Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 4 Chapter 1

Status: Incomplete

4/21 pages completed

   

Chapter 1

Part 1

Today, within the grounds of Hijirigasaka Academy, there was a lot of people gathered in a certain space.

The classes has already ended, but yet the audio-visual room was filled with noise and activity.

-Right now, in the AV room, the group of people that has been charged with the task has gathered.

The sports meet will be held next month, and they are the organizing committee. Before the fold-able table in front of the blackboard, was the seats for the committee made up of students. The purpose of the meeting, was the planning for the preparations that was to begin before the summer break, and for the consolidation of the information on hand that was to be handed to those who were at the table for the first time. With the meeting about to start, -

"Say... It seems really unbelievable. That proportion of the number of boys to the girls, that is..."

Sitting on the front left was Basara Toujo, who upon hearing that, let out a sigh.

Sitting on the opposite side of the room, looking at Basara's back, the voice just now had came from the back of the room, and it belonged to Aikawa Shiho that was in the same class as Basara. Following that, Sakaki Chika who sat beside also nodded in agreement.

"Hmm... It seems that those two never change"

With that, their sights moved towards Basara, or rather, his left and right sides.

And the two that was the cause for the state of the AV room said:

"They're giving it too much thought. It wasn't definite that we are the only reasons."

"Agreed, there probably isn't that much of a link between the two."

The ones who spoke so indifferently, were the two <Princesses> who were adored by the boys in Hijirigasaka Academy, Mio Naruse and Yuki Nonaka. However, their words seemed unconvincing in the light of the situation. Though joining in was just for fun, it seems that a lot who joined in too were boys, causing a great disparity in the proportions of the genders.

At the beginning, it was Basara, Yuki and Mio who volunteered to the the ones from class 1B to be in the organizing committee.

Originally, the ones to be on the committee were to be decided a few days ago, but no one came forward. Sakazaki-sensei, wishing to respect the individual wills of the students, had then dragged this matter on for a long time, and allowed the decision to made only until the morning of the day of the meeting. But still, nothing conclusive had came up. Hence, they had taken this opportunity and raised their hands together.

Because about the sports meet, they already had a discussion on the matter.

And hence the matter that had dragged on for days had ended here, with calls of 'ME TOO!' suddenly storming the place. In the end, Sakazaki couldn't stand it any longer, and after reducing the final number to five persons, the matter was concluded.

So, the ones who were chosen, were Basara, Mio, Yuki, Aikawa Shiho, and Sakaki Chika. Although there was the problem of the proportions of the genders, with drawing of the ballots was done in fairness, and with Sakazaki rejecting the rest, just like that, the ones to be sent were decided. But still, -

The news sure had spread fast...

Through communications with phones and the internet, it seems that within a few hours, the news that Mio and Yuki was on the committee had already spread around the school. Just then, Shiho wily smiled and said:

"Basara, turn around and take a look."

"Give me a break. From just now until now, the looks that are already on me are going to cause the back of my head to go bald."

Right now, the back of my head, was definitely more sensitive towards the looks from boys than the breasts of the girls. And this had somewhat implicated the safety of my life. From the bottom of his heart, He tiredly said so:

Hahaha... It sure is hard on you, Basara

With the look from Sakaki that was to gently comfort him, he then released another sigh.

Since a few days ago, he had been able to communicate with Aikawa from a distance, like just now.

Both Aikawa and Sakaki had their minds controlled because of Zolgear's plan, now they had forgotten about the events. But with part of their memories blurred and lost, they had become uneasy, and so on the next day when they had returned to normal, Yuki explained to them about the gap in their memories. With their number of chances for communicating increasing, they had become closer to Mio, and had closed the gap they had with Yuki.

However, since Yuki wasn't the type to chat, she was only caring about reading her book while Mio was talking and laughing together with several others. And since Aikawa and Sakaki knew clearly what her personality was like, they had felt that something was clearly wrong, and so they continued to chat with Mio. Not long later, since Basara lived with Mio and Yuki, he and began to start chatting with Aikawa and Sakaki. Thinking back on the changes in their relationship in the past few days, Basara couldn't help but to have look at Sakaki who was chatting with Mio from the side.

"Please, Basara... Look at me more often..."

When Sakaki's mind was controlled, she had said some things that had showed her affections towards Basara.

No one was sure of it was instilled into her during the brainwashing, or if it was really her hidden real feelings. Although there would be problems in letting people knowing the truth, it still wasn't an easy matter to pursue. Basara only know, that Sakaki was a warm and kind girl, and that since he was able to save the smile that she has right now, he was satisfied.

However, it seems that someone wasn't happy that Basara was looking at Sakaki.

Suddenly there was a hand on Basara's thigh under the table.

"- !?"

This sudden act caused Basara to stiffen his body.

"What's wrong?"

"No-Nothing... Really."

Mio had asked the question puzzledly from the side, and Basara had answered evasively. Though She felt that something was off, she turned back to continue chatting with Sakaki. And only then, did Basara turn to look at the owner of the hand on his thigh, Yuki.

Mio who was sitting just beside, and even Sakaki who was sitting in a row in front had their sight blocked by the table, and hadn't realized the events that just happened under the table.

-In days before and after the fight with Zolgear, Yuki, Mio and even Maria had all received Basara's kisses.

And since then, Yuki had become even more daring in her advances towards Basara.

"-"

When Basara gave Yuki a look for her to stop what she was doing, she instead looked at Basara's books in the pocket in the table, acting like nothing had happened.

Oi...! Yuki! Stop play around!

Reading a book authored by J. D. Salinger while secretly feeling someone else's inner thigh. Since when did Yuki become such a girl?

Hey, if you continue this, something will happen in my cornfield... Eh, what exactly is my cornfield?

Carefully in order to not let the other three realize, he grabbed Yuki's hand that was on his thigh. Yet Yuki took the opportunity to cross her fingers with Basara.

"…!"

It has already certainly become a dangerous situation. But if he managed to get his hand free, who know where she would touch next. And so, the helpless Basara could only surrender his left hand to Yuki's mercy. Just then, -

"- Hello, Princess Mio."

At her side there was suddenly a boy who said this to Mio, and then just directly sat down at the remaining empty seat just beside her. Mio then gave him a glance, and then said coldly:

"Senpai. Hello."

Even Basara knows that face. In the past when the fans in both Mio's and Yuki's camp had surrounded him behind the school building, the one in front of him right now was the leader of Mio's faction. If his memory serves him correctly, he was Shohei Donoe.

"...Wasn't it because that the year threes had to prepare to their further education, that the committee was to be made up of only year ones and twos?"

Mio hadn't even bothered to look at him when she asked this question.

"Basically you're right, but it wasn't said that it was an absolute rule. Since Princess Mio has come, how can we not?

He then turned behind to take a look, and there was a whole row of Mio's fans whom he personally knows.

"Princess Yuki..."

This time, another soft call came from the other side.

So it's him this time...

Hozumi Hashi, the leader of Yuki's camp who was in year three. But now, he had did it with much more respect than the other guy. And of course, the other Yuki fans were also at the side watching. Basara then carefully let go of Yuki's hand, in order to not be found out, and then, -

"We have also joined the committee. Gently guide us in our work, please?"

Yuki had the appearance of a model student and had a soft appearance. But then, with only a small glance at him, she let out a 'Humph~', expressing displeasure, and ignored him. Yet after seeing her reaction, Hozumi had a happy face, and then returned to the side of the other Yuki fans.

On the other side, in contrast to Hozumi, Donoe continued to occupy the seat beside Mio, refusing to leave.

"Of course I know, to you, coming here was equally as important as preparing for yoru future. So fine, the princess here right now will cherish her time spent with you.

He was indeed handsome, and those were some pretty nice words, but why did it sound kind of comical?

Basara thought this, yet he was glared at by him. Hence, he then moved away his line of sight. Right now, other than Mio and Yuki, Aikawa and Sakaki was also present. They seemed to be somewhat uncomfortable from being surrounded by fans from the Mio and Yuki faction, and trying to avoid conflict with them. Just then, -

"Oi, Donoe... It's about time you return to your own seat, or else how will we start this meeting?"

A saviour appeared. It was one of Basara's teachers, Sakazaki.

"This is the seating area for the first years. The seats for the third years are behind. The school had respected your wished in letting you participate, but, you still must follow the rules, being the role models for your underclassmen, right?"

Donoe's face then visibly changed, but he still maintained his hearty smile.

"Tsh... Fine fine, I got it. See you later, Princess."

Smacking his lips together, he then left Mio's side. Hence, -

"Thank you teacher... You were a really big help."

"Don't worry about it... You didn't do anything wrong."

With Basara expressing his thanks, Sakazaki had a bitter smile on.

"But teacher, what are you doing here? Supervising the committee, wasn't it the task of the gym teachers for the second years?"

"That was the case. But it seems that teacher Gotou had a hip injury, and since the other gym teachers are busy with another activity, the task has then fallen onto he, who was free.

"Haish~... Taking upon himself a task which no one will thank him for... Good grief~."

Aikawa then jokingly said to the helplessly shrugging Sakazaki.

"Can't be helped. This sort of job was to be done by rookies after all."

Finishing, Sakazaki then headed towards the student council members who were currently organizing the documents. After that, -

"You really were just saved back then, Mio... You too, Yuki. That is, even that teacher talked with you..."

Sakaki who had remained silent up till now, then expressed her concern for the two.

"Don't worry about it. That person, while I don't know who much self-confidence he has, it seems that he thinks that if he acts a bit chummy with me, he'll think that I'll be close with him. Really, what an idiot... There's got to be a limit, even for his stupidity..."

"I'm fine too. I have already to them in the past, that I have completely no interest in them."

"Woah... You two really are cruel.

"Was I? What I just said was just the truth only."

"Exactly. Isn't unneeded expectations from other people troublesome?"

Just as Mio and Yuki, in clear daylight, was making a clean break in their relationships with Donoe and Hozumi respectively, -

A female student wearing the student council armband then stood up from her position at the table before the blackboard.

"Please take your seats now. The meeting for the organizing committee for the first sports meet will be starting now."

With the announcement, the other council members also moved, passing out notes for the meeting. After confirming that everyone had received a copy of the notes, -

"I am the vice-president of the student council, Kajiura Lihua, the chairperson of the organizing committee for this year's sports meet. Please provide guidence."

Finishing her portion, the room then immediately filled up with applause.

-In Hijirigasaka Academy , the school party was held in spring, wile the sports meet was held in autumn. The school party was the biggest event for the students, and it can be said that it was the brainchild of the student organizing committee. Setting the school party in the spring, it was to let the third year students in the committee to organise themselves an unforgettable party. And on the positioning of the timing of the sports meet, it was to be as practice for the smooth preparation for the school party. Hence, the third years will not interfere in that, to allow the second years to let the second years accumulate experience. Thus, the vice-president Kajiura Lihua is the one responsibe for over-seeing this sports meet.

"The first thing to mention is, the committee member list that the teachers have given me. It would seem that, the number of volunteers this year are almost double from that of last year. But, -"

Kajiura said in a warning tone,

"Although having many volunteers is a good thing, I would like to give everyone a reminder. If there seems to be too many people in a single department, some people will be transferred to another department. And it would seem that selecting the leaders for each department would be harder than last year, and so, due to the sheer number of candidates, I can say that it would be likely that the overall quality of the overall management would rise."

With her firm announcement, a small commotion then started in the room.

...Heh, it was probably a likely reaction from the crowd.

Kajiura herself should probably already know, that majority of the people that have come had impure motives. Even Donoe and Hozumi of the third years had come, with their actions contributing to the abnormality of the situation. Hence, the overall-in-charge, Kajiura, was bound to need quite considerable mental preparation and determination to perform her duties well.

"With this, we shall begin to have the volunteers to choose their desired departments. On the second and third pages of the notes given out, are the details on the respective departments. You have ten minutes from now, so please take this time to know about the responsibilities of the different departments, and decide which department is the one that you want to join"

And Kajiura sat down after saying a 'Please begin', there was uproar in the room.

"-So, what shall we choose?"

Aikawa who sat in the row in front of them, turned around and asked, and the Mio who was beside Basara lifted her line of sight, and asked:

"Um... What shall I choose... What about you, Basara?"

"About that..."

Receiving this question, Basara then flipped the notes again.

<Overall planning and management> : In charge of planning the competitions and the itinerary

<Advertising> : In charge of the production and updating of the information on the flyers

<Equipment management> : In charge of preparing the applications for the equipment needed for the sports meet

<Accounting> : In charge of the management of the budget allocated, and the auditing of all transactions

<General Auxiliary> : In charge of the making of the archway over the main entrance, setting up of the decorations, and assisting in the assembly operations of the equipment

Usually, following the usual trend, the hottest department would be the one in charge of the overall planning and management, followed by the one in charge of the equipment that has the least work, which is then followed by the advertising department.

And the most worrying thing, is that the <accounting> department and the <general auxiliary> department would undoubtedly be the ones that mostly need more manpower. And so, it is likely that most of the ones here in the room would be then sent to either of the two departments. To Basara, it would be fine by him if he got redirected to the departments in need of manpower, but, -

...If any trouble comes up.

While knowing that some people would come just because Mio and Yuki came, he had never expected either Hozumi or Donoe from the third years to be one of them. If he were to be sent to the same department as one of them, it would result in a bad atmosphere. But if he were in the same department as either Mio or Yuki, while them were in some other department, it would undoubtedly bring about resentment.

But what Basara would want to avoid most of all, was them all being in the same department as either Mio or Yuki, while he himself was in some other department.

If anything goes wrong, it would cause the committee a lot of trouble. While he was in serious thought,

"Umm... May I interrupt you for a while?"

A voice came from beside, causing Basara to raise his head confusedly, and then, -

...Weird?

When Basara saw who the owner of the voice was, his mind suddenly went into a state of confusion. The owner of the voice was, a female student who was considerably cute; sporting short hair, with big eyes under her glasses, giving the feel of a timid puppy, causing people to have the urge to protect her. There were no problems from him with this. The problem was, that the uniform that was being worn, was the same as Basara's, a male school uniform. Amongst the four of them, their expressions were like Basara, full of confusion. While everyone had no idea on how to respond, --

"Eh... Why are you wearing the boys' uniform?"

Aikawa bluntly said out loud the conflict in everyone's hearts that had gotten their tougnes.

"About that... I apoligise, for causing misunderstandings. I am really a boy."

He answered while scratching his face in embarrassment,

"I am Tachibana Nano from the student council. Umm, you are Basara, and you are Mio Naruse and you are Yuki Nonaka, right? Sorry for disturbing you while choosing a department."

No matter from which angle you look from, his body is filled with feminine charms.

"Our vice-president would like to talk to you three about something, is it fine with you?"

After that, they then followed Tachibana to the preparation room next door.

The room was approximately four pyeongs large, with the shelf by the wall densely packed with different equipment and lots of documents. Vice-president Kajiura was standing in the center of the room waiting for them."

"I have brought them, vice-president..."

"...Thank you, Tachibana."

After thanking Tachibana, Kajiura thenlooked towards Basara and the others coldly, and let out a slight sigh.

"There isn't much time, so I'll say it quickly. Are you not planning to leave the organizing committee?"

And told them her reason for wanting to see them without hesitation.

...Ah, That was probably it.

Basara wasn't particularly surprised, when Tachibana told him that Kajiura wanted to see him, since he had already guessed what it would be about. After that, Kajiura then suddenly lowered her eyes, and said:

"Sorry... I didn't mean to blame you. But as I've said before, this time there are too many volunteers, and there are already enough problems brought about by the sheer number of people. However, the motivation of over half of the volunteers were totally unrelated to the sports meet itself, and additionally, even the third years are present. Although there isn't a way to not let the crowd go out of control, we can't really afford to expend the extra effort."

"....I see."

Originally, the organizing committee shall be comprised of only year one and year two students. This is because the sports meet was organised and executed under the directive of the second years, in order to create an environment to ensure the smooth handover of orders within the organizing committee, to smoothly integrate everyone into the committee as a whole. But if the third years join in, and with ulterior motives to boot, it would cause confusion within the chain of command within the committee, leading its collapse.

Kajiura and Tachibana and the other members of the student council were different from the normal organizing committee members, beginning the preparations before the summer vacations. For organizing a successful sports meet, they would even continue to work on this continuously over the vacation.

...I had really wanted to stay, but it seems to be impossible...

Basara thought to himself, that he didn't want to cause any trouble just because of Mio and Yuki, and Mio and Yuki would likely be thinking the same way. Hence, -

"I understand. Although it would be a pity, -

Just as Basara was about to express his intention to voluntary leave the committee, the door of the room opened. The one who then came in, was Sakazaki.

"What's wrong, Kajiura, it is almost time... Wait, what's wrong?"

He had then realized the strange atmosphere in the room, and had asked surprised.

"Teacher, I apologize... It was regarding the students from your class."

Kajiura had no intention to hide it from Sakazaki who was from the supervising committee, and told him of the request for the trio to withdraw from the organizing committee. Sakazaki then scrunched his eyebrows while in thought, and said:

"Perhaps while this method may make those who came just because of Mio and Yuki to withdraw... But the organizing committee is also one of the extra-curricular activities, it would be problematic for me to allow them to withdraw."

"But if this continues..."

"Additionally, this action may also give the others an excuse to quit the committee."

Kajiura had raised objections from the student's perspective, and Sakazaki raised points from the perspective of a teacher.

"The members of the organizing committee from the various classes, amongst them, there are many who aren’t as willing as the three here. It was due to voting within the classes that they are here. If there were an opportunity to withdraw, they would immediately take the chance."

"Then at least..... -! ….Forget it, forget that I had said anything."

Kajiura then suddenly withdrew back her words, and bit her lip and lowered her head. What she wanted to say was, in fact, ' Then at least we could ask the third years to withdraw? ' . But, Donoe and Hozumi were the leaders of the Mio and Yuki fan camps, and if they were to be too course in crying to get them to leave, it would undoubtedly bring about quite some resentment, prompting them to bring about trouble from sabotage.

"If it's like this..." Basara then chimed in:

"About that, Kajiura-senpai... If there's trouble with us withdrawing, how about we reverse the situation and use us instead? I guess it would make the preparations more or less smoother..."

".....That would probably bring about some situations that are against you."

Kajiura worriedly said that.

"That can't be helped. After all, we didn't join the committee to have fun."

"I-I... am also mentally prepared..."

After listening to the bitterly smiling Mio and Yuki's indifferent answers, Kajiura then lowered her head for a while, before mumbling "All right..."

"I would like to request Mio to join the <General Auxiliary> department, and for Yuki to join the <Accounting> department. Would it be fine? The more people there are in these two department, the better, and if you are there, there would definitely be enough manpower, If I remember correctly, there are two more girls from your class? If there were only each of you in each department, I'm afraid that something will happen, so I'll need to trouble you to ask them to join these two departments. Also, I would appoint people from the student council to be the chairpersons of the two departments, and will definitely not allow the third years to do as they wish."

After Mio and Yuki nodded to show their agreement, Kajiura then said while feeling terribly apologetic:

"Sorry... I will definitely try to keep my eye on them, and try not to bring you any trouble and embarrassment.

From her expressions, one could see that her request for the trio to withdraw, was in fact not for easier management of the organizing committee, but was in fact for their well-being. Hence, -

"Then I will join the other departments, to avoid unwanted confrontations."

Basara then said this to Kajiura, but in the end, -

"There is no need for that, Toujou. I would to invite you to join the student council, and assist in the management of all the departments."

"Joining the student council, and giving my assistance...?"

Basara then responded by repeating the question, unsure. Kajiura then nodded and said:

"Correct, joining the student council, to deal with things when things crop up. You wouldn't be interfering with the various departments' work. When the time comes, I will give you the orders, so you can put your mind at ease and go help Mio and Yuki

Part 2

After that, the separation of the volunteers into the different departments went as anticipated.

Mio had joined the <General Auxiliary> department, and Donoe and the others from the Mio fan camp followed her into that department; Yuki had joined the <Accounting> department, and Hozumi and the others from the Yuki fan camp also followed her in; Aikawa and Sakaki and listened to the trio's explanation when they got back, and had readily separated and joined the two departments. As most of the volunteers who had joined the committee only cared about the fate of only either Mio or Yuki, the announcement of Basara joining the student council to help had apparently went unnoticed. And now, the first meeting for the organizing committee for the sports meet and finally come to an end.

After that, Basara separated from Mio and Yuki, and went to the infirmary alone. It was because he had an unfulfilled agreement. The plan was that after Mio and Yuki were done with their work, the three of them will walk home together, but,-

...Today's really an inconvenient date.

Being eyed on the organizing committee, and letting the two of them into the limelight, who knows if they would be able to walk home together with a low profile again... Such behavior that would stimulate those in the surroundings, would definitely need to be avoided.

...After all, we had managed to remain in the committee with difficulty.

In Basara's heart, there were <special reasons> that caused him to want to make the sports meet a success.

Although he had wanted to make friends other than Takigawa, this was only his second try.

And so, he had to get onto the organizing committee no matter what, and persist until the end of the sports meet. Reviewing his determination while walking through the corridor, he then arrived at the door to the infirmary.

"--Excuse me for interrupting."

After a voice inviting him in had come through the door, what had greeted him immediately was a burst of soft and comfortable air.

--No matter how many times he came here, Basara would always feel that the infirmary was always the place that he can relax the most in.

To say whether was it particularly that the air was particularly fresh... Of course, the main aim of the infirmary was originally to treat injuries, so there would be equipment for air conditioning and air filtration. However, this was the place where the people that were sick or were down with injuries gather, and so the depressing mood that was supposed to be here brings about a heavy atmosphere, just like how most people feel that the atmosphere at the hospitals were not good. Even so, the infirmary waas yet maintained as a sacred place. But, -

" Weird....?"

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