NEET Receives a Dating Sim Game

by Little Merger

A 30-year-old NEET is reincarnated into the body of an otaku that choked to death on instant noodles. As he comes to grips with his new life, he realizes that this world is subtly different from Earth. The denizens of this world are far better looking, and this new world also possesses futuristic technology as well as mysterious Yin Yang masters! After reincarnating, he realized th

3. 65

NEET Receives a Dating Sim Game Leveling System #Chapter 65 - I'll Die If I Don't Become Handsome! - Read NEET Receives a Dating Sim Game Leveling System Chapter 65 - I'll Die If I Don't Become Handsome! Online - All Page - NOVEL NEXT

Chapter 65: I'll Die If I Don't Become Handsome!

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

After an entire night.

"Eh… Why is it light outside?"

Seiji finally returned to his senses after he'd spent all night in a writing frenzy. The bright sunlight which streamed through his window roused him from his unnatural state.

He hurriedly checked the time.

What the hell—he pulled an all-nighter while writing!?

He blankly looked at the thick notebook in front of him. Previously, its pages were largely blank. Now, it had only three or four empty pages remaining.

He had lost himself in the process of writing his story…

While it was a fact that choosing an option like [write a story] would cause an irresistible urge to well up within him, Seiji had also been addicted to the enjoyment he derived from creating his own story, so he simply wasn't able to stop himself.

'Might as well stop here.' He put down his pen and stretched.

Then, he picked up his book and speed-read through his creation that he had spent the entire night on.

'…Wow.'

Seiji's eyebrows gradually rose upwards as he continued reading.

'Just… wow."

He flipped through the pages at a rapid pace.

'Incredible… wow."

His eyeballs flicked from one line to the next as he finally finished.

Smack!* Seiji forcefully closed his notebook.

'Did I… truly write all this?'

He tried his best to restrain the excitement within him.

If he didn't, he felt that he would begin shouting loudly with excitement right then and there.

That's because his own story… was so engrossing!!

Seiji put down his notebook before he suddenly jumped up and backflipped, landing and finishing with a victory pose!

'Yeah!!'

He was shouting as loudly as he could within his heart.

This would be the first story that the author Seiji ever wrote—a short story by the name of "I'll die if I don't become handsome!"

The main character was a formerly hot-blooded young man who fell into the clutches of depravity and became a NEET after life dealt him a cruel blow. One day, a mysterious spirit possessed him and forced him to become a handsome boy; if he didn't comply, the spirit threatened to curse him to death.

Just from the story's synopsis, one would think that this story was related to the supernatural genre as well as being a motivational novel. Instead, it was actually a huge battle between good and evil.

At first, the main character had to engage in activities he didn't enjoy purely due to the mysterious spirit's threats. He left his home, worked hard to lose weight, and made an effort in his studies, all in order to reach his target of becoming a handsome boy.

The comedy in this story came from the contrast between the protagonist's inner comments and his actions: his depraved heart was furious at being coerced into doing all these things which were actually for his personal benefit, but the spirit forced him into behaving like a proactive, bright, even heroic person, thus helping him obtain the love of several beautiful girls.

Then, after receiving the female characters' affection and care, the protagonist was moved by their feelings and finally began to live life seriously again. However, at this point, the story took a steep downturn.

A mysterious antagonist suddenly appeared and injured his childhood friend who had always cared for him right before his eyes. Only when the spirit which possessed him bequeathed a strange power unto him was he able to force the antagonist into retreating.

After that, the spirit explained its identity and meaning for existence to the protagonist. It stated why it was fighting against the antagonist and so on.

It needed the aid of the main character and required him to become truly handsome on the outside as well as heroic on the inside in order to defeat the evil forces that were invading and protect their land.

Under huge pressure and fearing the risk of death, the protagonist chose to escape from reality. He hid in his room, not wanting to do anything, and in the end, the disappointed spirit was forced to abandon him and face the evil head-on without even a corporeal body.

At the last moment, thanks to a gift from his childhood friend, the main character finally recalled his hot-blooded former self who resolutely believed in justice.

"So what if I die!? Rather than living on as someone worthless, I'd prefer to die as a true handsome boy!!"

The main character rushed to the battlefield filled with newfound resolution.

He combined with the spirit and transformed on the battlefield. After a fierce battle, he finally defeated the antagonist and saved the life of his childhood friend.

When his childhood friend regained consciousness, he had already returned to his human form which had sustained terrible injuries. He cried and apologized in front of her in an undignified manner, his face stricken with snot and tears.

Although the girl had been unconscious during the battle, she could still feel that something had happened, prompting her to gently stroke the protagonist's face.

"The current you looks so awful… You're even uglier than when you were hiding in your home. Nevertheless, I still feel like the current you—just like this—you're… the handsomest boy I've ever seen!"

The story ended at that sentence.

Under Seiji's newfound writing ability, this somewhat cliché story filled with various otaku references and a hot-blooded story of justice turned into a top-level bestseller potential story.

The beginning of the story had the main character's depravity and unwillingness coming into conflict with the spirit's arrogance and silliness, thus creating a comedic contrast. Each girl had her own unique character and personality that seemed almost life-like; they were all filled with humor and had their individual cute points.

In the latter part, the strange and evil antagonist's cruel actions caused the main character to feel fear and inferiority, causing him to lose motivation and become depraved again. Then, his memories with his childhood friend instilled him with courage once more as he recalled his former hot-blooded self. This, the final climactic battle, and the moving feelings of relief and regret after victory… Every scene was described in considerable detail to the fullest extent of Seiji's ability!

This was an excellent story.

At least in Seiji's opinion, it was a story that he could finish in one sitting. It contained humor, tension, and even a moving scene at the end. It was a fun light novel that would leave him with no negative feelings after he finished reading it!

The only part was that it was so short… but that was why it was a short story.

At any rate, the story was so good that he could hardly believe it was something that he had written with his own hand.

Plus, it only took him the timeframe of one night!

Seiji slowly forced himself to calm down.

He wanted to get it published immediately… but first he had to type it again on his computer, save it in a document, and print it.

Or should he publish it on the internet instead?

'Hmm, it seems like even getting it published requires some thought.'

Seiji glanced at the clock and noticed that it was time for him to go to work.

'That's right, work…' He recalled the store's owner, Rika Amami, and her cousin, Mayuzumi Amami, who was the author known as Peach-sensei.

Even though Peach-sensei was a mangaka, it was a field closely related to light novels, so it could be said that they were connected fields. Perhaps she'd be able to give him some advice?

She was probably quite busy… If so, then he should ask his boss Rika first, as she may know a few things as well.

After consideration, Seiji decided to bring his notebook to the confectionery store… Of course, he ripped out the portion containing his diary first.

It would be nice if Peach-sensei could read his story as well, even if she has androphobia. A story should be no problem at least, right?

Seiji didn't expect her to have the free time, though, as he knew being a popular mangaka was bound to consume the majority of her time.

…

At the Divine Taste confectionery store.

Seiji walked directly to the store manager/owner's office after arriving at the shop.

"Good morning, Haruta… er, Harano-kun. So… what brings you to my office today?" Rika Amami blinked in surprise upon seeing Seiji enter her office.

"Good morning, Store Manager." Seiji smiled in greeting. "Actually, I just wrote a short story in light novel format, and I want to get it published…"

He explained the situation and showed the notebook to her.

'Light novel?'

Rika Amami was rather curious.

She knew that Seiji was an otaku, but being a consumer and a creator were two completely different things. Even if you read many otaku novels, you wouldn't necessarily possess the creative ability required to write one.

Of course, after seeing and reading so many others, it was only natural to desire creating your own. In fact, most authors started like this.

However, a hobby or an impulsive action didn't equal talent; it was only a part of what was required. It was na?ve to think that you could enter the professional world with only this much.

Rika Amami didn't feel that Seiji Haruta was the na?ve type.

If he seriously wanted to get this published, it probably wasn't a rough draft written on impulse, or else he wouldn't even be able to get her approval.

A sense of curiosity welled up within her… What could he have written to make him act so seriously?

"Even though I'm not in that business, I know some basics thanks to my association with Mayuzumi. If you would like, I can introduce an excellent editor to you. But, before that, may I read your story?" Rika Amami smiled as she spoke.

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Chapter 66: Editor

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

"Occasionally, I also read light novels as well. Although I probably don't read as often as you or Mayuzumi, I think I can distinguish between what's good and what's not."

"Ah… I'll be more than happy to let you read it." Seiji nodded as he placed his notebook on the table. "Then feel free to have a look. Give me your review after you finish… I'm going to go change clothes for work now."

"Alright, you go ahead."

Rika picked up and opened the notebook as Seiji left the room.

'Unexpectedly, he hand-wrote the whole thing… His handwriting is pretty neat. I didn't know that Haruta-kun had such a talent. "I'll die if I don't become handsome!" is the title? Haha, could it be… Did he really use himself as the model for his main character?'

The somewhat unorthodox title instilled Rika with a sense of curiosity, so she began reading, filled with expectation.

'His word choice isn't bad at all… It's easy to read, and the sequences are pictured vividly in my imagination. All in all, it's quite interesting.

'There are a few references that I don't get, but the commentary is hilarious; there's a subtle feeling of enjoyment.

'The girls are lovely as well! Hah—I wonder if he based them on people he knew…'

The beautiful store manager slowly lost herself in reading Seiji's story.

…

This morning, the kitchen employees felt that something strange was happening.

The joint store manager and owner, Rika Amami, didn't show up until really late, and it was obvious that her heart wasn't in her work. She kept leaving for some unknown reason.

Her uncharacteristic daze was a huge contrast with her typical reliable and strict nature.

What was going on?

The kitchen employees chatted with each other about this topic whenever they had some free time in between baking.

"Did something happen in her family?" This was the normal line of thought.

"My guess is that an ex-boyfriend called her." This was a gossipy way of thinking.

"Could it be that she's on her period?" This was a biological way of thinking.

"You're all so na?ve! Heh heh, according to my deduction, the store manager is actually wondering if she's pregnant or not!" This was an outlandish way of thinking.

"Who's pregnant, you say?" The store manager's icy cold voice suddenly sounded in their headset's channel.

The male employee who had been acting rather pretentious with his ridiculous deduction suddenly froze up as the others all stared in his direction. They gave a sympathetic glance towards the microphone on his headset which he had forgotten to turn off before they averted their gazes in unison, pretending to be unfamiliar with this idiot.

"Katou, would you prefer to have a salary deduction or kneel and apologize to me? It's your choice."

"No!!! I'm sorry!! Forgive me, Store Manager—!"

The other employees inwardly cringed upon hearing such a desperate yet silly reaction from him.

"What's going on back in our kitchen?" Seiji sighed as he adjusted his headset.

"Well, who knows?" His coworker Tanaka shrugged, displaying that he, too, was unaware of what was happening.

After the store's rush hour, Seiji finally received an opportunity to rest.

Seiji returned to the store manager's office and noticed Rika Amami was still reading his notebook.

"Harano-kun… you've come."

Rika lifted her head and smiled in greeting at the boy entering her office.

"Your story is pretty good." She directly gave him an excellent review. "As a normal reader, this story is one that I'd be willing to purchase."

Naturally, Seiji was delighted to hear such a review. "Thanks for your appreciation, Store Manager. I'm happy to hear that you enjoy it."

Rika Amami's smile arced upwards, adding to her already potent allure.

"I'm also happy to become your first reader, Harano… no, Haruta-kun. After finishing your story, I can say that your writing style left me with the deepest impression.

"Both your literary talent and your descriptions are also top-notch; in fact, it's the best I've ever seen among all the light novels I've read… Well, I haven't read all that many light novels, though.

"Your depictions are excellent to the point that… while I'm reading, I can visualize each and every scene. In addition to this, I can visualize the characters' movements and actions in my mind! It's almost as if I wasn't reading, but instead watching an anime which showed me everything visually!"

Rika let out a heart-felt sigh of appreciation.

"Such an excellent story makes me want to re-read it multiple times. You must have polished it many times over, right? I can literally feel your passion through the story!"

Seiji smiled in response.

While it definitely contained his passion, this story only took him one night to finish… But it was probably better to not say that out loud, heh.

After all, that would sound too pretentious.

"Disregarding your depictions, your plot and characters are excellent as well. However, my experience in light novels is rather limited, so I won't say much else about it. I'll contact the editor I was talking about earlier right now. She's the editor for Mayuzumi's story and a nice person."

Rika Amami took out her cell phone and called a number from her list.

"Hello, Yoshizawa-san. Sorry to call you at this time, but there's something I'd like to discuss with you…" Rika succinctly briefed the editor about the current situation.

"Mayuzumi mentioned him to you before? Yes, he's the high school student in question. You'll be coming over immediately? Yep, he's in the store… I think he'll be fine with it." Rika glanced at Seiji. "Alright, that's how we'll do it then."

The beautiful store manager hung up the call.

"You heard that, right, Haruta-kun? That editor is coming here soon to read your story… as well as meet you."

Seiji nodded in response. "Peach-sensei mentioned me to her before?'

"That's right. Mayuzumi told her about her upcoming date with you." Rika sighed before continuing, "Of course, Mayuzumi wouldn't tell her your real name; all she said was that she was going to go to a school festival together with a first grade high school student from Genhana High School named Seigo Harano."

"Doesn't that mean that she told her editor everything about me except my real name?"

"Indeed… There's no helping it; the two of them were high school classmates, and the editor is one of Mayuzumi's few trusted close friends. It's only natural that Mayuzumi told her editor about this."

Seiji nodded again.

"You don't mind, do you?" Rika blinked her eyes cutely.

"Of course not. This isn't an important secret or anything."

"The thing is, because Mayuzumi told her about you, it seems like she's really taken an interest in you…"

After a subtle silence.

"Allow me to ask, about Yoshizawa-san…" Seiji tugged on his mouth, "is she… into that?"

"Nope." Rika apparently understood his meaning as she smiled wryly. "She's not into that, but perhaps because she has a deep friendship with Mayuzumi ever since high school, or for some other reason… At any rate, she treats Mayuzumi a little… specially?"

What was with that uncertain tone of hers?

Upon seeing the look in his eyes, Rika seemed to realize Seiji had noticed her uncertainty, so she awkwardly coughed twice.

"Anyways, she'll be coming over soon, so you'll meet her in a bit. She's a good editor, so no matter what, she'll assess your story fairly… I think."

'Hey, Miss, that last comment of yours really makes me nervous!'

Seiji suddenly felt like perhaps it wasn't a good idea after all to have the store manager introduce an editor to him?

Well, forget about it. He might as well meet the editor.

Approximately one hour later.

Seiji was summoned to the store manager's office once again. When he arrived, he was greeted by the sight of an unfamiliar woman sitting on the sofa and flipping through his notebook.

She was a well-proportioned woman and wore a short, yellow one-piece dress with stockings the same color as her skin. She had a long, shiny orange-colored braid, slightly bushy eyebrows, a sharp chin, a light coating of lipstick, and a sharp glint in her dark yellow eyes.

With the sharp aura emanating from her, she gave of the impression of a cold yet clean beautiful young businesswoman.

"Hello…" Seiji prepared to greet her.

The woman suddenly lifted her head and looked directly at him, that sharp glint flashing fiercely in her eyes.

"You're Seigo Harano?"

Chapter 67: Take Responsibility for the Rest of Your Life!

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

"Er… I am." Seiji blinked in surprise.

"My apologies, I was a little too excited." The orange-haired woman realized her actions were slightly inappropriate, so she set the notebook down and stood up in a formal manner.

"Hello and nice to meet you. My name is Saki Yoshizawa, editor for Thunderbolt Literature."

She fished out a business card from her pocket when she finished and presented it to Seiji with both her hands while lowering her head respectfully.

"Hello, nice to meet you too…" Seiji took the business card and glanced at it before putting it away.

"Yoshizawa-san, no need to be so stiff and formal—he's just a high school student." Rika Amami, who was observing them from the side, smiled wryly. "You can just relax and have a normal conversation with him. Acting formal will only make the atmosphere tenser."

'How right you are, Store Manager!' Seiji heartily agreed with her.

"Really?" Saki Yoshizawa tilted her head. "But regardless of whether or not he's a high school student, work is work—one should treat it seriously."

"I didn't say you shouldn't treat work seriously. It's just… you're not at your editing department, nor is it work hours currently. He's my employee, and you're my cousin's close friend; there's no need to treat this like a formal interview." Rika shrugged. "You can have a serious conversation without being so formal—that's all I meant."

"Oh…" Saki blinked and seemed to realize Rika's intentions. "Harano-san, would you prefer to relax a little?"

"Indeed. By the way, you don't need to add -san to my name; just call me Harano." Seiji smiled politely.

Saki Yoshizawa squinted slightly upon seeing his smile.

"Okay then, Harano, just call me Yoshizawa as well," she said rather directly.

Seiji's expression distorted slightly.

Normally speaking, as his elder, shouldn't she refuse and use the more familiar "Harano-kun" instead? It seemed a little awkward to go straight to using no honorifics on the first meeting and even asking him to do the same with her? This…

Seiji didn't even know what to think anymore.

Rika Amami was clutching her forehead wordlessly.

Saki seemed oblivious to the subtle air in the atmosphere as she picked up the notebook again and flipped through it.

"I just skimmed through your story, Harano. Apart from the fact that the story's a bit cliché and the characters are still not fleshed out enough, this short story… is quite complete. Amami-san especially praised your depictions to me, and I also have to admit that your writing is… perfect! That was just my impression from skimming through, which means that my review of it is…"

An indescribable light sparkled in Saki's eyes as she looked directly at Seiji.

"It's a considerably interesting story that's definitely at the level our publisher is willing to accept!"

Seiji smiled in response to the high praise he received.

This was the review of an actual editor at a publisher, after all!

Unlike his subjective personal opinion and Rika's opinion as a casual reader of light novels, she was an expert on the subject matter.

"Thank you. I'm delighted to be able to obtain Yoshizawa… Editor Yoshizawa's recognition. It feels like a load's been taken off my shoulders…" He awkwardly scratched his face.

This was still his first time writing his own story, so he had been quite nervous.

"We'll be more than happy to accept and publish your short story, but typically we only accept electronic documents, so you're going to need to type it again on a computer." Saki continued. "Also, even though your short story can already reach a high level without editing, I still think it has places where it can be improved… If you would like, I can look it over again in more detail, then give you my suggestions for where I believe you can improve."

"Please do so for my sake!" Seiji agreed decisively.

Although the system had bestowed a wonderful writing ability upon him, Seiji was fully aware of his own limitations. He was still inexperienced in many aspects, so he had no doubt that the advice of an experienced editor would be necessary for his growth.

Saki Yoshizawa blinked in surprise upon seeing how quickly Seiji made his decision. She smiled for the first time.

Rather than saying that her smile was like that of thawing ice, it was more like a flower in a thorn bush displaying unexpected gentleness and beauty.

'This is probably her true self concealed beneath that cold businesswoman outer shell of hers,' Seiji thought to himself. 'An editor who's tough on the outside and soft on the inside…'

"Alright, since you agree, please send an electronic copy to my email after you finish typing it up on a computer. I'll give you my comments after reading it so that you can complete your final edition. My email address is on my business card." Saki handed the notebook back to Seiji after she finished speaking.

"Okay, thank you." Seiji took his notebook back.

'Well, that probably finishes our discussion.'

The details regarding the publication of his novel, what steps were still necessary, and his next course of action after publication could be discussed after finishing the final draft of his story.

Cough cough.*

Just as Seiji was about to take his leave, Saki Yoshizawa faked a coughing fit.

"So that's it about the story… Harano, I have something else I'd like to discuss with you."

The female editor's gaze turned even sharper than earlier!

Seiji suddenly felt as if he was facing off against a female cougar.

"I heard that you're going to have a date with Peach… with Mayuzumi at the school festival!"

As he expected—it was about this topic!

Seiji's face stiffened slightly as he glanced towards the store owner.

Young man, take care of it by yourself… Rika Amami responded with a glance; its meaning was evident as she idly stood by, enjoying the spectacle.

'Hey hey! Miss, you were the cause of all this!! Why are you tossing this hot potato to me!?' Seiji inwardly cursed her.

He really wanted to betray his boss right now, but considering his salary…

"Yeah, it's… true. I have an agreement like that with Peach-sensei." Seiji tugged on his mouth as he spoke.

"Mayuzumi has strong androphobia," Saki stated in a low and heavy tone as she aggressively moved one step closer to Seiji.

"I know… But this is intended to help her cure her phobia… Although I'm uncertain how effective it will be." Seiji retreated one step in response.

"Can you promise that you'll be able to protect Mayuzumi? No, before that, as a man, can you promise that you yourself won't harm Mayuzumi!?" Saki approached one step closer again.

"I… I'll do my best to not scare Sensei and protect her… I promise!" Seiji retreated once more.

"What will you use to back up your promise!?"

Saki shortened the distance between her and Seiji to the point where her face was almost touching Seiji's. Her gaze seemed as sharp as twin daggers while her manner was akin to a cougar that was on the verge of pouncing on its prey.

'Miss, what am I supposed to promise with!?' Seiji could only smile wryly inside his heart.

He somehow managed to glance at his boss out of the corner of his eye and discovered that Rika Amami was covering her mouth with her hand while her shoulders were trembling violently…

Was she laughing? She was definitely laughing!

'What the hell! If you have the spare time to laugh at my situation, help me relieve this editor's anxiety!!'

Seiji suddenly lost control of himself and blurted something out without thinking.

"I… I promise on my life! If any harm comes to Sensei, I'll take responsibility for the rest of my life!!"

Saki Yoshizawa and Rika Amami both froze solid.

Seiji only realized the consequences of his words after he finished shouting.

Uh-oh, he said something that could easily be misconstrued!

He just wanted to express that he'd get it done properly no matter what, but due to his impulsiveness, his sentence just earlier evidently wasn't the right one.

"Take… take responsibility for the rest of your life?" Saki muttered to herself as her face reddened.

Just earlier she seemed almost as vicious as a female cougar, but now the cold and steely editor suddenly turned shy and bashful!?

This contrast was just too much… Seiji was left stupefied.

Eh, it felt like he had witnessed such a scene just last week?

"Oh… like that… that seems okay, then." Saki glanced at his face and nodded repeatedly while blushing heavily. "You've even prepared yourself resolutely to marry Mayuzumi. That really surprised me… But, it's pretty good."

'Oh no, this misunderstanding has gotten out of control!' Seiji shouted in his mind.

Just how did it become like this!?

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Chapter 68: Unexpected Luck

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

"Um… Editor Yoshizawa, actually I…" Seiji wanted to explain.

"You don't need to say anything more, Harano. I'm aware of your resolution now." Saki interrupted him, her cheeks still flushed deep red. "Amami-san believes you're an excellent employee and a hard worker, and I trust her judgment. Plus, from what I can tell, you have a nice appearance and a good personality. Since you also have similar interests as Mayuzumi and potential in the same career as her, you'll make an excellent boyfriend for her."

Seiji was rendered speechless by her attempt to comfort him.

"Even though you might not really get married with Mayuzumi, I think it's nice that you've prepared yourself for that outcome. Mayuzumi is… a girl that really needs someone to take good care of her, so I humbly request that you treat her with love and respect." Saki finished by bowing to Seiji in a serious manner. "Let's finish our conversation here; I still have other matters to attend to, so goodbye."

Saki bowed to Rika Amami as well before giving a final glance to Seiji and leaving. Her face remained tinged with red as she left, and her footsteps seemed rather hurried.

Was she… escaping? Seiji was stunned.

Just what exactly happened!?

He turned to his boss and discovered that she was still covering her mouth, attempting to conceal her amusement by turning her head in the opposite direction. Looking down, Seiji noticed her shoulders were still trembling.

"Store Manager!"

"My apologies… Haruta-kun, I can't stop myself, hahahaha!" Rika finally burst out into laughter.

This was the first time that Seiji had ever seen the store owner laughing like this.

The seductive, beautiful store owner was covering her mouth while holding herself with her other hand, unable to suppress her laughter. Her breasts kept jiggling under her shirt as she laughed; it was an appealing sight to almost any sane man.

Sigh… Just as Seiji prepared to speak up, there was a popping sound.

Although it was slightly faint, it was still audible. The source of the sound was in front of the store manager's majestic chest.

The cause of the sound was a tiny, glimmering… button!

Seiji instantly widened his eyes and focused on it.

Time seemed to slow down for him as he saw the button's trajectory clearly. He also caught a brief look of the slightly opened shirt, which exposed a tantalizing glimpse of the store manager's ivory-white cleavage …

Ahh, this was the legendary unexpected lucky event—"button-popping breasts!!!"

This scene lasted for only an instant.

However, Seiji felt as if it lasted for an eternity!

So what if he was mocked or misunderstood? Everything was worth it just for witnessing this moment!

With a clattering sound, the button landed on the floor and coincidentally rolled in front of him.

With a devout feeling in his heart, Seiji leaned over and picked up the button.

"Oh my! Sheesh, another one popped off!" Rika was finally forced to halt her laughter as her face reddened slightly. She covered her chest with her hand and said, "Haruta-kun, that button…"

"Store Manager."

Seiji clutched the button tightly with a fervent expression; he almost seemed like a monk under divine guidance.

"Could you possibly permit me to keep this holy artifact?"

"…What?" Rika wasn't sure if she heard him correctly. "Holy something… What did you say?"

"Holy artifact." Seiji coughed shamelessly before continuing, "This button… please may I keep it?"

"Why do you want that button?" Rika dazedly looked at the boy in front of her. She then came to a sudden realization, causing her face to turn even redder.

"No! Give that button back to me!"

"Eh? I can't? I just want to take it home and worship it…"

"What the hell's with worshipping it!!?"

For the first time ever, Rika Amami rebuked Seiji forcefully as she glared at him with a reddened face while covering her bountiful chest with both hands, completely ruining her strict image as the store manager and owner.

"Hurry up and return that button to me, then get out!"

"Oh… Okay." With a regretful expression, Seiji placed the button on the table while showing an obvious unwillingness to do so.

"You want it that much?" Rika continued to blush. "Honestly, Haruta-kun… You're obviously so handsome, but you still have such a strange habit…"

"Store Manager, you should know already that I'm an otaku." Seiji glanced outside the window, acting as if he was looking into the distance. "Otakus all conceal a gentlemanly perverted spirit within them."

Rika was lost for words upon hearing him speak so shamelessly.

And so, the gentleman who was unable to obtain the holy artifact (button) finally left the store manager's office, filled with regret.

As he sincerely told her "thank you for the treat" just before leaving, the beautiful owner gave him a death glare.

It didn't matter!

Seiji was in an excellent mood.

That legendary event gave him a deep and lasting impression. It didn't even matter if that icy beauty of an editor misunderstood him; after all, that was such a small matter in comparison! All he had to do was explain later.

He went back to work in high spirits.

…

After the end of his work shift.

Seiji took his notebook home with him and typed it all up on his computer. After saving the document, he emailed it to Saki Yoshizawa.

'This will be fine. I wonder when I'll receive a reply… I hope it's quick.' He stretched himself.

Finally, Seiji checked his system in order to confirm how many points he received from an all-nighter's worth of the [write a story] option.

The result was a surprising 10 points!

It seemed quite high, but upon consideration, the efficiency rate was actually quite low.

'Not only that, the option's now darkened. I can't select it again for the entire day… So yesterday's [write a story] option lasted for two days and counted for today as well. It's actually points for two days' worth." Seiji rubbed his chin as he pondered on the situation.

He earned 10 points in two days, which meant he received 5 points per day… It seemed pretty good at first glance, but if the action required such a long time, then it wouldn't be good.

'Let's try it again tomorrow. If I just [write a story] normally without pulling an all-nighter, how many points will I receive?'

Seiji looked at his other available [actions].

Like usual, he could grind [write a diary] and [draw]. He could also [write an essay, which had a prerequisite of 40 academics, and [write a poem] which had a prerequisite of 40 academics and 25 charisma.

Of course, it was time to grind.

Writing an essay was fairly simple. All Seiji had to do was think of a topic, and he was able to inject his feelings into his essay thanks to his newfound writing ability.

As for writing a poem… Seiji scratched his head.

It was mostly similar to writing an essay. He just had to imagine the scene and inject his emotions into it, but compared to an essay, it was deeper. His word choice also needed to be more precise and simple.

To use an analogy, Seiji believed that writing an essay was like casually pouring loose sand. In that case, a poem needed to be like an hourglass. He couldn't just pour the sand everywhere; he had to use a specific format instead to allow the sand to trickle and form into a beautiful hill.

It seemed difficult.

After finishing his poem, Seiji read it over but couldn't tell if it was high quality or not.

He received 2 points for his essay and 3 for the poem.

Not bad.

Seiji inferred from this that [write a story] would normally give him 3 or 4 points, more likely 4.

'Let's calculate it as a minimum of 3. This means that all the new [writing] actions available to me now will give me 8 points every day. It'll take only a mere four days for me to earn back what I spent on it!'

Seiji believed he had made the correct decision to focus on more ways to earn points.

So, should he activate some more cards instead of exchanging for skills? He felt that would be a good choice.

It didn't matter much if he had to type his stories into the computer after writing it, as it would only take some extra time. He didn't need to hurry and exchange for [writing—typing].

That skill seemed like a waste of 55 points, sheesh!

Seiji finally realized that unless he had enough actions to earn points with, skill cards were all a huge trap for his points!

Even including [Bullet Time]…

But [Bullet Time] was a limited time only discount; even if it slowed down his development, it saved him 75 points.

So did he profit or not? Seiji wasn't sure.

'Forget it. Let's stop thinking about this topic.'

Seiji yawned as he had pulled another all-nighter followed by a day at work. It was time to rest.

After all, there was another battle to be fought tonight.

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Chapter 69: It's Almost the White… Season Again

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Sunday night, at the Silver Valley bus station.

A handsome boy whose dashing looks attracted glances from almost all the women passing by stood near the station's entrance.

He wore a dark shirt under a light gray windbreaker on his torso. His legs were clothed by form-fitting long pants which displayed his impressive physique. His clothes went well with his amazingly handsome idol-like looks. He was so handsome it was almost unfair.

The sight of him standing there and looking at his cell phone seemed like a scene out of a television drama. Many women were even looking around to see if they could find any hidden cameras secretly recording this scene.

Only the others nearby who were also waiting for someone knew that this wasn't a scene out of a television drama. Just like them, this boy was just a normal person waiting for someone.

The part that wasn't normal was the fact that in the space of a few minutes, he was already approached by a total of three girls and four talent managers!

The handsome boy politely rejected each and every one of them the same way and treated each girl and talent manager seeking the next star with a polite yet firm attitude.

Was he an idol? A model? A rich young master?

The other people around him were quite curious about his true identity as well the person who he was waiting for.

Tap tap…* The sound of footsteps echoed out.

A girl walked out of the bus station, heading towards the boy.

"I'm sorry—did you wait long?"

She's finally here!

All the curious onlookers turned their heads, eagerly wanting to discover the identity of this girl.

They were greeted by the sight of a girl with medium-long silver-colored hair tied with a red ribbon. Her face was clear and beautiful, her eyes seemed like lakes, and her pink lips were arced upwards seductively… She was wearing a lace one-piece miniskirt dress with a dark-colored jacket on top. She also had on black stockings and high heels that accentuated her wonderful figure and the mesmerizing absolute territory of her creamy white thighs!

Beautiful!

The girl didn't go overboard with decorating herself, nor was she missing the youthfulness of a teenage girl. Taking everything into consideration, she seemed almost fantastical.

She was definitely a head-turning pretty girl.

When she approached the handsome boy with a smile on her face, the bystanders who were furtively paying attention could only sigh in their hearts, 'what a perfect couple!'

"No, I only waited five minutes." The boy put away his cell phone as he smiled in a way that would make a girl's heart flutter.

"Liar… But your answer passes the test." The girl covered her mouth and chuckled, before linking arms with the boy as if it was the natural thing to do.

The two of them then left the bus station together.

As everyone else watched them depart, some thought about the person they were waiting for, while others thought about how that couple would spend the night…

"How is it? It definitely feels more like a date this way, don't you think?"

The silver-haired beauty also known as Chiaki laughed as she talked to Seiji.

"Indeed, it does. Everyone watched me while I was standing there, and some girls even came up and flirted with me. It feels like I'm part of a museum exhibition." The handsome boy named Seiji sighed helplessly.

'Sigh, we could have just come together, but Chiaki said that it would improve the atmosphere by doing this. This isn't a real date, though… However, we do need to act like we're a couple.'

At the Snow White coffee cafe.

Seiji suddenly thought of the anime called "White Album" in his past life.

Yep, it's almost time for that season. It seemed like they were going to encounter a similar situation to what happened in that story…

What was about to happen wasn't an ex-boyfriend and ex-girlfriend meeting each other; it was two ex-girlfriends…

Or to be more precise, two ex-girlfriends and two current boyfriends…

Or to be even more specific, an ex-girlfriend and her current (fake) boyfriend and an ex-girlfriend and her current (real) boyfriend?

Eh… It was difficult to tell everyone's relationship with each other!

Seiji lost himself in philosophical thoughts.

While he was taking a mental vacation, Chiaki had already pulled him into the store. They followed the server to a second-floor room that had been previously reserved.

In front of room 203.

Seiji finally regained his senses from his pointless philosophical pondering as he looked at Chiaki, who was beside him.

The silver-haired girl's eyes were fixed on the door in front of her. Although she appeared calm on the outside, her eyes displayed a variety of complex emotions such as nostalgia, anticipation, disappointment, and depression…

Seiji could feel her grip on him unconsciously tighten.

He could even feel her soft, supple chest pressed against his arm. So, it turned out that Chiaki was…

Cough cough!*

'It isn't time for such thoughts, you idiot!' Seiji mentally reprimanded himself.

"It'll be fine." Seiji comforted her with a smile as she glanced over at him. "Go ahead and face them. No matter what happens, you just need to remember that you're not by yourself."

There a faint light glistening in Chiaki's eyes.

"You're acting so brave now, even though you didn't even dare to face your older sister last night~" She suddenly took a casual tone of voice and teased him playfully.

"Er… That's different!" Seiji averted his gaze.

"Hehe." Chiaki let out a short giggle, and her mouth began to arc upwards again as she observed the boy.

Ah, that confident, casual smile of his, just like usual!

'Thank you, Seiji.' She was truly grateful to him in her heart.

Then, she pressed the doorbell.

"Please enter." The door opened automatically after hearing a voice from inside.

Seiji glanced at Chiaki before holding the door open for her as they entered the room.

The room had a huge window overlooking the street below, allowing a clear view of it. Seiji recalled, however, that he couldn't see into the store, which meant it was a one-way mirror at work.

The room was wide, elegant, and luxurious. There was music playing from somewhere, and the soft singing of a female singer could also be heard. It seemed like an excellent place for a date.

There was a circular table in the right half of the room. One boy and one girl were seated there.

The girl had light blue long hair that had a silky sheen. Her waist-length hair was clipped together by a white barrette adorned with pink accessories.

She was wearing an elegant blue one-piece dress with a white fur coat draped over her shoulders. Her blue eyes had a quiet air to them, and her round face seemed soft and gentle. Her smile seemed almost wistful; she was a classical beauty.

The part of her that gave Seiji the deepest impression was her atmosphere of tranquility. It was as if her beauty was something natural and unblemished, like an undiscovered lake or virgin forest.

An ultra top-notch beauty… Seiji understood just by meeting this girl why Chiaki had instantly fallen in love with her.

This girl seated before him possessed enough charisma to attract anyone, regardless of gender!

Her name was… Haruka Shimizu.

"Chiaki…" The blue-haired girl stood up with a enigmatic sparkle in her eyes as the two of them entered. "Long time no see."

"Haruka…" Chiaki glanced at the girl, an indescribable light flashing through her eyes. "Indeed, it's been quite a while."

The two of them didn't allow their gazes to waver one bit as they walked closer towards each other.

Finally, they stopped, a person's width separating the two beauties.

It was a subtle distance where they could easily reach out to the other and hug their counterpart if they wanted, but it also seemed slightly distant from each other.

"You… seem to have been doing quite well," Haruka muttered.

"…You as well—you're more beautiful than before." Chiaki smiled.

Chiaki reflexively lifted her hand and was about to touch Haruka's hair, but she instantly stopped herself right after lifting her hand.

Haruka glanced at Chiaki's hand before retracting her gaze.

"Please take a seat—I've already prepared coffee for you guys."

This room in the Snow White cafe contained its own coffee beans, instant coffee, as well as a coffee machine, coffee pot, and so on. Everything was do-it-yourself; it seemed that it was specially designed this way for the guests…

The guests came all the way to a coffee cafe but have to make their own coffee!?

Well, Seiji didn't understand what the rich were thinking.

It didn't matter anyways, since he wasn't the one making the coffee.

Only when he sat down next to Chiaki did he start paying attention to the boy with Haruka.

Cough cough, it definitely wasn't because Shimizu-san was just too eye-catching… Ok, fine—that's what it was.

Seiji curiously inspected the tranquil girl's supposed boyfriend, who was currently seated beside her.

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Chapter 70: Boyfriend

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

This boy was handsome as well. He had a head of slightly curly brown hair, bushy eyebrows, and dark brown eyes which contained a hint of arrogance. He was wearing a tight-fitting jacket from a well-known brand, accentuating his muscular body. He was seated upright and exuded an aura filled with confidence and pride.

This boy seemed somewhat similar to Kazufuru Ooike who was an excellent student, but with more spunk to him, and a more imposing manner. If he was sitting next to Kazufuru Ooike, everyone would most likely think that this person was the more imposing one.

Confidence was fine and all, but if he looked down on everyone else, that was an unpleasant feeling… Seiji could tell that there was condescension hidden within this boy's eyes.

This fellow was the boyfriend of someone as serene as Shimizu-san?

Seiji couldn't believe it.

Even if they really were boyfriend and girlfriend, Seiji preferred to believe that there was something hidden behind it, such as their parents forcing them to get married and so on. Of course, the more probable explanation was… this guy was also a fake boyfriend!

Two ex-girlfriends and two fake boyfriends, maybe?

Ok then, this situation might be simpler than he anticipated.

But this was all just his own deduction; perhaps the world worked in stranger ways than he thought, and this blue-haired girl didn't have an eye for men?

Seiji's observation and deduction took only a few seconds.

He smiled politely at the boy in front of him.

"Hello, nice to meet you."

"…Hello." The brown-haired boy responded in a prideful and condescending tone of voice.

An aromatic fragrance wafted over at this point in time.

Haruka Shimizu had removed the lid from the coffee pot.

She gracefully poured coffee for the other three seated teenagers first, before finally pouring out her own portion.

Chiaki had a mesmerized, nostalgic, yet complex expression on her face as she watched her ex-girlfriend's movements.

Seiji glanced at her before fixing his attention on the boy in front of him again.

The brown-haired boy was watching the blue-haired girl with a gentle look in his eyes… It was as if the condescension from earlier didn't even exist.

When the brown-haired boy noticed that the handsome boy in front of him was observing him, he instantly retracted his eyes from Haruka and returned Seiji's gaze directly, his gentle look replaced by arrogance once more.

Seiji was lost for words upon seeing this youth's strange behavior.

'Even though it's still an unpleasant feeling, if I look at it from another angle, this guy's really easy to understand,' Seiji thought to himself.

"Chiaki, do you… still take two sugars with your coffee?" Haruka opened the sugar container after sitting down and inquired in a soft voice.

"I don't know." Chiaki chuckled. "I haven't drunk coffee in so long."

Haruka stopped her movements as she stared directly at Chiaki.

Chiaki met the blue-haired girl's gaze with her own.

After a long period of silence.

"Why not?" Although her voice seemed calm on the surface, it felt as if she was concealing some emotions.

"Ever since a certain day, I stopped being able to taste coffee." Chiaki responded in the same manner: calm on the surface yet concealing something beneath.

Silence fell in the room once more.

'Sheesh, this atmosphere is really uncomfortable!' Seiji could only think that to himself.

Perhaps some people enjoyed watching scenes of love and hate play out, but it was torturous to be in the middle of it. At least that was what Seiji believed.

"Please give me two sugars." Seiji decisively broke the silence.

Haruka Shimizu slowly turned to look at him.

This was the first time that she directly observed the boy that had entered together with Chiaki Wakaba.

He was tall and handsome with a straightforward look in his eyes. Just his gentle smile, ordinary haircut, and completely natural appearance were more than enough to strongly attract most girls. It was as if he was shining brightly.

A boy with an excellent appearance. Haruka Shimizu instantly finished her evaluation of him.

After attending high school, she'd met many handsome, pretty, cool-looking boys with various differing styles. In comparison to them, this boy in front of her seemed rather plain, but his handsomeness wouldn't lose to any of them.

It would be difficult for her to evaluate him more than just his looks without knowing more about him. But the blue-haired girl's first impression was that this boy ranked among the highest in physical appearance out of all the boys she'd ever met.

This was Chiaki's "boyfriend!"

Haruka had already expected such a thing would happen when she learned that Chiaki would bring a boyfriend along as well.

Haruka was intimately familar with Chiaki… With her ex-girlfriend's personality, Haruka didn't feel her ex-girlfriend would be capable of immediately finding a boyfriend in the first year of high school. This boyfriend of Chiaki's would most likely be fake, just a boy who was close friends with Chiaki.

Haruka strongly believed that this would be the case and resolutely firmed herself to remain unshaken by Chiaki's probably fake boyfriend in any way; she would pretend that Chiaki's fake boyfriend was nothing more than a decoration.

But reality was different from her expectations.

The boy that Chiaki had with her was higher class than the boy beside Haruka, at least in physical appearance!

This caused a small ripple in Haruka's heart.

A boy that would accompany Chiaki here had to at least be close friends with her, even if he wasn't her real boyfriend.

And this friend of hers had such an outstanding appearance… Would Chiaki truly have no feelings for him?

Haruka was uncertain.

She believed that Chiaki always had deep feelings for her, but they had broken up. Besides, Haruka was the one who wanted to break up, causing Chiaki to suffer a huge impact.

After having her heart injured, Chiaki met such a handsome boy in high school and then became close friends with him… Like this, objectively speaking, wasn't it actually quite likely that they'd develop into a real couple!?

Haruka found it difficult to calm down after analyzing the situation to such an extent.

Even she was surprised at this fact.

In the space of a few short seconds, various thoughts kept spinning in Haruka's mind.

On the surface, she just looked at the boy who had asked her for sugar for a few seconds before naturally adding two sugar cubes to his coffee.

Nobody knew that the blue-haired girl was no longer as calm as she appeared anymore after this moment.

"Nice to meet you. I believe that Chiaki must have mentioned me to you before already, but allow me to introduce myself properly."

She formally and politely greeted the boy across from her.

"My name is Haruka Shimizu, a classmate of Chiaki's from Yoshimizu Middle School. I'm currently a first-year high schooler from Koaki High School. This person with me today is Tetsuo Sakaki, my… boyfriend from the same school."

Seiji noticed Chiaki suddenly tremble at hearing the word "boyfriend."

But at this moment, he wasn't in the correct state of mind to take care of her feelings.

That was because he'd received a huge shock as well!

Koaki High School…

That was the school the original Seiji Haruta attended before he transferred to Genhana High!

It was also the high school where his sisters and childhood friends and so on were attending.

Inherited memories from the original Seiji instantly welled up within him, some of them deeply unforgettable humiliating scenes…

Seiji knew that it was all the fault of the original Seiji before him, but as his successor, it still made Seiji uncomfortable.

He made an effort to suppress those memories and not allow anything to show on his face as he smiled politely.

"Nice to meet you. I'm a first-year student at Genhana High School. I'm Seigo Harano, Chiaki Wakaba's classmate and boyfriend."

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Chapter 71: Apology

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Chiaki had informed Seiji prior to the meeting about her ex-girlfriend.

But since they had never contacted each other since breaking up, Chiaki didn't know which school Haruka Shimizu was currently studying at.

That was why Seiji received such an unexpected shock.

But it actually wasn't that important.

Both Haruka Shimizu and Tetsuo Sakaki didn't have any apparent reaction upon seeing Seiji, which meant that they didn't even recognize Seiji as the depraved otaku that used to attend their school.

Perhaps neither of them knew the original Seiji, or perhaps they were unable to recognize the current Seiji. He didn't know which it was.

The original Seiji didn't know either of these two people, but due to his infamous reputation at Koaki, there were plenty of students that knew him but not vice versa.

It didn't matter.

It didn't matter at all.

Even if they recognized him, Seiji felt like nothing of significance would follow. It wasn't like either of these two were his family members who he wronged to such a great degree; they were only strangers that had nothing to do with the original Seiji.

Haruka Shimizu's sharp senses perceived that the boy across from her had been slightly shaken.

Was his discomfort related to the fact that she'd introduced herself as a student from Koaki High School?

Koaki High School was a famous school in this district. Many of its students hailed from rich, governmental, or powerful families. The other students all specialized in various fields and were among the top scoring students in the country. It was definitely a modern-day school for nobles.

Normal schools couldn't even compare to Koaki High School, and while Genhana High School was above average, they simply weren't on the same level.

Seigo Harano probably knew of Koaki High School's illustrious reputation and had received a shock upon hearing that she and Tetsuo studied there. That was what Haruka believed.

The handsome boy's shock instantly disappeared without a trace after a brief moment, but Haruka was already certain that he wasn't as calm as he appeared.

Was he only… a decorative but empty-headed person?

A sudden impulse from somewhere almost made Haruka want to classify him as such, but her logical reasoning told her that it wasn't wise to judge others so hastily.

"Genhana High School… that's a decent school, and I've heard that the clubs there have lively atmospheres." She started a topic of conversation. "Chiaki, what club are you currently in?"

"Drama club." Chiaki had already recovered her composure as she answered lightly.

"Not a sports club?" Haruka blinked in confusion. "I thought that you'd be more like when you were at Yoshimizu Middle School… but drama club is nice, too. You seem suited for acting."

"Yeah, whenever I'm acting on stage, I can temporarily forget myself… I forget my real identity, and what I've experienced; it's much more comfortable to act as characters other than myself." Chiaki rested her chin on her hands as she made a subtle, cold statement.

Haruka's expression froze over.

'…How scary.' Seiji could only inwardly sigh at the grudge Chiaki evidently bore.

So this was probably the true reason that Chiaki joined the drama club… She wanted to mitigate her own painful feelings after being dumped.

Saying it so straightforwardly to her ex-girlfriend was akin to a direct attack.

"Hmph."

A cold snort sounded out from Tetsuo Sakaki, the arrogant youth seated beside Haruka.

His eyes were filled with condescension as he looked at Chiaki.

Seiji frowned. "Did you make a sound just now?" he asked Tetsuo without any hesitation.

Tetsuo Sakaki turned to face him, the same condescending look still in his eyes.

"What if…"

"Tetsuo," Haruka's voice interrupted him mid-speech, "don't be rude." She glanced over at her companion as she reprimanded him.

"…I didn't say anything." The brown-haired boy extended his hands in a gesture of innocence as he shrugged and slightly restrained the condescension in his eyes.

His attitude, however, displayed his true thoughts clearly.

"It's obvious that you have something you want to say." A calm-sounding voice echoed out. It belonged to Chiaki. "Your name is Tetsuo Sakaki, right? Why don't you just say whatever you were thinking it out loud?"

"Chiaki…"

"Haruka, since the beginning, this 'boyfriend' of yours has carried a scornful attitude, yet he won't voice his thoughts… It's like he isn't even a man." Chiaki arced her mouth upwards in a taunting smile. "He's a petty gossiper who enjoys talking about people behind their backs… Disgusting."

A sudden chill swept through the room!

'What the hell, Wakaba-sensei! You're really challenging them now!?' Seiji felt the urge to clutch his head.

"What did you just say!?"

As expected, Tetsuo Sakaki was furious.

Not many boys would be able to withstand a taunt like that, and this brown-haired boy definitely wasn't the type who had a good temper. Besides, in his heart he truly looked down on Chiaki and Seiji to begin with, so he was unable to bear any disrespect from those he deemed unworthy.

"Tetsuo!" Haruka raised her voice.

"They were the ones being rude first; you heard it too! Haruka…"

Sakaki glanced at his female companion before viciously focusing on the pair in front of him again.

"Sorry, my girlfriend has a straightforward personality; she voices whatever's on her mind." Seiji smiled as he tried to alleviate the tension in the air. "Chiaki, you went overboard with what you said just now; hurry up and apologize."

"Mm… Fine. Since Seigo says so." Chiaki smiled at him in response as she straightened her back, sitting more formally. "My sincere apologies. I was too direct."

The two of them smiled the same way, and even their attitudes and tones almost completely matched. They were saying sorry, but it sounded completely insincere.

"You guys…" Tetsuo Sakaki's face started twitching.

'In his perspective, he probably thinks we're a couple of bastards that love to make fun of others,' Seiji thought in his mind. 'My bad, it's your own fault for being such an easy target! You're too easy to read, young man.'

It was obvious that Chiaki wasn't in a good mood right now, and Seiji could understand her feelings. Seiji was resolutely on Chiaki's side, so unfortunately for Tetsuo Sakaki, he was doomed to become the target of their mockery.

"Tetsuo, they apologized already." Haruka sighed.

"They're not sincerely apologizing at all!" Tetsuo stated a fact.

"What?"

This time it was Seiji who intentionally raised his voice by a dozen decibels.

Seiji's gaze sharpened as he stared directly into the brown-haired boy's eyes.

"What did you say? Sakaki…san. My girlfriend's apology has been quite clear! Just what do you mean by saying we're not apologetic? You think it's not enough? Could it be that… you think that only something like kneeling to you is 'enough' of an apology!?"

He even added a hint of anger to his last sentence. Of course, it was faked.

It was sufficient enough to suppress Tetsuo, however.

"Er…" Tetsuo Sakaki was slightly shaken and shocked at Seiji's sudden imposing manner.

He'd never expected the boy who he looked down on just a few seconds ago would suddenly become so intimidating.

Seiji's sharp gaze seemed like it could pierce right through Tetsuo!

A momentary silence filled the room.

Haruka was also astonished at how powerfully spirited the boy in front of her seemed to be. Was it that he hadn't been shaken earlier at all? But why did it seem like he had been shaken at the mention of Koaki High School?

She didn't understand.

"My apologies, my boyfriend's rather impulsive, honestly. He just can't bear to see me wronged~" Chiaki said in a soft voice. She then looked towards Seiji and said, "Hey, he seems to frightened! Hurry up and apologize!"

"Mmm… Okay, since Chiaki says so." Seiji relaxed his facial expression in order to appear calmer and sat up more formally.

"My apologies, my words just now were in the heat of the moment; please don't mind them."

Heh heh.

Chiaki and Seiji wore matching smiles on their faces and bore the exact same attitude from earlier, but reversed. Their synchronization rate was one hundred percent perfect.

Tetsuo Sakaki was rendered speechless. His face reddened with an anger that could only tumultuously toss and turn inside his chest without being let out.

It was as if he could hear them taunting him beneath the thin veneer of their polite words—"Hey, little boy, we're just toying with you!"

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Chapter 72: Truth

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Tetsuo Sakaki felt like agreeing to this meeting had been a mistake in the first place.

As the ace member of the karate club and one of the top-ranked students in Koaki High School, he was bursting with confidence.

Koaki High School was already a gathering ground for the best of the best, so standing at the top even among them was definitely something to be proud of. In his eyes, he only regarded his classmates as well as those equal to or above him in status.

Tetsuo Sakaki couldn't even be bothered with those who he considered as below him. Of course, that included students from other schools that weren't of the same quality as Koaki High School.

He failed to grasp the reason behind Haruka Shimizu's stubbornness regarding this matter. Genhana High School? This normal girl was from a low-rated school which wasn't even worth paying attention to.

Yes, they previously bore affection for each other, but that was over with now. It was wrong to continue it!

Since Haruka already decided to break up, she should have said goodbye to Chiaki forever and never bothered with her again, but…

He'd already directly told Haruka he didn't understand why she was doing this, but Haruka remained adamant about continuing, so he could only accompany her.

Haruka was too much of a softie.

Such a girl wasn't even worth her attention or love!

At this moment, Tetsuo Sakaki was more certain of this than anything else.

"The two of you… don't even know you're basically no different from garbage." His eyes were filled with unrestrained condescension as he finally voiced his true thoughts.

"Tetsuo!" Haruka raised her voice.

"Don't stop me, Haruka! You saw how rude they were being for yourself!" Tetsuo gave Haruka a sidelong glance before glaring at the two in front of him again. "We were nice enough to meet up with them, but they're being so rude to us… They're nothing but scum!"

Seiji and Chiaki retracted their fake smiles as they exchanged glances.

"It appeared."

"Yep, it was exposed rather quickly… the true face of the arrogant boy."

They both anticipated this scene, so their attitudes remained calm.

Tetsuo felt another wave of anger sweep through his heart; he was incensed at being seen through by the duo he'd looked upon.

If only he could have remained calm, perhaps he would have realized the mistake he was making, but the current him was blinded by rage and arrogance.

He stood up violently and pounded the table with his fist, causing hot coffee to spill out of the cups.

"Let's go, Haruka! These scumbags aren't even worth our time…"

Slap!*

A clear sound resounded throughout the room.

The blue-haired girl had slapped the brown-haired boy.

Tetsuo was shocked at the sudden slap and was left dazed.

"You… stop acting so shameful!"

Haruka stood up and yelled in a low voice as she struggled to suppress the burning rage which welled up within her.

Although she knew that the boy with her wasn't very reliable, she didn't expect him to fall for their taunts so easily.

In actuality, Haruka's sudden loss of control over her own emotions surprised her even more than her classmate's poor behavior.

Witnessing how shamefully Tetsuo was acting, she acted on sudden impulse and ended up slapping him.

This shouldn't be… Her normal self wouldn't do such a thing!

At this moment Haruka Shimizu finally realized how shaken she truly was deep inside.

A withering silence reigned over the room for several moments.

Chiaki finally sighed wistfully, breaking the silence.

"Haruka… Actually, I really missed you."

A soft, gentle expression appeared on Chiaki's face for the first time as she looked at the blue-haired girl.

"Chiaki…"

Haruka returned the silver-haired girl's gaze.

"After separating from you, I thought about you… Every day, every moment, for such a long time," Chiaki began slowly. "Every time I thought about what you said while breaking up with me, my heart would ache. You said so much, and all of it was logical… But none of that was important to me. I didn't care; I couldn't comprehend or accept the reasons. I only knew that you wanted to break up with me, and you were resolute about it. It hurt me severely. Nevertheless… I still loved you."

A teardrop formed in the corner of Chiaki's eye and slowly dripped down her pale white cheek.

Haruka was unable to come up with words as she listened to Chiaki's heartfelt words.

Tetsuo still hadn't regained his senses.

If he had dared to say anything to ruin the current mood, Seiji definitely would have smacked him a good one in the mouth.

Wordlessly, a tissue was handed over to Chiaki.

Of course, the only one who would do this was Seiji.

Chiaki wiped her eyes with the tissue and took a deep breath.

"Finally, I was able to overcome it. One reason was the fun club I was in… Although the drama club president is a bit of a weird person, she's really nice, and everyone else in drama club is nice as well. Another reason was one of my best friends who clumsily approached me and consoled me when I was at my most disconsolate… Even though she herself was unaware of it." Chiaki smiled lightly.

"Finally, I got to know Seigo." She glanced at the boy beside her with a gentle expression.

"When I was hanging out with him… I had lots of fun—even more than before. That's when I received your phone call."

Chiaki shot Haruka a look filled with deep emotion.

"I was surprised and happy, yet frightened. I didn't know why you did it, but no matter the reason, I still wished to meet you. You told me that you were bringing your boyfriend, which hurt me deeply, but that wouldn't stop me from wanting to see you. Even though I was so afraid, even though I knew this might not be a joyous meeting, I wanted to see you. I… miss you… Haruka…"

Glistening tears rolled down from Chiaki's eyes which currently flashed with various complex emotions.

"Chiaki…"

Haruka Shimizu could no longer maintain her impassive expression; even she could not veil her true feelings which were hidden deep within herself.

Complex sadness, nostalgia, and longing burst out from the confines of her heart…

She walked over to Chiaki, kneeled, and hugged her.

"Sorry… I'm sorry…" Tears also slid down the blue-haired girl's cheeks. "Everything was my fault… Sorry, Chiaki… Actually… I… missed you too…"

Seiji remained silent, respecting this heart-touching scene.

After a while, he stood up noiselessly and looked at Tetsuo.

Tetsuo Sasaki was still reeling from Haruka's slap, but he'd almost regained his clarity of mind.

Seiji stared at him until Tetsuo noticed, and gave him a silent signal.

Let's talk outside!

If Tetsuo couldn't even understand such a simple gesture, Seiji was about to give him a good lesson on how to behave.

Luckily, the brown-haired boy wasn't that stupid.

Tetsuo Sasaki gave a parting glance towards the two girls, before following Seiji out of the room.

After leaving the room.

"I deeply apologize for my rude words earlier." Seiji began with a sincere apology right off the bat. His tone of voice suddenly turned cold as he continued, "But that was also because the look in your eyes was quite unpleasant. You shouldn't believe that you're good at concealing it."

Tetsuo remained silent.

"I don't know if you're really that girl's boyfriend or not, nor do I care, but taking your attitude into account, they won't be able to have a good conversation. That's why I had to expose your true self first." Seiji bluntly told him the truth. "I also don't know, nor care, why you were looking down on us. At any rate, you're just an unimportant character; it doesn't matter what you think. But I'll never allow you to interfere with Chiaki! She mustered her courage and resolved herself to potentially having her feelings wounded again by coming here. As her companion, my role is to remove all obstacles for her. Now, let us wait here for them until they're finished talking."

'If you dare to try anything, I swear that you'll never be able to do anything again.'

Seiji didn't say that last sentence out loud, and stood there in silence, ignoring Tetsuo.

Tetsuo Sasaki was currently battling with complex emotions.

He had been slapped by Haruka and saw her true feelings revealed… He finally had an inkling of the mistake he had made.

That girl… Chiaki Wakaba was someone that Haruka had truly been in love with before.

However, he looked down on her… He was condescending towards her, and he'd ignored Haruka's feelings… He fell for such a simple taunt and exposed his way of thinking.

That was why Haruka got angry at him.

He totally deserved that slap he received!

Tetsuo felt downcast after coming to this realization.

He didn't intend to hurt Haruka's feelings but made such a mistake.

Haruka… would she hate him now?

Tetsuo felt like she wouldn't because she was a softie inside. However, this made his heart ache even more.

'Aw man!! What have I done!?' The arrogant boy suddenly fell into a state of self-loathing.

He then noticed the handsome boy who stood beside him wordlessly.

This guy… was actually quite smart.

Thinking about what this person had spoken and done, Tetsuo could only shamefully admit to himself that the other boy had completely outwitted him!

Seigo Harano… from Genhana High School.

Tetsuo etched this name into his mind.

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Chapter 73: Isn't Your Boyfriend Still Outside!?

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Inside the room, the two girls finally calmed down a little and were drinking coffee in silence.

"As I expected—I still… love this coffee's flavor the most." Chiaki smiled gently at Haruka. "The taste of coffee that you personally brewed for me."

"Is that so…" Haruka averted her gaze as her cheeks flushed slightly red.

'Honestly, wasn't this exactly just like before?'

But there was no helping it; even though she knew that she shouldn't, these were her real feelings.

Although she'd tried her utmost to restrain herself and to forget… she couldn't.

That alluringly sweet, dazzling, mesmerizing time she spent together with Chiaki.

It had been like a dream she couldn't wake up from.

Haruka thought that she had gotten over Chiaki after breaking up with her for so long. For the first time, she discovered that she was still hung up on her.

She told herself she brought a male companion in order to prevent Chiaki from getting close to her again. But on closer inspection that was probably… her fear of facing her true inner self.

'How terrible am I…'

Like her classmate outside, Haruka Shimizu also fell into a state of self-loathing.

At this moment, Chiaki took her hand.

Chiaki gently caressed her hand before bringing it to her soft lips and licking gently. As her cute red tongue darted out, she eyed Haruka with a seductive expression.

Haruka's face instantly turned bright red.

That gaze, these feelings… they're so distressing… Her body trembled slightly, half in fear and half in anticipation.

Chiaki used well-practiced motions as she licked every inch of Haruka's fingers, fingertips, back of her hand, and palm of her hand… Without missing a single spot, Chiaki licked her softly and gently, taking her time as if she was tasting an exquisitely fine meal.

As the blue-haired girl's trembling became more and more obvious and her cheeks flamed crimson red, Chiaki gently pulled Haruka into her arms.

Haruka suddenly regained her senses.

"N… No…"

'We've already broken up, we can't…'

However, her resistance was so soft and helpless that it didn't seem like she was resisting at all.

To Chiaki, Haruka seemed like she'd regained her feelings for Chiaki as her eyes were watery, her face flushed completely red, and her tiny mouth was slightly puckered open.

Chiaki brought her face close to Haruka's, then leaned in and kissed her.

"Mmm… Ah…"

After their lips came into contact, they stuck together as they mashed lips.

Haruka felt like all her energy had been drained; she could only allow Chiaki to tightly hold on to her body and let Chiaki do whatever she wanted.

'We can't…' She was shouting this in her heart, but her body had zero strength as she was enjoying this, unable to resist.

Time became a blur to them.

After losing track of time, Haruka finally felt herself being released.

Chiaki licked her lips in an alluring expression that seemed like she was saying "thanks for the meal."

"Wahh… Honestly!" Haruka summoned a sliver of energy and lightly hit Chiaki. "We can't be like this… Your… your boyfriend, isn't he waiting outside for you!?"

"Oh, do you care a lot about him?" Chiaki chuckled.

"This… this isn't about whether or not I care about him! You're the one who should be caring!" Afraid of having her true feelings found out, Haruka raised her voice in an attempt to cover them.

Chiaki wore a light smile as she gazed at Haruka's face.

As long as she was able to open the door to Haruka's heart, Haruka would become unexpectedly soft and express a rich variety of emotions. This was one of the traits which caused Chiaki to fall in love with her.

"Seigo… isn't my boyfriend." She told her the truth. "I actually haven't known him for all that long, so we haven't moved on to being boyfriend and girlfriend."

"Oh… That means, as long as time passes, you'll become…" Haruka furrowed her eyebrows slightly.

"I don't know~" Chiaki shrugged. "If you ask me whether or not he's suitable to become my boyfriend, I'll say yes, and add a definitely in front of yes. Even though we've known each other for only a short time, he's really an amazing as well as handsome guy. He's basically like the main male idol lead in a television drama… No, even an idol actor wouldn't move me as much as he does.

"If it wasn't for your existence, I would definitely fall in love with him… Actually, I've already fallen for him a little, but one of my best friends fell in love with him first, and I don't want to ruin our relationship. But human emotions are very difficult to control… So I don't know what will happen in the future."

"Wah…" Haruka puffed out her cheeks.

Chiaki really wanted to poke her cheeks like she would in the past, but she managed to restrain herself.

"That's my story. How about you, Haruka?"

Haruka's face stiffened slightly before she ended up sighing.

"Okay, I admit it as well, Tetsuo… is not my boyfriend; he's actually my younger cousin."

"I knew it; you would never fall in love with his type." Chiaki smiled knowingly.

Haruka's expression flickered.

"Tetsuo… is a good guy. It's just… maybe he's a little too arrogant…"

"'A little?' Hah, fine, I teased him plenty anyways, so I'll let it go with that," Chiaki said casually.

'If that guy still keeps acting up, Seiji will definitely give him a good lesson.' She was certain of this.

'Seiji Haruta can be quite fearsome if he truly gets angry, after all~'

At any rate, the two of them went outside quite a while ago, and who knows what they'd been up to. Chiaki suddenly wanted to see the arrogant Tetsuo Sasaki learning a well-deserved lesson from Seiji.

That's right; she still bore a grudge towards him!

Even if she knew now that he was only a fake boyfriend, she still felt unhappy inside and wanted to see him suffer!

Seiji would surely comment about how illogical her grudge was, but this was just a part of her nature.

Actually, her taunts just earlier were already unreasonable, but Seiji resolutely stood by her side and helped her out in order to make her feel better.

Chiaki was inwardly delighted about this.

Just as Seiji said, he wasn't exactly a "good person," nor did he believe in right and wrong. He simply helped those he wanted to help, protecting and taking care of his friends.

This made Chiaki extremely happy and instilled her with a feeling of safety.

Of course, if she went overboard Seiji would surely stop her. This would be a method of protecting her as well, otherwise the situation would get out of control, and she'd be the party who'd bear the brunt of the consequence.

At any rate, Seiji Haruta was simply a trustworthy and reliable person.

'Honestly, you seem so cool; what will happen if I really fall in love with you?' Chiaki mentally asked the person who was outside the door.

Seiji sneezed.

'Why am I feeling a sudden chill?' He rubbed his nose.

He didn't know what was going on inside.

But Chiaki would surely be able to take care of things. He had confidence in her.

He was a bit bored just standing outside like a door guard, though.

With nothing to do, he glanced at the boy beside him, and just happened to notice Tetsuo looking towards him as well.

They looked at each other wordlessly for a few seconds before Tetsuo finally piped up.

"Seigo Harano… right?"

Seiji raised his eyebrow at the unexpected question.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Just earlier… Perhaps I was a bit rude." An indescribable light flashed through Tetsuo's eyes. "However, you and me, we're different."

'Sigh… Arrogant people like him are so difficult to deal with.'

"Yeah yeah, you're an excellent student from Kaoki High School, you're a genius, you're an elite, you'll definitely be successful in life, you're at a completely different level from a commoner like me, you're so great." Seiji praised Tetsuo in a sarcastic tone that made it obvious it wasn't praise at all.

Tetsuo furrowed his eyebrows.

He'd already calmed down, so it was easy for him to tell that Seiji didn't mean his praise, but… It was difficult for him to say anything back.

If he did anything rude, it would hurt Haruka.

But there were some things he still needed to say.

"It's good that you understand," he said lightly. "We… Compared with you guys, Haruka and I are vastly different, not only in the school we go to."

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Chapter 74: Allow Me to Show You True Strength!

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

"Grades, talent, identity, family… Perhaps you consider all of this quite vulgar, but such is reality." Tetsuo continued speaking in a tone that indicated he was serious.

"The differences in our schools' ranks is just one such actualization of the difference between us. Even if the two of you went to the same school as us, you'd discover that the differences between us can be realized through many other places as well. Haruka and… Chiaki Wakaba's feelings for each other may have been genuine, but they're also a mistake. Haruka originally made the correct decision, but because she's too soft-hearted, she still made a mistake at this point in time."

Seiji frowned. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Tetsuo stared directly into Seiji's eyes in an arrogant manner.

"What I want to say is, even though Haruka was the one who took the initiative to invite Chiaki Wakaba today, don't think that they'll become what they were before again. Haruka doesn't intend that at all; she took me with her in order to prove… that she still cares about Chiaki Wakaba, but she definitely won't make such a mistake again and have that sort of intimate relationship. You guys… You and Chiaki Wakaba need to recognize it and have zero expectations!"

Tetsuo warned Seiji in a stern manner.

Glancing at the recipient of his speech, he noticed the boy he knew as Seigo Harano looking at him as if he were an idiot.

'There's an idiot here! Everyone come look!' Seiji felt the urge to shout that out loud.

'Not even taking into consideration this bastard's speech about differences, Chiaki never had that sort of intention in the first place, okay!

'Haruka took you here in order to stop Chiaki from having any second thoughts, while Chiaki took me here in order to… Do you think that she simply brought me here to give me a chance at seeing a beautiful girl!?

'You don't even know the basics of thinking from someone else's viewpoint; is your head filled with nothing but grass!!?'

Seiji's mental comments were flowing through his mind like an unstoppable rushing torrential flood.

Chiaki only came to meet her ex-girlfriend, and perhaps the situation would develop in some manner after that, but Seiji was 100% certain that she didn't come here in order to make up and become girlfriends again.

Yes, she still missed Haruka Shimizu after their breakup, but would she shamelessly want to be intimate with Haruka again after being invited so suddenly? Impossible!

Chiaki Wakaba definitely wasn't this type of person. At most, she would want to relive a sweet time together again for the sake of nostalgia and only if Haruka didn't resist the idea.

Even if she still wanted to be with Haruka, she would never request it of her own volition; it would have to be Haruka voluntarily saying that out loud.

Just what was wrong with Tetsuo Sasaki's brain? Looking down on others to such a degree couldn't even be said to be arrogance anymore; it was pure idiocy.

Tetsuo was confused about the way Seiji looked at him.

If "Seigo" had turned grim, or even angry, he would have understood. But what was with looking at him like he was an idiot?

Did he make another mistake again? Tetsuo reflected on his previous words.

No, he didn't say anything wrong. After confirming that to himself, he firmed his resolution once more and looked directly at Seiji, his eyes filled with pride.

Seiji felt his energy was draining from him as he saw Tetsuo's unchanging attitude. Forget it, it was useless talking reason to an idiot. It was best to let Tetsuo believe whatever he wants.

It's just… it still felt rather unpleasant.

"Sasaki-san, what club are you in at Koaki High School?" He opened his mouth and asked.

'What was with this sudden question?' Tetsuo was confused once again.

"I'm in the Karate club; although I'm not the captain, I've won prize money in various competitions before," he said with a clear note of pride in his voice.

'Oh?' Seiji raised his eyebrows as a grin started to form on his face.

If Chiaki or Mika could see him right now, they'd definitely notice that this smile meant… he was up to no good!

Since this definitely wasn't Seiji's normal smile; there was something fearsome hidden behind it.

"Perfect, I've studied freestyle martial arts a little bit myself. Why don't we go someplace empty and have a little duel?"

Tetsuo furrowed his brows.

"You want to fight me?"

"Don't make it sound so bad. I'd just like to have a little practice with you, ace member of the Karate club, Tetsuo Sasaki-san." There was a dark shadow in Seiji's smile. "You said so much just now, so of course you wouldn't back down from such a challenge, would you?"

This was a direct challenge.

Tetsuo Sasaki remained silent for a few moments.

"If this can help you to realize the difference between us, fine. I'll show you just what true strength is!"

…

After Chiaki and Haruka finished their conversation, they walked out of the coffee café's room and saw that the two boys weren't waiting for them outside the door.

Chiaki called Seiji and found out that the boys were waiting for them on the first floor.

When they went downstairs, they saw the two boys sitting by a window.

However, Tetsuo Sasaki was collapsed strangely on the table for some reason and wasn't moving.

"What's with him?" Chiaki asked suspiciously.

"Actually… while waiting for the two of you, we had a friendly little chat." Seiji scratched his face. "After learning that Sasaki-san here was the ace member of the Karate club, I got a little curious and asked him to teach me, and he kindly agreed to show me the ropes, so we went out to the alleyway behind this café and had a little duel, but…"

"I didn't control my strength very well and accidentally knocked Sasaki-san out."

Chiaki and Haruka were rendered speechless.

"You two… went out and had a fight?" Chiaki squinted and berated Seiji in a righteous manner: "How could you do this, Seigo!? Even though you're not in any sports clubs, you possess physical abilities that every sports club at our school is drooling over! How could you not go easy on an ordinary person like Sasaki-san!?"

Even though it seemed like she was criticizing Seiji on the surface, her tone made it clear that she was praising him instead.

'Good job, Seiji! I knew you wouldn't disappoint me!'

Chiaki had nothing but praise inside her heart.

Haruka Shimizu looked stunned as she studied the unconscious brown-haired boy in front of her.

Tetsuo, an ordinary person?

Tetsuo Sasaki was one of the ten strongest members of the Karate club, which had an abundance of talented members as was natural of Koaki High School!

Tetsuo's family ran a dojo, so he had been practicing karate ever since he was born. Even though he wasn't necessarily the winner of every competition, he always ranked highly in each one; these were feats to be proud of! He definitely had real skill in karate.

As his older cousin, Haruka had witnessed Tetsuo's martial arts competitions many times before, and the solid foundation of his training regimen and his slow growth into becoming stronger gave her a deep impression.

However.

Right now, in front of her.

Her incredibly strong cousin of hers… Tetsuo Sasaki was actually defeated and knocked unconscious… by someone from an ordinary school who wasn't even in any sports clubs!?

"Sorry, I thought he would be really strong, so I used more of my strength than usual, but I didn't expect that…" Seiji shrugged.

"Even though he's unconscious, he shouldn't be seriously injured. Should we… take him to the hospital for an inspection?" Chiaki looked towards Haruka.

Haruka stood motionless, overcome by a mixture of amazement and shock, so it took her a dozen seconds to regain her senses.

She looked back at Chiaki.

Chiaki's expression was calm, but her eyes showed she was delighted with this outcome.

Haruka slowly turned her gaze towards Seigo Harano.

Seiji had an innocent expression on his face.

You… just who exactly are you!?

Haruka really wanted to ask him this question as she stared at his handsome face.

But right now, Tetsuo's condition was more important.

Let them take her cousin to the hospital?

Haruka was already imagining how much of an impact Tetsuo would receive after finding out what had happened to him!

And if he experienced Chiaki's merciless teasing on top of that… it would be too pitiful!

Chiaki definitely wouldn't feel any sympathy for Tetsuo, nor would Seigo Harano, who was on her side.

Tetsuo couldn't withstand their taunting to begin with, so if they added oil to the fire… Haruka felt a shiver run down her spine just imagining it.

That left her with only one choice.

"I'll take Tetsuo to the hospital. It's fine, you guys… can just return now." Haruka sighed.

"That's no good, is it? My Seigo knocked him unconscious after all, so he should be there to apologize when Tetsuo wakes up." Chiaki seemed like she was apologizing, but in reality, she was inwardly holding her sides with laughter.

'You dare to look down on others, you bastard? Ace member of the Karate club at a well-known school? How does it feel to be knocked unconscious by someone at an ordinary school who isn't even in any sports clubs!?'

'Yep, I really want to see what kind of expression this Tetsuo Sasaki has when he wakes up! Oh yeah~'

'Chiaki, you're getting a little evil,' Seiji thought as he noticed the silver-haired girl's gleeful expression.

Although, honestly speaking, Seiji felt a slight urge to see what expression this brown-haired brat would have when he woke up as well, but he decided to be merciful. After all, it would be good to leave him with a little shred of pride.

"Oh, I think that Sasaki-san probably won't want to see me when he wakes up, since I was so impolite to him, so let's just listen to Shimizu-san instead," Seiji said.

'Eh, are we letting him go? Man~' Chiaki mentally pouted. 'But since Seiji has spoken already, let's just stop here.'

"What do you think then, Haruka? Is it really fine for us to just leave?"

"Please, go ahead!" The blue-haired girl could only helplessly request this from the bottom of her heart.

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Chapter 75: Secret

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Seiji and Chiaki slowly walked down the street after leaving the coffee café.

"Haha, you actually knocked him unconscious, you're pretty evil, Seigo… No, Seiji." Chiaki broke out into laughter again as she thought back to the previous events. "But you did a great job—as expected of my S-ranked weapon!" She gave him a huge thumbs-up.

"Heh, but of course." Seiji pretended to gaze into the distance. "A person capable of defeating me does not exist in this world."

After one second of silence.

Both of them broke out into laughter.

"What's with those embarrassing words of yours!? But it's actually unexpectedly moving~" Chiaki stepped closer to Seiji as if it were the natural thing to do and clung on to his arm.

"We don't need to fake being a couple anymore, do we?"

"We don't. I just feel like doing this."

Seiji glanced at the silver-haired girl.

"How did… your conversation with her go?"

"Mmm… Should I say that it didn't go very well, or that it was fine?" Chiaki had a complex expression.

"It doesn't seem like you two have gotten back together again, so what's your current relationship with her?"

"It's… friends," Chiaki said wistfully, "a special type of friendship. Friends that miss each other when apart. Perhaps we'll meet each other soon again, but maybe we might never see each other again… Friends like that."

Seiji remained silent.

Although that Tetsuo Sasaki was nothing more than an idiot, one thing he mentioned was indisputable—the fact that Haruka Shimizu didn't intend to get back together with Chiaki again. Her taking along a fake boyfriend was plenty of evidence for this.

And if Haruka didn't intend this, Chiaki definitely wouldn't request it either, so…

At any rate, why exactly did Haruka Shimizu invite Chiaki out of the blue? This still remained a mystery.

Seiji was waiting for an answer.

After a long period of silence.

"Even though Haruka told me not to tell anyone else, including you… I think I should still let you know." Chiaki looked up at Seiji as her eyes flashed with an indescribable light.

"Are you sure? If it's an important secret, you don't need to tell me."

"It's not a secret… Er, I don't know." Chiaki sighed. "I don't know what exactly this is…"

She didn't know?

Seiji furrowed his brows.

"Haruka, she… first, she asked if I could transfer to Koaki High School, and be normal friends with her again." Chiaki slowly began to speak. "Of course, I rejected her and said this wasn't possible."

"Then, she requested that I… take a temporary leave of absence from school."

"Leave of absence?" Seiji was confused.

He could understand asking her to transfer schools and be friends again, but what was with the leave of absence request?

"That's right, a leave of absence." Chiaki nodded. "She said she wished for me to not attend Genhana High School for the time being, as there could be danger."

Seiji raised his eyebrows.

"What kind of danger?"

"She didn't tell me what it specifically was, she only said that there was a danger which could cause students to die," Chiaki said in a heavy tone of voice.

Hey now, could it be?

The only upcoming thing that might be dangerous enough for students to die at Genhana High School… Seiji could only think of one such incident.

The Yin Yang Master duel!

Was this what Haruka Shimizu was alluding to? Did she know about it? Was she a person with mystical powers!?

Successive doubts kept arising in Seiji's mind.

"It sounds really strange, right? What danger could befall Genhana High School?" Chiaki sighed before continuing, "But Haruka seemed so serious; she begged me to believe her and do as she requested!"

"She invited me out solely for the purpose of telling me this."

Seiji now understood the logic behind Haruka's sudden invitation.

But now, new questions arose.

For Chiaki, at least.

"She obviously wasn't making all this up, but she wouldn't tell me anything about the danger… I don't understand why…" the silver-haired girl muttered to herself. "And she even told me not to tell anyone else… I honestly don't get it; what kind of secret is this? Something which is dangerous enough to cause the death of high school students is a huge incident! It shouldn't be hidden. Why didn't Haruka tell me the details clearly, ask me to keep it a secret, and tell me to take a leave of absence from school?"

"I don't understand. She refused to speak further on the subject no matter what, so I don't get it."

Chiaki looked at the boy by her side.

"That's why I told you, Seiji… Seiji?"

Chiaki's sharp senses detected something from Seiji's expression and body language.

"You… know?" She was astonished.

Seiji remained silent.

"Do you perhaps… know what Haruka was talking about?" Chiaki slowly began to furrow her brows.

Seiji sighed after considering his options.

"I don't know if what I know is what she was referring to."

He faced Chiaki directly.

"But… it seems quite probable. Chiaki, you know that I recently discussed something with the student council president, something I couldn't tell you and Mika. What Haruka just mentioned to you is… most likely the same topic that I was talking with the president about."

Nobody spoke for a while.

Chiaki took a good, long look at Seiji's face.

"I see." She finally ended up nodding. "Our school… there's something hidden to it, isn't there?"

Seiji nodded in response.

"It's a huge secret that can't be made public. It's for the best if fewer normal people know about it," he said in a soft voice. "That's why… I'm so sorry."

Chiaki shook her head.

"If you could, you'd surely tell us. If you can't, that means there's a deep reason behind it. There's no need to feel apologetic. Even though I have my doubts and want to know the truth, I won't pry. You and Haruka are both people I trust. Although it's a little uncomfortable to know that both of you are hiding the same thing from me, I trust that it's for my own good."

Chiaki flashed a brilliant smile.

"I feel sorry towards Haruka as well for telling you something she absolutely insisted on keeping secret… but it seems that you coincidentally knew about it."

Seiji smiled as well.

"Yeah, luckily I was the one who heard about it."

"Honestly… just how big is this secret? What if I told someone else about what Haruka just told me? If it hadn't been you… What would have happened if it had been someone who didn't know what it was about?"

Chiaki's expression showed a trace of nervousness.

Seiji mulled it over.

"I doubt much would happen if you did. You'd probably end up a companion who's also oblivious to what is going on… As long as you guys didn't spread any more rumors, that is."

"Whew… I was so worried." Chiaki pretended to wipe nonexistent sweat from her forehead. "It's good if it's not that serious."

"While it is a big secret, nothing should happen as long as you don't go around telling everyone. But keep in mind that if you keep telling people, the consequences would be unpredictable," Seiji warned her in a strict tone of voice.

It was best not to even think about the identities of the upper ranks of the Yin Yang Masters as they were bent on hiding their existence in order to continue reaping huge benefits.

"I get it, I won't tell anyone else!" Chiaki stuck her tongue out at Seiji. "Should I call Haruka and apologize to her? By the way, do you need to talk to her? You both seem to know the same secret, after all." Chiaki's expression was hard to read as she contemplated the thought of Seiji having access to Haruka's number.

Seiji considered Chiaki's suggestion.

"I'm not sure if I need to talk to her, but you might as well give me her contact information. It might come in handy."

Giving her ex-girlfriend's cell phone number to the boy that she secretly liked a little, especially considering the fact that they shared a secret together… Chiaki was currently battling with complex, indescribable emotions.

Was she… about to NTR herself?

No no, she liked both of them so much; if they could become a couple…

Ding-dong!*

Chiaki's mind suddenly envisioned a brand-new scene that she'd never considered before.

This scene dashed away all her uncertainties, and she could feel new horizons opening up for her!

If Seiji and Haruka could get together… this seemed pretty good!?

Chiaki's eyes began sparkling after she felt like she just opened the door to new possibilities.

Even though it was currently nothing more than a fantasy, it still seemed possible to her!

Possibility meant hopes and dreams!

After Seiji entered Haruka Shimizu's phone number into his cell phone contacts, he discovered that… Chiaki's expression had become rather strange.

The silver-haired girl smiled brilliantly as she slapped him heartily on the shoulder.

"Go ahead and contact Haruka as much as you like! Flirt with her to the best of your ability; I think you have a good chance!"

Seiji was rendered speechless.

'What the hell?'

Chapter 76: Suicide

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Seiji assumed Chiaki was tired from the long night, causing her to behave so mystifyingly.

"The night's still young; let's go get a drink together!"

"Denied. It's already getting late, so I'm taking you home now."

"Objection, judge!"

"You don't have permission to speak!"

Chiaki sighed. "You're terrible!"

Seiji countered all of Chiaki's unreasonable requests and took her home.

Chiaki lived in an extravagant apartment completely on a different level from Seiji's. Seiji wouldn't even be able to enter unless he had a card or could pass a retina scan.

The silver-haired girl stepped up to the apartment's front gate before she turned around and smiled at Seiji.

"Thank you so much for accompanying me tonight."

Seiji scratched his face. "Do you need to be so formal? You're making me feel awkward."

Chiaki chuckled. "Actually, I wanted to make you embarrassed on purpose. You're so cute like this~"

"I'm going back now. Have a good night." Seiji decisively turned around and waved.

"Don't! No escaping; I wasn't finished talking yet!" Chiaki grabbed on to his hand.

"What else is there?"

Seiji heard a light swishing sound. The silver-haired girl untied her red hairband and let her long hair cascade down her slim shoulders.

This scene felt familiar to Seiji as he'd seen similar scenes in animes before. Even he was forced to admit that Chiaki's current appearance was quite stunning.

Chiaki was simply returning to her normal hairstyle, but due to her current clothing and her elegant movements, she exuded a special type of charisma.

"This… I'm giving it to you." Chiaki placed her red hairband in Seiji's hand.

"Eh?"

"This was the first present that Haruka ever gave me, but now… I don't need it anymore," Chiaki said with a serious expression.

Seiji failed to come up with a suitable reply.

"That's why I'm giving it to you! You can do whatever you like with it: throw it away, give it to someone else, or… give it back to Haruka." Chiaki displayed an alluring smile.

Then she finally turned around.

"That's all! Good night, Seiji~"

"Wait a moment! Something so important… is it really fine to give this to me!? By the way, why are you giving it to me?"

'Shouldn't she be giving it to Mika if she wants to give it away?' Seiji was confused by her unexpected gift.

Chiaki merely waved at him with her back turned and walked through her apartment's front gate without replying.

Seiji stood there stunned for a few minutes before he finally sighed and carefully put away the red hairband.

He glanced at the apartment one more time before leaving.

This long night had finally ended.

…

A new week, on Monday.

Seiji recounted last night's occurrences to Mika on the way to school.

He didn't mention the real reason behind Haruka Shimizu's invitation. He only told her that Haruka wanted Chiaki to transfer schools and be friends again, without bringing up her request for Chiaki to take a leave of absence or anything about danger.

Nor did he mention the red hairband.

That's because after Seiji reached his apartment and checked his system, he was shocked!

This [gift] gave him an excessively high amount of points compared to normal! Innumerable emotions must have been contained within this red hairband!

Just why did Chiaki give him something so important to her? Seiji couldn't comprehend the reason behind Chiaki's gift, but this definitely wasn't something he should treat carelessly.

He decided not to tell Mika for the time being, not because he wanted to conceal it, but because he felt like he shouldn't speak rashly before he deciphered the intentions behind Chiaki's gift.

As expected, Mika didn't think too deeply about what Seiji told her, and she accepted his words without question.

"That person… named Sasaki-san, he was slapped by Haruka then knocked out by you; he seems a little pitiful."

"I was already kind enough to spare his life."

"Is that what you call kindness?" Mika's eyes were becoming unfocused.

"Do you wish to behold how cruel I can really be?" Seiji pretended to adjust a pair of imaginary glasses.

"I don't want to know…"

"How regrettable. You've missed an opportunity to see the world for what it really is."

"What does this have to do with the truth of the world!?" Mika retorted forcefully.

Yep, today there was a pleasant atmosphere as well.

At this point in time Seiji didn't expect what he was about to face next would be… rather unpleasant.

After reaching school, Seiji removed some love letters from his shoe locker again, greeted Chiaki, and went to class together with the silver-haired girl and Mika.

Everything was normal.

During class time.

"Chiaki, what do you intend to do about Shimizu-san's request?" Seiji asked her when he met her in the hallway after using the bathroom.

To tell the truth, he would have preferred to ask her what she wanted him to do with the red hairband… However, he felt like she'd just tell him some excuse as it wasn't an appropriate time to yet.

"About that… I haven't decided… What do you think?" Chiaki asked him a question in return.

"Danger is only a possibility, but taking a temporary leave of absence will indeed lower the risk to the minimum," Seiji said firmly. "It's just that if you take a leave of absence, even without considering how to apply for it, you'll fall behind in classes, you won't be able to attend drama club, and you'll even miss the upcoming school festival…"

"Yeah, I know, so even though it's Haruka requesting me, I'm still hesitating about it." Chiaki sighed. "I know she cares about me, and I want to acquiesce to her wish, but taking a leave of absence… That's a lot to ask for. I don't care about my classes as much, but as for drama club… If I take a leave of absence now, I'd feel bad for everyone in drama club. Besides, if I take a vacation by myself, I'd feel like… I abandoned everyone else and escaped by myself."

Chiaki looked towards Seiji.

"What do you think I should do?"

As she asked this, the conversation options appeared—

A: [You should take a leave of absence so that Haruka can rest assured.]

B: [I can't make this decision for you.]

C: [Stay at school—I'll protect you no matter what happens!]

Conversation options appearing meant that this was an important answer which would affect Chiaki's route… er, whether or not she would take a leave of absence from school.

Conversation options would appear from time to time, but Seiji typically ignored them nowadays as he preferred answering with what he believed rather than answering insincerely in order to improve a girl's favorability rating.

As for what he preferred this time, he thought option B was the best, since he truly didn't feel like he should make such an important decision for Chiaki. But considering what might happen in the near future… he decided to make a save file for this point in time.

If danger truly befell the school in the future, he could return to this time and tell Chiaki choice A in order to keep her safe.

After saving, Seiji finally replied to Chiaki.

"I can't make this decision for you; you have to decide on your own. Haruka and school are both important to you, so you must resolve to choose the one which is more important to you."

The system didn't give him a notification of improved favorability rating towards him this time.

If this was a dating sim instead of real life, this would definitely be the wrong choice. Option C was obviously the correct route… whoops, the correct choice to improve favorability rating.

Chiaki smiled.

"I knew you would say that… You should have taken this opportunity to act cool! You should've told me to stay at school and promise to protect me. If you said that, I might even fall in love with you~"

Seiji chuckled. "Why do I need to make you fall in love with me? You're making it sound like I love to act cool."

"Eh, you don't~?"

"Of course not!"

Chiaki chuckled when she heard that.

Even though she didn't receive the answer she wanted to hear, this felt more like Seiji's style.

'He doesn't need to act cool because he's already cool.'

The two of them returned to class after their conversation ended.

Not long after, the bell rang, signaling the beginning of the next class.

Just like always, the students, the teachers, the classes, the weather, and everything else was normal. It was a beautiful sunny day outside, and the temperature was cool and comfortable. It was a day perfectly suited for taking a stroll outside.

Time passed just like this, and there was only one class remaining before lunch.

Right before class began, someone suddenly called Seiji.

When he checked his cell phone, he saw it was… Hoshi Amami!

"Hey, Amami." Seiji took the call. "I heard you got a cold—how are you feeling now?"

There was no response on the other side.

"Amami?" Seiji furrowed his brows, sensing that something was wrong.

He still received no response.

"Hoshi Amami, is that you!? Say something!" Seiji raised his voice.

"Senpai…" He finally received a response, in a voice he could barely hear. "…I'm sorry."

Sorry? What did that mean?

Seiji suddenly had an ominous premonition.

"Hey, Amami, why are you apologizing!? Where are you right now!?" He stood up and began yelling.

His sudden movement and loud voice attracted all the other students' attention in the classroom.

The bell rang for class, and the teacher arrived at the classroom.

"Hoshi, answer me!!!"

Seiji's voice was now louder than the bell's ringing.

Almost everyone jumped upon hearing him, and the elderly teacher almost dropped the textbook he was holding.

"Harano-san… what's the matter?" asked the language teacher, an old man over fifty years of age, as he adjusted his glasses.

All the students were looking in Seiji's direction.

Seiji didn't care about any of this right now.

Hoshi Amami didn't say anything else in the call; all he could hear was the beeping sound which indicated Hoshi had hung up.

Seiji instantly called him back.

"Harano-san, what are you doing?" the elderly teacher asked him again, his voice tinged with a note of displeasure.

Seiji glanced at the teacher.

"Sorry, Sensei," he said bluntly as he rose from his seat. "I'm going to skip class!"

He left with that sentence, and everyone could only watch on in stunned amazement as he swiftly exited the classroom.

Chiaki and Mika exchanged glances filled with confusion and worry.

"Harano-san… what's the matter with him?"

"Who's… Hoshi?"

"Where is he going?"

"I've never seen such a cool method of skipping class…"

The students were all discussing what happened with each other.

Cough cough.* The teacher interrupted everyone's discussion by coughing.

"How… unseemly!" he exclaimed angrily.

Outside the classroom.

Seiji ran rapidly through the hallway, jumping down two or three steps at a time when he reached the stairs.

He was still unable to get a call through to Hoshi.

He didn't know where Hoshi was currently, so he could only… run to the middle school section!

With his speed, it didn't take him much time to arrive at the middle school section.

But when he arrived, he noticed a crowd of people circled around the school building. Upon seeing this, Seiji instantly knew he was too late.

A group of teachers with either solemn or terrified expressions huddled together, their eyes fixed on the ground.

There was something red lying there.

"Hoshi Amami!" Seiji rushed over.

All the teachers turned around in unison to look at him. It almost seemed like a ridiculous comedy scene.

"Who are you!?"

"Don't come over here!"

"Wait a moment, he shouted out this child's name…"

"Someone he knows!?"

"Get away!!" Seiji rushed towards the group of teachers and roughly pushed aside those in his way so that he could get a clear look of what they were looking at.

What he saw was… something he definitely didn't wish to see.

Dark crimson blood coated the floor, and a pungent smell wafted into Seiji's nose.

A feminine-figured boy clothed in a middle school uniform lay motionless on the floor.

"Ahhhhhh!!! You bastard!!!" Seiji's roar pierced through the skies.

Hoshi Amami, third-year middle schooler at Genhana Middle School.

Today was a bright and sunny new Monday morning.

Today was the day that Hoshi Amami jumped out of the school building and fell to his death!

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Chapter 77: You Must Fight On!

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Load.

After carving that horrifying scene deep into his mind, Seiji instantly chose to load.

The world around him turned dark before lighting up again.

In this point in time, he was talking to Chiaki, and the three conversation options appeared in front of him again.

He didn't expect that he would have to make use of this save file so quickly.

Seiji forced himself to hide the grimness he felt from Chiaki, and answered exactly the same way as last time.

Then he returned to class just like last time.

Seiji instantly took out his cell phone and called Hoshi Amami.

This time, the call connected.

"Senpai…"

"Amami… no, Hoshi, I heard you caught a cold—how are you feeling?" Seiji asked in a calm voice, although he was clenching his fists.

There was a long period of silence.

"I… I'm fine, thanks for caring about me, Senpai." A soft voice finally responded.

'Caring about him…?' Seiji felt a twinge of guilt.

"You don't sound like you're doing fine."

"Senpai…"

"Did something happen after that incident with your sisters?"

Silence fell for several moments again.

"Nothing… Nothing happened."

'Nothing happened? Then why would you commit suicide!?' Seiji frowned deeply.

"Senpai… it's almost time for class to begin." Hoshi sounded like he wanted to hang up the call.

"Cut class."

"What?"

"I don't care what class you have next, skip it!" Seiji started walking out of his class as he said this.

"S… skip class?" Hoshi was clearly shocked.

"That's right. Afterwards, go to the roof of the middle school building and wait for me there."

All the school buildings in Genhana's middle and high school sections had roofs that were unlocked at all times, but they were fenced off with 10-meter-tall steel mesh wire fences. The only opening in the fences were the tiny holes between the links. So if Hoshi wanted to jump off from the building and commit suicide, the roof was actually the most difficult place to do it from!

"Wait for you? Senpai, what…"

"I'm coming over there right now!" Seiji said in a forceful tone. "Don't hang up; keep your cell phone on this call until I see you."

Hoshi Amami's body began trembling as he listened to the forceful voice coming from his cell phone.

Senpai… was about to come over and see him!?

'All Senpai did was ask me a few questions over the phone, and I said I was fine already, but he…'

Hoshi felt a warm feeling in his heart from his Senpai's obvious concern.

He couldn't help but begin to move.

He left his seat, walked out of class, and ignored everything.

He went to the roof as Senpai instructed him to and waited.

…

Had the sky always been so wide?

After reaching the roof, Hoshi looked past the tall fence at the sky and slowly walked towards the fence.

Today was a wonderful day with no clouds in sight. The pure blue sky was beautiful to behold.

Hoshi acted as though it was the first time he'd ever seen this beautiful scene as he looked at it dazedly. As he gaze upwards, the dark feelings in his heart began to dissipate.

Just earlier, he had lied to Harano-senpai.

He wasn't feeling fine; something definitely happened.

What he had experienced… was a nightmare.

He didn't know what to do, and the dark feelings in his heart had magnified to the extent where he felt like he was about to be swallowed.

He was already at the point where he wanted to die and end it all.

Compared to living, death seemed so relaxing…

"Hoshi!"

A forceful voice rang out from behind him.

Hoshi trembled upon hearing the voice and slowly turned around.

He saw Seiji putting away his cell phone as he walked towards Hoshi.

Something shone in the eyes of the tall and handsome figure standing before him as he looked directly at Hoshi.

Those eyes seemed like they could pierce through the darkness.

'Ahh—Senpai, Seigo Harano… Senpai.'

The moment Hoshi Amami saw his Senpai, he finally realized that he had actually wanted to see him.

But… even if he met his Senpai again, what could Senpai possibly do?

Seiji looked towards Hoshi.

He furrowed his brows as he recalled the scene he had just witnessed.

"It's been a week since we last saw each other, junior of mine."

"Yes… Senpai."

The two of them remained silent for a moment.

"This is my first time ever going up to the school roof." Seiji suddenly broke the silence.

"Eh?"

"I was really looking forward to receiving a girl's love letter which invited me to the school roof where she would confess to me… Such a classic scene." Seiji spoke slowly as he walked towards Hoshi. "But now, the first person waiting for me on a school roof is a boy instead."

"My hopes have been ruined! How will you make this up to me!?"

Senpai seemed to be complaining as he glared at Hoshi.

Hoshi was too stunned to say anything.

Silence reigned over them for a short period of time.

"Man… you don't even know how to make a comeback?" Seiji sighed. "You need to learn more, junior of mine!"

"Oh… oh." Hoshi was still in a daze.

Seiji looked at him.

"You didn't really have a cold, right? Why didn't you come to work?"

"Er…" Hoshi averted his gaze.

"What happened in the past week?"

Hoshi remained silent with his head lowered. A dark shadow seemed to appear on his face.

Seiji slowly raised his head forty-five degrees upwards to look at the sky after seeing the pretty boy in front of him, who seemed to stand in the darkness instead of the sunshine.

"Last week, you were much cooler. Even though you seemed a bit feminine, and not much like a boy, at least you knew that you wanted to change yourself. At that time… you were definitely a man."

"Senpai…" Hoshi slowly raised his head.

"But what exactly is the current you?" Seiji didn't look at him, and instead continued looking up at the sky. "You're depressed and downcast. Your entire person has become dark. Not only are you no longer a man, you no longer even seem like a cute girl. You're not a boy, or a girl… you're only a loser dog."

Feeling ashamed, Hoshi lowered his head again.

"Hey, Hoshi Amami. I personally believe that we need to fight to get what we want in life. Things we don't like, things that are unreasonable or unacceptable… Things we want to avoid but still meet up with; anything bad that's difficult to tolerate is something we must fight. And when I say fight, I don't mean just using physical violence.

"For example, a child that's being ignored will desperately misbehave in order to attract attention. A female prisoner that's been declared guilty when innocent will scream and cry that she wants to live. There are many methods of fighting, but what's most important is possessing the willpower to never give up. As long as you still have the will to resist, then it doesn't matter how ugly your struggle is… It's a fight!"

Seiji finally shifted his gaze back towards Hoshi.

"Hoshi, perhaps you've fought already, but have you truly fought your utmost? Why have you given up your resistance? Continue your struggle! Who cares if you fall into a swamp and get covered in mud, or if you look terrible and ugly; you can still lift up your head and shout, can't you!?"

"Senpai…" Tears began dripping down Hoshi's downturned face.

"If you don't even have the energy to struggle anymore, then why don't you use the final remnants of your energy to think about what other methods you still have left other than struggling, no matter how unseemly they are!?" Seiji stared at Hoshi. "I'm talking about asking for help!"

"Even if you can't struggle anymore, you can't even bring yourself to ask for help? Is your spirit so weak that you don't even have a shred of resistance anymore!?"

"Answer me, Hoshi Amami!"

"Senpai… Senpai… I…"

Hoshi was no longer able to stop his tears from flowing out. He began choking up, and his runny nose soon ensured that his face was coated with snot. His previously beautiful face was nowhere to be seen.

Seiji took a deep look at Hoshi.

"I'm standing right here, junior of mine. As your Senpai, I have the responsibility to assist you. But nobody can help someone who's already given up on himself. I don't have that power."

"So… ask me for help, you bastard! Even if you don't even have a shred of resistance left in you, find it somewhere deep within your soul!! It doesn't matter how pathetic you seem, how ugly you seem, or how underhanded it is… Don't accept defeat, and continue fighting!!!"

"Wah… Wahhhhh!"

Hoshi Amami began crying out loudly this time as his body collapsed, devoid of energy.

He crouched on the roof's floor with his body curled into a ball as he cried. He seemed so small, so weak.

However, something within him that had been buried so deeply was beginning to break free from the darkness within him.

"Help me… Please, help me… Help me… Save me… Senpai!"

A clear voice which sounded as if came directly from Hoshi's soul broke through the tears.

Seiji finally smiled in relaxation for the first time while watching Hoshi.

"I hear you, Hoshi," he stated in a firm yet gentle voice. "Leave things to me!"

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Chapter 78: I'll Be Your Playmate!

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

A cool breeze was blowing.

After Hoshi had calmed down, Seiji attentively listened to his story in silence.

…

The day of the incident with Hoshi's sisters.

Last Monday, exactly one week ago, Hoshi Amami had been contemplating things after he'd separated from Seigo Harano.

He was unable to make a decision between his sisters and his Senpai, whom he greatly admired.

Hoshi was unable to believe that his sisters had such wicked personalities as Seiji had stated. On the other hand, there was no way for him to ignore the stern warning his Senpai had just given him about them.

He was stuck with his frustrations even after school ended.

He stayed in the club rooms as late as possible until Hoshi was forced to go home.

When he returned home, Rion and Kotomi Amami acted like nothing had happened at all.

In front of their parents, the twin sisters acted just like they always did. They were laughing, teasing him, and speaking cutely.

Dinnertime with his family seemed warm and comforting on the surface.

But the more it seemed to appear this way, the more Hoshi felt it was abnormal.

His sisters had been looked down on to such a degree and insulted humiliatingly. Was it possible for them to act just like normal as if nothing had happened?

Impossible.

Hoshi's heart was telling him that.

However, he ignored it.

Perhaps his sisters were actually magnanimous? He wanted to believe that, just like how he wanted to believe that the warm dinner scene in front of him right now was real.

However…

"I have something to announce." His father spoke up. "My company is giving me a new project to work on. For the next few nights I'm going to work overtime at the company, and sleep there instead of returning home."

Overtime?

Hoshi had his doubts.

His father was indeed busy with work, but suddenly working overtime for several nights in a row…

Before he could ask, his mother spoke up as well.

"Actually, I have an announcement as well. There's something happening at Grandpa's place that I need to go over and take care of, so I need to leave home for a few days as well."

Mother was leaving as well!?

Hoshi was no longer doubtful; he was now shocked.

Why?

Was it all just a coincidence!?

His mind was thrown into chaos.

At this moment, he exchanged glances with his sisters sitting across from him.

Rion and Kotomi had light smiles on their faces.

Their seemingly innocuous smiles seemed to turn into masks that were concealing something icy cold underneath!

Hoshi Amami froze solid.

Although it was just for a short moment, and perhaps it was merely a hallucination caused by the lighting, the image he had just witnessed gave him a huge impact, and he etched the scene deep into his heart.

His parents were still speaking, but Hoshi was no longer listening.

By the time he regained his senses, he noticed that his parents were jovially looking at his twin sisters. In fact, his parents seemed to be smiling widely; it almost seemed as if they were sucking up to his sisters.

"Got it, Mom, Dad~"

"We'll take good care of the house and our brother~"

The sisters chuckled as they happily promised their parents to take care of him.

What a beautiful scene it was.

But Hoshi, who had been ignored by his parents, suddenly felt the urge to vomit as he saw his sisters smiling at him!

Disgusting.

Why… did he feel that way?

Hoshi suddenly remembered the sentence that he'd heard from Senpai earlier today: "I want to vomit just at the sight of people like you!!!"

Senpai… Seigo Harano Senpai.

Were you feeling like this… at that moment!?

"Those who avoid the truth will eventually end up being swallowed by it."

That was another sentence from Senpai.

Hoshi finally understood what he'd meant.

This was what he had been unconsciously avoiding and escaping.

He could have recognized it for what it was.

He could have discovered it long ago!

As the closest person to his sisters… being their younger brother, he should have seen his sisters for who they really were!

But he didn't.

And that was why, just as Senpai had warned him, he was completely swallowed up by the ugly truth that night.

…

Over the course of one week.

From Monday night to Sunday night, Hoshi Amami had constantly been suffering from Rion and Kotomi's torture.

His body wasn't particularly injured, but his mental state was suffering tremendously!

His parents weren't home… no, Seiji was certain that Hoshi's sisters had something to do with that.

Those twins even had their parents under their control!

This was definitely something that the "twin witches" would do and had the ability to do.

Perhaps it sounded ridiculous that two teenagers could control adults like this, but Seiji knew that it wasn't impossible.

As long as you gave the "teenagers" the outer appearance of beautiful girls, it would be easy for people to lower their guards. It would be quite easy for the extortionists the twins were to understand and make use of this.

Since the extortionists were their own children, not to mention children who seemed to behave so excellently, this gave their parents the… necessary excuse to not oppose their wishes seriously and even spoil them to such an extent.

Although Seiji didn't know when such a thing began, he guessed that this type of twisted relationship in Hoshi's family must have existed for a long period of time already, being one of the important factors in causing those twins to become like that… Perhaps it was even the main cause.

After all, as kids who controlled their parents, the twisted enjoyment they probably received out of it would be tremendously fearsome!

The twins might have developed twisted personalities while they were young and become abnormal before their mental states matured.

Seiji was no psychologist.

While his experience from a previous life allowed him to see through those sisters as well as make some educated guesses about their personalities, he was unable to completely analyze and understand them.

Nor did he want to.

After all, neither the reason behind the twins' twisted personality nor the Amami family's fall into depravity had anything to do with him.

All he did was promise Hoshi Amami that he would save him.

That was why Seiji was clear about his next course of action.

He asked for Hoshi's cell phone and made a call.

It was already class time currently, and there were a few other students around, but that didn't interfere with him making his call in a corner of the roof.

Rion and Kotomi Amami: beautiful twins as well as unmistakable… witches.

The call connected.

"Our dear brother, your sisters were just looking for you~"

Seiji heard the low sound of cackling from Hoshi's cell phone.

"It's been an entire week without being able to see that Senpai you respect so much; you must be so lonely, right?"

"Go ahead and see him during lunch break—but you can only say what we tell you to say."

"'Senpai is a huge liar—I hate you!' …You absolutely have to say this to him~"

"It's just a little prank, and if you don't do this, the 'punishment' you receive tonight will double, and your Senpai that you respect so much will undergo even worse pranks than you~"

Seiji was speechless after hearing this phone call.

Heh heh, he understood the situation now.

This phone call had been the breaking point for Hoshi.

He began chuckling coldly.

"What an interesting prank, you two."

His tone of voice was just as icy as his laughter.

This caused the cackling sounds on the other side of the call to disappear.

"But I still don't think it's interesting enough. What do you think about meeting up and doing something even more interesting? Rion Amami, Kotomi Amami… you two enjoy playing!? I, Seigo Harano, will be more than happy… to accompany you!!!"

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Chapter 79: Let's Go Visit Hell Together

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

The angry shouting from the cell phone seemed to pierce through time and space.

Rion Amami, who was holding on to her cell phone in the classroom, was completely frozen solid in both body and spirit, as was her sister Kotomi, who was seated beside her.

The terror they felt last week from facing this boy instantly resurfaced! It was akin to encountering a ferocious beast!

Seigo Harano.

The person that they couldn't see through, yet he saw through them…

After a week's time, they thought that their fear had already dissipated. In fact, they even believed it to be their hallucination.

That was because they carried out an investigation on him.

Seigo Harano, the legendary transfer student who was confirmed to have defeated the tennis and basketball clubs single-handedly. By accomplishing this feat he received the nickname "destroyer of clubs," causing all the remaining sports clubs to vie with each other vigorously to acquire him.

But exaggerated stories aside, this only meant that he was a boy who had above-average physical ability and talent in sports.

What caught their attention more was the fact that his transfer to Genhana High School was rumored to have something to do with Natsuya Yoruhana, a true scion of an extraordinarily powerful family.

Two weeks after transferring in, he had been seen visiting the student council office twice, both times to have a discussion with Natsuya Yoruhana.

There were no other student council members present either time… except possibly Hitaka Shuho, but the vice president was someone who treated everyone coldly and remained solidly faithful to President Yoruhana. She had almost no interaction with other students, so it was impossible to acquire any information from her.

That was why it was impossible for them to establish the nature of Seigo Harano's relationship with Natsuya Yoruhana!

This was the point that the twins were most worried about.

But Seigo Harano only visited President Yoruhana twice in two weeks, and there were no other reports of them being seen together.

Both twins had separately asked many other students and student council members, learning that Seigo Harano and Natsuya Yoruhana didn't seem to have much to do with each other… this didn't seem like it was false.

From this they inferred Seigo and Natsuya weren't actually that close; perhaps they weren't even friends.

Was it that Seigo and Natsuya's parents were friends? Was that their relationship to each other?

If that was the case, then the Harano family must also be at a similar level to the Yoruhana family, to even be able to speak to the Yoruhanas.

Seigo Harano's powerful eyes, which saw through them instantly as well as… his grave and dignified bearing could be explained this way. A young master from a great family would definitely be different from ordinary people.

If that was his true identity, then Seigo wasn't someone that the twins could afford to mess with.

However… Seigo Harano was someone who currently lived alone and worked in order to make a living.

According to the person himself, he had been exiled from his family due to a past mistake!

Just what kind of an act had he committed to be punished with expulsion?

Seigo refused to say, and only his two close friends might know the truth of the matter. Chiaki Wakaba and Mika Uehara kept their lips firmly closed on this subject… but it must have been something big.

Someone who had been exiled from his family.

In the end, thinking that Seigo Harano was from a powerful family was nothing more than the twins' hypothesis. The fact of the matter was that he had left home, was living by himself, and had to work to support himself…

This was basically a confirmation that he was no longer under the protection of his family!

Out of an abundance of caution, Rion and Kotomi Amami even went to the extent of using the students under their control to follow and spy on Seigo since last Wednesday.

The report they received matched the rumors.

Every time Seigo left school, he would go either back home to the Uehara apartment where he lived, or go to work at Rika Amami's confectionery store.

Apart from that, the only exceptions were on Saturday and Sunday night. He went to Silver Valley together with Mika Uehara and Chiaki Wakaba on Saturday, and met up with only Chiaki in Silver Valley on Sunday.

On Saturday night, the three of them went shopping together at a high-class department store. On Sunday night, Seigo and Chiaki went to a high-class coffee café and stayed inside for a period of time before exiting and going straight home.

There was no evidence that they were having an indiscreet relationship, but that didn't matter. The pictures taken of them were good enough evidence as weapons for the twins.

Rion and Kotomi Amami were full of confidence in the results of their investigation.

They were certain that they'd be able to defeat him like all the other boys before him. They would defeat Seigo Harano, the boy who seemed so imposing, and completely conquer—even control—him!

Today, they gave their lovely brother the order to begin their attack against Seigo… Hoshi had been "trained" by them for an entire week and had completely lost his will to resist; they'd turned him into a little puppy who was even more obedient than before.

However.

The response received was this one!

Hoshi's cell phone was actually in Seigo Harano's hands!?

Rion and Kotomi Amami finally discovered the truth.

The fear from before was like a parasite that wormed itself deep into their bones; it never left! The terror they felt back then had been no hallucination!

They'd spent a considerable amount of time plotting their nefarious scheme against Seigo Harano. The first step they intended was using Hoshi to shake Seigo's emotions.

After that, they would expose his inappropriate relationship with Chiaki Wakaba, then add more vicious rumors about Mika Uehara so that his two female friends would be shaken as well and abandon him, isolating and frustrating him…

But this seemingly perfect plan of theirs met an obstacle already, at the most critical first step which they absolutely didn't think would fail!

Hoshi…

They had spent an entire week using various methods to completely destroy that weak-spirited, weak-willed, good-for-nothing brother of theirs.

How could Hoshi possibly take the initiative to go and find Seigo!?

This shouldn't have been possible!

In their eyes, their younger brother should have become the most obedient puppy of all, with no more will to resist existing!

However, nevertheless…

"Answer me, you two!"

The icy voice continued speaking, proving that this was all real.

No matter how much they didn't want to believe it.

Seigo Harano had locked on to and was targeting them!

The things they'd done to Hoshi were exposed now! Their plot would be unable to proceed as planned!

"You're not going to answer? Then I'm going over right now to find you! Maybe it's not kind to Hoshi, but I won't hesitate to reveal the truth! I'm going to tell your entire class, in the loudest voice I can, everything you've done to your little brother!! Then… what do you think will happen? Heh heh, I'm sure it'll be an interesting scene~"

"Hey, let's go visit hell together. Witches…"

The first part of Seigo's speech contained anger, but the last half had nothing but ice-cold fury.

Witches.

The entire school called them witches with various complex meanings attached to the nickname. They were actually quite proud of being addressed by this nickname.

But when Seigo called them that, they felt it was terrifying.

They felt like a frog that was being targeted by a snake.

They felt like a witch who had a paladin's sword against her throat.

They felt like… witches that were judged to be executed!

'Let's go visit hell together.' Seigo Harano definitely wasn't joking; he'd been absolutely serious!

He was going to come over here and tell everyone about what they'd done!

And… they didn't even dare to imagine what would happen afterwards.

Because no matter what, it was certain that they'd be ruined!

Since everything was true!

The things they did to Hoshi… The unspeakable, cruel, and abusive way in which they'd treated him would be completely exposed to everyone!

Everything that they carefully constructed up to now would be destroyed and collapse!!

Rion and Kotomi Amami had come to this realization, causing blood to drain from their faces, and turning them as pale as vampires.

They were just like vampires living in the darkness: beautiful, strong, and long-lived. They drank human blood and were proud of being higher up on the food chain than ordinary humans, which lead to arrogance forming over time, making even the abuse of other humans into an elegant art form.

The only thing they couldn't resist was the sun.

The sunlight… was coming for them.

If they didn't do anything about it, they'd turn into dust under that blinding sunshine!

"W… Wait!!!"

The twin sisters panickedly shouted in unison.

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Chapter 80: Go Forth and Defeat the Witches, Hero!

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Another rooftop, this time in the high school section.

It was almost time to go to class, so the students were all returning to the classrooms. Seiji passed by these students who were oblivious to the shocking chain of events as he went upstairs.

Seiji had already contacted Chiaki and Mika with his cell phone and informed them about the situation. They were waiting for him by the staircase.

Seiji had one hand in his pocket when he appeared. He was walking with heavy steps, almost rhythmically.

There was a sharp gaze coming from his eyes, and his entire body was giving off a powerful, pressuring aura. Chiaki and Mika felt like they were witnessing a soldier about to head off to the battlefield, equipped to the fullest!

Chiaki felt a sliver of pity for the twin witches. If it was her, she would never want to face off against Seiji in his current state, because the normal open and friendly Seiji had turned into a seemingly demonic existence, who would destroy anything in his path.

No… he would only be a demonic existence to his enemies.

For the people he protected, he was still someone who could defeat all the wicked… A hero!

"Seiji…" Mika softly called out to him as he approached.

Seiji stopped and smiled at her.

"No need to worry; I'll take good care of things. You guys just need to help me take good care of Hoshi… He's currently in the courtyard, sitting where we usually eat lunch at."

Mika nodded as she focused on Seiji's face.

Then, Seiji fixed his gaze on Chiaki.

"If there was some background music playing right now, it would definitely be some hot-blooded battle music." Chiaki smiled as well. "Go forth and defeat the witches, hero! Just leave your back and your junior to us!"

Seiji chuckled.

He didn't say anything to Chiaki; all he did was give her a big thumbs-up with his left hand as he walked off.

So cool… Chiaki and Mika deeply etched this scene into their minds.

They had no doubts about what the conclusion would be.

All they needed to do was wait.

On the rooftop.

The beautiful twin sisters were waiting.

Time seemed to pass as slow as a snail to them. They were quite uncomfortable with waiting. But time also seemed so short, as they would have preferred to wait for a little longer.

Calm down, calm down.

Rion and Kotomi Amami had told each other that many times over already, but their hearts still beat quickly, ignoring their orders.

Unfortunately, the person they were waiting for wasn't someone they were about to confess their love to; instead, it was the opposite.

They only met him once before, and he left them with such a fearful impression. Just one phone call forced them here today—he was a true monster!

Seigo Harano.

He was no normal human; he was a demon, a beast in human flesh!

The twins were cursing him in their hearts; they lacked their usual composure.

How could they deal with this monster?

The plot they had been cooking up was useless now. It was to be a direct face-off, which was quite disadvantageous for them.

Seigo had the trump card of… what happened to Hoshi.

If he was a normal person, he should have been worried about harming Hoshi, so he wouldn't publicize those things, but he was no ordinary person!

Those threats they heard on the cell phone were no mere bluffs.

"Let's go visit hell together…"—just thinking back to this sentence, Rion and Kotomi felt chills running down their spines and they felt the urge to shiver.

A heartless demon… that was who Seigo Harano truly was!

Nonetheless, they were still fortunate.

Seigo still wanted to maintain his hypocritical fa?ade, and act the part of a hero of justice.

That was why they still had a chance.

The trump card he had in Hoshi was also their trump card.

If he wanted to protect Hoshi thouroughly, he would need them to delete all the embarrassing pictures and videos they took of him in their "training sessions."

That was why it could be said that each had a trump card… No, wait! He still had the advantage, since he was willing to publicize everything, but they couldn't, as they wouldn't be able to bear the consequences!

So, they calculated it as a 70% advantage to Seigo with only 30% in their favor.

30% definitely wasn't enough. They needed something else up their sleeves.

Did Seigo Harano have any personal weaknesses?

None.

There definitely weren't any! He had a simple life of only school and work; he didn't have any bad habits like smoking, drinking, or fighting. He also didn't seem to be engaged in any inappropriate relationships. In conclusion, there was nothing dark about him at all, or at least the twins couldn't find anything.

The only possibilities were the secret nature of his relationship with President Yoruhana, as well as his intimate relationship with Mika Uehara and Chiaki Wakaba. However, they weren't able to make use of either.

Rion and Kotomi Amami had plotted to "create" a weakness in Seigo, but they hadn't been able to carry out their scheme yet!

So they currently had nothing they could use on Seigo Harano whatsoever.

The twin witches began to use their brains for nefarious purposes once more…

Step, step, step.

Rhythmic steps approached from the staircase.

Then he appeared.

A tall and handsome boy… the twins currently saw his bright appearance as nothing more than an excellent mask for concealing his true self.

The terror in their hearts worked to twist Rion's and Kotomi's perception of Seigo Harano.

They didn't know the true source of their fear, or perhaps they didn't comprehend it, or maybe it was that they didn't even try to understand it.

Seiji looked at the twins.

"Your current expressions are far more appealing than the first time I met you."

No anger, no insults, only calmness.

The twins were surprised at this, and it showed on their faces.

"Are you surprised that I didn't start right off by insulting you?" Seiji stared intently at them. "If insulting you whenever I see you would take care of this problem, I'd do that. But it obviously won't, so I won't do something so meaningless."

He walked closer and closer to them as he spoke.

The twins tensed up, and their beautiful faces were devoid of expression.

He stopped after reaching a certain distance from them.

There was one second of silence.

Then.

Seiji squinted slightly at them.

"Now let's begin our discussion."

The atmosphere suddenly became heavier!

Rion and Kotomi instantly felt as if they were being pressured from all sides by the air!

All he did was calmly say something ordinary.

But it made them feel like this rooftop had become a violent battlefield!

It was difficult for them to breathe.

They could hear their each and every laboured breath.

Before they were able to recover, he continued speaking.

"First, you need to delete or destroy every picture, video, or whatever else you have on Hoshi Amami as blackmail! And you can never do anything to harm him again!"

He was speaking in an indescribably strict tone of voice which seemed as inflexible as steel.

Rather than a discussion, it was more like… he was giving them an order!

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Chapter 81: Family

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Rion and Kotomi Amami were cowed by his imposing manner.

But either their long-cultivated arrogance or pride was able to support them.

After their negative feelings crossed a certain point, the twin sisters were actually able to calm down.

It was a disadvantageous situation for them, but so what?

They… could deal with it!

"Kotomi, what's he saying? I don't really understand~"

"Rion, this person's saying something idiotic; we don't have anything like what he's describing~"

"Besides, how could we possibly… harm our cute little brother~"

The twins cackled and acted cutely; they'd returned to speaking in this manner as it was only natural for them.

However, in the next second.

"Don't laugh like that."

A light yet icy short sentence pierced through their hearts like an arrow!

Seigo Harano's current gaze was piercing, icy, and distant; it was almost as if… he were looking at two people who had already died!

Rion and Kotomi's expressions froze over.

"Just seeing that disgusting act of yours makes me want to beat you up." Seiji coldly stared at the twins in front of him. "So stop laughing like that."

'Otherwise, you'll die.'

Although this sentence remained unspoken, the twins could almost imagine him saying that out loud.

It couldn't be possible! No matter what, he wouldn't dare do something like kill them… But the look in his eyes confirmed the twins' suspicion!

Their terror resurfaced.

The twins were forced to retract their fake smiles as they exchanged glances and forced the fear back down within themselves.

Several seconds of silence passed.

"Don't make me repeat myself." Seiji broke the silence. "Getting rid of your materials on Hoshi is something you absolutely must do, or else there's no need for further discussion!"

"…Kotomi, I still don't know what he's talking about."

"Rion, I don't know either, since we really don't have such a thing, and we've never done it either."

"Even if we have… we don't have it anymore." They said the last sentence in unison.

Seiji furrowed his brows in displeasure.

"So this counts as your answer?"

The twin sisters didn't reply, and only looked at him calmly.

"Responding in such a roundabout fashion… I get it; you're currently recording this conversation, aren't you?" Seiji calmly stated the truth.

They were seen through.

But that wasn't important; they already anticipated that this little trick would be seen through. The twins still didn't waver.

"If I had come up and started out by insulting you, it would have been perfect for you," Seiji said lightly. "I unintentionally avoided a trap… it seems that I'm quite lucky."

'Lies!' Rion and Kotomi didn't believe him one bit; they felt as if he expected them to record him, which was why he was able to remain so calm.

Recording a conversation and guessing that it would be recorded was only a normal exchange of attacks between them. This wasn't particularly at a high level yet.

"If you like recording, then go ahead. It doesn't matter to me if you want to publicize this conversation or do something else with it. As long as you promise me the most basic request, we can continue our discussion.

"Now my second request is for you to delete or destroy all of Genhana High School's… No, all blackmail material you possess! This is to reflect on yourselves and forever stop you from getting involved in shady business."

A cold breeze blew over.

Rion and Kotomi wore grim expressions as an unreadable light flashed in their eyes.

Seiji stared at them wordlessly.

Silence… A long, dead silence followed.

Rion and Kotomi didn't even exchange glances as they began walking off in unison.

"You want to leave?"

Seiji was still staring at them.

"I simply gave you my price, and you're just going to leave without even haggling?"

The twins stopped at looked at him with a distant expression on their faces.

"You think that you can't accept my terms? I think you can. Rion Amami, Kotomi Amami, you should know that you're a pair of very fortunate girls. You were born into a well-off family, you have parents that love you, you have a nice brother, you have excellent appearances, and you're talented in various aspects…

"People praise you, idolize you, envy you, and seek to befriend you. You have just about everything people your age could want, so you should be happily living your lives under the bright sunshine.

"Yet… You prefer doing those shady deeds, forcing yourselves into the darkness! Why? Simply because those things are fun, they're interesting?"

Seiji took a deep look at those two beautiful faces. "You've never even once doubted yourselves. Is it… really that fun!? Perhaps from the very beginning, due to your naivety, you mistakenly enjoyed such an act.

"But today, starting right now—from this moment—you're no longer na?ve. You've matured, so you should be able to see clearly and think clearly: these 'interests' of yours aren't really that fun at all!

"They're actually boring and pointless; there's never anything new about it, plus you have to take huge risks in order to 'enjoy' it. Perhaps one day you'll have to pay a painful price you can't handle!

"You've already been tightly bound by darkness of your own creation… Haven't you realized this yet? Has this thought never even come into your heads!?"

Seiji made a wholehearted attempt to convince the twins that their actions were wrong.

At first, he never even considered it.

A few minutes ago.

When Seiji hung up Hoshi's cell phone, his heart was filled with rage and all he had in mind was how to ruin these twin sisters' lives.

Perhaps it wasn't completely their own fault that they became like this, but every time he thought back to the pitiful way Hoshi died in the previous timeline, he felt zero pity for them.

However…

"Senpai… I'm sorry…"

"Hoshi? Why are you apologizing?"

Seiji was wondering why Hoshi Amami was slowly kneeling to him.

"What are you doing?"

"Senpai… I… I know, this request is unreasonable… It will definitely give you a hard time…"

Tears dripped down Hoshi's face as he kowtowed to Seiji.

"But… please, I still want to make a request—don't… don't completely destroy my sisters!"

His voice was a hoarse, pained sound which sounded as if he'd squeezed it out of his soul.

Seiji slowly furrowed his brows.

"Hoshi… You…"

His tears had accumulated into a pool on the floor around Hoshi's knees.

"Being… abused… by my sisters… it was painful, and I had times when I hated them to death… But… but… no matter what, no matter what they did to me, or how much I cursed them at the time…

"They're still… my sisters that I grew up together with… my family… my sisters… Ahh!!"

Seiji heard the painful sound of crying.

He was moved by the complex, murky, yet deep emotions contained within Hoshi's crying.

The other students on the rooftop noticed the commotion and were beginning to look in their direction.

"It's okay to get up, Hoshi." Seiji clasped his arm with a firm hand and helped Hoshi rise.

"Senpai… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Hoshi had a tearful face as he continued to apologize repeatedly.

He asked his senpai for help, yet he'd made such a difficult request. He knew how unreasonable he was being.

But that was how he felt.

Even if he had been abused extensively and treated as a puppy and a plaything.

He still considered Rion and Kotomi as his family.

"You… you're such an idiot…"

Seiji let loose a deep sigh as he watched his junior.

If any other person had requested mercy for Rion and Kotomi Amami, he wouldn't be moved. The person currently in front of him was the only one who could change his mind.

'Hoshi Amami… only you have the right to give your twin sisters a chance.'

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Chapter 82: Challenge

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Due to Hoshi's pleading, Seiji made an attempt at convincing the twins to change their ways.

Of course, he didn't know if he would succeed. At the very least, he had to try.

He could have ignored Hoshi's request, instead using the fury from the scene he'd witnessed to load and completely destroy the twins' lives!

But he would gain nothing other than temporary self-satisfaction, and he'd be ignoring his friend's feelings.

Seiji's anger stemmed from Hoshi, but he also held his anger back due to Hoshi.

He felt that Hoshi's gentleness was rather stupid, but this idiot was a friend of his! That was why he decided to respect Hoshi's opinion.

Seiji would respect Hoshi and follow his wishes, but as for whether or not he would be able to achieve what Hoshi wanted… that was another thing entirely. He could neither predict nor promise a suitable outcome.

Rion and Kotomi Amami were slightly shaken after being confronted so directly by Seigo Harano.

Yes, shaken.

They had indeed considered before what might happen to them in the future if they continued living like this.

They were intelligent, after all… Even idiots had hopes and dreams about their futures, so of course they would consider their futures carefully due to their intelligence. In fact their hopes were all the more vivid and realistic due to it.

Their futures… They had always considered their futures to be wonderful.

But was that really true?

Would they really never have to be punished for what they'd done!?

With their pride, they would have confidently replied in the negative.

But the tiny bit of objective reason which remained within them whispered otherwise deep in their hearts.

It was possible.

After all, it was impossible for them to control the whole world. There would always be events that were out of their control.

And that day… They didn't dare to nor wish to broach the subject; deep within themselves, they feared it more than anything. The day when they would have to pay the price for everything they'd done—a day completely out of their control!

The Sword of Damocles.

A sharp sword hanging over their heads which could fall at any moment.

Truthfully, they'd always been living in such fear.

Precisely because of this fear, they'd never done anything that would get them punished severely… Not because they cared about others, but out of self-protection.

"Change yourselves, before it's too late," Seiji calmly stated. "Destroy all your blackmail material, and stop doing underhanded activities. Sincerely repent, free everyone, and free yourselves."

Rion and Kotomi remained silent.

Their wills were shaking in the silence, but…

"You want to convince us simply by giving a speech?" one of the twins responded rudely without even addressing Seigo by name.

"You think far too little of us, Seigo Harano!"

This meant that they had finally dropped their act.

Even the twins themselves were unable to recall the last time they had faced someone so honestly and directly.

Seiji hadn't taken his eyes off them for a single second.

"Then how will I be able to convince you?"

"You can't!" the twins replied simultaneously.

"If you don't say it, how do you know I can't?" Seiji remained calm. "Obviously I'm not talking about doing something ridiculous like dancing around naked in public or jumping off a tall building. Forget those—I'm asking you seriously."

Kotomi and Rion were rendered speechless.

The way he was phrasing it was as if he was offering himself up as a lamb to be slaughtered.

This didn't seem possible; there had to be something behind it!

But what could there possibly be?

The twin sisters tried their utmost to detect anything, but they perceived nothing.

Seigo Harano was simply facing them head-on, in such a direct and blunt manner!

How could they defeat such a person?

A nefarious scheme seemed like the best method, as it was also their strong suit. However, it seemed unlikely that any plot devised by them could work taking into account his keen perception. Any ill-conceived plan would surely be countered.

Then they had no choice but to change their method.

Rion and Kotomi silently exchanged glances and came to an unspoken agreement.

"Seigo Harano, you have the nickname of 'destroyer of clubs.'"

"We wonder if this legendary nickname of yours will be effective on the karate club as well."

"If you can singlehandedly defeat every single person in our karate club by yourself…"

"We'll seriously consider what you just said!"

The twins were being unusually straightforward; it was normally quite difficult for them to speak in such a forthright manner.

Normally speaking, what they just proposed was ridiculous, and nobody would agree.

But Seigo Harano was no ordinary person.

The tall boy squinted in their direction.

"One against all… How many people are in your karate club."

"Including both of us, forty-seven."

"Forty-seven… Are you talking about one at a time?"

"Nope!" The twins had the same icy gaze. "We'll decide the number of people you're facing each time!"

They knew that Seigo Harano had outstanding stamina and physical prowess. As ridiculous as it sounded, they still worried that he would be able to defeat more than forty people in a row even if he didn't know martial arts!

No matter how low the possibility… They wouldn't take any chances.

If they were able to choose how many people could go at him at one time, they could adjust things according to the situation. Whether it be using a few at a time to deplete his stamina, or going at him with many people at once to defeat him once and for all!

Of course, no matter how self-confident Seigo was, there was no way he would agree to such ridiculous conditions.

"That won't do."

See, it was only natural.

"There needs to be an upper limit to how many people I face at once! Otherwise, if you just rush me with everyone right from the start, it'll be nothing but a farce."

Seigo made a reasonable counterargument.

"Then we'll have at most ten people against you at once." The twins already expected this.

"Ten people… Are we going to have fun creating a soccer team? At most three—that would be acceptable."

"We can't accept that!" the twins stated. "A minimum of eight, then!"

After a short period of silence.

Seigo let out a sigh. "Five, then… This is how many people a basketball team has, even though this isn't about basketball."

Of course, the twins knew that.

A barehanded duel, or naming it directly for what it was, a fight could have a completely different outcome depending on just one more or one less person.

Something like one person facing off against an entire group and winning flashily didn't seem possible in real life!

Perhaps if he wasn't a martial artist he would have the mistaken idea of relying on his overwhelming stamina or some techniques to get by. However, since both twins were expert martial artists themselves, if there wasn't too much of a difference in skill level, facing off against many by himself while barehanded in an empty arena with nowhere to run to was akin to suicide!

Seigo Harano was indeed incredibly strong, and as for whether or not he had experience fighting… They didn't know, but even if he was skilled in some fighting techniques, all of them were real karate club members!

One against five seemed to be the limit of what an ordinary person could achieve.

But Rion and Kotomi still weren't satisfied.

Seigo Harano was incredibly strong! They kept telling themselves that they couldn't underestimate him!

"Seven people… We refuse to go any lower!" the twins said simultaneously.

Seigo's face revealed nothing.

He remained silent for a long while.

Just as the twins thought he would object again, he ended up sighing.

"Alright, it looks like I'll have to fight my hardest… But I still have more to say. You said you'll 'seriously consider' what I said… I don't want a promise as soft as that. If I win, you will definitely discard anything dark and truly change yourselves."

The tall boy stared into the girls' faces.

"And if I can't do it… Then whatever, just do as you like; as long as you fulfil my basic request, then I don't really care."

They felt an immense sense of pressure once more!

Just by staring at them, Seigo's eyes were able to emit such a clear, forceful pressure.

Seigo Harano was definitely serious!

He was definitely serious about taking on the unreasonable challenge they gave him; he was going to attempt soloing the entire karate club by himself, not even worrying about facing up to seven at a time!

He was definitely a monster… His heart as well… He was a demon.

The twins' thought processes fell into a quagmire in front of Seigo's imposing manner.

They were unable to come up with any new plots or use anything they'd considered before.

This didn't seem good… Should they refuse him?

But at this moment, Rion and Kotomi saw a sliver of… pity in the boy's eyes as he remained silent.

'I've already made concessions to such an extent, yet you two still don't even dare to accept a direct challenge? You've hidden in the dark for so long to become this cowardly… How pathetic.'

They imagined that he was saying that to them.

Pity was a type of condescension as well sometimes, and it had the potential to cut deeper than normal condescension.

The twins' pride and arrogance didn't allow them to accept such a bone-piercing insult!

That was why… they accepted the challenge.

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Chapter 83: Light

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Why did things become like this?' Hoshi inwardly wondered.

Why and when did his sisters… stop being his sisters?

Hoshi still remembered his childhood. Back then, he played happily together with Rion and Kotomi.

His sisters definitely weren't like this back then; they were as simple and innocent as other girls their age, just a little smarter and cuter.

Hoshi had been proud of his sisters back then since they could do anything, and they always did it well while taking care of their weak-willed younger brother.

The memory which left him with the deepest impression was the time where he'd accidentally enraged a wild dog and was desperately scrambling to shake it off his tail. His sisters rushed over to his side, and despite their fear, risked being bitten in order to drive it off.

This memory had turned hazy with the passing of time, but the image of his sisters smiling at him with teary eyes remained clear.

But as for now…

Just where did things go wrong for them to become this way? Hoshi really didn't know.

He had been angry and even loathed them while they were abusing him, but now that he had calmed down, he discovered that there was no rage within him, only sadness.

Hoshi thought about himself after considering everything.

He'd always been consciously and unconsciously avoiding the truth; that was why he had been unable to see his sisters for what they really were before this.

If he could have found out sooner, perhaps he could have done something about it?

Yes… that was the case.

He was so useless. If only he could have thought more clearly or smartly, he could have done something before his sisters reached their current state!

'I… I'm so weak.' Hoshi fell into a state of self-deprecation.

If only he could become stronger, or if he had thought this way much earlier, or met someone like Harano-senpai much sooner…

'That's right—Senpai. What's Harano-senpai doing now? How is he… after discussing things with my sisters!?'

Hoshi finally returned to his senses and realized that it wasn't time for him to wallow in his thoughts; he should be worrying about his Senpai.

A concerned expression appeared on his face.

"Are you worrying about Seigo?" A gentle voice sounded out next to him.

It was the beautiful upperclassman named Mika Uehara.

Hoshi felt that this friend of Senpai's had dainty features. An aura of freshness hung about her, and she had a gentle attitude with a friendly personality. She was quite the charismatic girl.

"You don't need to worry too much about him—Seigo's really strong… Especially when he needs to protect something important to him." His female upperclassman seemed to think of something as a tinge of red crept into her cheeks.

Could she… possibly? Hoshi noticed something strange about her behavior.

"Oh my, are you thinking about your romantic times together with him?" A casual flirtatious voice spoke out from behind them. "You're acting like a girl in love in front of your junior, you know~"

This was Chiaki Wakaba, Senpai's other classmate and good friend.

She enjoyed wearing the boys' school uniform for some reason, but it was totally suited for her.

She had silver-gray hair with a boyishly handsome face. Chiaki always spoke and behaved in a casual and relaxed manner. She seemed to possess a heroic spirit, yet it was still easy to tell that she was female; she was another charismatic character.

"N… Not at all! Stop making stuff up, Chiaki!" Uehara-san blushed heavily as she denied it.

Although Hoshi didn't know her all that well, even he was able to detect that she was most likely lying.

What a classic tsundere…

Hoshi mentally chuckled.

Last week, when he met these two upperclassmen of his for the first time, he focused almost entirely on Harano-senpai, so they flew under his radar. Now that Senpai wasn't by his side, it was only natural that he finally noticed their beauty when being together with them.

It seemed only natural for the ultra-handsome Harano-senpai to have good friends like these two.

And one of Harano-senpai's good friends felt more than just friendship towards him—that seemed natural as well.

Hoshi truly believed that it wouldn't be strange even if every girl in the entire grade fell in love with a boy like his Harano-senpai!

Of course, Harano-senpai would have some choice comments for him if he knew what Hoshi was thinking.

Everyone around Seigo Harano definitely knew how cool he was, but Senpai was always so humble.

This was one of the factors which made him so charismatic.

Harano-senpai was indeed handsome on the outside, but his inside was important for Hoshi… Hoshi thought back to when he was at the darkest point in his life. His Senpai had been able to detect that something was wrong simply through a few questions in a phone call.

Not only did Senpai instantly rush to his side, Senpai even gave him heartfelt encouragement that forcefully crushed his shell of darkness and pulled him out from the abyss of despair.

He was just like the sun… No, Seigo Harano was light itself.

Hoshi Amami viewed Seigo's tall figure as light itself!

This light had dispelled his darkness, but… could it dispel his sisters' darkness?

Just as Uehara-san told him, Harano-senpai was very strong and didn't need him to worry. But he still couldn't help worrying.

Also, Hoshi was concerned about Rion and Kotomi.

Light could dispel the darkness, but it could also destroy it… Even though he begged Senpai already, what action would Senpai end up taking?

"Believe in Seigo," Wakaba-san told him.

Hoshi noticed that she was looking towards him. She must have noticed what he was thinking.

"Seigo definitely won't lose, nor will he make the situation worse. But… as for what ending awaits your sisters, he can't promise anything. In the end it depends on them. If he feels like he should destroy them, Seigo won't hold back. But as long as your sisters… have even a shred of remorse and decency left, he will give them a chance."

Hoshi slowly nodded upon hearing these words.

That was when a cell phone rang.

It was Wakaba-san's. She took it out and took the call after seeing who it was.

"Hey, Seigo, how did it go?"

Hoshi and Mika instantly paid full attention to Chiaki.

They observed Chiaki's face distort into a strange expression.

"What the hell's with saying you'll be fine!!?" A sharp retort came out of the tomboy's mouth. "Facing off against the entire karate club by yourself!? What the hell are you thinking! How did it become like this!?

"Everything will be fine if you win!? Stop being ridiculous! Do you think you're a Spartan!? Even the ancient gladiators didn't act so ridiculous!!!

"You're strong, Seigo! But you're just a normal person!! You're not a superhero wearing tights, nor do you have the power to transform and rip your clothes off in the process; you're just a normal person living in reality!!!"

Chiaki's stream of retorts came like endless bolts of lightning.

Hoshi and Mika were stunned in amazement.

What exactly was going on?

On the other side of the phone call, Seiji could only smile wryly at being on the receiving end of so many thunderous retorts.

He took a look at Rion and Kotomi who were currently sending messages with their phones.

After Chiaki quieted down, he finally spoke up in a soft voice again. "I said I'll be fine, so I'll be fine. I'll win… I shall definitely achieve victory. Feel free to come over and spectate; it's already turned into such a big deal anyways, so it shouldn't matter if a couple more watch what happens. You really don't need to worry about me… I'm hanging up."

Seiji hung up the call as he continued to watch the twins in front of him.

He kept staring at them until Rion and Kotomi stopped using their cell phones and looked over at him.

"You've let the karate club know? Alright then. Now I'm going to change the passwords on your cell phones. This it to prevent any shady business from going on while I'm busy with your karate club buddies."

Seiji kept his gaze firmly fixed on the duo.

"After this is all over, I'll give you the password I changed it to… even if I don't, you can figure it out by just spending a little time."

He reached out his hand as he finished speaking.

Rion and Kotomi exchanged a long glance.

They definitely suspected there was some deeper meaning behind this.

But his request seemed so reasonable that they were unable to refuse… Because if they did, it would sound like they were brewing yet another plot of some sort!

"If you want things to be equal, feel free to change my phone's password as well. I didn't intend on using it anyways."

The twin sisters remained silent for a long period of time.

Finally, they slowly took out their cell phones and handed them over.

'That's everything,' Seiji thought to himself.

His final step was now complete.

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Chapter 84: Summons

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Kyosuke Akanishi, the karate club captain of Genhana High School, received a message… no, an order from his club members Rion and Kotomi Amami.

Yes, order.

Any of the twins' "requests" were akin to orders for Kyosuke and the other members of the karate club!

Nobody would resist, because nobody could resist.

They were the true leaders of the karate club. Kyosuke was nothing more than their puppet, even though he was the captain.

Of course, this was an abnormal situation, but this was how things were.

Why?

In Kyosuke Akanishi's case, it was because the twins held blackmail material on him. A few of the other karate club members were in a similar situation. Some others were forced to go along with the crowd, while the rest were seduced by the twins' appearance and unknowingly became their servants…

The entire school called them the twin witches. This was more than just a nickname.

No, perhaps that was a bit overboard.

Those twins might be slightly on the bad side, but they weren't anywhere near the level of criminals—at least that was what Kyosuke Akanishi believed.

The twins had previously made "requests" of him several times already, and nothing he did seemed overboard to him. He even got a "present" in return, which was the twins' assistance in helping him get together with his current girlfriend who he'd admired secretly for a long time.

That was why Kyosuke didn't resent Rion and Kotomi for manipulating him. He only felt slightly dissatisfied; after all, it was a little strange for club members to control the club captain.

This time's "request" was for him to go to the karate club during lunch break and take care of a challenger.

Year 1 Class 5's Seigo Harano.

The legendary transfer student known as the "destroyer of clubs!"

Of course, Kyosuke had heard about this famous student.

Every single sports club captain in school knew his name. This student had single-handedly wiped out the tennis and basketball clubs, and he possessed amazing stamina and reactions… plus he was ridiculously handsome!

If such a person to join any sports club, as long as he trained for a period of time and understood the techniques of that sport, he would quickly become the ace, or even the main attraction!

An ace would help the club to achieve great victories, but an attraction was more than that; an attraction could raise the club's popularity to the point where it would remain strong for the next few years to come.

Both competing in nationals and increasing the popularity of their club was a desirable outcome for the club captains, so it was only natural that they would focus on vigorously inviting him. According to the rumors, last Monday so many captains tried competing with each other to invite him that the scene was ridiculous.

Kyosuke wasn't one of the captains which went to invite him. Honestly, he wanted to go as well, but when he asked for Rion and Kotomi's permission, they refused his request.

He didn't know why, but since they were the true leaders of the club, he could only comply.

But now, it seemed that it wasn't that the twin witches weren't interested in the transfer student, it was the opposite: they… were personally taking part!

…

Lunch break.

Kyosuke Akanishi and several karate club members arrived at the club room, which had been converted into a dojo.

As one of the biggest clubs in Genhana High School, the karate club was allocated a very large room which acted as its dojo. Exercise mats were placed over the floor, and an entire wall was filled with mirrors. Another wall was decorated with the club's goals and achievements over the years. There weren't any other decorations apart from that.

Many people were already sitting down, waiting inside.

On the left side of the room were Rion and Kotomi clad in their karate uniforms, as well as the other club members whom Kyosuke was already acquainted with. Seated on the right side were some students Kyosuke had never met before.

One of the boys stood out from his peers. He had a tall figure with a handsome face. He sat casually with his legs crossed and arms folded; even seated he emitted a sharp and imposing aura.

Facing off against Rion, Kotomi, and all the other karate club manners, his imposing manner didn't seem even slightly ruffled!

While the three students accompanying him were all handsome or beautiful in their own way, they were nothing compared to… hm?

Kyosuke observed the three students closely, and noticed that one person who he thought was a boy at first glance was actually a girl wearing the boys' uniform, while the person he thought was a girl actually happened to be a boy wearing a middle school boys' uniform?

Kyosuke was rendered speechless.

'What exactly was going on here!?'

The karate club captain wondered to himself if there was something wrong with his perception of gender.

It was easier to judge the tomboy's true gender even though she was wearing a male uniform, but as for the middle school "boy…" it was so difficult to tell his real gender!!

Wait a moment, this "boy's" appearance… Kyosuke recalled something and glanced over at Rion and Kotomi, before comparing their appearances to the "boy's."

They looked similar… He'd heard of the twins having a younger brother; could this person be the one?

And if he is, why was the twins' younger brother here, and why was he seated opposite them?

Kyosuke was plunged into a state of confusion.

But Rion and Kotomi looked over at him at this time, and he understood what they meant.

'I should get changed.' Kyosuke headed for the changing room.

Although he didn't know the identity of the other three students, the boy who had his arms folded was surely the legendary transfer student.

Seigo Harano… he definitely had an imposing manner to match his nickname. That was the first impression that the karate club captain received.

It took a few minutes for all the remaining karate club members to gather.

Seiji admitted to himself that he was quite impressed with Rion and Kotomi's ability to summon—or perhaps he should call it control—the entire karate club.

Right after they sent out the text messages, the entire karate club gathered here at lunch break, without a single member missing!

'These twins are basically the true leaders of the karate club…' Seiji felt a sliver of pity for the karate club captain.

According to Chiaki, the boy with the squarish face, thick eyebrows, and smallish eyes was the karate club captain named Kyosuke Akanishi. His facial features made him look like a main hero of an old-fashioned television drama.

Kyosuke Akanishi was also the strongest member of the karate club. In his previous year as a high school first-year student, he managed to reach all the way to the top 32 of nationals by himself!

"But since you can even knock out Tetsuo Sasaki, he should be a cinch for you to defeat."

Chiaki held little regard for even the president of the karate club.

"The problem is… you're actually going to take on seven people at the same time!? You're going one against seven in the karate club's dojo… This isn't a joke!! Seigo, just what are you thinking!?"

Chiaki's doubts were also shared by Mika and Hoshi. All three of them were worriedly looking towards Seiji.

One against seven; this was more like suicide than a joke.

Nevertheless, Seiji smiled back towards them.

"It's not a problem. I'll win."

"How could it possibly be not a problem!?" Chiaki seemed rather frustrated.

She really wanted to believe in Seiji, but one against seven seemed impossible!

The moment Seiji's opponents began their attack, Seiji would definitely be unable to block them all, so he'd be hit somewhere and get injured!!

Even if Seiji managed to grit his teeth and take a few blows while defeating seven people, the opponents had a total of forty-seven people. They could send six waves of seven people plus a few extra left over!!!

If it wasn't for the fact that this was Seiji, Chiaki would definitely have believed that whoever agreed to this proposal was an idiot!

But this was Seiji.

Seiji definitely was not an idiot; he must have a plan of his own.

But Chiaki had no idea what he was thinking.

At this moment, Chiaki felt like she empathized with Mika's feeling of "being unable to follow Seiji's thought process."

Chiaki wanted to believe in him, and she did, but… it was impossible to understand!

'Seiji, just what are you thinking? Could it be… you want to sacrifice yourself for this bet?'

Chiaki suddenly considered a frightening possibility.

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Chapter 85: Please Take Good Care of Me

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

'Perhaps Seiji means to sacrifice himself in this fight.'

Chiaki didn't want to consider this idea after she thought of it.

But she had to.

If this was really the case, then rather than truly trying to win this ridiculous duel, he might be attempting to sacrifice himself in order to move Rion and Kotomi Amami's hearts!

The twin witches… she'd never heard of them doing anything terrible before, so perhaps they still possessed some empathy deep within them?

If the twin sisters witnessed a boy trying to change them for the better by getting beaten up and struggling pitifully… perhaps they would be shaken and change their ways?

This was so stupid!!!

Chiaki vehemently denied the possibility of it happening.

Not even considering whether or not the twins would even be moved, even the idea of letting oneself be injured in order to convince others of their misdeeds was so stupid!!

Chiaki didn't want to believe that Seiji would stoop to using such a foolish idea.

But Seiji… he said before the twins resembled the old him, so perhaps he thought saving them would be just like saving himself, explaining his willingness to sacrifice himself.

If that was really the case… 'Idiot! Stupid! Silly! You have lower intelligence than a monkey!!'

Chiaki ground her teeth as she threw a glance at the boy beside her. 'Perhaps that's what you intend, but I won't let you do as you please.'

Both Mika and Hoshi Amami won't allow you to do so either!

If you get injured, I'm definitely going to stop you! They'll stop you together with me!! No matter what!!!

Chiaki Wakaba firmed her resolution.

She didn't care about the twin sisters at all! She only cared about Seiji Haruta, who was now one of her best friends, as well as…

Seiji was oblivious to Chiaki's thought process.

If was aware of it, he'd probably be shocked and left with his mouth wide agape, unsure how to respond!

He didn't have that kind of idea to begin with. After all, he wasn't a saint who was prepared to sacrifice himself!

Seiji was actually feeling rather relaxed.

He'd already finished his preparations. The rest was merely giving those sisters a chance for Hoshi's sake.

Every karate club member had finished changing into their uniforms and sat by Rion and Kotomi's side.

The room fell silent.

Seiji finally uncrossed his arms. "Alright, let's begin."

He rose from his seated position, his back as straight as a spear. "I'm ready whenever. Who… will you send first?" He looked towards the twins.

Kyosuke Akanishi also looked at Rion and Kotomi, waiting for their orders.

After all, the message he received only said that he needed to deal with Seigo Harano's challenge. He had no idea about any of the details.

Rion and Kotomi stood up slowly.

They saw all the karate club members looking at them questioningly and knew an explanation was expected.

"Seigo Harano has challenged our entire karate club. He intends to face every member of our club… by himself!"

After the karate club members took a moment to digest the twins' claim, the room was thrown into a state of uproar.

"Face all of us… on his own!?"

"Is he joking!? Is he looking down on us!?"

"He's definitely looking down on us! Even if he is the 'destroyer of clubs,' this is outlandish!!"

"All he has is a comical nickname! He dares to act so arrogantly!?"

Voices of protest filled the room.

"Silence!!" Kyosuke Akanishi's loud shout quelled the commotion.

'It seems that this karate club captain still has some authority.' Seiji inwardly nodded in approval.

Kyosuke slowly stood up and fixed his eyes on the twins questioningly.

"This is a promise between Seigo Harano and us. If he wins this duel, we… need to listen to his request. And if he loses…" the sisters paused, "he's going to join the karate club."

Kyosuke came to a realization after hearing the twins' explanation.

He wondered what happened between Seigo and the twins. For Seigo to request something of them, it must not be a simple matter. And if Seigo joined the karate club, it actually meant that he would fall under the twins' control.

The entire karate club, including him as the captain, were just tools being used by both sides.

No, that made it sound really bad.

If Seigo Harano won, the karate club wouldn't lose anything… no, that was wrong! Their renown would be left in tatters!

If the entire karate club was defeated by a single person, the club's reputation would be ruined!

It would help Seigo's "destroyer of clubs" nickname become a reality rather than just an exaggeration!

So they definitely couldn't lose! Not to mention Rion and Kotomi wouldn't allow them to lose, so all the members had to fight at full strength… Besides, this match-up wasn't possible to lose, was it?

Kyosuke Akanishi studied Seigo Harano's face.

Seigo Harano… the legendary transfer student wore a serious expression!

Did this guy truly believe that he could defeat the entire karate club by himself!?

Kyosuke felt that the notion itself was ridiculous.

Even though he'd just suppressed his club members' commotion, he actually wanted to join in with them and shout out: "Just who the hell do you think you are!?"

While Kyosuke may have been calmer than the other club members—or perhaps denser was a more fitting word to describe him—he was still a hot-blooded youth. After he realized what was happening, the ridiculousness of the situation caused his anger to boil!

His club members were right. This transfer student merely received a little nickname and got popular with the club presidents, causing his self-confidence to spiral out of control!

It didn't matter what he wanted the twin sisters to do—coming to the karate club with such an attitude was a blatant insult!!

He absolutely must be taught a lesson!

I must teach him that karate isn't a sport like tennis or basketball! Nor was the karate club a weak club like the tennis and basketball clubs!!

In his heart, Kyosuke had already decided to give that bastard a good lesson. And after Seigo joined the karate club, he would give Seigo a vicious sparring session to teach him the meaning of the word "respect!"

This was probably Rion and Kotomi's goal.

He didn't know how they got Seigo to fall for their bait, but their plot was wonderful! Seigo Harano would pay the price for his arrogance and join the ranks of their servants!

Kyosuke was impressed by the twin witches; this elaborate scheme was befitting of the karate club's true leaders.

They were easily able to discern the weak spot of this excellent athlete the other clubs had failed to recruit and brought him here!

The karate club would definitely flourish under the secret control of these twins. As their puppet… whoops, representative, even if he was a little dissatisfied, he had to admit that they were better at the role than he was.

Kyosuke wanted to enjoy the benefits of a strong and flourishing club as the club captain! All he needed to do was tolerate some slight displeasure at being secretly controlled. It seemed… like quite a good deal to him.

"I understand what's going on." Kyosuke believed that he had enough information now, so he spoke up.

He looked at the boy seated across from him.

"Seigo Harano… Harano-san, I don't know what request you have for the twin flowers in our karate club, but it's an insult to us if you're arrogant enough to challenge our entire club.

"I admit you're an excellent athlete that all the clubs are trying to recruit, but no matter how excellent an athlete you are, arrogance is a critical weakness! It's more than enough to surpass all your strengths."

Kyosuke looked directly into Seigo's eyes as he took a strict tone. "So, from now on, I shall allow you to witness the full strength of the karate club! I shall make you recognize the faults of your own arrogance!! And after you lose and join our karate club, we'll train you to our utmost and wipe away your faults, making you into a truly outstanding individual!!!"

His loud voice echoed clearly in the dojo.

Every karate club member's spirit shot up to the maximum level due to his speech!

Everyone glared daggers at the first-year high schooler they perceived as an arrogant bastard.

'Allow me to witness your strength… I heard something similar last night; do all karate club members like to use words like this?' Seiji wondered inwardly.

Then he might as well use the same reply as last time.

"Please take good care of me."

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Chapter 86: Legendary Strength!

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Seiji wanted to duel in his school uniform, but the karate club captain lectured him on how disrespectful that would be, and loaned Seiji his own spare uniform for Seiji to change into.

And so, Seiji went and got changed. After he walked out of the changing room, many people… or rather, all the girls' eyes lit up!

Tall, handsome, and strong. Even if he was wearing a karate uniform that wasn't a perfect fit on him, he still cut a rather heroic figure, and his face was so cool that the girls felt like they were being blinded!

Cough cough, they shouldn't be falling in love with their opponent! Mm… but after he loses, he'd become one of them, and then…

Most of the female members were getting slightly lost in their daydreams.

The male members were struck wordless.

The atmosphere in the room had subtly changed, but Kyosuke, who was denser than most people , didn't notice at all. He simply sighed to himself, thinking that this Seigo fellow was way too handsome!

He definitely didn't want his girlfriend to meet a person like this… He suddenly had the feeling that maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to accept Seigo into his club after all…

At any rate, it was time to begin.

According to Rion and Kotomi's request, they were going to use the rules of a real karate contest.

Generally speaking, it was illegal to strike anywhere above the collarbone with your fists, palms, or elbows. Pulling, scratching, hugging, and pushing were forbidden. Attacking your opponent's back or crotch was banned.

If you caused your opponent to lose the ability to fight for 3 seconds or less, you would be awarded with "1 point" while disabling the opponent for more than 3 seconds would result in being awarded "2 points." Accumulating 2 points resulted in an instant victory.

As a non-martial artist, Seiji understood the rules as forbidding the use of scratching or other similar dubious techniques and not being allowed to attack the area near the head, back, or crotch. He also realized that he had to disable his opponents for a minimum of three seconds.

Yep, it seemed simple enough.

He stood in the middle of the dojo and looked inquiringly at the twin sisters.

Rion and Kotomi exchanged glances before taking turns to call out three names.

The members they called stood up… they were three girls!

Seiji frowned. It seemed they were going to start off this way…

"They actually went with three girls for the first round… They want Seiji to feel uneasy fighting girls and waste his energy," Chiaki muttered to herself.

"How could they… It's so low…" Mika seemed concerned.

Hoshi furrowed his brows and bit his lips anxiously.

Likewise, Kyosuke Akanishi also furrowed his brows.

Starting right off the bat with three against one… Although he could understand the twins' reasoning, he personally thought it was a bit overkill.

With everybody thinking different things, the three female karate club members walked to the center of the dojo, glanced towards the twins, before exchanging awkward glances with each other as they lined up in front of the handsome boy.

Seiji smiled towards them politely.

The three karate club members' faces flushed red as they were slightly dazzled by his beauty.

"Prepare!" Kyosuke shouted, acting as the judge. "Bow!"

The three girls bowed slightly towards Seiji.

Seiji returned their bow out of respect.

"Begin the competition!"

"Hah!" the three girls shouted in unison as they moved into a fighting stance!

Of course, Seiji didn't shout anything.

He immediately went on the offense!

He dashed three steps forward, covering the distance in an instant. He sent out a palm strike, aiming at the first girl's solar plexus.

At almost the same time, his other palm flew towards the second girl's solar plexus.

He followed up by twisting his body like a whirlwind, unleashing a third palm strike!

Pound! Boom! Smack!*

The spectators only saw Seiji's tall figure flicker as three loud sounds rang out in the dojo, and the three girls fell over almost simultaneously!!

Even Kyosuke, who was the closest spectator, failed to grasp Seiji's attack.

When he blinked, he saw the three girls collapse onto the soft exercise mats! They all clutched their stomachs with pained expressions.

Seigo Harano had already returned to his original location and was standing there silently, his expression unruffled.

Everyone fell silent.

The three girls' pained moans were the only audible sound. One of them ground her teeth and attempted to stand up, but immediately clutched at her stomach again as her knees buckled.

'Did I use too much force?' Despite his seemingly calm exterior, Seiji was rather worried about the girls.

What just happened!?

Every karate club member was plunged into a state of shock.

The duel was over before they could even see what was going on!

So fast…

It wasn't that the duel ended too quickly; Seigo was just too swift!

How could this be possible… Even though it actually happened right before them, the karate club members still found the situation difficult to believe.

Chiaki, Mika, and Hoshi also received an incredible shock.

They were all stupefied. Although they knew Seiji was very strong and believed that he wouldn't be easily defeated … this was so far out of the ordinary!

Chiaki and Mika then recalled how Seiji caught the drama club vice president's book attacks.

Hoshi thought back to when he accidentally tripped at the confectionery store. Not only did Senpai rush over and catch him, Senpai also astonishingly managed to catch everything that flew through the air from his tray!

That when the three of them came to a realization.

Perhaps Seiji (Senpai) was much stronger than they knew!?

"Hey, I already won, right? Why aren't you making a decision as the judge? They should take a rest or get their injuries looked at." A voice broke the silence.

Naturally, it was Seiji.

The karate club captain was still dazed and had forgotten his task, so Seiji impatiently gave him a reminder.

Kyosuke Akanishi finally regained his senses.

"2… 2 points! Seigo Harano's victory!" he hurriedly proclaimed.

He then called over some other female members to help out the three collapsed girls.

"My apologies; I don't have too much fighting… er, dueling experience, so I'm not that good at controlling my strength." Seiji sincerely apologized to the three girls he'd just defeated.

'This… just one palm strike from him was so brutal!!' Chiaki commented to herself in part disbelief.

She could tell that Seiji was being sincere. He truly wasn't able to control his strength, and he felt apologetic towards the three girls.

But the karate club members' thoughts were completely different …

Inexperienced?

All the karate club members felt like they were being insulted!

You claim to have no fighting experience, yet you managed to defeat three of us in an instant? Then what are we!?

They were currently filled with displeasure, anger, and… some panic.

Some members believed Seigo was being sarcastic to humiliate them, while others realized Seigo was being sincere.

Rion and Kotomi were among those that could tell Seigo was being sincere.

Seigo Harano wasn't taunting the karate club at all; he was simply apologizing. That made him… even more frightening!

He was being honest! He didn't have any fighting or dueling experience; he relied solely on his monstrous physical ability to accomplish a tremendous feat!

He wanted to crush them all using his overwhelming physical might!!

This was exactly what he did at the tennis and basketball clubs!

All this was simply a repeat.

The monster… he already showed his true face before, only… everyone still underestimated him!!

Fear rose up within the twins' hearts once more.

Only this time their fear was shared by the other members of the karate club.

In the first round, the three girls were defeated.

It was time for round two.

Rion and Kotomi immediately went for the maximum number and called for seven boys to face him!

'Boys… I don't need to go as easy on them anymore.' Seiji felt a bit more relaxed.

His opponents were able to unconsciously detect what he was thinking from his expression. They all wore complex expressions and cold sweat trickled down their backs.

After what just happened, none of them dared to look down on this solo challenger anymore.

"Destroyer of clubs!"

It was an exaggerated nickname which sounded like a joke. But as they stood before the bearer of the title, it suddenly seemed like cruel reality.

This was a true legend.

The person in front of them was endowed with legendary strength!

"Prepare!" Kyosuke's expression was filled with tension as he shouted.

"Bow!"

Both sides bowed. One side was a row of seven people, while the other was merely one. It was… almost comical.

However.

"Begin the competition!"

"Hah!" the seven boys shouted in unison.

Pound! Pound! Smack! Boom! Pound! Smack! Boom!*

The seven boys were sent flying as seven thuds resounded in quick succession!

This time, Kyosuke was concentrating as much as he possibly could on the fight, but he could barely discern Seigo rushing towards the boy closest to him, followed by… a flurry of punches and kicks that were too quick for the human eye to follow. The speedy combo caused the seven male karate club members to be sent flying!

A fiery invasion, fierce as the wind.

Although Kyosuke wasn't particularly talented in literature, he suddenly recalled a line from a poem!

Seiji stopped right after he defeated all his opponents and adjusted his borrowed karate uniform.

The casual movement combined with the seven boys collapsed at his feet… added to the indescribable imposing manner which surrounded him!

This was only how the boys viewed him.

As for the girls, they needed merely three words to describe this scene: way too cool!

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Chapter 87: Collapse

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Even though they knew that they would inevitably have to face Seigo, some of the female members were still starstruck.

It was because… he was too cool and too strong!

If Seiji's victory over the three girls surprised everyone, this second battle, where he defeated seven boys in an instant, shook everyone down to their bones.

All the karate club members that personally witnessed this scene didn't know what to make of it.

They watched on in stunned silence as the imposing figure walked back to his original spot and stood there casually, acting as if nothing had happened.

However the seven male karate club members lying collapsed on the ground, unable to get up, indicated that this was indeed reality.

How was this possible!?

The karate club members' brains finally whirred back into motion, but they still couldn't believe it.

How was he so quick!?

How was he so powerful!?

Why… was the difference between them so gigantic!?

Doubts kept popping up in their minds, but no matter how incredulous the situation was, the reality was right in front of them.

This… they couldn't even fight with him! Kyosuke Akanishi could only inwardly sigh.

Seigo Harano's speed and power was astounding. Even Kyosuke was unable to follow Seigo's movements clearly despite concentrating intensely. As for the other karate club members who fought against him… they probably saw nothing more than a blur before they were defeated.

This wasn't a duel; this was a single-sided beatdown!

Karate techniques, fighting skills, or dueling experience?

None of those were necessary for Seigo Harano!

He didn't need any of these, nor did he need to care about his opponent having them. He only needed to get close and defeat his opponent.

The karate club members had no way of stopping him.

How could you block blows that you couldn't even see coming!?

Kyosuke Akanishi was certain that even if he personally fought Seigo, he would be defeated as well. And… he was already the strongest member of the karate club.

Could they even compete against him?

He recalled his previous words at the beginning of the duel. He said something about showing true power to Seigo… Kyosuke felt his face burning up, and he felt the urge to hide in a corner!

But he wasn't able to do so. Instead, as the referee, he had to stand the closest to Seigo.

"Two… two points! Seigo Harano's victory!" Kyosuke finally made the announcement and gestured for the other members to help their fallen comrades.

Nobody spoke.

It was literally silent to the extent of being able to hear a pin drop.

What should they do next?

Kyosuke looked towards Rion and Kotomi for guidance, but to his surprise, he found that twins' complexion was ashen. Their faces were completely drained of all color.

'We were deceived. We were deceived, deceived, deceived, deceived…' Rion and Kotomi's minds were endlessly repeating the same word.

All of Seigo Harano's arguments, retorts, sighs, silence, and helpless expressions as he discussed the conditions with them flashed back before their eyes.

Finally an image of the current Seigo Harano appeared, standing calmly at the centre of the dojo .

'We were deceived! At that time, Seigo Harano was merely acting!! All his expressions, actions, and words were all a big lie!!!

'He wasn't even the slightest bit afraid of facing the entire karate club by himself; in fact, he was probably laughing inside when we brought the idea up!'

The twins were filled with anger and fear.

To normal people, this would definitely be impossible to overcome.

But Seigo Harano was no ordinary person—the twins believed they were already aware of that.

But they never realized their so-called "knowledge" of him… merely scraped the surface!!

They knew that he was a monster, a demon, but they couldn't have imagined that he was—and still is—something far beyond their pitiful imagination.

He must be laughing at them.

While he pretended to be an ordinary person conversing with us, he must have been laughing demonically underneath at that time!

And right now, beneath his calm exterior, beneath that tall and handsome shell of his, he must be laughing maniacally!!

'He must be looking down on us, filled with disdain for our ignorance…'

Seiji was indeed looking down at the twin sisters.

But that was only in the literal sense, since he was currently standing and they were seated.

He neither knew nor wanted to know what the twin sisters thought of him, or their reaction to his inhuman physical ability.

Seiji only wanted to obtain victory and give them a final chance to choose. He would observe if they kept their promise to change themselves and destroy all the blackmail material, or if they would go back on their word and desperately fight to the end.

He didn't realize that Rion and Kotomi currently viewed him as a tremendously evil, arrogant, haughty, and terrifying demon in human guise.

Even if he knew, he wouldn't have cared.

Seiji was doing all this for Hoshi's sake. As for how the twins viewed him, or how they ended up, did he need to care?

This was why he was so relaxed.

As for those behind him… they weren't so relaxed.

Chiaki, Mika, and Hoshi were also among the astonished.

Due to the first battle, they were somewhat prepared for Seiji's incredible fighting prowess, but personally witnessing seven male karate club members being dispatched at lightning speed, similar to the three girls from earlier, shocked them to the core of their souls.

So strong…

Seiji was actually this strong all along…

Our friend here… Is he actually a costumed superhero?

The three of them exchanged silent glances and came into unspoken agreement.

Hoshi was truly amazed. Senpai was stronger than he ever imagined. His worship of… no, his adulation towards Seiji increased even further.

Mika fell into deep thought; it seemed that the depraved otaku had transformed into a miraculous existence beyond her understanding.

Chiaki was seriously considering and guessing at just what type of powerful family the Harutas were!

They must have had several world-class powerful people in Seiji's family's history… Was Seiji's father actually the world champion of some martial arts technique? He was probably the type who won several world championships in succession!

All three of them remained silent, unable to stem the surge of thoughts which came flooding in.

This was just too much to accept!

Although Seiji kept telling them not to worry as he'd win without any problems… they never imagined this outcome!!

As the trio glanced at the opposition… they noticed that they were also in a state of stunned amazement !!!

Silence reigned over the dojo room.

If a person's mental state was reflected in reality, this room would definitely be the opposite of silent. It would be absolute chaos.

As the eye of the storm who was responsible for everyone's unstable mental state, Seiji was actually the calmest.

That was why he was the only one who could break the silence.

"We're still not going to begin the next round?" After waiting to the point of impatience, he looked at the judge, Kyosuke.

All Kyosuke did was look towards the twin sisters for direction.

He saw that they were still sitting there with ashen faces, neither moving nor blinking.

They seemed petrified.

'Hey, Harry Potter, zap them with a spell!' Seiji couldn't help but think this to himself.

"If you don't hurry up and send someone else… Why don't you two just come at me personally!? How about it!?" he shouted in a loud voice. The entire room of spectators heard him clearly.

"Answer me! Rion Amami, Kotomi Amami!"

The twins finally trembled as they regained their senses.

They lifted their heads and saw Seigo Harano across from them, staring at them with an apathetic expression.

It seemed as if there were a huge dark shadow behind his figure, on the verge of pouncing upon them ferociously and filled with condescension and taunting laughter!

This was only a hallucination caused by too much fear, but the twins viewed it as reality.

"Come, why don't we have a personal duel?" Seiji said while gesturing for them to attack him.

Rion and Kotomi were terrified to their cores.

"Monster… monster! Don't come over here!"

They began shrieking.

"Who will go defeat it!? Anyone is fine! Go! Everyone go at it!!"

"Everyone go! Defeat… kill this monster!!"

Everyone was shocked.

Kyosuke Akanishi was stunned.

The karate club members were stunned.

Chiaki, Mika, and Hoshi were stunned.

Seiji was the only one with a different expression: he frowned instead.

"You're now viewing me as a monster? And you want everyone to come at me and kill me?"

He stepped forward as his expression turned icy, and his gaze became even more distant.

"You can't even obey your own rules which you set yourself? You two… if that's all you have, then this is over."

He walked closer and closer to the twins.

They watched him approach with increasing terror, as if he were truly a demon.

"Even if everyone comes at me together, I'll defeat all of them. And then I'll completely, utterly destroy you for breaking your promise!"

His words were ice cold, with zero pity.

Seiji's words filled Rion and Kotomi's ears, sounding like a hellish curse.

The twin sisters were unable to resist or escape.

"Wahh…"

Rion and Kotomi broke down in front of their overwhelming terror.

"Wahhhhh!!"

They hugged each other tightly as if they were two young children and began crying.

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Chapter 88: Yes or No

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

The sound of crying echoed throughout the dojo.

Almost everyone was shocked to their cores by this scene, but it was a different type of shock compared to their earlier surprise.

The twin witches… the beautiful, talented girls who never showed their true feelings; the girls that the entire grade secretly feared… were actually crying!?

Not only that, they were crying so wretchedly.

They hugged each other tightly, and both tears and snot flowed out as their bodies trembled.

They lacked their usual imposing mannerism and behavior.

Suddenly, it seemed liked they 'd recalled something as they let go of each other and hurriedly brought out their cell phones… before despair clouded their expressions yet again!

"I set a new password for your cell phones—did you forget?" Seiji stated calmly.

After glancing at him, the twins threw away their cell phones and started crying again as they embraced each other once more.

Everyone was struck speechless by this situation.

Just what exactly was going on!?

Kyosuke Akanishi and all the other karate club members were utterly confused. Chiaki, Mika, and Hoshi began to understand what was happening after they recovered from their shock.

"My sisters…" Hoshi had a complex expression.

"They've been forced to the brink—that's why they've broken down," Chiaki sighed.

While she was surprised at how the twins lost control of their emotions, after thinking about it with a clear head, she considered it to be the natural outcome of facing off against Seiji.

"They're… crying like young children," Mika muttered to herself.

"I… I've never seen my sisters cry like this… The last time I saw them shed tears was so long ago…" Hoshi said in a soft voice.

'From a certain angle, these twins are still children,' Seiji thought as he watched the girls.

Their mental development became twisted at an early age and was never corrected. They grew up abnormally, and their immaturity and weakness was well concealed by their excellent appearance and behavior on the surface.

They were just like a tree that grew up crooked. The treetop was covered with flourishing leaves and branches, but the trunk below had a twisted shape. The moment it met a true thunderstorm, it would break—and expose its weak nature!

Perhaps they deserved some measure of sympathy, but regardless, they weren't children anymore. There was no more room for forgiveness no matter how slight the mistake.

Seiji took his gaze off them and glanced at Kyosuke the club captain before sweeping over the other karate club members with his eyes.

"Since it's come to this, there's no need to hide anything. My request for Rion and Kotomi Amami… was to make them destroy all their own blackmail material on others and change themselves for the better if I achieved victory!"

His loud words temporarily overwhelmed the twins' sobbing and rung clearly in every person's ears.

Blackmail material? Change themselves for the better?

All the karate club members felt another wave of shock surge over them upon realizing what they had heard!

Those like Kyosuke, who were being blackmailed by the twin sisters, quickly understood what it meant!

And those that weren't being blackmailed, but were still under the twins' control, due to reasons such as fear of their dominance, inwardly shouted in joy as well!

This was… freedom!

That's right—freedom. If Seigo Harano had spoken truthfully, then his victory meant the freedom of every single person under the twins' shadowy control!

After coming to this realization, they looked at Seigo Harano differently. They wanted to believe in him, but they still held doubt.

There was just one problem.

Was this all true!?

"Of course it's true." Seiji detected the crowd's suspicion and relieved it directly. "I have no reason to lie. It's up to you guys whether or not to believe me. With how these two… are in their current state, it's equal to admitting defeat… But if any of you still aren't satisfied and don't believe that I've won yet, or want to defend them, I'm more than happy to continue this duel."

Seiji folded his arms over his toned chest. "But I'm going to say it straight out—I'll treat anyone who still wants to stand before me as my serious opponents, just like the twin sisters. I won't promise… to go easy anymore."

His voice remained calm.

But all the karate club members were filled with terror as an almost tangible pressure swept over them!

He wouldn't promise to go easy anymore… This meant that he hadn't even used his full ability!

As they recalled his previous duels, this seemed quite obvious.

He just instantly defeated ten people over two rounds, and not a single person was able to withstand more than a single blow. That meant that none of them were close to being able to bring out his true ability.

Also, the most obvious evidence was the fact that this "destroyer of clubs" just defeated ten people, but… he didn't even break into a sweat!!!

Monster.

This was what the twin witches had just called him.

Now, all the karate club members were inwardly agreeing with that assessment.

Merely the thought of an all-out fight against this terrifying existence filled them with fear!

No wonder the witches had broken down.

They tried to imagine being in the twins' shoes, facing an angry Seigo Harano… heavens, no more imagining this topic!

As they pictured the scene the karate club members unconsciously shivered.

The twin sisters had always been enduring such frightening pressure…

The karate club members started to feel a sliver of pity for the crying twins… even though they knew that the twins received their just desserts.

"Does anyone still want to fight?" Seigo's voice rang out again.

The karate club members looked towards the monster… whoops, the legendary "destroyer of clubs," and all of them averted their gazes or lowered their heads when Seigo looked in their direction.

Who would want to fight on behalf of the witches!?

The taste of freedom was wonderful as well as unexpected! Perhaps they would have wanted to face him if they didn't know the truth, but now that they knew his motives, anyone that still wanted to face him would be an idiot!!

No, they'd be even lower than an idiot! Fighting the sake of those two unworthy girls and facing off against that… dragon! Yes, dragon!

Not even that crazy knight who attacked a windmill would do such a thing for the twin witches!!

None of the karate club members believed themselves to be crazier than that fictional insane knight, which was why none of them stood up.

No, wait—there was still one person standing.

Seiji looked at Kyosuke Akanishi. They exchanged glances, communicating nonverbally.

'Do you want to fight me?'

'No, no… this lowly one doesn't dare!'

'If you admit I've won, that means admitting that I've defeated the entire karate club by myself… As the captain, you're not even going to try?'

'No, no, no… this lowly one definitely wouldn't dare; it's your victory!'

Although all of the above was nonverbal, it was the basic essence of their communication through their eyes.

Kyosuke Akanishi averted his gaze from Seigo Harano and pretended to be engrossed by a butterfly flying outside the window.

Seiji was rather surprised that even the club captain admitted defeat so readily. He believed that Kyosuke would personally fight him for the sake of the karate club's pride.

'I suppose Rion and Kotomi are just that unpopular.'

As soon as he stated the truth of the matter, none of the karate club members—including the captain—were willing to stand and fight for her anymore; nobody even spoke up on the twins' behalf. This was despite having to swallow the bitter medicine of admitting defeat to a single person.

Seiji believed that to be the truth, but he didn't realize that it was his overwhelming physical ability which scared them into submission.

He believed that if the entire karate club swarmed him, he'd be plunged into a sticky situation… but he didn't know that the karate club members now considered him to be a dragon!

"If nobody wants to fight anymore, let's end it here," Seiji declared.

He then looked towards Rion and Kotomi.

They were still crying, albeit softly.

"It's my victory. Now then, are you going to adhere to your promise, or are you breaking it?"

The words that the twins said right before they broke down, and even their actions that proved they still wanted to try something with their cell phone. Seiji decided to ignore all that one last time for Hoshi's sake.

This was the final time he would calmly ask the sisters this question.

Yes or no.

Do you two… want to see what's on the other side of life?

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Chapter 89: Hahahaha-

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Rion and Kotomi wept softly as they started to recover from their complete breakdown and faced the horrifying dark figure in front of them.

It was as if they'd returned to their childhoods.

Since they were twins, they'd always faced everything together. As long as they held each other's hands, they would be able to overcome sadness, misery, and even despair.

Their first memory of despair stemmed from their childhood.

Since they'd accidentally broken their father's rather expensive prized antique vase, they were angrily shouted at, beaten, locked in their room, and starved.

They were sore, hungry, and very frightened… The two young girls hugged each other in the dark room and cried as they tried to bear the pain and hunger.

Their father's figure turned monstrous in their young minds.

However, this didn't last for very long.

After punishing them, their father forgave them and sternly reminded them not to play in inappropriate places.

As intelligent children, Rion and Kotomi kept their father's teaching in their heart and gradually became rule-following obedient children.

Since they no longer made mistakes, they weren't punished and always received praise from everyone around them, including their father.

The twin sisters were delighted. They thought they had discovered the rules of this world. As long as they did the right things and didn't do anything wrong, they could lead a joyful life.

Until that day.

It was truly a coincidence.

Because of an issue at school, the students were allowed to go home early. They happily returned home and witnessed… their father doing strange things with various unfamiliar men and women.

They were beaten even more harshly than before!

They trembled as their father bellowed at them like a raging demon!

They were cowed by the threat that they were never to tell anyone about what they saw, or else they would be forced out of this home!

Their father… became that frightening monster again! And this time, they didn't even do anything wrong.

Why!?

The twins hugged each other tightly once again and cried and shivered, filled with pain and terror. They didn't understand at the time.

Nonetheless, they were intelligent children.

Finally, Rion and Kotomi understood. Father was the one who was in the wrong… and Father had committed such a serious mistake!

They weren't the ones in the wrong, yet they were the ones punished.

Their father who "punished" them was the one who should have been punished!

The twin sisters were furious. They decided to rebel against his control and take revenge.

They wanted their father to be punished as he should have been, so they researched methods on the internet and added their own ideas to formulate a plan.

Their plan was wildly successful!

Their father's face turned ashen white in front of them, and he was forced to listen to their commands. He punished himself, admitted his wrongs, and promised to make it up to them…

It was supposed to be a small revenge plan, but they unexpectedly acquired an incredible sense of joy from it!!

The twin sisters became addicted to the sensation.

So this was the truth of the world!

Right and wrong wasn't important. As long as they controlled a person's weakness, they would be able to conquer and control him…

Rion and Kotomi slowly began to change after understanding the "truth" of the world as they saw it.

And finally, they turned out the way they were today.

…

Seigo Harano, who currently stood before them, seemed much like their father in the past—a dark and terrifying monster.

But that was only because they weren't able to discover his weakness.

As long as they discovered his weakness, even this monster would be conquered and controlled by them!

Rion and Kotomi's eyes began sparkling again.

Change themselves for the better?

That was what the world believed to be right, but so what!?

Even if they stopped doing such things, would the world truly change!?

It wouldn't!

"Right and wrong" weren't actually important in this world. Information was the only thing that mattered!

That's why they would never… destroy their blackmail files!

Because that was truly everything to them… everything they possessed!!

Rion and Kotomi stopped crying as they thought about it.

They actually had a breakdown due to terror… how unsightly.

But it wasn't important. Even though Seigo Harano achieved victory, he couldn't force them to uphold their promise!

This was the most basic reason they agreed to this duel after thinking it over and remaining indecisive for so long!

In the end, it was just a verbal promise.

Even if we break our promise, what can you do to us, Seigo Harano!?

The twin sisters slowly raised their heads and looked towards him, meeting his eyes.

Then, they saw that he was showing… deep pity for them.

Pity?

Why pity?

"It seems like you've chosen to break your promise," Seiji said lightly. "I suppose it's only natural. In your opinion, I have no way to force you to keep your promise. As long as you break your word, this won't amount to anything more than you losing some reputation… that's probably what you think."

Rion and Kotomi remained silent.

All the karate club members became tense again.

What the hell!?

We all thought that you won, so you truly had the ability to make them change themselves for the better… or at the very least destroy their blackmail files!!

But they were still able to break their word!? This… how unreliable can you get!!!?

The club members' emotions became complicated again as they thought about how the twin witches' reign over them would continue.

Some were even regretting that they didn't at least make a show of it! Since nobody was stepping up to defend the witches, anyone that stood up probably would have received their favor or some other reward.

Mika and Hoshi's faces showed signs of tension as well. Chiaki's expression merely flickered slightly before she regained her calm.

'Seiji already said something out loud, so he must have a plan of some sort. Perhaps this was his true intention to begin with…' Chiaki inwardly believed in Seiji.

And she was correct.

Seiji slowly turned to look at Hoshi.

"Sorry, junior of mine… I gave them a chance, but you saw it for yourself."

"Senpai…" Hoshi's expression turned complex and pained.

Hoshi turned back to look at Rion and Kotomi and saw only their cold, uncaring stares.

'Ahh! Damn it!' He hated and regretted his weakness, ignorance, and powerlessness.

"They didn't keep their promise, but I will." Seiji's expression slowly changed as he spoke. "I will completely, utterly ruin them."

The twin sisters felt a terrible chill sweep over them as they met his eyes once more!

That was because his eyes were now pitch black, filled with condescension, derision, and contempt—a completely patronizing attitude!

"Heh heh heh… Hahahahahaha!" Seiji suddenly started laughing loudly.

This wasn't his usual gentle and warm laughter. It was bone-chilling taunting laughter filled with condescension!

It felt like the entire dojo's temperature had dropped with his laughter!

Everyone was stunned for the umpteenth time!!

"My apologies, I couldn't hold myself back anymore… I just really wanted to laugh at how you believed yourselves to be so smart and strong, with that look in your eyes that said you could resist to the end!"

Swish!* Seiji extended his palms like a mad scientist.

"Use those rotten brains of yours and think a little! Even you can find the gigantic hole in this promise!! Do you really think that I wouldn't consider it!!? Oh, I forgot—your brains have probably turned to mush already! After all, everyone you've ever faced wasn't on guard against you!

"Everyone was misled by your beauty and excellence! Just like the sailors from myths who were entranced by the beauty and songs of the Sirens! They all fell into the sea, becoming your prey!!

"But I'm different from everyone."

Seiji gave them the most condescending gaze he could possibly muster as he looked down at the twins with utter contempt. "That's because I saw through you from the very start! Take away your outer appearances! After stamping out your paltry smarts!! You're nothing more than two girls… whoops, two piles of rotting, disgusting filth!!!"

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Chapter 90: Judgement

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Ice.

Pure bone-chilling ice filled Rion and Kotomi.

They involuntarily recalled last week's memory.

This person in front of them saw through their essence in the first meeting and spat such condescending words at them back then!

Just like this time.

No… he was far more terrifying than last time!!

The twin sisters faintly perceived that they had made a huge mistake.

Why were they afraid of Seigo Harano?

Why did they constantly feel pressured by his imposing manner!?

Why did they continue to underestimate him, despite reminding themselves how strong he was!!?

That was because… they still hadn't seen him for who he truly was.

They thought that he was a monster, a demon—but that was the limit of their understanding!

Seigo Harano… just who on earth was he? What type of person was he!? They had no idea whatsoever!!

But he knew so much about them.

At this moment, a cell phone began ringing.

It sounded out of place given the current atmosphere.

"Ha, perfect timing." Seiji smiled without turning around as he spoke, "Junior, take out your cell phone."

"Oh… Oh!" Hoshi finally regained his senses and took out his cell phone—it was his phone which was ringing.

An unfamiliar number was displayed on the screen.

"Give that to me… And you might as well stand next to me to witness the spectacle of your sisters." Seiji waved his hand.

"Oh…" Hoshi dazedly obeyed as he stood next to Seiji and handed Seiji his cell phone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here's a question for you all." Seiji acted like he was about to begin a performance as he took the cell phone. "Who is calling at this time? And why? No need to be anxious—I shall reveal the answer shortly.

"But what you should pay attention to isn't this cell phone or me, but those two in front of me instead."

Seiji looked down on the and let out a burst of taunting laughter again. "As long as you watch their faces, you'll be able to enjoy their unseemly appearances as their minds are broken and they fall into absolute despair~

"This will be one of the best memories of your lives, as you've all been under their control through various methods and threats for so long.

"Please… don't miss this entertainment!"

His words were clearly inflammatory and abnormal in tone.

They had the effect Seiji intended, as most of the karate club members turned and looked directly at the twin sisters.

Due to the angle, there weren't actually all that many who could clearly see their faces.

However, Rion and Kotomi still felt a huge sense of humiliation.

Simultaneously, an unprecedented fear was slowly building up within them.

They were just like… convicted felons who were about to be publicly executed with everyone watching!

The executioner was about to swing his blade.

Seiji took the call and put it on speakerphone.

"Hey, hey, is this Harano-kun?" a male voice spoke up from the other side.

If the delinquents Takashi Kobayashi and Kahei Watari had been present, they would have recognized the voice. But none of the current people here knew who this was.

"It's me. How're things on your end?"

"Everything went smoothly. Amami-san didn't really cooperate at the start, but after our sincere 'persuasion,' he accepted our assistance. After all, this was something that he's always dreamed of—to break free from his daughters' control and regain his self-dignity as a father…"

Seiji made sure to look down at the twin sisters' faces as he said, "He… must have been overjoyed."

Currently, the wicked arc of his smile seemed like nothing more than the devil's grin to Rion and Kotomi!

Amami-san?

Regain his self-dignity as a father?

The twins suddenly thought of what that meant and instantly began trembling as color drained from their faces once more!

Their father!!

Their father who had remained under their control for so long… the man who'd even been forced out of his home to live at his company for an entire week!!!

"Yeah, at first he suspected our motives, but after he believed that we truly wished to assist him, he cooperated with us." The voice in the cell phone continued speaking. "He took us to his home and gave us permission to enter, as well as pointing out his daughters' room and allowing us to attempt at unlocking the door."

These words chilled Rion and Kotomi's very hearts!!

Their room…

"How was the experience of trying to unlock the room of two high school beautiful twin girls?" Seiji continued acting like the talk show host of a variety program.

"It sounds more exciting than it actually is… Hey! Is this really a high school girl's room!?" The voice on the phone cooperated with Seiji by also mimicking a talk show host's attitude. "Steel anti-theft doors equipped with artificial intelligence! Electronic and fingerprint locks together, and if you enter the wrong password three times or have the wrong fingerprint, or if you accidentally set off some other strange alarms, it will automatically send out a preset message to the original owners' cell phone as an alarm!

"Besides, there was even a mechanical lock as the final barrier. I give it perfect points as an anti-theft system! I find it so difficult to believe that the owners of this room were actually two high school girls!!"

"Eh—aren't you exaggerating a little? I'm getting scared~" Seiji clutched his forehead with mock fear.

"We were the ones who were scared, okay! I almost wanted to kneel in defeat in front of this door! Heavens… are all high school girls as paranoid as them!?" the voice on the cell phone energetically commented.

"Well… this should be a special exception, since the owners of this room hid so many things which can't see the light of day in it." Seiji squinted while grinning at the twins in front of him. "The fact that they're using such an outlandish door shows just how much they're afraid of someone invading their privacy."

Rion and Kotomi no longer knew what expressions they had.

They felt as if everything around them was beginning to teeter, becoming distant and hazy, as if they were dreaming.

'No…' they shouted inside their hearts.

But the nightmare was just beginning.

"I feel almost bad about invading such a room, but I received a request from you, and I also have the homeowner's permission, but the most important part was… I was so excited!" the voice on the phone shouted. "I've never been in a fragrant high school girl's room before! This is a dream come true for me!!"

"Don't get so excited… Hey, how did you guys break through that door?"

"We weren't able to!" the voice directly stated the truth.

"What? How could that be!?" Seiji acted as if he were shocked.

"Well… just joking~ It's not that we're unable to break through it, it was just too much of a hassle! So after obtaining Amami-san's permission, we used another method!"

"Stop scaring me, damn it! What method did you end up using?"

"We removed the iron bars from the window and broke through from there! It was much easier than breaking in directly through that ridiculous door with such a high defense value! Even though there were some traps and sensors here as well, it was a simple task to disable them with electronic scramblers!"

"What a marvelous method… not! You actually stooped to breaking in through the window bars—there's no beauty to that!!"

"Who cares about beauty when entering a room!? We're not noble thieves!! It's fine as long as we get in!!!"

Seiji and the voice on the phone clearly derived enjoyment from their exchange of comments.

Everyone listened to them in a daze.

This was almost exactly like a variety show program… apart from the contents of their conversation.

Seigo Harano actually went and requested a group of people to go talk to Rion and Kotomi's father in order to obtain his permission and invade the twins' room!?

This… this method was just like…

Everyone had no words they could use to describe their feelings! It was impossible to describe!

But they all realized the same thing.

The twin witches… perhaps… they were truly done for!!

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Chapter 91: Nightmare

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

While fighting against the witches, he had his companions perform a sneak attack on the witch's castle.

It sounded simple, but what person in real life could think of such an idea and actually carry it out?

At the very least, none of the karate club members would be able to think of it or pull it off!

Since they were all just normal high school students, all of them would unconsciously view breaking in and entering as illegal!

Not even considering the fact of what to do after entering, just entering would give them a mental roadblock.

But Seigo Harano gave them the answer: go find the homeowner, the twins' father! He obtained their father's permission to enter and break the locks.

Why would their father acquiesce to this type of request? The answer was unexpected but understandable, since even the twins' father was one of their blackmail victims!

Even their blood-related father was one of their victims, proving just how frightening the twin witches were. But precisely for the same reason, they had a critical weakness!

Just as Seigo said, Amami-san would be more than happy to cooperate with him as long as Amami-san received his freedom and was able to regain his self-dignity as a father!

And thus, Seigo's companions assaulted the castle.

What next?

"Okay, even though it wasn't beautiful, at least you succeeded in entering," Seigo continued speaking. "Then… did you find what you were supposed to look for?"

"Of course we did; we're professionals!" The voice on the phone was filled with pride.

"USBs, hard drives, notebooks, pictures… Although they cleverly hid the information, everything might as well been transparent to us professionals! But they have such a scary amount! Are you certain this is really the room of two high school girls!? I feel it's more like the room of a professional spy!?" the voice on the phone energetically commented on what he found. "Even though the room appears so cute on the surface, it had such things hidden beneath… It completely ruined my fantasy!!"

"My apologies; I made you witness something that destroyed your dream," Seigo apologized sincerely.

"I'll accept your apology… Sigh, it was a huge shock for me. But there were interesting things as well, such as panties… No wait—I meant their computer!"

"I feel like I just heard your true inner voice speaking."

"You misheard! I was talking about their computer! My, my, their computer was the most impressive of all—it was loaded with so many defenses! The first barrier was breaking through the password filled with puzzle-like mysteries, but in front of my professional computer skills…"

"Stop! Please skip the professional vocabulary and pretentious acting; our audience is filled with normal people!"

Seigo made a "stop" gesture even though the person on the phone obviously couldn't see him.

"Eh? But then I'll have nothing to brag about."

"Of course there's stuff to say! What was hidden on their computer!? Did you find their online accounts, passwords, and stored information!?" Seigo forcefully retorted.

"Oh, those, of course I got them all! I'm…"

"Professional! I got it—cut to the chase!"

"You're so mean, Harano-kun… Fine, I found and figured out every piece of hidden information on their computer, as well as all their accounts and passwords," the voice on the phone stated in a relaxed manner.

The casual tone indicated the voice was supremely confident in his own skills.

Confident to the point that… nobody would doubt the veracity of his statement!

The karate club members all wanted to start trembling.

This person… on the phone call, Seigo Harano's companion… just who exactly was he!?

A hacker… The karate club members which possessed some computer knowledge figured this much out.

He was definitely a hacker—a supremely skilled hacker!

He had the ability to break through the twin witches' computer's defense and find out all their internet accounts and passwords! This definitely wasn't something an ordinary hacker could accomplish!!

For Seigo Harano to actually know someone like this, and for him to be capable of making a request of him…

Everyone felt a new sense of fear and respect for the tall figure in front of them.

"Just who exactly is that on the phone with Seigo?" Mika muttered to herself.

She always believed that Seiji's only friends were her and Chiaki. Apart from them, he was only acquainted with his other co-workers, the store owner/manager, and some repeat customers and so on…

Wait—perhaps the hacker was a co-worker or repeat customer!

Was this person really one of Seiji's co-workers or repeat customers? But someone who could accept such a request and carry it out…

Mika didn't understand.

She only felt that Seiji currently seemed to be shrouded in mystery.

Chiaki was also just as curious.

She only knew as much as Mika, but now she discovered Seiji had more connections than he appeared to have on the surface.

No, she didn't discover it just now! She'd learned it last night!

Chiaki thought back to last night and the huge secret that Seiji mentioned, which involved both the student council president and her ex-girlfriend Haruka…

Was this formidable hacker who listened to Seiji's request one of the select few who knew this "secret?" Could he also have some connection to President Yoruhana?

Thinking about Natsuya Yoruhana, who was the scion of an amazingly powerful family, then considering the fact that Seiji was actually a young master from a similarly powerful family, Chiaki suddenly felt that Seiji being able to find such a person to carry out such a request wasn't a strange thing at all.

Rather, this could be said to be… Seiji Haruta's true power!

In comparison, the twin witches, who merely ruled over a single grade at Genhana High School, weren't even close to being on the same level!!

Seiji gave them so many chances, but the witches still didn't know what was good for them, so they ended up being looked down upon, being the target of condescension, and being… crushed! Truly… they received their just desserts.

Chiaki felt this scenario bore resemblance to an adult defeating two children.

And… in a way, this was how it was.

Hoshi, who stood closest to Seiji's side, was plunged into shock as he listened to the conversation between Seiji and the mysterious hacker.

He was unable to think of anything right now, since Rion and Kotomi's expressions filled his field of vision.

Just what kind of expressions were those…

Ashen, gray-white…

The immeasurable despair which clouded his sisters' faces made them seem like they were going to turn into dust…

This was the expression his twin sisters bore as they were truly forced to the brink after refusing to accept their loss and change for the better!

Hoshi had no joy in seeing their expressions like this; he merely felt like his mind was going blank.

But no matter what, he would never forget this scene until he died.

"You found everything! Nice! As expected of professionals!!" Seiji gave a big thumbs-up to the cell phone.

"No, we weren't certain that it was everything, Harano-kun! Since we felt that this room's owners were truly scary, we searched the entire house one more time out of an abundance of caution, including even the yard!" The voice on the phone began chuckling. "But in the end, we didn't find anything else! It seems like the high school girls felt like their defense was sufficient…"

"What excellent service!" Seiji wagged his thumbs-up back and forth.

"Finally, as you requested, and as Amami-san strongly requested, we took the information we discovered… and destroyed everything!"

As the voice said, Rion and Kotomi acted as though they were truly being executed; they collapsed onto the floor with a sudden jerk of their bodies.

Nightmare… this must all be a nightmare…

Their senses had gone entirely hazy.

Everything seemed to go dark around them, as they were filled with bone-chilling cold, and light seemed to be leaving the world; it was as if they were falling down a bottomless abyss… falling… dropping…

The nightmare continued with no end in sight.

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Chapter 92: Freedom

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

"All their data has been completely wiped, any physical information in their notebooks and pictures has been burned, and all their internet files have also been deleted. I took the liberty of changing all their passwords as well. I don't remember what they are, since I just entered new passwords randomly," the voice on the phone continued in a jovial manner.

"So, are you satisfied with our service, Harano-kun?"

"I'm satisfied! I'm satisfied to the max! I give your service and attitude a five-star rating!!" Seiji praised him exaggeratedly.

"Thank you so much for your excellent review! We're pleased to be of service!! If you need us again, please call at any time—the Cream Bunny Family Service Company welcomes you!!!" the voice on the phone exclaimed in excitement.

The Cream Bunny Family Service Company!?

Just about everyone present noticed the familiar name.

Cream Bunny… that was the mascot of the massively popular anime "Honey Candy Girl." It was also the costume Seiji had to wear when he first started working for the confectionery store. Just about every young person and teenager on Sakura Island knew about this character!

Did this company really exist? The club members were doubtful, but they still made note of the name.

"Oh, that's right, Harano-kun—after we destroyed all the information, we noticed Amami-san's expression seemed rather scary, so we asked him if he was dissatisfied with our service. He replied to us by saying… he was thinking about the best way to teach his unfilial daughters a good lesson after they returned home!

"His expression was truly frightening at that time! It made me want to go hide in a hole. But it's understandable, since his daughters were involved in something so scary. They had so much blackmail material… just how many people were these girls threatening!?

"Besides, even their father Amami-san wasn't spared! These high school girls are just too scary!! Even though they seem beautiful and cute in their pictures, forget about what's on the outside! If it was me, I wouldn't date them even if they paid me!! How will they ever find a boyfriend!!!?"

The voice on the phone kept up his energetic commentary.

"Yeah, I agree… But you shouldn't have said all that out loud, since they're right in front of me, and you're on speakerphone."

Seiji looked down at the two girls while smiling relaxedly.

"What!? Really! Why didn't you tell me earlier!? You're pushing me off a cliff here, Harano-kun!!"

"They heard everything? From the very beginning!? Damn it! How will you compensate for my losses if such scary girls start paying attention to me!!?"

The voice on the phone sounded pitiful on the surface, but it was clear that he was being sarcastic.

"Ha… 3-D girls are so dangerous! I'm going back to my 2-D life as you're too much, Harano-kun! I'm going to have to really take advantage of you the next time we meet!!"

"Yep, I'll treat you to a really good meal. I deeply appreciate your assistance." Seiji smiled.

"You don't need to thank me so formally; we're good friends after all." The voice on the phone laughed. "Well then, talk to you later."

The conversation ended on that note.

Seiji smirked in satisfaction as he looked down once more on the twin sisters.

"Your expressions are… simply wonderful."

He used his cell phone to take a picture of the twin sisters.

"Yep, not bad at all. It's an interesting expression that's worthy of my album. I'll treasure this picture forever, heh heh… Hahahahaha!"

His raucous laughter resounded throughout the dojo again.

This time, his laughter, filled with condescension and contempt, caused everyone to shiver!

Monster… no, he was a demon!

And as for the witches that were being taunted by the demon… Some people couldn't help but glance at them with pity-filled eyes.

Even though they knew that the witches deserved it, this still seemed…

"Hey, hey, at least react a little! It's quite boring if you just stand there wallowing in despair!" Seiji continued to taunt them laughingly. "Tell me what emotions are currently coursing through your veins! Let me interview you—how do you feel about all the blackmail files you've painstakingly collected being destroyed in one go!?

"Your father is waiting at home for you right now, and when you return, he'll really give you a 'good lesson~' Just what exactly will he do to you? I'm really curious~ Why don't you take a guess?"

Rion and Kotomi didn't respond at all.

Seiji continued his tirade. "You'll definitely be shouted at and beaten, and it's pretty likely that you'll be locked up… no, even shackled! Heh, you'll be locked up like disgusting animals! You'll be forbidden from leaving, barred from using computers or cell phones, and confined to a small room. Your father will only give you food and water, and even this he will do grudgingly; he'll inwardly hate the notion of feeding you…

"Hahaha, merely picturing it is entertaining to say the least! Don't you agree? While you were having so much fun manipulating your father, did you ever consider how frightening he would be if he ever broke free from your control one day?

"Oh wait, there's your mother as well! Since you've even been threatening your father, perhaps you've done the same thing to your mother? When she finds out she's been liberated, how frightening will her anger and rage be? I've heard that women are often scarier than men when their rage is heated to boiling point!

"Hahahaha! I truly wish I could bear witness to your parents giving you a 'good lesson!' Just imagining it is amusing enough!! I… can't stop myself from laughing!!!"

Seiji's loud laughter echoed continuously throughout the dojo.

Apart from him, nobody dared to make a single sound.

Everyone was overwhelmed with shock.

Seigo Harano's words… were all true.

Just how would the twins' parents punish them after all the blackmail material was finally destroyed and they regained freedom… Just imagining it chilled everyone down to their bones!

Even the karate club members who resented Rion and Kotomi felt a sliver of pity for the twins mixed in with the enjoyment they derived from the witches' downfall.

This situation was simply too pitiful.

Seiji finally calmed down after his fit of laughter. "With this, your final hiding place has been destroyed. And from now on, the school…" He swept his gaze over everyone in the dojo. "…everyone here from the karate club is probably either being threatened by you or under your control. This is the only explanation for every single member heeding your summons during lunch break.

"Your control over them is quite something to behold! Honestly, I was astounded when I saw that the entire karate club gathered here for your sakes without a single person missing! You wield such control over them!!"

Seiji extended his hands, gesturing at the club members. "This club is basically your army! You're in control, and you command them!

"This club captain or whatever is only your puppet, a marionette! No, he's better than a puppet! As you don't need to do anything yourselves; he'll obediently do whatever you say!!"

Seiji glanced at the karate club captain whom his words concentered.

Kyosuke Akanishi felt a chill followed by a hot flush wash over him. The chill was from his heart, while his face was burning up like fire.

He was indeed the twin witches' puppet. The entire karate club knew about it, but nobody mentioned it verbally. Having the truth of the matter declared so bluntly… made him feel a deep sense of shame.

"And now, the basis of your threats which you used to control everyone… is gone." Seiji retracted his gaze from the captain as he chuckled hoarsely.

"Everyone here, you heard everything just now. These two no longer have a method to command you anymore; you're… all free!"

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Chapter 93: Once More, the Hero and the Witches

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

All the karate club members remained silent, but their eyes flashed with an indescribable light.

"What will all of you do after receiving freedom? I believe that everyone here is a good student, so you guys won't bully the twins as revenge. But none of you will listen to their orders anymore, and you'll distance yourselves from them, in addition to letting everyone know the witches no longer possess their blackmail material. Eventually, everyone will learn that the famous twin witches are finished!

"Just how many students were under their control or being threatened by them? I don't know, but I'm sure that some among them harbor hatred and will seek revenge!" Seiji let out a burst of mocking laughter. "Just like how your parents are going to 'educate' you, there will also be those who seek to exact their vengeance at school!

"Before, you used to be queens, and you enjoyed the feeling of controlling others with your excellent appearances and behavior. But did you ever pause to consider the repercussions if you happened to lose your position!? You probably didn't, because your brains have already turned to mush and lack the capability to plan ahead! Nor do you dare consider the consequences!!

"But no matter; the fate of a tyrant who loses their power is well known! Newspapers, magazines, television, the internet, even history books—the examples are everywhere!!

"You must have seen similar examples as well! You can probably recall them, right!? Just imagine yourselves in their situations! Since you're going to need to prepare yourselves!! Hahahaha-"

His cold yet pragmatic taunts and chilling laughter echoed in the air.

This was the laugh of a demon.

Currently, Rion and Kotomi were incapable of doing anything except wallowing in despair.

They didn't even have the energy to cry anymore. It was as if they were only empty husks.

Seiji's laughter finally died down.

"Your school life will be over. What else do you still have… oh, right, I almost forgot. Even though I had the black material in your room destroyed, you still have these."

Seiji bent over and picked up the twin sisters' cell phones, which they had previously thrown on the floor in a fit of rage.

This action of his instantly helped Rion and Kotomi to regain their senses as their eyes flickered to life in their ashen-white faces!

"Cell phones… such a powerful tool. There's probably some important content hidden in these phones, right? Actually, my true goal in playing with you for so long was simply to watch you, and prevent you from using your cell phones.

"I agreed to this so-called duel with you on the condition of you two relinquishing your phones, but you two actually gave them up!! Even I didn't expect to meet with such success! I felt relieved after changing your cell phones' passwords, because no matter what your cell phones were capable of, you wouldn't be able to use them during this time, and that was enough for me."

Seiji continued his taunting laughter as he manipulated a cell phone in each hand.

"Now, I'm going to delete all the information stored on your cell phones, so that…"

Whoosh!*

Although the twin sisters had remained silent, they made a sudden attack while Seiji was speaking!

The twins mustered every bit of energy they had remaining and put every drop of strength into their fists, as they threw two vicious punches targeted at their opponent's waist!

They had been waiting for the best timing.

Seigo should have been preoccupied with their cell phones with both his hands.

As long as they knocked him over and recovered their cell phones, they'd be able to make use of them!

However, Seiji had anticipated this from the very start.

In the same moment the sisters began their attack, his foot was raised off the ground.

Pound! Smack!*

With a single sweep of his leg, he viciously kicked both girls in their faces!!

Rion and Kotomi instantly collapsed backwards as their faces slumped down onto the soft mats. Their full-force punches didn't even reach their intended target.

"I said it already; I'm not someone who relaxes their guard against you."

Seiji made a comical face at them. "Even though I even informed you of this, you still forgot. What idiots!"

Everyone could only watch on in stunned silence.

The twin sisters suddenly tried ambushing him, but they were defeated instantly. It all happened so quickly.

By the time everyone finished blinking, all they saw were the two sisters collapsed on the mats, with both their faces beginning to swell up; their beautiful faces were ruined!

This… was so vicious…

Did he bait them into attacking him…

Another chill ran down everyone's spines as they contemplated this possibility.

"Return the cell phones to factory settings, confirm yes or no, of course yes… Okay, finished." Seiji showed both cell phones' screens to the twins after he had finished resetting the phones. "Now these cell phones have nothing in them anymore!

"Oops, I didn't get permission for such an action… But it's not important; I believe that your father Amami-san won't think badly of me, after all. Maybe he'll even thank me for it, since I got rid of the final problem!

"You can feel free to report me for doing so, but how will you report me? Tell the school morals committee? I'm guessing that you've long been blacklisted by them! And you've probably been blacklisted by the teachers too… It's impossible for you to report this to your parents, so would you go to the police?

"Disregarding whether or not the police will care about something as trivial as deleting your cell phones' information, what will you tell them if they did care? Are you going to say that you had tons of blackmail files on other students, but they were deleted by me, so I did something illegal!? Hahahaha!"

Seiji let another round of laughter loose as he casually tossed the two cell phones in front of the twins. "Wonderful! Fighting against evil feels so marvelous!! Nobody will help you! Nobody will protect you! Everyone hates you! Any action taken against you counts as justice!!"

"I! Am a hero of justice!!" Seiji pridefully pointed at himself with his thumb.

Everyone was dead silent.

Their gazes were all unfocused.

Was he… right?

It sounded like he was… but something felt wrong…

Before anyone had figured it out, Seiji moved once more, as he approached the twins and began stomping on them.

"Hey, react a little! This is supposed to be a show where the hero of justice faces off against the evil witches! It won't be a good show if the witches are so pathetic!!"

He continued to kick the twin sisters repeatedly.

"Honestly, I thought you'd at least be able to put up a token struggle; you getting defeated like this is so boring! I don't even have a sense of accomplishment! Hey, weren't you incredible? Weren't you so arrogant!? If you're witches, then act like witches for me!!

"There's still some things I haven't told you yet! Such as how I had my partner secretly copy your personal pictures and videos, to put on the internet! This way you'll be ruined in society as well! You'll be totally ruined! The only things you'll have left are your bodies!

"If you use your beauty, at least you'll still be able to please some men! Then you can depend on that for your survival!! By going to some sort of secret sex shop, and using your bodies and your low cunning, perhaps you'll even become the most popular girls…"

"ENOUGH!!!" a thunderous roar interrupted Seiji mid-speech.

Seiji stopped kicking the twins as he slowly turned his head.

He saw Hoshi Amami standing there, glaring at him with a tear-streaked face.

"Stop hitting them… don't say any more… why… why do things to such an extent… Senpai!?"

Seiji's arrogant expression slowly disappeared from his face; it had all been just an act.

"Why? Wasn't it obvious, junior? It's because they're evil! They're rotten scum, who fail to comprehend the meaning of regret! This is what they deserve!"

"No… Not at all!!!" Hoshi shouted with all his energy.

Everyone glanced at him.

Even Rion and Kotomi who seemed like they had lost their very wills, slowly turned to look at him.

"My sisters… my sisters were kind before… they were just like other girls… they're not… scum…" Hoshi's tears flowed down his face like a waterfall. "They just made a mistake… if they change themselves, they can become good people… Just like… Senpai! Senpai… didn't you say before that you… used to be so similar to my sisters!?" Hoshi shouted while crying.

Everyone heard him clearly.

They all fixed their gazes on Seigo Harano again.

They saw that his expression was surprisingly calm.

It was as if… he had been waiting for Hoshi to say this.

"Ah, indeed. You're absolutely right, junior."

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Chapter 94: What They Saw in the Deepest Depths of Their Despair…

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Seigo Harano… was once similar to the twin witches!?

The karate club members had already lost track of how many times they'd been shocked today; they were beginning to feel numb about it all.

Seiji paid no attention to them as he looked over towards Rion and Kotomi again.

The twins seemed incredibly pitiful as they laid there on the mats, their faces swollen after receiving a beating from him.

"Did you see that? Did you hear that? When you lost everything and became ruined, as you fell into the deepest depths of despair. The only people who will help you, and can help you, are those who truly care about you; nobody else."

He no longer showed condescension or contempt; his words were spoken with utter calmness.

He stared at the twins' faces, and he seemed to peer into their very souls. "You relied on blackmail material to threaten and control others and forcefully formed twisted relationships with those around you. You were lost, so you failed to notice how fragile this type of relationship truly was.

"The moment you lose your blackmail material, everything you constructed will have been for naught, and everyone will become your enemy!

"You'll be labeled as 'evil' and attacked by 'justice!' You'll receive a brutal punishment!" Seiji's words rang clearly throughout the dojo, and each and every sentence carried the force of a weighty hammer.

"Actually, you could have had something even better. I'm talking about… true connections with other people. I've told you before that you're actually very fortunate girls: you have parents who love you, a kind and caring brother, you're beautiful and talented, and everyone wants to be friends with you.

"You were born with silver spoons in your mouths. You were gifted with conditions hundreds, even thousands of times better than those twisted ones you created! But you chose to create such fragile, utterly twisted relationships with those around you, bound to collapse and even turn on you in a moment's notice!

"This is akin to abandoning wealth right at your fingertips, and instead choosing to hug a piece of garbage which seems beautiful on the outside!!

"It's foolish… to the extreme!!!"

Seiji looked deeply at the duo, his gaze piercing right into the twins' cores.

Within their hearts, Rion and Kotomi were trembling violently.

"And even though you did such a foolish thing, you took pride in yourselves. You became addicted to adhering to the supposed 'truth of this world,' and unknowingly constructing a kingdom made of trash. Even so, you were still lucky."

"That's because there was still something incredibly valuable by your side: your little brother. Even though you enjoyed teasing, humiliating, and doing other extreme things to him, he still believed in you two, and treated and loved you like his close sisters!"

"Even though you exposed your true selves to him and did even worse things to him, he still… treated you as family!!"

"After you were swallowed up by your own twisted web, hated by your parents, and abandoned by everyone, who will remain distant from you and regard you as an enemy, he stood by your side. When you fell into endless despair with an incomparably cruel situation facing you, and you were being beaten by me, only he stepped forth and defended the two of you!!!"

"If you still don't understand even up to now, then your brains must have become absolutely rotten!!!" Seiji roared in a stern voice.

The twin sisters' expressions became even more pained.

At this moment, they had no way to deny his words.

Since they personally experienced just how easily everything they were once proud of was destroyed!

And their younger brother that they always ignored and hurt… Hoshi was the only person who still stood up for them after they had lost everything and looked so miserable!!

Everything Seigo Harano said was indisputable, irrefutable… and it was the truth!!!

The so-called "truth of the world" they believed in before was nothing more than an immature viewpoint that they possessed; only part of the bigger truth that they had refused to see.

The world… didn't work that way all the time.

"Imagine it: if you weren't trash that made such a foolish decision, if you weren't scum that harmed someone who you should have treasured, just how… strong and beautiful you would be today!" Seiji continued his lecture. "It's something quite easy to imagine; I can see it quite clearly…"

"Your parents would have protected you, your brother would have respected you, all the club members would have trusted in you, and the entire grade would idolize you… People would rely on you, believe in you, and they'd be willing to become your power!"

"If you ever met with any difficulties or threats, without even needing to ask, countless people would stand up, help you, and protect you! You'd be beautiful, beloved by everyone, you'd be strong to the point where nobody can hurt you."

"And not like this! Your faces have become swollen, your complexions are ashen-white, and you're lying on the mats in such an unsightly manner. You're getting beaten up and insulted and you're despairing, while everyone watches on with distant looks on their faces!"

"Many people are even feeling happy about it, and you can't request assistance from anyone. Not even your parents will come help you; they're the ones who loathe you more than anyone!!"

Seiji took a long, good look at the twins. "How pathetic…"

Wahh…* Tears gushed out of Rion and Kotomi's eyes once more.

'Yep, we're pitiful, just too awful.'

'We were foolish… to the point of… reaching this ending…'

'Just what… were we doing!!??'

They were unable to stop their tears.

Rion and Kotomi looked at each other and saw only stark ugliness… as well as bone-deep regret!

"This is too pathetic, too ugly; I don't want to see this anymore," Seiji stated calmly as he turned around and began walking off. "Goodbye, scum."

"Senpai…" Hoshi dazedly watched his senpai's tall figure walk past him.

Just as he thought Seiji was about to leave, Seiji suddenly halted.

"As for my junior's question… I might as well answer it." Seiji didn't look back as he calmly spoke, his back turned towards everyone. "I used to be scum as well… scummier than even those two currently collapsed on the mats.

"But at the very least, they still have a relative that stood up for them, but as for me… I've already been abandoned by all my relatives. I deserved no less, but in my foolishness I still didn't realize my misdeeds as I hid alone in a dark corner and stubbornly believed myself to be in the right while hating the entire world and everyone in it."

"Until… I met with an accident and almost died… in a hilariously unbecoming method. While facing death, in the deepest depths of despair, I finally saw how… rotten I was. Finally, I was awakened. Perhaps it wasn't too late, or maybe it was already too late… but I tried my best to become… a true human being."

"And now… I'm the person who stands before you. I… tried my best, junior."

After hearing these words, Hoshi's brain, still in a state of disarray, suddenly made the connection and came to a sudden realization.

Just now, all of Senpai's… terrible behavior, outlandish words, and awful actions… were all for the sake of…

And all of Senpai's actions actually dug up his old scars!

He forcefully endured his own pain to do all this!!

"Senpai… Senpai… I'm sorry… I'm sorry!!!" Hoshi couldn't help but cry out loudly after coming to this realization.

Everyone in the karate club was also moved by this.

This person… Seigo Harano…

They couldn't find any words to express their feelings as they looked towards his figure.

But, deep within their hearts, all of them were moved.

Rion and Kotomi also heard those words while lying on the mats, and… they were unable to stop the shaking deep within their souls.

"Seiji…" Mika muttered, tears glistening in her eyes as she covered her face.

Chiaki's eyes also sparkled wetly.

'You've worked hard, Seiji,' she thought to herself as she silently watched that tall figure slowly walk to the changing room.

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Chapter 95: After

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

What happened after that?

Seiji didn't know.

After all, he left together with Mika and Chiaki.

Hoshi stayed behind.

It was now after school. Seiji had to stay behind and write a self-reflection piece as punishment for skipping classes with no apparent reason.

Mika and Chiaki naturally accompanied him, and both were given the same punishment.

While writing, the two girls secretly snuck looks at Seiji and discovered that he was merely staring out the window in a daze, his pen motionless in his hand.

What a memorable scene of this melancholic, handsome youth… Forget it; just take a picture!

"Chiaki!" Mika scolded her friend when she saw Chiaki taking her cell phone out to snap a picture.

"Sorry, it was just such a nice scene. I couldn't help it…" Chiaki scratched her head. "Would you like one?"

Mika's face reddened slightly as she nodded.

"What… do you think he's thinking?" Mika asked after she received a copy of the picture.

"He's probably still thinking about what just happened."

"Mm, I think so as well, since… Seiji is a gentle person."

"Mm, yeah." Chiaki's eyes flashed as she glanced between the boy and Mika. "How much of what happened in the dojo did you understand?"

Mika blinked as she displayed a thoughtful expression. "I can't really say… I just felt like everything Seiji did was for their sake…"

"I knew you wouldn't understand, so allow me to explain for you, Uehara-san!" Chiaki faked a coughing fit and posed, acting as if she were a teacher about to give a lecture. "What you probably care about the most was the second to last scene, where Seiji seemed to turn into a much darker person."

"That Seiji seemed rather scary, but thinking about it, he was quite cool as well~" Chiaki licked her lips in excitement. "Let's just call him 'Dark Seiji!'"

"Why are you even making up a special nickname!?" Mika questioned forcefully. "The way he was… I cared a lot about it, because I didn't like it, but… that was necessary, right?"

"Seiji must have considered it necessary, and I think he didn't make any mistakes, because I can't think of anything better," Chiaki explained. "In my opinion, Seiji turned into 'Dark Seiji' for three purposes!"

"First, to give the twin sisters a huge impact! Second, to act the part of the villain and awaken Hoshi Amami's inherent goodness! The above two were fairly easy to understand, but as for the third… I bet you didn't even think of it." Chiaki chuckled playfully.

"So you're saying I'm stupid…" Mika pouted.

"You just didn't think too deeply into it; you could have perceived it if you considered it a little more." Chiaki pretended to crack a whip before she continued, "His third goal probably aimed to make the karate club members pity the twins and leave them with a sympathetic impression. If the club members regard the twins as people deserving pity, they're less likely to bully them in the aftermath."

"After all, those sisters lost their blackmail material, so it's likely there are many people who seek to take revenge on the twins and bully them. However, after such a performance by Seiji, this possibility was greatly reduced."

"Oh…" Mika nodded in understanding. "That sounds… right."

"Now, if those twin sisters stay at this school, at the very least… they won't be as bad off as they could have been."

"So Seiji took that much into consideration…"

"Yeah, but in the very end, his third goal was just tacked on. The main ones were the first and second goals: to cause the sisters to fall into the depths of despair, before letting Hoshi, the person who cares about them the most, come and save them." Chiaki pretended to crack a whip once more. "This was the most vicious method at Seiji's disposal; he was forced to use it after the twins refused adhere to their end of the deal."

Mika nodded in understanding again. "I think… that he was probably successful, or else Seiji wouldn't have left like that."

"Acting the part of someone so terrible… he probably felt the worst about it."

"Yeah, but he still did it because he's a gentle idiot." Chiaki smiled gently.

While the girls were discussing their thoughts with each other, the boy was pondering over his own actions.

'Whoa, I almost couldn't act the part out entirely… Man, I can only do something humiliating for so long.' Seiji sighed. 'It's not easy playing your part at all, Lelouch of the Rebellion!'

His plan could have fallen apart in so many places.

The most obvious one was the location of Rion and Kotomi's blackmail material. If they stored other copies outside of their room… It would be easy enough to search their house, but if there were more stashed away at a location only they knew, the situation could have turned sour.

But apparently that wasn't the case.

The twins put slightly too much trust in their room's defense… Or perhaps they didn't feel safe hiding the blackmail material outside… Would they feel insecure about it? Was it too bothersome? Or did they feel assured as they had already saved the information on the internet as well, so they didn't need to put effort into making physical copies?

Or did they unconsciously hope in their inner hearts that someone would…

No matter which it was, the twins were rather na?ve about this… If they hadn't been, Seiji could have taken care of it as well, but it would have been more troublesome.

Luckily, things didn't go that way, and nothing he worried about ended up happening, so it counted as his success.

As for the effect… it was alright.

Seiji was certain he finally witnessed true regret displayed on Rion and Kotomi's faces… it was the expression of people who had had finally realized their wrongs!

They would probably change for the better now.

The current problem was their father… and mother.

Of course, the best result was the twins sincerely admitting their mistakes, their parents forgiving them, Hoshi becoming overjoyed, and their family returning to a happy life.

But that was basically impossible.

The relationships within that family had already been completely broken down.

Going back to a normal family… it wasn't absolutely impossible, but it definitely wouldn't happen overnight. There needed to be an external factor!

Seiji played his final trump card which he'd saved for last here.

Rika Amami—his boss, Hoshi and the twins' aunt, and their father's younger sister!

After leaving the scene, he borrowed Chiaki's cell phone to call Rika and gave her a basic explanation of the situation.

He also sent a message to Hoshi's cell phone telling him to go find his aunt and ask for her help as well as personally inform her of everything that had happened.

This was all he could do.

Seiji didn't know how the Amami family would be like tonight, nor did he know what the future would hold for them.

He could only trust in the heart of his cards… whoops, Rika Amami, his strict boss.

Ahh… he felt a sense of pressure. Seiji was overcome by a sudden feeling of helplessness.

Beside him, Mika and Chiaki seemed to be chatting about something.

'They probably felt like I did a really bad job, so although they want to discuss it, they're kind enough to talk in low voices in order to spare my feelings… how considerate of them.'

Seiji was touched by what he perceived as the girls' gentleness.

…

Later that night.

Seiji went out by himself to a commercial street and walked into an exquisitely decorated bar.

The interior was decorated by a mixture of traditional and modern furnishings. This made the bar seem fairly upper-class, and there were many white-collar workers of both genders drinking and chatting happily.

Seiji walked upstairs to the second floor, catching sight of the person he came to meet sitting by a window.

"Hey, Harano-kun!" The person waved at him.

It was Hisashi Juumonji.

The mafia boss Michirou Juumonji's younger son, and a true otaku.

He was wearing a cotton shirt and long pants. His hair remained messy, and there were still dark circles under his eyes, indicating he lacked sleep. As usual, his appearance was wretched.

Just by judging from his appearance, it would be difficult for anyone to think that he was also a highly skilled investor and hacker and that he possessed such high ability in two different areas. He could probably rise up to the position of a top-level executive in any major company.

Seiji flashed a smile as he sat down across from Hisashi.

"You're rather early, Juumonji-kun."

"I didn't have anything to do, so I came early." Hisashi casually extended his hands and placed a menu in front of Seiji.

Seiji took a look at the menu, asked Hisashi what he had already ordered, and chose two appetizers and a fruit juice.

"Thanks for all your help this time."

After the server took his order, Seiji expressed his gratitude once more in person.

"I even told you it wasn't necessary to thank me like this… but I'll accept it." Hisashi smiled. "I did a good job acting on the phone, didn't I?"

"A brilliant job!" Seiji praised him generously.

The two of them exchanged smiles as they both felt like they were talking with someone who truly understood the other.

"This is the data that might come in useful for you." Hisashi took a USB drive out of his shirt pocket. "This is the only copy I made, and there are no backups… By the way, I might as well mention that I didn't check the contents."

He placed the USB drive on the table.

Seiji looked at it for several seconds.

"You can take it back and delete all the information on it, as it won't be necessary." He fixed his gaze on Hisashi as he spoke.

"You're certain?" Hisashi adjusted his glasses.

"Honestly, no, but… I don't want to make use of something like this." Seiji smiled thinly.

Hisashi took a long, deep look at Seiji.

"Alright, I'll take this and get rid of the information." He retrieved the USB drive.

They both remained silent for a few moments.

Hisashi broke the silence. "Even though I heard some things from you, and I can guess at the rest, I still don't know everything about this incident. Could you please inform me of the entire story?"

"Of course." Seiji smiled. "Once I tell you… it's actually not that big of a deal, to someone from your world."

At this moment, their order and drinks arrived for them.

Hisashi raised his beer and nodded at Seiji.

Seiji raised his fruit juice and reached out towards Hisashi, glass in hand.

There was a slight 'clink' as the two glasses came together.

Seiji felt satisfied as he gulped down the tasty fruit juice.

He then thought about how to begin the story. "This incident… was about a pair of idiotic twin sisters, and their even stupider younger brother… it's a story filled with clumsy foolishness."

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Chapter 96: Did You Awaken to Something You Shouldn't Have!?

Translator: imperfectluck Editor: vb24

Seiji detailed the entire story to Hisashi, who remained silent a few moments, digesting his words.

"As you say, it's about a stupid younger brother and a pair of idiotic twin sisters…"

Seiji smiled slightly. "I originally only wanted those sisters to be punished, but the person who they harmed the most still cared for them. As that idiot's senpai and friend, I could only… do my best to help."

Hisashi looked deeply at Seiji, smiled, and raised his glass again. "It seems just like what you would do, Harano-kun."

"Is that a compliment, or something else?" Seiji also smiled and raised his glass.

They made a final toast, their glasses coming together with a 'clink.'

Then there was silence.

"This time, I owe you… you guys a favor, and I'll return it," Seiji promised. "If you ever require my assistance, let me know."

Hisashi adjusted his glasses. "It wasn't much; just think of it as helping me find something less boring than usual to do… Besides, just as I mentioned earlier, breaking and entering into a high school girl's room is an exciting experience I've always dreamed about!"

The first half of the sentence was spoken like a mafia member, but the second half carried the tone of an otaku.

Seiji was rendered speechless.

"So don't mind it. There's no need to talk about favors." Hisashi shrugged, before he seemed to suddenly recall something.

"But there is one thing I'd like to invite Harano-kun to participate in."

"What is it?"

"I'd like to create a game." Hisashi smiled.

"A game?" Seiji blinked in surprise. "If you wanted to make a game… shouldn't it be easy for you?"

"If I pay money to hire someone, sure, but I don't want to do that!" Hisashi adjusted his glasses as his lens flashed.

"I want to work together with someone who is my equal, someone who shares the same interests as me, but has a different opinion. We can each add our specialized touches to create an excellent game together, filled with our passion and will!"

Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata… several animes about this type of topic from his previous life flashed through Seiji's mind.

"You can understand this pure idea of mine, right, Harano-kun!?" Hisashi gesticulated with his hands excitedly.

"Of course!" Seiji's glasses also… whoops, his eyes flashed! "Of course I understand your way of thinking, Juumonji-kun, because that's my wish as well!"

"Ohh—you truly know me!" Hisashi was incredibly moved as he reached out his hand.

"Yep! Then let us work on it together! I'll accept your invitation gladly!" Seiji reached out his own hand in response.

The two otakus shook each other's hands.

After that, they heatedly discussed their plans for their game together for a rather long time…

…

The next day.

During school time, Seiji seemed to be brooding over something. He had remained silent for the whole day.

Mika thought he was still thinking about yesterday's incident, and although she knew it was slightly inappropriate to ask, she couldn't restrain her curiosity and ended up asking anyway.

As a result…

"Make… make a game?" The pigtailed beauty was stunned.

"Yep, together with a friend—the same person you heard on the phone yesterday. I've decided to make a dating sim together with him!" Seiji told her honestly.

Seeing Mika's blank expression, Seiji thought for a while before he decided to give her an explanation.

"A dating simulation game is also known as a gal game, and it's mostly focused on capturing… whoops, it's a romance video game focused on interacting with various beautiful girls, each of whom have different backgrounds and personalities!"

"Oh… oh." Mika nodded dazedly.

Truthfully, she still hadn't understood what this was about, as she was still in a daze.

"Making an excellent dating sim is a dream that many otakus will have!" Seiji clenched his fist as his excitement peaked. "I already discussed it with him; I'll create the scenario, and he'll take care of the coding, but we're still missing an artist for the graphics and someone to take care of the background music.

"We definitely won't make it in time for the holy battle of winter, so our target is the holy battle of summer next year! We're not tight on time, but nor can we relax. I'm going to start working on the scenario right away, and he's going to scout for more people. At the minimum we need an artist before we can begin for real!"

Mika had no words to say in response.

She could barely manage to understand what he said about the scenario, artist, and coding… but what the hell was a "holy battle!?"

Plus, a "holy battle of winter" and a "holy battle of summer!?"

What type of battle was this? Twice a year!?

A barrage of comments flew past her mind. "Seiji… aren't you worried about what happened yesterday?" she couldn't help ask.

Seiji blinked. "Worried, yeah, but worrying won't help," he responded calmly. "I already did everything I could. The rest… it's up to us to believe."

Mika was slightly moved.

"Yeah, believing…" She nodded as a smile slowly broke out on her face. "They'll definitely be fine! After all, you worked so hard!"

"What type of logic is that?" Seiji chuckled.

"The Uehara family's logic!" Mika laughed.

They went together side by side to school, just as normal.

At the school, they met Chiaki in front of the shoe lockers.

She was smiling rather strangely.

"Seigo, here's a special delivery just for you!" She handed Seiji a light blue envelope.

Seiji and Mika were filled with questions.

"This is… a love letter? From you?" Seiji felt that something was abnormal as he took the letter and examined it.

"It's a love letter, but I told you it was a delivery. I'm just giving it to you for someone else's sake~"

Chiaki kept covering her mouth strangely.

A plot of some sort… Something definitely smelled fishy about this.

Seiji was one hundred percent certain that this was a ploy.

"Who is it from? Is this really a love letter? Will it explode when I open it?"

"You'll find out soon enough, so hurry up and read it!" Chiaki kept chuckling.

Chiaki then hopped over, grasped Mika by the arm, and dragged her away.

"C… Chiaki? What's going on!?"

"I'll tell you, but just come with me first!" Chiaki dragged her friend towards the classrooms, then turned her head and shouted one more time, "You absolutely must hurry up and read this!"

Seiji had a blank expression on his face.

He stood there motionless, holding the mysterious envelope in his hands. He had no clue what was going on.

This definitely smelled fishy! What the hell was this!?

Forget it; he might as well take a look. It probably wouldn't explode for real… this wasn't Full Metal Panic, after all.

Seiji prepared himself mentally as he opened the envelope.

"I wish to confess my feelings for you. I can't hold them back anymore, so please come as soon as possible to the rooftop. I'm waiting for you~"

There was only a few unsigned sentences written on the paper.

Seiji raised his eyebrows; something was clearly abnormal.

He changed into his school shoes and walked upstairs.

At this time, the rooftop was usually empty.

After Seiji arrived, he noticed a blue-haired girl wearing a pure white one-piece dress standing in the corner. She had her back faced towards him and was looking up at the sky. The scene seemed dream-like.

He walked towards the girl.

She detected that someone was approaching and turned around daintily.

Her fine blue hair reached her shoulders, and her eyes were a beautiful shade of sky blue. Her delicate light red lips were pursed together, and her pale face was tinged with a hint of red… She appeared to be a pure yet seductively alluring beauty.

The blue-haired girl showed off a dazzling smile as she saw the tall and handsome boy approaching here. As she squinted, her eyes shone with a brilliant light.

"Harano-senpai! I… have always liked you!! Please go out with me!!!" She held a hand over her chest as she worked up her courage to make a soul-felt confession.

Faced with the beautiful girl's confession, Seiji's expression… was cold and steely!

He continued walking straight towards the beautiful "girl" and raised his hand.

"Go out with you!? What the hell, bastard!!!?"

A hard palm-strike to the top of the "girl's" head accompanied his forceful retort!

"What are you doing to me so early in the morning!? Did you finally awaken to something you shouldn't have, Hoshi Amami!!!?"

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