Thanks to Meerkat for helping with the translation
Chapter 2: “Dream Bubble”
The tension was so thick it was suffocating. My throat felt parched with an intense thirst.
The day that had to come had finally arrived. I didn’t think I was putting it off, but maybe I had been unconsciously avoiding it. With this sudden encounter, I had no choice but to steel my resolve.
When was the last time I spent such a tense period? I remembered.
Squinting at the sunlight streaming through the curtains, I felt firsthand how Japan was becoming more subtropical lately. I had carelessly made an unnecessary comment in front of Yuuri-san: “My room is like a tropical region though.” It was fairly recent. I mean, it’s hot and she gets all clingy, and with all the sweat making everything sticky, it’s just sticky sticky sticky sticky—
“So, don’t you have something to say to me?”
A woman’s voice reached me from the neighboring seat, separated by a partition. I gulped down cold water in one go.
Sitting at the counter, slurping noodles. The rich tonkotsu ramen had a deep flavor.
Slurp slurp slurp slurp slurp slurp
I searched for an answer to the question posed. Necessary things won’t be conveyed unless spoken aloud.
If there was something important I had forgotten to say, what would it be?
The most important thing for living in this world—that is, [risk management].
“Stay safe today as well.”
“It’s past noon though…”
Damn, that was a greeting you say at morning assembly on construction sites. We were in a ramen shop, not a construction site. We weren’t even wearing work clothes. No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t find an answer.
“You always look so beautiful. You look like you’re in your twenties.”
“Let me teach you something good. A thirty-something who looks like she’s in her twenties is still thirty-something, and a forty-something who looks thirty-something is still just forty-something. Profiles don’t lie. Don’t misunderstand mere flattery.”
As expected of the knowledgeable Akane-san. Her intense expression (which I couldn’t see) spoke of reality.
As I was walking around nervously watching people as usual without any particular meaning, I had accidentally been caught by Akane-san whom I passed by. Akane-san is the mother of Hinagi and Hiori-chan.
I was then dragged along, and we were now having a secret meeting while eating ramen together.
“Other than that, maybe something about how flea market apps have a lot of troubles…”
“File a complaint with the management. That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about how Hinagi has somehow started writing novels, and it’s even going to be published. I was so surprised when I heard about it.”
“Ah, that matter!”
If it were just a hobby, there’d be no problem, but when it comes to publication, Hinagi alone, being a minor, couldn’t handle it. Consultation with both parents was necessary. She said she was blessed with it, so I wasn’t worried.
“My husband is already so delighted that once the official release is decided, he’s excited about spreading the word at his company. He’s even ready to file disclosure requests against any haters.”
“I wonder about that though?”
Akane-san herself couldn’t hide her joy either. Even Hiori-chan was surprised, saying “Wow!” Their sisterly relationship had been somewhat strained for a while, but now it had improved and been repaired.
“…I read it too. Honestly, I thought it was amazing. Because it’s something I could never do. I never knew that child had such talent. Yukito-kun, did you notice it?”
“No, not at all.”
“Really?”
Akane-san’s eyes went wide with surprise (probably). It’s not like I’m some priest in a fantasy world who bestows gifts upon children who reach a certain age—there’s no way I could tell if someone has talent or not.
“I think Hinagi just worked that hard for it.”
It felt rude to simply dismiss it with the word “talent.” Of course, there will come a time when talent becomes necessary. She might face setbacks. But that’s a story for much later.
She was lucky. And she was able to grasp that luck because Hinagi’s efforts bore fruit.
“Akane-san, have you ever read Hinagi’s book reports?”
“…No, I haven’t. Wait. I might have seen them when she was in the lower grades.”
“I’ve never seen them either, so that’s just how it is. There’s no way we could have known.”
No one knows what they’re capable of. Not even themselves.
“It’s a possibility that Hinagi discovered because she challenged herself. So there might be something else even more suited for Hinagi. She might find something she truly wants to do from the bottom of her heart.”
You’ll never notice just by standing still. Infinite branches. There’s only a path ahead for those who courageously take that first step. It was the strength that Hinagi showed—getting hurt, yet still standing up.
“A little while ago, she was withdrawn for so long that I was worried. …I thought she was still just a child, but no. She was supposed to still be just a child, yet ever since she reunited with you, that girl has—”
Akane-san worried. I could feel that she truly cared for Hinagi as a mother.
I couldn’t see her expression. Beyond the thin wall that separated us, Akane-san was probably making a sad face.
“I understand that I should be happy. That child grew tremendously through pain. She had to. Because she wanted to be by your side. Yukito-kun. Do you understand your own harshness?”
The overwhelming presence in her voice brooked no argument. Something I didn’t know about myself—my own potential.
“She has to become strong, or she can’t chase after you. Because you keep moving forward alone, far ahead. She can’t reach you. Forever just watching your back, frustrated with herself for—”
Akane-san let out a big sigh. A clattering sound. She seemed to have finished eating.
“Hey, Yukito-kun. If Hinagi were to betray you in the future, what would you do?”
Hinagi betraying me? I couldn’t read the intent of the question. What answer Akane-san was looking for.
“Hmm. [Well, these things happen], I suppose would be my impression.”
I’d probably accept it quite readily. Like deciding I’m in the mood for Italian food for dinner tonight.
On melancholy days, there are times when you suddenly feel like betraying someone.
Human hearts are ever-changing. No one can control them. It all depends on mood.
If Hinagi thinks that way, all I can do is simply accept it.
“I suppose so. —That’s why I hate you.”
A voice filled with such sorrow. Akane-san’s words, clearly stating her hatred, were trembling.
Ah, again. I’ve been hated by Akane-san again. The discord deepened even further.
“If that situation come, if that child were to betray you, I would cut ties and disown her. That would be the responsibility to take. If she could forget even the debt of gratitude for your help, she wouldn’t be my daughter anymore.”
“That’s too extreme. There’s no debt of gratitude. Such cowardly imitation that binds people—”
I didn’t want anything in return, no compensation. I just followed because I wanted to.
“That’s not it. That’s not what I mean.”
Akane-san stood up, came around to my side, and grabbed my shoulders.
“—You have no attachment.”
She whispered, yet her words contained a burning heat that could consume everything.
“Not to living, not to money, not even to people’s feelings. Why don’t you realize how rude that is? You remain empty, seeking nothing. You might be fine with that. But those around you are not.”
Attachment. Hearing that word, I remembered repelling a stalker while I was hospitalized.
The stalker had been obsessed with Kurogane-san. He had continued his persistent approaches, but when rejected, his feelings went out of control, resulting in the incident. There was no way to defend such behavior.
However, it was true that the stalker had been so infatuated with Kurogane-san.
Being able to feel so strongly about someone was something I found enviable.
“Akane-san?”
The grip on my shoulders tightened. Her slender fingers dug into my shoulders, trembling slightly.
“…I wanted to let Hinagi grow at a more age-appropriate pace.”
“I’m sorry.”
All I could do was apologize. We’re still just first-year high school students—too early to become adults.
I had forced Hinagi to grow up. Hinagi paid that sacrifice. She rushed to reach a place she would naturally arrive at with time. I had unconsciously created that cause.
Hinagi should have had more time, should have been able to remain an innocent child without a care in the world.
I had taken that away from Akane-san too. —The time to walk together with Hinagi.
“I want you to wait. For that child to catch up. —Hiori too, for that matter.”
“That’s a bit…”
Even if you put it like some kind of set deal… Is that okay, Hiori-chan!?
“It’s the adults’ job to protect the children. Don’t get the wrong idea that you can protect everything.”
I had searched for ways to live in solitude, exploring every possibility. The more I became capable of doing, the less I needed others. The path to becoming superhuman. That was now reaching a turning point.
Childhood friends. Trying to change such an ambiguous relationship, yet unable to do so, we remained suspended in midair.
But surely, if I stopped moving forward, I wouldn’t be able to do anything. I myself couldn’t bear being unable to do anything. Standing still was synonymous with powerlessness. Defeat by fate. I didn’t have time to submit—
“Is it okay if I can’t cook?”
“Make Hinagi do all the housework.”
It was a frighteningly anachronistic male chauvinism.
“Is it okay if I can’t study?”
“The result of gathering elites has been forty years of economic stagnation, so you can imagine.”
The failure of economic policy. While common people suffered from rising prices, only tax increases progressed at breakneck speed.
“Is it okay if I can’t do sports?”
“If you went to the majors so quickly, Japanese baseball would dry up.”
Akane-san affirmed each thing I couldn’t do. My wings were being plucked one by one.
A perverted feeling as if I was gaining experience but my accumulated level was decreasing.
“…Is it okay to be powerless?”
“When that happens, someone who loves you will help you. It’s okay to be more dependent.”
Even though she had said she hated me. The kindness at Akane-san’s core never changed.
“You’re always trying too hard. Hinagi didn’t fall in love with you because you can do everything. She fell in love with you because you’re Yukito-kun. Please don’t forget that feeling that never changes.”
“Yes.”
I could only nod. There was no way I could dismiss Akane-san’s request.
Someone like me should be looked at with strange eyes by the neighborhood wives, whispered about in their gossip sessions as “don’t play with that child”—I should be a bad boy to be avoided. Yet Akane-san accepted me.
The fact that I was able to build a relationship as childhood friends with Hinagi was entirely due to Akane-san’s broad-mindedness.
I was grateful. It was the first relationship I had been able to build with someone other than family.
That’s why I wanted to protect, that’s why I wanted to help, that’s why I wanted to move forward. And I lost it.
The feelings I had certainly held. Even though they should have been precious. Even though I had wanted them so much.
“Let’s go get parfait after this. I think you need time to spend leisurely.”
“Is it okay to eat so much before dinner?”
“Sweet things go to a separate stomach.”
“But it was tonkotsu.”
“Greasy things also go to a separate stomach.”
“How many stomachs do you have…”
This was nostalgic. I used to go around to sweet shops with Akane-san often in the past.
We left the store. I almost closed my eyes for a moment at the dazzling sunlight.
“Wh-what are you doing, Mama!?”
I heard a distinctly Hinagi-like voice and turned around, and sure enough, there was Hinagi.
“Oh? What are you doing here?”
Akane-san was also surprised by her beloved daughter’s appearance.
“That’s my line though…”
“I was just on a date with Yukito-kun. Right?”
Hinagi-chan looked shocked. Really, Akane-san was troublesome. It wasn’t a date or anything.
“Apparently she’s going to spoil me. Maybe it’s mama-katsu (sugar mommy).”
“That makes it even worse! —Ugh. You smell like tonkotsu!?”
A wave of fatigue crashed over me. I might be unusually mentally depressed.
Alone in my room, I was remembering Akane-san’s words. A heavy notification. I couldn’t ignore it.
Being told I didn’t need to do anything left me confused. I’m a migrating tuna. Just as a tuna dies when it stops swimming, I too would die if I weren’t moving forward. An ingrained obsessive compulsion.
Not doing anything was suffocating for me, and to take in oxygen and breathe, I needed to forcefully keep moving forward. Through ram-jet water exchange, I was alive.
However, such progress had become a burden. Not for me, but for those beside me.
Maid-mother was the same. She was happier when I didn’t do something rather than when I did.
She wanted to wake me up rather than have me wake up. She wanted to cook rather than have me cook. She wanted to do things for me rather than have me do anything. Before I knew it, I had nothing left to do at home. Just spending time idly.
Everything I had learned to live alone was being denied and reduced to nothing.
When I tried not to cause trouble, I was pitied; when I caused trouble, I was welcomed. Inverted values.
Before I knew it, I no longer knew how to behave. I had no place to stand.
A perfect me was wanted by no one. Being imperfect was what was desired.
That meant parting ways with the path I had walked so far. If I were affirmed for being powerless, could I still be myself? “Do you want power?” “Nah, I don’t need it.”
The things I couldn’t do were increasing. Perhaps that was what being [normal] meant.
I, who couldn’t become normal, had longed for normalcy. But that path was a series of hardships.
The refreshing handsome guy’s basketball skills were improving rapidly. Eventually he would surpass me, and I wouldn’t be able to catch up. Originally, there was no way I could beat the all-around sports prince in pure specs.
I had just had a slight lead. Sorry. At most, about a minute’s worth of lead. Daily that gap was shrinking, and once it passed the critical point, the gap would continue to widen from then on. I didn’t feel frustrated. Rather, it was normal.
And when that happened, I would become unnecessary for the refreshing handsome guy.
—Or so I would have thought before, but probably, I’m wrong.
For the refreshing handsome guy, Mihou Kouki, what’s important isn’t something like that.
“What’s wrong? You look like you’re in pain.”
Yuuri-san opened the door and came in. In my fantasy, I gasped at her divine beauty.
Come to think of it, Yuuri-san also always looked displeased whenever I did something.
I didn’t want to see such a face, didn’t want to make her make it, yet the harder I tried my best, the more Yuuri-san’s expression clouded, and I could no longer see her smile. Her graceful smile.
I didn’t know what to do and had continued to make her sad all this time.
“I got scolded by Akane-san.”
“After relying on you so much, what ungrateful people they are!”
Yuuri-san was indignant, distorting her refined and beautiful face. Oh no, I shouldn’t have said that!?
“It was just life consultation! Calm down!”
“Wait right there. I’ll go arrange burial consultation for those people right away.”
“I love you, Yuuri-san!”
“Guhah.”
Thanks to Yuuri-san being moved to emotion, I was somehow able to prevent a tragedy. Having secretly avoided the crisis of the Suzurikawa family, I might be a hero in the shadows. Self-praise leading to explosive death and misery.
Yuuri-san is extraordinarily overprotective, so I can’t say anything careless. Got it?
Feeling somewhat curious, I try asking Yuuri-san a question. About the future that her eyes are gazing toward.
“Yuuri-san, do you have any dreams?”
I remember her previously saying she would study abroad. That was just an excuse to get away from me, but I wonder what Yuuri-san is really aiming for now. A beautiful, intelligent, seemingly flawless talented woman.
Yuuri-san’s potential is infinite – she’s exceptional material who could aim for the top in any world.
“Dreams? I haven’t had the luxury to think about it much, but let’s see…”
She puts her hand to her chin and thinks. She raises her face after just a few seconds.
“A full-time wife.”
“Really? Huh. That’s surprising.”
It would be humanity’s loss, but if Yuuri-san wants to be a full-time housewife, her own wishes take priority.
Personality and aptitude don’t always match. Even if someone has excellent talent, whether they notice it and make use of it is a separate issue. Though she’s clumsy, Yuuri-san would surely become an excellent housewife.
“–to support you.”
“I’d be the house husband!?”
It seems like I’ll be supported by my big sister.
“Because it’s more efficient and skillful when you do housework than when I do it. It’s about putting the right person in the right place.”
“So you are self-aware.”
Cool and composed. The insight to observe and judge herself objectively – Yuuri-san really is a genius.
“…To be honest, nothing came to mind. I can’t imagine a future where Yukito isn’t by my side. No, I don’t want to imagine it. Because I love you.”
She holds her head and gently embraces me. Yuuri-san’s scent spreads through my nasal cavity.
“But someday–“
Before I can finish saying that the time will come when we must part–it gets drowned out.
“My hobby is my little brother. I’ll give everything of myself to Yukito. If someday I find something I can be more passionate about than you, I’ll think about it then. –Though I think such a day will absolutely never come.”
The embrace tightens. Yuuri-san won’t allow me to be alone.
“You and everyone around you try too hard. You’re always looking ahead to the future. But you know what, it’s fine. Put all that on the back burner. There’s no point in being afraid of the Nankai Trough earthquake. Yukito is living not in the future, but now, right? So, take it easy.”
Even though I should have been angry at Akane-san, Yuuri-san has reached the same conclusion.
“You don’t need to rush. You don’t need to carry everything on your shoulders. Otherwise, both Mom and I would be lonely. I’ll carry half the burden. You can just be carefree.”
The immeasurable resolve that Yuuri-san has arrived at. Accumulating regrets, repeating trial and error, what Yuuri-san has derived is the thought of “not thinking.” What a great big sister. The sister’s heart is unknown to the brother.
“Just seeing you looking happy while being sexually harassed every day heals me.”
“So you thought I was enjoying that?”
The difference in perception had reached a critical stage. I see, I understand now.
“So that’s why Yuuri-san came into the bathroom with such a composed look!”
I’m in the bathroom. I’m being embraced by Yuuri-san while sitting on the toilet seat.
“Because you looked like you were suffering…”
Yuuri-san puffs out her chest, showing not even a speck of guilt, displaying a dignified and imposing presence.
“Geez, this…”
“Do you want to poop? I knew your stomach was hurting!”
Yuuri-san’s dignity scatters like clouds and mist, and she suddenly starts worrying frantically.
“Have some shame!? Yuuri-san’s fans might become disillusioned!”
Yuuri-san blurts out an outrageous line. That word is definitely NG!?
“Just do whatever you want. I make dirty sounds and go ‘buri buri’ too. Even if the surface looks clean, the back is dirty, and the inside is ugly. It’s disgusting, isn’t it? But that’s human.”
How should I silence her? A kiss? Is a kiss the only option…?
“But you only have a surface. You dye all the dirtiness and ugliness pure white. When I’m by Yukito’s side, I feel like even I become clean. –Even if it’s just an illusion.”
Yuuri-san’s self-deprecating murmur. It’s a misunderstanding. I also scheme behind the scenes with things I can’t say out loud.
“Am I really that easy to read?”
“Your thoughts immediately show on your face.”
I had no idea that I, who am so expressionless that I’m undefeated in 500 facial recognition battles, have things showing on my face.
“Then can you tell what I’m thinking right now too?”
“Hoichi the Earless.”
At this point, like a Buddhist monk, I should write sutras on my face to escape from the vengeful spirit’s sight like a biwa priest–.
“Hah!?”
“I told you, didn’t I? It shows on your face.”
Bulls-eye. Now I can’t hide anything at all! What am I supposed to do!?
“That’s fine for you. You don’t need to change anything. Stay as you are. The ones who need to change are us who are by your side and wish for change. We were attracted to you because you’re Yukito.”
Yuuri-san’s warm palm strokes my head.
“I…”
The courage to be decadent. I don’t need to keep swimming. Even if I stop, no one will blame me.
“It’s okay. Even if you take a little break, no one can catch up to you.”
The story of the Tortoise and the Hare. No matter how far ahead the hare gets, it’s destined to lose.
I intended to sprint all the way to the goal. But no one knows where the goal is, and I keep running. But maybe I don’t need to anymore.
“Yes.”
Without thinking, I nod at Yuuri-san’s words. I think that’s probably the right answer.
“Yukito-kun, are you ready?”
“Ready to go anytime, sis!”
At Hikari-san’s signal, I lower my stance and hold the camera in perfect position.
“…Yukito, your underling act is really convincing.”
“Well, there are exactly three of us.”
“Eh, me too?”
“Wait. ‘Underling’ doesn’t refer to the number of people, does it?”
The radiant, limit-breaking sparkly handsome guy corrects the surprised Takahashi-san.
What a sincere guy. But now I need to focus on the shoot. Failure is not an option.
“Kou, you hold it steady too. You’re always trying to flirt with Yukito-kun.”
“Th-th-that’s not that kind of relationship!”
The slightly flustered terrace handsome guy fixes the reflector so it won’t move.
What’s with that reaction!? At his meaningful attitude, Hikari-san is saying things like “Eh, is it for real?”
“Kazu-kun, please be careful not to slip since it’ll be a disaster if you fall.”
“Got it.”
Takahashi gives a short reply while psyching himself up. In a way, he’s in the most important position.
“Alright! Here we go. Go!”
Hikari-san kicks the water surface hard with her right foot.
The spray that swirls up reflects light and falls while sparkling brilliantly.
I press the shutter so as not to miss this miraculous moment. The subject’s movements, the scenery, the water spray – everything changes moment by moment. I capture the constantly fluctuating, endless changes as a single picture.
Takahashi immediately supports Hikari-san as she loses her balance and falls backward. It seems to have succeeded.
“How is it, Yukito-kun?”
I check the photos I took. Perfect. Hikari-san will definitely be satisfied with these.
It’s as if an anime character has jumped straight out of the screen, creating a fantastical atmosphere. A scene spread out like somewhere in another world, not this one.
“We did it, sis!”
“Yes! Great success♪”
Having achieved our objective, we head to the riverbank. The river water is much colder than I expected.
Holiday. We were helping with a photo shoot for Hikari-san, the sister of the refreshing handsome guy.
If the younger brother is an handsome guy, then the sister is also beautiful – that’s the way of the world. Hikari-san is a famous cosplayer in these parts, according to Mineta. Her layer name is simply HIKARI.
We were asked to help create a new photo book, but it was far more authentic and grand than I had imagined. We’re in a forest dyed orange where green and red jostle together.
We spent about two hours shooting in the forest, and next was in the river.
“Shooting is this difficult, huh?”
“Right? Behind the best shot lies effort that can’t be told without tears.”
“I see.”
Splashing up from the river, I wipe my wet feet with a towel. This was seriously tough.
We had been shooting in all sorts of impossible positions in the forest too, but the difficulty jumps up dramatically in the river.
We can’t get the costume wet, and we can’t get the camera wet either. The footing is unstable and slippery. When trying to shoot with dynamic compositions, there’s inevitably the risk of falling.
It might have been tough with just me and the refreshing handsome guy. The success is thanks to Takahashi.
“Thanks, Takahashi.”
“It was fun so it’s fine, but when you said part-time job, I wondered what I’d be made to do…”
“Would you have preferred beating?”
“That’s probably the dangerous kind, right!? Right!?”
Takahashi trembles for some reason. What we’re doing isn’t shady work but Hikari (light)-work, you know?
“Still, it feels good. It’s nice to commune with nature like this once in a while.”
The mega-solar handsome guy stretches his body on the gravel of the riverbank.
“Ew, Kou. You sound like an old man.”
The casual conversation makes me realize anew that they’re siblings. They seem to get along well, which is enviable.
Yuuri-san and I are far from getting along well. We’re like an anteater and ants.
“Hey, Kokonoe. Why was it me? If you were going to invite someone, it didn’t have to be me…”
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Takahashi waits for a moment when I catch my breath to voice his question.
What a strange thing to ask. I can’t help but smile wryly with an expressionless face (advanced technique).
“We’re friends, aren’t we? What other reason would there be?”
The wind carries scents as it blows through. The dry rustling sound of leaves rubbing against each other.
We’re short-handed and there’s something I want help with. In that case, I rely on friends.
“…Kokonoe.”
Perhaps my words resonated, as Takahashi shows a moved expression. And then–
“That’s totally a liiiiiiiiiiiie! That was definitely a lie just now!?”
“Yep.”
“I knew it was a lie!”
Heh, my credibility is just about this level. Speaking of credit, citizens’ credit information is scored by points. Recently, you can even request disclosure online for a fee. Be careful because if you default on credit card payments, it damages your credit information.
“Natsume was worried about you. Said you seemed down.”
“Natsume was?…Hey, so there really was another reason.”
Takahashi shows a puzzled expression, wondering what to do.
Right, one of the reasons I approached Takahashi was also a request from Natsume.
“Do you have some kind of problem?”
Takahashi is in the soccer club and is always bright and cheerful in the classroom. He treats everyone equally and can read the atmosphere. The recent trend of demonizing and vilifying cheerful people is very undesirable.
“Don’t tell me you had a fight with your sister or something?”
“As if. Kitsuka is a really good girl!”
“So you have sister complex…”
Takahashi’s favorability increased. Kitsuka-chan is cute after all.
“Sorry for making you worry, but it’s not really about me…”
While hesitating about how to bring it up, Takahashi begins to speak bit by bit.
–Going back several days.
“Is that so? If that’s the case, I feel a bit more at ease.”
I decided to tell Natsume about the beauty contest that I heard from Student Council President Keido.
It will be announced eventually, but Natsume is a participant in [Mu-chan’s Costume Contest]. Since the nature of the event has changed significantly, it’s good for her to know early.
“A beauty contest is too much for me, and I don’t feel like I can win.”
She laughs self-deprecatingly. That’s not true. I actually thought Natsume had a chance of winning. Natsume is a chubby girl with glasses. That’s where the opportunity lies.
“Just being simply beautiful might not be enough.”
“So stop deciding things on your own. I’ve never once been called beautiful in my life–“
“Enough already! How long are you going to keep complaining! If you’re going to be like that, I don’t mind meeting your parents and politely explaining that their daughter is beautiful!”
“Which one of us is being ‘like that’!?”
Originally, my strategy was this: by displaying Natsume’s before and after diet in a video slideshow with upbeat BGM, I would create the impression that Class B has a beauty who doesn’t lose to Hinagi or Shiori, and win that way. The beauties who win beauty contests are already famous within the school and limited in number. The winning candidates are obvious without even thinking. And according to my research, most of those winning candidates have confirmed they won’t participate in the beauty contest.
The president is the MC, and the ojou-sama Toujou-senpai wouldn’t do such a thing. Among the second-years, both Yuuri-san and the goddess-senpai declared they wouldn’t participate. Due to such circumstances, they expanded the participant framework.
As a result, the nature of the beauty contest changed from a simple beauty contest to an event where stage performances are also important.
Natsume’s impact would be tremendous. However, that alone might not be enough.
“The only thing I’m good at is kendama…”
“That’s incredibly plain…”
It’s admirable as a special skill, but I’m troubled about whether it would contribute to victory.
“We’ll just have to think about this gradually.”
“…Kokonoe-san is seriously aiming for victory, isn’t it?”
“It’s not me, but Eliza–Sakura–Sakurabeth and the others.”
“I’m starting to feel sorry for them.”
Originally, it was this class that incited me. In other words, everyone is an accomplice.
In that case, I’ll have everyone work. I won’t allow anyone to take it easy by themselves.
“–I’ll do it. Either way, my participation has already been decided.”
A strong light dwells in Natsume’s eyes. Despite appearances, she’s a girl with a strong core.
“Come on, Shiori.”
When I snap my fingers, Shiori rushes over with a “bahyun.”
Even though I just did it on impulse, was she reading my actions and waiting for her turn…?
“Let’s work hard together, Natsume-chan!”
“Y-yes! Please take care of me.”
“If you leave the diet to personal trainer Shiori, there’s no problem.”
In the future, Shiori, who has decided to become a nurse, is currently studying intensively. At first glance, this seems like a good thing. However, I remembered what Akane-san had told me before.
I made her decide her future. Originally, there was no need for Shiori to choose her future path so early. Even if she aims to become a nurse, she should discuss it with her parents first.
Getting lost, taking detours, worrying, thinking deeply, and then arriving at the future. These are experiences that should serve as nourishment.
Going straight toward your destination without looking aside isn’t necessarily the right answer.
Both Hinagi and Shiori—I stole away the time they could have remained innocent. I accelerated the clock’s hands, preventing them from staying children. I crushed their opportunity to simply spend precious time as high school students purely.
A usurper. I don’t have any right to be such a thing.
Maybe the reason I want to fulfill my classmates’ wishes is to make amends. For their efforts.
When I was in elementary school, I stubbornly destroyed an entire precious year of my classmates. It wasn’t just Sanjoji-sensei or Himiyama-san. That painful time produced nothing but tragedy.
“What’s wrong, Yuki?”
“It’s nothing. I’m counting on you, Shiori.”
“Yeah! Leave it to me!”
I’m throwing this at her like a capsule monster, but Shiori confidently pounded her chest. It shook violently.
An expression full of joy. Even so, this sudden growth is leading Shiori toward adulthood.
No matter what, my sin remains unchanged. I have no choice but to accept this reality.
“But, Kokonoe-san. Don’t we need to do dietary restrictions?”
“Well, that’s…”
“……Um?”
Shiori and Natsume are confused. Good grief, what a troublesome thing.
“Mihou-kun, Come here for a second!”
“What’s up?”
“Please translate for Yuki!”
“Translate what…?”
“Listen. You see, dieting is supposed to make you healthy, right? There aren’t many overweight college students. And what’s important for exercise is metabolism. Rather, she needs to eat more and grow up healthy.”
“Hey, that’s annoying!”
Even while saying that, he translates properly. This guy seems to be growing day by day too.
“Listen, Natsume. Dietary restrictions are absolutely out of the question. Rebound is scary too, and even without doing such things, you’re attractive, cute, and beautiful. Most importantly, you have a weapon that surpasses Shiori!”
“A weapon…? W-what is that lewd look!?”
“Yuki, sexual harassment is no good!”
“Guhehehehe”
“I don’t want to hear that from Kamishiro-san”
“Eh!? Natsume-chan, that’s cruel!”
“Whose fault is it, whose!”
Scolded by Natsume, Shiori’s ponytail droops dejectedly.
“How can you make such an obviously deliberate look? You’re too skillful, Yukito.”
It’s public information, but Natsume possesses something quite magnificent in class. This was revealed through Shiori’s careless exposure, and Shiori was severely scolded by the girls in class.
Incidentally, she was secretly defended by the boys. I was at the forefront of that.
Natsume is chubby now, but she’ll naturally lose weight as she grows. I hear her usual meal portions are quite normal. With just a little attention, it won’t be difficult to lose weight by the time of the beauty contest.
“But, it’s embarrassing to have photos taken of me as I am now…”
“Don’t say that. This might be the last time we see you like this. Think of it as a commemoration.”
Natsume will become beautiful once she loses weight. Her current appearance and her slim appearance. We’re aiming for victory in the beauty contest with that impact. For that purpose, we’ll capture her current appearance in photos. I’m looking forward to the presentation on stage.
“Let’s blow their minds!”
“That’s… right. I can become beautiful, can’t I… Yes, I’ll do my best!”
Natsume is a literary girl, but she has motivation. Truly promising material.
“I always wonder, what part of this guy is supposed to be introverted?”
“Ahaha”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
“Sorry. Did you wait long?”
In the back seat of a fast-food restaurant, Natsume was waiting while reading a book.
“No, after having Kamishiro-san be so enthusiastic for me, I couldn’t just rest either.”
Natsume smoothly lifted up her book. What she was reading wasn’t a novel but a book about nutrition.
It seems Shiori had taught her a diet plan.
“Shiori has high support capabilities.”
Shiori is the strongest physical girl, but her personality is suited for support rather than front-line, more of a rear-guard type.
She can empathize with people’s pain and stand by them. That was Kamishiro Shiori’s strength and charm.
If Shiori wishes to support others, I should probably encourage that.
“I’m sorry for everything, Kokonoe-san.”
“Guhehehehehehe”
“I’m somehow getting used to that look too.”
“That’s good to hear. In any case, you’ll probably be getting more looks like this from now on.”
“D-don’t tell me you planned this from the beginning?”
“It’s purely perverted feelings.”
“When you say it so clearly, it’s somehow not lewd…”
Natsume seemed fine with the perverted gaze, but suddenly her eyes wavered with anxiety.
“…Can I really become beautiful?”
“Trust me, someone who constantly suffers from woman troubles.”
“Pfft—that’s tremendously convincing.”
Natsume burst out laughing. Usually, Natsume is often reading and isn’t a particularly prominent presence in class, but looking at her like this, she has rich expressions and is full of humor.
“Sorry for forcibly dragging you into this.”
“N-no. Originally, I should be the one thanking you, so please don’t apologize.”
“There’s that, but there’s also what’s to come.”
“What’s to come?”
“Once the beauty contest is over, you’ll really be fawned over. We know the process, but from other classes’ perspective, you’ll be a beautiful girl who suddenly appeared.”
If she becomes a beauty who sweeps the beauty contest victory, she’ll undoubtedly become the center of attention.
When that happens, the number of people of the opposite sex approaching her will inevitably increase, and the quality of gazes directed at her should change from before. Natsume’s value will skyrocket in a single day.
“Those people only care about appearance… But maybe I’m the same way.”
Her voice sank, and Natsume’s expression clouded.
“Um, there’s something I want to consult about!”
At Natsume’s earnest plea, I straightened my posture.
“Is Takahashi troubled about something?”
“Yes. Even when I’m talking with Takahashi-kun, he’s often absent-minded, and in fleeting moments, he makes expressions like he’s thinking about something painful. I’m concerned about that.”
The consultation was about Takahashi. I couldn’t immediately understand this unexpected content.
“I didn’t notice at all. It’s not just your imagination, is it?”
“I wouldn’t misunderstand.”
Natsume declared with conviction. I don’t understand her reasoning.
“Kokonoe-san, you’ll help Takahashi-kun. Right?”
“The progression toward becoming a consultation window is remarkable.”
“Maybe the school will officially recognize it soon.”
“Schools randomly establishing weird clubs only happens in light novels from a decade ago.”
But Takahashi, huh. I have no clue at all. Could he be involved in some incident?
I remembered Sanjoji-sensei’s case, but no matter what, saying the culprit is Takahashi is too much of a stretch.
The crime method was so insidious it could have “nicha” sound effects. In contrast, Takahashi is a genuine extrovert who cares about his sister. The impressions don’t overlap. That possibility is impossible.
“Family illness or something?”
“I casually asked about it, but they’re all in good health.”
Natsume had already eliminated the possibilities I could immediately think of.
“Hmm. I have no choice but to ask him directly.”
“Please do. I think he probably won’t talk to me, a girl.”
“That’s fine, but…”
Natsume sadly cast her eyes down. Seeing her like that raised questions.
“Why is Natsume so concerned about Takahashi?”
“Kokonoe-san, you’re usually sharp, but you’re dense about these things. Because I—”
Blushing, she shows a smile like a blooming flower. Heh. So that’s how it is.
“Seriously?”
“Takahashi-kun and I went to the same elementary and middle schools. We were in the same class several times, and before I knew it, I was following him with my eyes. I realized this was my first love a long time ago.”
I’m not cruel enough to order french fries at this moment. I listen silently.
“I never thought about confessing. I just couldn’t have confidence in myself…”
What I heard from Natsume was, surprisingly, romantic consultation. It’s completely become my life’s work.
Natsume apparently likes Takahashi. When she was made fun of by classmates for being fat in elementary school, it was Takahashi who protected her. After that, he looked after Natsume in various ways, protecting her from intangible malice. Takahashi probably has good caretaking skills since he has a younger sister.
It’s sufficient reason for a girl to fall in love. Natsume had always kept her feelings in her heart, but feeling inferior about herself, she couldn’t find the courage to convey her feelings and became a high school student.
“So in the end, It’s no better, huh?”
“Yes. If People approach because I became beautiful. While I detest such partners who judge only by appearance, if I really become beautiful and can have confidence, I want him to know these feelings. It’s contradictory, isn’t it? In that case, I’m the same as the people I hate.”
Self-imposed bondage. Struggling in invisible fear. She can’t confess as she is now.
However, confessing because she became beautiful might also be nothing more than looking only at appearance. Two sides of the same coin. Natsume was harboring such gloomy anguish.
It’s a troubling story, but she’s loved so single-mindedly. An inviolable sanctuary.
Becoming beautiful, gaining confidence, and confessing. I think that would be fine, but that inability to be satisfied might be what first love is, and the pure feelings Natsume has cherished.
—If you harbor feelings for a long time, they become that much more complicated.
Suddenly, I remember Shiori. No matter how much I pushed her away, no matter how much I told her I hated her, there was nothing I could do. Unchangeable emotions. Shiori would not accept my decision made with her happiness in mind. Even if she knew it might make her unhappy.
“Well, maybe Takahashi feels the same way.”
“The same?”
“Yeah. If there’s someone who likes you, don’t you think they’d think the same thing? If you confess now, they’ll think you confessed because you became beautiful.”
The more you like someone, the more you hesitate. Maybe they’d avert their eyes from the dazzling results Natsume achieved. Because humans are weak creatures who can’t endure purity.
“…There’s no such person.”
“You don’t know. At least, if Takahashi accepts your confession, surely he wouldn’t want to be thought of as accepting it because you became beautiful.”
“It’s my fault for not having courage earlier.”
Natsume puts her mouth to the straw while looking down. The paper straw with poor durability is unreliable.
While it’s called romantic consultation, in any case, only Takahashi can face Natsume’s feelings.
“Speaking of which, have you ever read time leap stories?”
“Time leap? Yes, several times.”
Going back in time, redoing the past. Living without regret. Using knowledge and experience from before the redo to obtain happiness and reclaim what was lost. Such stories are popular.
“Do you want to time leap?”
“Let’s see. If such a thing were possible, if I could return to the past, instead of just crying, I could decide earlier and become someone not embarrassing… I think so, but…”
“Then, if you time leap to the past from now, what would you do when the time-leaped you surpasses your current age? Everything beyond that is unknown to you. You don’t know what will happen. There are no answers. Or what if, after time leaping, the person you ended up with dies from illness or accident? Your family might face misfortune. That target might be yourself. Could you live your post-time leap life without any regrets? When things become inconvenient, when you’re in trouble, wouldn’t you wish to time leap again? Clinging to the miracle you once obtained?”
“That’s…”
There’s no SAVE & LOAD in life. We live in irreversible time.
Even if you make the wrong choice, you can’t conveniently start over each time.
“There’s no hope in the past. In the end, we have no choice but to desperately live the present without regret.”
“Kokonoe-san, have you never regretted anything?”
“Well, you see, my regret is being born into this world.”
Sorry, Mom, big sister, for being born.
“It’s because you make statements like that that Kokonoe-san constantly suffers, isn’t it?”
For some reason, Natsume is giving me bewildered eyes exactly like Goddess-senpai. …W-why?
“…I see, so that’s how it was. I finally understand. Why I felt this way. Why I wanted to have courage now. Why I nodded at Kokonoe-san’s proposal. Even though I was so afraid of exposing my hidden feelings.”
Natsume’s expression crumbles. Her good foundation really shows. Even as she is now, she’s attractive and cute.
“Yes, I was admiring it. Because that’s how it is around Kokonoe-san. Suzurikawa-san and Kamishiro-san too, they don’t lie about their feelings, they all seriously pursue their ideals to avoid regret. Dazzling, sparkling, moving forward even while getting hurt. I hated my cowardly self. So I wanted to change, thinking maybe it would be okay to enter the beauty contest.”
She squeezes her eyes shut. Taking a deep breath, she slowly opens her eyelids. In Natsume’s eyes dwells the same blazing radiance as Hinagi and Shiori. Those are the eyes of someone who has made up their mind. A noble soul that will carry through unchangeable feelings.
“A performance might be necessary. Kokonoe-san, you said that, didn’t you?”
I nod. I’m overwhelmed by Natsume’s intensity. There’s a saying, “A man should be looked at with fresh eyes after three days apart,” but when witnessing the moment someone achieves surprising growth, gender doesn’t matter.
The impact is more than sufficient. But even so, there’s a possibility it won’t reach the summit.
No one knows how the judging results will turn out. Who the goddess of victory will smile upon.
“I’ll confess to Takahashi-kun on stage.”
“You…”
I was stunned by the powerful declaration. A spine-tingling shock ran through my entire body.
An unwavering resolve. Not something just anyone could do. Laying everything bare and waiting for judgment.
Exposing the cowardly heart she had kept hidden until now, desperately seeking love with reckless abandon.
On the day itself, the venue would surely be in an uproar. No one could match Natsume’s determination.
Any performance would pale in comparison, reduced to a mere opening act before her brilliant radiance.
I felt respect for Natsume. Could love really make a person this strong?
The strength I yearned for endlessly. The strength I couldn’t obtain. The strength I was no match for.
“–I’ll have to give it my all in return.”
I didn’t know what answer Takahashi would give. But Natsume had shown it. Her resolve.
“Even someone like me has feelings I want to convey.”
No matter how much she put herself down, Natsume was undeniably a wonderful woman everyone acknowledged. I envied Takahashi.
“To lay the groundwork, let’s also think of ways to win over Takahashi’s little sister. First, bribery.”
“Why are you trying to start with such a dangerous method?”
We’d been talking for a while, but anyway, the priority was deepening her relationship with Takahashi.
“Natsume, do you have the courage?”
“Yes.”
“Enough to go to a yakiniku restaurant alone?”
“Eh? That’s a bit embarrassing, or rather…”
This Natsume diet project. There’s a perfect person for the job.
The complex emotions Natsume harbored, both the process and the results—there was only one person who could handle it all.
“I’m putting Takahashi in charge of your diet project.”
“Me with Takahashi-kun? That joke was–“
“Shiori and I will give you maximum advice, so work hard together, you two!”
“Why? Why suddenly with Takahashi-kun–!”
The added excitement would surely boost the diet’s effectiveness.
“With this, we’ve got the beauty contest victory in the bag.”
“Um, are you listening, Kokonoe-san? Being with Takahashi-kun, I don’t know what to do… Hey, what does this mean? Kokonoe-san? Hey, Kokonoe-saaaaaaaan!?”
Suddenly, I realized a grave oversight.
“Oh no, Natsume. We need to leave here right now! If Takahashi spots us together, he might get the wrong idea. You wouldn’t want him to suddenly become distant and cold starting tomorrow, would you? Actually, Takahashi might be preparing a present for you.”
“That kind of development you’d find in web novels doesn’t happen so easily!”
“But those situations always get resolved quickly if the two people just talk it out, right?”
“Why don’t you ever reflect on yourself, Kokonoe-san!?”
The reason childhood friends consistently lose in current romantic comedies is the manifestation of an indelible distrust toward the absolute existence of the convenient childhood friend—Huh!? What on earth was I thinking…?
“You were definitely thinking something ridiculous just now, weren’t you?”
“Natsume, you’re… good at comebacks too…”
“Don’t be impressed!”
After returning home, I contacted Takahashi about becoming the supervisor for Natsume’s diet project.
Though confused, he agreed, so it should be fine. He really is considerate.
When I told Natsume about this, she replied with “Moooooo!” and a barrage of cow stamps.
You seem to have more composure than expected, don’t you?
Just a few days after that scene, I decided to approach Takahashi this time.
“It’s not really that big a deal. I’m just troubled about something with the soccer club…”
While choosing his words carefully about how to explain, Takahashi began telling me the situation.
Despite being a first-year, Takahashi was a promising star who could aim for a regular position on the soccer team.
That itself was something to celebrate, but Takahashi making the regular team meant some players would be pushed out. Though nobody said it openly, friction was beginning to emerge.
“Honestly, as long as we could have fun, I’d be fine either way.”
It was a difficult problem. For instance, if this were a prestigious soccer school, a merit-based system would be fine.
But Shoyou High School, where we attended, wasn’t necessarily like that. A discrepancy in the direction we should aim for.
“So you’re being resented… That’s troublesome.”
“I was close with Kimura-senpai. …So I can’t stand the current atmosphere. Besides, Kimura-senpai isn’t the type to be jealous. He’s suffering from something else, and because of that–“
He was losing his composure. Seeing Takahashi’s downcast expression, I wondered what could be done.
Unbearable emotions. Delicate and easily hurt. We were living our youth.
“What are you two talking about over there?”
The refreshing handsome guy showed his face, approaching cheerfully—or rather, sparkling.
“Do you know Kimura-senpai, a second-year?”
“Kimura-senpai? I’ve heard the name. Isn’t he quite capable?”
Recently, to win at the sports festival, he’d been actively gathering information about other classes, so the refreshing handsome guy seemed to recognize the name. Apparently quite capable.
“That’s why I don’t know what to do.”
It wasn’t simple jealousy. If it stemmed from personal circumstances, we couldn’t pry too deeply.
Whether time would resolve it, or if he was facing some difficult situation—it was impossible to imagine the reason. If Takahashi didn’t understand, someone like me was completely out of the question.
“Sorry for worrying you.”
Takahashi bowed his head apologetically. He probably liked Kimura-senpai.
To worry this much about a senior showed what a kind man he was. No wonder Natsume had fallen for him.
“You should tell Natsume about this kind of thing.”
“Right… yeah. I’ll contact her later.”
Trampling through Kimura-senpai’s private life uninvited wasn’t permitted.
It wasn’t a problem for someone like me, with no relationship to the situation, to thoughtlessly stick my nose into.
Having brought up the topic with Takahashi myself, I felt powerless at being unable to help at all.
Unraveling the complexity of human relationships was difficult. Because Takahashi understood this, he was waiting. For the situation to change. We could only hope that day would come soon.
“Cheer up. Here, today’s part-time pay. Thanks for helping out.”
Hikari-san handed over a small envelope. Cash payment in this day and age. Kind of refreshing…
“I-Is this much really okay!?”
Takahashi was surprised after checking the contents. Calculated hourly, it far exceeded Tokyo’s minimum wage.
“You came along on the expedition, so this much is natural. When the new publication is finished, I’ll have Kou bring it to you, so look forward to that too. I’ll properly include your name in the credits.”
“Amazing. This’ll be a lifelong memento…”
My eyes met with the refreshing handsome guy’s. Ugh, we communicated telepathically. Gross!
“Takahashi, use this to treat Tachibana-chan to something delicious.”
“I was just helping my sister too.”
We each handed over the envelopes we’d received from Hikari-san to Takahashi.
“But this is what you two earned, right?”
He shook his head, declining politely. I-Is this what they call manliness…!
“It’s fine. I’m not troubled with the 1.03 million yen barrier.”
“I’m not good with complicated topics…”
“Listen up. Even if you say 1.6 million, that’s a tiered system, and the tax reduction effect is at most–“
It’s an extremely stupid system where four new barriers are created based on income–
“Shut up, idiot. Kazunari, don’t worry about it and just accept it. My wallet’s pretty warm right now.”
For some reason, the refreshing handsome guy’s persuasion won over my detailed explanation. Unacceptable…
“Maybe I’ll buy new sneakers…”
Takahashi was considering how to spend his part-time earnings. Shopping would be good stress relief too.
“Still, earning this much in such a short time would mess up your sense of money.”
“It’s the Hikari part-time job!”
Hikari-san said that herself…
“Oh right. There’s something I wanted to ask Hikari-san about.”
“What what? Want to know my three sizes?”
I smiled wryly. Too many people around me made these kinds of responses, and I was getting sick of it.
After receiving sexual harassment day and night continuously like me, you inevitably build up resistance.
“Haha. The one I want to know about is Chisa-san.”
“Eh, you’re after my mother!?”
“Hey now, Yukito. Don’t say things that give me goosebumps!”
The refreshing handsome guy was going through puberty too. Yeah, yeah. I understand the feeling of embarrassment.
“Well, jokes aside.”
“To make me shudder with just one sentence… Yukito-kun, what a terrifying child!”
“I don’t want to call Yukito ‘father’…”
The Mihou siblings took major damage from just a light jab. Oops, getting off track.
“Hikari-san knows a lot about photography, right? Can composite or fabricated photos be made easily? Not just editing or processing level, but completely from scratch.”
“What what? Planning to misuse it? That’s not okay, Yukito-kun!”
After being scolded with a “No!” by Hikari-san, I explained the situation while withholding personal names.
“Yukito. The moment I take my eyes off you, you get involved in troublesome situations…”
“Sigh. You really are as turbulent as Kou said.”
Receiving pitying looks, Takahashi comforted me. What a good guy!
“But, well. Maybe, just maybe…”
Hikari-san, the photography expert, put her hand to her chin. She might have an idea.
Invisible malice was being directed at her, and Sanjoji-sensei was spending her days in fear.
If it could lead to a solution, any information would be useful right now.
“It’s a horrible era. With AI, you can do anything.”
“AI?”
I parroted back the word that came from Hikari-san’s mouth.
“I probably think I’m being victimized too, but there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“You too, Hikari-san?”
“Well, doing such conspicuous work, I’d probably be targeted, wouldn’t I?”
It was a bolt from the blue. Having no knowledge about it, I was simply amazed by technological progress.
What Hikari-san taught me was how to create images using AI.
Its degree of freedom was incomparable to anything from the past. Deepfakes. When I looked it up, numerous news articles appeared. All were malicious and had apparently developed into major problems worldwide.
“Aside from someone in my line of work, nowadays everyone immediately uploads photos to social media, right? They have zero crisis awareness, so it wouldn’t be strange if they became perfect targets.”
“Ugh. What’s that, gross.”
Takahashi looked disgusted. The refreshing handsome guy also had a stern expression.
“You don’t even need source images for that?”
“That’s right. If you make AI learn a face, then you can do whatever you want afterward. Scary, right?”
“Isn’t that too much of a lawless zone?”
Once you make it learn, it becomes modern alchemy that creates something from nothing.
“Unless it becomes public, no one notices such things, and there’s no way to deal with it.”
Hikari-san shrugged her shoulders. When she put it that way, she was absolutely right. Even if production were prohibited, there’d be no way to monitor it unless it leaked externally. Conversely, if it did leak, it would become a fatal risk. The images sent to Sanjoji-sensei were absolutely inexcusable.
“What’s fun about that…”
“If something like that gets spread around as harassment, sensitive people might not be able to endure it.”
Hikari-san looked serious. Considering how haggard Sanjoji-sensei had become, it was extremely dangerous. If those fangs turned toward students, they might even take their own lives.
“If there’s someone suffering, please try to help them somehow. Probably, that’s something only Yukito-kun can do. Those on the side living in fear find it difficult to maintain the will to fight.”
“Yes.”
The situation might be more urgent than I had imagined. My sense of crisis increased.
While my mental strength was as strong as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, making me invincible, if we didn’t resolve this quickly, no matter how brave Sanjoji-sensei tried to act, there was no telling what might happen to her.
“Thank you for the education.”
“Yukito-kun, you shouldn’t bottle everything up by yourself either, okay? Kou?”
“I understand. I won’t let him be alone.”
The siblings both seemed to be worrywarts. But AI, huh. Was such a thing really possible?
“Kokonoe. You said it earlier, right? We’re friends. If you’re in trouble, tell me.”
Takahashi turned a serious gaze toward me. Sigh. Every single one of them—too virtuous.
“Then, Takahashi. Please do something about the student council president.”
“That’s impossible.”
An immediate answer. Isn’t that too heartless!?
“Here, say ‘ahh.'”
“Ahh.”
A peeled sweet chestnut was tossed into my mouth. Munch munch. Sweet and delicious.
After getting hints from Hikari-san, I decided to try for myself whether it was really possible to freely create images using AI. Fortunately, plenty of materials on the subject were available.
The very fact itself was proof that it was possible.
“Here, say ‘ahh.'”
“Ahh.”
When I actually tried it, it was disappointingly simple. Generating images in a basic way required no knowledge. You could even do it in a browser. It took less than ten seconds.
On the other hand, if you wanted to freely decide everything from composition onwards, you needed some knowledge. Even so, it was just specifying conditions and inputting code, and if you were somewhat used to the operations, it wouldn’t take much time. After trial and error, even I, who had studied for just a few days, could output certain results.
For such an experiment, I certainly couldn’t use someone else’s photos.
“…Can you tell the difference with this?”
I stared intently at the printed image. If shown without any prior knowledge, there would be no room for doubt.
The subject—me—blended in without any sense of incongruity. Only someone with the skills of a chick sexer could see through this as fake. Even imported brand knockoffs from overseas were easier to distinguish. If I had to say something, the me in the photo had more varied expressions than the real thing. Conversely, it seemed suspicious.
“Here, say ‘ahh.'”
“Ahh.”
Delicate fingertips pushed in a peeled sweet chestnut. Munch munch. I’m getting thirsty…
“Hey, Yukito-kun. What’s that?”
Himiyama-san, who had been clinging to me and observing from beside me, asked a belated question.
Because her voice could be heard right next to my ear, her sweet breath created feedback that stimulated my brain.
“The image itself has no meaning, but I’m impressed that even a beginner like me could achieve this quality.”
That’s exactly what AI’s advantage is. It doesn’t rely on technique. Leave the difficult stuff to machines.
I sigh and complete the task. If it required advanced skills, the perpetrators would be limited, but if it’s this easy, anyone could be the culprit. Identification would be extremely difficult. My heart feels heavy.
Oh, I forgot to mention—right now, I’m in what’s called Himiyama-san’s house, also known as a minefield danger zone.
For me, it’s like a tiger’s den in this world of reversed chastity, but generative AI requires a certain level of computer specs. That’s why I ended up asking Himiyama-san, who had previously purchased an excessively high-performance computer through the violence of budget, to lend me her power.
I definitely can’t do this kind of work at home. It’s clear as day that they’d start talking about making new posters and interfere with my work. Currently, it’s the Succubus Three Sisters edition. Sisters, really.
Compared to that, Himiyama-san’s kindness permeates my five organs and six bowels. At most, she just stuffs sweet chestnuts into my mouth at regular intervals. I’m getting thirsty… Could I have some cold tea, please?
“Huh? The mouse stopped working…”
I try clicking around, but it doesn’t respond at all.
“Click-clack.”
I try saying it myself, but the mouse still doesn’t react.
“What’s wrong, Yukito-kun?”
When I flip the mouse over, the blue light has gone out. It’s a cordless wireless type, so the battery is dead. Optical mice also come with red LEDs, but in the case of blue LEDs, they’re called BlueLED mice and are characterized by high reading precision.
“It seems the battery is dead.”
“Oh, really? Wait a moment. I’ll replace it right away.”
Himiyama-san quickly stands up and takes out AA batteries from a small container.
“That’s right! I have a present for Yukito-kun.”
“That’s obviously something you just thought of right now with that tacked-on statement.”
I can’t stop the energetic Himiyama-san, so ignoring her is my only choice.
For some reason, Himiyama-san starts taking off her top and sits on my lap facing me.
“I accidentally found this online the other day. There are goods like this, right?”
“Can you not say anything more about that?”
“Oppai Mousepad”
“Who the heck would be crazy enough to use the real thing?!”
I Am. But I use a fake made of silicone…
Boing boing. Warm and soft. Th-this is the real Oppai Mousepad!
“Now, Yukito-kun. Can you resist this bouncy temptation?”
The first human in the world to be provoked by a Oppai Mousepad—that’s me, Yukito Kokonoe.
“Hah! If you’re that confident, I’ll show you I can resist!”
Day and night, as part of my mental training regimen, my household is rampant with sexual harassment. But it’s purely for spiritual discipline—there’s not even a speck of impure intent from Mom or Big Sis. Having achieved a thousand days of mantra-chanting, harassment-enduring pilgrimage, I have no blind spots.
Hah! I grab the Oppai Mousepad firmly with both hands.
“Yukito-kun!? Could it be, you’re finally getting serious—”
“I’ll allow you to flee from the enemy right now.”
“Don’t mock me! I absolutely won’t give in!”
Himiyama-san, full of enthusiasm, is acting like a heroine captured by the enemy.
It seems she’s underestimating me. But how long can that smug, composed face hold up?
Due to the failure of the Three Lives, One Body Law, the [Rub-It-All-You-Want Private Property Law] was enacted.
This is a law stating, “Newly tilled breasts are permanently recognized as private property.” Poor Himiyama-san, if this continues, she’ll be permanently owned by me. She must be trembling inside.
“What’s wrong? You’re shaking, aren’t you? Are you scared of being tilled?”
“Ugh! Even if my body is claimed, I want my heart to be claimed too!”
Huh?
“Isn’t that the part where you’re supposed to deny it…?”
“My body and my heart belong to you, Yukito-kun! ♡”
And so, the tilling progressed, and I ended up being taxed by Himiyama-san. …Wait, what?
This is why you can’t trust nobles!
“Sorry for interrupting your work.”
“Now, shall we check which is more sensitive—right-click or left-click?”
The birth of the world’s first talking mousepad. This is the true power of Cool Japan!
I silently operate the mouse. It works perfectly. The precision is insane!?
“No, stop, Yukito-kun! Ohh! Don’t click there!”
“Let’s try scrolling back and forth.”
“No, stop, Yukito-kun! Ohh! Don’t wheel there!”
Himiyama-san lets out sultry, seductive moans. I’ll master this thing no matter what!
“Uwoooooh!”
Click click click click click. I rapid-fire click the jiggly thing.
Needless to say, no work got done at all.
“I’m going crazy from all this clicking! ♡”
“Wait, you were normal up until now?”
How terrifying. I can’t even imagine what would happen if she got any weirder.
“I’ve got some delicious udon prepared too. Let’s eat together later, okay?”
“You got that idea from that infamous commercial, didn’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
Come on, Mom and Big Sis were doing the same thing! Your thought processes are identical!
I’m not from Kagawa Prefecture. I’m sick of udon already!
“You never come to hang out, Yukito-kun, so I got lonely.”
“Sorry, you seemed busy.”
Himiyama-san pouts while peeling chestnuts. The rhythmic crack crack sound echoes.
“Here, say ‘Ahh.’”
“Ahh.”
Is this some new kind of torture? For upsetting her, I’m sentenced to continuous chestnut-peeling punishment.
“I appreciate your consideration, but when we don’t meet, my motivation drops, and so does my efficiency.”
“I feel like you say that every time, but that system is definitely broken.”
Himiyama-san, of the Sentou tribe, has an affection gauge that infinitely rises past its limit, but it’s bad if it interferes with her studies. On the other hand, if I visit too often, I’ll be teetering between life and death.
“I’m thirsty.”
“Oh, you’re right. Sorry for not being more attentive. Is Milk okay?”
“Is she really not being attentive…?”
The mysteries never end. Himiyama-san is currently studying hard to return to the classroom.
Betting on her comeback and charging toward her goal, Himiyama-san is brighter and more vibrant than when we first met. Her energetic, full-throttle approach to life is beautiful.
I don’t run into her in town as often anymore, and I visit less frequently, but I’m cheering for her more than anyone. I know she’ll become an amazing teacher again someday.
“Yukito-kun, I want some too.”
I can’t believe I turned Himiyama-san into my chestnut-peeling assistant.
“Thank you very much. I’ve reached a good stopping point, so I’m okay for now.”
I shut down the computer and turn off the power. I made progress, but I can’t exactly celebrate.
Feeling a bit downcast, I can’t just stay gloomy. I need to figure out how to handle this…
Crack crack. Peeling chestnuts is surprisingly fun. I get absorbed in it.
“Are you going to peel my chestnuts?”
“Well, they’re pretty hard as is.”
I’m not a squirrel; I can’t just chomp through shells. I’m not a rodent!
“You’re going to peel my chestnuts?”
“Yeah, I’ll peel them.”
“Then say, ‘I’ll peel Himiyama-san’s chestnuts.’”
She leans her face on my shoulder, pleading. Hasn’t she learned the importance of keeping a safe distance!?
“Himiyama-san’s chestnuts, I’ll peel them.”
“Peel them gently, okay?”
Her glossy lips part slowly, revealing a decadent, sweet silhouette.
“Here, say ‘Ahh.’”
“Ahh.”
I pop a peeled chestnut into Himiyama-san’s mouth. She even licks my finger.
“The chestnuts Yukito-kun peeled for me are so delicious! ♪”
“Can I ask why you’re deliberately using suggestive phrasing?”
“Ufufu. You want me to say something that embarrassing? I’d get shy!”
“She might be doing it on purpose, but from my perspective, she’s definitely doing it on purpose.”
The misuse police will arrest her soon. She’s not shy—she’s brazen!
“But, Yukito-kun, why did you suddenly want to use the computer?”
Himiyama-san, having come to her senses, has doubts. Honestly, it’s too late, but an explanation is essential.
I explain the situation to Himiyama-san. Since she’s cooperating with me like this, I never intended to hide it from her. Even Sanjoji-sensei needs allies. Someone absolutely trustworthy.
Himiyama-san admires Sanjoji-sensei, and the three of us are connected by a strange bond.
“—So that’s the situation. She seems to be mentally affected too, so we need to do something.”
“That’s horrible… To disparage Ryoka-sensei like that.”
Her complexion quickly turns bad, and her expression clouds over. She’s someone she respects. She can’t treat it as someone else’s problem.
At this outrageous act that tramples on dignity, the usually gentle Himiyama-san shows indignation.
“—I understand the method somewhat now. All that’s left is to find the culprit.”
That’s the most difficult part, but there’s no time to just sit around and watch. We need to resolve this as quickly as possible.
Sanjoji-sensei must be growing more anxious too. We can’t just stay calm.
“Can’t you leave it to the police?”
“She doesn’t want to make a big deal of it yet. We don’t know if there will be more incidents in the future.”
Of course, we considered consulting the police. It’s clearly criminal behavior that crosses the line.
As Hikari-san said, as long as it’s for personal use, there’s no way to get caught. But if you send it to someone else, it’s no joke. We can’t just turn a blind eye.
The victim wasn’t even a student. There was no reason for the school to deliberately minimize it.
Nevertheless, we decided to hold back for now. Not the best strategy, but the second-best.
Sanjoji-sensei, Sayuri-sensei, and I discussed it and decided that if something like this happens again, we’ll file a damage report. If that happens, the culprit should eventually be caught and the matter resolved.
“The reason you didn’t do that immediately—is because the culprit might be a student, right?”
“You’re absolutely right. Adults aren’t the only ones who commit wrongdoing.”
The worst-case scenario. If that happens, expulsion would be inevitable, and the incident would surely be widely reported.
Given that I was used for Sanjoji-sensei’s deepfake, it’s a possibility.
If it develops into a sensational situation, there’s no doubt it would leave lasting scars.
“If it’s just a prankster, that’s fine. But if there’s some dark malice behind it—”
Unless we do something about it, Sanjoji-sensei’s feelings won’t clear up. She’ll remain suspicious and paranoid, with resentment lingering forever. To stand proudly and confidently, dispelling the darkness is the only solution.
“It’s presumptuous of me to say this, but—”
Himiyama-san gently embraces me. Pleading, wavering eyes.
“Please help Ryoka-sensei.”
“Yes.”
I’ll definitely expose the culprit. I swear on Sekka-san’s name!
Sorry for using your name without permission. I’ll email you directly later.
***
“Hey, Yukito-kun. I’m scared.”
“About the pension eligibility age being raised? Macro economic slide is basically fraud, isn’t it?”
Unable to sit still, I was embracing the boy in front of me.
Without my knowledge, Yukito-kun was once again fighting against reality steeped in malice.
Such a cruel and cowardly method. Blood drips from the sharpness of the cutting blade.
Ryoka-sensei’s heart is screaming. I understand because I’m the same way.
In front of harsh reality where even breathing becomes difficult, being next to him, pure as the azure sky, is so saving. The pure white of falling light bleaches the heart.
“Only you can help Ryoka-sensei…”
Only he holds the key. Only Yukito-kun can grant Ryoka-sensei forgiveness.
With that key, gently open the door stored deep in my chest and touch the feelings I’ve kept hidden.
Even though I usually say fluffy things, he always extends a helping hand.
At the bottom of a swamp sunk in despair, only that hand cuts through the dark night and delivers bright light.
—I want to cling to it. That purity sharpened to the extreme.
Because he’s strong. His spirit more than anyone else’s is at heights beyond human knowledge.
“You’ve been complete since long ago. No one can threaten that mentality of yours. But that’s exactly why I’m scared. I’m afraid that your heart, caught in the crossfire, will someday become exhausted.”
There’s no way he wouldn’t be tired. He must be feeling fatigue. He just doesn’t notice the wear.
Acting for someone’s sake, desperately trying to save someone. Not hoping for reward, not harboring hope, deviating after the extremes of devotion. A trickster impossible to imitate. But—
“Even so, I do pay attention to my health. I go to bed early and wake up early.”
“Behind that armor you wear, you’re worn down and abraded beyond repair.”
Like a house eaten by termites, steadily killing that gentle heart. The price of lost value.
The unbalanced equilibrium of spirit and heart causes collapse. We must prevent that.
The precious oasis I found in the desert that fills me. I absolutely won’t let it dry up.
I’ve never loved someone this deeply before. So precious, it overflows.
“—I want to be your sacred tree.”
A place where you can rest when you’re tired, where I can heal you—that kind of existence.
“Aren’t you already? Otherwise I wouldn’t visit so often.”
With just one sentence, he easily kicks away my reason. —Such a bad boy.
“You’re what they mean by a dangerously charming man, aren’t you? …I’m holding back even now. You understand, don’t you?”
“Gender equality has finally come this far…”
The hand embracing tightens with strength. Exchanging body heat so the heightened heartbeat can be felt.
“Even if everything in this world becomes your enemy, I’ll remain your ally.”
“Himiyama-san might be too kind to be suited for teaching.”
Why?—I can only be kind because you’re here.
As if seeing through such emotions, Yukito-kun groans.
“When I do something bad, you need to scold me or I’ll be in trouble.”
“Fufu. That’s an impossible request. When that happens, let’s get scolded together.”
“Uwah, what a hopeless adult!”
I don’t mind being a hopeless adult. I can’t put on airs in front of you.
“Come on, let’s eat. There’s still plenty more. You like them, don’t you? My chestnuts. You want to peel them, right?”
“If you don’t stop this, I’ll report you for sexual harassment. Hello, Goddess-sensei? I’m being sexually harassed right now, and I can sue for this, right? Eh, I’m doing it to Goddess-sensei too?”
Yukito-kun seems to be calling to report the harassment, but was promptly rejected.
“Seems like I can’t talk about others.”
“Good, we’re both guilty. Now we can flirt to our heart’s content.”
“Eh, that was you holding back?”
I eat sweet chestnuts alongside the puzzled Yukito-kun. For me, that’s very precious time.
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