6.1
Prologue
I'm on the way back from the Seibunkan Bookstore in front of the station.
I got off the red tram and walked down the station. The bright sunlight made me lower my head.
Even though it's already late August, the summer heat isn't subsiding at all.
I went over the zebra crossing. The touch of the book cover in my hands really excites me.
Indeed, I finally bought the long-awaited latest volume of
The social status here is decided by the size of your boobs. It's a shounen action novel with superpowers based on a dystopian world.
At the end of the last volume, the main girl's best friend, Kirari-chan, grew to C cup and became her enemy. I really looked forward to the continuation.
Kazuhiko Nukumizu, Class 1C, a Tsuwabuki High School's Literature Club member.
It's the summer holiday. Today is peaceful and calm. The clock just turned to 11. I have to go home and enjoy the book cover and illustrations in an air-conditioned room.
The cicadas are screaming non-stop behind me. I got home. Clear footsteps can be heard the moment I step into the entrance.
"Welcome back, onii-sama!"
The girl dashing toward me is my little sister, Kaju Nukumizu. She's two years younger.
Even though her bro-con trait is a downer, she's an innocent and adorable little sister.
She's wearing a denim dress. There's even a huge headband on her black, long hair today.
"What's wrong? You're in a rush."
"Onii-sama! Oh, no! Something big just happened!"
Kaju is holding a wall calendar as she jumps up and down excitedly.
"Is there an emergency? Also, why are you holding that?"
"It's because! We have to decide the arrangements for the interview! Why not do it right now!?"
…I have no idea what she's talking about.
"I got it, Kaju. Chill. You can tell me what's going on after calming down."
"Alright, Kaju has calmed down now! She suddenly visited us when Kaju was preparing lunch! Right, we have the leftover curry from yesterday as lunch!"
Yep, she's not calmed down at all. At least I know what I'm having for lunch.
"I see. Leftover curry sounds good too. Is someone here?"
"Yeah! But Kaju can't show up like this in front of a guest! Kaju is going to change, so I'll leave the guest to onii-sama."
"Uh, hey."
"I've already brought the guest into the living room!"
Kaju dashed up the stairs before she even finished talking.
Isn't it just a guest? Why is she so hyped up?
I'm a bit confused. Then, I noticed a cute pair of girls' sneakers when I took off my shoes.
The size is too big for Kaju, but the design seems too young for my mom.
I looked at the end of the corridor. I can sense someone else's presence, even though it's faint.
"…That's impossible, right?"
There's no use in just guessing. So, I entered the living room.
Chapter 1: Anna Yanami Is Trying to Give Me Hints
"I'm back…"
I opened the door worriedly. The usual scenery of my house came into view.
The size of the living room is 18 tatamis. It's joined with the dining room. The TV is replaying travel shows. [TL: 1 tatami = 1.65 square meters.]
Nothing unusual, aside from that girl holding a spoon next to the table with her mouth open.
"Hey, Nukumizu-kun, it's been a while. Sorry for the intrusion."
With that, the girl sent a spoon full of curry into her mouth.
"What the-!? Why are you here!?"
This girl, whose cheeks are stuffed up with curry, is Anna Yanami.
She became a staple losing heroine just a while ago when a heavenly transfer student took her childhood friend away.
Yanami swallowed the curry as she gave me a cheerful smile. There are still rice grains on her face.
"This curry tastes very good. I think it's, uh, leftover curry?"
"Oh, right, yeah. So, why are Yanami-san eating curry in my house?"
"Uh, ugh, nom nom nom."
Don't talk while eating.
She must be the guest Kaju is talking about, right? I sighed and sat at the opposite end of the table.
…Right, she finally finished her food.
"Yanami-san, you should give me a heads-up when you come to my house, right?"
Yanami answered my reasonable demand with displeased eyes.
"Nukumizu-kun didn't check your Line, right? I texted you a few times that I was coming."
Wait, really? I opened my phone. There's indeed a dot on the Line icon.
"Sorry, I didn't notice it. I thought it was mail or something."
"No, no, no, these have notifications, right?"
"Notifications…? Oh, this one?"
I didn't know this function wasn't telling me my HP in the mobile game had already recovered.
I looked away and prepared to find excuses.
"I know Yanami-san is here now. So, what's wrong?"
We became friends during the closing ceremony of the first term.
Even so, we're not close enough to hang out in each other's homes. Yet, she's eating curry -because this is how this girl is.
Yanami had almost finished the curry. She skillfully put the rice grains and curry sauce in one place with her spoon.
She reluctantly sent this last bite between her lips and clapped her hands.
"Thanks for the food. Well, I'm giving my friends somen right now." [TL: Thin noodles.]
"Somen?"
Upon a closer look, there's a huge paper bag on the table.
Are these the so-called Ghost Festival gifts? I can just return her with a pack of salad oil, right? Yanami looks like she loves oil.
I peeked inside the paper bag. It's filled with somen with a "cheap and tasty" slogan.
"This entire bag doesn't look like a gift for the Ghost Festival. Why did you bring so much?"
"Do you want to know? You really want to know, right?"
"Uh, not really."
Yanami wiped her lips with paper towels. She ignored me and continued.
"Actually, this is my dad's salary for this month."
"Salary…? What?"
"I'm saying that his salary for July is paid with all of these somen because of reasons. Somen only."
For some reason, even the cicadas cooperated with Yanami and stopped screaming when she said that.
"That's a lot for a month's salary."
"My house has 300 thousand yen worth of somen lying around."
"This is just a question, but somen isn't some kind of criminal slang, right? This should be legal, right?"
"Of course. What do you think my family is?"
Yanami looked outside the window sadly. I followed her.
"I ate, …I ate a whole life's worth of somen…"
The blue sky of August still feels just as hot. However, the shape of the clouds is indeed telling us summer is about to be over.
"So, you mean you're handing out somen? Why don't you just give them to neighbors if you have so much?"
"I am, but they always pretend they aren't home now."
It's because somen has caused strife among neighbors.
"I see…"
"Yeah, that's all…"
Both of us acknowledged the silence.
"Now Nukumizu-kun understands why I'm eating curry in your house right now?"
"Yeah, I don't really understand, but I get it. You want another plate?"
"This is already my second plate. No thanks."
She already had her second plate?
Even though I freaked out initially, this is just a friend giving me somen when I think about this calmly.
"Nukumizu-kun, don't tell me you didn't read the Line message this morning as well? The one about the Literature Club is having a sudden conference meeting."
"Eh, there's a message like that?"
I didn't notice it at all. I hastily took out my phone and checked. There's a text from Prez in the Literature Club's Line group. He hopes everyone can meet in the club room tomorrow afternoon.
I checked the records. Yanami seems to be going as well.
I answered with a simple "got it".
"Let's put that aside first. Aren't Yanami-san busy now? Are you sure you can just chill here?"
"Uh, do you mean you want me to leave?"
Yanami's lips curled down sulkily.
"A bit. Don't you have to give somen to your other friends?"
"Yeah, there's still one more house- wait, what did you say in the beginning?"
"Nothing at all. Look, the weather report says it's getting hot during the afternoon. You should finish your business quickly."
"…We can talk after having pears."
Yanami's eyes brightened up.
"Pears?"
I turned around. Kaju is standing there in her uniform with a plate. She's smiling.
"Yanami-senpai. Kaju just cut some pears. Do you want to try them?"
"Yes, yes! Thank you, Kaju-chan!"
Right, I forgot about Kaju. Also, why do these two look like they are getting close?
Kaju sat next to me with a puppy's bright eyes.
"This pear is delicious."
"This is a Kojima pear from our relatives. Anyway, Yanami-senpai, can I ask you some questions?"
Kaju said that as she took out papers and a recording pen.
…This girl, she's really planning for an interview.
"Ask me anything. Are you asking for homework or something else?"
"Hmm, close! Well, I'll be asking about your date of birth, blood type, family members, interests, hobbies, and specialties. Also, how did you fall in love with onii-sama…?"
Shit, Kaju is entering into a weird mode. I immediately chose to intervene.
"Kaju. Look, Yanami-san is busy. Let's ask her next time, alright?"
"B-But! Kaju still has to listen to what interesting things did onii-sama see in school!"
You're asking your brother too much.
"Go back to the room if you understand. C'mon, stand up-"
"Ugh-"
I finally managed to get Kaju to leave. Yanami mumbled to herself quietly.
"…Nukumizu-kun, you tell your little sister to call you onii-sama?"
"I didn't make her. This is very important."
"Also, your little sister is adorable. Her face is petite, and her hair is silky."
"Yeah, people often used to say we look like each other."
"Who said that? Let me meet that person too."
Hell no. Finish your food and get your ass home.
I put my elbows on the table and looked out the window. There are small pieces of clouds floating in the sky.
Ah, the weather is getting chilly too. I can hear cicadas calling day and night.
"Yanami-san, it almost feels like autumn."
"In other words, it's almost the season of pears. Why don't you just say it if you want pears?"
Yanami is biting a slice of pear as she hands me the plate.
"…Thanks."
I decided to not sink myself in disappointment and took the pears.
There are around 10 days left until the new semester.
Later, I realized- Yanami at this time was a messenger who brought the end to this peaceful summer holiday.
*
It's the afternoon of the second day.
Tsuwabuki High School is not far from Aichi Station. I went past the school entrance as I tidied up my tie.
Someone's already here after I opened the door to the club room.
There's a bookshelf as tall as the ceiling in the Literature Club's room. It takes up the entire section of the wall too. A petite girl is sitting on a foldable chair before the bookshelf. She's reading.
The curtains, which are fluttering with the wind, hide this girl's presence.
-Chika Komari.
There's a pigtail on the side of her head. Her bangs that cover her eyes are caressed by the breezes.
She's also a first-year student like me. We're both in the Literature Club. After being rejected by our Prez, this girl honorably joined the big losing heroines' family.
This girl was like a timid hamster when we met in the first term.
We first interacted by typing on our phones. Later, she slowly opened up, and we could chitchat for a bit. Those people who say I have a communication disorder should reflect on themselves.
"Nice work, Komari. It's been a while."
"Ugh…? Ah…"
Komari seems to be mumbling something, but I can't hear it. She then pulled out her phone from her pocket.
Afterward, she started knocking on the screen smoothly and handed it to me.
"Oh? Sure."
Komari's eyes returned to her novel again.
…Wait, why do I feel like everything just reset? This mobile game is too unfriendly to players who don't log in routinely, right?
"Hey, Komari?"
"Ugh, ah…"
Komari hastily tried to take out her phone again. I shook my head.
"Nevermind. It's nothing."
This seems familiar. I sat down a bit far away from her.
I just played on my phone silently for a while. However, this atmosphere feels awkward even to me. I threw out conversations that didn't need answering from time to time.
Anxiety is a big no-no to acclimating affection. Let's use a safe topic like cute animals to melt this troublesome little maiden's frozen heart.
"P-Please stop talking about rodents…"
After the 20-minute mark, Komari finally can't hold it back, …no, she finally opens up to me.
"But I still want to talk about the difference between gerbils and hamsters."
"I-I can google. No thanks."
It's fine if she asks Google-sensei. Also, my only goal here is to talk to Komari. I've already reached my goal.
I looked at my phone in satisfaction. Suddenly, the door to the club room was pushed open.
Yanami's holding a cardboard box. She walked inside by kicking the door open.
"Thanks for the work. You two are really early."
I stood up, took the box, and put it on the table.
"Thanks, Nukumizu-kun. Are the senpais not here yet?"
Yanami shook her exhausted hands and took a seat. Komari quietly mumbled as she moved herself and her chair to the corner of the room.
"Hey, I was wondering why this box feels so heavy. It's all somen inside."
"I want to give them to everyone. Komari-chan, you should take some home too."
Komari nodded silently at the corner.
Yanami moved her chair closer to me. I quickly kept a subtle distance from her.
"…Nukumizu-kun, what did you do to Komari-chan? Did you pull her head for a bit?"
"I won't do anything like that. She'll be like this before she gets used to us. That's why you shouldn't talk loudly or move suddenly."
"I see. It's like a cat café."
She's not as cute as a cat.
We chatted quietly to avoid irritating Komari. After a while, the two third-year students are finally here. They are a little late.
They are the president of the Literature Club, Shintaro Tamaki, and the vice-president, Koto Tsukinoki.
They started going out during our trip in July. They should be living a tiring yet joyful exam candidate life.
"Sorry for the wait."
"I'm sorry for calling everyone here even though it's the summer holiday."
They sat down in pairs. Komari moved her chair to us in relief.
"Thanks for the work, you two. I feel like it's been a while."
Prez showed an exhausted expression after hearing that.
"The mock exams are so insane. I barely managed to get a pass."
Prez looked to his side. Tsukinoki-senpai immediately looked away.
"I'm working hard too, you know? But, look, the exam won't go away. I'm just progressing slowly to my pace, you know?"
"Koto, the exam won't run away, but a passing mark definitely can."
"I'll find a job if I fail all of them. Permanent employment. Hiya, what did I even say-" [TL: Eikishushoku (permanent employment), it's a way of saying getting married and being a housewife.]
Tsukinoki-senpai is saying nonsense. Komari and her exchanged looks.
They looked at each other and showed an indescribable yet mischievous smile. As for Prez, he wrapped his hands around his head in pain.
…Please relax, everyone. These two actually have a close relationship. However, being close doesn't ease the burden on Prez's back.
Perhaps Yanami wants to change this awkward atmosphere. She raises her hand.
"So, what are we supposed to do today?"
"Oh, right."
With that, Prez got right into the chase.
"The student council has told us all clubs are required to report their summer holiday activities starting this year. That's what I want to talk about today."
Activities during the summer holiday? It's already past the Ghost Festival. What summer holiday do we even have left?
"Why did the student council come up with such a request this late?"
I interrupted. Prez bitterly smiled and looked at Tsukinoki-senpai.
"Actually, they told everybody in July."
"I couldn't help it. I'm busy preparing for the exam and getting a driver's license. I forgot about that."
Tsukinoki-senpai laughed as she took out a notice slip from her pocket.
…Did this person just say getting a driver's license? There's a lot I want to complain about, but let's just leave it there. I feel so bad for Prez, after all.
Yanami took the slip.
"This says trips are alright. Can't we just say we went to the beach last month?"
"That happened before the summer holiday. We would be fine if we went a week later."
Come to think of it, I think that's true. We went there before the summer holiday.
"I've been updating my web light novels."
"That's just our usual routine. They want a report of something special in the summer holiday. So."
Prez winked. Tsukinoki-senpai took out an A4-sized handbook from her school bag.
"Look, I've printed everyone's web novels and put them into a sample club magazine. It looks quite nice with the cover and back page, right?"
I took the sample and flipped it open. The rom-com I've been publishing is on there as well.
"It feels like there are a lot of empty pages."
"This is just a sample. I'm thinking of including my explanations or columns between each of your novels for the final product. However, it's not convincing to just print out our web novels as club activities."
"Hey, mine is up there too."
Yanami poked her head in and looked at the sample in my hands.
"Well, everyone should decide which novel they want to be included now. Of course, you can always write new stuff."
"I don't have time to write a new one, so I'm just going to edit my current series and call it a day. Don't push yourselves too hard, everyone."
Tsukinoki-senpai has been drawing something in her notebook since then silently.
"Senpai, what are you doing?"
"My new novel is rejected by Shintaro. That's why I'm drawing a replacement cover."
I think she's drawing two dudes with her pencil. I can strongly feel that this will be rejected too.
Well, what should I publish then? I thought about that as I opened my personal page on
My
I suddenly noticed the number of readers and favorites are both 4. It's the same as the total members in this club room. This isn't a coincidence.
I feel kind of empty. The last Literature Club member isn't even my reader.
Remon Yakishio.
She's the young ace in the Track and Field Club and a Literature Club member. She's energetic and cheerful. Her wheat-colored tan looks really healthy.
That girl is also a talented person who has recently made her debut, becoming a losing heroine.
"Prez, Yakishio isn't here today?"
"Yeah, she said she's busy. I'll talk to her later."
That girl is still focused on the Track and Field Club. However, she frequently put her stuff in this club room. It looks like she's aware that she's in the Literature Club, at least.
Yanami suddenly yelled when everyone was checking their own novels.
"I've decided. I'm continuing the novel I've written during the trip! Komari-chan, what are you planning to do?"
"Eh…? Ah…"
Komari suddenly became the center of the conversation. She took out her phone and showed the screen to Yanami.
"Hey, you're hard-working. What about you, Nukumizu-kun?"
"I'll just edit the first chapter of what I have and put it up."
Prez nodded and clapped his hands.
"Well, everyone made up their minds now. Please send the draft to me once you're ready."
After that, Prez and Tsukinoki-senpai stood up at the same time.
"Eh, are you two going back already?"
Prez grabbed Tsukinoki-senpai's wrist after hearing me out. They seem to be flirting.
"I have to guard Koto so that she doesn't run away from the exam. That's all. See you all next time."
"Bye-bye, I'll leave the rest up to you."
Tsukinoki-senpai followed Prez outside, but she suddenly remembered something and turned around.
"Hey, is anyone free tomorrow to help me out in the library?"
"Help you out?"
"I've said we're choosing a librarian in the Literature Club every year, right? Even though we don't need to be on duty, we have to help pack up the books. I'm the librarian this year, but my hands are full right now."
Prez explained next to Tsukinoki-senpai.
"They will listen to our suggestions whenever they are buying new books. There's even a discount for us to buy stuff from the library. I guess it's a mutually beneficial relationship."
Komari listened to them. She raised her hand timidly.
"W-Well, I-I can go."
"Me too."
"Really? The more, the merrier, of course. After all, we have to be on good terms with the people in the library."
Yanami put her hands together apologetically.
"Sorry, I have a classmate's party tomorrow."
"Don't worry about it. I just brought it up at a moment's notice. Well, we'll leave it for now. I'll tell you the actual time later."
Prez and Tsukinoki-senpai waved and left for real this time.
Their voices gradually disappeared from the corridor. Komari is getting restless. She closed her novels, mumbled something, and walked out of the club room.
I guess she was saying goodbye or thanks for the work, right?
Yanami held her yawn and stretched her back.
"Well, I'll go back too. I booked an appointment in a beauty salon for tomorrow."
Tomorrow. I think…she has said there's a classmate's party.
"Don't tell me Hakamada will be at the classmate's party too?"
"Of course, but it's too much to call it a classmate's party. It's actually just Sosuke hanging out with a few close friends."
"Oh, that sounds fun."
That was obviously a lie. Yanami replied with a charming smile.
"Karen-chan will be at the party as well."
"…Wait, Himemiya-san is going too?"
Karen Himemiya. She just transferred to our class in May.
Then, in just two months, this beautiful girl is already going out with Sosuke Hakamada, Yanami's childhood friend and her dream lover.
Even though Yanami is quite adorable, Karen Himemiya crushes her in brilliance and the main heroine vibe. Also, her boobs are bigger.
"I have a question. Isn't Himemiya-san a transfer student? Why is she going to your classmate's party…?"
"Whoever is dating someone will introduce themselves to each other, even though it's not mandatory."
I understand that. Their middle school friends must be familiar with the relationship between Yanami and Hakamada, right?
If Himemiya-san is there in this situation…
My face is full of worry. Yanami nodded and tried to calm me down.
"Don't worry about it. I'm already different from last term. Yes, I realized I must be grateful to everything in the world, including myself. What a gentle soul I have."
"…Ha?"
This girl is saying nonsense again. Yanami gave up on me and shrugged.
"I'll explain in a way that Nukumizu-kun can understand, alright?"
"Please, even though I'm not looking forward to your explanation."
"Well, Sosuke and Karen-chan are both my dear friends. Shouldn't I feel happy when my dear friends are happy too?"
Hmm, I guess…that's true. I nodded earnestly.
I don't know whether Yanami is satisfied with my attitude. She continued with a chic expression.
"In other words, I'm also happy when those two are going out. Right now, what I have for them is sincere appreciation. That's how I feel."
"…Respect and acknowledge."
What's with her change of heart? Yanami took out a book when I was confused.
The title is <108 Quotes to Reduce Your Mental Burden>.
"What's this book about?"
"It says I just need to be who I am. It's fine to not take off the yakitori from the bamboo stick. I can just finish it in one bite, …something like that. Do you want to read it too, Nukumizu-kun?"
I see. It's a book for people when they are feeling weak.
Yanami showed an innocent smile. I silently shook my head.
*
I was the last one to leave the club room. I went to the vending machine in the courtyard of the school.
As I'm browsing the goods, I can hear a faint voice from somewhere.
"Is…someone…there…?"
…Hmm?
What's with that whisper? I looked around. No one is here.
Was that my imagination? I can hear the characters' voices in light novels in my prime time. That must have been my imagination. I should just chill and buy something to drink.
"…You, …over there…"
"Hiya!?"
I didn't control myself and let out a girly squeak. Please don't let me see ghosts.
After all, a pale arm suddenly reached out from the shadow of the vending machine.
I'm as terrified as a deer. At the same time, I saw the hairband on her wrist and the nail polish. I think I've seen this before. She's from the student council…
"Shikiya-senpai?"
The thing in the shadow reacted to my words. It slowly moved.
"…You are…the young man from the Literature Club…"
The girl leaning on the vending machine helplessly is Yumeko Shikiya. She's a second-year student at Tsuwabuki High School and a student council member.
She has white-brown wavy hair, ridiculous eyelashes, and totally off-the-place pale skin.
Even though she's a trendy gal senpai with everything I like, unfortunately, her white pupils are way too freaky. Also, I don't know why the abyssal darkness around this person always turns deeper.
"Can I ask what senpai is doing in a place like this?"
"I'm…here…for drinks, …but I ran out of strength. …Help me…buy…"
Shikiya-senpai reached her hand out. There are some coins in her palm.
"Oh, sure. Do you want tea or anything?"
"Get me…I LOHAS, …peach flavored, …help me twist open the bottle cap…" [TL: I LOHAS Natural Water.]
So many requests.
But she's my senpai, after all. Let's just follow her order and twist open the cap.
"There's no change."
"Feed me…"
"What?"
What did this person just say?
Shikiya-senpai closed her eyes and raised her head before waiting for my answer. She slowly opened her pale and thin lips.
"Eh? Uh, hey, Shikiya-senpai?"
Is she waiting for someone to kiss her? I gulped nervously.
Calm down. There's nothing to worry about. I'm just feeding water to this senpai, and I have no idea what she's thinking about. Well, even though I don't understand what's happening as well.
"…Quick."
"Y-Yes!"
A man shouldn't let a girl suffer any embarrassment. I slowly feed water into Shikiya-senpai's mouth.
It's the summer holiday. I'm in the shadow of the vending machine in the quiet courtyard.
In this gloomy little corner, Shikiya-senpai's slim throat is slowly squirming. Drops of water are flowing out from her lips.
Cicadas are screaming non-stop in my brain-
…What am I even doing here?
"Senpai, it's time to drink it yourself, right?"
I snapped out of it. Shikiya-senpai heard that and grabbed my hand suddenly.
"Hiya!?"
"…That's a lot. …It's leaking out…"
Shikiya-senpai took the bottle and left the shadow of the vending machine. She's standing under the sun.
"Thanks, …I was a goner."
She really did die. By the way, she spilled a lot I LOHAS out.
"Don't just flip your bottle! Here, close the cap."
I twisted the bottle cap for her. She handed me a pink handkerchief with wavy frills.
"H-Help me wipe my lips…?"
"Wipe it yourself if you have a handkerchief. Ah, sheesh, you can't be helped."
This reminded me of Kaju when she was 3 years old. Even though that girl could eat properly in front of our parents, for some reason, she always flipped the bowls and caused a mess whenever she was with me.
I had to take care of Kaju every time I ate with her.
"Alright, you can clean the clothes yourself. Your bowties are all wet."
I handed her the wet handkerchief, but Shikiya-san wasn't planning to take it.
"Senpai? Your handkerchief."
"Come to think of it, …Koto-san- Tsukinoki-senpai, …how's she doing…?"
"I just saw her. She seems to be busy preparing for her exam lately."
"…Is it true…that she's going out with…Tamaki-san?"
Ah, right. It's true."
"I…see…"
Shikiya-senpai mumbled as she walked wobbly. I observed Shikiya-san as she walked to the school building. She looks like she's about to fall.
I sighed in relief after seeing her disappearing into the building.
I think that girl knows Prez too. I wonder what the relationship between them is?
"Ah, I forgot about the handkerchief."
I thought about whether I should chase after her. I need a certain amount of mental preparation to face that girl.
I should give it back to her later. Let's just choose delivery so that I don't need to see her.
*
The afternoon of the next day. I opened the door to the library of Tsuwabuki High School.
There's a librarian girl at the counter giving her full attention to the laptop screen she's staring at.
I hesitated for a moment before speaking to her.
"Hey, sorry. I'm-"
"Sorry, the library is closed today. We're tidying up our archives."
"Oh, no. I'm the helper from the Literature Club, Nukumizu. What should I do?"
The girl stopped typing on the keyboard and raised her head. Her face is pretty striking and captures one's attention. The braids on her head go around her shoulders and hang in front of her chest.
"Ah, the helper from the Literature Club. Thanks, I was given a heads up about it from Koto-senpai."
She stood up while pressing her slightly long skirt before walking out from behind the counter. From the design of our school badge on her cuff, she should be a second-year student.
"Thanks for helping. We really lack people during the summer holiday. Follow me."
"Ah, sure."
I secretly glanced at the girl next to me. She has slim arms and a gentle yet delicate face. Even though she doesn't have any make-up on, she's already so adorable that she doesn't need any.
…Yeah, this is what a librarian or Literature Club member should look like. They should look like they were born under an unlucky star, or should I say like a widow?
She ventured into the depths of the library as she smiled at me.
"There are new members in the Literature Club. I'm glad to hear that."
"Uh, I guess. I was a ghost member until recently."
"Looking forward to working with you. The girl from the Literature Club is already here. You should help her out."
Her pale finger pointed at the no. 900 bookshelf. It's for literature.
Within the shadows of the bookshelves, Komari mumbled to herself as she looked at the book labels.
"Sorry for the wait, Komari."
I greeted her. Komari raised her head. She shot daggers at me over her bangs.
"Y-You're too late. N-Nukumizu, I'll leave t-the second half of the list to you."
"Got it. Let's make this quick."
I held the list with one hand and started checking what needed doing.
Let's see. The first thing is to rearrange everything based on the labels' order. We need to check if there are any missing books.
…This is unexpectedly boring. Even though I was pretty worked up when I started, I'm getting sleepy already.
"By the way, Komari. You said you're going to put a new novel in the club magazine. Have you decided what to write yet?"
I thought she would ignore this chitchat. I'm just talking to keep myself awake. However, Komari actually joined the conversation.
"Y-Yeah, it's more like I'm a-already finished. …I-It's an i-isekai…r-romance…novel…"
Seriously? A weakling like me can't even edit and publish the first chapter's draft.
"That was quick. Did you upload it to
"I-I uploaded it y-yesterday…"
After that, Komari's lips curled upward slightly.
"What? You seem very happy."
"…I-I got into…the daily ranking o-of…
"Heh, isn't that amazing? Komari is writing an isekai romance novel, right?"
I took out my phone. Let's see. Where is the genre ranking again?
I casually clicked a few times. It shows the novels listed in the overall ranking. This is a battlefield where only the strong chosen by readers can enter.
I scrolled down and saw a very familiar pen name, "Usagi Kuon".
"I-Is this Komari's pen name? No.8 in the overall ranking!? Top 10?"
"E-Ehehe, …I get more points e-every time…I refresh."
Komari couldn't hold back her excitement. She jumped up and down.
The overall daily ranking shows the top 300 novels in
"Wow, you have more than 3,000 points."
This girl used to write youkai genre stuff, which is not popular on these websites. It's relatively hard to get points from that.
A newbie novelist like her who writes unpopular stuff managed to get 4 digits worth of points!? I feel like she has just trampled me into the ground.
Even though it's only a short story, it must be exciting that it only took a night to get 3,000 points.
I looked back up at her with newfound respect. Komari was wearing an arrogant expression. "Aren't I amazing…?" is written all over her face.
"B-But it's not like p-points matter."
"Weren't you just blabbing about points a minute ago?"
"T-The most important thing is to w-write what you l-love. Keep it up, N-Nukumizu. You can do it."
"Uwah, you're just being arrogant right now."
Tck, this must be a winner's privilege, right?
Although she has 100 times my points, I can't judge its quality if I don't read it.
So, I clicked on Komari's novel-
*
Literature Club Report – Summer Edition
"Sylvia Luczel-sama. I'm canceling our engagement."
I'm speechless at the sudden declaration.
I'm suspected of the attempted murder of Baron Anne's daughter.
Just now, the person who declared he was voiding our engagement in the reception room of my mansion is the crown prince of this country, First Prince Gustave.
He's my childhood friend. We've always been together. He was also my future husband.
He has curly blonde hair. His blue pupils are sparkling under his longer-than-mine eyelashes. A person's heart can be captured instantly by those eyes. Rumors say that he has the Charm Eye ability. Honestly, I can understand that.
However, his eyes are only filled with anger and contempt right now.
Even though I know I can't touch him, I still reach my hand out to the prince.
"Gustave-sama…"
"Sylvia, go to the monastery if you want to defend yourself-"
"Wait! The graduation party hasn't started yet!"
Prince Gustave looked confused upon hearing that.
…Yeah, I'm in a so-called otome game's world now.
I was an ordinary high school girl before getting reincarnated as the evil villainess in the otome game I love, Sylvia Luczel, a duke's daughter.
The story progresses toward the True End with all of the flags I've been carefully planting.
So, today's the finale of the game. It's the graduation party of the kingdom's magical school. Based on the plot, my engagement to Prince Gustave is supposed to be voided at the party.
After that, my parents will break off their relationship with me, and I'll be sent to a rural monastery. However-
"My efforts will be in vain if we don't cancel our engagement during the party! What did you think I planted all those flags and did not go down the wrong routes for!?"
Damn, there are no witnesses aside from maids and the prince's servants here. What a pain.
"Sylvia, what are you talking about…?"
The prince seems to think that I'm going haywire. He frowned and took a step back.
…The truth is, I'm actually freaking out as well.
The popular evil villainess Sylvia will find her happiness later in the DLC release. I scolded the prince during the party. Then, after seeing that, the domineering prince from the neighboring country falls in love with me.
"This woman is interesting."
He'll even say a line like that. That scene can't appear if our engagement is voided here.
"A-Anyway, I can't tolerate your disgusting acts toward Baron Anne's daughter. However, your reputation will be ruined if I void our engagement in public. This is my mercy as your former fiancée."
Uh, please don't. I don't need mercy like that. I'll just be sent to the monastery if this continues.
"I got it. Anyway, let's go to the party first. I'll humiliate Anne-san there, and then you can come out and announce my crimes. We can void our engagement at that point!"
Very well. This is a bit incoherent, but I managed to return to the original route. I pinched up the bottom of my dress as I prepared to leave the reception room.
"W-Wait, our engagement is already voided…"
I can hear Prince Gustave's powerless voice from behind. I glared at the prince with my hands akimbo.
"Please stop! How can a First Prince drag his feet at times like this!? Please announce our voided engagement at the graduation party!"
"Hey, listen to me."
"Shut up and go there! Please don't forget about the documents of my crimes! Prepare the carriage!"
Indeed, I can't waste any time here.
If I am going to progress toward my True End, everyone has to know our engagement is canceled-
*
…That's the story.
Compared to my novel, which isn't being read by anyone other than the Literature Club members, I feel like everyone wants to read more of this.
I hesitated about whether I should click "Like". Komari frowned as she looked at her phone.
"What's wrong, Komari?"
"Y-Yakishio just texted me…"
"Eh, you've been messaging her?"
When did they get so close?
"I-I jog with Yakishio f-from time-to-time l-lately."
Komari sometimes jogs too? Ah, but, come to think of it-
"We talked about this during the closing ceremony, right? Wait, you really went with her?"
"I-It's all because of Nukumizu…"
"Yes, I'm very sorry."
I can only apologize.
After the first term's closing ceremony, Komari wanted to create a chance for Yanami and me to talk alone. She told Yakishio she wanted to learn how to jog and got her away from us.
I didn't expect them to actually jog together.
"You could've just said no."
I casually remarked. Komari lowered her head in embarrassment after hearing that.
"I-I…can't r-reject it…i-if someone f-forces me…"
She sounds like a hentai heroine.
"Explain everything- no, I can talk to Yakishio if you hate it."
"G-Go die…"
I accidentally just said what I thought without consideration, but weren't you too mean to tell me to go die?
"I-I don't hate it. …The training i-is based on my s-stamina. S-She even g-gave me sneakers, a-and she carries me when I'm tired…"
Komari twirled her fingers. Hey, Yakishio is unexpectedly good at taking care of others. I guess I can just leave them alone.
"B-But, …i-it's too tiring to start running at 6 in the m-morning."
I would hate that.
"Well, but waking up early is good for your body, at least from a survey I've read."
"…T-That's just random BS, right?"
"So you do know."
I checked the bookshelves again to finish this ASAP, starting from the "Ma (マ)" row.
After a while, Komari seemed to have remembered something and asked me.
"Y-Yakishio, …d-does she has any siblings?"
That's sudden.
"Never heard of it, but I think she has mentioned that she has a little sister."
"W-Well, …h-have you seen a-anyone with Yakishio o-on the streets lately…?"
I shook my head. What is this girl trying to get at?
"What's wrong? Did something happen to her?"
"Uh, no, n-not really…"
Her mumbling is way too vague, but I shouldn't interrogate her. Moreover, I feel like this is troublesome.
I stretched my sore back and continued working.
*
It took us 2 hours to complete the task. I bid farewell to Komari and walked towards the clubroom.
I briefly thought about going home right away. However, I changed my mind because the work had been more tiring than expected. Let's take a break first.
I'm in the corridor that leads to the western building. Someone suddenly patted my shoulder.
"Nukumizu, you here for club activities?"
The person speaking to me is Mitsuki Ayano.
He was my classmate in cram school and Yakishio's dream lover. He's not just a tall, handsome guy with glasses. His grades are pretty good too.
He's also going out with his cram school partner and classmate, Chihaya Asagumo.
Aside from that, he's also a weird dude. For some reason, he always tries to talk to me whenever he knows I'm around.
"I had something to do in the library. But, why is Ayano here at this time?"
It's almost 4 PM now. It's a bit late to be in school during the summer holiday.
"I have some business too. By the way, is anyone in the Literature Club's room? I want to return the books I've borrowed."
"I'm going there right now. I can help you return them."
"Sorry, can I leave them with you?"
Ayano handed the books over. There's a finely crafted bracelet on his wrist. It doesn't match his look at all.
"Is this really conspicuous?"
"Eh? It kind of stands out."
Even though I'm not interested in the least, his facial expression totally tells me he wants me to listen to him. I gave up and nodded. This must be a part of interpersonal relationships.
"Chihaya gave me this. She said I have to wear it at all times. What a girl. Well, I was really surprised when I got this gift too…"
Unlike his words, Ayano's face is covered in embarrassment. I see. This must be the so-called masochistic show of affection. It's a breath of fresh air to see him like this because everyone else around me has suffered from rejection.
I thought about that while listening to him show off and responding with casual replies.
*
I came to the clubroom's door after bidding farewell to Ayano. It's not closed.
Did Komari come to the room? Or did someone forget to close it? I pushed the door.
"Hey, isn't this Nukkun?"
"!"
I immediately closed the door.
The person inside the clubroom is Remon Yakishio. To be precise, it's Yakishio in the middle of changing her clothes.
"Close the door when you're changing!"
"Wait, what's wrong with you?"
Yakishio ignored my panicking and walked out of the clubroom.
The buttons on her uniform are still not done up.
"Hey, why are you always taking your clothes off in front of others like it's nothing!?"
"I have proper clothes inside. Also, I'm less exposed now than during normal practices."
Yakishio tilted her head dumbfoundedly.
"…Always?"
By the way, this girl seems to have forgotten about what happened in the PE storage last month.
"It's nothing. Alright, go in. Don't change in the corridor."
"Uh, please don't push me."
I pushed Yakishio back into the room and closed the door behind us. Phew, I managed to prevent a scene.
"Nukkun, you're overthinking. Help me put this back in the bag over there, please."
She rolled a towel into a ball and suddenly threw it at me.
I caught it. Her training clothes are inside the towel. I looked away and shoved it into Yakishio's sports bag.
Wait, why am I in the clubroom? Come to think of it, isn't this situation worse…?
I sat on a chair as I peeked over at her worriedly. Yakishio continued changing without the slightest sense of panic.
She's finally wearing her uniform properly. I'm relieved.
So that's how you wear that bowtie… [TL: This is referencing the Special Intermission 1 in Vol.1.]
"Anyway, Yakishio, why are you changing here?"
"The Track and Field Club's room is really tiny. First-year students are always the last. That's why I always change here when I'm in a rush."
Yakishio used her tiny portable mirror to carefully adjust the angle of her bowties.
"Forget about that. Why is Nukkun here? Isn't it the summer holiday now?"
"I'm just here to help the library out. You forgot about this."
The 'this' is Yakishio's personal icon, her lemon hairpin, which is sitting on the table.
"Huh, I remember putting this into the bag. Why is it on the table?"
Yakishio picked up the hairpin confusedly.
"You take it off during track practice, right?"
"I always wear it. It's just that I didn't want to get it dirty since I cleaned it yesterday."
I didn't expect her to pay attention to things like this. Even though her inner personality is carefree, she's a top-grade beauty in school. I guess she still spends time keeping up her appearance.
"Prez Tamaki texted me yesterday. We're doing a club magazine, right?"
Yakishio adjusted her hairpin as she said that.
"Yeah, he said it's a part of our summer holiday activities. I'll change my novel a bit and upload it. What are you going to do, Yakishio?"
"What should I do? I can upload a picture diary, but writing something sounds nice."
She carefully tidied up her bangs using a tiny, compact cosmetic mirror. After that, she clenched her fists and mumbled, "Good." This girl is full of motivation.
Suddenly, a laidback notification sound played in the room. Yakishio took out her phone. Her face is brimming with a smile as she's looking at the screen.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's nothing. Well, I'll be leaving-"
"Hey, you left your socks."
"Not a big deal. Don't mind it-"
Yakishio smiled and left the clubroom with light steps.
"I mind it…"
I picked up the socks with a handkerchief and threw them into Yakishio's bag.
Sheesh, now I can finally rest in peace.
I took out my half-finished light novel and started reading, yet I couldn't pay full attention.
I closed the book and stared at the ceiling in a daze.
There's no one in the school- a boy and a girl who used to be close-
Hmm- …that's impossible.
I shook away those terrible thoughts and flipped open the book again.
*