Disclaimer: I own nothing related to To-Love Ru, if I did, then the series would still be on-going.
Regular exposition text looks like this.
"Speech looks like this."
'Internal thoughts appear like this'.
"Mindscape discussions appear like this."
:=:
Time is an interesting concept. Partly manmade, a second being originally defined by dividing a day into parts and then standardized through relying on consistent atom frequencies, and partly a concept of the universe, simply existing.
A common saying dictates that time passes by quick when you're having fun, and vice-versa time drags on when you do not find enjoyment in what you are doing. While the statement holds true somewhat given how a human brain processes happy emotions differently, Suzuki Naoto knew that logically, time always moves at a constant pace.
'And yet I find myself surprised that half a term has already finished' Naoto wondered, thinking about how time disappears once you adapt to a situation you've found yourself in. A few months ago, when he had come to the realization that this world was one from a Manga story every day felt like a year, all his actions being carefully planned and calculated.
And yet, now as Naoto walks towards the school in the winter uniform he has long accepted the reality of the situation, and his days have begun to meld together. Crazy occurrences becoming common place.
The grins of the schoolboys as they stare towards the girls in their fresh winter uniforms, or the limousine pulled in front of the school gate with a red carpet flowing out from it. Even the ever-present gaze of the creature known as the principal had becom- scratch that, the creature was just as unsettling now as it was months before.
Naoto had found a new normal in the middle of this chaotic landscape, making sure to stay away from serious events. His trust that the characters would somehow fight through was only strengthened by the fact that the planet was still standing months after the arrival of the galactic princess.
"We need to get these documents signed as well Suzuki-kun" Naoto heard, as he helped file through the paperwork of yet another prominent school event. The winter school festival was a keystone event for Sainan High, with classes organizing their own themes to compete for, and pull visiting people as customers. An efficient way to teach students how to earn a living in an economy.
"I apologize, you're forced to help me complete this paperwork when you could have been participating in the planning process for your class" the dark brown eyed girl who'd spoken continued, likely confusing Naoto's silence to be resentment for his current situation.
"It is not your fault that our class president ended up falling sick on such an important day Kotegawa" Naoto answered Yui, "If we could decide when we were to fall sick, then I believe many would simply choose not to" he added, looking to lighten her downcast expression. "And surprising it may be, I do enjoy doing paperwork. Being able to help you with it is just an additional benefit" he finished, conveying his true feelings.
Naoto's interactions with Yui had only become more frequent over the prior few months after the sports competition incident. He never asked whether she was able to find Saruyama that day, but soon afterwards she began approaching Naoto, looking for advice on how to rehabilitate a pervert of incredible proportions.
'Perhaps she found out the true nature of the principal? Rehabilitating that creature is not possible.' Naoto, concerned that Yui would lose her will for justice facing such a difficult wall, had been discussing possible ways to help the student morals improve ever since.
"You're a lifesaver, it really is a big help. If only that class president of yours paid more attention to this, we would have finished all the necessary work long ago" Yui sighed, setting aside even more documents that needed to be completed before the festival started.
"Whatever may have been, it is our job to ensure that everyone else has an enjoyable time during the festival" Naoto reassured her. The stack of papers may be daunting to a student, but for a previous life corporate worker they were a simple deal.
"Umo, can you please open the door? My hands are full" a voice was heard from the door to the classroom they were working in, breaking Naoto's flow on the paperwork as he stood up to open the door.
"Sairenji-san, was there nobody who was willing to help you bring the papers here?" Naoto questioned Sairenji Haruna, crush of the main character, who was now entering the classroom with a stack of papers piled higher than her head.
'If that tower topples, I am not looking forward to picking those up' he prayed, whoever decided that paper binders were a luxury in this school was an idiot.
"Everyone was so excited about deciding a theme for the upcoming festival that I couldn't have possibly asked them to step out!" Haruna meekly confessed, her kind nature not truly suitable for a position of authority. But that very nature was also why she was the class president of 1-A in the first place.
"Oh. Has your class already decided what theme they are going to pick, Sairenji-san? My class is broken between whether they want to do a haunted house or a food stall" Yui asked.
"Ah yes, we've decided on doing an animal themed café. Everyone was really excited about it. Um, the boys seemed to be much more excited once we tried on the costumes we would be using" Haruna answered, embarrassed at the final bit of the statement.
"You don't seem very excited about the theme Sairenji-san. Were you hoping for something else to be selected?" Naoto inquired, noticing how Haruna was getting quieter as she explained about the theme.
"It's not that I'm not excited!" Haruna answered quickly, "It's just that, um, the costumes are a little too revealing for me" she continued, admitting the real reason behind her troubles. She handed over the costume in discussion to Yui after the stack of papers had been deposited on a desk, though Naoto had no clue where she was keeping the costume.
"H-How shameless!" Yui exclaimed, staring at the extremely revealing cat costume that Haruna had handed over to her. "Surely you won't be wearing this for the winter school festival Sairenji-san?!" Yui demanded an answer from Haruna, likely thinking about how the boys would behave when faced by a class of girls wearing costumes like the one in her hand.
"But everyone was really excited about it" Haruna shrunk facing Yui's demand, "and I, um, I too wanted to wear it" she trailed off, mumbling something inaudible at the end.
'She likely wants to wear it to hear Rito's opinion on it' Naoto thought shaking his head lightly. He wondered just how much of Haruna's thoughts were filled with Rito daily.
"The decision whether 1-A can use those costumes and the theme is sadly not in our hands Kotegawa" Naoto interrupted, choosing to rescue Haruna who was growing smaller every second. "Our job is to fill out the details of their choice and send it for approval" he added, borrowing the image of the school authorities and adults that Yui was less likely to question. At least for now.
"Sairenji-san, thank you for bringing all the remaining documents over, but I believe you should return to participate in the planning process of your class theme. Since you're also involved in the final event, it would be terrible if you were to miss any important details" Naoto then continued, looking to give Haruna a way out from further questioning. An option she made quick use of.
"Thank you, Suzuki-san! Please do let me know if I can help with the paperwork afterwards. I feel terrible leaving it all to you both" Haruna said as she made her way back to the door, bowing once she was near the exit.
"Sorry for making us do even more work Kotegawa, I'll take a larger share given how I asked Sairenji-san to leave it to us" Naoto addressed Yui, who had been quiet.
"No, letting Sairenji-san enjoy herself with her class was the right decision Suzuki-kun" she smiled kindly, her expression morphing into a frown soon after "But I am sure that this theme will surely be rejected by the school once they see what shameless costumes the students are set to wear" she finished, returning to work on her side of the paperwork.
'I fear that there is simply no chance of the theme being rejected, exactly because it's the school authorities who have the final say, Kotegawa' Naoto thought to himself, unwilling to shatter the girls trust in the school just yet, as he too returned to his pile of work.
:=:
Finally done with the mountain of paperwork in record time, Naoto was free to return to his classroom. Many of the classes for the day had been cancelled, providing time to the students for their theme planning, leaving Naoto with additional time to spend.
'Perhaps the library? I can drop the health concern papers by the doctor's room on my way there' Naoto planned the route to his destination, seeking the quickest route to get things finished.
"Master! Wait for me!" his plans however were set to pause by a student rushing through the empty hallway towards him, the stark white hair of the student and the way of addressal allowing Naoto to easily recognize the identity of the student.
"Ren, what did I say before about running in the hallway?" Naoto chided Ren, the gender shifting alien who had made his way to Naoto, now looking apologetic.
"That it was a disturbance and a potential risk to others. I am sorry Master, but I needed your advice as soon as possible!" Ren explained while apologizing.
Naoto's relationship with Ren Elsie Jewelria, an alien childhood friend of the galactic princess was quite odd. For some reason the alien boy had began seeking him out soon after the sports competition.
Luckily for Naoto it was not because Ren wanted to challenge Naoto to contests like he challenged Rito very often, from what Naoto had heard, but because he wanted advice to better himself so that he could court Lala.
'Not that I am a leading authority to give such advice' Naoto sighed within. Thankfully, instead of needing specific advice, what Ren was seeking was general guidance and confidence to follow through his decisions, much like a certain cyborg once required from a caped baldy. If only the way he referred to Naoto was not similar to that of the cyborg as well.
"And Ren, what did we discuss about how you would refer to me?" Naoto asked hotly, looking annoyed.
"That you would refer to me by my first name and I would stop calling you Master, Master!" Ren answered confidently, as if oblivious to the error of his ways.
"Ren"
"Yes Master?"
"1 week of self-reflection for you as punishment"
Naoto delivered the verdict to a now downcast Ren. His self-reflection period meant that he was strictly barred from asking for any advice from Naoto. Thankfully while the white-haired alien failed to follow the rule of not referring to Naoto as his Master, he kept true to the period of self-reflection, giving Naoto some time to stay without any worries.
"But Mas- I mean Naoto-san, could you please at least help me with the situation I face right now? 1 week would be too late, I beg you!" Ren pleaded, clearly desperate for help, leaving Naoto unable to disagree.
"Fine but keep it to 10 words or less" Naoto nodded, borrowing words from someone who was much more experienced than him in handling such a pupil.
"Yes! Our class is arranging a café, I wanna participate!" Ren answered back.
Naoto could feel a headache forming before he even asked Ren for more details.
"I believe it's a girls only theme café, how are you looking to participate?" he asked, slightly concerned if the alien would reveal his ability to switch genders at this moment. His fear was however unfounded.
"That's why I am troubled Naoto-san! I want to help Lala-chan in any way possible!" Ren answered enthusiastically. His intentions clear and pure.
"Ren, life is not a race that you must sprint through, but a marathon of endurance. Instead of rushing into things you are unable to do, find other ways to help the class. Haste is bound to only lead towards failure" noticing that there was no way to truly give fruitful advice, Naoto gave another round of vague nothings to Ren, hoping that it would suffice.
Which it seemed to have, given how the alien boy was furiously noting something down in a notepad he had pulled out from somewhere. The speed he was taking notes at was something that left Naoto envious.
"I have taken note of your guidance Master! I will ensure I do not make any such mistakes!" he proclaimed, reverting his way of referring to Naoto back once again, likely out of admiration.
"Ohoho, Suzuki Naoto, I see you are guiding the students well!" A unique laugh could be heard as a trio of girls donning the uniforms belonging to the second year of Sainan High found their way to Naoto and Ren.
"Good afternoon, Tenjoin-senpai, Fujisaki-senpai, Kujo-senpai. I fear there is no guidance occurring here, just a simple conversation between friends" Naoto calmly responded to the one leading the trio.
Golden eyes and light blonde hair, which curled into spirals, Tenjoin Saki the leader of the group consisting of her, Fujisaki Aya and Kujo Rin, was one of the prominent students within the school. Many rumors including one that her family was a direct financial sponsor of the school circulated through the student body.
While Naoto was certain that the three were important characters to the main story, he could not remember any details at all regarding their involvement.
'Maybe there was something about a cursed sword?' Naoto considered, hoping to remember something, but any further consideration was cut short as Saki replied.
"A good afternoon to you too Suzuki. I did not know that friends referred to one another as 'Master', you couldn't possibly be lying right?" Saki shot, scoring a critical on any arguments Naoto could make to fight back.
"Ren."
"Yes Mast- uh- Naoto-san."
"Add two more weeks to the self-reflection period."
Ren quickly agreed to the increase in punishment, making his escape, noting the rising rage apparent on Naoto's face.
Naoto sighed deeply, watching as Ren fled back towards his classroom, before turning to face the trio. His plan to head towards the library was seemingly delayed yet again.
"Were you looking for something specific, Tenjoin-senpai?" He asked the leader, looking to end the conversation as soon as he could.
"You brute, to directly talk to Saki-sama" instead of Saki replying however, it was one of the other two, Rin, who looked offended on behalf of Saki.
"It's okay Rin, I don't believe Suzuki meant any offense. To talk to me directly, his work for the school and the students has surely earnt him at least that much" Saki calmed Rin down, but to Naoto it looked more like a well-rehearsed act, likely used by the trio to cement the dynamic to anyone they talk with.
"I was headed towards the doctor's room to hand over some documents, if you don't mind talking as we walk senpai?" he prodded once again, unwilling to waste any more time on unnecessary discussion.
"Ah, the festival theme documents are they? Say Suzuki, do you know what theme 1-A is set to use?" Saki asked, still refusing to move, as the trio blocked his way forward.
"They have applied for an Animal café, but it is yet to be approved" he provided the truth, as said information was easily obtained from any student of 1-A, especially by Saki who could charm any of the unguarded 1-A boys.
"An animal café, is it? Ohoho, truly a good idea, however, to choose an animal theme for the café shows they didn't think it through. I believe an insect themed café would suit the festival much better." Saki proclaimed laughing.
"It is as you say Saki-sama" "Your words are correct" Rin and Aya also agreed right away, as if uncaring of whatever they were agreeing to. Any words said by Saki were likely only the truth for them.
"Don't you agree too Suzuki? After all insects are truly so very cute!" Saki asked of Naoto.
"I believe beauty is something subjective to a person. But I will choose to believe in your judgement senpai as I am yet inexperienced in terms of school festivals and cafes. I will, however, make sure to drop by your class café on the event day to experience it firsthand" Naoto answered honestly, having given up on ending the conversation early.
"Ah- Is that so? Ohoho, of course you would understand the charm of insects Suzuki" Saki fumbled slightly on Naoto's response, recovering quickly, "Well then, I shall let you continue onwards to deliver the documents. I shall wait for your visit" she continued much to Naoto's surprise, walking past him along with the other two, leaving him free to journey forward.
'I seem to have made a slightly annoying promise' Naoto bemoaned the fact that he would need to visit the insect café but given the quality of effort Saki was likely to invest in it, the café would not be a terrible place to visit.
Diving into his memories as he walked, Naoto failed to remember any details regarding the trio and their involvement in the story, as his feet finally took him to the doctor's room, the door of which he lightly knocked, and entered after hearing a confirmation.
"Ara, Suzuki-kun. What brings you to my office?" Mikado Ryouko, the school doctor asked in a devilish yet innocent voice. Or perhaps the devilish part of simply Naoto's mind playing tricks.
"Mikado-sensei, I needed to hand over these documents regarding the winter festival to you" he answered simply, handing over the choice few papers directly to Mikado after walking closer.
"To have spent your free time helping, I must thank you Suzuki-kun" she smiled, accepting the papers and looking them over.
His task complete, Naoto made for the door, to resume his journey to the library.
"Ara, a costume café? I would need to look at the costumes to put in an approval for the health policies" Mikado continued just as Naoto reached the door.
"For that sensei" Naoto began, as he pulled open the door, "you would have to ask the class president of the respective class" he finished as he stepped out, turning back to bow and bid the doctor farewell.
Naoto Suzuki's quota of energy to handle odd occurrences had already been long depleted.
:=:
Peerless, that is what defined the Tenjoin family, and that was what Saki believed she was. Within the students or the school, there none that equaled her stature, her magnificence.
The students were to simply praise her as she walked past, to worship the actions she took and to accept her choices and decisions.
None could shake this belief of hers, not the students who did not know of her name, not the teachers who attempted to ask her to quieten down in class, and certainly not a prodigy whose only capabilities was to score perfect marks.
That remained true till one day early in her high school summer semester, when her father asked her a simple question.
"Saki, I heard there was a prodigious talent attending your high school this year, have you heard anything about him?"
Her father, a businessman who rarely found time to make small talk asked of her, her opinion on someone else from her school. The very possibility that someone else who could deserve his attention other than her existed within the school was offending enough, but to be directly asked for an assessment?
Surely, the boy in concern, Suzuki Naoto, was most likely a bookworm. A person who focused only on studies, ignoring the reality of how the world truly worked.
That perception was however quickly shattered once Saki asked her friends Aya and Rin to gather information on Naoto, finding out that his reputation went beyond simple scores. Assisting school administration, filling in responsibilities, even helping seniors and teachers time to time. He was a dependable figure for the student body.
Had someone else found this information Saki would have doubted the existence of such a student, but Aya and Rin could not ever lie to her. To have someone else in the school, someone who could rival her glory, not because of his stature but because of his talent, there was only one thing that Saki could do.
"Saki-sama, should we try seducing Yuuki Rito, to cause trouble for Lala? He is her fiancé after all" Rin had suggested to her when she was wondering on how to take down another newfound rival.
"No Rin, to involve an innocent student is not the way a queen should take. We will gain victory through fair competition." She'd answered, having seen Naoto shield students from the wrath of a student's verbal lashing.
"Saki-sama! Your swimsuit has become tattered trying to win the cavalry contest!" Aya had cried out, after they had lost the cavalry competition to Lala and her class, even though they fought on a carefully prepared swimming pool in the sports ground.
"Sacrifices are needed sometimes to achieve victory Aya, I let this slow me down" she'd remained steadfast, having seen Naoto swallow his pride to request bloomers from another, his eyes clearly set on victory.
Even when facing an empty classroom, devoid of any customers in the insect themed café, Saki held strong to her resolve.
"Tenjoin-senpai, your café and the food served here is certainly the highest of quality" Naoto had commented in admiration when he visited the café as promised, holding onto papers, likely busy helping organize the festival even that day.
Saki chose to improve, to let loose her talents combined with her stature. To learn from the devilish Lala on how to charm others, and from the prodigious Naoto on how to help the others.
Tenjoin Saki will force them to admit defeat through her own abilities.