Editing Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 2 (section)

===Private Conversation with Sakura Kaede===

The door swung open with a thud.

"Alright—everyone, that's enough."

There was a round of applause, and perhaps because the entrance was perfectly timed, everyone fell silent.

It was Sakura Kaede.

"Natsuru-san has just returned from a leave of absence. Please don't cause her any trouble."

"Well...well...Sakura Kaede,"

the cautiously spoken Akane said.

"Senou-san is in our class... We just want to be friends with her... And someone from Class 2 is saying that..."

Though her tone was weak, her words were quite aggressive. The other girls chimed in, "Right, right," "That's right, Akane," and "I can sell you the amulet cheaply," though the accountant's last line was the one saying it.

Sakura Kaede firmly retorted,

"I can't stand by and watch Natsuru-san get into danger."

"It's not a real danger... Do you think you're the head of the Fuki department..."

"Shizuku asked me to look after Natsuru-san."

"Huh... Why would the student council president ask you to do something like that?"

"That's what she said."

Sakura Kaede forcibly pulled me away from the sea of women.

"Come on, Natsuru-san, I'll show you around the girls' section. This way, please."

She dragged me out of the classroom. The girls from Class 4 continued to complain, but with the door closed, I couldn't hear anything.

With her back to me, Sakura Kaede continued to pull me forward. Why did I let her pull me along so obediently? It was because I had no idea what was going on. I could hear Akane and Sakura Kaede's conversation clearly, but that was all. My head, though calm, was useless at this moment.

I was led to the end of the hallway.

"This is enough."

"This is the hallway... You said you were going to look after me..."

"That's a lie,"

Sakura Kaede said firmly.

"...Natsuru-san."

"Hurry,"

I replied blankly.

"I...finally see you."

She turned and looked at me, her eyes watery. Sakura Kaede's eyes looked like those of a child who's been using too many eye drops and is feeling the pain.

"I've been looking for you for ages... No matter how hard I try, I can't find Natsuru... This is the first time I've felt this lonely."

My heart ached slightly. He was such a jerk, leaving my beloved Sakura Kaede so lonely. As a man, how could I just sit back and watch this happen? But the awkward part was, discussing whether or not I was a man seemed pointless.

"When I heard from Shizuku that you were returning to school, I was so happy. I never thought I'd see Natsuru again... Oh, I'm sorry, we've only just met. You must think I'm a cheeky girl, right?"

Sakura Kaede lowered her head slightly.

"No, I don't think you're cheeky at all. On the contrary, I think you're cute. The problem is that student council president who made the reckless remarks."

"S-So... then..."

She began to shift restlessly, her movements becoming odd.

"About that date before... that thing I told you about... do you still remember it?"

Here it comes, my mind goes off into a panic. Oh no, it's the aftermath of that last time.

That time, it was dropped because Shizuku messed things up, but it's still unresolved because I haven't replied to her yet. But this time, I really can't escape it.

It's better to refuse. I did think about "rejecting her—" last time, but with Sakura Kaede in front of me, I don't know what to do. I'm afraid it will trigger a chain reaction of "rejection → harm." If that happens, the consequences will be very frustrating.

How could I possibly dislike Sakura Kaede? As a man, I really like her. I'd rather say I'd date her. While our needs and needs are the same, there seems to be a slight discrepancy regarding gender.

Sakura Kaede seemed to want to continue. Oh no, at a time like this, I can only resort to the ninjutsu of stalling.

"Now... it's class time."

"First period today is a class meeting, and ours has already ended. It's okay."

What are you talking about? What the hell is this school thinking? They just want students to study until they die.

Sakura Kaede suddenly smiled at me.

"Natsuru-san...it's just the two of us now."

She's so enthusiastic! Although I've known her since junior high, I never imagined she was so passionate about love. On the contrary, there's even a rumor that "Sakura Kaede isn't interested in love."

Oh, so that's why. While she might not be interested in boys, it's different with girls. That seems a bit strange, though.

"Well...about that before...your answer is..."

Ah—my heart is already leaping out of my mouth. I can't take it anymore. I've reached nowhere to escape. Ah, God, Buddha, even that new religion that's on the rise these days, someone please save me.

My wish reaches the heavens.

The bracelet begins to glow rapidly.

"...Ah!"

Sakura Kaede also looks surprised.

"Eh... Natsuru-san, something's glowing..."

God help me, the moment I thought that, I realized it wasn't the case. Wasn't this a sign of turning back into a boy?

I glanced around, but there was no one else besides Sakura Kaede. The flashes were accelerating, leaving no time for hesitation.

I rushed out.

"... Natsuru-san!"

Sakura Kaede was startled. Oh no, I wondered if I'd ever get a chance to apologize.