Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume9
Novel Illustrations[edit]
These are the novel illustrations that were included in volume 9.
Page 003
Page 029
Page 036-037
Page 073
Page 089
Page 092-093
Page 115
Page 123
Page 128-129
Page 176-177
Page 187
Page 205
Page 206-207
Page 225
Page 236-237
Page 241
Page 267
“…Yuuji.”
“What is it?”
“…We were living together last night, but it doesn’t feel like we’re living together.”
“Of course that’s the case. Think about it, it’s not once or twice that I was bound up and gagged and kidnapped to your house. There’s no refreshing feeling here.”
“…So from tonight onwards, I’ll go over to stay at Yuuji’s house.”
“Got it. I’ll go over to your house then.”
“…Yuuji, will you wear my clothes when you’re at my house?”
“Hold on. Let me bring a clean set of clothing.”
“???...My house has a lot of socks.”
“WHY MUST IT ONLY BE SOCKS!? THERE WOULD AT LEAST BE PANTS AND BOXERS INVOLVED, RIGHT?”
“…I won’t mind wearing Yuuji’s panties and bras.”
“I’LL MIND THAT! DON’T SAY IT LIKE I HAVE A BRA!”
“…Don’t you wear underwear, Yuuji?”
“I DON’T WEAR THE TOP! BUT I DEFINITELY MUST WEAR THE PART AT THE BOTTOM!”
“…Where?”
“THIS ISN’T THE TIME TO ASK ME WHERE! DON’T UNDRESS ME LIKE IT’S NATURAL!”
“…As a childhood friend, I have a duty to check your growth status, Yuuji.”
“THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS CHECKING GROWTH STATUS, IS THERE?! IF YOU DON’T STRIP ME REGULARLY AND RECORD, IT WILL BE POINT—”
“…”
“Oi, hold on a sec. Why aren’t you talking?”
“…Will F class continue with the summoning war?”
“Why did you change the topic out of a sudden.”
“…Can you beat C class?”
“Ku…! Pretending not to hear things that are disadvantageous to you…”
“…Even amongst husband and wife, there are some things we can’t talk about.”
“WE’RE NOT HUSBAND AND WIFE I’m too tired to even snark back…”
“…So, how about it?”
“Hm? The summoning war?”
“…Un.”
“It’s not whether we can win or not, it’s that we have to win. We can’t fail here.”
“…Do you best. If it’s you people, Yuuji, you will definitely win.”
“Oh, thanks—speaking of which, even if you’re honestly cheering for us, you know what’s our final goal, don’t you?”
“…You’re aiming for A class this time, right? Yuuji?”
“Of course, we’ll definitely win this time.”
“…Is that so?”
“Wait patiently. We won’t hold back.”
“…That’s fine, but—”
“But what?”
“—Yuuji, you know what will happen the next time you lose, right?”
“…….Haha, my feet are starting to tremble…is this the so-called samurai waver[1]?”
“…When you lose twice, you better get ready.”
“Gu…! I, I won’t lose!”
“…So you must work hard when fighting against C class.”
“My heart just feels complicated now…well, I’ll do my best. It’s our wish to win in the summoning war.”
“…I’ll support your battle with C class.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“—Speaking of which, Shouko, about that checking of growth.”
“…I have to do duty today.”
“OOOIIIII!! DID YOU REALLY CHECK REGULARLY!!??”
The First Question[edit]
Please read the following passage and answer the question:
Andy“I’m sorry about being late.”
Mary“Was there anything?”
Andy“I guided the man.”
Mary“Was there a stray child.”
Andy“No. There was an old man who had come to this town for the first time.”
Mary“I see.”[2]
Please explain why Andy was late.
Himeji Mizuki’s answer:
“Because he went to guide a lost old man.”
Teacher’s comment:
Correct answer. Andy did say that he was late because he helped an old man who came to this city for the first time. Everyone must remember to help out those in need.
Tsuchiya Kouta’s answer:
“Because he helped a pregnant lady who was about to give birth.”
Teacher’s comment:
Unfortunately, there’s no mention of the term pregnant lady.
Yoshii Akihisa’s answer:
“Because he helped an old man who was about to give birth.”
'Teacher’s comment:
Sensei’s really bothered that you forced out terms that didn’t exist at all.
“Morning Yuuji.”
After splitting up from Shouko at the new school building, I was working down the corridor of the old school building when a familiar voice rang.
“Oh, Hideyoshi, morning.”
I turned around, and saw that it was one of my classmates — Kinoshita Hideyoshi.
“The weather’s great today.”
Hideyoshi narrowed his eyes and looked outside. To be honest, that face looks like a girl no matter what, but he’s a real man. But even if I say so, I’ve been wondering recently whether Hideyoshi was a real guy or not.
“…I suddenly had a feeling that my last wall of defense collapsed for a moment there…”
“You must be mistaken. You’re probably tired, right?”
“Muu…is that so?”
Being so sharp at such a small thing; that’s definitely a trait a girl will have.
“Even so, that was a disaster yesterday, Yuuji.”
Hideyoshi gave a wry smile as he said that. Was he referring to that when he mentioned disaster? A ridiculous confession caused those guys in F class to go jealous and lose all sanity and even triggered a horrifying chase sequence.
“Well, a disaster’s a disaster, but I’m used to being chased all over the place.”
“That’s so…”
Even if I say so, it can’t be helped that I’m used to it.
“Instead of worrying about whether we will be chased, I’m more worried about the summoning battle later on today. Our fighting ability was grossly worn out.”
“That’s because our class started it.”
It’s because of this that the fighting ability we had so little of became even more lacking. The opponent’s C class, and we ended up losing a lot here. Obviously, everyone knows that this is disadvantageous to us.
“We have to endure today for the sake of winning today.”
“Endure? What do you mean?”
“My estimation is that we have to continue to endure during the first half, so we’ll be in a tough battle where we have to replenish our points and fight.”
“Continuing to replenish our points and fast…that really requires lots of willpower and concentration.”
To put it nicely, it’s replenishing, but in the end, they’re exams, so this would be draining to the body and mind. I can only think of a way to motivate everyone and make them bring their best.
“Oh yeah, Hideyoshi. Your classic literature grades are rather high.”
“Yeah, ah. The next drama I’m acting in is the tale of Genji[3]—”
We continued to talk as we walked up the stairs, and as we saw the classroom.
“Mu? Isn’t that Muttsurini?”
“Oh, yeah.”
We saw our classmate, Tsuchiya Kouta, a.k.a. Muttsurini, about to enter F class classroom.
He is a guy who has an insatiable desire for sexual stuff, and is a powerhouse in health education that no one can match. Even though his combine scores are relatively low, he’s a reliable ally who has the breakthrough ability with his focus on one subject.
“We’ll need him to fight hard today.”
“Nobody can match Muttsurini in health education anyway.”
“Yeah. He’s a precious rare fighting ability of ours.”
Hideyoshi said as he walked over to Muttsurini.”
“Morning, Muttsurini.”
And then, he tapped him on the shoulder.
“…”
But Muttsurini didn’t respond at all…un?
“What is it? Did something—”
Happen? Just when I was about to continue,
“……(FLUSSSHHH)!!!”
Muttsurini spurted out lots of nosebleed and fainted.
“THE IMPORTANT FIGHTING FORCE IS—!?”
WHAT? WHAT’S GOING ON!? DID HE GET POISONED!? IS IT A TRAP!?
“DAMN IT! WHO KILLED MUTTSURINI!?”
I stepped over Muttsurini’s corpse “…There’s no need…to step over me…” and entered the classroom.
“We, well, Minami-chan, you should.”
“(Pinch pinch pinch) They’re really big~. What did you eat to make them so big?”
“Just normal rice.”
I saw Shimada rubbing Himeji’s breasts.
“………You two, what are you doing so early in the morning……”
“Ah, morning, Sakamoto.”
“Good morning, Sakamoto-kun.”
Shimada and Himeji finally noticed us and greeted me. …Is this the reason why Muttsurini collapsed…
“What are we doing? Just interacting around a little, you know?”
“Your little interaction caused an ally of ours to be on the brink of death…”
“And I’ll say, it doesn’t seem right when you stepped over your friend like that after that.”
Really, it’s thoroughly forbidden to give Muttsurini such stimulation.
“Then, why do you need to have such a weird way of interaction?”
“Nn~…no particular reason.”
As she said that, Shimada turned to look at Himeji’s table.
“Mizuki’s been studying hard ever since she got to school, so I want to help her relax.”
“I’m happy that you’re concerned, but it’ll be great if you can use some other way to help…”
Looking over, I saw that Himeji’s table was filled with reference books and revision test questions. I see, so she’s been working hard with such will so early in the morning. I’m really encouraged as the class rep of the summoning war when I see this.
“Sorry, Himeji. It’s great that you are helping out like this.”
From the previous study group, I knew that Himeji was more of a prodigy who gained her talent through hard work rather than being an outright prodigy. This hard-working attitude will always bring about motivation with the people around her. And with that pretty face of hers, the other people (though most of them are bastards) will work hard without grumbling.
“I’ll work extremely hard today.”
And also, I don’t know if it’s thanks to Shimada’s worrying or because she didn’t think too much, but Himeji wasn’t forcing herself and was rather full of enthusiasm. Being tense without forcing herself can be said to be the best condition to fight.
“Sorry, Himeji. —Look, you guys. If you have the time, get ready to take replenishing tests like Himeji. The points we have here aren’t enough to win.”
“““Understood—!!!”””
I can use Himeji to inspire everyone.
However, I never ever dreamt the day would come when I would actually end up saying something like ‘go study’ to my classmates…
It’s been about 20 minutes since the conversation just now, and there’s still 10 minutes till the morning homeroom period.
Just when I was checking the attendance of our class, I suddenly noticed something.
“Speaking of which, Akihisa isn’t here yet.”
“Akihisa? Looks like he didn’t come here.”
Sitting beside me and studying was Hideyoshi, who heard me mutter and lifted his head before answering back.
Almost everyone in our class is here except for that idiot. Let alone normal days, he should be here earlier on the day of a summoning war to get ready and fight.
“Aki may have overslept.”
Shimada joined in the conversation as she may have heard Akihisa’s name.
“Overslept…is that true, Himeji?”
I asked Himeji, who was studying nearby. On hearing that, Shimada immediately gulped.
“No, it’s not that he overslept—”
“…In that case, you’re really living with Aki, right, Mizuki? Hey, Mizuki, tell us the specifics.”
“Well well, calm down, Shimada. Akihisa’s sister at home too, and it’s that Akihisa we’re talking about. Nothing can possibly happen.”
“Well, that’s true…”
Hideyoshi coaxed a jealous Shimada. Nice going, Hideyoshi. If we mention that troublesome topic and start off another commotion like yesterday, things will be tough to handle.
“Ermm…Akihisa-kun seemed to have a cold…so he’s taking a break today.”
“Eh? Aki got a cold? Really?”
“Yes.”
Immediately, Shimada and I asked back. Akihisa will miss a summoning war because of a cold?
“I don’t think that idiot will miss a summoning war because of a cold.”
“…I agree.”
Muttsurini came over to us and nodded his head in agreement.
That guy’s body is rather strong since he normally eats coarse grains, and today’s the important summoning war day. I can’t imagine that that idiot will take a break from school when it’s an important day for him to take a step forward.
“I feel that he would at least send a message over to Yuuji either way.”
Like what Hideyoshi said, if he can’t take part, he would at least make a call to tell me something like ‘win even if you must die’. Has he lost consciousness if he didn’t even send one? But since Himeji, who’s staying with him, came to school, it shouldn’t be that serious. If it’s already critical, Himeji would definitely take a leave and stay with Akihisa.
In that case, there’s only one possibility to be considered.
“That idiot bastard…I told him time and time again to watch what he eats…”
“He couldn’t refuse at all…how pitiful…”
“…Let’s clasp our hands together and pray.”
So the reason is Himeji’s cooking. That’s more convincing than a cold.
“But Akihisa’s strength is that ‘there won’t be a decrease in fighting ability even if he’s not around’. No problems.”
“I just feel that it’s the same thing as ‘even if he’s around, he can’t be a part of our fighting force’…”
That’s what I intended to say.
To be honest, even if we don’t talk about that guy’s offensive ability, his summoned beast’s dodging skills are something worth looking forward to. Even if it’s that idiot, if he’s not around, our chances of succeeding will be affected too…but there’s no need to talk about such stuff now and create restlessness amongst everyone.
I scanned around the class, and everyone sans Akihisa is here. There’s still time, and we’re about to begin.
I look around the classroom, and went up the podium.
“Alright, we’re going to start our strategy meeting!”
Everyone let out a loud noise on hearing this.
The summoning war starts at 9. There’s not much time, so I’ll simply explain a bit.
“The important point in today’s strategy is the replenishment tests. We must try to regain the points we lost during the commotion yesterday quickly.”
The trap C class’ Koyama set caused F class to have inner turmoil, weakening our forces here greatly as a result. F class was already overwhelmingly weak as compared to C class, and yet we lost points because of infighting. Right now, the difference in fighting ability is really big.
“But wouldn’t our difference with C class be larger if we continue to replenish?”
Shimada raised her hand and asked. It’s true that if everyone ended up being worn out like what she said, the difference between both sides will increase, and the simple reason is that the enemy’s maximum value in points are different from us…however,
“That’s not the case. The enemy has finished the replenishing.”
While F class had the infighting going on, C class temporarily went back to regroup. This is a cautious decision made in the midst of the chaos. Even though we had some replenishing done too, we had infighting amongst our side, and they, who had the advantage all the time, have a difference in how much they were worn out as compared to us. But they were basically done. In other words, the replenishing tests will decrease the difference instead of increase.
“Then, what’s the basic plan?”
Hideyoshi asked. The other people in the class looked like they wanted to hear about the specifics rather than the overall plan.
“The enemy will most likely start swarming here, and we won’t have a chance of winning with our points worn down by a lot. Therefore, we have to solidify F classroom. We’ll defend the two entrances of F class, set them as the fighting area, and wait for the replenishing inside the classroom to be complete.”
With their replenishing done, C class will go for the decisive blow before we can take action—it’s not to that extent yet, but they will keep us in our classroom while making us unable to do anything else. Looking at how the enemy rep Koyama took action, it seemed that the enemy is being wary of us. It’s not hard to imagine that they will decrease our movement range.
“We lost out on a lot of points, and we already lost a lot of people. We won’t have a chance of winning if the enemy uses the ‘retreat once worn out’ strategy.”
In terms of numbers, we still have around 30 people (on a side note, the number of people in a class is 50), but the enemy has more than 40 people, and the difference in numbers is already about 30%. Also, there’s the difference in personal abilities between C class and F class, and this is already a self-explanatory situation.
“Therefore, we’re going to use up our points as much as possible.”
“Use up, as in fighting until we can’t fight?”
“That’s one, but that won’t be enough. We won’t be replenishing our points before we go down, but we’ll switch the deciding subject. In that case, the same people can still continue to fight.”
“Change subjects, how?”
Shimada tossed out a question. That’s a good question.
The rules state that we can’t switch subjects when fighting the enemy. If we want to switch subjects, we have to fight until the battle’s decided. In other words, a certain side of students taking part in the battle of this subject has to be defeated first. Then, if we lose out, the enemy will rush in through both front and back entrances, and things will get worse.
“At that moment, we’ll need Himeji’s attacking ability and immediately ask the teacher for a change in subjects once the enemies in the field are defeated. Can you do it?”
“Yes! Please leave it to me!”
Himeji said enthusiastically.
Himeji, who has the ability as the second-ranked student in our year, has constantly high marks in all subjects. This is a very important point for this fight. All the subjects may require a decisive fight, so we need to sweep the enemy while changing subjects. Shimada’s maths and Muttsurini’s health education are rather strong if we talk about how specialized they are, but the enemy will think of changing the subjects, and if we have such a defensive battle, their strength can’t be used. Thus we need Himeji’s power as an add on.
“So we’d need Himeji to appear when changing subjects. The main forces of the defense will be taken by other people, is it?”
“Ahh, that’s the case. Once we start, we’ll be grouped with Muttsurini and Shimada at the center.”
The front entrance will be defended by Muttsurini’s health education, and the back will be defended by Shimada’s maths. On a side note, these two are highly specialized, so we have to call them back when switching subjects.
“According to the current situation, I’ll be able to hang on for about 20, 30 minutes.”
“…I have no confidence in fighting an endurance battle.”
We’ll ignore Shimada for now, but it’ll be a different case for Muttsurini, peerless in health education, to fight a battle of attrition. The ability of the ‘golden bracelet’ is powerful, but will eat up points when used, and will have a side effect when facing lots of enemies. The only one in our entire year who can get away from many enemies is that idiot. It’s because of this that it’s a huge loss for that guy to not be here…
“I’ll work hard for Akihisa-kun’s sake. We promised.”
Himeji’s eyes seemed to show a glow of strong will. It seemed that she’s more active than before when Akihisa’s not around. In a certain sense, perhaps it’s good that Akihisa isn’t here.
“Alright. Then, please take note of the area you’re in charge of.”
As we continued on, the strategy meeting ended. And so…how will the battle today end up like?
“Are you done, Yoshii? —Are you listening to me, Yoshii?”
“Eh? Ah, yes, sorry.”
Ironman’s coarse voice brought me back to reality. Damn it. I seemed to have spaced out again.
“What is it? You haven’t written down anything yet? Hurry up.”
With Ironman prompting me, I looked down at the latecoming slip.
—Yes, the latecoming slip.
Right now, the time is 10am, and I’m in the office. As for why I’m here at such a time, the simple answer is that I was late, and sensei asked me to write a latecoming slip.
“It’s rare that you weren’t late by just a bit. Did you oversleep?”
“No, that’s not it…”
I woke up slightly earlier than usual. Even so, it was 9.30am the moment I noticed it. Looks like I spaced out on the bed for more than 2 hours. It’s really suitable if I say that time was taken away without warning.
“Whatever. Just hurry up and write. I have to go back to the remedial room earlier.”
“Okay~”
Under the ‘class’ column of the latecoming slip, I wrote ‘2-F’, ‘Yoshii Akihisa’ under the ‘name’ column, and the reason why I was late—
“…”
“What is it, Yoshii? Why are you blushing?”
I wanted to write the reason why I was late, but stopped again.
To be honest, the reason why I was late this morning was because Himeji-san…well, ki—no! Erm, actwd like nee-san. But I can’t use that as an excuse. That will create lots of problems if I write that, and will bring trouble to Himeji-san. But (even if Himeji-san was mistaken) my cold’s better now, so I can’t write that I’m sick…
I pondered for a while, and my hand holding the pen started to write again. Can’t be helped. I’ll write this then.
“Sensei, I’m done.”
“Alright, you can leave.”
“Yes.”
I handed over the latecoming slip and got ready to leave the staff room.
“I’ll take back what I said. Come back, Yoshii.”
“What is it?”
I got called back by Ironman. What now?
“Rewrite it.”
“Rewrite? Is there a problem?”
“Writing ‘youth’ as the latecoming reason can’t possibly be accepted!”
“THEN WHAT OTHER REASON CAN I WRITE!?”
“I SHOULD BE THE ONE YELLING HERE!!”
How unreasonable. I definitely thought through and finally wrote a big fat truth here!
“Yare yare…never mind. Since it’s Yoshii…you probably picked up some ero-book on the way to school.”
It seemed that my youth here is being grossly misunderstood.
Even so, I can’t say the real reason, and I have no idea what that signified. Is she trying to imitate nee-san? Was Himeji-san dazed from her sleep? Was it some kind of spell? No, it’s really too weird even if it’s like that.
If I think about it, don’t tell me, actually, Himeji-san—
“…”
“Why are you blushing all of a sudden? How dangerous is that ero-book you picked up!?”
Damn it, I got even more misunderstood.
“Really, can you really take part in the summoning war? Let me say this first. Our class is in a state where we can’t think about anything else, you know?”
Ironman sighed and muttered.
Now that he mentioned it, I focused my attention back here. F class’ situation…
The summoning war began while I was writing the latecoming slip here. I didn’t arrive at any conclusion after spacing out for more than 2 hours, so there’s no time to worry about this.
“…Yeah. I should be focusing on the summoning war.”
“Yeah. I don’t want to say that studies are your top priority, but the summoning war is important for you and Sakamoto, right? Forget about everything else and just focus on what’s in front of you.”
As an elder, Ironman gave this advice, and it’s true that the summoning war is important to me. It’s not something that I can play around with, yeah…un, well said!
“Yes, I got it!”
“Good answer. No problems, right?”
“None! I’m good at forgetting things!”
“Don’t puff your chest and say such a thing, idiot.”
I’m not good at thinking about so many things in the first place. I can’t check on what happened with Himeji-san, so I should first focus on the important summoning war!
“I’ll be off to the remedial room then. I’ll give you a good lesson if you die in battle.”
Ironman took the latecoming slip and went back to the office. Now, I should start thinking. I have to meet up with F class and take part in the summoning war!
“—But even if I say so, what’s going on…”
After handing my latecoming slip over to Ironman, I just stared over at F class blankly.
“Charge right in! The enemy’s just F class!”
“Those who’re done with replenishing are to come back! Replace those worn out!”
“Got it! Those at the back are to take over!”
I came to the entrance of F class, and what I saw was a battle with swarms of C class students attacking ferociously and F class defending till death at the entrance.
The time now is 10+, and the battlefield of the summoning war that restarted is now at the entrance of F class in the old school building. Right now, there’s an intense battle going on, and as I could see, it feels like C class is trying to surround F class and keep them in the classroom.
C class Koyama-san leaked false information to crush F class, causing F class to have infighting. Even though we managed to resolve this, and both sides went through replenishing tests — there’s still a huge difference between C class and F class. There’s already a difference in ability, and with the commotion yesterday, the damage caused was great. Of course, F class had overwhelmingly more casualties than C class.
The so-called replenishing test is to let those with their points worn out to regain their points. In other words, it is meaningless to those who died in battle. During yesterday’s commotion, those C class people who were worn down retreated, but F class was different. The raging F class members attacked over and over again even if they’re worn out, and so, naturally, a lot of them died. In this situation, both sides had to go through replenishing tests, and it’s to be expected that there’s a huge difference in the amount of recovery in the fighting strength. This huge difference created the current situation.
“That Yuuji already foresaw something like this, didn’t he…”
Even though we managed to overcome the commotion yesterday, the war hasn’t ended. Rather, it had just begun, and it’s disadvantageous on our side.
Looking over, I can see that F class is being held down. It’s really amazing how the defensive line hasn’t collapsed.
“SA, SAVE ME, FUKUMURA! I HAVE ONLY 12 POINTS LEFT! I DON’T WANT TO GO TO THE REMEDIAL ROOM!”
“I’M IN THE SAME BOAT HERE! JUST USE THOSE POINTS TO HELP!”
“SPEAKING OF WHICH, DON’T YOU HAVE ONLY 20 POINTS!?”
I could only hear screams from F class, and from where I’m standing, I could only see the backs of C class surrounding F class.
“No, but if I can see the backs of C class, doesn’t that mean that I can ambush them?”
To be honest, I haven’t regained my points completely. It couldn’t be helped. I ran around all over the place yesterday, being chased by almost everyone from F class and C class, so it wasn’t enough to use one or two subjects to fight then. There’s a limit to how much points I can get back after half a day of remedial. If I fight in such a situation, I’ll be sent over to the remedial room without being able to do anything.
“No no. For the sake of my allies, it would be helpful somewhat if I rush in suicidally…”
Should I help everyone and fight by rushing in? Better check the current situation. This is troublesome.
Just when I’m thinking about this, I can see the faces of my F class classmates from the gaps between the C class people. They all seemed to notice me and gave me glances.
(You’re here, Yoshii?)
(You can’t rest on such an important day!)
(Let’s fight together, Yoshii!)
Their eyes were telling me this.
Is that so…so they were waiting for me…in that case, I should reciprocate their trust and join in the fight for everyone’s sake.
…Yeah. Fight for everyone and give my life up. If I am going to save everyone, I have to rush in with the realization that I have to go to Ironman’s hellish remedials.
“…”
I looked at the faces of my pleading allies.
(Yoshii…)
(Yoshii…!)
(Yoshii…!!)
“Fmm…I see.”
I took a deep breath and thought calmly.
……I have no obligation to go to such an extent!
If I think about it carefully, the reason why we ended up like this was because everyone went jealous and started attacking. Also, I’ve been badly treated everyday too.
“Alright. Time to watch them die.”
Yuuji can definitely think of something! I should think about how to get past this perimeter and gather with the class—
“YOSHII! F CLASS’ YOSHII AKIHISA! HURRY UP AND SAVE US! WE’RE HERE!”
“OI, C CLASS! LEAVE US ALONE AND ATTACK YOSHII OVER THERE!”
“YEAH! THAT GUY MUST HAVE BEEN ORDERED BY SAKAMOTO SECRETLY! HE SHOULD BE SOMEONE IMPORTANT!”
“Cheh! As expected of my classmates!”
The moment those guys spoke up, I immediately turned my back around and started to run off.
It seemed that my decision to abandon those guys and their decision to sacrifice me was made at the same time. It can be said that the thinking of sacrificing other people’s lives to protect our own lives is the creed of our class.
“Eh? Yoshii? No sign of him.”
“Don’t be fooled by them! These guys are from F class! D class ended up in turmoil because of this! We should first focus on the enemy in front of us!”
“IT’S TRUE! TRUST ME! OH YEAH, IF YOU LET ME RUN AWAY, I’LL TIE YOSHII UP AND BRING HIM OVER—”
I heard some lousy words over there. Isn’t selling other people out to survive the worst idea! Really, these guys.
“I’ll just ignore them for now.”
If I think about it carefully, the situation is rather bad. If I’m revealed to have come here, I won’t be able to secretly meet up with F class.
“Let’s see if there’s any other path to meet up…”
First I have to leave the battlefield to ensure my own safety and check the situation out. Un…sneak in through the window of that empty classroom beside F class — it’s tough. The empty classroom’s right beside the battlefield, so the enemy will quickly discover me…anyway, let’s go to the other empty classrooms to check it out and find a way to sneak in.
I went from the third level of the old school building that was the battlefield to the area near the empty classroom on the second level. If I can climb up to the window from there…
I remain vigilant and check to see if there’s any enemies nearby and put my hand on the door of the empty classroom. I then heard some people talking from inside. Un? Who could it be?
“…Sorry to look for you at such a time. The class representative shouldn’t be taking action independently in the middle of a summoning war.”
“It’s alright if it’s like this. F class is being walled up inside their own classroom.”
“That’s good. If they’re stuck inside the classroom, the enemy can’t pull any tricks.”
There were two girls’ talking to each other, and they just seem so familiar…they also mentioned about things like ‘F class’ and ‘summoning war’. Don’t tell me…?
I was wondering about it, and put my ear on the door to listen carefully.
“Well, sempai. About what I asked this morning…”
“Un, the strategy against F class, right? I’ve asked for you.”
“Sorry to bother you at such a busy time.”
“It’s alright. The third years are doing self-study during this period.”
It's definitely them! It’s C class’ representative Koyama-san! Is this ‘sempai’ she called that bewitching looking—Kogure-sempai?
“What’s the situation now?”
“The enemy’s stuck in their own class…”
“But we can’t get over to the rep, right?”
“Yeah. Also, that second-ranked girl in our year is working really hard to me, and we couldn’t win according how I think we would. I’m also uneasy over what Sakamoto will come up with…”
“The second-ranked girl in your year? She doesn’t have much physical ability, so wouldn’t be easy if you make her tired?”
“Well…for some reason, she just seemed really motivated today.”
“She has become one huge obstacle, is it?”
“Yeah…from the way things stand, we can’t do anything if we don’t find some way to deal with her.”
As I heard this, I suddenly noticed something. Just now, (I think) Kogure-sempai said something like ‘I asked for you’. So that means the suggestion given to Koyama wasn’t thought up by her…?
“Is that so? We’ll ignore the enemy’s strategy for now. Let’s first talk about the rest. The basic plan.”
“Yes.”
“How about you get the other classes to help out?”
“The other classes?”
“Yup. A common frontline. Is there any other classes you can get to help?”
“…I think, B class’ representative is a little…”
“Isn’t this B class representative your ex-boyfriend?”
The ex-boyfriend, B class rep. On hearing that, a guy’s man appeared in my mind. Uu…I do feel somewhat guilty here. What Nemoto-kun did to Himeji-san was unforgivable, but there’s a guilt over whether I went overboard on hearing the word ‘split up’.
“I heard that you split up from him because he tried to kiss you forcefully and you gave him a tight slap to the face.”
“…Please don’t remind me of that.”
I take that back. Looks like there’s nothing to pity him about.
“But it’s not that you broke up with him completely, right?”
“Ehh. Sort of.”
“That can do. Please ask B class for assistance.”
“Erm…how?”
“Let B class fight with other classes. Then, designate the subjects they’re to use.”
“Designate the classes we should use?”
“Yeah. There’s a limit to the number of teachers, so make all the teachers who have replenished the enemy’s points go over to the summoning battle on that side. In that case, no matter much momentum the enemy has, they have to fight with low points.”
“I see…then we can also use the teachers who replenished the marks of B class’ opponents to fight, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
I heard this sly plan. Un? Make the enemy fight with the subjects without being allowed to replenish points? Won’t that be disadvantageous to us?
“If we are to get B class into a summoning war, the only opponent left will likely be A class. How about it? Does 2-B have the thought of challenging A class?”
“They do have that sort of motive…but no matter what, it’s too reckless for B class to challenge A class.”
“Perhaps B class’ rep still wants you to change your mind, right? You once said that you liked brainy guys, right?”
“Eh? No way?”
“Aren’t you very cute there? Then,”
“We, well, it’s not like I hated him…”
B class declaring war on A class. I don’t think A class will lose, but if B, C classes limit the subjects, it won’t be easy to win easily. Besides, the class rep of B class is that infamously sneaky Nemoto-kun. He will come up with some dirty trick and do something to attack A class’ rep Kirishima-san’s weakness, Yuuji and make her surrender. Kirishima-san’s smart, but can’t make decisions calmly whenever it comes to Yuuji. That will be troublesome.
“In that case, if you beat F class, and the gap between B class and A class will be reduced. Both classes won’t lose out. Won’t that be an ideal deal?
“That’s true…”
The meeting on the other side of the door seemed to be progressing smoothly.
This isn’t a joke. B class and C class won’t lose out, but us F class and A class that get involved will be in trouble. I’m worried about A class, but our F class will be in even more trouble. It’s already a disadvantageous situation to us, and our chances of winning will decrease greatly if we’re forced to use only certain classes? We’re aiming for A class, so how can allow this to happen? We must stop this plan no matter what.
“Then if B class beat A class, you can attack whichever side you want. If they lose, you can consider attacking A class after checking that they’re worn out.”
“That’s true…I can’t say that the deal we had earlier is fake then.”
The deal before would refer to the information Koyama-san and Yuuji exchanged, where they will attack after that. I thought they were just lying, but it seemed that they intended to follow their promise. I don’t know what’s their true intentions though.
Damn it, there’s no time to think randomly! F class and A class will be in a bad situation if this keeps up!
My mind’s thinking about doing something, but I can’t think of some specific plan. I’m really envious of Yuuji’s thinking speed at this moment.
Just when I’m being puzzled, time slowly ticked away.
“Nn…? Isn’t that—F CLASS YOSHII!? OII! YOSHII’S HERE!’
“WHAT!? IS THE NEWS THAT HE TOOK LEAVE FALSE!?”
And then, voices could be heard from behind.
Damn it! I focused too much on what’s inside the classroom and didn’t pay attention to my surroundings!
I looked over at where the voices came from, and it seemed that the C class students who were intending to attack F class from another direction brought the teacher down from the third level.
I left the door to get away quickly. The door to the empty classroom opened, and the people who walked out from inside were C class’ rep Koyama-san and the third year bewitching looking sempai I met before—Kogure-sempai.
“Yoshii!? That guy heard our conversation just now—”
“…Unfortunately, I didn’t expect someone to come here at such a time and take part in the summoning war…he’s really a child with lots of irregular factors around him.”
“Anyway, hurry up and get rid of him! He won’t be able to contact the rest if he’s sent to the remedial room through a summoning battle—everyone, crush Yoshii!”
“““Got it!!”””
On Koyama-san’s command, the people of C class immediately came over.
“Sensei! C class’ Enokida Katsuhiko challenges with Japanese history! —summon!”
The floor immediately reacted to the keyword as an array appeared. Then, the summoned beast that was a miniature version of the person appeared in the middle. Ku…I can only fight back…1
“Summon!”
I summoned my summoned beast to fight with the opponent, and it still had a poor look with a school uniform and a wooden sword. We finally got a change of equipment, and I only got a dragon drawn on the cloth of my clothes. How pathetic.
C Class, Enokida Katsuhiko, Japanese History, 115 points.
Vs
F class, Yoshii Akihisa, Japanese History, 121 points
Our scores appeared in the air. Luckily, the deciding topic was Japanese history, one of the subjects tested during the replenishing yesterday and my only specialty. What luck!
“C class’ Koube Shin will fight too! Summon!”
“Same class, Niinuma Kyouko’s going too. Summon!”
Another 2 summoned beasts appeared on the opposing side. 3 vs 1, and my enemies are from C class. Even if I am good at controlling my summoned beast here, it’s a tough situation for me.
“GO TO HELL, YOSHII!”
The enemy raised his weapon, a spear and rushed over. I use my wooden sword to parry the spear and let my summoned beast rush at the enemy.
“Another one here!”
An axe came swinging in from the side, and my summoned beast took a step back to dodge. I lost my chance to attack, but it couldn’t be helped. There’s too many enemies, so I can’t win if I fight so many at one go.
“Yaa!”
Another girl joined in the battle, and the naginata swung over at the wooden sword horizontally, chipping it off. It’s okay if there’s a difference in strength, but with our marks on similar levels, it’ll be disadvantageous to use a wooden sword to fight back. I can’t take the strikes of the enemies’ blades now, I have to dodge them…!
I managed to take on the three people’s individual attacks. I have to take care of where I’m standing so that I won’t be surrounded…!
“This guy’s from F class, but isn’t he on the same level as us with those grades?”
“I remember that Japanese History is the only subject Yoshii’s good at.”
“We’re really unlucky to use this subject to fight him.”
Even when grumbling, they never slowed down. It’s really tough to take this. the way they’re attacking is a lot more restrained as compared to those guys from F class yesterday, but the summoned beasts’ strength can’t be compared.
The enemies’ attacks didn’t hit me, but my attacks didn’t hit them. We continued our battle back and forth, and then,
“Why must you take so much time fighting an idiot!? It’s frustrating!”
Koyama-san said anxiously and faced the teacher standing nearby,
“Sensei, C class’ Koyama wants to fight. Summon!”
The summoned beast appeared on Koyama-san’s command. It’s a 4 vs 1 situation now, and it’ll be tougher if I want to beat everyone and try to get away.
However—
“I’ve been waiting for this!”
At that moment, my summoned beast sped up. I've been waiting for this moment. It’ll be even harder if I want to win in a 4 vs 1 situation, but if I beat the enemy’s rep, the summoning war will be over. I’ll beat the summoned beast Koyama-san summoned and win this war…!
“““!?”””
The trio standing in front of me flailed their weapons. I didn’t bother to dodge, raised the tip of my blade and rushed at the enemy’s commander.
“Gu…uu…!”
Sharp pain can be felt on my arms, shoulders and thighs. The feedback of the summoned beast that was being hacked at went to me, and a lot of points disappeared.
…However…it’s not like I’m immobilized now!
“GOOOOO!!!”
I was attacked after I leapt forward. In other words, the attack this time will be based on the points just now. I got ready to be bounced back as I attack.
“Da—!”
Koyama-san’s anxious voice reached my ears. Got her! With a full-powered attack of more than 100, even the opposing C class’ rep can’t take this!
The wooden sword was stabbed at the enemy’s throat —
“You can’t do that, Koyama-san.”
At this moment, the enemy’s summoned beast vanished. Wha…?
“Ko, Kogure-sempai…”
“The class rep can’t carelessly summon the summoned beast. Even if you have a bigger advantage, it’ll be over if you lose.”
Kogure-sempai pulled Koyama-san on the sleeve and dragged her out of the summoning field. Ku…is it because of this that the enemy’s summoned beast disappeared…!?
F class, Yoshii Akihisa, Japanese History, 13 points
The result of the attacks just now is shown. Damn it! I wanted to settle this once and for all! Ain’t I dying here now!? It’ll be tough fighting against three people from C class with such points…
“Sorry sempai. You really helped me there.”
“It’s fine. This is for my cute kouhai after all.”
“Thank you. I’ll act cautiously from now on.”
Koyama-san lowered her head in front of Kogure-sempai.
My desperation attack missed, and I have no way out. And I’ll be treated as running away from battle if nobody comes up to sub me, and I’ll be disqualified. Before that happens, I have to at least let my side know the enemy’s plans…”
“In that case, we can catch him now.”
Kogure-sempai smiled meaningfully as she said that. Did she see through what I wanted to do…!? Use Koyama-san as bait to break this deadlock!?
Right now, the situation is such that I’m in a disadvantage no matter whether it’s the battle situation or my points, and I’m not allowed to run away. To be honest, I have no other way now, but—
“At least I might pass the message…!”
I have to continue dodging to buy time even when my points are few. How can I just give up like this? Don’t, don’t tell me there’s no other way…!
“…You just won’t give up, huh?”
Kogure-sempai muttered as she saw me like this. Of course I won’t give up. Our wish is to win the summoning war, so I have to struggle until I die!
I’ll immediately be unable to battle if I get even a graze, and this thin ice-like battle continued under such a state. I continued to look around to see if there’s any way out.
At this moment, I saw something flying out from the window. Is that — a soccer ball? I may be able to use that!
I immediately adjusted my position. Then,
“BUBAHH!?”
The soccer ball that broke through the glass window hit my face and sent me flying.
“Ahh! No way!?”
“Just one more would do!”
My body rolled out of the summoning field, and my summoned beast disappeared.
“Sensei! Isn’t that disqualification when the enemy runs away!?”
“No, that probably couldn’t be helped…”
The C class girl went to ask the teacher. Alright, now!
“Sensei! I’m nosebleeding! I need to go to the infirmary!”
“Ah! Oi! Yoshii! Stop running away!”
“Sensei! Isn’t this running away from battle!?”
“Ermm…what happened just now was an accident, and Yoshii-kun can’t be deemed as running away from battle when he’s injured…”
This debate continued to echo behind me. I got a pair of fast legs that can run away because of my training in my everyday life, so since I managed to run away, nobody can catch up to me!
I darted down the stairs and ran towards the new school building that wasn’t a battlefield.
“Un…I managed to get out from there, but what should I do?”
I reached the new school building, checked that no one was following me from behind, and stopped to think of what I should do.
“It’ll be best if I can meet up with everyone from F class…”
From the way things looked just now, I will have to break through if I want to meet up with them. Their backs were facing me just now, and now they have discovered me, so they will be wary. I’ve also lost a lot of points, and if I force my way through, I’ll be the one being surrounded instead.
In that case, there’s only one thing I can do to help our class win.
“Prevent C class from working with B class, I guess.”
As of now, I don’t know whether F class can win. However, the commander’s Yuuji. That guy will definitely think of something when F class is in a war.
Therefore, I shouldn’t be worrying about that.
“That guy’s really not used to fighting against the opposite sex.”
From what Koyama-san said just now, it seem that it’ll be fine if I stop their plans to make use of Nemoto-kun’s feelings. Really.
“It’s really tiring when I have a class rep who’s so slow to react to a woman’s heart.”
“…Yoshii’s the last person he want saying such a thing.”
“!!??”
I suddenly heard this voice, and immediately backed away. Who, who is it?”
“…??”
Tilting her head and giving a puzzled look is,
“Ki, Kirishima-san?”
“…Un.”
The beautiful long-haired 2-A class rep and the valedictorian, Kirishima Shouko-san.
“That scared me. I thought it was C class there.”
“…C class?”
“Your opponent in the summoning war that appeared at F class, correct, Yoshii-kun?”
The one standing behind Kirishima-san was Kudou Aiko-san, also of A class. She’s a girl with boyish charm.
“Since that’s the case, why are you here when there’s a summoning war, Yoshii-kun?”
“…Is there some special mission?”
“Ah…un, it’s really different from the rest.”
Of course, they won’t naturally think that I was late and couldn’t meet up with everyone.
“Anyway, why are you two here? Aren’t you having class now?”
“…Self-study period.”
“Well, to put it simply, sensei’s busy with the staff meeting and couldn’t come out, and we had enough progress with the lessons, so she gave us a day off today for self-study.”
Our F class had to offer our holidays for supplementary lessons. What’s with this difference in treatment? Is this the so-called difference in society?
“…So we’re going to the office to get new worksheets.”
“Ah, so that’s why…”
So they didn’t come out of class to play truant just because it’s self-study…as expected of the best class in our year. It’s no wonder why they would have such different treatment from us when we’re always thinking of running away from class.
“I say, just leave this for now!”
What the heck am I chit-chatting away with Kirishima-san! I have something important I have to do!
“…What is it?”
“Ah, is it about the special mission?”
“Un, yeah. Because of the trap C class and B class set, F class and A class will be in danger. Got to tell the people at A class.”
“Danger?”
“Yoshii-kun, what’s going—”
“Then, Kirishima-san, Kudou-san, I’ll be going first.”
“…We’re A class here, you know?”
“Un, it’s lesson time now, so there’s a teacher watching.”
“No, I say, Yoshii-kun!”
“Can’t be helped. In that case, I can only open the back door slightly and inform the person near there.”
“Just calm down first (flap)!”
“If I can’t pass the message, it’ll be bad (DABDABADABA)”
Damn it! When did I nosebleed so much! Is this C class’ trap or something? I can’t do anything if I can’t stop the bleeding!
But, but…
“But maybe it’s not so bad to die like this…”
“Oh my my…I thought Yoshii-kun could calm down like this, but he’s still freaking out.”
It’s a completely different feeling from being hit by the soccer ball. It’s a nosebleed that felt really good. This…isn’t so bad.
“…Aiko, stop teasing Yoshii.”
“Yes~. The guys from F class are especially bad at this.”
“…Yoshii. Tell me about A class…I’m the class rep here after all.”
I recovered and found Kirishima-san staring at me. Ah, I see. I was too anxious and forgot the fact that I could have just told her.
“Perfect! I have something to say to you, Kirishima-san.”
“…Un.”
“Well, about that, actually!”
My momentum cause me to lean over at Kirishima-san, and Kudou-san saw me like this,
“Ahaha, I just feel that this is like a confession.’
She joked. No no no. Kirishima-san’s cute and pretty, but she belonged to someone already.
“You can’t do that, Aki-cha—Yoshii-kun. Don’t you already have a perfect man that you love?”
“AN EVIL PRESENCE HAS COMETH!”
“…(Hides)”
For a moment, I just felt that there was some evil presence and looked over. However, I just couldn’t see the owner of this presence as this person is hiding behind the wall. On first glance, it looked like there’s a girl’s braid. Was that, Tamano-sa—no, definitely not. She can’t possibly be here since she’s in D class.
“…Yoshii?”
“Sorry. I’m fine here, Kirishima-san.”
“…I see.”
“Speaking of which, what do you want to talk about, Yoshii-kun?”
“Un, actually—huh? Kubo-kun? When did you appear?”
“I was going to the washroom and heard a conversation. Is there anything I can help with? It may be rude of me though.”
“Thank you, Kubo-kun. Always being able to help us out.”
“No, don’t worry about it. I just like to do this.”
“Really? You’re really kind, Kubo-kun.”
For a moment, I just thought that there’s something weird about his ‘I just like to do this’, but my instincts immediately told me in unison that ‘this is just my imagination’ and denied it. It may really be just my imagination here. How can such a nice guy have ulterior motives?
“…Anyway, let’s go to the ranch in our class if we don’t want to be overheard.”
“Yeah. There’s some secrets with regards to this summoning war, right? Yoshii-kun?”
“Seems like you’re being pursued here. It may be good for you to hide for a while.”
Kirishima-san and the rest gave me such suggestions.
“Thank you, everyone.”
“““No problems.”””
And so, I followed Kirishima-san and went over to A class to explain what’s going on and ensure my own safety.
“Then, what exactly is going on, Yoshii-kun?”
“Un, and then, I heard from Koyama-san of C class that—”
“Okay, Yoshii-kun. This is nice, you know♪?”
Mgu mgu mgu mgu
“(Gulp) It seems that B class is going to declare war on A class—”
“…Yoshii. Do you want to eat this?”
Kari kari kari kari.
“(Gulp) and their plan is to call the teachers out and make the subject—”
“This is rather good too, Yoshii-kun. Also, I personally recommend the sweets here.”
“Wait a sec, Aiko, prez, Kubo-kun! We can’t proceed with the conversation like this! Feed him later if you want to! Stop eating too, Yoshii-kun. Say what you want to say!”
The one who spoke as she sat at the sofa in A class in front of me is Hi—Kinoshita Yuuko-san, and she’s angry now.
“Ahaha, sorry, Yuuko. Yoshii-kun’s been enjoying himself with the food.”
“…Just like a little critter.”
“Sorry, he looked really hungry, so I accidentally…”
“Really. You should be more alert when it comes to the summoning war…”
Kinoshita-san seemed to be unhappy as she was grumbling about something. She looks exactly like her little brother Hideyoshi as they’re twins. It seemed that Yuuko is a lot fiercer. Her traits are her eyes, which are more of pretty than cute. The sisters are really bishoujo when gathered together. I suppose the Kinoshitas must be living a fantasy…
“In other words, B class is going to attack us, is it? Coming up with such a despicable tactic too.”
“Un, that’s the case.”
Kinoshita-san was able to understand even with such a disjointed explanation, and the other three showed looks of comprehension. As expected of A class; all of them are smart people who think fast.
“To be honest, we can’t possibly lose to this strategy, so there’s no real…”
“Even so, Kinoshita-san, Yoshii-kun is troubled right now. Don’t you think we should offer some assistance?”
“Don’t feel the need to. It’s against the rules to get involved in other classes’ summoning wars anyway.”
“…Yuuko, don’t say that.”
“Nope. It’s self-study period now, but we’re still having lessons. I won’t allow such a thing to happen.”
It’s just like what Kinoshita-san said. It’s lesson time now. If everyone in A class help out, they’ll be skipping lessons.
“…But I want to help them.”
“No matter what you say, it’s impossible. I’ve been closing an eye to Yoshii-kun coming here, so just endure this.”
“…Yuuko…”
“U…that’s not fair, prez, using such an expression…”
“…Please.”
“…Tha, that’s why I said, no.”
“…I’ll do whatever you ask me to do next time, Yuuko.”
Kirishima-san gave such a final blow. Kinoshita-san seemed to finally relent after hearing this, and used her hand to cover her face.
Since Kirishima-san said so, I’ll definitely remember to bring a gift for her next time.
“Ahh, really. I got it, I got it. I’ll help with defeating that strategy. But we are not going to get involved with the summoning war with F class. Is that alright?”
“…Thank you, Yuuko.”
“Well, I don’t really like what C class is doing. And C class rep still owe me lot.”
“Thank you, Kinoshita. You’ve been a great help.”
“…”
After I thanked Kinoshita-san, she stared at my face for some reason. What’s going on?
“???”
“…Okay.”
And then, she took out a box of pocky. Erm, can I eat it?
Kari kari kari kari kari.
“……We, well…this is this is[4]…”
Un, it’s delicious.
“I can’t really treat him as someone of the opposite gender, but if it’s a pet, I think…”
“???”
Kinoshita-san’s eyes were already looking into the future as she muttered to herself. Wait, a pet?
Either way, A class is really nice. There’s a lot of sweets and juice that they can get whenever they want, and the sofa just feels so comfy.
“Speaking of which, we’re going to break up that plan, but how do we go about doing it?”
Kudou-san seemed to be enjoying herself as she said this. Specifics, well…
“…Break up communication between C class and B class.”
Kirishima-san then spoke up. Break up their contact link, is it? I see. I remember we once used a similar method to send D class’ messenger to hell, didn’t we?
“Well, something like that.”
“The most important thing is whether they can link up or not. Everyone has the right to carry out a summoning battle, so it’s impossible to stop them, and we can’t talk through to them.”
“We can prevent them from contacting each other. Phones aren’t allowed to be used in a summoning war.”
Just like what Kudou-san said, Fumitzuki Gakuen, which already disallows handphones, will become stricter when it comes to summoning wars. Normally, if people don’t follow the rules, the most if one’s careless would be confiscation. However, during a summoning war, the treatment will be like an exam—simply put, it’s the same way as to how they deal with people who use handphones in the middle of an exam—cheating. It won’t be just confiscation, as suspension or repetition of year is also possible. Either way, I don’t think there’ll be people who’ll take such a large risk just for the sake of the class.
“In other words, we have to stop C class and B class messengers, right?”
“More than messengers, I think it’s like we’re stopping their love.”
“Ahaha, I say, will we be stamped to death by horses[5]?”
“…It’s alright. It’s not true love anyway.”
“Kirishima-san’s right. True love isn’t the interaction between man and woman, but the binds in the feelings.”
In that case, get in the way of their love (looks like a conversation), right? Hm…
“In other words, what should we do?”
“I said it. we’ll prevent their love.”
“Any details?”
“““…”””
There was immediately silence. We have no idea exactly what to do to obstruct love.
“Let’s listen to everyone then. Un, prez, what do you think we should do?”
“…Prevent love?”
“Un.”
“…What’s the minimum number of drugs I can use?”
“Sorry, Kirishima-san, but that’s for Yuuji, so it’s not suitable here.”
It’s not just a violation of the rules of the summoning war. It’s obviously against the rights of a Japanese citizen. I’m somewhat wondering about what kind of treatment Yuuji’s been having.
“…Then, Aiko?”
“Un~, let me see~. So I guess we should still use seduction or something, right?”
“Seduction, huh…will that really be effective?”
“I’ll show it for real then. Eh~ (Flap)”
“KYAAAHHHH!!? WHY DID YOU FLIP UP MY SKIRT!?”
“Yoshii-kun will occasionally want to see someone else’s once in a while, I guess.”
“THERE’S NO NEED TO SHOW SUCH SERVICE!”
“…Don’t worry, Yuuko. You’re wearing it properly today.”
“NOT ‘JUST’ TODAY! I DID PUT THEM ON ‘AGAIN’! DON’T SAY IT LIKE I’M SOMEONE WHO GOES WITH NO PANTIES!”
“Look, Yuuko, Yoshii-kun’s blushing red now. It’s effective, isn’t it?”
“THIS IDEA DEFINITELY WON’T WORK!”
“Ehhh~ I think he’ll be happy.”
“THAT’S NOT THE PROBLEM HERE!”
I lowered my head as I stood beside Kudou-san and Kinoshita-san.
Well, to put it, I’m troubled that I would have a reaction. I did nearly see them, but I’m envious that Kubo-kun is still able to remain calm.
“Then, do you have any other good ideas, Yuuko?”
“Eh? M, me!? Well, un…”
“…Can’t think of anything?”
“Tha, that’s not the problem here. I’m very good at this. I do read lots of romance novels.”
Kinoshita-san puffed her chest as she said that. Ohh, I’m looking forward to it.
“Yeah. For example, I’ll call someone I like to a certain romantic and legendary tree and hide behind the tree. How about that?”
Fmm, I see. As expected of Kinoshita-san. She’s really an outstanding student at such a problem. Calling out someone she likes and hide somewhere.
“—Carrying a blunt weapon.”
“Alright, next.”
“Wha, what? What’s wrong with my knowledge?”
Kinoshita-san said with a very indignant tone. Why do I feel that hearing things like ‘strike back’ and ‘narcotics’ are all rather familiar terms?
“Then, I’ll say my idea.”
This time, Kubo-kun moved his glasses and said that. Kubo-kun gives the impression that he’s not good at something like this, but this doesn’t seem to be the case.
“I think that love itself is an instinct. So how about we rile people up subconsciously?”
“Rile people up subconsciously?”
“Yeah. Have you heard of ‘dangling bridge’ effect or ‘subconscious effect’?”
“Ah, I seemed to have seen it on TV before.”
The dangling bridge effect should be like some confession in a dangerous place like a dangling bridge, confusing fear for love and making it easier to succeed. The subconscious effect is to insert some images in between several seconds to leave a deep impression on people subconsciously.
“We’ll use this effect to get the other side over.”
“Um um.”
“To be specific, I feel that the person secretly saying ‘I love you’ at a cliff with bullets flying everywhere every 40 seconds will be a more effective mean, or something like that.”
“Only Hollywood can create such a stage, isn’t it?”
Such a romance definitely can work if it’s in a movie!
“Not good…only Kudou-san’s seduction can work?”
“I see. A seduction using Yoshii-kun. This trick will most likely work.”
“Wait a sec, what are you saying, Kubo-kun. Stop joking around and think seriously.”
“Eh, I’m serious here.”
Playing such a joke to hide things. Kubo-kun’s really not good at romance. Even so, he gave his view; he’s really a good guy.
Can they really prevent that from happening? I’m feeling uneasy about this. Better check with everyone first.
“I say, do you know what’s the meaning of ‘friendship’? Does everyone know?”
“““Chorus contest.”””[6]
“Thanks, I got it.”
This group of people are useless. They’re even worse at the concept of love than F class.
I couldn’t help but want to hug my head in a depressed manner, but at this moment,
“…Yoshii. Hide.”
“Waa!”
Kirishima-san suddenly pushed me under the chair. What’s going on?
“…C class is looking for Yoshii.”
Kirishima-san glanced at the door, and I looked through the gap between the chairs. There’s someone scanning through the small window of the classroom at the corridor, and the reason why nobody rushed in was because it’s lesson time now.
Then, I heard knocking on the door. The door’s opened.
“Sorry, do you have time?’
An unfamiliar girl was standing at the door. Most likely someone from C class.
“Yes, what is it?”
Kinoshita-san showed a smile to that girl. Speaking of which, Kinoshita-san’s normally one with such a presence. A natural smile and an elegant attitude.
“Well, has F class’s Yoshii-kun came here? I’m looking for him.”
“Yoshii-kun? Un…I didn’t see him…we’re having lessons here, so how can Yoshii-kun possibly come in here?”
“That’s what I thought too, but you don’t look like you’re having lessons, so,”
“Ahaha, it’s still lessons, sorta. Self-study.”
Kinoshita-san smiled and answered.
It’s just like what that girl said. If I didn’t meet Kirishima-san and company in the corridor, I wouldn’t have been able to escape to A class. It’s an emergency in the middle of a summoning war, but I can’t possibly enter other people’s classes in the middle of lessons. It’s because of this that C class couldn’t contact Nemoto-kun from B class at all.
“Speaking of which, why are you looking for Yoshii-kun?”
Kinoshita-san tried to ask in a probing manner. That’s a tactic to divert the topic, is it? Un, that’s a good idea.
“Did he go peep inside the girls’ changing room or something?”
But isn’t this change of topic way too weird?”
“Un, something like that.”
THAT’S NOT TRUE!
“Then, thank you. Please tell us if you see him.”
“Got it. I’ll contact you if I see that peeping tom.”
With a word of thanks, the girl from C class left.
Kinoshita-san turned around and said to me while I’m hiding.
“Yoshii-kun, are you really hiding around because of the summoning war?”
“IT’S TRUE! I’VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE PEEPING EVER SINCE I WAS BORN!”
“Yoshii-kun…you just made one huge lie down there…”
“Speaking of which, I think I saw Yoshii-kun once in the girls’ changing room before.”
“No, that’s not it. That’s because Yuuji was in there.”
“..Yoshii, tell me the specifics later.”
This is bad. Yuuji’s lifespan is about to shorten again.[7]
“Well, nevermind. I’ll trust you for now. But if you said a lie, I’ll really send you over to C class.”
“Go, got it.”
When Kinoshita-san said ‘I’ll contact you if I see that peeping tom’, that wasn’t a lie at all.
“Then, what should we do next? Yoshii-kun?”
At this moment, everyone calmed down. Kubo-kun continued off with where we left off. Erm…
“Yeah, we have to have intel before we can identify how they’re going to contact each other. If we don’t know how Koyama-san and Nemoto-kun are going to contact each other, we won’t be able to go for the decisive.
“I understand. In that case, I’ll be in charge of collecting information on Koyama-san’s movements. I do have my personal network of acquaintances after all.”
“…We’ll be in charge of checking the situation of the war between F class and C class.”
“Okay, leave it to us.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll just help out since I agreed to.”
Everyone found what they could do. What should I do?
“I’ll help Kubo-kun out then.”
“No, it’s better for you to stay here, Yoshii-kun.”
“..It’s dangerous to go outside.”
“Yeah~ someone just went past here to check.”
“It’s better to hide until things end. Don’t worry too much, we’ll check your class’ status for you.”
“I see. Sorry. Thanks, everyone.”
The four of them and seemed to say ‘don’t mind’ as they walked out of the classroom. Seriously, I need to prepare gifts next time.
The Second Question[edit]
Please answer the following question.
Please write down the products formed when pentahydrate copper sulfate and barium chloride solution are mixed and heated. Assume that pentahydrate copper sulfate and barium chloride will completely react with each other.
Kirishima Shouko’s answer:
“Barium sulphate, copper chloride, water”
Teacher’s comment:
Correct. The chemical equations in this reaction is
CuSO4+BaCl2->BaSO4+CuCl2
But before this, with the addition of pentahydrate copper sulphate, there will be the reaction of
CuSO4•5H2O->CuSO4+5H2O
So water’s formed amongst the products too.
Yoshii Akihisa’s answer:
“Table salt.”
Teacher’s comment:
Why do you think this will be formed? Sometimes, sensei here really can’t catch up to Yoshii-kun’s thinking process at all.
Himeji Mizuki’s answer:
“Demi-glace.”[8]
Teacher’s comment:
………………………………………………………….Eh?
“Sakamoto! The classics teacher is here!”
“Alright! We’re going to change from English to classics. Himeji, are you ready?”
“Yes!”
Himeji was standing at the entrance in front of me, getting ready to battle. The moment the classics teacher came over, she summoned.
“Sensei, once this battle is over, please allow me to take part in a classics battle. Summon!”
C Class, Murada Nana, Classics, 97 points.
Vs
F class, Himeji Mizuki, Classics, 415 points
A little Himeji appeared in the middle of the array that appeared with Himeji’s summon—the profile of her summoned beast. Just like what everyone can see, she won’t lose in terms of points.
“She’s here, it’s Himeji! Follow the instructions!”
The voice that came over seemed to be the voice of a guy who’s in charge as the enemy commander.
“““Got it!”””
Two summoned beasts that were standing in front of the enemies put their enemies in front of each other to block Himeji’s attack. Even so Himeji’s really amazing, C class’ two summoned beasts defended together to block Himeji’s strike.
At this moment, the third summoned beast of the enemy was ready to leave and attack Sugawa who was getting ready to retreat. Cheh, this is bad.
“! I won’t let you!”
Himeji quickly reacted and used the hand of her summoned beast to block the enemy who was changing its attack target. A red light seemed to shoot out from the bracelet as it chases the enemy.
“Gu!”
The enemy was using a tough looking shield, but it couldn’t control the strength entirely and got deflected. Himeji then used the power of the bracelet to hold the enemy off and got between him and Sugawa. Because of this, Sugawa managed to escape from that field.
And so, Himeji was the only one left in the summoning field. The other enemies all escaped when Himeji took down one of them.
“Then, it’s now a match of classics. Please!”
“““Summon!”””
As the subject used was changed to classics, both allies and foes summoned their summoned beasts again. Really there, we managed to succeed.
“Nice job, Himeji. You’ve been a great help.”
“It’s great that I could make it in time.”
Once she was done, I said to Himeji, who heaved a sigh of relief. During the scuffle just now, our forces here will be worn out even more if Sugawa end up being unable to battle. I’m really grateful for Himeji’s quick thinking.
“Sorry for using up all the points just now. I’ll go replenish them.”
“Okay, I’ll leave it to you then.”
“Okay.”
Himeji went over to the teacher to take part in the replenishing tests. She used the power of the bracelet multiple times to protect Sugawa, and it’s unlikely that she would have enough points if she doesn’t go off to replenish them.
“It’s the third time we’ve changed subjects…”
Since it’s the third time, the enemy will more or less notice our intention. The way how two of them were in charge of defending against Himeji and attack Sugawa was proof of it. They failed in the end, but the way the remaining two left the summoning field once Himeji attacked the other person is bothering me. They didn’t fight Himeji with all they got. If they really intend to whittle our forces down little by little, it’ll be really tough on us.
“We’re going to move too…Hideyoshi!”
“What is it? Yuuji?”
I checked the score sheets in my hand and brought Hideyoshi over. If the enemy does this, we have to change our tactics too.
“We’re changing plans. You’ll hold off in participating the classics battle. I hope you can assist Himeji when we change subjects.”
“Assist…? What do I do?”
“If there’s some guy who appears to stop Himeji, hold that guy off from the side. And if possible, beat him. Your points can definitely do so.”
“Muu…understood.”
Actually, Hideyoshi got a high score of 110 points in classics this time, which is almost twice that of normal. He will be able to fight with C class like this.
“The classics replenishing test this time tested questions that are the best possible ones for me.”
The classics replenishing test yesterday tested on the tale of Genji, and the drama club seemed to have picked it for the next performance.
“I will be performing as the lead Genji this time, and it’s a male character I finally get to play after a while, so I have to work really hard…!”
He seriously studied the tale of Genji—the real one, to boot, to get into the mindset of the character. That’s what happen when he’s an idiot who’s passionate about acting. Because of this, I know how Hideyoshi devoted so much time and effort into drama.
“But that’s not the only reason why I’m working hard.”
“Nn? Is that so?”
“…I, want to be with you and Akihisa.”
It’ll be tough to be in the same class as you if you advance to A class. Hideyoshi grimaced. It’s true that it’s hard for others to realize this because of careless mistakes, but Akihisa’s specialty subject can already be designated as higher than the standard for F class. If we want to remain in the same class, we can only improve our grades.
“I am really happy to be with you guys.”
“Well, that’s because there’re idiots who won’t make things dull.”
“Even though you’re showing such an unconcerned look, you’re one of us too.”
Hideyoshi was so happy that he was cackling away. In that case, we should include Muttsurini into the ranks of idiots. I really find it a pity that I have to be associated with them.
…However, how should I put it…
“Hideyoshi. Don’t say that in front of the rest.”
“I know. It’s because you treat me as a man that I say this.”
“That’s good…”
Really, that guy’s a natural-born male killer. There’ll likely be another ruckus within us if the rest hear this.
“Let’s not talk about this for now. How long do we maintain this defense? We can’t win like that.”
“Sorry, but we can only continue replenishing when we can’t confirm that we can get enough fighting strength.”
“Enough fighting strength?”
Hideyoshi tilted his head and ask. It’s true that it’s impossible to understand the entire tactic just by listening.
“If we pay attention, we can tell that C class is exceptionally wary of me, Himeji and Muttsurini.”
“Of course, that’s because you all have enough points to beat Koyama.”
During the last summoning war we won in, Muttsurini and Himeji were the ones who beat the class rep, and Himeji’s performance today is outstanding, so they have to be wary.
“And Koyama hasn’t appeared once. Most of the people who aren’t going to attack probably went to defend her.”
“To prevent us from ambushing them.”
If that’s the case, we can’t let Himeji or Muttsurini go alone as there’re people defending Koyama all the time.
“So this time, we’ll create the strongest breakthrough squad of our class, including the people being watched here.”
“The strongest breakthrough? I don’t think that can beat the enemy class.”
It’s true that if we can win like that, it’ll mean that our teamwork is stronger than the enemy. But after the chaotic incident yesterday, F class is severely worn out, and C class that always had the advantage will definitely have more teamwork.
“We’re not going to use this team to win, but use this team to lure the enemy’s attention.”
“Use this team to lure them?”
“Yeah, and then, we’ll block most of the fighting force to take down Koyama.”
“Fmm…the fighting force that can take down Koyama.”
“The rest of the guys from F class. If they’re going to be wary of the people who can take her down individually, we’ll increase our numbers to crush the enemy. The enemy’s only wary about these few people, but our F class doesn’t just have those people. We’re going to make those people who only pay attention to the stronger ones suffer.”
“I see…so we’re going to continue replenishing here to get enough forces to take down Koyama.”
“Un, that’s the case.”
Though I did say that we are going to lure most of their fighting strength away, Koyama and the forces defending her are still around. If we want to defeat them, we need fighting strength. Therefore, we can only endure for now.
“Then, I’ll go over to my designated place.”
“Okay, I’ll leave it to you then.”
“Hideyoshi went over to the frontlines.”
Then, I’ll be in charge of updating the class’ score sheet I have here.
“…After investigations, we found that C class has a huge advantage, and F class seemed to be forced back into their own class.”
Kirishima-san, who returned back to A class, reported about the battle situation between C class and F class. It seemed that there’s not much of a drastic change from when I just came over to school.
“My investigations are the same here. F class’ been switching the subjects over and over again, and it seemed that they were able to replenish the battle strength they lost yesterday. C class seemed to have taken quite a few countermeasures, and things don’t look so good.”
Kudou-san reported.
Defend and replenish. That’s not really Yuuji’s style at this point. It’s very passive.
“It’s not possible for that Sakamoto-kun to let it end up this without doing anything…”
“He’s probably thinking of doing something.”
Kubo-kun and Kinoshita-san said so. I have the same feelings about this too. That guy’s definitely not the kind of person who’ll let himself get beaten down and lose the war without doing anything.
“Then, I’ll talk about what I investigated about C class—actually, about the class rep Koyama-san.”
This time, Kinoshita-san’s reporting on what she investigated on C class.
“They turned around at the corner below to look for Yoshii-kun, but returned back to their base at C class, seemingly wary of F class’ movements.”
It seems that they’re trying to capture me, who overheard the information. However, they still chose to defend against Yuuji’s actions. We’re F class, so we can only win through surprise attacks. For Koyama-san, it should be best for her to not try and leave her base.
“But no matter what, she should be going off to find Nemoto-kun in B class.”
They don’t have to be wary of us like that if that’s the case, right?
“What are you saying, Yoshii-kun? B class is having lessons now.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
We’re chatting away like it’s after school now. I completely forgot that the other classes were having lessons.
“It can be said that Koyama-san returned back to C class to quickly contact Nemoto-kun at B class once he’s dismissed from lessons.”
Kubo-kun deduced after hearing Kinoshita-san’s information. It’s true that C class and B class, which are in the third level of the new school building, are much closer to each other than the old school building in the second level. It’s really a tough thing for us to try and get in their way.
“And based on Nemoto-kun and Koyama-san…based on the report from Shimizu-sa—no, my associate, it seemed that C class’ rep Koyama seemed to have written a letter or something. From the look of the timing, it seems that it’s highly likely to be related to the previous incident.”
Kubo-kun’s information was about Koyama-san’s own information. Then, in that case…
“If there’s a letter, I guess it’s not just about ‘please come over to so and so place’.”
“If someone saw her writing, it means that she must have spent a lot of time in it. I don’t think it will be at least one or two sentences. Or rather, I think it’s an explanation about everything that happens.”
“…It’s a little too early to decide this.”
“Yeah. The enemy knew that Yoshii-kun escaped.”
“That’s true. Koyama-san may have thought that there’ll be an interference.”
“In that case, are there any other possibilities besides explaining everything?”
“Yeah, for example…”
“…She prepared a few letters or something.”
“And send them down different routes. The chances of succeeding are better here, and ancient people do use this method to send secret messages.”
“In this situation, there’s too many possibilities.”
The conversation continued.
“…”
“? What is it, Yoshii-kun?”
“Nothing…I just feel that everyone’s really smart.”
And I thought just now that these people were completely useless. I can see now that they’re really A class people.
“I say, who do you think I am?”
“Someone that resembles Hideyoshi.”
“Let’s play baseball then, Yoshii-kun. I’ll be the batter, you’ll be the ball.”
“That won’t do, Kinoshita-san. The bats in high school baseball are made of metal. Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Slow down, Yoshii-kun. You’re saying that you won’t mind if it’s a wooden bat?”
“I’ll change what I said. Everyone, beat Yoshii-kun with metal bats.”
“Ku…! Isn’t it against the rules for everyone to gang up on me like that…!”
“In other words, you’re just worried about going against the rules of baseball?”
“…I’ll be the second batter.”
“I’ll be the third batter then~”
“Even Kirishima-san and Kudou-san…no, I can’t say anything if the person himself says so. More than that though, we should start talking about the details to our plan. If they prepared a letter or something, we won’t have much time left.”
“…Un, that’s enough for the jokes now.”
“Oh yeah~ what do we do?”
Everyone went back to thinking, seemingly starting to consider the actions to be taken later. As for the shocked expression on Kinoshita-san’s face, perhaps I was mistaken there.
“Then, how about this?”
Since we’re going to talk about detailed plans, let me raise one.
“Assassinate Nemoto-kun and end all communications.”
“““…”””
Everyone just shot me regretful expressions. That’s weird. I do feel that this is the fastest and simplest way to deal with this.
“Yoshii-kun…let’s not talk about the rules of the summoning war first. That’s violence on your part…”
“It’s still plausible if the other party did something bad. I don’t think it’s suitable to take such actions in this situation.”
Damn it. I remained in F class for so long that I’ve become numb to such violence.
“Tha, that’s definitely a joke. As for other methods, how about we switch the messages?”
“Well, that’s the only option.”
“...More apt.”
“Better than assassination no matter what.”
I finally got their agreement this time. That was close, real close. I nearly ended up rated as a ‘dangerous person’.
“But Yoshii-kun, there’s something I hope you can take note of.”
“Hm? What is it, Kubo-kun?”
“We can assist you, but it’s really hard to interact with the enemy. No matter what, C class and F class are having a summoning war.”
“Yeah. It’s nothing if you’re the one taking action directly, Yoshii-kun, but they’ll be talking if we take action.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
The rules of the summoning war explicitly stated that in principle, interfering with the wars of other classes is forbidden. But about this ‘in principle’, if C class and B class work together and got a better vantage, it won’t be counted as going against the rules.
For example, in our current situation, it’s okay to prevent them from exchanging letters. That’s because there’s no direct interference in the summoning war between C class and F class. But when interfering, if a student of C class is rendered immobilized by someone of A class, it’ll be against the rules. That’s because students who weren’t directly involved in the war between C class and F class weakened C class’ strength. In other words, it’ll be tough for Kubo-kun and the rest to take on C class’ students. If it were the other side starting it, it will be a little better, and there’s still room for argument. But if we deliberately start something, they will be forced to take a certain level of penalty.
“What are you worrying about, Yoshii-kun? The most important thing is that we don’t get directly involved.”
“…And our intent is to swap letters without being found out. It’s alright.”
“Yeah~ we’re just saying hello to you. We won’t be able to help out if something happens.”
“Un, understood.”
I already got them involved in the summoning war, and it’ll be really bad if I ended up getting everyone punished. I have to take note of this.
“Then, as for the details—what should we do?”
“Yeah…”
Kubo-kun put his hand at his chin and pondered,
“We have to take a look at the actions we can do based on this situation. There’re roughly 2 of them. The first is to prevent the letter from being sent out. The second’s to switch the letters.”
“Meaning?”
“The former’s to make the messenger unable to take action. You’re the only one who can do this, Yoshii-kun. It’s a simple act that doesn’t break the rules.”
“In other words, Yoshii-kun will have to use a summoning battle to send the C class student to the remedial room.”
“…The one in charge of passing the message will definitely have used up points.”
I see. I might be able to win if it’s against such an enemy.
“Another thing we can do is the swap the letters. We can help out here.”
“…However, these will be the only letters we can swap.”
The latter is different from the former. In the former, we beat up the messenger, but for the latter, we interact with the enemy without being found out, get the letter, and make a fake one. In that case, we’ll need several conditions to be fulfilled.
“These will be the only two ideas we can use. We won’t have enough people if many students are to interact with B class’ rep, but I think that the most they can send in a summoning war is 3 people. Even so, it’s hard for us to succeed at the same time.”
“That’s true…”
If I’m the one going, there has to be one enemy. And the enemy’s an upper-ranking class with advantage, while my specialty subject doesn’t have a lot of points. It’s okay if I can fight a stalling match, but if I want to beat the enemy, it’ll be hard for me to win no matter how much the enemy’s worn down if it’s not one on one.
“In other words, Yoshii-kun will still have to challenge, and we can only swap the letters secretly. If you can’t win, the most we can do is stall for time.”
“Un…you can put it that way. But if I may ask, isn’t C class and B class rather close in terms of distance? It’s easy to call each side other, isn’t it?”
Kudou-san supported her chin.
“It’s alright if it’s just a person coming out, but they will be sending lots of people because they’re scared of Yoshii-kun. It’s basically impossible to stop them all. What should we do?”
Kubo-kun went silent. Kirishima-san and Kinoshita-san were the same here, pondering. Uu…
Yuuji’s been the one thinking about all this stuff. I’m not really confident in such thinking, but in this situation, it can’t be helped.
“Then, can I say something?”
“Yes, Yoshii-kun.”
“How about we drag on B class’ lesson time?”
I tried to raise my hand and ask.
“Drag on B class’ lesson time…?”
“Un, in that case, C class can’t go into B class and can only wait on the corridor, isn’t it?”
“I see. Then we’ll lure one person after another, right?’
“…That seem like it can work.”
“Yeah.”
“But how do we drag on the lesson time?”
“Well…do any of you have any good ideas?”
“““Un…”””
A way to drag class time on…it’s possible if we’ in their own class, but it’ll be hard to do it from outside. What should we do…
I was patiently pondering, and Kudou-san took out a device I seemed to have seen before from her pocket.
“I’ll use this to do something.”
“Ah, isn’t that, the speaker used during the training camp…”
“It’s a voice recorder, but there’s no speaker this time. I think we will be able to delay their lesson time somewhat if I use this thing, right?”
On hearing that it’s a voice recorder, I immediately had some certain bad memories, but now’s not the time to worry about it.
“I’ll leave it to you then, Kudou-san.”
“Un, understood. Then, Yoshii-kun, can you please say ‘sensei, excuse me, but Nemoto-kun doesn’t seem to feel well’ and ‘no, doesn’t he look like he’s struggling?’ here into the recorder?”
Kudou-san pointed the device at me. I see. The teacher can’t possibly ignore those words, and the lesson will be dragged on. That’s a good idea.
“Okay, then…‘sensei, excuse me, but Nemoto-kun doesn’t seem to feel well’, ‘no, doesn’t he look like he’s struggling?’. Can this do, Kudou-san?”
“Un, perfect. I just need to synthesize the recording suitably. Thanks, Yoshii-kun.”
“No problems. You guys are helping me out here, so I should be thanking you.”
I personally experienced Kudou-san’s skill with the voice recorder. Looks like there’s no problem with dragging the lesson on.
“So we just have to deal with the people from C class now, right?”
“In that case, we have to prepare a switch of letters.”
Kinoshita-san said. That’s right, we’re not just going to snatch it.
“…Who’s going to write?”
“Anyway, Yoshii-kun and I should be excluded. A female’s handwriting will be more sincere looking.”
Kubo-kun’s right. A boy’s handwriting is why too noticeable. There are girls around anyway, so I’ll leave it to them.
“…The three of us will write, and we’ll choose the best one.”
“Eh!? Me too?”
Kinoshita-san showed her surprise at Kirishima-san.
“…You can’t write it?’
“Ah, that’s not it. well, it’s not that I can’t write it out. I’m okay.”
“…Then, write too, Aiko.”
“Uu…so I have to write too? This is troublesome.”
“…Un.”
Kirishima-san took out some scrap paper and handed them over to Kinoshita-san and Kudou-san.
“…Yoshii, do you know what’s Koyama’s name?”
“Erm, I remember it’s either Yuka or Yuuka…sorry, I’m not really confident here.”
“…It’s alright. I’ll just write the family name then.”
“Yeah. Can’t go wrong there.”
“…Un.”
After checking the name, Kirishima-san and the rest took their papers and went to the table.
“““…”””
And so, the three of them started writing. Kirishima-san’s writing like flowing water, Kinoshita-san seemed to be secretly glancing at a certain book, and Kudou-san is looking around at what both of them are writing.
“““…”””
The ones watching them are me and Kubo-kun on the boys’ side.
Un, since we have nothing to do here, I’ll just chat around randomly with Kubo-kun.
“I say, Kubo-kun.”
“Hm? What is it?”
I said to Kubo-kun as we waited for the letters to be finished.
The girls are just writing letters here, so how about this topic,
“What kind of person is that person you like, Kubo-kun?”
“!? What? Why are you asking this out of a sudden?”
Kubo-kun suddenly looked frantic. Am I asking this question too suddenly?
“Nothing. It’s just that you have someone you liked, so I just wanted to ask.”
If possible, I hope to help as a friend and get taken care of by Kubo-kun.
“I, I see. So you’re interested in the person I like, Yoshii-kun…”
“It’s fine if you’re not comfortable with saying it.”
“Of course not. Allow me to say it here. Ah…the hair is about this long.”
As he said that, Kubo-kun used his hand to draw behind his head.
“Fu~n…so the hair length is about similar to mine and Kudou-san.”
“!?Ah, ahhh, yes, that’s right.”
??? For some reason, this reason seemed to be too weird. It seems that he’s being anxious.
“Then, the personality?”
“Personality-wise, the opposite of me. Carefree, good at sports, and very mobile.”
Hn? Carefree, good at sports, and very mobile? The hair length’s like this. in other words—don’t tell me.
I vaguely glanced over at the girl who’s writing a letter. Ah…
“Is that person a little…well, H?”
“Ah, un. A little. And because of this, creates a few troubles.”
Of course, I can’t be mistaken here. So Kubo-kun likes Kudou-san. No wonder his reaction was weird when I said that the ‘hair length is about similar to mine and Kudou-san’. Anyone will be shocked when I mention the name of the person they like.
“…(Stare)”
“??? Wha, what is it? What’s wrong, Yoshii-kun? Is there something on my face?”
My stare is so meaningful now, yet Kudou-san didn’t seem to understand.
Ah, really, why is this person so slow? This is already a confession! It’s rare for Kubo-kun to summon such courage, yet she couldn’t understand. Unacceptable.
“Kudou-san. Slow-wittedness is a crime. You’ll be arrested for that.”
“If you think that way, I suppose you should surrender yourself…”
Not good. This conversation doesn’t seem to be able to make Kudou-san understand.
Can’t be helped. I’ll use some slightly forceful means and change how I go about talking about this to make Kudou-san understand.
“That person’s good at sports, so in other words, this person wears tights, right?”
Under the skirt.
“Tights? No, I think it’s trunks.”
“Trunks?”
“Yo, Yoshii-kun, why are you looking at me at such a moment?”
“Well, sorta. I guess there are female-type trunks, I suppose…?”
“Bu, but about that, don’t you have quite the good relationship with the person you like? Do you often talk together?”
“No, unfortunately, we don’t really interact often.”
“Eh? Is that so?”
Even though you’re classmates?
“Un, yeah. There’s nothing more lonely than this.”
I see…I didn’t know…
“So I would feel happy when we meet in the washroom.”
“You can meet in the washroom!?”
I know that she’s not too mindful about gender, but I didn’t expect her to really go to the boy’s washroom!? Even Hideyoshi too! Are girls nowadays non-resistant to male washrooms?
“Well, to put it, I’m rather mindful of your stare since just now, Yoshii-kun…”
Kudou-san, who’s writing her letter, looked really troubled. Kudou-san, I should be the one troubled about how even though you’re a girl, you don’t mind going into the guys’ washroom.
“Well…any other characteristics?”
“Let me think—”
He thought for a while, and immediately got an answer,
“—Suited to wear female outfits.”
“I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU ANYMORE, KUDOU-SAN!!”
“Yoshii-kun!? Are you mistaking me for something!?”
WHAT KIND OF PERSON IS KUDOU-SAN!? I THOUGHT WE WERE ON GOOD TERMS, BUT NOW I DON’T UNDERSTAND HER!
As we continued talking,
“…Done.”
Kirishima-san was the first to finish the letter.
Anyway, I’ll leave the topic about Kubo-kun and Kudou-san aside and do what I have to do. If this keeps up, I feel that there’ll be something dangerous.
“Can you show me, Kirishima-san?”
“…Un.”
Kirishima-san handed over the folded letter.
It’s not a letter to me, but for some reason, my heart seemed to be pounding.
Then now, what will Kirishima-san’s letter be like?
I excitedly opened the letter, and the letter goes like this.
“…How is it?”
“Nemoto-kun will probably cry when he sees this, won’t he!?”
Being called out by an ex he so desperately wanted to get back, only to be summoned to another person’s confession; Nemoto-kun will likely try to bungee-jump and jump from the roof to the field. My mind just couldn’t help but imagine this.
“…Not good?”
“It might be good if it was sent to Yuuji…”
“…Really hard to write one.”
Kirishima-san muttered. I think she wouldn’t have anyone else she would think of writing to except for Yuuji. Damn it…that idiot’s damned lucky…! I won’t be able to clear all my grudges with him even if I rip him into eights…!
“Well, let’s not talk about how I should execute him for now.”
Let me try this again. Next.
“Are you done, Kinoshita-san? Can I take a look?”
“Eh!? Ah, erm.”
“You’re not done yet?”
“I, I am. It’s just that I’ve never read such letters before, so I’m worried if it’s a little weird!”
“…What kind of reference are you using?”
Speaking of which, Kinoshita-san seemed to be secretly looking at something and writing. A letter based on a passage? Looks like I can look forward to it.
“Tha, that’s right. It’ll be a little pitiful if I use the letter I got, so I took some excerpts from a book I read. That’ll be fine, right?”
“Heh~ let’s see it then.”
“Alright, you’ll be shocked.”
Kinoshita-san handed her letter over in a seemingly confident matter. Erm, what did she write…
“…”
PATAN! I closed the letter.
“How is it? Not bad, right?”
“Kinoshita-san, let me see your reference book.”
“What are you saying!? No! Well…I think it’s too hard for you, Yoshii-kun!”
To be able to copy such a passage; what in the world was Kinoshita-san reading…
In that case, there’s the last hope.
“Kudou-san, please.”
“Eh!? Ah, I, I’m not done yet.”
“…There’s no need to be shy, Aiko.”
“Yeah, Aiko. It’s not fair when you’re the only one who doesn’t want to show it to the rest. Ehh!”
“Ah! Wa, wait! Return it to me, Yuuko!”
Kinoshita-san snatched Kudou-san’s letter and opened it. And then, what’s written on it was,
“We’ll use this.”
“NOOOO!!!”
Kudou-san screamed.
“NO, THAT’S NOT IT! I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE, AND YOSHII-KUN’S BEEN STARING AT ME STRANGELY FROM NEARBY, SO I PANICKED! AND YUUKO USED SOMETHING LIKE A GIRLS’ NOVEL AS REFERENCE, SO I THOUGHT THAT I HAD TO WRITE SOMETHING OF THAT STANDARD—I WANTED TO CALL HIM OUT WITH A H-FEELING!”
“But I think this is touching enough. It’s really cute. I think Nemoto-kun will immediately go running out of the classroom once he reads this.”
“THAT’S WHY I SAY THAT IT’S NOT RIGHT! I’M NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL WHO’S SIMPLY IN LOVE (rips)!”
“AHH!”
Kudou-san ripped off the letter she finally managed to write. She did write well there. What a pity!
“Anyway, the C class’ rep Koyama-san should be of the cool type, right? It’ll be weird if you use my letter.”
“…That’s true now that you mention it.”
“Something simpler may fit her style.”
“Un un. That’s right. That’s right.”
Maybe it’s just like what Kudou-san said. Even if it’s good that a girl writes this, it may seem a little forced to say that it’s something that Koyama-san herself wrote it.
“Can’t be helped. I may be overestimating myself here, but I’ll write it.”
“Eh? Kubo-kun, are you fine with that?”
“Yeah…let alone the content, my word just don’t look like a girl’s no matter what. I typed it out from a personal notebook.”
A class’ facilities include personal notebooks. It’ll be easier to type it out on a computer.
“But won’t it be weird if it’s a letter printed out from a computer? C class doesn’t have computers here, right?”
“Yeah, that’s true, I forgot.”
“…What should we do?”
“Don’t worry. If that’s the case, we’ll write a letter where the handwriting’s unidentifiable.”
As he said this, Kubo-kun took a pair of scissors and some sort of paper. Is that…the Fumitzuki news that the news club publish?
“How about it?”
“Yeah…I think it’ll be most effective if it’s used in a detective novel…”
Most likely, the TV will then show Nemoto-kun being pushed down from the roof.
“So it can’t work…well, I can only do this since I didn’t stick them neatly.”
“No, about that, I think that’s not the problem there…”
I just feel that we’re about to forget our aim.
“It’s really hard to write a letter to call someone out.”
“…Don’t know what to write at all.”
“Ahaha~ that’s right~”
“As expected, there’s some things we’re good and bad at.”
“U, un, maybe it’s like this…”
In the end, I ended up writing the fake letter to get him out.
The Third Question[edit]
Question: Please fill in the correct answer in the following blank.
Michelangelo[9] is famous as a sculptor who created the David, and a ‘painter’ who’s famous as the artist who painted the arched mural on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Also, he’s an outstanding _____. He’s a multi talented man.
Himeji Mizuki’s answer:
“Architect”.
Teacher’s comment:
Correct, Michelangelo’s most famed works are the St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of San Lorenzo. It’ll be better if you can memorize them as much as you can.
Tsuchiya Kouta’s answer:
“A father to his family.”
Teacher’s comment:
You’re saying that he often makes sweets and toys for children, right? A famous sculptor and painter, and also a kind father to his children; that’s really a perfect person.
Yoshii Akihisa’s answer:
“The one who assassinated John F. Kennedy.”[10]
Teacher’s comment:
Return to me the father to his family.
“Yuuji, did the enemy realize our aim and have some countermeasure?”
Hideyoshi, who just came back from the replenishing tests, reported to me,
“Yeah, that should be the case.”
From what I observed till now, it seemed that the enemy’s trying to avoid battle with Himeji and attack those that were retreating to replenish. Himeji will then use all her strength to protect them, and it looks like she was worn out.
“What’s Himeji doing now?”
“She went to replenish about 20 minutes ago.”
So it’s still early before she comes back…it’ll be the best chance for the enemy to attack us now.
“We got news from the frontlines! Saying ‘we’re at our limits here, please send in reinforcements’!”
As I thought about this, a request for backup came from the other side of the entrance. We’re trapped.
“What now, Yuuji?”
“Ah, yeah…”
Himeji’s still replenishing, so we can’t assist like before, so she can’t assist like before. However, we don’t have sufficient fighting power.
……In that case, it can’t be helped. Let’s use that move.
“Report back to the frontlines.”
The report back here is to pass the message back to them.
“Don’t give up until dea—the end.”
“Did you just think of saying ‘death’?”
“You’re thinking too much.”
“Of course, we’ll still send in reinforcements to prevent the entrance from being broken through, but I can’t send in people to assist in the retreating. Our numbers will decrease, and it hurts me here, but I have to endure my tears and let them sacrifice themselves honorably.”
“Please state the specific name of the strategy for this order!”
The one in charge of passing the message pleaded. Name of strategy…let’s use that then.
“Tell them that we’re using the ‘disposable human armor’ strategy.”
“THAT’S THE WORST NAME FOR A STRATEGY HERE!”
“Report! A lot of our allies went to surrender to the enemy after reporting the name of the strategy!”
“WHAT DID YOU SAY!?”
“Well, that’s not something worth being shocked about, right!?”
“Can’t be helped. Report to everyone that those who execute this plan will have Aki-chan and Hideyoshi in maid outfits serving them tea!”
“YOU DIDN’T EVEN DISCUSS WITH US AND GET OUR AGREEMENTS IN THE FIRST PLACE!!”
“Report! They said ‘not enough’!”
“Ugh! Add in Muttsurini too!”
“…!? I didn’t even…!?”
“Report! Everyone gave up on surrendering!”
“Alright. We can still maintain this for a while.”
“Yuuji…you bastard, making such a promise…”
“…Why even me too…”
“It’s fine. There’s no binding power in a promise on a battlefield. We’ll just say that those are emergency measures later.”
“You’re a demon…the demon’s over here…”
Even though he said so, the reason behind this tough situation is because of some stupid infighting. We’re tit for tat here.
As we’re saying this.
“Summon!”
“Na? What is it?”
C Class, Yokoo Tomoe, Maths, 92 points.
Vs
F class, Himeji Mizuki, Maths, 201 points
A sharp summoning sound can be heard, and the points of a summoned beast can be seen from afar.
“Ha? Isn’t that Himeji? What’s going on?”
I remember that she shouldn’t be taking part in the battle now…?
“That’s weird. Himeji should be off to take the replenishing tests just a while back.”
Just when Hideyoshi and I tiled our heads in bewilderment, this battle ended without any thrill as the points indicated.
As we looked over at where the summoned beast was summoned, Himeji, who left the defense to the rest because of the change in subjects, noticed my stare and scampered over.
“Oi, Himeji. That was?”
“It seemed dangerous there, so I took part in the battle…”
“Is that so? You’ve been a great help there. Many thanks.”
“It’s thanks to her that our little fighting strength left didn’t decrease any further.”
“But didn’t you go to replenish your points?”
“Ah, yes. It seemed that I didn’t have time to relax, so I hurriedly answered those questions I could answer and came back.”
Himeji casually said.
Though she came back midway through, oi oi…she said it so easily, but it’s not easy getting so many points in 20 minutes. What kind of brain does this person have…
“I’ll go continue with my replenishing then.”
And then, Himeji intended to go back and replenish her points without any delay.
“Ah, hold on, Himeji.”
“Yes?”
I called her first. It’s good that she’s willing to continue working hard, but…
“Is your body alright?”
I’m more worried about Himeji’s body.
Replenishing here will often give the impression of rest, but in fact, these are tests we’re talking about here. It’s both physically and mentally draining. Also, Himeji has to gather her concentration in such a short time, answer, come back to do summoning battles, and go back for more replenishing tests. This has to be tiring somewhat.
“Yes, it’s alright. I’m not running around anyway.”
Even so, Himeji continued to smile.
“That’s right, but…”
“And I’m happy. Being relied on like this and being able to help everyone. It’s like we’re ‘friends for life’ and not ‘ordinary friends’.”
Himeji really looked happy as she said that. For some reason, it seems that we’re being helped here instead of helping each other…
“Before this, I was occasionally thinking that ‘it’s great if I could be born as a boy’, and then, if possible…I can fight alongside you, Sakamoto-kun.”
We’ve discussed this many times before, and it seemed to be something Himeji has an inferiority complex about. It seems weird, but Himeji seemed to envy the relationship between me, Akihisa, Muttsurini and Hideyoshi.
“But I don’t think of it now.”
“Nn?”
“That’s because—I can’t fall in love if I’m a guy.”
Himeji seemed to be joking as she teased me somewhat.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“In other words, I may have caught up to Minami-chan, that’s all.”
It’s really a weird conversation that seemed and yet didn’t seem to link. However, I could feel a huge change in Himeji’s heart from this conversation.
“Erm, I seemed to have said something strange here. I shouldn’t be doing this now. I have to go replenish my points.”
Himeji turned around and ran over to the teacher in charge of the replenishing tests. Really…what happened in Akihisa’s house…
“Oh well, that’s not something I need to be worrying about.” I laid the scoresheet on the table and started to record the updated marks. Alright, time to consider when I’m going to use my next move.
“I’m a guy here, but it seems that I’ve been treated more like a lover nowadays…”
I’ll just pretend that I didn’t hear Hideyoshi muttering to himself. Even if I want to try and deny it, I have nothing to prove it.
“I’m going first then~”
Five minutes before the third period was about to end, Kudou-san walked out of A class and went to B class. Can we stop B class successfully?
“…She’s opening a slight gap in the door.”
“What did she throw inside the classroom?”
Kudou-san opened the back door of the classroom slightly, and threw in something without anyone noticing. Is that a speaker? B class is large and has lots of stuff too, so it should be hard to find something that’s thrown inside. It’s going to succeed.”
“In other words, there’s a lot more feminine songs in the Kokin Wakashuu[11] as compared to the Manyoushuu[12]. It’s a set of poems composed by the Emperor Daigo[13]—”
As the other classes were having lesson, it was very quiet, and when I pricked my ears, I could hear some parts of B class’ lessons.
<<Sorry, sensei.>>
And then, my voice came from there.
“Yes, what is it?”
The teacher didn’t seem to realize that the voice came from the speaker Kudou-san threw into the classroom. It seemed that he thought that it came from the guy who’s sitting beside him (sleeping really deeply).
<<Nemoto-kun seems a little weird.>>
“A little weird? What’s wrong, Nemoto-kun?”
“No, I’m al—”
The speaker again let out a voice to interrupt the argument.
<<No, he’s definitely not feeling well, but trying to hang on.>>
“Not feeling well? Where?”
<<The intestines>> <<came>> <<flying out>>.
“INTESTINES!?”
Such a great tragedy. No wonder the teacher was shocked.
“Is, is it that serious!?”
<<That’s>><<definitely>><<right>>.
Wrong, absolutely wrong, sensei.
<<That’s why>><<the floor>><<is>><<so>><<dirty>>.
“THAT’S NOT THE PROBLEM HERE, IS IT!?”
And worrying about the floor in such a situation? The one saying this must be a bad guy.
<<And>><<I>><<am not>><<wearing>><<underwear>>.
“AND A PERVERT APPEARED AT THE SAME TIME!? THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN’T HANDLE ALREADY!”
Actually admitting that you’re a pervert at this situation—hey, what was that, Kudou-san!? That wasn’t necessary at all, was it!?
“That voice just now…isn’t it Yoshii from F class?”
“Eh!? Yoshii-kun’s not wearing underwear!?”
“That’s a felony!”
And my voice’s identified! There’s an increase in number of weird rumors now!?
“You made me write such an embarrassing letter, Yoshii-kun. You better get some retribution…”
I seemed to hear Kudou-san muttering to herself.
Kudou-san, that’s called kindness coming to no good…
“An, anyway, we have to let Yoshii-kun put on some trunks first—”
“Calm down, sensei! Send Nemoto to the sick bay first!”
“No, we should call the ambulance!”
“Oi, wait! I’m fine here.”
“““THE ONE INVOLVED IS TO SHUT UP!!”””
“Isn’t that statement weird or what?”
Before I knew it, a commotion was started in B class. At least it seem that the delay worked…using something important to me as a price…
“…It’s about time.”
Kirishima-san looked at her watch to check the time. Soon after,
KIN KONG…
The bell signaling the end of lessons rang, and the third period ended just like that. The other classes that aren’t involved in the summoning war can take action independently. I’ll leave B class (though I’m being uneasy here) to Kudou-san. I better focus on dealing with C class here.
“Just as we thought, they came out.”
We looked away from B class and started looking at C class’ situation. It’s just like what Kinoshita-san said. The bell signaling the end of lessons rang, and C class sent a boy and girl. So there’s two of them…
"Really? That’s a lot less people than I thought."
"Seems that way…it does seem weird somewhere."
"Really?"
They’re in a summoning war, and I feel that it’s amazing that they could even send out two people…
If it’s F class, it’s a question of whether we can send someone.
“…They should be checking B class’s situation.”
“Looks like the plan is still going smoothly.”
The teacher’s still in B class, and there doesn’t seem to be anyone coming out from the classroom now, so nobody went in. Kudou-san’s hidden properly too, so it should look like we’re successful here.
“Alright. It’s our turn then. The girl over there is…Suzuki-san. I had some interaction with her in the committee before, so leave her to me. I just so happened to have some things I want to talk to her about.”
Kubo-kun said as he stared at the girl, one of the two C class’ messengers.
“We’ll handle the boy then.”
“…Un.”
Kinoshita-san and Kirishima-san said as they looked at the guy on the other side.
“It seems Kubo-kun knows the girl, which makes things easier. How are you going to get the enemy out, Kinoshita-san, Kirishima-san?”
“Well…let’s just try to be like Aiko and try and say some topics that will lure the guy out. Let’s go, prez.”
“…Un.”
Kinoshita-san called Kirishima-san, and they went onto the corridor. Both of them then slowly went beside the target and started such a conversation.
“Prez, I brought the clothes you requested me to bring.”
“…Thank you, Yuuko.”
“But the size might not match…”
“…Then let’s try it.”
“You know that we can’t change here.”
“…But we still have to try.”
“In that case, we should go down to the empty classroom downstairs. I’ll help.”
“…Un, thank you, Yuuko.”
Fm, I see. So Kirishima-san and Kinoshita-san are going to change?
“Where are you going to, Yoshii-kun?”
“Sorry, the toilet downstairs.”
“What will happen if you’re the one being lured out inside…they’re lying. More importantly, look.”
“Nn?”
I looked over at where Kubo-kun directed me, and the guy amongst the two C class messengers took action.
“Sorry. Doesn’t look like B class’ done with lessons yet, so I’ll go the toilet first. I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Ah, wait!”
The guy left the place, leaving the girl behind. I do understand such feelings very well.
“Really…why are the guys in our school like that…the most important thing about guys is that they have to be serious and honest.”
The C class girl who was left alone on the corridor muttered. I do feel that there’re very few guys who are serious and honest in this school. As for why, it’s because of a peeping incident that caused all the guys to be suspended from school…
“Alright, I’ll take action too.”
“Ah, I’ll leave it to you then, Kubo-kun.”
“Un. I’ll do it well.”
Kubo-kun didn’t force himself as he nodded his head. He looked rather relaxed like how he’s going to the toilet, opened the door, and walked out.
“Ah, hello there, Suzuki-san."
“Eh?”
Kubo-kun seemed to randomly walked towards the C class girl—Suzuki-san and greeted her. Suzuki-san, who was watching the situation in B class, was shocked by this sudden greeting and turned around to look.
“Ku, Kubo-kun!? Wha-a-a-at’s going on!?”
And then, she panicked once she found that it was Kubo-kun who greeted her. Eh? That’s weird. Did something happen between the two of them?
“Well, didn’t the committee ask us to buy some appliances? Can I bother you for a while?”
“Un, sure. I’m fine with it as long as it’s you, Kubo-kun.”
“Thank you.”
They continued one like this, and Kubo-kun brought Suzuki-san over to another place, seemingly to somewhere where she won’t meet Kirishima-san. Kubo-kun walked up the stairs and went upstairs. I followed Kubo-kun up the stairs and hid there. They stopped at the platform on the stairs and started talking.
“Eh? You can’t come along next week, Kubo-kun?”
“Yeah, sorry.”
“Ah, no! It’s alright! Don’t mind!”
“I’m glad you can say that.”
“…Even though…I’m rather looking forward to it…”
“I can’t call this compensation, but allow me to help you in something the next time I can help. I’ll agree to anything, whether it’s to take something or whatsoever.”
“…Eh…? Really?”
“Un. If it doesn’t bother you.”
“Not at all! You won’t be a bother! I’ll be glad! When will be an appropriate time?”
“Well, other than the weekend…”
It seemed that the girl was the one who ended up talking enthusiastically and completely ignored the situation around her. Since that’s the case, there’s no need to bring her somewhere else.
While Kubo-kun was chatting with her, I sneaked behind and approached her, taking the letter that was slightly protruding out from her shirt pocket. I suppose it’s perfect execution as the girl only looked straight at Kubo-kun and talked with him in such an engrossed manner that she didn’t realize that I went so close to her to steal the letter. I’ll put the fake one in then…alright. I’m done.
I stealthily went back to A class like before.
And soon after, Kubo-kun came back to A class.
“Looks like it went well, Yoshii-kun.”
“Ah, un. Even though it does look like it went well…”
“Even though? Is there any problem?”
“Sorry…it looks like I can’t co-exist with you, Kubo-kun…”
“!!!??? Why!!!???”
Kubo-kun showed a very shocked look. No, well, because of that…right?
“Never mind. Let’s ignore that for now. We have to deal with the situation at Kirishima-san’s side.”
“No, this isn’t a small problem I can’t just leave aside…”
Kubo-kun muttered as he followed. She does like a serious and honest guy. Oh my, Kubo-kun’s really popular…smart, good-looking, nice; I suppose that’s to be expected…he really can’t co-exist with us F class guys who aren’t popular. If there’s a need to mention who’s similar to us, it will be…
“Damn it…I can’t see…why must the window be so small…!”
Like—this guy’s who’s putting his entire face on the window just to peep.
“Well, I just feel relieved on seeing him like this…”
That’s because I know that I’m not the only negligible human here.
“Alright, let’s start dealing with this.”
“There’s a teacher around.”
It’s rest period now, and there are a few teachers who’re walking by, having ended their lessons and ready to return back to the office. I got Endo-sensei, the English teacher, who was walking nearby, and told him ‘Please grant me permission to summon as we’re having a summoning war’. I still have some points for English, so I guess it should be alright.
“Got it. I’ll allow you permission to do so.”
“Thanks, sensei.”
I got the teacher’s permission. I just need to fight with him, a student of C class, and win.
“The changing’s going to be done soon…in that case, I should just barge in like a man. Just for a moment, if I can see Kirishima and Kinoshita changing, I won’t regret it even if I die…”
Such a manly attitude…to be honest, I don’t hate it.
“Alright, let’s go! KIRISHIMA, KINOSHITA! LET ME SEE YOU IN ALL YOUR BEAUTY!”
GARANK! The door was opened, and the guy barged into the empty classroom.
And then, inside.
“Unexpectedly, someone actually dare to come peep even after the suspension…”
Kinoshita-san was standing there with her hand supporting her forehead, being thoroughly speechless.
“That’s the case. Sorry, we’re going to take you out here.”
And then, I came in from the back of the classroom to block his escape. The guy from C class panicked on seeing Endo-sensei and me.
“THA, THAT’S TOO DESPICABLE, YOU! LYING AND SETTING AN AMBUSH ISN’T SOMETHING A REAL MAN SHOULD DO!”
“I guess this isn’t something a guy who’s barging into to see girls changing instead of peeping from somewhere should be saying…”
I understand his feelings really well. Anyone will be baited after hearing the bewitching words of Kirishima-san and Kinoshita-san saying that they’re going to change. I can’t argue back even if we’re scolded for this.
“But we’re in the middle of a war. Sorry, but I’ll be taking you out here! Sumo…!”
“Wa, wait, Yoshii! Hold off the summoning first!”
Just when I was about to declare battle, he actually begged me to stop. Hm? Do what? Is he going to beg for his life?
“You want this letter, right? I’ll hand this over to you! I’ll give it to you, so just spare me the summoned beast or whatsoever! I don’t want to be sent into the remedial room!”
He said this as he handed an envelope that seemed to have a letter inside.
I see. Unlike us, who’re used to it, the guys in C class hardly get the chance to go for remedials. They’re likely scared of getting sent to the remedial room where Ironman is.
If I think about it now, should I beat him now or take the letter and let him go? Which one will be better? If I take the letter, I can achieve my aim without danger, and if I insist on fighting, I have a chance of losing. The subject’s English, which is advantageous for me, but I’m not really good at. The enemy’s from C class, so I have to make sure that I achieve my aim.
“I understand. In that case, just hand the letter over to me…”
“No, Yoshii-kun. You might be merciful here, but you should send him to the remedial room.”
Just when I was about to let him go, Kubo-kun interrupted me.
“Eh? But we can achieve our aim if we get the letter.”
“That’s if he’s only holding onto one. He must be holding more than one if he’s handing it over so easily.”
“Ugh! Damn it!”
Kubo-kun exposed him, and that guy suddenly went pale and bolted off. I won’t let you get away!
“Endo-sensei! F class’ Yoshii Akihisa challenges Nakamura-kun[14] from C class! Summon!”
I declared my summon before Nakamura-kun could escape the effective area of the summoning field. However, Nakamura kun didn’t response to my challenge and ran out of the field.
“How foolish. You’re disqualified once you run away from the enemy.
“…That’s against the rules.”
“Le, let go! Let go of me!”
Nakamura-kun ran away from the enemy and was disqualified. He was held on both arms by Kirishima-san and Kinoshita-san on both sides. I just need to hand him over to Ironman, and his letter won’t reach Nemoto-kun.
“If you wanted to run away, you should have at least fought Yoshii-kun.”
“Yeah.”
“Ku…! Can’t be helped! My English only had 27 points left!”
F class, Yoshii Akihisa, English, 27 points
“……”
“…Well…what should I say. Sorry…”
Speaking of which, I didn’t replenish my English points yesterday. What I replenished was English writing. That was close.
“I…hate you guys…”
Nakamura-kun lowered his head weakly, looking extremely worn out.
“Alright, now we managed to prevent B class and C class from working together…what do you want to do next, Yoshii-kun?”
We watched Nakamura-kun being forcefully taken to the remedial room, and Kubo-kun immediately asked me.
“…Are you going to meet up with F class?”
Beside me, Kirishima-san looked at me.
Meet up with F class? That can do…but for some reason, I just have a bad feeling. Uu~
“Hey, the bro over there.”[15]
“That’s because any bad premonition I have will always happen…”
“Hey hey, you there, bro.”
“I have to look for a chance to meet up and find out what’s the reason behind this bad feeling.”
“I SAY, BRO!”
“GUEHH!?”
I got puled on the shirt from behind, and my throat got choked. What’s going on!?
“Nihi—so you finally noticed me.”
What entered my eyes was a young small-looking boy who’s smiling.
“Yoshii-kun, do you know him?”
“No, I think this should be the first time we met…”
Even if it’s me, I can’t possibly forget my foreign friends. Undoubtedly, this would be our first meeting.
“Un, you’re,”
“Bring me around the school, bro!”
“Even if you say it, that’s still…”
I don’t know this kid at all. Where did he come from? He’s not wearing a uniform, so he should be a relative of someone or something.
“Aren’t you with someone?”
Kubo-kun talked to the boy. This serious Kubo-kun will never leave him alone.
“Takashiro’s guide is too boring, so I ran away. I see that you guys are rather interesting, bro. It should be even more fun here!”
Did he just see our conversation with Nakamura-kun? It’s not to be shown to others, and there’s nothing really detailed to be seen…
“So I want bro to lead me.”
“Sorry, this onii-chan here is busy.”
“Ehhh—”
I refused, and the boy pouted. The situation is urgent now, so please let me off.
“If you lead me around, I’ll tell you something interesting, bro.”
“Nn~…I’m interested in interesting things, but,”
“For example—what Kogure and the rest are planning?”
“—!?”
After hearing Kogure’s name, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes. Kogure, as in that third year Kogure-sempai!? Since we’re talking about what the person giving suggestions to C class is thinking, I can’t pretend not to hear it!
“Wha, what do you mea—”
“Are you going to lead me?”
‘Nihi—’ The boy gave a chuckle. Looks like you’re telling me that you’ll tell me once I bring you around the school. I really have to hand it to you there…
“Can’t I just bring you another time?’”
“No, now!”
I got refused hard.
Uu…can’t be helped.
“Alright. So I just need to bring you around the school, right?”
“Yay! Thanks!”
The boy was happily shouting. I feel that there shouldn’t be any C class people around as this is the new school building, but I hope that you don’t make such ruckus…
“Is that alright, Yoshii-kun? I don’t think now’s the time to play around.”
“You have a point…but I just have a bad feeling. I want to know what’s going on, so I agreed to bring him around.”
It’s just like what Kubo-kun said. Now’s not the time for games, but I feel that my own strength will make it difficult for me to meet up with F class. Besides, Yuuji’s plan will definitely not include me, so it will be better if I collect information from the outside.
“I’ll accompany you then. It’s now like this, and we can’t concentrate even if we go back for self-study.”
“You’re right. And we can’t leave a troubled person around. Me too.”
“…Me too.”
Looks like everyone’s coming with me. Everyone’s so kind…very different from the F class guys who always hope for misfortune on others.
“Ah…hold on a second, Kinoshita-san.”
“Nn? What is it, Yoshii-kun?
It’s just rumors, but there will be trouble if I don’t confirm me.
“If possible, well…please hold back on teasing young boys in the school.”
“Who will do that!? I’m only interested in those of my age in real life!”
“Heh? In real life? Are there other,”
“Nothing. Forget about it.”
“No, but.”
“I won’t say it a second time.”
“Yes, I forgot about it.”
That’s a harsh tone. Kinoshita-san has somewhat shown a different look besides her usual honor student appearance at times…
“Then, I’ll let you check out the first level. This is the entrance corridor here.”
“Ahaha, there’s no need to explain that this is the entrance.”
“Is, is that so? I guess.”
I’ll just try and carry forward since I don’t understand.
“Yoshii-kun, won’t it be interesting to bring him around the labs opposite?
“Nn, you’re right.”
The office and labs are on the first level of the school buildings so there’re basically no classrooms around. There’s nothing interesting about the office, and there’re all sorts of labs for all sorts of things, so it should be interesting to look through them. Also—I’ll likely end up meeting the people from C class when they’re calling the teachers’ out.
“Yoshii, hurry, hurry!”
The boy called my name and pulled my hand to prompt me.
“Speaking of which, what’s your name?”
“Un? My name?”
“Yeah, can you tell me your name?”
I asked, and the boy went silent for a while before giving a smile indicating ‘listen well’.
“My name is Vock—”
“Vock-kun?”
“Vocken? Uun, I’m called ‘Vock’.”
Ahh, I don’t know if I should be using honorifics for students. Since he looks like a kid from overseas, I shouldn’t be calling him as a student.
“Also, the middle is ‘Ollie’.”
Middle, as in middle name. I read it in some books, but this is the first time I’m hearing it.
“And after that, my family name is ‘butte’.”
“Is that so? I’m Yoshii Akihisa. Nice to meet you, Vock.”
“Akihisa. It’s a rare chance, so try calling me with my full name. You can shorten my middle name too.”
“Full name?”
“Un! Hurry up and remember my name!”
He’s really a kid who likes interacting with people. Us Japanese will only remember the surnames if we’re not close to each other, so it might be different if it’s overseas. It’s not a bad thing to be close to others, so if he asks me to use the full name, I’ll just call him by that.
“This is how it’s written. It’s a little long, so don’t forget it.”
“Un, got it.”
Vock-kun took out a notebook and wrote the name ‘Vock Ollie Butte’. It’s really longer than a Japanese name, so I might not be able to remember.
“““…”””
The three people from A class showed a delicated expression. I suppose they’re bothered over the difference in culture.
“I want to check out the commotion opposite.”
Vock-kun pointed to the old school building that was in the opposite direction from the labs.
“It’s the old school building. A really old place. There’s a lot more fun and interesting things in the new school building here.”
“Ehh—”
Vock-kun let out an unhappy sound at Kinoshita-san. However, there’s nothing worth looking at in the old school building, and it’s dangerous to get involved in the summoning war (myself actually), so I don’t think it’s good.
“But I just saw the labs already. I don’t wanna see it. Go somewhere else. Let me see something more interesting.”
“But over there is,”
“Don’t talk too much and just bring me somewhere else!”
“…(Rages)”
Kinoshita-san’s smile seemed a little stiff because of Vock-kun’s words.
“…As expected, the cute ones are only in 2-D.”
Kinoshita-san muttered aside.
For some reason, it seemed that I got a glimpse of what’s under Kinoshita-san’s mask.
“Yoshii-kun, since he said that he came here before, it’s likely that he may have seen most of the areas downstairs.”
Kubo-kun looked over at the labs. It’s pointless to bring him to the first level in that case.
“How about we go upstairs?”
“Un. We can look far away. I really like it.”
Vock-kun energetically nodded his head.
As for looking afar, the only place that could allow that is the roof. There’s no other people there, and we set Nemoto-kun up to be there, so it’s not a bad idea to look there.
The roof is divided into the new school building and the old school building. It’s better to go over to the new school building if we consider the danger here. If we go up the old school building, we might end up seeing the summoning war going on.
“Ah, also.”
“Vock-kun. Be quiet when going up the third floor, okay?”
“Okay. It’s troublesome if the C class people know, right?”
“Ah, un. That’s right.”
Eh? What does this kid know about me—and he even said something like ‘you guys seem interesting’. But it makes things easier for me.
“Also, my name, isn’t, called Vocken.”
“Ah, sorry.”
“And you didn’t call me by my full name.”
“I completely forgot. Will take note of that later.”
“You promised, okay?”
I took out the slip of paper he gave me from my pocket, and then checked his name.
Un, I remember the full name is—yah. Vock Ollie Butte. The middle name seem like it just need a letter. Alright. I memorized it. Better call it out correctly later.
We continued our conversation and went to the second level, where the first years’ classrooms are. At this moment, some people walked down the stairs. Are they C class people!?”
“Ah, Yoshii-kun. So you’re here.”
“Whew. So it’s Kudou-san…what a relief~”
“Ahaha, you thought that it was C class? Relax. No one was around when I came down.”
It seemed that she helped us take note of the surroundings when she came down. I’m really grateful.
“Just wanna ask here. Who’s that kid?”
And then, Kudou-san tilted her head as she saw Vock-kun who was walking with us. I should introduce him first. I want to know what’s going on with B class, but it’s not urgent.
“Then, first—”
Let’s introduce him. Well, his full name is,
“—Vock ‘O’ Butte.”[16]
“Eh…”
Once I introduced Vock-kun, Kudou-san strangely pulled her distance from me. Wha, what’s with this reaction? Did she hear of Vock-kun’s name? Is Vock-kun a famous person?
“Kudou-san, what’s wrong? What’s wrong with Vock ‘O’ Butte?”
“Wa, wait, wait a sec, Yoshii-kun. I’m not really good in that aspect.”
“Eh? What do you mean by not being good at it? It’s Vock ‘O’ Butte.”
“Well, Yoshii-kun. I think you may be trained by Minami-chan and the rest such that you enjoy it, but this is really,”
“??? What are you saying?”
I have no idea why Kudou-san is so awkward. Have to clarify about this.
Just when I wanted Kudou-san to explain, I saw Vock-kun going up the stairs.
“Kudou-san, can you please explain—”
“Akihisa, I’m going up first.”
“Ah, no, wait, Vock ‘O’ Butte!”
“If, if you say so—eh!”
“OUCH!? WHY DID YOU HIT ME!?”
“What interesting thing is there?”
Damn it! He’s going off before I could even ask her. Can’t let it happen.
“Wait, Vock ‘O’ Butte!”
“You, you want another one? EEHHHH—!!”
“AS I SAID, WHY DID YOU HIT ME!?”
It’s hurting me now, but I have to catch up to Vock-kun first!
“…As expected, that name’s is weird.”
“Yeah, I’ve never heard of such a name.”
“We don’t even know what country’s name that is.”
As Kirishima-san and the rest seemed to be talking about something behind, I continued to be bullied by Kudou-san as I ran up the stairs to chase after Vock-kun.
“Everyone! Faster! Faster!”
Vock-kun seemed to be laughing as he called us. Luckily, Vock-kun ran past the dangerous 3rd level where C class will most likely discover us and ran up to the 4th level.
“Bring me here, Akihisa.”
“Ah, okay. But if possible, please keep your volume down.”
“Un!”
The third years’ classrooms are on the fourth level. There’s a very low chance that C class people are here, but I’m not sure about Kogure-sempai, who’s on friendly terms with Koyama-san. It always pays to be careful.
“Eh? Isn’t this Yoshii? What are you doing on the third years’ level?”
I inadvertently heard this familiar voice. This voice is,
“Ahh, erm—sempai.”
“Hey, didn’t you remember my name already…”
The Mohican-head sempai sighed. I know he’s one of the Toko-Natsu pair, but with both of them separated, I can’t tell who is who.
“I’m Tsunemura. It’s time for you to remember that.”
“I do remember that you’re the sempai who confessed to Hideyoshi.”
“I still haven’t gotten a reply yet.”
“No, Hideyoshi screamed already, so you better give up…”
This isn’t being optimistic. It’s a case of diehardiness.
After some time, Kirishima-san and the rest caught up. Then, Tsunemura-sempai’s eyebrows twitched the moment he saw Kinoshita-san.
“Ohh, Kinoshita Hideyoshi. My sun—”
“Ah, no. I’m.’
“—Oh, no. The one that drew the short straw.”
“(Rages)”
Immediately, I felt a Minami-level killing intent from Kinoshita-san, but it’s better not to pursue things.
“Then, what do you want? Do you have something you want in the third years’ classroom?”
“No, it’s not that we wanted to come to the third years’ classrooms. It’s just that we’re bringing Vock ‘O’ Butte around the school.”
“Oi, pervert, there’re some strange words you said that.”
“Yo, Yoshii-kun. If you don’t mind, I can work towards that too, so don’t say such words to everyone you meet (SNAP)”
“OUCH!!?”
“Do, does it feel good, Yoshii-kun…?”
“NOT AT ALL! HOW CAN IT FEEL GOOD!?”
“So, sorry. Then—”
“Eh? You’re mistaken here! I don’t mean that a slap isn’t enough so I wanted a wrestling technique used on me (CRACK)—OW OW OW…okay (POP)”
“Yoshii-kun, you can’t live a normal life anymore if you can just snap your dislocated joints back together without any concern.”
I just feel that it’s naturalized.
“Ahaha. You’re really interesting, Akihisa.”
Laughter came from aside.
“It’s not funny at all. Really.”
“Ah? That brat down there, isn’t he the one Takashiro brought along. Called Linne or something, is it?”
“Linne? No, you’re mistaken, Tsunemura-sempai. It’s Vock ‘O’ Butte.”
“Oi, don’t say it. Don’t involve me in your perverted fetishes.”
What’s going on? It’s like we’re not on the same page here.
“Linne-kun. It’s time to stop teasing Yoshii-kun.”
“Eh? Kubo-kun, what do you mean?”
“…A fake name.”
“Nihi—looks like Akihisa never doubts anyone.”
Vock-kun looked at me and chuckled.
“My name is actually Linne Klein. Vock ‘O’ Butte was something to fool you.”
“Ha? Fool me? Why must you do that?”
“Well, Yoshii-kun, it’s about time you should notice that.”
“If the middle name is contracted, it will sound like ‘hit me’, isn’t it? I made you call me by my full name to make fun of you, Yoshii-kun.”
“…Yoshii got fooled.”
“I, I see…”
So that’s why the rest didn’t call Vock—no, Linne-kun by his name. That’s the reason why Kudou-san hit him.
“Well, never mind. Linne-kun, what do you want to do next? How about looking around this level?”
After hearing my words, Linne-kun immediately stared straight at me.
“Looking around? You aren’t angry?”
“No, even if you say that I’m angry…”
I won’t be angry because of such a trivial thing. Linne-kun came over from overseas and has unfamiliar people around it. it’s something worth being happy about if he’s still in the mood to play pranks like that.
After hearing my words, nihi— Linne-kun started chuckling happily.
“You’re as interesting as what I heard, Akihisa. I like you.”
“Ahaha, I’m happy that you like me—then, what about the thing ‘you heard about’? Who did you hear mention me?”
“We were going through the boring look-around, and I heard about you from Takashiro and Kogure. A certain unpredictable person that does weird things.”
Unpredictable person that does weird things…doesn’t it sound like I’m something brainless that doesn’t think about anything? How rude.
“I immediately wanted to find you once I heard that, Akihisa. I was really bored.”
Looks like Linne-kun was brought around the school by this Takashiro, so it’s not weird for him to hear the conversation between that guy and Kogure-sempai.
But why will the third-years talk about me? It’s understandable if it’s Koyama-san and Kogure-san, but as third years, why are they talking about me?
“Speaking of which, Takashiro’s looking for you. Oi, Linne. Come along with me.”
“EEHH!? Hey, I still want to play with Akihisa.”
“Really. Stop yapping and follow me.
“Uu—is it going to be boring again?”
As he ran away before, Tsunemura-sempai gripped Linne-kun’s wrist tightly. Looks like the guide around the school is over. I’ll head back to the summoning war—but before that.
“Linne-kun, you must follow up on your promise about this interesting thing!”
I shouted at Linne-kun, who was being forcefully dragged away by Tsunemura-sempai. On hearing that, he turned around and answers,
“I’ll tell you once this is done! Meet me at the school gate an hour later!”
Un…an hour later…I’m really worried about the summoning war. If possible, I want to hear it immediately and meet up with F class again…
“…Yoshii, shall we go back to the classroom?”
“Un? A class?”
ss
“…Un.”
“That’s right. It’ll be troublesome if we’re found out while walking around. How about we just wait in A class first?”
“I’m happy about that, but can I?”
“Don’t mind. It’s not against the rules. There’s a lot of space in the classroom.”
“It’s never boring with Yoshii-kun around.”
I’m really grateful to A class; worrying that I would be discovered by the enemy if I wait for Linne-kun and get sent to the remedial room. To be honest, it’s very likely.
But is this really alright? It might not be good to say such things now when I’m being helped here.
“We will soon challenge A class.”
“…Don’t mind.”
“Ahaha. There’s no need to at this point.”
“We’ll talk about that when it happens, Yoshii-kun.”
“Didn’t we say it? All students have the right to carry out summoning wars. There’s no reason to hold grudges about this.”
The four of them didn’t mind at all. Well, to put it, they’re all nice people.
“I’ll then do as you say.”
I will be lying if I say that I’m not worried about the situation in F class, but I should be hiding first as I’m wondering about Kogure-sempai’s plan.
“Eh? There seem to be something going on in the classroom.”
I heard people making noise as I went back to A class. What’s going on?
“Did something happen?”
“Did Linne-kun run away again or something?”
Kinoshita-san and Kudou-san looked at the classroom and said. We just went our separate ways. It’s impossible for him to run away so quickly again.
“…Yoshii, you better hide just in case.”
“Un.”
Maybe C class’ starting to look for me again. It’ll be troublesome if I’m found here.
I hid in a corner of the stairs instead of entering A class and secretly watched what was going on.
“What is it? It’s noisy here—eh? Nemoto-kun?”
“Ah, Kinoshita. Kirishima’s back, huh. Perfect timing. It’s best to say this to the rep.”
I heard Kinoshita-san’s voice and the culprit behind this commotion. Isn’t Nemoto-kun B class’ rep? Why—
“My B class is challenging A class to a summoning war.”
“!!??”
He suddenly declared a war. How is it possible? Why?
“The battle will start at 13:30 today.”
Nemoto-kun ignored me, who’s wavering, and continued on.
The war is slated to start today, not tomorrow. From the looks of things, it seemed that B class didn’t exactly intend to get ready and start the war. In other words, there must be some reason for him to decide to start one. He must have accepted Koyama-san’s proposal.
“Then, let’s have a fair fight.”
After leaving these words behind, B class’ rep Nemoto-kun left.
I walked down from the platform, checked that Nemoto-kun really left, and walked into A class.
“We’ve been had. To think that he actually challenged us to a war.”
“…I can’t think of why this would happen.”
“We’re in a pinch here~ and the same goes for F class. The situation’s became bad for us.”
We managed to switch the letters, and the other one was dealt with. Are there other letters? Or did Nakamura-kun escape as he was sent to the remedial room? Un…
Our heads were full of questions.
“Speaking of which, I saw Nemoto-kun laughing sneakily as he entered C class. What’s going on?”
“Who knows? Something must have happened.”
I heard the people from A class chattering. Eh…? Don’t tell me,
“Nemoto-kun went over to find her without waiting till lunch break…or something like that?”
“““…(realization)”””
Everyone gave a ‘I see’ expression as they slapped their faces. Damn it! Since Nemoto-kun saw that Koyama-san has ‘something important to say’, we should have considered the possibility that he will go meet her without waiting till lunch break! We shouldn’t have created a fake letter but make sure that they don’t meet up at all!
“Anyway, A class will be involved in the summoning war in the afternoon.”
“Yeah. We have to hurry and get ready. Everyone, do we have people with reduced scores? Get the replenishing teacher here!”
“…What do you intend to do, Yoshii?”
“We can’t help you now. Are you going back to meet up with F class?”
“…”
B class declared war on A class too. In that case, they managed to carry out that plan. F class is in a crisis, so every single fighting strength is absolutely needed. A fighting strength like mine is better than none, but…
“No. Kinoshita-san. You will be going through replenishing tests until the start of the war, right?”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“I hope to take part in this too.”
I still feel that I should replenish my points.
“Is this really alright, Yoshii-kun? Wouldn’t it be meaningless if the disadvantageous F class loses while you’re going through replenishing tests?”
Kubo-kun looked at me in a worried manner.
It’s true that it’s like what Kubo-kun said. It will be pointless if F class loses while I take the replenishing tests. However…I don’t know what to say. It’s like I have a certain bad feeling. It’s like I missed out something important, that the enemy is still hiding something.
Therefore,
“I think it should be alright. They should be able to hang on even if I don’t go back.”
Everyone helped me out a lot to prevent the enemy’s plan, but in this situation—those guys should be able to hang on. Anyway, I should focus on regaining my fighting strength. It just feels like that.
“…Fuun…?”
Kinoshita-san gave me a look.
“Since you say so, it’s not like you can’t. We’ll give you a table and chair in the lounge. There’s no rule that states that you can’t take your replenishing tests in another class.”
“Thank you very much.”
Until the moment A and B classes fight, I will borrow a table in the lounge to carry out the replenishing tests. Normally, I should be meeting up with F class, but no matter what, my mind just felt fuzzy. It’s like there’s a strong feeling that I have to do something only I can do.
“…I’ll help you out then, Yoshii.”
“Eh? What?”
“…It might be more or less helpful to Yoshii.”
The Fourth Question[edit]
Question: Please read the following passage from the tale of Genji and answer the following question.
Using the underlined part, please state the kind of relationship between Lady Fujitsubo and Genji.
“At this moment, Lady Fujitsubo unfortunately fell ill and temporarily went back to rest in her mother’s house. The emperor was worried about this and sighed all day long. Prince Genji saw it, and felt uneasy. However, he couldn’t endure it, wanting to take a chance to meet Lady Fujitsubo’s ever-familiar profile secretly. He was completely dazed, never went to where his lovers lived, never went to the staff office in the palace, and was always depressed. At night, he was still thinking about that royal concubine.”
Kinoshita Hideyoshi’s answer:
“Stepmother and Stepson.”
Teacher’s comment:
Well answered. Absolutely correct. I’ve always thought that Kinoshita-kun’s not very good at classics, but this is much better than expected when you did study hard. Sensei heard that the drama club is going to present the tale of Genji, so sensei’s is happy that you can use this chance to have an interest in classics. Sensei hopes that you can work hard on both your studies and club activities.
Yoshi Akihisa’s answer.
“An urgent situation where they were almost together.”
Teacher’s comment:
To put it directly, that’s what happened after.
Tsuchiya Kouta’s answer:
“It’s like the relationship between Fukanoshi-sensei and Fuse-sensei.”
Teacher’s comment:
Wait a second. What in the world happened between the two of them!?
“Alright! Those who are done with the maths replenishing are to rush out! Don’t let the enemy get into the classroom!”
The subjects now at the scrimmage in front of F class’ entrances are modern language at the front and history at the back. Muttsurini, who just finished his replenishing, joined in at the back, so there isn’t any problem, but modern language should be used up at lot…it’s about time for the maths teacher to come here. If we switch the subjects, Shimada’s points should be able to hang on. During this time, we’ll let Himeji rest and then plan a counterattack!
I again reupdated everyone’s scores as things got really confusing, and got ready to make a breakthrough. Shimada then panicked and came over.
“Sa, Sakamoto!”
“Nn? What is it, Shimada? Did you mess up the digits in your maths score or something?”
“Impossible, I’m not like that idiot Aki, but this—”
Shimada looks over at the front entrance, and I look over as well. It’s normal over there, and the scores of the summoned beast I’m used to seeing are indicated.
“What is it? It’s not like the enemies have abnormally high scores—”
“C class, Okajima Kumi, Japanese History, 101 points.
Vs
F class, Himuro Tadashi, Japanese History, 45 points.”
“! Japanese history!?! Japanese history!?” Impossible! We should have set the maths teacher over there! We did change the subjects, but it’s unexpected that it changed to Japanese history. Did the enemy do something…
“Yuuji! It looks like class A and class B are having a summoning war too!”
“B class…is it that bastard Nemoto!?”
In other words, the maths teacher got taken over by them too? They took the teacher away once we’re done with the replenishing, and we’re in a tight spot here, both in terms of points and mentally.
“It seem that B class said that they had to use maths to replenish their tests scores no matter what to get ready for their battle and brought the teacher over!”
At this time, in this situation, and with that Nemoto as an enemy, there’s no doubt that he’s working together with Koyama. We’ve been had…! The enemy had an intention of limiting the subjects over here. As long as our summoning field is limited, we’ll be in a disadvantage since we’re the weaker side here. It’s my mistake to end up caught in the enemy’s plan…!
“Anyway, I can’t help in this case. What should we do?”
The subjects are Japanese history and health education? Shimada’s good subjects are all sciences, so she can’t do much if we send her here.
“Get everyone whose scores in Japanese history are more than 60 to the frontlines, even if we have to end the replenishing tests.
“Understood.”
Once I gave Shimada the instructions, my mind was thinking of a new plan.
The enemy’s not an idiot. They’re using this strategy to remove our subject choices, so it’s pointless to remain caged here.
In that case—we can only attack, is it?
Amongst the rules of the summoning war, there’s the instruction for the class rep to clearly indicate where they are. Since there’s no reason to defend on, we can only launch an attack and beat the class rep.
“Hideyoshi, where’s Koyama now?”
“They’re moving from C class in the new building to the roof of the old school building.”
“Damn it. They’re not letting their guard down until the end.”
I can’t just recklessly attack the enemy’s general now.
If we consider the positions, since A class and B class have a summoning war between each other, the area in front of C class will become a battlefield. In that case, the teachers will be around, and it’ll be easier to sneak into the crowd. It’s not a bad idea to launch a surprise attack there—but it seems that Koyama understands this very well and moved her base from there to the roof where it’s hard to launch a surprise attack. It’s impossible to go through replenishing tests as there aren’t any tables and chairs, but they can limit the exit and prevent an ambush from above. To C class that had replenished their points thoroughly, they just got a solid and steady position.
“Where’s the guy directing the attacks? Do you know?”
“From how he’s giving the instructions from time to time, it’s likely that he’s near the stairs. I can see some people on the stairs platform between the third level and the fourth level.”
“Is that so…”
As expected of Koyama who always does things cautiously. She set up people who’re in charge of defense at the area between the fourth level and the roof. She set up her guards to deal with the surprise attacks.
“She’s really tough to deal with…”
They have twice the number of people we have, and in terms of scores, it’s really hard to imagine the difference. Also, the enemy commander set up attack squads and guards here. We can’t even fight with the enemy commander if we don’t get by them. This is way too grim.
—However.
“It’s not like there’s no way to win.”
Even we have a chance of winning. I’ll show you guys that points alone can’t determine victory.
“Himeji, Shimada!”
“Yes!”
“You got a new plan already?”
“Ahh, there’s something I want to ask you two. Shimada, get to the office now and ensure that we have teachers to replenish our scores. The time for the replenishing will be 14:00. As for you, Himeji—”
I explained the plan to both of them,
“—That’s about how it is. Can you do it?”
I tried to check with Himeji and Shimada, and both of them responded with answers that reflected their personality.
“It’s not about whether I can do it or not now, is it? We can only do this now.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll try my best.”
Both of them stared back at me with confident and sturdy eyes. In this situation, I find that these two are much more reliable than those useless guys.
“Well answered. I’ll leave it to you then.”
““Understood!””
Both them nodded their heads hard and got ready to take action.
And then…
Wait and see, C class. I’ll definitely give you a taste of your own medicine…!”
After about an hour of replenishing tests, it’s about time for B class and A class to begin the summoning war.
“From what I heard, it seemed that C class and F class are only using Japanese history.”
Kinoshita-san told me about what she heard from the other students’ intel.
“It should be easier for you then, Yoshii-kun.”
“Japanese history is your specialty subject since the test of courage.”
Kubo-kun and Kudou-san finished their replenishing tests and came back.
“Kirishima-san, Kinoshita-san, Kubo-kun, Kudou-san, thank you very much.”
It was Kirishima-san’s idea that I take the Japanese history replenishing test during the time before the war begins against B class and even showed it to B class. To B class, they will definitely think ‘let’s not choose the subjects A class just replenished’, so they contacted C class and let C and F class use Japanese history, the one subject I’m good at.
“…Don’t mind.”
“But everyone’s scores didn’t drop, and even took the replenishing exams with me….”
Replenishing tests will reset all scores back to zero from the moment the exam begins, so if they’re careless, they might end up getting lower scores than what they got before. Once they start replenishing, they have to go all out, and even for A class, which has outstanding grades, this isn’t easy.
“This is nothing.”
“Yeah, there’s no need to thank us. This is no different from filling worksheets during self-study.”
“Really, Yuuko, you’re always not being honest in such situations~ it’s because of this that your brother-kun is more popular than you.”
“It, it has nothing to do with this, right?”
Kirishima-san was the only one who said that she wanted to take the tests at first, but Kubo-kun and Kinoshita-san and Kudou-san said that B class will more likely fall for it if there were more people, and joined in the replenishing tests. The plan went well because four of the top ranked A class students in our year joined in.
“Yoshii-kun, what do you intend to do now?”
“I’ll hear about what Linne-kun wanted to say at the entrance, and then tell it to Yuuji. If it’s Japanese history, I’ll most likely meet up with them once I manage to find a chance.”
I have no idea what Kogura-sempai is planning, but if I tell that guy, he’ll definitely think of some great strategy, so I have to meet up with F class first.
“…Do your best.”
Kirishima-san even cheered me on. I’ve been bothering her for the entire day, so it won’t be enough for me to thank her again.
“Thank you, Kirishima-san. Everyone. Don’t lose to B class.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t.”
“We’re still waiting to deal with F class. Deal with them quickly~”
“Don’t worry about the rest. Just do your best.”
As I thanked them, I left A class. I’ve worked so hard. We definitely must beat C class!
Being careful not to be spotted, I secretly went down the stairs of the new school building. I heard talking at the staff room when I reached the first level. Wait, they sound familiar…?
“That’s the end of the line, Shimada. Give it up already”
“I thought I shook them off…so you guys were hiding in the staff room.”
“Of course, things are getting serious here.”
Ahh, so it’s Minami’s voice. Does she have some special mission? She looks like she’s alone…
Anyway, let’s get closer.
“Let’s finish this once and for all, Shimada. Summon.”
“You’re nothing other than maths—summon.”
“Summon.”
C class, Niiyama Takeshi, Chemistry, 89 points
and
C class, Oota Ren, Chemistry, 93 points.
Vs
F class, Shimada Minami, Chemistry, 75 points.
The scores of Minami and the two guys were shown.
“You do have marks, unexpectedly…but it’s easy for us to win if it’s two vs one.”
“Don’t call us despicable. This is war.”
“No need to worry about this being despicable or what—fine. If you think that you can win easily, bring it on.”
Even when she’s losing in terms of points in a 2 v 1 battle, Minami just looked very composed there.
“What’s with this self-belief…? Are there other F class guys around?”
As Minami’s looking like this, one of the guys from C class twitched his eyebrows in surprise.
“Impossible. F class is already like that. How can they possibly have such strength left?”
“That’s true. If there’s a guy coming through here in this situation, it’ll be an idiot who doesn’t know what’s the situation now—”
“How rude.”
““Huh?””
I let out my voice from behind and caused the 2 guys from C class to cry out in surprise.
“Summon!”
Using this chance, I summoned my summoned beast and immediately launched an attack without waiting for the scores to be indicated.
“Wa…Yoshii!? Why the hell are you here UWAAHHH!!”
The sudden attack meant that the enemy was unable to do anything as he’s unguarded, and he was taken down in one hit.
One’s left. Just when I’m thinking,
“Thanks, Aki. You helped me out a lot.”
The other one was already beaten by Minami. It’s hard to tell, but Minami gained lots of experience in using the summoned beasts, so she can’t possibly be beaten by a panicked enemy.
“Speaking of which, aren’t you resting at home because of a cold?”
“I was just late. It’s not that serious anyway.”
My cold really wasn’t too serious, and I wasn’t lying.
“Fuun…? Well, alright, thank you for saving me, Aki.”
“It’s nothing at all. This is just a small thing.”
When I consider that you’ve forgiven me for being late, this itself will be hard to pay back.
“Anyway, Minami, you just looked confident when you went there. Did you guys have any ideas on how to break through?”
“Eh? How can there be such a thing?”
“Huh?”
If you don’t have any plans on how to break through, what do you intend to do?
“I’ll just bluff my way into the office and explain the situation to the teachers while I’m fighting. F class wants to request a replenishing test, and we want to ask them to come over at 2pm.”
After hearing what she said, I checked the current location. If it’s here, the office is still in the summoning field, and Minami’s plan may work, but…
“But you’ll definitely end up dying in battle after that, Minami.”
“That can wait till later.”
She merely said that. That’s gutsy of her. I shouldn’t be thinking about that for girls…but she’s really manly there.
“But Minami, since you have to come alone to a tightly guarded area, it seem like things are really tough.”
It’s likely that Minami’s actions are the key to turning this situation around. It’s such an important mission, yet we only sent one person. I can imagine what kind of state F class is in now.
“Well, that’s really tough. But,”
“But?”
“It’s because of you guys that the teachers don’t trust us, isn’t it?”
I have nothing to say about this.
“I’ll be going to find the teachers. What about you?”
“I still have something to do…what do you intend to do after talking to the teachers?”
“I’ll be troubled if there aren’t enough teachers around, so after this, I intend to check out the prep room. After that, if possible, I intend to take part in the final battle.
“I see. Not all the available teachers will be in the staff room.”
“You’re really working hard today, Minami.”
On hearing what I said, Minami just nods her head as if it’s to be expected.
“Yeah, anyone will be motivated after seeing Mizuki like that today.”
“Himeji-san?”
“Un, this morning, she already took part in 7 replenishing tests.”
“Ah? 7?”
The time now is around 13:45…if the war started at 9am, that will mean it was less than 5 hours. If we count by 1 hours for every replenishing test, the outcome won’t be completely correct. Even without breaks, she would need the shortest time possible to finish each replenishing test.
“She continued to think many times faster than we could and answered the questions, and immediately thought of taking replenishing tests once her points were used up instead of resting. The Mizuki today really impressed me.”
A lot of people in this world know that exams are more tiring that what anyone can imagine. It’s never ending if anyone seriously wants to challenge. Koyama-san and Kogure-sempai said it before…but to think that Himeji-san really worked this hard…to do so much and work far more for the class than me; if she intended to make up for me because I have a cold, this itself will be way overboard.
Just when I’m thinking about this, Minami stared at me with a probing expression.
“Nn? What is it, Minami?”
“……Aki, do you, like…those who work hard?”
“Un.”
“That was fast…”
That’s true. There’s nothing to hate about a person who works hard. Therefore,
“You’re rather cool today too, Minami.”
“FUEEHH!?”
That’s my honest opinion. Whether it’s the Minami before who had the determination to fight to the end, or the Minami now that intends to go back and work hard today, they’re both really charming.
“Wha, what are you saying, Aki!? An-an-any-anyway, I have to get going.”
Most likely, Minami’s not used to being praised as she suddenly panicked.
But she’s right. It’s better not to stand around and waste my time talking. Got to move.
“I’ll go do what I have to do.”
“Alright. We’ll talk after the summoning war then.”
“Un.”
We nodded at each other, and I went my separate way from Minami at the office door. Now, I have to go meet Linne-kun at the school gate.
“Arre…? Speaking of ‘cool’, that’s not something a guy will say to a girl, right…?”
Anyway, got to run. All sorts of dangers are closing in.
“Akihisa! You kept me waiting!”
After I parted from Minami, I kept vigilant and wary of C class people as I waited. At this moment, Linne-kun came running over from the entrance of the new school building. How energetic.
“You had it hard, Linne-kun.”
“Nihi—you really remembered my real name well.”
“Un, you said that you hope that I remember, Linne-kun.”
“Eh…? I said that so that I could make fun of you.”
Ahh, speaking of which, it seemed I was made a fool by him. However,
“I don’t think it was a lie when you told me to remember your name.”
Linne-kun was stunned for a moment once he heard my words, and then showed a radiant smile.
“Thank you, Akihisa! You’re really kind! Just like an anime hero!”
“No no, I never did anything that’s worth making you remember such a thing…”
I just remembered his name.
“But is there a reason why you’re so kind to me?”
“Reason? Reason…”
I don’t have any specific motive, but I may be somewhat interested in Linne-kun. As for why, that’s because—
“Probably because you do resemble a girl I know, maybe…?”
Coming back from overseas and being all alone; I just can’t help but think of Minami who looked uneasy when she first came to this school when I consider both points. The reason why I’m worried about him may be because of this.
“Huh? A girl?”
My words caused Linne-kun to tilt his head. It’s not that they’re similar in terms of appearances nor personality, but their positions. He won’t understand if I don’t explain further.
“Akihisa, do I, look like a guy?”
“Nn~ I can’t say that you don’t resemble one at all, right?’
“Nihi—too bad, I’m a real boy here.”
Linne-kun chuckled teasingly. He really looked happy.
“Speaking of which, are you done over there?”
“Un! I’m all done here! It’s so boring!”
Linne-kun just said what he felt honestly, without any restraint at all.
“It’s so boring that I want to you tell you everything that’s useful to you, Akihisa!”
“Really? Thank you, Linne-kun. You’ve been a great help.”
“That’s because it’s a promise.”
After saying that, Linne-kun showed the usual happy smile. He may look carefree, but he may or may not be someone who keeps his word.
“First, the current situation. F class is in a disadvantage, so we might see the outcome soon. Just now, it seemed that F class sent a detachment.”
Detachment…as in Minami who I just saw. However, there must be some breakthrough if she’s to break out from the classroom in such a situation. As commander, Yuuji can’t join in that force, so the leader is likely Muttsurini or Himeji-san.
“The detachment’s aiming for the office.”
Office. Minami’s already there, so the objective should be complete.
“—It looks that way, but there’s another plan.”
“Eh? Another one?”
“The other objective is the empty classroom on the fourth level. That’s what Takashiro said.”
The empty classroom on the 4th level? What’s going on?
From the information he provided, either Himeji-san or Muttsurini weren’t with Minami, who broke out. In that case, they may be aiming for the empty classroom on the fourth level.
“Speaking of which, who’s that Takashiro you’re talking about? Isn’t Kogure-sempai the one giving Koyama-san ideas?”
“Uun, Koyama is just listening to Takashiro. The one who came up with the idea was basically Takashiro.”
“Ah, I see, so that’s how it is.”
I randomly heard Koyama-san and Kogure-sempai’s conversation in the morning, and I remember that they mentioned about this plan that someone came up with. That’s why they called Koyama-san out at this moment. The one who came up with the plan is likely that ‘Takagi’.
“Nn…? What Koyama-san and Kogure-sempai were talking about this morning…?”
A weird feeling floated up my mind, causing me to think of the conversation I heard this morning. I remembered what they said was,
“Is that so? We’ll ignore the enemy’s strategy for now. Let’s first talk about the rest. The basic plan.”
“Yes.”
“How about you get the other classes to help out?”
My mind replayed the situation I saw this morning and what I heard.
At this moment, I finally knew what was bothering me.
At that time, Kogure-sempai did say ‘ignore the enemy’s strategy for now’. It wasn’t about limiting the amount of subjects we have, but a plan to make F class lose. I didn’t hear the details behind this plan, so I still don’t understand the truth behind it. That’s why I had a bad feeling about this.
And then, what was the ‘countermeasure’ Kogure-sempai thought of—
“And then, this is what you want to know most of all, Akihisa! Kogure—or to put it, what Takashiro planned!”
“Eh? Ahh, un.”
“Takashiro said that there’s still a continuation to making use of the war between A class and B class. If C class move towards the roof to defend, Sakamoto will send a main force to take an empty classroom for them to attack. They just need to make this main force exit.”
“? Exit? Will C class gather forces to surround us?”
But Yuuji might have foreseen that. Or rather, he might see the imbalance in fighting ability on the enemy’s side, and it will be a good chance for us to take down Koyama-san.
“Ahaha, that’s not it, Akihisa. That’s not making someone exit.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Now that a foreign kid just pointed out the mistake in my Japanese, I just feel really bothered here.
“It seem like he’s going to make use of the rules of the summoning war.”
“Summoning war rules?”
“Un. it seem that they’ll make someone from B class come over and force that F class person to make a challenge.”
“………Eh………?”
Immediately, my mind went blank. Using someone from B class, which isn’t fighting against F class as an opponent and challenge…?
“In that case, won’t the one challenging be disqualified…?”
“That’s right. That’s Takashiro’s aim.”
My mind that wasn’t working much finally started thinking.
Normally, this is still alright, but B class is fighting against A class. If classes at war challenge other classes that are fighting, it will undoubtedly result in interference of another war and be adjudged to have fouled. Also, if someone raised the challenge personally, there’s no reason to defend.
I, who is calmly analyzing this for some reason, continued to hear Linne-kun’s voice.
“And then, he said that the target’s undoubtedly the one person that when crushed, will bring about an obvious effect.”
“Linne-kun. Is that person…”
“Un, I remember the name is—”
Don’t tell me,
“—Himeji, or something like that.”
On hearing those words, I immediately went sprinting off from there.
The Fifth Question[edit]
Question: Please state a synonym to the words ‘Incorruption’ and use it to form a sentence.
Himeji Mizuki’s answer:
“Synonym: Upright.
Example: He is an upright person, he does no evil.”
Teacher’s comments:
Correct answer:
Correct answer. ‘Incorruption’ means ‘not doing bad things, having pure and upright thoughts and actions’, and ‘upright’ means ‘having proper thoughts and actions’. Some other synonyms are ‘honest and diligent’, ‘being found completely innocent’ and so on.
Koyama Yuuka’s answer:
“Synonym: Rolling blank eyes”[17]
Teacher's comments:
I thought for a moment that you were correct, but you’re wrong here. Were you anxious here? You wrote ‘白目’ instead of ‘白日’. This will be thought of as ‘I’m telling others of my innocence, but everyone rolled their eyes back at me. Tests do involve a race against time, but it’s most important that you remain calm and make sure not to be careless.
Nemoto Kyouji’s answer:
“Synonym: Upright.
Example: Everyone in school would say ‘Nemoto Kyouji is an upright person’.”
Teacher’s comment:
Looks like we can use rolling blank eyes here.
“Yuuji, the test subject might change again.”
“Nn? What’s going on?”
After sending Himeji and Shimada off, I was preparing for the final battle when Hideyoshi came in.
“Just before this, I saw B class’–I don’t know if he’s Itou or Ito, I can’t remember—he came down the corridor and entered C class’ base. It’s likely that he’s the one changing the subjects.”
“Changing subjects. Now…?”
“Did things get even worse?”
“No, it’s better for us this way, but…”
To put it clearly, if we switch subjects, it will be beneficial for us instead of being detrimental. This is obvious. Up till now, we’ve been using up one subject and switching to another one. It’s obvious here.
“Then, do they have some other plan?”
“I guess so.”
There must be some other reasons why they’re changing subjects, but can this force us into a tight spot…?
No, if it’s just a normal strategy, there’s no need for B class’ envoy to pass by our F class. They just need to go by the fourth level of the new building and make contact with Koyama, who set her base at the roof, without being discovered by us. If they’re the ones who can use such intricate plans to force us in, it’s impossible for them to change subjects without us noticing.
Then,
“Is there any other reason why they can’t go through the fourth level of the new building…?”
I never heard of any construction works going on, and A and B classes aren’t fighting on the fourth level.
Physically, it’s still alright, and they can go through.
“If they go by the new school building, Himeji’s group should be able to see him.”
“Himeji’s group…”
Speaking of which, if we just saw the envoys from B class, it seemed that he followed Himeji, who went to the fourth level. He could just go forward, but why did he have to go by our classroom and even appear in front of Himeji?
“If he goes by that way, if he’s not careful, he might get involved in our war and even lose…”
From the positions of both A class and B class, it’s hard to imagine that there may be A class’ forces on the linkway at the fourth level. In that case, why would the envoy from B class go through the dangerous corridor on the third level where it’s in war?
“It is really dangerous. If he appears in C class’ base, the guys from B class will be thought of as a member of C class and attacked.”
“Yeah…if that happens, it’s not going to be helpful to either us or B class. Only C class will be celebrating.”
If F class’ students attack the B class student, they’ll commit a foul. F class is in a war with C class, and B class is in a war with A class. F class will wear down B class’ fighting ability, and will undoubtedly cause interference to the other classes’ summoning war. It’s okay for the one being attacked, but the one attacking will be disqualified and sent to the remedial room.
“Nn…? Disqualified…?”
This term caused me to have a bad thought in my mind.
The B class guy went by our classroom and deliberately chose a path where Himeji will bump into him. Leaving girls aside, it’s normal for Himeji not to know him as he’s a guy. If the very enthusiastic Himeji is to meet that guy who’s walking over from C class—
“Hideyoshi! When was it that you saw that guy!?”
“Nm? I think…about 5 minutes ago?”
“Did you see him go back to B class?”
“Speaking of which, I didn’t see him go there.”
Hideyoshi was on standby at the entrance close to the stairs. If he didn’t see the guy, it means the guy didn’t go back. It won’t take that much time to pass a message. In other words—
“THOSE GUYS ACTUALLY CAME UP WITH SUCH A PLAN!”
“Wha, what!?”
IS THE ENEMY AIMING FOR HIMEJI!? THEY’RE MAKING HER ATTACK ‘A B CLASS GUY SHE DOESN’T KNOW OF’ WHILE SHE’S BEING VERY ENTHUSIASTIC AND DISQUALIFY HER! IS THE WAR BETWEEN A AND B CLASS FOR THIS!?
“What do you mean by that, Yuuji?”
“Himeji’s in trouble.”
“Trouble? What about it?”
“The enemy’s plan is probably to disqualify her.”
“What!?”
Now I understood everything. Even if we see him when we’re trapped in the classroom, we can’t do anything to him in this situation. Of course, it’s an obvious consideration they made to make the B class guy walk from C class’ base and meet up with Himeji.
It’s alright if they simply limited the subjects, but I didn’t expect them to eliminate Himeji like this. Normally, that will be dangerous, but Himeji’s being really into it during the summoning war today. If the enemy gets in her way and announces his name, she will definitely start a battle without hesitation. This is bad…”
“Can we get in contact with Himeji?”
“Impossible. We’ve been sealed inside since Himeji left. You knew that.”
“Yeah…damn it.”
If I’m the enemy, I’ll draw a part of my remaining fighting strength onto where Himeji went by, and if F class send people out, I’ll make sure that they won’t meet up with her. If we want to save Himeji, we need the fighting strength to beat these people and also break through the entrances, save Himeji and salvage our fighting strength. If we do this, we’ll use up the strength we saved up until now. Looks like the chances of victory are becoming slim.
My strategy has failed completely. In this situation, I can only give up on my original plan.
This plan definitely didn’t come from Koyama or that Kogure-sempai who’s good at capturing other people’s hearts. It’s something different—tch, now’s not the time to think about this.
“Yuuji, are we going to change the plan?”
“……”
I pondered for a while.
There’s no chance of winning now. Once we lose Himeji, we’ll obviously have no fighting strength to beat Koyama. In that case, I have to find a way such that we won’t lose and ensure that I have a chance of fighting back.
(This is serious, damn it…!)
I can only think of a way not to lose. I’ll use everyone in the fighting force gathered on the path leading to Koyama to save Himeji, find an empty classroom and get back into defense. I’ll join in the defense too. Once we defend till death, we’ll wait for the enemy to come over to the negotiating table impatiently. However, we went through a long defensive battle here, and if we continue on like this, the enemy may come up with a strategy other than limiting subjects, so the chances of us succeeding won’t be great.
(And also…)
If we can’t win this war, we won’t be able to challenge A class, and our plan to make use of C class to challenge A class won’t be able to happen. In other words, we’ll be further and further away from our goal. Right now, A class is being worn out because of the war with B class. If they defeat the lower ranked B class here, A class will not go all out in the replenishing tests which has nothing to do with their grades. I won’t get such a second chance.
(I can only give up, is it? This chance…! This chance that I so looked forward to and longed for…!)
I gritted my teeth hard. I don’t want to give up. I can’t give up.
But if I continue to hesitate. I will only let myself get closer to defeat. If I lose this war, I’ll have to endure for another 3 months. This is something I definitely don’t want.
I can only make a decision here…
“As for this strategy—”
I got ready to announce a change in plans. At this moment,
“Nn? Isn’t that, Yoshii? What’s he doing at such a place?”
Sugawa, who was sitting at the window and going through the replenishing test, muttered. Did he just say Akihisa?
I looked over at where Sugawa was staring and peered outside the window. At that moment, I saw Akihisa running on the field, showing a completely different look from his usual dazed expression, a serious expression.
“That guy…”
It’s been a while since I got an eyewitness report, and there was no news of him then. I thought he was sent to the remedial room from somewhere, but he’s still alive…
“It’s definitely Akihisa…what’s he intending to do?”
Akihisa darted through the field and ran into the school with blazing momentum, such that sand was being whipped up. He’s looking straight on and is running like an arrow released from a bow, fast and sharp—and relieving.
That idiot, is he—
“…Hideyoshi, stick to the original plan.”
“Original plan? What about Himeji?”
“Leave her alone.”
“You’re saying leave her alone? You…”
Hideyoshi looked worriedly at me. He seemed to understand too that if we leave Himeji like this, we’ll end up losing her.
But it’s not over yet. No matter how low the chances are, once we save Himeji, there’s still a chance that we can beat C class.
“That’s the key to winning this. if we want to win, we can only do this.”
“But no matter what…”
“I know this is reckless.”
“Since you know.”
“I know—but I want to gamble on this.”
“…”
Hideyoshi stared at me silently. He seemed to be bothered over whether he should be stopping me.
And then,
“…I understand. I’ll trust you this time then.”
“……Sorry.”
He agreed with what I was planning to do.
I don’t know what this guy did before this or what he’s planning to do. But I know what he’s aiming for, and I know where that guy’s going. I’m going to bet on this.
“EVERYONE, LISTEN UP! EXCEPT FOR SOME OF THE DEFENSE FORCES, GO TAKE THE REPLENISHING TESTS, AND ONCE YOU’RE DONE LAUNCH A FINAL ATTACK! WE’RE GOING TO SHOW OUR F CLASS’ FIGHTING WILL TO THOSE C CLASS PEOPLE HIDING IN THEIR GREENHOUSES!!”
“““OHHHHH!!!”””
The start time for the replenishing test is 14:00, and after that, we’re going to decide this once and for all. Right now, the most important thing we need to make sure of is the area near the stairs leading to the roof, and whether we can get past here will all depend on Himeji.
In other words, if Himeji end up in their trap, everything’s over, and I can’t do anything about that then.
—But the strategy won’t change. This is already a gamble on luck, a gamble to see whether that guy can protect Himeji.
Interesting.
“Very good. I’ll trust you this time around, you bastard…!”
“I think Himeji’s at the fourth level of the old school building!”
I heard Linne-kun’s voice from afar. He gave me such valuable information, yet I ran away without thanking him.
“Nihi—Himeji should be surrounded by the enemy. How are you going to break through them, Akihisa? I’m looking forward to it.”
“Of all things they had to do, they actually chose this method to deal with Himeji-san…!”
If Himeji-san gets disqualified—it’ll be my fault. She must be trying to work hard to make up for my absence and worked hard.
She worked hard for my sake, she’s giving it her all for me, and she’s recklessly fighting for me. However, if these are to become the reasons she fails, her hard work will bring about a negative impact and bring about an unexpected result.
In that case—
“Won’t Himeji-san be so pitiful…?”
She had the ability to get into A class, and now she’s stuck in F class. She should have worked hard to prove that she has the ability to get into A class.
And now, she’s working hard for others, and about to get disqualified because of it. Himeji-san was just working hard.
“That’s vexing…! Unable to get anything back after working so hard, unable to get any recognition even after working so hard. Such a thing!”
If F class loses because of this, Himeji-san will blame herself. She, who fought with all she had, is working hard while trying to compensate for me, and will never forgive herself.
If she lost because of a difference in ability, it can’t be helped. If she worked hard and didn’t get what she want, she can just work harder next time. If she gave her all for this, it’s acceptable even if she lost.
But now’s different. This isn’t a defeat in that scene.
The enemy isn’t doing anything illegal, and up till now, we used all sorts of dirty tactics before. We have no right to criticize them.
But—
“I will definitely never allow such a thing…!”
We’re in a war now, and the tactics are fine if they don’t go against the rules. In other words, this is my personal opinion. From my personal standpoint, I don’t wish for Himeji-san to lose like this.
Then, what should I do?
This is a simple problem anyone can understand. If I don’t wish for it, I just have to stop it. I just need to bear the responsibility and break up the enemy’s plan. It’s not a question of whether I can do it or not. Himeji-san was working hard for my sake, and it’s my turn to work hard, that’s all.
“Himeji-san should be on the 4th level of the old school building, and the battlefield where C class and F class are fighting is on the 3rd level of the old school building. In other words.”
It’ll be dangerous if I go up the stairs of the old school building as I’ll be caught by the C class people. This is the new school building, so I’ll use the stairs here to get up to the 4th level, get through the linkway to get to the old school building!
I went from the entrance, dashed into the new school building and leaped 3 steps as I ran up the stairs.
2nd level.
3rd level.
And then, it’s the platform area leading to the 4th level.
“It’s Yoshii! Yoshii’s here!”
The C class students guarding the place found me.
“Did F class discover our plan!?”
“Not sure. Maybe they have some other plans.”
“But we can’t let him get through no matter what.”
The 3 students from C class blocked my way. They probably considered interference coming from here as there was even a teacher on standby here, ready to allow a summoning field.
There were 3 people set on the platform of the new school building, so in other words, there will be more enemies on the linkway leading to the empty classroom where Himeji-san is, and I expect that there’s another teacher there.
“Bring it on then.”
“Un, summ—”
“Hold on a sec.”
“““Un?”””
The three people that were ready to summon were stopped by me. There’s a difference in numbers on both sides, and I’m the opponent here, so the three of them didn’t seem to care as they listened to me.
“What? You’re begging for mercy?”
“Un. Sorta.”
I checked who’s the teacher standing around. It’s Takeuchi-sensei of the modern language class, so the subject will be something I’m neither good nor bad at; one that’s average.
“At least a one vs one fight, alright? See, there’s no need to put 3 people on me, right?”
“““Hah?”””
My request stunned them.
“Because you see, summon.”
As the teacher’s around, I summoned my summoned beast. An array appeared on the ground, and the summoned beast that’s based on my appearance showed up.
F class, Modern language, Yoshii Akihisa, 63 points.
After a while, my scores were shown. 63 points. This is really a score that can’t be compared to C class.
“What should we do?”
“It looks like he has some intention. It might be better not to agree—”
“What’s there to be scared about? Such scores and we’re 3 vs 1. Yoshii’s just good at dodging. He can’t break through here.”
Perhaps the standby mission is really boring as they seemed to be interested in my proposal. They definitely think that ‘if there’s a change in situation, we can help anytime’.
“I’ll go then. I might have a talking point if I beat Yoshii here—summon.”
One of the enemies called out his summoned beast, and the other two just looked perplexed as they backed away. However, they’re moving back to the 4th level, and they’re intending to take action when things are getting disadvantageous.
C class, Ono Touru, Modern language, 109 points.
The enemy summoned beast readied the weapon. I let my summoned beast bring its wooden sword back slightly and charge into the enemy’s clutches.
“!? Ack!”
Immediately, the enemy panicked, but he still swung the sword in response to my sudden attack. I tilted aside to dodge it, and poked the enemy’s wrist.
“You bastard!”
The weak attack didn’t scare the enemy as he swung the sword over. He does look a little unfamiliar with the controls, but he does have the strength of a C class student, and the wooden sword my summoned beast uses was parried away. The wooden sword—good, I wore him down a bit, but there’s no problem.
The weak attack did a little damage, and the scores shown were corrected. I see, so it only caused 3 points worth of damage…
“As expected, the attack power’s not great. You’re just skilled at controlling it, isn’t it?”
The enemy concluded and raised the sword above his head, ready to swing it down. He must have considered that I have weak attacks and intend to cause heavy damage to me.
In that case,
“—Let’s go all out!”
My summoned beast ran to the enemy. At the same time,
“Yoshii!?”
“Are you running away from battle!?”
I myself ran up the stairs.
“Damn bastard! What are you planning!?”
My action caused my enemy to act up emotionally. At this moment, my summoned beast got near the enemy, and the wooden sword stabbed at the completely undefended chest of the enemy.
“Do you think I’ll let you do as you please!?”
The enemy got ready to attack the moment he’s attack. He intend to hit me hard after taking my attack. Perfect! Try and take this!
“DOUBLE!”
I called out the keywords. This is a unique ability only I have. I summoned another summoned beast by using the power of the platinum bracelet I got.
DONK!
The main beast’s attack was blocked by the chest armor.
“Got you!”
The enemy took this attack and was ready to swing his sword down.
But before that.
KAN! The sound of wood knocking on wood can be heard.
“““…Haa?”””
The secondary beast used all its strength to hit the wooden sword on the main beast, and the power of the two summoned beasts were gathered on the same point, successfully breaking through the enemy’s armor.
With a blunt sound, the enemy’s summoned beast collapsed onto the floor. That’s game, and he won’t be able to summon again.
In other words, there’s only one chance to get away from the enemies.
“Ah!”
“Damn it!”
I stepped out of the summoning field before the next enemy challenged me. I’ll get through the stairs and up to the old school building!
“Chase after him! Don’t let him get through!”
“Sensei! Please come with us!”
I can feel that the two people left were chasing after me, but there’s no time for me to fight them as I need to run off to where Himeji-san is!
“Nn…? Oii! Someone’s here!”
“It’s Yoshii! How did that guy get in here!”
“We won’t let you get through! Summon!”
I ran up the stairs and saw the linkway. The enemies that were waiting saw me and summoned. The two people behind me caught up, and I can’t use the same trick again.
“Summon!”
Once I entered the summoning field, I called out my summoned beast again.
C class, Takada Mitsuhiko, Japanese History, 109 points.
Vs
F class, Yoshii Akihisa, Japanese History, 153 points.
The subject’s Japanese history, which I’m good at. It’s thanks to Kirishima-san and the rest that I can get such fighting strength. I’m really grateful.
“BRING IT!”
“Don’t think of getting past us! Summon!”
“Summon!”
The other people that were in the defending area called out their summoned beasts. I raised my weapon and rushed forward without waiting for them to get ready.
“TAKE THIS—EHHHH!!!”
I used my momentum to smash the wooden sword hard, and the enemy that took this hit took several steps back.
“Gu…! Damn it!”
The enemy raised his shield cautiously, and the other two people have summoned their summoned beasts.
C Class, Yoshioka Itsuji, Japanese History, 106 points.
And.
C Class, Nonomura Mitsuru, Japanese History, 98 points.
Three vs one. I have the better score, but I can’t deny that I am disadvantaged in terms of numbers. Normally, I’ll carefully waltz my way around the enemy and look for their weaknesses, but today…
“—I’M GOING TO FORCE MY WAY THROUGH!”
I again rushed at the enemy that raised the shield and gave a horizontal swing with all I got. The difference in power caused his defenses to be worn out…
“Do you think I will let you get away!?”
The next enemy threw the tonfa over. I can’t dodge it here—fine, if I can’t use an arm, so be it!
I reached my left shoulder out to block the incoming tonfa. During this time, the wooden sword in my summoned beast’s right hand defeated the enemy in front of me.
C class, Takada Mitsuhiko, Japanese History, 0 points.
Vs
F class, Yoshii Akihisa, Japanese History, 91 points.
“Takada!? You bastard—UOOH!?”
I immediately raised my wooden sword and swung at the next enemy. I have no time to chit-chat with you here!!
“Don’t get cocky, you bastard!”
“DOUBLE!”
GLINK!!
“WHAT!?”
The attack behind me was stopped by the other summoned beast. Let me say this…DON’T GET IN MY WAY!!
“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE, YOSHII!”
“ARE YOU TRYING TO RUN AWAY!?”
The two people on the platform caught up to me. Takeuchi-sensei is standing not too far away, and it looked like he maintained his distance so as not to create any interference.
“In that case…!”
I swung a sword horizontally to block the enemy’s tonfa, and let my summoned beast jump backwards.
DINK!
“Ow, ow ow, ow…”
My summoned beast jumped over at the Japanese History teacher who’s in charge of this summoning field, and my summoned beast can touch people…also, the summoning field is set with the teachers at the center.
In other words—
“DAMN IT! THE SUMMONING FIELD’S REMOVED!”
“Takeuchi-sensei! Forget about modern language! We’ll fight him with Japanese history!”
I can move the teachers and create an interference successfully!
“DO YOU THINK I’LL LET YOU GET READY!!?”
While the summoning field disappeared, I went from the new school building and through the linkway in an instant.
I broke through the linkway! I’ll soon get to the empty classroom where Himeji-san is!
I’ll make it. I can make it…
“““Summon!!”””
Shouts came from the stairs in front of me. Since the sounds are from the other side of the stairs, it means that no one’s guarding the empty classroom, and this is the last area!
“—SUMMON!”
I stepped into the summoning field and called out my summoned beast for the third time. This is it. if I can break through this last area, I’ll be able to meet Himeji-san…
While the summoning war between C class and F class was being chaotic downstairs, I heard a conversation at the entrance of the empty classroom.
“You’re Himeji Mizuki from F class, correct? I’m sorry, but can you please wait quietly in this classroom?”
“Don’t stop me. I have something I have to do.”
It was a tone that was full of will and without hesitation.
It was a stern voice, unlike that usual kindness.
“That won’t do. We don’t want to lose here. The teacher’s here, so if you want to get by me, you have to beat me with your strength.”
“…I understand. I’ll do this then. Sensei, F class’ Himeji Mizuki requests to ask for a su—”
It’s been only half a day, but I just felt that I didn’t hear this voice for a long time.
I have a lot of things I want to ask, but I’ll leave them aside for now.
Anyway, it’s great. In that case, that case…!
“I FINALLY CAUGHT UP—!!”
“A, Akihisa-kun!?”
“!?”
Two surprised looks were staring at me as I entered the classroom. One of them is Himeji-san, and the other is the B class student that’s disguised as a student of C class. I think the name is—Imura-kun or something.
“Yoshii, I’m going to fight against Himeji-san here. Wait for your turn after this.”
“Himeji-san.”
I interrupted Imura-kun’s words and said to Himeji-san.
“Well, Akihisa-kun, why are you in school?”
Himeji-san seemed to be worried about my body condition here, and even I can tell that she’s looking worried. I’m rather grateful here, but—
“Just leave that small stuff aside for now. Don’t you have something important you have to do, Himeji-san?”
“Ah, yes.”
I said as I walked to the two of them. I have to send Himeji-san out before the C class people I shook off catch up.
“In that case, finish what you’re supposed to do.”
In fact, I have a lot of things I want to ask. For example, what happened this morning, and Himeji-san’s feelings, but these can be talked through later. Right now, I can only do what I can only do now.
“Yes…I have to do what I have to do.”
Looks like she got my message; Himeji-san looked completely serious as she nodded her head.
“Please go. I’ll hold him off here.”
I pulled Imura-kun’s hand and opened a path for Himeji-san to leave.
“Yes!”
Himeji-san answered, and immediately ran off to the stairs from where Imura-kun was standing.
“Ku! Himeji! If you want to advance, you have to beat me fi—”
“If you really think so, just ask for a fight. There’s no need to wait for Himeji-san. You could have just started one yourself.”
That’s if you can.
“Ku…! You bastard…!”
Imura-kun gritted his teeth and glared at me with hatred.
As I faced him, I said coldly,
“Or what, you want a piece of me? I’m ready here whenever you want.”
Or you can fight me here. I won’t have a chance of appearing after this anyway.
“……Damn…it!”
Imura-kun said such vengeful words and left the empty classroom. He should be going off to Nemoto-kun to report the failure of this mission.
“Fuu…”
I followed him out of the classroom and walked to the stairs. And then, what appeared in front of me were the F class students who were fighting with C class.
And then, standing in the deepest corner was a familiar idiot.
After seeing that guy’s face, I can’t help but grin and yell.
And in response, the guy raised his fist at me and answered.
Alright, it’s all on you then. After this, I’ll leave it—
“NICE WORK, AKIHISA!”
“DON’T MESS IT UP, YUUJI!”
PAAA!!!
Our hands met each other in the air. My mission’s done here. I’ll leave it to this guy, and I’ll just wait silently for this war to be over.
The outcome will definitely be just like what we imagined.
The Sixth Question[edit]
Question: In the following blank, please fill in the correct answer. The meaning will be ‘even with a small force, if one continues to persist, he will succeed’.
“Water droplets (_____)”
Himeji Mizuki’s answer:
“Water droplets (piercing through)”[18]
Teacher’s comment:
That’s correct. This term is created from how ‘tiny rain droplets that drip down from the roof can pierce through a rock after dripping for a long time at the same place’. Another explanation can be persistence is victory.
Sakamoto Yuuji’s answer:
“Water droplets (smashing through)”
Teacher’s comment:
The nuance is right, but the force is too great.
It’s a rare error, but there’s a student with the exact same answer as you, Sakamoto-kun.
Yoshii Akihisa’s answer:
“Water droplets (smashing through)”
Teacher’s comment:
Honestly, it’s unbelievable. I really wonder whether you two are in cahoots at times occasionally.
Right now, F class is defended by several students with the top scores. The replenishing test is under way in the classroom, and C class didn’t try to break through the entrance forcefully when they saw us do this, but let about half of their of fighting strength take tests of the same subject as us.
C class will win if they can break through, but if they fail, they’ll end up losing to our class after the replenishing tests. It’s better to be steady and take the same tests as our class rather than take such a huge risk and go for the victory. This should be Koyama’s thought since she’s very cautious.
“And that strategy to render Himeji useless…”
There’s no reason for the enemy to force their way in, so once they’re done with the replenishing tests, they can launch an overall attack and attack F class in a complete state.
It looks like a steady strategy that makes use of the difference between C class and F class. The steady C class will have no reason to lose.
However—
“EVERYONE, WE’RE ENDING THE REPLENISHING TESTS! LET’S GO! THIS IS OUR FULL ATTACK!”
“““OOOOOOOHHHHHHH—!!!!”””
“““!!!???”””
F class is full of momentum after hearing my instruction, and the C class students that came to observe us are all stunned. That’s right. The time now is 14:05. The replenishing tests only started 5 minutes ago, and it’s likely that everyone’s scores dropped. We’re using up our points instead of replenishing them.
“What are these guys saying—”
“GET OUT OF OUR WAY! SUMMON!”
While the enemy was stunned, I joined in the battle at the exit to create an opening to break through. The real show’s still not up yet. Of course, the enemy got careless thinking that they will be alright if they go take the replenishing tests, and they were all defeated without much resistance.
“ALRIGHT! EVERYONE, CHARGE!”
“““CCCHHHHHAAAAARRRRGGGGEEEEE—!”””
Everyone, who’re full of momentum now, rushed out from F class. Of course, the target is Koyama, who’s at the roof!
“Tho, those guys are already out!?”
“Are the replenishing tests over!?”
“Damn it! Take down Sakamoto first! Sensei, please allow permission to—”
The C class forces that were waiting on the corridor were ready to summon.
But just when the summoning field was about to be activated.
“Kept you waiting, Tsuchiya! Show them what you got!”
“…That’s what I’ve been waiting for…!”
Shimada brought the health ed teacher here, so the subject tested here is health education, Muttsurini’s personal stage!
“I’LL LEAVE IT TO YOU HERE, MUTTSURINI!”
“…Alright.”
Since it’s a fight using health education, Muttsurini can’t possibly lose. There’s no problem with ensuring the exit before everyone from F class get out.
“Damn it, we won’t let you get past here!”
“Don’t think you won just by getting out of the classroom!”
“Come on! Summon!”
After the health ed summoning field was activated, the students who were on standby behind summoned.
“Sugawa, Shibasaki, Hanabusa!”
“““GOT IT! SUMMON!”””
In response, we use numbers to counter them.
C class, Kawase Masato, Japanese History, 88 points.
Vs
F class, Sugawa Ryou, Japanese History 6 points.
C class, Teraki Takashi, Japanese History, 91 points.
Vs
F class, Shibasaki Isao, Japanese History, 5 points.
C class, Izumi Kotarou, Japanese History, 112 points.
Vs
F class, Hanabusa Shin, Japanese History, 3 points.
Like what everyone can see, the battles will be decided several seconds after this.
But the several seconds will be completely enough to get through the summoning field.
“Damn—!?”
Just when Sugawa and the rest were delaying the enemy, we ran up the stairs and reached the area in front of the stairs. I then use the same strategy to fight with the enemy.
“I’ll leave it to you, Seto, Takahashi, Nakamura, Nunota!”
“““ALRIGHT! SUMMON!”””
We use the moment of fighting to reach the platform of the stairs. There were enemies blocking the staircase leading up. We then use similar numbers to get past them.
Right now, it looks like we’re easily holding off the enemy, but this is only a move that we can only use now. As for why it is, that’s because half of C class are taking the replenishing tests, so they aren’t around. In other words, they don’t have enough numbers to defend the stairs, and it’s because of this that we can continue to break through.
—And this is an advantage only F class has.
The so-called replenishing tests will reset the points when they’re taken. In other words, no matter how good the higher-ranked classes are, stopping the test only after a few minutes will be almost no different from not taking a test at all. It’s unimaginable to bring people with such points onto the battlefield, and this is no different from going to the hellish remedial classroom head on.
However, our F class can do this. We’re used to low scores, remedials that are a part and parcel of life, and have an attitude of anger with how people view us as the weakest class. Since we’re always treated as idiots all the time, rushing onto the battlefield with these few points is way easy for us!
“They’re here!? Summon!”
“Summon!”
“Hasawa! Hirada!”
““Okay! Summon!””
We got past the platform on the stairs and head up the 4th level.
It’s still okay up till now. The problem is the staircase leading to the roof. Koyama is thoroughly defended there, so there’ll definitely be a lot of people. We can’t use the same method to break through if it’s thoroughly defended.
That’s why I set up the dispatch squad. If Himeji can do her mission properly, I can break through here.
I look up at the destination of this so-called watershed of victory and defeat.
And then, what appeared in my eyes is,
“Fuu…”
That guy, who looked like he’s going to exhale all his tension.
And I naturally eased my tense lips.
That idiot…normally, he can’t do it. But in this situation, he was still able to get to Himeji.
I’ll say it honestly this time. He’s an idiot, but really, really—
“NICE WORK, AKIHISA!”
“DON’T MESS IT UP, YUUJI!”
We clapped each other on the hand and continued on to the roof. I got it! Leave it to us!
“He’s here! It’s Sakamoto!”
“Definitely can’t let him get past here!”
“Sensei, please allow us to summon! Summon!”
6 students from C class were standing on the platform of the stairs leading to the roof. If they summon here, it’ll be impossible to find a gap to go upstairs.
However—
“Eh? Why aren’t they out!?”
“Interference!?”
I won’t let you do so! This is Himeji’s mission, to secure the classroom closest to the stairs and then let a teacher set a summoning field there. The platform of the stairs and the empty classroom are very close to each other, and it’s impossible to look at both sides. Normally speaking, the teachers that will normally check the summoning fields to avoid an interference did not notice this at all.
Also, if the summoning field isn’t activated, it won’t be considered running away from battle if I get past here!
BAM! The door leading to the roof was opened. Over there was the class rep of C class, Koyama, looking around.
“Yo, Koyama. You did quite a lot of interesting things there.”
“Sakamoto…!”
Besides Koyama, there’re two C class students acting as escorts, but we still have leftover fighting strength.
“Summon.”
One of them is Hideyoshi, who’s blocking the entrance to the roof to prevent enemy reinforcements from coming.
And there’s another.
“Sorry to keep you waiting! F class’ Himeji Mizuki, summon!”
Himeji, who’s done with the empty classroom mission.
In that case, there’re two people defending, while we have Himeji and me here. Right now, the situation has become such that if Koyama doesn’t summon, the outcome will be decided, and the rep will be left. Right now, Koyama has to summon her summoned beast, and she has no choice but to do so even if she understands that there’s no chance of winning this 3 vs 2 situation.
“Why…WHY DID IT END UP LIKE THIS! WE HAVE A LOWER-RANKED CLASS AS OUR OPPONENT, AND WE WORKED SO HARD!”
Koyama glared at us angrily.
What a pity, Koyama.
This victory—
“IT’S OUR F CLASS’ VICTORY!”
“Speaking of which, Aki. I just asked you before, but don’t you have a cold?”
“Ah, un. It was yesterday, but I’m a lot better today, so I was just late.”
The summoning war ended, and it’s now after school.
Seeing me walk out of the remedial room as the summoning war’s over, Minami says,
“Really? You say so, but you still have a fever, right?”
Minami used her hand to tap my head, and then she put it on her own forehead to test the temperature.
Looking at Minami right now, I just recalled the kissing incident, and blood immediately gushed up my head. Uah…it was alright because I was too focused on the summoning war before this, but if this keeps up, there’ll be all kinds of evil thoughts…!
“The, then, Minami…”
“Wh, why are you blushing so hard!? It’s just a joke!”
I know that it’s a joke, but that act itself was tough to bear.
As I started to realize this, a lot of thoughts went through my mind.
I kissed Minami before, but that was in fact an act to get away from Shimizu-san. At that time, I accepted this fact, but there’s something weird about this. Do foreigners find this normal?
“Er, erm, Minami.”
“What?”
“In Germany…do you greet by kissing?”
“Wha…!? What are you saying!?”
“No! it’s just that I’m a little curious! No real reason here!”
I explained to Minami, who panicked.
Damn it! I was too honest!
“Well, it should be a mistake, but at least around me, no one will really kiss each other to greet each other. And even so, it’s just on the face, not on the lips.”
“Is, is that so.”
In other words, that’s not normal for Minami, is it…?
“…”
“That’s why I say, why must you blush!? Are you really having a fever!?”
Damn it. I don’t dare to look at her face directly.
“What’s the problem, Akihisa? Your face looks like a cooked crab.”
This time, Hideyoshi’s very worried voice came from beside me.
“Aki, you still haven’t recovered from your cold, is it? Is it because you forced yourself to take part in the summoning war?”
“Un? Fever? I thought it’s because of the special cooking…let’s see.”
Hideyoshi then put the hand on my forehead. Ugh…
“…”
“It, it’s even hotter no!? You’re burning up!!”
I can’t take this! I can’t look at the other gender directly!
“What are you guys talking about? Don’t they say that idiots don’t catch colds?”
And Yuuji came along.
That lion-mane-like hair, the wild-looking face. Un un.
“Ahh, finally calmed down…”
“(Slides back) Don, don’t just grin blankly after looking at someone’s face. It’s disgusting!”
“—So I can calm down after looking at an ugly face…”
“I don’t know what you mean, but I’m going to beat you until you cry. Get out.”
The heat on my face was eased slightly. Is it because I have those fantasies because I don’t really think? Anyway, Minami herself doesn’t seem to mind the kiss, so I better not think too much. That kiss Himeji-san gave me this morning should have some similar reason as to why Minami did so back then.
“Nn? Where’s Himeji-san?”
I can’t do anything by just keeping it in my heart. Better talk to Himeji-san—but the important Himeji-san isn’t here now.
“Nn? Himeji? She went off with some strange kid.
“A strange kid?”
“Ahh, blond hair, green eyes, looks very Scandinavian.”
That’s most likely Linne-kun. I thought Linne-kun should be going home now, but he’s still in school.
“If she’s with a kid, Himeji probably went to the staff room.”
“Yeah. With Mizuki’s personality, she probably won’t let a lost kid stand around.”
“Is that so…”
The staff room? As the punishment inspector, I don’t really want to be there if there’s nothing for me to do.
“More than that, Aki, your face was really red since just now. It’s better for you to go back and rest earlier.”
“Yeah. You don’t want to fall now due to illness when we’re aiming for A class.”
Even though I’m not blushing because of the cold…
But if anyone asks me, it’ll be hard to explain. I better listen to Minami and go home. Even if I have to talk to Himeji-san, it won’t be good to talk in school where anyone can eavesdrop.
“How about I send you home?”
“No no. it’s fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”
The reason why I became hot was because of Minami and Hideyoshi.
“There’s no need to be kind with me. It’ll be troublesome if you collapse on the way, and also,”
“Also?”
“—I better clarify about you living together with Mizuki.”
“That’s it for today then! See you tomorrow!”
“Ah, hey!? Wait a second, Aki!”
And just like this, I went home early.
“Himeji-san still hasn’t come back…”
“Did something happen on the way back?”
I finally finished everything in the afternoon, and together with nee-san, who came back home early, I waited for Himeji-san to come back. It’s now time for dinner.
“Did something happen on the way back?”
“Is that so…?”
The sun is about to set, and it’s worrying. I better go back to the school to check.
Just when I thought of this.
DING DONG!
“Ah, she’s back~”
I heard the doorbell from the entrance. Great. Looks like she’s back.
“Welcome back. You’re la—huh?”
“Hello, good evening.”
“Ah, yes, good evening.”
Once I opened the door, I found a 40+ year old middle aged man in a business suit. Wait, who is this…?
“Sorry for the late greetings. I’m Himeji Mizuki’s father.”
“Eh? Himeji-san’s dad?”
“Yes. My daughter here was taken care by you.”
Himeji-san’s dad bowed deeply at us. He really shows through his etiquette that he’s a real gentleman, and it seems that he’s a winner in life or something.
“Here’s a small token of appreciation. Please don’t mind.”
He handed over something in a packet. I really don’t know whether I should accept it now…but it’ll be weird to refuse.
“Sorry, you’re too kind…”
Anyway, I better bow and accept it.
Just at this moment, a girl’s profile appeared from behind Himeji-san’s dad.
“Otou-san, you’re blocking me there~”
“Ahh, sorry.”
The father apologized and stood behind, and a girl that was only at the height of my chest was standing in front of me.
“Nice to meet you for the first time. I’m Himeji Mizuho.”
“Ah, nice to meet you too. I’m Yoshii Akihisa.”
The girl nodded slightly. She looks to be slightly bigger than Hazuki-chan. From their similar expressions, I guess she’s Himeji-san’s little sister. I thought Himeji-san was a lone daughter, so this is unexpected.
“You’re here with your dad to bring your older sister home? Amazing~”
“Onee-chan? No, that’s not it.”
“She’s my wife.”
“Heh…?”
I stared at Mizuho-chan (san?)’s appearance.
“???”
A naïve expression, a petite body, and a cheery mood.
…Fm, I see.
“For safety's sake, I should call the police.”
“No need for the cops.”
GAK. Himeji-san’s dad grabbed my hand tightly. Such fluid movements. This guy…isn’t a normal lolicon, but a thoroughly hardened and seasoned lolicon…!
“Yoshii-kun, are you mistaking something about me?”
“Ha, haa…but, well…how to put it?”
“Please say it.”
We’re meeting for the first time, so I can’t say it so directly. Better go about in a roundabout way.
“I guess Himeji-san’s dad is the kind of person that’s called ‘loli’ at the beginning and ‘con’ at the back.”
“If that’s the case, you might as well just say it out.”
“Are you a lolicon?”
“…This is a little…too hurting…”
Unexpectedly, this person’s heart is rather weak.
“Anyway, look at this.”
Himeji-san’s dad took out Mizuho-chan’s driving license to show it to me. Well…the year, month and day is,
“I’m 41 years old this year~”
“HOW IS IT POSSIBLE!?”
This is really a shocking truth! Did she mistake it for 14 years old instead!? No, I think she’ll be lying even if she says that she’s 14!!
“Well, I really hope that she has an appearance befitting her age too…I’ve been viewed as an offender countless times…”
“I feel that it’s about time for puberty.”
I think it’s impossible when she’s grown like this after 41 years. And when I look closely, the height doesn’t fit, but the curves do curve at the right areas. It’s really Himeji-san’s mother here.
“I hear that you’re Yoshii-kun, are you~?”
“Ah, yes.”
Mizuho-san stared at me over and over again.
I can tell how Himeji-san’s family summarizes me. That may be rather happy for me.
“So you’re the one on the cushion and the bedsheet—”
“Wait a second. How was I introduced!!?”
What’s with that bedsheet? Now that Himeji-san’s mother said it, I’m really wondering what’s going on.
“Aki-kun, do we have guests?”
While we’re talking, nee-san came out from the living room. On seeing nee-san, Himeji-san’s parents greet her,
“Nice to meet you. I’m Himeji Mizuki’s father.”
“I’m the mother.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Yoshii Akihisa’s wife, Akira.”
“YOU’RE MY SISTER!!”
I frantically corrected. What in the world is this person saying!?
“Sorry, Aki-kun, I just blurted it out accidentally.”
“STOP LYING! THERE’S NOTHING IN THE CONVERSATION THAT WILL MAKE YOU SAY THE WORD WIFE!”
COULDN’T YOU HAVE JUST SAID SISTER!?
“Mizuki-san’s parents, is it. It may be a bit rude to let you remain standing here, so please come in if you’re okay if it. We’ll prepare nice tea and sweets from Shizuoka and a maid outfit.”
“Wait a second, nee-san. Did you just slip in something that shouldn’t be in the conversation!?”
“Sorry for that~ I appreciate your intentions and the maid outfit~”
“Don’t worry. It looks like Mizuki-san’s not back yet.”
Ku…! It’s too late for me to snark about it…! I better ask the more normal Himeji-san’s dad for help “…” Not good! This guy’s already spaced out.
“We, well, please come in anyway! I think Himeji-san should be back soon.”
“Don’t worry. You must be tired after coming a long way.”
“Is that so? Please excuse us then.”
“Thank you. Please excuse us~”
Just like this, when Himeji-san’s parents were about to step into the house.
“Arre? Otou-san, okaa-san?”
Himeji-san, who just came back, was standing with wide eyes.
“Hn? Himeji-san, you’re done with these luggage?”
“Yes. I only brought clothes and studying stuff along.”
Himeji-san said as she carried her bag that was packed. We’re sending Himeji-san off, so nee-san and I are standing in front of the apartment house.
“You finally came back, okaa-san. Didn’t you say the plane couldn’t fly?”
“Yeah. That’s why your otou-san here went to a nearby country to buy a ticket back to Japan.”
I see. So they went to another airport. Being able to come back is better than anything else.
“My daughter’s been in your care; we’ll come over properly to thank you.”
“No, don’t worry about it. Mizuki-san’s been of great help here, so we’re grateful to her too.”
Himeji-san’s dad and nee-san are having an adult conversation. Nee-san only looks like a normal adult living in society in such a moment.
“Yoshii-kun, you must come visit my house next time. I’ll show you Mizuki-chan’s embarrassing photos and her dad’s strange underwear next time.”
“O, okaa-san! Didn’t I say that you can’t show them!? An, anyway, pardon us for intruding! Okay, otou-san, okaa-san! Let’s go!”
“We’ll be leaving then.”
“Thank you very much.”
“I’m really sorry, Akihisa-kun, Akira-san. I’ll bring gifts next time.”
After giving countless greetings to us, Himeji-san ran off to her parents who were saying goodbye to us. This is the first time I’m seeing Himeji-san like this.
“Okaa-san! Don’t say such embarrassing things like my embarrassing photos and otou-san’s underwear!”
“But they took care of you, Mizuki-chan. You have to repay them.”
“That’s alright either way, but why show them my underwear?”
“Otou-san’s right! What’ll happen if Akihisa-kun sees them and hates them.”
“…So the underwear this dad of yours has are annoying things…”
“Eh!? No, that’s not it, otou-san! I don’t mean that!”
“It’s true that otou-san’s underwear aren’t as cute at Mizuki.”
“Don’t say that, otou-san! Don’t compare your daughter’s underwear with your own! Akihisa-kun will think of you as a pervert!”
“Is that so…Mizuki’s all grown up and doesn’t want to compare her underwear with otou-san’s.”
“That’s not it, otou-san!? It’s not that kind of problem already!?”
“It’s fine, otou-san. I’ll buy some cute underwear for you that won’t lose to Mizuki’s own underwear.”
“Even okaa-san too!? Just buy normal ones!”
“No…okaa-san, your tastes are actually…that kitty boxers you bought before got me lots of weird looks from my colleagues at my workplace.”
“That’s why I said not to wear such underwear at the office!”
On the way home, I heard interrupted parts of Himeji-san’s conversation with her parents. Well, they’re going to be mistaken for perverts when they say things like ‘underwear’ so loudly when they’re going home.
“Alright, Aki-kun. Come in. if you get a fever again—”
“Ah, yeah.”
“This nee-san will have to sleep with you to take care of you.”
“Ah, got to warm the futon up! Better take some cold medicine just in case!”
I hurriedly stepped into the house.
But well…I still can’t talk to Himeji-san properly…so I can only wait until tomorrow…?
“…Speaking of which, otou-san, okaa-san. There’s something important I want to talk about…”
“? What is it, Mizuki-chan? You’re being very formal.”
“What happened?”
“Un. Well—”
The Final Question[edit]
Please answer the following question:
In the past, to cure the illness of those with authority, the shaman will,
“Use both hands to make imprints, use the vajra, have a massage-like ritual, and start chanting’.
What does the ‘vajra’ here refer to?
Himeji Mizuki’s answer:
“It’s a Buddhist tool used as part of prayers with the objective to cure illnesses.”
Teacher’s comment:
Correct answer. This ‘vajra’ is ‘a weapon used to chase troubled and demons away’ when praying. It’s a weapon, so it’s either made from brass or bronze. The vajra is classified as three-pronged, five-pronged or more. There will be photos for introduction later, and you can have a better impression after looking at them.
Yoshii Akihisa’s answer:
“A thing that is crushed and given to patients to drink for curing illnesses.”
Teacher’s comment.
It would, probably, be extremely hard to make it into a solution.
Tsuchiya Kouta’s answer.
“Something used to stuff into the backside to cure fever.”
Teacher’s comment:
That would be a really extreme solution.
“Principal. About the exchanging of facilities between C class and F class.”
“Oh ya. Those brats would finally change their facilities?”
“Looks that way.”
“So in other words, C class now have F class’ facilities? That’s quite the drop.”
“They themselves declared war, so they couldn’t grumble there.”
“I never thought of hearing any grudges about winning or losing—and then. What did the brats from F class do?”
“Ehh. Once F class got C class’ facilities, they challenged E class to a summoning war.”
“E class? Looks like they intend to make use of other classes without learning their lesson. It ended with a peaceful ceasefire, didn’t it?”
“No, well—”
“What?”
“F class won in the end.”
“Oh my. So that happened. I didn’t expect a victor there. Looks like they were ambushed from behind or something.”
“Well, about that.”
“Un? What about it?”
“The C class facilities F class got were exchanged with E class that was supposed to have downgraded facilities.”
“……Huh?”
“I think it was like ‘since we can trade facilities, let’s use this right’ or something.”
“Well, it’s not against the rules anyway. Really…exchanging facilities with a losing class. What are those brats planning to do next…?”
Author Notes[edit]
I’m really grateful to you for being able to buy this book. I’m Inoue Kenji , the author in charge of this novel.
It’s been the fourth year since I started when this book is sold. To me, it’s like several days ago, and unknowingly, time passed so quickly. It’s thanks to everyone’s encouragement that I can write these Baka stories. I don’t know how long I’ll continue, but I’ll continue to work hard, so please guide me through.
Alright, it’s now for the usual strange stuff topic. I won’t be revealing anything about the plot this time, but I’m going to talk about the toilet here, so any reader that’s reading and doesn’t want to be offended, please skip these pages and go over to Haga-san’s illustration. Even those who aren’t doing so and won’t be offended, it’s best to skip these few pages since this is totally pointless. I’m serious.
Alright, let’s begin.
Speaking of the toilet in the company, we do use something called an auto-cleaning toilet bowl. After the big business is done, it can automatically clean your butt.
As a product, this auto-cleaning toilet bowl is different from ordinary ones, and the way it’s operated is different. There’s the number of buttons, the settings, the power output level and so on. At that time, my company was using a electric wave type where buttons are pressed on the wall (those remote control kind).
Once I did my big business back then, I intend to press the cleaning button to switch it on.
—Kach
Toilet: ‘…’
Me: “?”
I pressed it, but it didn’t respond. Is it spoilt?
—Kach
Toilet: ‘…’
Me: “???”
I pressed it again, and it didn’t work. What’s going on?
—Kach Kach Kach.
I pressed it a lot of times,
And then,
Toilet: ‘Uiiin…’
It finally started to move. Looks like I didn’t press the button well.
I put my hand at my chest and heaved a sigh of relief.
After a while, once it was done cleaning, I pressed the stop button.
—Kach
Toilet: ‘Uiiin…’
It couldn’t stop.
—Kach Kach
Toilet: ‘Uiiin…’
—Kach Kach Kach
Toilet: ‘Uiiin…’
It couldn’t stop at all.
What’s going on? No matter how many times I pressed the stop button, the warm water that rushed at my butt didn’t look like stopping.
After that, I realized something, and then checked the control screen on the wall.
I then vaguely saw a symbol on the screen that was so dark it couldn’t be seen.
Toilet: ‘
’
…Hoho. I see.
There’s something called ever-changing in this world. In other words, everything in this world is changing. I see. So the battery of the remote control here belongs to this world. It can’t remain in a state full of power. I really learnt a lot here.
Me: “…”
Toilet: ‘Jubabababa’
Me: “…”
Toilet: ‘Jubabababa’
Wait a second!? No battery power in such a state!? I did barely manage to use it just now!? Why must it become like this in such a situation!? Do you hate me!?
The toilet said to this panicking me.
Toilet: ‘Jubabababa’
No, don’t go ‘jubababababa’ over there! I’m done with my business, so stop the warm water! I’m grateful that you’re taking care of me, but I’ll be troubled if this keeps up.
Normally, the crisis in a toilet that people will talk about is ‘no paper’, but this is a refreshing situation I’ve never seen before.
For example, if my colleague appears at the other side of the door.
Me: “Nice timing! Please come help me!”
Colleague: “Nn? What is it? No paper? I’ll throw it to you from the top—”
Me: “No! I want a battery! Get me number 3 battery!”
Colleague: “……Huh?”
Me: “Ah! I want two of them! The ones with power!”
Colleague: “……”
Me: “Do you hear me? If possible, please be fast—”
Colleague: “…Sorry…I…still have to…got for a meeting…”
Me: “Eh!? Ah, hey!!?”
Based on this situation, it might become a case of commercial bullying.
I want to hurry up and get out of here, but if I stand up now, the warm water of the auto-cleaning toilet bowl will drench me completely. I have to avoid that at all costs.
I then thought of how to stop this berserking toilet bowl.
The power source for this thing should be electricity. In other words, there should be power at the main unit. If I pull that out, I can stop the tap.
I remained sitting and checked behind the toilet. Just like what I expected, there’s something that looked like a power cable. Bingo. If I pull that out, I should be released.
After checking it, I moved my upper body to the maximum and reached my hand out for the power cable behind the toilet. I won’t be able to hang on in this position, but if I go a little more…!
Me: “Ah.
—DOTAAAKKKK
Toilet: “Jubababababa’.
…When I was young, I always thought that when I grow up, I will become a mature adult who’s more hardworking than my father. I’ll become a mature man that works hard and coolly protect my family.
I really want to say to the me back then.
The one who showed the butt, collapsed on the floor and got drenched by the toilet bowl water is the grown up version of you.
After this, I discussed this with my friend.
“About that thing, the OFF button takes priority over the ON button, so that normally doesn’t happen.”
He said. Does that mean that it wasn’t that the battery ran out of power, but something wrong with the button…? Well, doesn’t matter now.
Everyone, when going to the toilet in the future, besides checking if there’s any toilet paper, you must check whether there’s something strange with the toilet bowl button. Especially those who still have their dreams from their youth.
I’m sorry for saying such weird things. It’s about time for the customary thanks.
Haga-san in charge of the illustration, Yuuko looks really cute giving bait there! As expected of someone who has a similar appearance to Hideyoshi! And then, the hi-touch between Akihisa and Yuuji is the best! I’m really grateful!
Kagaya-san, who’s in charge of designing, I’m sorry that you have to do work that’s several times for that usual. It would be alright if we could just use words to express them clearly, but I just couldn’t do it…
To K-sama, who’s in charge of editing, the days of consecutive mail from the New Year’s Eve until the third day of the New Year really scared me. You’re really working without any rest…I’ll try my best to hand in the draft script earlier. I’m really sorry…
To the people involved in the anime and manga, I’m really sorry for being unable to help out much (especially the few days right before publishing). It’s thanks to everyone that the world of Baka Test got wider. It’s a story full of idiocy, but please continue to help me promote this.
And then, the readers. I’m sorry that it’s about the same lines over and over again, but it’s because of everyone’s support that my book can be published just like what I wanted. I’m really grateful to everyone. If possible, please continue to suppose me. Also, I’ve excitedly read through all the letters to me. I couldn’t spare much time writing back, but everyone continued to write to me, and I’m grateful for that. Also, I’ll really sorry for being unable to grant everyone’s request…
And finally, a short prelude to the next volume.
The next volume should be a short stories chapter. It’ll include what happened ‘during Minami’s backstory in the first year, how Akihisa, Yuuji, Hideyoshi and Muttsurini met together’ in volume 7.5, the story of ‘what happened when Akihisa and Mizuki were living together’ that wasn’t mentioned in the last volume and this volume, and also, a story about ‘Hideyoshi and Muttsurini’, two people who haven’t appeared much. That’s the case, but I have absolutely no idea how to go about writing…especially Muttsurini and Hideyoshi. I’ll just try to write it, and the content isn’t decided. Whose point of view shall I write from…?
The afterword this time is rather long. Then, we’ll meet in the stage of Baka Test again.
Notes[edit]
- ↑ Didn't really know how to translate this part. It's like how warriors can so called feel the fear when they face a strong opponent.
- ↑ Of course, the passage's in English.
- ↑ Tale of Genji
- ↑ Not a typo. The words are repeated.
- ↑ In Japan, there's a saying: 人の恋路を邪魔する奴は馬に蹴られて, which means that those who get in the way of other people's romance will get trampled to death by horses.
- ↑ Friendship - (合コン) Group singing contest - (合唱コンクール)
- ↑ Yuuko here is mentioning about how Akihisa went to find Yuuji in the girls' changing room. For more information, please check Baka Test Volume 2 The Second Question.
- ↑ To put it simply, meat sauce in French cuisine.
- ↑ Famed multi-talented man in the Renaissance, sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer.
- ↑ Lee Harvey Oswald.
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokin_Wakash%C5%AB
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Ctomo_no_Yakamochi
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Daigo
- ↑ I have no idea where the name came from. It just popped up out of a sudden...
- ↑ Note that the kid here is foreign, so names and so are in katakana. (Didn't pay attention to a certain set of furigana in volume 7...)
- ↑ The joke behind this is that 'Vock O Butte' sounds like '僕をぶって' (boku o butte), which means 'hit me'.
- ↑ Note that 'found completely innocent' here is written in kanji as 青天白日. Roll blank eyes is written as 青天白目. 日 is day, 目 is eye
- ↑ The original saying will be this '雨垂れ石を穿つ', Amadare ishiwougatsu, which will actually mean 'constant dripping wears away the stone'. I just wanted something shorter, so yeah...
