinese and would like to help out, just not with the tedious job of translating, proofreaders are also appreciated. Proofreaders are asked to follow the same guidelines as editors when it comes to changing a sentences meaning, they are given more freedom regarding this however.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|Registration]] ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Translators are asked to [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they&#039;re working on&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Format Standards===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to general and project specific guidelines.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Names and Terminology Guideline|Project-Specific Guidelines: Format, Names, and Terminology]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Updates ==&lt;br /&gt;
*May 11, 2010 - Teaser Started!&lt;br /&gt;
*October 29, 2011 - Project Started Again!&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Illustrations added&lt;br /&gt;
*November 28, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 1 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*December 1, 2011 - Kämpfer is now an official project&lt;br /&gt;
*September 25, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 3 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*October 16, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 4 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 2 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*September 5, 2022 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 5 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 6, 2025 - All the 15 volume as been fully translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==The &#039;&#039;Kämpfer&#039;&#039; series by Tsukiji Toshihiko==&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 1 - Kämpfer ([[Kämpfer:Volume 1|Full Text]])=== &lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 2===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Project Staff ==&lt;br /&gt;
*Supervisor: &lt;br /&gt;
*Project Manager: : [[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Translators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]] (sporadic translations)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Kondou|Kondou]]&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:JeruTz|JeruTz]] (Currently improving V1C1)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] (added volume 2 to 12 and half 8.5,9.5,10.5)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Editors ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Series Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 1 (November 24, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1749-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 2 (December 25, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1767-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 3 (March 23, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1826-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 4 (June 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1870-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 5 (September 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2042-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 6 (January 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2131-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 7 (April 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2308-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 (July 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2370-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 ½ (October 24, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2453-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 (February 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2668-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 ½ (March 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2725-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 (July 24, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2835-3)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 ½ (September 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3030-1)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 11 (December 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3134-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 12 (March 25, 2010 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3254-1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:MF Bunko J]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Genre - Harem]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Toshihiko Tsukiji]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_2_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586448</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_2_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586448"/>
		<updated>2025-11-07T04:41:17Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;== Chapter 3 ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== A Peaceful Lull and a Startling Rumor ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:23752.jpg|thumb|Natsuru (male form) looks on in horror as his class reads the scandalous &amp;quot;Special Edition&amp;quot; of the Girls&#039; Newspaper.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Yesterday passed peacefully after that. I was happy with the peace. Besides being a girl, I was able to finish class without any pressure. Outside of class, everyone&#039;s curiosity was focused on me, but thankfully, no one asked any difficult questions. Perhaps Sakura Kaede&#039;s &amp;quot;Shizuku asked me to look after Natsuru-san&amp;quot; strategy worked. Although our homeroom teacher bluntly asked for more drink money at the class meeting before going home, I pretended not to hear.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Regarding maintaining my female form, I don&#039;t know when I&#039;ll return, but at least I maintain it until I go to sleep, only to revert back to my male form upon waking. I asked the Seppuku Tiger about this.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Once I&#039;m relieved of stress or excitement, I can easily return to my original form,&amp;quot; it said. So that&#039;s how it is.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t doze off during class. You might even transform back in the middle of the class.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But the transformation won&#039;t end until I go to sleep. Is that because I&#039;m slowly accumulating experience?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t know, but it&#039;s true you&#039;re faster than the average Kämpfer.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It didn&#039;t seem like this guy knew the details, or maybe it knew and just didn&#039;t want to tell me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Seppuku Tiger scratched its eye patch with its short front paw.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;By the way, that girl wasn&#039;t here today?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Is her name Kondou Mikoto? The energetic one.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s true.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It would bother me if she came every day, but it wouldn&#039;t bother me if she didn&#039;t. But she was so excited about coming to &amp;quot;wake me up,&amp;quot; it felt a little lonely.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I had no choice but to eat breakfast alone. Yesterday we had such a luxurious meal, but today it&#039;s just bread and jam, and Japanese tea made with tea bags. What a hollow breakfast.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On my way to school alone, I couldn&#039;t help but think: once I&#039;m used to having a big meal right out of the blue, I&#039;ll feel like something&#039;s missing. It&#039;s only been a one-time experience, but just the thought of it makes me want to have hot rice every morning... It doesn&#039;t have to be made by Kondou Mikoto, just having it makes me happy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Personally, I&#039;d definitely want Sakura Kaede to make it for me. If that were the case, I&#039;d probably die of joy. No, even if I died after just one bite, I&#039;d be happy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But first, I&#039;d have to invite her to my house, and the chances of that happening are practically zero. If it were a woman, I might have a chance, but that&#039;s a complicated matter. I&#039;d really like to know if there&#039;s a good way.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
By the time I was thinking this, I&#039;d already arrived at Iron Star Academy High School. Once I entered the classroom, all those thoughts vanished.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My classmates were enthusiastically reading a folded flyer. I added that I was in Class 4, Grade 2.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I nudged Higashida.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s that? What are you all looking at?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida, also intently studying, looked up impatiently.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why are you so slow?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;My alarm clock is broken and I can&#039;t find a replacement. What happened?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You didn&#039;t get this?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He was reading the school newspaper, which looked like it had something like &amp;quot;Special Edition&amp;quot; written in large letters.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong with that?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Just read it yourself.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I took a look and nearly fell to the ground in shock.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The text read, &amp;quot;Mysterious Returning Girls&#039; Club Student: Yuri Mystery.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I nearly fainted, but I fought back the urge to read. The news item was about &amp;quot;Second-year Girls&#039; Club student N.S.&amp;quot; While beautiful, she wasn&#039;t interested in boys. &amp;quot;She doesn&#039;t hate boys, does she? Our newspaper&#039;s surprise interview team is trying to interview her.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I smell a hint of yuri,&amp;quot; and the explanation was carefully included: &amp;quot;Yuri is a type of love between women.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This report is full of lies. &amp;quot;N.S made a blushing, blatant confession,&amp;quot; I could tolerate, but it also included &amp;quot;because she doesn&#039;t want to regret being born a woman&amp;quot;? &amp;quot;She freezes at the sight of cute girls,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;She kept making advances on other patients and nurses while hospitalized,&amp;quot; and other nonsense. The word &amp;quot;homosexual&amp;quot; only appeared once, but it made it sound as if she had no interest in boys at all. Besides, I never said any of those things.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The girls who returned to school this time are truly extraordinary.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Even Higashida couldn&#039;t help but be shocked.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;These kinds of things happen in all-girls schools, but this is the first time I&#039;ve seen such a blatant and bold confession. It must take a lot of courage to say it out loud. It&#039;s quite impressive for a news agency to cover such a story.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...This is the girls&#039; newspaper, right? Why does everyone have it?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Someone randomly distributed it at the school gates. The teacher disappeared as soon as they noticed. Most people read photocopied copies. Getting the original is a treasure.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I looked at the newspaper again. It even had a photo of me as a girl. The eyes are covered with black squares. When was this film taken?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Even though you can&#039;t see the eyes, she&#039;s pretty.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida said, looking impressed, his voice lowered.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru, I know the girl above.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The idiot, thinking he was a spy from some foreign country, spoke in a low voice.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Didn&#039;t I tell you I saw a girl chasing a delinquent boy? It&#039;s this girl.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah—...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But I didn&#039;t expect she was a lesbian. No wonder she ignored me when I talked to her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida looked very unwilling. &amp;quot;Stupid, the idea of a girl accepting your advances is unbelievable.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Anyway, let&#039;s put this guy aside for now. This is a big deal for me. I think every boy and girl in school has seen this. I&#039;ve become the most negative person in the world. At this rate, there&#039;s no way I can transform into Kämpfer. If I transform into a girl, I&#039;ll probably be surrounded immediately.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s okay if I don&#039;t have to transform into Kämpfer. I&#039;m happy and relaxed, but it would be troublesome if I transform randomly. Being caught up in such a mess, I wonder if my ancestor was actually a serial killer or something.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My classmates were already engaged in a heated discussion about the &amp;quot;mysterious Yuri transfer student.&amp;quot; I feigned disinterest and listened, only to find they were even concluding, &amp;quot;One day, she&#039;ll devour all the girls in the girls&#039; club.&amp;quot; Ugh.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This couldn&#039;t go on. I checked the clock and saw there was still some time before class, so I tossed my bag on my desk.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou, where are you going?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Library.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When did you become so serious? I ignored Higashida&#039;s words and sprinted down the hallway.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Seeking Help and an Ominous Warning ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Why do I always run to the library? Because I have no other companions, so this is my only option. The only person I can rely on is my Kämpfer partner, Akane.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But Akane wasn&#039;t here today.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I tried asking the seemingly inconspicuous first-year student sitting at the counter.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She&#039;s not here today.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Huh... isn&#039;t she supposed to be on duty?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, it&#039;s Akane&#039;s class, but she&#039;s off today.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Did she come to school?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t know about that,&amp;quot; the girl who answered me said, &amp;quot;I have a class later, so I have to leave first,&amp;quot; and left.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was left there, bewildered. It was terrible that I couldn&#039;t contact my only companion. My current situation was quite precarious, and it would be even more unsettling if I had no one to talk to.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My heart sank when someone suddenly patted me from behind.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru—&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Behind me was Kondou Mikoto.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why are you looking so sullen? It&#039;s not good for your health. Cheer up.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Something happened.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You look really bad. Do you have a cold?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She looked worried, but it wasn&#039;t a cold; I was just mentally exhausted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s good... You should keep yourself warm when you sleep. I heard the colds that are prevalent this year are hard to cure.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t worry about me. Why did you come to the library?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What... I thought I&#039;d see you here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Looking for me? What do you want?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto took my hand. This guy can casually hold or touch anyone, even if they&#039;re boys. I&#039;m used to it, so it&#039;s okay, but it&#039;s not nice to do that to other innocent boys.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was taken to a secluded area of the library.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m asking you, have you seen the special edition of the Girls&#039; Newspaper?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, it&#039;s just a photocopy.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That&#039;s what&#039;s been bothering me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto smiled boldly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That was Masumi Nishino&#039;s doing, but I was the one who instigated her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So it was you!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because of the situation, I was only slightly surprised. I&#039;d known Masumi Nishino was the culprit, but I hadn&#039;t expected someone else to pull the strings.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yes, because I wanted to test that mysterious female student.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why would you do something like that?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t you find it strange?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto said forcefully.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She&#039;d been on sick leave, and now she&#039;s suddenly back, and her name is also Natsuru. Aren&#039;t you shocked?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She had a point. If I&#039;d changed my stance today, I&#039;d be terrified. Even if I hadn&#039;t, I&#039;m still shocked as the person involved.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;And did you know that person&#039;s last name is also Senou, exactly like yours.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;How did you know her last name?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Everyone in Class 2, Grade 4 is talking about it. A girl who looks like the class president.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was that person.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It seemed like everyone in the girls&#039; division knew my last name, and it was only a matter of time before it spread back to the boys&#039; division.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My stomach started aching again. Ever since I became Kämpfer, I&#039;ve been getting more and more headaches, stomachaches, and other physical ailments. Now, even my back seems to be aching.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto looked at me in surprise, pressing my stomach with a pained expression.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Hey, aren&#039;t you scared?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;There&#039;s a female version of Natsuru, with the same name and surname as you. Why can you act so nonchalant?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That&#039;s true. It would be unnatural not to be scared at a time like this.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Wow—that kind of person actually exists. It&#039;s terrifying.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...What do you mean?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m scared.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s ridiculous.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You were the one who told me there was a girl named Natsuru, and now that we even have the same surname, of course I&#039;m scared.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s true...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She seemed displeased. Hmm, this girl&#039;s instincts are really sharp. If I act badly, she might notice. I better end this conversation quickly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;If it&#039;s all right, I&#039;m going to go back.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I have something else to do.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto&#039;s face suddenly moved closer to me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You saw that report about the women&#039;s version of Natsuru, Yuri, and her doubts.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...It seems so.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Although Masumi Nishino wrote about her doubts, I don&#039;t know if that&#039;s actually the case.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
No, that&#039;s just a rumor.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I heard Masumi Nishino keep harping on those topics during the interview. I heard she wasn&#039;t just targeting the nurses and patients at the hospital, she was even targeting the nearby female university students, and she seemed quite proud of it.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
No, no, what female university students? I&#039;m not that diligent. That last time wasn&#039;t really an interview, more like coercion. The truth wasn&#039;t even reported.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But I can&#039;t express my opinion. Not being able to tell the truth is truly painful.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s not just Yuri, she&#039;s a lesbian. I must expose that woman&#039;s true colors.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...What true colors? She&#039;s not a criminal. It&#039;s just a personal interest.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;There should be a limit. I can&#039;t stand it if she&#039;s targeting everyone around her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What&#039;s the problem?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;This is about the chastity and reputation of the female students at Iron Star Academy High School.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That Natsuru has her own reputation to protect, right?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As I spoke, I wondered why I had to defend myself in this way. It was so embarrassing. I have no interest in homosexuality at all, but being accused of something I didn&#039;t even know existed was enough, and I had to defend myself so frantically. It was truly baffling.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s true. If she wants to hide it, that&#039;s fine, but now that the news agency has reported it, rumors will start to spread around here. Then, rumors about it being a yuri school or a lesbian school might start circulating privately.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But maybe she&#039;s just an ordinary girl, and that report was just a lie.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hearing what I said, Kondou Mikoto crossed her arms over her chest.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s true. Although I was the one who instigated Masumi Nishino to do this, I didn&#039;t expect the report to be so exaggerated.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s right. She must be an ordinary girl who likes boys, that&#039;s for sure.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although that was strange,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Whatever the case, we won&#039;t know the truth unless we investigate.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s better to leave this to the student council or the discipline committee.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Those guys won&#039;t do anything. We students have to investigate it ourselves,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto asserted confidently. Although this guy sometimes helps with some of the theft, she&#039;s very righteous in this matter.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;And I&#039;m really upset that there&#039;s a girl with the same name as you, and she&#039;s such a beauty.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto glared at me for a moment, making a &amp;quot;wuu...&amp;quot; sound like a puppy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Infiltration and Battle ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:23753.jpg|thumb|Natsuru (in female form) encounters a battle-ready Akane in the bushes of the Girls&#039; Division grounds.]]&lt;br /&gt;
The physics teacher was a rather neurotic man. Not only did he keep noticing me, he also kept muttering, &amp;quot;If you slack off all day, you&#039;ll grow up to be a useless adult interested only in alcohol and games.&amp;quot; Who were you talking about?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
During an important class, I was utterly sleepy. I was probably talking about Newton or New Zealand when I finally collapsed. I even dreamed of running around the campus at dawn. I later learned that more than half the class had also fallen into a deep sleep. The chain reaction that can be triggered by just one person falling asleep is a hallmark of our Class 4. It seems I&#039;m the key figure this time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As expected, the topic of heated discussion after class was the &amp;quot;mysterious female student causing such a stir on campus.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The rumors had gotten out of hand. Boys and girls alike love gossip. Besides being a rather exaggerated lesbian, I was even accused of &amp;quot;eating even elementary school students,&amp;quot; and even a female teacher, &amp;quot;being slept with her,&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;being hospitalized was just a cover-up. She even enrolled at the Takarazuka Music School, enjoying a life of luxury.&amp;quot; Who on earth could have come up with these rumors?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Of course, the number one idiot, Higashida, was the center of the conversation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I knew this girl before the news came out,&amp;quot; he boasted. There are people like that in the world, whether it&#039;s music, comics, or anime, who thrive on being a step ahead of the others.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida looked at me and waved.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru, come join us.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No thanks,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I said, shaking my head. Why did I have to listen to rumors about myself, all of which were false?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t say that. You&#039;re the special advisor to the Beauty Research Club. You should absorb more information.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When did I get that title?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So we called you over. We&#039;re discussing that girl&#039;s private life. It&#039;s said that her skills in bed have ten beautiful girls willingly captivated and serving her. That&#039;s our conclusion.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What a rotten conclusion.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I reluctantly joined in. Rumors can escalate so quickly. If it gets this far, I think I&#039;ll become the most famous homosexual in Japanese history.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Great! Now that the special advisor is joining us, there&#039;s nothing to be afraid of.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What are you talking about?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida said, looking serious.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Didn&#039;t I tell you before that I tried to take a picture of the mysterious female student, but failed?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I guess so.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As someone involved, I knew about this, but I continued to play dumb.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s it. Regarding that mysterious beautiful girl, I&#039;m determined to take a picture of her. If I can, the status of the Beauty Research Club within the underground community will rise again.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;d better stay put...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida said, &amp;quot;That won&#039;t work. The Beauty Research Club has only grown this big in my generation. Anyway, I need your help.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why me?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You know someone in the girls&#039; club, right? Like the girl in the library or Kondou Mikoto.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I also know Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That person is incomparable. No one will admit that you are friends with her. Anyway, I just want a picture of that girl. Can you help me contact the girls&#039; club and ask her to let me take a few pictures?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re asking me such a troublesome thing.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Everyone will be very happy.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Huh—...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I frowned. What&#039;s the point of asking for a favor? As for me, I admit that I look pretty after becoming a girl, but it&#039;s too disgusting to have to take pictures. And the thought of handing the pictures to Higashida makes me feel twice as disgusted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t want to.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t say that. I&#039;ve been targeted by people in the school lately and I can&#039;t move around freely.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If possible, I would also like to do it myself, Higashida said so, and he looked very unwilling.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A guy like him, so interested in girls and willing to bribe them with money, would naturally be under the watchful eye of the school. If caught, he&#039;d face suspension at best, or even repeated a grade. The student council turned a blind eye, but that was simply because Shizuku didn&#039;t take him seriously.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru will definitely do it.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s ridiculous! You&#039;re forcing me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;ll pay you. What do you think of Sakura Kaede&#039;s photo?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I can&#039;t help but react when I hear Sakura Kaede. It&#039;s a bad habit of mine.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What... When was it taken?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t look down on us, the Beauty Research Club. And it wasn&#039;t a digital camera, it was taken with a SLR. I&#039;ll give you the photo. You can develop it if you want. How&#039;s that?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hmm...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is so annoying. It&#039;s hard for me to refuse anything involving Sakura Kaede, but I can&#039;t just agree to it in this situation. I could just ignore the consequences and do it later, but that seems too hasty.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...That&#039;s not enough. I can&#039;t contact the girls&#039; club with just a photo. Give me some interesting information.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I tried to make things difficult for Higashida to refuse, but he actually took the bait.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s nothing serious, but there seems to be a commotion in the girls&#039; club.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why is it happening again? It must be like last time, a fight in the library or something.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was also involved in that incident.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, it seems like there&#039;s another fight, but it&#039;s strange. Two girls are running around the school fighting.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;They&#039;re really energetic.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;And you know, there were gunshots.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What did you say?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I couldn&#039;t help but yell.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Did you just say guns?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida didn&#039;t seem convinced, rather frightened by my reaction.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;If it were a fight, it&#039;s possible, but a gunfight in the girls&#039; club is ridiculous. That&#039;s why I said it was a rumor, probably just hearsay.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;When did it happen? A long time ago?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;This morning, maybe it&#039;s still going on now.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If that&#039;s true, it&#039;s terrible. Could it be...could it be that someone would use a gun in the girls&#039; club? The only people I can think of are those two.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Higashida, tell me how to break into the girls&#039; club.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What? I told you before, right? I can&#039;t tell you yet.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I agree about the photo. I can also help you with Kondou Mikoto&#039;s photo.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I won&#039;t lie.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I do sometimes, but I&#039;m serious now.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida was silent for a moment, considering.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I understand. I&#039;ll teach you a method, but you have to help me get the photo of that mysterious female student.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Leave it to me. I&#039;ll definitely take it for you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because it&#039;s me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s leave of absence really bothered me, and someone else heard gunshots. There&#039;s only one conclusion.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida told me how to break into the women&#039;s wing: climb over the wall. There&#039;s a long, continuous wall with iron bars on top of it, separating the men&#039;s and women&#039;s wing. I could just go over there. It&#039;s usually heavily guarded, so I gave up on that plan, but there&#039;s actually a way.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Go to the east side of the men&#039;s building and open the window leading from the second floor to the third floor landing,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida instructed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That window is the shortest path to the women&#039;s wing, and you can clearly see the iron bars.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Just opening the window won&#039;t get you through.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;There&#039;s a folding ladder in the nearby utility cabinet. You can use it to climb over the wall from the window. When do you want to get in?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Now.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The guards will be patrolling that way soon... in ten minutes, hurry!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I knew it without you even telling me. Before leaving, he reminded me, &amp;quot;Don&#039;t forget about the photos,&amp;quot; so I&#039;ll try to remember.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I quickly ran to the east staircase and, just as Higashida had predicted, found a ladder in the utility closet. I opened the window on the landing. So that&#039;s it! This way, we&#039;re pretty close. Even so, the underground society that figured out this method is truly impressive.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I quickly extended the ladder through the window. Since it rested directly on the iron mesh, it felt unstable, but there was nothing I could do at this point.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I carefully stepped on the creaking ladder and landed safely on the grounds of the women&#039;s wing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Once I reached the women&#039;s wing, I realized there was no way to retrieve the ladder. It was only a matter of time before we were discovered. It looked like another way to infiltrate the women&#039;s wing would be missing. Higashida must be terribly anxious right now.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Putting that aside for now, I crouched low, careful not to be seen by the guards, and walked slowly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I didn&#039;t hear any gunfire. It was just a rumor, so the truth was unclear. The question now was whether it was still going on.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I hid in the waist-high grass. The area between the first- and second-year girls&#039; buildings was neatly maintained, like a park. It was supposedly built because campus life needed a place to relax. But why didn&#039;t the boys&#039; buildings have one? A while ago, there was a broken-down bicycle right in front of the building.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I strained my ears, but there was no sound at all, let alone gunfire.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It must have been a miscommunication. Just as I was thinking that, something flew down from above.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It hurts!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The falling object hit me squarely, making me scream in pain. And it was pointing a gun at me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Stop getting in the way, idiot! You&#039;re joining in when things are so busy. I&#039;m going to beat you to a pulp. Go to hell!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was Akane, transformed into Kämpfer. At the same time, my bracelet also changed, transforming into a woman&#039;s.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s finger was on the trigger.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Wait, don&#039;t shoot.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah... it&#039;s Natsuru.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane muttered, seeming to regret not being able to shoot.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What are you doing?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s what I was saying. I heard gunshots and came to check.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re really weird! Someone&#039;s chasing me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s the enemy Kämpfer, right? How many are there?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;One, using a Gewehr rifle.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Is it the guy I fought before...?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Probably.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I poked my head out of the bushes, but saw no enemy anywhere.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Akane, have you been fighting since this morning?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, I was attacked as soon as I arrived at school. The attack was so intense that even the guards came running. I almost called the police. After that, it was a nerve-wracking game of hide-and-seek.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What kind of person was my opponent?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;A short girl, I couldn&#039;t see her face.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Suddenly, there was a snap, and the leaves in front of me blew away.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She was trying to attack us.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She&#039;s probably just attacking randomly.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She probably knows where we are.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane raised her gun.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;With two of us, there&#039;s no need to play hide-and-seek with her. Let&#039;s just take her out.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This guy really isn&#039;t suited to hiding. She must have accumulated a lot of pressure.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Where is the enemy?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;We&#039;ll find out once we get out!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane rushed out. If she made too much noise, the school would notice, but she seemed completely unconcerned, firing without hesitation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The enemy finally appeared, in front of and to the right of Akane. So, it was a petite girl, the one I&#039;d fought before.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl held a massive gun, a sight completely out of place for her petite frame, the all-black muzzle pointed at me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It wasn&#039;t aimed at Akane, but at me. The bullet grazed me beautifully.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you serious?&amp;quot; I extended my wrist, concentrated my strength in my fingertips, and unleashed a Zauber magic spell. Purple flames morphed into blocks and flew towards the enemy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The enemy was enveloped in flames... well, not quite. Before that, they&#039;d been flung to the ground, taking advantage of the momentum and charging towards me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Nats...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A small face loomed, gun in hand, charging at me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Just as I was about to fall, I managed to catch my footing, but ended up tumbling to the ground, the muzzle of her gun pressed against my heart.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She didn&#039;t attack me, so I pressed the tip of my right hand against her neck.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl&#039;s features were unassuming and small, but her eyes were piercing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you Natsuru?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her voice was sharp.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So what?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t have time to fight you. Don&#039;t come and ruin my fun. You&#039;re such an eyesore.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;An eyesore... what?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;This is my final warning. Stay out of my sight.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl pulled the trigger.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Gunshots rang out from the other side, and Akane began firing wildly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Tsk!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the girl muttered, using me as a stepping stone to fly through the bushes, then ran away without a backward glance.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In a flash, she disappeared.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah—that guy actually got away,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane complained, her target, of course, being me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Can&#039;t you pull yourself together? That bastard should have been killed right then and there. You&#039;re not falling in love with her just because I spared your life?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What nonsense! She said she didn&#039;t have time to fight us.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What are you talking about? Did she really say that?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, she seems very busy,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane raged. She hated being looked down upon.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What a joke! Forget about Natsuru, but she&#039;s so bold to talk to me like that! I&#039;ll beat her to a pulp next time!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Eh...did I let it go?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Anyway, it seems she let me off the hook. I&#039;ve only been a Kämpfer for a short time, so I&#039;m still not very good at fighting. If I really fought, I probably wouldn&#039;t be able to beat her. Damn it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Why she let me off, though, I don&#039;t know. If it were the student council president&#039;s ally, they&#039;d probably be even more ruthless and persevere to the end, even though that look in her eyes was anything but ordinary.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re so useless!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a voice came from the other direction. It wasn&#039;t Akane, but it was as clear and sharp as ice.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Standing there was Student Council President Shizuku.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You...!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s gun was already in position, and Shizuku used her Schwert to counterattack.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I saw your fight. It was just amateurish. Looks like you need to put in a little more effort.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It was Natsuru who struck, okay? Not me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hey, isn&#039;t it a partner&#039;s responsibility to defend Natsuru-san?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Damn it...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Anyone could clearly see that Akane was furious, but she didn&#039;t fire. She just muttered a few words and angrily left.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku turned towards me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why do you think I gave you a Girls&#039; Club student ID? If you don&#039;t make good use of it.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot; I couldn&#039;t help but reply. &amp;quot;What do you mean by make good use of it?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It means literally. You should understand Japanese, right?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, that Kämpfer bracelet just now was red. She must be the president&#039;s companion. You told me to make good use of it. Are you asking me to defeat her?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Is it okay for your companion to be defeated by us?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I can&#039;t say that.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku sheathed her dagger. In an instant, her long hair shone, and she transformed from a Kämpfer back to her normal form.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s still class time, it&#039;s not too late to go back to the classroom, go ahead.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;How can I go back in this state?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m not talking about the boys&#039; section, I&#039;m talking about the girls&#039; section.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
You&#039;re saying that again, are you really going to turn me into a woman?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Girls are boring if there&#039;s nothing to attract their attention.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku said this without a smile.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She must think it&#039;s none of her business to say that. So, it seems I can&#039;t not give Higashida the photo. I thought about it before entering the girls&#039; second-year class, fourth. That guy definitely won&#039;t forget about the girls&#039; photo. Every time we see him, he keeps nagging me. I guess I need to come up with something.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Unwanted Celebrity Status ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:23754.jpg|thumb|Natsuru (in female form) sits at her desk looking overwhelmed as female students crowd around her classroom.]]&lt;br /&gt;
After apologizing for being late and entering the classroom, the Japanese history teacher simply told me to sit down and didn&#039;t press the issue further.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane was already seated; she seemed to have arrived even earlier than me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I pulled my textbook, notes, and writing supplies from my bag (I&#039;d always left it on the table, since I didn&#039;t know when I&#039;d become a woman).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As I was getting ready, I felt an itch all over my body. The entire class was focused on me, the legendary yuri student. Having been fighting until now, I should be very sensitive to murderous intent, but this gaze was more than just uncomfortable... This is all Masumi Nishino&#039;s fault. I&#039;ll resent women for the rest of my life.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Japanese history teacher kept on rambling, completely incomprehensible. His movements were as stiff as a robot&#039;s. Was he powered by clockwork?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...You seem troubled,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a voice called from right behind me. Even without turning around, I knew the female anchor&#039;s voice was definitely the class monitor.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The legendary Senou-san is truly the center of attention.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you happy about this?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I didn&#039;t know how to answer, so I chose the safest answer.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...During class.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s okay if I&#039;m hard of hearing, teacher, but you&#039;d better be careful.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru-san has been targeted.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I thought to myself, &amp;quot;I&#039;ve just been attacked,&amp;quot; but it didn&#039;t seem like that was what she was referring to.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s right, those reports are out. You&#039;ve become the girls&#039; club&#039;s toy... no, a celebrity. You have nowhere to escape, hehe.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The voice came from behind me, right. It was the vice-class monitor. Wasn&#039;t she sitting near me?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Girls at Iron Star Academy High School thrive on gossip. Senou-san has been the hottest topic of the year lately. So amazing, so amazing.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What I&#039;m saying is, if you want to escape this disaster, you need a sacred pot that would make even demons flee barefoot.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The person trying to sell me something was the accountant. Wasn&#039;t her seat right in the front? How could I hear what she said?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Of course, I didn&#039;t want to buy a sacred pot. I also didn&#039;t want to be swayed by the class president and vice-president. Although I really wanted to find a way to clarify after that news came out, at least let me get through class safely. I hate studying so much. Life is just so weird.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s no use pretending you didn&#039;t hear it.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s right, everyone&#039;s waiting for Senou-san.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;If you don&#039;t want a pot, you can look at the hanging scroll.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I said I didn&#039;t want one.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Just as the class monitor and vice-monitor had said, my situation was exactly as it was. I&#039;d soon understand the profound impact this would have on me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The next class was Chinese, originally meant to be with our female teacher.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I went outside to kill time, but unexpectedly, I caused a commotion like welcoming a soldier back from the battlefield.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah—Senou-san!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So handsome —!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hold me —!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
About half the girls in the classroom came over, while the rest watched from the side. Upon closer inspection, I realized that most of the girls in my class were just observing from a distance. Those who approached me were strangers. The looks from my classmates weren&#039;t of envy or surprise, but rather of calculating thoughts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Just as before, I was about to be groped again when someone clapped their hands to stop the impending commotion.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Okay—everyone, that&#039;s enough.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san is the shared property of our class four.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;If you want to touch her, the minimum price is one thousand yen.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The class monitor, vice-monitor, and the accountant were all speaking. I didn&#039;t expect them to treat me like a money-making tool so quickly. What does shared property mean?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What on earth is the homeroom teacher doing, letting this happen? She&#039;d walked in at some point, sat down at the table, and started reading a video game guide. This is outrageous! This is a complete waste of education. I&#039;ll tell you off.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru-san, please sit over here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That seat over there is empty.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please sit, please sit.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What do you mean by empty? That&#039;s my seat, so I&#039;ll take it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those three people skillfully arranged the gathered girls into a row. While I admire their skill, what exactly do they want to do to me?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Each person can talk to Senou-san for thirty seconds.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Friendship rates are free, but handshakes are extra.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Before you go, remember to buy a painting that&#039;s good for your sore shoulders.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What the hell is going on?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was filled with questions, but the homeroom monitor whispered in my ear.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t worry, this is a way to save you from the commotion.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...You mean sitting here?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The girls in school all like you. If we don&#039;t do this, there will be a big commotion.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s okay...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;This is what we decided at the class meeting. In order to save Senou-san, our whole class will do our best to help you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Why do we have to charge money...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, the first customer?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hey! You actually let me get away with it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The &amp;quot;first customer&amp;quot; she was talking about was a first-year girl who looked very introverted. Her voice seemed even softer than Akane&#039;s, really like an ant.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well...that...Senou-san.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Here...can you please accept it!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She took out a small box with a bow. Is it a gift?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While I was still lost in thought, the vice-class monitor accepted it on my behalf.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Thank you so much! Senou-san will definitely write back to thank you, don&#039;t worry.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl lowered her head, seemingly delighted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...What do you mean by return gift...?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s just that if you don&#039;t return the favor properly, the girl will be very sad.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I knew that, but there was no need to be so exaggerated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Next,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the monitor called.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This time, it was a tall, bespectacled girl, a third-year student, who exuded an intellectual air.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru-san...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She addressed me by name even though it was our first meeting.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Would you like to become sisters?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;ll be the older sister, you the younger sister. Let&#039;s swear before the gods and exchange contracts. I won&#039;t bind you, and even after graduation, we&#039;ll always be...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She said, moving closer to me. The vice-class monitor next to her immediately took action.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Time&#039;s up —for individual contracts, there&#039;s an additional fee. Come back next time you have the chance.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The monitor called &amp;quot;next&amp;quot; without hesitation. Their teamwork left me stunned.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Another first-year student, with deep-set eyes and a nose, and fair skin —her type should be popular with boys.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But the girl suddenly lowered her head at me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san, please be my older sister!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Is she a younger sister this time? What&#039;s going on at this school?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I fell in love with you at first sight. I&#039;d do anything for you. I want to be with you forever. Please!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Such devotion! Is this considered pure love? Even apart from the fact that I was petrified, I still couldn&#039;t utter a word.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please take a look at this! My feelings are written all over it!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She handed me the letter, sealed with a heart-shaped sticker. Why not text? Maybe she didn&#039;t know my phone number.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Before the vice-class monitor could say anything, the girl bolted. I just sat there with the letter.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please put it over here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The monitor placed the letter in the cardboard box at her feet. I was shocked to see how many letters I had accumulated without realizing it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After that, the crowds continued to pour in, one after another, practically like a bowl of soba noodles. The line of girls stretched as long as a Disneyland ride. &amp;quot;Please be my friend&amp;quot; was considered polite, but there were also &amp;quot;Please hug me,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Please tell me I love you,&amp;quot; and even &amp;quot;Please scold me and bully me.&amp;quot; You&#039;ll probably have to ask your boyfriend to serve you this kind of thing from now on.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The class ended in a commotion without even getting to the point of learning. Is that really okay?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Thank you for your hard work. Here you go,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the class monitor handed me a plastic bottle of tea. The accountant was busy typing away on her calculator.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Wow, the sales are incredible!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Everyone, use this money to have fun!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the vice-class monitor shouted, and the atmosphere in the class suddenly heated up.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I looked at the pile of letters and gifts piled up on the table and suddenly felt irritated. Am I supposed to handle all of this by myself? Luckily, they were all from girls. Not having any from boys was a blessing in disguise.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Next up is the photo session,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the class monitor checked, flipping through the handbook. When did you become my agent?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;After that, it&#039;s fan interaction time. We&#039;ve prepared a tea party.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Why?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s how we do it in Class 4.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Glancing closely at the classmates cheering over their earnings, I finally understood everything.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Um, isn&#039;t Sakura Kaede coming over...?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You mean Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the class monitor glanced at the handbook.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...No, how could those two beautiful women of Seitetsu be lesbians?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That wasn&#039;t necessarily true, but if not, there was no way I could help it. I&#039;d have thought she&#039;d be the first to show up.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Then let&#039;s start the photo session,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the vice-class monitor said, holding a digital camera —an expensive-looking SLR.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Just sit there. A simple outfit should fetch a good price.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Where are you selling it to?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Our customers are mostly women, and the rumors about the mysterious beautiful girl seem to be getting more and more popular among the boys.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I knew that well.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The vice-class monitor, with the constant sound of manually rewinding film, took pictures non-stop. Not only of me sitting at my desk, but also of me standing at the blackboard and gazing out the window. Although one asked, &amp;quot;Can you lift your skirt a little?&amp;quot; I flatly refused.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The photo session ended quickly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The vice-class monitor and the class monitor immediately began discussing how to sell it. They might have connections to the underground society. The accountant was busy counting the money, while I sat there doing nothing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san, get some rest. You&#039;ll probably be even busier later.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Those pictures just now...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the class monitor walked towards me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou Natsuru from the men&#039;s club.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;A boy with the same name as you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Can you give him a photo too...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I couldn&#039;t leave Higashida out as a thank-you gift, so this was perfect. I didn&#039;t ask her to give it to him directly because I was worried he&#039;d get it and then pretend he didn&#039;t get it, which would be troublesome.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Sure, is that your friend?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I guess so...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s the same person.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was obvious, but I couldn&#039;t explain it in detail. The vice-class monitor&#039;s eyes gleamed strangely, and she promised me she would help pass it on.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== A Tense Lunch and Emotional Fallout ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lunch break.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After the photo session, fans gathered again, and I was already wobbling. The gifts and letters had more than doubled. The class monitor said, &amp;quot;There&#039;s also a tea party,&amp;quot; but I refused out of fear of exhaustion, and they decided to let me go to eat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It wasn&#039;t just me. It was lunchtime at school, a chance to relax and have a long break —what student wouldn&#039;t love? The girls&#039; department at Iron Star Academy High School has a cafeteria, and quite a lot of girls eat there. The boys&#039; department also has one, but the popular dishes are always hotly contested. I&#039;ve even seen fights almost break out over the pork chop pot.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girls&#039; department isn&#039;t as aggressive, but the boys are still hot-blooded creatures after all.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I bought a meal ticket for the A set meal today. I hadn&#039;t wanted to eat here, but I couldn&#039;t buy bread anyway, and eating in the classroom felt like I was being used as a money-making tool.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I waited in line at the food counter, and the girl in front of me nodded. She was so polite.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl&#039;s cheeks flushed slightly as she asked,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Excuse me...are you Senou Natsuru-san?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Um...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;C-Can I have dinner with you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was about to ask why when someone interrupted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah—Makie actually snuck out!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You actually wanted to eat with Senou-san!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So cunning!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
These people seemed to be her classmates, grumbling back and forth, about sneaking out and being so cunning. What are you talking about?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san, can I have dinner with you too?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want to!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The tea party was canceled, so you have to make it up to us here!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was already confused. Every girl was insisting, &amp;quot;I want to, I want to,&amp;quot; and I felt like I was surrounded by a group of debt collectors. The crowd gradually gathered, squeezing me so hard that I couldn&#039;t move forward. What was going to happen to my A-grade set meal?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Look, Senou-san! Who told you to leave us without permission?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I told you you were the center of attention.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you going to buy a Buddha statue?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Three people from Class 4 approached from a distance, laughing happily, seemingly with no intention of saving me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I finally pushed through the swarm of women and handed over my meal ticket, but was immediately pulled back into the crowd of girls.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-sama! Look over here!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want to see too!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Let me touch it!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I thought someone just called me sama. What&#039;s going on?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Excuse me, let me pass! Ouch!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I felt a strange sensation on my chest, and I jumped. Who? Who touched my breasts?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Great—I touched Senou-san&#039;s breasts!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl named Makie cheered triumphantly. I wanted to say something, but whether out of shyness or fear, I couldn&#039;t say a word.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Okay—I want to touch it, too!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want it, I want it!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Everyone gathered around me, converging on my breasts like pigeons at a feed. I admit I&#039;m a little embarrassed, but my breasts are really big. Every time I become a girl, I feel a heavy burden, but I never expected they would attract so much attention.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah! I touched it!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Now it&#039;s my turn!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m not a statue in a shrine, praying for healing. Even if I touch you, it won&#039;t heal you.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My breasts are literally being crushed, but I&#039;ve given up resisting, hoping this will all be over soon.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please stop doing this,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
said Sakura Kaede, the person I like.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san just returned to school after being sick. Please stop harassing her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede shooed the gathered girls away. As expected of one of the two beauties at Iron Star Academy High School, perhaps because of her inherent superstar qualities, the little sparrows all obeyed her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san, your meal is ready.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, thank you...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I took my A-set meal from the scrawny old woman&#039;s hands.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m having the school set meal today, too. Do you want to join us?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede said cheerfully. If I were a man, I&#039;d have readily agreed, but this situation is a bit awkward.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, I... ah no, I...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t say that. Shizuku-chan also said she wants to eat with you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I turned in surprise and found Shizuku sitting at a table in the corner of the school cafeteria.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please sit here,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the student council president&#039;s words sounded fake.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede, Shizuku, and I sat at the same table. The other girls didn&#039;t dare approach us, only observing us from afar. I even heard someone talking about the &amp;quot;Three Beauties of Seitetsu.&amp;quot; Three?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;With Senou-san joining us, it&#039;s gone from two to three,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku said.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I think you&#039;re pretty, too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, just as pretty as Shizuku-chan. I&#039;m so envious of you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If I were to say, she&#039;d be prettier than Sakura Kaede, but she doesn&#039;t seem to think so at all. Modesty is one of her strengths.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, Natsuru-san and Shizuku-chan are meeting for the first time, right? This is our school&#039;s student council president, Shizuku.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please advise me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Hello.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This con-woman-like president is so infuriating. She knows me, yet she&#039;s playing dumb over there without a word.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san took a leave of absence, right? I heard about it from the teacher.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Did you know, Shizuku-chan?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But today is our first time meeting.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Liar. Swindler. Swindler.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;ve seen her before,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede said, gloating like a child.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, we went to a movie together.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Uh, I was about to pick up the salad from my set meal, but I kept biting my chopsticks.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You two are so close.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, we&#039;re really close.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede seemed very happy, but Shizuku had kidnapped her during the movie. Luckily, she didn&#039;t seem to remember. Does the president, who&#039;s been playing dumb over there, have any conscience?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want to see a movie too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s really good.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But it has to be the Entrails Animals movie, right? Kaede, you have a weird interest.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s not the case. Natsuru-san said the movie was great too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She asked for my agreement. I moved my neck and nodded like a robot. I couldn&#039;t really put the &amp;quot;weird interest&amp;quot; in my head, but Shizuku was very direct about that.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Did you guys go out for dinner after the movie?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Shizuku, you know everything. We had pasta.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That seemed like a lot of fun. I envy you guys.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The scary thing was, Shizuku kidnapped Sakura Kaede to that pasta shop.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you having fun, Senou-san?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku turned to me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Have you forgotten how to talk?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What are you talking about?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My anger slowly rose. Perhaps sensing the strange atmosphere, Sakura Kaede said, &amp;quot;I&#039;ll get some tea...&amp;quot; and left her seat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You better cooperate with me,&amp;quot; Shizuku whispered.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;ve lost your mind, you&#039;re always talking about dangerous topics. It&#039;s not good at all.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Kaede&#039;s topics always revolve around you. You&#039;re really popular.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m the girl who&#039;s popular.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m so envious of you that I almost sighed.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Let alone sighing, I doubt you&#039;re even breathing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku moved her chopsticks nonchalantly. &amp;quot;You&#039;re eating pork cutlet. It doesn&#039;t fit your image at all.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What&#039;s your purpose?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Oh, what do you mean?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why are you having dinner with me?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Because Kaede said she wanted to have dinner with you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you the kind of person who would do something like this just because they&#039;re friendly?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What does it matter?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This guy was definitely just saying it casually. Because she had a poker face, you couldn&#039;t tell what she was thinking, but she was definitely plotting something. This woman was truly someone who could not be taken lightly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Calm down. I&#039;m not going to do anything to you right now. I&#039;m not going to attack you, you understand?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That was true. Although they had met several times since the last battle, she had never shown any interest in fighting. Instead, it was always Akane who pointed the gun at her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So what&#039;s your motive?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Didn&#039;t I tell you I wouldn&#039;t tell you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t like your attitude.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well, just think of it as me supporting Kaede&#039;s relationship.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Stop kidding!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Kaede isn&#039;t just popular with boys, she&#039;s also very popular with girls. If you&#039;re too careless, you might end up being abandoned by her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That&#039;s true. Even I&#039;m so popular among girls, so with Sakura Kaede&#039;s level, she must be popular with both boys and girls.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku&#039;s lips twitched slightly, almost as if she were smiling.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s not just Sakura Kaede, the class stuff is giving me a headache too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Everyone in your class seems a little weird.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I admit that. If the boys&#039; second-year class four is a group of lazy idiots, then the girls&#039; second-year class four is a bunch of misers controlled by bad ideas. Either way, they&#039;re terrible.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I heard from the class four monitor that they took a lot of photos, right?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s for the money.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I also heard they hope to give the photos to someone in the boys&#039; class.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Did the monitor even tell her that?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why are you asking such a thing?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;ll know soon.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede returned, a paper cup on a tray.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;How about Japanese tea?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Kaede, Senou-san seems to have a sore throat and can&#039;t speak very well.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede seemed relieved.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Then please have some tea...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Thank you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I reached for the paper cup.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The meaningless conversation continued for a while, and I could only listen obediently. Sakura Kaede was relieved to know that Shizuku and I were on good terms. In fact, our relationship was not good, but it was just not easy to show at this time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;By the way, Senou-san, you&#039;re really popular.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I saw the newspaper&#039;s special edition, too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was so careless. Shizuku, this girl, was bringing up such a topic that it was not relevant. She was even more evil-minded than the Seppuku Black Rabbit.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Before I could answer, Sakura Kaede said.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s not true, Shizuku-chan, that must be a lie.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yes, Natsuru-san is not... such a sentimental person. That report is completely fabricated.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although she said it with certainty, her tone seemed a little hesitant when she mentioned &amp;quot;sentimental.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru-san is very loyal.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is true. I am only loyal to Sakura Kaede, but I am a boy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede looked at me as if asking for my consent. I had no choice but to nod slightly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She smiled and said,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Look, Shizuku-san.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Oh my.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku&#039;s face was filled with surprise, but that expression was just acting.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re serious about love, aren&#039;t you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Of course I am. I&#039;m not someone like you who would sleep with a machine.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The news about &amp;quot;sleeping with a machine&amp;quot; was published in the newsletter of the underground club &amp;quot;Shizuku-sama Scolded Club.&amp;quot; It wasn&#039;t meant to be a bad word about her, but rather, it was something that made them tremble with excitement. Higashida showed me the newsletter, and it was filled with things only a masochist could imagine, things that would make you doubt your own eyes. It almost made my head spin. There really are all kinds of interests in this world.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;ve come to admire you, Senou-san.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So what do you think of me now?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;A beautiful person like you who&#039;s not at all casual is a good thing for morale.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Thank you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You have someone you like, right?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Yes.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s great. I wonder what type of guy you like?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It wasn&#039;t a man, but the person next to you. As I thought about it, I suddenly realized something.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede was looking at me with surprise. &amp;quot;Oh, right, I&#039;m a woman now, so logically, the person I like should be a man.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But Sakura Kaede fell in love with me, a woman. So, wasn&#039;t what I just said the same as dumping her?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede&#039;s face darkened, turning into a look of despair. &amp;quot;Wait, wait, I don&#039;t like men, but how should I explain this?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s from the boys&#039; club, right?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku added, nonchalantly, adding a fatal blow.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m so envious of the guy Senou-san likes. Tell me who it is next time.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it. Not only did she give me a fatal blow, but she also threw me into the river. What should I do? Did they turn me into a woman just to make me feel this despair?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I couldn&#039;t bear to look Sakura Kaede in the face anymore. I could tell what she was like just by the atmosphere and the untouched lunch on the table.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll take my leave.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku stood up. She&#039;d finished her meal without me noticing; it looked like quite a bit, all gone into her slender frame.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I had a great time today. Let&#039;s eat together again sometime.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was terrible for me. How could I be happy?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku turned back just as she was about to leave.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Oh, by the way, is that first-year student Kondou who&#039;s back in school someone you know?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I remained silent for a moment, not answering her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Never mind, it doesn&#039;t matter anyway. She seems like a pretty good girl.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
With these profound words, the student council president walked out of the cafeteria.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Only Sakura Kaede and I remained.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The cafeteria, which should have been bustling with activity, was strangely quiet at this moment.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This situation was incredibly awkward. Sakura Kaede&#039;s head (presumably) was tilted downwards, while I stared at the tray in the school cafeteria, almost tearing a hole through it. I desperately needed a way out of this situation, but nothing came to mind. I wished the tray could create a hole deep underground so I could escape straight to Argentina.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Finally,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...I&#039;m going back...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
With those whispers, Sakura Kaede left, and I remained frozen in place.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Aftermath and New Alliances ===&lt;br /&gt;
For the next few days, I didn&#039;t go to the girls&#039; club, only traveling back and forth between my home and the boys&#039; club. The photo finally arrived, and when I gave it to Higashida, he was overjoyed. He&#039;s such a carefree guy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Compared to that, this situation was far more complicated. Sakura Kaede was demanding an answer from me, and because of Shizuku, she felt hopeless. I was being targeted by Masumi Nishino and Kondou Mikoto, and I had to be wary of a mysterious enemy. Add to that Yuri&#039;s suspicions. It was all targeting a girl like me, which was really lonely. But it was also true that I was practically going crazy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was just thinking of letting out a rant, but when I told Seppuku Tiger about it, he just burst out laughing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hahahahaha, your situation is several times worse than before.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I know that even if you don&#039;t tell me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Where do you want to start?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No one, I guess. If I had to, I&#039;d probably start with the enemy.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There was nothing else to do; just defeating her would be enough, and I&#039;d feel much more relaxed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s true, but leaving it alone for other things would be frustrating.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;d know that even if the doll hadn&#039;t mentioned it. It seems that the Entrails Animals have a new series called &amp;quot;The Twelve Spiny Mouse Brothers.&amp;quot; These brightly colored mice, pierced from head to toe by stakes, are adorning toy stores. One day, they&#039;ll probably be pulled down because they&#039;re disgusting. I wonder if Sakura Kaede will buy one.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Just then, the doorbell rang. A visitor. Lately, Kondou Mikoto has been coming in without a word, so someone so polite is a novelty.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I walked out of the entrance, and the person standing there was Akane. She was looking down as usual, holding a Seppuku Black Rabbit in her arms.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well... well... I have something to say.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, come in.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I took her to my room. I had been here several times before, and Akane seemed to be used to it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hey, Kirito, how are you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;How&#039;s yours, Kirito?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After entering the room, Kirito and Kirito greeted each other warmly. There might be something about exposing all your internal organs that only friends know.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane also brought a snack with her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;This... is just a little thing...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t be so polite, what&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well... there&#039;s something at school...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As expected, it must be that.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, you mean the newspaper...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That report is completely fake. Look, isn&#039;t Masumi Nishino from the news agency? They did an interview, but it&#039;s all fabricated...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, I know that,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane bluntly interrupted me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What I&#039;m talking about is the girls who read the report. It caused quite a stir...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I thought so.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The girls in my class even started selling things. Every time after class, all the girls in the grade would crowd over to our side. It was ridiculous...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was ten times more exciting than a rock concert.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Even though we&#039;ve said several times that she&#039;s not here today, everyone&#039;s still so excited, saying you&#039;re hiding her...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Actually, it wasn&#039;t wrong. It wasn&#039;t that I was hiding her. It was just that I was in the boys&#039; department.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Did it bother you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It was really terrible...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What about the girls in class?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The girls in Class 4 are very strong. Even when Natsuru-san isn&#039;t around, they&#039;re all very lively together. They even started selling photos.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
According to Akane, the center of the conversation was the class president, the vice-president was stirring things up, and the accountant was selling irrelevant amulets nearby. Sure enough,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
according to her, the girls who were paying attention to me were divided into two groups.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
One group actively sought to establish a relationship with me. They were the ones who constantly flocked to me in the classroom and the school cafeteria, trying to get physical with me and sign sisterhood agreements (what the heck is that?). They were very active in everything they did. Touching my breasts and hair was a given for them. It seemed like there were plenty of would-be stalkers out there.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The other group cautiously observed me from afar. While they were deeply interested in yuri female students, they had no desire to delve into this world, content simply to observe from afar. The biggest difference between them and the former was that while they presented no direct threat to me, since they had never spoken to me, once they began fantasizing, they could not stop. Most of the perverted rumors about me came from this group of girls.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Speaking of underground clubs, the &amp;quot;Sisterhood with Natsuru-sama&amp;quot; and the &amp;quot;Senou Observation Friendship Club&amp;quot; immediately popped up. Incidentally, Class 2, Grade 4 isn&#039;t affiliated with any of these organizations. Their only interest now is in exploiting me for profit, making them arguably the worst of the bunch.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Beneath her apprehension, she looked restless.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;And you know, usually everyone goes back to their classrooms when the bell rings, but... yesterday there was someone who refused to go back no matter what.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Who is it?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Sakura Kaede...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede was here too. I didn&#039;t expect her to come see me after being so badly injured by Shizuku earlier.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I don&#039;t know how she pulled herself together again, but it was so wonderful. My heart felt instantly cleansed. Even though I wasn&#039;t the one who hurt her, she&#039;d risen from that inexplicable situation that was, I don&#039;t know, hell on earth. In other words, she&#039;d been resurrected. Yes, resurrected, or even reincarnated if you want.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I was caught by Sakura Kaede... well...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...she asked me to let her meet you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s it...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane said, looking apologetic.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now things were getting really complicated. I tried to explain it this old-fashioned way. Simply put, it was getting really complicated. I was thinking about trying not to transform for a while, but now it seems...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I should still meet her. I want to see Sakura Kaede, who has stood up again. Let&#039;s put the confession aside for now.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But... Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t want to see Natsuru-san...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah... sorry, not the female Natsuru, she wanted to see the male Natsuru.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That doesn&#039;t bother me at all. What&#039;s wrong?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well... there&#039;s some strange rumors going around about a female Natsuru...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I already know about Lily&#039;s suspicions.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s not that...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane seemed hesitant to tell me. Was it about Sakura Kaede again?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Suddenly, someone ran up the stairs. She was the only one who could have opened the locked door without permission.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The door swung open with a bang.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto rushed in.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re back after all... Oh, little Akane&#039;s here too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hello...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane lowered her head timidly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What are you guys doing?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I have something to say...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you and Natsuru close enough to hang out in his room?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, sort of...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto looked unconvinced, looking from Akane to me. I couldn&#039;t tell from her expression what she was thinking, but it must be something unimportant or crazy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, never mind. Compared to that, Natsuru hasn&#039;t been to school in the past few days.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Since Akane didn&#039;t say anything, I had to answer.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I know.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;There was such a commotion in the girls&#039; section today, I think she&#039;s hiding. What a smart girl!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I didn&#039;t mean to belittle myself, but that wasn&#039;t the case.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So what?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Didn&#039;t I ask you guys before to uncover the true identity of the female Natsuru? I need your help.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;There&#039;s nothing we can do if she doesn&#039;t come to school.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She will definitely come. If she takes another leave of absence, she won&#039;t have enough credits. She will definitely come to school.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This girl&#039;s lines are full of confidence. It&#039;s terrifying to be able to trust her intuition so much. I heard that even if she gets lost in the desert, she can use this feeling to determine &amp;quot;this&amp;quot; direction, and she actually got it right. This woman is like a carrier pigeon.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want to follow the female Natsuru and investigate some things about her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re really enthusiastic. I guess a guy like you can&#039;t help much.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;We&#039;re short-staffed, so you have to come too. Akane, you too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I...I want one too...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane pointed at herself, looking surprised.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Masumi Nishino told me she&#039;s probably your friend, right? Didn&#039;t you go shopping together last time?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Were we really friends? We&#039;ve only met a few times...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So, it seems there was a question of whether or not to buy clothes, and Masumi Nishino was there at the time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Do you know where the girl named Natsuru lives?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t know...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What else? Her interests, or her family?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane shook her head, and so did I.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well...don&#039;t you all really want to know? Besides the yuri suspicions, there are some other strange rumors about the mysterious female student, and I want to confirm them myself.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...well...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane kept glancing at me. I tried my best not to meet her gaze, feigning composure. It would be bad if Kondou Mikoto saw me. Akane looked over.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s decided.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto made her conclusion even though nothing had been decided.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Let&#039;s investigate the Natsuru girl&#039;s case together, the three of us. Let&#039;s get it out in the open.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She seemed quite motivated. To her, the female version of me must be no different than a desert relic or a new species of insect. Perhaps she considers me on the same level.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Having given up, I asked her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;When do we start?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Tomorrow morning,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto replied.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Meet at this house.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The result was like drawing a bad fortune for me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|← Back to Volume 2 Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Forward to Volume 2 Chapter 4 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_2_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586447</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_2_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586447"/>
		<updated>2025-11-07T04:37:08Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;== Chapter 3 ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== A Peaceful Lull and a Startling Rumor ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:23752.jpg|thumb|Natsuru (male form) looks on in horror as his class reads the scandalous &amp;quot;Special Edition&amp;quot; of the Girls&#039; Newspaper.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Yesterday passed peacefully after that. I was happy with the peace. Besides being a girl, I was able to finish class without any pressure. Outside of class, everyone&#039;s curiosity was focused on me, but thankfully, no one asked any difficult questions. Perhaps Sakura Kaede&#039;s &amp;quot;Shizuku asked me to look after Natsuru-san&amp;quot; strategy worked. Although our homeroom teacher bluntly asked for more drink money at the class meeting before going home, I pretended not to hear.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Regarding maintaining my female form, I don&#039;t know when I&#039;ll return, but at least I maintain it until I go to sleep, only to revert back to my male form upon waking. I asked the Seppuku Tiger about this.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Once I&#039;m relieved of stress or excitement, I can easily return to my original form,&amp;quot; it said. So that&#039;s how it is.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t doze off during class. You might even transform back in the middle of the class.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But the transformation won&#039;t end until I go to sleep. Is that because I&#039;m slowly accumulating experience?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t know, but it&#039;s true you&#039;re faster than the average Kämpfer.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It didn&#039;t seem like this guy knew the details, or maybe it knew and just didn&#039;t want to tell me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Seppuku Tiger scratched its eye patch with its short front paw.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;By the way, that girl wasn&#039;t here today?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Is her name Kondou Mikoto? The energetic one.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s true.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It would bother me if she came every day, but it wouldn&#039;t bother me if she didn&#039;t. But she was so excited about coming to &amp;quot;wake me up,&amp;quot; it felt a little lonely.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I had no choice but to eat breakfast alone. Yesterday we had such a luxurious meal, but today it&#039;s just bread and jam, and Japanese tea made with tea bags. What a hollow breakfast.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
On my way to school alone, I couldn&#039;t help but think: once I&#039;m used to having a big meal right out of the blue, I&#039;ll feel like something&#039;s missing. It&#039;s only been a one-time experience, but just the thought of it makes me want to have hot rice every morning... It doesn&#039;t have to be made by Kondou Mikoto, just having it makes me happy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Personally, I&#039;d definitely want Sakura Kaede to make it for me. If that were the case, I&#039;d probably die of joy. No, even if I died after just one bite, I&#039;d be happy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But first, I&#039;d have to invite her to my house, and the chances of that happening are practically zero. If it were a woman, I might have a chance, but that&#039;s a complicated matter. I&#039;d really like to know if there&#039;s a good way.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
By the time I was thinking this, I&#039;d already arrived at Iron Star Academy High School. Once I entered the classroom, all those thoughts vanished.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My classmates were enthusiastically reading a folded flyer. I added that I was in Class 4, Grade 2.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I nudged Higashida.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s that? What are you all looking at?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida, also intently studying, looked up impatiently.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why are you so slow?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;My alarm clock is broken and I can&#039;t find a replacement. What happened?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You didn&#039;t get this?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He was reading the school newspaper, which looked like it had something like &amp;quot;Special Edition&amp;quot; written in large letters.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong with that?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Just read it yourself.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I took a look and nearly fell to the ground in shock.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The text read, &amp;quot;Mysterious Returning Girls&#039; Club Student: Yuri Mystery.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I nearly fainted, but I fought back the urge to read. The news item was about &amp;quot;Second-year Girls&#039; Club student N.S.&amp;quot; While beautiful, she wasn&#039;t interested in boys. &amp;quot;She doesn&#039;t hate boys, does she? Our newspaper&#039;s surprise interview team is trying to interview her.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I smell a hint of yuri,&amp;quot; and the explanation was carefully included: &amp;quot;Yuri is a type of love between women.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This report is full of lies. &amp;quot;N.S made a blushing, blatant confession,&amp;quot; I could tolerate, but it also included &amp;quot;because she doesn&#039;t want to regret being born a woman&amp;quot;? &amp;quot;She freezes at the sight of cute girls,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;She kept making advances on other patients and nurses while hospitalized,&amp;quot; and other nonsense. The word &amp;quot;homosexual&amp;quot; only appeared once, but it made it sound as if she had no interest in boys at all. Besides, I never said any of those things.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The girls who returned to school this time are truly extraordinary.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Even Higashida couldn&#039;t help but be shocked.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;These kinds of things happen in all-girls schools, but this is the first time I&#039;ve seen such a blatant and bold confession. It must take a lot of courage to say it out loud. It&#039;s quite impressive for a news agency to cover such a story.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...This is the girls&#039; newspaper, right? Why does everyone have it?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Someone randomly distributed it at the school gates. The teacher disappeared as soon as they noticed. Most people read photocopied copies. Getting the original is a treasure.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I looked at the newspaper again. It even had a photo of me as a girl. The eyes are covered with black squares. When was this film taken?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Even though you can&#039;t see the eyes, she&#039;s pretty.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida said, looking impressed, his voice lowered.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru, I know the girl above.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The idiot, thinking he was a spy from some foreign country, spoke in a low voice.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Didn&#039;t I tell you I saw a girl chasing a delinquent boy? It&#039;s this girl.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah—...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But I didn&#039;t expect she was a lesbian. No wonder she ignored me when I talked to her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida looked very unwilling. &amp;quot;Stupid, the idea of a girl accepting your advances is unbelievable.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Anyway, let&#039;s put this guy aside for now. This is a big deal for me. I think every boy and girl in school has seen this. I&#039;ve become the most negative person in the world. At this rate, there&#039;s no way I can transform into Kämpfer. If I transform into a girl, I&#039;ll probably be surrounded immediately.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s okay if I don&#039;t have to transform into Kämpfer. I&#039;m happy and relaxed, but it would be troublesome if I transform randomly. Being caught up in such a mess, I wonder if my ancestor was actually a serial killer or something.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My classmates were already engaged in a heated discussion about the &amp;quot;mysterious Yuri transfer student.&amp;quot; I feigned disinterest and listened, only to find they were even concluding, &amp;quot;One day, she&#039;ll devour all the girls in the girls&#039; club.&amp;quot; Ugh.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This couldn&#039;t go on. I checked the clock and saw there was still some time before class, so I tossed my bag on my desk.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou, where are you going?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Library.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When did you become so serious? I ignored Higashida&#039;s words and sprinted down the hallway.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Seeking Help and an Ominous Warning ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Why do I always run to the library? Because I have no other companions, so this is my only option. The only person I can rely on is my Kämpfer partner, Akane.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But Akane wasn&#039;t here today.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I tried asking the seemingly inconspicuous first-year student sitting at the counter.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She&#039;s not here today.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Huh... isn&#039;t she supposed to be on duty?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, it&#039;s Akane&#039;s class, but she&#039;s off today.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Did she come to school?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t know about that,&amp;quot; the girl who answered me said, &amp;quot;I have a class later, so I have to leave first,&amp;quot; and left.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was left there, bewildered. It was terrible that I couldn&#039;t contact my only companion. My current situation was quite precarious, and it would be even more unsettling if I had no one to talk to.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My heart sank when someone suddenly patted me from behind.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru—&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Behind me was Kondou Mikoto.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why are you looking so sullen? It&#039;s not good for your health. Cheer up.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Something happened.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You look really bad. Do you have a cold?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She looked worried, but it wasn&#039;t a cold; I was just mentally exhausted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s good... You should keep yourself warm when you sleep. I heard the colds that are prevalent this year are hard to cure.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t worry about me. Why did you come to the library?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What... I thought I&#039;d see you here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Looking for me? What do you want?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto took my hand. This guy can casually hold or touch anyone, even if they&#039;re boys. I&#039;m used to it, so it&#039;s okay, but it&#039;s not nice to do that to other innocent boys.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was taken to a secluded area of the library.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m asking you, have you seen the special edition of the Girls&#039; Newspaper?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, it&#039;s just a photocopy.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That&#039;s what&#039;s been bothering me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto smiled boldly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That was Masumi Nishino&#039;s doing, but I was the one who instigated her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So it was you!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because of the situation, I was only slightly surprised. I&#039;d known Masumi Nishino was the culprit, but I hadn&#039;t expected someone else to pull the strings.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yes, because I wanted to test that mysterious female student.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why would you do something like that?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t you find it strange?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto said forcefully.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She&#039;d been on sick leave, and now she&#039;s suddenly back, and her name is also Natsuru. Aren&#039;t you shocked?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She had a point. If I&#039;d changed my stance today, I&#039;d be terrified. Even if I hadn&#039;t, I&#039;m still shocked as the person involved.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;And did you know that person&#039;s last name is also Senou, exactly like yours.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;How did you know her last name?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Everyone in Class 2, Grade 4 is talking about it. A girl who looks like the class president.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was that person.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It seemed like everyone in the girls&#039; division knew my last name, and it was only a matter of time before it spread back to the boys&#039; division.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My stomach started aching again. Ever since I became Kämpfer, I&#039;ve been getting more and more headaches, stomachaches, and other physical ailments. Now, even my back seems to be aching.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto looked at me in surprise, pressing my stomach with a pained expression.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Hey, aren&#039;t you scared?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;There&#039;s a female version of Natsuru, with the same name and surname as you. Why can you act so nonchalant?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That&#039;s true. It would be unnatural not to be scared at a time like this.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Wow—that kind of person actually exists. It&#039;s terrifying.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...What do you mean?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m scared.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s ridiculous.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You were the one who told me there was a girl named Natsuru, and now that we even have the same surname, of course I&#039;m scared.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s true...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She seemed displeased. Hmm, this girl&#039;s instincts are really sharp. If I act badly, she might notice. I better end this conversation quickly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;If it&#039;s all right, I&#039;m going to go back.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I have something else to do.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto&#039;s face suddenly moved closer to me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You saw that report about the women&#039;s version of Natsuru, Yuri, and her doubts.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...It seems so.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Although Masumi Nishino wrote about her doubts, I don&#039;t know if that&#039;s actually the case.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
No, that&#039;s just a rumor.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I heard Masumi Nishino keep harping on those topics during the interview. I heard she wasn&#039;t just targeting the nurses and patients at the hospital, she was even targeting the nearby female university students, and she seemed quite proud of it.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
No, no, what female university students? I&#039;m not that diligent. That last time wasn&#039;t really an interview, more like coercion. The truth wasn&#039;t even reported.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But I can&#039;t express my opinion. Not being able to tell the truth is truly painful.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s not just Yuri, she&#039;s a lesbian. I must expose that woman&#039;s true colors.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...What true colors? She&#039;s not a criminal. It&#039;s just a personal interest.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;There should be a limit. I can&#039;t stand it if she&#039;s targeting everyone around her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What&#039;s the problem?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;This is about the chastity and reputation of the female students at Iron Star Academy High School.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That Natsuru has her own reputation to protect, right?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As I spoke, I wondered why I had to defend myself in this way. It was so embarrassing. I have no interest in homosexuality at all, but being accused of something I didn&#039;t even know existed was enough, and I had to defend myself so frantically. It was truly baffling.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s true. If she wants to hide it, that&#039;s fine, but now that the news agency has reported it, rumors will start to spread around here. Then, rumors about it being a yuri school or a lesbian school might start circulating privately.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But maybe she&#039;s just an ordinary girl, and that report was just a lie.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hearing what I said, Kondou Mikoto crossed her arms over her chest.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s true. Although I was the one who instigated Masumi Nishino to do this, I didn&#039;t expect the report to be so exaggerated.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s right. She must be an ordinary girl who likes boys, that&#039;s for sure.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although that was strange,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Whatever the case, we won&#039;t know the truth unless we investigate.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s better to leave this to the student council or the discipline committee.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Those guys won&#039;t do anything. We students have to investigate it ourselves,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto asserted confidently. Although this guy sometimes helps with some of the theft, she&#039;s very righteous in this matter.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;And I&#039;m really upset that there&#039;s a girl with the same name as you, and she&#039;s such a beauty.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto glared at me for a moment, making a &amp;quot;wuu...&amp;quot; sound like a puppy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Infiltration and Battle ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:23753.jpg|thumb|Natsuru (in female form) encounters a battle-ready Akane in the bushes of the Girls&#039; Division grounds.]]&lt;br /&gt;
The physics teacher was a rather neurotic man. Not only did he keep noticing me, he also kept muttering, &amp;quot;If you slack off all day, you&#039;ll grow up to be a useless adult interested only in alcohol and games.&amp;quot; Who were you talking about?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
During an important class, I was utterly sleepy. I was probably talking about Newton or New Zealand when I finally collapsed. I even dreamed of running around the campus at dawn. I later learned that more than half the class had also fallen into a deep sleep. The chain reaction that can be triggered by just one person falling asleep is a hallmark of our Class 4. It seems I&#039;m the key figure this time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As expected, the topic of heated discussion after class was the &amp;quot;mysterious female student causing such a stir on campus.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The rumors had gotten out of hand. Boys and girls alike love gossip. Besides being a rather exaggerated lesbian, I was even accused of &amp;quot;eating even elementary school students,&amp;quot; and even a female teacher, &amp;quot;being slept with her,&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;being hospitalized was just a cover-up. She even enrolled at the Takarazuka Music School, enjoying a life of luxury.&amp;quot; Who on earth could have come up with these rumors?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Of course, the number one idiot, Higashida, was the center of the conversation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I knew this girl before the news came out,&amp;quot; he boasted. There are people like that in the world, whether it&#039;s music, comics, or anime, who thrive on being a step ahead of the others.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida looked at me and waved.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru, come join us.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No thanks,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I said, shaking my head. Why did I have to listen to rumors about myself, all of which were false?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t say that. You&#039;re the special advisor to the Beauty Research Club. You should absorb more information.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When did I get that title?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So we called you over. We&#039;re discussing that girl&#039;s private life. It&#039;s said that her skills in bed have ten beautiful girls willingly captivated and serving her. That&#039;s our conclusion.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What a rotten conclusion.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I reluctantly joined in. Rumors can escalate so quickly. If it gets this far, I think I&#039;ll become the most famous homosexual in Japanese history.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Great! Now that the special advisor is joining us, there&#039;s nothing to be afraid of.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What are you talking about?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida said, looking serious.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Didn&#039;t I tell you before that I tried to take a picture of the mysterious female student, but failed?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I guess so.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As someone involved, I knew about this, but I continued to play dumb.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s it. Regarding that mysterious beautiful girl, I&#039;m determined to take a picture of her. If I can, the status of the Beauty Research Club within the underground community will rise again.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;d better stay put...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida said, &amp;quot;That won&#039;t work. The Beauty Research Club has only grown this big in my generation. Anyway, I need your help.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why me?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You know someone in the girls&#039; club, right? Like the girl in the library or Kondou Mikoto.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I also know Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That person is incomparable. No one will admit that you are friends with her. Anyway, I just want a picture of that girl. Can you help me contact the girls&#039; club and ask her to let me take a few pictures?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re asking me such a troublesome thing.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Everyone will be very happy.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Huh—...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I frowned. What&#039;s the point of asking for a favor? As for me, I admit that I look pretty after becoming a girl, but it&#039;s too disgusting to have to take pictures. And the thought of handing the pictures to Higashida makes me feel twice as disgusted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t want to.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t say that. I&#039;ve been targeted by people in the school lately and I can&#039;t move around freely.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If possible, I would also like to do it myself, Higashida said so, and he looked very unwilling.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A guy like him, so interested in girls and willing to bribe them with money, would naturally be under the watchful eye of the school. If caught, he&#039;d face suspension at best, or even repeated a grade. The student council turned a blind eye, but that was simply because Shizuku didn&#039;t take him seriously.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru will definitely do it.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s ridiculous! You&#039;re forcing me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;ll pay you. What do you think of Sakura Kaede&#039;s photo?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I can&#039;t help but react when I hear Sakura Kaede. It&#039;s a bad habit of mine.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What... When was it taken?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t look down on us, the Beauty Research Club. And it wasn&#039;t a digital camera, it was taken with a SLR. I&#039;ll give you the photo. You can develop it if you want. How&#039;s that?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hmm...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is so annoying. It&#039;s hard for me to refuse anything involving Sakura Kaede, but I can&#039;t just agree to it in this situation. I could just ignore the consequences and do it later, but that seems too hasty.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...That&#039;s not enough. I can&#039;t contact the girls&#039; club with just a photo. Give me some interesting information.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I tried to make things difficult for Higashida to refuse, but he actually took the bait.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s nothing serious, but there seems to be a commotion in the girls&#039; club.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why is it happening again? It must be like last time, a fight in the library or something.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was also involved in that incident.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, it seems like there&#039;s another fight, but it&#039;s strange. Two girls are running around the school fighting.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;They&#039;re really energetic.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;And you know, there were gunshots.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What did you say?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I couldn&#039;t help but yell.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Did you just say guns?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida didn&#039;t seem convinced, rather frightened by my reaction.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;If it were a fight, it&#039;s possible, but a gunfight in the girls&#039; club is ridiculous. That&#039;s why I said it was a rumor, probably just hearsay.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;When did it happen? A long time ago?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;This morning, maybe it&#039;s still going on now.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If that&#039;s true, it&#039;s terrible. Could it be...could it be that someone would use a gun in the girls&#039; club? The only people I can think of are those two.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Higashida, tell me how to break into the girls&#039; club.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What? I told you before, right? I can&#039;t tell you yet.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I agree about the photo. I can also help you with Kondou Mikoto&#039;s photo.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I won&#039;t lie.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I do sometimes, but I&#039;m serious now.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida was silent for a moment, considering.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I understand. I&#039;ll teach you a method, but you have to help me get the photo of that mysterious female student.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Leave it to me. I&#039;ll definitely take it for you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because it&#039;s me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s leave of absence really bothered me, and someone else heard gunshots. There&#039;s only one conclusion.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida told me how to break into the women&#039;s wing: climb over the wall. There&#039;s a long, continuous wall with iron bars on top of it, separating the men&#039;s and women&#039;s wing. I could just go over there. It&#039;s usually heavily guarded, so I gave up on that plan, but there&#039;s actually a way.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Go to the east side of the men&#039;s building and open the window leading from the second floor to the third floor landing,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida instructed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That window is the shortest path to the women&#039;s wing, and you can clearly see the iron bars.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Just opening the window won&#039;t get you through.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;There&#039;s a folding ladder in the nearby utility cabinet. You can use it to climb over the wall from the window. When do you want to get in?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Now.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The guards will be patrolling that way soon... in ten minutes, hurry!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I knew it without you even telling me. Before leaving, he reminded me, &amp;quot;Don&#039;t forget about the photos,&amp;quot; so I&#039;ll try to remember.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I quickly ran to the east staircase and, just as Higashida had predicted, found a ladder in the utility closet. I opened the window on the landing. So that&#039;s it! This way, we&#039;re pretty close. Even so, the underground society that figured out this method is truly impressive.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I quickly extended the ladder through the window. Since it rested directly on the iron mesh, it felt unstable, but there was nothing I could do at this point.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I carefully stepped on the creaking ladder and landed safely on the grounds of the women&#039;s wing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Once I reached the women&#039;s wing, I realized there was no way to retrieve the ladder. It was only a matter of time before we were discovered. It looked like another way to infiltrate the women&#039;s wing would be missing. Higashida must be terribly anxious right now.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Putting that aside for now, I crouched low, careful not to be seen by the guards, and walked slowly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I didn&#039;t hear any gunfire. It was just a rumor, so the truth was unclear. The question now was whether it was still going on.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I hid in the waist-high grass. The area between the first- and second-year girls&#039; buildings was neatly maintained, like a park. It was supposedly built because campus life needed a place to relax. But why didn&#039;t the boys&#039; buildings have one? A while ago, there was a broken-down bicycle right in front of the building.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I strained my ears, but there was no sound at all, let alone gunfire.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It must have been a miscommunication. Just as I was thinking that, something flew down from above.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It hurts!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The falling object hit me squarely, making me scream in pain. And it was pointing a gun at me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Stop getting in the way, idiot! You&#039;re joining in when things are so busy. I&#039;m going to beat you to a pulp. Go to hell!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was Akane, transformed into Kämpfer. At the same time, my bracelet also changed, transforming into a woman&#039;s.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s finger was on the trigger.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Wait, don&#039;t shoot.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah... it&#039;s Natsuru.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane muttered, seeming to regret not being able to shoot.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What are you doing?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s what I was saying. I heard gunshots and came to check.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re really weird! Someone&#039;s chasing me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s the enemy Kämpfer, right? How many are there?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;One, using a Gewehr rifle.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Is it the guy I fought before...?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Probably.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I poked my head out of the bushes, but saw no enemy anywhere.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Akane, have you been fighting since this morning?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, I was attacked as soon as I arrived at school. The attack was so intense that even the guards came running. I almost called the police. After that, it was a nerve-wracking game of hide-and-seek.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What kind of person was my opponent?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;A short girl, I couldn&#039;t see her face.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Suddenly, there was a snap, and the leaves in front of me blew away.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She was trying to attack us.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She&#039;s probably just attacking randomly.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She probably knows where we are.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane raised her gun.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;With two of us, there&#039;s no need to play hide-and-seek with her. Let&#039;s just take her out.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This guy really isn&#039;t suited to hiding. She must have accumulated a lot of pressure.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Where is the enemy?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;We&#039;ll find out once we get out!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane rushed out. If she made too much noise, the school would notice, but she seemed completely unconcerned, firing without hesitation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The enemy finally appeared, in front of and to the right of Akane. So, it was a petite girl, the one I&#039;d fought before.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl held a massive gun, a sight completely out of place for her petite frame, the all-black muzzle pointed at me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It wasn&#039;t aimed at Akane, but at me. The bullet grazed me beautifully.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you serious?&amp;quot; I extended my wrist, concentrated my strength in my fingertips, and unleashed a Zauber magic spell. Purple flames morphed into blocks and flew towards the enemy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The enemy was enveloped in flames... well, not quite. Before that, they&#039;d been flung to the ground, taking advantage of the momentum and charging towards me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Nats...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A small face loomed, gun in hand, charging at me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Just as I was about to fall, I managed to catch my footing, but ended up tumbling to the ground, the muzzle of her gun pressed against my heart.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She didn&#039;t attack me, so I pressed the tip of my right hand against her neck.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl&#039;s features were unassuming and small, but her eyes were piercing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you Natsuru?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her voice was sharp.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So what?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t have time to fight you. Don&#039;t come and ruin my fun. You&#039;re such an eyesore.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;An eyesore... what?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;This is my final warning. Stay out of my sight.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl pulled the trigger.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Gunshots rang out from the other side, and Akane began firing wildly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Tsk!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the girl muttered, using me as a stepping stone to fly through the bushes, then ran away without a backward glance.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In a flash, she disappeared.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah—that guy actually got away,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane complained, her target, of course, being me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Can&#039;t you pull yourself together? That bastard should have been killed right then and there. You&#039;re not falling in love with her just because I spared your life?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What nonsense! She said she didn&#039;t have time to fight us.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What are you talking about? Did she really say that?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, she seems very busy,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane raged. She hated being looked down upon.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What a joke! Forget about Natsuru, but she&#039;s so bold to talk to me like that! I&#039;ll beat her to a pulp next time!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Eh...did I let it go?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Anyway, it seems she let me off the hook. I&#039;ve only been a Kämpfer for a short time, so I&#039;m still not very good at fighting. If I really fought, I probably wouldn&#039;t be able to beat her. Damn it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Why she let me off, though, I don&#039;t know. If it were the student council president&#039;s ally, they&#039;d probably be even more ruthless and persevere to the end, even though that look in her eyes was anything but ordinary.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re so useless!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a voice came from the other direction. It wasn&#039;t Akane, but it was as clear and sharp as ice.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Standing there was Student Council President Shizuku.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You...!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s gun was already in position, and Shizuku used her Schwert to counterattack.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I saw your fight. It was just amateurish. Looks like you need to put in a little more effort.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It was Natsuru who struck, okay? Not me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hey, isn&#039;t it a partner&#039;s responsibility to defend Natsuru-san?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Damn it...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Anyone could clearly see that Akane was furious, but she didn&#039;t fire. She just muttered a few words and angrily left.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku turned towards me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why do you think I gave you a Girls&#039; Club student ID? If you don&#039;t make good use of it.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot; I couldn&#039;t help but reply. &amp;quot;What do you mean by make good use of it?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It means literally. You should understand Japanese, right?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, that Kämpfer bracelet just now was red. She must be the president&#039;s companion. You told me to make good use of it. Are you asking me to defeat her?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Is it okay for your companion to be defeated by us?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I can&#039;t say that.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku sheathed her dagger. In an instant, her long hair shone, and she transformed from a Kämpfer back to her normal form.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s still class time, it&#039;s not too late to go back to the classroom, go ahead.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;How can I go back in this state?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m not talking about the boys&#039; section, I&#039;m talking about the girls&#039; section.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
You&#039;re saying that again, are you really going to turn me into a woman?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Girls are boring if there&#039;s nothing to attract their attention.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku said this without a smile.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She must think it&#039;s none of her business to say that. So, it seems I can&#039;t not give Higashida the photo. I thought about it before entering the girls&#039; second-year class, fourth. That guy definitely won&#039;t forget about the girls&#039; photo. Every time we see him, he keeps nagging me. I guess I need to come up with something.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Unwanted Celebrity Status ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:23754.jpg|thumb|Natsuru (in female form) sits at her desk looking overwhelmed as female students crowd around her classroom.]]&lt;br /&gt;
After apologizing for being late and entering the classroom, the Japanese history teacher simply told me to sit down and didn&#039;t press the issue further.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane was already seated; she seemed to have arrived even earlier than me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I pulled my textbook, notes, and writing supplies from my bag (I&#039;d always left it on the table, since I didn&#039;t know when I&#039;d become a woman).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As I was getting ready, I felt an itch all over my body. The entire class was focused on me, the legendary yuri student. Having been fighting until now, I should be very sensitive to murderous intent, but this gaze was more than just uncomfortable... This is all Masumi Nishino&#039;s fault. I&#039;ll resent women for the rest of my life.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Japanese history teacher kept on rambling, completely incomprehensible. His movements were as stiff as a robot&#039;s. Was he powered by clockwork?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...You seem troubled,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a voice called from right behind me. Even without turning around, I knew the female anchor&#039;s voice was definitely the class monitor.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The legendary Senou-san is truly the center of attention.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you happy about this?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I didn&#039;t know how to answer, so I chose the safest answer.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...During class.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s okay if I&#039;m hard of hearing, teacher, but you&#039;d better be careful.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru-san has been targeted.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I thought to myself, &amp;quot;I&#039;ve just been attacked,&amp;quot; but it didn&#039;t seem like that was what she was referring to.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s right, those reports are out. You&#039;ve become the girls&#039; club&#039;s toy... no, a celebrity. You have nowhere to escape, hehe.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The voice came from behind me, right. It was the vice-class monitor. Wasn&#039;t she sitting near me?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Girls at Iron Star Academy High School thrive on gossip. Senou-san has been the hottest topic of the year lately. So amazing, so amazing.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What I&#039;m saying is, if you want to escape this disaster, you need a sacred pot that would make even demons flee barefoot.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The person trying to sell me something was the accountant. Wasn&#039;t her seat right in the front? How could I hear what she said?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Of course, I didn&#039;t want to buy a sacred pot. I also didn&#039;t want to be swayed by the class president and vice-president. Although I really wanted to find a way to clarify after that news came out, at least let me get through class safely. I hate studying so much. Life is just so weird.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s no use pretending you didn&#039;t hear it.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s right, everyone&#039;s waiting for Senou-san.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;If you don&#039;t want a pot, you can look at the hanging scroll.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I said I didn&#039;t want one.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Just as the class monitor and vice-monitor had said, my situation was exactly as it was. I&#039;d soon understand the profound impact this would have on me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The next class was Chinese, originally meant to be with our female teacher.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I went outside to kill time, but unexpectedly, I caused a commotion like welcoming a soldier back from the battlefield.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah—Senou-san!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So handsome —!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hold me —!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
About half the girls in the classroom came over, while the rest watched from the side. Upon closer inspection, I realized that most of the girls in my class were just observing from a distance. Those who approached me were strangers. The looks from my classmates weren&#039;t of envy or surprise, but rather of calculating thoughts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Just as before, I was about to be groped again when someone clapped their hands to stop the impending commotion.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Okay—everyone, that&#039;s enough.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san is the shared property of our class four.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;If you want to touch her, the minimum price is one thousand yen.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The class monitor, vice-monitor, and the accountant were all speaking. I didn&#039;t expect them to treat me like a money-making tool so quickly. What does shared property mean?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What on earth is the homeroom teacher doing, letting this happen? She&#039;d walked in at some point, sat down at the table, and started reading a video game guide. This is outrageous! This is a complete waste of education. I&#039;ll tell you off.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru-san, please sit over here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That seat over there is empty.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please sit, please sit.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What do you mean by empty? That&#039;s my seat, so I&#039;ll take it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those three people skillfully arranged the gathered girls into a row. While I admire their skill, what exactly do they want to do to me?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Each person can talk to Senou-san for thirty seconds.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Friendship rates are free, but handshakes are extra.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Before you go, remember to buy a painting that&#039;s good for your sore shoulders.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What the hell is going on?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was filled with questions, but the homeroom monitor whispered in my ear.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t worry, this is a way to save you from the commotion.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...You mean sitting here?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The girls in school all like you. If we don&#039;t do this, there will be a big commotion.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s okay...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;This is what we decided at the class meeting. In order to save Senou-san, our whole class will do our best to help you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Why do we have to charge money...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, the first customer?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hey! You actually let me get away with it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The &amp;quot;first customer&amp;quot; she was talking about was a first-year girl who looked very introverted. Her voice seemed even softer than Akane&#039;s, really like an ant.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well...that...Senou-san.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Here...can you please accept it!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She took out a small box with a bow. Is it a gift?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While I was still lost in thought, the vice-class monitor accepted it on my behalf.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Thank you so much! Senou-san will definitely write back to thank you, don&#039;t worry.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl lowered her head, seemingly delighted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...What do you mean by return gift...?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s just that if you don&#039;t return the favor properly, the girl will be very sad.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I knew that, but there was no need to be so exaggerated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Next,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the monitor called.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This time, it was a tall, bespectacled girl, a third-year student, who exuded an intellectual air.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru-san...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She addressed me by name even though it was our first meeting.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Would you like to become sisters?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;ll be the older sister, you the younger sister. Let&#039;s swear before the gods and exchange contracts. I won&#039;t bind you, and even after graduation, we&#039;ll always be...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She said, moving closer to me. The vice-class monitor next to her immediately took action.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Time&#039;s up —for individual contracts, there&#039;s an additional fee. Come back next time you have the chance.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The monitor called &amp;quot;next&amp;quot; without hesitation. Their teamwork left me stunned.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Another first-year student, with deep-set eyes and a nose, and fair skin —her type should be popular with boys.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But the girl suddenly lowered her head at me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san, please be my older sister!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Is she a younger sister this time? What&#039;s going on at this school?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I fell in love with you at first sight. I&#039;d do anything for you. I want to be with you forever. Please!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Such devotion! Is this considered pure love? Even apart from the fact that I was petrified, I still couldn&#039;t utter a word.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please take a look at this! My feelings are written all over it!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She handed me the letter, sealed with a heart-shaped sticker. Why not text? Maybe she didn&#039;t know my phone number.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Before the vice-class monitor could say anything, the girl bolted. I just sat there with the letter.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please put it over here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The monitor placed the letter in the cardboard box at her feet. I was shocked to see how many letters I had accumulated without realizing it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After that, the crowds continued to pour in, one after another, practically like a bowl of soba noodles. The line of girls stretched as long as a Disneyland ride. &amp;quot;Please be my friend&amp;quot; was considered polite, but there were also &amp;quot;Please hug me,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Please tell me I love you,&amp;quot; and even &amp;quot;Please scold me and bully me.&amp;quot; You&#039;ll probably have to ask your boyfriend to serve you this kind of thing from now on.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The class ended in a commotion without even getting to the point of learning. Is that really okay?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Thank you for your hard work. Here you go,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the class monitor handed me a plastic bottle of tea. The accountant was busy typing away on her calculator.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Wow, the sales are incredible!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Everyone, use this money to have fun!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the vice-class monitor shouted, and the atmosphere in the class suddenly heated up.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I looked at the pile of letters and gifts piled up on the table and suddenly felt irritated. Am I supposed to handle all of this by myself? Luckily, they were all from girls. Not having any from boys was a blessing in disguise.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Next up is the photo session,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the class monitor checked, flipping through the handbook. When did you become my agent?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;After that, it&#039;s fan interaction time. We&#039;ve prepared a tea party.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Why?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s how we do it in Class 4.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Glancing closely at the classmates cheering over their earnings, I finally understood everything.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Um, isn&#039;t Sakura Kaede coming over...?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You mean Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the class monitor glanced at the handbook.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...No, how could those two beautiful women of Seitetsu be lesbians?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That wasn&#039;t necessarily true, but if not, there was no way I could help it. I&#039;d have thought she&#039;d be the first to show up.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Then let&#039;s start the photo session,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the vice-class monitor said, holding a digital camera —an expensive-looking SLR.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Just sit there. A simple outfit should fetch a good price.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Where are you selling it to?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Our customers are mostly women, and the rumors about the mysterious beautiful girl seem to be getting more and more popular among the boys.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I knew that well.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The vice-class monitor, with the constant sound of manually rewinding film, took pictures non-stop. Not only of me sitting at my desk, but also of me standing at the blackboard and gazing out the window. Although one asked, &amp;quot;Can you lift your skirt a little?&amp;quot; I flatly refused.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The photo session ended quickly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The vice-class monitor and the class monitor immediately began discussing how to sell it. They might have connections to the underground society. The accountant was busy counting the money, while I sat there doing nothing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san, get some rest. You&#039;ll probably be even busier later.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Those pictures just now...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the class monitor walked towards me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou Natsuru from the men&#039;s club.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;A boy with the same name as you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Can you give him a photo too...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I couldn&#039;t leave Higashida out as a thank-you gift, so this was perfect. I didn&#039;t ask her to give it to him directly because I was worried he&#039;d get it and then pretend he didn&#039;t get it, which would be troublesome.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Sure, is that your friend?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I guess so...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s the same person.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was obvious, but I couldn&#039;t explain it in detail. The vice-class monitor&#039;s eyes gleamed strangely, and she promised me she would help pass it on.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== A Tense Lunch and Emotional Fallout ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Kämpfer V2C3 Three Beauties lunch.jpg|thumb|Natsuru sits between Sakura Kaede and Shizuku during an intensely awkward lunch in the school cafeteria.]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lunch break.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After the photo session, fans gathered again, and I was already wobbling. The gifts and letters had more than doubled. The class monitor said, &amp;quot;There&#039;s also a tea party,&amp;quot; but I refused out of fear of exhaustion, and they decided to let me go to eat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It wasn&#039;t just me. It was lunchtime at school, a chance to relax and have a long break —what student wouldn&#039;t love? The girls&#039; department at Iron Star Academy High School has a cafeteria, and quite a lot of girls eat there. The boys&#039; department also has one, but the popular dishes are always hotly contested. I&#039;ve even seen fights almost break out over the pork chop pot.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girls&#039; department isn&#039;t as aggressive, but the boys are still hot-blooded creatures after all.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I bought a meal ticket for the A set meal today. I hadn&#039;t wanted to eat here, but I couldn&#039;t buy bread anyway, and eating in the classroom felt like I was being used as a money-making tool.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I waited in line at the food counter, and the girl in front of me nodded. She was so polite.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl&#039;s cheeks flushed slightly as she asked,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Excuse me...are you Senou Natsuru-san?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Um...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;C-Can I have dinner with you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was about to ask why when someone interrupted.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah—Makie actually snuck out!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You actually wanted to eat with Senou-san!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So cunning!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
These people seemed to be her classmates, grumbling back and forth, about sneaking out and being so cunning. What are you talking about?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san, can I have dinner with you too?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want to!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The tea party was canceled, so you have to make it up to us here!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was already confused. Every girl was insisting, &amp;quot;I want to, I want to,&amp;quot; and I felt like I was surrounded by a group of debt collectors. The crowd gradually gathered, squeezing me so hard that I couldn&#039;t move forward. What was going to happen to my A-grade set meal?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Look, Senou-san! Who told you to leave us without permission?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I told you you were the center of attention.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you going to buy a Buddha statue?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Three people from Class 4 approached from a distance, laughing happily, seemingly with no intention of saving me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I finally pushed through the swarm of women and handed over my meal ticket, but was immediately pulled back into the crowd of girls.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-sama! Look over here!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want to see too!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Let me touch it!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I thought someone just called me sama. What&#039;s going on?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Excuse me, let me pass! Ouch!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I felt a strange sensation on my chest, and I jumped. Who? Who touched my breasts?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Great—I touched Senou-san&#039;s breasts!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl named Makie cheered triumphantly. I wanted to say something, but whether out of shyness or fear, I couldn&#039;t say a word.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Okay—I want to touch it, too!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want it, I want it!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Everyone gathered around me, converging on my breasts like pigeons at a feed. I admit I&#039;m a little embarrassed, but my breasts are really big. Every time I become a girl, I feel a heavy burden, but I never expected they would attract so much attention.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah! I touched it!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Now it&#039;s my turn!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m not a statue in a shrine, praying for healing. Even if I touch you, it won&#039;t heal you.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My breasts are literally being crushed, but I&#039;ve given up resisting, hoping this will all be over soon.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please stop doing this,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
said Sakura Kaede, the person I like.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san just returned to school after being sick. Please stop harassing her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede shooed the gathered girls away. As expected of one of the two beauties at Iron Star Academy High School, perhaps because of her inherent superstar qualities, the little sparrows all obeyed her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san, your meal is ready.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, thank you...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I took my A-set meal from the scrawny old woman&#039;s hands.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m having the school set meal today, too. Do you want to join us?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede said cheerfully. If I were a man, I&#039;d have readily agreed, but this situation is a bit awkward.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, I... ah no, I...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t say that. Shizuku-chan also said she wants to eat with you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I turned in surprise and found Shizuku sitting at a table in the corner of the school cafeteria.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please sit here,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the student council president&#039;s words sounded fake.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede, Shizuku, and I sat at the same table. The other girls didn&#039;t dare approach us, only observing us from afar. I even heard someone talking about the &amp;quot;Three Beauties of Seitetsu.&amp;quot; Three?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;With Senou-san joining us, it&#039;s gone from two to three,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku said.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I think you&#039;re pretty, too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, just as pretty as Shizuku-chan. I&#039;m so envious of you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If I were to say, she&#039;d be prettier than Sakura Kaede, but she doesn&#039;t seem to think so at all. Modesty is one of her strengths.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, Natsuru-san and Shizuku-chan are meeting for the first time, right? This is our school&#039;s student council president, Shizuku.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please advise me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Hello.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This con-woman-like president is so infuriating. She knows me, yet she&#039;s playing dumb over there without a word.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Senou-san took a leave of absence, right? I heard about it from the teacher.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Did you know, Shizuku-chan?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But today is our first time meeting.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Liar. Swindler. Swindler.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;ve seen her before,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede said, gloating like a child.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, we went to a movie together.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Uh, I was about to pick up the salad from my set meal, but I kept biting my chopsticks.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You two are so close.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, we&#039;re really close.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede seemed very happy, but Shizuku had kidnapped her during the movie. Luckily, she didn&#039;t seem to remember. Does the president, who&#039;s been playing dumb over there, have any conscience?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want to see a movie too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s really good.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But it has to be the Entrails Animals movie, right? Kaede, you have a weird interest.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s not the case. Natsuru-san said the movie was great too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She asked for my agreement. I moved my neck and nodded like a robot. I couldn&#039;t really put the &amp;quot;weird interest&amp;quot; in my head, but Shizuku was very direct about that.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Did you guys go out for dinner after the movie?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Shizuku, you know everything. We had pasta.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That seemed like a lot of fun. I envy you guys.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The scary thing was, Shizuku kidnapped Sakura Kaede to that pasta shop.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you having fun, Senou-san?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku turned to me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Have you forgotten how to talk?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What are you talking about?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My anger slowly rose. Perhaps sensing the strange atmosphere, Sakura Kaede said, &amp;quot;I&#039;ll get some tea...&amp;quot; and left her seat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You better cooperate with me,&amp;quot; Shizuku whispered.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;ve lost your mind, you&#039;re always talking about dangerous topics. It&#039;s not good at all.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Kaede&#039;s topics always revolve around you. You&#039;re really popular.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m the girl who&#039;s popular.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m so envious of you that I almost sighed.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Let alone sighing, I doubt you&#039;re even breathing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku moved her chopsticks nonchalantly. &amp;quot;You&#039;re eating pork cutlet. It doesn&#039;t fit your image at all.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What&#039;s your purpose?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Oh, what do you mean?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why are you having dinner with me?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Because Kaede said she wanted to have dinner with you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you the kind of person who would do something like this just because they&#039;re friendly?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What does it matter?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This guy was definitely just saying it casually. Because she had a poker face, you couldn&#039;t tell what she was thinking, but she was definitely plotting something. This woman was truly someone who could not be taken lightly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Calm down. I&#039;m not going to do anything to you right now. I&#039;m not going to attack you, you understand?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That was true. Although they had met several times since the last battle, she had never shown any interest in fighting. Instead, it was always Akane who pointed the gun at her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So what&#039;s your motive?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Didn&#039;t I tell you I wouldn&#039;t tell you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t like your attitude.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well, just think of it as me supporting Kaede&#039;s relationship.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Stop kidding!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Kaede isn&#039;t just popular with boys, she&#039;s also very popular with girls. If you&#039;re too careless, you might end up being abandoned by her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That&#039;s true. Even I&#039;m so popular among girls, so with Sakura Kaede&#039;s level, she must be popular with both boys and girls.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku&#039;s lips twitched slightly, almost as if she were smiling.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s not just Sakura Kaede, the class stuff is giving me a headache too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Everyone in your class seems a little weird.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I admit that. If the boys&#039; second-year class four is a group of lazy idiots, then the girls&#039; second-year class four is a bunch of misers controlled by bad ideas. Either way, they&#039;re terrible.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I heard from the class four monitor that they took a lot of photos, right?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s for the money.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I also heard they hope to give the photos to someone in the boys&#039; class.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Did the monitor even tell her that?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Why are you asking such a thing?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;ll know soon.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede returned, a paper cup on a tray.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;How about Japanese tea?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Kaede, Senou-san seems to have a sore throat and can&#039;t speak very well.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede seemed relieved.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Then please have some tea...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Thank you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I reached for the paper cup.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The meaningless conversation continued for a while, and I could only listen obediently. Sakura Kaede was relieved to know that Shizuku and I were on good terms. In fact, our relationship was not good, but it was just not easy to show at this time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;By the way, Senou-san, you&#039;re really popular.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I saw the newspaper&#039;s special edition, too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was so careless. Shizuku, this girl, was bringing up such a topic that it was not relevant. She was even more evil-minded than the Seppuku Black Rabbit.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Before I could answer, Sakura Kaede said.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s not true, Shizuku-chan, that must be a lie.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yes, Natsuru-san is not... such a sentimental person. That report is completely fabricated.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although she said it with certainty, her tone seemed a little hesitant when she mentioned &amp;quot;sentimental.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru-san is very loyal.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is true. I am only loyal to Sakura Kaede, but I am a boy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede looked at me as if asking for my consent. I had no choice but to nod slightly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She smiled and said,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Look, Shizuku-san.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Oh my.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku&#039;s face was filled with surprise, but that expression was just acting.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re serious about love, aren&#039;t you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Of course I am. I&#039;m not someone like you who would sleep with a machine.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The news about &amp;quot;sleeping with a machine&amp;quot; was published in the newsletter of the underground club &amp;quot;Shizuku-sama Scolded Club.&amp;quot; It wasn&#039;t meant to be a bad word about her, but rather, it was something that made them tremble with excitement. Higashida showed me the newsletter, and it was filled with things only a masochist could imagine, things that would make you doubt your own eyes. It almost made my head spin. There really are all kinds of interests in this world.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;ve come to admire you, Senou-san.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So what do you think of me now?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;A beautiful person like you who&#039;s not at all casual is a good thing for morale.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Thank you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You have someone you like, right?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Yes.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s great. I wonder what type of guy you like?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It wasn&#039;t a man, but the person next to you. As I thought about it, I suddenly realized something.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede was looking at me with surprise. &amp;quot;Oh, right, I&#039;m a woman now, so logically, the person I like should be a man.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But Sakura Kaede fell in love with me, a woman. So, wasn&#039;t what I just said the same as dumping her?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede&#039;s face darkened, turning into a look of despair. &amp;quot;Wait, wait, I don&#039;t like men, but how should I explain this?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s from the boys&#039; club, right?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku added, nonchalantly, adding a fatal blow.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m so envious of the guy Senou-san likes. Tell me who it is next time.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it. Not only did she give me a fatal blow, but she also threw me into the river. What should I do? Did they turn me into a woman just to make me feel this despair?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I couldn&#039;t bear to look Sakura Kaede in the face anymore. I could tell what she was like just by the atmosphere and the untouched lunch on the table.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll take my leave.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku stood up. She&#039;d finished her meal without me noticing; it looked like quite a bit, all gone into her slender frame.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I had a great time today. Let&#039;s eat together again sometime.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was terrible for me. How could I be happy?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku turned back just as she was about to leave.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Oh, by the way, is that first-year student Kondou who&#039;s back in school someone you know?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I remained silent for a moment, not answering her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...Never mind, it doesn&#039;t matter anyway. She seems like a pretty good girl.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
With these profound words, the student council president walked out of the cafeteria.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Only Sakura Kaede and I remained.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The cafeteria, which should have been bustling with activity, was strangely quiet at this moment.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This situation was incredibly awkward. Sakura Kaede&#039;s head (presumably) was tilted downwards, while I stared at the tray in the school cafeteria, almost tearing a hole through it. I desperately needed a way out of this situation, but nothing came to mind. I wished the tray could create a hole deep underground so I could escape straight to Argentina.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Finally,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...I&#039;m going back...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
With those whispers, Sakura Kaede left, and I remained frozen in place.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Aftermath and New Alliances ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:23753.jpg|thumb|Akane visits Natsuru at home, looking concerned while holding the Seppuku Black Rabbit.]]&lt;br /&gt;
For the next few days, I didn&#039;t go to the girls&#039; club, only traveling back and forth between my home and the boys&#039; club. The photo finally arrived, and when I gave it to Higashida, he was overjoyed. He&#039;s such a carefree guy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Compared to that, this situation was far more complicated. Sakura Kaede was demanding an answer from me, and because of Shizuku, she felt hopeless. I was being targeted by Masumi Nishino and Kondou Mikoto, and I had to be wary of a mysterious enemy. Add to that Yuri&#039;s suspicions. It was all targeting a girl like me, which was really lonely. But it was also true that I was practically going crazy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was just thinking of letting out a rant, but when I told Seppuku Tiger about it, he just burst out laughing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hahahahaha, your situation is several times worse than before.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I know that even if you don&#039;t tell me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Where do you want to start?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No one, I guess. If I had to, I&#039;d probably start with the enemy.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There was nothing else to do; just defeating her would be enough, and I&#039;d feel much more relaxed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s true, but leaving it alone for other things would be frustrating.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;d know that even if the doll hadn&#039;t mentioned it. It seems that the Entrails Animals have a new series called &amp;quot;The Twelve Spiny Mouse Brothers.&amp;quot; These brightly colored mice, pierced from head to toe by stakes, are adorning toy stores. One day, they&#039;ll probably be pulled down because they&#039;re disgusting. I wonder if Sakura Kaede will buy one.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Just then, the doorbell rang. A visitor. Lately, Kondou Mikoto has been coming in without a word, so someone so polite is a novelty.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m here.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I walked out of the entrance, and the person standing there was Akane. She was looking down as usual, holding a Seppuku Black Rabbit in her arms.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well... well... I have something to say.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, come in.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I took her to my room. I had been here several times before, and Akane seemed to be used to it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hey, Kirito, how are you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;How&#039;s yours, Kirito?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After entering the room, Kirito and Kirito greeted each other warmly. There might be something about exposing all your internal organs that only friends know.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane also brought a snack with her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;This... is just a little thing...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t be so polite, what&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well... there&#039;s something at school...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As expected, it must be that.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, you mean the newspaper...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That report is completely fake. Look, isn&#039;t Masumi Nishino from the news agency? They did an interview, but it&#039;s all fabricated...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, I know that,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane bluntly interrupted me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What I&#039;m talking about is the girls who read the report. It caused quite a stir...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I thought so.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The girls in my class even started selling things. Every time after class, all the girls in the grade would crowd over to our side. It was ridiculous...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was ten times more exciting than a rock concert.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Even though we&#039;ve said several times that she&#039;s not here today, everyone&#039;s still so excited, saying you&#039;re hiding her...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Actually, it wasn&#039;t wrong. It wasn&#039;t that I was hiding her. It was just that I was in the boys&#039; department.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Did it bother you?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It was really terrible...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What about the girls in class?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;The girls in Class 4 are very strong. Even when Natsuru-san isn&#039;t around, they&#039;re all very lively together. They even started selling photos.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
According to Akane, the center of the conversation was the class president, the vice-president was stirring things up, and the accountant was selling irrelevant amulets nearby. Sure enough,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
according to her, the girls who were paying attention to me were divided into two groups.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
One group actively sought to establish a relationship with me. They were the ones who constantly flocked to me in the classroom and the school cafeteria, trying to get physical with me and sign sisterhood agreements (what the heck is that?). They were very active in everything they did. Touching my breasts and hair was a given for them. It seemed like there were plenty of would-be stalkers out there.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The other group cautiously observed me from afar. While they were deeply interested in yuri female students, they had no desire to delve into this world, content simply to observe from afar. The biggest difference between them and the former was that while they presented no direct threat to me, since they had never spoken to me, once they began fantasizing, they could not stop. Most of the perverted rumors about me came from this group of girls.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Speaking of underground clubs, the &amp;quot;Sisterhood with Natsuru-sama&amp;quot; and the &amp;quot;Senou Observation Friendship Club&amp;quot; immediately popped up. Incidentally, Class 2, Grade 4 isn&#039;t affiliated with any of these organizations. Their only interest now is in exploiting me for profit, making them arguably the worst of the bunch.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Beneath her apprehension, she looked restless.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;And you know, usually everyone goes back to their classrooms when the bell rings, but... yesterday there was someone who refused to go back no matter what.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Who is it?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Sakura Kaede...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede was here too. I didn&#039;t expect her to come see me after being so badly injured by Shizuku earlier.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I don&#039;t know how she pulled herself together again, but it was so wonderful. My heart felt instantly cleansed. Even though I wasn&#039;t the one who hurt her, she&#039;d risen from that inexplicable situation that was, I don&#039;t know, hell on earth. In other words, she&#039;d been resurrected. Yes, resurrected, or even reincarnated if you want.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I was caught by Sakura Kaede... well...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...she asked me to let her meet you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s it...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane said, looking apologetic.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now things were getting really complicated. I tried to explain it this old-fashioned way. Simply put, it was getting really complicated. I was thinking about trying not to transform for a while, but now it seems...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I should still meet her. I want to see Sakura Kaede, who has stood up again. Let&#039;s put the confession aside for now.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;But... Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t want to see Natsuru-san...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah... sorry, not the female Natsuru, she wanted to see the male Natsuru.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That doesn&#039;t bother me at all. What&#039;s wrong?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well... there&#039;s some strange rumors going around about a female Natsuru...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I already know about Lily&#039;s suspicions.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s not that...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane seemed hesitant to tell me. Was it about Sakura Kaede again?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Suddenly, someone ran up the stairs. She was the only one who could have opened the locked door without permission.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The door swung open with a bang.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Natsuru!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto rushed in.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re back after all... Oh, little Akane&#039;s here too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hello...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane lowered her head timidly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What are you guys doing?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I have something to say...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Are you and Natsuru close enough to hang out in his room?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Yeah, sort of...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto looked unconvinced, looking from Akane to me. I couldn&#039;t tell from her expression what she was thinking, but it must be something unimportant or crazy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, never mind. Compared to that, Natsuru hasn&#039;t been to school in the past few days.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Since Akane didn&#039;t say anything, I had to answer.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I know.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;There was such a commotion in the girls&#039; section today, I think she&#039;s hiding. What a smart girl!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I didn&#039;t mean to belittle myself, but that wasn&#039;t the case.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;So what?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Didn&#039;t I ask you guys before to uncover the true identity of the female Natsuru? I need your help.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;There&#039;s nothing we can do if she doesn&#039;t come to school.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;She will definitely come. If she takes another leave of absence, she won&#039;t have enough credits. She will definitely come to school.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This girl&#039;s lines are full of confidence. It&#039;s terrifying to be able to trust her intuition so much. I heard that even if she gets lost in the desert, she can use this feeling to determine &amp;quot;this&amp;quot; direction, and she actually got it right. This woman is like a carrier pigeon.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want to follow the female Natsuru and investigate some things about her.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;You&#039;re really enthusiastic. I guess a guy like you can&#039;t help much.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;We&#039;re short-staffed, so you have to come too. Akane, you too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I...I want one too...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane pointed at herself, looking surprised.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Masumi Nishino told me she&#039;s probably your friend, right? Didn&#039;t you go shopping together last time?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Were we really friends? We&#039;ve only met a few times...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So, it seems there was a question of whether or not to buy clothes, and Masumi Nishino was there at the time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Do you know where the girl named Natsuru lives?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I don&#039;t know...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;What else? Her interests, or her family?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane shook her head, and so did I.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Well...don&#039;t you all really want to know? Besides the yuri suspicions, there are some other strange rumors about the mysterious female student, and I want to confirm them myself.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;...well...&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane kept glancing at me. I tried my best not to meet her gaze, feigning composure. It would be bad if Kondou Mikoto saw me. Akane looked over.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s decided.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto made her conclusion even though nothing had been decided.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Let&#039;s investigate the Natsuru girl&#039;s case together, the three of us. Let&#039;s get it out in the open.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She seemed quite motivated. To her, the female version of me must be no different than a desert relic or a new species of insect. Perhaps she considers me on the same level.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Having given up, I asked her.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;When do we start?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Tomorrow morning,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto replied.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Meet at this house.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The result was like drawing a bad fortune for me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|← Back to Volume 2 Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Forward to Volume 2 Chapter 4 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586446</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586446"/>
		<updated>2025-11-07T04:32:08Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 12, Chapter 3  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Embarrassingly, I only began to move after our path was blocked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane, Akane!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I knocked repeatedly on the door. But it made no sound or sway; it only hurt my hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, get out of the way.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto drew her katana, the blade pointed directly at the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, hey!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto swung the katana over one shoulder. But the blade only slightly dug into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, it won&#039;t break. Natsuru, try your magic.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I slowly shook my head. If Kondou Mikoto&#039;s katana couldn&#039;t break it, my magic certainly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, damn it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto kicked the door in frustration. But the door remained motionless, and she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clutched her foot, crying out in pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stared at the iron door in bewilderment. Behind this door was a passage leading &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underground. But we couldn&#039;t get there yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane.] I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    unconsciously called out the name of the bulldog girl who had vanished with Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The scene of Akane jumping into the basement vividly flashed through my mind. In that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
instant, she gave herself to Sakura Kaede. She had agreed to a deal with the evil spirit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at my right hand. I hadn&#039;t moved, hadn&#039;t cast any magic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I clenched it tightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why didn&#039;t I move?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto said worriedly. Although her voice reached my ears, it was as if I hadn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heard it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I knew Akane was going to leave, and I had to stop her right there. But I couldn&#039;t do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything. Magic, it was useless.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You can&#039;t rely on magic. I just had to reach out. I just had to grab Akane&#039;s wrist, but!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, please, calm down.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why did I just watch Akane leave? What was I doing?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto hugged me from behind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tears welled up in my eyes. For the first time, I understood that this feeling was called &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
involuntary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tears kept flowing from the corners of my eyes, and I felt deeply ashamed and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
embarrassed that I had done nothing for Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto whispered:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, hey]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You beast.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please, calm down. Just a little bit, calm down. It&#039;s just the two of us now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The words of my childhood playmate finally reached my mind. Although they were vague, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gradually began to understand their meaning.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane and Shizuku are not here anymore. Natsuru, you can&#039;t give up here. Okay? Don&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lose yourself, just continue to be yourself.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Gradually, my breathing became smoother.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt the weight of Kondou Mikoto on my back. This guy is always like this. She said she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wanted to go on an adventure, but she never left me behind. She was lively and carefree, yet &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also very kind. No matter how far she went, she&#039;d always call to ask if I&#039;d eaten well.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I heard the beating of a heart. It was Kondou Mikoto&#039;s. I was feeling her warmth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She suddenly left my body and moved to my left.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My face, held in her fair hands, turned to the side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A soft sensation touched my lips. Huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hello, hello!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh, hehe.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto smiled after removing her lips from mine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you feeling better?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh, yes, don&#039;t scare me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sudden kiss brought back my fading consciousness. My heartbeat quickened, but that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t the intention.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s great.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto breathed  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a sigh of relief. [I was a little nervous just now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But this is the last time. Don&#039;t worry. I won&#039;t do this again.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said. There was something strangely lonely about her as she said that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As long as Natsuru is fine, I&#039;ll be fine, huh.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She took my hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, let&#039;s go. Let&#039;s go get Akane and Shizuku back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at my hand again. It was okay this time. Even if it was Sakura Kaede, I could still kill &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her. I won&#039;t let her go again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But what should I do? The door to the basement was closed, and the swimming pool &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entrance was blocked. That basement was so big, one or two more exits wouldn&#039;t matter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I casually glanced at the bed and saw a cell phone and a Pockly box dropped on it. I was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surprised to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    see Akane&#039;s?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a crackling sound of music started Kondou Mikoto and me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane&#039;s phone ringing. What a strange song. I remember it being the theme song &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from an anime.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s wrong?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto looked at her phone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s a call coming in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stared at the LCD screen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Should I hang up?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No. At this moment  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , I remembered what Akane had whispered to me earlier. That&#039;s right. We still have a way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I kept staring at the screen of my phone, and the caller&#039;s name appeared on it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It said &amp;quot;Dad.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s rewind time a little.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku slowly opened her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The scene in front of her eyes was still blurry. Was it foggy? Or was it the effect of drugs? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yes, she was drugged. On the way to the underground, someone tied her hands behind her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back and covered her mouth with a cloth coated with drugs. She didn&#039;t r emember anything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
after that. When she came to her senses, she was like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Slowly, Shizuku&#039;s eyes finally came into focus. Although her vision was still a little shaky, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she could already see the gray ceiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ceiling? Yes, it was indeed a ceiling. Cold cement was exposed from inside. This meant that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku was now lying on the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku stood up carefully and checked her body for injuries. Her joints could move, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was not injured. She didn&#039;t feel like vomiting and didn&#039;t have a headache.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked around. She was not lying on a bed, but on the floor. The room was empty &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and there was nothing. There was someone else there besides her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah - she&#039;s up -.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re awake.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Two footsteps were heard. One of them sounded like a person jumping and walking. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
other one sounded like they were dragging their legs. They were Rika Ueda and Ryōka &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yamakawa.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika looked healthy, while Ryōka, clutching a submachine gun in one hand, looked in pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you going to do if I keep sleeping?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If you don&#039;t wake up, we&#039;re going to force you to wake up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yamakawa -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t look at Rika, but at Ryōka and spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re not doing well.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Your gunshot wound hasn&#039;t healed yet.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re so annoying —!] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka roared. Her left hand had been pressing against her abdomen since a while ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Blood seeped between her fingers. Kempfer was not only stronger than the average &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
person, but he also recovered faster than the average person. But Ryōka&#039;s wound hadn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
healed yet. That blow was just that powerful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;d better not move.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up! Don&#039;t talk!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku did as she was told and shut up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka&#039;s breathing was ragged, her shoulders shaking violently. Anyone who saw her could &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tell she was in pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But her eyes, on the contrary, sparkled. Rather than a desire to live, she looked more like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was afraid of something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even in this state, you still caught me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who are you afraid of? Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay—that&#039;s enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika walked over, aiming her sickle at Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t get too caught up in  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;You look healthy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Rika is healthy to begin with. Because Kaede -sama always praises me.&amp;quot; Ryōka  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s body trembled at the mention of Kaede&#039;s name. Shizuku didn&#039;t miss the subtle &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
movement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yamakawa -san, you&#039;re being held hostage by Kaede, after all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you asking what&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka gritted her teeth. And she was in a state of confusion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t want to make Kaede -sama angry again.&amp;quot; But  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t think that kid is that scary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s because, President, you don&#039;t understand Kaede -sama at all!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka roared, then she began to cough violently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede -sama is truly terrifying when she&#039;s upset. Cold and heartless, so different from her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
usual self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika nodded her head in agreement. Kaede  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    -sama is truly terrifying when she&#039;s angry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I think her usual self at school is her true self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said this, and Ryōka began to cough again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe. But it doesn&#039;t matter which one it is. I just don&#039;t want to upset Kaede -sama &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anymore.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka pointed her submachine gun at Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, President. Please be quiet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You want to kill me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika placed the sickle on Shizuku&#039;s throat, a gentle pressure enough to rip it open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We don&#039;t intend to kill you. If we did,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede -sama would be furious with us. Just do as we say. Ryōka  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    took over Rika&#039;s words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku remained calm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does international law allow the enslavement of prisoners...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That doesn&#039;t matter. Just do as we say. If you complain, I&#039;ll inflict some pain on your hands &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and feet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just don&#039;t kill her, that&#039;s all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika said excitedly. Shizuku looked away slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s troublesome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then just be quiet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I refuse that, too!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku suddenly swung her hand, channeling power into it and transforming into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kempfer. Then, with a force far superior to that of an ordinary person, she struck Rika&#039;s chin.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika&#039;s tiny body flew back. Shizuku, without checking on Rika&#039;s condition, immediately &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
switched her attack to Ryōka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Carelessness is a big no -no.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re still like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka suddenly frowned in pain and squatted down, clutching her abdomen. She was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clutching the wound from the gunshot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku stopped attacking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t have to tell me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She bent down and touched Ryouka&#039;s body.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let me see your wound.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let me see.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku forcibly removed Ryouka&#039;s hand and began examining her wound. Her wound was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stained black with blood, and some flesh had been exposed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not good, but as long as you maintain your Kempfer form, you should be fine. Anyway, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you need to rest. Let me stop the bleeding first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku took out her own handkerchief, folded it, and pressed it against the wound. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
then took the string from Ryōka&#039;s clothes and tied it around her waist, using it as a bandage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It should be better now. I can rest easy for now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka&#039;s face twisted in pain, but she still glanced at Shizuku with one eye.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, I won&#039;t thank you.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s okay. I&#039;m not planning on treating you for free.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, Shizuku grabbed Ryōka&#039;s shoulders.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want you to tell me, is this the bottom of this underground space?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look at me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku lifted Ryōka&#039;s face, which was wracked with pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this the bottom? Is it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re talking about that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Although there&#039;s a tank containing the seniors and the others, I don&#039;t think it ends there. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Is there somewhere else?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka slowly backed away, attempting to escape. But Shizuku stopped her. Shizuku wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
going to let her get away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t hear you just now. Please answer me.&amp;quot; There should be, for example, the place &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
where Kaede first became like that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At that moment, a breeze brushed Shizuku&#039;s face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was a very light breeze. Yes, it wouldn&#039;t be an exaggeration to say it was just like the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flapping of a mosquito&#039;s wings. But Shizuku recognized this as a dangerous sign.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned around and conjured daggers, then used the daggers in both hands to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
block the figure rushing towards her from the other side of the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, Shizuku -chan, you&#039;re really quick to react.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Metal clashed violently and then separated. Kaede was using a black Japanese sword. They &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
distanced themselves from each other.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku -chan, you&#039;re awake already.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede&#039;s eyes looked strangely happy. Shizuku, on the other hand, had a serious expression &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on her face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You, the one who came too early.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Too early? Oh.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede now admired Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So that&#039;s how it is, Shizuku -chan, you deliberately let yourself be captured just to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
investigate this place. Ryōka and Rika alone can&#039;t handle you, after all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That little girl&#039;s already fainted. Yamakawa -san&#039;s injured and useless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, it&#039;s just me and you, Shizuku -chan?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right, now&#039;s the perfect time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The dagger began to fly across the floor, striking Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede dodged it calmly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku -chan, what&#039;s the real reason you let yourself be caught?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because I like being alone. That &#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    nonsense. You like Natsuru -san, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede leaped up, spun in the air, and landed behind Shizuku. Shizuku quickly turned away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t want to drag anyone else into this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Including Natsuru -san?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not to mention him. The  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    black -haired student council president leaped back to create distance. The dagger she held &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was attached to a chain, allowing her to wield it freely even from a distance. She intended to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
maintain, at any rate, an advantage over Kaede, who was armed only  with a sword.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Whether it&#039;s Natsuru, Akane, or Kondou Mikoto, they were all dragged into this by me. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
want to, at least in the end, resolve everything on my own.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hehe.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede stood there motionless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve worked so hard to bring you and Natsuru -kun together, Shizuku -chan. Do you want &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my efforts to go to waste?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I like Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It sounds like you&#039;re talking about a young couple&#039;s married life.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I like him very much, I love him, even though he disdains me.&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She swung her chained dagger. Then, she flung out two swords at once. She didn&#039;t just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fling them; they flew along the same axis, making it look like there was only one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede dodged the first sword, but the second sword&#039;s chain entangled her foot, throwing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her off balance. Shizuku was about to approach Kaede, but she quickly regained her balance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Phew, that was a close call. As expected of Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede smiled faintly. Not a trace of anxiety could be seen on her face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you want to fight when Natsuru isn&#039;t here now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [ &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let me guess.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In this dim place, only Kaede&#039;s teeth gleamed white.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s for your senior, Shinomiya -senpai, Shizuku -chan. You must have been frightened by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her look. Are you thinking Natsuru -san might end up like that? You don&#039;t want the two &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people you love most to leave you, do you?] [It&#039;s not  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    like you  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    to worry about others, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t let your imagination run wild.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re trying to fight alone, but you&#039;re being too cool. Natsuru -san might be worried &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about you right now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane and Kondou Mikoto are here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re just being stubborn.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede&#039;s katana flashed a black light, as if syncing with her thoughts. Then, words as sharp &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as a blade uttered from her lips.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s not the case, actually. Although you&#039;re a powerful person, Shizuku -chan, you also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
want to stay by Natsuru -san&#039;s side, right?] Are you thinking that if you lose, Akane and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto will lose too, and Natsuru -san will certainly lose too. And  then everyone will &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be put into the jar? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s not right. Even if you don&#039;t lose, Shizuku -chan, others might end up in the jar like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
your predecessors. For example, if I leave here now and go to Natsuru -san and the others —] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [They might all end up like Shinomiya -senpai.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku kicked the ground hard, exerting the maximum force of her well -trained legs and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kempfer&#039;s power to quickly close the distance between them, and almost simultaneously &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
threw the daggers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede tried to jump to avoid it, but one of the daggers changed its trajectory and stabbed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her in the abdomen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In her free hand, Kaede conjured an automatic pistol and fired two shots, hitting the sword &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and the chain. The dagger lost its power and fell, while the other dagger deflected and hit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the ceiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re still so inexperienced!?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede cried out in surprise. The dagger that had struck the ceiling bounced back and flew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
towards her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede tried to duck, but it was too late; her left hand was entangled in the chain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pulled hard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede screamed and fell. Shizuku kicked Kaede&#039;s fallen katana and pistol aside and pointed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the recovered dagger at Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You were careless, Kaede.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    hurts, Shizuku -chan. You&#039;re quite capable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it were your usual self, you would have been able to do it effortlessly. You&#039;ve been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talking too much to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s voice remained calm, but her breathing was a little ragged from the intense &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exercise she had just done.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought you were wavering, Shizuku -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was wavering.&amp;quot; You&#039;re such a mean person. I&#039;m disillusioned with you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because I love bullying you, Shizuku -chan.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede lay faceup on the ground, looking up at Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The almighty Student Council President didn&#039;t even bend down, just stood there looking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
down at Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Are you planning to kill me?     If you do that, everything will be over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah     , maybe that&#039;s a good idea.     Shizuku said coldly. While the person before her was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at least her close friend&#039;s in body, Shizuku had already figured it out.     But what if I kill &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you?     What if I kill you?     I have something to ask you.     Shizuku untied the chains around &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede&#039;s feet, then held the sword in both hands, ready to throw at any moment.     What did &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you see when you first entered here?     Why are you asking this?     You weren&#039;t born with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this personality, were you? Judging  from what Yamakawa -san said, there seems to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
another room here. Where is it, and what&#039;s in it? Please answer.     What will you do after I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
answer? ]     [That&#039;s none of your business.]     [I want to know.]     [Answer me.]     Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gripped the dagge r tightly.     Kaede&#039;s gaze shifted to Shizuku&#039;s face.     [Shizuku -chan, I have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something to ask you too.]     [Now it&#039;s my turn to ask you.]     [Shizuku -chan, you deliberately &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
got knocked unconscious and came here,     didn&#039;t you?] [So what?]     [Fight ing alone is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
powerful, but do you think I&#039;m that capable?]     [Are you trying to trick me into wavering? It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
useless.]     Shizuku tensed up, watching Kaede, not wanting to miss even the slightest &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
movement. If she made any untoward move, she would thrust  her sword into her without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hesitation.     [Minagawa -san and Nakao -san have been tied up and left there. Yamakawa -san &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and Ueda -san&#039;s sister is no longer useful. You&#039;re left without a partner now.]     [That&#039;s not the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
case.]     Suddenly, gunshots rang out  from the room.     One shot, two shots. The bullets &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accurately knocked the sword from Shizuku&#039;s hand.     At that moment, Shizuku glanced &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
toward the doorway. Then, without a word, she said, &amp;quot;     [Akane -shin.]     It was Akane -shin, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformed into Kempf er. She was just as high -spirited as ever, only now she was coming for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku.     Kaede, lying on the bed, slowly stood up.     &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, didn&#039;t I tell you they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might lose?&amp;quot;     Her smiling face was the same as when she was Shizuku&#039;s friend.     Kondou &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto and I transformed back to our normal selves. We then left Sakura Kaede&#039;s house. It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strange we were planning to run away. We were going to the person who called.     I blamed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
myself for not thinking of this before. But since the Mastiff Girl sa id it was okay if it wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
necessary, I couldn&#039;t do that. Oh, how could I have blamed everyone else for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything?     After leaving Sakura Kaede&#039;s house, we began to jog. We&#039;d originally planned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to walk, but we were in a hurry, so we ended up running.     &amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru, are you really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
going this way?&amp;quot;     Kondou Mikoto asked from behind.     &amp;quot;Maybe—I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;     I&#039;m not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
very familiar with geography. And this is my first time here. I&#039;ll be leaving now     .     Kondou &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto rushed forward. This girl  never gets lost, no matter how unfamiliar the place. She has &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a knack for finding her destination with just a few clues.     She was right where we were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
going.     We caught our breath and knocked on the door. We&#039;d just told them on the phone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that we were coming.     The door opened, and a well -built, middle -aged man  appeared &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before us.     Oh, you&#039;re here. Are you Senonatsuru -san?     Yes. Nice to meet you.     I replied &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and bowed deeply to Mishima Tsunaaki, Akane&#039;s father.     It was Akane&#039;s father who came to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
greet us. It seemed her mother had been called to a dist rict meeting. I apologized for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stopping by so late.     Don&#039;t worry. I told you you could come anytime.     Tsunaaki &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
laughed.     Kondou Mikoto and I sat on the sofa.     &amp;quot;I often hear my daughter mention &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;I don&#039;t deserve it.&amp;quot;     Kondou Mikoto s aid something that didn&#039;t sound like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her.     The middle -aged man in front of me laughed as if to shake his middle -aged, plump &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
body. What kind of job is he doing now? I think I heard Akane say it.     I said nervously:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Uncle Meiyu, uh, are you a carpenter?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, no. I&#039;m selling used cars now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was startled. I heard about carpentry during the day, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Carpentry was my last job. I did that for quite a while. Changing jobs is my hobby.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Changing jobs in this economic downturn is surprising, but for some reason, I&#039;m just lucky. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I find a job right away. So, I don&#039;t have to worry about the income.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He might be bragging, but I don&#039;t think he&#039;s trying to be annoying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s strange to consider changing jobs a hobby. He doesn&#039;t look like someone who can resist &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it, so maybe his hobby is really changing jobs. He keeps changing jobs like a revolving door. A &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lot of people must envy him. My classmate Dongtian&#039;s dad seems to always say, &amp;quot;One day I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
quit!&amp;quot; and has been doing it for twenty years.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ve worked a lot of jobs before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Behind Meiming hung a row of photos of him in work clothes. There&#039;s even a photo of him &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
standing on a log drifting downstream, adjusting its direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I used to be a farmer and a fisherman. I also collected natural pearls and sold them.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just like a fisherwoman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh—that&#039;s great.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto leaned forward. This woman loves topics like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I used to want to farm pearls, too. But I gave up and went diamond mining instead.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I see.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Digging for diamonds myself is a hassle, so I just buy and sell mining rights in Africa. Later, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
officials in Congo demanded bribes, and if we refused, we&#039;d have to fight private armies.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I covered her mouth. Your life is so wild! What if Akane&#039;s dad gets dragged into this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wahaha, that&#039;s hilarious.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He seemed to take it as a joke. I breathed a sigh of relief.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Although it&#039;s not appropriate to talk about this now, I&#039;ve had many careers. I used to work &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as a civil servant and a bureaucrat. Back then, I always took my work very seriously.] Because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane was born. Yeah  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I still felt bored. I had a job, but I had no motivation. So I secretly took on a part -time &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
job. After work, I went to help with planning at the company. So, I often got home at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
daybreak. Then, there were stricter crackdowns on civil servants takin g on part -time jobs, so I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
went to work at the company.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I removed my hand from Kondou Mikoto&#039;s mouthpiece and straightened my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
posture.     Um &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , um, I want to hear about what you were talking about on the phone just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, so that&#039;s how it is. Akane is really slow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mr. Ji Ming glanced at the clock. I     lied carelessly     . It was better to do this than to tell &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
him the absurd truth and make him worry.     Oh, yes. Well, I don&#039;t know when it started. I did &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it for a long time. I made a lot of useless things, like  bamboo water bottles that wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
move even if they stood there, or five -in-a-row chess games where the winner was already &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
determined.     You&#039;re always making stuff like that, and you still haven&#039;t been fired. It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably because of the corporate stru cture. That&#039;s the only company that&#039;s open to that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kind of thing. [     I remember you said you were planning for a toy company.]     [Right, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right.]     [The most insignificant thing so far, isn&#039;t it? What&#039;s that strange plan about?]     [Oh, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it comes fro m that. It&#039;s called &amp;quot;THE ENTANGLE.&amp;quot;]     The moment I heard that, I felt a surge of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
excitement. Kondou Mikoto, sitting next to me, was also listening intently.     &amp;quot;THE &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ENTANGLE&amp;quot; refers to the early series of Entangled Animals. Akane&#039;s father was the one w ho &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
planned the commercialization of Entangled Animals. The founder of Entangled &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Animals,     said to be a suicide weapon in the toy world, and some of which were used as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
torture instruments by the secret police, was right here in front of me.     I didn&#039;t know &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything about it. Or rather, I had no intention of finding out. Besides, I felt like if I became &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interested in who commercialized Entangled Animals, I&#039;d be doomed. It     was Akane, after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she transformed into a fierce dog girl, who told me this. She told me, &amp;quot;My father seems to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
involved in the commercialization of that thing. If you have any questions, ask him.&amp;quot;     It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seems this was recorded in a document she saw at the research facility. It was probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
written down by a technician. Or perhaps by Kempfer at the time, or perhaps  by Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
himself. Does     Akane know about this?     I don&#039;t think she knows. If I told her, she&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably despair or burst into tears.     He seems to know that, as I said, visceral animals only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
make children cry.     Why did you come up with such a b izarre design?     It&#039;s because I&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been doing brain exercises since broad daylight, though I&#039;d like to say so.     Akane&#039;s father &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
coughed at this.     &amp;quot;Actually, that wasn&#039;t my idea. I heard it from a little girl who lived nearby. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
See, didn&#039;t I tell you my wife was at the rally? She was there. Her parents said she seemed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lonely, so they brought her along.&amp;quot;     What was the girl&#039;s name? 】     【Hmm—— , I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember this one 】     Akane&#039;s father looked at the ceiling, opened and closed his mouth &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two or three times as if he finally remembered, and said:     【Her name was something like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Kura&amp;quot;. Her name seemed to be &amp;quot;kera&amp;quot;. 】     No matter what, it couldn&#039;t be Kimura KAERA. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(Note: Kimura KAERA, a Japanese -British mixed -race, one of Japan&#039;s &amp;quot;Four Great Singers of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the New Age&amp;quot;.)     【Is her name Kaede Sakura? 】     【It seems so. Do you know her? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
】     【Hmm, I guess so. 】     I answered him vaguely.     【What did you say to that girl? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
】     【It was all rambling. Children just like to imagine their own world, and that girl was no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exception. She didn&#039;t say anything about what was happening around her, but she told me a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lot about her imagination. 】     At this point, Mr. Ming smiled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was then that she told me the story about the animals with their internal organs &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exposed. My wife thought it was disgusting, but I found it quite interesting. So I pitched the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
idea to the company.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is it that interesting?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Honestly, opinions vary. But the boss at the company loved it, so he sent it to the general &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
manager for a decision. The general manager liked it and approved it immediately. The next &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
day, the company asked us to come up with all sorts of possible animals.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyone who asks for permission is definitely not normal, and anyone who gives permission &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is definitely not right. Thus, the stuffed animal that has terrified children across the country &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was born.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Has Akane ever met that girl?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Probably not. It seems like the times never match up. Akane is always away when that girl &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
comes. That girl doesn&#039;t live here all the time, so she doesn&#039;t come often.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Uh, that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s get to the point now. That&#039;s all I want to confirm. The key question is what I&#039;ll ask &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
later.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did that girl come up with any other ideas?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes, she did. I remember her saying the doll was a memory device —and she was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;storage center&amp;quot; —that just by looking into someone&#039;s eyes, she could read their memories &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and even control them, something very sci -fi. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Was that girl&#039;s idea?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s like a story. No matter how you look at it, there&#039;s no way to make this a new feature &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for the product. We&#039;re just making an ordinary doll.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With its internal organs exposed, it&#039;s hard to call it ordinary. I really didn&#039;t expect him to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
say that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s father seemed happy for some reason. He seemed to enjoy talking to me. Maybe &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
no one else would ask him about internal organs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Did you get anything from that girl?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you mean?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Like a notebook or sketchbook?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mr. Jianming crossed his arms and began to think. He&#039;s just the right amount of fat, so he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looks presentable. But Akane probably wouldn&#039;t like her father being chubby.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The man before me was lost in thought. Handsome uncle, please remember quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t remember.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was stunned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I remember she had a notebook with her, but she seemed to have taken it back. Maybe &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that notebook was very important to her. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That might be the case.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was discouraged. I thought that coming here would lead to some progress. That&#039;s why I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I used to think that if there were any records left here, I could learn about Sakura Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
secrets. Like why she is so strong or her weaknesses. It would be great if I could also read &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that document, but it is now underground. Wouldn&#039;t we be helpless then ? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait. We were originally planning to ask about the history of animal viscera production.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No. It was Akane who told me to come after transforming into a fierce dog. That guy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
understood something after reading that document. I&#039;m afraid that the information recorded &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on it is rather vague. If she can clearly grasp the information inside, she shoul d be able to tell &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. Because she doesn&#039;t know, I can only ask her father.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto asked as if she understood what I was thinking:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is there anything else?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You really like that stuffed animal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It talks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mr. Jianming laughed heartily. He seemed to think it was a joke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, that girl has been downstairs in my house a few times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Underground? Yeah  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . There&#039;s a bomb shelter in the yard. I used it as a basement for a while. I told the girl about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it and she seemed interested. I think she thinks more actively in dark places.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Please take us there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said to him enthusiastically.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mr. Jianming readily agreed. He told us to wait a moment, so we waited. Soon, he returned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a flashlight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Right there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s father walked into the yard in his slippers. Kondou Mikoto and I changed into our &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shoes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a place in the yard covered by an iron lid with a large lock on it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I used this place as a warehouse, but it leaked, so I closed it up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Can we go in and take a look?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mr. Kaimei unlocked the large lock for us, and I opened the lid. It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    creaked open. Inside was a steeply tilted wooden staircase. Part of it was rotten.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s go in and take a look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s okay, but it&#039;s a little dangerous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s okay. By the way, if Akane gets here, please tell her we&#039;re here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That being said, she probably won&#039;t come. Rather, I&#039;m desperately trying to get to her right &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I borrowed a flashlight from Mr. Kaimei. As usual, Kondou Mikoto went down first, and I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
provided light from behind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was dark inside. Of course. Since it&#039;s unused now, there&#039;s no lighting. It probably wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like this when Sakura Kaede was a child.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I have no basis for this, but I firmly believe Sakura Kaede saw something here. It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably after that that she finally managed to make the viscera talk. What on  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    earth did she see here? I shone the flashlight around. It was completely empty. There were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
puddles in the corners. The air was thick with moisture, giving it a musty smell.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto ran around recklessly even in the dark.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Natsuru, here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a spot on the wall that was a different color. It was just big enough for a person &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to crouch down and pass through. But it looked like it was coated with something like mortar.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried pushing it with my hand. It didn&#039;t budge. But it started to crackle and peel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is there a hole here?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Try it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried to push a little harder.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, ah, hey.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Pushing with my hands alone was too much of a stretch, so Kondou Mikoto and I tried &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kicking with our feet. At first, it didn&#039;t budge, but after two and three kicks, it finally started &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to sway.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, ah!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We gave it one last, powerful kick. Finally, we reached the wall, revealing a hole.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    On the other side was a passage. As expected, the height of the hole meant we couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
get through without stooping. Sakura Kaede was a child back then, so it shouldn&#039;t be difficult &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to get through. Or perhaps we could crawl on all fours?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Does this lead to the basement?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It definitely does.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Without hesitation, I plunged into the darkness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was dusty inside. The ground was covered in dirt. And the humidity was so strong that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the dirt had turned to mud underfoot. My pants and knees were stained. Kondou Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shouted behind me, &amp;quot;Wow —I&#039;ll have to wash them properly when I get home.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Something, either dirt or concrete, kept falling from above. This place looked fragile. We &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
could be buried alive if we weren&#039;t careful. As  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stood on guard, the oppressive feeling around me disappeared without a trace. We were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now in a vast space. I stood up confidently, and Kondou Mikoto followed me out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This place was like a cave. But the walls were vertical, so I knew it was artificially &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
excavated. It must have been a natural cave, and someone had enlarged it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto exclaimed,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s huge! There are many caves like this in South America.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But this is Japan.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is really rare.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shone the flashlight from right to left.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There are more caves inside. Two, actually. Are they connected somewhere? Which of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these two caves should we take? Which is the correct path?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked under my feet. I thought there might be footprints of Sakura Kaede here. But it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would be a waste of time. How could footprints from over a decade ago still be there?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kondou Mikoto, which cave do you think is best to go through to reach that underground &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
facility?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That one.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Without thinking, Kondou Mikoto pointed to the cave on the right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not directionally challenged, but I&#039;m not particularly perceptive either. Speaking of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
human compasses, this woman is the one who says she can always find her way, whether in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a rainforest at night or on the ocean during a torrential downpour. She&#039;s like  a sextant with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
arms and legs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If Kondou Mikoto says so, then it must be right. Shizuku and Akane are deep in that cave. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As long as they&#039;re both there, we must rescue them both.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I was about to go in, something came from inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A strange &amp;quot;patter&amp;quot; sound, like something hitting the ground. It sounded like footsteps, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not human. Is there a dog here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru is coming.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Silence.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe we should transform now. It would be bad if it were an enemy. I can&#039;t die before &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rescuing them. It&#039;s too early to let this end in vain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pricked up my ears. I could almost hear voices. They were talking as they came this way. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Were the dogs talking as they came? How could that be?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Never mind. I channeled strength into my arms, preparing to transform into Kempfer. As I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
did so,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oops—I&#039;m completely lost.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who said to go this way?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What can we do? We tried to go back, but the door was blocked.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You guys.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stared speechlessly at the group that appeared before me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Out of the cave emerged the viscera and their group.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stopped transforming. Actually, it wouldn&#039;t have mattered, but we&#039;d missed the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
opportunity. Kondou Mikoto remained as she was.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We were face to face with the viscera. Why were all of them here ? And not just one or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, why are you here?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s what I wanted to ask you. I was wondering if you were staying in your room &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
properly.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We&#039;re messengers after all. Just sitting there like idiots can&#039;t do that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That pile of chemical fiber looked proud for some reason. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was relieved we weren&#039;t enemies, after all. But I was also startled to see a bunch of stuffed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dolls with their internal organs exposed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are you here? By the way, can you walk?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes. We can&#039;t walk far, but we tried.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But why are you here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I must be here to help you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A stuffed doll interjected. It was the Kirara Rabbit. Its eyes were bloodshot, and its face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looked as if it was saying, &amp;quot;I&#039;m a mean -spirited person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, I didn&#039;t count you guys in, so I&#039;ll help you. That one&#039;s lost, so you two should &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thank me first.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why should I thank you for a stuffed doll? It&#039;s nice that you&#039;re willing to help, but what can &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Look at all the friends we have.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kirara Rabbit pointed with its ear. A white cat with its fur standing on end greeted me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Long time no see.&amp;quot; You&#039;re so dirty. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re the Electric Wildcat, right? Were you ever this mean?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m only doing this to you. I can&#039;t rest easy unless you become a man worthy of Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s your peace of mind?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Next to it was a dog with its tongue hanging out. And there was a straw rope wrapped &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
around its neck. It was really surreal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hello, I&#039;m the Suffocating Wild Dog.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah—, are you the visceral animal that Kondou Mikoto mentioned?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This uninflected way of speaking is really unique.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You still look like you&#039;re about to die.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please don&#039;t mind.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Death is the theme of this series, so I&#039;m really meddling too much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto also looked at her viscera and said, &amp;quot;You always seem listless.&amp;quot; Suffocating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Wild Dog replied, &amp;quot;That&#039;s just how I am.&amp;quot; They should make a good pairing, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then there&#039;s the one next to it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You noticed it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the seppuku tiger. I immediately replied,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course I noticed. Can this guy leave?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Calling me this guy is really rude,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the brown stuffed animal. Its tone was strangely solemn and majestic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not even our first meeting, is it? I&#039;m the Burning Lion.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although I&#039;m no longer surprised by things related to viscera, I was still surprised. Even this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guy is here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wow—this is the first time I&#039;ve seen such a filthy viscera.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto didn&#039;t think much of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This guy is the first viscera to come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why is he here?&amp;quot; ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That black -haired woman brought them here. She&#039;s a total slacker with stuffed animals.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Because she&#039;s the student council president, she&#039;ll even use her parents.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of Shizuku, let alone her parents, she&#039;ll probably turn everyone she&#039;s never met &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
into her minions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [When did you wake up?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just a while ago. It&#039;s a rare dream where I was being served by a group of lionesses, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
building a large harem, but then I felt this strange shaking. When I woke up, I found myself &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
being carried on the back of a seppuku -savage black rabbit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just sleep again, and it&#039;ll be fine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That won&#039;t work. Judging from what I heard, you guys seem to be in trouble right now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion uttered a &amp;quot;Hey&amp;quot; and sat down on the floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You have a lot of questions,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    right?] [I guess so.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You seem quite troubled by that little girl, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Little girl?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto tilted her head and nudged me with her elbow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Sakura Kaede.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ahh. She&#039;s not little anymore.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said she was very young when I first met her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At this, Fire Lion coughed. It felt a bit strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s go through the story in order. First, why I was born —I don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I know. Please  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    don&#039;t interrupt. Suddenly, I came to my senses and found myself in a cylindrical tank. A &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little girl was watching me from outside, then she took me out and brought me home. That &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl was Kaede Sakura.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Right. That&#039;s not surprising. Considering the tank in the research facility, I can relate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I always thought you, Fire Lion, got this from an auction or something like that when &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was in junior high or high school.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede often uses this method to collect rare animal entrails. Because unusual items &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like these are quickly discontinued, they can&#039;t be collected otherwise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She might have said that herself. Perhaps her memory has become a little fuzzy. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Regardless, that girl doesn&#039;t have the memories of a mediator.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, tell us more about this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I leaned forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What exactly is a mediator?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before we talk about that, I&#039;d like some tea or something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, I don&#039;t have any.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Besides, can you drink anything?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s just the atmosphere. It&#039;s okay if you don&#039;t. Anyway, Mr. Natsuru, do you want to know &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about the mediator?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I want to help those missing girls, and...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m tired of fighting without knowing anything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said this clearly to all the puppets.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, I was turned into a woman, and I&#039;m in a lot of trouble. And Sakura Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personality has changed, and Shizuku and Akane are missing. What the hell is going on? I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can&#039;t stand fighting blindly like this anymore. That&#039;s right  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Ultimately, I still have some doubts about this. In that research facility, I clearly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
understood that I didn&#039;t want to lose. But, really, why do I have to fight? I want to know the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reason.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku once said, &amp;quot;If you keep fighting, you&#039;ll find out.&amp;quot; That&#039;s true. Wouldn&#039;t it be nice if it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were revealed right here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion nodded repeatedly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And the Seppuku Tigers won&#039;t tell me anything.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because we don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Suffocating Dog replied in Shizuka&#039;s voice. Ignore it for now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I heard a little bit about you before. You said there seemed to be two forces at work. Is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that true?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the Fire Lion said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So you know the whole situation?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes. After all, I&#039;m the original visceral animal.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion let out a laugh that sounded like a leak. I think it&#039;s emphasizing its first place, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
meaning it&#039;s the first one in the series to make a child cry. But it seemed proud.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It wasn&#039;t just me. She had planned to have all the internal animals record all their &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
information. But it seems she didn&#039;t have the others record all their information. I wonder if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she thought it was unnecessary or just too much trouble.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then you can tell me everything.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I leaned closer to the burning lion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Rather than asking me to tell you, it&#039;s more like asking you, Mr. Natsuru, to read my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
memories.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How do I do that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s not that difficult. Please look into my eyes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So I looked into the brown puppet&#039;s eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is this guy crazy? [Are you doubting me now?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sure.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [In this world, puppets can even talk, so it wouldn&#039;t be surprising if something happened.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true, but hearing your voice, which sounds like some old doctor from the rainforest, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
makes me feel like I&#039;ve been tricked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The burning lion&#039;s eyes kept rolling. It&#039;s really creepy. Has it acquired this new function?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The information you want to know, Mr. Natsuru, has appeared within my memory.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I know, but]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If you do it, you&#039;ll find out. And if I leave it alone, I&#039;ll fall asleep again. I don&#039;t know if I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ever wake up again.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [ &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, once you know, it&#039;s up to you, Mr. Natsuru, to do what you want. After all, if you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t know anything, there&#039;s no way to start over.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I guess so.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I know it well. I&#039;ve reached a point of no return.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I raised the burning lion. By the way, its face is really strange. Whoever came up with the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
idea of burning stuffed animals must be a genius or a weirdo. Which means Akane&#039;s father is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a weirdo.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m a little hesitant to look it in the eye.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please hurry up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll do it, I guess.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s why I said I wanted tea. That&#039;s not what I want to drink.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it for induction?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, it&#039;s just calming.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was useless asking. If it&#039;s just for that, forget it. Let&#039;s just get started.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I made up my mind and looked into its eyes. In an instant, my vision went dark.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is history. Not the history of humans or Earthlings. But the history of an unidentified &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
group of beings living in a distant land, even in the same universe. They&#039;re divided into two &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
factions, one covered in hard red skin, the other with blue glowing b odies growing from the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back of their heads along their spines. These two factions are constantly clashing. So far, it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just the same as what I heard from the burning lion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Biologically, these creatures were all female. This proved that only species capable of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bearing offspring were valuable. Their bodies were even stronger than those of males.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They fought endlessly. As the war dragged on, they gradually forgot why they were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fighting. As both sides grew tired, someone proposed a solution.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Each side would elect representatives, and the outcome of their battle would determine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the winner. This would allow both sides to end the conflict without any losses.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    However, some objections arose at this stage. The troubled genius then submitted this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
plan along with another one. This one involved using other life forms to fight on our behalf. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    problem was that they had the technology to implement it. It was quickly adopted. Thus, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the &amp;quot;Kemp Method,&amp;quot; specifically designed for combat, was secretly born.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    From then on, the Kempfa became their proxies and began fighting relentlessly. They &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t just target civilized creatures; they also selected predatory beasts, insects, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sometimes even single -celled organisms to fight on their behalf. Of course, they a lso agreed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to pay the Kempfa handsomely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The battle raged for a long time, with both sides remaining in a state of confrontation. But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they showed no sign of breaking this tension. Making the Kempfa fight had become not a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
means to resolve the issue but their goal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They found joy in forcing a third party to fight. Unconsciously, they took on the guise of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mediators, forgetting that they were the ones being mediated. Then, they set their sights on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a planet in a certain galaxy. There, some life forms had reached a certa in level of civilization &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and were constantly at odds.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was a perfect candidate for a Kempfa. I&#039;m about to vomit. So many records of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kempfa&#039;s battles have flooded my mind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Romans and Celts, sword -wielding each other in the forest for a month. Bavarian orphans &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
setting each other on fire in a deserted village. Jin women dueling on boats on the Yellow &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
River. French and Russian soldiers clash on the frigid Berezina River. Zulu y ouths fighting with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
spears in South Africa. Street children attacking each other from behind in the hills of South &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
America. And Japanese high school students.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They&#039;re all unaware of the situation, having been exploited and forced to fight for a long &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time. Of course, so are we.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My vision faded into darkness again. Then the burning lion appeared before me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Do you understand?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes. Of course.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I choked, and I almost felt like vomiting. This wasn&#039;t my will. Memories of the Kempfers I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fought so far flooded back into my mind. This wasn&#039;t fake, this was real.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto hugged my arm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you okay?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, I&#039;m fine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not entirely. I&#039;m a little nauseous. But I can&#039;t worry Kondou Mikoto right now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The word &amp;quot;Kempfer&amp;quot; is from German.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion coughed. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course it didn&#039;t come from the language of the Mediators. &amp;quot;Mediator&amp;quot; isn&#039;t from their &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
language either. If I said it here in their language, you wouldn&#039;t understand. They probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stumbled upon these words during battle and thought they fit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The message on the wall was also in German. I don&#039;t know who wrote it, but it must have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been someone who was forced to fight and lost.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Bullshit, what a mess!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I cursed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What happens to the losers? Trapped in a dispute with people they have nothing to do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with, and then stuffed into a tank for no apparent reason?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s exactly what happens.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion replied seriously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know why they keep the bodies of the losers. Is it out of sympathy, or to keep &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them as specimens?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s all the same. They&#039;re all so miserable. Are those in the tanks incapable of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
resurrection?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m afraid so.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Is  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    that so?&amp;quot; I choked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you come this way?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto pointed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suffocating Dog replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If we go back the way we just came, we&#039;ll reach a place like a research institute.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you meet anyone along the way?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, we didn&#039;t see anyone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, they&#039;re still somewhere we haven&#039;t been yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, let&#039;s go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Going back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kirara said in surprise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;ve come this far with so much effort. Hey, wouldn&#039;t we be able to get out that way?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He pointed his ear in the direction we came from. &amp;quot;Yes, we could get out if we went &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
towards Akane&#039;s hometown, but we can&#039;t. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I grabbed Kirara&#039;s ear and lifted him up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, let&#039;s go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, that hurts. What are you doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Go save your master.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That hurts! Stop it! Hey, Kirara Tiger, the Natsuru is being violent. Give me some advice!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ahahaha.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t laugh like Shizuka! And  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    so, we lined up and entered the cave.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, the path carved by the visceral animals had a low ceiling. The walls showed it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had a long history. It wasn&#039;t me who knew this best, but Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This must have been renovated,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    my childhood friend said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps the original facilities were converted into bomb shelters or warehouses, or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something? And they even wanted to improve it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What was here originally?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Who knows? Perhaps the mediators or someone else came here long ago. If so, it&#039;s been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reused over and over again. Why  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    did they come here so many times?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We walked for a while until we reached the cleaning room. I&#039;ve been here before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is it,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Didn&#039;t you say you were going to turn back?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This seppuku black rabbit is just a stuffed animal, yet it complains so much. I pulled up its &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ears.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did you really come from this side?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course. We didn&#039;t know there were any other entrances or exits.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed. But then, wouldn&#039;t that mean we&#039;d just return to Sakura Kaede&#039;s room without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
discovering anything?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Anyway, let&#039;s go in first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We followed Kondou Mikoto&#039;s instructions and entered the cleaning room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We opened the door, and behind it lay the research facility we&#039;d been discussing. I said to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the visceral animals,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This seems to be where you were born.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that so?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The seppuku tiger exclaimed. It seemed they&#039;d passed by this room but paid no attention. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And it wasn&#039;t as shocking as the room next door where the girl was floating in the water &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tank.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This could be considered our womb.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Does chemical fiber have a mother?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Although we&#039;re not proper life forms, if we were to use humans as an example, that&#039;s the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
case.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was a strange, yet convincing statement. I remembered my mother&#039;s face from Kyushu.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We climbed the stairs to the center of the water tank array. Going up from here would be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede&#039;s home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Kempfers, defeated so far, floated in the water tanks. Shizuku -senpai and Kuzuhara &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were also inside. To avoid this, we have to move forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now&#039;s not the time to dwell on our feelings.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, what should we do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto asked. She was asking me how to find Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Well, it doesn&#039;t make sense if she&#039;s not underground. Did we guess wrong?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane also jumped down.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of us were lost in thought. The visceral animals are still the same. They can&#039;t help &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at all now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I suddenly raised my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, right, there.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kondou Mikoto, behind you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned around. Behind her was a door. Right next to the wall covered in wires was an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
iron door. It was the place where Shizuku said, &amp;quot;That&#039;s not the exit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto slapped the door a few times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s actually here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Can you open it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s locked. But the door doesn&#039;t look that sturdy. It should be faster to chop it open.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I wonder what&#039;s next. Let&#039;s transform first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced at the pledge bracelet, touched it with my fingers, and infused it with power.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A white light enveloped my body, and I transformed into a woman. Kondou Mikoto also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformed into a Kempfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stay away.] She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    drew her Japanese sword, slowly raised it above her head, and swung it down with all her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The door split completely in two, and the entrance to the adjacent room appeared before &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto and I exchanged a glance and simultaneously entered the room. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
visceral animals followed closely behind us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The room wasn&#039;t very large. It was filled with pipes and wires. There was even something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like a switchboard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In the center of the room stood something like a giant cage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What is this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It looks like a freight elevator.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto explained. You often see these things at construction sites and mines.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It seems to go underground.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Under this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were some simple buttons on the handrail.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, do you want to ride?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I had no intention of turning back. Even if it meant going underground, I was going to go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I boarded the elevator with Kondou Mikoto and the visceral animals. I pressed the button &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like a hammer, and  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the elevator gave a clang, then began its descent with a low, creaking sound. Pitch &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
blackness surrounded me, a complete absence of light, as if I were being swallowed by the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
earth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Finally, we reached the bottom.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The elevator landed with a clattering sound, and a section of the handrail opened.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A haze enveloped the area, making our vision difficult.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We entered without hesitation. Although the haze hindered us slightly, we exited quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This place was enormous. Not only wide, but also high. The walls were covered in what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed like decorative stone, and bedrock could be seen on the ceiling. The air felt cool, not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
damp at all. It felt less like a room and more like a hall. It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t dark, as a light illuminated the center. I guess it won&#039;t be as dark and poorly visible &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as the place just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In the center of here, there is a strange -looking stone statue. It&#039;s a round stone statue, a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little smaller than a human. I don&#039;t know what the theme is.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There is a person lying next to it as if leaning on the stone statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t help but shout.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s Shizuku. Her hands and feet were tied up with chains. She used her own short &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sword with chains.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shouted again. She still lowered her head and didn&#039;t look at me. Is she unconscious now?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Or, could it be...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t worry. She&#039;s still alive.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly another voice sounded in my ears. The person who spoke folded his hands and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looked at us from behind the stone statue. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru -san, Kondou -san, welcome to this place full of my memories.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede showed a satisfied smile on her face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|← Back to Volume 12 Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4|Forward to 12 Chapter 4 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586445</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586445"/>
		<updated>2025-11-07T04:30:27Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 12, Chapter 1  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Fluorescent light streamed down from the ceiling, dimly illuminating the room. The light &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t strong because this was a research facility, perhaps because it was old. The lights &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flickered a bit, perhaps because they were old. I&#039;m proud of my good eye sight. What if my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eyesight deteriorated?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku kept staring at the huge sink. I stared at her profile, and saw a deep sadness in her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was like a statue now. Because that pose was so nice, I hadn&#039;t noticed. By the way, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku refers to Student Council President Sangou Shizuku, and &amp;quot;I&amp;quot; refers to Natsuru Senou. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There&#039;s no need to explain at this point.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and I weren&#039;t the only ones in the room; Nishino Akane and Kondou Mikoto were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also there. They&#039;d both transformed into Kämpfer. Akane was in Bulldog mode, but she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looking at some documents, so her usual roar was gone. She&#039;d yell at everyone  she saw: &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Fool!&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Go to hell.&amp;quot; 】, for someone like her, whose insults had drowned out even the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flowers along the roadside, this was truly bizarre. Nothing could be more unsuitable for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane right now than [Read the text.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s put the matter of the bulldog girl aside for now. I was watching Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Senpai.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pressed her face close to the surface of the sink, staring at the woman floating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inside, curled up in a fetal position, repeating the same phrase softly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Senpai, you&#039;re here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I finally caught what she was saying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re, here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her voice was hoarse, but she wasn&#039;t crying. I&#039;ve never seen this woman cry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned towards me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Over there.] [  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is it about Akane?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned back to the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ve heard it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you doing?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pressed her finger against the sink. I, along with Shizuku, stared at the woman floating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who is this person?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s my senior.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For a moment, the woman&#039;s expression turned sad.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Do you know someone named Shinomiya Tamiko? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shook my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【That&#039;s right. She wasn&#039;t a very conspicuous person. But she was the one who taught me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything. From high school life, student council affairs, to Kämpfer, she taught me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything. I told you about her before. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Really?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t remember. No, I think I&#039;ve heard of her. It seemed like Shizuku was joking at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time. I don&#039;t really remember.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is this the senior you mentioned? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Yes. I used to think that Kämpfer would disappear completely if he lost, but it seems &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that&#039;s not the case. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku started staring at the sink again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【But, few people remember seniors. Only Kämpfers who fought can survive. Of course, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember her. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Does that mean that many people were eliminated? 】 【 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. This is Kämpfer&#039;s fate. The loser will lose everything. There &#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a woman floating in a tank. She looks both dead and alive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What will become of her? There&#039;s no way she&#039;ll be resurrected, but will she remain like this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for the rest of her life? No, she might already be dead, so the idea of a lifetime seems a bit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is she being preserved?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku -senpai, is she just left there like this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know. There were several Kämpfers who lost, I think more than there are people in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this room. Was she abandoned somewhere, or taken away?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What does &amp;quot;taken away&amp;quot; mean? Did they deliver it to your door?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe it&#039;s similar to what you said. Maybe they first obtained the data like this, then took &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it to some distant place.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Where? The North Pole or the South Pole?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It doesn&#039;t necessarily have to be Earth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said something creepy again. She probably said something like that when she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reading the message on the wall. Aliens or something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Could aliens from space have built this place? That&#039;s a possibility. Since the equipment and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
instruments here appear to be found in some research institutes, perhaps the equipment &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was deployed domestically. Did someone else build this place?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, I heard from Fire Lion earlier that in another world, red and blue creatures were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fighting. It seems we&#039;ve become their proxies. It seems like I&#039;m the key to this, and it&#039;s said &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that my choice of whether to play as a man or a woman will determine the outcome for the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
red and blue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I haven&#039;t heard of losing and being thrown into a tank. If we were to lose, we&#039;d end up &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like Shizuku -senpai. I guess. Not just me, but also Akane, Shizuku, and Mikoto. And the white &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfers, too. Drifting in the water like this or being carried away, I don&#039;t think this is a good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
outcome.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I suddenly had this thought: &amp;quot;I don&#039;t want to lose.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While I&#039;m a bit concerned about being stuffed like a specimen if I lose, more importantly, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t want to be forgotten. I don&#039;t want my life so far to be wasted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m just a sophomore in high school. And there are plenty of people in the world who have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lived longer than me. To them, I&#039;m just a little brat. But the footprints engraved on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
calendar truly belong to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t want to lose these things just because I lose. I now fully understand what Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
meant when she called me out and told me, &amp;quot;Remember me.&amp;quot; The fact that she lived here is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
undeniable. No matter how small the matter, it is a part of life. How can I re gard it as an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
obstacle?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I unconsciously whispered,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t want to lose.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku answered me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You still want to go back to Seitetsu, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She understood what I said. Your intuition is still as sharp as ever, President.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru. I...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you remember I said before that if you keep fighting, you might understand the reason &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for fighting?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm, but it seems like that was a long time ago.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I think that because of Tamiko -senpai. She lost to the enemy and disappeared. I&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been wondering why she disappeared. That&#039;s why I kept fighting, looking for reasons to fight. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now I finally understand. It&#039;s not right to say I can&#039;t lose, it&#039;s becaus e I want to win. I can&#039;t let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Tamiko -senpai&#039;s sacrifice go to waste.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said this, as if trying to remind herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The words &#039;We are here&#039; written there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pointed at the message with a slender finger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe it represents the thoughts of the defeated Kämpfers.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps. No, that&#039;s it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took a deep breath. I can&#039;t lose. Not only that, I must win. While my consciousness may &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not be as strong as Shizuku&#039;s, now is not the time to hesitate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I slapped my face a few times to cheer myself up. Okay, let&#039;s do it. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku blinked a few times and placed her hand on the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Senpai.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should we do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned to face me. I said it again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are we just going to leave this person here? She&#039;s very important to you, President &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You mean to move her away?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Do you want to carry your senior on your back to fight?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She gave a wry smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Thank you for your concern. But that&#039;s all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She stopped talking mid -sentence. How rare.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Forget it now. Although it&#039;s painful to leave your senior like this, I can&#039;t decide what&#039;s best &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right now. At least I can&#039;t fight with her on my back. So I can only leave her for now. I still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have feelings for her, and I haven&#039;t forgotten her, but I have to live.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a rare hesitation in her words. After all, that person must be very important to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku. That&#039;s why she wouldn&#039;t do anything stupid.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku left the sink. I wonder if she felt reluctant to leave. She was now walking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
somewhere else.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shinomiya.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku touched the surface of the sink with her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sorry. I don&#039;t mean to ask for your forgiveness. Shizuku and I moved a step away from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the water tanks .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was truly magnificent from this perspective. No one knows how many Kämpfer battles &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have been fought there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto was also approaching us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, there&#039;s a door over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto pointed diagonally upward. There was also a staircase leading up there, with a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tightly closed iron door on top.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s probably the exit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you&#039;re the one, you must have checked beforehand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked. Mikoto is the type of person who, if there&#039;s a button, she&#039;ll definitely press it, if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s a lever, she&#039;ll definitely pull it, if there&#039;s a door, she&#039;ll definitely open it. When she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in kindergarten, she always wanted to press the emergency bell, and everyone around her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kept trying to stop her. Only once, during a small fire, did she, with such blissful joy, press the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
button faster than anyone else.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah. But it&#039;s locked.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can&#039;t open it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was Shizuku speaking. The president found it quite amusing, so he recognized &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto&#039;s talent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm—sure, it&#039;s possible, but it might take a while. It&#039;s a password lock. It&#039;s quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
troublesome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it locked inside too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Probably both inside and outside. These facilities look very important.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s probably it. Not only are there animal entrails here, but even the defeated Kämpfer &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is stored here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Is that really the exit?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto answered my question confidently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s definitely the exit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think you can trust what you say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m only telling the truth.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that so? You said that when you encountered the underground people in Peru, everyone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who heard you looked at you like, &#039;You&#039;re an idiot!&#039; How can you convince people of the story &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about four -armed underground people attacking you with rods that emit elec tromagnetic &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
waves? &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If you don&#039;t believe it, don&#039;t ask me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. Retracting my preface. That&#039;s the exit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was about to walk over when I tripped. I hadn&#039;t noticed there was a thick pipe on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The end of the pipe extended into the wall.&amp;quot; There&#039;s a sturdy -looking iron door nearby.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, there seems to be something over there too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, could it be another room?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That might be the exit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s impossible. This is underground, so all exits face upwards. The place Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
investigated should be the exit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So what about the other side?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pointed at the door. Shizuku nodded slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it a power generation facility? Or maybe some other research facility?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Want to check it out?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, no, right now, we should prioritize getting out.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed. I also want to change out of these half -dried clothes quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Akane!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shouted over my shoulder.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog Girl is still reading documents. I&#039;ve already told you that it was fine before your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformation, but you&#039;re not the type to read books now. Why don&#039;t you just burn all those &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
documents? That&#039;s perfect for you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane raised her head slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We&#039;re leaving.] Come out with us quickly. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I understand.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, that&#039;s straightforward. If she were a normal bulldog, she&#039;d be lashing out, no matter &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how right the issue was.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She sorted the documents back and walked over to us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Have you finished reading the documents?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you trying to tell me I haven&#039;t even read Will Lennox&#039;s poetry?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s rude. But it&#039;s fine as usual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is there anything written on it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course there is. It&#039;s about the internal organs of animals. It talks about their history.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m asking what it says.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh my, she&#039;s gone silent. Originally, this should have led to her yelling, &amp;quot;Shut up! Go to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hell!&amp;quot; and putting the gun to my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane narrowed one eye, then smacked her lips with an expression as if she was troubled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Come with me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Forget about that. Come here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane grabbed my hand and pulled me over. Because she&#039;s a Kämpfer, she&#039;s very strong. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hey, it hurts.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She took me to a secluded place. Shizuku and Mikoto couldn&#039;t see me from here. I was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little confused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you trying to do? Attack me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Watch out, you horny bastard. I want to talk about those documents I was looking at.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The mastiff girl stared at me and started talking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s written there is about me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will there be a profile for you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not about me now. It&#039;s about me before my transformation. Didn&#039;t I say before that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the story Sakura Kaede had in mind is written down in the document? There are other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
things, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s that?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;ll talk about that later. Now&#039;s not the time. No, maybe it&#039;s time, but it&#039;s better for her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to explain it herself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was stunned. Akane&#039;s explanation left me baffled. Being so mysterious isn&#039;t like her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh, so you want me to let your pre -transformation self explain it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a little different, is that okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered something in my ear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I blinked a few times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay, but isn&#039;t it okay to tell them this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t tell them unless necessary. The most important thing is to keep this a secret until &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the end. But if necessary, you can take the lead.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane patted my back mysteriously. This was unusual for a woman who preferred &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
simplicity, or rather, ease, over everything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But never mind. I also wanted to get out of this underground place quickly. I didn&#039;t think &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything good would happen if I stayed here any longer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We returned from our hiding spot to where they were. Shizuku and Mikoto glanced at us &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but said nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s get out,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said to everyone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Unlocking is Mikoto&#039;s job.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No problem.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My childhood friend casually agreed and headed for the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what should we, uh, do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t think of anything, so I gave Shizuku a look for help.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The black -haired president shrugged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why not just stay here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing here? Are you free?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you&#039;re bored, I&#039;ll keep you company.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t bring any playing cards or anything like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A man and a woman playing cards? There are better things to do.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku smiled softly. I&#039;ve become incredibly sensitive to this woman&#039;s facial expressions, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so I know what she&#039;s thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Unconsciously, my heartbeat quickened.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, what are you talking about?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re in a place like this!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t say anything.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You might not have said anything, but it&#039;s the same as saying it. Isn&#039;t that the only thing a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
man and a woman can do together?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You should have considered the timing and the occasion!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I said, I didn&#039;t say anything.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane&#039;s here too!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, Akane. That makes sense. It&#039;s about your relationship with Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re being mysterious again. I told you not to say anything shocking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, Akane heard everything we said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her already grim expression darkened even further, as if fire were about to burst from her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouth. If she were eating a pockily, she&#039;d probably be crunching it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Naturally, her eyes, like those of a ferocious beast, were now fixed on me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What did you say, you bastard? Aren&#039;t you ashamed to say that here?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t say that! Shizuku brought it up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t say that! Did you tell Shizuku about that?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How could you possibly say something like that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stopped there. I hadn&#039;t told her, but I&#039;d let myself get away with it. More accurately, she&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seen through it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seeing my silence, Akane seemed to take it as a yes. I felt a surge of murderous intent &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wash over me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You shameless bastard! You kept it secret from me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why should I ask for your permission?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s a courtesy, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was hard to argue with her logically.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pulled out her gun. Oh no, this guy&#039;s going to shoot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You want to embarrass me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t be ridiculous. I&#039;m a gentleman.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;d better kill you.] You&#039;ll never be a gentleman again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Stop it! Gentlemanly or not, forget it. I just swore I didn&#039;t want to die.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku glanced at us and did nothing. It looked like she had no intention of stopping us. If &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this situation demanded more time, I might have yelled at her, but right now, except for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto, we were all free.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s why we&#039;re talking about all this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now&#039;s not the time to explain things slowly. The bulldog girl is now baring her teeth at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru. Are you interested in telling anyone about what you and I did?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then why did Shizuku know?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t know  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    either.] I can only say her intuition is too sharp. No matter what she does, she can&#039;t hide it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from our perfect student council president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you two laughing at us for not making it to the end?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re being too self -centered. I wasn&#039;t that specific.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s about right. Damn it. I should have made it to the end with you, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I think her anger is misplaced, but compared to this, my life is in danger now. In front of an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enraged Akane, common sense and calmness are of no use.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s pointing an automatic pistol at me. This gun and I are old acquaintances.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Your back is facing me! You&#039;re losing your virginity in front of me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you saying so loudly!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Two bullets in your mouth and you&#039;ll definitely awaken. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t understand what you&#039;re trying to do. Does this guy want me to use some special &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stick? (Translator: I can only think of the Christmas gift that President Shizuku gave to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru -kun.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At this time, Shizuku spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【That&#039;s it.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Student Council President&#039;s eyes were fixed on the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It looks like the break is over. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No one was at the door. Mikoto was rushing over. She looked very nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is it open? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku asked. Mikoto shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Not yet. Just a little bit. And someone is coming. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Enemy?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto didn&#039;t answer. Our eyes were all focused on the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We had to be careful. We didn&#039;t know what was on the other side of the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We held our breath. To be precise, I was the only one who was nervous. Shizuku was as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
calm as ever. Mikoto&#039;s interest remained the same, while Akane was the type who was most &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happy when there was a fight. She thought I was a fool for worrying endlessly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s the enemy, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I whispered. She was basically just mumbling to herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We don&#039;t have any other allies.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku replied. Even so, it&#039;s not bad to hold onto a little hope.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [They&#039;re enemies after all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s still the white Kämpfer, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, didn&#039;t you guys defeat them?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I tied them up and left them there. There are two more, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ueda Rika and Yamakawa Ryoka, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If it&#039;s two against four, it&#039;s more advantageous for us.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t look away, continuing to stare at the door. It seemed as if her ears perked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s no footsteps anymore. But the presence seems to be there.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After she whispered this, Mikoto spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s ambush her. Can I take charge of the deepest security? I don&#039;t think there&#039;ll be any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
problems, but just in case.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, okay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto took a few steps back. Turning her attention to the back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned back to face the front and didn&#039;t look back again. This woman seemed to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
trust Mikoto very much. Otherwise, he wouldn&#039;t have trusted her with his back. When did &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their relationship become like this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s quiet at the door. Although Mikoto said someone was coming, there wasn&#039;t any special &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
movement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m feeling restless.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said with a groan. It hasn&#039;t been a few minutes yet. Don&#039;t be so impatient.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This isn&#039;t my style. Let&#039;s start a killing spree.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Can&#039;t you just be more quiet?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who can stay calm and stay in this dark cave forever? We should fight our way out.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s a good idea.] What  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s surprising is that Shizuku actually agreed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We have to find a way out, so we can only wander around here. And we&#039;ve already seen &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything we wanted to see. And there&#039;s something else.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What else?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I have to see Kaede.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -san. Indeed, although we fought the white Kämpfer after falling into the pool, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura -san was the only one I didn&#039;t see.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought she might be here, but she should still be at home. Shizuku wanted to see her. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She wasn&#039;t trying to renew our friendship, but probably wanted to know the truth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What was she going to tell her? Actually, what should I do? Anyway, I&#039;m not mentally &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
prepared yet. Too many things have happened. Although if this happened at school, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t be so nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Cheer up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane hit me. It hurt.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t just stand there. We&#039;re going to kill that bitch soon. Be happy.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bitch is Sakura Kaede. How can you expect me to be happy?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I still need to prepare myself mentally.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s so annoying. I&#039;m here. Not only me, but also Shizuku and Mikoto. It&#039;s time you figured &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it out!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course. I shook my head. No, no. I&#039;ve already decided to do a good job.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I get it, let&#039;s go.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Very good. That&#039;s you, Natsuru. Let you deal her the final blow.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This seems to be another matter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto, shift change. You go unlock it. I&#039;ll cover the rear.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned around and said. Akane seemed surprised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, let you do the rear defense, Shizuku? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s better than you doing it. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, a guy who only rushes forward like a dog can only let her stay in the front. If Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is placed in the back, she will definitely run to the front immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto continued to fiddle with the door. Then something like a machine appeared on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door handle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Does this unlock it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I learned this from the mafia in Serbia.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Where have your connections spread?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto pressed a few buttons on the machine. All with her index finger. This guy also uses &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
only his index finger when he uses the keyboard. And with blinding speed. That&#039;s a talent, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guess.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After the machine flashed a few times, Mikoto whispered, &amp;quot;Open.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone stopped moving. They were all checking for signs of movement on the other side &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the door. If anyone on the other side noticed the door was unlocked, they&#039;d probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ambush or something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m going to open it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto placed her hand on the doorknob, and Akane leaned down. Like a beast about to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leap. The Mastiff Girl had overreached.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A crisp &amp;quot;click&amp;quot; sounded. Almost at the same time, a roar drowned out the sound of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door opening from overhead. Fluorescent lights and debris fell from above.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The ceiling had collapsed. For a moment, I wondered if this was shoddy construction, but it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t, because a woman had fallen with the rubble.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Yamakawa Ryōka. I&#039;d thought she was alone, but I didn&#039;t expect her to show up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta!&amp;quot; A burst of gunfire rang out. Ryōka&#039;s weapon was a small submachine gun. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Bullets were flying everywhere. Wow,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this is dangerous. Of course, but she wouldn&#039;t listen to me; she was coming at us with clear &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
murderous intent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Calm down!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I heard Shizuku&#039;s voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s alone. We can win.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true. We have the advantage in numbers. There&#039;s nothing to worry about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was already manipulating her dagger. The chained dagger flew around, ready to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strike Ryōka. And Akane joined in, firing a series of exaggerated shots from her pistol.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kill you!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog Girl looked genuinely pleased.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You want to make me your enemy?] Stupid woman, like a moth to a flame. Wake up! ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We can&#039;t kill her.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is what Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We&#039;re sure to win anyway. Let&#039;s capture her.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, kill her. That&#039;s more fun. Just punch a hole in the top of her head and finish her off. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then shoot her a few more times after she&#039;s dead.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Regardless of how mean this girl is, she&#039;s a good bait to lure us in. Why would she attack us &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
when she&#039;s alone? Anyway, it&#039;s only Shizuku and Akane fighting her, so there&#039;s no need for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto and me to join the fight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka&#039;s eyes seemed filled with sadness. How should I put it, it&#039;s like she&#039;s determined to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
die. Has she been indoctrinated with some obsessive ideas?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yamakawa -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, knocking down a bullet with her dagger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Surrender.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;d be surprised if I did that!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, her voice has risen an octave. It seems there&#039;s no room for negotiation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m going to knock you all down!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s no use.] You can&#039;t defeat us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t care!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A hail of bullets rained down on Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you being coerced by someone?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka paused abruptly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What will happen to you if you don&#039;t fight us? Did she tell you that if you don&#039;t fight, you&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
end up like the Kämpfers here in the sink?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that annoying!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She fired, but the bullets scattered so widely that Shizuku didn&#039;t even need to dodge.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It was Kaede, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing this, Ryōka wavered. I almost wondered if she&#039;d drop the gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s putting pressure on you, isn&#039;t she? How pitiful. That kid&#039;s become unscrupulous.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t speak ill of Kaede -sama!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka lunged forward. But her linear movements were predictable even to an elementary &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school student.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku twirled her index finger. The chain flew along the ground and wrapped around &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Ryōka&#039;s ankle. She fell.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Akane ran over immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Look at you! Go to hell!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said this while pointing her gun at Ryōka. Shizuku stopped her with disgust.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop it. Akane, you&#039;re always like this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m not the one who obeys.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You were so obedient before you transformed.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku moved Akane&#039;s gun away and squatted in front of Ryōka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sorry. It must hurt.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka said nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I have something to ask you. Help us.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Where is that child?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone present understood who this was referring to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We want to know where that child is. Is she up here? Are you threatened by her? If you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tell us where she is, we&#039;ll protect you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka looked down. Was she still struggling with something? I&#039;m a little confused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t say what you don&#039;t want to say. But I have other questions I&#039;d like you to answer. Is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this really the end of this facility? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although Ryōka said nothing, her eyelids were trembling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It won&#039;t do you any good to say nothing. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Or do you want to be left here like this? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Kaede. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Kaede -sama. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought she was just whispering her name. That&#039;s called talking to yourself. But it wasn&#039;t. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The first one to notice something was wrong was Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Get out of the way! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A figure leaped down from the hole in the ceiling and stood before us. It wasn&#039;t just any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shadow; it was incredibly fast.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A slender figure, long hair. She was Sakura Kaede, whom I considered the most beautiful &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl at Seitetsu Academy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she didn&#039;t exude the beauty and gentleness she usually did at school. Instead, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exuded a whirlwind of energy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A knife materialized in Sakura Kaede&#039;s right hand, and a gun in her left. How should I put &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it? Pretty handsome.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Waste!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she muttered to Ryōka. Ryōka, lying beside her, shuddered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought you could still be of some use. Just how far do you want to hold me back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede -sama.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Useless at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For some reason, Sakura Kaede shot Ryōka. What? Ryōka  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s body was hit directly by the bullet, and she flung herself up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll let you suffer a little first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka, though not dead, rolled on the ground. Her stomach was bleeding, and she looked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in agony.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was so cold just now. No, she was so cool just now, it almost made my heart &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flutter, but she&#039;s still scary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t be angry, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, Shizuku was angry, but Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t take her seriously at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;d expel useless student council members, too, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But I won&#039;t shoot him.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s because our policies are different. Useless people will only make the situation &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
worse.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s attitude was very calm. She stood still, weapon in hand. But that didn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mean she was careless. We&#039;d fought her once before, so we know it all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re amazing that you managed to get here. You deserve a commendation.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But I think you deliberately lured us here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, shedding her dagger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Didn&#039;t you show up here on purpose?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re half right. I didn&#039;t intend to show up in front of all of you. But the incompetence of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my subordinates led to this situation. Sakura Kaede licked her lips. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, she looks alluring, but also terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Two people at most are enough. And we have to start over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Start over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, as long as we have Shizuku -chan and Natsuru, we&#039;ll be enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede turned to me and gave me a soft smile. &amp;quot;I&#039;m glad you&#039;re smiling at me, but it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sends a chill down my spine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;No one else is needed, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey! Stop kidding!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane jumped out. Steam was practically coming out of her head. This woman hates being &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
treated like an idiot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who are you calling unnecessary? Do you think I&#039;m an unwanted lesbian? Don&#039;t look &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
down on me!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s because you have this kind of personality that you&#039;re unnecessary. You should just be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more honest. You&#039;re even worse than those girls in white.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come and see if I&#039;m really incompetent if you dare!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane fired.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The shot was aimed at the heart. The bullet flew straight to the target.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede started to move. For a moment, I had no idea what was happening.&amp;quot; Only a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shadow remained in her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The next moment, the distance between Sakura Kaede and Akane closed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Would you be quiet for a moment?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede thrust out her knife. But Akane wasn&#039;t the kind of girl to be quieted down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re the one who shuts up! You bitch!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane jumped to the side, aimed her gun at Sakura Kaede again, and fired.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede dodged the bullet. She swung her knife, knocking the bullet away. Then, with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her free hand, she fired.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The shot was incredibly accurate. The reason she missed was probably because the Mastiff &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Girl was too eager to attack.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was about to charge, so she wasn&#039;t in the bullet&#039;s path. Her wild boar -like, reckless &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nature has its advantages, though.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto, cover me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what Shizuku said. She had already made her dagger float in the air. In that case, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can&#039;t just stand by and watch. After all, Sakura Kaede possesses the power to take on four of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I discarded the idea that my opponent was the girl I liked and cast a spell. Flames flashed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from my hand, then transformed into a fireball that flew forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede leaped up, flying toward us along the ceiling. She braced herself against the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
edge of the cave, and the recoil landed behind us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto anticipated her move and charged forward, Japanese sword in hand. Unlike Akane, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this guy was also a fighter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It worked!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede swiftly spun around, blocking Mikoto&#039;s blade with her own and lowering &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s elbow struck Mikoto in the heart. My childhood friend&#039;s face contorted. It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
must have been a powerful blow. Mikoto began to collapse. Sakura Kaede quickly slid out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from under the falling Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, just get down!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I conjured several fireballs. They expanded and flew forward like summer fireworks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah. Natsuru, you&#039;re so rough!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede remained calm. She didn&#039;t even break a sweat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s dagger and Akane&#039;s bullets —it was impossible to dodge them all, but she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remained unscathed. She glanced at Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Next up is Mikoto -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede opened fire. Her gun sprayed bullets like a machine gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could these bullets hit me with all that flying around?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because they&#039;re just a distraction.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She kicked the ground and slid between the sinks, approaching Akane. The knife in her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand gleamed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Watch your throat!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane not only yelled, but even in this situation, she tried to shoot at Sakura Kaede. Who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was faster?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The answer was the Mastiff Girl. To be more precise, it was because Sakura Kaede fell &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forward. It was Shizuku&#039;s chained dagger that entangled her foot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede lost her balance and was about to fall, but she still managed to keep her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
balance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Not bad, Shizuku.] [It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was Kaede who was careless.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku attacked mercilessly with her remaining dagger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Aren&#039;t we good friends since childhood?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s not worry about that for now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a terrifying woman. Her look was serious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I have a lot of things to ask you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, really  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ?] Sakura Kaede stomped the floorboards, making a loud sound as if she were stepping on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
grass. What was that?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pulled her chained foot free. Was it a magic trick?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s perfect. I have something for you, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please prioritize my request.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No. With a swish ,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the knife slashed towards Shizuku. This is what they mean by &amp;quot;dazzling.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is my home. I have the final say here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The underground isn&#039;t your home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s mine now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Swish,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Swish.&amp;quot; The knife and the dagger clashed relentlessly. Shizuku wasn&#039;t particularly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
aggressive, concentrating on defense. That was how fierce Sakura Kaede&#039;s attacks were.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them continued to battle, gradually moving towards where Mikoto had fallen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You didn&#039;t build this underground research facility, did you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. I&#039;m just using it. Or am I being used?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, you mean this isn&#039;t your own idea, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Does it have anything to do with you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Understanding students&#039; thoughts is also a president&#039;s job.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t act like an adult at a time like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I need to intervene in your personal life. Real estate is a heavy burden for a high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Are you excited because we&#039;re underground? Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and Sakura Kaede are putting some distance between them. But Sakura Kaede has a long -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
range weapon. What should we do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru, move one step to the left. Akane, don&#039;t move.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We do as she says. Sakura Kaede seems amused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you trying to do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As you can see, we&#039;re going to surround you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t realize that either. The three of us have Sakura Kaede trapped.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, Shizuku isn&#039;t letting her guard down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if you&#039;re so powerful, Kaede, what can you do if you&#039;re surrounded?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Do you think you can defeat me by doing this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even you don&#039;t have three hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. She has weapons in both hands, but that only means two. But there are three &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of us, and if Mikoto stands up, that&#039;s four. Sakura Kaede can handle us with her agility, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this way we can defend ourselves by surrounding her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Student Council President is really quick -witted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thank you for the compliment. Vote for me in the next election. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Who knows. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Listen carefully to what your senior says. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku sent a dagger flying towards Sakura Kaede&#039;s face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This woman is so cruel, and just as I was thinking that, I realized I was wrong. The chain &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entangled Sakura Kaede&#039;s knife.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No use of dangerous weapons allowed. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pulled hard. Sakura Kaede&#039;s knife slipped out of her hand and fell at the feet of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student council president. Now Sakura Kaede only had one weapon left.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ah.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although it was only a little, Sakura Kaede showed regret. It seemed that she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surprised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her murderous aura began to decline. Oh, she doesn&#039;t want to fight anymore.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Natsuru, go get her gun. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku ordered me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Huh?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【She won&#039;t resist anymore. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Exactly. I approached Sakura Kaede with trepidation, but Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t do anything. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
easily took the pistol from her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I returned to my original position. Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t even look in my direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, you can get up now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing Shizuku&#039;s voice, Mikoto uttered a &amp;quot;Hmm.&amp;quot; She was about to stand. Our eyes were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fixed on her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At that moment, Sakura Kaede suddenly lifted Mikoto&#039;s katana with her toes, grasped the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
handle with her slender fingers, aimed the tip at the president&#039;s face, and flung it out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I cried out immediately. I wondered if my shout had any effect. The black -haired president &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tilted her head slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It caught up. The katana sliced off a few strands of the president&#039;s hair and flew behind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You scared me. Kaede, you&#039;re a magician, right? Or are you an acrobat?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hate being watched.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then at least listen to what we have to say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiled. Even then  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , she remained calm. &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it hard to accept Shizuku&#039;s words?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Learning patience will be helpful when you enter society.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It doesn&#039;t help me right now.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Please be patient. Consider your current position.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A voice came from another direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it ready? Let me shoot her.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane who said this. This woman was still so impatient. She looked bloodthirsty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku moved a little closer to Sakura Kaede. Sakura Kaede was already out of weapons.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s nothing you can do. Just do as I say.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you I hate it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re so willful. But it&#039;s no use just disobeying me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you want to do?] She&#039;s absolutely right  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Sakura Kaede is unarmed now, can&#039;t use magic like me, and doesn&#039;t have a weapon.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t think she can defeat Shizuku like this. Plus, there&#039;s Akane next to her, eager to shoot &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her dead.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Sakura Kaede remains calm and composed. How could she be so calm?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Maybe you should listen to me, Shizuku -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Impossible.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Really? What will you do if I do this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede bent her knees. I knew she was gathering strength. Then she suddenly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
jumped towards the door behind her that Mikoto had unlocked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s no use. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s dagger flew out, and the chain wrapped around Sakura Kaede&#039;s ankle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She lost her balance in the air and fell behind Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Don&#039;t do anything stupid. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ah, it hurts so much 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede stood up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It turned out well. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She held the hilt of the knife in her right hand. Huh? Where did she get it from?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No. She didn&#039;t get it from anywhere, the knife was already there. The knife that Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede had left stuck there before, and now she was holding the hilt of the knife.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The knife was stuck in a sink, and inside was,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Senpai!】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku cried out. The knife stabbed the sink where Tamiko -senpai was.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Okay, what should I do, Shizuku -san】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said in a tone as if to say that if you don&#039;t decide quickly, it will be difficult for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【If she does this, she will become skewered meat. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The tip of the knife stopped right in front of Tamiko -senpai. If Sakura Kaede moves her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand even slightly, the senior will be like a skewered chicken.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s teeth are grinding.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede, you aimed and threw it, didn&#039;t you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No—I wouldn&#039;t have thought that through.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although she said that, she was definitely lying. She must have aimed and thrown it, so she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was so calm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But, what should we do? This person is very important to you, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku remained motionless. We didn&#039;t know whether the senior in the tank was alive or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dead; we had no idea about her condition. She was probably dead. But she looked alive, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it seemed like she would bleed if stabbed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede moved the knife handle with amusement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Should I stab you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you want to do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede, tell me your conditions.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re saying that, as if you&#039;re threatening me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiled softly again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want you, Shizuku -chan, and Natsuru -san to obey my orders.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What does this mean?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Simply put, I want you to swear allegiance to me. Shizuku -chan, you&#039;ve completely messed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up the Red and Blue showdown so far. So I want to start all over again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, Natsuru -san and I are supposed to represent Red and Blue, respectively?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s not quite right. Natsuru -san is the only one who needs to make the decision.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wasn&#039;t surprised. I&#039;d heard enough before that I was the key to the outcome.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku -chan needs you because he wants you to be his subordinate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even after hearing this, I still don&#039;t understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s tone didn&#039;t change at all; she was stalling for time. She was still so bold. A &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
negotiator like her should be a diplomat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Sakura Kaede has the negotiation materials in her hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her hand on the hilt of the knife kept shifting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, what should we do, Shizuku -chan?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    you don&#039;t decide quickly, I&#039;ll...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait. Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    responded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let me think about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t like it. Give me an answer in ten seconds. Otherwise, I&#039;ll make a skewer of this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
person.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ten seconds was too short. Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t intend to give Shizuku time to think. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knew that giving an opponent like Shizuku time would be disadvantageous to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Some liquid began to leak out of the acrylic tank pierced by the knife.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, what should we do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    knew she couldn&#039;t remain silent any longer and spoke up. Not only Sakura Kaede, but also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
our eyes were focused on her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as she was about to say something, Sakura Kaede suddenly collapsed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was really sudden. She seemed to have lost her strength from the knees up and fell to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the ground. Of course, her hand also left the hilt of the knife, and she just lay face up on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    None of us was surprised. But what happened? None of us touched her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Great, here&#039;s our chance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane shouted, raising her pistol and approaching Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The situation has reversed, let&#039;s shoot her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait. It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t Shizuku or Mikoto who said this, but me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I knew that Sakura Kaede, lying on the ground, was still moving. She hadn&#039;t fainted, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was still conscious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is she awake? If so, it would be best to kill her right now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you to wait.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I waited there, unprepared, for Sakura Kaede to stand up. For some reason, I didn&#039;t think it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was dangerous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede stood up. She looked sleepy, and the defiant, murderous aura she&#039;d held &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
until a moment before was gone. She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    blinked a few times, turned her head, and then met our gazes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru -san? And Shizuku -chan. That one.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She seemed perplexed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong with me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The voice was clearly Sakura Kaede from the daytime.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s rewind a little.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The gathered visceral animals, propelled by their short limbs, emerged into the hallway. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Each of them had its entrails exposed, a disgusting sight to behold, but there were no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
spectators around, so there was nothing to worry about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, where are we going?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was the Seppuku Black Rabbit who spoke. It was the Seppuku Tiger who was asking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm—what should we do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What? You haven&#039;t thought about it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I think I should go meet up with Natsuru and the others.] &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You really think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because we weren&#039;t created for combat either.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The viscera animals are basically &amp;quot;explaining their predetermined position to Kämpfer.&amp;quot; As &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for the battle, Kämpfer will conduct it himself. The viscera animals themselves are well aware &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will Akane be happy if we join them? Won&#039;t she chase us around with a gun?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;ll probably do that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger nodded slightly in agreement with what Seppuku Black Rabbit said. Since &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they&#039;re stuffed animals, they can&#039;t move too much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If she weren&#039;t so irritable, she&#039;d be a good woman.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s hard to imagine Akane not being irritable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true. She&#039;s usually irritable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;What are Natsuru and her doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit turned his head slightly away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you think?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru is very dull, so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger chuckled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you have any expectations, you&#039;re definitely wrong.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane is quite tragic.&amp;quot; She had no choice but to draw her gun. And even if she did, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t sure if things would go smoothly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps it would have been easier to let her do it before she transformed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Glasses -wearing Akane is quite shy. Late bloomer and slow -wittedness are the worst &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
combination.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ahahaha.     Seppuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tiger laughed unceremoniously. Its voice, resembling a girl&#039;s, sounded a bit off at first, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that was its true voice.     Suffocating Wild Dog asked hoarsely.     Is Natsuru Senou that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
slow?     He&#039;s probably a bit clueless. It&#039;s like falling in love wit h iron ore —it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
useless.     Seppuku Black Rabbit said something quite pertinent. Kondou -     san seems to like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru, too.     That&#039;s really strange.     Before bed, she always tells me how handsome &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Senou -san is.     Hey, has Mikoto ever done anythi ng like that?     That was before I could talk. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I think she was just talking to herself. I felt a bit sorry for her the whole time I&#039;d been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
listening, but what she said surprised me.     You&#039;re really going too far. Weren&#039;t you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
silenced?     She told me no t to say anything. But I guess it&#039;s okay now.     You might be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unremarkable, but you have a really bad personality, eh?     Smothering Wild Dog continued, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wagging its long tongue.     I understand how Ms. Kondou feels.     She loves curry, yet she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
acts lik e a girl.     Even if it has nothing to do with curry, Mr. Natsuru should make his position &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clear.     You&#039;re right.     Seppuku Tiger joined the conversation from the side.     While I can&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
expect much from Natsuru, I think he&#039;ll definitely make a decisi on after all this is over. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Did     you ask about that?     Smothering Black Rabbit said.     Yes, he did mumble something. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He said he needed an answer. ]     [Although he&#039;s admirable, what&#039;s it like to be a man talking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to a puppet?]     [Although this isn&#039; t our place to get involved, I hope he does a good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
job.]     [That&#039;s right. Our minds are becoming increasingly foggy. I want to settle this while &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
we&#039;re still conscious.]     The puppets continued to walk briskly down the corridor. After all, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their speed i s always slower than that of humans.     [Akane.]     The Seppuku Black Rabbit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
began to speak again. It was the Seppuku Tiger who responded.     [What?]     [She seems to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be holding back on something. This Akane.]     [Something about this and that. She wa s just a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
human being.]     [No, I&#039;m talking about the transformed Akane.]     [What, that&#039;s really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strange.]     [I guess it&#039;s not surprising that she would act this way. She might think that if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s no need to continue fighting, she might just disappea r. She should have figured it out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before, but it seems that because of the Natsuru, the thought resurfaced, and it was a bit too &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
much, so she easily succumbed to it and ended up like this. The     Seppuku Tiger blinked. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is a very rare move for a puppet.     No one would plan to lose from the beginning, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right?     That&#039;s right. But for her, this is what she calls happiness. I feel sorry for her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If the Seppuku Black Rabbit were a human, it would probably be sighing right now. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
puppet&#039;s tone was overflowing with sadness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She knew that whether her personality changed or she became a violent maniac, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t last forever. So, it&#039;s understandable that she&#039;d still be reluctant to do something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Has there ever been such an example? No.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seriously, even mediators are so erratic. She&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    not really a mediator at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two puppets exchanged glances, and then Seppuku Tiger said to Smothering Dog:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s good that Mikoto&#039;s personality hasn&#039;t changed, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah. She doesn&#039;t seem to care much. Is  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she only concerned about Natsuru&#039;s problems?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah. But I don&#039;t think that&#039;s unrelated to us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;re not humans, we&#039;re puppets.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Smothering Dog ignored Seppuku Tiger&#039;s joking words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;After all, we&#039;re supposed to explain the battles to the Kämpfers and supervise their work.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Otherwise, people like Akane might just indiscriminately attack passersby.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Would it be good for us to become Sakura Kaede&#039;s enemies like this?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ve said this before. We&#039;ve never met the Mediator. So, we don&#039;t know what he&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;We  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;ll probably be punished.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Who knows?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will we die too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;ll be no different from being dead. Our internal organs will be exposed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Miss Mikoto&#039;s rude personality might disappear, right? We might end up like that, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This silence fell upon the puppets.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Seppuku Tiger who broke the silence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does that mean we&#039;ll disappear too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, that&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s possible. But there&#039;s no point worrying about it. I have nothing to fear, because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even if I disappear, Natsuru will definitely remember me.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But if things continue like this, we might just be considered visceral animals with bad &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouths.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the Seppuku Black Rabbit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So I thought if I don&#039;t help him, I might be forgotten by the Natsuru. I want to leave some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
proof of our existence.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, I see. That&#039;s cool.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A messenger isn&#039;t just someone who can talk, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the Seppuku Tiger. Seppuku Black Rabbit: &amp;quot;Papa Pa&amp;quot; patted its shoulder (something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like a shoulder).  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Even though Natsuru looks silly and might forget you, I still think he will remember you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re really contradictory. What about Akane?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m glad she remembered me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Excuse me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Electrocuted Wildcat said. Seppuku Black Rabbit was startled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, you&#039;re here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Impolite. I&#039;ve been here the whole time.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t be silent all the time.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mind my business. I&#039;m thinking about something.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku should remember you. She seems to have a good memory.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Miss Shizuku never forgets anything, that&#039;s not right. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    didn&#039;t mean that. I remembered something.] [You&#039;re saying something confusing again.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please don&#039;t interrupt. Miss Shizuku brought our friends here too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you talking about? We&#039;re all here, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, she brought some other visceral animals.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    All the stuffed animals paid attention to this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger got excited.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it an visceral animal other than us!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Miss Shizuku put it in my travel bag with me, and it&#039;s been shaking on the train.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You should have thought of it sooner.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why I said I was thinking.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The puppets decided to temporarily postpone their meeting with Natsuru and the others &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and instead head to Shizuku&#039;s room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The door was ajar. They&#039;d left it open to allow the viscera animals in and out. The puppets &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entered, and  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the Electrocuted Wildcat jumped up, grabbed the restroom doorknob, and used the force &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the force to swing it open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A large travel bag lay there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll open it. This is for women, so please don&#039;t touch it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been wondering, do we have gender differences?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A stuffed animal that&#039;s always bothered by trivial matters won&#039;t sell.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Electrocuted Wildcat said to Seppuku Black Rabbit, unzipping the travel bag.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It rummaged around inside for a while before pulling out a stuffed animal. It was a charred &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit stared at it intently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s called the Burning Lion.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve seen it. The president once brought it to Natsuru&#039;s house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm—can it talk?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger poked the Burning Lion a few times. Its burnt, curled mane trembled with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Seppuku Tiger&#039;s movements, but it still didn&#039;t react.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems to be the first visceral animal to arrive.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It has a face that looks old -fashioned no matter how you look at it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should we do next?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit looked at the Electrocuted Wildcat. The stuffed animal with its fur &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
standing upside down seemed to shrug.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You ask me what to do? This is something Miss Shizuku brought.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s no use if he can&#039;t talk.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Miss Shizuku wouldn&#039;t have brought it here for no reason. It must be useful somewhere.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that so? Didn&#039;t she just bring it here first?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if that&#039;s the case, it&#039;s fine. The wisdom of the visceral animals gathered together is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
comparable to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    that of Manjushri Bodhisattva .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;ve come up with a new proverb. Let&#039;s put it in the dictionary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a groaning &amp;quot;Ouch!&amp;quot; was heard. The puppets jumped in fright.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, what&#039;s that sound!?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s this person, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The suffocating dog said in a flat voice. The sound came from the Burning Lion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It looked like it could speak.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the Burning Lion mumbled a few words and then closed its mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is it dead?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It seems to be asleep. Should  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    we wake it up?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The suffocating dog shook the Burning Lion, but it didn&#039;t respond.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s no use. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Tsk. Can&#039;t you just finish talking before going to sleep?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What should I do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Seppuku Black Rabbit, questioned by the Electrocuted Wildcat, twitched its ears a few &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No choice, just carry it on your back.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Take it with you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You said you might need it, didn&#039;t you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s true, but what should I do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course, it&#039;s up to you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Seppuku Black Rabbit looked around. But the puppets&#039; eyes were all focused on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
black rabbit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Isn&#039;t this what you should do, Seppuku Black Rabbit?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just support it with your ears.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [A man&#039;s job is to do hard labor.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you that animals with internal organs have genders!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although the Seppuku Black Rabbit complained, of course, no one listened. With no other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
choice, the black rabbit had to carry the Burning Lion on its back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s just a pile of chemical fibers, how can it be so heavy?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it because of the metal joints?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I want my wages. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The puppets took swift steps again and walked out of Shizuku&#039;s room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|← Back to Volume 11 Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|Forward to 12 Chapter 2 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586444</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586444"/>
		<updated>2025-11-07T04:28:23Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
  Volume 11, Chapter 1  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The water was dark, so dark that for a moment I thought I couldn&#039;t see. Thinking about it, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was only natural that it was dark, since  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d fallen into a pool at night. In other words, I was so panicked I couldn&#039;t even figure it out. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
By the way, the  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&amp;quot; I mentioned was Natsuru Senou. It&#039;s okay if I don&#039;t explain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The reason for my panic was simple. Kondou Mikoto and I were suddenly dragged into the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pool by Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Pulling us in showed that our student council president, Shizuku Sangou, was a complete &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sadist. Normally, no one would drag someone into a pool without warning. But Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
jumped in herself, which was different  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, no, forget that silly explanation. Simply put, we were being chased by Ryōka &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yamakawa, the White Kämpfer  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , and we jumped in in desperation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryōka had originally intended to leave Kondou Mikoto alone. We must have panicked, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
we jumped in together  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . The constant barrage of bullets was proof of that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The hole at the bottom of the pool kept sucking water in. We were following the current, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and it looked like we&#039;d be sucked in again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Naturally, I panicked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Hey! We&#039;re going to get sucked in at this rate!?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Yeah.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is Shizuku. Why is she so calm? Even though it&#039;s all her own fault. The whirlpool swept &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    around.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (We&#039;re in.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Don&#039;t be ridiculous!)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It&#039;s okay to laugh.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of idiot would laugh underwater?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And just like that, we were sucked into the hole at the bottom of the pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The water wasn&#039;t cold. If it were winter, I&#039;d feel like dying, but thankfully, it wasn&#039;t. My  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    eyes gradually adjusted, and I began to understand my surroundings.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The hole was about big enough for two people to dive through at once. Because it was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tubular structure, it was difficult to tell who was in front of you  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . But the current was guiding us, so we didn&#039;t have to worry about that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It hurts, it hurts.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (What&#039;s wrong?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (My body jerked.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The current sometimes bumped against the wall. The wall is rough concrete, so it hurts.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It seems hugging each other would be better.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It&#039;s okay if we don&#039;t.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I told Shizuku that, but she always disobeyed. Her  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    slender fingers grabbed my collar and pulled me in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Hey!)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It&#039;s safer this way.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps, but what should I do about my feelings?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The water was still flowing. This is a large pool, so there must be quite a lot of water. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku skillfully adjusted  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    her feet  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stayed like this. Even if I pressed my face against this woman&#039;s ear, it wouldn&#039;t be  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a big deal. My face was in such a state.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, my body felt painful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Natsuru -kun? What&#039;s wrong?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It hurts.) If I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    transform into Kämpfer, I should be able to hold my breath for a long time. My physical &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strength is much stronger than that of an ordinary person, so a short  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    breath won&#039;t be a big deal. But I&#039;m still a man, and we&#039;re still underwater.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Gurgle!)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Almost there.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It hurts! It hurts!)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now&#039;s not the time to be idly talking. Sound travels faster in water, but that&#039;s not  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the time to worry about that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (I&#039;m dying, I&#039;m dying.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (There&#039;s nothing I can do.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku grabbed my head. Just as I was thinking that, her lips suddenly pressed against &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Hmmmm!?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It felt strange because we were underwater. Anyway, this woman kissed me. This guy, I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
almost dead  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , and she&#039;s still planning something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Hmmmm! Hmm?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a breath rushed into my mouth. Shizuku was blowing air into me with her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouth. Why is it so warm? It feels weird.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I still don&#039;t feel like it. There&#039;s not enough air on this small amount. And there&#039;s carbon &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dioxide mixed in. Shit! I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;m dying!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just then, my body floated up. Someone pulled me up, just as I was about to breathe. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Finally, my head emerged from  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the water. Ugh, I&#039;m saved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was still dark all around. But there was a red light, like an emergency light. This gave us a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rough idea  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    of the surroundings.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. Indeed, there was a foothold in her direction. But due to lack of oxygen and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my frequent chatter, I floated on the surface, unable to move  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . The student council president grabbed my hand and pulled me up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was pulled onto the concrete foothold. A man in wet clothes must have been heavy, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku, now  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a Kämpfer carried me with ease, as if nothing had happened. My breathing became easier, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and my suffocation  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    eased. I lay flat on my back on the concrete.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, I&#039;m saved.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So weak.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My life is hanging by a thread.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I&#039;m  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    completely exhausted.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s tone remained unchanged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you were truly dying, you wouldn&#039;t be able to say so much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There are many strangers waving at me on the other side of the Styx.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I clearly gave you air.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thinking back to the kiss, I realized my face was flushing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That thing is of no use at all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said bluntly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s only a temporary solution.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, then why did you kiss me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I wanted to.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said it so casually.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s expression was as if she was speaking as if it was a matter of course. Maybe you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think this is fine, but what about me? If I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    die from being kissed by Shizuku, I&#039;ll never become a Buddha.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m telling you, I was really in pain back then. You said &#039;I wanted to do it.&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She leaned down close to my face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because, maybe we won&#039;t have the chance to kiss again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    First, the white Kämpfer appeared, and then we clicked into the pool. I don&#039;t think it&#039;s over. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    more to come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true. If it really ended like this, it would be a lot easier, but I think this is  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    just . After all, we haven&#039;t had a proper fight yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think I understand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So let&#039;s kiss now and talk about it later.&amp;quot; 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, I don&#039;t understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Isn&#039;t there any connection at all?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    】 【There is a connection. 】 【 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re the only one who thinks so. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Oh, Natsuru, don&#039;t you understand? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【How about another kiss here? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was about to move her face closer. I hurriedly stood up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Never mind, you look pretty energetic. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What are you doing! This is an emergency! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Because you&#039;ve been lying down, Natsuru. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Calling me Natsuru again. This woman is really something, calling me by my name without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even noticing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    To prevent my lips from being taken away, I put my hands in a defensive position.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【How many times do you have to kiss me to be satisfied? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I&#039;ll do it no matter how many times. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【One time is enough, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Kissing is not like that. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【This is an emergency. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, Natsuru, remember what I just told you, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ahhh.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said this with a serious expression, but it was just a normal expression. But, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anyway, I&#039;m getting serious  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Something might happen later that will tear apart the relationship between you and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru. I haven&#039;t anticipated it,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and I don&#039;t know if I have the time to say this right now. But being able to say something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like this while kissing might be  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a good memory.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What, doesn&#039;t it feel like you&#039;re dying?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t plan on dying.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku, probably giving a wry smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But I don&#039;t understand what happened before. After everything is over, you&#039;ll probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
answer my confession.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true,&amp;quot; I was about to say. It&#039;s regrettable, but I can&#039;t forget it. Kondou Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    did the same thing, and I have to make a lot of decisions now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll just forget what I said just now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s expression seemed to see through everything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There will be a conclusion sooner or later anyway, and this is the last time we can talk so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
casually like this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah, maybe that&#039;s the case.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The fierce dog, Akane, also told me that women seem to take each moment very seriously. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I don&#039;t know  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    if this applies to all women, but it definitely does to these two. Time flows, so  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    what happened in that moment will soon become the past. So there&#039;s no point in dwelling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on it. Even so, if you value it  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    so much , it must be something very precious. I prefer taking pictures and things like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But if I get a new boyfriend, I&#039;ll probably forget the past. Ah, so that&#039;s why I want to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reminisce.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, those three days that Sakura Kaede and I spent so close together are permanently &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stored in my brain&#039;s memory, so  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    it doesn&#039;t matter if I don&#039;t understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But doesn&#039;t this situation seem a little strange?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku raised herself up and moved closer to me again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [One more kiss, shall we?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, that&#039;s okay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I sat down and backed away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku crawled over on her knees.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just once? Any time is fine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s not the case.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But please be more restrained in this situation.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you talking about, you!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, this guy must be planning something. I may seem slow, but I already understand. If I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ask her what her purpose is, then... my lips?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku crawled towards me on her knees, and I was running away. Shizuku, I just fell into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the pool, what am I doing?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a shockwave on my back. Damn, it was the wall. I couldn&#039;t escape. Shizuku&#039;s lips &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were right in front of me. I was going to die! Hey!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her breath hit my face. At that moment,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a loud noise came from the water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey! What are you doing, you bastard!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At the same time, gunshots rang out. Several small holes were opened in the wall above &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A person, with an amazing leaping ability, jumped out of the water and landed on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
concrete floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The figure holding the automatic pistol -like weapon was undoubtedly Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane?! Where were you just now?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [In the swimming pool! She really jumped in without any preparation.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah, that figure that fell from above earlier must have been Akane. Judging by her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
aggressive expression, it seems she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    jumped down against her will.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane in bulldog mode, for example, has a fierce gleam in  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    her eyes. [They&#039;re so beautiful, still being affectionate at this time. What&#039;s the show &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
coming up? Mating?] There&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    no need to be so blunt about it. Can a dog have the heart of a girl?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s ignore that for now. Akane&#039;s gun is pointed directly at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Whoa, stop!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I won&#039;t stop. It happens to me all the time. But I can&#039;t teach you a lesson, so I just have to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    do this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Teach you a lesson or something.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s you!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane didn&#039;t shoot me, but instead walked towards me without hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Get out of the way! Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re so unromantic.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who knew. You should know now isn&#039;t the time for this kind of thing!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As she spoke, Shizuku moved a little further away from me. I didn&#039;t see our student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president frightened by Akane&#039;s gun  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wouldn&#039;t it have been better if you&#039;d come a little later?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If you did this to lure me out, you&#039;ve done something foolish.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It would have been troublesome if the enemy fell for it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked amused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If that&#039;s true, I&#039;d put ten little holes in your head, but I&#039;ll spare you now, as this is an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
emergency.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m deeply grateful for your kindness.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But if you act rashly again, I won&#039;t spare you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How can you spare me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You bitch! Wanna try!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What should I do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane bared her teeth, but Shizuku remained calm as always. A normal woman, no, even  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a man, would have backed off at the sight of Akane. This guy has a lot of nerve.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku walked away from me, as if not intending to further provoke Akane. If you look &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
closely, you can see  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the glint of the chained dagger. Is this caution?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s gun pointed at me and moved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stand up! You brat!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I always did as I was told.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Looking listless.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re too talkative!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked around nervously. I could hardly call this cool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong? You idiot!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So that&#039;s what I meant.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before I could finish my sentence, Akane curled her hands and put them in her mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She whistled. Then there was no response. Akane cursed, &amp;quot;Damn it,&amp;quot; then stepped into the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
water and stirred it with her feet  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey! Mikoto! Get out!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, looking upset, Kondou Mikoto emerged from the water. I jumped.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? Mikoto, were you in the water the whole time?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, I was diving with little Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was clearly in the water, but her face was burning red.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I wanted to show up right away, but it seemed like you, Natsuru, and President Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were getting ready for something, so...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You said you were getting ready for something, so how could this happen! But  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    if it&#039;s Shizuku, then it&#039;s possible. I&#039;m finally relieved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto patted her chest. Shizuku came over with a dagger in hand. Kondou Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , sword in hand?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait a minute, Shizuku!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was about to point the tip of her sword at Kondou Mikoto. Kondou Mikoto waved &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wasn&#039;t hiding to sneak up on you!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She remained wary. In fact, she&#039;d threatened me just before we fell into the pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was also responsible for the fact that I was soaked like a drowned rat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You say I was careless, but don&#039;t you like it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku, aren&#039;t you always careless?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The student council president glanced at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane, if Mikoto makes any rash moves, shoot her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even the bulldog girl looked surprised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, hey, blow your teammate&#039;s head off, okay? Do  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    you hate it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, I love it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane grinned and raised her gun. The muzzle of the gun was aimed at Kondou Mikoto&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto panicked. So did I.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Akane! You&#039;ve gone too far.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, be quiet.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wasn&#039;t Akane who said that, it was Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;ll be over in a minute.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Shizuku turned to Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Okay, Mikoto, don&#039;t do anything stupid.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m back to normal!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How did you do it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You asked how I cured it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t know if Shizuku believed it or not, but I couldn&#039;t stop her from asking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s the reason?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh--, I woke up after falling into the pool.] [What happened?]     [I&#039;m not lying. My mind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was still foggy until just now, but I cleared up when I was washed by the water. It&#039;s true.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why did you defect to     the enemy ?]     [I don&#039;t know why, wait, don&#039;t point your sword &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at me.]     [That&#039;s all nonsense, it&#039;s no use asking any more questions.]     [It&#039;s true, I don&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
know why. As soon as I looked into the eyes of that visceral a nimal, I felt like I was being &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sucked in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, I thought you, the president, were my enemy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【You&#039;re still my enemy now, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I told you that wasn&#039;t the case. I woke up in the pool. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku kept staring at Kondou Mikoto. Then she put her dagger into her sleeve.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Since you called me Shizuku, you don&#039;t seem to be lying. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come to think of it, this guy told us to call herself &amp;quot;Shizuku.&amp;quot; Kondou Mikoto had been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
calling her the president until just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Akane, put your gun away. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, won&#039;t you shoot her two or three times? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Stop it first. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Tsk.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane put away her automatic pistol with a look of resignation. I don&#039;t think even this guy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would shoot Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, she might even shoot her happily.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku declared to Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I&#039;ve decided to believe you. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Because it&#039;s true. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto breathed a sigh of relief. I was also extremely worried watching from the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, Kondou Mikoto was a little strange when she was threatening us. For example, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed like she couldn&#039;t make curry. And she had no  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    appetite . Even so, I didn&#039;t notice. I&#039;m probably a fool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But that doesn&#039;t mean the questioning is over.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku continued:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why are you acting like that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Because, President, you&#039;re having a hot affair with Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [ &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sorry, I was just kidding. Um, after meeting Sakura Kaede in the room.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto briefly explained the reasons for her situation. She seemed about to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
elaborate, but she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    tried to connect her conversation with Sakura Kaede with her business dealings with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ethnic minorities in Nigeria. So I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    stopped her. She&#039;s funny, but once she gets going, she just keeps going on and on.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The suffocating stray dog&#039;s eyes are glowing, aren&#039;t they?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s expression seemed to indicate she was thinking something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Did the visceral animal speak?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto shook her head. She was shaking so hard that water droplets flew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everywhere. Are you a cat?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Like Sakura Kaede hugged her like this, not resisting or saying a word. She&#039;s really just a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stuffed doll.] She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was just a stuffed doll. As you all know, the so -called &amp;quot;Guanzi&amp;quot; (organized animal) is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
considered  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the worst -selling toy in Japanese history. There were even rumors for a while that it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stuffed with real human hair.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A press conference was even held for this. But the president immediately said, &amp;quot;That&#039;s it, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it&#039;s just a stuffed  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    animal.&amp;quot; Then he tore the &amp;quot;Guanzi&amp;quot; (organized animal) apart. The scene was so dark that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even reporters reportedly collapsed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku asked again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Smothering stray dogs, are they always silent?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They talk sometimes. But not often.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, they can&#039;t disobey Kaede, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She whispered, understanding it to herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s what I think.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Shizuku turned around.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait, where are we going?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked. I didn&#039;t know anything when I was washed up here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are we going to dive back into the pool again?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That seems a bit difficult. The hole must be sealed.&amp;quot; Looking closely ,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the surface of the water, which had been surging just a moment ago, seemed to have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
calmed down, and the current seemed to have stopped.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if we went back, we wouldn&#039;t be able to get back to the pool. Or do you want to get &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even wetter? No.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    saying that, I realized something. Everyone was soaking wet. We&#039;d been in the water until &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just now  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , so our clothes were heavy. Our soaked tops clung to our bodies, making them &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
uncomfortable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not only that, but we could see the girls&#039; underwear. Rather than feasting our eyes, I didn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
know where to look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was nice to have a little darkness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d seen their nudes in pools and hot springs in the summer, but there was always &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something different about it, a sense of  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    embarrassment . Maybe it had something to do with me being a man.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, why are you looking away?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the bulldog woman asked, perplexed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t like the way you turned your head. Are you planning to defect to the enemy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a brain -dead woman. Wow, she pulled out a gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No reason!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, you&#039;re hiding something, I know. She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s got a sharp sense.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But if I say anything unnecessary, she&#039;ll probably shoot right away. Hasn&#039;t she ever thought &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about it? The one who shoots will be happy, right? I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;m speechless, and Shizuku comes to my rescue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru is being shy. Huh  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane narrowed one eye.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because she can see our underwear, she doesn&#039;t know where to look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy&#039;s reading my mind again. I&#039;ve always wondered if Shizuku is an alien from  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Andromeda . There&#039;s no doubt about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What! You jerk, pervert!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her finger rests on the trigger. Wow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;ve kissed me and touched my breasts so many times, and it&#039;s just underwear that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
makes you uneasy. Trying to act innocent? Huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, idiot! Don&#039;t shoot! Don&#039;t shoot!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If you call me an idiot, I don&#039;t know what will happen. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Idiots are idiots. No, please don&#039;t shoot. It&#039;s not good to be seen by others. Rather,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    you should be embarrassed.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are you still shy? You touched my breasts before I transformed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a different matter. I&#039;m a man.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I&#039;m still a woman.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane is really easily angered. I seem to have accidentally provoked her. I don&#039;t think &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anyone would know she&#039;d be angry and still  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    provoke her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I raised my hands in front of me. If I keep this up, she&#039;ll really shoot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t be so rough. What if you die?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kämpfer won&#039;t die over such a thing!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m a man now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then transform into a woman right now!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You said that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku spoke again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, transform.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;ll be easier to fight.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here they come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku had already turned her gaze away from us. Her face was facing the corner of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wall on the other side of the rippling water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Something flashed in the faint darkness. At the same time, they ran towards us across the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Scatter!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Shizuku&#039;s voice. Akane and Kondou Mikoto jumped to the sides. As a man, I was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
slowest to react.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With a whoosh, a silver streak streaked through the air. It was aimed at Shizuku, but she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    dodged it at the last moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, as expected of the president.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The one attacking was the white Kämpfer Nakao Sayaka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her weapon was a shogi -style saber. Her steps were swift, and her blade was sharp. But  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku, who had dodged her attack, was no ordinary person.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku grasped the dagger with both hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s later than I thought.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Did you expect to be attacked? You&#039;re really quick -witted.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Were you planning to separate and defeat us individually?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [More or less. I was only planning to fight Kondou -kun alone.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What? Me?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto was startled. Ah, so it seems they were just planning to push this guy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My childhood friend, with a furious look on her face, pulled out her Japanese sword.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you see in me!? A pot smuggled from ruins in Central Asia? Or  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    coins dug up from the Danube? Or perhaps something as small as a Roman -era arrow nock &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from Wales? Could you please be more discerning  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;ll get arrested for bringing these things out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not interested in ancient relics.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka reloaded her sword.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s easier to just fight Kondou -kun, but I have no choice. Someone ordered me to do this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Who?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You know what I&#039;m doing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A single thought suddenly crossed everyone&#039;s mind. Sakura Kaede!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka didn&#039;t answer us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I must defeat you here, no matter what.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Stop kidding!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto roared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You die!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto swung her sword at Sayaka. Her brute force -based attack perfectly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reflected her careless nature.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka dodged. But it wasn&#039;t easy. Kondou Mikoto possessed not only brute strength but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also great speed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka spun her sword and thrust it out. Kondou Mikoto blocked the blow with the flat of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her katana, preparing to strike her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka didn&#039;t block with her saber, perhaps fearing she&#039;d be cut off if she wasn&#039;t careful. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She jumped to the side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A corner of her clothing was sliced, but it wasn&#039;t serious. Then Sayaka aimed the tip of her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sword at Kondou Mikoto&#039;s chest, preparing to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    stab her .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Both Kondou Mikoto and Sayaka were in danger. There was no room for either to evade. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Just as I thought this  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , the tip of the saber deflected.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s dagger flew by, the chained dagger striking the saber accurately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Can you please not just focus on a one -on-one fight?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, the president wins by numbers, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Numbers are an advantage, we must use them wisely.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At some point, Akane also raised her gun. This meant Sayaka had to approach Kondou &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto while engaging Shizuku and Akane at a distance  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka immediately retreated.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I heard it was a one -on-one fight, so I waited here. Looks like Yamakawa -san missed.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s doing a good job.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, holding the dagger in both hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [On the other hand, I have a lot of things I want to ask you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I hate it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [President, you&#039;re also good at torture, so I refuse.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Can you please stop having such strange opinions of me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, Sayaka is right. I&#039;ve always thought Shizuku would be perfect for a female guard at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
detention center.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The library committee sometimes discusses topics like, &amp;quot;President, are you a sadist?&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of which, this woman is from the library committee. But she has no intention of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
approaching Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll cut your budget. Anyway, come to us first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I refuse.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We can solve this problem immediately with force.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I hate this, too. I&#039;ll leave first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka jumped back. Akane immediately fired, but the bullet only grazed the air.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her jumping ability was impressive, but the fact she jumped into the water was even more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
astonishing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And just when I thought she&#039;d dived, she leaped out of the water like a flying fish and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swam in the opposite direction. Before we could even startle, Sayaka had vanished behind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the wall.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Damn it! She got away!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane kicked the ground furiously. Shizuku, on the other hand, didn&#039;t seem to care.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It can&#039;t be helped. That kid doesn&#039;t look like she&#039;s serious about fighting.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s probably because there are more of us.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [By the way, Nakao -san really acts like a well -mannered lady.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Couldn&#039;t ?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s impossible. It&#039;s like asking me to work the front desk like this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If a woman acting like a dog were to be a cashier, everyone would be shocked. The only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people who would be happy about that would  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    be fools .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane glared at me unhappily.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Forget about that. Hey, Natsuru, what are you daydreaming about!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ugh—] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It feels like my head&#039;s been pierced.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop! I haven&#039;t transformed yet!] Fighting Kämpfer with my  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    physical body is impossible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why don&#039;t you transform?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane excitedly brought the muzzle of her gun closer. So stop it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s dangerous!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Please transform now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku calmly told me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Otherwise, it&#039;ll be difficult to deal with.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Still fighting?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, we&#039;ve only just begun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said matter -of-factly, undeniably.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Following Shizuku&#039;s instructions (she&#039;s always the leader in these times), we  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    began . Just in case, I transformed into a woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since there was no way to the other side, we had to jump into the water again. Since we &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were Kämpfer now, it felt  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a little better than when we were men.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We climbed onto the concrete floor across from me, which was only about the size of two &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tatami mats.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s a door here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pointed to a metal door, saving us the trouble of searching. It was dark, so it  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was difficult to see. The door was rusty and looked old.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s go. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. I quickly stopped her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Wait, what if someone is lying in ambush there? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No, if there was, they would have come out just now. Generally, after a defeat, they will &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
retreat significantly. Even if they want to ambush,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    they will be further inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Really? I doubted it, but Shizuku had already opened the door easily.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was indeed no one there, only a long and narrow passage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, I felt a chill on the tip of my nose. I looked up and saw water dripping from it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a pipe exposed on the ceiling, and it seemed that it was leaking from there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is probably why the passage is so wet and humid.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Several pipes of different sizes extend straight into the depths of the passage. Come to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think of it, I have been to a similar place before. There  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    must have been a white Kämpfer hiding there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【We are deep inside now. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Without waiting for our answer, Shizuku continued to move forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We had no other choice but to continue to follow her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Among us, Kondou Mikoto seemed to have the greatest interest. This guy likes ruins and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
buildings the most.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s really big. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Isn&#039;t it narrow? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. Kondou Mikoto retorted in surprise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No, I&#039;m talking about the area. Isn&#039;t this bigger than the area of Sakura Kaede&#039;s house? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ve explored ruins like this in Mexico before. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What&#039;s it like there? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【There are spears falling from above, like a skewer of thorns. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just saying unlucky things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As Kondou Mikoto said, the passage extends very far inside. It must be connected to other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
villas or roads or something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How was it built?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It seems to have been built for a long time. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku asked Kondou Mikoto for her opinion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【How is it? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Well - although it&#039;s not built hundreds of years ago, it has a certain history. There are  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    strange , so this couldn&#039;t be an expansion of an existing underground facility. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto answered without hesitation. You not only like to visit ruins, but also have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
some knowledge of modern architecture? On the other hand,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she is a woman who doesn&#039;t know much about the details, just like Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Do you know how long ago it was built? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【About fifty years. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Has it been that long?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I inadvertently whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It is said that this generation has devoted itself to thorough development, wasn&#039;t it after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the war?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This facility might have existed before the war. It might have been expanded later.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why build this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who knows.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Where are these idlers?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Idlers? They are not necessarily human.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I was speechless at what Shizuku said. She continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [And mediators are not necessarily human, and our ability to transform is not necessarily &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
within the scope of science.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if I&#039;m used to it, it&#039;s still strange that I can transform into Kämpfer and become a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman. Because  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I only believe things when they happen to me, if it was someone else who said it, I would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably doubt whether he is normal. This kind of technology  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A human couldn&#039;t do it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, the guy who made me like this must be an alien. That doesn&#039;t seem normal. No, let&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    pretend there are no humans on this planet, only aliens.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you think, President?] [  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] [What do you think, Shizuku?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No clue yet.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said something dejected.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [With only these clues, nothing can be figured out. What will happen,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    what won&#039;t we only gradually find out later?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Which way?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, this way.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pointed to the wall, where there was a door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [When?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I muttered. It looked like a broken door with painted panels. It must be very old.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s open.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She would open it even if I tried to stop her. Shizuku was about to open the door with her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand, but it fell down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, it was dark inside. There was an emergency light just now, but there&#039;s nothing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I can&#039;t see anything.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane complained.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Natsuru! Give me some ideas! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What can I do? I don&#039;t even have a flashlight. 】 Akane rolled her sideburns with her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fingers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【You idiot! You are a magician, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【So what?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Just find something to burn. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come to think of it. But, I feel bad to just give up like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【As for you, Akane, it&#039;s a good idea. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I ignored the woman who shouted &amp;quot;You bastard&amp;quot; and approached the collapsed door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I expected, it was made of wood.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was cracked everywhere because of aging. I stuck my hand into the crack and stepped on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it, tearing the door apart. Let&#039;s use this  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    as a makeshift torch.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It would be better to roll it up with cloth or something. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto said so. I hate using clothes. And the clothes are still wet. I think the wood &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in my hand released  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a flame .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I lit it. Oh, it&#039;s bright. Although it can only illuminate the area around me, it&#039;s enough to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
replace a flashlight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【You go first. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. Okay, okay.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stepped into the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was spacious, but the ceiling didn&#039;t rise to its height. And the floor was littered with all &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sorts of things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Broken pieces of tables, not -so-old bottles and jars —none of that mattered. What &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mattered was that there were things scattered here that were, in  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    some sense familiar to us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    To avoid starting a fire, I held the torch higher, widening the illumination.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku bent down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s the remains of an animal&#039;s guts.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She picked up a stuffed animal&#039;s foot. The cotton inside had aged and crumbled at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
slightest touch. From the inside,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    it looked like an animal&#039;s gut factory.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So many animals, so abnormal they couldn&#039;t even be named, lay scattered on the floor. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And not just perfect forms (?),  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but many that looked like garbage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s a bit of an exaggeration to say there wasn&#039;t even a place to rest their feet, but it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
close.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wow—it&#039;s like the underground ruins of Peru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Only Kondou Mikoto understood what she was saying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This place used to be used to sew animal guts, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Shizuku who replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s no sewing machine here. They must have bought the merchandise and shipped it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah—the viscera in the room aren&#039;t that old. They  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;re probably aged because they&#039;ve been soaked in water. Is it a leak?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I straightened my back and raised the torch. Although it was faint, it still showed signs of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
being soaked in water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are they doing with all these viscera here? A marketing strategy meeting?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto used a difficult term. Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    smiled and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re planning to sell unpopular merchandise. You&#039;re quite brave.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But who brought all these stuffed animals here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Good question. No one would have done that if they didn&#039;t have that intention.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku paced the room seriously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Several of the viscera of the animals that were stacked together fell down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is this a warehouse or an experimental facility?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of experiments are they doing?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what I asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    All we know is that they&#039;ve collected some stuffed animals with their internal organs &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exposed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For example, how about an experiment to make them speak? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ah? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【This might be a facility to make them messengers. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said to me bluntly. I was speechless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The so -called experiment of making puppets speak is to implant souls into the puppets.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What will be produced is a guy as talkative as a tiger that commits seppuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If what Shizuku said is true, then the puppets here are the containers before the souls are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
implanted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wouldn&#039;t be strange if they start talking at any time. Wow —— . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I suddenly felt terrified for some reason and took a step back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt like these guys would suddenly stand up and attack us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s okay, they are just aging puppets. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even though Shizuku said that, they were already viscerally exposed and spitting blood, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there was no way they&#039;d be scared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced around fearfully. Shizuku seemed lost in thought, while Kondou Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    looked around with a look of intense interest. As expected of a woman whose nerves were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
made of titanium, a woman who&#039;d wandered through ruins around the world.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Only Akane remained alone near the entrance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She answered with her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s rare to see you so quiet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was always in a bad mood, so it wasn&#039;t unusual for her to be yelling and shooting at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the same time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can shoot, too. If anything, I&#039;ll blow your eyeballs out. Just like Horatio Nelson (  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the one -eyed British admiral).&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you talking about? What a loud woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing this, it seemed like she was still in her usual fierce dog mode, which was unusual. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Somehow, I could tell what she was  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    thinking a dog would be so absorbed in thought was probably about something like the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
destruction of humanity and the conquest of Earth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you have anything to say?&amp;quot; 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【If I have anything to say, it&#039;s about my frustration at failing to record the late -night &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
animation, and about making  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a few small holes in that stinky bitch Sakura Kaede&#039;s head. Wait a minute. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【So what is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She and I turned our gazes together, looking at the animal entrails scattered on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Animal entrails. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At this point, Akane fell silent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Forget it, I&#039;ll tell you later. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Can&#039;t I tell you here? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Shut up! I have a secret too. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What is it? The secret to shooting on the road without attracting the police? Knowing this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
technique is useless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Nothing valuable here, just some stuffed dolls.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s voice came from inside. That&#039;s right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【There&#039;s another door here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto waved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We walked over. It was also a wooden door, still in tatters. Shizuku put her hand on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door and whispered  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    : 【It&#039;s starting to look more and more like a research institute. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Will there be strange monsters or something on the other side? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto said something boring.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I&#039;m very excited about this. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Shouldn&#039;t girls be more afraid? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s better to be happy. Shizuku won&#039;t be afraid either 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【If being afraid is more beneficial, then be afraid. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I can&#039;t imagine that kind of scene no matter how hard I try. Besides, I&#039;ve never heard of this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman screaming &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot; when she saw a cockroach or a moth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is &amp;quot;Being scolded by Shizuku Sangou for the club. &amp;quot;Information on this, this guy never &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed to be startled or screaming  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was completely indifferent to insects and reptiles.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She wasn&#039;t afraid of the dark, so she hurried past places that required extra precautions &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
without avoiding them. Of course, she didn&#039;t make  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    any loud . The guys in the &amp;quot;Club Scolded by Shizuku Sangou&amp;quot; seemed very interested in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this, and seemed to have said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;I want Shizuku -sama to whisper in my ear while you scold me.&amp;quot; The way of perversion is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
truly profound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While I was thinking about these things, Shizuku opened the door. The room on the other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
side was just as dark.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The room was just as damp as before, and there was a smell of water. Is the ceiling leaking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here too?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, torch.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh no.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The fire is almost out. The wood chips are getting shorter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So I&#039;ll go back to get the materials. I&#039;ll just use the broken door from before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wait for me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please hurry.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I would have done it even if you didn&#039;t say it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I go back, I&#039;ll have to walk through that pile of stuffed animals again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane probably said this on a whim. It was enough for one person to do this. But I didn&#039;t  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    stop her, and there was no reason to. Whether it was luck or something else, I don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The next moment, the ceiling collapsed with a roar.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|← Back to Volume 10.5 Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|Forward to 11 Chapter 2 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586442</id>
		<title>Kämpfer</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586442"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T20:18:28Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Volume 12 */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Status|Active}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{Teaser|English}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Image:Kampfer_Vol_01_cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer (けんぷファー) is a light novel series written by Tsukiji Toshihiko and illustrated by Semmu. The series is completed with 15 volumes. &amp;lt;!--Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Story Synopsis==&lt;br /&gt;
The plot revolves around Natsuru Senou, a normal high school boy with blue hair. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger &amp;quot;Harakiri Tora&amp;quot; comes to life and tells him to fight as a female fighter &amp;quot;Kämpfer&amp;quot;. Having no idea about what&#039;s going on, Natsuru is involved in many battles against other female Kämpfer. &amp;lt;!-- Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FeedBack ==&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you enjoyed the translation, why don&#039;t you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;amp;t=3359 Project thread]&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Translation And Editing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Dedicated Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This project is in need of dedicated editors in order to help speed translation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Editors are asked to notify a Project Manager before beginning, and in any case where sentence meaning may be changed, use chapter discussion beforehand&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Drive-by Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drive-by-editing of obvious typos, bad grammar, spelling, or missing words or any obvious mistakes will be much appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Again, before changing a sentence&#039;s meaning, please use the chapter discussion.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Translators===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are still Kampfer books that haven&#039;t been translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Anyone with decent Japanese or Chinese skills will gladly be allowed to translate, if there are people who know Japanese or Chinese and would like to help out, just not with the tedious job of translating, proofreaders are also appreciated. Proofreaders are asked to follow the same guidelines as editors when it comes to changing a sentences meaning, they are given more freedom regarding this however.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|Registration]] ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Translators are asked to [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they&#039;re working on&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Format Standards===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to general and project specific guidelines.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Names and Terminology Guideline|Project-Specific Guidelines: Format, Names, and Terminology]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Updates ==&lt;br /&gt;
*May 11, 2010 - Teaser Started!&lt;br /&gt;
*October 29, 2011 - Project Started Again!&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Illustrations added&lt;br /&gt;
*November 28, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 1 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*December 1, 2011 - Kämpfer is now an official project&lt;br /&gt;
*September 25, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 3 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*October 16, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 4 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 2 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*September 5, 2022 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 5 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 6, 2025 - All the 15 volume as been fully translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==The &#039;&#039;Kämpfer&#039;&#039; series by Tsukiji Toshihiko==&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 1 - Kämpfer ([[Kämpfer:Volume 1|Full Text]])=== &lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 2===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Project Staff ==&lt;br /&gt;
*Supervisor: &lt;br /&gt;
*Project Manager: : [[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Translators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]] (sporadic translations)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Kondou|Kondou]]&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:JeruTz|JeruTz]] (Currently improving V1C1)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] (added volume 2 to 12 and half 8.5,9.5,10.5)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Editors ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Series Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 1 (November 24, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1749-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 2 (December 25, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1767-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 3 (March 23, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1826-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 4 (June 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1870-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 5 (September 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2042-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 6 (January 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2131-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 7 (April 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2308-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 (July 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2370-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 ½ (October 24, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2453-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 (February 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2668-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 ½ (March 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2725-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 (July 24, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2835-3)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 ½ (September 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3030-1)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 11 (December 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3134-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 12 (March 25, 2010 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3254-1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:MF Bunko J]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Genre - Harem]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Toshihiko Tsukiji]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586441</id>
		<title>Kämpfer</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586441"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T18:07:56Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Volume 7 */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Status|Active}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{Teaser|English}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Image:Kampfer_Vol_01_cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer (けんぷファー) is a light novel series written by Tsukiji Toshihiko and illustrated by Semmu. The series is completed with 15 volumes. &amp;lt;!--Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Story Synopsis==&lt;br /&gt;
The plot revolves around Natsuru Senou, a normal high school boy with blue hair. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger &amp;quot;Harakiri Tora&amp;quot; comes to life and tells him to fight as a female fighter &amp;quot;Kämpfer&amp;quot;. Having no idea about what&#039;s going on, Natsuru is involved in many battles against other female Kämpfer. &amp;lt;!-- Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FeedBack ==&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you enjoyed the translation, why don&#039;t you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;amp;t=3359 Project thread]&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Translation And Editing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Dedicated Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This project is in need of dedicated editors in order to help speed translation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Editors are asked to notify a Project Manager before beginning, and in any case where sentence meaning may be changed, use chapter discussion beforehand&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Drive-by Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drive-by-editing of obvious typos, bad grammar, spelling, or missing words or any obvious mistakes will be much appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Again, before changing a sentence&#039;s meaning, please use the chapter discussion.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Translators===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are still Kampfer books that haven&#039;t been translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Anyone with decent Japanese or Chinese skills will gladly be allowed to translate, if there are people who know Japanese or Chinese and would like to help out, just not with the tedious job of translating, proofreaders are also appreciated. Proofreaders are asked to follow the same guidelines as editors when it comes to changing a sentences meaning, they are given more freedom regarding this however.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|Registration]] ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Translators are asked to [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they&#039;re working on&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Format Standards===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to general and project specific guidelines.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Names and Terminology Guideline|Project-Specific Guidelines: Format, Names, and Terminology]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Updates ==&lt;br /&gt;
*May 11, 2010 - Teaser Started!&lt;br /&gt;
*October 29, 2011 - Project Started Again!&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Illustrations added&lt;br /&gt;
*November 28, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 1 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*December 1, 2011 - Kämpfer is now an official project&lt;br /&gt;
*September 25, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 3 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*October 16, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 4 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 2 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*September 5, 2022 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 5 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 6, 2025 - All the 15 volume as been fully translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==The &#039;&#039;Kämpfer&#039;&#039; series by Tsukiji Toshihiko==&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 1 - Kämpfer ([[Kämpfer:Volume 1|Full Text]])=== &lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 2===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Afterword|Afterword]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Project Staff ==&lt;br /&gt;
*Supervisor: &lt;br /&gt;
*Project Manager: : [[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Translators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]] (sporadic translations)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Kondou|Kondou]]&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:JeruTz|JeruTz]] (Currently improving V1C1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Editors ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Series Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 1 (November 24, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1749-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 2 (December 25, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1767-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 3 (March 23, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1826-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 4 (June 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1870-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 5 (September 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2042-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 6 (January 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2131-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 7 (April 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2308-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 (July 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2370-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 ½ (October 24, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2453-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 (February 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2668-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 ½ (March 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2725-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 (July 24, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2835-3)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 ½ (September 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3030-1)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 11 (December 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3134-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 12 (March 25, 2010 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3254-1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:MF Bunko J]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Genre - Harem]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Toshihiko Tsukiji]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586440</id>
		<title>Kämpfer</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586440"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T18:03:38Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Volume 12 */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Status|Active}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{Teaser|English}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Image:Kampfer_Vol_01_cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer (けんぷファー) is a light novel series written by Tsukiji Toshihiko and illustrated by Semmu. The series is completed with 15 volumes. &amp;lt;!--Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Story Synopsis==&lt;br /&gt;
The plot revolves around Natsuru Senou, a normal high school boy with blue hair. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger &amp;quot;Harakiri Tora&amp;quot; comes to life and tells him to fight as a female fighter &amp;quot;Kämpfer&amp;quot;. Having no idea about what&#039;s going on, Natsuru is involved in many battles against other female Kämpfer. &amp;lt;!-- Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FeedBack ==&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you enjoyed the translation, why don&#039;t you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;amp;t=3359 Project thread]&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Translation And Editing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Dedicated Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This project is in need of dedicated editors in order to help speed translation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Editors are asked to notify a Project Manager before beginning, and in any case where sentence meaning may be changed, use chapter discussion beforehand&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Drive-by Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drive-by-editing of obvious typos, bad grammar, spelling, or missing words or any obvious mistakes will be much appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Again, before changing a sentence&#039;s meaning, please use the chapter discussion.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Translators===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are still Kampfer books that haven&#039;t been translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Anyone with decent Japanese or Chinese skills will gladly be allowed to translate, if there are people who know Japanese or Chinese and would like to help out, just not with the tedious job of translating, proofreaders are also appreciated. Proofreaders are asked to follow the same guidelines as editors when it comes to changing a sentences meaning, they are given more freedom regarding this however.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|Registration]] ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Translators are asked to [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they&#039;re working on&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Format Standards===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to general and project specific guidelines.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Names and Terminology Guideline|Project-Specific Guidelines: Format, Names, and Terminology]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Updates ==&lt;br /&gt;
*May 11, 2010 - Teaser Started!&lt;br /&gt;
*October 29, 2011 - Project Started Again!&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Illustrations added&lt;br /&gt;
*November 28, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 1 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*December 1, 2011 - Kämpfer is now an official project&lt;br /&gt;
*September 25, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 3 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*October 16, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 4 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 2 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*September 5, 2022 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 5 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 6, 2025 - All the 15 volume as been fully translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==The &#039;&#039;Kämpfer&#039;&#039; series by Tsukiji Toshihiko==&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 1 - Kämpfer ([[Kämpfer:Volume 1|Full Text]])=== &lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 2===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Project Staff ==&lt;br /&gt;
*Supervisor: &lt;br /&gt;
*Project Manager: : [[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Translators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]] (sporadic translations)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Kondou|Kondou]]&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:JeruTz|JeruTz]] (Currently improving V1C1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Editors ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Series Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 1 (November 24, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1749-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 2 (December 25, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1767-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 3 (March 23, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1826-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 4 (June 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1870-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 5 (September 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2042-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 6 (January 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2131-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 7 (April 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2308-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 (July 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2370-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 ½ (October 24, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2453-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 (February 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2668-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 ½ (March 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2725-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 (July 24, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2835-3)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 ½ (September 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3030-1)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 11 (December 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3134-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 12 (March 25, 2010 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3254-1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:MF Bunko J]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Genre - Harem]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Toshihiko Tsukiji]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586439</id>
		<title>Kämpfer</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586439"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T18:01:57Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Volume 5 */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Status|Active}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{Teaser|English}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Image:Kampfer_Vol_01_cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer (けんぷファー) is a light novel series written by Tsukiji Toshihiko and illustrated by Semmu. The series is completed with 15 volumes. &amp;lt;!--Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Story Synopsis==&lt;br /&gt;
The plot revolves around Natsuru Senou, a normal high school boy with blue hair. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger &amp;quot;Harakiri Tora&amp;quot; comes to life and tells him to fight as a female fighter &amp;quot;Kämpfer&amp;quot;. Having no idea about what&#039;s going on, Natsuru is involved in many battles against other female Kämpfer. &amp;lt;!-- Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FeedBack ==&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you enjoyed the translation, why don&#039;t you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;amp;t=3359 Project thread]&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Translation And Editing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Dedicated Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This project is in need of dedicated editors in order to help speed translation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Editors are asked to notify a Project Manager before beginning, and in any case where sentence meaning may be changed, use chapter discussion beforehand&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Drive-by Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drive-by-editing of obvious typos, bad grammar, spelling, or missing words or any obvious mistakes will be much appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Again, before changing a sentence&#039;s meaning, please use the chapter discussion.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Translators===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are still Kampfer books that haven&#039;t been translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Anyone with decent Japanese or Chinese skills will gladly be allowed to translate, if there are people who know Japanese or Chinese and would like to help out, just not with the tedious job of translating, proofreaders are also appreciated. Proofreaders are asked to follow the same guidelines as editors when it comes to changing a sentences meaning, they are given more freedom regarding this however.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|Registration]] ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Translators are asked to [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they&#039;re working on&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Format Standards===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to general and project specific guidelines.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Names and Terminology Guideline|Project-Specific Guidelines: Format, Names, and Terminology]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Updates ==&lt;br /&gt;
*May 11, 2010 - Teaser Started!&lt;br /&gt;
*October 29, 2011 - Project Started Again!&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Illustrations added&lt;br /&gt;
*November 28, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 1 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*December 1, 2011 - Kämpfer is now an official project&lt;br /&gt;
*September 25, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 3 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*October 16, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 4 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 2 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*September 5, 2022 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 5 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 6, 2025 - All the 15 volume as been fully translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==The &#039;&#039;Kämpfer&#039;&#039; series by Tsukiji Toshihiko==&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 1 - Kämpfer ([[Kämpfer:Volume 1|Full Text]])=== &lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 2===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Project Staff ==&lt;br /&gt;
*Supervisor: &lt;br /&gt;
*Project Manager: : [[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Translators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]] (sporadic translations)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Kondou|Kondou]]&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:JeruTz|JeruTz]] (Currently improving V1C1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Editors ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Series Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 1 (November 24, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1749-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 2 (December 25, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1767-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 3 (March 23, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1826-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 4 (June 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1870-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 5 (September 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2042-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 6 (January 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2131-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 7 (April 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2308-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 (July 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2370-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 ½ (October 24, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2453-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 (February 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2668-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 ½ (March 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2725-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 (July 24, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2835-3)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 ½ (September 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3030-1)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 11 (December 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3134-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 12 (March 25, 2010 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3254-1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:MF Bunko J]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Genre - Harem]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Toshihiko Tsukiji]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586438</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586438"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:45:35Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10, Chapter 1  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, just a casual joke.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
...But saying &amp;quot;I want to die&amp;quot; isn&#039;t really the same thing.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For some reason, a woman confessed to me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
...Ah, you must be stunned. Thinking it was just a confession—what&#039;s the big deal?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But for me, this was a completely earth-shattering event.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The most difficult decision I&#039;ve ever made.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
First of all, I couldn&#039;t even believe the fact that I was confessed to.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I thought it was just an urban legend, something that only happened to guys.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
No, there are women who get confessions sooner or later, but more on that later.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Well, anyway, I never thought about being confessed to by a girl before.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Maybe it&#039;s because I look ordinary.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Being confessed to by a girl is just an urban legend, like the story of a snowman.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although snowmen don&#039;t exist in the city.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And then there was you—suddenly confessed to.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And it was two people.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
One was Kondou Mikoto, my childhood sweetheart.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She was just a high school girl, but she was flying around the world.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Like a female Indiana Jones, doing all the adventurer stuff.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In kindergarten, she was a playful girl, exploding like an endless stream of firecrackers.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But now she&#039;s become beautiful.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
No, beautiful is just my opinion.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
We were just childhood friends, so there was no romantic connection.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So why did she confess? She seems to like me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I don&#039;t know how serious she is.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s strange to say I don&#039;t know, but after she confessed, she suddenly disappeared.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It seems she&#039;s been tracking drug trafficking organizations. Am I mistaken?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was so shocked by the sudden confession that I couldn&#039;t even reply.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto seemed to say something like, &amp;quot;I hope you can give me an answer later,&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so I&#039;ll just leave it at that for now.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s not just the one I mentioned that&#039;s troubling me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then there&#039;s another person, and this is even more serious for me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Even Shizuku Sangou, the student council president of our Seitetsu Academy, has confessed to me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s no secret that I&#039;m not good at dealing with Shizuku.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She&#039;s not the right person for me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Even though she&#039;s beautiful, smart, and good at sports,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she doesn&#039;t make any difference to me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I feel like someone made out of an advertisement or something,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so I&#039;d better stay away.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But then again, Shizuku seems to ignore my feelings and orders me,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I like you, so you must love me.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What&#039;s going on? Her demands seem presumptuous and unreasonable.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Isn&#039;t that the way to think?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In a relationship, both parties&#039; feelings are important, aren&#039;t they?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But I was terrified. There was nothing I could do.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku also said, &amp;quot;You can answer later.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While I saved my life, she insisted on telling me afterward,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so I only got a suspended death sentence.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There&#039;s probably no pardon or anything like that.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now I understand why I&#039;m so discouraged.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who think I&#039;m happy or who scold me, try to put yourselves in my shoes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s strange that they&#039;ll be happy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So, I&#039;ve been going to Seitetsu Academy these past few days with a gloomy heart.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Going to a school where Shizuku is the student council president&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feels like walking into a tiger&#039;s den.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lately, I&#039;ve been attending school as a man.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If I went to school dressed as a woman, I might see Mikoto or Shizuku.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So, my classmate, Higashida, told me, &amp;quot;You&#039;ve been really serious lately.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I usually have to show up in the girls&#039; club, so I&#039;m often absent.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But no matter how I treated him, I wasn&#039;t happy at all.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Being around men always felt a bit melancholic.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Am I turning gay? (That would be great.)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But that thought vanished completely when Higashida&#039;s voice reached me after class.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Seno. Tomorrow&#039;s Saturday, are you free?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida smiled at me with a bright smile that only he could identify.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hmm, that&#039;s pretty bold—I can&#039;t be gay or anything.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Since I didn&#039;t answer, he asked again.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Saturday.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Nothing else.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll invite you.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Seno&#039;s probably just watching TV at home.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I want to go to karaoke with Hanzawa and the others. Come on.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No,&amp;quot; I said, looking sullen.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s just a side event for the Bishoujo Research Society.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;I&#039;m tired of your boring discussions.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida is the president of the underground club, the Bishoujo Research Society.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While it&#039;s an illegal group, it has a long history in Seitetsu.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
They mostly just take pictures of girls, and they enjoy it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I wonder if that&#039;s harmful.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m not sure why I was appointed a special advisor there.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For various reasons, that position seems to have been revoked,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but I don&#039;t know since I wasn&#039;t at the meeting.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Since Higashida and Hanzawa came together, the topic must be something like that.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But Higashida shook his head.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, I&#039;m not planning on hanging out with those guys from my class.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Nakahama, Mori, and the others will be there too.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those were all names from my class.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;That&#039;s strange. Higashida always talks about girls.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t Nakahama and the others hate things involving girls?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Let&#039;s just pretend it&#039;s nothing. How about that?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I was actually a little tempted by that.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If we didn&#039;t bring up the Bishoujo Research Society, Higashida might be a good guy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(I&#039;m glad you think that.) Although his mind was empty except for that.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But I never thought that this guy would say such words.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I tried to ask.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Whose birthday is it? It&#039;s not mine.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, just a casual joke.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And Hanzawa said, &#039;Why does Seno look like he&#039;s dying? Let&#039;s call him.&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Is that how it feels?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mori said that too. Have you gone crazy for no apparent reason? He said, &#039;I can see that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Seno&#039;s life flame is gradually getting smaller.&#039;&amp;quot; (Ye: He probably knows that.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...What is the life flame?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I heard that if it disappears, you&#039;ll die.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t say such baseless things.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I complained. Higashida continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;According to Mori, Seno always looks unhappy, and I&#039;m afraid he&#039;ll get even more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unhappy in the future. It seems like you&#039;re on the downhill slope of life. Nothing good has &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happened to you recently.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it that our class is treating me like an idiot now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, we discussed it and decided to cheer you up. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is this a good thing or a bad thing? In short, Higashida&#039;s expression is quite serious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In this situation, shouldn&#039;t I be grateful for friendship? But I also feel that I am actually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
being treated as a fool. I was a little shocked. Higashida, who is so indifferent to things other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
than girls, actually worries about an extremely useless clas smate like me. I put on a rather &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shabby face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah... Although I want to go, I can&#039;t.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I have an appointment.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In fact, I already had important things to do this Saturday. So even if I wanted to go to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
karaoke with Higashida and the others, I couldn&#039;t go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, it&#039;s better to go with us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry, let&#039;s talk about it next time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I waved my hand gently as an apology to him.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s do it next time. &amp;quot;Higashida said so. Let&#039;s try to go next time. I started on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way home. It feels like it&#039;s been a long time since I went home so early.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I walked slowly alone. I exhaled with a &amp;quot;huh&amp;quot;. Tomorrow may be a turning point in my life... &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Is it too exaggerated to say so? But we can&#039;t take it lightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of the important thing I have to do this Saturday, it is to visit the hometown of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my idol, Sakura Kaede. Speaking of Sakura Kaede, that is different from Shizuku, so cute. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Unlike Shizuku, there is no thorn in her words. Unlike Shizuku, she is a holy angel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Such a beautiful person will be with Shizuku. Friends who have been together since &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
childhood, it can only make people sigh that there is no justice. But let&#039;s not worry about that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We were invited to go to Sakura Kaede&#039;s hometown. Generally speaking, going to a girl&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hometown is like signing a marriage certificate, but Shizuku doesn&#039;t seem to think so. So I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
became a little suspicious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Recently, I sometimes see Sakura Kaede&#039;s behavior as if he has become a different person. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At that time, of course, I threw my judgment aside like waste paper, and tried hard to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
maintain a &amp;quot;beautiful image of Sakura Kaede&amp;quot; in my heart, but it is also tr ue that I feel that he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
has changed a little. Even if I say &amp;quot;a little worse,&amp;quot; it is not normal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But that kind of person said, &amp;quot;Please come to my house. &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on? I&#039;ve been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking about confessing my feelings and going to Sakura Kaede&#039;s house over and over again &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these past few days. I seem to have been asked if I did anything else, but n o, I didn&#039;t. If I did, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it was just because I was addicted to TV to escape reality. Mikoto, Shizuku, and Sakura Kaede. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I feel like they&#039;re all surrounding me and arguing... Did I forget someone? What about Akane? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    hasn&#039;t joined this &amp;quot;My Trouble Group.&amp;quot; Although she doesn&#039;t know it herself, she&#039;s the only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one I can trust. As a man, the only place I&#039;d want to go is the library. Although I&#039;ve never been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just when I was wondering if Akane would become someone to listen to my complaints, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
someone suddenly spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speak of the devil... the devil didn&#039;t appear. The owner of this clear voice could only be one &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
person. Turning around, Sakura Kaede was standing there, smiling. As beautiful as ever.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been looking for you. That&#039;s great.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Looking for me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a hearty smile! Lately, I haven&#039;t made that lip -licking expression at all.&amp;quot; (Probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
referring to Sakura&#039;s post -transformation expression.) Seitetsu Academy has separate male &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and female sections, so naturally, they don&#039;t take kindly to male -femal e relationships.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s more a product of pressure from graduated seniors than a teacher&#039;s strategy. It&#039;s like, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;We shouldn&#039;t allow juniors to do things we&#039;re forbidden to do.&amp;quot; A bunch of narrow -minded &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seniors.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the students dating under my noses are generally not on campus, but happily dating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
outside. So, Sakura Kaede is very self -possessed before going outside. No, he&#039;s waiting for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
class to end.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was wondering if Natsuru -san might have forgotten, so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, um, what was it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, did you forget?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her cheeks puffed up. That gesture was perfect for Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t you agree to come to my hometown on Saturday?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So that&#039;s what happened. Of course, I&#039;ll remember it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? Didn&#039;t you forget before I told you?&amp;quot; ”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “I’ve always remembered it.”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is true. At least I’ve been worried about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Finally, I saw her relieved expression. We walked side by side. Sakura Kaede was smiling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the whole time. I inadvertently glanced at her profile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “What’s wrong?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “No, that, Sakura Kaede, have you forgotten?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “What?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Because you look very happy.”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Not just look happy, but really happy. Because I really like having guests at home.”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede is really great, this is what I say from the bottom of my heart.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Natsuru -san, did you ask other people to come?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede asked me with a smile. Eh?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and others were also called, but didn’t Sakura Kaede also say that she would bring &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her along? But that was said by Sakura Kaede, who has a bad temper, so maybe she forgot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Natsuru -san?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Uh, that, I did. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Looks like you forgot. I called out Mikoto and Akane first. Finally, I unhappily called out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There are so many people. If we don&#039;t prepare more dishes, ah, didn&#039;t you invite the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
female Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m a little confused. Does Sakura Kaede know about this or not?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I told him, but... he might not come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could that be...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s cheeks puffed up. Sorry. I&#039;ll take over then, male.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was so happy that the female Natsuru is coming.&amp;quot; Sure  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    enough, she doesn&#039;t even know the male and female Natsuru are the same person. If he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gets involved with me, I&#039;ll be in big trouble.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She seems very busy right now, studying hard for exams.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can wait until she&#039;s a third year.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She said she wants to start working hard now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s such a serious person,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    though she&#039;s not actually working on it. I could probably get into a lesser university with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my own abilities, but I don&#039;t think I can just happily get in. If I&#039;m lazy, I&#039;ll just do my best.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a shame that the female Natsuru isn&#039;t here, but everyone&#039;s willing to come. That way, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
won&#039;t be lonely.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I won&#039;t let that happen (referring to making her feel lonely).  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course,&amp;quot; I say. Sakura Kaede seems delighted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s a perfectly consistent expression. She&#039;s truly an angelic woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But then, when Sakura Kaede said to me, &amp;quot;I hope you can come to my hometown,&amp;quot; that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
terrifying expression wasn&#039;t just a double -edged sword; it revealed her inner self completely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not ignoring the horror of duality. It&#039;s certainly terrifying, but Akane can also become &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ferocious after transforming. They&#039;re similar. But in some ways, she&#039;s different from Akane. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede&#039;s situation is a bit baffling. It&#039;s like looking at a  bottomless swamp beneath your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feet. And finally, she slipped and fell into it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If it weren&#039;t for that, Sakura Kaede would be the world&#039;s most beautiful woman. Now, she&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just an ordinary beauty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And for some reason, she has completely forgotten the promise she made to me. It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede who said she&#039;d bring Akane -san and the others along. And then there was even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a fight. It&#039;s all a mystery. Has she forgotten that slightly erotic thing tha t happened in that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bush somewhere? It&#039;s impossible for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, um, Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you healed?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was startled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Your stomach must be injured...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san is so annoying.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She chuckled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m healthy. Aside from a cold, I&#039;ve never been injured or sick. I&#039;m glad you&#039;re so worried &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t you mistake me for someone else?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, Sakura Kaede must be injured. She jumped up like a slingshot. I observed Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede&#039;s stomach from the corner of my eye. It tapered from the waist, a truly beautiful sight, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and the line that flowed into her chest was a truly graceful curve. If she lowered her head a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little more, it would definitely look...wrong. She didn&#039;t look injured. She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    didn&#039;t seem to be holding back. The only explanation was that she&#039;d recovered. Even more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
incredible was that she had no recollection of the injury. Sakura Kaede had no idea she&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
become such a gloomy and sinister person.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hope the injury of the person I mistakenly identified with heals quickly,&amp;quot; Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
said. This kind of love is a virtue. It has nothing to do with  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m going back to my hometown today,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So I can&#039;t go with you all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He looked regretful. I was regretful too. I&#039;d definitely gone together if I could.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t come to greet you, but I&#039;ll wait. Please do come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then he gave me a smile that melted my heart. So wonderful. With that expression, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can forget that dark feeling anytime. We walked for a while before saying goodbye. Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede went left, I went right. She waved goodbye to me reluctantly. Maybe.  After a short &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
walk,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    we found my home. To be more precise, the house my father built. I opened the door with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a mixture of joy and sorrow. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    dumped my schoolbag in my room and, without changing my clothes, I lay down on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bed. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was delighted that Sakura Kaede had invited me. It was an undeniable fact, and I even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wanted to tell all the boys about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But if I did that, I&#039;d be hunted down by a special assassination squad chosen from among &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the boys in two seconds, buried in concrete in some unknown location, and then dumped. I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
do the same thing if I were in the opposite position, so I know it. Give n the situation, keeping &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it to myself is the best policy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But that&#039;s not the problem. The problem is that Sakura Kaede has no memory of her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformation. Sakura Kaede, the same as always, and Sakura Kaede, who&#039;s not her usual &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
self. My shaky brain can come up with several possibilities.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The first is that they&#039;re different people. The gentle and kind Sakura Kaede and the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lecherous and gloomy Sakura Kaede are actually two different people. Like twins or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something remarkably similar. The advantage of this theory is that it puts my mind a t ease. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The woman I&#039;ve always admired, the most beautiful of the three Star Tetsu, is pure, flawless, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and perfect. Someone with a bad personality doesn&#039;t need her at all. Just go off and become &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a mercenary somewhere in Africa.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what I&#039;d most like, because everything else suits my preferences. I guess everyone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
else thinks the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Next, there&#039;s the theory that Sakura Kaede actually remembers everything but is lying. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knows everything but acts like she knows nothing. This means she has reasons to lie and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doesn&#039;t mind deceiving us. It&#039;s like some kind of conspiracy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is not good at all, and I&#039;m doing everything I can to stop it. Besides, how could Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede, a goddess who descended from the sky, be such a wicked person? The only wicked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
person who could be considered wicked is the student council president. Therefore, this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
theory doesn&#039;t hold true, because that&#039;s Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The final theory is that Sakura Kaede has one body but two personalities. The idea is that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede alternates control of the body between a good and a bad personality. These &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two personalities don&#039;t interfere with each other, and the good personali ty is unaware of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bad personality&#039;s existence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This makes sense of the previous conversation. Angel Sakura Kaede doesn&#039;t know about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the existence of Demon Sakura Kaede. The conditions and timing of the alternation are still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unknown, but it definitely happens. For example, she transforms upon seeing  a red flower or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
after 3 p.m.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I always feel like this is the most correct explanation. But ordinary Sakura Kaede also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remembers asking me to visit her hometown, and she still remembers the circumstances &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back then, which means there might be some connection between our hearts.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;In that case,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I muttered to myself in my room, empty of people.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ordinary Sakura Kaede is innocent. I just need to protect her.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why did the thought of &amp;quot;protecting&amp;quot; occur to me? I don&#039;t know, isn&#039;t that the way it is? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Ordinary Sakura Kaede is innocent. She&#039;ll definitely become a good wife and mother and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remain beautiful forever. I always feel like her evil side will do something  like kissing, which is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so annoying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I should just go see a doctor and get rid of that evil side, right? That way, my worries would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be gone. Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents would probably say something like, &amp;quot;Thank you for restoring &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
our daughter to normal.&amp;quot; Oh my, we&#039;re only high school students, so how many years we&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been together is irrelevant.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I sat cross -legged, grinning to myself, and suddenly thought of those three women. Akane, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku, and Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...She&#039;s been confessed to,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I slumped over. So that&#039;s how it is. I have to give them an answer after this is over. Give it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to Shizuku and Mikoto. What should I do? I might as well run off with Sakura Kaede. In that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
case... oh, what about Akane?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I was in my room, thinking about this, a call came in. I picked up my phone and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pressed the call button. The phone, which had been practically useless because the battery &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was missing, now wouldn&#039;t work unless it was plugged into a charger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hello?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this Seno -kun?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was completely disappointed. It was this girl. Even though everyone in school thought she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was beautiful, the woman I&#039;d jump away from instantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What can I do for you, President?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, you&#039;re so happy to talk to me on the phone?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not at all. What&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m very happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku smiled to herself on the other end of the line. There&#039;s nothing about me in this. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Absolutely. This woman is incredibly stubborn. Needless to say, it&#039;s a fact known to all the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students in school. She&#039;s known for her toughness, something you woul dn&#039;t expect  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    from a high school student. She even met with the workers who had delivered the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
equipment to the school. The other party was a seasoned veteran, and using a high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student as his opponent was truly shocking. Then the bargaining began. Even more su rprising &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was the rumor that a prominent corporation present had invited her, asking, &amp;quot;Will you come &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to us after graduation?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But you confessed to me, didn&#039;t you? Why are you still so relaxed? Am I even more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous than you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How dare you give me such a blunt answer? I had a strong response prepared for her, or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
else I&#039;d be exhausted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;About tomorrow,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t worry about anything, just come. Don&#039;t be late.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied grumpily. It was understandable. Sakura Kaede&#039;s situation was already giving me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough of a headache. But then I couldn&#039;t move. I might even fall asleep with my eyes open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because you&#039;re going to Kaede&#039;s house, I imagine you&#039;re feeling really anxious right now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why was this guy so good at reading people&#039;s minds?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Meet in front of the station. Don&#039;t forget to bring clothes. In your case, you&#039;ll need to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
prepare two sets of clothes, one for men and one for women.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No need for that,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied. It&#039;s unnecessary to say it now; if I transform, I&#039;ll become a woman. I&#039;ve finally &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gotten used to it lately, but clothes are always a hassle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s necessary,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s Kempfer&#039;s responsibility to make sure everything looks okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re overdoing it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think you&#039;re overdoing it. I think this might get a little troublesome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The evil Sakura Kaede hates Shizuku. I share the same attitude, though my dislike is less &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
casual. I&#039;m sure they&#039;re both the type to stab someone in the back if they find a loophole. Of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
course,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku is wary of Sakura Kaede too. By telling me to bring two sets of clothes, she&#039;s telling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me to be prepared for whatever comes my way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you mean by trouble?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, don&#039;t you know that yourself?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not just a one -time trip, is it? But we don&#039;t know what&#039;s going to happen. That&#039;s why I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have to be well prepared.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Shizuku said something that made me half -understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s nothing beyond your preparation, right? And in your case, Natsuru -kun, wearing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
men&#039;s underwear on a woman&#039;s body isn&#039;t a very good hobby, is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That was the situation. I didn&#039;t want to imagine it myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What kind?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Underwear.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...A few pieces,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. For some reason, I felt embarrassed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I transformed into a Kempfer in my school uniform, my underwear would automatically &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
become women&#039;s, but if I wore other clothes, it wouldn&#039;t work. I don&#039;t know why it was like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that. The guy who turned me into a Kempfer must be a perverted bastard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So I had to prepare some women&#039;s underwear. But not too much. I felt embarrassed when &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I went to buy it. And I was bathed in the shop assistants&#039; gazes that seemed to say, &amp;quot;Go to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hell.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then go buy some.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Underwear.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you talking about?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I told you I have some.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s unladylike to have only one or two pieces. More would be nice, wouldn&#039;t it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s only one night at most.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It would be nice if it could just be over like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He said something like a prophecy. What if I have to stay longer than one night? It&#039;s only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two nights at most. I still have school to go to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You mean for men&#039;s clothing? The one I&#039;m wearing is enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Men&#039;s clothing is also very necessary.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I have quite a few of those.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go buy them. It&#039;s at the department store in front of the station. Just arrive an hour &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
early.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, don&#039;t just make a decision.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, it&#039;s not just a decision. I&#039;m doing this for Natsuru.&amp;quot; She&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    calling me by my first name again. Lately, Shizuku&#039;s been calling me &amp;quot;Natsuru&amp;quot; whenever &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m not paying attention. But let&#039;s focus on the underwear first. Is she trying to copy what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happened before by saying she&#039;s going to buy underwear? I went clothes shopping with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane and the others once before, but they had bad intentions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Since we&#039;re going with girls, the staff won&#039;t think it&#039;s unusual.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t be used to it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just bear with it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what they call being forced to do it. If Shizuku decides to do this, even the US &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
military can&#039;t disobey her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, I was forced to agree to go underwear shopping with her. What a loser I am.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And another thing. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And another thing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe it would be better to bring some entrails.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Intuition,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said again. Then she fell silent. Is it because there&#039;s no basis for it? It&#039;s just a naive &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feeling, isn&#039;t it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;See you tomorrow. Close your eyes and get some sleep.&amp;quot; With that, she hung up. &amp;quot;You &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talkative fellow. You&#039;re my mom.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I hung up too. Then I opened my closet and prepared some lingerie. Even though I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
complained to Shizuku, I still intended to do as she said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That woman&#039;s intuition is incredible. From what I heard from Mikoto, it seemed like it had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something to do with the accumulation of experience and knowledge. She stores that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
information in her head, and when faced with a situation, she unconsciously us es the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
examples she&#039;s mentioned so far as a reference, expressing it in the form of &amp;quot;intuition.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Really? Shizuku is only a year older than me, but she seems to have so many  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    experiences.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto once boasted, &amp;quot;That&#039;s why I can find ruins right away in the rainforest.&amp;quot; This woman &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doesn&#039;t even need a detector.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And, somehow, this guy&#039;s reasoning seems more convincing. It seems like becoming a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kempfer doctor&#039;s sixth sense strengthens. I&#039;ve experienced this myself. Even my random &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guesses during exams seem more accurate than usual. My prediction expert, Natsuru,  was in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
full force.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, in a situation like this, the best thing to do is to follow Shizuku&#039;s instructions. I picked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up the women&#039;s underwear. Anyway, if anyone saw this, they&#039;d definitely think I was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pervert. If Higashida or Hanzawa found out, it wouldn&#039;t just be me being a fool. They&#039;re &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
perverts themselves, and yet they acted like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took out my travel bag and stuffed it in. Underwear is fine, but there were hardly any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
women&#039;s clothes, so I&#039;d just use men&#039;s. I didn&#039;t need a swimsuit. Even though it was still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swimming season.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then there was that thing. A visceral animal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I reached out to the table.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I called out to it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m going on a long trip tomorrow.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was no answer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Get up, we&#039;re leaving.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Ah, yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the Seppuku Tiger replied in a half -asleep voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This thing was what Shizuku had just called a &amp;quot;visceral animal.&amp;quot; A Seppuku Tiger&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
characteristic is that its internal organs are exposed from its abdomen. And for some reason, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it can talk.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I guess there&#039;s no need to explain further at this point. The viscera creatures were a small &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
toy released by a toy company as a desperate attempt to revive itself. Something this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
disgusting couldn&#039;t even be called a toy; it was destined for a tragic en d in the toy market. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But it seems only kindhearted citizens are thinking this way. The company president has even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
declared, &amp;quot;We&#039;re going to build a viscera shrine.&amp;quot; Apparently, they&#039;re trying to raise funds due &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to a lack of funds. But no matter how popular anime is in this cou ntry, no one&#039;s going to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
contribute.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you look so sleepy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. Don&#039;t these dolls always look like they&#039;re asleep?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know why, but I&#039;ve been feeling sleepy more lately. For the past year, just seeing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru&#039;s face has cleared my sleepiness.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You haven&#039;t been talking any less.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It would be nice to spend some time with Natsuru,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    he said, adding some incomprehensible things. It&#039;s not good for a doll to talk nonsense and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
make abstract statements.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Forget it. I pointed at my travel bag.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, come in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, going out?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m going to Sakura Kaede&#039;s tomorrow.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s about it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since I&#039;d told it before, it understood immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Was that call from the president just now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s the only other woman who calls me saying she likes me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If it was Sakura Kaede, I wouldn&#039;t mind if she called a few times, but it seemed unlikely. If it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was a guy, only Higashida would call. My circle of friends is too narrow, which is not good.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;By the way...&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did something happen between you and the president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How did you know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t Natsuru come to school in the middle of the night? Only the president would do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy is surprisingly not to be underestimated. So, why am I surrounded by such &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
intuitive people?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I waved my hand subtly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Whatever happened, it&#039;s over, isn&#039;t it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, as a messenger, it&#039;s my duty to keep an eye on Natsuru&#039;s life.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ve never mentioned anything like that before, have you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing bad, please tell me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Are you a nosy old woman? You can&#039;t be a woman yourself. I&#039;ve always found your voice &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the same as Shizuka Shodai&#039;s.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even if you knew, it wouldn&#039;t do you any good.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe I could give you some advice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What does &amp;quot;maybe&amp;quot; mean?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since it said so, I told it everything that had happened so far. But I just skimmed over the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confession. I feel a little sorry for Mikoto and Shizuku... No, because this is quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
embarrassing. The  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger laughed strangely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What a show.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you want to be thrown out like recyclable garbage?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Never mind. So, you&#039;re being forced by Mikoto and Shizuku right now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hate to admit it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what are you going to do, Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should I do... Let&#039;s just leave it like this.&amp;quot; For now  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , neither woman was in a rush to answer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But one day, we&#039;ll have to decide.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The Earth might explode before then. I still believe a nuclear war is possible.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Escape from reality won&#039;t work.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, I&#039;m being lectured by a doll. My life is over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That being said, this guy&#039;s opinion is also correct. Regardless, the answer represents my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feelings. So, they want an answer, and I have to throw the ball. Of course  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , while I hate this fact and wonder if humanity will perish, I don&#039;t think such a coincidence &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would happen. And women are selfish creatures. Even if it involves the lives of all Japanese &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people, they&#039;ll still demand an answer to a confession without a care. They think our &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
country&#039;s crisis is nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ultimately, the problem lies with me, and I haven&#039;t given an answer yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what about Akane?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is Akane doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That makes sense, what was Akane doing? I was thinking about that, but my thoughts &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were interrupted by Shizuku&#039;s call. As a Blue Kempfer, Mishima Akane was a very &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unremarkable girl. But that was before she transformed. As a Kempfer, she becomes a foul -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouthed, rude, and aggressive bulldog. She might think about shooting someone just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because they&#039;ve gotten lucky. And then she actually does.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I crossed my arms and kept thinking about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane. I remember going to an anime store with her.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wasn&#039;t that a date?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She seemed to say that, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So Akane confessed to you, Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tilted my head to the side. Is that true? My mind is in a mess. Even if someone told me it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was true, I&#039;d probably believe it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Since you&#039;ve been on a date, then Akane qualifies as a candidate, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t talk about candidates. Although, Akane is my type.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What? Then why not choose Akane?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; What did &amp;quot;that&#039;s fine&amp;quot; mean? &amp;quot;That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s right. If a crisis develops, let Akane come to your aid.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You mean, let Akane come out to help you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I mean, if you&#039;re under attack by the enemy, let Akane come out to help you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Will she?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I inadvertently suspected something else. Because before her transformation, Akane was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bespectacled, rather intimidating librarian, the type who would rather read a book in a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
corner than argue with others.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I guess so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was complaining when a call came in. It was  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    my cell phone again. The number was long gone. I pressed the call button.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hello.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san, it&#039;s me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane. The Seppuku Tiger was just there, saying &amp;quot;Come on!&amp;quot; and grinning. Although &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was smiling, her face barely changed at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry, what&#039;s going  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    on?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t you going to Sakura Kaede&#039;s tomorrow?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Before then, can we meet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I inadvertently uttered a questioning sound. After all, Shizuku had said the same thing to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. Of course I&#039;d be surprised, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Before we leave, I guess.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right... So, do you hate meeting me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt like I was about to cry. After hearing all that, it&#039;s probably fair to say that she&#039;s a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
completely different person after her transformation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I had to say. Akane breathed a sigh of relief, and I could hear it even through the phone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Great... Well, in that case, can we meet an hour before the meeting time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was exactly the same time as Shizuku had agreed. It wouldn&#039;t be possible without two &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bodies.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a frustrated voice came from the other end of the line.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As expected, you hate meeting me...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, it&#039;s because I have an appointment...ah, something like shopping or something.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go with you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not a good idea...ah, no, how about meeting two hours in advance?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The voice returned to normal. The mood seemed to change quickly. But I was in trouble.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s meet two hours in advance at the meeting place.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I listened to Akane&#039;s cheerful voice and hung up the phone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I started thinking. What does &amp;quot;something&amp;quot; mean? What are her plans after meeting?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It looks like it&#039;s not an ordinary conversation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the Seppuku Tiger. This damn doll, it heard the whole conversation clearly. Chemical &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fiber that likes to invade privacy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you just want to talk, can you use the phone?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So you want to meet in person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What a hassle.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why you&#039;re not welcome. Ah, but things have been different recently.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why do I feel like I&#039;m being judged from above? Everyone around me, from Shizuku to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida, treats me like an idiot. They&#039;re also focusing their attacks on me, calling me &amp;quot;slow&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and &amp;quot;inconsiderate.&amp;quot; This is clearly a violation of human rights. Where  can I complain to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them? The United Nations?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why can&#039;t I go on another appointment when it&#039;s just a meeting?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right. Mikoto might call right about now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That reminded me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...So, I haven&#039;t seen Mikoto lately.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You say lately, but hasn&#039;t it been months?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right. She used to come over every few days and make me curry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto is a curry lover. I think most Japanese people love curry, but this girl&#039;s love is a bit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unusual. She eats curry from morning till night. Occasionally, she&#039;ll have ramen. Her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
obsession makes you wonder if she&#039;s been paid by a food company.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even the Seppuku Tiger has an expression like, &amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot; This hasn&#039;t changed much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s true I haven&#039;t smelled much curry lately.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Since Mikoto isn&#039;t here, I&#039;ve been eating something else. That&#039;s fine, though.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you still feeling lonely?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s not the case. If you don&#039;t wash your face after getting up in the morning, you&#039;ll feel a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little uneasy all day. It&#039;s the same feeling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Never mind, we&#039;ll see each other tomorrow anyway. I&#039;ll have to get up even earlier &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tomorrow.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t the president tell me to go to bed early?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hate  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    getting up early.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Wouldn&#039;t it be nice to go for a jog in the morning?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He said that even though he knew I hated exercise. Waking up early and running is just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
terrible. I have a habit of rejecting what&#039;s considered right in this world. Of course, I&#039;m not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rebelling, I&#039;m just being passive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;First, Akane, it seems like there&#039;s a company business meeting.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s better not to run into the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Indeed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, I hope you and Natsuru are alone. Didn&#039;t you argue with the president earlier?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So I went to the anime store with her. It was Shizuku who had pulled me away from Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at that time, and she said something that would keep me awake. So, I thought if they met, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they would just have a huge fight. Even if it was only on a mental level.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then I kept thinking, why did Akane care about me so much?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, don&#039;t you understand that Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger suddenly said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s only one reason Akane wants to be with you, Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;…&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, a thought popped into my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But for some reason, I just couldn&#039;t bring myself to say it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane -chan, well, she&#039;s my type.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So that&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said something unclear, and I stopped talking. Seppuku Tiger continued, &amp;quot;Natsuru &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hasn&#039;t changed at all; he likes to wait and see.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stuffed the chattering doll into my bag and threw it out into the hallway, to avoid being &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talked to while I slept.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|← Back to Volume 9.5 Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Forward to 10 Chapter 2 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586437</id>
		<title>Kämpfer</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586437"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:39:58Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Updates */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Status|Active}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{Teaser|English}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Image:Kampfer_Vol_01_cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer (けんぷファー) is a light novel series written by Tsukiji Toshihiko and illustrated by Semmu. The series is completed with 15 volumes. &amp;lt;!--Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Story Synopsis==&lt;br /&gt;
The plot revolves around Natsuru Senou, a normal high school boy with blue hair. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger &amp;quot;Harakiri Tora&amp;quot; comes to life and tells him to fight as a female fighter &amp;quot;Kämpfer&amp;quot;. Having no idea about what&#039;s going on, Natsuru is involved in many battles against other female Kämpfer. &amp;lt;!-- Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FeedBack ==&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you enjoyed the translation, why don&#039;t you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;amp;t=3359 Project thread]&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Translation And Editing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Dedicated Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This project is in need of dedicated editors in order to help speed translation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Editors are asked to notify a Project Manager before beginning, and in any case where sentence meaning may be changed, use chapter discussion beforehand&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Drive-by Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drive-by-editing of obvious typos, bad grammar, spelling, or missing words or any obvious mistakes will be much appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Again, before changing a sentence&#039;s meaning, please use the chapter discussion.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Translators===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are still Kampfer books that haven&#039;t been translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Anyone with decent Japanese or Chinese skills will gladly be allowed to translate, if there are people who know Japanese or Chinese and would like to help out, just not with the tedious job of translating, proofreaders are also appreciated. Proofreaders are asked to follow the same guidelines as editors when it comes to changing a sentences meaning, they are given more freedom regarding this however.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|Registration]] ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Translators are asked to [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they&#039;re working on&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Format Standards===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to general and project specific guidelines.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Names and Terminology Guideline|Project-Specific Guidelines: Format, Names, and Terminology]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Updates ==&lt;br /&gt;
*May 11, 2010 - Teaser Started!&lt;br /&gt;
*October 29, 2011 - Project Started Again!&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Illustrations added&lt;br /&gt;
*November 28, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 1 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*December 1, 2011 - Kämpfer is now an official project&lt;br /&gt;
*September 25, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 3 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*October 16, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 4 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 2 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*September 5, 2022 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 5 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 6, 2025 - All the 15 volume as been fully translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==The &#039;&#039;Kämpfer&#039;&#039; series by Tsukiji Toshihiko==&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 1 - Kämpfer ([[Kämpfer:Volume 1|Full Text]])=== &lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 2===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Project Staff ==&lt;br /&gt;
*Supervisor: &lt;br /&gt;
*Project Manager: : [[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Translators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]] (sporadic translations)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Kondou|Kondou]]&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:JeruTz|JeruTz]] (Currently improving V1C1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Editors ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Series Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 1 (November 24, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1749-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 2 (December 25, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1767-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 3 (March 23, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1826-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 4 (June 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1870-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 5 (September 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2042-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 6 (January 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2131-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 7 (April 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2308-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 (July 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2370-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 ½ (October 24, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2453-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 (February 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2668-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 ½ (March 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2725-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 (July 24, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2835-3)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 ½ (September 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3030-1)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 11 (December 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3134-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 12 (March 25, 2010 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3254-1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:MF Bunko J]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Genre - Harem]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Toshihiko Tsukiji]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Registration_Page&amp;diff=586436</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Registration Page</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Registration_Page&amp;diff=586436"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:37:14Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Volume 5 */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;To re-iterate the registration procedure:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;quot;First Come, First Served&amp;quot;: please register your intended chapters here&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*The maximum number of chapters you are recommended to work on is no more then half of any given  volume&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Maximum number of Translators per volume is two&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Maximum number of volumes you may be active on is one&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*This is not some Binding Contract of &amp;quot;I must do the work I put down here&amp;quot;. Choices put down here are negotiable between translators (including their own selves who signed up for it).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==&#039;&#039;Kampfer&#039;&#039; series ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Volume 1 ===&lt;br /&gt;
*Chapter 1 - [[User:J112|J112]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039; (teaser by [[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]])&lt;br /&gt;
*Chapter 2 - [[User:Kondou|Kondou]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*Chapter 3 - [[User:Kondou|Kondou]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*Chapter 4 - [[User:Kondou|Kondou]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*Chapter 5 - [[User:Kondou|Kondou]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Volume 2 ===&lt;br /&gt;
*Chapter 1 - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;  (previous edit by [[User:Stellarroze|stellarroze]] )&lt;br /&gt;
*Chapter 2 - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*Chapter 3 [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|- Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*Chapter 4 - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*Chapter 5 - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 5- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 5- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 5- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 5- [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword - [[User:Deeplyrapidsending|Deeplyrapidsending]] - &#039;&#039;&#039;Completed&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| border=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Return to [[Kämpfer|Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/noinclude&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Registration Page]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586435</id>
		<title>Kämpfer</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586435"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:33:40Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Volume 11 */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Status|Active}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{Teaser|English}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Image:Kampfer_Vol_01_cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer (けんぷファー) is a light novel series written by Tsukiji Toshihiko and illustrated by Semmu. The series is completed with 15 volumes. &amp;lt;!--Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Story Synopsis==&lt;br /&gt;
The plot revolves around Natsuru Senou, a normal high school boy with blue hair. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger &amp;quot;Harakiri Tora&amp;quot; comes to life and tells him to fight as a female fighter &amp;quot;Kämpfer&amp;quot;. Having no idea about what&#039;s going on, Natsuru is involved in many battles against other female Kämpfer. &amp;lt;!-- Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FeedBack ==&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you enjoyed the translation, why don&#039;t you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;amp;t=3359 Project thread]&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Translation And Editing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Dedicated Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This project is in need of dedicated editors in order to help speed translation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Editors are asked to notify a Project Manager before beginning, and in any case where sentence meaning may be changed, use chapter discussion beforehand&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Drive-by Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drive-by-editing of obvious typos, bad grammar, spelling, or missing words or any obvious mistakes will be much appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Again, before changing a sentence&#039;s meaning, please use the chapter discussion.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Translators===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are still Kampfer books that haven&#039;t been translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Anyone with decent Japanese or Chinese skills will gladly be allowed to translate, if there are people who know Japanese or Chinese and would like to help out, just not with the tedious job of translating, proofreaders are also appreciated. Proofreaders are asked to follow the same guidelines as editors when it comes to changing a sentences meaning, they are given more freedom regarding this however.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|Registration]] ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Translators are asked to [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they&#039;re working on&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Format Standards===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to general and project specific guidelines.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Names and Terminology Guideline|Project-Specific Guidelines: Format, Names, and Terminology]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Updates ==&lt;br /&gt;
*May 11, 2010 - Teaser Started!&lt;br /&gt;
*October 29, 2011 - Project Started Again!&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Illustrations added&lt;br /&gt;
*November 28, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 1 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*December 1, 2011 - Kämpfer is now an official project&lt;br /&gt;
*September 25, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 3 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*October 16, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 4 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 2 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*September 5, 2022 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 5 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==The &#039;&#039;Kämpfer&#039;&#039; series by Tsukiji Toshihiko==&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 1 - Kämpfer ([[Kämpfer:Volume 1|Full Text]])=== &lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 2===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Project Staff ==&lt;br /&gt;
*Supervisor: &lt;br /&gt;
*Project Manager: : [[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Translators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]] (sporadic translations)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Kondou|Kondou]]&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:JeruTz|JeruTz]] (Currently improving V1C1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Editors ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Series Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 1 (November 24, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1749-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 2 (December 25, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1767-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 3 (March 23, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1826-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 4 (June 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1870-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 5 (September 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2042-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 6 (January 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2131-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 7 (April 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2308-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 (July 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2370-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 ½ (October 24, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2453-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 (February 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2668-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 ½ (March 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2725-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 (July 24, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2835-3)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 ½ (September 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3030-1)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 11 (December 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3134-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 12 (March 25, 2010 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3254-1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:MF Bunko J]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Genre - Harem]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Toshihiko Tsukiji]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Afterword&amp;diff=586434</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 12 Afterword</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Afterword&amp;diff=586434"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:30:34Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;    &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Postscript to Volume Twelve&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;     I am Tsukiji. This is the final volume of *Kämpfer*. Although it&amp;#039;s been a long journey, it all comes to an end. Natsuru, Akane, Shizuku, Mikoto, and Sakura have all gone their separate ways. But I can&amp;#039;t possibly write about that in the afterword, so please read the main story. During the development of this novel series, it     was also adapted into a manga and anime. And the novel ended at the same time the anime finished a...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Postscript to Volume Twelve&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   I am Tsukiji. This is the final volume of *Kämpfer*. Although it&#039;s been a long journey, it all comes to an end. Natsuru, Akane, Shizuku, Mikoto, and Sakura have all gone their separate ways. But I can&#039;t possibly write about that in the afterword, so please read the main story. During the development of this novel series, it&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   was also adapted into a manga and anime. And the novel ended at the same time the anime finished airing. Although the manga is still ongoing and DVDs are being released, the novel has essentially come to an end. Saying goodbye to the characters in the novel is sad, but all good things must come to an end. &amp;quot;We must live on.&amp;quot; This isn&#039;t a direct quote from Shizuku, but I believe you will all encounter such a charming character elsewhere. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   That&#039;s all for now. Until next time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   February 2010,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Tsukiji Toshihiko&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 5|← Back to Volume 12 Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| &lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_5&amp;diff=586433</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 5</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_5&amp;diff=586433"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:28:14Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;      Volume 12, Final Chapter        [Hmm.]         I woke up with a groan like an idiot.         The alarm didn&amp;#039;t go off. I broke it. I could just buy a new one, but I&amp;#039;ve been so busy lately   that I don&amp;#039;t have time.         I got out of bed and glanced at the table.         [Good morning.]         I greeted the creature that made Shizuku&amp;#039;s voice as usual, but it was silent again today. Not   just today, the stuffed animal had stopped talking.      ...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 12, Final Chapter  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I woke up with a groan like an idiot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The alarm didn&#039;t go off. I broke it. I could just buy a new one, but I&#039;ve been so busy lately &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that I don&#039;t have time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I got out of bed and glanced at the table.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Good morning.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I greeted the creature that made Shizuku&#039;s voice as usual, but it was silent again today. Not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just today, the stuffed animal had stopped talking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I petted the Seppuku Tiger&#039;s head. Even though it can&#039;t talk anymore, I still plan to keep it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in my room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A few days passed after that. Oh, my goodness, the days go by so quickly when I have free &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time. I ate breakfast and rushed to school. Even though my eyes looked lifeless, I still had to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
do my student duties. When we got  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    to the men&#039;s club, Higashida came over to talk to me as usual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Natsuru, we&#039;re planning to go out and play next time. Are you coming? You turned it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
down before, but you should come this time.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh my god.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida was startled. He seemed surprised by my quick agreement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you right away, there are no girls this time. Sakura Kaede isn&#039;t going either.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s okay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida seemed surprised again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m no longer full of &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede, Sakura Kaede&amp;quot; like I used to be. I still say, &amp;quot;She&#039;s so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beautiful,&amp;quot; but that&#039;s all. I&#039;ll probably stay like that from now on.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That incident, the one that happened under Sakura Kaede&#039;s house, doesn&#039;t seem to have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
made it into the news. It seems Shizuku did a lot to cover it up. What an incredible woman. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    school that day, I asked Shizuku what had become of Sakura Kaede, the crux of the matter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s fine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku answered me, sitting in her chair in the student council office.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She has no external injuries. Just a little bit of her hair is singed. And she doesn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember the incident.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s going on?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She doesn&#039;t remember anything. It&#039;s like her bad temper disappeared along with the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
statue.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that so?] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seeing that I was still not relieved, Shizuku added:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So what do you want to do? Report Sakura Kaede? Or tell her everything and force her to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reflect? You might feel better if you do that. But it will only hurt Sakura Kaede. And hatred &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
will only create new hatred.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Besides, if Sakura Kaede knew the truth, she might not only be hurt, but she might even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
refuse to come to school. If things go wrong, it might even get worse. So it&#039;s better not to let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her know anything.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. That&#039;s right. There is such a thing as happiness when you don&#039;t know &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What about me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pointed at myself. Shizuku: &amp;quot;Puff!&amp;quot; She laughed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [To her, you&#039;re just a friend she&#039;s known since junior high. That&#039;s all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even that&#039;s back to square one. Although it doesn&#039;t bother me anymore, I still feel a little &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
regretful. Afterwards,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t say anything to comfort me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I heard that it was Shizuku and Kondou Mikoto who moved the white Kämpfers to the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ground. They complained to me that it was quite tiring work. Of course, the Bracelet of Oath &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was gone, so their memories were gone too. They were probably just unconsciou s at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time, so they weren&#039;t put into the tank. They were lucky to be alive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s something I find strange.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The Kämpfers in the research facility disappeared.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How did that happen?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Everyone disappeared. Senpai and Kuzuhara too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who moved them away?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There was no one there except me. I think the stone statues were destroyed, so their &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bodies couldn&#039;t be preserved.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So, that means it&#039;s about those people.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No one will remember. The memory of them will be forever lost in everyone&#039;s mind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It sounds so sad. Shizuku is probably the only one who still remembers Shinomiya Tamiko &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and the others clearly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Our student council president said helplessly, &amp;quot;It can&#039;t be helped.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like I said. Memories are memories. We must live on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then we changed the subject.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I treated the female Natsuru as a medical condition. You&#039;re currently on leave from the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
women&#039;s club. There&#039;s no need to go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m strong enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can&#039;t transform, can you?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So right. Now that the Bracelet of Oath is gone, I&#039;m no longer Kämpfer. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Your class president and the others seem very regretful. They ask if there&#039;s anything more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
profitable than this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Those people really haven&#039;t changed at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I won&#039;t be going to the women&#039;s club anymore. Admittedly, I still feel a little lonely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Knock, knock, knock. Someone knocked on the student council office door. There was only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one person who would knock like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru! Shizuku!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I expected, it&#039;s Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Come play!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I blinked. How can you be so energetic? You have an endless supply of gasoline, don&#039;t you? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Are you nuclear -powered?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you want to play?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Build a boat out of cardboard and paddle it across Tokyo Bay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Didn&#039;t we do that in elementary school?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto raised her finger and shook it from side to side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, no, no. This time is different. We&#039;re using waterproof cardboard.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Same!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And my special curry.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I checked the fridge this morning and it&#039;s still full. Does this guy want my life to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dominated by curry?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at the clock on the wall. Oh, no. It&#039;s time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m going home first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, let&#039;s go together.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto pouted. Shizuku stopped her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s not okay, Kondou Mikoto.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t get in their way.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Our student council president said so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I came out of the student council office and started running. It might be a little late. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wondered if she was waiting for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I ran out of the boys&#039; club and ran towards the girls&#039; club. There was a girl there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She saw me and started waving.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru -san!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were full of smiles.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;ve started dating. Although our relationship isn&#039;t very close yet, we&#039;re always together. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Maybe strictly speaking, we&#039;re not dating. Because neither of us has said to the other, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Please date me.&amp;quot; But we&#039;re already very happy to maintain this relatio nship.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We walked home shoulder to shoulder. Although this scene would be a disaster if the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school discovered it or if Higashida found out, I didn&#039;t care.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane often told me about the books she&#039;d read or recommended interesting ones. I, in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
turn, chatted with her about things happening at school and even mentioned going out with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida and the others. Although our conversations were often tangential, it was these &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
small talk that connected us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, I&#039;ve been thinking about that,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That thing. That incident in the underground, Sakura Kaede, when she was little, she had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a story about it, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wonder if Sakura Kaede herself possessed that ability in that story. She might have been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
acting according to her own ideas.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In the end, it wasn&#039;t about the mediator or anything, but rather she herself became the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one manipulating Kämpfer. In other words, that&#039;s what Sakura Kaede wanted for herself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I covered Akane&#039;s mouth with my hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s not talk about that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ugh.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That matter is over.&amp;quot; Everything is sealed away in that basement .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Including that rotting stone statue and Sakura Kaede&#039;s alter ego. Of course, I still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember those things. But I&#039;ll just let this sink deep into my mind. It &#039;s something I can&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forget.     Akane pushed my hand away. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[Wow, that&#039;s hard work.]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[Sorry.]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[By the way, my dad asked me to take you to his place again.]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[He wants to tell you more about his job change experience.]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[He says it&#039;ll definitely be useful in this day and age.]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[Wow.]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s dad still seems baffled by how I got out of that basement.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s going to be a bit of a hassle to deal with him, so I&#039;ll see him later.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[Let&#039;s talk about this next time, okay?]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane puffed up her cheeks.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[Ah—, Natsuru-san, you haven&#039;t forgotten, have you?]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[I will remember.]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[Really?]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[Of course.]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[And you haven&#039;t forgotten me either, have you?]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I turned to look at Akane&#039;s face.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She was startled, wearing glasses. Akane was still the same as always.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl who never spoke to me in a rude tone. This was Akane.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Was that just an auditory hallucination? No, I did hear it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I reached out and gently stroked her cheek.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[I haven&#039;t forgotten. I absolutely won&#039;t forget.]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Did she hear it? Did my feelings reach that conceited and rude woman?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The one who found her existence just by cursing?&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I don&#039;t know. But the girl before me smiled faintly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(End)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4|← Back to Volume 12 Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Afterword|Forward to 12 Afterword →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586432</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586432"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:23:12Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translator&amp;#039;s Notes */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 12, Chapter 4  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede looked her usual self, with the gentle expression you&#039;d encounter on the way &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to school. Of the ten members of Seitetsu Gakuen, none of them wouldn&#039;t be captivated by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she felt different now. She was the sinister, the &amp;quot;Dark Sakura Kaede&amp;quot; that Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou had spoken of.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Welcome,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said with a smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just now I was wondering if you wouldn&#039;t come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou and I slowly approached her, aiming to close the distance between us as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
much as possible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you trying to lure us in?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even though the white Kämpfers failed, and I lost consciousness, we still made it here, so it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t a bad outcome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She touched the statue and looked down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And they&#039;ve caught Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s fine. But it looks a little strange to have her like this. Shizuku was actually tied up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So true. Shizuku had previously used Sakura Kaede (the fake one) to lure us into a trap, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now the tables have turned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was still touching the stone statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you know what this is?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kondou -san, you&#039;ve probably never seen one either.]&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s my first time seeing it either. Is this something from Earth?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This girl is incredibly knowledgeable about ancient sites and artifacts. Not only does she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
travel extensively, she even attends auctions of looted items. Yet she claims to be unaware of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this thing, which shows how rare it is. This is what we call an ex traterrestrial artifact.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good question.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She tapped the statue&#039;s head with her finger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s said that this thing was created to mimic the Red Man and the Blue Man, the gods the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mediators believe in. This means they share the same religious beliefs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Religion. In that case, the Mediators might have originally lived on the same planet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While I believe they&#039;re definitely different races, it seems their roots are the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you think this looks like something?&amp;quot; [ The text then abruptly shifts topics.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    tilted my head. I don&#039;t know what looks like this strange stone statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, Mikoto Kondou called out,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Could it be an Entrails Animal?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura nodded slightly. &amp;quot;It looks like  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a burning lion, right? Of course, I can&#039;t possibly know what statues from other worlds look &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like, so the resemblance is just a coincidence. This was placed here by the mediator who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came to this underground some time ago.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why was it placed here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I could tell you, but there are too many people listening.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She snapped her fingers. As the sound echoed, something fell to the ground with a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;clatter.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s wrong with you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou protested slightly. The Entrails Animals all fell to the ground in silence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong with you? Why did you suddenly collapse?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou picked up the fallen stuffed animals, but they didn&#039;t answer her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come on, stand up!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t waste your energy. It doesn&#039;t matter if they hear it, but we don&#039;t need them &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anymore.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura said coldly. Even so, Mikoto Kondou didn&#039;t move away from the dolls, still staring at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s not bad to be sentimental, but they&#039;re just containers. Their original purpose was to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
explain things to the Kämpfers and monitor them. In other countries, they seem to use &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
humans or birds. Using dolls here was just a coincidence.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Are you saying the choice of animals with internal organs was just a coincidence?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked. Sakura affirmed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, it was just a coincidence. But a certain girl doesn&#039;t think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura glanced at the stone statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A girl discovered an underground passage, explored it, and ended up here, deep &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underground. Although it was difficult for a child to navigate, she didn&#039;t turn back; it was as if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she had been led here. Then she saw this stone statue. The girl thought i t looked too much &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like the fiery lion she had imagined.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura was talking about her own story. Was she speaking as if it were someone else&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
story because it was something from Sakura&#039;s childhood?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She brightened up at the thought of the burning lion. Then she stared into the statue&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eyes. According to the girl&#039;s story, just looking into its eyes would make them friends.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now, looking at the statue&#039;s eyes, it seemed like nothing more than stone, a hollow, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inorganic object.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede hadn&#039;t even glanced at us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then the girl became its friend.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What friend?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou scolded. Sakura Kaede laughed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right. They weren&#039;t friends. That statue is a device used to manipulate &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personalities. The mediators place it where they see fit and use it to find someone who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
touches it or sees its eyes. They then give that person the necessary information an d a way &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to get the Kämpfers to fight. That&#039;s what it is.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t that a brainwashing device? You see, it&#039;s like the Ludwig Therapy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I remember seeing something called the Ludwig Therapy in a movie, and Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t deny it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s something like that. Anyway, that girl, that is, I, decided to listen to the mediators.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why? Because  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this is my story.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said it firmly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Looking at her, she was indeed Sakura Kaede, but something felt off. Sakura Kaede usually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t express her feelings. The only exceptions were when she was collecting animal &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entrails. And then there were the times when she confessed her feelings to me , a woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yet, she&#039;s so determined now. Her pretentious actions might seem wrong to us, but to her, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they&#039;re right —in other words, she&#039;s a true criminal  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    of faith. [Is this really what Sakura Kaede wants?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried to ask her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that what Sakura Kaede wants?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes. Isn&#039;t that natural?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If that&#039;s the case, then why do you exist? You and Sakura Kaede are two different people. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If this is truly what Sakura Kaede wants, then she&#039;s enough.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The unknown figure who had borrowed Sakura Kaede&#039;s body stared at me for a moment. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While her eyes were beautiful, I wasn&#039;t moved at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, with a look of admiration, she said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, you&#039;re quite intelligent. As expected of the man Shizuku falls for.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thank you for the compliment. But my grades in school are just barely average.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m still a little confused about this body. Although she won&#039;t remember what I did after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
returning to her original form, she&#039;ll feel indifferent and uneasy. That&#039;s why she talks in her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sleep.] In other words, she&#039;s forcibly suppressing these things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A bitter expression crossed her face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is all your fault, Natsuru and Shizuku. You tried to disrupt the Kämpfer divisions, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
things became unstable. So, I had no choice but to show up. So  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , while you&#039;re physically Sakura Kaede right now, you&#039;re not her?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s fine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I channeled power into my right hand. I felt my hand warm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I could fight you mercilessly!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I launched my largest fireball yet at Sakura Kaede, hitting her in the blink of an eye. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
explosion unleashed a massive flame.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A wave of heat washed over us, and Mikoto Kondou and I ducked down, shielding our &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
faces.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did we take her out?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After a while, the fire died down, and our vision cleared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The attack had no effect on the statue. It missed. If things weren&#039;t handled right, it could &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have even affected Shizuku. So, where did that thing that had taken over Sakura Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
body go?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That startled me a little. Just a little.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She placed a few millimeters between her fingers. She looked pleased.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s my turn now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She conjured a gun in her left hand and, without even a second thought, fired at us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou and I dodged on either side. The bullet passed right where we were.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so naive!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou shouted. Before I could say anything, she lunged forward, conjuring a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Japanese sword in her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey—!&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy&#039;s the type who thinks shouting will have an effect. That&#039;s right; it can give you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even more power.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede also conjured a Japanese sword in her right hand. The two swords clashed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a sharp sound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kondou -san, have you improved in your skills?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Humans do grow!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We both leaped back, swords poised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was ready to cast magic at any moment. Now it was two against one. Normally, this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
situation would definitely favor us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But our opponent was Sakura Kaede. And she was now in her evil mode. She could easily &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
take on all four of us at once. So we couldn&#039;t let our guard down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We remained in this position for a while. She didn&#039;t strike back again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, do you think you can beat me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How do you know if you don&#039;t try?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Excellent, such aggressiveness. But I can still do that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Japanese sword in her hand vanished. Then, her hand immediately began to glow with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a faint bluish -white light. What happened?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She waved her hand. A light bullet flew towards us. It grazed the startled me and landed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
behind me, exploding loudly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Magic?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes. How about this next?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She vanished her pistol and instead conjured a chained iron ball. She swung it a few times &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and threw it at Mikoto Kondou.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou jumped back as the iron ball slammed into the floor, chipping away a large &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chunk.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is how to use a sword.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You know how to use anything, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, you&#039;re saying we have no chance of winning. Up until now, she&#039;s only used pistols for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
long -range weapons, so if we&#039;re careful, we can still defeat her. But she actually knows how &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to use anything. I hate to admit it, but it&#039;s a fact that our chances of winning have dropped &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
significantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s made all her weapons disappear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I won&#039;t attack you again. It would be too boring to just casually injure you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s quite calm. She wouldn&#039;t act like that if she didn&#039;t have so much experience.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, Natsuru. I want to ask you, why are you chasing me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s obvious. Of course, it&#039;s to help everyone. That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s right. So, why do you think I lured you here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because I&#039;m necessary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. You&#039;re necessary to get Red and Blue back to fighting. I&#039;ve said that before, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ve heard that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s been causing a lot of trouble for me, so I have to restore order. It&#039;s not easy for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me to have a friend with such keen intuition.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She gave a wry smile. While she felt it was strangely fitting for her, it was also disgusting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You may have heard that you, Natsuru, are indispensable for this. You can transform into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
both a man and a woman, making you a symbol. The outcome between Blue and Red &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
depends on which side you choose. While this wouldn&#039;t be necessary if we were to fig ht &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
properly, I&#039;d like to use you as a safety net. Of course, I haven&#039;t considered using you as a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
safety net     .&amp;quot; [The following appears to be unrelated text fragments and should likely be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
omitted.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [     The     following     fragments appear to be     unrelated     ...     &amp;quot;You said before that you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t need me, didn&#039;t you?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;That&#039;s right, I don&#039;t need you. That&#039;s why I was planning to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beat you, but.&amp;quot;     Sakura Kaede continued.     &amp;quot;I&#039;ll let you go. It&#039;s okay if you return to your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
original world.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;That means I can give you freedom. You won&#039;t have to worry &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about Kämpfer anymore. You can go on adventures in Africa or South America. Not only that, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;ll reward you. Whether it&#039;s  money, antiques, or even some ancient monument, I can give it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to you entirely.&amp;quot;     Mikoto Kondou&#039;s eyes lit up. This girl just can&#039;t handle these rare things. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And the older the better. I heard she was even considering studying hard for a while in hopes &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of getting a position at the British Museum. But if she&#039;s tempted here, she&#039;d be a real &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
jerk.     &amp;quot;But.&amp;quot;     Sakura Kaede paused. He looked at me again.     &amp;quot;We&#039;ll have to wait until &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru agrees. Otherwise, I won&#039;t give it to you.&amp;quot; And you     &#039;re still dragging me into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this.     &amp;quot;Okay, what are you going to do?&amp;quot; ]     She meant to restore everything to the way it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was. She planned to use people like Shizuku and me to provoke another fight between the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfers. This meant that the number of people like Shi zuku&#039;s senior and Kuzuhara who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were kept in the tank would increase.     [Natsuru?]     [I refuse.]     I replied immediately. It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t take even a fraction of a second.     [Don&#039;t kid me. How could I possibly do what you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
say? I don&#039;t want to be anyone&#039;s subordinate anymore. Tell the mediators that they haven&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
found anyone. Sorry, Mikoto Kondou, you can&#039;t be rich for a while.]     [Never mind, there&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nothing I can do.]     Mikoto Kondou shook her head. Her eyes, which had been filled with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
material desire  just now, returned to their original state.     [Natsuru and you are fine. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Otherwise, it would be too boring.]     My childhood friend smiled the same smile she had in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kindergarten.     Sakura Kaede narrowed her eyes.     [Even if I beg you like this, you  won&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
agree?]     [Yes, yes.]     Even if the target is Sakura Kaede, I can&#039;t back down.     She stared at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me intently, her expression unchanging.     [Natsuru, you&#039;re so stubborn.]     [That&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
straightforward. But it depends on the situation.]     [Even if what I said isn&#039;t bad, you won&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
agree?]     [It&#039;s bad.]     [Even if you know you can get it, you won&#039;t agree?]     I was speechless. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She said Sakura Kaede would be mine. Even though she&#039;s the prettiest girl in Seitetsu &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Gakuen. Even though she&#039;s someon e I like.     But I still shook my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
head.     [Impossible.]     [Disrespectful man.]     Sakura Kaede&#039;s lips twisted slightly.     [You&#039;re &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
insulting me, aren     t you?] [That&#039;s what you think.]     [I&#039;ve changed my mind. It&#039;s okay if I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just chop off a few of your limbs.]     She moved. Mikoto Kondou and I were stiff with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervousness.     She moved from one end of our sight to the other at a dizzying speed. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Japanese sword appeared in her hand, but we had no idea when she had created it.     The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
blade swu ng towards us with a sound that sliced through the air.     [It hurts!]     I swallowed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the pain as the tip of the knife slashed my shoulder, stripping away all the flesh.     &amp;quot;Natsuru, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you&#039;re a woman now, why are you screaming like a man?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Because I&#039; m a man!&amp;quot; &amp;quot;     Hey—&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
!&amp;quot;     Mikoto Kondou roared from the side.     &amp;quot;Don&#039;t hurt Natsuru!&amp;quot;     She charged, her katana &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
drawn. This woman had always acted recklessly, and now she was even more energetic. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto Kondou swung     her knife down. Sakura Kaede dodged it with a sligh t shift of her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
body. Mikoto Kondou&#039;s blade struck the floor, sending sparks flying.     &amp;quot;Phew, that&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dangerous!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;You&#039;re so long -winded!&amp;quot;     Mikoto Kondou thrust her knife upward from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
below. Sakura Kaede blocked it with her own. A momentary silence f ell. This was a contest of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strength.     &amp;quot;Hey—!&amp;quot;     With a powerful roar, Mikoto Kondou thrust her knife forward. Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede gave up on confronting her head -on and spun around quickly, almost like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ballet.     Mikoto Kondou suddenly lost her footing an d stepped on empty &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
air.     &amp;quot;Hah!&amp;quot;     Sakura Kaede let out a sound like a breath, then dropped her own sword and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clamped her hands around Mikoto Kondou&#039;s blade. I couldn&#039;t help but think it looked quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
handsome.     Then she pressed her knee against the blade, trying to break it.     &amp;quot;I won&#039;t fall &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
twice in the same place!&amp;quot;     Mikoto Kondou let go and, with all her might, punched Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede&#039;s wrist. Then, picking up the fallen Japanese sword, she attacked again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wake up!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re quite capable!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede also picked up her sword and began to fight bravely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What have I been doing all this time? Of course, I&#039;ve been fighting. I cast a ton of spells. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t going to be polite with her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, get out of the way!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I didn&#039;t even make sure she&#039;d dodged before I unleashed my magic. Fireballs flew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
towards them both. I showed no mercy and unleashed two, three, four, five more. I&#039;ll keep &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
attacking as long as I have the strength.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thanks to my fireballs, my vision cleared. My sight began to clear from where the fireballs &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
landed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah—!&amp;quot; A fireball struck Sakura Kaede, sending her to the ground.     &amp;quot;Good job, Natsuru!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she cheered.     &amp;quot;It&#039;s not over yet!&amp;quot;     I warned. Before it could reach Sakura Kaede, I saw &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her using her sword as a shield to block the fireball.     &amp;quot;You guys are capable!&amp;quot;     Part of her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clothing was singed. Her elbows and knees were red. Yet she  seemed unharmed. Just how &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
powerful was she?     [My hair was singed. How are you going to make it up to me?]     [A &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
short haircut would suit you perfectly.]     Mikoto Kondou replied. She was the type who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enjoyed dealing with female arguments.     [Perhap s a bald head wouldn&#039;t be a bad idea. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
You&#039;d save the trouble of washing and drying it.]     [I&#039;m not planning on becoming a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nun.]     Sakura Kaede shifted the knife from her right hand to her left. Then, her empty right &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand flashed with white light. Just as I thought it was magic, a laser -like beam shot towards &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me.     The beam bounced off the floor with a sound like a short circuit. It wasn&#039;t that I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dodged it, but that Sakura Kaede missed.     [I&#039;m not used to using it yet.]     Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fired the las er again. As she&#039;d said, it still missed me. But it served as a distraction.     And she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
capitalized on it.     [Here I come.]     The white blade in her hand gleamed. I thought she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
coming, but she didn&#039;t. Her Japanese sword vanished, replaced by a cha ined iron ball.     She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swung it, making a whirring sound. Her hands were so slender, yet she swung it with such &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ease. Then she threw it.     [Hai!]     The floor beneath our feet gave way. If we were hit by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this, both our hands and feet would be crushed. Sakura Kaede really thought that just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
breaking our hands and feet would be enough.     [And more.]     The iron ball continued to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hit us, denting the ground, some even breaking the walls. This was almost like the Asama &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sanso Incident (Note: The Asama Sanso  Incident refers to the kidnappings carried out by the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
United Red Army at the Kawai Musical Instrument Maintenance Center in Karuizawa Town, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Nagano Prefecture, from February 19 to 28, 1972). And I was the terrorist in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
villa.     Mikoto Kondou and I nim bly dodged the attacks, which was difficult. The laser beam &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
distracting us was quite effective. If we just stood there like normal, we probably wouldn&#039;t be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hit, but it might hit us while we were dodging the iron ball.     Jumping around and rolling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
around on the ground was difficult.     Sakura Kaede smiled.     [Natsuru, Kondou -san. You &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
won&#039;t accomplish anything if you just keep doing this.]     We didn&#039;t even have time to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
retort.     [You can&#039;t beat me, right?] She     said it all she wanted to say.     But there was no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way we could beat her at this rate. I don&#039;t think getting my hands and feet smashed to pieces &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would be victory.     [Natsuru, what should we do?]     Mikoto Kondou was already too busy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just dodging the attack.     [Run away now?]     [No wa y.]     [Then what should we &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
do?]     [Follow me!]     With that, I rushed forward.     I slipped right under the iron ball, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the laser beam hit my feet. Wow. But if I tried to deal with it, I&#039;d be chopped into a pulp.     I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
closed the distance between us and began to channel power into my hands. I watched &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede pull the iron ball back into her palm, and then I unleashed a fireball. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Technically, I wasn&#039;t going to attack her with the fireball, but rather with the light it emitted. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A dazzling radian ce spread out in all directions. Magic isn&#039;t limited to attacking the target. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Though the flash of     light lasted only a brief moment, it was enough. Then I quickly     rolled &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to the side. [Mikoto!]     [Leave it to me!] She leaped high, shielding her face with one &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand     and     holding     her     weapon     in     the     othe r     .     [     Hahh     ... I&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underestimated you all so far.]     She threw away the chain. She&#039;d probably just abandoned it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because the weapon was broken and temporarily unusable.     Then, Sakura Kaede adjusted &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her stance.     [Let me try another m ethod.]     Sakura Kaede leaped up without a second &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thought. Because she hadn&#039;t made any preparatory moves, we were slow to react. But I still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fired a fireball at her.     [Hah!]     I only fired once, and then stopped. Or rather, I could only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fire once. T hen, instead of coming over here, she landed next to the woman lying next to the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
statue, forcibly tugging on her chains and pulling her up.     [Okay, time to get up. It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
morning.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t help but scream. It wasn&#039;t that I&#039;d forgotten about her, but I&#039;d been careless. Our &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student council president was still in her hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, can you hear me? It&#039;s me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku opened her eyes slightly. Her consciousness seemed hazy. She must have been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
drugged. Sakura Kaede put his mouth close to her ear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, this is terrible. Natsuru won&#039;t agree to my request.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [He won&#039;t work for me. What do you think we should do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s eyes hadn&#039;t yet focused, staring blankly into space. She probably didn&#039;t even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
know what Sakura Kaede was saying to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And Sakura Kaede knew everything. She thrust her fair fingers toward Shizuku&#039;s throat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Gurgle.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wait, stop it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t help but yell.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Take your hands away.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh my, Natsuru -kun, you misunderstood me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She stroked Shizuku&#039;s throat with her hand. Was she trying to strangle Shizuku? Or was she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
trying to rip her throat out? It was the same either way; it would hurt Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, don&#039;t be so loud. That&#039;s scary.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -kun licked her lips.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Think about how I&#039;d feel if you did that to your best friend.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re the only one who thinks that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku used me too, so we&#039;re the same. She used me to lure Natsuru -kun and the others &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
into a trap. She only made me fall asleep and used a fake one, but I still remember it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That was when Shizuku and I were still enemies. It was before Mikoto Kondou returned to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Japan, so it felt like a long time ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If it was the old Natsuru -kun, she wouldn&#039;t have been intimidated by this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -kun bit Shizuku&#039;s earlobe.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Because you were avoiding her back then. So you&#039;ll definitely just walk away without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doing anything. But what&#039;s going on now? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [. ] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You won&#039;t leave her to die? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you trying to hurt Shizuku? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How could that be?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said something unexpected.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I wouldn&#039;t do anything like hurting a close friend. So.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede turned her gaze toward the vast, barely illumined area just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll call someone worthy of Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Someone stepped out of the darkness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She had sharp eyes, lips that seemed ready to reveal teeth, and limbs like powerful &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
springs. And in one hand, she held an automatic pistol.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was speechless. Mikoto spoke in my place:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    On Akane&#039;s wrist, a red bracelet glowed dimly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was no mistake. She was Akane. And she was Akane in fierce dog mode. She hadn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
changed at all since she&#039;d jumped into the ground with Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But her eyes weren&#039;t looking at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s begin, Misaki -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede waved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aim your gun at Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bulldog girl pointed her gun at our student council president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane!?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, what are you doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou and I said almost simultaneously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This scene wasn&#039;t uncommon. Akane didn&#039;t like Shizuku very much, so she often &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
threatened to shoot or kill her. But the atmosphere now was clearly off. This wasn&#039;t a joke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede looked satisfied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Decide whether to shoot Natsuru based on her answer.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Got it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pointed her gun at Shizuku, her finger on the trigger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede chuckled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, Natsuru, what will you do? Will you resign yourself to Kämpfer&#039;s fate? Or will you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
watch Shizuku get hurt?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This deal is so unfair. No matter which I choose, it&#039;s not a good outcome for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The black -haired student council president stirred slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wondered if she&#039;d run away, but it seems that was just my unrealistic expectation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, be quiet, Natsuru. What would you do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t answer. Instead, I said something else.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re going to make Shizuku your subordinate, right? Hurt her, okay?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kämpfer has powerful healing abilities, right? A minor injury is fine. The question is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
whether you can bear to see Shizuku in pain.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s eyes looked happy. Her eyes sparkled, and she didn&#039;t even consider &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
whether what she was doing was right or wrong.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Misui -san, shoot.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou, standing nearby, took a breath. The gun went off.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bullet missed Shizuku. Instead, it grazed her neck, leaving a hole in the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You missed on purpose, didn&#039;t you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You understand, Natsuru. You don&#039;t have time to look for other answers.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath fired again. This time, it missed. Shizuku half -opened her mouth, letting out a few &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
soft, silky sounds.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Submit to me. What&#039;s wrong with that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou grew restless. I could only grit my teeth. I couldn&#039;t come up with any good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ideas. I have a serious problem with my ability to handle emergencies. It&#039;s best to leave it to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku in these situations, but the key is that she&#039;s in someone else&#039;s hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry up, hurry up. Otherwise, Shizuku will get hurt.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But Akane!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With a hint of self -destruction, I roared at the Mastiff Girl:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wake up! Look at what you&#039;re doing!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane! Did you hear that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I can hear it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Mastiff Girl suddenly roared back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m fine. My ears aren&#039;t blocked.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was so unexpected, and Mikoto Kondou and I were both taken aback. This guy actually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
answered me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Aren&#039;t you being controlled by him?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Didn&#039;t I say I was fine?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then why did you listen to what Sakura Kaede said?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane turned to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I want to continue being myself!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she cried.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m from Kämpfer. I&#039;m the personality I transformed into. If the battle ends like this, I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
disappear. I don&#039;t want that. I want to stay in this world longer!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this really your reason?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course it&#039;s true! You may not understand, but this is important. That bitch promised &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me that I could stay in this world, so I listened to her!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were bloodshot. Her fangs were visible at the corners of her mouth. Her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
words were filled with fiery emotion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I swallowed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you really have to go to this extent?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I like you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she suddenly said to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to be with you forever! I want to be with you forever! That&#039;s why I don&#039;t want to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
disappear!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was speechless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane was serious. Although she was now a normal bulldog girl, her feelings were still as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
young as a girl&#039;s. So pure, so pitiful, yet without a trace of impurity. This was the first time I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seen her so girlish.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This is all because of you! I hate myself. You&#039;re all I care about now. I&#039;ve degenerated into a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hopeless woman.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [ &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is why I agreed to a deal with this bitch.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I should have no regrets, but I couldn&#039;t. That&#039;s why I listened to this bitch. But so what. As &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
long as I could be with you, I&#039;d make a deal with even a demon.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A faint glint appeared in Akane&#039;s eyes. This was the first time I&#039;d seen it. This guy must have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been thinking about not letting it show. Now  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I could only stare at Akane&#039;s face. So did Mikoto. This woman, who wore a &amp;quot;dirty mouth&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
amulet around her neck, said something we couldn&#039;t expect.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I would shoot Shizuku without hesitation.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She raked the pistol and it clicked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If this means I can stay in this world...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop, Akane. Don&#039;t shoot!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I managed only to force out these words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can&#039;t shoot Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you talking about? You&#039;ve lost your mind!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked at me with tears in her eyes, a fierce look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you in love with her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the problem? Just listen to that bitch!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I told you to stop shooting! We&#039;re partners, right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As long as I&#039;m with you, I don&#039;t care what you ask me to do! So I&#039;ll do anything!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can&#039;t shoot your companions!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane suddenly turned the gun towards me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are you saying that?! Do you hate me?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I like you, you bastard!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I finally yelled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could I let the woman I love do something like that?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ugh, damn it, I finally said it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As she disappeared through the door leading underground, I burst into tears. That&#039;s when I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
realized it. I&#039;d cry for Akane. It wasn&#039;t anyone else who occupied my heart then, but her. I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
always thought she was the rudest person in the world. And she was . She was violent, foul -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouthed, and impatient. Being around her was life -threatening. She&#039;d even considered &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shooting me from time to time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But even so, she was incredibly charming. She always shone. And not just when she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fighting. When she was throbbing, when she was expressing her emotions, she was full of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
charm. I don&#039;t know when, but she captured my heart.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s true that Akane is my type. And I really like her transformed version, too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stared at me with wide eyes. Mikoto Kondou looked at me as if to say she couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
believe it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so rude!&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Are you serious, hey?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course I am. Don&#039;t make me say any more.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Say it sooner, idiot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pulled the gun away from me. As if reading her mind, Sakura Kaede said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shoot Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hurry up.&amp;quot; Hit her hands, feet, or stomach. Just don&#039;t hit her head. Just fire one shot and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;ll let you stay in this world.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Bulldog Girl pointed her gun at Shizuku and pulled the trigger. A  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    gunshot  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    rang out, and the bullet flew towards Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then the chains holding Shizuku fell to the floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane used her gun to break them, freeing the student council president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You shouldn&#039;t have listened to that shit!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Your hands are shaking. Do you want to do what the man you like says?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said coldly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, are you serious?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you mean by serious or not? What do you mean by doing what he says or not? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m the one with the messed up mind right now!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bulldog girl swiftly turned and shot Sakura Kaede. The gunshot was louder than ever.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, go save Shizuku!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, cover me!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto replied, &amp;quot;Got it.&amp;quot; and rushed out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I reached Shizuku, kicked the chains away, and called her out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey! Wake up! We&#039;re here to save you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was surprised she could still speak clearly. Her dilated pupils gradually began to return to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
normal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you okay?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t have to scream so loudly, I can hear you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was trying to tell me she&#039;d regained consciousness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m so exhausted after being knocked unconscious twice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can you move?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No problem. I can fight. I have to go support Akane and Mikoto Kondou.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she added softly, &amp;quot;I heard everything.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and Mikoto Kondou were engaged in a fierce battle with Sakura Kaede. Bullets flew, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swords flashed, and their curses echoed throughout the battle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto Kondou, move a little to the left! It&#039;s hard for me to shoot like that, you idiot!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re the one! Just come to the front! You can&#039;t see without your glasses!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you think I&#039;m an idiot?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even elementary school students are more obedient than you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As they exchanged curses, their movements gradually became more coordinated. Akane, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
responsible for long -range attacks, and Mikoto Kondou, responsible for close combat, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
blended their attacks perfectly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then there were the additions of Shizuku and I.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku hurled two daggers with a shrill sound. Her daggers flew forward in a straight line &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
without a single deflection.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Undeterred, I unleashed a fireball that followed the trajectory of her daggers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, lower your head!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I roared. She did as I told her and slashed upwards with her katana from below.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    All her attacks converged, emitting a dazzling light.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was a brilliant tactic. Whether she was a Kämpfer or something else, she was finished. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In truth, I was only relieved for a moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s strength had grown stronger than before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She deflected the bullets, caught the katana, kicked the daggers, and deflected the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fireballs. And she only staggered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re really useless, even when you&#039;re about to die.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her arrogant words betrayed an unpleasant feeling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you all banding together to defeat me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you change your mind, we&#039;ll stop.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If only the battle were to end like this, and everything could return to square one. Change  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    your mind? I don&#039;t like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She immediately denied me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why would you leave something so fun behind?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She spread her hands, looking puzzled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m thoroughly enjoying this. You&#039;d be so happy if you just did what I said. Why are you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
getting in my way? You&#039;re the only thing that confuses me. We simply don&#039;t understand  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said, channeling power into my palms.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No one will listen to you anymore, Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Really?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She swayed again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru, you&#039;re thinking you can beat me because I&#039;m stumbling, right? It&#039;s true I&#039;m in pain &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now. I might revert to my old personality. But...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her hair stood up with a whoosh.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, I won&#039;t let you off.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her whole body glowed. This wasn&#039;t fake. Sakura Kaede had finally given it her all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A glowing ribbon extended from each of her hands. The floor -length ribbon curved like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
whip, emitting a blazing glow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought it was some kind of magic, but what exactly was it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Go to hell!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She swung the whip with incredible speed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;re from Kämpfer, after all. We have several times the strength of ordinary people and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
an exceptional ability to detect moving objects. But we couldn&#039;t see her movements clearly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou tumbled to the ground. Her foot was entangled in the glowing whip. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede pulled Mikoto Kondou up and continued to throw her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I launched a fireball, but Sakura Kaede deflected it with a single index finger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No use!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She conjured several more glowing whips. Could she create any number of these things? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And they spun around, trying to grab me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I ducked my head and fell to the ground to avoid it. The whip spun a few times in the air &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before returning. Wow, danger! It&#039;s heading for my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou is still being held captive, so we need to rescue her. I opened one eye and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
yelled,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, Shizuku!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They both glanced at me. Does that make sense? Anyway, let&#039;s make a giant fireball and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
throw it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It exploded not far from Sakura Kaede. Sound and light alone won&#039;t hurt her. But this is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane started firing, breaking the whip wrapped around Mikoto Kondou. Then, Shizuku&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chained dagger immediately spun Mikoto Kondou around and pulled her back to us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto Kondou exhaled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Thank you, Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Tell Natsuru if you want to thank me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I don&#039;t have time for that right now. Furious whips were now bearing down on me. And &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not just one or two, but like a magician&#039;s conjurer, they were pouring down on me like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
torrent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Woooaaaaaa!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t even think about escaping.] Fighting back  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was a pipe dream. It was taking everything I had just to dodge.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane rushed towards me, firing furiously. She shot some of the whips off, which helped &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me a lot. I recovered quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, good job! You didn&#039;t hurt her at all!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s because the opponent was too strong!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What a useless guy!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you care about me? What about your pistol? It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s a bit better than a toy gun, isn&#039;t it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s true, it barely affects Sakura Kaede. She always uses a whip to knock the bullets down, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so she probably doesn&#039;t like being hit, but there&#039;s no point in missing her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The mastiff girl muttered,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is there nothing else to do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thinking of things isn&#039;t my specialty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s because you don&#039;t study.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, she looked toward the center of that vast space.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, I&#039;ve got an idea.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s the idea? If you have one, do it quickly. And don&#039;t bring your breasts close to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;ve touched them so many times, or I&#039;ll kill you. Isn&#039;t there a stone statue over there?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That one, in the middle, looks a lot like a burning lion. I don&#039;t want to get involved with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people who worship that kind of thing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That bitch must have become like this after seeing that. So, why don&#039;t we just smash that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thing to pieces?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I see. I hadn&#039;t noticed that before. Think about it, that stone statue is the source of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything. In that case, we just need to smash it. Just like shutting off the gas valve prevents &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the gas from leaking out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Good idea. Let&#039;s do it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What should we do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hold Sakura Kaede!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane fired at Sakura Kaede. The whips approaching us retreated, even if they weren&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knocked down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I rushed forward, igniting flames in my hands, aiming for the statue. Shizuku and Mikoto, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sensing my intention, held their breath.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hah!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The flames struck the statue, exploding. Hot air blew into my face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the statue remained unscathed. Not even a scratch, still standing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s useless!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I know that. Such a minor attack won&#039;t damage it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Damn it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But even my sighs were useless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede attacked again. This time, her attacks were even larger and more intense. We &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had no way to fight back and could only run.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -kun is like a typhoon. They say typhoons in the US used to be named after women. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
We should find one and name it after Sakura -kun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are there no other ideas, Natsuru?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, that was your idea too! Come up with another one!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop relying on others!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s nothing I can do with you saying that. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    keep running away. I&#039;m trying to think of a better solution, but just dodging is tough right &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now. I glanced at our student council president. It seems the remaining drugs are still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
affecting her, so her movements aren&#039;t very agile. It seems I can&#039;t cou nt on her for advice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, that was a close call.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I almost tripped. I think I stepped on some fallen Entrails Animal. I don&#039;t know if they were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knocked unconscious or something, but they&#039;re lying there, unable to move. I&#039;d completely &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forgotten about them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I picked one up. It was my special Entrails Animal, the Seppuku Tiger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Get out of the way.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was about to kick it like a football when I suddenly changed my mind. Because this thing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
has been with me all this time. I&#039;m forced to keep it company, but it&#039;s dangerous here &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anyway, so I&#039;ve decided to throw them farther away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please stop, Natsuru!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Seppuku Tiger suddenly spoke. I was startled, momentarily forgetting I was still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fighting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, it&#039;s talking.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sure I could say that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Weren&#039;t you knocked unconscious?] [I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;m paralyzed.] It took me a while to finally be able to speak.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s great. We&#039;re busy right now, so please stay in the corner.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I raised my hand, about to throw it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop. I have something to tell you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t have anything to say.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Listen to me. It&#039;s about the Burning Lion.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What did you say?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since it told me not to throw it, I&#039;ll just do as it says. The Burning Lion is now able to speak.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah—, you seem to be in trouble.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, so hurry up.] &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That stone statue looks a lot like me,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    doesn&#039;t it?&amp;quot; I confirmed. It&#039;s exactly the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m the first Entrails Animal. So, I&#039;ve recorded a lot of information. In other words, I&#039;m a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
replica of that stone statue. And I&#039;m also Miss Sakura&#039;s property.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That information is incredibly complex. You can use it to shock your opponent, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
temporarily throwing them into disarray and forcing them to obey your commands.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, Mikoto has been treated this way before. But it was the Suffocating Wild Dog who did &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So what? If you have any tricks, come up with them now. Or I&#039;ll kill you.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, that&#039;s not the case. This method isn&#039;t just effective against the Kämpfer&#039;s method. It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also effective against inorganic matter.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing this, I looked at the Burning Lion and then at the stone statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, if you just look into the statue&#039;s eyes, it will?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Information will flood your brain instantly, potentially destroying it instantly. But if it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
works...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, I&#039;ll do it!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d made up my mind before I even finished listening. No matter how low the odds, I had to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
take a gamble. And there was no time for hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I grabbed the Burning Lion and the Seppuku Tiger and ran.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede spotted me and swung his whip of light at me. But Mikoto Kondou cut them &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
off, and Shizuku helped me block the remaining ones.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was someone I had to apologize to, so I ran, calling out,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry, Akane!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane smiled at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll leave my life to the man I love.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her words made me happy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The statue was not far away. This time, I got even closer than before. I held the burning &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lion in front of me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look at this! Over here!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop, stop, Natsuru -kun!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -kun let out a cry of grief. I ignored her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Over here!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, the eyes of the statue and the burning lion began to glow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The air began to shake. It felt like all the strength was being sucked out of my body. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer&#039;s weapon was gradually disappearing. I struggled to stand, but my whole body felt &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heavy as if it were filled with lead.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The statue&#039;s eyes blinked a few times, then glowed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The history of the battle flashed through my mind. The figures of all the Kämpfers who had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sacrificed so far appeared. Tamiko Shinomiya, Midori Kuzuhara, some unknown people, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the girls in the tank.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then a light filled the cave, obscuring everything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When it faded, everything was over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wake up, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My childhood friend was patting my cheek.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The light has disappeared. It&#039;s okay if you don&#039;t close your eyes. This is the first time I&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seen a light like this since I was abducted by a flying saucer in Texas.] (Translator: I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
speechless about Mikoto Kondou&#039;s experience.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It sounds ridiculous, but if it comes from this guy, it must be true.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It seems that I lost consciousness at the end, but everyone else is fine. No, there was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
another person besides me who fell to the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That person was Sakura Kaede. She&#039;s still alive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog Girl was holding her at gunpoint.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You stinking bitch. It&#039;s finally time to settle the score with you. I&#039;ll send you to the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
afterlife.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll make your head explode!] Akane  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , stop!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She glared at me, trying to stop her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s wrong? This guy&#039;s the culprit behind everything! That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s true, but I think if I kill her now, a lot of important things about Kämpfer will be gone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied. I don&#039;t know if those things are truly important, and I don&#039;t have any basis for it. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personally don&#039;t want to lose, and I don&#039;t want to be stuck in that tank. But I think it&#039;s not just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me; everyone feels the same way. And that&#039;s why Sakura -kun must feel the same way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So don&#039;t shoot yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Humph, you still like to show off. If it&#039;s really that important, you should have locked it in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the bank vault long ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said the same thing she would have said long ago. She didn&#039;t pull the trigger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked around. The statue was still there. But it was covered in fine cracks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That thing is almost rotting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, I heard a voice from somewhere. It was the tiger who committed seppuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, where have you been? I&#039;ve been right beside you. That statue seems to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
overwhelmed by power ,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    breaking from the inside. The Fire Lion told me so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion we were talking about said nothing and remained motionless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The statue should rot soon. Then everything will be over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re the same way, aren&#039;t you? That&#039;s right  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It means that the Entrails Animals were originally messengers for the Kämpfers. Now that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their mission is complete, they&#039;ll naturally disappear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m sorry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;re like that. And...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Seppuku Tiger blinked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stood before me. That rude Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She gently tapped the statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If you destroy this, it&#039;s all over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Who was she referring to? I knew it without having to tell her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I&#039;d just gone through with that bitch, things wouldn&#039;t have turned out this way. Well, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s nothing I can do about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t answer her. I wanted to spend even a moment with this woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I searched my clothes for any pocky. I remember bringing it with my phone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I found the crumpled pocky box.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Eat it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane frowned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s all broken, isn&#039;t it? You&#039;re such a jerk.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even as she said this, she pulled the fragment out and held it in her mouth. I heard the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sound of her chewing slowly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I can&#039;t do it anymore, so I&#039;ll leave the rest to you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Take all the fallen dolls back with me. And that bitch too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why are you making such a gloomy face?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She slapped me. Her slap nearly overwhelmed me. I quickly swallowed it back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Didn&#039;t I tell you before? Just don&#039;t forget I ever existed. If you dare forget, you&#039;ll be in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
trouble.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I won&#039;t forget.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Who would forget? You&#039;re the only woman I&#039;ve ever confessed to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Very good.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane smiled at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The cracks in the statue were widening. Small pieces of debris were already falling. I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
afraid it won&#039;t last for a few more seconds.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [One last thing.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked me in the eyes and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Be nice to me before I transformed.] She likes you very much, too. Like me. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I know.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied. Of course I know that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then goodbye, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Goodbye, Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The stone statue shattered completely. At the same time, the bracelet of oath vanished.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Apparently, Akane&#039;s nerves had been on edge; she collapsed as soon as she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
untransformed. Natsuru then picked up the unconscious Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He wanted to pick up Kaede as well, but Shizuku stopped him.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t force it. Mikoto and I will take care of her. You go first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s right, Natsuru. Leave the rest to us.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru thanked them briefly and began to walk out of the cave, carrying Akane on his &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto and Shizuku watched him go until he disappeared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah—Natsuru and Akane are gone. That&#039;s not bad, though.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, it&#039;s not bad.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku replied. She roughly smoothed her messy hair with her fingers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [He&#039;s going to take her to the doctor, right? That&#039;s a good thing. Natsuru is really gentle.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Though he&#039;s not that gentle with me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Me too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them looked at each other and gave a wry smile. The faint laughter echoed in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the wide cave.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned her hand over and checked her watch. The hospital isn&#039;t open yet, so let&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
call an ambulance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru&#039;s favorite red dress.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto, don&#039;t you regret it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, but I still feel hurt. But there&#039;s nothing I can do about it. Because I have to accept &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
whatever the outcome is.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She didn&#039;t sound like she was being stubborn. Because Mikoto had mentally prepared for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this matter a long time ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said again:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [He didn&#039;t tell us the answer directly, did he?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But what&#039;s the difference between that and telling us directly?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned around quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, what about you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you okay?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The almighty student council president smiled with her lips pursed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t hear his answer. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [As expected of you, you&#039;re quite tenacious.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto clapped her hands lightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s not that he will definitely choose me. But there&#039;s still a possibility.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This is—, but.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [He might also give me a &amp;quot;no&amp;quot; answer. No matter how small the hope, as long as there&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
still hope, I won&#039;t give up. Because one day, I&#039;ll make him fall in love with me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, Shizuku, you&#039;re really strong.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s so childish to give up so easily. I&#039;m a high school student.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s tone was very firm. Unwavering, just like her usual style as the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president. At least that&#039;s how it sounded to Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto rolled her shoulders a few times and then stretched them vigorously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Okay, then let&#039;s go back too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll stay a little longer.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? Why?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We need to clean up the mess. Not just here, but also the research facility. I&#039;m thinking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about calling the police, but we have to seal off this place first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let me help you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, I can do it myself.] You take Kaede out first. I have to erase all the traces here and find &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
those girls in white, and then block the entrance and exit here. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku meant to let Mikoto go first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So Mikoto carried Kaede on her back and said, &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll leave first.&amp;quot; Then she walked out. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The sound of the elevator started to sound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t breathe a sigh of relief until Mikoto disappeared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku knew very well that after the battle, Natsuru looked at her not as a member of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
opposite sex. He just regarded her as a partner. He didn&#039;t regard her as someone he liked, let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
alone as a lover.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He would probably always be like this in the future. No matter when, no matter how many &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
times she confessed to him, he would only have one answer now. And that would definitely &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not be the answer Shizuku liked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku put her hand on her chest. Her heartbeat didn&#039;t change. How could she be sad &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about such a thing? She had anticipated the bad outcome. So it would be fine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How could she be shaken? It was just a breakup.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before she knew it, she felt something warm flowing down her face. She touched her face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with her fingers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was wet. Her fingertips were wet. Something she had never seen before was flowing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why am I crying?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku kicked the remains of the statue with all her might.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3|← Back to Volume 12 Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 5|Forward to 12 Chapter 5 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586431</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586431"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:22:24Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;    Volume 12, Chapter 4        Sakura Kaede looked her usual self, with the gentle expression you&amp;#039;d encounter on the way   to school. Of the ten members of Seitetsu Gakuen, none of them wouldn&amp;#039;t be captivated by   her.        But she felt different now. She was the sinister, the &amp;quot;Dark Sakura Kaede&amp;quot; that Mikoto   Kondou had spoken of.         &amp;quot;Welcome,&amp;quot;         she said with a smile.         &amp;quot;Just now I was wondering if you wouldn&amp;#039;t come.&amp;quot;         &amp;quot;Sakur...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 12, Chapter 4  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede looked her usual self, with the gentle expression you&#039;d encounter on the way &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to school. Of the ten members of Seitetsu Gakuen, none of them wouldn&#039;t be captivated by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she felt different now. She was the sinister, the &amp;quot;Dark Sakura Kaede&amp;quot; that Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou had spoken of.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Welcome,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said with a smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just now I was wondering if you wouldn&#039;t come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou and I slowly approached her, aiming to close the distance between us as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
much as possible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you trying to lure us in?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even though the white Kämpfers failed, and I lost consciousness, we still made it here, so it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t a bad outcome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She touched the statue and looked down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And they&#039;ve caught Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s fine. But it looks a little strange to have her like this. Shizuku was actually tied up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So true. Shizuku had previously used Sakura Kaede (the fake one) to lure us into a trap, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now the tables have turned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was still touching the stone statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you know what this is?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kondou -san, you&#039;ve probably never seen one either.]&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s my first time seeing it either. Is this something from Earth?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This girl is incredibly knowledgeable about ancient sites and artifacts. Not only does she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
travel extensively, she even attends auctions of looted items. Yet she claims to be unaware of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this thing, which shows how rare it is. This is what we call an ex traterrestrial artifact.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good question.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She tapped the statue&#039;s head with her finger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s said that this thing was created to mimic the Red Man and the Blue Man, the gods the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mediators believe in. This means they share the same religious beliefs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Religion. In that case, the Mediators might have originally lived on the same planet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While I believe they&#039;re definitely different races, it seems their roots are the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you think this looks like something?&amp;quot; [ The text then abruptly shifts topics.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    tilted my head. I don&#039;t know what looks like this strange stone statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, Mikoto Kondou called out,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Could it be an Entrails Animal?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura nodded slightly. &amp;quot;It looks like  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a burning lion, right? Of course, I can&#039;t possibly know what statues from other worlds look &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like, so the resemblance is just a coincidence. This was placed here by the mediator who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came to this underground some time ago.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why was it placed here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I could tell you, but there are too many people listening.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She snapped her fingers. As the sound echoed, something fell to the ground with a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;clatter.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s wrong with you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou protested slightly. The Entrails Animals all fell to the ground in silence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong with you? Why did you suddenly collapse?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou picked up the fallen stuffed animals, but they didn&#039;t answer her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come on, stand up!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t waste your energy. It doesn&#039;t matter if they hear it, but we don&#039;t need them &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anymore.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura said coldly. Even so, Mikoto Kondou didn&#039;t move away from the dolls, still staring at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s not bad to be sentimental, but they&#039;re just containers. Their original purpose was to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
explain things to the Kämpfers and monitor them. In other countries, they seem to use &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
humans or birds. Using dolls here was just a coincidence.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Are you saying the choice of animals with internal organs was just a coincidence?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked. Sakura affirmed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, it was just a coincidence. But a certain girl doesn&#039;t think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura glanced at the stone statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A girl discovered an underground passage, explored it, and ended up here, deep &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underground. Although it was difficult for a child to navigate, she didn&#039;t turn back; it was as if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she had been led here. Then she saw this stone statue. The girl thought i t looked too much &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like the fiery lion she had imagined.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura was talking about her own story. Was she speaking as if it were someone else&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
story because it was something from Sakura&#039;s childhood?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She brightened up at the thought of the burning lion. Then she stared into the statue&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eyes. According to the girl&#039;s story, just looking into its eyes would make them friends.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now, looking at the statue&#039;s eyes, it seemed like nothing more than stone, a hollow, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inorganic object.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede hadn&#039;t even glanced at us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then the girl became its friend.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What friend?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou scolded. Sakura Kaede laughed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right. They weren&#039;t friends. That statue is a device used to manipulate &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personalities. The mediators place it where they see fit and use it to find someone who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
touches it or sees its eyes. They then give that person the necessary information an d a way &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to get the Kämpfers to fight. That&#039;s what it is.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t that a brainwashing device? You see, it&#039;s like the Ludwig Therapy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I remember seeing something called the Ludwig Therapy in a movie, and Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t deny it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s something like that. Anyway, that girl, that is, I, decided to listen to the mediators.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why? Because  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this is my story.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said it firmly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Looking at her, she was indeed Sakura Kaede, but something felt off. Sakura Kaede usually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t express her feelings. The only exceptions were when she was collecting animal &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entrails. And then there were the times when she confessed her feelings to me , a woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yet, she&#039;s so determined now. Her pretentious actions might seem wrong to us, but to her, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they&#039;re right —in other words, she&#039;s a true criminal  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    of faith. [Is this really what Sakura Kaede wants?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried to ask her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that what Sakura Kaede wants?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes. Isn&#039;t that natural?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If that&#039;s the case, then why do you exist? You and Sakura Kaede are two different people. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If this is truly what Sakura Kaede wants, then she&#039;s enough.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The unknown figure who had borrowed Sakura Kaede&#039;s body stared at me for a moment. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While her eyes were beautiful, I wasn&#039;t moved at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, with a look of admiration, she said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, you&#039;re quite intelligent. As expected of the man Shizuku falls for.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thank you for the compliment. But my grades in school are just barely average.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m still a little confused about this body. Although she won&#039;t remember what I did after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
returning to her original form, she&#039;ll feel indifferent and uneasy. That&#039;s why she talks in her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sleep.] In other words, she&#039;s forcibly suppressing these things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A bitter expression crossed her face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is all your fault, Natsuru and Shizuku. You tried to disrupt the Kämpfer divisions, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
things became unstable. So, I had no choice but to show up. So  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , while you&#039;re physically Sakura Kaede right now, you&#039;re not her?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s fine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I channeled power into my right hand. I felt my hand warm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I could fight you mercilessly!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I launched my largest fireball yet at Sakura Kaede, hitting her in the blink of an eye. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
explosion unleashed a massive flame.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A wave of heat washed over us, and Mikoto Kondou and I ducked down, shielding our &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
faces.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did we take her out?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After a while, the fire died down, and our vision cleared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The attack had no effect on the statue. It missed. If things weren&#039;t handled right, it could &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have even affected Shizuku. So, where did that thing that had taken over Sakura Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
body go?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That startled me a little. Just a little.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She placed a few millimeters between her fingers. She looked pleased.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s my turn now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She conjured a gun in her left hand and, without even a second thought, fired at us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou and I dodged on either side. The bullet passed right where we were.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so naive!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou shouted. Before I could say anything, she lunged forward, conjuring a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Japanese sword in her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey—!&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy&#039;s the type who thinks shouting will have an effect. That&#039;s right; it can give you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even more power.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede also conjured a Japanese sword in her right hand. The two swords clashed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a sharp sound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kondou -san, have you improved in your skills?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Humans do grow!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We both leaped back, swords poised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was ready to cast magic at any moment. Now it was two against one. Normally, this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
situation would definitely favor us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But our opponent was Sakura Kaede. And she was now in her evil mode. She could easily &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
take on all four of us at once. So we couldn&#039;t let our guard down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We remained in this position for a while. She didn&#039;t strike back again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, do you think you can beat me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How do you know if you don&#039;t try?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Excellent, such aggressiveness. But I can still do that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Japanese sword in her hand vanished. Then, her hand immediately began to glow with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a faint bluish -white light. What happened?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She waved her hand. A light bullet flew towards us. It grazed the startled me and landed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
behind me, exploding loudly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Magic?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes. How about this next?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She vanished her pistol and instead conjured a chained iron ball. She swung it a few times &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and threw it at Mikoto Kondou.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou jumped back as the iron ball slammed into the floor, chipping away a large &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chunk.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is how to use a sword.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You know how to use anything, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, you&#039;re saying we have no chance of winning. Up until now, she&#039;s only used pistols for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
long -range weapons, so if we&#039;re careful, we can still defeat her. But she actually knows how &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to use anything. I hate to admit it, but it&#039;s a fact that our chances of winning have dropped &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
significantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s made all her weapons disappear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I won&#039;t attack you again. It would be too boring to just casually injure you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s quite calm. She wouldn&#039;t act like that if she didn&#039;t have so much experience.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, Natsuru. I want to ask you, why are you chasing me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s obvious. Of course, it&#039;s to help everyone. That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s right. So, why do you think I lured you here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because I&#039;m necessary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. You&#039;re necessary to get Red and Blue back to fighting. I&#039;ve said that before, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ve heard that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s been causing a lot of trouble for me, so I have to restore order. It&#039;s not easy for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me to have a friend with such keen intuition.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She gave a wry smile. While she felt it was strangely fitting for her, it was also disgusting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You may have heard that you, Natsuru, are indispensable for this. You can transform into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
both a man and a woman, making you a symbol. The outcome between Blue and Red &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
depends on which side you choose. While this wouldn&#039;t be necessary if we were to fig ht &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
properly, I&#039;d like to use you as a safety net. Of course, I haven&#039;t considered using you as a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
safety net     .&amp;quot; [The following appears to be unrelated text fragments and should likely be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
omitted.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [     The     following     fragments appear to be     unrelated     ...     &amp;quot;You said before that you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t need me, didn&#039;t you?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;That&#039;s right, I don&#039;t need you. That&#039;s why I was planning to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beat you, but.&amp;quot;     Sakura Kaede continued.     &amp;quot;I&#039;ll let you go. It&#039;s okay if you return to your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
original world.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;That means I can give you freedom. You won&#039;t have to worry &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about Kämpfer anymore. You can go on adventures in Africa or South America. Not only that, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;ll reward you. Whether it&#039;s  money, antiques, or even some ancient monument, I can give it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to you entirely.&amp;quot;     Mikoto Kondou&#039;s eyes lit up. This girl just can&#039;t handle these rare things. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And the older the better. I heard she was even considering studying hard for a while in hopes &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of getting a position at the British Museum. But if she&#039;s tempted here, she&#039;d be a real &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
jerk.     &amp;quot;But.&amp;quot;     Sakura Kaede paused. He looked at me again.     &amp;quot;We&#039;ll have to wait until &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru agrees. Otherwise, I won&#039;t give it to you.&amp;quot; And you     &#039;re still dragging me into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this.     &amp;quot;Okay, what are you going to do?&amp;quot; ]     She meant to restore everything to the way it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was. She planned to use people like Shizuku and me to provoke another fight between the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfers. This meant that the number of people like Shi zuku&#039;s senior and Kuzuhara who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were kept in the tank would increase.     [Natsuru?]     [I refuse.]     I replied immediately. It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t take even a fraction of a second.     [Don&#039;t kid me. How could I possibly do what you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
say? I don&#039;t want to be anyone&#039;s subordinate anymore. Tell the mediators that they haven&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
found anyone. Sorry, Mikoto Kondou, you can&#039;t be rich for a while.]     [Never mind, there&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nothing I can do.]     Mikoto Kondou shook her head. Her eyes, which had been filled with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
material desire  just now, returned to their original state.     [Natsuru and you are fine. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Otherwise, it would be too boring.]     My childhood friend smiled the same smile she had in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kindergarten.     Sakura Kaede narrowed her eyes.     [Even if I beg you like this, you  won&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
agree?]     [Yes, yes.]     Even if the target is Sakura Kaede, I can&#039;t back down.     She stared at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me intently, her expression unchanging.     [Natsuru, you&#039;re so stubborn.]     [That&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
straightforward. But it depends on the situation.]     [Even if what I said isn&#039;t bad, you won&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
agree?]     [It&#039;s bad.]     [Even if you know you can get it, you won&#039;t agree?]     I was speechless. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She said Sakura Kaede would be mine. Even though she&#039;s the prettiest girl in Seitetsu &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Gakuen. Even though she&#039;s someon e I like.     But I still shook my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
head.     [Impossible.]     [Disrespectful man.]     Sakura Kaede&#039;s lips twisted slightly.     [You&#039;re &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
insulting me, aren     t you?] [That&#039;s what you think.]     [I&#039;ve changed my mind. It&#039;s okay if I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just chop off a few of your limbs.]     She moved. Mikoto Kondou and I were stiff with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervousness.     She moved from one end of our sight to the other at a dizzying speed. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Japanese sword appeared in her hand, but we had no idea when she had created it.     The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
blade swu ng towards us with a sound that sliced through the air.     [It hurts!]     I swallowed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the pain as the tip of the knife slashed my shoulder, stripping away all the flesh.     &amp;quot;Natsuru, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you&#039;re a woman now, why are you screaming like a man?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Because I&#039; m a man!&amp;quot; &amp;quot;     Hey—&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
!&amp;quot;     Mikoto Kondou roared from the side.     &amp;quot;Don&#039;t hurt Natsuru!&amp;quot;     She charged, her katana &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
drawn. This woman had always acted recklessly, and now she was even more energetic. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto Kondou swung     her knife down. Sakura Kaede dodged it with a sligh t shift of her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
body. Mikoto Kondou&#039;s blade struck the floor, sending sparks flying.     &amp;quot;Phew, that&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dangerous!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;You&#039;re so long -winded!&amp;quot;     Mikoto Kondou thrust her knife upward from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
below. Sakura Kaede blocked it with her own. A momentary silence f ell. This was a contest of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strength.     &amp;quot;Hey—!&amp;quot;     With a powerful roar, Mikoto Kondou thrust her knife forward. Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede gave up on confronting her head -on and spun around quickly, almost like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ballet.     Mikoto Kondou suddenly lost her footing an d stepped on empty &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
air.     &amp;quot;Hah!&amp;quot;     Sakura Kaede let out a sound like a breath, then dropped her own sword and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clamped her hands around Mikoto Kondou&#039;s blade. I couldn&#039;t help but think it looked quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
handsome.     Then she pressed her knee against the blade, trying to break it.     &amp;quot;I won&#039;t fall &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
twice in the same place!&amp;quot;     Mikoto Kondou let go and, with all her might, punched Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede&#039;s wrist. Then, picking up the fallen Japanese sword, she attacked again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wake up!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re quite capable!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede also picked up her sword and began to fight bravely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What have I been doing all this time? Of course, I&#039;ve been fighting. I cast a ton of spells. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t going to be polite with her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, get out of the way!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I didn&#039;t even make sure she&#039;d dodged before I unleashed my magic. Fireballs flew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
towards them both. I showed no mercy and unleashed two, three, four, five more. I&#039;ll keep &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
attacking as long as I have the strength.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thanks to my fireballs, my vision cleared. My sight began to clear from where the fireballs &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
landed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah—!&amp;quot; A fireball struck Sakura Kaede, sending her to the ground.     &amp;quot;Good job, Natsuru!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she cheered.     &amp;quot;It&#039;s not over yet!&amp;quot;     I warned. Before it could reach Sakura Kaede, I saw &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her using her sword as a shield to block the fireball.     &amp;quot;You guys are capable!&amp;quot;     Part of her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clothing was singed. Her elbows and knees were red. Yet she  seemed unharmed. Just how &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
powerful was she?     [My hair was singed. How are you going to make it up to me?]     [A &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
short haircut would suit you perfectly.]     Mikoto Kondou replied. She was the type who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enjoyed dealing with female arguments.     [Perhap s a bald head wouldn&#039;t be a bad idea. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
You&#039;d save the trouble of washing and drying it.]     [I&#039;m not planning on becoming a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nun.]     Sakura Kaede shifted the knife from her right hand to her left. Then, her empty right &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand flashed with white light. Just as I thought it was magic, a laser -like beam shot towards &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me.     The beam bounced off the floor with a sound like a short circuit. It wasn&#039;t that I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dodged it, but that Sakura Kaede missed.     [I&#039;m not used to using it yet.]     Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fired the las er again. As she&#039;d said, it still missed me. But it served as a distraction.     And she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
capitalized on it.     [Here I come.]     The white blade in her hand gleamed. I thought she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
coming, but she didn&#039;t. Her Japanese sword vanished, replaced by a cha ined iron ball.     She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swung it, making a whirring sound. Her hands were so slender, yet she swung it with such &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ease. Then she threw it.     [Hai!]     The floor beneath our feet gave way. If we were hit by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this, both our hands and feet would be crushed. Sakura Kaede really thought that just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
breaking our hands and feet would be enough.     [And more.]     The iron ball continued to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hit us, denting the ground, some even breaking the walls. This was almost like the Asama &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sanso Incident (Note: The Asama Sanso  Incident refers to the kidnappings carried out by the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
United Red Army at the Kawai Musical Instrument Maintenance Center in Karuizawa Town, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Nagano Prefecture, from February 19 to 28, 1972). And I was the terrorist in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
villa.     Mikoto Kondou and I nim bly dodged the attacks, which was difficult. The laser beam &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
distracting us was quite effective. If we just stood there like normal, we probably wouldn&#039;t be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hit, but it might hit us while we were dodging the iron ball.     Jumping around and rolling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
around on the ground was difficult.     Sakura Kaede smiled.     [Natsuru, Kondou -san. You &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
won&#039;t accomplish anything if you just keep doing this.]     We didn&#039;t even have time to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
retort.     [You can&#039;t beat me, right?] She     said it all she wanted to say.     But there was no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way we could beat her at this rate. I don&#039;t think getting my hands and feet smashed to pieces &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would be victory.     [Natsuru, what should we do?]     Mikoto Kondou was already too busy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just dodging the attack.     [Run away now?]     [No wa y.]     [Then what should we &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
do?]     [Follow me!]     With that, I rushed forward.     I slipped right under the iron ball, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the laser beam hit my feet. Wow. But if I tried to deal with it, I&#039;d be chopped into a pulp.     I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
closed the distance between us and began to channel power into my hands. I watched &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede pull the iron ball back into her palm, and then I unleashed a fireball. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Technically, I wasn&#039;t going to attack her with the fireball, but rather with the light it emitted. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A dazzling radian ce spread out in all directions. Magic isn&#039;t limited to attacking the target. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Though the flash of     light lasted only a brief moment, it was enough. Then I quickly     rolled &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to the side. [Mikoto!]     [Leave it to me!] She leaped high, shielding her face with one &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand     and     holding     her     weapon     in     the     othe r     .     [     Hahh     ... I&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underestimated you all so far.]     She threw away the chain. She&#039;d probably just abandoned it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because the weapon was broken and temporarily unusable.     Then, Sakura Kaede adjusted &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her stance.     [Let me try another m ethod.]     Sakura Kaede leaped up without a second &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thought. Because she hadn&#039;t made any preparatory moves, we were slow to react. But I still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fired a fireball at her.     [Hah!]     I only fired once, and then stopped. Or rather, I could only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fire once. T hen, instead of coming over here, she landed next to the woman lying next to the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
statue, forcibly tugging on her chains and pulling her up.     [Okay, time to get up. It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
morning.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t help but scream. It wasn&#039;t that I&#039;d forgotten about her, but I&#039;d been careless. Our &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student council president was still in her hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, can you hear me? It&#039;s me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku opened her eyes slightly. Her consciousness seemed hazy. She must have been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
drugged. Sakura Kaede put his mouth close to her ear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, this is terrible. Natsuru won&#039;t agree to my request.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [He won&#039;t work for me. What do you think we should do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s eyes hadn&#039;t yet focused, staring blankly into space. She probably didn&#039;t even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
know what Sakura Kaede was saying to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And Sakura Kaede knew everything. She thrust her fair fingers toward Shizuku&#039;s throat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Gurgle.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wait, stop it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t help but yell.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Take your hands away.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh my, Natsuru -kun, you misunderstood me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She stroked Shizuku&#039;s throat with her hand. Was she trying to strangle Shizuku? Or was she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
trying to rip her throat out? It was the same either way; it would hurt Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, don&#039;t be so loud. That&#039;s scary.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -kun licked her lips.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Think about how I&#039;d feel if you did that to your best friend.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re the only one who thinks that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku used me too, so we&#039;re the same. She used me to lure Natsuru -kun and the others &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
into a trap. She only made me fall asleep and used a fake one, but I still remember it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That was when Shizuku and I were still enemies. It was before Mikoto Kondou returned to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Japan, so it felt like a long time ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If it was the old Natsuru -kun, she wouldn&#039;t have been intimidated by this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -kun bit Shizuku&#039;s earlobe.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Because you were avoiding her back then. So you&#039;ll definitely just walk away without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doing anything. But what&#039;s going on now? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [. ] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You won&#039;t leave her to die? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you trying to hurt Shizuku? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How could that be?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said something unexpected.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I wouldn&#039;t do anything like hurting a close friend. So.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede turned her gaze toward the vast, barely illumined area just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll call someone worthy of Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Someone stepped out of the darkness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She had sharp eyes, lips that seemed ready to reveal teeth, and limbs like powerful &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
springs. And in one hand, she held an automatic pistol.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was speechless. Mikoto spoke in my place:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    On Akane&#039;s wrist, a red bracelet glowed dimly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was no mistake. She was Akane. And she was Akane in fierce dog mode. She hadn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
changed at all since she&#039;d jumped into the ground with Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But her eyes weren&#039;t looking at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s begin, Misaki -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede waved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aim your gun at Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bulldog girl pointed her gun at our student council president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane!?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, what are you doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou and I said almost simultaneously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This scene wasn&#039;t uncommon. Akane didn&#039;t like Shizuku very much, so she often &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
threatened to shoot or kill her. But the atmosphere now was clearly off. This wasn&#039;t a joke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede looked satisfied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Decide whether to shoot Natsuru based on her answer.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Got it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pointed her gun at Shizuku, her finger on the trigger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede chuckled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, Natsuru, what will you do? Will you resign yourself to Kämpfer&#039;s fate? Or will you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
watch Shizuku get hurt?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This deal is so unfair. No matter which I choose, it&#039;s not a good outcome for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The black -haired student council president stirred slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wondered if she&#039;d run away, but it seems that was just my unrealistic expectation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, be quiet, Natsuru. What would you do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t answer. Instead, I said something else.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re going to make Shizuku your subordinate, right? Hurt her, okay?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kämpfer has powerful healing abilities, right? A minor injury is fine. The question is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
whether you can bear to see Shizuku in pain.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s eyes looked happy. Her eyes sparkled, and she didn&#039;t even consider &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
whether what she was doing was right or wrong.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Misui -san, shoot.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou, standing nearby, took a breath. The gun went off.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bullet missed Shizuku. Instead, it grazed her neck, leaving a hole in the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You missed on purpose, didn&#039;t you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You understand, Natsuru. You don&#039;t have time to look for other answers.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath fired again. This time, it missed. Shizuku half -opened her mouth, letting out a few &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
soft, silky sounds.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Submit to me. What&#039;s wrong with that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou grew restless. I could only grit my teeth. I couldn&#039;t come up with any good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ideas. I have a serious problem with my ability to handle emergencies. It&#039;s best to leave it to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku in these situations, but the key is that she&#039;s in someone else&#039;s hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry up, hurry up. Otherwise, Shizuku will get hurt.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But Akane!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With a hint of self -destruction, I roared at the Mastiff Girl:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wake up! Look at what you&#039;re doing!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane! Did you hear that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I can hear it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Mastiff Girl suddenly roared back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m fine. My ears aren&#039;t blocked.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was so unexpected, and Mikoto Kondou and I were both taken aback. This guy actually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
answered me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Aren&#039;t you being controlled by him?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Didn&#039;t I say I was fine?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then why did you listen to what Sakura Kaede said?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane turned to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I want to continue being myself!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she cried.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m from Kämpfer. I&#039;m the personality I transformed into. If the battle ends like this, I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
disappear. I don&#039;t want that. I want to stay in this world longer!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this really your reason?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course it&#039;s true! You may not understand, but this is important. That bitch promised &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me that I could stay in this world, so I listened to her!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were bloodshot. Her fangs were visible at the corners of her mouth. Her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
words were filled with fiery emotion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I swallowed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you really have to go to this extent?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I like you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she suddenly said to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to be with you forever! I want to be with you forever! That&#039;s why I don&#039;t want to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
disappear!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was speechless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane was serious. Although she was now a normal bulldog girl, her feelings were still as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
young as a girl&#039;s. So pure, so pitiful, yet without a trace of impurity. This was the first time I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seen her so girlish.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This is all because of you! I hate myself. You&#039;re all I care about now. I&#039;ve degenerated into a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hopeless woman.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [ &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is why I agreed to a deal with this bitch.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I should have no regrets, but I couldn&#039;t. That&#039;s why I listened to this bitch. But so what. As &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
long as I could be with you, I&#039;d make a deal with even a demon.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A faint glint appeared in Akane&#039;s eyes. This was the first time I&#039;d seen it. This guy must have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been thinking about not letting it show. Now  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I could only stare at Akane&#039;s face. So did Mikoto. This woman, who wore a &amp;quot;dirty mouth&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
amulet around her neck, said something we couldn&#039;t expect.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I would shoot Shizuku without hesitation.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She raked the pistol and it clicked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If this means I can stay in this world...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop, Akane. Don&#039;t shoot!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I managed only to force out these words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can&#039;t shoot Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you talking about? You&#039;ve lost your mind!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked at me with tears in her eyes, a fierce look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you in love with her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the problem? Just listen to that bitch!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I told you to stop shooting! We&#039;re partners, right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As long as I&#039;m with you, I don&#039;t care what you ask me to do! So I&#039;ll do anything!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can&#039;t shoot your companions!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane suddenly turned the gun towards me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are you saying that?! Do you hate me?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I like you, you bastard!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I finally yelled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could I let the woman I love do something like that?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ugh, damn it, I finally said it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As she disappeared through the door leading underground, I burst into tears. That&#039;s when I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
realized it. I&#039;d cry for Akane. It wasn&#039;t anyone else who occupied my heart then, but her. I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
always thought she was the rudest person in the world. And she was . She was violent, foul -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouthed, and impatient. Being around her was life -threatening. She&#039;d even considered &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shooting me from time to time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But even so, she was incredibly charming. She always shone. And not just when she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fighting. When she was throbbing, when she was expressing her emotions, she was full of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
charm. I don&#039;t know when, but she captured my heart.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s true that Akane is my type. And I really like her transformed version, too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stared at me with wide eyes. Mikoto Kondou looked at me as if to say she couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
believe it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so rude!&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Are you serious, hey?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course I am. Don&#039;t make me say any more.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Say it sooner, idiot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pulled the gun away from me. As if reading her mind, Sakura Kaede said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shoot Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hurry up.&amp;quot; Hit her hands, feet, or stomach. Just don&#039;t hit her head. Just fire one shot and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;ll let you stay in this world.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Bulldog Girl pointed her gun at Shizuku and pulled the trigger. A  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    gunshot  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    rang out, and the bullet flew towards Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then the chains holding Shizuku fell to the floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane used her gun to break them, freeing the student council president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You shouldn&#039;t have listened to that shit!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Your hands are shaking. Do you want to do what the man you like says?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said coldly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, are you serious?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you mean by serious or not? What do you mean by doing what he says or not? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m the one with the messed up mind right now!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bulldog girl swiftly turned and shot Sakura Kaede. The gunshot was louder than ever.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, go save Shizuku!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, cover me!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto replied, &amp;quot;Got it.&amp;quot; and rushed out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I reached Shizuku, kicked the chains away, and called her out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey! Wake up! We&#039;re here to save you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was surprised she could still speak clearly. Her dilated pupils gradually began to return to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
normal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you okay?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t have to scream so loudly, I can hear you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was trying to tell me she&#039;d regained consciousness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m so exhausted after being knocked unconscious twice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can you move?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No problem. I can fight. I have to go support Akane and Mikoto Kondou.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she added softly, &amp;quot;I heard everything.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and Mikoto Kondou were engaged in a fierce battle with Sakura Kaede. Bullets flew, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swords flashed, and their curses echoed throughout the battle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto Kondou, move a little to the left! It&#039;s hard for me to shoot like that, you idiot!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re the one! Just come to the front! You can&#039;t see without your glasses!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you think I&#039;m an idiot?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even elementary school students are more obedient than you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As they exchanged curses, their movements gradually became more coordinated. Akane, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
responsible for long -range attacks, and Mikoto Kondou, responsible for close combat, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
blended their attacks perfectly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then there were the additions of Shizuku and I.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku hurled two daggers with a shrill sound. Her daggers flew forward in a straight line &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
without a single deflection.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Undeterred, I unleashed a fireball that followed the trajectory of her daggers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, lower your head!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I roared. She did as I told her and slashed upwards with her katana from below.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    All her attacks converged, emitting a dazzling light.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was a brilliant tactic. Whether she was a Kämpfer or something else, she was finished. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In truth, I was only relieved for a moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s strength had grown stronger than before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She deflected the bullets, caught the katana, kicked the daggers, and deflected the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fireballs. And she only staggered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re really useless, even when you&#039;re about to die.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her arrogant words betrayed an unpleasant feeling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you all banding together to defeat me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you change your mind, we&#039;ll stop.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If only the battle were to end like this, and everything could return to square one. Change  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    your mind? I don&#039;t like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She immediately denied me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why would you leave something so fun behind?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She spread her hands, looking puzzled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m thoroughly enjoying this. You&#039;d be so happy if you just did what I said. Why are you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
getting in my way? You&#039;re the only thing that confuses me. We simply don&#039;t understand  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said, channeling power into my palms.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No one will listen to you anymore, Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Really?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She swayed again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru, you&#039;re thinking you can beat me because I&#039;m stumbling, right? It&#039;s true I&#039;m in pain &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now. I might revert to my old personality. But...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her hair stood up with a whoosh.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, I won&#039;t let you off.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her whole body glowed. This wasn&#039;t fake. Sakura Kaede had finally given it her all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A glowing ribbon extended from each of her hands. The floor -length ribbon curved like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
whip, emitting a blazing glow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought it was some kind of magic, but what exactly was it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Go to hell!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She swung the whip with incredible speed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;re from Kämpfer, after all. We have several times the strength of ordinary people and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
an exceptional ability to detect moving objects. But we couldn&#039;t see her movements clearly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou tumbled to the ground. Her foot was entangled in the glowing whip. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede pulled Mikoto Kondou up and continued to throw her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I launched a fireball, but Sakura Kaede deflected it with a single index finger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No use!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She conjured several more glowing whips. Could she create any number of these things? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And they spun around, trying to grab me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I ducked my head and fell to the ground to avoid it. The whip spun a few times in the air &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before returning. Wow, danger! It&#039;s heading for my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou is still being held captive, so we need to rescue her. I opened one eye and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
yelled,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, Shizuku!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They both glanced at me. Does that make sense? Anyway, let&#039;s make a giant fireball and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
throw it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It exploded not far from Sakura Kaede. Sound and light alone won&#039;t hurt her. But this is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane started firing, breaking the whip wrapped around Mikoto Kondou. Then, Shizuku&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chained dagger immediately spun Mikoto Kondou around and pulled her back to us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto Kondou exhaled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Thank you, Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Tell Natsuru if you want to thank me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I don&#039;t have time for that right now. Furious whips were now bearing down on me. And &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not just one or two, but like a magician&#039;s conjurer, they were pouring down on me like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
torrent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Woooaaaaaa!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t even think about escaping.] Fighting back  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was a pipe dream. It was taking everything I had just to dodge.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane rushed towards me, firing furiously. She shot some of the whips off, which helped &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me a lot. I recovered quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, good job! You didn&#039;t hurt her at all!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s because the opponent was too strong!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What a useless guy!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you care about me? What about your pistol? It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s a bit better than a toy gun, isn&#039;t it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s true, it barely affects Sakura Kaede. She always uses a whip to knock the bullets down, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so she probably doesn&#039;t like being hit, but there&#039;s no point in missing her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The mastiff girl muttered,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is there nothing else to do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thinking of things isn&#039;t my specialty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s because you don&#039;t study.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, she looked toward the center of that vast space.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, I&#039;ve got an idea.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s the idea? If you have one, do it quickly. And don&#039;t bring your breasts close to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;ve touched them so many times, or I&#039;ll kill you. Isn&#039;t there a stone statue over there?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That one, in the middle, looks a lot like a burning lion. I don&#039;t want to get involved with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people who worship that kind of thing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That bitch must have become like this after seeing that. So, why don&#039;t we just smash that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thing to pieces?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I see. I hadn&#039;t noticed that before. Think about it, that stone statue is the source of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything. In that case, we just need to smash it. Just like shutting off the gas valve prevents &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the gas from leaking out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Good idea. Let&#039;s do it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What should we do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hold Sakura Kaede!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane fired at Sakura Kaede. The whips approaching us retreated, even if they weren&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knocked down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I rushed forward, igniting flames in my hands, aiming for the statue. Shizuku and Mikoto, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sensing my intention, held their breath.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hah!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The flames struck the statue, exploding. Hot air blew into my face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the statue remained unscathed. Not even a scratch, still standing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s useless!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I know that. Such a minor attack won&#039;t damage it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Damn it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But even my sighs were useless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede attacked again. This time, her attacks were even larger and more intense. We &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had no way to fight back and could only run.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -kun is like a typhoon. They say typhoons in the US used to be named after women. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
We should find one and name it after Sakura -kun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are there no other ideas, Natsuru?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, that was your idea too! Come up with another one!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop relying on others!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s nothing I can do with you saying that. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    keep running away. I&#039;m trying to think of a better solution, but just dodging is tough right &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now. I glanced at our student council president. It seems the remaining drugs are still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
affecting her, so her movements aren&#039;t very agile. It seems I can&#039;t cou nt on her for advice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, that was a close call.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I almost tripped. I think I stepped on some fallen Entrails Animal. I don&#039;t know if they were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knocked unconscious or something, but they&#039;re lying there, unable to move. I&#039;d completely &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forgotten about them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I picked one up. It was my special Entrails Animal, the Seppuku Tiger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Get out of the way.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was about to kick it like a football when I suddenly changed my mind. Because this thing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
has been with me all this time. I&#039;m forced to keep it company, but it&#039;s dangerous here &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anyway, so I&#039;ve decided to throw them farther away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please stop, Natsuru!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Seppuku Tiger suddenly spoke. I was startled, momentarily forgetting I was still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fighting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, it&#039;s talking.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sure I could say that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Weren&#039;t you knocked unconscious?] [I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;m paralyzed.] It took me a while to finally be able to speak.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s great. We&#039;re busy right now, so please stay in the corner.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I raised my hand, about to throw it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop. I have something to tell you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t have anything to say.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Listen to me. It&#039;s about the Burning Lion.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What did you say?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since it told me not to throw it, I&#039;ll just do as it says. The Burning Lion is now able to speak.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah—, you seem to be in trouble.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, so hurry up.] &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That stone statue looks a lot like me,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    doesn&#039;t it?&amp;quot; I confirmed. It&#039;s exactly the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m the first Entrails Animal. So, I&#039;ve recorded a lot of information. In other words, I&#039;m a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
replica of that stone statue. And I&#039;m also Miss Sakura&#039;s property.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That information is incredibly complex. You can use it to shock your opponent, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
temporarily throwing them into disarray and forcing them to obey your commands.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, Mikoto has been treated this way before. But it was the Suffocating Wild Dog who did &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So what? If you have any tricks, come up with them now. Or I&#039;ll kill you.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, that&#039;s not the case. This method isn&#039;t just effective against the Kämpfer&#039;s method. It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also effective against inorganic matter.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing this, I looked at the Burning Lion and then at the stone statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, if you just look into the statue&#039;s eyes, it will?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Information will flood your brain instantly, potentially destroying it instantly. But if it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
works...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, I&#039;ll do it!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d made up my mind before I even finished listening. No matter how low the odds, I had to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
take a gamble. And there was no time for hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I grabbed the Burning Lion and the Seppuku Tiger and ran.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede spotted me and swung his whip of light at me. But Mikoto Kondou cut them &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
off, and Shizuku helped me block the remaining ones.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was someone I had to apologize to, so I ran, calling out,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry, Akane!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane smiled at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll leave my life to the man I love.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her words made me happy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The statue was not far away. This time, I got even closer than before. I held the burning &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lion in front of me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look at this! Over here!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop, stop, Natsuru -kun!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -kun let out a cry of grief. I ignored her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Over here!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, the eyes of the statue and the burning lion began to glow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The air began to shake. It felt like all the strength was being sucked out of my body. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer&#039;s weapon was gradually disappearing. I struggled to stand, but my whole body felt &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heavy as if it were filled with lead.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The statue&#039;s eyes blinked a few times, then glowed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The history of the battle flashed through my mind. The figures of all the Kämpfers who had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sacrificed so far appeared. Tamiko Shinomiya, Midori Kuzuhara, some unknown people, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the girls in the tank.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then a light filled the cave, obscuring everything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When it faded, everything was over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wake up, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My childhood friend was patting my cheek.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The light has disappeared. It&#039;s okay if you don&#039;t close your eyes. This is the first time I&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seen a light like this since I was abducted by a flying saucer in Texas.] (Translator: I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
speechless about Mikoto Kondou&#039;s experience.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It sounds ridiculous, but if it comes from this guy, it must be true.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It seems that I lost consciousness at the end, but everyone else is fine. No, there was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
another person besides me who fell to the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That person was Sakura Kaede. She&#039;s still alive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog Girl was holding her at gunpoint.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You stinking bitch. It&#039;s finally time to settle the score with you. I&#039;ll send you to the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
afterlife.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll make your head explode!] Akane  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , stop!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She glared at me, trying to stop her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s wrong? This guy&#039;s the culprit behind everything! That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s true, but I think if I kill her now, a lot of important things about Kämpfer will be gone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied. I don&#039;t know if those things are truly important, and I don&#039;t have any basis for it. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personally don&#039;t want to lose, and I don&#039;t want to be stuck in that tank. But I think it&#039;s not just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me; everyone feels the same way. And that&#039;s why Sakura -kun must feel the same way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So don&#039;t shoot yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Humph, you still like to show off. If it&#039;s really that important, you should have locked it in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the bank vault long ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said the same thing she would have said long ago. She didn&#039;t pull the trigger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked around. The statue was still there. But it was covered in fine cracks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That thing is almost rotting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, I heard a voice from somewhere. It was the tiger who committed seppuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, where have you been? I&#039;ve been right beside you. That statue seems to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
overwhelmed by power ,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    breaking from the inside. The Fire Lion told me so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion we were talking about said nothing and remained motionless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The statue should rot soon. Then everything will be over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re the same way, aren&#039;t you? That&#039;s right  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It means that the Entrails Animals were originally messengers for the Kämpfers. Now that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their mission is complete, they&#039;ll naturally disappear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m sorry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;re like that. And...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Seppuku Tiger blinked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stood before me. That rude Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She gently tapped the statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If you destroy this, it&#039;s all over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Who was she referring to? I knew it without having to tell her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I&#039;d just gone through with that bitch, things wouldn&#039;t have turned out this way. Well, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s nothing I can do about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t answer her. I wanted to spend even a moment with this woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I searched my clothes for any pocky. I remember bringing it with my phone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I found the crumpled pocky box.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Eat it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane frowned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s all broken, isn&#039;t it? You&#039;re such a jerk.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even as she said this, she pulled the fragment out and held it in her mouth. I heard the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sound of her chewing slowly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I can&#039;t do it anymore, so I&#039;ll leave the rest to you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Take all the fallen dolls back with me. And that bitch too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why are you making such a gloomy face?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She slapped me. Her slap nearly overwhelmed me. I quickly swallowed it back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Didn&#039;t I tell you before? Just don&#039;t forget I ever existed. If you dare forget, you&#039;ll be in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
trouble.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I won&#039;t forget.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Who would forget? You&#039;re the only woman I&#039;ve ever confessed to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Very good.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane smiled at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The cracks in the statue were widening. Small pieces of debris were already falling. I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
afraid it won&#039;t last for a few more seconds.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [One last thing.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked me in the eyes and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Be nice to me before I transformed.] She likes you very much, too. Like me. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I know.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied. Of course I know that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then goodbye, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Goodbye, Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The stone statue shattered completely. At the same time, the bracelet of oath vanished.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Apparently, Akane&#039;s nerves had been on edge; she collapsed as soon as she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
untransformed. Natsuru then picked up the unconscious Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He wanted to pick up Kaede as well, but Shizuku stopped him.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t force it. Mikoto and I will take care of her. You go first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s right, Natsuru. Leave the rest to us.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru thanked them briefly and began to walk out of the cave, carrying Akane on his &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto and Shizuku watched him go until he disappeared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah—Natsuru and Akane are gone. That&#039;s not bad, though.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, it&#039;s not bad.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku replied. She roughly smoothed her messy hair with her fingers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [He&#039;s going to take her to the doctor, right? That&#039;s a good thing. Natsuru is really gentle.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Though he&#039;s not that gentle with me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Me too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them looked at each other and gave a wry smile. The faint laughter echoed in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the wide cave.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned her hand over and checked her watch. The hospital isn&#039;t open yet, so let&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
call an ambulance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru&#039;s favorite red dress.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto, don&#039;t you regret it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, but I still feel hurt. But there&#039;s nothing I can do about it. Because I have to accept &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
whatever the outcome is.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She didn&#039;t sound like she was being stubborn. Because Mikoto had mentally prepared for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this matter a long time ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said again:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [He didn&#039;t tell us the answer directly, did he?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But what&#039;s the difference between that and telling us directly?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned around quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, what about you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you okay?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The almighty student council president smiled with her lips pursed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t hear his answer. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [As expected of you, you&#039;re quite tenacious.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto clapped her hands lightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s not that he will definitely choose me. But there&#039;s still a possibility.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This is—, but.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [He might also give me a &amp;quot;no&amp;quot; answer. No matter how small the hope, as long as there&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
still hope, I won&#039;t give up. Because one day, I&#039;ll make him fall in love with me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, Shizuku, you&#039;re really strong.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s so childish to give up so easily. I&#039;m a high school student.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s tone was very firm. Unwavering, just like her usual style as the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president. At least that&#039;s how it sounded to Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto rolled her shoulders a few times and then stretched them vigorously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Okay, then let&#039;s go back too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll stay a little longer.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? Why?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We need to clean up the mess. Not just here, but also the research facility. I&#039;m thinking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about calling the police, but we have to seal off this place first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let me help you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, I can do it myself.] You take Kaede out first. I have to erase all the traces here and find &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
those girls in white, and then block the entrance and exit here. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku meant to let Mikoto go first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So Mikoto carried Kaede on her back and said, &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll leave first.&amp;quot; Then she walked out. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The sound of the elevator started to sound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t breathe a sigh of relief until Mikoto disappeared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku knew very well that after the battle, Natsuru looked at her not as a member of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
opposite sex. He just regarded her as a partner. He didn&#039;t regard her as someone he liked, let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
alone as a lover.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He would probably always be like this in the future. No matter when, no matter how many &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
times she confessed to him, he would only have one answer now. And that would definitely &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not be the answer Shizuku liked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku put her hand on her chest. Her heartbeat didn&#039;t change. How could she be sad &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about such a thing? She had anticipated the bad outcome. So it would be fine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How could she be shaken? It was just a breakup.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before she knew it, she felt something warm flowing down her face. She touched her face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with her fingers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was wet. Her fingertips were wet. Something she had never seen before was flowing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why am I crying?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku kicked the remains of the statue with all her might.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 12 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3|Forward to 12 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586430</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586430"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:21:16Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;    Volume 12, Chapter 3        Embarrassingly, I only began to move after our path was blocked.         [Akane, Akane!]         I knocked repeatedly on the door. But it made no sound or sway; it only hurt my hand.         [Natsuru, get out of the way.]         Kondou Mikoto drew her katana, the blade pointed directly at the door.         [Hey, hey!]         Kondou Mikoto swung the katana over one shoulder. But the blade only slightly dug into   the...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 12, Chapter 3  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Embarrassingly, I only began to move after our path was blocked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane, Akane!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I knocked repeatedly on the door. But it made no sound or sway; it only hurt my hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, get out of the way.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto drew her katana, the blade pointed directly at the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, hey!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto swung the katana over one shoulder. But the blade only slightly dug into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, it won&#039;t break. Natsuru, try your magic.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I slowly shook my head. If Kondou Mikoto&#039;s katana couldn&#039;t break it, my magic certainly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, damn it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto kicked the door in frustration. But the door remained motionless, and she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clutched her foot, crying out in pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stared at the iron door in bewilderment. Behind this door was a passage leading &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underground. But we couldn&#039;t get there yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane.] I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    unconsciously called out the name of the bulldog girl who had vanished with Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The scene of Akane jumping into the basement vividly flashed through my mind. In that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
instant, she gave herself to Sakura Kaede. She had agreed to a deal with the evil spirit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at my right hand. I hadn&#039;t moved, hadn&#039;t cast any magic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I clenched it tightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why didn&#039;t I move?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto said worriedly. Although her voice reached my ears, it was as if I hadn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heard it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I knew Akane was going to leave, and I had to stop her right there. But I couldn&#039;t do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything. Magic, it was useless.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You can&#039;t rely on magic. I just had to reach out. I just had to grab Akane&#039;s wrist, but!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, please, calm down.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why did I just watch Akane leave? What was I doing?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto hugged me from behind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tears welled up in my eyes. For the first time, I understood that this feeling was called &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
involuntary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tears kept flowing from the corners of my eyes, and I felt deeply ashamed and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
embarrassed that I had done nothing for Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto whispered:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, hey]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You beast.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please, calm down. Just a little bit, calm down. It&#039;s just the two of us now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The words of my childhood playmate finally reached my mind. Although they were vague, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gradually began to understand their meaning.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane and Shizuku are not here anymore. Natsuru, you can&#039;t give up here. Okay? Don&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lose yourself, just continue to be yourself.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Gradually, my breathing became smoother.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt the weight of Kondou Mikoto on my back. This guy is always like this. She said she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wanted to go on an adventure, but she never left me behind. She was lively and carefree, yet &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also very kind. No matter how far she went, she&#039;d always call to ask if I&#039;d eaten well.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I heard the beating of a heart. It was Kondou Mikoto&#039;s. I was feeling her warmth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She suddenly left my body and moved to my left.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My face, held in her fair hands, turned to the side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A soft sensation touched my lips. Huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hello, hello!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh, hehe.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto smiled after removing her lips from mine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you feeling better?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh, yes, don&#039;t scare me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sudden kiss brought back my fading consciousness. My heartbeat quickened, but that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t the intention.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s great.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto breathed  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a sigh of relief. [I was a little nervous just now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But this is the last time. Don&#039;t worry. I won&#039;t do this again.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said. There was something strangely lonely about her as she said that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As long as Natsuru is fine, I&#039;ll be fine, huh.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She took my hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, let&#039;s go. Let&#039;s go get Akane and Shizuku back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at my hand again. It was okay this time. Even if it was Sakura Kaede, I could still kill &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her. I won&#039;t let her go again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But what should I do? The door to the basement was closed, and the swimming pool &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entrance was blocked. That basement was so big, one or two more exits wouldn&#039;t matter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I casually glanced at the bed and saw a cell phone and a Pockly box dropped on it. I was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surprised to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    see Akane&#039;s?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a crackling sound of music started Kondou Mikoto and me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane&#039;s phone ringing. What a strange song. I remember it being the theme song &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from an anime.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s wrong?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto looked at her phone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s a call coming in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stared at the LCD screen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Should I hang up?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No. At this moment  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , I remembered what Akane had whispered to me earlier. That&#039;s right. We still have a way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I kept staring at the screen of my phone, and the caller&#039;s name appeared on it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It said &amp;quot;Dad.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s rewind time a little.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku slowly opened her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The scene in front of her eyes was still blurry. Was it foggy? Or was it the effect of drugs? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yes, she was drugged. On the way to the underground, someone tied her hands behind her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back and covered her mouth with a cloth coated with drugs. She didn&#039;t r emember anything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
after that. When she came to her senses, she was like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Slowly, Shizuku&#039;s eyes finally came into focus. Although her vision was still a little shaky, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she could already see the gray ceiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ceiling? Yes, it was indeed a ceiling. Cold cement was exposed from inside. This meant that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku was now lying on the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku stood up carefully and checked her body for injuries. Her joints could move, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was not injured. She didn&#039;t feel like vomiting and didn&#039;t have a headache.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked around. She was not lying on a bed, but on the floor. The room was empty &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and there was nothing. There was someone else there besides her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah - she&#039;s up -.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re awake.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Two footsteps were heard. One of them sounded like a person jumping and walking. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
other one sounded like they were dragging their legs. They were Rika Ueda and Suzuka &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yamakawa.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika looked healthy, while Suzuka, clutching a submachine gun in one hand, looked in pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you going to do if I keep sleeping?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If you don&#039;t wake up, we&#039;re going to force you to wake up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yamakawa -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t look at Rika, but at Suzuka and spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re not doing well.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Your gunshot wound hasn&#039;t healed yet.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re so annoying —!] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka roared. Her left hand had been pressing against her abdomen since a while ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Blood seeped between her fingers. Kempfer was not only stronger than the average &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
person, but he also recovered faster than the average person. But Suzuka&#039;s wound hadn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
healed yet. That blow was just that powerful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;d better not move.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up! Don&#039;t talk!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku did as she was told and shut up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka&#039;s breathing was ragged, her shoulders shaking violently. Anyone who saw her could &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tell she was in pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But her eyes, on the contrary, sparkled. Rather than a desire to live, she looked more like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was afraid of something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even in this state, you still caught me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who are you afraid of? Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay—that&#039;s enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika walked over, aiming her sickle at Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t get too caught up in  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;You look healthy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Rika is healthy to begin with. Because Kaede -sama always praises me.&amp;quot; Suzuka  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s body trembled at the mention of Kaede&#039;s name. Shizuku didn&#039;t miss the subtle &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
movement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yamakawa -san, you&#039;re being held hostage by Kaede, after all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you asking what&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka gritted her teeth. And she was in a state of confusion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t want to make Kaede -sama angry again.&amp;quot; But  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t think that kid is that scary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s because, President, you don&#039;t understand Kaede -sama at all!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka roared, then she began to cough violently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede -sama is truly terrifying when she&#039;s upset. Cold and heartless, so different from her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
usual self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika nodded her head in agreement. Kaede  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    -sama is truly terrifying when she&#039;s angry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I think her usual self at school is her true self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said this, and Suzuka began to cough again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe. But it doesn&#039;t matter which one it is. I just don&#039;t want to upset Kaede -sama &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anymore.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka pointed her submachine gun at Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, President. Please be quiet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You want to kill me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika placed the sickle on Shizuku&#039;s throat, a gentle pressure enough to rip it open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We don&#039;t intend to kill you. If we did,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede -sama would be furious with us. Just do as we say. Suzuka  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    took over Rika&#039;s words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku remained calm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does international law allow the enslavement of prisoners...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That doesn&#039;t matter. Just do as we say. If you complain, I&#039;ll inflict some pain on your hands &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and feet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just don&#039;t kill her, that&#039;s all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika said excitedly. Shizuku looked away slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s troublesome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then just be quiet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I refuse that, too!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku suddenly swung her hand, channeling power into it and transforming into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kempfer. Then, with a force far superior to that of an ordinary person, she struck Rika&#039;s chin.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika&#039;s tiny body flew back. Shizuku, without checking on Rika&#039;s condition, immediately &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
switched her attack to Suzuka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Carelessness is a big no -no.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re still like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka suddenly frowned in pain and squatted down, clutching her abdomen. She was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clutching the wound from the gunshot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku stopped attacking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t have to tell me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She bent down and touched Ryouka&#039;s body.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let me see your wound.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let me see.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku forcibly removed Ryouka&#039;s hand and began examining her wound. Her wound was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stained black with blood, and some flesh had been exposed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not good, but as long as you maintain your Kempfer form, you should be fine. Anyway, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you need to rest. Let me stop the bleeding first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku took out her own handkerchief, folded it, and pressed it against the wound. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
then took the string from Suzuka&#039;s clothes and tied it around her waist, using it as a bandage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It should be better now. I can rest easy for now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka&#039;s face twisted in pain, but she still glanced at Shizuku with one eye.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, I won&#039;t thank you.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s okay. I&#039;m not planning on treating you for free.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, Shizuku grabbed Suzuka&#039;s shoulders.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want you to tell me, is this the bottom of this underground space?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look at me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku lifted Suzuka&#039;s face, which was wracked with pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this the bottom? Is it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re talking about that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Although there&#039;s a tank containing the seniors and the others, I don&#039;t think it ends there. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Is there somewhere else?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka slowly backed away, attempting to escape. But Shizuku stopped her. Shizuku wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
going to let her get away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t hear you just now. Please answer me.&amp;quot; There should be, for example, the place &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
where Kaede first became like that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At that moment, a breeze brushed Shizuku&#039;s face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was a very light breeze. Yes, it wouldn&#039;t be an exaggeration to say it was just like the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flapping of a mosquito&#039;s wings. But Shizuku recognized this as a dangerous sign.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned around and conjured daggers, then used the daggers in both hands to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
block the figure rushing towards her from the other side of the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, Shizuku -chan, you&#039;re really quick to react.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Metal clashed violently and then separated. Kaede was using a black Japanese sword. They &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
distanced themselves from each other.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku -chan, you&#039;re awake already.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede&#039;s eyes looked strangely happy. Shizuku, on the other hand, had a serious expression &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on her face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You, the one who came too early.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Too early? Oh.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede now admired Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So that&#039;s how it is, Shizuku -chan, you deliberately let yourself be captured just to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
investigate this place. Suzuka and Rika alone can&#039;t handle you, after all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That little girl&#039;s already fainted. Yamakawa -san&#039;s injured and useless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, it&#039;s just me and you, Shizuku -chan?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right, now&#039;s the perfect time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The dagger began to fly across the floor, striking Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede dodged it calmly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku -chan, what&#039;s the real reason you let yourself be caught?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because I like being alone. That &#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    nonsense. You like Natsuru -san, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede leaped up, spun in the air, and landed behind Shizuku. Shizuku quickly turned away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t want to drag anyone else into this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Including Natsuru -san?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not to mention him. The  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    black -haired student council president leaped back to create distance. The dagger she held &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was attached to a chain, allowing her to wield it freely even from a distance. She intended to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
maintain, at any rate, an advantage over Kaede, who was armed only  with a sword.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Whether it&#039;s Natsuru, Akane, or Kondou Mikoto, they were all dragged into this by me. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
want to, at least in the end, resolve everything on my own.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hehe.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede stood there motionless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve worked so hard to bring you and Natsuru -kun together, Shizuku -chan. Do you want &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my efforts to go to waste?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I like Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It sounds like you&#039;re talking about a young couple&#039;s married life.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I like him very much, I love him, even though he disdains me.&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She swung her chained dagger. Then, she flung out two swords at once. She didn&#039;t just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fling them; they flew along the same axis, making it look like there was only one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede dodged the first sword, but the second sword&#039;s chain entangled her foot, throwing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her off balance. Shizuku was about to approach Kaede, but she quickly regained her balance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Phew, that was a close call. As expected of Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede smiled faintly. Not a trace of anxiety could be seen on her face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you want to fight when Natsuru isn&#039;t here now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [ &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let me guess.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In this dim place, only Kaede&#039;s teeth gleamed white.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s for your senior, Shinomiya -senpai, Shizuku -chan. You must have been frightened by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her look. Are you thinking Natsuru -san might end up like that? You don&#039;t want the two &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people you love most to leave you, do you?] [It&#039;s not  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    like you  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    to worry about others, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t let your imagination run wild.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re trying to fight alone, but you&#039;re being too cool. Natsuru -san might be worried &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about you right now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane and Kondou Mikoto are here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re just being stubborn.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede&#039;s katana flashed a black light, as if syncing with her thoughts. Then, words as sharp &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as a blade uttered from her lips.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s not the case, actually. Although you&#039;re a powerful person, Shizuku -chan, you also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
want to stay by Natsuru -san&#039;s side, right?] Are you thinking that if you lose, Akane and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto will lose too, and Natsuru -san will certainly lose too. And  then everyone will &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be put into the jar? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s not right. Even if you don&#039;t lose, Shizuku -chan, others might end up in the jar like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
your predecessors. For example, if I leave here now and go to Natsuru -san and the others —] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [They might all end up like Shinomiya -senpai.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku kicked the ground hard, exerting the maximum force of her well -trained legs and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kempfer&#039;s power to quickly close the distance between them, and almost simultaneously &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
threw the daggers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede tried to jump to avoid it, but one of the daggers changed its trajectory and stabbed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her in the abdomen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In her free hand, Kaede conjured an automatic pistol and fired two shots, hitting the sword &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and the chain. The dagger lost its power and fell, while the other dagger deflected and hit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the ceiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re still so inexperienced!?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede cried out in surprise. The dagger that had struck the ceiling bounced back and flew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
towards her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede tried to duck, but it was too late; her left hand was entangled in the chain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pulled hard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede screamed and fell. Shizuku kicked Kaede&#039;s fallen katana and pistol aside and pointed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the recovered dagger at Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You were careless, Kaede.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    hurts, Shizuku -chan. You&#039;re quite capable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it were your usual self, you would have been able to do it effortlessly. You&#039;ve been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talking too much to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s voice remained calm, but her breathing was a little ragged from the intense &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exercise she had just done.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought you were wavering, Shizuku -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was wavering.&amp;quot; You&#039;re such a mean person. I&#039;m disillusioned with you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because I love bullying you, Shizuku -chan.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede lay faceup on the ground, looking up at Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The almighty Student Council President didn&#039;t even bend down, just stood there looking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
down at Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Are you planning to kill me?     If you do that, everything will be over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah     , maybe that&#039;s a good idea.     Shizuku said coldly. While the person before her was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at least her close friend&#039;s in body, Shizuku had already figured it out.     But what if I kill &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you?     What if I kill you?     I have something to ask you.     Shizuku untied the chains around &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede&#039;s feet, then held the sword in both hands, ready to throw at any moment.     What did &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you see when you first entered here?     Why are you asking this?     You weren&#039;t born with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this personality, were you? Judging  from what Yamakawa -san said, there seems to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
another room here. Where is it, and what&#039;s in it? Please answer.     What will you do after I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
answer? ]     [That&#039;s none of your business.]     [I want to know.]     [Answer me.]     Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gripped the dagge r tightly.     Kaede&#039;s gaze shifted to Shizuku&#039;s face.     [Shizuku -chan, I have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something to ask you too.]     [Now it&#039;s my turn to ask you.]     [Shizuku -chan, you deliberately &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
got knocked unconscious and came here,     didn&#039;t you?] [So what?]     [Fight ing alone is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
powerful, but do you think I&#039;m that capable?]     [Are you trying to trick me into wavering? It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
useless.]     Shizuku tensed up, watching Kaede, not wanting to miss even the slightest &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
movement. If she made any untoward move, she would thrust  her sword into her without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hesitation.     [Minagawa -san and Nakao -san have been tied up and left there. Yamakawa -san &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and Ueda -san&#039;s sister is no longer useful. You&#039;re left without a partner now.]     [That&#039;s not the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
case.]     Suddenly, gunshots rang out  from the room.     One shot, two shots. The bullets &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accurately knocked the sword from Shizuku&#039;s hand.     At that moment, Shizuku glanced &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
toward the doorway. Then, without a word, she said, &amp;quot;     [Akane -shin.]     It was Akane -shin, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformed into Kempf er. She was just as high -spirited as ever, only now she was coming for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku.     Kaede, lying on the bed, slowly stood up.     &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, didn&#039;t I tell you they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might lose?&amp;quot;     Her smiling face was the same as when she was Shizuku&#039;s friend.     Kondou &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto and I transformed back to our normal selves. We then left Sakura Kaede&#039;s house. It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strange we were planning to run away. We were going to the person who called.     I blamed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
myself for not thinking of this before. But since the Mastiff Girl sa id it was okay if it wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
necessary, I couldn&#039;t do that. Oh, how could I have blamed everyone else for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything?     After leaving Sakura Kaede&#039;s house, we began to jog. We&#039;d originally planned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to walk, but we were in a hurry, so we ended up running.     &amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru, are you really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
going this way?&amp;quot;     Kondou Mikoto asked from behind.     &amp;quot;Maybe—I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;     I&#039;m not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
very familiar with geography. And this is my first time here. I&#039;ll be leaving now     .     Kondou &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto rushed forward. This girl  never gets lost, no matter how unfamiliar the place. She has &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a knack for finding her destination with just a few clues.     She was right where we were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
going.     We caught our breath and knocked on the door. We&#039;d just told them on the phone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that we were coming.     The door opened, and a well -built, middle -aged man  appeared &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before us.     Oh, you&#039;re here. Are you Senonatsuru -san?     Yes. Nice to meet you.     I replied &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and bowed deeply to Mishima Tsunaaki, Akane&#039;s father.     It was Akane&#039;s father who came to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
greet us. It seemed her mother had been called to a dist rict meeting. I apologized for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stopping by so late.     Don&#039;t worry. I told you you could come anytime.     Tsunaaki &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
laughed.     Kondou Mikoto and I sat on the sofa.     &amp;quot;I often hear my daughter mention &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;I don&#039;t deserve it.&amp;quot;     Kondou Mikoto s aid something that didn&#039;t sound like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her.     The middle -aged man in front of me laughed as if to shake his middle -aged, plump &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
body. What kind of job is he doing now? I think I heard Akane say it.     I said nervously:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Uncle Meiyu, uh, are you a carpenter?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, no. I&#039;m selling used cars now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was startled. I heard about carpentry during the day, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Carpentry was my last job. I did that for quite a while. Changing jobs is my hobby.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Changing jobs in this economic downturn is surprising, but for some reason, I&#039;m just lucky. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I find a job right away. So, I don&#039;t have to worry about the income.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He might be bragging, but I don&#039;t think he&#039;s trying to be annoying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s strange to consider changing jobs a hobby. He doesn&#039;t look like someone who can resist &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it, so maybe his hobby is really changing jobs. He keeps changing jobs like a revolving door. A &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lot of people must envy him. My classmate Dongtian&#039;s dad seems to always say, &amp;quot;One day I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
quit!&amp;quot; and has been doing it for twenty years.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ve worked a lot of jobs before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Behind Meiming hung a row of photos of him in work clothes. There&#039;s even a photo of him &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
standing on a log drifting downstream, adjusting its direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I used to be a farmer and a fisherman. I also collected natural pearls and sold them.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just like a fisherwoman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh—that&#039;s great.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto leaned forward. This woman loves topics like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I used to want to farm pearls, too. But I gave up and went diamond mining instead.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I see.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Digging for diamonds myself is a hassle, so I just buy and sell mining rights in Africa. Later, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
officials in Congo demanded bribes, and if we refused, we&#039;d have to fight private armies.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I covered her mouth. Your life is so wild! What if Akane&#039;s dad gets dragged into this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wahaha, that&#039;s hilarious.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He seemed to take it as a joke. I breathed a sigh of relief.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Although it&#039;s not appropriate to talk about this now, I&#039;ve had many careers. I used to work &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as a civil servant and a bureaucrat. Back then, I always took my work very seriously.] Because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane was born. Yeah  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I still felt bored. I had a job, but I had no motivation. So I secretly took on a part -time &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
job. After work, I went to help with planning at the company. So, I often got home at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
daybreak. Then, there were stricter crackdowns on civil servants takin g on part -time jobs, so I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
went to work at the company.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I removed my hand from Kondou Mikoto&#039;s mouthpiece and straightened my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
posture.     Um &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , um, I want to hear about what you were talking about on the phone just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, so that&#039;s how it is. Akane is really slow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mr. Ji Ming glanced at the clock. I     lied carelessly     . It was better to do this than to tell &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
him the absurd truth and make him worry.     Oh, yes. Well, I don&#039;t know when it started. I did &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it for a long time. I made a lot of useless things, like  bamboo water bottles that wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
move even if they stood there, or five -in-a-row chess games where the winner was already &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
determined.     You&#039;re always making stuff like that, and you still haven&#039;t been fired. It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably because of the corporate stru cture. That&#039;s the only company that&#039;s open to that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kind of thing. [     I remember you said you were planning for a toy company.]     [Right, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right.]     [The most insignificant thing so far, isn&#039;t it? What&#039;s that strange plan about?]     [Oh, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it comes fro m that. It&#039;s called &amp;quot;THE ENTANGLE.&amp;quot;]     The moment I heard that, I felt a surge of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
excitement. Kondou Mikoto, sitting next to me, was also listening intently.     &amp;quot;THE &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ENTANGLE&amp;quot; refers to the early series of Entangled Animals. Akane&#039;s father was the one w ho &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
planned the commercialization of Entangled Animals. The founder of Entangled &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Animals,     said to be a suicide weapon in the toy world, and some of which were used as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
torture instruments by the secret police, was right here in front of me.     I didn&#039;t know &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything about it. Or rather, I had no intention of finding out. Besides, I felt like if I became &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interested in who commercialized Entangled Animals, I&#039;d be doomed. It     was Akane, after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she transformed into a fierce dog girl, who told me this. She told me, &amp;quot;My father seems to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
involved in the commercialization of that thing. If you have any questions, ask him.&amp;quot;     It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seems this was recorded in a document she saw at the research facility. It was probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
written down by a technician. Or perhaps by Kempfer at the time, or perhaps  by Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
himself. Does     Akane know about this?     I don&#039;t think she knows. If I told her, she&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably despair or burst into tears.     He seems to know that, as I said, visceral animals only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
make children cry.     Why did you come up with such a b izarre design?     It&#039;s because I&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been doing brain exercises since broad daylight, though I&#039;d like to say so.     Akane&#039;s father &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
coughed at this.     &amp;quot;Actually, that wasn&#039;t my idea. I heard it from a little girl who lived nearby. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
See, didn&#039;t I tell you my wife was at the rally? She was there. Her parents said she seemed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lonely, so they brought her along.&amp;quot;     What was the girl&#039;s name? 】     【Hmm—— , I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember this one 】     Akane&#039;s father looked at the ceiling, opened and closed his mouth &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two or three times as if he finally remembered, and said:     【Her name was something like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Kura&amp;quot;. Her name seemed to be &amp;quot;kera&amp;quot;. 】     No matter what, it couldn&#039;t be Kimura KAERA. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(Note: Kimura KAERA, a Japanese -British mixed -race, one of Japan&#039;s &amp;quot;Four Great Singers of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the New Age&amp;quot;.)     【Is her name Kaede Sakura? 】     【It seems so. Do you know her? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
】     【Hmm, I guess so. 】     I answered him vaguely.     【What did you say to that girl? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
】     【It was all rambling. Children just like to imagine their own world, and that girl was no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exception. She didn&#039;t say anything about what was happening around her, but she told me a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lot about her imagination. 】     At this point, Mr. Ming smiled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was then that she told me the story about the animals with their internal organs &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exposed. My wife thought it was disgusting, but I found it quite interesting. So I pitched the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
idea to the company.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is it that interesting?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Honestly, opinions vary. But the boss at the company loved it, so he sent it to the general &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
manager for a decision. The general manager liked it and approved it immediately. The next &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
day, the company asked us to come up with all sorts of possible animals.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyone who asks for permission is definitely not normal, and anyone who gives permission &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is definitely not right. Thus, the stuffed animal that has terrified children across the country &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was born.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Has Akane ever met that girl?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Probably not. It seems like the times never match up. Akane is always away when that girl &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
comes. That girl doesn&#039;t live here all the time, so she doesn&#039;t come often.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Uh, that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s get to the point now. That&#039;s all I want to confirm. The key question is what I&#039;ll ask &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
later.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did that girl come up with any other ideas?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes, she did. I remember her saying the doll was a memory device —and she was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;storage center&amp;quot; —that just by looking into someone&#039;s eyes, she could read their memories &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and even control them, something very sci -fi. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Was that girl&#039;s idea?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s like a story. No matter how you look at it, there&#039;s no way to make this a new feature &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for the product. We&#039;re just making an ordinary doll.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With its internal organs exposed, it&#039;s hard to call it ordinary. I really didn&#039;t expect him to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
say that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s father seemed happy for some reason. He seemed to enjoy talking to me. Maybe &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
no one else would ask him about internal organs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Did you get anything from that girl?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you mean?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Like a notebook or sketchbook?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mr. Jianming crossed his arms and began to think. He&#039;s just the right amount of fat, so he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looks presentable. But Akane probably wouldn&#039;t like her father being chubby.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The man before me was lost in thought. Handsome uncle, please remember quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t remember.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was stunned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I remember she had a notebook with her, but she seemed to have taken it back. Maybe &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that notebook was very important to her. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That might be the case.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was discouraged. I thought that coming here would lead to some progress. That&#039;s why I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I used to think that if there were any records left here, I could learn about Sakura Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
secrets. Like why she is so strong or her weaknesses. It would be great if I could also read &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that document, but it is now underground. Wouldn&#039;t we be helpless then ? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait. We were originally planning to ask about the history of animal viscera production.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No. It was Akane who told me to come after transforming into a fierce dog. That guy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
understood something after reading that document. I&#039;m afraid that the information recorded &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on it is rather vague. If she can clearly grasp the information inside, she shoul d be able to tell &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. Because she doesn&#039;t know, I can only ask her father.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto asked as if she understood what I was thinking:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is there anything else?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You really like that stuffed animal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It talks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mr. Jianming laughed heartily. He seemed to think it was a joke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, that girl has been downstairs in my house a few times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Underground? Yeah  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . There&#039;s a bomb shelter in the yard. I used it as a basement for a while. I told the girl about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it and she seemed interested. I think she thinks more actively in dark places.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Please take us there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said to him enthusiastically.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mr. Jianming readily agreed. He told us to wait a moment, so we waited. Soon, he returned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a flashlight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Right there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s father walked into the yard in his slippers. Kondou Mikoto and I changed into our &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shoes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a place in the yard covered by an iron lid with a large lock on it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I used this place as a warehouse, but it leaked, so I closed it up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Can we go in and take a look?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mr. Kaimei unlocked the large lock for us, and I opened the lid. It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    creaked open. Inside was a steeply tilted wooden staircase. Part of it was rotten.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s go in and take a look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s okay, but it&#039;s a little dangerous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s okay. By the way, if Akane gets here, please tell her we&#039;re here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That being said, she probably won&#039;t come. Rather, I&#039;m desperately trying to get to her right &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I borrowed a flashlight from Mr. Kaimei. As usual, Kondou Mikoto went down first, and I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
provided light from behind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was dark inside. Of course. Since it&#039;s unused now, there&#039;s no lighting. It probably wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like this when Sakura Kaede was a child.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I have no basis for this, but I firmly believe Sakura Kaede saw something here. It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably after that that she finally managed to make the viscera talk. What on  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    earth did she see here? I shone the flashlight around. It was completely empty. There were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
puddles in the corners. The air was thick with moisture, giving it a musty smell.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto ran around recklessly even in the dark.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Natsuru, here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a spot on the wall that was a different color. It was just big enough for a person &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to crouch down and pass through. But it looked like it was coated with something like mortar.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried pushing it with my hand. It didn&#039;t budge. But it started to crackle and peel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is there a hole here?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Try it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried to push a little harder.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, ah, hey.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Pushing with my hands alone was too much of a stretch, so Kondou Mikoto and I tried &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kicking with our feet. At first, it didn&#039;t budge, but after two and three kicks, it finally started &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to sway.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, ah!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We gave it one last, powerful kick. Finally, we reached the wall, revealing a hole.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    On the other side was a passage. As expected, the height of the hole meant we couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
get through without stooping. Sakura Kaede was a child back then, so it shouldn&#039;t be difficult &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to get through. Or perhaps we could crawl on all fours?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Does this lead to the basement?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It definitely does.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Without hesitation, I plunged into the darkness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was dusty inside. The ground was covered in dirt. And the humidity was so strong that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the dirt had turned to mud underfoot. My pants and knees were stained. Kondou Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shouted behind me, &amp;quot;Wow —I&#039;ll have to wash them properly when I get home.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Something, either dirt or concrete, kept falling from above. This place looked fragile. We &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
could be buried alive if we weren&#039;t careful. As  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stood on guard, the oppressive feeling around me disappeared without a trace. We were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now in a vast space. I stood up confidently, and Kondou Mikoto followed me out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This place was like a cave. But the walls were vertical, so I knew it was artificially &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
excavated. It must have been a natural cave, and someone had enlarged it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto exclaimed,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s huge! There are many caves like this in South America.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But this is Japan.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is really rare.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shone the flashlight from right to left.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There are more caves inside. Two, actually. Are they connected somewhere? Which of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these two caves should we take? Which is the correct path?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked under my feet. I thought there might be footprints of Sakura Kaede here. But it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would be a waste of time. How could footprints from over a decade ago still be there?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kondou Mikoto, which cave do you think is best to go through to reach that underground &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
facility?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That one.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Without thinking, Kondou Mikoto pointed to the cave on the right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not directionally challenged, but I&#039;m not particularly perceptive either. Speaking of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
human compasses, this woman is the one who says she can always find her way, whether in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a rainforest at night or on the ocean during a torrential downpour. She&#039;s like  a sextant with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
arms and legs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If Kondou Mikoto says so, then it must be right. Shizuku and Akane are deep in that cave. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As long as they&#039;re both there, we must rescue them both.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I was about to go in, something came from inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A strange &amp;quot;patter&amp;quot; sound, like something hitting the ground. It sounded like footsteps, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not human. Is there a dog here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru is coming.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Silence.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe we should transform now. It would be bad if it were an enemy. I can&#039;t die before &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rescuing them. It&#039;s too early to let this end in vain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pricked up my ears. I could almost hear voices. They were talking as they came this way. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Were the dogs talking as they came? How could that be?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Never mind. I channeled strength into my arms, preparing to transform into Kempfer. As I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
did so,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oops—I&#039;m completely lost.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who said to go this way?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What can we do? We tried to go back, but the door was blocked.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You guys.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stared speechlessly at the group that appeared before me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Out of the cave emerged the viscera and their group.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stopped transforming. Actually, it wouldn&#039;t have mattered, but we&#039;d missed the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
opportunity. Kondou Mikoto remained as she was.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We were face to face with the viscera. Why were all of them here ? And not just one or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, why are you here?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s what I wanted to ask you. I was wondering if you were staying in your room &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
properly.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We&#039;re messengers after all. Just sitting there like idiots can&#039;t do that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That pile of chemical fiber looked proud for some reason. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was relieved we weren&#039;t enemies, after all. But I was also startled to see a bunch of stuffed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dolls with their internal organs exposed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are you here? By the way, can you walk?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes. We can&#039;t walk far, but we tried.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But why are you here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I must be here to help you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A stuffed doll interjected. It was the Kirara Rabbit. Its eyes were bloodshot, and its face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looked as if it was saying, &amp;quot;I&#039;m a mean -spirited person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, I didn&#039;t count you guys in, so I&#039;ll help you. That one&#039;s lost, so you two should &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thank me first.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why should I thank you for a stuffed doll? It&#039;s nice that you&#039;re willing to help, but what can &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Look at all the friends we have.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kirara Rabbit pointed with its ear. A white cat with its fur standing on end greeted me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Long time no see.&amp;quot; You&#039;re so dirty. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re the Electric Wildcat, right? Were you ever this mean?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m only doing this to you. I can&#039;t rest easy unless you become a man worthy of Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s your peace of mind?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Next to it was a dog with its tongue hanging out. And there was a straw rope wrapped &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
around its neck. It was really surreal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hello, I&#039;m the Suffocating Wild Dog.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah—, are you the visceral animal that Kondou Mikoto mentioned?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This uninflected way of speaking is really unique.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You still look like you&#039;re about to die.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please don&#039;t mind.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Death is the theme of this series, so I&#039;m really meddling too much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto also looked at her viscera and said, &amp;quot;You always seem listless.&amp;quot; Suffocating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Wild Dog replied, &amp;quot;That&#039;s just how I am.&amp;quot; They should make a good pairing, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then there&#039;s the one next to it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You noticed it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the seppuku tiger. I immediately replied,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course I noticed. Can this guy leave?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Calling me this guy is really rude,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the brown stuffed animal. Its tone was strangely solemn and majestic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not even our first meeting, is it? I&#039;m the Burning Lion.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although I&#039;m no longer surprised by things related to viscera, I was still surprised. Even this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guy is here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wow—this is the first time I&#039;ve seen such a filthy viscera.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto didn&#039;t think much of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This guy is the first viscera to come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why is he here?&amp;quot; ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That black -haired woman brought them here. She&#039;s a total slacker with stuffed animals.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Because she&#039;s the student council president, she&#039;ll even use her parents.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of Shizuku, let alone her parents, she&#039;ll probably turn everyone she&#039;s never met &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
into her minions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [When did you wake up?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just a while ago. It&#039;s a rare dream where I was being served by a group of lionesses, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
building a large harem, but then I felt this strange shaking. When I woke up, I found myself &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
being carried on the back of a seppuku -savage black rabbit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just sleep again, and it&#039;ll be fine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That won&#039;t work. Judging from what I heard, you guys seem to be in trouble right now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion uttered a &amp;quot;Hey&amp;quot; and sat down on the floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You have a lot of questions,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    right?] [I guess so.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You seem quite troubled by that little girl, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Little girl?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto tilted her head and nudged me with her elbow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Sakura Kaede.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ahh. She&#039;s not little anymore.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said she was very young when I first met her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At this, Fire Lion coughed. It felt a bit strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s go through the story in order. First, why I was born —I don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I know. Please  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    don&#039;t interrupt. Suddenly, I came to my senses and found myself in a cylindrical tank. A &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little girl was watching me from outside, then she took me out and brought me home. That &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl was Kaede Sakura.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Right. That&#039;s not surprising. Considering the tank in the research facility, I can relate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I always thought you, Fire Lion, got this from an auction or something like that when &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was in junior high or high school.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede often uses this method to collect rare animal entrails. Because unusual items &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like these are quickly discontinued, they can&#039;t be collected otherwise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She might have said that herself. Perhaps her memory has become a little fuzzy. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Regardless, that girl doesn&#039;t have the memories of a mediator.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, tell us more about this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I leaned forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What exactly is a mediator?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before we talk about that, I&#039;d like some tea or something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, I don&#039;t have any.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Besides, can you drink anything?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s just the atmosphere. It&#039;s okay if you don&#039;t. Anyway, Mr. Natsuru, do you want to know &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about the mediator?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I want to help those missing girls, and...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m tired of fighting without knowing anything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said this clearly to all the puppets.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, I was turned into a woman, and I&#039;m in a lot of trouble. And Sakura Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personality has changed, and Shizuku and Akane are missing. What the hell is going on? I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can&#039;t stand fighting blindly like this anymore. That&#039;s right  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Ultimately, I still have some doubts about this. In that research facility, I clearly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
understood that I didn&#039;t want to lose. But, really, why do I have to fight? I want to know the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reason.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku once said, &amp;quot;If you keep fighting, you&#039;ll find out.&amp;quot; That&#039;s true. Wouldn&#039;t it be nice if it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were revealed right here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion nodded repeatedly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And the Seppuku Tigers won&#039;t tell me anything.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because we don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Suffocating Dog replied in Shizuka&#039;s voice. Ignore it for now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I heard a little bit about you before. You said there seemed to be two forces at work. Is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that true?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the Fire Lion said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So you know the whole situation?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes. After all, I&#039;m the original visceral animal.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion let out a laugh that sounded like a leak. I think it&#039;s emphasizing its first place, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
meaning it&#039;s the first one in the series to make a child cry. But it seemed proud.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It wasn&#039;t just me. She had planned to have all the internal animals record all their &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
information. But it seems she didn&#039;t have the others record all their information. I wonder if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she thought it was unnecessary or just too much trouble.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then you can tell me everything.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I leaned closer to the burning lion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Rather than asking me to tell you, it&#039;s more like asking you, Mr. Natsuru, to read my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
memories.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How do I do that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s not that difficult. Please look into my eyes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So I looked into the brown puppet&#039;s eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is this guy crazy? [Are you doubting me now?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sure.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [In this world, puppets can even talk, so it wouldn&#039;t be surprising if something happened.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true, but hearing your voice, which sounds like some old doctor from the rainforest, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
makes me feel like I&#039;ve been tricked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The burning lion&#039;s eyes kept rolling. It&#039;s really creepy. Has it acquired this new function?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The information you want to know, Mr. Natsuru, has appeared within my memory.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I know, but]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If you do it, you&#039;ll find out. And if I leave it alone, I&#039;ll fall asleep again. I don&#039;t know if I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ever wake up again.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [ &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, once you know, it&#039;s up to you, Mr. Natsuru, to do what you want. After all, if you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t know anything, there&#039;s no way to start over.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I guess so.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I know it well. I&#039;ve reached a point of no return.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I raised the burning lion. By the way, its face is really strange. Whoever came up with the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
idea of burning stuffed animals must be a genius or a weirdo. Which means Akane&#039;s father is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a weirdo.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m a little hesitant to look it in the eye.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please hurry up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll do it, I guess.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s why I said I wanted tea. That&#039;s not what I want to drink.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it for induction?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, it&#039;s just calming.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was useless asking. If it&#039;s just for that, forget it. Let&#039;s just get started.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I made up my mind and looked into its eyes. In an instant, my vision went dark.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is history. Not the history of humans or Earthlings. But the history of an unidentified &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
group of beings living in a distant land, even in the same universe. They&#039;re divided into two &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
factions, one covered in hard red skin, the other with blue glowing b odies growing from the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back of their heads along their spines. These two factions are constantly clashing. So far, it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just the same as what I heard from the burning lion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Biologically, these creatures were all female. This proved that only species capable of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bearing offspring were valuable. Their bodies were even stronger than those of males.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They fought endlessly. As the war dragged on, they gradually forgot why they were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fighting. As both sides grew tired, someone proposed a solution.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Each side would elect representatives, and the outcome of their battle would determine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the winner. This would allow both sides to end the conflict without any losses.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    However, some objections arose at this stage. The troubled genius then submitted this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
plan along with another one. This one involved using other life forms to fight on our behalf. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    problem was that they had the technology to implement it. It was quickly adopted. Thus, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the &amp;quot;Kemp Method,&amp;quot; specifically designed for combat, was secretly born.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    From then on, the Kempfa became their proxies and began fighting relentlessly. They &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t just target civilized creatures; they also selected predatory beasts, insects, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sometimes even single -celled organisms to fight on their behalf. Of course, they a lso agreed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to pay the Kempfa handsomely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The battle raged for a long time, with both sides remaining in a state of confrontation. But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they showed no sign of breaking this tension. Making the Kempfa fight had become not a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
means to resolve the issue but their goal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They found joy in forcing a third party to fight. Unconsciously, they took on the guise of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mediators, forgetting that they were the ones being mediated. Then, they set their sights on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a planet in a certain galaxy. There, some life forms had reached a certa in level of civilization &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and were constantly at odds.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was a perfect candidate for a Kempfa. I&#039;m about to vomit. So many records of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kempfa&#039;s battles have flooded my mind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Romans and Celts, sword -wielding each other in the forest for a month. Bavarian orphans &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
setting each other on fire in a deserted village. Jin women dueling on boats on the Yellow &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
River. French and Russian soldiers clash on the frigid Berezina River. Zulu y ouths fighting with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
spears in South Africa. Street children attacking each other from behind in the hills of South &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
America. And Japanese high school students.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They&#039;re all unaware of the situation, having been exploited and forced to fight for a long &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time. Of course, so are we.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My vision faded into darkness again. Then the burning lion appeared before me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Do you understand?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes. Of course.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I choked, and I almost felt like vomiting. This wasn&#039;t my will. Memories of the Kempfers I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fought so far flooded back into my mind. This wasn&#039;t fake, this was real.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto hugged my arm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you okay?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, I&#039;m fine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not entirely. I&#039;m a little nauseous. But I can&#039;t worry Kondou Mikoto right now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The word &amp;quot;Kempfer&amp;quot; is from German.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion coughed. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course it didn&#039;t come from the language of the Mediators. &amp;quot;Mediator&amp;quot; isn&#039;t from their &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
language either. If I said it here in their language, you wouldn&#039;t understand. They probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stumbled upon these words during battle and thought they fit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The message on the wall was also in German. I don&#039;t know who wrote it, but it must have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been someone who was forced to fight and lost.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Bullshit, what a mess!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I cursed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What happens to the losers? Trapped in a dispute with people they have nothing to do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with, and then stuffed into a tank for no apparent reason?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s exactly what happens.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Fire Lion replied seriously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know why they keep the bodies of the losers. Is it out of sympathy, or to keep &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them as specimens?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s all the same. They&#039;re all so miserable. Are those in the tanks incapable of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
resurrection?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m afraid so.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Is  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    that so?&amp;quot; I choked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you come this way?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto pointed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suffocating Dog replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If we go back the way we just came, we&#039;ll reach a place like a research institute.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you meet anyone along the way?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, we didn&#039;t see anyone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, they&#039;re still somewhere we haven&#039;t been yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, let&#039;s go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Going back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kirara said in surprise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;ve come this far with so much effort. Hey, wouldn&#039;t we be able to get out that way?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He pointed his ear in the direction we came from. &amp;quot;Yes, we could get out if we went &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
towards Akane&#039;s hometown, but we can&#039;t. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I grabbed Kirara&#039;s ear and lifted him up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, let&#039;s go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, that hurts. What are you doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Go save your master.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That hurts! Stop it! Hey, Kirara Tiger, the Natsuru is being violent. Give me some advice!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ahahaha.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t laugh like Shizuka! And  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    so, we lined up and entered the cave.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, the path carved by the visceral animals had a low ceiling. The walls showed it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had a long history. It wasn&#039;t me who knew this best, but Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This must have been renovated,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    my childhood friend said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps the original facilities were converted into bomb shelters or warehouses, or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something? And they even wanted to improve it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What was here originally?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Who knows? Perhaps the mediators or someone else came here long ago. If so, it&#039;s been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reused over and over again. Why  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    did they come here so many times?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We walked for a while until we reached the cleaning room. I&#039;ve been here before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is it,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Didn&#039;t you say you were going to turn back?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This seppuku black rabbit is just a stuffed animal, yet it complains so much. I pulled up its &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ears.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did you really come from this side?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course. We didn&#039;t know there were any other entrances or exits.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed. But then, wouldn&#039;t that mean we&#039;d just return to Sakura Kaede&#039;s room without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
discovering anything?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Anyway, let&#039;s go in first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We followed Kondou Mikoto&#039;s instructions and entered the cleaning room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We opened the door, and behind it lay the research facility we&#039;d been discussing. I said to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the visceral animals,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This seems to be where you were born.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that so?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The seppuku tiger exclaimed. It seemed they&#039;d passed by this room but paid no attention. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And it wasn&#039;t as shocking as the room next door where the girl was floating in the water &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tank.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This could be considered our womb.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Does chemical fiber have a mother?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Although we&#039;re not proper life forms, if we were to use humans as an example, that&#039;s the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
case.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was a strange, yet convincing statement. I remembered my mother&#039;s face from Kyushu.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We climbed the stairs to the center of the water tank array. Going up from here would be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede&#039;s home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Kempfers, defeated so far, floated in the water tanks. Shizuku -senpai and Kuzuhara &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were also inside. To avoid this, we have to move forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now&#039;s not the time to dwell on our feelings.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, what should we do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto asked. She was asking me how to find Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Well, it doesn&#039;t make sense if she&#039;s not underground. Did we guess wrong?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane also jumped down.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of us were lost in thought. The visceral animals are still the same. They can&#039;t help &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at all now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I suddenly raised my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, right, there.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kondou Mikoto, behind you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned around. Behind her was a door. Right next to the wall covered in wires was an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
iron door. It was the place where Shizuku said, &amp;quot;That&#039;s not the exit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto slapped the door a few times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s actually here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Can you open it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s locked. But the door doesn&#039;t look that sturdy. It should be faster to chop it open.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I wonder what&#039;s next. Let&#039;s transform first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced at the pledge bracelet, touched it with my fingers, and infused it with power.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A white light enveloped my body, and I transformed into a woman. Kondou Mikoto also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformed into a Kempfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stay away.] She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    drew her Japanese sword, slowly raised it above her head, and swung it down with all her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The door split completely in two, and the entrance to the adjacent room appeared before &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto and I exchanged a glance and simultaneously entered the room. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
visceral animals followed closely behind us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The room wasn&#039;t very large. It was filled with pipes and wires. There was even something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like a switchboard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In the center of the room stood something like a giant cage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What is this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It looks like a freight elevator.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto explained. You often see these things at construction sites and mines.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It seems to go underground.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Under this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were some simple buttons on the handrail.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, do you want to ride?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I had no intention of turning back. Even if it meant going underground, I was going to go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I boarded the elevator with Kondou Mikoto and the visceral animals. I pressed the button &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like a hammer, and  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the elevator gave a clang, then began its descent with a low, creaking sound. Pitch &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
blackness surrounded me, a complete absence of light, as if I were being swallowed by the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
earth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Finally, we reached the bottom.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The elevator landed with a clattering sound, and a section of the handrail opened.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A haze enveloped the area, making our vision difficult.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We entered without hesitation. Although the haze hindered us slightly, we exited quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This place was enormous. Not only wide, but also high. The walls were covered in what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed like decorative stone, and bedrock could be seen on the ceiling. The air felt cool, not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
damp at all. It felt less like a room and more like a hall. It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t dark, as a light illuminated the center. I guess it won&#039;t be as dark and poorly visible &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as the place just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In the center of here, there is a strange -looking stone statue. It&#039;s a round stone statue, a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little smaller than a human. I don&#039;t know what the theme is.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There is a person lying next to it as if leaning on the stone statue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t help but shout.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s Shizuku. Her hands and feet were tied up with chains. She used her own short &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sword with chains.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shouted again. She still lowered her head and didn&#039;t look at me. Is she unconscious now?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Or, could it be...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t worry. She&#039;s still alive.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly another voice sounded in my ears. The person who spoke folded his hands and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looked at us from behind the stone statue. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru -san, Kondou -san, welcome to this place full of my memories.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede showed a satisfied smile on her face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|← Back to Volume 12 Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 4|Forward to 12 Chapter 4 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586429</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586429"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:17:53Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot; Volume 12, Chapter 2        Sakura Kaede looked incredibly surprised. We were the same way.         [Uh, you all, why are you here in a place like this?]         She looked like her usual self. It was hard to believe she&amp;#039;d been threatening Shizuku just   now with her current attitude. If this was all acting, she&amp;#039;d definitely become a very capable   actress.         Her eyes lit up as she turned to me.         [Ah, Natsuru -san, you&amp;#039;re here too.]      ...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 12, Chapter 2  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede looked incredibly surprised. We were the same way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh, you all, why are you here in a place like this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked like her usual self. It was hard to believe she&#039;d been threatening Shizuku just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now with her current attitude. If this was all acting, she&#039;d definitely become a very capable &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
actress.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her eyes lit up as she turned to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, Natsuru -san, you&#039;re here too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, right. This was the first time Sakura Kaede had seen me here as a woman. Her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
expression told me she&#039;d been waiting a long time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, her normal expression returned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh, who are these people over here?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t understand what she was referring to for a moment, but I soon caught on. She was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talking about Akane and Mikoto. True, they&#039;d never met like this before. But she&#039;d seen &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane in Bulldog mode a few times before, probably just seeing her but not  knowing her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
name.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But how could I explain it to her? I couldn&#039;t tell her we were having a heated fight just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh, uh, them. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hmm?&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She asked me with an angelic look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Um.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Sakura Kaede, wait. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The one who came to my aid was Shizuku. She had already sheathed her sword. This &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman&#039;s transformation was essentially unchanged, so even if she maintained her Kämpfer &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stance, it wouldn&#039;t look out of place.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Okay, forget it 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku walked towards Sakura Kaede and glanced at me. What&#039;s wrong? What&#039;s the point &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of this action?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I was thinking this, Shizuku suddenly swung her knife at the back of Sakura Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
neck.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ah—— !】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That was a blow with the force of a Kämpfer. It&#039;s not something an ordinary person could &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
match. Sakura Kaede truly lost consciousness this time and fell down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, what did you do?&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said to Shizuku, but she remained unmoved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Cancel the transformation. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Why?&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s not just Natsuru, but Akane and Mikoto as well. Sakura Kaede probably doesn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember anything from before. &amp;quot;It&#039;ll be troublesome if she sees us transformed into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, I see.&amp;quot; So we undo the transformation. The room suddenly filled with light.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We returned to our normal selves, but there was an inexplicable strange feeling inside us. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After all, being in a place like this, it&#039;s normal to feel this way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku twirled her hands around. Probably to stretch her shoulders. I know this guy has &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
symptoms of shoulder stiffness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, I, what should we do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered softly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If possible, I want to get out of here as soon as possible. This place is too scary.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She spoke incoherently. Because there&#039;s a hole in the ceiling, the brightness has been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reduced by half, and there are wax figures in the surrounding tanks. It&#039;s already a bit scary. To &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane in glasses mode, this place must have been like a haunted house.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku spoke softly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, staying here forever isn&#039;t a solution.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should we do about Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what I said.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Take her away.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;First, let me move?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let me do it, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I&#039;ll do it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said it anyway. I felt like I wouldn&#039;t be a man if I refused. If Shizuku could even anticipate &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this, she&#039;s quite resourceful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I carried the unconscious Sakura Kaede on my back. This has happened before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt a heavy weight on my back. Wow —Sakura Kaede&#039;s breasts, I wasn&#039;t really happy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What the hell is going on?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ve become a man again, but now I feel like I&#039;m not carrying the girl I love, but rather like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m just doing some moving work. It&#039;s completely different from back then. Has Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
become just another girl, not someone I admire? Is she chasing me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto opened the door. The lock had already been unlocked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Inside was a small, deserted room. Is it a storage room? It only contained emergency food &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and some cardboard boxes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since the floor was paved, I knew we were back in our old house. There was another door &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
across from here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto went over to unlock the door, flinging it open in a flash.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, oh,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, a sound like an exclamation. I leaned out to see what was going on. It was coming &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from the hallway.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here, that&#039;s where Sakura Kaede said her parents&#039; room was.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said. &amp;quot;I see, so the pool isn&#039;t the only entrance. The white Kämpfer&#039;s must be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
coming in and out from here. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, I remembered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, what happened to Higashida Ryouka?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh, she&#039;s still down there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath her lip, I forgot all about her. We just left Higashida Ryouka down there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We have to pick her up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It sounds weird to say &amp;quot;pick someone up,&amp;quot; but we can&#039;t just leave her down there. I think &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
we should at least tie her up and lock her up. Besides, she was shot, and I&#039;d feel bad letting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her die like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll carry her up,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, carry Sakura Kaede up first. I&#039;ll catch up with you in a bit.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Okay  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Wait.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku called out to me as I was about to take a step.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What&#039;s wrong? Sakura -kun is quite heavy. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Would you please be the leader while I&#039;m gone? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For a moment I thought it was a joke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Huh? What do you want me to be? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I said I&#039;ll leave it to you later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Forget student council president, I&#039;ve never even been class monitor.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ll be fine. Look, I did it, didn&#039;t I?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She gently stroked my face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re a man, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said this and left.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s true that I&#039;m a man. Even though I&#039;ll become a woman after transforming into Kämpfer, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I still think of myself as a man. But asking me to do it for that reason is a little confusing, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
since Shizuku said so, maybe I really can do it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thinking of this, I shook my head slightly. I had to get rid of the anxiety. I&#039;d made up my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mind not to lose. If winning required a leader, then I had no choice but to do it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We moved Sakura Kaede upstairs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    First, we had to find a place for her to lie down, but we didn&#039;t know where. We initially &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thought of putting her in the meeting room, but when we checked, we found the window &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was broken, letting the night wind in. Just  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    as I was wondering what had happened, Akane said sheepishly, &amp;quot;That was me.&amp;quot; She broke &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it open and jumped into the pool below, right? I see.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was no other choice, so I had to move Sakura Kaede to her own room. Her room was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on the first floor, so she had to go downstairs. If that was too much trouble, forget it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her room wasn&#039;t locked. But even if it was, Mikoto could have opened it. It only had a bed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and a small table, making it feel strangely deserted. There weren&#039;t many animal products in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I put Sakura Kaede on the bed. Oh no. What should I do next?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane raised her hand slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Can you change clothes? My clothes are half -dry.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;d like to, too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said the same thing. We jumped in the pool, so our clothes got soaked. They&#039;re &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
almost dry now, but they&#039;re still a little uncomfortable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, okay. Akane, Mikoto, both of you go change.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Thank you, Natsuru. What about you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll talk to you later. I need to watch over Sakura Kaede now.] I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    didn&#039;t know what to say, but I couldn&#039;t leave her here alone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and Mikoto said they&#039;d be back soon and left Sakura Kaede&#039;s room. After that, it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just Sakura Kaede and I alone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I found a chair and sat down beside the bed. Sakura Kaede lay there motionless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was impossible to tell if she was dead or alive. Her chest was still rising and falling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
slightly, so she was still alive. Her sleeping posture (?) was still angelic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. This person is an angel. I&#039;ve known her since junior high. She always had a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
smile on her face, was friendly to everyone, and was widely admired. I was shocked to learn &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was friends with that scheming president, but her charm remained uncha nged. It&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    also true that Sakura Kaede was behind all of this. I&#039;m not trying to confirm it, but it&#039;s true.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why did she do this? Was Sakura Kaede being manipulated by someone? Or was it her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
own will?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I can only ask her once she wakes up. What I&#039;m thinking is just imagination at best. I might &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be a little bit of a jerk myself, but I&#039;m really slow at this. Even when I watch mystery dramas, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can&#039;t guess who the culprit is.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In times like this, we should quickly ask the girls, especially Shizuku, for help. That woman&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
insanely smart. She must be one of the best student council presidents in the country.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she&#039;s not here right now. That woman is so slow. Hurry and bring her up here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I startled. Sakura Kaede made a sound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Name.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied unintentionally, though I didn&#039;t think she could hear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I put my ear close to Sakura Kaede&#039;s face. Is she awake? What did she just say?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s my name. I&#039;ve heard girls unconsciously say the name of someone they like.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What I thought just now was all a lie, but she was referring to me when she said Natsuru. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What&#039;s going on?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Me-me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What? I held my breath.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been here, to this house, since I was little.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s voice was soft, and if I wasn&#039;t concentrating, I couldn&#039;t hear what she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
saying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Back then, this place seemed so huge to me. I explored the house every day. Not only at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
home, but also at that person&#039;s house, looking everywhere.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I discovered a basement. It was connected to a tunnel that extended far down. Although &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the adults told me not to wander around, I wanted to see where it led, so I kept going down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I swallowed. Sakura Kaede was talking about her childhood. Now she was talking about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how she discovered the underground facility.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And then, after I discovered it, there...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, Sakura Kaede opened her eyes. I flinched in fear. I looked at her timidly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt my consciousness being sucked into those eyes!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She suddenly stood up. Halfway up, to be exact. My face was so close to hers that I almost &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bumped into her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;S-Sakura Kaede!&amp;quot; ? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She grabbed my shoulder so hard that her fingertips dug into the flesh.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It hurts.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s not me, me, no, that&#039;s not me. But I can&#039;t tell them apart anymore!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It hurts, Sakura Kaede -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why would I tell Natsuru -san and Shizuku -chan!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede continued. Her eyes were open, but I couldn&#039;t tell if she was looking at me. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then she started shaking all over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s not me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Sakura Kaede.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s not me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I resisted, trying to pull her hand away. It really hurt.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it&#039;s not you, then who is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said, and she immediately stared at me intently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who do you think it is? Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her hands left my shoulders and slid behind my neck, then Sakura Kaede leaned her face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
close to mine and kissed me on the lips.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Woo --!&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm --hmm.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh my. I&#039;m kissing Sakura Kaede. I&#039;m finally touching someone I love, but for some reason, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I don&#039;t feel any excitement at all. It&#039;s not nice to say this, but I feel like a slug is crawling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inside, making me feel sick.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;S--Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm --.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her eyes were smiling. But there wasn&#039;t a hint of gentleness in them. Only a look of near -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
madness could be seen. She seemed to be enjoying sucking my lips.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a roar, almost a wail, came from behind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah--!&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey --, you two --!!&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The first was from Akane, the second from Mikoto. I knew that without even seeing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto ran over and forcibly pulled Sakura Kaede and me apart.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What did you do while we weren&#039;t looking!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, I.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you mean by &amp;quot;I&amp;quot;? You two beasts in heat!&amp;quot; I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    can&#039;t believe there are people in this world who would use the word &amp;quot;beast.&amp;quot; What did she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think of me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, now isn&#039;t the time to be thinking about that. I fell flat on my face, and Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stood up on the bed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmmmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede licked her lips. Should I call that alluring or terrifying?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Thanks for the treat. But, it&#039;s really boring.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What!? You&#039;re still talking about this after you&#039;ve already kissed Natsuru!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto scolded. That&#039;s right. I&#039;ll be hurt.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You have to do that to regain consciousness!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It was just by the way. I saw that Shizuku -chan was really into him, so I just had a little fun. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s not a big deal.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How rude. Do you think I&#039;m the appetizer at a standing banquet?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede stood on the bed, looking down at us. Though not very high, she seemed to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be looking down from a high position.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Alright, now that I&#039;ve regained consciousness, let me take Natsuru -san in first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t say such nonsense.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Mikoto who said this. Though her eyes were still red, she was very assertive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come down from above.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come down? Does that mean it&#039;s okay for me to finish you all off?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was full of confidence. And she seemed to actually be prepared to do it, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
which was terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine. Because I don&#039;t need you. I was planning to finish you off anyway.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop your boasting.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Besides, it feels really good to look down from above.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Only fools and smoke up there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, you&#039;re so bold!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede floated lightly in the air. That&#039;s true. She should have jumped, but that&#039;s how &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it looked to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, she landed behind me. I was about to turn around, but it was too late.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come on, Natsuru -san, let&#039;s go together.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She grabbed my collar. It hurt. It felt like she was holding me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t let you succeed!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto shouted. Then, the Bracelet of Promise began to glow, transforming into a Kämpfer. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Did it not? She just kicked Sakura Kaede away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto&#039;s figure, a flying kick with her right foot, caught my eye. Sakura Kaede, probably not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
expecting her to do that, lost her balance and fell to the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto immediately straddled her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Got her! Beneath, rope, rope!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A belt or a bra will do! Anything rope will do!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Using underwear to tie her up is a bit too much. Is she planning on making Beneath take &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
off? I&#039;m still here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede, beneath Mikoto, glared at her. He tried to jump. Normally, she wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have been able to do it, but now she could.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto held her breath. I know she&#039;s nervous. But that&#039;s all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ouch.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede had lost consciousness again. Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    let out a long sigh.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm, I was shocked.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s scary.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said this without realizing it. Even I was overly nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s scary?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto stared at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What? You&#039;re so lustful.] [No,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .] [Didn&#039;t you look so happy when you were kissing Sakura Kaede? Not bad, you popular &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guy.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you it wasn&#039;t like that!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I saw that Mikoto seemed even angrier. Just like I said earlier, [Let&#039;s just forget about this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
until it&#039;s over.] I&#039;ve made up my mind on this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto got off Sakura Kaede, and then Akane walked over and looked at her face carefully.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She seems to have fainted.] &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looks like she&#039;s asleep,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. To say she fainted seemed a bit too peaceful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does her personality change when she&#039;s asleep?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know. But she was talking nonsense just now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What did she say?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I told Akane and Mikoto what Sakura Kaede had just said. I can&#039;t remember everything, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;ve omitted some of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They both wore distressed expressions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you need us?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede -san, is that the kind of person you are?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and Mikoto were unhappy that they weren&#039;t being taken seriously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because none of this was done by the normal Sakura Kaede,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. &amp;quot;This is all the work of Sakura Kaede&#039;s terrifying alter ego.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;But that could also be her intention.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If that&#039;s the675 case, then it&#039;s troublesome,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, her heart pounding with worry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We resumed observing Sakura Kaede. She showed no signs of getting up or making a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
scene. However, beads of sweat were beading on her forehead and neck.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So much sweat ,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered. &amp;quot;Perhaps it&#039;s the effects of the nightmare and sleep talking she had just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Do you have a towel?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t think there are any in this room. Maybe there are in other rooms,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto replied. Even though we&#039;ve changed clothes, we can&#039;t use them to wipe her face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, Mikoto, you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, go get it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto suddenly interrupted me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey. As a man, I&#039;m just like a thief rummaging through someone else&#039;s house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A woman would be the same, too. And if I leave you here, you might do something lewd &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with Sakura Kaede again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who would?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You just did it. &amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That wasn&#039;t my will.&amp;quot; It doesn&#039;t make sense. It&#039;s a fact, indisputable. But that kiss was so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dull.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, go get it. Wouldn&#039;t it be nice to change your clothes while you&#039;re at it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s exactly what I should do. I&#039;m starting to get tired of these half -dry clothes.&amp;quot; I left the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room, and Akane said, &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go too.&amp;quot; So Mikoto was left alone in the room watching over &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m going to change in my room. Akane, can you go get a towel?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll help you change.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No need.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why did you go to such lengths? This isn&#039;t something you should leave to someone else &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and do nothing about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought Akane was joking, but she seemed incredibly serious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, I have something to tell you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can I say it now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since he&#039;d said that, there was nothing I could do. Akane and I walked to the room where I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kept my luggage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although I didn&#039;t bring many clothes, I did have some spare clothes, as I was prepared for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
things that might get dirty and need changing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I need to change, Akane, turn away.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t mind.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I do mind.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s the other way around,&amp;quot; I thought, turning my back to Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I quickly stripped off my clothes. Anyway, regardless of my top, I needed to change my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bottom quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, I, have something to say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, what do you want to say?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to talk about my transformation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She paused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, what do you think of her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stopped changing. What&#039;s that question?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I asked, what do you think of me after my transformation?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You asked me what I think.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, you almost did something dirty with me after my transformation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was so startled that I dropped the shirt I was about to put on. Not only that, I jumped.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, you know that!?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She replied softly. Even though we were facing each other, I felt like she was angry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re not talking to me, but to me after my transformation.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, you&#039;re both the same person, right? That&#039;s why you remember that.&amp;quot; &amp;quot; That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s right. But I&#039;m a little different from my transformed self,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. Speaking of which, the fierce dog Akane said something similar.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I use the same body before and after my transformation, that&#039;s natural. That&#039;s good, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
though.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stopped talking there. This girl is always like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s starting to become a little different. I&#039;m a little strange after my transformation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How strange?&amp;quot; I have a  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    violent personality, but how should I put it? I think she&#039;s always been very open -minded. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think she probably knew she&#039;d disappear one day. After all, it would be strange if I were still a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer when I became an old woman. Yeah  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . I never thought about it. I&#039;m still in high school, but I&#039;m definitely getting older.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So even if she&#039;s rude, I didn&#039;t really care. We used to have no issues with each other, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
things are changing now. Now that I&#039;ve transformed, I don&#039;t want to go back to my old self. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She wants to stay that way forever.     It might seem strange for her to  say that, but she&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
become obsessed with being with you, Natsuru. However, that wasn&#039;t the case until she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This     is called nostalgia? That     &#039;s right.     Akane replied. I&#039;ve heard the same thing from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the fierce dog Akane before. That was when we were about to go down the wrong path in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the underground.     It wasn&#039;t like that when we talked in the cafe bef ore coming here. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
told me, &amp;quot;Just remember me.&amp;quot; But now she says she still has feelings for him.     Why does &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she have feelings for him?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think she likes you, Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She paused, then continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We both fell silent. It felt so awkward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Someone as rude as her actually had feelings for me. Should I say it&#039;s unbelievable or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shocking? Whenever she sees me, she always wants to shoot me in the head, or she&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
holding a Pocky, or cursing at me. A woman as explosive as her actually likes me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, you said I&#039;m your type, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you think of me after my transformation?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t dislike it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you like it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s hard to answer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I can&#039;t imagine hanging out or dating that mad dog. But I can imagine being dragged into a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fight with gangsters or a shootout with the police.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Well, she&#039;s kind of my type. But she&#039;s a bit mean. Well, she might be rude, but she has a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cute side, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t really understand it myself. If I disliked her, I wouldn&#039;t have nearly done anything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sexual with her. That&#039;s why I didn&#039;t reject her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [My mind is still a mess, but if I think about it a little longer, I think I should be able to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
come to a conclusion. So I hope you&#039;ll wait until then. Is it okay to say this to you now?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes. That&#039;s fine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane finally turned to me after saying this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But, I feel a little troubled.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What did you say?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, you heard wrong. It must be.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She shook her head vigorously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I finally changed my clothes, but it took longer than expected. Mikoto might be angry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We got towels and headed back. Just in case, we also took water and ice cubes. Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
went back to her room and got Pocky.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, Mikoto kept staring at us as soon as we got back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Too slow.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Sorry.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I could only apologize honestly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What did you do? Something H again?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, how is Sakura Kaede -san?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It seems like he was scared by nightmares a few times.] Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and I stared at Sakura Kaede&#039;s face, while Akane wiped her sweat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, she seemed to be moaning something deep in her throat, like a cat or dog. But it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t sound cute, more like she was in pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is she angry?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m the one who wants to be angry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My childhood playmate said this. Akane agreed. So did I, actually.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should we do? Just let Sakura Kaede sleep here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s question was difficult to answer. I wanted to wake her up and ask her questions, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but that might just turn into another fight. Sakura Kaede is incredibly powerful when she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
turns evil.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And the annoying thing is, if she&#039;s not evil, she might not know about the situation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If we wake her up and she kills us, we&#039;re all doomed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If we&#039;re defeated, we&#039;ll end up in the tank too. I don&#039;t want that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pressed her hand against her pocket. What happened?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pulled something out. It was her phone. It looked like someone was looking for her. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She nervously opened her phone, glanced at it, and then quickly closed it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, I&#039;m sorry. It&#039;s my dad calling.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, I&#039;ve decided to go to Akane&#039;s house.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto looked puzzled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wait, Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sorry, I think it&#039;s okay to ignore it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto turned and looked at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s just forget about that call. What should we do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [As for Sakura Kaede -san, the only option is to wake her up and ask her what&#039;s going on. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Maybe she even knows about Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why would you wake her up even if she&#039;s asleep?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Because, look at Sakura Kaede -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t say it out loud; it was like a force holding me back. But Akane and Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
understood.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto looked at Sakura Kaede again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If she wakes up and fights us again, it&#039;ll be terrible.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked up at the ceiling. What should I do? Times like this are when the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president should be showing her abilities. What would Shizuku do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku hasn&#039;t come back yet.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked around anxiously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【We didn&#039;t run into her. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is she still underground? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Should we go check on her? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto seemed about to rush out, but I stopped her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No, wait. It&#039;s dangerous. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Are you going to ignore her? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No, if Shizuku doesn&#039;t come back, it means something must have happened. We can&#039;t let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
our guard down. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That woman, who was beyond the scope of a high school student, hasn&#039;t appeared yet. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This means something must have happened. And it&#039;s a situation where we can&#039;t contact her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【If we&#039;re going, let&#039;s all go together. Going alone might backfire. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto agreed. Akane nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I understand, but what about Sakura Kaede -san?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【This is the complication. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If everyone goes to the underground to check on the situation, it means that Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
will be left here alone. No one knows what will happen then.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After thinking about it, I said:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Let&#039;s take her with us. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and Mikoto momentarily exchanged expressions of disgust. It couldn&#039;t be helped, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
after all, we&#039;d already moved here. I explained.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You might not understand, but taking her with us is less risky. I&#039;ll carry her.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Have you carefully considered the risks?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane asked. I nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ve thought about it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I see. That&#039;s fine. Since it&#039;s your decision, Natsuru, I&#039;ll do it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bespectacled girl replied. Mikoto seemed to agree.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Since Shizuku isn&#039;t here, you&#039;ll make the decision.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? Is that okay?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How could you say that yourself?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, Shizuku also told me, &amp;quot;You take the lead.&amp;quot; That must be what she meant. This is  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the second time I&#039;ve carried Sakura Kaede today. She feels extra heavy, probably because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m in my manly form. Kämpfer&#039;s strength is even stronger now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We retraced our steps. We didn&#039;t want to jump into the pool again, so we headed towards &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the room we thought was Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents&#039;. It shouldn&#039;t be locked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Shizuku—— ?&amp;quot;] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto called, opening the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No answer. She might be further down. Perhaps in the room with the sinks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Let&#039;s go inside 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I told them. Since Shizuku wasn&#039;t here, we had no choice but to go down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto was looking at the ceiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked, keeping an eye on Sakura Kaede on my back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Sorry, I thought I heard something. Also, I think I&#039;ve seen this structure somewhere &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before. What is it? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Let&#039;s go. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No, wait a minute.&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto interrupted me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Well, I still think I&#039;ve seen it somewhere. I think I&#039;m almost remembering it. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Let&#039;s go quickly 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I urged. Akane had already put her hand on the door leading to the basement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto suddenly came to her senses.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Wait a minute!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; The alarm beeped. Lights flashed above the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Akane!】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pulled her hard, and we both fell to the ground hugging each other. Sakura Kaede was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thrown down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A metal plate dropped from the ceiling, blocking the door. This system is probably the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
same as the emergency isolation door used in disaster prevention. The difference is that this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door drops from above and is embedded in the floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto grabbed the metal plate and strained a few times, but finally shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s blocked. This structure is the same as the one in the Turkish catacombs. I was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wondering where I&#039;d seen it before.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said unwillingly. The path to the underground is blocked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If that happens, I won&#039;t be able to see Shizuku for a while.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was suddenly startled and quickly looked at Sakura Kaede. But she still had her eyes &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
closed, lying unconscious. She probably hadn&#039;t spoken a word.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I knocked on the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wow, this door is really thick.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if I knocked, it only made a muffled sound. There should be some space on the other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
side, but there was no sound, so the door must be very thick. If that&#039;s the case, it seems that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my magic will have a hard time dissolving it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, can your knife cut through it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Probably not. You&#039;ll see when you see it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She immediately denied it. I thought so too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That leaves us with nowhere to go. Not really.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go the pool path.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said, helping Sakura Kaede up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Going that way will take you underground.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait a minute. I&#039;ll check.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before I could stop her, she ran out. I was just worried about what to do if she disappeared &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
again, when she came back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, we can&#039;t get in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even though there&#039;s no water, there&#039;s a grille there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t there something to control that thing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, but it seems broken. It doesn&#039;t move at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did the white Kämpfer destroy it? Mikoto looked sorry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;re locked in. No. We&#039;re locked out.&amp;quot; When we were underground, all we could think &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about was getting back to the surface as quickly as possible, but now we&#039;re frustrated that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
we can&#039;t get down there. What a dramatic change of heart.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s all because our student council president hasn&#039;t returned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [President, what&#039;s wrong with her now?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She gets angry if you don&#039;t call her by her name, huh?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. And when she gets angry, she&#039;s terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s true.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But even if you call her by her name, there&#039;s no one to be with.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You mean you&#039;d feel relieved if I were around?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re really unstable.] [But Shizuku might feel uneasy without anyone around.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But I find it hard to imagine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true. I don&#039;t know if Shizuku likes solitude, but I think she can survive alone. I think &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she could even walk through a pitch -black mountain road safely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s no point worrying about her. She&#039;ll be fine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But why didn&#039;t she come back? I think she must have gotten into some trouble.] Akane  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t refute her. That all -knowing, omnipotent woman had said, &amp;quot;I&#039;ll catch up shortly.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And then there was no news. I wasn&#039;t particularly worried about her, but something was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
definitely wrong.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto tilted her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Her name is Higashida Ryouka, right? Was that woman killed?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is she that easy to kill?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s right.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s all you want to say to yourself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a groaning sound comes. I quickly look around.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s Sakura Kaede -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I look over there, and see Beneath Sakura Kaede. Even though I just threw her to the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ground, she&#039;s still not fully awake.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is she awake?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No. But she seems awake.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is bad. If it were the normal Sakura Kaede, she&#039;d definitely be terrified by the sight of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this door. If it were the evil Sakura Kaede, maybe poison gas would be released from the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ceiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Move her away. She can&#039;t stay here. And...]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [And what?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Maybe asking her will tell you about Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I answered Mikoto&#039;s question.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s still my job to move Sakura Kaede. I feel like I&#039;ve been doing this kind of thing forever. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m just a part -time mover after all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just like before, I carried Sakura Kaede back to her room and laid her on the bed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede moaned. She wasn&#039;t trying to say anything, just letting out air.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is she getting up?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t know.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t put my face close to her, but looked down at her from above. Well, it would be bad &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
if she did that to me again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s face moved slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm, hmm, hmm.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She exhaled a few times. For some reason, her face flushed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I think she looks erotic like that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto agreed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, I think she looks erotic too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My childhood friend said this and gave me a sideways look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, don&#039;t get all excited.] [I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;m not.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who knows you. Didn&#039;t you just do something while we were gone?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That was an accident!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Really?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She didn&#039;t believe me. This guy has always been dismissive of my words, even saying things &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like, &amp;quot;Only believe half of what Natsuru says.&amp;quot; You only believe half of what you say, right? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Who would believe a kindergarten kid who says, &amp;quot;I can multiply a hundred yuan by ten &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thousand times in six months?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You, just believe me a little bit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ve been talking about Sakura Kaede -san all the time. Wasn&#039;t that the first thing you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
said when I called you from Kyrgyzstan? I thought Natsuru was going crazy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, that&#039;s not wrong.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was vague about the rest of the sentence. Back then, Sakura Kaede was like an angel to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me, and I worshipped her from the bottom of my heart. You&#039;d be right to think I was like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
follower of a new religion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But now, that feeling has faded. To say it&#039;s faded is a bit of an exaggeration, but I simply &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t have the same strong faith I once had. It&#039;s because I saw Sakura Kaede&#039;s dark side, after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
all. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t dwell on my past.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anything&#039;s fine, but don&#039;t look at other women. Make your decision.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, Mikoto&#039;s eyes suddenly grew serious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone&#039;s waiting for you, don&#039;t get used to it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t ask her, &amp;quot;Waiting for what?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, Sakura Kaede moaned a few more times. We weren&#039;t worried because it was just a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dream, but sometimes she&#039;d act like she was in real pain, startling us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It felt like she was struggling.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what Akane said. That&#039;s right. Sakura Kaede has two completely opposite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personalities, so it feels a bit redundant.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her eyelashes twitched. Then, Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    spoke. &amp;quot;Shouldn&#039;t we transform now? Maybe she&#039;ll wake up as Dark Sakura Kaede again &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Dark Sakura Kaede, that&#039;s a powerful name. I think it suits her, but it&#039;s also terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If she&#039;s the old Sakura Kaede, it would be too much trouble to explain to her. This will do.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I found the same excuse I used when I told Shizuku, &amp;quot;Let&#039;s untransform.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s a bit jarring for me to say, but it&#039;s correct. Immediately, Sakura Kaede opened her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She rolled her glassy eyes. I didn&#039;t sense any murderous intent or malice from her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is this my room?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she turned her head towards us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She wasn&#039;t the dark Sakura Kaede from last time. She was now the persona she&#039;d suddenly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformed into in the underground facility.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She started to sit up. At that moment, I said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you okay?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah. What happened to me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    To put it simply, Shizuku knocked you unconscious. Then you woke up once and got &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knocked to the ground again. But I couldn&#039;t tell her that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh—. Maybe you&#039;re not feeling well. Are you anemic?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I see. But I&#039;m not anemic.] That&#039;s right  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . I was just saying that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede glanced inside the room, and when her eyes met Akane and Mikoto&#039;s, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
immediately lowered her head and said to them, &amp;quot;I&#039;m so sorry for causing you any trouble. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
】Looking at her well -mannered appearance, she&#039;s completely different from her dark &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personality.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Where&#039;s that little Shizuku? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked incredulous. As expected, it seems she doesn&#039;t remember fighting us at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But how should I answer her? I don&#039;t know where she&#039;s gone now. And I still want to find &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
out from Sakura Kaede what&#039;s going on underground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh, that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s not here right now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane answered for my panicked response.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s busy with something. Isn&#039;t she the student council president? She called from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school and was just talking.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, but Shizuku just said recently that she finally had some free time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah. I&#039;ve been helping out with the student council, so I heard her say that. That&#039;s why &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku stayed at my place.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the president is always busy.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s strange. She shouldn&#039;t be that busy.&amp;quot; She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    didn&#039;t mean any harm. She probably wasn&#039;t asking to embarrass us, but simply out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
curiosity. But it felt like we were being questioned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where is Shizuku now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh uh.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane panicked. Her attitude was now just like mine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;H-Probably downstairs.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that so? Then I&#039;ll go get her.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was about to get up from the bed, and Akane and I went over to stop her. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, no, Sakura Kaede -san, you just woke up.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s right. If anything were hurt.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I think my condition must have troubled Shizuku -chan. I should at least apologize to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How polite! In my old self, I would have proposed immediately. But now, her behavior just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
makes me panic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, that.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Forcibly stopping her would be illogical. There&#039;s no excuse. What should I do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, by the way, Sakura Kaede -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto interrupted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve recently developed a huge interest in Entrails Animals. Could you tell me about your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
collection?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought it was just a casual remark, but Sakura Kaede smiled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No problem, sure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I patted my chest. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thanks, Mikoto.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane -san whispered a thank you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Thank you.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (What the hell are you two doing?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (I can&#039;t help it. I don&#039;t know how to handle this situation.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Have some courage? I&#039;ve acted like this a few times with hunters in West Africa. We &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
almost got into trouble because of the language barrier.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But, there aren&#039;t many viscera here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede suddenly said this. Mikoto was startled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Haven&#039;t I told you before? Most of my viscera are in the collection room in the apartment. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I can explain it to you, but I think it&#039;ll be more exciting with Shizuku -chan explaining it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede got out of bed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll go get her.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, that&#039;s a bit...]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just when I thought there was no other way but to kneel down and beg her, Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fell onto the bed with a thud.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I should have done this from the beginning.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The fierce dog Akane said, brandishing a pistol.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Only a short while later, Sakura Kaede woke up again. To be frank, it would be troublesome &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
if she stayed sleeping here forever.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This time, Sakura Kaede woke up, only sitting up halfway.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, where is this place?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Sakura Kaede -san, you&#039;ve been sleeping here all this time.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried my best to put on a serious face and told her,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I definitely haven&#039;t woken up many times, nor have I been knocked unconscious. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Seriously.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I think we talked about Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re so annoying with all that whining. I said no, it&#039;s no!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, I didn&#039;t say that. It was Akane -sound, barking like a dog and acting as aggressive &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as a dog.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although Mikoto and I told her to undo her transformation, she just kept saying, &amp;quot;Just stay &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;ll definitely be thrown into a panic, so it&#039;s better for me to be here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re the one, starting a fight as soon as you show up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That was me before I transformed. If you keep talking nonsense like that, I&#039;ll kill you!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t do anything about it after she said that. Now she&#039;s pointing her gun at me and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
saying hello.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now, the fierce dog Akane and the usual Sakura Kaede are face to face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede gets up and blinks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh, who&#039;s this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What? You don&#039;t know me? I&#039;m Miyu.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s someone Akane knows.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I quickly cover Akane&#039;s mouth, as she&#039;s about to reveal her identity.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I called her because she&#039;s also in the area. Maybe, um, you&#039;ve met before.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two have met a few times before, but neither has introduced themselves or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exchanged greetings. This seems like their first meeting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes. My name is Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmph.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede nodded softly. Akane hummed and that was it. Their attitudes are so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
different.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The fierce dog Akane pulled a Pocky from the box and began to chew it with a &amp;quot;crunch, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
crunch&amp;quot; sound. Sakura Kaede looks apologetic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry, since you&#039;re a guest, I should have prepared tea for you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto just made it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I say. It would be troublesome if she were to think of Shizuku again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then I&#039;ll go prepare some snacks.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m eating snacks right now. Let&#039;s not talk about this anymore. We have something to ask &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane suddenly brought up this matter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm? What do you want to ask?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where&#039;s Shizuku?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What did you say?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was surprised. But that&#039;s understandable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That nasty student council president. That bastard went underground and never came &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back. And just when we were about to go down to look for her, the entrance was sealed. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
You&#039;re the only one who knows the details. Tell me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane rattled off the words in a single breath. Her voice was hoarse and her tongue rolled, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
making her sound quite rude. No one would believe she was the same person as the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bespectacled librarian. As  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    expected, Sakura Kaede was completely bewildered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That—.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Tell me. You must know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;....&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her expression was as if she was genuinely confused. It was understandable that someone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was suddenly threatening her with such words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane -san didn&#039;t intend to let her  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    go. &amp;quot;You don&#039;t have to say it. But then...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane -san suddenly pulled out her gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it. I&#039;ll hit you twice with this thing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bulldog girl pressed a gun against Sakura Kaede&#039;s forehead.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tell me now. If you don&#039;t, I&#039;ll shoot. Don&#039;t try to stall for time. I&#039;ve always wanted to plant &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two olives in your head.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked genuinely delighted. She&#039;d always loved shooting. She loved nothing more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
than watching someone she hated fall to the ground, blood spurting out of them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede huddled up in a ball. Anyone would be terrified.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing? Trying to act cute? You won&#039;t be popular if you don&#039;t get naked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these days. Stop it! Confess now!&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s scary.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll scare you even more later!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane kicked the bed. It shook a few times, and Sakura Kaede nearly fell off.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Next time, I won&#039;t let you off so easily.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Sakura Kaede said nothing. Or rather, she couldn&#039;t. She was huddled in a ball, terrified, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
both physically and mentally.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just then, Mikoto returned from downstairs with tea. She was startled by the scene and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exclaimed, &amp;quot;Wow!&amp;quot; After all, it was like suddenly seeing a scene straight out of a Tarantino &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
movie. (Translator: Tarantino is a transliteration, probably the name of a d irector or actor.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I whispered to Akane:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, stop it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why is this not entertaining at all?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not a question of whether it&#039;s entertaining or not. Sakura Kaede -san is scared.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Women are at their best when they cry.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a weird thing.&amp;quot; It&#039;s true that she often giggles when she sees me getting impatient, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but that&#039;s too much, regardless of gender. The word &amp;quot;devil&amp;quot; can no longer be applied to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, well, maybe Sakura Kaede -san doesn&#039;t know anything right now.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What? Didn&#039;t you say you were here to ask this bitch?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true, but we don&#039;t know what her current situation will bring, so we need to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more cautious.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Bang !  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; Akane fired without a second thought, a large hole in the pillow. This woman actually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fired a gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was stunned, her eyes wide open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, bitch, if you don&#039;t want to become like this pillow, just tell me!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, well, well.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t play dumb!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog girl cocked the hammer. Her fingers trembled slightly, but it wasn&#039;t because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was nervous. She was impatient.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m serious. Natsuru knows best if I&#039;m lying to you. Do you want to die with your brains &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
splattered or confess everything?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede shuddered, closing her eyes and then opening them again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her eyes held an unprecedented power.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems you really are a very violent person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s other side, the woman with a personality completely opposite to hers, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
appeared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, you finally showed up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, as if to say that it would be troublesome if she didn&#039;t show up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you just switch over quickly, I won&#039;t have to go through this trouble.&amp;quot; It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s not that easy. If I show up once, it&#039;ll be troublesome.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Trouble? What do you mean by trouble? But Sakura Kaede doesn&#039;t seem to want to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
answer my question, and Akane doesn&#039;t seem to want to ask either.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, tell me. How&#039;s Shizuku now? Tell  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ! You stinky bitch!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede shrugged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe something happened. I&#039;m not underground right now, so I don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This answer was absolutely correct, but Akane didn&#039;t believe it at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s so annoying. Shizuku didn&#039;t come back, and the door fell down. Wasn&#039;t that all your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
conspiracy?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re so suspicious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t look down on me. I may be impatient, but I&#039;m also very perceptive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane narrowed her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why did you separate Shizuku from us? Tell me! Tell me!     Tell me!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura     Kaede was silent for a moment, and finally she let out a soft breath.     I said, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because she had to.     So she just did what you said? &amp;quot;     Yes. That&#039;s why she left. It would be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
difficult if she were to stay with you, Natsuru -kun     . That w oman is worth an army. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might be wreaking havoc in the basement right now.     Who knows?&amp;quot;     Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chuckled. She seemed quite calm. She must have some hidden trick up her sleeve.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her words seemed to irritate Akane again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop giggling, you scumbag.] [  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s the matter?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes. If you dare to look down on me, I&#039;ll kill you!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How rude, Miyu -san, what do you want to do after you kill me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How should I know what will happen next? I&#039;ll be happy to see you dead.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Do you think you&#039;ll stay like this forever?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane made a surprised expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you talking about?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just like I said before.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t joke with me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane moved the muzzle of her gun to signal Sakura Kaede to get off the bed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede got off the bed and stood up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Turn around to the back.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Turn around!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane forcibly turned her around. Then, from directly behind Sakura Kaede, she pressed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the gun against the back of her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If you dare to do anything unnecessary, I&#039;ll blow your head off.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I won&#039;t do it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t lie to me. I&#039;m tired of hearing that. Your shoulder just moved slightly. You&#039;re trying &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to trick me into wavering and deflect my gun, aren&#039;t you? You bitch, you really can&#039;t let your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guard down. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, you did. The reason you didn&#039;t move right now is because I&#039;m aiming at your head. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
You can handle two buckshot, but your head can&#039;t.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede hesitated. Instead, she smiled softly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I see. Dogs can use their brains, too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s a shame I&#039;m not a dog, but a human.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re a human. Then you understand what I&#039;m going to say, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s make a deal.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s face was filled with suspicion. I felt the same way. What else could Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
say at this point? Is she in a position to bargain with us? But if this were the gentle Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede, I would definitely lock up the bulldog girl somewhere and agree to her request.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I said make a deal, didn&#039;t you hear?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re stupid. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;m perfectly normal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let me go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What? Are you kidding me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane jabbed the back of Sakura Kaede&#039;s head with the muzzle of her gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You chose this. Who would let you go? Listen up, bitch. I&#039;m going to use you as leverage to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
get that nasty student council president back. At least you&#039;ll have to play that role. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;ll have better things happen to me if you let me go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re such a jerk, you scumbag.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ll let you stay the way you are.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I think that&#039;s a really boring idea. Actually, I have no idea what they&#039;re talking about. What &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
does Sakura Kaede mean by letting Akane stay the way she is?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In contrast, the fierce dog Akane&#039;s expression changed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said let you stay the way you are. I&#039;ll let you stay the way you are and not let your current &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personality disappear. You haven&#039;t said it yet, but that&#039;s what you crave. I can tell at a glance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re so annoying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane is about to disappear. It&#039;s terrifying. You seem to still be reluctant to leave. Do you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
really like Natsuru -san that much?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s head felt like steam was about to burst.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I won&#039;t be thrown off by your words. My heart is calmer than a Tibetan Buddhist monk.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop lying. Because, your personality is me. Hehe]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede chuckled. Akane gritted her teeth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So, whether you disappear or stay is up to me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t laugh. Even celebrities on late -night shows do things more decent than you to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
please the audience.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If I had known you were so rude, I should have made your personality more delicate. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thought it might be fun to make your personality the exact opposite of your original one, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it&#039;s just too much trouble.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop talking nonsense.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, don&#039;t you understand? I created your personality with just the movement of my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fingers.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Didn&#039;t I tell you to stop talking nonsense?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were bloodshot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She finally managed to calm down, and now she&#039;s about to pull the trigger again. She really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wants to shoot, right? But she can&#039;t because of what Sakura Kaede said. If she shoots now, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she won&#039;t be able to hear what Sakura Kaede says next.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And I&#039;m also concerned about what comes next. Did Sakura Kaede create Akane&#039;s bulldog &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personality? What exactly is she planning on doing with that deal?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s make a deal, Ms. Bulldog.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve decided. Kill you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can&#039;t do it. You won&#039;t shoot me. You want to know if the deal works out.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede quickly turns around. Akane doesn&#039;t shoot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll let your personality stay. You know you&#039;ll disappear if this ends like this, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ugh.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So come over to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiles. Looking at her smile, you can almost see her teeth peeking out from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the corners of her mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Although I originally planned to only have Shizuku -chan as my subordinate, it would be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fun if you came too.&amp;quot; And I thought of something interesting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re annoying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You can stay in this world forever. With Natsuru -san &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane was wavering. Her normally motionless muzzle was wavering. The wavering in her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heart was reaching her fingertips.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you going to do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede asked, smiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My intuition told me things were bad. The situation was completely different from before. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede had the mental advantage. And she was the evil one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog Girl pointed her gun at me. I jumped, but she quickly turned back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, bitch. You&#039;re telling the truth.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Believe it or not.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Promise?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What should I do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede chuckled. I then shouted:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane, stop it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This is so annoying! Stop telling me what to do!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, it&#039;s me!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You too! This is between you and me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She probably didn&#039;t even realize what she was saying. She was so overwhelmed by her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
worries that she couldn&#039;t think about anything else.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was the worst possible situation. I channeled power into the Oath Bracelet and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformed into a woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I transformed into Kämpfer and channeled further power into my palm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, Natsuru -san.] Sakura - Kaede  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    also had a gun in her hand, pointed at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s rare that Mikoto -san is worried about something, so she needs to be alone to think it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
over. Mikoto -san, you too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto, who had also transformed into Kämpfer, was persuaded by Sakura Kaede. Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sheathed her drawn Japanese sword. Akane -san &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    gnashed her teeth several times. This would surely wear down her inner teeth. Her eyes &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were bloodshot, and the hair on the back of her head looked like it was about to stand on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
end.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You bitch, promise me that what you just said is true!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t promise.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What did you say?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t promise, but you can trust me. Of course, only if you want to. If you can do this, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you&#039;ll be happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede walked out leisurely. Akane -san didn&#039;t fire.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto -san, could you please move out of there?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    \&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Move out of the way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto walked away from the door without a word.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Honest people are good. Ugh.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede suddenly frowned. This was a good opportunity, and Mikoto immediately &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
drew her sword.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Good opportunity!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You underestimated me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede narrowed her eyes, restraining me with a sword in one hand and a knife in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the other.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s a pity I&#039;m still here!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A glint flashed in her eyes, and she pushed the door open and walked out. Beneath her, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gun pointed at her, she followed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We can&#039;t stay here forever. Sakura Kaede&#039;s pace was slow, so she didn&#039;t get very far.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We reached the room that was supposedly Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents&#039; room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Once inside, Sakura Kaede glanced at the corner of the ceiling. With just a single &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
movement, the iron door opened halfway. The entrance to the underground chamber &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
appeared before us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s go, Akane -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [...] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane, no! Don&#039;t move!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shouted. But the bulldog girl didn&#039;t take her eyes off Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane! Look at me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, Natsuru -san is angry. How rare!] Exactly  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . I couldn&#039;t figure out what was wrong with me. But the thought of Akane disappearing in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the blink of an eye  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    made me cry out. I couldn&#039;t lose the Mastiff Girl. These emotions surged within me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But my body froze in place. Sakura Kaede&#039;s weapon was aimed at me and Mikoto. And, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a voice that seemed to be forced from the depths of her throat, Akane said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that true? What you just said is true?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh, hehe.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t promise her. She was clearly enjoying herself. She was the most &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
relaxed of us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A breeze blew up from underground. It felt damp. Akane&#039;s hair swayed wildly in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
breeze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede placed her hand on the iron portcullis.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Alright, if you just come with me, you can continue to be yourself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Smelly shit!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane followed Sakura Kaede into the underground cave.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My cry seemed hollow. After they both entered, the iron portcullis closed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 12 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 3|Forward to 12 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586428</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586428"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:14:31Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translator&amp;#039;s Notes */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 12, Chapter 1  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Fluorescent light streamed down from the ceiling, dimly illuminating the room. The light &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t strong because this was a research facility, perhaps because it was old. The lights &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flickered a bit, perhaps because they were old. I&#039;m proud of my good eye sight. What if my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eyesight deteriorated?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku kept staring at the huge sink. I stared at her profile, and saw a deep sadness in her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was like a statue now. Because that pose was so nice, I hadn&#039;t noticed. By the way, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku refers to Student Council President Sangou Shizuku, and &amp;quot;I&amp;quot; refers to Natsuru Senou. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There&#039;s no need to explain at this point.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and I weren&#039;t the only ones in the room; Nishino Akane and Kondou Mikoto were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also there. They&#039;d both transformed into Kämpfer. Akane was in Bulldog mode, but she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looking at some documents, so her usual roar was gone. She&#039;d yell at everyone  she saw: &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Fool!&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Go to hell.&amp;quot; 】, for someone like her, whose insults had drowned out even the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flowers along the roadside, this was truly bizarre. Nothing could be more unsuitable for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane right now than [Read the text.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s put the matter of the bulldog girl aside for now. I was watching Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Senpai.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pressed her face close to the surface of the sink, staring at the woman floating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inside, curled up in a fetal position, repeating the same phrase softly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Senpai, you&#039;re here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I finally caught what she was saying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re, here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her voice was hoarse, but she wasn&#039;t crying. I&#039;ve never seen this woman cry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned towards me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Over there.] [  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is it about Akane?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned back to the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ve heard it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you doing?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pressed her finger against the sink. I, along with Shizuku, stared at the woman floating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who is this person?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s my senior.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For a moment, the woman&#039;s expression turned sad.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Do you know someone named Shinomiya Tamiko? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shook my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【That&#039;s right. She wasn&#039;t a very conspicuous person. But she was the one who taught me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything. From high school life, student council affairs, to Kämpfer, she taught me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything. I told you about her before. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Really?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t remember. No, I think I&#039;ve heard of her. It seemed like Shizuku was joking at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time. I don&#039;t really remember.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is this the senior you mentioned? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Yes. I used to think that Kämpfer would disappear completely if he lost, but it seems &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that&#039;s not the case. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku started staring at the sink again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【But, few people remember seniors. Only Kämpfers who fought can survive. Of course, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember her. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Does that mean that many people were eliminated? 】 【 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. This is Kämpfer&#039;s fate. The loser will lose everything. There &#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a woman floating in a tank. She looks both dead and alive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What will become of her? There&#039;s no way she&#039;ll be resurrected, but will she remain like this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for the rest of her life? No, she might already be dead, so the idea of a lifetime seems a bit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is she being preserved?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku -senpai, is she just left there like this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know. There were several Kämpfers who lost, I think more than there are people in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this room. Was she abandoned somewhere, or taken away?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What does &amp;quot;taken away&amp;quot; mean? Did they deliver it to your door?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe it&#039;s similar to what you said. Maybe they first obtained the data like this, then took &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it to some distant place.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Where? The North Pole or the South Pole?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It doesn&#039;t necessarily have to be Earth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said something creepy again. She probably said something like that when she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reading the message on the wall. Aliens or something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Could aliens from space have built this place? That&#039;s a possibility. Since the equipment and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
instruments here appear to be found in some research institutes, perhaps the equipment &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was deployed domestically. Did someone else build this place?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, I heard from Fire Lion earlier that in another world, red and blue creatures were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fighting. It seems we&#039;ve become their proxies. It seems like I&#039;m the key to this, and it&#039;s said &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that my choice of whether to play as a man or a woman will determine the outcome for the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
red and blue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I haven&#039;t heard of losing and being thrown into a tank. If we were to lose, we&#039;d end up &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like Shizuku -senpai. I guess. Not just me, but also Akane, Shizuku, and Mikoto. And the white &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfers, too. Drifting in the water like this or being carried away, I don&#039;t think this is a good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
outcome.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I suddenly had this thought: &amp;quot;I don&#039;t want to lose.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While I&#039;m a bit concerned about being stuffed like a specimen if I lose, more importantly, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t want to be forgotten. I don&#039;t want my life so far to be wasted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m just a sophomore in high school. And there are plenty of people in the world who have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lived longer than me. To them, I&#039;m just a little brat. But the footprints engraved on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
calendar truly belong to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t want to lose these things just because I lose. I now fully understand what Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
meant when she called me out and told me, &amp;quot;Remember me.&amp;quot; The fact that she lived here is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
undeniable. No matter how small the matter, it is a part of life. How can I re gard it as an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
obstacle?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I unconsciously whispered,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t want to lose.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku answered me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You still want to go back to Seitetsu, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She understood what I said. Your intuition is still as sharp as ever, President.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru. I...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you remember I said before that if you keep fighting, you might understand the reason &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for fighting?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm, but it seems like that was a long time ago.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I think that because of Tamiko -senpai. She lost to the enemy and disappeared. I&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been wondering why she disappeared. That&#039;s why I kept fighting, looking for reasons to fight. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now I finally understand. It&#039;s not right to say I can&#039;t lose, it&#039;s becaus e I want to win. I can&#039;t let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Tamiko -senpai&#039;s sacrifice go to waste.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said this, as if trying to remind herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The words &#039;We are here&#039; written there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pointed at the message with a slender finger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe it represents the thoughts of the defeated Kämpfers.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps. No, that&#039;s it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took a deep breath. I can&#039;t lose. Not only that, I must win. While my consciousness may &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not be as strong as Shizuku&#039;s, now is not the time to hesitate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I slapped my face a few times to cheer myself up. Okay, let&#039;s do it. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku blinked a few times and placed her hand on the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Senpai.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should we do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned to face me. I said it again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are we just going to leave this person here? She&#039;s very important to you, President &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You mean to move her away?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Do you want to carry your senior on your back to fight?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She gave a wry smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Thank you for your concern. But that&#039;s all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She stopped talking mid -sentence. How rare.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Forget it now. Although it&#039;s painful to leave your senior like this, I can&#039;t decide what&#039;s best &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right now. At least I can&#039;t fight with her on my back. So I can only leave her for now. I still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have feelings for her, and I haven&#039;t forgotten her, but I have to live.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a rare hesitation in her words. After all, that person must be very important to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku. That&#039;s why she wouldn&#039;t do anything stupid.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku left the sink. I wonder if she felt reluctant to leave. She was now walking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
somewhere else.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shinomiya.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku touched the surface of the sink with her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sorry. I don&#039;t mean to ask for your forgiveness. Shizuku and I moved a step away from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the water tanks .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was truly magnificent from this perspective. No one knows how many Kämpfer battles &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have been fought there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto was also approaching us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, there&#039;s a door over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto pointed diagonally upward. There was also a staircase leading up there, with a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tightly closed iron door on top.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s probably the exit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you&#039;re the one, you must have checked beforehand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked. Mikoto is the type of person who, if there&#039;s a button, she&#039;ll definitely press it, if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s a lever, she&#039;ll definitely pull it, if there&#039;s a door, she&#039;ll definitely open it. When she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in kindergarten, she always wanted to press the emergency bell, and everyone around her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kept trying to stop her. Only once, during a small fire, did she, with such blissful joy, press the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
button faster than anyone else.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah. But it&#039;s locked.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can&#039;t open it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was Shizuku speaking. The president found it quite amusing, so he recognized &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto&#039;s talent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm—sure, it&#039;s possible, but it might take a while. It&#039;s a password lock. It&#039;s quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
troublesome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it locked inside too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Probably both inside and outside. These facilities look very important.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s probably it. Not only are there animal entrails here, but even the defeated Kämpfer &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is stored here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Is that really the exit?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto answered my question confidently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s definitely the exit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think you can trust what you say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m only telling the truth.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that so? You said that when you encountered the underground people in Peru, everyone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who heard you looked at you like, &#039;You&#039;re an idiot!&#039; How can you convince people of the story &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about four -armed underground people attacking you with rods that emit elec tromagnetic &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
waves? &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If you don&#039;t believe it, don&#039;t ask me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. Retracting my preface. That&#039;s the exit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was about to walk over when I tripped. I hadn&#039;t noticed there was a thick pipe on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The end of the pipe extended into the wall.&amp;quot; There&#039;s a sturdy -looking iron door nearby.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, there seems to be something over there too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, could it be another room?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That might be the exit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s impossible. This is underground, so all exits face upwards. The place Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
investigated should be the exit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So what about the other side?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pointed at the door. Shizuku nodded slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it a power generation facility? Or maybe some other research facility?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Want to check it out?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, no, right now, we should prioritize getting out.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed. I also want to change out of these half -dried clothes quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Akane!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shouted over my shoulder.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog Girl is still reading documents. I&#039;ve already told you that it was fine before your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformation, but you&#039;re not the type to read books now. Why don&#039;t you just burn all those &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
documents? That&#039;s perfect for you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane raised her head slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We&#039;re leaving.] Come out with us quickly. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I understand.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, that&#039;s straightforward. If she were a normal bulldog, she&#039;d be lashing out, no matter &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how right the issue was.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She sorted the documents back and walked over to us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Have you finished reading the documents?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you trying to tell me I haven&#039;t even read Will Lennox&#039;s poetry?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s rude. But it&#039;s fine as usual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is there anything written on it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course there is. It&#039;s about the internal organs of animals. It talks about their history.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m asking what it says.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh my, she&#039;s gone silent. Originally, this should have led to her yelling, &amp;quot;Shut up! Go to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hell!&amp;quot; and putting the gun to my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane narrowed one eye, then smacked her lips with an expression as if she was troubled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Come with me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Forget about that. Come here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane grabbed my hand and pulled me over. Because she&#039;s a Kämpfer, she&#039;s very strong. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hey, it hurts.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She took me to a secluded place. Shizuku and Mikoto couldn&#039;t see me from here. I was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little confused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you trying to do? Attack me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Watch out, you horny bastard. I want to talk about those documents I was looking at.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The mastiff girl stared at me and started talking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s written there is about me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will there be a profile for you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not about me now. It&#039;s about me before my transformation. Didn&#039;t I say before that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the story Sakura Kaede had in mind is written down in the document? There are other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
things, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s that?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;ll talk about that later. Now&#039;s not the time. No, maybe it&#039;s time, but it&#039;s better for her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to explain it herself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was stunned. Akane&#039;s explanation left me baffled. Being so mysterious isn&#039;t like her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh, so you want me to let your pre -transformation self explain it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a little different, is that okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered something in my ear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I blinked a few times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay, but isn&#039;t it okay to tell them this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t tell them unless necessary. The most important thing is to keep this a secret until &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the end. But if necessary, you can take the lead.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane patted my back mysteriously. This was unusual for a woman who preferred &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
simplicity, or rather, ease, over everything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But never mind. I also wanted to get out of this underground place quickly. I didn&#039;t think &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything good would happen if I stayed here any longer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We returned from our hiding spot to where they were. Shizuku and Mikoto glanced at us &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but said nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s get out,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said to everyone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Unlocking is Mikoto&#039;s job.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No problem.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My childhood friend casually agreed and headed for the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what should we, uh, do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t think of anything, so I gave Shizuku a look for help.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The black -haired president shrugged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why not just stay here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing here? Are you free?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you&#039;re bored, I&#039;ll keep you company.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t bring any playing cards or anything like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A man and a woman playing cards? There are better things to do.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku smiled softly. I&#039;ve become incredibly sensitive to this woman&#039;s facial expressions, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so I know what she&#039;s thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Unconsciously, my heartbeat quickened.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, what are you talking about?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re in a place like this!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t say anything.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You might not have said anything, but it&#039;s the same as saying it. Isn&#039;t that the only thing a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
man and a woman can do together?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You should have considered the timing and the occasion!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I said, I didn&#039;t say anything.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane&#039;s here too!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, Akane. That makes sense. It&#039;s about your relationship with Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re being mysterious again. I told you not to say anything shocking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, Akane heard everything we said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her already grim expression darkened even further, as if fire were about to burst from her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouth. If she were eating a pockily, she&#039;d probably be crunching it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Naturally, her eyes, like those of a ferocious beast, were now fixed on me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What did you say, you bastard? Aren&#039;t you ashamed to say that here?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t say that! Shizuku brought it up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t say that! Did you tell Shizuku about that?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How could you possibly say something like that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stopped there. I hadn&#039;t told her, but I&#039;d let myself get away with it. More accurately, she&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seen through it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seeing my silence, Akane seemed to take it as a yes. I felt a surge of murderous intent &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wash over me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You shameless bastard! You kept it secret from me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why should I ask for your permission?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s a courtesy, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was hard to argue with her logically.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pulled out her gun. Oh no, this guy&#039;s going to shoot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You want to embarrass me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t be ridiculous. I&#039;m a gentleman.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;d better kill you.] You&#039;ll never be a gentleman again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Stop it! Gentlemanly or not, forget it. I just swore I didn&#039;t want to die.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku glanced at us and did nothing. It looked like she had no intention of stopping us. If &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this situation demanded more time, I might have yelled at her, but right now, except for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto, we were all free.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s why we&#039;re talking about all this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now&#039;s not the time to explain things slowly. The bulldog girl is now baring her teeth at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru. Are you interested in telling anyone about what you and I did?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then why did Shizuku know?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t know  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    either.] I can only say her intuition is too sharp. No matter what she does, she can&#039;t hide it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from our perfect student council president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you two laughing at us for not making it to the end?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re being too self -centered. I wasn&#039;t that specific.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s about right. Damn it. I should have made it to the end with you, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I think her anger is misplaced, but compared to this, my life is in danger now. In front of an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enraged Akane, common sense and calmness are of no use.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s pointing an automatic pistol at me. This gun and I are old acquaintances.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Your back is facing me! You&#039;re losing your virginity in front of me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you saying so loudly!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Two bullets in your mouth and you&#039;ll definitely awaken. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t understand what you&#039;re trying to do. Does this guy want me to use some special &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stick? (Translator: I can only think of the Christmas gift that President Shizuku gave to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru -kun.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At this time, Shizuku spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【That&#039;s it.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Student Council President&#039;s eyes were fixed on the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It looks like the break is over. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No one was at the door. Mikoto was rushing over. She looked very nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is it open? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku asked. Mikoto shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Not yet. Just a little bit. And someone is coming. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Enemy?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto didn&#039;t answer. Our eyes were all focused on the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We had to be careful. We didn&#039;t know what was on the other side of the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We held our breath. To be precise, I was the only one who was nervous. Shizuku was as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
calm as ever. Mikoto&#039;s interest remained the same, while Akane was the type who was most &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happy when there was a fight. She thought I was a fool for worrying endlessly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s the enemy, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I whispered. She was basically just mumbling to herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We don&#039;t have any other allies.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku replied. Even so, it&#039;s not bad to hold onto a little hope.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [They&#039;re enemies after all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s still the white Kämpfer, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, didn&#039;t you guys defeat them?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I tied them up and left them there. There are two more, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ueda Rika and Yamakawa Ryoka, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If it&#039;s two against four, it&#039;s more advantageous for us.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t look away, continuing to stare at the door. It seemed as if her ears perked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s no footsteps anymore. But the presence seems to be there.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After she whispered this, Mikoto spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s ambush her. Can I take charge of the deepest security? I don&#039;t think there&#039;ll be any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
problems, but just in case.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, okay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto took a few steps back. Turning her attention to the back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned back to face the front and didn&#039;t look back again. This woman seemed to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
trust Mikoto very much. Otherwise, he wouldn&#039;t have trusted her with his back. When did &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their relationship become like this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s quiet at the door. Although Mikoto said someone was coming, there wasn&#039;t any special &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
movement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m feeling restless.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said with a groan. It hasn&#039;t been a few minutes yet. Don&#039;t be so impatient.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This isn&#039;t my style. Let&#039;s start a killing spree.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Can&#039;t you just be more quiet?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who can stay calm and stay in this dark cave forever? We should fight our way out.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s a good idea.] What  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s surprising is that Shizuku actually agreed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We have to find a way out, so we can only wander around here. And we&#039;ve already seen &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything we wanted to see. And there&#039;s something else.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What else?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I have to see Kaede.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -san. Indeed, although we fought the white Kämpfer after falling into the pool, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura -san was the only one I didn&#039;t see.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought she might be here, but she should still be at home. Shizuku wanted to see her. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She wasn&#039;t trying to renew our friendship, but probably wanted to know the truth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What was she going to tell her? Actually, what should I do? Anyway, I&#039;m not mentally &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
prepared yet. Too many things have happened. Although if this happened at school, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t be so nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Cheer up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane hit me. It hurt.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t just stand there. We&#039;re going to kill that bitch soon. Be happy.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bitch is Sakura Kaede. How can you expect me to be happy?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I still need to prepare myself mentally.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s so annoying. I&#039;m here. Not only me, but also Shizuku and Mikoto. It&#039;s time you figured &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it out!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course. I shook my head. No, no. I&#039;ve already decided to do a good job.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I get it, let&#039;s go.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Very good. That&#039;s you, Natsuru. Let you deal her the final blow.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This seems to be another matter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto, shift change. You go unlock it. I&#039;ll cover the rear.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned around and said. Akane seemed surprised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, let you do the rear defense, Shizuku? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s better than you doing it. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, a guy who only rushes forward like a dog can only let her stay in the front. If Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is placed in the back, she will definitely run to the front immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto continued to fiddle with the door. Then something like a machine appeared on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door handle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Does this unlock it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I learned this from the mafia in Serbia.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Where have your connections spread?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto pressed a few buttons on the machine. All with her index finger. This guy also uses &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
only his index finger when he uses the keyboard. And with blinding speed. That&#039;s a talent, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guess.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After the machine flashed a few times, Mikoto whispered, &amp;quot;Open.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone stopped moving. They were all checking for signs of movement on the other side &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the door. If anyone on the other side noticed the door was unlocked, they&#039;d probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ambush or something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m going to open it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto placed her hand on the doorknob, and Akane leaned down. Like a beast about to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leap. The Mastiff Girl had overreached.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A crisp &amp;quot;click&amp;quot; sounded. Almost at the same time, a roar drowned out the sound of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door opening from overhead. Fluorescent lights and debris fell from above.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The ceiling had collapsed. For a moment, I wondered if this was shoddy construction, but it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t, because a woman had fallen with the rubble.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Yamakawa Suzuka. I&#039;d thought she was alone, but I didn&#039;t expect her to show up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta!&amp;quot; A burst of gunfire rang out. Suzuka&#039;s weapon was a small submachine gun. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Bullets were flying everywhere. Wow,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this is dangerous. Of course, but she wouldn&#039;t listen to me; she was coming at us with clear &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
murderous intent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Calm down!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I heard Shizuku&#039;s voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s alone. We can win.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true. We have the advantage in numbers. There&#039;s nothing to worry about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was already manipulating her dagger. The chained dagger flew around, ready to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strike Suzuka. And Akane joined in, firing a series of exaggerated shots from her pistol.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kill you!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog Girl looked genuinely pleased.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You want to make me your enemy?] Stupid woman, like a moth to a flame. Wake up! ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We can&#039;t kill her.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is what Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We&#039;re sure to win anyway. Let&#039;s capture her.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, kill her. That&#039;s more fun. Just punch a hole in the top of her head and finish her off. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then shoot her a few more times after she&#039;s dead.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Regardless of how mean this girl is, she&#039;s a good bait to lure us in. Why would she attack us &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
when she&#039;s alone? Anyway, it&#039;s only Shizuku and Akane fighting her, so there&#039;s no need for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto and me to join the fight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka&#039;s eyes seemed filled with sadness. How should I put it, it&#039;s like she&#039;s determined to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
die. Has she been indoctrinated with some obsessive ideas?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yamakawa -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, knocking down a bullet with her dagger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Surrender.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;d be surprised if I did that!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, her voice has risen an octave. It seems there&#039;s no room for negotiation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m going to knock you all down!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s no use.] You can&#039;t defeat us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t care!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A hail of bullets rained down on Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you being coerced by someone?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka paused abruptly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What will happen to you if you don&#039;t fight us? Did she tell you that if you don&#039;t fight, you&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
end up like the Kämpfers here in the sink?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that annoying!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She fired, but the bullets scattered so widely that Shizuku didn&#039;t even need to dodge.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It was Kaede, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing this, Suzuka wavered. I almost wondered if she&#039;d drop the gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s putting pressure on you, isn&#039;t she? How pitiful. That kid&#039;s become unscrupulous.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t speak ill of Kaede -sama!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka lunged forward. But her linear movements were predictable even to an elementary &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school student.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku twirled her index finger. The chain flew along the ground and wrapped around &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Suzuka&#039;s ankle. She fell.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Akane ran over immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Look at you! Go to hell!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said this while pointing her gun at Suzuka. Shizuku stopped her with disgust.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop it. Akane, you&#039;re always like this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m not the one who obeys.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You were so obedient before you transformed.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku moved Akane&#039;s gun away and squatted in front of Suzuka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sorry. It must hurt.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka said nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I have something to ask you. Help us.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Where is that child?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone present understood who this was referring to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We want to know where that child is. Is she up here? Are you threatened by her? If you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tell us where she is, we&#039;ll protect you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka looked down. Was she still struggling with something? I&#039;m a little confused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t say what you don&#039;t want to say. But I have other questions I&#039;d like you to answer. Is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this really the end of this facility? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although Suzuka said nothing, her eyelids were trembling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It won&#039;t do you any good to say nothing. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Or do you want to be left here like this? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Kaede. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Kaede -sama. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought she was just whispering her name. That&#039;s called talking to yourself. But it wasn&#039;t. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The first one to notice something was wrong was Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Get out of the way! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A figure leaped down from the hole in the ceiling and stood before us. It wasn&#039;t just any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shadow; it was incredibly fast.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A slender figure, long hair. She was Sakura Kaede, whom I considered the most beautiful &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl at Seitetsu Academy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she didn&#039;t exude the beauty and gentleness she usually did at school. Instead, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exuded a whirlwind of energy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A knife materialized in Sakura Kaede&#039;s right hand, and a gun in her left. How should I put &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it? Pretty handsome.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Waste!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she muttered to Suzuka. Suzuka, lying beside her, shuddered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought you could still be of some use. Just how far do you want to hold me back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede -sama.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Useless at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For some reason, Sakura Kaede shot Suzuka. What? Suzuka  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s body was hit directly by the bullet, and she flung herself up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll let you suffer a little first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka, though not dead, rolled on the ground. Her stomach was bleeding, and she looked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in agony.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was so cold just now. No, she was so cool just now, it almost made my heart &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flutter, but she&#039;s still scary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t be angry, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, Shizuku was angry, but Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t take her seriously at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;d expel useless student council members, too, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But I won&#039;t shoot him.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s because our policies are different. Useless people will only make the situation &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
worse.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s attitude was very calm. She stood still, weapon in hand. But that didn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mean she was careless. We&#039;d fought her once before, so we know it all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re amazing that you managed to get here. You deserve a commendation.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But I think you deliberately lured us here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, shedding her dagger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Didn&#039;t you show up here on purpose?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re half right. I didn&#039;t intend to show up in front of all of you. But the incompetence of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my subordinates led to this situation. Sakura Kaede licked her lips. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, she looks alluring, but also terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Two people at most are enough. And we have to start over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Start over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, as long as we have Shizuku -chan and Natsuru, we&#039;ll be enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede turned to me and gave me a soft smile. &amp;quot;I&#039;m glad you&#039;re smiling at me, but it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sends a chill down my spine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;No one else is needed, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey! Stop kidding!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane jumped out. Steam was practically coming out of her head. This woman hates being &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
treated like an idiot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who are you calling unnecessary? Do you think I&#039;m an unwanted lesbian? Don&#039;t look &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
down on me!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s because you have this kind of personality that you&#039;re unnecessary. You should just be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more honest. You&#039;re even worse than those girls in white.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come and see if I&#039;m really incompetent if you dare!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane fired.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The shot was aimed at the heart. The bullet flew straight to the target.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede started to move. For a moment, I had no idea what was happening.&amp;quot; Only a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shadow remained in her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The next moment, the distance between Sakura Kaede and Akane closed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Would you be quiet for a moment?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede thrust out her knife. But Akane wasn&#039;t the kind of girl to be quieted down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re the one who shuts up! You bitch!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane jumped to the side, aimed her gun at Sakura Kaede again, and fired.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede dodged the bullet. She swung her knife, knocking the bullet away. Then, with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her free hand, she fired.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The shot was incredibly accurate. The reason she missed was probably because the Mastiff &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Girl was too eager to attack.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was about to charge, so she wasn&#039;t in the bullet&#039;s path. Her wild boar -like, reckless &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nature has its advantages, though.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto, cover me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what Shizuku said. She had already made her dagger float in the air. In that case, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can&#039;t just stand by and watch. After all, Sakura Kaede possesses the power to take on four of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I discarded the idea that my opponent was the girl I liked and cast a spell. Flames flashed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from my hand, then transformed into a fireball that flew forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede leaped up, flying toward us along the ceiling. She braced herself against the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
edge of the cave, and the recoil landed behind us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto anticipated her move and charged forward, Japanese sword in hand. Unlike Akane, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this guy was also a fighter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It worked!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede swiftly spun around, blocking Mikoto&#039;s blade with her own and lowering &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s elbow struck Mikoto in the heart. My childhood friend&#039;s face contorted. It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
must have been a powerful blow. Mikoto began to collapse. Sakura Kaede quickly slid out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from under the falling Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, just get down!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I conjured several fireballs. They expanded and flew forward like summer fireworks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah. Natsuru, you&#039;re so rough!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede remained calm. She didn&#039;t even break a sweat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s dagger and Akane&#039;s bullets —it was impossible to dodge them all, but she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remained unscathed. She glanced at Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Next up is Mikoto -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede opened fire. Her gun sprayed bullets like a machine gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could these bullets hit me with all that flying around?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because they&#039;re just a distraction.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She kicked the ground and slid between the sinks, approaching Akane. The knife in her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand gleamed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Watch your throat!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane not only yelled, but even in this situation, she tried to shoot at Sakura Kaede. Who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was faster?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The answer was the Mastiff Girl. To be more precise, it was because Sakura Kaede fell &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forward. It was Shizuku&#039;s chained dagger that entangled her foot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede lost her balance and was about to fall, but she still managed to keep her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
balance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Not bad, Shizuku.] [It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was Kaede who was careless.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku attacked mercilessly with her remaining dagger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Aren&#039;t we good friends since childhood?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s not worry about that for now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a terrifying woman. Her look was serious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I have a lot of things to ask you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, really  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ?] Sakura Kaede stomped the floorboards, making a loud sound as if she were stepping on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
grass. What was that?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pulled her chained foot free. Was it a magic trick?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s perfect. I have something for you, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please prioritize my request.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No. With a swish ,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the knife slashed towards Shizuku. This is what they mean by &amp;quot;dazzling.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is my home. I have the final say here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The underground isn&#039;t your home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s mine now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Swish,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Swish.&amp;quot; The knife and the dagger clashed relentlessly. Shizuku wasn&#039;t particularly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
aggressive, concentrating on defense. That was how fierce Sakura Kaede&#039;s attacks were.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them continued to battle, gradually moving towards where Mikoto had fallen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You didn&#039;t build this underground research facility, did you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. I&#039;m just using it. Or am I being used?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, you mean this isn&#039;t your own idea, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Does it have anything to do with you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Understanding students&#039; thoughts is also a president&#039;s job.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t act like an adult at a time like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I need to intervene in your personal life. Real estate is a heavy burden for a high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Are you excited because we&#039;re underground? Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and Sakura Kaede are putting some distance between them. But Sakura Kaede has a long -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
range weapon. What should we do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru, move one step to the left. Akane, don&#039;t move.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We do as she says. Sakura Kaede seems amused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you trying to do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As you can see, we&#039;re going to surround you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t realize that either. The three of us have Sakura Kaede trapped.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, Shizuku isn&#039;t letting her guard down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if you&#039;re so powerful, Kaede, what can you do if you&#039;re surrounded?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Do you think you can defeat me by doing this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even you don&#039;t have three hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. She has weapons in both hands, but that only means two. But there are three &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of us, and if Mikoto stands up, that&#039;s four. Sakura Kaede can handle us with her agility, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this way we can defend ourselves by surrounding her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Student Council President is really quick -witted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thank you for the compliment. Vote for me in the next election. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Who knows. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Listen carefully to what your senior says. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku sent a dagger flying towards Sakura Kaede&#039;s face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This woman is so cruel, and just as I was thinking that, I realized I was wrong. The chain &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entangled Sakura Kaede&#039;s knife.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No use of dangerous weapons allowed. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pulled hard. Sakura Kaede&#039;s knife slipped out of her hand and fell at the feet of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student council president. Now Sakura Kaede only had one weapon left.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ah.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although it was only a little, Sakura Kaede showed regret. It seemed that she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surprised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her murderous aura began to decline. Oh, she doesn&#039;t want to fight anymore.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Natsuru, go get her gun. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku ordered me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Huh?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【She won&#039;t resist anymore. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Exactly. I approached Sakura Kaede with trepidation, but Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t do anything. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
easily took the pistol from her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I returned to my original position. Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t even look in my direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, you can get up now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing Shizuku&#039;s voice, Mikoto uttered a &amp;quot;Hmm.&amp;quot; She was about to stand. Our eyes were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fixed on her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At that moment, Sakura Kaede suddenly lifted Mikoto&#039;s katana with her toes, grasped the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
handle with her slender fingers, aimed the tip at the president&#039;s face, and flung it out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I cried out immediately. I wondered if my shout had any effect. The black -haired president &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tilted her head slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It caught up. The katana sliced off a few strands of the president&#039;s hair and flew behind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You scared me. Kaede, you&#039;re a magician, right? Or are you an acrobat?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hate being watched.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then at least listen to what we have to say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiled. Even then  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , she remained calm. &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it hard to accept Shizuku&#039;s words?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Learning patience will be helpful when you enter society.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It doesn&#039;t help me right now.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Please be patient. Consider your current position.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A voice came from another direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it ready? Let me shoot her.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane who said this. This woman was still so impatient. She looked bloodthirsty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku moved a little closer to Sakura Kaede. Sakura Kaede was already out of weapons.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s nothing you can do. Just do as I say.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you I hate it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re so willful. But it&#039;s no use just disobeying me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you want to do?] She&#039;s absolutely right  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Sakura Kaede is unarmed now, can&#039;t use magic like me, and doesn&#039;t have a weapon.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t think she can defeat Shizuku like this. Plus, there&#039;s Akane next to her, eager to shoot &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her dead.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Sakura Kaede remains calm and composed. How could she be so calm?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Maybe you should listen to me, Shizuku -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Impossible.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Really? What will you do if I do this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede bent her knees. I knew she was gathering strength. Then she suddenly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
jumped towards the door behind her that Mikoto had unlocked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s no use. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s dagger flew out, and the chain wrapped around Sakura Kaede&#039;s ankle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She lost her balance in the air and fell behind Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Don&#039;t do anything stupid. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ah, it hurts so much 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede stood up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It turned out well. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She held the hilt of the knife in her right hand. Huh? Where did she get it from?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No. She didn&#039;t get it from anywhere, the knife was already there. The knife that Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede had left stuck there before, and now she was holding the hilt of the knife.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The knife was stuck in a sink, and inside was,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Senpai!】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku cried out. The knife stabbed the sink where Tamiko -senpai was.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Okay, what should I do, Shizuku -san】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said in a tone as if to say that if you don&#039;t decide quickly, it will be difficult for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【If she does this, she will become skewered meat. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The tip of the knife stopped right in front of Tamiko -senpai. If Sakura Kaede moves her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand even slightly, the senior will be like a skewered chicken.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s teeth are grinding.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede, you aimed and threw it, didn&#039;t you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No—I wouldn&#039;t have thought that through.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although she said that, she was definitely lying. She must have aimed and thrown it, so she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was so calm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But, what should we do? This person is very important to you, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku remained motionless. We didn&#039;t know whether the senior in the tank was alive or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dead; we had no idea about her condition. She was probably dead. But she looked alive, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it seemed like she would bleed if stabbed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede moved the knife handle with amusement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Should I stab you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you want to do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede, tell me your conditions.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re saying that, as if you&#039;re threatening me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiled softly again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want you, Shizuku -chan, and Natsuru -san to obey my orders.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What does this mean?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Simply put, I want you to swear allegiance to me. Shizuku -chan, you&#039;ve completely messed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up the Red and Blue showdown so far. So I want to start all over again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, Natsuru -san and I are supposed to represent Red and Blue, respectively?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s not quite right. Natsuru -san is the only one who needs to make the decision.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wasn&#039;t surprised. I&#039;d heard enough before that I was the key to the outcome.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku -chan needs you because he wants you to be his subordinate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even after hearing this, I still don&#039;t understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s tone didn&#039;t change at all; she was stalling for time. She was still so bold. A &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
negotiator like her should be a diplomat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Sakura Kaede has the negotiation materials in her hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her hand on the hilt of the knife kept shifting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, what should we do, Shizuku -chan?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    you don&#039;t decide quickly, I&#039;ll...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait. Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    responded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let me think about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t like it. Give me an answer in ten seconds. Otherwise, I&#039;ll make a skewer of this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
person.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ten seconds was too short. Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t intend to give Shizuku time to think. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knew that giving an opponent like Shizuku time would be disadvantageous to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Some liquid began to leak out of the acrylic tank pierced by the knife.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, what should we do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    knew she couldn&#039;t remain silent any longer and spoke up. Not only Sakura Kaede, but also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
our eyes were focused on her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as she was about to say something, Sakura Kaede suddenly collapsed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was really sudden. She seemed to have lost her strength from the knees up and fell to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the ground. Of course, her hand also left the hilt of the knife, and she just lay face up on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    None of us was surprised. But what happened? None of us touched her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Great, here&#039;s our chance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane shouted, raising her pistol and approaching Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The situation has reversed, let&#039;s shoot her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait. It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t Shizuku or Mikoto who said this, but me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I knew that Sakura Kaede, lying on the ground, was still moving. She hadn&#039;t fainted, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was still conscious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is she awake? If so, it would be best to kill her right now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you to wait.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I waited there, unprepared, for Sakura Kaede to stand up. For some reason, I didn&#039;t think it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was dangerous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede stood up. She looked sleepy, and the defiant, murderous aura she&#039;d held &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
until a moment before was gone. She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    blinked a few times, turned her head, and then met our gazes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru -san? And Shizuku -chan. That one.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She seemed perplexed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong with me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The voice was clearly Sakura Kaede from the daytime.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s rewind a little.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The gathered visceral animals, propelled by their short limbs, emerged into the hallway. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Each of them had its entrails exposed, a disgusting sight to behold, but there were no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
spectators around, so there was nothing to worry about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, where are we going?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was the Seppuku Black Rabbit who spoke. It was the Seppuku Tiger who was asking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm—what should we do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What? You haven&#039;t thought about it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I think I should go meet up with Natsuru and the others.] &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You really think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because we weren&#039;t created for combat either.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The viscera animals are basically &amp;quot;explaining their predetermined position to Kämpfer.&amp;quot; As &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for the battle, Kämpfer will conduct it himself. The viscera animals themselves are well aware &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will Akane be happy if we join them? Won&#039;t she chase us around with a gun?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;ll probably do that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger nodded slightly in agreement with what Seppuku Black Rabbit said. Since &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they&#039;re stuffed animals, they can&#039;t move too much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If she weren&#039;t so irritable, she&#039;d be a good woman.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s hard to imagine Akane not being irritable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true. She&#039;s usually irritable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;What are Natsuru and her doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit turned his head slightly away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you think?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru is very dull, so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger chuckled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you have any expectations, you&#039;re definitely wrong.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane is quite tragic.&amp;quot; She had no choice but to draw her gun. And even if she did, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t sure if things would go smoothly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps it would have been easier to let her do it before she transformed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Glasses -wearing Akane is quite shy. Late bloomer and slow -wittedness are the worst &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
combination.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ahahaha.     Seppuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tiger laughed unceremoniously. Its voice, resembling a girl&#039;s, sounded a bit off at first, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that was its true voice.     Suffocating Wild Dog asked hoarsely.     Is Natsuru Senou that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
slow?     He&#039;s probably a bit clueless. It&#039;s like falling in love wit h iron ore —it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
useless.     Seppuku Black Rabbit said something quite pertinent. Kondou -     san seems to like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru, too.     That&#039;s really strange.     Before bed, she always tells me how handsome &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Senou -san is.     Hey, has Mikoto ever done anythi ng like that?     That was before I could talk. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I think she was just talking to herself. I felt a bit sorry for her the whole time I&#039;d been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
listening, but what she said surprised me.     You&#039;re really going too far. Weren&#039;t you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
silenced?     She told me no t to say anything. But I guess it&#039;s okay now.     You might be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unremarkable, but you have a really bad personality, eh?     Smothering Wild Dog continued, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wagging its long tongue.     I understand how Ms. Kondou feels.     She loves curry, yet she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
acts lik e a girl.     Even if it has nothing to do with curry, Mr. Natsuru should make his position &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clear.     You&#039;re right.     Seppuku Tiger joined the conversation from the side.     While I can&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
expect much from Natsuru, I think he&#039;ll definitely make a decisi on after all this is over. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Did     you ask about that?     Smothering Black Rabbit said.     Yes, he did mumble something. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He said he needed an answer. ]     [Although he&#039;s admirable, what&#039;s it like to be a man talking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to a puppet?]     [Although this isn&#039; t our place to get involved, I hope he does a good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
job.]     [That&#039;s right. Our minds are becoming increasingly foggy. I want to settle this while &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
we&#039;re still conscious.]     The puppets continued to walk briskly down the corridor. After all, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their speed i s always slower than that of humans.     [Akane.]     The Seppuku Black Rabbit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
began to speak again. It was the Seppuku Tiger who responded.     [What?]     [She seems to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be holding back on something. This Akane.]     [Something about this and that. She wa s just a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
human being.]     [No, I&#039;m talking about the transformed Akane.]     [What, that&#039;s really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strange.]     [I guess it&#039;s not surprising that she would act this way. She might think that if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s no need to continue fighting, she might just disappea r. She should have figured it out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before, but it seems that because of the Natsuru, the thought resurfaced, and it was a bit too &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
much, so she easily succumbed to it and ended up like this. The     Seppuku Tiger blinked. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is a very rare move for a puppet.     No one would plan to lose from the beginning, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right?     That&#039;s right. But for her, this is what she calls happiness. I feel sorry for her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If the Seppuku Black Rabbit were a human, it would probably be sighing right now. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
puppet&#039;s tone was overflowing with sadness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She knew that whether her personality changed or she became a violent maniac, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t last forever. So, it&#039;s understandable that she&#039;d still be reluctant to do something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Has there ever been such an example? No.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seriously, even mediators are so erratic. She&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    not really a mediator at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two puppets exchanged glances, and then Seppuku Tiger said to Smothering Dog:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s good that Mikoto&#039;s personality hasn&#039;t changed, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah. She doesn&#039;t seem to care much. Is  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she only concerned about Natsuru&#039;s problems?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah. But I don&#039;t think that&#039;s unrelated to us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;re not humans, we&#039;re puppets.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Smothering Dog ignored Seppuku Tiger&#039;s joking words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;After all, we&#039;re supposed to explain the battles to the Kämpfers and supervise their work.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Otherwise, people like Akane might just indiscriminately attack passersby.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Would it be good for us to become Sakura Kaede&#039;s enemies like this?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ve said this before. We&#039;ve never met the Mediator. So, we don&#039;t know what he&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;We  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;ll probably be punished.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Who knows?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will we die too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;ll be no different from being dead. Our internal organs will be exposed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Miss Mikoto&#039;s rude personality might disappear, right? We might end up like that, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This silence fell upon the puppets.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Seppuku Tiger who broke the silence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does that mean we&#039;ll disappear too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, that&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s possible. But there&#039;s no point worrying about it. I have nothing to fear, because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even if I disappear, Natsuru will definitely remember me.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But if things continue like this, we might just be considered visceral animals with bad &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouths.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the Seppuku Black Rabbit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So I thought if I don&#039;t help him, I might be forgotten by the Natsuru. I want to leave some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
proof of our existence.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, I see. That&#039;s cool.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A messenger isn&#039;t just someone who can talk, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the Seppuku Tiger. Seppuku Black Rabbit: &amp;quot;Papa Pa&amp;quot; patted its shoulder (something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like a shoulder).  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Even though Natsuru looks silly and might forget you, I still think he will remember you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re really contradictory. What about Akane?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m glad she remembered me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Excuse me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Electrocuted Wildcat said. Seppuku Black Rabbit was startled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, you&#039;re here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Impolite. I&#039;ve been here the whole time.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t be silent all the time.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mind my business. I&#039;m thinking about something.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku should remember you. She seems to have a good memory.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Miss Shizuku never forgets anything, that&#039;s not right. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    didn&#039;t mean that. I remembered something.] [You&#039;re saying something confusing again.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please don&#039;t interrupt. Miss Shizuku brought our friends here too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you talking about? We&#039;re all here, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, she brought some other visceral animals.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    All the stuffed animals paid attention to this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger got excited.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it an visceral animal other than us!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Miss Shizuku put it in my travel bag with me, and it&#039;s been shaking on the train.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You should have thought of it sooner.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why I said I was thinking.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The puppets decided to temporarily postpone their meeting with Natsuru and the others &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and instead head to Shizuku&#039;s room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The door was ajar. They&#039;d left it open to allow the viscera animals in and out. The puppets &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entered, and  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the Electrocuted Wildcat jumped up, grabbed the restroom doorknob, and used the force &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the force to swing it open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A large travel bag lay there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll open it. This is for women, so please don&#039;t touch it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been wondering, do we have gender differences?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A stuffed animal that&#039;s always bothered by trivial matters won&#039;t sell.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Electrocuted Wildcat said to Seppuku Black Rabbit, unzipping the travel bag.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It rummaged around inside for a while before pulling out a stuffed animal. It was a charred &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit stared at it intently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s called the Burning Lion.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve seen it. The president once brought it to Natsuru&#039;s house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm—can it talk?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger poked the Burning Lion a few times. Its burnt, curled mane trembled with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Seppuku Tiger&#039;s movements, but it still didn&#039;t react.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems to be the first visceral animal to arrive.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It has a face that looks old -fashioned no matter how you look at it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should we do next?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit looked at the Electrocuted Wildcat. The stuffed animal with its fur &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
standing upside down seemed to shrug.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You ask me what to do? This is something Miss Shizuku brought.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s no use if he can&#039;t talk.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Miss Shizuku wouldn&#039;t have brought it here for no reason. It must be useful somewhere.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that so? Didn&#039;t she just bring it here first?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if that&#039;s the case, it&#039;s fine. The wisdom of the visceral animals gathered together is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
comparable to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    that of Manjushri Bodhisattva .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;ve come up with a new proverb. Let&#039;s put it in the dictionary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a groaning &amp;quot;Ouch!&amp;quot; was heard. The puppets jumped in fright.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, what&#039;s that sound!?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s this person, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The suffocating dog said in a flat voice. The sound came from the Burning Lion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It looked like it could speak.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the Burning Lion mumbled a few words and then closed its mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is it dead?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It seems to be asleep. Should  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    we wake it up?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The suffocating dog shook the Burning Lion, but it didn&#039;t respond.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s no use. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Tsk. Can&#039;t you just finish talking before going to sleep?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What should I do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Seppuku Black Rabbit, questioned by the Electrocuted Wildcat, twitched its ears a few &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No choice, just carry it on your back.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Take it with you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You said you might need it, didn&#039;t you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s true, but what should I do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course, it&#039;s up to you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Seppuku Black Rabbit looked around. But the puppets&#039; eyes were all focused on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
black rabbit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Isn&#039;t this what you should do, Seppuku Black Rabbit?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just support it with your ears.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [A man&#039;s job is to do hard labor.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you that animals with internal organs have genders!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although the Seppuku Black Rabbit complained, of course, no one listened. With no other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
choice, the black rabbit had to carry the Burning Lion on its back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s just a pile of chemical fibers, how can it be so heavy?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it because of the metal joints?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I want my wages. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The puppets took swift steps again and walked out of Shizuku&#039;s room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|← Back to Volume 11 Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 2|Forward to 12 Chapter 2 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586427</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_12_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586427"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:13:24Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;    Volume 12, Chapter 1        Fluorescent light streamed down from the ceiling, dimly illuminating the room. The light   wasn&amp;#039;t strong because this was a research facility, perhaps because it was old. The lights   flickered a bit, perhaps because they were old. I&amp;#039;m proud of my good eye sight. What if my   eyesight deteriorated?         Shizuku kept staring at the huge sink. I stared at her profile, and saw a deep sadness in her   eyes.         She was like a s...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 12, Chapter 1  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Fluorescent light streamed down from the ceiling, dimly illuminating the room. The light &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t strong because this was a research facility, perhaps because it was old. The lights &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flickered a bit, perhaps because they were old. I&#039;m proud of my good eye sight. What if my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eyesight deteriorated?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku kept staring at the huge sink. I stared at her profile, and saw a deep sadness in her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was like a statue now. Because that pose was so nice, I hadn&#039;t noticed. By the way, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku refers to Student Council President Sangou Shizuku, and &amp;quot;I&amp;quot; refers to Natsuru Senou. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There&#039;s no need to explain at this point.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and I weren&#039;t the only ones in the room; Nishino Akane and Kondou Mikoto were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also there. They&#039;d both transformed into Kämpfer. Akane was in Bulldog mode, but she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looking at some documents, so her usual roar was gone. She&#039;d yell at everyone  she saw: &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Fool!&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Go to hell.&amp;quot; 】, for someone like her, whose insults had drowned out even the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flowers along the roadside, this was truly bizarre. Nothing could be more unsuitable for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane right now than [Read the text.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s put the matter of the bulldog girl aside for now. I was watching Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Senpai.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pressed her face close to the surface of the sink, staring at the woman floating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inside, curled up in a fetal position, repeating the same phrase softly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Senpai, you&#039;re here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I finally caught what she was saying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re, here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her voice was hoarse, but she wasn&#039;t crying. I&#039;ve never seen this woman cry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned towards me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Over there.] [  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is it about Akane?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned back to the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ve heard it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you doing?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pressed her finger against the sink. I, along with Shizuku, stared at the woman floating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who is this person?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s my senior.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For a moment, the woman&#039;s expression turned sad.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Do you know someone named Shinomiya Tamiko? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shook my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【That&#039;s right. She wasn&#039;t a very conspicuous person. But she was the one who taught me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything. From high school life, student council affairs, to Kämpfer, she taught me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything. I told you about her before. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Really?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t remember. No, I think I&#039;ve heard of her. It seemed like Shizuku was joking at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time. I don&#039;t really remember.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is this the senior you mentioned? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Yes. I used to think that Kämpfer would disappear completely if he lost, but it seems &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that&#039;s not the case. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku started staring at the sink again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【But, few people remember seniors. Only Kämpfers who fought can survive. Of course, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember her. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Does that mean that many people were eliminated? 】 【 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. This is Kämpfer&#039;s fate. The loser will lose everything. There &#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a woman floating in a tank. She looks both dead and alive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What will become of her? There&#039;s no way she&#039;ll be resurrected, but will she remain like this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for the rest of her life? No, she might already be dead, so the idea of a lifetime seems a bit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is she being preserved?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku -senpai, is she just left there like this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know. There were several Kämpfers who lost, I think more than there are people in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this room. Was she abandoned somewhere, or taken away?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What does &amp;quot;taken away&amp;quot; mean? Did they deliver it to your door?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe it&#039;s similar to what you said. Maybe they first obtained the data like this, then took &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it to some distant place.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Where? The North Pole or the South Pole?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It doesn&#039;t necessarily have to be Earth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said something creepy again. She probably said something like that when she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reading the message on the wall. Aliens or something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Could aliens from space have built this place? That&#039;s a possibility. Since the equipment and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
instruments here appear to be found in some research institutes, perhaps the equipment &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was deployed domestically. Did someone else build this place?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, I heard from Fire Lion earlier that in another world, red and blue creatures were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fighting. It seems we&#039;ve become their proxies. It seems like I&#039;m the key to this, and it&#039;s said &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that my choice of whether to play as a man or a woman will determine the outcome for the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
red and blue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I haven&#039;t heard of losing and being thrown into a tank. If we were to lose, we&#039;d end up &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like Shizuku -senpai. I guess. Not just me, but also Akane, Shizuku, and Mikoto. And the white &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfers, too. Drifting in the water like this or being carried away, I don&#039;t think this is a good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
outcome.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I suddenly had this thought: &amp;quot;I don&#039;t want to lose.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While I&#039;m a bit concerned about being stuffed like a specimen if I lose, more importantly, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t want to be forgotten. I don&#039;t want my life so far to be wasted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m just a sophomore in high school. And there are plenty of people in the world who have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lived longer than me. To them, I&#039;m just a little brat. But the footprints engraved on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
calendar truly belong to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t want to lose these things just because I lose. I now fully understand what Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
meant when she called me out and told me, &amp;quot;Remember me.&amp;quot; The fact that she lived here is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
undeniable. No matter how small the matter, it is a part of life. How can I re gard it as an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
obstacle?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I unconsciously whispered,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t want to lose.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku answered me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You still want to go back to Seitetsu, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She understood what I said. Your intuition is still as sharp as ever, President.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru. I...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you remember I said before that if you keep fighting, you might understand the reason &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for fighting?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm, but it seems like that was a long time ago.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I think that because of Tamiko -senpai. She lost to the enemy and disappeared. I&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been wondering why she disappeared. That&#039;s why I kept fighting, looking for reasons to fight. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now I finally understand. It&#039;s not right to say I can&#039;t lose, it&#039;s becaus e I want to win. I can&#039;t let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Tamiko -senpai&#039;s sacrifice go to waste.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said this, as if trying to remind herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The words &#039;We are here&#039; written there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pointed at the message with a slender finger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe it represents the thoughts of the defeated Kämpfers.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps. No, that&#039;s it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took a deep breath. I can&#039;t lose. Not only that, I must win. While my consciousness may &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not be as strong as Shizuku&#039;s, now is not the time to hesitate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I slapped my face a few times to cheer myself up. Okay, let&#039;s do it. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku blinked a few times and placed her hand on the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Senpai.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should we do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned to face me. I said it again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are we just going to leave this person here? She&#039;s very important to you, President &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You mean to move her away?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Do you want to carry your senior on your back to fight?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She gave a wry smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Thank you for your concern. But that&#039;s all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She stopped talking mid -sentence. How rare.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Forget it now. Although it&#039;s painful to leave your senior like this, I can&#039;t decide what&#039;s best &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right now. At least I can&#039;t fight with her on my back. So I can only leave her for now. I still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have feelings for her, and I haven&#039;t forgotten her, but I have to live.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a rare hesitation in her words. After all, that person must be very important to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku. That&#039;s why she wouldn&#039;t do anything stupid.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku left the sink. I wonder if she felt reluctant to leave. She was now walking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
somewhere else.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shinomiya.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku touched the surface of the sink with her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sorry. I don&#039;t mean to ask for your forgiveness. Shizuku and I moved a step away from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the water tanks .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was truly magnificent from this perspective. No one knows how many Kämpfer battles &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have been fought there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto was also approaching us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, there&#039;s a door over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto pointed diagonally upward. There was also a staircase leading up there, with a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tightly closed iron door on top.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s probably the exit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you&#039;re the one, you must have checked beforehand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked. Mikoto is the type of person who, if there&#039;s a button, she&#039;ll definitely press it, if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s a lever, she&#039;ll definitely pull it, if there&#039;s a door, she&#039;ll definitely open it. When she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in kindergarten, she always wanted to press the emergency bell, and everyone around her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kept trying to stop her. Only once, during a small fire, did she, with such blissful joy, press the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
button faster than anyone else.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah. But it&#039;s locked.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can&#039;t open it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was Shizuku speaking. The president found it quite amusing, so he recognized &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto&#039;s talent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm—sure, it&#039;s possible, but it might take a while. It&#039;s a password lock. It&#039;s quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
troublesome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it locked inside too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Probably both inside and outside. These facilities look very important.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s probably it. Not only are there animal entrails here, but even the defeated Kämpfer &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is stored here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Is that really the exit?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto answered my question confidently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s definitely the exit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think you can trust what you say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m only telling the truth.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that so? You said that when you encountered the underground people in Peru, everyone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who heard you looked at you like, &#039;You&#039;re an idiot!&#039; How can you convince people of the story &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about four -armed underground people attacking you with rods that emit elec tromagnetic &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
waves? &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If you don&#039;t believe it, don&#039;t ask me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. Retracting my preface. That&#039;s the exit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was about to walk over when I tripped. I hadn&#039;t noticed there was a thick pipe on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The end of the pipe extended into the wall.&amp;quot; There&#039;s a sturdy -looking iron door nearby.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, there seems to be something over there too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, could it be another room?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That might be the exit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s impossible. This is underground, so all exits face upwards. The place Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
investigated should be the exit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So what about the other side?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pointed at the door. Shizuku nodded slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it a power generation facility? Or maybe some other research facility?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Want to check it out?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, no, right now, we should prioritize getting out.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed. I also want to change out of these half -dried clothes quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Akane!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shouted over my shoulder.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog Girl is still reading documents. I&#039;ve already told you that it was fine before your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformation, but you&#039;re not the type to read books now. Why don&#039;t you just burn all those &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
documents? That&#039;s perfect for you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane raised her head slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We&#039;re leaving.] Come out with us quickly. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I understand.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, that&#039;s straightforward. If she were a normal bulldog, she&#039;d be lashing out, no matter &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how right the issue was.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She sorted the documents back and walked over to us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Have you finished reading the documents?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you trying to tell me I haven&#039;t even read Will Lennox&#039;s poetry?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s rude. But it&#039;s fine as usual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is there anything written on it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course there is. It&#039;s about the internal organs of animals. It talks about their history.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m asking what it says.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh my, she&#039;s gone silent. Originally, this should have led to her yelling, &amp;quot;Shut up! Go to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hell!&amp;quot; and putting the gun to my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane narrowed one eye, then smacked her lips with an expression as if she was troubled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Come with me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Forget about that. Come here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane grabbed my hand and pulled me over. Because she&#039;s a Kämpfer, she&#039;s very strong. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hey, it hurts.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She took me to a secluded place. Shizuku and Mikoto couldn&#039;t see me from here. I was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little confused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you trying to do? Attack me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Watch out, you horny bastard. I want to talk about those documents I was looking at.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The mastiff girl stared at me and started talking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s written there is about me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will there be a profile for you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not about me now. It&#039;s about me before my transformation. Didn&#039;t I say before that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the story Sakura Kaede had in mind is written down in the document? There are other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
things, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s that?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;ll talk about that later. Now&#039;s not the time. No, maybe it&#039;s time, but it&#039;s better for her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to explain it herself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was stunned. Akane&#039;s explanation left me baffled. Being so mysterious isn&#039;t like her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh, so you want me to let your pre -transformation self explain it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a little different, is that okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered something in my ear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I blinked a few times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay, but isn&#039;t it okay to tell them this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t tell them unless necessary. The most important thing is to keep this a secret until &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the end. But if necessary, you can take the lead.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane patted my back mysteriously. This was unusual for a woman who preferred &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
simplicity, or rather, ease, over everything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But never mind. I also wanted to get out of this underground place quickly. I didn&#039;t think &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything good would happen if I stayed here any longer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We returned from our hiding spot to where they were. Shizuku and Mikoto glanced at us &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but said nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s get out,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said to everyone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Unlocking is Mikoto&#039;s job.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No problem.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My childhood friend casually agreed and headed for the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what should we, uh, do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t think of anything, so I gave Shizuku a look for help.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The black -haired president shrugged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why not just stay here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing here? Are you free?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you&#039;re bored, I&#039;ll keep you company.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t bring any playing cards or anything like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A man and a woman playing cards? There are better things to do.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku smiled softly. I&#039;ve become incredibly sensitive to this woman&#039;s facial expressions, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so I know what she&#039;s thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Unconsciously, my heartbeat quickened.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, what are you talking about?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re in a place like this!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t say anything.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You might not have said anything, but it&#039;s the same as saying it. Isn&#039;t that the only thing a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
man and a woman can do together?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You should have considered the timing and the occasion!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I said, I didn&#039;t say anything.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane&#039;s here too!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, Akane. That makes sense. It&#039;s about your relationship with Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re being mysterious again. I told you not to say anything shocking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, Akane heard everything we said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her already grim expression darkened even further, as if fire were about to burst from her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouth. If she were eating a pockily, she&#039;d probably be crunching it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Naturally, her eyes, like those of a ferocious beast, were now fixed on me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What did you say, you bastard? Aren&#039;t you ashamed to say that here?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t say that! Shizuku brought it up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t say that! Did you tell Shizuku about that?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How could you possibly say something like that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stopped there. I hadn&#039;t told her, but I&#039;d let myself get away with it. More accurately, she&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seen through it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seeing my silence, Akane seemed to take it as a yes. I felt a surge of murderous intent &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wash over me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You shameless bastard! You kept it secret from me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why should I ask for your permission?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s a courtesy, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was hard to argue with her logically.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pulled out her gun. Oh no, this guy&#039;s going to shoot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You want to embarrass me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t be ridiculous. I&#039;m a gentleman.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;d better kill you.] You&#039;ll never be a gentleman again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Stop it! Gentlemanly or not, forget it. I just swore I didn&#039;t want to die.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku glanced at us and did nothing. It looked like she had no intention of stopping us. If &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this situation demanded more time, I might have yelled at her, but right now, except for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto, we were all free.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s why we&#039;re talking about all this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now&#039;s not the time to explain things slowly. The bulldog girl is now baring her teeth at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru. Are you interested in telling anyone about what you and I did?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then why did Shizuku know?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t know  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    either.] I can only say her intuition is too sharp. No matter what she does, she can&#039;t hide it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from our perfect student council president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you two laughing at us for not making it to the end?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re being too self -centered. I wasn&#039;t that specific.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s about right. Damn it. I should have made it to the end with you, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I think her anger is misplaced, but compared to this, my life is in danger now. In front of an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enraged Akane, common sense and calmness are of no use.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s pointing an automatic pistol at me. This gun and I are old acquaintances.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Your back is facing me! You&#039;re losing your virginity in front of me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you saying so loudly!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Two bullets in your mouth and you&#039;ll definitely awaken. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t understand what you&#039;re trying to do. Does this guy want me to use some special &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stick? (Translator: I can only think of the Christmas gift that President Shizuku gave to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru -kun.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At this time, Shizuku spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【That&#039;s it.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Student Council President&#039;s eyes were fixed on the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It looks like the break is over. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No one was at the door. Mikoto was rushing over. She looked very nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is it open? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku asked. Mikoto shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Not yet. Just a little bit. And someone is coming. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Enemy?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto didn&#039;t answer. Our eyes were all focused on the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We had to be careful. We didn&#039;t know what was on the other side of the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We held our breath. To be precise, I was the only one who was nervous. Shizuku was as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
calm as ever. Mikoto&#039;s interest remained the same, while Akane was the type who was most &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happy when there was a fight. She thought I was a fool for worrying endlessly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s the enemy, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I whispered. She was basically just mumbling to herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We don&#039;t have any other allies.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku replied. Even so, it&#039;s not bad to hold onto a little hope.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [They&#039;re enemies after all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s still the white Kämpfer, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku, didn&#039;t you guys defeat them?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I tied them up and left them there. There are two more, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ueda Rika and Yamakawa Ryoka, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If it&#039;s two against four, it&#039;s more advantageous for us.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t look away, continuing to stare at the door. It seemed as if her ears perked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s no footsteps anymore. But the presence seems to be there.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After she whispered this, Mikoto spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s ambush her. Can I take charge of the deepest security? I don&#039;t think there&#039;ll be any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
problems, but just in case.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, okay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto took a few steps back. Turning her attention to the back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned back to face the front and didn&#039;t look back again. This woman seemed to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
trust Mikoto very much. Otherwise, he wouldn&#039;t have trusted her with his back. When did &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their relationship become like this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s quiet at the door. Although Mikoto said someone was coming, there wasn&#039;t any special &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
movement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m feeling restless.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said with a groan. It hasn&#039;t been a few minutes yet. Don&#039;t be so impatient.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This isn&#039;t my style. Let&#039;s start a killing spree.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Can&#039;t you just be more quiet?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who can stay calm and stay in this dark cave forever? We should fight our way out.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s a good idea.] What  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s surprising is that Shizuku actually agreed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We have to find a way out, so we can only wander around here. And we&#039;ve already seen &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything we wanted to see. And there&#039;s something else.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What else?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I have to see Kaede.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura -san. Indeed, although we fought the white Kämpfer after falling into the pool, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura -san was the only one I didn&#039;t see.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought she might be here, but she should still be at home. Shizuku wanted to see her. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She wasn&#039;t trying to renew our friendship, but probably wanted to know the truth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What was she going to tell her? Actually, what should I do? Anyway, I&#039;m not mentally &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
prepared yet. Too many things have happened. Although if this happened at school, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t be so nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Cheer up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane hit me. It hurt.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t just stand there. We&#039;re going to kill that bitch soon. Be happy.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bitch is Sakura Kaede. How can you expect me to be happy?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I still need to prepare myself mentally.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s so annoying. I&#039;m here. Not only me, but also Shizuku and Mikoto. It&#039;s time you figured &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it out!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course. I shook my head. No, no. I&#039;ve already decided to do a good job.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I get it, let&#039;s go.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Very good. That&#039;s you, Natsuru. Let you deal her the final blow.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This seems to be another matter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto, shift change. You go unlock it. I&#039;ll cover the rear.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned around and said. Akane seemed surprised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, let you do the rear defense, Shizuku? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s better than you doing it. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, a guy who only rushes forward like a dog can only let her stay in the front. If Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is placed in the back, she will definitely run to the front immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto continued to fiddle with the door. Then something like a machine appeared on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door handle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Does this unlock it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I learned this from the mafia in Serbia.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Where have your connections spread?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto pressed a few buttons on the machine. All with her index finger. This guy also uses &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
only his index finger when he uses the keyboard. And with blinding speed. That&#039;s a talent, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guess.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After the machine flashed a few times, Mikoto whispered, &amp;quot;Open.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone stopped moving. They were all checking for signs of movement on the other side &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the door. If anyone on the other side noticed the door was unlocked, they&#039;d probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ambush or something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m going to open it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto placed her hand on the doorknob, and Akane leaned down. Like a beast about to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leap. The Mastiff Girl had overreached.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A crisp &amp;quot;click&amp;quot; sounded. Almost at the same time, a roar drowned out the sound of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door opening from overhead. Fluorescent lights and debris fell from above.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The ceiling had collapsed. For a moment, I wondered if this was shoddy construction, but it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t, because a woman had fallen with the rubble.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Yamakawa Suzuka. I&#039;d thought she was alone, but I didn&#039;t expect her to show up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta!&amp;quot; A burst of gunfire rang out. Suzuka&#039;s weapon was a small submachine gun. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Bullets were flying everywhere. Wow,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this is dangerous. Of course, but she wouldn&#039;t listen to me; she was coming at us with clear &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
murderous intent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Calm down!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I heard Shizuku&#039;s voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s alone. We can win.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true. We have the advantage in numbers. There&#039;s nothing to worry about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was already manipulating her dagger. The chained dagger flew around, ready to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strike Suzuka. And Akane joined in, firing a series of exaggerated shots from her pistol.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kill you!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bulldog Girl looked genuinely pleased.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You want to make me your enemy?] Stupid woman, like a moth to a flame. Wake up! ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We can&#039;t kill her.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is what Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We&#039;re sure to win anyway. Let&#039;s capture her.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, kill her. That&#039;s more fun. Just punch a hole in the top of her head and finish her off. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then shoot her a few more times after she&#039;s dead.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Regardless of how mean this girl is, she&#039;s a good bait to lure us in. Why would she attack us &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
when she&#039;s alone? Anyway, it&#039;s only Shizuku and Akane fighting her, so there&#039;s no need for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto and me to join the fight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka&#039;s eyes seemed filled with sadness. How should I put it, it&#039;s like she&#039;s determined to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
die. Has she been indoctrinated with some obsessive ideas?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yamakawa -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, knocking down a bullet with her dagger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Surrender.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;d be surprised if I did that!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, her voice has risen an octave. It seems there&#039;s no room for negotiation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m going to knock you all down!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s no use.] You can&#039;t defeat us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t care!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A hail of bullets rained down on Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you being coerced by someone?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka paused abruptly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What will happen to you if you don&#039;t fight us? Did she tell you that if you don&#039;t fight, you&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
end up like the Kämpfers here in the sink?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that annoying!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She fired, but the bullets scattered so widely that Shizuku didn&#039;t even need to dodge.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It was Kaede, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing this, Suzuka wavered. I almost wondered if she&#039;d drop the gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s putting pressure on you, isn&#039;t she? How pitiful. That kid&#039;s become unscrupulous.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t speak ill of Kaede -sama!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka lunged forward. But her linear movements were predictable even to an elementary &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school student.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku twirled her index finger. The chain flew along the ground and wrapped around &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Suzuka&#039;s ankle. She fell.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Akane ran over immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Look at you! Go to hell!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said this while pointing her gun at Suzuka. Shizuku stopped her with disgust.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop it. Akane, you&#039;re always like this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m not the one who obeys.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You were so obedient before you transformed.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku moved Akane&#039;s gun away and squatted in front of Suzuka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m sorry. It must hurt.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka said nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I have something to ask you. Help us.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Where is that child?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone present understood who this was referring to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We want to know where that child is. Is she up here? Are you threatened by her? If you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tell us where she is, we&#039;ll protect you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka looked down. Was she still struggling with something? I&#039;m a little confused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t say what you don&#039;t want to say. But I have other questions I&#039;d like you to answer. Is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this really the end of this facility? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although Suzuka said nothing, her eyelids were trembling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It won&#039;t do you any good to say nothing. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Or do you want to be left here like this? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Kaede. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Kaede -sama. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought she was just whispering her name. That&#039;s called talking to yourself. But it wasn&#039;t. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The first one to notice something was wrong was Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Get out of the way! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A figure leaped down from the hole in the ceiling and stood before us. It wasn&#039;t just any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shadow; it was incredibly fast.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A slender figure, long hair. She was Sakura Kaede, whom I considered the most beautiful &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl at Seitetsu Academy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she didn&#039;t exude the beauty and gentleness she usually did at school. Instead, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exuded a whirlwind of energy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A knife materialized in Sakura Kaede&#039;s right hand, and a gun in her left. How should I put &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it? Pretty handsome.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Waste!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she muttered to Suzuka. Suzuka, lying beside her, shuddered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought you could still be of some use. Just how far do you want to hold me back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede -sama.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Useless at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For some reason, Sakura Kaede shot Suzuka. What? Suzuka  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s body was hit directly by the bullet, and she flung herself up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll let you suffer a little first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka, though not dead, rolled on the ground. Her stomach was bleeding, and she looked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in agony.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was so cold just now. No, she was so cool just now, it almost made my heart &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flutter, but she&#039;s still scary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t be angry, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, Shizuku was angry, but Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t take her seriously at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;d expel useless student council members, too, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But I won&#039;t shoot him.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s because our policies are different. Useless people will only make the situation &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
worse.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s attitude was very calm. She stood still, weapon in hand. But that didn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mean she was careless. We&#039;d fought her once before, so we know it all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re amazing that you managed to get here. You deserve a commendation.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But I think you deliberately lured us here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, shedding her dagger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Didn&#039;t you show up here on purpose?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re half right. I didn&#039;t intend to show up in front of all of you. But the incompetence of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my subordinates led to this situation. Sakura Kaede licked her lips. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, she looks alluring, but also terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Two people at most are enough. And we have to start over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Start over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, as long as we have Shizuku -chan and Natsuru, we&#039;ll be enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede turned to me and gave me a soft smile. &amp;quot;I&#039;m glad you&#039;re smiling at me, but it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sends a chill down my spine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;No one else is needed, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey! Stop kidding!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane jumped out. Steam was practically coming out of her head. This woman hates being &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
treated like an idiot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who are you calling unnecessary? Do you think I&#039;m an unwanted lesbian? Don&#039;t look &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
down on me!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s because you have this kind of personality that you&#039;re unnecessary. You should just be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more honest. You&#039;re even worse than those girls in white.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come and see if I&#039;m really incompetent if you dare!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane fired.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The shot was aimed at the heart. The bullet flew straight to the target.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede started to move. For a moment, I had no idea what was happening.&amp;quot; Only a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shadow remained in her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The next moment, the distance between Sakura Kaede and Akane closed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Would you be quiet for a moment?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede thrust out her knife. But Akane wasn&#039;t the kind of girl to be quieted down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re the one who shuts up! You bitch!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane jumped to the side, aimed her gun at Sakura Kaede again, and fired.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede dodged the bullet. She swung her knife, knocking the bullet away. Then, with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her free hand, she fired.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The shot was incredibly accurate. The reason she missed was probably because the Mastiff &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Girl was too eager to attack.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was about to charge, so she wasn&#039;t in the bullet&#039;s path. Her wild boar -like, reckless &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nature has its advantages, though.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto, cover me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what Shizuku said. She had already made her dagger float in the air. In that case, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can&#039;t just stand by and watch. After all, Sakura Kaede possesses the power to take on four of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I discarded the idea that my opponent was the girl I liked and cast a spell. Flames flashed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from my hand, then transformed into a fireball that flew forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede leaped up, flying toward us along the ceiling. She braced herself against the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
edge of the cave, and the recoil landed behind us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto anticipated her move and charged forward, Japanese sword in hand. Unlike Akane, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this guy was also a fighter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It worked!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede swiftly spun around, blocking Mikoto&#039;s blade with her own and lowering &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s elbow struck Mikoto in the heart. My childhood friend&#039;s face contorted. It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
must have been a powerful blow. Mikoto began to collapse. Sakura Kaede quickly slid out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from under the falling Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, just get down!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I conjured several fireballs. They expanded and flew forward like summer fireworks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah. Natsuru, you&#039;re so rough!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede remained calm. She didn&#039;t even break a sweat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s dagger and Akane&#039;s bullets —it was impossible to dodge them all, but she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remained unscathed. She glanced at Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Next up is Mikoto -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede opened fire. Her gun sprayed bullets like a machine gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could these bullets hit me with all that flying around?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because they&#039;re just a distraction.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She kicked the ground and slid between the sinks, approaching Akane. The knife in her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand gleamed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Watch your throat!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane not only yelled, but even in this situation, she tried to shoot at Sakura Kaede. Who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was faster?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The answer was the Mastiff Girl. To be more precise, it was because Sakura Kaede fell &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forward. It was Shizuku&#039;s chained dagger that entangled her foot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede lost her balance and was about to fall, but she still managed to keep her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
balance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Not bad, Shizuku.] [It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was Kaede who was careless.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku attacked mercilessly with her remaining dagger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Aren&#039;t we good friends since childhood?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s not worry about that for now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a terrifying woman. Her look was serious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I have a lot of things to ask you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, really  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ?] Sakura Kaede stomped the floorboards, making a loud sound as if she were stepping on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
grass. What was that?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pulled her chained foot free. Was it a magic trick?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s perfect. I have something for you, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please prioritize my request.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No. With a swish ,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the knife slashed towards Shizuku. This is what they mean by &amp;quot;dazzling.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is my home. I have the final say here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The underground isn&#039;t your home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s mine now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Swish,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Swish.&amp;quot; The knife and the dagger clashed relentlessly. Shizuku wasn&#039;t particularly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
aggressive, concentrating on defense. That was how fierce Sakura Kaede&#039;s attacks were.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them continued to battle, gradually moving towards where Mikoto had fallen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You didn&#039;t build this underground research facility, did you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. I&#039;m just using it. Or am I being used?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, you mean this isn&#039;t your own idea, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Does it have anything to do with you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Understanding students&#039; thoughts is also a president&#039;s job.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t act like an adult at a time like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I need to intervene in your personal life. Real estate is a heavy burden for a high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Are you excited because we&#039;re underground? Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and Sakura Kaede are putting some distance between them. But Sakura Kaede has a long -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
range weapon. What should we do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru, move one step to the left. Akane, don&#039;t move.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We do as she says. Sakura Kaede seems amused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you trying to do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As you can see, we&#039;re going to surround you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t realize that either. The three of us have Sakura Kaede trapped.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, Shizuku isn&#039;t letting her guard down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if you&#039;re so powerful, Kaede, what can you do if you&#039;re surrounded?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Do you think you can defeat me by doing this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even you don&#039;t have three hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right. She has weapons in both hands, but that only means two. But there are three &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of us, and if Mikoto stands up, that&#039;s four. Sakura Kaede can handle us with her agility, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this way we can defend ourselves by surrounding her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Student Council President is really quick -witted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thank you for the compliment. Vote for me in the next election. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Who knows. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Listen carefully to what your senior says. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku sent a dagger flying towards Sakura Kaede&#039;s face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This woman is so cruel, and just as I was thinking that, I realized I was wrong. The chain &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entangled Sakura Kaede&#039;s knife.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No use of dangerous weapons allowed. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pulled hard. Sakura Kaede&#039;s knife slipped out of her hand and fell at the feet of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student council president. Now Sakura Kaede only had one weapon left.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ah.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although it was only a little, Sakura Kaede showed regret. It seemed that she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surprised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her murderous aura began to decline. Oh, she doesn&#039;t want to fight anymore.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Natsuru, go get her gun. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku ordered me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Huh?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【She won&#039;t resist anymore. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Exactly. I approached Sakura Kaede with trepidation, but Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t do anything. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
easily took the pistol from her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I returned to my original position. Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t even look in my direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, you can get up now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing Shizuku&#039;s voice, Mikoto uttered a &amp;quot;Hmm.&amp;quot; She was about to stand. Our eyes were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fixed on her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At that moment, Sakura Kaede suddenly lifted Mikoto&#039;s katana with her toes, grasped the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
handle with her slender fingers, aimed the tip at the president&#039;s face, and flung it out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I cried out immediately. I wondered if my shout had any effect. The black -haired president &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tilted her head slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It caught up. The katana sliced off a few strands of the president&#039;s hair and flew behind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You scared me. Kaede, you&#039;re a magician, right? Or are you an acrobat?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hate being watched.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then at least listen to what we have to say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiled. Even then  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , she remained calm. &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it hard to accept Shizuku&#039;s words?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Learning patience will be helpful when you enter society.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It doesn&#039;t help me right now.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Please be patient. Consider your current position.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A voice came from another direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it ready? Let me shoot her.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane who said this. This woman was still so impatient. She looked bloodthirsty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku moved a little closer to Sakura Kaede. Sakura Kaede was already out of weapons.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s nothing you can do. Just do as I say.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you I hate it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re so willful. But it&#039;s no use just disobeying me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you want to do?] She&#039;s absolutely right  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Sakura Kaede is unarmed now, can&#039;t use magic like me, and doesn&#039;t have a weapon.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t think she can defeat Shizuku like this. Plus, there&#039;s Akane next to her, eager to shoot &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her dead.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Sakura Kaede remains calm and composed. How could she be so calm?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Maybe you should listen to me, Shizuku -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Impossible.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Really? What will you do if I do this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede bent her knees. I knew she was gathering strength. Then she suddenly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
jumped towards the door behind her that Mikoto had unlocked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s no use. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s dagger flew out, and the chain wrapped around Sakura Kaede&#039;s ankle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She lost her balance in the air and fell behind Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Don&#039;t do anything stupid. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ah, it hurts so much 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede stood up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It turned out well. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She held the hilt of the knife in her right hand. Huh? Where did she get it from?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No. She didn&#039;t get it from anywhere, the knife was already there. The knife that Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede had left stuck there before, and now she was holding the hilt of the knife.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The knife was stuck in a sink, and inside was,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Senpai!】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku cried out. The knife stabbed the sink where Tamiko -senpai was.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Okay, what should I do, Shizuku -san】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said in a tone as if to say that if you don&#039;t decide quickly, it will be difficult for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【If she does this, she will become skewered meat. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The tip of the knife stopped right in front of Tamiko -senpai. If Sakura Kaede moves her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand even slightly, the senior will be like a skewered chicken.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s teeth are grinding.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede, you aimed and threw it, didn&#039;t you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No—I wouldn&#039;t have thought that through.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although she said that, she was definitely lying. She must have aimed and thrown it, so she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was so calm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But, what should we do? This person is very important to you, Shizuku -chan.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku remained motionless. We didn&#039;t know whether the senior in the tank was alive or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dead; we had no idea about her condition. She was probably dead. But she looked alive, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it seemed like she would bleed if stabbed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede moved the knife handle with amusement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Should I stab you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you want to do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kaede, tell me your conditions.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re saying that, as if you&#039;re threatening me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiled softly again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want you, Shizuku -chan, and Natsuru -san to obey my orders.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What does this mean?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Simply put, I want you to swear allegiance to me. Shizuku -chan, you&#039;ve completely messed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up the Red and Blue showdown so far. So I want to start all over again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, Natsuru -san and I are supposed to represent Red and Blue, respectively?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s not quite right. Natsuru -san is the only one who needs to make the decision.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wasn&#039;t surprised. I&#039;d heard enough before that I was the key to the outcome.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku -chan needs you because he wants you to be his subordinate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even after hearing this, I still don&#039;t understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s tone didn&#039;t change at all; she was stalling for time. She was still so bold. A &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
negotiator like her should be a diplomat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Sakura Kaede has the negotiation materials in her hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her hand on the hilt of the knife kept shifting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, what should we do, Shizuku -chan?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    you don&#039;t decide quickly, I&#039;ll...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait. Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    responded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let me think about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t like it. Give me an answer in ten seconds. Otherwise, I&#039;ll make a skewer of this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
person.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ten seconds was too short. Sakura Kaede didn&#039;t intend to give Shizuku time to think. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knew that giving an opponent like Shizuku time would be disadvantageous to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Some liquid began to leak out of the acrylic tank pierced by the knife.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, what should we do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    knew she couldn&#039;t remain silent any longer and spoke up. Not only Sakura Kaede, but also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
our eyes were focused on her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as she was about to say something, Sakura Kaede suddenly collapsed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was really sudden. She seemed to have lost her strength from the knees up and fell to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the ground. Of course, her hand also left the hilt of the knife, and she just lay face up on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    None of us was surprised. But what happened? None of us touched her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Great, here&#039;s our chance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane shouted, raising her pistol and approaching Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The situation has reversed, let&#039;s shoot her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait. It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t Shizuku or Mikoto who said this, but me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I knew that Sakura Kaede, lying on the ground, was still moving. She hadn&#039;t fainted, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was still conscious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is she awake? If so, it would be best to kill her right now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you to wait.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I waited there, unprepared, for Sakura Kaede to stand up. For some reason, I didn&#039;t think it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was dangerous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede stood up. She looked sleepy, and the defiant, murderous aura she&#039;d held &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
until a moment before was gone. She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    blinked a few times, turned her head, and then met our gazes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru -san? And Shizuku -chan. That one.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She seemed perplexed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong with me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The voice was clearly Sakura Kaede from the daytime.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s rewind a little.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The gathered visceral animals, propelled by their short limbs, emerged into the hallway. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Each of them had its entrails exposed, a disgusting sight to behold, but there were no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
spectators around, so there was nothing to worry about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, where are we going?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was the Seppuku Black Rabbit who spoke. It was the Seppuku Tiger who was asking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm—what should we do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What? You haven&#039;t thought about it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I think I should go meet up with Natsuru and the others.] &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You really think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because we weren&#039;t created for combat either.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The viscera animals are basically &amp;quot;explaining their predetermined position to Kämpfer.&amp;quot; As &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for the battle, Kämpfer will conduct it himself. The viscera animals themselves are well aware &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will Akane be happy if we join them? Won&#039;t she chase us around with a gun?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;ll probably do that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger nodded slightly in agreement with what Seppuku Black Rabbit said. Since &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they&#039;re stuffed animals, they can&#039;t move too much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If she weren&#039;t so irritable, she&#039;d be a good woman.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s hard to imagine Akane not being irritable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true. She&#039;s usually irritable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;What are Natsuru and her doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit turned his head slightly away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you think?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru is very dull, so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger chuckled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you have any expectations, you&#039;re definitely wrong.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane is quite tragic.&amp;quot; She had no choice but to draw her gun. And even if she did, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t sure if things would go smoothly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps it would have been easier to let her do it before she transformed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Glasses -wearing Akane is quite shy. Late bloomer and slow -wittedness are the worst &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
combination.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ahahaha.     Seppuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tiger laughed unceremoniously. Its voice, resembling a girl&#039;s, sounded a bit off at first, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that was its true voice.     Suffocating Wild Dog asked hoarsely.     Is Natsuru Senou that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
slow?     He&#039;s probably a bit clueless. It&#039;s like falling in love wit h iron ore —it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
useless.     Seppuku Black Rabbit said something quite pertinent. Kondou -     san seems to like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru, too.     That&#039;s really strange.     Before bed, she always tells me how handsome &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Senou -san is.     Hey, has Mikoto ever done anythi ng like that?     That was before I could talk. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I think she was just talking to herself. I felt a bit sorry for her the whole time I&#039;d been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
listening, but what she said surprised me.     You&#039;re really going too far. Weren&#039;t you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
silenced?     She told me no t to say anything. But I guess it&#039;s okay now.     You might be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unremarkable, but you have a really bad personality, eh?     Smothering Wild Dog continued, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wagging its long tongue.     I understand how Ms. Kondou feels.     She loves curry, yet she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
acts lik e a girl.     Even if it has nothing to do with curry, Mr. Natsuru should make his position &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clear.     You&#039;re right.     Seppuku Tiger joined the conversation from the side.     While I can&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
expect much from Natsuru, I think he&#039;ll definitely make a decisi on after all this is over. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Did     you ask about that?     Smothering Black Rabbit said.     Yes, he did mumble something. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He said he needed an answer. ]     [Although he&#039;s admirable, what&#039;s it like to be a man talking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to a puppet?]     [Although this isn&#039; t our place to get involved, I hope he does a good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
job.]     [That&#039;s right. Our minds are becoming increasingly foggy. I want to settle this while &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
we&#039;re still conscious.]     The puppets continued to walk briskly down the corridor. After all, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their speed i s always slower than that of humans.     [Akane.]     The Seppuku Black Rabbit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
began to speak again. It was the Seppuku Tiger who responded.     [What?]     [She seems to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be holding back on something. This Akane.]     [Something about this and that. She wa s just a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
human being.]     [No, I&#039;m talking about the transformed Akane.]     [What, that&#039;s really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strange.]     [I guess it&#039;s not surprising that she would act this way. She might think that if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s no need to continue fighting, she might just disappea r. She should have figured it out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before, but it seems that because of the Natsuru, the thought resurfaced, and it was a bit too &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
much, so she easily succumbed to it and ended up like this. The     Seppuku Tiger blinked. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is a very rare move for a puppet.     No one would plan to lose from the beginning, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right?     That&#039;s right. But for her, this is what she calls happiness. I feel sorry for her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If the Seppuku Black Rabbit were a human, it would probably be sighing right now. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
puppet&#039;s tone was overflowing with sadness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She knew that whether her personality changed or she became a violent maniac, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t last forever. So, it&#039;s understandable that she&#039;d still be reluctant to do something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Has there ever been such an example? No.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seriously, even mediators are so erratic. She&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    not really a mediator at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two puppets exchanged glances, and then Seppuku Tiger said to Smothering Dog:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s good that Mikoto&#039;s personality hasn&#039;t changed, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah. She doesn&#039;t seem to care much. Is  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she only concerned about Natsuru&#039;s problems?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah. But I don&#039;t think that&#039;s unrelated to us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;re not humans, we&#039;re puppets.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Smothering Dog ignored Seppuku Tiger&#039;s joking words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;After all, we&#039;re supposed to explain the battles to the Kämpfers and supervise their work.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Otherwise, people like Akane might just indiscriminately attack passersby.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Would it be good for us to become Sakura Kaede&#039;s enemies like this?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ve said this before. We&#039;ve never met the Mediator. So, we don&#039;t know what he&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;We  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;ll probably be punished.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Who knows?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will we die too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;ll be no different from being dead. Our internal organs will be exposed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Miss Mikoto&#039;s rude personality might disappear, right? We might end up like that, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This silence fell upon the puppets.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Seppuku Tiger who broke the silence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does that mean we&#039;ll disappear too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, that&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s possible. But there&#039;s no point worrying about it. I have nothing to fear, because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even if I disappear, Natsuru will definitely remember me.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But if things continue like this, we might just be considered visceral animals with bad &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouths.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the Seppuku Black Rabbit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So I thought if I don&#039;t help him, I might be forgotten by the Natsuru. I want to leave some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
proof of our existence.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, I see. That&#039;s cool.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A messenger isn&#039;t just someone who can talk, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the Seppuku Tiger. Seppuku Black Rabbit: &amp;quot;Papa Pa&amp;quot; patted its shoulder (something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like a shoulder).  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Even though Natsuru looks silly and might forget you, I still think he will remember you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re really contradictory. What about Akane?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m glad she remembered me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Excuse me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Electrocuted Wildcat said. Seppuku Black Rabbit was startled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, you&#039;re here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Impolite. I&#039;ve been here the whole time.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t be silent all the time.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mind my business. I&#039;m thinking about something.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku should remember you. She seems to have a good memory.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Miss Shizuku never forgets anything, that&#039;s not right. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    didn&#039;t mean that. I remembered something.] [You&#039;re saying something confusing again.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please don&#039;t interrupt. Miss Shizuku brought our friends here too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you talking about? We&#039;re all here, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No, she brought some other visceral animals.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    All the stuffed animals paid attention to this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger got excited.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it an visceral animal other than us!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Miss Shizuku put it in my travel bag with me, and it&#039;s been shaking on the train.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You should have thought of it sooner.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why I said I was thinking.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The puppets decided to temporarily postpone their meeting with Natsuru and the others &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and instead head to Shizuku&#039;s room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The door was ajar. They&#039;d left it open to allow the viscera animals in and out. The puppets &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entered, and  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the Electrocuted Wildcat jumped up, grabbed the restroom doorknob, and used the force &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the force to swing it open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A large travel bag lay there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll open it. This is for women, so please don&#039;t touch it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been wondering, do we have gender differences?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A stuffed animal that&#039;s always bothered by trivial matters won&#039;t sell.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Electrocuted Wildcat said to Seppuku Black Rabbit, unzipping the travel bag.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It rummaged around inside for a while before pulling out a stuffed animal. It was a charred &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit stared at it intently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s called the Burning Lion.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve seen it. The president once brought it to Natsuru&#039;s house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm—can it talk?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger poked the Burning Lion a few times. Its burnt, curled mane trembled with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Seppuku Tiger&#039;s movements, but it still didn&#039;t react.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems to be the first visceral animal to arrive.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It has a face that looks old -fashioned no matter how you look at it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should we do next?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit looked at the Electrocuted Wildcat. The stuffed animal with its fur &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
standing upside down seemed to shrug.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You ask me what to do? This is something Miss Shizuku brought.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s no use if he can&#039;t talk.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Miss Shizuku wouldn&#039;t have brought it here for no reason. It must be useful somewhere.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that so? Didn&#039;t she just bring it here first?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if that&#039;s the case, it&#039;s fine. The wisdom of the visceral animals gathered together is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
comparable to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    that of Manjushri Bodhisattva .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;ve come up with a new proverb. Let&#039;s put it in the dictionary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a groaning &amp;quot;Ouch!&amp;quot; was heard. The puppets jumped in fright.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, what&#039;s that sound!?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s this person, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The suffocating dog said in a flat voice. The sound came from the Burning Lion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It looked like it could speak.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the Burning Lion mumbled a few words and then closed its mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is it dead?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It seems to be asleep. Should  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    we wake it up?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The suffocating dog shook the Burning Lion, but it didn&#039;t respond.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s no use. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Tsk. Can&#039;t you just finish talking before going to sleep?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What should I do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Seppuku Black Rabbit, questioned by the Electrocuted Wildcat, twitched its ears a few &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No choice, just carry it on your back.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Take it with you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You said you might need it, didn&#039;t you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s true, but what should I do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course, it&#039;s up to you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Seppuku Black Rabbit looked around. But the puppets&#039; eyes were all focused on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
black rabbit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Isn&#039;t this what you should do, Seppuku Black Rabbit?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just support it with your ears.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [A man&#039;s job is to do hard labor.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you that animals with internal organs have genders!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although the Seppuku Black Rabbit complained, of course, no one listened. With no other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
choice, the black rabbit had to carry the Burning Lion on its back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s just a pile of chemical fibers, how can it be so heavy?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it because of the metal joints?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I want my wages. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The puppets took swift steps again and walked out of Shizuku&#039;s room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|← Back to Volume 11 Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|Forward to 11 Chapter 2 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Afterword&amp;diff=586426</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Afterword&amp;diff=586426"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:10:02Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Postscript to Volume 11&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   I am Tsukiji. Here is the latest volume of Kempfer. This is the penultimate volume in the series. Although the counting method is a bit strange, it&#039;s easier to understand since there are volumes like 10.5.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   The anime also aired smoothly. Since I only went to the recording once, some rumors have spread, but I heard the atmosphere was quite harmonious. I would like to thank everyone involved.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   [Animals with exposed entrails running around.] An anime like this is unprecedented, but the reviews seem good, so I can rest assured for now. Then, I didn&#039;t expect the ending to be like that.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   It&#039;s not that the novel was also affected, but the next volume is the final one. How will it end? In the anime, Natsuru, Akane, President Shizuku, Mikoto, and Sakura all went their separate ways, just like the characters in the novel. They experienced a lot of life experiences for high school students, while also having to make decisions about their feelings and current situations. The white Kempfers are probably the same, except that they, who play the role of enemies, also have their own lives. The viscera animals wouldn&#039;t quite understand. Because they&#039;re just a mass of chemical fibers. They might even surprisingly hold the optimistic thought, &amp;quot;It&#039;s good enough that I wasn&#039;t thrown away.&amp;quot; Oh, and the class representative of Class 4, second year of the girls&#039; division and Higashida and the others from the boys&#039; division too.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   That&#039;s about it. The final volume should be released next March.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   November 2009,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tsukiji Toshihiko&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4|← Back to Volume 11 Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|Forward to 12 Chapter 1 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Afterword&amp;diff=586425</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Afterword&amp;diff=586425"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:07:03Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;               ==Translator&amp;#039;s Notes== This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text. &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; &amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; {| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot; |+ |- | ← Back to Volume 11 Chapter 4 | Return to Main Page | Forward to 12 Chapter 1 → |}&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4|← Back to Volume 11 Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Chapter 1|Forward to 12 Chapter 1 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586424</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586424"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:04:50Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;    Volume 11, Chapter 4        There were three of us, including me, on the inner path. From a distance, if you squint, we   look like Mito Komon and his group. Komon -sama should just be Komon -sama.         Akane hid behind Akane, avoiding my gaze. Akane calling me a rapist seemed to be quite   effective. Even though it&amp;#039;s a fierce dog, it&amp;#039;s a woman. Does that make it safer?         The ceiling is gradually rising. What technique was used to dig this out? I ha...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 11, Chapter 4  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were three of us, including me, on the inner path. From a distance, if you squint, we &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
look like Mito Komon and his group. Komon -sama should just be Komon -sama.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane hid behind Akane, avoiding my gaze. Akane calling me a rapist seemed to be quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
effective. Even though it&#039;s a fierce dog, it&#039;s a woman. Does that make it safer?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The ceiling is gradually rising. What technique was used to dig this out? I have no idea.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If it was Shizuku or Mikoto, maybe I could figure it out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane kept moving her pistol closer towards Rika.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, loli girl, where are we?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Puppy, you&#039;re so annoying calling me loli girl. Rika&#039;s already in junior high school.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Those who are two years younger than me can just call me loli. Don&#039;t you call me dog, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Because you&#039;re like a stray dog. Rude and incompetent.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? What did you say to me, this year&#039;s Nobel Peace Prize nominee, hey!] The  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Nobel Peace Prize is a big deal. Standing against you, I&#039;m genuinely surprised. If that fierce &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dog, Akane, had been a candidate, the world would have been at peace long ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pressed the muzzle of her gun against Rika and spun her around.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It hurts, it hurts. That&#039;s too much!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The pain makes me even happier.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Rika isn&#039;t a M.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m the one who&#039;s happy.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked delighted. Unlike Shizuku, this guy is a S in a different sense. That girlish look &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just now is gone. Am I on drugs? (Translator&#039;s note: Natsuru probably meant to ask if he was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hallucinating from drugs.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Lolita girl, tell me! Where are we?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t know! But we&#039;re approaching Sakura Kaede -sama&#039;s house.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Where were we all this time?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [(Note: A bit further away than now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s expression looked as if she was about to shoot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You want to die!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you I don&#039;t know! It looks like we&#039;re downstairs from someone&#039;s house.] 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So this place is much larger than the basement of Sakura Kaede -kun&#039;s house. Come to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think of it, why would there be such a facility? It feels like it&#039;s swirling around in here, but if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you can put it into context, it feels like we&#039;re heading somewhere. That &#039;s natural, since we&#039;re &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heading towards the exit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika suddenly speaks up:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, little dog. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Very good, I&#039;ll kill you. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Don&#039;t shoot! What did you and Seno do just now? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Weren&#039;t you watching? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I don&#039;t quite understand. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Didn&#039;t you say I was almost raped by Seno Natsuru just now?&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The mastiff girl replied bluntly. It seems I have to speak up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey. That was consensual, wasn&#039;t it! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【If we said it was consensual until the end, then it&#039;s fine. But 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a bizarre statement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Because it ended halfway, it&#039;s annoying, but there&#039;s nothing I can do about it. And it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not even my period yet. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, there are middle school students listening! ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Never mind her, she&#039;s fought me several times, and it doesn&#039;t matter how old she is. Lolita &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl, this is all your fault, I&#039;m going to kill you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika was clearly on the verge of death, yet she was still asking questions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that okay?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m still a virgin. I don&#039;t know. What about you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Rika doesn&#039;t know either.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But there&#039;s one thing I do understand. It&#039;s definitely okay to do it with the guy I like, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru, that&#039;s all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t quite understand.] [  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I understand even more!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you talking about with a junior high school student?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika looked like she was thinking about something. Don&#039;t think about unhealthy things. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because there&#039;s a huge difference between junior high school girls and high school girls.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She whispered to herself:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Madame Sakura Kaede also likes Seno Natsuru, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll kill you first, and then kill that bitch.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane jumped to conclusions too quickly. Rika was saying [Stop it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s not what you want to do, puppy.] Sometimes, Sakura Kaede -sama would talk about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Senonatsu -ryu with a gentle expression. It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s getting increasingly annoying, damn it!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But then he&#039;d immediately look at Rika with a stunned, incredulous expression. He&#039;d even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
say things like it was the first time they&#039;d met, though he&#039;d quickly return to his normal self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The same stinky woman he used to be?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not like that! Her expression is usually much colder, and she&#039;d say things like, &amp;quot;Kill the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
puppy!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s terrifying, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika&#039;s words about Sakura Kaede -san just now prove that her normal self and her evil self &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have something in common. That aligns with what I was thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But there&#039;s something strange. It&#039;s not what I expected.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I interrupted,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is Sakura Kaede -san always like this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Uh. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because, you said she&#039;d say something strange like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s been on the rise lately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika put her index finger under her chin and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede -sama used to always say things like, &#039;Let the puppy die!&#039;&amp;quot; But now she often &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stares blankly, and has an expression as if asking, &amp;quot;Why am I here?&amp;quot; It&#039;s been like this all &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
week. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is she crazy? Look at her ugly face. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ignoring that heartless bulldog girl, I started thinking seriously. Sakura Kaede -san, are you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confused? She was so normal until now, but now something is obviously wrong. Is she out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
control?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It doesn&#039;t matter to me. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As usual, Akane said it was alive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【As long as we can kill her, it&#039;s fine. Just watch, Natsuru, I&#039;m going to make a hole in that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman from her gums to her stomach that&#039;s the biggest you&#039;ve ever seen. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika and I pretended not to hear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We continued walking. There were patches of chipped cement everywhere, but it wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
much of an obstacle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika stopped in front of a door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the girl said. Before us was a metal door. So far, the doors I&#039;d seen were tattered and rusty, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even the iron ones were rusty, but this one, though old, was immaculate. The handle was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
very smooth, and it looked like it&#039;d been used recently. It must have bee n touched by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
someone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It looked very sturdy. Or perhaps quite heavy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it locked?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane didn&#039;t lower her gun. Her guard remained high, and she must have been eager to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shoot Rika.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s unlocked.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Open it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah—.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hurry up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika reluctantly pushed herself forward and pushed the door open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Inside was a small room, perhaps the size of three tatami mats. Inside was another door &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that looked even sturdier than the previous one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are there so many doors?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane complained.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good job! One of these things is enough.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t complain to Rika.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re the one with the most influence here. If you have any complaints, go tell that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bitch!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know if this was an excuse for Rika to lead the way inside. It was okay with just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
three of us; if there were more, it would be too crowded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and I looked around the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s nothing.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What a boring room! There&#039;s not even a pock.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s impossible. You haven&#039;t eaten in the whole time.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Your mouth is so idle. It wouldn&#039;t matter if there weren&#039;t any, but it&#039;s annoying. Build me a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
convenience store.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s no way there&#039;s one in the basement.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said this as I turned my gaze away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, I had a bad feeling. Strange, is there something missing? The number of days &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
both my male and female partners attend the Star Railway is very high, so maybe there&#039;s a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shortage. But that&#039;s not the case. It&#039;s something close to the physical level.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Where&#039;s Ueda?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I suddenly said to myself. I turned around hastily, and Rika was about to leave the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop! Hey  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ! &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika slammed the door shut. Then, there was a clang.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Humph—idiot! Remember  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this! Rika holds a grudge! Is it the soundproofing? I barely heard the sound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika was walking away. I tried to open the door, but it seemed the sickle had broken the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hinges and wouldn&#039;t budge.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    By the time we reached the passage, Rika was gone. She &#039;d escaped.     Damn it, I should &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have killed her sooner.     Akane smacked her lips and fired angrily at the ceiling. Debris &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rained down.     Natsuru, this is all because you sympathized with the loli ta girl.     There&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nothing we can do about it! Where did she escape to?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I     couldn&#039;t see her anymore, so I had no idea. It seems there&#039;s a path ahead.     Since Rika &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
escaped, we don&#039;t know how to get out of the underground. At least she didn&#039;t leave us a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
map or any hints.     We gave up the chase and returned to the room we&#039; d been in. A closer &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
look revealed it to be a dressing room. There were built -in lockers against the wall, with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hangers inside. That little area was probably for valuables.     It showed signs of use, but now &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it seemed abandoned, gathering dust. When ha d it been unused?     Akane said,     &amp;quot;Open the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Me?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;     If the loli girl were here, I&#039;d have her open it. But now she&#039;s gone, so the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hard work is for men.&amp;quot;     You&#039;re Kempfa, and you&#039;re stronger than me.     This door isn&#039;t just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;looking stu rdy,&amp;quot; it&#039;s actually quite strong. I pulled with all my might.     The door swung open &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a slight sound of air rushing through it.     It was another small room. Unlike the previous &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one, this one had small holes in the ceiling and wall, like shower holes. What were they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for?     There was a light overhead, so there was some light. There w as electricity.     &amp;quot;Hey, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s another door inside!&amp;quot;     Akane pointed.     &amp;quot;What a hassle!&amp;quot; Can&#039;t we just go into each &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of those rooms one by one? Does the guy who designed this place like it?     I think there&#039;s a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reason for that     . Even so, I have no idea. What exactly is this for?     Is it a lounge?     Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
said. I retorted:     How can you sleep here? There&#039;s not even a bed or a blanket.     Wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it be enough to just spread out some corrugated paper?     Is there really any need to sleep &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here? At least you should consider the location.     Didn&#039;t we just do it in a place like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this?     Hearing this, I remembered what I had just done with Akane.     You looked like you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
really wanted to do it.     Idiot, what are you trying to say? You, are yo u trying to say I&#039;m in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heat?     Why did you become like that?     You could have said something else!     Akane was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about to point the gun at me again. Hey, this is dangerous, stop.     But she stopped &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
midway.     It&#039;s no wonder you&#039;d think that, after al l, I was thinking the same thing. You too, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right? I     couldn&#039;t deny it.     But I didn&#039;t want to continue here either. No, that&#039;s not right . As &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
long as it&#039;s you, I don&#039;t mind what you do to me. Even if I&#039;m pushed against a wall and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
violated, I can handl e it.     I don&#039;t have any such perverted interests. Even if I were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interested, carrying it out would be another matter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But should I say it&#039;s the timing, or the bad conditions? And the attachment I feel keeps &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
growing.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You said that just now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The attachment is even stronger now than before. How should I put it? I decided to let it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
go, but it&#039;s come back and even stronger. I don&#039;t know what will happen next, but I can only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gamble on this tiny possibility.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;What&#039;s the bet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t need to know. Keep it a secret until everything is over, you bastard. Unsatisfied &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
desires! So annoying!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane Yin muttered to herself. Sometimes she&#039;d let out a coquettish sigh, which was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
always scary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t listen. Let&#039;s get back to reality. Even though this is reality.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I put my hand on the inner door. I&#039;ll do it myself before Akane Yin tells me to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The door isn&#039;t rusty. Is it airtight here? The door opened with a &amp;quot;whoosh.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I froze, my mouth hanging open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Inside was a row of inexplicable experimental instruments.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were pipes everywhere, tanks, and controllers installed. It looked like experimental &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
equipment, but I had no idea what it was actually used for. With my knowledge, seeing these &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
barrel -shaped tanks, I could only think, &amp;quot;Is this for cooking taro?&amp;quot; It l ooked like something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
straight out of a sci -fi movie.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what movie is this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane thought the same thing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It looks like something out of Ognia&#039;s Wings. It&#039;s neither retro nor new, but isn&#039;t it pretty &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cool?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t judge it by cool standards, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That being said, I wasn&#039;t saying I had any standards.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But this was the only place that clearly looked like an underground research institute. I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
always felt that way, but it was always run -down and shabby. But it felt like only this place &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was operating not long ago. Of course, it was completely dead now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This must have been used for some kind of research or experiment,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. Akane completely took me for a fool. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I know that.&amp;quot; &amp;quot; It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    must have been important research.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s underground, so it must be important.&amp;quot; ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [And now, there&#039;s no one there.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I know it even with my eyes closed.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Damn, isn&#039;t that all refuted?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried to think of something to say to help the situation, but I looked up at the ceiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ouch.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] [What ?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pointed in the direction of a network of pipes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong with that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s something written next to it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I squinted. It&#039;s not that my eyesight is bad, but somehow it&#039;s like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh—I can&#039;t read it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Try to pronounce it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I really can&#039;t read it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. The text (something like that) was divided into two sections. The text on the top was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
completely unfamiliar, and the text on the bottom was in Roman letters. But I still couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
read it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You idiot. It was German, wasn&#039;t it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that so?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t know what&#039;s written on the top, but the text on the bottom is German. There are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
some dots on the text. Those are umlauts (Germanic languages).  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re really knowledgeable.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You could tell that just by reading a little.] Because before I transformed, I loved reading. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But I don&#039;t know what it means. It&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    still useless after all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I broke your hand!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wouldn&#039;t be nice if it was broken, so I decided to look elsewhere.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The room hadn&#039;t been tidied much; it looked more like something had been left unfinished &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
than it was disorganized. It wasn&#039;t dirty, but it wasn&#039;t tidy either. It was rusting away. There &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were definitely more traces of human presence here than elsewhere, but  they were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gradually disappearing. Still, something was bothering me. What was it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey! Look here!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane gestured at me with her chin.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a staircase leading up there. It was made of iron and made a clanging sound, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like an emergency escape.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Could we go up there?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That means the exit?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If so, we&#039;d be saved. It looked like Rika had been diligently leading us all the way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wanna take a walk?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and I turned towards the staircase. If we could get to the surface from here, we&#039;d be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
relieved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just imagine the humblest people and groundhogs from Ishii Kyuichi&#039;s comics living &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underground forever.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For some reason, I looked away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I swallowed without realizing it and pulled Akane over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, that, that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What the hell?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even Akane was startled. There were viscera animals. Several stuffed dolls with their &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entrails exposed were lined up there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That was still okay. I&#039;d seen mountains of these things on carts in toy stores and in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
warehouse of the class leader&#039;s relatives. So they were all produced down here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the stuffed dolls here were all placed in circular tanks. The tanks were filled with liquid. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Several thin tubes extended from the lids of the viscera animals, connected to some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inexplicable machinery.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this a viscera animal manufacturing factory?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered, as if in shock.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s too much of a stretch. A sewing machine would have been enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So this isn&#039;t a manufacturing factory, is it?&amp;quot; I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    whispered, intentionally or not.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If anything, it&#039;s probably a place where they become messengers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Our internal organs can talk, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Although I&#039;m just saying some nonsense.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This might be the place where they can speak.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although I said it myself, I became a little frightened and kept silent. Take my seppuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tiger, for example. Kempfer&#039;s internal organs have their own consciousness. I know the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reason isn&#039;t because that &amp;quot;worst toy group in Japan&amp;quot; released it, but because so meone else &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interfered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And that interference took place right here, underneath Sakura Kaede -san&#039;s house. I don&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
want to think that, but it&#039;s the easiest way to think.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane clapped her hands.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, I see. The small room before we came in here is the cleaning room, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You have a terrible grasp of the subject. Those rooms are used in places where precision &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
equipment is being researched or manufactured to prevent people from bringing in dust and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bacteria. First, they change clothes, then they use high -pressure air, and d epending on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
situation, ultraviolet light.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] [This facility must have this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since they&#039;re injecting souls into the internal organs, they have to be extremely careful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane spoke again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But that small room isn&#039;t working.] Normally, you can&#039;t enter this room without cleaning &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
yourself in the cleaning room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s probably broken, because everyone here is gone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why are they all gone? It&#039;s hard to imagine they&#039;re dead. Are they tired of it? It&#039;s also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
possible they&#039;re being chased for debt and fled overnight. But that&#039;s too far -fetched.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps they&#039;re done and there&#039;s no need to stay here anymore, or perhaps they&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
progressed to a point where they can be completed with minimal personnel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    These are just speculations. Is there a correct answer? Ah, no, I don&#039;t think there&#039;s anyone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chasing debts.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    None of the machines seem to be working. They don&#039;t seem to be in use.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru, is there a switch around here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked around.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you doing?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Turn it on and see if it works.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why are you doing this?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was shocked. Is there any point in doing this? Do  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    you want a new visceral animal?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, but I want to see what it will look like.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t do that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stopped Akane. This is what happens when you act on curiosity. But it&#039;s still much better &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
than Mikoto. My childhood friend would flip the switch before telling anyone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane didn&#039;t look for the switch again. But she put the gun down and turned it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no other way. Destroy everything here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the best way?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As long as there&#039;s something, you can destroy it. That&#039;s natural, right? No one will object. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Go ahead and do whatever you want. After I fire, you can set the Natsuru on fire.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s too much. Is this the type to dance wildly in ecstasy at the sight of explosions and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
disintegrations? He must think the bigger the fire, the more gunpowder, the better.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I can&#039;t say I don&#039;t have that intention, and I like fireworks, too. But I should be more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cautious. So I continued to persuade Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do this somewhere else!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you do it on the ground, someone will call 911. Don&#039;t you know that, you bastard?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just don&#039;t do it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you do it here, the police won&#039;t come to arrest you. There won&#039;t be any problems.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I have to stop you, so there must be problems.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked like she was seriously about to shoot. It was actually because her mind raced &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and she couldn&#039;t suppress her desire. It was terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t shoot.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What did you say? I&#039;ll shoot you too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] [Did you forget that cute look  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ?] [Do you want to die?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s face darkened and she became furious. But I was staring at the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Someone&#039;s coming.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What? What are you talking about?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s true.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although this facility is well soundproofed, I could still hear footsteps clearly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hide.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pulled Akane behind the machine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were two footsteps. Of course, I couldn&#039;t see them. The door was ajar, so it made a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
loud noise when it opened. Someone  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    came in. I held my breath.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, is someone coming?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane complained.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Be quiet. Didn&#039;t I say someone was coming?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I thought you were kidding.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wouldn&#039;t lie at a time like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The footsteps stopped for a moment. It&#039;s in the observation room, right? They started &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
walking again. I sighed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The cleaning room isn&#039;t working, I thought no one was here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is that the white Kempfer?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. It&#039;s really worrying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Maybe it&#039;s the person who built this place.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] [Let&#039;s go back!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Honestly, I&#039;m scared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t really like things like demons, ghosts, and aliens. Demons and the like are just spirits &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that are dead but have turned into spirits out of resentment. So scary. It would be even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
scarier if it was the person who built this place. Building this under ground facility and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
preparing these machines that can only be considered scientific fantasies is definitely not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something a human could do.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Someone entering a place like this that is not for humans can only cause trouble.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s no wonder he would be furious if someone discovered a place like this. I&#039;m sorry, this is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
all Shizuku&#039;s fault, please go find her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In my mind, I was imagining a green octopus monster extending several tentacles and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beating me up. It hurts, it hurts, stop.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Footsteps were coming this way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, what should I do? I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    don&#039;t know how to answer Akane Yin&#039;s question.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What should I do? This is bad.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s also the option of rushing to the stairs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ll probably be discovered before I get there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I&#039;d known this would happen, I should have gone up the stairs earlier. I miscalculated. I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
always like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Back in kindergarten, I was fretting over how to eat two snacks, and both were taken away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I can only keep hiding.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Do you think you won&#039;t be discovered?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I turned to Akane Yin. Although my gesture didn&#039;t mean anything special, the woman &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
murmured angrily at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you thinking at this moment? Stupid  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you planning to do here because you didn&#039;t succeed just now? Don&#039;t take &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
advantage of me when I&#039;m feeling unsatisfied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I haven&#039;t thought about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If you really want it, I can still consider it. But it won&#039;t be over right away. I&#039;m still a virgin. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So it&#039;s definitely going to hurt, and I can&#039;t get in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t say that!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t steer the conversation into something risqué. I realized what to do.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Footsteps were approaching. Ah wow wow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What should I do? I was still hesitant, but now I had no choice but to make up my mind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No choice, just do it. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Am I finally going to lose my virginity?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t be silly! It&#039;s a battle.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, [I thought so too.] and then readied her automatic pistol. Ah, this guy knows it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
all. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll rush over while casting magic, cover me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Okay, stand by.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I swallowed. The sound came from the inside of the sink. The moment he appeared was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my opportunity.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although I didn&#039;t know the opponent&#039;s situation, as long as I took the initiative, victory &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would be near. The opportunity was in my hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took a breath. A faint shadow was approaching me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Go!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I rushed out at the same time. I poured power into my hands and prepared to cast magic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I was about to release the flames,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Mikoto!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stopped just before firing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto and Shizuku appeared. Of course, they were startled. So was I.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, attack! Especially the student council president. If you don&#039;t fight, I will!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane shouted from behind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Fool, stop it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After saying this, it occurred to me that I was protecting Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stood up and walked over. The two people in front of me were no longer surprised, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but for some reason they were stunned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We finally reunited, and you, Natsuru, attacked us?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto put her hands on her hips with a look of disappointment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It was just a coincidence.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What should I do if I die because of this coincidence? It&#039;s really ridiculous that we&#039;re &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
already dating, and this kind of thing still happens.] I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    just pretended not to hear it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I breathed a sigh of relief. Anyway, we reunited successfully. Mikoto and Shizuku are fine, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too, that&#039;s great.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I looked at Mikoto. She had a piece of cloth wrapped around her foot. And I thought &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her walking posture was a little strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey Mikoto.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? Ah, this. I got hurt a little.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto laughed, &amp;quot;Ahaha.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t have time to escape when the ceiling collapsed. So Shizuku helped me. And that&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how it turned out. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know if she noticed my expression change, but she hurriedly added this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【But, but it&#039;s not that serious now. Kempfa&#039;s self -healing ability seems to be very strong. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although it&#039;s a little hard to walk, I can do it alone now. Look, look. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She tapped her feet. But I knew she was protecting the injured side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Mikoto.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I know your injuries are not serious, but don&#039;t lie and say you&#039;re fine. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Yeah.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said with an inexplicable smile: 【Ahaha, I made you angry. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked at me and Mikoto. I don&#039;t know what she was thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Natsuru, how did you get here? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I briefly explained the situation. Of course, including letting Rika escape. I said I was hiding &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because I was in a hurry, to avoid mentioning that Akane thought I was a fool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Shizuku, how did you get here? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【We were also attacked by the white Kempfa. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku also explained to me. When she was talking about Hitomi and Sayaka attacking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto, I felt a hint of anger in her voice. Was it an illusion ?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then I asked those two to tell me what was going on underground.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes. Please.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She repeated it. But was it really a request?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [They told me the way here. I heard them say it was the exit, but I didn&#039;t expect it to be a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
laboratory like this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Maybe there&#039;s an exit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath her chin pointed behind her. Shizuku turned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So, it leads upstairs, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Generally speaking, upstairs is closer to the exit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s right. But I&#039;m more interested in the equipment here than that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked at the tank containing the animal entrails soaked in liquid.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What does Natsuru think of this place?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s just my guess. I wonder if this is a device that turns animal entrails into messengers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] [Me too. That&#039;s amazing.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow—! &amp;quot;Amazing.&amp;quot; She meant I was being praised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She knocked on the sink with a steady, even sound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s acrylic. It&#039;s strong, so there&#039;s a lot of it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was planning to add more.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Exploding penguins and the like would be great for die -hard fans, too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t think any child would want stuffed animals that have been blown up. The heads can &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be removed, and they&#039;re not defective. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    first saw it in the warehouse. If this is a courier manufacturing plant, are they distributing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kempfers worldwide?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know. Maybe they&#039;re only in Japan, since we don&#039;t even know which country has &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kempfers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said this, then whispered to herself, as if talking to herself,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hope this is just a thing in this country.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know about foreign countries. But it might be interesting if other countries have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
visceral animals and Kempfers as calm as Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku stared into the corner. There was a sink there too, but that was the only one that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was broken.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That one, it&#039;s rotten.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She stared at the crack and reached in to investigate. Then she pulled something out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is that?&amp;quot; ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Want to see it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s a very long hair. It&#039;s shriveled for some reason, and it&#039;s also burnt. What&#039;s your interest  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    in throwing something like this away? [Shizuku, are you collecting hair? Even the most &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
perverted interests have their limits. Don&#039;t come near me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stupid, this is chemical fiber.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She blew on the hair with a &amp;quot;whoosh&amp;quot;.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s not human hair.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So what?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Doesn&#039;t it look familiar? Is it the sideburns of the Burning Lion?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stared at the hair intently. I don&#039;t quite understand. This woman&#039;s memory and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
observation skills are unfathomable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But, where did the Burning Lion come from?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s the stuffed animal I saw in Sakura Kaede&#039;s apartment. It&#039;s the earliest visceral animal. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s the one I brought with me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You just took it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It feels like stealing, but Shizuku doesn&#039;t care about such things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s so old, and it has these sideburns, so the Fire Lion must be the original messenger, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How long ago was it ?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what Mikoto said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Probably about ten years ago?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that so?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because it should be related to Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede -san, huh? Hmm, what&#039;s going on? It&#039;s connected to her, so even I have to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
believe it. What&#039;s going on?     But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this facility is much older.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath her gaze, she said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That stinky woman couldn&#039;t have lived for decades. Yes  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Sakura Kaede couldn&#039;t have been born before me. So what&#039;s going on?     This facility must &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have been there before.     Shizuku said slowly. She somehow feels like a teacher.     Then this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
house was built. Sakura Kaede and her family moved in later.     So, does that mean that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stinky woman became what she is now because of some trigger?     It&#039;s a bit difficult to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
deduce that trigger. Yeah     , Shizuku&#039;s words made it convincing.     Shizuku and Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looked around. I unconsciously stared at my feet.     I still had some faith in Sakura Kaede -san, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and I wanted to refute Shizuku&#039;s opinion. But no matter what, it sounded like nonsense. Not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just to the other girls, but to me too. After seeing such an underground facility and so many &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
animal entrails, I couldn&#039; t possibly say, &amp;quot;This is all fake.&amp;quot;     Of course, it would be better if the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
evil part in Sakura Kaede -san disappeared, but it would still be a shock. Phew.     Why are you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sighing?     Mikoto slapped my side.     Don&#039;t mind me.     You should stop car ing about Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede -san.     There&#039;s nothing wrong with it. It     &#039;s not like that.     Mikoto was stunned for a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
moment, then said, like she was teaching a child:     You keep saying &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede -san, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede -san&amp;quot;? She&#039;s our enemy. And we&#039;re just  clinging to her. Isn&#039;t it pitiful?     You? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
]     [It&#039;s not good to let it go, but there&#039;s nothing I can do even if you reject me, so I&#039;ve made &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up my mind. But what about Shizuku? Because a woman as calm, smart, and mature as her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
loves you, Natsuru, so mu ch.]     [.]     [Didn&#039;t Akane say anything?]     [She confessed to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me.]     I told her honestly. That&#039;s the only thing Mikoto is serious about.     [Which &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one?]     [Bulldog mode. She also said that Akane likes me, too.]     [Yeah.]     [You &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
know.]     [There&#039;s no way she doesn&#039;t know. If it&#039;s about you, I know.]     Mikoto is even more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
serious than usual. She always makes this expression when she&#039;s planning an adventure. And &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
then she definitely goes. It&#039;s been the same since kindergarten.     Shizuku and Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
disappeared into the shadows, and now it&#039;s just Mikoto and me.     [I think it&#039;s definitely &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
better to be with someone who&#039;s willing to accept you, Natsuru, than to be wi th someone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who won&#039;t stand for you no matter what.]     [Akane?]     [Not just her.]     [Shizuku? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;     Yes,&amp;quot;     she continued, taking a breath.     &amp;quot;And me too.&amp;quot;     After saying this, Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
walked away from me.     I stood there in silence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt like Mikoto was telling me: &amp;quot;Don&#039;t avoid what&#039;s in front of you.&amp;quot; I&#039;ve known that for a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
long time. But if I don&#039;t get told that, my self -awareness weakens again, and that&#039;s my fault.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Cheer up! Senonatsuru, I whispered to myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and Mikoto were investigating the room further.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Despite that, they hadn&#039;t found anything of value. Beneath the veil, I looked around briefly, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but we didn&#039;t see the same hair of the burning lion we saw earlier.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, I remembered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku, what do you think that is?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pointed to a corner of the wall.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked up at the writing I&#039;d just found.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s German.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Amazing, right on cue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And what about that above?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s that? I&#039;ve never seen writing like that. It looks a lot like Cretan Linear B. But it must &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be something different.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Should we just call in a linguist?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this writing from Earth?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe it was just a casual remark from Shizuku, but even I was startled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aliens?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a possibility.&amp;quot; I     &#039;m at a loss for words about that one .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Should I say she was being cautious? She didn&#039;t say anything out of turn. It&#039;s probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because she&#039;s in a position of responsibility.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I continued, asking,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you understand German?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I do.&amp;quot;     Shizuku stared at it and translated,     &amp;quot;Here it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot; &amp;quot; That     &#039;s what it means. It says: (We&#039;re here. Right here.)&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;What does this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mean ?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;It&#039;s probably just a prank. Workers often write thei r names, dates, and other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
things in inconspicuous places on buildings. That&#039;s it.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;What?     I got a shock.&amp;quot; I felt &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
discouraged.     &amp;quot;So it&#039;s just some innocuous stuff. Huh.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Just leave it like that.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;     Regardless of what it me ans, it&#039;s written in German. And &amp;quot;Kempfer&amp;quot; is German, isn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Ah.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;     Yes. Why didn&#039;t I notice it until now?&amp;quot; I cursed my own stupidity. I was just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like Akane said.     &amp;quot;The words above probably mean the same thing.&amp;quot; The text above and the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
German text below should be the same.     Shizuku didn&#039;t look away.     That thing might be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
valuable. Someone in the Edo period who visited Angkor Wat became famous by leaving &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their names there.     Is that true?     Just leave it there?     It can&#039;t be re moved.     Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
turned to me.     It seems there&#039;s nothing else. It&#039;s     about time we leave.     Before that, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have something to ask you.     She said calmly.     What happened between you and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane?     Why do you ask?     It feels like that.     Ah, wow, this girl has such sharp senses. Is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she a psychic? Or perhaps the reincarnation of one? Yes     , there&#039;s something. She just had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sex with the Bulldog Girl. But I shouldn&#039;t have made that expression.     I want to hear your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
details.     Hey. Talking  now? We&#039;re running out of time.     I resisted. Now isn&#039;t the time to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talk about that, and the situation isn&#039;t good.     That&#039;s totally counterintuitive. ]     [Because if I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t ask clearly now, you&#039;ll let me off the hook.]     Wow, you&#039;ve really set yo ur sights on me. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I can&#039;t get away with it this time. How could you come up with such a vicious thing?     [What &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
did you do?]     [Nothing.] [     It&#039;s quite a big deal.]     [I can&#039;t tell you in detail here! What if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something goes wrong?]     I wanted to a t least resist, but Shizuku nodded easily.     [That&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right. Then give a brief answer.]     Shizuku quickly approached me. Then, as if speaking only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to me, she whispered:     [You took Akane&#039;s virginity?]     [.]     [What?]     [No, not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that.]     [That&#039; s enough.]     She left my side.     Ah—that scared me. Why are you questioning &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me? You&#039;re making me so nervous.     [Natsuru, you&#039;re not strong enough to act at a time like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this.]     [That&#039;s right. Don&#039;t be so explicit.]     [I was just thinking that may be it was because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
we were alone that we did something so thoughtless. 】     【Questioning others is even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more inconsiderate. 】     【Because I believe in asking questions whenever     I have to. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
【     Don&#039;t do that. 】 【It&#039;s because it can&#039;t be done after it&#039;s done. 】     Then she turned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her back to me. I felt like she was reminded of something. I can&#039;t be at peace with this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guy.     Akane and Mikoto came back. Although they searched again, they still didn&#039;t seem to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
find anything valuable.     Shizuku spoke.     【Shall we go up and take a look? 】     【Oh, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there are stairs. 】     Mikoto seemed to have just noticed. It&#039;s big and conspicuous &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough.     【The exit is usually at the top. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. I agree. We&#039;ve already roughly surveyed this room. If we dawdle any longer, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the white Kempfers might attack. They&#039;re still here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But aren&#039;t there enemies?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Perhaps.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Even so?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We can only go in there anyway. That way, it won&#039;t matter when we go in.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just be prepared.] As expected  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    of Shizuku, such a direct approach. No hesitation at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She took the lead and ascended the stairs. They were sturdy, not wobbling at all, and the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clanking sound of metal clanging was almost loud.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The door was in two halves, just like the previous one, but it looked more fragile than any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;d seen before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just in case, please prepare your weapons. We might start fighting as soon as we enter.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The girls answered in the affirmative, and I nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Okay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Okay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku readied her dagger, Akane readied her gun, and Mikoto gripped her katana. I let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
out a burst of fire from my hand, feeling rather foolish.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s open.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku placed her hand on the doorknob and flung it open in one go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We cautiously observed the interior from the outside, each entering one by one. To &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
prevent a surprise attack, the four of us each watched from one side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although this place was smaller than the room below, it was still quite large. It was also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lined with cylindrical sinks and dimly lit. The things here were larger than anything below.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I whispered. There was no human presence. Kempfa&#039;s listening wasn&#039;t enough to detect &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone lowered their weapons. But they didn&#039;t let their guard down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s investigate. Be careful.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We didn&#039;t respond to Shizuku&#039;s words. Of course.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The room was a little dark, but it was illuminated. There was also a low motor sound. [It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
powered on.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what Mikoto said. As if to prove her point, the lights under each sink were on.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We looked around. The cylindrical sinks were different from the ones below; they were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
translucent, making it difficult to see what was inside. It&#039;s probably filled with liquid. It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
working, but what&#039;s the purpose?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto stared into the tank, as if pressing her forehead against it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If you put your face close enough, you can see inside. You can do that with a car&#039;s smoked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
glass.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If you do that to someone else, it&#039;s a problem.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I did that in South America and found a drug bag. I was even chased by bribed police.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why bother with this? If you say you survived like that, that&#039;s pretty astonishing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked inside, as did Mikoto. I couldn&#039;t see anything. So, it&#039;s empty. Was I wrong to think &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there was some liquid in there?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Nothing.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It looks like there&#039;s nothing here either, but there&#039;s liquid!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How rare. Mikoto screamed. She&#039;s the kind of woman who&#039;d chase after a spider or a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cockroach crawling under her feet with a smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong? Like a girl.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m a girl! Compared to this, there&#039;s that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pointed. I followed her gaze into the sink. You  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    startle so easily!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I jumped too. I wish someone would praise me for not falling down because I wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
paying attention. There was someone in the sink. Not a hypothetical person, but  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a real person. She was immersed in the liquid, hugging her knees. Naked, of course. While &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
naked, the situation was more frightening than risqué. Her face was pale, and I couldn&#039;t tell if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was a beauty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t tell if she was still alive; I didn&#039;t see any bubbles coming out of her mouth or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nose. She might be dead, but I didn&#039;t see any signs of decomposition. And there were tubes &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
connected to this place, just like the place where they kept animal entra ils.     I made an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
awkward sound. Meanwhile, Mikoto had gotten back to her feet. She approached the sink &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
again.     It was a girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes, I     think.     Not a woman, but a girl. She was the same age as us, maybe a little older. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He     observed calmly. As expected of a woman who had escaped the pursuit of mercenaries &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hired by a drug gang in the rainforest. Her courage was extraordinary .     [Are all these people &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in this place girls?]     [The one I just looked at was empty.]     I finally calmed down. It&#039;s lucky &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she looks like she&#039;s asleep. Not enough to make you look away.     [Maybe she&#039;s about to put &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it in there.]     [Don&#039;t say anything disgusting.]     [I think it&#039;s possible.]     It&#039;s better for your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heart if she doesn&#039;t. Actually, I don&#039;t want to imagine someone moving her here and putting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her in there. Mikoto continued to observe. To this guy, is this the same as the fireflie s found &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in the Amazon?     [Hey, tell me, where were these people brought from?]     [How would I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
know?]     [But think about it, they can&#039;t have gotten in on their own, can they?]     [Yeah, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that&#039;s right, what&#039;s going on?]     I asked a meaningless questi on. So like me, even though &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto didn&#039;t have an answer.     As expected, my childhood friend clasped his hands in his &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hands and fell into deep thought.     &amp;quot;Hmm, I have no idea.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Me too.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Let&#039;s ask &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
someone who might know. Shizuku!&amp;quot;     She was a little far away from us, and we spoke to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the perfect student council president:     &amp;quot;Hey, look at this sink. There&#039;s a girl in there.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
know. There&#039;s one here, too.&amp;quot;     As expected, Shizuku put her eyes close to the sink and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
spoke to us while look ing inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Come in for a moment, please.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? No, our tank too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Okay, come on.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said in an unquestionable tone. She wasn&#039;t angry, but I sensed a sense of authority, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like a military order.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto and I approached the tank in front of Shizuku. She turned her face toward us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Look inside.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Want to look?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked casually. It couldn&#039;t be something scary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s okay, Mikoto too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried to resist a bit, but Mikoto had already pressed her face forward, so I followed suit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sure enough, there was a girl immersed in it. She had no clothes on, her eyes were closed, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and she wasn&#039;t breathing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She had a cute face. She was younger than me, wasn&#039;t she? I felt like I&#039;d seen her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
somewhere before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto left the tank.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong with this person?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t answer, but looked at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, do you remember this girl?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm—I think she was somewhere.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s Kuzuhara.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Kugehara? Could it be that Kempfer from the student council? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku felt the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Katsuhara Midori. It&#039;s that girl. There&#039;s no doubt about it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Isn&#039;t she dead?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t kill her. I just dumped her. So she&#039;s here. I thought it was strange she&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
disappeared so suddenly.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why? Could it be that even a defeated Kempfer would come here?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her last words were like a murmur.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto didn&#039;t seem to understand for a moment. That&#039;s because she had never fought &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kuzuhara. And she was on leave until a while ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I was startled. Seeing her in a place like this was a surprise. She&#039;d disappeared from the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
memories of the people at Hoshitetsu, yet she existed here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But is &amp;quot;existing&amp;quot; the right word? Because she didn&#039;t seem alive. But there was no doubt &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that Kuzuhara&#039;s body was submerged in the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We&#039;re here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku whispered. I noticed she was referring to the message, but I didn&#039;t react for a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What was that written for?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t that a message from a construction worker?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How could I possibly know? It&#039;s hard to speculate. If it&#039;s Shizuku, then it&#039;s possible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; Mikoto didn&#039;t seem to understand the situation. When I told her this person&#039;s name was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in the signature book, she seemed to finally find a connection.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she kept asking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked around at the other sinks. We had nothing to do.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where&#039;s Akane -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto looked around. &amp;quot;That makes sense.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I joined in the search. It didn&#039;t take long to find it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Mastiff Girl was reading something in a corner of the room, looking distressed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Akane -chan! We found Kuzuhara.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I heard about it. Does that guy really like baths?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Soaking in a sink and bathing are two different things, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s because she wants to take her time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Mastiff Girl flipped through a page of the document. There was something unnatural &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about the way this guy was reading. It was perfectly appropriate before the transformation, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but now it&#039;s fair to call him illiterate.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you looking at? Where?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pointed at the wall behind her, where a shelf had been made.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were several documents on it, and I took them down. They were the kind with holes &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
punched in the paper and bound with rings, but there wasn&#039;t the key piece of paper in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
middle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I checked the others, but they were all just empty shells. Only the one Akane was reading &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed different.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s written in it? Can you understand it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You idiot! I got a perfect score in Chinese before my transformation. This is Japanese, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anyone can understand it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s it about?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s about animal     entrails.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane didn&#039;t look up. It&#039;s about animal entrails.     An instruction manual?     No, do you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember? The story about animal entrails that bitch Sakura Kaede Sagura came up with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back in the apartment.     Ah.     That&#039;s the story. It&#039;s on file.     Akane&#039;s  eyes returned to her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hands.     This incident really surprised me. There&#039;s a messenger manufacturing facility here, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kuzuhara&#039;s there, and finally, Sakura Kaede -san&#039;s materials notebook. What the hell has &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happened?     If I don&#039;t calm down, I&#039;m afraid I&#039;ll be confused. Everything is coming at me at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
once. Uh, so everything related to Kempfer is here? Isn&#039;t this a remarkable facility? It&#039;s     built &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underground with so much effort, so it&#039;s not surprising to find these things. But there are so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
many things that take your breath away. Beneath     the documents, occasionally muttering &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something, it feels a bit creepy.     [Did you bring that stuffed animal from home for that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stinky woman?]     Mikoto stood there motionless. Rather than being shocked by this, i t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed more like she was trying not to disturb Beneath. It&#039;s rare for her to show concern for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
others.     And then there was Shizuku, standing by the sink, staring at it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
motionlessly.     [Shizuku, what&#039;s wrong?     ]     She didn&#039;t answer. That&#039;s also r are.     [There &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
are some documents here. They contain the stories that Sakura Kaede -san has been thinking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about.]     [     Shizuku?] Whatever     happens, I&#039;ve gotten used to calling her &amp;quot;Shizuku.&amp;quot; But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even then, I still feel shy when I call her that, so I hope she&#039;ll respond.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I walked over. She didn&#039;t even turn around. She looked up slightly, staring at the inside of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the sink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is there something there? I didn&#039;t disturb her and stared into the sink myself. Well, it was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman after all. A &amp;quot;girl&amp;quot; as Mikoto said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , but she seemed a little older than us. She was floating in there with her eyes closed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong with this person?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [. ] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Shizuku?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She didn&#039;t say anything. I doubted if she heard me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When I was about to speak again, she finally spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Senior.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said this in a low voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3|← Back to Volume 11 Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Afterword|Forward to 11 Afterword →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586423</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586423"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T06:02:46Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot; Volume 11, Chapter 3        Just now, the president and the others...         [It hurts, it hurts!]         Mikoto Kondou groaned in pain.         She rubbed her leg. Even though she&amp;#039;d just rested, she still needed to rub it. Her left calf   was tied with a blood -soaked bandage, seemingly tied by Shizuku Sangou. Sure enough, the   pain still lingered.         [Ah, this is terrible!]         Mikoto Kondou complained uncontrollably.         [I can&amp;#039;t...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 11, Chapter 3  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just now, the president and the others...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It hurts, it hurts!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou groaned in pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She rubbed her leg. Even though she&#039;d just rested, she still needed to rub it. Her left calf &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was tied with a blood -soaked bandage, seemingly tied by Shizuku Sangou. Sure enough, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pain still lingered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, this is terrible!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou complained uncontrollably.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I can&#039;t even dodge a falling rock like that. I guess I&#039;m really getting old. I dodged it so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gracefully in the underground labyrinth of Sillia.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re only a first -year high school student, so stop saying old all the time!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Accepting Shizuku Sangou&#039;s rant, Mikoto Kondou checked her leg again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t know how to treat this injury, but if I were a doctor, I&#039;d advise you to stay still.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How can this be?] Did becoming a Kämpfer really enhance my physical abilities? How &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
could I be so seriously injured?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This is good enough!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou said, gazing at the ruins before her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The falling concrete struck Mikoto as if it had eyes. She narrowly avoided the danger, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her left foot was still injured. If it had been an ordinary person, it would have been more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
than just a scratch.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru didn&#039;t notice, did he?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Probably not.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s good.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No need to pretend nothing&#039;s wrong.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t want to burden Natsuru any more.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou glanced at Mikoto and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Isn&#039;t it a blessing to have the boy you like worry about you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If Natsuru and I were really dating, I might do that, but for now, we&#039;re just good friends.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m a little envious of that kind of strength.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s really nice to have the president say that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Mikoto Kondou suddenly stood up and called out,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s okay.], but it was clear she was enduring the pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If the ligaments were torn, it wouldn&#039;t be a good thing.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou frowned and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s okay. I&#039;m still a Kämpfer after all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou looked to the side and complained again:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru and Akane -chan should be gone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There seems to be no sound over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can they come to our side?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems not yet.&amp;quot; Shizuku Sangou  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    supported Mikoto Kondou while observing the surroundings. This room looked like it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hadn&#039;t been used in a long time. Although there were many research instruments around, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there was nothing inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can you see the exit?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I do, but I&#039;m not sure if we can reunite with Natsuru and the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s try.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Having the all -powerful student council president by your side was certainly reassuring, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but two people wouldn&#039;t be as good as four. The white Kämpfers have also arrived.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Indeed, our splitting up here is exactly what the enemy wants.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Walk?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou smiled at her and silently offered her shoulder.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please hold on to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Lying to me won&#039;t work.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If it&#039;s a short walk, it might be fine, but no one knows what&#039;s going to happen next. So, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guess I can only listen to her. Mikoto Kondou thought. She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    leaned against the taller girl, and she said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you for last.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;When will this end? Why are we fighting?&amp;quot; Shizuku Sangou, supporting Mikoto Kondou, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thought as they walked, gazing at the massive wall behind them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There seems to be a way out there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After removing the door&#039;s hinges, Mikoto Kondou whispered,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are the enemies out there?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll just have to pray they&#039;re gone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou opened the door halfway and kicked it. It cracked in two like tofu hitting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the wall.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That Natsuru must have heard it, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who knows?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou said, then cautiously poked her head out to look around. Mikoto Kondou, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who was standing next to her, did the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No one was around, and the passage to the right was dim. Without the emergency lights, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t be able to see anything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s actually a light here!&amp;quot; ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There seems to be a power generation facility.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is there someone living here?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [They must have turned on the power when we invaded here, those White Kämpfer guys.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A very easy explanation, Shizuku Sangou&#039;s reasoning was as simple and clear as ever.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou and Shizuku Sangou walked together, and because Shizuku Sangou was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
holding her, they walked very slowly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Sorry to bother you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t thank me, it&#039;s the student council president&#039;s job to take care of students in need.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, Shizuku Sangou is so handsome. I&#039;m in love with you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s fine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This road is sometimes winding and sometimes very straight. Mikoto Kondou should be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thankful that her injury hasn&#039;t gotten worse.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou&#039;s face didn&#039;t show any sign of fatigue. The Kämpfers were indeed very &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strong.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her skirt was torn, revealing the bandages that would grow above her knees for Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou&#039;s wraps. No one would see her in this dim underground, so there was no need to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shy. Shizuku Sangou thought so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If the bandages are loose, just say something.] 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s okay... Shizuku Sangou did a great job with the first aid. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When it comes to survival skills, Mikoto Kondou is the better one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s really good, even better than me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s just an emergency measure. I think it&#039;s a bit bad for you to continue like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It would be nice if you could disinfect it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I had alcohol cotton, I&#039;d do it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s amazing, Shizuku Sangou and I actually thought the same thing!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m surprised by your sudden jumpiness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because I sensed it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After she said that, Mikoto Kondou&#039;s face flushed red. It seemed like she was really acting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou, however, remained very calm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if you keep touching me like that, I&#039;m not interested in that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not interested either, but Shizuku Sangou sometimes reveals her true self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just say what you want to say. Don&#039;t beat around the bush. Shizuku Sangou replied with a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tone that seemed both understanding and unclear. As expected, the atmosphere around &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them became very subtle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou is very popular among the girls.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It seems so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ugh, she said it herself. There&#039;s nothing to be modest about .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Actually, I received a whole roomful of gifts from the girls at Seitetsu. Why are you asking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because... You&#039;re so gentle to me. She finally said it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Do you want me to be a little cold to you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, no. I think the current Shizuku Sangou is the real you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ll be a little gentler from now on. I&#039;m  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a little happy~.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto, stop beating around the bush and just say what you want to say. That&#039;s how you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
really are.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Would you say the same thing to Natsuru?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes, I definitely would.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As they walked deeper into the room, the lights began to dim.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was a very dark and spacious place, with piles of scrap steel stacked up beside the road.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s take a break here. Shizuku Sangou helped Mikoto Kondou to a corner and slowly sat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s better to keep your feet on the ground than in the air, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou sighed slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I have a feeling that if I were a man, I&#039;d really fall in love with the president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No need for sweet talk. No  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , I think the president is beautiful, smart, and very gentle. A perfect woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Natsuru isn&#039;t into me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true. She sighed deeply.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was incredible to Mikoto that someone she had always disliked could actually have such &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a side to him. It was the first time she realized there were such perfect women in this world.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He wasn&#039;t just slow, he was just thick -skinned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You could say that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku Sangou, you didn&#039;t give up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course. Her forceful response revealed Shizuku Sangou&#039;s unwavering resolve.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Giving in wouldn&#039;t be like me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Has the situation improved?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, it&#039;s still the same as before. I&#039;ve tried to approach Natsuru time and time again, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
he&#039;s always rejected me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It would be great if I could succeed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, if I could succeed, what&#039;s wrong with you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou looked at Mikoto with a puzzled look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto seems too soft when it comes to Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, a little.&amp;quot; Mikoto replied softly, though her voice didn&#039;t betray any pain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve actually been thinking about what Natsuru means to me, and how he&#039;s the most &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
important person in my life.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t you childhood friends?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But that doesn&#039;t mean she&#039;s my girlfriend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After a moment&#039;s silence, Mikoto spoke  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Actually, I like Natsuru too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So that&#039;s it. It&#039;s not just a romantic liking, but also a friendship. I kept thinking about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru while treasure hunting overseas. I wasn&#039;t imagining Natsuru and I getting married &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and starting a family, but rather him going on adventures with me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto unpacked her thoughts, word for word.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I guess I want an adventure partner, someone to travel the world with me. When we were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little, he and I would always build boats out of foam plastic, chasing prawns and getting lost &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in the mountains. We were really close friends back then.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;     I really  do like him, so I&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thought about that erotic thing with Natsuru, but I think just being friends with him is good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough.&amp;quot;     Shizuku Sangou was stunned, finding it unbelievable that she&#039;d say such things. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But after a moment, she spoke:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;     Is that all that&#039;s enough?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Yes, I&#039;ve talked to Natsuru about this, and he&#039;s agreed to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stay friends with me.&amp;quot;     She seemed to have changed a lot. She must have been in turmoil &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just now, but she must have calmed down now. She probably also real ized that being &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
manipulated by Sakura Kaede like she was just now would only hinder everyone&#039;s progress. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It     wasn&#039;t Mikoto who sighed softly, but Shizuku Sangou:     &amp;quot;Is a carefree life all by yourself &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the life Mikoto fantasized about?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;It&#039;s no t that great.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Your strength really makes me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feel ashamed. Compared to you, I&#039;m like a child.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;No, no, Shizuku Sangou is more like an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
adult.&amp;quot; Mikoto smiled her most sincere smile yet.     Shizuku Sangou also relaxed a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little.     [I&#039;ve thought ab out it too, maybe one day he&#039;ll give me a card.]     [Wouldn&#039;t it be nice &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to just be friends?]     [Friends? Does Natsuru really think so?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Aren&#039;t the relationships between companions just like friends?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou paused and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like me and Shizuku Sangou.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou replied softly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They&#039;re both good companions and friends, aren&#039;t they?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Actually, I&#039;d like to take an aggressive approach against the Natsuru, just like Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sangou does.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s all I know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou still couldn&#039;t understand Shizuku Sangou&#039;s feelings.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She didn&#039;t even think there was anything wrong with pursuing someone, but I&#039;ve always &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been afraid of doing it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s simple. Just follow your own ideas.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She sounded as if buying candy for a picnic was a matter of course.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou shook her head and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not something you normally do. You&#039;re so active even in something sexy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Do you want to do it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Honestly, a little bit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just follow your own ideas, for example.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Eh? Shizuku Sangou  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    whispered something into Mikoto Kondou&#039;s ear, causing her face to turn red.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Have you ever done something like this before?] [Yes.]     [I did it alone, I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    guess .]     [It&#039;s something you can&#039;t show in public, I guess.]     [How bold.]     [Regardless of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
whether it&#039;s bold or not, I&#039;ve never done it in front of others.]     [I suddenly don&#039;t want to do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
those things anymore. I feel like I&#039;ve lost.] Shizuku San gou&#039;s words seemed to have dealt a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heavy blow to Mikoto Kondou.     Shizuku Sangou smiled bitterly and said,     [Does that mean &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I won? It feels weird.]     [If I tell Akane -chan about this, she&#039;ll be shocked.]     [No, it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
embarrassing.] But the stud ent council president didn&#039;t show any shyness at all. Even though &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it was just the two of them, it took a lot of courage to say something like that. [As expected &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of Shizuku Sangou.] Mikoto Kondou felt a strange sense of admiration.     [Wow, that&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
amazing. ] Mikoto Kondou covered her face with both hands. If she didn&#039;t, Shizuku Sangou &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would probably see her in such an awkward state.     She felt like she couldn&#039;t beat Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sangou anymore. She didn&#039;t want to lose, but there were things Shizuku Sangou was r eally &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
better at.     She stopped talking, it was really embarrassing. She thought,     &amp;quot;Should I give it a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
try?&amp;quot; She     didn&#039;t know if it was a good idea, but it would satisfy her desire. She     said, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Wow, I&#039;ll do my best.&amp;quot;     Mikoto Kondou made a stra nge decision, patting her face to cheer &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
herself up.     &amp;quot;Okay, I feel like I&#039;m feeling more energetic.&amp;quot; She looked towards Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sangou and said, &amp;quot;     Let&#039;s go! If we don&#039;t hurry, we might not be able to meet up with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru and the others.&amp;quot;     However  ,     the black -haired woman looked away from Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou.     She agreed to meet up with them, but something&#039;s happened. Can you run away &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on foot?     &amp;quot;Eh? No, my feet still hurt.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;     Really? Then let me protect you.&amp;quot; 】     Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sangou said as she drew her weapon.     【Please come out. 】     Two shadows then &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
appeared. One had a very healthy -looking girl with hair that looked like it was painted green. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The other was a girl who wore a poker face no matter who she was talking to.     The former &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was Minagawa Hitomi and the other was Nakao Say aka, both from the White Kämpfer &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
faction. Sayaka held a sword while Hitomi waved and said:     【Good evening, President&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
】     After Hitomi finished her greeting, Sayaka immediately went into battle without a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
word.     Shizuku Sangou stood in front of Mikoto and said:     【Are you two the only ones &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here? What&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;     【If there&#039;s nothing, can&#039;t I come to you?&amp;quot; Hitomi said.     【&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because we&#039;re splitting up, it&#039;s just the two of us. 】 【In     that case, did anyone of you go to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
find Natsuru and the others?&amp;quot;     Shizuku Sangou held her short sword across her face, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
observing the two&#039;s movements without letting up.     【I really want to say you&#039;re worthy of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
being the president, but I can&#039;t tell you anything. 】     【So what do you want to do to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us?&amp;quot;     Don&#039;t worry, I won&#039;t kill you.     Does that mean you&#039;re letting us go? Sakura Kaede     -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sama ordered you to be taken there, saying something about rekindling our old &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
friendship.     I&#039;ll go if I want to, without anyo ne&#039;s orders.     You don&#039;t have the right to refuse. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede -sama said we&#039;ll capture them alive, no matter how they are captured.     Hitomi &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
glanced to the side.     &amp;quot;Snap.&amp;quot; Sayaka, standing beside her, leaped over, as if understanding &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her intention.     The distance between her and Shizuku Sangou closed dramatically. Although &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it was dim, the gleam of her swords made it clear she was aiming for Shizuku Sangou&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
throat.     Shizuku Sangou held one dagger across her head and hurled the other at Sayaka&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feet.     The daggers missed, but the chains behind them entangled her calves. However, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sayaka suddenly leaned back, pulling the chains along with her.     Hmm?     Shizuku Sangou &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
suddenly lost her balance, only slightly, but it was exactly what Hitomi int ended. From her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hands, two balls of light shot out, flying towards Mikoto Kondou.     &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou!&amp;quot; Shizuku Sangou cried anxiously.     Mikoto Kondou landed on the ground behind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her, then slowly sat up and replied,     &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;     She gav e a very forced smile. It seemed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she had blocked the light ball magic with the katana she held in both hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even though she couldn&#039;t move, she was still injured by the aftermath of the explosion, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leaving a large scorch on her bangs. If she hadn&#039;t turned into a Kämpfer, that blow would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have been fatal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After confirming that Mikoto Kondou was safe, Shizuku Sangou retracted the dagger &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wrapped around Sayaka and returned to her original position.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t move.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s okay, cough cough cough.] Shocked, Mikoto Kondou coughed repeatedly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ahh—what a pity.] Hitomi smacked her lips.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Sakura Kaede -sama said we just need to catch the president, so Kondou -san, you should &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just disappear right here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Disappear?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I mean, just die.] Hitomi said with a terrifying smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou glared at Minagawa with a serious expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Minagawa -san.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you trying to make me angry?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, does the president get angry sometimes?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course he does.] She raised her dagger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Right now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou kicked the floor with immense force and leaped up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She leaped onto the ceiling, kicked hard against it, and dived down at breakneck speed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nakao!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hitomi cried anxiously. But Sayaka&#039;s sword was entangled in chains, unable to move.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Minagawa covered her face with her hands and let out a soft cry of pain. She watched in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anger as Shizuku Sangou, who had adjusted her stance, landed gracefully.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hitomi pressed her hand against the wound, blood still dripping from between her fingers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You were aiming for my face, weren&#039;t you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou quickly retracted her dagger, only to see blood dripping onto the ground &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from the blade.     &amp;quot;I&#039;ll cut your face so hard you&#039;ll never see anyone again!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said     , before leaping up again.     This time, instead of leaping toward the ceiling, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku Sangou flipped in mid -air and simultaneously hurled two daggers at the two of them. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The chain swords, as if alive, tumbled back and forth, hurtling toward s them.     After landing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on the ground, Shizuku Sangou retrieved one of them and hurled it at Hitomi.     Hitomi&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anxiously aimed light ball to block it exploded upon contact with the tip of the dagger. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Though only for a moment, it robbed Hitomi of h er vision.     Just as Shizuku Sangou had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
predicted, she immediately changed direction and attacked Sayaka.     [Let me see how &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strong the librarian is.]     [Please go see it at Miyuki -san&#039;s!]     [I know how strong Beneath &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is.]     Then, Shizuku Sangou&#039;s  dagger and Sayaka&#039;s sword clashed.     Normally, the longer &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sword would have the advantage.     But Shizuku Sangou wasn&#039;t at a disadvantage at all. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Instead, it felt like she had the upper hand with her three -dimensional attack, combining the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dagger and th e chain.     [President.]     [Over here.]     Shizuku Sangou, who had momentarily &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
vanished from Sayaka&#039;s sight, reappeared before her.     The hilt of the dagger struck Sayaka&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
palm.     [That hurts.]     Then, leaving Sayaka aside, she turned and attack ed Hitomi.     [Don&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
attack Mikoto.] Hitomi     smacked her lips once more, then turned her hand, originally aimed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at Mikoto Kondou, toward Shizuku Sangou and launched.     Three balls of light pelted &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku Sangou from three different directions.     The black -haired student council president &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ducked her head to avoid one, deflected another with her dagger, and finally, she placed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
both hands in front of her head to block the third.     She took a deep breath and shouted, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Hah!&amp;quot;     Shizuku Sangou swung th e dagger at Minagawa like a whip.     The green -haired &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl&#039;s face was filled with fear .     &amp;quot;Aiming for the face again?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Aiming for the body!&amp;quot;     The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dagger flew toward Minagawa&#039;s chest.     It struck, but the wound was too shallow. Still, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was a wound, and the pain caused Hitomi to step back a few s teps. The blood now stained &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her clothes clearly.     Shizuku Sangou moved a little distance away from Hitomi, but showed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
no sign of letting up, as she still had the strength to fight.     During this time, Sayaka had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tried to approach Shizuku Sangou, but e ach time she was repelled by the dagger&#039;s attacks. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Not only that, Shizuku Sangou didn&#039;t even glance at her position when attacking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her.     Against Hitomi, Shizuku Sangou not only used the dagger&#039;s long -range attacks but also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
employed physical techniques f or close -range strikes. The dagger once again reached Hitomi, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and she hurriedly took evasive action. Seizing the opportunity, Shizuku Sangou rushed in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
front of her and kicked her in the stomach.     The intense pain caused Hitomi to double over, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clutching her stomach with one hand while firing a ball of light at Shizuku Sangou with the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
other.     Shizuku Sangou leaned sideways, letting the ball of light fly past her. Then, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lunged at Hitomi once more.     [Oops.]     [Too slow.]     Shizuku Sangou, faste r than Hitomi&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
attack, took advantage of the opportunity and stabbed Hitomi in the side. No, her target was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hitomi&#039;s feet. The chain attached to the back of the dagger entangled Hitomi&#039;s feet, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku Sangou pulled with force.     [Ah—————— !] Hitomi c ollapsed with a scream, her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back likely bruised, her breathing becoming disordered.     &amp;quot;Hitomi -san!&amp;quot;     Seeing her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
companion fall, Sayaka darted forward, just as Shizuku Sangou had predicted. She retracted &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her chains and leaped back to her feet.     Shizuku Sangou flew over Sayaka&#039;s head, then with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a brilliant somersault landed behind her and thrust her dagger towards her neck.     &amp;quot;Tsk.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Miraculously, Sayaka dodged the blow, half -spinning and swinging her sword at Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sangou. But Shizuku Sangou wasn&#039; t foolish enough to wait for her to strike. As Sayaka struck, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she ducked, dodging the blow, and then delivered a spinning kick.     &amp;quot;Puff!&amp;quot;     The kick &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
landed hard in Sayaka&#039;s side, sending her back a few steps and falling to the same spot as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Minagawa     . &amp;quot;Both are student council librarians.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Dismissed.] Shizuku Sangou said coldly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After tying the two with chains, she placed them on either side to prevent them from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
escaping. Then, Shizuku Sangou returned to Mikoto Kondou&#039;s side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Sorry, it took a little while.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m fine. Shizuku Sangou, you&#039;re really strong.] Mikoto Kondou was deeply impressed, for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in this battle, she had to protect Mikoto Kondou while taking on two Kämpfers alone, and still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
win.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s been a while since I&#039;ve used my true strength in a fight. I feel like my bones are about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to fall apart.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You seem to have some strength left.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Let&#039;s stop here today. It&#039;s good for both your beauty and your health.] As she spoke, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
checked Mikoto Kondou&#039;s injuries to see if they had worsened.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The burns are pretty severe.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, that was a close call.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Normally, you&#039;d disinfect the wound first and apply some herbs.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s a luxury. There are plenty of herbs in the rainforest.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But it&#039;s underground, right?] Shizuku Sangou  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    urged Mikoto Kondou to stay still as she walked toward the two white Kämpfers, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dagger appearing once again in her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what should we do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hitomi said in a voice filled with hatred and fear. &amp;quot;Are you going to kill us?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay.&amp;quot; Shizuku Sangou thrust the dagger at Hitomi, but the blade only grazed her face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is the price you pay for injuring Mikoto Kondou and attacking us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you going to kill us just for that? Besides, we&#039;re both immobilized.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stabbing an immobilized high school girl might be quite thrilling.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou raised the dagger, choosing which of the two hearts to pierce.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The dagger continued to choose its target, but for Shizuku Sangou, it was no longer &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
humane. Suddenly, her hand was firmly grasped.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait a minute!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wasn&#039;t Hitomi or Sayaka who called out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Shizuku Sangou, could you wait a moment?&amp;quot; The  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    voice belonged to Mikoto Kondou. She slowly got up and walked towards Shizuku Sangou.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou turned around and asked,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you going to stop me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;These two guys said you were unnecessary and were going to kill you!?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But we have no reason to do that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think there&#039;s anything wrong with it.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    don&#039;t think Natsuru -san would want to see this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou stopped and stared at Mikoto Kondou fiercely, saying,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a really cunning way of saying it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou apologized to Shizuku Sangou, but even so, she was happy because she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knew she couldn&#039;t let Shizuku Sangou bear the guilt of murder.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But we can&#039;t just let them go like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s what I think too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should we do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou looked at the two people on the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They were clearly happy to have just escaped the danger of being killed. They looked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
relieved, and Sayaka breathed a sigh of relief.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I have something to ask you two!&amp;quot; 】Mikoto Kondou said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Tell me about the exit here and why you&#039;re here. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【That&#039;s it, tell me quickly.&amp;quot; Shizuku Sangou said to the two of them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A smile appeared on her face, but it wasn&#039;t a smile humans could understand; it was more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like a smile closer to that of a demon.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seeing this, Hitomi shuddered and said, &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t you going to let us go?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【This is already a great favor.&amp;quot; Shizuku Sangou gritted her teeth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【This time it&#039;s your turn to help us. We just got here and don&#039;t know anything. Can you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tell us!?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Do you think I&#039;ll tell you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Think? No, I believe you will tell me. I believe you will do anything for the Student &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Council President of Star Iron Academy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku Sangou smiled again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hitomi&#039;s face was filled with fear, her lips trembling as she replied, &amp;quot;Are you still the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Student Council President like this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Of course, Student Council President Shizuku Sangou is very loyal to her job. Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sangou said, slowly leaning closer to Minagawa&#039;s face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, tell me what you think.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger was crawling across the bed with all its might.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As a messenger, a visceral animal couldn&#039;t move freely like a normal person, but it could &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
perform simple actions like sitting down and talking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Still not back yet.&amp;quot; It said in a voice reminiscent of the original Shizuka. &amp;quot;Not back yet&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was, of course, referring to Natsuru.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you want me to wait, that&#039;s fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It leaped off the bed, but because its legs were too short, it didn&#039;t land properly and fell.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    However, it quickly got back up and took a step. &amp;quot;The problem is that door! It&#039;s for humans, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and I can&#039;t seem to reach it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As it spoke, it jumped up and tried to reach the doorknob. After several attempts, it finally &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
landed on it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Turning the knob, it slowly opened the door, and Seppuku Tiger ran out into the hallway.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After confirming that no one was around, it ran towards Akane&#039;s room, then opened the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door there using the same method.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Entering Akane&#039;s room, it found it to be much the same as Natsuru&#039;s. On the bed sat a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
black, visceral animal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Seppuku Kuro Rabbit.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong? Isn&#039;t this Seppuku Tiger?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane&#039;s visceral animal, Seppuku Kuro Rabbit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you doing there? Come up here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then I won&#039;t hold you back.] With that, the Seppuku Tiger climbed onto the bed and sat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
down in front of Seppuku Kuro Rabbit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Seppuku Kuro Rabbit, how are you doing lately?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course I&#039;m doing very well, but speaking of which, I&#039;ve been having a lot of troubles &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lately.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, as expected.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You too? I feel like we&#039;re rushing things.&amp;quot; Seppuku Kuro Rabbit said this, but she didn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
show any regret at all. But then again, she was just a doll, so her expression wouldn&#039;t change &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Something must have happened to Natsuru and the others.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That must have happened.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come to think of it, I think I&#039;ve been here before, what about you, Seppuku Kuro Rabbit?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I feel the same way. I feel a strong sense of nostalgia.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s like this is the hometown where we were born.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s the feeling.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While the conversation might sound frivolous to others, it was a serious matter for the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dolls.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not only is Akane missing, but Pokey&#039;s also forgotten here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru is also missing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come to think of it, I thought I heard a window breaking just now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I have a bad feeling.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two visceral dolls looked at each other seriously and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Staying here forever isn&#039;t a good idea. Let&#039;s go look for the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good idea.&amp;quot; 】Seppuku Tiger agreed with Black Rabbit&#039;s opinion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two dolls were running down the hallway. However, their intestines were exposed as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they ran. If someone saw them, it would definitely be disgusting. But no one was there at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They moved to Shizuku Sangou&#039;s room and opened the door as usual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Electrocuted Mountain Cat looked down at them from the bed and said:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【How unruly!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At this time, Seppuku Tiger looked up at it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【How can you just enter a lady&#039;s room like that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Electrocuted Mountain Cat said, and every hair on its body stood up. It was a sign of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
paralysis.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Are there any ladies among the dolls?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit, who was standing beside them, complained and sat on the bed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now the three of them sat in a circle. As expected, this scene was very awkward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Where is Shizuku Sangou?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Black Rabbit asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Shizuku -sama has been out and hasn&#039;t come back yet. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What happened? None of the humans are here anymore.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku -sama hasn&#039;t come back since dinner. That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s been a long time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps he&#039;s gotten into some trouble? Seppuku Tiger spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If it&#039;s Natsuru, then there&#039;s no telling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath her transformation, she&#039;ll probably cause trouble. Before she transformed, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
must have been hiding somewhere.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku -sama is a very powerful person, so she shouldn&#039;t be in trouble.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The three people had three different impressions, a little different from reality, but it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the puppets&#039; perception of them after all. There&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    another guy, isn&#039;t there?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Kuro Rabbit said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The one Mikoto brought?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s called the Suffocating Dog, isn&#039;t it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t think I&#039;ve seen him before, have I?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s go check him out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Kuro Rabbit led them to the next door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto Kondou&#039;s room wasn&#039;t much different from theirs; it had originally been a small inn &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and hadn&#039;t undergone any major renovations. Mikoto Kondou&#039;s travel bag was placed in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
front of the closet, while Suffocating Dog was on the bed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Climbing onto the bed, Kuro Usagi was stunned:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This guy&#039;s already dead.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This series is probably about animals being strangled, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, after Kuro Usagi, Seppuku Tiger and Electrocuted Mountain Cat climbed up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even the tongue&#039;s hanging out, this stuffed animal.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The rope around its neck is really scary. Is it planning to hang itself?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Suffocating means being hanged, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Hello.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Ah, you  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;re talking.&amp;quot; This startled Seppuku Kuro Usagi, but Suffocating Dog&#039;s expression remained &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unchanged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My name is Suffocating Dog.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You wouldn&#039;t tell from the outside.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Still, Dog didn&#039;t react much to Kuro Usagi&#039;s taunting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s enough greetings.&amp;quot; Hey, do you know where Mikoto Kondou went? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I don&#039;t know. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What a straightforward answer. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I don&#039;t remember anything. I just remember that everyone came up while I was looking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at the ceiling. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【You must have seen something. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No, and I&#039;m not interested. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Is your tongue the only skill you have, you slow -witted fellow? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I wouldn&#039;t be happy if you praised me like that. 】 It thinks this is something very &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
honorable. It seems that the Suffocating Dog is a really thick -skinned guy. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Um, do you really remember nothing?&amp;quot; 】 It was the seppuku tiger who asked the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
question. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【You don&#039;t even remember coming here? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Of course I remember. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Did you talk to Mikoto Kondou here? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No. 】 Its tone has been slow since a while ago, and it hasn&#039;t changed at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    】 【I think I left the room. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Did you go for a walk? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No, I was taken out. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Huh? The seppuku tiger uttered a questioning sound, frightening even the electrocuted &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mountain cat and seppuku rabbit nearby.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The man named Sakura Kaede came into the room and took me away, saying, &amp;quot;You must &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
behave yourself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A voice like Shizuka interrupted,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And then?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She brought me to Mikoto Kondou, and after Sakura Kaede pinched her body, her eyes &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shone, and she staggered and fell.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, so Mikoto Kondou is being controlled by Sakura Kaede?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Haragi cried out in shock.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s exactly how it feels.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Idiot, why didn&#039;t you tell me about this earlier?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Talking is such a hassle. There  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was absolutely no sense of danger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After hearing what Suffocating Dog said, the one who panicked the most was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Electrocution.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What the hell? Shizuku -sama, Shizuku -sama.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Didn&#039;t you say you weren&#039;t worried about her?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if she&#039;s attacked by surprise, Shizuku -sama should have a chance of winning. But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
what if she gets a scar on her beautiful face?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Electrocution, swaying from side to side, seemed incredibly anxious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, our partnership won&#039;t be defeated so easily, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Haragi and Tiger said simultaneously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But this time, the enemy is those white guys. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, that&#039;s right.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Miss Kondou, controlled by Sakura Kaede, might also be siding with White Kämpfer.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [By the way, Miss Shizuku Sangou also said Sakura Kaede was suspicious.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger and Seppuku Rabbit said in unison, but Suffocating Dog&#039;s expression &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remained the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But what can we do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Seppuku Rabbit&#039;s ears twitched as if it had thought of something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If we intervene in this matter, we&#039;ll be targeted by the Mediator.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But we haven&#039;t seen that Mediator yet.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Seppuku Tiger who said this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [After we regained consciousness, we were delivered to our respective masters.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, waiting here isn&#039;t a solution.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Rabbit said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No one can argue with me when Akane isn&#039;t around.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s quite different when Natsuru is here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Shizuku -sama and I have always been on the same side.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suffocating Dog fell silent after Electrocute Mountain Cat&#039;s speech.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Then let&#039;s act quickly.] I don&#039;t know what we dolls can do, but it&#039;s better than just waiting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Okay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I agree.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stray Dog, what about you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In response to Black Rabbit&#039;s question about seppuku, Suffocating Dog untied the rope &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
around his neck and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go with everyone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, one after another  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , they jumped down from the bed. [Let&#039;s search this place thoroughly. Natsuru and the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
others must be here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With that, Tiger jumped onto the doorknob and twisted it, and the door opened.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|← Back to Volume 11 Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 4|Forward to 11 Chapter 4 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586422</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586422"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:58:23Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 11, Chapter 2&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Oh, how dangerous!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I muttered unconsciously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The ceiling above the door connecting to the next room collapsed. If I stayed there any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
longer, the rubble might crush my&lt;br /&gt;
    head. Even if Kämpfer&#039;s body was strong, I didn&#039;t think he&#039;d be okay.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Fragments of cement and dust kept falling, making the scene blurry. I covered my mouth &lt;br /&gt;
and nose with my hands and slowly approached the door.&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t see those two people. They must have gone to the next room. Could they have &lt;br /&gt;
avoided the rubble?&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, are you okay?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No answer. I called out several times anxiously.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto! Shizuku!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    It was Shizuku&#039;s usual voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto and I are fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru, are you okay over there?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    My childhood friend&#039;s voice remained unchanged. I finally felt relieved.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m fine too. Beneath you...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I asked the person behind me. The bulldog girl looked nonchalant.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Even a thousand -pound bomb wouldn&#039;t kill me.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Just like always. It&#039;s fine.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s good.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. Her tone was calm, but there seemed to be a hint of unease in it. Perhaps it &lt;br /&gt;
was just my imagination.&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto, Shizuku, are you hurt?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No. &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She said that, then immediately added,  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru always calls Mikoto first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Uh, isn&#039;t that bad? It&#039;s nothing special.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Does it have anything to do with the order? That  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s right. Nothing special either. For you. You&#039;re saying something else.     Because even now, &lt;br /&gt;
I don&#039;t expect you to understand women&#039;s psychology. It&#039;s unclear what&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m talking about     . I wanted her to explain, but Shizuku immediately changed the &lt;br /&gt;
subject.     I wasn&#039;t hurt.     My foot just scraped a little.     Mikoto said,     &amp;quot;Hey, are you okay?&amp;quot;     It was just a fall, and it didn&#039;t hurt much.     Indeed, h er voice was still quite cheerful. Because she&#039;s the kind of woman who can smile even if bitten by a snake.     For some reason, Mikoto seemed quite happy.     [It&#039;s rare for you to worry about me, Natsuru.]     [I think it&#039;s rare for you to get hurt.]     [Because I&#039;m a delicate girl, I get hurt too.]     What&#039;s so delicate about being delicate? Even men get hurt sometimes.     I asked Mikoto,     &amp;quot;Do you have any disinfectant or anything?&amp;quot;     [No, you didn&#039;t bring any, did you?]     That&#039;s true. But then  again, falling into the water was an act of force.     [I&#039;d like to lick it, but the wound is on my calf, so I can&#039;t reach it with my mouth.]     [Don&#039;t say such nonsense, you&#039;re not a cat. At least clean the wound first.]     [How about I lick it?]     Shizuku said. You say lick, but how do you actually do it?     Although I couldn&#039;t see her face, I knew Mikoto must be panicking right now, as if I could see it myself.     [Wait, wait, President, what are you trying to do?!]     [It&#039;s Shizuku.] 】     【Shizuku, stop it! 】     It sounded like they were arguing. Then there was the sound of cloth being torn. Mikoto screamed, &amp;quot;Ah.&amp;quot; Hey, what&#039;s going on?     What ? ?     Then it became quiet over there. What did they do?     I pricked up my ears but couldn&#039;t hear anything. No, it was like a cat drinking water.     【It&#039;s okay.】     Shizuku said.     【For now, I&#039;ll use the torn clothes as a bandage to cover the wound. 】     【I was shocked. 】     This is what Mikoto said.     【Shizuku, you suddenly took off your clothes, I thought you were going to do something. 】     【Because you were injured. 】     【You actually licked my calf, it&#039;s so embarrassing. 】     【Would it be better if you licked it a few more times? 】     【That&#039;s enough. If you want it, I want Natsuru to lick it! Wait, President. 】     【It&#039;s my duty to lick Natsuru&#039;s wound. 】     【Which are you touching while you say this? Why     does Mikoto&#039;s voice sound so alluring? It seems to carry a burning intensity. What the hell are you doing?     &amp;quot;Hey! This is an emergency! What are you doing!&amp;quot;     Akane yelled, perhaps reaching the limit of her patience.     &amp;quot;You two are doing this when you&#039;re alone? Lesbians, go home and do it!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Wait, you&#039;re not lesbians!&amp;quot;     Mikoto retorted.     &amp;quot;Right, Shizuku.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;... ...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Huh!?&amp;quot;     Mikoto must have been backing away. Even I was startled.  &amp;quot;I&#039;m just kidding.     &amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Don&#039;t be so serious. It doesn&#039;t sound like a joke     at all.&amp;quot; What did she say to her? Akane     , Mikoto, Shizuku, and I were separated. The door to the next room was buried by the collapsed ceiling and a large amount of sa nd and gravel, so     we couldn&#039;t see each other. There was a hole in the ceiling, and that&#039;s where the sound was coming from. But it was just a small hole that even a cat wouldn&#039;t know if it     could fit through . Now we could only hear each other&#039;s voic es.&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, can you use magic to blast through the rubble?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [You can try, but it doesn&#039;t look like it&#039;s working.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I stepped back slightly, channeling power into my palms and unleashing flames.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    After the explosion, the rubble was only slightly charred on the surface, a bit damaged in &lt;br /&gt;
some way. If I keep going, I should be able to make a hole&lt;br /&gt;
    eventually , but I don&#039;t know how long it will take.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [No.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [No way.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t sound disappointed at all. She&#039;d probably already anticipated this.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, is there an exit over there?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s dark and hard to see clearly, but it seems there is.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Can&#039;t you see it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Because it&#039;s Natsuru holding the torch.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah, but that thing got lost somewhere in the commotion just now, so I need to make &lt;br /&gt;
another one.&lt;br /&gt;
    [How&#039;s the room? Is there anything unusual?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [It looks like a materials warehouse. It&#039;s full of useless stuff, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s going  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    on?] [You really care about me. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She said this out of the blue, and I barely managed a retort.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s not just you, Shizuku. I&#039;m worried about Mikoto, too. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto let out an &amp;quot;Oh.&amp;quot; from inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【You&#039;re worried about injuries, Natsuru, you&#039;ve grown up. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【You&#039;re nosy, you&#039;re the junior, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Next time, I&#039;ll be the one worrying about Natsuru. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s no point in that. At least I&#039;m not hurt.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I turned away. Since we just came here, I need to go back to the hallway one more time. I &lt;br /&gt;
just hope we can reunite smoothly.&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, Beneath, I&#039;m leaving the room. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Then Mikoto and I are leaving from here too. Let&#039;s meet outside 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【But I&#039;m not sure if we can reunite right away, so please act in pairs. Don&#039;t get separated. &lt;br /&gt;
Okay?】&lt;br /&gt;
    【Got it.】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Don&#039;t get hurt. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Listening to Shizuku&#039;s rare lines from behind, Beneath, I left the rubble.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s make a new torch from scrap. This time, we&#039;ll use magic to light the fire.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Although there&#039;s a faint glow in the passage, it&#039;s still better to use fire. It&#039;s much more &lt;br /&gt;
convenient.&lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s nothing ahead.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. I thought there might be a door leading to the next door, but there&#039;s only a &lt;br /&gt;
bare wall stretching out.&lt;br /&gt;
    [No way, let&#039;s go. We have to meet up with those two.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong? Didn&#039;t you say you wanted to meet up with the two of them?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, but, Akane, it&#039;s really rare that you&#039;d be worried about Shizuku and Mikoto.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s not something I&#039;m particularly worried about. Because compared to two people, four &lt;br /&gt;
people are obviously more advantageous. And they can be considered companions.]&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps because she was embarrassed, I couldn&#039;t see Akane&#039;s expression. The two of us &lt;br /&gt;
walked in the passage, and only the sound of our footsteps was particularly loud.&lt;br /&gt;
    The further we walked, the thicker the humidity became. It also felt a bit hot. Is it the &lt;br /&gt;
underground water gushing out? Or is there a hot spring?&lt;br /&gt;
    [Somehow, it&#039;s getting hot.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane also whispered the same thing.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Really, nothing good ever comes of it.] The weather forecast this morning didn&#039;t say it &lt;br /&gt;
would be this hot here. Let&#039;s get out of here and take a shower.&lt;br /&gt;
    You still want to soak in the water? You were soaked enough just now, weren&#039;t you?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Idiot! There&#039;s a difference between getting in a pool you don&#039;t want to enter and taking a &lt;br /&gt;
shower. I actually want to soak and have a drink.&lt;br /&gt;
    You, have you been drinking?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No, I don&#039;t drink.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    So, have you been drinking? Aren&#039;t we underage?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    But never mind, we both want to get out of here quickly.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    We don&#039;t know what to do here, and we&#039;re soaking wet.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    The road ahead is a T -junction. More accurately, it&#039;s in the shape of a &amp;quot; 卜&amp;quot; (a Chinese &lt;br /&gt;
character for &amp;quot; 卜&amp;quot;). Akane and I lean to the right. We didn&#039;t&lt;br /&gt;
    expose our entire bodies because we were afraid of enemies.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, there&#039;s a sound, and I look up at the ceiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru, what&#039;s wrong?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No, I think I heard something.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Was it a person?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No, it sounded like something was broken. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s too much to worry about everything.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah, that&#039;s right. If we stop because of something like that, we won&#039;t be able to go any &lt;br /&gt;
further.&lt;br /&gt;
    Look again, this passage has no doors or anything else, it&#039;s a dead end.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Tsk.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane smacked her lips.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [We can&#039;t meet up with Shizuku and the others this way.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [That room should be connected to something else.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [We haven&#039;t found anything else, so we can only go where we can.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Exactly. Even when this guy is a dog, he sometimes says something sensible.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    So we just kept moving forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I really want to dry myself out quickly.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [You know magic, don&#039;t you? No need to worry, just use it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Idiot, who would use a gas stove just because they&#039;re wet? I&#039;d die if I  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    did that.] [Why don&#039;t you just adjust the heat?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s still just heat. It&#039;s not a dryer.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
       If it were that convenient, I would have done it a long time ago. This guy&#039;s brain really &lt;br /&gt;
short -circuited. The road sloped from the front, making it&lt;br /&gt;
    difficult to walk. In other words, we&#039;ve hit a slope. This torch can&#039;t illuminate the depths.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane complained as usual.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Underground again. What were you planning on doing with this hole?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t ask me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m not asking you, I&#039;m just letting off some steam.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s why you thought of me, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [If that were the case, you&#039;d be covered in holes from your neck up by now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not kidding, this is terrifying. Why are you alone with a fierce dog? Can I make it back &lt;br /&gt;
alive?&lt;br /&gt;
    We slowly descended the slope.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Keep going! Take the stairs!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Why are there materials here? This is a slope, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I thought about answering her, but strangely, Akane seemed to think it was a good idea.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh, you sometimes say nice things, huh?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you mean by sometimes?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [By the way, is there treasure down here  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    ?] [Mikoto would think so,  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    but there&#039;s no chance.] A huge vault down there might be interesting, but it&#039;s unnecessary. &lt;br /&gt;
It might contain something shameful. Probably.&lt;br /&gt;
    [Someone somewhere did something like this. What a nosy bastard.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [It doesn&#039;t have to be a human, that&#039;s what Shizuku said. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [It doesn&#039;t matter if it&#039;s an alien. No, it&#039;s better that way. You feel uncomfortable after &lt;br /&gt;
shooting someone, but if it&#039;s an alien, you can&lt;br /&gt;
    kill them at will. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Really? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not asking about aliens, but about the discomfort you feel after killing someone.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Aren&#039;t you always ruthless no matter who your opponent is? You even shot Sakura Kaede. &lt;br /&gt;
]&lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? You bastard, are you trying to find fault with my delicate girlish heart? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Where&#039;s delicate?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pulled out her gun again.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m pure and innocent. After I shoot someone, I&#039;ll be so concerned that I won&#039;t be able to &lt;br /&gt;
sleep for three days. ]&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s a lie, right? ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane aimed her gun at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t slander me. I&#039;m actually very weak. I can&#039;t stand even if the wind blows. If you try to &lt;br /&gt;
jump my prick, I won&#039;t forgive you! ]&lt;br /&gt;
    [Put your gun down first. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of which, Shizuku and Mikoto also said they were girls or something. Are they &lt;br /&gt;
trying to force girlhood on me? I&lt;br /&gt;
    wouldn&#039;t .  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t you shoot anyone like it&#039;s nothing?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [That depends on the situation. This would make you even more nervous.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [If it were me, you&#039;d be even more likely to shoot.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s another reason for shooting you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She spoke quietly, a rare occurrence, so I asked back.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [What did you say?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s love. It&#039;s a sign of love.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re talking nonsense again.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop kidding!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane became excited. Look, it&#039;s true. This bulldog girl is always like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Really? This is the first time I&#039;ve met an idiot like you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Why do you always call me an idiot?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Of course you are an idiot!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Then prove it to me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll prove it any way I want! You&#039;re slow. Your grades are worse than mine. You&#039;re a bad &lt;br /&gt;
talker and always late. And —!]&lt;br /&gt;
    She suddenly pointed her gun behind me.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [You haven&#039;t noticed any enemies yet!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I quickly turned around.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pulled the trigger, and several bullets flew out in a straight line.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What, we&#039;re exposed?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    a very childish voice said. Then something spun like a windmill. Just as I realized it was a &lt;br /&gt;
chained sickle,&lt;br /&gt;
    the figure whose bullets had been deflected was already rushing towards us.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ahhh! Rika&#039;s back in action!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She was the junior high school student, Kämpfer Rika. Her tiny body bounced like a rubber &lt;br /&gt;
ball as she charged.&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s you! Lolita girl!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane roared.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just right, I&#039;m going to rip you to pieces today!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so noisy, little dog! I&#039;ll start with you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Try it!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane fired again. Chain sickles and bullets flew in a crisscross pattern.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika&#039;s expression seemed delighted. Is this woman also a bloodthirsty person? Meanwhile, &lt;br /&gt;
Akane was also furious. But she bared&lt;br /&gt;
    her canine teeth, also looking delighted.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    These two people with similar personalities were fighting. The violent clash of spear and &lt;br /&gt;
sword produced a metallic melody, then separated again.&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just right, loli girl. I&#039;ve always disliked you. Die! Damn it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Rika loves dogs, but I hate you. I&#039;ll send you to the health center!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Before that, I&#039;ll send you to hell! Hey! Natsuru! Don&#039;t attack!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? Why?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I temporarily stopped channeling power into my palm.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [This loli is infuriating. I&#039;ve decided to kill her. If you dare to take away my pleasure, I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
make you pay!]&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wouldn&#039;t it be ------------  easier if we went together?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I like to enjoy desserts to myself. You wouldn&#039;t give away the first edition DVD bonus, &lt;br /&gt;
would you?]&lt;br /&gt;
    [I haven&#039;t bought the first edition DVD or anything like that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Then start buying  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    them starting tomorrow.] What are you talking about?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika yelled, &amp;quot;Hey —&amp;quot; and flew back. She was actually flying, using Kämpfer&#039;s physical &lt;br /&gt;
abilities. But it wasn&#039;t &amp;quot;flying.&amp;quot; She just&lt;br /&gt;
    jumped and stayed in the air for an unusually long time.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Then Kusagi attacked Akane with precision.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane screamed, &amp;quot;Stop kidding! Damn Lolita! Die, die, die!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She shot down the kusarigama flying towards her. This method could only be achieved &lt;br /&gt;
with unlimited ammunition. Rika retracted her scythe and hurled it with even greater force.&lt;br /&gt;
    The crackle of gunfire and the clatter of metal made my head buzz. The noise was so loud. &lt;br /&gt;
Those two fighting guys seemed to be so overwhelmed by adrenaline that&lt;br /&gt;
    they weren&#039;t paying any attention at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Smelly Loli! Go to hell!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Puppy, die!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    It was basically a verbal battle. I&#039;d probably be scolded the moment I joined the fight.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika threw the metal end of the kusarigama. However, its trajectory was different from &lt;br /&gt;
what you saw; it flew towards the ground,&lt;br /&gt;
    distracting Akane&#039;s attention.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    With the girl&#039;s command, the kusarigama bounced off the ground and flew towards &lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s ankle.&lt;br /&gt;
    [Woooo!?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Ha!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s foot was entangled in the chain. Rika pulled hard, and the dog girl lost her balance.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Death awaits!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika licked her lips, scythe in hand. Then, shouting happily, she rushed forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look, I&#039;ll chop your head off!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How can you succeed!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Tripped, Akane continued to yell. She aimed her gun at Rika&#039;s forehead.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    But it was too late. Shining was about to chop off Akane&#039;s head.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    A scream rang out. If it were Akane, I&#039;d be surprised that she could make such a cute sound &lt;br /&gt;
despite being a bitch,&lt;br /&gt;
    but it was Rika. She couldn&#039;t stop herself and crashed into Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them tumbled to the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Get away from me, idiot!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane roared, swinging the gun down at Rika&#039;s head.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    With a dull thud, the petite girl&#039;s eyes rolled back.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, are you okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I quickly ran towards Akane. The bitch had just stood up, her eyes bloodshot.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Then, for some reason, she pointed her gun at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What the hell did you do, you bastard!?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You helped me! You used magic!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She roared at me, her face radiating all the fury she&#039;d shown. That&#039;s right, I unleashed &lt;br /&gt;
flames on Rika at that instant.&lt;br /&gt;
    That caused the girl to lose her balance and charge into Akane. &amp;quot;Did n&#039;t  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I tell you not to attack?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But if you keep going like that, you&#039;ll be killed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s when a shonen manga -style counterattack begins!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    What nonsense! Apparently, the humiliation she feels for helping her is greater than her &lt;br /&gt;
gratitude. This personality is so troublesome.&lt;br /&gt;
    What will happen to me if I help her?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Unforgivable! I&#039;ll see you and the loli die together!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stupid, stupid! That&#039;s called internal strife!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just now, you were no longer my comrade.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I waved my hand hastily. If this continues, this woman will really shoot.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait, calm down and think about it. Let&#039;s start the internal strife later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If we do it later, I&#039;ll blow your head off.&amp;quot; If not, it&#039;s the same now.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s just stop. Compared to that, what should we do?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    This girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    We looked at Rika, who had fainted at our feet. Akane said reflexively.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Kill her?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s the first thing you say. If you&#039;re talking about prisoners, right? Don&#039;t we have to &lt;br /&gt;
abide by that Japan -something convention?&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s that Japan -something? Is it Joule or Bernu?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe it&#039;s called the Treaty of Junior. (Note: This treaty name is a transliteration. I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
guessing Natsuru meant the Geneva Convention.)&lt;br /&gt;
    It seems to be related to the soccer player Kawasaki Blondare (Note: This is also a &lt;br /&gt;
transliteration, likely the name of a team or a person). I&#039;m not&lt;br /&gt;
    sure . But killing is never a good idea.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, when she wakes up, we can ask her a lot of questions. Maybe we can figure out &lt;br /&gt;
something. Like the exit here.&lt;br /&gt;
    Huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    We came in through the swimming pool, but this girl must have come from somewhere &lt;br /&gt;
else. It would be better to ask her.&lt;br /&gt;
    It was a hastily put together remark, but it was a good idea. If we leave her here, we&#039;ll just  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    be . &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmm.] Akane  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    frowned. She looked more angry than angry that I couldn&#039;t convince her.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Whatever.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Take her with you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Where to?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane put on a sour face.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [This is underground. We don&#039;t know what&#039;s down there. What should we do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah.] It was definitely time to think about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    In the end, Akane and I carried Rika on our backs.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    We argued over who would carry her, but we ended up playing rock -paper -scissors and &lt;br /&gt;
decided that Akane would do it. It should have been a man&#039;s job, but now that we were both&lt;br /&gt;
    women, there was no difference in physical strength.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane sighed, &amp;quot;Carrying a little girl is like protecting a child.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I think we&#039;re a good match, but I still have to be more respectful. She might actually kill &lt;br /&gt;
me.&lt;br /&gt;
    Fortunately, the downward slope soon ended. There was a rolling shutter door at the end, &lt;br /&gt;
but the door next to it was not locked.&lt;br /&gt;
    Behind the door was a small room. It was hard to say it was clean, just like the previous &lt;br /&gt;
one, but there was no water leakage and no moisture. It was dusty though.&lt;br /&gt;
    [Is this a lounge or something?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane whispered as she put Rika on the ground. I looked inside. It was so shabby that &lt;br /&gt;
there was not even a chair, but there was a&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s a sturdy lever.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Is this the control room?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s a lever here. It looks like I can open that rolling door with this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Then give it a try.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    You don&#039;t have to tell me. I tried to push the upward lever down, but it wouldn&#039;t budge.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [No. It won&#039;t budge, not even with Kämpfer&#039;s strength.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Does it require electricity?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Maybe it&#039;s just rusted.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Either way, it&#039;s going to be difficult. It seems I&#039;ll have to give up on opening that rolling &lt;br /&gt;
door.&lt;br /&gt;
    [No way. Let&#039;s take a break.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane kept moving her arms.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you tired already?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Idiot, you can&#039;t keep carrying this thing.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [You can&#039;t just leave it here.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I have something to ask her. I&#039;ll have to wait until she wakes up. If she wakes up while I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
carrying her, it&#039;ll be troublesome.]&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, because she might suddenly grab Akane&#039;s neck.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    We let Rika sleep a good distance from the wall. I leaned over.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    For some reason, she looked so cute like that. The so -called sleeping face seems to elevate &lt;br /&gt;
anyone by three levels, like an image.&lt;br /&gt;
    Now it feels like she&#039;s about to call out, &amp;quot;Big Brother.&amp;quot; I hate to say it, but  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath seems displeased.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you a lolita con?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, what are you talking about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you going to take her clothes off now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not interested.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Lolita con isn&#039;t even something that exists in Class 4, Grade 2, Boys&#039; Division. Higashida is a &lt;br /&gt;
bit of an M -type sister -con. Come&lt;br /&gt;
    to think of it, I don&#039;t know the other guys&#039; sexual orientations. Maybe there really are some &lt;br /&gt;
who are interested in young girls. If it were me,&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d keep it a secret and carry it to my grave.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I walked away from Rika and sat down against the wall.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath also sat down next to me. Now it was just the two of us, resting in a dark, &lt;br /&gt;
depressing room.&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Beneath, are you going to stay transformed like this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not good. Aren&#039;t you also a woman?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Indeed, I didn&#039;t expect it to take this long.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you hate transforming?&amp;quot; No.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    We talked about it before coming here again. Yeah  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    , that time we went for tea before meeting at the station. Somehow it feels like ages ago. I &lt;br /&gt;
used to think that just having so many opportunities to be alone with you was enough.     And&lt;br /&gt;
    just being with you in your pre -transformation state would satisfy me. But     you&#039;re still the &lt;br /&gt;
way you were after your transformation, right?     Maybe there&#039;s still some nostalgia. I don&#039;t think that&#039;s a good thing.     She pounded her fist and hit her h ead a few times.     What does nostalgia mean? The word &amp;quot;fierce dog&amp;quot; doesn&#039;t fit the bill. She seems to be living in a momentary state. Speaking of which     , should I call this woman interesting or strange? Usually, when someone transforms into a Käm pfer, various aspects of their personality change,     but this one is different. Her personality changes drastically. And she often says things that sound like someone else&#039;s. I don&#039;t understand that feeling. It&#039;s the same with Shizuku and Mikoto, right?     It&#039;s just like in a book, but it&#039;s much better than having 24 personalities.     &amp;quot;My pre -transformation self was my true self, but now it&#039;s a little different. You shouldn&#039;t forget that guy.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Because you&#039;re going to shoot right now, right?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;That&#039;s not what I meant. Anyway, it&#039;s not good.&amp;quot;     I was stunned.     &amp;quot;You said it&#039;s not good, you&#039;re Akane, right?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Yeah. &amp;quot; &amp;quot;That&#039;s     fine. I think either one is you.&amp;quot;     Akane kept staring into my eyes.     &amp;quot;Are you serious?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Then tell that to my pre -transformation self. She&#039;ll definitely be pleased.&amp;quot;     Then she added.     &amp;quot;I feel a little bit too, huh.&amp;quot;     The woman stopped talkin g at that.     In the dim darkness, Akane and I sat side by side. There was a slight sound of air flowing. Is there a ventilation vent somewhere?     It seems I rarely spend time alone with the fierce dog Akane. I&#039;ve been out with her before she transforme d quite a bit.     It feels a bit strange to think about it that way. It&#039;s like squatting in a dangerous place. The person next to me is     dynamite .     【Hey! 】     【Wow, Dynamite is talking. 】     【 What? 】     【Nothing. 】     【What should I do with this weird loli? 】     Akane poked her with her toes.     【Are you planning to kill her? 】     【What are you talking about? No. 】     I shook my head. Will she object? I thought so. But Akane just sniffed.     【Hmph, as expected. 】     【What? 】     【You seem to have forgotten that you said the same thing about Shizuku. 】     【What did you say? 】     【You stopped me when I was about to kill Shizuku, idiot. 】     Everyone likes to add a sentence.     If I think about it, it seems that I said something like that. Yes, that was when I first fought with Shizuku. At that time, Sakura Kaede fell into Shizuku&#039;s     trap and was kidnapped. Anyway, we won after going through a lot of hardships. We were enemies then, but now we are companions. Yes&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Back then, I thought you were a naive brat.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Is it different now?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [No, I think so now too.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    As soon as I said that, Akane denied it.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Sympathizing with the enemy is downright naive. I can&#039;t help you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m so sorry.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [But maybe that&#039;s your strength.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said that.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Let me be clear, I think all we have to do is fight. If we all die, that&#039;s it. How simple, though  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t think that way before I transformed.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Wouldn&#039;t it be better to be peaceful?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Shut up. Only Shizuku would be like that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Really?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Not as much as me. But that annoying woman said that if we keep fighting, we&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
eventually find meaning.]&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah, I forgot, but this woman still remembers it perfectly.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I suddenly remembered something, so I tried to say it.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [But that&#039;s only natural. We&#039;re Kämpfer , after all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, even Seppuku Tiger told me we exist to fight. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Seppuku Tiger also told me that.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [So-called battle should also include killing the opponent. That bastard Shizuku. He seemed &lt;br /&gt;
to be doing quite well before we met. He seemed to have a&lt;br /&gt;
    companion.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Why do we seem to be talking about Shizuku&#039;s predecessor. I think I taught her about &lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer. Maybe I&#039;ve heard of her name but forgot.&lt;br /&gt;
    [And you told me not to kill her. This guy might be unexpected for those guys.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Who is it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re so stupid, the Mediator.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Ahhh.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Yes. We were transformed into Kämpfer by the Mediator and guided by the Entrails &lt;br /&gt;
Animals. It&#039;s clear from the name that Kämpfer exists to&lt;br /&gt;
    fight . Although I don&#039;t know why it&#039;s in German. We have to fight and we will all appear in &lt;br /&gt;
the same place. In fact&lt;br /&gt;
    , I am also fighting, but I have never completely defeated the enemy. Although it&#039;s not &lt;br /&gt;
intentional, it always turns out like that. It can be said that the status quo&lt;br /&gt;
    is always maintained, which is probably not something to be happy about.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said as if talking to herself:  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I have no idea how things will turn out. Maybe it won&#039;t have any effect at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Then I&#039;ve wasted my time worrying.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe it does.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    If that&#039;s the case, I&#039;m overthinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    But there&#039;s no doubt this is good for you. You&#039;re here to do these things for the best. At &lt;br /&gt;
least that&#039;s what I thought before I transformed.&lt;br /&gt;
    So, huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane turned her eyes on me and stared at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She was kinder to her pre -transformation self!  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m kind, aren&#039;t I?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Huh? Are you crazy?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s a bit much. Even though my homeroom teacher in junior high once taught me, &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Seno, you need to broaden your horizons and expand your heart,&amp;quot; I guess&lt;br /&gt;
    being like this is enough. I&#039;m incredibly kind. Especially to girls.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    But that fierce dog Akane clearly treats me like a bug.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No matter how close I get to you, you ignore me, oblivious. It&#039;s like sprinkling water on the &lt;br /&gt;
beach. My pre -transformation self was heartbroken fifty times. Just getting close to you takes so much effort on my part.&lt;br /&gt;
    I think I&#039;m kind.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    How can you call it kindness to remain indifferent no matter what I do? It&#039;s infuriating. &lt;br /&gt;
Why does even my transformed self feel this way? Akane was mumbling something to herself, getting angry. And I was the one she was talking about. If&lt;br /&gt;
    you think about it, it&#039;s a bit harsh. No, it&#039;s natural, from my perspective. Why did I have to &lt;br /&gt;
be scolded like this by the Bulldog Girl? If I had a stronger sense of revenge&lt;br /&gt;
    , I would have done something awful when we were alone like now.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    In other words, Akane -chan has a crush on me.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    It seems that if I don&#039;t explain it clearly, you, with your poorer hearing than an old man, &lt;br /&gt;
won&#039;t understand. I liked you before I transformed.&lt;br /&gt;
    I was speechless for a moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, is that so?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    You idiot! You already had a vague feeling about it. Then why are you still the same?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No, I&#039;m not sure if she really is like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I wouldn&#039;t have been so open about it before I transformed! You&#039;re only concerned with &lt;br /&gt;
that stinky woman, completely oblivious to the feelings of those around you.&lt;br /&gt;
    Before my transformation, I was so stubborn just to get close to you. That girl has a very &lt;br /&gt;
narrow perspective; she&lt;br /&gt;
    couldn&#039;t even see a man other than you.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Not only is your perspective narrow, you&#039;re also rude.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Shut up. So you have to tell that girl. Since you said you liked her, I thought this would give &lt;br /&gt;
me a head start.&lt;br /&gt;
    I did say that.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Yes or no? I wanted you to say yes. Anyway, you have to make the decision.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah, I get  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    it. You don&#039;t understand at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No, no, I really do! Shizuku said the same thing to me back then.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Yes, the student council president was also waiting for my answer. And so was Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    The girls were all pouring their feelings into me, eager for my response. And I had to &lt;br /&gt;
answer. It&lt;br /&gt;
    felt , a real obligation. They were all serious about it, so I&#039;d be letting them down if I didn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
take it seriously too.&lt;br /&gt;
    But, even Akane has become like this. Are you saying I&#039;m a womanizer? Could it be that &lt;br /&gt;
even the squad leader and the others would say that to me? I&#039;m too&lt;br /&gt;
    conceited.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane talked for a while, then suddenly sighed.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, do you think I was bad before my transformation?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s not like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m used to seeing how thick -skinned you are.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I think it&#039;s not as thick as yours.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    The Mastiff Girl remained silent, and I thought of the little girl with glasses, Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She was introverted and quiet, and she had a crush on me. While there were some &lt;br /&gt;
similarities, I was still happy. But&lt;br /&gt;
    what about the Mastiff Girl before me? I was talking about her before she transformed.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s wrong?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    You told me to be more friendly to your pre -transformation self, didn&#039;t you  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    ? You want to say more? No.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    You had a crush on me, didn&#039;t you, Akane, before you transformed?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    But it wasn&#039;t a lukewarm feeling.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    What about you?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    What?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane raised an eyebrow.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    How do you view me now?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    The Mastiff Girl spoke without hesitation:  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Same. I quite like you this way.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I blinked.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I asked her half -jokingly. She suddenly said something truly remarkable. &amp;quot;I&#039;m actually liked &lt;br /&gt;
by someone who fires wildly at every turn&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; She must have had a stomachache. Or maybe she drank too much water when she fell &lt;br /&gt;
into the pool. That must be it.&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, Akane&#039;s eyes darkened.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You, are you really thinking about something silly?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Such a keen sense. I&#039;m often amazed by women&#039;s sharp perceptions, but this guy&#039;s got &lt;br /&gt;
more than just a dog&#039;s nose, it seems,&lt;br /&gt;
    and a sixth sense too.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You disgusting fellow. Don&#039;t even think about such foolish things. You&#039;re so foolish that &lt;br /&gt;
both the pre -transformed and post -transformed me are on the verge of tears.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just cry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you have to say that to me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s expression suddenly shifted to a close -up. It was truly shocking. A tough girl crying &lt;br /&gt;
is adorable, because you can read&lt;br /&gt;
    something into it, but anger is terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I clearly found a suitable opportunity to do this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know what the suitable opportunity was. Isn&#039;t your only intention to kill?&amp;quot; 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Don&#039;t you have any other explanation! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Why did this woman&#039;s face turn red? It&#039;s dark so I can&#039;t see clearly, but her face must be &lt;br /&gt;
very red. But why?&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s answer shows her feelings.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【I&#039;m confessing to you in my own way! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Huh? Why? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【You confusing guy! I told you I like you! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s it?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane suddenly grabbed the front of my shirt.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【What do you mean, that&#039;s it? I liked you before the transformation, and I actually like &lt;br /&gt;
you after the transformation too. That&#039;s double. More than Shizuku and Mikoto. So. 】&lt;br /&gt;
    【You ask me why 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I was overwhelmed by his intimidating power. I was a little scared and confused. Because &lt;br /&gt;
she suddenly yelled.&lt;br /&gt;
    【What a slow bastard, I&#039;ll kill you. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【I don&#039;t want to die yet. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Shizuku and Mikoto have both confessed, but this is in my favor. First of all, I&#039;m your &lt;br /&gt;
type, right? 】&lt;br /&gt;
    【That&#039;s right, but. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【But?】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Yes, that&#039;s right. I  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    couldn&#039;t do anything, my head was shaking like that, unable to do anything. My eyes were &lt;br /&gt;
darting around.&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, there&#039;s nothing to complain about, right? We love each other. There&#039;s no point in &lt;br /&gt;
being upset or dissatisfied.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Killed, huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a figure of speech! If you don&#039;t listen to me, I&#039;ll kill you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Or die? I couldn&#039;t figure it out. I was  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    desperately trying to sort my head out. So, that fierce dog, Akane, had confessed to me, as &lt;br /&gt;
if I wouldn&#039;t listen to her. This was a&lt;br /&gt;
    big deal.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you understand?&amp;quot; &amp;quot; I  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    understand everything.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;I like you!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Yes, is that so? The fact  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    that a woman who&#039;s always been known for shooting and yelling at everyone would say &lt;br /&gt;
this about China really shocked me. At least&lt;br /&gt;
    when she probably just thought of me as some discarded cardboard. She was the  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    type who &amp;quot;sees everything as a nuisance.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane before her transformation who had a crush on me, but I hadn&#039;t expected this &lt;br /&gt;
rabid dog.&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m with you because I like you!&amp;quot; I like you! Is there any other reason?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane let out a murderous emotion. Is this love?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Threatening me again.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [You won&#039;t understand if I don&#039;t force you! I love you! Idiot!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I get it. I get it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I straightened my back and tried to calm myself down.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [But I&#039;ll hold my answer back for now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [What are you talking about, asshole.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s the same with the other girls! I&#039;ve already told Shizuku and Mikoto that I&#039;ll give them &lt;br /&gt;
my answer later. I can&#039;t say it here!]&lt;br /&gt;
    This is my way of showing my sincerity. I don&#039;t want to treat each one differently, no &lt;br /&gt;
matter how individual. It might seem cold to every girl, but&lt;br /&gt;
    that&#039;s the way it is.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? What are you talking about?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane put on a &amp;quot;found idiot&amp;quot; look. I was stunned.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh, didn&#039;t you confess to me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Indeed, I love you. But I made it clear before. I may not be able to transform after this is &lt;br /&gt;
over.]&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you say so. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So the moment I confessed to you was crucial.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What about the answer?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No need!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I was stunned again. So you don&#039;t want to answer.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Actually, I do. But, forget about that, just tell me before I transformed. What&#039;s important &lt;br /&gt;
to me is now, now.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
    She stared at me intently. The will in her eyes was still as strong as ever.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    But how should I put it? It came from something pure. Although her eyes always held &lt;br /&gt;
arrogance or murderous intent, she also had&lt;br /&gt;
    that expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just deepened our relationship.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What did you do?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re so noisy! Will you listen to me or not?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;If you  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    don&#039;t, I&#039;ll kill you!?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Listen.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    As expected. I don&#039;t think I can beat this guy in arm wrestling. And his enthusiasm too.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
Akane looked incredibly happy. Is there something that makes her&lt;br /&gt;
    happy? There&#039;s only a woman who threatens others and a man who is being threatened &lt;br /&gt;
here.&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, then, let&#039;s do that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;? &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it.&amp;quot; That.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Her oil turned red, but the atmosphere seemed different from before.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Then, as if she had made up her mind, Akane said:  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Kiss me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [What haha!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    And then she immediately got angry. I felt like I had to do something.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [But didn&#039;t I already do it with you?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [That was with me before I transformed.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Did you also do it with me after I transformed?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t know, I forgot. Whatever, I want to do it now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    You saying you want to do it is really shameless.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked serious. No, this girl always means it. As long as she&#039;s not trying to hide her &lt;br /&gt;
murderous intent, she means it.&lt;br /&gt;
    Which means I have to kiss her.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Mouth to mouth with this fierce dog girl? Kissing a dog, what if I get rabies? Akane&#039;s face &lt;br /&gt;
was facing me again. I asked, why are you staring at me&lt;br /&gt;
    ? And then, the woman spoke again.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Kiss, kiss.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Do you want to do it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Do it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I was about to lean over when Akane pushed me away.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you, a pervert?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You said you wanted to kiss, didn&#039;t you?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not as a woman!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true. If you stay like this as a Kämpfer for too long, you&#039;ll forget what you look like.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I poured power into the bracelet, and the Ring of Oath glowed, and I transformed back &lt;br /&gt;
into a man.&lt;br /&gt;
    The fierce dog, Akane, seemed relieved.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t get excited otherwise.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Won&#039;t you change back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I have to keep it this way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She seemed to be insisting on something, is that right?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, hurry up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kiss?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you even need to ask?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then don&#039;t make such a scary face. It&#039;s going to be difficult.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just close your eyes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, I see, you&#039;re really smart.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll strangle you, you bastard.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Close your eyes too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Actually, I didn&#039;t do that. When I said close my eyes, I opened them slightly. Akane &lt;br /&gt;
squeezed them&lt;br /&gt;
    shut . Then her mouth was slightly open, with a strange expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Don&#039;t panic. Take the kiss.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I told you that was me before my transformation.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    It was quite amusing to leave her like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I was a little surprised that I had the time to observe Akane closely. Her face was very red. I &lt;br /&gt;
knew she was nervous.&lt;br /&gt;
    A soft breathing sound escaped her lips, and her eyelashes trembled slightly. This was &lt;br /&gt;
really interesting.&lt;br /&gt;
    For some reason, I felt like teasing this bulldog girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, didn&#039;t I tell you to hurry up? You trash bastard.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [You, you want to kiss trash?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s just a formality. Kiss me!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Quick?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I blinked deliberately, looking at Akane with an expression that said, &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know what &lt;br /&gt;
you&#039;re talking about.&amp;quot; Actually, I understood everything.&lt;br /&gt;
    The bulldog girl opened one eye.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Hurry up!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Teacher, Miyu -san&#039;s words are not polite.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [There&#039;s no teacher!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    After this furious roar, Akane grumbled softly,  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hurry up.&amp;quot; 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Please, please do this. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Akane, you are still so gentle and elegant. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Kill, kill, kill you  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    . 】 【I&#039;m going to die. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Stupid, idiot, of course I&#039;m not going to kill you. Please kiss me quickly. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She closed her eyes again. I shook my head quietly. No, no, I&#039;m playing with fire. Because &lt;br /&gt;
she showed me a rare side of her,&lt;br /&gt;
    I teased her without noticing. Do I have S attributes? Akane was so nervous that her body &lt;br /&gt;
was shaking. She never hesitated&lt;br /&gt;
    when . As another party involved, I am also very nervous now, but I am a senior in terms of &lt;br /&gt;
number of times. I said to myself&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Be more proactive, &amp;quot;     I said, leaning forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    At first, it was just a gentle touch, then I pressed my lips against hers with all my might.     A &lt;br /&gt;
faint breath escaped me. It wasn&#039;t me, it was Akane.     It felt like her emotions were flowing through me. It felt sweet and tingling.     My lips were the only thing touching Akane, so there was nowhere else to put my hands. What should I do? I had no choice but to put my hands around her back.     What about my left hand? Uh —in front?     Unsure i f this was a good idea, I placed my hand on the swell of Akane&#039;s chest.     Akane&#039;s body jerked.     &amp;quot;Ouch!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Ah, sorry.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Hey. &amp;quot; &amp;quot;     No, no!&amp;quot; As expected, placing my hand in front of her made a strange pose. Embracing with both arms was the stan dard.     It seemed unsafe if I was the only one doing it. If only she had put her hands around my back, it would have been fine.     But for some reason, Akane&#039;s body went limp, almost collapsing.     &amp;quot;Hey, hey. What&#039;s wrong?!&amp;quot;     I hurried to support he r.     &amp;quot;Damn, I feel weak all over.&amp;quot; Why     ?     Idiot, it&#039;s because you touched something you shouldn&#039;t have. Ah     , just because of this little thing, it turned out like this.     Akane&#039;s body softened like a deflated balloon. Unlike a balloon, her b ody felt heavy.     Akane slurred her words:     My body and head are so light.     What are you doing?     Wait, no.     As if to prevent me from seeing her face, she suddenly turned away.     Idiot, don&#039;t look.     Why can&#039;t you look?     I told you not to look, you must not look, because I&#039;m in such a mess!     This raspy voice made me feel itchy. This couldn&#039;t be fake, could it? She was yelling &amp;quot;Don&#039;t look, don&#039;t look&amp;quot; when she actually wanted to be seen     .     I said this to myself, grabbed Akane&#039;s hand, and turned her face towards me.     Hey, hey.     Wow, what&#039;s that soft voice? Akane&#039;s expression now looked like she was about to melt. The ferocity of her bulldog mode     blended .     It felt like she was trying to look at me while crying, but sh e couldn&#039;t muster the strength.     [Ugh, Natsuru, you actually saw that.]     [No,     I just don&#039;t want to.] [Damn, I&#039;m going to be mad.]     Tears slowly seeped from the corners of her eyes.     Ah—I always think she&#039;s so cute. It&#039;s true that I like peo ple like Akane, but that&#039;s specifically referring to Akane before she transforms. But     a bully girl like that is also very attractive. A strong girl crying is really inspiring.     [You, Natsuru, you bitch.]     [Really, is that so?]     [You&#039;re bullyin g me, you&#039;re such a jerk.]     She kept tugging at my clothes with her fingers.     [Do more.]     [Didn&#039;t we already do it?]     [I want more.]     I couldn&#039;t resist her tearful pleas.     Then I kissed her again. Akane responded more aggressively than be fore.     Her body was still weak, but only her lips were active. I kept thinking, I&#039;ll just take the lead.     I immediately channeled strength into the hands wrapped around her back.     [Hmm.]     [Akane made a muffled sound.]     [More.]     Okay, okay . There was no use using too much force. I just enveloped her. I was a complete novice before Shizuku stole my first kiss, but     now I&#039;ve become quite adept at this sort of thing. People grow as they experience formal situations.     Akane&#039;s hand moved, grabbing my left hand. Hmm?     [Here.]     My left hand was guided forward again, resting on Akane&#039;s chest. Wow.     [Hey, Akane.]     [Shut up. You did it just now,     didn&#039;t you?]     [It&#039;s not that I hate it! Because it felt weird back then.]     [Wha t do you mean by weird?]     [Don&#039;t make me say it!]     Uh—, what should I do with this hand? It went straight to Akane&#039;s chest. Should I say  it&#039;s in the wrong place? It&#039;s really disturbing.     [You touched my breasts before my transformation, didn&#039;t yo u?]     [Yes, but...] 】     【Then come now. 】     No, I don&#039;t quite understand. Is this an okay reason?     The breasts of the fierce dog Akane are different from before the transformation. It&#039;s a bit difficult for me to explain in detail, they are just a little bigger, and they are soft.     I touched Akane&#039;s breasts back and forth tremblingly. Even through the wet clothes, I can feel the softness.     【Hmm. 】     Akane&#039;s lips left me and a breath was released. Wow, it feels so naughty.     【Come again. 】     【No, doesn&#039;t it hurt. 】     【Don&#039;t worry. 】     I turned my palm while touching. Is this okay? I feel like I&#039;ve made a mistake, there&#039;s nothing I can do.     【Natsuru. 】     【What, what&#039;s wrong. 】     【Just touch it directly. 】     Ahh—— , are you going to do this?&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d been exerting my enthusiasm until just now, but things had changed again.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    While it was true that I&#039;d been thinking, &amp;quot;Let&#039;s just bully her a little,&amp;quot; this situation took me &lt;br /&gt;
by surprise.&lt;br /&gt;
    Should I stop, or should I continue? This is a strange, underground laboratory -like place, &lt;br /&gt;
and the atmosphere is like a haunted house&lt;br /&gt;
    . There&#039;s not even a bed, is this okay?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    But Akane said softly,  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Before my transformation, I said I wanted to deepen our relationship, didn&#039;t I?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, yeah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now I feel really sorry for being like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;To whom?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;To you, and to that guy too.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    That guy&amp;quot; was probably referring to Akane before her transformation. Maybe Akane&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
personality is completely separate. At least not right now.&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I really, really want to do this right now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said in a hoarse voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hurry up, I can&#039;t hold it any longer.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m a newbie.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Me too!      Do something else  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    before I change my mind.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Just you!&amp;quot; Since that&#039;s what she     said, I had no choice but &lt;br /&gt;
to make up my mind.     I slipped my hand under the hem of Akane&#039;s shirt. She&#039;d rolled it up to give me more room. My hand reached in from underneath and     felt something, fabric again. A bra? What should I do?     I should take it off. Of course, I&#039;d never done anything like this before. Back in my second year in the boys&#039; club, we had a discussion about the best way to remove a bra     , and I remember the conclusion was to cut it with scissors. Was that right? That would mean I&#039;d have to run around with scissors.     I didn&#039;t have any scissors, so I&#039;d have to use my fingers. The button should be at the back.     I put my hand around her back. Wow, Akane&#039;s s kin is so smooth. Even through the pool water, I could still feel it clearly.     There was something that looked like a bra button. I said &amp;quot;like&amp;quot; because it was my first time doing this. Even porn     movies don&#039;t show detailed undressing scenes.     So I moved slowly. I was more worried about getting angry than about the difficulty. What if I got killed?     Finally, it&#039;s off. She let out a soft sigh, perhaps because the pressure was relieved. Then I moved my fingers back to their original position.     I slipped my fingers inside the bra. Wow, real breasts. Uh, maybe I should give them a good rub next. Yeah     , so soft, so soft. I moved my hands more cautiously than before. I was getting super nervous. More cautious, more cautious. Finally, my     finge rs felt a bump. Could this be a nipple?     I&#039;d read somewhere that you shouldn&#039;t touch nipples too hard. It might be fake, but it&#039;s okay. I     stroked her nipple very gently, like stroking a feather.     [Natsuru, harder.]     [ No, doesn&#039;t it hurt?]     [You like it harder, right?]     [What, how about that?]     [No problem.]     Wow, this is so erotic. My head was starting to feel dizzy.     In that moment, I had become a master at fondling breasts and nipples. I couldn&#039;t under stand how I went from an amateur to a master.     Akane said nothing. I brought my right hand, which had been around her back, to the front, rubbing both sides simultaneously.     Both hands were doing the same thing. This was a bit awkward.     [Natsuru.]     [Yes.]     [Just like this, wouldn&#039;t it be enough?]     Ah, no, that&#039;s enough. Anyway, I didn&#039;t expect th ings to turn out like this this morning.     Akane&#039;s eyes had turned pink. She&#039;d always been incredibly arrogant or murderous, but now she looked like a beautiful girl completely     devoted to a man.     She whispered intermittently,     [It&#039;s okay to do it.]     What?     [It&#039;s okay to do it.]     So you mean that? It had to be that. I swallowed. I&#039;d experienced the same thing before. It was late at night     at school , and the person was Shizuku. She&#039;d suddenly startled me by starting to take off her cl othes.     This time it was Akane. But unlike the proactive Shizuku, she felt like a puppy. And then, without realizing it, I began to find     her cute.     But below that was uncharted territory. What should I do?     While I was fretting, Akane had alre ady taken off her lower body. Ah, I can&#039;t exert any strength, but I can move now.     But forget about that. She was now in this unexpected H -position, wearing only her shirt and panties. And her bra was hanging from     her shoulders.     [You can touch h ere, too.]     Do I need to clarify what &amp;quot;here&amp;quot; refers to?     I was already nervous, and without knowing what was going on, I slowly moved my hand away from her breasts and reached for Akane&#039;s panties.     She let out another sob.     [You can&#039;t wait agai n, you&#039;re so mean, Natsuru. You&#039;re such a badass.]     This time, I couldn&#039;t say I was impatient. It was more like I was lost in the mountains. I put my hand on her panties. The rubber was really tight. Then I slipped my finger inside.     [Hmm.] I     hit the mark again. It was the pelvis. My hand became moist. Well, it wasn&#039;t because I touched that spot. I was sweating from     nervousness . The ease I had when we kissed was long gone.     &amp;quot;Hurry up.&amp;quot;     She urged me. I had no choice but to go for it.     The moment I made up my mind,     &amp;quot;Hmm.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
    A groan echoed. It wasn&#039;t Akane&#039;s voice. A more childish one.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I raised my head with a jerk.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh no, it&#039;s that guy!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were still watery.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Akane, that guy&#039;s awake!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    It was Rika. I&#039;d forgotten about it and just left the white Kämpfer sleeping there. A  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    look of obvious displeasure crossed the mastiff girl&#039;s face.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Then hurry up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [No, no, no, we&#039;ll be seen.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not interested. It might be fine to just be a spectator, but I don&#039;t want to be seen. &lt;br /&gt;
Especially by a&lt;br /&gt;
    middle school kid .  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [If I don&#039;t say anything, she won&#039;t know.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [She knows; she&#039;s already woken up.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [How could that be? Idiot, heartless person, I meant it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I pushed Akane aside and walked over to Rika. Akane crouched there, cursing non -stop: &lt;br /&gt;
[Natsuru, you idiot. Natsuru, you idiot. &amp;quot;Natsuru,&lt;br /&gt;
    you idiot!&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s really mean! You need to change.&amp;quot; Looking at the white Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika&#039;s lips moved, and she let out a moan. But I couldn&#039;t tell what she was saying. Probably &lt;br /&gt;
nothing.&lt;br /&gt;
    Then her eyelids twitched a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Her eyes hadn&#039;t yet come into focus. She was still wobbling, so I&#039;d leave her like that for &lt;br /&gt;
now.&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you awake?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m Rika.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I knew that.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She simply moved her head, glancing back and forth between me and Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru is here, and Puppy is in Puppy&#039;s clothes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I was about to blush, Rika suddenly jumped up.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah—! Ah—! Wow! No —!&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I jumped. The girl suddenly covered her chest and backed away.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Dirty! Pervert! Rapist!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you talking about!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You took off Puppy&#039;s clothes! Are you planning to do the same to Rika? No —!&amp;quot; That&#039;s a &lt;br /&gt;
huge misunderstanding&lt;br /&gt;
    , and perhaps it&#039;s understandable to think so. It was consensual, but it&#039;s also  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    true .  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true, but I have no intention of attacking you.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika is an incredibly beautiful girl, so you want to rape me and sell me, right? You&#039;ll be &lt;br /&gt;
arrested!&lt;br /&gt;
    You said you were a beautiful girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I was stunned, but Akane was different. She pulled out a pistol and aimed it steadily at &lt;br /&gt;
Rika.&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey! Lolita! How dare you get in our way, you bastard?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s that, little dog? Have you been possessed by Natsuru and gone insane? We  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    were just about to begin!  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Her gentle demeanor from earlier had completely vanished; she was completely mad. &lt;br /&gt;
She&#039;d definitely shoot if this continued. I held her hand down.&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait, stop.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Let go! I&#039;m rarely in that mood, I can&#039;t forgive you!  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I should interrogate her first.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I forced her to drop the gun. Otherwise, she&#039;d probably not only shoot but also dismember &lt;br /&gt;
me.&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I approached Rika, who was fleeing towards the corner.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, come here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, Rika will be violated! Ah, Kaede -sama, Rika will be defiled.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I said no. Because I&#039;m not interested in junior high school girls!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You say that, but you&#039;re definitely planning on taking nude photos of me and auctioning &lt;br /&gt;
them online!&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
    How do you know so much?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I grabbed Rika&#039;s wrist and pulled her towards me. Bending over to the center of the room, I &lt;br /&gt;
said,&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not interested in naked junior high school girls.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You must be lying. Everyone else says that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I softened my voice to calm her down. But letting her run away would be troublesome, so I &lt;br /&gt;
asked her to sit down.&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I have something to ask.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Rika doesn&#039;t have it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I do. I&#039;ll just say it. Where&#039;s the exit from here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika suddenly shut up and turned away unhappily. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Where did you come in from? Where did you leave from?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Who else came in besides you and Hitomi?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Are you planning to kill us?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmph.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She just stared off to the side without saying anything, her cheeks slightly puffed up, &lt;br /&gt;
looking completely like a child.&lt;br /&gt;
    But if this goes on, I&#039;m going to be troubled. And there&#039;s someone even more impatient &lt;br /&gt;
here.&lt;br /&gt;
    [Get out of the way, Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pushed me aside and put the muzzle of her gun to Rika&#039;s head.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Turn around, lolita girl. You know what will happen if you don&#039;t tell me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [.] &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Listen, I&#039;m in a bad mood right now. Even worse than when I didn&#039;t buy the limited edition &lt;br /&gt;
poster. I won&#039;t let this&lt;br /&gt;
    go !]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmph. Savage, stray dog.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika turned to Akane and stuck out her tongue at her.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [I won&#039;t tell someone like you. Someone told Rika not to feed stray dogs.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Very good, very good. Akane  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    pulled the trigger without hesitation. Wow.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    The bullet whizzed out with a sharp sound. Rika covered her left ear with her hand, tears &lt;br /&gt;
welling in her eyes. The bullet just grazed her side.&lt;br /&gt;
    [I missed on purpose just now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    A thin wisp of blue smoke billowed from the muzzle of the gun. Akane&#039;s eyes were &lt;br /&gt;
gleaming.&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hmph.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika hadn&#039;t dropped her tough stance yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Even if you do that, I won&#039;t tell you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Next time, I&#039;ll blow your ear off.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane gnashed her teeth and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Next time, it&#039;ll be your finger, then your foot. If you don&#039;t want to be covered in blood, tell &lt;br /&gt;
me now.]&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s okay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Although she seemed startled by the gunshot, she was still playing it safe. The white &lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer has a strong mental endurance, too. If it were me,&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d probably cry.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Okay, then I&#039;ll let you have some fun.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane grabbed Rika&#039;s chin with one hand and forcibly lifted her up. The girl stared back at &lt;br /&gt;
him with tears in her eyes.&lt;br /&gt;
    [Show me what you can do!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s not me they want to do, it&#039;s this guy.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pointed at me. What&#039;s that?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t look at this guy like that; he&#039;s a seasoned S. Do you want me to tell you what he just &lt;br /&gt;
did to me? What&lt;br /&gt;
    , what?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru brought you, unconscious, into this room. Of course, it wasn&#039;t to take care of you. &lt;br /&gt;
It was to molest you to his heart&#039;s content.&lt;br /&gt;
    I was startled and about to retort Akane. But the mastiff girl gave me a &amp;quot;Shut up&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
look.     This&lt;br /&gt;
    guy put you here and was about to rip your clothes off. I tried to stop him, but he hit me &lt;br /&gt;
and pushed me over.     Ah, but aren&#039;t you his comrade, puppy?     Does Natsuru seem to care about friend or foe? He&#039;ll take on any woman, even a fox. He stripped me  of my clothes,     sucked my lips, grabbed my breasts, and rubbed my nipples repeatedly.     No matter how I think about it, it seems fake. No, it&#039;s still not right. I&#039;m not that rough. It should be more romantic, but it seems     so far off . But it was something we both agreed to. It was something we both agreed to.     Rika was terrified. Hey, don&#039;t misinterpret what others say.     [Natsuru, is he that kind of person?]     [I&#039;ve suffered so much, my body is so tortured it&#039;s unbearable to look at. I t&#039;s even worse than a rag. Do you want to try?]     [No, no.]     [Then confess everything.]     Akane had already said this, as if it had already been poured into Rika&#039;s mind.     [I already warned you.]     Rika lowered her head and bit her lip. Why did she feel like she was trembling? Well, I&#039;m not a serial killer.     Then she said in a halting manner:     [I understand.]     [Okay, hey, Natsuru.]     Akane gave me her seat. What I said just now about what I did to Akane was a misunderstanding, and I ca n&#039;t explain it anymore.     [Then I&#039;ll start asking. How can I get out of here?]     [There. Rika pointed     to the corner of the room. Upon closer inspection, she saw a flip -up lid on the floor.     &amp;quot;Go down there and back all the way to get out.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Where does it lead to?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Kaede -sama&#039;s house.&amp;quot;     This girl calls Sakura Kaede &amp;quot;Kaede -sama.&amp;quot; It feels a bit strange hearing it again. I think calling her &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede&amp;quot; is more     appropriate .     &amp;quot;Why was  this place built?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;     Rika shook her head.     &amp;quot;Rika, we were just brought here by Kaede -sama. She only told us the entrance and exit.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Why did Sakura Kaede bring you here?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;. ,&amp;quot;     Akane, who was watching from the side, sp oke up:     &amp;quot;Tell me!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Kaede -sama ordered us to capture Natsuru and Shizuku. It doesn&#039;t matter if they&#039;re dead or alive.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede actually said that.&amp;quot;     He didn&#039;t think I was right. This isn&#039;t the time to be happy. Life or death, though I was somewhat prepared, it was unbearable.     Akane pressed on.     &amp;quot;Hey, loli girl. What about us?&amp;quot; ]     [? ]     [What should I do with Mikoto? ]     [The order is to kill.]     Rika gave a vexing answer. Akane&#039;s eyes shot up.     [What did you say!?]     [I was just planning to push Puppy and Curry into the pool and lock them up, then slowly beat you down, but I didn&#039;t expect you all to come down together.     What a shame.]     [What a shame!]     Akane pulled out her gun again. What an angry woman.     [Am I just a gift to that bitch!? So it doesn&#039;t matter whether I have one or not!?]     [Because of Kaede - sama.]     [Don&#039;t talk about Kaede -sama! That guy is a scumbag. I know how she sees me. Get out of here and kill her now!     ]     She looked like she was about to spit fire. That shy look from just now was long gone. She&#039;s probably heading for Argentina now     . Although, that&#039;s more like her.     Akane turned to me.     [Okay, Natsuru, let&#039;s go.]     [Ah, hey.]     [Let&#039;s go kill that bitch Sakura  Kaede. I will never let her go. Even if she cries and begs for mercy, I will put a lead bullet in the back of her head. And then I     will trample her body until it is unbearable to look at!&lt;br /&gt;
    We should meet up with Shizuku and Mikoto first.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;ll definitely find them if we get to the exit. Instead, let&#039;s find Kaede first. I&#039;m going to &lt;br /&gt;
kill her!&lt;br /&gt;
    Are you serious?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Of course I&#039;m serious.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    It feels like they&#039;re going to kill me too. It&#039;s unwise to ask this guy. But I think there&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
something else I need to ask Rika. I&lt;br /&gt;
    can&#039;t just leave her here.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I have one more thing to ask you.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika seemed about to say, &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it okay now?&amp;quot; But I&#039;m not.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Why does Sakura Kaede think Shizuku and I are necessary?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Ah, you called her &amp;quot;Shizuku.&amp;quot; You&#039;re being long - &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    winded. Why?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not sure, but Kaede -sama said that with Natsuru and Shizuku, we can start over.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    What do you mean by starting over? Rika looked away  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She was talking nonstop just now, and now she&#039;s silent again.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She hasn&#039;t told me yet. Keeping it  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    a secret again.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No, Hitomi asked Kaede -sama several times, but she still wouldn&#039;t tell us. She&#039;s so kind, yet &lt;br /&gt;
she won&#039;t tell us anything important&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Hitomi is referring to Hitomi, right? She&#039;s also a white Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    But what did she say about Sakura Kaede not telling them? Is she a secretive  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    person comes out.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, that stinky woman won&#039;t reveal the key things.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what Beneath said. She kept tapping her shoulder with the butt of her gun. She  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s always smiling, but in her heart, she&#039;s plotting to kill me. She&#039;s that kind of woman. Hey, &lt;br /&gt;
lolita girl, you&#039;re not&lt;br /&gt;
    going to end well.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath smiled, she approached Rika.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    If she gets both Natsuru and Shizuku, then Mikoto, me, and you will be abandoned.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She won&#039;t do that.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No, she will. Because the white Kämpfer is redundant. The blue and red ones are enough. &lt;br /&gt;
You&#039;ll all be killed&lt;br /&gt;
    one by . ]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Nonsense! Lady Kaede wouldn&#039;t do that. She values Rika very much.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [If she valued you, she wouldn&#039;t have sent you to this cave.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [She values me very much!]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika pouted and retorted. She&#039;s basically like a kindergarten kid. I was just listening to their &lt;br /&gt;
conversation, but&lt;br /&gt;
    all sorts of things were running through my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Maybe Akane is right. Sakura Kaede wants me and Shizuku for some reason right now. No, &lt;br /&gt;
not sexually. And then there&#039;s&lt;br /&gt;
    the idea that we can start over.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m the blue Kämpfer, and Shizuku is the red Kämpfer. Originally, the two were in &lt;br /&gt;
opposition. The reason the white Kämpfers&lt;br /&gt;
    showed up was because Shizuku forcibly ended the conflict between the blue and red &lt;br /&gt;
groups. I think it was a brilliant move, but even if it wasn&#039;t&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede, maybe a mediator wouldn&#039;t find it funny.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Could starting over mean restarting the war between the blue and red groups?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    In that case, the white Kämpfer is unnecessary. In other words, useless.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku is necessary, perhaps because they didn&#039;t know what would happen if they left &lt;br /&gt;
that clever woman alone, so they decided to win her over. Perhaps that would be&lt;br /&gt;
    easier than defeating her. The question is, am I necessary? If Sakura Kaede needs me, &lt;br /&gt;
that&#039;s fine, but if it&#039;s the evil Sakura -&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede &#039;s a bit troubling. She&#039;s so charming and sinister.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I continued to question Rika.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, has Sakura Kaede always told you this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    The girl seemed listless after being refuted by Beneath, but she still answered the &lt;br /&gt;
question.&lt;br /&gt;
    [I didn&#039;t say that before. I said something else.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [What did she say?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    [Bringing Natsuru and Shizuku together.]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    What did you say!?  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I wasn&#039;t the only one who said that; Beneath also spoke. It became a chorus.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Now that I think about it, I&#039;ve heard a little bit about this before. But what&#039;s the big deal &lt;br /&gt;
about Shizuku being the target?&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why would Sakura Kaede say that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Regarding this, I heard it was because of what Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    What did she say? Uh, she said that Shizuku likes you, Natsuru, and you ,  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru, like Kaede -sama. If they brought you two together, Kaede  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    -sama could control you.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t be ridiculous!  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    This was, of course, Akane. Her mouth opened wide, baring her fangs like a vampire. She  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    chose to bring Natsuru and Shizuku together!? Don&#039;t be ridiculous! That&#039;s the only thing &lt;br /&gt;
that&#039;s unforgivable!&lt;br /&gt;
    The puppy got angry again.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not a dog! Hey, lolita girl! How dare you help with such a stupid thing!  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t help! I wanted to kill her, so I was going to hit her, and that made Kaede -sama &lt;br /&gt;
angry.&lt;br /&gt;
    She touched her cheek as if remembering something.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    But she didn&#039;t say that anymore, so maybe she&#039;s given up.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No, she hasn&#039;t given up yet. Otherwise, she wouldn&#039;t have told you to capture Natsuru and &lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku. Akane&lt;br /&gt;
    was furious but surprisingly calm. I thought so too.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Whatever, it&#039;s fine. Let&#039;s ask that bitch about the details. And then kill her.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Is it still because of the anger? Akane twirled her pistol.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Regardless of whether to kill or not, there was no telling if she would ever see him again. &lt;br /&gt;
Of course, this refers to Sakura Kaede. Because in the end, she knew everything and was&lt;br /&gt;
    controlling everything.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s Sakura Kaede like now? Is she still the beautiful, gentle, angelic person? Or has she &lt;br /&gt;
become evil? If it&#039;s the former, that would be great. If she said to me, &amp;quot;Natsuru, you&#039;re such a fool! How could I even think of such a thing?&amp;quot; I&#039;d be so&lt;br /&gt;
    happy .  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath me, and somehow, Rika too.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thinking about something silly again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru&#039;s face was full of lust.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She hit the nail on the head. I sullenly tried to calm myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Beneath, it&#039;s almost time to go. I have to go see Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I said that just now. Have you finally made up your mind to kill that bitch?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    No, I haven&#039;t. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath pointed a gun at Rika, forcing her to stand.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, lolita. We want to get out of here. Lead the way!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, why would I obey a puppy&#039;s orders?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you think you have the right to refuse?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    She glanced at me briefly. Rika trembled.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no! I don&#039;t want to be violated by Natsuru.&amp;quot; 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Then lead me the way.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【Yes.】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    This was a very unreasonable development for me, and Rika, who had become obedient, &lt;br /&gt;
walked to the corner of the room.&lt;br /&gt;
    【Was Natsuru raping Kaede -sama after seeing him? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【He will do it. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Akane concluded.  &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    【I followed him to prevent him from doing that. So lead the way! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
    Rika seemed to accept this. Really, where should I stand?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 11 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3|Forward to 11 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586421</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586421"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:48:58Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;                              ==Translator&amp;#039;s Notes== This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text. &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; &amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; {| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot; |+ |- | ← Back to Volume 11 Chapter 1 | Return to Main Page | Forward to 11 Chapter 3 → |}&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 11 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3|Forward to 11 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586420</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_11_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586420"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:45:32Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;      Volume 11, Chapter 1     The water was dark, so dark that for a moment I thought I couldn&amp;#039;t see. Thinking about it, it   was only natural that it was dark, since         I&amp;#039;d fallen into a pool at night. In other words, I was so panicked I couldn&amp;#039;t even figure it out.   By the way, the         &amp;quot;I&amp;quot; I mentioned was Natsuru Senou. It&amp;#039;s okay if I don&amp;#039;t explain.         The reason for my panic was simple. Kondou Mikoto and I were suddenly dragged into the   po...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
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&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
  Volume 11, Chapter 1  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The water was dark, so dark that for a moment I thought I couldn&#039;t see. Thinking about it, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was only natural that it was dark, since  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d fallen into a pool at night. In other words, I was so panicked I couldn&#039;t even figure it out. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
By the way, the  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&amp;quot; I mentioned was Natsuru Senou. It&#039;s okay if I don&#039;t explain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The reason for my panic was simple. Kondou Mikoto and I were suddenly dragged into the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pool by Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Pulling us in showed that our student council president, Shizuku Sangou, was a complete &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sadist. Normally, no one would drag someone into a pool without warning. But Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
jumped in herself, which was different  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, no, forget that silly explanation. Simply put, we were being chased by Suzuka &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yamakawa, the White Kämpfer  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , and we jumped in in desperation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suzuka had originally intended to leave Kondou Mikoto alone. We must have panicked, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
we jumped in together  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . The constant barrage of bullets was proof of that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The hole at the bottom of the pool kept sucking water in. We were following the current, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and it looked like we&#039;d be sucked in again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Naturally, I panicked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Hey! We&#039;re going to get sucked in at this rate!?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Yeah.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is Shizuku. Why is she so calm? Even though it&#039;s all her own fault. The whirlpool swept &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    around.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (We&#039;re in.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Don&#039;t be ridiculous!)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It&#039;s okay to laugh.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of idiot would laugh underwater?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And just like that, we were sucked into the hole at the bottom of the pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The water wasn&#039;t cold. If it were winter, I&#039;d feel like dying, but thankfully, it wasn&#039;t. My  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    eyes gradually adjusted, and I began to understand my surroundings.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The hole was about big enough for two people to dive through at once. Because it was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tubular structure, it was difficult to tell who was in front of you  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . But the current was guiding us, so we didn&#039;t have to worry about that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It hurts, it hurts.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (What&#039;s wrong?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (My body jerked.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The current sometimes bumped against the wall. The wall is rough concrete, so it hurts.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It seems hugging each other would be better.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It&#039;s okay if we don&#039;t.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I told Shizuku that, but she always disobeyed. Her  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    slender fingers grabbed my collar and pulled me in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Hey!)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It&#039;s safer this way.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps, but what should I do about my feelings?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The water was still flowing. This is a large pool, so there must be quite a lot of water. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku skillfully adjusted  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    her feet  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stayed like this. Even if I pressed my face against this woman&#039;s ear, it wouldn&#039;t be  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a big deal. My face was in such a state.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, my body felt painful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Natsuru -kun? What&#039;s wrong?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It hurts.) If I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    transform into Kämpfer, I should be able to hold my breath for a long time. My physical &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strength is much stronger than that of an ordinary person, so a short  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    breath won&#039;t be a big deal. But I&#039;m still a man, and we&#039;re still underwater.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Gurgle!)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Almost there.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (It hurts! It hurts!)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now&#039;s not the time to be idly talking. Sound travels faster in water, but that&#039;s not  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the time to worry about that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (I&#039;m dying, I&#039;m dying.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (There&#039;s nothing I can do.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku grabbed my head. Just as I was thinking that, her lips suddenly pressed against &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Hmmmm!?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It felt strange because we were underwater. Anyway, this woman kissed me. This guy, I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
almost dead  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , and she&#039;s still planning something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (Hmmmm! Hmm?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a breath rushed into my mouth. Shizuku was blowing air into me with her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouth. Why is it so warm? It feels weird.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I still don&#039;t feel like it. There&#039;s not enough air on this small amount. And there&#039;s carbon &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dioxide mixed in. Shit! I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;m dying!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just then, my body floated up. Someone pulled me up, just as I was about to breathe. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Finally, my head emerged from  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the water. Ugh, I&#039;m saved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was still dark all around. But there was a red light, like an emergency light. This gave us a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rough idea  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    of the surroundings.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. Indeed, there was a foothold in her direction. But due to lack of oxygen and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my frequent chatter, I floated on the surface, unable to move  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . The student council president grabbed my hand and pulled me up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was pulled onto the concrete foothold. A man in wet clothes must have been heavy, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku, now  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a Kämpfer carried me with ease, as if nothing had happened. My breathing became easier, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and my suffocation  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    eased. I lay flat on my back on the concrete.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, I&#039;m saved.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So weak.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My life is hanging by a thread.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I&#039;m  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    completely exhausted.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s tone remained unchanged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you were truly dying, you wouldn&#039;t be able to say so much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There are many strangers waving at me on the other side of the Styx.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I clearly gave you air.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thinking back to the kiss, I realized my face was flushing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That thing is of no use at all.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said bluntly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s only a temporary solution.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, then why did you kiss me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I wanted to.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said it so casually.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s expression was as if she was speaking as if it was a matter of course. Maybe you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think this is fine, but what about me? If I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    die from being kissed by Shizuku, I&#039;ll never become a Buddha.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m telling you, I was really in pain back then. You said &#039;I wanted to do it.&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She leaned down close to my face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because, maybe we won&#039;t have the chance to kiss again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    First, the white Kämpfer appeared, and then we clicked into the pool. I don&#039;t think it&#039;s over. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    more to come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true. If it really ended like this, it would be a lot easier, but I think this is  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    just . After all, we haven&#039;t had a proper fight yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think I understand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So let&#039;s kiss now and talk about it later.&amp;quot; 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, I don&#039;t understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Isn&#039;t there any connection at all?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    】 【There is a connection. 】 【 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;re the only one who thinks so. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Oh, Natsuru, don&#039;t you understand? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【How about another kiss here? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was about to move her face closer. I hurriedly stood up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Never mind, you look pretty energetic. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What are you doing! This is an emergency! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Because you&#039;ve been lying down, Natsuru. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Calling me Natsuru again. This woman is really something, calling me by my name without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even noticing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    To prevent my lips from being taken away, I put my hands in a defensive position.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【How many times do you have to kiss me to be satisfied? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I&#039;ll do it no matter how many times. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【One time is enough, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Kissing is not like that. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【This is an emergency. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, Natsuru, remember what I just told you, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ahhh.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said this with a serious expression, but it was just a normal expression. But, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anyway, I&#039;m getting serious  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Something might happen later that will tear apart the relationship between you and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru. I haven&#039;t anticipated it,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and I don&#039;t know if I have the time to say this right now. But being able to say something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like this while kissing might be  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a good memory.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What, doesn&#039;t it feel like you&#039;re dying?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I don&#039;t plan on dying.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku, probably giving a wry smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But I don&#039;t understand what happened before. After everything is over, you&#039;ll probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
answer my confession.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true,&amp;quot; I was about to say. It&#039;s regrettable, but I can&#039;t forget it. Kondou Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    did the same thing, and I have to make a lot of decisions now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll just forget what I said just now.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s expression seemed to see through everything.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [There will be a conclusion sooner or later anyway, and this is the last time we can talk so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
casually like this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah, maybe that&#039;s the case.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The fierce dog, Akane, also told me that women seem to take each moment very seriously. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I don&#039;t know  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    if this applies to all women, but it definitely does to these two. Time flows, so  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    what happened in that moment will soon become the past. So there&#039;s no point in dwelling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on it. Even so, if you value it  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    so much , it must be something very precious. I prefer taking pictures and things like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But if I get a new boyfriend, I&#039;ll probably forget the past. Ah, so that&#039;s why I want to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reminisce.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, those three days that Sakura Kaede and I spent so close together are permanently &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stored in my brain&#039;s memory, so  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    it doesn&#039;t matter if I don&#039;t understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But doesn&#039;t this situation seem a little strange?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku raised herself up and moved closer to me again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [One more kiss, shall we?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wow, that&#039;s okay.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I sat down and backed away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku crawled over on her knees.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Just once? Any time is fine.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s not the case.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But please be more restrained in this situation.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you talking about, you!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, this guy must be planning something. I may seem slow, but I already understand. If I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ask her what her purpose is, then... my lips?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku crawled towards me on her knees, and I was running away. Shizuku, I just fell into &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the pool, what am I doing?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a shockwave on my back. Damn, it was the wall. I couldn&#039;t escape. Shizuku&#039;s lips &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were right in front of me. I was going to die! Hey!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her breath hit my face. At that moment,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a loud noise came from the water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey! What are you doing, you bastard!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At the same time, gunshots rang out. Several small holes were opened in the wall above &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A person, with an amazing leaping ability, jumped out of the water and landed on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
concrete floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The figure holding the automatic pistol -like weapon was undoubtedly Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Akane?! Where were you just now?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [In the swimming pool! She really jumped in without any preparation.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah, that figure that fell from above earlier must have been Akane. Judging by her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
aggressive expression, it seems she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    jumped down against her will.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane in bulldog mode, for example, has a fierce gleam in  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    her eyes. [They&#039;re so beautiful, still being affectionate at this time. What&#039;s the show &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
coming up? Mating?] There&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    no need to be so blunt about it. Can a dog have the heart of a girl?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s ignore that for now. Akane&#039;s gun is pointed directly at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Whoa, stop!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I won&#039;t stop. It happens to me all the time. But I can&#039;t teach you a lesson, so I just have to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    do this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Teach you a lesson or something.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s you!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane didn&#039;t shoot me, but instead walked towards me without hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Get out of the way! Shizuku.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re so unromantic.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who knew. You should know now isn&#039;t the time for this kind of thing!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As she spoke, Shizuku moved a little further away from me. I didn&#039;t see our student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president frightened by Akane&#039;s gun  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wouldn&#039;t it have been better if you&#039;d come a little later?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If you did this to lure me out, you&#039;ve done something foolish.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It would have been troublesome if the enemy fell for it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked amused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [If that&#039;s true, I&#039;d put ten little holes in your head, but I&#039;ll spare you now, as this is an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
emergency.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m deeply grateful for your kindness.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But if you act rashly again, I won&#039;t spare you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How can you spare me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You bitch! Wanna try!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What should I do?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane bared her teeth, but Shizuku remained calm as always. A normal woman, no, even  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a man, would have backed off at the sight of Akane. This guy has a lot of nerve.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku walked away from me, as if not intending to further provoke Akane. If you look &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
closely, you can see  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the glint of the chained dagger. Is this caution?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s gun pointed at me and moved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stand up! You brat!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I always did as I was told.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Looking listless.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You&#039;re too talkative!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked around nervously. I could hardly call this cool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s wrong? You idiot!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [So that&#039;s what I meant.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before I could finish my sentence, Akane curled her hands and put them in her mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She whistled. Then there was no response. Akane cursed, &amp;quot;Damn it,&amp;quot; then stepped into the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
water and stirred it with her feet  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey! Mikoto! Get out!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, looking upset, Kondou Mikoto emerged from the water. I jumped.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Huh? Mikoto, were you in the water the whole time?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yeah, I was diving with little Akane.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was clearly in the water, but her face was burning red.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I wanted to show up right away, but it seemed like you, Natsuru, and President Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were getting ready for something, so...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You said you were getting ready for something, so how could this happen! But  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    if it&#039;s Shizuku, then it&#039;s possible. I&#039;m finally relieved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto patted her chest. Shizuku came over with a dagger in hand. Kondou Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , sword in hand?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait a minute, Shizuku!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was about to point the tip of her sword at Kondou Mikoto. Kondou Mikoto waved &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wasn&#039;t hiding to sneak up on you!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She remained wary. In fact, she&#039;d threatened me just before we fell into the pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was also responsible for the fact that I was soaked like a drowned rat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You say I was careless, but don&#039;t you like it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku, aren&#039;t you always careless?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The student council president glanced at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane, if Mikoto makes any rash moves, shoot her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even the bulldog girl looked surprised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, hey, blow your teammate&#039;s head off, okay? Do  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    you hate it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, I love it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane grinned and raised her gun. The muzzle of the gun was aimed at Kondou Mikoto&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto panicked. So did I.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Akane! You&#039;ve gone too far.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, be quiet.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wasn&#039;t Akane who said that, it was Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;ll be over in a minute.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Shizuku turned to Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Okay, Mikoto, don&#039;t do anything stupid.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;m back to normal!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [How did you do it?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [You asked how I cured it!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t know if Shizuku believed it or not, but I couldn&#039;t stop her from asking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What&#039;s the reason?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Uh--, I woke up after falling into the pool.] [What happened?]     [I&#039;m not lying. My mind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was still foggy until just now, but I cleared up when I was washed by the water. It&#039;s true.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why did you defect to     the enemy ?]     [I don&#039;t know why, wait, don&#039;t point your sword &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at me.]     [That&#039;s all nonsense, it&#039;s no use asking any more questions.]     [It&#039;s true, I don&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
know why. As soon as I looked into the eyes of that visceral a nimal, I felt like I was being &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sucked in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, I thought you, the president, were my enemy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【You&#039;re still my enemy now, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I told you that wasn&#039;t the case. I woke up in the pool. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku kept staring at Kondou Mikoto. Then she put her dagger into her sleeve.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Since you called me Shizuku, you don&#039;t seem to be lying. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come to think of it, this guy told us to call herself &amp;quot;Shizuku.&amp;quot; Kondou Mikoto had been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
calling her the president until just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Akane, put your gun away. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Hey, won&#039;t you shoot her two or three times? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Stop it first. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Tsk.】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane put away her automatic pistol with a look of resignation. I don&#039;t think even this guy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would shoot Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, she might even shoot her happily.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku declared to Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I&#039;ve decided to believe you. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Because it&#039;s true. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto breathed a sigh of relief. I was also extremely worried watching from the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, Kondou Mikoto was a little strange when she was threatening us. For example, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed like she couldn&#039;t make curry. And she had no  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    appetite . Even so, I didn&#039;t notice. I&#039;m probably a fool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [But that doesn&#039;t mean the questioning is over.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku continued:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why are you acting like that?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Because, President, you&#039;re having a hot affair with Natsuru.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [ &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sorry, I was just kidding. Um, after meeting Sakura Kaede in the room.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto briefly explained the reasons for her situation. She seemed about to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
elaborate, but she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    tried to connect her conversation with Sakura Kaede with her business dealings with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ethnic minorities in Nigeria. So I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    stopped her. She&#039;s funny, but once she gets going, she just keeps going on and on.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The suffocating stray dog&#039;s eyes are glowing, aren&#039;t they?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s expression seemed to indicate she was thinking something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Did the visceral animal speak?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto shook her head. She was shaking so hard that water droplets flew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everywhere. Are you a cat?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Like Sakura Kaede hugged her like this, not resisting or saying a word. She&#039;s really just a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stuffed doll.] She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was just a stuffed doll. As you all know, the so -called &amp;quot;Guanzi&amp;quot; (organized animal) is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
considered  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the worst -selling toy in Japanese history. There were even rumors for a while that it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stuffed with real human hair.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A press conference was even held for this. But the president immediately said, &amp;quot;That&#039;s it, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it&#039;s just a stuffed  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    animal.&amp;quot; Then he tore the &amp;quot;Guanzi&amp;quot; (organized animal) apart. The scene was so dark that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even reporters reportedly collapsed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku asked again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Smothering stray dogs, are they always silent?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They talk sometimes. But not often.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, they can&#039;t disobey Kaede, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She whispered, understanding it to herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s what I think.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Shizuku turned around.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait, where are we going?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked. I didn&#039;t know anything when I was washed up here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are we going to dive back into the pool again?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That seems a bit difficult. The hole must be sealed.&amp;quot; Looking closely ,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the surface of the water, which had been surging just a moment ago, seemed to have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
calmed down, and the current seemed to have stopped.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if we went back, we wouldn&#039;t be able to get back to the pool. Or do you want to get &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even wetter? No.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    saying that, I realized something. Everyone was soaking wet. We&#039;d been in the water until &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just now  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , so our clothes were heavy. Our soaked tops clung to our bodies, making them &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
uncomfortable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not only that, but we could see the girls&#039; underwear. Rather than feasting our eyes, I didn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
know where to look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was nice to have a little darkness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d seen their nudes in pools and hot springs in the summer, but there was always &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something different about it, a sense of  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    embarrassment . Maybe it had something to do with me being a man.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, why are you looking away?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the bulldog woman asked, perplexed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t like the way you turned your head. Are you planning to defect to the enemy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a brain -dead woman. Wow, she pulled out a gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No reason!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, you&#039;re hiding something, I know. She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s got a sharp sense.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But if I say anything unnecessary, she&#039;ll probably shoot right away. Hasn&#039;t she ever thought &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about it? The one who shoots will be happy, right? I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;m speechless, and Shizuku comes to my rescue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru is being shy. Huh  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane narrowed one eye.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because she can see our underwear, she doesn&#039;t know where to look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy&#039;s reading my mind again. I&#039;ve always wondered if Shizuku is an alien from  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Andromeda . There&#039;s no doubt about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What! You jerk, pervert!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her finger rests on the trigger. Wow.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;ve kissed me and touched my breasts so many times, and it&#039;s just underwear that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
makes you uneasy. Trying to act innocent? Huh?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, idiot! Don&#039;t shoot! Don&#039;t shoot!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If you call me an idiot, I don&#039;t know what will happen. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Idiots are idiots. No, please don&#039;t shoot. It&#039;s not good to be seen by others. Rather,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    you should be embarrassed.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are you still shy? You touched my breasts before I transformed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a different matter. I&#039;m a man.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I&#039;m still a woman.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane is really easily angered. I seem to have accidentally provoked her. I don&#039;t think &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anyone would know she&#039;d be angry and still  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    provoke her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I raised my hands in front of me. If I keep this up, she&#039;ll really shoot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t be so rough. What if you die?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kämpfer won&#039;t die over such a thing!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m a man now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then transform into a woman right now!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You said that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku spoke again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, transform.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;ll be easier to fight.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here they come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku had already turned her gaze away from us. Her face was facing the corner of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wall on the other side of the rippling water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Something flashed in the faint darkness. At the same time, they ran towards us across the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Scatter!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Shizuku&#039;s voice. Akane and Kondou Mikoto jumped to the sides. As a man, I was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
slowest to react.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With a whoosh, a silver streak streaked through the air. It was aimed at Shizuku, but she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    dodged it at the last moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ah, as expected of the president.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The one attacking was the white Kämpfer Nakao Sayaka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her weapon was a shogi -style saber. Her steps were swift, and her blade was sharp. But  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku, who had dodged her attack, was no ordinary person.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku grasped the dagger with both hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s later than I thought.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Did you expect to be attacked? You&#039;re really quick -witted.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Were you planning to separate and defeat us individually?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [More or less. I was only planning to fight Kondou -kun alone.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What? Me?!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto was startled. Ah, so it seems they were just planning to push this guy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My childhood friend, with a furious look on her face, pulled out her Japanese sword.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you see in me!? A pot smuggled from ruins in Central Asia? Or  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    coins dug up from the Danube? Or perhaps something as small as a Roman -era arrow nock &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from Wales? Could you please be more discerning  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You&#039;ll get arrested for bringing these things out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not interested in ancient relics.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka reloaded her sword.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s easier to just fight Kondou -kun, but I have no choice. Someone ordered me to do this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Who?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You know what I&#039;m doing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A single thought suddenly crossed everyone&#039;s mind. Sakura Kaede!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka didn&#039;t answer us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I must defeat you here, no matter what.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Stop kidding!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto roared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You die!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto swung her sword at Sayaka. Her brute force -based attack perfectly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reflected her careless nature.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka dodged. But it wasn&#039;t easy. Kondou Mikoto possessed not only brute strength but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also great speed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka spun her sword and thrust it out. Kondou Mikoto blocked the blow with the flat of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her katana, preparing to strike her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka didn&#039;t block with her saber, perhaps fearing she&#039;d be cut off if she wasn&#039;t careful. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She jumped to the side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A corner of her clothing was sliced, but it wasn&#039;t serious. Then Sayaka aimed the tip of her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sword at Kondou Mikoto&#039;s chest, preparing to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    stab her .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Both Kondou Mikoto and Sayaka were in danger. There was no room for either to evade. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Just as I thought this  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , the tip of the saber deflected.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s dagger flew by, the chained dagger striking the saber accurately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Can you please not just focus on a one -on-one fight?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh, the president wins by numbers, right?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Numbers are an advantage, we must use them wisely.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At some point, Akane also raised her gun. This meant Sayaka had to approach Kondou &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto while engaging Shizuku and Akane at a distance  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka immediately retreated.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I heard it was a one -on-one fight, so I waited here. Looks like Yamakawa -san missed.] ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [She&#039;s doing a good job.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, holding the dagger in both hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [On the other hand, I have a lot of things I want to ask you.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I hate it.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [President, you&#039;re also good at torture, so I refuse.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Can you please stop having such strange opinions of me?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, Sayaka is right. I&#039;ve always thought Shizuku would be perfect for a female guard at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
detention center.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [The library committee sometimes discusses topics like, &amp;quot;President, are you a sadist?&amp;quot;]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of which, this woman is from the library committee. But she has no intention of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
approaching Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I&#039;ll cut your budget. Anyway, come to us first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I refuse.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [We can solve this problem immediately with force.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I hate this, too. I&#039;ll leave first.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka jumped back. Akane immediately fired, but the bullet only grazed the air.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her jumping ability was impressive, but the fact she jumped into the water was even more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
astonishing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And just when I thought she&#039;d dived, she leaped out of the water like a flying fish and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swam in the opposite direction. Before we could even startle, Sayaka had vanished behind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the wall.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Damn it! She got away!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane kicked the ground furiously. Shizuku, on the other hand, didn&#039;t seem to care.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It can&#039;t be helped. That kid doesn&#039;t look like she&#039;s serious about fighting.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s probably because there are more of us.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [By the way, Nakao -san really acts like a well -mannered lady.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Couldn&#039;t ?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [That&#039;s impossible. It&#039;s like asking me to work the front desk like this.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If a woman acting like a dog were to be a cashier, everyone would be shocked. The only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people who would be happy about that would  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    be fools .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane glared at me unhappily.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Forget about that. Hey, Natsuru, what are you daydreaming about!]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Ugh—] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It feels like my head&#039;s been pierced.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Stop! I haven&#039;t transformed yet!] Fighting Kämpfer with my  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    physical body is impossible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why don&#039;t you transform?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane excitedly brought the muzzle of her gun closer. So stop it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s dangerous!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Please transform now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku calmly told me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Otherwise, it&#039;ll be difficult to deal with.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Still fighting?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, we&#039;ve only just begun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said matter -of-factly, undeniably.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Following Shizuku&#039;s instructions (she&#039;s always the leader in these times), we  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    began . Just in case, I transformed into a woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since there was no way to the other side, we had to jump into the water again. Since we &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were Kämpfer now, it felt  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a little better than when we were men.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We climbed onto the concrete floor across from me, which was only about the size of two &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tatami mats.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s a door here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pointed to a metal door, saving us the trouble of searching. It was dark, so it  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was difficult to see. The door was rusty and looked old.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Let&#039;s go. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. I quickly stopped her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Wait, what if someone is lying in ambush there? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No, if there was, they would have come out just now. Generally, after a defeat, they will &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
retreat significantly. Even if they want to ambush,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    they will be further inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Really? I doubted it, but Shizuku had already opened the door easily.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was indeed no one there, only a long and narrow passage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, I felt a chill on the tip of my nose. I looked up and saw water dripping from it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a pipe exposed on the ceiling, and it seemed that it was leaking from there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is probably why the passage is so wet and humid.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Several pipes of different sizes extend straight into the depths of the passage. Come to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think of it, I have been to a similar place before. There  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    must have been a white Kämpfer hiding there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【We are deep inside now. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Without waiting for our answer, Shizuku continued to move forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We had no other choice but to continue to follow her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Among us, Kondou Mikoto seemed to have the greatest interest. This guy likes ruins and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
buildings the most.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s really big. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Isn&#039;t it narrow? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. Kondou Mikoto retorted in surprise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【No, I&#039;m talking about the area. Isn&#039;t this bigger than the area of Sakura Kaede&#039;s house? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ve explored ruins like this in Mexico before. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What&#039;s it like there? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【There are spears falling from above, like a skewer of thorns. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just saying unlucky things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As Kondou Mikoto said, the passage extends very far inside. It must be connected to other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
villas or roads or something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How was it built?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It seems to have been built for a long time. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku asked Kondou Mikoto for her opinion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【How is it? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Well - although it&#039;s not built hundreds of years ago, it has a certain history. There are  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    strange , so this couldn&#039;t be an expansion of an existing underground facility. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto answered without hesitation. You not only like to visit ruins, but also have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
some knowledge of modern architecture? On the other hand,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she is a woman who doesn&#039;t know much about the details, just like Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Do you know how long ago it was built? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【About fifty years. ]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Has it been that long?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I inadvertently whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It is said that this generation has devoted itself to thorough development, wasn&#039;t it after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the war?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [This facility might have existed before the war. It might have been expanded later.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Why build this?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Who knows.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Where are these idlers?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Idlers? They are not necessarily human.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I was speechless at what Shizuku said. She continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [And mediators are not necessarily human, and our ability to transform is not necessarily &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
within the scope of science.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if I&#039;m used to it, it&#039;s still strange that I can transform into Kämpfer and become a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman. Because  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I only believe things when they happen to me, if it was someone else who said it, I would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably doubt whether he is normal. This kind of technology  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A human couldn&#039;t do it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, the guy who made me like this must be an alien. That doesn&#039;t seem normal. No, let&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    pretend there are no humans on this planet, only aliens.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [What do you think, President?] [  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ] [What do you think, Shizuku?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [No clue yet.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said something dejected.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [With only these clues, nothing can be figured out. What will happen,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    what won&#039;t we only gradually find out later?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Which way?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Yes, this way.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She pointed to the wall, where there was a door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [When?]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I muttered. It looked like a broken door with painted panels. It must be very old.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [It&#039;s open.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She would open it even if I tried to stop her. Shizuku was about to open the door with her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hand, but it fell down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, it was dark inside. There was an emergency light just now, but there&#039;s nothing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [I can&#039;t see anything.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane complained.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Hey, Natsuru! Give me some ideas! 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【What can I do? I don&#039;t even have a flashlight. 】 Akane rolled her sideburns with her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fingers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【You idiot! You are a magician, right? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【So what?】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Just find something to burn. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come to think of it. But, I feel bad to just give up like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【As for you, Akane, it&#039;s a good idea. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I ignored the woman who shouted &amp;quot;You bastard&amp;quot; and approached the collapsed door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I expected, it was made of wood.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was cracked everywhere because of aging. I stuck my hand into the crack and stepped on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it, tearing the door apart. Let&#039;s use this  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    as a makeshift torch.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It would be better to roll it up with cloth or something. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto said so. I hate using clothes. And the clothes are still wet. I think the wood &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in my hand released  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a flame .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I lit it. Oh, it&#039;s bright. Although it can only illuminate the area around me, it&#039;s enough to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
replace a flashlight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【You go first. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. Okay, okay.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stepped into the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was spacious, but the ceiling didn&#039;t rise to its height. And the floor was littered with all &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sorts of things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Broken pieces of tables, not -so-old bottles and jars —none of that mattered. What &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mattered was that there were things scattered here that were, in  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    some sense familiar to us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    To avoid starting a fire, I held the torch higher, widening the illumination.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku bent down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s the remains of an animal&#039;s guts.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She picked up a stuffed animal&#039;s foot. The cotton inside had aged and crumbled at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
slightest touch. From the inside,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    it looked like an animal&#039;s gut factory.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So many animals, so abnormal they couldn&#039;t even be named, lay scattered on the floor. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And not just perfect forms (?),  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but many that looked like garbage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s a bit of an exaggeration to say there wasn&#039;t even a place to rest their feet, but it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
close.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wow—it&#039;s like the underground ruins of Peru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Only Kondou Mikoto understood what she was saying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This place used to be used to sew animal guts, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Shizuku who replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s no sewing machine here. They must have bought the merchandise and shipped it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah—the viscera in the room aren&#039;t that old. They  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;re probably aged because they&#039;ve been soaked in water. Is it a leak?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I straightened my back and raised the torch. Although it was faint, it still showed signs of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
being soaked in water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are they doing with all these viscera here? A marketing strategy meeting?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto used a difficult term. Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    smiled and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re planning to sell unpopular merchandise. You&#039;re quite brave.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But who brought all these stuffed animals here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Good question. No one would have done that if they didn&#039;t have that intention.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku paced the room seriously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Several of the viscera of the animals that were stacked together fell down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is this a warehouse or an experimental facility?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of experiments are they doing?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what I asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    All we know is that they&#039;ve collected some stuffed animals with their internal organs &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exposed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For example, how about an experiment to make them speak? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Ah? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【This might be a facility to make them messengers. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said to me bluntly. I was speechless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The so -called experiment of making puppets speak is to implant souls into the puppets.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What will be produced is a guy as talkative as a tiger that commits seppuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If what Shizuku said is true, then the puppets here are the containers before the souls are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
implanted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wouldn&#039;t be strange if they start talking at any time. Wow —— . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I suddenly felt terrified for some reason and took a step back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt like these guys would suddenly stand up and attack us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s okay, they are just aging puppets. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even though Shizuku said that, they were already viscerally exposed and spitting blood, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there was no way they&#039;d be scared.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced around fearfully. Shizuku seemed lost in thought, while Kondou Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    looked around with a look of intense interest. As expected of a woman whose nerves were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
made of titanium, a woman who&#039;d wandered through ruins around the world.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Only Akane remained alone near the entrance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She answered with her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s rare to see you so quiet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was always in a bad mood, so it wasn&#039;t unusual for her to be yelling and shooting at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the same time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can shoot, too. If anything, I&#039;ll blow your eyeballs out. Just like Horatio Nelson (  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the one -eyed British admiral).&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you talking about? What a loud woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing this, it seemed like she was still in her usual fierce dog mode, which was unusual. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Somehow, I could tell what she was  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    thinking a dog would be so absorbed in thought was probably about something like the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
destruction of humanity and the conquest of Earth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you have anything to say?&amp;quot; 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【If I have anything to say, it&#039;s about my frustration at failing to record the late -night &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
animation, and about making  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a few small holes in that stinky bitch Sakura Kaede&#039;s head. Wait a minute. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【So what is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She and I turned our gazes together, looking at the animal entrails scattered on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Animal entrails. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At this point, Akane fell silent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Forget it, I&#039;ll tell you later. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Can&#039;t I tell you here? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Shut up! I have a secret too. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What is it? The secret to shooting on the road without attracting the police? Knowing this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
technique is useless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Nothing valuable here, just some stuffed dolls.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s voice came from inside. That&#039;s right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【There&#039;s another door here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto waved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We walked over. It was also a wooden door, still in tatters. Shizuku put her hand on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door and whispered  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    : 【It&#039;s starting to look more and more like a research institute. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Will there be strange monsters or something on the other side? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto said something boring.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【I&#039;m very excited about this. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【Shouldn&#039;t girls be more afraid? 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【It&#039;s better to be happy. Shizuku won&#039;t be afraid either 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    【If being afraid is more beneficial, then be afraid. 】 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I can&#039;t imagine that kind of scene no matter how hard I try. Besides, I&#039;ve never heard of this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman screaming &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot; when she saw a cockroach or a moth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is &amp;quot;Being scolded by Shizuku Sangou for the club. &amp;quot;Information on this, this guy never &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed to be startled or screaming  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was completely indifferent to insects and reptiles.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She wasn&#039;t afraid of the dark, so she hurried past places that required extra precautions &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
without avoiding them. Of course, she didn&#039;t make  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    any loud . The guys in the &amp;quot;Club Scolded by Shizuku Sangou&amp;quot; seemed very interested in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this, and seemed to have said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;I want Shizuku -sama to whisper in my ear while you scold me.&amp;quot; The way of perversion is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
truly profound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While I was thinking about these things, Shizuku opened the door. The room on the other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
side was just as dark.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The room was just as damp as before, and there was a smell of water. Is the ceiling leaking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here too?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Natsuru, torch.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Oh no.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The fire is almost out. The wood chips are getting shorter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So I&#039;ll go back to get the materials. I&#039;ll just use the broken door from before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Wait for me.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    [Please hurry.]  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I would have done it even if you didn&#039;t say it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I go back, I&#039;ll have to walk through that pile of stuffed animals again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane probably said this on a whim. It was enough for one person to do this. But I didn&#039;t  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    stop her, and there was no reason to. Whether it was luck or something else, I don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The next moment, the ceiling collapsed with a roar.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|← Back to Volume 10.5 Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 2|Forward to 11 Chapter 2 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Afterword&amp;diff=586419</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Afterword&amp;diff=586419"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:42:48Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translator&amp;#039;s Notes */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Postscript to Volume 10.5&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   I&#039;m Tsukiji. This is a new volume of Kempf, also a collection of short stories. The short story collections up to this point are still interconnected, with the stories linked. This one is separate, so chapter numbers become episode numbers. The plan is to write two more volumes of Kämpfer and then finish. The next volume will begin with a return to the old home of Sakura. The volume after that will likely follow. If the next volume is finished, the final volume will become a side story. In any case, this series will end next spring.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Kämpfer is written from the first-person perspective of the &amp;quot;male protagonist,&amp;quot; but this time a few parts use a third-person perspective. Generally, using a first-person perspective is more convenient for writing psychological descriptions, but its drawback is that it can&#039;t cover other characters as well. And I unexpectedly enjoyed writing about the supporting characters, so I decided to write a lot about things other than the &amp;quot;male protagonist.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Kämpfer is my first novel written in the first person. I experimented a bit, but it&#039;s definitely easier to write in the third person, which I&#039;m more comfortable with. Even the &amp;quot;male protagonist&#039;s&amp;quot; monologues are quite amusing; I feel really glad I&#039;ve kept going. The gaps between the events unfolding before my eyes and the characters&#039; inner thoughts have become comedic. Utilizing these elements is also very new to me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   This novel begins with the &amp;quot;male protagonist&#039;s&amp;quot; astonishment after his transformation. I&#039;ve mixed in third-person perspectives throughout the story, and I plan to continue writing in that style until the end. Please continue to support me. Thank you.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   August 2009,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Tsukiji Toshihiko&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|← Back to Volume 10.5 Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 1 |Forward to 11 Chapter 1 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586418</id>
		<title>Kämpfer</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586418"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:41:47Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Volume 10.5 */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Status|Active}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{Teaser|English}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Image:Kampfer_Vol_01_cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer (けんぷファー) is a light novel series written by Tsukiji Toshihiko and illustrated by Semmu. The series is completed with 15 volumes. &amp;lt;!--Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Story Synopsis==&lt;br /&gt;
The plot revolves around Natsuru Senou, a normal high school boy with blue hair. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger &amp;quot;Harakiri Tora&amp;quot; comes to life and tells him to fight as a female fighter &amp;quot;Kämpfer&amp;quot;. Having no idea about what&#039;s going on, Natsuru is involved in many battles against other female Kämpfer. &amp;lt;!-- Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FeedBack ==&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you enjoyed the translation, why don&#039;t you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;amp;t=3359 Project thread]&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Translation And Editing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Dedicated Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This project is in need of dedicated editors in order to help speed translation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Editors are asked to notify a Project Manager before beginning, and in any case where sentence meaning may be changed, use chapter discussion beforehand&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Drive-by Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drive-by-editing of obvious typos, bad grammar, spelling, or missing words or any obvious mistakes will be much appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Again, before changing a sentence&#039;s meaning, please use the chapter discussion.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Translators===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are still Kampfer books that haven&#039;t been translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Anyone with decent Japanese or Chinese skills will gladly be allowed to translate, if there are people who know Japanese or Chinese and would like to help out, just not with the tedious job of translating, proofreaders are also appreciated. Proofreaders are asked to follow the same guidelines as editors when it comes to changing a sentences meaning, they are given more freedom regarding this however.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|Registration]] ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Translators are asked to [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they&#039;re working on&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Format Standards===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to general and project specific guidelines.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Names and Terminology Guideline|Project-Specific Guidelines: Format, Names, and Terminology]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Updates ==&lt;br /&gt;
*May 11, 2010 - Teaser Started!&lt;br /&gt;
*October 29, 2011 - Project Started Again!&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Illustrations added&lt;br /&gt;
*November 28, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 1 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*December 1, 2011 - Kämpfer is now an official project&lt;br /&gt;
*September 25, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 3 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*October 16, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 4 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 2 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*September 5, 2022 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 5 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==The &#039;&#039;Kämpfer&#039;&#039; series by Tsukiji Toshihiko==&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 1 - Kämpfer ([[Kämpfer:Volume 1|Full Text]])=== &lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 2===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Project Staff ==&lt;br /&gt;
*Supervisor: &lt;br /&gt;
*Project Manager: : [[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Translators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]] (sporadic translations)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Kondou|Kondou]]&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:JeruTz|JeruTz]] (Currently improving V1C1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Editors ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Series Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 1 (November 24, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1749-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 2 (December 25, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1767-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 3 (March 23, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1826-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 4 (June 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1870-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 5 (September 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2042-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 6 (January 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2131-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 7 (April 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2308-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 (July 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2370-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 ½ (October 24, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2453-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 (February 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2668-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 ½ (March 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2725-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 (July 24, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2835-3)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 ½ (September 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3030-1)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 11 (December 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3134-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 12 (March 25, 2010 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3254-1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:MF Bunko J]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Genre - Harem]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Toshihiko Tsukiji]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586417</id>
		<title>Kämpfer</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586417"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:41:05Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Volume 10.5 */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Status|Active}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{Teaser|English}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Image:Kampfer_Vol_01_cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer (けんぷファー) is a light novel series written by Tsukiji Toshihiko and illustrated by Semmu. The series is completed with 15 volumes. &amp;lt;!--Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Story Synopsis==&lt;br /&gt;
The plot revolves around Natsuru Senou, a normal high school boy with blue hair. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger &amp;quot;Harakiri Tora&amp;quot; comes to life and tells him to fight as a female fighter &amp;quot;Kämpfer&amp;quot;. Having no idea about what&#039;s going on, Natsuru is involved in many battles against other female Kämpfer. &amp;lt;!-- Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FeedBack ==&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you enjoyed the translation, why don&#039;t you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;amp;t=3359 Project thread]&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Translation And Editing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Dedicated Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This project is in need of dedicated editors in order to help speed translation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Editors are asked to notify a Project Manager before beginning, and in any case where sentence meaning may be changed, use chapter discussion beforehand&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Drive-by Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drive-by-editing of obvious typos, bad grammar, spelling, or missing words or any obvious mistakes will be much appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Again, before changing a sentence&#039;s meaning, please use the chapter discussion.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Translators===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are still Kampfer books that haven&#039;t been translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Anyone with decent Japanese or Chinese skills will gladly be allowed to translate, if there are people who know Japanese or Chinese and would like to help out, just not with the tedious job of translating, proofreaders are also appreciated. Proofreaders are asked to follow the same guidelines as editors when it comes to changing a sentences meaning, they are given more freedom regarding this however.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|Registration]] ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Translators are asked to [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they&#039;re working on&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Format Standards===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to general and project specific guidelines.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Names and Terminology Guideline|Project-Specific Guidelines: Format, Names, and Terminology]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Updates ==&lt;br /&gt;
*May 11, 2010 - Teaser Started!&lt;br /&gt;
*October 29, 2011 - Project Started Again!&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Illustrations added&lt;br /&gt;
*November 28, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 1 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*December 1, 2011 - Kämpfer is now an official project&lt;br /&gt;
*September 25, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 3 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*October 16, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 4 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 2 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*September 5, 2022 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 5 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==The &#039;&#039;Kämpfer&#039;&#039; series by Tsukiji Toshihiko==&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 1 - Kämpfer ([[Kämpfer:Volume 1|Full Text]])=== &lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 2===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* Afterword&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Project Staff ==&lt;br /&gt;
*Supervisor: &lt;br /&gt;
*Project Manager: : [[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Translators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]] (sporadic translations)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Kondou|Kondou]]&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:JeruTz|JeruTz]] (Currently improving V1C1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Editors ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Series Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 1 (November 24, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1749-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 2 (December 25, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1767-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 3 (March 23, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1826-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 4 (June 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1870-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 5 (September 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2042-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 6 (January 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2131-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 7 (April 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2308-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 (July 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2370-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 ½ (October 24, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2453-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 (February 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2668-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 ½ (March 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2725-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 (July 24, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2835-3)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 ½ (September 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3030-1)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 11 (December 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3134-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 12 (March 25, 2010 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3254-1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:MF Bunko J]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Genre - Harem]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Toshihiko Tsukiji]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Afterword&amp;diff=586416</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Afterword&amp;diff=586416"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:37:31Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;  Postscript to Volume 10.5     I&amp;#039;m Tsukiji. This is a new volume of Kempf, also a collection of short stories. The short story collections up to this point are still interconnected, with the stories linked. This one is separate, so chapter numbers become episode numbers. The plan is to write two more volumes of Kämpfer and then finish. The next volume will begin with a return to the old home of Sakura. The volume after that will likely follow. If the next volume is f...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Postscript to Volume 10.5&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   I&#039;m Tsukiji. This is a new volume of Kempf, also a collection of short stories. The short story collections up to this point are still interconnected, with the stories linked. This one is separate, so chapter numbers become episode numbers. The plan is to write two more volumes of Kämpfer and then finish. The next volume will begin with a return to the old home of Sakura. The volume after that will likely follow. If the next volume is finished, the final volume will become a side story. In any case, this series will end next spring.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Kämpfer is written from the first-person perspective of the &amp;quot;male protagonist,&amp;quot; but this time a few parts use a third-person perspective. Generally, using a first-person perspective is more convenient for writing psychological descriptions, but its drawback is that it can&#039;t cover other characters as well. And I unexpectedly enjoyed writing about the supporting characters, so I decided to write a lot about things other than the &amp;quot;male protagonist.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Kämpfer is my first novel written in the first person. I experimented a bit, but it&#039;s definitely easier to write in the third person, which I&#039;m more comfortable with. Even the &amp;quot;male protagonist&#039;s&amp;quot; monologues are quite amusing; I feel really glad I&#039;ve kept going. The gaps between the events unfolding before my eyes and the characters&#039; inner thoughts have become comedic. Utilizing these elements is also very new to me.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   This novel begins with the &amp;quot;male protagonist&#039;s&amp;quot; astonishment after his transformation. I&#039;ve mixed in third-person perspectives throughout the story, and I plan to continue writing in that style until the end. Please continue to support me. Thank you.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   August 2009,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Tsukiji Toshihiko&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 10.5 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Forward to 10.5 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586415</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586415"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:30:02Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;    Volume 10.5 Chapter 3        Chapter 3: &amp;quot;Dolls, Seniors, and Me&amp;quot;        In a room in a large, apparently lifeless house, Shizuku Sangou opened her eyes.        Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains. It looked like a sunny day today.   How wonderful!        Mornings are fair to everyone. Whether you&amp;#039;re asleep or awake, the sun will still rise.   Regardless of social disparities, the sun alone is equally blessed by all. It&amp;#039;s truly a gift fro...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10.5 Chapter 3  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Chapter 3: &amp;quot;Dolls, Seniors, and Me&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In a room in a large, apparently lifeless house, Shizuku Sangou opened her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains. It looked like a sunny day today. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
How wonderful!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mornings are fair to everyone. Whether you&#039;re asleep or awake, the sun will still rise. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Regardless of social disparities, the sun alone is equally blessed by all. It&#039;s truly a gift from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heaven.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Though the clouds obscured the sun, I couldn&#039;t say anything like that. Of course, there are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
differences depending on the location. It might be raining a few kilometers away, which &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might have something to do with the crop yields. It also varies from cou ntry to country.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thinking of this, she shook her head slightly. What an idiot! A mere high school student &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
actually caring about the world&#039;s weather? Imagination is important, but it&#039;s almost time for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school. Today isn&#039;t just about studying; there are a lot of things to  deal with. I need to keep &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these ridiculous thoughts to a minimum.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There are some absurdities, though. I&#039;m in a very awkward position right now. I&#039;d planned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to be a normal high school student, but things are starting to get weird.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I got up from bed and stretched my shoulders a little. While they weren&#039;t stiff, they still felt &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a bit heavy. It would have been nice to have someone to massage them. Unfortunately, I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
basically living on my own now, having to manage my health on my o wn. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My father, the man who built our home, has moved in with his lover and isn&#039;t home much. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My mother, dedicated to her career, won&#039;t be home again, as expected. So, I&#039;m left with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
having to do everything myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku has always been called an adult. That&#039;s because she doesn&#039;t have anyone to guide &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her, and if she doesn&#039;t work hard, she won&#039;t be able to survive. Naturally, she&#039;s adopted the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mindset of &amp;quot;doing what I can do myself,&amp;quot; and her abilities have grown  along with her body. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
only recently learned that dinner was eaten by the family. It&#039;s simply because of this family &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
environment that she&#039;s forced to do everything herself. Unconsciously, she&#039;s been called the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
all-around president, probably because of thi s family environment. Shizuku got out of bed in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a T-shirt and underwear. Then, a voice boomed from the corner of the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good morning, Shizuku -sama.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, good morning.&amp;quot; Anyone who saw this would definitely think it was a strange greeting. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The words themselves weren&#039;t strange, but the person Shizuku was greeting wasn&#039;t a human, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but a stuffed animal made of synthetic fibers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The cat, its entrails exposed, spoke: &amp;quot;It looks like it&#039;s going to be a nice day today.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s sunny.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -sama, isn&#039;t it time to move me out of here too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just stay there for a while.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The stuffed animal named Electrocuted Bobcat uttered these words as a daily ritual... and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the response was always the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The fact that the stuffed animal could talk was strange in itself. It was a product from a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
friend, one of the stuffed animal stuffed animals.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A struggling to -do toy company had heavily marketed this as a killer product. And the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
disgusting concept had frightened consumers, leading to a shrinking market. Shizuku wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interested in it either, but it was a gift, so she felt bad about throwing it away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While she was working, the electric mountain cat spoke again. Perhaps it would be better &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to decorate it somewhere, but it wouldn&#039;t be good for her ears or eyes. For this reason, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kept the doll in a corner of the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you gotten used to the Bracelet of Promise?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Battle is absolutely necessary. You must get used to it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku touched the metal bracelet on her right hand. In fact, she had almost gotten used &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to the feeling. Although that didn&#039;t make sense to answer the electric mountain cat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She took a uniform off the hanger. But she didn&#039;t put it on, instead going to get breakfast.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -sama was chosen, becoming Kämpfer,&amp;quot; the electric mountain cat said in a female &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You will one day become the strongest warrior, that&#039;s what Shizuku -sama is.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku picked up the electric mountain cat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You always tell me that,&amp;quot; Shizuku said, leaning closer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do I have to fight?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because it&#039;s Kämpfer.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What if I say no?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Even if I don&#039;t want to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , I&#039;ve already started fighting. Shizuku -sama should be able to defeat the enemy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s how it was. After becoming a Kämpfer, I&#039;ve fought the Blue Kämpfer several times. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There&#039;s no question of consent in these battles, as the opponent would attack unexpectedly. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Naturally, I gradually shifted gears during the fight. It was already l ike this when I realized it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, it wasn&#039;t like this at the beginning. My growth as a Kämpfer was due to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
someone else.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it were Shizuku -sama, the Blue Kämpfer wouldn&#039;t be a problem,&amp;quot; the Electrocat said &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happily.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Defeat more people.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Hey,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku placed the Electrocat on the bed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why did you make me do this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I was chosen.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know that. But why? Anyway, why can you talk?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I don&#039;t know about that,&amp;quot; the doll said honestly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why can you talk?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s my line.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But for Shizuku -sama, I&#039;ll do my best. That&#039;s the truth.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Should I thank you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Repeating the same words here and there made me wonder if there was an IC recorder &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inside the doll. It probably couldn&#039;t be accessed, so if I really wanted to resolve my doubts, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had to investigate it myself. Ask the person who electrocuted the bobcat  for me, and ask &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
senior Kämpfer if he will still fight after that. He frowned slightly. What on earth am I thinking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about? I&#039;m just a sophomore in high school. I have to go to school today. If I don&#039;t finish &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
breakfast quickly and go to school, I will be la te. Shizuku put the electrocuted bobcat back to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
its original place, quickly changed her clothes and went downstairs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not late. Although I have never been late before. I have always received the perfect &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
attendance award since elementary school. Although I have worried about what good this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
will do, the position of student council president is just right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good morning, president.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Good morning, president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good morning.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After entering the territory of the girls&#039; department on campus, the students greeted &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
together. Shizuku answered good morning one by one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, good morning.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    An exceptionally bright and cheerful voice came, and Shizuku turned around and said with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a little more emotion than her previous answer: &amp;quot;Good morning, Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was holding her bag in both hands, smiling as usual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and Kaede were childhood sweethearts. Shizuku was a year older than Kaede, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their tone was the same age. They had known each other since kindergarten, and although &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they had left each other at times, their friendship had been rekindled since they entered &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Seitetsu Gakuen. It was well known among the students that the two had a good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
relationship.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku tried to hide the bracelet from view and grabbed her sleeve. Kaede was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
completely unaware.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, you&#039;re still behaving yourself. You came to school at the same time as usual &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
today.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s good for your health if your biological clock is consistent.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I sometimes skip classes and come late.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As the student council president, I can&#039;t let you off the hook,&amp;quot; Shizuku warned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you stop being late, your evaluation will be better. Kaede&#039;s grades are pretty good, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you just need to try not to slack off too much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan is so strict,&amp;quot; Kaede pouted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it would be better to sleep in a little longer in the morning.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can sleep as much as you want on your days off.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I get up at the same time on my days off.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a sign of good health. You should pay more attention to it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede sighed for a moment, then quickly recovered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I always feel like when I talk to Shizuku -chan, it&#039;s like I&#039;m talking to someone much older &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
than me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m only a year older than you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But you speak like an adult.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Real adults are more sophisticated. You can tell by their faces. I&#039;m still a child with so little &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
life experience.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think a child would say that,&amp;quot; Kaede said with a wry smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them kept chatting like this. Shizuku&#039;s was the more polite &amp;quot;Good morning,&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede&#039;s was the more friendly &amp;quot;Good morning.&amp;quot; Most of the students then looked at the two &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as they walked off into the distance. Their gazes weren&#039;t filled with curiosity, but rather a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unique blend of longing and envy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s not their fault. These two are known as the &amp;quot;Two Beauties of Seitetsu.&amp;quot; Seitetsu &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Gakuen&#039;s women&#039;s division is packed with beautiful girls. There&#039;s even a rumor that boys&#039; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
grades drop when they&#039;re around pretty girls, so they attend separate classe s instead of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
together. Among them, two stand out. Kaede, with her sunny, spring -like warmth and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
approachability, and Shizuku, with her cool, intelligent beauty. These two are completely &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
opposite beauties, yet they bond well. Their popularity is impressive even among the girls &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
themselves, let alone the boys. Naturally, they draw attention.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was once considered Seitetsu&#039;s most beautiful girl, but this year, with Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enrolling, she&#039;s become one of the top two beauties. Whether there will be a third remains &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to be seen. Even a brief conversation with these beauties is possible, as b oth men and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
women develop feelings for them, leading to a surge in interest. Even more students are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
watching from afar.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good morning, Kaede -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hello, Shizuku -sama.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good morning, Sakura -san—&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good morning, Shizuku -sama.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They both greeted them. Shizuku&#039;s expression didn&#039;t change at all, and Kaede was still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
smiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When the conversation was almost over, Kaede finally couldn&#039;t help but laugh.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan&#039;s fans, everyone&#039;s so respectful. That last person is amazing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The one who greeted Kaede was like a friend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s hilarious how nervous you get talking to Shizuku -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just saying hello to the student council president makes you so stiff.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s because she&#039;s the president. Because she&#039;s the student council president of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Seitetsu Gakuen. Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a title only used in school.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But in this city, it&#039;s like the chairman of the student council contract meeting.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s because no one wants to be the president, and it&#039;s too troublesome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t that proof you&#039;re recognized?&amp;quot; Kaede laughed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku never overestimates herself. Of course, she doesn&#039;t underestimate herself either, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but she hates the very act of being judged. Instead, she simply hoped to complete her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
studies in an ordinary, unremarkable manner.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was simply because she possessed exceptional learning and motor skills, coupled with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her beauty alone, that those around her couldn&#039;t allow her to remain obscure. Naturally, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stood out from the crowd. She was hailed as the student council preside nt because she had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accepted it as her fate. Kaede tugged at Shizuku&#039;s sleeve.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look, look, that girl over there keeps looking at Shizuku -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s because Kaede is so conspicuous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s a fan of Shizuku. She must want to join the student council... There&#039;s one over there &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too,&amp;quot; Kaede pointed innocently. But Shizuku didn&#039;t look in that direction. Instead, she gazed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at the dividing line between the girls&#039; and boys&#039; sections. There  stood a female student. Her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
intellectual face exuded a quiet demeanor. Holding a hardcover book would suit her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
perfectly. Calling her a literary girl would be just the right term.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku bowed her head slightly towards the figure.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey... Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What? Shizuku -chan. Is it about the fans?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you remember the seniors I told you before?&amp;quot; Kaede was stunned by the sudden &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
question. Then he frowned and began to think.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That... is that someone called Shinomiya?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes. It&#039;s Tamiko Shinomiya -senpai.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm -, I vaguely remember the name... what kind of person is she?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No, forget it.&amp;quot; Shizuku answered. During this time, she was also looking at the dark &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
corner of the school building. Tamiko only appeared for a moment, and then disappeared as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
if completely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot; Kaede looked at Shizuku and asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you see that person over there?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pointed to the school building. Kaede looked over there for a while and shook his &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is anyone there? I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Senpai, isn&#039;t she right there?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s indeed an elm tree over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s always reading there. It suits her perfectly. She doesn&#039;t read all day, but she&#039;s a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
serious person, so she&#039;ll be back in class soon.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even more serious than Shizuku?&amp;quot; Kaede asked. Shizuku replied, &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot; Tamiko was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
first woman Shizuku had called her senpai since she entered the school. She was also the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
vice president of her school before she became the student council president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After becoming president, Shizuku left the student council and lived her daily life as an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ordinary student.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s Shinomiya like?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s very beautiful.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Prettier than Shizuku?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t say for sure, but she doesn&#039;t seem very popular with the boys.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot; Tamiko, wearing glasses, looked like an unassuming schoolgirl at first glance. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She wore no makeup at all, her black hair simply tied back without any embellishments, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
which only reinforced this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is Shinomiya a fan of Shizuku?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who knows? I&#039;m a fan of yours, though.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But if you&#039;re close to Shizuku, would you join her fan club?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No... maybe if you were a girl there.&amp;quot; Looking closely, she could see several girls in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shadows of the building, their gazes blazing at Kaede and Shizuku. Kaede turned her head in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that direction. &amp;quot;I know that too. Indeed, I&#039;m a member of the &#039;Shizu ku Fan Club.&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Our school has some strange organizations.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Doesn&#039;t the boys&#039; department have one too? I think it&#039;s...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s the &#039;Shizuku Sangou Scolding Club,&#039; right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it.&amp;quot; Kaede pressed her hand to her mouth and laughed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Boys, what a brilliant name you came up with.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The idea is nothing special.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Last year, I heard that Shizuku -chan immediately established this organization after she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enrolled. It seems they&#039;re patronizing themselves on the back for being the first to recognize &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku -chan. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As a reward for that, I hope to be scolded... or so they say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why don&#039;t you give it a try?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede said with a completely childish look in her eyes. Shizuku&#039;s expression didn&#039;t change &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t want to be famous for that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she quickened her pace. Kaede said, &amp;quot;Hey. I think Shizuku -chan must be an S,&amp;quot; as she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
followed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The girls&#039; department is very large, and the buildings vary depending on the grade. Once &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because: &amp;quot;In order to provide a very luxurious educational environment. &amp;quot;And they secured &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
such a large piece of land and became famous. As a result, there was only  one boys&#039; school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
building next to it. Although it was unfair to the boys&#039; department, they still secured the girls&#039; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
department first. When the boys&#039; department was completed, it was very small, which ended &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up being a very unsatisfactory situation for both  parties  parties.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, I&#039;ll be leaving first.&amp;quot; Kaede said, waving her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku is now a second -year student, and Kaede is a first -year student. Although they are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
childhood sweethearts, they still have to go to class separately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede, you must go to class well.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I will attend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s true. Kaede is an excellent student, so there is really no need to remind him.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, let&#039;s go back together when we go back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It depends. Because I have to take a detour to the student union first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you still have work?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s work, after all. Although I don&#039;t get paid at all, it&#039;s just like playing. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Having said that, except for the social interaction between men and women, everything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
else in Seitetsu Gakuen is very free, so the student union activities have increased &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accordingly, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a work department of  a company. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede of course knew about this, so she did not forcefully invite her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, I&#039;ll go back first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede waved again and walked towards the school building.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At the same time as her, the students who admired her moved with her. Kaede is both &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beautiful and popular, so of course the students will gather around her. However, there are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also those who think that &amp;quot;the existence of the two beauties of Seitetsu at the same time is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
valuable&amp;quot; and are the first to leave, which is really interesting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Most of Shizuku -chan&#039;s fans watch from a distance. Those who change the way of greeting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
are the courageous ones, and there are also those who are satisfied with just looking at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
footprints.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The traditional Seitetsu Gakuen pays great attention to the personality of the students. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Even so, it is not enough to just go to school because of one person. It was a bit excessive to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cause so many people to come and watch. Although Shizuku had no int ention of banning it, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
after all, it was one of the few entertainments in the co -educational school. After graduation, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these things would be sealed in memories. This is youth. Well, although  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    as the student council president, it is really a shame to think about these things when she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is only in her second year of high school... After being promoted to student council president &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in her first year, there were a lot of chores, and she had consid ered changing assistants many &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
times. Originally, she should have lived a more girlish life, such as falling in love.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku immediately gave the word that came to her mind She gave up. The thought of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
love only brought to mind scenes from movies and TV shows. She couldn&#039;t imagine herself &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doing anything like that. Perhaps I was destined for love, though I didn&#039;t think  so. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just thinking about it wouldn&#039;t get her anywhere. For now, she&#039;d focus on student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
matters and classes, then maybe go home and move the electrocuted bobcat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She nodded, unnoticed. Then she glanced briefly toward the school building. Of course, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there was nothing there, not even Tamiko. Of course, she no longer existed in this world. As  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the Red Kämpfer, she vanished after losing the battle. Even if Shizuku remembered her, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was gone from everyone else&#039;s memory. Shizuku turned, her long hair flowing, and without a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
single emotion, she walked straight toward the second -grade building.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Class was no different from any other. It began and ended just like any other day. It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
only natural that nothing had changed. If the students were suddenly told to run, it would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have been a fire evacuation drill.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Today&#039;s class was about reviewing the test papers. The English teacher read out, &amp;quot;Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sangou, full marks.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;, cheers rang out in the classroom. Of course, Shizuku would not hide &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her shame by laughing. She always got the highest score. But she never  boasted, she just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
took the test paper calmly and sat down at her seat. Everyone in the class knew this, and the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cheers stopped immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    During lunch break, Shizuku decided to eat lunch in the classroom. It&#039;s not that she is used &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to eating in the classroom, and during this period of time, she will decide the place to eat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
based on her feelings. If there is an emergency, she can only eat and deal with it in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student union room. There are also cases where she goes to the school cafeteria to buy food, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but today she made a lunch box, so she wanted to eat here. Just as she was about to take the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lunch box out of her bag, a voice came in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sangou -san, there is a guest.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Near the classroom door, a female student in the class shouted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Guest?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A first -year girl. The girl immediately returned to her seat, missing the opportunity to ask &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the new visitor. Shizuku, having no other choice, stopped to get her lunch box and stood up. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This kind of thing was becoming quite common. There were very few  people she wanted to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have a long conversation with. Shizuku herself preferred a concise, no -nonsense approach to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
expression, so she only shared the necessary information.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Besides, many people used to call her &amp;quot;Sangou -kun.&amp;quot; But after she became president, few &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people called her by her name. Kaede was probably the only one. Being addressed with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
honorifics by younger people was natural, but being addressed that way by class mates &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
always made her feel a bit lonely. And the boys calling her &amp;quot;Shizuku -sama&amp;quot; —was that really a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
good thing? When they reached the classroom door, there was no one except the students &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
coming and going... probably not. Next to the door, a tiny girl, barel y visible, stood out. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wore glasses and, judging by her headband, must be a first -year. She seemed to be trying to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
appear smaller than she was, waiting anxiously. It felt more like she wasn&#039;t even in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
second -year building. Shizuku spoke first, &amp;quot;Are y ou the one who needs me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, yes,&amp;quot; the girl replied, almost leaping.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I have something to tell the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, really?&amp;quot; the girl said, her voice tense.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku had some impression of her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You are indeed the librarian... Mishima -san, right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes, her name is Akane.&amp;quot; Shizuku answered with affirmation. As the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president, Shizuku had frequent contact with the committee members, so she remembered &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this girl. She was very weak -willed, so she didn&#039;t speak much in the committee. The  only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thing she did well was to express her love for books.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku leaned against the door so as not to block the flow of people in and out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a message from the library committee. The budget plan has been sent. Please take a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
look and give me a reply.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot; Why did you come all the way here for such a simple matter? Couldn&#039;t you find &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
another opportunity? &amp;quot;Um, and...&amp;quot; Hesitantly, Akane handed Shizuku something wrapped in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
an orange napkin.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s... a bento.&amp;quot; Shizuku looked at the compact bento box.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you make it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no! I don&#039;t make this kind of thing... Oh, no, this was made by the library committee &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and she said she wanted you to try it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She didn&#039;t deliver it herself. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes... She&#039;s always so shy like this.&amp;quot; For some reason, Akane shrank back in fear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were many female students who admired Shizuku, and the female librarian was one &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of them. She would always give her the food she was doing cooking practice, or even make &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the bento herself, but because she was extremely shy, she never did the most crucial thing, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;handing it over personally.&amp;quot; So she would let Akane give it to her casually under the pretext &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of planning. Akane was implicated  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Although she was a weakling to begin with, she wouldn&#039;t refuse someone who asked her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to &amp;quot;give it to her for me.&amp;quot; It was really interesting to see who was weaker. Shizuku looked at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the bento box again. Okay, what should she do now? She made the bento herself, but she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
couldn&#039;t just let her take it back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll take it.&amp;quot; After deciding to accept it, Akane was visibly relieved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that all?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No share for you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh... No, no share for me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? That&#039;s a pity. ”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Ha… Hey, Ru, if you put it that way, I can do it… But the president has a lot of fans, and my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cooking is really… Although I’m not without confidence, but as expected… If you want to eat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it.” &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Just kidding.” Akane said because she was very embarrassed, “I’ll accept it without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hesitation. Also tell the library chairman. Don’t always think about making eye contact with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me during meetings.”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Okay…”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane lowered her head and said “Excuse me” and ran out as if to escape from here as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
quickly as possible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although the lunch box thing was originally said in a joking manner, did the other party &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
really think so? Although I know that I am the type who doesn’t joke in everyone’s eyes, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there are still times when I want to talk about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The problem is, what should I do with the library chairman’s lunch box in my hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There is also a lunch box on the table that I brought with me, which I made 30 minutes &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
earlier. I can just throw one of them away, but it is too wasteful and not good for the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
environment. According to the order, I should eat my own lunch box first. I m ade my own &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lunch box, but what should I do if I do this? It would not be good if I did not return the lunch &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
box quickly. After thinking it over in my head, I finally decided to eat the librarian&#039;s lunch box. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I will put my own lunch box off. Although it mig ht have gone bad if I took it back, I might as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
well eat it sometime.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I returned to the table and untied the napkin. At first I thought it was very compact, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
what appeared in front of me was a very large three -layer lunch box. They made so much, do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you want me to eat it all? But looking at Shizuku, she still has her o wn portion. When she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was thinking about giving up her own lunch box, someone called her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku Sangou. There are guests.&amp;quot; Feeling embarrassed, the classmate said it again. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku put down her chopsticks after she was about to leave and asked, &amp;quot;Who is it this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;First -year Sakura -chan. &amp;quot;It&#039;s Kaede. People mostly call her by the character &#039;jiang&#039;, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
whether it&#039;s her first or last name. This is probably the difference in the degree of intimacy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with others. The friend who is a year younger than her walked into the  classroom by herself, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bowed her head and greeted the classmates. Was this also affected by her easy -going &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personality?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What was she holding in her hand ?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, is lunch break over yet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It just started.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Great. I brought the lunch box.&amp;quot; Even Shizuku couldn&#039;t help but think for a moment, &amp;quot;No &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way.&amp;quot; She just received the lunch box from the library committee chairman. Kaede picked up &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the lunch box in her hand. It looked very heavy, and of course there was  a corresponding &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
amount of food inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, this is it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This one?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I bought new lunch boxes. I bought several, and I wanted Shizuku -chan to use them too. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;An innocent smile. Although I knew she meant no harm, what she brought was a lunch box &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
made of an animal doll with its internal organs exposed. It was characterize d by the animal&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
internal organs being exposed, and the words &amp;quot;dried -up African elephant&amp;quot; were written on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the inside. The stomach was divided into two parts. Using extremely realistic internal organs &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to hold food was really a far -fetched approach.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede said proudly, &amp;quot;Very impressive, right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I agree with that.&amp;quot; Shizuku replied. But using &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this as a lunch box was really a bit... picking up food from an open stomach didn&#039;t seem to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
increase appetite in any way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so smart.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Want to try it?&amp;quot; Shizuku placed the dried -up African elephant on the side of the table. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Should she say thank you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here, do you want me to eat it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course. I made it, and I&#039;m very confident in it.&amp;quot; Of course, Kaede was very good at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cooking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...At least, I&#039;ll accept it for now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s do it this way. Oh, by the way. Shizuku -chan, how&#039;s the doll I gave you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a bit of a stretch for me to answer.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s a collector of stuffed animals with internal organs. Shizuku doesn&#039;t know what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
triggered her, but she loves them so much that she gives them away to everyone around her, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and now even buys these bento boxes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku, after all, has a modest aesthetic, so she doesn&#039;t find a stuffed animal with its &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
internal organs exposed cute. But she doesn&#039;t want to tell her about this, which is why we &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just had this conversation. Because that thing can talk.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it cute?&amp;quot; Kaede said, completely unquestioning about her taste.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It depends on personal preference.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t you already have a very rare stuffed animal, Shizuku -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I told you to pick the one you like, and you picked the one you treasure the most. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think Shizuku -chan has great taste.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The stuffed animal she got was the Electrocuted Bobcat. It&#039;s the only one whose selling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
point is that its fur stands up after being electrocuted. But its internal organs are exposed. It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
incredible how obsessed she is with that. Incidentally, Shizuku chose this one because it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the most presentable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As a decoration?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it for you?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I guess.&amp;quot; She actually placed it somewhere inconspicuous, specifically in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the corner of the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Putting it next to your pillow will make you happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede feels happy because she did it, so I&#039;m not denying it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good things will happen to Shizuku, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What kind?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Getting a boyfriend or something,&amp;quot; Kaede said seriously. Shizuku politely denied it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If that&#039;s how you get one, it&#039;d be easy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sure. It&#039;s like the bond between two people connected by stuffed animal organs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It feels like the small intestines are replacing the red thread,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku agreed casually. If placing a stuffed animal next to your pillow could lead to a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boyfriend, that would be awful. It would surely make the beds of teenage high school girls &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lively. She&#039;d never even heard of such an urban legend, let alone a stuf fed animal with its &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
internal organs exposed. She had never considered dating anyone. To be honest, it was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
very low priority. She had to deal with her studies and student council matters first. If I had a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boyfriend, I&#039;d have to make a lot of time for him.  The possibility of neglecting school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
relationships was very high, which wasn&#039;t something to be happy about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And even considering it now only proved how weak my commitment to love was. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school&#039;s equation of time and socializing was wrong. There were girls in the world who had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these two things in conflict. I could probably do it if I wanted to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But even so, I had no intention of getting a boyfriend. As expected, love was a low priority. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At least, lower than the blueberries in my backyard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Next to my pillow is a bit difficult,&amp;quot; Shizuku said to Kaede. &amp;quot;How about next to my feet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s completely pointless.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then just put it on any shelf.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;ll do. It&#039;ll definitely be cute.&amp;quot; Kaede&#039;s expression brightened. They might be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
childhood sweethearts, but their taste was beyond my comprehension. Shizuku thought.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was nothing she could do. She&#039;d just move the electrocuted bobcat to another &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
location when she got home. She had a feeling if this continued, she&#039;d rush over to her house &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to check it out. And that doll was different from the others, very special.  I have to be careful, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because that thing can talk.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, excuse me,&amp;quot; Kaede left the classroom. The librarian&#039;s lunchbox, left behind, stood in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stark contrast to the organ -stuffed animal stuffed lunchbox. She had to eat everything, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with the one she&#039;d brought, there were three of them. (There&#039;s no other way now, let&#039;s just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
give up and eat first.) (What if I gain weight...?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku muttered to  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    herself, despite her inability to gain weight no matter how much she ate. After finishing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede and the librarian&#039;s lunchboxes, she didn&#039;t want to touch her own. Her stomach was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
already full. She had to find another time to eat it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She went to class this afternoon while feeling overwhelmed. It was impossible to be called &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on by the teacher first. Saying the teacher was afraid of her was better off saying it was easy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and correct. It was no fun. She only gave it to her when no one c ould answer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After the last class, this happened twice, and she ended with the respectful gazes of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
class. Then it was student council time. She quickly put her notebook into her bag and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
headed for the student council room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The student council room and the library are in the same building. Club activities at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Seitetsu Gakuen are also separate for men and women, so only the student council, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
committees, and library are shared. Entering the library from the grand entrance and  walking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up the stairs leads to the student council room. But Shizuku didn&#039;t go to the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room, but to the library counter. The person at the counter was the girl from this morning, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, president,&amp;quot; Akane nodded gently. &amp;quot;What can I do for you?&amp;quot; &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku held out her lunchbox.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m here to return this  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Where&#039;s the library chairperson?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I&#039;ll call her.&amp;quot; Akane walked to the back of the counter &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and emerged after a moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She said she was too shy to come out...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s that shy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because she&#039;s very shy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How such a person would become the library chairperson, Shizuku had no idea. Student &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
council chairperson positions are filled by self -appointment or recommendation, so Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t ask for anything unless there was a specific reason.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku handed the lunchbox to Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then could you please give it to her for me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay. Um... the taste...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Very filling, in every sense.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she added.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It would probably taste better if Akane -san made it.&amp;quot; After saying this, she left the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
counter. She intended it to be a joke, but did she really get the point across? She felt like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there was a commotion on the bookshelf inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked over there and saw two boys who seemed to be talking about something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...So, I need a photo of the president. I hope it&#039;s in time for this booklet.&amp;quot; (by Higashida)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just take a photo, I&#039;m not interested.&amp;quot; (by Natsuru)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t say that, we&#039;re friends, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I only have eyes for Sakura -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It seemed like she was talking about something about herself. She was on the other side of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the bookshelf, and her face was invisible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku returned to the counter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you know the boys over there?&amp;quot; Akane shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know them, but I come here occasionally to chat in private.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The library is a legal place for both men and women, often used as a dating spot for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
couples. With a little attention, you can spot them inconspicuously, but seeing two boys &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
together is incredibly rare.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t seem like the type to enjoy reading.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But if you&#039;re like that, maybe you&#039;ll fall in love someday,&amp;quot; Akane said. What an admirable &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl! Perhaps she&#039;s like that herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t forbid talking here, but you should be careful not to get loud and cause a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
commotion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Okay...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you&#039;re afraid of boys, should I convey that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, startled. &amp;quot;That&#039;s the responsibility of the library committee.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a serious girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    To prevent her from accumulating pressure, perhaps I should advise the chairman. Since &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she probably won&#039;t be able to meet the chairman, I&#039;ll probably make him the vice chairman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku headed towards the student council room this time. Kaede stood by the staircase &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
railing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan.&amp;quot; Kaede smiled faintly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede, what&#039;s wrong? Didn&#039;t you say you were going home first?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was planning to do that, but I wanted to go home with Shizuku -chan. &amp;quot; &amp;quot;She said it with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a look of shyness. Even from a girl&#039;s perspective, she looked cute when she made that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But, I still have student council stuff to do.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, so could you please let me take a look?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sure.&amp;quot; Shizuku promised. The student council of Seitetsu Gakuen is quite open, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anyone can come and visit. This was not something that started before, but it became a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
publicity activity after Shizuku became the president. Shizuku thinks it is very important to let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students know about the activities.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede said, &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan is really kind.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It is natural for Shizuku to have such an impression, but it is not something that should be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
particularly praised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Going up the stairs, they reached the student council room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There is not only a student council here, but also a large meeting room. It is used for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cultural festivals and other occasions by male and female class committee members to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gather here. This is also a benefit for Seitetsu Gakuen, which has separate mal e and female &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
schools.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku walked into the student council room. Immediately, a group of people gathered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, about the budget for the soccer club.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Signatures for the application form for the use of the library on weekends. &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The director said they want to discuss something with the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The fans said they want photos.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    From serious matters to trivial matters, there are all kinds of things given to her. Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
handled them one by one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Leave the budget matters to the accountant. I will sign the documents unconditionally. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Put all the applications together and put them on the table. The director is Mr. Takatsu, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right? He just wants me to join their company, so I will give a phone call  to reject him. As for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
photos, it&#039;s not possible yet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After hearing the instructions, the members dispersed and returned to their work places, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just like the bridge of a warship.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede watched the scene with admiration.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan... you&#039;re amazing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not that amazing.&amp;quot; Shizuku sat down in her seat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyone can do it if they are in the same position.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh -, I definitely can&#039;t do it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No matter how high the position is, it&#039;s still a human being. There&#039;s also the question of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how much pressure you can withstand and whether you want to do it. &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ordinary people don&#039;t have this kind of drive...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede said with a rare wry smile. Even so, there is a limit, and if someone doesn&#039;t have the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ability, they will not be recommended as the president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When Shizuku entered the school, the position of student council president of Seitetsu &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Gakuen was vacant. After the election, no suitable person was found, and there was not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even a candidate. The school was also quite troubled, and it had to ask Shizuk u, who had just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
entered the school and had full marks in all subjects, to take the position, and it turned out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She did not resign from the position, but she was not very active in it. Moreover, she had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
never thought about belonging to any club or student union, but the school, which had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accepted it and let it go, did not expect her to go this far. The very gran d student union floor &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was not often used before Shizuku became president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku prepared a chair next to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you want to take a look, sit here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please. But it&#039;s boring. It&#039;s mainly paperwork.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s just as she said. She signed the documents that were handed to her and sent them &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back, and then she looked at another document. The power of the student council means &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
translating this onto paper, which means the president&#039;s role becomes even great er. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The student council at Seitetsu Gakuen acts like a buffer, summarizing and organizing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student requests and achieving mutually satisfactory outcomes based on the school&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
requirements. While student councils typically only operate as &amp;quot;student self -gover nment,&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this one serves a very effective purpose. This is also Shizuku&#039;s achievement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede watched their work.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Um, what kind of person will succeed Shizuku as president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you ask?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;With so much work to do, I imagine the next president will have a tough time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Probably an election. Or maybe a recommendation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will Shizuku recommend?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Haven&#039;t decided yet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Still a second year, yet to decide on her successor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Prepare a handbook for the next president so he doesn&#039;t have to deal with so much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will Shizuku also write that handbook?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If no one else does.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Documenting specific action plans requires patience and sensitivity. It would be very &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
troublesome if they made a mistake, so it was difficult to assign too many tasks to others. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now that the student union relies on Shizuku&#039;s personal abilities in many aspects, it is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
necessary to prepare a manual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to come and help out too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Assistants are always recruited, you are welcome. Or do you want to be the president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s too much.&amp;quot; Kaede shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Drinking tea after finishing the paperwork... Impossible. Basically, things are one after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
another. And most of them are trivial matters.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um -, President.&amp;quot; A girl who gave people a gentle feeling said. She was the vice president &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the student union, and it felt like there were angels flying around her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Fans are flocking here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede&#039;s? Or mine?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Both. They&#039;re telling both of us to come out, as if it&#039;s a demonstration.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and Kaede weren&#039;t surprised at all. This happens all the time. The student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room is for both sexes, making it a perfect place for the boys who are confined outside the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
barrier during the day, not to mention that Kaede is here now. The in telligence network for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underground club activities couldn&#039;t have missed this information, and of course, the girls &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t run away at this time but would make noise in the hallway.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice -president said hesitantly, as if he were one of the fans.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because it&#039;s the president and Sakura -san teaming up, it will definitely help raise the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
profile of the student council.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This isn&#039;t a personal commission, it&#039;s done to draw attention to the organization.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Putting that aside for now, the one who shows up will publish a doujinshi.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s that?&amp;quot; Kaede asked. The vice -president seemed very happy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a doujinshi by the president and Sakura -san. It features two beautiful women from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Seitetsu falling in love. It&#039;s a turbulent, 18X, perverted affair. The manga research club has &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
already started production, and all they need to do is show them kiss ing in front of their fans &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for publicity. It&#039;s sure to be a hit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, okay. I&#039;ll show up for a bit, and you can stop saying that. Your fantasies are over,&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku said, drowning out the vice president&#039;s voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice president said yes as he returned to his seat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, what was that all about?&amp;quot; Kaede asked quietly, demanding clarification.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As you heard, it&#039;s just a little extra money for the manga research club. There&#039;s an adult &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
manga club in the underground community, probably to fund activities. Although it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
supposed to be something that high school students shouldn&#039;t be allowed to s ee,&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku explained frankly. Seitetsu Gakuen, where boys and girls have separate club &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
activities, is home to a wide variety of informal, underground clubs. While they&#039;re all &amp;quot;illegal&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clubs that gather secretly, she&#039;s got a handle on them all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The vice -president... is she a member of that club?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not really, but that girl is a bit of a fantasy fan, and her kinks are a bit strange.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A bit strange...&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    From a normal person&#039;s perspective, she&#039;s a pervert. She&#039;s supposed to be a nice girl, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
having such a strong interest in SM and sex is definitely not good.&amp;quot; Shizuku stood up beside &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede, whose face was flushing red. As they approached the student counc il room door, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
commotion outside could already be heard from inside. The door swung open, and cheers &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
erupted. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, President!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -sama! Shizuku -sama!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank God, thank God.&amp;quot; Not only were there girls like fans of an artist, but there were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also boys taking pictures with their cameras at every opportunity, students like those in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
religion class chanting Shizuku&#039;s name, and for some reason, there we re also students who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looked like elderly people worshipping Jizo.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku waited for the cheers to subside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Alright, everyone, that&#039;s enough.&amp;quot; With just one word, silence descended, like a politician &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
or a religious leader.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you keep going like this, you won&#039;t be able to work. Can you please go back? I&#039;m not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
asking you to hand over the photos you took. Kaede and I have something important to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
attend to.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At least stand side by side,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the boy with the camera pleaded. He seemed enthusiastic, but he couldn&#039;t agree to that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s forbidden. Kaede isn&#039;t used to this kind of thing yet.&amp;quot; While he said that, there was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something subtly different. She rarely showed any dislike for others. She was actually very &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strong, someone who wouldn&#039;t be shaken by a photo. That smile must  have a strong mental &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strength behind it, and it was amazing how she managed to maintain it. It made me wonder &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
if she had another personality. Although there was no need to explain it here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After hearing Shizuku&#039;s words, they all agreed and went back. It would be fine if it stayed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this way forever, though it wasn&#039;t ideal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Only one person said, &amp;quot;A full -body photo of the president is necessary. Preferably from an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
overhead angle.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;If I can&#039;t see it, I&#039;ll go back. There&#039;s no point in staying here if I can&#039;t see &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura -san.&amp;quot; This rowdy duo remained until the end. One was Hi gashida, the leader of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underground Bishoujo Research Society, and the other had never been seen. But the voices &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were both from the boys who had been in the bookshelves of the library on the first floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a shame it&#039;s over. You won&#039;t get anything,&amp;quot; Shizuku said to them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no point staying here. Also, please be quiet in the library,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she gently warned. &amp;quot;See, if Sakura -san wasn&#039;t here, my trip would have been wasted.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Talking to the president was a big accomplishment,&amp;quot; they said as they headed back. That &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school has these idiot students who only care about attracting attention. Thes e two are kind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of amusing, but not really. They&#039;re just plain weird.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku returned to her seat. Kaede didn&#039;t come over to see what was going on, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
waited.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What a commotion!&amp;quot; she exclaimed, as if it were someone else&#039;s business.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It would have been even more impressive if Kaede had shown up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It sounds like Natsuru -san&#039;s voice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Seno Natsuru, my junior high classmate.&amp;quot; One of the two who had stayed behind from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
earlier seemed to be a fan of Kaede. When she looked at her, her eyes flickered and she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looked away as if she wasn&#039;t interested, so she had some impression of her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is he a problem student?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could that be? No, Natsuru -kun is a good person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Then, there shouldn&#039;t be a problem.&amp;quot; Kaede would always call boys she didn&#039;t care for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
good, meaning, &amp;quot;harmless, but I have no interest in him, and we can&#039;t be more than friends.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Putting them in this group, judging them as good meant they didn&#039;t ca re at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (...That boy named Seno is really pitiful.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know how much they like Kaede, but I have little hope.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How many fans does Shizuku have?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who knows? They&#039;re probably all here to see Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re lying. Shizuku definitely has more.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s probably about 50 -50, even though the number isn&#039;t that interested. Of course, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knew she was becoming an idol, but she hadn&#039;t let it make her complacent. There were some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students who were overly envious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thought it was a common occurrence during puberty and suppressed it slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;By the way, Shizuku -chan, where did you put the thing I gave you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede asked, her voice piercing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s in my room.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Next to my pillow?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Put it on the box.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah—&amp;quot; Kaede pouted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Put it next to your pillow and cuddle it with you when you sleep.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;With something that looks like cooked guts?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s a stuffed animal, but it has its internal organs exposed. It&#039;s a product that children &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would inevitably throw away in tears. Would it cause any trouble if the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president clung to something like that to sleep? Although, she wasn&#039;t af raid at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If there&#039;s a chance.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You say that, but I definitely wouldn&#039;t do it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because it&#039;s an animal stuffed animal with internal organs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it cute?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m a dog person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Actually, she likes cats and dogs equally, but not to the point of doting, and she&#039;s never had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You have dog stuffed animals too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There are dogs with strings wrapped around their heads, right? No thanks.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll be a dog person with internal organs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Being stared at by those gleaming eyes, Shizuku couldn&#039;t say anything out of turn.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I understand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A rare concession from Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll make the electrocuted bobcats cuter.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you, I&#039;ll make them cuter too. I&#039;ve bought a lot of their merchandise.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know.&amp;quot; He cut the subject short before she could finish. Kaede has a hobby of collecting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stuffed animals with internal organs, a hobby that&#039;s beyond morbid and beyond anyone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
else&#039;s reach. She has an entire room filled with them, and it feels almost overflowing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, you&#039;ll definitely like the electrocuted bobcats.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe in a hundred years.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe they&#039;ll even talk.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede, do you like stuffed animals with internal organs so much?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I love them the most. They&#039;re so cute, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You know this is something that&#039;s not appreciated in the world, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why I gave them away. I want people to know the benefits of stuffed animals with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
internal organs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Giving them to people, regardless of gender, is something only a terrorist would do.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone happily accepted them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because they were gifts from Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wasn&#039;t because they liked the stuffed animals, but because they were from Kaede. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Normal people wouldn&#039;t refuse a gift from a beautiful woman, and this friend was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
completely oblivious to that. Kaede, however, believed that the person had accepted the  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
visceral animal stuffed animals because they had learned about their benefits. And she even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
insisted, saying that rather than being a collector, they were more like preachers of love. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Wouldn&#039;t it be better to join Christianity?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pulled away from the topic of visceral animal stuffed animals and returned to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
work. But there was nothing else to attend to at this moment; everything that needed to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
done was already done.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, right, Shizuku -chan,&amp;quot; Kaede said again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re not done yet, are you? Electrocuting a bobcat is enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, it&#039;s someone who wants to visit the student union.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t the visitor sitting next to me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not me, it&#039;s someone else.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can visit anytime.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The student union is open at all times. Except for explicit activities like the fan photo shoot &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just now, basically anyone can come.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede, for the first time, looked troubled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even though it&#039;s someone I know, they&#039;re not students here. So I&#039;m wondering what to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
do.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Students from other schools are fine too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Junior high school students,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thought. It certainly takes a lot of courage for a junior high student to enter high &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school. Seitetsu Gakuen doesn&#039;t offer a straight -through -high school system, but rather a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unique system of separate schools for both sexes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it a girl who lives nearby?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s a friend&#039;s sister, so she shouldn&#039;t be too far away. &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Is  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    it just a girl? Or with a boy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Only one girl.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then no problem,&amp;quot; Shizuku replied. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tell her you&#039;re coming from the girls&#039; department, and I&#039;ll let the school know. And don&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wear casual clothes; wear your middle school uniform; it can serve as an ID.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you,&amp;quot; Kaede said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan is so reliable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If she can get in with something like this, it&#039;s a steal.&amp;quot; As the student council president, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she believed it was necessary to spread the word.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ...There wasn&#039;t much work to do later, not much compared to usual. Perhaps because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they&#039;d announced Kaede&#039;s arrival, the others were working hard. Thank you so much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and Kaede went back together. First, they told the staff to go back, then closed the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
door and other things. Normally, they&#039;d have to make sure the gas was turned off properly, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but thankfully, this was the student council room,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    so there wasn&#039;t that kind of thing. They just had to be careful with the electric kettle and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the plug. They walked out of the library side by side. After school, there wasn&#039;t anyone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
waiting for them like they&#039;d been that morning. There were people who used super -powered &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
binoculars to take secret photos, but there was no point in catching them there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Kaede. Is the junior high student who&#039;s visiting a third -year student?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot; Kaede replied firmly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;He said he was going to take the exam here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? Do you remember? Kaede did the same thing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course I do. I wanted to know what Shizuku -chan&#039;s school was like, so I came to visit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Senior was there too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Oh, Kaede was in the third year of middle school, and I was in the first year &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of high school.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot; Shizuku remembered it clearly, thinking back to the past as she walked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    About a year ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, back then, the two of them had walked home together like this. Kaede, who was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
touring the school, kept excitedly saying, &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan is the student council president here! &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
How amazing!&amp;quot; He refused to let her refute him with a &amp;quot;No such thing,&amp;quot;  and instead &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
deliberately avoided saying, &amp;quot;No big deal,&amp;quot; letting her continue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After the tour, the two of them walked toward the girls&#039; school gate. As expected, Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
excitedly exclaimed, &amp;quot;It&#039;s amazing that the boys&#039; and girls&#039; gates are different.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When they reached the iron school gate, they saw a female student standing there. Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was the first to notice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, someone seems to be there.&amp;quot; The sleeves of Kaede&#039;s junior high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
uniform were a little short for her. The sleeve of the hand pointing in that direction was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rolled up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Someone you know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Senior, didn&#039;t I tell you before?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s called Shinomiya -san, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, if it wasn&#039;t someone who looked exactly like her.&amp;quot; Even though she said that, it still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looked like Tamiko -senpai. With her back to the school gate, her head slightly lowered, her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
face bathed in the setting sun, she looked like the young lady she once was.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you waiting for Shizuku -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who knows?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go say hello.&amp;quot; Regardless of what Shizuku said, Kaede trotted over to Tamiko&#039;s side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko noticed too, and smiled at both Kaede and Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shinomiya -san,&amp;quot; Kaede said first, and Tamiko smiled faintly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, isn&#039;t that Sakura -san?&amp;quot; Kaede lowered her head in response.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko already gave off the vibe of a literary girl, and just standing there gave her that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feeling even more. During lunch break, she was often spotted reading under a tree, enjoying &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the cool breeze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you waiting for Shizuku -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was planning on that,&amp;quot; Tamiko said, a bit troubled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you planning on going home together? Then I&#039;ll take my leave.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, it&#039;s okay. Let&#039;s go home together, three of us,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, along with Shizuku, who had caught up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, Shizuku -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course,&amp;quot; Shizuku replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As a result, the three of them walked home side by side. While Tamiko was the eldest, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku was the tallest, and Kaede was third in both age and height. Kaede, however, was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one who loved to talk the most, so with her around, there was nothing to worry about. While &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she wasn&#039;t the best talker, she was the type who didn&#039;t like to lose track of the conversation. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And she always kept the conversation going.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...And then, I originally planned to have Shizuku -chan show me around the school, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she ended up just sitting in the student council room.&amp;quot; Kaede said to Tamiko with a slight &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Finally, it&#039;s time for her to lead the way, but it&#039;s already this late. Lately, she hasn&#039;t been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hanging out with me much; she&#039;s been busy with school matters.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re too serious,&amp;quot; Tamiko said, also smiling. A beautiful voice like a bell.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shinomiya -san, have you known Shizuku -chan before?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not really. We met by chance while doing student council work. We weren&#039;t as close as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What kind of impression did Shizuku -chan give you back then?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No change at all. She felt like a finished product when she first entered school.&amp;quot; She said &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a sly smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But she&#039;s become a little stricter, probably because she&#039;s president,&amp;quot; Shizuku retorted &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tactfully.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m doing it the same as usual.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true, but a little softer would be better. If you keep going like this, the other staff &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
members will get nervous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone&#039;s doing a great job.&amp;quot; He said something that couldn&#039;t be refuted. As expected, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
having a senior as his opponent made things a bit confusing. Kaede&#039;s enthusiastic questions &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably had something to do with it, too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He changed the subject.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede knows about the senior?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They seem very close.&amp;quot; Kaede&#039;s demeanor remained largely unchanged regardless of who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was with, but from Tamiko&#039;s words, he could tell they knew each other.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    His friend was instantly convinced.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah. As expected of Shizuku -chan. We&#039;ve known each other before.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;When?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I came here once, before Shizuku -chan took the Seitetsu exam.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ve done something like that before?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I wanted to know which school Shizuku -chan was going to attend. I didn&#039;t visit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
then, but I did talk to the student council members.&amp;quot; Tamiko smiled and agreed. In other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
words, Kaede had known Tamiko -senpai even longer than he did.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But it&#039;s been a while since we&#039;ve talked like this,&amp;quot; Kaede added.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan doesn&#039;t talk much about herself, so she didn&#039;t know anything about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shinomiya -san at first.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Even when I try to talk, Kaede keeps talking about her own things.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Ah, that&#039;s too much,&amp;quot; Kaede said in a childish tone. &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan won&#039;t lis ten to me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because of all the gossip and stuff.&amp;quot; &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    you play with Kaede , isn&#039;t it always visceral animal stuffed ... &amp;quot;You can see as many animal &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
organs as you want at the Hormone Grill.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;But I think they&#039;re cute.&amp;quot; Shizuku couldn&#039;t help &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but say, &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot; Shizuku added, wondering if she had misheard and m isunderstood. &amp;quot;Senior, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it&#039;s the animal stuffed animals with internal organs, the ones that can&#039;t be sold.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Hey hey... I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think they&#039;re cute.&amp;quot; Tamiko said shyly. This is indeed embarrassing, Shizuku thought. It&#039;s not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just the internal organs, but also the v arious ways of dying. It&#039;s a toy that is evaluated as &amp;quot;It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can exorcise demons when placed indoors, and humans must be able to endure it first.&amp;quot; If it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were an ordinary person, they would probably reject this thing first. But Senior actually likes &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this, this  shock is no joke. &amp;quot;See, Shizuku -chan.&amp;quot; Kaede said with a proud look on her face, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;After all, there are still people who understand.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Hey, Kaede, even if we are childhood &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sweethearts, there are still limits.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shinomiya -san&#039;s reaction is just normal.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s impossible to overly adore ordinary offal, but Tamiko didn&#039;t deny it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Pink offal is really nice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Senpai, if you need to correct your mindset, now&#039;s the time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you agree, Shizuku?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My sensibilities are the same as everyone else&#039;s,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said in a roundabout way. &amp;quot;It&#039;s you who are different.&amp;quot; But they didn&#039;t care. Their &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sensibilities denied it, and so did the market. No matter how they looked at it, they found &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these two people strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku left them aside and walked away. Kaede and Tamiko were deeply engaged in a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
conversation about dirty stuffed dolls. &amp;quot;The way they died is very avant -garde,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;The empty &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eyes are so cute,&amp;quot; and so on. It was completely incomprehensible what they we re talking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about. But Kaede was delighted, as if she had found a kindred spirit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I have a lot of offal animal stuffed dolls at home,&amp;quot; Kaede said to Tamiko.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s great.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll have you over someday.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you, I look forward to it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Both of them looked so happy. At this point, it was unacceptable to say anything negative.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Finally reaching the fork in the road, Kaede said goodbye.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, Shizuku -chan. Thank you, Shinomiya -san, too. I&#039;m sorry to bother you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, it&#039;s okay. I think we interrupted Ohsakura -san&#039;s school tour, too. I&#039;m so sorry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, that&#039;s not the case. Please chat with Shizuku -chan later.&amp;quot; With that, she waved and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
left. For a moment, they both watched her go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...She&#039;s a good kid,&amp;quot; Tamiko said softly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s Shizuku&#039;s childhood friend, isn&#039;t she? She&#039;s cute and very well -mannered.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If she didn&#039;t have such weird interests,&amp;quot; she replied. The previous conversation about the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stuffed animals with internal organs still lingered in her mind. Tamiko replied leisurely, &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that a good interest?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Moreover, what do you want to talk to me about, senpai?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They ended the topic of the disgusting stuffed animals and got back to the point.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He hadn&#039;t agreed to go home with Tamiko, but he wouldn&#039;t ask her to go home with him &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unless it wasn&#039;t something important, which was very different from Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The shorter senior whispered, &amp;quot;Has your bracelet glowed lately?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can you transform based on your own thoughts?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku unconsciously raised the bracelet on her right hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Bracelet of Promise is proof of Kämpfer&#039;s ability. By glowing, she transforms into a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fighting being and swings her sword. Shizuku was chosen to become Kämpfer because of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
appearance of the electrocuted mountain cat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Its color is red. This is used to distinguish friend from foe, while enemies are blue. Tamiko, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
standing next to her, is also red.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? It would be very inconvenient if I couldn&#039;t transform freely. It wouldn&#039;t be possible &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to react instantly. I can never forget the feeling of glowing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she answered honestly. Tamiko is a senior not only in life, but also in Kämpfer. Without her, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it would take quite a while to grasp the situation. She might have been defeated while she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was swaying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s respect for Tamiko also implies this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s about time for the blue guy to come to school, so don&#039;t let your guard down.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey hey...senpai, are you going to battle again?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko didn&#039;t confirm or deny, just smiled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone else besides Kämpfer is busy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you&#039;re going to battle, please be sure to call me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t worry, it&#039;s okay. Don&#039;t look at me like I&#039;ve never lost.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, with a gentle voice, she changed the subject.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Speaking of which, the visceral animal stuffed animal surprisingly doesn&#039;t talk much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The hit -and-run hippo?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah. It&#039;s lethargic. And we can&#039;t feed it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The visceral animal stuffed animal can talk. It&#039;s a bonus of becoming a Kämpfer. The self -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
proclaimed messenger reveals many things, but also hides many things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s Electrocuted Bobcat can talk, of course. I mentioned it this morning. It speaks &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
loudly whenever I see it, and I want it to shut up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It gets lonely when it stops talking.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you so concerned about it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because the tire tracks are cute,&amp;quot; Tamiko said shyly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because it&#039;s being hit by a car as a selling point, the hippo has tire marks on its back. While &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it&#039;s not necessary to be so particular, it&#039;s fair to say the manufacturer has absolutely no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
intention of improving it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s quite charming too...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you hate it, don&#039;t force it,&amp;quot; Tamiko said with a smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it can stop talking and stop fighting, I&#039;ll get over it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ordinary daily life is definitely the best.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku knew Tamiko didn&#039;t like fighting. The elm tree near the men&#039;s club has pincers, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she often reads there. She&#039;s very assertive after becoming a Kämpfer, but she&#039;s still a literary &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl after all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku, will you keep fighting?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know. If fighting can lead to something, I&#039;ll keep going.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so strong. But there are people who are worried about your health, so don&#039;t force &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura -san will be sad if something happens.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course,&amp;quot; Tamiko said. Shizuku&#039;s friends were always worried about her, and of course &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede and Tamiko were too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When I was little, I was said to be precocious. Whether in elementary school or junior high, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people always told me, &amp;quot;Sangou -san is very strong, so he&#039;ll be fine.&amp;quot; The only people who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were a little worried about me were Kaede and Tamiko -senpai. Of cours e, I don&#039;t intend to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
become weaker, but I&#039;m grateful that there are people who care about me. &amp;quot;Sakura -san, are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
we childhood sweethearts?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then make a promise with me. Don&#039;t make that girl sad.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko spoke in a soothing tone. Yet, there was a strong will within her voice, and Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sensed it immediately. She replied affirmatively, &amp;quot;I understand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then it  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s a deal.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot; Tamiko smiled reassuringly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Great, Kämpfer isn&#039;t alone. I just wanted to know.&amp;quot; And there, it felt like the conversation &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sun slowly set, and a long time had passed since she and Kaede parted ways.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll go back from here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko walked toward the opposite sidewalk. The light was green, and several cars were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
parked within the white line.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go home together later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay. ...Tamiko -senpai.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been meaning to ask you before. Where did you get the visceral animal stuffed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
animals?&amp;quot; &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, isn&#039;t that obvious, Sakura -san?&amp;quot; Tamiko replied calmly. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    From Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No, nothing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko walked toward the sidewalk. Shizuku watched her walk away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ...Then she returned to reality.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked forward. A path she&#039;d walked countless times before, a path that remained &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unchanged, and a friend a year her junior beside her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong, Shizuku -chan?&amp;quot; Kaede glanced uneasily.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Nothing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine. If you need anything, please talk to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This friend was gentle. She hadn&#039;t changed at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, Kaede —&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked at the unchanged Kaede before her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you need anything, please talk to me.&amp;quot; &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course. Because Shizuku -chan is trustworthy, isn&#039;t that right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thought .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While it wasn&#039;t quite that busy at noon the next day, it had been busy since the afternoon. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As soon as Shizuku left the student council room, the staff gathered around, carrying various &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cases as if they had been waiting. She had been a little hesitant yesterday because Kaede was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there, but today was exactly as she expected. After  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    reviewing the documents, they signed and stamped them. It was like someone from a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
company asking for leadership, but this was the student council room at school, and there &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was no compensation. Finally,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    when it was over, the vice -president approached.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, what&#039;s up with Sakura -san today?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She can&#039;t come visit every day,&amp;quot; Shizuku replied. She hadn&#039;t said anything to him anyway; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
if anything was wrong, she would contact him.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What a shame! Having both the president and Sakura Kaede in the student council room &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is a valuable opportunity,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the vice -president said, lowering her head in regret. She wasn&#039;t trying to save money; she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
genuinely enjoyed taking photos. In other words, she had a secret photographer in her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
family, but he was excellent at providing support, so Shizuku Sangou turned  a blind eye.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anything else?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Someone from the board of directors is being very persistent. They want to meet with the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president and take a tour.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah,&amp;quot; she thought, remembering what happened yesterday —something Sakura Kaede had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mentioned, that the junior high students were coming.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;When?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Tomorrow.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come here after school tomorrow and tell them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I see...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sensing a subtle change, Shizuku lifted her gaze from the documents.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, are you feeling unwell?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Very well.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? Excuse me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice -president, who had left her seat and was completely lost, looked at her uneasily. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She understood that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It seemed like she had been seen through. She had been thinking about Tamiko yesterday, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and some of her emotions had come over her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko Shinomiya had always been a gentle person. She resigned from the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because &amp;quot;we just couldn&#039;t get along.&amp;quot; After becoming Kämpfer, her eyes became bright and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her agility was like that of a wild animal, which made people feel that she  was forcing herself. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After the battle, you could always see that she was obviously tired. This was natural for her, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who didn&#039;t like fighting, but she still had to fight. Kämpfer was really a hassle. Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stopped flipping through the documents. She bega n to think.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Excuse me for a moment?&amp;quot; Shizuku called to the vice -president.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede...can you call Sakura Kaede? I think she should still be at school.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know, but...&amp;quot; Shizuku said a little troubled, &amp;quot;Her phone is broken.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll go find her directly. Just bring her here, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Down there, surrounded by books, Kaede should be more comfortable talking.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice -president stood up, and after a while, Shizuku also walked out of the student &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
council room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At the counter on the first floor, there was a first -year student wearing glasses. It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane was reading a book at the counter, and when she saw Shizuku, she lowered her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
head in panic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, President. What&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not really. Are there many people at the tables inside right now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They&#039;re empty. Because not many people use the library...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We have to do something to increase the utilization rate.&amp;quot; The library at Seitetsu Gakuen &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is very good, but if students don&#039;t use it, it&#039;s just a waste. I have to attend the next meeting of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the library committee to give my suggestions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Inside, there was an empty table in the shadow between the entrance and the counter. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku wouldn&#039;t have chosen this place, but once she did, she had no complaints.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t sit down, but waited a little while before Kaede arrived. She still had the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
same bright and smiling face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, what&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m a little lonely. I wanted to see Kaede&#039;s face.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here you go again,&amp;quot; Kaede said with a smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s totally unbelievable that Shizuku -chan would be lonely.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It happens sometimes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But even so, she could still get along with Kaede. Shizuku considered this a strength of her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
friend, who was a year younger. Kaede was holding a large paper bag. Shizuku looked over &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Animals stuffed with internal organs,&amp;quot; Kaede replied happily.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I brought them here because I wanted to give them out today. They&#039;re in a bag, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they&#039;re all pretty. Shizuku -chan, do you want another one?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I have something to ask you, Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, what is it?&amp;quot; Kaede sat down on the chair, and Shizuku sat down next to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;About that animal stuffed with internal organs...&amp;quot; pointing to the paper bag. &amp;quot;Did you give &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it to the senior, too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who is the senior?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was inwardly shocked. After a Kämpfer was defeated, she would disappear from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this world, and this would also affect people&#039;s memories.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Tamiko -senpai who I mentioned yesterday.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, the one Shinomiya gave to the classmate. I think I gave it to her,&amp;quot; she replied &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
immediately, and it didn&#039;t differ from what she had heard from Tamiko before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you choose who you give it to?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh-huh, not really. It&#039;s a way of saying hello when you first meet someone, and I definitely &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
give it to someone I&#039;m close to,&amp;quot; she answered, considering the situation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Regardless, giving it to someone you&#039;ve just met is quite impressive. The recipient must be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
somewhat troubled. Since it&#039;s well -intentioned, it&#039;s hard to throw it away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why did you give it to your senior?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why? Maybe she showed me the way, I guess.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now I give it to seniors too. Since Shizuku -chan has so many fans, I just say please treat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this as Shizuku -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not exposing my internal organs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;To me, Shizuku -chan is as important as my important dolls.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s not exactly a joy to be compared to a hit -and-run hippo, a carcass covered in tire tracks. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Since Tamiko was happy at the time, there was nothing wrong with it. The problem came &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
later.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you know that doll can talk?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It can talk,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she asked, staring into her friend&#039;s eyes. Intent on not missing a single change. After a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
while, Kaede burst into laughter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? What are you talking about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could that be?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Dolls can talk or something? If that&#039;s the case, I&#039;ve been talking to them all along. They &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
never answer me when I talk to them.&amp;quot; Kaede laughed for a while. The spectacled librarian at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the counter came over to check on the situation. It must have been Kaede&#039;s laughter. If she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
met her eyes, she would shrink in fear and run away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede, don&#039;t laugh so loudly. It&#039;s causing trouble for others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry, but Shizuku -chan, saying something like this, such a fantasy, is unbelievable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not something unbelievable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wish it could talk, too. But it&#039;s a doll.&amp;quot; It was true, just as Kaede had said. However, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doll did talk.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede showed no signs of lying. If she suspected her relatives and friends, her world would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
end. Because she had to suspect that the original owner was Kaede, Shizuku could kill them &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even if they were relatives or friends.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The doll Tamiko received also spoke. When she first heard it, she wondered if there was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something wrong with her ears. Shizuku felt the same way. And those dolls were messengers &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that led her to the world of battle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But why did the doll she got from Kaede speak? Was there an exception?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it this?&amp;quot; Kaede said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wouldn&#039;t we talk about things like that when we were walking home together?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because it suddenly got on my mind.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought it was about my boyfriend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t we talk about boys yesterday? The visceral animal doll must be connecting Shizuku -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chan to a boy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sure you didn&#039;t say that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So now I&#039;m saying it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;d be happy if you could cancel what you said just now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, don&#039;t you have any close boys?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her friend&#039;s face showed an eagerness for an answer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Girls love talking about love, but Kaede doesn&#039;t really care. But when it comes to Shizuku, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she&#039;ll immediately delve into it. In other words, she always wants to know about her friends&#039; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
relationships.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku has little interest in love, which is a problem.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t need a boyfriend. I don&#039;t plan on getting one in the future.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so popular, aren&#039;t you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That and that are two different things.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it were Shizuku, you could just pick whoever you want, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Same for Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After all, these two were the two most beautiful girls at Seitetsu Gakuen, and there were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
plenty of boys who admired them. Kaede, however, kept the same distance from all of them, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and Shizuku had absolutely no intention of getting close.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As for boys, it&#039;s fine no matter what.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t seem interested.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah. Not interested in boys. Because I&#039;m a yuri.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She gave a casual reply, but of course, Kaede wouldn&#039;t believe it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At least, it would be better if you were more serious about it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I was born a yuri.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku, don&#039;t you reject all the love letters you get from girls?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even from boys.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You still do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku had received love letters from both men and women since junior high, ranging &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from simple admiration to serious confessions. She rejected them all. She also found ways to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reject those who offered flirtatious hopes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thanks to this, she was praised as &amp;quot;Shizuku Sangou is both cool and aloof.&amp;quot; The person who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
admired her became someone who silently protected her from afar.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, Kaede also knew this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;d probably be happier getting it from a girl than a boy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re talking about that again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This friend would occasionally say something like this. It sounded more serious than &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku&#039;s, and even more detrimental. While not as serious as Shizuku, she was certainly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
popular with the girls.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If she was nice, I might fall for her.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s about it. I&#039;m a liberal, so I&#039;ll give you my blessing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then Shizuku -chan, get a girlfriend too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s better than electrocuting a talking bobcat.&amp;quot; She casually changed the subject, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede didn&#039;t follow up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, you sound a little weird.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I ate too much at lunch yesterday, and I got sick.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did anything weird happen?&amp;quot; Though she was smiling, there was also a hint of worry in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her voice; this friend was unfazed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry,&amp;quot; Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I did say something weird.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s all for me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s all for the love talk,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede said regretfully, but Shizuku simply ignored her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Also, about tomorrow, the visitor Kaede mentioned should be here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Tomorrow, huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about we go around together tomorrow?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, sure. Is that all?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, hey.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede picked up the paper bag and stood up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll be leaving today. I&#039;m really sorry to bother you, Shizuku -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry. I called you over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it&#039;s for Shizuku -chan, I&#039;ll fly over no matter where it is, don&#039;t worry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede smiled as usual. If she weren&#039;t a collector of visceral animal stuffed animals, she&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be a perfect girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As Kaede was about to leave the library, she almost bumped into someone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, yes, sorry.&amp;quot; A boy stepped out from the shadows of the bookshelves.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Natsuru Senou, one of the people who had been to the student council room &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
yesterday. A first -year, indeed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry, are you hurt?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru hadn&#039;t dodged the collision himself; he had simply moved out of the way, avoiding &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a direct collision.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s great,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru breathed a sigh of relief. Shizuku watched his movements.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was no way he could be hurt; the timing of his exit seemed perfectly calculated. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He&#039;d been waiting for Kaede from the start, right? Shouldn&#039;t he have been a bit smarter? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Acting out a collision scene is completely third -rate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru looked at Shizuku, sweat gradually forming on his temples.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, Kaede, why don&#039;t we go back together?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun, aren&#039;t you going to use the library?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No... or rather, I don&#039;t need the library anymore.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After the fake collision was successful, of course, everything was fine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede replied, &amp;quot;Okay, let&#039;s go back together,&amp;quot; and Natsuru waved his hand in jubilation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He seemed quite devoted to Kaede. It seemed like they&#039;d known each other since junior &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
high, so this was one way to do it. But one wrong move and he&#039;d be a stalker.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thought for a moment before revealing Natsuru to her. It was as if she was seeing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
through everything he was doing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru&#039;s sweat was increasing at a noticeable rate, as if he&#039;d noticed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;…Natsuru -kun, what&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, nothing... just a little hot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sweating a lot... but the air conditioning here is really effective.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It only doesn&#039;t work on me. It must be some new weapon.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Flustered, he didn&#039;t even know what he was saying. He pretended to ignore Shizuku and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
urged Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Go back, go back. If you stay here too long, I&#039;ll get killed... it&#039;ll get really hot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede waved to Shizuku and followed Natsuru.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    From the library entrance, a voice called out, &amp;quot;Next time, get a stuffed animal with internal &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
organs.&amp;quot; It seemed Natsuru had refused, but it wouldn&#039;t last. After all, he liked Kaede, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
he&#039;d accept her one day.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku gave a rare wry smile. What a cute boy! While calling him cute might be rude, he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was already shaken by the mere act of bumping into someone and being stared at, and he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was so flustered and stiff. Despite his ordinary appearance, he surprisingly  left an impression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come to think of it, this is the second time I&#039;ve mentioned that kid&#039;s name. Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thought about it and gave a wry smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That day, when she was leaving the student council room, she was the last one out. After &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
making sure the doors and windows were locked, she went home. Since Kaede and Natsuru &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had gone home earlier, she was alone today.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was already getting dark. She was even later than yesterday. While it was natural for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students to spend long hours at school, it was unbearable to keep doing this. It wasn&#039;t time &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to go out and about anymore, but going home so late was unbearable. Th inking it was just a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
duty didn&#039;t make it hard, but it was still different from other students. A bitter expression &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
crossed her face at the thought. Forget about friends, she was actually thinking about a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boyfriend. Maybe it was because Kaede had been talki ng about that a lot lately, so it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
easier to think about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t know many men. In junior high, her friends were all girls. That said, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t withdrawn around boys; nothing had changed. It was just that she wasn&#039;t that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
intolerable. Kaede seemed a little unhappy about that. She keeps saying things like, &amp;quot;Go get a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boyfriend.&amp;quot; And it&#039;s going to turn out the same way as yesterday. She said she&#039;d bless you if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you get a boyfriend, but is that really said with good intentions? Or will I really have a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
miserable high school life because I&#039;m always on the st udent council? Although I haven&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
received much care from her, I should be grateful for her kindness. And since it has come to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this, it wouldn&#039;t be bad to ask her to introduce a guy. I know that there are obviously more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guys than I do. Someone like Natsuru  Senou, the guy from before, would be fine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For a moment, Natsuru&#039;s face appeared in her mind. Really, what am I thinking? It&#039;s not like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I want a boyfriend. I&#039;m sure I&#039;ll have that thought when the time comes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Arriving at the school gate, she saw a group of boys and girls, seemingly elementary school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students, playing outside, each holding a balloon. As she watched this scene, Natsuru&#039;s face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reappeared in her mind. She didn&#039;t know why, but she decided to sea l it away, keeping it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
under wraps.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, suddenly, she heard a popping sound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since it was right in front of her, she thought it was a gunshot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But it wasn&#039;t. It was just the elementary school students popping their balloons. They ran &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
away, laughing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her tension was relieved. It was truly dangerous. Transforming in front of children is a rare &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
experience. What would happen if she reported this to her parents? She wished it had been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a special filming. It was the same thing back then. That day, too, she was walking home when &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she heard a sound behind her. It was a clear gunshot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ...The moment she left the school gate, she heard a sharp explosion. Gunshots weren&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something you&#039;d hear in high school; at most, they were the kind you&#039;d hear in movies or on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the news. But for Kämpfer&#039;s Shizuku, she&#039;d heard it many times before. And  the sound of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gunfire in a peaceful school meant only one answer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku dropped her bag in the bushes near the school gate and ran back in the opposite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
direction, channeling power into her right wrist. Light enveloped Shizuku and vanished. Her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
appearance remained largely unchanged, though the inside of her hair, sw irling in the wind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from her running, shimmered. As a Kämpfer, her physical abilities far surpassed those of an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
average person. She ran toward the inner reaches of the women&#039;s department, toward the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inner side of the gymnasium. She&#039;d locked onto the locatio n the moment she heard the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gunshots; it must have been right. She skirted behind the unused equipment and saw a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
crisscross of bullets and balls of flame, then the elm tree.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Senpai!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko Shinomiya didn&#039;t look at Shizuku. Instead, she released and manipulated several &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fireballs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s senpai had changed drastically since her transformation. Her gentle image &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
vanished, replaced by the face of a warrior who had experienced countless battles. Her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
height remained the same, but her hair had turned a cool blue.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ha!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko, a red Kämpfer, accustomed to combat, now manipulated several balls of fire, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unleashing them in a straight line towards her opponent. I didn&#039;t know much about the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enemy. But one thing was clear: it was a woman, since the Kämpfer was restricted t o women.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked like a girl with short hair, her gun firing wildly, the blue bracelet on her wrist &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
glowing faintly. In the battle, Tamiko was being dominated, while the blue Kämpfer used &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
repeated leaps to evade.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku, support.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku circled around the elm tree and launched a pincer attack, potentially defeating her. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Even if she failed, a two -on-one advantage was still in her favor. The enemy landed first, then &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leaped with all her might, passing through the barrier between boys and girls.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How naive!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko&#039;s fireball collided with it, but for some reason, it didn&#039;t burn. Like a soap bubble. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But it still burst, sending the blue Kämpfer crashing down. ...It seemed so. The girl spun in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
air, kicked the wall, and then approached Tamiko, realizing her attack power was low, seizing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the opportunity to counterattack. Perhaps this was her plan from the beginning.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The muzzle of the gun pointed at Tamiko, likely intending to fire at extremely close range, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
faster than Tamiko could regain her composure and cast her magic. Unconsciously, Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
extended the dagger at her sleeve, thrusting it straight out to block t he muzzle of the gun. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The enemy girl wavered, and Shizuku manipulated her other dagger, encircling the girl&#039;s neck &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with the chain. Shizuku yanked, and the girl collapsed, unable to withstand the force. Only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one final blow remained.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop, Shizuku,&amp;quot; Tamiko commanded. With that, she loosened the chains around her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hands. The girl swung them down and leaped to her feet with all her might. By the time they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
realized what was happening, she had already fled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Senpai...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay, Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku sheathed the dagger into her sleeve, and Tamiko&#039;s flames did not reappear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t you going to defeat her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She scrutinized her palm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is the magic not powerful enough...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko remained silent. After a while, Shizuku reluctantly rekindled the conversation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is Senpai in bad shape?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Very healthy, huh? But, as I said, the hit -and-run hippo hasn&#039;t been talking much, right? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Perhaps that&#039;s related.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku wasn&#039;t sure what the basis for this statement was, though her Electrocuted Bobcat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was still quite talkative.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because your attack power has weakened, it&#039;s become a tough fight.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, even if you get help from Shizuku, there&#039;s a limit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Could it be that when you let Kämpfer escape just now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I became weak too. Of course, it&#039;s more than that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her eyes suddenly grew empty, and at some point, her transformation dissolved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just one question: what are we fighting for?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that Kämpfer someone you know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, it&#039;s a girl I don&#039;t know. She just happened to fight me, so she probably doesn&#039;t know &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. But, I don&#039;t know if I should defeat that girl.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As far as Shizuku knew, Kämpfer was born for war. So defeating the opponent should be a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
matter of course. In her normal state, Tamiko can be defeated by any number of blue &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfers. Shizuku also learned a variety of fighting techniques from her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But did she return to her pre -transformation personality because of such doubts? Or did &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her power weaken as she said?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We have no idea who turned us into Kämpfers, or for whom we are fighting. Is it really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
okay to go on like this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But senpai, even if we give up the fight, nothing will change. We will still be attacked by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the enemy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That should be the case. Although I have doubts, there is no time to seek answers. ... &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku, you said that you wanted to fight and find the meaning of fighting.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hasn&#039;t it changed now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No. This blindfolded state is not in line with my personality. Escaping from the battle is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You are really strong.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A calm smile appeared on Tamiko&#039;s face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sometimes I think, isn&#039;t it also blissful to not know anything?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There must be people like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Please don&#039;t be discouraged. After all, you are the one who taught me the Kämpfer &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
method.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t deserve that kind of praise. It&#039;s because Shizuku is capable of doing it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could that be?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko leaned against the elm tree. Gently stroking the bench placed under the tree.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This one is already scarred by the wind and rain.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just replace it with a new bench. I&#039;ll arrange it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No need. Maybe it&#039;s more suitable for it to rot like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko smiled weakly. Compared to when she was studying, her expression seemed more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
melancholy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me too, if it comes to this...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Tamiko couldn&#039;t say any more.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With the sharp sound of a gunshot, her chest was pierced.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Senpai... Senpai!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In the distance, the blue Kämpfer was pointing the gun at this side. She did not run away, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but waited from a distance for the opportunity to fire the resurrection shot. And that shot &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
successfully hit Tamiko.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The blue Kämpfer figure disappeared. Shizuku was planning to catch that person no matter &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how far she chased her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, Shizuku, stop chasing...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tamiko said, using the bench as support. Shizuku stopped.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That woman is an enemy, she attacked you, senpai!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay. Didn&#039;t I tell you just now? It&#039;s not just your attacking power that&#039;s weakened, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
your heart too...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku helped Tamiko up. The bloodstains on her chest, once the size of spots, were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
spreading.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Tamiko -senpai...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She slowly held out her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay to forget about me. But there are always people who care about you. Just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember that... and...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    An incredible smile appeared on her face, which had lost all color.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku, you have to be strong and live on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Senpai...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku felt the strength rapidly drain from Tamiko&#039;s body.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    To meet Kaede at the appointed time, Shizuku headed towards the student council room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice -president was already there. She was a nice, ladylike girl, but for some reason, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she had an unusual sexual orientation. Even now, she was browsing the web without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
restraint.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice -president, noticing Shizuku&#039;s arrival, stood up and bowed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you for your hard work.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, turn it off before Kaede arrives. Also, if the school finds out, I won&#039;t defend you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve already tampered with my resume so they can&#039;t find it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of which, someone with strong system management skills joined the student &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
council, and it was Shizuku who interviewed and let her in. She was only allowed in as a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
precautionary measure, and no one was actually active in this area.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After taking her seat, Kaede entered, carrying a paper bag.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, I brought it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku glanced at the clock on the wall.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where is she?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s waiting outside.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let her come in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede walked into the hallway and returned with a young girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was a short girl, and since she was wearing an unfamiliar uniform, she probably wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from a nearby school. Her hair wasn&#039;t very long, and even in her hand, it didn&#039;t hold much. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She had a lovely face, but her expression was a little stiff with ner vousness. Kaede urged her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s the student council president, Shizuku -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nice to meet you,&amp;quot; the girl replied politely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My name is Midori Kuzuhara.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kuzuhara...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku muttered. It felt like she&#039;d heard it somewhere before; someone she knew well &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shared the same last name. Kaede smiled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, that&#039;s right. She&#039;s the librarian&#039;s younger sister.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, Kuzuhara was the current librarian, an acquaintance of Kaede&#039;s —that was the girl &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who was so timid.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sister, I&#039;ve been causing you so much trouble.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori lowered her head again, a truly polite child.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m the one who&#039;s being taken care of by her. Should I ask your sister to come over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no. She&#039;s shy,&amp;quot; Kaede continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I did, but the librarian didn&#039;t come out. She must be annoying being around her family.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s the librarian, but that&#039;s really bothering you, Kuzuhara -chan. I&#039;ll have to talk to my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sister when we get home.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori understood, and replied, &amp;quot;I&#039;ll definitely tell her,&amp;quot; with a look of complete &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
acceptance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Although I&#039;m younger than you, can you please let me drop the suffix &#039;san&#039;?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t say anything rude to a guest.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay. Oh, I&#039;m planning to apply to this school. If I pass, please let me help you in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student council.&amp;quot; She said it very clearly. People in this era are very timid, and many are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
silent, but she showed no such signs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m looking forward to it,&amp;quot; Shizuku replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The student council is always welcome. If that&#039;s the case, it&#039;s okay to drop the suffix.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you,&amp;quot; Midori said politely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede stroked Midori&#039;s head and said, &amp;quot;That&#039;s great, Midori -chan.&amp;quot; Midori blushed slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, let&#039;s go.&amp;quot; Shizuku stood up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Our school is quite large, so it&#039;s best to lead the way early. Is it just the girls&#039; section?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, it&#039;s okay if the boys don&#039;t go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t worry about it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I&#039;m not interested,&amp;quot; Midori replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku first showed her around the library. It was the centerpiece of Seitetsu Gakuen, a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
place of pride and honor, comparable to the school cafeteria, and its cleaning was done by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
professionals.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    On the first floor, the same bespectacled library committee member greeted Shizuku and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the others. After asking if the committee leader was there, she replied, &amp;quot;She&#039;s locked herself &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in there and won&#039;t come out at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede approached the counter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane -san, is the visceral animal stuffed animal okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes... yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because the Seppuku Kuro Rabbit hates being alone, you need to talk to it more.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Okay,&amp;quot; she replied, as if giving up. Even so, Kaede was satisfied. Shizuku returned and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
asked Kaede, &amp;quot;Did you give it to that kid too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, she happily took it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Or rather, she didn&#039;t have the courage to refuse. Beneath her gloomy expression, it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The Seppuku Kuro Rabbit is very cute. Those bloodshot eyes are so precious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede, didn&#039;t you explain that to Akane -san?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes. I&#039;m glad you knew.&amp;quot; She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    must have been grinning at the time, describing the characteristic. For Kaede, it was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
charm, but for Akane, it was like an autopsy. Shizuku couldn&#039;t help but feel a little sympathy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After visiting the library, they went to the student cafeteria, which Midori admired greatly. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Junior high schools don&#039;t usually have cafeterias.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The food is delicious, too,&amp;quot; Shizuku said, pointing to the menu.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The chef is quite good. I recommend the pork rice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It doesn&#039;t go well with the impression Shizuku gives you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not a celebrity who relies on impressions, so spare me the impressions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then it was on to the various school buildings. The girls&#039; division at Seitetsu Gakuen is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
separated by grade, which is quite unusual. Shizuku only showed her the first -year building.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone&#039;s in the same grade. This is the first building you&#039;ll enter, Kuzuhara -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori looked around the building quietly, first at the classrooms, then out the window.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;ll be surprisingly many people.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...What&#039;s that over there, a wall?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori said, gazing out the window.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a wall.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s Seitetsu Gakuen&#039;s signature feature, the wall separating the boys&#039; and girls&#039; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
divisions.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The three of them walked outside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After a while, they were faced with a pure white, high wall. It stretched from the left side &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of their field of vision to the right, and was also lined with barbed wire.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori&#039;s expression showed her first hint of surprise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This isn&#039;t just a fence.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was too worried when I first built the men&#039;s section. This is a measure to prevent &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students from crossing the line.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, you can&#039;t go in or come in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The smarter ones are racking their brains to come up with a plan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Several illegal clubs have developed various methods to break through the barrier in order &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to allow men and women to interact. If Shizuku doesn&#039;t let them go, they&#039;ll be dealt with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before the construction is completed. Because she has full control over  the activities of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underground clubs, they haven&#039;t caused any actual damage, so she&#039;s left it alone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori glanced to the side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s a tree, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Yeah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The three of them approached the huge, withered tree against the wall.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The elm tree had been planted here a long time ago, and it could be said that it was a tree &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that had accompanied the history of Seitetsu Gakuen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, shouldn&#039;t there be a bench here?&amp;quot; Kaede asked, looking up at the elm tree.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There used to be. It was removed a while ago because no one was using it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori walked towards the base of the tree.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait,&amp;quot; Shizuku stopped her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t go there, okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A little... I&#039;m sorry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In reality, she had no right to stop her. Many others had undoubtedly passed by here &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before Shizuku knew. But that was where she had last spoken to Tamiko, a place of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
memories. The words of restraint, the terror of it, were Shizuku&#039;s only willful impul se. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is there anything there?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Something.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku, do you remember anything?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, something.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s memory still lingered: the sound of the gunshot. The fallen body, the rage of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
herself trying to catch up with the blue Kämpfer, Tamiko telling her to stop, and the vague &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feeling of her warmth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Time is cruel, and memories of insignificant people fade in one&#039;s memory. And there&#039;s no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
need to sympathize with the defeated Kämpfer, for defeat meant nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku still remembered, and didn&#039;t want to forget.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The three of them stood there for a while.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori didn&#039;t speak, nor did Shizuku. Kaede, as if concerned, gazed silently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps each of them was thinking about something different. But the two, sensing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku&#039;s feelings, stayed with her for the time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Let&#039;s go,&amp;quot; Shizuku urged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And there&#039;s the gymnasium and the teachers&#039; facilities. Want to see them?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No thanks,&amp;quot; Midori shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s enough. Thank you very much. I&#039;ll take my leave now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;On your way home, I&#039;ll walk you to the school gate.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and the others walked towards the gate together.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since Midori had come by train, Shizuku considered walking her to the station, but then &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stopped thinking it might be overprotective. She wasn&#039;t a child anymore.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Crows cawed in the distance, and Midori bowed deeply.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you so much for today.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s nothing big. You can come anytime. Even when I&#039;m gone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Next time, during the exams.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori seemed to be at least following her own rules.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, here&#039;s a gift for Kuzuhara Midori -chan,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede pulled out of a paper bag, and Midori took it, lost in thought.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come and see.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori opened the bag. Shizuku knew what was inside without even glancing at it. What &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she took out was an animal stuffed animal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a talisman for the exam, so take good care of it,&amp;quot; Kaede said with a grin.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This might be rejected. If this disgusting thing were used as a talisman, there might be a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
war going on that very day. The safe childbirth amulet or traffic safety amulet bought by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mistake is better than this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Midori&#039;s face flushed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank...thank you, I&#039;ll cherish it forever.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m so happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I actually got it from my admired Kaede. Thank you so much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Midori looked incredibly happy. It seemed like anything was fine as long as it came from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede. The feeling of joy was even more disgusting than the stuffed animal stuffed animals. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There were people like that, too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thought it was almost time to stop Kaede, but she decided to just let it go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she looked at the stuffed animal in Midori&#039;s hand. There were tire marks on its back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that a hit -and-run hippo?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, Shizuku -chan, you&#039;re so smart to know that,&amp;quot; Kaede replied with a grin.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a hit -and-run hippo. The fact that it got run over by a car is its selling point.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know that.&amp;quot; She remembered it because she and Tamiko had the same one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why give it to Senpai... No, why give it to her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it goes perfectly with Midori -chan,&amp;quot; Kaede said, smiling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sure she&#039;ll like it. I won&#039;t waste it this time.&amp;quot; She stroked the back of the hit -and-run &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hippo with a hint of regret. It was about a year later that Shizuku understood the meaning of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede&#039;s words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|← Back to Volume 10.5 Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Afterword|Forward to 10.5 Afterword→]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586414</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586414"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:25:17Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10.5 Chapter 2  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Chapter 2, &amp;quot;Practice Makes Perfect.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Akane -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot; Akane cried out in front of the library counter during lunch break at Seitetsu &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Academy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As a member of the library committee, she was responsible for borrowing books, a task &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was expected to perform, but it wasn&#039;t much, only about two or three times a week.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane loved reading, to the point where she could read every day, so libraries and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bookstores were her happiest places. Being summoned for any reason, even just to sit in a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
proper seat, was a kind of bliss for her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This bliss was shattered...it was too early to judge. It was simply her name being called, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and her cry was simply because the other person had shouted too loudly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane calmed herself, turned away, and weakly stood up. The girl standing at the entrance &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the library was her old acquaintance, Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Akane -chan!&amp;quot; Mikoto called out again, then ran towards the counter. Even though &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the distance was short, Mikoto charged forward with the force of a bullfight. As she reached &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the counter, she stopped dead in her tracks, practically smoking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Goal!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Goal... what kind of goal?&amp;quot; Akane asked weakly. Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    nodded and said, &amp;quot;Just a goal... no, the timing was perfect.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even though no one&#039;s calculated it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;According to my mental calculations, I&#039;ve set a new world record,&amp;quot; Mikoto declared &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
arrogantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stared blankly at Mikoto. Mikoto was a woman as lively as a rocket, always &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
brimming with energy. However, due to her unconventional personality, despite being a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beauty and having a great figure, she wasn&#039;t very popular among boys. It was often a shame.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That said, she had been flying around the world since she was a child, experiencing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
adventures in rainforests and deserts. An ordinary person would definitely be overwhelmed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
by her life experience. Akane&#039;s waist was almost weakened by this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How annoying, being so respectful!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto laughed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it so strange to have students in the library?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, are you going to read?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No,&amp;quot; she replied rather arrogantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wasn&#039;t that Mikoto didn&#039;t read, but rather that she had no interest in anything beyond &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
necessary. She&#039;d already read most of the books on archaeology and history. She had a wide &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
selection of foreign books, both in quality and quantity. When Akane as ked her how much &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she&#039;d read, she replied, &amp;quot;How could I possibly understand anything in a foreign language?&amp;quot; It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was as if she simply understood the content by instinct. That was quite impressive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...So, what&#039;s up?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just wanted to meet Akane -chan.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, let&#039;s have lunch together.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In other words, an invitation to lunch.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane was a second -year student and Mikoto was a first -year, so there was no chance &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they&#039;d eat together at school. But Akane was a library committee member, and leaving the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
classroom like this would prevent her from eating with the rest of the class. M ikoto took this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
into consideration. Incidentally, the younger Mikoto never offended anyone by speaking in an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
elder&#039;s tone, given her personality.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, I&#039;ve already eaten.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m so sorry about what happened earlier. So...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Never mind, let&#039;s eat.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto replied as if it was a matter of course. Without even a doubt.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So I&#039;ve already eaten.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Again?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...My stomach is...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s fine, it&#039;s just a matter of feeling.&amp;quot; It was just about physically filling up, there was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nothing she could do.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was probably a joke, Akane thought. Although it sounded like a joke, she didn&#039;t seem &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to be giving up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go to the school cafeteria. I&#039;m starving.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m full...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even if you&#039;re full, you can still eat.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The school cafeteria is fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s too much...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just watch me eat.&amp;quot; It looked like she was going to take me there no matter what.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane surrendered. She went back and told another library committee member that they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were going to eat. The committee member looked up, and Akane became a little nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The girl&#039;s name was Sayaka Nakao. Although she was a library committee member, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t the enthusiastic type. It felt like she was just doing it casually.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then Akane knew something else about her: Sayaka was a white Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, let&#039;s eat.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I heard that,&amp;quot; she replied coldly. She was the type who wouldn&#039;t listen to anyone she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t like, even if they were girls. This was especially good, considering her gentler manner &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
after transforming into a Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Working in the same place as a committee member with an enemy was truly bizarre when &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you think about it. But neither of them was aware of transforming in front of a third person.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since they heard it, they should be able to eat. Akane returned to the counter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto, being impatient, thought she&#039;d leave first, but she waited patiently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry for the wait. Are there any seats available in the cafeteria?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes. I just checked.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane didn&#039;t eat in the cafeteria often because she was busy making bento, so she wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sure when it was crowded. It was good that Mikoto had checked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After coming out of the counter, Mikoto didn&#039;t say anything too slow, but directly grabbed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, I won&#039;t let you get away anymore, let&#039;s go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go carefully. ...Um, Mikoto?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just in case, I wanted to ask, what do you want to eat?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Curry. Isn&#039;t that obvious?&amp;quot; Akane was not surprised at all by the answer she had expected.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as Mikoto had said, there were plenty of empty seats in the student cafeteria. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
women&#039;s cafeteria, unlike the men&#039;s, had a rich menu and beautiful chairs and tables. It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
incredibly popular. Sometimes, though, like now, it was just like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane sat down. Mikoto had gone to buy food, and naturally, she ordered curry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve got it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were two trays, both filled with curry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, I really can&#039;t finish it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll eat both, you just watch.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even though they were acquaintances, it felt awkward just to watch someone eat. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
couldn&#039;t say I didn&#039;t want to, so I decided to get a glass of water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m starting.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto ate at an unexpectedly fast pace, like someone in a competitive eating contest. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
spoon in her single hand gradually crumbled the mountain of curry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...So fast...&amp;quot; Akane couldn&#039;t help but exclaim at the sight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You eat so fast.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not bad. There was a civil war while we were resting on the African savannah. I ate with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cannonballs flying back and forth over my head. Ever since then, I&#039;ve learned that eating fast &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is an art form.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It hasn&#039;t changed. I have this kind of experience that ordinary people can&#039;t even imagine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In the blink of an eye, a whole plate was gone. Mikoto took a sip of water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is the curry here good?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? I don&#039;t really know the difference between different curries.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It tastes just as good as the one you get at a roadside restaurant.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I had no idea what the difference was. Since Mikoto said that, that&#039;s probably why. Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is much more of an expert on curry than Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto picked up the second plate. She&#039;s got a big appetite.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane spoke after a while. &amp;quot;...It&#039;s okay to talk while eating...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What? You&#039;re listening while eating.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you have something to tell me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because Mikoto doesn&#039;t usually come to the library. Even if Natsuru were here, he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wouldn&#039;t come.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto&#039;s spoon stopped moving after she said this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No. ... I just want to eat with Akane occasionally.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh...&amp;quot; Akane paused for a moment. Mikoto started eating again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then after thinking it over, she spoke again: &amp;quot;Is it about Natsuru?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Click.&amp;quot; Mikoto bit the spoon hard. The collision of metal and teeth also makes this kind of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sound. Akane thought so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The girl in front of her was obviously wavering with her eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why... why do you know! ?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s how it is. Because you started to waver after I mentioned Natsuru&#039;s name.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you a psychic? Are you the president in disguise?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Neither of them.&amp;quot; Even outsiders knew it. Her attitude was obviously very different after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she mentioned Natsuru&#039;s name.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto stopped eating curry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Uh... that&#039;s what happened. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto put down the spoon, but did not leave. She felt that her ears had turned red.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I, have a little, that, Natsuru&#039;s...that&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ?&amp;quot; A question mark appeared in Akane&#039;s head, gurgling back and forth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Basically, Mikoto is a straightforward person and speaks loudly. She has no affinity with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
being weak and introverted, which is a contrast to Akane. Therefore, Akane respects her for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
having this part that she does not have. However, this reaction itself  is very rare.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did I say something strange?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Strange or...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did something happen?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, nothing. Really nothing... Really... It has nothing to do with Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto waved the spoon in her hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really nothing. There is no mistake. Natsuru did not do anything. It&#039;s better to say that I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
did... which one, that&#039;s not right... probably. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s obvious what happened.&amp;quot; She thought it might be better to ask, but her ears were red, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and she wondered if she should just give up asking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s good... then?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, I&#039;m not used to it, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Unused to what?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Boys&#039; things.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was wondering what it was, but it turned out to be that. Akane was the same. As &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
expected, she wasn&#039;t used to boys either. Her voice dropped when she spoke to men. That &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was not bad at all. Before, she couldn&#039;t even look at their faces, and her tongue was tied &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
when she spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Foreigners are fine, but in Japan, it&#039;s weird when it comes to childhood friends. I think it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably because of that. I can&#039;t see Natsuru at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t see him at all... It&#039;s not like Natsuru has become invisible.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That being said, um, eh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto gritted her teeth. This was unusual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She kept stirring the curry with a spoon, seemingly losing her appetite.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, you&#039;re like that with Natsuru, right?&amp;quot; ”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “How should I put it…it should be in the past tense. It’s okay now.”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Huh…” For some reason, what was okay before is not okay now. This is a rare situation in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto’s interpersonal relationships.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Did something happen? With Natsuru?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Probably…not. Rather, for something of that magnitude, I would actually be like this…”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The blush gradually spread from the ears to the face, and then the whole face turned red. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As it was written, it was red, as if she had a sudden high fever.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even Akane started to worry. “Mikoto…”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Ah, Akane!!”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Yes!?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She answered without thinking too much when she was suddenly called out loudly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t you, Akane, anxious about the Natsuru thing? Like, the president and all that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s that all about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t we going to Sakura&#039;s house this time? And, you see, a lot of things are bound to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happen, with the president leading the charge as expected?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;No, that&#039;s nothing,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane replied immediately. Ever since the incident at the anime store, her excessive &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wariness and fear of Shizuku had vanished. Even if it was just her mistake, it would have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
overcome her inability to deal with the president to some extent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto blinked and sighed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s great.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not like you said...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Won&#039;t I get to go up against the president now? And it feels like I&#039;ve become my biggest &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rival in love?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, that&#039;s not the case.&amp;quot; Even competing with the all -powerful student council president &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was impossible. But if it came down to personal relationships, there was a way. The target &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was Natsuru, and I could do something to Natsuru, not Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just can&#039;t do that,&amp;quot; Mikoto sighed again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My heart is just pounding... I feel like I&#039;m losing confidence.&amp;quot; I always feel like I could have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a point where I could compete with the president and you, Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not about who eats more curry.&amp;quot; That&#039;s probably true.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Judging by Akane, Mikoto has personality and charm, and she&#039;s also traveled the world, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
has a wealth of experience, and is quite entertaining. That should be more than enough, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surely, for a girl, it&#039;s not enough.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;7, Akane, I have something I want to discuss.&amp;quot; Mikoto&#039;s expression turned serious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes... We, didn&#039;t we kiss Natsuru enough?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh...&amp;quot; Akane&#039;s face flushed, remembering her first kiss with Natsuru.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you do well that time? I&#039;m still a little bit lacking in confidence.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane glanced at her with a joking expression, but of course, she was serious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, what?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So... well, as a beginner, did you do well that time? I hope it didn&#039;t bring back any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unpleasant memories for Natsuru,&amp;quot; Mikoto said, blushing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane recalled her kiss with Natsuru. Trembling with fear, their beaks overlapped like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
those of a fledgling, a panicked state of mind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Unpleasant... or rather, I don&#039;t know anything at all...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Right. So, I think we need to practice here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane thought she was about to say something, but wait, why practice?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If Akane and I practice, can&#039;t we challenge the president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    really want to challenge the president?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Of course I do... If Natsuru&#039;s answer is yes... you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
see, I&#039;ll try to lead...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto&#039;s face turned even redder. It wasn&#039;t the red you&#039;d find in painting. It was like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boiling kettle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane asked weakly, &amp;quot;Is it practice...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, you might laugh at me...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not very good with men either, I definitely won&#039;t laugh.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to practice kissing,&amp;quot; Mikoto continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;With Akane.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I see,&amp;quot; Akane swallowed, realizing something was amiss. How had it gotten to the point &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
where she and Mikoto were practicing kissing? Akane almost jumped onto a chair.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me, me, practicing with me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t say that out loud. Everyone&#039;s watching.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course they&#039;re watching!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She hadn&#039;t expected it to be kissing practice. Akane had little experience in this area, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had only ever done it with Natsuru. So, she knew she wasn&#039;t good at it, but even so, did she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
need to practice it specifically? She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    didn&#039;t understand. As a beginner, she had no idea what was going on. Her head was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
spinning.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should I do...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, kiss...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said in a very low voice, as expected, even Mikoto would be embarrassed to keep &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
saying kisses in front of strangers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here, huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could that be...&amp;quot; Mikoto raised her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But we need to kiss. If we get used to each other here, Natsuru won&#039;t be able to say &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right.&amp;quot; Even the Argentinians of tropical South America say, &amp;quot;A passionate kiss will &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
make a man turn back. It takes practice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you sure you&#039;re not being fooled?&amp;quot; Akane asked. But it didn&#039;t seem to reach Mikoto&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ears.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The girl who was brave enough to chase and compete with stowaways in South America, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was completely blank when it came to relationships between men and women.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although Akane was the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s better to practice, right...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After being told this a few times, Akane gradually believed it. Could it be that high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girls in the world also practice kissing in their sleep? If you think about it, the reader models &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in popular magazines also seem to have done it. If you don&#039;t do this, you won&#039;t be able to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
survive in the industry. There must be many girls who act according to the guidance they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
point to, because you might stray from the popular direction and go down a different path.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is...that so. I understand.&amp;quot; Akane nodded. Mikoto also nodded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you. I believe Akane will understand me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Practice, do you mean here?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hate being seen doing this, is it okay for Akane?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How is that possible!&amp;quot; He shook his head quickly. It was embarrassing enough when he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kissed Natsuru. Especially if the president saw him, he would be in trouble.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you know of any good places?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A good place. Are there such places? The student cafeteria is certainly not a good place, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and the classroom is also not a good place. Although the rooftop is not very popular, there is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
always a chance. There is a possibility of being seen from various angles. What about  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the library? There is no place there either. Although there are places with blind spots, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
staying there for a long time will still arouse suspicion. After all, a room with a locked door is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
better. It can be used freely and it is not strange to be locked . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There... there&#039;s such a place,&amp;quot; Akane said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The library. There&#039;s a safe area inside there,&amp;quot; Akane told Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them walked towards the library together.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was still some time left in their lunch break, and even though they&#039;d thought it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
almost over, not much time had passed. Was it because they were talking about that kind of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thing in the student cafeteria that time felt so long? The two of them  walked into the library. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For Akane, it felt like home. There were a sparse number of students sitting in the library. No &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
matter what school, there are always students who love books to a certain degree.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, isn&#039;t there someone here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto&#039;s words were absolutely correct. But the destination was slightly different.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here.&amp;quot; Akane approached the counter, and Mikoto followed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, is that okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe, if we&#039;re careful, there&#039;s a way.&amp;quot; The girl with glasses peeked into the back room &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
behind the counter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No one was there. Just as expected. By this time, the library committee should have left, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and the administrator hadn&#039;t returned yet. The only student here was the one working the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
counter, and that student was Akane. And she also had the key to the back  room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka Nakao, who was there just now, is gone. She wouldn&#039;t show up here unless it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her turn, so she probably won&#039;t be coming back. In other words, no one else is here at this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, she&#039;s inside,&amp;quot; Mikoto was ushered in. She walked in, keeping an eye on her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surroundings.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh...&amp;quot; Both parties sighed. Now it&#039;s time to get down to business.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, about kissing,&amp;quot; Mikoto asked. &amp;quot;Is there a full -body mirror?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think that kind of thing is only in the health room.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There seems to be a long -haired health teacher there who&#039;ll give you a long lecture on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
maintenance. Well, I&#039;ll have to do it without a mirror...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane asked why a mirror was needed. Mikoto replied, &amp;quot;To check my form.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look, don&#039;t baseball pitchers check their form for a curveball? I imagine kissing is the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
same.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, I see...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane agreed. Sure enough, people who travel the world have different perspectives. It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
must be the American standard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no mirror, so what should we do? Should we use a camera to check the position?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Cellphone photos are so small.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said that if her face and body aren&#039;t captured, she can&#039;t really check her position.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sure enough, it&#039;s best if both of us look at each other and then check it out.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Um, um...are we supposed to do a kissing position?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane flinched without even thinking. While the reason was probably valid, her body still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reacted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How do we do it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Could you please start with Akane? A kissing position.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh...what kind of thing should we do...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, a kissing position,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said seriously. She had been in serious mode ever since finishing her curry in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cafeteria.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, Akane started to panic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, I&#039;m the one being kissed...huh? The one kissing...no, do I have to do it alone...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Position is very important. I think pitching a curveball is the same. Kissing alone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kissing alone is really hard.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hurry up,&amp;quot; urged Akane, who had no choice but to move to the corner. But she had no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
idea what to do. Anyway, she raised her toes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm —that doesn&#039;t feel real,&amp;quot; Mikoto said matter -of-factly to Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not just about standing on tiptoe. You need to put more effort into it. Like, slightly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
close your eyes.&amp;quot; Akane did as she was told.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She then lifted her face upwards, slightly closing her eyelids. Since she couldn&#039;t close her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouth with a kiss, her thin vision was limited to the ceiling. Mikoto groaned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;…As expected, something&#039;s missing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Atmosphere.&amp;quot; How could there be atmosphere when there wasn&#039;t even a partner and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
both parties were kissing the air? Mikoto said, crossing her arms.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s do this. Imagine doing it with a guy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Alright...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This time, she pictured a man in her mind. Of course, the man she&#039;d given her first kiss to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was the one she&#039;d kissed. He was taller than her, so she should stand on tiptoe. Then, to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
make it easier for him to reach behind her back and hug her, she appro ached the (imaginary) &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
man.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For some reason, my body began to heat up, and I felt the warmth of being held, gradually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
becoming more comfortable. I mentally called out, &amp;quot;Kiss more!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Akane...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah... yes,&amp;quot; Akane replied hurriedly, waking from her dream.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong? You seem really into it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The atmosphere seems pretty good, too,&amp;quot; said Mikoto, who seemed a little dissatisfied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane neither confirmed nor denied, just playing dumb to get by.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And then, um, how about my position?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm —well, how should I put it? I want to kiss, but I&#039;m not used to it, something like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m serious, but it feels a little sudden.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m satisfied with this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s switch.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Now it was Mikoto&#039;s turn. Akane was responsible for confirming positions and making &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
suggestions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, I&#039;ll try.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto tilted her face upwards, her mouth slightly open. Her body remained straight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...How is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It feels like you&#039;re looking at a very tall building.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This time, it was an embrace. Akane tilted her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sumo wrestler? Like they&#039;re going to fight each other.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I prefer capoeira (Brazilian mixed martial arts) to sumo. So, how about this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like hugging a dog.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then how about this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A bear attacking someone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about this?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A touching scene of reuniting with parents who have been separated from each other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forever.&amp;quot; Mikoto stopped posing and called out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Give me some advice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m doing it,&amp;quot; Akane replied. That was the only thing she could see in her eyes. Mikoto was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not kissing, but rather a one -man show of Is&#039;s stalking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto crossed her arms again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Lack of experience is a fatal flaw, after all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it for experience that we practice?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I always feel like the other person&#039;s not around...&amp;quot; As she spoke, Mikoto glanced at Akane. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A hint of evil appeared in her serious eyes. Akane had a very bad premonition.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What...what&#039;s going  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    on?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Give me a little help.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m helping you, aren&#039;t I?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;d be better to get serious. I really need to practice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, it&#039;s me and Akane hugging each other?&amp;quot; Akane suddenly jumped up. This was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
second time today.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey hey hey!? Me, me, me, and Mikoto?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could that be? We&#039;re both girls kissing...!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, it wasn&#039;t a kiss, it was just pretending to kiss,&amp;quot; a flustered Mikoto added.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not interested in that sort of thing either. Leave that to the first -year students who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
admire the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto is also a first -year...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m normal!&amp;quot; Mikoto said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Practice is more effective with a partner, as Akane knew. Practice leads to improvement, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and that applies not only to sports but also to kissing, something that requires two people.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But it&#039;s two girls kissing... While I certainly didn&#039;t plan on kissing a boy other than Natsuru, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and that might be true, something&#039;s definitely wrong.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;re hugging each other, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me and Mikoto.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is there no other way...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The science lab has a life -size skeleton model of the human anatomy. Want to bring it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Absolutely not. It&#039;s artificial, but I have no interest in kissing something with exposed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
muscle fibers and teeth and bones. Even if it were a test of courage, I wouldn&#039;t do it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, let&#039;s do it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto took an attacking stance. She probably imagined the other person was Natsuru, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but Akane, she found it terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They faced each other, their heights not much different. They stared into each other&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eyes. It felt like an illusion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane, Akane, she turned away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Somehow, I feel...looking at Mikoto so formally...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Bear with it for a moment.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can I transform?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop. My head&#039;s going to get blasted in two seconds.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane wondered what she would do if her pre -transformation self had become tougher.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At least they could look at each other. Their shame hadn&#039;t diminished at all, but had only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
intensified.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who will play... Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me, I guess.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto slowly stretched out her arms. Even she felt a little restless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, wouldn&#039;t it be better if you imitated Natsuru&#039;s movements?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No need...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can imitate Natsuru, the one who fell into the hole I dug in kindergarten and stood there &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
crying.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No need...&amp;quot; What if they really looked like each other and couldn&#039;t control themselves?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto was currently hugging Akane. All Akane had to do was bury herself in her arms. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
From a couple&#039;s perspective, it was a very happy scene. But the other person was a girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto... your body is so soft...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it because you&#039;re a girl?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru should be harder...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t get my muscles hard right now, just bear with it.&amp;quot; Mikoto reached behind her back &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and hugged Akane tightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her head rested on her shoulder. Their breasts pressed together.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane clearly felt the swell of Mikoto&#039;s breasts. Mikoto&#039;s breasts were unexpectedly large. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While I knew they weren&#039;t small, I could fully grasp their size now. A gentle touch would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surely make them feel incredibly soft. Akane&#039;s reserved nature made he r more emotionally &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
aroused.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, move away a little...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you think that wouldn&#039;t be considered practice?&amp;quot; Mikoto pressed her entire body &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
weight forward, allowing Akane to feel the touch of her breasts even more.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto...!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just bear with it for a bit, I&#039;ll be able to.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not interested in that...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me neither.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then why do we have to do this? The two of them remained hugging each other for a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, it&#039;s about time we start,&amp;quot; Mikoto said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, face over here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come on, are you serious...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is practice, Akane, don&#039;t you know that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane nervously lifted her face from her shoulders, revealing the waiting Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It looked like Natsuru&#039;s childhood sweetheart was truly a beautiful girl. With her makeup -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
free face and neat features, it was incredible that she didn&#039;t cause a stir among the men.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, it was still strange to be the one being kissed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Move up a little,&amp;quot; Mikoto urged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll be the taller one.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hi...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As she said, she tilted her face upwards, her mouth slightly open. She desperately tried to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
convince herself, &amp;quot;This is Natsuru,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;This is Natsuru,&amp;quot; she kept thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She straightened her back, highlighting the height difference, and could feel her firm hand &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on her back. Mikoto&#039;s face edged closer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wow, Akane, your eyes are vibrating.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course they&#039;re vibrating...!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m nervous too, just bear with it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane couldn&#039;t bear it any longer and closed her eyes. As if sensing her body heat,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    her lips edged closer. Their lips were just barely touching.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...&amp;quot; Akane cried out in pain. She apologized in her mind, &amp;quot;Natsuru, I&#039;m sorry,&amp;quot; though &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she didn&#039;t know why.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto maintained this distance. Sometimes she would approach, only to return to her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
original position.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    During this time, in the empty room, the two high school girls embraced and kissed, yet a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
scene left them speechless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Already...already done?&amp;quot; Akane cried out  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Hmm...I think it&#039;s done...&amp;quot; Mikoto&#039;s face turned away. Then, they stared at each other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh...&amp;quot; Both of them were exhausted, especially Akane, who slumped down in her chair.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m so tired...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? How long did it take  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    ?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Three hours?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it really took that long, I&#039;d be dead. Kissing...it only took about 20 seconds,&amp;quot; Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
said, checking the hands of her watch. Even though time had barely moved, Akane felt a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sudden aging.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kissing a girl...already...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is my first time. I apologized to Natsuru in my heart.&amp;quot; In reality, Akane felt the same &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way, too shy to say it out loud, and her exhaustion had reached its peak.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, can this really be considered practice?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who knows... What about Akane?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It just felt like kissing a girl.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That doesn&#039;t count as practice at all,&amp;quot; Mikoto said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s do it again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ahhh!&amp;quot; Akane&#039;s fatigue suddenly vanished, replaced by a shock that was doubled or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tripled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait, wait, wait...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As expected, you still didn&#039;t know what it was just now.&amp;quot; Mikoto pondered for a moment, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
then came to a conclusion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, wouldn&#039;t it be better to stick your tongue in?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ahhh!&amp;quot; Akane exclaimed in surprise for the umpteenth time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Tongue... tongue...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wouldn&#039;t that make me look more skilled? Maybe Natsuru would like it even more.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What was going on? If I did something like this right from the start, wouldn&#039;t I be bossing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
him around? And there was no guarantee Natsuru would like it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But this doubt was dispelled by the next words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The president should have stuck his tongue in there before.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I&#039;ll do it.&amp;quot; I couldn&#039;t lose to Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This time, the two of them hugged each other very seriously. Compared to before, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
awkwardness and throbbing had calmed down a lot, and their breathing had evened out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked up, and Mikoto was hugging her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s coming, Akane.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Their faces gradually moved closer. They made a gesture of lips touching.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Excuse me. Can I come in?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it&#039;s the tongue...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not the tongue.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The voice that responded to Akane&#039;s words came from a different direction. The original &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
question had also come from that direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them left like a rocket. At the entrance of the room stood the library committee &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
member - Sayaka Nakao.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She didn&#039;t dress like a girl, but had the temperament of a very polite lady. And she was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nakao -san...!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane was so surprised that she almost fainted. Compared to the appearance of the white &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer, the problem was that this scene was witnessed. Then she remembered that she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had not locked the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka said with a hint of contempt, &amp;quot;I forgot to take something, so I came back to check... &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I can&#039;t even express my surprise about this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, this isn&#039;t something I did just for fun...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Girls hugging and kissing, I can only express my contempt, and you&#039;re actually fighting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
someone like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought I&#039;d fight you, so I transformed. Nothing could be more idiotic than that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes...&amp;quot; Akane acquiesced. She couldn&#039;t utter a word.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sayaka didn&#039;t draw her weapon.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to complain, but I&#039;d better behave myself here. However,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she continued with contempt.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m going to report this to Sakura.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I heard that Sakura tell Natsuru about this,&amp;quot; she said with a tone of contempt from the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bottom of her heart. After transforming into Kämpfer, it seemed like she had become more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
serious about morality.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After saying this, Sayaka walked out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I&#039;m gone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto nodded, and Akane shrugged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ahh... I was actually seen by that white thing in a place like this...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was shocked too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is almost like being caught with something. If she asked for money, I would probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pay her obediently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked at Mikoto with resentment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, why are you so energetic?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not at all! My stomach is petrified. If we were in Southeast Asia, I&#039;d be mistaken for a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two-sword swordsman, and that&#039;s even worse.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was truly someone who could survive a dangerous situation. Could that be the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
standard in the world? But here, unfortunately, this is Japan.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Could it be that Natsuru gets exposed?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ugh...&amp;quot; Mikoto&#039;s face changed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What if we&#039;re misunderstood?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe they&#039;ll think we&#039;re gay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wow. I can&#039;t even look at Natsuru&#039;s face...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said dejectedly, holding her head. She looked deeply uneasy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m going to commit suicide...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me too...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For a moment, neither of them said a word. Finally, Mikoto slowly raised her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Akane.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At least let&#039;s practice once.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I refuse.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto held her head again. After a while, he and Akane did the same thing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The bell rang for class, and the two of them remained like this for a long time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 10.5 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Forward to 10.5 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586413</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586413"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:23:22Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;              ==Translator&amp;#039;s Notes== This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text. &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; &amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; {| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot; |+ |- | ← Back to Volume 10.5 Chapter 1 | Return to Main Page | Forward to 10.5 Chapter 3 → |}&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 10.5 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 3|Forward to 10.5 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586412</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10.5_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586412"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:21:03Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot; Volume 10.5 Chapter 1     Because I love studying so much, I attend classes in both the boys&amp;#039; and girls&amp;#039; sections.     Of   course, that&amp;#039;s a lie. I&amp;#039;m not a studious person, and I don&amp;#039;t have two student sections just   because I love studying. Besides, are there any high school students  who love studying? I   think everyone enrolls just for the title of &amp;quot;high school student,&amp;quot; which only lasts for three   years. Why am I enrolled in both the boys&amp;#039; and girls&amp;#039; section...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10.5 Chapter 1  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because I love studying so much, I attend classes in both the boys&#039; and girls&#039; sections.     Of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
course, that&#039;s a lie. I&#039;m not a studious person, and I don&#039;t have two student sections just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because I love studying. Besides, are there any high school students  who love studying? I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think everyone enrolls just for the title of &amp;quot;high school student,&amp;quot; which only lasts for three &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
years. Why am I enrolled in both the boys&#039; and girls&#039; sections? Because I&#039;m a boy, but I can &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transform into a girl. Once I transform into a  girl, I become Kämpfer, improving my physical &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
abilities and engaging in various battles. Of course, I&#039;m not proud of my transformation; it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just makes me busier, and there&#039;s nothing good about it. I&#039;m completely lost about myself. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I     &#039;m in my girlish fo rm now, but if I keep trying to stay that way, I feel like my heart will &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
become girlish. What if I have a period? I don&#039;t have any sanitary pads! I&#039;m in Class 4, Grade &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
2, because the student council president, Shizuku Sangou, is behind this. She thinks I s hould &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just be in the same class as the boys&#039; section. While this is something I&#039;m grateful for, I still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feel like this is the &amp;quot;Idiot Class of the Century,&amp;quot; made up of even stranger people than our &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boys&#039; club. The only rule of survival in this class is to h ide yourself. While joining those idiots &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in a mischievous group might give you a chance to take charge, I lack the social skills to do so, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so I just keep quiet. But in this world... or rather, the girls in Class 4, Grade 2 of the Girls&#039; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Club, wouldn&#039;t let such behavior go unchecked. On the contrary, they actively engage with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
others.     &amp;quot;Natsuru, Natsuru!&amp;quot;     I instantly held my breath, as if I were conducting a failed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
experiment. It was the class president. A scholar who looked perfectly suited to wearing  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
glasses. She possessed a brilliant mind, yet she was always thinking about something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
illicit.     &amp;quot;What&#039;s that?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;I have something I need to discuss with you.&amp;quot;     I thought: Here we &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
go again. It definitely wasn&#039;t a good thing. Like asking me to be a maid on assignment. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
instantly went on alert, but not too much. It was like a stranger suddenly calling and saying, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;It&#039;s me, it&#039;s me!&amp;quot; Anyone would be suspicious. It was the same principle. The only difference &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is that if it were her, even seeing her face  would have forced me to pay attention.     &amp;quot;Even if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she didn&#039;t tell me...&amp;quot;     I replied lackadaisically.     &amp;quot;I haven&#039;t said anything yet!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;You&#039;d know &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even if I didn&#039;t hear it,&amp;quot;     I said, deliberately lowering my voice coldly. Because even if I we re &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a woman, my voice wouldn&#039;t change. To avoid revealing my male identity, I kept my tone low. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Surprisingly, this deep voice was perceived by the girls as magnetic and handsome. There&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
danger everywhere in this world, I couldn&#039;t help but think.     &amp;quot;I hav e something to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
discuss.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;I don&#039;t have anything to discuss.&amp;quot; It definitely wasn&#039;t good, and she might even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ask me for a consultation fee.     &amp;quot;I don&#039;t want to hear what Natsuru wants to discuss, but if &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s something bothering you that you absolutel y must talk about, it&#039;s okay to listen. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might even charge you a fee depending on the situation.&amp;quot;     As I expected, she completely &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ignored my opinion.     &amp;quot;It&#039;s about me.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;What...?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;No, let me correct that. It&#039;s about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us.&amp;quot; As she spoke, two gir ls suddenly appeared from behind the class monitor.     &amp;quot;Yeah~~ &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;You don&#039;t look very happy today either.&amp;quot;     The first line came from the vice -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
class monitor, the second from the accountant. Like a high school girl infused with Ossan Ekis &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(presumably an extract from a man), they&#039;ve risked everything for their lives. As for the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accountant, he&#039;s a complete lunatic, there&#039;s nothing much to say.     My alarm level began to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rise. One person alone is enough. Three of them together, not to mention  Manjushri, is like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
King Ghidorah (a character from the 1964 Toho film about the ultimate showdown between &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the three great monsters). If they came to a fight, only Godzilla could handle them.     &amp;quot;And &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
what?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;So, we need to discuss this with you.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;I haven&#039;t said anything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
yet.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Still no,&amp;quot;     I refused. Anyway, no matter what they proposed, it wasn&#039;t something I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
could handle, whether it was exams or sports. And all three of them were better at studying &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
than me, except for sports, wher e they couldn&#039;t match me as Kämpfer. But even so, I couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
teach them the essentials of the exercise.     &amp;quot;Anyway, listen to me first.&amp;quot; The vice -class &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
monitor leaned in. What did this woman want with me? She probably wasn&#039;t trying to hug &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me wickedly, but  simply wanted to see my reaction to having my personal space invaded, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was enjoying it.     I turned my face away.     &amp;quot;Turn around.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;This can&#039;t be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
resolved without the help of Natsuru.&amp;quot;     Was that true? It seemed like a casual &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remark.     &amp;quot;Actually...&amp;quot;     the class monitor began again.     &amp;quot;We, want &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boyfriends&amp;quot;     ...     &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t you hear? We want boyfriends.&amp;quot;     What a direct way to put it. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Unbelievable, that&#039;s all I could say. There might be girls in this class who have boyfri ends, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these three are the only ones I doubt. Of course, this guess was only half right. It was true &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that they didn&#039;t have boyfriends, but I didn&#039;t expect them to actually want one.  &lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;Of course we didn&#039;t cry all night because we didn&#039;t have boyfriends.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, I&#039;d never heard of that before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Before this, we talked it over at the supermarket in front of the station.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You guys are such a good friend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s better than nothing, right? And then we came to the conclusion that high school girls &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at least need a boyfriend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; What on earth is that...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, it took them five minutes to come to that conclusion. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I have no idea what that means.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;That won&#039;t cause you any problems, will it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It does. For girls, a boyfriend is a symbol of social status. Just like having a designer bag. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
No, it&#039;s more important than that. Having a boyfriend is like bringing some moisture to the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
desert of high school life.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Boys think about similar things, so I understand, but it&#039;s a bit cheesy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The class monitors and the others are, in a sense, people who are detached from the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
world, and now they&#039;re actually wanting boyfriends. Well, the topic of boyfriends doesn&#039;t suit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them at all. Especially for the accountant, it would be more appropriate to just offer money &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as a boyfriend.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But at that age, being interested in the opposite sex is normal, though a bit surprising.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Honestly, I just wanted to find a boyfriend because I was bored,&amp;quot; the class monitor said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt a little relieved. Men are good in every way, that&#039;s like you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But... even if you discuss it with me...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is my idea,&amp;quot; the accountant suddenly interrupted. She held a calculator in her hand, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pretending to calculate, but she wasn&#039;t actually using it. How should I put it, is this a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
character design?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We talked a lot at the supermarket. We have no chance of getting involved with men right &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from the start. Without a middleman, it would be like having no brains.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The girls&#039; department is just like a girls&#039; school. There&#039;s no chance of interacting with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boys.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really...?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the class president has connections to the underground Bishoujo Research Club, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they should have as many male members as they want. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As if seeing through my thoughts, the class president shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, if I abuse my connections with them, the student council will target me. Especially &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
today, it&#039;s best not to do anything.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Summer vacation is approaching, and the school is keeping an eye on things to prevent any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
problems. Even the student council, led by Shizuku, will have to pay attention to the school&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
opinions for a while. If they act too conspicuously, the discipline  committee will be called in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh... But how do we do it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it.&amp;quot; The class president&#039;s glasses gleamed, as if you&#039;d finally gotten the point.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;re not used to boys, so there&#039;s only one thing we need to do: socialize!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So. Socialize!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she repeated. No, I knew about that, of course. I was just surprised that the class president &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and the others wanted to socialize. Acting like ordinary high school girls doesn&#039;t fit their &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
image at all!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it not possible?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;It&#039;s not impossible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;I sometimes want to do something like this, but there&#039;s a problem.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ha...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Girls aside, we can&#039;t invite any boys.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course. A social gathering with only girls isn&#039;t really a social gathering. It&#039;s just a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gathering. And then we keep talking until sunset.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The class monitor is now talking like a commentator presenting economic statistics.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We are new to social gatherings and outsiders. We don&#039;t have a connection with boys. So &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
we thought, if we can&#039;t do it ourselves, we can just ask others for help.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...And then me...?&amp;quot; I pointed at myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, Natsuru is also very popular among boys and knows a lot of people. Can you invite a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
few boys from your acquaintances?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Perhaps the monitor was unexpectedly serious this time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, I still had my doubts. Why would these three people bring up such a serious &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
proposal as a social gathering? It sounded like something a model reader in a popular &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
magazine would say, the kind of thing a girl would say with her hair tied up an d her tie &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
slightly loosened!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of which, it was strange to ask me to find the boys. Of course, I knew that, but it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was limited to Class 4, Grade 2 of the boys&#039; department. They wouldn&#039;t gather the boys &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
together to make prints and sell them, would they? It looked like the ac countant would do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something like that. But the current accountant slowly shook his head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There won&#039;t be any distribution methods, because if people knew the social gathering &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was fake, there would be problems. Even if they really wanted to hold a large -scale sale, they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would only choose to mail or call.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Very fluent explanation. I did hear that large -scale sales were popular in the neighboring &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
town, and it seems that this girl hadn&#039;t given up the idea of selling it! Anyway,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But, I don&#039;t know many boys...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At least more than we know.&amp;quot; It seemed that the monitor had misunderstood me as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;knowing boys.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right, please introduce them.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does Natsuru want us to die without any luck with men?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, yes! I want to find a boyfriend through the social gathering.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everything will become experience.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice -president and the accountant agreed with the monitor. It&#039;s a good thing that the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
three of us are doing it together, but what about my will?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You seem dissatisfied!&amp;quot; the monitor said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well~ Of course...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s nothing I can do. I have to make Natsuru a companion.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If I make Natsuru one of the social gathering members, I think you&#039;ll be fine with that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh...!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wait a minute, why did it become a matter of course that I have to participate in the social &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gathering too?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The monitor showed an expression as if it was a matter of course. The vice -president and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the accountant also nodded in agreement. These guys, couldn&#039;t they have calculated &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
everything from just now?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Social gathering and so on...!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh? As one of the three most beautiful girls in the Star Tetsu group, are you afraid of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
social events?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So I didn&#039;t say I was going...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you kidding?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wasn&#039;t kidding. I&#039;ve already given my all to Sakura, so I should try my best to distance &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
myself from this kind of activity. If I don&#039;t protect my purity, I&#039;d be doing Sakura a disservice. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A lot of things have been tainted lately, though.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If Natsuru comes, I think it&#039;ll be a real party,&amp;quot; the accountant said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;After all, Natsuru is a beautiful girl that everyone recognizes. She&#039;s also very popular with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the boys. You&#039;ll definitely be able to hook a good man. Please come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, that&#039;s weird. I&#039;m very popular with the boys, and you want me to go and invite the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boys? Are you planning to leave it all to me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You don&#039;t seem interested!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice -class monitor noticed my reaction. It&#039;s amazing you know that. Although there&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably no one who doesn&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right. Natsuru can&#039;t contain his popularity, so he wants to hide it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It can&#039;t be helped. Okay, we&#039;ll see to the other girls,&amp;quot; the vice -class representative &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
decided. Doesn&#039;t he need my opinion?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay, it&#039;s okay. We&#039;ll bring a girl who&#039;ll surprise even Natsuru.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Surprised by...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Someone who normally wouldn&#039;t attend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Who?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice -class representative smiled silently. This girl couldn&#039;t keep the same poker face as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the accountant. But she was surprisingly tight -lipped. She usually wouldn&#039;t confess in such a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
situation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But who is this girl who even surprises me? I&#039;d be surprised if it was our homeroom &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
teacher, but it couldn&#039;t be her. That female teacher seems to spend most of her salary on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
new games. She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    doesn&#039;t seem like someone who would attend a social gathering, and she&#039;s a student who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surprises me... Could it be Sakura?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m a little tempted. Would the pure and beautiful Sakura participate in such a dirty &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
activity? But she wouldn&#039;t be someone who could be taken in by men.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But what should I do in that case? If Sakura&#039;s ideal man is attending this social just to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reaffirm my charm, then I should attend. And at least make her say, &amp;quot;Natsuru, that&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
awesome!&amp;quot; before going home. Yeah, that&#039;s it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I gradually calmed down. No! Vice -President, you&#039;re quite capable! I&#039;ll host you at Sakura&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and my wedding ceremony.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Natsuru, you&#039;ve become more motivated.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not really...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Likewise, I&#039;ll leave the boys to you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He patted my shoulder. Ah! That&#039;s right, I haven&#039;t been exempted from my responsibility to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
convene the group. Life is indeed a life of burdening oneself with difficulties.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The key is the number of people,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the accountant began tapping away on a calculator.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The three of us, plus Natsuru and the secret guest. That&#039;s five people in total. Please &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
agree on the number of boys as well.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This kind of calculation can be done without a calculator, isn&#039;t it? It&#039;s like not feeling at ease &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
when the key is unlocked. Or like Ryan&#039;s blanket. (Ryans, a character from Snoopy, whose &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strongest weapon is a blanket)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, how many boys do you want?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s do this,&amp;quot; the class monitor said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You do have a close relationship with the boy named Senou, don&#039;t you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Close, so close, it&#039;s more like they&#039;re the same person.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That guy, bring him along too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied, saying it was nothing. My female self and my male self are the same person, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it&#039;s impossible for us to both attend the social.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When the class monitor looked at me with suspicion, I immediately replied. The boys will &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
go to Class 2, Grade 4 of the Boys&#039; Division. Class 2, Grade 4 of the Girls&#039; Division is a bit of a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
problem anyway, so let&#039;s just forget about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;When?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Next Sunday. I&#039;ll let you know the place and time later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I got it, I replied. It was more like I was forced to agree. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But, suddenly such an incredible task was given to me. I felt I had to gather the members &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the social gathering. Although it is an exciting activity with the opposite sex, I look like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl but I am a boy!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even if I complain, things will not start automatically because no one seems to listen to me. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Really, if Sakura doesn&#039;t come, I will leave immediately. I thought so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That afternoon, I skipped class and naturally left early. But I didn&#039;t go home, but went to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the men&#039;s club. After all, there is only one body, and there is nothing I can do about it. For &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this reason, in The girls&#039; club was labeled the sickly pretty gir ls, and the boys&#039; club was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
labeled the latecomer. This was a disaster for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Walking into the boys&#039; second -year class, class four, none of my classmates looked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
particularly surprised. Should I say they were too aloof or too indifferent to the affairs of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
others besides themselves?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Okay, my job was to gather the boys. I scanned the room, looking for someone who stood &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
out. But I couldn&#039;t decide immediately. There were plenty of gentle ones, but what would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happen if I were to attend a social gathering? If I suddenly told them we we re going to a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
social gathering with the girls&#039; club, would they all just come along? In the end, I decided to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talk to the easiest guy first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Higashida.&amp;quot; Sure enough, this guy was the one to talk to about this kind of thing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Natsuru, is it early today?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Early... I have a little favor to ask you. Or rather, an invitation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter? Do you want me to help you create an opportunity to meet a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beautiful girl?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Pretty much. A social gathering.&amp;quot; As expected, Higashida gave me a &amp;quot;what?&amp;quot; look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So it&#039;s a social gathering.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you the organizer?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, the girls in the girls&#039; club asked me to, so I had to gather the boys.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I gave a rough explanation instead of details because the rumor would be processed. In &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
any case, the female me and the male me are two different people in the eyes of others. If &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
asked, I can just say &amp;quot;I heard it from the female Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s great.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, are you interested?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The girls in our school are of high quality. As a member of the Beautiful Girl Research &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Club, I can&#039;t miss this opportunity.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy, while more of an otaku than the average person, is more obsessed with three -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dimensional girls than anime and games. He&#039;s the closest thing to an idol otaku, I guess.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    However, his obsession with the girls in the Girls&#039; Club is truly incredible. Like a dabohaze &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(a type of fish). He&#039;s constantly snapping photos of them, desperately trying to cross the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
barrier between men and women.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, there&#039;s something to be concerned about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But it depends on the person, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it&#039;s the girls from Seitetsu, I have no complaints.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But it&#039;s the class presidents of Class 4, Grade 2 of the Girls&#039; Club,&amp;quot; I confessed. Those &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
conspirators, weird uncles, and misers are fine, too. Even if it&#039;s Higashida, I&#039;m really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sympathetic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But this guy doesn&#039;t mind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s great, those cute girls.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The class president and vice -president are pretty high -ranking, aren&#039;t they? And the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accountant, too; the scheming part is awesome,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida asserted. Hey~~ What&#039;s wrong with you? Are you crazy?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I still kind of wish there were a member who could stir my M heart, so I wouldn&#039;t have any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
complaints. As expected of Natsuru, they actually thought of inviting me.&amp;quot; Higashida looked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like he was practically beside himself with joy. Ugh, have I become weird? Higashida  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s obsession with girls is incredibly strong, but his standards for cuteness are very strict. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida did tell me before, &amp;quot;A beautiful girl is...&amp;quot; or something like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you having a fever?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, not really. The girls in Seitetsu are very nice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Your type is so wide -ranging?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; Natsuru, you might not know that cute and beautiful girls are different things. First of all, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girls are always cute. That&#039;s the truth. Among these cute girls, beautiful girls exist; that&#039;s the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pinnacle. But even so, that doesn&#039;t mean he treats cute g irls with disrespect. He treats them &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
equally.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, I at least understand Higashida&#039;s rationale.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy thinks all girls are good. But think about it, Higashida has never once called any of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the girls in Seitetsu ugly. Even if he created a mental ranking of the highest, he wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
create a lowest ranking. He&#039;s full of love for girls, though he d oesn&#039;t even need to say it. But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
he&#039;s definitely better than me in that regard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot; I finally understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida said to me, arms folded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Besides, there are a lot of cute girls out there, and you know why I have to collect photos &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of those beautiful girls.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I feel like I&#039;m almost convinced, never mind.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, how many girls are there in total?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, five.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who are they?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The three from earlier, the girls&#039; Natsuru, and the mysterious figure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, the girls&#039; Natsuru is coming too.&amp;quot; Higashida&#039;s eyes lit up with the light of desire.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then it&#039;s going to be a very competitive social gathering. Okay, let&#039;s go invite the boys.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We each separately approached the boys in the class. Higashida&#039;s group should be quick.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But contrary to my expectations, the boys didn&#039;t react much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    First, they gave up at the social gathering stage. There&#039;s nothing I can do about it. If I were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in a different position, I might have done the same. Second, they already had someone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
scheduled, so it wasn&#039;t possible. That was understandable. After all, it was a sudden &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
proposal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Unexpectedly, there were people who gave up just by hearing about the social gathering, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and those who refused to go just because they heard about Class 2, Grade 4. They were all &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
concerned when they heard I was going, but when they heard about the class  monitor, they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
all said no. Apparently, the class monitor has a bad opinion of them here. It&#039;s not that I dislike &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them, it&#039;s just that they&#039;re hard to deal with. Some people, worried about being caught, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
refused to go. They  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;re overly worried. It seems not; it&#039;s more like they have strong risk management instincts. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If they act too conspicuously, the discipline committee will be called in immediately. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida, who loves the spotlight, is the exception, after all. While  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I admire their foresight, it&#039;s a tough situation right now; we don&#039;t have enough people.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, did you find someone?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I could only shake my head at Higashida&#039;s words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, Hanzawa said he&#039;d go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t they all familiar faces?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can&#039;t force them. That leaves... Nakahama -san and Mori -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They were all classmates. Nakahama was a very hard -working student and the best &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student in the class. Mori was a slightly eccentric guy who enjoyed mysteries.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nakahama can&#039;t help it. Doesn&#039;t he hate girls&#039; topics?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe he&#039;s just curious now,&amp;quot; Higashida brushed it off lightly. Then I crossed Nakahama &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
off the attendance book in my mind.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And then, is it Mori?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Let  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    me ask.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida went to talk to someone holding a book with a title like the one about a sunken &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
continent. Then he came back immediately. (That&#039;s Atlantis.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;He said he was going.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mori doesn&#039;t look like he&#039;s actually very enthusiastic.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s not the case. He&#039;s not just looking for a place to show off his useless knowledge. Do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girls like talking about mysterious topics?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I started counting on my fingers.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So that&#039;s Higashida, Hanzawa, and Mori... three people. Not enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what about you?&amp;quot; Higashida asked, looking at me incredulously. I turned my head &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
away, avoiding his gaze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not going.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You invited someone, but you&#039;re not going?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I have something to do.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I had to attend as a girl. I couldn&#039;t possibly attend as a boy. Last time when I was a delivery &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
maid, I also played the roles of both a man and a woman, but I don&#039;t want to be so tired &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
again. That kind of experience is enough once. Come to think of it,  this guy was there that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So if we don&#039;t gather more people.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Our class is gone.&amp;quot; Higashida said. Really, they are all shy boys.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not good. It&#039;s not fair with the number of people.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about dividing into three groups?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Instead of that, Higashida, can&#039;t you call a few boys from your beautiful girl research &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
department?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Those people are even more timid than our class. Maid cafes, on the other hand, tend to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be very active. They tend to like things with a bit of a fantasy element.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What exactly are we pursuing with the social? Could it be that bringing the young magician &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would be enough?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida and I fretted over this, and then, after some reflection, realized I was really going &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
all that far.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Teacher...is it impossible?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, do you want to be featured in the Three Stars Newspaper?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Dogs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They want humans to attend, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Waste.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Worse than dogs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Invisible people.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Only elementary school students would forgive you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, Higashida shot down every suggestion I made. Invisible people might actually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exist.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This doesn&#039;t look good. Then the mysterious Sakura won&#039;t come. I&#039;m starting to feel &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
uneasy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, on the contrary, I&#039;m going to use this opportunity to exclude both of us. ...No way, I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
going to attend as a girl. Huh? Wait. A simple fact swirled around in my head, then stopped &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at a certain point.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Higashida.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll definitely attend after all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine, but what about your business?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Cancel.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yes, canceling was necessary. The plan started from here. Simple and clear. Yeah, no &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
loopholes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll be there. Four of us will be just the right number.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t that still short for one?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That&#039;s enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s do it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I told him with a sinister smile, and I&#039;d let him know the time and place to wait. Higashida &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rubbed his temples with his fingers. Don&#039;t worry, don&#039;t worry. This must be a spell to pray for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the weather. My life will clear up too! Go hang up the sunny do lls. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was sunny that day. My wish must have come true... Although I wanted to say that, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
completely forgot about the sunny dolls when I got home and fell asleep watching a comedy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
show. So, what&#039;s important is my prayerful mood; things like sunny dolls ar e just urban &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
legends. The club members who went to the roofless stadium should immediately hire me to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
work for them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The gathering place is in front of the station. It&#039;s an inconspicuous place like usual, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that&#039;s all. Changing places all the time will only get confusing. I was the first to arrive, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
latecomer who arrived before everyone else. Everyone would be s urprised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru&#039;s so early! Is it snowing?&amp;quot; Mori asked. He&#039;s a refreshingly handsome man whose &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
glasses look perfect, but his love of mysterious phenomena makes him unpopular. Stop &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
writing about black magic in the special skills section of your part -time job r esume.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so lucky to be up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I usually get up early,&amp;quot; I replied. &amp;quot;I just didn&#039;t go to class.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s awful.&amp;quot; There was  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    no other way. I had to attend either the men&#039;s or women&#039;s club.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not only Mori, but Higashida and Hanzawa also showed up right away. It must be the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
magic of the social gathering.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where are the crucial girls?&amp;quot; Hanzawa looked around. There were many people gathered &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like us, but there was no sign of the class leader and the others.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They should be here soon,&amp;quot; I muttered to myself. It wasn&#039;t that the girls were late, it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that we were too early, especially me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s no point getting anxious here. Surely I should just puff out my chest and wait for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them with anticipation. Especially if Sakura is coming. They&#039;ll probably be surprised too. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mysterious guest hasn&#039;t told me who it is yet, but I&#039;m the only on e who can talk to Sakura.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry to have kept you waiting,&amp;quot; a voice suddenly said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We turned around and saw the class president and the others. They were just startled by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their sudden appearance, nothing more.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, hey! Class president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s been a long time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    For a moment, I felt a sense of discomfiture. Ah... I see, so it&#039;s because I haven&#039;t seen guys &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
many times. I pretended nothing happened.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, everyone here is from my class,&amp;quot; I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said, and began to briefly introduce Higashida and the others. We met before at the class &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president&#039;s sister&#039;s house, so they should be acquaintances. ………Is Mori the only one &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
meeting this time? By the way, is it really okay to bring people I know to th e social gathering?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The class monitor nodded slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s introduce ourselves in detail once we get to the store.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay.&amp;quot; Introducing in a place like this would only make things more chaotic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is everyone here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Except the special guest. But, I have something to share with you all that&#039;s unfortunate.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The class monitor said something strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The woman, Natsuru, isn&#039;t feeling well today, so she can&#039;t come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;nowiki&amp;gt;    The boys let out an &amp;quot;Ah~~~.&amp;quot; It was rude to show disappointment so openly.  &amp;lt;/nowiki&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah—, she&#039;s definitely not feeling well.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, thanks to that, we found a toy... No, taking care of your health is so important. As &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
high school students, you can&#039;t be careless.&amp;quot; Sure enough, he treated me like a toy. But forget &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it for now; after all, I&#039;d lied to get here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This morning, I called the class monitor right after waking up. I deliberately called from a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pay phone to avoid being caught. Even if I were to be detected, it wouldn&#039;t be detected.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I think about it, wouldn&#039;t using a public phone arouse even more suspicion? But the class &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
monitor just said, &amp;quot;Take care,&amp;quot; and then added, &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go see you together.&amp;quot; I declined &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
without even thinking. It was definitely a trap.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, I, the girl, was absent; I, the boy, was present. There were only three men in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
men&#039;s club, which made four including me, while the other women had five, which made &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
four without me. So, it was a perfect match. In the classroom, I immediat ely did the math &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and came up with this brilliant plan. It was really just simple addition and subtraction,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but it made a huge leap forward for my plan to monopolize Sakura. Higashida and the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
others were just supporting roles. I should be the star.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s go,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the class monitor said, leading the way. While the women&#039;s and men&#039;s groups usually walk &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
separately at times like this, and we didn&#039;t break that convention, why was I walking in front &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with the class monitor?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s at the shop over there,&amp;quot; the monitor pointed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;ve already made a reservation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Izakaya?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;High school students probably can&#039;t go in there... I think.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a bit embarrassing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a shop run by a relative. They don&#039;t serve alcoholic beverages.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The monitor has so many relatives. It seems like they&#039;re all in business. Be sure to thank &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
him later.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After turning a few corners, we saw a restaurant with a homely feel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh? Here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was a little surprised, and so seemed Higashida and Hanzawa. I didn&#039;t know what Mori &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was thinking. Anyway, because it was very high -end, it seemed more like a place for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gatherings of directors and section chiefs of first -class companies than students . &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sign said something in Latin letters, probably French or Russian cuisine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m quite confident about the taste. It&#039;s delicious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t worry. I told you beforehand that we can afford the price. What tricks did you use &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to get that?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, I was surprised just to hear it. Yesterday, to be on the safe side, all the comics and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
games were sold to a second -hand store. If that&#039;s not enough, I&#039;ll have to sell myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida and the others were a little relieved. The other girls didn&#039;t react. Maybe they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had already heard about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The squad leader opened the door. The bell rang. Although I wanted to ask if the store was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not open yet, it seemed that it was opened especially for us. The inside of the store was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
opposite of what I expected. It was a place that was a fusion of Ja panese and Western styles. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It matched the color of the dark wood very well, and what the vice said was a little more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Japanese.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We were taken inside. I don&#039;t know what the squad leader and the people in the store &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were talking about. Since they are relatives, the man who looks like the boss and chef should &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be a relative of the squad leader. Be sure to thank him later.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please use the private room here. &amp;quot;Looking towards the room in question, it was a tatami &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room with seats that dug down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just sit down... it seems impossible. Boys and girls have to sit face to face. Changing seats &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can only be done after the atmosphere becomes lively.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I sat at the edge, and the seat opposite me was empty. Why did I choose this place? Of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
course, it was because Sakura would sit here. Then the two of us spent a happy time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just order your own drinks, even though they only have non -alcoholic drinks.&amp;quot; The class &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
monitor said so. It seemed that she had to do this on behalf of the waiter. I will change with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her later.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We looked at the menu and each ordered our own things. I chose oolong tea.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After everyone was seated, the class monitor immediately said, &amp;quot;Then before the drinks &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
are served, at least introduce yourselves. You seem very familiar. Is this person really at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
first social gathering?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s start with the male Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot; Everyone looked at me with a natural expression. Indeed, I was sitting at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
innermost seat, so it was probably natural for me to start. There is really no other way, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
let&#039;s just solve it simply.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, I&#039;m Natsuru from Class 2, Grade 4. Hello everyone  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; That was it. What else could I say? Besides, everyone here knows me, didn&#039;t they?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; Ah, silence. Sure enough, I should have said something more interesting. Maybe &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something about a doll that spoke in Shizuku&#039;s voice. Now the atmosphere was awkward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The self -introductions continued, but they only mentioned my class and my name. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
vice-president seemed to have a hard time speaking, the only other person being the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accountant. This girl&#039;s talkativeness plummeted if it wasn&#039;t about money.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, then, let&#039;s just leave it at that...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone gave me a look that said, &amp;quot;You idiot, save the situation!&amp;quot; What? Is it my fault?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Have I mastered the art of not reading the atmosphere and ignoring awkward silences? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
You&#039;ve all said the same thing before!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was nothing I could do. I had to say something, but I couldn&#039;t find a topic. It was so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
frustrating. Even though I had experience with things I couldn&#039;t say to ordinary people, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
couldn&#039;t say it to them anyway. After all, if I told them I could tr ansform into a woman and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talk to a doll, they wouldn&#039;t believe me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, by the way, isn&#039;t there another girl coming too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I forced the conversation to the class monitor. First, we had to find a way to deal with this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heavy atmosphere. It was also true that one seat was empty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She should be here soon,&amp;quot; she checked her watch  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Should I pick her up?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just then, a text message rang. It was the class monitor. It had Tiger Band&#039;s &amp;quot;Give Me a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Woman and Color&amp;quot; as its ringtone. What an oldie.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The class monitor pressed the call button, exchanged a few words, told her the party &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
venue, and hung up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s today&#039;s guest,&amp;quot; she said, shutting off the phone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She said she&#039;ll be right here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who is the guest?&amp;quot; Higashida asked innocently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s still a secret until she arrives.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Someone beautiful?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I promise.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course she&#039;s beautiful, because it&#039;s Sakura.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida, Hanzawa, and Mori all looked excited. I was also very much looking forward to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it. But I absolutely won&#039;t leave the guest to you guys. That person is mine. If anything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happens, we&#039;ll just leave together and have some fun. We&#039;ve already made p lans.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The doorbell rang.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Looks like she&#039;s coming,&amp;quot; the class monitor whispered.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Finally, Sakura is about to make her appearance. Since I&#039;ve made Sakura my mental fiancé, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of course I&#039;m doing my best to welcome her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The door to the room opened. I went to greet her with a smile on my face —and then &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
froze. In came the student council president, Shizuku Sangou.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry for being late,&amp;quot; Shizuku apologized and walked into the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was a little delayed by school matters, but it&#039;s okay now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wouldn&#039;t it be better to just stay in school? I complained to the class monitor in a low &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, why is it that woman?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh? She was the president from the start.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong with Sakura?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did I even mention she was coming?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I began searching my memory. After hearing that, I realized Sakura hadn&#039;t mentioned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything about coming. Was I too sure it was Sakura?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But shouldn&#039;t Sakura be the one to come?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That person wouldn&#039;t have any interest in the social.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wasn&#039;t the president here too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She immediately said she was going after I mentioned Natsuru&#039;s name.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Was that me, the man, or me, the woman? It&#039;s the same on either side, but which one is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, even if that&#039;s the case, this shouldn&#039;t be Shizuku. Someone as beautiful as Sakura... &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
someone like that doesn&#039;t exist on Earth. At least someone a little more attractive than &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura should be the one to come. Isn&#039;t there, well... well, there should  be one if I look for it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ignoring the screams in my head, Shizuku glanced at the seat. Higashida and the others &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looked dazed and idiotic. This was the first time they&#039;d looked at Shizuku so closely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, without stopping, the woman walked over to the seat directly across from me and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sat down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is the only one left empty,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the class monitor said, looking at my irritated face. &amp;quot;Go to hell,&amp;quot; I see. This seat was clearly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
left empty for Sakura. Yet, Shizuku took it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The food arrived: fried chicken, fries, salad, and the like. It felt like an izakaya. The portions &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were generous, perfect for students.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With Shizuku seated, the number of men and women finally equalized. The social &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gathering was about to get down to business.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the tension only grew. The mystery guest turned out to be the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president of our Seitetsu School. Someone with the guts to confront such a prominent figure &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would actually attend such a ridiculous event. I never imagined it. Why are yo u here? Are you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even less able to absorb the atmosphere than I am?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku stared at me, and I stared back... No way. She stared at the class monitor next to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her as if she were the murderer of her father. But Higashida and the others, in turn, focused &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
their gazes on Shizuku. This seating arrangement is strange. I shou ld be the one furthest &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
away from Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you so much for coming here today,&amp;quot; the class monitor thanked Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I just wanted to come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida and the others started to make a noise. It&#039;s unthinkable for Shizuku to say &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something like &amp;quot;I want to socialize.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;At least start talking,&amp;quot; the class monitor said, like a host.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the atmosphere still didn&#039;t get any more lively. Shouldn&#039;t we just start talking after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
saying &amp;quot;Let&#039;s talk&amp;quot;? How do experienced socializers around the world seize opportunities?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku was the reason. Everyone was watching her every move. The people here &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were just like ordinary citizens afraid of hooligans. This guy is essentially a gangster. I was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wondering what to do when Higashida spoke up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, tell me about your interests first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It made sense, though it felt a little late. Is that really okay? Higashida.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then a boy sitting next to me glanced at me. Ah! So, interests should be mentioned along &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with the self -introduction. Not bad. I know the order in which things should be done at a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
socializing party.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Once their interests are revealed, the atmosphere should gradually heat up. First up is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My hobby is taking photos, portraits and the like.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I can proudly say everyone here knows the truth. The person being photographed is a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beautiful girl, so it&#039;s obviously candid photography. If the police catch you, no one will defend &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you. I&#039;ll actively testify that he did it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Next up is Hanzawa.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh—. My hobbies are movie appreciation and gaming.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While that&#039;s true, it&#039;s a bit of a twist. You&#039;re talking about anime and gal games, right? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Wouldn&#039;t it be enough to just say you&#039;re good at baseball?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then there&#039;s Mori. I&#039;ve never heard this man introduce himself like this before. Hanzawa, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida, and I stared at him.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My hobby is... fortune -telling.&amp;quot; The vice -class monitor&#039;s eyes lit up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it using blood type or something?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a little different.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, the boys knew what it was. It was black magic. He was conducting some sort of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
curse experiment at home. There were also rumors of bottles of chicken blood.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, it&#039;s a constellation?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Something like that,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the vice -class monitor said, suggesting it would be better to say something more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
obnoxious. Oh no, Mori&#039;s been left out. Honestly, it seems like I&#039;d be more appealing to the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
vice-class monitor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then it&#039;s the accountant. What a strange order. It started with Higashida, who I mentioned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at the beginning, and now he&#039;s sitting across from me. Well, maybe that&#039;s just fine when &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
introducing yourself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My hobby is... calculating?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the accountant said, nodding in agreement. What&#039;s that?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My hobby is rating things, I guess.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Again, he wasn&#039;t lying, but it was a lot more interesting. Counting money with a calculator &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one-handed is your forte, right? And then there&#039;s selling those unidentified scrolls and pots.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The accountant&#039;s expression didn&#039;t change. While different from Shizuku, he&#039;s still quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
capable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you good at math?&amp;quot; it was Mori who asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m good at mental arithmetic. Things like change and interest.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The accountant said something different from before, but Mori seemed fine with that. He &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looked pleased. I asked Higashida.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, does Mori like that type?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you know? He seems to like the silent and calm type. As long as it&#039;s very quiet, even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a Maitreya statue can be married.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s amazing. What will it look like then?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although Shizuku doesn&#039;t have the same compassion as Maitreya. She is the reincarnation &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of Capone (the godfather of the mafia).  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then there&#039;s the vice -class representative. This girl is very good at talking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My interests are tennis, basketball, ballet, baseball, swimming, running, bagel, hockey, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
table tennis, taking the dog for a walk, and cute girls.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She announced proudly. But there seemed to be something strange mixed in at the end.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You like baseball?&amp;quot; Hanzawa said. This guy likes sports anyway, because he plays baseball.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, I like it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s your position?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anything. Pitcher, catcher, infielder, outfielder, umpire —everything.&amp;quot; Such a bold &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
statement. Later, when I asked, it turned out to be just one person batting and running after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
throwing the ball. Apparently, he&#039;d even managed to turn the game around o n his own. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Being this deft was practically an art form.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hanzawa kept talking to her, even then.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not just baseball, I&#039;ve done everything.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, how about we run a marathon together next time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where? The Imperial Palace?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, watch anime non -stop for a month.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of marathon is that? Sure, that&#039;s a marathon. But wouldn&#039;t that kill me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice -class representative blinked. I had a feeling she&#039;d agree. Hanzawa&#039;s status in my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
heart skyrocketed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Surprisingly, the vice -class representative took a breath and said, &amp;quot;For Indian TV and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
movies, just watch non -stop.&amp;quot; With that, they began to grow closer, and the pressure on me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eased again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then there was the class representative. What would become of him?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My hobby is... watching the news.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I arrived unnoticed. I&#039;m not familiar with social gatherings, but I doubt anyone would say &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something like that without being targeted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;NHK?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida asked. I was thinking the same thing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;All of it. I&#039;m always recording the CS broadcasts, and I&#039;ve also burned all the commercial &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
broadcasts on my computer onto CDs. That would be perfect.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; What perfect? &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, what do you use it for?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;For love, events, or something.&amp;quot; The class monitor was speaking seriously, so I couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
answer casually.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...like my photos, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They&#039;re different from photos; they move.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can keep photos anytime.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can keep anime if you want.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida gave me a puzzled look. But, fundamentally, your collection of beautiful girl &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
photos is the same. How about just becoming a couple?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A subtle tension rippled between the class monitor and Higashida. Since they both knew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
each other, there was no way they could be at odds. It seemed there were a lot of things we &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
couldn&#039;t compromise on.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;ve already talked about everyone&#039;s interests. That&#039;s the end of it... I wanted to say it, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but I couldn&#039;t. From here on, the tension began to mount.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So... President,&amp;quot; the class monitor urged. Shizuku&#039;s expression softened slightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even if they heard about my hobbies, it wouldn&#039;t be fun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this everyone&#039;s first time? It&#039;s bound to be interesting.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? Hobbies... probably comedians, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The boys and girls were extremely surprised. I was also taken aback when I first heard it. It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
completely contradicted her image, and everyone thought so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? comedians?&amp;quot; Hanzawa bravely asked. I also supported this suspicion. Everything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku said should be doubted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Surprising?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey... I think the president should have more adult interests.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, that&#039;s not the case. I think it&#039;s fantastic.&amp;quot; Hey, Hanzawa, what do you think?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He wasn&#039;t praising Shizuku&#039;s comedians, nor was he disparaging them, just saying, &amp;quot;It&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
very interesting.&amp;quot; He said things like, &amp;quot;It&#039;s a shame I can&#039;t hear comedians like Shinsei &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(comedians), but that&#039;s too technical and I have no idea.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hanzawa asked again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is comedian your only interest? Student council and stuff...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That doesn&#039;t count as an interest, does it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, then, are you interested in boys?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Uh-oh. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida and Mori&#039;s faces lit up. This was certainly something they could do. In response, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I don&#039;t know why I started getting nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, you want to hear about that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, hey hey... Of course. A president admired by all the boys? What kind of boys do you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like? Of course I want to know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s an honor to be admired,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she replied, even though she didn&#039;t seem to feel honored. Yeah! Social etiquette.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Boys and girls alike were all staring intently at Shizuku&#039;s next words, making sure not to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
miss anything. &amp;quot;Why hasn&#039;t the war started yet?&amp;quot; I was the only one thinking that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Probably the type who doesn&#039;t dress up much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was no reply worth criticizing. An air of reassurance flowed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You like the unassuming type?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not the same as being unassuming. If I had to say, the guy I like is the type I like. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Isn&#039;t that boring?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, I like people who don&#039;t show off, and I don&#039;t like those who are self -absorbed.&amp;quot; Why &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
are all those guys&#039; eyes sparkling?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not self -absorbed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me neither.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me neither.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida and Hanzawa Mori said this almost simultaneously. While these guys aren&#039;t self -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
absorbed, it&#039;s more like they don&#039;t have even the slightest doubt about their interests. That&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
also a form of self -absorption.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s good to be conservative. But don&#039;t be too self -deprecating. Showing confidence will &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
help you on the test,&amp;quot; Shizuku lectured the boys, who hadn&#039;t had any second thoughts about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
what she was saying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But has the president ever thought &#039;that&#039;s wonderful&#039; about a certain guy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida pressed on. This is a perfect opportunity to expand the research on the Beautiful &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Girls Research Club. And without my help.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone in our boys&#039; club has their own unique personality, which I think is great.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, are there any boys you&#039;d like to date?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I swallowed, unnoticed. Shizuku and I didn&#039;t make eye contact, but our scents were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
palpable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wouldn&#039;t it be even better if there were?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;For news purposes, it would be even better.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, yes,&amp;quot; Shizuku said with a chuckle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not only the boys, but the girls too let out a moaning sound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku from Seitetsu Academy is a being from another dimension. Since she&#039;s right in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
front of us, I don&#039;t know how to describe it. It&#039;s not just kind or beautiful, but rather, she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exudes an aura of something more than human. The best way to describe i t is to use the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
words of someone who &amp;quot;got scolded by Shizuku Sangou&amp;quot; about the fan club. There are also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
those who wish the president would spit on us from the rooftop.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I finally understand that perversion knows no bounds. After all, there are boys who like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku, and there are certainly those who don&#039;t  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . She&#039;s a bug catcher, so why would someone go out of their way to get caught in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forest? But the fact that she&#039;d actually said she wanted to date a boy is certainly surprising.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida leaned forward and pressed, &amp;quot;Well, who is that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it the boy we know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You guys might know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Higashida&#039;s excitement reached its peak, shouting &amp;quot;Ooooh!&amp;quot; Hanzawa Mori also looked at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku, putting the girl in front of him aside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, of course, the class representative and the others were also staring at Shizuku. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Unlike the boys, they were just out of pure curiosity. I couldn&#039;t tell if this was a social &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gathering or Shizuku&#039;s presentation. And I was already straining my muscl es just wiping the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sweat off my face. A hand towel would have saved me, but I felt like my clothes were sticking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everything Shizuku said seemed directed at me. I wasn&#039;t proud at all, but my heart still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fluttered. Given this woman&#039;s attitude, it wouldn&#039;t be surprising if she said, &amp;quot;That person is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru.&amp;quot; Of course,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this was just Shizuku picking on me. S must be enjoying seeing me in pain. Why would she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
care so much about me, a boy who&#039;s always loved Sakura? She&#039;s definitely a messenger from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hell sent to disrupt Japan&#039;s sexual mores.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, could you at least reveal your name?&amp;quot; Higashida pleaded. How unbecoming! You &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
should be more assertive. I don&#039;t have the right to say that about others, though.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should I do? I&#039;m a little embarrassed,&amp;quot; Shizuku said, her tone devoid of any hint of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shyness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even the first word is fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So you want to know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wanted to know. Higashida, the squad leader, and the others also began to stir. This &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t going to go well, anyway... My body sensed the approaching danger. My heart began &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to beat violently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This woman before me certainly didn&#039;t care about my life or death. She must have thought &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;d have a heart attack and die. This demon. If I don&#039;t do something, if I don&#039;t stop this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
monster, my life will be in danger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The moment Shizuku opened her mouth, I did my best to interrupt.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, well, I haven&#039;t mentioned my interests yet,&amp;quot; I said with a silly smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m almost there.&amp;quot; I thought it was a good job. It was true that I hadn&#039;t mentioned my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interests, and it would have hindered Shizuku. Simply blocking Shizuku from speaking was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough to win a Nobel Prize. But the fools all looked at me with reproachfu l eyes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, you&#039;re so traditional,&amp;quot; Higashida said casually beside me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Both black hair and long hair are pretty ordinary, right? At least brown hair!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And he&#039;s older than you, it&#039;s like he&#039;s talking about the president!&amp;quot; Higashida laughed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This man had always known about my longing for Sakura and hadn&#039;t thought about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Higashida...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s great that you&#039;re an idiot.&amp;quot; After telling him that, I finally lay down on the table.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The social continued after that, though I barely remember anything. They were probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talking about something insignificant. The vice -class monitor seemed to say something like, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Let&#039;s bet on Natsuru getting up in a few minutes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s almost closing time,&amp;quot; the class monitor said. I finally returned to myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;re closing the shop first and reopening later because we need to prepare for dinner.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s over. What a blessing it is to be able to go home. Thank God.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We left the private room and walked out of the restaurant. Finally, the squad leader and I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thanked the owner. But he said, &amp;quot;You&#039;re welcome, but you don&#039;t look well.&amp;quot; I think so. If you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knew what had happened, you&#039;d definitely think it was unavoidable. It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was still bright outside. It was already dark, so it wouldn&#039;t be surprising. Why not just wait &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
until dark ?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The vice -squad leader urged us to go somewhere else, looking so energetic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, I&#039;m planning to come too. What do you think?&amp;quot; Hanzawa asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll forget it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Higashida and Mori also said they were going.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t help it. I&#039;m tired.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hanzawa didn&#039;t force me to go, which was a huge help.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The squad leader and the others left together, completely unconcerned about my absence. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Whether it was karaoke or a love hotel, we could go wherever we wanted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I sighed deeply. &amp;quot;Huh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sighing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wow!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I almost jumped in surprise. Shizuku was standing right behind me. She looked at me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
without hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you sigh all the time, happiness will slip away.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It slipped away a long time ago.&amp;quot; And she had no intention of going home at all. You guys &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have endless managers, don&#039;t you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t you going with them?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought the president would definitely go.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I have Natsuru.&amp;quot; She said something so outrageous again. I want to be with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, president...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you do that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, with your feet...&amp;quot; Shizuku replied immediately, as if it was a matter of course, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Because you look happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Happy, of course! My heart almost stopped.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re lying, you look so comfortable,&amp;quot; she said, as if seeing through me. It&#039;s so frustrating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not to be able to deny it. No, it&#039;s the way that movement is so ingenious. Only Shizuku could &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
do it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My boyfriend&#039;s a pervert.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Pervert...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why feet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The president used his feet, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Would it be better to use hands next time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Queju. No, there&#039;s no way I can win an argument with her. I might as well end this topic. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can&#039;t stand it if she really uses hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why did you come to the social?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I heard you were going.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it okay with me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because the other girls are looking at me, it&#039;s a little...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it the same for everyone?&amp;quot; I have no idea how this guy thinks. Is he worried about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something, or am I mistaken? Yeah, never mind. Anyway, for me, without Sakura, it means &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nothing. What Shizuku did was just a simple accident. Just consider it as protecting my purity.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I walked towards my home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Want to go home?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m tired.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll take you there.&amp;quot; Shizuku and I walked side by side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So I&#039;m taking you home.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that a girl&#039;s thing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, are you going to take me home?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No.&amp;quot; I don&#039;t know where this guy lives, and I don&#039;t know what&#039;s going to happen to him. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Like, he&#039;ll be eaten or sold.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So I&#039;m taking you home,&amp;quot; Shizuku urged. &amp;quot;You&#039;ve had a great time today.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I even objected to that, I felt like I was being thrown into a cauldron of hell and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
screaming. On the way home, I kept thinking about this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|← Back to Volume 10 Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 2|Forward to 10.5 Chapter 2 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
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		<title>Kämpfer</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer&amp;diff=586411"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:17:39Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Volume 10 */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;{{Status|Active}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{Teaser|English}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Image:Kampfer_Vol_01_cover.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover.]]&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfer (けんぷファー) is a light novel series written by Tsukiji Toshihiko and illustrated by Semmu. The series is completed with 15 volumes. &amp;lt;!--Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Story Synopsis==&lt;br /&gt;
The plot revolves around Natsuru Senou, a normal high school boy with blue hair. One day he wakes up to find himself turned into a girl. A stuffed tiger &amp;quot;Harakiri Tora&amp;quot; comes to life and tells him to fight as a female fighter &amp;quot;Kämpfer&amp;quot;. Having no idea about what&#039;s going on, Natsuru is involved in many battles against other female Kämpfer. &amp;lt;!-- Wikipedia--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== FeedBack ==&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;If you enjoyed the translation, why don&#039;t you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;amp;t=3359 Project thread]&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Translation And Editing ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Dedicated Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This project is in need of dedicated editors in order to help speed translation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Editors are asked to notify a Project Manager before beginning, and in any case where sentence meaning may be changed, use chapter discussion beforehand&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Drive-by Editors===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Drive-by-editing of obvious typos, bad grammar, spelling, or missing words or any obvious mistakes will be much appreciated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Again, before changing a sentence&#039;s meaning, please use the chapter discussion.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Translators===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are still Kampfer books that haven&#039;t been translated.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Anyone with decent Japanese or Chinese skills will gladly be allowed to translate, if there are people who know Japanese or Chinese and would like to help out, just not with the tedious job of translating, proofreaders are also appreciated. Proofreaders are asked to follow the same guidelines as editors when it comes to changing a sentences meaning, they are given more freedom regarding this however.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|Registration]] ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Translators are asked to [[Kämpfer:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they&#039;re working on&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Format Standards===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to general and project specific guidelines.&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Names and Terminology Guideline|Project-Specific Guidelines: Format, Names, and Terminology]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Updates ==&lt;br /&gt;
*May 11, 2010 - Teaser Started!&lt;br /&gt;
*October 29, 2011 - Project Started Again!&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Illustrations added&lt;br /&gt;
*November 28, 2011 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 1 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*December 1, 2011 - Kämpfer is now an official project&lt;br /&gt;
*September 25, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 3 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*October 16, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 4 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*November 3, 2012 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 2 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
*September 5, 2022 - Kämpfer Vol 1 Chapter 5 Complete&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==The &#039;&#039;Kämpfer&#039;&#039; series by Tsukiji Toshihiko==&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 1 - Kämpfer ([[Kämpfer:Volume 1|Full Text]])=== &lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 1 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 2===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 3===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 3 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 4===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 4 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 6===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 6 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 7===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 7 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 8.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 8.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 9.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Afterword]] &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 10.5===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 11===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 11 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===Volume 12===&lt;br /&gt;
*[[Kämpfer:Volume 12 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 1&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 2&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 3&lt;br /&gt;
* Chapter 4&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Project Staff ==&lt;br /&gt;
*Supervisor: &lt;br /&gt;
*Project Manager: : [[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Translators ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]] (sporadic translations)&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Kondou|Kondou]]&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:JeruTz|JeruTz]] (Currently improving V1C1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:Seoulfighter|Seoulfighter]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Editors ===&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;ACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
:*[[User:J112|J112]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&#039;&#039;&#039;INACTIVE&#039;&#039;&#039;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Series Overview ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 1 (November 24, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1749-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 2 (December 25, 2006 - ISBN 4-8401-1767-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 3 (March 23, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1826-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 4 (June 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-1870-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 5 (September 25, 2007 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2042-5)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 6 (January 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2131-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 7 (April 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2308-2)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 (July 25, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2370-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 8 ½ (October 24, 2008 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2453-9)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 (February 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2668-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 9 ½ (March 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2725-7)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 (July 24, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-2835-3)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 10 ½ (September 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3030-1)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 11 (December 25, 2009 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3134-6)&lt;br /&gt;
* Kämpfer 12 (March 25, 2010 - ISBN 978-4-8401-3254-1)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:MF Bunko J]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Genre - Harem]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[index.php?title=Category:Toshihiko Tsukiji]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Afterword&amp;diff=586410</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Afterword&amp;diff=586410"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:15:31Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translator&amp;#039;s Notes */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Postscript to Volume 10&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Hi, this is Tsukiji. Volume 10 is the latest volume in Kämpfer. Although it has 12 volumes, the content of each volume is very interconnected. This book can also be considered the twelfth volume, so it&#039;s quite a brain teaser.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   I finished this volume at a breakneck pace, and I heard that the anime production is nearing completion. Wow, that&#039;s really touching. Anyway, I seem to have gone off-topic. Anyway, back to the point, in this volume, Natsuru is quite dense, and it seems like he&#039;s about to settle things with the White Side. The upcoming plot will reach its climax, so please give it your support.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   By the way, this book was published right after the rainy season ended. Wow, I wrote it in the height of summer in September, it was so hot! Also, novels are really far removed from reality. My other work has been serialized for ten years, and the protagonist is still a high school sophomore. Even after&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   so much time has passed in the real world, it hasn&#039;t affected the novel at all. And you know what? Reading a novel only takes a short time, but the author really racks their brains to come up with the characters and their relationships. Why do some novels turn into harem stories? Because the time allotted in the novel is too short. Therefore, novels that can be read in half a day are divided into volumes. Whether it&#039;s Natsuru, Akane, or the student council president, they all live ordinary lives within the novel. Therefore, they cannot appear in reality. One day, the&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   harem drama will end, and Natsuru and the others will finish their battles and return to normal life. However, I still haven&#039;t figured out how to write this part, so please look forward to their performance in the next volume.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   June 2009,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tsukiji Toshihiko&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|← Back to Volume 10 Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10.5 Chapter 1|Forward to 10.5 Chapter 1 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Afterword&amp;diff=586409</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Afterword&amp;diff=586409"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:14:51Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translator&amp;#039;s Notes */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Postscript to Volume 10&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Hi, this is Tsukiji. Volume 10 is the latest volume in Kämpfer. Although it has 12 volumes, the content of each volume is very interconnected. This book can also be considered the twelfth volume, so it&#039;s quite a brain teaser.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   I finished this volume at a breakneck pace, and I heard that the anime production is nearing completion. Wow, that&#039;s really touching. Anyway, I seem to have gone off-topic. Anyway, back to the point, in this volume, Natsuru is quite dense, and it seems like he&#039;s about to settle things with the White Side. The upcoming plot will reach its climax, so please give it your support.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   By the way, this book was published right after the rainy season ended. Wow, I wrote it in the height of summer in September, it was so hot! Also, novels are really far removed from reality. My other work has been serialized for ten years, and the protagonist is still a high school sophomore. Even after&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   so much time has passed in the real world, it hasn&#039;t affected the novel at all. And you know what? Reading a novel only takes a short time, but the author really racks their brains to come up with the characters and their relationships. Why do some novels turn into harem stories? Because the time allotted in the novel is too short. Therefore, novels that can be read in half a day are divided into volumes. Whether it&#039;s Natsuru, Akane, or the student council president, they all live ordinary lives within the novel. Therefore, they cannot appear in reality. One day, the&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   harem drama will end, and Natsuru and the others will finish their battles and return to normal life. However, I still haven&#039;t figured out how to write this part, so please look forward to their performance in the next volume.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   June 2009,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tsukiji Toshihiko&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|← Back to Volume 10 Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 5|Forward to 10 Chapter 5 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Afterword&amp;diff=586408</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Afterword&amp;diff=586408"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:14:34Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translator&amp;#039;s Notes */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Postscript to Volume 10&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Hi, this is Tsukiji. Volume 10 is the latest volume in Kämpfer. Although it has 12 volumes, the content of each volume is very interconnected. This book can also be considered the twelfth volume, so it&#039;s quite a brain teaser.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   I finished this volume at a breakneck pace, and I heard that the anime production is nearing completion. Wow, that&#039;s really touching. Anyway, I seem to have gone off-topic. Anyway, back to the point, in this volume, Natsuru is quite dense, and it seems like he&#039;s about to settle things with the White Side. The upcoming plot will reach its climax, so please give it your support.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   By the way, this book was published right after the rainy season ended. Wow, I wrote it in the height of summer in September, it was so hot! Also, novels are really far removed from reality. My other work has been serialized for ten years, and the protagonist is still a high school sophomore. Even after&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   so much time has passed in the real world, it hasn&#039;t affected the novel at all. And you know what? Reading a novel only takes a short time, but the author really racks their brains to come up with the characters and their relationships. Why do some novels turn into harem stories? Because the time allotted in the novel is too short. Therefore, novels that can be read in half a day are divided into volumes. Whether it&#039;s Natsuru, Akane, or the student council president, they all live ordinary lives within the novel. Therefore, they cannot appear in reality. One day, the&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   harem drama will end, and Natsuru and the others will finish their battles and return to normal life. However, I still haven&#039;t figured out how to write this part, so please look forward to their performance in the next volume.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   June 2009,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tsukiji Toshihiko&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 5|← Back to Volume 10 Chapter 5]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 5|Forward to 10 Chapter 5 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Afterword&amp;diff=586407</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Afterword&amp;diff=586407"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:13:46Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;    Postscript to Volume 10     Hi, this is Tsukiji. Volume 10 is the latest volume in Kämpfer. Although it has 12 volumes, the content of each volume is very interconnected. This book can also be considered the twelfth volume, so it&amp;#039;s quite a brain teaser.     I finished this volume at a breakneck pace, and I heard that the anime production is nearing completion. Wow, that&amp;#039;s really touching. Anyway, I seem to have gone off-topic. Anyway, back to the point, in this...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Postscript to Volume 10&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   Hi, this is Tsukiji. Volume 10 is the latest volume in Kämpfer. Although it has 12 volumes, the content of each volume is very interconnected. This book can also be considered the twelfth volume, so it&#039;s quite a brain teaser.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   I finished this volume at a breakneck pace, and I heard that the anime production is nearing completion. Wow, that&#039;s really touching. Anyway, I seem to have gone off-topic. Anyway, back to the point, in this volume, Natsuru is quite dense, and it seems like he&#039;s about to settle things with the White Side. The upcoming plot will reach its climax, so please give it your support.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   By the way, this book was published right after the rainy season ended. Wow, I wrote it in the height of summer in September, it was so hot! Also, novels are really far removed from reality. My other work has been serialized for ten years, and the protagonist is still a high school sophomore. Even after&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   so much time has passed in the real world, it hasn&#039;t affected the novel at all. And you know what? Reading a novel only takes a short time, but the author really racks their brains to come up with the characters and their relationships. Why do some novels turn into harem stories? Because the time allotted in the novel is too short. Therefore, novels that can be read in half a day are divided into volumes. Whether it&#039;s Natsuru, Akane, or the student council president, they all live ordinary lives within the novel. Therefore, they cannot appear in reality. One day, the&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   harem drama will end, and Natsuru and the others will finish their battles and return to normal life. However, I still haven&#039;t figured out how to write this part, so please look forward to their performance in the next volume.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
   June 2009,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Tsukiji Toshihiko&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 10 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Forward to 10 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586406</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586406"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:09:20Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translator&amp;#039;s Notes */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10, Chapter 4  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I returned to the Sakura residence through the back door and flicked on every light in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room. It was dark outside, but that was only natural. This is a villa, so the chandeliers are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
outside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When will we have dinner? It might be a while yet. Anyway, let&#039;s go back to my room. On &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the way upstairs, I recalled my conversation with Mikoto on the marble and felt a little &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous. I hadn&#039;t felt it at all during the conversation, but now my heart was pounding and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my hands were sweating.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even in kindergarten, she&#039;d always had a strong sense of adventure, treating her bed like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ship sailing across the Pacific. Ever since then, I&#039;ve always imagined she&#039;d venture abroad and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
marry a Bolivian alpaca (the model for the mythical beast, the m ud horse). No human man &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would have the energy to go along with her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then she confessed to me, like a real woman. After this, I was a bit distracted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What was I going to do with dinner after this? I was sure she&#039;d see me, right? Leaving the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
table wasn&#039;t an option, so I might as well eat in my own room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As I was pondering this, Shizuku approached.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, where have you been?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sunset,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    he answered honestly. You can&#039;t lie to this woman, she can see through everything. At the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
activity budget meeting of all departments, the accountant had tried to cover up the past &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a serious face as if there were no funds. But this lie never worked . Rather than the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
contradictions in the data, she seemed to be able to tell whether it was a lie just by listening &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to the reporter&#039;s words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, are you interested in watching the sunset?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not because of this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Weren&#039;t you with someone at that time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You guessed it right. I really want to know what happened there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her eyes were cold. Why do you know everything about me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She immediately retracted her gaze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, forget it now. Let&#039;s talk about it later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Compared to my business, the president is...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is Shizuku doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Observing this house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Observing? Is she visiting? Is she admiring the wallpaper, the pillars, or something like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s very spacious walking down the middle, this is really a villa.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura wouldn&#039;t lie.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not necessarily true  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; Hey, how can you say that? Sakura is hosting me here, but Shizuku and the others are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just there to complement her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede has been lying to us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Impossible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Her parents aren&#039;t even here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was really surprised. Strange, isn&#039;t the kind -hearted Sakura hosting me here and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
introducing her parents to me just to get me married?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you see Kaede&#039;s parents while you were staying here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you heard them talking?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you seen them worried?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...wait, are they nowhere to be found?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;If they were, we should have met soon. But now I haven&#039;t heard them talking and she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hasn&#039;t worried, so I think she&#039;s not here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe she&#039;s out...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I checked the room, and there&#039;s no key nearby.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, Shizuku, what are you observing in this house?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But what&#039;s the point of my parents not being here? Isn&#039;t this my hometown? But Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lives here. No, no, this is too strange. Why did she come all the way back from Seitetsu?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is she hiding something? What is she hiding? She&#039;s supposed to be hosting me at her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hometown and introducing me to him.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Could it be that Sakura is the evil Sakura now... No, I can&#039;t imagine it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe she&#039;ll introduce me over dinner, when we&#039;re all here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like in Europe and America, but it&#039;s possible.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ll make sure to find out at dinner,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, &amp;quot;Don&#039;t be late,&amp;quot; and went into her room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That woman was saying such disturbing things again. I finally had a chance to be happy at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura&#039;s hometown, and now she&#039;s doing something so disturbing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, Mikoto hasn&#039;t arrived yet. Could that guy have collapsed in the garden?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I was about to go check, footsteps came on the stairs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seeing Mikoto there, I felt a little relieved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Mikoto, what have you been up to?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she just walked right past me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto,&amp;quot; she said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , and then she went into her room. Lately, she&#039;s been shutting herself in her room, refusing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to come out even when I called. Is she playing games?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Whatever, there&#039;s something about Mikoto&#039;s face that seems a little stiff. Not stiff, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
perhaps something&#039;s bothering her?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, I&#039;ll stay in my room until dinner too. From an outsider&#039;s perspective, we look like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
teenage boys and girls addicted to online games. Stopping such idle thoughts, I went to my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was almost time for dinner, and Sakura came to everyone&#039;s room, calling them, &amp;quot;Dinner&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time.&amp;quot; It was so thoughtful of him to do this when he could have just called.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I opened the door and saw Shizuku and Mikoto heading downstairs, so I followed them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We ate downstairs, on a wooden table and chairs, knives and forks placed side by side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you want chopsticks, feel free to ask,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura said, and of course, I said, &amp;quot;Yes, I do.&amp;quot; When you think of spoons, you&#039;re bound to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think of curry. Like Pavlov&#039;s theorem,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I immediately sat down. The seat was quite comfortable. Shizuku didn&#039;t sit down, looking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at the table with a troubled expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she whispered in my ear,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s not separate.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you talking about?&amp;quot; I answered her matter -of-factly. It&#039;s true, though, that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura&#039;s parents&#039; tableware hasn&#039;t been put up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But, what can I say? Maybe they&#039;re eating in another room; that&#039;s still an unknown.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane brought a large plate of chicken from the kitchen. It smelled delicious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s a lot of meat, so I made a lot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The chicken was placed on the table. Akane and Sakura are both excellent cooks; it must &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be delicious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then came bread, miso soup, and onions. Everyone was seated. Sure enough, Sakura&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
parents weren&#039;t coming.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Dinner began. I picked up a piece of chicken with my chopsticks and took a bite. It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
indeed delicious. I couldn&#039;t tell if Akane or Sakura had prepared it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mishima -san&#039;s flavoring was done,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura explained.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not very good at seasoning meat, so you really helped.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is my mom&#039;s way. I don&#039;t know how it works yet,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. She was really happy to be praised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s delicious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku also ate a piece of chicken like me, but used a fork.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let me help with breakfast. Akane is working too hard alone.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a big help.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, what should I do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, let&#039;s put it this way, I&#039;m the only one who&#039;s not helping here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned her gaze towards me .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, what can you cook?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like cup noodles.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not called cooking.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then instant rice bowl.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can rest now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is too much. How can you say that? There is no room for negotiation. Did you really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confess to me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura laughed there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun and Shizuku -chan are really close.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan is very quiet. She&#039;s never been so cheerful.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of answer is that? She&#039;s not quiet now, but she&#039;s just blaming me, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because she&#039;s the student council president, she has to be serious,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, a very realistic statement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, so even if she&#039;s the student council president, she has to be quiet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s normal for girls to be quiet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay to be talkative with guys, like Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She kept saying things like that, as if I were really dating this guy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then Sakura chimed in,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, yeah, Shizuku -chan is Natsuru -san&#039;s girlfriend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -chan is so lucky.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m so lucky too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, to be able to make this world -class student council president happy, I must be a man &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
among men, right? ... It was impossible to think that way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know why this woman is always so confident. Even though I hadn&#039;t responded to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her confession yet, she acted as if it was impossible to say no. At that moment, Akane&#039;s face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed to turn pale.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The dining table was arranged in a &amp;quot;dan&amp;quot; shape, with Akane sitting to my right and Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to my left. There seemed to be Chinese food in the middle, but unfortunately, it was out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reach.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s gaze drifted towards me, and  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    just as I was wondering what was going on, she forked a piece of chicken.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here, Natsuru -san, please —ah—&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s that sudden?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;—ah—&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why…?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t Shizuku -san do that when we were eating our bento? So I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    should do the same...&amp;quot; Isn&#039;t it okay if I don&#039;t do that at all?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The food on her fork jiggled up and down. Was it because she was nervous? Think about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how Akane said it was her first time when we were kissing, so maybe that&#039;s why she&#039;s so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura&#039;s mouth dropped open. &amp;quot;Wow.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, Shizuku -chan, Mishima -san is doing that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m doing it too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it okay?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No big deal.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe I&#039;ll steal Natsuru -san away.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll just get her back.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of fin -de-since fantasy? It didn&#039;t seem like Shizuku had given up. Since becoming &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student council president, things that seemed impossible seem to have been easily solved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t handle it anymore. The food in front of me moved closer, as if saying, &amp;quot;Come and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eat!&amp;quot; Akane&#039;s eyes were terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please, please, Natsuru -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What should I do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you don&#039;t eat it, just leave it like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s too much trouble. I opened my mouth and ate the food myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mm, it&#039;s really delicious. Speaking of which, Akane looked triumphant. She didn&#039;t get to eat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hers during the lunchbox. Was she happy because of this last time?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey —Shizuku -chan, you&#039;re going to lose!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura said anxiously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan did that too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, are you jealous?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I&#039;ll be jealous after we finish eating,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura exclaimed. &amp;quot;Ah —&amp;quot; He was really enjoying it. And I didn&#039;t expect the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president to say that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to see Shizuku -chan jealous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because it&#039;s not a big deal.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You won&#039;t abandon him?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What if he abandons you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t do that. I&#039;ll stab him with my dagger.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and I were both surprised. Of course, Shizuku, as Kämpfer, uses her dagger as her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
weapon, but why is she saying that here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura didn&#039;t react to this, but after a moment&#039;s thought, he suddenly laughed. This wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
evil, but just his usual self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Shizuku -chan isn&#039;t jealous, which is remarkable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not remarkable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun, it&#039;s rare for Shizuku -chan to do something girlish like this. You&#039;re her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boyfriend, after all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t say such cruel things so casually. Although I don&#039;t think she&#039;s a girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s surprising that a woman like Shizuku, who doesn&#039;t easily show her emotions, would do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something human. But the fact that she could so casually say &amp;quot;jealousy&amp;quot; still felt artificial.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun, please make Shizuku -chan a little more jealous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If she did that, I seriously thought I was in danger of death.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura looked genuinely happy. Could this be another side of Shizuku&#039;s childhood &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sweetheart?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, I don&#039;t think Shizuku would be jealous. She doesn&#039;t seem like the type to show her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
true feelings. I&#039;ve never seen her smile like this before. Although the boys&#039; and girls&#039; divisions &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
are separated, even during the school -wide meetings, I barely noticed her facial expressions &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
changing. It seems like no matter what happens, her expression remains the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In stark contrast to Shizuku is Mikoto, who&#039;s either laughing or causing a commotion. In &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
short, she&#039;s always chatty and immature. But now, for some reason, she doesn&#039;t laugh much &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anymore. I don&#039;t know what&#039;s going on.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath her skin is naturally delicate, and her nerves are easily irritated. The weak -looking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl with glasses, whose eyes can sometimes be quite scary  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Sakura is the gentlest of them all, probably.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan is always very serious, so I was wondering if she might be jealous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Seriousness and jealousy don&#039;t have anything to do with each other, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But things like that, and your smile, only happen when we&#039;re doing Rakugo.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because right now, it&#039;s about someone important to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I&#039;m dating Natsuru -kun and the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So what?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura bowed her head towards us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please continue to take care of Shizuku -chan from now on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, it&#039;s more like I want to take care of Sakura now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She raised her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve always thought Shizuku -chan was a very serious person. I&#039;ve always wondered what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to do, whether she&#039;s doing well.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But... stop joking, President... Shizuku -chan has always been loved by the teachers, hasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane who spoke. Anyway, why did the topic turn to school?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think it&#039;s a good thing...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, when I first took over the student council, I was very serious and worked very hard.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura was now talking about student council matters. We had tried to do it, but we failed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
several times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I really wanted to ask right now, but Shizuku made a face at me. Perhaps it was telling me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not to ask?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In exchange, I pretended to suddenly think of something and asked,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this Sakura&#039;s family home?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, it&#039;s the biggest place.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are your parents here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A strange tension rose at the table. I kind of regretted asking so early. Akane gave me a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
look that said, &amp;quot;Are you asking right here?&amp;quot; while Shizuku gave me a look that said, &amp;quot;You &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
really don&#039;t know how to choose the right time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura&#039;s attitude was very normal  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Yes, he&#039;s taking care of it. Dad&#039;s gone to visit Mom&#039;s friend. I told you not to be so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous, so please feel free.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At home?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, in that room over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura pointed to the room next door. Could it be Sakura&#039;s own room?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wanted to meet you,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As a friend, I wanted to say hello.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, later, after dinner,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura suddenly agreed. Yeah, he&#039;s there after all? Shizuku&#039;s observation wasn&#039;t good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough, after all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The meal continued, and we continued discussing irrelevant topics, focusing on school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
matters, since we had something in common.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Well, the girls&#039; second -year class, fourth, was really popular during the cultural festival,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura explained. I knew it; after all, I was playing a sort of maid role there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Has Natsuru -san ever been to the second -year class, fourth&#039;s cafe?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shook my head, chewing on asparagus.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;d be happy if I went. I&#039;d have a great time  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; Even if I went, I wouldn&#039;t have been happy. Sakura must have assumed, based on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
experience, that I was just an average boys&#039; student, and that&#039;s why I thought I&#039;d find it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interesting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That class&#039;s sales are great,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. As the student council president, she had extensive information on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
festival&#039;s performers. What a capable woman!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The salary from the photo shoot was very profitable, several times more than what the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accounting report showed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked, though I wasn&#039;t particularly interested in the money, since I wouldn&#039;t have gotten &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it anyway.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The accountant there is really good at math, they have two ledgers. But they&#039;ve actually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been stealing quite a bit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They even did something like that...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    To prevent leaks, the money was divided among several people. While they kept quiet on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the surface, they privately spent time discussing it in depth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The accountant and Shizuku were both unstoppable. Although they were both high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students, they were like Akasha Blue in the movie.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;In that regard, the boys&#039; second -year class, Class 4, is relatively happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do they do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura asked. I replied,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, the lounge, the judo club, and the classrooms are all used for rest. The kids can &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sleep well, and their fathers have a good opinion of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s a good place to laze around. I&#039;m not sure if it&#039;s just luck; some people sleep all day.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The advantage is that it doesn&#039;t cost money,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and I agreed. Higashida and the others don&#039;t think about money.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even with such talk, Sakura listened with interest. This guy is truly an angel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At the maid restaurant, the girls&#039; Natsuru -san is also a maid, and that&#039;s pretty cool. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mishima -san is here too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey hey —&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone in that class is wearing maid outfits, and of course, Akane is wearing one too, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
though she doesn&#039;t seem very popular.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura, though, is quite attentive, noting even Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mishima -san is very cute, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But, it&#039;s still better to look cool like that. Common clothes are more suitable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Huh? Common.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My chopsticks stopped. Not only me, but Akane and Shizuku were also staring at Sakura.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura remained calm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mishima -san, you look surprisingly suitable for a common person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Um, Sakura?&amp;quot; The question  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t asked by me, but by Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does a common person look suit me...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, what did I say?&amp;quot; What&#039;s wrong  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    with Sakura ? &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said that at the cultural festival.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Hey hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, yes. I had a lot of fun at the maid restaurant.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, what&#039;s wrong?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although she was smiling, it seemed as if she had completely forgotten her previous lines.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I were to say that when Akane was a commoner, it&#039;s hard to imagine she wasn&#039;t her usual &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
self. She must have been in ferocious dog mode. Back then, she was a real killer, seemingly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unthinking. But Sakura probably didn&#039;t know about this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d seen her before, and I was there when Akane first appeared. But I definitely wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have guessed she was the same person as the girl with glasses on the library committee.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But now it was Sakura, the evil Sakura, but she knew.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh no, I feel a strange sense of tension. This is like Sakura&#039;s usual self, but could it be? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What should I do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I feel like the table is shaking. Am I the only one who feels that? It has nothing to do with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this; Sakura still looks cheerful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We played games when we stayed over last time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We did,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku replied. Unlike the nervous tone of Akane and I, she seemed completely unfazed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you playing today too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, with so much going on, just being together is fun.&amp;quot; She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    still seems preoccupied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s attitude hasn&#039;t changed. Could it be that she didn&#039;t hear me? I almost fell off my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chair. Akane&#039;s heart felt like it was about to leap out of her mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, suddenly, I remembered something and nudged my left neighbor with my elbow .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s up?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto spoke as if she&#039;d just woken up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What were you doing? Were you asleep?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I wasn&#039;t asleep. I was eating.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Looking over, I saw that the food in front of Mikoto was indeed gone. She&#039;s a big foodie, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this wasn&#039;t surprising.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said, in a voice no one else could hear  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;You haven&#039;t said anything  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    yet.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That&#039;s true,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said softly, but thankfully, Shizuku didn&#039;t hear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ll only get scolded by Shizuku if you do that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re just being nagging. It&#039;s nothing. I heard what Sakura said.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s rare for this girl to listen to someone quietly. This woman always interrupts whenever &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something happens, loves to mess things up, and prefers the jungle to flat land.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, listen to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you find Sakura&#039;s words strange?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it normal?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But you talk like you know what Akane looks like after her transformation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No matter what, there&#039;s no way Sakura right now would know that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto looked at me like I was stupid.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So what if he knows something else? Will Natsuru resent Sakura for that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why would it be like that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course not. I just want to save Sakura from her evil mode and fall in love with me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you hate the president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto clattered her knife and fork.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because from the beginning, Sakura has only been talking about testing you. Oh, excuse &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah... Shizuku is indeed a genius and a great beauty, and my presence around her is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inherently rude. These are all things my classmates say. But surprisingly, everything is fine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
around me without causing any trouble. I really don&#039;t know how to put thi s into words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Shizuku didn&#039;t do anything wrong.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto gave a sharp look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;... Natsuru, do you like the president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not what I mean.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine, then let&#039;s expel the president together from now on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What is expulsion? Is it like in an online game, expelling a partner? Is that it? Defeat in this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
house?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t like her, but expelling nothing will do.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Why are you protecting her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because the president is also a partner.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The meaning was somewhat clear and somewhat unclear. By the way, when did this guy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stop calling Shizuku and start calling her the president? An hour ago? &amp;quot;I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    always feel that it&#039;s disgusting.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I feel the same way about Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right, I hate it so much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although she said that, I felt something was different.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at Mikoto&#039;s face, and it seemed that she had malice towards Shizuku, but it also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed that she didn&#039;t. Did this woman always have a clear hostility towards Shizuku? It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as if she was a competitor. The emotional changes in this are like th e reproduction of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bacteria.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before I knew it, dinner was almost over. Sakura brought us the after -dinner coffee.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just one  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    cup here,&amp;quot; she passed out, and we moved around the table to get some.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go to the conference room later. There&#039;s some delicious cake there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was delicious. It must have been steeping for a long time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After finishing her coffee, the large plate went into the kitchen, and the cutlery and small &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
plates went into the dishwasher. Sakura said, &amp;quot;This is convenient for important guests.&amp;quot; His &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
technique was excellent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The remaining coffee sat on the table, and even though it wasn&#039;t finished, he started &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cleaning it up. After all, Sakura was still entertaining us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait a minute,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto suddenly snatched my cup.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing? Want more?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, bringing her mouth close to the cup, but she didn&#039;t look like she was drinking. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then, she suddenly reached behind my head and kissed me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Fuck...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before I could finish the rest of my sentence, Mikoto&#039;s lips were suddenly pressed against &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mine. My vision went black and white, and coffee flowed into my mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, I couldn&#039;t spit it out, so I just swallowed it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto smiled, sipping her coffee. Her eyes seemed to have lost some of their spirit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pulled my lips away, not knowing what would happen if I continued like that. Did the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sugar and milk start to drip down my mouth?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh? Just as you saw.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re acting quite shockingly, aren&#039;t you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The gallery also seems quite surprised.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Turning around, I saw Shizuku, Akane, and of course, Sakura.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were wide open, and Sakura&#039;s mouth was half open, seemingly quite happy. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had no idea what Shizuku was thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, this is...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried desperately to explain, but Sakura didn&#039;t seem to be listening.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look, look, Shizuku -chan!&amp;quot; she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said, tugging at the student council president&#039;s clothes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A chance to be jealous!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Could this be an opportunity? Shizuku seemed to agree, sighing and shaking her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru and Mikoto, you have to do this where I can&#039;t see.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Doesn&#039;t it matter if I can&#039;t see?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t suppress the urge to feel disgusted. If I hadn&#039;t seen it, I wouldn&#039;t be like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, it&#039;s like an accident. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;An accident? If it were an accident, then my insurance company is worthless.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, is this just jealousy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura asked anxiously. Really, it felt like a genuine outpouring of emotion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m jealous, but I don&#039;t know how to express it right now. This is the first time I&#039;ve felt this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this your first time with Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A first time is a first time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku slowly approached me, and I involuntarily backed away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A hand slipped behind my head and forcibly pulled me forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru looks like he&#039;s enjoying it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No... not at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think he enjoys it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How should I vent my anger at a time like this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was best not to vent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t know what Shizuku was thinking, but I couldn&#039;t sense any fear from Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, can&#039;t you just calm down?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto uttered such an unbelievable statement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was thinking I&#039;d get even angrier.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ugh, is there any need to be so angry? We really don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I have a reason to be mad.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyone who does something like this to my boyfriend will end up getting beaten to tears &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
by me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I saw the president wasn&#039;t crying, but was calmly analyzing the situation. Imagine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how you can corner your opponent. Well, that&#039;s the situation now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto&#039;s boyfriend is really frivolous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The president&#039;s boyfriend? He doesn&#039;t seem like a boyfriend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, Shizuku looked like she wanted to say something. I slowly approached Mikoto and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lowered my voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, what&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Doing something like this?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s the big deal?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto laughed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just wanted to see the president&#039;s jealousy that Sakura was talking about.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no need to do it here, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, not here, right? Got it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto left Natsuru, clapping her hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay —it&#039;s over, it&#039;s over. The president&#039;s jealousy can end.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What the hell? It&#039;s over just as I was about to start. How bizarre.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura and Akane didn&#039;t react, that&#039;s true. But Shizuku looked at Mikoto with an unfriendly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The coffee seemed to have gone cold. Well, there wasn&#039;t much left anyway, after it left &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto&#039;s mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, the atmosphere is not very good now, what should I do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Unexpectedly, Akane said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, do you want to go to the meeting room?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wiped the sweat off my forehead, trying to relieve the tension.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, I&#039;ve decided to have dessert, that&#039;s the cake over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura was the first to agree.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No need to rush back, I prepared it specially for everyone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Great, let&#039;s do it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I agreed with both hands. Mikoto and Shizuku didn&#039;t say anything, so they probably didn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
object.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So we decided to eat upstairs. The utensils were already laid out, so there was no need to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
go out and get them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura had gone into the kitchen earlier to prepare a cake. It must have been in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
refrigerator.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go to the room first,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t you going to eat the cake?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll eat it later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She didn&#039;t even look at me. It seemed like nothing serious  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Then, Akane pulled Shizuku aside and seemed to be talking to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wasn&#039;t a conversation so much as a one -sided conversation. Akane seemed very stiff, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shaking her head nervously. She no longer looked like a comrade with Shizuku. She was just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nodding  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    slowly towards Akane .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong, Akane -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku, Shizuku -san, please let me hold her back.&amp;quot; It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t a request, it looked more like an order.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hold who back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura -san, he said he was playing a game with her. Just keep her out of the meeting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of thing was that? Not letting Sakura out, wasn&#039;t that imprisonment? Ah, this is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura&#039;s house.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane -chan, can you do this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not good at it. This kind of thing is too difficult.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come to think of it, it&#039;s too abnormal for a high school student to be required to have such &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a skill. Of course, Shizuku, who can do this, is an exception among exceptions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Having said that, Akane still slowly walked to the front and joined Sakura. As expected, as a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
library committee member, she is still very responsible. I hope she won&#039;t force herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    By the way, what does Shizuku want to do with such a request? I walked to her while &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, President,&amp;quot; I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    answered immediately without thinking  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;Shizuku, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Shizuku, what do you want to ask Akane for?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing, just to hold Kaede back.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s an order, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even so, it will be troublesome if she takes action.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned around and walked to the back of the corridor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s perfect. I was going to call Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t we going for cake?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anytime.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;What are you going for?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come here .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Without going outside, Shizuku stood in front of the wooden door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, this is...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They say Kaede&#039;s parents are in their room.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The brown door, devoid of any austerity, had a silver knob gleaming.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned the knob, trying to open it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, hey. Stop it!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She ignored me, but the door only made a creaking sound and didn&#039;t open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The key is up there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop it, your parents are here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, you believe it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was confused, not knowing how to respond.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s because Sakura said so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you Uton?&amp;quot; So  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this guy didn&#039;t believe it at all? Maybe. If she was trying to achieve her goals, she wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
take it seriously, even if it was just friends and family, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She lifted her shirt, revealing her fair skin. Unfortunately, I wasn&#039;t in the mood to admire it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s in the house?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why don&#039;t you know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why you want to open it because you don&#039;t know. I don&#039;t know what Kaede is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking. Since there&#039;s a need to lie, there must be a secret inside.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it okay to open it without permission?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not very good. But it&#039;s the same if you don&#039;t open it without Kaede knowing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That kind of thing...ah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura is now staying with Akane. Was this woman already thinking about this while &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eating?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked up and down at the buttons and doorknob  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No, this...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot; &amp;quot; It ca  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    n&#039;t be opened.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Can&#039;t Shizuku open locks?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Simple ones are still possible, such as breaking into Natsuru&#039;s house, but this is much &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stronger than it looks. It seems it&#039;s not an ordinary cylinder Ikari.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thought for a moment and looked away from the keyhole  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about calling Mikoto?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She should be able to open it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, for Mikoto, this kind of unusual operation is very good. She once boasted that a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bank vault could be easily hacked,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but that was only at the level of an apprentice, nothing special.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But just now, there seemed to be no sound.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Indeed, there wasn&#039;t any. She must be preoccupied with your business.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Then shall I go call her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hurry up,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was told, but it was no use going there empty -handed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Um... the meeting room and dormitory are both at the back of the room, right? Okay, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dormitory.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I got a &amp;quot;come in&amp;quot; reply from Mikoto&#039;s door and opened it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto... what&#039;s up?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought she was asleep, but she was lying on her side on the bed, holding the Kotetsu &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(Mikoto&#039;s Japanese sword) in both hands and looking at it over and over again  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Mikoto, what&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku called you and said she wants you to do her a favor.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, sure,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto walked towards me in that position.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who does Mikoto like more, the president or me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Which one?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced to the side. There was a jacket from some idol&#039;s CD that came out a while ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This kind of thing was so strange, I suddenly had to ask something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not about either one. Didn&#039;t we agree to reply after this is over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it. Because we&#039;re friends...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She seemed convinced, but I think she&#039;s been forgetful lately. Didn&#039;t we make that promise &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this morning? But forget it, I still have to do what I&#039;ve been asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing? Didn&#039;t the president ask me to come over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was in a hurry for some reason. The two of us walked downstairs from Mikoto&#039;s room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was still there, observing the keyhole  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;I brought it,&amp;quot; I said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you, Mikoto,&amp;quot; Shizuku just stood there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you want to open this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto would always answer immediately, &amp;quot;No problem.&amp;quot; Regardless of whether it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
legal or not, these hands just loved doing these kinds of thrilling tasks. When we ran out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
money in Africa, she&#039;d also been working on unlocking minefields and artill ery fire. &amp;quot;For that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little pay, it&#039;s not a good job,&amp;quot; she said. I felt like my body was falling apart,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but now she just smiled and didn&#039;t move  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Well, I won&#039;t do  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    it.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I don&#039;t have time for that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t do it for the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s gaze shot up, sharper than it had been during dinner.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I want to hear the reason.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing special, but there&#039;s something about doing something that benefits a romantic &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enemy... I&#039;m very stubborn and don&#039;t like being bossed around by people I hate.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It felt a little strange. Although it was obvious what Mikoto was doing, she hadn&#039;t been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clear when she called her over just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku seemed to sense it too .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You want something, right?... That must be your reason?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I do have something you want,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto turned to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku frowned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that what I want?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was halfway through her sentence when  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a sound like something falling was heard. No, those are footsteps, definitely. And they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seem to be coming from inside the house. Someone&#039;s behind me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, there&#039;s a loud bang, and several rounds are fired. Probably a submachine gun, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
passed by Mikoto and me, heading straight for Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku was no longer there. The moment she heard the footsteps, she immediately &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leaned against the wall, alert.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, the bracelet on her right hand glowed, and her body immediately transformed, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
holding daggers in both hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, you&#039;re worthy of being the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    From behind appeared Yamakawa Ryoka, a second -year student at Seitetsu Academy like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. Unlike Shizuku, she was a mature woman whose age was hard to judge based on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
appearance alone. She was also a member of the White Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The person behind her seemed to know about Ryoka&#039;s situation. A voice called out,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you expect me to come?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Not really. We were just prepared for the worst.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said something uninteresting. If this was prepared for the worst, then now was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
worst possible outcome?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I saw you at the station, so I was on guard, though I didn&#039;t know where you were going.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We were planning to hide, but Rika -chan insisted on seeing Senou -kun and the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika was a junior high school Kämpfer. Though a little girl, she also had murderous urges, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and as expected, she was white.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s that little one, as I expected.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s eyes never left Ryoka, especially the muzzle of her gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what are you trying to do by  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    showing up here?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;It&#039;s not too early to show up here. What did the president want to do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
by opening that door?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that the door from before? She doesn&#039;t even have a key.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You came out before you found a way?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, because I want to know what&#039;s in there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know about that, really.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That was a lie. No, what she said was also natural. But saying that under these favorable &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
circumstances was true Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come on, open it from there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka moved the muzzle of her gun, but Shizuku still didn&#039;t move.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What if you say no?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then the fight will start here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s do this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thrust out her  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    daggers and thrust both at Ryoka, one at her throat and one at her feet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka fired. The dagger aimed at her throat fell, but Shizuku had calculated that. The other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dagger, deliberately bypassing me and Mikoto, stabbed at her feet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With a clang, it landed at Ryoka&#039;s feet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka stumbled, and Shizuku, looking relaxed, said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;Please don&#039;t get in our way for now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s terrifying, but I&#039;m so sorry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, don&#039;t —move,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said Mikoto .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That will hurt Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto, who had transformed at some point, now held a Japanese sword in her hand. And &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the sword was pointed at my right wrist.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I could speak now, but I couldn&#039;t move. I knew that. In other words, I became a hostage .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, wouldn&#039;t it be better to drink some tea?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I... let me do it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane called out, then snatched the teapot from Kaede&#039;s hand, and poured the tea leaves &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in little by little as her hands seemed to be shaking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were only Akane and Kaede in the meeting room, and no one else was there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto went to her room, and Natsuru disappeared. Shizuku asked, &amp;quot;Hold Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That request was too much trouble. Beneath her face, her emotions were always visible. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She always lost in face -to-face games. And now, it was just the two of them, so she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
incredibly nervous. She couldn&#039;t think of a topic to start  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    with; she wasn&#039;t the type for happy conversation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone&#039;s late?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;W-what?!&amp;quot; Beneath her face,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    as if irritated,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede tilted her head .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You suddenly said...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just said everyone was late...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, that&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was actually startled by everything. She was that sensitive. &amp;quot;I finally  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    went out of my way to get some cake...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede puffed her cheeks. She had gone out of her way to get a different kind of cake than &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the one she&#039;d had for breakfast; it looked like she&#039;d made it herself. Beneath her face, she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    calmly looked at the tea in Kaede&#039;s cup .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you .&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede poured a little lemon juice, thought for a moment, and said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go get them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she stood up and headed for the door. Beneath her panicked gaze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, that&#039;s all!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She walked over and stood in front of the door  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;She&#039;ll be here soon, I&#039;m sure she&#039;ll be. Let&#039;s just wait here!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ha...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s a good thing to act like an adult.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane couldn&#039;t think of a better excuse. Even she herself was wondering, &amp;quot;What the hell &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
am I talking about?&amp;quot; Sakura  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    bent down .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, let&#039;s have some tea first, the two of us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane also sat down in a chair, facing the dessert on the table  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    : a cake made by Kaede himself, decorated with many fruits. But it wasn&#039;t particularly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sweet, and it was very soft when bitten.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane took a snack and stuffed it into her mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, it&#039;s delicious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe it was actually nervousness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re welcome, please eat more.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, no, if you eat too much, there won&#039;t be any for Natsuru and the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s still plenty, just wait.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As if about to stand up, Akane threw away what she was eating  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;No, that&#039;s enough. I&#039;m not going to eat it anymore!&amp;quot; She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    suddenly said this with such force that even Kaede was stunned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really... why are you...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s just Sakura and I eating, no one else is getting in our way!&amp;quot;     Kaede was slightly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surprised as she spoke  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    forcefully , and a blush spread across her face.     &amp;quot;Well... if Mishima -san and I are in this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kind of relationship, it&#039;s a bit...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Oh...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Although I really like Natsuru -san, who is a girl, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m not interested in other girls. Sorry.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Ah, no, that&#039;s not the case... that&#039;s not the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
case...&amp;quot;     Kaede seemed to finally understand something.     &amp;quot;By the way, how did Mishima -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
san know Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;     The topic changed, and Akane felt relieved.     &amp;quot;Um, is that the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
male student, Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Yes, because I have many opportunities to meet students &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from the boys&#039; club.&amp;quot;     It&#039;s true that their actions together, which had been so ordinary up &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
until now, were indeed a mystery to a third party.     &amp;quot;That&#039;s...that...&amp;quot;     What should I say? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Could  it be that they bumped into each other on the street? But that kind of plot, like a shojo &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
manga, couldn&#039;t happen in real life. How could I make it more realistic?     &amp;quot;I-I&#039;m the library &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
committee member. So, I met Natsuru -san when he came to borrow books. &amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Natsuru -san &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is reading, even though he loved watching TV in junior high...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;That&#039;s because he&#039;s a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sophomore, and he said so too. He reads even in the refrigerator.&amp;quot;     This was such a big lie &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that Natsuru would laugh until his stomach hurt if he heard it. But for Akane, this was already &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the limit.     &amp;quot;Mishima -san really loves books.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;But Natsuru -san probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doesn&#039;t.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Uh... maybe.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Really? You&#039;re all Kämpfer companions and don&#039;t even know &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;?!&amp;quot;     Akane was so shocked that she couldn&#039;t hold her cake or fork. Kaede smiled &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
faintly.     &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;     Feeling no longer relaxed, she injected power into her right &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wrist. Her entire body was enveloped in light.     The moment she felt like a Kämpfer, she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
drew her pistol and fired several rounds at Kaede.     Immediately, she felt the heat rise. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t underestimate me!&amp;quot;     After firing the bullets, Kaede was no longer in the same &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
place.     &amp;quot;Ah, you&#039;re still impatient like     before,&amp;quot; a voice said nearby. As she pointed the gun &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
towards her, Kaede&#039;s right hand formed a sword and stabbed Akane&#039;s throat.     Akane quickly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dodged, stepping on the bed and turning to gain distance.     &amp;quot;Oh, I missed.&amp;quot;     Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
deliberately made his body look like he &amp;quot;missed&amp;quot; instead of &amp;quot;avoided&amp;quot;, constantly irritating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s nerves     &amp;quot;You damn bitch!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;You really have a blue dog mouth, it seems you need &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to be trained well before you can become an  adult.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;What did you say!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;What is the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mediator doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede moved toward the door. Akane was already standing there, her gun pointed at her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her target was none other than Kaede. She had been smiling just a moment ago, but now, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not a trace of her softness had left her. Her aura had vanished.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been fed up with you for a long time. I&#039;m going to kill you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, don&#039;t say that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hypocrites like you are the worst. Your existence is a hindrance. You should realize that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t really mean to be a hindrance.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know you&#039;re always getting in the way of me attacking Natsuru before I transform.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Many things flashed through Akane&#039;s mind. The weakness before the transformation, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
careless firing afterward —that was the truth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;…Ah, it&#039;s about that idiot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you remember? Then die.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede leaped up easily, leaping towards Akane as she always did,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    firing a round at her current position, then firing another in mid -air. It was as if there was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sound of firing before the firing, and then the bullet in the air shot towards Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
abdomen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede finally knocked down the bullet with his sword, and then he fell to the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It was really dangerous, I almost got shot again with the wound on my abdomen.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come to think of it, you were so seriously injured at that time, why are you still alive?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huhu, who knows?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They confronted each other again, with no gaps on either side and no chance to attack. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
They just moved little by little.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane held her breath, and Kaede leaned against the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    His sight moved. Kaede held a sword in his hand, and in the past, a pistol would appear in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
his other hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede spoke first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now, as long as I have a sword, that&#039;s enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were raised. What she hated most was being treated as a fool. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
immediately pouted  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Thank you so much. But I won&#039;t worry about that. I&#039;ll beat you to a pulp.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I love honey, but I hate honeycombs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now Natsuru, Shizuku, and Mikoto will be here too, but don&#039;t worry, because I&#039;ll kill you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before they do.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, are you still thinking Natsuru and the others will come?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede put on the same expression she had when she was eating cake .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They won&#039;t come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...What did you say?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No matter what, they won&#039;t come,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the girl said confidently. Of course, what she said went against Akane&#039;s nerves.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll go to Natsuru,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane grabbed the gun with both hands, as if that calmed her down a bit. Holding it with  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    two hands didn&#039;t mean she could fire more shots. Unlike ordinary guns, Kämpfer&#039;s gun &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
couldn&#039;t be used up, so holding it in one hand was enough. But using two hands made the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gun much more accurate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can&#039;t hit me, even if you try!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re kidding!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With a roar, a bullet shot out from the muzzle of the gun, hurtling towards Kaede. Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t miss, but rather hit her, but Kaede remained unharmed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Instead of deflecting the bullet with a sword like before, a sickle emerged from behind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede, blocking the bullet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was the weapon of the White Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Rika -chan, come on!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The chain ripped through the door, a hole so large it completely destroyed it. Then, in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came the girl, Ueda Rika, holding a small handle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s how you deal with a vicious bitch!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sickle flew towards Akane, struggling to deal with it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You idiotic loli, are you such a jerk again?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t make people sound like they&#039;re from kindergarten.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t that right!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Several more bullets were fired, and Rika&#039;s body tumbled through the air. As if the enemy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl had sensed the attack, she charged at them like a rocket.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika adjusted herself, while Akane continued to run. Despite its small handle, it&#039;s capable &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of wielding such a massive sickle at such high speeds. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you doing? Can&#039;t you see ahead?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The most important thing in battle is to surprise and win.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you think you&#039;re a military strategist?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I leaned back, slamming into the glass. There was no balcony here, and it was on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
second floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika spun again,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shattering the glass, Akane&#039;s body flipped backwards.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto&#039;s katana felt incredibly sharp, and the end of my hand had been aching ever since. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My oath bracelet was pressed against the blade; if I tried to inject power into it, my wrist &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would surely be severed. Because I can&#039;t transform here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Taking a childhood friend hostage is quite an awkward atmosphere,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I continued, still casually saying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then leave,&amp;quot; I was told. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There wouldn&#039;t be a high school girl threatening others with a katana.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m used to holding a knife like that. Kids in Africa hold iron pipes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is Japan, and at home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Mikoto&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What, President&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you want to leave Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t plan to leave him.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Such cruel words, can this still be considered childhood sweethearts?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But President, you have to take back the dagger.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;In this situation, you want me to take it back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, President, you don&#039;t have the right to deny.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was nothing that could be done after saying that, Shizuku said nothing, untied the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dagger at Ryoka&#039;s feet, and with a sound, the dagger was returned to Shizuku&#039;s hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Ryoka who said this  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Well, everyone, get out of here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka led us away from the door  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and walked away. Behind me was Mikoto, holding her knife against my hand, preventing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me from transforming.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku silently protected her abdomen, turning her head as if in thought. Now, I was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
only one who didn&#039;t understand the situation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, aren&#039;t you going back to your room?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm? No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Idiot, don&#039;t you make me an enemy now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I scolded Mikoto. Didn&#039;t this idiot even know where she stood?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know how,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, so nonchalantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know how we became enemies!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, my position is better than being an enemy, as I&#039;m indifferent to both sides. Besides, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t want to listen to what the president says.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If I do that, I feel like I&#039;ll never get the Natsuru again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Was she serious?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t tell if Mikoto was being playful or serious. Now it seems even more intense, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more serious than when she confessed to me, in the garden. I said I hated hearing what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku said, but now I feel like I understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka directed us into the inner courtyard, pointing a gun at us from the back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No sandals, no boots, no shoes. Take them off before you go in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked very impressed  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;To prevent us from escaping? You&#039;re really thinking hard.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You could take your clothes off, but since there are men in front of you, I&#039;ll give you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
permission to keep them on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru will be happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then you can&#039;t take them off.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku might want to...see her naked body, but she&#039;s not going to ask me to take them off &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
either. Besides, it&#039;s summer now, and you&#039;ll catch a cold. And  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    we were in the green inner courtyard. It was really dim, a stark difference from when I was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talking to Mikoto. The pool in front of us shimmered in the starlight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go over there,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka instructed. Honestly, we were really good kids.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Standing by the pool, there was an iron cover near our feet. I guess it was a fire hydrant &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inside, right? There&#039;s water all around, but that&#039;s nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was standing by the pool, threatened by Mikoto .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what do you want to do to us?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t seem panicked at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just drown us?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Drown you? President, you&#039;re the champion of the school swimming competition.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s a great swimmer, too, with an absolutely overwhelming victory in the women&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
competition. I think it&#039;s necessary to check my chromosomes to see if there&#039;s anything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wrong.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you tie my hands and feet, I won&#039;t be able to swim.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t tie you up, and that person will be angry if I kill someone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A mediator, but that&#039;s up to you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka pointed the muzzle of her submachine gun at Shizuku and me, constantly changing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her target. There shouldn&#039;t be any chance to take advantage of her now. I looked at Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Then please, Kondou -kun, jump in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Huh? Me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto was taken aback. It was a mystery to me, too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because it&#039;s useless. We know they&#039;re trying to win us over because they think we&#039;re a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hindrance to the president and Natsuru -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can do it now, so jump in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ll die!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can&#039;t you swim?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Yes, I can.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It doesn&#039;t matter whether you can or not. I have a reason for asking you to jump in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she walked over to me and lowered a rope. She was carrying something like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;First, Kondou -kun, please tie up Natsuru -kun. President, you don&#039;t have to do anything. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s useless.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you going to do with her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That way I can handle it alone. And then you just jump in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you want to resist?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka said with an ominous smile. Indeed, Mikoto&#039;s tone was ordinary, but she certainly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t intend to resist Ryoka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ugh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please continue threatening Senou -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka jumped onto the metal cover. There was no fire hydrant, just a horn.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She twisted the horn, and there seemed to be a sound of air leaking out from somewhere.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then the sound changed. I turned my head and looked behind me. That&#039;s where the sound &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came from.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The surface of the pool shifted, and a vortex slowly formed in the center of the water, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leaking downward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please tie him up quickly. It&#039;ll hurt if I jump in if there&#039;s no water.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re talking like it&#039;s someone else&#039;s business!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s my own business. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a wonderful personality !  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto couldn&#039;t disobey. I couldn&#039;t move, and neither could Shizuku. What would happen?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto picked up the rope, and at that moment,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was as if something was falling overhead. The sound of something being cut and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
screaming  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    hadn&#039;t distracted Ryoka from above. Then, the person who screamed reached into the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
water and splashed it upwards, and that indeed distracted Ryoka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As I felt the coldness, Shizuku started to move. My hand was pulled, and I fell into the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swimming pool with  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    who was holding a Japanese sword, and then Shizuku jumped in immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka by the pool yelled, and although I couldn&#039;t hear what she said clearly, along with the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
yelling, bullets from the submachine gun came in. Although the power was much reduced in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the water, it was still very dangerous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was dark in the water and I couldn&#039;t see clearly. But I could still tell that the bottom of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the whirlpool was sucking in water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The pool was very deep, and there was a cave at the bottom. Ah, if anyone gets sucked in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now, they will definitely not be able to come back here, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was still pulling me and Mikoto with both hands. Although I wanted to get out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the water, she didn&#039;t seem to think so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku just pointed with her eyes, &amp;quot;Go there.&amp;quot; There was a cave that opened in the center &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh?! Is that the cave that looks like it&#039;s going to fall into?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We can&#039;t get out of the water, so we&#039;ve got to go in  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; &amp;quot;No way! We might get swept down by the current!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no other way. If we dawdle any longer, the white guys might be coming over, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
then we won&#039;t be able to escape.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Go alone!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re really not manly.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll become a woman when I transform!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, she&#039;s not the type to just follow others; once she makes a decision, she acts on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it. That&#039;s Shizuku&#039;s style.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The student council president, using her uncanny Kämpfer strength, pulled Mikoto and me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forward, and we immediately entered the whirlpool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The water&#039;s flowing so fast!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, that feels unexpectedly good, doesn&#039;t it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Still looking around!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We spun around like that, and were sucked into the cave in the pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|← Back to Volume 10 Chapter 3]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Forward to 10 Afterword →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586405</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586405"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:09:04Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translator&amp;#039;s Notes */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10, Chapter 4  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I returned to the Sakura residence through the back door and flicked on every light in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room. It was dark outside, but that was only natural. This is a villa, so the chandeliers are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
outside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When will we have dinner? It might be a while yet. Anyway, let&#039;s go back to my room. On &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the way upstairs, I recalled my conversation with Mikoto on the marble and felt a little &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous. I hadn&#039;t felt it at all during the conversation, but now my heart was pounding and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my hands were sweating.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even in kindergarten, she&#039;d always had a strong sense of adventure, treating her bed like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ship sailing across the Pacific. Ever since then, I&#039;ve always imagined she&#039;d venture abroad and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
marry a Bolivian alpaca (the model for the mythical beast, the m ud horse). No human man &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would have the energy to go along with her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then she confessed to me, like a real woman. After this, I was a bit distracted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What was I going to do with dinner after this? I was sure she&#039;d see me, right? Leaving the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
table wasn&#039;t an option, so I might as well eat in my own room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As I was pondering this, Shizuku approached.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, where have you been?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sunset,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    he answered honestly. You can&#039;t lie to this woman, she can see through everything. At the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
activity budget meeting of all departments, the accountant had tried to cover up the past &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a serious face as if there were no funds. But this lie never worked . Rather than the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
contradictions in the data, she seemed to be able to tell whether it was a lie just by listening &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to the reporter&#039;s words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, are you interested in watching the sunset?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not because of this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Weren&#039;t you with someone at that time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You guessed it right. I really want to know what happened there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her eyes were cold. Why do you know everything about me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She immediately retracted her gaze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, forget it now. Let&#039;s talk about it later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Compared to my business, the president is...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is Shizuku doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Observing this house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Observing? Is she visiting? Is she admiring the wallpaper, the pillars, or something like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s very spacious walking down the middle, this is really a villa.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura wouldn&#039;t lie.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not necessarily true  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; Hey, how can you say that? Sakura is hosting me here, but Shizuku and the others are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just there to complement her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede has been lying to us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Impossible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Her parents aren&#039;t even here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was really surprised. Strange, isn&#039;t the kind -hearted Sakura hosting me here and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
introducing her parents to me just to get me married?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you see Kaede&#039;s parents while you were staying here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you heard them talking?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you seen them worried?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...wait, are they nowhere to be found?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;If they were, we should have met soon. But now I haven&#039;t heard them talking and she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hasn&#039;t worried, so I think she&#039;s not here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe she&#039;s out...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I checked the room, and there&#039;s no key nearby.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, Shizuku, what are you observing in this house?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But what&#039;s the point of my parents not being here? Isn&#039;t this my hometown? But Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lives here. No, no, this is too strange. Why did she come all the way back from Seitetsu?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is she hiding something? What is she hiding? She&#039;s supposed to be hosting me at her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hometown and introducing me to him.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Could it be that Sakura is the evil Sakura now... No, I can&#039;t imagine it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe she&#039;ll introduce me over dinner, when we&#039;re all here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like in Europe and America, but it&#039;s possible.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ll make sure to find out at dinner,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, &amp;quot;Don&#039;t be late,&amp;quot; and went into her room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That woman was saying such disturbing things again. I finally had a chance to be happy at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura&#039;s hometown, and now she&#039;s doing something so disturbing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, Mikoto hasn&#039;t arrived yet. Could that guy have collapsed in the garden?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I was about to go check, footsteps came on the stairs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seeing Mikoto there, I felt a little relieved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Mikoto, what have you been up to?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she just walked right past me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto,&amp;quot; she said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , and then she went into her room. Lately, she&#039;s been shutting herself in her room, refusing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to come out even when I called. Is she playing games?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Whatever, there&#039;s something about Mikoto&#039;s face that seems a little stiff. Not stiff, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
perhaps something&#039;s bothering her?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, I&#039;ll stay in my room until dinner too. From an outsider&#039;s perspective, we look like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
teenage boys and girls addicted to online games. Stopping such idle thoughts, I went to my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was almost time for dinner, and Sakura came to everyone&#039;s room, calling them, &amp;quot;Dinner&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time.&amp;quot; It was so thoughtful of him to do this when he could have just called.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I opened the door and saw Shizuku and Mikoto heading downstairs, so I followed them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We ate downstairs, on a wooden table and chairs, knives and forks placed side by side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you want chopsticks, feel free to ask,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura said, and of course, I said, &amp;quot;Yes, I do.&amp;quot; When you think of spoons, you&#039;re bound to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think of curry. Like Pavlov&#039;s theorem,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I immediately sat down. The seat was quite comfortable. Shizuku didn&#039;t sit down, looking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at the table with a troubled expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she whispered in my ear,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s not separate.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you talking about?&amp;quot; I answered her matter -of-factly. It&#039;s true, though, that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura&#039;s parents&#039; tableware hasn&#039;t been put up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But, what can I say? Maybe they&#039;re eating in another room; that&#039;s still an unknown.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane brought a large plate of chicken from the kitchen. It smelled delicious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s a lot of meat, so I made a lot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The chicken was placed on the table. Akane and Sakura are both excellent cooks; it must &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be delicious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then came bread, miso soup, and onions. Everyone was seated. Sure enough, Sakura&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
parents weren&#039;t coming.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Dinner began. I picked up a piece of chicken with my chopsticks and took a bite. It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
indeed delicious. I couldn&#039;t tell if Akane or Sakura had prepared it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mishima -san&#039;s flavoring was done,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura explained.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not very good at seasoning meat, so you really helped.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is my mom&#039;s way. I don&#039;t know how it works yet,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. She was really happy to be praised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s delicious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku also ate a piece of chicken like me, but used a fork.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let me help with breakfast. Akane is working too hard alone.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a big help.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, what should I do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, let&#039;s put it this way, I&#039;m the only one who&#039;s not helping here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned her gaze towards me .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, what can you cook?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like cup noodles.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not called cooking.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then instant rice bowl.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can rest now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is too much. How can you say that? There is no room for negotiation. Did you really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confess to me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura laughed there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun and Shizuku -chan are really close.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan is very quiet. She&#039;s never been so cheerful.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of answer is that? She&#039;s not quiet now, but she&#039;s just blaming me, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because she&#039;s the student council president, she has to be serious,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, a very realistic statement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, so even if she&#039;s the student council president, she has to be quiet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s normal for girls to be quiet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay to be talkative with guys, like Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She kept saying things like that, as if I were really dating this guy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then Sakura chimed in,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, yeah, Shizuku -chan is Natsuru -san&#039;s girlfriend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -chan is so lucky.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m so lucky too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, to be able to make this world -class student council president happy, I must be a man &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
among men, right? ... It was impossible to think that way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know why this woman is always so confident. Even though I hadn&#039;t responded to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her confession yet, she acted as if it was impossible to say no. At that moment, Akane&#039;s face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed to turn pale.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The dining table was arranged in a &amp;quot;dan&amp;quot; shape, with Akane sitting to my right and Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to my left. There seemed to be Chinese food in the middle, but unfortunately, it was out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reach.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s gaze drifted towards me, and  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    just as I was wondering what was going on, she forked a piece of chicken.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here, Natsuru -san, please —ah—&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s that sudden?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;—ah—&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why…?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t Shizuku -san do that when we were eating our bento? So I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    should do the same...&amp;quot; Isn&#039;t it okay if I don&#039;t do that at all?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The food on her fork jiggled up and down. Was it because she was nervous? Think about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how Akane said it was her first time when we were kissing, so maybe that&#039;s why she&#039;s so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura&#039;s mouth dropped open. &amp;quot;Wow.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, Shizuku -chan, Mishima -san is doing that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m doing it too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it okay?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No big deal.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe I&#039;ll steal Natsuru -san away.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll just get her back.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of fin -de-since fantasy? It didn&#039;t seem like Shizuku had given up. Since becoming &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student council president, things that seemed impossible seem to have been easily solved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t handle it anymore. The food in front of me moved closer, as if saying, &amp;quot;Come and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eat!&amp;quot; Akane&#039;s eyes were terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please, please, Natsuru -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What should I do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you don&#039;t eat it, just leave it like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s too much trouble. I opened my mouth and ate the food myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mm, it&#039;s really delicious. Speaking of which, Akane looked triumphant. She didn&#039;t get to eat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hers during the lunchbox. Was she happy because of this last time?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey —Shizuku -chan, you&#039;re going to lose!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura said anxiously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan did that too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, are you jealous?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I&#039;ll be jealous after we finish eating,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura exclaimed. &amp;quot;Ah —&amp;quot; He was really enjoying it. And I didn&#039;t expect the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president to say that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to see Shizuku -chan jealous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because it&#039;s not a big deal.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You won&#039;t abandon him?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What if he abandons you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t do that. I&#039;ll stab him with my dagger.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and I were both surprised. Of course, Shizuku, as Kämpfer, uses her dagger as her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
weapon, but why is she saying that here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura didn&#039;t react to this, but after a moment&#039;s thought, he suddenly laughed. This wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
evil, but just his usual self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Shizuku -chan isn&#039;t jealous, which is remarkable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not remarkable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun, it&#039;s rare for Shizuku -chan to do something girlish like this. You&#039;re her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boyfriend, after all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t say such cruel things so casually. Although I don&#039;t think she&#039;s a girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s surprising that a woman like Shizuku, who doesn&#039;t easily show her emotions, would do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something human. But the fact that she could so casually say &amp;quot;jealousy&amp;quot; still felt artificial.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun, please make Shizuku -chan a little more jealous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If she did that, I seriously thought I was in danger of death.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura looked genuinely happy. Could this be another side of Shizuku&#039;s childhood &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sweetheart?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, I don&#039;t think Shizuku would be jealous. She doesn&#039;t seem like the type to show her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
true feelings. I&#039;ve never seen her smile like this before. Although the boys&#039; and girls&#039; divisions &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
are separated, even during the school -wide meetings, I barely noticed her facial expressions &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
changing. It seems like no matter what happens, her expression remains the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In stark contrast to Shizuku is Mikoto, who&#039;s either laughing or causing a commotion. In &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
short, she&#039;s always chatty and immature. But now, for some reason, she doesn&#039;t laugh much &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anymore. I don&#039;t know what&#039;s going on.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath her skin is naturally delicate, and her nerves are easily irritated. The weak -looking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl with glasses, whose eyes can sometimes be quite scary  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Sakura is the gentlest of them all, probably.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan is always very serious, so I was wondering if she might be jealous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Seriousness and jealousy don&#039;t have anything to do with each other, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But things like that, and your smile, only happen when we&#039;re doing Rakugo.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because right now, it&#039;s about someone important to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I&#039;m dating Natsuru -kun and the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So what?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura bowed her head towards us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please continue to take care of Shizuku -chan from now on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, it&#039;s more like I want to take care of Sakura now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She raised her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve always thought Shizuku -chan was a very serious person. I&#039;ve always wondered what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to do, whether she&#039;s doing well.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But... stop joking, President... Shizuku -chan has always been loved by the teachers, hasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane who spoke. Anyway, why did the topic turn to school?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think it&#039;s a good thing...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, when I first took over the student council, I was very serious and worked very hard.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura was now talking about student council matters. We had tried to do it, but we failed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
several times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I really wanted to ask right now, but Shizuku made a face at me. Perhaps it was telling me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not to ask?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In exchange, I pretended to suddenly think of something and asked,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this Sakura&#039;s family home?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, it&#039;s the biggest place.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are your parents here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A strange tension rose at the table. I kind of regretted asking so early. Akane gave me a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
look that said, &amp;quot;Are you asking right here?&amp;quot; while Shizuku gave me a look that said, &amp;quot;You &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
really don&#039;t know how to choose the right time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura&#039;s attitude was very normal  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Yes, he&#039;s taking care of it. Dad&#039;s gone to visit Mom&#039;s friend. I told you not to be so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous, so please feel free.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At home?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, in that room over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura pointed to the room next door. Could it be Sakura&#039;s own room?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wanted to meet you,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As a friend, I wanted to say hello.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, later, after dinner,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura suddenly agreed. Yeah, he&#039;s there after all? Shizuku&#039;s observation wasn&#039;t good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough, after all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The meal continued, and we continued discussing irrelevant topics, focusing on school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
matters, since we had something in common.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Well, the girls&#039; second -year class, fourth, was really popular during the cultural festival,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura explained. I knew it; after all, I was playing a sort of maid role there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Has Natsuru -san ever been to the second -year class, fourth&#039;s cafe?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shook my head, chewing on asparagus.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;d be happy if I went. I&#039;d have a great time  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; Even if I went, I wouldn&#039;t have been happy. Sakura must have assumed, based on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
experience, that I was just an average boys&#039; student, and that&#039;s why I thought I&#039;d find it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interesting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That class&#039;s sales are great,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. As the student council president, she had extensive information on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
festival&#039;s performers. What a capable woman!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The salary from the photo shoot was very profitable, several times more than what the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accounting report showed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked, though I wasn&#039;t particularly interested in the money, since I wouldn&#039;t have gotten &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it anyway.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The accountant there is really good at math, they have two ledgers. But they&#039;ve actually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been stealing quite a bit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They even did something like that...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    To prevent leaks, the money was divided among several people. While they kept quiet on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the surface, they privately spent time discussing it in depth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The accountant and Shizuku were both unstoppable. Although they were both high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students, they were like Akasha Blue in the movie.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;In that regard, the boys&#039; second -year class, Class 4, is relatively happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do they do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura asked. I replied,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, the lounge, the judo club, and the classrooms are all used for rest. The kids can &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sleep well, and their fathers have a good opinion of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s a good place to laze around. I&#039;m not sure if it&#039;s just luck; some people sleep all day.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The advantage is that it doesn&#039;t cost money,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and I agreed. Higashida and the others don&#039;t think about money.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even with such talk, Sakura listened with interest. This guy is truly an angel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At the maid restaurant, the girls&#039; Natsuru -san is also a maid, and that&#039;s pretty cool. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mishima -san is here too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey hey —&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone in that class is wearing maid outfits, and of course, Akane is wearing one too, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
though she doesn&#039;t seem very popular.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura, though, is quite attentive, noting even Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mishima -san is very cute, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But, it&#039;s still better to look cool like that. Common clothes are more suitable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Huh? Common.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My chopsticks stopped. Not only me, but Akane and Shizuku were also staring at Sakura.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura remained calm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mishima -san, you look surprisingly suitable for a common person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Um, Sakura?&amp;quot; The question  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t asked by me, but by Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does a common person look suit me...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, what did I say?&amp;quot; What&#039;s wrong  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    with Sakura ? &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said that at the cultural festival.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Hey hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, yes. I had a lot of fun at the maid restaurant.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, what&#039;s wrong?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although she was smiling, it seemed as if she had completely forgotten her previous lines.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I were to say that when Akane was a commoner, it&#039;s hard to imagine she wasn&#039;t her usual &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
self. She must have been in ferocious dog mode. Back then, she was a real killer, seemingly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unthinking. But Sakura probably didn&#039;t know about this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d seen her before, and I was there when Akane first appeared. But I definitely wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have guessed she was the same person as the girl with glasses on the library committee.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But now it was Sakura, the evil Sakura, but she knew.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh no, I feel a strange sense of tension. This is like Sakura&#039;s usual self, but could it be? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What should I do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I feel like the table is shaking. Am I the only one who feels that? It has nothing to do with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this; Sakura still looks cheerful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We played games when we stayed over last time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We did,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku replied. Unlike the nervous tone of Akane and I, she seemed completely unfazed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you playing today too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, with so much going on, just being together is fun.&amp;quot; She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    still seems preoccupied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s attitude hasn&#039;t changed. Could it be that she didn&#039;t hear me? I almost fell off my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chair. Akane&#039;s heart felt like it was about to leap out of her mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, suddenly, I remembered something and nudged my left neighbor with my elbow .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s up?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto spoke as if she&#039;d just woken up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What were you doing? Were you asleep?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I wasn&#039;t asleep. I was eating.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Looking over, I saw that the food in front of Mikoto was indeed gone. She&#039;s a big foodie, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this wasn&#039;t surprising.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said, in a voice no one else could hear  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;You haven&#039;t said anything  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    yet.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That&#039;s true,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said softly, but thankfully, Shizuku didn&#039;t hear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ll only get scolded by Shizuku if you do that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re just being nagging. It&#039;s nothing. I heard what Sakura said.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s rare for this girl to listen to someone quietly. This woman always interrupts whenever &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something happens, loves to mess things up, and prefers the jungle to flat land.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, listen to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you find Sakura&#039;s words strange?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it normal?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But you talk like you know what Akane looks like after her transformation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No matter what, there&#039;s no way Sakura right now would know that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto looked at me like I was stupid.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So what if he knows something else? Will Natsuru resent Sakura for that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why would it be like that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course not. I just want to save Sakura from her evil mode and fall in love with me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you hate the president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto clattered her knife and fork.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because from the beginning, Sakura has only been talking about testing you. Oh, excuse &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah... Shizuku is indeed a genius and a great beauty, and my presence around her is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inherently rude. These are all things my classmates say. But surprisingly, everything is fine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
around me without causing any trouble. I really don&#039;t know how to put thi s into words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Shizuku didn&#039;t do anything wrong.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto gave a sharp look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;... Natsuru, do you like the president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not what I mean.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine, then let&#039;s expel the president together from now on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What is expulsion? Is it like in an online game, expelling a partner? Is that it? Defeat in this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
house?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t like her, but expelling nothing will do.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Why are you protecting her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because the president is also a partner.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The meaning was somewhat clear and somewhat unclear. By the way, when did this guy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stop calling Shizuku and start calling her the president? An hour ago? &amp;quot;I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    always feel that it&#039;s disgusting.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I feel the same way about Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right, I hate it so much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although she said that, I felt something was different.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at Mikoto&#039;s face, and it seemed that she had malice towards Shizuku, but it also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed that she didn&#039;t. Did this woman always have a clear hostility towards Shizuku? It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as if she was a competitor. The emotional changes in this are like th e reproduction of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bacteria.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before I knew it, dinner was almost over. Sakura brought us the after -dinner coffee.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just one  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    cup here,&amp;quot; she passed out, and we moved around the table to get some.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go to the conference room later. There&#039;s some delicious cake there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was delicious. It must have been steeping for a long time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After finishing her coffee, the large plate went into the kitchen, and the cutlery and small &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
plates went into the dishwasher. Sakura said, &amp;quot;This is convenient for important guests.&amp;quot; His &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
technique was excellent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The remaining coffee sat on the table, and even though it wasn&#039;t finished, he started &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cleaning it up. After all, Sakura was still entertaining us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait a minute,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto suddenly snatched my cup.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing? Want more?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, bringing her mouth close to the cup, but she didn&#039;t look like she was drinking. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then, she suddenly reached behind my head and kissed me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Fuck...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before I could finish the rest of my sentence, Mikoto&#039;s lips were suddenly pressed against &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mine. My vision went black and white, and coffee flowed into my mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, I couldn&#039;t spit it out, so I just swallowed it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto smiled, sipping her coffee. Her eyes seemed to have lost some of their spirit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pulled my lips away, not knowing what would happen if I continued like that. Did the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sugar and milk start to drip down my mouth?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh? Just as you saw.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re acting quite shockingly, aren&#039;t you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The gallery also seems quite surprised.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Turning around, I saw Shizuku, Akane, and of course, Sakura.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were wide open, and Sakura&#039;s mouth was half open, seemingly quite happy. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had no idea what Shizuku was thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, this is...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried desperately to explain, but Sakura didn&#039;t seem to be listening.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look, look, Shizuku -chan!&amp;quot; she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said, tugging at the student council president&#039;s clothes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A chance to be jealous!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Could this be an opportunity? Shizuku seemed to agree, sighing and shaking her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru and Mikoto, you have to do this where I can&#039;t see.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Doesn&#039;t it matter if I can&#039;t see?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t suppress the urge to feel disgusted. If I hadn&#039;t seen it, I wouldn&#039;t be like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, it&#039;s like an accident. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;An accident? If it were an accident, then my insurance company is worthless.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, is this just jealousy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura asked anxiously. Really, it felt like a genuine outpouring of emotion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m jealous, but I don&#039;t know how to express it right now. This is the first time I&#039;ve felt this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this your first time with Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A first time is a first time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku slowly approached me, and I involuntarily backed away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A hand slipped behind my head and forcibly pulled me forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru looks like he&#039;s enjoying it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No... not at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think he enjoys it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How should I vent my anger at a time like this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was best not to vent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t know what Shizuku was thinking, but I couldn&#039;t sense any fear from Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, can&#039;t you just calm down?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto uttered such an unbelievable statement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was thinking I&#039;d get even angrier.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ugh, is there any need to be so angry? We really don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I have a reason to be mad.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyone who does something like this to my boyfriend will end up getting beaten to tears &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
by me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I saw the president wasn&#039;t crying, but was calmly analyzing the situation. Imagine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how you can corner your opponent. Well, that&#039;s the situation now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto&#039;s boyfriend is really frivolous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The president&#039;s boyfriend? He doesn&#039;t seem like a boyfriend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, Shizuku looked like she wanted to say something. I slowly approached Mikoto and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lowered my voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, what&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Doing something like this?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s the big deal?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto laughed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just wanted to see the president&#039;s jealousy that Sakura was talking about.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no need to do it here, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, not here, right? Got it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto left Natsuru, clapping her hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay —it&#039;s over, it&#039;s over. The president&#039;s jealousy can end.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What the hell? It&#039;s over just as I was about to start. How bizarre.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura and Akane didn&#039;t react, that&#039;s true. But Shizuku looked at Mikoto with an unfriendly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The coffee seemed to have gone cold. Well, there wasn&#039;t much left anyway, after it left &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto&#039;s mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, the atmosphere is not very good now, what should I do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Unexpectedly, Akane said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, do you want to go to the meeting room?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wiped the sweat off my forehead, trying to relieve the tension.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, I&#039;ve decided to have dessert, that&#039;s the cake over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura was the first to agree.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No need to rush back, I prepared it specially for everyone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Great, let&#039;s do it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I agreed with both hands. Mikoto and Shizuku didn&#039;t say anything, so they probably didn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
object.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So we decided to eat upstairs. The utensils were already laid out, so there was no need to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
go out and get them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura had gone into the kitchen earlier to prepare a cake. It must have been in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
refrigerator.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go to the room first,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t you going to eat the cake?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll eat it later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She didn&#039;t even look at me. It seemed like nothing serious  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Then, Akane pulled Shizuku aside and seemed to be talking to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wasn&#039;t a conversation so much as a one -sided conversation. Akane seemed very stiff, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shaking her head nervously. She no longer looked like a comrade with Shizuku. She was just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nodding  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    slowly towards Akane .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong, Akane -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku, Shizuku -san, please let me hold her back.&amp;quot; It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t a request, it looked more like an order.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hold who back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura -san, he said he was playing a game with her. Just keep her out of the meeting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of thing was that? Not letting Sakura out, wasn&#039;t that imprisonment? Ah, this is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura&#039;s house.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane -chan, can you do this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not good at it. This kind of thing is too difficult.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come to think of it, it&#039;s too abnormal for a high school student to be required to have such &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a skill. Of course, Shizuku, who can do this, is an exception among exceptions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Having said that, Akane still slowly walked to the front and joined Sakura. As expected, as a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
library committee member, she is still very responsible. I hope she won&#039;t force herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    By the way, what does Shizuku want to do with such a request? I walked to her while &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, President,&amp;quot; I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    answered immediately without thinking  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;Shizuku, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Shizuku, what do you want to ask Akane for?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing, just to hold Kaede back.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s an order, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even so, it will be troublesome if she takes action.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned around and walked to the back of the corridor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s perfect. I was going to call Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t we going for cake?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anytime.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;What are you going for?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come here .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Without going outside, Shizuku stood in front of the wooden door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, this is...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They say Kaede&#039;s parents are in their room.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The brown door, devoid of any austerity, had a silver knob gleaming.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned the knob, trying to open it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, hey. Stop it!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She ignored me, but the door only made a creaking sound and didn&#039;t open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The key is up there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop it, your parents are here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, you believe it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was confused, not knowing how to respond.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s because Sakura said so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you Uton?&amp;quot; So  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this guy didn&#039;t believe it at all? Maybe. If she was trying to achieve her goals, she wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
take it seriously, even if it was just friends and family, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She lifted her shirt, revealing her fair skin. Unfortunately, I wasn&#039;t in the mood to admire it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s in the house?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why don&#039;t you know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why you want to open it because you don&#039;t know. I don&#039;t know what Kaede is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking. Since there&#039;s a need to lie, there must be a secret inside.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it okay to open it without permission?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not very good. But it&#039;s the same if you don&#039;t open it without Kaede knowing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That kind of thing...ah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura is now staying with Akane. Was this woman already thinking about this while &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eating?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked up and down at the buttons and doorknob  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No, this...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot; &amp;quot; It ca  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    n&#039;t be opened.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Can&#039;t Shizuku open locks?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Simple ones are still possible, such as breaking into Natsuru&#039;s house, but this is much &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stronger than it looks. It seems it&#039;s not an ordinary cylinder Ikari.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thought for a moment and looked away from the keyhole  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about calling Mikoto?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She should be able to open it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, for Mikoto, this kind of unusual operation is very good. She once boasted that a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bank vault could be easily hacked,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but that was only at the level of an apprentice, nothing special.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But just now, there seemed to be no sound.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Indeed, there wasn&#039;t any. She must be preoccupied with your business.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Then shall I go call her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hurry up,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was told, but it was no use going there empty -handed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Um... the meeting room and dormitory are both at the back of the room, right? Okay, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dormitory.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I got a &amp;quot;come in&amp;quot; reply from Mikoto&#039;s door and opened it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto... what&#039;s up?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought she was asleep, but she was lying on her side on the bed, holding the Kotetsu &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(Mikoto&#039;s Japanese sword) in both hands and looking at it over and over again  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Mikoto, what&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku called you and said she wants you to do her a favor.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, sure,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto walked towards me in that position.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who does Mikoto like more, the president or me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Which one?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced to the side. There was a jacket from some idol&#039;s CD that came out a while ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This kind of thing was so strange, I suddenly had to ask something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not about either one. Didn&#039;t we agree to reply after this is over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it. Because we&#039;re friends...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She seemed convinced, but I think she&#039;s been forgetful lately. Didn&#039;t we make that promise &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this morning? But forget it, I still have to do what I&#039;ve been asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing? Didn&#039;t the president ask me to come over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was in a hurry for some reason. The two of us walked downstairs from Mikoto&#039;s room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was still there, observing the keyhole  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;I brought it,&amp;quot; I said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you, Mikoto,&amp;quot; Shizuku just stood there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you want to open this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto would always answer immediately, &amp;quot;No problem.&amp;quot; Regardless of whether it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
legal or not, these hands just loved doing these kinds of thrilling tasks. When we ran out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
money in Africa, she&#039;d also been working on unlocking minefields and artill ery fire. &amp;quot;For that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little pay, it&#039;s not a good job,&amp;quot; she said. I felt like my body was falling apart,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but now she just smiled and didn&#039;t move  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Well, I won&#039;t do  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    it.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I don&#039;t have time for that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t do it for the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s gaze shot up, sharper than it had been during dinner.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I want to hear the reason.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing special, but there&#039;s something about doing something that benefits a romantic &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enemy... I&#039;m very stubborn and don&#039;t like being bossed around by people I hate.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It felt a little strange. Although it was obvious what Mikoto was doing, she hadn&#039;t been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clear when she called her over just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku seemed to sense it too .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You want something, right?... That must be your reason?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I do have something you want,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto turned to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku frowned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that what I want?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was halfway through her sentence when  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a sound like something falling was heard. No, those are footsteps, definitely. And they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seem to be coming from inside the house. Someone&#039;s behind me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, there&#039;s a loud bang, and several rounds are fired. Probably a submachine gun, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
passed by Mikoto and me, heading straight for Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku was no longer there. The moment she heard the footsteps, she immediately &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leaned against the wall, alert.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, the bracelet on her right hand glowed, and her body immediately transformed, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
holding daggers in both hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, you&#039;re worthy of being the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    From behind appeared Yamakawa Ryoka, a second -year student at Seitetsu Academy like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. Unlike Shizuku, she was a mature woman whose age was hard to judge based on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
appearance alone. She was also a member of the White Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The person behind her seemed to know about Ryoka&#039;s situation. A voice called out,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you expect me to come?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Not really. We were just prepared for the worst.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said something uninteresting. If this was prepared for the worst, then now was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
worst possible outcome?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I saw you at the station, so I was on guard, though I didn&#039;t know where you were going.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We were planning to hide, but Rika -chan insisted on seeing Senou -kun and the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika was a junior high school Kämpfer. Though a little girl, she also had murderous urges, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and as expected, she was white.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s that little one, as I expected.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s eyes never left Ryoka, especially the muzzle of her gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what are you trying to do by  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    showing up here?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;It&#039;s not too early to show up here. What did the president want to do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
by opening that door?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that the door from before? She doesn&#039;t even have a key.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You came out before you found a way?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, because I want to know what&#039;s in there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know about that, really.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That was a lie. No, what she said was also natural. But saying that under these favorable &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
circumstances was true Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come on, open it from there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka moved the muzzle of her gun, but Shizuku still didn&#039;t move.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What if you say no?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then the fight will start here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s do this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thrust out her  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    daggers and thrust both at Ryoka, one at her throat and one at her feet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka fired. The dagger aimed at her throat fell, but Shizuku had calculated that. The other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dagger, deliberately bypassing me and Mikoto, stabbed at her feet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With a clang, it landed at Ryoka&#039;s feet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka stumbled, and Shizuku, looking relaxed, said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;Please don&#039;t get in our way for now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s terrifying, but I&#039;m so sorry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, don&#039;t —move,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said Mikoto .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That will hurt Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto, who had transformed at some point, now held a Japanese sword in her hand. And &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the sword was pointed at my right wrist.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I could speak now, but I couldn&#039;t move. I knew that. In other words, I became a hostage .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, wouldn&#039;t it be better to drink some tea?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I... let me do it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane called out, then snatched the teapot from Kaede&#039;s hand, and poured the tea leaves &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in little by little as her hands seemed to be shaking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were only Akane and Kaede in the meeting room, and no one else was there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto went to her room, and Natsuru disappeared. Shizuku asked, &amp;quot;Hold Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That request was too much trouble. Beneath her face, her emotions were always visible. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She always lost in face -to-face games. And now, it was just the two of them, so she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
incredibly nervous. She couldn&#039;t think of a topic to start  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    with; she wasn&#039;t the type for happy conversation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone&#039;s late?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;W-what?!&amp;quot; Beneath her face,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    as if irritated,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede tilted her head .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You suddenly said...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just said everyone was late...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, that&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was actually startled by everything. She was that sensitive. &amp;quot;I finally  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    went out of my way to get some cake...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede puffed her cheeks. She had gone out of her way to get a different kind of cake than &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the one she&#039;d had for breakfast; it looked like she&#039;d made it herself. Beneath her face, she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    calmly looked at the tea in Kaede&#039;s cup .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you .&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede poured a little lemon juice, thought for a moment, and said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go get them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she stood up and headed for the door. Beneath her panicked gaze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, that&#039;s all!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She walked over and stood in front of the door  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;She&#039;ll be here soon, I&#039;m sure she&#039;ll be. Let&#039;s just wait here!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ha...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s a good thing to act like an adult.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane couldn&#039;t think of a better excuse. Even she herself was wondering, &amp;quot;What the hell &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
am I talking about?&amp;quot; Sakura  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    bent down .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, let&#039;s have some tea first, the two of us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane also sat down in a chair, facing the dessert on the table  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    : a cake made by Kaede himself, decorated with many fruits. But it wasn&#039;t particularly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sweet, and it was very soft when bitten.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane took a snack and stuffed it into her mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, it&#039;s delicious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe it was actually nervousness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re welcome, please eat more.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, no, if you eat too much, there won&#039;t be any for Natsuru and the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s still plenty, just wait.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As if about to stand up, Akane threw away what she was eating  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;No, that&#039;s enough. I&#039;m not going to eat it anymore!&amp;quot; She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    suddenly said this with such force that even Kaede was stunned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really... why are you...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s just Sakura and I eating, no one else is getting in our way!&amp;quot;     Kaede was slightly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surprised as she spoke  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    forcefully , and a blush spread across her face.     &amp;quot;Well... if Mishima -san and I are in this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kind of relationship, it&#039;s a bit...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Oh...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Although I really like Natsuru -san, who is a girl, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m not interested in other girls. Sorry.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Ah, no, that&#039;s not the case... that&#039;s not the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
case...&amp;quot;     Kaede seemed to finally understand something.     &amp;quot;By the way, how did Mishima -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
san know Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;     The topic changed, and Akane felt relieved.     &amp;quot;Um, is that the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
male student, Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Yes, because I have many opportunities to meet students &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from the boys&#039; club.&amp;quot;     It&#039;s true that their actions together, which had been so ordinary up &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
until now, were indeed a mystery to a third party.     &amp;quot;That&#039;s...that...&amp;quot;     What should I say? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Could  it be that they bumped into each other on the street? But that kind of plot, like a shojo &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
manga, couldn&#039;t happen in real life. How could I make it more realistic?     &amp;quot;I-I&#039;m the library &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
committee member. So, I met Natsuru -san when he came to borrow books. &amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Natsuru -san &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is reading, even though he loved watching TV in junior high...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;That&#039;s because he&#039;s a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sophomore, and he said so too. He reads even in the refrigerator.&amp;quot;     This was such a big lie &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that Natsuru would laugh until his stomach hurt if he heard it. But for Akane, this was already &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the limit.     &amp;quot;Mishima -san really loves books.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;But Natsuru -san probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doesn&#039;t.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Uh... maybe.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Really? You&#039;re all Kämpfer companions and don&#039;t even know &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;?!&amp;quot;     Akane was so shocked that she couldn&#039;t hold her cake or fork. Kaede smiled &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
faintly.     &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;     Feeling no longer relaxed, she injected power into her right &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wrist. Her entire body was enveloped in light.     The moment she felt like a Kämpfer, she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
drew her pistol and fired several rounds at Kaede.     Immediately, she felt the heat rise. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t underestimate me!&amp;quot;     After firing the bullets, Kaede was no longer in the same &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
place.     &amp;quot;Ah, you&#039;re still impatient like     before,&amp;quot; a voice said nearby. As she pointed the gun &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
towards her, Kaede&#039;s right hand formed a sword and stabbed Akane&#039;s throat.     Akane quickly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dodged, stepping on the bed and turning to gain distance.     &amp;quot;Oh, I missed.&amp;quot;     Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
deliberately made his body look like he &amp;quot;missed&amp;quot; instead of &amp;quot;avoided&amp;quot;, constantly irritating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s nerves     &amp;quot;You damn bitch!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;You really have a blue dog mouth, it seems you need &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to be trained well before you can become an  adult.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;What did you say!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;What is the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mediator doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
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    Kaede moved toward the door. Akane was already standing there, her gun pointed at her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her target was none other than Kaede. She had been smiling just a moment ago, but now, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not a trace of her softness had left her. Her aura had vanished.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been fed up with you for a long time. I&#039;m going to kill you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, don&#039;t say that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hypocrites like you are the worst. Your existence is a hindrance. You should realize that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t really mean to be a hindrance.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know you&#039;re always getting in the way of me attacking Natsuru before I transform.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Many things flashed through Akane&#039;s mind. The weakness before the transformation, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
careless firing afterward —that was the truth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;…Ah, it&#039;s about that idiot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you remember? Then die.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;No way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede leaped up easily, leaping towards Akane as she always did,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    firing a round at her current position, then firing another in mid -air. It was as if there was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sound of firing before the firing, and then the bullet in the air shot towards Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
abdomen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede finally knocked down the bullet with his sword, and then he fell to the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It was really dangerous, I almost got shot again with the wound on my abdomen.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come to think of it, you were so seriously injured at that time, why are you still alive?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huhu, who knows?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They confronted each other again, with no gaps on either side and no chance to attack. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
They just moved little by little.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane held her breath, and Kaede leaned against the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    His sight moved. Kaede held a sword in his hand, and in the past, a pistol would appear in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
his other hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede spoke first.  &lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;Now, as long as I have a sword, that&#039;s enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were raised. What she hated most was being treated as a fool. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
immediately pouted  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Thank you so much. But I won&#039;t worry about that. I&#039;ll beat you to a pulp.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I love honey, but I hate honeycombs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now Natsuru, Shizuku, and Mikoto will be here too, but don&#039;t worry, because I&#039;ll kill you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before they do.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, are you still thinking Natsuru and the others will come?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede put on the same expression she had when she was eating cake .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They won&#039;t come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...What did you say?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No matter what, they won&#039;t come,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the girl said confidently. Of course, what she said went against Akane&#039;s nerves.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll go to Natsuru,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane grabbed the gun with both hands, as if that calmed her down a bit. Holding it with  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    two hands didn&#039;t mean she could fire more shots. Unlike ordinary guns, Kämpfer&#039;s gun &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
couldn&#039;t be used up, so holding it in one hand was enough. But using two hands made the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gun much more accurate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;You can&#039;t hit me, even if you try!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;You&#039;re kidding!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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    With a roar, a bullet shot out from the muzzle of the gun, hurtling towards Kaede. Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t miss, but rather hit her, but Kaede remained unharmed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Instead of deflecting the bullet with a sword like before, a sickle emerged from behind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede, blocking the bullet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was the weapon of the White Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;Rika -chan, come on!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The chain ripped through the door, a hole so large it completely destroyed it. Then, in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came the girl, Ueda Rika, holding a small handle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s how you deal with a vicious bitch!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sickle flew towards Akane, struggling to deal with it.  &lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;You idiotic loli, are you such a jerk again?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t make people sound like they&#039;re from kindergarten.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t that right!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Several more bullets were fired, and Rika&#039;s body tumbled through the air. As if the enemy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl had sensed the attack, she charged at them like a rocket.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika adjusted herself, while Akane continued to run. Despite its small handle, it&#039;s capable &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of wielding such a massive sickle at such high speeds. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you doing? Can&#039;t you see ahead?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The most important thing in battle is to surprise and win.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;Do you think you&#039;re a military strategist?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I leaned back, slamming into the glass. There was no balcony here, and it was on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
second floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika spun again,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shattering the glass, Akane&#039;s body flipped backwards.  &lt;br /&gt;
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    Mikoto&#039;s katana felt incredibly sharp, and the end of my hand had been aching ever since. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My oath bracelet was pressed against the blade; if I tried to inject power into it, my wrist &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would surely be severed. Because I can&#039;t transform here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Taking a childhood friend hostage is quite an awkward atmosphere,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I continued, still casually saying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then leave,&amp;quot; I was told. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There wouldn&#039;t be a high school girl threatening others with a katana.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m used to holding a knife like that. Kids in Africa hold iron pipes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is Japan, and at home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Mikoto&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What, President&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you want to leave Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t plan to leave him.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Such cruel words, can this still be considered childhood sweethearts?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But President, you have to take back the dagger.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;In this situation, you want me to take it back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, President, you don&#039;t have the right to deny.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was nothing that could be done after saying that, Shizuku said nothing, untied the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dagger at Ryoka&#039;s feet, and with a sound, the dagger was returned to Shizuku&#039;s hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Ryoka who said this  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Well, everyone, get out of here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka led us away from the door  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and walked away. Behind me was Mikoto, holding her knife against my hand, preventing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me from transforming.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku silently protected her abdomen, turning her head as if in thought. Now, I was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
only one who didn&#039;t understand the situation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, aren&#039;t you going back to your room?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm? No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Idiot, don&#039;t you make me an enemy now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I scolded Mikoto. Didn&#039;t this idiot even know where she stood?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know how,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, so nonchalantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know how we became enemies!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, my position is better than being an enemy, as I&#039;m indifferent to both sides. Besides, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t want to listen to what the president says.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If I do that, I feel like I&#039;ll never get the Natsuru again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Was she serious?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t tell if Mikoto was being playful or serious. Now it seems even more intense, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more serious than when she confessed to me, in the garden. I said I hated hearing what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku said, but now I feel like I understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka directed us into the inner courtyard, pointing a gun at us from the back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No sandals, no boots, no shoes. Take them off before you go in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked very impressed  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;To prevent us from escaping? You&#039;re really thinking hard.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You could take your clothes off, but since there are men in front of you, I&#039;ll give you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
permission to keep them on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru will be happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then you can&#039;t take them off.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku might want to...see her naked body, but she&#039;s not going to ask me to take them off &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
either. Besides, it&#039;s summer now, and you&#039;ll catch a cold. And  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    we were in the green inner courtyard. It was really dim, a stark difference from when I was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talking to Mikoto. The pool in front of us shimmered in the starlight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go over there,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka instructed. Honestly, we were really good kids.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Standing by the pool, there was an iron cover near our feet. I guess it was a fire hydrant &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inside, right? There&#039;s water all around, but that&#039;s nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was standing by the pool, threatened by Mikoto .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what do you want to do to us?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t seem panicked at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just drown us?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Drown you? President, you&#039;re the champion of the school swimming competition.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s a great swimmer, too, with an absolutely overwhelming victory in the women&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
competition. I think it&#039;s necessary to check my chromosomes to see if there&#039;s anything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wrong.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you tie my hands and feet, I won&#039;t be able to swim.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t tie you up, and that person will be angry if I kill someone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A mediator, but that&#039;s up to you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka pointed the muzzle of her submachine gun at Shizuku and me, constantly changing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her target. There shouldn&#039;t be any chance to take advantage of her now. I looked at Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Then please, Kondou -kun, jump in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Huh? Me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto was taken aback. It was a mystery to me, too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because it&#039;s useless. We know they&#039;re trying to win us over because they think we&#039;re a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hindrance to the president and Natsuru -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can do it now, so jump in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ll die!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can&#039;t you swim?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Yes, I can.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It doesn&#039;t matter whether you can or not. I have a reason for asking you to jump in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she walked over to me and lowered a rope. She was carrying something like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;First, Kondou -kun, please tie up Natsuru -kun. President, you don&#039;t have to do anything. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s useless.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you going to do with her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That way I can handle it alone. And then you just jump in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you want to resist?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka said with an ominous smile. Indeed, Mikoto&#039;s tone was ordinary, but she certainly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t intend to resist Ryoka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ugh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please continue threatening Senou -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka jumped onto the metal cover. There was no fire hydrant, just a horn.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She twisted the horn, and there seemed to be a sound of air leaking out from somewhere.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then the sound changed. I turned my head and looked behind me. That&#039;s where the sound &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came from.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The surface of the pool shifted, and a vortex slowly formed in the center of the water, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leaking downward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please tie him up quickly. It&#039;ll hurt if I jump in if there&#039;s no water.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re talking like it&#039;s someone else&#039;s business!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s my own business. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a wonderful personality !  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto couldn&#039;t disobey. I couldn&#039;t move, and neither could Shizuku. What would happen?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto picked up the rope, and at that moment,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was as if something was falling overhead. The sound of something being cut and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
screaming  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    hadn&#039;t distracted Ryoka from above. Then, the person who screamed reached into the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
water and splashed it upwards, and that indeed distracted Ryoka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As I felt the coldness, Shizuku started to move. My hand was pulled, and I fell into the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swimming pool with  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    who was holding a Japanese sword, and then Shizuku jumped in immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka by the pool yelled, and although I couldn&#039;t hear what she said clearly, along with the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
yelling, bullets from the submachine gun came in. Although the power was much reduced in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the water, it was still very dangerous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was dark in the water and I couldn&#039;t see clearly. But I could still tell that the bottom of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the whirlpool was sucking in water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The pool was very deep, and there was a cave at the bottom. Ah, if anyone gets sucked in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now, they will definitely not be able to come back here, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was still pulling me and Mikoto with both hands. Although I wanted to get out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the water, she didn&#039;t seem to think so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku just pointed with her eyes, &amp;quot;Go there.&amp;quot; There was a cave that opened in the center &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh?! Is that the cave that looks like it&#039;s going to fall into?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We can&#039;t get out of the water, so we&#039;ve got to go in  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; &amp;quot;No way! We might get swept down by the current!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no other way. If we dawdle any longer, the white guys might be coming over, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
then we won&#039;t be able to escape.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Go alone!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re really not manly.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll become a woman when I transform!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, she&#039;s not the type to just follow others; once she makes a decision, she acts on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it. That&#039;s Shizuku&#039;s style.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The student council president, using her uncanny Kämpfer strength, pulled Mikoto and me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forward, and we immediately entered the whirlpool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The water&#039;s flowing so fast!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, that feels unexpectedly good, doesn&#039;t it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Still looking around!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We spun around like that, and were sucked into the cave in the pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|← Back to Volume 10 Chapter 4]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Afterword|Forward to 10 Afterword →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586404</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_4&amp;diff=586404"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:06:57Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot; Volume 10, Chapter 4        I returned to the Sakura residence through the back door and flicked on every light in the   room. It was dark outside, but that was only natural. This is a villa, so the chandeliers are   outside.         When will we have dinner? It might be a while yet. Anyway, let&amp;#039;s go back to my room. On   the way upstairs, I recalled my conversation with Mikoto on the marble and felt a little   nervous. I hadn&amp;#039;t felt it at all during the conversat...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10, Chapter 4  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I returned to the Sakura residence through the back door and flicked on every light in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room. It was dark outside, but that was only natural. This is a villa, so the chandeliers are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
outside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When will we have dinner? It might be a while yet. Anyway, let&#039;s go back to my room. On &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the way upstairs, I recalled my conversation with Mikoto on the marble and felt a little &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous. I hadn&#039;t felt it at all during the conversation, but now my heart was pounding and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my hands were sweating.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even in kindergarten, she&#039;d always had a strong sense of adventure, treating her bed like a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ship sailing across the Pacific. Ever since then, I&#039;ve always imagined she&#039;d venture abroad and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
marry a Bolivian alpaca (the model for the mythical beast, the m ud horse). No human man &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would have the energy to go along with her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then she confessed to me, like a real woman. After this, I was a bit distracted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What was I going to do with dinner after this? I was sure she&#039;d see me, right? Leaving the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
table wasn&#039;t an option, so I might as well eat in my own room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As I was pondering this, Shizuku approached.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, where have you been?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sunset,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    he answered honestly. You can&#039;t lie to this woman, she can see through everything. At the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
activity budget meeting of all departments, the accountant had tried to cover up the past &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a serious face as if there were no funds. But this lie never worked . Rather than the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
contradictions in the data, she seemed to be able to tell whether it was a lie just by listening &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to the reporter&#039;s words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, are you interested in watching the sunset?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not because of this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Weren&#039;t you with someone at that time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You guessed it right. I really want to know what happened there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her eyes were cold. Why do you know everything about me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She immediately retracted her gaze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, forget it now. Let&#039;s talk about it later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Compared to my business, the president is...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is Shizuku doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Observing this house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Observing? Is she visiting? Is she admiring the wallpaper, the pillars, or something like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s very spacious walking down the middle, this is really a villa.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura wouldn&#039;t lie.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not necessarily true  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; Hey, how can you say that? Sakura is hosting me here, but Shizuku and the others are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just there to complement her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede has been lying to us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Impossible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Her parents aren&#039;t even here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was really surprised. Strange, isn&#039;t the kind -hearted Sakura hosting me here and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
introducing her parents to me just to get me married?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you see Kaede&#039;s parents while you were staying here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you heard them talking?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you seen them worried?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...wait, are they nowhere to be found?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;If they were, we should have met soon. But now I haven&#039;t heard them talking and she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hasn&#039;t worried, so I think she&#039;s not here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe she&#039;s out...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I checked the room, and there&#039;s no key nearby.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, Shizuku, what are you observing in this house?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But what&#039;s the point of my parents not being here? Isn&#039;t this my hometown? But Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lives here. No, no, this is too strange. Why did she come all the way back from Seitetsu?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is she hiding something? What is she hiding? She&#039;s supposed to be hosting me at her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hometown and introducing me to him.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Could it be that Sakura is the evil Sakura now... No, I can&#039;t imagine it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe she&#039;ll introduce me over dinner, when we&#039;re all here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like in Europe and America, but it&#039;s possible.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ll make sure to find out at dinner,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, &amp;quot;Don&#039;t be late,&amp;quot; and went into her room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That woman was saying such disturbing things again. I finally had a chance to be happy at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura&#039;s hometown, and now she&#039;s doing something so disturbing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, Mikoto hasn&#039;t arrived yet. Could that guy have collapsed in the garden?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I was about to go check, footsteps came on the stairs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seeing Mikoto there, I felt a little relieved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, Mikoto, what have you been up to?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she just walked right past me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto,&amp;quot; she said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , and then she went into her room. Lately, she&#039;s been shutting herself in her room, refusing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to come out even when I called. Is she playing games?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Whatever, there&#039;s something about Mikoto&#039;s face that seems a little stiff. Not stiff, but &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
perhaps something&#039;s bothering her?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, I&#039;ll stay in my room until dinner too. From an outsider&#039;s perspective, we look like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
teenage boys and girls addicted to online games. Stopping such idle thoughts, I went to my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was almost time for dinner, and Sakura came to everyone&#039;s room, calling them, &amp;quot;Dinner&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time.&amp;quot; It was so thoughtful of him to do this when he could have just called.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I opened the door and saw Shizuku and Mikoto heading downstairs, so I followed them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We ate downstairs, on a wooden table and chairs, knives and forks placed side by side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you want chopsticks, feel free to ask,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura said, and of course, I said, &amp;quot;Yes, I do.&amp;quot; When you think of spoons, you&#039;re bound to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think of curry. Like Pavlov&#039;s theorem,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I immediately sat down. The seat was quite comfortable. Shizuku didn&#039;t sit down, looking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at the table with a troubled expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she whispered in my ear,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s not separate.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you talking about?&amp;quot; I answered her matter -of-factly. It&#039;s true, though, that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura&#039;s parents&#039; tableware hasn&#039;t been put up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But, what can I say? Maybe they&#039;re eating in another room; that&#039;s still an unknown.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane brought a large plate of chicken from the kitchen. It smelled delicious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s a lot of meat, so I made a lot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The chicken was placed on the table. Akane and Sakura are both excellent cooks; it must &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be delicious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then came bread, miso soup, and onions. Everyone was seated. Sure enough, Sakura&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
parents weren&#039;t coming.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Dinner began. I picked up a piece of chicken with my chopsticks and took a bite. It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
indeed delicious. I couldn&#039;t tell if Akane or Sakura had prepared it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mishima -san&#039;s flavoring was done,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura explained.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not very good at seasoning meat, so you really helped.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is my mom&#039;s way. I don&#039;t know how it works yet,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. She was really happy to be praised.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s delicious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku also ate a piece of chicken like me, but used a fork.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let me help with breakfast. Akane is working too hard alone.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a big help.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, what should I do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, let&#039;s put it this way, I&#039;m the only one who&#039;s not helping here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned her gaze towards me .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, what can you cook?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like cup noodles.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not called cooking.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then instant rice bowl.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can rest now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is too much. How can you say that? There is no room for negotiation. Did you really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confess to me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura laughed there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun and Shizuku -chan are really close.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan is very quiet. She&#039;s never been so cheerful.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of answer is that? She&#039;s not quiet now, but she&#039;s just blaming me, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because she&#039;s the student council president, she has to be serious,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, a very realistic statement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, so even if she&#039;s the student council president, she has to be quiet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s normal for girls to be quiet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay to be talkative with guys, like Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She kept saying things like that, as if I were really dating this guy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then Sakura chimed in,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, yeah, Shizuku -chan is Natsuru -san&#039;s girlfriend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -chan is so lucky.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m so lucky too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, to be able to make this world -class student council president happy, I must be a man &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
among men, right? ... It was impossible to think that way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I don&#039;t know why this woman is always so confident. Even though I hadn&#039;t responded to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her confession yet, she acted as if it was impossible to say no. At that moment, Akane&#039;s face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed to turn pale.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The dining table was arranged in a &amp;quot;dan&amp;quot; shape, with Akane sitting to my right and Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to my left. There seemed to be Chinese food in the middle, but unfortunately, it was out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reach.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s gaze drifted towards me, and  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    just as I was wondering what was going on, she forked a piece of chicken.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here, Natsuru -san, please —ah—&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s that sudden?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;—ah—&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why…?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t Shizuku -san do that when we were eating our bento? So I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    should do the same...&amp;quot; Isn&#039;t it okay if I don&#039;t do that at all?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The food on her fork jiggled up and down. Was it because she was nervous? Think about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how Akane said it was her first time when we were kissing, so maybe that&#039;s why she&#039;s so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura&#039;s mouth dropped open. &amp;quot;Wow.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, Shizuku -chan, Mishima -san is doing that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m doing it too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it okay?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No big deal.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe I&#039;ll steal Natsuru -san away.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll just get her back.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of fin -de-since fantasy? It didn&#039;t seem like Shizuku had given up. Since becoming &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student council president, things that seemed impossible seem to have been easily solved.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t handle it anymore. The food in front of me moved closer, as if saying, &amp;quot;Come and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eat!&amp;quot; Akane&#039;s eyes were terrifying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please, please, Natsuru -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What should I do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you don&#039;t eat it, just leave it like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s too much trouble. I opened my mouth and ate the food myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mm, it&#039;s really delicious. Speaking of which, Akane looked triumphant. She didn&#039;t get to eat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hers during the lunchbox. Was she happy because of this last time?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey —Shizuku -chan, you&#039;re going to lose!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura said anxiously.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan did that too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, are you jealous?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I&#039;ll be jealous after we finish eating,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura exclaimed. &amp;quot;Ah —&amp;quot; He was really enjoying it. And I didn&#039;t expect the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president to say that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to see Shizuku -chan jealous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because it&#039;s not a big deal.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You won&#039;t abandon him?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What if he abandons you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t do that. I&#039;ll stab him with my dagger.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and I were both surprised. Of course, Shizuku, as Kämpfer, uses her dagger as her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
weapon, but why is she saying that here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura didn&#039;t react to this, but after a moment&#039;s thought, he suddenly laughed. This wasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
evil, but just his usual self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Shizuku -chan isn&#039;t jealous, which is remarkable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not remarkable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun, it&#039;s rare for Shizuku -chan to do something girlish like this. You&#039;re her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
boyfriend, after all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t say such cruel things so casually. Although I don&#039;t think she&#039;s a girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s surprising that a woman like Shizuku, who doesn&#039;t easily show her emotions, would do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something human. But the fact that she could so casually say &amp;quot;jealousy&amp;quot; still felt artificial.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -kun, please make Shizuku -chan a little more jealous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If she did that, I seriously thought I was in danger of death.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura looked genuinely happy. Could this be another side of Shizuku&#039;s childhood &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sweetheart?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, I don&#039;t think Shizuku would be jealous. She doesn&#039;t seem like the type to show her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
true feelings. I&#039;ve never seen her smile like this before. Although the boys&#039; and girls&#039; divisions &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
are separated, even during the school -wide meetings, I barely noticed her facial expressions &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
changing. It seems like no matter what happens, her expression remains the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In stark contrast to Shizuku is Mikoto, who&#039;s either laughing or causing a commotion. In &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
short, she&#039;s always chatty and immature. But now, for some reason, she doesn&#039;t laugh much &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anymore. I don&#039;t know what&#039;s going on.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Beneath her skin is naturally delicate, and her nerves are easily irritated. The weak -looking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl with glasses, whose eyes can sometimes be quite scary  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Sakura is the gentlest of them all, probably.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan is always very serious, so I was wondering if she might be jealous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Seriousness and jealousy don&#039;t have anything to do with each other, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But things like that, and your smile, only happen when we&#039;re doing Rakugo.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because right now, it&#039;s about someone important to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I&#039;m dating Natsuru -kun and the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So what?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura bowed her head towards us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please continue to take care of Shizuku -chan from now on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, it&#039;s more like I want to take care of Sakura now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She raised her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve always thought Shizuku -chan was a very serious person. I&#039;ve always wondered what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to do, whether she&#039;s doing well.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But... stop joking, President... Shizuku -chan has always been loved by the teachers, hasn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane who spoke. Anyway, why did the topic turn to school?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think it&#039;s a good thing...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, when I first took over the student council, I was very serious and worked very hard.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura was now talking about student council matters. We had tried to do it, but we failed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
several times.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I really wanted to ask right now, but Shizuku made a face at me. Perhaps it was telling me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not to ask?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In exchange, I pretended to suddenly think of something and asked,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this Sakura&#039;s family home?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, it&#039;s the biggest place.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are your parents here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A strange tension rose at the table. I kind of regretted asking so early. Akane gave me a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
look that said, &amp;quot;Are you asking right here?&amp;quot; while Shizuku gave me a look that said, &amp;quot;You &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
really don&#039;t know how to choose the right time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura&#039;s attitude was very normal  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Yes, he&#039;s taking care of it. Dad&#039;s gone to visit Mom&#039;s friend. I told you not to be so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous, so please feel free.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At home?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, in that room over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura pointed to the room next door. Could it be Sakura&#039;s own room?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wanted to meet you,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As a friend, I wanted to say hello.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, later, after dinner,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura suddenly agreed. Yeah, he&#039;s there after all? Shizuku&#039;s observation wasn&#039;t good &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough, after all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The meal continued, and we continued discussing irrelevant topics, focusing on school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
matters, since we had something in common.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Well, the girls&#039; second -year class, fourth, was really popular during the cultural festival,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura explained. I knew it; after all, I was playing a sort of maid role there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Has Natsuru -san ever been to the second -year class, fourth&#039;s cafe?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shook my head, chewing on asparagus.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;d be happy if I went. I&#039;d have a great time  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; Even if I went, I wouldn&#039;t have been happy. Sakura must have assumed, based on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
experience, that I was just an average boys&#039; student, and that&#039;s why I thought I&#039;d find it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interesting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That class&#039;s sales are great,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. As the student council president, she had extensive information on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
festival&#039;s performers. What a capable woman!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The salary from the photo shoot was very profitable, several times more than what the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
accounting report showed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked, though I wasn&#039;t particularly interested in the money, since I wouldn&#039;t have gotten &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it anyway.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The accountant there is really good at math, they have two ledgers. But they&#039;ve actually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been stealing quite a bit.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They even did something like that...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    To prevent leaks, the money was divided among several people. While they kept quiet on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the surface, they privately spent time discussing it in depth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The accountant and Shizuku were both unstoppable. Although they were both high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students, they were like Akasha Blue in the movie.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;In that regard, the boys&#039; second -year class, Class 4, is relatively happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do they do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura asked. I replied,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, the lounge, the judo club, and the classrooms are all used for rest. The kids can &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sleep well, and their fathers have a good opinion of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s a good place to laze around. I&#039;m not sure if it&#039;s just luck; some people sleep all day.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The advantage is that it doesn&#039;t cost money,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and I agreed. Higashida and the others don&#039;t think about money.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even with such talk, Sakura listened with interest. This guy is truly an angel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At the maid restaurant, the girls&#039; Natsuru -san is also a maid, and that&#039;s pretty cool. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mishima -san is here too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey hey —&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone in that class is wearing maid outfits, and of course, Akane is wearing one too, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
though she doesn&#039;t seem very popular.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura, though, is quite attentive, noting even Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mishima -san is very cute, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But, it&#039;s still better to look cool like that. Common clothes are more suitable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Huh? Common.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My chopsticks stopped. Not only me, but Akane and Shizuku were also staring at Sakura.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura remained calm.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mishima -san, you look surprisingly suitable for a common person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Um, Sakura?&amp;quot; The question  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t asked by me, but by Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does a common person look suit me...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, what did I say?&amp;quot; What&#039;s wrong  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    with Sakura ? &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said that at the cultural festival.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Hey hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, yes. I had a lot of fun at the maid restaurant.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, what&#039;s wrong?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although she was smiling, it seemed as if she had completely forgotten her previous lines.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I were to say that when Akane was a commoner, it&#039;s hard to imagine she wasn&#039;t her usual &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
self. She must have been in ferocious dog mode. Back then, she was a real killer, seemingly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unthinking. But Sakura probably didn&#039;t know about this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;d seen her before, and I was there when Akane first appeared. But I definitely wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have guessed she was the same person as the girl with glasses on the library committee.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But now it was Sakura, the evil Sakura, but she knew.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh no, I feel a strange sense of tension. This is like Sakura&#039;s usual self, but could it be? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What should I do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I feel like the table is shaking. Am I the only one who feels that? It has nothing to do with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this; Sakura still looks cheerful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We played games when we stayed over last time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We did,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku replied. Unlike the nervous tone of Akane and I, she seemed completely unfazed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you playing today too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, with so much going on, just being together is fun.&amp;quot; She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    still seems preoccupied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s attitude hasn&#039;t changed. Could it be that she didn&#039;t hear me? I almost fell off my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chair. Akane&#039;s heart felt like it was about to leap out of her mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, suddenly, I remembered something and nudged my left neighbor with my elbow .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what&#039;s up?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto spoke as if she&#039;d just woken up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What were you doing? Were you asleep?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I wasn&#039;t asleep. I was eating.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Looking over, I saw that the food in front of Mikoto was indeed gone. She&#039;s a big foodie, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this wasn&#039;t surprising.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said, in a voice no one else could hear  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;You haven&#039;t said anything  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    yet.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That&#039;s true,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said softly, but thankfully, Shizuku didn&#039;t hear.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ll only get scolded by Shizuku if you do that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re just being nagging. It&#039;s nothing. I heard what Sakura said.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s rare for this girl to listen to someone quietly. This woman always interrupts whenever &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something happens, loves to mess things up, and prefers the jungle to flat land.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, listen to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you find Sakura&#039;s words strange?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it normal?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But you talk like you know what Akane looks like after her transformation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No matter what, there&#039;s no way Sakura right now would know that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto looked at me like I was stupid.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So what if he knows something else? Will Natsuru resent Sakura for that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why would it be like that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course not. I just want to save Sakura from her evil mode and fall in love with me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you hate the president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto clattered her knife and fork.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because from the beginning, Sakura has only been talking about testing you. Oh, excuse &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah... Shizuku is indeed a genius and a great beauty, and my presence around her is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inherently rude. These are all things my classmates say. But surprisingly, everything is fine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
around me without causing any trouble. I really don&#039;t know how to put thi s into words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Shizuku didn&#039;t do anything wrong.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto gave a sharp look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;... Natsuru, do you like the president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not what I mean.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine, then let&#039;s expel the president together from now on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What is expulsion? Is it like in an online game, expelling a partner? Is that it? Defeat in this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
house?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t like her, but expelling nothing will do.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Why are you protecting her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because the president is also a partner.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The meaning was somewhat clear and somewhat unclear. By the way, when did this guy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stop calling Shizuku and start calling her the president? An hour ago? &amp;quot;I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    always feel that it&#039;s disgusting.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I feel the same way about Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right, I hate it so much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although she said that, I felt something was different.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at Mikoto&#039;s face, and it seemed that she had malice towards Shizuku, but it also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed that she didn&#039;t. Did this woman always have a clear hostility towards Shizuku? It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as if she was a competitor. The emotional changes in this are like th e reproduction of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bacteria.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before I knew it, dinner was almost over. Sakura brought us the after -dinner coffee.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just one  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    cup here,&amp;quot; she passed out, and we moved around the table to get some.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go to the conference room later. There&#039;s some delicious cake there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was delicious. It must have been steeping for a long time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After finishing her coffee, the large plate went into the kitchen, and the cutlery and small &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
plates went into the dishwasher. Sakura said, &amp;quot;This is convenient for important guests.&amp;quot; His &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
technique was excellent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The remaining coffee sat on the table, and even though it wasn&#039;t finished, he started &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cleaning it up. After all, Sakura was still entertaining us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wait a minute,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto suddenly snatched my cup.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing? Want more?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, bringing her mouth close to the cup, but she didn&#039;t look like she was drinking. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then, she suddenly reached behind my head and kissed me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Fuck...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Before I could finish the rest of my sentence, Mikoto&#039;s lips were suddenly pressed against &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mine. My vision went black and white, and coffee flowed into my mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, I couldn&#039;t spit it out, so I just swallowed it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto smiled, sipping her coffee. Her eyes seemed to have lost some of their spirit.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pulled my lips away, not knowing what would happen if I continued like that. Did the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sugar and milk start to drip down my mouth?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh? Just as you saw.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re acting quite shockingly, aren&#039;t you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The gallery also seems quite surprised.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Turning around, I saw Shizuku, Akane, and of course, Sakura.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were wide open, and Sakura&#039;s mouth was half open, seemingly quite happy. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had no idea what Shizuku was thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, this is...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried desperately to explain, but Sakura didn&#039;t seem to be listening.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look, look, Shizuku -chan!&amp;quot; she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said, tugging at the student council president&#039;s clothes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A chance to be jealous!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Could this be an opportunity? Shizuku seemed to agree, sighing and shaking her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru and Mikoto, you have to do this where I can&#039;t see.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Doesn&#039;t it matter if I can&#039;t see?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t suppress the urge to feel disgusted. If I hadn&#039;t seen it, I wouldn&#039;t be like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, it&#039;s like an accident. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;An accident? If it were an accident, then my insurance company is worthless.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku -chan, is this just jealousy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura asked anxiously. Really, it felt like a genuine outpouring of emotion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m jealous, but I don&#039;t know how to express it right now. This is the first time I&#039;ve felt this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this your first time with Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A first time is a first time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku slowly approached me, and I involuntarily backed away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A hand slipped behind my head and forcibly pulled me forward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru looks like he&#039;s enjoying it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No... not at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think he enjoys it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How should I vent my anger at a time like this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was best not to vent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t know what Shizuku was thinking, but I couldn&#039;t sense any fear from Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, can&#039;t you just calm down?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto uttered such an unbelievable statement.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was thinking I&#039;d get even angrier.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ugh, is there any need to be so angry? We really don&#039;t know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I have a reason to be mad.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyone who does something like this to my boyfriend will end up getting beaten to tears &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
by me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I saw the president wasn&#039;t crying, but was calmly analyzing the situation. Imagine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
how you can corner your opponent. Well, that&#039;s the situation now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto&#039;s boyfriend is really frivolous.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The president&#039;s boyfriend? He doesn&#039;t seem like a boyfriend.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, Shizuku looked like she wanted to say something. I slowly approached Mikoto and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lowered my voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, what&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Doing something like this?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s the big deal?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto laughed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just wanted to see the president&#039;s jealousy that Sakura was talking about.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no need to do it here, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, not here, right? Got it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto left Natsuru, clapping her hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay —it&#039;s over, it&#039;s over. The president&#039;s jealousy can end.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What the hell? It&#039;s over just as I was about to start. How bizarre.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura and Akane didn&#039;t react, that&#039;s true. But Shizuku looked at Mikoto with an unfriendly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The coffee seemed to have gone cold. Well, there wasn&#039;t much left anyway, after it left &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto&#039;s mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As expected, the atmosphere is not very good now, what should I do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Unexpectedly, Akane said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, do you want to go to the meeting room?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wiped the sweat off my forehead, trying to relieve the tension.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, I&#039;ve decided to have dessert, that&#039;s the cake over there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura was the first to agree.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No need to rush back, I prepared it specially for everyone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Great, let&#039;s do it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I agreed with both hands. Mikoto and Shizuku didn&#039;t say anything, so they probably didn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
object.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So we decided to eat upstairs. The utensils were already laid out, so there was no need to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
go out and get them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura had gone into the kitchen earlier to prepare a cake. It must have been in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
refrigerator.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go to the room first,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto said .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t you going to eat the cake?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll eat it later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She didn&#039;t even look at me. It seemed like nothing serious  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . Then, Akane pulled Shizuku aside and seemed to be talking to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wasn&#039;t a conversation so much as a one -sided conversation. Akane seemed very stiff, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shaking her head nervously. She no longer looked like a comrade with Shizuku. She was just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nodding  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    slowly towards Akane .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong, Akane -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku, Shizuku -san, please let me hold her back.&amp;quot; It  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    wasn&#039;t a request, it looked more like an order.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hold who back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura -san, he said he was playing a game with her. Just keep her out of the meeting &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of thing was that? Not letting Sakura out, wasn&#039;t that imprisonment? Ah, this is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura&#039;s house.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane -chan, can you do this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not good at it. This kind of thing is too difficult.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come to think of it, it&#039;s too abnormal for a high school student to be required to have such &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a skill. Of course, Shizuku, who can do this, is an exception among exceptions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Having said that, Akane still slowly walked to the front and joined Sakura. As expected, as a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
library committee member, she is still very responsible. I hope she won&#039;t force herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    By the way, what does Shizuku want to do with such a request? I walked to her while &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, President,&amp;quot; I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    answered immediately without thinking  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;Shizuku, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Shizuku, what do you want to ask Akane for?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing, just to hold Kaede back.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s an order, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even so, it will be troublesome if she takes action.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned around and walked to the back of the corridor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s perfect. I was going to call Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t we going for cake?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anytime.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;What are you going for?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come here .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Without going outside, Shizuku stood in front of the wooden door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, this is...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They say Kaede&#039;s parents are in their room.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The brown door, devoid of any austerity, had a silver knob gleaming.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku turned the knob, trying to open it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, hey. Stop it!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She ignored me, but the door only made a creaking sound and didn&#039;t open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The key is up there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop it, your parents are here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, you believe it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was confused, not knowing how to respond.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s because Sakura said so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you Uton?&amp;quot; So  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    this guy didn&#039;t believe it at all? Maybe. If she was trying to achieve her goals, she wouldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
take it seriously, even if it was just friends and family, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She lifted her shirt, revealing her fair skin. Unfortunately, I wasn&#039;t in the mood to admire it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s in the house?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why don&#039;t you know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why you want to open it because you don&#039;t know. I don&#039;t know what Kaede is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking. Since there&#039;s a need to lie, there must be a secret inside.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it okay to open it without permission?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not very good. But it&#039;s the same if you don&#039;t open it without Kaede knowing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That kind of thing...ah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura is now staying with Akane. Was this woman already thinking about this while &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eating?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked up and down at the buttons and doorknob  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No, this...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot; &amp;quot; It ca  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    n&#039;t be opened.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Can&#039;t Shizuku open locks?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Simple ones are still possible, such as breaking into Natsuru&#039;s house, but this is much &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stronger than it looks. It seems it&#039;s not an ordinary cylinder Ikari.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thought for a moment and looked away from the keyhole  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about calling Mikoto?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She should be able to open it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Indeed, for Mikoto, this kind of unusual operation is very good. She once boasted that a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bank vault could be easily hacked,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but that was only at the level of an apprentice, nothing special.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But just now, there seemed to be no sound.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Indeed, there wasn&#039;t any. She must be preoccupied with your business.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Then shall I go call her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hurry up,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was told, but it was no use going there empty -handed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Um... the meeting room and dormitory are both at the back of the room, right? Okay, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dormitory.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I got a &amp;quot;come in&amp;quot; reply from Mikoto&#039;s door and opened it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto... what&#039;s up?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thought she was asleep, but she was lying on her side on the bed, holding the Kotetsu &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(Mikoto&#039;s Japanese sword) in both hands and looking at it over and over again  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Mikoto, what&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku called you and said she wants you to do her a favor.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, sure,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto walked towards me in that position.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who does Mikoto like more, the president or me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Which one?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced to the side. There was a jacket from some idol&#039;s CD that came out a while ago.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This kind of thing was so strange, I suddenly had to ask something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not about either one. Didn&#039;t we agree to reply after this is over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it. Because we&#039;re friends...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She seemed convinced, but I think she&#039;s been forgetful lately. Didn&#039;t we make that promise &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this morning? But forget it, I still have to do what I&#039;ve been asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you doing? Didn&#039;t the president ask me to come over?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was in a hurry for some reason. The two of us walked downstairs from Mikoto&#039;s room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was still there, observing the keyhole  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;I brought it,&amp;quot; I said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you, Mikoto,&amp;quot; Shizuku just stood there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you want to open this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto would always answer immediately, &amp;quot;No problem.&amp;quot; Regardless of whether it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
legal or not, these hands just loved doing these kinds of thrilling tasks. When we ran out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
money in Africa, she&#039;d also been working on unlocking minefields and artill ery fire. &amp;quot;For that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little pay, it&#039;s not a good job,&amp;quot; she said. I felt like my body was falling apart,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but now she just smiled and didn&#039;t move  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Well, I won&#039;t do  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    it.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I don&#039;t have time for that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t do it for the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s gaze shot up, sharper than it had been during dinner.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I want to hear the reason.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing special, but there&#039;s something about doing something that benefits a romantic &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enemy... I&#039;m very stubborn and don&#039;t like being bossed around by people I hate.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It felt a little strange. Although it was obvious what Mikoto was doing, she hadn&#039;t been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clear when she called her over just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku seemed to sense it too .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You want something, right?... That must be your reason?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I do have something you want,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto turned to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku frowned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that what I want?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was halfway through her sentence when  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a sound like something falling was heard. No, those are footsteps, definitely. And they &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seem to be coming from inside the house. Someone&#039;s behind me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, there&#039;s a loud bang, and several rounds are fired. Probably a submachine gun, it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
passed by Mikoto and me, heading straight for Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku was no longer there. The moment she heard the footsteps, she immediately &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leaned against the wall, alert.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, the bracelet on her right hand glowed, and her body immediately transformed, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
holding daggers in both hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, you&#039;re worthy of being the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    From behind appeared Yamakawa Ryoka, a second -year student at Seitetsu Academy like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. Unlike Shizuku, she was a mature woman whose age was hard to judge based on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
appearance alone. She was also a member of the White Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The person behind her seemed to know about Ryoka&#039;s situation. A voice called out,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you expect me to come?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Not really. We were just prepared for the worst.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said something uninteresting. If this was prepared for the worst, then now was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
worst possible outcome?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I saw you at the station, so I was on guard, though I didn&#039;t know where you were going.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We were planning to hide, but Rika -chan insisted on seeing Senou -kun and the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika was a junior high school Kämpfer. Though a little girl, she also had murderous urges, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and as expected, she was white.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s that little one, as I expected.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s eyes never left Ryoka, especially the muzzle of her gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what are you trying to do by  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    showing up here?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;It&#039;s not too early to show up here. What did the president want to do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
by opening that door?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is that the door from before? She doesn&#039;t even have a key.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You came out before you found a way?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, because I want to know what&#039;s in there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know about that, really.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That was a lie. No, what she said was also natural. But saying that under these favorable &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
circumstances was true Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come on, open it from there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka moved the muzzle of her gun, but Shizuku still didn&#039;t move.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What if you say no?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then the fight will start here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s do this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku thrust out her  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    daggers and thrust both at Ryoka, one at her throat and one at her feet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka fired. The dagger aimed at her throat fell, but Shizuku had calculated that. The other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dagger, deliberately bypassing me and Mikoto, stabbed at her feet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With a clang, it landed at Ryoka&#039;s feet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka stumbled, and Shizuku, looking relaxed, said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;Please don&#039;t get in our way for now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s terrifying, but I&#039;m so sorry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, don&#039;t —move,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said Mikoto .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That will hurt Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto, who had transformed at some point, now held a Japanese sword in her hand. And &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the sword was pointed at my right wrist.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I could speak now, but I couldn&#039;t move. I knew that. In other words, I became a hostage .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, wouldn&#039;t it be better to drink some tea?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I... let me do it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane called out, then snatched the teapot from Kaede&#039;s hand, and poured the tea leaves &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
in little by little as her hands seemed to be shaking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were only Akane and Kaede in the meeting room, and no one else was there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto went to her room, and Natsuru disappeared. Shizuku asked, &amp;quot;Hold Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That request was too much trouble. Beneath her face, her emotions were always visible. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She always lost in face -to-face games. And now, it was just the two of them, so she was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
incredibly nervous. She couldn&#039;t think of a topic to start  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    with; she wasn&#039;t the type for happy conversation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone&#039;s late?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;W-what?!&amp;quot; Beneath her face,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    as if irritated,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede tilted her head .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You suddenly said...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just said everyone was late...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, that&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was actually startled by everything. She was that sensitive. &amp;quot;I finally  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    went out of my way to get some cake...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede puffed her cheeks. She had gone out of her way to get a different kind of cake than &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the one she&#039;d had for breakfast; it looked like she&#039;d made it herself. Beneath her face, she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    calmly looked at the tea in Kaede&#039;s cup .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you .&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede poured a little lemon juice, thought for a moment, and said  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go get them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she stood up and headed for the door. Beneath her panicked gaze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, that&#039;s all!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She walked over and stood in front of the door  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;She&#039;ll be here soon, I&#039;m sure she&#039;ll be. Let&#039;s just wait here!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ha...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s a good thing to act like an adult.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane couldn&#039;t think of a better excuse. Even she herself was wondering, &amp;quot;What the hell &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
am I talking about?&amp;quot; Sakura  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    bent down .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, let&#039;s have some tea first, the two of us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane also sat down in a chair, facing the dessert on the table  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    : a cake made by Kaede himself, decorated with many fruits. But it wasn&#039;t particularly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sweet, and it was very soft when bitten.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane took a snack and stuffed it into her mouth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, it&#039;s delicious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe it was actually nervousness.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re welcome, please eat more.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, no, if you eat too much, there won&#039;t be any for Natsuru and the others.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s still plenty, just wait.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As if about to stand up, Akane threw away what she was eating  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;No, that&#039;s enough. I&#039;m not going to eat it anymore!&amp;quot; She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    suddenly said this with such force that even Kaede was stunned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really... why are you...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s just Sakura and I eating, no one else is getting in our way!&amp;quot;     Kaede was slightly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
surprised as she spoke  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    forcefully , and a blush spread across her face.     &amp;quot;Well... if Mishima -san and I are in this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
kind of relationship, it&#039;s a bit...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Oh...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Although I really like Natsuru -san, who is a girl, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m not interested in other girls. Sorry.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Ah, no, that&#039;s not the case... that&#039;s not the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
case...&amp;quot;     Kaede seemed to finally understand something.     &amp;quot;By the way, how did Mishima -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
san know Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;     The topic changed, and Akane felt relieved.     &amp;quot;Um, is that the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
male student, Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Yes, because I have many opportunities to meet students &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
from the boys&#039; club.&amp;quot;     It&#039;s true that their actions together, which had been so ordinary up &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
until now, were indeed a mystery to a third party.     &amp;quot;That&#039;s...that...&amp;quot;     What should I say? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Could  it be that they bumped into each other on the street? But that kind of plot, like a shojo &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
manga, couldn&#039;t happen in real life. How could I make it more realistic?     &amp;quot;I-I&#039;m the library &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
committee member. So, I met Natsuru -san when he came to borrow books. &amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Natsuru -san &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is reading, even though he loved watching TV in junior high...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;That&#039;s because he&#039;s a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sophomore, and he said so too. He reads even in the refrigerator.&amp;quot;     This was such a big lie &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that Natsuru would laugh until his stomach hurt if he heard it. But for Akane, this was already &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the limit.     &amp;quot;Mishima -san really loves books.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;But Natsuru -san probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doesn&#039;t.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Uh... maybe.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Really? You&#039;re all Kämpfer companions and don&#039;t even know &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;?!&amp;quot;     Akane was so shocked that she couldn&#039;t hold her cake or fork. Kaede smiled &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
faintly.     &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;     Feeling no longer relaxed, she injected power into her right &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wrist. Her entire body was enveloped in light.     The moment she felt like a Kämpfer, she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
drew her pistol and fired several rounds at Kaede.     Immediately, she felt the heat rise. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Don&#039;t underestimate me!&amp;quot;     After firing the bullets, Kaede was no longer in the same &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
place.     &amp;quot;Ah, you&#039;re still impatient like     before,&amp;quot; a voice said nearby. As she pointed the gun &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
towards her, Kaede&#039;s right hand formed a sword and stabbed Akane&#039;s throat.     Akane quickly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dodged, stepping on the bed and turning to gain distance.     &amp;quot;Oh, I missed.&amp;quot;     Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
deliberately made his body look like he &amp;quot;missed&amp;quot; instead of &amp;quot;avoided&amp;quot;, constantly irritating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane&#039;s nerves     &amp;quot;You damn bitch!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;You really have a blue dog mouth, it seems you need &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to be trained well before you can become an  adult.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;What did you say!&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;What is the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mediator doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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    Kaede moved toward the door. Akane was already standing there, her gun pointed at her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her target was none other than Kaede. She had been smiling just a moment ago, but now, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not a trace of her softness had left her. Her aura had vanished.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been fed up with you for a long time. I&#039;m going to kill you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, don&#039;t say that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hypocrites like you are the worst. Your existence is a hindrance. You should realize that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t really mean to be a hindrance.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know you&#039;re always getting in the way of me attacking Natsuru before I transform.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Many things flashed through Akane&#039;s mind. The weakness before the transformation, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
careless firing afterward —that was the truth.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;…Ah, it&#039;s about that idiot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you remember? Then die.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede leaped up easily, leaping towards Akane as she always did,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    firing a round at her current position, then firing another in mid -air. It was as if there was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sound of firing before the firing, and then the bullet in the air shot towards Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
abdomen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede finally knocked down the bullet with his sword, and then he fell to the ground.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It was really dangerous, I almost got shot again with the wound on my abdomen.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come to think of it, you were so seriously injured at that time, why are you still alive?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huhu, who knows?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They confronted each other again, with no gaps on either side and no chance to attack. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
They just moved little by little.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane held her breath, and Kaede leaned against the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    His sight moved. Kaede held a sword in his hand, and in the past, a pistol would appear in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
his other hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede spoke first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now, as long as I have a sword, that&#039;s enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes were raised. What she hated most was being treated as a fool. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
immediately pouted  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Thank you so much. But I won&#039;t worry about that. I&#039;ll beat you to a pulp.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I love honey, but I hate honeycombs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now Natsuru, Shizuku, and Mikoto will be here too, but don&#039;t worry, because I&#039;ll kill you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
before they do.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, are you still thinking Natsuru and the others will come?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kaede put on the same expression she had when she was eating cake .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They won&#039;t come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...What did you say?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No matter what, they won&#039;t come,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the girl said confidently. Of course, what she said went against Akane&#039;s nerves.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll go to Natsuru,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane grabbed the gun with both hands, as if that calmed her down a bit. Holding it with  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    two hands didn&#039;t mean she could fire more shots. Unlike ordinary guns, Kämpfer&#039;s gun &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
couldn&#039;t be used up, so holding it in one hand was enough. But using two hands made the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gun much more accurate.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can&#039;t hit me, even if you try!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re kidding!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With a roar, a bullet shot out from the muzzle of the gun, hurtling towards Kaede. Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t miss, but rather hit her, but Kaede remained unharmed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Instead of deflecting the bullet with a sword like before, a sickle emerged from behind &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede, blocking the bullet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was the weapon of the White Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Rika -chan, come on!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The chain ripped through the door, a hole so large it completely destroyed it. Then, in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came the girl, Ueda Rika, holding a small handle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s how you deal with a vicious bitch!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sickle flew towards Akane, struggling to deal with it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You idiotic loli, are you such a jerk again?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t make people sound like they&#039;re from kindergarten.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t that right!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Several more bullets were fired, and Rika&#039;s body tumbled through the air. As if the enemy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girl had sensed the attack, she charged at them like a rocket.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika adjusted herself, while Akane continued to run. Despite its small handle, it&#039;s capable &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of wielding such a massive sickle at such high speeds. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you doing? Can&#039;t you see ahead?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The most important thing in battle is to surprise and win.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you think you&#039;re a military strategist?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I leaned back, slamming into the glass. There was no balcony here, and it was on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
second floor.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Rika spun again,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shattering the glass, Akane&#039;s body flipped backwards.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto&#039;s katana felt incredibly sharp, and the end of my hand had been aching ever since. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My oath bracelet was pressed against the blade; if I tried to inject power into it, my wrist &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would surely be severed. Because I can&#039;t transform here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Taking a childhood friend hostage is quite an awkward atmosphere,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I continued, still casually saying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then leave,&amp;quot; I was told. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There wouldn&#039;t be a high school girl threatening others with a katana.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m used to holding a knife like that. Kids in Africa hold iron pipes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is Japan, and at home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Mikoto&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What, President&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you want to leave Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t plan to leave him.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Such cruel words, can this still be considered childhood sweethearts?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But President, you have to take back the dagger.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;In this situation, you want me to take it back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, President, you don&#039;t have the right to deny.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was nothing that could be done after saying that, Shizuku said nothing, untied the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dagger at Ryoka&#039;s feet, and with a sound, the dagger was returned to Shizuku&#039;s hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Ryoka who said this  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Well, everyone, get out of here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka led us away from the door  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and walked away. Behind me was Mikoto, holding her knife against my hand, preventing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me from transforming.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku silently protected her abdomen, turning her head as if in thought. Now, I was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
only one who didn&#039;t understand the situation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, aren&#039;t you going back to your room?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm? No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Idiot, don&#039;t you make me an enemy now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I scolded Mikoto. Didn&#039;t this idiot even know where she stood?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know how,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, so nonchalantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know how we became enemies!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, my position is better than being an enemy, as I&#039;m indifferent to both sides. Besides, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t want to listen to what the president says.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If I do that, I feel like I&#039;ll never get the Natsuru again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Was she serious?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t tell if Mikoto was being playful or serious. Now it seems even more intense, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more serious than when she confessed to me, in the garden. I said I hated hearing what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku said, but now I feel like I understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka directed us into the inner courtyard, pointing a gun at us from the back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No sandals, no boots, no shoes. Take them off before you go in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked very impressed  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;To prevent us from escaping? You&#039;re really thinking hard.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You could take your clothes off, but since there are men in front of you, I&#039;ll give you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
permission to keep them on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru will be happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then you can&#039;t take them off.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku might want to...see her naked body, but she&#039;s not going to ask me to take them off &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
either. Besides, it&#039;s summer now, and you&#039;ll catch a cold. And  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    we were in the green inner courtyard. It was really dim, a stark difference from when I was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talking to Mikoto. The pool in front of us shimmered in the starlight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go over there,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka instructed. Honestly, we were really good kids.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Standing by the pool, there was an iron cover near our feet. I guess it was a fire hydrant &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
inside, right? There&#039;s water all around, but that&#039;s nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was standing by the pool, threatened by Mikoto .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what do you want to do to us?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t seem panicked at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just drown us?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Drown you? President, you&#039;re the champion of the school swimming competition.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s a great swimmer, too, with an absolutely overwhelming victory in the women&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
competition. I think it&#039;s necessary to check my chromosomes to see if there&#039;s anything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wrong.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you tie my hands and feet, I won&#039;t be able to swim.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t tie you up, and that person will be angry if I kill someone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A mediator, but that&#039;s up to you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka pointed the muzzle of her submachine gun at Shizuku and me, constantly changing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her target. There shouldn&#039;t be any chance to take advantage of her now. I looked at Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    . &amp;quot;Then please, Kondou -kun, jump in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Huh? Me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto was taken aback. It was a mystery to me, too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because it&#039;s useless. We know they&#039;re trying to win us over because they think we&#039;re a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hindrance to the president and Natsuru -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can do it now, so jump in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ll die!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Can&#039;t you swim?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Yes, I can.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It doesn&#039;t matter whether you can or not. I have a reason for asking you to jump in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she walked over to me and lowered a rope. She was carrying something like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;First, Kondou -kun, please tie up Natsuru -kun. President, you don&#039;t have to do anything. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s useless.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you going to do with her?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That way I can handle it alone. And then you just jump in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you want to resist?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka said with an ominous smile. Indeed, Mikoto&#039;s tone was ordinary, but she certainly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t intend to resist Ryoka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ugh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please continue threatening Senou -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka jumped onto the metal cover. There was no fire hydrant, just a horn.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She twisted the horn, and there seemed to be a sound of air leaking out from somewhere.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then the sound changed. I turned my head and looked behind me. That&#039;s where the sound &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came from.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The surface of the pool shifted, and a vortex slowly formed in the center of the water, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leaking downward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please tie him up quickly. It&#039;ll hurt if I jump in if there&#039;s no water.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re talking like it&#039;s someone else&#039;s business!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s my own business. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a wonderful personality !  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto couldn&#039;t disobey. I couldn&#039;t move, and neither could Shizuku. What would happen?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto picked up the rope, and at that moment,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was as if something was falling overhead. The sound of something being cut and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
screaming  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    hadn&#039;t distracted Ryoka from above. Then, the person who screamed reached into the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
water and splashed it upwards, and that indeed distracted Ryoka.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As I felt the coldness, Shizuku started to move. My hand was pulled, and I fell into the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swimming pool with  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    who was holding a Japanese sword, and then Shizuku jumped in immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ryoka by the pool yelled, and although I couldn&#039;t hear what she said clearly, along with the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
yelling, bullets from the submachine gun came in. Although the power was much reduced in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the water, it was still very dangerous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was dark in the water and I couldn&#039;t see clearly. But I could still tell that the bottom of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the whirlpool was sucking in water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The pool was very deep, and there was a cave at the bottom. Ah, if anyone gets sucked in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
now, they will definitely not be able to come back here, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku was still pulling me and Mikoto with both hands. Although I wanted to get out of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the water, she didn&#039;t seem to think so.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku just pointed with her eyes, &amp;quot;Go there.&amp;quot; There was a cave that opened in the center &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of the pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh?! Is that the cave that looks like it&#039;s going to fall into?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We can&#039;t get out of the water, so we&#039;ve got to go in  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; &amp;quot;No way! We might get swept down by the current!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no other way. If we dawdle any longer, the white guys might be coming over, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
then we won&#039;t be able to escape.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Go alone!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re really not manly.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll become a woman when I transform!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, she&#039;s not the type to just follow others; once she makes a decision, she acts on &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it. That&#039;s Shizuku&#039;s style.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The student council president, using her uncanny Kämpfer strength, pulled Mikoto and me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
forward, and we immediately entered the whirlpool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The water&#039;s flowing so fast!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, that feels unexpectedly good, doesn&#039;t it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Still looking around!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We spun around like that, and were sucked into the cave in the pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 10 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Forward to 10 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586403</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586403"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:04:14Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translator&amp;#039;s Notes */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10, Chapter 3  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I unpacked my belongings in my assigned room. It was a Western -style room, furnished &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a bed and a simple table. There was a lamp on the nightstand. Oh, and there was even a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wardrobe and a toilet. It looked like a hotel, after all. It was a shame th ere wasn&#039;t a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bathroom.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, I threw my bag on the bed. I&#039;d been planning to head straight to the interview &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room, but then something else struck me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I opened my bag and pulled out a stuffed animal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, how are you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Not really.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re really unforgiving,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the Seppuku Tiger grumbled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Being locked up in such a cramped place, and forced to stay still all the time. A human &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would have sued long ago.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Chemical fibers don&#039;t have the right to sue.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And even if an animal wanted to sue, it would probably be against the manufacturer that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
produced them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, I&#039;ll let you out first. Just stay here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine... So, is this Sakura Kaede&#039;s house?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Yes. I heard it used to be an inn.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh—. It feels like I&#039;ve been here before, but it also feels like I haven&#039;t.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do stuffed animals travel?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If that&#039;s the case, the world is almost over. I moved the Seppuku Tiger to my pillow and left &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When I reached the old conversation room, the girls had already arrived.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The room, adorned with crystal chandeliers, looked more like an aristocratic salon than a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
conversation room. This must have been the taste of the previous owner. There were also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
luxurious -looking chairs and tables, and for some reason, even a sofa. The re was an LCD TV. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And a pool table.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Public table?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I blurted out. A pool table certainly seemed like a staple of wealthy families. Could this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
family be interested in it, too? If it were a ping -pong table, it would be a hot spring inn.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does Natsuru play pool?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shook my head after hearing Shizuku&#039;s question.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll teach you later. Please sit down now  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; This woman even knows table tennis? What else can&#039;t she do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because the table is round, we sit in pairs facing each other. Across from me is Kondou &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto, but she still looks away. What is she so nervous about?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku spoke up. As the older one, she naturally took on this role.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s discuss it now. We have to make things clear while Sakura Kaede is away,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked hesitantly.     &amp;quot;Is it not okay with  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede here     ?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That&#039;s right.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;So, maybe Sakura Kaede is secretly planning &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Of course,&amp;quot;     Shizuku&#039;s answer was incredibly succinct. She must have been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on high alert since arriving here.     Shizuku and Sakura Kaede are chil dhood friends, but her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way of thinking is completely free of personal feelings. She never lets friendship influence &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her judgment of the current situation. Meanwhile, my love for Sakura Kaede is something I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
never let go of, no matter how long it takes. S hizuku and I are truly worlds apart. This is proof &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that I am far superior to Shizuku in terms of liking others.     This is also one of the reasons &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
why I feel like this guy is CG. After all, you are friends. It&#039;s not a superior -subordinate &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
relationship in the military. But Shizuku takes this way of thinking for granted.     &amp;quot;I want to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eliminate as many suspicious elements as possible.&amp;quot;     It must be very hard for Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to have such a friend. But Shizuku is a great helper to us now.     &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede  behaves as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
usual, as if nothing has happened to us. We had such a fierce battle not long ago. Akane even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shot her in the chest.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;That bullet...hit the target.&amp;quot;     Akane began to shrink. It seemed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that once she recalled what she did in bulldog mode, she would fall into self -loathing.     &amp;quot;But, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she doesn&#039;t look injured...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Yes. But it was definitely Sakura Kaede. It was Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who Akane shot, and it was Sakura Kaede who greeted us.     &amp;quot; &amp;quot;You can tell that...?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Yes, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because we&#039;re childh ood friends. They must be the same person.&amp;quot;     This line of reasoning &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
matched my own. Even I could see it, let alone Shizuku.     &amp;quot;I think only her personality &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
completely changed. And it seems her internal organs were strengthened as well.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;But, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
when  we became Kämpfer, we still shared our memories. Although our personalities were a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little...&amp;quot;     Her voice trailed off, perhaps because she was considering her own situation. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When Akane entered bulldog mode, her brutality would put even a gangster to sha me.     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although I didn&#039;t say anything, I had a different opinion about her statement about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;memories still being shared.     &amp;quot; &amp;quot;I think Sakura Kaede and Kämpfer are different beings.&amp;quot;     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While not a firm statement, her tone was quite certain.     Shizuku&#039;s intuition was never &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wrong. As I&#039;ve said before, this guy&#039;s intuition is based on a wealth of experience. Everyone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
present knew this.     But couldn&#039;t you have considered your words a lit tle more? The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
database should be able to deduce that ordinary Sakura Kaede is deeply in love with me.     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Well, even if I said it out loud, she&#039;d only scorn me, so I&#039;d better keep it to myself. Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed to have more questions.     &amp;quot;If it&#039;s not Kämpfer,  then who is it...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know. But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
judging by the rapid healing of wounds, it seems she has a special ability.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Such an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ability?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Can&#039;t we transform into Kämpfer too? Our bodies would become stronger, too. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s not surprising if you think  about it that way.&amp;quot;     Indeed, once transformed into Kämpfer, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one becomes less susceptible to injury, and wounds heal faster. Fortunately, I&#039;ve never &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
broken a bone, but after all, I&#039;ve never been in danger of one. As for her recovery ability from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
illness , I don&#039;t know.     &amp;quot;But even the bullet wounds have disappeared, which means her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
metabolism is more active than ours.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Who knows?&amp;quot;     I replied.     &amp;quot;And her strength &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
should have increased, too.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
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    A brief silence descended upon the room. Kämpfer&#039;s physical abilities surpassed those of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
an average person, but Sakura Kaede&#039;s were even better. He wielded both a sword and a gun. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This was truly unusual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were indeed Kämpfers who wielded two weapons, Shizuku being one of them. He &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
could wield two chained daggers. The girl I&#039;d fought with before, whose name I couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
recall, also wielded two pistols. But Sakura Kaede possessed not just one, but two  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
weapons—unheard of. Was it simply because she possessed twice the strength?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And it seems she&#039;s been in battle many times. If it were just double the strength, we&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have the advantage, but her experience would make her a real challenge.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where did she gain that experience?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who knows? Perhaps she fought in places we don&#039;t know. Fighting against seasoned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
warriors is just as tough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy, however, seemed unfazed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In short, I knew something extremely troublesome was about to happen. And I knew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede was becoming truly terrifying. At the Kämpfer Festival, bullets and swords &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might fly. It&#039;s like a Tarantino movie.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ugh, why do I act so indifferent? I should realize I&#039;m also involved. I can&#039;t seem to find any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tension. Am I getting senile?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Let&#039;s have tea,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, standing up and grabbing a tea set. Even the tea set is ready. Coming to my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
senses, I&#039;m genuinely thirsty. I&#039;ve been talking all this time and haven&#039;t even had a drop of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane brewed the tea. An alluring aroma filled the room. She used high -quality tea leaves, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not tea bags. Amazing!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She placed the tea in front of everyone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you,&amp;quot; Shizuku said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    sipping elegantly. Drinking tea without making any noise is another skill this woman &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
possesses. For context, she seems to be able to walk silently, too. Although Shizuku herself &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
asks, &amp;quot;What good is there in being able to do this?&amp;quot; I think I should make  use of this skill to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
make a living, perhaps working in a haunted house.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Though what I just said has caused everyone to feel uneasy,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku placed the teacup on the tray.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But there&#039;s more to it than that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What else?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;About the white Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Ah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t help but let out a silly sound. Speaking of which, the evil Sakura Kaede did say, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Bring the white one here too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wonder if they&#039;ve arrived yet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I haven&#039;t seen them, so maybe they haven&#039;t arrived yet,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no sign of anyone else at the entrance.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They&#039;re not necessarily lurking in this house,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku bluntly refuted my argument.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They might be nearby. If they&#039;re too far away, there&#039;s no point.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do we have to fight them too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede...is the evil Sakura Kaede with them?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A gloomy atmosphere instantly enveloped us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No matter how you look at it, this is too much. There are already some very troublesome &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people. There are also four people on the other side, so they won&#039;t be outnumbered, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Isn&#039;t there anything more cheerful to talk about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, but there are only so many dull topics.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want something cheerful.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;Want to listen to rakugo? I can perform right here if you don&#039;t mind.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was surprising, but on reflection, it wasn&#039;t surprising. This guy&#039;s dream is to be a rakugo &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
artist. He might even practice alone at night. The idea of a woman suited to black magic &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
receiving special training in rakugo is creepy in another sense.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no need to bother,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied. Shizuku looked a little regretful. Ah, does she really want to perform?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now&#039;s not the time to laugh.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Laughter is a good thing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Compared to that...there&#039;s no hope for our future. All we can understand right now is that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
our situation is extremely unfavorable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true. On reflection, it might be a bit rash to accept an invitation so easily to come &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Saying something like that right now is giving me a headache. Even though it was Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede who invited me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stared at Shizuku and said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought the president had anticipated this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Indeed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If that&#039;s the case, why bother coming?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It was bound to happen sooner or later anyway. Might as well get it over with.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This desperate thinking is truly remarkable. I think humans generally prefer to postpone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bad things, but this girl loves to deal with them quickly. It seems she&#039;s the type to quickly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
finish her summer homework and move on to other subjects. Things like  that should be put &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
off until the last minute, then tackled with the help of others. If it were me, I&#039;d just look for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my friends&#039; homework and copy it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, the president is planning...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane, who had been listening to our conversation until then, finally spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are we going to put it all off here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the president replied without hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Things like this should be put to rest as soon as possible,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she added briefly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A brief silence followed. Everyone sipped their tea in silence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So many thoughts swirled around...how could I express them? Unfortunately, all I was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking about was &amp;quot;I need to go to the bathroom.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ll wait a little longer in the bathroom. I&#039;ve also been seriously considering how to deal &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with Sakura Kaede. She&#039;s my crush, after all. Although our relationship has recently hit a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rough patch, I don&#039;t think I&#039;ve fallen out with &amp;quot;ordinary Sakura Kaed e.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My place in that person&#039;s heart is probably just that of an ordinary male friend. I&#039;ve made &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this point numerous times. What&#039;s troubling me is how to proactively close the gap between &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us. It would be best if I could find a way to make the evil Sakura Ka ede disappear, leaving &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
only the normal Sakura Kaede. But even then, our relationship still hasn&#039;t progressed at all. It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
means everything we&#039;ve been working on is down the drain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So should I just give up? Hmm, that won&#039;t work either. Because Sakura Kaede is a gentle &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beauty. And I don&#039;t have a connection with other girls.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hmm? Connection with girls? Then I suddenly remembered. Oh no, I&#039;ve been confessed to. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Isn&#039;t it true that I have a connection with girls?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah, this is really a headache. Sakura Kaede won&#039;t change her mind about me, my childhood &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sweetheart is so pushy, and the student council president looks like a computer drawing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Isn&#039;t there a girl who&#039;s more understanding? Preferably one I like.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I like... isn&#039;t there one?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While I was thinking about all this, the teacup was empty. Did I drink it all without realizing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no point in nagging about it in silence,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku suddenly said. I was startled. Did she see what I was thinking? Even Shizuku, after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
all, could do something like that... maybe she could actually do it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s do what we can in advance. Just by discussing things like this and coming to a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
consensus, the results will be very different. Also, Kondou Mikoto,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku called her in a slightly forceful tone. Kondou Mikoto&#039;s heart sank.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;W-What is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please stop caring so much about Natsuru -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I, I don&#039;t...care about him...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto stubbornly refused to look at me, but her body was shrinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s tone was like she was scolding a subordinate who had made a mistake. She had a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
very &amp;quot;student council president&amp;quot; vibe.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t deny it. Have you said a word since you entered this room?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think... I did...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, not at all. No one can predict what will happen next. Sakura Kaede might have turned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
evil. White Kämpfer could attack at any moment. So we all need to communicate and work &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
together to find a solution. If you keep being so blunt, it&#039;ll bother us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s... not the case! I just haven&#039;t said anything because there&#039;s nothing to say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please stop lying,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku retorted bluntly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not forcing you to close the gap between you and Natsuru -kun, but you should forget &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about it for now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you really need to be so worried after a confession?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After hearing Shizuku&#039;s words, Kondou Mikoto blushed with embarrassment, and Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
jumped up from her chair in surprise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wha... what...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kondou Mikoto confessed to Natsuru...? Is that true!?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No one answered Akane&#039;s question. But everything was written on Kondou Mikoto&#039;s face. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane seemed to understand it all the moment she looked at her expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You suddenly confessed to Natsuru...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not something to be so surprised about,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said nonchalantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I confessed too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This time, not only Akane was surprised, but even Kondou Mikoto was taken aback. My &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reaction was the same, even at the mention of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President!?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pronounced the word &amp;quot;President&amp;quot; strangely. But then again, if I had spoken, I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably have done the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you confessed!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes. I told Natsuru -kun, &#039;I like you, please go out with me.&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy spoke so calmly, as if he were saying, &amp;quot;I&#039;m just going to the convenience store.&amp;quot; Is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confessing to you the same as finding a lost ten -yen coin on the street?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked back and forth between me and Shizuku, shaking her head with an unusual &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
speed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, well, well, then, what&#039;s Natsuru -kun&#039;s answer...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I haven&#039;t gotten an answer yet,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku answered simply.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We agreed that he&#039;d give me an answer once this matter was settled. Kondou Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
must be in the same situation, so he&#039;s worried.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto&#039;s face grew redder and redder. Akane murmured, &amp;quot;Is that so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Why does the president seem so nonchalant...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m concerned too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How could you possibly be concerned?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Every time I talk to Natsuru -kun, my heart races. I can&#039;t even meet his gaze.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s impossible. Don&#039;t you always look people in the eye when you talk? People like you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
will never be nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not only me, but Akane also looked skeptical, as if saying, &amp;quot;You liar.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;B-but Natsuru -kun and I already have an appointment. In fact, I was planning on having &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru -kun meet his parents. And I was thinking about telling them we were dating...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Eh. No way, are we... dating?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s face flushed, but unlike Kondou Mikoto, she stared at the president without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flinching. In that respect, she didn&#039;t look like the weak -kneed girl with glasses.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just had a temporary setback at the anime store. That incident is over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me and Natsuru -san already kissed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me too. Even Kondou Mikoto...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;He even touched my breasts...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was even pushed down and nearly assaulted once.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If that&#039;s the case, Natsuru -san and I have done even more outrageous things,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said confidently. Lately, she seemed less nervous around Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My relationship with Natsuru has taken a step forward.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And it was Shizuku who backed down first, a highly unusual sight. The student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would be shocked if they saw her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll let it go for now. After all, Natsuru will give me an answer once this matter is settled.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not certain,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s voice was filled with confidence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I might take advantage of my stay here to deepen my relationship with Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was surprised. Akane was using ambiguous terms because she probably had some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
concerns.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, that&#039;s irrelevant. What matters is what she meant by &amp;quot;deepening the relationship.&amp;quot; Is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she talking about that kind of thing? This is my first time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, Akane...!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Kondou Mikoto, not Shizuku, who yelled. I&#039;m losing control of the situation. Just let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you planning to do with Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, you can&#039;t say that out loud.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s... not right!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto finally came to her senses.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I, I too...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t that the case of striking first?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I also helped the president to knock Natsuru down!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh... what good did you do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What does it matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course it matters! Because Natsuru is dating me!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It should be me! I&#039;ve already confessed!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto, fully recovered, yelled at Akane. Though Akane was a weaker version of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
herself with glasses, she refused to give in. I could only silently pray that this typhoon would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
soon pass.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t join in the argument. Instead, she stared intently at the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s enough. Be quiet, just like usual.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her voice, though low, carried a sense of intimidation. Not only Akane and Kondou Mikoto, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but even I involuntarily straightened up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The door opened. Sakura Kaede walked in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry to have kept you waiting. I was busy with a package that arrived... Here are some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
snacks.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede carried a tray filled with a variety of snacks: cream cakes, cheesecakes, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unidentified confections adorned with various fruits.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;S-Sorry for your trouble,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thanked her stiffly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you, Sakura Kaede,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, unfazed. I&#039;m used to it, but what&#039;s wrong with this guy?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I also prepared tea... Oh, no!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede placed the tray on the table and covered her mouth with her hand. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Suddenly, she seemed to remember something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I forgot something. Please enjoy yourselves.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With that, she left the room again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sound of footsteps faded away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That was really dangerous,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If she overheard our argument just now, it would be really hard to hide it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I think the president will find a way...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. And I felt the same way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, please stop fighting over Natsuru -kun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Is Natsuru already mine?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so clueless... Well, do as you please. But on the other hand, please don&#039;t let your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guard down. A fight could break out here at any moment.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s implication was that we had to be extra cautious. And that&#039;s true. Always &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
preparing for the worst isn&#039;t just a slogan for the police or the military. Besides, we&#039;re the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfers, a group of people who exist to fight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Got it? And in front of Sakura Kaede, try to act normal. Stay calm until that girl&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personality changes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I&#039;m not very good at acting...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please do your best.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That doesn&#039;t even consider me. Damn it. So I just had to go through with it, thinking back &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to my time working at the &amp;quot;quasi -maid cafe.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I have another suggestion,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;During a battle, perhaps constant instructions will be necessary.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wouldn&#039;t it be enough for the president to take charge?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. I agree with that. Kondou Mikoto should be the same way, too. Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    continued, picking up where Akane left off.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s what I mean. If I were addressed as president, I might not be able to react &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
immediately. And adding &#039;classmate&#039; after my name would be troublesome. So, from now on, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
please let me address you by your names. Call Akane, Akane. Call Kondou Mikoto,  Mikoto. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That&#039;ll make the battle easier.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s like a football game. They say that when a split second of judgment can determine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
victory or defeat, there&#039;s no time for honorifics. It&#039;s certainly similar to our current situation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, can we also call the president, Shizuku?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sure. That way, we&#039;d be partners.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing that, my nervousness seemed to ease a little.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Partners? I see. Being eloquent is Shizuku&#039;s specialty, too. The seemingly meaningless &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
argument from earlier seemed to be gradually subsiding.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, you should call me Shizuku too,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, her gaze fixed on me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Got it, Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone present, myself included, only then realized we&#039;d been tricked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede returned shortly afterward, beaming. A smile truly suits you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are the cakes good?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I made them all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;These?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked without thinking. The colors are beautiful, the presentation is stunning, and the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flavor is delicious. I&#039;d always thought they&#039;d been bought from some store.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I&#039;ve been working on them since morning to entertain everyone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah, so that&#039;s why she couldn&#039;t come pick us up. As expected of Sakura Kaede. She&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
definitely make a great bride. Both women can cook, but Shizuku and Sakura Kaede are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
worlds apart.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She even replaced the tea leaves for the tea and brewed it fresh. She&#039;s truly meticulous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede sat down on a chair.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It feels like a dream to be with everyone like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s too much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t mention the previous conversation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t I stay in your apartment for a night?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Natsuru -kun wasn&#039;t here then. It&#039;d be nicer to have more people around.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There are a lot of viscera there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s hardly any here, because I want to keep them in the collection room in my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
apartment.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s probably because I can&#039;t feel at peace unless they have a place to keep them. It would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
really make Sakura Kaede happy if she were to be protected by viscera. I&#039;m the type who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leaves things scattered around; I&#039;m not good at organizing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I even keep my textbooks on the first and second floors, and searching for things is one of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the reasons I&#039;m late.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;By the way, what did you get back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede brought a notebook to the table. It was A5 size, not too big.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wasn&#039;t a viscera notebook. Sure enough, it was because of the collector&#039;s mentality that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she couldn&#039;t bear to use it. Instead, she put a sticker of a drowned sea oyster on it. Indeed, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the novelty of a marine creature drowning did attract a little at tention.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here, I wrote down the names of people who&#039;ve been to my house. It&#039;s so I can &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember them later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like a guestbook.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede, that&#039;s strange.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s just like the notebooks you see at hostel houses. Can I take a look?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku took the notebook from Sakura Kaede and flipped through it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just the names, okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;d be happy if you could give me a little extra. Oh, Natsuru -san, you should write yours &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiled at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No problem.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s so nice to have guests leave notes in this notebook. When you&#039;re older and take it out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and look at it again, you might cry with nostalgia.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, that&#039;s like a girl&#039;s dream. I was thinking about writing it down without leaving any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
evidence or fingerprints. It would be unmanly of a man not to help her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku began writing. She wrote so fluently, without stopping.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, Natsuru -san, please.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, she called me by my name in front of Sakura Kaede. Of course, Sakura Kaede looked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nonchalant. Ah, because she still thought I was dating Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The notebook was open, a fresh page on top. &amp;quot;Shizuku Sangou&amp;quot; was written in the top left &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
corner. The date was written at the back, but no special message.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Still, the handwriting is beautiful. Maybe she&#039;s really into calligraphy or something. I can&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
write straight, so I&#039;d never be able to write this well. And I can&#039;t even balance the left and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wrote &amp;quot;Seno Natsuru&amp;quot; on top. Damn, it&#039;s crooked as expected. If I had to say anything, it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
terrible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When it was Akane&#039;s turn, Shizuku spoke up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede, do you have any replacement black tea leaves?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, sorry, is the flavor off?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, it&#039;s pretty bland.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll get a new one.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede walked out, teapot in hand. Shizuku checked and suddenly snatched the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
notebook from my hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what are you doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone, look here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku flipped to the previous page. We leaned over to look at the notebook.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The place she showed us was signed &amp;quot;Midori Kuzuhara.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a cute name.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not that, do you know who this is?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...This.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s the girl from the student council, the one with the twin guns, Kämpfer.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced back at the signature. Actually, I remember that person&#039;s last name was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kuzuhara, but I didn&#039;t know her name. Since she was on the student council, Shizuku must be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said, &amp;quot;Anyone who comes to my house will have a record left.&amp;quot; That meant &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kuzuhara had been here, too. And what happened next?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane began tremblingly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That Kuzuhara -san, after she fainted, it was indeed the president... Shizuku who moved &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her away.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wish you could just call me by my name.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry... what happened after that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of which, Shizuku moved her to some unknown place. What exactly happened?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kuzuhara disappeared after that. The teachers and students weren&#039;t pretending to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ignorant; it seemed they had no idea of her existence from the beginning. Since she never &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
existed in the first place, her disappearance wouldn&#039;t cause a stir. Her paren ts were worried, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but they didn&#039;t seem to realize the extent of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She didn&#039;t do anything serious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If that were the case, then she must have done something truly drastic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She just threw her away.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?! Where?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was startled. This isn&#039;t like throwing away pornographic books. It used to be popular to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just dump them on the riverbank, but I recommend pretending nothing happened and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
throwing them in the trash can in front of a convenience store.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She threw them inside the school.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Inside the school? Is that okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not a good idea, but I left them somewhere inconspicuous. When I went to check the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
next day, she was gone, even though I knew she&#039;d disappear.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How did you know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My senior was the same way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The senior was the one who taught Shizuku everything about Kämpfer. I&#039;d never met her, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so I didn&#039;t know what she looked like. But I knew at least Shizuku admired her deeply.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems she really did disappear somewhere. This signature of Kuzuhara&#039;s here might be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the only proof she&#039;s still alive.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The words weighed heavily on my mind after she said that. We didn&#039;t say anything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unnecessary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If we lose, it will probably be like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She really didn&#039;t want it to be like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Needless to say, everyone fell silent. The heaviness of the atmosphere permeated her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
body. Can&#039;t she say something cheerful?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto reached out and flipped through the notebook.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There are some other names.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are they all Kämpfers?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There should be ordinary people too, but I don&#039;t know what the proportion is.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto handed the notebook to Akane. Akane flipped through it quickly and wrote &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her name in it. Then Kondou Mikoto did the same. Just as she finished, Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
returned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I brought tea and cake, but if you eat too much, you won&#039;t be able to eat dinner later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede even brought new tea sets. I helped her because I had to put them on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
table.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, Sakura Kaede, you said we should stay here, just the three of us?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede replied with a smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because then the guest rooms are full. One room per person. If the woman, Natsuru, is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here too... you can stay in my room,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said shyly. That was the right reaction for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede joined in the conversation, but her words lacked any altruism.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even then, Sakura Kaede barely glanced at me. Please give me some more of your smile. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku and the others don&#039;t need to pay any attention to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since dinner was almost time, we decided to go back to our rooms.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Excuse me, could someone please help me with dinner?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, I&#039;ll do it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane volunteered. She&#039;s a good cook, I guess.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede and Akane went downstairs. Shizuku went back to her room. Then I decided &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to go back to my own.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, Natsuru,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was called. I turned around to look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to talk to you before dinner. Is that okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Kondou Mikoto who said it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane led me to the kitchen. The kitchen was on the first floor, connected to the living &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room, which also served as a dining room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wow...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane exclaimed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s huge...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The kitchen in this house was as large as a dining room kitchen, with a sink and a gas stove &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
along the wall, and even a special deep -frying machine for chicken. That huge pipe was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exhaust fan.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everything was made of stainless steel, old, polished to a shine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it great?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said with a hint of pride.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;When we bought this guesthouse, we thought about tearing it down, but we decided to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
keep it. This way, even with a lot of guests, we can still provide meals.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It would be tiring to do it alone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, having your help, Akane, is a real help.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They immediately began preparing. The main course was chicken and vegetables, along &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with corn soup. Then, they prepared bread and rice according to individual preferences.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They pulled the chicken and vegetables from the refrigerator, which was as large as a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
restaurant&#039;s. The electricity bill seemed quite high.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, is there anything you&#039;re not good at?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede asked, handing her an apron. Akane shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then we can divide the work. I&#039;ll cook, and you&#039;ll handle the prep.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane understood. They both donned aprons and began cooking. Because they were both &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
skilled, the process went smoothly. They were more like skilled chefs than high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The kitchen echoed with the sounds of a gas stove igniting and water running.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does Natsuru have any likes or dislikes?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede asked. Akane thought for a moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What about you, Akane?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I guess. She doesn&#039;t like slippery things, though.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s great. Does Kondou Mikoto?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think so at all. She says she can even eat insects.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede made a surprised expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eat insects...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She even laughed when I said, &#039;You&#039;re really good.&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane was also taken aback when she first heard it. Because Kondou Mikoto had been in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
harsh environments for so long, it didn&#039;t seem to bother her at all. Even snakes and tree &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
roots were no problem. But she seemed to want to roast them over the fire.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku is also good at cooking...is Kondou Mikoto too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, but I think Kondou Mikoto...and Mikoto would definitely make curry rice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She loves curry, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto does, but Natsuru seems troubled by it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I like curry too. There aren&#039;t many people who hate it, I guess.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, Mikoto&#039;s behavior was out of character.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru described her with exaggerated words like, &amp;quot;That girl doesn&#039;t have blood flowing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
through her body, but curry sauce.&amp;quot; But it was still quite believable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does Kondou Mikoto often cook for Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems... so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Using such an ambiguous statement, she really does sound a bit womanly. If it were me, I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
make him dishes besides curry, too. Akane thought to herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru and Kondou Mikoto are childhood friends,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Yeah, they&#039;ve been together since they were little...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru is really popular.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Actually, very popular.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s why I put in a lot of effort, Akane muttered to herself. Shizuku and Mikoto are both &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
overdoing it. Natsuru isn&#039;t just admiring Sakura Kaede, it&#039;s more like a barrier. But Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede can sometimes change.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede, after that...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane turned around and was stunned. Sakura Kaede, who had been preparing until a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
moment ago, was gone. The kitchen knife and half -cut vegetables were just there, gone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She wasn&#039;t in the kitchen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto and I went outside. It was Kondou Mikoto who said, &amp;quot;Outside is nice.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then the woman said nothing. We quietly exited through the back door instead of the front. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knew it right away, but this house has a truly enormous grounds. There&#039;s even grass and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
trees, and a swimming pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s okay to go swimming there, right? There aren&#039;t any sharks  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    around, are there? It&#039;s already evening, so it&#039;s getting a little dark. It&#039;ll be dark soon. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chirping of insects must be quite pleasant. (Higurashi) Even if we&#039;re mistaken, there&#039;s no wolf &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
howling in the distance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We stopped under a tree. Of course, this is also part of this family.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto and I stood face to face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We were talking, but not face to face. Kondou Mikoto&#039;s eyes were looking down. For some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reason, she refused to look up. Of course, I was too nervous to speak.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We were finally outside, and now this was happening between us. It would be pointless to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
continue like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At least I should have spoken first. But Kondou Mikoto had called me out, so she should &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have been the first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she said nothing. There was nothing I could do. So, I had to start the conversation. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Honestly, I didn&#039;t have much to say.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took a breath. Why was she doing this? Never mind. Anything would do. Get ready...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um...&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Um...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto said the same thing. Ah, is this guy going to speak now too? Damn.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then neither of us spoke. Was it bad timing, or was there something else going on?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah... ah, no... no, I&#039;m sorry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My voice seemed to recede into my stomach, and my tongue was knotted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry to interrupt you. Um... you go first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I, I... I didn&#039;t mean to interrupt you. Um, Natsuru... you go first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto held out her hand. Are you the cable car guide?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, no, I don&#039;t have anything to say...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me too...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, you invited me out.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sure enough, this keeps any conversation going. I&#039;m starting to feel hungry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s almost dinner time, let&#039;s wrap it up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it. That&#039;s it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto made a fist for some reason. Was she going to hit me? Or was she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unconsciously concentrating?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I remembered back in kindergarten, she always walked around with her fists clenched, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
punching. The boys were all afraid of her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Um.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um... I, I confessed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you mean I confessed or didn&#039;t? You did it, didn&#039;t you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And I was the one being confessed to. That was the only thing I couldn&#039;t give in to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, that&#039;s right... At that time I said it&#039;s okay to wait for the answer, right...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not only Kondou Mikoto, but Shizuku also said the same thing. It&#039;s fair for now. It&#039;s just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that the student council president seemed very natural.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know that, but I haven&#039;t been sleeping well recently. I&#039;ve been thinking about the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confession I made to you, Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although I was also worried, I slept well. This guy really acts like a girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And then, whether I&#039;m asleep or awake, my mind is full of things about you, Natsuru... &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because of this problem, I can&#039;t even look you in the face now. When I talk to you like this, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my heart beats so hard, and my face feels like it&#039;s going to spit fire ...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s only times like these that you shouldn&#039;t just agree with others.     If you say something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you shouldn&#039;t, you&#039;ll be looked down upon for the rest of your life. &amp;quot;I was thinking, if you say &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
okay, Natsuru, maybe we could go on a date somewhere. Like, somewhere in Mexico to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chase some kind of monster...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s weird not to say that now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was thinking today too, whether I should meet up with Natsuru before I go back... No, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku&#039;s watching me for something. And... there&#039;s no need to worry about Akane, and I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t know what you&#039;re thinking, Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even someone like me has given a lot of thought to today&#039;s situation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;... Is that true?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;... Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It sounds a bit like you&#039;re talking about Sakura Kaede... And, well... I kept thinking about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something on the train.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you thinking about digging somewhere again? Be careful of infectious diseases.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t be ridiculous, now&#039;s the only time to talk about that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What? Are you thinking I might be assassinated here? Or kidnapped or something? It&#039;s way &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too exaggerated. You&#039;ve watched too many TV dramas.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, well, well...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto hesitated, hesitating to get to the point.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please don&#039;t treat me like a fool after you&#039;ve said it, okay...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, go ahead.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It might sound a bit cowardly, but I hope you can stay friends even if you dump me, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto&#039;s voice seemed to fade away, yet it was clear at the same time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Although I like you, Natsuru, I&#039;d be happy for us to just be friends, so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto lowered her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was uncharacteristic of Kondou Mikoto. But even I understood her determination.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Objectively speaking, a woman bowing her head before a man must be asking for money &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
or having her confession rejected. But the reality was quite the opposite. And then, I couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
treat her like a fool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I understand, Mikoto.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you doubt me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think you&#039;re a liar, Natsuru, but you&#039;re not very smart either.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t deny it now. We agreed to stay friends forever.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto&#039;s expression suddenly brightened. Then she patted her chest &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exaggeratedly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s great... I was just wondering what I&#039;d do if you rejected me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I haven&#039;t confessed yet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well... but it doesn&#039;t matter anyway, because I can accept it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s good. I should say I feel more at ease.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked up at the sky. The stars appeared. It was completely dark, and the lights in Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede&#039;s house were on.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go home, Mikoto.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I went home first. But I went out the back door. I decided not to, because I didn&#039;t want &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anyone to see me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That would be awkward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In fact, Natsuru was leaving alone at this moment. Kondou Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was about to follow him, but she wasn&#039;t as cheerful and lively as usual, and she felt a little &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shy. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just then, a voice came from behind her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although the voice didn&#039;t reach Natsuru, Kondou Mikoto heard it clearly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned around and saw a blurry figure appear in the courtyard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, Kondou Mikoto.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede appeared in the middle of the courtyard from nowhere. It didn&#039;t seem like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she came in from the back door, nor did she feel like she came in from outside. There was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not even a sound of footsteps, and no matter how hard she thought, she coul dn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s smile was the same as always. But that expression made her look as if she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was ready to get close to her at any time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry, I just saw what happened between you and Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto was a little unhappy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not a good hobby.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kondou Mikoto is so cute, she looks like a girl.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I am a girl.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede walked over slowly. Of course, there was no sound of footsteps. For some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reason, Kondou Mikoto couldn&#039;t take her eyes off her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you confessed to Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I haven&#039;t gotten an answer yet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a shame.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede suddenly paused, but her smile remained. Indeed, because she was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beautiful girl, she felt a sense of healing. She folded her hands behind her back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But, Kondou Mikoto, you don&#039;t think you&#039;ll get the answer you want, do you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you talking about!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto shouted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are you suddenly saying that to me? I&#039;ve always liked Natsuru, too. Don&#039;t give me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
any unnecessary trouble! I&#039;d give up if Natsuru rejected me, but I don&#039;t want to be judged!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru likes me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look at me, he&#039;s not into someone like you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;He&#039;s not into you. He&#039;s into me, Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re not Sakura Kaede, you&#039;re someone else using her body!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto jumped back, putting some distance between them. This reflex was honed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
while fighting the smuggling organization in the rainforest.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, she gently pressed her wrist.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You may look like Sakura Kaede, but you&#039;re not Sakura Kaede. How dare you fool me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, you told the truth,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto scowled, while Sakura Kaede looked nonchalant. But the tension between &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them only grew.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Ring of Promise on her right wrist began to glimmer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is a great opportunity. I will make it known to the world who you are and what your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
purpose is.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The light of the bracelet began to expand, and Kondou Mikoto&#039;s body was surrounded by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
light. This was about to become Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is, no way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sentence ended with a tone as if adding a red heart, and then Sakura Kaede stretched &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
out the hand hidden behind his back, holding a doll in his hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was the Strangled Dog from the visceral animal series. This was Kondou Mikoto&#039;s thing. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When did Sakura Kaede get it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The eyes of the Strangled Dog were shining, but it was not light, but a dark color like the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bottom of a well.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto reflexively wanted to close her eyes, but she was still a step too late, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her consciousness was swallowed by the eyes of the Strangled Dog.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|← Back to Volume 10 Chapter 2]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 4|Forward to 10 Chapter 4 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586402</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_3&amp;diff=586402"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:03:31Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot; Volume 10, Chapter 3         I unpacked my belongings in my assigned room. It was a Western -style room, furnished   with a bed and a simple table. There was a lamp on the nightstand. Oh, and there was even a   wardrobe and a toilet. It looked like a hotel, after all. It was a shame th ere wasn&amp;#039;t a   bathroom.         Anyway, I threw my bag on the bed. I&amp;#039;d been planning to head straight to the interview   room, but then something else struck me.         I opene...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10, Chapter 3  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I unpacked my belongings in my assigned room. It was a Western -style room, furnished &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with a bed and a simple table. There was a lamp on the nightstand. Oh, and there was even a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wardrobe and a toilet. It looked like a hotel, after all. It was a shame th ere wasn&#039;t a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bathroom.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, I threw my bag on the bed. I&#039;d been planning to head straight to the interview &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room, but then something else struck me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I opened my bag and pulled out a stuffed animal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, how are you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Not really.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re really unforgiving,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the Seppuku Tiger grumbled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Being locked up in such a cramped place, and forced to stay still all the time. A human &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would have sued long ago.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Chemical fibers don&#039;t have the right to sue.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And even if an animal wanted to sue, it would probably be against the manufacturer that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
produced them.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, I&#039;ll let you out first. Just stay here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine... So, is this Sakura Kaede&#039;s house?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Yes. I heard it used to be an inn.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh—. It feels like I&#039;ve been here before, but it also feels like I haven&#039;t.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do stuffed animals travel?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If that&#039;s the case, the world is almost over. I moved the Seppuku Tiger to my pillow and left &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When I reached the old conversation room, the girls had already arrived.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The room, adorned with crystal chandeliers, looked more like an aristocratic salon than a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
conversation room. This must have been the taste of the previous owner. There were also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
luxurious -looking chairs and tables, and for some reason, even a sofa. The re was an LCD TV. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And a pool table.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Public table?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I blurted out. A pool table certainly seemed like a staple of wealthy families. Could this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
family be interested in it, too? If it were a ping -pong table, it would be a hot spring inn.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does Natsuru play pool?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I shook my head after hearing Shizuku&#039;s question.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll teach you later. Please sit down now  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    .&amp;quot; This woman even knows table tennis? What else can&#039;t she do?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Because the table is round, we sit in pairs facing each other. Across from me is Kondou &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Mikoto, but she still looks away. What is she so nervous about?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku spoke up. As the older one, she naturally took on this role.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s discuss it now. We have to make things clear while Sakura Kaede is away,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked hesitantly.     &amp;quot;Is it not okay with  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede here     ?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;That&#039;s right.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;So, maybe Sakura Kaede is secretly planning &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Of course,&amp;quot;     Shizuku&#039;s answer was incredibly succinct. She must have been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on high alert since arriving here.     Shizuku and Sakura Kaede are chil dhood friends, but her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way of thinking is completely free of personal feelings. She never lets friendship influence &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her judgment of the current situation. Meanwhile, my love for Sakura Kaede is something I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
never let go of, no matter how long it takes. S hizuku and I are truly worlds apart. This is proof &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that I am far superior to Shizuku in terms of liking others.     This is also one of the reasons &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
why I feel like this guy is CG. After all, you are friends. It&#039;s not a superior -subordinate &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
relationship in the military. But Shizuku takes this way of thinking for granted.     &amp;quot;I want to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eliminate as many suspicious elements as possible.&amp;quot;     It must be very hard for Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to have such a friend. But Shizuku is a great helper to us now.     &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede  behaves as &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
usual, as if nothing has happened to us. We had such a fierce battle not long ago. Akane even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shot her in the chest.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;That bullet...hit the target.&amp;quot;     Akane began to shrink. It seemed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that once she recalled what she did in bulldog mode, she would fall into self -loathing.     &amp;quot;But, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she doesn&#039;t look injured...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Yes. But it was definitely Sakura Kaede. It was Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who Akane shot, and it was Sakura Kaede who greeted us.     &amp;quot; &amp;quot;You can tell that...?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Yes, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because we&#039;re childh ood friends. They must be the same person.&amp;quot;     This line of reasoning &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
matched my own. Even I could see it, let alone Shizuku.     &amp;quot;I think only her personality &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
completely changed. And it seems her internal organs were strengthened as well.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;But, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
when  we became Kämpfer, we still shared our memories. Although our personalities were a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little...&amp;quot;     Her voice trailed off, perhaps because she was considering her own situation. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When Akane entered bulldog mode, her brutality would put even a gangster to sha me.     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although I didn&#039;t say anything, I had a different opinion about her statement about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;memories still being shared.     &amp;quot; &amp;quot;I think Sakura Kaede and Kämpfer are different beings.&amp;quot;     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While not a firm statement, her tone was quite certain.     Shizuku&#039;s intuition was never &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wrong. As I&#039;ve said before, this guy&#039;s intuition is based on a wealth of experience. Everyone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
present knew this.     But couldn&#039;t you have considered your words a lit tle more? The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
database should be able to deduce that ordinary Sakura Kaede is deeply in love with me.     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Well, even if I said it out loud, she&#039;d only scorn me, so I&#039;d better keep it to myself. Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seemed to have more questions.     &amp;quot;If it&#039;s not Kämpfer,  then who is it...&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know. But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
judging by the rapid healing of wounds, it seems she has a special ability.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Such an &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ability?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Can&#039;t we transform into Kämpfer too? Our bodies would become stronger, too. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s not surprising if you think  about it that way.&amp;quot;     Indeed, once transformed into Kämpfer, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one becomes less susceptible to injury, and wounds heal faster. Fortunately, I&#039;ve never &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
broken a bone, but after all, I&#039;ve never been in danger of one. As for her recovery ability from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
illness , I don&#039;t know.     &amp;quot;But even the bullet wounds have disappeared, which means her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
metabolism is more active than ours.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Who knows?&amp;quot;     I replied.     &amp;quot;And her strength &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
should have increased, too.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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    A brief silence descended upon the room. Kämpfer&#039;s physical abilities surpassed those of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
an average person, but Sakura Kaede&#039;s were even better. He wielded both a sword and a gun. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This was truly unusual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were indeed Kämpfers who wielded two weapons, Shizuku being one of them. He &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
could wield two chained daggers. The girl I&#039;d fought with before, whose name I couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
recall, also wielded two pistols. But Sakura Kaede possessed not just one, but two  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
weapons—unheard of. Was it simply because she possessed twice the strength?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And it seems she&#039;s been in battle many times. If it were just double the strength, we&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have the advantage, but her experience would make her a real challenge.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where did she gain that experience?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who knows? Perhaps she fought in places we don&#039;t know. Fighting against seasoned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
warriors is just as tough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy, however, seemed unfazed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In short, I knew something extremely troublesome was about to happen. And I knew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede was becoming truly terrifying. At the Kämpfer Festival, bullets and swords &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might fly. It&#039;s like a Tarantino movie.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ugh, why do I act so indifferent? I should realize I&#039;m also involved. I can&#039;t seem to find any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tension. Am I getting senile?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Let&#039;s have tea,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, standing up and grabbing a tea set. Even the tea set is ready. Coming to my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
senses, I&#039;m genuinely thirsty. I&#039;ve been talking all this time and haven&#039;t even had a drop of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
water.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane brewed the tea. An alluring aroma filled the room. She used high -quality tea leaves, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not tea bags. Amazing!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She placed the tea in front of everyone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you,&amp;quot; Shizuku said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    sipping elegantly. Drinking tea without making any noise is another skill this woman &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
possesses. For context, she seems to be able to walk silently, too. Although Shizuku herself &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
asks, &amp;quot;What good is there in being able to do this?&amp;quot; I think I should make  use of this skill to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
make a living, perhaps working in a haunted house.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Though what I just said has caused everyone to feel uneasy,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku placed the teacup on the tray.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But there&#039;s more to it than that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What else?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;About the white Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Ah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t help but let out a silly sound. Speaking of which, the evil Sakura Kaede did say, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;Bring the white one here too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wonder if they&#039;ve arrived yet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I haven&#039;t seen them, so maybe they haven&#039;t arrived yet,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no sign of anyone else at the entrance.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They&#039;re not necessarily lurking in this house,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku bluntly refuted my argument.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They might be nearby. If they&#039;re too far away, there&#039;s no point.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do we have to fight them too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede...is the evil Sakura Kaede with them?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A gloomy atmosphere instantly enveloped us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No matter how you look at it, this is too much. There are already some very troublesome &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people. There are also four people on the other side, so they won&#039;t be outnumbered, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Isn&#039;t there anything more cheerful to talk about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, but there are only so many dull topics.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want something cheerful.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Want to listen to rakugo? I can perform right here if you don&#039;t mind.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was surprising, but on reflection, it wasn&#039;t surprising. This guy&#039;s dream is to be a rakugo &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
artist. He might even practice alone at night. The idea of a woman suited to black magic &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
receiving special training in rakugo is creepy in another sense.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no need to bother,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied. Shizuku looked a little regretful. Ah, does she really want to perform?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now&#039;s not the time to laugh.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Laughter is a good thing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Compared to that...there&#039;s no hope for our future. All we can understand right now is that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
our situation is extremely unfavorable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true. On reflection, it might be a bit rash to accept an invitation so easily to come &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Saying something like that right now is giving me a headache. Even though it was Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede who invited me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stared at Shizuku and said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I thought the president had anticipated this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Indeed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If that&#039;s the case, why bother coming?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It was bound to happen sooner or later anyway. Might as well get it over with.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This desperate thinking is truly remarkable. I think humans generally prefer to postpone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bad things, but this girl loves to deal with them quickly. It seems she&#039;s the type to quickly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
finish her summer homework and move on to other subjects. Things like  that should be put &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
off until the last minute, then tackled with the help of others. If it were me, I&#039;d just look for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my friends&#039; homework and copy it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, the president is planning...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane, who had been listening to our conversation until then, finally spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are we going to put it all off here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the president replied without hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Things like this should be put to rest as soon as possible,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she added briefly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A brief silence followed. Everyone sipped their tea in silence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So many thoughts swirled around...how could I express them? Unfortunately, all I was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking about was &amp;quot;I need to go to the bathroom.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;ll wait a little longer in the bathroom. I&#039;ve also been seriously considering how to deal &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with Sakura Kaede. She&#039;s my crush, after all. Although our relationship has recently hit a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rough patch, I don&#039;t think I&#039;ve fallen out with &amp;quot;ordinary Sakura Kaed e.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My place in that person&#039;s heart is probably just that of an ordinary male friend. I&#039;ve made &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this point numerous times. What&#039;s troubling me is how to proactively close the gap between &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
us. It would be best if I could find a way to make the evil Sakura Ka ede disappear, leaving &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
only the normal Sakura Kaede. But even then, our relationship still hasn&#039;t progressed at all. It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
means everything we&#039;ve been working on is down the drain.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So should I just give up? Hmm, that won&#039;t work either. Because Sakura Kaede is a gentle &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beauty. And I don&#039;t have a connection with other girls.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hmm? Connection with girls? Then I suddenly remembered. Oh no, I&#039;ve been confessed to. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Isn&#039;t it true that I have a connection with girls?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah, this is really a headache. Sakura Kaede won&#039;t change her mind about me, my childhood &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sweetheart is so pushy, and the student council president looks like a computer drawing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Isn&#039;t there a girl who&#039;s more understanding? Preferably one I like.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I like... isn&#039;t there one?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    While I was thinking about all this, the teacup was empty. Did I drink it all without realizing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no point in nagging about it in silence,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku suddenly said. I was startled. Did she see what I was thinking? Even Shizuku, after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
all, could do something like that... maybe she could actually do it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s do what we can in advance. Just by discussing things like this and coming to a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
consensus, the results will be very different. Also, Kondou Mikoto,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku called her in a slightly forceful tone. Kondou Mikoto&#039;s heart sank.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;W-What is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please stop caring so much about Natsuru -kun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I, I don&#039;t...care about him...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto stubbornly refused to look at me, but her body was shrinking.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s tone was like she was scolding a subordinate who had made a mistake. She had a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
very &amp;quot;student council president&amp;quot; vibe.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t deny it. Have you said a word since you entered this room?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think... I did...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, not at all. No one can predict what will happen next. Sakura Kaede might have turned &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
evil. White Kämpfer could attack at any moment. So we all need to communicate and work &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
together to find a solution. If you keep being so blunt, it&#039;ll bother us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s... not the case! I just haven&#039;t said anything because there&#039;s nothing to say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please stop lying,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku retorted bluntly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not forcing you to close the gap between you and Natsuru -kun, but you should forget &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about it for now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you really need to be so worried after a confession?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After hearing Shizuku&#039;s words, Kondou Mikoto blushed with embarrassment, and Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
jumped up from her chair in surprise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wha... what...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kondou Mikoto confessed to Natsuru...? Is that true!?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No one answered Akane&#039;s question. But everything was written on Kondou Mikoto&#039;s face. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane seemed to understand it all the moment she looked at her expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You suddenly confessed to Natsuru...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not something to be so surprised about,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said nonchalantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I confessed too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This time, not only Akane was surprised, but even Kondou Mikoto was taken aback. My &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reaction was the same, even at the mention of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President!?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pronounced the word &amp;quot;President&amp;quot; strangely. But then again, if I had spoken, I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
probably have done the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you confessed!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes. I told Natsuru -kun, &#039;I like you, please go out with me.&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy spoke so calmly, as if he were saying, &amp;quot;I&#039;m just going to the convenience store.&amp;quot; Is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confessing to you the same as finding a lost ten -yen coin on the street?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane looked back and forth between me and Shizuku, shaking her head with an unusual &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
speed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, well, well, then, what&#039;s Natsuru -kun&#039;s answer...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I haven&#039;t gotten an answer yet,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku answered simply.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We agreed that he&#039;d give me an answer once this matter was settled. Kondou Mikoto &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
must be in the same situation, so he&#039;s worried.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto&#039;s face grew redder and redder. Akane murmured, &amp;quot;Is that so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Why does the president seem so nonchalant...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m concerned too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How could you possibly be concerned?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Every time I talk to Natsuru -kun, my heart races. I can&#039;t even meet his gaze.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s impossible. Don&#039;t you always look people in the eye when you talk? People like you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
will never be nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not only me, but Akane also looked skeptical, as if saying, &amp;quot;You liar.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;B-but Natsuru -kun and I already have an appointment. In fact, I was planning on having &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru -kun meet his parents. And I was thinking about telling them we were dating...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Eh. No way, are we... dating?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s face flushed, but unlike Kondou Mikoto, she stared at the president without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flinching. In that respect, she didn&#039;t look like the weak -kneed girl with glasses.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I just had a temporary setback at the anime store. That incident is over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me and Natsuru -san already kissed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me too. Even Kondou Mikoto...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;He even touched my breasts...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was even pushed down and nearly assaulted once.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If that&#039;s the case, Natsuru -san and I have done even more outrageous things,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said confidently. Lately, she seemed less nervous around Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My relationship with Natsuru has taken a step forward.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And it was Shizuku who backed down first, a highly unusual sight. The student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would be shocked if they saw her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll let it go for now. After all, Natsuru will give me an answer once this matter is settled.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not certain,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s voice was filled with confidence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I might take advantage of my stay here to deepen my relationship with Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was surprised. Akane was using ambiguous terms because she probably had some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
concerns.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    No, that&#039;s irrelevant. What matters is what she meant by &amp;quot;deepening the relationship.&amp;quot; Is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she talking about that kind of thing? This is my first time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, Akane...!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Kondou Mikoto, not Shizuku, who yelled. I&#039;m losing control of the situation. Just let &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you planning to do with Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, you can&#039;t say that out loud.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s... not right!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto finally came to her senses.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I, I too...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t that the case of striking first?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I also helped the president to knock Natsuru down!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh... what good did you do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What does it matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course it matters! Because Natsuru is dating me!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It should be me! I&#039;ve already confessed!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto, fully recovered, yelled at Akane. Though Akane was a weaker version of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
herself with glasses, she refused to give in. I could only silently pray that this typhoon would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
soon pass.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t join in the argument. Instead, she stared intently at the door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s enough. Be quiet, just like usual.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her voice, though low, carried a sense of intimidation. Not only Akane and Kondou Mikoto, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but even I involuntarily straightened up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The door opened. Sakura Kaede walked in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry to have kept you waiting. I was busy with a package that arrived... Here are some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
snacks.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede carried a tray filled with a variety of snacks: cream cakes, cheesecakes, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unidentified confections adorned with various fruits.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;S-Sorry for your trouble,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I thanked her stiffly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thank you, Sakura Kaede,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, unfazed. I&#039;m used to it, but what&#039;s wrong with this guy?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I also prepared tea... Oh, no!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede placed the tray on the table and covered her mouth with her hand. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Suddenly, she seemed to remember something.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I forgot something. Please enjoy yourselves.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With that, she left the room again.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sound of footsteps faded away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That was really dangerous,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If she overheard our argument just now, it would be really hard to hide it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I think the president will find a way...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. And I felt the same way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, please stop fighting over Natsuru -kun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; &amp;quot;Is Natsuru already mine?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so clueless... Well, do as you please. But on the other hand, please don&#039;t let your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guard down. A fight could break out here at any moment.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s implication was that we had to be extra cautious. And that&#039;s true. Always &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
preparing for the worst isn&#039;t just a slogan for the police or the military. Besides, we&#039;re the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kämpfers, a group of people who exist to fight.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Got it? And in front of Sakura Kaede, try to act normal. Stay calm until that girl&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
personality changes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I&#039;m not very good at acting...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please do your best.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That doesn&#039;t even consider me. Damn it. So I just had to go through with it, thinking back &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to my time working at the &amp;quot;quasi -maid cafe.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I have another suggestion,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;During a battle, perhaps constant instructions will be necessary.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wouldn&#039;t it be enough for the president to take charge?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. I agree with that. Kondou Mikoto should be the same way, too. Shizuku  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    continued, picking up where Akane left off.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s what I mean. If I were addressed as president, I might not be able to react &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
immediately. And adding &#039;classmate&#039; after my name would be troublesome. So, from now on, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
please let me address you by your names. Call Akane, Akane. Call Kondou Mikoto,  Mikoto. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
That&#039;ll make the battle easier.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s like a football game. They say that when a split second of judgment can determine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
victory or defeat, there&#039;s no time for honorifics. It&#039;s certainly similar to our current situation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, can we also call the president, Shizuku?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sure. That way, we&#039;d be partners.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hearing that, my nervousness seemed to ease a little.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Partners? I see. Being eloquent is Shizuku&#039;s specialty, too. The seemingly meaningless &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
argument from earlier seemed to be gradually subsiding.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, you should call me Shizuku too,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, her gaze fixed on me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Got it, Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone present, myself included, only then realized we&#039;d been tricked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede returned shortly afterward, beaming. A smile truly suits you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are the cakes good?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I made them all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;These?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked without thinking. The colors are beautiful, the presentation is stunning, and the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
flavor is delicious. I&#039;d always thought they&#039;d been bought from some store.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I&#039;ve been working on them since morning to entertain everyone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah, so that&#039;s why she couldn&#039;t come pick us up. As expected of Sakura Kaede. She&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
definitely make a great bride. Both women can cook, but Shizuku and Sakura Kaede are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
worlds apart.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She even replaced the tea leaves for the tea and brewed it fresh. She&#039;s truly meticulous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede sat down on a chair.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It feels like a dream to be with everyone like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s too much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t mention the previous conversation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t I stay in your apartment for a night?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Natsuru -kun wasn&#039;t here then. It&#039;d be nicer to have more people around.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There are a lot of viscera there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s hardly any here, because I want to keep them in the collection room in my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
apartment.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s probably because I can&#039;t feel at peace unless they have a place to keep them. It would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
really make Sakura Kaede happy if she were to be protected by viscera. I&#039;m the type who &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
leaves things scattered around; I&#039;m not good at organizing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I even keep my textbooks on the first and second floors, and searching for things is one of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the reasons I&#039;m late.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;By the way, what did you get back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede brought a notebook to the table. It was A5 size, not too big.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It wasn&#039;t a viscera notebook. Sure enough, it was because of the collector&#039;s mentality that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she couldn&#039;t bear to use it. Instead, she put a sticker of a drowned sea oyster on it. Indeed, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the novelty of a marine creature drowning did attract a little at tention.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here, I wrote down the names of people who&#039;ve been to my house. It&#039;s so I can &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remember them later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Like a guestbook.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede, that&#039;s strange.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s just like the notebooks you see at hostel houses. Can I take a look?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku took the notebook from Sakura Kaede and flipped through it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just the names, okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;d be happy if you could give me a little extra. Oh, Natsuru -san, you should write yours &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiled at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No problem.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s so nice to have guests leave notes in this notebook. When you&#039;re older and take it out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and look at it again, you might cry with nostalgia.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, that&#039;s like a girl&#039;s dream. I was thinking about writing it down without leaving any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
evidence or fingerprints. It would be unmanly of a man not to help her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku began writing. She wrote so fluently, without stopping.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, Natsuru -san, please.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, she called me by my name in front of Sakura Kaede. Of course, Sakura Kaede looked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nonchalant. Ah, because she still thought I was dating Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The notebook was open, a fresh page on top. &amp;quot;Shizuku Sangou&amp;quot; was written in the top left &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
corner. The date was written at the back, but no special message.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Still, the handwriting is beautiful. Maybe she&#039;s really into calligraphy or something. I can&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
write straight, so I&#039;d never be able to write this well. And I can&#039;t even balance the left and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wrote &amp;quot;Seno Natsuru&amp;quot; on top. Damn, it&#039;s crooked as expected. If I had to say anything, it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
terrible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When it was Akane&#039;s turn, Shizuku spoke up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede, do you have any replacement black tea leaves?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, sorry, is the flavor off?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, it&#039;s pretty bland.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll get a new one.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede walked out, teapot in hand. Shizuku checked and suddenly snatched the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
notebook from my hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, what are you doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everyone, look here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku flipped to the previous page. We leaned over to look at the notebook.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The place she showed us was signed &amp;quot;Midori Kuzuhara.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a cute name.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not that, do you know who this is?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...This.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s the girl from the student council, the one with the twin guns, Kämpfer.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced back at the signature. Actually, I remember that person&#039;s last name was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kuzuhara, but I didn&#039;t know her name. Since she was on the student council, Shizuku must be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said, &amp;quot;Anyone who comes to my house will have a record left.&amp;quot; That meant &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kuzuhara had been here, too. And what happened next?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane began tremblingly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That Kuzuhara -san, after she fainted, it was indeed the president... Shizuku who moved &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her away.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wish you could just call me by my name.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry... what happened after that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of which, Shizuku moved her to some unknown place. What exactly happened?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kuzuhara disappeared after that. The teachers and students weren&#039;t pretending to be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ignorant; it seemed they had no idea of her existence from the beginning. Since she never &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
existed in the first place, her disappearance wouldn&#039;t cause a stir. Her paren ts were worried, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
but they didn&#039;t seem to realize the extent of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She didn&#039;t do anything serious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If that were the case, then she must have done something truly drastic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She just threw her away.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?! Where?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was startled. This isn&#039;t like throwing away pornographic books. It used to be popular to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just dump them on the riverbank, but I recommend pretending nothing happened and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
throwing them in the trash can in front of a convenience store.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She threw them inside the school.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Inside the school? Is that okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not a good idea, but I left them somewhere inconspicuous. When I went to check the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
next day, she was gone, even though I knew she&#039;d disappear.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How did you know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My senior was the same way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The senior was the one who taught Shizuku everything about Kämpfer. I&#039;d never met her, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so I didn&#039;t know what she looked like. But I knew at least Shizuku admired her deeply.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems she really did disappear somewhere. This signature of Kuzuhara&#039;s here might be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the only proof she&#039;s still alive.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The words weighed heavily on my mind after she said that. We didn&#039;t say anything &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unnecessary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If we lose, it will probably be like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She really didn&#039;t want it to be like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Needless to say, everyone fell silent. The heaviness of the atmosphere permeated her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
body. Can&#039;t she say something cheerful?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto reached out and flipped through the notebook.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There are some other names.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are they all Kämpfers?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There should be ordinary people too, but I don&#039;t know what the proportion is.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto handed the notebook to Akane. Akane flipped through it quickly and wrote &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her name in it. Then Kondou Mikoto did the same. Just as she finished, Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
returned.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I brought tea and cake, but if you eat too much, you won&#039;t be able to eat dinner later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede even brought new tea sets. I helped her because I had to put them on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
table.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, Sakura Kaede, you said we should stay here, just the three of us?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede replied with a smile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because then the guest rooms are full. One room per person. If the woman, Natsuru, is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here too... you can stay in my room,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said shyly. That was the right reaction for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede joined in the conversation, but her words lacked any altruism.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even then, Sakura Kaede barely glanced at me. Please give me some more of your smile. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku and the others don&#039;t need to pay any attention to her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since dinner was almost time, we decided to go back to our rooms.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Excuse me, could someone please help me with dinner?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, I&#039;ll do it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane volunteered. She&#039;s a good cook, I guess.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede and Akane went downstairs. Shizuku went back to her room. Then I decided &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to go back to my own.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, Natsuru,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was called. I turned around to look.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want to talk to you before dinner. Is that okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Kondou Mikoto who said it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane led me to the kitchen. The kitchen was on the first floor, connected to the living &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
room, which also served as a dining room.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wow...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane exclaimed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s huge...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The kitchen in this house was as large as a dining room kitchen, with a sink and a gas stove &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
along the wall, and even a special deep -frying machine for chicken. That huge pipe was the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exhaust fan.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everything was made of stainless steel, old, polished to a shine.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it great?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said with a hint of pride.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;When we bought this guesthouse, we thought about tearing it down, but we decided to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
keep it. This way, even with a lot of guests, we can still provide meals.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It would be tiring to do it alone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, having your help, Akane, is a real help.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They immediately began preparing. The main course was chicken and vegetables, along &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with corn soup. Then, they prepared bread and rice according to individual preferences.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    They pulled the chicken and vegetables from the refrigerator, which was as large as a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
restaurant&#039;s. The electricity bill seemed quite high.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, is there anything you&#039;re not good at?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede asked, handing her an apron. Akane shook her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then we can divide the work. I&#039;ll cook, and you&#039;ll handle the prep.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane understood. They both donned aprons and began cooking. Because they were both &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
skilled, the process went smoothly. They were more like skilled chefs than high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The kitchen echoed with the sounds of a gas stove igniting and water running.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does Natsuru have any likes or dislikes?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede asked. Akane thought for a moment.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What about you, Akane?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I guess. She doesn&#039;t like slippery things, though.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s great. Does Kondou Mikoto?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think so at all. She says she can even eat insects.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede made a surprised expression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eat insects...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She even laughed when I said, &#039;You&#039;re really good.&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane was also taken aback when she first heard it. Because Kondou Mikoto had been in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
harsh environments for so long, it didn&#039;t seem to bother her at all. Even snakes and tree &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
roots were no problem. But she seemed to want to roast them over the fire.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shizuku is also good at cooking...is Kondou Mikoto too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, but I think Kondou Mikoto...and Mikoto would definitely make curry rice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She loves curry, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto does, but Natsuru seems troubled by it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I like curry too. There aren&#039;t many people who hate it, I guess.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, Mikoto&#039;s behavior was out of character.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Natsuru described her with exaggerated words like, &amp;quot;That girl doesn&#039;t have blood flowing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
through her body, but curry sauce.&amp;quot; But it was still quite believable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does Kondou Mikoto often cook for Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems... so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Using such an ambiguous statement, she really does sound a bit womanly. If it were me, I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
make him dishes besides curry, too. Akane thought to herself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru and Kondou Mikoto are childhood friends,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Yeah, they&#039;ve been together since they were little...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru is really popular.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Actually, very popular.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s why I put in a lot of effort, Akane muttered to herself. Shizuku and Mikoto are both &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
overdoing it. Natsuru isn&#039;t just admiring Sakura Kaede, it&#039;s more like a barrier. But Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede can sometimes change.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede, after that...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane turned around and was stunned. Sakura Kaede, who had been preparing until a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
moment ago, was gone. The kitchen knife and half -cut vegetables were just there, gone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She wasn&#039;t in the kitchen.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto and I went outside. It was Kondou Mikoto who said, &amp;quot;Outside is nice.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then the woman said nothing. We quietly exited through the back door instead of the front. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knew it right away, but this house has a truly enormous grounds. There&#039;s even grass and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
trees, and a swimming pool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s okay to go swimming there, right? There aren&#039;t any sharks  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    around, are there? It&#039;s already evening, so it&#039;s getting a little dark. It&#039;ll be dark soon. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chirping of insects must be quite pleasant. (Higurashi) Even if we&#039;re mistaken, there&#039;s no wolf &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
howling in the distance.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We stopped under a tree. Of course, this is also part of this family.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto and I stood face to face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We were talking, but not face to face. Kondou Mikoto&#039;s eyes were looking down. For some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reason, she refused to look up. Of course, I was too nervous to speak.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We were finally outside, and now this was happening between us. It would be pointless to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
continue like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    At least I should have spoken first. But Kondou Mikoto had called me out, so she should &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have been the first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she said nothing. There was nothing I could do. So, I had to start the conversation. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Honestly, I didn&#039;t have much to say.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took a breath. Why was she doing this? Never mind. Anything would do. Get ready...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um...&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Um...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto said the same thing. Ah, is this guy going to speak now too? Damn.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then neither of us spoke. Was it bad timing, or was there something else going on?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah... ah, no... no, I&#039;m sorry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My voice seemed to recede into my stomach, and my tongue was knotted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry to interrupt you. Um... you go first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I, I... I didn&#039;t mean to interrupt you. Um, Natsuru... you go first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto held out her hand. Are you the cable car guide?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, no, I don&#039;t have anything to say...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me too...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, you invited me out.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sure enough, this keeps any conversation going. I&#039;m starting to feel hungry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s almost dinner time, let&#039;s wrap it up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s it. That&#039;s it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto made a fist for some reason. Was she going to hit me? Or was she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unconsciously concentrating?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I remembered back in kindergarten, she always walked around with her fists clenched, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
punching. The boys were all afraid of her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Um.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um... I, I confessed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you mean I confessed or didn&#039;t? You did it, didn&#039;t you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And I was the one being confessed to. That was the only thing I couldn&#039;t give in to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, that&#039;s right... At that time I said it&#039;s okay to wait for the answer, right...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Not only Kondou Mikoto, but Shizuku also said the same thing. It&#039;s fair for now. It&#039;s just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that the student council president seemed very natural.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know that, but I haven&#039;t been sleeping well recently. I&#039;ve been thinking about the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confession I made to you, Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although I was also worried, I slept well. This guy really acts like a girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And then, whether I&#039;m asleep or awake, my mind is full of things about you, Natsuru... &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because of this problem, I can&#039;t even look you in the face now. When I talk to you like this, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my heart beats so hard, and my face feels like it&#039;s going to spit fire ...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s only times like these that you shouldn&#039;t just agree with others.     If you say something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you shouldn&#039;t, you&#039;ll be looked down upon for the rest of your life. &amp;quot;I was thinking, if you say &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
okay, Natsuru, maybe we could go on a date somewhere. Like, somewhere in Mexico to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chase some kind of monster...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s weird not to say that now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was thinking today too, whether I should meet up with Natsuru before I go back... No, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku&#039;s watching me for something. And... there&#039;s no need to worry about Akane, and I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t know what you&#039;re thinking, Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even someone like me has given a lot of thought to today&#039;s situation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;... Is that true?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;... Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It sounds a bit like you&#039;re talking about Sakura Kaede... And, well... I kept thinking about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something on the train.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you thinking about digging somewhere again? Be careful of infectious diseases.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t be ridiculous, now&#039;s the only time to talk about that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What? Are you thinking I might be assassinated here? Or kidnapped or something? It&#039;s way &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too exaggerated. You&#039;ve watched too many TV dramas.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, well, well...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto hesitated, hesitating to get to the point.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please don&#039;t treat me like a fool after you&#039;ve said it, okay...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, go ahead.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It might sound a bit cowardly, but I hope you can stay friends even if you dump me, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto&#039;s voice seemed to fade away, yet it was clear at the same time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Although I like you, Natsuru, I&#039;d be happy for us to just be friends, so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto lowered her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was uncharacteristic of Kondou Mikoto. But even I understood her determination.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Objectively speaking, a woman bowing her head before a man must be asking for money &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
or having her confession rejected. But the reality was quite the opposite. And then, I couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
treat her like a fool.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I understand, Mikoto.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you doubt me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think you&#039;re a liar, Natsuru, but you&#039;re not very smart either.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t deny it now. We agreed to stay friends forever.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto&#039;s expression suddenly brightened. Then she patted her chest &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exaggeratedly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s great... I was just wondering what I&#039;d do if you rejected me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But I haven&#039;t confessed yet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well... but it doesn&#039;t matter anyway, because I can accept it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s good. I should say I feel more at ease.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked up at the sky. The stars appeared. It was completely dark, and the lights in Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede&#039;s house were on.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go home, Mikoto.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I went home first. But I went out the back door. I decided not to, because I didn&#039;t want &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anyone to see me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That would be awkward.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In fact, Natsuru was leaving alone at this moment. Kondou Mikoto  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was about to follow him, but she wasn&#039;t as cheerful and lively as usual, and she felt a little &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shy. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just then, a voice came from behind her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although the voice didn&#039;t reach Natsuru, Kondou Mikoto heard it clearly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She turned around and saw a blurry figure appear in the courtyard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, Kondou Mikoto.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede appeared in the middle of the courtyard from nowhere. It didn&#039;t seem like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she came in from the back door, nor did she feel like she came in from outside. There was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
not even a sound of footsteps, and no matter how hard she thought, she coul dn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s smile was the same as always. But that expression made her look as if she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was ready to get close to her at any time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry, I just saw what happened between you and Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto was a little unhappy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not a good hobby.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kondou Mikoto is so cute, she looks like a girl.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I am a girl.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede walked over slowly. Of course, there was no sound of footsteps. For some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reason, Kondou Mikoto couldn&#039;t take her eyes off her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Have you confessed to Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I haven&#039;t gotten an answer yet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s a shame.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede suddenly paused, but her smile remained. Indeed, because she was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beautiful girl, she felt a sense of healing. She folded her hands behind her back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But, Kondou Mikoto, you don&#039;t think you&#039;ll get the answer you want, do you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you talking about!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto shouted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are you suddenly saying that to me? I&#039;ve always liked Natsuru, too. Don&#039;t give me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
any unnecessary trouble! I&#039;d give up if Natsuru rejected me, but I don&#039;t want to be judged!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru likes me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look at me, he&#039;s not into someone like you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;He&#039;s not into you. He&#039;s into me, Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re not Sakura Kaede, you&#039;re someone else using her body!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto jumped back, putting some distance between them. This reflex was honed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
while fighting the smuggling organization in the rainforest.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then, she gently pressed her wrist.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You may look like Sakura Kaede, but you&#039;re not Sakura Kaede. How dare you fool me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, you told the truth,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto scowled, while Sakura Kaede looked nonchalant. But the tension between &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them only grew.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The Ring of Promise on her right wrist began to glimmer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is a great opportunity. I will make it known to the world who you are and what your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
purpose is.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The light of the bracelet began to expand, and Kondou Mikoto&#039;s body was surrounded by &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
light. This was about to become Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is, no way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The sentence ended with a tone as if adding a red heart, and then Sakura Kaede stretched &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
out the hand hidden behind his back, holding a doll in his hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was the Strangled Dog from the visceral animal series. This was Kondou Mikoto&#039;s thing. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
When did Sakura Kaede get it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The eyes of the Strangled Dog were shining, but it was not light, but a dark color like the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bottom of a well.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto reflexively wanted to close her eyes, but she was still a step too late, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her consciousness was swallowed by the eyes of the Strangled Dog.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 10 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Forward to 10 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586401</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586401"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T05:00:14Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: /* Translator&amp;#039;s Notes */&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10, Chapter 2  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A few days later.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The weather was beautiful, even this hot, it was still very good, at least better than the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
freezing cold. The breeze felt so comfortable against my skin.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was woken up by the caller ID on my phone this morning. I had you so close to me so I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
could replace that useless alarm clock, but you&#039;re completely useless. This could confirm if it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was Shizuku calling, but I didn&#039;t want to think too much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    First, breakfast. The curry Kondou Mikoto made is piled high, so I&#039;ll just defrost it and eat it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yesterday, I was so hungry I was growling. Well, there&#039;s nothing wrong with that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But as time goes on, all I see is curry, and I eat it every day. I&#039;m really too full, and this curry &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
training is really unbearable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Curry paste in hand, I&#039;m thinking about buying some bread to spread it on, but how could &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this happen... And there&#039;s also the cold rice noodles my relatives gave me this summer, I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cook it up. What should I do with that curry?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even in desperate situations, I still have some sense. Perhaps I&#039;ve become a talented chef. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While my fate still revolves around curry, it can turn out well. Curry is quite suitable for this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
situation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh no! I cooked cold yammy and time has already passed without me noticing. I dashed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
out with the bread in my mouth. I put my key on the entrance. I need to be more careful &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced at the clock. Oops! It&#039;s already this late! I might be late.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    By the time I get to Gunma, I&#039;ll either be barely there or late. This is bad.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh no! It&#039;s not Akane... That girl never comes late. She&#039;s always been a punctual person. As &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a library member, she never comes late. Even if she says, &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it rude to be late?&amp;quot; it doesn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seem to matter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where have you been...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a voice came from behind me, but it wasn&#039;t Akane&#039;s voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I turned around and saw  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane standing there, but she wasn&#039;t the weak -eyed girl, but the fierce, aggressive woman &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who screamed for war.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t help but swallow my saliva. Why did I transform?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you dawdling about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m so late. I was thinking of rushing over to your house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I never expected a girl to say that. But I was really afraid that she would actually do that. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But then again, she must have been waiting here for a long time in this hot weather.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so nagging.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said that anyway. I couldn&#039;t be weak in front of a fierce dog girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I got up so early for you. I could have slept a little longer.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me too. I got up so early today. I went to bed early, which is usually the time when I watch &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anime before going to bed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of excuse is that? At least it&#039;s a little embarrassing, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what are we going to do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked. As expected, since it wasn&#039;t my invitation, I didn&#039;t take the initiative.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you talking about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s talk.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where do you want to go? There should be a shop.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s Gunma, so there must be one.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anywhere is fine, we can have tea or something, we have plenty of time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I only have an hour.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s a small dispatch office next to the station, and there&#039;s a shopping street next to the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
station. Because it&#039;s convenient for shopping, most people go there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said to Akane,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s a tea place on the first floor downstairs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, there? I&#039;ve been there once before.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The clerk must be surprised to see someone as rude as you go in there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Before I transform, idiot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If that&#039;s the case, you should have said so earlier.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wasn&#039;t the one leading the way, but no matter how much I tried to resist, the bulldog girl &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
still pulled me away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was indeed a coffee shop over there, and I said to Akane, &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go to the first floor &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for tea.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m low on money this month, so I need to save some money. Let&#039;s go there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said this, and even at this moment, Higashida, who had spent all his money, felt envious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This shop is right on the corner, and it&#039;s usually where many workers go home from work. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because this shop stays open late, people who missed the last bus just keep pouring in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I put my bag down and sat down, but Akane didn&#039;t.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you want to drink?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll decide.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why I told you to.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s so annoying, one after another...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After saying that, I was startled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You, you&#039;re going to buy it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane nodded, as if she was bothered. Ugh... would that bulldog girl do things for me? Or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is this some kind of punishment game?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, are you serious?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You want some holes cut through your body? Sure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But you&#039;ll do things for me too...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Decide before I change my mind!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As she spoke, a gun appeared in Akane&#039;s hand. Hey, hey, people can see it!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop, stop!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I waved my hand to grab hers. If I left her alone, she&#039;d really shoot me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anything else you want to ask me?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, why is her face so red? Anyway, let&#039;s order the iced coffee first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Got it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, taking her wallet and sauntering towards the counter. I fidgeted. Asking a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman to pay for something is probably something that only married couples would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
encounter, right? But the woman I&#039;m with now is a bulldog. The person who would kick  me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
away at any time would actually buy something for me... By the way, this store is a self -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
service cafeteria where customers can choose what they want to buy. Akane was waiting in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
line over there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After a while, she came back with a tray, and mentioned that her portion was mango juice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How much is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Two hundred.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is what a buffet is like. It looks like there are many choices, but in fact, there is nothing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
delicious at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and I sat opposite each other and drank drinks. Akane put the straw into the cup &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and sipped the drink in big gulps.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thinking back to how I&#039;d just finished curry and hadn&#039;t had any water before, my throat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was incredibly dry. Now it felt wonderful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the girl sitting across from me was still a little nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, um... didn&#039;t you say you had something to say?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane replied firmly. Her voice was much stronger than before her transformation, and her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hesitant and troubled tone was replaced by a furious bark.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, was that your idea?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course, it was me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, not that... I meant it was my usual Akane who called me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, but I&#039;m meeting you in this state,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why? You&#039;re ready to shoot me now, or something. In short, you&#039;re ready to attack me at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
any moment. Of course, you&#039;re different from your usual self.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now I have to say it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was hard to understand, and I couldn&#039;t add any exclamations.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, did you meet the president after that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;After that... are you talking about the anime store?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right, they did meet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When I said, &amp;quot;We&#039;ll meet at school tonight,&amp;quot; Akane&#039;s eyes grew wary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why at night?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because she needs my help patrolling the school.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that all?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Though I didn&#039;t want to, I couldn&#039;t help but say it. After all, she&#039;s in bulldog mode, the type &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to fire at a moment&#039;s notice. If the words don&#039;t line up, it&#039;ll be either hanging or the electric &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chair.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was getting increasingly angry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Enough,&amp;quot; she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    growled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You bastard, you think you can get away with just saying it now? I&#039;m telling you, your face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looks as irritating to me as those online game developers. Tell me exactly what you did with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Various things.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Various things...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stopped myself immediately. It was fine when she was being naive, but if I said that now, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the store would turn into a bloodbath. This guy would attack indiscriminately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You bastard...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The chatter of her teeth could be heard even from where I was, and sweat broke out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just when I thought I was about to get a lecture, Akane acted surprisingly cautious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, you know it even if you don&#039;t tell  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    me.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Then don&#039;t ask.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shut up. I just want to hear you say it yourself, understand?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s wrong? I figured since I could predict it, there was no need to do anything extra.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That sponge head. It makes me so irritated no matter where I am.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (&amp;quot;You didn&#039;t call me out two hours early just because you were irritated, did you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do I have that kind of fetish?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Isn&#039;t that what you did right before my eyes?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pulled the Pocky out of her bag. Planning to hold it while walking? She held it to her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lips and immediately slurped it down. What was she thinking?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes drifted over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t call you out for fun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It looks like it was for fun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shut up. You, do you understand the purpose of today&#039;s trip?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I neither nodded nor shook my head, and of course, I didn&#039;t complain. I just kept my mouth &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shut and said nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane took out a second pack of Pocky.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know what&#039;s going to happen. That kind of thing is something someone as quick -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
witted as Shizuku would have to consider. But I do know that the decisive battle is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
approaching.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right. I was chosen for the Kämpfer before you, so I seem to have a stronger &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
intuition. It&#039;s almost here, I have a strong feeling.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Such a confident statement, but I honestly didn&#039;t know. But come to think of it, I think the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
first signs of this were evident when we went to Sakura Kaede&#039;s house. I&#039;m starting to feel a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bit nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, the only way out is to fight. Well, saving ordinary Sakura Kaede from the clutches of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that evil Sakura Kaede is going to be incredibly difficult. Speaking of which, Sakura Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
parents are there too. Maybe there won&#039;t be a fight at all, but Saku ra Kaede and I will spend &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the day together, wearing a kimono and surrounded by fireworks and good wishes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And Shizuku seemed to have mentioned, &amp;quot;I think I took the internal organs with me.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Someone with far more experience as a Kämpfer than I do probably has a unique &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
premonition.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But, no matter what happens, I don&#039;t care. Let&#039;s just go all out and kill them anyway.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no need for such extreme rhetoric!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The problem is you,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane declared, ignoring my words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong with me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You, it&#039;s about time you noticed how I feel.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s she suddenly saying? Your mood... the one that makes you want to punch even the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mere sight of someone passing by?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The me before my transformation, the me now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well... that has nothing to do with Anime Shop, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It does, idiot. I&#039;ve told you plenty before!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane banged her head on the table. How did the atmosphere turn into a criminal &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interrogation?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The shop assistant noticed the noise, but was instantly silenced by Akane&#039;s gaze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, Natsuru, in your heart, you have always thought of me as a rough person. But even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
though it looks like that, I am also a girl. I have feelings too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s unbelievable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You are such an inconsiderate bastard. My feelings are undoubtedly with you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But you keep saying you want to kill me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not what I meant! Are you going to make me explain it more clearly?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She suddenly roared. What are you doing? Although it does look like anger, it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
meaningless, isn&#039;t it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stared at me with the eyes of a hungry wolfhound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Well, after all, I couldn&#039;t say it myself. Maybe we are similar in our lack of courage &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(probably referring to the pre -transformation period). But, we can&#039;t not cherish the limited &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time we have now, so let&#039;s meet. The pre -transformation me said so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Said so? What are you talking about? It&#039;s obviously the same person, isn&#039;t it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You occupy an extremely important position in my life. The pre -transformation me was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the same. So if I stop moving forward now, I will never have time again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane is sixteen... only seventeen.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Physically, that&#039;s true. But didn&#039;t I just say that the decisive battle is approaching?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ahhh&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know how it will end. It should be Shizuku&#039;s job to worry about things like that. But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
after that&#039;s over, I might not be myself anymore.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My head tilted involuntarily. What are you talking about?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re Akane,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;The me now is... well, this is the first time I&#039;ve told you something like this, so you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might not understand. This me and the me with glasses usually coexist, but only at this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
moment are they different. And as for the me now, I don&#039;t know if I &#039;ll ever appear again after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this is over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried to speak, but no words came out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At this moment, I still exist. That&#039;s all I can say for sure. I hope you&#039;ll remember this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seriously? Well, come to think of it, she&#039;s usually quite serious when she&#039;s furious, that&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for sure.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane in bulldog mode is either shooting around or spouting foul language. If someone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like that were around, she&#039;d probably kill them one day. It&#039;s best to hope she doesn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transform.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But now, Akane actually said, &amp;quot;Don&#039;t forget me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No fancy lines, just don&#039;t forget me right now, even if you think I&#039;m a bulldog.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s all I have to say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are you acting so annoying?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane took out a gun. Wow, doesn&#039;t she know what patience is?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The gun was pointed at my forehead. I wonder what other customers think about this gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You are the only one thinking about you now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ho, why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How can I forget? You are pointing a gun at me now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What if there is no gun?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You are too strong. You still can&#039;t forget.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I am afraid that women with the same personality as this guy will never be found in Japan &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
again, right? Just like those valuables and natural monuments are so rare.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But such words can&#039;t be said now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Then, that&#039;s it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane put the gun away automatically.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And you must also cherish the me before the transformation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You are you, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s the way it is for Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stood up after saying that. However, there was still half a drink left in her cup.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s all I have to say. Go shopping by yourself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, what are you going to do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m alone, don&#039;t bother me&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After saying this, she turned her back to me and walked out of the store. For some reason, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I couldn&#039;t utter a word.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were only two cups and two plates left in front of me. I inexplicably had the idea of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;what should I do with these&amp;quot;.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I have been talking with Akane for so long that I have no time to rest.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This time I went to meet Shizuku. So I was late for this appointment, and this should be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
caused by the conversation just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m late,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said at the waiting place. Although I didn&#039;t intend to be late on purpose.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was thinking about why I called yesterday.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was suddenly lectured. Was it because of what I said to Akane?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s good that I caught up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wasn&#039;t that late, I guess I&#039;m fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a thoughtful woman! It reminds me of Yamashiba, the tardy demon from Class 4, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Grade 2, Boys&#039; Club. He&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    usually at least five minutes late, but the day before summer vacation, he showed up late &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and caused quite a stir by yelling, &amp;quot;Yamashiba&#039;s here!&amp;quot; But I&#039;d already left early by then, so I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t think anything of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was ready for Shizuku to pepper me with questions, but when she simply said, &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I started to panic as we headed towards the large mall in front of the station.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are there any shops here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A lot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san isn&#039;t interested in clothes, and their underwear is lacking variety.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As I took the escalator, the scene before me was a dazzling rainbow. It was all women&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clothing brands. As Shizuku said, &amp;quot;Even if the mall in front of the station is small, there&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bound to be a wide variety of women&#039;s clothing.&amp;quot; So that&#039;s how it is. Compared to this, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
men&#039;s clothing is pitifully small. Is that the difference? Everyone&#039;s complaining!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There must be a specialty store for women&#039;s underwear.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, you can try them on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Try them on?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although there is no problem with hygiene. If a man wears something like this, it will cause &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a riot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku imitated the way of tightening the shoulder straps. Ah, that&#039;s it. But if you really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wear underwear, it would be a bit...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Coming down from the third floor, this floor is completely buried with women&#039;s products. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In front of me is the area selling perfumes and cosmetics.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This way&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pulled me to a wider area.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There are not only so -called &amp;quot;underwear&amp;quot; there, but socks and handkerchiefs are also sold &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
together. Of course, the customers are also distributed like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is completely unknown territory for me. I have no idea about the manufacturers or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything like that. There shouldn&#039;t even be a high school boy with a connection to women&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underwear stores, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The prices aren&#039;t that high,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. You know all this stuff, you know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can buy Natsuru with confidence.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That shouldn&#039;t be the issue,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I grumbled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, then why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you think it&#039;s strange for a man to buy something like this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku chuckled. It was quite unusual for her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true. You&#039;re in a male pose right now. I&#039;m so used to it I didn&#039;t notice.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I&#039;ll pay  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a little attention. I feel like I&#039;m already attracting attention.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It might be my own over -consciousness, but it felt like the women in the store were all &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looking at me. This is women&#039;s territory, not for men to enter. At the very least, you should &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
need a passport and visa.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt like Shizuku was watching me with interest.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll do the shopping.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please do it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I won&#039;t be blamed, and I won&#039;t be looked at with hostility. Wouldn&#039;t it be better to just do it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this way from the beginning?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, come here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, w -why do you need me...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t we agree to buy together? I don&#039;t even know your bra size.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You still want me to choose?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ignoring my objection, she dragged me inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was a truly lewd world, beyond my comprehension. Since most people don&#039;t have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
experience choosing women&#039;s lingerie, it was  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    n&#039;t the colorful, rainbow -colored scene I&#039;d imagined. There weren&#039;t many fancy colors, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mostly conservative whites and beiges.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it&#039;s a fancy color that doesn&#039;t match the lines of the skirt, it&#039;ll be obvious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku really can read minds.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay to stare at it. If you want to look now, it&#039;s summer vacation, especially now.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(Does she mean there&#039;s less clothing?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then why not just pick out the skirt first?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s just how women are,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want a cute dress, but I don&#039;t like being seen by people I don&#039;t like. For people I like, I still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have to choose the underwear carefully to win over them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t quite understand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s enough for you to understand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you like, President?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt unhappy and didn&#039;t want to be bothered by these answers. &amp;quot;Want  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    to take a look?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No thanks.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I do remember it was a white one. I saw  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    it at a sleepover, but it was my first time choosing underwear. Shizuku was like a guide, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my heart was beating fast.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku gestured at me,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is my chest size probably this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who knows?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You bought it yourself, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, hey, how did you know? You said you&#039;d bought one before, but I didn&#039;t.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t really know the cup size,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said honestly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Since you don&#039;t know the size, you have to choose carefully. You need all three &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dimensions.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everything a woman needs?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t let a man like me ask that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was meticulously selecting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m just relying on my memory, so it might be a little off. Don&#039;t complain.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s better to try it on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Chest protectors are for elementary school, but this one is more adult -friendly.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is there a saying about these things?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku chose a light -colored bra marked E. It really suits me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Looking at this, you&#039;ll probably think you&#039;re choosing underwear for me,&amp;quot; she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    suddenly said, a strange thing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s because I&#039;m a man.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Couples come here specifically to choose underwear for nighttime togetherness, right?&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(Nighttime service isn&#039;t necessarily true.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do we do together at night?&amp;quot; (Don&#039;t you know?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s true that Hamamatsu has the phrase &amp;quot;eel cake,&amp;quot; a &amp;quot;nighttime confection.&amp;quot; What does &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;together&amp;quot; mean? She didn&#039;t say what it was, but this guy said things like &amp;quot;you and me&amp;quot; so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
matter -of-factly. I need to learn some lessons.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku picked out several bras, and I still couldn&#039;t understand why she had to choose so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
many different colors and styles.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she walked over to the underwear section. How should I put it? She walked over in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My butt doesn&#039;t seem to have changed much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, it feels like it&#039;s gotten bigger.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about this style?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You never know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When you look at yourself in the mirror, you can see your breasts, but not your butt. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t have eyes on my back. If it were a split mirror, that would be a different story. But if you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even have to scrutinize this part, wouldn&#039;t that be narcissistic and perverted?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, &amp;quot;This one might be okay,&amp;quot; as she selected her underwear. The color matched &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the bra.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You really have to match them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Haha, so it&#039;s not just horizontal comparisons, but also tops and bottoms?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And so she waited at the underwear checkout counter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a young woman at the counter, but she was definitely older than us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The older sister who was at least a year older than her looked at Shizuku and asked,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...are these okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey,&amp;quot; Shizuku said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;that&#039;s a bit rude. I feel like they don&#039;t fit your size.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s best to choose underwear that fits you best. It&#039;s best to get measured before &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
choosing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry, it&#039;s not mine, it&#039;s for this person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, the older sister looked surprised. But she was a customer after all, so she kept &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her voice down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This... this male customer...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because he needed it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it were me, I&#039;d choose a bolder bra, but it&#039;s his first time choosing underwear, so this is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The older sister looked at me with a startling gaze, as if I were a filth. Wait, I&#039;m innocent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I hurriedly said, &amp;quot;Oh, that, rather than saying it&#039;s mine...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it yours?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s mine...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But it&#039;s different, don&#039;t say it in such a dismissive tone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The older sister wordlessly read the barcode and displayed the amount.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took out the money. Even though it was my own underwear, this was still a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
misunderstanding.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The older sister said, &amp;quot;Thank you for your patronage,&amp;quot; expressionlessly. Shizuku and I left &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the store.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku raised her hand and checked the time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s still plenty of time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go have some tea somewhere.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...President.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why did you say you chose it for me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it yours, Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, yes... but it&#039;s not for men, me,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I screamed. This will definitely make me look like a pervert. A man choosing women&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underwear for the sake of choosing underwear —what kind of person is that? I was so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
embarrassed I wanted to find a hole to jump into.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And just as expected, Shizuku&#039;s expression remained unchanged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s something you&#039;ll use after you become a woman, I know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then the clerk doesn&#039;t know...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know, that&#039;s enough.&amp;quot; How could she be  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    so unreasonable?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I bought you necessities, so you should thank me, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve never thanked someone in your position, the president, since I was born.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, I&#039;m the first one.&amp;quot; She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    acted like she&#039;d accept any protests. This was more than just a thick skin. What on earth &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
did this woman eat? The government should implement an emergency health check and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stop the production of this  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    secret food.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku went down the escalator one floor, and I was about to stop in protest. But the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
waiter&#039;s sidelong glance at me made me give up. Did she really think I was a pervert and was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
afraid  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    of disrupting their business?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The first floor, which doubles as a station passage, wasn&#039;t very spacious. However, at one &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
end of the street was a &amp;quot;tea corner,&amp;quot; where Akane and I had drinks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, how&#039;s it going?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, sure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You talk like you&#039;ve just been here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That being said, it&#039;s okay.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is my second time here. Let&#039;s find a seat first and then buy a drink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at the prices on the menu and picked something random. I wasn&#039;t feeling thirsty, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
having already had one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s Natsuru going for?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm... iced coffee.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll have that too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them were very close, placing their drinks on trays. Of course, their close &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
relationship was just Shizuku&#039;s subjective opinion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We sat opposite each other at a round table. It wasn&#039;t very quiet, but it was still a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
comfortable place to sit, even if it wasn&#039;t very quiet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was still plenty of time. Anyway, we were on our way to Sakura Kaede&#039;s house, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
why were we doing this here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, is it really okay to have a drink here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t mind,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku replied without hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Standing outside all the time isn&#039;t an option.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But doesn&#039;t it look like we&#039;re alone now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We are,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she replied, taking it for granted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a special date.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m still saying this,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but I&#039;m always wondering how to put it. It feels like I&#039;ve been &amp;quot;alone with Shizuku&amp;quot; way too &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
many times. I &amp;quot;failed&amp;quot; to stay over at this guy&#039;s house, and then went to school that night. If &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku&#039;s fans knew about this, it would be a big deal. There a re so many fanatics at school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who adore her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s nice not to be hunted down right now, but sitting here like this feels like an illusion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But... doesn&#039;t it feel strange?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s strange?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look at that, the president... confessing to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I did.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But why are you so relaxed?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t seem surprised. Isn&#039;t she a bit slow?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe, this is what I want?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Am I special?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;To me, yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So that&#039;s how it is, it&#039;s not me, it&#039;s you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The confession didn&#039;t get a reply, but at least I want to leave a good memory.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this a good memory?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I&#039;m very happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku smiled at me. This girl doesn&#039;t often smile, but now she looks really beautiful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Going shopping with the man you like, and then chatting here like this, isn&#039;t it great?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I only bought bras and panties.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it&#039;s with Natsuru, I&#039;m willing to pay any price.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, when did you start treating me like a comrade?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This might be the last time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What an unexpected line! I couldn&#039;t help but raise my voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Besides, everyone might die after this incident is over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, you won&#039;t die even if a nuclear war breaks out.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Since I&#039;ve confessed to you, I hope you&#039;ll give me a response after this is over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But it won&#039;t necessarily be a yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, maybe. Shizuku is a beauty and smart, but she&#039;s not my type.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I haven&#039;t decided how to respond to the confession yet, as it&#039;s a matter of my reputation. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So I told them, &amp;quot;Let me think about it.&amp;quot; It&#039;s neither yes nor no, still undecided. After all, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s still the matter of Kondou Mikoto&#039;s confession. Shizuku&#039;s o pinion is the majority:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think Natsuru will say yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, she&#039;s quite confident. It was terrifying to hear such unpleasant words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But we also have to consider the possibility of failure. If the answer is no, I can&#039;t do this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with you anymore, so at least I want to enjoy myself here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems like I read a lot of manga before the exam.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I often do that too. So there are many times when I accumulate the thought of &amp;quot;a little bit&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and sleepless nights.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s not worry about that kind of thing... But what exactly do you feel about that thing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you mentioned?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We should also consider the possibility of failure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hate failure, but if my opponents are Kondou Mikoto and Akane, I have to be more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cautious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why not include Sakura Kaede? And why go to her hometown?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It seems that Shizuku has not considered Sakura Kaede at all. This person seems to have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been dating me as a &amp;quot;potential boyfriend&amp;quot; and has not considered the possibility of Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede and me dating at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is not okay. How about this? It&#039;s possible that normal Sakura Kaede and evil Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede have different personalities; it&#039;s also possible that Sakura Kaede likes me and Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede who doesn&#039;t feel the same way but knows about it. It&#039;s like rece iving radio waves. This &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
concept is quite good.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been thinking about Sakura Kaede, too. It&#039;s just that the confession was for something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
else. Kondou Mikoto, Akane, and I don&#039;t want to split up. Let&#039;s share.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s hard to say. We should be more careful.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s possible, but there are other things. That&#039;s what Kämpfer has to deal with.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I fell silent. It&#039;s not that I think Shizuku can predict things like a psychic. With recent events, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as more evidence surfaces, it&#039;s like the puzzle pieces are falling into place. Maybe it&#039;s because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she didn&#039;t speculate until after most of the events ha d happened?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s a really smart woman, much smarter than confessing to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku and Akane both kept saying things like everything was almost over. Sure &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough, I still lacked the experience of a Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, did it happen back home in Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not sure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Could Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents have wanted a girl?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If there&#039;s nothing, there&#039;s nothing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Such a simple conversation, of course, I didn&#039;t believe it. Since we were going back home, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it must be possible. That&#039;s what I decided.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku checked the time, and so did I. Wow, it&#039;s almost time. We&#039;d been chatting about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
some nonsense, and it was already that time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I downed my coffee, cleared the plates and cups, and hurried to the meeting place.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and Kondou Mikoto were already there. It looked like Shizuku and I had just been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
together, and that was exactly what we were doing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The girls were all dressed in casual clothes, which was quite avant -garde. Akane wore a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cute jacket and skirt; Kondou Mikoto and Shizuku wore denim. Kondou Mikoto had been to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
many untouched places, so she liked to wear that outfit. I didn&#039;t expect Shiz uku to wear the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
same dress. This woman always looks good in everything she wears. I&#039;m afraid you can&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
compare to her unless she&#039;s an actress.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good morning,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane greeted, her earlier aura of a fierce dog gone. Since we were meeting again, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
replied, &amp;quot;Good morning.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san, you&#039;re up really early. I thought you were going to sleep in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s true I like to sleep in, but Akane and Shizuku have met before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku just looked at us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I called him yesterday, so you&#039;re up early.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, did you call Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Natsuru -san, you&#039;re still later than us. Maybe I should call,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said with a smile. At that moment, Shizuku made an expression  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    as if to say, &amp;quot;Oh, is that so?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;It&#039;s better for me to call.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said as if concluding, though it felt as if there were no extra lines, which was quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unusual. Kondou Mikoto, the curry provider, was watching the situation from the side. To be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more precise, she was watching me,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but when she got closer, her gaze turned to another direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was also unusual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, Akane -chan, the train hasn&#039;t come yet, is everything ok?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I finally wanted to say hello, but Kondou Mikoto ignored me and went to talk to Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane didn&#039;t even look at her watch, but looked directly at the light board on the platform.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay, there should still be time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? That&#039;s good.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto muttered to herself,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um --, are you ready, Akane -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As for a change of clothes...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That needs preparation, too. I&#039;m asking about the internal organs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane mechanically answered Kondou Mikoto&#039;s question, feeling a bit distant. I then asked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, have you tried to contact us about the internal organs?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. &amp;quot;So, you didn&#039;t just tell me, you called everyone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I told everyone I&#039;d bring them with me, and everyone understands.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then you added unnecessary things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Getting up early and making some preparations is essential.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a scoundrel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of which, Sakura Kaede isn&#039;t here, but that&#039;s understandable. She&#039;s waiting at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
home, preparing a reception. Incidentally, it&#039;s to welcome me. It would be great if only I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
went, and Shizuku and the others would just be in the way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s take the train,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I urged everyone,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but Shizuku seemed to be observing something, standing there motionless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, President, aren&#039;t you taking the bus?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you looking at?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked in Shizuku&#039;s direction. Nothing special had happened, just some passengers &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
getting on and off the bus.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku retracted her gaze and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I feel like I see a familiar face.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A teacher from school?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was the only answer she gave, and she took the first step.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, we got on the bus. After buying the ticket and getting on the bus, Kondou Mikoto&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
attitude was very stiff.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did she really want to ignore me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s hometown is in Kanagawa Prefecture. After several stops on the tram, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there were many male passengers hunched over and resting inside the bus. The work must &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be really hard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kanagawa is very big, and it existed even earlier than Yokohama. Shizuku and I knew the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
address, and I heard it from Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, where is Sakura Kaede&#039;s home?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru heard it too, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not familiar with the terrain here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku showed me the menu bar of her phone, and it said Odawara.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did Sakura Kaede say that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What did she say?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Phone number&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s really ordinary, to be honest.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede also said, &#039;Is it okay that Natsuru didn&#039;t hear me tell you the address?&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, actually, you told me…&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That kid, it seems like she doesn&#039;t remember.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well… this is also circumstantial evidence. And Shizuku also felt it. I feel more and more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
excited. Will this trip end safely?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s really far, by the way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We haven&#039;t even reached Atami yet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s nonsense, that&#039;s Shizuoka Prefecture.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But it&#039;s really hard to stand like this, but to be honest, I&#039;m still young and can handle it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When we arrived in Kanagawa Prefecture, most people got off, and the whole car became &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
an empty car with only four people.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san, let&#039;s sit down,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, and we bent down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I, I&#039;ll sit next to Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane hurriedly sat down, much faster than Shizuku who didn&#039;t say anything. She seems to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be much bolder recently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Kondou Mikoto didn&#039;t even look at me, and sat diagonally across from me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t expect you&#039;d have to stay the night,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, clutching her suitcase.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s so far, so this is better.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede, have you always lived alone?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s it like?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at Shizuku. She must know everything about Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sensing my gaze, Shizuku spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I lived in Tokyo with my parents when I was little, though I&#039;ve never seen them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh—&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems they have houses in Tokyo and here. So, when you go to school in Tokyo, you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might come over sometimes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is Sakura Kaede&#039;s family wealthy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Compared to the average standard of living, it&#039;s certainly higher,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, something incomprehensible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come to think of it, I know next to nothing about Sakura Kaede&#039;s personal life. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
information collection published by the Bishoujo Research Society only lists the composition &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of her family.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is the perseverance of a believer who believes, &amp;quot;Even if I don&#039;t know, as long as I love &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you, I can do it.&amp;quot; It&#039;s not just me; many boys who like Sakura Kaede feel the same way. But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
recently, I&#039;ve seen a slightly frightening side of Sakura Kaede, a nd I can&#039;t help but feel &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    By the way, Shizuku is the most talked about when it comes to these fanatical believers. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are even those who, after all, would dance with joy just by picking up a strand of this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman&#039;s hair. I know of one who obsessively photographs footprints le ft on walkways and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
other places on rainy days, desperate to collect them. An album of this kind was officially &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
released not long ago, and despite being such a tacky thing, it seems to be selling briskly. Are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these the only perverts left in the world?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And Sakura Kaede&#039;s family is wealthy. Being invited to her childhood home wouldn&#039;t be a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
problem at all...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They seem very busy,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku answered. This guy&#039;s parents seem like workaholics, too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will you meet her parents?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you want to?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s reasonable to say hello,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied. Of course, greetings include all sorts of things, like about getting married.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I marry Sakura Kaede, I&#039;ll probably have to move to Kanagawa Prefecture, right? But she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
has an apartment near the school, right? It&#039;s really nice to have parents like them, unlike my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two who are having fun in Kyushu and don&#039;t even care about their s on&#039;s life or death.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku glanced at me for some reason, her gaze saying, &amp;quot;Thinking of something stupid &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
again.&amp;quot; Why is she so sharp? She&#039;s always right, but it&#039;s just annoying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pretended not to notice; it was good for my health.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Speaking of parents,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I turned to Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t Akane&#039;s house close to Sakura Kaede&#039;s?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, as if to say, &amp;quot;Finally, you&#039;re asking me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;In that area. My parents moved here before I was born. Dad worked in planning and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
development at a manufacturing plant, but he changed jobs a while after I was born.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey —get a promotion?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, he became a carpenter.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How did that happen? It doesn&#039;t sound like a bad thing, but the change is incredible, isn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Dad&#039;s arm strength is incredible. He could send me to high school in Tokyo with just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one hand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s impressive, even though my parents are happily living in Kyushu. Rather than &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
working hard for me, it&#039;s more like they&#039;re just too happy to leave.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, I went to elementary school here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm —&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I had to get something out of the way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you hear about Sakura Kaede when you were little?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane tilted her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No. But Sakura Kaede was in Tokyo, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you hear about Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents, too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I think...probably not.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah, we were still in elementary school, so there was nothing we could do. If I could get &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
some information about Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents here, I&#039;d make a good impression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san, why do you want to know that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, that&#039;s nothing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried to smooth things over appropriately. It would be troublesome if my grand plan were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exposed. But Shizuku was there, glaring at me coldly. I&#039;d better give up trying to hide it from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her. Then Kondou Mikoto looked over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The train began to shake, and before I knew it, it had entered the mountains. The scenery &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here was completely different from Tokyo.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I changed trains once, finally boarding one that ran quite frequently along the way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My stomach was empty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wouldn&#039;t it be better to buy a bento at the station?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not yet,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, checking the time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a long train ride, so I can buy it next time I change. And I can even leave without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eating.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What should I do? I&#039;ll have to negotiate with my stomach.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Besides, you want to eat with Sakura Kaede, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede is quite a cook, so maybe she&#039;s already prepared something for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m a good cook, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You don&#039;t need to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The train slid through the fields. So far, we&#039;d been able to travel by train, but now it was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
local line.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Another transfer, and we arrived at a local railway line called something other than JR, Asia &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Central. I had no idea what it was. A train geek might be able to figure it out, but I couldn&#039;t.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We got off the platform and walked across the pedestrian bridge to the side platform. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hungry as hell, we bought a bento at the station —enough for everyone, of course.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The next train also had seating for four, and we unpacked our lunch boxes as it departed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s lunchtime. I pick up my chopsticks and look across.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you looking at?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku glances at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Seno -kun, you like watching girls eat?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, that&#039;s not true. Um... President, you eat really fast.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s lunch box is almost empty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Fast&amp;quot; isn&#039;t a compliment or a sarcastic remark, it&#039;s just really fast. She moves her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chopsticks like she&#039;s fast -forwarding a video. And there&#039;s barely any chewing. Does she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
usually eat this fast?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eating fast isn&#039;t a good thing for a girl, is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is... is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because we all have student council work, we&#039;ve developed a habit of eating fast. Even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
meal time is precious, and I haven&#039;t thought about slowing down.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone knows Shizuku is busier than the average high school student. She&#039;s often &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
blamed for any stupid things the students do without her permission. But, I think she also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had lunch with me on the rooftop.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, because we were eating with Natsuru, we finished work early.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah, so that&#039;s what&#039;s going on... hey. The word &amp;quot;together&amp;quot; startled Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m kind of used to it now,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the student council president said, closing the lid of her lunch box and rewrapping it in its &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
original wrapper, but without the chopsticks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was just about to take a bite of the kelp roll when Shizuku suddenly reached out her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chopsticks and snatched it away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was about to ask why she was doing that when the chopsticks were right in front of me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come on, ah —&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I froze. Hey, are you planning on doing that here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and Kondou Mikoto fell silent, staring at us. &amp;quot;Hey, you&#039;re watching me so closely!&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku, however, acted nonchalant, as if this was a matter of course. And what I wanted to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
emphasize was: how should I treat the kelp roll in front of me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re not going to eat it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is Seno -kun&#039;s.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said that, but you took it without my permission. Eat it yourself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku isn&#039;t the type to listen. And then there were all these people watching. I&#039;m not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
used to it yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Somehow, the memory of our kiss suddenly came back to me, and that made me even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more embarrassed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But there was no way to escape. Just as I was considering whether to eat it, a hand &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reached out from the side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Give it to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane took the kelp roll off and put it in her mouth. Then she looked to the side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, you&#039;ve been too harsh on Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s Mishima -san. Don&#039;t you think she&#039;s been very bold lately?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s normal for me to do this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A certain tension surged in the car. I had no choice but to bury my head and concentrate &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on finishing my lunch box quickly. It was obvious that a tense atmosphere had risen between &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane and Shizuku. I didn&#039;t know what the four people sitting there wer e thinking. Let&#039;s call &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the National League to put a stop to this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The tension still persisted after eating. In such an occasion, it is really necessary to say &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something to relax people, right? In the second -year fourth group of the men&#039;s department, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talking about boring things at such a time would provoke contemptuou s eyes, as if I had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
done something wrong. The mere sight of her could kill me. Incidentally, there&#039;s no such &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clueless person in the women&#039;s club. While the vice -president might seem strange at first, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she&#039;s actually quite good at making people laugh.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The announcement blared from the train compartment, announcing our arrival. Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lifted her face and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;re here,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and we prepared to get off.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The station we were getting off at was a typical local station... Even so, the people of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kanagawa are so stingy, aren&#039;t they? There wasn&#039;t even a single tourist information post. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Even though this is within the commuter zone connecting to Tokyo, there w eren&#039;t any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
souvenir shops or tourist information centers in this area.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Outside, the sun was incredibly strong, and I couldn&#039;t help but sweat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m craving some ice cream...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I heard Kondou Mikoto mutter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go buy some?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With just that, Kondou Mikoto jumped up like a girl who&#039;d been shoved into a bug from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
behind. Although, she&#039;s actually quite resilient to bugs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No... I don&#039;t need it. If you don&#039;t want to buy it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can buy something else.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, don&#039;t bother...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you upset about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Depressed or what... No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto&#039;s voice gradually faded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto&#039;s reaction was very different now, and the difference between her and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku was also a stark contrast to her previous bold and fearless personality.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thinking about it, this was the first time I&#039;d spoken to Kondou Mikoto today. It felt like she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
barely even glanced at me today.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing... well... nothing...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked like she wanted to hide in a hole.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about ice?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was no answer, and I was just wondering what to do when Shizuku suddenly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interrupted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want some ice, too. How about buying everyone a portion?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto seemed to be saying something like, &amp;quot;President, thank you,&amp;quot; but why &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t she thanking me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does that include your share, President?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Go buy it yourself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You, are you planning on having girls do the manual labor?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t they say that in ancient Japan, women also did manual labor?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is modern times.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course I know about that sort of thing, but that&#039;s not what I want to say.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although Shizuku is undoubtedly a woman, she&#039;s no less athletic than a man. She&#039;s no less &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
impressive than Hanzawa, who&#039;s a baseball pro. She can run long distances, so she&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
definitely better than me. She&#039;s the best woman in sprints, so she&#039;s definitel y better than me, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In short, she&#039;s definitely better at sports than me, so why should I buy it for her? Why not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
buy my share too?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku clearly wasn&#039;t the type to think that way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll pay for it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it because the president is older?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then running errands should be for the younger ones.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s quite adept at that kind of conversation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I got the money from Shizuku and went to a convenience store near the station to buy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
popsicles.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t buy a cup of iced drink because I was too lazy to do so. I didn&#039;t want to stuff both &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I bought popsicles according to the number of people. What was surprising was that the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
money I received from Shizuku was not changed to a cent. Could it be that even this was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
considered good?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The girl working at the convenience store said &amp;quot;There is also a sports lottery&amp;quot; to attract &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
customers, but I could only go back frustrated. I didn&#039;t want to trouble the sister working &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
part-time to comfort me who was hit hard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I distributed the popsicles to everyone, and Kondou Mikoto still refused to look at me and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
took the popsicle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thanks, this is a thank you gift.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku handed over the wallet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, this is your wallet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Men are more popular with it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you mean by popular now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, Natsuru is actually popular enough without doing this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was still using Natsuru as a direct name, and where was the evidence to prove that I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was popular?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I use my standards to define being popular, it means that girls will stare at you intently &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
when you walk on the street; the beautiful actress in the drama forces you to say &amp;quot;give me a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hug&amp;quot;; and the beautiful girl who inherited a large fortune wants to marry you. Where is the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
popularity that you mentioned as the student council president?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san is excellent,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said something off -topic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Although he is not popular, I think he looks good.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, what a subtle opinion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After tearing open the popsicle bag, Akane&#039;s travel bag seemed to have become a little bit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bigger. It looked small to begin with, but the handle part was strangely shaped, and it looked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like it was tiring to carry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stretched out my hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane -chan, let me take it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh... no need, like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let me take it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? Then...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She handed the bag to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took it. Ugh... It&#039;s so heavy. Are all girls&#039; bags this heavy? Could it be makeup? Like those &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bottled ones?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course I don&#039;t carry makeup. I do have some underwear, but the weight of it is barely &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
noticeable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was all good intentions, but now I regret it. Having agreed, I can&#039;t just take the bag back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That sounds like a lot of trouble. How about I carry it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. Indeed, if it were this woman, she&#039;d be stronger than me. I heard she has a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strong grip, and she&#039;s the most athletic girl around, so she&#039;s got a lot of stamina.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I flatly declined.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No problem.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You look a bit manly.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not that heavy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then why don&#039;t you help Kondou Mikoto with her travel bag?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This jerk actually said something so unnecessary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I ignored her and said the same thing to Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, I&#039;ll help you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No, it&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto slowly backed away, her hands still clutching her travel bag. Did she think I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was going to steal your bag?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll get it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay, really...it&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she still refused to let go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was waiting at home, and we walked from the station. Shizuku, who knew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the address, led the way, and I walked at the end, carrying my things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As we walked, a thought suddenly occurred to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;By the way, aren&#039;t you going back to your family, Akane -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She hurriedly pulled out her cell phone, still the unassuming girl, tapping away at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
buttons.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane covered the mouthpiece with her hand and replied, &amp;quot;Yes, yes.&amp;quot; She looked as if she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were talking to a client,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    chatting with friends as cheerfully as she did with her friends. There were also men in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
group who used honorifics when speaking to their parents. That was Hanzawa, because his &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
parents were wrestlers, and he didn&#039;t know what kind of punishment he wo uld suffer if he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
showed any disrespect. As he put it, &amp;quot;honorifics are a way to protect yourself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She hung up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um... it seems like they haven&#039;t come back yet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They went out earlier, saying they were at a friend&#039;s house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    These are truly carefree parents.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane seemed to be saying, &amp;quot;Finally, we get a chance to introduce Natsuru -san to them.&amp;quot; It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
couldn&#039;t be better for me. First, Sakura Kaede gets priority.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We strolled along at a leisurely pace. The weather was nice, a bit like a picnic. The breeze &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
blew against my skin, but I didn&#039;t sweat much. But as a porter, I didn&#039;t really have the heart to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enjoy the scenery.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After walking for a while from the station, the high -rise buildings behind us gradually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
receded. Next, I saw houses and fields. There were mountains so close.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s such a quiet place,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. As expected, after being away from the station for so long, I don&#039;t have the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
residential atmosphere anymore, but it&#039;s not that spooky nighttime atmosphere either...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is a villa area, huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It was a famous villa area before the war. It&#039;s not anymore, but there are still some left, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I see. So, the spaces between the houses are indeed quite spacious. Unlike the borrowed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
house, it has a more serious style. The quietness is probably because most people are staying &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t Akane&#039;s family in this area?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, over there,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pointed diagonally to the left.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it... a villa?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It must have been newly built, since the area was developed after the war.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it okay if you&#039;re not home yet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s still plenty of time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Where on earth had Akane&#039;s parents gone? Shizuku turned countless corners, not even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
checking the notes on her phone. &amp;quot;Did you memorize the address?&amp;quot; She&#039;s such a navigation &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
system.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Gradually, the trees grew more numerous, and the houses became fewer and fewer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a large house appeared before us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked up, and I looked up too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It looked more like a noble mansion than a residence, and a Western -style one at that. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
walls were painted a birch -white color. The garden in front was very spacious, probably also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
used for parking, although there was a garage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The entrance was also very large, with doors that opened in both directions, which amazed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t this... a huge mansion?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It looks like it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said calmly, leaving Akane and Kondou Mikoto speechless with surprise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, are you going in?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why else would you be here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It certainly looked like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But this, no matter how you look at it, looks like the kind of mansion you&#039;d see in a movie &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
or a play, and it&#039;s a large, modern villa. Is this truly private property? If an accountant resells &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it and pockets the difference, what kind of property would t hat be?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku walked briskly forward and rang the doorbell. She pulled it instead of ringing it, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t she?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After a moment, the door opened.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Welcome,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiled, stepping out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry to bother you walking from the station. I was supposed to pick you up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay. The scenery here is beautiful, and it&#039;s a pleasure to walk and see it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, I guess Shizuku wasn&#039;t really enjoying the scenery just now. Was she trying to cut &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede off?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kondou Mikoto and Mishima Akane, I&#039;m glad you&#039;re here too,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. &amp;quot;No, no... I&#039;m surprised,&amp;quot; while Kondou Mikoto muttered, &amp;quot;It&#039;s like the ruins in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Peru.&amp;quot; Both of them seemed a bit strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t be nervous, welcome, welcome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede held their hands. I&#039;d thought so before, but she really does get along with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girls.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And so, Sakura Kaede finally approached me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Welcome, Natsuru -san too,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and that was the end. Am I the last one?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said, &amp;quot;I&#039;ll take you to your room,&amp;quot; and then,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, what&#039;s wrong with Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m right here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I meant the female Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, so that&#039;s it. I had to perfunctorily say something like, &amp;quot;I&#039;m here,&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;I&#039;m not.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even though Sakura Kaede had a crush on me as a woman, she obviously didn&#039;t like seeing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me in my normal self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku interrupted,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll be here later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, you don&#039;t seem to like getting up early, and you&#039;re always late for school.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku glanced at me briefly. &amp;quot;Why are you blinking? Is there something in your eyes?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede looked regretful and ended the conversation. Then, she led us inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Holding onto the iron railing, we ascended the stairs. The living room seemed to be divided &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
into two levels. It was quite spacious, so staying the night wouldn&#039;t be too much of a hassle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I casually walked closer to Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What? If this is private, please whisper.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I get it... Why did you say that to Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A girl&#039;s Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s better if you come than not.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not good for me at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine. You haven&#039;t forgotten who invited us here, have you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s the darkened Sakura Kaede who invited us. You might transform into a Kämpfer fighter &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at any moment. But if you transform, the current Sakura Kaede won&#039;t know. It would be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
troublesome if they saw you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh—I see. It&#039;s true. It&#039;s possible they might be seen. She&#039;s a very quick thinker.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But there are still things she&#039;ll worry about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about this, after I transform, I&#039;ll just stay outside and not come back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh no! That&#039;s bad!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Something similar happened before at the class monitor&#039;s house, and I was almost dizzy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Compared to people who shouldn&#039;t be there, this is less of a burden. It&#039;s better to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
minimize any awkward situations if possible.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That being said, it would be incredibly difficult for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku interrupted, seemingly ignoring everything she was saying. Is the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president really that stubborn?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Right here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;d already reached the room before I knew it, and here too, what a large door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is the room for everyone to relax and unwind. It used to be a meeting room.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This, when it was bought, it was like a hotel,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede answered my question. So, the original owner probably sold it because it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too large and luxurious, and the maintenance costs were considerable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why it&#039;s so big, and the ceilings are so high. And by the way, there&#039;s a swimming &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pool in the courtyard.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s amazing...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But since the pool is a little small, we had construction workers come in and widen and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
deepen it when we bought it. And there&#039;s a little secret about it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    All I could see was Sakura Kaede&#039;s smile. I&#039;ll leave the secrets behind. Let me also imagine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the renovations of the new house. It&#039;s definitely one of those systems where you can flip a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bed out by the pool at the touch of a button, allowing you to swim and sleep at the same &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And that&#039;s Shizuku&#039;s room,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede gestured to the room nearby.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s Kondou Mikoto&#039;s, Akane&#039;s over there, and Natsuru&#039;s over here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, the original meeting room was at the back, and from there outwards, Shizuku, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto, Akane, and I were all assigned our own rooms.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no room for Natsuru and Shizuku together, so please be patient and don&#039;t do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything weird.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She seemed completely convinced that Shizuku and I were dating. While there were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rumors, I&#039;d forget about being with Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where&#039;s Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I have my own room downstairs, separate from everyone else. After all, I&#039;ve lived there &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
since I was a kid.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I understand being reluctant to leave. When I was little, I couldn&#039;t sleep without my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
favorite blanket. It&#039;s like a character from a manga with a beagle, that&#039;s what my mother said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, please put your luggage in front of your room door. The key will be brought to you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After leaving that, Sakura Kaede went downstairs. It seemed as if we were left here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, let&#039;s go to our respective rooms first,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;After that, how about we all gather in the conference room? It&#039;s better to explain some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
things first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course it&#039;s Sakura Kaede&#039;s business,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku answered my statement without hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1|← Back to Volume 10 Chapter 1]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 3|Forward to 10 Chapter 3 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586400</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_2&amp;diff=586400"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T04:57:02Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: Created page with &amp;quot;    Volume 10, Chapter 2         A few days later.         The weather was beautiful, even this hot, it was still very good, at least better than the   freezing cold. The breeze felt so comfortable against my skin.         I was woken up by the caller ID on my phone this morning. I had you so close to me so I   could replace that useless alarm clock, but you&amp;#039;re completely useless. This could confirm if it   was Shizuku calling, but I didn&amp;#039;t want to think too muc...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10, Chapter 2  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A few days later.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The weather was beautiful, even this hot, it was still very good, at least better than the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
freezing cold. The breeze felt so comfortable against my skin.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was woken up by the caller ID on my phone this morning. I had you so close to me so I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
could replace that useless alarm clock, but you&#039;re completely useless. This could confirm if it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was Shizuku calling, but I didn&#039;t want to think too much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    First, breakfast. The curry Kondou Mikoto made is piled high, so I&#039;ll just defrost it and eat it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yesterday, I was so hungry I was growling. Well, there&#039;s nothing wrong with that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But as time goes on, all I see is curry, and I eat it every day. I&#039;m really too full, and this curry &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
training is really unbearable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Curry paste in hand, I&#039;m thinking about buying some bread to spread it on, but how could &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this happen... And there&#039;s also the cold rice noodles my relatives gave me this summer, I&#039;ll &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cook it up. What should I do with that curry?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even in desperate situations, I still have some sense. Perhaps I&#039;ve become a talented chef. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While my fate still revolves around curry, it can turn out well. Curry is quite suitable for this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
situation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh no! I cooked cold yammy and time has already passed without me noticing. I dashed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
out with the bread in my mouth. I put my key on the entrance. I need to be more careful &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I glanced at the clock. Oops! It&#039;s already this late! I might be late.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    By the time I get to Gunma, I&#039;ll either be barely there or late. This is bad.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh no! It&#039;s not Akane... That girl never comes late. She&#039;s always been a punctual person. As &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a library member, she never comes late. Even if she says, &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it rude to be late?&amp;quot; it doesn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seem to matter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where have you been...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a voice came from behind me, but it wasn&#039;t Akane&#039;s voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I turned around and saw  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane standing there, but she wasn&#039;t the weak -eyed girl, but the fierce, aggressive woman &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who screamed for war.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I couldn&#039;t help but swallow my saliva. Why did I transform?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you dawdling about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m so late. I was thinking of rushing over to your house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I never expected a girl to say that. But I was really afraid that she would actually do that. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But then again, she must have been waiting here for a long time in this hot weather.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re so nagging.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said that anyway. I couldn&#039;t be weak in front of a fierce dog girl.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I got up so early for you. I could have slept a little longer.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Me too. I got up so early today. I went to bed early, which is usually the time when I watch &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anime before going to bed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What kind of excuse is that? At least it&#039;s a little embarrassing, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what are we going to do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I asked. As expected, since it wasn&#039;t my invitation, I didn&#039;t take the initiative.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you talking about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s talk.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where do you want to go? There should be a shop.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s Gunma, so there must be one.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anywhere is fine, we can have tea or something, we have plenty of time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But I only have an hour.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There&#039;s a small dispatch office next to the station, and there&#039;s a shopping street next to the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
station. Because it&#039;s convenient for shopping, most people go there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said to Akane,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s a tea place on the first floor downstairs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, there? I&#039;ve been there once before.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The clerk must be surprised to see someone as rude as you go in there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Before I transform, idiot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If that&#039;s the case, you should have said so earlier.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I wasn&#039;t the one leading the way, but no matter how much I tried to resist, the bulldog girl &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
still pulled me away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was indeed a coffee shop over there, and I said to Akane, &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go to the first floor &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for tea.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m low on money this month, so I need to save some money. Let&#039;s go there.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said this, and even at this moment, Higashida, who had spent all his money, felt envious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This shop is right on the corner, and it&#039;s usually where many workers go home from work. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Because this shop stays open late, people who missed the last bus just keep pouring in.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I put my bag down and sat down, but Akane didn&#039;t.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you want to drink?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll decide.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why I told you to.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s so annoying, one after another...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After saying that, I was startled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You, you&#039;re going to buy it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane nodded, as if she was bothered. Ugh... would that bulldog girl do things for me? Or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
is this some kind of punishment game?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, are you serious?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You want some holes cut through your body? Sure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But you&#039;ll do things for me too...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Decide before I change my mind!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As she spoke, a gun appeared in Akane&#039;s hand. Hey, hey, people can see it!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Stop, stop!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I waved my hand to grab hers. If I left her alone, she&#039;d really shoot me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anything else you want to ask me?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, why is her face so red? Anyway, let&#039;s order the iced coffee first.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Got it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, taking her wallet and sauntering towards the counter. I fidgeted. Asking a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman to pay for something is probably something that only married couples would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
encounter, right? But the woman I&#039;m with now is a bulldog. The person who would kick  me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
away at any time would actually buy something for me... By the way, this store is a self -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
service cafeteria where customers can choose what they want to buy. Akane was waiting in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
line over there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After a while, she came back with a tray, and mentioned that her portion was mango juice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How much is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Two hundred.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is what a buffet is like. It looks like there are many choices, but in fact, there is nothing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
delicious at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and I sat opposite each other and drank drinks. Akane put the straw into the cup &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and sipped the drink in big gulps.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thinking back to how I&#039;d just finished curry and hadn&#039;t had any water before, my throat &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was incredibly dry. Now it felt wonderful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the girl sitting across from me was still a little nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, um... didn&#039;t you say you had something to say?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane replied firmly. Her voice was much stronger than before her transformation, and her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hesitant and troubled tone was replaced by a furious bark.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, was that your idea?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course, it was me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, not that... I meant it was my usual Akane who called me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, but I&#039;m meeting you in this state,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why? You&#039;re ready to shoot me now, or something. In short, you&#039;re ready to attack me at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
any moment. Of course, you&#039;re different from your usual self.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Now I have to say it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was hard to understand, and I couldn&#039;t add any exclamations.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru, did you meet the president after that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;After that... are you talking about the anime store?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s right, they did meet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When I said, &amp;quot;We&#039;ll meet at school tonight,&amp;quot; Akane&#039;s eyes grew wary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why at night?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because she needs my help patrolling the school.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that all?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Though I didn&#039;t want to, I couldn&#039;t help but say it. After all, she&#039;s in bulldog mode, the type &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to fire at a moment&#039;s notice. If the words don&#039;t line up, it&#039;ll be either hanging or the electric &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chair.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was getting increasingly angry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Enough,&amp;quot; she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    growled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You bastard, you think you can get away with just saying it now? I&#039;m telling you, your face &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looks as irritating to me as those online game developers. Tell me exactly what you did with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Various things.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Various things...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stopped myself immediately. It was fine when she was being naive, but if I said that now, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the store would turn into a bloodbath. This guy would attack indiscriminately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You bastard...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The chatter of her teeth could be heard even from where I was, and sweat broke out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just when I thought I was about to get a lecture, Akane acted surprisingly cautious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, you know it even if you don&#039;t tell  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    me.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Then don&#039;t ask.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shut up. I just want to hear you say it yourself, understand?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s wrong? I figured since I could predict it, there was no need to do anything extra.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That sponge head. It makes me so irritated no matter where I am.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    (&amp;quot;You didn&#039;t call me out two hours early just because you were irritated, did you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do I have that kind of fetish?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Isn&#039;t that what you did right before my eyes?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pulled the Pocky out of her bag. Planning to hold it while walking? She held it to her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lips and immediately slurped it down. What was she thinking?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane&#039;s eyes drifted over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t call you out for fun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It looks like it was for fun.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Shut up. You, do you understand the purpose of today&#039;s trip?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I neither nodded nor shook my head, and of course, I didn&#039;t complain. I just kept my mouth &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shut and said nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane took out a second pack of Pocky.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know what&#039;s going to happen. That kind of thing is something someone as quick -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
witted as Shizuku would have to consider. But I do know that the decisive battle is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
approaching.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right. I was chosen for the Kämpfer before you, so I seem to have a stronger &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
intuition. It&#039;s almost here, I have a strong feeling.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Such a confident statement, but I honestly didn&#039;t know. But come to think of it, I think the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
first signs of this were evident when we went to Sakura Kaede&#039;s house. I&#039;m starting to feel a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bit nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, the only way out is to fight. Well, saving ordinary Sakura Kaede from the clutches of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that evil Sakura Kaede is going to be incredibly difficult. Speaking of which, Sakura Kaede&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
parents are there too. Maybe there won&#039;t be a fight at all, but Saku ra Kaede and I will spend &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the day together, wearing a kimono and surrounded by fireworks and good wishes.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And Shizuku seemed to have mentioned, &amp;quot;I think I took the internal organs with me.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Someone with far more experience as a Kämpfer than I do probably has a unique &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
premonition.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But, no matter what happens, I don&#039;t care. Let&#039;s just go all out and kill them anyway.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no need for such extreme rhetoric!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The problem is you,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane declared, ignoring my words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong with me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You, it&#039;s about time you noticed how I feel.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What&#039;s she suddenly saying? Your mood... the one that makes you want to punch even the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mere sight of someone passing by?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The me before my transformation, the me now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well... that has nothing to do with Anime Shop, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It does, idiot. I&#039;ve told you plenty before!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane banged her head on the table. How did the atmosphere turn into a criminal &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interrogation?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The shop assistant noticed the noise, but was instantly silenced by Akane&#039;s gaze.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay, Natsuru, in your heart, you have always thought of me as a rough person. But even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
though it looks like that, I am also a girl. I have feelings too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s unbelievable.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You are such an inconsiderate bastard. My feelings are undoubtedly with you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But you keep saying you want to kill me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not what I meant! Are you going to make me explain it more clearly?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She suddenly roared. What are you doing? Although it does look like anger, it&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
meaningless, isn&#039;t it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stared at me with the eyes of a hungry wolfhound.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Well, after all, I couldn&#039;t say it myself. Maybe we are similar in our lack of courage &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(probably referring to the pre -transformation period). But, we can&#039;t not cherish the limited &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time we have now, so let&#039;s meet. The pre -transformation me said so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Said so? What are you talking about? It&#039;s obviously the same person, isn&#039;t it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You occupy an extremely important position in my life. The pre -transformation me was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the same. So if I stop moving forward now, I will never have time again.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane is sixteen... only seventeen.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Physically, that&#039;s true. But didn&#039;t I just say that the decisive battle is approaching?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ahhh&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know how it will end. It should be Shizuku&#039;s job to worry about things like that. But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
after that&#039;s over, I might not be myself anymore.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My head tilted involuntarily. What are you talking about?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re Akane,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    right?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;The me now is... well, this is the first time I&#039;ve told you something like this, so you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might not understand. This me and the me with glasses usually coexist, but only at this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
moment are they different. And as for the me now, I don&#039;t know if I &#039;ll ever appear again after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this is over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried to speak, but no words came out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;At this moment, I still exist. That&#039;s all I can say for sure. I hope you&#039;ll remember this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seriously? Well, come to think of it, she&#039;s usually quite serious when she&#039;s furious, that&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for sure.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane in bulldog mode is either shooting around or spouting foul language. If someone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like that were around, she&#039;d probably kill them one day. It&#039;s best to hope she doesn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transform.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But now, Akane actually said, &amp;quot;Don&#039;t forget me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No fancy lines, just don&#039;t forget me right now, even if you think I&#039;m a bulldog.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s all I have to say.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why are you acting so annoying?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane took out a gun. Wow, doesn&#039;t she know what patience is?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The gun was pointed at my forehead. I wonder what other customers think about this gun.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You are the only one thinking about you now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ho, why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How can I forget? You are pointing a gun at me now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What if there is no gun?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You are too strong. You still can&#039;t forget.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I am afraid that women with the same personality as this guy will never be found in Japan &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
again, right? Just like those valuables and natural monuments are so rare.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But such words can&#039;t be said now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Then, that&#039;s it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane put the gun away automatically.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And you must also cherish the me before the transformation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You are you, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s the way it is for Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane stood up after saying that. However, there was still half a drink left in her cup.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s all I have to say. Go shopping by yourself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, what are you going to do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m alone, don&#039;t bother me&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After saying this, she turned her back to me and walked out of the store. For some reason, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I couldn&#039;t utter a word.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There were only two cups and two plates left in front of me. I inexplicably had the idea of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;what should I do with these&amp;quot;.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I have been talking with Akane for so long that I have no time to rest.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This time I went to meet Shizuku. So I was late for this appointment, and this should be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
caused by the conversation just now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m late,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said at the waiting place. Although I didn&#039;t intend to be late on purpose.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was thinking about why I called yesterday.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was suddenly lectured. Was it because of what I said to Akane?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s good that I caught up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I wasn&#039;t that late, I guess I&#039;m fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a thoughtful woman! It reminds me of Yamashiba, the tardy demon from Class 4, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Grade 2, Boys&#039; Club. He&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    usually at least five minutes late, but the day before summer vacation, he showed up late &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and caused quite a stir by yelling, &amp;quot;Yamashiba&#039;s here!&amp;quot; But I&#039;d already left early by then, so I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t think anything of it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was ready for Shizuku to pepper me with questions, but when she simply said, &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I started to panic as we headed towards the large mall in front of the station.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are there any shops here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A lot.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san isn&#039;t interested in clothes, and their underwear is lacking variety.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As I took the escalator, the scene before me was a dazzling rainbow. It was all women&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clothing brands. As Shizuku said, &amp;quot;Even if the mall in front of the station is small, there&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bound to be a wide variety of women&#039;s clothing.&amp;quot; So that&#039;s how it is. Compared to this, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
men&#039;s clothing is pitifully small. Is that the difference? Everyone&#039;s complaining!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There must be a specialty store for women&#039;s underwear.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, you can try them on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Try them on?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although there is no problem with hygiene. If a man wears something like this, it will cause &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a riot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku imitated the way of tightening the shoulder straps. Ah, that&#039;s it. But if you really &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wear underwear, it would be a bit...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Coming down from the third floor, this floor is completely buried with women&#039;s products. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In front of me is the area selling perfumes and cosmetics.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This way&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku pulled me to a wider area.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There are not only so -called &amp;quot;underwear&amp;quot; there, but socks and handkerchiefs are also sold &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
together. Of course, the customers are also distributed like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is completely unknown territory for me. I have no idea about the manufacturers or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything like that. There shouldn&#039;t even be a high school boy with a connection to women&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underwear stores, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The prices aren&#039;t that high,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. You know all this stuff, you know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can buy Natsuru with confidence.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That shouldn&#039;t be the issue,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I grumbled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, then why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t you think it&#039;s strange for a man to buy something like this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku chuckled. It was quite unusual for her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s true. You&#039;re in a male pose right now. I&#039;m so used to it I didn&#039;t notice.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I&#039;ll pay  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    a little attention. I feel like I&#039;m already attracting attention.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It might be my own over -consciousness, but it felt like the women in the store were all &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
looking at me. This is women&#039;s territory, not for men to enter. At the very least, you should &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
need a passport and visa.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt like Shizuku was watching me with interest.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll do the shopping.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Please do it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I won&#039;t be blamed, and I won&#039;t be looked at with hostility. Wouldn&#039;t it be better to just do it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
this way from the beginning?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then, come here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, w -why do you need me...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t we agree to buy together? I don&#039;t even know your bra size.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You still want me to choose?!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ignoring my objection, she dragged me inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was a truly lewd world, beyond my comprehension. Since most people don&#039;t have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
experience choosing women&#039;s lingerie, it was  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    n&#039;t the colorful, rainbow -colored scene I&#039;d imagined. There weren&#039;t many fancy colors, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mostly conservative whites and beiges.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it&#039;s a fancy color that doesn&#039;t match the lines of the skirt, it&#039;ll be obvious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku really can read minds.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay to stare at it. If you want to look now, it&#039;s summer vacation, especially now.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(Does she mean there&#039;s less clothing?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then why not just pick out the skirt first?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s just how women are,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want a cute dress, but I don&#039;t like being seen by people I don&#039;t like. For people I like, I still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have to choose the underwear carefully to win over them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t quite understand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s enough for you to understand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you like, President?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt unhappy and didn&#039;t want to be bothered by these answers. &amp;quot;Want  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    to take a look?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No thanks.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I do remember it was a white one. I saw  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    it at a sleepover, but it was my first time choosing underwear. Shizuku was like a guide, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my heart was beating fast.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku gestured at me,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is my chest size probably this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Who knows?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You bought it yourself, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, hey, how did you know? You said you&#039;d bought one before, but I didn&#039;t.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t really know the cup size,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said honestly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Since you don&#039;t know the size, you have to choose carefully. You need all three &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
dimensions.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Everything a woman needs?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Don&#039;t let a man like me ask that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was meticulously selecting.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m just relying on my memory, so it might be a little off. Don&#039;t complain.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s better to try it on.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Chest protectors are for elementary school, but this one is more adult -friendly.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is there a saying about these things?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku chose a light -colored bra marked E. It really suits me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Looking at this, you&#039;ll probably think you&#039;re choosing underwear for me,&amp;quot; she  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    suddenly said, a strange thing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s because I&#039;m a man.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Couples come here specifically to choose underwear for nighttime togetherness, right?&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(Nighttime service isn&#039;t necessarily true.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do we do together at night?&amp;quot; (Don&#039;t you know?)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s true that Hamamatsu has the phrase &amp;quot;eel cake,&amp;quot; a &amp;quot;nighttime confection.&amp;quot; What does &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;together&amp;quot; mean? She didn&#039;t say what it was, but this guy said things like &amp;quot;you and me&amp;quot; so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
matter -of-factly. I need to learn some lessons.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku picked out several bras, and I still couldn&#039;t understand why she had to choose so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
many different colors and styles.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then she walked over to the underwear section. How should I put it? She walked over in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;My butt doesn&#039;t seem to have changed much.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, it feels like it&#039;s gotten bigger.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about this style?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You never know.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When you look at yourself in the mirror, you can see your breasts, but not your butt. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
don&#039;t have eyes on my back. If it were a split mirror, that would be a different story. But if you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even have to scrutinize this part, wouldn&#039;t that be narcissistic and perverted?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, &amp;quot;This one might be okay,&amp;quot; as she selected her underwear. The color matched &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the bra.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You really have to match them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Haha, so it&#039;s not just horizontal comparisons, but also tops and bottoms?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And so she waited at the underwear checkout counter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was a young woman at the counter, but she was definitely older than us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The older sister who was at least a year older than her looked at Shizuku and asked,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...are these okay?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey,&amp;quot; Shizuku said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;that&#039;s a bit rude. I feel like they don&#039;t fit your size.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s best to choose underwear that fits you best. It&#039;s best to get measured before &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
choosing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry, it&#039;s not mine, it&#039;s for this person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, the older sister looked surprised. But she was a customer after all, so she kept &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her voice down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This... this male customer...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because he needed it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it were me, I&#039;d choose a bolder bra, but it&#039;s his first time choosing underwear, so this is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The older sister looked at me with a startling gaze, as if I were a filth. Wait, I&#039;m innocent.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I hurriedly said, &amp;quot;Oh, that, rather than saying it&#039;s mine...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it yours?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s mine...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But it&#039;s different, don&#039;t say it in such a dismissive tone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The older sister wordlessly read the barcode and displayed the amount.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took out the money. Even though it was my own underwear, this was still a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
misunderstanding.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The older sister said, &amp;quot;Thank you for your patronage,&amp;quot; expressionlessly. Shizuku and I left &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the store.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku raised her hand and checked the time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s still plenty of time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go have some tea somewhere.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...President.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s wrong?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why did you say you chose it for me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it yours, Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, yes... but it&#039;s not for men, me,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I screamed. This will definitely make me look like a pervert. A man choosing women&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
underwear for the sake of choosing underwear —what kind of person is that? I was so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
embarrassed I wanted to find a hole to jump into.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And just as expected, Shizuku&#039;s expression remained unchanged.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s something you&#039;ll use after you become a woman, I know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then the clerk doesn&#039;t know...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know, that&#039;s enough.&amp;quot; How could she be  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    so unreasonable?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I bought you necessities, so you should thank me, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve never thanked someone in your position, the president, since I was born.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, I&#039;m the first one.&amp;quot; She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    acted like she&#039;d accept any protests. This was more than just a thick skin. What on earth &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
did this woman eat? The government should implement an emergency health check and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
stop the production of this  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    secret food.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku went down the escalator one floor, and I was about to stop in protest. But the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
waiter&#039;s sidelong glance at me made me give up. Did she really think I was a pervert and was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
afraid  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    of disrupting their business?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The first floor, which doubles as a station passage, wasn&#039;t very spacious. However, at one &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
end of the street was a &amp;quot;tea corner,&amp;quot; where Akane and I had drinks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, how&#039;s it going?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, sure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You talk like you&#039;ve just been here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That being said, it&#039;s okay.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is my second time here. Let&#039;s find a seat first and then buy a drink.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at the prices on the menu and picked something random. I wasn&#039;t feeling thirsty, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
having already had one.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s Natsuru going for?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm... iced coffee.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll have that too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The two of them were very close, placing their drinks on trays. Of course, their close &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
relationship was just Shizuku&#039;s subjective opinion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We sat opposite each other at a round table. It wasn&#039;t very quiet, but it was still a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
comfortable place to sit, even if it wasn&#039;t very quiet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was still plenty of time. Anyway, we were on our way to Sakura Kaede&#039;s house, so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
why were we doing this here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, is it really okay to have a drink here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t mind,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku replied without hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Standing outside all the time isn&#039;t an option.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But doesn&#039;t it look like we&#039;re alone now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We are,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she replied, taking it for granted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a special date.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m still saying this,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but I&#039;m always wondering how to put it. It feels like I&#039;ve been &amp;quot;alone with Shizuku&amp;quot; way too &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
many times. I &amp;quot;failed&amp;quot; to stay over at this guy&#039;s house, and then went to school that night. If &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku&#039;s fans knew about this, it would be a big deal. There a re so many fanatics at school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
who adore her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s nice not to be hunted down right now, but sitting here like this feels like an illusion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But... doesn&#039;t it feel strange?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s strange?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Look at that, the president... confessing to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I did.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But why are you so relaxed?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s this?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku didn&#039;t seem surprised. Isn&#039;t she a bit slow?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe, this is what I want?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Am I special?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;To me, yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So that&#039;s how it is, it&#039;s not me, it&#039;s you.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The confession didn&#039;t get a reply, but at least I want to leave a good memory.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this a good memory?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, I&#039;m very happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku smiled at me. This girl doesn&#039;t often smile, but now she looks really beautiful.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Going shopping with the man you like, and then chatting here like this, isn&#039;t it great?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I only bought bras and panties.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If it&#039;s with Natsuru, I&#039;m willing to pay any price.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, when did you start treating me like a comrade?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This might be the last time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What an unexpected line! I couldn&#039;t help but raise my voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Besides, everyone might die after this incident is over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, you won&#039;t die even if a nuclear war breaks out.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Since I&#039;ve confessed to you, I hope you&#039;ll give me a response after this is over.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But it won&#039;t necessarily be a yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, maybe. Shizuku is a beauty and smart, but she&#039;s not my type.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I haven&#039;t decided how to respond to the confession yet, as it&#039;s a matter of my reputation. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
So I told them, &amp;quot;Let me think about it.&amp;quot; It&#039;s neither yes nor no, still undecided. After all, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there&#039;s still the matter of Kondou Mikoto&#039;s confession. Shizuku&#039;s o pinion is the majority:  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think Natsuru will say yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, she&#039;s quite confident. It was terrifying to hear such unpleasant words.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But we also have to consider the possibility of failure. If the answer is no, I can&#039;t do this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
with you anymore, so at least I want to enjoy myself here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems like I read a lot of manga before the exam.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I often do that too. So there are many times when I accumulate the thought of &amp;quot;a little bit&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and sleepless nights.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s not worry about that kind of thing... But what exactly do you feel about that thing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you mentioned?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We should also consider the possibility of failure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hate failure, but if my opponents are Kondou Mikoto and Akane, I have to be more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cautious.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why not include Sakura Kaede? And why go to her hometown?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It seems that Shizuku has not considered Sakura Kaede at all. This person seems to have &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been dating me as a &amp;quot;potential boyfriend&amp;quot; and has not considered the possibility of Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede and me dating at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is not okay. How about this? It&#039;s possible that normal Sakura Kaede and evil Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede have different personalities; it&#039;s also possible that Sakura Kaede likes me and Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede who doesn&#039;t feel the same way but knows about it. It&#039;s like rece iving radio waves. This &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
concept is quite good.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been thinking about Sakura Kaede, too. It&#039;s just that the confession was for something &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
else. Kondou Mikoto, Akane, and I don&#039;t want to split up. Let&#039;s share.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s hard to say. We should be more careful.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s possible, but there are other things. That&#039;s what Kämpfer has to deal with.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I fell silent. It&#039;s not that I think Shizuku can predict things like a psychic. With recent events, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
as more evidence surfaces, it&#039;s like the puzzle pieces are falling into place. Maybe it&#039;s because &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she didn&#039;t speculate until after most of the events ha d happened?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s a really smart woman, much smarter than confessing to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku and Akane both kept saying things like everything was almost over. Sure &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough, I still lacked the experience of a Kämpfer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, did it happen back home in Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not sure.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Could Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents have wanted a girl?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If there&#039;s nothing, there&#039;s nothing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Such a simple conversation, of course, I didn&#039;t believe it. Since we were going back home, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it must be possible. That&#039;s what I decided.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku checked the time, and so did I. Wow, it&#039;s almost time. We&#039;d been chatting about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
some nonsense, and it was already that time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I downed my coffee, cleared the plates and cups, and hurried to the meeting place.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and Kondou Mikoto were already there. It looked like Shizuku and I had just been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
together, and that was exactly what we were doing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The girls were all dressed in casual clothes, which was quite avant -garde. Akane wore a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
cute jacket and skirt; Kondou Mikoto and Shizuku wore denim. Kondou Mikoto had been to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
many untouched places, so she liked to wear that outfit. I didn&#039;t expect Shiz uku to wear the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
same dress. This woman always looks good in everything she wears. I&#039;m afraid you can&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
compare to her unless she&#039;s an actress.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Good morning,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane greeted, her earlier aura of a fierce dog gone. Since we were meeting again, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
replied, &amp;quot;Good morning.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san, you&#039;re up really early. I thought you were going to sleep in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s true I like to sleep in, but Akane and Shizuku have met before.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku just looked at us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I called him yesterday, so you&#039;re up early.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, did you call Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane asked.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Natsuru -san, you&#039;re still later than us. Maybe I should call,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said with a smile. At that moment, Shizuku made an expression  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    as if to say, &amp;quot;Oh, is that so?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;It&#039;s better for me to call.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said as if concluding, though it felt as if there were no extra lines, which was quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unusual. Kondou Mikoto, the curry provider, was watching the situation from the side. To be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more precise, she was watching me,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but when she got closer, her gaze turned to another direction.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This was also unusual.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, Akane -chan, the train hasn&#039;t come yet, is everything ok?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I finally wanted to say hello, but Kondou Mikoto ignored me and went to talk to Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane didn&#039;t even look at her watch, but looked directly at the light board on the platform.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay, there should still be time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? That&#039;s good.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto muttered to herself,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um --, are you ready, Akane -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As for a change of clothes...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That needs preparation, too. I&#039;m asking about the internal organs.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane mechanically answered Kondou Mikoto&#039;s question, feeling a bit distant. I then asked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, have you tried to contact us about the internal organs?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. &amp;quot;So, you didn&#039;t just tell me, you called everyone.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I told everyone I&#039;d bring them with me, and everyone understands.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then you added unnecessary things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Getting up early and making some preparations is essential.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a scoundrel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of which, Sakura Kaede isn&#039;t here, but that&#039;s understandable. She&#039;s waiting at &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
home, preparing a reception. Incidentally, it&#039;s to welcome me. It would be great if only I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
went, and Shizuku and the others would just be in the way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s take the train,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I urged everyone,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    but Shizuku seemed to be observing something, standing there motionless.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, President, aren&#039;t you taking the bus?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you looking at?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked in Shizuku&#039;s direction. Nothing special had happened, just some passengers &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
getting on and off the bus.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku retracted her gaze and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I feel like I see a familiar face.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A teacher from school?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was the only answer she gave, and she took the first step.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, we got on the bus. After buying the ticket and getting on the bus, Kondou Mikoto&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
attitude was very stiff.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did she really want to ignore me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s hometown is in Kanagawa Prefecture. After several stops on the tram, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there were many male passengers hunched over and resting inside the bus. The work must &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be really hard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kanagawa is very big, and it existed even earlier than Yokohama. Shizuku and I knew the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
address, and I heard it from Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, where is Sakura Kaede&#039;s home?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru heard it too, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m not familiar with the terrain here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Here,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku showed me the menu bar of her phone, and it said Odawara.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did Sakura Kaede say that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What did she say?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Phone number&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s really ordinary, to be honest.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede also said, &#039;Is it okay that Natsuru didn&#039;t hear me tell you the address?&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah, actually, you told me…&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That kid, it seems like she doesn&#039;t remember.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well… this is also circumstantial evidence. And Shizuku also felt it. I feel more and more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
excited. Will this trip end safely?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s really far, by the way.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We haven&#039;t even reached Atami yet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s nonsense, that&#039;s Shizuoka Prefecture.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But it&#039;s really hard to stand like this, but to be honest, I&#039;m still young and can handle it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    When we arrived in Kanagawa Prefecture, most people got off, and the whole car became &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
an empty car with only four people.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san, let&#039;s sit down,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, and we bent down.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I, I&#039;ll sit next to Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane hurriedly sat down, much faster than Shizuku who didn&#039;t say anything. She seems to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be much bolder recently.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Kondou Mikoto didn&#039;t even look at me, and sat diagonally across from me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I didn&#039;t expect you&#039;d have to stay the night,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said, clutching her suitcase.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s so far, so this is better.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sakura Kaede, have you always lived alone?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s it like?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I looked at Shizuku. She must know everything about Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sensing my gaze, Shizuku spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I lived in Tokyo with my parents when I was little, though I&#039;ve never seen them.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eh—&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It seems they have houses in Tokyo and here. So, when you go to school in Tokyo, you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
might come over sometimes.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is Sakura Kaede&#039;s family wealthy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Compared to the average standard of living, it&#039;s certainly higher,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, something incomprehensible.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Come to think of it, I know next to nothing about Sakura Kaede&#039;s personal life. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
information collection published by the Bishoujo Research Society only lists the composition &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
of her family.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is the perseverance of a believer who believes, &amp;quot;Even if I don&#039;t know, as long as I love &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you, I can do it.&amp;quot; It&#039;s not just me; many boys who like Sakura Kaede feel the same way. But &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
recently, I&#039;ve seen a slightly frightening side of Sakura Kaede, a nd I can&#039;t help but feel &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    By the way, Shizuku is the most talked about when it comes to these fanatical believers. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There are even those who, after all, would dance with joy just by picking up a strand of this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
woman&#039;s hair. I know of one who obsessively photographs footprints le ft on walkways and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
other places on rainy days, desperate to collect them. An album of this kind was officially &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
released not long ago, and despite being such a tacky thing, it seems to be selling briskly. Are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these the only perverts left in the world?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And Sakura Kaede&#039;s family is wealthy. Being invited to her childhood home wouldn&#039;t be a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
problem at all...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents do?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They seem very busy,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku answered. This guy&#039;s parents seem like workaholics, too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Will you meet her parents?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you want to?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I think it&#039;s reasonable to say hello,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied. Of course, greetings include all sorts of things, like about getting married.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I marry Sakura Kaede, I&#039;ll probably have to move to Kanagawa Prefecture, right? But she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
has an apartment near the school, right? It&#039;s really nice to have parents like them, unlike my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two who are having fun in Kyushu and don&#039;t even care about their s on&#039;s life or death.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku glanced at me for some reason, her gaze saying, &amp;quot;Thinking of something stupid &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
again.&amp;quot; Why is she so sharp? She&#039;s always right, but it&#039;s just annoying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I pretended not to notice; it was good for my health.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Speaking of parents,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I turned to Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t Akane&#039;s house close to Sakura Kaede&#039;s?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    she said, as if to say, &amp;quot;Finally, you&#039;re asking me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;In that area. My parents moved here before I was born. Dad worked in planning and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
development at a manufacturing plant, but he changed jobs a while after I was born.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey —get a promotion?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, he became a carpenter.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How did that happen? It doesn&#039;t sound like a bad thing, but the change is incredible, isn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But Dad&#039;s arm strength is incredible. He could send me to high school in Tokyo with just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one hand.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s impressive, even though my parents are happily living in Kyushu. Rather than &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
working hard for me, it&#039;s more like they&#039;re just too happy to leave.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, I went to elementary school here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm —&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I had to get something out of the way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you hear about Sakura Kaede when you were little?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane tilted her head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No. But Sakura Kaede was in Tokyo, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Did you hear about Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents, too?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...I think...probably not.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Yeah, we were still in elementary school, so there was nothing we could do. If I could get &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
some information about Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents here, I&#039;d make a good impression.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san, why do you want to know that?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, that&#039;s nothing.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tried to smooth things over appropriately. It would be troublesome if my grand plan were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
exposed. But Shizuku was there, glaring at me coldly. I&#039;d better give up trying to hide it from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her. Then Kondou Mikoto looked over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The train began to shake, and before I knew it, it had entered the mountains. The scenery &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
here was completely different from Tokyo.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I changed trains once, finally boarding one that ran quite frequently along the way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    My stomach was empty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wouldn&#039;t it be better to buy a bento at the station?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not yet,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said, checking the time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a long train ride, so I can buy it next time I change. And I can even leave without &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
eating.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What should I do? I&#039;ll have to negotiate with my stomach.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Besides, you want to eat with Sakura Kaede, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede is quite a cook, so maybe she&#039;s already prepared something for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m a good cook, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    You don&#039;t need to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The train slid through the fields. So far, we&#039;d been able to travel by train, but now it was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
local line.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Another transfer, and we arrived at a local railway line called something other than JR, Asia &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Central. I had no idea what it was. A train geek might be able to figure it out, but I couldn&#039;t.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We got off the platform and walked across the pedestrian bridge to the side platform. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hungry as hell, we bought a bento at the station —enough for everyone, of course.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The next train also had seating for four, and we unpacked our lunch boxes as it departed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s lunchtime. I pick up my chopsticks and look across.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you looking at?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku glances at me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Seno -kun, you like watching girls eat?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, that&#039;s not true. Um... President, you eat really fast.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku&#039;s lunch box is almost empty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Fast&amp;quot; isn&#039;t a compliment or a sarcastic remark, it&#039;s just really fast. She moves her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chopsticks like she&#039;s fast -forwarding a video. And there&#039;s barely any chewing. Does she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
usually eat this fast?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Eating fast isn&#039;t a good thing for a girl, is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is... is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because we all have student council work, we&#039;ve developed a habit of eating fast. Even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
meal time is precious, and I haven&#039;t thought about slowing down.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Everyone knows Shizuku is busier than the average high school student. She&#039;s often &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
blamed for any stupid things the students do without her permission. But, I think she also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
had lunch with me on the rooftop.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, because we were eating with Natsuru, we finished work early.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ah, so that&#039;s what&#039;s going on... hey. The word &amp;quot;together&amp;quot; startled Akane.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m kind of used to it now,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the student council president said, closing the lid of her lunch box and rewrapping it in its &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
original wrapper, but without the chopsticks.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was just about to take a bite of the kelp roll when Shizuku suddenly reached out her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
chopsticks and snatched it away.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was about to ask why she was doing that when the chopsticks were right in front of me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come on, ah —&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I froze. Hey, are you planning on doing that here?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane and Kondou Mikoto fell silent, staring at us. &amp;quot;Hey, you&#039;re watching me so closely!&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku, however, acted nonchalant, as if this was a matter of course. And what I wanted to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
emphasize was: how should I treat the kelp roll in front of me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re not going to eat it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is Seno -kun&#039;s.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said that, but you took it without my permission. Eat it yourself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku isn&#039;t the type to listen. And then there were all these people watching. I&#039;m not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
used to it yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Somehow, the memory of our kiss suddenly came back to me, and that made me even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
more embarrassed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But there was no way to escape. Just as I was considering whether to eat it, a hand &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
reached out from the side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Give it to me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane took the kelp roll off and put it in her mouth. Then she looked to the side.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President, you&#039;ve been too harsh on Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s Mishima -san. Don&#039;t you think she&#039;s been very bold lately?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s normal for me to do this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    A certain tension surged in the car. I had no choice but to bury my head and concentrate &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
on finishing my lunch box quickly. It was obvious that a tense atmosphere had risen between &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane and Shizuku. I didn&#039;t know what the four people sitting there wer e thinking. Let&#039;s call &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the National League to put a stop to this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The tension still persisted after eating. In such an occasion, it is really necessary to say &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something to relax people, right? In the second -year fourth group of the men&#039;s department, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talking about boring things at such a time would provoke contemptuou s eyes, as if I had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
done something wrong. The mere sight of her could kill me. Incidentally, there&#039;s no such &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
clueless person in the women&#039;s club. While the vice -president might seem strange at first, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she&#039;s actually quite good at making people laugh.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The announcement blared from the train compartment, announcing our arrival. Shizuku &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lifted her face and said,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;We&#039;re here,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and we prepared to get off.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The station we were getting off at was a typical local station... Even so, the people of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kanagawa are so stingy, aren&#039;t they? There wasn&#039;t even a single tourist information post. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Even though this is within the commuter zone connecting to Tokyo, there w eren&#039;t any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
souvenir shops or tourist information centers in this area.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Outside, the sun was incredibly strong, and I couldn&#039;t help but sweat.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m craving some ice cream...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I heard Kondou Mikoto mutter.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go buy some?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    With just that, Kondou Mikoto jumped up like a girl who&#039;d been shoved into a bug from &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
behind. Although, she&#039;s actually quite resilient to bugs.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No... I don&#039;t need it. If you don&#039;t want to buy it...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You can buy something else.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, don&#039;t bother...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What are you upset about?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Depressed or what... No...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto&#039;s voice gradually faded.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto&#039;s reaction was very different now, and the difference between her and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku was also a stark contrast to her previous bold and fearless personality.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Thinking about it, this was the first time I&#039;d spoken to Kondou Mikoto today. It felt like she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
barely even glanced at me today.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing... well... nothing...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She looked like she wanted to hide in a hole.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about ice?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was no answer, and I was just wondering what to do when Shizuku suddenly &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
interrupted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I want some ice, too. How about buying everyone a portion?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto seemed to be saying something like, &amp;quot;President, thank you,&amp;quot; but why &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wasn&#039;t she thanking me?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Does that include your share, President?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Go buy it yourself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You, are you planning on having girls do the manual labor?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t they say that in ancient Japan, women also did manual labor?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is modern times.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course I know about that sort of thing, but that&#039;s not what I want to say.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Although Shizuku is undoubtedly a woman, she&#039;s no less athletic than a man. She&#039;s no less &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
impressive than Hanzawa, who&#039;s a baseball pro. She can run long distances, so she&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
definitely better than me. She&#039;s the best woman in sprints, so she&#039;s definitel y better than me, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In short, she&#039;s definitely better at sports than me, so why should I buy it for her? Why not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
buy my share too?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But Shizuku clearly wasn&#039;t the type to think that way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll pay for it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it because the president is older?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then running errands should be for the younger ones.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She&#039;s quite adept at that kind of conversation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I got the money from Shizuku and went to a convenience store near the station to buy &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
popsicles.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I didn&#039;t buy a cup of iced drink because I was too lazy to do so. I didn&#039;t want to stuff both &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my hands.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I bought popsicles according to the number of people. What was surprising was that the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
money I received from Shizuku was not changed to a cent. Could it be that even this was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
considered good?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The girl working at the convenience store said &amp;quot;There is also a sports lottery&amp;quot; to attract &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
customers, but I could only go back frustrated. I didn&#039;t want to trouble the sister working &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
part-time to comfort me who was hit hard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I distributed the popsicles to everyone, and Kondou Mikoto still refused to look at me and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
took the popsicle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Thanks, this is a thank you gift.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku handed over the wallet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, this is your wallet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Men are more popular with it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you mean by popular now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, Natsuru is actually popular enough without doing this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She was still using Natsuru as a direct name, and where was the evidence to prove that I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was popular?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I use my standards to define being popular, it means that girls will stare at you intently &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
when you walk on the street; the beautiful actress in the drama forces you to say &amp;quot;give me a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hug&amp;quot;; and the beautiful girl who inherited a large fortune wants to marry you. Where is the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
popularity that you mentioned as the student council president?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san is excellent,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said something off -topic.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Although he is not popular, I think he looks good.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Hey, what a subtle opinion.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After tearing open the popsicle bag, Akane&#039;s travel bag seemed to have become a little bit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bigger. It looked small to begin with, but the handle part was strangely shaped, and it looked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
like it was tiring to carry.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stretched out my hand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane -chan, let me take it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh... no need, like this.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let me take it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? Then...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She handed the bag to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took it. Ugh... It&#039;s so heavy. Are all girls&#039; bags this heavy? Could it be makeup? Like those &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bottled ones?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course I don&#039;t carry makeup. I do have some underwear, but the weight of it is barely &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
noticeable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was all good intentions, but now I regret it. Having agreed, I can&#039;t just take the bag back.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That sounds like a lot of trouble. How about I carry it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said. Indeed, if it were this woman, she&#039;d be stronger than me. I heard she has a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
strong grip, and she&#039;s the most athletic girl around, so she&#039;s got a lot of stamina.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I flatly declined.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No problem.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You look a bit manly.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not that heavy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then why don&#039;t you help Kondou Mikoto with her travel bag?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This jerk actually said something so unnecessary.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I ignored her and said the same thing to Kondou Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mikoto, I&#039;ll help you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...No, it&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Kondou Mikoto slowly backed away, her hands still clutching her travel bag. Did she think I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was going to steal your bag?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll get it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay, really...it&#039;s okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But she still refused to let go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was waiting at home, and we walked from the station. Shizuku, who knew &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the address, led the way, and I walked at the end, carrying my things.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    As we walked, a thought suddenly occurred to me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;By the way, aren&#039;t you going back to your family, Akane -chan?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She hurriedly pulled out her cell phone, still the unassuming girl, tapping away at the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
buttons.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane covered the mouthpiece with her hand and replied, &amp;quot;Yes, yes.&amp;quot; She looked as if she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were talking to a client,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    chatting with friends as cheerfully as she did with her friends. There were also men in the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
group who used honorifics when speaking to their parents. That was Hanzawa, because his &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
parents were wrestlers, and he didn&#039;t know what kind of punishment he wo uld suffer if he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
showed any disrespect. As he put it, &amp;quot;honorifics are a way to protect yourself.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She hung up.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um... it seems like they haven&#039;t come back yet.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;They went out earlier, saying they were at a friend&#039;s house.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    These are truly carefree parents.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane seemed to be saying, &amp;quot;Finally, we get a chance to introduce Natsuru -san to them.&amp;quot; It &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
couldn&#039;t be better for me. First, Sakura Kaede gets priority.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We strolled along at a leisurely pace. The weather was nice, a bit like a picnic. The breeze &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
blew against my skin, but I didn&#039;t sweat much. But as a porter, I didn&#039;t really have the heart to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enjoy the scenery.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After walking for a while from the station, the high -rise buildings behind us gradually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
receded. Next, I saw houses and fields. There were mountains so close.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s such a quiet place,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. As expected, after being away from the station for so long, I don&#039;t have the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
residential atmosphere anymore, but it&#039;s not that spooky nighttime atmosphere either...  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is a villa area, huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It was a famous villa area before the war. It&#039;s not anymore, but there are still some left, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I see. So, the spaces between the houses are indeed quite spacious. Unlike the borrowed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
house, it has a more serious style. The quietness is probably because most people are staying &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at home.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t Akane&#039;s family in this area?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes, over there,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane pointed diagonally to the left.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it... a villa?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It must have been newly built, since the area was developed after the war.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it okay if you&#039;re not home yet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s still plenty of time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Where on earth had Akane&#039;s parents gone? Shizuku turned countless corners, not even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
checking the notes on her phone. &amp;quot;Did you memorize the address?&amp;quot; She&#039;s such a navigation &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
system.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Gradually, the trees grew more numerous, and the houses became fewer and fewer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a large house appeared before us.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku looked up, and I looked up too.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It looked more like a noble mansion than a residence, and a Western -style one at that. The &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
walls were painted a birch -white color. The garden in front was very spacious, probably also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
used for parking, although there was a garage.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The entrance was also very large, with doors that opened in both directions, which amazed &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t this... a huge mansion?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It looks like it,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said calmly, leaving Akane and Kondou Mikoto speechless with surprise.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Come in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, are you going in?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why else would you be here?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It certainly looked like that.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But this, no matter how you look at it, looks like the kind of mansion you&#039;d see in a movie &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
or a play, and it&#039;s a large, modern villa. Is this truly private property? If an accountant resells &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it and pockets the difference, what kind of property would t hat be?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku walked briskly forward and rang the doorbell. She pulled it instead of ringing it, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
didn&#039;t she?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After a moment, the door opened.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Welcome,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede smiled, stepping out.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry to bother you walking from the station. I was supposed to pick you up.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s okay. The scenery here is beautiful, and it&#039;s a pleasure to walk and see it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, I guess Shizuku wasn&#039;t really enjoying the scenery just now. Was she trying to cut &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede off?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Kondou Mikoto and Mishima Akane, I&#039;m glad you&#039;re here too,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Akane said. &amp;quot;No, no... I&#039;m surprised,&amp;quot; while Kondou Mikoto muttered, &amp;quot;It&#039;s like the ruins in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Peru.&amp;quot; Both of them seemed a bit strange.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t be nervous, welcome, welcome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede held their hands. I&#039;d thought so before, but she really does get along with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girls.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And so, Sakura Kaede finally approached me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Welcome, Natsuru -san too,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    and that was the end. Am I the last one?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said, &amp;quot;I&#039;ll take you to your room,&amp;quot; and then,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, what&#039;s wrong with Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m right here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I meant the female Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh, so that&#039;s it. I had to perfunctorily say something like, &amp;quot;I&#039;m here,&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;I&#039;m not.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even though Sakura Kaede had a crush on me as a woman, she obviously didn&#039;t like seeing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me in my normal self.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku interrupted,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll be here later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, you don&#039;t seem to like getting up early, and you&#039;re always late for school.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku glanced at me briefly. &amp;quot;Why are you blinking? Is there something in your eyes?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede looked regretful and ended the conversation. Then, she led us inside.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Holding onto the iron railing, we ascended the stairs. The living room seemed to be divided &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
into two levels. It was quite spacious, so staying the night wouldn&#039;t be too much of a hassle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I casually walked closer to Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;President.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What? If this is private, please whisper.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I get it... Why did you say that to Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;A girl&#039;s Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s better if you come than not.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not good for me at all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine. You haven&#039;t forgotten who invited us here, have you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Isn&#039;t it Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s the darkened Sakura Kaede who invited us. You might transform into a Kämpfer fighter &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at any moment. But if you transform, the current Sakura Kaede won&#039;t know. It would be &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
troublesome if they saw you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Oh—I see. It&#039;s true. It&#039;s possible they might be seen. She&#039;s a very quick thinker.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But there are still things she&#039;ll worry about.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How about this, after I transform, I&#039;ll just stay outside and not come back?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh no! That&#039;s bad!&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Something similar happened before at the class monitor&#039;s house, and I was almost dizzy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Compared to people who shouldn&#039;t be there, this is less of a burden. It&#039;s better to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
minimize any awkward situations if possible.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That being said, it would be incredibly difficult for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku interrupted, seemingly ignoring everything she was saying. Is the student council &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
president really that stubborn?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Right here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We&#039;d already reached the room before I knew it, and here too, what a large door.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This is the room for everyone to relax and unwind. It used to be a meeting room.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;This, when it was bought, it was like a hotel,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede answered my question. So, the original owner probably sold it because it was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
too large and luxurious, and the maintenance costs were considerable.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why it&#039;s so big, and the ceilings are so high. And by the way, there&#039;s a swimming &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pool in the courtyard.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s amazing...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But since the pool is a little small, we had construction workers come in and widen and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
deepen it when we bought it. And there&#039;s a little secret about it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    All I could see was Sakura Kaede&#039;s smile. I&#039;ll leave the secrets behind. Let me also imagine &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the renovations of the new house. It&#039;s definitely one of those systems where you can flip a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bed out by the pool at the touch of a button, allowing you to swim and sleep at the same &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
time.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And that&#039;s Shizuku&#039;s room,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede gestured to the room nearby.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s Kondou Mikoto&#039;s, Akane&#039;s over there, and Natsuru&#039;s over here.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Anyway, the original meeting room was at the back, and from there outwards, Shizuku, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kondou Mikoto, Akane, and I were all assigned our own rooms.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s no room for Natsuru and Shizuku together, so please be patient and don&#039;t do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
anything weird.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She seemed completely convinced that Shizuku and I were dating. While there were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rumors, I&#039;d forget about being with Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Where&#039;s Sakura Kaede?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I have my own room downstairs, separate from everyone else. After all, I&#039;ve lived there &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
since I was a kid.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I understand being reluctant to leave. When I was little, I couldn&#039;t sleep without my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
favorite blanket. It&#039;s like a character from a manga with a beagle, that&#039;s what my mother said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well, please put your luggage in front of your room door. The key will be brought to you &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
later.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    After leaving that, Sakura Kaede went downstairs. It seemed as if we were left here.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Anyway, let&#039;s go to our respective rooms first,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;After that, how about we all gather in the conference room? It&#039;s better to explain some &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
things first.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course it&#039;s Sakura Kaede&#039;s business,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku answered my statement without hesitation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|← Back to Volume 9.5 Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Forward to 10 Chapter 2 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586399</id>
		<title>Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=K%C3%A4mpfer:Volume_10_Chapter_1&amp;diff=586399"/>
		<updated>2025-11-06T04:54:52Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Deeplyrapidsending: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Volume 10, Chapter 1  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
...     But saying &amp;quot;want to die&amp;quot; isn&#039;t really the same thing. For some reason, a woman &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confessed to me.     ...Ah, you must be stunned, thinking it was just a confession, what&#039;s the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
big deal? But for me,     this was a completely earth -shattering event, th e most difficult &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
decision I&#039;ve ever made. First of all, I couldn&#039;t even believe the fact that I was confessed to. I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thought it was just an urban legend, something that only men could do. No, there are &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
women who get confessions sooner or later, but more on that later.     Well, anyway, I never &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thought about being confessed to by a girl before. Maybe it&#039;s because I look ordinary. Being &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confessed to by a girl is just an urban legend, like the story of a snowman. Although &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
snowmen don&#039;t exist in the city.     And then there was you, suddenly confessed to. And it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was two people.     One was Kondou Mikoto, my childhood sweetheart. She was just a high &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school girl, but she was flying around the world, like a female Indiana Jones, doing all the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
adventurer stuff. In ki ndergarten, she was a playful girl, exploding like an endless stream of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
firecrackers, but now she&#039;s become beautiful. No, beautiful is just my opinion. We     were &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just childhood friends, so there was no romantic connection, so why did she confess? She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seems to like me. I don&#039;t know how serious she is. It&#039;s strange to say I don&#039;t know, but after &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she confessed, she suddenly disappeared. It seems she&#039;s been tracking drug trafficking &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
organizations. Am I mistaken? I     was so shocked by the sudden confession t hat I couldn&#039;t &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
even reply. Mikoto seemed to say something like, &amp;quot;I hope you can give me an answer later,&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so I&#039;ll just leave it at that for now. It&#039;s not just the one I mentioned that&#039;s troubling me.     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Then there&#039;s another person, and this is even more s erious for me. Even Shizuku Sangou, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student council president of our Seitetsu Academy, has confessed to me.     It&#039;s no secret that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m not good at dealing with Shizuku. She&#039;s not the right person for me.     Even though she&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
beautiful, smart, and goo d at sports, she doesn&#039;t make any difference to me. I feel like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
someone made out of an advertisement or something, so I&#039;d better stay away.     But then &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
again, Shizuku seems to ignore my feelings and orders me, &amp;quot;I like you, so you must love me.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
What&#039;s goi ng on? Her demands seem presumptuous and unreasonable. Isn&#039;t that the way to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
think? In a relationship, both parties&#039; feelings are important, aren&#039;t they?     But I was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
terrified. There was nothing I could do. Shizuku also said, &amp;quot;You can answer later.&amp;quot; Whil e I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
saved my life, she insisted on telling me afterward, so I only got a suspended death sentence. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
There&#039;s probably no pardon or anything like that.     Now I understand why I&#039;m so &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
discouraged. Those who think I&#039;m happy or who scold me, try to put themselv es in my shoes. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It&#039;s strange that they&#039;ll be happy.     So, I&#039;ve been going to Seitetsu Academy these past few &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
days with a gloomy heart. Going to a school where Shizuku is the student council president &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feels like walking into a tiger&#039;s den.     Lately, I&#039;v e been attending school as a man. If I went to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
school dressed as a woman, I might see Mikoto or Shizuku.     So, my classmate, Higashida, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
told me, &amp;quot;You&#039;ve been really serious lately.&amp;quot; I usually have to show up in the girls&#039; club, so I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
often absent. But n o matter how I treated him, I wasn&#039;t happy at all.     Being around men &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
always felt a bit melancholic. Am I turning gay? (That would be great.) But that thought &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
vanished completely when Higashida&#039;s voice reached me after class.     &amp;quot;Seno. Tomorrow&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Saturd ay, are you free?&amp;quot;     Higashida smiled at me with a bright smile that only he could &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
identify. Hmm, that&#039;s pretty bold, I can&#039;t be gay or anything.     Since I didn&#039;t answer, he asked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
again.     &amp;quot;Saturday.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Nothing else.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Then I&#039;ll invite you.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Seno&#039;s probably just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
watching TV at home. I want to go to karaoke with Hanzawa an d the others. Come on.&amp;quot;     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No,&amp;quot;     I said, looking sullen.     &amp;quot;It&#039;s just a side event for the Bishoujo Research Society. I&#039;m &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tired of your boring discussions.&amp;quot;     Higashida is the president of the underground club, the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Bishoujo Research Society. While  it&#039;s an illegal group, it has a long history in Seitetsu. They &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mostly just take pictures of girls, and they enjoy it. I wonder if that&#039;s harmful.     I&#039;m not sure &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
why I was appointed a special advisor there. For various reasons, that position seems to hav e &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been revoked, but I don&#039;t know since I wasn&#039;t at the meeting. Since Higashida and Hanzawa &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
came together, the topic must be something like that.     But Higashida shook his head.     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, I&#039;m not planning on hanging out with those guys from my class. Naka hama, Mori, and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the others will be there too.&amp;quot;     Those were all names from my class.     &amp;quot;That&#039;s strange. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida always talks about girls. Don&#039;t Nakahama and the others hate things involving &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
girls?&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Let&#039;s just pretend it&#039;s nothing. How about that ?&amp;quot;     I was actually a little tempted &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
by that. If we didn&#039;t bring up the Bishoujo Research Society, Higashida might be a good guy.     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
(I&#039;m glad you think that.) Although his mind was empty except for that. But I never thought &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that this guy would     say such words.     I tried to ask.     &amp;quot;Whose birthday is it? It&#039;s not mine.&amp;quot;     &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;No, just a casual joke.&amp;quot;     &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
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    &amp;quot;And Hanzawa said, &#039;Why does Seno look like he&#039;s dying? Let&#039;s call him.&#039;&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Is that how it feels?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Mori said that too. Have you gone crazy for no apparent reason? He said, &#039;I can see that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Seno&#039;s life flame is gradually getting smaller.&#039;&amp;quot; (Ye: He probably knows that.)  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...What is the life flame?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I heard that if it disappears, you&#039;ll die.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t say such baseless things.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I complained. Higashida continued.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;According to Mori, Seno always looks unhappy, and I&#039;m afraid he&#039;ll get even more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unhappy in the future. It seems like you&#039;re on the downhill slope of life. Nothing good has &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happened to you recently.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is it that our class is treating me like an idiot now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, we discussed it and decided to cheer you up. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Is this a good thing or a bad thing? In short, Higashida&#039;s expression is quite serious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In this situation, shouldn&#039;t I be grateful for friendship? But I also feel that I am actually &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
being treated as a fool. I was a little shocked. Higashida, who is so indifferent to things other &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
than girls, actually worries about an extremely useless clas smate like me. I put on a rather &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
shabby face.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah... Although I want to go, I can&#039;t.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because I have an appointment.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    In fact, I already had important things to do this Saturday. So even if I wanted to go to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
karaoke with Higashida and the others, I couldn&#039;t go.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, it&#039;s better to go with us.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Sorry, let&#039;s talk about it next time.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I waved my hand gently as an apology to him.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s do it next time. &amp;quot;Higashida said so. Let&#039;s try to go next time. I started on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
way home. It feels like it&#039;s been a long time since I went home so early.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I walked slowly alone. I exhaled with a &amp;quot;huh&amp;quot;. Tomorrow may be a turning point in my life... &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Is it too exaggerated to say so? But we can&#039;t take it lightly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speaking of the important thing I have to do this Saturday, it is to visit the hometown of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my idol, Sakura Kaede. Speaking of Sakura Kaede, that is different from Shizuku, so cute. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Unlike Shizuku, there is no thorn in her words. Unlike Shizuku, she is a holy angel.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Such a beautiful person will be with Shizuku. Friends who have been together since &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
childhood, it can only make people sigh that there is no justice. But let&#039;s not worry about that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
for now.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    We were invited to go to Sakura Kaede&#039;s hometown. Generally speaking, going to a girl&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hometown is like signing a marriage certificate, but Shizuku doesn&#039;t seem to think so. So I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
became a little suspicious.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Recently, I sometimes see Sakura Kaede&#039;s behavior as if he has become a different person. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
At that time, of course, I threw my judgment aside like waste paper, and tried hard to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
maintain a &amp;quot;beautiful image of Sakura Kaede&amp;quot; in my heart, but it is also tr ue that I feel that he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
has changed a little. Even if I say &amp;quot;a little worse,&amp;quot; it is not normal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But that kind of person said, &amp;quot;Please come to my house. &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on? I&#039;ve been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
thinking about confessing my feelings and going to Sakura Kaede&#039;s house over and over again &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
these past few days. I seem to have been asked if I did anything else, but n o, I didn&#039;t. If I did, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it was just because I was addicted to TV to escape reality. Mikoto, Shizuku, and Sakura Kaede. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I feel like they&#039;re all surrounding me and arguing... Did I forget someone? What about Akane? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    hasn&#039;t joined this &amp;quot;My Trouble Group.&amp;quot; Although she doesn&#039;t know it herself, she&#039;s the only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
one I can trust. As a man, the only place I&#039;d want to go is the library. Although I&#039;ve never been &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
there.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just when I was wondering if Akane would become someone to listen to my complaints, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
someone suddenly spoke.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Speak of the devil... the devil didn&#039;t appear. The owner of this clear voice could only be one &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
person. Turning around, Sakura Kaede was standing there, smiling. As beautiful as ever.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ve been looking for you. That&#039;s great.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Looking for me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yes.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What a hearty smile! Lately, I haven&#039;t made that lip -licking expression at all.&amp;quot; (Probably &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
referring to Sakura&#039;s post -transformation expression.) Seitetsu Academy has separate male &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and female sections, so naturally, they don&#039;t take kindly to male -femal e relationships.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It&#039;s more a product of pressure from graduated seniors than a teacher&#039;s strategy. It&#039;s like, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;quot;We shouldn&#039;t allow juniors to do things we&#039;re forbidden to do.&amp;quot; A bunch of narrow -minded &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
seniors.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But the students dating under my noses are generally not on campus, but happily dating &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
outside. So, Sakura Kaede is very self -possessed before going outside. No, he&#039;s waiting for &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
class to end.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was wondering if Natsuru -san might have forgotten, so...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, um, what was it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, did you forget?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Her cheeks puffed up. That gesture was perfect for Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t you agree to come to my hometown on Saturday?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So that&#039;s what happened. Of course, I&#039;ll remember it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really? Didn&#039;t you forget before I told you?&amp;quot; ”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “I’ve always remembered it.”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is true. At least I’ve been worried about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Finally, I saw her relieved expression. We walked side by side. Sakura Kaede was smiling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the whole time. I inadvertently glanced at her profile.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “What’s wrong?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “No, that, Sakura Kaede, have you forgotten?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “What?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Because you look very happy.”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Not just look happy, but really happy. Because I really like having guests at home.”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede is really great, this is what I say from the bottom of my heart.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Natsuru -san, did you ask other people to come?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede asked me with a smile. Eh?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku and others were also called, but didn’t Sakura Kaede also say that she would bring &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
her along? But that was said by Sakura Kaede, who has a bad temper, so maybe she forgot.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Natsuru -san?”  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    “Uh, that, I did. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Looks like you forgot. I called out Mikoto and Akane first. Finally, I unhappily called out &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There are so many people. If we don&#039;t prepare more dishes, ah, didn&#039;t you invite the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
female Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m a little confused. Does Sakura Kaede know about this or not?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I told him, but... he might not come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How could that be...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede&#039;s cheeks puffed up. Sorry. I&#039;ll take over then, male.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I was so happy that the female Natsuru is coming.&amp;quot; Sure  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    enough, she doesn&#039;t even know the male and female Natsuru are the same person. If he &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gets involved with me, I&#039;ll be in big trouble.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She seems very busy right now, studying hard for exams.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can wait until she&#039;s a third year.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She said she wants to start working hard now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s such a serious person,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    though she&#039;s not actually working on it. I could probably get into a lesser university with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
my own abilities, but I don&#039;t think I can just happily get in. If I&#039;m lazy, I&#039;ll just do my best.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s a shame that the female Natsuru isn&#039;t here, but everyone&#039;s willing to come. That way, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
won&#039;t be lonely.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I won&#039;t let that happen (referring to making her feel lonely).  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Of course,&amp;quot; I say. Sakura Kaede seems delighted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s a perfectly consistent expression. She&#039;s truly an angelic woman.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But then, when Sakura Kaede said to me, &amp;quot;I hope you can come to my hometown,&amp;quot; that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
terrifying expression wasn&#039;t just a double -edged sword; it revealed her inner self completely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I&#039;m not ignoring the horror of duality. It&#039;s certainly terrifying, but Akane can also become &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
ferocious after transforming. They&#039;re similar. But in some ways, she&#039;s different from Akane. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede&#039;s situation is a bit baffling. It&#039;s like looking at a  bottomless swamp beneath your &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feet. And finally, she slipped and fell into it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If it weren&#039;t for that, Sakura Kaede would be the world&#039;s most beautiful woman. Now, she&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
just an ordinary beauty.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And for some reason, she has completely forgotten the promise she made to me. It was &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede who said she&#039;d bring Akane -san and the others along. And then there was even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a fight. It&#039;s all a mystery. Has she forgotten that slightly erotic thing tha t happened in that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bush somewhere? It&#039;s impossible for me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Um, um, Sakura Kaede.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you healed?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede was startled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Your stomach must be injured...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san is so annoying.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She chuckled.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m healthy. Aside from a cold, I&#039;ve never been injured or sick. I&#039;m glad you&#039;re so worried &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
about me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t you mistake me for someone else?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even so, Sakura Kaede must be injured. She jumped up like a slingshot. I observed Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede&#039;s stomach from the corner of my eye. It tapered from the waist, a truly beautiful sight, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and the line that flowed into her chest was a truly graceful curve. If she lowered her head a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little more, it would definitely look...wrong. She didn&#039;t look injured. She  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    didn&#039;t seem to be holding back. The only explanation was that she&#039;d recovered. Even more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
incredible was that she had no recollection of the injury. Sakura Kaede had no idea she&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
become such a gloomy and sinister person.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hope the injury of the person I mistakenly identified with heals quickly,&amp;quot; Sakura Kaede &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
said. This kind of love is a virtue. It has nothing to do with  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the .  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m going back to my hometown today,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Sakura Kaede said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So I can&#039;t go with you all.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He looked regretful. I was regretful too. I&#039;d definitely gone together if I could.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I can&#039;t come to greet you, but I&#039;ll wait. Please do come.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then he gave me a smile that melted my heart. So wonderful. With that expression, I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
can forget that dark feeling anytime. We walked for a while before saying goodbye. Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede went left, I went right. She waved goodbye to me reluctantly. Maybe.  After a short &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
walk,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    we found my home. To be more precise, the house my father built. I opened the door with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a mixture of joy and sorrow. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    dumped my schoolbag in my room and, without changing my clothes, I lay down on the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bed. I  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    was delighted that Sakura Kaede had invited me. It was an undeniable fact, and I even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
wanted to tell all the boys about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But if I did that, I&#039;d be hunted down by a special assassination squad chosen from among &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the boys in two seconds, buried in concrete in some unknown location, and then dumped. I&#039;d &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
do the same thing if I were in the opposite position, so I know it. Give n the situation, keeping &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it to myself is the best policy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But that&#039;s not the problem. The problem is that Sakura Kaede has no memory of her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
transformation. Sakura Kaede, the same as always, and Sakura Kaede, who&#039;s not her usual &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
self. My shaky brain can come up with several possibilities.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The first is that they&#039;re different people. The gentle and kind Sakura Kaede and the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
lecherous and gloomy Sakura Kaede are actually two different people. Like twins or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something remarkably similar. The advantage of this theory is that it puts my mind a t ease. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The woman I&#039;ve always admired, the most beautiful of the three Star Tetsu, is pure, flawless, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and perfect. Someone with a bad personality doesn&#039;t need her at all. Just go off and become &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
a mercenary somewhere in Africa.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what I&#039;d most like, because everything else suits my preferences. I guess everyone &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
else thinks the same.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Next, there&#039;s the theory that Sakura Kaede actually remembers everything but is lying. She &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
knows everything but acts like she knows nothing. This means she has reasons to lie and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doesn&#039;t mind deceiving us. It&#039;s like some kind of conspiracy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This is not good at all, and I&#039;m doing everything I can to stop it. Besides, how could Sakura &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kaede, a goddess who descended from the sky, be such a wicked person? The only wicked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
person who could be considered wicked is the student council president. Therefore, this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
theory doesn&#039;t hold true, because that&#039;s Sakura Kaede.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The final theory is that Sakura Kaede has one body but two personalities. The idea is that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sakura Kaede alternates control of the body between a good and a bad personality. These &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two personalities don&#039;t interfere with each other, and the good personali ty is unaware of the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bad personality&#039;s existence.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This makes sense of the previous conversation. Angel Sakura Kaede doesn&#039;t know about &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the existence of Demon Sakura Kaede. The conditions and timing of the alternation are still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unknown, but it definitely happens. For example, she transforms upon seeing  a red flower or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
after 3 p.m.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I always feel like this is the most correct explanation. But ordinary Sakura Kaede also &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remembers asking me to visit her hometown, and she still remembers the circumstances &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
back then, which means there might be some connection between our hearts.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;In that case,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I muttered to myself in my room, empty of people.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ordinary Sakura Kaede is innocent. I just need to protect her.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why did the thought of &amp;quot;protecting&amp;quot; occur to me? I don&#039;t know, isn&#039;t that the way it is? &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Ordinary Sakura Kaede is innocent. She&#039;ll definitely become a good wife and mother and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
remain beautiful forever. I always feel like her evil side will do something  like kissing, which is &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
so annoying.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I should just go see a doctor and get rid of that evil side, right? That way, my worries would &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
be gone. Sakura Kaede&#039;s parents would probably say something like, &amp;quot;Thank you for restoring &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
our daughter to normal.&amp;quot; Oh my, we&#039;re only high school students, so how many years we&#039;ve &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
been together is irrelevant.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I sat cross -legged, grinning to myself, and suddenly thought of those three women. Akane, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shizuku, and Mikoto.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...She&#039;s been confessed to,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I slumped over. So that&#039;s how it is. I have to give them an answer after this is over. Give it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to Shizuku and Mikoto. What should I do? I might as well run off with Sakura Kaede. In that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
case... oh, what about Akane?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Just as I was in my room, thinking about this, a call came in. I picked up my phone and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pressed the call button. The phone, which had been practically useless because the battery &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was missing, now wouldn&#039;t work unless it was plugged into a charger.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hello?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is this Seno -kun?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was completely disappointed. It was this girl. Even though everyone in school thought she &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was beautiful, the woman I&#039;d jump away from instantly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What can I do for you, President?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, you&#039;re so happy to talk to me on the phone?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Not at all. What&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m very happy.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku smiled to herself on the other end of the line. There&#039;s nothing about me in this. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Absolutely. This woman is incredibly stubborn. Needless to say, it&#039;s a fact known to all the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
students in school. She&#039;s known for her toughness, something you woul dn&#039;t expect  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    from a high school student. She even met with the workers who had delivered the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
equipment to the school. The other party was a seasoned veteran, and using a high school &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
student as his opponent was truly shocking. Then the bargaining began. Even more su rprising &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was the rumor that a prominent corporation present had invited her, asking, &amp;quot;Will you come &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to us after graduation?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But you confessed to me, didn&#039;t you? Why are you still so relaxed? Am I even more &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
nervous than you?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    How dare you give me such a blunt answer? I had a strong response prepared for her, or &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
else I&#039;d be exhausted.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;About tomorrow,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t worry about anything, just come. Don&#039;t be late.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I know,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied grumpily. It was understandable. Sakura Kaede&#039;s situation was already giving me &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
enough of a headache. But then I couldn&#039;t move. I might even fall asleep with my eyes open.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Because you&#039;re going to Kaede&#039;s house, I imagine you&#039;re feeling really anxious right now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why was this guy so good at reading people&#039;s minds?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Meet in front of the station. Don&#039;t forget to bring clothes. In your case, you&#039;ll need to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
prepare two sets of clothes, one for men and one for women.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No need for that,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I replied. It&#039;s unnecessary to say it now; if I transform, I&#039;ll become a woman. I&#039;ve finally &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
gotten used to it lately, but clothes are always a hassle.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s necessary,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s Kempfer&#039;s responsibility to make sure everything looks okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;re overdoing it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t think you&#039;re overdoing it. I think this might get a little troublesome.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The evil Sakura Kaede hates Shizuku. I share the same attitude, though my dislike is less &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
casual. I&#039;m sure they&#039;re both the type to stab someone in the back if they find a loophole. Of &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
course,  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku is wary of Sakura Kaede too. By telling me to bring two sets of clothes, she&#039;s telling &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me to be prepared for whatever comes my way.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What do you mean by trouble?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Well...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, don&#039;t you know that yourself?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s not just a one -time trip, is it? But we don&#039;t know what&#039;s going to happen. That&#039;s why I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
have to be well prepared.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then Shizuku said something that made me half -understand.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s nothing beyond your preparation, right? And in your case, Natsuru -kun, wearing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
men&#039;s underwear on a woman&#039;s body isn&#039;t a very good hobby, is it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That was the situation. I didn&#039;t want to imagine it myself.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What kind?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Underwear.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...A few pieces,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. For some reason, I felt embarrassed.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If I transformed into a Kempfer in my school uniform, my underwear would automatically &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
become women&#039;s, but if I wore other clothes, it wouldn&#039;t work. I don&#039;t know why it was like &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that. The guy who turned me into a Kempfer must be a perverted bastard.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So I had to prepare some women&#039;s underwear. But not too much. I felt embarrassed when &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I went to buy it. And I was bathed in the shop assistants&#039; gazes that seemed to say, &amp;quot;Go to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hell.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then go buy some.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Underwear.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What are you talking about?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I told you I have some.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s unladylike to have only one or two pieces. More would be nice, wouldn&#039;t it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s only one night at most.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It would be nice if it could just be over like that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He said something like a prophecy. What if I have to stay longer than one night? It&#039;s only &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
two nights at most. I still have school to go to.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You mean for men&#039;s clothing? The one I&#039;m wearing is enough.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Men&#039;s clothing is also very necessary.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I have quite a few of those.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Let&#039;s go buy them. It&#039;s at the department store in front of the station. Just arrive an hour &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
early.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, don&#039;t just make a decision.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, it&#039;s not just a decision. I&#039;m doing this for Natsuru.&amp;quot; She&#039;s  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    calling me by my first name again. Lately, Shizuku&#039;s been calling me &amp;quot;Natsuru&amp;quot; whenever &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I&#039;m not paying attention. But let&#039;s focus on the underwear first. Is she trying to copy what &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
happened before by saying she&#039;s going to buy underwear? I went clothes shopping with &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Akane and the others once before, but they had bad intentions.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Since we&#039;re going with girls, the staff won&#039;t think it&#039;s unusual.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I won&#039;t be used to it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Just bear with it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s what they call being forced to do it. If Shizuku decides to do this, even the US &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
military can&#039;t disobey her.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So, I was forced to agree to go underwear shopping with her. What a loser I am.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And another thing. &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;And another thing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe it would be better to bring some entrails.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Intuition,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Shizuku said again. Then she fell silent. Is it because there&#039;s no basis for it? It&#039;s just a naive &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feeling, isn&#039;t it?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;See you tomorrow. Close your eyes and get some sleep.&amp;quot; With that, she hung up. &amp;quot;You &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talkative fellow. You&#039;re my mom.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I hung up too. Then I opened my closet and prepared some lingerie. Even though I &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
complained to Shizuku, I still intended to do as she said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That woman&#039;s intuition is incredible. From what I heard from Mikoto, it seemed like it had &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
something to do with the accumulation of experience and knowledge. She stores that &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
information in her head, and when faced with a situation, she unconsciously us es the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
examples she&#039;s mentioned so far as a reference, expressing it in the form of &amp;quot;intuition.&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Really? Shizuku is only a year older than me, but she seems to have so many  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    experiences.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto once boasted, &amp;quot;That&#039;s why I can find ruins right away in the rainforest.&amp;quot; This woman &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
doesn&#039;t even need a detector.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And, somehow, this guy&#039;s reasoning seems more convincing. It seems like becoming a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kempfer doctor&#039;s sixth sense strengthens. I&#039;ve experienced this myself. Even my random &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
guesses during exams seem more accurate than usual. My prediction expert, Natsuru,  was in &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
full force.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Well, in a situation like this, the best thing to do is to follow Shizuku&#039;s instructions. I picked &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
up the women&#039;s underwear. Anyway, if anyone saw this, they&#039;d definitely think I was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
pervert. If Higashida or Hanzawa found out, it wouldn&#039;t just be me being a fool. They&#039;re &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
perverts themselves, and yet they acted like this.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I took out my travel bag and stuffed it in. Underwear is fine, but there were hardly any &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
women&#039;s clothes, so I&#039;d just use men&#039;s. I didn&#039;t need a swimsuit. Even though it was still &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
swimming season.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then there was that thing. A visceral animal.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I reached out to the table.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I called out to it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m going on a long trip tomorrow.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    There was no answer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Get up, we&#039;re leaving.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Ah, yes,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    the Seppuku Tiger replied in a half -asleep voice.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This thing was what Shizuku had just called a &amp;quot;visceral animal.&amp;quot; A Seppuku Tiger&#039;s &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
characteristic is that its internal organs are exposed from its abdomen. And for some reason, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
it can talk.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I guess there&#039;s no need to explain further at this point. The viscera creatures were a small &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
toy released by a toy company as a desperate attempt to revive itself. Something this &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
disgusting couldn&#039;t even be called a toy; it was destined for a tragic en d in the toy market. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But it seems only kindhearted citizens are thinking this way. The company president has even &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
declared, &amp;quot;We&#039;re going to build a viscera shrine.&amp;quot; Apparently, they&#039;re trying to raise funds due &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
to a lack of funds. But no matter how popular anime is in this cou ntry, no one&#039;s going to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
contribute.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why do you look so sleepy?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I said. Don&#039;t these dolls always look like they&#039;re asleep?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I don&#039;t know why, but I&#039;ve been feeling sleepy more lately. For the past year, just seeing &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Natsuru&#039;s face has cleared my sleepiness.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You haven&#039;t been talking any less.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It would be nice to spend some time with Natsuru,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    he said, adding some incomprehensible things. It&#039;s not good for a doll to talk nonsense and &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
make abstract statements.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Forget it. I pointed at my travel bag.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, come in.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Ah, going out?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m going to Sakura Kaede&#039;s tomorrow.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s about it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since I&#039;d told it before, it understood immediately.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Was that call from the president just now?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She&#039;s the only other woman who calls me saying she likes me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    If it was Sakura Kaede, I wouldn&#039;t mind if she called a few times, but it seemed unlikely. If it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was a guy, only Higashida would call. My circle of friends is too narrow, which is not good.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;By the way...&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Did something happen between you and the president?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;How did you know?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t Natsuru come to school in the middle of the night? Only the president would do &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    This guy is surprisingly not to be underestimated. So, why am I surrounded by such &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
intuitive people?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I waved my hand subtly.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Whatever happened, it&#039;s over, isn&#039;t it?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, no, as a messenger, it&#039;s my duty to keep an eye on Natsuru&#039;s life.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You&#039;ve never mentioned anything like that before, have you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Nothing bad, please tell me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Are you a nosy old woman? You can&#039;t be a woman yourself. I&#039;ve always found your voice &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
the same as Shizuka Shodai&#039;s.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Even if you knew, it wouldn&#039;t do you any good.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Maybe I could give you some advice.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Really?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Maybe.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    What does &amp;quot;maybe&amp;quot; mean?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Since it said so, I told it everything that had happened so far. But I just skimmed over the &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
confession. I feel a little sorry for Mikoto and Shizuku... No, because this is quite &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
embarrassing. The  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger laughed strangely.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What a show.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Do you want to be thrown out like recyclable garbage?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Never mind. So, you&#039;re being forced by Mikoto and Shizuku right now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hate to admit it.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what are you going to do, Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What should I do... Let&#039;s just leave it like this.&amp;quot; For now  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , neither woman was in a rush to answer.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;But one day, we&#039;ll have to decide.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;The Earth might explode before then. I still believe a nuclear war is possible.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Escape from reality won&#039;t work.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Wow, I&#039;m being lectured by a doll. My life is over.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That being said, this guy&#039;s opinion is also correct. Regardless, the answer represents my &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
feelings. So, they want an answer, and I have to throw the ball. Of course  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    , while I hate this fact and wonder if humanity will perish, I don&#039;t think such a coincidence &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
would happen. And women are selfish creatures. Even if it involves the lives of all Japanese &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
people, they&#039;ll still demand an answer to a confession without a care. They think our &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
country&#039;s crisis is nothing.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Ultimately, the problem lies with me, and I haven&#039;t given an answer yet.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So, what about Akane?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hmm?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What is Akane doing?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That makes sense, what was Akane doing? I was thinking about that, but my thoughts &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
were interrupted by Shizuku&#039;s call. As a Blue Kempfer, Mishima Akane was a very &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unremarkable girl. But that was before she transformed. As a Kempfer, she becomes a foul -&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
mouthed, rude, and aggressive bulldog. She might think about shooting someone just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
because they&#039;ve gotten lucky. And then she actually does.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I crossed my arms and kept thinking about it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane. I remember going to an anime store with her.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Wasn&#039;t that a date?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;She seemed to say that, too.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So Akane confessed to you, Natsuru.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Is that so...?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I tilted my head to the side. Is that true? My mind is in a mess. Even if someone told me it &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
was true, I&#039;d probably believe it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Since you&#039;ve been on a date, then Akane qualifies as a candidate, right?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Don&#039;t talk about candidates. Although, Akane is my type.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What? Then why not choose Akane?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot; What did &amp;quot;that&#039;s fine&amp;quot; mean? &amp;quot;That  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &#039;s right. If a crisis develops, let Akane come to your aid.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You mean, let Akane come out to help you?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, I mean, if you&#039;re under attack by the enemy, let Akane come out to help you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...Will she?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I inadvertently suspected something else. Because before her transformation, Akane was a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bespectacled, rather intimidating librarian, the type who would rather read a book in a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
corner than argue with others.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I guess so.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s going on?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I was complaining when a call came in. It was  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    my cell phone again. The number was long gone. I pressed the call button.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hello.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san, it&#039;s me.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was Akane. The Seppuku Tiger was just there, saying &amp;quot;Come on!&amp;quot; and grinning. Although &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
she was smiling, her face barely changed at all.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Natsuru -san?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;m sorry, what&#039;s going  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    on?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Aren&#039;t you going to Sakura Kaede&#039;s tomorrow?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Yeah.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Before then, can we meet?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Huh?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I inadvertently uttered a questioning sound. After all, Shizuku had said the same thing to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
me. Of course I&#039;d be surprised, right?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What&#039;s the matter?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Before we leave, I guess.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right... So, do you hate meeting me?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I felt like I was about to cry. After hearing all that, it&#039;s probably fair to say that she&#039;s a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
completely different person after her transformation.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No,&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I had to say. Akane breathed a sigh of relief, and I could hear it even through the phone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Great... Well, in that case, can we meet an hour before the meeting time?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh, that.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    It was exactly the same time as Shizuku had agreed. It wouldn&#039;t be possible without two &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
bodies.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Suddenly, a frustrated voice came from the other end of the line.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;As expected, you hate meeting me...&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No, it&#039;s because I have an appointment...ah, something like shopping or something.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I&#039;ll go with you.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s not a good idea...ah, no, how about meeting two hours in advance?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s fine.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    The voice returned to normal. The mood seemed to change quickly. But I was in trouble.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Then let&#039;s meet two hours in advance at the meeting place.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Okay.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I listened to Akane&#039;s cheerful voice and hung up the phone.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Then I started thinking. What does &amp;quot;something&amp;quot; mean? What are her plans after meeting?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It looks like it&#039;s not an ordinary conversation.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    said the Seppuku Tiger. This damn doll, it heard the whole conversation clearly. Chemical &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
fiber that likes to invade privacy.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;If you just want to talk, can you use the phone?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So you want to meet in person.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;What a hassle.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s why you&#039;re not welcome. Ah, but things have been different recently.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Why do I feel like I&#039;m being judged from above? Everyone around me, from Shizuku to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Higashida, treats me like an idiot. They&#039;re also focusing their attacks on me, calling me &amp;quot;slow&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
and &amp;quot;inconsiderate.&amp;quot; This is clearly a violation of human rights. Where  can I complain to &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
them? The United Nations?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Why can&#039;t I go on another appointment when it&#039;s just a meeting?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right. Mikoto might call right about now.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That reminded me.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;...So, I haven&#039;t seen Mikoto lately.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;You say lately, but hasn&#039;t it been months?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;That&#039;s right. She used to come over every few days and make me curry.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Mikoto is a curry lover. I think most Japanese people love curry, but this girl&#039;s love is a bit &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
unusual. She eats curry from morning till night. Occasionally, she&#039;ll have ramen. Her &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
obsession makes you wonder if she&#039;s been paid by a food company.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Even the Seppuku Tiger has an expression like, &amp;quot;I see.&amp;quot; This hasn&#039;t changed much.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s true I haven&#039;t smelled much curry lately.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Since Mikoto isn&#039;t here, I&#039;ve been eating something else. That&#039;s fine, though.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Are you still feeling lonely?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;No.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    That&#039;s not the case. If you don&#039;t wash your face after getting up in the morning, you&#039;ll feel a &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
little uneasy all day. It&#039;s the same feeling.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Never mind, we&#039;ll see each other tomorrow anyway. I&#039;ll have to get up even earlier &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
tomorrow.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Didn&#039;t the president tell me to go to bed early?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;I hate  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    getting up early.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;Wouldn&#039;t it be nice to go for a jog in the morning?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    He said that even though he knew I hated exercise. Waking up early and running is just &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
terrible. I have a habit of rejecting what&#039;s considered right in this world. Of course, I&#039;m not &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
rebelling, I&#039;m just being passive.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;First, Akane, it seems like there&#039;s a company business meeting.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;It&#039;s better not to run into the president.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Indeed.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane, I hope you and Natsuru are alone. Didn&#039;t you argue with the president earlier?&amp;quot; &amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    So I went to the anime store with her. It was Shizuku who had pulled me away from Akane &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
at that time, and she said something that would keep me awake. So, I thought if they met, &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
they would just have a huge fight. Even if it was only on a mental level.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    And then I kept thinking, why did Akane care about me so much?  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Hey, don&#039;t you understand that Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Seppuku Tiger suddenly said.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;There&#039;s only one reason Akane wants to be with you, Natsuru?&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;…&amp;quot; &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    Of course, a thought popped into my head.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    But for some reason, I just couldn&#039;t bring myself to say it.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Akane -chan, well, she&#039;s my type.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;Oh.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;quot;So that&#039;s right.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    She said something unclear, and I stopped talking. Seppuku Tiger continued, &amp;quot;Natsuru &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
hasn&#039;t changed at all; he likes to wait and see.&amp;quot;  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
    I stuffed the chattering doll into my bag and threw it out into the hallway, to avoid being &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
talked to while I slept.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Translator&#039;s Notes==&lt;br /&gt;
This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;references responsive=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| class=&amp;quot;wikitable&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;float:left; margin:0; text-align:center; border:none;&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|+&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 9.5 Afterword|← Back to Volume 9.5 Afterword]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer|Return to Main Page]]&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 2|Forward to 10 Chapter 2 →]]&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Deeplyrapidsending</name></author>
	</entry>
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