Chapter 1. Back from the battlefield, Takashi-kun just wants to make normal friends
The regular check-in with the Commander wrapped up, and me, Natalie, and Nee-san start walking down the country road to school.
It’s been three years since I’ve gone to school this peacefully. I want Sherry, who’s been sulking about “wasting time arguing online,” to soak in this chill vibe soon.
It really hits me—I’m actually back to normal life.
I’m buzzing with excitement for high school when Nee-san taps my shoulder.
With those cute, worried brows, she opens her mouth. “Sorry to ruin your good mood, but... there’s something you need to be careful about...”
“There’s someone in your grade you absolutely can’t piss off, so please be careful, okay?”
“Huh? Can’t piss off?”
What’s that about?
That’s some ominous shit out of nowhere.
“There’s this girl, Hibari Tomoe, from some super famous conglomerate family or something. If you make her mad, it’s like... social annihilation. It’ll be too late once something happens, so just be careful around her, okay?”
“Between that Amagawa jerk and this Hibari Tomoe chick, your school’s got a lot of crazy types, huh, Nee-san? I’m already full, thanks.”
Letting people who can socially destroy you run wild? Seriously.
I thought the same thing with that asshole Amagawa. What’s the school even doing? For real.
I’ve already got my hands full with Natalie and Sherry, the walking bombs. Give me a break.
And of course, after hearing Nee-san, Natalie’s got that wicked grin on her face.
“Oh nooo~! So scary! What if she comes after me? Should I swing by with a gift basket to say hi~?”
See? There it is.
She’s already itching to stir shit up.
I pat Natalie’s head like I’m driving in a nail.
“What’re you gonna do with a gift basket? You’ll just piss her off, so drop it.”
“Why not~? I can totally handle a proper greeting, y’know~!”
“Yeah, right. You’re just gonna slam that gift basket into Hibari Tomoe’s face for fun, aren’t you? I know you.”
“No way I’d do that... That’d just make me some crazy chick...”
Says you.
I know you and Sherry were messing with those big-shot norms during the ceasefire, picking fights for fun.
Because of your stupid pranks, I was the one who got chewed out. Told me to “keep the gorillas in check.”
“Anyway, don’t make Hibari Tomoe mad, okay? It’s really no joke!”
Nee-san doubles down on the warning.
If I could, I wouldn’t go near her either. I’m acting all high and mighty with Natalie, but I could easily say something dumb and set her off.
I mean, I’ve gotten into death-match-level fights with Sherry over something I said... Oh, and with Natalie too, come to think of it...
Now that I’m thinking about it, maybe I’m the problem. Gotta tighten up and stick to normal.
“Got it, Nee-san. By the way, what class is this Hibari Tomoe in?”
“Huh? Uh, um... I-I don’t really know...”
“Okay, then what’s she look like? Any defining features?”
“I-I don’t know that either...”
“So all you know is her name...”
Which means I could run into her in class out of nowhere.
Yikes. My heart’s pounding already.
“S-Sorry, Tak-kun... After the whole Amagawa-kun thing, I didn’t think to check up on the first-years...”
“No need to apologize, Nee-san. Knowing her name’s enough.”
I’ll just have to dig up more info from the teacher or classmates.
Probably.
“Natalie, our goal’s to live a normal life, so let’s steer clear of this Hibari Tomoe, okay?”
“Ehh~? She sounds interesting, though. Don’t you wanna see what she’s like~?”
“She’s probably bad news, so it’s not worth it. Living a normal life’s way more fun, trust me.”
“Hmm~... If Takashi says so, I’ll hold off~...”
Guess my feelings got through, ‘cause she backs off pretty easily.
She’s gotten a lot more reasonable since coming to Japan. Nee-san’s influence, maybe?
I’m impressed by how much Natalie’s changed when she pipes up, like something just clicked.
“What if that Hibari Tomoe chick picks a fight with us first~? Should I just take it~?”
“Didn’t think about that one...”
What to do... I’m mulling it over when Nee-san jumps in.
“If she messes with you, tell me! I’ll talk to the teacher and get it sorted out!”
“Big sis is gonna save me~?”
“Of course, Natalie-chan! Your big sis has got your back!”
Nee-san clenches her fists, all fired up.
Seeing that, Natalie lights up and throws her arms around her.
“Hehe~! You’re, like, the only one who worries about me~! That’s why I love ya~!”
“W-Wait, Natalie-chan! D-Don’t touch weird places! S-Stop!”
“Nuh-uh~! I just love my big sis~! Ehehe~!”
“H-Hey!? You’re rubbing too much!! Way too much!!”
I watch the two of them tangle, all squirmy, while thinking about what to do if this Hibari Tomoe comes at us.
No point stressing about it now.
It’s not like she’s definitely gonna start something. For now, I’ll just keep a low profile. Should be fine.
If she still wants to pick a fight, I’ll deal with it then.
It’ll work out somehow.
Gazing at Nee-san and Natalie goofing around, I stop overthinking and keep walking.
2
Suirenji Private High School, Class 1-D.
In the brief moments before homeroom, the classroom buzzes with talk about the off-season transfer students.
“Yo, it’s today, right? The transfers are coming!”
“Today’s the day! I even downloaded a translation app just for this!”
“A returnee guy and an exchange student girl, right? Wonder what they’re like~”
“Rumor is, the girl’s super cute. Minami-chan, our homeroom teacher, said so!”
“Man, I’m so hyped! Hurry up already!”
Class 1-D’s students are practically vibrating with excitement.
Today’s the first day for two transfer students. One would’ve been thrilling enough, but two? Jackpot.
And according to Minami-chan, the homeroom teacher, the girl’s a stunner—“I’ve never seen a girl that cute...”—a beauty that makes you groan in awe.
The students’ expectations keep climbing higher.
“But if a girl that cute shows up, won’t she steal Amano-kun?”
“No way! No, no, no! Nobody’s taking Amano-kun!”
“We’ve gotta block her! Amano-kun belongs to all of us!”
“Yeah!”
While hyped about the transfers, the girls are terrified of losing their precious Amano-kun.
If the transfer girl and Amano-kun started dating... Just thinking about it makes their brains implode.
“Hey, Amano-kun~! What do you think about the transfers~?”
One anxious girl sidles up to a boy with a catlike purr in her voice.
The boy—kyosuke Amano—turns around, his handsome face all puzzled.
If he says something like, “I’m really curious about her,” this isn’t the time to be excited about transfers.
They’d need an emergency strategy meeting. All the girls, full-on serious mode.
But Amano-kun, unfazed, answers in a flat tone.
“Dunno. Why’s everyone freaking out?”
“Huh? But a super cute girl’s coming! Aren’t you excited?”
“Class 1-D’s already full of cute girls, isn’t it? One more won’t change a thing.”
“Oh, come on, Amano-kun~...”
The girl, flattered, can’t hide her grin.
Being complimented by one of the top three hottest guys in their grade? No way she’s not thrilled.
“You said cute girls! That includes me, right?!”
“Amano-kun’s such a smooth talker~!”
The other girls eavesdropping nearby giggle happily.
With just a few words, Amano-kun’s got their hearts in a vice grip.
What a guy. Totally different from the monkey-like boys making a ruckus around him.
His stock just shot up even higher.
Surrounded by envious stares, Amano-kun secretly can’t wait to meet the transfers.
He plays it cool, but his head’s full of them.
A Nordic beauty, no less.
Even for a heartthrob like Amano, she’s a type he’s never dealt with. Especially since, for the last three years, international travel’s been restricted except for special cases, making foreign girls a rare sight.
His grip tightens, fists clenched with determination.
No way he’s letting anyone else have her.
He’s gonna make her his.
The pretty boy’s already in battle mode.
A few minutes later.
The classroom door swings open, and Minami-chan, their homeroom teacher, steps in.
“Alright, everyone! I’ve brought the transfer students!”
Following her lead, a blonde girl and a plain-looking boy trail behind.
As the two reach the front of the class and face their peers, the noisy room falls dead silent.
They’re mesmerized.
By the transfer girl.
Her features are so perfect, she could be mistaken for a doll.
Like a beautiful kitten brought to life—almost unreal.
Her frame’s slender yet curvy, with flawless proportions.
Her long blonde hair’s tied into twin tails, giving her a slightly childish vibe despite her figure.
Her uniform’s a bit sloppy—second button undone, shirt slightly untucked—but it only adds to her charm, like she’s a walking piece of art.
A true beauty.
Anyone would agree, standing right there.
“Okay, you two, introduce yourselves!”
Oblivious to the stunned students, Minami-chan prompts them to speak.
At her cue, the girl steps forward.
“Yo~! I’m Natalie-chan~! Nice to meetcha, everyone~!”
She flashes a bright smile, waving.
Her breathtaking beauty paired with such friendly words—it’s a total mismatch.
The classroom erupts in cheers.
“WOOOOO!! She’s gorgeous!!”
“KYAAA!! Like a doll!! I’m in love!!”
“An angel!! An angel’s descended!!”
“Natalie-chaaan!! Over here!! Look over here!!”
The students go wild, like fans spotting a celebrity.
Natalie beams, happily playing along.
Everyone’s lost in the frenzy.
So they don’t notice.
The plain boy next to her, introducing himself with, “I’m Takashi-chan~! Yo, what’s good~?” in the same casual tone.
“Natalie-chan, where’d you transfer from!?”
“Hehe~! It’s a secret~!”
“Your Japanese is amazing! Your accent’s perfect!”
“Right~? I worked hard to learn it~! Pretty perfect, huh~?”
“Cute and smart? You’re unstoppable, Natalie-chan!”
“G-Geez, you guys are praising me so much... This is my first time getting this much love...”
Natalie scratches her head, laughing with a carefree “Haha!”
Her classmates catch her vibe, chuckling along warmly.
Break time.
Class 1-D swarms around Natalie, everyone firing off questions to grab her attention.
Like ants to honey. She’s just that magnetic.
Meanwhile, Amano-kun, the resident heartthrob, stays planted in his seat, watching from a distance.
Joining that mob right now? Bad move. He’s playing the long game, keeping his cool.
First impressions are everything.
Screw it up, and it’s near impossible to recover. Mess up the first move, and you’re stuck clawing your way back for ages.
Mixing in with those desperate guys over there would only blur his carefully crafted first impression.
So, Amano-kun bides his time, waiting for the perfect moment to make his move.
Or at least, he was waiting...
“I’m Shibuzaki Takashi. What’s your name? You into baseball?”
Amano-kun’s plan gets derailed by none other than the other transfer, Shibuzaki Takashi.
“kyosuke Amano... Why the hell are you bugging me? Go bother someone else.”
“Someone else? Besides you, the only one who looks free is that girl reading over there. Everyone else is swarming Natalie.”
Takashi chats up the heartthrob like they’re old pals.
No trace of nerves, despite being a transfer. He’s diving right in with Amano-kun.
“C’mon, us guys gotta stick together! Hot guys like us should be buds, right? So, Amano-kun, let’s be friends!”
“Go look in a mirror and try saying ‘hot guy’ again. You’ll never manage it.”
“Oh? You’re throwing shade, huh? Nice, nice!”
Despite the cold shoulder, Takashi just grins.
Amano-kun’s starting to get pissed.
“Why the hell are you calling me by my first name? You messing with me?”
“...Oh. My bad, my bad. Where I was before, we didn’t use honorifics much... I’ll watch it from now on.”
Takashi scratches his head, chuckling apologetically.
His laid-back attitude only ticks Amano-kun off more.
“Anyway! I brought a gift for whoever I hit it off with today! This one’s for you, Amano-kun!”
Already acting like they’re besties, Takashi pulls a ticket from his pocket.
It’s labeled Outfield Reserved Seats.
“Check it out, tickets for tonight’s game. Wanna hit it up after school?”
“Hell no, idiot.”
Amano-kun rips the ticket to shreds.
Takashi’s face crumples with despair.
“Seriously, Amano-kun...? Tonight’s starter is Oshige, with a 1.82 ERA—a total beast. And the other side’s got their ace, Iwakuma, at 2.12. It’s gonna be a pitcher’s duel for sure, a game fans drool over... and you just...”
Muttering to himself, Takashi looks heartbroken, going on about stuff nobody asked for.
Maybe it’s the victim act, but Amano-kun finally snaps.
“You’re picking a fight, aren’t you?”
“Huh? A fight? Why’d you think that?”
“A loser like you talking to me? That’s picking a fight.”
Thanks to him, Amano-kun’s completely missed his shot to talk to Natalie.
Honestly, that’s what’s pissing him off the most.
“Loser...?”
Takashi tilts his head, not getting it.
Amano-kun mutters under his breath, like he’s spitting venom.
“You’re gonna regret this... trash.”
He pulls out his phone and opens a messaging app.
In a group chat with most of the class, Amano-kun sends a quick order.
Ignore Shibuzaki Takashi.
3
Man, I’m screwed!
It’s almost lunch, and I still haven’t made a single friend!
I try talking to people, but they blatantly ignore me... or click their tongues at me... What’s going on!?
Dammit...
I stare out the window, zoning out to escape reality.
Perfect weather.
Peaceful as hell.
If I could just make some friends, it’d be perfect, but things aren’t going my way.
And even in this mess, that one girl’s still pretending to read her book while sneaking glances at me.
“Natalie-chan! We’re thinking of throwing a welcome party for you after school. You free?”
Behind my seat, I hear an excited voice inviting Natalie.
Her popularity’s still going strong at lunch—there’s a huge crowd around her.
A welcome party for Natalie-chan, huh... Wish they’d ask about my plans. I’m wide open!
“A welcome party~? What’s that all about~?”
“We’re thinking about karaoke! Don’t worry, we’ll cover the cost, so you don’t have to pay anything!”
“Whoa~! I’ve never been to karaoke before~! Thanks so much for doing it for us~!”
Natalie’s “us” comment makes the air go awkward.
They clearly only wanted to invite her, so that line must’ve stung.
Geez...
Just listening makes me feel like crawling out of my skin. Maybe I’ll hit the bathroom to kill time...
As I’m thinking that, the classroom door flies open with a BAM.
A tall, good-looking guy strides in.
It’s Renji.
He scans the room, spots me, and breaks into a huge grin as he heads over.
“Takashi, you’re in 1-D!? I’ve been looking all over for you, man!”
He plops down in the seat in front of me with a thud.
His arrival slowly quiets the noisy classroom.
“Why didn’t you transfer into Class A, dude? I’m lonely without you!”
“I’m lonely too, man. So go cry to the teacher and switch to 1-D already.”
“Hahaha, don’t be ridiculous. So, how’s high school life been? Having fun?”
I’m getting totally ostracized.
No way I’m saying that, so I dodge with something vague.
“Eh, it’s alright. First day, so I figure it’s about like this.”
“Got it. If you’re ever in a bind, hit me up, alright? I’ve got your back, no matter what.”
“My back’s super itchy. Wanna scratch it for me?”
“Not that kind of problem, dude.”
We trade jabs, keeping it light.
Oh yeah, Renji’s into baseball too, right?
I’ve got those extra tickets for the night game. Maybe I’ll ask him.
“Hey, Renji, you free after school? I’ve got tickets for the night game. Wanna go?”
I really wanted to go with a new friend, but no point letting them go to waste.
I pull out the pro baseball tickets that didn’t exactly win over Amano-kun.
“Hell yeah, I’m in! Who’s starting tonight?”
“Oshige. The other side’s got their ace, Iwakuma, so it’s probably gonna be a pitcher’s duel.”
“Oshige’s solid, man. Barely gets injured. Just showing up and pitching a full game earns him points in my book.”
“It’s that form of his, right? Pitchers are delicate creatures, so when someone’s that consistent, you can just kick back and enjoy—”
“Takashi! You’re going to karaoke today, right~!? Where we headed~!?”
Just as Renji and I are geeking out over baseball, Natalie barges in, all flustered.
She plops onto my lap, draping her arms around my shoulders and acting all clingy.
“Why’re you trying to go to a game with Renji-chan~? Don’t go stealing my Takashi, you little minion~!”
“Ugh, so I am just a minion to you...”
I lightly roast Renji for taking Natalie’s nonsense seriously.
“Don’t listen to her crap, man. And get off me, Natalie. You’re making me sweat.”
I try to push her off my lap, but she just grunts, “Nngh!” and clings tighter.
How strong is she? I’m pushing pretty hard, and she’s not budging.
“Why’re you going to a game~? Take me with you~!”
“You got invited to karaoke, didn’t you? They went out of their way, so go with them.”
“No way~! I don’t wanna leave Takashi’s side~! We’re together forever~!”
“Just get off me, you idiot!”
I start chopping at Natalie’s head with light smacks when Amano-kun, who’d been frozen, storms over with a face like a demon.
He looms over my desk, practically accusing me.
“You! Don’t go hitting a girl’s head! What the hell are you doing to Natalie-chan!?”
“Yeah! Hitting a girl? That’s awful!”
“Apologize! Apologize to Natalie-chan!”
The girls around him pile on, yelling at me too.
What...? They’re pissed. What’s going on? Am I the bad guy here?
“Tell Natalie off too! She’s the one climbing all over my lap without asking!”
“You’ve got some nerve calling Natalie-chan by her first name! Who do you think you are, acting all chummy!? Know your place!!”
“Yeah! You’re way too familiar! Apologize to Natalie-chan!”
“Gross! So gross! You’re the worst!”
They’re not even listening to me.
I’m the one getting jumped, but somehow I’m the one in trouble.
As I’m getting chewed out, Natalie and Renji’s expressions shift.
“What’s going on, Takashi? Why’re they coming at you so hard?”
“They’re really laying into you... Like, they seem legit mad~...”
Both of them voice the same confusion.
Knew it. I’m not the only one thinking this is weird.
“Hey~... I don’t know what Takashi did, but go easy on him, okay~? He’s super important to me, so I’m begging you~...”
Natalie, still clinging to me, tries to mediate.
I appreciate the backup, but that line rubs me the wrong way.
“I didn’t do anything! Why am I the bad guy here?”
“Knowing you, Takashi, you probably messed up the vibe with someone you just met and pissed them off~! I mean, that’s how things got messy with me and Sherry, right? We ended up in death-match fights over it~!”
“...Fair point.”
“See~? You’re hopeless without me, Takashi, so you better stick by my side forever~!”
Still on my lap, Natalie leans into my neck, wrapping her arms tighter and rubbing her cheek against me.
The vibe, huh... Now that she mentions it, maybe she’s right.
I mean, I did piss off Amano-kun.
“You... What’s your deal with Natalie-chan...?”
“Huh? What?”
“Answer me! What’s your relationship with Natalie-chan!?”
Amano-kun’s face hardens even more.
Seriously, why’s he this pissed? Isn’t he overreacting?
“C’mon, it’s obvious if you just look~! So clueless~!”
“…! Y-You mean… no way…”
While I’m struggling to keep up, Natalie jumps in with her own answer.
“We’re basically married~! Me and him~!”
A total bullshit answer.
I try to set the record straight, but no one’s listening, and somehow it’s official—I’m dating this idiot.
That’s bad enough, but now there’s talk I’m holding some kind of dirt over her, blackmailing her, and I’ve been painted as some kind of monster.
As if I could control this moron with threats or leverage! Don’t overestimate me!
I try to protest, but it’s no use—my bad rep spreads like wildfire.
By the end of the day, I bet the whole grade’s heard.
Because two of my childhood friends from Class B barge in, faces like demons, ready to tear me apart.
4
After school.
The chime signaling the end of classes rings out, and the classroom door flies open with a vengeance.
“Takashi!! I know you're here!! Get out here!! I’m not letting this slide!!”
“Taka-chan~… what’s going on~…?”
Two girls storm in, voices booming with rage.
The second they spot Takashi shoving textbooks into his bag, they charge over.
“I heard everything! You and Natalie-san are in some sordid relationship!! That’s not what you told me last time!!”
Leading the charge is Kikyougahara Rinko, with her jaw-dropping figure.
With a model-perfect body and half-Japanese features, she’s a top model representing Japan.
She’s insanely popular with teen and twenty-something women—her face is everywhere in the media.
At Suirenji High, tons of girls look up to her, copying her style and makeup.
And now, that cool, untouchable Rinko-chan is losing it, confronting some random high school guy like Takashi.
The aloof, glamorous Rinko-chan’s showing raw, teenage-girl emotions.
A storm of jealousy swirls among the other girls.
“No, it’s a misunderstanding! I don’t know what rumors you heard, but this is just Natalie’s dumb mouth running wild!”
“So the rumor about you making Natalie-san your sex slave is a lie, right!? I can believe you, right!?”
“It’s my first day as a transfer! What kind of rumors are these…!?”
Takashi presses his temple, head throbbing from the sheer stupidity of it all.
Then a petite girl throws her arms around me.
“Taka-chan… I-I knew I could trust you! You’d never do something like that!”
Clinging to his arm, comforting him, is Harutsubaki Fumika.
She’s got this vibe that screams, “This girl’s gotta be the sweetest…”—pure maternal charm in her appearance.
Short but with a full chest, she’s practically a walking embodiment of nurturing.
To the guys, Fumika’s chest is basically sexual violence.
And right now, Takashi arm’s getting swallowed by that outrageous chest.
Swallowed by a chest packed with dreams and hope.
A storm of jealousy erupts among the guys.
“That’s my Fumika. Unlike Rinko, you actually believed in me, huh? Love you! Marry me!”
“Fumika-san was doubting you too, you know. The second she heard the rumor, she was like, ‘Taka-chan, I’ll never forgive you!’”
“W-Wait!? Rinko-chan!? Shhh!!”
“Guess I’ve only got Renji left… I’m marrying Renji…”
Takashi slump, dejected, and Class 1-D’s angel, Natalie, throws her arms around him.
“Don’t look so down, Takashi~! I’ll cheer you up~!”
“The root of all evil’s got some nerve talking… Watch your mouth, idiot…”
“It’s not all my fault~! Everyone was already harsh on you before I said anything~!”
“…Yeah, that’s true.”
Why, though…? He mutters, sinking lower.
Seeing him like that, Rinko’s expression turns… sticky, intense.
“We need a strategy meeting! Takashi, come to my place! I’ll stay up all night hashing this out with you!”
At Rinko’s words, Fumika’s face shifts too, like a predator eyeing prey.
“What’re you talking about, Rinko-chan? Taka-chan’s staying at my place tonight. Mom’s waiting, and… everything’s already set up…”
“What’re you talking about, Fumika-san? I’ve already been put on hold once. If I have to wait any longer, I’ll get an ulcer from the stress!”
“You two are way too true to your desires~!”
Still clinging to him, Natalie cackles, and Takashi mutters under his breath.
“I’m going to the game with Renji tonight, so let’s do this another time.”
““No way that’s happening!!””
“Take me to the game too~!”
Fumika and Rinko snap, and Natalie wraps herself tighter around his neck.
A totally average-looking guy, surrounded and fought over by gorgeous girls.
Until Renji joins in, Takashi stuck in the crossfire of jealous glares, getting manhandled.
“Rinko, Fumika, give it up. Takashi invited me tonight.”
“Tch…!”
“Grr…!”
Renji grins smugly, while Rinko and Fumika seethe.
The glares they shoot him aren’t the kind a girl should be making.
“Renji-kun, I’m warning you—hand over that ticket. My life is on the line here.”
“It’s not free, of course… I’ll pay double… no, triple!”
“I’ll buy it for five times the price.”
“I’ll go seven…”
“You guys are way too desperate…”
Renji’s floored as the carnivorous girls start a bidding war.
A 2,500-yen ticket’s price skyrockets to brand-name accessory levels.
“Uh… Otsuka-kun, you know Shibuzaki?”
Amano-kun approaches the group casually chilling at Takashi’s desk.
Renji’s warm smile vanishes, replaced by a scowl.
“Know him? He’s not just some acquaintance.”
“R-Right! No way you’d be friends with a guy like—”
“Takashi’s my best friend. It’s not some cheap connection.”
“…”
Amano-kun’s stunned into silence by Renji’s words.
Kikyougahara Rinko, Harutsubaki Fumika, Otsuka Renji—Suirenji High’s top-tier beauties.
Amano-kun’s decently known as a hot guy, but only within the school.
Renji and the others? They’ve got fan clubs in neighboring schools. A whole different league.
The ultimate top caste.
And they’re treating an average nobody like Takashi as a best friend.
For Amano-kun, who told everyone to ignore him, that’s gotta sting.
Ignoring the frozen Amano-kun, Renji mutters softly.
“We go way back. I’m probably the one who’s closest to Takashi…”
“Can’t let that slide, Renji-kun.”
Fumika pauses the bidding war to counter at the word closest.
“I’m the one who’s been with Taka-chan forever. We’ve shared half our lives. How can you claim to be closest? It’s obviously me.”
“Time isn’t everything, Fumika-san.”
Rinko jumps in at closest too.
“I’ve spent the most intense moments with him. It’s not about how long—it’s about the kind of time we’ve shared.”
“If we’re talking intensely, then I’ve got you all beat~!”
Even Natalie barges in, joining the fray.
“These past three years, I couldn’t even sleep without Takashi~! I’m totally Takashi-dependent~!”
“Don’t say shit that’ll cause misunderstandings!”
Takashi clamp an iron claw on Natalie’s head.
Renji, Fumika, Rinko, and even Natalie—they’re all orbiting around him.
If Amano-kun’s stunt got out, they’d lose it, no question.
You can tell from how they talk—they care about Takashi, for whatever reason.
Amano-kun’s sweating bullets.
“Hey, I wanna ask you guys. Do I come off as weird or something? I can’t make any friends at all.”
At the worst possible moment, he asked the one question he shouldn’t.
Amano-kun’s panic goes into overdrive.
“Friends? Who needs friends when you’ve got me?”
“Exactly, Taka-chan. I’ll always be by your side, so you don’t need new friends!”
“I’m not about to let anyone else steal more of Takashi’s time, so this works out perfectly.”
“Yup, yup! I’ll be with you 24/7, so don’t worry!”
“You guys are still so damn possessive…”
Renji’s floored by the girls’ shameless thirst.
Even Amano-kun, trying to jump into the conversation, goes wide-eyed at their words.
“Anyway, Taka-chan! You don’t have any more tickets for the game, right?”
“If you do, hand ‘em over! I’ll pay whatever you want!”
“I’ve got a ton left, but… wait, you two are into pro baseball now?”
“Of course! You were always watching it, so we got into it too! We’re super knowledgeable now!”
“I’ve got every player’s salary memorized! Leave the commentary to me!”
“You’re straight-up hardcore…”
Takashi is genuinely impressed, but the carnivorous girls come on strong.
Thanks to their overwhelming intensity, Amano-kun’s scheme gets swept under the rug.
The karaoke plans get swept under too.
At a stadium a few bus stops from Suirenji High, in the next town over.
Rinko and Fumika, plotting to make up for lost time with some serious flirting at the game, are painfully aware of their current position.
“Natalie, here ya go.”
“Hm~? What’s this~?”
“Got it at the school store—cheering uniforms. Let’s wear ‘em and root for the team!”
“Takashi, you’re always so serious about baseball~! Even bought megaphones~!”
“Heh heh heh… Got enough for everyone, so we can all match… Heh heh heh…”
“Grinning like a kid~! You in a good mood or what~? Take this~!”
Sitting in the bleachers, waiting for the game to start.
Takashi and Natalie, plopped side by side like it’s the most natural thing in the world, were cracking up with the kind of grins that could light up the stadium.
Not just lovers—hell, they seemed closer than family.
Completely at ease, hearts wide open to each other.
“Takashi~~! Help me with my uniform~! I can’t do it alone~!”
“C’mon, do it yourself. What are you, a kindergartner?”
“No way~! C’mon, help me~! Pretty please~!”
“Always bossing people around… ugh, fine…”
Grumbling under his breath, Takashi gave in to every one of Natalie’s whims.
Gently taking her arm, he helped her slip into the uniform with a practiced ease.
To the Takashi gachi-kois—his diehard admirers—the scene unfolding before them was unacceptable.
Ignoring the baseball game entirely, the carnivorous maidens zeroed in on Takashi.
“T-Taka-chan! I’ll help you! S-so, maybe step away from Natalie-chan for a sec—”
“Nah, don’t worry about it. I’ll handle this idiot, so just enjoy the game, Fumika.”
“T-Takashi! Me too! I can’t get my uniform on right either! Help me!”
“Rinko too? Is this thing that hard to put on…?”
Takashi tilted his head, holding up the uniform he’d grabbed, genuinely puzzled.
Oblivious to the girls’ ulterior motives, he just stood there, scratching his head.
And that only made the maidens pounce harder.
“It’s super tricky! So come sit by me, Takashi! I’ll even share my drink as thanks!”
“No way, Rinko-chan! Taka-chan’s sitting next to me! And no indirect kisses either!”
“Ugh, you two are so unfair! I was getting Takashi’s attention first! No cutting in line~!”
“Man, you guys are amped,” Takashi said, grinning like an idiot at the girls’ escalating fervor. “Guess that’s pro baseball for ya. Gotta step up my game too.”
Watching the girls’ bold moves, Renji—left on the sidelines—muttered under his breath, “Same old clueless Takashi…”
The game kicked off, and the stadium erupted in cheers.
But Fumika and Rinko weren’t done yet.
Sure, Natalie was Takashi’s war buddy, but there were some things they wouldn’t yield. No matter how many life-or-death battles she’d shared with him, they weren’t about to hand Takashi over.
They’d endured three long years too, waiting through unimaginable despair for the one they loved to come home.
No way were they saintly enough to let Takashi and Natalie’s flirty nonsense slide.
Gotta get his attention somehow… The love-struck girls, ignoring the game, were laser-focused on that single thought.
Amid their scheming, Takashi and Renji’s carefree chatter floated over.
“Hey, Renji, that batter just let a nasty pitch go by on a 2-2 count. Total whiff. That’s bad, right?”
“Yeah, ugly miss. That slider was telegraphed.”
“Ōshige’s not at his best either. His breaking balls are drifting too. Should just go inside with a fastball here.”
“In-high? He’ll swing. No doubt.”
“Uh, I have no clue what you two are talking about~…”
Natalie, clearly out of her depth with baseball, pouted next to the fired-up duo.
She fiddled with the megaphone Takashi had handed her, smacking it lightly, making little pop-pop sounds, looking totally out of place.
Fumika and Rinko caught that, and their eyes lit up.
There’s Natalie’s weak spot, they realized in an instant.
Fumika slid over to her, smooth as silk.
“Hehe… baseball’s not just about watching the game, you know… hehehe…”
With that, she pulled out the stadium’s famous, ridiculously high-quality gyūdon.
Natalie tilted her head, blinking.
“Hm~? Is that gyūdon~? You got gyūdon, Fumika-chan~?”
“Hehe… grabbed it when I hit the restroom earlier. Try it, Natalie-chan… hehehe…”
“What? I can have some~?”
“Yup!”
Muttering a thanks~, Natalie took the bowl from Fumika.
Snapping the chopsticks apart, she shoveled a big bite into her mouth, her huge cat-like eyes going wide.
“So good! What is this!? It’s insanely tasty~!”
“Hehe… right? Taka-chan loves this gyūdon too, you know…?”
“No way B-grade grub could be this good~! Thanks, Fumika-chan~!”
Fumika smirked as Natalie gleefully dug in.
Finally got the upper hand, she thought, smug as hell.
She’d subtly flexed her dominance. I know all of Taka-chan’s favorite things. The childhood friend’s checkmate was on another level, a masterclass in staking her claim as the main wife.
Not to be outdone, Rinko leaned in, ready to strike.
“Natalie-san, baseball games are way more than just watching. There’s a ton of ways to have fun.”
“Hm~? Like what~?”
“All this cheering—it’s electric, right? Every time a batter steps up, different songs play, different chants start. You just join in, and it’s a blast.”
“Hm~… yeah, it does kinda get you pumped~!”
“I used to go wild with Takashi at games like this. So, Natalie-san, let’s go nuts together today!”
Rinko stood tall, pointing dramatically at Natalie.
She was flexing too—I’ve been to tons of places with Takashi!—and mentally fist-pumped at her top-tier power move.
Oblivious to their subtle jabs, Natalie just laughed, all in.
“Alright! I’m gonna go wild like Rinko-chan~!!”
“Natalie-chan! Keep hydrated, okay? Here’s a drink Taka-chan loves! For you!”
“Natalie-san! Here’s the lyrics to Takashi’s favorite cheer song! We’re singing together!”
“Ehehe… you two are so nice… ehehe… I’m so happy~…”
Fumika and Rinko kept piling on the flexes, while Natalie, beaming with her clueless smile, didn’t catch a thing.
Amid all the swirling schemes, they still managed to enjoy the game.
5
“We’re back.”
“Yo, we’re hooome~!”
“You’re late!! Making me house-sit while you’re out gallivanting!?”
The second we stepped inside, Sherry came storming out of the living room, fists raised, pissed.
Yeah, she was mad…
Stuck at home all day, probably bored out of her mind. Her mood was foul.
“Sorry, sorry. Got caught up at the night game.”
“Huh~? A night game~? I’ve been stuck arguing online all day! That’s not fair!”
“My bad, my bad. How ‘bout some takoyaki as an apology? Cheer up, yeah?”
“Tako… yaki…?”
Sherry tilted her head, taking the plastic bag I held out.
She pulled out the takoyaki container and popped the lid.
“What’s this? I don’t see any tako in it.”
Eyeing the contents, she narrowed her sharp, skeptical eyes.
“Looks kinda like æbleskiver… Is this even good?”
“Just try it. You’ll flip.”
“Eating something new takes guts, you know… ugh…”
Grumbling, we headed to the living room.
Sherry plopped down at the table, cautiously bringing a takoyaki to her mouth. Her narrowed eyes shot open.
“Delicious! What is this!? It’s crazy good!”
“Right~? First time I had it, I was shocked~!”
Seeing Sherry’s reaction, Natalie grinned wide.
Guess good food fixed her mood—her face lit up with a smile again.
A bit of a relief.
“By the way, where’s Nee-san? I don’t see her around.”
“Your sister? She got called into the parlor by your mom and dad for some kinda talk. Somethin’ about a bathroom video or whatever.”
“Huh…”
What’s that about? Another family drama brewing?
If Dad’s playing peacemaker, it’s probably fine. Probably.
“More importantly, how was school? Been a while, right? Spill the beans.”
Sherry, her mouth smeared with nori and sauce, leaned in, curious about the day.
Knew she’d be nosy about it.
“It was fun. Sitting in a chair, listening to the teacher… time just kinda flowed slow. Made me realize I’m back in the normal grind.”
“Didn’t make any friends, though~! Pfft~!”
Natalie smirked, mocking me with that smug-ass face.
This jerk… already ratting me out to Sherry…
“Tch, it was butsumetsu today, so it didn’t go great… Tomorrow’s taian, though. I’ll nail it tomorrow…”
T/N: Butsumetsu (仏滅) is a term from the Japanese rokuyo (six-day) calendar, which assigns a level of luck to each day in a repeating six-day cycle. It is considered the unluckiest day, often associated with bad fortune or inauspicious events. The term literally means "Buddha's death" or "extinction," tied to Buddhist origins, and it’s traditionally a day to avoid important activities like weddings or business ventures.
Whereas Taian (大安), is the luckiest day in the cycle, ideal for major events.
“This ain’t a wedding, dude. Superstitions won’t help~! Pfft~!”
“Ugh…!”
“What’s that about?”
Sherry tilted her head, puzzled, as Natalie cackled and filled her in.
All about today’s disaster.
“T-Takashi-kun… you got shunned…?”
“Hyahyahya! Hilarious, right~? Our Takashi got totally iced out~!”
“It’s just the first day, damn it… I’ll turn it around…”
I puffed out my chest, trying not to let those two get the better of me.
No big deal. I flashed a cocky grin to sell it.
“I-Is that… okay?” Sherry asked, still skeptical.
“Huh? Yeah, it’s fine! I’ve got plenty of time to clear up the misunderstandings. It’ll work out!”
“No, not that okay…”
Sherry, nori still smudged around her mouth, got dead serious.
“If… if the military folks found out about this, wouldn’t it be bad? Especially if the bio-soldiers who worship Takashi-kun heard. That’d be a disaster, right?”
“Oh… ohhh~… yeah, you’re right~… Those mech-soldier psychos don’t take jokes well. They might roll up armed to the teeth~…”
“Stop it, both of you… don’t make me panic…”
We all froze, rattled.
I wanna laugh it off and say no way, but… those guys? They’d actually do it.
Especially the Carson sisters or Portman—they’re so soft on me, they’d probably storm in with murder in their eyes.
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
“If me and Takashi are there, we could probably stop ‘em from going nuts… but maybe we should get Sherry enrolled ASAP~…?”
“If we’re thinking worst-case, yeah, I should transfer in quickly. Even those idiots wouldn’t dare take on all three of us Pointers.”
“My… my dream of a normal life…”
Shit… once the thought hits, the anxiety won’t quit.
I gotta fix this class situation fast, or it’s gonna get real bad.
Those lunatics are unhinged.
“Anyway, I’m gonna work on clearing things up with my classmates. Sherry, start studying for the entrance exam. I’ll get the transfer process moving.”
“High school exams? I don’t even need to study. I glanced at the material—piece of cake.”
“Don’t get cocky. You’re smart but dumb. You always say that and then screw up.”
“Ugh, what a pain…”
Sherry pouted, her nori-smeared mouth twisting.
Now for Natalie.
“And you, quit stirring the pot. Your ‘we’re basically married’ stunt made the rumors about me worse.”
“Whaaat~!? No way~! I wanna brag more! Tell everyone me and Takashi are madly in love~!”
“Cut it out, idiot. You’re making it impossible to fix this.”
“What’s wrong with saying I love who I love~? It’s the morons who twist it that suck~!”
I grabbed Natalie’s head in an iron claw, fed up with her snorting laughter.
Enough already, you moron.
“Fine… if you’re that set on it, I’ll go all in. Brace yourself.”
“W-What’re you gonna do~…?”
Sensing the shift in my tone, Natalie’s voice quivered.
“Tomorrow, I’m planting a big, sloppy kiss on you in front of everyone. We’re ‘married,’ right? Let’s show the whole class.”
“W-Wait… n-no… uh… I-I mean…”
“You know me. When I say I’ll do something, I do it. Look forward to it.”
“S-Sorry~! I messed up~!”
Natalie freaked, totally cowed.
Sherry, watching, muttered under her breath.
“Still all talk and no spine, huh? Loooser.”
“Don’t call me a loser~… Says the idiot with nori stuck in her teeth. Moron~!”
“Huh!?”
Sherry frantically wiped her mouth, her pale face flushing red.
Whatever. Gotta do what I can.
Staring at the two idiots, I told myself, It’s fine. It’ll all be fine.
◇◇◇
“Incredible…”
Somewhere.
In a high-rise office.
I couldn’t help but gasp as I skimmed the report.
It was beyond my wildest expectations.
From the first glance, I knew they weren’t ordinary, so I had the Guard investigate, but I never imagined this outcome.
Simply astounding.
“My eye for people was spot-on…”
I peeled off the photo clipped to the report, staring at it intently.
My emotions surged, and I couldn’t stop myself from licking the picture.
Over and over, until it was soaked with drool.
“Ha… ha…”
I’d almost given up.
Told myself my ideal person didn’t exist.
But then, like a miracle, they appeared in the flesh.
No way I’m letting them slip away.
“fufu… fufufu… can tomorrow come any faster…?”
I gazed at the photo, entranced, murmuring as if speaking to it.
“Hey… Arrival Point-san…”
6
The next morning.
As I walked into class, the room went dead silent.
The misunderstandings clearly hadn’t cleared—those contemptuous stares were intense.
Like sitting on a bed of nails.
“Natalie, you know the plan, right? We’re going with that strategy.”
“The ‘be friends with Takashi and get me as a bonus~’ plan…? That’s gonna work?”
“It’ll definitely work! It’s how I became friends with Rinko! Got a proven track record, so we’re good!”
“What kinda friend-making tactic is that…?”
Natalie muttered, dumbfounded, before mumbling “bathroom” and slipping out of the classroom.
Can’t blame me. We’re out of time for half-measures.
No way I’m letting my dream high school life end like this! I’ll fix it, no matter what!
For now, I headed to my desk to drop off my bag.
As I quickly shifted my textbooks, a girl approached.
A boyish girl with round glasses, about Natalie’s height. Short black hair, a sultry expression, and an androgynous vibe that stood out.
The same girl who’d been staring at me like a hawk on my first day spoke up.
“Morning, Shibuzaki-san. Got a sec?”
“Huh? M-Morning! What’s up!?”
“I just wanna chat. You free now?”
Her androgynous voice matched her look.
Never thought a classmate would approach me first.
I nodded eagerly, no hesitation.
“Hell yeah~! So, what’s up? Wanna talk about anything? I’m an open book!”
Hell yes! This is awesome!
No hostility, and she seems like she could be a friend!
I flashed my brightest grin, and she smiled back, warm and easy.
“Anything? You sure I can ask anything?”
“Hell yeah! Hit me!”
“Then let’s hear it. About the three years before you transferred here.”
Her smile carried a knowing edge.
This chick…
“Nothing special… just lived overseas. Not much to tell.”
“Oh? In these wartime days, overseas stories are rare. Kinda hoped for something juicy. Too bad.”
“Sorry. No exciting tales here.”
“Then how about we talk about Saint Petersburg? You know it well, right?”
“…”
Saint Petersburg. The last city I was stationed in.
That, plus her “three years” jab… no way…
“Don’t know it. You got me mixed up with someone.”
“Oh? Playing dumb? Thought you’d fess up after I dropped that hint.”
“We met yesterday, didn’t we? You’re mistaken.”
“Fufu… think you can hide it ‘cause there’s no proof? That fake innocence is impressive.”
“I’m telling you, you’ve got the wrong—”
“It’s not a mistake, Arrival Point-san.”
“…”
This girl… she knows exactly who I am. Down to the gritty details.
Who the hell leaked military secrets to her…?
“Don’t give me that scary look. I just wanna talk.”
“Talk about what? Just don’t say anything stupid in front of everyone.”
“Fufu… then how about we take this somewhere else? We’re drawing too much attention, and I bet you’d prefer privacy.”
She chuckled, clearly enjoying herself.
She wasn’t wrong—our classmates were staring at us.
Continuing here would be a pain. Moving somewhere else suited me fine.
“Fine… but let’s talk during the next break. Minami-chan’s here.”
Right then, our homeroom teacher strolled in, all carefree, saying, “Time for homeroom~!”
Can’t afford to stand out any more than I already have.
But she shot down my suggestion.
“Next break? No way I’m waiting. We’re going now.”
“Huh?”
“I’ve been waiting since yesterday. I’m done waiting.”
“What’re you talking about?”
This girl was muttering nonsense.
What’s her deal? She just flipped a switch out of nowhere.
“Just sit down already. Minami-chan’ll get mad.”
“Mad? At me?”
With that, she called out to Minami-chan.
“You, giving me orders?”
Pointing at our teacher, she straight-up called her “you.”
Rude as hell to someone above her, but Minami-chan just froze, too shaken to scold her.
Instead, she stammered, practically groveling.
“N-No!! I-I-I didn’t m-mean it l-like that…!”
“Shibuzaki-san says you’re gonna chew me out. Is that true?”
“N-No way!! Shibuzaki Takashi, stop making stuff up!!”
Minami-chan turned on me, glaring like a demon.
I didn’t even do anything…
“I’d never do that! It’s just this guy talking nonsense! I swear!”
“Got it. So, no issue if we step out for a bit, right?”
“Yes! No problem at all! Leave it to me, Hibarigaoka-sama!”
Hibarigaoka?
…Wait, what?
“You mean… Hibarigaoka Tomoe-san?”
“Oh? You know my name? I’m flattered.”
Tomoe-san chuckled, hehe.
So this is her—the “dangerous” girl Nee-san warned me about.
Same class, huh?
I totally forgot Nee-san’s warning.
…Should’ve stayed away.
She led me to a room, saying we’d talk privately, and the second I stepped in, I saw about ten burly guys standing around.
All of ‘em looked like they were packing heat—knives, guns, the works. Definitely not your average Joes.
Late twenties, maybe thirties? Their stance screamed hardcore training.
And the room? An AV room, soundproofed to hell. A little noise wouldn’t leak out.
Nobody’d notice if things got loud.
This feels like a damn no-man’s-land.
“This should be quiet enough for a chat. Have a seat.”
She gestured to a chair, all casual-like.
What’s this chick’s deal…? Good thing I didn’t bring Natalie. This’d be a mess.
“So? What’s the talk about?”
“Hehe… you’ve gotten all cold on me. How ‘bout a smile?”
“If you’re so worried about my mood, help me live a normal high school life.”
Sighing, I plopped into the chair. Tomoe-san sat across from me, and her goons circled around her.
Talk about an away game.
“Normal? I’ve been wondering, Shibuzaki-san—are you really planning to live a normal life? After all those achievements, you’re just gonna hide them and blend in?”
“Yup. Already started a NISA account for my future.”
“…What are you even talking about?”
Tomoe-san’s eyes shifted.
A dangerous glint, like she couldn’t wrap her head around me.
“You should be celebrated. Your feats deserve national praise! I mean, come on—why’re you slumming it in this backwater town!? What’s the government doing!?”
“Whoa, what’s with the outburst…?”
“It’s wrong! The Gulf Strait Defense? Without you, we’d have lost, no question. And if that happened, humanity would’ve been done! How can they just ignore a war hero like you!?”
“I asked the government to stay out of it when I came back…”
They’re covering my living expenses with a pension. That’s plenty for me.
Plus, I hate the spotlight.
“No… if the government’s not involved… maybe…”
She muttered to herself, half-listening, half-lost in her own world.
This girl’s a rollercoaster.
After a bit, she seemed to settle on something, a smile creeping back onto her face.
“When I first saw you, Shibuzaki-san, it was like a lightning bolt hit me. I’ve seen my share of people, but nothing like that ever happened before.”
“Cool story.”
“So I had you checked out! Used the Guard, you know. And wow—a war hero! Gave me chills.”
“You… investigated me?”
“Especially the DOD bio-soldier stuff. Mind-blowing. Using Debris cells and weapons to fight Debris… it’s downright inhumane…”
Her tone was weirdly gleeful for someone talking about military secrets, her eyes all dreamy.
How does she know this much?
“You with the military or something, Hibarigaoka-san?”
“Nope. Why’d you think that?”
“Then how the hell do you know about DOD? That’s not something you just dig up.”
“I’m a Hibarigaoka. That’s all you need to know.”
That explains nothing.
Can she dumb it down for me?
“Whatever. What’s this talk about, then?”
This was getting annoying, so I steered it back.
I didn’t leak any secrets, so if there’s trouble, it’s not on me. Probably.
At my question, she narrowed her eyes and licked her lips.
“I’ve been searching… for a man like you. A fairy-tale hero…”
“Neat.”
“You’re exactly who I’ve been looking for… I was stunned. You’re perfect…”
“Thanks, I guess.”
“So… I’m not letting you go…”
“Huh?”
Cradling her cheeks, Tomoe-san purred in a syrupy voice.
“You’re… mine… fufu… you’re gonna be my husband…”
7
“Shibuzaki-san, you’re coming to my house from now on. Gotta introduce you to Father and Mother.”
“Isn’t this moving kinda fast? I’m not following.”
“What’re you talking about? You’re already part of the Hibarigaoka family. Act like it!”
“Are you listening to me at all, Hibarigaoka-san?”
“No need for ‘Hibarigaoka-san’—too formal. Call me Tomoe. I’ll call you Takashi-san.”
“Not listening, huh, Tomoe-chan?”
It’d been a few minutes, and Tomoe-chan was gone.
In her head, I was already her husband, and she was happily rambling about our imaginary newlywed life.
I’m flattered she’s into me, but can we slow down and take this step by step?
I’m getting whiplash.
“Uhehe… Takashi-saaan… let’s hit the city hall and get married~! We’ve got so much to do today… gotta move fast~…”
She’s not even thinking about my schedule.
Gimme a break.
“Look, no offense, but can you find someone else? I can’t marry you.”
“…What… did you just say…?”
The warm vibe shattered in an instant.
Her eyes turned murky, clouded with something dark.
The air shifted as Tomoe-chan loomed closer, glaring.
“Sorry, didn’t catch that. Say it again! To me! Loud and clear!!”
Her voice spiked, practically a growl, dripping with irritation. Pissed-off Tomoe-chan had some serious presence.
I wasn’t backing down, though. I shouted right back.
“Sorry, but find someone else!! I!! Can’t!! Marry you!!”
“…What!? You actually said it!? I won’t forgive you!!”
“You told me to say it…”
Tomoe-chan barked, looking like a pigeon hit by a BB gun.
Furious that things weren’t going her way, she stomped her feet, thud thud thud.
“Do you get who I am!? I’m Hibarigaoka Tomoe, eldest daughter of the Hibarigaoka family! One of Japan’s three great houses, with unmatched wealth and the only clan legally allowed to have a private armed force, “Nirvana’s Judgment”! And you’re saying you won’t listen to me!?”
“Huh? Didn’t catch that after ‘armed force.’ Say it again?”
“Our private armed force, “Nirvana’s Judgment”! Cross me and—”
“Nehan no Shinpan? What’s that? Say it one more time!”
“Our p-private armed force, “Ne… Ne… Nirvana’s…”” mumble mumble…
“What? Nehan? What’s that mean? How’s it written?”
“Shut up!! That’s not the point right now!!”
“Why’re you getting all shy…?”
Her face went beet red as she clawed at her head, flustered.
Taking deep breaths, huff huff, she tried to calm herself.
“Sorry… you guys are “Nirvana’s Judgment”? Sick name. What’s the story behind it?”
“Don’t just chat with my Guard!! Stop being so chummy!! Cut it out!!”
“It’s just… the young lady made up the name herself, so there’s no real story behind it…”
“Don’t answer him so seriously, you idiot!!”
Tomoe-chan screeched, smacking her guard’s arm, whack whack.
Good thing we’re in the AV room… this much noise would’ve pissed off every class nearby.
I stared blankly at Tomoe-chan, half-crying and flailing.
“Nirvana—where worldly desires fade, instincts are unleashed, and the heart finds peace… an armed force that passes judgment in that state… badass…”
“Right!? ‘Guard’ is such a lame name, so I spent a week coming up with it! Pretty cool, huh!?”
“Totally… it’s got layers. Like, their judgment could erase worldly desires too… Tomoe-chan, you’re a genius. Most people couldn’t come up with something that slick.”
“Ehehe~… I came up with others too! Like Twilight’s Crusade or Skyfire Mirage—wait, no!!”
I was looking up terms on my phone when Tomoe-chan thrust her arms up, grrr!
The cool, sultry vibe was gone—she was just a cute, age-appropriate girl now.
What a shift.
“I’m marrying you, Takashi-san! This isn’t the time for this!”
“Aww~… I wanted to keep talking about this with Tomoe-chan~…”
“Then marry me!! We’ll talk all you want after!!”
She’s relentless with the proposals… it’s flattering to be wanted this bad, but I can’t go along with it.
“Sorry, like I said, I can’t marry you. I appreciate the feelings, though. Really.”
“…Wha…!? W-Why!? You got another girl!?”
“Yup.”
“…!? W-Who!? Who the hell is it!?”
“Natalie and Sherry.”
“…”
Tomoe-chan stared at me, dead serious.
Her eyes, sharp and upturned, locked onto mine, teeth gritted.
“I’m a jealous woman, you know. When you say it that clearly, I get so jealous it burns… like I could kill…”
Her voice was ice-cold, no trace of a joke. Pure, raw jealousy seething in her expression.
“I might even use “Nirvana’s Judgment”. And then Natalie-san… she might just die. Is that okay with you…? If you don’t choose me, the girl you love might not make it…”
Is she threatening me?
She knows who we are… what’s going through her head?
Gotta warn her.
“No way.”
“Huh?”
“You’d just get wiped out in a counterattack. Save yourself the trouble.”
“What?”
Tomoe-chan’s jaw dropped at my words, totally blindsided.
“W-What do you mean!?”
“Exactly what I said. You’re planning to go after Natalie and Sherry, right? They’re not the kind you can just deal with. And they sure as hell don’t let attackers walk away alive. So just don’t.”
If those two could be taken out that easily, they wouldn’t have earned names like Endpoint or Turning Point. Those aren’t just edgy nicknames.
They’re softer now, sure, but deep down, they’re viciously aggressive.
I can’t even imagine them getting killed by humans.
“L-Liar! You’re just saying that to scare me off! I know the truth!”
“I’m trying to stop you, yeah, but I’m not lying. Go after them, and you’ll get slaughtered. You, the mastermind? Dead for sure.”
“…”
“You know what the grunts in the military say? You need a diaper just to stand in front of Natalie. And Sherry? She looks like a ditz, but once she marks you as an enemy, she’s merciless.”
“…”
“I don’t want you to die, Tomoe-chan. So give it up.”
Her teeth ground together, grrr, clearly not convinced.
“B-But… my Guard… they could… probably take them…”
“No chance. Absolutely zero.”
“You don’t know until we try!! You’re my ideal, the one I finally found!! You think I can just let that go!?”
Half-crying, half-frantic, Tomoe-chan shook her head wildly, refusing to back down.
Ugh… words alone aren’t gonna cut it. But if she actually tries something, that’s a problem too…
If Natalie and Sherry’s switches flip, cleaning up the mess afterward would be a nightmare.
Guess I’ve got no choice.
Sighing, I stood up from the chair and headed for the door.
A shout came from behind me.
“W-Where are you going!? We’re not done—”
“Nowhere special.”
I locked the door with a click.
Now no one’s getting in.
“W-Why’d you lock the door!?”
Tomoe-chan’s voice trembled slightly. She even seemed to take a step back.
I flashed a grin to put her at ease.
“Natalie and Sherry? Their combat skills are way above mine. If we fought ten times, I’d maybe win once.”
“…”
“So if you can’t even take me down, you’ve got no shot against them.”
“…W-What are you planning?”
Tomoe-chan swallowed hard, visibly spooked.
Her guards tensed, shifting into combat mode to protect her.
They’re getting the wrong idea, aren’t they? Whatever.
“Let me show you what I mean.”
8
Tomoe-chan’s guards drew their guns, ready to defend her.
Probably the squad leader—a grizzled guy in his thirties—barked at me.
“Shibuzaki-san! Don’t move! One step closer, and we open fire!”
“Open fire, huh…”
A ton of barrels pointed my way.
Honestly, they can shoot all they want—wouldn’t bother me. But ricochet in here? That’d be more dangerous for them.
And if a window breaks, that’s a hassle… in a tight space like this, maybe they shouldn’t.
Yeah, they should hold off.
Gotta make sure they do.
Alright.
“Drop your weapons.”
The second I said it, the guards dropped their guns in unison.
Weapons clattered to the floor at their feet.
Shock rippled through Tomoe-chan and her crew.
“Huh?”
“W-What?”
“What the hell are you doing!?”
Tomoe-chan screamed at her guards.
They looked stunned, like they couldn’t believe what they’d just done.
“Pick them up! He’s grabbing the guns!”
“R-Right!”
I was quietly picking up a gun when Tomoe-chan caught me.
Whoops. Busted.
“Don’t move.”
I spoke again, and the guards froze, like statues.
“W-What are you idiots doing!? Pick them up!”
“I-I can’t move! My body… it won’t listen!”
“What!?”
While Tomoe-chan and her crew panicked, I gathered the guns and piled them up far from them.
I picked one up.
Never really used a gun much… how’s this work?
Guess I’ll ask.
“Can you tell me how to use this?”
“Pull the slide to chamber a round, pull the trigger to fire… Wha!? W-Why am I…!?”
“Pull the slide… Is this correct?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Just pull the trigger to shoot… Gah, my mouth’s moving on its own!? What’s happening!?”
The guards’ faces paled, freaking out.
When people see or experience something they can’t comprehend, most freeze up in fear.
That’s exactly what Tomoe-chan and her guards were doing.
“T-T-Takashi-san… w-w-what… did you just do…?”
Tomoe-chan’s teeth chattered, her voice shaky with fear.
Guess she was scared now that they’d lost the gun advantage.
She had a vague idea about the bio-soldier stuff, but clearly not the details, considering her reckless talk about taking on Natalie and Sherry.
No point scaring her more, so I kept it simple.
“The Debris cells bio-soldiers take in? There’s twenty-six types, A to Z, each with its own traits. The one I just used on you guys is Type L—Lucca. It Let's me force simple commands for a short time.”
“Wha…!?”
Tomoe-chan and her crew went silent, jaws on the floor.
Yeah, that’d be the reaction.
I barely get it myself. What’s the deal with this power, anyway? Seriously.
By the way, Natalie and Sherry have even sharper traits than me. In a straight-up brawl, no one’s beating those two.
I finished loading the gun and turned to face Tomoe-chan and her crew.
“So, back to the point. If you can’t even kill me, you’ve got no shot at Natalie or Sherry. Their combat skills are way above mine.”
“…”
“Words probably won’t convince you, so I’ll prove it right now.”
“…Huh?”
I flashed a grin at Tomoe-chan, who was trembling nonstop.
Then I raised the gun to my head, sticking the barrel in my mouth.
“Wha—!? What are you—”
Tomoe-chan’s voice cracked with shock.
It’s that classic movie scene—the pose for blowing your brains out.
Pull the trigger like this, and the bullet would rip through my mouth, shred my spine, and kill me instantly.
If I were a normal human.
I didn’t hesitate and pulled the trigger.
A BOOM rocked through my throat.
“Eek—!”
“What!?”
“N-No…!”
Gasps erupted from the guards. Tomoe-chan was so freaked out she was crying.
And we’re just getting started.
I grinned wide, and they let out a choked “Hrk,” collapsing in terror.
Here we go.
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I kept pulling the trigger.
Bang! Bang! The gunshots echoed, each one sending a jolt through my throat.
I fired until the clip was empty.
No point holding a spent gun, so I tossed it at Tomoe-chan’s feet. At the same time, I spat out the bullets I’d caught in my mouth.
Tiny chunks of metal clinked across the floor with a dry, hollow sound.
“…Uh… ah… ah…”
Tomoe-chan was done. Completely broken. She stared up at me like I was a monster.
Not that it matters, but my mouth reeks of gunpowder… Whatever.
“Get it now? You can’t kill me with something like this.”
“…”
“Still think you can take on Natalie and the others after seeing this?”
“…Ah… uh…”
“Nah, you don’t, right? Good.”
“…”
Tomoe-chan’s brows furrowed, tears streaming down her face. Seeing her like that made me feel a pang of guilt.
This kind of reaction… it hits hard. Makes me remember I’m a freak.
Oh well. Nothing I can do about it.
“N-Natalie-san… you love her that much…?”
Her voice caught me as I turned to leave.
Her stubbornness made me crack a wry smile.
“Love her? Sure, I guess. But honestly, if it weren’t for those two, I wouldn’t have made it back alive. They saved my ass four, maybe five times.”
“F-Four or five…?”
“Meeting my family again, seeing my friends—it’s all because of them.”
“…”
“So as long as they wanna stick by me, I’m living for them.”
“…”
“They’re like family, you know? That’s all. Catch ya later.”
With that, I left the AV room.
After this, Tomoe-chan won’t be dumb enough to go after Natalie or Sherry.
Hell, she’ll probably never come near me again.
Feeling a twinge of loneliness, I headed back to class.
9
“Takashi, you used Lucca, didn’t you?”
The moment I got back to class during break, Natalie was on me.
She tapped her finger on my arm, clearly pissed off.
Her freaky sixth sense never misses. Can’t even dodge her.
“Yeah.”
“On that girl who dragged you off? What kinda situation needs Lucca? Someone try to kill you?”
“Nah.”
“They’re mocking you… trying to kill you, huh? I’ll crush them…”
Natalie was livid, her bad habits creeping out.
Her eyes, softer lately, sharpened back to their battlefield edge.
I smiled and patted her head.
“Opposite, actually. Got a crazy marriage proposal. Man, being this popular is rough~.”
“That’s it? You needed Lucca for that?”
“Eh, stuff happened. No need to worry.”
“I heard gunshots, though. Something’s off.”
“Probably your imagination. I just told her I’ve got you as my wife, so no dice. Relax.”
“…Ugh, Takashi~! You’re such a pain~!”
The sharpness in her eyes faded, and she started giggling like an idiot.
So easy to handle. If this was Sherry, it wouldn’t be this simple.
“She might hold a grudge, so stay sharp for a bit, Natalie. Not that you’d have any trouble.”
“Got it~! Man, Takashi, you always attract the weird ones, huh~?”
“What’s that? Talking about yourself?”
“Shut up~!” Natalie laughed.
What’s done is done.
Laughing with Natalie, I felt a quiet ache—my dream of a normal life slipping just a bit further away.
“Takashi-san… c-can I… have a word?”
Five minutes later, Tomoe-chan shuffled into the classroom, approaching our desks.
Her face was hollow, breath ragged, cheeks flushed.
This girl… after seeing that, she’s still got the guts to talk to me?
She might have more balls than the military’s rank-and-file. Seriously impressive.
“Huh? What’s up?”
Before I could respond, Natalie shot up, glaring daggers.
Her killing intent hit Tomoe-chan like a truck. She was in a foul mood.
“Don’t mess with Takashi, or I’ll end you.”
“Sorry, Natalie-san. Can I just… talk to him for a sec?”
“…”
Natalie blinked, thrown off. She hadn’t expected a comeback.
Her pressure makes even the toughest soldiers quake.
And Tomoe-chan just brushed it off. This girl’s something else.
“What’s the talk about?”
No point gawking, so I faced Tomoe-chan.
She was breathing hard, maybe scared of me.
“I… haah haah… that was my first time… haah haah… experiencing something like that…”
“Yeah… figures.”
“I couldn’t stop shaking… haah haah… it was like a shockwave… I felt ecstasy…”
“Huh?”
“You’re amazing, Takashi-san… ufufu… my instincts were right all along…”
“Tomoe-chan?”
Clutching her cheeks, Tomoe-chan writhed, her gaze sticky and feverish.
What the hell?
She didn’t look scared—she looked thrilled. Her melted expression locked onto me.
Wasn’t she supposed to be terrified?
“Takashi… What'd you do to her? She’s moving all creepy and gross~…”
“Just did that bullet-only Russian roulette thing Sherry used to pull…”
“Why’s she acting like this after that? I don’t get it~…”
“Me neither… wasn’t expecting this reaction…”
While we stood there, totally floored, Tomoe-chan was practically dancing with glee.
Her bizarre antics went on for a while.
Apparently, she’s been obsessed with fantasy and sci-fi since forever. Battle manga and anime are her jam, and she’s got a thing for superpowers and paranormal stuff.
So, my freakish stunt hit her right in the sweet spot.
All that shaking earlier? Wasn’t fear—just her getting high off the thrill, convulsing with excitement.
How the hell was I supposed to know that? Talk about a wild kink.
“Does Natalie-san have special abilities too?”
“I’ve got some, yeah, but mine are super niche. Not much use in daily life~! Too dangerous to just toss around~.”
“Ooh… I love that kinda talk… Tell me more.”
“You’re a weird one, Tomoe-chan~! First person I’ve met who gets this hyped about it~.”
Natalie and Tomoe-chan were chatting away, all buddy-buddy.
The vibe was totally chill now, a complete 180 from before.
Not a single normal in the military would get near a bio-soldier like us, so Tomoe-chan’s vibe was refreshing.
Natalie was cackling, clearly having a blast.
Maybe they could actually be good friends. She’s still coming at us, even knowing who we are.
The storm passed, and the ground settled.
Seeing Natalie and Tomoe-chan laughing together gave me that kind of feeling.
Would’ve been a nice story if it ended there… but life’s never that clean.
A new problem cropped up.
Turns out, Tomoe-chan was super popular with our classmates.
Despite the Hibarigaoka family’s insane power, she’s always been kind to her peers.
Back when Amagawa was still at this school, his goons messed with Class D, and Tomoe-chan used her family’s clout to shut it down.
That’s where Nee-san’s “socially erased” rumor came from, apparently.
Normally, she’s quiet, doesn’t flaunt her status, just reads her books—a cool, kind girl.
So when this cool, awesome, kind girl left with me and came back like this? Yeah, everyone thought I broke her.
It was an accident, damn it…
Thanks to that, my rep with the class hit rock bottom. Irreparable.
Hahaha. Haha.
Ugh…
“Why the long face, Takashi~?”
“Yeah, we just got all chummy. Show us a smile, Takashi-san.”
Don’t screw with me, you idiots.
My plan to make a hundred friends is wrecked. Half of it’s my fault, sure, but the other half? That’s on you two.
Throw me a bone here.
“I wanted to eat onigiri… with a hundred friends… on top of Mt. Fuji… munch munch…”
“Well, that’s fine, isn’t it? That song says one person gets left out anyway.”
“Ohh~! True~! Gotta be a hundred and one, right~? Makes sense~!”
“And the one left out is Takashi-kun. Just like the song, huh?”
“Don’t mess with me, you jerks…”
They act like it’s no big deal… I’ll make friends and rub it in their faces. I swear.
Class D’s opinion of me is in the gutter, but other classes might still be salvageable.
Get Renji to help, start with Class A, maybe?
Work through B and C, then circle back to D?
I’ve got Fumika and Rinko, too. And I can rope in Natalie and Tomoe-chan.
This could… work, right?
“I mean, you made friends with Tomoe-chan, so it’s not all bad~! It’s not zero~.”
“Exactly, Takashi-san. Friends are about quality, not quantity. I’ll be worth a hundred. Though I’m aiming for more than friends eventually…”
“And you’ve got me, so no need to rush.”
“Hold up.”
I lifted my head from my sulk and turned to her.
I grabbed the silver-haired, bob-cut idiot with those signature sharp eyes and locked her in an iron claw.
“Why the hell are you at school?”
“Eh?”
Sherry tilted her head, all cute-like.
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