Chapter 63: Kindred Spirit

Everyone from the Help club introduced themselves to Yuujin. He then told the Help club members some more information about him and his friend.

"My friend's name is Souzouryoku Eizou. It feels like he doesn't mind what is happening, but I certainly do… He's a kind person but others just see that weird side of him. And he gets judged because of it. Please help me! I'm willing to do anything!"

Yuujin bowed down his head.

"We'll talk about it amongst ourselves first. We'll come by your classroom once we've made a decision."

Akuma looked at Yuujin.

"Thank you, Senpai! I'll be waiting."

Yuujin stood up and bowed again. He then left the clubroom and closed the door.

"So… Can we really do anything for that kid?"

Kiba looked at everyone.

"That's why we need to decide. And I vote 'No'."

Akuma put his hands inside his side pockets.

"Typical of you to give up when there's no benefit for you. Anyway, I say we do it."

Angelie made a side glance at Akuma. She then looked at everyone else.

"I kind of feel bad for the kid. So, I guess we should at least try."

Kiba sat up straight on his chair.

"I know what it's like to have friends that suffer from the same condition, so it's obvious that I would want to help him!"

Sanaka slammed the table with both of her hands.

"So, may I ask who are these 'friends' of yours that suffer from the same condition?"

Mimi stared directly into Sanaka's eyes.

"It's you guys. I have no other friends."

Sanaka pointed her finger toward Mimi.

"Since I'm not your friend, I'm not included in that."

Akuma glared at Sanaka.

"No, you're my friend. All of you are."

Sanaka closed her eyes and nodded.

"A-anyway. We've reached a decision to help Shinsetsu-kun. But the issue now is how…"

Angelie looked up and spun in her fingers the pen she was holding.

The clubroom was silent for a while. Each one of them was thinking by themselves. As they were racking their brains for answers, Akuma broke the silence.

"Is this really an issue that needs to be resolved? It's not like the one who has chuunibyou was the one who asked for help. If anything, Shinsetsu said earlier that his friend doesn't mind being mocked or whatnot."

Akuma clasped his hands together and placed them on top of the table.

"What are you saying? That we just let this be?! He was clearly troubled."

Angelie glared at Akuma.

"What I'm saying is that Shinsetsu should learn to accept his friend for who or what he is. If everyone is laughing at his friend, then he should just make sure that he doesn't. His friend will appreciate that more than anything we try to do."

Akuma leaned back on his chair as he stared right back at Angelie.

"Damn. You're making a lot of sense right now."

Kiba had his arms crossed as he nodded at Akuma.

"But are we sure this friend of his is not from Altro Mondo?"

Mimi threw the question out to everyone. Akuma, Kiba and Angelie instantly looked at Mimi. Their faces indicated that they didn't think of that possibility.

"You're right, Mimi-san… We should check with his friend first."

Angelie nodded at Mimi.

"Yeah. Maybe not everyone is concerned about hiding their true selves."

Kiba scratched the back of his head as he smiled.

"So, another one has come to possibly disrupt my plans, huh…"

Akuma smirked without looking at anyone in particular.

"See? You guys are suffering from chuunibyou, too! Just admit it!"

Sanaka stood up and slammed the table again with her two hands.

---

The following day, the Help club members went to the classroom of 1-B during lunch break. Angelie asked the male student near the door where Yuujin was. The male student pointed at a crowd of students inside the classroom. They were loudly laughing at something. At the center of the crowd, Yuujin was standing in front of someone. He had his hands spread out to his sides, as if protecting the person behind him.

The male student that was seated near the door called out to Yuujin and pointed at the Help club members that were standing outside the classroom door. Angelie waved at Yuujin. The person behind Yuujin also saw the Help club members.

"Hi, Shinsetsu-kun. We'd like to talk to you if you're free now. Is it okay?"

Angelie stepped inside the classroom.

"Oh, Fukushuu-senpai. Thanks for coming—"

"So, you've finally found me, huh? Took you long enough. I was getting tired of waiting for you to reveal yourselves."

The person standing behind Yuujin was his friend, Eizou. He brushed up his bangs using his hand.

(So, he really is from Altro Mondo?!)

Everyone from the Help club except Sanaka thought of the same thing at the same time.

"Well, um, can we talk somewhere else? Souzouryoku-kun, right?"

Angelie smiled awkwardly at Eizou.

"You may call me whatever you wish. This is just my present form."

Eizou stared at Angelie and then smirked.

---

The Help club members together with Yuujin and Eizou went to the rooftop. There weren't that many students eating their lunch at the rooftop during that time. They stood at a vacant area.

"So, Shinsetsu-kun. Before we decide if we're going to accept your request, we'd like to talk to Souzouryoku-kun first. Is that alright?"

Angelie faced both Yuujin and Eizou. Sanaka and Mimi were standing beside Angelie. Kiba and Akuma were standing behind her.

"It's okay. Although, I didn't tell him about my request to you guys. So…"

Yuujin looked at Angelie then turned his gaze at Eizou.

"We're just going to ask a few questions."

Angelie forced a smile at Yuujin and then faced Mimi. They then nodded at each other.

"I'd like to get straight to the point. Souzouryoku-kun, are you from Altro Mondo?"

Mimi stared directly into Eizou's eyes.

"O-of course! And you really took your time to find me. A-aren't you worried that I might share the secrets of that world to the mortals of this new world?"

Eizou avoided Mimi's stare by closing his eyes. He put his hands on his waist.

The four Help club members, who were from Altro Mondo, were surprised by what they heard. They weren't able to react immediately to what he said.

"So, who do you think this guy was before? He doesn't seem to be one of your generals that I knew…"

Kiba leaned closer to Akuma as he whispered to him.

"I have no idea. His words and actions don't resemble anyone from my army. Unless, he was just a foot soldier who was dispensable."

Akuma whispered back at Kiba.

Meanwhile, Mimi and Angelie also whispered at each other.

"From the way that he spoke, he felt like a minion of that Demon Lord. He was threatening us about a secret that he will spread around this world."

Mimi leaned closer to Angelie while covering her mouth with her hand as she whispered into Angelie's ear.

"I don't want to judge him, but I somewhat agree with your assessment."

Angelie nodded as she stared at Eizou.

"Even if you think you were whispering, I could hear your conversations! There is no point in finding out my true identity."

Eizou laughed out loud.

"What? He could hear us? Does that mean he retained a skill from his previous life?"

Akuma took a step back due to the shock of the moment.

"No, no. All of you were still talking loud enough that he could hear it."

Sanaka closed her eyes and placed her palm on her face. She then shook her head.

---

The Help club decided to talk it over with themselves and that they would get back to Yuujin. The two first-year students went back to their classroom while the Help club members stayed at the rooftop.

"So, what are we going to do?"

Kiba leaned his back on the railing.

"It wasn't clear what he wanted. And Angelie-san and I are sure that we do not know him from our previous lives."

Mimi touched her chin as she was thinking.

"Well, I don't know him either. But what's more important is if he's here to get in my way or not."

Akuma rested his arms on the railings. He looked at the view of the city.

"I just hope he doesn’t plan to do anything bad…"

Angelie clasped her hands together while looking at the ground.

"So, just tell it to me straight, you guys."

Sanaka clenched her shaking fists at her sides as she looked at everyone.

"Tell you what, Sanaka-san?"

Angelie looked at the somewhat restless Sanaka.

"Are you… are you guys going to replace me with that Souzouryoku?!"

Tears started to well up in Sanaka's eyes.

"Huh? What are you getting at?"

Akuma turned around to look at Sanaka.

"Now that you've found someone who is into your role-playing, you're going to kick me out of the club since I can't do those impromptu skits you're doing!"

Sanaka started to sniffle as her face slowly turned red.