Editing Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 3 (section)

===Back on the Boy's Side===

I carefully made my way back home without any incidents or attacks.  At home I couldn't stand listening to Harakiri-tora, so she spent the night in the crowded closet.  I wanted to have a long quiet sleep.

The next day, to avoid getting stuck in a rut, I ran to school.  I got to school early and a classmate said "what happened, did hell freeze over?"  I responded with my middle finger; violent-Akane's attitude was rubbing off on me too much.

When classes were properly finished I quickly got ready to go home.  Why?  Simple, I had taken a break, but that night my plan was to open a can of whoop-ass on Harakiri-tora, the ringleader of my troubles.  I will make her take responsibility.

As I was formulating my plans I heard a too-familiar voice.

<!--121-->
"Senou!..." It was Higashida. 

His face showed no recognition from the day before.  Honestly?

"I'm about to leave, is it fast?"

"I have business."

Just like the day before, he put his hand on my shoulder.  Again, I shook it off.

"Take a nap, then let's go shopping in Tokyo.  It's something you'll like."

"Let me guess, you're going to buy special paper for printing out camera pictures."

"Close, I'm going to a print shop to get pictures of a girl that were secretly taken.  For friendship sake, I'll give you a discount price."

"No need."

I have to resist, even if it's a picture of Sakura-san, which I would enjoy.  Higashida's artistry is taking voyeuristic pictures which he then sells at school.   I don't want to be punished as an accomplice, it's best to keep away.

"Don't be so cold.  Yesterday I found an undiscovered beauty of Iron Star Academy.  The pictures I am having developed should be ready."

"What... who is this girl?"

"I don't know her name I just ran across her on my way home.  As the chairman of the Iron Star Academy High School Nymph Club I'm shamed that one so cute was never seen."

<!--122-->
No, you've seen her, it was me.

Of course I didn't explain the situation.  I just silently turned away and returned to my preparations to leave.

Higashida kept right on talking. "You're being quiet and unsociable.  She is incredible.  Some big guys tried a pick-up line, but they were rejected and driven off ruthlessly." 

"Sounds like they deserved it."

"Idiot, they were bold and gave a manly attempt.  I'd like to see Natsuru do better."

Same goes for him.

"It was amazing to be abused by her; being yelled at, threatened, then she disappeared."

"..."

The propensity of this guy is beyond belief.  I wouldn't want the true identity of that girl to be exposed.

"I'll sell you a picture of this goddess, I know you'll want it."

"I'm tired."

"Don't be so cold.  I'd trade you for a picture of Kondou Mikoto-san."

My eyebrows lowered.

"Ask her for one."

<!--123-->
"My request is ignored.  I rely on you."

"Even I don't know when she's coming back."

The girl just mentioned, Kondou Mikoto, used to live near me.  You could call us childhood friends.  She's a year younger than me and would be in first-year high-school, except she's on a leave of absence.  Her parents travel all over the world, and Mikoto was pulled along.

She is lovely and strong-willed, and may model for Higashida.  I tried to say so, but he is just looking to put a check-mark in his notebook next to her name.

"You're only happy when you're taking pictures of girls."

"It's my hobby.  It's a thrill to be looking through a telephoto lens from a hidden spot at the girls swimming in the pool."

He'll be arrested someday, and I'll have to testify against him saying '' 'he's done many things like this before.' ''  It may benefit the world.

"Speaking of girls, did you hear anything about the disturbance in the library yesterday?"

I was shocked, it's unlike him to change the topic away from photographing girls.

"Huh, like what?"

<!--124-->
"I heard it was a dispute; more importantly, between girls!"

This guy is very quick to spread rumors.

"A quarrel between 3 or 4 girls."

"What was the quarrel about?"

"Nobody knows, but they knocked over a large bookshelf.  The school board is in a fuss about it."

"Hmm."

I was pretending indifference as much as possible; give no clues.  If I was careless and slipped in the least, the rumors would reach Argentina by tomorrow.

"Have they found the people responsible?"

"They ran away before anyone could see who it was.  I don't blame them for keeping quiet."

"True."  I had to concentrate not to look as relieved as I felt.

"By the way, where were you during lunch yesterday?  Oh yeah, I remember you went with that girl you met at the station... the one waiting for you in the hall..." 

Crap, "...hey, the fight was between women, I'm a man."

<!--125-->
"So, did you see anything or not?"

"No, nothing," I lied.  I was one of the guilty parties, but there's no way I'd tell him that.

I finished my conversation with Higashida.  More time had passed than I thought.  Even though my anger has dissipated somewhat, I was still in a hurry to get home and punish Harakiri-tora.

"I'm leaving."

"Not joining me..."

"I think you can handle it."

"You'll miss out on a deal for the treasured photos."

"I'll pass."

I walked quickly.  I didn't want to get caught up in Higashida's hobby again now that we had mentioned photos.

As I was about to go through the door out of the classroom I suddenly stopped.  Higashida ran into my back.

"Hey, why'd you stop."

I ignored him.  There was a girl in front of me.

"That..." came Akane's weak and timid voice.  She had been waiting for me.

"That, you have business with me, right?"

<!--126-->
"It is..."

"What?"

"Eh... ...should introduce..."

"I've met Akane-chan." I cringed as Higashida called her 'chan' but she wasn't in vicious-dog mode, so there was no comeback.

"...not me..."

She took a step back and from the other side of the corridor came another female student, waving to me.

"Natsuru-san!"

Sakura-san; it was the third time I'd seen her since yesterday.  Even seeing her so frequently, my appreciation of her never diminished.  A beautiful woman can't be encountered too often to enjoy.

Higashida stood behind me, astonished, since Sakura Kaede came to see me.

"Oi... oi..." as he grabbed my uniform.  He seemed flustered, but I am used to talking with Sakura-san.

"Why, that person..."  

<!--127-->
As I looked behind Sakura-san I became as astonished as Higashida.  Standing behind her was the student council president, third grade genius, the Iron Star Academy's perfect impeccable girl, Sangou Shizuku.

The body and face of a fashion model, sophisticated demeanor, topmost athletic ability, and nerves of steel.  She has maintained absurdly perfect scores for every class.  Faculty and the board of education wondered if a mistake had been made that such a perfect student would enter the Iron Star Academy.  She had become the student council president as soon as she entered her first year, and had maintained an authoritarian control ever since.  The girl's academy had gone from loose and carefree to the currently strict control it now displayed; the ranking of the school had risen greatly.

I whispered to Akane "hey ...does the student president have business with me?"

"Yeah..." Akane quietly nodded.

"There's some business between the boy's and girl's section, namely Natsuru-san's class, and I'm taking the opportunity to meet with representatives..."

"Why?..." It wasn't me who asked, but Higashida. 

Why would the class president meet with us, four second year students.  At least that's what Higashida seemed to want to ask.  I silently agreed.

<!--128-->
Shizuku had put in appearances on the boy's side of the academy previously, but no conversations ever took place and she never lingers.  There had never been an opportunity for anyone to talk to her.  Students even said it was easier to talk to Kaede or to be accepted to the University of Tokyo than converse with her; if you ever did talk to Shizuku-sama your life would be greatly extended.  

"Shizuku-sama" is not how I refer to her, but it's the term used by an non-sanctioned club of masochist boys that '' '...want to be abused by Shizuku-sama.' ''

Shizuku watched me with total lack of emotion.

"Er... well..." I stammered.  Anyhow, this student council presdent doesn't have spare time. 

"..." the reaction was equally blank.  Most likely I was being taken to identify a severed head or to my execution.

Higashida went back into the classroom muttering "camera, camera."  

He left me, alone and helpless.

Since it was unavoidable, I asked "What business is it?" 

President-sama unexpectedly answered.  "Not me, Kaede."

<!--129-->
Shizuku made my jaw drop.  Sakura-san lowered her head and bowed.

"Oh... really?"

"Some with me also." Shizuku added curtly.

I bowed deeply. Both male and female students must respect a direct visit from the student president.  Basic chores and requests would be handled by her minions.  It's still not clear if she has minions.  

The hallway was getting loud from the attention of having these two present.  It was rare to see either of them on the boys side, but to see both was unheard of.  Before long there would be a school idol photo session starting up.

"Oh, uh well."

Akane was no help, her face and eyes were aimed at the floor.  In a minute Higashida would return with a camera.  I pressed forward and lead all of us out of the classroom.

<br><br>

I guided everyone to an unused room in the boys club room building.  In Iron Star Academy, extracurricular activities and facilities for them are also divided by gender.  For example, a literature department would have both "boys literature section" and "girls literature section."  With the limited staff available, clubs with too few members were often eliminated, leaving the assigned room empty.  It made it easy to find a spare room.

<!--130-->
Splitting the clubs between boys and girls was a big success, not even the fringe activities were breaking school rules. <!-- no clue -->

We ended up in the film studies club room.  In previous years the club not only watched movies but elected a manager, producer, script writer, cameraman, prop supervisor, lead and supporting actors.  But the club had dwindled down to the last remaining member until last year when he graduated.

Since it had been less than a year since the club dissolved the fixtures and club materials still remained.  We pulled some chairs together to sit.

It wasn't a circle that was formed, but a line of Akane, Sakura and Shizuku facing me.  It was more like an interview.

"First of all..." I couldn't take the silence any longer. "What kind of business does the president of student government have with me?"

<!--131-->
"The library at lunchtime, I think you know what I mean." Shizuku said bluntly.  No excessive chat or small talk. Another of her traits that lead to her being known as 'daunting.' Well, I was one of the parties involved but I couldn't give that answer.

"I've been talking with Higashida.  He's dedicated to researching for his beautiful girls club." 

He had been spreading rumors that the incident was a fight between girls and one of those involved, a beautiful nymph, was targeted for inclusion by the beautiful girl society.   He also knew I was going to the library that day and he may have said something, damn Higashida.

"Were you in the library?"  My heart was ready to leap out of my chest.  Damn him again, what did that big-mouth idiot Higashida tell her?

"Oh... that..." Akane gave me a flickering gaze.  I continued to worry.

"Yes?"

"I think he... borrowed a book, or..."

"Not that."

<!--132-->
Shizuku could smell an excuse, and she wasn't willing to listen to one.

"You are a witness, you should have come forward." She crossed her arms and stared at me.

"Ten book collections and two steel bookshelves were ruined.  Although there is no desire to investigate responsibility, I need to determine if liability can replace lost property, understand?  Your assistance will help reduce the student council's workload."

I was one of the parties involved.  Nevertheless, Shizuku's tone was very cold and made me feel like she was scooping out my insides.  Even so, a part of that feeling was enjoyable and made me understand the desires of the masochistic boys club.

"...that..." as for meddling Akane.

"Natsuru is a boy.  The library disturbance were girls..."

"Weren't you also in the library?"

"Eh..."

"You were."

With those few words Shizuku sealed Akane's argument.

"As for women being involved, that is known from the students who fled the scene."  

As she said that her glare never wavered from me.

<!--133-->
[[File:Kampfer_Vol1_Pg133.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Page 133]]

<!--134-->
"Whether it was a man or woman doesn't really matter, the result is that women caused the disturbance."

"..."  Akane and I clammed up.

There was an implication in Shizuku's words.  Although her expression didn't change, there was a hint of her knowing additional details.  She had the upper hand and Akane and I were at a disadvantage.  Was I being accused?

"If you have something to say, please do."

"..."

I had nothing I could say without condemning myself.

"Nothing to say?"

I didn't.

Shizuku stood up.  The conversation was done.  Did she think that Akane and me lacking anything to say was backing up her reasoning?

"I'm returning to the girls section," Shizuku said.

"Ask Kaede why she came to talk with you.  She'll reveal her secret only to you... Besides, women staying too long on the boys side will confuse public morals."

<!--135-->
With those words the student council president left without a goodbye.  She simply walked out of the
film studies clubroom.

As soon as Shizuku left I suddenly started to sweat.

"Whoa, that was scary." I almost shook out of my chair.  "It was my first time talking with the student council president, she wore me out."

"Ah, Sangou-san is always..." Akane was also weary.

"She also attends the book committee meetings occasionally and it is a harsh thing.  When there is
a discrepancy in the budget no one is allowed to leave the meeting until... The committee members always give in, either to her forcefulness or her beauty."

That would be true, how would I be able to deal with her.  At least I was able to spend time with...

"I'm sorry," Sakura-san said.  

Why was she sorry?

"The thing is, I spoke to Shizuku-chan about the library.  I said Natsuru-san was there and suddenly she wanted to go with me to the boy's side..." 

That was a revelation, but more shocking was Sakura-san calling her '' 'Shizuku-chan.' ''

<!--136-->
Sakura-san noticed my shock.  "We've been friends since we were small.  I've called her Shizuku-chan since then."

"That's the first time I've heard that."

"We used to talk to each other often, but in elementary school a professional entertainment scout convinced her to go to a performing arts school.  But now we're together again."

The thought of Iron Star Academy's two top beauties being close friends was enough to inflate the imaginations of any male student.

Akane's expression made me feel she knew my thoughts.  If she were in fierce dog mode I'd already have a hole in my head.

"So Sakura-san, you came on an errand..."

"Oh, right!"  Sakura-san sat up in her chair and corrected her posture.

"In fact, that's why I was looking for Natsuru-san in the library."

"Ah."

"It is that..." for some reason she blushed. "Just a quick word... There is something personal I want to ask you."
<!--137-->

"Oh, uh..." Akane quietly rose from her chair.  "I should... just step outside for a moment," as she opened the door.

Huh?

Sakura-san silently mouthed the words '' 'thank-you' '' to Akane as she closed the door behind her.

"...Natsuru-san," she said formally.  

"Yes," I replied in similar formality.

"The person that I've been anxious to talk about..." 

She started to blush, leading me to only one conclusion. This must be a confession!  She was trying to be indirect.  Don't laugh, it has to be it.  Why else would she say 'the person that I've been anxious to talk about'?

"Since yesterday... I cannot get that person out of my mind..."

<!--138-->
Her face tipped down and she couldn't look directly at me.  I was having difficulty hiding my smile.  Hiding my smile was an unreasonable request.  I was rejoicing, one of the two campus beauties was about to confess to me.  If I died right then my short life would still be complete in happiness.

That would explain why Sakura-san was seeking me in the library, that was the reason.  She tried to find me, but because of the disturbance she never had the chance.

It was good that I hadn't been popular.  If I had been '' 'popular,' '' the popular Higashida would have never let me be alone with her.

When Higashida hears this news he'll have a heart attack.  My happiness is more important than that fool's life anyway. 

"It is that I..."  She was having trouble getting the words out.  Take your time Sakura-san, anytime was fine with me.

"Natsuru-san, what I'd like to know..."

"Yes?"

"Who is..."

"Eh?"

"...that woman?"

My eyes were blinking with surprise and Sakura-san leaned forward.

"That cool girl who saved me, I don't know her, but Natsuru-san does, right?"

<!--139-->
Her words struck me right between the eyes, hard.  Somehow I managed a reply.

"'' 'Cool girl' ''... do you mean the violent..."

"Not the one with the gun, the nice girl, the one who helped me."

"Eh?"

"She was wonderful and cool, but not very talkative."

"She... she is..." my head was confused.  If it wasn't Akane-san there was only one other person there.

"Please introduce me to her... her name is Natsuru-san!"

Sakura-san's eyes were beaming with joy.  In contrast I fell off my chair, lost for words.

<br /> <hr style="width:50%;" /> <br />