The Clean Hands Doctrine. In a modern society that values good faith and sincerity, someone with a “scar on their shin” (a guilty conscience) cannot receive official relief.
 
“And for those ‘outcasts,’ we, the Literature Club, serve as the final fortress… the safety net!!”
 
That was the Club President’s definition, overflowing with self-affirmation. I wondered how many people would actually be convinced by that explanation.
 
To me, it felt no different than a cult rebranding itself as a self-help seminar, but the devout Shishihara pressed her hands together as if gazing upon a Bodhisattva. “Wow, so … Read the rest

“Ahaha♪ If it’s a ‘no,’ it’s a ‘no’ ♡”
 
The person adding fuel to the fire was her. The woman lounging in the “President’s chair” with her back to the window looked truly entertained.
 
Her name is Saiin Sakuya. Her mature features were very well-proportioned, and her glossy, straight black hair highlighted her extraordinary nature. Whether it was her chest, which looked cramped despite the blouse being the right size, or her long, slender legs wrapped in stockings—even though there was little skin exposed, she exuded a sense of bewitching allure.
 
To put it simply, she … Read the rest

Chapter 1: The Law of Cute = X

---

 
Truth is stranger than fiction. This stems from a line left by a British poet.
 
It’s a proverb widely recognized in Japan as well, and I see—a senpai who looks like a succubus, a cat-like gyaru, or a mermaid-like honor student, a snow-woman-like teacher… I can’t introduce them all here, but there are many others.
 
It’s been about half a century since mysterious phenomena, which are [slightly milder] versions of original fables and legends, began to be confirmed among some young people. They are called “Myudents,” and depending on their symptoms, they … Read the rest

“Oh, those black ones? They’re all made by Ricchan. I taught her how to fold them!”
 
I was now 100% sure Ricchan hated me.
 
“You two patch things up?”
 
“Oh, right! It was kinda nerve-wracking, but I didn’t run or make excuses—just told her how I felt straight up. And then she was like, ‘I like your current hairstyle better,’ and complimented me!”
 
“That’s great.”
 
“Yup! So from now on, I’m gonna fully commit to chasing my own brand of cuteness!”
 
A girl who declares without hesitation. She really is strong. Shishihara was originally … Read the rest

Epilogue – I Might Not Become a Myth, but…
 

 
Lately, even I think I’ve been trying pretty hard. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’ve earned a place in heaven, but maybe I’ve done enough good deeds to get tossed a spider’s thread if I ever fell into hell.
 
So, I’m about to tell a pretty pathetic aftermath. Please don’t laugh, okay?
 
First off, just a few minutes after getting slapped by that girl at the spa resort, I finally realized I couldn’t lift my right arm at all. Once the adrenaline wore off, … Read the rest

“It’s not an excuse, but… I was jealous of Saku-senpai.”
 
I took that to mean she envied her free-spirited way of living.
 
“Because she has someone like you, Komori-kun, who really understands her.”
 
But it seemed I was quite a bit off.
 
“I don’t have anyone like that. Someone who just gets me, who’ll take my side when I’m in trouble. I was so jealous, I wanted some of that too—maybe even steal it from her if I could. I’ve had my eye on you since first year.”
 
That was a surprisingly heavy confession.
 
“The way you said that makes … Read the rest

“Could you at least tell us what floor they went to?”
 
“Uh, um… I believe it was room 203…”
 
“Thank you.”
 
Saku-senpai headed straight for the stairs. I followed quickly.
 
“W-Was that… just now…?”
 
“Don’t ask. I’m not exactly in control of it right now… Ah!”
 
We reached the second floor—and saw it. At the end of the hallway, three bulky men. One of them grabbing Maihama by the arm. “Stop it, please!” she shouted.
 
Something inside me snapped. This was insane. Completely messed up.
 
“…Saku-senpai, please stay here.”
 
She said … Read the rest

“……So, Takizawa-kun will disguise himself appropriately and hit on Maihama-san while she’s working part-time. The virtual setting is, needless to say, a dangerous person with crazy eyes who approaches her like [I saw your SNS…… you’re cute…… you’re a high schooler?]”
 
It’s really too dangerous and makes my hair stand on end.
 
“So I just need to scare her with all my might, right~ understood!”
 
Takizawa gets motivated saying “I’m getting fired up.” It’s a mystery what motivates him to live.
 
“But this guy is a classmate after all. Even if he disguises himself, won’t he … Read the rest

“Jeez, this is a classic near-miss scenario, right? With goggles and a mask, you can’t feel the smell or the wind, so you end up dragging others into it…”
 
“But why would you even do this with someone in the room!?”
 
“I couldn’t help it. I suddenly wanted to paint Shadow Fox gold.”
 
“You’ll lose the whole ‘Shadow’ part if it’s gold! You’re just turning it into a regular fox!”
 
While I gasped in pain from the fumes and aching throat, she chuckled, her shoulders shaking with amusement. I couldn’t see her mouth, but I knew … Read the rest