Kämpfer:Volume 10 Chapter 1

Volume 10, Chapter 1  

"No, just a casual joke." "Huh?"

...But saying "I want to die" isn't really the same thing.

For some reason, a woman confessed to me.

...Ah, you must be stunned. Thinking it was just a confession—what's the big deal?

But for me, this was a completely earth-shattering event.

The most difficult decision I've ever made.

First of all, I couldn't even believe the fact that I was confessed to.

I thought it was just an urban legend, something that only happened to guys.

No, there are women who get confessions sooner or later, but more on that later.

Well, anyway, I never thought about being confessed to by a girl before.

Maybe it's because I look ordinary.

Being confessed to by a girl is just an urban legend, like the story of a snowman.

Although snowmen don't exist in the city.

And then there was you—suddenly confessed to.

And it was two people.

One was Kondou Mikoto, my childhood sweetheart.

She was just a high school girl, but she was flying around the world.

Like a female Indiana Jones, doing all the adventurer stuff.

In kindergarten, she was a playful girl, exploding like an endless stream of firecrackers.

But now she's become beautiful.

No, beautiful is just my opinion.

We were just childhood friends, so there was no romantic connection.

So why did she confess? She seems to like me.

I don't know how serious she is.

It's strange to say I don't know, but after she confessed, she suddenly disappeared.

It seems she's been tracking drug trafficking organizations. Am I mistaken?

I was so shocked by the sudden confession that I couldn't even reply.

Mikoto seemed to say something like, "I hope you can give me an answer later,"

so I'll just leave it at that for now.

It's not just the one I mentioned that's troubling me.

Then there's another person, and this is even more serious for me.

Even Shizuku Sangou, the student council president of our Seitetsu Academy, has confessed to me.

It's no secret that I'm not good at dealing with Shizuku.

She's not the right person for me.

Even though she's beautiful, smart, and good at sports,

she doesn't make any difference to me.

I feel like someone made out of an advertisement or something,

so I'd better stay away.

But then again, Shizuku seems to ignore my feelings and orders me,

"I like you, so you must love me."

What's going on? Her demands seem presumptuous and unreasonable.

Isn't that the way to think?

In a relationship, both parties' feelings are important, aren't they?

But I was terrified. There was nothing I could do.

Shizuku also said, "You can answer later."

While I saved my life, she insisted on telling me afterward,

so I only got a suspended death sentence.

There's probably no pardon or anything like that.

Now I understand why I'm so discouraged.

Those who think I'm happy or who scold me, try to put yourselves in my shoes.

It's strange that they'll be happy.

So, I've been going to Seitetsu Academy these past few days with a gloomy heart.

Going to a school where Shizuku is the student council president

feels like walking into a tiger's den.

Lately, I've been attending school as a man.

If I went to school dressed as a woman, I might see Mikoto or Shizuku.

So, my classmate, Higashida, told me, "You've been really serious lately."

I usually have to show up in the girls' club, so I'm often absent.

But no matter how I treated him, I wasn't happy at all.

Being around men always felt a bit melancholic.

Am I turning gay? (That would be great.)

But that thought vanished completely when Higashida's voice reached me after class.

"Seno. Tomorrow's Saturday, are you free?"

Higashida smiled at me with a bright smile that only he could identify.

Hmm, that's pretty bold—I can't be gay or anything.

Since I didn't answer, he asked again.

"Saturday."

"Nothing else."

"Then I'll invite you."

"Seno's probably just watching TV at home."

"I want to go to karaoke with Hanzawa and the others. Come on."

"No," I said, looking sullen.

"It's just a side event for the Bishoujo Research Society."

"I'm tired of your boring discussions."

Higashida is the president of the underground club, the Bishoujo Research Society.

While it's an illegal group, it has a long history in Seitetsu.

They mostly just take pictures of girls, and they enjoy it.

I wonder if that's harmful.

I'm not sure why I was appointed a special advisor there.

For various reasons, that position seems to have been revoked,

but I don't know since I wasn't at the meeting.

Since Higashida and Hanzawa came together, the topic must be something like that.

But Higashida shook his head.

"No, I'm not planning on hanging out with those guys from my class."

"Nakahama, Mori, and the others will be there too."

Those were all names from my class.

"That's strange. Higashida always talks about girls."

"Don't Nakahama and the others hate things involving girls?"

"Let's just pretend it's nothing. How about that?"

I was actually a little tempted by that.

If we didn't bring up the Bishoujo Research Society, Higashida might be a good guy.

(I'm glad you think that.) Although his mind was empty except for that.

But I never thought that this guy would say such words.

I tried to ask.

"Whose birthday is it? It's not mine."

"No, just a casual joke."

"Huh?"

    "And Hanzawa said, 'Why does Seno look like he's dying? Let's call him.'"  

    "...Is that how it feels?"  

    "Mori said that too. Have you gone crazy for no apparent reason? He said, 'I can see that

Seno's life flame is gradually getting smaller.'" (Ye: He probably knows that.)  

    "...What is the life flame?"  

    "I heard that if it disappears, you'll die."  

    "Don't say such baseless things."  

    I complained. Higashida continued.  

    "According to Mori, Seno always looks unhappy, and I'm afraid he'll get even more

unhappy in the future. It seems like you're on the downhill slope of life. Nothing good has

happened to you recently."  

    "Is it that our class is treating me like an idiot now?"  

    "So, we discussed it and decided to cheer you up. "  

    Is this a good thing or a bad thing? In short, Higashida's expression is quite serious.  

    In this situation, shouldn't I be grateful for friendship? But I also feel that I am actually

being treated as a fool. I was a little shocked. Higashida, who is so indifferent to things other

than girls, actually worries about an extremely useless clas smate like me. I put on a rather

shabby face.  

    "Ah... Although I want to go, I can't."  

    "Why?"  

    "Because I have an appointment."  

    In fact, I already had important things to do this Saturday. So even if I wanted to go to

karaoke with Higashida and the others, I couldn't go.  

    "Hey, it's better to go with us."  

    "Sorry, let's talk about it next time."  

    I waved my hand gently as an apology to him.  

    "Then let's do it next time. "Higashida said so. Let's try to go next time. I started on the

way home. It feels like it's been a long time since I went home so early.  

    I walked slowly alone. I exhaled with a "huh". Tomorrow may be a turning point in my life...

Is it too exaggerated to say so? But we can't take it lightly.  

    Speaking of the important thing I have to do this Saturday, it is to visit the hometown of

my idol, Sakura Kaede. Speaking of Sakura Kaede, that is different from Shizuku, so cute.

Unlike Shizuku, there is no thorn in her words. Unlike Shizuku, she is a holy angel.  

    Such a beautiful person will be with Shizuku. Friends who have been together since

childhood, it can only make people sigh that there is no justice. But let's not worry about that

for now.  

    We were invited to go to Sakura Kaede's hometown. Generally speaking, going to a girl's

hometown is like signing a marriage certificate, but Shizuku doesn't seem to think so. So I

became a little suspicious.  

    Recently, I sometimes see Sakura Kaede's behavior as if he has become a different person.

At that time, of course, I threw my judgment aside like waste paper, and tried hard to

maintain a "beautiful image of Sakura Kaede" in my heart, but it is also tr ue that I feel that he

has changed a little. Even if I say "a little worse," it is not normal.  

    But that kind of person said, "Please come to my house. "What's going on? I've been

thinking about confessing my feelings and going to Sakura Kaede's house over and over again

these past few days. I seem to have been asked if I did anything else, but n o, I didn't. If I did,

it was just because I was addicted to TV to escape reality. Mikoto, Shizuku, and Sakura Kaede.

I feel like they're all surrounding me and arguing... Did I forget someone? What about Akane?

Akane  

    hasn't joined this "My Trouble Group." Although she doesn't know it herself, she's the only

one I can trust. As a man, the only place I'd want to go is the library. Although I've never been

there.  

    Just when I was wondering if Akane would become someone to listen to my complaints,

someone suddenly spoke.  

    "Natsuru -san."  

    Speak of the devil... the devil didn't appear. The owner of this clear voice could only be one

person. Turning around, Sakura Kaede was standing there, smiling. As beautiful as ever.  

    "I've been looking for you. That's great."  

    "Looking for me?"  

    "Yes." "  

    What a hearty smile! Lately, I haven't made that lip -licking expression at all." (Probably

referring to Sakura's post -transformation expression.) Seitetsu Academy has separate male

and female sections, so naturally, they don't take kindly to male -femal e relationships.  

    It's more a product of pressure from graduated seniors than a teacher's strategy. It's like,

"We shouldn't allow juniors to do things we're forbidden to do." A bunch of narrow -minded

seniors.  

    But the students dating under my noses are generally not on campus, but happily dating

outside. So, Sakura Kaede is very self -possessed before going outside. No, he's waiting for

class to end.  

    "I was wondering if Natsuru -san might have forgotten, so..."  

    "Um, um, what was it?"  

    "Ah, did you forget?"  

    Her cheeks puffed up. That gesture was perfect for Sakura Kaede.  

    "Didn't you agree to come to my hometown on Saturday?"  

    So that's what happened. Of course, I'll remember it.  

    "I know."  

    "Really? Didn't you forget before I told you?" ”  

    “I’ve always remembered it.”  

    This is true. At least I’ve been worried about it.  

    Finally, I saw her relieved expression. We walked side by side. Sakura Kaede was smiling

the whole time. I inadvertently glanced at her profile.  

    “What’s wrong?”  

    “No, that, Sakura Kaede, have you forgotten?”  

    “What?”  

    “Because you look very happy.”  

    “Not just look happy, but really happy. Because I really like having guests at home.”  

    Sakura Kaede is really great, this is what I say from the bottom of my heart.  

    “Natsuru -san, did you ask other people to come?”  

    Sakura Kaede asked me with a smile. Eh?  

    Shizuku and others were also called, but didn’t Sakura Kaede also say that she would bring

her along? But that was said by Sakura Kaede, who has a bad temper, so maybe she forgot.  

    “Natsuru -san?”  

    “Uh, that, I did. "  

    Looks like you forgot. I called out Mikoto and Akane first. Finally, I unhappily called out

Shizuku.  

    "There are so many people. If we don't prepare more dishes, ah, didn't you invite the

female Natsuru?"  

    I'm a little confused. Does Sakura Kaede know about this or not?  

    "I told him, but... he might not come."  

    "How could that be..."  

    Sakura Kaede's cheeks puffed up. Sorry. I'll take over then, male.  

    "I was so happy that the female Natsuru is coming." Sure  

    enough, she doesn't even know the male and female Natsuru are the same person. If he

gets involved with me, I'll be in big trouble.  

    "She seems very busy right now, studying hard for exams."  

    "I can wait until she's a third year."  

    "She said she wants to start working hard now."  

    "She's such a serious person,"  

    though she's not actually working on it. I could probably get into a lesser university with

my own abilities, but I don't think I can just happily get in. If I'm lazy, I'll just do my best.  

    "It's a shame that the female Natsuru isn't here, but everyone's willing to come. That way, I

won't be lonely."  

    I won't let that happen (referring to making her feel lonely).  

    "Of course," I say. Sakura Kaede seems delighted.  

    That's a perfectly consistent expression. She's truly an angelic woman.  

    But then, when Sakura Kaede said to me, "I hope you can come to my hometown," that

terrifying expression wasn't just a double -edged sword; it revealed her inner self completely.  

    I'm not ignoring the horror of duality. It's certainly terrifying, but Akane can also become

ferocious after transforming. They're similar. But in some ways, she's different from Akane.

Sakura Kaede's situation is a bit baffling. It's like looking at a  bottomless swamp beneath your

feet. And finally, she slipped and fell into it.  

    If it weren't for that, Sakura Kaede would be the world's most beautiful woman. Now, she's

just an ordinary beauty.  

    And for some reason, she has completely forgotten the promise she made to me. It was

Sakura Kaede who said she'd bring Akane -san and the others along. And then there was even

a fight. It's all a mystery. Has she forgotten that slightly erotic thing tha t happened in that

bush somewhere? It's impossible for me.  

    "Um, um, Sakura Kaede."  

    "Hmm?"  

    "Are you healed?"  

    "Hmm?"  

    Sakura Kaede was startled.  

    "Your stomach must be injured..."  

    "Natsuru -san is so annoying."  

    She chuckled.  

    "I'm healthy. Aside from a cold, I've never been injured or sick. I'm glad you're so worried

about me."  

    "Is that so."  

    "Didn't you mistake me for someone else?"  

    Even so, Sakura Kaede must be injured. She jumped up like a slingshot. I observed Sakura

Kaede's stomach from the corner of my eye. It tapered from the waist, a truly beautiful sight,

and the line that flowed into her chest was a truly graceful curve. If she lowered her head a

little more, it would definitely look...wrong. She didn't look injured. She  

    didn't seem to be holding back. The only explanation was that she'd recovered. Even more

incredible was that she had no recollection of the injury. Sakura Kaede had no idea she'd

become such a gloomy and sinister person.  

    "I hope the injury of the person I mistakenly identified with heals quickly," Sakura Kaede

said. This kind of love is a virtue. It has nothing to do with  

    the .  

    "I'm going back to my hometown today,"  

    Sakura Kaede said.  

    "I see."  

    "So I can't go with you all."  

    He looked regretful. I was regretful too. I'd definitely gone together if I could.  

    "I can't come to greet you, but I'll wait. Please do come."  

    And then he gave me a smile that melted my heart. So wonderful. With that expression, I

can forget that dark feeling anytime. We walked for a while before saying goodbye. Sakura

Kaede went left, I went right. She waved goodbye to me reluctantly. Maybe.  After a short

walk,  

    we found my home. To be more precise, the house my father built. I opened the door with

a mixture of joy and sorrow. I  

    dumped my schoolbag in my room and, without changing my clothes, I lay down on the

bed. I  

    was delighted that Sakura Kaede had invited me. It was an undeniable fact, and I even

wanted to tell all the boys about it.  

    But if I did that, I'd be hunted down by a special assassination squad chosen from among

the boys in two seconds, buried in concrete in some unknown location, and then dumped. I'd

do the same thing if I were in the opposite position, so I know it. Give n the situation, keeping

it to myself is the best policy.  

    But that's not the problem. The problem is that Sakura Kaede has no memory of her

transformation. Sakura Kaede, the same as always, and Sakura Kaede, who's not her usual

self. My shaky brain can come up with several possibilities.  

    The first is that they're different people. The gentle and kind Sakura Kaede and the

lecherous and gloomy Sakura Kaede are actually two different people. Like twins or

something remarkably similar. The advantage of this theory is that it puts my mind a t ease.

The woman I've always admired, the most beautiful of the three Star Tetsu, is pure, flawless,

and perfect. Someone with a bad personality doesn't need her at all. Just go off and become

a mercenary somewhere in Africa.  

    That's what I'd most like, because everything else suits my preferences. I guess everyone

else thinks the same.  

    Next, there's the theory that Sakura Kaede actually remembers everything but is lying. She

knows everything but acts like she knows nothing. This means she has reasons to lie and

doesn't mind deceiving us. It's like some kind of conspiracy.  

    This is not good at all, and I'm doing everything I can to stop it. Besides, how could Sakura

Kaede, a goddess who descended from the sky, be such a wicked person? The only wicked

person who could be considered wicked is the student council president. Therefore, this

theory doesn't hold true, because that's Sakura Kaede.  

    The final theory is that Sakura Kaede has one body but two personalities. The idea is that

Sakura Kaede alternates control of the body between a good and a bad personality. These

two personalities don't interfere with each other, and the good personali ty is unaware of the

bad personality's existence.  

    This makes sense of the previous conversation. Angel Sakura Kaede doesn't know about

the existence of Demon Sakura Kaede. The conditions and timing of the alternation are still

unknown, but it definitely happens. For example, she transforms upon seeing  a red flower or

after 3 p.m.  

    I always feel like this is the most correct explanation. But ordinary Sakura Kaede also

remembers asking me to visit her hometown, and she still remembers the circumstances

back then, which means there might be some connection between our hearts.  

    "In that case,"  

    I muttered to myself in my room, empty of people.  

    "Ordinary Sakura Kaede is innocent. I just need to protect her."  

    Why did the thought of "protecting" occur to me? I don't know, isn't that the way it is?

Ordinary Sakura Kaede is innocent. She'll definitely become a good wife and mother and

remain beautiful forever. I always feel like her evil side will do something  like kissing, which is

so annoying.  

    I should just go see a doctor and get rid of that evil side, right? That way, my worries would

be gone. Sakura Kaede's parents would probably say something like, "Thank you for restoring

our daughter to normal." Oh my, we're only high school students, so how many years we've

been together is irrelevant.  

    I sat cross -legged, grinning to myself, and suddenly thought of those three women. Akane,

Shizuku, and Mikoto.  

    "...She's been confessed to,"  

    I slumped over. So that's how it is. I have to give them an answer after this is over. Give it

to Shizuku and Mikoto. What should I do? I might as well run off with Sakura Kaede. In that

case... oh, what about Akane?  

    Just as I was in my room, thinking about this, a call came in. I picked up my phone and

pressed the call button. The phone, which had been practically useless because the battery

was missing, now wouldn't work unless it was plugged into a charger.  

    "Hello?"  

    "Is this Seno -kun?"  

    I was completely disappointed. It was this girl. Even though everyone in school thought she

was beautiful, the woman I'd jump away from instantly.  

    "What can I do for you, President?"  

    "Oh, you're so happy to talk to me on the phone?"  

    "Not at all. What's going on?"  

    "I'm very happy."  

    Shizuku smiled to herself on the other end of the line. There's nothing about me in this.

Absolutely. This woman is incredibly stubborn. Needless to say, it's a fact known to all the

students in school. She's known for her toughness, something you woul dn't expect  

    from a high school student. She even met with the workers who had delivered the

equipment to the school. The other party was a seasoned veteran, and using a high school

student as his opponent was truly shocking. Then the bargaining began. Even more su rprising

was the rumor that a prominent corporation present had invited her, asking, "Will you come

to us after graduation?"  

    But you confessed to me, didn't you? Why are you still so relaxed? Am I even more

nervous than you?  

    How dare you give me such a blunt answer? I had a strong response prepared for her, or

else I'd be exhausted.  

    "What's the matter?"  

    "About tomorrow,"  

    Shizuku said.  

    "Don't worry about anything, just come. Don't be late."  

    "I know,"  

    I replied grumpily. It was understandable. Sakura Kaede's situation was already giving me

enough of a headache. But then I couldn't move. I might even fall asleep with my eyes open.  

    "Because you're going to Kaede's house, I imagine you're feeling really anxious right now."  

    Why was this guy so good at reading people's minds?  

    "Meet in front of the station. Don't forget to bring clothes. In your case, you'll need to

prepare two sets of clothes, one for men and one for women."  

    "No need for that,"  

    I replied. It's unnecessary to say it now; if I transform, I'll become a woman. I've finally

gotten used to it lately, but clothes are always a hassle.  

    "It's necessary,"  

    Shizuku said.  

    "It's Kempfer's responsibility to make sure everything looks okay."  

    "You're overdoing it."  

    "I don't think you're overdoing it. I think this might get a little troublesome."  

    The evil Sakura Kaede hates Shizuku. I share the same attitude, though my dislike is less

casual. I'm sure they're both the type to stab someone in the back if they find a loophole. Of

course,  

    Shizuku is wary of Sakura Kaede too. By telling me to bring two sets of clothes, she's telling

me to be prepared for whatever comes my way.  

    "What do you mean by trouble?"  

    "Well..."  

    "Hey, don't you know that yourself?"  

    "It's not just a one -time trip, is it? But we don't know what's going to happen. That's why I

have to be well prepared."  

    Then Shizuku said something that made me half -understand.  

    "There's nothing beyond your preparation, right? And in your case, Natsuru -kun, wearing

men's underwear on a woman's body isn't a very good hobby, is it?"  

    That was the situation. I didn't want to imagine it myself.  

    "What kind?"  

    "Underwear."  

    "...A few pieces,"  

    I said. For some reason, I felt embarrassed.  

    If I transformed into a Kempfer in my school uniform, my underwear would automatically

become women's, but if I wore other clothes, it wouldn't work. I don't know why it was like

that. The guy who turned me into a Kempfer must be a perverted bastard.  

    So I had to prepare some women's underwear. But not too much. I felt embarrassed when

I went to buy it. And I was bathed in the shop assistants' gazes that seemed to say, "Go to

hell."  

    "Then go buy some."  

    "What?"  

    "Underwear."  

    What are you talking about?  

    "I told you I have some."  

    "It's unladylike to have only one or two pieces. More would be nice, wouldn't it?"  

    "It's only one night at most."  

    "It would be nice if it could just be over like that."  

    He said something like a prophecy. What if I have to stay longer than one night? It's only

two nights at most. I still have school to go to.  

    "You mean for men's clothing? The one I'm wearing is enough."  

    "Men's clothing is also very necessary."  

    I have quite a few of those.  

    "Let's go buy them. It's at the department store in front of the station. Just arrive an hour

early."  

    "Hey, don't just make a decision."  

    "Oh, it's not just a decision. I'm doing this for Natsuru." She's  

    calling me by my first name again. Lately, Shizuku's been calling me "Natsuru" whenever

I'm not paying attention. But let's focus on the underwear first. Is she trying to copy what

happened before by saying she's going to buy underwear? I went clothes shopping with

Akane and the others once before, but they had bad intentions.  

    "Since we're going with girls, the staff won't think it's unusual."  

    "I won't be used to it."  

    "Just bear with it."  

    That's what they call being forced to do it. If Shizuku decides to do this, even the US

military can't disobey her.  

    So, I was forced to agree to go underwear shopping with her. What a loser I am.  

    "And another thing. "  

    "And another thing?"  

    "Maybe it would be better to bring some entrails."  

    "Why?"  

    "Intuition,"  

    Shizuku said again. Then she fell silent. Is it because there's no basis for it? It's just a naive

feeling, isn't it?  

    "See you tomorrow. Close your eyes and get some sleep." With that, she hung up. "You

talkative fellow. You're my mom."  

    I hung up too. Then I opened my closet and prepared some lingerie. Even though I

complained to Shizuku, I still intended to do as she said.  

    That woman's intuition is incredible. From what I heard from Mikoto, it seemed like it had

something to do with the accumulation of experience and knowledge. She stores that

information in her head, and when faced with a situation, she unconsciously us es the

examples she's mentioned so far as a reference, expressing it in the form of "intuition."

Really? Shizuku is only a year older than me, but she seems to have so many  

    experiences.  

    Mikoto once boasted, "That's why I can find ruins right away in the rainforest." This woman

doesn't even need a detector.  

    And, somehow, this guy's reasoning seems more convincing. It seems like becoming a

Kempfer doctor's sixth sense strengthens. I've experienced this myself. Even my random

guesses during exams seem more accurate than usual. My prediction expert, Natsuru,  was in

full force.  

    Well, in a situation like this, the best thing to do is to follow Shizuku's instructions. I picked

up the women's underwear. Anyway, if anyone saw this, they'd definitely think I was a

pervert. If Higashida or Hanzawa found out, it wouldn't just be me being a fool. They're

perverts themselves, and yet they acted like this.  

    I took out my travel bag and stuffed it in. Underwear is fine, but there were hardly any

women's clothes, so I'd just use men's. I didn't need a swimsuit. Even though it was still

swimming season.  

    And then there was that thing. A visceral animal.  

    I reached out to the table.  

    "Hey,"  

    I called out to it.  

    "I'm going on a long trip tomorrow."  

    There was no answer.  

    "Get up, we're leaving."  

    "...Ah, yes,"  

    the Seppuku Tiger replied in a half -asleep voice.  

    This thing was what Shizuku had just called a "visceral animal." A Seppuku Tiger's

characteristic is that its internal organs are exposed from its abdomen. And for some reason,

it can talk.  

    I guess there's no need to explain further at this point. The viscera creatures were a small

toy released by a toy company as a desperate attempt to revive itself. Something this

disgusting couldn't even be called a toy; it was destined for a tragic en d in the toy market.

But it seems only kindhearted citizens are thinking this way. The company president has even

declared, "We're going to build a viscera shrine." Apparently, they're trying to raise funds due

to a lack of funds. But no matter how popular anime is in this cou ntry, no one's going to

contribute.  

    "Why do you look so sleepy?"  

    I said. Don't these dolls always look like they're asleep?  

    "I don't know why, but I've been feeling sleepy more lately. For the past year, just seeing

Natsuru's face has cleared my sleepiness."  

    "You haven't been talking any less."  

    "It would be nice to spend some time with Natsuru,"  

    he said, adding some incomprehensible things. It's not good for a doll to talk nonsense and

make abstract statements.  

    Forget it. I pointed at my travel bag.  

    "Hey, come in."  

    "Ah, going out?"  

    "I'm going to Sakura Kaede's tomorrow."  

    "That's about it."  

    Since I'd told it before, it understood immediately.  

    "Was that call from the president just now?"  

    "She's the only other woman who calls me saying she likes me."  

    If it was Sakura Kaede, I wouldn't mind if she called a few times, but it seemed unlikely. If it

was a guy, only Higashida would call. My circle of friends is too narrow, which is not good.  

    "By the way..." "  

    Did something happen between you and the president?"  

    "How did you know?"  

    "Didn't Natsuru come to school in the middle of the night? Only the president would do

that."  

    This guy is surprisingly not to be underestimated. So, why am I surrounded by such

intuitive people?  

    I waved my hand subtly.  

    "Whatever happened, it's over, isn't it?"  

    "No, no, as a messenger, it's my duty to keep an eye on Natsuru's life."  

    "You've never mentioned anything like that before, have you?"  

    "Nothing bad, please tell me."  

    Are you a nosy old woman? You can't be a woman yourself. I've always found your voice

the same as Shizuka Shodai's.  

    "Even if you knew, it wouldn't do you any good."  

    "Maybe I could give you some advice."  

    "Really?" "  

    Maybe."  

    What does "maybe" mean?  

    Since it said so, I told it everything that had happened so far. But I just skimmed over the

confession. I feel a little sorry for Mikoto and Shizuku... No, because this is quite

embarrassing. The  

    Seppuku Tiger laughed strangely.  

    "What a show."  

    "Do you want to be thrown out like recyclable garbage?"  

    "Never mind. So, you're being forced by Mikoto and Shizuku right now."  

    "I hate to admit it."  

    "So, what are you going to do, Natsuru?"  

    "What should I do... Let's just leave it like this." For now  

    , neither woman was in a rush to answer.  

    "But one day, we'll have to decide."  

    "The Earth might explode before then. I still believe a nuclear war is possible."  

    "Escape from reality won't work."  

    Wow, I'm being lectured by a doll. My life is over.  

    That being said, this guy's opinion is also correct. Regardless, the answer represents my

feelings. So, they want an answer, and I have to throw the ball. Of course  

    , while I hate this fact and wonder if humanity will perish, I don't think such a coincidence

would happen. And women are selfish creatures. Even if it involves the lives of all Japanese

people, they'll still demand an answer to a confession without a care. They think our

country's crisis is nothing.  

    Ultimately, the problem lies with me, and I haven't given an answer yet.  

    "So, what about Akane?"  

    "Hmm?"  

    "What is Akane doing?"  

    That makes sense, what was Akane doing? I was thinking about that, but my thoughts

were interrupted by Shizuku's call. As a Blue Kempfer, Mishima Akane was a very

unremarkable girl. But that was before she transformed. As a Kempfer, she becomes a foul -

mouthed, rude, and aggressive bulldog. She might think about shooting someone just

because they've gotten lucky. And then she actually does.  

    I crossed my arms and kept thinking about it.  

    "Akane. I remember going to an anime store with her."  

    "Wasn't that a date?"  

    "She seemed to say that, too."  

    "So Akane confessed to you, Natsuru."  

    "Is that so...?"  

    I tilted my head to the side. Is that true? My mind is in a mess. Even if someone told me it

was true, I'd probably believe it.  

    "Since you've been on a date, then Akane qualifies as a candidate, right?"  

    "Don't talk about candidates. Although, Akane is my type."  

    "What? Then why not choose Akane?  

    " What did "that's fine" mean? "That  

    's right. If a crisis develops, let Akane come to your aid."  

    "You mean, let Akane come out to help you?"  

    "No, I mean, if you're under attack by the enemy, let Akane come out to help you."  

    "...Will she?"  

    I inadvertently suspected something else. Because before her transformation, Akane was a

bespectacled, rather intimidating librarian, the type who would rather read a book in a

corner than argue with others.  

    "I guess so."  

    "What's going on?"  

    I was complaining when a call came in. It was  

    my cell phone again. The number was long gone. I pressed the call button.  

    "Hello."  

    "Natsuru -san, it's me."  

    It was Akane. The Seppuku Tiger was just there, saying "Come on!" and grinning. Although

she was smiling, her face barely changed at all.  

    "Natsuru -san?"  

    "I'm sorry, what's going  

    on?" "Aren't you going to Sakura Kaede's tomorrow?"  

    "Yeah."  

    "Before then, can we meet?"  

    "Huh?"  

    I inadvertently uttered a questioning sound. After all, Shizuku had said the same thing to

me. Of course I'd be surprised, right?  

    "What's the matter?"  

    "Before we leave, I guess."  

    "That's right... So, do you hate meeting me?"  

    I felt like I was about to cry. After hearing all that, it's probably fair to say that she's a

completely different person after her transformation.  

    "No,"  

    I had to say. Akane breathed a sigh of relief, and I could hear it even through the phone.  

    "Great... Well, in that case, can we meet an hour before the meeting time?"  

    "Oh, that."  

    It was exactly the same time as Shizuku had agreed. It wouldn't be possible without two

bodies.  

    Suddenly, a frustrated voice came from the other end of the line.  

    "As expected, you hate meeting me..."  

    "No, it's because I have an appointment...ah, something like shopping or something."  

    "I'll go with you."  

    "That's not a good idea...ah, no, how about meeting two hours in advance?"  

    "That's fine."  

    The voice returned to normal. The mood seemed to change quickly. But I was in trouble.  

    "Then let's meet two hours in advance at the meeting place."  

    "Okay."  

    I listened to Akane's cheerful voice and hung up the phone.  

    Then I started thinking. What does "something" mean? What are her plans after meeting?  

    "It looks like it's not an ordinary conversation."  

    said the Seppuku Tiger. This damn doll, it heard the whole conversation clearly. Chemical

fiber that likes to invade privacy.  

    "If you just want to talk, can you use the phone?"  

    "So you want to meet in person."  

    "What a hassle."  

    "That's why you're not welcome. Ah, but things have been different recently."  

    Why do I feel like I'm being judged from above? Everyone around me, from Shizuku to

Higashida, treats me like an idiot. They're also focusing their attacks on me, calling me "slow"

and "inconsiderate." This is clearly a violation of human rights. Where  can I complain to

them? The United Nations?  

    "Why can't I go on another appointment when it's just a meeting?"  

    "That's right. Mikoto might call right about now."  

    That reminded me.  

    "...So, I haven't seen Mikoto lately."  

    "You say lately, but hasn't it been months?"  

    "That's right. She used to come over every few days and make me curry."  

    Mikoto is a curry lover. I think most Japanese people love curry, but this girl's love is a bit

unusual. She eats curry from morning till night. Occasionally, she'll have ramen. Her

obsession makes you wonder if she's been paid by a food company.  

    Even the Seppuku Tiger has an expression like, "I see." This hasn't changed much.  

    "It's true I haven't smelled much curry lately."  

    "Since Mikoto isn't here, I've been eating something else. That's fine, though."  

    "Are you still feeling lonely?"  

    "No."  

    That's not the case. If you don't wash your face after getting up in the morning, you'll feel a

little uneasy all day. It's the same feeling.  

    "Never mind, we'll see each other tomorrow anyway. I'll have to get up even earlier

tomorrow."  

    "Didn't the president tell me to go to bed early?"  

    "I hate  

    getting up early." "Wouldn't it be nice to go for a jog in the morning?"  

    He said that even though he knew I hated exercise. Waking up early and running is just

terrible. I have a habit of rejecting what's considered right in this world. Of course, I'm not

rebelling, I'm just being passive.  

    "First, Akane, it seems like there's a company business meeting."  

    "It's better not to run into the president."  

    "Indeed."  

    "Akane, I hope you and Natsuru are alone. Didn't you argue with the president earlier?" "  

    So I went to the anime store with her. It was Shizuku who had pulled me away from Akane

at that time, and she said something that would keep me awake. So, I thought if they met,

they would just have a huge fight. Even if it was only on a mental level.  

    And then I kept thinking, why did Akane care about me so much?  

    "Hey, don't you understand that Natsuru?"  

    Seppuku Tiger suddenly said.  

    "There's only one reason Akane wants to be with you, Natsuru?"  

    "…"

    Of course, a thought popped into my head.  

    But for some reason, I just couldn't bring myself to say it.  

    "Akane -chan, well, she's my type."  

    "Oh."  

    "So that's right."  

    She said something unclear, and I stopped talking. Seppuku Tiger continued, "Natsuru

hasn't changed at all; he likes to wait and see."  

    I stuffed the chattering doll into my bag and threw it out into the hallway, to avoid being

talked to while I slept.  

Translator's Notes

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

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