The World Only the Girls Know: A Moonflower's Wish

Chapter 25: Taking Initiative

Note: Characters from the Light Novel will be Included as well.

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Original Title: The World Only God Knows / 神のみぞ知るセカイ

Original Concept by Tamiki Wakaki

Written by: wrathie

Author's Notes: This Story contains OCs and is on the same time-line as Blue Rose Paradox.

Author's Notes: I really really hope that my readers like MW's as my muse is going overboard with this story.

Again, thank you AKAAkira for the beta-edits, without him, this arc wouldn't be half as awesome as it is.

THAT said, ironically, the two of us are the ones holding more chapters popping up soon.

Lastly, I'm embarrassed to admit that I might have a hand in him not writing so much. Oops?

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Upon reaching the stairs, Elsi rejoined Asami and Keima even while reporting to him that there had been a change and after whispering to Keima about said change, his eyes narrowed for a second before he nodded in affirmative.

'That was quick, and unexpected. Well, I suppose she is the impatient type. Very well then...'

Making up his mind, Keima turned to Asami, who looked very surprised as he told her that he would like her to continue acting normally.

'Acting... normally? I... I thought Keima-san was on an assignment.'

It was customary or perhaps, normal for Keima to be alone during the 'capturing' process. Even if the rumours regarding him and the girls never die down, it doesn't mean that the Keima was actually attached to one of them.

Furthermore, as the general population of students, except those who were close to the girls themselves, took them as what they were, just rumours floating around and Keima had much more freedom to manoeuvre than one would imagine with someone who had so many links to different girls.

Ah, the real was as ridiculous as the world/ideal at times too but Keima wasn't going to comment on that since it was acting in his favor, for once.

'Yes, but it would help me if you behave... a little defensively. We cannot let her have the initiative at all costs, Asami. If possible, rope Ayumi and Chihiro in as well. With that I would be able to repeal her attempt to get close. The more frustrated we make her feel, the more we can see the gaps in her offences and logic and the faster I can take her down. You do wish for this assignment to be over quicker, don't you?'

Looking evenly at Yoshino Asami, the classmate and girl-next-door paused, as if considering that fact but she nodded her head soon after.

'Yes, I do wish to be over as soon as possible... I will do as you ask of me, Keima-san... Only if you are sure of this...'

Looking a little confused and of course, anxious, Asami nodded as Keima assured her that it was what he wanted, without realizing that it wasn't really what Asami herself wanted.

But she nodded nonetheless, knowing that it was futile to deny him his wish.

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'Ah, Katsuragi-sempai...?'

Her features lighting up when she saw Katsuragi Keima approach the classroom of Class 2-B, Kureha Haruka's excitement and nervousness evaporated when she saw him walking to the class with another girl.

Haruka knew that Katsuragi Keima had a sister called Elsi and the two of them were inseparable in school but they were just that, siblings and he was not in any special relationship as far as she could tell. Then again, If he was in a special relationship with any girl, Ikoma Minami wouldn't be trying so hard to impress him, would she?

Yes, Kureha Haruka had done her homework but she wasn't as well informed as she thought she would be. The girl beside him was totally unknown to her and must have slipped past her web of information. She had heard of rumours circling around Takahara Ayumi sempai and Fuse Aoba-sempai being attracted or were close to Katsuragi but not...this plain looking girl. That said, if the two sempai did really like him, she would be in a huge fix... but she was Kureha Haruka! She won't give up without a fight until her objectives were met!

Still, Kureha Haruka was qualified to say that Yoshino Asami was plain looking as she did stand out amongst her peers and even the seniors with her looks.

Her auburn red hair was striking and so was how she tied it up in long twin-tails that was kept close to her head and resting on her shoulders. She had tried to tie them up in a long ponytail but it was stressful for her and so, the alternative was this. That was topped off with her glasses, chosen for their large lenses and a frame that was white in color that stood out against her healthy tanned skin.

One could say that if she had a lighter skin tone, Kureha Haruka could pass off as an idol, but as she was in the swimming club, it was to be expected as she did put a lot of time and hours into her swimming.

Being a member of junior high, it really didn't take much for her to stand out but with her good looks, she definitely stood out a lot as there had been many guys whose eyes had spent more than a few seconds on her as she waited impatiently outside class 2-B.

It wouldn't be too hard to imagine her being hit on by guys but there was something about her that made the guys back off from her and she displayed an aura that made it difficult for the guys to get her attention. In a way, one can say that she was similar to Aoyama Mio in that regard, with invisible spikes protruding from her, daring anyone to come close to her without even speaking out loud.

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'So, Keima-san, I was hoping that you would...'

Pausing abruptly, like how many other students did, Yoshino Asami took a look at Kureha Haruka before going back to her conversation with Katsuragi Keima. For Keima's part, his eyes were still glued to his PFP but he did look up momentarily to face the girl in question, causing the younger girl to look and smile eagerly at him before greeting him as well.

'Katsuragi-sempai!'

Walking over to him to make her introduction again, Haruka knew that she was being a little too direct and impatient. She had placed that letter in his shoe locker as well but she just wanted to have a good first impression from him.

On hindsight, she had forgotten that Keima's first impression of her was already established yesterday when she declared her intent to Keima and Kusonoki.

To her shock, Keima didn't even react to being called and he was about to enter the classroom when Haruka managed to pull his sleeve, causing him to frown in irritation as he finally placed his PFP down to have a good look at her.

'…?'

Looking confused, he turned to the girl beside him as though she might give an explanation and when she had none, the girl asked her who she was and what she wanted.

'Ano... do you have something to ask Keima-san?'

'EH?! K-Katsuragi-sempai, it's me! It's me, Kureha Haruka desu!'

Beaming at him confidently, knowing that she was a very memorable personality, Haruka's hopes were dashed when Keima raised an eyebrow in confusion at that name, almost as if he hadn't heard it before in his life. Didn't she introduce herself last night? Oh, she did, really she did! How could he have forgotten so soon?

'… Do I know you?'

His words made her heart turn cold and she felt extremely awkward at the exchange going on between the three of them, Kureha wasn't imagining it when she saw the plain looking sempai beside her narrow her eyes just a little while tugging at Katsuragi-sempai's sleeve.

'Ano... Keima-san... we should be going to class now...'

'I, I spoke with you last night! R-Remember? After the swimming heats... Kureha Haruka desu!'

Almost shouting indignantly and desperately at the two of them, Haruka felt a wave of relief overcome her as he slowly nodded his head in understanding.

'Ah... you, from last night.'

It was a start at least but all of a sudden she felt a wave of embarrassment overcome her as she realized she was once again in the middle of the spotlight as her shouting had caused quite ruckus and people were popping out of the class to see what was going on.

At the centre of the attention, Kureha Haruka blamed herself for the mess and she bowed in apology to everyone who was looking at them with a tomato red face and only after they all returned, Haruka bowed to the two of them again before taking off.

'A-Ano! I-I'm really sorry! I-I'll come again later, sempai!'

Taking off as quickly as her legs could carry her, Kureha Haruka made a tactical retreat before the situation could get any more awkward, not even spotting the small smile and shaking of his head as Keima crossed his arms, satisfied at the retreating figure.

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'That was mean of Keima-san.'

Yoshino Asami berated him softly even as Elsi agreed with her, commenting that it was just like Keima to make the girl upset at the start of the 'assignment'.

'Kami-Onii-sama, it's not a good thing to make a girl cry... haven't you heard of the saying: Fear a woman scorned?'

At least her saying was right but Keima simply shrugged while commenting that it was the best way to stop her initiative seeing that she was going all out to get his attention. Currently the score was standing at: Keima 1, Haruka 1 after all.

'That said, as she had placed this letter in my shoe locker...'

Passing the letter over for Elsi to see, Keima continued while Asami simply muttered that it was still mean nonetheless.

'She still has some initiative left in her hands... Her first impression, which was totally favourable was replaced and overlapped with that disastrous entrance earlier. One could say that the earlier event is a flag or scene but instead of it working in her favor. She was the one who initiated it after all, I was the one who benefited by taking the initiative from her. She is too immature and inexperienced to be a player character. It is one thing to have confidence in one's abilities, adaptability is another skill that is just as important. Scenarios could develop, change and twist about in the blink of an eye after all. THAT IS WHY THERE ARE NO SAVE FILES IN THE REAL! Being as unreasonable as it is.'

Muttering darkly and unhappily to himself, Keima pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose before looking at Ayumi and Chihiro. He had filled the two of them in about the situation but despite all that, they didn't seem too eager to be involved after what happened during Yui's capture.

'Well... it was only a matter of time before it happened... but looks like Katsuragi is reaching his demonic hand out to the younger juniors huh?'

Looking a little sick, Chihiro nonetheless remained neutral to the situation even as Ayumi nodded thoughtfully.

'As long as... Keima-kun doesn't like children... I think it's okay... neh?'

Ayumi wasn't sure what she was saying as well as she really didn't think that Keima could sink so low but he proved her wrong again, making her lose a little faith in her.

'… It is not like I have a choice... I suppose I can just ignore her like all of you suggests and let her life be taken by it.I don't mind as it saves me the trouble.'

Crossing his arms, Keima wasn't surprised when neither of the girls looked too happy with that idea either and they nodded unhappily back at him, telling him that he should continue whatever he was doing.

'I'll... ignore what happens here... again. Why must I do this for you over and over again...'

'… Dayo neh?'

Sighing together, the two girls looked at Keima, who had returned to his thoughts, his hands not even clicking his PFP as he reflected on the script that he had prepared for Kureha Haruka.

Perhaps he'll try the otome-game approach this time to tease the answer from Kureha Haruka by being hard to get. He was not just the Capturing God, he was the God of being Captured as well, seeing how he had managed to guide Yui to capture him in return.

Well, it was just a theory that he should try anyway... should he take that approach to test his hypothesis?

Was he taking this capture a little too lightly as compared to his other captures? Well, he was being a little too easy-going with his approach, it was possible that the gap in her heart had widened due to his actions earlier but it was like what he told Elsi before, the sempai-factor in this capture was important as well as powerful.

Being a person that was respected by Haruka meant that he could get away with many things as long as he continued to keep the appearance and statue worthy of her respect. So it was a thin fine line that Keima has to tread and unlike with Minami, he must guide Kureha to build up the image that he wanted her to see. Now, when he had no idea of what she wanted from him, if she crafted the wrong image the capture would be ruined before it even began.

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'Neh, Katsuragi...that girl earlier... she's Kureha Haruka right? I thought she looked familiar... I didn't see her before, but I've heard of her. She's quite infamous in Middle High.'

That got Keima's attention and he looked at Chihiro, who shrugged and continued while tilting her head as she recalled and told him about the rumours that she had heard. Keima really should have known better. It wasn't just Minami who knew about Kureha Haruka; she was striking enough from a distance, and he hadn't noticed that last night as the light was too dim but she was quite a pretty girl.

'They call her the 'Flame of Middle High' and she's quite famous~'

The reference was obviously directed to her red auburn hair and Chihiro added that her hair was natural and not dyed.

'Chihiro, we can't dye our hair in school...'

Looking a little exasperated and Ayumi seemed to have remembered something but Keima interrupted her by commenting that nickname was really not creative at all.

'It gives no hints as to what she really stands for or what she is like. There could be better nicknames showing what the character stands for, for example the 'Demon of Water Colors' or the 'Echo of the Theatre'. A nickname should only be used if it provides highlights and hints of the individual's personality just with the name itself! Not everyone is deserving of a nickname, like this Bug Demon here.'

Pointing at Elsi, who protested that it was not true, Keima endured a pinch from Asami who reminded Keima that Elsi was her sister and shouldn't be bullied.

Keima refrained from mentioning what kind of nickname he could provide them but judging from the look on his face, they were sure that a few of them would be quite offensive. They dropped the issue as Ayumi continued, a little irritated at how she was interrupted by Keima as she was adding the most important detail.

'She's called the 'Flame' not because of her hair, Keima-kun~'

Dragging the sentence while enjoying the look of irritation on Keima's face, Ayumi revealed that Kureha Haruka was known with that nickname as she was apparently a very short-tempered person.

'Ah... well, that makes more sense. A good nickname in a way... although not very creative nonetheless. She didn't show much of her legendary temper earlier... was it just a fluke?'

Keima reflected but Chihiro had the answer as she nodded in agreement to Keima's words.

'That was when she was younger, Ayumi. She was called the 'Flame' during her first year in Junior High as she got into a fight with her senior, the two of them ended up in the hospital.'

'Don't tell me that the 'Flame' got doused by joining the swimming club?'

Hoping that wasn't true, Keima watched and sighed in relief as the two girls simply shrugged as they said they didn't know much after that.

'I didn't even know she was in the swimming club, Keima-kun. I heard she got suspended for a while a few years back there was talk about her when she came back, saying that she was a bit different after that... that's why Chihiro said that she was infamous before, neh? Come to think of it... that was a very big incident as I think it involved someone in High school rather than Middle school... I don't really know the details, it were nothing more than rumours really but...'

It was an insight into her personality but it didn't seem right still. What with her being so touchy and embarrassed today. Still people might change over time and he couldn't rule out the possibility that she has reformed for the better.

'Can you tell me more about the incident, like how it started? Perhaps... she doesn't have an explosive temper but it happened due to another reason. That might be an important clue and a trigger.'

Looking at Chihiro and Ayumi, Keima smiled when the two girls nodded, promising that they'll ask around again.

'That'll be of help, thank you, both of you.'

Keima turned to Elsi, who had been focusing on her raiment for a while now while tracking Haruka and after telling him that Kureha Haruka was loitering there, he decided on the next course of action for him.

'Don't lose track of her, Elsi...'

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When the first small break between classes arrived, Katsuragi Keima found himself looking down at the capture target, Kureha Haruka as she sat by herself on the school rooftop. Had she been waiting there the whole time for him?

Perhaps she really did her homework after all and Keima gave a small sigh as he blocked his way by standing up in front of him as he walked to his favorite bench.

'It's you again.'

Sounding disinterested, almost bored at her, Keima didn't put down his PFP and instead sought an alternative route away from her.

'…'

Of course, Haruka blocked his advance and he paused for a moment, as if deciding what to do when Haruka spoke up.

'I've been waiting for sempai here! I know this is your favorite spot during break!'

'… Don't you have classes?'

'Sempai have classes too, desho?'

Turning the question right back at him, Haruka beamed when Keima wasn't able to come up with a rebuttal and simply sighed in response.

'What do you want?'

'I said what I wanted before, Katsuragi-sempai! I, want, you 3~'

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Author's Notes: Even though she's my OC, Kureha Haruka, I don't like her... for many reasons.