Kämpfer:Volume 6 Chapter 3

Volume 6, Chapter 3  

    I'm a sophomore in high school, and I deserve to enjoy my youth. Just like the media hype

suggests: dating the opposite sex, showing off at sports meets, setting fire to the school

during the cultural festival. The last part doesn't seem to be advertis ed.

    Anyway, you can't be a student forever, so enjoy life while you can. Honestly, as someone

who's experiencing this, I don't really feel anything about it, but since my father, who works

out of town, keeps insisting, I guess it's true. He always lectures  me with strange things like,

"In high school, I had few friends and no girlfriend, and I spent my breaks sleeping. Don't be

like me."  

    Thanks to him, I still have a lot of friends, even though they're all weird. But this youth

comes with a lot of unnecessary complications.  

    I'm a Kämpfer, with a female body —more accurately, the ability to transform into one. And

my partner is incredibly foul -mouthed, constantly looking for an excuse to beat people up.

The person I admire only sees me as a friend, my childhood sweetheart o nly knows how to

make curry, my dolls talk, and so on.  

    It's full of things I couldn't experience in ordinary life. In that sense, my high school life

feels like a dream. But if only I could, I wish it were just a dream. I don't want such a wild life.  

    If this were a story, I'd have resourceful friends to help me overcome difficulties together.

Look at the weekly boys' manga; that's what true friendship looks like.  

    But I doubt that either. On the contrary, I'm surrounded by people who want to take

advantage of me, like the Bishoujo Research Society headed by Higashida, or the second -year

class four of the girls' department.  

    And then there's the woman in front of me, who sees me as nothing more than a pawn in

a game of shogi or chess.  

    "What's wrong? You don't look very happy,"  

    said the student council president, Shizuku Sangou.  

    I said impatiently,  

    "Of course I'm not happy if I'm called to the student council office so suddenly."  

    "I called you during my break."  

    "You're wasting my precious lunch break."  

    "You're free anyway."  

    Yes, yes, just as you said. Although Higashida invited me to "have dinner together," I

declined. It's not that I dislike him, but I feel like the conversation is limited when he's

around. Specifically, it's about pictures of the girls in the girls' clu b. Even I get tired of the

same old topic, though I do occasionally want to chat about TV shows.  

    Shizuku sits at the oversized desk in the student council office. It looks expensive, but she

just said, "It's cheap because it's secondhand." So, did you choose it yourself?  

    The student council president sits in her chair, staring at me. Is she mentally ripping me

apart? This super -sly girl might be beautiful, with her flowing black hair and pretty face, but I

don't see her at all. She looks like a mannequin.  

    This woman always stays here during her free time. What exactly does she do? I asked the

student council a while ago, and they said, "The president's workload is incredibly heavy." I

heard that since it encompasses both the men's and women's clubs, the  workload is

enormous, and no one but Shizuku could handle it.  

    Not only that, but she's also a red Kämpfer. I wonder what her anatomy is like. Could she

be a Kagemusha?  

    I gave up and asked her.  

    "What do you want from me?"  

    "What do you want?"  

    "Cut the crap. Anyway, don't ask me to come, President. Come to the men's section

yourself."  

    "If I go there, it'll cause a commotion, and you won't be around."  

    That's true. This school has an underground club called the "Be Scolded by Shizuku -sama

Club," and they dream of being scolded by Shizuku. Whenever these guys see Shizuku, they'll

hang around her, even if they have nothing to do. It's not so much that they want to get close

to her, but rather that she'll tell them to "get out of the way."  

    "So, what do you want from me?"  

    "Of course."  

    "Can you please hurry up?"  

    "Yeah, I could tell you here, but..."  

    Shizuku stood up and picked up her bag.  

    "Hey, President."  

    "Let's talk somewhere else."  

    "Why?"  

    "You haven't had lunch yet, right? How about joining us?"  

    "Uh..."  

    "Did you bring it?"  

    Actually, she'd brought her lunch box, and had come to tell my student council members,

"I hope you can bring your lunch." I didn't know the reason at the time, but if I'd known, I

wouldn't have refused Higashida's invitation. Sure enough, I should pri oritize male

friendship.  

    She also took out her lunch box. She'd made it herself since she wasn't going to the

cafeteria today. Wrapping the oval lunch box in a white handkerchief, she looked un -girly,

more like an office lady.  

    "Let's go."  

    "Where to?"  

    "Up there."  

    She pointed her index finger at the ceiling.  

    "Up there," as the name implies, means the roof. The student council office is in the library

building, which is the roof of that building. The roof of the girls' building at Seitetsu Academy

is open, serving as a place for students to relax. Incidentally, as I mentioned before, the boys'

building has been restricted due to some idiot playing the saxophone. Recently, someone

sneaked in and started playing the trumpet there, even during class, s o the roof has been

completely banned. There were protests that the school was being unreasonable, but that

boy seriously argued, "If you blow the trumpet, Kil'jaeden will come in a UFO," so of course

that would be forbidden.  

    The metal door to the rooftop was unlocked, and a breeze brushed my face as I opened it.  

    The weather was nice, and the sunshine was pleasant. There was no one else on the

rooftop, and it would have been even more pleasant if it weren't for Shizuku. We  

    walked to the corner, and the steps in front of the iron fence looked just the right height

for us to sit.  

    "Sit down."  

    "Is it okay for the Student Council President to eat in a place like this?"  

    "No one's forbidding me."  

    Even though she said that, it didn't seem to fit the impression she gave.  

    Shizuku spread her handkerchief on the cement —oh? Even my portion.  

    She sat down without hesitation, even though I didn't mind sitting directly on the cement.

It didn't matter.  

    I then opened my lunch box. I knew what was inside, because I made it.  

    Shizuku looked at what I had in my hand and said.  

    "It's curry."  

    "Nothing else."  

    It was a bit strange to bring curry from home in a lunch box, but Kondou Mikoto had made

so much that there was really no other way. It was already the first day, and if her veins were

cut, the spices would probably flow out.  

    I forgot my spoon, so I ate with chopsticks. That's how Japanese people are supposed to

eat.

    Shizuku's lunch box contained rice and something like diced chicken, along with a variety

of other items. It was quite varied and looked quite nutritious.  

    "Did the president make this?"  

    "Yeah, so I guess I like cooking, too."  

    "Oh—"

    That was a surprise —I hadn't thought so. She's the perfect girl who can do everything, so

talented it's almost a wonder she even went to Seitetsu Academy. Cooking would be a piece

of cake for her.  

    "Want to eat?"  

    "...No, thanks."  

    "You're welcome."  

    "No thanks."  

    Do I look that hungry? I  

    need to finish the curry in front of me. Luckily, Kondou Mikoto's special curry is still edible

even when it's cold. It's not good to leave it behind. We should be kind to the planet.  

    The sun is embracing us, and besides the high temperature, there's nothing special about

it," I said, biting my chopsticks.  

    "No one else is here? Is this a secret place?"  

    "Yes, it is now, but it's not impossible."  

    "You didn't lock it, did you?"  

    "Actually, it's off -limits, but it wouldn't be nice to take away the students' fun. It would be

a problem if someone jumped off the building."  

    Shizuku put her food into her mouth with a very graceful movement.  

    "Couples often come here."  

    "Oh, no, that's not good."  

    Seitetsu Academy is very strict about relationships between men and women. They have

separate classes, and the school building is divided into two parts. The Gestapo -like student

counselors are always patrolling, and the only building they share is the  library.  

    "Is the student council president violating school rules and regulations?"  

    "Would a couple sneaking up on the roof cause any trouble?"  

    "...No."  

    "That's good. It's the president's job to turn a blind eye."  

    Wow, despite her rigid appearance, she's quite flexible. In reality, there's a lot of people

saying, "The president is on the students' side," so it's only natural that she's loved by them. I

guess I'm the only one against her.  

    I've finished my curry, but there's still some at home, so the curry hell will continue, but

the immediate solution is clear.  

    Shizuku's lunchbox is empty too, she's drinking tea from a paper package.  

    I should go get something to drink too... No, wait, this feels weird.  

    "By the way, President..."  

    "What's up?"  

    "Don't you have something to talk to me about?!"  

    I'm just enjoying a normal meal and chatting.  

    "Come to think of it."  

    Why are you so leisurely? What's  

    the point of drinking tea?  

    "What's up?"  

    "Well,"  

    Shizuku stares at me.  

    "A date invitation... right?"  

    "Huh?"  

    I say reluctantly. What nonsense is she talking about? She's definitely trying to trick me

again.  

    "What the hell?"  

    "Isn't it okay?"  

    "Some plot?"  

    "Plot?"  

    "What are you planning again?"  

    No one knows what this girl is thinking. She's someone with the guts to defy the

moderators, her mind full of schemes and conspiracies. It's hard to fathom her true feelings,

but if you don't keep your guard up, you'll get burned.  

    "What conspiracy could there be on a date?"  

    "Again."  

    "What do you take me for?"  

    "Conspiracy leader."  

    "Don't you have anything else to say when you're alone together?"  

    "You said two..."  

    It was true that we were having lunch on the rooftop, but that was just a coincidence... No,

you called us up there.  

    It dawned on me then. It was just me and Shizuku, so we had to talk now. There was

something important I didn't want anyone else to know.  

    There was only one thing —Kämpfer. And it was about our enemies, who were on the side

of the moderators.  

    So that's how it was. Thinking about it, Shizuku and I had no other connection, so it had to

be Kämpfer.  

    I couldn't help but feel nervous. Maybe this so -called date was just a disguise, with some

other purpose, maybe a major case concerning the fate of the world.  

    I unconsciously lowered my voice and said,  

    "...the real purpose?"  

    I could sense Shizuku smiling.  

    "A date?"  

    "So, seriously," I said,  

    a little impatiently. It wasn't so much that Shizuku was secretive, but rather that she never

revealed her true feelings. It was impressive that she treated her good friend Sakura Kaede

the same way, but it would be difficult for me if she didn't tell me anything.  

    But the woman in front of me still didn't say,  

    "How about the next holiday?"  

    "Is it about the new Kämpfer law, after all?"  

    "Are you free?"  

    "...Well, sorta is free, but tell me about the enemy."  

    "That's OK."  

    Shizuku seemed satisfied, wrapped the lunch box with a handkerchief and stood up.  

    "Ten o'clock in the morning, at the place where we met at Sakura Kaede's house."  

    "Just us?"  

    "A date is for two people, right?"  

    "I don't mean a disguise, the real thing..."  

    Not only did she not answer, she looked at me with amusement. Hey, hey, hey, I'm serious.  

    "The real purpose... you'll find out when you get here."  

    "Don't keep me in suspense, I have to be mentally prepared too."  

    "Just think of it as a date, that's enough."  

    She said something inexplicable. If the person was Sakura Kaede, I would fly over without a

second thought.  

    But since it's come to this, I can only agree. Wearing unisex clothing? I don't know when or

where I'll transform.  

    I stood up too. My lunchbox felt so light.  

    Suddenly, the metal door opened. Who was coming up?  

    The student's eyes widened when she saw us.  

    "...Masumi..."  

    It was Masumi Nishino, a first -year member of the News Club. She was a loudmouth with a

tendency to spread false information everywhere. She was cute, but even the girls in the

girls' club seemed to have trouble keeping up with her fast pace.  

    She was stunned for a moment, then turned right and walked back.  

    A bad feeling settled in my heart.  

    "President..."  

    "That girl is Nishino -san."  

    "How can you be so calm? We were seen alone together."  

    "It doesn't matter."  

    "It does. Maybe we were overheard talking about a date or something."  

    "Is it a problem if we were overheard?"  

    It does. Although she's cold -blooded, she's also one of the three most beautiful women in

the Seitetsu Academy. Men's jealousy is just as strong as women's. I can't imagine being

surrounded by all those men and having them do all sorts of things to me.  

    "Don't worry, Senou -san will be fine."  

    "Why?"  

    "Whatever it is."  

    I still worry about her. I feel like she knows everything I don't.  

    "Because in Senou -san's mind, it wasn't a date, right?"  

    "Of course."  

    "Then it's fine."  

    "What if she spreads rumors saying it was a date?"  

    "It won't be a problem,"  

    Shizuku said meaningfully, then tossed me aside.  

    Back at the boys' second -year class, fourth, I was immediately surrounded by the single

boys... That's strange. Everyone was still going about their own business.  

    Feeling a little strange, I nudged the boy next to me.  

    "Hey, Higashida?"  

    "Senou, you weren't there up front?"  

    "Something's up,"  

    the guy said, turning to me.  

    "By the way, did the News Department say you were with the president just now?"  

    It's there! As expected of the News Department's intelligence network, it's even reached

the Boys' Department. Maybe the "Be Scolded by Shizuku -sama Club" will send assassins. I

never know when this guy will turn against me.  

    "...Yeah, together."  

    "Thank you for your hard work."  

    Higashida said this and turned away again, what?  

    "Hey, is it over?"  

    "What's the matter? Did you forget to bring your textbook? The next class is Japanese

history."  

    "No, didn't you hear anything from Masumi, that... a date or something."  

    "Oh~ that's what she said."  

    But this guy said nonchalantly,  

    "That's impossible."  

    "Huh?"  

    "So it's impossible for Senou to date the president, right? You've been absent too many

times so you were called over to be lectured."  

    "Yeah, well..."  

    It's not about being lectured, or eating lunch boxes side by side.  

    Higashida crossed his arms in front of his chest and said,  

    "Besides, would a boy president like Senou, who is so unfashionable, ask you out on a

date? He'd better be more handsome or more serious."  

    Don't call me unfashionable, even though I'm not fashionable either.  

    "The 'Be Scolded by Shizuku -sama Club' seemed to be following you, but they recently

disbanded. The president will definitely find someone better."  

    "..."

    "So, we don't mind dating rumors, but I hope you don't get labeled a bad student by the

president."  

    "Thank you for your concern."  

    I was saved, but it felt subtly hard to accept. Why?  

    Higashida added, his back to me,  

    "By the way, it seems like Kondou Mikoto is looking for you."  

    "When?"  

    "Just now. Are you worried about hearing you got lectured by the president?"  

    I already said it wasn't a lecture.  

    I returned to my seat. I was a little concerned that Kondou Mikoto was looking for me, but

if she had something to do, she'd probably come to my house, bringing curry.  

    Right now, the priority is this holiday, which is only a few days away. If it's related to

Kämpfer, there's a chance a mysterious enemy might attack, so I have to be on high alert.  

    I tried to calm myself down, but because I was so focused, it took me a while to react when

the teacher asked me questions.  

    Meeting people on holidays is also difficult. There are so many people that I can't see

them, and I'll be overlooked. After all, I'm a country bumpkin.  

    I arrived well before our meeting time, but Shizuku was already there.  

    "Uh... sorry for the wait,"  

    I said, and Shizuku glanced at the watch on her left wrist.  

    "It's still early for the appointment, and your attitude is good."  

    "Really?"  

    "I wish you were like that at school."  

    Suddenly lecturing? Higashida had hit the nail on the head, with a slight time difference.  

    Shizuku was wearing a light brown top and a skirt. With her already nice figure, I'd expect a

bar chick vibe, but instead, she looked innocent. A closer look revealed she was wearing

makeup. She looked like she was born in a casino, yet she was acting so femininely.  

    If a girl like that had arrived first, I'd expect hit -ups, talent scouts, and religious persuasion,

but there was no such atmosphere. Perhaps the rumor about me fighting off the hit -up last

time had spread.  

    Me? A simple T -shirt and jeans. So I could transform whenever and wherever. Since there

weren't many unisex clothes, my outfit felt rather unrefined.  

    "Let's go,"  

    Shizuku said,  

    "Where to?"  

    "Since it's a date, let's go shopping."  

    Hey, hey, hey, this won't do.  

    "…Hey, are we just going straight for the crap?"  

    I whispered.  

    "What?"  

    "You're not going to raid the moderator's lair, are you?"  

    I wasn't exaggerating; it was possible. Shizuku would sacrifice me without hesitation under

the pretext of reconnaissance.  

    Shizuku seemed helpless.  

    "This is a really strange date, you've got this experience?"  

    "It's because the president won't tell me your true purpose."  

    "I did."  

    You're so determined to play dumb, aren't you? This woman is incredibly cunning.  

    Since that's the case, there's nothing I can do, but I still can't let my guard down. So why is

Shizuku just standing there?  

    "Can't you give me some guidance?"  

    "PSP games?"  

    "At least ask where you want to go. You're a boy."  

    "Home."  

    My days off are spent sleeping, playing games, and watching pre -recorded comedy shows.  

    "Is Senou -san not suitable for a date?"  

    "This isn't a date."  

    A red light flashed inside me, warning me not to be fooled by Shizuku.  

    Whether the student council president has figured it out or not is hard to tell.  

    "That's true, that's what you think."  

    I'm glad you figured it out, but it sounds a bit harsh.  

    Shizuku led the way, and I walked a little slower, diagonally behind her.  

    "Walk next to me,"  

    Shizuku said without turning around.  

    "Why... Oh, you mean because it's a date?"  

    "Of course."  

    "Does it have to be like a date? Are you being watched?"  

    "Just think of it as that."  

    The words she said were really ambiguous, and I could accept it if I interpreted it as her

secrecy and deliberate embarrassment.  

    There was no choice but to walk side by side with her. There was no need to pretend to be

a couple.  

    I bought a ticket at the ticket machine and walked towards the station platform. I didn't

bring my transportation card. According to Shizuku, the gate separating the boys' and girls'

departments of Seitetsu Academy and the station ticket gate are basic ally the same system.  

    "We had some disagreements when choosing a manufacturer. There were some offers of

kickbacks, but finding something cheap and high -quality was a real struggle."  

    "When did that happen?"  

    "When I was a freshman."  

    "Oh... so the president decided on the manufacturer, didn't he?!"  

    "Of course, ostensibly it was the board of directors."  

    A freshman in high school, which meant I was only in junior high until recently, so what

could I eat to handle all this?  

    After a few stops on the train, I got off and was greeted by a verdant landscape.  

    This place is next to a park built by the water, very famous among the residents. It's the

size of a stadium and has a sightseeing bus. There's also a barbecue area, and since it's open

to animals, many people come to walk their dogs.  

    Shizuku's steps were heading there.  

    I continued walking beside her, feeling like we were on a date, so I asked.  

    "Hey, president."  

    "Just call me Shizuku."  

    "You're the president, right?"  

    "Haven't you called me that before?"  

    It does seem like that. I seem to remember calling her "Shizuku -san." But "President" just

came more naturally, so I ended up calling her that. She remembered it so clearly.  

    "Just call me President, that's fine. It's easier to call me."  

    "How silly! I meant that if it's Senou -san, you can just call me by my name."  

    "I already called you by that, do you want me to call you President?"  

    Shizuku paused, her hands on her hips.  

    "Really? Senou -san's inability to read people's expressions is incredibly unbelievable."  

    "How rude."  

    "If you're my boyfriend, you'll need to correct that."  

    Don't worry, it's impossible. Actually, being Shizuku's boyfriend is incredibly difficult; no

creature on Earth could possibly do it.  

    The destination is more important than that.  

    "President, are we going to that park?"  

    "Yeah, we're all high school students, so we need to pick a cheap place."  

    "That's not what I meant. You don't have to pretend it's a date."  

    "It's a date."  

    Still lying, as usual, was she telling me to prepare for an enemy attack?  

    There were quite a lot of people there. There was a parking lot, and of course, some

people were hiking, like us. Shizuku and I went in.  

    Trees grew everywhere, a truly pleasing sight. And there were some birds chirping. We

walked along the paved path.  

    "What are you doing?"  

    "What do you mean by 'what?' Since it's a date, walking like this is the purpose itself."  

    "The enemy might attack, aren't you preparing?"  

    Shizuku didn't reply. Is it just me who seems speechless?  

    "Is it boring being alone with me?"  

    "Not really, we're in a park after all..."  

    "Then let's go there,"  

    Shizuku gestured towards a gymnasium -like building.  

    I knew it was there; it was the aquarium in the park. It's often mentioned in guidebooks,

and it seems elementary school students often visit in groups.  

    But an aquarium, Shizuku being a rationalist, wouldn't do anything extraneous. There must

be some purpose to it. Could it be that the enemy, Kämpfer, has transformed into a fish?  

    It's a little dark from the entrance, perhaps to experience the visuals of the deep sea.  

    Suddenly, a shark greeted me.  

    "Wow."  

    My legs faltered. Those teeth are huge! Even in such a sturdy tank, it's a killer in the ocean.  

    "I'm so timid!"  

    Shizuku saw me, hmm.  

    "It was just a startle."  

    "You were scared just now."  

    "I'm only scared of you."  

    "Then please don't be scared anymore."  

    That's probably impossible.  

    Actually, I don't dislike aquariums. Actually, I've only been there once. It was when I was in

kindergarten, with Kondou Mikoto and her parents. I remember clearly how Kondou Mikoto

planned to take the fish home, much to the staff's chagrin. Hiding tro pical fish in her arms

was just too much of a stunt.  

    It was certainly my first time going with two women, and Shizuku was a real bummer. It

must have been Sakura Kaede.  

    "Maybe Sakura Kaede likes the zoo."  

    So, don't read me in.  

    We quickly passed the area where the aggressive creatures were swimming and arrived at

the area where the jellyfish and seahorses were floating around.  

    The cheerful creatures were moving about in their tanks, half asleep and half awake. It was

doubtful whether they even understood they were being captured by humans; it felt like

they had no idea of their place. A life like that would be easy, but I wo uldn't want to be a

jellyfish. Perhaps it would be better than Kämpfer's.  

    Next, we arrived at the tanks home to deep -sea fish and pufferfish. The fish were

noticeably more active in this area, demonstrating a strong sense of self -awareness as living

creatures. Seeing me constantly bumping into the tanks is perhaps a sign of aquatic life. It's

as if they're saying, "Why are humans who can't survive in water putting on such a sullen

face?" You're absolutely right.  

    Shizuku, at every tank she approached, carefully read the instructions and observed the

fish. She seemed genuinely interested; she truly takes everything seriously. Thinking back,

I've never seen her look distracted or dismissive; it feels like she's n ever seen anyone like

that.  

    The Bishoujo Research Society has explored Shizuku's mysteries several times. I'll state that

these weren't my own investigations; Higashida insisted on telling me.  

    Many people are curious about Shizuku's private life, and it's said that this investigation

involved considerable effort. Several members skilled in conducting personal investigations

among students attempted several attempts, but ultimately came up em pty-handed, with no

leads. Only a general area is known about her residence, and the people who were following

her are said to have been shaken off.  

    Immediately afterward, members of the Discipline Committee, acting under special orders

from the Student Council, raided the secret lair of the Bishoujo Research Society, confiscated

all relevant materials, and imposed a disciplinary order, forcing a s everal -month suspension

of activities. From then on, investigating Shizuku's surroundings became a taboo. The

Bishoujo Research Society even compiled their materials into a book titled "The Mysterious

Shizuku -sama" and sold it. What a remarkable business s pirit!  

    Shizuku and I moved to another area, a penguin exhibit.  

    It was packed, with people flocking to see it from the front. The black and white creatures

were adorable. Apparently, Japanese people love penguins. They're not fish, they're birds,

but the way they wiggled around made it clear why they're so popular.  I also like them, by

the way.  

    Shizuku smiled and watched...that was impossible. Instead, I was grinning, looking

disgusting.  

    Oh no, I was actually enjoying myself. I had to heighten the tension.  

    Perhaps because of the popularity, this area is large, and the pathways are sloped, so the

penguins can be seen from a distance.  

    I always thought a slope would be a bad thing; you could look down on the penguins, and

thus, on us.  

    "President..."  

    "What's wrong?"  

    "Is the attack coming soon?"  

    "What?"  

    "The enemy?"  

    Shizuku seemed to be pondering something for a moment. Has your scheming mind finally

begun to stir?  

    "...Oh, that's true."  

    "What 'oh'? Don't you always tell me not to be so careless?"  

    "Senou -san thinks there's an enemy Kämpfer hiding here."  

    I've been thinking that, or rather, I've been wondering if the enemy might be among those

penguins. That one acting suspiciously seems particularly dangerous to me.  

    "Don't be careless."  

    "I hope you can act a little more like a date."  

    "It's difficult."  

    It's this kind of relaxation that can lead to fatal consequences. If the entire nation took this

seriously, Japan wouldn't be in such a recession, though that's not convincing from a high

school student.  

    "The president came up with today's plan, right?"  

    "Not a plan, but a plan."  

    "Anywhere is fine."  

    "How about you imitate the people around you?"  

    Aren't there only couples and families around here?  

    There are plenty of couples inside the museum, and you can see them everywhere

outside, but here, it feels concentrated. The reason aquariums are so popular as dating spots

is that, despite being in the city center, they're quiet and peaceful, unlike a rt museums,

which are difficult to understand. This isn't my research, but something I learned from

reading magazines.  

    And their eyes were directed towards us.  

    More accurately, towards Shizuku, who was standing next to me. She's certainly quite

beautiful, so it's not surprising to see people paying attention and admiring her. You'd

occasionally hear people saying, "Is she a celebrity?" She's just an ordinary high school

student.  

    Some eyes were directed towards me, but they were filled with jealousy. You're wondering

why a beauty like Shizuku would be with such a downer, right? I get it.  

    But I couldn't go against the majority's protests, so I quietly distanced myself from Shizuku.  

    "What are you doing?"  

    The girl leaned over quickly, seemingly failing at her last hurdle.  

    "Beside me, get it?"  

    Why should I be ordered around by you?  

    "But..."  

    I muttered, and Shizuku glanced around.  

    "You really care about such trivial things."  

    "I'm not used to receiving malicious intent."  

    "Just ignore them, they don't even know our names."  

    "That's not the problem."  

    "Let them be more envious."  

    This girl suddenly hooked her arm around my left arm, hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?  

    Her right arm hooked around my left arm, and I felt Shizuku's touch, wow.  

    The gaze that pierced me became hotter, this had happened before but this time it was

someone I didn't know, and only murderous intent came through. I was about to be forced to

swallow my toad venom.  

    In stark contrast to me, Shizuku was very calm.  

    "I don't ask you to laugh, but you should be happier."  

    It's hard to ask, if it was a boy other than me, he might roll around with joy.  

    Most people's reactions would be joy, but I couldn't do that. If I were a member of the "Be

Scolded by Shizuku -sama Club," I'd even demand punishment. They used to publish a

doujinshi that cataloged their fantasies, filled with outrageous tales like, " I hope to be

stepped on by Shizuku -sama with her high heels, treated like a rag, and expelled." Or, "I hope

to be ordered to stand naked at the school gate, treated like an idiot by the students

attending, and run into the student council office crying, on ly for Shizuku -sama to play dumb

and say, 'Who are you?'" If there were a contest for perverted Japanese stories, every one of

them would be included. The most outrageous one was, "My dream is for Japan to be

attacked by a nuclear weapon, and for me to wan der alone through the ruins of Tokyo,

utterly thirsty, and about to take my last sip of water, my water bottle accidentally drops, and

in despair, I say, 'Shizuku -sama,' and die." Shizuku herself didn't even appear.  

    Without any regard for my feelings, Shizuku pressed her body against me, asking, "What

have you done?"  

    I tried desperately to distract myself, thinking of other things, as if I were meditating in the

mountains. But Shizuku, as if mocking my efforts, hooked and pressed unceremoniously. It

feels like it was intentional. Um, your breasts touching mine, tha t's so... wow.  

    I don't remember her bust size, but it's definitely a G or E. It's bigger than the nude

actresses in the magazines.  

    A question surfaced during the interrogation. Could this be a trap to lure the local Kämpfer

out, to catch the enemy off guard and trigger an attack?  

    Shizuku said it, it must be that way. They came to this crowded place specifically for this.  

    While being vigilant, I relaxed my strength. Then I couldn't escape, I had to be prepared.  

    "You've become obedient,"  

    Shizuku said, of course.  

    "Because I know the president's plan."  

    "It shouldn't be wrong, Senou -san misunderstood."  

    No, no, no, that's impossible.  

    We left the penguin area. If someone followed us, it would be a big deal, but there were so

many people moving around that it was hard to tell. It feels like spying,  

    I whispered.  

    "President, wouldn't it be better if I transformed?"  

    "Why?"  

    "Hey, hey, after transforming, I can still withstand enemy attacks, right?"  

    Shizuku turned her gaze towards me.  

    "I can't transform."  

    The line felt quite serious.  

    "Even if you become a woman, I'm confident I can share the same feelings. But for now,

you must remain a man, absolutely."  

    Hmm, seeing her insistence, I guess she's trying to lure the enemy into carelessness. While

it doesn't mesh with her personality, I have to admire her. She's worthy of being the Student

Council President.  

    Moving to another area, this time I saw fish not from the sea but from rivers. I could still

recognize trout, but I barely recognized anything else.  

    "...Could it be something like that?"  

    "What are you talking about?"  

    "I'm referring to the enemy's Kämpfer. If I can transform from a man into a woman, then it

wouldn't be surprising for a fish to transform into a woman."  

    "Strange."  

    I was immediately dismissed.  

    "Especially Senou -san's idea."  

    You're calling me an idiot, aren't you? Don't you know that carelessness can lead to

disaster?  

    I continued walking around the hall, my arm in hand, the jealousy still lingering, and my

cold sweats continued.  

    Without leaving any memory of what I'd seen, the aquarium tour ended and we headed

outside. It ended up being just a casual stroll.  

    Outside, Shizuku walked as if nothing had happened.  

    She took a deep breath to calm herself, but she was still a little nervous. As expected, a

fight was inevitable outdoors if the opponent was Kämpfer. My magic was like a firearm,

while Shizuku's weapon was chain daggers. Both of us had a longer range, which gave us an

advantage in the wide open space.  

    As expected of Shizuku, I was just admiring her thoughtful deliberation when she said

something unexpected.  

    "Senou -san, have you had breakfast?"  

    "...Huh?"  

    "Breakfast."  

    "A tomato."  

    Her eyebrows furrowed slightly.  

    "You should eat your rice."  

    "I'm tired of curry."  

    Kondou Mikoto made so much. It was a relief she hadn't been home this week.  

    "Are you hungry?"  

    "A little."  

    "Then let's have lunch. Luckily, I made it and brought it."  

    What the hell? Did you make a landmine?  

    We walked towards the center of the park, each minding their own business, but all we

saw were families and couples. It was lunchtime, so many people were eating bread or rice

balls.  

    "Let's find a place to sit,"  

    Shizuku said, heading for the lawn. Sitting down would slow us down if a fight broke out.  

    Part of the lawn was elevated, and besides us, there were a few other duos there —true

couples, peaceful people.  

    Seeing an empty bench, she sat down.  

    Shizuku pulled out a box wrapped in a slightly larger handkerchief from her slightly larger

bag. The size of the box made it look like a landmine. Thinking of this, she pulled out a

stainless steel kettle. I was baffled.  

    "...?"  

    "A lunch box,"  

    Shizuku said.  

    "...Are you really eating?"  

    Pretending to eat to lure the enemy into a ditch was a possible plan.  

    "Yeah, didn't I say I had it ready?"  

    "Why even my portion..."  

    "I saw you eating curry all the time lately, and I felt sorry for you."  

    Thank you for your concern. It's really hard to be pitied for something like that. It's true

that even my school uniform smells of curry lately.  

    I opened the lid and saw capsule -shaped rice balls, sausages, grilled scallops, and fried

chicken nuggets —all of them looked handmade, judging by their diverse shapes.  

    "It wasn't a big deal,"  

    she said, as if she saw through me. I wanted to say, "I see," but I'd be frustrated if I were

forced to make so much. The all -powerful president's words were no problem, right?  

    The lunch box was placed between Shizuku and me, so we could share it.  

    I was even given disposable chopsticks, and I couldn't help but hesitate. Even if I had to

make it look like a date, it would have taken too much effort. Was Shizuku really that hostile

towards moderators?  

    "Not eating?"  

    "Here..."  

    "You must be hungry."  

    Very hungry. Even for a high school student, a tomato is a lot.  

    I tried to break the disposable chopsticks apart, but was stopped.  

    "Here,"  

    I was handed a hand towel. It wasn't paper, but a handkerchief that had been specially

scrubbed.  

    "Uh... thank you."  

    What was I being so humble about?  

    After wiping my hands, I started eating. I lifted the capsule -shaped rice ball into my mouth.

Hmm? It had a subtle salty flavor, and the sesame seeds were a nice touch.  

    Hmm, now it really felt like a picnic or a date. After all, Shizuku making her own lunch box

didn't fit her personality. Some say contrast is beautiful, but I still think impression is

important; otherwise, it would be hard to handle.  

    I stared blankly at the park, at the children playing with water guns and the dog chasing

the Frisbee. Everyone looks so happy, so enviable. Meanwhile, I'm stuck with my stressful

school life. Ah, if only Sakura Kaede were here with me.  

    "I can imagine what Senou -san is thinking."  

    I get a slight glare.  

    "I can still forgive you now."  

    For some reason, her tone is so cold. Ugh —I've been seen through. But that's so like

Shizuku, and I breathe a sigh of relief for some reason.  

    Let's have a sausage, not cut into octopus shapes. I tried to grab the chopsticks, but they

suddenly snatched them away.  

    "Here, eat it."  

    The sausage, held between chopsticks, appears before my eyes. Hey, eat this?  

    Shizuku seems to smile faintly.  

    "Eat it?"  

    "..."

    Hmm... It's not that I don't want to eat, or rather, I want to, but having Shizuku do it with

her chopsticks is a bit... I feel that way, right?  

    The student council president's expression remains the same, but she seems to be

enjoying herself.  

    "Don't you want to eat?"  

    "No..."  

    "Just think of me as Sakura Kaede."  

    "You're the president, right?"  

    "Oh, you recognized me. I'm so glad."  

    I couldn't tell you were happy.  

    The sausage swung before my eyes.  

    "Ah~"  

    What's that "Ah~"? Am I a child? After a moment's hesitation, I couldn't open my mouth.  

    I put the sausage in my mouth. Hmm, because of this ritual, I can't taste anything. I feel

like a fledgling.  

    "So obedient."  

    Shizuku chuckled, a rare occurrence, and was unexpectedly cute —I would never have

thought so. I remember a movie about the Italian Nazi torture chamber for women, where

there was a guard just like that, the kind who took great pleasure in torturing pri soners.  

    Regardless of this particular S -woman, lunch wasn't a sin, or rather, it was delicious. Is

cooking inversely proportional to one's personality?  

    I was thirsty, so I opened the stainless steel kettle, the kind with the lid that doubles as a

cup. It contained tea, and it smelled a bit different, apparently from the ones sold

everywhere.  

    "What's this?"  

    "Blended tea, doesn't it smell like yuzu?"  

    I sighed, gushing over. This girl really knows a lot.  

    I drank half of it. Oh, it's really delicious.  

    Shizuku reached out to take the cup and downed the rest.  

    Hmm... such a complicated feeling.  

    She looked at me and said,  

    "You want me to feed you with my mouth?"  

    "Idiot."  

    That's not the point. Isn't this an indirect kiss? Well, there's no point in obsessing over such

things like a middle school kid.  

    I continued eating, gradually feeling full. It's really peaceful, leisurely eating a lunchbox on

the lawn of the park.  

    ...No, no, peaceful is weird. Today's going to be a fight that'll freeze your body and soul. Be

prepared.  

    I wanted to clear the lunchbox, but Shizuku reached out.  

    "Leave this kind of thing to a woman."  

    Oh, is that so? But isn't being the president supposed to delegate chores to your

subordinates? I was so sure... Ah, then wouldn't I become your subordinate? What a close

call.

    I just left it all to her. That's all, I guess.  

    There's nothing to do, no, there is. Where are the enemies? Attack now.  

    Shizuku didn't show any signs of moving, looking calm and normal. I was so nervous that I

felt like a fool. If it were Akane, she would have yelled, "Stupid, stupid~~" without hesitation.  

    After finishing, Shizuku hooked me again.  

    The movement was so natural, her arm hooked over me so nonchalantly, that I didn't

notice. By the time I realized it, we were already pressed against each other.  

    "Hey, hey, hey, you're going too far."  

    "No."  

    "But..."  

    "My boyfriend complains a lot."  

    Don't joke like that. You just need to fool the enemy, not me.  

    If there's no other choice, I can only think about the enemy. Where will the enemy

Kämpfer attack from? Is it almost time to attack? I have no idea how they'll play out.  

    "President, can you please free your arms?"  

    "Why?"  

    "It'll be hard to fight if the enemy comes."  

    "...Senou -kun, I admit I'm a bit naive, but there are so many guys like me. Do you want to

give up?"  

    "I know that, but you don't want to die, so you need your arms free."  

    "That's fine"  

    isn't good at all.  

    This girl is really unyielding. Rumor has it that student council members are trained to obey

Shizuku absolutely and immediately carry out any actions she directs. It seems she has

dictatorial power, and she's refusing to budge. Is this personality sha ped by her position, or is

it the other way around?  

    Then again, student council members just need to nod and obey, which is pretty easy.

Being on the student council gets a nice touch on your profile.  

    "Senou -san."  

    "Yes, yes, yes."  

    "Hook my shoulder."  

    "Yes, yes... eh!?"  

    I startled and tried to leave, but couldn't.  

    Shizuku relaxed her arm slightly.  

    "Hook my shoulder."  

    Why would you do that? Even in battle, I haven't even hooked Sakura Kaede's shoulder.  

    While I hesitated, Shizuku took my arm and hooked it around her own. Uwaaa —

    "Hey, don't be so careless..."  

    "It doesn't matter."  

    Not only her body, but Shizuku's face was pressed against mine. Since she was leaning

against me, I felt everything. Speaking of the president, she's slimmer and softer than I

thought, and she smells similar... well, nothing much.  

    "Um... we look like a couple now."  

    "Not 'looks like,' huh?"  

    "We're not dating."  

    "How many times do you have to tell me we are dating?"  

    "You're just trying to lure the fish in."  

    Not even a Kämpfer appeared. Hey, it's almost done. Don't keep me waiting any longer.  

    "Senou -san, everyone's paying attention to us."  

    I quickly looked around. Wow, so many people were glancing at us. Maybe it was because

Shizuku was beautiful, but this was too much.  

    "What are they thinking of us?"  

    Who knows? Could they think we were just secret agents for some foreign country?

Absolutely not.  

    "...Hey, they'll think we're a couple?"  

    "That's it."  

    "What do you mean by that? What's going on?"  

    "No matter what, I have a purpose."  

    It sounded like a disguise, no doubt. I'll just take it as it is.  

    But Shizuku isn't good for your heart, so this is a different kind of torture.  

    "Sakura Kaede is okay?"  

    "Of course."  

    "But Sakura Kaede won't let you hook her."  

    So blunt. That's it. She's gentle, but to her, I'm nothing.  

    "So let me do it."  

    What's this? Pretending to be lovers?  

    As I rubbed her shoulders, I remembered that Shizuku is actually quite thin. I could easily

wrap my arms around her shoulders and hug her. No, no, no, I won't do that.  

    But I was too weak. After Shizuku's insistence, we actually stuck together. It felt like time

was slipping away.  

    So, the two of us just stared blankly at the scenery. It was warm, so there was nothing

wrong with it.  

    "Senou -san"  

    "What?"  

    "Why do you like Sakura Kaede?"  

    What was this girl saying out of the blue?  

    That was just nonsense. Because Sakura Kaede is Sakura Kaede, of course I like her. Her

smile is like an angel, and her personality is kind, treating everyone equally and gently. As for

interests... let's put that aside for now. She seems a bit like a naive young lady, which is also

very cute.  

    How can I explain it? Men understand it immediately, but women might have a hard time.

Especially Shizuku.  

    It became literally like this.  

    "Sakura Kaede is pretty, right?"  

    "If you're pretty, Kondou Mikoto and Akane, your class president is pretty too."  

    "She has a nice personality, too."  

    "There are plenty of thoughtful girls at our school."  

    "Very classy."  

    "If you're classy, the student council vice president is a good choice; she's the president's

daughter."  

    "Hmm...that's not what I meant."  

    It's really difficult, and I'm getting impatient.  

    "I just said something easy to understand, but there's more to it than that. It's like this..."  

    "What?"  

    Shizuku's face was right before my eyes. Ah, it felt like being harassed by the teacher in

class.  

    "Because it's Sakura Kaede."  

    That's the response.  

    "Do I need a reason to like her? I just think she's nice."  

    I braced myself for being treated like an idiot, expecting Shizuku to unleash her harsh

words in a cold tone.  

    But surprisingly, she nodded.  

    "Yeah, I understand."  

    "...Huh?"  

    "You don't need a reason for things like this; asking for explanations would only be

troublesome."  

    "Uh, yeah."  

    "I think it's the same with Akane and Kondou Mikoto."  

    "...Why them?"  

    Even though I know them, it wasn't the right example.  

    "Don't you think it could apply to me, too?"  

    "What's the matter?"  

    A riddle. Asking someone like me, who's terrible at brain teasers, to answer them was

asking too much. There was once a question in a book for children: "A truck carrying oranges

and apples suddenly brakes. What falls out?" I was puzzled for a whole mo nth and didn't

know the correct answer. In the end, I had to ask someone. By the way, the answer is

"speed". Who could have guessed it, you idiot?  

    Anyway, Shizuku's lines are really confusing. Is she beating around the bush about

"Martians are coming?"  

    She didn't say anything else, but changed the subject.  

    "Senou -san, what do you think Sakura Kaede thinks of you?"  

    "You're really asking about something irrelevant."  

    That girl has an unusual crush on a girl like me, and I've even been confessed to. Sakura

Kaede is only interested in women... I don't want to think that way.  

    "I mean the current Senou -san."  

    "Be optimistic and we'll just be friends."  

    "Oh, you're so weak."  

    "I'll still accept reality. Sakura Kaede always treats everyone equally, so she doesn't have a

special crush on anyone."  

    "You know it well, don't you?"  

    "All the boys are on the same page, including me. Right now, I just admire her."  

    The same couldn't be said about the girls. Anyway, there's no sign of the distance between

me and the boy. Last time I was declared a love rival, I really didn't know what to do.  

    "I'd recommend a girl to Senou -san."  

    "No, I suppose."  

    "Yes."  

    "You're the only one I see."  

    "Sakura Kaede, isn't she your ideal woman?"  

    "Yeah."  

    "Maybe another girl would be willing to meet your ideal. Women are hardworking

creatures. Wouldn't she think she'd do anything for Senou -san?"  

    Hmm —are there really girls like that? Maybe in fantasy, or maybe if not, it can't be called

fantasy; it's unlikely in reality. Is she trying to steal my money or play some kind of

punishment game?  

    Shizuku seemed to be enjoying it, sensing my thoughts.  

    "If Senou -san paid attention to a girl like that, maybe she'd be happy,"  

    she said, as if I were truly unfortunate, which she wasn't wrong.  

    "Is the president that type?"  

    "What?"  

    "So, the type who caters to men."  

    "No,"  

    she said matter -of-factly.  

    "I'm still the same. He'll fall in love with me on his own."  

    So confident.  

    "Even if I liked him first, he'll still have to cater to me in the end."  

    So terrifying. Does that mean she always takes the initiative? She's like a killer whale. I

don't care what you do, but please don't look at me with such a pensive look.  

    "Well, women have sides you don't know unless you're with them."  

    "Sakura Kaede must be consistent."  

    "You say that, but I think you'll be with another girl."  

    "Don't just arbitrarily decide someone else's future."  

    "Ah,"  

    Shizuku said, her tone shimmering.  

    "It's not just casually, it's a firm decision."  

    How could that be possible? I only have Sakura Kaede in my mind, probably, definitely.  

    Anyway, I can't imagine dating anyone other than Sakura Kaede. It's not that my

imagination is too limited. It's easier to think about family life with the Seppuku Tiger.  

    It's Shizuku's fault for making me think too much. What's going on?  

    I'd better not think about it. I keep feeling a little sleepy, and I force myself to suppress a

yawn.  

    "Are you sleepy?"  

    "A little."  

    "Did you stay up late?"  

    "Watching foreign football."  

    "As the student council president, I at least want to hear you say you're studying."  

    The problem is, she's not. If a student isn't taking the exam and still studying the day

before their day off, people will question their mental health. Is Shizuku studying? She seems

like a genius, someone who can memorize everything after just one re ad of a textbook. But

I've also heard that geniuses rely on perseverance, maintaining their talent through

continuous effort.  

    What kind of person is this? I don't know. Come to think of it, she's quite mysterious, and I

know nothing about her personal life.  

    My eyelids feel heavy. Did I take sleeping pills... That's impossible. I'm really sleepy. I wish

I'd recorded that football match.  

    I gently closed my eyes, that was my plan, but in an instant, I fell asleep.  

    The bell rang, and I hurriedly started getting ready to go home.  

    I ignored my classmate Higashida's invitation and put my textbook in my bag. Higashida

sighed, "You've been so rude lately." Of course. Now that you have a girlfriend, of course you

should prioritize her, Higashida -kun.  

    Huh? A girlfriend?  

    Do I have one? Even though I haven't dated women for as long as I'm older, do I still have a

sweetheart?  

    The next moment, I understood. Yes, yes, yes, I do. Why? This is a dream world. Since it's a

dream, I can do whatever I want, so I have a girlfriend.  

    At the same time, I thought, "What? It's just a dream." A dream doesn't matter. Having a

girlfriend here is better than not having one.  

    I anxiously waited for the class meeting to end.  

    I wasn't even an elementary school student anymore, so I waved to Higashida and flew out

of the classroom without saluting.  

    Seitetsu Academy has strict rules regarding relationships between men and women.

Therefore, theoretically, meeting at the school gate was impossible. Instead of the secret

investigators guarding the gate, I went through the back door, leading to the ca mpus, along a

narrow road with two turns.  

    Convenience stores are famous as rendezvous spots for Seitetsu couples. This place has

been passed down orally from generation to generation, a tradition passed down from

generation to generation. Of course, we're all part of it, and sooner or later, w e'll have to tell

the next generation.  

    She's not here. Am I too early?  

    Let's read some comics in the shop for a while, or I'll bother the staff. Reading comics

requires skill, and it takes nerve to avoid getting them dirty. So, don't read? You're right, but

there's no other way to pass the time.  

    There are only a few high school students like me, and the staff are understanding. As long

as we don't go too far, they won't report us to the school. They'll let us off.  

    Through the large glass window, I spotted someone in the uniform of the Seitetsu

Academy girls' department running over. I squinted to confirm it was her. It was definitely

her. No other girl was as attractive.  

    I left before she came in, anyway, to buy a stick of gum. It was a cheap price to pay for

meeting her.  

    She raised her hand, and I returned it. She approached with her usual expression.  

    She asked, "Have you been waiting long?" I replied, "No." It was old -fashioned, but

between us, it felt so fresh.  

    She briefly checked her surroundings, and since we were at the convenience store

entrance, she pulled me behind a deserted building.  

    She immediately slipped her arm around my neck. I was embarrassed, but she seemed

pleased. She said, "This way I can understand my feelings."  

    Her lips gently touched mine, and the wetness spread.  

    I woke up.  

    A feeling of "Oh no!" washed over me. Damn it, I had fallen asleep.  

    It was a strange dream. I felt like I was dating someone, happily enjoying my youth. Who

was that person? I thought I saw their face, but I can't remember. It would have been nice if

it was Sakura Kaede, but I have no proof. It's so lonely not being ab le to be sure Sakura Kaede

is the person I'll marry. I remember it wasn't someone I completely didn't know, so I just

wondered who it was.  

    And that last scene was like something out of a movie. My cheeks were burning, and it felt

strangely real.  

    And then there was Shizuku taking my lips, that was a first. To experience something like

that in a dream was I losing my inhibitions or just feeling unfulfilled?  

    My body felt so relaxed. Ugh, why am I lying there?  

    My head felt so soft, and I realized something was wrong, and my eyes focused

immediately. Two breast -like protrusions, long black hair, a face.  

    Several words swirled in my mind for a moment before suddenly coming together: Hey,

hey, hey, is Shizuku using her lap as a pillow?!  

    I suddenly jumped up. Ugh —there's no bug in my ear, is there?  

    Just as I was trembling with fear, I suddenly noticed something. Ouch? Shizuku's eyes were

closed too. Her breathing was so light. What? She's asleep too?  

    Looking closely, she's already a beauty, and even when she's asleep, she's beautiful. It's

definitely not what I like, but it's noticeable.  

    She's quite mature. I remember there were rumors that she was mistaken for a white -

collar woman. According to Sakura Kaede, she was even offered a job as a celebrity by an

entertainment agency when she was little. That's even more incredible. Was she b orn like

this?  

    "...Does she enjoy looking at someone's profile?"  

    Wow, she's awake! Shizuku opened her eyes and looked at me.  

    "Good morning."  

    "Don't scare me."  

    "I didn't mean to scare you."  

    I sat back up. My body was a little stiff, probably from lying in the same position.  

    "Asleep?"  

    "Yes, she did..."  

    Remembering the fact that she'd rested her lap on me, I couldn't look directly at Shizuku's

face, so I asked to hide my embarrassment.  

    "Why are you like that?"  

    "Because your sleeping position is weird."  

    "Leave me alone."  

    I tried to deliberately mix in a hint of anger, but it didn't work on this girl.  

    "It's cute, sleeping face."  

    Uwaaa —I feel like I've been caught. Ugh, no one has seen it except my parents, the boys in

my class, and my childhood Kondou Mikoto, but there are quite a few.  

    The sun is setting, is it getting dark?  

    That's when I suddenly realized, hey, what's wrong with the enemy?  

    I turned my face towards Shizuku, and she still had the same expression.  

    "The enemy didn't come."  

    "Why?"  

    "Maybe they didn't want to come."  

    What are you talking about —hardworking is a Japanese trait, right? Doesn't this mean

Shizuku and I are dating all day?  

    I touched my lips casually. Hmm? Something feels different... No, it's still the same as

usual? It feels like I've put on lipstick.  

    "Hey, President, you didn't do anything while I was asleep, did you?"  

    "Was I asleep when Senou -san got up?"  

    "I think I was."  

    "Then I didn't do anything, because I couldn't."  

    That's true. Although this statement sounds very, very concerning, it's also true that

although Shizuku seems to be deliberately touching her lips again, she didn't do anything.  

    "It's about time to go home,"  

    Shizuku said, and I agreed.  

    "I want to have dinner together, but I can't stay out too late today."  

    "Really?"  

    "I'm a good girl at home."  

    Living with a family? Since she's just an ordinary high school girl, it's not strange, but she is

the perfect warrior Shizuku -sama.  

    We walked straight to the station. On the way back, I linked my arm with Shizuku's, and on

the train, the same. It was embarrassing. Other passengers kept staring at us, but why didn't

you care? What a calm expression.  

    We got off at a station near my home, mixed with passengers returning from shopping and

sightseeing, and here I finally felt free.  

    "Don't pretend to be relieved,"  

    Shizuku said to me in a preaching tone. Are you my sister?  

    "Of course I'm relieved. I'm not a prisoner being taken away. Why won't you let me go?"  

    "Well, because we're lovers?"  

    "Don't be like that. Everyone in the car is looking at us. They're definitely saying how

shameless young people are these days, for sure."  

    "Don't worry about the old man's nonsense."  

    "It's not nonsense, it's about social morality. What's it like to be seen? It depends on the

occasion."  

    "It's a date, so it's okay."  

    "No, it's not a date, it's a plan orchestrated by the president."  

    Even though the enemy hadn't arrived, it was already evening. If I didn't hurry, it would be

dark. I'm so prepared for any eventuality. What are you doing, Moderator? Do you even take

a holiday off? It looks like you have a part -time job paid by the ho ur.

    Ah, go home and watch TV. Tonight, watch a football match and practice the Marseille

slalom in your head.  

    But Shizuku's words shattered my little wish.  

    "You'll send me off, right?"  

    Where? To the underworld?  

    "You can go back alone, right?"  

    "A woman's wishes need to be heard."  

    "What about mine?"  

    "There are still many boys who want to know where my home is."  

    I'm one of the few exceptions. Don't discriminate against minorities; we should educate

people to express their individuality.  

    "Is it within walking distance? I'm out of money."  

    Whether to send her off or not was still a question.  

    "It's a bit far, but it's okay."  

    "It's not that far."  

    "Then you want to stay the night?"  

    What nonsense —I wanted to say it but swallowed it back. For some reason, Shizuku's eyes

were serious.  

    Uh…are you really going to keep me, a man, overnight? Is this some kind of trap? Are you

planning on fattening me up and eating me? Why are you suddenly asking for a place to

stay? I don't have any spare clothes.  

    Has anyone ever stayed at Shizuku's house? No, I guess. Somehow, I still know this. But

isn't staying over family -related?  

    Uh, uh, uh, I wonder what this woman is thinking. Is she serious? And why did a day like

this, when we should have been fighting the enemy, turn out like this?  

    Shizuku's hand reached out again, probably to pull me away. Uh… ah wow wow.  

    Just then,  

    "Ah—Natsuru and the President!"  

    A loud noise echoed, and a girl came running from across the street.  

    "What are you doing —!"

    It was Kondou Mikoto. Using the stamina she'd honed from being chased by secret police

in the Middle East, she instantly appeared before my eyes.  

    "Holy crap —!"

    If I hadn't dodged quickly, I'd have been kicked to the ground.  

    Kondou Mikoto landed beautifully on the ground and roared,  

    "What are you two doing?"  

    I tentatively responded,  

    "What are you doing... and you?"  

    "I heard Natsuru and the president were dating, so I was looking everywhere. Turns out

Masumi Nishino was telling the truth!"  

    What a quick thinker. Anyway, if you'd just come to my house like usual, I could have

explained it to you.  

    "Explain what's going on."  

    "What's going on... is it to lure out the enemy, Kämpfer..."  

    "At least write something down before you brag!"  

    A hand reached out, intending to strangle me, and I quickly dodged.  

    "You liar!"  

    "Wait a minute, hey, president, explain this to me."  

    "Okay,"  

    Shizuku readily agreed.  

    "Kondou -san, we're really dating."  

    "What —!"

    I matched Kondou Mikoto's voice.  

    "Natsuru! Didn't you say you're not interested in anyone else besides Sakura Kaede...!"  

    "That's true, the president is the one who lied!"  

    "When a man and a woman go out, it's usually a date!"  

    That's true, but it doesn't fit today's case. Definitely not. Even though the enemy didn't

attack, this is their situation, and I'm ready for battle.  

    "You decide which finger to chop off!"  

    "I'm a gangster, right?"  

    "You were planning on going to the president's house anyway!"  

    Ugh! Your intuition is sharp, but this is also forced.  

    Shizuku shrugged slightly.  

    "...Well, forget it today."  

    She gave in honestly.  

    "You should have said this earlier, my heart couldn't take it."  

    "Next, I'll let Kondou -san take it, please."  

    Then she put her finger to her lips.  

    "It's just a prank anyway."  

    Kondou Mikoto's expression looked like she was about to bite. Hey, president, what did

you do?  

    Shizuku turned around. With her model figure, these actions looked very real. So wait a

moment, help me clear up this misunderstanding before leaving.  

    "President, please confirm that we weren't on a date today,"  

    Shizuku said back.  

    "I've always said it was a date."  

    "I'm not trying to lure the enemy..."  

    "Who said that, and who attacked?"  

    "..."

    That being said, Shizuku did say it was a date all along. But that fact doesn't matter. Now

I'm in danger.  

    The student council president seems pleased.  

    "Shizuku..."  

    "Huh?"  

    she said firmly.  

    "If you want me to confirm it, just call me Shizuku."  

    "Uh..."  

    "Hurry up."  

    Kondou Mikoto's hands were almost at my neck. Was this my fate, to be strangled like a

chicken?  

    "I, I know. Uh... Shizuku -san..."  

    "Just call me."  

    "Uh..."  

    Wuuuu... I had no choice but to make up my mind.  

    "Shizuku... Shizuku -san."  

    "Call me right."  

    "...Shizuku..."  

    "Very good."  

    Her expression was satisfied.  

    "I enjoyed my date today, Natsuru."  

    Then she turned her back to me again. I could only watch her walk away with a look of

despair.  

Translator's Notes

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

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