Reika-sama – 201

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If it’s not on there, please feel free and ask. I only get annoyed at questions when the same one has been asked 10+ times, and by then I’ll have updated the FAQ. Thank you for your consideration, guys!


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Back from my business trip, and trying to readjust my schedule again.
As long as I can get up on time, I can return to my morning Kenkyo translations.


“Aahh, it’s finally gone…”

After finally scrubbing his thumb clean, Kaburagi returned to the small conference room.

“I scrubbed so hard that my skin’s all dry. Kisshouin, do you have any hand cream?”

What a high maintenance young master~

Honestly.

I took my hand cream out of my bag and handed it over.

He rubbed a bunch of it into his hands and looked pretty satisfied.

Curious, he turned it over to look at the brand.

I suppose he liked it.

They don’t sell that in Japan yet, so you can’t have it.

Give it back.

“Anyway, I’d like to talk about what we’re gunna do next.”

Next?

Oh right, I was supposed to help him with Wakaba-chan.

I was happy to just go along with it, all things considered.

For one thing he didn’t believe that I was the bully.

For another he had vowed not to attack my family.

“I see~”

Ah, what the hell.

I put on some hand cream too.

When you moisturised, you had to get right down to the fingernails.

Hm, it was feeling a bit dry, actually.

I made a note to use some nail oil when I got home.

“Oi, sound a bit less uncaring. Come on, I need your help. Your hair is the god of love, isn’t it? You’re supposed to have made a lot of loves bear fruit.”

“I have no recollection of my hair becoming such a thing, but…”

And also, neither Class Rep nor Iwamuro-kun’s crushes had borne any fruit yet.

At least in my opinion.

Speaking of which, I wonder how Sakura-chan and Akizawa-kun’s Valentine’s went.

I would ask her later.

“Oi, Kisshouin. Are you listening?”

“I most certainly am.”

Kaburagi looked at me incredibly suspiciously.

Did I seem that unconcerned?

Oh, was he angry?

Uh oh…

I quickly changed gears.

“You wanted to discuss our future plans, yes? Please continue.”

After a few more looks of distrust, Kaburagi sighed in defeat and continued.

“Kisshouin. Do you, uh, know which girl I like…?” he asked hesitantly.

“Takamichi-san, no?” I replied as a matter of course.

I was treated to a look of shock.

“So Kisshouin had noticed…” he muttered.

Hm…?

Kisshouin?

“You know… It is probably not just me. In fact, the odds are that the entire student body knows.”

“Eh…!?”

I don’t know what he was so surprised about.

I mean, with the way he was behaving anybody would notice.

Don’t tell me he thought he was hiding it!?

“Kaburagi-sama who only ever says the bare minimum to any girl is suddenly talking with fervour to Takamichi-san. How could anybody miss it?”

“You’re right…” he exclaimed with his hand raised to his mouth.

“Please do not tell me that that was your idea of hiding it?”

“No, I mean, I wasn’t really trying to hide it but being told that flat-out was…”

I guess he was embarrassed.

And considering Wakaba-chan’s position, you should have been trying to hide it.

“You know, the major reason Takamichi-san is being harrassed is because other girls are jealous of the attention you give her.”

His expression turned severe.

“So it was my fault…”

“Well, it was not the only reason.”

For one thing, she was a commoner.

For another thing, despite having her own charm, she looked a little dopey, and was a far cry from the image of a capable woman.

And this was the girl who beat out Zui’ran’s pride and symbol in the exam rankings.

Considering the stock they put Zui’ran’s image, there were plenty of people who would find Wakaba-chan unacceptable.

“Do you have any idea who the culprit was yesterday?”

“I truly cannot say…”

I had no idea, but I would look into it.

“Do you know how the staff investigation is going?” I asked.

“They won’t bother looking. They’re pushing it under the rug to avoid a fuss,” he spat.

Well, I could understand that.

If the culprit happened to be a big wig they’d really be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

A member of the Pivoine for example.

In the past there was a Pivoine member who bullied somebody into dropping out so it wasn’t impossible.

But denouncing a member of the Pivoine would result in plenty of alumni lashing back.

Since the victim was just a powerless External Student they probably figured it would be better this way…

“I’m still looking for them myself, but I’ve got nothing so far.”

“I see.”

Plus, there was no guarantee that the person from yesterday was also responsible for the graffiti on her desk.

Actually, there were still people who suspected me of being the one behind yesterday.

I needed to do something about that.

First of all I needed to spread rumours about Tsuruhana-san and her friends trying to frame me for their own harassment.

Thanks to what Mochida-san said I’m pretty sure people would believe it.

They had history of bullying, after all.

Reika-sama was just a poor girl being blamed for no reason.

Yeah, that sounds good.

Besides that, all that was left was finding the culprit.

“How do you think I can help Takamichi?”

“Considering her situation she would probably be best served with you leaving her alone.”

Oi!

Leaving your love for the sake of your love…

Yeah, from his expression he’s not buying that, huh.

“Are you telling me to give in to these cowards!?”

“That is not what…”

“Those tactics will never work against me. I’ll protect her. Just watch! I’ll never give up!”

“I see…”

I might have flipped some weird switch in him.

What a bother.

“Hm?”

Kaburagi’s show of passion was interrupted when he suddenly checked his phone.

“Oh, Shuusuke’s asking where I am. Apparently people are talking about how we’re not in the salon today.”

Good timing.

I can finally get the hell out of here.

“Well then, we can continue this next time. I will be heading home now, but I suppose you will be returning the salon, no? I will continue my own investigations with the girls, so rest assured.”

“Yeah? Well that’s one thing, but we still haven’t discussed my love life at all yet. Ah well, it’s getting late I guess. Alright, we’ll continue another day.”

“Quite. Well then, please excuse me.”

I quickly made for the exit before he came up with anything else.

Unfortunately, before I made it, he stopped me again.

“Oh yeah, pass me your email address, Kisshouin.”

Geh!

“I, I do not have a…”

“I know you’ve got a phone, Kisshouin. That play won’t work. Hand it over.”

Geuhhh!

I bitterly handed it over.

I had wanted to avoid this…

I wonder if I could ignore his messages by claiming my phone was out of batteries.

Anyhow, just as I left the room he sent me a message to check that it worked.

I ignored it, only to receive another message every five minutes.

I need to change my email!

 


<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

Schizophrenia – Chapter 27

Guess I hold my monthly quota for now. Enjoy!

 


 

“Alisa. Sorry, but could I get you to make another cup?”

“Yes, certainly.”

Bowing respectfully, Alisa went to prepare some more tea. After seeing her off, Lilia once again returned her gaze to the trio.

In truth, Lilia herself knew of the fact that she was overdoing it. By all means, Sakura would probably be cautioning her as well at this point. However, this case was simply unforgivable. If they came here under her brother’s orders, then there was also a chance that they’d never gotten in touch with her father. In that case it wouldn’t be surprising for them to not know that Lilia had received Alisa as her own maid. Nonetheless, that didn’t matter a single bit to Lilia. If the ones who’s very job was to seek out information neglected to find out about such a thing, then it was no excuse to her.

—I-is it over? It’s over right?

—Yes. Come to think of it you were pretty silent.

—Yeah… Cause it was scary… I could tell that you were angry for real, so I kept quiet

—Ahh, I see. Sorry, that must have startled you.

She gave a gentle apology. Seeing that, Sakura seemed to convey a sense of surprise.

—Well, okay. I think it’s fine. It really shows just how much you value Alisa after all. It’s a good development, so I won’t say anything more.

—I see. Thanks.

—Though this was going a bit overboard.

—Right, yes… I’ll reflect on it.

Calming herself down, she slowly drew in a breath and let it out. In that interval, no one spoke a word. The space was dominated by a heavy silence. Lilia once again gazed at the three. The two men were able to receive her gaze, but the girl was clearly frightened as she averted her eyes.

The younger man noticed that, and sent her a sidelong glare. The girl was startled and her body once again began to tremble, as she apologised and hung her head on the spot.

—This is, from her being frightened by me? Did I do something?

—Anyone would be scared by that gaze of yours, have some self awareness.

—I haven’t really gotten angry at her yet though.

—Seeing your anger at all is more than enough!

I suppose that’s how it is, thought Lilia. Lilia made her best effort at putting on a smile, and looked to the girl. The girl’s trembling worsened.

—I didn’t think she was this scared of me.

—Yup. How about we give up on reconciling and just talk about their work or something?

—I suppose so.

Lilia let out a clear small sigh, and turned to the old man. The girl’s face had become completely pale, but whatever. The younger man let out a disappointed sigh at the girl.

“I wonder if it is alright for me to give you guys work to do as well?”

Not expecting such a thing to come from Lilia’s mouth, the old man’s eyes widened. Though perhaps as expected of an agent he wiped the expression from his face in an instant.

“Master Claus had ordered us to provide aid to Mistress Lilia. Please order us as you wish.”

“I see. Then I’ll have you do some background checks on a few people.”

“Background checks, is it. Of whom shall it be?”

“For now, do everyone in my class. Ahh, of course His Highness is an exception. Also, do one for a boy named Ray who often studies in the library.”

Probably astonished at the number of people, this time it was the younger man who’s face was tinged with a slight frown. Though as expected this one also quickly erased his reaction.

“That is a fair amount of people and thus would certainly require some time, if that is acceptable?”

“Yes. Let’s have regularly… Let’s see, come give a report once a day. This girl can do it.”

The one Lilia pointed to with her finger was the girl who’d been frightened this entire time. The girl’s expression became as if she had seen the end of the world, but Lilia wasn’t going to try to change her opinion at this point.

“Are there any problems?”

“Nay, no problems at all. Your orders have been received.”

She had intended to ask the girl, but it was the old man who replied. Lilia looked down with slight disappointment, then quickly shook her head. Coming back to herself, she continued.

“I’ll be leaving it to you.”

The three gave a firm nod, and returned into the hole in the ceiling. Seeing them off, Lilia gave a small sigh.

—By the way Sakura. Is there still anyone around? Or has everyone gone?

—Of course there’s at least one person still remaining. They’ve got to have a guard for you around after all.

—It’s fine even if they didn’t. I’ve never heard of anyone getting attacked inside the academy.

—Lilia. There’s more to it than just what’s seen on the surface.

Lilia made a slight frown. The way Sakura spoke, it was as if something really had happened in the past.

—There are reckless ones out there as well you know.

Sakura gave a cheerful laugh.

 

 

“Mistress Lilia. A guest.”

After the three spies left, Lilia was studying in her bedroom when Alisa called out to her. Having an idea as to who the visitor was, Lilia smiled wryly as she rose from her chair. When she got to the door, as expected, there stood Tina.

“Good evening, Lilia. Wanna, go for some dinner? Ah, here.”

Lilia ended up reflexively receiving the small paper box Tina presented. Taking a look, there were a few baked sweets inside.

“Thanks for inviting me. What is this?”

“It’s dorayaki. You don’t know of it?”

“I’ve heard of it, but it’s the first time I’m seeing the actual thing…”

She grabbed one to give it a try. It still had a faint warmth. It seems it was freshly bought. Lilia timidly took a bite.

“…!”

—Delicious…!

—It’s dorayaki! I can’t believe they have them here as well! Maybe there are others too?

—Others? There are more things like this?

—There are! There are lots! Like taiyaki or daifuku!

Taking a not insignificant interest in it, Lilia looked at Tina. Tina was sporting a joyous, full faced smile.

 


 

Author’s Note:
Even now the three agents’ names still haven’t been revealed. What should we do…

TL Note:
Though I’m sure many of you are probably already acquainted with these Japanese snacks, I might as well put some food pictures here now that I have the chance.

Dorayaki is a Japanese treat that’s basically some red bean paste (or other filling) jammed between two castella cakes. Also famous as Doraemon’s favourite food or something, and you can probably guess why.

Taiyaki is a well known Japanese treat that’s basically batter fried in the shape of a fish with red bean paste (or other fillings) inside. Commonly seen in anime and whatnot.

Daifuku is mochi stuffed with sweet red bean paste (or other filling, duh) and can come in a variety of colours.

Sakura

Lilia


<Previous Chapter | JAONNN! | Next Chapter>

Turf War – Chapter 26

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If it’s not on there, please feel free and ask. I only get annoyed at questions when the same one has been asked 10+ times, and by then I’ll have updated the FAQ.

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Life has been mildly hectic.

Also if you want more regular Tilea updates, please join my Discord server and remind me every Friday that people are actually waiting on it.


Chapter 26 – Nyger Falls

Mountain upon mountains of corpses…

It was the very picture of Hell.

The mercenaries had all been cut to pieces by that vampire’s sudden blade of blood.

When she roared I had the guards close in to let Gordon-sama escape.

But her attack was even more powerful than expected, and had cut through them like they were nothing at all.

My own blood-soaked body was wounded all over, and I was having trouble moving now.

Another hit would kill me.

That I was sure of.

Instead, I dulled my sense of pain and played dead.

After a while, the vampire girl began stumbling across the room, examining corpses here and there.

She was looking for Gordon-sama.

He had already left using an emergency teleportation circle.

It was a close thing.

If I had been any slower to react then he would have been slaughtered without a doubt.

When she realised he was missing, she shrieked in frustration and collapsed, unconscious.

Vampire girl.

Your power and magic were superb, but you can’t deny that you lacked experience.

Mistaking me for dead was naive.

Humans don’t die so easily.

You should have finished the job.

I’m about to attack you because you didn’t.

I dragged my pulverised right leg behind me as I approached her.

A lovely face, and the build of a young girl.

It was hard to imagine that she was the demon that had engendered this massacre.

I was going to end her here.

It wouldn’t do if she came back later.

With a surge of mana I produced a few magical bullets, raising my hand at her.

I survived thanks to your inexperience.

Of course, had you been less exhausted the result might still have been different.

But you only have yourself to blame for challenging us in that condition.

I almost felt apologetic as I attacked.

“Stop.”

In reflex, I turned around to face the new voice.

Standing there was a girl, smiling faintly as she crossed her arms.

Her hair was silver, and her eyes were scarlet in colour.

An ally of the vampire girl?

She had probably made use of the previous mana wave to teleport here.

I hadn’t noticed her at all.

Even taking my injuries into account, for her to have snuck up so closely to me was…

She had teleported here without allowing any mana to leak from her body.

It was a very high level skill.

There was no doubt.

This girl was a demon.

Things were not looking good.

I was in no shape or form capable of battle…

But I suppose that didn’t matter.

In skill, in bearing, in presence, this girl was different to the vampire in every way.

The two of them couldn’t be compared.

She was overwhelming.

Finally, it all clicked.

True, the vampire girl had been strong, yes, but something had felt strange.

For all the magical power that she wielded, she was wet behind the ears which was strange for a true demon.

Not this girl.

The silver-haired girl in front of me was a true demon.

An avatar of slaughter and destruction.

“…You are powerful.”

“Ku ku, you’re not bad for a human. Frail, true, but you broke my toy over there,” she said, before walking over to the vampire girl.

Her gait was relaxed, and full of openings, inviting an attack.

But her majesty and power suppressed me.

Moving carelessly would cost me.

“Broken after just this…? If you hadn’t been bestowed by Oneesama I’d have discarded you long ago.”

She held a hand out over the vampire.

In a matter of seconds, the wounds faded into nothing under the light of a shining crystal of magic.

H-Healing magic!?

A demon could who use healing magic!?

It was supposed to be the branch of magic that they struggled the most with.

And with such skill.

Even after overcoming her own difficulties with the element, the girl with silver hair had done a better job than a team of a hundred average priests.

Before long, the vampire girl was healed entirely.

The silver-haired girl turned back to me and smiled fearlessly.

“What’s the matter? You could have attacked me.”

“Heh. I have a rule about useless endeavours. It would have made no difference whether I surprised you with an attacked or fought you head on. If that’s the case then I wish to die in a fair fight.”

“Ahahaha! I like you. Somehow you remind me of Nielsen, my right-hand-man.”

“Such praise is unmerited.”

“Not at all. You are skilled, and of noble spirit. It would be a shame to waste even a human like you. How about joining me?”

“I am humbled by the offer, but I must decline. I only have one master, and that is Gordon-sama.”

“Hmm? I don’t understand. I’ve been watching the whole time, and I find it hard to believe that you’d follow a man like that. What keeps you so loyal?”

“The Sam family took me in. Even if they hadn’t, I am loyal to my lord. That is what it means to be a soldier.”

“Ku ku, a soldier to the core. I want you even more now. Nyger, was it? You should have more than paid back your debt to that family. Don’t you think it’s about time to wash your hands of them?”

“I cannot abandon Gordon-sama.”

“Abandoning scum like that would hardly stain your honour.”

“…Once, I had decided to leave. His conduct had become too much for me. But when I tried to, he screamed that he would kill himself if I did. Gordon-sama is the only heir to the Sam family. The line must not die out!”

“Heh, in my experience the ones that clamour about suicide the loudest are the most desperate in clinging to live.”

“Huhu, perhaps that is so. But my conviction will not change.”

I raised my fists and covered them in fighting spirit to signify that the talking was over.

She laughter in good humour.

And then she raised her palm at me.

Nuohh!?

T-This… Healing magic…?

It washed over me.

The open wounds closed in an instant.

What power.

I was close to peak form.

“Pity for an enemy? You demons are surprisingly kind.”

“I did not heal you out of benevolence. You will still die here. I simply wanted to see you at your best. This is nothing more than satisfying my curiosity,” she declared dismissively.

Interesting.

I was already a dead man.

Gordon-sama had escaped.

I had done my duty as a soldier.

In that case I would live my final moments as the warrior instead!

“Uoohhh!”

All the mana in my body was concentrated in my fist.

I had no need for defence!

With intention of living, I forced my life force into it as well.

This one attack would be fuelled by everything I had.

“Ultimate technique, Ghost Rider![Ghost Wave Magic Fist]!”

The life would literally ride on this one attack.

All of my life force and vitality to be expended in this one punch.

There was no need for boasts or words at this point.

When my attack was ready, I charged.

I wouldn’t be capable of a second punch.

This would be the most powerful attack of my life.

But…

My fist was stopped by her magic barrier.

W-, What a massive wall of mana…

Its density seemed endless.

I didn’t think anything in this world could break through it.

My fist was pulverised against the wall, and the force spread back into my body.

Muscles snapped, bones turned to dust, my body turned to tatters.

“That was splendid, Nyger. Your attack had spirit, technique, and power. It makes it all the more regretful. Truly. You were born to the wrong species…”

After those words of praise, she fired magic bullets at me.

Clumps of darkness magic, even denser than the wall.

I would truly be dust.

Heh, how splendid.

And such beauty.

The zenith of darkness magic was before my eyes, and I could not help but be mesmerised.

Slaughter and destruction condensed, slamming into me…

What incredible fortune.

To think that at the very end, I had the honour of crossing fists with what was surely the most powerful being in the world.

And beyond that, that I was allowed to die by their hand.

As a warrior I had no regrets.

Gordon-sama, I apologise for being unable to guard you to the end.

I will be waiting ahead in Hell.

I am in your service even there, so please forgive me…

 

 


<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

Reika-sama – 200

Everybody, please check the FAQ first before asking me questions.
If it’s not on there, please feel free and ask. I only get annoyed at questions when the same one has been asked 10+ times, and by then I’ll have updated the FAQ. Thank you for your consideration, guys!


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Please contribute: http://kenkyokenjitsu.wikia.com


In order to avoid being spotted by anyone from Zui’ran, we agreed to meet up one station down from her house, in a lonely little café that none of them would ever visit.

Just being extra careful, right?

A cow bell rang as I opened the door, and I stepped into a café with a retro aesthetic.

Wakaba-chan was reading a textbook at a seat near the back.

I see.

So the smart kids made use of this time to study too!

“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”

“Nope, not at all. I actually thought you’d be a little longer, really,” she smiled, closing her book.

On a day like this I’d normally have gone to the salon, and then to the clubroom, but I told them all that I was feeling bad.

On the way out Kaburagi seemed like he really wanted to say something, but that was scary so I power walked to the car park.

Thank goodness he hadn’t asked me to stop…

Since this place didn’t serve hot chocolate, I went with milk tea instead.

Wakaba-chan was drinking a hot coffee.

She’s so mature.

“I was surprised you would be here so early, Takamichi-san. Was there no Student Council work today?”

“There was, but I said I had some family matters to take care of so they excused me.”

“I see…”

Fellow Stalking Horse had also asked me what happened in his capacity as the StuCo President.

All I could tell him was that I heard somebody while on the way back from the nurse’s office. I picked up the marker and discovered the graffiti.

I wonder if he believed me.

The other members of his Student Council seemed to be suspicious of me.

“At any rate, regarding today’s incident…”

“Yeah. It must have been rough, Kisshouin-san. Was everything okay after that? You really had it tough.”

The first words that came out of her mouth were sympathies.

“Ah… So you really believe me when I say it was not I, then…”

“Of course I do!” she nodded.

Her expression told me that it wasn’t even in question.

Not even a doubt in her mind.

“Why are you so certain of that? I am quite sure that I was the most suspicious one there. I would have thought a little doubt to be natural…”

“Ehh? It’s because I’ve always considered you my closest ally, I guess.”

“!?”

What the hell!?

Uuu, I’m so happy, Wakaba-chan!

That’s what you’ve thought of me!?

But…

“On what basis? What if Tsuruhana-san was correct, and I actually despise you in secret?” I said a little contrarily.

There were people like that in the world.

I knew what kind of person Wakaba-chan was, but she didn’t know me nearly as well. Certainly not well enough to be certain that I meant well, right?

“No way,” she laughed. “In secret you’ve been helping me out too, right?”

I wasn’t sure why she could smile so confidently about that.

I was a little confused about it.

“I recall doing nothing of the sort.”

“Eh, really?”

“Yes.”

She folded her arms and hummed.

“Well if she’s that keen on keeping it a secret, maybe I shouldn’t say anything…? Ahh, but is she really keeping it a secret…? I mean, that wasn’t keeping it a secret at all, right…?” she muttered.

“Takamichi-san?”

“Ahh~ Umm… Kisshouin-san, a while back you uh, wrote me a letter filled with what to look out for in Zui’ran, didn’t you?”

“Eh!?”

How come!?

Why did she know it was me!?

“Ah… Going by the look on your face, you really were trying to hide it then?”

Wakaba-chan smiled a little helplessly at me.

“Eh? Eh!? How!?”

And I was so careful to keep it anonymous too.

So how did she realise it was me!?

“How long have you known!?”

“Well, from the start.”

“From the start!?”

“Yeah.”

Eeehhh!?

“If you looked at the inside of the envelope under a light there was a little Kisshouin crest. So yeah, when I first opened it I realised it was from you.”

Ehhh!?

What the hell!? I didn’t know about that at all!

It’s true that I used our family’s letter set since the one I had was a little plain, but I thought I was in the clear since I avoided the one with our crest on the back!

But despite all that there was a watermark on the inside!?

I had no idea!

“You didn’t sign the letter, but since the envelope had your family’s crest on it I figured that you were using that instead.

“But after a while, from your attitude, I started thinking that perhaps you had been trying to keep it a secret…

“I thought about thanking you so many times, but if you were trying to hide it then I thought maybe it would be better to avoid mentioning it.

“Which is why I hadn’t mentioned it until now. I mean, you even referred to yourself in third person.”

UGYYAAAAAAAHHH!

THIS IS SO EMBARRASSINGG!!

‘Kisshouin-san’ I called myself!

I even thought I was so clever about it!

Even though she knew from the start!

This is hell! Somebody kill me!

‘Kisshouin-san’s group wields the most influence amongst the 1st Year girls of Zui’ran, so take care around them’?

Hahaha, who actually says that about themselves?

Seriously, ‘Kisshouin-san’!?

Aren’t you the one who wrote it!?

I thumped my head onto the table and began grating my head against it.

“Ah geez, Kisshouin-san, are you okay?”

I’m not okay…

I’m about to die of shame.

“Sometimes I sent you little signs though. Like when I made the seven-herb congee for you. Your letter warned me to be careful while picking wild herbs after all.”

So that really was pre-meditated!

“Plus, around the time I got your letter, the gardener told me to be careful as well. You told him to warn me too, right?”

“…”

I guess she knew it all, then.

At this point the only thing I could do was sulk.

“…I see. Well thank you very much for all your consideration… I was the one who wrote it, oh yes.”

“Mmn…”

Wakaba-chan gave another helpless smile as I sulked.

“Well anyway, that’s why I think you’re on my side.”

“Yes…”

“And I finally get to say it now; thank you for being sincere, and always coming to help me, Kisshouin-san.”

Uu…

“You are welcome…”

I was so ashamed that I couldn’t even look at her in the face──

*

*

After that I listened to her talk about the Student Council.

Apparently Fellow Stalking Horse didn’t think I did it either.

“It doesn’t fit her M.O.” he apparently said.

“Just the time you shut up those sports clubs was enough to remember you did things completely differently. Man, that fan was something else!” laughed Wakaba-chan.

Is that so?

When I got home later that day, I checked what I thought were unmarked envelopes.

Just like Wakaba-chan said, it seemed plain on the inside until you shone a light on it, and our family’s crest appeared.

Geh, it was true.

But I’m impressed that you even found this, Wakaba-chan…

I vowed never just to slack off and use my family’s stationery to send anonymous letters ever again.

*

Wakaba-chan might have believed me, but the problem was Kaburagi.

If he ever decided that I was Wakaba-chan’s enemy, my future was over.

I needed to find a way to make him understand, and secure the safety of my family.

But how.

If I revealed the nature of my relationship with Wakaba-chan then it would certainly solve the current issue.

But if the whole school realised it as well, it would make life a lot harder for me.

Well, whatever the case, I’d have to see how Kaburagi behaved tomorrow…

If he didn’t say a word to me, then I’d just leave it be.

Yeah, that sounded like a good idea.

*

*

But despite that, no sooner had school ended did Kaburagi call out to me.

Hiiieee~!

We weren’t in the salon right now.

Instead, he had brought me to a small conference room.

I guess he asked for permission so that he’d have a place where we wouldn’t be heard.

Scaryy.

What was I going to do if he sentenced me to death?

“Umm, so what was it you wished to speak to me about…?” I asked nervously.

“Yeah. About yesterday’s locker incident.”

I knew it!

“It was not me!”

“I know.”

“Heh?”

So he hadn’t called me here because I was a suspect?

“I’ll admit that I was a little suspicious. But afterwards Iwamuro told me that you were absolutely not the kind of person to do that.”

“Iwamuro-kun did?”

He and Kaburagi knew each other!?

Apparently Iwamuro had once been his horse.

“Your class rep came and told me the same thing. You’re pretty popular, Kisshouin.”

Maiden’s Society――! You came through for me!

“Sorry for even doubting you.”

“No… But I see now. In that case, what was it you wished to speak about?”

“It’s a bit hard to say, but…”

Kaburagi hesitated for a moment.

“The truth is, I actually have a girl I like…”

“I see.”

I already know that. And?

“I’d like your help with that.”

Ehh!?”

Why me!?

“Why me!?”

“Both Iwamuro and Class Rep said that your hair was a god of love.”

“Ehh!?”

What the hell do you mean my hair!?

“Apparently by touching it you’ll be granted luck in romance. They say it’s super effective.”

“Ehh!?”

Class Rep――!

“Do you truly believe such a story?”

“Ah, I mean, not really but… honestly I just wanted a girl to talk to about these things. And you were the best suited for that.”

“Ehh~”

Choose somebody else, please.

“Please, Kisshouin. I won’t ask anything unreasonable.”

“Ehh~”

No way.

In the past you used me as a gopher, didn’t you.

And I don’t want to get involved in your romance either.

But I doubted Kaburagi would back down.

I probably couldn’t even leave until I accepted.

Ugh.

I didn’t even have a choice, did I!?

Hm, but if I had to do it either way, then…

I suddenly had a wonderful idea.

“…I understand. But I have a few conditions.”

“Shoot.”

“You will not at any point in the future attempt to uncover evidence of crimes committed by my family, nor will you attempt to destroy us. Please swear on this.”

“Is your family involved in crime?”

“Absolutely not! It was simply an example! Yes, an example!”

Uh oh, I might have made him suspicious for no reason.

His eyes were certainly looking suspicious.

“Any how! As long as you refuse to swear this I will not aid you in the slightest!”

“Haaah. Alright, alright. I just have to promise, right?”

“A verbal agreement is not binding.”

I took out a sheet of writing paper from my bag.

“Please print the following: ‘I, Kaburagi Masaya, swear not to engage in behaviours that will bring about the ruin of the Kisshouin family’.”

“Are you guys really doing something that shady?”

“The heavens as my witness, we are doing no such thing! Now, come! Please hurry up and write it. And sign it as well, please.”

“What a pain…”

Although he complained to himself, he did as he was told and thrust the completed declaration at me.

“See? Done.”

“Not yet.”

I retrieved a box cutter from my pencilcase.

“Please use your blood to sign with your thumb print.”

Haah!? Blood!? What the fuck are you saying!? Scaryy! What the fuck!? Is this a pact to murder the King or some shit!?”

“A signature is simply not enough. Please show me your resolve. Now come. The blood seal please. Come. Come.”

“No fucking way! That’s fucking heavy! Your folks are definitely up to some fucked up shit, aren’t they!? Just what kind of crazy stuff are you involved in!? No fucking way am I giving you a blood seal!”

He even tucked his thumbs into his fists.

Are you a child?

“Phew, I suppose I have no choice. In that case, as a compromise just using ink will do.”

Since I didn’t have the traditional red ink on hand, I provided him a red marker instead.

“A thumb print…? Well, if that’s all…”

Kaburagi coloured in his thumb and gave me what I wanted.

Of course none of this would hold up in a court of law, but at least Kaburagi would think twice before breaking this promise.

“Thank you very much. Well then, I promise you my cooperation, Kaburagi-sama.”

“Alright! Well then, let’s… Hang on, I’m going to go wash this ink off first.”

Kaburagi left for the bathroom.

I carefully placed his oath into my bag.

A while later he burst into the room screaming,

“Oi! This ink is freaking oil-based, damnit! It won’t come off at all!”

Geez. What an excitable guy…


“Both Iwamuro and Class Rep said that your hair was a god of love.”

The original line is,

“Both Iwamuro and Class Rep called you the Hair of Luck in Romance.”

“Ehh!?”

What on earth did you talk to those two about!? Who, exactly, is this God of Luck in Romance!?

The joke is that he’s used the intonation for hair(kami), but she hears it as god(kami) since it just makes more sense to her that way.


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Reika-sama – 199

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Class Rep and Iwamuro-kun asked me for advice on what White Day Presents to get Miharu-chan and Nonose-san.

Since that was the case, I immediately recommended the honey candies that I got from Imari-sama.

They were sweet and delicious, and good for your throat on top of that.

“Wow! Maybe I should go with those,” said Class Rep.

“But I guess the two of us can’t get the same thing, huh,” Iwamuro-kun commented.

“I would also like to suggest caramel candies, in that case,” I said.

I received them from Imari-sama during the summer.

“Caramel?”

“Yes. There are many different types, all bursting with flavour.”

“Then maybe I’ll go with those…”

The French marshmallows I got from Tomoe-senpai and Kasumi-sama were good too.

It had Kaburagi’s mark of approval. I decided to tell them about those too.

“Those sound good too.”

“Then what should we give them alongside the sweets? Honda-san loved the mittens she got for Valentine’s. Actually… I bought matching gloves in a different colour but I couldn’t say it… I’ve just been using them in secret.”

Class Rep was a maiden through-and-through.

Listening to a blushing Class Rep talk about how the hand-made chocolates from “Honda-san were the sweetest I’ve ever tasted” was somehow even more embarrassing to listen to than Shimazaki Touson’s First Love.

Anyway, a cute present, huh…

“From my experience, perhaps a spherical music box, or a necklace, or perhaps a sachet and herb tea set… I might also suggest boxed flowers since they would be easy to carry home.”

All of these were presents I had received from Imari-sama of the mighty Casanova Village.

“What are boxed flowers?” asked Class Rep.

“When you take off the lid of the box, inside are flowers all around.”

“Oh okay.”

“That does seem cute…” admired Iwamuro-kun.

He did love cute things after all.

To be honest he seemed better suited to receiving flowers than giving them.

Anyway, there was no reason to restrict the present to items.

“Perhaps another option would be to invite them to an amusement park during the summer break, and hand them a free pass…”

“That’s such a bold idea, Master!”

“At Zui’ran, most people hand out store-made chocolates. If the four of you are close enough to be receiving hand-made chocolates, then I think they would happily accept the invitation.”

“Kisshouin-san! Please grant me strength!”

“Master!”

The two of them chanted “Bless us. Bless us.” as they bowed to me.

I couldn’t refuse these cute disciples of mine, so I gave them the little luck in romance I had and sent them off.

I hope things went well.

*

*

*

Haah… So dizzy.

Dizzy and nauseous and cold too…

Even breathing was hard.

It was a struggle to keep my eyes open…

“What’s the matter, Reika-sama? Good heavens, you’re so pale!”

“Are you okay, Reika-sama?”

It was getting so bad that I couldn’t respond.

I was feeling really sick…

“Let’s go to the infirmary, Reika-sama.”

“That’s a good idea. Can you stand?”

“Her hands are ice cold. Are you okay, Reika-sama?”

I stood from my seat but lost consciousness for a second.

Aah~

This wouldn’t do.

My ears were ringing and it was hard to listen to them.

In the end they supported me on each side and I was brought half-unconscious to the nurse’s office.

“Sensei, Reika-sama is feeling ill.”

“My! Could it be anaemia? Have a lie down on the bed.”

With the help of the girls, I did just that.

I closed my eyes, but somehow the world kept spinning.

“Leave the rest to me, girls. You should get back before the next class starts.”

“Yes.”

“Get well soon, Reika-sama.”

I managed to squeeze out a thank you before they left.

According to the nurse I was feeling giddy because of lack of sleep.

I actually spent the last three days reading this series of full-length novels, so I wasn’t getting more than 5 hours each night.

Huh. Come to think of it I didn’t sleep at all last night since the story had reached its climax…

To get some oxygen into my head I went without the pillow, and put it under my ankles instead.

“Have a little rest like this. If you’re not feeling any better later, then go home.”

I did as she said and closed my eyes, falling asleep in no time.

*

*

I got up feeling totally fine.

Sleep is pretty important, huh!

The nurse was sitting at her desk and writing something, so I called out to her as I got out of bed.

“Sensei, I seem to be feeling better now.”

“You’re feeling all right?”

“Yes. I feel good as new.”

I was still a bit sleepy, but it was like I had never felt ill to begin with.

“You’re looking better as well. Don’t stay up too late now.”

“I will not. Thank you for looking after me.”

And sorry for being so much trouble.

I’m reflecting.

“The period is about to end, so you woke up just in time for the next class. Do you want to stay here until the bell?”

“No, but thank you. I would like to visit my locker.”

I said goodbye and left.

Since classes were still in session, the hallway was devoid of people.

The only sign of anyone else was the voices that I occasionally heard from inside the shut classrooms.

Besides that, all I could hear were my footsteps.

At any rate, I headed for my own locker.

I was going to need my books for the next class.

When I arrived on the second floor, I heard something being dropped, and then somebody speeding away.

Hm?

Strange. Weren’t classes still going on?

I wondered if some class had gotten an early mark when I came across a felt-tipped marker on the ground.

I suppose this was what I heard then.

I picked it up and looked for whoever dropped it but there was nobody in sight.

Maybe I could just drop it off with the Student Council then.

I continued onwards to my locker only to receive quite a shock.

‘Stop coming to school!’

What the heck…

The nametag said ‘Takamichi Wakaba’.

This was Wakaba-chan’s locker.

So the person I heard earlier was the culprit and they were running away from me!

Of course that was when the bell rang.

Some of the classrooms emptied out right on the dot.

And they noticed both me and the locker.

“Eh…”

Eh…?

Wai-, aahh!

Don’t tell me they thought I was the culprit!?

“No, this is not what it looks like! I only just got here too,” I babbled, but people gathered around and began gossiping anyway.

“What’s going on?”

“Takamichi-san’s locker?”

“What’s happening?” came another voice. “Ehh~? What the heck!?”

Of all people, it had to be Tsuruhana-san’s class that finished first…

The girl gave a malicious smirk when she saw the locker and the pen in my hand.

“What do we have here? After all the self-righteous talk, the great Reika-sama is secretly doing the same dirty things as everybody else,” she exulted.

“It was not me!”

“I didn’t see anybody else around. What were you even doing here out of class?”

“I was just coming back from the infirmary.”

“You’re even holding a felt-tip marker and you’re still not owning up?”

“I had simply found it on the ground here.”

“How very convenient.”

“It is the truth!”

“We all know that you secretly hate her too. That’s why you’re harassing her in secret, right?”

“No!”

But of course, it was undeniable that I was the most suspicious person here.

Everyone else had an alibi, being in class and all.

And while I was stuck here as a suspect, more and more people came to gather around.

What was I going to do…!?

The teachers were trying to sort out the mess but nobody was listening.

It was too interesting.

“Reika-sama!”

Serika-chan and the others had heard and come as well.

“What’s your problem, you lot! As if Reika-sama would ever do something like this!”

“But the proof is right here.”

“What proof!? Didn’t you lot do this to frame her!?”

“Hey! Don’t blame the uninvolved!”

“You’re the ones accusing Reika-sama!”

Then, with the worst timing possible, Kaburagi came along.

“What’s going on…?”

He had one look at Wakaba-chan’s locker before his eyes turned angry.

“This again…!?”

“The culprit is Reika-sama over there,” Tsuruhana-san declared.

“Kisshouin…?”

Kaburagi frowned and looked over at me.

Oh no!

Oh no, oh no!

“It was not!”

“But you were the only one here, Reika-sama. And you were even holding the pen.”

“No, but Kisshouin…”

Kaburagi seemed undecided.

“She might pretend to be a good person but in secret she hates Takamichi-san more than anyone, right? I bet all the past bullying has been her work too.”

“But… Kisshouin is…”

“We just didn’t know about it. She’s been looking into Takamichi-san’s day-to-day life and harassing her in a way that nobody would find out. I bet that afterwards she had girls from Takamichi-san’s class report to her, where she’d gleefully listen to Takamichi-san’s reactions.”

That’s you, damnit! Only you would come up with that!

Or so I was about to say when I was attacked again from an unexpected angle.

“Come to think of it, at cram school Kisshouin-san asked me how Takamichi-san was doing in class…” muttered some boy.

Who was that!?

I turned around and it was Tagaki-kun from cram school!

Ehhh!?

Tagaki-kun, you’re picking now to say that!?

I mean I asked but I didn’t mean anything bad about it!

Maybe he was just muttering to himself, but that was the worst timing ever!

My position grew ever more precipitous.

“Kisshouin, don’t tell me you really…”

Kaburagi seemed dumbfounded.

No way!

Don’t tell me he really thought I was the culprit!?

That I was bullying Wakaba-chan, and the enemy!?

Gyaaaah!

It was here!

The ruin of my family had finally come!

Our company was going to be taken over, and then we’d be out on the streets!

Aaah! I had to fix this somehow…

But how…!?

“It wasn’t Reika-sama!” somebody suddenly screamed.

Eh?

“Reika-sama would never do something like that!” they said.

The crowd split apart to reveal Mochida-san, walking forwards with trembling legs.

She was the girl who was bullied by Tsuruhana-san back in middle school.

After it was over, we still said hello to each other sometimes, but that was about it.

She was a shy girl as always, so it was to my surprise that she even spoke up.

“What’s your problem?” glared Tsuruhana-san.

Mochida-san flinched but shakily repeated herself.

“Reika-sama would never do something like that!” she yelled. “Reika-sama would never bully someone else! She helped me… Reika-sama was the one who helped me when I was alone!”

Her eyes were teary and her face was red.

“Tsuruhana-san and her friends used to bully me. Every day was so hard that even coming to school was a struggle!”

The girls in question looked a bit awkward under everyone’s gazes.

“Nobody came to help me! I was on the verge of quitting school! But Reika-sama offered a hand to me! She said hello to me! Every day, she encouraged me! She saved me!”

Openly crying now, Mochida-san continued to scream ‘It wasn’t Reika-sama! It wasn’t Reika-sama!’

“M-Mochida-san?” I asked hesitantly.

Suddenly it seemed like something inside her snapped, because she started moaning ‘Uuuuu~!’ as her whole body convulsed and her eyes rolled back into her head!

Uwaaahhh!

It was like Mochida-san had been possessed!

I’m so sorry for saying this after you did your best to protect me but I’m sorry, it’s scaryyy!

“Well said, Mochida-san!”

“I’ve rethought my opinion of you, Mochida-san!”

Serika-chan and Kikuno-chan praised her bravery as they supported her on either side.

She was breathing heavily now, and her eyes were back to normal.

Thank goodness…

She came back to herself…

Thank you so much, Mochida-san.

She was so terrified that she even went mental for a moment.

It must have been so tough for a shy girl like her.

“I don’t think it was her either,” declared Wakaba-chan.

I didn’t even know when she arrived, but she had Enjou with her, and went to stand next to Kaburagi.

“Takamichi…”

“Kisshouin-san isn’t the type to do these things. Absolutely not! I’m certain of it. Her only involvement was picking up that marker.”

W-Wakaba-chan!

You believe me!?

Even with all this proof against me?

“Haah? And you can just decide that? Don’t tell me you’re trying to suck up to her? Or was it like Youko-sama said, and all a farce that you set up yourself?”

“Oi, Tsuruhana!”

“It’s my objective opinion. First of all, Kisshouin-san isn’t the type to use these kinds of underhanded means. Next, if Kisshouin-san did have a problem with me, she’s powerful enough that just muttering ‘She’s an eyesore’ would be enough to make my life hell. ”

Y-, Yeah. Am I supposed to feel happy or sad about this…

“It is true that Kisshouin is the type that crushes you head-on.”

“Yeah. And that woman goes for the jugular from the start.”

“She only needs to strike once. A killer’s instinct…”

What the-, who was saying strange things this time!?

You again, Soccer Club President!?

Stop looking away! At least have the guts to look me in the eye!

And hey! Wasn’t my image just getting worse and worse, here?

And you, please tell me you actually just meant ‘killer instinct’.

“The point is that I’m certain that it wasn’t Kisshouin-san,” declared Wakaba-chan.

Since the victim herself said so, that brought the incident to a close.

Plus, after the teachers heard about what happened, they confirmed that I had been in the infirmary until just before the bell.

Not only that, but since I was part of the Pivoine the teachers would have gone easy on me anyway.

It didn’t take long for them to judge me as innocent.

Not that people didn’t still suspect me…

“You were so unlucky, Reika-sama!”

“Seriously. As if Reika-sama would ever do something like that!”

Thank you for cheering me up, guys.

“Still. My opinion of Takamichi-san might have changed, just a little.”

“Same…”

Because she covered me, my group’s attitude towards Wakaba-chan was a little different now.

Speaking of which, I wanted to have a talk with her, and ask her why she believed me while I was at it.

I sent her a message asking her to meet me after school today.


I couldn’t find an equivalent joke for the below so I didn’t even try.

Okay, that’s a lie, I tried for 2 days and came up blank.

“She only needs to strike once. A killer’s instinct…”

And you, please tell me you actually just meant ‘killer instinct’.

The original, much funnier line, was,

“She has the presence of a yokozuna” which is an innocent enough phrase that means ‘the bearing of a king’ or ‘the aura of a champion’.

Of course, a yokozuna is actually the champion sumo, which is why Reika exclaims,

‘And the person who called me a yokozuna, what exactly did you mean by choosing that phrase? Depending on your answer I might track you down afterwards!’


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Schizophrenia – Chapter 26

This chapter’s a bit early, but I’ve been spending a bit more time translating lately because doing BokuNana has been refreshing. Think of it as a late Valentine’s present or something. Enjoy!

 


 

“……”

It was the same old bedroom she saw this morning. The room was cleaned and the bed was made, but that was it. Just what was she trying to hide?

—Sakura. Perhaps…

—It’s just like a Ninja! Awesome!

—Ninja? What’s that?

—Uhm… they’re spies from a faraway country in the east, or something like that, maybe?

How ambiguous, Lilia thought with a wry smile as she returned to the table and sank back into the chair. Tapping the table with her finger, Alisa quickly went to go prepare some black tea for her. Watching her as she worked, Lilia went,well then, as she opened her mouth.

“I don’t know if it’s by Father’s or Elder Brother’s orders but… Come out here.”

Alisa’s movements stiffened. Forcing a stiff smile to her face she turned towards Lilia.

“Uhm, Miss Lilia? What might you be talking about…?”

At Alisa’s words, Lilia’s eyes narrowed in displeasure. Having that chilly glance directed at her, Alisa went let out a short shriek.

“Alisa. You are my maid.”

“Y-yes…”

“You belong to me. Are you trying to hide something from me?”

“That is… well…”

Alisa was unable to give a response and looked away, casting her eyes down. Her expression looked like it was about to break into tears. In actuality, Lilia didn’t intend to condemn Alisa that much. The contract was with her Father, and for any orders from the Aldis house a subordinate could nary ignore such a thing.
That’s why, there were others that she should be blaming.

—Sakura. Where are they?

—Nnnn… About here and in the middle of the bedroom. Hidden in the ceiling. Two of them. One in the bedroom.

How’d she know all this, Lilia was surprised inside, as she turned her eyes towards the places that were pointed out. Lilia couldn’t see anything, but if Sakura was declaring so then they must be there.

“For the time being the two over there, come down. As for the one in the bedroom… well whatever. Afterwards, I, will go, have a chat, alone.”

Making sure she showed her smile, Lilia spun each word one after the other. *Kata*, and so came a light sound from the ceiling. How pathetic, to be rattled by something of this degree, thought Lilia as she tapped the table like she was urging them. At first slowly, and since they still did not come down she increased her pace.

“Goodness gracious… You got me.”

Where she felt she saw thee ceiling sink inwards, it slid to the side, and two men descended. The two were dressed in black, one an old man, the other seeming to be in his middle ages. Coming before Lilia, they got on one knee and lowered their heads.

“This would be our first meeting, I think. I am…”

“Your name doesn’t matter.”

Lilia declared like a slap in the face. Having his words interrupted the old man frowned slightly, lifting his face.

“Get the one in the bedroom as well.”

“Nay, there should not be anyone more.”

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

She once again began to tap the table. Slowly at first, then gradually quickening. Though he probably didn’t know the exact meaning behind this the old man seemed to feel a chilling intent, and with a stiff smile, excused himself as he lowered his head.

“I will call them at once. …Oi.”

At the old man’s severe voice, the other man nodded, and returned up into the ceiling. Lilia was a bit surprised at how he went back into the hole from before with a single leap, but she didn’t allow it to show on her face in the slightest.

After waiting a few seconds, the man descended from the ceiling again. And this time with him was one more, a girl, who should have been around the same age as Lilia. Her face was concealed with a mask so it was hard to tell for sure.

“Oh good.”

Lilia said so gently, and the three kneeling before her looked up.

“If it was a man in the bedroom, I might just have killed all three of you.”

She said such words with a smile, and the three deeply lowered their heads. These three probably knew, that Lilia wasn’t just saying so as an example, but conveyed reality. Most spies who wrought their master’s wrath would not live to tell the tale.

—Scary! Lilia’s scary! That’s no Lilia of mine!

—Who belongs to who now? More importantly this is everyone right?

—Nn… Yup. No doubt about it this is all of them.

—Is that so. Got it.

“Lift your faces.”

Lilia said so as she tapped the table with her finger. Without a word, the three silently lifted their faces.

“Under who’s orders were you sent here?”

The old man answered Lilia question. Master Claus, he said.

“I see. Elder brother was it. Hmmm…”

Lilia nodded, and sent her gaze towards Alisa. Alisa seemed to remember then, as she began to prepare the tea.

“And? Who is the one in charge here? Well, I more or less have an idea already though.”

When Lilia looked at the old man, he also returned her gaze, and gave a single nod.

“Well then I have something I want to ask you.”

“Anything my lady.”

“On who’s authority, did you order Alisa? Aside from yourselves, you were also giving orders to her no?”

Lilia’s tone lowered all at once. The two men, perhaps as would be expected did not stir in the slightest, but the young girl was shaking ever so slightly. She had yet to mature unlike the others, how lovely.

“Did you not hear me?”

When Lilia asked for the second time, the old man again lowered his head.

“Master Claus, said that it would be fine to make use of those serving the Aldis house.”

“I see. That’s quite the frank way of speaking, was that also how Elder Brother conveyed it?”

“It is as you surmise.”

“Really. In that case, I suppose I should offer my gratitude as well.”

Alisa put the cup of black tea on the table. Lilia took one sip, and then,

“…!”

She threw it just like that. The still hot tea splashed onto the old man, and his face made a slight grimace. However Lilia’s anger had yet to dissipate, and she forcefully struck the table with her fist. At the loud bang, the young girl’s trembling intensified.

“On, just, who’s, authority, did you order Alisa.”

Lilia slowly stood up. She had a sweet-looking smile on her face, yet her eyes alone were perfectly focused down on them.

“I’ll have you understand something.”

“Yes…”

“Alisa is my maid. Not a maid of Aldis, my maid. Towards this maid of mine, on just who’s authority did you order her with?”

“My deepest apologies.”

The old man further lowered his head, and the other two followed suit. Lilia stared at them emotionlessly for a while, but eventually she released her gaze, and sat back down into the chair.

 


 

Author’s remark: I’ve been feeling that her villainess disposition has been lacking lately, so I tried to supplement it a bit.

Sakura

Lilia


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Ain’t afraid of no ghosts – Prologue

So, no one ever asked for this, and I could have spent this time doing more Haunted, but sometimes you just gotta follow your whims. Here’s a novel I found on Amazon that I took a liking to, and decided to translate for the heck of it. This is a single volume self contained story.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy.

 


 

Prologue

    It was right before I climbed into my bed, that I noticed my phone was missing. Even after sifting through my bag and turning the pockets of my uniform inside out, it was nowhere to be found.
    "It can't be, back at school...?"
    If it were an ordinary person, they might have been let it go thinking 'it'll be fine if I just go grab it tomorrow'. However, in my case, even a single speck of unrest would ceaselessly spread in my mind until it coloured my entire consciousness. Just thinking about it, if the cellphone I left at school were to be stolen by someone, I might get hit with hundreds of thousands of Yen in fees, or it could even be used in some sort of crime!
    Imagining myself proclaiming my innocence from the inside a jail cell, I made the decision to head to school.
    The time displayed on the clock mounted to the wall of the school would soon close in on midnight. The entire building was like a box, big and dark, and a feeling of oppression unlike during the day pressed down upon me. Looking out to see if there was anybody around, making sure I wouldn't be spotted by someone in the neighborhood, I wandered around the school for a while, before quickly hopping over the fence.
    Blowing a breath out from between my clenched teeth, I quietly opened the window. That this window in the art room is still left busted from the other day was a blessing in disguise.
    As soon as I entered the room, I started at the feeling of someone's gaze on me.
    "Uwah! Who! I'm sorry! I'm not anyone suspicious or...!"
    As I spewed my excuses, I noticed that the thing behind the gaze was actually just the bust of a head.
    "For god's sake man, don't scare me like that..."
    In the moment I jumped back in surprise, I ended up smearing the 'Congratulations on Graduation!' written up on the chalkboard. I dusted off the chalk on the sleeve of my jersey.
    Today, this Seishiro High had its graduation ceremony. During it there were seniors with flowing tears. I was watching those graduating students from my second year seat, but trying to imagine myself in their position next year, flowing tears and all, was pretty impossible.
    Well leaving that aside, finding my phone is a bit more of a pressing matter right now.
    "It's not scary at all~ I'm totally fine~"
    Timidly humming the song filled with lies that I came up with just now, I arrived at the classroom that I spent the past year in. Bumping into numerous tables and chairs along the way, I headed to my desk. Thrusting my hand in and searching around, I quickly found my phone, and breathed a sigh of relief.
    "Thank god. Though, when'd I put it in such a place..."
    I don't recall anything, but it does seem like something I'd do. What if it goes off in the middle of the graduation ceremony! Or something like that was probably worrying me, leading to me stowing it away in my desk.
    "Alright, all that's left is to get back home."
    However, my tendency to worry wasn't so mild just finding my phone safe and sound would leave me relieved. Having the worry of my phone being stolen eased, my mind is immediately filled up with new things one after another.
    What if, I was found by someone, or what if, there was a murderer hiding out inside the school building at this very moment...
    The hallway that could be observed from end to end during the day was now shrouded in deep gloom, hiding away its deeper contents. Almost like a hole of darkness was connected, gaping in the hall.
 Feeling like the temperature suddenly dropped, I pulled the zipper of my jersey up to my chin and hurriedly descended the stairs.
    It was the portrait hanging on the wall's turn to startle me this time, as I straddled the art room's window and exited into the courtyard.
    Seeing if the security guard was around, I hid in the shadow of a tree and peeked out. Surveying the entire courtyard, I noticed that the sakura trees planted here were all soon to be in full bloom. With the moon illuminating the pink petals, my eyes seemed to catch them shining faintly in the moonlight.
    "It's beautiful even in the night..."
    My worries seemed to soften for just a moment as I watched entranced by the scene. When I casually walked out from the shadow, what was previously hidden on the other side of the trunk came into view, and there stood a lone girl.
    "Uwaah!"
    As I jumped back in surprise, her body also gave a jolt as she took some distance. Her long hair tied in a single bundle swayed greatly.
    "Hya...! Who? Who is there?"
    As we both hid our bodies with the trunk of the sakura tree, we peeked towards each other.
    "M-my apologies, I didn't think there would be anybody here..."
    The reason I spoke more politely, was that she clearly gave the impression of someone older. Her height was around the same as mine, and her facial features were well defined and mature looking. It was a bit hard to be sure due to the darkness, but her hair seemed to have a reddish tinge to it.
    "Err, are you... a student of this school?"
    She was wearing the uniform of our school. However, I don't recall ever seeing her before.
    "I... Came here to get something I left behind. But it was kind of scary, so I ended up getting stuck here..."
    Her voice was slightly shaking. If someone were to see this scene, they might have gotten the wrong impression that I was some deviant attacking her.
    "Me t-no, I am also here to retrieve something I forgot... I am definitely not a suspicious individual!"
    I displayed the cell phone in my hand.
    "Ah, see, this is our school jersey. Look."
    Bringing my body out from the tree's shadow, I showed her the words 'Seishiro High' embroidered on the front. Doing so, she seemed to be relieved as well and finally walked up to me.
    "Thank goodness. It was really hard being alone here...!"
    She shortened the distance between us to the point where her nose almost reached my face. Being unused with such proximity to the opposite gender, my chest felt a ticklish sensation.
    "Erm... Isn't this a bit close..."
    "But it was so scary... Do you not feel afraid here?"
    Saying so in a feeble voice, she lightly grasped on to the sleeve of my clothes.
    "I-I'm not really scared, or anything. This is nothing."
    A big fat lie. I reflexively ended up trying to look cool.
    "If it's not too much of a bother, would you mind if I tag along until we leave the school grounds...?"
    To be honest I felt like I wanted someone to come save me, but after acting all cool just now there was no way I could refuse.
    "O-of course that would be fine certainly yes. Ah, but what about the thing you came here to get?"
    "Thing?"
    She tilted her head. I tilted my head.
    "Earlier, you said that you'd came here looking for something you left behind..."
    "Ah, that's right. That thing. It's fine for now. It's scary, so I'll get it tomorrow."
    Taking along the pretty girl I started walking. Anxious all the while, I felt restless inside the entire time.
    "By the way, do you know of the Seven Wonders of this school?"
    Walking a little bit behind me, she suddenly asked.
    "What?"
    "The Seven Wonders. Do you know about it?"
    "Err, well, just what I've heard here and there."
    Honestly I wished that she wouldn't bring up such an ominous subject right now, but with my earlier declaration of 'totally not scared' there was nothing I could do.
    "As one of those Seven Wonders, there is the legend of 'Hanako-san of the bathroom'."
    "So, quite the cliche right."
    I wanted to cover my ears, but I somehow endured.
    "They say it was a night just like this."
    Her voice suddenly lost all its warmth, and gained an inorganic lustre.
    "What...?"
    "Like I said, a night just like this."
    Hit by her voice, I felt goosebumps rise along my spine.
    "Wha-what do you mean...?"
    "When Hanako-san comes out."
    If by any chance, ghosts actually existed in this world. If the Seven Wonders really existed in our school. Just if, the girl right behind me, was that Hanako-san...
 "...!!"
    I turned around.
    There, was the courtyard, the sakura trees, and the same girl from before.
    "O...Oh jeez. It was nothing after all. Please don't scare me like that alright."
    Along with a sigh, I rapidly dished out my complaints towards her.
    "Ah, perhaps, did you end up thinking that I might have been said Hanako-san?"
    "Hahaha, just kind of yeah."
    "Oh you silly, of course not."
    The girl had a completely innocent smile she hadn't shown before now as she said.
    "Hanako-san is over there."
    She pointed at the space behind me.
    At that same instant, the sound of a gate creaking resounded. In the courtyard, that shouldn't have such a thing in it.
    *Giiiiiih...*
    A sound loud enough to cause discomfort, whilst also retaining its eeriness, sounded out seemingly from some faraway place, yet it also resounded like it was right by the ear.
    I spun around before even my thoughts could catch up.
 The space in the empty courtyard started to tear open. A gate that couldn't be seen by the eyes came into existence. Opening up as if swallowing the surrounding scenery, the other side manifested itself.
    Wooden walls filled with graffiti, the small tiles laid out as the flooring, and in the center of that a Japanese style toilet.
    And, standing there in the middle, a lone girl.
    "Uu... Eh... Aa...?"
    Though I say 'girl' it was only because contours of its figure were like one, and she herself was pure unblemished blackness. However, it was just the places where the face's eyes and mouth were supposed to be, that were carved out in pure whiteness.
    "What is hell is this..."
    I drew back. The mouth carved out on the girl deformed slightly, and seemed to smile.
    In the next moment, the girl's outline started distorting, turning into black fog.
    "Uwah! What the hell is this! What the hell is this! No way no way no way no way this is real!"
    As I was screaming with tears flowing from my eyes, the girl who became thick fog came at me with terrific force.
    "Uwaaah! I'm sorry!"
    My legs became tangled and my butt fell to the ground. The black fog swept over above my head. Following it with my eyes, I see the black fog, losing none of its momentum, coil itself around a sakura tree in the courtyard like a snake.
    That tree alone seemed to get stirred up like it was hit by a string wind, and even the trunk began to sway. Within the roaring noise, the sound of a small branch breaking was heard.
    "You can stop now Hanako-san. Do take care of the sakuras."
    From somewhere a voice that reverberated through the core resounded. With that the Black fog made one last round, carefully licking the tree, and separated itself. Running straight by me, it returned into the washroom. As the invisible gate seemed to close up, the fog once again returned to the shape of a girl.
    "Wh-wh-what's up with that, just now..."
    "Hanako-san. Didn't I say so just a moment ago?"
    I turned my head left and right looking for the owner of the voice.
    "I'm over here, right here."
    I looked up into the sky. There she was at the top of the sakura tree. The girl that was supposed to be with me just a moment ago, was floating there.
    "Sorry I about the scare. Is what I shan't say. After all such is our duty."
    She wasn't wearing our uniform anymore. She was clad in an arrow-feather patterned Kimono, and her mouth was spread widely from side to side in a broad grin.
    "Mine name is Tenko. I am the one who governs the Seven Wonders of this school."
    All around her, the sakura petals that were in full bloom just earlier separated from their branches and fluttered about. And in the pitch black night sky, the pink petals, the girl's red hair, and the brilliant violet of the hakama displayed their prominence. All together it was like a scene in one enormous painting, my breath was taken away as I stood overwhelmed.
    "Congratulations, right now at this moment, thou hast been selected as a new Seven Wonder of this school."
    One of the countless dancing petals fell and clung onto my face.
    I've gotta get outta here. That was all I thought of.
    Without looking back, making some unintelligible noises all the while, I did nothing but run towards my home. Entering my home, entering my room, entering my bed and covering my head in the sheets, I earnestly waited for the morning to arrive.

 


Notes

On the title: A ‘Seven Wonders’ of a school is a commonly seen collection of ghost/supernatural/extraordinary stories around said school. You might have seen this topic pop up in anime and manga before. Most likely adapted from the well known English term ‘The Seven Wonders of the World’.

Hanako-san: A common ghost story about a girl who haunts bathrooms.

Hakama: Basically the pants part worn over the kimono.


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I’m the Final Boss!? – Chapter 7

A New Family


As I step outside for the first time in a while, I tremble in excitement. I had almost forgotten what it was like to be out here.

Of course, Mom and Sis have taken me with them on their walks through the forest before (though I was usually secured to them and couldn’t do any walking of my own), so it’s not as if it’s my first time outside since I showed up here two years ago.

The forest is just as cold as always, and I’m forced to shiver. I try to rub my arms to warm myself up, but it’s not working… I should have thought about this earlier.

I wonder if we live somewhere up north. I don’t particularly remember what being up north has to do with the cold though…

Anyway, seeing the slightly shivering me, my new friend smiles at me and then does something with her hands. Seconds later and I feel a warmth running through me, chasing the biting cold away.

It’s strange.

Even though I take a look at myself, I can’t see anything different. I’m still wearing the clothing I had on when I was inside just a moment ago, and yet I’m warm. However, that doesn’t make any sense! These clothes aren’t the ones Mom makes me wear when we go outside! Confused, I tilt my head and look at the little one happily flying in front of me.

Well, I guess it doesn’t really matter. I’m nice and warm now, and besides, my friend didn’t catch the curious look anyway.

Actually, thinking about it, can this little one even speak? I pause for a second in thought. If she could, would I even be able to understand her!? Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to follow this thing without any thought…

I sigh and then shrug. Even if I start to regret my decision now, this is the path I’ve chosen. I may as well see it through to the end!

With renewed resolve, I continue forward, following closely behind the creature that invaded my home. I’m a bit more suspicious now, but it doesn’t show… or at least I don’t think it does anyway.


“Mom, I think I can see our house now!” I call out. We had gone to the nearby village to restock a few of our supplies, and we were almost back home to Rael. I wonder how bored she must be by now. I feel like we were gone longer than normal.

The thought leaves me, and I smile as I think of something else. I say, “She’s going to look so cute in that dress we got for her~”

However, before I get a response, I’m passed by a blur. In the direction the blur is heading, I finally notice something was off. The door was open! Why is the door open!? I panic because I’m worried about Rael and start running as well.

Since Mom started running before I did, she gets to the house much earlier than I do and rushes inside. However, by the time I manage to get there, she was already back outside sniffing the air.

As I’m about to ask Mom what she smelled, she raises a hand in my direction to stop me. She then sighs, stops sniffing, and says, “A faerie got in. We have to run.” Almost immediately after she says that, she takes off into the forest, and I rush to follow her.

Please be alright, Rael.


I wonder if Mom and Sis are home by now…

I’m going to be in so much trouble when they find me. Maybe that’s a good thing though. At least then they’ll have found me.

Why did I follow something I had just met? Am I stupid?

I sigh internally as I continue to follow the critter before me. I hope we’re getting close to where this fellow wants to go. I’m starting to get tired… and losing my will to keep going down this path. In other words, I’m bored.

However, I’m surprisingly not let down by the little one, and before I realize it, we’re in the middle of a clearing. The one who lead me here, the tiny naked lady, is floating in the middle of the clearing and is beckoning me over. I have nothing better to do, so I guess I’ll go see what she’s up to.

As I get nearer though, I start to feel strange. It’s like that feeling I had earlier when I didn’t want to keep following her, but a lot stronger.

This is kinda scary…

I glance around while I’m walking forward and see many tiny heads poking out, watching what’s going on. I’m confident if the little one in front of me betrayed me, but I’m not confident I can handle all of this.

As I nevertheless continue to trudge forward, the feeling continues to intensify before it feels like my body itself wants to escape. Before I can act on the feeling I let build up though, the creature seems to change before my eyes.

Where there was a happy, friendly expression, there’s now an expression of mockery and self-content. The thing I thought was just a tiny version of a woman became distorted and ugly. I couldn’t even call it a person anymore.

The monster flying in front of me is joined by all of its little friends before they all start doing some kind of performance. It feels similar to what the one did to me earlier, but I feel an intense danger coming from this performance. It’s like I know I’ll die if I remain here any longer.

I turn around to flee, but see that I’m surrounded by the creatures, and as I said earlier, I know I won’t be able to deal with multiple.

As the performance seemingly nears its completion, I fight back the tears and think back to Mom and Sis one last time. I’m sad that I won’t be able to see them anymore, but there’s nothing I can do!

I’m sorry!

I close my eyes and await my death. I just hope it’s a quick one.

Not long after, I hear a swishing sound, as if lots of things are flying past me. It could also be the wind, I reason in my strangely calm state, but thinking about it a bit harder, it does sound a bit different.

I hesitantly open my eyes before widening them in shock. All the monsters that were surrounding me are now lying on the ground with a long, greenish spike running through them. What happened when I closed my eyes? Did I subconsciously do something? Whatever it is, it was like magic though!

Actually… I guess it would be magic now that I think about it. What is magic though? I understand that this scene before is magic, but not what magic is specifically… How strange.

I suppose what’s stranger is that I’m so calm after seeing all this. I nearly died just a moment ago, and now I see this normally horrific scene, but I don’t feel anything!

What’s wrong with me!?

I’m roused from my darkening thoughts by two voices and a pair of warm arms. I see now. It wasn’t me that did anything. It was Mom or Sis (but most likely Mom).

Although they’re saying things that I can’t quite understand yet, I can make out bits and pieces. Even if I couldn’t though, I have a feeling I’d know they were worried about me.

I try smiling at Mom and Sis to let them know I’m okay. It manages to calm them down somewhat, and I’m filled with another warm feeling. I want to stay with these two forever…

I truly love them.

Then, as I resolve myself to be a better daughter and sister (and to learn whatever it is Mom did to those monsters), the situation catches up to me… and I pass out.


Author’s Note:


First off, I have to announce that I’m changing it up a bit. Going to shoot for a chapter every two weeks. I thought I was finally getting into a place where I’d be able to write a new chapter every week, but life has that way of messing with you and I’m no longer able to. There is a chance I’ll get a chapter done in-between weeks, but I’ll let you all know on the home page of the blog whether or not that’s going to happen.

Anyway, thank you all for following along with this story. I feel better about it. Of course, there may be an issue or two from time to time in grammar, but that’s mainly because I don’t have an editor to go through it (that’s also partly on me though). If there are any major errors, please let me know in the comments and I’ll fix them as quickly as possible. As for flow and all that, unfortunately that’ll just come with time. Thank you for your patience.

Until next time.

-P


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Reika-sama – 198

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A suikinkutsu (水琴窟, literally “water koto cave”) is a type of Japanese garden ornament and music device.


Ever since that day, Kaburagi seemed to think that he couldn’t protect Wakaba-chan without gaining proper control over the Pivoine.

He seemed a little more aware of his position than before.

Only a little more though.

Still, Enjou helped him out where necessary, so the era of President Kaburagi was finally here.

Probably.

*

The day of graduation for Youko-sama and the third years had come.

I wasn’t so optimistic to think that things would calm down because of that.

The elitists in the Pivoine were still strongly influenced by her.

Even if Kaburagi had a lot of support because of his charisma, I doubted it was so easy to deal with the antipathy towards Wakaba-chan.

Actually, the more people liked Kaburagi, the more they would disapprove of a commoner External Student as his girlfriend.

If you can’t be with the person you adore, then you wanted the person they chose to at least be somebody so wonderful that you could never compare.

It was a self-involved line of thought, but plenty of people thought that way.

I mean, in my opinion it wasn’t anyone else’s business who somebody had feelings for, but it wasn’t like I couldn’t understand at least a little.

If Oniisama introduced some strange lady as his girlfriend I really doubted I could be so magnanimous as to accept her.

In fact I’d definitely get in her way.

Also I’d probably be disappointed about how little taste Oniisama had.

Ah, no, no, I still believe that Oniisama will bring home somebody wonderful, okay?

While I was thinking about that, the ceremony had continued.

Kaburagi walked to the podium.

He was giving the farewell address this year.

Since he was the President of the Pivoine as well, he was perfect for it.

He looked really dignified up there, voice projected through the auditorium.

Graduates, younger students, and even some of the parents were sighing in admiration.

From the outside he was outstanding after all.

A shame about the inside.

Given that the majority of Zui’ran students stayed here most of their schooling life, there wasn’t much in the way of crying at either the primary or middle school graduation ceremonies.

On the other hand, that meant that the high school graduation signified a separation with some of the same people you’d grown up with, so here and there you could hear sniffling.

*

*

Now that the ceremony had finished, people were leaving the auditorium.

“Youko-sama, congratulations on graduating.”

Other members of the Pivoine were also handing flowers to the upperclassmen in it.

“Thank you. Everyone, please take care of the Pivoine after we’re gone.”

We nodded obediently.

Alumni sometimes still showed up at parties, but this was still the end in a lot of ways.

“Reika-sama, I hope that you’ll support Kaburagi-sama as well. Please lead the girls of Zui’ran.”

“I will.”

Although in my opinion supporting Kaburagi was Enjou’s job.

Ah well, just nod along, Reika.

Kaburagi was wearing a rare smile as he and Enjou congratulated our senpai on graduating, much to their delight.

No matter how deplorable he might have been, Kaburagi was still the son of a distinguished family.

He knew how to do at least this much.

As for Youko-sama, the members of the Pivoine who particularly adored her had gathered around as she instructed them on something or other, before leaving the school.

*

*

Right on the heels of the graduation ceremony were more tests.

I know it might not have looked like it, but I really did my best.

Every day I secretly exhausted myself studying.

I had asked Wakaba-chan when she studied, and she told me usually in the morning and evening on the train.

Desperately, I even went out of my way during the weekend to study with flashcards on the train.

Ririna who had great grades without trying had also mentioned studying on the car to school.

Did the movement from transport help you remember things or something?

All it did was make my drowsy.

Anyway, the point was that I studied really hard, okay?

All for the sake of regaining my glory on the ranking boards.

To be honest I was actually pretty depressed about my marks dropping back in Term 2.

I had been really hoping to get good marks near Christmas.

Huh? Why?

Because I could use them to get Christmas presents.

Not that my family didn’t buy me presents every year.

But that wasn’t what I wanted.

I wanted Oniisama to say, “Reika, here’s a present for trying so hard on your tests.”

I love being praised.

I really got a wake-up call when I saw the rankings without my name.

‘Why are you messing around during the most important tests of the year?’ I thought.

That’s why I studied like mad this time.

White Day was coming up soon, after all!

And the results of all that effort?

Rank 29.

I just barely made it…

The wall of rank 25 was too crazy for me.

I mean, I suppose 29 counted as pretty decent at Zui’ran, but I’d have a hard time measuring up at a national school.

Over the next year, students everywhere else were really going to kick into gear to study for their university entrance exams.

I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to a national university or Zui’ran’s.

Although considering how little I liked pain and effort, Zui’ran was looking pretty attractive.

Plus, Kaburagi wasn’t my enemy at the moment, and neither Otousama nor Oniisama seemed to be doing too badly at work.

Maybe I could change up my goals.

*

*

I had my end-of-year report card sandwiched in my textbook as I waited for Oniisama to come home.

When he did, he had company in the form of Imari-sama.

Yaay, Imari-samaa!

Ah, but then I couldn’t boast about my marks in front of him.

I was planning on ‘accidentally’ letting it slip from my textbook.

Ah well, Plan Textbook could wait until tomorrow then.

“Good evening, Reika-chan. Thanks for the Valentine’s chocolate. It was great!”

“Gokigen’yoh, Imari-sama. Thank you instead for the wonderful return gift.”

“No, no, it was my pleasure. You’re great at making desserts, aren’t you. When I think about how Takateru gets to eat your delicious, love-filled chocolates every year I start to get pretty jealous.”

“My~”

Guhuhu, thank you, Wakaba-chan, Kanta-kun.

I know that was half flattery, but compliments are so nice to hear.

Although Oniisama looked like he had eaten something bitter.

“Anyway, the reason I’m here today is actually because there was something I wanted to give you,” he said, before presenting me with a bag. “Here, it’s a little early, but Happy White Day.”

“Goodness. You have already given me something wonderful for the Valentine’s chocolate! Is this all right?”

“Of course it is.”

Oh! Honey candies from that famous honey store.

“These are acacia candies and eucalyptus honey candies! They look wonderful.”

“You like honey, don’t you, Reika-chan? That’s why I thought about going with these. Do you like them?”

“I love them. Thank you!”

“There’s actually one more thing.”

Imari-sama placed a square box onto my hand.

I opened it up to find a silver ball inside.

Some kind of modern art?

“What is it?”

“My, my, what indeed? Pick it up and give it a shake.”

I did as told, and the globe chimed melodiously.

“Waah!”

“They call it a spherical music box. It chimes when you shake it. Sounds great, doesn’t it?”

“It does. It sounds like a suikinkutsu.”

I shook it against my ear.

Aah, it was so lovely.

“You have exams this year, don’t you? When you’re tired, give it a listen. Okay?” he smiled as he tilted his head.

S-So dazzling!

Haaahh…

This was truly what it meant to be the village chief of the Casanova Village.

I was going to hold this when I studied!

“If that’s all, go home,” Oniisama said coldly, before shooing him out.

You should at least get your friend some tea, Oniisama.

*

The next day, I executed Plan Textbook, and not only did I extract a White Day present from him, he also promised to take me out to eat sometime.

Mmhuu~

But he didn’t say on White Day.

Hey, Oniisama.

Don’t tell me you’ve actually got a secret girlfriend you’re hiding from me?

 

 


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Schizophrenia – Chapter 25

Current plan is to just release at least once a month if I can. Seems no other translator is too interested in giving some life to the dead-crawl pace the release this series has with me, so 20 years is seeming pretty likely at this point. In fact it’s so slow I actually feel bad for people would be trying to keep up with this since they’ll probably have forgotten and need to re-read the old chapters every time a new one’s out. But, well, if you’re still reading then thanks, and I applaud your tenacity.

Enjoy!

 


 

With Ray’s help, they somehow managed to finish all of the sandwiches. Reminding herself to let them know she was only ordering for one person tomorrow, Lilia looked at Ray. After finishing his meal and making some black tea for Lilia, he had opened up the books on the desk and was studying.

Incidentally the black tea was prepared from a table in a corner of the room. A small magic formation was drawn on it. Lilia hadn’t known what kind of formation it was, but according to Sakura it seemed to be for emitting heat. To say nothing of bringing a lunchbox, it seemed that Ray really didn’t intend to leave the room, and the library as a whole.
Lilia eyes went to Ray’s reference book. She posed a question.

—Sakura. It should be fine, not going to afternoon lessons right?

—Nn? Well your grades are good so there shouldn’t be any issues, what’s up?

Without responding to Sakura’s question, Lilia moved to Ray’s side. With his eyes down at his books Ray didn’t notice her until she leaned towards the study materials with a ‘Well then’.

“Eh? Wawah!”

Ignoring Ray who flung himself backwards, Lilia peered at the contents. After reading a bit of it, she turned to face Ray.

“So? Which parts are giving you trouble? …What’s wrong?”

Lilia raised her eyebrows in confusion, seeing that Ray’s face had turned beet red. When Lilia looked and faced him directly, he was producing nothing but vague ‘ah’ and ‘uu’ sounds as his eyes swam all over the place. Just what in the world is going on, wondered Lilia, tilting her head.

—Lilia. I’ll ask just in case, but was this intentional?

—Ha? Was what intentional?

—Uwah this girl’s a real airhead… Lilia, in the end you’re still a girl, so you shouldn’t just get so up close with a boy you know.

—What might you be implying by the ‘in the end’ part?

—Hiee! That part got a reaction! I’m sorry please forget it!

—Not happening. Let’s go eat some green peppers later.

—Pleease-noot-thaat!

Finally seeming to recover, Ray returned to Lilia’s side. However he seemed to wonder about something, as he examined Lilia’s expression. Lilia just shrugged her shoulders and tapped her finger on the books.

“There isn’t a problem even if I don’t show up to the afternoon lessons. In fact it’s so simple I’d only be bored there. That’s why I’ll just help with your studies here.”

“Eh… But, well… I’d be happy to have that but… Is it really alright?”

“I’m saying it’s fine so it’s fine. Come on, the clock’s ticking. Let’s get started.”

As Lilia tapped the books with her finger again, Ray’s body trembled with a start, but he soon started smiling.

—Well, I guess some recreation is also important. If there’s anything you’ve forgotten then just speak up yeah? I’ll give you a refresher.

—I don’t think there should be anything, but if it comes to that I’ll be counting on you.

Reading the page Ray had opened, Lilia nodded.

As the time neared the end of afternoon lessons, Lilia closed the materials with a ‘let’s stop here for now’. The exhausted looking Ray let out a sigh of relief, but Lilia decided to overlook it.

—A total Spartan. A demon. It’s Spartillia.

—Green peppers.

—I’m sorry!

It’s like a magic word, thought Lilia as she bantered with Sakura, laughing in her mind. However if she went too far Sakura would likely get angry for real so it was probably best to keep it in moderation. Right now, Sakura was one of the few people who could be counted as Lilia’s ally, though it’s unclear whether you could even count her as an actual ‘person’.

“Thank you very much, Miss Lilia. Your teaching was very easy to understand.”

Ray said so as he lowered his head. Lilia simply responded with ‘that’s good then’ and nodded.

“Ray. If you don’t want to it’s fine to refuse but…”

“What is it?”

“You’re always here studying right?”

Ray nodded reservedly as usual to Lilia’s question. Lilia continued.

“If it’s alright with you, that is… Should I start coming here in the afternoons? I can definitely help teach you whatever is within my range of knowledge.”

Ray’s eyes went wide, and Sakura was rendered speechless. The extent of the two’s surprise was clear as day, making Lilia avert her eyes with a slight hint of sullenness.

“If me being here is a bit suffocating, then I won’t force you. This is also just a diversion for myself, so I thought I might as well just throw the suggestion out there. Please forget I said anything.”

Ending with that, Lilia started preparing to depart. That said, all that was needed was tidying up her own rubbish and putting it into the basket. As she finished that and was heading to the door,

“Miss Lilia!”

She was stopped by Ray. When she turned around, Ray lightly cleared his throat.

“Are you… Really okay with, doing that for me?”

Being asked so timidly for such, Lilia gave a small wry smile, nodding ‘of course’. Seeing that a smile filled Ray’s entire face as he lowered his head.

“Please take good care of me!”

“Yes. Well then I will see you tomorrow, I’ll be coming at the same time as today.”

Leaving those words, Lilia exited the room.

Perhaps due to having returned somewhat early, the presence of students could barely be seen in the dorm. After checking if any acquaintances, particularly the prince, were around, Lilia passed through the entrance and headed straight to her room. Only after finally reaching her own quarters, did Lilia let out a breath of relief.

—We were able to get back safely today as well…

—It’s like you’re a soldier returning home from battle huh. Though it might actually be a battlefield to you. Even if you’re just constantly running away.

—Oh shut up…

When Lilia sat down on a chair, the bedroom door suddenly flew open. As Lilia’s eyes widened in surprise, Alisa was standing there all out of breath. Even with her face being slightly pale, she vigorously gave a bow.

“Apologies for my tardiness…! Welcome back, Mistress Lilia.”

“You don’t really…”

have to mind it so much, was what Lilia was about to say, when her face turned to a frown. As she moved her sight towards the dimly lit bedroom, Alisa seemed frantic as she quickly shut the door. Is she even aware that doing such a thing is basically declaring that you’re trying to hide something?
Lilia wordlessly stood, walked to where Alisa was, and without giving the girl any time to try and stop her she opened the door to the bedroom.

 


 

Sakura

Lilia


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「今日のお兄ちゃんはおかしいよ!怖いよ!ッ!?いやだよっ!いやぁ!やめて!やめてぇっ!!」