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!

Join the Evil God Army on discord!
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Merry Christmas! One more left.

As an apology for confusing the crap out of him, I sent Aoi-chan’s brother some high class protein supplements.
Apparently the girl he liked was named literally just ‘Mari’. I should have checked to begin with. He’s a nice guy so he told me that it wasn’t my fault and not to worry, and Aoi-chan wasn’t angry at me in the slightest so things were settled for now.
Because of the strong opposition from all around him, Aoi-chan’s oniisan stopped with the song writing. He’s still been playing the guitar though. One day Aoi-chan called and told me,

“Oniichan’s started a weird guitar comedy routine…”

Stay strong, Aoi-chan!

fo

Anyhow, life passed by and one day I received an invitation to an opening party for one of the Kaburagi Group’s associate companies.

“I recall declining last time. Otousama, Okaasama, just go by yourselves.”

“Yeah, but last time when I met Chairman Kaburagi we talked, and when I mentioned you he told me to bring you next time.”

Ever since I gave him that tanuki doll he’s been going around talking about me like I’m some sort of fathercon. I first heard about it from somebody in the Pivoine:

“I hear that you get along very well with your father, Reika-sama.”

First I’d heard of it. Boy was that a surprise.

Everybody in the upper class already knows about me as a long-time brocon but recently fathercon has been added to the list too. I find that offensive.
But in the end it’s just Otousama’s boasting. The brocon stuff is all true but the fathercon rumours aren’t really sticking. And for good reason. It’s all baseless.

“I am still in high school so I shall decline for now.”

“Yeah, but I’ve already told him that you were going. So come with, Reika?”

HAHH?
Forcing me to go to a Kaburagi party of all things!?

“Reika,” Okaasama cut in. “Masaya-sama might be at this party! How about we show him your new dress?”

That was what I wanted to avoid the most though. Okaasama was rather too cheerful about the whole thing.

And I’ve got my end of term exams too. Instead I have to play dress-up doll for her?

“It’s fine,” said Otousama. “I’ll make sure to escort you, Reika.”

What on earth is this tanuki saying.

“No, I’ll have Oniisama do so if you please.”

Hmph! You think looking depressed like that is enough for me to feel sorry for you!

*

For a while I considered telling Kaburagi I was coming, but in the end I decided against it. To begin with I dunno if he’s even comming, and if he said ‘So?’ I wouldn’t know what to say.
Anyway, the day of the party came in no time at all.

*

Corporate parties are really boring. Growing up I avoided as many as possible on the basis that I was still a child, but I suppose I’ll be seeing more and more of these from now on. What a pain, geez. Incidentally, Kaburagi didn’t come.
Oniisama escorted me as I kept a smile on my face. Some of the parents of fellow Pivoine members were there so I made some polite conversation. Most of it was talking about how wonderful their children were.
Both my parents were doing basically the same thing elsewhere.

“Tired, Reika?”

“I am still fine.”

“Yeah? It’ll only be a bit longer, so hold on.”

Supported by Oniisama’s soft encouragement, I fired myself up for another meet and greet.

“Gokigen’yoh. I am Kisshouin Reika.”

At that moment a voice called out from behind.

“Thanks for coming, Takateru-kun.”

“Why if it isn’t Chairman Kaburagi. Thank you for the invitation tonight.”

Chairman Kaburagi!? Kaburagi’s dad!?

I turned around in a hurry.

-DOKKINNN!!-

Kaburagi’s dad was this unbelievably stylish ojisama.
I’ve always avoided their family so it was my first time seeing him up close.
He’s probably Otousama’s age by what the heck is this different!? His belly isn’t coming out at all! And even his crow’s feet make him look refined instead of old. Not only that but his eyes seem both sharp and magnanimous! It’s a flood of charisma! SO COOOL!!! And WHOA, he’s freaking tall!
He’s like Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto.

Completely unlike his son’s Night On Bald Mountain. This man is a true emperor!

He was just so awesome that I couldn’t help but stare dumbly for a while.

“This is my younger sister, Reika. Come on Reika, it’s Chairman Kaburagi.”

“Good evening, Reika-san. Thank you for coming tonight.”

The elegant ojisama smiled at me.
Oh no! This isn’t the time to be spacing out!

“Thank you very much for your invitation tonight. I am Kisshouin Reika,” I replied politely, suppressing the wild beating of my heart.

Holy crap, please let me leave a good impression with *him at least.

“No need to be so polite. You’re in Masaya’s year, aren’t you. I hope he hasn’t been causing you trouble.”

“No, not at all. Masaya-sama is an amazing and talented person.”

We’re not close enough for that.

“I hear that you’re doing well yourself, Reika-san. Your father must be proud of you. I heard that you always bake sweets for your beloved father. Ah, and there was a plush toy recently too, wasn’t there. Goodness, I wish I had a daughter. I’m envious of your father.”

Otousama, you’re exaggerating too much!
What the heck has he been saying about me. It’s so scary I can’t even think about it.

“Chairman Kaburagi, thank you for earlier.”

Speak of the devil.

“Ah, it’s you, Chairman Kisshouin. I was just speaking to the children you and your lovely wife are so proud of. Reika-san really is a lovely young lady. I expected no less from your beloved daughter.”

“Haha, thank you, Chairman Kaburagi.”

Oi, you’re supposed to say ‘you flatter us’ there, Tanuki.
Next to the chubby Tanuki, Kaburagi’s otousan looked even cooler than usual. I have to hand it to Okaasama, she’s pretty amazing for not feeling disappointed when her husband is standing next to this guy.
After that, the tanuki began to share secret and vastly exaggerated tales of how well he got along with his daughter.
Somebody save me.
The big-hearted Chairman Kaburagi went along with the tanuki’s delusions with a smile.
At the end of it all, Chairman Kaburagi told me,

“I hope we’ll meet again, Reika-san.”

Again with a dazzling smile.

Wow… So dreamy…

Wai-, this isn’t the time for this, Reika!

You vowed to stay away from the Kaburagi family so what are you doing getting familiar…

I have to get back on track!

*

A few days later in the salon, Kaburagi came up to me and laughed,

“Heard it from my pops but not only are you a brocon, you’re a fathercon on top of that?”

TANUKIIIIIIIIIII!!

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

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!

Join the Evil God Army on discord!
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Merry Christmas!

Cream cheese is delicious with honey.
It’s great just to eat it like that but I like to eat it on scones. It’s even more delicious that way.
My family buys high class honey from specialist honey stores without an issue. What a wonderful life.
I wonder which honey I should have today. Maybe the lavender.
I spread it generously on top of my cream cheese and then gobbled it all down with a scone. Wow. This is true bliss.
I’m feeling full with just one. But I’ll have another just to be safe.
Eating it two days in a row has brought about some terrifying consequences though. Weight-wise.
Truly the food of the devil!

*

Anyway, while I was wallowing in my lack of self-control I received a phone call from Aoi-chan.

“Oniichan is getting weirder and weirder,” she said.

“Ah, the muscley guitarist? Is he still playing every day?”

“He’s singing too now…”

“My my…”

Her voice was grim.

“You know, apparently he started this whole guitar thing after he met somebody he liked. And so he’s going to confess to her with a self-written love song… Every day he submits his own flesh and blood to his horrible love songs. It’s terrible, right? All of my family has been telling him to stop but he doesn’t listen. And oh god, the lyrics.
♫ Ever since meeting you ♫
♫ There’s been a thump thump in my chest ♫
♫ And my heart is light and tender ♫
Who writes crap like that. Some days I feel like I could die from the embarrassment. Whenever Oniichan starts to sing my mum will cover her ears. It’s miserable being his sister.”

A self-made love song? At least it isn’t a poem, I guess.
Sometimes you see people singing and confessing to girls on t.v. but the girls always seem happy enough though. I’d probably run away in embarrassment, personally.
But then it’s usually guys who write love songs and poems, isn’t it. I don’t think a guy would really want to listen to a love song. Maybe that’s why girls make things instead?
Maybe there’s some male-only disease going around that makes them want to spontaneously write stuff like that. Scary… Thank goodness Oniisama never caught it.
Oh, but sometimes Oniisama does play Schubert’s Ständchen (Serenade).

It’s wonderful!
Mn. I guess it’s better to leave song-writing up to the professionals.

“Were somebody to suddenly sing and confess to me I might run from the shock. And what if the girl in question dislikes that sort of thing…”

“Yeah. But apparently the girl he likes is really into music. She likes musicians and that.”

“Oh~”

“They takes classes at uni together and he tried his best to get her but it’s been hard. Apparently that was when he turned to song writing…”

“My~”

Classes at uni together, huh. I forgot he was in university.

“Mari~ Mari~ My beloved Mari~ You have taken me pri-soh-nah~ Good god, I can’t take the idiocy anymore.”

I guess he really doesn’t have any talent. Wow, this might actually be worse than Class Rep’s poem. If Class Rep’s disease gets any worse, do you think he might start breaking into song? Anything but that, Class Rep.
Hm, but Mari…

“Incidentally, might I ask which university he attends?”

Aoi-chan answered with Marin-sensei’s university. Huh, they’re the same grade too.
Wait, no way…

“My tutor is apparently one of your brother’s cohorts. Her type is visual kei musicians too.”

“EHH!?”

“Her name sounds a little close too. I cannot give out her personal information, though.”

“I see. Then it might be the same person, huh. Visual kei, though? Oniichan’s stuff is more like folk songs though. That’s totally different.”

“Well, it may just be a coincidence after all.”

“Yeah. Maybe I should talk to Oniichan though.”

With that, Aoi-chan hung up. No matter what she says, she’s actually pretty worried about her brother’s love-life isn’t she.
Still, Aoi-chan’s oniisan and Marin-sensei? What a small world.

*

The next day I arrived at the salon to find Kaburagi playing Liszt’s Liebesträume (Love Dream).

EHHHH!? WHAT THE HEEECK!? SO COOL!!

The light from between tree leaves was filtering into through the window, and combined with Kaburagi’s amazing and emotional piano, I am ashamed to admit that my heart fluttered for a moment. No, Reika! Open your eyes!
But wow, who knew this stupid horse riding maniac could actually play the piano. I guess this is what they call ‘gap moe’? Goddamn, what power.
Man, but I’ll bet you anything he’s thinking about Yurie-sama as he’s playing. It’s a bit sad…
Oniisama’s Serenade is great too, but Kaburagi’s Liszt was also nice. Exactly what a young maiden would love.
Pretty much all the other girls in the room were completely entranced. A true privilege of being a Pivoine member.
I wonder if he’d take requests?

*

After hearing Kaburagi’s piano, I was certain. Writing your own song is a bad idea.
I messaged Aoi-chan:

“The wise stick to existing songs. Writing your own is high-risk high-return.”

The reply I got though…

“Oniichan can’t stop his fiery passion. After I told him what you mentioned, he became convinced that it was the same person. Apparently the girl he likes is the tutor to some incredibly rich ojousama. He’s changed over from folk songs to visual kei stuff and now he’s even added weird shouts to his song. Oh god.”

…Muscles Oniisaaaaan!

*

For Aoi-chan’s sake, I decided to help as well. I was going to sell her Oniichan to Marin-sensei. Once the two of them got together her brother would stop playing guitar all the time and then peace would return to her family.
I tried it the next day I had tutoring.

“Marin-sensei, as I recall you mentioned somebody rather incessant in their wooing? The rather overwhelming one…”

“Ah, I did. What about it?”

“Is he still interested in you?”

“Gosh, Reika-sama, what are you asking all of a sudden. …Well, yes?”

I knew it!

“You said that he was not truly your type but what if you gave him a chance? I am sure he is a good person. What if you discovered that you liked him?”

“Eh-, well, yeah.”

“Indeed! If he suddenly begins singing to you, I hope that you will not run away!”

“Singing to me? I wonder what you mean. He doesn’t have any interest in music at all.”

“What if he does now! He’s going to sing and play to confess to you!”

Oops.

“Confess…?”

“Ah, that was supposed to be a surprise so…”

“I’m not sure what you mean by confess. I mean, we’re already dating.”

…Eh?

“Dating?”

“Yes. He was just so earnest about it all that I couldn’t help but say yes.”

Marin-sensei showed me a picture of the two of them together. The man was a diligent-looking man who wouldn’t look out of place as a researcher.
Slim, and definitely not muscley.

“Eh-, I thought you said that he was overwhelming… And the complete opposite to the visual kei type…”

“Aah, well, he just kept saying he liked me over and over again so it was a little overwhelming. And don’t you think these serious types have the complete opposite personality to visual kei rockers?”

“Aah… I see… Ah! Umm! Were there any over men that were interested in you? Like perhaps a muscley man.”

“Nope.”

“No?”

“Nope.”

I GOT THE WRONG GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUY!!

Of course. How could there be such a convenient development!
What do I do. I have to quickly let Aoi-chan know or else.
While Marin-sensei was boasting fondly about her boyfriend I got permission to send a text to my friend. Just as I was about to write something a text from Aoi-chan came.

“What do I do!? Oniichan’s gotten into death metal! He’s even started using Mum’s make-up and she’s super angry at him now! It’s scary! How am I going to sleep tonight!?”

WHAT DO I DOO!?

*

Oh man. Oh man, oh man. I don’t think I’ll be able to face her family now.
With trembling hands I told her that it was the wrong person, as I prayed that it wasn’t too late.

…Muscles-oniisan, wanna join my Forever Alone Village?
AAAH! I’M SO SORRYY!

TLN: Gap moe is a term used to describe the appeal present in seeing another, surprising side of somebody you think you already have a good grasp of.

So kind of like when you’re reading Madan no Ou no Vanadis and the woman you’d only known as strict and confrontational happened to have this side to her:

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

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!

Join the Evil God Army on discord!
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Merry Christmas!

One day in June, Kasumi-sama passed words to me that Tomoe-senpai was calling me to the Student Council room. Apparently it was some secret…

I opened the door in trepidation to find Tomoe-senpai and Stalking Horse there.

“Sorry for calling you out here, Kisshouin-san. Come sit down.”

Tomoe-senpai beckoned me towards one of the couches. Right next to Stalking Horse. Who glanced at me for a moment before averting his eyes.

After sitting down on the sofa opposite ours, Tomoe-senpai looked at my face, and then Stalking Horse’s.

“I actually called the two of you here because I wanted the two of you to serve in the Student Council next term.”

“Hah?”

“Eh?”

Serve in the Student Council!?

In middle school the member of the Student Council served until the end of Term 2, but in high school it’s only until Term 1. Right after the Summer Break the Student Council President retires and an election is held. Once the new Student Council President and Vice President are elected they nominate the other members. The students they nominate are told in advance though.

And apparently I was one of them.

“Arima, I know you were the Student Council President in the middle school section. You’re an obvious choice. You’ll accept, of course?”

“Yeah, well, I don’t really have a problem with it but…”

Stalking Horse looked confused as he glanced my way. Mn. I know what you mean. Why the hell is a Pivoine girl like me here, right? I’m basically asking the same thing.

“True, Kisshouin-san is a member of the Pivoine, but since primary school she’s served as Class Rep a number of times. Not only that but she’s honest and hard-working. This is something I know very well too. Not only that, but she’s one of the Pivoine members who get along more amicably with the Student Council. It’s really a new faction, you could say. That’s why I really hope that she’ll accept.”

Uwahh~ I’m happy that Tomoe-senpai trusts me so much, but defying the Pivoine like that is really too scary. I’d completely ruin myself if I did.

“I am terribly sorry, Tomoe-senpai. That is probably asking a little much. I am still a Pivoine member in the end.”

“You can’t be both?”

“I would probably be seen as a spy by both sides…”

Scaryy. I’m actually in the Pivoine so I know better than anyone else just how scary it would be to anger them. At worse I might be bullied until I drop out of school. Ah, but well, it’s the Student Council’s job to help with bullying isn’t it.

Anyway, the elitist Pivoine and egalitarian Student Council are like, conceptually opposed, so there’s no way I could be a member of both. It wouldn’t make sense.

“Mmn, I guess you can’t after all.”

Tomoe-senpai stretched.

“You know, I thought you might say that but since it was you I was just hoping that you might. You’d be like a bridge between us after all. But I guess the divide between the two groups is even more intense during high school, isn’t it.”

Yes. It’s not just a divide, it’s like the Mariana Trench.

“Then just you for Student Council then, Arima. But Kisshouin-san, you’ll help out in your role as Class Rep?”

“Yes. Whatever I can.”

Next to me, Stalking Horse was looking at me suspiciously. What the heck. Didn’t we get along in middle school? I was Class Rep then too. Aah, but then again I was the one who collected the handouts while it was Monk Boy who actually brought them to the Student Council Room.

Don’t tell me that he thought I pushed all the work onto Monk-kun!? That’s offensive! I worked my butt off!

And I thought we were stalking horse buddies too.

Why are you looking at me like that! You’re supposed to be the Vice Chief of the Forever Alone Village!

“What.”

“Nah, nothing.”

Tomoe-senpai smiled helplessly at the two of us.

“Arima. Kisshouin-san is somebody you can rely on in a crisis. Don’t be prejudiced just because she’s a Pivoine. You need to have an open mind.”

“…But then what’s with that nickname of hers.”

Nickname!?

I heard his mumble with my super hearing.

“Mizusaki-kun. What nickname might you be referring to?”

“Uh… It’s nothing.”

How can it be nothing! Are people calling me by some weird nickname behind my back!?

Could it be that’s why the boys all avoid me!?

“Mizusaki-kun.”

“I don’t know anything!”

“You lie. When a person lies they look up and to the right. Just as you did a moment ago.”

“Why do you know stuff like that!”

Oniisama taught me. Problem?”

“Anyway, I said I don’t know, okay! It’s Makkie or something, okay!”

Makkie? Makkie because I’ve got makigami(curled hair)!?

I’m not sure if I should feel offended or not. I mean, at least it’s not Curls. Isn’t it a bit cute? Makkie. Boys, you can call me Makkie if you want!

Stalking Horse was covering his eyes with his hands. Is he that afraid of me seeing through his lies? Bro, the moment you do that I can tell you’re lying. Is there some other weird nickname?

“Now, now, you two,” said Tomoe-senpai as he came between us. “You’re the two kouhai I trust the most. That’s why once I graduate and leave, I hope that you’ll support the Student Council together.”

Since he stopped us I’ll leave it for now. I can always investigate later.

More importantly… Graduating, huh… Even though I’m finally in the same section as him again, he’ll be gone after just a year? That’s so lonely.

“Oh? Is something wrong, Kisshouin-san?”

“No…”

Wow. That’s really so lonely.

Tomoe-senpai is really balanced so things aren’t too bad between the Student Council and Pivoine right now, too.

Actually, it’s really only him that doesn’t mind the Pivoine. The next Student Council President wouldn’t want me in it anyway.

I wonder what’s going to happen after he leaves. I don’t want things to get tense.

“Anyway, that’s all I had to say. Arima, we’ll hammer out some of the details for next term, so please stay behind for a bit. Kisshouin-san, that’s all I had to say. Thanks for coming.”

“I understand. Then Tomoe-senpai, Mizusaki-kun, gokigen’you.”

“Take care, and stay safe.”

“…You too.”

After that I headed straight for the car waiting for me.

I’m feeling a bit down for some reason. I know! Tomorrow I’ll eat some snacks! It’s been a while! Maybe the Lucky Turn crackers I’ve hidden in my closet.

*

The next day I caught hold of Satomi-kun and questioned him about my nicknames.

“Your nicknames?”

“Yes. Yesterday Mizusaki-kun mentioned something to that effect. I heard about Makkie, but are there any other nicknames I should know about?”

“Makkie? Oh, because of your hair. Ahh, I dunno, not right now?”

“Right now? Then in the past I have had other nicknames? What were they?”

“Eh… Ahhh, Goddess… I guess…?”

“Goddess?”

“Ahh! I really don’t know much about it! But nobody uses it now, okay! It was just in middle school! I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again, promise!”

Goddess…? The first that comes to mind is Aphrodite, but that’s already taken. That boy who got rather enthusiastic with his violin performance on our trip. His hair is a bit of an afro so everyone calls him Afrodite. Except that’s a bit of a mouthful, so really it’s just ‘Dite’ now.

As for other goddesses, there’s like Venus or like Athena and stuff? Those are the famous ones after all. But there are so many Greek goddesses, aren’t there. Well whatever.

“I suppose that will do, for now.”

Satomi-kun let out a huge sigh of relief and ran back to his ring of friends.

…Goddess, huh. But gosh, what if it’s really Venus. Oh no!

<Previous Chapter | Imouto | Next Chapter>

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!

Join the Evil God Army on discord!
https://discord.gg/0uufyDAsTZXQaMz1

Merry Christmas! I still have one or two more chapters to release today, so look forward to that~

Hmm hmm hmmmm~

My doll knitting has really coming along. I’ve been using the expensive stuff so it always feels good to touch it! I think I’ll have a lot of fun rubbing my cheeks against it when I’m done.
I’ve been knitting at home as well. After dinner I usually laze about in the living room and work on it. I wonder if it’ll be done soon.
I’m also happy that immersing myself in this has been reducing my snack breaks. Why do humans always go looking for food when they’re bored…
Anyway, maybe I’ll go back to needle felting once this is done. I think I’ll try making a cat this time.

Hmm hmm hmm~

*

As usual, today I headed to the Handicrafts Clubroom with my knit doll.

“It seems to be progressing quite nicely, Reika-sama. It should be done soon.”

“Yup, it’s looking quite cute. I like how you’ve done the belly.”

“Thank you. I have been knitting at home as well.”

I was particularly careful about how I introduced a different colour for the seams. The curvature of the belly was done super, super carefully too.

“I was thinking of using needle felting to create a cat after this is complete. If I am not mistaken there are a few members of this club that practice needle felting as well, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I beamed at the Felting Group.
They smiled back at me. Yup, I really think we’re getting along.
So Club President, please let me into the club already. I know you’ve got the register in a clear folder in that schoolbag over there, okay?
Don’t think you can get rid of me after this knit doll is done.

*

One day while I was heading the Handicrafts Club, as I passed Enjou in the hallway he said to me,

“Kisshouin-san, Katsuragi has been calling you the Violent Woman. Do you have any idea what he means?”

so I replied,

“Not the faintest. I have not the slightest inkling of what on earth he means.”

He smiled at me and drawled

“Of course. You’re ever so graceful after all.”

so I smiled back and replied,

“Of course.”

before making my way to the clubroom.

That little snitch. He brings shame on the entire male sex… It’s settled. My next needle felting project will be a birdbrain.

*

*

Eventually my doll was finally complete. I brought it with me to the living room where my parents and Oniisama were relaxing with some tea.

“Oh? Reika. Is your doll done?”

“Yes, it is.”

“You’ve been knitting quite a bit, haven’t you. Did you make a doll?”

Tadah!
I revealed my doll to the family. It was a small tanuki with glasses.

“This is you, Otousama.”

“Eh-”

I handed it over to him.

“I made the animal that I think suits you best, Otousama. I made it just for you. Will you accept it?”

“For me?”

Holding it in two hands, he stared at it.
Back when Wakaba-chan first entered Zui’ran I was so shocked that I might have repeatedly and vocally doubted Otousama. He got completely depressed and Oniisama told me off. I’m reflecting.
Everyone knows it, myself included, but I’m kind of a brother’s girl. Still, Otousama has always spoiled me since I was little. That’s why I like Otousama as well. Plus, seeing a man his age look so sad made me feel pretty guilty too.
That’s why I made this as an apology.
I know that people hate getting hand-knitted stuff because it’s too intense, but we’re father and daughter so it’s totally okay, right?

“I even added glasses, see? Don’t you think it looks just like you, Otousama?”

I took a seat next to him.

“Yeah, it’s well made. Thanks, Reika. I’m really happy. But you see me as a tanuki, huh. Is it because you think I’m cunning like an old tanuki…?”

“No, the tanuki has a fat belly just like you do. But hmm, an old tanuki. I suppose that fits you as well.”

“…I-, I see.”

Otousama made a somewhat difficult expression as he kept looking at the doll.

“It was my first time knitting so the seams are a little off, but you can barely see it if you avoid looking closely, right? This is my first completed knit doll.”

“Ooh! So the first one goes to me.”

Otousama looked at Oniisama smugly.
Otousama, you really look like an evil tanuki when you do that, you know.

“Good for you, Dear,” added my mother.”

“Yup, yup. But Reika, do you really think my tummy is that big?” he asked as he rubbed his belly.

“Yes, it is. Being overweight is bad for your health, so I think you should take a diet.”

“…I suppose.”

“I know a way to get rid of a stubborn tummy; hula hooping. I shall lend you mine, Otousama.”

“You have something like that?”

“…She’s at it again…?”

Eh, Oniisama, did you say something just now?

“Let us hula hoop together. After all, I hope that my beloved father will stay healthy forever.”

“Ohh! So that’s how it is!”

The moment he heard “beloved” his mood shot through the roof.
Is Otousama going to be okay? I’m worried he’ll get scammed one day. You really shouldn’t trust everything people say.

With the doll in hand, Otousama headed to my room.

“It’s a bit embarrassing entering my daughter’s room,” he said, oddly happy.

Oh gosh. Could it be that it wasn’t fraud that gets him in trouble, but sexual harassment?”

“Now then, Otousama, really put your back into it and work off your tummy!”

“Alright!”

Otousama began vigorously hula hooping.

“GYAH!”

“Otousama!?”

Otousama was admitted to hospital for back pains.
Okaasama got incredibly angry at me.
In the hospital room I just happened to say,

“Sorry. I should have known better than to push the elderly.”

Oniisama said “He’s at a delicate age, so pick your words better!” and got angry at me too.

I’m reflecting…

*

Anyway, after Otousama left the hospital my handmade doll found a place in the study.
I heard that sometimes Otousama would happily pat it.

Since he liked it so much, I decided to be a bit cheeky and give it a cane for its back when Oniisama yelled,

“Have you reflected at all!”

and got angry at me yet again.

Of course I have. I’m teasing him because I love him.

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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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Sorry about the translation slow-down again. I suddenly got called into a casual job with only 2 days notice, which I’ll be working until Christmas. I don’t spend that long each day on it but it forces me to wake up before 4AM meaning that I’m tired for the rest of the day which in turn makes it rather difficult for the right words to come to me when translating. I have trouble falling asleep early, you see.

That’s more or less what’s causing the slow-down – actually slow translating.

After entering high school the Emperor became even more popular. I could see in their eyes that the oneesamas in the 2nd and 3rd years seemed especially serious about catching him.
So far they’d always seen him as a middle school kid, but then now he was a high schooler just like them. Not only that but his appearance was mature so he didn’t look younger than them, and most importantly he was the heir to the Kaburagi group. You would be pretty serious considering all that.
Outside of close friends though, Kaburagi himself has been silent as usual. Thanks to that nobody noticed his faults. Silence truly is golden.
Hm. Is it my imagination that a lot of girls are wearing Yurie-sama’s haircut?

Anyway, about Emperor. One day dear Emperor was seated in the salon, partaking in a crème chiboust.

I always start gaining weight the moment I eat anything sweet so why is it that boys never gain weight despite gobbling everything down. So jealous.
Thinking about it, rumour has it that the Emperor goes horseback riding as a hobby. Maybe it really is all the exercise. He turned down the Horse-riding Club, but I bet he would have joined had it been a polo club, right? After all, he’s the Emperor of Cavalry Battles. Upfftpftt.

Maybe I should try swimming or something. But for some reason I have trouble staying underwater. Even though I’ll try my bestttt to dive downwards, I immediately start floating upwards. What the heck is that. Would it help if I went and took lessons?

While I was thinking about stupid things, a 3rd year boy came up to me.

“Reika-san, is anything bothering you? You seemed to be deeply considering something.”

Deeply considering? Uh, I thinking about how I wanted a crème chiboust too, and that I should hurry home so I can needle felt…

“No, nothing of import. I was simply pondering the theme for my next flower arrangement.”

“Ahh, that’s your hobby isn’t it. Should I find the chance I’d definitely want to have a look.”

“Goodness, my creations are certainly not good enough to be shown.”

Hmmmm. All these guys have been randomly approaching me since I’ve entered high school. And I keep getting party invitations too. I’ve been trying to turn those down though.
I mean, I’m interested in romance but guys who come after me all calculating and stuff are a bit…
After that I continued discussing flower arrangement with the few other people who came along.

*

*

Today was the first time Sakura-chan had come to my house.
She’s an ojousama from Yurinomiya Girls School, so Okaasama quite liked her. After seeing Oniisama off to work, I lead Sakura-chan to my room.

“Wow, as expected of the Kisshouin family. Even in Yurinomiya there aren’t many girls with such big houses. And I met the heir too. Maybe I should brag to my seniors or something.”

The very moment she stepped through the door she stopped bothering with the pretenses.
I put down some chilled tea on the table, as well as the luxury fruit jelly that Sakura-chan brought as a gift.

“About Oniisama?”

“Is there any other heir? Amongst older girls he’s like the prime pick right now, you know?”

“Hmmm. Is that so.”

Gosh, I’d hate that. What if Oniisama married a gold digger. I want him to be happy.
Ah, but well, I doubt Oniisama would get caught by such a person anyway.

“Wow, this Kiwi jelly’s pretty good.”

“You really do like sweet things, don’t you Reika.”

“Uu. I’ve actually been wondering about my weight again recently… Am I still in the clear?”

“Have you been continuing yoga?”

“Mmm, just the Mountain Pose and the Corpse Pose though.”

“That’s basically just standing and lying.”

But it’s ’cause it gets so boring doing it by yourself in your room. Guess it isn’t really interesting outside of a classroom.

“Do you do anything active, Sakura-chan?”

“I’ve been doing Nichibu dancing ever since primary school.”

Ooh! A perfect fit for the Japanese-style bishoujo!

“I’ve been thinking about picking up swimming lessons.”

“…I can already see you skipping the moment winter comes along.”

Oh my gosh! I can see it too!

“Ummmmm, have you entered any clubs?”

“The Wind Instruments Club. I wanted to try the cello, and yeah.”

“Huhh. The Wind Instruments Club.”

“And you, Reika?”

“I wanted to enter the Handicrafts Club, but…”

“Handicrafts… It doesn’t really suit you, does it.”

“You think so too? All the club members seem scared of me for some reason so I’ve been worried that joining would bother them…”

“Well, at a glance you seem like the perfect ojousama and all. And you’ve got authority too. …Oh, what if you brought them some homemade sweets? It’d totally destroy your image and then they’d feel closer to you.”

Handmade sweets? I can see that happening.

“Thanks, Sakura-chan! I’ll try making some now!”

“Eh- …Serious?”

Now what should I make.

When Oniisama got home and I asked him what sweets I should make for school he told me not to give my handmade stuff to new people.

“To begin with, why this all of a sudden?”

“I want to enter the Handicrafts Club but I don’t feel very welcome so…”

“Handicrafts, huh. Speaking of which you’ve been making something or other with the stabby needle, haven’t you. That’s what you want to do in your club?”

“Mmm, well, at the club they’ve been knitting dolls. I’ve tried learning through books at home but it hasn’t been going well. And then at some point I got distracted by needle felting and…”

“Why not just be honest and tell them that you’d like it if they taught you to knit?”

“But would they…?”

“It’ll be fine.”

Oniisama patted me on the head. Wow, this brings me back. How come when Oniisama says it’ll be fine I really start to feel that way. What a mystery.
Alright! I’ll try just that then!

*

The next time the Handicrafts Club had their activities I visited by myself to avoid needlessly scaring them.
Although their faces seemed to be saying, ‘She’s here again!?‘

“Umm, to be frank there is something I would you to teach me. Would that be acceptable?”

“What is it?” asked the club president.

I took out my ball of yarn and the book on knitting dolls.

“The truth is I have been trying to knit. It has not been going terribly well, however. I thought that perhaps I could enter the Handicrafts Club and have somebody instruct me, but…”

“Knitting? You, Kisshouin-san?”

The club president seemed awfully surprised.

“What are you trying to knit?”

“This.”

I pointed it out in the book.

“Aah, there’s actually a simple trick to this. …I could teach you if you’re okay with me.”

“Truly!?”

Yay! I should have just asked to begin with!
With Club President’s help, I immediately started knitting away at the brown wool.
Since I was a beginner, and the doll was going to be rather big, it seemed like it would take quite a few trips.

Over the days I visited, the other club members opened up and started giving me all sorts of advice.
Lately they don’t even look scared when I come anymore. I’m super happy.
We talk about silly things too, and it’s just a relaxing time in general.

But to this day, they still haven’t given me a club entry form…

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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!

Join the Evil God Army on discord!
https://discord.gg/0uufyDAsTZXQaMz1

I intend to translate more these next few weeks. The brainwashing of the Clinton News Network caused me to focus my time on other things, but now that Trump has freed me I will dedicate myself to Making Novels Great Again.

After the excursion comes the mid-term exams.
Because of all the smart External Students that flooded into my school, I need to study harder than ever.
Actually, I’ve been taking it easy these days so I haven’t enrolled in a new cram school for high school yet. Right now I’ve only got a home tutor.

Before the exams began I decided to increase my lessons with her.

“Reika-san, you just always seem to struggle with maths, don’t you. I think you can improve if you keep up the practice though, so keep trying.”

“Yes.”

But that’s the hard part. I hate doing these questions…
If I don’t though I might get called in for remedials again. I’ll pass on those days of isolation again. And even though I’m really just some small fry I want everybody to keep saying “As expected of Reika-sama”!
For the sake of this petty pride I continued to battle with these baffling equations.

*

For the upcoming exams, this time I got my hands on some energy drinks. After all, I normally sleep 7 hours a night. If I get any less I start wobbling with sleepiness.
But when I was in the store seeing them priced at over 1,000 Yen each, they suddenly seemed like a bit much to drink casually. These felt more like something you’d buy for desperate cramming.
Thanks to that I decided to just buy a three-pack of the popular stuff to start off with.
Hm, the taste was pretty nostalgic. I did drink it from time to time in my old life after all.
I’m not sure if it helped at all but I used them to study as hard as I could so I’m feeling pretty satisfied.
Although, when Okaasama saw my empty bottles in the bin she started worrying about me and said,

“You’re a girl so you really needn’t push yourself too far.”

She gave me a lot of scarily expensive beauty drinks so I drank those too.
Well whatever. Come at me whenever, mid-terms!

*

So, about those mid-terms that I drank a bunch of energy drinks to study for… Well, it was still me doing the tests after all…
Anyway, Okaasama dragged me to beauty and hair salons after the exams ended. She really is fussy about how I look, isn’t she. Totally fixated on making sure I look like her image of an ‘ojousama’. Thank goodness said image wasn’t dressed in goth loli or something.
Oh, and that random white hair seemed to be gone now. I never want to experience that tragedy again. That’s why from now on I’m going to make sure to get full workovers more often at salons.
A few days after those treatments left my skin and hair sparkling, the results of the mid-terms were posted.

At Zui’ran, only the top 30 are posted. Since we have roughly 300 students it’s absolutely impossible for me.
…But although I say ‘absolutely’, I still can’t help but hope somewhere in my heart. Why is that?
Even though I’m wearing this modest expression that says I can’t imagine being up there, I’m still going to check it out.
I looked up nervously, but yep, wasn’t there.
Still, there sure were a lot of new names up there. They had to be all the Externals. As expected of them.
And at the very top, shining brilliantly were two names:

1. Kaburagi Masaya
2. Enjou Shuusuke

Just how crazy are these guys. Their cumulative result was pretty much full-marks. Just what do they have there inside their heads. I’m so jealous. Since middle school they’ve always been unshaken in the top two places. Well, the two of them would swap positions though.
Also, although 1st and 2nd place were these two, 3rd place was Wakaba-chan! And her marks were super close to theirs as well. Isn’t it completely possible for her to overtake them next time!?
The girl herself was staring dumbly up at the board with unruly hair as always. I just can’t see her as smart… Wakaba-chan, your mouth is hanging open! You look ridiculous, so please close it already!
The students around me were murmuring about the identity of this mysterious ‘Takamichi Wakaba’ but I can’t imagine anybody would connect that name with the spaced out girl in front of me. I guess she’s like the perfect example of that saying about a capable eagle hiding its talons.
On another note, Stalking Horse managed to grab 5th place despite all these new Externals. That’s amazing, Stalking Horse! As a fellow stalking horse, I’m proud of you!
Anyway, when Wakaba-chan noticed her name up there, relief flooded her expression. I guess this is pretty much life or death for a scholarship student. Congratulations.

It was around that moment that Kaburagi and Enjou came along. They normally don’t care at all about these but I guess they’re here this time because of all the new students?
As they came sauntering down, the students all parted left and right for them.
After confirming their own names at the top, Kaburagi muttered,

“Who’s this Takamichi Wakaba?”

Some of the students heard him and pointed her out to him.
After taking one look at her, he simply left with Enjou. Although Kaburagi was expressionless as always, Enjou had a faint look of interest on his face.
The moment they left the crowd grew noisy. It felt a little dangerous, actually. One phrase I managed to catch was “…knowing her place” though…

Nobody was mad enough to publicly attack her, but it seemed like there were a lot of people quietly dissatisfied with her threatening the pair’s dominance on the rankings. The fact that she was poor and stuck out like a sore thumb certainly didn’t help.
But wow, even if they say that, Wakaba-chan is a scholarship student, you know? She has to get good marks. And if you’re worried about people threatening those two, why didn’t you complain when Stalking Horse took 3rd place all of middle school.
When I asked out of curiosity they told me, “Mizusaki-kun is different.”
What the heck. Is it his face? Is it because his face looks good?
Not only that, but according to the others, Stalking Horse had a charm that both the boys and girls were drawn in by. Well, I guess that’s not really surprising since he made it to StuCo President.
That doesn’t mean that you can blame your own shortcomings on some innocent External girl though.

“The External Students entered only after passing some very rigorous tests after all. That they have good grades is a given. Instead we should be marvelling at how Kaburagi-sama and Enjou-sama defeated them all despite that,” I commented.

“Truly! As expected of those two!”

It’s almost never a mistake to use the names of those two when dealing with girls. The atmosphere was filled with their delighted squealing now.

When I got my report card handed to me, it listed my rank as 73. Hmmm… Should I be feeling happy about this rank?

*

*

Recently I’ve found a new method of stress relief. It’s called needle felting.
You’ve got this ball of wool and you poke at it with needles. It’s actually weirdly fun. I’ve been following the instructions in the textbook, and my latest creation is a snowman. Well, it’s basically just two white balls and two dots for eyes though.
Also when I get too into it my eyes start to hurt so I have to pay attention to the time. MY EYES-! MY EYEEEES-!

I usually do this in my room, but occasionally I camp out in the living room too.
Today I’m making a Tarow the Taro. I’m using brown felt this time.

-poke poke poke…-

When Oniichan saw me after a late night at work he asked me,

“Who’s the target!?”

It’s not a voodoo doll…

*

Geez. I wish I had some friends in the arts and crafts to understand my feelings. I wanna join the Handicrafts Club…
Should I pretend to be socially oblivious and just force my way in?
But if I do that I’ll just end up isolated in the room again. Uuu, these tears are just because I’m straining my eyes, okay?

“MY EYES-! MY EYEEEES-!”

is a reference to the typical stereotypical chuunibyou phrase,

“My eye-! My eyeeee-!”

when their left eye goes red and they unleash their power or whatever.

Japanese has no plurals, so Reika’s line is exactly the same as the above.

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