I return from Ze Tian Ji and A Mistaken Marriage Match with more Reika.

Just a note, but strictly speaking, if you’re being polite in Japanese, you refer to a person’s siblings etc. by honorific terms,
e.g. oneesan, imouto-san, otousan, otouto-san etc.

The day of the school’s founding anniversary was met with clear blue skies. Perfect for a day at the amusement park.
Being surrounded by three people who each sparkled in their own way, my mood was as good as it gets.

I wanted to get on as many rides as possible, so we arrived just before it opened.
The first rides were naturally the famous rollercoasters. You have to get on the most popular ones before the place gets packed, right?
Apparently some rich kids will hire somebody to stand in line for them, but we lined up ourselves.
Getting somebody to line up for you feels kind of unfair, and it would make all the other visitors unhappy, right?
It was tiring standing there the whole time, but if you spend the time chatting, it’s fun too, isn’t it!

Both the middle schoolers and high schoolers at Zui’ran share the same Pivoine, so although they weren’t particularly close, apparently the three of them had spoken a few times before.
Aira-sama was happily listening to Imari-sama talk about high school.
Thank goodness. Since she didn’t know them very well, I was worried about whether Aira-sama would be bored.
If she’s having fun, then I’m happy too.

The other guests lined up occasionally glance our way.
Aahh, I see. They can’t help themselves because these three are so sparkly, right? I know how they feel.
The three being looked at didn’t seem to enjoy it very much. Please just think of it as providing entertainment for everybody else bored in the line, and allow it.
Having a look around, I found that it was mostly groups of friends, but there was the occasional couple too.
From an objective point of view, do we look kind of like a double date?
When Imari-sama and Aira-sama stand next to each other, they look like an attractive couple. Mn mn.
Then what about Oniisama?
A pitiful person who had no girl to bring to the double date, and so brought along his little sister instead?
Oh no! My Oniisama looks like a hopeless case to people!?
My Oniisama is really popular too, okay!? On Valentines Day he got heaps of chocolates too!
He’s not some sad case who has nobody to invite but his sister, okay!

“Reika, are you thinking about something weird again?”

Oniisama looked my way suspiciously.
What on earth could you be speaking of?

I got on the ride together with Aira-sama.
I mean, it’s common sense that the escort for the Rococo Queen has to be a knight, right!
Imari-sama seemed to have complicated feelings about riding together with a guy, but this is natural.
Also, I need to protect Aira-sama from Imari-sama’s charm!
Hm? Am I being a third wheel?

After having a try at all of the rollercoasters, it was about time to head to the less extreme rides, or so I was thinking when shockingly Imari-sama bought us churros!
Food tasting!
I’ve always wanted to go food tasting!

Happy! Yummy!
Tasting foods from stalls and the like would normally be absolutely forbidden as the young lady of the Kisshouin family.
But it’s okay today! Amazing! I’m so glad I came!
Thanks for buying this, Imari-sama.
As expected of a lady killer who understands what a girl wants! An enemy of womankind! It feels like I might accidentally fall for him.

Aahh, I’m so happy. As I was walking about, nomming with a smile, a group of girls called out to Oniisama and Imari-sama.
Apparently they were high school girls from Zui’ran. Since it’s Zui’ran’s founding anniversary, they probably came to play just like us.

“To think that we would meet Momozono-sama and Kisshouin-sama here at the park!”

“Honestly, Imari-sama, you’re here even though you turned us down when we invited you.”

“You know, I saw Kisshouin-sama when I went to watch the match at the kyudo dojo. He was sooo wonderful.”

“My! I saw it too.”

Amazing. It’s like watching fans who have spotted an idol.
They’re making such a big deal of it.
Aira-sama and I were quietly eating our churros a distance away, while watching to see how things played out.
Could it be that one of these girls was one of the ones who gave Oniisama a Valentines chocolate?
Including courtesy chocolates, each year Oniisama brings back 20~30 of them.
Ah, there are girls whose hearts are captured by Oniisama among them as well.

Alright. Sister-in-law Switch, ON!

“Momozono-sama, Kisshouin-sama, is it just the two of you today?”

“No way. We’re here with Takateru’s imouto-chan and her senpai.”

“His, imouto-sama?”

You notice now, after all this time?

“Gokigen’yoh. I am Kisshouin Takateru’s younger sister, Reika.”

“I’m a second year in the middle school, Minazuki Aira. Please take care of us, Senpais.”

I probably don’t look too great with a churro in one hand, but I greeted them with a smile.

“Goodness! Kisshouin-sama’s imouto-sama!? It is a pleasure to meet you!”

They each began to introduce themselves too.
But although they smiled at me just fine since I was Oniisama’s sister and a primary schooler, the looks they gave Aira-sama were a little harsh.
Did they recognise her as a rival?
But Aira-sama’s enemies are my enemies!
My Sister-in-Law Radar is beeping, you know.
Besides, Aira-sama was introduced as my senpai, so aren’t their judging gazes pretty rude? Well, being a beauty with a dignified bearing, it looks like they’re faltering a little though.
It’s wonderful how Aira-sama isn’t perturbed by anything.
Oh? There are also a few oneesamas who are blushing at Aira-sama. So these are my rivals!?

“Heyy, Momozono-sama, isn’t it fine if you come hang with us a little?”

“Well, I mean we did meet up here after all. Right, Momozono-sama? Kisshouin-sama?”

“Kisshouin-sama really is kind, spending a holiday on an outing with his sister.”

“Kisshouin-sama, have you eaten? Should it please you, we would very much like you to join us.”

“Imari-sama.”

*imouto*

“Sorry, but,”

Oniisama gave a gentle smile,

“I promised that I would spend the day with my sister and her friend Aira-san. I apologise, but could we perhaps do this some other time?”

“Eh-, but…”

“I don’t want my sister to hate me for neglecting her. Sorry about this.”

said Oniisama, with a troubled smile.
It seems that when they saw his face, they couldn’t say anything forceful anymore.

“I don’t want Imouto-chan to hate me either~ Sorry. Cya tomorrow at school.”

“…I understand. It is a shame, though.”

Imari-sama took advantage of Oniisama’s response. I don’t doubt Oniisama’s love for me, but didn’t Imari-sama totally use me as an excuse?
Well, since he treated me to churros, I’ll forgive him I guess.
I thought that the girls might secretly follow us anyway, but it looks like they properly observed etiquette.
And so we went back to enjoying the amusement park.

*imouto*

*imouto*

Since there was a middle schooler and primary schooler in our group, we decided to head back home before it got too dark.
We each had our own cars coming to pick us up, so we said our goodbyes right there.
Oniisama and I both got onto our Kisshouin family’s car.

“Reika, since we’re already outside, do you want to eat out?”

“EHHH!?”

Dinner with just Oniisama!
I definitely wanna go!

“I do!”

“Mn. Then is there anything you want to eat?”

Something I want to eat?
Hm~mm. Since we may as well, I want to eat something simple and plebby. My tongue is starving for the taste of commoner food.
Since it’s Oniisama, he might let me.
Curry rice, pork fried with ginger, grilled fish set meal, ramen…

“Omurice!”

The omurice of a good set-meal shop is yummy.
I’ve had the Kisshouin chef make it a few times, but a normal shop’s omurice is just different, you know?

“Omurice, huh. Got it.”

And then the place I was taken to was the Marunouchi commercial district, and a high class restaurant with a nightview far from anything you’d see in a set-meal shop.
The place was dark, with a weak spot-light for each table, so it was crazy atmospheric.
Huh? This is kind of different from what I was thinking.
The price next to the omurice on the menu was something unimaginable for a former commoner like myself.
S-, So expensive… Even though this was supposed to be a commoner dish.
When they brought in the omurice, the golden egg and demi-glace sauce glittered in the spot lighting. I unconsciously wanted to use honorifics with it.
The flavour was absolutely not plebeian, but it tasted incredible, so I guess this is fine too.

“Speaking of which, you and Imari-sama were quite popular today, weren’t you.”

When I said that, Oniisama looked a little unhappy.

“Leaving you aside, Oniisama, would Imari-sama not have preferred playing with those girls over children like Aira-sama and I?”

“…It’s because Imari has a girlfriend.”

“EEEH!?”

That’s the first I’ve heard of it!

“This is the first time I have heard of it!”

“Well that’s because I didn’t say.”

“Then all the more reason. Would it not have been better to spend the holiday with his girlfriend instead?”

“She goes to a different school, so.”

Oh my god!
To think that Imari-sama had a girlfriend! But well, given how cool and kind he is, it’s not really that surprising I guess.
Aira-sama seemed to be getting along with Imari-sama today, but she definitely hasn’t fallen for him, right?

On the car home, I immediately texted Aira-sama to thank her for today.
And while I was at it, before she could say anything, I made sure to write, “Just now Oniisama told me that Imari-sama has a girlfriend. I was so shocked! I wonder what kind of person she is. Ah, please keep this as a secret between just the two of us, okay? Aira-sama”.
I don’t think it would happen, but if on the off chance that Aira-sama fell for Imari-sama and she confessed to me “The truth is I love Imari-sama” or something, I’d be really troubled.
I love Aira-sama, so I’d hate for things to become awkward between us more than anything.

The reply that came later said, “I heard about this from Imari-sama today, you know? I heard about how their relationship began as well, but would you like to know?” so it turns out I was just totally worrying for nothing.
What the heck am I even doing.

＊いもうと＊

＊いもうと＊

“Set-Meal Shop”
Basically a restaurant that specialises in set meals. In most Shokugeki no Souma translations, it’s translated as ‘Special-of-the-Day Shop’ but considering what it is, I decided to go with what I did.

“Marunouchi”

What PIN spot lighting looks like。

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

After I retired from spying, I had almost no contact with those two, and spent my days in peace.
The fact that I was turned into a gopher wasn’t revealed either, and I managed to escape the downfall in hierarchy that I had dreaded.
Actually far from it, there’s this misunderstanding now that “Reika-sama is close enough to that Kaburagi-sama that he would personally rely on her” and I’m even the target off some weird envy.
No, no, we’re not close, I said.
Since then, we’ve almost never spoken, so please don’t look at me with those expectant eyes.

*imouto*

As for Aira-sama, since then we’ve continued to message each other once in a while. What an extravagant mail buddy!
Aside from advice with studying and talks about her middle school life, she also tells me about how Kaburagi and Yurie-sama are doing.

It was also though Aira-sama that I heard about the success of the letter strategy.
With a letter written with all of Kaburagi’s heart, and a cute bouquet arriving every day, Yurie-sama folded pretty  quickly.
Apparently Aira-sama didn’t get to actually read it, but the envelope and writing paper that Yurie-sama showed here were all different varieties, and had cute flowers and animals drawn on them.
It looks like he properly followed my advice.
Since letters about how lonely he was and how hard it was by himself came every day on that cute kind of paper, given that Yurie-sama thought of him as a cute little brother to begin with, apparently her maternal instincts and guilt shook her resolve.

Persuasion by sob story, huh. I’m sure it was Enjou’s idea.

Cunningly, he even wrote about how he wanted to dance with her at this year’s summer party and got a promise from her.
As expected of Enjou. Turning even bad luck into opportunity.

And truly, when it came to the summer party, maybe he was hiding his shyness because his face looked unhappy and he was all red and stuff, but he really did end up dancing with Yurie-sama.
Could it be that he saw my waltz with Oniisama and longed for the same thing?
That he hoped that he could do it one day as well?
Even now, Kaburagi is a little shorter than Yurie-sama, but the difference in their height has shrunk since my dance with Oniisama, so maybe he’s been biding his time.
As for the waltz itself, even if he’s like that he’s still Kaburagi, so he lead Yurie-sama even though he’s just a little primary schooler.
All the Ojousamas were entranced by it.
I just wanted to snort, and chewed on some roast beef instead.

Also, apparently he really did reflect, because Kaburagi’s stalker attitude calmed down as well.
It seems like he’s training himself each day to become more suitable for the older Yurie.
At school, he’s got the same cool poker face as usual, and the girls all squeal and make a fuss, but now that I know his true face, I can’t help but want to tell somebody.
But if I did that, it’d set me straight on the path to destruction, so when I get home I sink my face into my pillow and scream “HE’S ACTUALLY AN IDIOT YOU KNOWWWW!” “AND HE’S ALSO A STALKER YOU KNOWWWW!” “DON’T BE FOOLEDDDD!” to relieve my stress.

*imouto*

And so as days like that passed, one day I suddenly received an email from my (in my mind, at least) mail buddy Aira-sama, inviting me to go out during the school anniversary.

A DATE WITH A KNIGHT!!

Of course I’ll go! No matter what, I’ll go!
Aahh, oh my goodness!
The role of princess is always played by her best friend  Yurie-sama, but for just today I’ll get to be the princess that she protects!?

The maid helped me curl my hair into the usual hairstyle that my mother likes.
She even added a ribbon to the back of my head, and I looked like a fake Rococo Queen. [←Mary Antoinette]
But with this Fake Rococo Queen Hair, isn’t it kind of like that manga I read in my past life? The one about the French revolution, with the beautiful cross dressing female knight, and the tragic queen that she protected?
UKYAAAAAAH!

When I quickly went to brag to Oniisama about my outing with Aira-sama, he said that it was dangerous for just two girls, so he and his friend Imari-sama would be coming along as well.

Aahh, oh my goodness!
Not just Aira-sama, but Oniisama and Imari-sama as well!
Aira-sama in my right and, Imari-sama in my left, and Oniisama at my back! Hah-!? Could this be that situation that’s all the rage in shoujo manga? The so-called reverse harem situation!?
Aahh, my spring has finally…

Momozono Imari-sama has been Oniisama’s friend since primary, and is a splendid person that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a few times.
The truth is, Imari-sama is actually the one who gave me the idea for the small bouquets.
When Imari-sama comes over to play, he always gives me (his friend’s little sister) a small and cute bouquet, and a few sweets and the like.
As for the sweets, they’re things like honey in a beautiful jar, or a box of assorted flower-shaped chocolates; just things that a girl would very likely appreciate.
Even though he shouldn’t have any sisters, at 11th grade he’s already splendid at dealing with girls, and really seems like the type that trouble will follow.
But he always gives me lots of stuff.
Of course, I do like Imari-sama who’s both kind and somewhat dangerous, you know? Women prefer men with a little danger over a plainly kind and no-risk guy. That’s why I think that in the future, Imari-sama will become an enemy of womankind, and honestly I’m quite looking forw-, …quite worried about him.

Anyway, Imari-sama is a different kind of ikemen to Oniisama.
It’s the same with Enjou and Kaburagi too, but why do hot guys always seem to be friends with other hot guys?
Speaking of which, I wonder who Akizawa-kun is good friends with…
………………
…I think I’d better stop playing innocent while thinking about these no-good ideas.
I mean, Akizawa-kun has big round eyes, and is cute in his own way too, isn’t he.
I love your friendly face, Akizawa-kun!

*imouto*

When I asked Aira-sama whether it was okay for the two of them to come, she happily agreed.
The place we’re going is the most popular amusement park in Japan.
I wonder if everybody will be willing to wear animal-ear headbands with me.
Oniisama seems like he’d definitely hate it.
We’re going on a weekday, but it’ll probably be really packed, huhh… I’d better eat and sleep well so I’m in peak condition for the day.
Just a little bit longer until my bewitching reverse-harem date!

*imouto*

*imouto*

By the way, according to my Aira-sama Intelligence, Kaburagi and Yurie-sama’s school anniversary date (at least that’s what he thinks of it) went splendidly without a hitch.
They went to a museum.
I wouldn’t expect any less.

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

Just as expected, the moment that the hour-long class ended, people began to swarm around my desk.

“What on earth was that, Reika-sama!?”

The first shot was fired by my classmate since year 1 and Follower #1, Serika-chan.

“You’ve never told us that you were close to Kaburagi-sama, you know?”

This too was a classmate since first grade, Follower #2, Kikuno-chan.
Amongst all my followers, these two are the ones known as the closest to me, and at times like these, they’re the first to speak up.

“Please calm down, everybody. Kaburagi-sama and I are not particularly close.”

“But for Kaburagi-sama to go out of his way to meet with a girl is,”

“The truth is, I have been entrusted with a certain matter, and we were simply discussing it, all right?”

“A certain matter? What kind of matter?”

“That is, something I do not have the right to talk about…”

At that moment, a sudden chorus of squeals came from around the door to our classroom.

“Kisshouin-san, are you in?”

“ENJOU-SAMAAA!”

The girls around me began kicking up a fuss about him.

What the heck is this guy here for…

“Ah, there you are, Kisshouin-san. About our conversation with Masaya from earlier, when you’re finished with lunch, come to the Pivoine salon, okay?”

That line just caused a bigger fuss.
Aahh, my days of peace are…

“U-, Umm, Enjou-sama? Is it true that Reika-sama has been entrusted something by Kaburagi-sama?”

“Aah, mn. That’s right.”

Again with the squeals and cheers.

“What is it that she’s been entrusted with?”

“Sorry, but I can’t really say. If you girls pry too much, Masaya will get angry, you know? Won’t that be bad? Kisshouin-san is keeping quiet too, see?”

“Indeed.”

“See you later then,” smiled Enjou, before leaving the classroom.
Although the girls were still excited from Enjou’s sudden visit, his mention that Kaburagi Masaya would get angry at their prying stopped them from doing anything more, even though they would have happily hounded me otherwise.

Did that guy come to visit me during our short period-break just to tell me to come to the salon?
Hm~mm. Could it be that he knew that people would hound me about my relationship with Kaburagi, and came here to cover for me?
Hmm, is he really nice enough to do that?
But in the manga, he always casually covered for the protagonist, didn’t he. I guess that means he has it in him.

Hmmmmm…

Well, either way it’s fine.
With this, perhaps even the girls who heard me become a gopher will keep quiet too.
To begin with, those guys began all this, so covering for me this much is a given!

*imouto*

*imouto*

At lunch break, I was too afraid of what might happen if I didn’t go, so although I was reluctant from the depths of my heart, I headed to the salon.

Emperor was sitting cockily on his special seat as usual.
Isn’t he pretty energetic compared to last week?
Even though it would have been great if he just stayed a husk like that…

“Too slow!”

Honestly, I’m just not going to comment anymore…

“Kisshouin-san, how about you sit down for now?”

“Enjou-sama, thank you very much for following up earlier.”

Hearing my words, Enjou replied with a smile.
Hm~mm, so that really was his aim.
Not that I’m really grateful though.

“Oi, what are you guys on about?”

“Nothing. More importantly, aren’t we here to discuss what you’re gunna do?”

“Oh yeah! What do I do to convince Yurie that I’ve reflected?”

You’re seriously relying on others for this?

“How about you start with what you think, Masaya?”

“I think that in order to convey my feelings to Yurie, I should visit her each day to apologise!”

A STALKER’S IDEA!!
This guy hasn’t reflected at all, has he?

“Masaya, I think that would have the opposite effect.”

“WHY!?”

He’s so stupid that it’s almost refreshing.

“Then what do you think I should do!?”

“Don’t contact her at all until it all dies down, and then quietly wait for forgiveness.”

“VETOED!”

Well, it’s true that Stalker-kun here wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“Alright then. Spy! What do you think?”

Honestly, please just stop with that name already.

“Kaburagi-sama, my name is Kisshouin Reika. Please desist with the ‘spy’.”

It would be the absolute worst if he called me that in public.

“That’s right, Masaya. She’s helping you with advice, so at least use her name properly.”

“Hmph.”

He suuure has a crappy attitude.
Well, I already know he was this type of person though.

“Well? Do you have a good idea or not?”

He flicked his chin to prompt me.
Tsk…

“I suggest that you write a letter each day.”

“Letter?”

Right, a letter.
Although I think that Enjou’s idea of behaving quietly for a while is best, this ‘earnest guy’ (read: stalker) wouldn’t be able to bear it.

“How much you have reflected for example, or what you think of the situation and the like. Well, what they call a reflection essay, I suppose. I believe that a message through your phone would feel too impersonal, and would not convey your feelings as well. For that reason, a handwritten letter would be best. Write a letter that conveys your feelings to Yurie-sama. Since ancient times, Japan has always had the tradition of romances that begin with a love letter.”

“Is that true!?”

Well, who knows.

“Please write it carefully and wholeheartedly. Choose paper and an envelope that you think Yurie-sama would like. Doing things this way will also serve as a way to show that you are thinking of her feelings without impressing your own on her. Perhaps a small bouquet from time to time would also be appropriate. And never, ever send a large one.”

“Why? If I’m going to show my feelings for her, bigger would be better, right?”

“That would be too pushy. A smaller bouquet is a way of expressing your first love as a junior. Appeal to Yurie-sama’s feelings.”

“F-, First love!?”

“What are you saying after all this time? The entire school is aware. More importantly, once school ends today, please immediately go shopping for a letter-writing set.”

Kaburagi turned red and sputtered for a moment at the words ‘first love’, but he eventually pulled himself back together and said,

“Alright! I’ll use your suggestion! After school we’re going shopping for a letter set! You two know your jobs, right!”

Eh-, what the heck is he on about?

“I will not be going.”

“Hah? Why?”

That’s what I should be asking. Why the heck do I have to go?

“I have lessons after school. And in addition, Kaburagi-sama? I believe it was written in my report earlier. “He will swear not to get other people wrapped up for Yurie-sama’s sake.” If you involve me in this matter, Yurie-sama will become angry again.”

After falling silent for a while, Kaburagi replied,

“…Got it. Good work.”

“Yes. Well then, I take my leave. Gokigen’yoh.”

I flashed a smile, and left the salon.

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

Afterwards, the letter strategy was a success, and feeling moved, Yurie-sama apparently forgave him.

The strategy succeeded without a hitch.
In the end I retired from my life as a spy, and returned to being just a normal girl.
Please don’t look for me.

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

Aira-sama messaged me on Saturday.
We chatted via email, and summing up the main points of our conversation,

• Yurie-sama is angry at the fact that he went too far, scrutinising her every action, and even using people in middle school to stop her from talking to male students.
• Yurie-sama is also angry at the fact that even though the boy who confessed to her was from another school, Kaburagi did something as violent as suddenly drop-kicking him.
• When he clearly understands why Yurie-sama is angry, and has reflected, she intends on forgiving him.
• When that happens, he will swear that he will honour her own desires, and will refrain from unreasonable surveillance and inteference.

Also, and this is big,

• He will swear not to get other people wrapped up for Yurie-sama’s sake.

Naturally this includes me.

In fact, Aira-sama told Yurie-sama about Kaburagi forcing me to be a slave, and Yurie-sama apparently apologised to me.

Also, when I told Aira-sama about my lie about the mobile, she suggested that we meet early Monday morning to talk.
As expected of Aira-sama.

*imouto*

With my spy report with me, I triumphantly walked into school.
I was casually thinking that I would just go to the salon at lunch break to hand it to him, but I had forgotten about how little self-control he had.

Shortly after I arrived at school, Kaburagi barged into my classroom.
My classmates fell silent, and the jealousy and envy of the girls was particularly bad.
I mean after all, Kaburagi Masaya who paid basically no attention to girls had now come all the way to another room to meet a female student (me).

What the hell has he done…

“Oi, how was it?”

Without even greeting me, suddenly jumping into that?

“Good morning, Kaburagi-sama. It would not do to speak here, so perhaps we should speak at lunch.”

So that the crowd couldn’t sense my inner turmoil, I stuck with my calm facade.
I’m begging you, please don’t say anything unnecessary in front of them.
This stalker is an idiot so I have no idea what kind of dangerous things he might say.
Aah, what am I going to do if the class finds out that I’m a gopher?
My position would plummet to the ground!

“No, say it now. I’m not gunna wait.”

Waittt daamnnn youuu~

It’s this lack of self-control that makes Yurie-sama angry, so hurry up and notice already.
At this rate you won’t be forgiven no matter how long you wait, you know?

“Very well. In that case, it is not a matter that we can discuss here, so shall we change locations?”

Anyway, I have to go somewhere without other people. If he calls me ‘Gopher’ here, I’m done for.
Also, the gazes from the crowd are too scary.

“Alright. Follow me.”

Arrogant as always, huh~
The moment that we stepped out of the room, I could hear the girls screaming “What on earth was thattt!?” from behind me.
It looks like my days of peace are over.
Aahh, my head hurts…

*imouto*

“Now then, speak your results.”

We didn’t have time to go to the salon, so we just spoke in the corner of the hallway.
Even though this place should be filled with people right now, with a glare from the Emperor the place cleared out.
Although I’m painfully aware that they’re all paying attention from afar.

“Understood.”

I took out the report from my pocket.
To begin with, would a normal person think to ask for the results first thing in the morning even though I was supposed to be talking to Aira-sama the very same day?
Is he really just an idiot without a brain, or could it be that he expected me to prioritise his orders over everything else?
If it’s the latter, then all the more reason to hate it, huh~

Stalker Kaburagi read the report with much intensity.
…I suppose you can call this honest in a sense, huhh~
When I was unrelated, I saw a primary school boy being this affected by his first love, so I had thought mellow stuff like ‘How bittersweet~ How heartrending~’, but now that I’m actually wrapped up in it, he just looks like a damned stalker that keeps causing me trouble.

“…So if I reflect like it says here, and I swear that I’ll stop keeping Yurie under surveillance, she’ll forgive me, huh?”

“That appears to be the case.”

Kaburagi fell into thought.

“So when is that going to be?”

“Hah?”

What the heck is this guy saying.

“As I said, when you reflect…”

“I’ve reflected. Totally reflected. And I swear that I’ll respect Yurie’s decisions. Look, it’s just like Yurie’s demands. So today? Tomorrow? Or is she going to forgive me right now?”

Uehh…

What an annoying guy.
Was the Emperor always such an annoying kid in his youth?
Because he’s always got a cold and bored expression, all the girls make a fuss and say stuff like ‘He’s so cool and dreamy!’ and I also thought he was pretty cold for a primary schooler, but what ‘cool’? He’s just an idiot.
Everyone’s been totally fooled.

“Masaya.”

And at this point, Enjou Shuusuke came walking along.

“What are you doing in a place like this? And with Kisshouin-san as well.”

Aaah, the annoyances have multiplied.

“Oohh, Shuusuke! Look at this! The spy’s done good work!”

“Eh-, Kisshouin-san, have you already gone to ask Aira? You sure work fast, huh~”

Enjou peered in from the side at the report Kaburagi was holding.

“Hm~ I see. Well, isn’t it just as we expected?”

“I said this just now as well, but I’ve already reflected, and I’ll accept Yurie’s conditions. So it’s about time that Yurie forgives me, right?”

He really is a simple-minded idiot, huh~

“You sure are an idiot, Masaya~”

Uwa-, for a moment I thought my mind was being vocally projected.

“Shuusuke, you bastard, are you picking a fight with me?”

“Hey now, reflect, reflect. That short temper of yours is another reason Yurie is angry, you know?”

“Nothing like that was in the report!”

“Didn’t they teach us in Japanese class to read between the lines? Look, right here it mentions that you flying kicked a middle schooler from another school. Yurie was angry at your short-tempered actions. Get it now?”

Kaburagi fell into frustrated silence.

“Anyway, she isn’t going to believe that you’ve reflected from just your words. You need to show it in your attitude.”

“Then what the hell should I do.”

“Let’s see~ Kisshouin-san, do you have any good ideas?”

“Eh-?”

Why me?
I did just as instructed and went searching for Yurie-sama’s thoughts on the matter, so aren’t I relieved of duty already?
Your trusted friend has come already, so you shouldn’t have a use for me anymore.
Or rather, I don’t want anything to do with you.

And with good timing, the bell for class rang.

“Goodness. I must be leaving for class. Well then.”

Hurry, hurry.

“Wait, Spy.”

Kaburagi called for me to stop.

“You come up with something too. It’s your assignment until lunch break.”

HAHHHHHHHH???

Why the heck should I do that!?
And plotting isn’t the job of a spy, right?
Please just give me a break already…

Enjou gave a troubled smile.
Uh, no, you’re the one who turned the conversation to me, right?
Honestly, this is just the worst…

*imouto*

The moment I returned to class, the homeroom teacher came in, so for now I managed to avoid my hounding classmates.
Although it’s just putting it off the short time until this one hour lesson is over.
My relationship with Kaburagi… What kind of lie would be good?
Even if I die, I won’t admit that I’m his gopher.
What if I just said something normal like “There has been a small matter he entrusted to me.”? I’d be troubled if they asked about what the matter was though.
Aahh, this week is off to such an unlucky start.

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

And so just like that, I was abducted by the Kaburagi car, and they immediately demanded the results of my spy work.

“How was it? I trust you did your job properly? I saw Aira walk into the building after all.”

Oh my god.
This person really is a stalker. So dangerous.
And perhaps, also somebody with too much free time?

“Aira-sama promised that she will ask Yurie-sama later for me. She should be contacting me in the near future.”

I’m definitely not telling him that we exchanged addresses.
If I let him know, then Emperor, now Stalker In-the-Making would definitely demand mine as well, and send me orders by email day and night.
That’s just how stalkers are.

“I see. Did she say anything else?”

Hm~mm, I really can’t say it, can I.

“What. Answer me.”

Uu, don’t glare at me. It’s scary.

“Umm, Aira-sama said, ‘threatening unwilling people and working them hard for your own matters like this will just get Yurie even angrier’.”

Waa, I said it.
But this is what Aira-sama said, okay? It wasn’t me, okay?

Kaburagi blinked blankly.

“What unwilling people?”

Eh-, could it be that this kid is an idiot?
Not just a stalker, but an idiot too?
Incredibly arrogant, a stalker, and an idiot. So a total failure?

“Oi. You. You were thinking something rude just now, weren’t you.”

“No, I would never dream of such a thing.”

Stop reading my mind!

Kaburagi stared hard at my face for a while, but he eventually snorted and stopped.

“Well whatever. When will Aira be contacting you?”

“I cannot say. Perhaps on Monday?”

“How is she contacting you? Are you going to go to the middle school area to ask?”

“Ummm… I wonder?”

He hit me where it hurttt!

“What the heck. Go find out then. What now. Are you going to wait here until Aira’s lesson ends?”

Don’t joke with me.
Why do I have to do that much.

“No. In that case, I shall go ask Aira-sama on Monday.”

For now, let’s just avoid the problem with this.

“Hmm? Alright, got it. Monday, right? You better not forget.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Can I go home now?

“Oh yeah. You got a mobile?”

“No.”

When lying, absolutely do NOT look to the top right.
It’s what Oniisama taught me.

“Really?”

“My parents decided as such.”

Kaburagi is looking at me suspiciously.
Oh yeah. This guy can read minds. Keep calm, keep calm.

“May I leave now? My chauffeur will be worried.”

I want to retreat before I let up anything else.

“Eh, ahh, yeah. Well then, Monday then.”

“Yes.”

The moment that I stepped out of the Kaburagi car, as though he just remembered, Kaburagi added,

“By the way, who was that ‘unwilling person’ that you mentioned earlier?”

Flashing him a smile like Enjou’s, I said,

“That would be me, of course. Well then, gokigen’yoh, Kaburagi-sama.”

Leaving behind the gaping Kaburagi, I walked towards my family’s car.

*imouto*

I said it. I said it!
…But what am I going to do if he gets revenge.

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

Oniisama is coming home late today, so I was having dinner with just my parents.
That was when the bombshell dropped.
Otousama was smiling in a good mood when he asked,

“I heard from Sagami today that Masaya-kun from the Kaburagi clan went all the way to your English class to meet you.”

GEHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I was wondering why he seemed to be in a good mood, but was that why!?
Sagami is the name of the chauffeur that picked me up.
He picked me up, but the reason he didn’t save me when I was abducted by some strange car was because he knew who they were, then.
And then he went and reported it to my parents, huh.

“When did you too become so close? Otousama had no idea.” (←this is the father speaking himself)

“No, Otousama. I have almost never spoken with Kaburagi-sama.”

It’s no good. If I don’t clearly refute him here, it’ll end up in some situation where there’s no going back.

“What are you saying? That Masaya-kun went out of his way to meet you, didn’t he? Could it be that he’s taken a liking to you?”

Uwahh, what an unthinkable misunderstanding!
Otousama’s totally dreaming.

“Impossible. Saying things like that will trouble Kaburagi-sama, so please do not ever say such a thing again!”

Up until now, Otousama might have been hoping ambitiously that I’d marry him.
To begin with, that’s how it was in the manga.
Aah, what do I do.
If only Oniisama were here!

“Why are you getting so irritated, Reika?”

“Because you are having strange misunderstandings, Otousama!”

This is bad. I can hear the footsteps of the approaching downfall.
The role of being majorly shamed at an engagement party? Definitely don’t want it!

“Now, now, dear. Reika is still at an age where she’s embarrassed about these things, so let’s be more gentle about these things.”

Okaasama gently stopped him.
But even she’s looking my way with expectation.
Please cut me a break~!

All of this is his fault! That Stalker Kaburagi’s!

*imouto*

*imouto*

Wanting to vent these feelings of mine, I charged at Oniisama when he came back from prep school.

“And so, Otousama and Okaasama are having terrible misunderstandings. What should I do, Oniisama?”

I’m sorry for doing this when Oniisama is probably exhausted having just come home, but I’ll be venting my complaints to him.

“If it’s just the misunderstanding, then it’ll clear itself on its own sometime. I’ll talk to them and make sure they don’t do anything rash. More importantly, will you be okay with the thing with Masaya-kun?”

I left out what exactly Kaburagi wanted to hear from Aira-sama.
As well as the part about being intimidated. I don’t want Oniisama to worry.
The reason that I didn’t talk about Yurie-sama’s thing is because although he really is a stalker, it still wouldn’t sit right with me to go spreading details about somebody’s love life.

“I think it will be okay.”

“That’s good then.”

Oniisama patted my head.
Hahh~ Talking to Oniisama really does calm me down~

“Hey, Oniisama.”

“What?”

“Oniisama, in the future will you be inheriting the Kisshouin Corporation?”

“Well, yeah, I guess.”

“Please make sure to be honest in your management, okay?”

“What the heck?”

Only the sincere Oniisama can stop that ambitious Otousama!
Please, Oniisama, protect my peaceful future.

*imouto*

*imouto*

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

In Japan, texting isn’t done via sms phone numbers. It’s done by email. Hence exchanging addresses is sort of like exchanging mobile numbers, except that you aren’t given their call number, only their text ‘number’ so to say.

Akizawa-kun’s innocent smile awaited me at cram school.

Compared to that black duo, Akizawa-kun’s smile is like a polar opposite.
Aah, he’s so soothing…

“What’s wrong, Kisshouin-san? You seem kind of tired.”

“Yes, well, various things happened, you see.”

Right. Various things.

I was supposed to be living in a way that bothered Emperor as little as possible, but to think that I would be nominated as gopher.
What the heck are you doing, me?

“I see. Are you okay?”

No, I’m not okay at all.
But I can’t get the untainted Akizawa-kun wrapped up in it.

“If I fail my mission, please pray for my well-being in the afterlife…”

“Huh?”

To begin with, even if I asked Aira-sama the questions that Emperor gave me, would she even answer?
Aira-sama treats me more closely than others, but would she go as far as to answer questions like that?
But if she won’t answer, then what the heck will happen to me?
Will I be yelled at and called a useless gopher?
Well, if it’s just that much, I don’t really care.
Being the woman hated by Kaburagi Masaya would leave me in a precarious position at school though.
Or rather, I was designated as spy in front of all the kids who were in the salon at the time, so won’t they all know that I’m a gopher now?
…The day that my in-school position falls might be sooner than expected.
Aahh, the bad possibilities keep on growing.

“Hey, Kisshouin-san. Wanna eat these?”

“Eh-”

Akizawa-kun took out individually-wrapped financiers.

“My mum gave me these in case I got hungry. Eating sweet things might improve your mood.”

After saying those words, Akizawa-kun smiled at me.

A-, AKIZAWA-KUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!

What a good kid. You’re an angel!
It’s like heaven and earth when compared to those two.
I’m so glad that I became your friend!

“Thanks, Akizawa-kun!”

After eating his financiers, I really did feel better.
I even thought that it might be okay to share my treasured kinakomochi flavoured Tirolian chocolates with him.

*imouto*

*imouto*

And so finally, the day of English school arrived.
Ever since that day, I’ve been avoiding the salon. But today, the moment that I stepped out of the classroom to leave school, I found Emperor standing in the hallway giving me a ‘You get it, right…?’ look with his eyes, so as the spy that I was, I replied ‘Yes, of course!’ with my eyes as well, and immediately headed to the shoe rack.
Honestly, now that it’s come to this, I have no choice but to keep my head down and play the gopher.

After my English class finished, I waited anxiously for Aira-sama’s arrival.
I already let my chauffeur know to come a little later, so things were fine in regards to when I’d be leaving, but the problem was what time Aira-sama would be coming.
If she came just as class started, then we wouldn’t have any time to talk.
As you’d expect, I wouldn’t be able to just wait here until her classes finished.
Please, Aira-sama. Come quickly.

Perhaps the heavens were on my side, because Aira-sama appeared almost right afterwards.

“Aira-sama!”

“My, it’s Reika-san. Gokigen’yoh.”

Aah, Aira-sama, thank goodnesss…

“Um, the truth is, there is in fact something I wish to ask you, Aira-sama!”

“Hm? Ask me?”

I didn’t want anybody else to hear, so we ended up chatting on the landing of the staircase.

“The truth is, it is about Yurie-sama.”

“Yurie?”

Aira-sama’s expression turned puzzled.

“Y-, Yes. Um, just how angry at Kaburagi-sama is Yurie-sama? And when is it that she intends on forgiving him?”

There wasn’t any time so I just cut right to the chase, but Aira-sama’s expression turned more and more suspicious.

“And why would you want to know about Yurie and Masaya, Reika-san? Enough that you came out of your way to ask me.”

Well yeah, that is pretty suspicious.
When I’m not close to Kaburagi at all, I went and stuck my nose in their business, so Aira-sama’s reaction was natural.
I wonder if I seem like some nosy onlooker to her.

“I don’t know why you’re asking, but if you’re prying into this on a whim, you’ll make Masaya angry, you know?”

I’ve already made him angry.
And I’m doing this at Kaburagi Masaya’s direction.
Should I just try telling her the truth?
But if I do, there’s no way she would give information to Stalker Kaburagi’s underling.
Mm~mm…

Seeing me fall silent as I agonised over it, Aira-sama narrowed her eyes.

“Could it be that Masaya said something to you?”

Goodness!
How did you know!
Could it be that Aira-sama can read minds just like Emperor!?

“Em, umm…”

But should I just come clean? Or should I struggle to keep up my act?

“Ah, mn. Got it. It’s probably just Masaya telling you to ask about Yurie, right?”

That’s exactly it!
You’re amazing, Aira-sama. How did you see through everything!?

“Looks like he hasn’t reflected at all. I wonder if he even understands why Yurie was angry. You can just ignore what Masaya has to say, or so I’d like to say, but you’re in a spot where you can’t do that, right?”

“Yes. Exactly right.”

I nodded up and down.

“Alright. I’ll ask Yurie for you. As for how angry she is, tell him that threatening unwilling people and working them hard for his own matters like this will just get her even angrier.”

“That is…”

…definitely not something a coward like me could say.

“Huhu, but my class is about to start, and I’ll only be able to ask Yurie after I come home, so… Naturally, next week’s English tutorial would be too late, right?”

“I cannot say for certain, but probably…”

Given that he couldn’t even wait until ‘the day after next’ I can’t imagine that he’d be able to wait until ‘next week’.

“Got it. Then, Reika-san, do you have a mobile?”

I don’t have many chances to use it, but it has a GPS with it, so it’s more like a crime deterrent.
That’s why when I go to the convenience store during cram school, I naturally leave it in the classroom for alibi purposes.

“Well then, let’s exchange addresses. Once I have a talk with Yurie, I’ll send you an email.”

“Can we really!?”

Oohhh, to think that I would get Aira-sama’s address!

The truth is, Aira-sama sports an androgenous short haircut, so around here, she’s even more popular than the boys are.
There are plenty of girls who seem like they’re even in love with Aira-sama, and some of them have bewitching fantasies about the beautiful princess Yurie-sama and her gallant knight Aira-sama.

…And I’m also one of the girls who secretly admire Aira-sama!
That’s right! The one that I admire isn’t Emperor. It’s the Peony Knight, Aira-sama!
So don’t get so cocky, you damned tyrant duo!

Or so I was thinking, but there’s no way a coward like me could ever say it to their faces, so it’s more like the rant of a loser but…
Anyway, that doesn’t matter.
For now, it looks like I’ve been able to follow my directives.
After all, it looks like Aira-sama is going to help me out because she understands my circumstances.
What’s more, I even gained her email address as an unexpected reward, so I’m feeling completely pleased right now.
Now then, shall I go home?
Today Oniisama is going to be late due to prep studies isn’t he. Tsk~ That’s no fun.
I wonder if he’ll make time for me tomorrow.
Lala, la~

*imouto*

*imouto*

Watching me walking out of the English class elated with my worries gone, was a boy in front of a black car, standing with his arms folded. Kaburagi Masaya.

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

I, Kisshouin Reika, have been appointed by His Majesty the Emperor, the role of ‘spy’, or in other words, gopher.

*imouto*

*imouto*

After that, the Emperor drove everybody else out from the salon, leaving me, Emperor and Enjou, at which point the strategy meeting began.

“First of all, what did you hear from Aira?”

Uuu, his glare is so scary…
I wanna run away.

“L-, Like I said, that Yurie-sama wishes to rake you over the coals…”

“Why did you hear something like that from Aira?”

“When we met by chance at the English tutoring school, Aira-sama a-, asked about you, K-, Kaburagi-sa, ma, and I replied that you did not seem well, at which point she informed me of Yurie-sama’s feelings.”

Scary, so scary. Please don’t glare at me~
Also I ended up using his name for the first time to his face.
Because I was so nervous, I bit my tongue.
Please, somebody just save me already~

“The hell do you think you’re doing, casually spreading rumours about others?”

Quite right, Your Majesty.
Anybody would be unhappy if people talked about them behind their back.
I… might be done for, even before I meet the protagonist…

“Now, now. Don’t intidimate her so much. You’re scaring her.”

‘Right?’, asked Enjou with a smile.
Can I trust that smile?

“Shaddup, Shuusuke.”

“To begin with, right now pretty much the whole school is talking about you, right? Right, Kisshouin-san?”

Please don’t look to me.
Because even if I agreed with you, there’s no way I’d be able to say it.
Even if it’s the truth.

“Shuusuke, you bastard…”

“Masaya, you want information on Yurie too, right? Then instead of threatening her, request it of her properly. Well, if it’s Aira, then I could ask for you though.”

Yes, yes please, please do.
And even a second earlier, please liberate me from this place.

“No. Aira definitely wouldn’t tell you. I’ll use this woman instead.”

“Aah, that might be right. Then, Kisshouin-san, can we ask this of you? Specifically, we want to know how angry Yurie-sama is, for example, or when she plans on forgiving him perhaps. Masaya, is there anything else?”

“…Whether or not Yurie even plans on forgiving me.”

“Hm~mm, well Yurie herself said that she just wanted to rake you over the coals, so I don’t think she’s cutting you off. If you convey to her that you’ve really been reflecting, she might forgive you.”

“I SEE!”

He suddenly got livelier.
This guy… isn’t he surprisingly simple?
GYAH-, I’m sorry for being cheeky! I’m sorry!
Don’t glare at mee~
I’m starting to think Emperor really can read minds.

“Alright! You there. When’s your next English class?”

“I have one the day after tomorrow.”

“The heck. Isn’t that still ages? Better that you go there right now and ask Aira for me.”

Don’t ask for the impossible.

“If Yurie founds out that you’ve been overbearing again, she’ll get even angrier, you know? In this case, you should quietly wait out these two days.”

“!! I see. It’d be bad if she got any angier.”

As soon as Yurie-sama’s name appears, Emperor listens obediently.
He really is simple.

“And that’s how it is. We’ll be relying on you, Kisshouin-san.

~smiiile~

It doesn’t matter what I have to say? Is that how it is?

“You there! What was your name again?”

“It is Kisshouin Reika…”

You’re asking after all this time? Not that I mind.

“Alright! Kisshouin! Become a splendid spy, and fulfil your duties!”

“Hah…”

What ‘spy’. I’m just a gopher, aren’t I.

Completely energised again, perhaps he was hungry now, because Emperor went to get sweets.

“He’s not a ridiculously arrogant person or anything.” Who was it that said this? It was me.
You really have no eye for people, me~
If this isn’t ‘ridiculously arrogant’, then just what on earth is?
Why is it that even though we’ve pretty much never spoken before, and even though he doesn’t even know my name, he uses me this much like it’s natural?
Should I just tell Aira-sama, and have her snitch to Yurie-sama?
‘He’s been threatening a helpless girl into being his gopher,’ she could say.
…Nonono, don’t do anything desperate now.
If you do that, you’ll be killed, one hundred percent. Yes. Absolutely.

“Try your best, okay? Kisshouin-san. If you succeed, your adored Masaya will be grateful.”

“I don’t particularly adore him or anything…”

Because of the ridiculous treatment, I accidentally muttered a bit as my real self.
Any adoration I had for Emperor was cleanly left behind in my old life.
Yeah, I adored a 2d character and I was a bit of an embarrassing girl. Problem?
Right now ‘Emperor’ is synonymous with ‘destruction’ for me, so I haven’t an atom of adoration for him.

“Oh? Really? I mean, I notice you looking at him a lot. That’s why I thought that you liked him too. I mean, look, all your friends loiter around us too.”

What a way of putting things. And what’s more, he noticed my secret observation.

“The two of you are quite conspicuous, and so I could not help but look your way. If I have troubled you by doing so, I apologise. I shall pay more attention henceforth.”

For now, what I need to do first is pull myself together.
Now that I’m not under Emperor’s glare, the lion big cat in my heart has returned.
As if I would lose to Enjou on his own.

“Well then, if this is all that you have to say, I shall take my leave. Gokigen’yoh.”

I want to leave this demon’s lair as quickly as possible.
I want to sprint full speed out of this place with my tail between my legs.

“Yeah, goodbye. Take care, okay?”

Enjou gave me a gentle wave.

As I was leaving, Emperor spotted me as he nibbled on a biscuit and said,

“YEAH! Gopher, make sure to do your job!”

So he even called me a gopher in the end…
Wasn’t I supposed to be a spy! Jeez.

*imouto*

*imouto*

The mouth is the mother of all calamities.
Honestly, I think I’m about to cry. About all sorts of things.
It’s said that in all times and places, spies that failed their mission were disposed of by their organisations.
Will tomorrow bring me success or failure?

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

*imouto*

TL note: Again, gokigen’yoh is a veeeeery traditional, feminine greeting. So dated and ojousama-esque that the average Japanese person will never hear it said in real life. Well, I say ‘average’ because it really depends on the circles you run in…

Think, ‘I bid you bonjour’ and ‘I bid you adieu’ for all greetings, except, you know, not French.

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>