Editing Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 3 (section)

=== Aftermath and New Alliances ===
[[File:23753.jpg|thumb|Akane visits Natsuru at home, looking concerned while holding the Seppuku Black Rabbit.]]
For the next few days, I didn't go to the girls' club, only traveling back and forth between my home and the boys' club. The photo finally arrived, and when I gave it to Higashida, he was overjoyed. He's such a carefree guy.

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'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.

I was just thinking of letting out a rant, but when I told Seppuku Tiger about it, he just burst out laughing.

"Hahahahaha, your situation is several times worse than before."

"I know that even if you don't tell me."

"Where do you want to start?"

"No one, I guess. If I had to, I'd probably start with the enemy."

There was nothing else to do; just defeating her would be enough, and I'd feel much more relaxed.

"That's true, but leaving it alone for other things would be frustrating."

"Yeah."

I'd know that even if the doll hadn't mentioned it. It seems that the Entrails Animals have a new series called "The Twelve Spiny Mouse Brothers." These brightly colored mice, pierced from head to toe by stakes, are adorning toy stores. One day, they'll probably be pulled down because they're disgusting. I wonder if Sakura Kaede will buy one.

Just then, the doorbell rang. A visitor. Lately, Kondou Mikoto has been coming in without a word, so someone so polite is a novelty.

"I'm here."

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.

"Well... well... I have something to say."

"Ah, come in."

I took her to my room. I had been here several times before, and Akane seemed to be used to it.

"Hey, Kirito, how are you?"

"How's yours, Kirito?"

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.

Akane also brought a snack with her.

"This... is just a little thing..."

"Don't be so polite, what's wrong?"

"Well... there's something at school..."

As expected, it must be that.

"Ah, you mean the newspaper..."

"..."

"That report is completely fake. Look, isn't Masumi Nishino from the news agency? They did an interview, but it's all fabricated..."

"Yeah, I know that,"

Akane bluntly interrupted me.

"What I'm talking about is the girls who read the report. It caused quite a stir..."

"I thought so."

"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..."

It was ten times more exciting than a rock concert.

"Even though we've said several times that she's not here today, everyone's still so excited, saying you're hiding her..."

Actually, it wasn't wrong. It wasn't that I was hiding her. It was just that I was in the boys' department.

"Did it bother you?"

"It was really terrible..."

"What about the girls in class?"

"The girls in Class 4 are very strong. Even when Natsuru-san isn't around, they're all very lively together. They even started selling photos."

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,

according to her, the girls who were paying attention to me were divided into two groups.

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.

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.

Speaking of underground clubs, the "Sisterhood with Natsuru-sama" and the "Senou Observation Friendship Club" immediately popped up. Incidentally, Class 2, Grade 4 isn'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.

Beneath her apprehension, she looked restless.

"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."

"Who is it?"

"Sakura Kaede..."

"Huh?"

Sakura Kaede was here too. I didn't expect her to come see me after being so badly injured by Shizuku earlier.

I don't know how she pulled herself together again, but it was so wonderful. My heart felt instantly cleansed. Even though I wasn't the one who hurt her, she'd risen from that inexplicable situation that was, I don't know, hell on earth. In other words, she'd been resurrected. Yes, resurrected, or even reincarnated if you want.

"I was caught by Sakura Kaede... well..."

"...she asked me to let her meet you."

"That's it..."

Akane said, looking apologetic.

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...

I should still meet her. I want to see Sakura Kaede, who has stood up again. Let's put the confession aside for now.

"But... Sakura Kaede didn't want to see Natsuru-san..."

"What?"

"Ah... sorry, not the female Natsuru, she wanted to see the male Natsuru."

That doesn't bother me at all. What's wrong?

"Well... there's some strange rumors going around about a female Natsuru..."

"I already know about Lily's suspicions."

"It's not that..."

Akane seemed hesitant to tell me. Was it about Sakura Kaede again?

Suddenly, someone ran up the stairs. She was the only one who could have opened the locked door without permission.

The door swung open with a bang.

"Natsuru!"

Kondou Mikoto rushed in.

"You're back after all... Oh, little Akane's here too."

"Hello..."

Akane lowered her head timidly.

"What are you guys doing?"

"I have something to say..."

"Are you and Natsuru close enough to hang out in his room?"

"Yeah, sort of..."

Kondou Mikoto looked unconvinced, looking from Akane to me. I couldn't tell from her expression what she was thinking, but it must be something unimportant or crazy.

"Ah, never mind. Compared to that, Natsuru hasn't been to school in the past few days."

Since Akane didn't say anything, I had to answer.

"I know."

"There was such a commotion in the girls' section today, I think she's hiding. What a smart girl!"

I didn't mean to belittle myself, but that wasn't the case.

"So what?"

"Didn't I ask you guys before to uncover the true identity of the female Natsuru? I need your help."

"There's nothing we can do if she doesn't come to school."

"She will definitely come. If she takes another leave of absence, she won't have enough credits. She will definitely come to school."

This girl's lines are full of confidence. It'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 "this" direction, and she actually got it right. This woman is like a carrier pigeon.

"I want to follow the female Natsuru and investigate some things about her."

"You're really enthusiastic. I guess a guy like you can't help much."

"We're short-staffed, so you have to come too. Akane, you too."

"I...I want one too..."

Akane pointed at herself, looking surprised.

"Masumi Nishino told me she's probably your friend, right? Didn't you go shopping together last time?"

"Were we really friends? We've only met a few times..."

So, it seems there was a question of whether or not to buy clothes, and Masumi Nishino was there at the time.

"Do you know where the girl named Natsuru lives?"

"I don't know..."

"What else? Her interests, or her family?"

Akane shook her head, and so did I.

"Well...don'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."

"...well..."

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.

"It's decided."

Kondou Mikoto made her conclusion even though nothing had been decided.

"Let's investigate the Natsuru girl's case together, the three of us. Let's get it out in the open."

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.

Having given up, I asked her.

"When do we start?"

"Tomorrow morning,"

Kondou Mikoto replied.

"Meet at this house."

The result was like drawing a bad fortune for me.