Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3.5 Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～

Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～

Please fill in the correct name of the historical person in the blank below.

The person who instituted the rakuichi rakuza and abolished monopolies to promote business and economic growth is ______.

Himeji Mizuki's answer:

"Oda Nobunaga"

Teacher's comment:

Correct answer.

Shimada Minami's answer:

"Chonmage"[1]

Teacher's comment:

Gotten used to Japan already? Sensei's a bit worried on seeing your answer.

Yoshii Akihisa's answer:

"Nobu"

Teacher's comment:

You're very familiar with him, aren't you?

Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju ～Preparation Chapter～

After we shifted here, onee-chan seemed to be a lot more lethargic.

Is it because she's being bullied at school? Or is it that there's someone she finds irritating?

But then again, every time onee-chan talked about those classmates, it sounded really interesting. Onee-chan also seemed like she really likes them...

If so, why's onee-chan so lethargic?

Is it because of school work? Onee-chan did say before the she has some difficulty.

I hope the onee-chan can recover soon.

It's going to be onee-chan's birthday, would onee-chan be motivated if I give her a huge plushie? Onee-chan always loved dolls after all.

Mm, let's do that! I'll buy a big big Noi doll for onee-chan to cheer her up!

...I wonder if I have enough pocket money?

☆

"EVERYONE FREEZE! PUT YOUR BAGS ON THE TABLE AND LET ME SEE WHAT YOU BROUGHT TO SCHOOL!"

Just right after morning self-study period started, the homeroom teacher in charge of our class, Iron—I'll try that again, Nishimura-sensei, who's in charge of our class, suddenly declared this without warning.

Argh! Not good! I brought nothing that's related to attending lessons at all!

—Should I carry my bag and run away at the fastest speed I can?

For that moment, that idea appeared in my mind.

"Let me tell you beforehand, don't ever think of running away!"

It's a difficult task to run away from this homeroom teacher. Besides, this guy's a brawny teacher with the moniker 'ironman'. No matter how we try to run, he'll use this body that's trained for an 'Ironman' triathlon to pursue us relentlessly.

"Alright, I'm going to start checking. If there's anything unrelated to attending lessons, I will confiscate them without leaving anything."

Starting from the first row near the corridor, Ironman startst to check the contents of all the bags one by one and confiscate the poker cards and magazines that each person brought.

"Sakamoto, let me see what's inside your pocket."

Among us, one of the students has not only his bag, even his pockets are to be checked.

"...Damn it."

Sakamoto Yuuji makes a sound in agony—he's my best worst friend.

However, he still obediently rummages through his pocket and pulls out an MP3.

"As expected. I'll be confiscating this."

After saying this, Ironman puts Yuuji's MP3 into his confiscation pouch. Yuuji, who never expected his pocket to be search through, glares at Ironman defiantly.

(This is a disaster, isn't it, Yuuji?)

I whispered to Yuuji's ear.

(Really a disaster. Would they normally check pockets? I'm the only one who got my pockets checked!)

(Can't be helped. Who asked Yuuji to be such a bad person?)

(...Go to hell!)

Looking closely, it seems like Ironman's method of checking will change according to the student. He'll only ask the well-behaved students to open their bags and briefly look through their bags once. But for the ill-behaved students, he'll check thoroughly, even including the inside bags of the bag.

"You're next, Yoshii Akihisa."

"Ah, yes."

Ironman arrives in front of me. Even though I don't think that he'll ask me to rummage through my pockets like Yuuji—

"Take off your uniform first, and change into your P.E. attire."

"Eh? Aren't you being too wary?"

This level of trust far exceeds what I imagined.

"Well...Nishimura-sensei, for me to change in front of the girls, it's a bit..."

"That won't do. you may be hiding some prohibited item in your trousers, so take them out."

"How can you do this! Even if it's me, I can't possibly go to that extent! You should at least trust me—"

Just as I agitatedly approached sensei, 'CLACK!', something seemed to drop out from the leg of my trousers.

"Oi, Akihisa, your NDS dropped out."

I received the handheld gaming console that Yuuji nicely helped me picked up, and after saying thanks, I again face sensei.

"Sensei, believe in me, will you?"

"Forget about wearing P.E. attire."

How, how is this possible! He's actually even more wary now!

"You actually brought gaming consoles, manga, light novels, DVD...what one earth are you treating school as?"

My precious stuff are confiscated away, one by one. Speaking of which, why did he do a spot-check when I brought so many things out? The value of those confiscated items may total up to be tens of thousands yen.

"Are these all? I said before, the school is a place for you to learn knowledge, you are not allowed to bring anything unrelated to school."

After searching, Ironman carried the confiscated items back to the podium. I won't be able to see my precious again...

"Alright, since you people brought all these along, morning self-study will be cancelled. The first lesson will be 'summoning practical', all students are to immediately rush over to the gym."

After saying this, Ironman carries all the confiscated items and leaves the classroom.

☆

"—Summon!"

Hearing the summoning call echo throughout the gym, I say to Yuuji, who's beside me.

"...It's only early morning and we're already so unlucky."

"Yeah, that MP3 I bought last month actually got confiscated, damn it."

"Wah, that's not too long ago."

"That one was expensive, you know!"

Yuuji's wild looking face shrivels with sadness as he continues to complain. I can understand~~this feeling."

"Akihisa, you got your handheld games confiscated as well, right? There's quite a few of them."

"Mm...the total value should be over 30,000 yen."

Handheld games, game software, DVDs and CDs; totaling up the value of all the confiscated items, the number 1 this time should be either me or Muttsulini. How unlucky..."

"Next, Himeji Mizuki, please step forward."

"Ye, yes."

"Oh, it's Himeji now? Rare for her to wear a P.E. attire. Muttsulini, is it really alright not to take photos of her?"

"...My camera got confiscated."

"I see, quite the pity. We're in different classes, so it's rare to see Himeji-san in a P.E. attire."

"There's only this one summoning practical."

"...(Lowers head dejectedly)."

Muttsulini's so depressed that he can't even lift his head up. Sigh, this can't be helped anyway.

Silky and smooth long hair, and cute and innocent look, an ample chest that seems to be self-aware and supports the uniform; Even if it's not Muttsulini, any guy will want to take a photo of her pretty figure; I know that I definitely want to.

"Is, is this how you do it? Summon!"

Himeji-san doesn't really seem confident as she mutters. A geometrical magic array appears beside her feet, and Himeji-san's summoned beast appears in front of everyone.

"As expect of Himeji, her summoned beast sure looks impressive..."

"Yeah, and cute too."

Himeji-san's summoned beast looks really cute. Since a summoned beast is basically formed from the caster's appearance, and since the caster's already so cute looking, there's no need to emphasize it further.

But speaking of which, what makes her summoned beast so impressive—

"Most likely, nobody else will be able to wield such a terrifyingly huge sword."

"Yeah, only Himeji-san is able to do that."

Her summoned beast is wielding a Western longsword that's several times longer than her height, and she's lifting it effortlessly. Anyone can tell that this summoned beast isn't to be underestimated.

Class C, Himeji Mizuki, Combined subjects 3943 points.

Vs

Class C, Furukawa Ayumi, Combined subjects 1264 points.

The reference points appear in front of us. These are the results of the previous mid-term exams.

"I see, so that's why she's so strong."

"It's almost 4000 points. Himeji-san sure is smart."

Mmm...holed up in a corner, we continue to nod our heads away.

The strength of a summoned beast is equivalent to the points that the owner gets. Since the test summoning system totals up the marks, basically, the higher amount of points a person gets, the stronger the summoned beast will be.

"Speaking of which, don't Akihisa and Himeji know each other?"

"Mm~ she was my grade school classmate...but we haven't spoken to each other for years. She should have forgotten about me, right?"

We're in different classes right now, separated for a long time. If there's a chance, I'll definitely want to talk to her, but there's no real chance for me to talk to any girl from another class. If I'm to go to her class and immediately say "Himeji-san, I got something to say to you", this will look like a confession no matter what.

"I see, you'll most likely be streamed into different classes next year. I can you can be erased from Hiemji's memory."

"Next year? Are you talking about the streaming exam?"

"Yeah, you definitely won't be able to be in the same class as her anyway."

"Now that you mentioned it, that's right..."

After we entered school, we were streamed into different classes like other schools. But next year, things will be different. We'll be sorted according to our grades. Though Himeji-san is in class C, when we become second-years, she'll definitely be sorted into class A with those top grades of hers. If so, me and Yuuji will definitely be unable to be classmates with her since we're just straddling about in class D anyway.

"I'll be forgotten by her...this sure feels rather lonely..."

"Yeah, there's no benefit for her to remember you anyway."

"How can you say that!"

Just as we're blankly seeing other classes battle it out and talking away—

"Next! Yoshii Akihisa and Shimada Minami!"

Ironman—let me repeat that again, this is the voice of our homeroom teacher, Nishimura-sensei.

Recovering myself, I find that those before me who were waiting to practice their summoning are all back.

"I'm going then."

"Go then. You're a 'punishment inspector' candidate anyway, go learn how to control a summoned beast properly."

"...I say, I'm different from you Yuuji. I'm not some problematic kid!"

I rolled my eyes back at Yuuji. Really, what about being a 'punishment inspector'? That's really rude. Aren't they saying that I'm a problematic student? Why is he calling me this when it's basically the equivalent of being an idiot?

"Hurry up, Yoshii!!"

"Alright~"

Hearing Ironman roar at me, I hastily increase my pace.

Paying attention, the training partner has already finished her summoning.

"..."

The person stares at the summoned beast in front of her in shock. This girl with an energetic-looking ponytail and attractive long legs is my classmate, Shimada-san. At this moment, she reveals a slight melancholic look that doesn't fit her. What happened? Why's she looking so depressed and lethargic? Is her summoned beast even weak and useless than what she thought would be?"

"What's wrong, Shimada-san? Are you shocked that your summoned beast is so weak?"

After saying this, I see that she seems to be healed by my gentleness. The grey clouds above her are gone, now replaced with a look of delight.

"Ah, so Yoshii's the opponent. How delightful."

Shimada-san slightly blushes. Seeing her so happy, I felt happy as well—oh my, to reveal her feelings to me in front of everyone like this, this kid's really troublesome."

"Because it's great to beat up Yoshii."

...This kid's really troublesome!

"Shimada-san, the target's the summoned beast, not us."

I'm a little worried, so I confirmed the rules with her again. This is the summoning practical that's meant for the summoning battles next year, so no matter what, this should be a battle between summoned beasts.

"You're right, we won't be fighting each other."

Shimada-san immediately nodded her head in agreement. Great, seems like she understood.

"Since I'll be the one dishing out the beatdown anyway."

SEEMS LIKE SHE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND AT ALL!

"That, sensei, what Shimada-san did just now was an act of violence. If you have the time to check our belongings, you should do something about this case of school violence, right?"

"...Shimada, even if the opponent's Yoshii, violence is bad."

"But sensei..."

No buts. A no is a no, you understand?"

"...Yes."

"Really...so you really understand? If so—"

Ironman suddenly reveals a smirk and says,

"—I'll give you a special discount this time."

"Eh? Aren't those words really weird?"

Am I thinking too much? It seemed like a teacher just allowed a case of school violence!

"I'll do my best!"

"Right, so you must work hard."

"Ah haha, sensei, Shimada-san, you two are really stupid. Do you think that you two can beat me so easily? If so, I'm going to counter and beat you two—I'M SORRY, IT'S MY FAULT, PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!"

It's useless even if I apologised.

Don't tell me...that those cautious words of mine caused this disaster?

☆

"Ho...ever since morning inspection, it's been one disaster after another today..."

After a day's worth of lessons, it's dismissal time. I'm chatting away with those guys who I usually talk to.

"That's because Akihisa-bro brought so many unnecessary things to school."

Sitting beside me and showing me a smile is Kinoshita Hideyoshi, who's in the same class as me, Yuuji and Muttsulini. It's already weird to hear him speak like an old man, and he has a beauty's face on him. He really likes to make comments. Even so, I do feel that he's the most normal person after me, since the other two are so abnormal that words can't describe them.

"Speaking of which, Hideyoshi didn't get anything confiscated, right?

"Of course I did, I got some costumes and props confiscated from me. Even though I told sensei that it's for the drama club, they still got confiscated either way."

The school has already provided some props and costumes for Hideyoshi, so Hideyoshi himself doesn't need to bring them. If so, these are unnecessary things. However—

"There's no need to confiscate them all anyway, he could have given us some leeway. Who expected Ironman's brain to be so hard."

"...(Nods head forcefully)."

"His brain's definitely filled with lead."

Muttsulini and Yuuji seem to agree with me. This can't be helped, since they got quite a few things confiscated as well.

And I actually thought that 'we're just having summoning practical today, so there're no lessons; should be rather relaxing today."

It was supposed to be relaxing, but I guess it's better to have lessons without the search.

"Summoning practical..."

Hearing my little grumbling, Yuuji muttered to himself.

"Eh? What's wrong, Yuuji?"

"Nothing. It's just that I remembered that we have to take part in summoning war next year."

For some reason, he sure seemed happy when he said this.

Speaking of summoning war, well, it's about having a summoning battle between classes with the class facilities on the line. If we can move onto second year without any mishaps, we'll have this summoning war system on us.

"But why must we have this summoning war system? If we want to differentiate the scores clearly, can't we just stick grades onto everyone?"

"Well, most likely, they prefer a summoning war to tests since it can motivate students, right? As a class, the students will work hard to not drag their classmates down."

"I see. So they intend to make us work together and improve our grades without breaking us, right?"

"Yeah, this allows the school to do what they want the most, and that's 'to groom students who can showcase their real potential in society'."

"Oh~ Is that so?"

Just as the four of them were chatting away.

"Ah...really, that Yoshii actually left the cleaning work to me. Where did he go off to?"

A certain student can be heard shouting on the corridor. Is that Shimada-san?

"What the heck, Akihisa. You're in charge of cleaning today?"

"Mm, but I left the cleaning work to Shimada-san and ran off first."

"Hmm, according to how I see it, you two have quite the relationship."

"...(Nods head forcefully)."

"Ah haha, it's not what you think it is."

"Really. Once I catch him, I'll tie his limbs up and throw him down the 3rd level!"

That's a highly difficult stunt even a stuntman will be afraid of.

"Sorry, I don't think I can protect my own life any longer. I'll be leaving now!"

Without saying anything else, I grabbed my bag and dashed out of the corridor. I love my life.

"Ah, Yoshii! So you're hiding here! Hold it right there!"

"I'm not going to wait! You're going to kill me, right?"

"I'm not angry at all. Just hold on, will you!?"

That's definitely a lie.

"These two really have rather good feelings."

"...(Nods head forcefully)."

She said that she's not angry, but she's holding onto a rope for some reason.

☆

"Hoo...that was scary~"

It's been past 30 minutes since I came running out of school, and before I knew it, I'm on a shopping street.

"Well. I don't intend to buy anything, so I guess I'll go back home—hm?"

Just as I intended to head home, I saw a familiar figure walk into a shop. Isn't that Himeji-san?

"I guess it's somewhat of a fate for us to meet here. Should I be courageous and call her..."

Though we did study in the same class during elementary school, we were separated into different classes during middle school. Before I knew it, Himeji-san seemed so distant from me. To see her in front of me after so many years, I really want to talk to her—the reason why I feel this way is most likely because of Yuuji's words 'She'll erase you from her memory anyway'.

In order to turn my thoughts into action, I follow Himeji-san closely as I walked into the shop...only to find that there're so many dolls here, it's unbelievable. Seems like this is a doll shop that a girl will love the most—what the heck, this shop's basically a doll shop!

"Well, let's go back. This shop really doesn't suit me."

I immediately hasten my pace and walk towards the exit. Anyway, the most important thing right now is to leave this place.

"This is Hazuki's only request of this lifetime. Please, uncle!"

"Even if you say that, I have to do business, you know..."

The moment I reached the exit, I suddenly heard this conversation. It seemed like a girl's standing at the counter and telling the cashier something. She seems rather insistent on this. What's going on?

I felt a bit mindful, so I turn my head to where the voice came from. As I expected, it's a cashier uncle and a girl who looks like she's in elementary school.

"I want to get that big Noi doll no matter what. Please, I beg you!"

"Even if you ask me like this...we're doing business. Wouldn't it be unfair to the other customers if I give you a little discount? We shopkeepers do have to treat all customers equally."

"Even so, please!"

"Uuu...really can't handle you..."

The cashier uncle looked rather troubled as he said this and scratches his face. The girl however continued to beg earnestly. Seeing such a small girl beg like this, I'll be seen as really cruel if I'm to walk away like this...

"Hey, little girl, why do you want this doll?"

I know that I'm too nosey, but I still ended up getting involved.

Now that a 3rd party has suddenly appeared, the little girl and the uncle revealed a surprised look on their faces.

"Be, because onee-chan didn't look too good recently. I wanted to buy the doll that she always wanted to hopefully motivate her..."

"Not looking good?"

"Most likely, because she just came back from Germany and couldn't understand Japanese well!

Shifted houses...even if it's within Japanese land, anyone will feel lonely when the friends and environment changes, let alone coming back to Japan.

"Even then, onee-chan took over mommy and daddy and did all the housework like sweeping and washing clothes nicely, and often play together with Hazuki..."

Seemed like it hit her sore spot as Hazuki-chan's wide eyes start to tear up.

"Waa! Don, don't cry! Nii-san will help you out here!"

"...Really?"

"Mm, really."

"...Thank you, onii-chan!"

Wiping away the tears, Hazuki-chan reveals a delightful smile.

"Speaking of which, how much does this doll cost?"

The doll in Hazuki-chan's arms is about 1m tall. If I make a rough estimate, I don't think 5,000 yen's going to be enough.

"Including tax, it'll be a total of 24,800 yen."

"Sorry, nii-san already tried, but he can't do it."

"Onii-chan?"

Hazuki-chan looks rather sad.

Argh! Didn't expect one to be that expensive. Under these conditions, the declaration of surrender came out of my mouth without thinking through.

"Then how much does Hazuki-chan has?"

"I only have 10,000yen..."

So we're missing 15,000. Including my entire fortune, there's only 11,699 yen. We can't even hitting the price of 24,800 yen! The most we can pay is half.

"Excuse me, can you sell this doll to us at 11,699 yen?"

"Eh, I just said before that that we're doing a business here..."

The reply's still the same.

"Onii-chan, this isn't any different from before."

Hazuki-chan whispered to my ear.

She's right. Up till now, I've been doing the same thing as what Hazuki-chan's been doing. However, things will be different from now on. I'm not an elementary school student; let's show her how an adult (high school student) does things!

"We have only 11,699 yen in total, that's about half the price of the doll, right?"

"Ya. That's still not quite enough."

"Hazuki-chan wants this doll, and uncle wants to sell this to her, but you're unwilling to sell it to her at half price. If so, I have a great idea!"

"Hm? What is it?"

"We can rip the doll in half and sell the right side to—eh? What? Why are you two seeing me as an idiot?"

"...Are you really a high school student?"

"...Onii-chan's an idiot!"

I, I actually got called stupid by an elementary school kid!

"I can't give you a discount, but I can guarantee that I won't sell this doll away for the time being. You can go back to discuss with your parents first."

Making this conclusion, the uncle ended the conversation just like this.

"Can't you ask your parents to buy it for you, Hazuki-chan?"

Having walked out of the shop, we came to the park to discuss our plans.

"Mommy and daddy aren't normally at home...so they would leave the money to one-chan. If I want to buy something, onee-chan will definitely ask for a reason..."

"I see, uu~"

Wanting to do something for her beloved older sister—Hazuki-chan's heart's ever so glamorous, it's way different from my family who sent me to Fumitzuki Gakuen on the excuse of 'not wanting to waste school fees'. I must help Hazuki-chan in order to prevent her from losing this intimacy with her family.

But speaking of which, what should I do? It'll be good if I have some more money, but my money's about to be used it...

"Oh ya! Hazuki can get money if she sells her manga to a second-hand shop, right?"

Hazuki-chan thought of this brilliant plan as her eyes sparkle. It's true that we can get money just like this, but I think that she can't get so much anyway. Of course, it's a different case altogether if I have those handheld games that were confiscated this morning—

"Hm? Oh ya, there's this plan after all!"

"...Onii-chan, have you thought of something?"

"I can't possibly get it back it my hands anyway. If I'm successful, we may be able to get enough money to buy the doll..."

Though I don't think it can work...mm! It's still worth a try though.

"Okay! Hazuki-chan, can you come back to the park tomorrow?"

"Y, yes. I can come over..."

"Then we'll meet here tomorrow. It's getting dark now, let's go home."

I waved my hands and said goodbye to Hazuki-chan. Anyway, I got to discuss it with Yuuji and the rest tomorrow.

"Ah, mm, bye bye..."

Speaking of which, did Himeji-san really enter that shop?

☆

"So you want to take back those confiscated items?"

The next morning, in the same classroom, I talked to the trio as per usual.

"I do feel that it's a pity to leave those things that got confiscated yesterday, but..."

"Uu~mm...ya, but the opponent's that Ironman. We may be designated as 'Punishment Inspectors' if we're not careful..."

Yuuji and Hideyoshi lower their chin and ponder. Seems like they don't intend to help me. This is bad, looks like I have to deal with this on my own.

"...I approve of Akihisa's proposal."

"Eh? Muttsulini? You're willing to help me?"

"...(Nods head forcefully)."

Great! Now at least I have someone who specializes in stealth helping me out.

"...Never mind, let's give it a go."

"Ah? So Yuuji's okay with it?"

"Yeah. I just bought that MP3 recently, and I accumulated quite a debt to Ironman, so let's settle this once and for all."

Yuuji smirked. What an enthusiastic bad guy's face.

"If so, I'll help out as well. If I can get back those things, I don't want to give up as well."

In the end, even Hideyoshi nodded his head, and everyone decided to take part in this. As expected of the group problematic first-years.

"Right now, the most important thing is to investigate where our targets are."

"That's right. If we don't even know where Ironman hid those confiscated items, we can't possibly get them back even if we want to."

The confiscated items may have ended up being abandoned, but they were just confiscated yesterday, so Ironman should still have them with him.

"That's the case. Akihisa, remove the silence function of the phone."

"Eh? Why?"

"Don't ask too much, just do it. You want those confiscated items back, right?"

"...I'm not really sure what's going on, but I just need to remove the silence function, right?"

"That's right."

The phone can't possibly ring during lesson time, there shouldn't be any problems, right? Let's just follow what Yuuji told me to do.

I pull my handphone out from my pocket and took it out of silent mode.

"Oi, you people better hurry up and sit down. I'm going to start taking attendance."

Seeing our homeroom teacher Ironman walk into the classroom, I immediately slip the handphone back into my pocket.

"Alright, let's begin."

Thus, our battle for the confiscated items officially begins now.

"Shimada."

"Here."

"Shimizu."

"Here."

At the usual time of taking attendance, Ironman's coarse voice echoes clearly throughout the classroom.

"Yamaguchi."

"Here."

"Watanabe."

"Here."

—Beep beep beep.

Suddenly, a beep interrupted the class while attendance is taken. Whose phone is it? Really, do think that we have such a stupid person in class. The phone will definitely get confiscated when it rings in class.

"...Yoshii, hand over your phone."

"...Yes."

The problem is, this stupid person was me.

Damn it! Why must it ring at this moment!? Who called me!?

<<Missed call: Sakamoto Yuuji>>

"Yu, Yuuji, you betrayed me!"

"I'll consficate the handphone then."

"Ahh! Handphone! MY HANDPHONE!"

My handphone got taken away by Ironman mercilessly.

"Very good. Nobody's came late nor skipped classes. I hope that all students will continue to keep this up."

After taking the attendance, Ironman moves his heavy feet out of the classroom—together with my handphone.

"Very good. Part 1 of the plan is complete."

"Yuuji! What sort of grudge do you have against me! Now my handphone got confiscated by Ironman all because of you!"

"This is a bait meant to fish out where our targets are. We just need to take them back."

"Eh? Bait?"

"That's right. I deliberately allowed Ironman to confiscate your handphone in order to find out where Ironman hid those items."

"Why didn't you tell me in the first place..."

And if possible, I hope that you can use your handphone as bait.

"...I'm back."

"WAHH!"

Suddenly talking right behind me. You scared me~

"Oh, Muttsulini came back already. How was it?"

"...Those confiscated items are placed in the staff storage cupboard."

"As expected of Muttsulini, erasing your own presence to tail people, that truly is your specialty. I'm impressed."

Seems like Muttsulini went to tail Ironman and investigate where my handphone was hidden. If it's tailing others without attracting attention, Yuuji can't do it, and Hideyoshi doesn't have the skills.

"...But the cupboard's locked."

"Okay. So where's the key?"

"...In the rear left pocket of Ironman's pants."

"I see. If so, we have to snatch the key from him."

"Ya, but how are we going to do that?"

"No problems. I got a good idea. We'll take action during cleaning time."

Anyway, let's attend lessons and wait for school dismissal.

☆

It's finally dismissal time.

"So, what plan do you have?"

As I tried to sneak out yesterday, I was punished to sweep the entire corridor alone. Thus, I'm discussing the plan with Yuuji and the rest while twisting the mop around. These damned guys don't have any intentions of helping out in the first place.

"We'll be using that."

Yuuji lifts his chin and points.

"A pail? What are we going to do with that?"

"We're going to use that to splash water on Ironman and make him take off his clothes."

I see. If so, we can then take his clothes away and take the key to the cupboard,

"Mm hm~ this method is simple and easy to succeed."

Hideyoshi's right. We can't possibly fail. Basically, there's only the last problem to this plan, and that is—whoever going to splash the water on Ironman will get pursued by him to the ends of the Earth.

"There's only one problem in this plan, and that's the one who's going to splash the water, 'Akihisa' will get pursued by him to the ends of the Earth."

Hold on! Is it decided that I'll be the one in charge of doing this?

"However, that's not really a huge problem."

THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM TO ME!

"Oi, isn't that too strange? Let's settle this with rock paper scissors!"

"Ooh, look! Me and our target's already here."

"Very good. You got to do your best, Akihisa!"

"...Do your best."

"Eh? Hold on!"

The trio already wordlessly retreated back in the shortest time possible.

Ironman has already climbed up the stairs. If so, I can only do this!

My eyes have already captured the target, and the relative speed was estimated. The prepared weapon's in my hand, everything's okay—time to attack!

"WAAHH! I SLIPPED!"

Dragging the mop, I deliberately fell forward by letting my feet stagger and aim the pail at Ironman, who's on the stairs. GET WET!

"GUAH!"

How, how is it possible! As expected of Ironman! To be able to suddenly react in the blink of an eye and dodge the splash thanks to his superhuman senses! However—

"WHERE ARE YOU ESCAPING TO!?"

I drag the mop in my hand to where Ironman dodged to. I won't admit defeat so easily!

Phoosh, Clak cak cak.

The water from the pail drenched Ironman, and the pail rolls asie. Mission accomplished.

I pick up the pail and mop that I threw out as I remain mindful not to step on the puddle of water, saying to a stunned Ironman "Sorry, I slipped—AHH, sensei! An encyclopaedia isn't to be used as a weapon!"

"I thought I just heard you say 'Where are you escaping to', didn't I?"

"That's just a hallucination."

"Stop trying to lie to me with such a serious look on your face. Get ready to die!"

"Sen, sensei, please don't use the edge of the encyclopaedia!"

Where are you guys now! Come save me! I'll definitely be beaten down by Ironman into a panda if this keeps up!

"Ahh, Akihisa, you really ended up doing it."

Yuuji and the rest appeared out of nowhere. Anyway, I'm saved~

"I told you so many times 'not to splash water onto sensei'..."

"Ow, OWW! SENSEI! I SAID THAT I DIDN'T DO IT ON PURPOSE ALREADY!"

They, they didn't help out at all! These damned guys! Are they intending to sit around and watch?

"Sensei, punish Akihisa later. I guess you better change your clothes. If you don't mind, I'll lend my P.E. attire to you."

"That's right. Sorry, then lend me that. Yoshii, stay behind and scrub the floor clean!"

Leaving these words behind, Ironman, who was drenched by me, head off to the classroom with Yuuji and the rest to change clothes.

"...So unfortunate."

Anyway, I remained behind to clean the floor up. Besides, I have the cleaning tools in my hand.

Just as I'm working hard to wipe the water off the floor, Hideyoshi walks out of the classroom and moves towards me.

"I got the key, Akihisa."

"Really? Then we just need to enter the staffroom and get back the confiscated items."

"Umm, let's hurry up before Ironman realizes it."

"Got it!"

After letting the mop lean against the wall, Hideyoshi and I quickly head towards the staffroom.

"I'm going in then."

I took the cupboard key from Hideyoshi's hands and reach my hand out for the door.

"There's no problem, right?"

"No need to worry. I'll try my best to walk into the staffroom without raising too much attention and get those things back."

I should be just an ordinary student to every teacher, except for Ironman. I should be more suited for this role as compared to Hideyoshi, who has the look of a beauty.

"Really? Then I'll just wait here for your good news."

"Mm, I'm going in then~ 'cuse me~"

I open the staffroom door slightly. No problem, I'm not some irritating guy.

"Yoshii? Hurry up and get over here!"

"Why!? Why am I noticed so soon after entering the room!?"

I got caught by the Ancient Literature teacher immediately after entering the room. Why?

"I want to hear what excuse you have regarding the essay 'translate the Tsurezuregusa[2] into Modern Language'!"

"Ah, I did hand in my homework properly."

"I'm asking why did you turn the Tsurezuregusa into a rap!?"

"Eh? But sensei wanted it to be translated into the modern language, and speaking of modern Japanese, isn't it—"

"Ah, Yoshii-kun, remember to come over here after you're done there."

"Yoshii, that Chemistry report you handed in was too ridiculous! Come over and explain it to me later."

Unknowingly, I got surrounded by several teachers. Well, if this is the case, forget about completing the plan, I'll be hounded by these teachers till night! Got to find a way to get away from them!

"Excuse me..."

Just as I'm pondering on what to do, someone else entered the staffroom. Hm? Isn't that Hideyoshi?

"Ooh, isn't that Kinoshita? What's wrong?"

"I, I suddenly...don't feel too good...but the health teacher isn't...in..."

Hideyoshi cupped his mouth. He really doesn't look too good. Is he sick?

"Hideyoshi, are you—"

I frantically rushed towards him. At this moment, he suddenly blinked at me. I see, so he's acting! As expected of someone from the drama club, I nearly got fooled.

"Sorry, but can I rest here—"

Before finishing, Hideyoshi collapsed onto the floor.

"Ki, Kinoshita! Are you alright?"

"Anyway, let's take him to the sickbay!"

"You, you're right! Sensei, please carry his legs!"

A few teachers start to create quite the ruckus. After that, everyone in the staffroom left to accompany Hideyoshi to the sick bay. Brilliantly done, Hideyoshi!

"Let's use this opportunity to get back those confiscated items. Let me see, Ironman...no wait, it's Nishimura. Nishimura's..."

I checked the nametag on the cupboards which are according to order. Oh, found it. It's this one.

"...Speaking of which, I somehow imagined that bugs will crawl out of Ironman's cupboard."

Though I'm a bit fearful, I have no time to hesitate. I pull out the key Hideyoshi handed to me and pull the door handle down, opening the metal cupboard effortlessly.

"Oh, it's unexpectedly clean..."

The cupboard's arranged rather neatly, and the bag of confiscated goods are placed in an obvious place.

"Let's get out of here before someone notices—hm?"

Just as I was about to lock the cupboard up and run away, I noticed a pile of old books tied up in raffia strings. Should be meant for throwing away.

"Uu~hm...since he's going to throw it, I might as well take it. Maybe I can get some money as well."

After grabbing the books with both hands, I immediately dashed out of the staffroom.

"Okay! At least we achieved our goal!"

After what happened just now, I brought the spoils—the bag of confiscated items back to Yuuji, only taking away my own stuff and the pile of old books. I then took them over to a second-hand shop to exchange these spoils for cash.

My handheld games and gaming software garnered a price lower than what I expected, while that pile of books got quite the price; what a nice mistake in estimation. I really got to thank Ironman for this.

"Let me see, is that girl here~"

"Ah! Onii-chan! You're here!"

Hazuki-chan immediately came running over to me the moment I approached the park. She really looked like a cute puppy, and that even warms my heart. Maybe it's because I'm often surrounded by idiots, Ironman and a violent girl...

"Mm, because we arranged to meet each other. Oh yeah, where did you get that doll from?"

Looking closely, Hazuki-chan's hugging something similar to the Noi doll that she wanted to buy (is that what it's called?). It looks as if it was sewn by hand.

"There was a pretty onee-chan who came over and said to me 'If that onii-chan couldn't succeed, then give this to your sister!' and handed it over to me!"

"?"

"And she also said 'If that onii-chan managed to buy the doll, i'll give this doll to you.'."

The kid's lack of order in her speech confused me.

Erm, let me straighten Hazuki-chan's words out—

—A pretty onee-chan came to Hazuki-chan today.

—And then, she handed this handmade doll over to Hazuki-chan

—This pretty onee-chan even said that if I couldn't do it, she'll give this doll to Hazuki-chan's sister as a gift.

—But if I succeeded, this doll will go to Hazuki-chan.

—So that's how it is.

"Mmm, is that so? Then this doll will go to hazuki-chan."

"Eh? Really?"

"Yeah. And this doll will go to Hazuki-chan's sister."

I hand over the large doll in my hand over to Hazuki-chan. It should be tough for her petite body to carry such a large doll, but she still received it delightedly.

"This is great! Thank you, onii-chan!"

"No problems. It'll be great if your sister can cheer up."

I patted her head. Hazuki-chan seems to enjoy it as she slowly closes her eyes.

"Uu~ Ah, that's right! Onii-chan, can you lend me your ear?"

"Eh? What is it? Are you going to say a secret to me or something?"

"Don't ask, just lend me your ear."

Is she about to thank me? I'm really touched. One can't become a proper adult if the person can't even say 'thank you' or 'sorry'.

"Okay, what is it?"

I bent over to match her height, but unexpectedly—

"Thank you, onii-chan♪"

Whoosh! A cute sensation passes my face. Eh? This...don't tell me this is...

"Wha, wha, wha..."

"Onii-chan may be an idiot, but he's so gentle! Hazuki-chan loves you! When I grow up, I'll let you become my husband!"

Without waiting for me to reply, Hazuki-chan skips out of the park.

Re, recently, these elementary school students are...

I touched my face with my hand, seemingly wanting to wipe away the soft sensation that's left on the face. Even without looking at the mirror, I know my face is red. How, how embarrassing...she's just an elementary school kid...

"Hoo...time for me to go back as well..."

After lifting my bag up and slinging it over my back, I head off towards the exit of the park. While exiting, I see a familiar figure yesterday. That person is—

"Excuse me...are you Himeji-san?"

"Ah, yes, what is it—YO, YOSHII-KUN!"

So it's Himeji-san. It sure is hard to find another pretty girl. I can't possibly be mistaken.

"Sorry, I seemed to have scared you."

"No, no worries. I was just dazed..."

Our conversation got interrupted just like that. This, this is really awkward...what should I say to a friend who I haven't met for a long time?

"Erm, that...it's really a coincidence that we met here. Did you just finish class? But you look rather tired here, are you?"

"Yes,because I stayed up all night..."

"Hei~so Himeji-san would also stay up."

The impression she gives is that she lives her life normally, but it's unexpected that she would stay up.

"That's not it, I just stayed up last night, because I got something I have to do no matter what..."

She inadvertently yawned as she continued to talk. Himeji-san sure is cute when she lets out some tears due to sleepiness.

"Then, I'll be going off in this direction, goodbye."

"Ah, mm, byebye."

I waved my hand to Himeji-san, who bowed to me courteously.

While walking home, I just realized—oh ya, why did Himeji-san appear in such a place?

☆

"...There was a case of theft in the staffroom room."

The next morning, during self-study period, Ironman suddenly mentioned this. He's definitely referring to the bag of confiscated items that we got yesterday.

"Such a tragedy worth being angry over, don't you think so, Yoshii?"

He actually threw this question at me. As expected of Ironman, he must have realized that I was the perpetrator, but who will follow you obediently?

"Yeah, sure is worth sighing over."

I naturally replied with these few words. No problems, I got everything under control.

"Really? Speaking of which, that culprit even took sensei's books."

Hm? Books? Is he referring to that bundle of books? Wasn't he going to throw them away?

"And that culprit actually had the guts to use his own identity to sell my books to a second-hand shop."

"Is that so, he sure has guts."

"Yeah, hahahaha!"

"Ahhahaha..."

Ironman and I started laughing with all enthusiasm. Really, we're laughing with all sorts of happiness—at least it looked that way if not for those eyes.

"YOSHII! GET READY TO DIE!!!"

"So, sorry! Who knew that it was sensei's collection, I didn't—"

"Are you saying that you didn't even think of it?"

"No, I did think about it, but then I thought 'since its Ironman's, it doesn't matter~'! OW! OUCH! SENSEI! MY SKULLCAP GOT SMASHED IN BY YOU!"

"So you idiot has the highest suspicion. Looks like I have to be even more careful and watch you."

"Sensei! I'm feeling that I've been watched by you all this time, there's no way for you to watch me further!"

"No, there still is, right? I got a really precious title of honor that's suitable for you—"

"Eh, this is..."

"Everyone at the staff meeting this morning have all agreed, so accept this. This is a present that sensei's handing you."

From who knows when, Ironman suddenly has a piece of paper in his hand. This plain white paper has only a single line on it.

—Yoshii Akihisa.

The above mentioned has been designed as the 'Punishment Inspector' of Fumitzuki Gakuen.

☆

"Onee-chan!"

Hm? Hazuki, what's up?"

"Well, this is for onee-chan!"

"Eh? Isn't this the Noi doll that I always wanted? How did you..."

"Because onee-chan looked so lethargic. Hazuki prepared it for onee-chan to cheer onee-chan up!"

"Hazuki...really, you...thank you, onee-chan's really happy!"

"Schoolwork may be tough, but you must work hard, Minami nee-chan!"

"Hm, I'll do my best! I'll feel like I lost if I continue to mess around like this. And also..."

"And also what?"

"I'm mindful of someone in school."

"Eh? Onee-chan's mindful of someone? Who is it? How is that person like?"

"Well~as repayment of the Noi doll, I'll only say this to Hazuki. That person is in the same class as me, and he's one huge idiot~"

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