Kämpfer:Volume 9 Chapter 3

Volume 9, Chapter 3  

    I must have looked like a fool for speaking so suddenly. But there was nothing I could do.

Before I transformed, I wasn't very good at handling situations like this.  

    Meanwhile, Akane kept on rambling.  

    "My family always told me, 'Before you develop that kind of relationship, bring the guy

home first.' It's just a hug now, but after that..."  

    "Wait, wait. Why did it come to this?"  

    "Because I've made up my mind."  

    "Why? Besides, I didn't do anything to you, Akane."  

    Suddenly, tears welled up in her eyes.  

    "Natsuru -san, didn't you hug me?"  

    "No, that was you, Akane -chan..."  

    "We were completely naked. That would make me even more... um, like your girlfriend,

than the president. So please come with me to meet my parents."  

    I felt more wronged than Dou E. This excuse made no sense, and I'd repeated it over and

over again.  

    Even if I wanted to argue, she probably wouldn't listen. I saw her determination.  

    "Natsuru -kun... I want you to go meet my parents with me... is that okay?"  

    "Um... when?"  

    "Next time... I'll tell you later."  

    Please decide quickly. I might regret it later.  

    "It's no use objecting!"  

    "Yes..."  

    Objections? My hands and feet are tied.  

    Akane finally relaxed. I, on the other hand, was still clueless. Things were moving so fast I

couldn't react.  

    "And..."  

    "Anything else?"  

    "You and the president came to school together, didn't you?"  

    Isn't that all right? I don't know why I could recall something from so long ago. Probably

from before the Edo period.  

    "Please come home with me after school today."  

    "Ah... that's okay."  

    She seemed inexplicably full of strength. It was like she was about to go to war.  

    "Go home together?"  

    "Yes."  

    "Sure, as a woman?"  

    That would be difficult. I also wanted to show up in the boys' club. If I went back as a

woman, I'd have to run back and forth, which would be very troublesome.  

    Just as I was thinking about this, Akane spoke.  

    "That's not the case... well, as a man..."  

    "Huh?"  

    A man, that would be even more troublesome.  

    "Today, right?"  

    "No, not just today. Always."  

    "Always. Always going home together? Every day like this, right? (Isn't that good?)"  

    Seitetsu Academy keeps a close eye on relationships, so when Shizuku and I go to school

together, I get anxious and say I'm going home with Akane. If we get caught, we'll probably

be thrown into the self -reflection room.  

    The rules are so strict, they even have jammers to prevent cell phones from being used. In

times of emergency, some people even try to sneak through the school. But no one gives up.

Underground clubs, fueled by couples on campus, are flourishing, using  secret

communication methods and code words to arrange dates.  

    But I almost broke a bone doing that.  

    "Before meeting my parents, don't practice a little bit."  

    "What are you doing? Three -legged race?"  

    "Well, if we meet at the school gate, we might get caught."  

    "No. So, before we go back, if I show up at the student council and say hello to the

president..."  

    "Would that make sense?"  

    "Yes! I want to make the president jealous. Because she always seems so calm..."  

    What a great strategist. I still can’t follow her thinking. But what’s the point in making her

jealous? Wanting to gain the upper hand mentally?  

    But if you ask me, can such a thing shake Shizuku? That girl is not only expressionless, but

her nerves can hang iron bones thicker than iron chains. Her nerves alone can replace a

gantry crane.  

    "Please don’t say it’s useless. I, I only did this little... Anyway, I have to see my parents

when I go back."  

    The conversation seemed to have gone a little off topic. And her determination seemed to

have become stronger. After she said this, it was hard for me to refuse her.  

    "Now that you say so."  

    Akane’s face seemed to light up.  

    "You said it was okay, didn't you? I heard you. You're not the type to say no."  

    "But why bother going to the student council when it's clearly useless?"  

    "Because, aren't we supposed to help out there? That way, it wouldn't seem strange even

if we were together."  

    So that's how it is. It's like I'm supposed to help out at the student council.  

    This promise has been forced upon me all of a sudden. Using this to show hostility towards

Shizuku... I understand, and I'm thinking the same thing, but I'm afraid it's going to involve

me.

    "Uh, so you're fighting over me?"  

    "That's right."  

    "Huh?"  

    I didn't understand immediately.  

    Akane sighed, "So slow," but I wondered if this repetitive life of being completely

unattractive to women was some kind of conspiracy. Besides, it always felt strange for me to

talk to a girl like this. And even being a woman was strange, by the way.  

    Still, a promise is a promise. After school, Akane and I must go to the student council

together.  

    "You must come," she said with a serious expression.  

    "Please come home with me," I replied, "I understand."  

    I hear music. Break time is over. The next class is about to start. If I don't get back to the

classroom, I'll be in trouble. If I don't show up in class, my attendance record will be in

jeopardy.  

    I decided to go back to the boys' club. To be more precise, I went to the boys' club and

passed the library entrance.  

    I glanced at the time and realized I was almost late. I had to run faster.  

    Suddenly, I seemed to bump into someone who jumped out.  

    "Oops."  

    It was a girl. This is the boys' club. Even so, I couldn't let her fall. I reached out my hand.

But the girl stood up on her own.  

    "Are you okay?"  

    "Yes..."  

    I was about to say that I'm glad, but I swallowed the words at the tip of my tongue.  

    The person I bumped into was Kaede Sakura.  

    Kaede Sakura was always so beautiful, always looking at me with the same smile. But there

was a little shadow on that expression.  

    She stroked her chest with a big gesture.  

    "That's great... I was looking for you the whole time."  

    "Looking for me?"  

    "Yes."  

    "Are you late today?"  

    "Yes, I just arrived."  

    "I'm glad... but this is the boys' club."  

    "I looked for the girls' club too, but you weren't there... It's great to see you."  

    She smiled brightly. Although I wanted to ask her how she broke through that exaggerated

cordon, my mind was now preoccupied with that smile and it was not the time to think

about that.  

    As expected of Kaede Sakura. I completely forgot about the conversation I had just had

with Akane and was fascinated by her expression. (I was speechless)  

    As I said before, Kaede Sakura has become even more beautiful recently, although she has

added a bit of coldness. She was cute enough to begin with, and it would be perfect if she

added a bit of majesty. But we are enemies now.  

    This nuclear -like woman smiled beautifully at me, and I was stunned. Not only that, but all

the doubts I had in my heart until now were locked away in a safe in my heart.  

    "Uh...um, what do you want to talk to me about?"  

    "I have something to tell you."  

    Talk to me. Class is about to start. Because "Senou Natsuru is always late, it's not decent at

all."

    So, I don't want to do anything that takes too much time.  

    Kaede Sakura seemed to see through what I was thinking and said, "It will be there soon."  

    I see. Classes and all that are bullshit. I think an explosion in the boys' club would be nice

too.

    I nodded. She said, "Thank you," and then looked around nervously.  

    "It would be nice to have a place to talk... let's go to the library."  

    "No, there."  

    But there didn't seem to be any other suitable places to talk. The only place where boys

and girls could meet was the public library.  

    "Let's not go to the middle of the library, let's go upstairs."  

    "The rooftop?"  

    "Yes, that would be fine."  

    But to go there, we have to go up the stairs in the middle. What if we run into Shizuku on

the way through the student council?  

    "It's okay."  

    She smiled.  

    "It won't be dangerous. Nothing."  

    Although I still had some doubts in my heart, since Kaede Sakura said so, I'll just do it.  

    Just in case, I took a sneak peek inside when I approached the library. It seemed empty.  

    Although I didn't know if Shizuku was there, it was better to be on high alert.  

    "What are you doing? Let's go."  

    Kaede Sakura wasn't worried at all and hurried up. I quickly chased after her from behind.  

    The roof was not locked. Shizuku had opened it as a rest area. She probably didn't expect

that this place would now become a place for Kaede Sakura and me to enjoy a special

moment.  

    "What nice weather."  

    No matter how you look at it, it's cloudy, but if Kaede Sakura says so, it's sunny. Not to

mention snowing, even if industrial emissions come raining, it's sunny. (A gantry crane will

crush you to death.)  

    We got to the fence and leaned our waists against the concrete. It was obviously wet, but

Kaede Sakura didn't care at all. Behind us was the boys' side, and I could always feel a bit of a

chill.  

    She and I stood side by side. Oh, when I stand like this with Shizuku, I always wonder if I'll

be eaten. But standing like this with Kaede Sakura is another kind of tension.  

    There was a bit of silence between the two of us. I'm just nervous now, I don't know what

Kaede Sakura is like.  

    But, compared to her previous cheerful and gentle self, she now feels like she is emitting a

chill, just like in my previous example.  

    "Uh...that, what do you want to say?"  

    Kaede Sakura didn't answer directly. She just smiled lightly.  

    "...Natsuru -san."  

    Yes.

    "Are you doubting me?"  

    "Uh..."  

    "Before that, during the summer vacation, I fought with you guys from Natsuru -san. I think

I might have been disliked after that. So aren't you doubting yourself now, like, 'What the hell

are you doing?'"  

    "How could that be."  

    That's not the case. Although I think we are enemies now.  

    But even if I do that, I still lose to Kaede Sakura's beauty, so let's not worry about those

things that are not worth mentioning. Although they are both beauties, she and Shizuku are

completely different. Believer? You can say it whatever you want. Wh ere is the collection box

for the beggar's bag.  

    "Then, you are not doubting me, are you?"  

    "Of course."  

    She breathed a sigh of relief, as if that was not the case.  

    "It's okay even if it's not like that. Because I don't mind even if I am disliked."  

    "Uh...that's not it..."  

    "Please don't mind, you can think whatever you want."  

    What's wrong? It's a bit scary. Or does she just treat me as a bug? I really want to be kept

in Kaede Sakura's house in a cage. (You damned fool.)  

    "How about that?"  

    "Ah."  

    "I'm your enemy."  

    "I don't really care..."  

    "Well..."  

    "It feels so unreal..."  

    That's a false feeling. It also has a lot to do with the fact that Kaede Sakura's transformed

beauty has already captivated me.  

    "It's okay if you start to hate me. But what if you start to like Shizuku?"  

    "No, that..."  

    What are you talking about? That guy's the only one who can't. She came to my house this

morning and took me away by force. That's kidnapping.  

    I don't know if Kaede Sakura knows what I'm thinking, but the conversation continues.  

    "You met Shizuku today."  

    How did she know that?  

    "I think we went to school together."  

    "Hmm..."  

    "So, what did Shizuku do to you?"  

    "Not much, though."  

    To be more precise, she held my hand. So annoying.  

    She puffed up her cheeks.  

    "That's so boring. It would be better if you were a little more proactive."  

    "But that's a bit..."  

    If you did that to Kaede Sakura, I'd certainly welcome it. But not with that demon. It's just

that she stole my first kiss, there's no need to go this far.  

    "Does Natsuru -san hate Shizuku?"  

    You asked the same question as that demon.  

    "Not really."  

    "Ah, that's impossible."  

    Kaede Sakura leaned forward. Wow, such a suggestive gesture.  

    "If it were Natsuru -san, I think she'd get Shizuku for me."  

    "No, that kind of strict woman is a bit..."  

    "But she's a beauty."  

    "It doesn't feel real."  

    After all, you can see it in commercials. Her face is so clean -cut that I almost wonder if

she's had plastic surgery. I've tried to figure out if she uses artificial simulation technology,

and if I suddenly reverse it, it will disappear. I've tried tha t several times. It'll probably fail one

day. I don't know who's behind it, but the technology is pretty good.  

    "Don't you really like her?"  

    "Ah, yes."  

    "Yeah, Natsuru -san," Kaede Sakura said in her usual tone.  

    "I told you while we were watching the fireworks that I hoped you'd like Shizuku, didn't I?"  

    "So..."  

    I don't remember much about that time. My head felt foggy. Now I couldn't laugh at the

idea of committing seppuku.  

    "Why didn't you fall in love?"  

    "Even if you ask me why..."  

    She looked me in the eyes. But that alone wouldn't do. But I was captivated by Kaede

Sakura's deep eyes, and my thoughts wavered involuntarily.  

    As expected, as a man, I want to uphold a certain kind of pure love. And what I mean by

pure love here is loyalty to Kaede Sakura. Even if I receive nothing in return, I will give

everything to Kaede Sakura. I made this vow in my second year of middle school. Oh, was it

first year? I don't care about such trivial matters.  

    So, I don't have eyes for other women. But after hearing this from my beloved Kaede

Sakura, I was at a loss.  

    Something feels off. Of course, if I really hated Shizuku, things would be much simpler.  

    "Shizuku -chan is beautiful, and she's still a virgin."  

    Suddenly, I felt a surge of heat. It would be fine if I said it myself, but hearing it from Kaede

Sakura gave me an inexplicable thrill. I really wanted to record it.  

    "And she really likes Natsuru -san."  

    "Kaede Sakura?"  

    "No, Shizuku -chan."  

    I thought... probably not. She did go out for a meal with me, but she was probably just

having fun, that's for sure. But if I just dismiss it like that, it would be like going from a

plateau to a low point, right? At least I have to wait until the exciteme nt wears off (?).  

    Kaede Sakura smiled and said,  

    "Can I like Natsuru -san too?"  

    "Of course I do."  

    "Wow, that's so fun."  

    Oh, that's a great reaction. I've never encountered anything like that before. Kaede Sakura,

who doesn't really interact with anyone, actually crossed that line and said something like

that. Although there are rumors that "Kaede Sakura gave up the chan ce to go to the

University of Tokyo", I always feel that it is more than that.  

    I try to hide the feeling that I am almost dying of excitement, my heart is pounding, who

can teach me how to reduce this burden.  

    "Kaede Sakura...Everyone admires Kaede Sakura."  

    What am I talking about, it turns out that I am still not good at interacting with men and

women.  

    "Is it everyone? Is it Natsuru -san too?"  

    "Of course."  

    "Oh," she smiled like a little child, oh, she is so beautiful.  

    "Me too, if Natsuru -san likes me, it's okay..."  

    Please like me, so that I will have a place in Kaede Sakura's heart. Those who like Kaede

Sakura in the boys' club are all innocent and generally don't talk much; and those who like

Shizuku are mostly in the habit of not even apologizing.  

    Today I am a typical example of someone who likes Kaede Sakura...  

    "But it's a bit inconvenient now."  

    Kaede Sakura smiled and denied something, what exactly was it?  

    "I’d be very happy if Natsuru -san came to our place, and then I could date you, too."  

    Here? I don’t understand, don’t I usually stand on Kaede Sakura’s side?  

    "Also, there’s another condition, that you have to seduce Shizuku, otherwise we’ll be in

trouble."  

    "Seduce or something…"  

    "Yeah," Kaede Sakura gradually approached me.  

    "Because Shizuku is so outstanding, and she seems to see through us very clearly. Only in

this way can we defeat her."  

    "Oh—but"  

    "I asked you for this before, when we were watching the fireworks."  

    It seemed like it was true when I put it that way.  

    "Now’s a good opportunity. Shizuku is going to like Natsuru -kun more than before. She’ll

listen to whatever you say."  

    "But I —"

    "Am I okay with that?"  

    Yes, sir.  

    Of course, I like Kaede Sakura the most. Next should be Akane. Kondou Mikoto is about the

same level as her. Shizuku is arguably the least important.  

    "So, do you want a reward?"  

    "Huh?"  

    My voice changed. Was she going to give me a "reward"?  

    Kaede Sakura smiled radiantly.  

    "We agreed before. If I succeed in conquering Shizuku -chan... come forward."  

    So I stepped forward.  

    Question marks flew in front of me. She pointed at her uniform, huh?  

    Then she slowly closed the space between us and leaned towards me.  

    "Want to see?"  

    A seductive smile spread across her face. Peaks, peaks! Still swaying below.  

    Although I've seen Kaede Sakura naked before, as a woman in the bathhouse, we'd look at

each other, touch each other, and even compete.  

    But back then, I was a woman. My sexual desire for women had decreased, and I was also

facing the crisis of shame. But now I'm a man. My heart was pounding, and my blood vessels

felt like they were about to burst.  

    "It seems you really want to see it."  

    Yes, I did. It's already been recorded in my brain's hard drive. It won't break unless I hit it

with a hammer.  

    "That's it," she said, returning to her original position.  

    "Want to see more?"  

    I nodded obediently, like a thirsty bird seeking water. From the side, it must have looked

quite disappointing.  

    "That's all the rewards for now. If you want more, go conquer Shizuku -chan."  

    "Oh..."  

    Oh no, the words just came out of my mouth.  

    "No," I should have said, but I'll find out later. I couldn't disobey Kaede Sakura at this

moment. Was I mentally attacked? I tried to be alert, but it seemed I was in a state of

paralysis. I was blindly obeying Kaede Sakura, as if I were bewildered.  

    "Natsuru -kun, please make Shizuku -chan yours. No other girls, it's meaningless."  

    "..."

    "Get it?"  

    I just nodded. No, there was no way I could resist.  

    "That's it, then."  

    She straightened up again, and I felt like I was being calmed down from a fever I'd been

dominated by. I straightened up as well.  

    "Natsuru -san, you have to go back to the classroom. Class is about to start."  

    "Ah... yes."  

    "And," Kaede Sakura's eyes seemed to pierce through me.  

    "Come home with me after school today."  

    "Hey..."  

    Well, I've already made an appointment with Akane.  

    "Why?"  

    "Needless to say? Of course, I'm teaching you how to talk to Shizuku."  

    I didn't understand what she meant. While I didn't know how to talk to girls, I had no

intention of experimenting on Shizuku.  

    "That kind of thing."  

    "It will definitely help."  

    Even though you said that, I wanted to say "It won't help," but my mind felt frozen, as if

there was an electric current blocking it.  

    "Absolutely."  

    She completely ignored my thoughts.  

    "Do you understand?"  

    "Yes..."  

    There was nothing else to do but agree. I wanted to argue, but if anyone else in the same

position, I'm sure they would nod. It's a matter of course.  

    "Well, goodbye then," Kaede Sakura said, her usual goodbye, then turned her back and

walked down the platform.  

    I watched her leave in silence, then, unnoticed, headed towards the boys' section. A few

minutes later, class had already begun, or rather, it was almost over. So, I abandoned class

and headed the other way.  

    I decided to stay on the rooftop during break, then headed to the boys' section.  

    I crossed the building, climbed the stairs, and at the classroom door, I caught my breath

and opened it with a cheerful expression. "Good morning," everyone in the class looked at

me in unison, the air felt as if it had been bleached. Ugh, what's going  on?

    Then everyone looked at me like, "You're late again!" And then, the class's idiot, Higashida,

told me, "Still as neglectful as ever."  

    Higashida was in Class 2, Class 4 —no, no, he was famous throughout the entire boys'

section. This wasn't about studying, but about the level of idiocy. For example, he

experimented with seeing what a girl was wearing from a distance, or developing glas ses

that could instantly identify her measurements. He actually tried these experiments, but

they all failed. By the way, organizing an underground organization called "Bishoujo Research

Society" and investigating the popular girls in the girls' club are t hings that only a short -

circuited person would do, and they are nothing short of perverted.  

    Then he rolled up his sleeves and said loudly.  

    "You're late for the first day of second semester! You're so brave!"  

    The school said it was all right, but you just didn't know it.  

    "Please tell me if something's wrong."  

    "The teacher is angry and says Senou is always away."  

    "Isn't she here now?"  

    "We're worried too. You're the special advisor to our 'Bishoujo Research Society.'"  

    What the hell? When did this happen? But whatever.  

    "So what?"  

    I ran in, unlike usual. The girls' and boys' sections not only had different schedules, but also

different textbooks. It felt a lot heavier.  

    I sat down and felt a strange atmosphere around me. Everyone in the class was staring at

me. Well, staring isn't the right word, it was like they were peeping at something; not like

observing wild animals, but like peeping during a criminal interrogati on. They seemed to be

paying close attention to me, but why?  

    Higashida put his hand on my shoulder and said,  

    "I heard some bad rumors."  

    "What?"  

    "Rumors that you're dating a girl from the girls' club."  

    "Kaede Sakura?"  

    "How could that be? If that's the case, won't the boys' club riot? And not only that, but

something even more terrible might happen."  

    I had a terrible premonition of trouble.  

    "Could it be..."  

    "There's a clue it's the student council president."  

    "What..."  

    Why would something like this happen... The words I was about to say were on the tip of

my tongue, but I swallowed them back.  

    "I received an email during summer vacation saying the student council president got a

boyfriend, and it was you."  

    ...Oh no, this hasn't happened before...  

    The boys' club at Seitetsu Academy is all boys, so of course they're eager to date girls.

Although they're geographically close to the girls' club, it's not a completely male world.  

    That accountant is really going too far, isn't he? It's like a shark finding its bleeding prey

and rushing in.  

    The topic of "who's dating who, or who's being isolated" has become incredibly sensitive.

It used to be only the girls who were concerned about it, but now it seems the boys are too.

If it were just a date with a girl outside the school, the other boys  wouldn't be too jealous,

but it had to be about Shizuku, who's incredibly popular in both the boys' and girls' divisions.  

    I'm really in trouble now. It was Kaede Sakura who spread the email, and it was from

Shizuku's friends and family, which only made it more credible.  

    "Where did you get that?"  

    I couldn't contain the trembling in my stomach.  

    "Even if the president is dating you, everyone's really surprised," Higashida said.  

    "There were rumors about you and the president dating before, but we absolutely didn't

believe it. But this time, there's concrete evidence."  

    "Is that so?"  

    "The email clearly states that you've decided to go to Gunma Prefecture together."  

    Kaede Sakura even knows that, and Higashida seems to live nearby. And the guys in the

"Bishoujo Research Society"... ah, it seems like I've encountered the most troublesome

situation today.  

    Higashida's eyes narrowed.  

    "After the rumor came out, the 'Bishoujo Research Society' and the 'Association Insulted

by Shizuku' held a meeting. Even though you're a special advisor to the 'Bishoujo Research

Society', I can't protect you after encountering something like this."  

    "I can't protect you..."  

    I sighed softly. What is this guy talking about? In fact, there is no way such an organization

can help me. It should be said that they may be worse.  

    "The correct decision made by the cadres is to exile you forever."  

    This idiot said so easily,  

    "But the situation changed this morning."  

    "Huh?"  

    "There are witnesses who saw the president and the girl Senou Natsuru coming to school

together. It looked like they were dating."  

    Who spread this kind of thing? I think it must be Masumi Nishino. That girl is from the

news department and has a close relationship with Higashida. She may have used some

unknown method to tell Higashida.  

    "So you're the one who got abandoned?"  

    "What do you mean by abandoned..."  

    "What's important now is what happened. That rumor about you and the president

dating? It wasn't good for us at all. It was so sad."  

    At that moment, the previously silent class began to buzz with conversation.  

    "Senou, we don't agree with that."  

    "What's the point of dating? It's only been three days, right?"  

    "There's no way the president would come to greet you personally."  

    "You should probably be punished by the student council, right?"  

    Why did they go to such lengths? The whole class is focused on me now, and I don't know

what I'll be punished for. If everyone believes that I'm dating Shizuku, there will definitely be

a surprise attack, like having all my teeth pulled out, or even wo rse.

    "Your punishment will be the revocation of your position as special advisor," Higashida

said. Whatever it takes, what good is a special advisor? It's not like you're sitting in a room

negotiating with a banker like a secretary.  

    Having said that, although the rumor of "dating Shizuku" itself cannot be denied, forget it.

After all, I have already come to the boys' club and cannot go back for the time being, so I

will just let it fend for itself. To be honest, I really didn't ex pect that it would be over like this.  

    Higashida walked closer to me and said, "Now I want to ask Senou, do you know what

happened when you were dating the president?"  

    "Huh?"  

    "This is a great opportunity to obtain mysterious information about President Shizuku. Tell

us what you know. Depending on the content, I can consider reinstating your position as

special advisor."  

    I don't want to reinstate this.  

    But Higashida seemed deeply unsatisfied. No, no, it was the entire class, almost like they

were about to come over.  

    "Hurry up, Senou!"  

    "What did you do with the president?"  

    "Damn it? Did the president do dandruff?"  

    That kind of thing doesn't sound like something a high school kid would say. It seems the

boys who say, "The president is like a saint, I don't want to hear dirty things about her" don't

exist here. I was really surprised. Had they already decided the president was that kind of

person?  

    The boys gradually approached me. Uwaa... Forget it, there's no point explaining it to

these idiots.  

    "Hurry up and tell me, I beg you."  

    "Hurry up and tell me," the classmates begged me together.  

    It's so annoying, you bastards.  

    "So didn't I tell you that I don't like the president at all?"  

    "Then why are you still dating her?"  

    "That rumor is completely groundless. She has never been in my heart, and I don't have

her in my heart now. Think about it, if I were dating the president, wouldn't I be more

arrogant? My face turned green when I separated from her and went to the boys ' team just

now. Didn't you see that?"  

    That's the truth. The mental trauma I've suffered has been increasing rapidly recently. My

stomach almost cramped when I went to school with her this morning, and the same

symptoms occurred when I was in the girls' team.  

    After I tried my best to explain, the atmosphere finally eased.  

    "Is that so? You two are really close?"  

    What are you talking about? Higashida, please stop adding fuel to the fire, please, I beg

you.  

    "It seems to be the truth. Since he and the president have broken up, let's not ask him

about it anymore."  

    Thank you, Higashida, you bastard is really a brother.  

    "But you can't just leave us bachelors alone!"  

    "Anything else?"  

    "Senou, now I give you an important task: help us find out the relationship between the

president and the female Natsuru."  

    "Huh, what did you say?"  

    Is your brain broken? Higashida, I mean in many aspects.  

    "Doesn't everyone know about the relationship between Natsuru and the president?"  

    Wait, this seems very strange.  

    "Natsuru seduced the president and Kaede Sakura, who are known as the two beauties of

Seitetsu. This is a huge loss for our Bishoujo Research Society, but as a Bishoujo Research

Society, we can't just look back on the past. So we have to forget yesterd ay and embrace a

bright tomorrow with vitality."  

    "Do you still want to do it, that something -or-other club?"  

    "So annoying. Because of the reason I just said, we want you to help us find out the secret

relationship between Natsuru and the president, and then we will write it into a doujinshi

and print and distribute it to earn more money to date girls. I have to get back all the points I

lost before."  

    "Whose points were they?"  

    "Yours."  

    Damn, they are mine. Where on earth did I lose so many points? If it was the president,

then that woman's defensive ability is really at the level of the national team. But looking

back, I think I have been really in love recently. The four -corner rela tionship that I was proud

of has also collapsed. It feels like turning Japan's national flower into a weed. (What does this

sentence have to do with the previous one? I find it incredible that I came up with this

sentence.) It seems that my previous fault was that I was "too soft -hearted and always let

others lead me around." How can reality be so cruel?  

    "We believe that you, the former special advisor, will not let us down."  

    As expected, you are the former special advisor, you bastards who burn bridges after

crossing the river. Although I am not interested in this position,  

    "The story of the relationship between the two stunning beauties, Ms. Natsuru and the

president, will definitely be a bestseller."  

    "Is it so interesting, that kind of thing?"  

    Suddenly Higashida and the others shouted "nonsense", "This is the supreme

entertainment", "We have to make the female Natsuru give up the presidency", "As long as

there is no female Natsuru, anything is fine",  

    "So this is your purpose, you are really a bunch of hopeless bastards",  

    "By the way, how do you want me to investigate, they are in the girls' department", after

all, they don't know that I am the female Natsuru, but it is better to emphasize it here.  

    However, Higashida immediately replied to me, "This is a difficult point, but there is no way

at all", "Kidnap her",  

    "Obviously this is a crime, so it will not be adopted. In fact, we have an insider in the girls'

department. She will assist you in the investigation, so it will be much easier for you, right?"  

    Insider? Could it be another weird guy? Even if we really team up with a girl with good

skills, I don't think we will find out anything, right?  

    "Who is it? Tell me about it."  

    At this moment, the door of the classroom opened.  

    "Clang clang —it's me."  

    The person who entered the classroom was my childhood sweetheart, Kondou Mikoto.  

    I suddenly had a few more questions. Our school has an unwritten rule that boys and girls

are never allowed to meet each other on campus. But what on earth did she use to get into

our heavily guarded boys' department? And how did she know about the thi ng we just talked

about (Can't you use your brain sometimes?)  

    Ah, I see, maybe Kondou Mikoto was more interested in the topic we just talked about, so

she said she wanted to join us without thinking. Well, that must be the case (I was

speechless).  

    I crossed my hands and shouted "stop".  

    "Okay, Kondou Mikoto, are you just going to walk into the sacred boys' classroom like

this?"  

    "Ah - how stingy."  

    At this time, the space behind the complaining Kondou Mikoto was occupied by the

decadent boy in our class.  

    "There's nothing wrong with it."  

    "That's right, cute girls are justice."  

    "Senou, you have no right to blame others."  

    Damn it, a few days ago he was still saying things like "Even without women, we still have a

lot of entertainment to keep us alive", but now his fox tail is exposed. If there really was a girl

in the club, these bastards would definitely fight to the d eath, but I understand their feelings,

if that were the case, I would do the same.  

    "Is there anything wrong with entering the boys' classroom?" Kondou Mikoto said with her

hands on her hips. Her action just now must have been a warning to those who were plotting

something behind her.  

    The bastards behind her made a sound of "yes, yes, yes". What on earth happened in this

classroom just now? Don't you realize that you are doing something ridiculous?  

    "Do you have something to do with us?"  

    "Masumi Nishino and Higashida discussed it and decided to let the two of us be in charge

of this matter."  

    What, just the two of us. Higashida, you are indeed the worst guy in the boys' club, I can

see it. Your ruthlessness is really not inferior to the president.  

    "Come in," I said to Kondou Mikoto, feeling a bit bad about leaving her standing in the

doorway.  

    She stepped carefully, saying, "Ah, I miss that! I haven't been to a room with only men

since returning from the African refugee camp."  

    You were so dignified just now, but now you're being so cautious. Women are truly difficult

to understand.  

    But my classmates were different. They were just being attentive. "Come on, please sit

here." "Open the window for some fresh air, but draw the curtains because you never know

who might peek in."  

    "You're such a fickle bunch!" They quickly prepared everything and surrounded Kondou

Mikoto and me.  

    Then, Higashida continued the previous topic, explaining, "This is it. You and Kondou -san

will work together to uncover the secret between the president and the female Natsuru."  

    Suddenly, I realized I was being played around like a fool. So, why are you so into this kind

of thing, Kondou Mikoto? I'm really getting confused by your code of conduct.  

    Kondou Mikoto raised her hand. "Any kind of information?"  

    "Of course."  

    "Fine, even if it means sacrificing my looks, I'll get it."  

    The boys cheered, and Higashida said happily, "That's great! That kind of information will

fetch a high price. Senou, you have to work hard too, don't hold her back."  

    You bastard, you asked me for Kondou Mikoto's swimsuit photos a while ago, and now

you've turned your back on me. It seems friendship is worthless in the face of desire.  

    "Leave it to me," Kondou Mikoto said, patting her chest. Incidentally, this kind of thing is a

piece of cake for her. She's encountered many fatalities in South America and Africa, like the

three -day, three -night battle for the Nicol Mine. (P .S.: filmi ng Raiders of the Lost Ark)  

    Kondou Mikoto suddenly spoke up. "I have something to say about the investigation."  

    "Isn't this entirely our responsibility?"  

    "Of course, we just want the results of the investigation and the accompanying photos."  

    "One more thing, please don't interfere with this or tell anyone else."  

    "Huh? ...Of course," Higashida hesitantly agreed.  

    Hey, Kondou Mikoto, what are you talking about? Don't you love being with a lot of

people? Why are you going it alone this time? What exactly is it that's got you so excited?

You probably don't like the president, right?  

    After saying that, Kondou Mikoto stood up, said "I'm leaving," and headed out the door. I

hurried after her.  

    "Wait a minute, Kondou Mikoto."  

    "What are you doing?"  

    I caught her in the hallway, but I quickly let go when I heard her complain.  

    "Why did you make that weird promise?"  

    "Isn't it fine?"  

    "That's fine."  

    My tone seemed a little harsh, and Kondou Mikoto seemed angry.  

    "You and the president are dating, right?"  

    "How is that possible?"  

    "Then why did you go to school with her this morning?"  

    How did she know?  

    "Never mind, if she knew, there's nothing I can do about it."  

    "It was just a coincidence."  

    "It wasn't a coincidence. The president must have come to your house and asked you to go

to school with her, and then you tried to escape by transforming, but you couldn't."  

    Wow, she's pretty good at guessing that. Kondou Mikoto must have developed that sixth

sense from living in the rainforest, able to detect even approaching snakes.  

    "So, it's my turn this time."  

    "Huh, what are you talking about?"  

    "In the process of investigating together, I want you to understand that your world cannot

survive without me."  

    Ah, which planet's language are you speaking? When you speak to me, it's either curry or

ramen. Don't you have other staples and snacks on your menu?  

    "But you know the relationship between me and the president without investigating,

right?"  

    "Of course I know, idiot."  

    Did I say something stupid? Why did she treat me like a fool again?  

    "I just want to show the president that we are very affectionate."  

    "What's the point of that?"  

    "You blockhead, of course you want to make her jealous."  

    Ha, why do I feel like I’ve heard this sentence somewhere before? Ah, it seems like Akane

has said it too.  

    But even if you do something like that, what good will it do you? If Shizuku sees that Kaede

Sakura and I are close, she might be jealous, but if you and I are close, it will only be a blow

to the boys in our class, right? Those boys might even drop ou t because of this.  

    But Kondou Mikoto laughed secretly, thinking that this would definitely demoralize the

president.  

    But after a while, she said to me with a stern face, “What’s wrong with you? Don’t you

want to be with me?”  

    “Why do you do that?”  

    “Because I need a strong partner, for example, to help me find the way when we get lost

while drilling for oil in the Middle East (roughly like that).”  

    “Who decides on things like that?"  

    Oh my god, if I really want to be her partner, I'll have to travel all over the world. Although

that would be a wonderful life, my life span would be greatly shortened. Being a civil servant

is better than being her partner.  

    "Don't say such weak words, come and conquer the world with me."  

    "I'm not a boxer!" (PS: I really don't understand what this means. I've been looking it up for

ages and it always says 'boxer.' But the context doesn't make sense. Ye: Probably a neta from

some hot -blooded anime.)  

    My loud shouting drew a lot of people's attention.  

    "Alright!" Kondou Mikoto ended our conversation.  

    "Then I'll see you after school."  

    "Why?"  

    "Of course I came to investigate you."  

    "Is that necessary? I don't want to investigate myself."  

    "Idiot —" Kondou Mikoto yelled angrily, then whispered, "Isn't this all about being with

you, idiot?"  

    Huh? Why do you want to be with me? Puberty girls are so confusing.  

    "Anyway, I don't care. You have to go home with me after school. If I don't come, just wait

for me at the school gate."  

    "Ah, wait a minute..."  

    I already have plans with two girls to go home together. If you add you in, that makes three

people. I have to find a way to refuse this.  

    "Your expression doesn't mean you're already engaged, does it?"  

    "..."

    What should I do? If I tell her the truth in this situation, she'll definitely say, "Then refuse."

My plans to go home with Kaede Sakura today couldn't be ruined, so I decided to just gloss

over it.  

    "How...how...is it possible..."  

    I finally got through. For the first time, I felt how fortunate Kondou Mikoto was to be so

innocent.  

    "Okay, then, let's meet at the school gate after school."  

    Sure enough, a little secrecy between boys and girls is always a good thing... If I'd told the

truth about what happened just now, I'd probably have been killed. What if she'd decided on

something and refused to say no? Things were headed for the worst .

    I was so nervous I didn't even ask about the internal organs. Kondou Mikoto smiled

contentedly, saying, "You absolutely mustn't forget," as she headed towards the girls' club.

Well, she'll probably forget about it when she greets the teacher later.  

    She's the type who can't do two things at once. This is my childhood sweetheart, Kondou

Mikoto -sama.  

Translator's Notes

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

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