Kämpfer:Volume 3 Chapter 1

Volume 3, Chapter 1  

    Get me some paper. A4 size is fine. Anything smaller than A4 is a little hard to write on. A

larger size is fine, but it's a hassle if I can't put it on the table. Putting it on the floor is one

option, but the writing will be crooked if I put it on th e tatami, and it's too cold for my hands

and feet if I put it on the floor. So, although A4 paper is most suitable, anything you can write

on will do.  

    As for the pen, use a black marker; a darker color will make it look sharp. Then write "Seno

Natsuru" in the middle of the paper.  

    That's my name. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that for paper, I'd also like to use the

back of advertising paper or a torn -off calendar. Recycling is one reason, and using shiny

white printer paper is too wasteful. Right now, I'm using department  store wrapping paper.  

    Okay, now please write "Sakura Kaede" next to it. You think this is a good name, right?

She's the girl I admire. After a moment of intoxication, draw an arrow from me to Sakura

Kaede.  

    Arrows represent relationships. In other words, I like Sakura Kaede. If I'd just written "like,"

I'd be embarrassed, but with an arrow, I'd be fine.  

    Then draw an arrow from Sakura Kaede, but pointing away from me. Sure enough, where

the arrow points, it says "Seno Natsuru."  

    Now, with Sakura Kaede at the center, my name is on both sides. I'm sure you all won't

understand just this, and neither do I. So, under my name at the beginning, write "male,"

and under my name at the end, write "female."  

    So, both the male Natsuru and the female Natsuru appear simultaneously. Those who

don't know the reasoning might be confused, but let me explain it in advance, I'll explain it

later.  

    Then, write Shizuku somewhere in the middle. No need to draw an arrow, just write "devil"

or something like that under the name. It's not that there is such a gender as devil, it just

represents this guy's personality. Then write Mishima Akane somewher e else, and leave her

alone for now. Then write Kondou Mikoto and Masumi Nishino in a similar way. Let's write

the girls from other classes as well, that should be enough.  

    Okay, the next step is the key, first Sakura Kaede, draw an arrow from her pointing to me, a

man, and then write rival in love next to the arrow. It's sad to say it's not "like", but we have

to face the facts. Then, draw an arrow from the girl in the o ther class pointing to me, the

female version of myself, without writing anything next to it. This means "like."  

    For Kondou Mikoto, draw an arrow pointing to me, the female version of myself, with a

question mark next to it. Do the same for Masumi Nishino, writing "curiosity" next to it.

Then, draw an arrow from me, the male version of myself, pointing to Shizuku , and writing

"hostility."  

    Finally, draw an arrow from me, the female version of myself, through Sakura Kaede and

pointing to me, the male version of myself, without writing anything next to it. I heard it

means "like"... ah.  

    That's it. Okay, please take a closer look at this from a little distance later. It's a very

complicated character relationship diagram. Then it's easy: just throw it in the trash can. I

would do that at home, but I can't throw it away now. I've rolled  it up and stuffed it in my

bag.  

    "Wow..."  

    I sighed, clutching my head. It felt like the most unreasonable logic in the world had just

entered my body.  

    What on earth is this relationship? It's so absurd and complicated that it makes my head

explode. I prefer a peaceful, ordinary life. My dream is to marry my classmate Sakura Kaede

and live in a house in the suburbs or a 3LDK apartment. My career, of c ourse, is a civil

servant; stability is the best.  

    I can't live such an extravagant life now to pursue this dream. If I overdo my youth in high

school, the chances of my dream being shattered are very high. Statistics are done in my

head.  

    I rolled off the chair feeling depressed, and before I knew it, I had rolled to the ground

because I was too desperate.  

    "Seno,"  

    a voice came from somewhere.  

    "Are you feeling unwell? Are you sick?"  

    It was my homeroom teacher who was looking at me as if I were a rare animal.  

    I suddenly woke up. Oh, yes, this is the second grade fourth class of the boys' department

of Seitetsu Academy, my class. By the way, there is a class meeting in progress.  

    "Sorry, I had a little outburst."  

    I casually answered and returned to my seat. The teacher just said, "Really?"  

    The classmates seemed to be saying something like "Seno, have you become strange?"

Well, from a certain perspective, I did become strange.  

    Higashida, who was sitting nearby, whispered, "What are you doing? Are you crazy?"  

    "I want to be crazy too," I replied.  

    "You probably don't understand, but I'm in such a bad mood right now that I feel better if I

just go crazy."  

    "You say bad luck...it's no big deal, right?"  

    "What's the big deal? If I were really unlucky, I wouldn't even be allowed to go crazy."  

    "Really?"  

    "Yeah."  

    I slumped over the table. There's a reason why things have turned out this way. Well, let

me tell you.  

    It's cloudy today, too, making my already gloomy mood even worse. If it were sunny,

maybe it would be better, but life is so cruel. Lately, the things that are giving me headaches

have been increasing exponentially. If nothing good happens, I really wa nt to jump into the

river.  

    As you know, the boys' and girls' divisions of Seitetsu Gakuen High School I attended were

separate. Since I'm a boy, I was in the boys' division. It was painful to keep track of all of this,

but I still had to emphasize that even though I'm a Kämpfer,  I'm a man.  

    Kämpfer is the source of my troubles to those who don't know. Suddenly, one day, I was

forced to become Kämpfer, a man whose sole purpose was to fight, and who had to be a

woman, it seemed. He forced me, a man, to become a woman. Why a woman? I heard i t was

because "that's just how it is."  

    Of course, I felt a mixture of sadness and astonishment. If there were a super -active

person who could accept this situation, I'd really like to be his apprentice. And then, I was

forced to fight, and even then, I found allies, and so on, and so on, un til now.  

    Let's not delve into the details. Now that things have come to this, it seems there's no

turning back. Born a warrior, die a warrior, it sounds cool, but it's really not productive.  

    I can transform into a male body or a female body according to my own wishes, and I'm

also a student in the women's department. My name is still Seno Natsuru, and it seems that

I've returned from a leave of absence. A lot happened during this process, which I'll omit

here. Anyway, I have to show up in the women's department again for this, but today I've

decided to be in the men's department. Besides, because of this complicated relationship

between the characters, I decided to stick to the "basically i n the men's department,

occasionally in the women's department" rule. Otherwise, my whole life will collapse.  

    So, I arrived at Class 2, Grade 4. I yawned instead of saying hello when one of my

classmates suddenly said, "I heard preparations for the cultural festival are starting this

week."  

    "Cultural festival?"  

    I asked Higashida.  

    "Yeah,"  

    the boys' club's top girl -obsessed guy answered while checking his camera.  

    This guy is the president of the Bishoujo Research Society, the illegal underground club at

Seitetsu Academy. He boasts, "I know everything about the girls in the girls' club." His full

name is Higashida Kanji.  

    "Is it already this season?"  

    "It's a little early this year. The final exams are always right after the cultural festival, so

there's a lot of talk about 'no time to study.'"  

    "You say you need to study? What kind of good student are you?"  

    "The girls' club, right?"  

    Higashida says, not even looking up from his digital camera. Our school is known for its

academic excellence, especially in the girls' club. The boys' club isn't bad either, but only

Class 2, Grade 4 is terrible at everything. If we were to make a bar chart of each class's

grades, we'd be disappointed.  

    "Has our class decided to do anything?"  

    Higashida answered me while turning off the power of his digital camera.  

    "No, I just heard about it."  

    "No need to do anything. There won't be any customers anyway."  

    "Is it the same as last year?"  

    "Of course the customers will be snatched away by the girls' club."  

    I asserted that the cultural activities of Seitetsu Academy have always been conducted

separately for men and women. Men in autumn, women in early summer. But this was too

inefficient, so it was changed to the same day in early summer for both men and women. It

was the student council president Shizuku who subdued the opposition to holding the

cultural festivals at the same time on the pretext that "it would destroy tradition." Under her

hands, the "Seitetsu Festival" has been held in full swing.  

    But at the same time, there are also disadvantages to holding it, that is, the customers

basically flow to the girls' club, and the boys' club is bored. Thus, the strange phenomenon of

only one side being unusually lively despite being in the same scho ol appeared. This was

considered one of Shizuku's rare failures. It was said that she had originally intended to

completely mix the boys' and girls' classes, that is, to arrange activities together. However,

due to the overwhelming resistance, they had to combine the dates into one day.  

    By the way, on that day, we basically went to the girls' department to blend in with the

large group of guests. Our class didn't have any special activities either, so we put a "resting

place" sign on the classroom door and left it there. The cultural festival was scheduled for

early summer in order to "unite the loose classes," but our class was really useless.  

    "What does the Bishoujo Research Club do?"  

    "It's an illegal organization, so we can't show up, but we still have some ideas. Natsuru,

you're the advisor, right? You're supposed to help us."  

    "What you mean by help is taking pictures of the girls' club, right?"  

    "You're right, Natsuru. We need your connections, Natsuru."  

    This man knew I was close to the girls' club, and he contacted me through Akane. After I

helped him get a female version of me, he seemed convinced. I'm forced to be in the girls'

club, not because of my connections...  

    My homeroom teacher came in, and my conversation with Higashida was interrupted.  

    Like Higashida, the teacher mentioned the cultural festival, and that preparations would

begin this week. If you applied, you could stay after school to prepare, but you shouldn't

neglect your studies, etc.  

    The class listened quietly, but they weren't really interested. As is typical of this class, most

students are inattentive during class meetings, and half of them are either asleep or

wandering in a fantasy world.  

    As for me, I was neither of those things. I was drawing the character relationship diagram I

mentioned earlier. But the thoughts in my mind were swimming with sadness, so I could be

said to be the most miserable.  

    The teacher said while looking at the attendance list,  

    "...Then Seno will be in charge of the preparations."  

    "Huh!?"  

    I exclaimed as a matter of course as soon as I sat down on the chair and my thoughts came

back to reality. The teacher also said as a matter of course -

    "Seno is a class committee member for the cultural festival."  

    Ebi -!?

    I opened my mouth in surprise. I was wondering how it was possible that he was

appointed without any warning, but the others were indifferent.  

    Higashida poked me on the back and said,  

    "This is true."  

    Is he asking me to accept the facts? This is not comforting at all.  

    I finally objected,  

    "Really, you idiot? Why should I do this? When was the decision made?"  

    "Yesterday, it was passed unanimously."  

    "You're kidding!"  

    "Really? I told you that before the class meeting, didn't you listen?"  

    But I was so busy with my interpersonal relationships that I didn't listen...  

    I did miss class yesterday, but that was because I was in the women's department. If you

insist, it's still within the school. How can you ignore my own decision!  

    ...You can't say that. The fact that I am Kämpfer is still a secret. "I will transform into a

woman." Saying this will definitely make me look crazy. Because I always go back and forth

between the men's and women's departments, now I'm considered to be  someone who

skips classes. Having said that, this class that pushes troubles onto others as if nothing

happened is really not a good thing. Democratic procedures are still necessary, right?  

    "Aren't there any other class committee members?"  

    "No, only you."  

    "Where's the class monitor?"  

    "He's clamoring to commit seppuku if any more duties are passed to him. So just accept

it."

    The only serious and honest class monitor has also begun to resist. He is a valuable talent

who has contracted all the troublesome and boring things until now, and he has finally come

to his senses recently.  

    It's no use complaining to Higashida, and the teacher immediately wants to convey the

contact matters to me.  

    "The Cultural Festival Implementation Committee has a meeting, don't forget to go."  

    "When is it?"  

    "Today after school."  

    Wow, it's today, and after school. The plan to go home and play games until late at night

was ruined. Goodbye Final Fantasy, leveling up can only wait until next time.  

    In an instant, a question emerged.  

    "Teacher, will the girls' club also attend the meeting?"  

    "Yes, they will. It seems to be in the large conference room above the library."  

    Although this question was resolved, other premonitions began to surge like summer

thunderclouds.  

    Together with the girls' club, it means that the girls' class four, grade two, to which I

belong, should also have decided on the class committee. When I went there yesterday, not

to mention the class committee, even the topic of the cultural festival didn't come up, which

means...  

    I stood up and raised my hand like an elementary school student.  

    "Teacher, my stomach hurts and I want to go to the infirmary."  

    "Seno, weren't you fine just now..."  

    "My stomach hurts!"  

    I don't know if it was because of my aura that overwhelmed the other party, but the

teacher nodded.  

    After leaving the classroom, I ran at a speed that was impossible for a stomachache. The

thunderclouds from earlier had spread to my head, not just my heart. I thought I was

overthinking it, but I just had a bad feeling.  

    I ran down the stairs and rushed out of the boys' building, ignoring the infirmary and

heading straight for the library.  

    On the way, out of sight, I exerted force on my right wrist.  

    The wristband on my wrist glowed bluish -white, a sign of transformation into Kämpfer.

Soon, my body was enveloped by the light.  

    I had transformed into a female body. In a very humane way, my clothes also changed to

the girls' uniform. Only the school uniforms will change into women's clothes; casual clothes

will remain the same. This is something to keep in mind, but it doesn't  matter now.  

    I entered the library and walked through the first -floor lobby to the main door.  

    This door is located at the dividing line between the boys' and girls' departments and is the

only possible access point. Boys and girls are strictly separated at Seitetsu Academy, so the

only way to get around the campus is through this gate.  

    I swiped my ID card into the machine, and because it was contactless, the gate swung open

quickly with an electronic chime.  

    I ran again. I entered the women's section, which was much larger than the men's.  

    Perhaps it was because I was running so intently, but I felt my skirt lift up, and I felt a chill

below my waist. The teacher caught me midway and told me to "stop running," but who

cared?  

    I rushed into the second -year building and opened the door to Class 4.  

    The teacher and the female homeroom teacher both looked over.  

    Their expressions were like saying, "Oh, you're finally here." Instead of blaming the

latecomers, they were all grinning sinisterly.  

    "Sorry I'm late..."  

    I mumbled as quietly as I could. Although my body was female, my voice was still male, so I

had to be careful not to show off.  

    "Ah~ Natsuru -chan~"  

    said the homeroom teacher.  

    "It's decided,"  

    she pointed with chalk at the words "Cultural Festival Responsible Class Committee Seno

Natsuru."  

    "Ah..."  

    My premonition hit, and I collapsed at the classroom door. I knew this would happen. Just

like the boys' club, these guys only knew how to blame things on those who weren't there.  

    In contrast to my despair, some girls in the class even clapped their hands.  

    "Congratulations!"  

    "May misfortune always be with Natsuru -san."  

    "If you want to change your fate, please purchase a special amulet."  

    Everyone seemed so happy, shoving their troubles onto someone else, and it seemed like

their happiness was doubly so.  

    The girls' second -year class, fourth grade, showed no regard for others, and the three

people who were assigned the gender "devil" were the "class president," the "vice -class

president," and the accountant. I grumbled.  

    "Why don't you listen to me...why don't you listen to my opinion..."  

    "Because Natsuru -san isn't here,"  

    the class monitor said.  

    "Then why didn't you wait for me..."  

    "I didn't wait. I took the place of the absent student. After carefully considering Natsuru -

san's thoughts, I immediately recommended myself."  

    "That wasn't my idea..."  

    "It's a legitimate behavior under the agency system."  

    It seems that this class has an "agency system" to take the place of absent students, and

they are just exercising this system. What is this...  

    "Agents, aren't they something that baseball players do under a contract to entrust others

with things..."  

    "Yes, there seems to be a saying that lawyers are appointed."  

    "I'm not a baseball player..."  

    "I'm not a lawyer either."  

    The class monitor seemed to be saying, "So what~"  

    My protest was naturally ignored by the whole class. The homeroom teacher even

threatened me, saying, "Natsuru -chan, if you don't do your job well, you'll be held back."  

    But I still had to resist. I was also a class committee member in the boys' department, so I

couldn't handle everything.  

    "This kind of thing isn't the class monitor's responsibility..."  

    "No,"  

    the class monitor said bluntly.  

    "Why not... you're the class monitor?"  

    "Because I don't want to. I don't have the Japanese sentimentality of not speaking out

about things I hate."  

    "It has nothing to do with sentimentality. You look like a good student, but how twisted are

you inside?"  

    I looked at the vice -class monitor for help and found that she was laughing with her belly

held in her arms. This guy is no good. He's simply treating other people's misfortunes as

afternoon tea.  

    "Accounting classmate..."  

    Although I held a glimmer of hope, the answer I heard was indeed what I expected.  

    "I won't help you."  

    "...As I expected."  

    "If you pay, I will take it. But I won't help you."  

    Not only did he have no expression, he couldn't even utter a single word. Who will pay

you?  

    It's useless to say anything, because everyone wants me to take the responsibility, starting

with the homeroom teacher. Although the men's department was also caught off guard, the

people here are still so righteous. Women are the most vicious.  

    "At least..."  

    I muttered, suppressing the sadness in my heart.  

    "At least let a classmate assist..."  

    The class monitor and the deputy class monitor looked at each other, probably trying to

figure out the pros and cons. The accounting classmate has already taken out a calculator.

Could this also be related to money?  

    "Okay."  

    It was the homeroom teacher who expressed his opinion while suppressing a yawn.  

    "Let's ask someone free to come, uh..."  

    His fingers moved on the roll call book,  

    "Mishima."  

    "Ah... yes!"  

    Akane replied in a panic.  

    "Can you come to assist Natsuru? She's not used to it yet."  

    "Yes..."  

    "You two are good friends, right?"  

    "Yes..."  

    "Then it's you."  

    "...I understand."  

    Akane nodded.  

    Should I be happy? I was still happy mentally that I wasn't alone, and having Akane as my

partner was a bonus. But I felt that the disaster was concentrated because of this. If

something happened, both Akane and I would be involved.  

    After all, I breathed a sigh of relief, and I smiled at Akane. Then she turned her head away.

Was she shocked? What kind of reaction was that?  

    The class monitor and his gang muttered, "So be it." "There's always a way," "money," and

so on. It was really creepy.  

    "There will be an internship committee meeting after school. Don't forget to go, both of

you,"  

    said the head teacher.  

    "Don't be absent without a reason."  

    Of course I know about this kind of thing. Well, what should I do now? I am a male and I

am also a class committee member. The body cannot be separated, but there must be two

men and women in the same place.  

    It seems that I can only rely on Akane for the women's department. Will my absence affect

my grades? This is too unfair and it is not my responsibility.  

    The teacher who could not consider my inner worries started the class.  

    As a result, I can only attend the class in the women's department. Although the setting is

that I am a man and I am lying in the infirmary, the guys in the men's department probably

won't check it. They just "lazily" put on their clothes and will not do anything troublesome.  

    I called Akane out during lunch break.  

    "Akane, come over here for a moment, okay?"  

    "Okay..."  

    Her tone sounded like she was on guard against something, not that she was warning me,

but that was just her personality. If you spoke a little vaguely, she would be suspicious. How

could such an introverted girl be so rude after the transformation?  

    "What's the matter..."  

    "The classroom is not a place to talk, let's go somewhere else."  

    The class monitor and his group will definitely come to bother us, and they might even

install eavesdropping devices.  

    "Let's talk in the cafeteria."  

    "Oh..."  

    She seemed a little surprised, but still followed me silently.  

    The cafeteria of the girls' department is large and clean, with plenty of tables and chairs.

The cafeteria of the boys' department was obviously built recently, but it is as gloomy as a

medieval torture chamber. Why is the newly built one so dilapidate d?

    There were also many two -person seats, which were perfect for intimate conversations —

no way. As soon as I entered the cafeteria, I was surrounded by many girls.  

    "Ah~~~ Onee -sama, Onee -sama!"  

    "Is it true that you're a class committee member for the cultural festival?!"  

    "I'll definitely go to Natsuru -sama's class."  

    The girls who came one after another said similar things, and I was caught off guard.  

    "Wait, wait a minute..."  

    "It's so crowded that I can't breathe."  

    "How... did you know..."  

    "Everyone on earth knows!"  

    "If Natsuru -sama is a class committee member, the cultural festival will be a success!"  

    "I'll follow you wherever you go, so please let me touch your breasts!"  

    Wait a minute, what was the last one?  

    From what I heard while dodging the grabbing hands of the breast -grabbing dragon, it

seems that the news of my being a class committee member for the cultural festival had

spread as soon as the first class ended. Thanks to the Natsuru Observation Assoc iation's

extra edition, everyone knows about the women's club. Incidentally, the Natsuru

Observation Association is part of an illegal underground organization that collects

everything about the female version of me. They're talking about how one day they' ll

compile a database and upload it online for retrieval.  

    Akane muttered, "So, what I was trying to say earlier..." It's true that we can't have a

private conversation like that.  

    Akane and I exchanged glances.  

    (Akane, we can't do this.)  

    (Eh? Why...)  

    (Let's go to the rooftop)  

    (This... don't...)  

    (Huh?)  

    (That's too... too impure... How could Natsuru -san be like this...)  

    Her face flushed, and it looked like she'd conveyed something truly awful. Is eye contact

ultimately just fiction?  

    "Rooftop, rooftop."  

    Having no other choice but to communicate with her voice, Akane finally nodded.  

    Pushing past the groups of girls, we ran to the rooftop.  

    The rooftop of the building with the cafeteria is open to the public, and when the weather

is good, many girls rest there. The rooftop of the men's club is also open, but there's a guy

who always wants to show off by playing saxophone, so it's closed t hree days a week.  

    Fortunately, there were almost no people on the rooftop, and after making sure no one

was following us, we sat in the corner.  

    "What's going on..."  

    Akane asked, and I replied that I was also a class committee member for the cultural

festival in the men's club.  

    "It's impossible for us to split up, right? Excuse me, could you please take charge of the

women's division for me?"  

    "Natsuru -san..."  

    "I'll attend the meeting as a boy."  

    It's sad that I have to attend anyway; it seems there are so many things you can't avoid in

this world.  

    "Akane, just stay silent until the end of the meeting. I'll do the same."  

    "But, my classmates..."  

    "There won't be any shows anyway."  

    I don't know about the women's division, but the men's division is definitely like that.  

    "But those students who are looking forward to it..."  

    "That won't happen~"  

    "It's really disturbing when an executive committee member says that."  

    I heard a voice suddenly, and I turned around.  

    There was the student council president, Shizuku. The way she stood against the backlight,

looking down at us sitting there, was a kind of chilling beauty.  

    Although it would be an exciting scene for the members of the "Being Scolded by Shizuku -

sama Club" composed of M -type boys, my vigilance was aroused. Who made me have such a

connection with this student union president...  

    "What are you doing?"  

    I asked cautiously.  

    "I just heard a little bit and came to remind you that it would be very troublesome for me if

you don't have enthusiasm to participate in the cultural festival."  

    "It's your freedom whether to do it or not. Isn't it the goal of the student union to improve

students' autonomy?"  

    "The most important thing about activities is unity. It is also necessary to make a good

impression on the school through this activity."  

    "That's a very sensible thing, why do you say that?"  

    "Because I'm the student union president."  

    Although she said that, Shizuku's words always made people feel that there was a

conspiracy behind it.  

    On the surface, this woman is a super beauty and an excellent student. She is simply the

embodiment of Nietzsche's superman thought. A super high school student respected by

both the school and the students. But we know that she is Kämpfer, and the ene my.

    "Even if you don't prepare for the cultural festival, it will automatically become lively after

it starts."  

    "Preparing all night is the most fun, and it will also enhance class cohesion."  

    "That sounds like something a normal student would say."  

    She herself definitely does not enjoy this, absolutely not.  

    "So, is it necessary for me to attend?"  

    "The class decided it, right?"  

    "You didn't do it behind the scenes, did you?"  

    "That's impossible."  

    She said it expressionlessly. I always felt like she could do what she said.  

    "You have to attend the meeting anyway."  

    "I didn't say I couldn't go."  

    "Then you should be more proactive when you speak up. It's not just Natsuru -san,

Mishima -san too."  

    Akane's body shuddered. If it were her transformed Akane, she would have pulled the

trigger without hesitation, but now she was as fragile as a newborn fawn.  

    "I... I..."  

    "What's wrong?"  

    "Um... President..."  

    "If you want to say something you can't, why not transform into Kämpfer?"  

    "..."

    Akane fell silent. It seemed like she had some kind of principle that made her not want to

transform at this moment.  

    Shizuku smiled slightly.  

    "Mishima -san's doubts are the same as Natsuru -san's, right? Are you wondering if I have

any conspiracy?"  

    Any normal person would think so.  

    "But unfortunately, I don't have any conspiracy. I just want to make the cultural festival a

success."  

    "That's worse than a lie."  

    I said for Akane.  

    "Then just treat it as a lie."  

    "Are you related to that meeting?"  

    "I'm the president of the student union, and I will attend too."  

    "That's too bad."  

    It's not that I hate Shizuku, because she is a perfect high school student, so everyone will

depend on her, and then it won't be a meeting at all. In fact, it would be better to let her run

it alone, but then there would be no point in gathering for a meeting.  

    "Why don't you just take care of it all, Shizuku?"  

    "That's why I hope you guys will speak up."  

    Why does it really feel like there's no conspiracy behind this?  

    Facing me, who seemed to be at a loss, Shizuku said "Please" and hurried away.  

    The bell rang for lunch break. It was all Shizuku's fault. I took a rare break and went to the

hot springs.  

    "Akane, I'll go back to the men's club."  

    "Ah... okay."  

    She seemed disappointed again.  

    "Are you okay?"  

    "Ah... it's okay. I'm not disappointed... it's just... I feel like the president... is really planning

something..."  

    Akane said hesitantly. As expected, you would think so. We were used to lure out Kämpfer,

who was lurking in the student council. That woman doesn't say unnecessary words. If she

came to remind us, there must be something wrong.  

    "Was the meeting really a trap, a way to defeat us all at once?"  

    "I don't think so... but the president probably doesn't like... us."  

    Since we all disliked her, we didn't feel disappointed at all, just a bit strange.  

    "No need to worry, Akane, I'm going as a man, so the women's team is up to you."  

    "Okay..."  

    She accepted the request, interrupted by Shizuku.  

    Then, after returning to class, she announced, "I'm leaving early because I'm not feeling

well." Instead, there were choruses of "I won!" and "I didn't!" Later, we learned that it was a

bet on when Seno Natsuru, who claims to be weak, would leave early , and the biggest

winner was the accountant from the banker.  

    I pretended to go home and headed straight for the men's team. Just like when I entered

the girls' department, I used my ID card to pass through the library door, and on the way I

changed into a man, but this transformation always makes me feel itchy. My height remains

the same so the visual field is the same, but there is always a sense of incongruity after the

transformation, especially in the chest.  

    I quickly entered the boys' second grade fourth class. The class had already started, and

the English teacher glared at me.  

    I gave him a silly smile and the teacher continued to face the blackboard. The classmates

were not betting on "When will Natsuru return?" like the girls' department, but instead

reacted helplessly with "It's late again!" This made me feel lonely from a nother perspective.  

    After returning to my seat and hastily opening the textbook, Higashida spoke.  

    "Hey, I need to talk to you."  

    "I don't."  

    I replied casually. I felt like I'd been talking to you since morning, and now that I'd become

a woman, Shizuku would catch me.  

    "Not now, after school."  

    "I have a meeting, you know."  

    "After the meeting,"  

    I said, ending the conversation. There was no way that guy Higashida would stay in the

classroom after school. He must be outside, begging some cute girl to let him take her

picture.  

    The day's classes ended smoothly. "Smoothly" here simply means nothing happened, not

that I remembered or learned a lot. I was probably going to fail miserably on the next test.  

    School was finally over, and I went straight to the meeting room without even picking up

my bag.  

    People from other classes started arriving, all unfamiliar faces. My circle of friends seemed

pretty small.  

    The large conference room above the library was truly large, and representatives from all

grades and classes, both boys' and girls', were there, with seats still available.  

    I found a suitable seat and sat down. I saw Akane from a distance and tried to say hello,

but she ignored me.  

    I felt a little disappointed. Then the student council members came in, and the one in the

middle was undoubtedly Shizuku.  

    "Everyone, please take a seat. The meeting is about to begin."  

    Shizuku is here to preside over the meeting. If you are capable, you can just let your

subordinates take charge. It’s these trivial matters that make you look better.  

    "First of all, regarding the date, the cultural festival is in two weeks."  

    She spoke concisely about the date and specific time, budget allocation, and contact with

the school. I was wondering if she would glance at me, but to my surprise, she really didn’t. If

I see your cute side, then I will look down on you.  

    Boys who feel bored will start to sleep at this time, but no one dares to do so when

Shizuku is around. I don’t want to give a bad impression to the super beautiful high school

student. Instead, they stared at Shizuku more.  

    "...Key activities are basically left to each class to plan. But there is a review, so I hope to

unify the opinions within the class within this week and submit the plan to the student

union."  

    "Are there any school -wide activities?"  

    Girl A asked.  

    "Yes, there's a mockup store hosted by the student council, and there's also a beauty

pageant after the night festival."  

    The conference room was noisy, especially among the boys.  

    "Was it held last year?"  

    "No, it started this year."  

    The startling news was revealed in a calm tone, and whispers began to rise.  

    A beauty pageant, also known as the "Miss Seitetsu" pageant, is a special chapter

dedicated to this in the underground text "Seitetsu Academy Dark History Vol. 1." According

to historical records, it was a grand ceremony during the girls' school era. N ot only

appearance but also character were considered for admission, so the winner was a great

honor. They were also known as "Campus Star." Because of this, the competition was closed

to the public; not even teachers were allowed in except for students.  

    However, after the emergence of the boys' club, the event became more attractive for

viewing, so it was cancelled on the grounds of "decline". Most students nowadays don't even

know that this beauty pageant exists.  

    "That,"  

    a girl stood up. Oh? It was Akane.  

    "The beauty pageant is an event of the cultural festival."  

    "Yes,"  

    Shizuku answered.  

    "It's an event organized by the student council."  

    "Why... suddenly..."  

    "The theme of this year's cultural festival is 'tradition', it's innovation centered around

tradition, and not only the beauty pageant, but many pre -war activities will be revived."  

    That's what they say, but those are probably just tailoring or poetry gatherings, and we

modern young people don't care at all, or rather, we only have beauty pageants in our eyes.  

    "Although it is held during the cultural festival, only students have the right to vote, and

during the public pageant, no one except students is allowed to watch."  

    "So you can rest assured," she meant.  

    We boys were not only relieved, but our eyes lit up, but the girls seemed to be

uncomfortable. Because it was so sudden, they were not mentally prepared, but there were

also excited girls. This kind of event is very popular among both boys and girls.  

    Akane sat down, and Shizuku continued.  

    "The deadline for candidate registration is two days before the cultural festival. There is no

prior review. We will convey the detailed information before registration. Do you have any

questions?"  

    This "doubt" should refer to the cultural festival as a whole, but everyone's interest is in

the beauty pageant.  

    "I have it, I have it! Where is the venue?"  

    "Can candidates be recommended?"  

    "Can we take some photos in advance?"  

    The boys spoke loudly and the girls spoke quickly, and almost everyone was asking

questions.  

    Faced with the continuous questions, Shizuku answered them one by one. It was a pity

that she could hear them all clearly. It seems that the rumor that she was the reincarnation

of Prince Shotoku was not false.  

    "In addition to self -recommendation, please allow recommendation,"  

    a girl's voice came.  

    I glanced in that direction and was so surprised that I almost jumped up. The person who

spoke was Sakura Kaede.  

    Although she is one of the two beauties in Seitetsu Academy, if I were to say, the real

beauty is only Sakura Kaede. By the way, the other one of the two beauties is Shizuku. I've

been hearing about three beauties lately, but I don't even want to menti on the last one

because it seems like she's me after my transformation.  

    Now, my dream girl is actually a class committee member for the cultural festival. How

could my "Sakura Kaede radar" have neglected her? I can't help but curse myself from the

bottom of my heart.  

    "Oh, Kaede doesn't need anyone to recommend her, right?"  

    "It's not me, I want to recommend someone else."  

    "You're not allowed to recommend boys."  

    "It's a girl, but I always feel that she has no interest in these things, so I want to

recommend her, please."  

    It's so rare that Sakura Kaede would ask for help. It seems that she really likes that girl.  

    Shizuku pretended to be thoughtful. "Hey, Sakura Kaede's wish?" I agreed without

hesitation. "If I were the Prime Minister, I would make a law that everything Sakura Kaede

said would be allowed."  

    "I don't want the candidates to be mixed up because of this."  

    "I heard that before, there were only recommendations."  

    "...In that case, then okay."  

    Shizuku nodded.  

    "Then recommendations will be allowed. We will prepare the registration form, so if you

are interested, please come to the student union office to pick it up."  

    Then the plenary meeting ended.  

    When we left the meeting room, boys and girls were talking excitedly. It is said that there

are many beautiful girls in Seitetsu Academy, but it can only be said to be "rumors" because

of the school's confidentiality and strict prohibition of male and female interactions. As a

result, not many people have seen them with their own eyes. It is just information from

Higashida's "Bishoujo Research Society". Since this kind of event is held school -wide, it's

understandable that emotions are running high.  

    After going downstairs, I found that Sakura Kaede was waiting for me.  

    My heart was pounding. Not only was she the girl I admired, but she was also the most

beautiful girl in Seitetsu. She was actually waiting for me. Even if I was killed by jealous boys,

I wouldn't be able to say anything.  

    But inconsistent with this delusion, Sakura Kaede's expression was very cold.  

    "Natsuru -san,"  

    she said,  

    "what are you laughing at? You seem very happy."  

    In fact, I was very happy to talk to Sakura Kaede, but she kicked this wonderful atmosphere

away.  

    Sakura Kaede's expression was very serious.  

    "I've said it before, you and I are rivals in love. I won't give that person to you."  

    "...Ah..."  

    "I won't be as close to you as before."  

    Despair arrived on the boat.  

    Now, let's think back to that character relationship chart. Although Sakura Kaede liked me,

it was the "female me." Not only that, she was hostile to the "male me," even declaring

herself a "love rival" not long ago.  

    And so it goes. Since we met in junior high, we were once "above -average friends," but

now we've fallen back to just "acquaintances." It's a nightmare.  

    Unconcerned with my feelings, Sakura Kaede continued,  

    "I'll definitely go out with that person. I won't lose to you."  

    While Sakura Kaede's determined face was beautiful, now wasn't the time for that.  

    "But Sakura Kaede, that guy..."  

    "That guy? Just because she likes you, you can call her that? Men are so easygoing."  

    "That's not what I meant... She doesn't like girls..."  

    "No, she's even dating me. Natsuru -san, don't you know."  

    I know that person is me.  

    She said confidently,  

    "Even though I'm at a disadvantage so far, I'll definitely make her change her mind."  

    "Uh..."  

    "I'm confident."  

    No, there's no point in saying anything.  

    Sakura Kaede is now a girl in love, full of energy. And the target is me. While that's exciting,

I'm also the one being targeted. This is too confusing. If this isn't confusing, then she must be

a religious ideologue.  

    I don't know why I feel like crying. Six months ago, I was just an ordinary high school

student. How can I face such a test now...  

    "I've thought about it."  

    Ignoring my lament, Sakura Kaede continued.  

    "That person is so attractive, but not many people know about it. So I want everyone to

know, and then date her openly."  

    "Huh? Didn't you say you don't want the rumor about Lily to spread..."  

    "I've discovered that being weak is not a good idea. I want to date the most beautiful girl in

Seitetsu and be envied by the whole school. As long as it's recognized, no one will have any

objections."  

    "How could that be..."  

    "I'm going to recommend Natsuru -san for the beauty pageant."  

    I felt like I'd been hit hard by an engineer with a sledgehammer.  

    Sakura Kaede planned to recommend "the female me" in the beauty pageant, and that's

why she asked Shizuku for the recommendation.  

    And I'm entering a beauty pageant... not as a man, of course, but this is my first time as a

woman. It's only been a short time since I've been able to transform into a woman, so how

could something like this happen?  

    "That person said, I'm sure to win."  

    "..."

    "Then I'll express my feelings to her. I'll make the most beautiful woman in Seitetsu mine."  

    "..."

    "Please be prepared."  

    She said this to herself, leaving me speechless and walking away.  

    For a moment, I was petrified at the stairwell. It was as if time had stopped, like a villain's

trick in a comic, unrelated to my conscious mind.  

    It didn't really stop, by the way. I realized Akane had come to pick me up.  

    "Natsuru -san..."  

    Akane's expression was very confused.  

    "Akane..."  

    "What's wrong?"  

    I explained to her what just happened. Akane opened her mouth into an O shape in

surprise.  

    "Natsuru -san is going to the beauty pageant..."  

    "I don't want to go."  

    "How can you...Natsuru -san is so beautiful..."  

    She seemed very regretful, but I don't regret it at all.  

    "I don't want to attract attention. I just want to live quietly in a corner."  

    "But Sakura Kaede is going to recommend you."  

    "Hmm..."  

    "Can't I resign?"  

    "I don't know..."  

    Yes, there is also the method of resigning. In order to prevent unreasonable

recommendations, there should be such a system. No, there must be one.  

    "I have to ask the president."  

    "Yeah..."  

    Although I was very reluctant to bow to Shizuku, there was nothing I could do. If I bowed

and scraped in the student union office, there would always be a way.  

    "Can you accompany me to the president's place?"  

    "Hey... am I going too?"  

    "Well, I'll go get my bag now, wait for me."  

    I walked quickly through the library.  

    When I returned to the boys' department, there was no one there. There were no night

cram schools or anything so it was okay to stay, but school is not a place to stay.  

    But when I returned to the classroom, Higashida was still there.  

    "You really were waiting."  

    "Yeah, it's really late."  

    This guy had an expectant expression on his face, so he immediately came to ask me.  

    "Then, what happened?"  

    "What?"  

    "A meeting, there's going to be a beauty pageant."  

    "How did you know that?"  

    Higashida said in a low voice with a lewd smile.  

    "I told you before that we also have informants in the student union. Through certain

means, we let them plan the beauty pageant. On the surface, it is a proposal within the

student union, but in fact it is an activity of the Bishoujo Research Society. "

    I was helpless and speechless. Has this guy extended his claws to the student union for the

sake of beautiful girls?  

    Indeed, since it is a "beauty pageant", it is natural that there will be beautiful girls. It is

indeed a rare opportunity for Higashida. "Tell me something, is this it?"  

    "This event is only held once a year, and it may even be just this once. So our Bishoujo

Research Society plans to do our best."  

    I don't know why Higashida clenched his fists and was extremely excited. Now I have to

quit. It would be terrible if not only this guy but also other boys took pictures of me.  

    "Really? Then you should try your best. It doesn't matter if I don't."  

    "This is Seno's mission."  

    Is this guy talking to human beings?  

    "As a special advisor to the Bishoujo Research Society, I hope you can give me intelligence

on the beauty pageant, no matter how small it is."  

    "There are some small details..."  

    "For example, I want to come out."  

    "That's all, tell me word for word."  

    "Idiot, how could I do that? I've become a class committee member without even realizing

it. Don't bother me anymore. Just ask the spies in your student union."  

    "We planned to put them on hold for a while. The president is very intuitive. They were

discovered before the cultural festival and it was a disaster."  

    It really should be canceled. Shizuku can see through everything. The lurking spies might

be under her control.  

    "It doesn't matter if your words are exposed."  

    "Don't worry, you little bastard. The president will not show mercy."  

    "You are very popular in the women's department, right?"  

    "Not at all --"

    "There are a lot of tasks, but there are only a limited number of people you can trust, so

only a few people can carry them out."  

    "I am not trustworthy, right?"  

    "We trust you very much, so in addition to collecting intelligence, we also hope that you

can do something else."  

    Leaving aside the word "so" that came out of nowhere, Higashida said:  

    "Dig a hole."  

    "Huh?"  

    "What the hell?"  

    "Tunnel. The student union has been keeping a closer eye on us recently, and there is no

way to connect the men's and women's departments. I want to ensure an emergency

passage."  

    This may require a little explanation. The boys' and girls' departments of this school are

strictly separated. There is a very high wall with barbed wire on the dividing line, and the

only legal way to enter and exit is to go through the library gate, like I did.  

    Then there is an illegal underground activity organization in this high school called the

Underground Committee for Normal Communication between Men and Women, which tries

every means to hide the communication between the boys' and girls' departments f rom the

school. Higashida is one of the members, and I have been told the contact lines several

times.  

    "It makes a big difference whether there is that or not."  

    Higashida emphasized the importance of it.  

    "I know this, but why do you want me to dig it out?"  

    "Because of you, several routes have been abandoned, and it has already caused an

impact on the cadre meeting. There is a limit to what I can do to defend you."  

    What excuses? When did I ask you for help? By the way, why is my name on the cadre

meeting?  

    "It's like this. There is a tunnel that was dug halfway before. You take the responsibility and

continue digging it."  

    "What responsibility? In the final analysis, you are just pushing the trouble to me."  

    "After the digging is completed, you will be granted the privilege of using the tunnel

freely."  

    "Who wants such rights..."  

    I have an ID card and can come and go freely.  

    Higashida patted my shoulder and said,  

    "As long as you help, the route can be revived, as long as you help."  

    The shining eyes and the sweat -soaked skin, is this the obsession with girls?  

    I nodded unconsciously, well, it's my fate and it's a fact. After saying goodbye to Higashida,

I went to the library.  

    Akane was sitting in the dim library and stood up when she saw me.  

    "Ah, Natsuru, that's great... It's getting dark and I'm a little scared. Let's go back quickly."  

    "I have things to do."  

    "Huh?"  

    "Digging a hole."  

    The girl with glasses really had an inexplicable expression.  

Translator's Notes

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

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