The World The Girls Also Knows: The Girls God Can Only Save
AU after Goddesses Arc. Keima has to keep the affection of the seven Goddess hosts and Chihiro at the same time. And he still has to exorcise loose souls from girls by making them fall in love with him. Miyako has a loose soul that needs to be exorcised, and the God of Conquests gets himself a new disciple in the game world named Aoba Fuse.
And I do not own The World God Only Knows.
And thanks to xellos540 for the beta job!
And I do not own The World God Only Knows.
Summary of the last chapter
Okada figures something out. Yui and Tsukiyo have an important talk. Keima, Aoba, and the girls of the Schedule meet again the Cafe. Okada and Kanon visits and talks to Mari. Haqua and Diana meet in "secret".
As for some characters:
Aoba Fuse and Asami Yoshino are light novel heroines. I took their characterization both from the light novel, and also from Wrathie Winsre's stories.
Oh and an announcement and request. In the near future, I probably would run out of events that the girls could do with Keima during their "official" time. So if any of you could suggest activities that they could engage in one hour, two hours, or three, as long as those activities are in character, please tell me. I'd probably include it, with full credit of course.
ARC II - CONSPIRACIES
Flag XVI
Club
Translation of Manga Terms that I use
Nii-sama = Big Brother, Exalted Brother, Beloved Brother
Kami-Nii-sama or Kama-Onii-Sama = Divine Brother
Kami-sama = Divine One, Godly One, God. Aoba Fuse calls Keima Kami-sama, so I use Divine One.
Kami = God
Sama = Lord or Lady so Kujo-Sama is Lady Kujo, or Tsukiyo Sama is Lady Tsukiyo
Otamegane or Otamega = Glasses Wearing Game Nerd or Game Nut. I left it mostly untranslated.
Sensei = Teacher. But in context, I use Mr. or Miss. So Kodoma-Sensei would be Mr. Kodoma.
Otome Games = Games for Girls. The female equivalent of male dating sims.
Ojou-sama = aristocratic lady or noble lady
Mai-Hime = Princess from Maijima, the title of Aoba Fuse in the Gaming Community
Part 161 – Caught!
Haqua du Lot Herminium was nervous as she watched the scene. Four Goddesses had their eyes on her. She needed to get out.
"I'm leaving now," Haqua sheepishly stated, trying to walk to the door. "Have fun!"
"Hold it!" Vulcan's booming voice commanded. "Miss Herminium, would you kindly stay?"
"Well, you see, I'm busy, I've got something to do, and I need to go now."
"Don't worry, it won't take long," the eldest goddess said. "Please, take a seat."
Haqua looked at Vulcan, reading the copy that Diana made. This was bad. She looked at the four goddesses who just arrived. They were all looking at her, curiosity evident in their eyes, as well as a willingness to pounce if she tried to make a run for it.
Oh well! It's too late to change anything. They were already caught.
She went and sat on the couch on the Astronomy Club.
"Well, this is interesting. It seems to me that Tsukiyo has a lot of catching up to do," Vulcan stated as she read the paper. "So Diana, were you planning on telling us even if we didn't come here?"
"Uh, yeah, of course, Big sister," Diana answered unconvincingly. "I was going to show that, uh, to you later."
"So, this isn't a conspiracy to make sure only Ayukawa profits from this?"
Diana's face became even paler. "Of course not! I would never betray my sisters!"
"Tell us what's going on then," Vulcan demanded.
"Well, you see, Haqua here came to look for something she left the week before the last one," Diana tried to explain. "And she left these papers by accident. I was curious, so I looked at it. And I made a copy of it for Tenri's sake."
"No, no, no, Diana," Mars interrupted. "Don't tell us your excuse. Tell us what really happened."
…
Haqua just shook her head.
It started a few days ago. Diana sought her out and demanded to privately talk with her. They did so in Yukie's home while her former buddy was out selling Gokult.
A few days ago…
"So what do you want?" asked Haqua, effecting a bored tone.
The Goddess of the Hunt narrowed her eyes. "I want information."
"What kind of information?"
"About how Katsuragi sees Tenri."
"What? Why me?"
"Because you're always close to him!"
"I am not close to him! But even if I am, do you think that Katsuragi will just tell me if I ask? You know how he is! He is a secretive guy!"
"Yes, I know. But it's unfair that Tenri does not know where she stands with that man. You must find out! Ask him how Tenri compares to the others in the schedule."
"How could I?" the devil answered back.
"Well, ask Elsie to ask her brother. I want to know if Tenri is on the right path."
The idea intrigued Haqua. It would be useful for her to learn how Katsuragi sees the girls, as it would aid New Hell in their mission. And it doesn't hurt to know the preferences of Katsuragi with girls—not that that was the main reason for her liking the idea. It's for the mission, and any other benefit to her would be just a coincidence. Yes, a coincidence.
"I don't think that's possible," Haqua answered. You must not know the real mission of Katsuragi. Who knows how you and your sisters would react if you learn that you'd gain power if your hosts die? "I'm sorry, but I can't help you with what you're asking."
"Very well then," Diana replied. "I shall trouble you no more."
…
Part 162 – Dokuro's Decision
Haqua went to New Hell to see Chief Dokuro in her office. The valedictorian pitched the idea that learning how Keima loves the Goddess hosts was needed in their mission.
"But why do you need to know this?" Dokuro questioned. "The hosts only need to love the boy, not vice versa. What practical purpose would this give us?"
"Well, his love for them would certainly affect how they love him, and thus it's important," Haqua argued. "Besides, even if I'm wrong, wouldn't it be better if we have the information? It may be useful. Better to be safe than sorry."
"And you aren't just after gossip?" asked Dokuro.
"Chief! I resent that! I am above gossip!"
"Maybe you're in love with him, and just want to know how to win him?"
Haqua blushed before replying, "Chief, that's uncalled for! I am above that! I am a professional doing my duty! My feelings are not important! And I do not like him."
"I'm kidding, Haqua. Don't take it so seriously. Anyway, why don't you just ask him about it?"
"He won't tell me if I ask. It needed to come from you, so he would obey me. I ask that this be made into an official part of the operation to save the Goddesses and their hosts. Let it be an official New Hell order."
Dokuro looked at Haqua teasingly. "Shame on you, using New Hell operations for your personal purposes!"
"This is not for personal purposes. I just think this is a good idea!"
"Haqua, you saved New Hell from the clutches of Vintage. As thanks, I will grant you this favor. You can draw up an order regarding your ideas, and I will sign it."
"Really? Thank you, Chief."
"I'm not finished, Haqua. I think I know how we can use that idea of yours. Let's see. The girls should know how Keima sees them so they can adapt. If they could see that their efforts are bearing fruit, their love could grow even more."
"You're telling me that I should just tell the girls about what Keima thinks of them?"
"Yes."
"That's impossible! Do you know how much grief I would get from Katsuragi if that happens? And that would make some girls lose affection for him, don't you think so?"
"Even so, the girls must be guided so that they can tailor their efforts to his criteria. Okay, I admit, the girls need not be told directly. But they must know."
"What? How could I do that?"
"I'm leaving it up to you. I have faith in you. You are the top of the class despite not being from a high-class family of demons and without horns, are you not?"
The valedictorian was flattered. "I am. Don't worry, I will find a way to let the girls know without getting into difficulties. And I have a favor, Chief. Could I draw up two orders? One detailing my real orders, and one that I can show him so that he would believe me?"
Dokuro shrugged. "Fine, fine. Write it up, and I'll sign it to make it official."
…
After that, she contacted Elsie and told her about "new orders" from Dokuro. She was not lying. Once Dokuro signed it and gave her approval, it became her actual orders. She showed the written orders to Elsie to make sure she understood.
Earlier that Day…
Haqua had asked Diana to come to Yukie's home.
"What is it, Haqua?" asked an impatient Diana in the living room as they drank tea.
"Do you remember when you asked me about asking Katsuragi about Tenri?"
"Yes. You refused."
"Well, for my own totally separate and unrelated reason, I was able to ask him about Tenri. And he talked about the girls. He compared them with each other. I even wrote a report about it. He'll talk about Tenri tonight, and I'll include that in my report."
"What? What did he say about Tenri?"
"I can't tell you. I made a promise not to tell anyone," Haqua declared. "And I won't show you the report. So don't bother to ask."
"Then why did you bother to tell me that?" Diana barked, getting miffed.
Haqua hoped that the tactician goddess would get her hints.
"Just so you'd know. Anyway, remember the time I pretended to be Elsie? Well, I had a bag that I lost. I can't find it. I'm looking for it. Perhaps you can tell me where to look tonight, after I complete Tenri's report? I'll bring my report along. But I won't show it to you, so don't ask! I hope I won't leave it around accidentally. You know how absent-minded I can be. It would be very embarrassing for me if you picked it up by mistake and inadvertently look at its contents."
The Goddess eyes widened and a mischievous smirk formed on her lips. "Bag? Sorry, haven't seen it. Anyway, I'll be at the Astronomy Club. Vulcan called a meeting of the Goddesses later at eleven. I'll probably be at the room alone at ten. I won't be expecting anybody at that time."
Part 163 – Goddess and Devil "Deal"
…
At Present…
Haqua sighed. It was not her intention to be caught so blatantly. Oh well. She originally planned to give the papers to them as well. It would at least save her the pain of thinking of ruses.
"I was just here early. You know, the early bird gets the early worm," Diana insisted. "I did not ask her to come here."
"Yes, she did not," Haqua confirmed. "I was just looking for something. You know, during the time I pretended to be Elsie when Elsie was Kanon? I thought I left it here."
"A likely story, but I will not insist upon it if you answer the next question correctly," Vulcan said. "These are Katsuragi's words, am I right? It says here, Katsuragi's opinion of the girls of the schedule. So don't lie. He did tell you all this, am I right? This seems too specific to be a work of fiction."
"As long as you promise you don't tell anyone, I'll answer your questions."
"If you don't answer, I'll show this to that uncouth man," the eldest goddess answered.
"Don't tell him!" Haqua cried. "I promised him that what was written there was a secret! I will never tell you what he told me!"
"So this is from Katsuragi himself. Hm, very useful. Tell me about this," Vulcan demanded.
Diana intervened. "It's actually my fault, Elder Sister. I asked Haqua to ask Katsuragi how he views Tenri so Tenri would not go blind in her quest to capture him. Not that she needed it, as she's his fiancé, but it would be nice to know for Tenri, so she could seal her victory in five years. She refused at first, but then I guess it was just for plausible deniability so that if Katsuragi finds out, Haqua can say that she didn't tell or show it to me."
"I never agreed to what you've asked. It's all a complete coincidence," Haqua asserted. Her initial plan to disseminate the information to the girls got busted, but she had already shifted tactics. "I just got careless and accidentally left the file, and it's not my fault if Diana is a nosey goddess."
That riled the Goddess within Tenri. "I am not nosey. I am just curious!"
Vulcan narrowed her eyes. "I haven't finished asking my questions. Tell me, what did you tell Katsuragi that made him tell all of this to you?"
"That it's necessary because it was demanded by my superiors," Haqua replied.
"So you lied to him by telling him that your chief ordered this, even if she did no such thing?" the eldest goddess asked.
The devil gritted her teeth, outrage seeping through her eyes. "How dare you question my integrity! I will not answer that question!"
"Do you deny lying to him about your superior, Haqua du Lot Herminium?" Vulcan demanded.
"I refuse to answer that question!"
"So you did lie to him about receiving orders from your superiors! I wonder if I should tell your boss you're using her for this? Anyway, are you gonna do more of these reports afterward?" asked Mercury, looking at the devil.
"Weekly, that's what I told him."
Vulcan smirked. "So you got weekly reports? Very well, then. In exchange for our silence, you, Haqua, must also give us copies of your weekly reports. By the way, Diana, I asked this before, but I'll ask again, just to be sure. If we did not come here early, were you planning on telling us about this? Tell the truth."
"Fine. I was going to keep this between Haqua and me, for Tenri's sake," the Goddess of the Hunt admitted, her eyes fixed on the carpet. "Can you blame me? Everything's fair in love and war. Don't you agree, Mars?"
Mars smirked. "I'd do the same in your shoes, except I wouldn't get caught."
Vulcan glared at Diana. "Now that all of us know, this is very advantageous to all of the Jupiter Sister, not just you, Diana. I'll let this pass."
Diana was relieved. She would be spared a scolding. "Thank you, my dear eldest sister. I am deeply sorry for not thinking of my sisters when I cooked up this scheme. I was selfish. This was not even necessary since Tenri would win even without it."
"That's fine. He'll choose Tsukiyo even with this, little sister." The Goddess of Fire looked at Haqua. "So, what is your answer?"
"I made a promise to Katsuragi never to show my reports to anyone! I will not give you or your sisters any copy!" the devil declared.
"I will tell that dirty little man if you don't!" Vulcan roared. "And I'll rat you to your boss too!"
"Wait! Wait!" Diana cried. "Haqua need not directly give it to anyone. Maybe she can give it to us the way she gave this report to me?"
"Very well, then. Diana, you will cooperate with Miss Herminium every week. Miss Herminium, you will leave your report somewhere where we can accidentally find it and copy it!"
"I will not give my reports to you!" Haqua asserted. "If I somehow misplace my reports, and you find it, you must give it to me! However, if you read and make copies of it if you find it, without me knowing, then I cannot stop you, can I? So please, I'm begging you, don't do it!"
"Fine, if you misplace it, we will return it to you, and you will never hear that we made copies and read it," the Roman Goddess of Fire agreed.
"Katsuragi and the girls must never know of this!" the devil asserted. "If they do, then maybe I would be more careful about misplacing my reports."
Vulcan merely nodded.
Part 164 – Mars' Request
…
Later…
"Show it to me, big sister!" Minerva pleaded after Haqua left.
"Yeah. I want to know how Yui did with her beloved!" Mars joined in.
"I bet Kanon is on the top of the list!" Apollo asserted.
That earned a chuckle from both Diana and Vulcan.
"Take your time. It doesn't matter that much, as Ayumi's already married to that man," Mercury yawned.
Vulcan looked at Diana, and the Goddess of the Hunt nodded.
Using her Goddess powers, the Goddess of Volcanoes made an additional five copies and gave each of her sisters a copy.
…
"Damn it! Kanon, why did you have to do that dumping schedule thing!" Apollo exclaimed in panic. "How could you be last? You're an idol!"
"I'm proud of you, Yui," Mars exclaimed while reading her copy. "If only that Fuse girl did not interfere, then you'd be on top!"
"This report does not matter. Only the report for the last week of the last year would matter in the end. And Tsukiyo is going to win that. But it won't hurt if Tsukiyo would try to get a higher ranking than fourth place in the next week," Vulcan quietly mumbled.
"How could Shiori be in third place? It's better than last, I guess," Minerva whispered. "At least that One Leaf idea was great."
Mercury's eyes remained sleepy as she read her copy. "Oh, Ayumi! I know he deserves it, but do you really have to beat that boy up really bad? I guess things have to change."
"Tenri's on top, and she's going to stay on top," Diana said in a loud voice as she again looked at her copy. "Just as she deserves!"
…
After the excitement had died down, Vulcan addressed her sisters.
"I know some of you are disillusioned by what that vile man has said about your host," she began. Despite her words, she was very disappointed with Tsukiyo's placement. At least her negatives were minimal, unlike Nakagawa or Takahara.
She looked at her sisters. Mars and Diana have a triumphant look on their faces, Minerva was calm, Mercury had the same bored, sleepy look, but on her eyes, she could see disenchantment, and Apollo was close to panic as she was shaking.
"But this could help us. Use this to advise your host about what she should do to win that man. Tell her what she must and must not do to avoid last week's mistakes. But above all, tell her what Katsuragi is looking for in a girl," she declared. "Anyway, you must also promise never to tell them about these reports. Or it might jeopardize their love for him. Promise to keep this is a secret."
"We promise!" all five of her sisters said at the same time.
"So how about Kosaka? Will you advise her, Mercury?" Mars asked. "After all, you volunteered to protect her interests too."
"I did. But only as to harming her or expelling her from the schedule. I won't help Kosaka with this," Mercury declared. "I'll only help Ayumi."
"Ha, that's not very fair for her," Apollo pointed out in a mischievous tone.
"All's fair in love and war. It's not my fault Kosaka has no Goddess to advise her," the Messenger Goddess pointed out.
Vulcan shouted to get their attention. "Enough of that! Let's proceed to the real reason we're here. Mars, you called for this meeting of the Goddesses."
The Goddess of War took center stage. "Thank you, eldest sister. My sisters, I have something to ask of you."
"This has something to do with our bet?" Apollo taunted. "What is it? Afraid? Having second thoughts?"
Mercury yawned. "Yes. After all, according to Haqua's reports, Katsuragi likes it if you believe that Fuse isn't in love with him. You would have been on top if you didn't insist on that mistaken belief."
"Thanks for not believing!" Diana mocked. "If it weren't for that, Tenri wouldn't be at the top."
"Yes, it's about Yui and Fuse. And no, we're not backing down," Mars insisted. "My host has a request. If Fuse confesses her love, and you have to persuade your hosts to vote for her, please don't use this bet or tell them they would lose time to Yui, just to persuade them to vote for Fuse. Use other means but the bet. Yui doesn't want Fuse to become a member of the schedule just because of a threat to your hosts' time with Katsuragi," Mars asked.
All looked at Vulcan. "Fine. It doesn't matter. Fuse is not in love with Katsuragi anyway, and that's that. So yeah, we agree on all that. When can we tell our hosts about the bet then?"
"After either of us has won. So if I win, after Fuse is voted in or out the schedule. If I lose, at the end of the week, if Fuse hasn't confessed her feelings yet," Mars said.
"Agreed. It's fair enough, we won't tell them about the bet until the loser has to pay," said Vulcan. She looked at her sisters. "Any objections?"
There was none, and all the sisters agreed to it. To them, it was Mars digging Yui's grave even further.
"Just don't blame us if Yui falls last because she doesn't believe Fuse," Apollo declared.
…
Part 165 – Monday Walk with Tenri
Early Monday morning, Second Week…
Keima Katsuragi was just outside the fence of Tenri Ayukawa's home, waiting for his neighbor to come out. It was Tenri's time. She had fifteen minutes.
She took a bit longer than usual, he noticed, but just shrugged as he continued playing his PFP. Finally, the door opened, and Tenri emerged in her Misato High Uniform. She was being seen off by her parents.
Wait. Why was she being seen off by her parents?
The entire family came towards him, and Tenri was very red in the face.
The father came to him and suddenly shook his hand. "Take care of Tenri," he said solemnly.
Mrs. Ayukawa smiled at him. "Well, both of you lovebirds need to go off! Take care!"
…
"What's going on?" he asked as they were walking towards their respective schools, although he already had an idea.
"Keima, I'm so sorry," she began, looking at the ground, unable to say anything else.
"Sorry for what?"
Tenri stopped, and he stopped too, pocketing his PFP.
She looked away, unable to look at him, before whispering, "For…for what I… I did last time. They saw it."
Keima knew what it was. Tenri surprised him by kissing as he was leaving Tenri's home last Friday. And apparently, her parents saw what happened.
This was bad.
"What did you say to them?"
"I'm sorry. But I said nothing. I know you can't choose, and I can't say what's really happening, I said nothing," she squeaked.
No matter how much Tenri could detect his own lies, his neighbor could not lie or act to save her own life. She was telling the truth. So that was a relief. Now he needed to act.
"Tenri, I'm so glad that you did not tell your parents about anything," he said as a plan began to form in his brain. "Don't worry. I'll fix it. You don't have to do anything but to tell the truth when I tell you to."
"What are you planning?" she asked, finally looking at him.
"You don't need to know yet," he said. He really wanted to tell her, but given Tenri could not act or lie as well as himself, Kanon, or Elsie, he could not involve Tenri in his plans. He had to take advantage of her honest feelings. "Just do what you would do in your situation when I ask you to. Just trust me on this, okay? Everything will be fine. Do you trust me, Tenri?"
"I trust you with my life, Keima," Tenri answered.
"Thank you," he said, looking at her. He was very grateful that the girls, but Tenri especially, trusted him.
"Let's go then," he said, and they both resumed their walk towards school.
When they got to the intersection where they must separate, Keima looked at her. "Oh, and one more thing. You said you're sorry. You don't have anything to be sorry for. You don't need to apologize."
"Keima, it's my fault that—"
She was cut off when he bent and gave a chaste peck on her right cheek. "Thank you very much for your trust in me, Tenri. See you tomorrow."
And once again, her legs buckled, and blood rushed to her face as she watched him walk towards his school. All the tension and all the emotions, it was too much. It felt so beautiful, and she felt that she really had nothing to apologize for, because why would Keima kiss her on the cheek if that was so?
She had felt guilty about throwing a wrench in his plans when she kissed him, and she got caught. Now she looked at his eyes before he left, and she could see how he really felt.
Keima was so wonderful.
She was so spent that she nearly sank to the ground. Diana rescued her and took over, her wings bigger than ever.
"Katsuragi, you will answer for Tenri's heart."
The goddess opened an umbrella and walked towards Misato High.
Part 166 – President of the Council
That's another fine mess I need to fix.
He thought that the prologue was over, but apparently, there were a lot of side quests that he needed to take care of. What kind of game was this? He thought he only had to solve the problem of his own parents. Who knew he had to contend with Tenri's parents as well?
…
Aoba Fuse positioned herself under a tree near the intersection. Thanks to her copy of the schedule, she knew that her Master was with the Ayukawa girl. She knew that they had to separate at this place.
She was playing her PFP as she waited. She sorted her thoughts about her Master. She thought about walking with him towards school. School—her heart ached at the thought, and she gritted her teeth.
Ever since Aoba became Keima Katsuragi's disciple, her admiration for him grew by leaps and bounds. Yet at the same time, she became acutely aware that he was very unpopular among her peers. She heard unflattering epithets directed at him. He was insulted behind his back, and even to his face. He, who was the second greatest person in the world to her, just took it. People kept asking her why does she keep hanging around the Otamegane. They kept asking if she had lost her mind.
She understood the reason for his unpopularity, of course. His habits, his brilliance, and his disdain for the real world combined to make him a pariah. He doesn't want to be friendly or to have their approval. And that made her admiration grow even more.
Yet even as the girl genius understood why he was unpopular, she could not help but resent her peers for not being friendly with her master. Lately, every slight that she heard about him began to hurt her. Every insult, she began to take personally. She wanted to hit back, to defend his honor to the entire school. Yet she knew that doing so would be unwise. He would be perceived as hiding under her skirts, and his name would be blackened even more.
Thankfully, her associates did not openly mock him in her presence. That would earn a rebuke from her.
She wanted to make him respected, take revenge on those who slighted him, and at the same time, keep his personality intact.
…
She noticed something.
And there's the Divine One with Tenri Ayukawa. She spied him kissing her on the cheeks before they separated. Time to join her Master.
…
"Divine One," he heard, and there was Aoba Fuse, a pink PFP in hand, joining him.
"Aoba," he acknowledged.
"Thank you, Master, for what happened last night. You made me feel welcome," she began.
"Think nothing of it, my disciple," he said. "You did your part. You won them over. Congratulations."
"It's because you asked me to. I hope that my presence won't cause you further trouble."
"It won't. Now, I want your advice," he began. It was on the back of his mind since his last time with Shiori, but with almost everything resolved, he could get back to it.
"Anything, my Master."
"There's this book in the library. Shiori showed it to me. It's called One Leaf," he began. "I want to own it. Not now, since I can look at it every time as long as I'm in the library, but before I graduate. I think you already know how to get the book."
"You need to persuade the library committee head to put it up for disposal," she answered.
"Yes. We need a friendly committee head. Now, I know I can persuade whoever the committee head is to do that, but I'm thinking bigger. I want Shiori Shiomiya to be the new committee head next year. Maybe she can dispose of all those galge books."
"Shiomiya would want that very much, though I don't think anyone would want to appoint her. She's too timid."
"To appoint Shiori, I want to install someone friendly as Student Council President. Someone who would always do what I want."
"You want a puppet?"
"Yes. Having someone friendly will solve a lot of my problems," he explained. "For example, I could use it to set the schedule of the girls' clubs to make the making the weekly schedule an easier task. Or simply get some favors from the school administration that would help me in the schedule."
"A nice plan. So who are you recommending?"
"Kanon or Ayumi. They are the two most popular students in school."
"I'm afraid Kanon can't be it. She's too busy with her idol work. And Ayumi is too busy in her track and field," said Aoba.
"So do you know someone who should run, that could win? Could you influence that person too? I know you have far more contacts than me since you only recently became attached to the ideal."
"I have."
"So, who are you recommending?"
"You."
...
From the moment the God of Conquests told her that he wanted someone "friendly" in the President's chair, she knew she had the solution to her problem. From that moment on, only one thing mattered in Aoba Fuse's mind. Keima Katsuragi was to sit in the President's chair and rule the school in their last year.
Keima stopped and looked at his disciple. She stopped too and looked at him.
"Come again?"
"Keima Katsuragi should be the Student Council President," she declared.
"You're joking."
"I've never been more serious in my life."
He looked at her, then chuckled, then laughed uproariously. "Me? President! Do you know my reputation? I'm the bespectacled game nut! The Otamegane! I'm the most hated student in this school! It's impossible."
She was not discouraged by his reaction to her proposal. He was right. His reputation would make her dream seem ludicrous. Who would vote for him, the most disliked student? Well, there were the girls of the schedule, for one. That's six. Then herself and Elsie. That's eight. But there were about fifteen hundred students in the high school, of which about a thousand were girls.
It would be hard. But it would be worth it.
"Yes. It is impossible today. But the election will be held in April, at the start of the next school year. By that time, it may not be that impossible."
"Stop! Stop it! Look, I'm telling you right now that you should stop talking about it. This is impossible! I'd only be humiliated if I ran! So stop it! Don't mention it again, do you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, Divine One. I promise that as long as electing you is impossible, I won't mention it to you again," she promised, carefully selecting her words.
He nodded. "Good. Let's talk about something else," he murmured as both of them went through the school gates.
…
"Hey, Otamegane! Kanon dumped you! Serves you right!" one boy their age shouted at him.
Many students looked at him and laughed. He could pick up what was being said. He was dumped. Kanon's too good for him, and they were glad that Kanon was 'saved'. They 'knew' that Kanon could not have liked someone as creepy as himself.
It was fine. With no one linking him to Kanon or to any other girl for that matter, he could continue on with his mission with fewer headaches.
The best thing was, there was less hostility compared to the aftermath of Kanon's confession.
"Hey, Otamegane," another boy called and stood in front of him. "Look, I really thought Kanon liked you, and that you were Kanon's boyfriend. So I acted like a jerk. Truce?"
That surprised him. His plan was working better than he thought it would. "Whatever. I'm still the Otamegane," he murmured.
"Hey, even if I don't hate you, you're still a creep!" that boy said as Keima and Aoba walked away.
A girl suddenly came before them. "Thank you."
"Huh?" asked a bewildered Keima.
"For helping Kanon. Kanon said that she wouldn't become as famous as she is if it were not for you. So, as a Kanon fan, I feel I owe you an apology for how I treated you. And thanks for helping Kanon's career," she said.
"You're welcome," he murmured as he brushed her off. "Don't talk to me again."
And that was what happened. Most of the students still despised him, but they were all glad that he and Kanon were not lovers. And a minority apologized to him for being mean to him for the wrong reasons, even if they still disliked him. They just disliked him less. And an even smaller minority both apologized and thanked him for helping Kanon. He became a tiny bit more popular with that crowd. But everyone believed he and Kanon were not boyfriend and girlfriend.
That was a relief.
…
Part 167 – The Book and Game Club
The Student Council President of Mai Hai Private High was a very powerful position. The President alone was elected. The other council members were appointed by the President and approved by the faculty. The President allocates the budget among the clubs. Since almost all students were members of the clubs, that meant that nearly all the students were deferential even if they didn't vote for that person to be President. And there were more powers.
As they walked to their classrooms, Aoba began to metaphorically salivate as she imagined her master in the President's Chair. If the God of Conquests became President, then the student body would be more respectful and deferential to him. And by definition, winning would mean he was already popular.
Yet she knew he could not win with his personality. Paradoxically, she did not want him to change. She wanted him to win as himself.
That was a tough conundrum. But it would be worth it if she pulled it off.
And there was the issue that he did not want to run because it would be in the real, and it would mean that he would be giving in to the real, instead of remaining in the ideal.
She did not see it that way. Him becoming President while being himself would be the biggest triumph of the ideal over the real. Yes, the ideal was way better than the real. And the way to prove it to the school was if he would have power over every student in Mai-Hai Private High.
The ideal will trample reality to the ground. Reality will bow down to the ideal when the school bows down to Keima Katsuragi.
Still, she had to prepare. Her master has five months left to change his mind—yes, Keima Katsuragi will change his mind—he had to. And she must prepare the way so that when he comes around, everything will be set-up and all he had to do would be to announce and file the papers.
She already had a plan in motion.
…
"Divine One, may I ask, are you a member of any school clubs, by any chance?" she asked as they approached their respective classrooms.
"You already know the answer to that. I am a member of the go-home club like you are. Why do you ask?"
"I want to form a club. With you as President."
"What kind of club?"
"A Books and Games Club. Only those who play games or read books should be a member, and we can get a room just for members. Thus, we can game peacefully or read books on games in school. We can choose which games and books could be played and read. It would be a perfect place to indulge in the ideal and shut off the real, don't you think?"
"Yes, it would be, I agree," he mumbled.
"Then let me set it up," she volunteered. "I could have it for you this afternoon. Please, promise me you'll be President of the Club when I get this?"
"Yes, get Kodama's approval by this afternoon. Don't forget to mention to him that I would be a member and the President too. If he approves, we can launch our club tomorrow, and I promise I'll be Club President," he whispered as they approached their respective classrooms. Truth be told, he thought little about it. He preferred not to be tied down by any club of the real. The only reason he made the promise was he felt her disappointment when he told her to stop talking about him running for Student Council President.
And he knew Kodoma would never approve new clubs. He was still sore about losing at the Sports Festival just before the exams. And his temper and mood would mean he would reject every application. He remembered how the only reason the 2B Pencils application was approved was that he somehow got a 99. And if the English teacher heard that he would be the President? He would reject it out of hand.
It was a safe promise to make. One that he never would have to keep.
…
Part 168 – Stay Away From Him
Meanwhile…
"So what's up between you and the Otamegane?" asked Chihiro with a teasing smile on her face. They were in the 2B classroom, a bit early.
"Don't tell me you were just studying when we came?" Ayumi added with a big grin on her face.
Miyako Terada blushed a bit. "What are you talking about? We were just studying. Elly's with us the entire time. Just ask her! Elly, nothing happened, right?"
"Nothing? You two made me study and memorize and work! You two are so mean!" the devil whined, making the three other girls laugh. She huffed and went to her other classmates.
"But you like him, don't you?" whispered Chihiro with a feral grin.
"What? Him?"
"Yeah, don't deny it. Listen, I've got to warn you though, stay away from him," the normal girl stated.
"Why? Do you like him, Chihiro?" Miyako countered.
"No, no. Why should I like a doofus like him? Let's just say I'm concerned. If word goes around that you're dating a jerk like him, what would other people say?" the normal girl argued. "Besides, nothing good could come from hanging out with him. He's stupid, he's dumb, he's a jerk, he knows nothing! Plus, he just plays games all day! I'm telling you, you are setting yourself for a world of heartache if you fall in love with him."
"Yes. That's why nobody likes him! Have you seen Kanon yesterday? Why did you think she said that? It's because she realized what a mistake confessing to that Katsuragi jerk was! Ha! The greatest idol liking the greatest Otaku! What a joke!" Ayumi snorted, chuckling a bit. "I just hope that boy was foolish enough to believe that! Watching his heart break would so satisfying! Serves him right for all that he did!"
"Wait! Are you serious? How could you say such things? I thought you were friends with him?" asked Miyako, looking at the two girls. She looked at Elsie. Fortunately, Elly was talking to someone else at the opposite side of the room, so she couldn't hear their whispers.
"Haven't you heard the rumors? Oh, we're just being nice to him for Elly's sake. Elly's a sweet girl and our friend. It would not be nice if we talked bad about her brother to her face, right? So, we're pretending to be friends with him to keep Elsie happy," Ayumi explained as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Miyako was shocked by what she heard from her friends. She knew for a fact that for a long time, her two friends had a hostile relationship with Keima Katsuragi. In fact, the way they had just talked about him was identical to how they had talked about him months before.
But lately, they seemed to be mellowing out. Ayumi became friendlier and closer to him, and Chihiro seemed to have accepted him as a friend. Heck, she was beginning to suspect that those two girls liked him, with the way those two sometimes blushed when talking to him or when he was the topic of conversation.
And it was all an act to appease Elsie?
A certain ache and anger formed in her when she heard him being badmouthed. Before, she really didn't mind. It was, after all, harmless gossip about him. But now that she really got to know him better? She felt terrible for him. And a little hurt about how her friends could just talk about him like that. Right now, she felt a need to defend him, as if she felt something for him.
No, that's not right. She did not feel something for him. She's just being fair to someone she had come to know much better.
"Stop that, please! I don't like him like you're implying, but I do consider him a friend," Miyako stated. "And he's not stupid or dumb. He's one of the smartest and greatest students in this school. He's the top student. We should be proud of him! And didn't you hear Kanon? She thinks of him as a brother. Wasn't that sweet?"
"It's just a code word for dumping him," Chihiro asserted. "I read it all the time in magazines. Just read the article 100 ways to dump your boyfriend in Girl Walker. It's in there."
"And what's this about him being the greatest? You do like him! Stay away from him, please. He's bad news. He's a liar and a cheat, and you deserve better," Ayumi pleaded. "We'll set you up with some other boys if you like. Just be careful around him."
"Look, I am not after him! I'm just teaching him piano!" she asserted. "What gave you that idea? Look, don't be offended, but what you said about him was uncalled for."
"Nah, it's the Otamegane! He won't mind!" Chihiro asserted. "We're just real girls, not 2D girls, so why should our opinion count? Just stay away from him."
"You goaded me to teach him!" she accused.
Ayumi frowned. "We're just fooling around. And I thought you were just leading him around the nose when you said yes. I didn't think you were serious. I mean, I don't think he has the talent and brains to even look at the piano. I thought you know better than to get involved with him."
That really got to her. She balled her fist and slammed it against her desk. That got the attention of the entire class. "Stop it!" she whispered. "I am going to do it, no matter what you say, and I am going to succeed!"
Luckily, she did not say more, as most students were looking at her.
When their attention was off them, Miyako whispered, "Look, I want to be friends with him. Only friends. And I really don't like you saying those things about him. I know you always say things like that before, and I was okay with that back then. But not now. Don't say those things about him in front of me if you want to remain my friends."
"Fine, you win, we won't say anything," Ayumi agreed, a huge sigh coming out from her.
"Well, take care of the Otamegame!" Chihiro cheered, slapping her in the back.
"I knew you liked him!" the runner added, her face sporting a wide grin. "If he makes you cry, just tell us, and we'll whip his butt!"
Part 169 – Enter Asami
…
Asami Yoshino was already seated on her chair at the back, staring at the discussion going on between the 2B members. By the looks of it, they were talking about Keima Katsuragi.
She blushed as she thought about him, as she had a long-term crush on the said boy. Yet she was too timid, too afraid to speak to anyone about it aside from her family.
She looked around and saw her classmates with their peers and friends, talking and laughing without care, and she looked at her book. A long time ago, she would be envious and yearn to be able to easily talk to others and be more sociable. She hated herself for her inability to easily make friends. But somehow, her perspective changed.
Now, she didn't mind being an introvert. She stopped longing to be like others, she stopped wanting to be an extrovert like her younger sister. She accepted who she was—a girl who was introspective, who was interested in people, but who'd like to interact with books more than actual people.
And she was happy. There was no pressure to make friends. She already has her sister. What more could she have? She still has her crush, yet was not prepared to do anything about it.
"Have you watched the TV yesterday? Kanon dumped the Otamegane, apparently. Well, I'm not surprised," a girl on a chair beside her remarked. She was a casual friend to Asami, more of an acquaintance, someone to talk to.
"Why aren't you surprised?" asked Asami.
"Isn't it obvious? He's the Otamegane! No girl could like him!"
"Huh? Why?" Asami asked.
"Hello! Are you living under a rock? Well, let me clue you in about him. He plays games all day, he's rude to everyone, he hates the human race, he's creepy, he's selfish, he's everything a girl should be wary of. So what girl could like him? I admit, when Kanon confessed to him, it was weird. But it turns out, she didn't love him after all! I mean, how could she?"
Asami just sighed. In a way, she was glad that Kanon had taken herself out of contention. That meant she still had a chance. Still, she has other rivals.
"But I saw him with other girls," Asami asserted.
"None of the other girls like him."
"Really? What about our classmates? I always see him with Takahara and Kosaka."
"They're just kind to Elsie. I mean, why would our champion runner and leader of the 2B Pencils want anything to do with a creep like him?"
"Shiomiya?"
"She just wants the help of our resident genius. He's helping her with her book. That's all there is to it! Trust me, I'm very clued in with the latest gossip, Yoshino."
"Goido?"
"She's just mocking him and making a fool out of him. I mean, look at Goido's antics! If she really likes him, she'd restrain herself! Does Goido really think what she's doing would work if she's really after him? She's not stupid. Either that, or she's just being kind to Elsie."
"How about Fuse?"
"Katsuragi's shadow? She's just his disciple. Both are game nerds. It makes sense that they're hanging around together. But that's about it."
"But that's a stretch. I mean, all of those sounds like excuses," Asami pointed out.
"Normally, with other boys, I'd agree. But he's the Otamegane! No girl could like him! Just look at Kanon finally coming to her senses! So those are not excuses, but the truth."
"I guess so," said Asami, who was not assured at all. She had hoped there was some credible reason for why those girls did not really like Katsuragi. Instead, 'it's impossible for girls to like him'. Which was false, as her own situation would show.
It's perfectly possible for girls to like him. Otherwise, Asami wouldn't exist.
And if that was the case, then out of all the girls close to him, quite possibly, one of them, based on the odds, really did like him and was after him.
She was thankful that Kanon really does not like him. That was one rival she could not hope to beat.
Still, she must act. Or one of those girls around him might win his heart.
And crush Asami's dreams in the process.
But how? Now that she gave up on trying to be like her sister and becoming more outgoing, how could she even approach him?
…
Part 170 – Club Shenanigans
In the Faculty Room…
"Mr. Kodama?"
Ichiro Kodama looked up from his desk. It was about fifteen minutes until the start of his first class. And when he saw the girl in front of him, a small smile formed on his face.
It was Aoba Fuse. His hope. And that of every other teacher. Of someone who will topple that boy, that Katsuragi fellow, from his perch at the top of not only his class, or even his year, but the entire school. Having to remember that boy, who was rude and play games in his class yet still gets perfect in everything, makes him angry. He looked over his shoulder. And saw the test where that boy got 99.
That calmed him down. That less than perfect score was his stress ball.
The only wrinkle was Fuse becoming a gamer like Katsuragi and hanging out with the said boy. Still, she did not play games in class. She acted like the top student that she was, unlike him.
"What can I do for you, Fuse?" he asked.
"Mr. Kodama, I'd like to form my own club."
And he frowned. He was not in a mood to approve new clubs.
"And what kind of club would that be?"
"A books and games club, where members could read books, study, and play games."
His temper began to rise as he heard the description. It was like those 'Card-Battling Club' or those dime-a-dozen 'Light Music Clubs'!
"What do you mean, 'A Books and Games Club'? School isn't some playground where you read your trashy romance novels and play games!"
"I assure you, sir, that this is a serious club," she explained.
"And who would be the members of this club? Are you a club consisting of only yourself? Because we have enough of those like the Female Karate Club or the Astronomy Club!"
"Not at all. At present, were you to approve it, we would have two members. Myself, and the President."
"Who's the President?"
"Keima Katsuragi."
That made him lose his temper. Anything that has to do with that boy would cause him to pop a nerve. "What? Approve a club for that? I get it now! You want a club where you can play your games! That boy isn't contented with playing in my class, he wants to have a club for it too! Unacceptable! Unacceptable!"
"Mr. Kodama, please, if you—"
"Just because you're the top two student in this school doesn't mean I would just do anything you ask! Your request is denied!"
"Is that your final word?"
"Yes, Fuse."
"Thank you," said Aoba as she bowed and marched out of the faculty room.
Kodama nearly lost himself. He looked again at Katsuragi's 99-score exam. And that calmed him down. He smiled.
And sighed. He immediately regretted losing his temper with Fuse. But her request was so unreasonable and so outrageous. How could he approve of it?
…
Part 171 – Confirmation
The 2B Classroom…
Every student in the classroom stopped what they were doing when Keima Katsuragi entered the classroom. The talk of the class was still on Kanon's announcement the day before.
"Divine Brother!" Elsie greeted in a loud voice.
"Ha, ha, I knew Kanon couldn't have loved you! You're a joke!" one student shouted.
"You were dumped! How does it feel?" a girl mocked.
Throughout the classroom, snickers of superiority were heard. It was as if everything they ever thought about him was vindicated. Still, not everyone felt that way. A few actually came to like him because of that—he helped Kanon, after all. Those tried to go to him to say kind words.
Only to be shot down by the Otamegane himself as he refused to interact with any of them.
"Hey, don't lump me with them!" one of the girls who changed her mind about him protested.
"Buzz off," he barked as he sat on his chair. "I don't need the real!"
Still, a small crowd went to him, ignoring his rudeness—they were used to it, after all—surrounding him around his chair.
"Thank you for helping Kanon," they said and patted him affectionately even as he concentrated on his game.
"I'm so sorry Kanon dumped you," another said in consolation.
"Hey, don't go near him! You all might get cooties! Can't you see how much of a loser he is that even Kanon wouldn't want to be near him?" another student, one who still despised him, shouted at the small crowd, and the jeers of most of the class showed that they agreed with him.
The small number surrounding Keima thumbed their noses at their classmates and tried to talk to the rude boy.
…
"Wow! I didn't think that would happen," Chihiro said as she observed the scene.
"Very few actually changed their minds," Ayumi pointed out.
"But that is way better than zero," the band leader countered. "Now he gained four or five new fans, it seems."
Before Miyako could comment, Yuri Nikaido entered, and the class calmed down.
…
"Pop Quiz!" the history teacher announced when homeroom was over.
"What?" the class collectively shouted.
"Don't be shocked. I did warn you that I may give a surprise quiz."
…
Miyako Terada was calm as she received her quiz paper. She was lucky. Thanks to her activity with Keima Katsuragi and his younger sister Elsie the day before, she was well prepared for this surprise quiz. The other students had looks of panic in their faces.
What she wasn't prepared for was seeing the questions of the quiz.
She froze. Her eyes widened. Not because it was difficult. No. Having a difficult exam was far easier to handle than what confronted her.
She read all the questions from top to bottom. And ninety-five percent of all the questions were identical—
Identical to the questions Keima Katsuragi predicted the day before. She remembered the questions that he wrote on her whiteboard in her basement.
She began to shake.
No way! Just no way! How could that be? How could he predict that? That really worked?
Now I understand why Elsie kept calling her brother God. Because he is Godly.
She turned her head towards Keima Katsuragi. Already, he was busy, his pen flying over his quiz paper as if he already knew the questions beforehand.
Which he did.
That was too much.
Keima Katsuragi was the greatest student in the history of the academy. In the history of Japan, she began to conclude. There was no other explanation for this. He was a true genius, a once in a lifetime genius. And he was right. Her own study methods, in comparison, were normal, were pedestrian, were mediocre.
How can she ever catch up with such a Godly brain?
She cannot. Nor should she even try.
But she held herself lucky to witness such greatness, such intelligence, such smarts! He doesn't even need to study that hard if he already knew the questions beforehand.
…
Like before, Elsie was the last student who handed over her quiz paper to Miss Nikaido. Like her classmates, she whined when her teacher announced the quiz. Luckily for her, the fact that she was tutored twice meant that, maybe this time, she would pass.
As she gave the quiz paper to Miss Nikaido, the teacher smirked. "Good thing you studied yesterday with Terada and your brother, right?"
"Yes, Miss Nikaido," she said bowing. She was intellectually exhausted, and just wanted to get out of the classroom.
Only when the devil was outside did she realize something. How did she know about that? She shrugged her shoulders. It was the same mystery about how, in the aftermath of the Goddess search, Nikaido was able to see through her disguise as Kanon. She put it on the back of her mind.
…
Part 172 – Imitation
In the 2C Classroom…
Shiori Shiomiya stared at her book for a while before she closed it. She was bored and impatient. Her first hour with Katsuragi was on Thursday. It might as well be an eternity for the librarian. She thought about the time she spent with him the past week, and she blushed. It was so wonderful! And she already knew what she wanted to do with him. She could not wait!
It was a break between subjects, and she looked around. Her eyes rested upon Aoba Fuse. She looked upon with gratitude upon the cold genius. It was because of her that the librarian came to know that Katsuragi liked the One Leaf book very much. Despite her coldness, she seemed kind and friendly. Especially during the meeting the night before at the Café Grandpa.
Fuse was playing her PFP. It was not that strange a sight. The class, and for that matter, the entire year, had become used to the sight of her with a PFP stuck in her hands. They knew that was because of Katsuragi, and they called her his shadow. Not that Shiori was jealous. She was sure Katsuragi would pick her, the cute librarian, when it was time. She knew it! If she didn't know it, she wouldn't have the heart to continue with the struggle for five years. But she knew it! Besides, didn't Fuse give her a reassurance that she wasn't after him?
Still, it was nearly time for English, and Mr. Kodama would enter. Shiori expected her to put away her PFP just as the teacher enters. Unlike Katsuragi, Fuse does not play in front of her teachers. The girl genius kept a respectful attitude towards them.
Mr. Kodama entered. And then Shiori noticed it. Fuse was not putting away her game console.
What are you doing? You're not Katsuragi! Please, please, keep it! I don't want you to get into trouble. I should call her and tell her to put it away. But I can't do that! I'll just bring attention to her. And look at all my classmates! Can't you see them staring at you? I guess you just want to be like Katsuragi, don't you? Not that I blame you, he's so wonderful! And so smart, and so handsome. I wonder if he'll kiss me on our next hour together?
Focus! Now's not the time, Shiori. How can I call her? I just can't call her! I know.
She tore a page out of her notebook and began to write a message.
Dear Fuse,
Please, please put your PFP away. I know you find it enjoyable, but now's not the time. Only one person could get away with playing in class, and you're not Keima Katsuragi. Please, I don't want you to get in trouble. You might even have your console confiscated. Please, please, don't do that.
Shiomiya.
She passed the note to her, and a minute later, she received her reply.
Shiomiya,
Don't worry. I've got this covered.
Fuse.
Luckily, Kodama was busy writing on the board, so he didn't notice Fuse playing. Shiori prayed that Fuse will do as she asked before he turns around.
And he turned around.
And he saw her playing.
"Fuse! What are you doing? Put away that thing."
Fuse looked at him, and said, "Mr. Kodama, I have the impression that you approve students playing PFPs in class as long as the student listens and excels in tests. As I am the top student in this class, doesn't that mean that I have the right to play in class, Sir?"
"What? What gave you that idea?"
"In class 2-B, you and the other teachers allow Keima Katsuragi to play games endlessly because he's the top student in the entire school, and he always gets perfect. So I am the second top student in this school. Therefore, I am exercising the same rights that you gave Mr. Katsuragi."
Shiori, with the entire class, held her breath at the exchange.
The timid librarian just looked at her in admiration and shock. What are you doing? You are not Katsuragi! Please, please, back down! You are just getting yourself in trouble, Fuse.
"What! That's absurd! I do not approve of Katsuragi playing in my class."
"Sir, that may be so, but you still allow it. So do the other teachers," Aoba argued, her voice level, and cool. "I will stop playing games in class if you stop Mr. Katsuragi from playing in his class."
Kodama's jaw just dropped.
"Or sir, if you will, just ask me questions in English right now. As long as it's relevant to our lessons. If I fail to answer a single question, I will put away my PFP."
"Yes, yes," said Kodama. So he began to question Fuse non-stop about English.
And she answered every single question correctly.
Finally, Kodama yelled, "Fine! You can play! But if you fail to get less than perfect in your next test, or if you fail to answer a single recitation, then you stop, am I clear, Fuse?"
"Yes, Mr. Kodoma!"
And she resumed her playing even as a clearly irritated but deflated Mr. Kodama lectured. Shiori just stared at Fuse. Did you just win against Mr. Kodama? Foolish! Why did you have to do that? Don't you know you're just making an enemy of the teachers? Katsuragi does play in class, but the teachers hate him! Did Katsuragi put you up to this? If he did, he's bad! He shouldn't have!
After class ended and Mr. Kodoma huffed out of the room, a small crowd gathered around the chair of Aoba. Shiori also approached her.
Fuse remained focused on her game. The class was congratulating her for staring down their disliked teacher. A few teased her of becoming the new Otamegane.
When Shiori finally got to her, she asked, when they were only two of them, "Are you crazy?"
"Don't worry, Shiomiya."
"Did he put you up to this?"
"This? The Divine One would never suggest something so irresponsible!"
"But if you think it's irresponsible, why are you doing this?"
"For the ideal," the genius answered, and left it at that.
Part 173 – A Plea and a Compromise
Mr. Ichiro Kodama was silently fuming as he entered the faculty room during the lunch break.
How dare she? What happened? What happened to the model student Aoba Fuse? What has come over her?
Keima Katsuragi, that's who! He is spreading his virus! He is spreading his insolence!
Why didn't he discipline Aoba Fuse? Because that would only highlight his failure to rein in Keima Katsuragi. That would only highlight his weakness in the face of his Star Pupil.
What would the entire school think if the top two students could just play at will in the classroom?
Now his hope that his second Star Pupil would displace the detestable Katsuragi was dashed. It would make no difference if she did. It would send a signal to the entire school that it was okay to do as they please if they were smart enough.
Unacceptable!
But what to do?
He needed to get Fuse back to the fold of obedient students. He needed to isolate Katsuragi. Up until now, the case of Katsuragi could be treated as a one-off event that could not be repeated—nobody has his combination of sheer genius, gaming addiction, and cheek. But if Fuse were allowed to stray, then it was not a unique case that can be dismissed but would be an unofficial systematic rule.
That cannot be allowed to happen.
How could he pull her back to the fold before everyone else would hear about it?
"Mr. Kodama," he heard, and he turned around in his desk.
And there was Miss Aoba Fuse. The former model pupil and current problem student.
He smirked. "You came here to apologize?"
"No, Mr. Kodama. I did not do anything that you did not allow other students to do," she pointed out. "I have come here for another purpose."
"What is it?"
"I would like you to reconsider your position regarding my application for the Books and Games Club," she said. "I believe that we have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications for approval of the club."
"I said, no! Go back to Katsuragi and say to him that I would never approve of it!"
"Is that your last word on it?"
"Yes!" he said.
"Then, sir, goodbye," Fuse said, bowing and turning around.
The cheek of that girl! Asking for the club after that display in his classroom! What he needed was her promising not to play in class anymore!
Suddenly, an idea came to his head.
He smiled. He was not sure it would work. Fuse seemed to be too infected with the Katsuragi virus to give up her playing in class, but it was worth a try.
"Fuse! Come back here!"
The blue-haired genius stopped and turned around.
He motioned her back.
She walked towards her. "Yes, Mr. Kodama?"
"Maybe I was too hasty. I'd like to ask you again. Would you promise to stop playing in class?"
"That is my right. I am sorry. That cannot be negotiated."
Kodama stopped himself from yelling at the impudent girl. Right now, he needed her more than she needed him.
"Right, right. How about this. I will approve of your club application if you promise me that you will stop playing in class. And apologize in front of everyone in class."
She wavered. "Sir, that would be betraying my—"
"I'll even allow you to name Katsuragi as Club President, and set your own rules. I'm even throwing in a big unused room as your clubroom."
"That is very generous. I need to talk to Katsuragi about this first."
He needed to reel her in.
"No, no, no! You must make a decision now! This is a one-time offer!"
"I do like to play games in class like the Divine One," she began, her voice devoid of her usual confidence. "But I do like this club too. Yes sir, I accept."
"Splendid!" the English teacher exclaimed as he went to his desktop, filled in a form, printed it, signed it, and gave it to Fuse Aoba. "Here it is. The approval for your club. Now I expect an apology in class tomorrow for your strange behavior."
"I will do so!" said Fuse as she bowed. "Thank you."
She turned around and walked away.
He smiled in triumph. What's a club anyway to the respect of the class and his fellow teachers? What's a club to making a point about playing in class?
He felt he made a very wise decision. He had headed off a potential disaster-in-the-making by making Fuse, the second-best student, walk the straight and narrow path, in contrast to the crooked detestable Katsuragi.
End of Flag XVI
Stats for the Week
Monday – Official Time
Tenri – Morning Walk – 15 minutes
Total:
Tenri – 15 minutes
Author Notes
Aoba Fuse and Asami Yoshino are a light novel heroines. I took their characterizations both from the light novel, and also from Wrathie Winsre's stories.
Oh and an announcement and request. In the near future, I probably would run out of events that the girls could do with Keima during their "official" time. So if any of you could suggest activities that they could engage in one hour, two hours, or three, as long as those activities are in character, please tell me. I'd probably include it, with full credit of course.
Review Replies
To xellos540, thank you for your quick review.
Once again, this is originally a PM that I posted here for the information and enlightenment of other readers.
Yep. Once Kanon made that TV speech, they were already on the point of no return.
I know. Keima's apology was so Keima-like, if that makes sense. Though he also knew Okada's character type, so he most likely made it that way deliberately.
As for what Keima asked Okada, that was revealed later in the chapter. Briefly, Okada was to tell Mari that…
Well, with Aoba's mother being blonde, she must have gotten that blue hair somewhere… xD
That's Yui's advantage. She memorized the rules, and exploited every loophole to her benefit. And impressed Keima in the process. Of course, those same loopholes and technicalities could be used against her by the other girls, if they could only realize it…
True about the alliance. The only thing that binds them is that they have an interest in getting Aoba in the schedule should Aoba really be in love with Keima. And of course, being aristocratic ladies too. Still, for Yui, better to work with Tsukiyo than to work alone. Still, I don't think Tsukiyo's the most persuasive of speakers. I can just imagine her trying to persuade other girls about Aoba. I don't think she can be humble enough, or sneaky enough, to do it. Still, we'll see…
Yes, Mari can see Haqua.
It's not that Shiori forgot what to say. It's that she didn't even know what to say, so she has nothing to forget! xD
And Mari's mind was mind blown. Remember that two or three weeks ago, the idea that even one girl could like Keima for himself was a pipe-dream. Now, there were seven or eight or nine girls (depending if Mari counts Haqua and Aoba) after her son, and one of them is the famous Kanon Nakagawa!
Yes, Haqua blushed as well. I though maybe I'm crazy, but it seems Haqua is sort of perpetually blushing in the anime.
It's not literally the first thing that Aoba disagreed with Keima though. But those are mostly minor things. And this too. In the next chapter, they would disagree on something big.
I hate to be around when Mari has that dangerous aura. Even if that aura is not hostile, like in the café. You can tell that Mari really really liked to stay and see their interactions with Keima.
And the girls and Keima were saved by Okada and Kanon. I wonder if that is part of his plan too? :P
And Kanon is really playing the "like a brother" façade as if everything depended on it (which is does).
Mari-Obasan, Aunt Mari, yeah, that was a very unlikely outcome from Kanon's announcement. As for Kanon being a great actress, she's good, but not as great as Keima (but then again, who is?). And yeah, Kanon is gonna have many interactions with Mari.
Kanon Katsuragi… in part, its just Kanon playing the part of the "brother-niece" façade, and also to make Mari see her as a potential daughter-in-law. Who knows? Maybe in the future, Kanon will act more naturally around Mari instead of acting all the time. But we'll see.
Yep, but the ruses are mostly already mentioned and established before. For example, Keima already mentioned Yui's ruse to Mari before, and also Shiori's ruse. This just summarizes all the ruses in once place so all the girls could know each other ruse and play off it. The only new ruse is Tsukiyo's. And I think Tsukiyo will really enjoy "pretending" that Keima is her butler. xD
Yep. And Aoba's there too see the harem. Wonder if she secretly wishes to be part of it, though :D
And speaking of Aoba, yeah, Aoba's slowly becoming more popular with the girls. And it helps that Keima really likes it if they were nice to her. Though how that will be affected by Yui's activities is an open question.
Why did Yui say that? Aside from being an idiot, she's being cheeky. And she thinks Aoba will just think Yui's teasing or joking, while in reality, Yui's very serious about the matter.
Yep, that's an Aoba coffee flag there.
As for the "truth" of Kanon's announcement, it's this. Keima wanted his mother to know the "truth", but in such a way as to absolve himself of all blame, without really telling the "truth". After all, it would be tough to maintain such a big lie to his mother all the time. Unlike the regular conquests, which would be forgotten after the loose soul was extracted and therefore could safely be ignored, he has to "take care" of the girls for five years. Which meant that eventually, Mari would "find out", even if she never discovers about the supernatural elements.
So Keima is trying to control that process of Mari "finding out", to make it serve his own purposes, and in such a way that it won't blow up in his face. Keima wanted Okada to tell Mari about the entire thing, but to take the blame for it too. So yeah, Mari thinking that Okada is the devil while Kanon and Keima are innocent are all part of the plan.
As for Elsie, a lot of what she does in relation to the girls of the schedule was part of the script. Even if she acts "naturally". After all, the schedule is part of her mission for New Hell. So Elsie just smiling and doing her stuff may or may not be part of the plan.
Yeah. Yui was second place and Tenri first. Even I am surprised by Yui's high placement. I never thought that she could be that high when I started this fic. But she's the one who was forced to adapt the most by the schedule, and she did magnificently. And yeah, her personality meant that she's actively trying to be the player, and she's acting like one even when she's not trying to act like too. It's just natural to her at this point.
As for Tenri, it's no surprise at all that she's number one. She deserves it.
Yeah, Shiori's just behind Yui. The reason for that, was that Yui had such high negatives. While Shiori has none. And Shiori really made Keima happy with that Yokkyun novelization book.
As for what happened in Part 160, with Haqua and Diana, well, this chapter answers that question.
Thanks for the review once again!
To ty, thanks for you review.
Well, the loose ends were not totally cleared up, as this chapter demonstrates, but yes, it was mostly cleared up.
Hopefully, the harem and Miyako shenanigans in this chapter was fun, though they would get better in the next following chapters.
It's actually Tenri and Yui who are top two. What it says about Keima isn't clear, as those two are opposites in every way except in the fact that they love the same man. Shiori is third.
Yep. Mari knows nothing. She still thinks that her son is still a naive boy about love and who is clueless about the real world. Well, Mari already thinks that, since she thinks that Elsie had been compelling Keima to save girls that need help. As for the ruses, just read on. It will unravel. But how, that is the question.
Well, the exposition is important. It will be repeatedly referenced in the future, especially as Keima becomes even more devious and underhanded with his methods. It's cover and advanced forgiveness for things that he will do.
Thanks. And I am lucky. Xellos540 is not only a loyal reviewer, but an excellent beta reader, who not only catches grammar mistakes but plot holes too.
Now I can't remove in my head the image of Haqua reading fan fics! haha.
To issei, thanks.