Chapter 5: The Effect of His Resolution is...
Translator: Skythewood
After allying with Yuu-kun, the weekend passed and it’s now Monday.
「Morning everyone!」
I greet loudly after opening the classroom door.
This is the first time I’m doing this, after all, I’m not this type of character.
However… I decided to change!
A few classmates look my way, then lost interest and look away… But they turn back away once again. The others notice, and cast incredulous gazes my way. In the end, the entire class look surprised without exception.
A moment of silence, then the place turned rowdy. Everyone is shocked by how I changed. Or rather, it will be troubling for me if they didn’t. After all, this is a display of my determination.
My bangs covering my eyes have been snipped off. Visiting the beauty salon for the first time was a nerve wracking experience, but it has achieved… above average results. I waxed my hair, trimmed my brows, and said goodbye to my thick glasses by putting on contacts.
I did all that on the advice of Yuu-kun. In our previous short discussion, when I asked 「What do I need to do to get along better with Shōgawa-san?」 「Tidy up your appearance first!」 A direct answer.
This is a blindspot, the answer is right under my nose all this while. If this is a romance topic, I would have noticed right away. However, my goal is to befriend Shōgawa-san, which constrained my vision. I wasn’t completely repulsive, but she wouldn’t like spending time with a disgusting nerd. Shōgawa-san and I don’t know each other that well, so to build up this relationship, I have to work on my appearance first—— that is a logical opinion.
I have been practicing my smile before a mirror too. Actually, it makes me realize how disgusting my smile is, so of course Shōgawa-san will feel afraid.
Will they dismiss my efforts as futile? If the subject is awful, it won’t matter how much you try to decorate it.
But that isn’t important, because I already did everything I could.
All this is for the sake of getting closer to Shōgawa-san!
「Good morning, Moritsune.」
Yuu-kun stepped out of the confused crowd and answered my greeting.
「Not bad, you look cool.」
He tapped my shoulder. As expected of a hunk with a naturally cool personality, his pleasantries sound so natural.
「Thanks, Yuu-kun」
I fake a cool smile in response, and Yuu-kun smiled too, which made the girls scream. If I’m not careful, the smile of this hunk with a hint of mischief will make me fall for him too.
After parting with Yuu-kun, I walk to my seat. It feels like countless curious eyes are on me… I hope that isn’t just me being overly self conscious.
「Good morning, Shōgawa-san」
I greet my seat neighbour when I sat down. Shōgawa-san who was engrossed in her book and didn’t notice the uproar in the classroom lift her face for the first time.
「Ah, yes, good morning… Uwah!?」
Her usual barely audible voice turns strange midway.
「Ah……」
She quickly hid her face behind her book again.
I see… I’m still too disgusting to look at, huh…
Her ears are completely red, so she probably can’t stand my ridiculous looks and is on the verge of laughing. She is covering her face with her book… I’m grateful for her kindness.
Shōgawa Maho
Ehhhhh!? What!? Who is that!?
No, that should be, Hirachi-kun… right!?
He is in Hirachi-kun’s seat… and looks like him…
I’m too shy to look at his face properly… No, I have never been good at staring at other people’s faces… I can barely do it when Hirachi-kun cover his eyes with his bangs…
… Speaking of which.
Is all this… For my sake…?
Erm, well, I’m not avoiding Hirachi-kun because I dislike his appearance in the first place…?
He probably think so because I didn’t explain my reasons to him well… Right…? If that is true, then I have been rude to Hirachi-kun…
I always thought, Hirachi-kun is the same type as me, and unable to change. Leaving aside our personality, we don’t even want to change our appearance… Or at least, that is true for me. The only thing I can do is to transform into someone completely different, into Mahomaho.
That’s why I think Hirachi-kun changing himself is an amazing thing.
Erm, if, if this is for my sake.
「I’m so happy」—— Another me seems to be saying to myself.
Satosaki Shōko
Oh Hirachi, you finally change your appearance too…! Is that Sorahashi’s preference…?
For me, Hunk X mob is completely fine, but this isn’t bad either...
This is delicious in a normal way… Thank you… Thank you very much…!
Especially their conversation just now, that was amazingly good…! 「I already knew your charm from the start」 Hirachi who opened up to Sorahashi and receive confidence from him… And they look happy calling each other by nicknames… Oh no, I’m drooling again.
Sorahashi Yūichi
Lunch break. After Moritsune ate lunch, I invited him to the Soccer club room to discuss his plans. I’m authorized to use the room, but this is my personal matter… No, if I can make a man’s love life successful by abusing my powers a little, I will take that.
「Well then… What do you think about Shōgawa-san’s reaction?」
「It’s not working at all.」
Moritsune frown right out of the gates.
「Or rather, she’s avoiding me more now. She won’t even face my way. It must be ridiculous for someone like me to try changing my image.」
「Hmm…?」
I don’t think things are going the way he thinks… No matter how you dice it, Moritsune is cool today. To be honest, he exceeded my expectations. In fact, the eyes of the girls looking at Moritsune has obviously changed.
… By the way, isn’t that the same for Shōgawa-san?
「Isn’t Shōgawa-san not looking at you because she is embarrassed?」
「Haha, embarrassed about me being born?」
「What are you talking about? You are too masochistic.」
「But isn’t the tier of creatures like me slightly lower than an axolotl?」
「At the very least, make it to the tier of mammals.」
「It will take a few more reincarnations before I make it to mammals, there’s a long road ahead.」
「Just how much negative karma did you accumulate in your previous lives to become like this…」
「Because I’m a axolotl… that’s why my rank is so low.」
「On the contrary, what can you do as an axolotl to lower your rank!? And I’m curious about what you top rankers are!」
「What are we talking about again? Aren’t we getting off topic?」
「…Oh, right.」
I’m the one who got sidetracked, but we really are getting far off topic.
Anyway… If Shōgawa-san doesn’t want to face Moritsune because she is too conscious of him, then that’s a good thing. However, jumping to conclusions is dangerous too. But we can’t be too hesitant… Yes, no matter what, let’s confirm the distance between them first, we might find a clue.
「Well, back to the topic… I want to ask something. Moritsune, do you know how close you and Shōgawa-san are?」
「Oh, we just started going out.」
Moritsune has a face that says 「what are you even asking」... Hmm?
Wait, did I just hear something important?
「Erm, so you two just started going out… The two of you are going out…?」
「Yes, I guess so.」
Moritsune nod timidly.
What…? Their relationship is more advanced than I imagined…?
… No, wait. I don’t want to think of it that way, but is that just Moritsune’s delusion? He likes her so much, so he thinks the other party must feel the same… and is obligated to date him… stalker-like thinking like that.
I want to believe in Moritsune… Let’s confirm that for now.
「Erm… Moritsune, what’s your basis for thinking that…?」
If vague terms like 「maybe」 or 「probably」 pops up, then the chances of him being out will increase.
「My basis huh… I properly asked her to go out with me.」
It’s not vague at all!?
「And Shōgawa-san said okay.」
「Then you two are going out!」
The overly direct answer made me shout.
「Of course. That’s why I said we are going out…」
「Ah, erm, sorry. There’s no question you two are going out.」
「No, things aren’t that smooth. Our relationship is still at the stagnant stage of freshly going out, so I want to discuss this with someone.」
I see… I finally got the whole picture.
「Hmm… which means, you want to further your relationship with Shōgawa-san?」
「That’s right.」
That was dangerous… confirming with Moritsune was the right thing. The advice for a one sided crush and furthering the relationships between couples is completely different.
… In that case, the only reason why Shōgawa-san won’t look at Moritsune is because 「I’m so embarrassed that my boyfriend suddenly became so cool」… No, if he makes any poor moves, then Moritsune will get overly self conscious too, and the situation will fall into a stalemate. He should avoid any landmines, and let Moritsune take the initiative to slowly and steadily close their gap.
Since they are already going out, if they want to shorten the distance between them, Moritsune will have to express his love periodically, right? Let’s confirm that….
「By the way, which part of Shōgawa-san draws you to her?」
「Why are you asking all of a sudden?」
「Don’t think too much and just tell me. It’s just me over here, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of.」
「I’m not really embarrassed or anything…」
Good, not thinking that it’s embarrassing to list out your girlfriend’s good point is a good sign.
「Great, tell me then. This is a necessary process.」
「I see… Got it. Well… first of all, doesn’t she look cute? Anyone will get attracted by her appearance first.」
「I understand.」
He blurted that out with a natural face… Good, that’s good.
「At the same time, she is very cool. The way she looks at the enemy is so determined. Her smile towards her supporters, and her serious expression when facing the enemies are both mesmerizing. Her selfless efforts for the sake of others are great too, and she doesn’t mind the sacrifices she had to make. The way she moves without hesitation is just too beautiful.」
Ohh… he’s not stopping. Although that person doesn’t sound like Shōgawa-san at all… It’s as if the Shōgawa-san that Moritsune sees is a different person from the one that I see. And what does he mean by enemies…?
「And also…」
「I get it, I get it. That will do.」
I stop Moritsune who will probably go on forever if left unchecked.
「That’s enough?」
Moritsune looks like he still wanted to continue, and said that unhappily. Shōgawa-san, you are really beloved….
「Yes, it’s enough. Hmm… did you convey these words to Shōgawa-san properly?」
「No, I didn’t.」
Moritsune answered matter of factly.
「Eh, you didn’t tell her?」
「Of course. If I say it, then it will get exposed.」
Moritsune answered as if it is only natural.
Ugh, hmm… he is fine with telling me, but he is too embarrassed to say it to Shōgawa-san…? … No, he used the term 「exposed」, so it has to be that. He doesn't want to convey it with words, but with his attitude. I see, I know how plain it is to convey it with just words, but still...
「Then, instead of saying everything, why not just tell her a little of how you feel?」
「Really…?」
「Yes, really.」
I nodded firmly to make myself seem more convincing.
「Since Yuu-kun says so, it must be true… But there’s a bigger problem before that, right?」
Moritsune scratches his face, as if something is on his mind.
「Right now, I can’t even talk to her…」
「Ahh…」
That’s true… well, it’s just Shōgawa-san being shy, so time will solve that… so he just need to wait.
「I wonder if a chance will arise…」
「I wonder too…」
Hirachi Moritsune
So in conclusion...
The chance we are hoping for came earlier than expected, one day after I changed my image.
「Uwah! Zhao Yun-san, what happened to you?」
Early in the morning, the female representative of living in the moment (elected by me), Satosaki-san made that sound. She is still calling Shōgawa-san boldy by the wrong name as she stared at her left leg with wide eyes. Shōgawa-san’s left leg is in a cast, and she entered the classroom with clutches.
「Well, yesterday the mons…」
「Ahhhh! What happened! The stairs!? You had an accident and fell down!」
She wants to say 「monster」 in public!? That’s dangerous… really now, I don’t know when she will reveal her secrets by accident...
「Hey Hirachi, you are too close.」
「Ughh, sorry..」
Satosaki-san leaned in with her breasts, and I backed away. I got too worked up, and was right in Shōgawa-san’s face.
「Ahh, haha… I’m going to the washroom!」
Shōgawa-san just got into the classroom, but went out right away. She isn’t used to the clutches, and her unsteady figure worries me.
「Hirachi, you still can’t grasp the right sense of distance with girls.」
Satosaki-san’s complaint is right on point.
「You are right, that was embarrassing of me.」
I have no excuse, and nod in agreement.
「Hmmp.」
After snorting with scorn, Satosaki-san’s expression changed.
「But what a coincidence. Mahomaho was injured in the same place yesterday, right?」
「H-Haha… That’s right…」
As expected of Satosaki-san’s astute observation, which makes me break out in a cold sweat.
That’s right, this cast is a result of Mahomaho’s injury from yesterday.
It happened yesterday after school...
「Hahaha! Go forth, bookmark type monster Scismero! Shift their bookmarks forward ten pages, and cast them into the abyss of terror!」
I happen to be present when Big Sister Pink Gen’s minion was on scene.
「Uwahhh!? T-This is…! A new character appears without any premonition…!?」
「Hyaaa!? The criminal turned himself in!? How did he pull off his crimes! How was it solved!?」
「Ahhh!? I can’t solve the questions!? As if the important formulas are just gone!?」
The masses descend into hell. The bookmarks everyone place in their books have been shifted… How… How despicable!
However, if it is her, then she would find a way!
The moment I thought about that, something suddenly flew in from the distance.
—— Look! Up in the sky!
——Is it a bird?
——Is it a plane?
The others who look off into the distance with me ask these questions.
——No, it’s…!
And that thing slowly become clearer.
『It’s the Radiant Magical Girl!!』
Everyone cheered. And naturally, I joined in too. My faith in Mahomaho has never wavered, even after I learn her true identity.
「That’s enough, World Conquest Impetus Organization!」
With an authoritative voice, Mahomaho landed.
And as usual she stood steadily after landing… or rather, that’s what’s supposed to happen.
「I, the Wonderful Radiant Magical Girl ★ Mahomaho will… Gyaa!?」
She ended her sentence with a strange sound to create a new image.
And of course, that isn’t true. That is just a yelp of pain and shock.
After all, when she landed, her leg slip.
And her ankle twisted, which led to her face kissing the ground.
I will never forget this scene.
Mahomaho tearing up from the pain, and the members of the World Conquest Impetus Organization who said 「Hey, what do we do now…」 with awkward faces…
In the end, they probably read the mood, and the World Conquest Impetus Organization left after saying 「We will let you off this time!」, without needing Mahamaho to do anything.
「Hey Hirachi, why do you suddenly have a distant look in your eyes?」
A voice pulled me back to reality.
「Ah, no… I’m just wondering what true evil is.」
「Hah?」
I was thinking about the World Conquest Impetus Organization, and frankly told Satosaki-san what was on my mind. But she just frown in confusion. Maybe I have been too literal…
As I am thinking about that, an urge to pee came from within me.
「Excuse me, I’m also going to the bathroom.」
「Hmm? Ah, okay…」
Leaving the baffled Satosaki-san behind, I walk out of the classroom too, and headed to the West Block where the special rooms are. In this world, the toilets in the main building are usual crowded… And I’m the type who prefers to finish my business alone.
So my goal is the fairly deserted West Block.
「Hah—, I ran away in a panic…」
「Really now, Maho is bad with strangers as usual, chuyo.」
「That wasn’t just being bad with strangers though…」
「Chuyo?」
「I-I didn’t say anything!」
I hide myself when I hear that familiar voice.
I lean out to peek, and Shōgawa-san is leaning against the railing. She looks like she is talking to her bag, but actually, the mascot fairy ferret-san is inside. It’s true that there isn’t much people in this place at this time…! But that is still too careless…!
「Phew… By the way, how much longer before my leg heal?」
Shōgawa-san points at her left leg covered in a cast.
「Well, chuyo… You got injured during a battle, so you get to claim work injury compensation…」
Radiant Magical Girls have a workers’ compensation clause!? You get to claim from them!? And what has that got to do with your earlier conversation!?
「With the mana you can claim to heal your injury, it will still take a week, chuyo.」
Oh, I see… Mana? Getting work injury compensation in such a form, really suits the style of Magical Girls…… Or does it…?
「Is that so— it can’t be helped then.」
Shōgawa-san sighed with regret.
「Sorry, chuyo. No matter what, repairing the costume takes priority, chuyo.」
That’s wrong!? Shouldn’t the priority be reversed, ferret-san!? Why is the clothes taking priority over the person!? The work injury compensation clause of the Radiant Magical Girl is terrible!
「Ohh, I’m on duty today too.」
But Shōgawa-san accepted it without question.
Just how dark is the labor environment of Radiant Magical Girls…?
「I have to clean the blackboard for morning classes… But with my leg…」
Shōgawa-san grumbled. She sure is strict with herself… Given her injury, even if she didn’t do her work properly, no one will complain. And everyone knows how hard it is for the short Shōgawa-san to clean the blackboard.
「I got it, chuyo!」
Hmm? The mascot looks like it thought of a good plan.
「You can just transform, chuyo!」
… Transform?
「Transform into a Radiant Magical Girl, then you can use magic and make the duster clean the blackboard!」
Haha, that’s a funny joke…
「That’s it!」
That’s not!
Shōgawa-san!? Why do you look like you have found the answer!? You have never used Mahomaho for something trivial like this before, right!? Besides, getting Mahomaho to perform cleaning duties is completely suspicious!
Ahh, why are you taking out your transformation wand!?
「God of darkness, Emperor of death, Lord of chaos, in exchange for my offering, please grant me power...」
She is really chanting it!!!!!!!!
That spell which sounds just like a necromancer’s curse!!!!!!!!
Are you serious!? Are you mentally stable!?
Ughh… I have no choice but to go in now…! The chant is complete, and Shōgawa-san should be covered in a mysterious light…!
「Ohh! I suddenly really feel like cleaning the blackboard!」
I hide my body, and said loudly, as if I’m talking to myself.
「!?」
Shōgawa-san held her breath, then stuff something— probably the transformation wand and ferret-san— into her bag. And then, I showed myself.
「Oh, Shōgawa-san… Gwahh!?」
Shōgawa-san, it’s you… I wanted to say that, but I made a strange noise mid sentence.
Because… Because, Shōgawa-san is half naked right now!
Clothes shreds that don’t look like a uniform at all, are covering her important parts!
She is completely naked!
「Hieee, Hirachi-kun!? W-Wait!」
I turn around in a panic, and heard Shōgawa-san’s scream.
T-That’s dangerous… if there is a gust of wind, I would have seen everything… By the way, so that’s what will happen if her transformation is cancelled mid way…!
If there’s such a risk, then don’t transform recklessly in school…! In the previous incident, if you didn’t get the timing right, there would have been a tragedy in the classroom!
「Erm… It’s fine now…」
After a while, I heard a shy voice, then turn towards the corridor.
Good, she’s wearing her uniform properly… The buttons on her blouse is in the wrong place, and isn’t tucked into her skirt, but let’s pretend everything is fine…
「Erm… Hirachi-kun, did, did you see anything…?」
「No, not at all! I didn’t see anything! Because… That’s right, the wind! The wind blew sand into my eyes! I couldn’t see anything up until just now!」
「Is that so… That’s great…」
No, that’s… Shōgawa-san, you really believe that explanation, huh… It’s weird for me to say this but… Looking relieved in such a situation is a little… A-Anyway, back to the plan!
「… Ehh!? Speaking of which! Shōgawa-san, you are on duty today, right!?」
To be honest, I’m diverting the topic very stiffly… But let me force this through for now!
「Hmm. That’s right…」
「Actually, for some reason, I have a strong urge to clean the blackboard today! If you don’t mind, can you switch duty with me!?」
「E-Ehh…? Such an urge… exist?」
Why are you showing such a sensible side now!? I know very well that you are someone without any common sense!
「There is! Ah, I can’t hold it in anymore! I want to clean the blackboard now! Fufu, I won’t be able to stand it if the blackboard isn’t sparkling clean!」
「Ahh, wait…」
I left the dumbstruck Shōgawa-san behind, and charge out like the wind.
「Woooahhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!」
Once I reach the classroom, I clean the blackboard ferociously.
I continued for a few minutes as my classmates watch in silence.
And the result is a perfectly clean blackboard!
After this incident, I receive the title 『The Clean and the Furious』.
Even though I spend my entire life in East Japan, and have never gone to the West before.
<TL: It’s a pun on naniwa, which is a place 難波, or mean very fast 浪速>
Shōgawa Maho
Ahh… Hirachi-kun left….
「Isn’t he a strange kid, chuyo?」
「Yes… That’s true…」
My attention is mostly on Hirachi-kun, and I answer Chuyo-chan half-heartedly.
Yes, Hirachi-kun is weird. He c-confessed to someone like me… and always seems to be saying incomprehensible stuff, and helped me in the end.
Even though I’m avoiding him…
「Chuyo? Maho, why is your face red, chuyo? Did you catch a cold, chuyo?」
「Yes… That’s right…」
I know my heart is racing too.
However, I’m a Radiant Magical Girl… I can’t get involved with him… So Hirachi-kun will definitely hate someone like me……… Right.
I have alway used that as an excuse.
But Hirachi-kun still comes to my aid as usual.
So… it is time to face him.
Hirachi-kun.
And my own feelings.
… It feels like I just made my resolve in a cool manner.
But actually, what do I need to do to face them…? Ughh, I have no experience at all and is useless… Can I discuss this with someone… Where can I find someone who I can consult about this… The only one I can talk to is…
「Chuyo?」
I look on over, and Chuyo-chan tilt its head adorably.
No matter what, I can’t seek love advice from an animal.
「Are you thinking about something rude, chuyo?」
「T-That’s just your imagination.」
Chuyo-chan is unexpectedly sharp about this…
Hah—…… There’s no helping it if I don’t have anyone to consult…
I will just take my time to think about it.
From this moment on, my daily life became very hectic.
「Hah… It’s hard to throw away trash with my leg………That’s right! I just need to transform……」
「Fuwahhhh, this is not heavy enough! Is there anything heavy around here! Oh, there’s a trash can that is just the right size! Shōgawa-san, let me borrow that!」
「Huh!? Hirachi-kun, you will hurt your knees if you bunny hop!? No, that’s not it! If you bunny hop with a trash can on your back, you will drop trash all over the place!」
「Hmmp! Hmmp hmmp! … After entering society, there will be relationships messier than trash! So I should get used to it now!」
「I don’t think you can train your endurance for society with physical garbage…」
「Hmm, I can’t reach. Even if I just a stepladder… with my leg… That’s right! I just need to trans…」
「Shōgawa-san, this is the book you want, right! Here, take it!」
「Ah, yes, t-thank you… But if you pull so hard… Hyaa!? The books around it is going to fall out!?」
「Guu…… It’s fine, leave this to me, you can go first!」
「A-Amazing…! You caught all the books with every part of your body…! … Now isn’t the time for this! I will get the librarian, wait here for now!」
「Hah… It’s raining. I can’t hold the umbrella with my clutches… That’s right! I just need to…」
「Hee, Shōgawa-san! The Hirachi taxi is here!」
「I didn’t call for a taxi!? No, I won’t get on even if you squat down! And why do you look so baffled!? Good, you finally gave up… Hyaa!? What’s going on!? Uwah!? A princess carry!? No, that’s too embarrassing!」
「It’s totally fine, Shōgawa-san! If you bury your face in my chest, no one will know who you are, Shōgawa-san! So don’t worry!」
「That’s not the problem! It’s embarrassing in other ways! And Hirachi-kun just shouted my name out loud, and already exposed me!」
「I don’t like physical education classes, but watching from the side on my own is boring… That’s right! I just…」
「I know Shōgawa-san will think that, so I will join in and observe the lesson!」
「You can skip the lesson just because you want to...!? By the way, what happened to you. Hirachi-kun!? You are covered in wounds!?」
「I just fell splendidly in front of the teacher! So, what should we do!? Word chain!? Tic tac toe!? I also have poker cards and the game of life!」
「You are too worked up over free activity!? You can’t Hirachi-kun! The teacher will get mad at you… Huh!? Why is everyone looking at us with gentle eyes!? Even the teacher!? They are scratching their nose with a face that says 「You actually went that far, I give up, do what you like」!? And they are looking into the distance with an expression that says 「There was a time when I was like that too」!? Ahh, everyone, don’t misunderstand!!」
「Huff… Huff… It’s hard to climb the stairs with my leg…… That’s right……!」
「Oh, Shōgawa-san, there’s a slope there.」
「There really is! Thank you……… Hmm, that’s normal!?」
「Did I make you mad because it’s normal!?」
「Not at all! Sorry!」
Hirachi Moritsune
Finally finally finally.
In all the situations where Shōgawa-san wants to transform, I followed and stop her.
……… By the way, wanting to transform at every opportunity is too reckless, Shōgawa-san...!? Why are you not hesitating about transforming at all…? And what are your plans if you did transform during P.E. class…?
But my efforts are rewarded.
I can feel the distance between Shōgawa-san and me closing gradually.
Shōgawa Maho
Hmm…… I’m feeling that the distance between Hirachi-kun and me is slowly closing...
But why is Hirachi-kun working so hard…? I thought he was the same type of people as me, or am I mistaken…?
… And before I realize it, I don’t really hate his actions either.
Instead, the joy I feel is a little stronger.
However, I’m still being wishy washy. I decided to face my issues head on, but I couldn’t do anything. I didn’t reject or accept him… Ughh, it’s like I’m really popular, and keeping him as a spare… But this is the first time I experienced this, so I don’t know what to do…
It isn’t wise to think about this while I’m changing.
「Uwah…」
I couldn’t balance well without my left leg, and started to fall in the midst of changing out of my gym clothes.
「Ah.」
Someone supported me at that instant.
「Are you fine, Zhao Yun-san?」
I turn around, and see a pair of talking boobs.
… No, I look up and lock eyes with Satosaki-san.
「Oh, yes… Thank you, Satosaki-san…」
「Don’t worry, it’s not worth mentioning.」
Satosaki-san who is saying that with a smile… is so cool… She stood there with her blouse still wide open, and isn’t embarrassed at all.
Actually, I always thought Satosaki-san has a nice figure. Her large breasts are almost bursting out of her bra, but her waistline is still so pretty. She looks good enough to be a gravure model.
As for me… Well, looking down will just make me feel empty inside, so I shouldn’t do that. I don’t need to check to know my body is as flat as a child.
「Hmm? Is there something about my body that bothers you?」
「No, I think it’s beautiful.」
Satosaki-san asked as she checks her torso, and I answer on reflex.
「Hah!?」
「N-No! It’s nothing!」
Satosaki-san looks my way, and I shake my head and hands in panic.
Satosaki-san tilts her head with an unhappy face:
「Speaking of which, the teacher sure is cruel to make you change clothes, even though your leg is in a cast.」
「Ahaha… it can’t be helped since it’s the rules. And changing clothes isn’t that cruel.」
I answer with a wry smile. She is really kind to get mad on my behalf…
「Alright then, if you have any troubles, just come to me, Zhao Yun-san!」
「Y-Yes, thank you, Satosaki-san.」
And also, Zhao Yun-san…? This is the first time someone called me by a nickname. I don’t know where it came from, but it sounds cute and I’m happy about it.
…… Oh, right …… I have just the thing to ask.
「Erm… Satosaki-san, will you mind me asking something not related to my injury…?」
Satosaki Shōko
School is out.
Zhao Yun-san and I are sitting on the stairs leading up to the roof. The roof is off limits, but this place is fine, no one will bother us here. I know that Zhao Yun-san chose this place because he doesn't want anyone else to hear us.
「Well? What do you want to talk about?」
Seeing Zhao Yun-san squirming bashfully, I cut to the chase right away.
「Erm… Well… It’s about… a boy.」
A boy?
I never expect to hear that from Zhao Yun-san…
「The sense of distance with a boy… and how to deepen relationships…」
Zhao Yun-san mumbled to herself in a whimsical voice.
Ehh— Could this be….
「You want to know the methods to get the boy you like?」
「N-No! I don’t really like him, he has just been on my mind!」
Normally, doesn’t that mean you like him…? Or is she not talking about her romance…? For example, the 『don’t like but on my mind』 kind of feeling I have towards Hirachi and Sorahashi?
Haha, there’s no way she is the same as me.
「So, why did you ask me?」
Out of the numerous questions on my mind, I toss one of them out. Instead of me, shouldn’t she ask someone she is closer to?
「Well, erm, because Satosaki-san seems to understand the boys well…」
Hmm—… she is mistaken, my experience with boys is zero… Rather than the object of my affection, to me, boys should love boys. Well, I do understand 2-D boys completely though.
Now I have to think about how to convey that to Zhao Yun-san.
「Well, I think I can be good friends with Satosaki-san… as classmates… Well…」
It seems like Zhao Yun-san still wants to say more, so let’s hear her out.
If I rush her, it will cause her unnecessary panic.
「Erm… Well… I think we can be more like companions!」
Oh——? Companions, huh.
To me, that’s something I can’t agree with. Or rather, Zhao Yun-san and I have few things in common. And the part of me that I have hidden… is… wait.
It can’t be.
Is she talking about that?
My true nature…… she has seen through it?
Shōgawa Maho
Ahh… I finally said the term 「companions」...
It’s too shameless to ask to be friends. I want to express the idea of 『classmates who are close』… but is 「companion」 too heavy a word…? …… Is there any other terms I can use…
「……Zhao Yun-san」
Ah, Satosaki-san is showing a scary face!? T-That’s true! Of course she will hate it if someone like me calls her my companion! Yes, I should retract my words…!
「E-Erm…」
「So you know my true nature…?」
Ah, I got cut off… Hmm? True nature…? Oh, she meant that right? Contrary to her frivolous appearance, she is actually, gentle, kind, and take good care of others… In that case….
「Y-Yes… I know…」
「I see…」
…… Ah, did I misspoke again!? It must be maddening for someone who didn’t know her to say「I know you very well」! I have to correct myself…!
「… I see.」
… Hmm? Satosaki-san seems to be showing a face of resignation…?
「When did you realize?」
「E-Erm, sorry… just recently…」
She talked to someone like me, and even gave me a nickname… Before all that happened, to be honest, I thought Satosaki-san was a scary person…
「Recently… huh.」
Hmm… Satosaki-san is… smiling wryly… huh?
「I have been slacking off too much, huh.」
Erm… From Satosaki-san’s attitude… she is hoping to hide her true nature…? I don’t think letting others know that Satosaki-san is a gentle and cute girl isn’t a bad thing… but what if the image she is going for is that of a little devil…?
Then her kindness will be unnecessary… right? Maybe this is how it works in a world I’m not familiar with…?
「A-Ah, Satosaki-san! I will never tell anyone else! Yes!」
I shouted the moment I thought about it …… I feel ashamed for not putting more thoughts into this…
「Yes, it will be great if you do that.」
Ah, that seems… to be the right answer… probably…?
「Besides, Zhao Yun-san can’t say it out yourself, right?」
「E-Erm… That’s true…」
She means I don’t have anyone I can tell anyway…
「Which means, we are bound by the same fate.」
Bound by fate…!? I don’t really get it, but that seems really close, and sounds nice…! Ah, I’m a Radiant Magical Girl… I can’t get involved with others… However, it should be fine for me to have someone I can consult with occasionally… Besides, I have decided not to use that excuse again…
「So, you want to talk about something, right? Zhao Yun-san, the person on your mind is Hirachi, correct?」
「Pfft!?」
Why!? How did you know!?
「Haha, why do you look so surprised? From the way our conversation is heading, anyone could have guessed.」
Is that so!? Am I the only one who couldn’t guess that!?
「I understand, if it’s about that, then you can discuss it with me whenever you want to.」
Eh, I don’t get it!? Why did things turn out in my favor all of a sudden!? Is there some hidden development I missed!?
「Well, we are comrades now. I will be in your care.」
Satosaki-san then offer me her hand.
To be frank, I’m still confused… but it’s true that I want to be closer to Hirachi-kun… In order to do so, I have to understand how to interact with boys…
If Satosaki-san is willing to lend me a hand, that will be great—— I mutter to myself in my heart.
「Y-Yes… I will be in your care…」
I shook her hand all fidgety.
Satosaki Shōko
Really now… What did I do that exposed my true nature.
To be honest, I have some ideas. Recently, I have been engrossed in the excitement of Sora X Hira, and didn’t check my surroundings properly… Speaking of which, just like the genre itself, there is no telling when you will hit a landmine… It is important to exercise due caution.
「Hmm… Zhao Yun-san, you wish to grow closer to Hirachi, no matter what, right?」
「Erm… Yes… I think?」
Using an example, the pairing that you ship for will differ from person to person.
For me, I’m the type who watches completely from the sidelines. Which means, I’m just an audience. I won’t barge into their world, and will avoid getting involved with them.
However, there are some who 『wants to be part of the cast』 too. They might play the role of consultant, or the object of jealousy, and act out key roles that pushes for their pairings. They will then watch over the pairing from close up. Those who wish for more might write their own fanfiction, and create a female character that will stir up a mess. The atmosphere between the boys will dampen, and they end up fighting over the girl… ah, I’m getting off topic.
Let’s put the topic of 2-D aside for now. With such a rare gem appearing beside her, it is only natural that she wants to watch from the VIP seats. However, for the thing Zhao Yun-san is aiming for, this will be an arduous path. If Hirachi’s character is still in the formative phase, then there might be more suitable roles that Zhao Yun-san can play. However, Hirachi is already committed to the cool guy path, so it’s only natural that Zhao Yun-san will feel frustrated and anxious.
「Erm…Satosaki-san…?」
Ah, my hobby… oh no, I’m thinking too deep, and not speaking at all.
「Let me confirm again, you are not going for Sorahashi, but Hirachi, right?」
「? Why did you even mention Sorahashi-kun…?」
I see, she didn’t make Sorahashi a target. Impressive, she has put a lot of thought into this.
Realistically speaking, it’s impractical to aim for Sorahashi now. After all he is the center figure of our class… no, our school. The relationships of the people around is more or less balanced, even if she wants to get a little closer to him, she will earn the ire of the girls around him. For Zhao Yun-san, that will be like challenging the final boss at Level 1.
In contrast, Hirachi is like a completely uncharted snow plains. From what I know, his social relations is zero. The effect of him changing his image is huge, and there are many girls in and outside our class that have their eyes on him… But at this stage, they are still keeping each other in check.
If she wants to act, it has to be now. And close their distance in one shot.
To do so, she needs…
「Zhao Yun-san, let me confirm something.」
「W-What is it…?」
Zhao Yun-san lacks confidence in herself.
So I have to clarify this.
「Do you have the resolve to change yourself?」
I stared at her, looking for an answer.
And Zhao Yun-san… I thought she will avoid my gaze.
「… Yes.」
But she answered me with an unexpectedly strong determination in her eyes.
「Hirachi-kun changed himself too. So, I have to change as well.」
… I see, that’s true. One of the pairings is already working so hard. The woman by his side can’t be half-hearted either. It seems that I have underestimated Zhao Yun-san.
「I understand.」
Then I have to make my resolve too.
「Zhao Yun-san, do your best!」
「Y-Yes!」
And so, my plan to change Zhao Yun-san’s image begins.
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