Kämpfer:Volume 8 Chapter 3

Volume 8, Chapter 3  

    When I woke up, I was already in my own bed. My own bed was in the room I'd originally

planned to spend the night in, so nothing strange there.  

    My upper body got up first, huh? I haven't changed my clothes yet. I'd planned to wear

either a T -shirt or a bathrobe to bed, so why is that?  

    It seems I fell asleep that evening. I wonder how tired I was. I didn't do any strenuous

exercise, but swimming requires all the muscles in your body, so that must be the reason.  

    A glance at the clock beside my pillow showed it was already six in the morning. Wow, isn't

it morning already? And it's bright through the curtains.  

    I quietly got out of bed.  

    "Ah..."  

    There was movement in the bed next to me.  

    "Natsuru -san...  

    ?" "Sorry to wake you?"  

    "It's okay..."  

    Akane peeked halfway out from under the covers.  

    "Are you feeling better...?"  

    "You are?"  

    I tilted my head in confusion.  

    "Natsuru -san, didn't you collapse? The president brought you here..."  

    "When?"  

    "In the evening..."  

    "Really?"  

    I can't quite remember it. Now, I vaguely remember going into the next room, but I have

no idea what happened after that. My stomach is aching a little, could that be related? I

remember falling asleep straight after coming out of the bathhouse.  

    "Wake up...?"  

    "Yeah, I'd like to sleep a little longer." Anyway, I was awake  

    . It's still early for breakfast, so I'll open the curtains.  

    The morning sun is so bright. It would be nice to go for a jog, but I don't like running, so

even if it's not pleasant, I don't mind.  

    "Um... Natsuru -san..."  

    "Yes, yes."  

    "Please don't turn around."  

    "Why?"  

    "I need to change."  

    Oh—okay, okay. I did as she asked. The sound of rustling fabric came from behind me, and

I just kept looking out the window.  

    Back at the hot springs, she and I, naked (even though I'm a woman), were in the same

bath. Compared to changing clothes, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. This aspect

of her psychology is truly baffling.  

    "...Alright,"  

    she said, turning around, already dressed for the day. She seemed unconvinced for some

reason.  

    "...Natsuru -san, you wouldn't peek at a girl changing clothes, would you?"  

    I think the transformed Akane had said the same thing.  

    "Right? I still have my own body, after all."  

    I wouldn't stare at my own body, either. I'm currently incapable of such twisted narcissism.  

    Akane looked up at me.  

    "If it were Kaede Sakura, would you have looked...?" "  

    Hmm—I want to, but I can't."  

    She's my angel, after all, and I still have the idea that it's advisable to admire from a

distance, not to touch. I want to peek at her changing clothes, but I don't want to. My

deification mentality is quite severe.  

    Akane continued hesitantly.  

    "Could it be...could it be...if it was the president...you would have looked..."  

    "Absolutely not,"  

    she shook her head. How could that be possible? Back at the hot springs, I didn't even look

her in the eye. I have a feeling that if I watch her change clothes, something incredibly

unfortunate will befall me that day, like my house burning down.  

    "...?"  

    My face twitched.  

    "What's wrong?"  

    "Nothing... a headache." I  

    felt a sharp pain in my head just now, and it happens whenever I mention Shizuku. That girl

is truly my unlucky messenger.  

    Akane, probably thinking of me, changed the subject.  

    "By the way... Natsuru -san, something strange happened in the evening."  

    "Is it when I was lying down?"  

    "Yes... the dolls were in front of the door."  

    "The viscera dolls?"  

    "Yes, they disappeared, so Kondou -san and I went looking for them, and somehow we

found them lying by the door..."  

    What the hell? So I checked to see where they were. Since  

    I didn't see them in the room, I guess they must be in the bag —and so it happened. Pulling

out the seppuku tiger, Akane also took out the seppuku Kuro Rabbit.  

    "Get up!"  

    "...Okay, okay."  

    The seppuku tiger opened its eyes. It didn't matter, but it turns out dolls sleep too.  

    "Hmm? It's still so early, what's wrong with you, Natsuru? You seem so out of shape."  

    "So annoying! I heard you weren't here yesterday?" "  

    It seems so."  

    "Where were you?"  

    "I don't know, I don't remember. I think I fell asleep while chatting with Black Rabbit, and

when I came to, I was at the door."  

    "Really..."  

    Just as I was about to accept it, I suddenly remembered.  

    "Ah! You were in my bag when I went to the hot springs, right?!"  

    "Really?"  

    "Yeah! Then what happened? I felt like my bag was lighter. Did you go somewhere?"  

    "I don't remember anything."  

    Black Rabbit, who had committed seppuku, gave the same answer. He even said, "Natsuru,

have you finally lost your mind?" Damn it.  

    It seems something happened somewhere I don't know about. What is this "something"?

It's like I don't know what it is.  

    I went to the hot springs yesterday, and something bordered on sexual harassment

happened. Then I went back to my room, and then I don't know what happened after that. I

heard I collapsed, and then I woke up in my bed. I'm not in a position to talk abo ut seppuku.  

    I can't think of anything even if I rack my brains. I don't have much confidence in my

memory.  

    I never get the "Look at this picture for ten seconds, then find the difference in the next

picture" question right.  

    I've made countless excuses like, "This picture seems a little crooked." I was fretting over

this when the phone in my room rang.  

    "Hey, hey, hey."  

    (It's me.)  

    It's Mikoto Kondou, and she's still so loud, which is a relief in a way.  

    (Let's go get breakfast.)  

    Is it already this late? It's already past seven.  

    "You're going to make it, aren't you?"  

    (Why do I have to cook for you at the hotel? Are you craving curry so badly?)  

    "No."  

    (I'll make it for you next time.)  

    I said, "I'll go right away, but no curry," and hung up.  

    After tidying up, I called Akane to the hallway. The three people from the next room were

already outside.  

    "Good morning, Natsuru -san,"  

    Kaede Sakura lowered her head, and I replied, "Good morning." Kaede Sakura's politeness

is the most beautiful thing about her. Shizuku, on the other hand, looked at me with a

complicated expression. What's going on?  

    On the way to the cafeteria, Mikoto Kondou whispered to me.  

    "Hey, did you do something to the president?"  

    "Why are you asking?"  

    "You collapsed, didn't you? In our room? I asked if we should call an ambulance or

something, but the president said it was okay."  

    "It's okay, huh?"  

    I didn't feel any discomfort anywhere, and the pain in my stomach had long since subsided.  

    "But when they moved you to your room, the president kept saying, 'Isn't it a pity?'" What

the

    hell? I didn't do anything to make her feel sorry.  

    I told Mikoto Kondou it was just Shizuku's own mindset. With her overwhelming workload

at school, it's not surprising she's a little nervous.  

    Mikoto Kondou cursed, "You're really uncultured," but didn't say anything else.  

    Breakfast was, as expected, a buffet. Unlike dinner, there weren't any formal dishes. It's

true that only Americans eat steak so early in the morning. Is that just prejudice?  

    Entering the cafeteria, I began to place my chosen dishes on the tray: rice and miso soup,

seaweed and eggs, dried fish and mixed radish, scrambled eggs, sausage. It might be a fusion

of Japanese and Western, but this is a typical Japanese breakfast.  

    Kaede Sakura chose toasted bread, while Akane had rice and miso soup like me. Shizuku

mainly ate fruit and salad, while Mikoto Kondou was the only one who kept yelling, "No

curry?" She's hopeless.  

    Everyone sat down at a table and began a leisurely breakfast.  

    "I had a really good time yesterday,"  

    Kaede Sakura said as she ate her bread. "You're right, though I don't remember much."  

    Mikoto Kondou and Akane had subtle expressions. "Hey, hey, hey, Kaede Sakura has

spoken. Shizuku is still the same. That's just the way she is.  

    "Let's go swimming today too."  

    "Sorry, I can't,"  

    Shizuku said.  

    "Shizuku, it's summer vacation now."  

    "I have student council work tomorrow, I have to go back and prepare."  

    Oh, this woman can't escape the constraints of school even on her days off. It's quite

pitiful.  

    Shizuku is incredibly trusted by everyone in the school, so she's always the one to solve

problems, big and small. The key is that she always handles things well. It's rumored she

even had a standoff with the Yakuza.  

    "No... Shizuku, why don't you stay?"  

    "No, by the way, Kaede, why don't you come tomorrow? Didn't you say you were

interested in student council work?"  

    "I did..."  

    Kaede Sakura puffed out her cheeks. This is a perfectly normal reaction for someone

whose entertainment has been interrupted; students naturally prioritize having fun.  

    "It's a rare opportunity for us all to play together." "  

    What a shame."  

    "Shizuku, are you leaving your boyfriend here?"  

    Wait a minute, who are you referring to as boyfriend? It can't be me, can it? That chef who

was just restocking the dishes?  

    "My boyfriend wouldn't mind. He might even find peace and quiet without me."  

    "Natsuru -san, you're too cold. You should have asked Shizuku to stay."  

    While it's true that I find peace and quiet without her, please don't spread weird rumors.  

    "It's not a boyfriend..."  

    "Aren't you going to date Shizuku? I sent a text message to my friends at school saying

Shizuku has a boyfriend."  

    "Ah—— !"

    I couldn't help but scream in shock.  

    After all, this is the act of a demon. Although there is no harm, it is a demon. Could it be

that Kaede Sakura is actually the incarnation of a demon? Although this setting is very cool,

just like the characters in the comics.  

    "No, no, no, Kaede Sakura... this is too..."  

    "Everyone will be surprised if the super popular student council president has a

boyfriend."  

    Of course, even I am surprised.  

    But then again, how destructive is this? Akane was stunned and lost, and Mikoto Kondou

was stunned with a bite of cucumber pickles. Who did her friends notify? I hope it doesn't

spread.  

    Shizuku said, "This is a bit of a hassle."  

    "Did it bother you?"  

    "I don't mind, but Senou -san will be envied." She might  

    even get killed by those "fan clubs scolded by Shizuku Sangou" and "fan clubs who will kill

anyone who gets close to her to protect the sacred Shizuku -sama." Besides, these are made -

up charges. There's nothing between Shizuku and me. I really want to g o on NHK and prove

my innocence to the nation.  

    But Kaede Sakura completely ignored me and expressed understanding.  

    "It's true that Shizuku is very popular."  

    "I have no opinion on that."  

    "Natsuru -san, if anything happens, please tell me, and I'll tell those people seriously,

'Natsuru -san is going out with Shizuku, and you can't interfere.'"  

    That's not the case, wuwu.  

    What's this nightmare all about? If this keeps going on, it might lead to a real relationship,

and that's the one thing I absolutely don't want. In what world would someone swim into a

shark's mouth?  

    The cold -blooded student council president remained calm. Doesn't he have any human

blood in his veins?  

    "Well, I have work this time. I'll stay with my boyfriend next time."  

    So, forget about boyfriends.  

    "If you're interested in the student council, come,"  

    Shizuku said to Kaede Sakura.  

    "Can I only go tomorrow?"  

    "I'll be at school for most of the week, and I have a lot to deal with."  

    Busy? Serves you right. My earlier sympathy vanished. This is what you get for casually

treating someone as your boyfriend.  

    Kaede Sakura turned to me.  

    "Natsuru -san, isn't the female Natsuru -san coming today?"  

    Such abrupt question left me at a loss for words.  

    "Uh, well, probably not."  

    Constantly transforming is too much trouble, and swimsuits and all that are a hassle.

Changing into casual clothes in my female form will be even more troublesome. Just in case,

I'll also need to prepare some women's underwear, which I'm carrying in my  bag. If my

luggage gets checked while I'm in male form, I'll be in trouble.  

    "How could that be? We were just playing together in the bathhouse yesterday,"  

    she puffed out her cheeks. "This and that, I guess it was just me who got raped yesterday.  

    " Kaede Sakura was still mumbling something like, "I was planning on buying a waterproof

camera..." This was terrifying. What would have happened if she'd used that thing in the hot

springs yesterday?  

    "She doesn't seem to like swimming that much."  

    "Is that so... I was thinking of asking her to teach me how to swim?"  

    Kaede Sakura wasn't completely incapable of swimming. I guess she just wanted to touch

me, a woman. What was she planning to do in public?  

    "Senou -san, what are you doing? Are you still playing?"  

    Shizuku asked me.  

    "What should I do..."  

    "Yes, I know how to play..."  

    Akane finally got a word in.  

    "It's a rare opportunity, let's swim a little longer..."  

    "But it's almost time to check out of the hotel."  

    "You can leave your luggage here until this afternoon, let's go swimming..."  

    Mikoto Kondou also said, "I want to swim too!" Well, fine. "  

    Then let's swim!"  

    After saying this, Akane's face immediately lit up. Is she really that happy?  

    "Indeed, this is right,"  

    Shizuku said. Why do you have to decide whether it's right or not?  

    "Then Shizuku and I will go prepare for tomorrow's work."  

    Huh? It was me who made that sound. Shizuku continued.  

    "Oh, are you interested in the student union?"  

    "A little bit."  

    "I'm very ruthless with my employees. Maybe I'll have you come every day of the week."  

    I think so. I don't know much about the student union, but the working conditions there

must be so harsh that even "The Tragedy of Female Workers" would pale in comparison.

Kaede Sakura, you'd better get evidence and report her. (Note: "The Lament of F emale

Workers" is a nonfiction book about the exploitation and abuse of female workers.)  

    "It's okay,"  

    Kaede Sakura said.  

    "Then thank you."  

    Shizuku was fine, but what about me? What about the happy time I'd had with Kaede

Sakura?  

    "Kaede Sakura, are you going home?"  

    "I'm sorry, but if Natsuru -san isn't here, I'll still..."  

    "..."

    "If you see Natsuru -san, please tell her to come play with me next time." Her  

    straightforward words left me speechless. Hmm, is my male self really that different from

my female self? I was so enthusiastic watching the fireworks. Hmm  

    ? Fireworks? Something poked its head out from the depths of my memory. Oh, what

happened? Was it something good? I couldn't quite  

    recall. Oh, it didn't matter. I put the dried fish and the mixed radish on my rice and

devoured it in one gulp.  

    Mm, it tasted pretty good. Hotels these days are really meticulous even with their buffets.

I've heard on TV that hotels are spending a lot of money on food and beverages.  

    For some reason, Shizuku kept watching me while I ate.  

    "Swimming's fine, but Akane Mishino, be careful about Senou -san."  

    "Hmm...?"  

    Akane tilted her head.  

    "He has a surprisingly beastly side."  

    What was this woman talking about? I always believed I was the reincarnation of a British

gentleman.  

    "Beast... President, did he do anything to you?"  

    "No, I shouldn't have."  

    That "probably" is suspicious. Well, I don't remember much, so it's definitely not true.  

    "He's a man after all, so I'd better be careful."  

    "If he did anything to me... it wouldn't be so hard..."  

    Akane's heart began to sink. It seemed the trap had been opened again. To her, all of Japan

was a bottomless swamp.  

    My mind was filled with doubts (had there ever been a time when I didn't have doubts

before?). Breakfast was over, and everyone began to prepare to go home.  

    I took my luggage to the lobby, and after a while, they all came out. The girls were all

wearing different clothes from yesterday. Girls rarely wear the same clothes. I'm a man and

I'm also very timid, so I wore the same clothes as yesterday. That's fi ne.

    I left my luggage at the front desk and said goodbye to Shizuku and Kaede Sakura.  

    "Then we'll be leaving first."  

    "Goodbye,"  

    Shizuku waved, and Kaede Sakura bowed her head politely. I said, "See you next time," and

watched Kaede Sakura disappear from my sight. Shizuku, get out of here!  

    "Okay, now that no one's messing around, let's have fun!"  

    Mikoto Kondou said loudly, stretching her arms. "Hey, hey, hey, what are you talking

about?"  

    This childhood friend turned his head left and right.  

    "Ah~ My shoulders are stiff. When Kaede Sakura is around, I have to worry about Natsuru.

It'd be bad if the Kempfer incident got out."  

    "That's true..."  

    Akane agreed.  

    "When the president is around, I can't beat her."  

    "I agree..."  

    What are you talking about? Nodding so enthusiastically. If you want to criticize Shizuku,

that's totally fine, I'll join in, but you won't be allowed to say anything bad about Kaede

Sakura.  

    "Let's go swimming with Natsuru!"  

    "Uh... just asking if it means swimming with a guy."  

    "That's nonsense,"  

    Mikoto Kondou said. "Stupid!"  

    "You're going to be a guy all day today."  

    I breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time, I felt a little grateful to Mikoto Kondou.  

    The weather was sunny today, hot but comfortable.  

    After quickly changing in the locker room, I jumped into the pool. Splash!  

    Mikoto Kondou dragged Akane around. The theme park is huge, so there's probably a lot

to see. Aren't they going to swim? Are they going to have a marathon?  

    Anyway, I can finally relax completely after a long time. It's a bit of a shame that Kaede

Sakura isn't     here, but I didn't expect Shizuku's absence to be so refreshing.  

    Many guys keep calling Shizuku     "Shizuku -sama,"     but I completely don't understand

what's so great about that guy.     Sure, she's beautiful and has a great figure, but she's a

monster. I     've been raped by someone like that until now, and the re     's no other way to

describe it except unfortunate. Can I get my life over again ? Give     me a reset button?

"Wooo ...     "Thank... Thank you..."     "Are you okay?"     "Yes..."     Mikoto Kondou was such

an idiot, she only cared about herself. H er mindset was, "If I'm okay, then no one else will be

either." She was a high school girl, roaming around in the desert and rainforest. Most

humans couldn't keep up with her.     Akane and I sat by the pool.     "I'll teach you how to

swim later."     "Ah ... Okay, thank you." She     half -bowed. She looked like a good girl, a world

away from that bulldog girl, but if I put it that way, I'd be a woman.     The two of us just sat

there, splashing our feet in the water. It was meaningless.     "Natsuru -san...  are you

bored...?"     Akane asked a strange question.     "No, I'm not. What's wrong?"     "Because

Kaede Sakura and the president aren't here, I wonder if it's boring to miss you..."     "No,

that's not the case. It's a shame that Kaede Sakura isn't her e, but it's great that Shizuku isn't

here."     "That's great..."     She sighed in relief.     "I was wondering what I'd do if you said it

wasn't the president..."     "Didn't I already tell you I'm not interested?"     "When the

president brought the unconscious Natsuru -san over here, my heart skipped a beat."     

"Why? Did the president do something to me?"     "No... what if something strange

happened in that room..."     "What strange thing?"     "Uh... in bed with the presiden t...

something like that," she muttered,     blushing.     "No, no,"     I smiled and shook my head.

How could I possibly push her down? Even if that was the case, it was Shizuku who held me

back, which was too weird. The only possibility I could imagine w as that she fought back and

I fainted or something. I don't remember that at all.     "I'm not attracted to those kinds of

beautiful women."     "But she has a nice body..."     "I'd rather sleep with a doll."     Even

more baffled was why she'd called me her boyfriend. It's not too late now, could you please

correct me?     "You two even kissed..."     "Just think of it as a dog bite. You'll forget it."     "Is

that... what you really mean..."     "Yes,"     she said firmly. Then, Akane, seemingly having

made up her mind, spoke.     "Well, then, what do you think of me?" "     ?"     "I'll replace the

president, or something..."     "Are you running for student council president?"     "No, I'll

replace the president and become Natsuru -san's... well... girlf riend..."     The last part of her

sentence was almost lost, or perhaps it had already disappeared.     "Girl?"     "Girlfriend..."     

"Akane, do you have a girlfriend?"     "No, that's not true! I mean, please let me be your

girlfriend!"     Her sudden, loud words sent me stumbling, nearly falling into the pool.     

Fortunately, she managed to catch herself. Akane's face flushed red, as if she were regretting

something.     What's a girlfriend? It's unusual for the usually timid librarian to say something  

like that. This is, you know, a punishment game.     "Wait, stop joking."     "How can you joke

about something like that..."     "Huh? This is a punishment game, right? Whose idea was it,

Higashida?"     "No..."     Oh, then it seems she's been coerced b y someone quite sinister. This

is truly unforgivable.     "Natsuru -kun, didn't you say I'm your type?..."     "I did say that."     

"So, um, it doesn't matter if it's not the president or Kaede Sakura... I also..."     This is really

hard to deal with.     My gray brain cells have already seen through this as a punishment

game. Seeing how tough Akane is, it's clear that she's been coerced into being tough. She

even threatened the girl who would become Kempfer. I smell a conspiracy.     There really are

such  wicked people in the world. I'm really angry.     Her face continued to blush, her

shoulders heaving. It seemed that I put a lot of effort into saying this. I tried to speak in a

gentle voice.     "It's okay, Akane."     "Eh...?"     "I'll do my best to h elp you, I will."     "...Does

that mean you're okay?"     "I'll ask the others too. I'll definitely find the guy who made such

an unreasonable request and make him apologize. I've wronged you before then."     "...I

don't quite understand what's going on,  but I understand, Natsuru -san, you must have made

a mistake..." "     The final showdown will come after summer vacation. Until then, let's forget

all these unpleasant moments together."     "Wow... I want to forget too..."     I declared my

resolve, and for some reason, Akane seemed disappointed.     Anyway, that was it. All that

was left was to investigate after summer vacation. Bullying such an honest girl is

unforgivable.     As I thought about this, looking at the pool —something like a torpedo

rushed towards me, riding the white waves.     "Oh my god!"     Mikoto Kondou screamed,

slamming into the edge of the pool.     "That hurts!"     she said as she surfaced. I was

completely speechless.     "That's nonsense! Can't you just turn or stop?"     "That' s more

comfortable,"     she said with a bright smile. "You're really a cockroach."     "Oh my... Akane,

you look listless."     "Nothing..."     "What's wrong?"     "No..."     "Oh, it's Natsuru's fault     ,

isn't it?" Mikoto Kondou, who hadn't heard anything, understood everything on her own. I

quickly corrected her.     "No, Akane, it's because of that awful punishment game..."     "That's

right, it's all Natsuru -san's fault..."     Akane muttered. What?     Mikoto Kondou nodded

heavily.     "I suppose so. It' s that thing after all. Did he say something hurtful to a girl's

feelings again?" "     I wouldn't do such a cruel thing."     But Akane beside me nodded

slightly. Eh? Are you trying to defend those who forced the punishment game on you?     "As

expected, Natsuru! This idiot is more insensitive than a hippopotamus. How can he possibly

understand a girl's feelings?"     After spouting off, she emerged from the pool.     "Come on,

Akane. I'll buy you some juice,"     Mikoto Kondou said, heading for the cantee n.     I wanted

to protest her slander, but since Mikoto Kondou even bought me one, I let it go. Very good,

keep it up.     Seeing that there were chairs with parasols, the three of us sat down.     The

sun was still very strong, worthy of being summer.     Akane sipped the orange juice, and she

was much calmer than before, but she looked at me with resentment from time to time.     

Mikoto Kondou also muttered to herself, "How to be a good woman".     "Sure enough, if we

want to fight against the president,  we have to be like that, that is, to be a woman with

highlights."     Mikoto Kondou crossed her arms and said, what is a woman with highlights.     

"Is it your specialty nonsense again?"     "Don't think you can say whatever you want just

because you are childhood sweethearts."     "Aren't you good at tomb raiding, smuggling,

and reselling?"     "I only do illegal things occasionally, and I don't mean these. I mean the

kind that can firmly grasp a man's heart."     What's going on? Akane was also nodding t here.     

"If this goes on, only the president will benefit..."     "We can't compete with her in terms of

figure or allure. We need to catch up in terms of intelligence."     Akane aside, how are you?

This girl's academic performance is definitely not the  best, but then again, if the world were

to end right now, this woman would undoubtedly be the one to survive. It's heartbreaking.

Learning and life can't be mixed. "Why are     you going to fight the president?"     "If I don't,

I'll be at a disadvantage. "     "What?"     "...I really want to carve your insensitivity into a stone

tablet and display it in an art museum."     Mikoto Kondou, as usual, was full of disparaging

remarks. "Do you hate me that much     ?" "So, how do you plan to achieve this goal?"  "     

Hmm..."     She crossed her arms again, lost in thought. "You haven't thought about this

before.     " "...What about the student council?"     "Huh?"     The unexpected answer made

me groan, and Akane was stunned.     "Joining the student council w ill make me famous as an

elite among high school girls. Maybe sooner or later I'll be selected as one of the top ten

beauties in Star Railway, what do you think?"     "What's the big deal?"     What's the point of

your theory that "as long as you join a go od company, you can be popular with men"? If that

were true, so many people wouldn't be working so hard.     Mikoto Kondou seemed very

dissatisfied.     "Natsuru, do you object?"     "Not really, that requires an election,"     I asked,

and Akane answered.      "If it's in the form of assistance, it doesn't matter if there is no

election."     "Oh, that's it,"     Mikoto Kondou clapped her hands like a sumo wrestler.     "Go

ahead, sneak into the student council and find the president's weakness."     "Hey, your goal

has changed."     "It's just splitting it in two. That way, even if one fails, there's still some

wiggle room. I never thought I could come up with such a brilliant plan. Akane, why don't

you join the student council?"     "I'm... the librarian..."     She  said she couldn't have a part -

time job.     "Although I'm occasionally asked to help..." "     That's fine. The president will be

going to school all the time starting tomorrow, so let's go too." "     What do you mean by

'we'     ?" "That includes you,"     Mikoto Kondou explained matter -of-factly, explaining the

structure of this guy's brain.     Akane asked hesitantly.     "Well... what about me..."     "Of

course you're included too."     "...Uh..."     "Got it? Let's go to school then,"     Mikoto Kon dou

declared loudly. That's how dictators make decisions, without a second thought for us

civilians.     Several days passed.     Mikoto Kondou kept talking about "school, school," but I

ignored her. Why are you still looking for trouble during summer vaca tion?     Besides, this

and that with Higashida and the others is so tiring. It doesn't matter now. I'll probably tell

you all about it sooner or later.     I woke up after a deep sleep. My fatigue from swimming

had clearly long since subsided, yet I was s till able to sleep so soundly. Could it be a mental

issue? After all, I've been so exhausted lately. It's     a rarity for a lazy sleeper like me; I've

been waking up early these past few days. This is a rare summer vacation, so I can't do it this

way. I'l l have to stay up even later next time.     I rolled over and emerged from the covers.     

"I'm up,"     I said to the doll on the table, but there was no response.     "Hello?"     "...Ah,

yes,"     Seppuku Tiger finally spoke. He'd become taciturn since returning from the theme

park.     "What were you daydreaming about?"     "Yeah, why? I always find it so cumbersome

to talk."     You're so lazy, you wouldn't be so lazy to speak.     "Is your lifespan up?"     "Do

dolls have lifespans? It's just strange,  you seem so clear -headed even though you're

daydreaming." "     That's contradictory."     "Maybe there's some new order."     

"Order...mediator?"     "I'm not sure about that,"     Seppuku Tiger's response was ambiguous.     

What new orders could there b e at this critical juncture? I was only told to fight, not given

any instructions. He didn't say anything when the white Kempfer appeared.     I shook my

head. Nothing's happened yet, so I'll just forget it. I want to enjoy this rare vacation in peace.

Going to the theme park for a few days always ends in a fight. Okay     , what should I do

now? Speaking of which, we were still debating whether to go to school at the pool. On

second thought, I don't want to. Who would want a place like that?     Suddenly, the door on

the first floor slammed.     "Hey, hey, hey~ Natsuru!"     It was Mikoto Kondou, and I hurriedly

opened the door.     "What are you doing?"     "Good morning, aren't we going to school?" I     

glanced at him, seeing he was wearing a school unif orm. Eh?     "Come with me! Don't tell

me you forgot."     "Come with..."     "Auntie's here too!"     The girl with glasses peeked out

from behind her and nodded slightly. Sure enough, she was in a school uniform too.     "Hurry

up and change your clothes  too!"     "Shut up! Got it." After all     this fuss, we're finally going.     

"I haven't had breakfast yet, wait     a minute." "Haven't you? You're so late."     "I just got

up."     "I guessed it, so I'm ready."     Mikoto Kondou smiled as she pulled o ut a container

wrapped in a plastic bag. You could tell what was inside without even looking.     "...Curry?"     

"You guessed right~"     Before I could say anything, Mikoto Kondou entered the room.

Having no choice but to let Akane in as well,     Mikoto  Kondou immediately set to work in

the kitchen.     "It's beef curry~"     "Anything's fine."     I felt like I'd tried every kind of curry in

Japan; I wouldn't be surprised if it came out as diamond curry or tungsten curry.     "I'm so

sorry..."     Akane was embarrassed.     "It's okay. I t's hard for you to be dragged along by

Mikoto Kondou."     "No... I was saying, if we go today, I should invite Natsuru -san too. I really

want everyone to be together..."     Hmm, is she the type who gets uneasy without someone

she knows? Is the atmospher e in the student council really different from that of the

librarian?     "Will the president be here?"     "It seems she is. Kondou -kun has already called

to confirm."     Is her antagonism towards Shizuku really that strong? What's the reason? Is it

related to me?     Women's minds are as unpredictable as the sea. Although I can also

transform into a woman in appearance, I'm still far from being able to reach her level.

Although I feel like if I could reach her level, it wouldn't be that bad.     "It's he ated up~"     

Mikoto Kondou's voice came from the kitchen, and I started to eat breakfast.     The smell of

curry wafted through us as we walked towards school. The smell of curry on my uniform was

definitely not my fault.     Arriving at Seitetsu Academy,  there was no need to show up in

other classrooms, so I headed straight for the Student Council office.     I knocked and

opened the door, and Shizuku was there, dressed in her formal school uniform. At the theme

park, she was a movie star in a swimsuit, b ut today she was the capable Student Council

President.     "Ah..."     She seemed a little surprised, probably not at seeing me, but at the

two people behind her.     "What's up with you all?"     "Well, I wanted to see the president at

work."     Actuall y, I didn't want to come at all.     "It's me, it's me, I'm the one who's got

something to do,"     Mikoto Kondou raised her hand.     "I want to help the president, and so

does Akane Mishino ."     My hand was also raised, which was a tragedy.     Shizuku 's

expression remained unchanged.     "I've asked Akane Mishino for help a few times, and you,

too, Kondou -san?"     "Oh my god~ I want to be a good woman~"     This is getting more and

more impressive the more I hear. After all, this woman went to the Ama zon with the excuse

of "I wanted to see schools of piranhas.     " That's not uncommon for her, right? "Do you

want to join the student council?"     "There's an assistant position, right? That'll do."     "An

assistant is just an assistant, after all."     "But maybe one day you could become the student

council president, right?"     "...Anyway, let me get you some tea,"     Shizuku quietly

interrupted the conversation. I guess her goal was to cool Mikoto Kondou down, but I doubt

it would work.     The stu dent council president opened the door to the next room and gave a

few instructions.     After a while, a girl came over with a tray of barley tea.     "Please!"     I

stumbled.     "S -Kaede Sakura!"     It was Kaede Sakura who brought us tea with a smile.  She

wasn't just an assistant, she was a handyman,     wasn't she? Hey, Shizuku, what are you

asking her to do? I was about to raise a complaint.     "President..."     "It's okay, Natsuru -san, I

like it."     She seemed very happy. I've heard Kaede Sakura  is the selfless type, and I've also

heard she loves taking care of children.     "I'm happy to help Shizuku, and I need to train

myself for the sake of Natsuru -san, the girl."     That's a really Kondou -esque excuse, but I

don't think the student council is for that kind of training.     She placed the cup on the table

without causing it to fall or tip over. That must be Akane Mishino's responsibility. Speaking of

which, at the maid cafe during the cultural festival, there was a girl who played the clumsy

maid, and she seemed quite popular.     The barley tea was iced, which was great. You really

shouldn't be walking outside in the summer.     Shizuku and Mikoto Kondou were talking

about student council matters, and I sipped my barley tea without joining in . Thinking it was

made by Kaede Sakura, it tasted especially good.     As Kaede Sakura passed me on her way

back to the next room, she whispered to me.     "In a while"     Eh? What?     Turning around

immediately, Kaede Sakura bowed and went back to the n ext room. The other girls didn't

seem to notice she hadn't spoken to me, and no one noticed.     What just happened? What's

going to happen next? Where am I going?     From the depths of my memory, a pair of eyes

emerged, a pair of sharp eyes.     "What's wrong, Senou -san?"     Only Shizuku asked, and I

came to my senses.     "It's okay... I'm sorry."     "Really? Well, let me get on with it. Student

council assistants have almost no work on weekdays, but they get very busy during the

cultural festival and sports festival." Before I knew it     , the conversation had reached this

point, and Mikoto Kondou was listening with an attitude that made it hard to tell whether it

was enthusiastic or not.     "That's fine for us."     "It'll be in my file, I'm sure it 'll help with the

college entrance exams."     "Forget about the file. Anyway, whether I go to college or

whatever, I'm still going to be flying around overseas digging for treasure."     So why did you

join the student council... Oh, to be a good woman, r ight?     But if you're trying to emulate

Shizuku, that won't work either. Speaking of that woman, her specialties are biting people's

throats or taming them with harsh words. It's not just Mikoto Kondou, I hope Kaede Sakura

can wake up too.     Speaking o f this Akane, she's really amazing. She even has the excuse of

being a library committee member to get away with it, even though she's been caught now.     

"We'll call you when we need help. We might have to show up here after school."     "Sure,

sure, Nat suru, you did it too,"     Mikoto Kondou threw the topic at me. What are you

thinking?     "No way." "     Didn't     you say you wanted it so badly?" "I never said that."     

"And you cried and said you had to be with me."     "When did you ever say that? "     Actually,

this wasn't all bullshit. When I graduated from kindergarten, I thought I'd definitely go to the

same elementary school as Mikoto Kondou, but then she suddenly announced she was going

abroad. I made that childish yet resolute resolution, "F rom today on, I'm an elementary

school student," but I'm still just a normal kid, so... well, I'll leave it at that. The rest, I'll never

say.     "Because we're childhood sweethearts, you should be with me, childhood

sweethearts!"     For some reason, she  emphasized the word "childhood sweethearts,"

occasionally giving Shizuku a smug look. "What are you doing? Aren't you going abroad again

after graduation? My childhood sweetheart, Natsuru -kun, stays in the country.     " "Senou -

kun doesn't seem to be inte rested." "     It's okay, he'll listen to me."     Go away! Why should I

obey Mikoto Kondou and help the student council, becoming Shizuku's subordinate? I'm a

free agent, I don't want to be ordered around by the president.     The timing was perfect,

and I stood up.     "Hey, Natsuru, where are you going?"     "To the bathroom."     Not that I

really wanted to, but I had something else to do.     As she left the student union office,

Mikoto Kondou was still making unnecessary explanations like, "Natsuru, d on't think he's

saying that, he's just shy." She prayed no one would believe her.     She peered down the

hallway. Uh, is this the way? She     walked down one flight of stairs. While she'd been to the

student union office and the library on the bottom floor several times, this was her first time.     

I remember half of this floor was the library, and I forgot what the other half was. Even

without turning on the lights, the light from the window was enou gh.     Someone waved at

me from the corner, and I breathed a sigh of relief and headed over.     "Sorry, I finally got

away."     "It's okay."     It was Kaede Sakura who was there. I trusted her words, "In a while,"

and so I came here. Thinking about it,  it was incredible that I could even know the floor and

the location based on just that one sentence, but I didn't care.     My heart was beating fast.

Being called out by a beautiful woman is natural, but it was Kaede Sakura, even more so. If

Shizuku had called out to me, I'd have felt like I was being struck by lightning.     She was

smiling, oh, the smile of an angel.     "Uh, what's up?"     I asked anyway. A man and a woman

alone together was definitely a confession, but there was still some etiquette or a chance for

conversation.     But Kaede Sakura said something unexpected.     "Natsuru -san, what

happened next?"     What? It wasn't a confession.     "So... playing in the pool?"     "I'm asking

about after the hot springs."     Uh... I remember losin g consciousness in the next room. Why

can't I remember anything after losing consciousness... No, I can remember it now.     "Um... I

pushed the president down..."     "Ah,"     Kaede Sakura beamed, clasping her hands together.     

"And then did you make h er yours?"     "No..."     Memories of that time gradually returned.

Oh, I pushed Shizuku down on the bed.     "Well, it was going smoothly until the middle..."     

"..."     "Failed in the end..."     Suddenly, Kaede Sakura's entire body transformed.     

Something like a black shadow appeared on her uniform, momentarily obstructing my vision,

but quickly dissipated.     "S... Kaede Sakura!?"     I couldn't help but cry out. This was force

majeure.     The woman before me was completely different from the o ne I'd always

envisioned. Her slightly weak but ever -present smile had transformed into that of a bird of

prey, radiating murderous intent. Her eyes were sharp, and the corners of her mouth were

raised.     Her hair color and length remained the same, but she seemed to float in a state of

zero gravity, her whole body brimming with activity. She, who had embarrassedly said, "I'm

not good at sports," had vanished without a trace.     "Oh shit..."     Oh shit, so handsome.     

I'm a believer in the Sakura Cult , approving of everything Kaede Sakura does, but even non -

believers would be stunned by his handsomeness. No, it's really because of the believer's

eyes that she looks like this. Anything goes, and she's so awe -inspiring that it's unbearable.     

At the th eme park, Kaede Sakura exuded a terrifying aura because it was nighttime. She still

has that aura now, but combined with her awe -inspiring demeanor, it's become a completely

alluring charm. Don't games often feature those glamorous, beautiful villains? Tha t's the

feeling.     It's different from Kaede Sakura's usual charm, but it feels like this is no longer a

concern. A faint current flows through my body.     She turns her head, her eyes piercing me.

Oh shit, so touching, it seems like the masochistic str eak in me is awakening.     "Natsuru -

san..."     Her thin lips called my name. Hmm, it was just like usual, but it felt like my nerves

were being pricked and stimulated. It was so pleasant. Um, please scold me if you can.     

"Did you fail..."     "Yes, ye s..."     "I've already asked you to do that..."     Kaede Sakura took a

step closer to me.     My heart was pounding. This kind of cold, intellectual beauty was

definitely Shizuku's style, but I couldn't sense any charm from her. I even wanted to accuse

her of rape. Shizuku's fans must be that thing, or they must have eaten some weird

mushrooms.     But this Kaede Sakura was different. She had a very seductive coldness that

numbed my heart. I had to be M now. I     moved a little closer. What exactly did she want? If

she asked me to lick the soles of her shoes, I couldn't disobey. After licking those shoes,

could I take them home?     "Natsuru -san..."     Oh, it's unfolding just like that time at the

theme park. While that time ended in ambiguity, this tim e it might actually be real. I'm really

going to get stepped on, am I? If I'd known it would be so heavenly, I should have done as

she said back at the theme park.     "Yes, yes, what can I do?"     I responded. I can't use

honorifics here.     Kaede Sakur a smiled faintly.     "...Can you please listen to me again...?"     

"Of course,"     I nodded several times, answering the question immediately.     "Great... I

have a favor to ask..."     "I'll listen to you, no matter what."     "So happy..."     Anothe r

beautiful smile. So charming, I felt like a loyal dog obeying its master.     "What should I do?"     

"It's simple..."     she whispered.     "Go to hell,"     I said without thinking, just as I was about

to say "yes."     "Natsuru, what the hell are you  doing!"     I turned around, only to be greeted

by curses and the soles of shoes.     "Woo -goo!"     With a sound like a water bag popping, I

fell facefirst. A flying kick landed right between my eyebrows.     "What the hell are you

doing? You want to die ? I'll kill you!"     I didn't need to look at her face to know that it was

Akane in fierce dog mode. She flew over and kicked me.     Stars were shining in front of my

eyes. I felt like I was a character in a fighting game, and there were chickens flying around.     

"It hurts so much, you idiot!"     I just roared angrily, but of course Akane was completely

unmoved.     "Idiots have no right to call others idiots!"     "It's all because of you kicking me

suddenly. I thought I was going to die!"     "Then h urry up and die! You're still alive!"     This

guy's serious. I can't handle this. Anything's fine, but women shouldn't resort to flying kicks. I

saw her panties, and those frilly ones.     The Mastiff girl glared at me like she was glaring at

the murderer  of her father. She was just glaring at me.     "You scumbag!"     "What are you

talking about?"     "You're getting carried away by that stinking bitch, Sakura!     " "Don't say

bad things about Sakura!"     "You idiot! You almost died!"     "You were the  one who wanted

to kill me!"     "You idiot, you almost got killed by Sakura!"     It dawned on me that she had

said something like "Go to hell."     Sakura, still radiating a seductive aura, gazed at us and

smiled.     "...Hehe."     I could hear that, to o; it was a clear challenge, treating us like fools.     I

was thinking, "Sakura is so beautiful even now," but the Mastiff girl was already seething.     

"Damn you!"     She waved her arm, and a pistol similar to a Colt appeared in her hand.     "Go

to he ll! I've been pissing you off for ages!"     With a needless confession, Akane pulled the

trigger.     With a loud bang, lead bullets were unleashed, but Kaede Sakura dodged them all

with a sudden dash. Uwaaaa!     Her right hand flicked slightly, and a ma ssive Japanese sword

appeared.     Kaede Sakura swung it down in one breath.     "Uuuuu!"     Akane leaped back,

the tip of the sword sinking into the floor.     "You use weapons too?"     Kaede Sakura said

nothing, only exuding murderous intent.     "Damn  it!" Akane,     regaining her balance, was

about to raise her pistol, but Kaede Sakura had already rushed in front of her.     "Uuuuuu!"     

Kaede Sakura swept her leg, about to swing the steel blade at the unbalanced Akane.     

"Sorry if I hit you!"     From behind, a chained dagger flew, one striking the Japanese sword

and deflecting its tip, while another swiped a few strands of Kaede Sakura's hair. Uuuuuu!

This is dangerous! One mistake and it could have hit Akane in the face!     Akane cursed,

rolling on the ground.     "What if you stab me!?"     "That's why I apolog ized first."     Shizuku,

the student council president, emerged from the depths, her black hair a light blond

beneath.     "If I hit you, do you think you'll just apologize and let it go?!"     "Even if you're

injured, I won't pay for your medical expense s."     "Give me compensation for mental

distress."     "Is this the time to talk about that?"     I, who had been cowering, finally reacted.

By then, Kaede Sakura had already regained his footing.     Seeing Shizuku, she gently moved

her left hand, and a pistol, slightly smaller than Akane's, appeared. A knife in her right hand,

a gun in her left —is that even possible?     Kaede Sakura exhaled, like a beast before a fight.     

Shizuku was startled.     "Is this... Kaede?"     Even the most cold -blooded stu dent council

president would be shocked to see her friend change like this... The moment I thought of

that, I realized how naive I was. She quickly drew back her daggers, one to defend her heart

and the other to act as a distraction. It seemed her emotions  and actions were separate.     

And then, Akane stood up, I was kicked away.     "What the hell are you daydreaming about!"     

This guy's roar was more sobering than anything else.     "I'm not daydreaming!"     "Bullshit!

You'll die at this rate! If you die so easily, I'll kill you!"     What's with all that contradictory

dialogue? Well, thanks to him, I've regained consciousness and focused my energy on the

wristband in my right hand.     Kempfer, now blue, was unarmed, unlike the other two.     

Kaede Sa kura was the enemy... I hate to admit it, but if he was, it was three to one. Of

course, there were three of us, a significant number difference, but Kaede Sakura remained

completely unfazed.     She wasn't as calm as Shizuku, either. It was like everythin g was going

as she wished.     "Ah, Shizuku,"     Kaede Sakura's tone remained unchanged.     "Confirming

our friendship in this situation is like something out of Hollywood. I can't help but get fired

up."     Shizuku listened calmly. This guy was incredi bly insane.     "You seem to be enjoying it,

Kaede."     "To be honest, I do enjoy it. You don't get to use a katana or a pistol very often, do

you?"     "More than that, almost never. Although we use them quite often." "     Kempfa is

tough too. I wouldn' t be able to do it."     "...From the way you sound, you're not a Kempfa."     

"Eh!?"     It was me who called out.     Kempfas are meant for fighting, so I assumed all

fighters were Kempfas, but isn't that true?     Looking at Kaede Sakura's wrists, there  were no

wristbands, the essential Kempfa wristbands.     She smiled faintly.     "Shizuku, you're so

clever! It's really hard to deal with you."     "You're fighting without wristbands, so it's only

natural to think that way, right?"     "Yeah, that's rig ht. Then do you know what my goal is?"     

Shizuku glanced at me.     "...It's Senou -san,     right?" "Yes,"     Kaede Sakura nodded readily.     

"Do you really want to kill him?"     "Yeah, yeah,"     she said nonchalantly, something that

staggered me. So  she was serious.     "Well, I don't really want to kill him, but if I don't put

him in a situation where he can be killed, he won't listen to me."     It's terrifying, my back

goes cold. What's with this slave trader -like line?     "We agreed to give you a reward, why is

it so ineffective?"     I was devastated right there in the street. This sentence is definitely one

of the most heartbreaking things I've ever said in my life. My Kaede Sakura, my Kaede Sakura.     

Shizuku remained calm, but you're also qu ite strange from another perspective.     "When did

you agree with Senou -kun? While watching the fireworks?"     "Yes, you know. I ordered him

to attack you then."     So it was an order.     "That really worked. I almost got violated."     

"What a shame."     "It's a shame you're still pure."     "Shizuku,  you're still a virgin. It would

be great if Natsuru -kun could take it from you."     "If he does it of his own accord, I'd

welcome it too."     Shizuku waved her hands, crossing her daggers as they flew towards

Kaede Sakura.     Kaede Sakura dodged the bl ades by taking a single step back. Shizuku cried

out.     "Senou -san, jump!"     "Hey!"     I didn't know what was going on, but I still jumped

sideways.     Almost at the same moment, Kaede Sakura stretched out her left hand and shot

at me. It was dangero us. I didn't even hear Shizuku's words and I hit her.     "Your bitch!"     

Akane fired. Kaede Sakura swung her knife in place, and the bullet hit the blade and fell to

the ground.     "Shizuku, I want to ask you something."     "What?"     Shizuku didn't lose

focus, holding her dagger.     "When did you start to suspect me?"     "...First year."     "Oh,

that was really long ago."     "When Tamiko -san died. That person taught me a lot about

Kempfer, but she was killed. Tamiko -san told me that the viscera d oll was given to her by

Kaede."     Who is Tamiko? Someone I don't know. The viscera doll is the burning lion buried

under the tree, right?     Kaede Sakura laughed.     "Well, that person is really not very useful.

It's far inferior to you, Shizuku."     Shizuku's attitude suddenly changed. Though silent, he

gripped his dagger tightly.     "Are you insulting me?"     "Don't be angry, I'm praising you."     

"...Even if Tamiko -senpai said that, I didn't truly doubt my good friend. My doubts only

deepened whe n White Kempfer appeared."     "More recently."     "Kaede... you're either a

mediator, or someone very close to one."     Kaede Sakura neither confirmed nor denied,

simply uttering a "huh." " No comment.     "     A murderous aura surged, and despite bein g

alone, Kaede Sakura showed no fear.     There were footsteps behind me.     "Natsuru~ It's so

late, what are you doing?"     Mikoto Kondou appeared. What was that guy doing so

leisurely? Everyone's attention turned to him.     At that moment, Kaede Sakur a suddenly

leaped up.     His movement was so powerful that he instantly closed the distance between

him and Shizuku.     The katana was swung down.     "Ugh!"     Shizuku's uniform was torn, but

there was no bleeding; she had parried it by a hair's breadt h.     "Mikoto Kondou, transform

too!"     Akane roared. It seemed she hadn't fully grasped the situation, but she was still

enveloped in the red light.     Then the dog girl opened fire.     "Natsuru, you fight too!"     Ah,

and Kaede Sakura. But it seeme d I couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. Anyway, I cast my

magic first.     "Shocking!"     That was Mikoto Kondou's cry. She was slashing at Kaede Sakura

with her own weapon —a sword—along with my fireballs and Akane's lead bullets.     

"...Ahhh!?"     Mikoto Kondou and I yelled almost simultaneously.     Kaede Sakura, despite

being outnumbered four to one, managed to parry every attack. She     blocked long -range

attacks with her katana, fired from close range, and dodged every blade attack. She emerged     

unscathed, or rather, we were being suppressed.     "Get down!"     Shizuku roared, a rare

outburst, and we dropped to the ground.     From right to left, the lead bullets ripped

through. It was an automatic pistol, but the bullets fired like a small machine gun.     While

the situation was quite dangerous, no one was hurt.     "...Huh,"     Kaede Sakura leaped back

without a breath.     "What? It's no big deal, everyone."     Wow, that's more than enough.     

"I'm already one against four, I hope you guys can try harder."     "There's nothing to be proud

of just because you have more people,"     Shizuku said, clutching her swords, her mind highly

focused and not as calm as usual.     "No matter how many more p eople there are, Shizuku,

it's still going to be hard for you to win."     "Kaede, you have the White Kempfer."     "Oh, you

mean them? I hope they can be more useful. It's like forcing things to happen, it won't

work."     "They'll be very disappointed wh en they hear that."     "So you're targeting

Shizuku,"     Kaede Sakura and Shizuku both turned their eyes to me.     Huh? Targeted... did I

do something? I have no recollection of it... that's out of the question.     Oh, by the way,

after the hot spring,  I went to Shizuku's room and pushed her down there. My memory is

gradually returning.     "Natsuru, you need to behave better."     "I'm not that easy."     "That's

right, hehe."     Sakura smiled meaningfully and waved his arms.     The pistol and the

Japanese sword disappeared.     "That's all for today. I think we'll get serious sooner or later,"     

she turned to me.     "But some things might not happen."     Then, Kaede Sakura leaped out

the window.     There was the sound of shattering glass. Kaede Sakura's body plummeted

from the student union building to the ground.     I hurried to the window, but she was gone.     

"This..."     What the hell?     Kaede Sakura suddenly turned evil and attacked us. And she's

not Kempfer, what's going on?     I look ed at Shizuku for an answer.     The student council

president shrugged.     "As you see..."     "As I see, doesn't that mean Kaede Sakura..."     "Not

as if, she's our enemy,"     Akane spat out, her words bluntly in fierce dog mode.     "That

bitch, she' s finally showing her true colors. Next time I see her, I'm going to kill her."     "She's

so belligerent! I want to observe for a while,"     Shizuku said. Akane's eyes grew impatient.     

"What's there to observe? Just rush into her apartment and solve t he problem."     "What

concerns me is her usual attitude. She never showed any signs of fighting."     That's true.

When Akane and I fought Kempfer in the library a long time ago, Kaede Sakura was there,

but she was just plain scared.     "Has she been hid ing it, or does Kaede really not know... I

want to find out."     "That's too much trouble. Why not just investigate her body?"     "As a

good friend, I object to that."     Hmm, so Shizuku still considers Kaede Sakura a good friend?

Of course, even I can' t believe what's happening.     "Hey, I don't understand,"     Mikoto

Kondou approached, sword in hand.     "You attacked without a second thought. Is that really

okay?"     "Yes, otherwise we'd both be dead,"     Shizuku replied. Such an analysis coming

from a good friend is terrifyingly rational.     "Why would Kaede Sakura do that?"     "That

needs further investigation."     Actually, it's hard to believe such a beautiful woman could

become an enemy.     Mikoto Kondou turned her gaze towards me, her eye s unfriendly.     

"And she said she was targeting the president or something."     "Yes, she was, but it wasn't

Kaede who did it directly. She used Senou -san to do it."     "Natsuru, what did you do?"     I

felt a pang of fear. I tried to play dumb, but un like that morning at the hotel, I already

remembered everything.     "No, well, I..."     "Trying to violate me,"     Shizuku said casually.     

"What the hell —!"     It wasn't Mikoto Kondou who roared. No, no, no, Mikoto Kondou

screamed too, but it was a louder sound.     Something hard pressed against the back of my

head.     "Hey, Natsuru! Are you trying to rape the president? Huh?!"     It was Akane who

pointed the gun at me. Although I couldn't see her face, I fully understood her anger.     

"Wait, this is a misunderstanding!"     "It's not a misunderstanding,"     Shizuku began to make

unnecessary additions.     "I almost got raped!"     The murderous aura behind me swelled,

and I immediately doubled over.     With the sound of gunfire, the b ullet passed right where

my head had been. What a close call! If I had been a moment later, I would have reported to

that world.     "Hey, you want to kill me?"     "Bullshit!"     What a woman! She didn't even

deny it. I glanced at Akane. Not only her fac e, but her entire body was already red.     "People

like you dying would benefit society. You don't understand other people's feelings..."     I

didn't know the heart of a bulldog.     The muzzle of her pistol trembled slightly. Why was she

so angry? Calm down.     "You attacked me right after the hot springs. It was really planned!"     

"You were manipulated! I guess."     "You have evil thoughts too!"     "How could you possibly

say that to the president!"     Shizuku's attitude suddenly changed.     "... You've already

unhooked my bra, and you still say that?"     "No..."     "Go to hell!"     The lead bullet flew

again, and I rolled several times on the ground to avoid it.     Before my eyes, there was a pair

of feet. Mikoto Kondou looked down at me and s aid to Akane.     "Akane, stop."     "What did

you say? Are you trying to cause trouble?"     "I'll kill you."     Mikoto Kondou said, slowly

swinging her Japanese sword.     "Whoa!"     The steel blade swung down, and I crawled away.     

"Where to —!"     "Mikoto Kondou, let me do it!"     "No, I'll kill it!"     The fierce dogs doubled.

I felt like a rabbit being hunted by hounds. At least help me clear up this misunderstanding,

so I fled to Shizuku's side.     But the president ignored me and was about to  leave.     "Hey,

hey, wait a minute, president!"     "Find a way yourself,"     the ruthless words flew towards

me.     "If you can push me down with your own will, you can be saved."     Regardless of the

true meaning of these words, I fled the school fo r nearly two hours after that.  

Translator's Notes

This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.

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